Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II, Part 61

Author: Rice, James Montgomery, 1842-1912; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 930


USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 61


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On the 4th of January, 1872, Nelson Nystrom was married, in Galesburg, to Miss Sarah Carlson, who was born near Oscarshamn, Sweden, in March, 1848, and is a daughter of Carl and Lena ( Pierson) Carlson. They became parents of three children, John Lawrence, Elmer Edwin and Carl August. The parents are members of the Swedish Lutheran church.


Elmer E. Nystrom was reared in Peoria, where he attended a public school and later the Bradley Polytechnic Institute. After completing a three years' course in that institution he entered Augustana College at Rock Island, in which he spent two years, thus securing a broad literary education as the foundation for his professional learning. He prepared for the practice of medicine in the Northwestern University Medical College at Chicago and following his gradua- tion from that institution in 1909 he spent one year as interne in St. Luke's Hos- pital of that city, gaining in hospital practice the broad experience which is to be obtained in no other way. Ile thus came to the outset of his professional


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career in Peoria well equipped for the onerous and responsible duties which have since devolved upon him. His practice is growing steadily and along gratifying lines. He is serving on the staff of the Deaconess' Hospital and after filling the position of assistant county physician was appointed to the office of county physician on the 14th of December, 191I.


On the 23d of November, 1910, Dr. Nystrom was united in marriage to Miss Elsie Elizabeth Olander, of Peoria. He is well known in fraternal circles, holding membership in Temple Lodge, No. 46, F. & A. M., in the local Modern Woodmen camp and also in the Maccabee tent. He likewise belongs to the Fraternal Order of Rangers, to the Royal Neighbors, the Fraternal Reserves, the Mystic Workers, the Independent Order of Svithiod and the Swedish-Ameri- can Republican Club, of which he is president. In strictly professional lines he is connected with the Peoria City Medical Society and the Illinois State Medical Society. Through his association therewith he keeps informed concern- ing the advanced work being done by the leading physicians and surgeons throughout the country. Moreover, his college training made him thoroughly acquainted with modern scientific methods of practice, which he employs most . effectively in his chosen life work.


WALTER P. COLBURN.


Walter P. Colburn, president of the Colburn-Birks Company, is prominently identified with the wholesale trade in Peoria, having since its organization been the president of this well known drug concern. He was born in Bloomington, Illinois, February 6, 1843, the son of Dr. E. M. and Mary. A. Colburn. The father was for many years one of the prominent practicing physicians of Peoria. The family, which is of English origin, became established in the new world shortly after the landing of the Mayflower and among its honored progenitors have been many who took part in the Indian and Revolutionary wars in colonial days. The father died in Peoria in 1895 and the mother passed away in 1905. Both were laid to rest in Springdale cemetery at Peoria.


Walter P. Colburn attended the common and high schools of Peoria, where the family took up their residence in 1850. He left the high school at the age of eighteen years, having learned the retail drug business between periods of study, and went to Detroit, Michigan, where for a time he worked in the drug stores of that city. He later returned to Peoria, where he followed the same business. Mr. Colburn was not only an efficient drug clerk. but was ambitious to make his way in the world and, being economical in his habits, he saved out of his earnings a sum that enabled him in 1863, by interesting other capital to join him, to organize the wholesale drug house of Simonean & Colburn, which was incorporated in 1884 under its present corporate name. Mr. Colburn was president of this drug concern from its incorporation and has since retained that position. The first place of business was at No. 224 South Washington street but the rapid growth of the business necessitated a removal to larger quarters, the establishment then occupying a frontage of over one hundred feet and using five floors. The last change was made to the Swabecker building, only a short time ago, and the concern is now admirably situated and equipped for the splendid business which it is doing, occupying five stories. They employ a force of eighty people on their office and selling staffs.


In Chicago, on October 13, 1870, Mr. Colburn was married to Miss Henrietta Bishop, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Bishop. The father was formerly a prominent resident of Peoria. Mr. and Mrs. Colburn have become the parents of two children: May, who married G. De F. Kinney, secretary of the Colburn-Birks Company and also interested in other important business


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enterprises of Peoria; and Walter, who passed away on March 29, 1899, and is buried in Springdale cemetery.


Mr. Colburn is a member of the Creve Coeur and Country Clubs. He resides in a beautiful home at No. 490 Moss avenue, which he erected along the most modern lines in this splendid residential section of the city in 1903. The same business tact, energy and optimism which have figured so largely in the success which he has achieved have made him not only well known throughout whole- sale and retail drug circles in the middle west but have attracted to him a large circle of business and personal friends in Peoria and elsewhere, by all of whom he is held in the highest esteem. By his long, active business career, in which he has so prominently been associated with the growth and upbuilding of Peoria, he has been of great service to the city, community and state and richly merits the high reputation which he enjoys.


HUGO LUCAS.


The men who assist in the organization of a business enterprise and in its development from humble beginnings into a great commercial institution require for the work brains and energy of a high order. The progress of a business, the development of its different branches and the direction of its policy need a broad intelligence. a capacity for grasping intricate situations, and a power for rapid and concentrated work, which few men possess. Hugo Lucas, president and treasurer of the firm of A. Lucas & Son, architectural iron workers and general builders, is exemplifying the truth of this statement. Ile is a native of l'eoria, having been born June 25, 1864, and is the son of Adam and Fredericka Lucas. His father came to America in 1850 and to Peoria a few years later, where he founded the concern of which our subject is the head today. He has attained the age of ninety years and has retired from active participation in business.


Hugo Lucas received his primary education in the public schools of this city, but laid aside his books at the age of fifteen, and at once commenced work in his father's factory. He learned the business in all its details, working in its various departments until he obtained an expert knowledge of iron work and general building. At the age of eighteen he entered Parishe's Business College where he took several courses in commercial lines and then again entered his father's business, serving in various capacities until he was finally elected secre- tary and treasurer, and upon his father's retirement, president, which position he now holds. The history of the concern of which he is the head is without romance or glamor and yet having quietly grown to considerable proportions it has become one of the important factors in Peoria's industrial development. When Adam Lucas came to this city, he founded a little business of his own, doing general architectural iron work and building. He began on a very small scale, but by his energy, industry, and unremitting labor, he soon had the enter- prise on a flourishing basis. It was incorporated in 1897, under the name of A. Lucas & Son, and Adam Lucas retained the presidency until his retirement, when the office descended to his son. From the small beginning made by Adam Lucas the business has grown to be one of the large industries of this city. The firm makes a specialty of structural work and coal screens. They employ an average of fifty people and their plant occupies one hundred and sixty-five by two hundred and eighty feet. Adam Lucas' administration developed from a small beginning a prosperous industry, and the qualities which made him a suc- cessful man were inherited by his son, who upon his father's retirement took hold of the direction of the enterprise with an executive ability, resourceful energy and keen business sagacity which had always distinguished his father. He has been instrumental in bringing about the expansion of the concern during


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the past few years. He is in full control of its policies, and directs its new ven- tures successfully, and since he took his first position in the firm, has shown himself a worthy son of a worthy father.


Hugo Lucas was married in Peoria to Miss Emily Vonachen, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Vonachen, prominent pioneer residents of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Lucas have one daughter, Marie, attending public school. Mr. Lucas has always taken a great interest in educational affairs in this city and was for some years a director of the Peoria school board. He is a trustee of the Peoria Turnverein. During his business career he has shown a power of initiative and a facility of resource which combined with a capability for management have built up one of the important industries of Peoria.


CHESTER DEWITT CLARKSON.


Chester DeWitt Clarkson, who for more than twenty years has been iden- tified with the laundry interests of Peoria and is numbered among the leading business men of the city, has the added distinction of having attained exalted rank in the Masonic fraternity, being one of the most prominent members not only in local circles but in those of the state. His birth occurred in the city of Troy, New York, on the 4th of December, 1871, his parents being Francis and Josephine (Cole) Clarkson. The father was likewise a native of the Empire state, having been born in Poughkeepsie, August 12, 1834, and there he passed away in 1901. He was reared and married in the state of New York and there he resided until 1881, when together with his wife and family he came to Peoria, to become superintendent of the Culter & Proctor Stove Company. He retained this position for sixteen years, at the expiration of which time he retired and together with his wife returned to Poughkeepsie, where the mother still resides. Francis Clarkson was one of the loyal, patriotic sons of America, who went to the front during the Civil war in defense of the Union. He was captain of Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth New York Volunteers, and par- ticipated in twenty-four battles and forty-two engagements, receiving his dis- charge in June, 1865. He was one of the honored members of the Grand Army of the Republic and always took a prominent part in the work of the organiza- tion. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Clarkson numbered three.


As he was a lad of ten years when he accompanied his people on their re- moval from New York, the education of C. D. Clarkson was begun in the public schools of his native city and continued in those of Peoria until he was gradu- ated from the high school. In 1891, at the age of twenty years, he began his business career by engaging in the laundry business on South Madison avenue, the enterprise being operated under the name of the Clarkson Laundry. From earliest boyhood he manifested more than average enterprise and industry, which he expended most intelligently in the development of this undertaking, meeting with success. He was not easily satisfied, however, his mind being set on higher achievements and was incapable of being diverted from them by either obstacles or difficulties, while discouragements, which spell disaster to so many ambitious young men, but stimulated him to yet greater efforts. In 1893, just two years after he first engaged in business, he purchased the laundry of Duke, Day & Company, while in 1895 he again extended the scope of his activities by acquiring the Empire Laundry. He incorporated the three and in 1902 erected his present magnificent plant, which is one of the largest and most substantial in the city and is fully equipped with every appliance and device required in the business. His establishment is thoroughly modern in every respect and is operated in strict accordance with the very highest standards. With an equip- ment such as his it is possible to launder everything from the daintiest and


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C. D. CLARKSON


THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY


ASTOR L" CX AND TURA TIONS.


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most delicate lace-trimmed garments to the coarsest and most serviceable of materials with equally satisfactory results. Mr. Clarkson employs skilled work- ers in his various departments, and it is his policy to strive to please the most exacting housewife by the quality of his work. He punetiliously adheres to a definite system and method in the operation of his plant, every department being capably directed while the entire establishment is given the closest supervision, and to this in all probability can be attributed much of his success.


In this city on the 3rd of May, 1893, Mr. Clarkson was united in marriage to Miss Alice M. Heidrich, a daughter of Edward C. and Augusta Heidrich. The father is well known in local business circles, being president of the Peoria Cordage Company and one of the stockholders of the First National Bank. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Clarkson, and in order of birth they are as follows: Arthur D., who is a youth of sixteen years; Josephine. who has passed the fourteenth anniversary of her birth; and Florence C., who is anticipating the celebration of her seventh birthday.


The family are members of the First Baptist church and he belongs to the local Association of Commerce and the Creve Coeur Club. while he maintains relations with his competitors through his connection with the National Laundry Association, being the oldest member of this organization in the city. having be- come affiliated with it in 1894. In Masonic circles Mr. Clarkson has become widely known throughout the state. He is past master of Temple Lodge, past high priest of Peoria Chapter. past thrice illustrious master of Peoria Council, and past commander of Peoria Commandery, and he is a sovereign prince of the Princes of Jerusalem, Peoria Consistory, and an honorary thirty-third degree Mason. At the present time he is a grand master of the Grand Council of the Royal and Select Masters of Illinois, and he is a past potentate of Mohammed Temple, Peoria. Ever since becoming identified with the organization he has taken a very active interest in all of its work and was instrumental in building the temple in this city and was chairman of the building committee. The political allegiance of Mr. Clarkson is given to the republican party, but he has never prominently participated in municipal affairs, although at the last election, at the earnest solicitation of his friends, he ran for alderman in the fifth ward and is now serving his first term in that capacity. He is a man of such marked individuality, enterprise and force of character, that with- out doubt he would have achieved success in any undertaking with which he might have become identified. His connection with the commercial activi- ties of Peoria has almost reached the quarter of a century mark and during that time he has established a reputation for upright principles, honorable meth- ods and integrity that is well worth striving for and should be to him a source of great satisfaction.


ALBERT KIEFER.


There is perhaps today no more important career open to a man than the profession of architecture. Upon the ability and artistic sense of the men who follow it depend the beauty of our cities, the efficiency of our office buildings, the comfort and luxuries of our homes. One of the most prominent members of this profession in Peoria today is Albert Kiefer, with offices at 410 Woolner building, where he has been located since 1893. Albert Kiefer was born in this city, June 17, 1869, and is a son of Herman M. and Christina Kiefer. His family have been natives of Peoria and residents of this city for over a quarter of a cen- tury and have been prominent in this county for over sixty years. Herman M. Kiefer was one of the most enterprising grain dealers of Peoria and when he died in 1906, at the age of seventy-six years, he had acquired a reputation for honor- able and worthy methods of business. Christina Kiefer, the mother of our sub- ject, died in 1905 at the age of sixty-nine years.


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Albert Kiefer left the public schools of Peoria at the age of fifteen years and continued his education with a private tutor until he was sufficiently prepared to enter the University of Illinois, which he attended for about three years and a half. He studied the profession of architecture in the office of a Chicago firm prominent in this line of activity, and returned to Peoria in 1889, to take a position as draftsman in the office of Alexander & Son, and in a few years he had attained such a degree of efficiency in his chosen field that he was left in entire charge of the Peoria office of that firm. He started in business for him- self in 1893, and for many years carried on a general architectural practice, but in 1909 he began to make steel construction the important feature in his work. He now specializes in the erection of factory buildings and many of the most important buildings of this kind in Peoria are the product of his brain and hand. The building in which his present offices are located was erected by Alexander & Son, when Mr. Kiefer held the position of chief draftsman. He built the factory plant of the Herschel Manufacturing Company and was pro- fessionally connected with the architectural work of the Woolner Distilling Com- pany's building and that of the Union Brewing Company. Many of the public buildings in Peoria owe their structural beauty and their designing to the skill of Albert Kiefer. He was the architect of the Mckinley and Glen Oak school buildings and the designer of many other structures in this city.


Mr. Kiefer does not identify himself with any particular political party, voting for the man whom he thinks is best fitted for the position or the measure of benefit to the greatest number. He is prominent in the Masonic order, having attained the thirty-second degree, being a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. The profession of architecture in which he has attained such eminence requires a peculiar type of education and brain. Mr. Kiefer's work is distinguished for beauty of design, quality of material and the artistic effect of the completed building. He attributes much of his undoubted success to his habit of close application to business, his inherent talent and his desire to satisfy his many clients.


GEORGE K. BEASLEY.


Prominently identified with the successful members of the bar in Peoria is George K. Beasley, who conducts a general practice of law with offices at 105 North Jefferson avenue. Mr. Beasley, who has practiced his profession in Peoria since 1887, is one of the city's native sons, his birth occurring December 3, 1858. His parents were N. K. and Susan H. Beasley and the father was quite prom- inent in Peoria where for many years he was school inspector, and also for a long time occupied the position of auditor for the American Spirits Company. His death occurred April 29, 1908, when he had attained the age of eighty years. The mother survives him and is still residing in Peoria.


The primary education of George K. Beasley was gained in the public schools of his native city, but laying aside his text-books at the age of seventeen years he became a page in the criminal court, a position which he held for three years. He was then given the position of librarian in the law library of Peoria and it was at that time that he began reading law. He diligently pursued his studies until 1884, when he was admitted to the bar by the supreme court. He did not immediately sever his connection with the law library, however, as he retained his position as librarian until 1886. He then entered the employ of the law firm of Stevens, Lee & Horton, a position which he held until 1893, when he began the practice of his profession on his own account. In the following year he formed a partnership with M. G. Leibenstein, an association which lasted until 1897. After the dissolution of this partnership he again entered the practice of law on his own account, conducting it until 1905, when he associated himself


GEORGE K. BEASLEY


THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY


AUTOR: LINUX AND TILDER FÔUNKA IONS.


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with Charles T. Kenter, with whom he continued partnership relations for two years and since has remained alone in the practice of his profession.


Mr. Beasley was married in St. Joseph, Michigan, December 1, 1904, to Miss Lillian F. Moore, a daughter of Charles and Susan Moore, the father a well known building contractor. Mr. Beasley has progressive ideas along political lines and is an adherent of the republican faith. He is an honored member of the Peoria City Bar Association and his standing among his professional breth- ren is excellent. In his fraternal relations he has limited himself to member- ship in the Woodmen of the World. The family residence is at 803 Monson street. During the many years in which Mr. Beasley has practiced his profession in his native city his success has been uniformly pronounced while his long resi- dence in the community together with his sterling integrity and genial person- ality have won for him a large number of friends. In his clientele may be men- tioned a number of Peoria's best people and a wide representation of Peoria's citizenship.


HON. SAMUEL D. WEAD.


Hon. Samnel D. Wead, a well known member of the l'eoria bar and a son of Judge Hezekiah M. Wead, was born at Lewistown, Fulton county, Illinois, Decem- ber 23. 1852. He was brought by his parents to Peoria when about two years of age and in the schools of that city completed his education, save for two years spent in the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois. He entered upon the study of law in the office of Wead & Jack, in 1871. Later, his studies were directed exclusively by his father. He was admitted to the bar in 1873 and at once began the practice of his profession, forming a partnership with Julius S. Starr which continued about a year when his health failed and for two or three years thereafter he was obliged to put aside active work in his profession. In 1883 he became a partner of Hon. John M. Niehaus, then states attorney for Peoria county, and the relationship thus formed continued until Samuel D: Wead's election to the county bench in 1890. He made a creditable record during his four years' service as county judge, at the end of which term the firm of Page, Wead & Puterbaugh was organized, which firm continued until Judge Puterbaugh was elected to the circuit bench in 1897. Since that time Mr. Page and Judge Wead have continued together in the general practice of the law and have from time to time associated with themselves several younger men, the present firm being Page, Wead, Hunter & Scully. The ability and standing of the firm and of its senior members particularly is perhaps best evidenced by the fact that for many years it has continued to have entrusted to it much of the most important law business transacted in central Illinois.


Judge Wead was elected and served as president of the Peoria County Bar Association for the year 1909. In 1910, he was elected as one of the trustees of Bradley Polytechnic Institute, which position he still holds; and for more than twenty years past, he has held the position of president of the Workingmen's Loan and Homestead Association, the oldest and perhaps the best known loan association in the city.


In 1888, the subject of this sketch was united in marriage to Miss Grace Bestor, daughter of George L. Bestor and grand-daughter of George C. Bestor, who came to the city of Peoria from Baltimore, Maryland, in pioneer times and was the first postmaster and one of the early mayors of Pcoria.


Judge and Mrs. Wead are the parents of five children, Grace E., Margaret, DeForest, Frank W. and Robert. The family attends Westminster Presbyterian church.


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In politics, Judge Wead has always been a consistent democrat, earnestly interested in the success of those fundamental principles of government which he believes that party best represents, but as his adherence has been to principles and not to men, he has not feared to refuse his support to that party's candi- dates when, in his judgment, they did not represent democratic principles, or the public welfare made that course desirable.




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