USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 62
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GARRET E. THOMPSON, D. O.
Dr. Garret E. Thompson, who with a constantly growing patronage is engaged in the practice of osteopathy in Elmwood, was born at Washburn, Woodford county, Illinois, July 4, 1884. He is a son of Joseph and Rachel ( North) Thomp- son, the former born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, and the latter in Wash- burn, Illinois. The father was reared in Pennsylvania and when twenty-one years of age came to Woodford county, Illinois, where he purchased a farm and has since resided, an independent and prosperous farmer. He and his wife are members of the Christian church. He is greatly interested in the cause of education and believes in giving his children the best of advantages. In his family were two sons, Dr. Garret E., of this review and Ralph.
Dr. Garret E. Thompson, reared under the parental roof, attended the public school in Washburn, Illinois, and later completed a high-school course there. Afterward he became a student at Kirksville, Missouri, in the American School of Osteopathy, from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1906. Subsequently he located at Elmwood, Illinois, where he has since followed his profession. He was the first osteopath in Elmwood and as the science of osteop- athy is a comparatively new one, he had double work in developing his practice. However, he soon demonstrated the value of his work and his practice is con- tinually growing and he has developed a patronage which demands his entire time. His office is located just west of the fire station.
Dr. Thompson is a young man of marked enterprise, wide-awake and ener- getic, keeping in touch with the world's progress. Aside from his professional work he is a factor in the commercial world, being the secretary and treasurer of the Peoria Trusswall Manufacturing Company. He is recognized as one of the leading young men of his town and is greatly interested in all public move- ments. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic order, being a member of the blue lodge and also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Red Men.
ERASTUS M. LAWRENCE.
Erastus M. Lawrence, who since 1903 has lived retired in Elmwood, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, January 1, 1836, the son of George P. and Phoebe (Butler) Lawrence, the former born in Pennsylvania in 1800 and the latter in Coshocton county in 1812. The father was reared in the Keystone state and when a young man moved to Stark county, Ohio, but later removed to Coshocton county, where he owned a farm, which he rented, was engaged in the hotel business in New Castle and also conducted a general store there. He purchased the supplies for his store from Philadelphia and New York, and there being no railroads at that time, brought his goods back by canal and was often forced to spend as much as three weeks in making one of these trips. In 1856 he, with his family came to Peoria county, settling in Elmwood township, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he later added to, until
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he owned three hundred and forty acres. In the declining years of his life he resided in Douglas, Knox county, Illinois, where he died in 1874, and his wife, having preceded him by five years, died in 1869. He was a republican and both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In his family were eight children, of whom Erastus M., of this review, was the third in order of birth.
Erastus Ml. Lawrence was reared in Coshocton county, Ohio, and attended the district school there. In 1856, when he was twenty years of age, he came to Illinois with his father and remained under the parental roof, helping on the farm until he was twenty-three years of age. He then began farming for him- self, renting land of his father, and later moved to Oak Hill, Illinois, where he engaged in operating a general store for one year. Subsequently he went to Douglas. Knox county, which was then called Summit, and in partnership with his brother-in-law. M. O. Harkness, opened a general store and lumberyard and also engaged in the grain business. In 1869, when his father removed to Doug- las. he returned to the home farm, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of it. and there took up general farming, meeting with great success. In 1903 he removed to Elmwood, where he lives retired.
On the 6th of October. 1859, Mr. Lawrence was united in marriage to Miss Emma J. Green, a native of New Castle, Ohio, born February 24, 1842. She was a daughter of John and Mary Green, both of whom were born in England. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence have become the parents of five children: Mrs. Phoebe Troth, of Elmwood township; Albert, who died at the age of twenty-one years ; Mrs. Hattie Waldron ; Mrs. Minnie Wilber ; and Mrs. Edna Shivley, a resident of Elmwood.
In politics Mr. Lawrence was formerly a republican but he now belongs to the prohibition party. He is a member of the United Brethren church and while residing in the country served as steward, class leader and Sunday school super- intendent of that church. He is greatly interested in the cause of education and for several years has been school director and school trustee. Mr. Law- rence is widely and favorably known for his straightforward and honorable methods both in business and social relations, and is numbered among the lead- ing and representative citizens of his home town, being highly esteemed for his sterling worth and as a promoter of all that tends to advance the general welfare.
LEONARD H. SPALDING, M. D.
AAssociation with the leading medical societies of the city and state keeps Dr. leonard H. Spalding in close touch with the advancement that is being made by the medical profession, of which he is a worthy representative. For more than three decades he has practiced medicine in Peoria, locating here in January, 1881. He was born upon a farm at Lebanon, Marion county, Kentucky, Feb- ruary 11, 1845, and is a son of Richard M. and Mary Jane ( Lancaster ) Spalding. His parents were farming people and his youthful days were spent upon the home farm in Kentucky, while his education was acquired in attendance upon the public schools of Lebanon and in St. Mary's Catholic College near that place. At the time of the war, however, the college was closed and his father then sent him to a college in Montreal, Canada, where he remained until after the close of hostilities, when he returned home. He then supplemented his broad literary knowledge by the study of medicine in the University of Louisville and he completed his course in the University of Maryland at Baltimore, where he was graduated with the class of 1869.
Dr. Spalding located for practice at Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he remained two years. Failing health, however, caused him to give up the active work of
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the profession for three or four years, after which he returned to Kentucky. He then resumed his professional duties, opening an office at Springfield, that state, where he continued until 1881, since which time he has been a resident of Peoria. His choice of this city as a location was influenced by the fact that his brother was bishop of the Roman Catholic church at Peoria. Thirty-one years have since come and gone and Dr. Spalding has continually progressed, each year seeing him in advance of the position to which he had attained the previous year. His financial success has followed his comprehensive study and broad experience which are manifest in the excellent results which have attended his efforts toward checking the ravages of disease. He holds membership in the Peoria City Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical Association and has served as health officer of the city.
Dr. Spalding was united in marriage in Louisville, Kentucky, in' 1870, to Miss Mary A. Evans, of that city, and unto them have been born seven children : John L .; Anabelle, the wife of P. H. Philbrook ; Leonard J .; Mary, the wife of Robert M. Lisle, a resident of Galesburg, Illinois; Benjamin J. ; Henrietta; and Martin J. The last named is now in Europe studying for the priesthood, pur- suing his course at Louvain, Belgium.
The parents are members of the Roman Catholic church and Dr. Spalding is interested in all that pertains to the city's welfare and progress. He has cooperated in many movements for the general good, has cast his influence on the side of improvement and has advocated high ideals of manhood and citizen- ship as well as professional service.
WALTER W. WILLIAMS.
Walter W. Williams is general manager of the Peoria Artificial Ice Company at 920 South Washington street, in which capacity he has served since 1909. Under his direction the business of the company, which was at first small, has grown and developed into extensive proportions and this progress is due in a large measure to his efficient and capable service. He is a native of Macomb, Illinois, having been born in that city on September 4, 1884. He is a son of Dr. O. W. and Katherine Williams, the former a prominent veterinary surgeon of over fifty years' standing in that district. Dr. O. W. Williams served for three years and nine months in Company H, Second Illinois Cavalry, in the Civil war, and was wagon master of his brigade during two years of this time. He died in 1906 at the age of sixty-seven years. His wife's death occurred in 1886, when she was forty years old, and they are buried together in the Catholic cemetery at Macomb. The Williams family is of Spanish and Irish origin, the father of the subject of this sketch having come to America from Spain in his infancy.
Walter W. Williams received his preliminary education in the public schools of Macomb and graduated from the high school of that city in 1900. He then took a private course in electrical engineering and followed that profession from 1902 until the latter part of 1909. He occupied the position of assistant super- intendent for the American Bell Telephone & Telegraph Company and later for the Interstate Telephone concern of this city. In 1909 he resigned the latter office to accept the position of general manager of the- Peoria Artificial Ice Company, in which capacity he is at present engaged.
He is a member of the republican party and votes this ticket consistently in all national issues. He is a member and past grand chancellor commander of the Knights of Pythias, is prominent in the Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorassan, and is an active member of the Modern Woodmen of America. In all relations of life Mr. Williams has shown himself to be efficient and in the
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time during which he has been manager of the Artificial Icc Company his marked business ability, intelligent service and energy have contributed to the upbuilding of its patronage.
Mr. Williams was married, June 11, 1908, to Miss Nellie Morrissey, a daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. James Morrissey, the former connected with the National Express Company of this city and a pioneer resident of Peoria. Mr. Williams occupies a charming home at 307 Hillyer place, which is a pleasant meeting place for his many friends.
ROBERT J. SCOTT.
Robert J. Scott, a thrifty and enterprising agriculturist living on his farm of one hundred and seventy-eight acres on sections 15 and 16 of Rosefield town- ship, dates his residence in Peoria county from 1886, and since that time he has not only been an interested witness but also a cooperative factor in many changes which have occurred. Ile was born in New York, November 8, 1843, and was reared and educated in his native state. Ile came to Peoria county in 1886, and shortly after his arrival he rented in Rosefield township a farm which he operated for ten years, and in 1896 bought his present home. He engages in breeding live stock, making a specialty of cattle, hogs and horses and also raises yearly quite a large amount of corn, wheat, oats and hay. His richly cultivated farm is well equipped with all modern improvements and accessories, including the latest machinery to facilitate the work in the field.
Mr. Scott wedded Miss Eliza LaMay of Radner township, and they have become the parents of five children. They are: Cora, the wife of James Edward, of Pontiac, Illinois; Eva, who married Ernest Morley, of Jubilee township ; May, the wife of Ernest llauser, of Peoria; Robert, at home; and Archibald, who died in infancy.
In politics Mr. Scott is a republican and is greatly interested in local party issues. He has served as pathmaster of the township. The cause of education has always found in him a worthy supporter, and he has rendered his community very efficient service as school director. He is a strong man of excellent judg- ment, fair in his views and highly honorable in all his relations with his fellow- me11.
JOSEPH F. BOURNE.
Joseph F. Bourne, who since February, 1906, has lived retired in Trivoli, Illinois, was born June 21, 1847, in Monument, Barnstable county, Massachusetts, the town which is now known as Bourne, and is situated sixteen miles from Ply- mouth Rock. His parents were Joshua, Jr., also a native of the same town, born in 1802, and Mary ( Caddy ) Bourne, who was born in St. Louis, Missouri. in 1817. The paternal grandfather, Joshua Bourne, Sr., was also a native of Massachusetts and was of English descent. The father was a sea captain, com- manding a sailing vessel, and died in 1854. After his death the mother again married, her second union being with Mr. Johnston. She later resided in Cam- bridge, Massachusetts. In the family of Joshua and Mary ( Caddy ) Bourne were eight children, of whom Joseph F., of this review, was the sixth in order of birth. Now only three survive, namely: Jerome L., a resident of Bourne, Massachusetts ; Julius, of Lehigh, lowa ; and .Joseph F.
Joseph F. Bourne was seven years old when he was brought to Peoria county to live with his uncle, Melatiah Bourne, who had taken up a government land
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claim in 1834 in Trivoli township. The name of Trivoli was suggested by the uncle when the town was laid out on a part of his farm. Joseph F. Bourne was reared on his uncle's farm, attended school at Trivoli and when twenty years of age went to Lee county, Illinois, and farmed one year. Afterward he went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was employed for six years in the St. Louis & Iron Mountain Railroad Shops as machinist. In 1877 he returned to Trivoli, began blacksmithing, and after four years established a shop of his own, which he operated until February, 1906, when he retired from active work. He now lives in a beautiful new home which he erected in the summer of 1911.
On the 30th of May, 1875, Mr. Bourne was united in marriage to Miss Candace Gillett, a native of Elmwood township, born December 10, 1852. She is a daughter of Joel B. and Melinda (Brown) Gillett, the former a native of New York state and the latter of Ohio. Her paternal grandparents, Gardner and Phoebe Gillett, were both born in New York and came to Illinois when Peoria was only a frontier town, and took up a government claim in Rosefield township. The parents, Joel B. and Melinda (Brown) Gillett, came in 1838 to Peoria county, where the father owned two hundred and forty acres of land and became one of the most prominent and successful men of the community. He passed away in 1909 and his death was deeply regretted by a host of warm friends. The mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Bourne have become the parents of seven children, namely : Douglas, a resident of London Mills, Illinois ; Harry ; Mrs. Ella E. Davis, of Oregon; Mrs. Emma Carpenter, of Lena, Illinois : Ray and Roy, twins ; and Mrs. Zula Lane, of Chillicothe. Illinois.
In politics Mr. Bourne is a republican and he has served as collector of taxes. He has been identified since he was twenty-one years of age with the Masonic order, belonging to the blue lodge. He is a man of strong personality and is greatly interested in the welfare of the community. His life has been such as to give him a high standing in the regard of all who know him and he is generally recognized as a man whose long years of earnest labor have not only contributed to his own prosperity but also to that of the town.
JOHN B. WILTON.
John B. Wilton, who is engaged in the undertaking business in Peoria, was born in Beachville, Ontario, Canada, December 26, 1862. He is a son of Rich- ard and Ann Wilton, who yet reside on the farm where the subject of this sketch was born. The Wilton family is of English descent. To his parents were born eight children: William; Thomas; John B., of this review; Eliza- beth Eliza, deceased ; Mary; Sarah ; Richard; and Robert.
John B. Wilton's early education, which he received in the public schools of his native country, was very limited but, being of a studious mind, he has read extensively and has become a well informed man. He remained in Can- ada until 1884 when he came to Peoria where he entered the employment of James Bennett and later became Mr. Bennett's successor. His establishment enjoys a reputation second to none. His place of business is at No. 1304 South Adams street and he has been in this same location since he first came to Peoria. In other business relations Mr. Wilton is vice president of the Peoria Loan & Homestead Association. His success and prosperity in the business world is due to his own energies, labors and excellent management.
On the 26th of October, 1885, Mr. Wilton was united in marriage to Miss Emma Bennett, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Bennett, the father being the founder of the business establishment of which Mr. Wilton is now the owner. Mr. and Mrs. Wilton have become the parents of three children : James, who is assisting his father, having charge of the office; and Ruth and Florence,
J. B. WILTON
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LEMOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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both of whom are students in St. Catherine's school at Davenport, Iowa. Fra- ternally Mr. Wilton is a Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and he is also a member of the Shrine. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and is a men- ber of the Ivy Club. The family reside at No. 218 Missouri avenue and are well known and highly honored throughout the city. Mr. Wilton is rightly classed among the successful business men of Peoria.
GEORGE B. TODHUNTER.
A native of Peoria, and one who has been doing business in this city, and been prominent in its industrial circles for a number of years, is George B. Tod- hunter, part owner in the firm of G. B. Todhunter & Company, manufacturers of sash doors, blinds, moldings and porch work, with offices at 1717-19-21-23 South Washington street. Mr. Todhunter has been associated in this line of activity in various capacities and with various concerns for his entire business life. His father was in the stair building business for a number of years, and when the son grew up. he also learned the trade, which he has worked up and amplified to its present magnificent proportions.
George Todhunter was born in Peoria. April 15, 1867, the son of George and Julia Todhunter. The family is an old one and of English origin, having been in America for over one hundred years. George Todhunter's uncle fought through the Civil war with great honor. His mother died in Peoria in 1881, and is buried in Springdale cemetery. The public schools of Peoria afforded George Todhunter his early education. He went to high school for a short time, but left at the age of sixteen to learn the trade of stair building, which was his father's occupation. When he had mastered the details of the industry, he entered upon it as a means of livelihood, and continued as a stair builder for nine years. In 1892, in partnership with August Wahlfeld, he began a small manufacturing business along the lines of his trade. Mr. Todhunter was elected vice president of the concern, which is today the great Wahlfeld Manufacturing Company of this city. Mr. Todhunter's connection with this enterprise continued for five years, when he withdrew to establish the firm of Todhunter & Alfs, manu- facturers of window sashes and doors. The business was incorporated in 1907. with Mr. Todhunter as president, and he continued his identification with it for four years, selling out his interest in March, 1911. On that date, he founded the present concern of which he is the head, and has been active in its control and direction since that time. In the one year of its existence, the firm of G. B. Todhunter has attained a degree of success which is more often the result of a long period of activity, and hard work. The concern already employs twenty- five men, and has a floor space of twenty thousand square feet. George Tod- hunter's success has not been a matter of chance or circumstance. His qualities of mind, his activity, energy and resource, his sound business judgment, and his honorable principles have made success inevitable. He thoroughly under- stands the value of hard work and close application, and is personally an expert workman in his line. The company of which he is the head has been in exist- ence one year. yet it has already attained a degree of success in Peoria, and a position of such weight in her industrial life, that many older concerns might well envy.
Mr. Todhunter is much interested in Peoria real estate, and has built at different times in his career, six or seven residences in this city. Besides the great plant which houses the concern in which he is at present actively interested, he was also responsible for the great building of the firm of Todhunter & Alfs. occupying a floor space of forty thousand square feet, which was erected during the time of Mr. Todhunter's connection with the concern.
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Mr. Todhunter takes an intelligent interest in public affairs, but beyond casting his vote for the republican candidate at each election, takes little active part in politics. He is a Knight's Templar Mason, and a prominent member of the Creve Coeur Club.
Mr. Todhunter was twice married. His first wife was Miss Mary Weeks of this city whom he wedded in 1887, and who upon her death in 1897. left him three children: Arthur, who is at present associated with his father in business; Florence, who holds the position of bookkeeper in the firm of G. B. Todhunter & Company ; and Clarence, now a student in the Peoria high school. Mr. Tod- hunter's second wife was Mrs. Jennie M. Downie whom he married in 1899 at Shawano, Wisconsin. The family residence is at 121 Sherman avenue. Mr. Todhunter's position in business circles of Peoria is unquestioned. In the course of his active career. he has been identified with three of the largest concerns in this city, all of which were prominent and successful in their line of activity, and all of which he helped to found. His originality and resource, his power of initiative, his faculty for organization, and his rare business ability, have been valuable assets to Peoria in her commercial and industrial life.
MORRIS D. ULLMAN.
Peoria, like many other cities in the United States, is indebted in a large degree for her commercial activity, her rising business, and her municipal prog- ress to merchants of Jewish extraction and faith. Prominent among these is Morris D. Ullman, at present sole owner of the wholesale liquor firm of Henry Ullman & Son. He belongs to the class of Jewish business men, of whom the city is justly proud. His commercial reputation is based on his strict financial integrity, his sense of honorable activity, and his fair dealing in every transaction.
Morris D. Ullman was born in Peoria, May 26, 1862. He is the son of Henry and Clara (Newman) Ullman, who were residents of Peoria for many years. Henry Ullman, for years a leading business man of Peoria and central Illinois, prominent in church and all charitable work, passed from this life the morning of September 5, 1898, at his home, 211 North Monroe street. He was born July 16, 1832, at Wurtemberg, Germany, and came to America when he was fourteen years of age. He was considered among the pioneer residents and business men of Peoria, was highly respected, and the possessor of a large circle of friends and adherents drawn to him because of his rare qualities of heart and mind. While in poor health for several years, his death was sudden. It is noted in the obituary appearing in the Peoria press that Mr. Ullman was at his place of business but a few days before his last sickness. In 1856, he came to Peoria from Lacon, Marshall county, where he had been engaged in the clothing busi- ness, locating with his brother, Aaron, in a similar business at Fulton and Wash- ington streets, where they continued for twenty years. During this time, their brother David entered the firm as a partner. Later Henry Ullman engaged in the wholesaling of liquors and wines, the business thus established as Henry Ullman & Son, now being carried on by his son, Morris D. Ullman.
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