USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 65
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Mr. Brown held to liberal religious views, and was ever actuated by high and honorable motives seeking the moral progress of his community. His religion was that of works rather than of words and he was a pioneer in the advocacy and support of charitable institutions of the city. His life was absolutely clean in its purposes and he numbered among his friends many of the most prominent men of the city, including Parker Pillsbury, Charles C. Burleigh and many others of note. Mr. Brown was a Mason, holding membership in Horeb Lodge of Elmwood. He was a prince of entertainers and his salient traits of character were such as ever won for him the high regard, good-will and confidence of those with whom he was brought in contact, and he was an acceptable companion in any society in which intelligence is a necessary attribute to agreeableness.
HARRY M. POWELL.
There are two distinct departments in newspaper organization and to make any journal successful constant attention must be paid to both of these branches. There must be expert attainment along editorial and literary lines and there must also be shrewd and discriminating business management. The failure of many daily papers is largely the result of incapable executives. More attention is paid to the news getting and editorial branch than to the commercial department of the enterprise. The Peoria Evening Star is particularly fortunate in its choice of a man to control its business operations. Harry M. Powell has been prom- inently identified with the corporation controlling the Peoria Star since 1905. and his work in his special line has increased the circulation of the paper and has put it on a sound and solid financial basis.
Mr. Powell is a native of Peoria, where he was born April 20, 1878. His
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parents were Edwin A. and Lizzie D. Powell, the former one of the pioneer settlers in this county and engaged in the real-estate business practically all his life. The family came from Virginia to this section of the country in 1748 and its representatives have been prominent in America since pre-Revolutionary times. Edwin A. Powell, the father of our subject, was an important figure in business circles of this city during his life. He died in 1899 and his grave is in Springdale cemetery, where his wife was also buried on her death in 1905.
Harry M. Powell attended the public schools of Peoria and was graduated from the Central high school in 1892. His business career began in the same year, when he started as an office boy with the Peoria Grape Sugar Trust. He resigned this position to enter the employ of a local bicycle firm, but left that field of activity soon afterward to become identified with the newspaper business and in this line of activity he has been prominent and successful ever since. He has occupied his present position as business manager of the Peoria Star Com- pany since 1905 and during that period has made a record for himself for capa- ble, efficient and shrewd management of the affairs of his employers. Mr. Powell is essentially a business man, capable of a remarkable amount of con- centrated work, shrewd in discrimination and sound in judgment, and these qualities have brought him to a high position in his chosen field of activity.
On the 10th of April, 1907, Mr. Powell was married, in Peoria, to Miss Theodosia Marsters, a daughter of William G. and Theodosia Marsters, who were well known in this city during their lives. Her father was a member of the firm of Johnson & Marsters, who did a large and important fire insurance busi- ness for many years in Peoria. He was at one time secretary of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and was a prominent man in business circles of this city until his death. Mr. Powell and his wife are the parents of one child. William Edwin, whose birth occurred on the 12th of March, 1908. The family reside at No. 123 Moss avenue in a beautiful and artistic home erected by Mr. Powell in 1908.
Politically Mr. Powell is a stanch democrat and is a firm believer in the prin- ciples and policies for which this party stands. He takes an intelligent interest in current affairs and was appointed by Governor Deneen as democratic mem- ber of the state board of arbitration. He holds membership in the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is well and prominently known among the mem- bers of the Creve Coeur Club. He is endowed in an eminent degree with those qualities of concentrated industry and power of initiative which win success in any business career. He has made the Peoria Star well known and financially prosperous and his ability and able direction have placed that newspaper upon a solid business footing.
JAMES R. CARTER.
James R. Carter, superintendent of the J. G. Cherry Company, is a most en- terprising young man of promising future. He was born in Harrisburg, Vir- ginia, on the 15th of January, 1879, and is a son of Robert Carter, a carpenter by trade.
Reared at home at the usual age James R. Carter was placed in the public schools of his native town, where he pursued his education until he had attained the age of twelve years. His text-books were then laid aside in order that he might become self-supporting. He first found employment in a grist mill in his home town. Being an energetic youth of practical ideas, early realizing that thrift and industry are essential factors in successful achievement, he applied himself intelligently to the mastery of every detail of the business. His efforts in this direction were so well rewarded that four years later, at the age of six-
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teen, he was offered and accepted the position of miller at Carlton, Maryland. He was employed in the Carlton Mills for four years, at the expiration of which time he came to Illinois, first settling in Chicago. A few months later he came to Peoria, becoming a resident of this city in 1899. For three years thereafter he worked for the street car company in the capacity of conductor, withdrawing at the end of that time to enter the machine shop of E. M. Smith. Two years later he removed to Kansas City, but he only remained there about twelve months, returning to Peoria in 1905 to accept a position in the factory of J. G. Cherry Company, manufacturers of egg cases. He fully appreciated the fact that this afforded excellent opportunities for advancement and applied his best energies and highest intelligence to his duties. His employers early recognized his worth and subsequently promoted him to the position of superintendent. The responsibilities this entailed brought to light hitherto unexpected powers and Mr. Carter early manifested the executive ability and foresight that marked him as one not only fully qualified to direct but to lead. Since he became con- nected with this firm six years ago he has rebuilt the plant and has installed new machinery practically throughout the establishment, introducing many ideas and innovations entirely his own. He is absorbed in his work, and is constantly striving to improve the enterprise in every possible way, transmitting his enthu- siasm to his workmen, who thus find greater pleasure in the execution of their duties. A practical man of original ideas and progressive methods, he possesses the vital force and enterprise to successfully direct and promote an industry under most trying competitive conditions, and is becoming recognized as one of the industrial leaders in the city.
On the 3Ist of October, 1905, Mr. Carter was united in marriage to Miss Maribel Jennings of Peoria, Illinois, and a daughter of the late Joel Jennings, a well known agriculturist of Patoka, this state. Two sons have been born of this marriage. Mr. Carter owns his residence and several other pieces of prop- erty here and at Averyville.
He is not affiliated with any clubs or fraternal organizations, devoting his entire time to the development of his business interests and his family. His achievements are highly deserving of commendation as they are the well merited remarks of honest endeavor and painstaking efforts exercised by a man who has been self-supporting from his early boyhood.
PROFESSOR JOHN ARLEIGH HAYES.
Professor John Arleigh Hayes, a Harvard man, whose liberal educational training has well qualified him for responsible duties in educational circles, is now filling the position of county superintendent of schools, to which he was elected in September, 1910. He holds to high standards in this work, is pro- gressive in his methods, and under his direction the schools of the county are making substantial and practical advancement.
Professor Hayes is still a young man, his birth having occurred in Brim- field, Peoria county, Illinois, on the 19th of January, 1877. His father, Charles Hayes, was a native of England, but when seven years of age was brought to America by his parents, who settled in Cleveland, Ohio. Later a removal was made to Earlville, Iowa, where he was reared to manhood, and on starting out in life for himself, took up the profession of teaching. When twenty-two years of age he removed to Peoria county, Illinois, where he has since engaged in teaching and farming, meeting with success in both lines of endeavor. He now lives in Brimfield and has a well improved farm in this vicinity. In politics he has always been an active democrat and has held a number of local positions, including that of town clerk. He has also been school treasurer and the cause
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
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of education has found in him a stalwart champion, for he recognizes in it the bulwark and defense of the nation. He married Miss Elizabeth Hindle, of Peoria county, a member of one of the early English families here, and they became the parents of eight children, of whom seven are yet living.
Professor John A. Hayes was reared in a home of culture and refinement where intellectual progress was rated at its true worth, recognizing the fact that in providing their children with good educational advantages they gave them a priceless gift. The parents thus made it possible for John A. Ilayes, as well as other members of the family, to pursue their studies beyond the public-school course. He was graduated from the Western Normal College with the class of 1896 and afterward entered the Illinois State Normal. Later he went east for further study and entered the scientific course in Harvard University, with the class of 1903. He then returned to his home state and took up the profes- sion of teaching, being connected with the schools at Monica, Illinois, for a time. In 1905 he accepted the position of principal of the Loucks school in Peoria, remaining in charge for three years, when he was appointed assistant county superintendent of schools. In the fall of 1910 he became a candidate for county superintendent and in the election in September was chosen to that office as the successor of C. U. Stone. He has since satisfactorily served as the head of the school system of the county and his well formulated plans for improve- ment have been followed by excellent results. He keeps in close touch with the best work that is being done in city, country and state schools, is a reader of the foremost educational journals, and while he has adopted ideas advanced by others, he has also displayed much of the spirit of the initiative in formulating plans especially adapted to needs and conditions herc.
In Princeville, in 1906, Professor Hayes was united in marriage to Miss Cora V. Buck, a daughter of M. II. Buck, a retired farmer of Princeville. They have one child. Gertrude Elizabeth. The parents hold membership in the Meth- odist church and are interested and active in its work. Professor Hayes gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and fraternally is connected with the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Wood- men of America. Wherever known he is held in high regard and most of all, where he is best known. He is always to be found in those circles where the most intelligent men are gathered in the discussion of vital and significant ques- tions and his influence and labors have been a potent factor for progress.
HENRY C. BLOCK.
The pages of this work illustrate the lives of many successful men, who have risen from poverty to opulence and influence, but of none can it be said more truthfully than of Henry C. Block that his work from beginning to end was actively creative, public-spirited, inspired by a generous, proud and loyal heart, and useful to the last degree. The prosperity of a city is mirrored in the devel- opment and increase of its commercial activity. The enterprise, activity and success of the business men of a city are the ground work of its prosperity. When business grows, a city grows. Therefore to the men who have linked their fate with the progress of a city, who have contributed to its growth by giving all their faculties and talents to the upbuilding of its industries, that city owes a debt of gratitude. A man to whom Peoria is indebted in a large degree in this man- ner, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, Henry C. Block.
Thoroughly conversant with the details of his profession, energetic in all his commercial transactions, as well as honorable and high-minded in all the different phases of life, Mr. Block occupies an enviable position among his fellow citizens, who willingly accord to him a place in their first ranks, not alone for his many
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business qualities, but for every trait that marks the true Christian gentleman and man of honor.
Henry C. Block, who is now president of the great dry-goods firm of Schip- per & Block, of Peoria, was born in Leer, East Friesland, Germany, in 1842. His father kept a small dry-goods and dyeing establishment in Leer, and the boy was conversant with the details of the business from an early age. He was edu- cated in Germany, receiving the excellent course of study which the high schools of that country offer to its young men. Immediately on leaving school, he entered his father's dry-goods store, where he learned the business thoroughly by expe- rience in all its departments. He also worked as a clerk in two large dry-goods stores in Germany before sailing for America in 1865 at the age of twenty-three years. He landed first in New York, where he worked for a year in a dry-goods store. In 1866 he came west and settling in Pekin, Illinois, accepted a position as clerk in the store of George Tom. The following year, he came to Peoria and entered the employ of the Roebeck Dry Goods Company then doing business on Main street. However, he remained in Peoria but a short time, after which he returned to Pekin to work for Bonk & Company, leading dry-goods merchants of that city. In 1869 Mr. Block's energy and business qualifications were rewarded by the offer of a partnership in the business, which he accepted. The business was reorganized, and the firm name changed to Schipper & Block, under which name it is now in a flourishing condition in Pekin, Illinois. In 1880, Henry C. Block joined with his brother Frederick and Mr. Schipper, and later was joined by Theodore Kuhl, in opening a store in Peoria, which was the foundation of the present magnificent business of Schipper & Block of this city. Frederick Block was one of the most prominent business men of his time, and he put into his new project all of his business knowledge, his energy and activity. The be- ginning was small-a little store on South Adams street. But the business policy of perfect honesty, one price for all, strict integrity in all business dealings, straight-forward methods, and no misrepresentation of goods, prevailed then as it prevails now, and the little store grew and prospered. It soon moved into the store which is at present occupied by the Martin Dry Goods store, where its re- markable success continued for a number of years. In 1896 the store again moved into larger quarters, occupying the present site of P. A. Bergner & Com- pany in the Woolner building at the corner of Fulton and Adams streets. Here it remained for ten years, growing continually, keeping up steadfastly to its original high standard of efficiency and gradually growing to be the largest dry- goods store in Peoria .. Six years ago it was found that the business was too large even for the quarters in the Woolner building, and the present magnificent store was erected across the street from its old site at the corner of Fulton and Adams streets. This "Big White Store" is the pride of Peoria today. It is the largest dry-goods store in the state outside of Chicago. Every department is as efficiently and as perfectly equipped as a separate store. It is a hundred stores in one. Everything can be bought there, from pins to the most magnificent gowns that the markets of the world have to offer. It has nine stories-seven floors, a basement and a sub-basement, and the business done every day is enormous. The furniture department, which was formerly conducted as a separate store under the name of the Schipper & Block Furniture Company, has now been in- corporated into the main store, and occupies two floors of the building. There are three warehouses built behind the store which are used as workrooms, and for storing and manufacturing furniture and picture frames. Recently a tunnel was constructed under the alley, and the delivery department was changed from the main building to the warehouses. But with all this success, the policy which directed the little store in 1880, directs the enormous corporation today. The success of Henry C. Block and of Schipper & Block is based on honesty, strict business integrity, and keeping to the one price idea. Henry C. Block is presi- dent of the company. He has amassed a splendid fortune, and has made a busi-
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ness reputation of which he has every reason to be proud, yet in manner he is unassuming and his tastes are modest. Trne worth, however, cannot be hidden and all with whom Mr. Block has been brought in contact recognize his sterling qualities of manhood and citizenship and pay to him that tribute of esteem and admiration which is accorded to honorable manhood in every land of the world.
Henry C. Block was married in Pekin, in 1871, to Miss Louisa Smith, a mem- ber of a prominent family of manufacturers in Germany, and his married life has been particularly happy. He has never mingled much in politics, devoting his time entirely to business affairs, but he is interested in the public questions of his day, and has always been affiliated with the republican party. He is a member of the Creve Coeur Club, and belongs to the Methodist church.
Mr. Block has built up by his energy and business acumen the magnificent business at whose head he is today. He has attained enviable distinction in the business world by his indomitable perseverance in any undertaking he once em- barks in, his boldness of operation in his projects, his unusual capacity for judg- ing the motives and merits of men, and the integrity and loyalty of his devotion to his friends. While in his business career he has passed on to a position of wealth and prominence, he has never neglected the opportunities to assist a fel- low traveler on life's journey, his hand being often extended to aid some one to whom nature, fate or environment have seemed less kindly. His life has been in large measure an exemplification of his belief in the universal brotherhood of man. He has never allowed questionable methods to form a part of his business career, and over the record of his life there falls no shadow of suspicion of evil.
GEORGE W. BURTON.
George W. Burton, a young Peoria lawyer, with offices in the Mayor build- ing, was born in Washington, D. C., April 15. 1880. His father, Robert A. Bur- ton, also is a lawyer, engaged in general practice in Chicago.
George W. Burton graduated from Hyde Park high school (Chicago) in 1897. Following some miscellaneous employments, including newspaper re- porting. law office, street railway, census office and other work he graduated in June, 1902, from the law department of Columbian University. (now George Washington University) of Washington, D. C.
After two years in Chicago he entered the employ of the Illinois Traction System in a minor capacity in the office of L. E. Fischer, then general manager. at Danville, Illinois.
Mr. Burton came to Peoria in December, 1908. He is a member of the Peoria and Illinois State Bar Associations, and is also a member of the Creve Coeur Club. His political preference is republican.
Mr. Burton is engaged in general practice and is also general counsel of the Illinois Traction System.
JOHN R. JOHNSON.
John R. Johnson, who is numbered among the successful farmers of Lime- stone township, was born in Germany, October 8. 1846. His parents were Rent and Gretchen (Ollrechs) Johnson, who came to America in 1851 and settled in Peoria, where they resided for eighteen years. Subsequently they removed to a farm in Peoria township, where they spent the rest of their lives.
John R. Johnson was only five years of age when his parents brought him to Peoria, where he was reared and received his education. He remained under
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the parental roof until he was twenty-four years of age and then took up the cooper trade in Peoria, which he followed until 1874. At that time he rented a farm of eighty acres, on which he was engaged in farming for two years. In 1876 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Limestone township, which is part of his present farm, paying twenty-five dollars per acre, the same being now worth one hundred dollars per acre. In 1888 he bought an adjoining eighty acres. He successfully engages in general farming, having one hundred acres in hay, twenty-five in corn, eleven in oats and eighteen in wheat, while the remaining number of acres which are pasture land, are used for his hogs, cattle and horses.
On the 8th of June, 1873, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Benders, a daughter of Ben and Anna (Stroman) Benders, formerly of Limestone township. Mrs. Johnson and her sister, Bertha ( Benders) Anton, came from Germany to Peoria county, Illinois, in 1872. The sister died in 1906, at the age of sixty years. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have become the parents of eight children : Rent, born May 14, 1874; Ben, born August 25, 1876; John, born November 21, 1878; George, born April 13, 1881; Annie, born March 3, 1883; Henry, born September 23, 1885; Maggie, born June 20, 1887; and Carl, born February 28, 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson now have twenty-three grandchil- dren. He and his family are zealous members of the German Lutheran church. He has a wide circle of acquaintances in the community where he has made his home for so many years and is best liked where he is best known-a fact in- dicative of qualities of character that are commendable, ever commanding respect and regard.
JOHN W. BUSHELL.
The name of Bushell has been prominent in business and manufacturing circles in Peoria for over fifty years. The family is at present represented in this city by John W. Bushell, head of A. A. Bushell & Son, general roofers and builders of asphalt pavement, which business was handed down to him by his father, who had been prominently connected with it for many years before his death.
John W. Bushell was a native of Peoria, having been born in this city in 1862. His father was Augustine Andrew Bushell, a native of Ireland, born in Dublin, August 31, 1833. He came to Canada in 1841, but spent most of his boyhood at Newburg, New York, where he received a common-school education, and learned the tinner's trade. In 1852, Augustine Bushell came to Peoria for the first time, and worked at tinning until 1854, when he again returned to New- burg where he married Miss Anna T. Callahan, mother of the subject of this sketch. In 1855 they returned to Peoria, where Augustine Bushell pursued the occupation of tinning and general roofing, thus laying the foundation of the magnificent business along this line of which his son is head at the present time. Augustine Bushell was an accomplished musician, and helped in the organ- ization of the famous Spencer's band, one of the oldest and most noted institutions of its kind in Peoria county. Augustine Bushell died in Peoria, October 20, 1888, and the march at his funeral was played by the members of Spencer's band, which he had helped to organize. Augustine Bushell's political affiliations were strictly democratic, and he was a devout member of the Roman Catholic church. He was the father of eight children of whom six are now living: Charlotte M., who married Frank Kimmett of Peoria; Robert E .; Monica, the wife of James E. Bennett of Peoria; Mary Emma; Ruth E., who married Dr. W. T. Whalen of this city; and John W. at present head of the great asphalt business.
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