USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 75
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On the 22d of December, 1898 in Peoria, Mr. Culbertson was united in mar- riage to Miss Egberdine Simmering. Mrs. Culbertson's father, a carpenter and
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contractor by trade, was an old settler in Peoria. Mr. and Mrs. Culbertson had one child, Helen, who died in infancy and was buried at Springdale cemetery.
Mr. Culbertson was strongly democratic in his political affiliations, and held the office of city attorney in 1892-3. He stood high in the Masonic fraternity and was a member of the Peoria Bar Association.
When Mr. Culbertson died on December 5, 1911, the legal profession of Peoria lost one of its most distinguished representatives. If we were to attempt to characterize in a single sentence the achievements of Mr. Culbertson, it could perhaps best be done in the words: the success of an honest man, in whose life marked legal ability and humanitarianismn were well balanced forces. His in- domitable energy, unfailing memory, critical accuracy of analysis, his power of endurance and above all his sturdy honesty, enabled him to rise to a high point of legal attainment. He devoted his life to his profession, and has been deservedly crowned with its choicest rewards. To attain the success he reached, he never resorted to extraneous means or influences, or any of the arts by which popu- larity is sometimes purchased at the expense of truth. He rose to the high place which he held at the time of his death, simply by patient, arduous and unremit- ting toil, unfaltering courage and inflexible determination to succeed.
JAMES A. WATERHOUSE.
A life actuated by high principles to which he was always most loyal brought James A. Waterhouse the regard and friendship of his fellowmen. At different periods he made his home in Peoria, where he had many friends. He was born at Glossop, Derbyshire, England, May 21, 1852, and had passed the fifty- seventh milestone on life's journey when called to his final rest on the 5th of October, 1909. He was of English lineage, being a direct descendant of John Waterhouse, who was born in Saddleworth, England, while at a still more re- mote date it is found that his Saxon ancestors emigrated from their native land to Yorkshire, England. This was about 1400. The family became connected with cloth manufacture there, and some of their descendants still continue in that line of business. Prosperity has attended the family in different generations and they have become property owners, and have been prominent in public office.
In tracing the line of descent down to James A. Waterhouse we find that one of his ancestors, James Waterhouse was the eldest son of seven children of John Waterhouse previously mentioned, and that his birth occurred in Saddle- worth, England, in 1782. He abandoned the cloth manufacturing industry and devoted his time to parish business, serving as constable, overseer of the poor and in other offices. He had a family of ten children, the ninth being George F. Waterhouse, who was born at Saddleworth, England, March 22, 1824. There he was reared and became a pattern-maker, winning the reputation of being the most skillful workman in that line in that part of the country. When his father died he succeeded him in the position of governor, or relieving officer of Glossop parish, but, on the advice of his physician, started for America, hoping the voyage would be beneficial to his failing health. He completed the voy- age, but nine days after reaching the home of his brother, Wright Waterhouse, in New York, he passed away, leaving a widow and three sons, William T., James A., and Frederick A. For a number of years he had been a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was a very active worker in the Sunday school. In Glossop, England, on the 6th of April, 1848, he had wedded Miss Mary Ann Thorpe, the wedding being celebrated in the Wesleyan Methodist chapel." They were the first couple to be married in a "dissenting" chapel in that part of the country. Mrs. Waterhouse was a daughter of William and Elizabeth
JAMES A. WATERHOUSE
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(Boden) Thorpe, and also came of pure English ancestry. In early manhood William Thorpe removed from Yorkshire to Derbyshire, and following his marriage lived in Glossop until he was accidentally shot when forty-two years of age. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade and afterward became a contractor and builder, employing a large force of men. He was also proprietor of a grocery store. After her husband's tragic death Mrs. Thorpe, with the assistance of her father-in-law, successfully conducted the business for a num- ber of years. She died at the home of her son John in Manchester, England, when seventy-five years of age.
It will thus be seen that in both the paternal and maternal lines James A. Waterhouse was descended from good old English families. Practically his en- tire life was spent on this side of the Atlantic. He had scarcely passed the period of infancy when the family emigrated to America and the father died. His widowed mother brought her children to Peoria and here James A. Waterhouse pursued his early education in the public schools, but early feeling it incumbent upon him to provide for his own support as his mother was in straitened circumstances, he left school at the age of twelve. Before he had entered his teens he was employed as an errand boy in the dry-goods store of Clarke & Company. He afterward became connected with Dewein's whole- sale leather store in which he continued for three years and then accepted a position in the local freight office of the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railroad. His next position was with M. W. Goss, general agent of the Star Union Line, and in 1876 he went to Richmond, Virginia, with Mr. Goss when the latter was made general freight agent of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad. He was chief clerk for Mr. Goss and upon that gentleman's retirement due to ill health he took charge of his affairs and so capably did he administer them that it was with regret that the company accepted his resignation, which he tendered that he might return to Peoria, feeling it his duty to remain with his mother. He was then appointed to the head of the claim department of the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railroad and was afterward made local freight agent, which position he continued to fill until 1885. In that year he accepted the position of general manager of the Peoria Transfer & Storage Company, of which he was one of the organizers, filling that position until August 1889, when he sold his stock and aided in forming the Chillicothe Paper Company of Chillicothe, Illinois, becoming its president and treasurer. A paper mill was erected and the busi- ness was successfully conducted until the financial depression of 1893 when the company failed. Mr. Waterhouse was also president of the Kearney Paper Company at Kearney, Nebraska. In 1893 he returned to Peoria and was there- after connected with the real-estate business in this city until his death. He was a man of irreproachable honor, of high character and lofty principles, and although he met reverses in business, no one ever lost a dollar through his deal- ings.
On the 17th of October. 1877, in Peoria, Mr. Waterhouse was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Neff, the only daughter of John C. and Sarah ( White) Neff of Columbus, Ohio. She was born in Alton, Ohio. Both Mr. and Mrs. Waterhouse became active members of the Calvary Presbyterian church and earnest workers in the Sunday school. Mr. Waterhouse joined the church on its organization and served for a number of years as one of its elders and as a member of the board of trustees. He was likewise one of the assistant superintendents of the Sunday school and did everything in his power to pro- mote the growth of the church and extend its influence. He was ever free from ostentation but possessed sterling traits of character that were manifest in continuous kindliness and helpfulness to others. He was a lover of all that was beautiful, an advocate of all that is ennobling, and he stood as a man among men. Although his educational opportunities were limited he contin- ually broadened his knowledge by reading, experience and observation, and he
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possessed a retentive memory. He stood as a high type of Christian gentle- man, prizing character above all things, and at all times realizing, as Lincoln expressed it, that "There is something better than making a living-making a life."
THOMAS F. TALLYN.
Thomas F. Tallyn, of Radnor township, is a native resident of Peoria county, his birth having occurred in Rosefield township on March 5, 1851 .- His father, Thomas Tallyn, was born in 1820 in Devonshire, England, and came to America in 1847, locating in Rosefield township. He followed his brother who had come to this country for the purpose of engaging in agricultural pursuits. Thomas Tallyn was a farmer in England, and after coming to Peoria county settled in Rosefield township, and later operated a farm which he had rented there. In 1851 together with John Ford, a brother-in-law, he purchased a quarter section of prairie land in Radnor township, which the two young men cleared, broke and cultivated. He became a prominent man in this part of the county, and was progressive and energetic, devoting all his time to general farming. Greatly in- terested in educational work he served as school director in Radnor township for several years, but never sought nor desired other public office. He had three brothers, who also coming from England, located in Peoria county. There were also two brothers and three sisters who remained in England. Thomas Tallyn died in 1876 on his farm on section 32 of Radnor township. His wife, Eliza- beth ( Frye) Tallyn, the mother of our subject, was also a native of Devonshire, England. She accompanied her husband to America soon after their marriage, and spent the rest of her life in Peoria county.
In the family of Thomas and Elizabeth (Frye) Tallyn were seven children : William, who was a farmer in Kickapoo township of this county, and who died in 1909; Thomas F., of this review; Elizabeth, who passed away in Prospect Heights, this state, in 1906; Frank, who lives with the subject of this sketch, and who has traveled extensively in the United States, and especially in the west ; Lucy, who died in 1886 and who was the wife of William Jones, who resides on a farm joining the land of Thomas F. Tallyn of this review; John, who operates the old Tallyn homestead ; and Mary, who is the second wife of William Jones, formerly the husband of her sister, Lucy.
Thomas F. Tallyn was one month of age when his father moved to section 32 of Radnor township. He grew to manhood on this old homestead, and all his life has been associated with the work on the farm. He was educated in the com- mon school, having attended the Tucker school, which is located very close to his old home and his present farm. While still under thirty years of age he pur- chased the farm which he now owns, having at that time not a dollar. to pay on it, and today he owns it all free from encumbrances, and besides has other valu- able real estate. Forty acres of the land originally acquired by his father and his uncle, when they first settled in this township, now belongs to him. In addi- tion he owns eighty acres of the original Chase quarter in this township. His present place is the original Ford homestead, and is located but a few yards north of his boyhood home. Mr. Tallyn has always engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and now has over one hundred head of hogs, about ten head of horses and ten head of cattle. He has ever been very successful in his work, and his prosperity is due to his own labors and good business judgment.
On the 21st of May, 1892, Mr. Tallyn was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Rockell, who was born May 17, 1865, in Radnor township, very near her present home. She was the youngest of a family of four children. The others are: Anna, who is now Mrs. Perrin, and resides on a farm near Massena,
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Iowa ; Charles, who is engaged in farming near Massena, Iowa; and Agnes, who is now Mrs. Mitchell, and resides on a farm near Winnemac, Indiana. When Minnie (Rockell) Tallyn was two years of age her mother died, and she was reared in the home of Cyrus Tucker, and as did the subject of this sketch, she attended the Tucker school. To Mr. and Mrs. Tallyn have been born four chil- dren : Clarence R., Ella, Everett Thomas and Anna.
Mr. Tallyn having always resided in Radnor township, has seen the carly de- velopment of this section of Peoria county. He recalls the time, although he was then a very small boy, when the Knoxville road, which is near his present home, was a stage route, and Kickapoo, a neighboring town, was a stage stop. He has in his possession now an arrow head and other Indian trinkets, which he has from time to time picked up on his father's farm. There is in the Peoria county museum, a tomahawk which was found on his old homestead by his brother in his childhood days. This was given to Mr. Gifford, a neighboring farmer, who collected many relics, and at his death it was transferred to the museum.
In politics Mr. Tallyn is a republican, but in local elections he votes for the man whom he thinks to be best qualified to fill the office. He has given much at- tention to educational work, and for more than nine years has served as school director in his township. He was reared in the Baptist church, and socially is a member of the Radnor Grange. He has through life been a total abstainer from tobacco and intoxicating drinks, but never has been active in prohibition move- ments. A lifelong resident of Radnor township, he has many acquaintances here, and is highly respected by all who know him. He has not only been an interested witness in the development of this part of the state, but ever has been a most helpful factor in its general advancement.
WILLIAM H. AYLESWORTH, M. D.
Numbered among the successful medical practitioners of Peoria who bring to the performance of their duties a thorough knowledge of materia medica and anatomy, as well as a ripe experience, is Dr. William H. Aylesworth, re- siding at 725 Main street, where he also has his offices. He was born in Lena- wee county, Michigan, May 17, 1854, a son of Jason H. and Margaret ( Hlin- man) Aylesworth. The family was established in America in colonial days and contributed representatives to the Revolutionary war and also to all other wars in which the United States has been engaged. The father, Jason H. Ayles- worth, was shot at the battle of luka during the Civil war, dying thirty days after the wound was received, and was buried at LaGrange, Tennessee.
William H. Aylesworth received his preliminary education in the public schools of Jackson county, Michigan, graduating from the high school of his native city. His education was obtained under unusually trying circumstances as the untimely death of the father left his mother without support, and Wil- liam Aylesworth in order to help defray the living expenses of the family went to work at the age of eight years, for twenty-five cents a day and board, for a man who later became his stepfather. He was thus engaged until he attained the age of thirteen years, living the while under the parental roof. At that time he left home and accepted employment on a neighboring farm. He worked there for some time and meanwhile learned the carpenter's trade, showing particular adaptability to that work. When he attained the age of twenty-five years, he obtained a position with the Mobile & New Orleans Railroad Com- pany as assistant purchasing agent and made his headquarters at Mobile, Ala- bama. While working for this company he purchased practically all the timber which they used. He had at an early period in life conceived the desire to become a practicing physician and after working for the Mobile & New Orleans
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Railroad Company for one year returned home and began fitting himself for entrance to the University of Michigan. During all this time he had cared for his mother as well as earned the money to meet his own expenses. He graduated from the medical department of the State University, June 28, 1882, receiving his degree of M. D. Since that time, however, he has taken other courses calculated to better fit him for an extended practice in medicine and surgery. He first began practicing his profession at Cedar Springs, Michigan, where he continued with gratifying success for five years, after which he went to Grand Rapids, where he practiced three years. He then went to St. Joseph, Missouri, and was for two years identified with the medical profession in that city, going from there to Fairfield, Iowa, where he practiced five years, settling in Peoria county in 1899 ať Hanna City, where he remained until 1909, when he settled in Peoria. During the Spanish-American war he volunteered his services as an army surgeon and served as personal physician to General Shafter. He is president of the Illinois Automobile & Parts Company and is secretary of the Texas, Kansas & Missouri Coal Land & Fuel Company.
Dr. Aylesworth was married at Cedar Springs, Michigan, November 20, 1883, to Miss Jessie Van Winkle, daughter of Rev. Peter Van Winkle, who was at the time of his daughter's marriage pastor of the Baptist church at Grand Rapids, Michigan. To Dr. and Mrs. Aylesworth has been born one daughter, Ella J., who became the wife of E. H. Schimpff. In his political views Dr. Aylesworth is republican. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in which he has occupied all of the official chairs. His broad experi- ence in the medical profession together with his aptness, his constant, steady and natural ability have rendered him one of the successful practitioners of his profession in the city of Peoria. Having for a considerably long period resided in Peoria county he has become well and favorably known in the entire community and his professional services are sought not only in this city alone but throughout the surrounding country. In professional circles his reputation is among the best and his personal acquaintance being large makes him a con- spicuous figure among professional men and one of whom Peoria may well be proud.
WALTER G. CAUSEY.
In financial circles of Peoria Walter G. Causey is well known by reason of the extensive business which he has built up in mortgage loans and investments. Real-estate dealing likewise forms a branch of his business and he has well appointed offices in the Jefferson building. Like many of the representative, progressive and successful business men of this city he is a native of Peoria, his birth having here occurred September 22, 1871. His parents were Aaron and Sarah (Blackburn) Causey, who became residents of Peoria in the early '50s. The father was for years a representative of the Singer Sewing Machine Company and was widely and favorably known in business circles throughout this part of the state. His death occurred in November, 1879. The mother passed away in November, 1910.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Walter G. Causey devoted the period of his youth to the acquirement of an education until he had supplemented his public-school course by a course in Brown's Business Col- lege. He made his initial step in the commercial world as an employe of Day Brothers & Company, drygoods merchants, with whom he remained for seven years, advancing from the position of errand boy to that of salesman. He after- ward entered the employ of the Monarch Distillery as clerk, in which capacity he continued for three years, when he took a position in the office of the Corning Steel Company of Chicago, where he remained for four years. On the expi-
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WALTER G. CAUSEY
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ration of that period he returned to Peoria and was with the Newell Coal Com- pany as cashier for three years. He then took charge of the office of Eliot & Joseph E. Callender, real-estate and mortgage brokers, which had been estab- lished by Eliot Callender in 1890. Five years later M. Causey joined Eliot Callender in a partnership relation under the style of Callender & Cansey, which was continued until the business was taken over by Mr. Causey. He has been a director of the State Trust & Savings Bank of Peoria since January, 1910. Previous to that time he had been for several years one of the stockholders of the institution. He is regarded as a conservative investor whether in behalf of himself or others, and as a result has secured a large clientage in the mort- gage, loan and investment business. Ile keeps in close touch with the money market and the soundness of his judgment is manifest in the excellent results which have crowned his labors.
On September 16, 1903, Mr. Causey was united in marriage to Miss Florine Thielens, of New York, and to them is accorded the hospitality of many of Peoria's attractive homes. They are members of St. Paul's Episcopal church and for twelve years Mr. Causey has been one of its vestrymen. He was also one of the first secretaries of the Creve Coeur Club and belongs also to the Peoria Country Club-two of the leading social organizations of the city. He is a di- rector of the Association of Commerce, the National Implement & Vehicle show and the Young Men's Christian Association. His life record in its continuous advancement indicates that success is ambition's answer.
CHARLES CHESTER CUTTER.
Charles Chester Cutter, of the Cutter Coal Company, has passed the entire period of his business career in Peoria, of which city he is a native, his birth hav- ing occurred on August 15, 1873. He is descended from well known pioneer families of this city, his father having been the late William Cutter, while his mother's maiden name was Jennie Wrigley.
Reared at home, at the usual age Charles Chester Cutter entered the graded schools, completing his education with a three-year course in high school. After leaving school he accepted a minor position in the First National Bank, where he began his business career. He applied himself earnestly to his work and as he proved to be efficient and capable was promoted as rapidly as his progress war- ranted until he had attained the position of assistant cashier, in which capacity he served for five years. He resigned his position with this institution in No- vember, 1910, after nineteen years and two months service, and engaged in the retail coal business with his brother, Weston Cutter. Their yard was first located at 413 to 415 North Adams street, but as this was not conveniently situated for receiving shipments, being some distance from the railroad. they removed in July, 1911, to their present location at 1610 South Washington street, which is adjacent to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy tracks. As the members of the firm are widely acquainted in the community and are known to be young men of honesty and integrity they have been accorded a very satisfactory patronage. and have every reason to feel assured of the successful development of their enterprise.
On the Ioth of October, 1907, Mr. Cutter was united in marriage to Miss Florence Ambridge of Milwaukee, and they reside at 312 Indiana avenue. Two (laughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cutter: Ethel Anne, who is three years of age; and Florence Ambridge, a babe of three months, who has been named for her mother. Mrs. Cutter is a daughter of George William and Jessie (Ashley) Ambridge, both natives of Connecticut, the mother having been born in Desby. The maternal grandfather, the Rev. William B. Ashley, was likewise a native of Connecticut and a minister in the Episcopal church. He became
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quite prominent in his profession and was for seventeen years rector of St. Paul's Episcopal church in Milwaukee.
In matters of religious faith Mr. Cutter is a Presbyterian and holds mem- bership in the First church of this city, while Mrs. Cutter is a communicant of St. Paul's Episcopal church. Mr. Cutter is a member of the Country Club and also of the Creve Coeur Club of which he was secretary for one year and treas- urer for two. His political allegiance he gives to the republican party, and al- though he takes an active interest in all matters pertaining to the community wel- fare has never sought official honors. He is a young man of good business capac- ity, practical in his ideas and sound in his judgment, and is directing his under- takings with the caution and foresight that invariably lead to success.
PEORIA DRILL & SEEDER COMPANY.
The Peoria Drill & Seeder Company's factory located at No. 2400 Perry street, is one of the most recently established and thriving industries of the city. This company was organized late in 1904 and began operations on the Ist of January, 1905. Their plant is built on a piece of ground five and a half acres in area which was formerly the property of Selby, Starr & Company, imple- ment manufacturers. The company was incorporated in 1905 with Clarence A. Pattison, the present president and secretary, and Luther E. Roby, present treasurer and superintendent. They make a specialty of the manufacture of grain drills and seeders and as they turn out articles of good quality and work- manship are meeting with excellent success in their undertaking. When they first began operations seven years ago they gave employment to only fifty men, but their business has developed to such an extent that they have been com- pelled to enlarge their plant until they now require the services of from two hundred and fifty to three hundred workmen in order to be enabled to fill their orders. These employes are mostly highly skilled mechanics. Both Mr. Patti- son and Mr. Roby are thoroughly familiar with every branch of the implement business and they also possess the powers of organization and executive ability essential to the successful operation and development of an industry of this size. The magnitude of their business is constantly increasing and present conditions would indicate that the Peoria Drill & Seeder Company will become one of the largest and most substantial enterprises of the city. The systems and policies of the firm are such as to inspire trust and confidence in all who have dealings with them, as their products are always found to be exactly as represented and they cheerfully correct any errors or misunderstandings, even when there is a doubt as to their own responsibility. They are both men of progressive ideas and their factory is conducted in strict accordance with the highest principles of modern commercialism. They always strive to keep their word as well as their contracts, realizing that the best way to keep the good-will of their patrons is to be considerate and reliable in the fulfilment of their obligations.
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