USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 88
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J. HI. ALBERS.
It is a well known fact that the city of Peoria is indebted much to its retail merchants who have at various periods of its eventful history settled here, and who during a long succession of years by systematic application of industry and business integrity, added materially to its wealth and importance. Among these may be placed John H. Albers, proprietor of the Walkover Shoe Store at 112 South Adams street. Mr. Albers' reputation has always been of the highest, and its effects upon his trade have been quick and telling. There is probably nothing of more importance in the business world than a strict sense of honor, unim- peachable integrity, and honest policy. All these qualifications Mr. Albers pos- sesses in a marked degree, and they have made his life successful. He is a splendid type of the alert, energetic, progressive business man, to whom ob- stacles serve rather as an impetus to renewed labor than a bar to progress. Progressiveness and wealth in a city depend intrinsically upon the volume of its business, and the honesty with which it is conducted and this volume and honesty can never be attained by any city, except through the individual efforts of its citizens.
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John H. Albers was born in Petersburg, Illinois, September 13, 1874. His parentage was German, the father, being born in the northern part of that country, came to America when a boy, and settled almost immediately in Peters- burg, Illinois, where he became a prominent shoe merchant and so continued for twenty-five years. John H. Albers was a pupil of the grammar and high school of Petersburg. In the afternoons, after school, and on Saturdays, he helped in his father's shoe shop, and became familiar with all the details of the business. His father inculcated in his son his own qualities of energy, ambition and strict business honesty, which are the foundations of the son's success today.
When John Albers was seventeen years of age, he left school and came to Peoria, to accept a position in the shoe house of Wynd & Company, where he remained for nine years, giving evidence of his superior merits and business tal- ent. The next six years were spent with the J. Thielbar Company and in the Douglas shoe store. These years of apprenticeship were probably the most valua- ble experience which he could have in preparation for his life's business. The firms by which Mr. Albers was employed were the largest and most prominent in the city, and offered their employes an opportunity to become acquainted with the most efficient business methods in the old-time paternal spirit.
In 1906 Mr. Albers, in partnership with his father, bought the Walkover Shoe Store at 122 South Adams street, from O. H. Harvey, who owned it at that time. The father died two months after the transfer was made, leaving the business to his three children, John Albers, a sister and a brother. Since that time the business has increased enormously every year. Mr. Albers' executive ability, his power to see to the bottom of intricate affairs, and his fertility of resource, and his facility in the management of a large business, have rendered his success inevitable. The Walkover Shoe, in which he deals exclusively, is sold in every city in the United States, Europe and South America, and the factory makes over twenty thousand pairs a day to supply the demand.
Life has been a quiet one with Mr. Albers, no political office, no large cor- porations, no clubs and little else outside of purely business transactions having interrupted the even tenor of his way. What political affiliations he has are republican, but he keeps himself independent politically, and always votes for the best man. He is a member of the Masonic order, having attained the Knight's Templar degree, and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of Khorassan.
On April 19, 1899, Mr. Albers married Miss Virginia Hoit, the daughter of a prominent physician of Elmwood, Illinois, and their married life has been ideally happy. Mr. Albers' many qualities of head and heart have drawn around him a large circle of friends and acquaintances, who wish him well and all of whom feel proud of his friendship.
FRANCIS A. EDWARDS.
The student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the records. of Peoria county without learning that the Edwards family has figured long and prominently here and that in all that stands for development and improvement they have taken an active and helpful part. Such has been the record of Francis A. Edwards, now a resident of Peoria. For an extended period he was connected with agricultural and commercial interests but is now practically living retired, giving his attention only to the supervision of his investments. When Peoria county was on the very borders of western civilization the Edwards family was established in this part of the state. They were descended from Scotch-Irish ancestry and at an early period in the history of Virginia the family was planted on American soil. His paternal grandparents were Thomas and Elinor (Scott)
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Edwards, who were natives of Hampshire county, Virginia, where they owned a large plantation and a number of slaves and also large woolen mills. The growing west attracted them, however, and in 1833 Peoria county witnessed their advent among her early settlers. They met the usual experiences incident to frontier life when the homes of the settlers were largely log or little frame cabins. Peoria was then a tiny hamlet and Chicago had not yet been incorporated as a city. The great broad prairies stretched for miles away, covered with the native grasses and starred with a million wild flowers in the month of June, while winter brought one unbroken and dazzling sheet of snow. Following his arrival in Peoria county, Thomas Edwards entered a farm. His death occurred about 1855 and his wife passed away ten years later.
Edward D. Edwards, father of Francis A. Edwards, was born in Hampshire county, Virginia, in 1819, and spent his youthful days upon his father's plan- tation in that state. He pursued his education in the subscription schools of the neighborhood and following the removal of the family to Illinois when he was a youth of fourteen years, he worked on his father's farm. Later, however, he turned his attention to farming and homesteaded and entered various tracts of land and also purchased still other tracts, owning at one time sixteen hun- dred acres, most of which was in Rosefield township. He became one of the most successful and progressive farmers of his district and aided largely in laying the foundation for the present progress and prosperity of the county, for his work converted the broad prairie into productive fields, whereby the value of the land was greatly enhanced. In addition to his farming interests Edward D. Edwards built seven miles of the old Peoria & Oquawka Railroad, now,a part of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. He also built a large flour mill at Edwards Station which cost eighteen thousand dollars, but this was later de- stroyed by fire. He opened the first coal mine in Kickapoo township and con- tinued an active and helpful factor in the work of general improvement and progress to the time of his death, which occurred in 1856. His political alle- giance was given to the republican party but he never cared for nor sought of- fice. He married Susan Elizabeth Schnebley, the marriage taking place in Rich- wood township at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schnebley. In the family were eight children: Thomas Henry, now deceased; Ellen Jane, the deceased wife of D. S. Geigley; Alice and John, who died in infancy ; Francis A .; Edward D., who is living in Peoria ; George W., who died at the age of twenty-two years; and Susan Elizabeth, the wife of R. F. Van Arsdale.
Francis A. Edwards, whose name introduces this record, pursued his edu- cation in the school at Edwards Station and also in Heading Seminary at Ab- ingdon, Illinois, in which he spent one term. He left school at the age of seven- teen years and for six months thereafter was a resident of Altona, Illinois, after which he returned to the old home and assisted his mother in farming. Three generations of the Edwards family were born on the E. D. Edwards, Sr., home- stead, Francis A. Edwards, his sons Paul and Fred L., and his granddaughter Grace Edwards. The old place is endeared to him through the associations of his boyhood and manhood and there he continued to live until about 1890, when he removed to Peoria, remaining for a year. He next entered the grocery business at Edwards, his family remaining in school in Peoria, and there he continued in the trade during 1892-3. He then sold out and again came to Peoria, where he became engaged in the wholesale and retail coal business. He organized the Manhattan Coal Company and under that name conducted busi- ness for many years, but eventually sold out in that line and has since given his attention to the management of his farming properties. He and his brother Edward D. Edwards purchased the interests of the other heirs in their father's estate, which consisted largely of farm lands. I11 1909, however, Francis A. Edwards sold all of his interests and bought his grandfather's homestead, the ownership of which he still retains. He is a man of sound business judgment, whose entire life has been characterized by enterprise and advancement, and in
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all of his dealings he has maintained an unassailable reputation for integrity and reliability.
On the 2d of October, 1877, Mr. Edwards was united in marriage to Miss Emma Lackey, a daughter of Dr. Charles E. and Magdeline ( Pettit) Lackey, the former a native of New York and the latter of Pennsylvania. At one time her parents resided in Virginia, where she was born but subsequently came west to Illinois, settling in Putnam county, where the father engaged successfully in the practice of medicine. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Edwards have been born two sons, Fred L. and Paul L., of whom the latter was mine examiner at the Olympia coal mine. He married Mae Patton, of Rosefield, and their children are Grace, Lee E. and Susan E. He is now farming his father's farm in Fulton county, near Smithfield, Illinois. Fred L. Edwards died in 1900 at the age of twenty- two years.
Mr. Edwards has always been devoted to the welfare of his home and family and has never sought to figure prominently in public life. He is, however, very widely and favorably known, having a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance. He belongs to the Odd Fellows society and to the Woodmen camp and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He is a liberal-minded man of broad views and of sound judgment, who has been active in promoting the welfare and progress of Peoria county, where he is ranked as an honored and representative citizen.
LAFAYETTE DALTON.
LaFayette Dalton, who since 1905 has lived retired in Elmwood, was born in Elmwood township, December 8, 1848, his parents being Avery and Delilah (Dalton) Dalton. His paternal grandparents, Samuel and Ludah (Mustine) Dalton, were natives of Virginia, of Scotch-Irish descent. The father was in the War of 1812 and about 1822 he and his wife moved to Ohio, settling in Highland county. His wife, Ludah Dalton, died in Virginia in 1827 and is buried near Petersburg. Later he came to Illinois and made his home with his son, Avery Dalton, the father of the subject of this sketch, until his death in 1862. The maternal grandparents were Henry and Elizabeth (Smith) Dalton, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of North Carolina. They moved to Ohio at a very early date and in 1829 came to Illinois, where the grandfather passed away in 1862 and the grandmother in 1871. The father, Avery Dalton, was born December 20, 1808, in Pittsylvania county, Virginia. In 1830 he came to Illinois and located near Farmington, where he met Delilah Dalton, whom he married on September 10, 1835. She was a native of Ohio, born May 19, 1818. One year after their marriage they purchased a farm of forty acres on section 19, one and one-half miles south of Elmwood. They were very prosperous and later became the owners of over four hundred acres of valu- able land. He resided on this farm until 1905, when he went to live with his son Cicero, with whom he remained two years. For the past four years he has resided with his son LaFayette, of this review. Avery Dalton is now the oldest living settler in Peoria county and the only living veteran of the Black Hawk war, in which war he served under Colonel Stillman, enlisting at Canton. He has ever taken a very active interest in the public welfare and helped to hew the logs for the first courthouse in Knox county. He was always considerate of his neighbors and his devotion to his family was ever one of his salient characteristics. He is fond of outdoor life and his chief recreations are hunt- ing and fishing. His wife passed away June 16, 1901. He has now reached the advanced age of one hundred and three years and he attributes his long life to his temperate ways, for he has never. used tobacco or any intoxicating
102 - Dec-20-1911
AVERY DALTON
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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liquors. In his family were five sons and four daughters. Only three of the sons are now living and they all reside in Elmwood township. The youngest son lives on the old homestead and still resides there in the old homestead cabin which was erected in about 1836. The sons are Cicero, LaFayette and James. Avery Dalton now has two great-great-grandchildren and about twenty-seven great-grandchildren.
La Fayette Dalton received his education at the Phelps school in this town- ship. All his life he has been associated with work on the farm and also en- gaged in the coal business, operating a mine on his fathers' place for several years. He resided on the farm until 1905, when he moved to Elmwood, where he purchased a handsome home and now lives retired.
On the 5th of October, 1875, Mr. Dalton wedded Miss Margaret A. Butler, who was born at Elmwood, March 15. 1855, the daughter of Stanley and Sarah (Dalton) Butler. The parents were both born in this county, the father, April 21, 1830, and the mother, in 1841. Both are now deceased, Stanley Butler passing away January 5. 1894, and his wife in 1862. In their family were two children : Margaret A., now Mrs. LaFayette Dalton; and Elizabeth. After the death of Sarah (Dalton) Butler, Mr. Butler was again married and of his second marriage were born three children. The paternal grandparents of Mar- garet A. ( Butler) Dalton were John and Margaret ( Steers) Butler, who were early settlers in this county, coming from Ohio. The maternal grandparents, David and Lucy Dalton, were also from Ohio and early settlers here. To Mr. and Mrs. LaFayette Dalton have been born four children: Eva Almeda, who is the wife of LaFayette D. Threw ; a son, who died in infancy; and Anna Mae and Verna Hazel, both of whom are at home.
In his political views LaFayette Dalton is a republican and he has served as road commissioner. He has always been greatly interested in the work of education and for over twenty-nine years have been school director in two dis- tricts. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Having spent all his life in this township, he has wit- nessed many of the changes that have here occurred and has always been a helpful and cooperant factor in public advancement. His record in business circles is a most commendable one. He has shown himself to be a man of re- sourceful ability and his unabating energy and keen discrimination have gained for him success, while his straightforward dealing has made his career a most honorable one.
ANDREW J. O'NEILL.
A prominent representative of the strenuous business life of Peoria is An- drew J. O'Neill, sole proprietor of the plumbing and steamfitting firm of John O'Neill & Sons, with offices and general headquarters at No. 208 Main street. He was born in this city, where he has since resided. November 4, 1865, his father being John O'Neill, who with his three sons founded the present business at No. 218 Main street in 1885. John O'Neill has been a resident of Peoria since 1849, coming here from New York city, where he was employed as a stationary engineer. His wife was Miss Bridget Powers, now deceased. He is now living retired, enjoying the fruits so richly earned of his life work, management and economy.
Andrew J. O'Neill was educated in the common schools of Peoria, where he pursued his studies with the energy which has since characterized his business life, acquiring an education well fitting him for the business and social relations which he maintains. While yet a student we find him at work at odd times in his father's shop or detailed to assist in doing work in various parts of the city Vol. II-37
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under the efficient supervision and direction of the senior O'Neill. Thus he grew to manhood and while yet in early years he, with his two brothers, Charles W. and John, Jr. (the latter now deceased), was taken into the business, thus be- ing established the well known firm and name to which Andrew J. O'Neill has succeeded. Mr. O'Neill is doing a large contracting business, installing plumb- ing and steam-heating plants of all descriptions, from the smallest to the largest, throughout the city of Peoria and the surrounding territory. Mr. O'Neill's bus- iness methods, ability and integrity have made his name and workmanship syn- onyms for honesty and efficiency throughout the district which he serves. Thus it follows that a business established on comparatively small lines has grown as the years have sped by until now no one in Peoria can be found unacquainted with the reputation of the present successful business man, Andrew J. O'Neill. He was in 1910 elected vice president of the Peoria Builders Exchange, serving in that capacity throughout the year.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. O'Neill chose Miss May Hardt. He is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Creve Coeur Club. Mr. O'Neill has in his nature a generous admixture of those qualities making him popular as a club man, friend and neighbor, and his contribution to the civic and social life of his city is not inconsiderable.
ISAAC WALKER.
The record of Isaac Walker is one which reflects credit and honor upon the history of Peoria, although almost a third of a century has passed since he was called from the active affairs of life. He was numbered for a long period among the leading merchants here and gained substantial success as a reward of his labors, but more than that, he was numbered among the high-minded Christian men to whom life meant more than the attainment of prosperity. At all times he recognized his obligations to his fellowmen, to his city and to the country at large, and he resolutely and gladly met every duty which devolved upon him. To an honorable, upright man, whose life was of real worth in the world, we therefore pay this tribute.
A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Walker was born at Williamstown, Lancaster county, on the Ist of December, 1803, his parents being James and Ann (Cain) Walker, who came to America from the north of Ireland. In the maternal line the family comes of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Spending his youthful days in his native town, Isaac Walker there pursued his education and afterward entered business circles in connection with the hardware trade. He was thus identified with the commercial interests of Williamstown until 1842 when he removed to Peoria, then largely a western frontier town. He recognized his opportunities, however, and here formed a partnership with Harvey Lightner for the conduct of a retail and jobbing hardware business, their store being situated at the cor- ner of Fulton and Water streets. For about two years they remained at that location, when their trade demanded larger quarters and they erected a building on Main between Washington and Water streets, removing thereto immediately after its completion. A change in the personnel of the firm occurred when Mr. Lightner sold his interest to George H. McIlvaine, at which time the style of Walker & McIlvaine was assumed. This relation was continued for many years and the firm became recognized as one of the foremost representatives of trade activity in eastern Illinois. They removed to Mr. McIlvaine's building on Adams between Main and Fulton streets and there continued until Mr. McIlvaine with- drew from the business to turn his attention to banking. New quarters were then secured at the northwest corner of Washington and Fulton streets and Mr. Walker, who had built up a large trade as a jobber as well as a retailer, began
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to devote his attention more exclusively to the wholesale end of the business. Ilis son Edward H. was taken into the partnership and for some time Alex- ander Thompson was also a member of the firm. In his business affairs Mr. Walker was conservative and at all times safe and reliable. After he was joined by his son, the management of affairs was largely turned over to the latter who infused into the business the more progressive, modern methods, and the result was soon seen in the increase in business which doubled the volume of trade. Although gradually yielding the management of the house to other hands, Isaac Walker remained at the head of the firm and his sound judgment ever continued a valuable factor in the control and policy of the house to the time of his death, which occurred on the 27th of November, 1880, when he was in his seventy- seventh year. Following the death of the father a new location for the business was sought and secured on Adams street between Liberty and Fulton streets and there the enterprise was conducted until the completion of the splendid new business block at Nos. 514 and 516 South Washington street. The business was reorganized under the style of The Isaac Walker Hardware Company, which name was assumed as a memorial to the founder, his children thus delighting to do him honor.
On the Ist of April, 1845, was celebrated the marriage of Isaac Walker and Miss Sarah S. McIlvaine, a daughter of Robert and Sarah (Slemens) McIl- vaine. of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. They became the parents of seven children, of whom four died in infancy, while three are yet living : Edward H., who became his father's successor as head of the business and is now president of the Isaac Walker Hardware Company; Mary, the wife of William A. IIer- ron ; and Anna, the wife of N. G. Moore.
In matters of citizenship Mr. Walker ever stood for all that was highest and most beneficial and his study of the political issues and questions of the day led him to give loyal and patriotic support to the republican party. He was a firm believer in its principles and while he never sought nor desired office for himself, always gave his earnest support to the party and its candidates. In 1858 he came out openly as a supporter of the Christian religion and in 1866 transferred his membership by letter to the Second Presbyterian church of Peoria, to the teachings of which he was ever loyal, exemplifying in his life his religious be- lief. Religion became a part of his daily conduct and guided him in his rela- tions with his fellowmen and to his country. He gave freely as his prosperity increased and was ever generous in his support of philanthropic enterprises. It has been said that he never had an enemy. None could doubt the sincerity of his motives and the loftiness of his purpose. He was ever ready to extend a helping hand wherever he could render assistance. His life was at all times a serviceable factor in the world's work and he contributed in large measure to the material and moral progress of Peoria. His example may indeed serve as a source of inspiration to others and his memory remains as a blessed benedic- tion to all who knew him.
JOHN H. MORSE.
To the business pioneers in the commercial activity of this city, Peoria owes much of her present great development and her progress in her business circles. The men who came here half a century ago and strove against the elementary commercial conditions, building up enterprises, fighting for a start, struggling for continuance, and coming at last to triumphant success, are the men upon whom the solid foundations of this city rest. Prominent among men of this class was John H. Morse, jeweler in Peoria for many years and an inventor of great talent and accomplishment.
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John H. Morse was born in Dedham, Massachusetts, March 13, 1823, of a prominent old New England family. His early education was received in the village school and in 1843 he came west and settled in Jacksonville, Illinois, where he married on May 3, 1847, Miss Almira Childs of West Woodstock, Connecticut. Mr. Morse opened a jewelry store in Jacksonville in 1845 and prospered. He was soon justified in enlarging his field. He removed to Peoria in 1846 and engaged in the jewelry and goldsmith business there until 1875.
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