USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 89
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As a business man, during his many years of activity in Peoria, Mr. Morse gained a reputation for strict integrity and honorable dealing which is remem- bered still. His shop was one of the leading jewelry stores of his time and his business grew every year in success and importance. Mr. Morse was interested in his business and gave much time and attention to it, and his reward was success.
But it is as an inventor that Mr. Morse is best known and it was in this line of activity that his real ambitions lay. He was a direct descendant of the great inventor Morse, the electrician, and carried out the traditions of the family in his tendencies and tastes. In 1858-1860 he patented many of the safe and vault locks which are now in daily use. In 1872 he received from the government the patent on the first "hollow-arm" twine grain binder ever invented. Many of his inventions are in use and are found very efficient and practicable to this day.
In 1875, Mr. Morse, then fifty-two years of age, sold out his business in Peoria and removed to Evanston, Illinois, where he died in 1897, leaving, sur- viving him, his wife, one daughter, Emma, and five sons, John C., James M., Charles S., Frank H. and Irving J., all now living. His life was a happy example of a useful and profitable career-the life of a modest, unassuming, public- spirited citizen. It is lives like this that are the bulwark of our national life. A man who lives for seventy-four years according to the best that is in him, working hard, living honorably, dying in peace, is the sort of man who make a nation.
GEORGE B. FOSTER.
One of the oldest members of the legal profession in Peoria is George B. Foster, who has been actively engaged in practice in this county for practically thirty-five years. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 7, 1838, and is a son of Azro and Altazera (Shattuck) Foster. He is of English extraction in both lines and is the representative of old colonial families, his forefathers having originally settled in Nova Scotia, whence they later removed to Maine. Many of his ancestors followed the sea, while his father was a shipbuilder by trade.
The early education of George B. Foster was pursued at Osgood Hall, To- ronto, following which he entered the office of William Proudfoot, chancellor in the province of Ontario, under whom he began his professional studies. In 1857, he came to Illinois, continuing his preparation for the bar in the office of Rogers & Leaning, well known lawyers of Bloomington. The following year he lo- cated in Pekin, and from that period until 1869 he devoted his energies and at- tention to business affairs, having acquired extensive property interests in this section of the state. In 1869, he was admitted to the bar of Illinois, and im- mediately thereafter he became associated with Cassius G. Whitney in the practice of law, under the firm name of Whitney & Foster. They dissolved partnership in 1873, at which time Mr. Whitney removed to Cass county, and during the fol- lowing five years Mr. Foster practiced alone. At the expiration of that time he came to Peoria and formed a partnership with E. G. Johnson, with whom he was associated until the latter's retirement, shortly prior to his death. Later Mr. Foster took Lyman J. Carlock into partnership, and they practiced together until
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Mr. Carlock was appointed by the government as one of the provisional judges in the Philippines, since which time he has been alone.
At Pekin, Illinois, on the 16th of May, 1860, Mr. Foster was united in mar- riage to Miss Sarah E. Tackaberry, a daughter of Middleton and Olive Tacka- berry. The father was one of the early pioneers of Tazewell county, having located there in 1829. He was at one time a member of the state legislature and for many years he discharged the duties of county judge. Five children were born . to Mr. and Mrs. Foster, as follows: Arthur B., a captain of the Nineteenth Infantry and major of the Seventh Battalion of Philippine Scouts, who died of heart disease in Manila in December, 1910, and is buried in the National ceme- tery at Arlington; Gilbert and Eugene, both of whom died in infancy: Walter H., who is a ranchman in Colorado; and Florence O., who married William A. Fleming, a practicing attorney of Brainerd, Minnesota, and formerly a member of the legislature and a judge of that state. The family were called upon to mourn the loss of the wife and mother in 1878. Mrs. Foster is buried on the family lot in Lakeside cemetery at Pekin, where their two sons are also in- terred. Mr. Foster lives at 921 State street, which property he acquired when he first came to Peoria, and his office is located at 32 Arcade building.
Mr. Foster is a member of the chapter of the Masonic fraternity and he also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, while he maintains rela- tions with his profession through the medium of his connection with the Peoria Bar Association. In politics he is a stanch democrat, always giving his support to the men and measures of that party. Mr. Foster has an extensive acquaintance here and has hosts of friends as in all of his dealings he has conducted himself in a manner to entitle him to the esteem and confidence of those with whom he comes in contact.
HON. CLAUDIUS ULYSSES STONE.
Hon. Claudius Ulysses Stone, member of congress and junior partner of the law firm of Eagleton & Stone, of Peoria, was born May 11, 1879, in Menard county, Illinois, a son of William Lee and Johanna Stone. At the usual age he entered the public schools of his native county, continuing his studies until graduated from the Western Illinois Normal College in 1900 with the degree of B. S. He spent two terms as a law student in the University of Michigan, but in the meantime took up the profession of teaching which he followed in rural, village and high schools as his ability developed and he progressed in the pro- fession. He has made valuable contribution to the educational system of Peoria county, where he served as county superintendent of schools from 1902 until 1910. In the meantime his reading and study of law had prepared him for prac- tice and in 1909, successfully passing the examination, he was admitted to the bar. He has since engaged in practice and the law firm of Eagleton & Stone, of which he is junior partner, is now enjoying a large clientage of a distinctively representative character, connecting them with much of the important litigation tried in the courts of this district. Mr. Stone fully realizes the necessity of thorough and careful preparation and acquaints himself with every phase of his cause before appearing in the courts. He devotes his time at present between his professional cares and legislative duties for in 1910 he was elected to repre- sent the sixth district of Illinois in congress and took his seat as a member of the house in 1911. He has always given his political allegiance to the democratic party and is prominent in its local councils and not unknown as a party leader in this state.
On the 18th of June, 1902, in Peoria, Mr. Stone was married to Miss Gene- vieve Francis, a daughter of Norton L. Francis. They hold membership in the Second Presbyterian church of Peoria and are prominent socially, theirs being
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a hospitable home, the social features of which are greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Mr. Stone has an interesting military record covering twelve months' service following his enlistment for the Spanish-American war. He joined the army as a private, being promoted to the rank of corporal, and for four months was on active duty in Cuba. He belongs to a number of the fra- ternal organizations including the Masonic, the Odd Fellows, the Modern Wood- men of America and the Knights of Pythias. He is well known to the mem- bership of the Creve Coeur Club and in social, political and professional rela -. tions has throughout his life made continuous advancement, bringing him to a prominent position in all these different relations.
THOMAS F. McQUELLON.
Among the men of this city who not only hold a strong position in the esti- mation of the people of Peoria, but who give promise of future excellence and usefulness in our community, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. The measure of man's success is not measured by the height he has reached, but the point from which he had to climb, and judging by this standard, the record of Thomas F. McQuellon is a notable one.
Mr. McQuellon is a type of Peoria merchant of whom the city is justly proud, whose enterprise and integrity have not only developed the industry of the city, but have given it a reputation for fair dealing and honorable methods. Mr. McQuellon belongs to that class of citizens, who although undemonstrative and unassuming in their natures, nevertheless form the character and make their impress upon the business activities of the city in which they live. It is this class of sturdy, honest, fair-dealing hard-working citizens, who in the long run, develop our manufactures, spread our commerce, and build up our business.
Thomas F. McQuellon was born at 712 South Washington street, Peoria, on November 30, 1865. He was the son of an Irish laborer, Patrick McQuellon who came from Ireland in 1850 and settled in Boston, from whence he went to Providence, Rhode Island, in 1853, where he married Mary McQuellon, also a native of Ireland, and the mother of the subject of this sketch. The move to Peoria was made in 1854, and this city has been the home of the family ever since.
Thomas McQuellon received his education in St. Patrick's parochial school and the old Sixth Ward school, At the age of seventeen, his education was considered complete, and he was apprenticed to Mr. Frank McLoughlin, a plum- ber of Peoria, with whom he served for seven years, becoming thoroughly acquainted with the details of his trade, and mastering its intricacies by the hard work and concentration which have always distinguished him. When his ap- prenticeship was over, Mr. McQuellon worked at his trade for two years in the employ of Mr. Klingel, when the "wanderlust" seized upon him, and he started out to travel. For five years, the young man journeyed over America, getting as far as the Pacific coast in his travels, dependent upon no one but himself and his work for the means of subsistence and the money for his travels. After five years, Mr. McQuellon again came to Peoria, where he worked at plumbing in various shops in the city, until eight years ago, when he joined in partnership with Mr. Sherry under the name of McQuellon & Sherry and opened a store of his own at 110 South Madison street. The business venture was successful from the first. In a few years the little shop was too small for the growing trade, and Mr. McQuellon bought his partner out, and estab- lished his present perfectly equipped shop at 336 South Jefferson street. Here, Mr. Quellon is conducting one of the most prosperous plumbing establishments in the city. His success in life is assured. Business honesty and rare personal
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integrity have won for him hosts of business friends, and his reputation is high in Peoria for fair dealing and honorable methods. His business is constantly increasing. When the new Manual Training high school was erected in the city, Mr. McQuellon was selected to install all the heating equipment. He has re- cently placed an entire new system of vacuum steam heating in the Douglas school, and he had charge of the plumbing in the high school annex, in the Glen Oak and the Columbia schools.
Mr. McQuellon has the distinction of being the first plumbing inspector of Peoria, having been appointed by Mayor Warner in his second term, when the state law required that the city be supplied with an officer to inspect the plumbing of the public institutions. He is very much interested in politics, and takes an intelligent interest in all public affairs. His political affiliations are consistently democratic. He is an active member of the Knights of Columbus and of the Master Plumbers' Association. He belongs to the Roman Catholic church, of which he has been a devoted member all his life.
Mr. McQuellon has been married twice. His first wife was Miss Anna Cullen of Peoria, whom he married in 1888, and who died two years after in 1890, leaving him one son, Thomas, who is now twenty-one years old, and associated with his father in the business. In 1896, Mr. McQuellon married Miss Katherine Ryan, also of Peoria with whom he has now spent many years of a happy wedded life.
A self-made man, the business record of Thomas McQuellon is highly credit- able. The gifts of men are infinite in character and degree, but the rarest is the faculty for honest work. It is this faculty that puts them in the front ranks in the business world, and it is to this faculty that Thomas F. McQuellon owes his success. It is due to men like him-men who are intelligent factors in every idea and work that helps in development-that cities grow large and prosperous.
ROBERT C. BRADLEY, M. D.
In the fourteen years of his connection with professional interests in Peoria, Dr. Robert C. Bradley has become widely and favorably known. He entered upon his work here after thorough training in the St. Louis University Medical College. He was born in Bloomington, Illinois, July 12, 1873, his parents being Dr. R. D. and Elizabeth ( Karr) Bradley. For about fifteen years the father ranked as the leading surgeon of this city, but removed westward to the Pacific coast and is still a resident of California.
Dr. Robert C. Bradley of this review came to Peoria with his parents when a small boy, and entering the public schools, therein pursued his education until graduated from the high school in 1893. In 1895 he entered the medical col- lege of the St. Louis University, for he had determined to make the practice of medicine his life work and his studies were directed with that end in view. Fol- lowing his graduation he entered the Spanish-American war with the Naval Reserves, and in September of the same year returned to Peoria county for practice. He followed his profession in Kickapoo township from 1898 until 1903, and then went to New York, where for a year he served as interne in Bellevue Hospital. He also pursued a course in the New York Post Graduate School and thus further qualified himself for the onerous and responsible duties which continually devolve upon the physician. He now engages in general prac- tice in both medicine and surgery. In the winter of 1904 he returned from New York and opened his office in Peoria, where he has since remained, and his ability is attested by the liberal patronage accorded him.
Dr. Bradley was united in marriage to Miss Alice Hyrma. and they had one child, Mary E. Following the death of the mother. Dr. Bradley wedded Miss
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Charlotte Perkins. They are well known socially in the city and their circle of friends is constantly increasing as the circle of their acquaintance broadens. Dr. Bradley is a member of the Masonic fraternity and his loyalty to the teach- ings of that order indicates how high are his standards of life. He is interested in all that pertains to public progress and to the welfare of this city and yet he never allows outside interests or activities to interfere with the faithful per- formance of his professional duties. He is a member of the Peoria City Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical Associa- tion, and he is now serving for the third year as county physician. This is the only office he has ever sought or held, as he prefers to give his undivided at- tention to the work that devolves upon him in his professional connections.
CHARLES H. MAY.
It is a noteworthy fact, and one which in no small measure astonishes the average business man from other cities, that many of the most important enter- prises in this city are controlled and governed by the brains and energies of comparatively young men. Here in Peoria, with its eighty thousand inhabi- tants, we find these young men at the head of great business enterprises, occu- pying honored positions in their communities, controlling and directing the movements of vital industries, and giving an impetus to the entire business of the city.
During the last quarter of a century, the newspaper business of Peoria, has grown to be of such an enormous importance in the municipal life, that it now commands the attention and cooperation of our most influential, energetic, pub- lic-spirited citizens. Many of these are comparatively young men still-men who have worked their way from humble beginnings, and by praiseworthy perseverance, indomitable courage and industry, have carved their names upon the scroll of honor in Peoria. Such a man is Charles H. May, the subject of this sketch, who is publisher of the great morning paper of the city, The Peoria Herald-Transcript.
Probably no class of men in the city, have more to do with the growing greatness of Peoria, with its improved municipal activities, with its prosperous and flourishing business life, than have the newspaper men, and Mr. May is a newspaper man of the first water. He started in the business at the early age of eighteen years. His beginning was humble. The man who was to become the owner of the most enterprising, and public-spirited of Peoria's papers, started when he was a mere boy, as typesetter on the little Morton Advocate which was the leading paper of his home town. Even then Mr. May's dis- tingushing qualities of capacity for hard work, and intelligent grasp of busi- ness detail stood him in good stead. He was successful as a typesetter. He did his work well and thoroughly. He often had to come into Peoria at night. a distance of ten miles, to get advertising for his paper. But Mr. May was an indefatigable worker, and gave his best efforts to the little paper, and his success from the beginning was pronounced and sure. Charles H. May was born in Morton, Illinois, on April 18, 1876. He came of sturdy old German stock, his father being Christian May and his mother, Mary (Hay) May. His father was a native of Germany and left that country at the age of twenty-one years, and settled in America, where he was married and where his children were born. Charles H. May received his early education in the primary and gram- mar schools of Morton, Illinois. Upon the completion of his high school course, Mr. May entered Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois.
His newspaper career began at the age of eighteen, while he was still going to school. After his successful venture on the Morton Advocate, Mr. May
CHARLES H. MAY
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
was prominently identified with the Knox County News and then with the Galesburg Mail. Hle then took over the management of McClure's News- paper Syndicate in New York, which position he resigned seven years ago to come to Peoria as publisher of the Peoria Herald-Transcript. Under Mr. May's able management since that time, the paper has grown remark- ably, having tripled its circulation in the seven years of his control. It is now the only morning newspaper in Peoria, and also the only republican publication of the city. It has always stood for the best that is in the re- publican party, and has been a vital force in politics, both municipal and state-wide. Many a statesman in office today thanks the Peoria Herald- Transcript for its able defense and keen aid given in time of crisis. For honorable policy, for straightforward statement of its position on any question. for sure championship of all that is right and honest in any conflict, for keen, live, up-to-date news, the name of the Peoria Herald-Transcript stands as a synonym today. This supremacy the paper owes to the fact that the man who controls its policy has the quickness of the progressive man and is alive with the spirit of the times-a man of business promptness and decision, which enable him to transact business with rapidity and without apparent fatigue- a man of sturdy will, clear mind, and indomitable determination.
In 1897, Mr. May married Miss Blanche Aldrich of Galesburg, Illinois, and their fifteen years of married life have been prosperous and happy. Mr. and Mrs. May now occupy a charming home at 543 Moss avenue.
In 1911, Mr. May was appointed a member of the state board of managers of the Pontiac Reformatory of Pontiac, Illinois, a position he has filled with much credit ever since. He was recently selected by Dr. C. U. Collins, presi- dent of the Peoria Association of Commerce, a member of his executive com- mittee. Mr. May's club affiliations are extensive. There is scarcely a club in Peoria of which he is not a member. He takes an active interest in the Creve Coeur Club, the Illinois Valley Yacht Club, the Canoe Club, the Country Club. the Automobile Club, and many others.
As owner and publisher of the only morning newspaper in Peoria, holding an important position among the newspapers of the city, Mr. May has many other things to do besides grasping the opinion of the hour and enforcing it daily in the columns of his publication. He has largely to be a business man, and administrator of affairs and a manager of men, and in many ways a vast deal more than the intellectual interpreter of the opinions which should be presented in the journal under his charge.
EDWARD C. ROHLFSEN.
Edward C. Rohlfsen is living retired at No. 1339 Glen Oak avenue after an active and useful life spent principally in the livery business. He has a record of sixteen years' continuous identification with this line of occupation in Peoria, where he operated a modern, progressive and prosperous enterprise during the time. He was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, December 16, 1853, and is a son of Eberhard and Folka ( Beherends ) Rohlfsen, natives of Germany. The father's birth occurred in that country on July 22, 1825, and he passed away at the age of seventy years. His wife was born in 1816 and died at the age of ninety-one. They came to America and settled in Tazewell county, Illinois, where the father followed farming until his death in 1895.
Edward C. Rohlfsen attended the public schools of his native section and completed his education in Brown's Business College of Peoria. His childhood was passed upon his father's farm and he became acquainted at an early age
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with the details and methods of modern agriculture. He remained at home until he was twenty-six years of age and then moved to Peoria, where he estab- lished himself in business at No. 1301 North Adams street. He later disposed of this enterprise and engaged in the livery business, following this line of occu- pation for sixteen years and gaining during that time a distinct and substantial prosperity. Sixteen years' connection with this occupation gave him an expert knowledge of its details and practical skill in carrying on the business. He made his enterprise successful by adhering always to upright and straightforward standards and by pursuing a constant policy of progress. For some time he operated his farm of two hundred and sixty acres in conjunction with his com- mercial activities but disposed of that property in 1910. In the same year he erected his present residence at No. 1339 Glen Oak avenue and retired.
On April 1, 1877, Mr. Rohlfsen was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Weller, a daughter of Lewis and Minnie (Green) Weller, natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Rohlfsen are the parents of four children, Lewis E., Minnie M., Flora W. and Cornelia. In his political affiliations Mr. Rohlfsen is independent of lines and parties and votes according to his personal convictions. He belongs to the English Lutheran church and is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Schiller Lodge, No. 335, F. & A. M. Mr. Rohlfsen is one of the prosperous citizens of Peoria, well liked and highly esteemed by his many friends. He owns a fine home and still retains his ownership of his livery enterprise and is interested in Rohlfsen Hall. His life has not been conspicuous in any way but its activities have always been straightforward and honorable, his interest in the affairs of his community intelligent and his public spirit broad and effective. These quali- ties as elements in his character have made him successful according to the truest standards and have gained him recognition as a valued citizen who is a credit to the community in which he has resided for so many years.
JOSEPH P. DURKIN.
In financial circles of Peoria Joseph P. Durkin has won a creditable name and place for himself. He is now the secretary and general manager of the Title and Trust Company and also the secretary and one of the directors of the Dime Savings & Trust Co. of this city, his identification with the former dating from its organization on the Ist of August, 1890. He has also been connected with the latter institution since it was formed. The two are closely allied, hav- ing the same officers, while the same straightforward, upright business policy is maintained by each. The Title and Trust Company is the largest realty and abstract concern in Illinois outside of Chicago and Mr. Durkin's special work is in the Abstract and Guarantee departments.
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