USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 90
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He has always lived in Peoria and his life of well directed thrift and energy has gained him a high position in public regard. He was born May 6, 1863, and is a son of James and Bridget (Moran) Durkin. He was reared in this city, attended the public and parochial schools here and after putting aside his text- books learned telegraphy with the Western Union Telegraph Company. He also worked as a telegraph operator on the line of the Wabash Railroad and with the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroad. He left the railroad service to become weighmaster for Elevator A, one of the large grain elevators of the city, with which he was associated for four years. He spent the succeeding six years-from 1884 until 1890-as deputy circuit clerk in charge of the recorder's office in the courthouse of Peoria, leaving that position on the Ist of August, 1890, to become associated with the Title and Trust Company. During the past twenty-two years he has figured prominently in connection with financial inter-
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ests here, and the success of the two institutions with which he is affiliated is due in no inconsiderable measure to his efforts, business ability and keen sagacity.
In 1888 Mr. Durkin was united in marriage to Miss Annie M. Cross, of Peoria, who died leaving two children, Harry A., and William F. Mr. Durkin's religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church, in which he was reared, and he is now chairman of the board of directors of Spalding Council, No. 427, Knights of Columbus. He likewise is a member of the Creve Coeur Club and is widely and favorably known in this city, where practically his entire life has been passed. He is a man of excellent purpose, accomplishing what he under- takes. He is notably prompt, energetic and reliable and he has in large measure the gift of common sense, which is too seldom found in the business world. He readily grasps the possibilities of a situation and utilizes them to good advan- tage to the benefit of himself and the institutions with which he is connected.
ADAM KOUL.
No country of the old world has given to the new such active, sturdy, reliable and efficient citizens, as has Germany. The qualities of citizenship which have made Germany today a power in the politics of the world, a great and mighty nation, rich in resources, wealthy in honorable people, are flourishing now in America in the descendants of these citizens and are making them, as were their fathers, pure-minded, high-souled, upright men. Peoria is particularly fortunate in numbering among her citizens a number of this class of men, either German by birth or by direct descent, who are doing their utmost to contribute their share to the prosperity, business development, and commercial prowess of the city.
Prominent among men of this class is Adam Kohl, whose name heads this sketch. The German qualities of sturdiness in work, unflagging industry, grim determination to carve out for themselves an honorable destiny, industry, pride in honor, hard work, are all exemplified in a large degree in Mr. Kohl.
He was born in Platz, Bavaria, Germany, February 27, 1859, the son of Adam and Margareta ( Schneider) Kohl of that city. He received his educa- tion in the thoroughly equipped public schools which Germany offers for the upbringing of her sons. Adam Kohl remained in his native country long enough to serve his time in the German army at Wuertzburg, Bavaria, and then, while still a young man, he came to America, June 1, 1881, and settled almost immediately in Peoria, which has been his home since that time. He opened a butcher shop at the corner of First and Sanford streets, which he conducted for five years, with considerable success. The next twenty-two years of his life were spent as manager of the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association, in which position his acute business instinct, and his unflinching honesty won him a remarkable suc- cess. In 1912, he left the Anheuser-Busch Company to go into the delicatessen business for himself. He has a most inviting little shop at the corner of Jeffer- son and Fulton streets stocked with every delicacy which the most delicately formed taste could desire. It is a pleasure to enter his store, so cool, so clean, so utterly tempting is everything in it. As a business man he is very successful and has accumulated a competency which has not come to him by mere luck. His busi- ness reputation in the city is of the highest. His word in any business trans- action is never questioned, and his honest dealing and the high quality of his goods, have won for him hosts of friends and customers.
Mr. Kohl does not ally himself with any political party, but irrespective of partisan ties and party platforms, he reserves the right to cast his vote for the man whom he deems best fitted to serve the interests of the commonwealth.
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He is prominent in the Masonic order, and is an honorary member of the Lieder- kranz Singing Society of this city. He is also a member of the Illinois Valley Yacht Club.
Mr. Kohl was married in Peoria on the 26th of November, 1884, to Miss Babetta Eichhorn, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth ( Kircher) Eichhorn, who came to Peoria in 1880 from Waldorf, Germany. Mrs. Kohl's family are related to the Astor family which also comes from Waldorf. Mr. and Mrs. Kohl have one son, John Adam Kohl, and one daughter, Anna Margaret. The family is an ancient and honorable one in Germany, and can trace its descent clearly back to the year 1600 at Salzburg, Tyrol. From there the line is distinct to the first Kohl of Bavaria, where some of the family are still living.
As a business man, Mr. Kohl is in many respects, a model. The goal of his ambition is success but he will succeed only on the basis of truth and honor. He scorns deceit and duplicity, and would not palliate false representations either in his own employ or among his customers. No amount of gain can allure him from the undeviating line of rectitude. Justice and equity he regards as the corner stone of the temple of trade, without which it could not stand.
E. H. WALKER.
In commercial circles E. H. Walker occupies an enviable and prominent posi- tion and throughout his entire career there have been manifest many salient qualities not the least of which are energy, indefatigable industry, enterprise and incorruptible integrity. He was born in Peoria, June 4, 1852, a son of Isaac Walker, one of the prominent early merchants of this city whose biog- raphy appears on another page in this volume. At the usual age E. H. Walker entered the public schools in which he continued his education until' he was graduated from the high school with the class of 1869. He immediately after- ward entered his father's store in order to thoroughly acquaint himself with the hardware business and familiarize himself with every department of the trade in both principle and detail. After his father's death and upon the incor- poration of the company he became its president and has since continued at its head. The business was incorporated in 1879 with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars, and for many years their location was on South Adams street, but in 1900 they erected a large brick building, fifty-five by one hundred and sixty feet, and six stories in height, located on South Washington street. To this they removed as soon as it was completed and they occupy the entire structure in the conduct of a business which has grown to mammoth pro- portions, being one of the most extensive wholesale hardware enterprises of the state outside of Chicago. This, however, does not cover the scope of Mr. Walker's activity for in financial circles he is well known, being the vice presi- dent of the Savings Bank of Peoria, to which office he was called in February, 1906, while of the First National Bank he is also a director.
In 1883 Mr. Walker was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Clegg, of Peoria, a daughter of Joseph Clegg, and unto them have been born two children: Ed- ward I., who is a resident of California; and Lucille, who is with her father in this city. Mrs. Walker passed away December 29, 1908. Mr. Walker is a member of the Creve Coeur Club and the Peoria Country Club. His residence in his native city covers sixty years and has brought him a very wide acquain- tance. The fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood is an indication of a well spent life. His business activity and enterprise have enabled him to win prominent position in commercial circles
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while his individual worth has gained for him the sincere regard and good-will. of those whom he has met.
HOWARD R. FAHNESTOCK.
Howard R. Fahnestock was born in Peoria, July 7, 1874, and is a son of Henry H. and Frances E. ( Hill) Fahnestock. The father died October 2, 1902, at the age of sixty-two years, and was laid to rest in the family lot in Springdale cemetery of Peoria. During his lifetime he figured not only as one of the prominent business men and merchants of the city but also took an active interest in municipal affairs and was one of the first citizens to promote and organize a public park system of which the city at the present time is justly proud. As one of the first park commissioners he held the office of treasurer for a number of years. His love for outdoor sports and his genial nature won him friends and gave him acquaintanceships of wide range. He was the promoter of the Duck Island Hunting & Fishing Club, whose grounds embrace four thousand acres of overflowed lands on the Illinois river below Peoria. This preserve is said to be the finest shooting marsh in the United States and is well equipped with a large clubhouse and every convenience. The family home has long been maintained in Peoria and the Fahnestock family, which is of sturdy German origin, contributes its full quota to the excellent German-American citi- zenship which the country is proud to honor, while the social, fraternal and religious life of the family has established a sterling standard for true and useful American citizenship.
Howard R. Fahnestock, reared in Peoria, early entered upon an active asso- ciation with the wholesale grocery business of Oakford & Fahnestock, a con- cern founded by his father and Aaron S. Oakford in 1856. He was chosen secretary of the company in 1896 and in 1902 vice president, which position, second in authority and control, he still fills.
Mr. Fahnestock was married September 22, 1897, in Peoria, to Miss L .. Maude Harris, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John G. Harris. ller father, at one time a prominent grain merchant, is now deceased, his remains being interred in Abingdon, Illinois. Of his family still remain Mrs. Harris, Mrs. Howard R. Fahnestock, Thurston and Miss Nell Harris. A son and daughter, Jackson Hill, aged thirteen, and Ruth, aged ten years, complete the Howard R. Fahnestock family.
JOHN THOBE.
John Thobe is an enterprising and successful merchant of Peoria, engaged in the grocery business, but is perhaps even more widely known in musical circles, for he has cultivated the talents with which nature endowed him in that direction and has contributed much to the pleasure that music brings to the great majority through his connection with orchestras as well as through his individual skill as a performer on the piano and horn. He has the distinction of having been a pupil of Franz Abt. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1865. His father, Axel Thobe, a native of Stockholm, Sweden, was the first practical piano maker with the firm of Steinway & Sons. At the time of the Civil war he volunteered for active service with the Union army and for two years was with Hecker's Regiment. He then went to New York, remaining at home for eight months, after which he reenlisted and returned to the front.
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falling dead on the battlefield twenty days later. His wife in her girlhood became a resident of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1847, at which time the popula- tion of the district consisted mostly of Indians. The young white girl grew up there among the red men and in her later years told many interesting incidents of pioneer life in that district. By her marriage she became the mother of a son and two daughters but one of the daughters is now deceased, the other being Mrs. Annie (Thobe) Behrens, who is holding a government position in Hanover, Germany.
John Thobe began his education in a little frame building in Brooklyn. He was an infant at the time of his father's death, after which the mother returned to Germany. The boy went to school on Saturday to get his "good behavior," receiving ou such occasions a purple card on which was written: "John Thobe has been a good boy since " If he had not conducted himself according to the required standard a white card bearing the words: "John Thobe should be looked after. His lessons do not warrant a good mark. He must do better if he is to be advanced." It is to be presumed that he paid sufficient attention to his studies to win advancement, for in due time he became a student in the gymnasium, which is equivalent to the high school of this country, there remain- ing until sixteen and a half years of age. In early youth he sold newspapers, perhaps earning his first money in this way. After leaving school he passed the examination which is required of all boys in Germany and which would have necessitated his service in the German army for a year, but the fact that he was American born secured his release. He returned then to America, after having been in Germany for nine years and six months. For a time he was with a silk manufacturing company at Crefeld, Germany, and represented that house on the road not only through his native country but also through Bavaria, France and Italy. Thus he gained a broad knowledge of different languages and while in Germany he also took up the study of music, for which he displayed special aptitude. He became a piano pupil of Edward Lies, who was the only flageolet soloist in the Ducal Opera House at Braunschweig. On the death of Lies, John Thobe was accepted as a pupil by Franz Abt and afterward was one of the honorary delegates to his funeral at Wiesbaden. His splendidly developed talents have placed him in a foremost position in musical circles, for, while he has not made the art a profession, he has always continued closely allied with musical interests.
In 1892 Mr. Thobe went to Milwaukee and was assistant manager of the Pabst Cafe. The following year he removed to Peoria and became connected with the wholesale grocery house of Gauss, Jobst, Bethard & Company. His next business connection was with L. P. Wolf, editor of the Die Sonne, as local editor, familiarizing himself with every phase of newspaper publication. On the Ist of December, 1895, he accepted the position of a representative of the Germania Life Insurance Company of New York, with Illinois as his territory, and was finally made district manager of the state of Illinois. His success in that connection enabled him eventually to engage in the grocery business on his own account and also to invest in real estate. His store is located at First and Sanford streets and is now one of the prosperous mercantile enterprises of the city. In 1904 he became interested in the affairs of the local liquor dealers and in 1907 was made secretary of their organization. He has since served in that connection and has attended each succeeding convention. He was made chairman of the State Indemnity Company and organized The Mutual Assistance Society, considered today to be the biggest feature in the liquor organization. He is trustee of its board and is thus active in the work of the organization, which was formed to protect members from unjust prosecution under the dram shop law of Illinois.
Mr. Thobe's prominence, however, rests largely upon his connection with musical interests, as he stands as a leading representative of the art 'in the state.
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He was the leader of the Glee Club, "Maennerchor" on Olive street, The "Vor- waertz Maennerchor," and he was the organizer of Thobe's Orchestra and later of the Arcadia Orchestra. For twelve years he has been president of the Musicians Union No. 26 and was its secretary for one year. In 1889, at Milwaukee, he was elected a district officer of the United States and was elected later as the third vice president at Denver of the American Federation of Musicians, holding that office for two years, when private interests caused him to resign.
About 1891 Mr. Thobe married Miss Mary Kramer, of Fulda, Germany. Her mother is a sister of the venerable and beloved Valentine Jobst, long a prominent contractor of Peoria. Mr. and Mrs. Thobe have a daughter, Gertrude, who is now acting as private secretary to her father. Nineteen years' residence has made Mr. Thobe well known in Peoria, where he has won high regard, for he has ever displayed the qualities of good citizenship as well as enterprise in business, superior executive ability in connection with the Liquor Dealers Asso- ciation and notable skill along musical lines.
HAYO CORNELIOUS HARBERS.
Hayo Cornelious Harbers, who passed away on the 20th of June, 1892, was a son of an early settler in Peoria and had lived in the city since 1850. He enlisted for the Civil War in an Illinois regiment and with the exception of the one year of his military service resided here continuously since he was eight years of age. For seven years he was identified with the wholesale and retail buggy and carriage business conducted by the firm of Foultz & Gentes and was afterward appointed government storekeeper. For some time he was a member of the police department, resigning his office on account of failing health. He spent the last years of his life in retirement, dying at his home in Peoria, June 20, 1892. He was born in Hanover, Germany, September 18, 1842, a son of John and Ella M. ( Cornelious) Harbers. The father came to America in 1849, making the journey with his parents and landing in New Orleans after thirteen weeks upon the ocean. He went immediately to St. Louis, where he remained only a short time. In 1850 he came to Peoria and aided in the con- struction of the Morse & Bradley distillery, the first enterprise of its kind in the city. He built a home on West Jefferson street, at the corner of Spencer, on a tract of land which is now one of the valuable residence districts but which was then a corn field. He witnessed the growth of the city along commercial, political and social lines and for many years was identified with it. He was killed in a railroad accident in 1860 and was survived by his wife until February 6, 1896, on which date she passed away at the home of our subject, in the eighty-seventh year of her age.
Hayo C. Harbers was eight years of age when he came to Peoria with his parents. He was educated in the city schools and when he laid aside his books learned the carriage-making trade under Alexander Allison. When he had served his apprenticeship he began his active career, working for Mr. Allison until 1864, when he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Forty-Eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Benjamin Burnett. He served in the Army of Tennessee and after one year received his honorable discharge at Nash- ville and was mustered out on the 5th of September, 1865, returning home to Peoria, where he maintained a continuous residence until the time of his death. In 1873 he became identified with the firm of Foultz & Gentes, who in that year established their buggy and carriage store at the corner of Adams and Fulton streets. Mr. Harbers accepted a partnership in this concern and a flourishing and prosperous business was built up, the energy and ability of our
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subject being important factors in its growth. After five years, however, the business met with reverses and the partnership was dissolved. In 1878 Mr. Harbers was appointed by the government as storekeeper with headquarters at Peoria and he held this position for seven years, resigning in order to serve as a member of the city police department. When his health failed he retired from active life and lived in Peoria until his death, which occurred on the 20th of June, 1892.
On May 15, 1868, Mr. Harbers was united in marriage to Miss Anna Angel- ine Cornelious, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Cornelious, natives of Germany, who lived and died in that country. Mrs. Harbers came to America alone in 1867 and settled immediately in Peoria, in which city she married the subject of this review. Mr. and Mrs. Harbers became the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are now living: Arion J., who married Johanna Distler, by whom he has six children, Robert, Mabel, Fred, Harry, William and Walter; Mar- garet E., who married William J. Day, of Peoria, by whom she has one daughter, Hope; Frederick J., who is a prominent Knight of Pythias and an ex-state official of the Improved Order of Red Men; Hayo C .; Cornelia H., the wife of I. S. Wallin, of Peoria; Eva E .; Franklin W., who is prominent in fraternal circles of Peoria, being a past chancellor of Calantha Lodge, No. 47, K. P., and a member of Illinois Lodge, No. 263. A. F. & A. M. ; and Frieda L. Mr. Harbers belonged to the Presbyterian church, to which faith his wife and children give their allegiance.
Mr. Harbers was a consistent republican in his political affiliations and actively and intelligently interested in the affairs of his community, although he never sought public office. He was prominent in the Masonic order, holding men- bership in Peoria Lodge, No. 15, A. F. & A. M. He was also identified with Bryner Post. No. 67. G. A. R. His career was a distinct influence upon the growth and expansion of the city in which he lived for so many years and where his friends respected and esteemed him for his well tested business and personal standards.
CLIFFORD C. IRELAND.
Clifford C. Ireland is one of Peoria's young attorneys, but his years seem no bar to his progress for he has already attained a practice which many an older member of the bar may well envy, and he is prominent among the younger lawyers of the city. He was born in Washburn, Woodford county, Illinois, February 14, 1878, a son of Frank M. and Fidelia A. Ireland. The father is a banker of Washburn and was formerly at the head of the firm of Frank M. Ireland & Sons, who conducted a private bank which has since been reorganized under the name of the Washburn Bank.
In the public schools of his native town Clifford C. Ireland mastered the elementary branches of learning and afterward entered the Cheltenham Mili- tary Academy near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He further pursued his studies in the Lake Forest Academy at Lake Forest, Illinois, and in Knox College at Galesburg, Illinois, before entering the University of Wisconsin, from which he was graduated in the class of 1900. In that year he returned home and entered his father's bank where, before pursuing his university course, he had spent three years. His professional training was received in the Illinois College of Law at Chicago, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1909. Im- mediately afterward he came to Peoria where he has since been active in pro- fessional lines. He is now senior partner of the firm of Ireland & Holmes, and he is attorney for the Interstate Bank of Peoria, being also a member of the board of directors. The firm conducts a general law practice and their work is notable by reason of the importance of the cases entrusted to them and
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CLIFFORD C. IRELAND
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the large percentage of verdicts which they have won favorably to the interests of their clients. Mr. Ireland has a comprehensive knowledge of law in its various phases and is continually studying so he is well prepared to present his cause clearly and forcibly before court or jury.
Mr. Ireland married Miss Louise Savage, and unto them has been born a son, Clifford, Jr. The parents are well and favorably known in this city, having gained many friends during their residence here. Mr. Ireland is prominent in Masonry, having become a Knight Templar in the Peoria Commandery and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is serving on the board of review of Peoria and is a member of the Creve Coeur and the Peoria Country Clubs -- associations which indicate much of the nature of his interests and recreations.
ROBERT A. KERR, M. D.
A graduate of Rush Medical College, Dr. Robert A. Kerr entered upon the practice of his profession in Peoria county in 1882, and in the intervening years to the present time his skill and ability have been constantly augmented through his extended experience and wide reading. His investigation into the most ad- vanced methods of practice has given him knowledge and power that are evidenced in the excellent results which have attended his labors. In addition to a large private practice he is serving as president on the staff of Proctor Hospital. He was born in St. Clairsville, Clermont county, Ohio, February 1, 1857, and is a son of Hugh and Angeline ( Milligan) Kerr, who were farming people and removed from Ohio to Wisconsin during the infancy of their son Robert. The boy was reared upon a farm in Vernon county, Wisconsin, and attended the country schools, dividing his time between the acquirement of his education and the work of the fields, as he assisted his father in the cultivation and devel- opment of the farm. His early educational opportunities were supplemented by a course of study in the academy at Elroy, Wisconsin, from which he was graduated, and he then continued his course in the high school at Richland Center, Wisconsin. He entered upon the profession of teaching as principal of the high school at Richland Center, where he remained for two years but thinking to find a more profitable field of labor as a practitioner of medicine he began reading in the office and under the direction of Dr. C. E. Booth, at Elcho, Wisconsin. He next entered Rush Medical College, at Chicago, where he pursued a three years' course and was graduated in the spring of 1881. He then opened an office in Glencoe, Minnesota, where he remained for about a year. When he came to Peoria county, Illinois, he settled first at Dunlap, where he remained from 1882 until 1895, when he sought the broader field of labor offered in the city and came to Peoria. He opened an office at 516 Main street and at the present time has a well appointed suite in the Jefferson building. He has done post-graduate work, studying through the winter of 1895-6 in Chicago, and at different times he has further pursued his studies along special lines. He belongs to the Peoria City Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society, the American Medical Association and the American Society of Railroad Sur- geons. Since 1896 he has been division surgeon for the Rock Island Railroad and he is one of the board of censors of the Peoria Medical Society. At one time he served as president of the Peoria City Medical Society, and was formerly vice president of the Illinois State Medical Society. He has also served on the staff of Proctor Hospital as its president and he has served as president of the Military Tract Medical Society. His work and his professional connections have been of an important character and indicate his high standing in the medical fraternity.
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