USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 91
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Vol. II-BS
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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
Dr. Kerr was united in marriage to Miss Arabella Grant, of Millbrook town- ship, a daughter of Kenneth Grant, an early settler of this county. They have one child, Edna Lois.
Dr. Kerr is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in the Masonic fraternity has attained high rank, being a thirty-second degree Mason of the consistory. He is in hearty sympathy with the purposes and principles of the craft and exemplifies in his life its beneficent teachings. He holds to high standards in his profession and to the work he has always devoted the greater part of his time and energies, performing his professional duties with a sense of conscientious obligation. Those who meet him professionally or socially entertain for him warm regard in recognition of his sterling personal worth.
NICHOLAS HOGAN.
At the age of twenty years Nicholas Hogan came from Ireland to America, landing at New York, a stranger in a strange country, his only capital being his determination and laudable ambition; today he is numbered among Peoria's prosperous residents, having for many years engaged successfully in brick manu- facture, although at the present time he is living retired, enjoying a well earned and well merited rest at the advanced age of eighty-two years. His birth oc- curred in County Kilkenny, Ireland, February 2, 1830, and his education was acquired in the schools of that land. After crossing the Atlantic he remained for several months in the eastern metropolis, filling various positions, and in that period heard much concerning the growth, the opportunities and the advantages of the middle west so that in the fall of 1850 he eagerly availed himself of the opportunity to come to Peoria. Here he secured employment in connection with the construction of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road, working in that way until the spring of 1851. He was afterward employed for two seasons in a brickyard, whereby he became thoroughly acquainted with the trade and the processes of manufacture. Moreover, he carefully saved his earnings until his frugality and economical expenditure had supplied him with the capital with which to embark in business on his own account about 1856. He then located on the land which he occupies, building kilns and opening a brickyard which was one of the first brick manufacturing plants in Peoria. His output amounted to millions and millions of brick, for which he found a ready sale, his manufactured product being used in nearly all of the older buildings of Peoria. He continued the operation of the plant until 1900, when he turned the business over to his son-in-law, William Fox, who conducted it until 1909 and then sold out. Mr. Hogan retired from active life on disposing of his brick manufacturing interests, for by thrift, frugality and unceasing toil he had placed himself in comfortable circumstances. He is numbered among Peoria's pioneer manufacturers and his labors constituted an element in the material upbuilding and business progress of the city. As he prospered he made judicious investments in property and is the owner of valuable real estate throughout Peoria county, including a fine farm of eighty-three acres on section 33, Richwood township, which his son now occupies.
In 1855 Mr. Hogan was united in marriage to Miss Mary Dunphy, also a native of County Kilkenny, Ireland, and unto them have been born five children. Catherine, the eldest, is the wife of William Fox, of this city. Annie is the wife of Elwood Frye, of Peoria, and they have three children, Catherine, Ruth and Esther R. Patrick, who occupies the farm in Richwoods township, is mar- ried and has seven children, Nicholas, Joseph, Robert, Mary, Theresa, Doretta
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and Agnes. Julia is the wife of Patrick Langau, of this city and Mary is the wife of John Hipple, also of Peoria. Mr. Hogan's political allegiance is given to the democratic party and his religious faith is that of the Catholic church. He has come to an honored old age, having passed the eighty-second milestone on life's journey. For forty years he was a very active factor in business and manufacturing circles here and the success which he achieved was the legitimate outcome of his earnest, persistent and intelligently directed labor. He never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he found the opportunities which he sought and in a land unhampered by caste or class he worked his way upward until he reached a most creditable and enviable position in business circles.
FRANK E. RUE.
Frank E. Rue, an enterprising business man, alert and energetic, has made continuous advancement and won substantial success since starting in business as a seedsman and florist of Peoria. Ile is located at 420 and 422 South Adams street and has been a resident of the city since 1903, when he became manager of the floral and seed store owned by J. C. Murray. Mr. Rue is a native of Jersey City. New Jersey, born September 23, 1879. His youthful days were there spent and after leaving school he entered the employ of Peter Henderson & Company, controlling a large seed and florist establishment in New York city. He continued with that house for nine years, acting at different times as salesman on the road and in the store. He thus became thoroughly acquainted with the trade in every department and at length, thinking to find a profitable field of labor in the middle west, he came to Peoria in 1903 and, as stated, accepted the position of manager of the floral and seed store owned by J. C. Murray at 420 South Adams street, for which position his previous long and varied experience well qualified him. Two years later he purchased the business and from a small beginning has developed an enterprise of large proportions. His house is today sending its goods to nearly every state in the Union and is now occupying about four times the amount of floor space that was utilized when he purchased the business. He also owns a farm west of Peoria, on which he has an experi- mental testing plant. He owns a fine poultry yard on the same place and is giving considerable attention to the raising of high-grade poultry. He has as- sociated with him in his business R. W. Bailey and they expect soon to incor- porate as the Frank Rue Company. His partner is the general superintendent of the Peoria Street Railway Company and a man of excellent business ability and broad experience. Under the guidance of Mr. Rue the business of which he became proprietor has steadily grown until he is now at the head of the largest sced house in the city. He also handles poultry, bee-keepers', fruit- growers, and gardeners' supplies and manufactures many of the products which he sells. To further his interests he issues an extensive catalog, indicating the line of goods which he handles. He has brought forth various improved devices for the shelter and care of chickens and pigeons, including the Rue exhibition coops of various kinds, the Perfection cup holder, the Rue shipping coop, baskets for shipping eggs, including fillers and tops for the baskets, boxes for the shipment of little live chickens, incubators, brooders and brooder hatchers. He handles all kinds of instruments and implements needed for the best care of fowls, raises some of the highest-grade poultry to be found in the country and all this constitutes but one branch of his extensive business. He handles hand grinding mills, vegetable and root cutters, the Humphrey rapid clover cutter. the Humphrey green bone cutter and the Humphrey grit crusher, together with
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mist sprayers, insect powder guns, etc. He likewise carries everything that is needed by beekeepers in the protection and care of honey and he also deals in fruit packages, baskets, melon crates and, in fact, everything needed by the shipper of fruit. The seeds and plants which he handles are of the best possible variety and his business has met with substantial and growing success as the result of his careful management and the high standard of goods which he car- ries. His entire life has been devoted to this line of trade and his opinions are largely accepted as authority upon questions concerning any branch of his business.
Mr. Rue was united in marriage to Miss Flora Clark, of Jersey City, and they have one child, Eloise. He hold membership with the Peoria Lodge of Masons and with the Modern Woodmen of America and while he possesses social genial traits, which make him popular, he does not seek to figure prominently in any public connection outside of his business, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his growing trade interests.
EDWARD S. WOOLNER.
During the last quarter of a century the brewing interests of Peoria have attained a degree of development and success which has gone beyond mere local limits. The large breweries and distilleries of this city have been for many years one of the principal factors in its industrial development. Edward S. Woolner has been for more than twenty-five years actively identified with the liquor business in the two branches-distilling and brewing-which has made it promi- nent in this city. He is now secretary and general manager of the Union Brew- ing Company at 1700 South Washington street, which position he has held since 1906. He was born in Peoria on March 28, 1876. His identification with the liquor interests is a matter of heritage, his father, Jacob Woolner, being one of five brothers who founded the Woolner Distilling Company, which burned down a few years ago, was rebuilt and eventually sold to the distilling trust. Jacob Woolner, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Hun- gary, having been born in Budapest. He came to America in 1874, settling immediately in Peoria, where he died March 20, 1910, at the age of seventy- four years, having been recognized during his life as one of the most prominent and active business men of this city. He was prominent in the wholesale liquor business all during his life and built the Union Distillery on the site where the Union depot now stands. The Grove Distillery of this city is also the result of the progressive ideas of Jacob Woolner and was erected a few years before his retirement from active life. His widow, Anna Woolner, is still a resident of Peoria but spends much of her time in traveling in various European cities.
The public schools of Peoria afforded Edward S. Woolner his primary and grammar education. He is a graduate of the Peoria high school, which he left to enter the University of Illinois, where he received the degree of E. E. in 1901. The following year he went to Chicago to enter the wholesale whiskey business, which he carried on successfully in that city for five years. During this period he became thoroughly acquainted with the details of whiskey manu- facture and his earnest and energetic qualities of mind rapidly developed him into an expert distiller. In 1906 he returned to Peoria and became identified with the Union Brewing Company and was shortly afterward elected to the posi- tion of secretary and general manager, in which capacity he is still acting.
Mr. Woolner is a republican in politics but beyond casting his vote at each election for the candidate of his party he takes no active part in public affairs. He is a prominent Mason and a member of the Creve Coeur Club. He is well known socially in this city and has hundreds of friends to whom his rapid suc- cess is a great gratification.
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On September 21, 1904, Mr. Woolner was married to Miss Agatha Ross, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob A. Ross, the former a pioneer distiller of St. Louis. Since his connection with the Union Brewing Company in 1906 that enterprise has tripled its capacity. The market for its output extends far be- vond local limits and even beyond state boundaries. The beer from its brewery is well known in the middle west and the progress and development of the busi- ness have been largely the result of the commercial acumen, the ability and energy of Edward S. Woolner who is at present in active control of its policy.
FRANK W. REED.
One of the foremost representatives of real-estate interests in Peoria is Frank W. Reed, an extensive dealer in farm lands, handling property not only all over Illinois but also in North and South Dakota and in Canada. He has been a representative of this business in Peoria county for thirty-one years, of which period twenty years were spent in Elmwood ere his removal to the city of Peoria eleven years ago. His birth occurred upon a farm in Elmwood township on the 3d of August, 1858, his parents being William and Sarah ( McConnell ) Reed, who were early settlers of this part of the state. The father came to Peoria county from the vicinity of Wheeling, West Virginia. in 1848 and for a long period thereafter was closely identified with general progress and im- provement and more especially with the agricultural development of this region. His wife was a native of Pennsylvania and they were married near Wheeling, West Virginia. During the period of his residence here William Reed became widely and favorably known not because he figured prominently in public rela- tions but because in the daily performance of life's duties he was faithful, dili- gent and reliable-qualities which in every land and clime awaken confidence and regard. He died on the old homestead farm in Elmwood on the 20th of May, 1887, and is survived by his wife, who is yet a resident of this county.
The usual experiences of farm life fell to the lot of Frank W. Reed in his boyhood and youth. He worked in the fields through the summer months and in the winter seasons attended the local schools until he entered the high school at Brimfield. He afterward pursued a normal-school course in Peoria and then took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for two years in his home district. He has been engaged in the real-estate business, however, since 1880, in which year he also became a representative of fire insurance interests at Elin- wood. For twenty years he continued to operate in real estate, making his headquarters in his home town, but eventually sought the broader opportunities opened to him through the establishment of his office in the city of Peoria, where he has now been located for more than eleven years. lle has a well appointed suite of rooms in the Jefferson building, and to him has been accorded an exten- sive clientage because he has shown himself thoroughly conversant with realty valties and straightforward in his dealings.
Mr. Reed has been married twice. His first wife, who bore the maiden name of Maud Fisher, died in Elmwood, leaving two children, Florence and Vesta. His second wife, who prior to her marriage was Grace Walker, was killed in a railroad wreck near Staunton, Illinois, on the 4th of October, 1910. Mr. Reed holds membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He has always been interested in affairs of local progress and contributes to the work of general improvement in many practical and tangible ways. For an extended period he served as a member of the Elmwood school board and the cause of education has ever found in him a helpful and progressive friend. His business interests have been of contin- ually increasing importance and yet he does not claim, as many business men
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do, that he has no time nor opportunity for public service. He makes it a point to remain conversant with the conditions and needs of the community and to give his active and loyal support to the various projects and movements insti- tuted for public benefit.
COLONEL JOHN DICKSON MCCLURE.
No name is mentioned in terms of higher honor and respect than that of Colonel John Dickson McClure. He was one of the pioneer settlers of Peoria county, but it was not the length of his residence there that made him a lead- ing citizen. The part which he took in the development and upbuilding of the county placed him with its founders and promoters. Various interests which have featured in the progress of this part of the state bore the impress of his individuality. He was a man who never lowered his standard, and upon his banner were emblazoned the words justice, truth and progress. His manner was such as won him friends. He was approachable, genial and kindly, had high appreciation for good qualities in others and was ever ready to extend a helping hand.
Colonel McClure was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, November 4, 1835, and in the paternal line was of Irish descent. The family was founded in America by his great-great-grandfather Richard McClure, who left his home in the north of Ireland prior to the year 1730 and became a resident of Paxtang township, in what was then Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He secured a tract of uncultivated land of six hundred acres and became a factor in the early agricultural development of that state. His second son was Richard McClure who, upon arriving at years of maturity, wedded Margaret Wright, a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. They became parents of Robert McClure, who was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, and married Miss Priscilla Espy, who was likewise born in Dauphin county. They were the grandparents of Colonel McClure, whose father was Josiah Espy McClure. The latter was united in marriage to Miss Jane Dickson, a descendant of James Dickson, who was also a native of the Emerald isle, and became the founder of the family in the new world. His son, John Dickson, was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, and married Miss Jane Russell, a native of Gettysburg. It was their daughter Jane who became the wife of Josiah Espy McClure.
In the place of his nativity Colonel McClure spent his youthful days until thirteen years of age and then came to the middle west, arriving in Peoria in 1849. His early education, acquired in the schools of Pennsylvania, was supple- mented by further study in Galesburg, Illinois. He entered business circles in connection with the lumber and grain trade and operated in that field of com- merce until after the outbreak of the Civil war. His patriotic spirit was aroused and he could no longer content himself to engage in business while the stability . of the Union was threatened. He therefore offered his services to the govern- ment, joined the Forty-seventh Volunteer Infantry, and was elected captain of Company C, which he commanded for a year. He was then promoted to the rank of major and six months later was given command of the regiment with the title of colonel, continuing in that position for a year and a half, or until the term of service of the regiment had expired. On one occasion, while serv- ing as picket officer on the staff of General Sherman, he was severely wounded in the breast and his horse was shot from under him.
Colonel McClure returned home with the most creditable military record, and his fellow townsmen, proud of his service and recognizing his ability in other directions, honored him with election to civic office. He was called to the posi- tion of clerk of the county court in which he served for eighteen months, and
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then retiring, turned his attention to the real-estate and loan business. How- ever, he was again called to office, being chosen a member of the Peoria county board of supervisors on which he served for a period of twelve years, doing important work in furthering the best interests of the county. He also served for one term on the first park board of Peoria and for ten years as member of the old Mercantile Library board, and a member of the committee which super- intended the erection of the new library. During this time he continued in the real-estate and loan business and his sound judgment and discrimination were strongly manifest in that connection. He handled much valuable properties. negotiated many important realty transfers and won success in his well directed efforts and judicious investments.
On the 17th of September, 1863, Colonel McClure was united in marriage in Peoria, to Miss Virginia Cunningham, and they became the parents of four children : Martha Herron, now the wife of Luther M. Thurlow ; Jane Dickson, who is married to Frederick F. Blossom and has two children, Frederick Mc- Clure and John Dickson ; William Cunningham; and George Nathaniel.
Colonel McClure always voted with the republican party from its organiza- tion and firmly believed in its principles. He maintained pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic and with the Loyal Legion. He also held membership in the Second Presbyterian church. He had a very wide acquaintance in this county and en- joyed the high regard of all who knew him. He was a valued member of the Old Settlers' Association and was treasurer of the Historical Society for many years. His standing in public regard is perhaps best indicated in the resolutions passed by the Peoria County Old Settlers' Association which read as follows : "Colonel John D. McClure was one of the pioneer residents of Peoria county. His life was closely interwoven with its development and progress, and at all times he took a deep interest in the work of the early pioneer and the main- tenance of the records of their achievements.
"Colonel McClure was held in the highest esteem. He was regarded for his splendid war record, his business ability, his honorable dealings between man and man, his conscientious attention to affairs entrusted to his hands. His integrity. honor, breadth of character, his loyalty and patriotism, his love for neighbors and his kindliness, charity and geniality are commended to the rising generations.
"The Peoria County Old Settlers' Association is not unmindful of Colonel McClure's interest in its work. He was an early member, later a director, served as president, always with efficiency and enthusiasm. The association feels keenly his death and deplores his passing from its activities.
"Therefore, in this manner, it desires to make known to the public its high estimate of Colonel McClure as a man and a citizen, especially for his identifica- tion in this association, and expresses to Mrs. McClure and members of the family its heartfelt sympathy in their bereavement, and to the city of Peoria for its irreparable loss in the passing of so distinguished a citizen."
WILBUR I. SLEMMONS.
Wilbur I. Slemmons holds a high position in Peoria today as a jurist, lawyer and citizen. His career has been marked since its beginning by high standards of legal morality and professional attainments, and his public spirit has been rewarded at different times during his life by his election to public office. He was born at Creston, Ohio, September 20, 1861, the son of Samuel M. and Rachel P. Slemmons. He was educated in the grade and high schools of Creston, and later attended the University of Wooster, Ohio, graduating from the classical course with the class of 1884. He also studied law in Ohio, and was admitted
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to the bar of that state. He practiced in Ohio with much success for two years, and in 1886, he removed to Peoria and was admitted to the bar of Illinois.
From the time of his admission to the bar of this state until 1902, Mr. Slem- mons engaged in the general practice of law in this city, gaining new clients and a more favorable reputation each year. The legal profession requires a peculiar type of mind, logical, clear and unwavering, and this type of mind Mr. Slemmons pos- sesses in an eminent degree. His attainments are of a high order. He has a reputation for soundness of judgment, keen discrimination, rapid comprehension of detail and a shrewd and unbiased mind. Possessed of these qualities, no lawyer could fail of success, and Mr. Slemmons' career has been an exemplification of their value in the legal profession.
Wilbur I. Slemmons has always been actively interested in local politics, being consistently democratic in his affiliations. He was elected judge of Peoria county in November, 1902, and his record in that capacity at the expiration of his term was recognized by his reelection to the office in 1906. During his eight years' service as county judge, Mr. Slemmons gained for himself the esteem of the voters of Peoria county. His career in county politics was marked by an intelligent performance of the duties of his office and a keen comprehen- sion of its many details. Mr. Slemmons is now occupied with a general law practice in this city, and is well known as one of the leading attorneys of Peoria.
Fraternally. Mr. Slemmons is a prominent Mason, belonging to the Peoria Consistory, A. A. S. R., and is a member of Mohammed Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of which he was potentate for two terms. He belongs to Peoria Camp No. 802, Modern Woodmen of America, and served for six years as its clerk. He is prominent in the order of Maccabees, and holds membership in the Fort Clark Lodge; I. O. O. F. He is also a member of Peoria Lodge, No. 260, Knights of Pythias, of Huron Tribe, No. 93, Redmen, and is active in the Knights of Khorassans. Socially, he is a member of the Creve Coeur Club. He attends the Presbyterian church.
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