USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 93
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stomachs of those who, with the same intent of reaching 'God's country,' should come after us. It is safe to say that the mules were not sorry for our raid, for it is wonderful what quantities of provisions we removed from those wagons. Previous to our reaching the mountain region we drew near a plantation one night and after reconnoitering concluded to approach the house and ask for something to eat. A young girl answered our knock and referred our request for 'something to eat' to lier grandmother, they two seeming to be the only persons at home. The old lady answered in a snappish manner that she 'did not have anything to eat in the house.' An astonished look on the girl's face and some remark, probably contradictory of the elder woman's, that she began to make, decided us to walk in and help ourselves. At this the old woman began to scream and Lieutenant Young walked up to her, put an arm around her shoulders and his hand over her mouth, and going to the fireplace took a shovel and began dragging coals out on the floor. This silenced her, but Young held her until we helped ourselves plentifully to the stores of good things to eat laid up in an adjoining room in great quantities, no doubt awaiting to satisfy the hunger of 'expected guests' from the enemies ranks. The fear that they might then be concealed within hearing of our hostess' screams was what incited Tom Young to his incendiary action, which did not prove destructive, for when the screams ceased the coals were returned to the hearth. But that tragic-comic scene will never be effaced from my memory. Once while we were for a time shut in the mountain fastnesses because of the enemy's proximity, a young woman, the promised wife of our guide. Flem Cison, walked four miles alone across the mountain, over the crusted snow, to warn us not to relax our vigilance, as armed men were looking for us, and to bring us food, returning before day- light, lest she should be seen and our hiding place discovered. Through such circuitous wanderings, untoward circumstances, divers discouragements and depressing conditions we kept one steady purpose to make our liberty secure, from the night of November 10, 1864, when we left Camp Sorghum, as the stockade prison at Columbia, South Carolina, was called, through fifty-two days and nights of winter weather in the mountains, until we reached the Union army at Sweet Water, Tennessee, and were forwarded by rail to Knoxville, Tennessee, which place we reached January 1, 1865. After sixteen months of imprisonment and two months of endeavoring to regain our liberty, evading all sorts of dangers from the elements as well as from the enemy, we counted this the happiest New Year of our lives, to be again among our own troops, while above us waved 'Old Glory.'
With the close of the war Judge Bassett was honorably discharged after the surrender of Lee at Appamattox. He spent the succeeding year and a half on his farm, and in buying and selling grain, and in 1867 he took up the study of law under the direction of Captain A. W. Bull, of Pekin, Illinois. Later he con- tinued his reading with Hon. B. S. Prettyman, and for two years, although beset with many difficulties and hampered by the lack of early educational advantages, he persistently pursued the course which he had marked out and at length real- ized his early ambition to become a lawyer in his admission to the bar. In 1872 he removed to Peoria where he made a splendid record as a strong, sturdy and reliable attorney, who ever held to the highest professional ethics and standards. He was at different times associated with leading lawyers of this city and while he continued in private practice he enjoyed an extensive clientage.
Judge Bassett was also long a prominent figure in political circles. Of him it has been written: "He was one of that rare type of men who believed that patriotism meant serving the country honestly and faithfully, not only as a soldier but as a law-maker and an office holder. He was above all things a patriot and next to this a republican. He believed in his party. He believed in its mission and he fought many times and vigorously for its purity." He was
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elected on its ticket to the lower branch of the general assembly in 1884 and in 1888 was the choice of the people of his district for the state senate. He made an excellent record in both the upper and lower houses, carefully supporting those measures which he believed would advance the interests of the masses rather than of the classes and seeking ever to uphold the honor and good name of his state. In 1898 he was elected probate judge of Peoria county, which office he filled for eight years, discharging his duties with the utmost fidelity and ability. He became a candidate for the nomination for state treasurer and was the first candidate to make the proposal and promise that the moneys received as interest on state deposits should be returned to the state treasury ; he, further- more, proposed that this money should be used to create a fund to give aid at times when great disaster should occur in the state. His position was in no way an equivocal one. He said plainly that he believed that the interest on the state's money belonged to the state the same as revenue from any other source ; that he would be content with the salary of the office as fixed by law and not pocket from forty to sixty thousand dollars a year additional as interest on the money paid in by the tax payers. He recognized the fact that there was nothing on the statutes to prevent this as far as the letter of the law went but he looked beneath the spirit of the law and his own sense of personal honor would not permit him to follow such a course. This was characteristic of Judge Bassett. His policy was ever in harmony with his sense of personal and public honor and his plan received the indorsement of all public-spirited citizens.
Judge Bassett was married in November, 1865, to Miss Annie E. Goold who survives him. Their only son died in infancy. Two children by a former wife also died, Nathaniel in 1891 and Sarah-Mrs. S. B. Frost in 1908. One of Judge Bassett's greatest pleasures in life was to help deserving young people and many are indebted to him for their start in life and for wise council which en- abled them to see clearly the best course to pursue. He was well known through- out the state and wherever known was loved and honored and there are few men whose public career covered a more extended period. He was a statesman with an eye to practical results and not glittering generalities. The turn of his mind was eminently judicial and free from bias or animosity. Strong and positive in his republicanism, his party fealty was not grounded on partisan prejudice and he enjoyed the respect and confidence of all of his associates, irre- spective of party. He was connected with many of the wholesome and purify- ing reforms which have been gradually growing in political, municipal and social life in Peoria. Such men, whether in office or out of it, are the natural leaders of which-ever party they may be identified with, especially in that movement toward higher politics which is common to both parties and which constitutes the most hopeful political sign of the period.
THOMAS McGIFFIN MCILVAINE, M. D.
Prominent as a member of the medical profession of Illinois Dr. Thomas McGiffin McIlvaine, during the years of his residence in Peoria, has been ac- corded a liberal patronage, which attests his high standing and his ability as a representative of the profession. He was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, August 17, 1853, and his parents, Rev. William Brown and Margaret ( McGiffin) McIlvaine, were also natives of the same state, the former having been born in Lan- caster county and the latter in Washington county. The ancestral history of the family is one of close connection with Pennsylvania. The great-grandparents of Dr. McIlvaine were George and Sophia (Duffield) McIlvaine, who were born in Philadelphia and became pioneer residents of Lancaster county, Penn-
DR. THOMAS M. MCILVAINE
THE NEW PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LINDY AT TILDEN FOUNDATION ..
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sylvania, where George Mellvaine received the deed for the land which he occupied direct from the colonial government. When the colonies attempted to throw off the yoke of British oppression and establish a republic on this side of the Atlantic he joined the continental army and rendered valiant service to the cause of freedom. llis son, Robert Mellvaine, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and having arrived at years of maturity wedded Sarah Slemmons, who was born in Philadelphia. In the maternal line Dr. Mellvaine traces his ancestry back to Nathaniel MeGiffin, a native of Dublin, Ireland, who wedded Margaret Duncan, a native of Glasgow, Scotland. Coming to America they established their home in Washington county, Pennsylvania, where occurred the birth of their son Thomas McGiffin, the grandfather of Thomas Mellvaine. Ile married Maria Norton, a native of Newtown, Connecticut, and among their children was Margaret MeGiffin, who became the wife of William Brown Mc- Ilvaine and the mother of our subject. Her father was at one time a very dis- tinguished lawyer of Washington, Pennsylvania, and a man of considerable in- fluence and prominence in other connections. He was an intimate and lifelong personal friend of Henry Clay, and for some years they were associated in the practice of law as partners. It will thus be seen that in both the paternal and maternal lines Dr. Mellvaine comes of distinguished and honored families of Pennsylvania. His father, the Rev. William Brown Mellvaine, was an eminent Presbyterian clergyman of western l'ennsylvania during the middle of the nine- teenth century. His pastorate at the East Liberty Presbyterian church in Pitts- burg extended from 1828 until 1870, covering a period of forty-two years. He never had another ministerial charge, going to this at the beginning of his con- nection with the ministry and there remaining until his retirement to spend his remaining days in well earned rest. Such pastorates were rare even in that day. but when they existed they indicated a close bond of union between pastor and people that reflected credit upon both. The Rev. William Mellvaine proved a most able factor in the moral progress of the community and his teachings sank deep into the hearts of many of his parishioners, and in years bore fruit of up- right, honorable lives. He was accounted one of the eminent divines of the Presbyterian church of his native state and served as a director of the Theolog- ical Seminary at Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and as secretary of the presbytery and synod of Pittsburg for many years. The influence of such a life cannot be measured, but it is well known that his memory and teachings remain as a blessed benediction to many with whom he came in contact.
Reared in the atmosphere of a cultured. refined home. Dr. Mellvaine there learned lessons of life which he has never forgotten. His parents, desiring to give him the best opportunities possible, supplemented his public-school educa- tion by a partial course in the Western University at Pittsburg. He left that school to come to the middle west in 1869, with Peoria as his destination. Later he completed his college studies in the Monmouth College at Monmouth, Illinois. and was there graduated with honors, delivering the Latin oration in 1873. He entered upon the profession of teaching in the high school of Peoria, but after a brief period went abroad for further study in Germany, spending the years 1874 and 1875 in that land. In 1876 his alma mater conferred upon him the Master of Arts degree.
In the same year Dr. Mellvaine entered commercial circles in connection with the grain trade at Grand Ridge, La Salle county, Illinois, where he became well known as a grain buyer. However, he believed that professional pursuits would prove more congenial and profitable, and turned his attention to the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. J. L. Hamilton, of Peoria. He afterward matriculated in Rush Medical College, Chicago, and was graduated therefrom in the class of 1881. He has since devoted his time and energies to the practice of medicine and surgery in Peoria, and his labors have been attended with excel- lent results. That he enjoys public confidence to a notable degree is manifest Vol. II-39
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in the extensive practice accorded him. He has ever held to high ideals in his profession and has earnestly, wisely and conscientiously used the talents with which nature endowed him. From 1882 until 1884 Dr. McIlvaine served as health officer in Peoria. His reading has at all times been extensive and has kept him in touch with the most advanced work of the profession. He devoted ten years to editing a medical magazine in this city and his intelligently directed efforts and unremitting labor have contributed to maintaining the high standard of profes- sional services which characterizes the medical fraternity of Illinois. The Peoria City Medical Society has honored him with its presidency and he is also a member of the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, hav- ing been treasurer of the Illinois society for a period of ten years. He was formerly professor of materia medica and therapeutics in the College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa.
Professional labors, however, do not constitute the entire scope of Dr. Mc- Ilvaine's efforts in behalf of the public. Indeed, he has done much other work of an important character. He has been a director of the public library for over twenty years and was formerly a member of the board of education, for which positions he has been eminently qualified through his literary tastes and scien- tific training as well as by his opportunities for observation abroad. He was largely instrumental in establishing the Cottage, now Proctor, Hospital and or- ganizing the Peoria Art League. He has been a discriminating collector of rare old volumes, coins and works of art, and is the owner of many valuable old medical works and Elzevir editions of the classics.
In 1876 Dr. McIlvaine was united in marriage to Miss Emma Florence Ham- ilton, a daughter of Dr. J. L. Hamilton, one of Peoria's earliest and most promi- nent physicians. The children of this marriage were three in number: Anna Kirk, the wife of W. B. Tobias; Margaret McGiffin; and Emma Florence. The wife and mother died March 29, 1895, and on the 15th of December, 1899, Dr. McIlvaine was again married, this union being with Mrs. Jessie Cobleigh, by whom he had one child, Sophia Elizabeth.
Dr. McIlvaine holds membership in the Creve Coeur Club and is also a prom- inent Mason, belonging to Peoria Lodge, No. 15, F. & A. M., while in Peoria Consistory he attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in 1888. His political allegiance is given to the republican party. He has ever endeavored to make his life a serviceable factor in the world's work, and Peoria honors him as one whose labors have been effective forces for public progress and improve- ment along many lines.
FRED L. BLOCK.
The opinion, uniformly expressed wherever Fred L. Block was known, was that he was "a good citizen and a good man." What higher tribute could be paid to an individual? He was, moreover, a successful merchant-one of the partners of the largest dry-goods establishment of Peoria, but while his intelli- gently directed activity and enterprise brought him success the attainment of wealth was never the sole aim and end of his life. He rejoiced in the oppor- tunity that it gave him to aid his fellowmen and there are few who have loved humanity in a greater or more helpful degree than did he. The memory that he. leaves behind is one that is cherished by all who knew him.
Mr. Block was born in Germany, October 31, 1855, and the first sixteen years of his life were spent in his native land, largely in the acquirement of an educa- tion. Other members of the family had previously come to America and favor- able reports concerning the opportunities of the new world led the youth of six- teen to sever the ties that bound him to his native country and seek a home in
FRED L. BLOCK
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the new world. He made his way direct to Pekin, Illinois, where he was em- ployed in his brother's store that constituted the nucleus of the present Schipper & Block establishment of Peoria. For seven years he was there employed and then came to this city where he joined with his brother and John F. Schipper, now deceased, in organizing the firm of Schipper & Block and founding the pres- ent enterprise. The first store was located on Adams street and the growth of the business is indicated by the fact that three times the firm enlarged the build- ing, but finally the quarters became too small and a removal was made to the old Anderson block where business was continued for a number of years. At length, however, the continued growth of trade necessitated still more commodious quarters, which were secured in the Woolner building, but even this proved too small for constantly developing business and about 1903 the company decided to erect a new building, resulting in the immense eight-story structure that now stands at the corner of Adams and Fulton streets, a monument to the business industry and sagacity of the members of the firm, prominent among whom was Fred L. Block. One of the local papers writing of him said: "During all of his business career Mr. Block displayed the keenest business sagacity and foresight. He was recognized as one of the best buyers in the country. In the eastern markets he had the name of being one of the best business men in the country. Older business men found in this young business man the elements of the expe- rienced man of affairs. No detail was too small for his attention, but he did not allow himself to be carried away by details, and was ever alert to the possi- bilities of a good business move. Time after time older men found them- selves outwitted by his far-seeing instinct. For years he has been considered the leading business man of Peoria and he was looked up to in the mercantile world of Peoria as possibly no other man in Peoria has been in many years. His keen judgment was called in by the business men in affairs of moment to the city and he planned many things which have resulted in lasting benefit to the city and the community in general."
Mr. Block was twice married. He first wedded Miss Dena Schneider, who was born at the old family homestead of her parents at No. 114 Fifth street, Peoria, August 25, 1858. She practically spent her entire life in this city, pur- suing her education in the public schools and also spending several years in completing a course in German in a local private school. On the Ith of May. 1882, she became the wife of Fred L. Block and they became the parents of five children, Hajo H., Carl C., Anna C., Agnes S. and Harriet F. Mrs. Block was an active member of the First Congregational church and was not only deeply interested in the church work but also assisted helpfully and generously in the work of various clubs and societies whose mission is to do good and assist man- kind. Her death was the occasion of deep regret to a wide circle of friends as well as to her immediate family. On the 9th of May, 1905, Mr. Block was mar- ried to Miss Emma Schneider, a sister of his first wife and a daughter of C. J. and Christina Schneider, the former at one time a well known and prominent pioneer merchant of Peoria. Mr. and Mrs. Block were traveling in the east when he met a tragic death, being killed in a railroad wreck at Lansingburg, near Troy, New York, when he and his wife were on their way homeward after a trip in Maine and New Hampshire. They were sitting in the rear end of the parlor car when a heavy train crashed into them, telescoping the car and bringing death to Mr. Block, while his wife, who was sitting across the aisle, conversing with him, was seriously injured. One of the local papers said: "The news of no death since the message concerning the passing of President Mckinley has caused such uniform and profound sorrow in Peoria as did that of Fred L. Block." Another paper wrote: "In the death of Fred L. Block a pillar of strength in the local business world is shattered. Peoria and central Illinois is appalled at the horri- ble news which came from Troy, New York, the scene of the railroad accident where Mr. Block met his death. His passing as the result of a period of illness
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would have shocked the community because of his prominence in the business world, his standing as a citizen in the community and his genialty of nature which made him a favorite with every acquaintance. Everyone who knew him was his friend. But the death of such a citizen, violent as it was, adds to the horror of the affair and brings grief to the entire city which pauses to pay a silent tribute of respect and honor to him."
Mr. Block was widely known as one who loved his fellowmen and age and station in life mattered not to him if an individual was worthy of respect and regard. The children loved him no less than those of his own years and his many friends found him ever a hospitable host whose cheer and kindly greeting were genuine and cordial. He enjoyed outdoor life and nature in its various forms and was a lover of art, travel and music. Peoria never had a more loyal citizen or more ardent supporter of the city's enterprises. His faith in her future was evidenced in his works. At his death the local press united in paying tribute to his memory. One of the local papers wrote: "The death of such a man as Fred L. Block cannot be regarded as anything less than a civic calamity. There was hardly anything projected that would lead to the betterment and the uplift of the city in which Mr. Block did not have a hand. For nearly all the years of his life he had been a very busy man but he found time outside of his immense and growing business to take part in all schemes that were intended to make Peoria not only a greater but a better city. He was a man who was broad in his views and who believed in allowing the largest individual liberty of action so long as that liberty did not conflict with the rights of others. He was a Christian gentleman in the broadest sense of the term. Not Puritanic, not believ- ing that this world was a world of gloom in which he was best prepared for the liereafter who was the least satisfied with the present life. He had strong opin- ions of his own on almost every subject, but this did not prevent him from re- specting the conscientious convictions of others who differed from him. He was a liberal but not ostentatious contributor to the charities of all kinds. And he was in every respect a perfectly honest man. Fred Block would not wrong a man out of a dollar even if his failure to do this should have involved the loss of hundreds. It is lamentable that such a man-one whom Peoria loved and re- spected-should have lost his life as he did, just as he was on the eve of return- ing to the city where he had so long made his home, which he had helped to build up, where his affections and his interests centered. It was a dark day for Peo- ria when he met with that fatal accident. Above all it was a sad day to those who were privileged to be his intimates-to society and business associates who had so known, honored and loved him. To his family the loss is simply irre- parable because Mr. Block was above everything else a family man-a home man. To his children he was at the same time guide, counselor and friend. The death of no man of recent years has been more severely felt than was the passing away of Mr. Block, in the maturity of an intellect that made its impress on every one with whom he was in any way connected. He went from us just as he had every reason to hope that the rest that had never come to him in all his busy life was coming, when the fruition of his hopes and the object of all his aspirations was near, to all human appearance. Such a man as Mr. Block was entitled to expect many years of enjoyment, to that enjoyment that comes after the summer of life is spent and the autumn draws near. But the ways of Providence are past finding out." In his funeral sermon Dr. Faville said: "He had won a place of honor and faith and hope and love among us. He was a princely man with great possibilities ahead. He lived more than a half century ; he wrought out a character in which strength and beauty and sympathy is equalled but by the few. * * Fred Block had a strong. will, keen mind, a warm heart; he was a man of balanced judgment, of unflagging enthusiasm, of unswerving faith. But the secret of his life was good-will; good-will to God; good-will to man. Religion was with him a life, nothing of religious cant or
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