Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II, Part 96

Author: Rice, James Montgomery, 1842-1912; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 930


USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 96


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track. In 1896 he designed and superintended the construction of the Farm Creek improvement; two miles of creek channel with levees across the flat valley ; superintended the construction of the water works at Milford, Illinois, designed the sewer system for South Peoria; reported on the water-works plant of Keokuk and in addition made sundry other surveys. The next year his work included the completion of the Farm Creek improvement and brought to him the appointment of consulting engineer to the commissioners for the Illinois Asylum for the In- curable Insane in course of erection. He also did much work in Rock Island. In 1898 he acted as engineer of the Illinois Asylum for the Incurable Insane, having charge of the engineering features of the work in a plant designed for caring for two thousand patients in addition to doing much miscellaneous en- gineering work and surveying. In 1899 he was engineer for the Illinois state board of health and made the sanitary survey and report on the Illinois river water shed in anticipation of the opening of the Chicago sanitary canal, which work was continued through 1901. In 1900 he was engineer and manager of the development of mining property at Joplin, Missouri, in addition to the mis- cellaneous engineering work and in 1901 he became engineer and manager of the East Peoria Coal Company, in which connection he remained until 1906. Similar work engaged his attention in 1902 and in 1903 he was consulting engineer for the sanitary district of Chicago in the matter of damages for the overflow of lands in the Illinois valley, remaining in that connection until 1907. He was likewise engineer of the Spring Lake drainage and levee district of Illinois, con- sisting of levees, ditches and the pumping plant to reclaim fourteen thousand acres of land, much of the work now nearing completion at a cost of three hun- dred and fifty thousand dollars. In 1904 he also had charge of the Dancy drain- age district of Wisconsin, a gravity drainage system for thirty thousand acres, this work being completed in 1909 at a cost of one hundred and sixty thousand dollars. He was also awarded the engineering contract for the Nutwood drain- age and levee district of Jersey, Green county, Illinois, with levees, ditches and pumping plant for the reclamation of eleven thousand acres, the work being com- pleted in 1909 at a cost of two hundred and eighty thousand dollars. In 1905 he was named the engineer to prepare plans and specifications for the Onarga drain- age district of about two thousand acres and redesigned the system of tile drains. His work also included the Des Moines county drainage district, No. I, of Iowa, having to do with ditches and two pumping stations for the reclamation of twenty- eight thousand acres of leveed lands at a cost of three hundred and forty-two thousand dollars, now nearing completion. The same year he undertook the work of the Pekin and LeMarsh drainage and levee district for the reclamation of twenty-five thousand acres, which was completed in 1908 at a cost of sixty-five thousand dollars. In 1906 he was made engineer for the Mexican Agricultural Land Company for surveys and the development of sixty thousand acres in old Mexico, continuing through 1907, 1908 and 1909. In 1906 he also began the work of building levees, ditches and pumping station for the reclamation of twenty thousand acres in the Bay island district and levee district of Mercer county, Illinois, at a cost of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, completing it in 1911. In 1907 he was made engineer of the village of East Peoria and so con- tinued through 1908. In the former year he was awarded the contract for rede- signing and constructing the ditches for the drainage of seven thousand acres of leveed land in the Coal Creek drainage and levee district of Illinois, which work was finished in 1909 at a cost of sixty-five thousand dollars. He also undertook the work of the East Peoria drainage and levee district, building levees, ditches and pumping plant to reclaim seven hundred and fifty acres. In 1908 he was en- gineer of the Louisa-Des Moines drainage district, No. 4, of Iowa, constructing ditches and pumping plant for the drainage of thirteen thousand acres, the work being completed in 1910. In 1909 he became engineer of the Eldred drainage and levee district of Illinois, preparing for the reclamation of nine thousand acres, which work is now nearing completion. In 1910 he was made engineer of the


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internal improvement commission of Illinois to prepare plans and estimates for the reclamation of the Kaskaskia river valley of Illinois, including one hundred and fifty thousand acres of overflowed lands, the estimated cost of which work is five million dollars. In 1911 he was engineer of the Muscatine-Louisa drain- age district No. 13, of Iowa, draining thirty thousand acres of leveed land, con- structing ditches and building the pumping plant, the estimated cost of which will be two hundred thousand dollars. He also began work on the Louisa county dis- trict, leveeing six thousand acres ; the Crow Creek drainage district, to drain about two thousand acres; the Henderson county drainage district of Illinois, to re- claim eight thousand acres, with levees, ditches and pumping plant ; the Elsberry drainage district, of Missouri, to reclaim eighteen thousand acres of leveed land, with ditches and pumping plant ; and Fabius drainage district of Missouri, to re- claim from twelve to eighteen thousand acres of land with levees, ditches and pumping plant, the estimated cost of which is four hundred thousand dollars. He still remains engineer in charge of the uncompleted work mentioned above, and is conducting a general engineering practice. The nature of his work stands 11 incontrovertible proof of his ability and the character of his professional service.


On the 4th of March, 1889, Mr. Harman was married to Miss Emma Flagg, of Milford, Illinois, a daughter of Rufus Flagg, a farmer of that locality. They have two children. Harrison J. and Howard W., aged respectively twenty and twelve years, both now in school. Mr. Harman is a member of the Creve Coeur Club and belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the Modern Woodmen camp. He is likewise a member of the Peoria Association of Commerce and the East Peo- ria Commercial Club, while along strictly professional lines he is connected with the Western Society of Engineers, the Illinois Society of Engineers and Surveyors and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He has attained high rank and prominence in his profession, and is meeting with the success which follows broad scientific and practical knowledge as exemplified in actual work accomplished when intelligence directs unfaltering industry.


EDWARD SEITZ.


Edward Seitz is the president of the King Light Company, with office and factory at No. 4200 South Adams street, being there located since 1908. He is engaged in the manufacture of the King gas machines and King lights and is rapidly developing an extensive business in this connection. He was born in Altheim, near Heidelberg, Baden, Germany, October 13. 1854, and is a son of Johann and Josepha Seitz, both of whom spent their entire lives in the father- land. The son acquired his education in his native country, pursuing his studies until fourteen years of age, when he began learning the watchmaker's trade, be- ing thus employed until seventeen years of age. In 1872 he came to the United States, landing at New York and thence made his way direct to Marion, Ohio, where he was employed at watchmaking until 1873. In that year he came to Illi- nois, settling first at Wilmington, where he also worked at his trade for about eighteen months. In 1875 he removed to Sheridan, lowa, where he lived for a year, and in 1877 he came to Peoria, here establishing himself in the business of watchmaking and repairing. He started on a small scale but his capability won him a growing patronage and he continued in that field of labor until 1899. In the meantime, however, he was giving close attention to the study of the light- ing and heating problem and, his inventive genius and ingenuity being called forth, between 1899 and 1900 he experimented and invented various machines furnishing gas for both heating and lighting purposes. He established his pres- ent business in 1900 in partnership with E. J. Lockwood under the firm name


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of the King Light Company. He has produced gas machines which make a cheaper gas for the home, store or factory and which supply light and heat. The gas machines surpass all others in many points of improvement and the busi- ness is being gradually extended, their ontput being handled by dealers in all sections of the country. The simplicity as well as the perfection of their ma- chines render them safe to be operated by anyone. Their output also includes the necessary equipment in stoves, for both heating and cooking, and in fixtures for all kinds of lighting, including both plain and artistically decorated designs.


In Brooklyn, New York, Mr. Seitz was married in 1884 to Miss Mathilda Ficheisen, a daughter of a German army officer. They have become parents of four children : Myra, residing at home; Mathilda, a graduate of the Peoria high school ; and Edward and Laura, who are attending school. The family residence is at No. 504 North Monroe street. In politics Mr. Seitz is a republican, voting for the men and measures of the party. He is a blue lodge Mason, and he belongs to the Commercial Club, in which connection he gives active support to many movements which further the business development and the substantial up- building of his city.


THOMAS C. JOHNSON.


Thomas C. Johnson, who for the past eight years has been superintendent of the Standard Oil Company at Peoria, has recently been appointed state humane agent by Governor Deneen. He was born at Homer, Champaign county, Illinois, in 1871, a son of Joseph and Josephine Johnson. The father, who was a railway engineer for many years and later became station agent at Homer, passed away in 1877, but the mother is living. Some years after the death of her husband, Mrs. Johnson became the wife of Solomon Carroll and they are residing at 112 Iowa avenue, Danville, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Johnson were the parents of four children, those beside our subject being as follows : William, who is a farmer at Allerton, Illinois; Sylvia, who became the wife of Abner Cooper, of Homer, Illinois; and Allie, the wife of Freeman Mead, a farmer at Homer, Illinois. Thomas C. Johnson also has a half-sister, Myrtle, the wife of John Reece, a carpenter and contractor of Danville, Illinois.


The early years in the life of Thomas C. Johnson were very similar in every respect to those of other boys reared in homes of moderate circumstances. At the usual age he entered the public schools and received a good practical education. In 1890 he came to Peoria as an employe of the Standard Oil Com- pany, beginning in the capacity of engineer. As his services were efficient and satisfactory and he showed the ability to hold a more responsible position he was promoted later to the office of assistant superintendent. He discharged the duties of this place until 1903 when he was made superintendent and has ever since been in charge of the company's business at this point. Mr. Johnson is a man of high standards and unquestionable integrity and during the twenty- two years of his residence here has established a reputation that would be a valuable asset to any business man. He has recently been appointed state hu- mane agent by Governor Deneen, and assumed the duties of this office on the Ist of December, 19II.


This city was the scene of Mr. Johnson's marriage on the 30th of August, 1896, to Miss Catherine Wolpert, whose parents now reside at Rantoul, Illinois. One daughter has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, Maude, who completed the course of the grammar school and spent three years in high school, but is now assisting her father in the discharge of his duties as state humane agent.


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The family home is located at 1706 North Jefferson avenue, where they have a very comfortable residence.


The political allegiance of Mr. Johnson is accorded the republican party. He has always taken an active interest in all governmental affairs and is one of the public-spirited and progressive citizens of the town.


LEONARD HILLIS.


Various business interests have profited by the sagacity, the indefatigable energy and the unfaltering purpose of Leonard Ilillis. This, however, represents but one side of his life, for his cooperation in movements for the promotion of educational and moral progress constitutes an even balance to his business enter- prise. He was born in Washington, Iowa, November 3, 1867, his parents being Benjamin Franklin and Isabella Hillis. Ile pursued his education in the Eastern Iowa Normal School but has ever since been a student in the school of expe- rience, in which he has learned many valuable lessons. From the outset of his business career, he has made steady progress, correctly judging of his own capaci- ties and powers and of those things which go to make up life's contacts and expe- riences. Every step in his career has been one of advancement. His main busi- ness has been the extensive handling of cheap lands and timber in which he has been eminently successful. He is also identified with some of the best institut- tions in Peoria, being a director in the Illinois National Bank and vice president of the dry-goods house of Clarke & Company.


On the 4th of March, 1892, in Peoria, Mr. Hillis was married to Miss Annie L. Kennedy, a daughter of Robert Kennedy, and they have one child, Berenice Kennedy Hillis. They are all members of the Arcadia Presbyterian church.


He is also an interested worker in behalf of the Young Men's Christian As- sociation and is one of the directors and trustees of the Presbyterian College at Beloit, Wisconsin. In speaking of his election to that position, the Codex, pub- lished by the Beloit University, said: "Though not a son of Beloit, no one who knows Mr. Hillis has any doubt of his fitness for adoption into her family or of his ability to serve her in the directorate. He is Beloit's kind of man-a man of affairs and of ideals too. The former are only servants of a purpose which has never lost sight of the higher successes. As for books, Mr. Hillis finds op- portunity for reading in the midst of demands which leave the average man 'no time.' He is very fond of history, in the study of which he finds much of his re- laxation. This real love for the finer things makes him the friend of more than one man seeking college advantages and will command his interest in all that Beloit stands for." Dignified in spirit, yet approachable in manner, independent in thought and conservative in action, he stands ever for advancement, yet utilizes practical methods in its accomplishment.


HORATIO NELSON WHEELER.


During the long years of his residence in Peoria, Horatio Nelson Wheeler, through his business activity and enterprise, contributed largely to the upbuild- ing of the city. His plans were ever carefully formulated and promptly exe- cuted and his sound judgment was manifest in the success that followed his investments. He was born August 4. 1811, in Wheelersburg, Ohio, and his last days were spent in his native state, for his death occurred on the 18th of Sep- tember, 1885, at McConnelsville, Ohio, whither he had gone to attend the funeral


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of his wife's sister. His remains were brought to Peoria for burial. For a third of a century he had been a resident of Peoria and prior to locating here had for a brief period made his home in Chicago. He was quite liberally edu- cated for the day in which he lived and he occupied a public office in Marion, Ohio, probably that of county clerk. He also engaged in general merchandising there and won goodly success in the conduct of his interests. About 1850 he came to the middle west, visiting Chicago, where he was persuaded to remain by relatives who had previously located there. However, he was more favor- ably impressed with the middle section of Illinois and two years later he brought his family, consisting of his wife and two sons, Portius Clinton and Charles Rollin Wheeler, then fourteen and twelve years of age respectively, to Peoria, making the journey in a carriage over the government or state roads.


On the establishment of his home in this city Mr. Wheeler again engaged in merchandising, gradually merging his interests into wholesale groceries, and became one of the pioneers in that line in the city in association with the Sloans, whom he had previously known and who came from the same neighborhood in Ohio. About 1860 he engaged in banking, becoming one of the organizers of the Mechanics National Bank, of which institution he acted as president as long as it remained under that name. He also engaged quite extensively in loaning money outside and in investing in real estate in the vicinity of Peoria, thus manifesting his faith in the future of his district. He also invested in western lands and laid out the town of Nelson, Nuckolls county, Nebraska, now a thriving town in the best corn land in that state. A few years prior to his death he retired from business, upon the reorganization of the bank into what has since been known as the Merchants National, but the Wheeler interest therein was closed out in settling up the estate.


On December 10, 1837, Mr. Wheeler was united in marriage at Putnani. Hardin county, Ohio, to Miss Matilda McCoy, who died in Peoria, August 15, 1888, leaving two sons, Portius Clinton and Charles Rollin Wheeler. His grand- sons, sons of Portius Clinton Wheeler, are in business in Peoria, the firm being known as Wheeler Brothers. They are engaged in private real-estate business and the members are M. C. W. Wheeler, W. T. Wheeler and P. R. Wheeler. From time to time Mr. Wheeler occupied other positions of trust but was not an active politician in the usually accepted sense of the term. His fellow towns- men, recognizing his ability, sought his services and they were freely and will- ingly given, for he ever recognized his obligations of citizenship and it was char- acteristic of him that he met every obligation that devolved upon him, whether of a public or private nature.


CARL CHRISTIAN BLOCK.


Carl Christian Block, secretary of Schipper & Block, proprietors of the Big White Store, the leading department store of Peoria, is a native of this city and a son of Fred Block, who is mentioned on another page of this work. His mother, Dena (Schneider) Block, reared their family of five children, two sons and three daughters, in whom she instilled high ideals and ambitions. She was keenly interested in their moral and mental growth, studying the requirements of each and carefully and tenderly nursing them through childhood and youth, and encouraging them in the pursuit of the study of music, languages and arts.


Carl Christian Block was a pupil in the grammar schools of Peoria and the Bradley Polytechnic Institute of this city, after which he studied in the Garnier Institute of Friedrichsdors in Taunus, Germany. Following his return to Amer- ica he continued his education in the University of Pennsylvania. While in col- lege he took an active part in athletics, was captain of the water polo team and


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CARL C. BLOCK


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a member of the intercollegiate championship swimming team. He played foot- ball, rowed, fenced, boxed and wrestled, and also belonged to the Mask and Wig Club, a college theatrical society. He had large responsibilities thrust upon him in young manhood by the death of his father and assumed these in preference to a life of less activity and effort. Since 1906 he has been secretary of Schipper & Block, incorporated. His early business training was with this house and with John Wanamaker, of Philadelphia. IIe made a careful study of the best establishments of the kind throughout the country and gained compre- hensive knowledge of the most approved and progressive business methods in vogue in connection with the conduct of department stores. His enterprise, ex- ecutive ability and sound judgment have been features in the success of the Peoria house.


Mr. Block has always followed closely the practice of investing in local en- terprises to help build up Peoria institutions. Moreover, he had great faith in the part that Pacific coast timber would some day play in supplying the world's lumber and therefore acquired large areas of merchantable timber in Oregon and British Columbia. He is cooperating in many movements that have resulted beneficially to Peoria and has been especially active in raising money for the public enterprises, including the New Hotel and Implement Show. He is presi- dent of the Retail Merchants Transportation Association and a director of the Retail Merchants Association, and in those connections has done much to further local trade interests.


In Decatur, Illinois, on the 15th of October, 1908. Carl Christian Block was married to Miss Jeannette Avery Powers, a daughter of George Wescott and Hadessa (Bowers) Powers. Mr. Powers' mother was a Giles and her mother an Avery, while Mrs. Powers' mother belonged to the Van Dorn family. Mrs. Carl Block is a gifted violin virtuoso. She studied for several years in New York and afterward spent one year in Paris and three years in Berlin, with the world's greatest masters, Markesse Geloso and the great Joseph Joachim. It was while she was studying in Berlin that Mr. and Mrs. Block met. She has given concert performances not only throughout this coun- try but in Europe as well. The Boston Herald said of her: "Miss Powers displayed perfect command of her instrument and has a tone rarely beautiful." Throughout the country her press notices were most favorable and we append some indicative of her superior genius: "In the evening Miss Jean- nette Powers, a scholarly violiniste, was quite the popular soloist, and carried off the honors gracefully. She has something few feminine soloists have, and that is tone. Her instrument seems possessed of a heart and soul. In the afternoon she gave a Ries Solo Adagio and Moto Perpetium with spirit and feeling."-Minneapolis Tribune. "Miss Jeannette Powers scored a triumph in the two movements from Mendelssohn's Concerto-the Andante being interpreted with deep feeling and the Allegro marked by her superb mastery of technique as well as temperamental qualities."-Washington Post. "As a violiniste who possesses a big, round tone, clean technique and vivacious temperament, Miss Jeannette Powers deserves unstinted praise for her violin work. The young artist was forced to respond to two encores."-Willy Jaffe, of the Sentinel. "The violin solo of Miss Powers was rarely beautiful in all that makes the art of the violin virtuoso. She instantly captured her hearers and was required to give two encores. Portland has not recently heard such command of the violin." -Arthur Green in the Morning Oregonian. "Miss Powers makes a dainty stage picture and plays with a breadth of tone, technic and musical intelligence that makes her work of great interest."-Frank Colby in the Los Angeles Express. "Miss Jeannette Powers is the best violiniste Sousa has ever brought west. The E. Flat Nocturne of Chopin was done with fragile grace and beauty. She charmed with Geloso's Caprice, but crept into the heart and dimmed the eye with her Schubert's Serenade. Miss Powers' sense of pitch is faultless and her


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double stopping utterly above reproach. Her tone is large, clear, vibrant and she bows intelligent phrases."-Walter N. Anthony in the San Francisco Call. "Miss Jeannette Powers was greeted with an ovation after her violin solo. She is a charming young woman and one of the most gifted violinists appearing here in recent seasons. She gave Geloso's Caprice with faultless interpretation and brilliant technique, and completely charmed the audience."-Tacoma Daily Led- ger. "No one is surprised at the press notices accorded Miss Jeannette Powers after hearing her play. One often reads of the violinist's soul speaking through his violin, but seldom is it exemplified to such an extent as during a solo by Miss Powers. Her deft fingers evoke strains which hold an audience spell- bound."-Pueblo Chieftain. "The most attractive feature of the program was the Geloso's Caprice, rendered by Fraulein Jeannette Powers, a Joachim favorite. She has a wonderful breadth of tone, accompanied by a finished technique and an intelligent interpretation. The audience was unusually enthusiastic. Miss Powers was recalled again and again."-Lokal Anzieger. "Miss Powers' style recalled Kubelik. The Zigeunerweisen of Sarasate was interpreted with delicacy and soulfulness. The audience was charmed."-Paris Edition of New York Herald.




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