USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Political history of Chicago (covering the period from 1837 to 1887) Local politics from the city's birth; Chicago's mayors, aldermen and other officials; county and federal officers; the fire and police departments; the Haymarket horror; miscellaneous > Part 21
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28
The following are the names of letter carriers: R. H. An- drews, James Anderson, Rudolph Albrecht, J. P. J. Atkin, G. Appelt, Louis A. Berg, S. Buttsback, Daniel Bahler, Paul Breither, E. H. Brackett, F. A. Blatherwick, John S. Beston, Charles Bock, Michael Breen, W. P. Black, M. Frank Butler, Thomas J. Brown, George R. Bent, John Badershaw, William Burk, John Bell, Henry C. Barlow, George J. Bader, Henry D. Buechel, Henry P. Barnum,
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THE POLITICAL HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
John Britz, James Brown, James Burke, George W. Bor- man, Stephen D. Beach, Patrick J. Barrett, William Beek- mann, Thomas Buckley, Charles Boland, John Bowler, John Carey, L. Collins, Lawrence Coogan, Nelson J. Crona, F. G. Crowell, James Caulfield, P. L. Collins, John K. Clowry, Robert O. Crawford, Stephen Carmody, George W. Cook, W. A. Colson, T. T. Chamberlain, D. D. Cad- wallader, Michael Connors, John H. Coughlin, Alexander B. Crawford, J. M. Crawford, Charles Colstad, John J. Carmichael, C. C. Cristopherson, Charles R. Cowan, Daniel Coughlan, James Campion, William Croak, Edward J. Curran, William F. Culloton, William F. Campbell, Charles A. Closson, Terance Cairns, Edward Delaney, D. W. Dempsey, Herman Dahl, Michael Daly, Frederick Dippe, John W. Davis, J. J. Donahue, John Dobler, Adolph Dryfus, Charles E. Doyle, H. A. Duncan, H. A. Dahl, H. M. Danforth, Charles F. Dorland, Brian Daley, Fenton J. Delaney, Edward Deveraeux, Olaf M. Dahl, A. F. Eschert, George M. Edmondson, Jacob T. Escher, Mark S. Eldridge, Fred G. Edwards, S. W. H. Eldridge, James I. Ewers, Joseph B. Field, Charles H Foley, Thomas J. Foley, J. P. Fyfe, James Fitzgerald, Oliver P. Ford, John Fitzgerald, W. G. Fischer, A. C. Fisher, George H. Foster, John Fitzgerald, Daniel Foley, Henry C. Freer, James Foley, C. O. Froehde, William J. Farrell, Bernard J. Ford, Patrick J. Flannery, John P. Fries, E. F. Gibbs, H. F. Goetz, R. K. Gowanlock, Albert E. Garnett, Conrad Graw, Charles Gau, David J. Geary, Thomas Galbraith, Bright Gruda, John Grass, W. F. Gressang, Otto Gentzcke, August J. Golonski, James Griffin, F. F. Gilbert, W. J. Gibbons, John J. Gavigan, John J. Grady, Frank F. Guth- rie, John B. Gay, Thomas M. Heaney, W. B. Howe, John B. Hubbard, Fred Hartwick, Henry Hildebrecht, J. R. Howe, J. C. Hazen, A. C. Hall, Morgan M. Healy, A. S. Hayward, W. A. Hammond, J. M. Hopper, William H.
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FEDERAL OFFICERS.
Hogan, Sidney Houghton, R. P. Hogan, M. C. Hayes, John J. Hanrahan, Dennis Hogan, Peter J. Hanton, William Hannan, William H. Horstman, John A. Hendernson, John R. Healey, James O'Hoey, Robert A. Hart, Thomas Hennegan, Garrett Irwin, John M. Ingraham, John Jacob- son, A. D. Jones, Ole A. Jentoft, Ed Jennnings, Alurid D. Jones, James D. Jones, Richard J. Kehoe, Conrad Klein, Theodore Kramer, Fred Kleeman, B. F. Kay, Thomas Kennedy, John C. Keulzow, R. J. Kroff, Louis N. Kurt, Stephen Kolstad, Rudolph Krouse, Peter B. Klein, Mathew Kehrig, Harris S. Kessel, E. J. Kolberg, William Krelle, Patrick Keogh, Lawrence Kane, Charles W. Kuhn, Gustav Kuehn, Rollin E. King, H. Koschmeider, John P. Kindelin, T. M. Lynch, Michael H. Lyons, Charles F. Lindau, August Liverman, Thomas Larson, John A. Langan, J. H. Loser, E. F. Lapham, P. C. Larson, Patrick Leahy, Simon Lenow, A. Leesberg, James Lynch, Lyman Leist, S. A. Lee, Richard J. Laynam, John F. Lavin, David M. Lacy, John A. Mc- Donald, Stephen McGrath, John F. McGrew, John B. Mears, George C. Miller, James H. Moore, James W. Morrison, P. J. Murphy, Archie McLeod, Leonard Miller, John McCaffrey, Charles R. McClure, Norman A. Maeder, J. E. Morris, Thomas J. Maroney, John A. Meeker, Albert, C. Mehlhorn, Charles H. Mertens, Henry C. Moran, Geo. J. Myer, James Melia, F. J. Merritt, L. G. Merrill, John B. Matlock, James E. Manning, John B. Manning, James H. McGee, Hugh Murray, Thomas F. Mortimer, John J. Martin, William Madden, Michael Manion, John J. McGuire, Thomas Mccarthy, John A. Maloney, Francis J. McDonnell, Frank J. Nelligan, S. Nelson, R. H. Nelson, Herman A. Naper, H. Numberger, A. H. Noble, James E. Nolan, M. J. Nolan, William C. Northrop, Mi- chael O'Brien, Peter J. O'Connor, Thomas O'Neill, A. C. Ormsby, Charles A. Olander, Michael O'Connor, Samuel
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THE POLITICAL HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
H. Osborne, W. F. O'Brien, Richard N. O'Brien, James H. O'Brien, Thomas O'Brien, Peter O'Brien, James P. Padden, J. V. A. Proudfoot, Conrad A. Peterson, Conis C. Populorum, F. S. Parker, William G. Peters, Andrew Quaid, Thomas J. Quinn, William Quinlan, William Quin- lisk, J. J. Redmond, Watson Rich, A. W. Roche, Thomas Roney, J. M. Roy, S. W. Rush, W. J. Ryan, N. P. Ras- mussen, Emil Renich, Nelson Roney, Charles Rapp, Daniel Raleigh, F. C. Reinhardt, James B. Raymond, Bartholo- mew W. Russell, Timothy Ryan, Thomas Reath, Joseph J. Ryan, Mathew Rankin, Robert R. Sampson, Jacob S. Stahl, Charles H. Swift, Herman Schuman, C. M. Stover, James Stewart, Charles Stephens, James Stott, Thomas P. Smith, Frederick Schroder, Valentine Steele, F. A. Smith, A. A. Sheldon, John H. Syme, Charles J. Schoreek, Thomas H. Smith, Moritz Schwein, Henry Sumner, Henry H. Smith, J. W. Schuldt, William Schafer, Charles Schlieckert, M. D. Sweig, A. Seefurth, M. H. Stephens, J. J. Simmons, Charles Schoenthaler, Joachin R. Stolt, John H. Siegmiller, Owen Sheridan, Philip Schmidt, Fred- erick S. Soller, Chester Tracey, Thomas Telfer, Swan Tur- rell, Nels Turrell, F. J. Trautman, George A. Taylor, Walter Tallman, W. F. Tormochlen, George E. Thomas, Ernest Van Danden, Max Valequet, C. M. White, C. A. Wood- ford, J. P. Winner, J. W. Woodruff, C. E. Williams, Joseph Waska, Eugene H. Waite, Thomas M. Wiltsie, Charles L. Wier, Charles G. Wahlgren, Frank Wingierski, W. H. Wilson, E. P. Wright, Swan A. Warn, W. H. Wines, Cyrus S. Wilcox, William C. Wait, John M. Williams, L. B. Willden, Philip J. Walsh, F. J. H. Wich- man, John P. Wade, Theodore Zech, Ferdinand Zahn, Anton Zaycicik.
J. HOWARD JONES.
This gentleman is the Superintendent of the postal service in the West Division at headquarters, corner of Halsted
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FEDERAL OFFICERS.
and Washington streets. He was born in Pike County December 23, 1836, and came to Chicago, October 1, 1868. He has resided here since. He was agent for the North- western and California Associated Press, and served sub- sequently as the local agent for the Western Associated Press, which position he held until 1876. For six years he was Chief Clerk in the office of the Chief Inspector of Grain and became a member of the Board of Trade. He was appointed to his present position July 16, 1885.
P. R. FORREST.
The accomplished Cashier of the Postal Department was born in the city of Cork, Ireland, March 18, 1826, and is the junior brother of the well known literateur Joseph K. C. Forrest. His father was for thirty years director of one of the largest mercantile firms in Cork; his uncle, Phillip Ryder was for thirty years Comptroller of Customs; his first cousin, P. R. Tivy is married to a sister of Sir Thomas Lyons, formerly Mayor and Member of Parliament for Cork, and his brother, John R. is a son-in-law of James Lane, formerly Mayor.
In July, 1840, our subject came to Chicago in the days of the Tippecanoe campaign. A long and useful ex- perience in the most responsible positions of banking insti- tutions followed and thoroughly qualified him for his present position. He was identified with the banking houses of Forrest Bros., & Co .; Isaac H. Burch & Co .; E. I. Tinkham & Co., and was cashier for the Merchant's National when it went into litigation. From 1855 to 1857 he was Secretary of the Water Department of Public Works.
THEODORE F. SWAIN.
The genial Superintendent of the Money Order Division of the postoffice was born in 1830 in Hodam, Conn. At the age of fifteen he left the Brainard Academy to go to
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THE POLITICAL HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
school no more. He yet taught school forthwith in Waukegan, Ill., and was a much respected pedagogue when twenty-one. He now entered the dry goods business and subsequently in Muskegon dabbled in the lumber trade. Coming to Chicago he entered the Recorder's office under William L. Church, but soon accepted the cashiership in the Internal Revenue office, rising after- ward to the position of Chief Deputy. In January, 1871 he became a manufacturer of fine soaps; but while there is life there is hope, the soap business proved profitless to him. He now became a broker with an office in the Tribune Building. Subsequently he took his present position.
PATRICK M. CLOWRY.
The Superintendent of the Registry Department of the postoffice was born in Carlow, Ireland, December 26, 1832. In 1850 his family came to Chicago, and he went to work at once for Satterly, Cook & Co., grocers, corner State and Lake streets. . After three years he went to work for J. H. Gray, in the same business. He then learned the harness trade, and followed it up to 1858, when he entered the postoffice. In 1863 he had climbed the ladder of pro- motion as high as the foremanship of the general delivery. He was appointed the First Superintendent of Carriers by John L. Scripps, and held it for nine years. In 1873 Gen. McArthur made him Superintendent of the General De- livery. After two years he was appointed Assistant Super- intendent of Carriers, and succeeded Mr. Hubbard as Superintendent in 1881. In October, 1882, he was ap- pointed Superintendent of the Registry Department.
OTHER COUNTY EMPLOYES.
MICHAEL W. RYAN.
The County Clerk of Cook county was born in Limer- ick, Ireland, in 1847, and is the youngest of ten children, two girls and eight boys. Having attended the parish school in Cappamore, he graduated at the head of a class of thirty-two students, in mathematics and classics, in the Jesuit college in Limerick. He came to Chicago in 1866, and became a contractor with his brother, D. W. Ryan, now deceased. A dry goods experience succeeded. In 1875 he entered the Recorder's office under James Stewart. He was an attaché later on of the County Clerk's office, and also of the Probate Court Clerk's office. While in the latter situation, he was nominated by the Democrats and was elected West Town Collector, furnishing a bond in the sum of $5,000,000. In 1882 he was elected County Clerk.
In the spring of 1884 Mr. Ryan married Miss Mamie Cochrane, daughter of the late John Cochrane, so promi- nently identified in real estate transactions, and a graduate of St. Mary's Institute at South Bend, Indiana.
WILLIAM KIRBY.
The invaluable chief clerk in the office of County Clerk Ryan, of Cook County, was born in Hospital, Limerick county, Ireland, in 1849. He was there educated, com- pleting a course of classics. In 1870, under a sudden im- pulse, he left his native place and came to Troy, New York, and obtained employment in a grocery and meat market. In 1871 he came to Chicago, and was engaged by Thomas Wall in the grocery business. He subsequently
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THE POLITICAL HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
conducted business for ex-alderman Thomas Carney, of the seventeenth ward. He was the proprietor of a flourishing meat market, corner of Ada street and Austin avenue, when invited to a position in the office of the County Clerk. He had charge of the vaults at first, and rapidly rose to his present position.
EMIL HOECHSTER.
The Chief Clerk of the County Court was born in Frank- fort-on-the-Main June 1, 1836, and came to this country in 1854. After two years spent in New York he went to Cincinnati, where he pursued for some time a successful career in tragedy. In 1858 his political experience began when he took an active part in the Blair campaign in Missouri. He subsequently edited the Westliche Post, of which Carl Schurz was the chief in St. Louis. In 1860 he entered the war as a First Lieutenant in the Twenty-fourth Illinois Infantry, Hecker's regiment, and was afterward As- sistant Provost-Marshal in St. Louis. In 1865 he came to Chicago and was local editor of the Illinois Staats Zeitung from 1866 to 1868. Appointed consul to Germany, he raised over $9,000 for the sufferers in the great Chicago fire. In 1875 he returned to Chicago, worked hard for Tilden in 1876, became Deputy Sheriff under Messrs. Agnew and Kern, managed the German theater at Mc Vicker's for a time, and finally became Chief Clerk of the County Court. He is an invaluable official.
P. C. T. BREEN.
This gentleman was born in 1846 in Tralee, Kerry county, Ireland. Leaving the English schools at the age of fourteen, he entered St. Brendon's College, and studied six years for the priesthood. In 1866 he came to America, and soon enlisted in the ordnance department at Washing- ton, and was present at the cntombment of the body said to have been that of Booth, the assassin of Presi- dent Lincoln. But Mr. Breen firmly believes that the
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remains buried in the old penitentiary yard at Washington were not those of Booth. He and none of the other offi- cers were allowed to look upon the face of the corpse in the coffin; and our subject, like many others, thinks that Booth is still alive.
In 1869 he proceeded to St. Louis and taught school for a time. In 1872. he came to Chicago and went on the Fire Department, where he had charge of the supplies, and was afterwards promoted by Marshal Benner.
Mr. Breen is the author of "Hugh O'Neill's Wars With Elizabeth," and other Irish effusions. He entered the County Clerk's office in 1882 with Mr. Ryan.
The following are the names of the employés of the County Clerk's office : .
Luke Agnew, George Appleton, John Aul, Tim Bourke, Thomas Breen, J. R. Bailey, H. J. Becker, Jolın C. Cul- len, D. V. Connelly, John Cochrane, C. J. Coffey, P. M. Donnellan, John F. Doran, John A. Evans, N. J. Fitz- simmons, James Gleeson, Charles Hoya, Maurice Healey, William A. Hoyne, M. M. Hayes, E. Klehm, Albert Ley- den, E. Lewis, J. W. McMally, Day McCarthy, R. T. McDonough, W. H. Murphy, Thomas Mulvihill, E. T. Noble, T. A. Noonan, W. C. Niehoff, John O'Laughlin, John O'Brien, M. J. O'Brien, P. O'Brien, John O'Shay, B. M. Payne, John Prendergrast, Robert Prendergrast, James Ryan, William Ryan, Robert Strickland, J. B. ' Shiels, William Sweeney, R. P. Sullivan, F. T. Sullivan, James A. Taylor, T. C. Hickey, John Walsh, J. B. Crow- ley, M. J. Baldwin, Thomas Tighie, Charles Helnan, James E. Murray, P. N. Hoffman, James Rafferty, Will- iam Kirby, H. McGurren, Thomas Dwyer, F. McNally, H. Biehl, M: Salmonson, P. C. T. Breen, P. J. Moloney, M. D. Duhig, J. D. Shiels, C. S. Cameron, William O'Hayer, A. J. McGurren, E. Hoechster, J. Moloney, E. M. Bar- nard, J. H. Fitch, T. F. Bailey, D. W. McCarthy.
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WILLLAM C. SEIPP.
Among the foremost successful young men of the age, William C. Seipp, the County Treasurer of Cook County, stands preeminent. At the age of twenty-eight, William C. Seipp was chosen by the great Chicago public with an overwhelming voice to hold in trust for them moneys exceeding the formidable figure of twelve million ($12,000,000) dollars. He was elected to the most respon- sible position of City Treasurer in April, 1879, on the Democratic ticket, and ran far ahead of everybody else. In his election, party or nationalistic distinctions seemed to take no part whatever. He was elected to his present position on the Democratic ticket, and while a Republican Sheriff was elected, he made a historical run. This was in the fall of 1882.
Mr. Seipp is the son of Conrad Seipp, the celebrated brewer, and was born in Chicago, where the Chicago Times now stands, January 4, 1851. His early education was obtained in the Chicago University, whence he was sent to Mount Pleasant Military Academy in New York ; leaving the Chicago University as a freshman. Having graduated he returned to his native city, and at the age of 18 entered the law office of Rosenthal, Pence & Co. After two years' legal study he was engaged by his father to · assist him in his business, which was rapidly assuming gigantic proportions. The great brewery was established in 1856, and turns out today, it is estimated, almost half a million barrels per year, More than 150 men are em- ployed in the establishment. In 1876, when the institu- tion became a stock concern, William C. Seipp was elected Secretary and Treasurer. In 1878 he was made Vice- President, Mr. T. J. Lefens succeeding him as Secretary and Treasurer. Mr. Seipp married in the fall of 1874, and his domestic life is a very happy one.
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COUNTY EMPLOYES.
THOMAS BRENAN.
Thomas Brenan, as is well known, is the Assistant Treasurer of Cook county, and is recognized by men of all parties as the most competent man by far who ever handled the public moneys in his position. Mr. Brenan's family came to Chicago as early as 1848, locating in the vicinity of Lake street and Wabash avenue. When very young, our subject entered the hardware store of James & Springer. He then became a clerk in the employ of Brown & Tuttle, proprietors of the Sherman House, which was then a four story brick on the present site. He then connected himself with the brewery of James Kearney, and when the institu- tion passed into the hands of John O'Neill, he went into his employ. In 1855 he went into the wholesale liquor business for himself. In 1861 he enlisted in the Twenty- third Illinois, as Second Lieutenant, and was assigned to the quartermaster's department. After the battle of Win- chester and the death of Gen. Mulligan he was mustered out. In 1869 when W. J. Onahan was elected City Collec- tor, Mr. Brenan saw his first political experience, enter- ing the office as cashier. When "Honest Dan " O'Hara was elected City Treasurer he became assistant, and served under Treasurers Briggs, Seipp and Brand thereafter.
SETH F. HANCHETT.
The Sheriff of Cook County was born near Mayville, Chautauqua county, N. Y., April 30, 1842, and is of English descent. In this country their origin is traced to an officer of the revolution who settled in the valley of the Mohawk, and was killed by the Indians. In 1856 he came alone to Chicago, first finding employment with the North Chicago city railway company. In 1861 he enlisted in the Ninth Illinois Cavalry, having raised a company for Bell's Cavalry, which was not accepted, the quota of the regi- ment being full. After arduous service in Missouri, Ar-
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THE POLITICAL HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
kanas and Mississippi, he contracted the southern fever in the marshes, and was sent to St. Louis hospital, and thence home to Chicago, where he recovered. In 1863 he reën- listed in the Fifteenth New York cavalry, serving under Franz Sigel in West Virginia, and under General Hunter in the battle of Lynchburg. In 1864 his regiment en- tered Custer's division, and hard fighting at once com- menced. He fought in all the cavalry engagements up to the battle of "Five Forks," where he was struck by a piece of shell and maimed for life. In a desperate charge he left his arm upon the field. After hospital treatment he was discharged and returned to Chicago. He worked one year in the commission house of Hanchett, Angle & Cook, when he was appointed Superintendent of the Sol- diers' Home. On July 1, 1867, he resigned, and was ap- pointed to a position in the Sheriff's office as bailiff under General John L. Beveridge. He was first placed in the County Court under Judges Bradwell and Wallace, and served under Sheriffs Beveridge, Fisher, Cleaves, Bradley and Agnew. When Charles Kern was elected Sheriff he joined hands with his present chief clerk, W. H. Gleason, in the collecting agency. In 1877 he was elected Clerk of the Probate Court, and filled it up to liis election of Sher- iff. Mr. Hanchett is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Union Veteran Club, Treasurer of the Vet- eran Union League, a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is very prominent in social circles generally.
CANUTE R. MATSON.
Chief Deputy Sheriff Matson was born in Norway, in 1843, and in 1848 the family came to this country, locat- ing in Wallworth county, but shortly settling in Dane county. He here attended the Albion Academy, and sub- sequently Milton College, where he was a student when the war of the Rebellion broke out. He enlisted in Com-
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pany K, 13th Wisconsin Infantry as a private ; and when mustered out was Regimental Quartermaster. He was pro- moted Commissary Sergeant and First Lieutenant in 1863. When he left the service he came to Chicago, and while attending a commercial college he secured a position in the postoffice, publishing the Postal Record, the official paper of the department in the meantime. In 1868 he was elected Clerk of the Police Court, and was reëlected in 1871. In 1875 he was appointed Justice of the Peace, and was reappointed in 1879. In 1878 he was admitted to the practice of law. He served one term as Coroner, after proving the second strongest candidate in the republican convention for the high office of Sheriff of Cook county. While he is probably the foremost leader of the Scandina- vian element he is universally popular.
WILLIAM K. M'ALLISTER.
William K. McAllister, one of the representatives of the Circuit bench and one of the Judges of the Appellate Court was born at Salem, Washington County, New York, in 1818. At the age of eighteen he entered college and com- menced studying law in Wayne County when twenty-one, and concluded in Yates County. He was admitted to the bar and removed to Albion, where he practiced his profes- sion for ten years. In 1854 he came to Chicago and in 1866 was nominated for Judge of the Superior Court, but was de- feated by Judge Jameson. Two years later he was elected Judge of the Recorder's Court, and in 1870 was elevated to the Supreme bench. Business compelled him to resign in 1873, but he was subsequently elected to his present office.
JOHN G. ROGERS.
John G. Rogers, one of the Judges of the Circuit Court, first saw the light of day at Glasgow, Kentucky, December 28, 1818. He graduated as Bachelor of Arts from the Transylvania law school in 1841. He came to Chicago in
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1857, and practised law until July, 1870, when he was elected Judge of the Circuit Court. In 1873 he was re- elected, and again in 1879. He was elected the last time by both parties.
LORIN C. COLLINS, JR.
This affable member of the Circuit Court judiciary, was born in Winson, Connecticut, in 1848, In 1852 his family removed to St. Paul, Minnesota, and here the sub- ject of this sketch received his early training. In 1868 he entered the Northwestern University at Evanston; in 1872 was created Bachelor of Arts, and in 1874 Master of Arts. In this year he was admitted to the bar. His prominence as a lawyer led to his selection as a Repesentative, and a · reëlection, which resulted in his being chosen as Speaker of the House of Representatives. He was elected to his present office by both parties.
RICHARD PRENDERGAST.
The subject of this sketch, one of the judges of the County Court, is the youngest man now on the bench, being only thirty-one years of age. He was born on the Emerald Isle in 1854. His father came to America in 1864, and settled in La Salle, Ill. At the age of twelve he worked in a store and supported himself. In 1872 he attended college at Montreal, and subsequently at St. Ignatius College, at Chicago. The full course is seven years or eight years, but the Judge graduated second in one year in the eight-year class. In 1876 he entered Judge Moran's office with the degree of A. B. He attended the Union College of Law and graduated in 1878, winning the first prize for best essay on law. In 1882 he was elected Judge of the County Court, when only twenty-eight years of age.
JOSHUA C. KNICKERBOCKER.
Judge Knickerbocker was born in Gallatin, Columbia county, N. Y., September 26, 1837. He taught school
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from 1856 to 1859, and in 1860 came to Chicago. Here he devoted his time to the study of law, and in 1862 was admittted to practice. In 1864 he was Supervisor, and in 1865, while a member of the State Board of Education, was elected Alderman for the first ward, and reëlected in 1867. Retiring temporarily from political life, he was a partner with his brother, John J. Knickerbocker, for one year. In 1868 he was elected Representative to the Twenty- sixth General Assembly, and in 1869 was nominated by ac- clamation for County Judge, but was defeated. In 1877 he was elected Judge of the Probate Court, and in 1882 reelected. In 1886 he was nominated on every ticket in the field.
ROLLIN S. WILLIAMSON.
The courtesy of this gentleman on the bench of the Superior Court of Cook county has won for him the high- est regard of not only the members of the bar, but of the community at large. Malefactors at the bar of the Crim- inal Court where Judge Williamson has occasion to preside at times, have been known to be made better men by his merciful instincts.
He was born May 23, 1839, in Cornwall, Addison county, Vermont, and to close and persevering study can be attrib- uted his lofty position in the judiciary.
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