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 27
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JOSEPH STOCKTON.
Joseph Stockton, of the transportation firm of Joseph Stockton & Co., was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., Aug. 10, 1834. He came to Chicago in the spring of 1852. He was in the transportation business until the war broke out, when he enlisted in the Board of Trade regiment. He was in numerous battles, and at the death of Lieutenant- Colonel Wright, at Vicksburg, he was promoted to his place. After the fall of Vicksburg, Colonel Stockton took command of his regiment and retained the position until the close of the war. Colonel Stockton proved him- self a brave and fearless soldier, and he was breveted brigadier-general for meritorious conduct in the field. Colonel Stockton is an ardent Republican, and has been solicited repeatedly to stand for public preferment. His transfer firm is now one of the largest in the city .
MICHAEL RYAN.
Six times elected to represent that large constituency, ex-Alderman Ryan, of the fourteenth ward, was one of the most indefatigable members of the City Council. Being a most successful plumber and gas-fitter, he was wisely selected as Chairman of the Committee on Gas Lights. Mr. Ryan is unquestionably one of the busiest men in the community. The same active spirit which characterized him in the
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council and in his every day business, is observable when he appears in the councils of the Irish Nationalists among whom his standing is very high.
Mr. Ryan was born in Ireland, on Easter Sunday, in 1846. He camc to America in 1862, and located in Cincinnati, O., where he worked at his trade in plumbing until 1867, when he came to Chicago. In 1869 he went into business for himself, and after the great fire of 1871, he resuscitated a very promising trade wiped out by the flames, in company with his brother. The firm name is now M. Ryan & Bro., and the locality is 421 Milwaukee avenue. He was married to Miss Annia Feeney, in Cin- cinnati, O., in 1865.
MICHAEL M'NURNEY.
Ex-Alderman McNurney, of the tenth, was born at Castlecooke, Cork county, Ireland, March 31, 1830. In 1848 he came to Boston, where he became a horseshoer. In 1854 he came to Chicago, and up to 1862 he worked as a jour- neyman for N. Morgan, George Booner, John Traynor and others. He then went into business for himself, and for years did one of the most thriving trades in the West. The dullest day witnessed a busy scene in the old shop, on Pacific avenue, opposite the depot of the Michigan Southern. At present he represents a leading eastern establishment in a kindred enterprise. In 1877 Mr. McNurney was elected alderman, over Smith and Gunderson, by a plurality of 76. In 1879 he was again elected by 779 majority, over Lawrence. In 1881 he with- drew in favor of John Connell, who was defeated by Dan Nelson. In 1884 he was elected over Dan Nelson by 279. The ex-Alderman is an unquestioned success socially. It behooves him who would visit Mr. McNurney. at his home, to request a tune on the bagpipes, and especially to insist on the performance of Garryowen.
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AUSTIN J. DOYLE.
One of the most popular gentlemen in Chicago public life is the General Superintendent of the Chicago Passen- ger Railway.
Mr. Doyle was born in Chicago, Sept. 18, 1849. He was collecting for the dry goods firm of W. M. Ross & Co., for whom he first carried parcels, when Hon. Daniel O'Hara, that great and good man so universally mourned, made him a clerk in the Recorder's Court. This was in 1865. In 1868, Mr. Doyle was appointed first deputy, vice Charles S. Loding, who ran against Mr. O'Hara, and was defeated. Mr. Doyle was elected Clerk of the Crimi- nal Court in 1873, on the People's ticket, by the largest majority given. While in this position our subject found time to study law, and in 1871 he was admitted to the bar.
As Superintendent of the Chicago police force, after W. J. McGarigle and before Frederick Ebersold, our subject achieved great fame. Being a splendid reader of human character he invested the Police Department with his own characteristics, and the force during his administration, it is not too much to say, was without a superior. He was in- defatigable, especially in the development of the police patrol service. When he resigned Mayor Harrison accepted his resignation with deep regret, and the press and public sympathized heartily with the sentiment.
THOMAS A. CANTWELL.
Senator Cantwell, the youthful-appearing representative of the fourth district, was born in Albany, N. Y., Decem- ber 21, 1847. The family settled in Morris, Ill., in 1856, where Thomas attended school. He subsequently gradu- ated at Notre Dame University.
Senator Cantwell's popularity is apparent from the fact that he was elected as a Democrat by a splendid majority in a district that is thoroughly Republican.
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M. C. M'DONALD.
Michael C. MeDonald, a prominent member of the Cook County Demoeraey, in matters politieal affeeting Chieago, is an authority. He was born September 2, 1840, in Niagara county, New York, in a little hut reflected in the glistening waters of the great eataraet. The picturesque loeality appears to fine advantage in a painting executed by one of the masters and hung in the most eonspieuous plaee in Mr. MeDonald's beautiful mansion on the northeast eorner of Ashland avenue and Harrison street. Elsewhere in his spacious parlors among sterling works of art are found the portraits of his father, a hale old gentleman of eighty, his wife and four ehildren. At the age of fourteen our sub- jeet left White's Academy, in his native plaee, and began life as a newsboy on the Great Western Railroad between Detroit and Niagara Falls. In 1854 he eame to Chicago, and was a newsboy up to 1861, with sueh lads for associates as John R. Walsh, the president of the Western News Company; Gil Baldwin, the bookseller, and Johnny Main, of the postal service. When a fire broke out he ran with engine 5. At the present day he evinees the deepest in- terest in fire matters, as the Chieago Fire Department well know. Wherever he has sinee traveled he has always re- eeived a royal weleome from the firemen. For the past twenty years he has been selected as a marshal in the grand parades of the New Orleans department.
At the commencement of the eivil war Mr. McDonald was engaged in the stereoseopie business in New Orleans, in company with one "Rodger" Shermen, whose outspoken sentiments led to his enlistment in the army at the front, and eaused a dissolution of the stereoseopie firm. Return- ing to Chieago he bought out the sample-room of the Rieh- mond House, corner of Michigan avenue and South Water street, and held it until 1864. He then brought his father
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and sister from Niagara, and has been a resident of Chicago ever since. Ventures in the wine and liquor trade, and speculations generally, succeeded the sale of his interest in the Richmond House and led to the establishment of " The Store," on Clark, near Monroe street, which has long been the resort of politicians and men around town, and which is now conducted by "Parson " Davies, the well-known sporting man.
At the present writing Mr. McDonald is watching his interest in the Lamont stone quarries, the Chicago Pas- senger Railway line, and other corporations, when he is not helping some worthy cause with his unostentatious benevolence. .
LUTHER LAFLIN MILLS.
The ex-States Attorney for Cook county was born in North Adams, Berkshire county, Mass., September 3, 1848. When our subject was two years old his father located in Chicago, and here the brilliant States Attorney received his early training. Having matriculated at the Michigan University he began the study of law in the office of Hon. H. N. Hibbard. In 1876 he was elected States Attorney, running 4,000 ahead of his ticket. In 1880 he was renominated without opposition and elected by an in- creased majority.
The Alliance, a religious journal thus spoke of Mr. Mills in 1880 : " It is too early to make an estimate of his abilities, but we may state as our sincere belief that he is the Rufus Choate of the West, fuller of blood than Choate, and not destined to remain as Choate did, an ad- vocate to the end of his days. We predict that the people of his adopted state will call him to a wider field of use- fulness as soon as it is felt that he can be spared from guarding the flood gate of crime over at the Criminal Court."
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JULIAS JONAS.
This gentleman's liberality has placed him deep in the hearts of many a family and individual in Chicago. On each recurring Christmas he feeds the hungry and clothes the naked, from the building corner of Michigan street and Dearborn avenue. He was elected to represent the Twen- tieth ward in 1873.
Mr. Jonas was born in Pleshen, Prussia, and is about forty-eight years of age. At the age of fourteen he came to New York and then to Chicago, where he established a hide business at 231 South Water street, and afterwards at 183 Michigan street. He is at present in the wine and liquor trade on Washington street near Clark.
HENRY T. JONES.
There is many a silent but strong influence exerted in politics by men whose predilections and the demands of their business positively preclude from selecting political preferment. The history of the gentleman named above il- lustrates this fact. Mr. Jones was born in Chippenham, Wiltshire, England, March 9, 1828. An orphan at the age of eleven, and the eldest of three brothers, he came to Chicago in 1851. He had traveled throughout the British Isles and extensively in France, before he concluded to figure in the annals of the Garden City as one of its earliest brick manufacturers. His recollections of great interest refer principally to his early experiences in Chicago. He tells many a capital story of her early politics, and was a student in the same class with such men as Deacon Bross, John Wentworth and Buckner S. Morris. He witnessed the exciting episodes enacted throughout the South which immediately preceded the War of the Rebellion; being en- gaged in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and elsewhere, filling contracts in masonry for the planters.
In 1855 he was pushing a formidable business in the
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manufacture of brick, when in 1869 he found himself able toretire with an independence. The great fire of 1871, how- ever, and the panic which followed, forced him into active business once more. He furnished the brick for the Palmer House, Grand Pacific Hotel, Tremont House, the McCor- mick reaper factory, the Cook county hospital, the court house and many other large buildings throughout the great city of Chicago.
Mr. Jones is an old member of high standing in Gar- den City Lodge A. F. and A. M., and Joliet Commandary. Widowed twice, he married Miss Katie Gridley about ten years ago. She is the daughter of John Gridley, the well- known stock-yard operator.
P. J. SEXTON.
A staunch Democrat is the master builder whose name is inscribed on the Cook County Court House. Mr. Sexton was born in Ireland, October, 1846, and his family remov- ed to Cincinnati, Ohio, when he was but three years of age. Here his early life was spent. At the age of thirteen he was apprenticed to a builder, and building has been his occupation ever since. In 1865 he went to Nash- ville, Tenn., and remained there until 1871, when he came to Chicago shortly after the big fire. The great city of Chicago is dotted with the evidences of his great enter- prise. The Chicago press thoroughly introduced him to the public by reason of the apparently endless litigation connected with the Court House dome that was never built, and other portions of that costly edifice. Delays by the county created the trouble. Originally the building was to loom up over the surroundings to the height of 366 feet -about the third highest in the world, but the city failed to advance money to build their part of the contract and the dome was dispensed with. Forty feet had been erected by the county which was torn down.
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CHARLES KERN.
This gentleman was born at Otterbach, in Rhenish, Bavaria, Germany, April 18, 1831. At the age of 18, he came to America, settling in Terre Haute, Indiana, where he became popular in a very short time. In 1862 when the Democratic party had no hopes, he was nominated by acclamation against his will and elected Sheriff of Vigo county, and was recognized as its very best official. In 1865 he came to Chicago. In 1868 he was unanimously nominated by the Democrats of Cook county for Sheriff, but was defeated, the county being overwhelmingly Republican. In 1870 he was again nominated, ran three thousand ahead of his ticket and was defeated. In 1872 he was again selected, ran four thousand ahead of his ticket and was defeated. In 1876 he was once more pressed into the field and was elected, by six thousand votes, while the balance of the ticket was defeated by four thousand. Mr. Kern has been mentioned time and again as one of the most available men in Cook county, for the most responsible positions. The well-know restauratuer is presi- dent of the Cook county Democratic club.
JOHN J. CURRAN.
Mr. Curran, who has been mentioned so frequently in connection with political affairs, especially within the last decade, and whose munificence is a matter of public record, was born in the south of Ireland. Here our subject imbibed the ideas that has caused him to champion the cause of Ireland so conspicuously.
The Curran family first settled in Indiana, where John attended the public schools, as also in Lyons, Iowa. At the age of 15 he commenced to earn his own living and has succeeded admirably. Being today independently wealthy, he can contribute considerable time as well as money to the gratification of any animadversion, political, scientific
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or otherwise. Time and again he has been mentioned by the Democrats as a most available man for public distinc- tion. He accepted the vice-presidency of the Cook County Democratic Club, when Charles Kern was elected its presi- dent, and was also elected president of the Young Democracy.
JOHN M. SMYTH.
This gentleman is one of the most prominent lights in Republican local politics. He is of Irish descent, about forty-two years of age and was born on board of a tempest- tossed ship off the banks of Newfoundland. John McDon- ald Smyth was not the only child in the family that made his first appearance in public life on the water. A subse- quent boy was born on Lake Michigan, off Kenosha, when the family were en route to Chicago. Mr. Smyth's father, Michael K., originally a school teacher in Ireland, was elected clerk of the North Town of Chicago about 1848, but soon dying left our subject. and his brother the support of their mother. John M. was first a newspaper carrier for the old Morning Post, launched by Sheehan, Matteson and F. A. Eastman. He also carried papers for J. McNally. At twenty he was city circulator for the Republican, into which the Post had merged. About 1868 he opened, with Ulick Bourke, a small furniture store on the West Side. Dissolving partnership, he then went into business for himself, and is today the leading dealer in the house fur- nishing line in the west division. Besides his fine property on the site of old Scammon school, on Madison street, he owns valuable property on Adams street, near Ogden ave- nue. He has long been Chairman of the Republican County Central Committee, was an elector on the Republi- can National Committee in 1880; and in 1884, represented the ninth ward in the council, and has frequently been spoken of as a candidate for Mayor. He has strong Irish sympathies, having conspicuously figured in the national
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league conventions in Boston and Philadelphia. He is now president of the municipal council in the league, and contributes most generously to the Irish cause. He is an ardent Catholic.
P. M'CARTHY.
Patrick McCarthy, ex-County Commissioner, was born in the county of Kerry, Ireland, in 1844. When seven years of age the family removed to Ottawa, in Canada, and after two years came to Lamont, Ill. In 1855 they came to Chicago, locating first on the North Side, where our subject attended school. In 1858, removing to the west division, he continued his studies in St. Patrick's school. Mr. McCarthy is a very successful contractor for the re- moval of vessel cargoes.
TIMOTHY RYAN.
The ex-Assessor was elected Assessor of the West Town of Chicago on the Democratic ticket by a majority of 4,930. His opponent was Pleasant Amick, the most formidable candidate for this particular position for years, as his thorough competency had been repeatedly tested. Mr. Ryan was born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1849, an era in history when the Irish infant, awake and asleep, breathed the fervent spirit of pure patriotism. It is not a marvel at all that Mr. Ryan commands so firm a position in the affections of his compatriots. The early life in America of our subject was spent in farming, the family locating in Pittsburgh, Pa. When Mr. Ryan came to Chicago he entered the wine and spirit trade, and is now doing busi- ness, southwest corner of Harrison and Clinton streets.
JOHN G. NEUMEISTER.
The ex-City Clerk was born in 1856 in Chicago. He attended the public schools and then studied at Notre Dame. At the age of eighteen, he engaged in business
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with his father George Neumeister, one of the oldest citi- zens and merchants in the city, and still retains the con- nection at 16 South Clark street, where the firm transact a most extensive trade in cheese and delicacies. Mr. Neu- meister has long been active in Democratic politics. He was nominated for Clerk of the North Town and succeeded in carrying every precinct in that division of the city. He made a brilliant fight for the clerkship of the Probate Court and was defeated, but when he made the race for the City Clerkship the result was a signal victory.
WILLIAM BEST.
The ex-Collector of the Town of South Chicago, was born in 1842 in Canterbury, England. When he was seven years old his family came west, and at the age of twenty-six, he became a partner of Partridge, the well- known tobacconist on Randolph street, in anti-fire days. From that time to the present Mr. Best has conducted a flourishing tobacco traffic throughout the United States, engineering no less than seventeen institutions and having it might be said monopolized the tobacco trade of all of the hotels. The name of the firm is Best, Russell & Co. Seventeen of the most prominent merchants signed Mr. Best's bond of twenty-two millions of dollars, the heaviest document ever recorded in this or any other state, so weighty in fact as to cause editorial comment by the east- ern press. He declined the Democratic nomination for Sheriff in 1886.
JOSEPH SOKUP.
Joseph Sokup, ex-Assessor of the West Town, was born in Prague, the capital of Bohemia, in Austria, in 1845. When eight years of age his parents came to this country, locating in western Virginia. In a short time they removed to Galena, and thence to Chicago. Here Joseph attended the Washington school up to the age of fourteen, when he
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went to work for C. H. McCormick, the great rcaper manufacturer. After four years of remunerative industry liere, he picked up the harness business in a very brief time. In 1861, at the outbreak of the war, he entered into a con- tract making harnesses for the government for about three years, but was transferred to duty between 1864 and 1865, on the Nashville and Chattanooga Road. At the close of the war Mr. Sokup established the hardware and tin- roofng business in company with his brother, and is engaged in the business at present. In 1879 he was elected Assessor by a majority of 564 over Pleasant Amick, a very formidable adversary. In 1882 he was elected by a major- ity of about 211 over the same opponent. The election occurred on Tuesday, and Mr. Sokup was placed upon the ticket as late as 11 o'clock on the night of the Sunday immediately preceding. Mr. Sokup was always ambitious. When he was in his teens he was taken from the cars bent upon going to Cairo with the Lincoln Guards, under Captain Michaelski, afterwards killed at Chattanooga, when colonel of the Twenty-fourth.
HENRY HUESMAN.
The ex-Supervisor of the West Town of Chicago was born of German parents in Pennsylvania, Oct. 3, 1844. At the age of eight the family removed to Kentucky, and when seventeen years old Henry had already distinguished him- self in the classics. Retiring from college he served as bookkeeper for an extensive grocery and dry goods firm in Louisville. In 1867 he came to Chicago and up to 1870 served as bookkeeper for a wholesale tobacco firm. For several years subsequently he was engaged in the grain traffic, making his headquarters, it might be said, at Janesville, Wis., where he made hosts of friends, as evidenced by the flattering notices given him by an unani- mous press on the occasion of his recent visit to that city.
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He was elected supervisor by about the largest vote on the ticket. Mr. Huesman is agent for the extensive brewery of Roesing & Bartholmae, corner of West Twelfth and Brown streets, and is a prominent member of several singing societies and social clubs.
Mr. Huesman is popular with all nationalities and con- sequently powerful in politics.
P. B. O'HARE.
This gentleman was born in the city of Newry, County Down, Ireland, in 1848 and was 17 years of age when he came to America. He came alone and at once engaged in the dry goods business. In 1870 he came to Chicago and entered the dry goods establishment of A. G. Downs & Co., 110 and 112 State street, as a salesman. He then went to J. B. Shay's, at 84 and 86 State street. He subsequently engaged in the services of J. V. Farwell & Co., where he today holds one of the most responsible positions. He was elected West Town Collector by a majority of 3,026, a larger vote than received by any collector before. He was a member of the Democratic County Central Committee for years, and is a prominent figure in politics generally.
JOSEPH DIXON.
Joseph Dixon, the ex-Warden of the Cook County Hospital, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1837, and as early as 1838 was a resident of the Garden City. What he learned at school would hardly qualify him for the position of Superintendent of Schools, as at the age of 14 we find him off Charleston, S. C., throwing ropes on the " Annie Dee." He afterward shipped on the J. Y. Scammon and was wrecked on her. Two of his comrades went to the bottom. Dixon not only saved himself, but others. He was an expert swimmer from his school-days, and has saved as many as five people from watery graves. After the loss of the Scammon, he turned his hand to
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carpentry . In 1858 he was appointed a complaint clerk under City Marshal Jacob Rehan, and in three weeks was on the detective force. In 1873, under Mayor Colvin, he was appointed Chief of Detectives. As such he served five months, when he was appointed Deputy Superintendent. This position he held while Colvin was Mayor, and during Heath's administration. Resigning he went to Colorado to look after certain mining interests in that locality. Returning to Chicago, the Board of County Commissioners tendered him the arduous position of Warden of the County Hospital. He cared for probably 350 unfortunates on an average, and used about one hundred employés.
The public know Joseph Dixon best as a detective. His reputation in this respect is not only national, but is firmly established in many foreign parts. It would require vol- umes to detail his experiences in the detection of crimi- nals. Probably one of his most noted successes was the apprehension of Alfred Ziegenmeyer for the murder of Gumbleton. Gumbleton was a stranger in Chicago, was robbed of all his effects, and thrown into the cold waters of Lake Michigan. While the affair in its mysterious bearings was challenging the exertions of the greatest de- tectives in our midst, Joe Dixon was noiselessly on the track, and when skill confessed defeat in every other quar- ter, Dixon stepped out of the darkness and pointed his finger at the assassin in far away Germany, enjoying his blood-money without stint. Dixon went to Germany and brought Ziegenmeyer to Chicago, whence he was sent to state prison for life. He died there. While on the force Mr. Dixon escaped assassination many times.
GEORGE MILLER.
This gentleman has been for years prominent among Chicago's citizens, especially those of German ex- 25
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traction. He was born in Bavaria, South Germany, in 1836, and attended college until 1850 - serving, mean- while, in the Second Bavarian Dragoons - when he came to Chicago and at once became prominent in the leader- ship of the Teutonia, Liederkrantz and other famous sing- ing societies. In 1859 he collected west division taxes and was also clerk for Street Commissioner Dunne, afterward drowned in the Mississippi. On October 1, 1860, Mr. Miller was made Second Sergeant on the police force, but resigned in 1864 to become a sidewalk inspector, resum- ing police duty he was placed on the detective force and arrested many horse-thieves. In 1865 he was appointed Captain of the third precinct. On May 1, 1866, he ac- cepted the United States inspectorship and subsequently, a superintendency of sidewalks. On July 4 he went back on the detective force, rose to a sergeantcy, and on Octo- ber 1, 1868, he became Captain of the second precinct. Having withdrawn from the force he commenced the practice of law, and is now pushing a lucrative business.
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