USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Portrait and biographical album of Peoria County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 82
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IRAM S. CARY, an honored resident of Peoria, has been engaged in the railroad business for many years, and has seen it grow from its primitive state of a few short, illy equipped lines, to a luxurious system spreading its network over the continent. spanning the vast mountain ranges, leaping the mighty rivers, and linking together the Atlantic and the Pacific, the Arties and the Tropics, in one grand whole. Mr. Cary belongs to an old and honored family, which has produced the well-known poetesses, Alice and Phebe Cary. His grandfather was Luther Cary, whose family consisted of four sons-Stephen, Abi- jah, Cephas, and Isaac.
Stephen Cary was born in Pennsylvania, and af- ter attaining to man's estate, married Mary Con- ners, establishing his home in Wayne County, Ohio.
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llis occupation was that of a farmer, and his death occurred on the okl homestead. Of his family be- sides our subjeet there are four daughters living. these being married and making their homes near the parental homestead. Former generations of the family were of the strict Presbyterian belief.
The subject of this notice was born in Wayne Connty, Ohio, September 29, 1832, passed the days of his boyhood on a farm, and attended the public schools, and afterward entered the Edinburg Acad- emy in Wayne County, Ohio. The first occupa- tion in which he engaged, was that of a teacher, which he prosecuted some three years, after which he turned his attention to that which has been his life work-railroading. Going to Ft. Wayne, Ind., he assisted in laying the first track there, saw the ยท first engine launched, and began breaking on a pas- senger train on the Pittsburg & Ft. Wayne road. After nine months spent at this employment, he took charge of a baggage car, but two weeks later assumed control of a construction train. On leav- ing that, he took charge of a freight train, and af- ter an experience of two years began the career of a passenger conductor.
In 1871, after seventeen years service for the Pittsburg & Ft. Wayne Road, Mr. Cary changed to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, acting as a freight conductor three months, and then running a passenger train from Milwaukee to Berlin. Af- ter three years' service of that nature, he spent two years as "mine host" of an hotel. then returning to the business of a passenger conductor, took service on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois. ITis next enter- prise was to take charge of trains on the Western Indiana Railroad as Depot Master, in Chicago, af- ter which, in 1883, he removed to Peoria, and again took charge of a passenger train, this time on the Peoria & Pekin Union Railroad. For six years he continued his service, then took a leave of absence, visiting Colorado and other places in quest of re- newed health. His reputation among railroad men is that of a faithful, efficient, honest man, while among the patrons of the various roads in which he has held service, he became known as a courteous and genial officer.
In 1860 Mr. Cary led to the hymeneal altar Miss Rebecca Casebeer. a native of the Buckeye State,
and one of a family of thirteen children. She is a capable, energetie woman, whose home is neat and cheerful, whose children have been carefully in- structed, and whose friends are many. Mr. and Mrs. Cary are the parents of three sons: Harry Ellsworth married the only daughter of Judge Brackenridge, of Ft. Wayne, Ind., his home now being in Omaha, Neb .; Edmund is in the real-es- tate business in Denver, Col .; William H., a young man of eighteen years, is still at home.
Mr. Cary belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and to the Ortler of Railway Conductors. He and the entire family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are numbered among those who bear a hand in all the good work instituted by that body. Mr. Cary had one brother who was in the Union service during the Civil War.
OWARD W. POTTER is a young merchant of Peoria who has a flattering outlook be- fore him. Hle belongs to the firm of Berg- ner & Potter. whose commodious store oe- cupies an eligible site at No. 119 South Adams Street. They have recently located here, have put in a large and well-selected stock of fine dry goods, cloaks, etc., employ about ten salespeople, and have already an excellent run of custom. Their store being the best lighted in the city, patrons of the establishment have no difficulty to determine the color and texture of that which they desire to purchase. The utmost courtesy prevails on the part of the heads of the establishment and those in their employ, and in every way endeavor is made to accommodate the citizens of the city and viein- ity.
Hartford, Conn .. is the native place of our sub- jeet, who is a son of Gen. J. A. and Harriet (Sav- age) Potter. His education was obtained in the schools of his native place and in the Orehard Lake Military School, in Michigan, his advantages leaving him extremely well-informed and fitted for a prosperous and honorable career in life. After finishing his course of study he engaged with the firm of Dives, Pomeroy & Stewart, of
Nm 7 Cole
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Reading, Pa., in which city he remained until 1888. Ile then came to Peoria, entering the em- ploy of Marshall, Murray & Co., with whom he remainedl until he entered into the present partner- ship.
The social and benevolent qualities in the char- acter of our subject have led him to become a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias, in the work of which order he finds some field for those traits. He is much interested in one of the popular out- of-door sports and, as a member of the League of American Wheelmen, has won some laurels. Ilis manly character and pleasing manners give him popularity among the younger members of the community, while his evident fitness for business life secures the good will of the older citizens.
ILLIAM F. COLE. December 23, 1883, Peoria County lost in the death of this gentleman one of its most worthy pio- neers, who did honorable service in the develop- ment of this part of the State, and made a home for himself in Millbrook Township, gaining an honorable place among its farmers and stock- raisers. His history is linked with the growth and prosperity of this part of the State.
Our subject was born July 18, 1818, in Pitts- burg, Pa .. and was a son of John and Jane (Bates) Cole, natives of England, who came to this coun- 'try in the spring of 1818. When he was but a few months old his parents emigrated to Ilardin County, in this State, of which they thus became very early settlers. He grew up under pioneer influences to a sturdy, self- reliant manhood. He gleaned his education in the early schools of Southern Illinois, which were not so fully equipped as those of to-day, and were often taught by teach- ers who were not proficient in their calling.
Ambitious to do something for himself and make more of life than he could in the environ- ments of his early home, in 1844, Mr. Cole made his way to this county. For a time he worked by the month as a farm hand, being thus employed
for two years, perhaps, and receiving the equiva- lent of $10 in repayment for his services, having half of it in money and half of it in trade. Ile then ventured still higher in his calling, and for ten years carried on agricultural pursuits as a renter. At the expiration of that time he bought a farm of eighty acres on section 34, Millbrook Township, paying nearly $6 per acre for it. This farm, in its highly improved condition. is the resi- dence of his widow. When he settled on it the land was in a wild state, not a furrow having been turned, nor any attempts made at improvement. His was the pioneer task to make of it a good farm, and well did he succeed in his efforts, plae- ing the land under excellent tillage, erecting a substantial class of buildings and putting the place in good order. He subsequently bought forty- three additional acres of fine farming land. and at the time of his death left a valuable estate of one hundred and twenty-three acres of land.
Mr. Cole was married April 16, 1846. to Miss Mary A. Cntter. Mrs. Cole is a native of Rich- land County, Ohio, where she was born July 29. 1829. Her parents were Isaac and Sarah (Met- calf) Cutter, natives respectively of New York and Ohio. Her mother was of Scotch descent and her grandfather Metcalf was a Revolutionary soldier. When Mrs. Cole was about fourteen years old her father died in Brimfield Township, of which he was a very early pioneer, coming to this county in 1833. He was one of the first settlers of French Grove, being one among the four families who originally located there, and the first election in the township was held in his house.
Mrs. Cole's marriage with our subject was blessed to them by the birth of a large family of children, of whom the following survive: John, a physician and druggist in Rochester; William H., a resident of Barry County. Mo .; Isaac F., living in Knox County; Charles, in Allen County, Kan. ; Sarah, wife of G. L. Doubet, of this county ; Lucy, wife of George Nelson, of Knox County; Lemuel, residing in Williamsfield; Frederick; Margie, now Mrs. Parker, of Knox County; Job and Newton J.
In his career as a farmer and stock raiser Mr. Cole manifested shrewdness, discretion, calculation and an intelligent understanding of the principles
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of agriculture, coupled with prudence and indus- trious habits. ITis credit was always good and his character unimpeachable, he being possessed of those qualities which make the most desirable citi- zens of any community. He had in his wife one who zealously aided him in his work, and to her faithful co-operation and excellent counsel was attributable much of his success. She survives him and holds an honorable place among the pioneer women of this township, who were such an inspi- ration and aid to their fathers, husbands and broth- ers in their great work of developing this portion of the country. Mr. Cole was happy in his do. mestic relations, being a loving husband and a de- voted father, and in his intercourse with his neighbors he was always pleasant and considerate. He was interested in political affairs and gave his sturdy support to the Republican party. A litho- graphic portrait of Mr. Cole is shown on another page of this ALBUM.
R OSWELL BILLS. The ancestral history of this gentleman possesses considerable in- terest and may well be regarded with some degree of pride by our subject. The fam- ily is traced in English history to Dr. Thomas Bill, born about 1490, in Bedfordshire, England. lle was an attendant of the Princess Elizabeth, in 1549. and was also a physician to King Henry VIII and Edward VI, from the latter of whom he re- ceived a grant of one hundred pounds per annum. He obtained his degree of M. D. at the university founded by Charlemagne at Pavia, Italy.
The next in order and the most conspicuous of the family was William Bill, L. L. D., who in a letter of introduction to Queen Anne, is character- ized as a "learned and honest man, plentifully en. dowed with knowledge and exemplary morals." Ile became Vice Chancellor of the University of St. John, from which he was removed after the accession of Queen Mary, on account of his decided faith in protestantism. Upon the ac cession of "Good Queen Bess" he was highly honored, becoming her Majesty's Chief Almoner,
Fellow of Eton College and subsequently Provost, and June 30, 1560, was installed as the first Dean of Westminster. He died July 15, 1561, leaving among his bequests ten pounds for poor students, thirty pounds for the poor of his native town, and to Trinity College one hundred marks.
The next member of the direct line was Charles Bill, born in London about 1550, who became highly educated and the author of classical works. His son, John was born in 1576, and became puh- lisher to King James I, his chief publications be- ing Bibles and prayer-books. A number of Bibles bearing his name and that of his son Charles as having been published by assignees are still extant, some on the shelves of the American Bible Home in New York. The eldest son of the above-named John Bill was also christened John. He came to America prior to the year 1635, accompanied by his wife Dorothy and three children, leaving two behind who subsequently followed with a family named Tuttle, the father of whom was presumed to be the brother of Mrs. Bills.
The Bill family can be traced still farther into the past than to Dr. Thomas Bill, the records of Bed- ford giving the name for five hundred years in that county alone. While it would be interesting to trace the history in detail, as can be done when accurate records are kept, it serves our purpose but to show the relation of one of Peoria's esteemed citizens to a family that has furnished men of high standing in the mother country, those who in the formative period of American history have sus- stained the reputation of their ancestors and con- tributed their full share to the honor of the name.
As from John Bill and his wife Dorothy have sprung the numerous family of Bill or Bills, as sometime written, we may denominate him the first as far as they are related to American history. In the next generation we find Philip, a resident of Ipswich, where he became possessed of considerable property. Joshua appears in the third generation, Phincas in the fourth and Joshua in the fifth, the latter a soldier in the Revolution. While serving his country he was wounded in the leg by a can- non shot that caused him much suffering and trouble and on account of which he received a pension of $8 a month during the last ten years of
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his life. He died December 20, 1841. aged eighty years.
In the sixth generation we find Avery Bills, who was born in Groton, October 1, 1796, and Decem- ber 10, 1820, married Betsey Barnes. Ilis oeeu- pation was that of a farmer, although the cutting and hauling of timber and wood received much at- tention from him. In a brief period he stripped several farms in Ledyane, Preston and Griswold of their growth of forest, accumulating in this way considerable property. He finally settled in South- ington, Conn., where he died March 12, 1866. To him and his worthy wife ten children were born, the fourth being the subject of this sketch. His natal day was January 14, 1827, and his birthplace Groton, New London County, Conn.
The days of his early boyhood were passed by Roswell Bills. in the district schools of his native State and he subsequently attended the Connecti- cut Literary Institute at Suffield. When twenty- one years of age he taught school near his home. The time of his youth being his father's until he was of age,his wages, when drawn in the springtime, were divided among father and son. That year, 1848, Mr. Bills started West as a book agent, reach- ing Michigan the Sunday preceding the Presiden- tial election in which Lewis Cass was candidate. He began canvassing at Mt. Clemens, following it until the next June in Michigan and Indiana, and then returning to his native State.
In the fall of 1849, Mr. Bills started for Peoria, Ill., as a book agent and while engaged in his work in Chicago, saw an advertisement asking for insur- ance agents. This changed his life work, for ob- taining an introduction he began the new employ- ment as soon as he could make out his bond, for which he obtained security through his connection with the Odd Fellowship. After canvassing in Du Page and DeKalb Counties he came to Peoria where he met C. B. Stebbins,a former acquaintance of his brothers and sisters, with whom he went into partnership. That connection continued some five years, when our subject became associated with the Hon. Peter Sweat with whom he continued in business until 1858.
In 1866 David McKinney and J. Stevison hav- ing returned from the war, Mr. Bills entered into
partnership with them under the firm name of Ros- well Bills & Co., the connection being kept up un- til 1875. The firm name of Bills & Bacon was then established, which was dissolved by the death of the junior member, Charles F. Bacon, in 1886. In the forty years during which Mr. Bills has fol- lowed the insurance business he has represented companies having a capital stock of over one hun- dred million dollars.
When establishing a home of his own Mr. Bills was fortunate in securing as companion and help- mate, a lady of genuine worth of character and many domestic accomplishments. This was Miss Lonisa, daughter of Jacob Kuhn, with whom he was united in marriage in Peoria, November 4, 1851. The happy union has been blest by the birth of three children, now grown to maturity and oceu- pying their own homes in Peoria. They are: Mrs. Norman S. King, Mrs. C. W. Houghton and How- ard R., the latter of whom resides at No. 210, North Madison Street, with his parents and is clerk- ing for his father.
Mr. Bills has won an enviable position among business men by reason of his energy, capability and straightforwardness. qualities which he carries into everything with which he is connected, whether church, society or personal affairs. In politics he is an ardent Democrat, and in religion a Presby- terian, being enrolled among the members of the First Church. He is a member of the Masonic order.
R OBERT D. BRADLEY, M. D., whose office is at No. 325 South Adams Street, Peoria, and residence at Pekin, Ill., has gained an enviable reputation in the practice of his profession, and making surgery a specialty, is con- sidered one of the most skillful surgeons in this part of the State. The Doctor is a veteran of the late war, having thrown up his studies at the early age of sixteen to enlist in the defence of his coun- try, and during the long and weary years of strife that followed he gained a noble military record, both as a soldier and an officer.
The subject of this review was born in Greene
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County, Ill., January 25, 1845, being the seventh son of Robert and Laurana (Osborn) Bradley, who had thirteen children, eight sons and five daugh- ters, all of whom grew to maturity. The father was a native of Richmond, Va., and belonged to an old family of that State. The mother was born in Gallatin, Sumner County, Tenn.
Dr. Bradley was given fine educational facilities, and was a student in the Illinois College, at Jack- sonville, when the Civil War broke out. His pa- triotism at that time being greater than his love for study, in August, 1861, he threw aside his books, and though only sixteen years of age en- listed. and was made Clerk of Company C, Sixth Illinois Cavalry. The bright, energetic lad soon became a favorite and discharged his duties so well that he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant- Major, and in 1864 was commissioned as Captain of his company. For some time prior to that he had been acting in that capacity and gallantly com- manded his company in several engagements. He took an honorable part in all the battles in which his regiment fought, was at the siege of Port Iludson, went on the famous Grierson raid, did good fighting at Franklin, Nashville and Chatta- nooga, and was in several engagements with Hood. le received a slight wound in the battle of Nash- ville, in December, 1864, but this did not prevent our gallant young Captain from doing his duty.
The Bradley family was well represented in the great conflict, as four of the boys enlisted and a fifth was drafted. The names of these brothers of our subject are: George, who is a prosperous farmer in Mankato, Minn .; Bartholemew, part proprietor of Glen Dora, a suburb of Los Angeles. Cal .; John C., a hardware merchant, of San Jacinto, Cal., who was First Lieutenant of the company of which our subject was Captain; James C., who is a successful farmer of Vernon County, Mo .; and Benjamin F., County Clerk of Scott County, Ill. Our subject's sister Naney is the wife of Jacob Rimbey, a retired farmer of Mur- raysville, Morgan County, Ill.
The summer of 1866 our subject commenced the study of medieine at Bloomington with Dr. Noble. He afterward attended lectures in both the Chicago Medical College and the Jefferson
Medical College, at Philadelphia, and received the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1869. Thus, well started out in his medical career, he entered upon the practice of his profession at Bloomington. In 1872 he located in Pekin, and here he has acquired a large general practice, though he makes a spec- ialty of surgery, in which he has acquired a fine reputation. Ile is surgeon for the Peoria, De- catur & Evansville and Santa Fe Railroads. He is a member of the Illinois State Medical Society and also of the Peoria County Medical Society, in both of which he takes a prominent place, often contributing papers that are listened to with great interest, and are thought to be valuable contribu- tions to medical literature. He has performed num- erous notable surgical operations, which, on account of skill shown and original manner of treatment,have been reported and highly spoken of by medical journals. He is a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to Bryner Post, No. 67, though heretofore attached to the Joe Hanna Post, of Pekin, of which he has been Com- mander.
While practicing his profession in Blooming- ton, Dr. Bradley was married to Elizabeth Karr, whose family was from New Jersey, and she has greatly aided him in the establishment of their at- tractive home. Dr. and Mrs. Bradley have one son, Robert C., who is attending school in Pekin. Politically, the Doctor is a stanch Republican.
LBERT L. SCHIMPFF. This well-known resident of Peoria has been an eye witness to its growth and development for more than a quarter of a century, and for nearly that length of time has been identified with its business interests. He is President of the Peoria Cold Storage Company, which was organized in January. 1890, and has already been acknowledged as one of the most prominent concerns of the kind in the city. The company erected a cold storage warehouse, 48x60 feet and three stories high, at the corner of Maple and Forsyth Streets, and does a general cold storage and forwarding business.
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The eyes of Mr. Schimpff first opened to the light October 9, 1844, in Rhinish Bavaria, Ger- many. lle crossed the Atlantic in 1856, coming directly to Peoria where his father, C. W. Schimpff, had located in 1851. Here our subject grew to maturity, pursuing his studies in the city schools and becoming well versed in practical knowledge. His first business enterprise was as a clerk in a gro- cery store, where he remained until November, 1861, when he left his home to enlist in Company A, Twenty-sixth Missouri Infantry. On account of his age he was not admitted to the service until May, 1862, but he followed the regiment, being employed in various capacities by the officers thereof until he was admitted to the ranks.
The regiment to which Mr. Schimpff was attached formed a part of the Army of the Mississippi, and he participated in the engagements at Island No. 10, Iuka, Corinthi, and those connected with the siege of Vieksburg. On the 16th of May, 1863, at the battle of Champion Hills he was severely wounded and sent to the field hospital. He lost the use of his left arm, and after his health was somewhat re- eruited was discharged on account of disability. Returning to Peoria he engaged in the grocery business as a member of the firm of R. A. & A. L. Selimpff which carried on a retail trade on South Madison Street for a few years.
In 1868 Mr. Schimpff removed to Elmwood, this county, where he conducted a retail grocery busi- ness for three years, then returning to Peoria he engaged in the wholesale cigar mannfactory as a member of the firm of Miller & Schimpff. Three years later this connection was dissolved and our subjeet entered the wholesale grocery and liquor firm of Louis Green & Co., on South Washington Street. With them he did a successful business for fifteen years, or until New Year's Day, 1889, when the firm retired from business.
Mr. Schimpff has for some time been a Director of the Workingmen's Loan & Homestead Associa- tion, and has been since the organization a Director in the German-American National Bank and the Peoria Improvement Association. He is connected with various stock companies. He is and has been for some time President of Canton Masonic Mutual Benevolent Society, with which he has been con-
nected ten years. Ile is much interested in the Masonic order and is identified with the various bodies in the city. Ile also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and to the Turner's society. He is now a member of the Board of School In- spectors in this city.
Mr. Schimpff has always been actively identified with the political affairs of the city and works for the Republican party. Hle was at one time nomin- ated for Clerk of the Circuit Court and was a prominent candidate for the position of Postmaster last year. In the fall of 1889 he was pressed to accept the nomination for Mayor or City Treasurer, but declined to do so although there was no doubt of his election had he run. His business tact and en- terprise are acknowledged and are winning a com- petence, while his social qualities and sterling traits of character gain the regard of many friends throughout the community.
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