USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > The biographical dictionary and portrait gallery of representative men of Chicago, Minnesota cities and the World's Columbian exposition : with illustrations on steel. V. 1 > Part 16
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cago. Withal he discharged his duties as marshal so efficiently and with such satisfaction to the government that upon the commencement of Mr. Lincoln's second term he was re-appointed, and held the office till President Grant called him to. fill a higher and much more conspicuous position. Mr. Jones was one of Mr. Lincoln's most trusted friends, and enjoyed his fullest confidence. He was summoned by the latter upon several occa- sions to Washington for consultation upon matters of public interest, and at least once to confer upon a subject of great personal concern to the President. Shortly after the crushing victory of the Union forces, commanded by General Grant, over the Confederate army at Chattanooga, a movement was set on foot by a number of influential men in New York to give the successful general an independent nomination for the Presidency. Mr. Lincoln was too astute and watchful a politician to remain long in ignorance of this hostile movement, and, as a matter of course, soon discovered the plans of his enemies. Perceiving at once that the nation's victorious chieftain would prove a dangerous competitor, if he really were ambitious, he re- garded it as of the first importance to satisfy himself on that point. Recalling the intimacy which had grown up between General Grant and Mr. Jones, he telegraphed for the latter to come to Washing- ton. Mr. Jones lost no time in obeying the Pres- ident's summons. On reaching Washington he reported his arrival to the President, stating that he would call whenever it would be most con- venient for the President to receive him, and was requested to call at eight o'clock that evening, which he did, and was conducted to the Pres- ident's private office. Closing the doors, Mr. Lincoln said, " Jones, I've sent for you to tell me whether or not Grant wants to be President." Mr. Jones replied promptly, in accordance with what he knew to be the fact: "Certainly not ; he would not take the office if it were offered to him. So far from being a candidate himself, I know him to be earnestly in favor of your re- election." Mr. Lincoln's countenance relaxed, and the habitual shade of sadness faded from his face, as he leaned forward, and putting his hand upon Mr. Jones' shoulder, said, " My friend, you don't know how gratifying that is to me;" add- ing reflectively, "No man can ever tell how deep
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that Presidential grub gnaws till he has had it himself."
Immediately after Gen. Grant's election, four years later, he nominated Mr. Jones to the senate as Minister to Belgium, in grateful appreciation of his patriotic support of the government's policy during the Civil war; in recognition of his services as a member of the National Republican Executive Committee during the political con- test which had just terminated, and of his high qualities as a gentleman and citizen. He pro- ceeded quietly to his post, accompanied by his family; took possession of the Legation on the 21st of July, 1869, was confirmed in due time and addressed himself at once unostentatiously but industriously to the mastery of the situation. One of his first duties was to make an elaborate report upon the cereal productions of Belgium, by order of the State Department, and the man- ner in which he did this left nothing to be de- sired. Shortly afterwards he was called upon to interpose his good offices in behalf of an Ameri- can citizen who had been condemned to im- prisonment. He did so, quietly and without display, and succeeded speedily in effecting the release of his countryman. When the difficulty arose with Great Britain in reference to the con- struction of the Treaty of Washington, no minis- ter was more active than he in disseminating
correct information, and in giving public opinion a turn favorable to our interests. In the final extinguishment of the Scheldt dues, he served the government with marked capability and intel- ligence. He also materially assisted in bringing about an understanding between Belgium and the United States, which enabled them to agree upon the terms of an extradition treaty ; and has more recently furnished for the use of the Senate Committee on Transportation an admirable report upon the Belgium railways and canals.
In 1848, Mr. Jones married Miss Scott, the daughter of the late Judge Andrew Scott, of Arkansas. She is a most excellent and accom- plished lady, and has, with her interesting chil- dren, given the American Legation at Brussels an enviable reputation for elegance and hospitality. It is no exaggeration to say that Mr. Jones and his family have won the respect and affection of everybody who have felt the influence of their home, or come within the reach of their kindly offices.
In the summer of 1875, Mr. Jones resigned and returned to Chicago and was soon thereafter tendered the position of Secretary of the Interior, which he declined and was appointed Collector of the Port of Chicago.
In 1888 he practically retired from active busi- ness.
CHARLES HENROTIN,
CHICAGO, ILL.
C HARLES HENROTIN was born in 1844 in Brussels, and settled in Chicago in 1848. His father, Dr. Henrotin, who in the early days was known in the neighborhood of Chicago as " The French Doctor," had been for many years surgeon in the Belgian army, and from 1857 to 1876, held the position of Belgian Consul in Chi- cago. Young Henrotin entered the Chicago High School in 1856, and afterwards studied in his native country, attending the University of Tournai from 1856 to 1861, when he returned to Chicago and entered the employ of the Mer- chants' Loan and Trust Co. In 1866 he was elected cashier of that bank as successor to Mr. L. J. Gage, who became vice-president of the
First National Bank of Chicago. In the fire of 1871, the books and papers of the Merchants' Loan and Trust Co. were lost, and Mr. Henrotin accom- plished the remarkable feat of re-establishing all the accounts of the bank and satisfying all the de- mands of its customers without any interruption of its regular business, and without loss to the bank, and he accomplished it within three weeks from the time of the fire.
In 1876 Mr. Henrotin resigned his position as cashier to engage in his present line of business- banking and brokerage. At the outset, his time was devoted principally to the introduction into the Chicago stock market of railroad bonds-a business which from 1876 to 1883 assumed enor-
has Henrotm
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mous proportions. He also rendered notable ser- vice to the city and county in successfully hand- ling nearly all of the municipal loans made at that time. He bought the County Court House 5 per cent. loan of $1,200,000, and took practically all the city script which, in her then embarrassed posi- tion, had to be issued for current government ex- penditures.
Mr. Henrotin's ability as a financier had by this time become well known far beyond his own com- munity, and confidence in him well established. It only required the insight, tact and daring of his next enterprise to give him a name as a finan- cial leader throughout the country. We refer to his splendid work in the creation of the Chicago Stock Exchange, which has been so great a source of convenience and profit to the commercial and financial institutions of Chicago, and has won a more than national repute. Chicago had long needed just such a commercial medium, and now that it has proven so signal a success, must give a large share of the credit to Mr. Henrotin, to whom was due its original conception and subse- quent realization. He was elected its first presi- dent in 1880, and his own successor in 1881. In 1886 he was again made president, and in 1889 and 1890 was elected a third and a fourth time. Mr. Henrotin is also a member of the New York Stock Exchange.
Essentially a public-spirited man, he has been prominent in many public enterprises, and has probably done as much as any one man to make Chicago a financial center, and an attractive city. One of the numerous ventures in which he was foremost was the building of the Chicago Opera House, of whose company he has been vice-presi- dent since its origin. The Panorama of the Bat -. tle of Gettysburg was also secured to the city through his influence and sold by him to a syndi- cate of Chicago capitalists. Of late years he has been largely interested in Chicago Horse and Cable Railway matters and is a director in the North Chicago Street Railway Company.
Within the last few years, Mr. Henrotin has de- voted much time to managing English syndicate business in the West. He was the American broker in the successful placing of the securities of the Chicago Brewing and Malting Co., and the Junction Railways and Union Stock Yards and the Milwaukee and Chicago Breweries --
securities amounting in the aggregate to some $38,000,000. In the organization of the Lon- don and Chicago Contract Corporation, he took the leading part, being the official broker of this corporation, as well as of the City of London Contract Co., of England.
In 1876 Mr. Henrotin was appointed consul to Belgium to succeed his father, and, with the sanc- tion of the Belgian government, was also appoint- ed consul for the Ottoman Empire, both of which positions he still retains. He has distinguished himself by his very fine and exhaustive reports on the export and import trade of Belgium, and in 1889, in recognition of valuable consular services, he was knighted by the King of Belgium, with the decoration of "Chevalier of the Order of Leopold."
In politics Mr. Henrotin is a Democrat, not at all inclined to partisanship, but a very liberal- minded and unbiased thinker. He is socially active as a member of the Chicago, Union and Washington Park Clubs, of the Germania Manner- chor, and the Nineteenth Century Club.
As has already been suggested, Mr. Henrotin's education was of a very superior character, and the increasing cares of business have not pre- vented the daily additions and expansions which alone produce the man of culture. Singular it is that in so practical a life the art of painting should receive much attention. Mr. Henrotin is a man of artistic sympathies and discrimination, and is himself possessor of some choice paintings.
Mentally strong, bright, and active, he is ex- ceedingly well liked in the commercial world, where his knowledge of the minute details and ramifications, as well as of the general interests of a business, has given him a high standing as a financier. Mr. Henrotin has given much atten- tion to the "Silver Question," and has written several important and valuable articles on the subject, that have gained a wide circulation.
In social circles his polished manner and genial temperament are highly appreciated. He is an ex- ample of a class which is America's peculiar pride, -the energetic man of business, who is yet ať home in all the varied phases and departments of society, literature and art. In his domestic life Mr. Henrotin has been especially felicitous. Mrs. Henrotin, who is the daughter of Mr. E. Byam Martin, a descendant of the English family of
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Byam Martins, and a resident of Maine, is a lady of unusual talent and attractiveness. Highly ed- ucated, possessed of unusual literary tastes and habits, she is conversant with both the French and German languages, from the latter of which she has made several important and valuable translations. She is the president of the Deco- rative Art Society, of Chicago. She was treas- urer of the Society for five years. Through her exertions the Society took up the work of indus- trial education among the teachers, and she has done much in many ways for the advancement of her sex. Mrs. Henrotin has been a very promin- ent member of the Woman's Club, Chicago, and of the Fortnightly and the Nineteenth Century Clubs, and is probably the finest extemporaneous
woman speaker in Chicago. She has given the work of the Kitchen Garden Association her per- sonal attention ever since its organization. With Mrs. Potter Palmer, Mrs. Henrotin went to Wash- ington, D. C., to speak before the National Coun- cil of Women, to present the claims of the Woman's Board of the Columbian Exposition for recognition. She is chairman of the woman's branch of the World's Congress Auxiliary and one of the leading spirits in the work, also chair- man of the general committee, which has general supervision of all branches of the work. Many valuable essays from her pen have gained a wide circulation.
Mr. and Mrs. Henrotin are blessed with three sons, Edward, Charles and Norris.
HON. JONAS HUTCHINSON,
CHICAGO, ILL.
ONAS HUTCHINSON comes from New J
England stock, and was born at Milford, New Hampshire, January 10, 1840. His father, Abel Hutchinson, was a farmer, and died when Jonas was only six years old. Having attended the public school for some time, Jonas was sent to the Academy at Mt. Vernon, of which Mr. Augustus Berry was principal. He made such progress, and showed so good a disposition for study, that he was sent to Dartmouth College, from which he was graduated in 1863. The president of the college, Nathan Lord, took a great interest in him, and had such confidence in his ability and acquirements that he recom- mended him as a teacher for the high school at Columbus, Ohio. His confidence was not mis- placed, for at the end of the first year, Mr. Hutchinson was appointed principal, the onerous and responsible duties of which position he dis- charged with ability and success for two years. His first business venture was as Western Agent of the school book publishing firm of Messrs. D. Appleton & Co., with headquarters in Chicago, and he proved himself as competent in the counting house as he had been in the school. In 1867, he began the study of law with Messrs. Sweetzer and Gardner, of Boston, and the year following entered the office of Mr. Bainbridge
Wadleigh, an able and prominent lawyer of Milford, who was afterwards United States Sen- ator for New Hampshire. During these years of study, Mr. Hutchinson was a diligent student, and in March, 1869, was admitted to the practice of law. He then removed to Chicago, where he has since followed the practice of his profession. During his long residence in this city he has been engaged in many of the most important cases that have come before the Cook county bench. One of the most notable was the case of Eliza- beth A. Hill, who was found dead in her home in January, 1881. As she died intestate and her heirs were not known, the difficulty of settling up the estate was great, but it was increased by an attempt to collect on notes purporting to be signed by Mrs. Hill, but which were shown by Mr. Hutchinson to be forgeries. He received great credit for his successful termination of the case after years of labor.
In 1889, Mr. Hutchinson was appointed Corpo- ration Council by the Hon. DeWitt C. Cregier, Mayor, and the appointment was confirmed by the city council. This office he held for two years, giving the greatest satisfaction by his ability, honesty and courtesy. He is now, and has been for several years, chairman of the Dem- ocratic County Central Committee of Cook
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county. His kindly disposition, thorough knowl- edge of parliamentary law and long experience in managing men, fit him for the discharge of the duties of this difficult position, which he fills with credit to himself and benefit to his party.
On November 3, 1891, Mr. Hutchinson was elected to the Superior Court bench, vice Mr. John P. Altgeld, resigned. He had previously declined the offer of various nominations, and acceded to the request on this occasion only in the interests of his party. His selection by the Democrats was endorsed by the Republicans, and his election may be said to have been substan- tially unanimous, as there was only a small por- tion of the labor vote which he did not receive. He was elected by a majority of over one hun- dred thousand votes, a very high compliment, which shows the esteem in which he is held by . the people of all classes.
Mr. Hutchinson was married on November 14, 1876, to Miss Lettie Brown, of Springfield, Illi- nois. Her maternal great-grandfather was Col. William A. Dudley, of Lexington, Kentucky, who distinguished himself by valorous deeds in the Mohawk war, in which he lost his life. To his and his comrades' memory, deservedly cher- ished by all lovers of bravery, the people of Ken- tucky have erected a handsome monument upon the most commanding site in the beautiful ceme-
tery at Frankfort. Col. Dudley's regimentals are given a conspicuous place in the Smithsonian Institute at Washington. His son, Dr. Jeptha Dudley, acquired a niche in the temple of fame as the most prominent physician of his day, in the South. The Dudleys always stood among the first of Kentucky's great men. Mrs. Hutch- inson's father was a brother of the celebrated Presbyterian divine, John H. Brown, D. D., well known on account of the part he took in the noted theological controversy between Alexan- der Campbell and Nathan L. Rice. This union has been blessed with two children, Helen and Jonas, Jr., whose bright smiles and innocent mirth tend, if possible, to make a happy home happier.
As a public speaker, Mr. Hutchinson attempts no flights of oratory. Simple and accurate in his statement of facts, clear in his deductions and convincing in his arguments, he disdains the art of the sophist, and prefers to quote Blackstone rather than Shakspeare.
Quiet, reserved, unostentatious, he hoards his strength and only uses his full power when cir- cumstances demand the calling out of his reserved force. He is an able and experienced adviser, a sincere friend and an honor to his pro- fession. Careful and conscientious in the dis- charge of every duty, he is a man possessed of a high degree of honor and integrity.
JOHN A. COLBY,
CHICAGO, ILL.
OHN A. COLBY was born in Fryeburg, Maine, April 1, 1833. His parents were James and Mary (Sterling) Colby. His father was born in 1799, and died in 1874, in the same house in which his own and his father's families had been raised. His great-grandfather, with two brothers, came to America from the North of Ire- land. His mother's ancestry came from Scotland, and included Major-General John Stark, of New Hampshire, whose heroism is immortalized in his famous address to his soldiers on the morning of the battle of Bennington, concluding with the stirring words: "Boys, we will whip those red coats, or Mollie Stark is a widow." Monuments to his bravery were recently erected by the public, J
at Manchester, New Hampshire, and at Benning- ton, Vermont. John attended the public schools and academy in Fryeburg. The latter has the honor of once having Daniel Webster as principal. When not in school, his time, in summer, was devoted to his father's farm, in winter, to the labor of the logging swamps. Spare time was given to the use of carpenter's tools and working in wood, which naturally developed a love for cabinet work, the final outcome of which was his great furniture establishment. At the age of nineteen he left his native town and State, and went to Lowell, Massachusetts. After spending a few months with the Lawrence corporation, he re- moved to Boston, and joined his brother, Albert,
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in the book business, at 150 Washington street. He severed that connection in 1857, and, remov- ing to Chicago, started in the book business on his own account at 118 Randolph street, where he continued until 1861. During the following six years he was engaged on the Board of Trade, and in oil and mining operations. In 1867, his early love for cabinet work having revived, he started in the furniture business, laying the foundations of his subsequent success. The growth of his trade has necessitated a large man- ufactory for ordered work of interior decorations and drapery. In 1885, his sons, Henry C. and Edward A., were admitted to a partnership with him under the firm name of J. A. Colby and Sons. Their well-known store on State street being too contracted for their growing business, they re- moved, in January, 1891, to the spacious and ele- gant building at Nos. 148, 150, 152 and 154 Wabash avenue. Here they have doubled the
capacity of their manufacturing plant, and have the facilities to store, handle, and exhibit to the public the immense, rare, and costly styles of furniture and artistic work, which are the admira- tion of throngs of visitors. Nine floors as salesrooms are made very attractive in the ar- rangement of stock and decorations. Prompt and courteous attention makes patrons feel at home, and has added to the popularity which has made this a leading establishment of Chicago.
Mr. Colby was married, April 29, 1857, to Miss Abigail Ford Cady, of Scotch descent, at West Randolph, Vermont. Of four children, two sons- members of the firm-survive. Mrs. Colby has been a true helpmeet. She is a lady of decided literary tastes, appreciating the best literature and art. She is identified with the All Souls' Uni- tarian church, the Chicago Woman's Club, and several other literary, sociable and charitable in- stitutions.
GILBERT WORDSWORTH BARNARD,
CHICAGO, ILL.
T HERE is, perhaps, no better or more favor- ably known citizen in Chicago than Gilbert WV. Barnard. His name is a familiar one both at home and abroad. He was born on the Ist day of June, 1834, in Palmyra, Wayne county, New York, and is the son of George Washington and Sabrina (Deming) Barnard.
His father died while he was yer unborn, and while he was yet in his infancy the bereft widow located in Michigan where he received his carly education. At the age of fifteen, we find him coming to Chicago, which was destined to become the field of his future success. He began work for John C. Williams, in his general store, and subsequently was engaged in the book and sta- tionery business, and later, conducted a general commercial business. He was an active member of the volunteer fire department, from 1849 to 1858, and in that capacity rendered valuable services. His business career in the city of Chi- cago has been marked by honorable dealings, uprightness, and integrity.
He was made a Mason in October, 1864, and has ever since been an active participant in all
matters of interest pertaining to the welfare of that organization ; on December 7th, of the same year, he was made a Master Mason in Garden City Lodge, No. 141, A. F. and A. M.
He was appointed junior steward in the same lodge the night after he was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason, and has remained in office ever since. He was Master of this lodge during the years 1866-67, and District Deputy Grand Master for several years. He was exalted to the Royal Arch degree, October 2d, 1866, in Corinthian Chapter, No. 69; took the Council degree in Siloam Council, No. 53, on March 25, 1871; and the Knight Templar degree, on May 13, 1870, in St. Bernard Commandery, No. 35. He received the 32d degree on April 25, 1868, and the 33d degree on November 13, 1873. He was a member of the first Board of Grand Ex- aminers of the Grand Lodge, for five years ; Grand Lecturer of the Grand Lodge, for eight years; and has been Secretary or Recorder of nearly all side issues that were termed Masonic, and has received over three hundred degrees that are known to Masonry.
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FilmBarnard
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BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY.
He is Past High Priest of Corinthian Chapter, No. 69, R. A. M., and Past Eminent Commander of St. Bernard Commandery, No. 35, Knights Templar; Past Commander-in-Chief of Oriental Consistory ; Grand Secretary of the Grand Chap- ter; Grand Recorder of the Grand Council and Grand Commandery, and Grand Secretary of the Council of Deliberation, S. P. R. S., and various other bodies of Illinois.
He was, some fifteen years ago, elected Secre- tary of the Capitular, Cryptic and Chivalric grand bodies of the State of Illinois, where his signal ability, and untiring efforts in the performance of his official and fraternal duties have won him a host of friends and admirers.
His connection as secretary with the Illinois Masonic Orphans' Home, and his untiring zeal and labors in this connection, have added greatly to the upbuilding of that worthy institution.
Mr. Barnard's office, in Chicago, is filled with a collection of everything of usefulness to the lovers and students of the laws and customs of the fraternity, and is a general center of Masonic affairs, as well as the continual resort for visitors from all parts of the Masonic world.
His long connection with the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, of which he is a 33d degree active member, gives him a correspondence with all branches of the order, wherever they exist, and makes him so well known. His life has been that of an upright man and Mason, and he has devoted himself to the interests of the fraternity, administering to the wants of his brothers, and relieving their widows and orphans in distress.
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