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 19
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By the state of the art no brick were produced prior to Mr. Anderson's invention, having a body color other than that of the natural clay, and the clays of Chicago burned only a white or buff color, while the clays of Philadelphia, and adja- cent thereto, burned a beautiful red, a color then much sought after. Hence the red bricks from Philadelphia were shipped to this market at great cost.
These circumstances induced Mr. Anderson to establish his first plant at Chicago, which was done in 1879, at which time Mr. Anderson, with
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his family, became a resident of Highland Park, selecting this lovely suburb in Lake county for its high elevation above the lake and picturesque ravines, which reminded him of the hills and val- leys of his old Pennsylvania home.
Mr. Anderson possesses the rare combination of talents, which denotes not only an eminent inventor, but also an excellent business man. He is an indefatigable and ceaseless worker, one who is never more happy than when busily employed in solving some knotty problem in mechanics, or making improvements in the various devices in which clays are a prominent factor. Having in- domitable will power and a keen insight into character, he is a master among men. The soul of honor, he is thoroughly scrupulous in all his transactions. An artist by nature, the bent of his mind is decidedly artistic.
A genial, modest, and refined gentleman, it is
not surprising that Mr. Anderson possesses so many warm friends and admirers, while his hospi- tality is proverbial, and his interest on behalf of those who need it, is both practical and sincere. Eminent as an inventor, and highly esteemed by all who enjoy his personal acquaintance, James Caldwell Anderson has carved for himself a prom- inent place in the temple of fame. The architect of his own fortunes, he has given to the world, in his inventions, a legacy that will perpetuate his memory among many generations yet to come.
He was married, July 26, 1860, to Amanda S. Birmingham, of Westmoreland county, Pennsyl- vania, daughter of Dr. Samuel Birmingham. Two children, a daughter and son, were born unto them. Lillie Eva married Dr. Charles F. Mc- Gahan, now of Chattanooga, Tennessee; James Franklin married Jennette L. Lewis, of Racine, Wisconsin, and resides at Highland Park, Illinois.
HENRY IVES COBB,
CHICAGO, ILL
H ENRY IVES COBB was born in Brook- line, Massachusetts. Having received a thorough preliminary education, he entered Har- vard University, taking the literary and scientific course. His preliminary architectural training was received at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in Europe. Entering the office of one of the leading architects of Boston, he soon rose to a prominent position among the architects of the United States. In 1881, he visited Chicago and designed and superintended the construction of the Union Club House. The demand which then arose for his services was such as to warrant him in locating there perma- nently. Since that time he has ranked as one of the most skillful architects in this country.
In 1882, Mr. Cobb married Miss Emma M. Smith, a daughter of the late Augustus Smith, Esq., a prominent attorney of New York City. They have six children : Henry Ives, Jr., Cleve- land, Leonore, Candler, Elliot and Priscilla.
Mr. Cobb is one of the National Board of Architects of the World's Columbian Exposition, 1893. Among the many notable buildings which Mr. Cobb has designed, and which are conspicuous
monuments to his skill and enterprise, are the Owings building, Adams and Dearborn streets, Chicago, a magnificent structure, and where his offices are located ; the Chicago Opera House, the Kinzie Hotel, the St. Charles Roman Catholic Buildings, the Chicago Athletic Association Club House, the Newberry Library building, and Cook County Abstract building. Outside of Chicago may be mentioned as the work of Mr. Cobb: The Knoxville Hotel, Knoxville, Tenn., probably the largest building in that State; the Bishop Hospital, Pittsfield, Mass .; the South San Francisco Co. buildings, a whole town of build- ings designed by him, at South San Francisco, California ; Blackstone Memorial buildings, Brantford, Conn .; Donald Fletcher's residence, Denver, Colorado; Watkin's Bank building, Lawrence, Kansas, one of the finest structures in the State.
He has been a great traveler, having traveled over the civilized world, and has visited every important library in making a study of libraries. Every other year he goes to Europe for study, research and investigation in connection with professional work.
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For about five years, beginning with 1882, he had a partner and conducted his business under the firm name of Cobb and Frost. Since the year 1887, however, he has been in business by himself.
Mr. Cobb is a man of robust constitution, easy,
graceful demeanor, cool and deliberate, yet active and energetic, a man who involuntarily impresses his hearers with his ir tellectual worth. He is a member of the Chicago, University and Union Clubs and president of the Mascoutah Kennel Club of Chicago.
SAMUEL PARKER HEDGES, M.D.,
CHICAGO, ILL.
A S early as 1730, there came to America an English family by the name of Hedges. There was also another English family here be- fore the Revolutionary war, which was noted in the person of Sir Charles Parker, who com- manded a fleet before Boston harbor in that war. Sprung from this brave ancestry were, respec- tively, Elias S. Hedges and Rebecca Parker, from whose union came the subject of this sketch.
Samuel Parker Hedges was born July 23, 1841, in Sinclairsville, Chautauqua county, New York. After graduating from the public schools he pre- pared for college at the Jamestown Academy. He had just entered the office of his uncle, Dr. W. S. Hedges, of Jamestown, to begin the study of medicine, when there was issued by President Lincoln a call for additional soldiers to carry on the late Civil war. A true patriot, he laid aside his books and enlisted as a private in the one hundred and twelfth regiment of New York Vol- unteer Infantry, entering service on the 23d day of July, 1862, the same being his twenty-first birthday. From private to sergeant and orderly- sergeant, were quick promotions. His superior officers being disabled he commanded his com- pany in the battle of the Deserted House, and won a second lieutenant's commission. Soon after, he was made aide-de-camp on the staff of Brigadier-General R. S. Foster, and later, first lieutenant and adjutant of his regiment.
In 1864, Foster's brigade, under the command of Gen. Butler, was operating on the James River, and on May 16th of that year, Lieut. Hedges was captured by the confederates. Three weeks in Libby Prison, two months at Macon, five weeks at Savannah and two months at Charleston, S. C., exposed to the Union batteries, were followed by a winter in the open fields across Siluda River.
After ten months, the confederates, unable to provide even the most wretched fare for the four- teen hundred prisoners, offered a parole if they would bind themselves to abstain from service against the confederacy. Not a man would take the oath, and they were finally turned loose nine miles from Wilmington, North Carolina. When Lieut. Hedges went into prison his weight was one hundred and forty pounds. On the day he dragged himself to Wilmington he weighed barely eighty-seven pounds, and he has never en- tirely recovered from the effects of his captivity. He closed his career under the Union flag as captain of his company.
After the war he resumed the study of medi- cine in the Cleveland Homeopathic College, tak- ing his degree in 1867, at Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, where, from 1869 to 1874, he filled the chair of general and descriptive anato- my. In 1887 and in 1890, he was made chair- man of the Bureau of Gynæchology in the American Institute of Homeopathy. He was secretary and president of the Cook County Homeopathic Medical Society, and has been president of the Illinois State Homeopathic Medical Society, and an esteemed member of many others.
Dr. Hedges has traveled all over the United States and Canada, but it was in his native State that he found his wife, Miss Rachel Danforth, daughter of Dr. E. H. Danforth, of Jamestown. Mrs. Hedges, a graduate of Mt. Holyoke Sem- inary, is devoted to her domestic affairs, and is highly valued in her church, and as a Bible teacher. From this union have been born nine children, of whom five are now living, viz .: Corinna, aged sixteen ; William E., aged fifteen ; Robert D., aged thirteen ; Grace, aged twelve,
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and Samuel G., aged seven. Dr. Hedges has one brother who lives in Dakota, and who is surveyor of his county, and an irrigation engineer.
In 1872, Dr. Hedges was made a Master Ma- son at the Lincoln Park Lodge, No. 611. He has always been a staunch Republican, although non-partisan.
Probably in no capacity is Dr. Hedges more
appreciated than as a church-member. He is an Elder and Sunday-School Superintendent in the First Presbyterian Church, of Lake View, and is known as an earnest and active worker, and a generous giver to every worthy cause. As a physician, he ranks among the eminent of his profession ; as a man, he is honored and trusted, and beloved by all who know him.
WARREN F. LELAND,
CHICAGO, ILL.
T HE subject of this sketch is one of seven brothers 'whose name and fame have be- come world-wide in connection with elegant, finely appointed hotels.
He is a native of the Green Mountain State, and was born at Landgrove, June 1, 1845, the son of Aaron P. and Submit (Arnold) Leland, both of whom were natives of New England. Aaron P. Leland was an extensive stage proprie- tor and mail contractor fifty years ago, and well known in the New England States and New York as an energetic, thorough-going business man, and about 1810 Simeon Leland, his father, opened the Green Mountain Coffee House. His great- grandfather, the Rev. Aaron Leland, was a noted Baptist minister and author, of Berkshire county, Mass. He was a man of large brain, great sagac- ity and strong will power, and had a great influence among the common people of western Massachusetts in the early days of the Republic. In 1801 he sent Thomas Jefferson, then just seated in the presidential chair, a cheese, out of pure regard for the author of the Declaration of Independence. The Leland family came origi- nally from England, two brothers coming to this country soon after the settlement of Plymouth and Boston. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Judge Samuel Arnold, of London- derry, Vermont, an eminent jurist of his day. When our subject was quite young, the family removed to Ohio, and afterwards to New York.
Grandfather Simeon Leland had six sons, Lewis, Aaron P., Simeon, William, Warren and Charles. The last four became noted and successful hotel- keepers. Of these six, but one is now (1892) alive, viz., Warren Leland, formerly of the Grand Union
Hotel of Saratoga, now Oglethorpe Hotel, Bruns- wick, Ga. The father of our subject, Aaron P. Leland, ultimately located near Newburgh, Ohio, and engaged in stock raising. Our subject's brothers were: John, who died at an early age ; Lewis, formerly of the Sturtevant House, New York City ; Horace, of the Sturtevant, and also of the Leland Hotel, at Springfield, Illinois, who died in August, 1889; George S., formerly of the Sturtevant, who died in August, 1881 ; Jerome, formerly of the Sturtevant, and the Columbian, at Saratoga, New York, who died in April, 1884, and Charles E., proprietor of the Delevan, at Albany, the Clarenden, at Saratoga, New York, and the Portland Hotel, at Portland, Oregon.
In 1852 Warren, being then fifteen years old, went to New York City and took a humble posi- tion in the Metropolitan Hotel, of which his four uncles were then proprietors. Beginning in the store-room, he was gradually promoted until, in 1866, he had the honor of holding the position of room clerk. In that year he went, in connection with his brother Horace, and opened the Leland Hotel, of Springfield, Illinois, but in 1867 re- turned to the East and took the position of chief office man in the Delevan House at Albany, New York, of which his brothers, Charles E. and Lewis, were proprietors. In 1872 he became a partner in the business, and remained there until 1880, when he sold his interest to his brother Charles, his brother Lewis having previously withdrawn from the firm. Removing to Chicago in 1881, Mr. Leland purchased the Gardiner House property, reconstructed the interior, hand- . somely refitted and furnished it, and opened what has since been known as the Leland Hotel.
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As a business venture, the enterprise has been eminently successful and profitable, the invest- ment having more than doubled in valuc.
Mr. Leland was married December 16, 1868, to Miss Isabella C. Cobb, of Cleveland, Ohio, a lady of education and refinement. They have four children, viz .: Warren, Fannie A., Ralph C. and Helen M.
He holds to the Protestant faith in religious matters, but is not identified with any denomina- tion, being somewhat liberal in his views.
Mr. Leland was largely instrumental in procur- ing the location of the last three national conven- tions at Chicago, viz .: the Republican and Demo- cratic conventions of 1884, and the Republican convention of 1888. He also took a prominent
part in securing the location of the World's Co- lumbian Exposition at Chicago. He has taken an active interest in preserving the Lake Front Park, and has been tireless in his efforts to pre- vent encroachment thereon. The Leland Hotel is located at the corner of Michigan avenue and Jackson street, overlooking this park, and giving a delightful view of Lake Michigan.
Mr. Leland is a member of the Calumet Club, Mr. Leland is a genial, companionable gentle- man, with quick perception in looking after the Washington Park and Kenwood Clubs, and of the Masonic order, being a Knights Templar. He is details of his business, always watching for the identified with the Republican party, and takes much interest in local and national politics, but has always declined office, both civil and political.
comfort and welfare of his guests. His hotel is always in perfect order, and it is but just to say that the " Leland " of Chicago, for home com- forts and good living, is second to no hotel on the American continent. It is wonderfully popular with the traveling public, and particularly with that large class whose opportunities aptly qualify them to be judges of what constitutes a good hotel in all its appointments and equipments-the commercial travelers. All unite in saying the " Leland" is one of the finest.
ABRAM WILLIAMS,
CHICAGO, ILL.
O F all the prominent insurance companies and their managers, located or having Western departments in Chicago, there are none more prominent, more successful, or better known than is the subject of this sketch-Abram Williams, born March 31, 1830, at Utica, N. Y. His father was Abraham B. Williams, one of the State Canal Commissioners. His paternal grand- father was a prominent minister amongst the Baptist denomination of that State ; he came to this country from Chester, England, in 1795 ; his mother was Olive Barnum, of Danbury, Con- necticut, daughter of Ezra Barnum, a clergyman, who took active part in the Revolutionary war.
Educated in the common schools and acade- mies of his native town, Utica, N. Y., at the age of fourteen young Williams left school, having acquired a good common school education, and being desirous of making his own way in life, for, on the death of his father, in 1844 (our subject being just then fourteen years of age), the task of supporting a family of five children devolved
upon his mother, who, be it said to her credit, carried out this task in an exemplary and thor- ough manner. One of his brothers, Nelson G., being educated at West Point, afterwards bc- came colonel of the Third Iowa Regiment, and was promoted to brigadier-general for gal- lant service at the battle of Shiloh. His three sisters have all done well, received a good educa- tion and have been prominent in their own circles generally.
Deciding to try his luck in the great city of New York, young Williams, with but a few dol- lars in his pocket, proceeded there, and after much effort-for he was young and inexperienced- he obtained a situation with Peter Murray, im- porter of fancy goods, notions, etc., Maiden Lane, New York City, remaining here for a number of years. Subsequently he became a a buyer for Wm. H. Cary & Co., who conducted a business of a similar nature, and in 1852 formed the house of Sheldon, Harris & Williams, Liberty street, New York. This business grew in
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proportions ; success attended their efforts. In fact, the trade they did became of such import- ance as to warrant their establishing, in 1854, a branch house in Paris, and here Mr. Williams for some time resided. But his attention to his duties and the business affairs generally of the house had been such that at length his health gave way, and he was forced to relinquish his connection with the firm. Going west in 1856 he settled at Dubuque, Iowa. Two years later this city underwent a severe financial crisis, and Mr. Williams, amongst the other prominent mer- chants of the city, was for a time considerably embarrassed, but he manfully determined to per- severe ; he brought to bear upon his business renewed energy, and the result was that by 1860 he had wiped out every debt he had, through these unfortunate circumstances, contracted. Though in accomplishing this he was left virtu- ally without a dollar of available capital with which to restart. Appointed, however, a deputy court clerk this year, he occupied this position until he entered the army, in 1862.
Commissioned first lieutenant in the Sixth Iowa Cavalry, he was ultimately promoted to Chief of Cavalry on Gen. Alfred Sully's staff. In the winter of 1864-5, being assigned to additional duties of (A. A. Q. M.) Acting Assistant Quarter- master, the active and energetic manner in which he filled this position, and the ingenuity, tact and great determination he displayed in deal- ing with the recreant Illinois Central Railroad at this time, who much embarrassed the government by their seemingly stubborn behavior, received the highest commendation -all this is a mat- ter of military history. He took possession of their road as far as the necessity of government service and facility required, and also of the railroads of Iowa, shipped the grain required to Cairo, kept up the supply and thus carried out the orders and commands of his superior officers. This course, though it necessitated or rather resulted in considerable inconvenience to the numerous shippers along these roads, it was, nevertheless, unavoidable. The people, and through them the government, required certain supplies, and this fact alone was sufficient legally. The necessity was great, the cause just, and the end in view certainly justified the means. The railroad companies appealed to General Pope, and
he undertook to rescue them from Assistant Quar- termaster Williams' hold, but his attempt was futile, for the Quartermaster determined to hold them, and he did hold them until the supply had been shipped, and General Thomas' Army of the Tennessee was thus enabled to continue its campaign. For this, Mr. Williams received the commendations of his superior officers, though the railroad company sued the government for heavy damages, with what result is not known.
His term of service expiring in 1865, he re- turned to Dubuque, Iowa, and here became con- nected with the insurance business, becoming general agent for the Yonkers and New York Fire Insurance Co., of New York. In 1869 the States of Ohio and Michigan, and all the States and Territories west, were added by this com- pany, the head offices being then removed to Chicago, Mr. Williams himself locating here in August of this year, continuing its successful career. In the great fire of 1871, Mr. Williams was crippled, and forced to have recourse to the use of crutches for over two years, owing to his endeavors during the fire to save his com- pany's books and valuable documents, etc. In 1874 the Continental Fire Insurance Company, of New York, appointed him their Western man- ager, in which position he continued until the fall of 1884, when he was offered and accepted a similar position with the Connecticut Hartford Company, organizing its Western department, its business at this time amounted to but a little over two hundred thousand dollars, while now it has so grown and developed that at present it amounts to over six hundred thousand dol- lars! Truly a phenomenal growth! He is still its Western manager. He has also held the office of president of the Northwestern Associa- tion of Fire Underwriters. Prominent, also, in social circles, he has been a vice-president of the Iroquois Club. He is a member of the Union League and Calumet Clubs. A warden of Grace Episcopal Church, he has, for sixteen years, been an officer of this church. A man of much cul- ture, he has traveled extensively, both in this country and in Europe.
In politics a Democrat, measures and men, rather than party, have his strongest support.
Married, in 1852, to Miss Frances S. Raynolds, of Rochester, N. Y. Mrs. Williams is a daughter
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of William I .. Raynolds, a prominent merchant engaged in forwarding, shipping, etc. They have had four children, two of whom are dead. His son, Nelson B. Williams, is an iron merchant and warehouseman in this city, his daughter, Frances J., is a resident at home.
Of much ability, general worth and of social and commercial prominence, Abram Williams stands high amongst the citizens of Chicago, and as a thoroughly representative citizen of this great city he is entitled to a place amongst her repre- sentative men.
FRANKLIN W. FISK,
CHICAGO, ILL.
F RANKLIN WOODBURY FISK, son of Ebenezer and Hannah Proctor Fisk, was born in Hopkinton, New Hampshire, February 16, 1820. On his father's side, his lineage is traceable to Symond Fisk, Lord of the Manor of Stradhaugh, Parish of Laxfield, County of Suf- folk, England, who lived in the reigns of Henry IV and V (from A. D. 1399 to 1422).
He entered Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., in the autumn of 1835. Having no pecuniary resources with which to acquire a liberal education, he engaged alternately in teaching and study until he entered Yale College, in 1845. At his graduation, in 1849, he was the valedictorian of his class. He was graduated at the Yale Divinity School in 1852 ; was tutor in Yale College from 1851 to 1853 ; attended lectures in Andover Theo- logical Seminary from January to May, 1853, and traveled in Europe from May till November of that year. Compelled by disease of his eyes to give up, for a time, the hope of entering the min- istry, he declined several invitations to important pastorates and accepted the professorship of rhet- oric and English literature in Beloit College, Be- loit, Wisconsin, to which he had been appointed while abroad, entered upon its duties in April, 1854, and continued in that position till July, I859.
He was elected, April, 1856, to the chair of sacred rhetoric in Chicago Theological Seminary, and was inaugurated April 28, 1859. He received the degree of doctor of divinity from Olivet Col- lege, Michigan, in 1865, and from Yale University in 1886, also the degree of doctor of laws from Beloit College in ISSS. In the autumn and winter of 1871-72, he attended lectures in the University of Berlin, after which he spent a year in traveling in Europe, Egypt and Palestine.
In 1887 he became president of Chicago Theo- logical Seminary, with which he was connected as professor for thirty-three years. His lectures on homiletics have been published in a manual of preaching, which is used as a text-book in several institutions. He has been conspicuous, also, in aiding to secure the endowment and equipment of the Seminary. This "School of the Prophets " has a standing not inferior to that of any theo- logical seminary in this country. It was organ- ized in 1854 by a convention of the Congrega- tional churches of the Northwest. It opened its doors for students in 1858, and has since had remarkable growth and prosperity. The youngest but one of the seven Congregational theological seminaries in the United States, it has now the largest number of students. To its English departments, with their nine professors and in- structors, there have been added German, Swed- ish, and Dano-Norwegian departments, with six professors and instructors. It has graduated four hundred and eighty-three students, and about one thousand have been connected with its classes for a longer or shorter period. They are now laboring successfully in nearly every State and Territory of the Union, and in many foreign fields. Its buildings-Keyes Hall, Carpenter Hall, and Fisk Hall, beautifully located opposite Union Park-furnish ample study and dormitory rooms for the accommodation of two hundred and ten students, besides chapel, lecture, and reception rooms, professors' studies, treasurer's office, gym- nasium, etc. Hammond library, with its more than eleven thousand volumes, and its reading- room well supplied with a large variety of the best newspapers and periodicals, has room for fifty thousand volumes. The board of direc- tors of the Seminary, twenty-four in number,
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