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 21
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The Century anlatan. I.E. 11
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mentioned the American Laryngological Society, the American Climatological Society, the Ameri- can Academy of Medicine, the Association of American Physicians, and the United States Sanitary Commission. Dr. Johnson belonged also to the Twentieth Century Club, was an honorary member of the Military Order of Loyal Legion, and a member of the Chicago Club, the first club organized in that city. Dr. Johnson belonged to the Masonic order and became a Master Mason in 1853, and was many times presiding officer in the various Masonic bodies. He was a member of the Supreme Council of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, 33rd degree, whose active membership is limited to about fifty, in the northern United States, and ranked near the first in the order of seniority.
Dr. Johnson was one of the founders of the Illinois State Microscopical Society, and was at various times its president, and ranked among the leading microscopists of the United States. He was a member of the American Microscopical Society and also a Fellow of the Royal Micro- scopical Society of London, England. During the last years of his life, Dr. Johnson's practice was, for the most part, confined to consultations, his specialty being diseases of the throat and lungs, in which branch he was regarded as the most eminent authority in the Northwest.
Dr. Johnson was a great traveler, having visited
Europe seven times, traveling through England, France, Germany and other foreign countries. He also traveled extensively throughout his own country, spending his winters in California, Texas, Mexico, Florida, and other mild climates. He was a sharp observer of men and events, and pos- sessed a wonderful fund of useful information.
In politics Dr. Johnson was non-partisan, but as a rule supported the Republican party. In religious belief he was an Episcopalian, but was broad-minded, liberal and charitable in his views, and worshiped at the Central Church under the pastoral care of Prof. David Swing. He was a man of domestic tastes, social and companionable, and numbered among his associates and intimate friends many of the leading families of Chicago, and was never happier than when dispensing the hospitalities of his elegant home. Dr. Johnson was married in May, 1855, to Miss Margaret Ann Seward, daughter of Mr. John B. Seward, a cousin of Wm. H. Seward, Secretary of State under President Lincoln. Mrs. Johnson is an accom- plished woman and a charming hostess, and the Doctor was accustomed to acknowledge himself largely indebted to her for his own success. Dr. Johnson died at Chicago, February 26, 1891.
They had one son and one daughter. Flora Belle Johnson, born in 1858, died in 1888. Frank Seward Johnson, born in 1856, is a practicing physician in Chicago.
HENRY BEADMAN BRYANT,
CHICAGO, ILL.
TN 1853, a young man, attending college in Cleveland, Ohio, preparatory to graduating as a teacher, saw in that city an advertisement, "Com- mercial College," and from it conceived the idea of a course of study made up of business subjects exclusively. The rapid growth of our cities de- manded sound business training for those in- tended for commercial pursuits. The superficial knowledge of the classics, science and higher mathematics, which young people received in the limited time of the regular college course, was only of partial use to them in the counting-house. The business college was a necessity, and its founder ought to feel gratified by the fact that
during a period of nearly forty years, it has had a career of gradual, but constant, success. The pro- moter of this common-sense system of study was Henry Beadman Bryant, the proprietor of the Bryant and Stratton Business College of Chicago.
Henry B. Bryant was born in Gloucestershire, England, on April 5th, 1824, and was the youngest son in a family of six children. His father be- longed to the comfortable, well-to-do farmer class, to which we are indebted for many of our most successful business and professional men. When only five years old, his parents immigrated to the United States, and lived a short time in New York and Philadelphia, but finally settled at Am-
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herst, Lorain Co., Ohio, where his father had pur- chased a farm. At that time, about sixty years ago, they found the place partly occupied by an Indian camp. The Bryants, however, had very little trouble with the red men, who remained for some time as friendly neighbors. Henry received his early education in a log school house and, when old enough, he worked on the farm in sum- mer and went to school in winter. When four- teen years old, he attended the public school and the seminary at Norwalk. Having acquired some proficiency in elementary subjects, he taught school for a time, and then, desiring to complete his studies and prepare himself for a teacher, he entered college at Cleveland. After finishing his studies, he took a position with a business house, and after acquiring a thoroughly practical knowl- edge in this house, he took a position as college professor and proved himself a painstaking, me- thodical and successful teacher. The principal of the college soon after retired, and young Bryant, together with Mr. Henry D. Stratton, with whom he entered into partnership, became proprietors of the first of the now famous Bryant and Strat- ton Colleges. This was in 1853. Such was its success and their encouragement, that another college was opened in Buffalo, in 1854. This was followed by the Chicago College, which was opened in 1856, Philadelphia in 1857, and so on until in 1864 there were forty-eight colleges located in the principal cities of the United States and Canada. There were at that time two hundred and fifty teachers engaged, and fully thirty thou- sand business men held the college diplomas. The course of study and the system of manage- ment were uniform throughout the entire chain of colleges, so that students removing from one city to another could be transferred if they so de- sired. The death of Mr. Stratton, who was a man of indomitable energy and perseverance and of great executive ability, in 1867, threw the whole responsibility of this large business on Mr. Bryant. Acting for himself and for the estate of his deceased partner, Mr. Bryant now disposed of all the colleges except that in Chicago, which he himself retained and has since conducted under the name of The Bryant and Stratton Business College of Chicago. It is located on Washington street near the Lake Front. The premises are spacious and suitable, the teaching staff large and
efficient, and the attendance of students large and constantly increasing. The study rooms are elaborately furnished and afford ample accommo- dation for over one thousand pupils. During the thirty-five years of its existence, the Chicago col- lege has had amongst its students some of the most representative and successful merchants of . that city. Many improvements have been made in the text books and in the course of study, yet the method and system remain as originally adopted by Mr. Bryant.
His success in business has enabled him to be- come the owner of a large amount of real estate in Chicago, and this interest alone would be ample to take the time of its owner, were he willing to give it, for its management and devel- opment, but Mr. Bryant takes such pride in the practical education of young men and women that he gives his time and thoughts to the fur- ther development of his great institution, making his other interests of secondary consideration.
He is the author of a work on commercial arithmetic and of a system of book-keeping, and has had prepared under his supervision a treatise on commercial law and a series of interest tables. The latter is considered so complete and correct that it has been adopted for use by the United States Treasury Department, and is now used in most of the banks of the United States.
Although over sixty years of age, Mr. Bryant looks much younger, and is the picture of robust health. He is active, energetic and devoted to his work. He is quiet, unassuming and agrecable in manner; laconic, pleasing and interesting in conversation. His extensive reading and great experience render him a ready and reliable au- thority in his profession. As a painstaking, ear- nest and efficient teacher, he attracts the attention and gains the esteem of his students. He might appropriately adopt as his motto: "Suaviter in modo, fortiter in re."
In May, 1854, Mr. Bryant married, in Cleve- land, Ohio, Miss Lucy A. Stratton, sister of his late partner. They have had a family of two sons and one daughter. His eldest son, Mr. H. W. Bryant, is connected with the institution as secretary and junior partner. He is a young man of much ability, a graduate of Harvard Univer- sity, and has proved himself a successful educator.
In the death of his wife, in 1873, Mr. Bryant
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suffered one of those afflictions to which all must submit. She was an amiable lady, a devoted wife and an affectionate mother, whose loving voice and gentle nature are sadly missed by her children and her husband.
The Commissioners of the World's Columbian . Exposition have paid Mr. Bryant a very high compliment in appointing him a member of the World's Congress Auxiliary. That body will con-
sist of men from the various countries of the civilized world, selected because of their emi- nent knowledge of the subject which they repre- sent. Their duty will be to compare the progress of science, art and literature, and to discuss the most approved methods of education, etc. Mr. Bryant is not only a member of the general com- mittee, but is also a member of the committee on special education, institutions, etc.
CHARLES D. HAMILL,
CHICAGO, ILL.
TT is rare, in business circles, to find a man who has during life crept up from messenger boy to president of the Board of Trade, and who has found time to devote himself to the fine arts. Such is the case in the career of Charles D. Hamill, who, while applying himself earnestly to business, has become a recognized critic, connoisseur and collector in art and a liberal patron of music, and one to whom Chicago is largely indebted for the rapid growth of musical and art education.
Charles D. Hamill was born November 14, 1839, at Bloomington, Ind. His father, Dr. Rob- ert C. Hamill, was a successful medical practi- tioner in this city, where he resided uninterruptedly from 1852 until his death in 1888.
Young Hamill, in 1847, commenced his educa- tion in a private school taught by the Rev. A. M. Stewart. This school was held in the basement of the old First Presbyterian Church, a frame building that stood on Clark near Washington street. After a year in Chicago he was sent back to Bloomington, where he remained at school until he was thirteen years old. Soon after his return to Chicago, young Hamill became mes- senger boy in the dry goods house of L. D. Olm- sted & Co., of Lake street, and received the munificent sum of fifty dollars per annum. He was afterward employed by Messrs. T. B. Carter & Co., where by diligence and ability he rose to the position of cashier. We next find him clerk in the Bank of Commerce, and then paying teller in the Western Marine Insurance Company's Bank. This position he filled with credit for several years, when, in 1864, he resigned to become part- ner in the firm of Singer & Co., provision mer-
chants. This was the beginning of Mr. Hamill's long, successful and honorable business career.
We may mention here parenthetically that, with the exception of John De Koven, Orson Smith, Charles B. Farwell, Frank Sherwood, and probably one or two others, the bank clerks con- temporary with Mr. Hamill are either dead or have left the city, but those who remain have attained a high position in the financial world.
In 1873 Mr. Hamill's health failed him, and by the advice of his physician he made a visit to Europe. In two years he returned entirely re- stored to health, and immediately entered into a partnership with James Van Inwagen to do a commission business under the name of Van In- wagen & Hamill. This partnership continued until 1882, and the firm had the reputation of doing the largest business on the floor of the Ex- change. After this firm was dissolved, Mr. Hamill managed his commission business alone for two years, and then became a partner of George J. Brine. In 1887 Mr. Brine retired from the busi- ness, and Mr. Hamill's son Robert became a part- ner under the name of Charles D. Hamill & Co., which firm still continues.
Mr. Hamill, whose long and honorable business career in this city has won for him a wide circle of friends, has just received from his commercial associates a very high compliment and a very strong expression of their confidence, esteem and friendship by his election as president of the Chicago Board of Trade. This tribute of the bankers and merchants of the city was well de- served, and is the just reward of business integrity, warm-hearted friendship and broad and liberal
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principles. In the prime of life, in the enjoyment of robust health, and trained in business methods and principles, he brings to his presidential duties not only the precepts of commerce but the cour- tesy and culture of a gentleman.
Mr. Hamill is a member of the executive com- mittee of the Washington Park Club, which he helped to organize. He is also a member of the Chicago Club since 1875 and has served as a direc- tor and as vice-president ; a member of the Chicago Literary Club, the Tolleston Club, the Calumet, a director of the Chicago Orchestra Association, president of the Twentieth Century Club, and a trustee and member of the executive committee of the Art Istitute.
During his long and busy life Mr. Hamill has been a great lover of music, and has used his ample means liberally to encourage and his cul- tured taste to create a classic and true appre- ciation of art in this city. He was quite a young man when he first became interested in musical affairs. His associates were young men of musical tastes, in whose companionship his cultured mind received a bent for music and fine arts that succeeding years have only tended to
strengthen. In 1858 he was a delegate to the first musical convention held in Chicago, a charter member of the Mendelssohn Society, and his con- nection with the famous Apollo Club dates from its organization, and for many years he was chair- man of its musical committee. Ile organized the musical festivals which Theodore Thomas directed with so much success. Mr. Hamill's friendship for this celebrated musical director dates back to 1859, and to him more than to any other individ- ual belongs the credit of establishing the Chicago Orchestra, which made Director Thomas a prom- inent addition to the Chicago musical world, and induced him to make this city permanently his home. Mr. Hamill has a great liking for rare etchings and valuable paintings, and at his beau- tiful home on Prairie avenue may be seen some of the rarest specimens of etchings that can be found in the West. His present superb collec- tion is the result of years of careful selection, and is probably the finest in this city.
Mr. Hamill was married in 1861 to Miss Susan Walbridge, daughter of Hon. Henry S. Wal- bridge, of Ithaca, N. Y. Five sons and one daughter are the result of this union.
MICHAEL CUDAHY,
CHICAGO, ILL.
A MONG the many prominent men of Chicago who have been the pioneers of their own fortunes, there is perhaps no name that is more widely known than that of Michael Cudahy. He was born at Callan, an historical old town, County Kilkenny, Ireland, December 7th, 1841.
His mother's people were residents for some time of Dublin, but later removed to Callan, where they established a pottery for the manufacture of crockery. His father, Patrick Cudahy, believing that the new world offered better inducements for advancement, if not for himself at any rate for his family, decided to emigrate hither, and, to- gether with his wife, Elizabeth (Shaw) Cudahy, and family, came to America in 1849, and shortly afterward located at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was in that city that young Cudahy got his first insight into the packing house and stock-yard work. Doing chores about the slaughter houses
and attending school between times, he acquired the rudiments of a simple education, which he improved upon as opportunities offered in later years.
When but fourteen years of age, he entered the employ of Messrs. Layton & Plankinton, pack- ers, Milwaukee, and when nineteen years old, ac- cepted a position with Ed. Roddis, packer, also of Milwaukee, remaining with the latter until the business was closed out in 1866, when he went into business for himself; but Mr. Fred Layton, of Milwaukee, offered him sufficient inducements to dispose of his business and to enter the employ of Layton & Co. as private meat inspector, at the same time securing for him the position of meat inspector on the Milwaukee Board of Trade.
Mr. Cudahy received much practical encourage- ment from Mr. Layton; their associations were cemented by a close friendship, and of this Mr.
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Michael Cudahy
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Cudahy has always been duly sensible. In 1869, he accepted a position with Messrs. Plankinton & Armour, Milwaukee, Wis., and took charge of their packing house, which at that time consisted of a small frame building; the whole plant, includ- ing machinery, would not exceed the value of $35,000, but has since grown to be one of the larg- est packing establishments in the country. His success in the management of this business was such that, in 1873, Mr. P. D. Armour offered him, and he accepted, a partnership in the now cele- brated firm of Armour & Co., of Chicago, a firm which is the largest of its kind in existence, and whose fame is known throughout the civilized world With a thoroughly practical knowledge of the business in all its branches, Mr. Cudahy took control of the stock-yard end of the enter- prise, and for nearly seventeen years he has been the ruling spirit in its practical management.
He was appointed chairman of the committee formed to solicit subscriptions from the packers for the World's Columbian Exposition.
In politics he is a Democrat, though not an ex- tremist, preferring to give his support to the best men of either party.
In religious matters he is a Catholic, and a con- sistent member and liberal supporter of his church. In sentiment a thorough American, he loves his adopted country, and is a great admirer of its noble institutions.
He was married, in 1866, to Miss Catherine Sullivan, a daughter of Mr. John Sullivan, a well- to-do farmer, residing near Milwaukee, Wis. The union has been blessed by seven children, four daughters and three sons. The eldest daughter, Elizabeth, is the wife of Mr. Wm. P. Nelson, one of Chicago's successful business men. Mrs. Cud- ahy is a lady of many estimable qualities, exceed- ingly charitable and kind to the poor, and thor- oughly devoted to her family, all of whom are finely educated and are thoroughly conversant with the accomplishments of the day.
Mr. Cudahy is the eldest of four brothers and one sister, Catherine, who is now in the convent of the Good Shepherd, Milwaukee, Wis., William having died when thirty-seven years of age. John and Patrick succeeded John Plankinton & Co., formerly Plankinton & Armour, of Milwaukee, in their packing business, under the firm name of Cudahy Brothers. Patrick resides in Milwaukee ;
John resides in Chicago. The latter is more prominently identified with Chicago packing in- terests .. He was formerly associated with Mr. Chapin, as Chapin & Cudahy, but for the past twelve years he has been operating very success- fully alone as John Cudahy, packer.
Edward A. is a partner with our subject, form- ing the corporation of the Cudahy Packing Co., Omaha, Nebraska, which, before the withdrawal of Mr. P. D. Armour from the firm, was the Armour-Cudahy Packing Co. E. A. is well known in business circles as an unusually bright and ener- getic business man. He resides at Omaha, where they have a large and rapidly increasing packing and provision business. They have been located there only three years. An idea of the extent of their interests may be gained from the fact that their distributive sales the past year amounted to $13,471,000, and their pay-roll reached the sum of $700,000.
Mr. Cudahy has but recently withdrawn from the firm of Armour & Company, Chicago-Nov- ember, 1890. It was a business association which had borne good fruit and had been profitable to both alike, and in speaking of this separation Mr. P. D. Armour says : "He leaves me after a connection honorable throughout, devoid of any clash, rich, prosperous and with an enviable repu- tation in the business world."
Personally, Mr. Cudahy is a man of exceed- ingly robust constitution and fine physical propor- tions; he is of a social disposition, and takes considerable interest in all manly sports; he is also a lover of the fine arts and has an especial fondness for music, for which he has a natural instinct. Possessing in no small degree the wit and exuberance of spirits so characteristic of his race, he is a genial companion, a pleasing conver- sationalist and warm friend. Devoid of preju- dice, he is not easily swayed, determination being one of his chief characteristics. Thorough and cautious in his dealings, his judgment is sound and sure. He is generous in his contributions to all objects of a worthy and benevolent character, and takes great pleasure in befriending and plac- ing in positions such young men as he may deem worthy of his support; and many young men owe to Mr. Cudahy their first start in life.
He owes his present position to perseverance, hard work, mastery of the details of his business
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and determination to succeed. He has achieved that practical dexterity and thorough knowledge of his business which has placed him in the front rank amongst the citizens of Chicago and the packers of the world. A man of sterling worth, inflexible integrity and quiet manner, he leaves upon others the impress of his own character, and reveals by his life the power of a noble manhood.
Since going to press we have received the an- nouncement of Sister Stanilaus' death, which
occurred January 19, 1892, at the House of the Good Shepherd. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her life was consecrated to a noble cause. In 1883 she became a sister of the Good Shepherd, which order she endowed with a handsome sum of money. The untimely death of one so good, so noble and truc saddened many hearts. She was greatly beloved by those who knew her in the world as Miss Cudahy and by those who knew her in religion as Sister Stanilaus.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS,
CHICAGO, ILL.
T "HE Old Bay State has given to Chicago many sons and daughters whose indomita- ble enterprise, inherited from sturdy ancestors, has done much to raise her to the high place she holds among the cities of our land. Of that hon- orable number is the subject of this biography.
John Quincy Adams is connected with the illustrious Massachusetts family of that name, his great-grandfather, William Adams, and John Adams, the second president of the United States, having been cousins. He was born No- vember 23, 1824, on a farm at Hopkinton, Massa- chusetts, twenty-eight miles from Boston. His parents' names were John and Johanna, whose offspring consisted of five sons and two daughters, John Quincy being the sixth child. John Adams, the father, died at the age of thirty-nine, when John Quincy was but five years old. He left but little property, and even the farm was under mortgage. Thus situated-the family head re- moved, a debt as part of the heritage, a living for a large family to be gotten out of a small, and at best, unfertile piece of land-John's opportunities for schooling were meager, and he was obliged to limit himself to from eight to twelve weeks at- tendance in winter at the district school, while the remainder of the year was spent in labor on the farm. This course was pursued until he at- tained his majority, when he attended the acade- my at Leicester, and later at Worcester, for a time paying his own expenses. After his school days were over, time went on uneventfully with John for several years. One by one, his elder brothers, attracted by the greater opportunities
afforded in the West, had left the homestead and gone thither, and John Quincy being also seized with a strong desire to " go West," it was at last deemed expedient to sell the farm. This was donc, and in 1851, accompanied by his mother and sister, he made what was then a long and tedious journey to the young city of Chicago, which was destined to be the scene of a remarka- bly successful career, far exceeding his greatest expectations. While having a fair, rudimentary education, he realized his deficiency in special business training, hence, wisely determined to de- vote his first winter in Chicago to a course of in- struction at Bell's Commercial College. After finishing his studies, he commenced his active business career by going to Belvidere and Rock- ford and buying grain for shipment to Chicago. Subsequently, from 1853 to 1855, he was in the coal business for himself in Chicago, having his yards on. North Water street. He then formed a co-partnership with his brothers, B. and G. P. Adams, under the style of B. Adams and Com- pany, for the carrying on of the milling and grain business in Chicago. At the end of two years G. P. Adams withdrew, and the remaining broth- ers continued the business under the original firm name until the great Chicago fire of 1871, since which time our subject has conducted business en- tirely in his own name.
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