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. 2 > Part 11
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Mr. Stickney identified himself with St. James' Episcopal church soon after 'coming to Chicago, and for twenty-five years was one of its most valued and devoted members.
In 1869 he married Miss Elizabeth Hammond,
daughter of Mr. Andrew Woodbury Hammond, of Massachusetts, whose family is of Puritan de- scent and closely related to some of the most distinguished families of New England.
In his business career, in his social life, in his domestic affairs, in all his varied relations, Mr. Stickney impressed all with whom he came in con- tact, with his high moral tone. He was a man of rare intellect and the strictest integrity ; broad and liberal in his views, he was ever ready to assist those who were less fortunate. His many deeds of philanthropy, not alone to individuals, but to worthy institutions, to which his talent and money were freely given, will long serve to perpetuate his memory. Few men had more devoted friends than he; none excelled him in unselfish devotion and unswerving fidelity. The name of Edward S. Stickney will always be prominently associated with the history of Chicago as one of the foremost promoters of its business, its moral and intellect- ual advancement. His life was one of unselfish devotion to noble principles, and the world is richer and better because he lived.
PAUL O. STENSLAND,
CHICAGO, ILL.
T' RADITION informs us, and learned archæ- ologists confirm the statement, that a num- ber of bold and experienced Scandinavian seamen, led by Lief Erickson, visited this country in the tenth century-four hundred years before Colum- bus crossed the broad waters of the Atlantic, and proclaimed to the inhabitants of the old world the existence of a new continent. These hardy Norsemen were the ancestors of the race that at present inhabit the rugged soil of the Scandina- vian peninsula, and which has given to the world such men as Gustavus Adolphus, the " Lion of the North," Karl Linne, better known by his Latin- ized name, Linnæus, and in our own day the cele- brated inventor of a new class of battle-ships, Ericsson.
No race has done more, in proportion to its numbers, to build up and to defend this great western republic than the intelligent and indus- trious sons of the northern peninsula.
Prominent among our public men is the subject
of this sketch, Paul O. Stensland, who stands forth not only as a representative citizen of this great commonwealth, but as the type of the proud and ancient nationalty from which he came, and as the embodiment of the energetic, resourceful and earnest character of his Scandinavian country- men.
Paul O. Stensland was born in Sandeid Stav- anger Amt, Norway, on the 9th day of May, 1847. He was the fifth son in a family of nine children. Young Stensland grew up in the healthful sur- roundings of farm life in his native land, and re- ceived his early elementary education in the schools of the district. He must have made good use of his time at study, and have had a great faculty in acquiring knowledge ; for at the early age of eighteen years we find him leaving the family home and farm and traveling to Hindo- stan, in Peninsular Asia.
In this new field Mr. Stensland labored with his characteristic energy and success. He imme-
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diately connected himself with the cotton and wool industries of India, and became a large buyer. For almost six years he traveled extensively through that country in the interest of his busi- ness. In the success which crowned his efforts, at that early age, in a land so exclusive and peculiar as Hindostan, we have a proof of the business in- stincts and foresight which marked Mr. Stens- land's career.
His residence in the East he made good use of, not only to transact business, but to acquire knowledge and experience by travel. From Cape Comorin to the Himalayas, and from the Indus to the Brammapootra he traveled, gaining a thorough knowledge of the customs of the people, and the physical features of the country.
After a residence of five and a half years amongst the Hindoos he returned, in the fall of 1870, to his native land on a visit to his parents.
His return was most timely, for his parents, who had been for some time in delicate health, were much pleased to see him, but unfortunately, during his short stay of three months, both died. This severe family bereavment, and the natural dispo- sition for venture which he possessed, prompted Mr. Stensland to again leave his home.
This time he chose Chicago as the field of his future labors. He arrived here in the spring of 1871, and has resided here uninterruptedly ever since.
His first venture here was in the dry goods trade. His efforts were successful, and for four- teen years he carried on a lucrative business. In 1885 he entered the real estate and insurance business ; but four years later he felt sufficient confidence in himself, and was sufficiently known in the northwestern section of this city, to guaran- tee him in commencing a private banking business. He was not disappointed in his expectations, for he was so far successful that it warranted him in changing his private bank to a State bank in 1891. He is at present president of the institution known as the Milwaukee Avenue State Bank, and which, from the efficient and business-like man- ner in which it is conducted, he gained the con- fidence and support of the business men of the district.
Mr. Stensland is also secretary and treasurer of the cemetery of Mount Olive, and also the pub- lisher of the Scandinavian newspaper, " Norden."
He is also largely interested in real estate in the northwestern part of the city.
For nine years, from 1879 to 1888, he was a member of the Board of Education, a position to which he brought his large business experience and varied knowledge with good effect, and ac- quired a high reputation by the energy and exec- utive ability which he displayed in the discharge of his duties as member and chairman of the most important committees.
Another honor was paid to Mr. Stensland by the late mayor of this city, Hon. DeWitt C. Cregier, who appointed him a member of a com- mittee in connection with Fred. W. Peck, General Fitzsimmons and Washington Hesing, for the pur- pose of revising the charter of the city of Chi- cago.
On the occasion of the resignation of Mr. James Scott, managing editor and part owner of the Chicago Herald, from the position as director of the World's Columbian Exposition's, the va- cancy was filled by the election of Mr. Stensland to the position. He was re-elected director in April, 1892. This was a high compliment paid to him by his fellow-citizens, one to which he was justly entitled as a representative man, and for the character of high business ability which he has earned. Very few of the many excellent and able men, who direct the work of this great national undertaking, will bring so much experience and varied knowledge to the discharge of their duties as will Director Stensland. To the knowledge of the people, the language and the geography of Asia, he adds an extensive travel through Africa and Europe; but he has not contented himself with travel in the old world-his enquiring mind has sought information, not only by care- ful study, but by years of travel through the new world.
In politics Mr. Stensland is a Democrat ; but only takes that interest in elections which he considers the duty of every good citizen.
He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and while earnest in the defense of its doctrine and teaching, he is tolerant and liberal to others.
He is a member of the Iroquois Club, and sev- eral Scandinavian organizations.
Mr. Stensland was married in August, 1871, to Karen Querk, daughter of Torris Eide, of Sond- hordland, Norway. The result of this happy
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union has been two children, one boy and one few men exert themselves more to surround it girl. In the companionship of his devoted wife, with every comfort and luxury. and in the affection of his children, Mr. Stens- His son, Theodore, is attending the Phillips Exeter Academy, preparing for Harvard. His daughter is married to Dr. Karl Sandberg, of this city. land enjoys his greatest happiness. Few men more fully enjoy or deserve the smiles and sun- shine of a happy home than Mr. Stensland, and
JOHN HAMILCAR HOLLISTER, A.M., M.D.
CHICAGO, ILL.
T HIE eighth lineal descendant of John Hol- lister, who, coming from England, settled in Glastonbury, Connecticut, in 1642, is John Ham- ilcar Hollister, son of Mary (Chamberlain) and John Bently Hollister. Marked family charac- teristics are the result of the long line of Puritan and Revolutionary ancestry, combining strict conscientiousness, uprightness and integrity, with manliness, courageousness, and an unflinching de- votion to principle. To these.Dr. Hollister is no stranger.
He was born in Riga, New York, in 1824, where he lived but two years, his parents then removing to Romeo, Michigan, where the early part of his life was spent. In 1831 the father died, leaving the widow with three little children, of whom John, then seven years of age, was the oldest. Considering the times and its frontier position, exceptional advantages, both educational and so- cial, were offered by the town of Romeo. Its few inhabitants were largely younger members of old New England families, bringing with them into the new West a demand for refinement and culture. The children who came up under this influence were imbued with all that is best in American civilization.
Having diligently availed himself of all the ad- vantages offered at home, the boy, at seventeen, went to Rochester, New York, to pursue his studies and determine upon his life work. Here he resided in the family of his uncle, George A. Hollister, a wealthy and influential citizen, while taking a full course in the Rochester Collegiate Institute. Deciding upon a professional career, he returned to Massachusetts, the home of his ancestors, and entered the Berkshire Medical College, from which he graduated in 1847. The mother and home were still in Romeo, and the
West claimed the new-made doctor by ties not to be sundered. His first professional experience was gained at Otisco, Michigan, where he re- mained until 1849, when he removed with his family to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and where his brother Harvey, with whom he has always been closely associated, still resides. In this year he married Miss Jennette Windiate, to whose devo- tion, sympathy and counsel much of his subse- quent success is due. After six happy and pros- perous years in Grand Rapids, the claims of Chi- cago for future greatness impressed the young man, and a desire to be in the midst of such ad- vantages as would be offered, led him, in 1855, to locate with his wife and son in this city. From that time his life divides itself into three distinct channels: the man professional, the man philan- thropic, the man domestic.
In his profession no man holds a higher or more respected position than Dr. Hollister. As one of the oldest and most successful general practition- ers, he is widely and popularly known among the laity, while among his fellow physicians his career has been such as to merit their admiration and esteem. In 1856, he was one of the founders of the Chicago Medical College, and since its organi- zation he has held the chairs of physiology, anatomy, pathological anatomy and general pathology. Aside from this, he has occupied many positions of honor and trust : 1855, dem- onstrator of anatomy at Rush Medical College ; 1863-4, surgeon to Mercy Hospital; for twenty years clinical professor to the same institution ; attendant at Cook County Hospital, and one of the presidents of its staff; president of the Illi- nois State Medical Society, and its treasurer for over twenty years; trustee of the American Med- ical Association for eight years, and editor of its
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A. M. M. g.
John HHollister
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journal for two years; member and president of the Chicago Medical Society, and charter member of the Academy of Sciences. These, with all the duties pertaining to a large practice, go to make up the professional career of Dr. Hollister. True, they are many and have been conscientiously per- formed, but they claimed but a portion of his time.
Surrounded from childhood by all the influ- ences of a devout mother and a Christian home, his life has been one long consecration to his Mas- ter's work. The minister and the Christian physi- cian go side by side, lightening the load of sinful and sick humanity. The opportunities opening on every side for a helping hand or an encourag- ing word in such a life are incalculable, and those who turned to Dr. Hollister for aid never came in vain. His sympathy, his counsel, his prayer was ever ready for the tempted and the afflicted. All his life has been devoted to Sunday-school work, sometimes as a teacher, or leader of young men, sometimes as superintendent, but always there. As superintendent he has served for many years at Tabernacle, Clinton, Plymouth and Armour missions. The Union Park Church grew out of a Sunday-school which he organized, and many weak and struggling churches owe their present
life to his timely work and generosity. For thir- ty years he has been a member of Plymouth Church, and for years one of its deacons. His positions in societies organized for Christian work are varied and numerous. He has been presi- dent of the Y. M. C. A .; president of the Chi- * cago Congregational Club; president of the Chi- cago Bible Society ; vice-president of the Amer- ican Sunday-school Union; member of the Board of Guardians of the Reform School; director of the Illinois Home Missionary Society, and active member of the Board of Commissioners of New. West Commission.
In his home life Dr. Hollister has always been most happy ; surrounded by friends, endeared to a vast circle, he has held a position to be won only by intelligence, culture, and manly integrity. His family is small. In 1858 death claimed his only son, and in 1861, the only daughter. Later another little one came to gladden the household, who still survives: Belle, wife of Dr. Franklin H. Martin, of this city.
We have among us many prosperous and suc- cessful men, but none whose lives offer to young men a more fruitful example of all that is up- right, noble and manly in life, than Dr. Hollister.
JOHN P. WILSON,
CHICAGO, ILL.
T HE subject of this sketch is a specialist in corporation and real-estate law, and one of the most eminent attorneys we have in the city of Chicago. He was born in Whiteside county, Illinois, July 3, 1844, his parents being Thomas and Margaret Wilson. He received his early education in the neighboring schools, and in 1865 was graduated from Knox College, Galesburg, Ill. He had decided to fit himself for the legal pro- fession, and after two years, assiduous study was admitted to the bar at Chicago. His emi- nence and authority on all matters of corporation and real-estate law led to his being retained as counsel, first by the Committee on Grounds and Buildings of the World's Columbian Exposition, and subsequently for the corporation, while he is at present also the attorney for the Real Estate Board.
Among the numerous and more prominent mat- ters upon which Mr. Wilson has given his legal opinion and advice was the intricate and ex- tremely complicated question of the Lake Front, this, as its importance warranted, being an ex- haustive and masterly report, and one which gave ample evidence of the author's profound knowl- edge of the case and the law in all its bearings. His opinion as to the power of the South Park Commissioners to permit the use of the parks for " exposition " purposes was further evidence, were such needed, of his great legal ability, while his authority on constitutional law, and law relating to tax titles, revenue and real-estate law, is an ad- mitted fact beyond dispute.
Owning to the difficult constitutional question, involved, he was employed by Mayor Roche, on behalf of the city of Chicago, to draft the legisla-
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tion necessary to authorize the construction of an outlet for the sewage of the city through the Illi- nois River. The bill drafted by him, with slight amendments, became a law, and under it the Sani- tary District of Chicago was organized. He was employed as special counsel by this sanitary dis- trict to represent it in the litigation involving the constitutionality and powers of the corpora- tion. In this litigation he was entirely success- ful in establishing the validity of the law creating the sanitary district, which had been the subject of great doubt and discussion both in the legis- lature and at the bar. He was also one of the counsel who successfully defended the constitu- tionality of the act creating the Probate Court of Cook County, in the Supreme Court of Illinois, after said court had declared the act invalid. The
members of Mr. Wilson's firm are himself, N. G. Moore, Esq., and Mr. William B. McIlvaine.
In politics he is a Republican, but has never hung on the skirts of office, believing rather in men and measures than in party to the exclusion of that which is beneficial to the people at large.
He was married in April, 1871, to Miss Margaret C. McIlvaine. They have five children. Mrs. Wil- son is of decided character and sterling worth.
It is unnecessary to state anything further with respect to Mr. Wilson, for he is and has been so prominently connected with so many of the prin- cipal and most important legal decisions and opinions that have arisen in Chicago from time to time, and is so well and favorably known and so generally esteemed and respected, that further comment or data seems out of place here.
J. FOSTER RHODES,
CHICAGO, ILL.
T HE subject of this sketch is one of Chicago's most enterprising citizens, who has done much to adorn this city with buildings whose arch- itectual merits are of the highest order, and whose elegance and adabtability for the purposes they were erected, are universally recognized.
He is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Brownsville, September 14, 1850. He is the son of the late Rev. Daniel and Elizabeth Rhodes. Ilis father was a Methodist Episcopal clergy- man, and much esteemed by all who knew him. IIe died December 11, 1891, at the advanced age of eighty-four. The Rhodes family is of German descent and came originally from Frankfort-on-the Main, but for the past two hundred years its members have been prosperous and respected citi- zens of Maryland. Our subject was educated at St. Mary's Institute, at Dayton, Ohio. In 1868 he entered the banking house of Andrews, Bissell and Company, at Cincinnati, Ohio, and remained with that firm, holding the different positions- commencing as messenger and advancing from time to time until he had charge of the handling of all the cash of that great banking institution dur- ing the following six years. In 1874 he removed to Chicago, where he at once became connected with the Hibernian Banking Association, with
which he remained four years, employing his spare time in studying in the Union College of Law. He afterward completed his studies in the law offices of Messrs. Small and Moore, and was admitted to the bar in 1877. He commenced the active practice of his profession at once, and con- tinued the same for six years, when he became in- terested in building and other enterprises. Mr. Rhodes was one of the promotors of the Insur- ance Exchange Building, on La Salle and Adams streets ; the Traders' Building, on Pacific avenue ; the Rialto, adjoining the New Board of. Trade ; the Commerce Building, on Pacific avenue; the beautiful and substantial fire-proof hotel, "The Lakota," corner of Thirtieth street and Michi- gan avenue, now in course of construction, and many other office buildings and fine apartment houses in Chicago. He was also one of the pro- moters of the American Bank Building in Kan- sas City ; the Commercial Building in St. Louis, and other fire-proof structures in various other cities.
He has held numerous offices at different times in connection with various corporations, such as president and director ; and is at present (1892) director of the Northwestern Safe and Trust Company ; the Chicago Deposit Vault Company ;
Santa Rhodo
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the Commercial Safety Deposit Company ; the Berkshire House Company; the Devonshire House Company ; the Yorkshire House Com- pany and other corporations of similar kind. He is also secretary and a director of the Dearborn Savings, Loan and Building Association, a cor- poration which was organized by Mr. Rhodes in 1881 and under his management has become one of the largest and most successful institutions of its kind. Mr. Rhodes is also a director in several Eastern railroad companies and other public corpor- ations. He is a prominent member of the Masonic Order and other friendly societies. He is a mem- ber of Lake Side Lodge ; Corinthian Chapter ; a charter member of Chevalier Bayard Command- ery of Knights Templar ; a member of the Royal Order of Scotland and the Nobility of the Mystic Shrine ; a member of the Chicago, Washington Park and Chicago Athletic clubs. He is a mem- ber and President of the Carleton Club of this city.
In politics he always has been a staunch Demo- crat.
Mr. Rhodes was married September 12, 1878, to Miss Margaret W. Paterson, descendant of an old Connecticut family. Of three children born to them, two survive, viz., Margaret Elizabeth, born December 27, 1879, and J. Foster, Jr., born No- vember 18, 1881. Nellie, who was born April 8, 1886, died May 8, 1889. Mrs. Rhodes is a lady of much culture and refinement, extremely sociable, and possesses many womanly virtues and she has a host of friends by whom she is highly esteemed.
Mr. Rhodes is of medium height, has dark hair and eyes, and is of fine appearance generally.
Genial and pleasant in manner, he is affable and courteous to all like. He is a frequent and gener- ous contributor to many public and private chari- ties.
Mr. Rhodes is much respected as a citizen and business man, and is in the fullest sense a typical Chicagoan.
WILLIAM O. GOODMAN,
CHICAGO, ILL.
W ILLIAM OWEN GOODMAN was born in Wellsboro, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, September, 1848, and is the son of Owen Bruner and Susan (Barber) Goodman, of English and French descent, respectively. The first of the paternal ancestors in America came over with William Penn, the Quaker.
Mr. Goodman's father was largely engaged in the lumber trade at an early day, and was one of the first to establish saw-mills in northwest Penn- sylvania. Lumbering has been the chief business of the family for generations.
The parents of Mr. Goodman dying when he was quite young he was put under the care of his grandparents and aunts who lived in Columbia, Pennsylvania. He attended school at the Colum- bia Institute and later at Athens, Pennsylvania. In 1866 he entered the employ of his uncle, General Williston, a lumber dealer at Athens, and in 1868 removed to Chicago and became a book- keeper for Messrs. Spaulding & Porter, whose business was afterwards incorporated and is now known as the Menominee River Lumber Company.
At the end of a year he became salesman for the same firm, and a little later represented the interests of Hon. Philetus Sawyer, of the same firm. About this time Mr. Goodman, seeing that the lumber business in the West promised good returns, began investing on his own account in various parts of Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska.
In 1878, in connection with the Hon. Philetus Sawyer, Edgar P. Sawyer, his son, and his brother James B. Goodman, he organized the firm of Sawyer, Goodman & Company which, in 1880, was incorporated under the laws of the State of Wisconsin as the Sawyer-Goodman Company, Lumber Manufacturers, Mr. Goodman becoming treasurer of the new concern, whose transactions came to be very large. Their logging opera- tions are conducted on the Menominee River and its tributaries, and their manufacturing is done at Menekaune, Wisconsin.
Mr. Goodman is also secretary and treasurer of the Marinette Lumber Company. He is also vice- president of the Quinnesec Logging Company, an extensive association recently organized to ope-
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rate in Wisconsin. This company has a narrow gauge logging railroad fifteen miles in length, extending from the Menominee River into the pine lands, greatly facilitating the work of trans- porting logs to the river.
Mr. Goodman was married October 31, 1878, to Miss Erna M. Sawyer, daughter of Hon. Philetus Sawyer, of Wisconsin. They have one child, Kenneth S., eight years old.
Mr. Goodman is a member of the Calumet, Union League, and Washington Park Clubs, and was one of the first members of the new Athletic Club of Chicago. He is also a director of the
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