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 15
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the sub-finance committee in classifying, equal- izing and increasing subscriptions to the fund.
In politics Mr. De Young has always been identified with the Republican party. In 1866 he was elected assessor of the South Town, and gave general satisfaction, so much so that he was elected to this office for four consecutive terms. Mr. De Young is connected with all the army associations of the city. He is a member of the Union League, of the Indiana Club, a social or- ganization, and of the Chicago Hussars.
In 1872 Mr. De Young was married to Miss Elizabeth Farron, of Philadelphia, and they have one interesting daughter, fifteen years old.
Mr. De Young is affable in manner, and can be approached by the workingman as readily as by the millionaire. He is genial and generous, and by strict integrity in business methods has placed the firm of B. R. De Young and Company in the foremost ranks of the real-estate firms of Chicago.
GEORGE THOMAS SMITH,
CHICAGO, ILL.
G EORGE THOMAS SMITH was born at Providence, Rhode Island, on May 10, 1849, the eldest of a family of two sons and three daughters, two of whom died in childhood. Fred. WV., the youngest son, was for ten years a mem- ber of the firm of H. G. Gaylord and Company, of the Chicago Board of Trade. Our subject's parents are Thomas P. and Dorothy (Ingalls) Smith. His maternal grandfather, Judge Lem- uel Ingalls, was a member of the Connecticut legislature for forty sessions. When George was eight years old his father settled in Lockport, Illinois, with his family, and in 1865 removed to Chicago, where, for twenty years, he was well known on the Board of Trade as a member of the old highly respected firm of Trego and Smith. Young Smith received his early education in the public schools of Lockport, and afterwards at Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, New York. The ability and application of the young student was such that he was able in 1865, at the age of sixteen, to become book-keeper and gen- eral clerk in the office of Messrs. Spruance, Pres- ton and Company, a prominent firm at that time.
He remained with the firm eight years, and part of that time did their trading on the Board. When twenty-four years of age, Mr. Smith went into the brokerage business on his own account, and after two years formed a partnership with Mr. Henry G. Gaylord, under the firm name of Smith and Gaylord. The partnership lasted two years, and since that time he has conducted his business in his own name with marked ability and acknowledged success. As showing the esti- mation in which Mr. Smith is held, it is proper to state that, in 1878 and 1879, he was appointed a member of the Arbitration Committee of the Board of Trade, and in 1880 and 1881 he was placed on the Committee of Appeals; was made second vice-president in 1884, and the following year first vice-president. In 1886, and again in 1891, strong efforts were made to induce him to accept the presidency of the Board, but he de- clined the honor because his other large business interests not only claimed his attention, but necessitated his frequent absence from the city. Mr. Smith is not only a prominent member of the Board of Trade, but is a director in the Dia-
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mond Match Company; a director of the Na- tional Railway Company, which controls five lines of strect railway in St. Louis. He has also large real-estate interests, and is connected with some of the largest financial houses of Chicago. But while he is a thorough business man, Mr. Smith has found time for extensive travels, and in this way given a wide range to his large fund of useful knowledge. He has visited not only every part of this continent, and China, Japan and the Indies, but he has also traveled up the Nile and through Palestine, and completed the circuit of the globe by visiting the principal countries of Europe. In this long journey he was accompanied by his charming and accom- plished wife.
Mr. Smith married Miss Frances Gaylord, daughter of Mr. George Gaylord, a merchant and prominent citizen of Lockport, Illinois, in Jan- uary, 1875. Two children have been born to them : Stephen G., who was born September 12, 1878, and died January 24, 1879, and Annie Dor- othy, born May 14, 1883, and who died at Nas- sau, N. P. (one of the Bahama Islands), February 8, 1889.
Mr. Smith is a Republican, but takes no part in politics other than to perform his duties as a
good citizen. He is a man of liberal and pro- gressive ideas.
In religious matters, he was reared in the faith of the Universalist Church. He attends the People's Church, under charge of Dr. H. W. Thomas, and while steadfast in his own princi- ples, he is tolerant and charitable to all. He is a man of domestic tastes, who loves his home and enjoys the sunshine of its happy surroundings ; although a member of the Chicago and Washing- ton Park clubs, the happiest hours of his life are spent in his home on Grand boulevard, in the companionship of his amiable wife, whom it is his constant endeavor to surround with every com- fort and luxury.
One of the great pleasures of Mr. Smith's life is to steal a few days frequently from the cares and anxieties of business and visit the old farm in Connecticut, where his ancestors settled in 1720, now occupied by his grandmother, who still lives in the enjoyment of a peaceful old age.
Although a young man, Mr. Smith is very prominent among the business men of Chicago. His kindly nature and genial disposition have won for him many friends, among whom his ex- tensive travel, wide knowledge, and fine conversa- tional powers render him a welcome guest.
ALLAN PINKERTON,
CHICAGO, ILL.
IKE many of Chicago's most notable men, Allan Pinkerton was of humble birth. He was a native of Glasgow, Scotland, born August 25, 1819, in Muirhead street, Ruglen Loan. His father, William Pinkerton, was a police sergeant, and his premature death was caused by injuries received in the line of duty, while arresting a prisoner. To support the family, Allan, at the age of nine years, obtained work with a print- maker, Neil Murphy, for several years. Then, with John McCauley, he learned the cooper's trade. Early imbued with the sentiments of re- form for the betterment of the common people, he became identified with the " People's Charter " movement. The government considered it revo- lutionary, and to crush it arrested and transported some of the leaders, Young Pinkerton concluded
to choose the country he would go to. So in 1842 he married Miss Joan Carfrae, and with her, the next day, sailed for the United States. The voyage was perilous ; the vessel was wrecked and the passengers were picked up by a passing vessel and landed at Quebec. Undaunted by their mis- fortunes, the brave couple reached Chicago via the lakes. There Mr. George Anderson, a mer- chant, kindly helped the stranger to get work at his trade, with a Mr. Lill. Though wages were small, they sustained the pair for a while.
Removing to Dundee, Kane county, he opened a cooper's shop on his own account, and met with marked success. An incident, or providence, un- expectedly revealed to him and the public his special fitness for the peculiar work which made him famous,
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While on an island in Fox river procuring stock for cooperage, he discovered the retreat and head- quarters of a band of counterfeiters. He deter- mined to investigate their operations, and did so effectually, securing the arrest and conviction of John Craig, the leader, and his associates. This led to his appointment as deputy sheriff for Kane county. Numerous bands of horse thieves and counterfeiters were captured by him, and the county essentially rid of them. William L. Church, sheriff of Cook county, learning of him, secured his acceptance of the position of deputy sheriff for Cook county. He continued in the same relation under Sheriff C. P. Bradley.
Mayor Levi D. Boone (1855), recognizing Mr. Pinkerton's extraordinary fitness for the special service, appointed him a detective of the city force ; that was the beginning of this department.
In 1852, Mr. Pinkerton, with Attorney Edward L. Rucker, founded the " Pinkerton Detective Agency." That was the first institution of the kind in the United States, and still leads in supplementing the more difficult labors of officers of the law: At first, only four or five men were employed. Of these, George H. Bangs subse- quently became superintendent, and remained until Mr. Pinkerton's death in 1884. Also Timothy Webster, who, while on duty, was exe- cuted at Richmond, Virginia, as a Union spy.
To meet the increasing demands, Mr. Pinker- ton, in 1860, added a corps of night watchmen. The first captains were Paul H. Dennis and James Fitzgerald. With the increase of his business, his reputation reached the leading cities east, west and south, and the institution became national.
Many cases of universal interest were turned over to him. Among these were the robbery of the Adams Express Company at Montgomery, Alabama, by its agent, Nathan Maroney. Mr. Pinkerton traced the stolen money, some forty thousand dollars, to New Jersey, and the most of it was recovered in the original packages from the cellar of a frame house, and the thieves arrested. A beautiful engrossed testimonial presented to Mr. Pinkerton for this success still adorns the Chicago office. Again, the east called Mr. Pinkerton when a car on the New Haven Rail- road was robbed. With dispatch the three thou- sand dollars were recovered and the burglars
jailed. Later, the Adams Express Company was robbed near Baltimore, the safes were thrown from the car while in motion, one hundred thou- sand dollars were recovered and six thieves convicted. The Carbondale Bank, had forty thousand dollars restored and the thieves ar- rested. A still larger robbery of the Adams Express Company on the New Haven Railroad was successfully handled and nearly seven hun dred thousand dollars recovered and six thieves convicted. The Merchants' Union Express Com- pany on Hudson River Railroad was robbed of three hundred thousand dollars. The thieves were tracked to Canada and extradited. Others of similar character were followed with like success, including capture of the Reno brothers, despera- does of Indiana, who were taken from jail by a mob and hanged. The " Mollie Maguires" of Pennsylvania had his attention; forty were hung and over fifty sent to the penitentiary.
The extension of his business east, early de- manded an office in New York city. Frank Warner was superintendent for some years. Now (1892) it is in charge of the son, Robert A. Pinkerton, as general superintendent of the east- ern division, including the offices at Boston and Philadelphia. William A. Pinkerton, the eldest son, succeeded his father in the Chicago office, and is the efficient and courteous superintendent in the west, including the offices at St. Louis, Kansas City, St. Paul, Denver and Portland.
Those who knew Allan Pinkerton the detective, only knew but one side of a great man. His heart was great, tender and sympathetic. He was a trusted and devoted ally of the Illinois Lovejoys; and general superintendent of the " Underground Railway " from slave territory to the Canadian line. His old residence on Adams street was the place of prayer for many burdened and anxious negroes, seeking help and deliverance for half-famished and helpless refugees. When President Lincoln started for Washington in 1861, Mr. Pinkerton discovered a plot in Baltimore for his assassination. He quietly changed Mr. Lin- coln's schedule and saw him safely through the midst of the conspirators and to Washington. When civil war became a fact, President Lincoln sent for Mr. Pinkerton and had him organize the secret service division of the army previously un- known in this country. He continued as its head
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to the close of the war, under the official nom de plume of E. J. Allen. He was intimate with and a confidant of the President, and his great secre- taries, Chase and Stanton.
The world is debtor to him for the fifteen vol- umes of " Experiences," setting forth the cunning devices of the criminal classes, and vividly demon- strating that "the way of the transgressor is hard." His object in his volumes was moral enlightenment, to prevent crime. His business was conducted on high moral principles. He worked for an agreed per diem. Always refused contingents, or a reward. He never would act in divorce cases, or where family matters were in contest. The old maxim, " Set a thief to catch a thief," he believed to be both wrong and unwise. He believed that pure, moral men, all else being equal, would always have power over the de- praved. In later years he found much satisfac-
tion in the "Larch Farm," in Iroquois county, on which he has expended many thousands of dollars.
Besides William A. and Robert A., already mentioned, a daughter, Mrs. William J. Chalmers, of Chicago, still survive. Their mother died in January, 1886. Mr. Allan Pinkerton died July I. 1884, and some fitting words of Luther Laflin Mills, Esq., at his funeral, may well close this imperfect sketch : "There live hundreds to-day, who owe their freedom from slavery to this man. The tears of the slave pay free tribute now to his fidelity to liberty." * * "Strong, determined, brave, among his loved ones he was gentle as a child." "The fireside was his joy ; he despised all fraud and false pretense; he fought for the good and against the bad." % *
" He belongs to his generation and the future. No one State can claim him."
CHARLES E. GREENFIELD, M.D.
CHICAGO, ILL.
IN none of the various avocations of life are there stronger incentives to activity and pro- gress than in the medical profession. On the skill and scientific knowledge of the members of that profession depends not only the alleviation of pain, but the saving of human life. The physi- cian must act promptly. Moments are precious when life is at stake. Good judgment, rapid decision, and experimental knowledge are neces- sary. The medical doctor is a student all his life. New treatments, both curative and preventive, are constantly being added to or replacing the old. Recent studies and experiments have revolution- ized former treatment.
Prominent among the young members of the medical profession in Chicago is Charles E. Greenfield. He was born December 5, 1859, at Brookston, Indiana. His parents belonged to the comfortable, well-to-do farmer class. Young Greenfield received his elementary education at the district school, and at an early age gave evi- dence of the ability which he has since developed. At the age of sixteen he graduated at the public school and commenced life as a teacher. He taught school in the winter and attended the nor-
mal college during the summer. This he con- tinued for three years, and then entered Wabash College, Indiana, where he continued his studies for some time and then accepted the principal- ship of the Chalmers schools, Indiana. In this position he gave much satisfaction, but having decided on medicine as his future profession, young Greenfield connected himself with one of the principal drug stores in Logansport. This he did for the purpose of becoming proficient in compounding medicine and gaining useful knowl- edge relative to his chosen profession. Having by careful and methodical reading and by re- search laid the ground-work of medical knowl- edge, he entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, in the fall of 1883. During his college course he gained the esteem and lasting friendship of his professors by his diligent application to study, by his brilliant ability, and by the success and ease with which he passed his examinations. His
kindly disposition, generous character and high honor won for him an affectionate place in the memory of his class fellows. He graduated in honors in the class of '86, and since that time has been successfully engaged in this city in the
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practice of his profession. His thorough knowl- edge of principles, and his accurate and ready application of them, have won for him not only the confidence of the public, but a very promi- nent position in the profession. This assertion is proved by the fact that Dr. Greenfield has held the position of teacher in two of the most promi- nent medical colleges in this city, and has been elected a member of the faculty of the College of Physicians and Surgeons as lecturer on materia medica and therapeutics. He makes a specialty of the eye and ear, and is surgeon for several corporations and factories.
Dr. Greenfield married a Chicago lady, Miss Edla Davey, an accomplished musician and col- lege graduate. They have one son, Benjamin, Jr. In the sunshine of home the doctor finds his greatest happiness. He is in politics a Republi- can, but is tolerant and liberal in his principles. He is a member of the Masonic Order and also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd-fellows.
At the age of thirty-two, in robust health, with fine physical development, brilliant ability and a large and lucrative practice, Dr. Greenfield is likely to reach every honor in the gift of his profession.
AUGUSTUS TOTTEN THATCHER,
CHICAGO, ILL.
T HE subject of this brief sketch was born November 22, 1854, at Thatcher, Jo Daviess county, Illinois, and was the son of George T. Thatcher, formerly of New London, Connecticut, who was born in 1816, being a lineal descendent of the Rev. Peter Thatcher, of Queen Camel, England (1554), whose descendents included Rev. Thomas Thatcher (Massachusetts, 1635), the first pastor of old South Church, Boston; An- thony Thatcher (Massachusetts, 1635), who, with Miles Standish, was one of the first grantees of Yarmouth, Massachusetts.
John, the great-grandfather of our subject, was an officer in the Revolution. Anthony, his grand- father (1782-1840), was a merchant in New Lon- don, Connecticut, who sent the first whaling ships from that port. Others of the name were distinguished as ministers, lawyers and mer- chants.
His mother is Harriette Amanda Lichtenber- ger, of Pennsylvania-German ancestry, whose names (Lichtenberger and Kimmel) are well known in professional and other paths. Her father was the first settler of Jo Daviess county, Illinois, and was an officer in the Black Hawk War.
A. T. Thatcher was the eldest of five brothers. He received a Chicago common-school education, and at the age of sixteen his father removed to a farm near Lake Geneva (occasioned by reverses due to the Chicago fire), where the subject of this
sketch worked from his sixteenth to his nine- teenth year, when he became a clerk in the office of a Chicago coal firm, in which employment he remained until 1878, when he became a partner in the concern. Since 1887 (until the time of his death, 1892) he continued alonc.
Although as regards age Mr. Thatcher was one of the youngest of the prominent coal men- in the Northwest, he had, nevertheless, an almost twenty years' experience to his credit, and the fact that he occupied the high position he did in commercial and financial circles, was entirely due to his own energy, pluck and perseverance. He was truly a self-made man.
Entering a coal office after leaving the farm, Mr. Thatcher persistently studied everything in connection with the interests of the coal trade. He made himself thoroughly familiar with the subject ; hence the success that justly came to him. Remarkably talented, young Thatcher quickly grasped all the phases of the business. His whole energy entered into it. What wonder that he soon became a partner where he had begun in a subordinate position; what wonder that his sterling qualities became known through- out the commercial world, and that his fair deal- ings, his capacity for work, his innate courtesy to all men, placed him in the foremost ranks of American coal men.
A man who thoroughly appreciated and under- stood the word " honor," who took for his motto,
:
Augustux Marche!
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" Do unto others as you would have others do unto you," Mr. Thatcher had the well-merited satisfaction, aside from the fortune which he had accumulated, of being a universal favorite with all those who came into personal contact with him.
Mr. Thatcher was married in 1880 to Miss Luella Barnes, of Harvard, Illinois, whose parents came to that point from Dundee, New York, in 1853. Two children have blessed this union : Constance, aged ten years, and Everett Anthony, aged seven years.
Mr. Thatcher's large coal business claimed most of his attention, but he found time to act as presi- dent of the State Loan and Building Association of Chicago.
IIc was secretary and treasurer of the Anthra- cite Coal Association of Chicago, and also a di- rector in the Coal Exchange of Chicago, and in other organizations of a commercial character.
Mr. Thatcher was president of a shooting club, and occasionally took delight in field sports.
In politics he was a staunch Republican. So- cially Mr. Thatcher was much esteemed. He was a member of the Union League, the Athletic Association, Illinois, La Salle and Sunset clubs, though not a club man in the ordinary interpre- tation of the word, for when the cares of the busy day were over, Mr. Thatcher spent the happiest moments of his life in the company of his family and friends in his home on Jackson boulevard.
PETER G. GARDNER,
CHICAGO, ILL.
PETER G. GARDNER was born in Muskin- gum county, Ohio, on the 12th day of Sep- tember, 1842, the son of Adam and Catharinc Gaërtner, who immigrated to the United States from Germany. (The family name was originally Gaërtner, but has been Americanized to Gardner.) Of his parents Mr. Gardner has but slight recol- lections, his mother having died in 1845, while he was yet a mere child. In 1846 his father lost his life while serving his country in the war with Mexico. Being thus left an orphan, he was bound out to Mr. James M. Gibbons, a native of Pennsyl- vania, of Quaker ancestry, with whom he remained until he was about fifteen years old. His environ- ments were not all that could have been desired. Hard work and fancied ill-treatment fell to his lot, and it was not, therefore, surprising that he left his foster-parents and went forth into the world to fight life's stern battles. He secured employment on a farm at $10 per month, continuing in that capacity until the opening of the civil war. Being then but eighteen years of age, he responded to the call of duty, enlisting as a private in Company A, Fifteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteers, infantry, where he remained continuously until the close of the war. His service covered the first three months, the first three years, and second three years as a veteran, serving in all of the company's grades, and was its commander during the last year.
After receiving his discharge he settled at Lyons, Iowa, in the spring of 1866. Mr. Gardner engaged in the fire insurance business at Chicago in the spring of 1869, continuing in the same until the present time (1892). Hc has been emi- nently successful.
His military record was marked throughout for great courage and bravery on the field of battle. No man who served in the war deserves greater credit than he. His regiment served three months in West Virginia, entering that state under General McClellan. It was engaged in the battles of Phillippi and Carrick's Ford. Upon the expiration of the three months' term, the regiment returned to Mansfield, Ohio, reorgan- ized and went to Kentucky early in October, 1861, being assigned to McCook's division in Buell's army. On January 1, 1864, Mr. Gardner enlisted for another three years in the same com- pany and regiment, and was finally mustered out of the service November 25, 1865, at San Antonio, Texas, receiving his discharge at Columbus, Ohio, December 25 following. His service was largely in the army of the Cumberland in Wellich's Brigade, Wood's Division, Fourth Army Corps. Mr. Gardner was engaged in all the battles of that army, beginning with the famous battle of Shiloh, April 7, 1862, and ending with the battle of Nashville, December 16, 1864. He was never
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during the war sick or severely wounded or taken prisoner.
Mr. Gardner has never sought public office, though he keeps well-posted on political affairs and is a public-spirited citizen, ever ready to pro- mote public interests. He served as president of the Board of Trustees in the town of La Grange, Cook county, Illinois, and was president of the Board of Education of the Township High School. His political views are Republican.
In Masonry he is deservedly popular, first being made a member of the fraternity in Lyons, Iowa, in May, 1868. He became a member of St. Ber- nard Commandery, K. T., Chicago, in 1872, and of Oriental Consistory, S. P. R. S., thirty-second degree, in 1880. Ever since his installation in the Craft he has taken great interest in everything that pertains to the upholding of the institution of Masonry. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Illinois Commandery of the Loyal Legion, Royal Arcanum, Royal League, A. O. U. W. and P. O. S. of A. In religion he is a firm believer in God.
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