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 22
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The Pullman building, one of the most massive and imposing office and apartment buildings in Chicago, situated at the corner of Michigan avenue and Adams street, was built by the Pullman Car Company in 1884, at a cost of one million dollars. Two floors, and one half of a third, are occupied by the offices of the Pullman Palace Car Company ; the United States Army offices, a floor and a half, and the upper floors are, for the most part, oc- cupied by offices.
His palatial house on Prairie avenue overlook- ing Lake Michigan, surrounded by broad velvety lawns and graceful elms, with its spacious apart- ments, costly furniture, and treasures of art and literature, and withal, its generous hospitality, is a marvel of elegance and taste. His nobleness of character could not better be illustrated than by the devotion and care which he has always
shown his mother. No personal sacrifice was too great for him to make in order to minister to her wants. "When some years ago old age was com- ing on, and the spring and energy of life run out in her, unless something could bring back the zest of living, her days were numbered. Accord- ingly, Mr. Pullman purchased an island on the St. Lawrence River, and there erected for her a magnificent home which was called Castle Rest. We do not emphasize the costliness of her sur- roundings. But the beauty of her home and the almost royal luxuriousness of her living were only the smallest part of the life-long tribute that was paid to her; this luxury was the gift not of ostentation but of love, but back of it all there was personal devotion, a personal service that was more precious than anything that wealth could do. For all the years, in all the children's homes, the mother's birthday was the central day in all the year. Wherever she was, to her they came, and music and art, and the pleasant re- callings of the early days in "mother's life" gave to her the homage of a queen. So her life went on into extreme old age-eighty-four years of it-before its translation into the other life that grows not old. And then the end came, not that the years had brought sorrow, not that the zest of life was gone, not that the love that min- istered to her grew weary, but that she had lived her appointed years! Memory, vision, sympathy, all the faculties of life were unwasted. Her love of beauty was as keen, her wit as bright, her ap- preciation of the love and devotion of her chil- dren as quick as it had ever been." A touching and tender tribute to her memory, by Almon Gunnison, D.D., appeared in the Christian Leader, June 9, 1892.
In all his business relations Mr. Pullman is prompt and never acts hastily. His great achieve- ments have been the results of carefully devised plans. His personal and social qualities are such as to endear him to all who come within the range of his influence. His hand is open to all worthy charities, and all public enterprises find in him a warm friend, and in all his relations his conduct is characterized by modesty and mod- eration.
In March, 1867, Mr. Pullman married Miss Hattie A. Sanger, daughter of Mr. James T. Sanger, of Chicago. Their four children are,
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Florence Sanger, Harriet Sanger, George M. and Walter Sanger, the last two being twins. Mrs. Pullman is a woman of rare accomplishments
and Christian virtues, and with her charming daughters takes an earnest interest in religious and benevolent work.
N. K. FAIRBANK,
CHICAGO, ILL.
N ATHANIEL K. FAIRBANK is perhaps as fair an example of the self-made man as is to be found in the city of Chicago. . He was born in 1829, at Sodus, Wayne county, New York. He was educated in the public schools of his native town and by private study at home with a tutor. Being prepared for college at too early an age to enter, he was apprenticed to a bricklayer at the age of fifteen ; he com- pleted his apprenticeship at Rochester, New York. Shortly after this he accepted a posi- tion as book-keeper in a flouring-mill, and at the end of six months became a partner in the business. Attracted by the advantages and in- ducements offered to energetic young men in the rapidly growing West, he resolved to go thither, and in 1855 removed to Chicago and established himself in the grain commission business, and he became the western agent of David Dows and Company, of New York, and remained such some ten years. During this time he had become financially interested in the lard and oil refinery of Smedley, Peck and Company. The business was prosperous, but after some four years suf- fered the loss of its valuable plant by fire, entail- ing a loss of fifty thousand dollars. This, how- ever, was but a temporary check. And the fol- lowing year (1870) the firm built the present refinery, situated at the corner of Eighteenth and Blackwell streets, at a cost of more than eighty thousand dollars. Some two years later Mr. Smedley sold his interest, and, afterward, Mr. Peck withdrew from the business, their places being filled by Messrs. W. H. Burnet and Joseph Sears, the firm-name changing to N. K. Fairbank and Company, which soon became known all over the world.
Mr. Fairbank is a man of broad sympathies and generous public-spiritedness, and intensely practical in his ideas. For several years pre- vious to the fire Mr. Fairbank was an active
member of the Relief and Aid Society, and after the fire he, as well as his fellow-members of the board, devoted his entire time for two years or more to the faithful distribution of the world's great charity. The present home of the Chi- cago Club, on Monroe street, was built through his enterprise in 1874, when the Club was finan- cially and numerically weak, as compared with .its condition to-day. Of the one hundred and thirty-five thousand dollars which the Club- house cost, eighty thousand dollars were sub- scribed by the members before the building was completed, and the balance of fifty thousand dollars was paid by Mr. Fairbank. As a mark of their appreciation of his generosity and execu- tive ability, as well as an expression of their regard for him personally, the members elected him president of the Club upon taking posses- sion of the new house in 1876, and he con- tinued in that office by re-election for thirteen years. Another monument to the enterprise and public spirit of Mr. Fairbank is the Cen- tral Music Hall. Chicago's need of such a structure was first suggested by the late Mr. Geo. B. Carpenter, whose zeal and enthusiasm excited public interest. But money was needed. The object appealed to the practical judgment of Mr. Fairbank, and, although Chicago was but just recovering from the effects of the great fire of 1871, he placed the matter before the capital- ists of the city, and such was the influence of his endorsements that all the stock was quickly sub- scribed for, and the building now known as Cen- tral Music Hall was erected. But his helps are not alone for the higher or well-to-do classes-the poor, the needy, the friendless, have always found in him a generous friend. The Newsboys' Home which, some years ago, was heavily mortgaged, he helped to release from its burden of indebted- ness by getting subscriptions, and by interesting those in favored circumstances in its noble work.
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St. Luke's Hospital is another institution which has cause to feel grateful for his practical help. Seeing the need of a commodious building, he headed the subscription list with twenty-five thousand dollars, and raised by personal solicita- tion the remainder of the money. The result was the new hospital building, which is an honor to Chicago. He has always been to it a true friend, a liberal patron, and a faithful officer.
In religious faith Mr. Fairbank has been since childhood a Presbyterian. For many years he was connected with the South Church, of which Professor Swing was formerly pastor. Upon the retirement of Professor Swing from that pas- torate, Mr. Fairbank was one of his most faithful adherents, and entered heartily into the work of organizing the Central Church, whose services are held in Central Music Hall and conducted by Professor Swing. He was one of fifty persons who pledged themselves to make good any deficit of money in carrying on the work of the church, for a period of three years. He is an influential member of the board of trustees and a member of the music committee, and in many ways has devoted himself unsparingly to the work of the church, which has come to be one of the most influential in Chicago. Mr. Fairbank is a lover of music, and has been a liberal patron of all move- ments calculated to cultivate musical taste, par- ticularly the Festival Association and the numer- ous concerts conducted by the celebrated Theo- dore Thomas. He has been and is greatly inter- ested in pisciculture, and the angler throughout the Northwest, and more especially in the States
of Wisconsin and Illinois, owes much to his en- terprise.
In personal appearance, Mr. Fairbank is above the average height, well-proportioned and digni- fied in bearing. His features betoken rare intel- lect, and great energy, while in manner, he is courteous, affable and of a genial nature ; gifted as a conversationalist, he is an excellent host. In political, literary and social ciricles, he is a marked and prominent figure, and an ever wel- come guest.
He is withal a man of domestic tastes and a lover of home-life, and besides his elegant home at the corner of Michigan avenue and Eighteenth street, he has a beautiful summer residence at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, also a cottage which he occupies as a winter residence, at Lekyl Island, Georgia, where he is vice-president of the Lekyl Island Club, and where he and members of his family spend the better part of each winter.
In 1866 he married Miss Helen L. Graham, of New York. They have four sons and three daughters.
Mr. Fairbank is one of the most successful business men in Chicago. His success is largely due to his inflexible integrity, his marvelous fore- sight, and his habits of thoroughness, persever- ance and honesty. Chicago owes much to Na- thaniel K. Fairbank; he has done much to raise her to the position she to-day holds, and no man of this great western metropolis may be- termed more representative, or better illustrates its marvelous growth and immense enterprise than he.
REV. ROBERT MCINTYRE,
CHICAGO, ILL
I T were as difficult to "paint the bow upon the bended heavens," to perpetuate the variegated flashes of the aurora, or by the magic of art to reproduce the momentary sparkle of a gem, as with words to delineate an adequate picture of Robert McIntyre, the preacher, the ora- tor, the scholar, the literateur. Robert McIntyre is a born orator, and has "high and peculiar gifts of nature," impelling his mind to creative imag- ery of the highest type, and which enable him to
reach conclusions seemingly by intuition. He was born at Selkirk, Scotland, November 20, 1851. His parents, Charles and Elizabeth McIn- tyre, immigrated to the United States when Rob- ert was a boy, and settled at Philadelphia, where he attended the public schools, and also a short time the Vanderbilt University. He has been a student all his life at home, being a lover of books, and he gained most of his education there. His tastes were for literature and travel. His
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parents died early in life leaving him and his younger brother, Joseph P. McIntyre, to care for themselves. At an early age Robert was appren- ticed to learn the bricklayer's trade. He served his employer faithfully for three years, improving his spare time by study and in the spring of 1872 he removed to Chicago, where he did effective work with his hands and trowel in rebuilding the city after the great conflagration of 1871. He worked as a journeyman four years, after which he traveled and acted as newspaper correspondent. In 1877 he was converted to Christianity and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, and soon afterward felt himself called to preach the gospel. Prior to this time he had led a aimless existence. His marriage, however, changed the whole course of his life, and made him what he is. The influ- ence of a Christian woman led to his conversion and subsequent course in life. He entered the ministry in October, 1878, and joined the Illinois Conference. He has had five pastorates. His first charge was at Easton, Illinois, where he found a feeble church with no meeting-house. But he was not disheartened. He secured the donation of a suitable lot, then solicited donations of building material, and, laying aside his minis- terial garb donned his mason's suit, and went to work on the foundations of a house of wor- ship. He laid the walls with his own hands, and the trowel with which he did the work now hangs in his study-a sacred memento which he delights to show.
The building was soon finished and dedicated, and he had a very successful pastorate there of two years, His second charge was at Marshall, Illinois, where he remained three years, highly appreciated for his zeal and masterly eloquence. He was next sent to Charleston, Illinois, and re- mained there three years with good results, and then had charge of the church at Urbana, Illi- nois, two years. By reason of his marked abili- ties, his oratorical powers and his earnest and deep spirituality, the young preacher had now become widely known, and in 1887 he was called to fill the pulpit of Grace M. E. Church of Chi- cago, being appointed by the Rock River Confer- ence, to which he had been transferred. His congregation is one of the largest in Chicago, and during the time he has been pastor of Grace Church a wonderful work has been accomplished.
At the end of two years he was reappointed for the third year.
Mr. McIntyre is a member of both the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders, and chaplain of his lodges. He has traveled extensively through America, Europe, Asia and Africa. He is thor- oughly orthodox in his religious views. He is a Republican, and takes an active interest in polit- ical affairs.
Dr. McIntyre, on December 31, 1877, married Miss Ella Chatten, a daughter of Mr. B. I. Chat- ten, of Quincy, Illinois. They have three chil- dren : Ruth, Carlyle and Nellie. Mrs. McIntyre is a woman of much culture, and a noble Chris- tian character, and to her influence and counsels is, in a large measure, due the remarkable suc- cess of her husband.
He is a man of robust health, and has a strong physical development commensurate with his mental powers, so that he is able to do a vast amount of work without fatigue. He loves his study and finds congenial companionship with his books, and cares little for social enjoyments, though he is by no means a recluse. He is warmly attached to his chosen friends. He is fond of fishing and hunting, and frequently takes recreation in that way.
He is one of the most popular lecturers in the country. At the Canadian Chautauqua, in 1889, the noted evangelist, Sam Jones, said : "Having heard the prominent orators of our day, I am free to declare that I reckon Robert McIntyre of Chi- cago the finest popular speaker on this continent." Bishop Vincent says: "Robert McIntyre filled the bill at Chautauqua. His lecture was magnifi- cent and made a great hit." Gen. Alger says of him : "I heard Robert McIntyre's war lecture ; it is a thrilling picture, and will stir every one fortunate enough to hear it." John A. Logan said: "The lectures of Robert McIntyre are very fine. I commend them to the G. A. R. Posts as inspiring and instructive."
Among the subjects treated in his lectures are: " Thirty Hours in the Sunless World, or a Trip through Wyandotte Caverns," "The Sunny Side of a Soldier's Life," " The Holy Land," " Egypt, the Land of the Pharaohs," " Fun on the Farm, or Old Times in the West," " Buttened Up Peo- ple," " A Week in Wonderland," " Yosemite and the Big Trees," " The Six Creative Days," " From
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the Prairies to the Pyramids." As a preacher Mr. McIntyre has few, if any, equals in the West. Although versatile he is not superficial ; exactness and thoroughness characterize all his attaiments. His intellectual possessions are unified and assim- ilated ; they are his own. Everything is brought to bear upon his life work as a minister of the gospel. He is at his best on great occasions
which bring out, when his efforts are often of a high order of genius. John McGovern, editor, poet and author, says of him : " He is a man of warm, sympathetic nature; he delights in giving encouragement to others in their literary pursuits. . I cannot express how greatly I am indebted to him for his counsel and help at times when I greatly needed such an advisor and friend."
DENIS J. SWENIE,
CHICAGO, ILL.
T HE name of Denis J. Swenie, the Chief of Brigade and Marshal of the Fire Depart- ment, has for over forty years, been known in this city, and has become as familiar as a " household word," and one that the people look up to with confidence and esteem .. Since 1849 he has con- tinuously and uninterruptedly devoted himself to the people's service. From a little village in the forties, with its wooden buildings, volunteer fire company, hand-pump and church-bell alarm, he has seen it become in the nineties, a city phenom- enal in wealth, commerce and population, and with a fire brigade unsurpassed in the world for its efficiency. The volunteer company has been superseded by a paid service, the old hand-pump has given way to the steam engine, and the village bell has been succeeded by the fire alarm tele- graph system. The department of which he is the head has, like the city, become unique, and is to-day unsurpassed. Chief Swenie may, after years of labor, look with pride on the result. It is with pleasure that we place the name of Denis J. Swenie among Chicago's representative men. Others may build our warehouses, direct our banks or run our factories, but to him is largely due the security we enjoy of both life and prop- erty.
He was born of Irish parents in Glasgow, Scot- land, July 29, 1834, and was educated at the public schools of his native city until he was four- teen years of age. In 1848 his parents brought him to this country and located in Chicago, where young Swenie, like many others, combined work and study. As an apprentice to the saddlery and firemen's supplies business he gave much satisfaction by his earnest and upright
character. In 1849 he joined the No. 3 Hose Com- pany. As a volunteer fireman young Swenie soon attracted attention by his bravery and daring. The work of the volunteer was at that time diffi- cult and dangerous, and for want of the proper appliances, was very often unsuccessful. Quick to grasp the necessity of the moment, and practi- cal in meeting an emergency, he suggested many useful appliances and pointed out many improve- ments, which have since proved highly useful in fighting fire. In 1856 he was elected first assist- ant engineer, and two years later was made Chief. The first steam fire engine was used in Chicago the same year, 1858. It was named " Long John," after Hon. John Wentworth, who was mayor about that time. This same year witnessed a bitter controversy on the subject of volunteer versus paid firemen. In the work of reorganiza- tion Mr. Swenie met with bitter opposition. The first company commissioned under full pay was the Atlantic Engine Company, No. 3, organized October 23, 1858. During the following year four new engines were purchased, and as many paid companies organized. In August, 1875, the city abolished the board of fire commissioners, and established the management under a fire marshal, who should also be called chief of brigade. The change proved to be most important for the effic- iency of the department, as it gave it but one direct- ing head. In 1873, the mayor, on the recom- mendation of the board, appointed Mr. Swenie first assistant, and the council confirmed the ap- pointment. He was made Chief in 1879.
Among the many excellent improvements in- troduced by the Chief, is what is called the Stand Pipe or Water Tower, which consists of. a series
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of pipes telescoping into each other, and running up at will from thirty to seventy feet, and which may be inclined at any angle by machinery at the base. Four engines can be worked on this one . pipe and a two-inch stream forced a distance of two hundred feet, if necessary.
Chief Swenie, like an able and experienced gen- cral, handles his brigade of nearly a thousand men, during the excitement of a vast conflagation, with the precision and order of a well-trained army. The telegraph fire alarm service, under the direc- tion of Mr. Barrett, the city electrician, is a won- der to those who learn its methods and see its re- sults for the first time. By it the Chief can locate and direct his force with ease and efficiency. What is of great importance the Chief has the confidence and affection of his men. Cool, cautious and careful in his commands, he is watchful and anxious for their safety, yet he has the dash and the daring necessary in the perform- ance of a fireman's duty. Long experience, thor- ough knowledge and the power of organization, render him, in an emergency, a great central fig- ure, inspiring confidence and stimulating exertion.
Although fifty-seven years of age Chief Swenie is robust, active and vigorous. He is as anxious and as energetic about the efficiency of his brig- ade to-day, as he was when first commissioned to reorganize it.
He is a man of original mind, but is as ready to accept a suggestion as he is to make one. He has great ability to grasp a subject and an indom- itable will to overcome obstacles. In conversation he is fluent, pleasing, quick, witty and humorous. He has taken every opportunity offered by his
scant leisure to make up by reading and study for the loss of an early education, and has succeeded.
In politics Chief Swenie desires to take no part. "Our object and our use in this department," he says, "is to put out fires, not to put out parties."
He was married October 16, 1853, when only nineteen years old, to Miss Martha Toner, of this city. They have been blessed with a family of seven children, whom it has been the greatest pleasure of his life to afford the advantage of a liberal education, and to surround with every comfort and pleasure. An affectionate husband and an indulgent father, he has always found his greatest peace and happiness in the bosom of his family.
The city of Chicago is grateful to its public men who honestly and honorably perform their duty. When heroism goes hand and with ability in the performance of public duty, she cannot afford to be outdonc in generosity. Were it our duty here to tell the value of property saved, and the number of lives rescued during Chief Swenie's forty-three years connection with the department, it would astonish the public. To those who will look up the record of the vast fires that have, like some great monster, devoured the lives and property of our citizens, will be revealed the fact that only for the heroism and self-sacrifice of the fire brigade, the terrible story of destruction would be doubled. To the skill, experience, genius and daring of Chief Swenie, we owe not only thanks for the past, but to him we look for security in the future. His present position is a proof of the people's confidence and a mark of their high esteem.
EDWIN HARTLEY PRATT, A.M., M.D, LL.D.
CHICAGO, ILL.
T HE life and achievements of him whose name heads this biography worthily illustrate what may be attained by persistent and painstak- ing effort. Edwin Hartley Pratt is a native of Towanda, Pennsylvania, and was born November 6, 1849, the son of Leonard Pratt, M.D., and Betsey (Belding) Pratt, both of whom are of Eng- lish descent. The father, now a resident of San Jose, California, was formerly connected with Hah-
nemann Medical College, Chicago, and for many years was one of the most distinguished physi- cians in the Northwest. He is a man of pro- gressive ideas, noted for nobility and integrity of character, gentleness of manner and promptness in all things. The maternal ancestors were long- lived people, and the mother of our subject in- herited a rugged constitution. She is a woman of large stature, energetic and fearless, and perse-
Respectfully
outra
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vering, and, when convinced of the rightness of a purpose or plan, allows no obstacle to stand in the way of its achievement. Our subject pos- sesses a happy combination of many of the quali- ties and characteristics of both his, parents. In physical organization he resembles most the Beldings, being large in stature, six feet tall, finely proportioned, and weighing two hundred and fifty pounds. In mental make-up he has the cheerfulness and hopefulness of his father, com- bined with his mother's indomitable energy, cour- age and perseverance. His only living sister, Nettie L. Pratt, is a young lady noted for her un- usual musical attainments. She resides at San Jose, California. Another sister, Hattie, died when thirteen years of age of malignant diph- theria, it being one of the first cases in this coun- try. An only brother died in infancy.
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