The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century, Part 102

Author: Robson, Charles, ed
Publication date: 1875
Publisher: Philadelphia, Galaxy
Number of Pages: 770

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Albany, New York, where he remained until 1857, when he removed to Chicago. Though not personally present, he had for some time previous had considerable capital invested in the West, and on the following July Ist, in asssociation with his brothers, George S. Bowen and Chauncey T. Bowen, he commenced business in the store No. 72 Lake street, under the firm-name of Bowen Brothers. The capi- tal of the new firm was $30,000; its business, crockery and jobbing of dry goods. The result of the first year's busi- ness was a sale of $200,000, and so judiciously had the affairs of the house been handled that, when the rebellion broke out, and the rapid appreciation of values and large demands for goods came hand in hand, the firm was pre- pared to take advantage of the situation, and to meet all its requirements. In 1859 the stores Nos. 74 and 76 were ap- propriated by the brothers, and in 1863 the two large storcs, Nos. 19 and 21 Lake street, were secured, and filled from attic to basement with goods. . The business constantly in- creasing, the books of the firm soon exhibited an annual list of $7,000,000 in sales, on a cash basis. In 1866 they erected the magnificent five-storied marble block, Nos. 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29 Randolph street, known as Bowens' Building, at a cost of about $400,000, having pre- viously built the three stone-front residences, Nos. 124, 125 and 126 Michigan avenue, where they resided. Upon the completion of the block, the business was transferred thither, and a change in the firm was effected, James II. Bowen and Chauncey T. Bowen retiring from active par- ticipation, and assuming the place of special partners, the business being continued in all its branches by the newly- organized firm of Bowen, Whitman & Winslow. As a member of the Board of Trade, and subsequently of the Mercantile Association, he was noted for the interest he took in the discussion of commercial questions, and for his en- larged and liberal views. During the financial troubles of 1857-1861 he was energetically engaged in the endeavor to avert financial disaster, and advocated the extension of com- mercial facilities in every possible way. He was a warm supporter of the National Bank programme, and the Third National Bank of Chicago, one of the first organized, as- sumed a leading position under his direction as President. His movement in favor of an organized system of bank ex- changes resulted eventually in the organization of the Chicago Clearing-House Association; while, as an active member of the Board of Trade, he has won distinction by his liberality and boundless enterprise. He was a member of the Union Defence Committee, which body organized the Chicago regiments for the field in the earlier half of the war, and on the election of General Oglesby as Governor of Illinois, in November, 1864, he was appointed a member

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the Northwest as connected with the great Paris Exposition, and urged the collection and forwarding of speeimens of western produets and skill to the world's fair in Europe. As United States Commissioner to the Exposition he visited Paris in the spring, and during his six months' sojourn in that city, worked constantly and efficiently in furthering the interests of the United States in general, and Illinois in par- ticular. The " Illinois Sehool-house and Farm-house " at- tracted great attention, while the statistics of Illinois, and especially of Chicago, exeited mueh comment, and drew the attention of all to the wonderful resources and rapidity of development of this seetion of our country. He was mar- ried in September, 1843, to Caroline A. Smith, and has four ehildren.

AYWARD, JOHN S., Land Operator, and one of the representative men, not only of Hillsborough, the place of his residenee, but of Illinois, was a native of Massachusetts, having been born at Bridgewater in 1803. The family is of English extraetion, and the published genealogy contains accounts of the family dating baek to 1638. John S. was educated in Massachusetts, and for several years after eom- pleting his scholastie course aeted as accountant in one of the most substantial business houses of Boston, where he gained the entire confidence of his employers. In 1834 he moved west, and located at Hillsborough, Montgomery county, Illinois, and engaged in mereantile business. After a short but eminently sueeessful and honorable career as a merchant, Mr. Hayward turned his attention to the more eongenial occupation of operating in lands. This he pur- sued on the most magnifieent scale, his transactions eover- ing the prineely and unprecedented sum of 75,000 aeres. The vast wealth which rewarded his uneommon sagaeity found employment in the promotion of all worthy enter- prises, and in the most unobtrusive and timely charities. But it was not as a millionnaire that Mr. Hayward was dis- tinguished. In every relation of life he played his role well, and eonciliated the esteem of all with whom he eame into contact. Upright and unassuming as a eitizen, sympa- thetie to an uneommon degree, of refined and most elevated tastes, an affectionate husband, kind and indulgent as a father, a generous friend and most exemplary Christian, his pure soul knew no guile, and it may be truly said that he was an honor to his raee and an example of whom any com- munity might be proud. He was married in 1840 to Har- riette F. Comstock, of Hartford, Connecticut, by whom he had three children, all of whom are still living. He died at his residenee in IHillsborough, on May 3d, 1869 ; his wife survived him several years, dying at Pana in 1874. In educational matters Mr. Hayward always took a deep in- terest, and gave his personal attention to the furtheranee of sehemes for its spread. Believing in the edueation of the people, he was an early and ever a strong advocate of the |the Chicago & South Atlantie Railroad Company, and he was

"Free School System," and though paying yearly large sums in the way of taxes for the support of schools in which he eould have no personal interest, he always did it eheer- fully.

AE, ROBERT, Lawyer, was born in Philadelphia, October 3d, 1830. He fitted for college at David Stroud's Academy at West Chester, Pennsylvania, and entered Lafayette College in 1844. Com- meneing the study of Latin at eight, and Greek at eleven years of age, at eighteen he was an ex- eellent Greek and Latin seholar. He read law with John Cadwalader of Philadelphia, and was admitted to the bar in 1851, and praetised in that eity two years, when he removed to Erie, Pennsylvania, and edited the Erie Chronicle in the interest of the Sunbury & Erie, and Pennsylvania Railroads. On the breaking out of the Mexican war, he volunteered, and was appointed Lieutenant in a Washington regi- ment, and remained in the service till the elose of the con- test. In 1855 he removed to Chicago, where he resumed his profession, and beeame identified with insurance and admiralty practice. He argued the case of Walker vs. The Western Transportation Company sueeessfully. This was a leading case, involving the right of Congress to limit the liability of ship-owners, and is reported in 3 Wallace, page 150. In the ease of Aldrieh vs. The Etna Insur- ance Company, reported in S Wallaee, page 491, the deci- sion, based on his argument, established the doctrine of the exclusive right of Congress to legislate over the paper titles to vessels engaged in foreign or inter-State eommeree. The ease was taken from the New York Court of Appeals, where the right had been denied, and he sueeeeded in having the decision of the New York court reversed. This established the present law ruling all similar cases. IJe was also coun- sel for the Galena Packet Company against the Roek Island Bridge Company, reported in 6 Wallace, page 213, and was instrumental in having the United States Courts abolish the twelfth rule in admiralty, which denied the jurisdiction in rem of the admiralty court, in eases of supplies furnished domestie vessels; which overruled a series of decisions from the time of the ease of General Smith (reported in 4 Wheaton) until this decision. He obtained a charter from the State of Illinois for the establishment of a Chamber of Commerce for Chicago, which he organized, and acted as Secretary one year without remuneration, taking an active part in the purchase of grounds and the ereetion of build- ings. At the beginning of the war he entered the army as Colonel of the Douglas Brigade, of Chicago, and was in command of Camp Douglas until 1863, when he resigned. In October, 1873, he called a meeting to devise and organ- ize for the purpose of building a new rail route from Chicago to Charlestown. Over three hundred delegates attended, and the result of their deliberations was the organization of

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elected Vice-President of the corporation. This road when ' of Luzerne, Susquehanna and Columbia. It was during his completed will be an almost direct air-line between Chicago and Charlestown, and the benefits to be derived therefrom by both cities and the country traversed can hardly be esti- miated, and will be a stronger bond of union than the com- bined Congressional acts in that direction since the war. Mr. Rae is largely interested in railroad and telegraph com- panies and the street-railways of Chicago. He was married in 1850 to Sarah Moulson, of Philadelphia. Of a family of six children the eldest son, Robert, is an architect ; the re- mainder are now in Europe completing their education.

HOMAS, SAMUEL, Pioneer Settler of Illinois, was born in Connecticut, February 2d, 1787. He is a son of David and Penelope (Bonfy) Thomas. His mother was a native of France, and came to the United States with her parents when quite young and previous to the American Revolution. His grandfather (paternal), Aaron Thomas, was a native of Wales. In the spring of 1805 Samuel Thomas left his home in Connecticut and started out in the world alone. Following the example of a number of the emigrants from his State, he took up his abode in the beautiful valley of the Wyoming, locating at Kingston, Pennsylvania. At the breaking out of hostilities in 1812, he raised a company of volunteer artillery, which was accepted by the government, and they were ordered to Erie, to protect the fleet which was being prepared there for service. General, then Cap- tain, Thomas here rendcred efficient service, and did duty with his company until after the glorious fight of Commo- dore Perry, and he was among the first to congratulate that hero, on his landing after the combat. Their services being no longer required in this quarter, Captain Thomas again tendered his company of ninety men and five field-pieces to the government for a six months' campaign, and they were ordered to move up to Sandusky and join the northwestern army under General Harrison. At the expiration of his service-in all somewhat over seven months-Captain Thomas returned to his home in Kingston, and resumed his trade, that of tanner and currier, which he had learned at home in Connecticut. But the sterling qualities and un- flinching patriotism of the man were fully recognized by his neighbors, and they accordingly sought his services in public places of trust. In 1816 he was appointed Justice of the Peace, an office which at that time carried some weight with it. This position he satisfactorily filled for ten years. His appointment was made by Governor Simon Snyder, and gave him jurisdiction over the townships of Kingston and Plymouth, which classed as District No. 2. In 1825 he was elected to the Legislature of Pennsylvania on the Democratic ticket, being an old Jeffersonian Democrat. He still believes in the principles of that school. He served for two sessions in the lower House, representing the counties

service in the Legislature that the first act for internal imn- provement of the State was agitated and passed. In August, 1821, he was appointed by Governor James Heister, Brigade Inspector of the 8th Division, which comprised the militia of the counties of Northumberland, Union, Columbia, Lu- zerne, Susquehanna and Wayne. This appointment was for a period of seven years, during which he organized thirty-three companies in the district. At the expiration of his term as Brigade Inspector, and in 1828, Governor An- drew J. Shulze appointed him Brigadier-General of the 2d Brigade, 8th Division. This office was also held for a term of seven years. In 1833 General Thomas visited the West, and the year following, deciding to remove to Illinois, he located about thirty miles from Peoria, in Putnam county, the settlement being then known as Fort Clark. In the spring of 1836 he removed to the half section of land which he had entered, and which was then known as the Spoon River Settlement. Here he laid out a town which he called Wyoming, after the beautiful valley of that name in Penn- sylvania, from whencc he had comc. Here he has ever since resided. In 1847 he was elected to the Legislature on the Democratic ticket, for the district comprising the coun- tics of Peoria, Bureau and Stark. During his service in that body he was a warm supporter of Douglas, and helped to secure his elcction to the United States Senate. IIe was married in 1807 to Marcia Pettibone, daughter of Captain Oliver Pettibone, from Connecticut. She died in 1865, July 2Ist. In February, 1841, he was appointed, by Gov- ernor Carlin of Illinois, a Notary Public. Though eighty- eight years of age he still retains all his faculties unimpaired, and is remarkably vigorous in body. He enjoys thie esteem of the community to a high degree.

MITH, JAMES GILMAN, A. M., M. D., was born in Exeter, New Hampshire, January 4th, 1828. His parents were Josiah Gilman Smith and Frances A. (Eastham) Smith. Hc was pre- pared for college at the Phillips Academy in his native place, a classical school of high rank. In 1844 he entered Harvard College as a sophomore, and graduated from that institution in 1847, receiving the degree of A. M. In 1848 he commenced the study of medicine under the instructions of Dr. William Perry, and attended the medical school of Harvard University. Subsequently he pursued his studies with Dr. J. H. Grey, a celebrated physician of Springfield, Massachusetts, and in the spring of 1851 graduated from the Pennsylvania University. Re- moving to Boston, he practised in the city hospitals for about eighteen months, and in 1853 removed to Chicago, where he has since been professionally and successfully occupied. He has been one of the surgeons at the Cook County Hospital, and at the present time is Consulting

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Physician for the Women's Hospital, and President of | with whom he has since been connected, the firm being Harvard College Alumni of Chicago. During the cholera season of 1854, his successful treatment of many cases won for him considerable reputation. In 1868 he went to Europe for the purpose of visiting hospitals and other institutions where he might increase his store of experience and medical knowledge. IIe was married, October 16th, 1873, to Harriet G. Hammond, at Cleveland, Ohio.

UDD, S. CORNING, Lawyer, was born in Canan- daigua county, New York, July 21st, 1827. His father, Solomon Corning Judd, Sr., removed to that place from West Hampton, Massachusetts, at an early day, and engaged in merchandising, farming, and real estate speculations. S. Corning attended the public schools in his native county, and also the Aurora Academy, in Erie county, completing his academical course in this institution in 1844. He then entered the law office of Mr. Carr, in Aurora, in the same year, and entered upon a course of legal studies. At the close of 1844 he visited Canada, and there was offered a position as teacher, which he accepted. At the expiration of a year he returned to New York and entered the law office of Griswold & Corning, where he remained until 1848, when he passed his examination at Albany and was admitted to the bar. IIe immediately began the practice of his profession in Syracuse, New York, but shortly after- ward was elected City Clerk, an office which withdrew him for a time from an active professional career. In 1849 he assumed the editorship of the Syracuse Daily Star, and controlled that journal until he accepted a position in the Department of the Interior, at Washington, where he re- mained for about eighteen months. On his return to Syracuse he purchased the Syracuse Daily Star, thus be- coming both owner and editor. It was an old-line Whig paper, devoted to the interests of the Whig party, as rep- resented by Webster, Filimore, and other famous public men. In the general disruption and reorganization of political parties which took place about this time, the Star was sold to the Democrats, and its name changed to the Syracuse Republican, he continuing to assist in the editorial department until his removal to Illinois, in the spring of 1854. He settled at Lewistown, Fulton county, where he began the practice of law in partnership with Hon. William C. Goudy, now a leading member of the Chicago bar, an association which was sustained until 1859, when his part- ner removed to Chicago. He remained at Lewistown, however, and associated with him Mr. Boyer, under the firm-name of Judd & Boyer. Subsequently, Mr. James was added to the firm, and, for some time prior to his removal to Chicago, the firm was Judd & Dykes. In 1873 he moved to Chicago and associated with him in practice WV. F. Whitehouse, son of the late Bishop Whitehouse,

known as Judd & Whitehouse. Their practice is extensive and lucrative, and they are widely recognized as practi- tioners of ability and integrity. In 1860 he was the candi- date for Presidential Elector for the Fulton District, on the Douglas electoral ticket. The present Governor of Louisiana, however, was the successful competitor. Dur- ing the attendant campaign each candidate canvasscd the district and different portions of the State, speaking every day, and occasionally twice during the day, throughout the period preceding the election. In 1864 he was nominated for Lieutenant-Governor on the same ticket with Hon. James C. Robison, and both canvassed the greater portion of the State. Also in the campaign of 1868 he took a prominent and active part, speaking in different portions of the State. Of late years, however, the pressure of professional duties has prevented him from taking an active part in movements of a political naturc. In 1870 he was elccted Chancellor of the Episcopal Diocese of Illinois, and re-elected in 1874. He conducted for the convention of the Episcopal Church the case against Rev. Dr. Cheney, which commenced in 1869, and is considered the most important case of its kind ever tried in this country. It is reported fully in the " 58th Illinois Reports," P. 509.

ALLACE, BREVET BRIGADIER-GENERAL MARTIN R. M., Lawyer, was born in Urbana, Champaign county, Ohio, September 29th, 1829. His father, John Wallace, moved with a large family to Illinois in 1834, and settled on a farm in La Salle county ; removed in 1839 to Ogle county, where he settled on a farm near Mount Morris, the site of the Rock River Seminary; at the time of his death, September 29th, 1850, and for many years ante- cedent, he was President of the Board of Trustecs of that institution, and a leading member of the Methodist Church. Martin received the rudiments of his education in La Salle county, attending school in the winter, and during the sum- mer months working on the farm. He subsequently pur- sued a course of studies also in the Rock River Seminary, applying himself to his books in the winter, and working during the rest of the year. Selecting the law as his future profession, he entered the office of Dickey & Wallace, at Ottawa, Illinois, as a student. The firm was composed of Hon. T. Lyle Dickey, afterward Colonel of the 4th Illinois Cavalry, well known in the legal, political, and military circles of the State, and W. H. L. Wallace, his brother, Colonel of the 11th Illinois Infantry, and afterward Brigadier-General, who fell at the battle of Shiloh, April 6th, 1862. These gentlemen were eminent lawyers in the higher courts of the State at that time, and were promi- nently identified with all the great public movements of the day. Under 'heir care and tuition he made rapid progre'ss

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in his law studies, and was admitted to the bar, and in January, 1856, removed to Chicago, where he engaged in the practice of his profession, in partnership with Thomas Dent, which he continued until the outbreak of the rebel- lion. He then assisted in the recruiting and organization of the 4th Illinois Cavalry, and in October, 1861, received a commission as Major of that regiment. He commanded one of the battalions through the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, and Shiloh, assuming in December, 1862, on the death of the gallant Colonel William Mccullough, command of the regiment. This position he retained throughout the war; in January, 1863, was promoted to the Licutenant-Colonelcy, and in March of the same year to the Colonelcy. At the close of his military career he received from the President, as a testimonial of his gallantry and valuable services in the field, a commission as Brevet Brigadier-General. Although in no sense of the word an active politician, he received, after the close of the war, the position of United States Assessor, for the Chicago District, which he held until March, 1869, discharging its duties with marked integrity and ability. Rev. Dr. T. M. Eddy, in his " Patriotism of Illinois," speaking of him, says : " In August, 1861, General Wallace assisted in the organization of the 4th Illinois Cavalry, and in October was mustered into the service as Major of that regiment. Major Wallace commanded his battalion of his regiment from its camp of rendezvous to Cairo, and thence through the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, and Corinth, and in December, 1862, assumed command of the regiment, and continued in command until his regiment was mustered out in November, 1864. During his term of service Colonel Wallace enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all with whom he was thrown in contact, serving under and being frequently near Generals Grant, Sherman, and other famous leaders." He has, since 1869, been Judge of Cook county.

ITCH, THOMAS DAVIS, M. D., was born in Troy, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, July 14th, 1829. He is the son of Lewis Haines and Polly Maria (Root) Fitch, both of Otsego county, Ncw York. His father was a tanner, and carried on an extensive business until 1844, when failing health compelled him to relinquish his trade and seek a more healthful occupation, which he found in farming. The cducation of the subject of this sketch was principally acquired at the academy in his native town. When in his seventeenth year, however, his parents moved to Lafayette, Stark county, Illinois, where, for about a year, he was en- gaged in teaching common school. After this he resumed the course of studies, which had been interruptcd by his change of residence, in the Knox College, situated at Galesburg, Illinois, where he steadily devoted his time and energies to the acquisition of the knowledge which has since

¡ enabled him to attain to so enviable a position among his medical brethren. On leaving Knox College, in 1848, he entered the office of his uncle, Dr. Charles Badger, of Mishawaka, Indiana, with whom he devoted himself to the study of medicine for a period of three years; in the meantime attending the regular course of lectures in the Rush Medical College, of Chicago, session 1850-51; also a private course given by Professors A. B. Palmer and N. S. Davis. In the autumn of 1851 he was persuaded by medical friends to commence practice, which he did, at Wethersfield, Henry county, Illinois. On April 6th, 1852, he was married to Ilarrict Winslow Skinner, a teacher of Laporte, Indiana. She was a niece of the Rev. Drs. Myron, Hubbard, and Gordon Winslow. The former sailed in 1819 as a missionary to Ceylon, India, and became noted for his zcal and piety during a voluntary exile of about forty-six years duration among a heathen people. The second succeeded Dr. Lyman Beecher, in Boston, and the latter was an Episcopalian minister of New York city. In the fall of 1853 Dr. Fitch left a rapidly growing practice, and attended his second regular course of lectures in Rush Medical College, where he graduated in February, 1854. In the autumn of the same year he removed to the new town of Kewanee, adjoining Wethers- field, where he continued to practise unremittingly until the fall of 1861. On the breaking out of the war, how- ever, he abandoned an extended and remunerative practice and entered the United States service in the capacity of Surgeon of the 42d Regiment Illinois Infantry, the duties of which position he ably filled until May, 1863, when, on account of the serious illness of his family, his resigna- tion was offered and accepted. May Ist, 1864, he removed to Chicago, Illinois, and since that time has resided there, actively and constantly engaged in the practice of his pro- fession, and by the honorable excrcise of his natural abilities and learning has a steadily increasing and well- merited reputation. IIc was elected County Physician in 1865, in which capacity he served with thoroughness and zeal for the term of two years. At the close of this service he was elected Attending Surgcon of the County Hospital, in which capacity he served for the term of three years, delivering clinical lectures on surgery to the large classes of medical students in attendance. In 1870 he was by his own request assigned to the department of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children, of which depart- ment he still continues to have charge. During all this time he has delivered clinical lectures to large classes during each winter session of the medical colleges of the city. For several years he served as Secretary of the Medical Board of the Hospital, and one year as its Presi- cent. In 1870 he was a prime mover in the organization of the Woman's Hospital Medical College, of Chicago, in connection with the Hospital for Women and Children, in which he had served since its organization as one of its Consulting Surgeons. Since the period of the inaugura-

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The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century, Part 102

Author: Robson, Charles, ed Publication date: 1875 Publisher: Philadelphia, Galaxy Number of Pages: 770

Author: Robson, Charles, ed
Publication date: 1875
Publisher: Philadelphia, Galaxy
Number of Pages: 770