The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century, Part 103

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

USA > Illinois > The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century > Part 103

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

460

BIOGRAPIIICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA.

tion he has filled with marked ability its chair of Diseases of Women; he has also, with the exception of one year, served as Secretary of the Faculty from the date of its formation down to the present time : that exception owing its existence to his own request. In 1855 he was instru- mental in organizing the Henry County Medical Society, out of which has grown the now large and influential organization known as the Military Tract Medical Society. He served for many years as Secretary of the former, and one or two years as its President. In 1854 he attended the American Me lical Association, at Detroit, Michigan, as a delegate from the Stark County Medical Association, and was constituted a member of that honorable body, which membership he still retains. In the same year he became a member of the Illinois State Medical Society, in which he has served as chairman and associate member of several important committees, and for the past seven ycars has filled the important office of Permanent Secretary and member of the Committee of Publication. He is a member and ex-President of the Chicago Medical Society. He has been Attending and Consulting Physician of the Washingtonian Home for the past eight or nine years. He is a Thirty-second degree Mason, and during the year 1874 filled the following important official positions : Worshipful Master of a Lodge, Prelate of a Commandery, Conductor of a Council, Vice-President Masonic Aid and Relief Society, Trustee and Medical Director of the Northwestern Masonic Aid Association. He is, in Odd Fellowship, a Past Grand and Past Chief Patriarch, also President of the Medical Board of the Odd Fellows' Benevolent Society of Illinois.

OODBRIDGE, JOHN, Lawyer, was born in Hadley, Hampshire county, Massachusetts, on March 3d, 1829. His father, John Woodbridge, D. D., was a clergyman of the Congregational Church, and a lineal descendant of the Wood- bridge family, which came from England and settled in Massachusetts during the administration of Governor Dudley in that State. The various members of this family were Puritans, and the ancestry can be traced back to the Wickliffites and other different non-conformist English churchmen as far as the fourteenth century. They have since resided in this country, and, for at Icast two centuries prior to their emigration, were liberally repre- sented by clergymen noted for independence of thought, abilities of a high order, and unvarying resistance to re- ligious oppression or constraint. John was fitted for college at Hopkins' Academy, in his native town, and entered the sophomore class of Amherst College, where he graduated with the class of 1849. Among his classmates were Julius Seely, afterward Professor of Metaphysics in Amherst, now a member of Congress from Massachusetts; W. G. Har- mon, President of the Iowa Law School; Dr. Hitchcock,

son of President Hitchcock, now also a Professor in Am- herst. Immediately after leaving college, he entered the law office of Roger H. Miller, then Secretary of the State of Connecticut, with whom he remained as a student until admitted to the bar in April, 1850. He then practised his profession for a brief period in Connecticut, and in the following September removed to Chicago, and became the junior member of the firm of Dorman & Woodbridge, a partnership which was sustained until 1851. In July of that year he associated himself in a new partnership with Hon. E. C. Larned, and became a member of the firm of Larncd & Woodbridge, which was in existence until 1853. In 1854, on the death of Mr. Collins, of the firm of Collins & Williams, he connected himself with the latter practi- tioner, under the firm style of Williams & Woodbridge. In 1857 W. C. Grant was admitted, and the firm of Williams, Woodbridge & Grant existed until Judge Wil- liams was elected in 1863 to the bench of the Circuit Court, after which date it remained, until 1866, under the style of Woodbridge & Grant. He subsequently practised alone until 1875, when he associated with him G. F. Blanke. He devotes himself entirely to his profession, taking no part in politics, except as a citizen desiring to assist in the promotion of the general welfare, and has never sought or held office. IIe has an extensive and lucrative practice in all the courts, and is widely recognized as a lawyer of profound and scholarly attainments. In politics he is attached to the principles and measures of the Republican party. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He was married June 10th, 1851, to Elizabeth Butler, of Chicago, daughter of Walter Butler, and niece of B. F. Butler, and has five children; the eldest son, a graduate of Amherst College, is now a student in his father's office.

LODGETT, HENRY WILLIAM, Lawyer, Judge, and Railroad Manager, was born July 21st, 1821, at Amherst, Massachusetts; being the son of Israel Porter and Avis (Dodge) Blodgett, who came to Illinois in 1831. Both werc methodical, energetic, and sincere, and devoted much of their time to the education of their children. His father was a blacksmith, and his mother a woman of fine culture. When seventeen years of age, IIenry W. entered Amherst Academy, and upon completing the course in this institu- tion returned to Illinois, where he engaged as a teacher, an employment which he occasionally varied by land sur- veying, at which he was expert. In the fall of 1842, shortly after he had attained his majority, he entered the law office of Scammon & Judd, and there pursued the study of law until his admission to the bar, in the spring of 1845. He located at Waukegan, then known as Littleford, and commenced the practice of his profession. By energy and fidelity to the varied matters confided to his care, he soon

461

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPÆDIA.

secured a patronage, which raised his reputation as an ad- vocate, and gave him a comfortable living. In 1852 he was elected a member of the Illinois House of Representatives, and in 1858 to the Senate, and served his constituency with ability. About the year 1855 he became intimately asso- ciated with the management of the legal affairs of the Chi- cago & Northwestern Railway Company, and was one of the originators of the Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad Com- pany. To his persistent energy and great influence, per- haps more than that of any other person, is due the develop- ment of this latter enterprise. He procured its charter in I851. The work of construction was begun in the follow- ing year, and by January Ist, IS74, the road was completed to Waukegan. His success in enlisting the interest of capitalists in this line was recognized by the company, and he was elected successively to the offices of Attorncy, Di- rector and President, and filled all these responsible posts with judgment, rare tact and ability. At one time he acted also as Solicitor-General for the Michigan Southern, Fort Wayne, Rock Island, and Northwest railroads; but was compelled to relinquish this important station by the great pressure of business which was constantly increasing. His long connection with the Northwestern railroads, and his knowledge of every detail of executive as well as mechanical management, has rendered him the leading railway attorney for that section. In 1870 President Grant appointed him Judge of the United States District Court, and in this high office he has displayed a profound knowledge of the law. He is a Republican in his political affiliations, having voted the anti-slavery ticket at the Presidential election of IS44. He is a close student, with a remarkably retentive memory, and a mind of unusual power of concentration. These mental traits are conspicuous in his arguments as a lawyer and decisions as a judge. In his religious views he is ortho- dox, though liberal. He was married, on April 12th, IS50, to Alathea Crocker, of Hamilton, Madison county, New York.

afterward returned to Chicago, where he found employment as clerk in the lumber office of John H. Kinzie. His leisure hours were consumed in study and reading, which made him a shrewd observer and a man of wide and varied in- formation. In the spring of 1838, with three hundred dol- lars which he had saved, he commenced business in a log- store, near Lake street bridge. In IS52, after various suc- cessful changes and investments, he sold his interest in the mercantile business. In IS56 he organized the Firemen's Insurance Company, with a subscribed capital of $200,000, and $10,000 paid in. The profits of the office before he left it paid the remaining $190,000, and gave the stockholders $50,000.cash dividends, while the stock sold as high as $1.45 and $1.50. This unparalleled success was recognized upon his resignation by the presentation to him, on the part of the directors, of a superb silver tea service. He was immediately elected, President of the United States Brass & Clock Com- pany, and superintended the erection of their extensive works on the site selected by him at Austin, near Chicago. In IS55 began his political life, when he was chosen Alder- man of the Fifth Ward. The Council having voted them- selvcs each a gold-headed cane, he opposed the measure as illegal, and Mayor Boone vetoed the appropriation ; ulti- mately, however, the majority ruling, the canes were secured. The following year at their review the firemen presented him, probably as a covert rebuke to his opponents, with a costly zebra-wood cane, also gold-headed. For more than twenty years he has acted as Treasurer of the Firemen's Benevolent Socicty, and was a prime mover in the erection of the magnificent monument at Rosehill Cemetery, which commemorates the heroic services of these protectors of life and property. In IS57 he was elected on the Republican ticket to the City Treasuryship, but at a subsequent period was defeated in the canvass for Mayor, his steadfast tem- perance principles operating on this occasion against his political interests. He was a warm supporter of Abraham Lincoln and laborcd efficiently to secure his nomination. He officiated as a member of the Committee of General Arrangements which planned and built the " Wigwam " upon the lot selected, the plan sketched by him meeting with approval. New York politicians had combined to nominate William II. Seward, and were able to command immense sums of money to cffect their object. He found several of the principal actors-among them Greeley, Weed, Clapp and Webb-going to and fro from the anteroom to the platform to arrange and consult, and saw that they might place insurmountable impediments in the way of his leader. They were decorated only with club badges, which did not entitle them to a seat on the platform, and when they as- sembled in the anteroom he ordered the doorkeeper to shut them in, and to allow no one to go on the platform unless furnished with a delegate's badge. They were thus im- prisoned until Lincoln's nomination was announced, when they were finally permitted to go on the platform. During

OLDEN, HON. CHARLES N., was born at Fort Covington, in northern New York, May 13th, IS16. His parents, William C. Holden, a farmer, and Sarah ( Braynard) Holden, emigrated, soon after the war of ISI2, from New Hampshire to Fort Covington. The necessities of that early day prevented him from devoting more than a few months in each year to study at the district school or village acad- emy, but he progressed rapidly in his education, and at the age of twenty engaged in teaching school. He was then employed for a year as clerk in a store, where he acquired a taste for business and a knowledge of its details. Later, he left home with forty dollars in his pocket, and July 5th, 1837, arrived in Chicago. Upon finding his uncle, a farmer in Will county, Illinois, he located a claim, hired a break- ing team of oxen, and commenced life on the prairie. He | the rebellion he became prominent as an unyielding Union

462

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA.

man, sent two men to assist in sustaining the cause, gave | and studied diligently to acquire both a theoretical and generous aid to the soldiers of Illinois, and served ably as chairman of various loyal conventions. In 1867 the office of Commissioner of Taxes for Chicago was created by the Legislature, and he was elected to fill the position for four years. He has given his time and means to education with generous enthusiasm, and acted as President of the Board of Education, one of the new school buildings after his re- tirement being named in honor of him. He has also mani- fested a great interest in the higher grade of culture provided for in the University and Baptist Theological Seminary, founded in Chicago. At an early day he became a zealous member of the Baptist Church, was a prominent member of the First Baptist Church ; and, with others, constituted the Tabernacle, now the Second Baptist Church, where he has been foremost in liberality and labors as trustee, chor- ister, treasurer and superintendent of the Sunday-school. He was married, in about 1841, to Frances Woodbury, daughter of Major Jesse Woodbury, who was the cousin and associate of United States Senator Levi Woodbury, Jack- son's and Van Buren's Secretary of the Treasury, and uncle of Mrs. Montgomery Blair.

INDELE, JOHN G., Architect and Engineer, was born in the city of Ravensburg, in the kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany. His father, a paper manufacturer, was drafted to serve in the war of liberation against the French ; entered France with the allies, and died there in 1815 of wounds received in action. His mother, Johanna (Haag) Gindele, was again married to J. A. Muller, a commission and for- warding agent; he had also been a soldier, having served under Napoleon in Spain, Italy, Germany and Russia, from ISOI to the end of 1813, and participated in the memorable retreat from Moscow. At the age of six John G. Gindele entered the public school, where he was always at the head of his class; at eight he was removed to the Latin School, and at the age of ten was admitted to the higher classes, where, though the youngest in the department, he soon took the lead. His unusual progress in study caused his parents to entertain the project of fitting him for the church ; a de- sign which was frustrated, however, by the force of his natural leanings. He had early exhibited a fondness for drawing and the stonecutter's trade, and often spent his leisure hours in designing ornaments, which he afterward worked out into stone in a neighboring yard. He also spent a great deal of time in constructing water-wheels, and build- ing dams and miniature canals on a little tributary to the main creek on which his native city is situated. When his father was fully aware of the bent of his faculties, the idea of studying theology was abandoned. He was placed in a stonecutting establishment at Lindan, on the Lake of Con- stance, where he learned his trade under a skilful master,

practical knowledge of the builder's art. He had served three years of his apprenticeship when his stepfather died, leaving a large family in straitened circumstances ; his master then gave him his certificate as journeyman, and he returned to his home in order to provide for the support of the family. He subsequently devoted his nights, often working till two or three o'clock in the morning, to per- fecting himself in drawing, and in making plans and models, many of which came before the notice of the city authorities, who offered him a stipendium for each semestre of the Engineers' and Architects' School at Munich, that he might attend for the purpose of adding to his knowledge and powers. This offer he accepted, and while in Munich worked during the summer on some of the most important buildings, and saved sufficient money to meet the expenses of the winter sessions. He there attracted the attention of the Bavarian government, and, while in his twenty-second year, was sent by them to Kissengen to take charge of public works, in the erection of a large hall with colonnades and a fine stone arched bridge. He then for some time superin- tended the work on the canal connecting the river Main with the Danube. In December, 1838, he took the position of City Engineer of Schweinefurth, a manufacturing place on the river Main, in northern Bavaria, his appointment being for life. He remained there during the ensuing twelve years. This city owned an immense water-power, and mills and factories, with sixteen water-wheels; but the whole system of canals, mills and wheels having been erected in 1558, was of rude and primitive construction. He added about five hundred horse-power to the working force of the water, making all the plans, superintending the whole work of remodelling the canals, dams, etc., and supplying new machinery ; he built there also a large hospital, several bridges and many private buildings. During the Revolu- tion of 1848-49 he was a firm supporter of the Democratic party, favoring the unity of the German people in one great German empire. When the Parliament at Frankfort was dissolved, and the " Rump Parliament," assembled in Stutt- gardt, appealed to the people for aid, he was importantly instrumental in sending forward from Schweinefurth five hundred well-armed men. The revolution ending in failure, he was forced to cmigrate, with his family of five children, to the United States. He then settled in Wisconsin, whence, after losing all his means, he removed to Chicago, Illinois, in July, 1852, leaving his family in Milwaukee. He after- ward found employment as a stonecutter at the marble and stone-yard of A. S. Sherman, where he was paid for his ser- vices one dollar and fifty cents per day. His first job was the carving on the first marble front erected in this city ; he soon after cut all the carved work for the four triple win- dows of the South-side reservoir, on Adams street. As he became familiar with the English language he was employed as draughtsman, and became Superintendent of the Illinois Stone-Dressing Company, having charge of the cut stone

463

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA.

work for the more important buildings erected in the city up | tending to his professional duties, he disposed of his interests to 1859. He finally opened a stone-yard on his own ac- in Woodstock in 1860 and removed to Elgin, where he purchased an interest in the Elgin Gasette, and gave it his time and attention for nearly a year. Then the war of the rebellion breaking out he immediately turned his attention toward military affairs. He organized a company of volun- teers, was made Captain, and his company was mustered into service as Company A, 36th Regiment of Illinois In- fantry. He served his country faithfully in the cause of freedom until 1862, when ill-health compelled him to re- sign, and he returned home. Subsequently he was attached to the Quartermaster's Department at Memphis, Tennessee, in the capacity of Chief Clerk. He returned home in 1864 and soon after opened a drug store, and carried on a suc- cessful business until 1873. During the years 1869-70 he was Mayor of Elgin, and in 1873 was appointed Postmaster, which position he now fills. A man of indomitable energy and persistency of purpose, and, after mature deliberation, prompt and decided in action, he has never devoted his time and attention to any business, investment or speculation which has not eventuated successfully. In 1853 he was married to Waitie Z. Joslyn, of Woodstock, McHenry county, and has onc son. count, and contracted for several buildings, the most im- portant of which was the south wing and tower of the Chicago University. In 1861, the Board of Public Works being created by act of Legislature, he was elected as Com- missioner from the South Division for the term of six years, during which time he officiated for four years as its President. At the expiration of his term he was re-elected, retaining the Presidential chair, and conducted the proceedings of the Board until the date of his resignation in December, 1867. As a member of the Board of Public Works, he was also one of the Commissioners of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. While he was in office the lake tunnel was begun and finished, and he designed the plan for the tunnel under the river at Washington street, which was adopted with slight alterations. Before it was decided to cleanse the Chicago river by dcepening the Illinois & Michigan Canal, his plan for a canal to Calumet, with pumping works, having the same object in view, was adopted by the Citizens' Committee as the only possible remedy for the evils complained of by the inhabitants. In 1866 the city government of Schweinefurth requested him to send a plan for an important change on the river Main, having for its object the improvement of navigation and the extension of manufacturing facilities. He did as requested, the plan was adopted, and the city authorities were so well pleased with it that they sent him, as a token of their esteem, a magnificent album, with an exceedingly complimentary letter. He was married in 1837 to Louise Hirschheim, of Kissengen. His family of one daughter and four sons were born in Germany; three of the four served with honor in the Union army during the late civil war.

ALDWIN, MELVIN B., Physician and Postmaster of Elgin, was born in Hinesburg, Chittenden county, Vermont, June 28th, 1828, and is a son of Edmond Baldwin and Marinda Alden. When he was two years of age his parents removed to St. Lawrence county, New York. His early edu- cation was obtained in the common schools of the neighbor- hood, and consisted of the common English branches. At the age of eighteen years he commenced the study of medi- cine with Dr. Socrates Sherman, at Ogdensburg, New York, and remained with him three years. In 1850 he moved to Illinois, located at Woodstock, McHenry county, and com- menced the practice of his profession. Three years later he opened a drug store in connection with his practice, and continued so occupied for ten years, during which time, be- sides conducting a successful business, he became interested in public affairs and held several positions of trust, among them, for several years, that of President of the Board of Trustees. His health having failed to some extent through his close attention to business and daily exposure while .atel

EDGES, SAMUEL PARKER, M. D., was born in Sinclearville, Chautauqua county, New York, July 23d, 1841. His ancestors came from Eng- land in the seventeenth century. His early edu- cation was in the public schools. His immediate preparation for college was made in the James- town Academy in his native county. On attaining his twenty-first year he entered the office of his uncle, Dr. W. S. Hedges, of Jamestown, New York. He had just com- menced his medical studies when the war of the rebellion broke out, and, like so many of our prominent men of all professions, he tendered his services to his country for its suppression. Enlisting as a private, July 24th, 1862, in the 112th Regiment New York Volunteers, he was soon selected as Sergeant. In December following he was made Orderly Sergeant, and in the same month, after the battle of the Deserted House, in which he commanded his company during the whole battle, he was promoted to a Second Lieutenancy. He was placed on the staff of Brigadier- General R. S. Foster as Aide-de-Camp and Acting Assistant Inspecting-General in Florida during the spring of 1864. His services were acknowledged by his advancement to be First Lieutenant and Adjutant in May of that year. In that capacity, while striving to bring his regiment into position during a heavy fight on the south side of the James river, Virginia, he was ordered by his Colonel to report to the General commanding the advance, in order to get the regi- ment into position to check the enemy. He was captured in the attempt, and his Colonel was killed. Confined in the various Southern prisons, and enduring the fearful suf-

464

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPÆEDI.A.

ferings known only to those who have been called to bear them, his health became so shattered that he was unable to rejoin his regiment until May, 1865. He was then appointed Captain of Company F, and was soon assigned to duty on the staff of his brigade under Colonel E. M. Ludwick, Acting Brigadier-General, as his Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. IIe was discharged at the close of the war in 1865, having acquired distinction for competency and bravery. He now resumed his medical studies, and at- tended the Cleveland Homoeopathic College in 1865-66, and then entered the office of Professor N. F. Cooke, M. D., of Chicago, and took his degree in medicine and surgery at the Hahnemann Medical College in Chicago in the spring of 1867. He was married to Rachel Danforth, daughter of E. H. Danforth, M. D., of Jamestown, New York, and com- menced the practice of medicine in Chicago. Besides his arduous duties as a physician, he has performed those of Corresponding Secretary of the Illinois State Homoeopathic Medical Society during three years ; and filled the office of Secretary of the Cook County Medical Society for two years. He became a member of the American Institute of Homo- opathy in 1868; and is an Assistant Editor of The Medical Investigator, of Chicago. In the spring of 1869 he was elected to the chair of General and Descriptive Anatomy in his Alma Mater, which position he filled for five years, when he resigned. For the past six years he has held the office of Pliysician and Surgeon of the Chicago Orphan Asylum, and still occupies the position. He was one of the sufferers by the great fire of Chicago in October, 1871. IIe was burned out of house and office, and lost all the ac- cumulations of five years' labor. His indomitable energy has recovered a practice as large as his health will permit him to accept. He is an elder in the Fullerton Avenue Pres- byterian Church, and one of the Board of Trustees of the Northwestern Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century, Part 103

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