The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century, Part 106

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

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law, or a question of fact, his efforts present the same com- prehensive and thorough analysis. IIe has that tendency to amplify which has characterized the most effective orators. He selects with careful judgment the strong points of his case and directs all his powers towards es- tablishing them. He illustrates, explains, and reiterates, but never repeats. He returns again and again to the same point of attack, and each time throws some new light upon his subject. Owing to this tendency to amplify, aided by a ready command of language, all of Mr. Swett's speeches are marked by great clearness. He sees his subject clearly himself and is always able to express it clearly. Mr. Swett has remarkable powers of illustration. His life upon the circuit, his varied experience in early life, and his life at the particular bar of which he was a member have supplied him with a fund of anecdote upon which he draws con- stantly for his illustrations. He has a strong sense of the humorous, which relieves the clear logic of his argument. His humorous phases of a case are often made the strong points of attack, and the dryest topics are relieved by a well-told anecdote. United with a power of language which enables him to express what he feels, he has a vein of pathos which on occasion renders him most effective in that field of oratory. He not only possesses this power, but selects with rare judgment the appropriate time and occasion for its exercise. In short, as an orator Mr. Swett's method and argument are logical, his analysis is keen and thorough, and his style clear, strong and convincing. Humor, pathos, and illustration are united with clear and logical reasoning. These qualities are sustained by a fine presence and an earnest and eloquent manner. No man with Mr. Swett's qualities of mind can be a mere jury lawyer; hence he grapples with equal ability difficult ques- tions of law before a court. ITis examination of such questions is thorough and exhaustive. The authorities are weighed and compared, and principles are traced to their source. He never cites a precedent merely as such, but the reason which sustains them is always sought for as the test and measure of their weight. Ile begins at the source and compares conflicting authorities with the same keen analysis which characterizes his other forensic efforts. In the preparation of his cases he is thorough and pains- taking. His own strength and his adversary's weakness are studied in advance and with care. Ile is rarely sur- prised by an unexpected difficulty, and always makes his client's cause to be his own. Although of a mercurial temperament he is always, in the trial of a cause, cool and of even temper. He never allows the heat of debate or the altercations of the court-room to throw him off his guard or prejudice his client's cause. His varied expe- ricnce in life, united with quick perception, has made him an admirable judge of character. He avails himself of this advantage continually in the trial of a case before a jury, in examining a witness, and even in arguments before the court. Mr. 'Swett is a man of great physical i of honor."

energy, which is sustained by a powerful physique. This gives energy and vigor to his mental processes. He has a high sense of professional honor, and is thoroughly de- voted to his profession. He is a gentleman of fine social qualities and of an attractive personal presence. He bears a strong resemblance to his old friend, the late President Lincoln, and is like him, tall, dark and angular, but has more refinement and case in his manner. Ile is genial and affable, and has a chivalric sympathy for weakness and distress which makes him always ready to do a kind or charitable act.

cCLELLAN, JOHIN J., Lawyer, was born in Livingston, Columbia county, New York, Sep- tember 5th, 1833. Ilis father, Samuel R. McClellan, is a physician, of Scotch descent, whose ancestors settled in Colerain, Massachu- setts, about 1723. Ilis mother's maiden name was Catherine Garner; she is of Dutch descent, and her ancestors settled in Columbia county, New York, about 1793. In 1845 his parents moved to what is now Kenosha county, in Wisconsin. His father, who practised his pro- fession and improved a large farm, took a deep interest in public affairs, having been a member of the Constitutional Convention, and subsequently State Senator. The subject of this sketch pursucd the ordinary avocations of a far- mer's boy until he was seventeen-attending school winters. He then entered the public school at Kenosha and re- mained there two years. At the age of nineteen he com- menced to read law in the office of E. W. Evans, of Kenosha, now of the Chicago bar. In 1855 he entered the law department of the Albany University, and gradu- ated there in 1856. In the fall of that year he began the practice of his profession in Oconto, Wisconsin, and met with marked success. He was elected District Attorney in the spring of 1857, under a new county organization, and continued to hold the office, by successive re-elections, until January, 1862. He was then appointed Assistant At- torney-General of the State under Hon. James II. Howe, Attorney-General, and afterwards under his successor, IIon. Winfield Smith. In March, 1863, he resigned his office and removed to Racine, where he resumed the practice of his profession. In May, 1864, he received the appoint- ment of Captain and Assistant Quartermaster of Volunteers, and served in that capacity two years, doing duty at John- son's Island, in Florida, and other places. He then moved to Chicago and resumed practice, very soon taking charge of the legal affairs of one of the largest mercantile houscs in the city. At the date of this sketch he is a member of the firm of Mcclellan & Hodges, which has an extensive and lucrative practice. An ex-judge, who knew him well, said of him : "He has an active, vigorous mind; an accurate and extensive knowledge of law, and is the soul He was married in 1861 to Julia Wheldon.

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ROOKS, DATUS C., Journalist and Professor of English Literature, was born July 15th, 1830, at Geneva, New York, descending from New Eng- land stock. In 1833 his parents removed to Sturges, St. Joseph county, Michigan, where he lived until he reached his nineteenth year, attend- ing during this time the district and village schools, and displaying very early in life unusual talent for study. He commenced Latin when fourteen, and soon made his mark for his proficiency in the English branches, and for his ability as an elocutionist and debater. When eighteen he read medicine for a year, and then removed to Ann Arbor, with the intention of entering the medical department of the University of Michigan, located at that place. He obtained the means to support himself at college for two years by teaching and manual labor, and at the end of that time de- termined to enter Wesleyan Seminary at Albion, then under the charge of D. C. T. Henman. He spent one year here, distinguishing himself as a linguist and as a forcible writer and speaker, and then entered the sophomore class of the University of Michigan, soon after Henry P. Tappan assumed its presidency. He worked his way through the college, obtaining high commendation for his progress in the departments of language, literature and philosophy. Ile was a tireless reader and an incessant writer, contribut- ing continuously to the newspapers and periodicals. Ir 1856 he graduated, and was appointed Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature in the university, and in addition to the duties of this department gave instruction in elementary Greek. IIe was soon compelled, however, to devote his attention exclusively to the English department, by the organization of a scientific course of four years, in which the principal part was filled by modern languages and English studies. While engaged at the university he was frequently called upon to address the public from pulpit and platform, and contributed occasionally to the North American Review, and other periodicals. He closed his career at this institu- tion in 1864, accepting the position which had been tendered him, of literary editor, and art, dramatic and musical critic of the Chicago Times, and for which he was eminently qualified. In 1866 he took the position of associate editor of the Evening Post, which he filled with great judgment and ability. He has few equals as a writer in the world of American journalism.

ALLIS, WILLIAM T., Merchant and Banker, was born in New York city on March 13th, 1817, and is a son of John Wallis and Mary A. Geib. His father was a lawyer and practised at the bar in the city of New York, and bestowed upon his son the advantages of a good common school education. At the age of fifteen years William left school and entered the wholesale dry- goods house of Gould, Con- klin & Mazier, in Pearl street, and remained with them four

years, at the end of which time the firm failed. The two succeeding years he was in the employ of Jonas Conklin in the same business. He then started in the wholesale dry- goods business on his own account, and continued very successfully about eight years. For about four years after this he retired from business, and during this period he twice visited the western country, and finally in 1857 re- moved from New York and located at Rockford, Winne- bago county. There he was occupied in various private speculations until 1864, when, in connection with Mr. A. C. Spafford, he organized the Third National Bank of Rockford, and was made Cashier, a position he fills at the present time. The capital stock of the bank is $70,000, and the institution is in a very prosperous condition, which is due in no small degree to his energy, industry, close application to business, undeviating integrity, and strict punctuality. Mr. Wallis is a thoroughly domestic man, and has never in any way given his attention to or interfered with political offices ; his whole time is divided between his banking office and his home. Ile is emphatically a self-made man. Begin- ning life for himself at a very early age, and receiving no assistance from his father, he has worked his way alone up to his present position in society, and to-day ranks among the wealthy citizens of Rockford, and is esteemed and respected by all who know him. He has been twice mar- ried : first, in 1841, to Miss Van Nest, daughter of Abraham Van Nest; she died in 1845, and in 1853 he was married to IIenrietta Remsen, of Jersey City.

ICE, JOIIN BLAKE, Theatrical Manager and ex-Mayor of Chicago, was born in the village of Easton, Talbot county, Maryland, in 1809. He received a common school education, and in early manhood he became an actor on the theatrical stage and was widely known as a successful and talented member of the histrionic profession. In 1847 he settled in Chicago, and built a theatre on Dearborn street . between Randolph and Washington streets, which was really the first pretentious dramatic establishment in the city. He was manager of the theatre until 1857, and many of his fellow-citizens of these days can recall with pleasure the admirable entertainments which were given in that quaint but attractive little temple of art, under his careful and judicious management. He was as successful pecuni- arily as he was professionally, and in the latter year he closed his theatrical career, tore down his old theatre, and built in its place a brick business block on the east side of Dearborn street and on the corner of Calhoun place. Among other property which he purchased during his theatrical life was the ground upon which the Crosby Opera House was afterward erected. After a retirement of eight years from public life, he was, in 1865, during the political excitement occasioned by the long war of the rebellion, nominated by

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the Union party for the office of Mayor of Chicago, and was | outstripping all his competitors, he soon met the whole of elected by an almost unanimous vote. The acceptability with which he performed the duties of that office may be inferred from the fact that in 1867, just before the expiration of his first term, he was re-elected by a large majority in a warm and excited political contest as the candidate of the Republican party. He presided over the deliberations of the Common Council with noticeable dignity and impar- tiality, and never hesitated to interpose his veto when that body either transcended its legitimate powers or enacted a measure that in his judgment did not comport with the best interests of the tax payers or the city. He was elected to the Forty-third Congress on the Republican ticket, receiving 12,870 votes, against 8,235 votes for Otis, Liberal. He was married in 1837, when twenty-eight years of age, in the city of Philadelphia, to Mary Ann Warren, daughter of William Warren, deceased, formerly manager of the Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington theatres from 1795 to 1826. He died December 17th, 1874. His only son enlisted in the early part of the rebellion to fight for the national cause, and as Captain of Company A. of the S9th Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, was killed, September 19th, 1863, at the battle of Chickamauga, Tennessee.

his obligations, and invested his earnings to great advantage. In the spring of 1859, in company with his physician, he made a transatlantic tour for the benefit of his health, and travelled in Egypt and the Holy Land. The account of his travels which he sent to his friends from time to time was shown to George 1). Prentice, editor of the Louisville Jour- nal, who insisted upon its publication. Ile returned in the autumn of 1860. In 1861 he visited Chicago, and was so impressed with its enterprise that he immediately invested in its real estate, and in 1862 opened a banking house at the corner of Lake and Dearborn streets, under the name of Tyler, Ullman & Co. The firm subsequently opened another house in New York city. He then became largely interested in real estate in Chicago, and built a business block known by his name. With others he was instru- mental in promoting the establishment of the University of Chicago, contributing liberally toward its construction and acting as one of its Trustees. The First Baptist Church, on Wabash avenue, one of the finest places of worship in the city, owed its existence largely to his munificence; he also contributed handsomely to the endowment of the Baptist Theological Seminary. In February, 1834, he became a member of the Ninth Street Baptist Church of Cincinnati. He was married May 15th, 1832, to Eleanor A. Duffield, daughter of Amos Duffield, deceased, formerly of Phila- delphia.

YLER, JAMES E., Banker and Real Estate Op- erator, was born in Hillsdale, Columbia county, New York, March 11th, 1811. His parents were Dr. Platt B. Tyler, a skilful physician of consider- HISSLER, LOUIS, Lawyer, was born in Wil- mington, Delaware, June 30th, 1834. He is the son of Godfrey Shissler and Elizabeth Shissler, with whom he removed in 1841 to Galena, Illi- nois. He was educated at the Western Military Academy, Brennon Springs, in Kentucky, gradu- ating finally in 1853, with the degrees of A. B. and L. B. He then pursued the study of law under Judge T. B. Mon- roe, of Frankford, Kentucky. In the fall of 1853 he went to Harvard, Massachusetts, and in 1854 took the degree of LL. B. In 1856 he returned to Galena, where he has since remained, constantly occupied in attending to the duties connected with an extensive and remunerative clientage. During 1866-67 he officiated as Mayor of Galena, and is a leading and respected member of the Galena bar. able literary attainments, and Margaret H. Tyler. During his infancy he removed with his parents to West Stockbridge, Berkshire county, Massachusetts. He secured an elementary education in the common schools located in the vicinity of his home. He was subsequently engaged in a village store in this place, and removed with his employer to Canaan, New York. In 1829 he removed to Cincinnati, reaching his destination by stage over the Alleghenies, and by steamboat down the Ohio. Here he was first employed in an insurance office, and at the expira- tion of a few years became partner in a store of the neigh- boring village of Middletown. Coming into sole ownership of that store he ultimately met with failure. He then returned to Cincinnati and to the insurance office where he had first found employment after his arrival in the West. Upon the establishment by his employers of a branch in Louisville, Kentucky, he was placed in charge of it, and moved to the South, in May, IS34. By the aid of a New OLTON, FRANCIS, President of Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Galesburg, was born in Monson, Maine, May 22d, 1834, being the son of Chauncey S. and Emily II. (McLanathan) Colton, of Pennsylvania, who removed to Gales- burg, Illinois, when he was quite young. He was educated at Knox College in that city, and graduated York banking house, he was eventually enabled to add a banking establishment to his insurance office, and was rapidly prospering, when he met with another serious check, being persuaded to embark in a manufacturing concern which he afterwards found was badly involved and in a ruinous condition. He then again returned to the insurance office ; business came in to him abundantly ; and rapidly from that institution with honor in 1855. Shortly after he

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entered his father's store as a partner, the former having for titioner, and in 1836 was admitted to practice. Emigrating many years been engaged in a general mercantile trade in to Illinois, he located temporarily at Hennepin, Putnam county, and shortly after removed to Galena. In 1848 he was elected Judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit, which, by reason of its great dimensions, was divided. That portion over' which his jurisdiction extended was called the Four- teenth Circuit, and he continued as its Judge until 1870, when he was elected to the Supreme Bench from the district com- prising the counties of Jo Davies, Carroll, Rock Island, Whitesides, Lee, Ogle, Kendall, De Kalb, Kane, Boone, Winnebago and Stevenson. He lately removed to Rock- ford, which is now his home. He is a jurist of ripe culture, and his close study of the law in all its branches has cmi- nently fitted him as an administrator of it. He has a quick and very retentive memory, which readily summons prece- dents when a question of practice or ruling is involved in the conduct of a cause. Ilis decisions are characterized by their clear and unincumbered analyzation of evidence, for their explicit interpretation of the common or statutory law, and for their total freedom from bias. Judge Sheldon has achieved a fine reputation, both as a lawyer and as a mcm- ber of the Supreme Bench, and possesses the respect of all classes of citizens. He is unmarried. that place. Here Francis remained for about cight years, and was then chosen Vice-President of the First National Bank, a position which he filled during the years 1864-65. Ile was then appointed Deputy-Collector of Internal Reve- nue, serving two years in that capacity. In 1866 he re- ceived the appointment of United States Consul at Venice, and in that position represented the government of the United States until 1869, when he returned to Galesburg. In October of this year he assumed control of the General Passenger Department of the Union Pacific Railroad, with his head-quarter; at Omaha. In this important office he served under the administration of Colonel Hammond until November 25th, 1870, when he was appointed jointly by the Union and Pacific Railroad Companies as their Foreign Agent, and was sent to China, India and Japan, in order to establish the silk and tea trade via Yokohama and the Pa- eific steamers, to San Francisco, and thence east via the Union and Pacific Railroads. He was absent on this im- portant mission about one year, during which time he visited all the eastern and southern Asiatic countries. To him is due the distinction of effecting an arrangement with the various railroad and steamship lines for a trip around the world in eighty days. While absent he also arranged for the transportation of troops from India to England via Hong Kong and the Pacific steamers and the Pacific Railroad. Prior to this time the route from India to England was by the way of the Red Sea, the Isthmus of Suez, and the Medi- terranean. Upon his return to the United States, he was honored with the office of President of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank, to which in IS72 he was elected. This position lie now fills. Ile is one of the Centennial Com- missioners from Illinois. During his residence in Europe he was the Vienna correspondent of the New York Tribune, maintaining that journalistic relation during and subsequent to the Austria-Prussian war. In 1873 he again visited Europe on a special mission. On January 19th, IS75, he was married to Anna C. Snively, of Brooklyn, New York. He is a gentleman of large business experience, of rare tact, and of great energy. Ilis voyages and travels to the anti- podes and to Europe have given him a rare fund of informa- tion, beneficial in both his social and business relations. He is held in high esteem as a financier, and now presides over one of the most flourishing banks in the State.

HELDON, BENJAMIN R., Judge of the Supreme Court of Illinois, was born in Massachusetts in 1813. Ile is a son of Benjamin and Sarah (Rob- bins) Sheldon, and was edueated at Williams College, Massachusetts, from which he graduated in 1831. Hle entered the law department of Yale College, where he perfected himself for the duties of a prac-

MERY, ENOCH, Journalist, was born in Canter- bury, New Hampshire, August 31st, 1822. The early years of his life were passed on a farm. When eighteen he removed to Boston, where he remained about four years. During his residence in that city he occasionally contributed to the press. He afterwards located at Lowell, Massachusetts, and was for a short time engaged as hotel clerk, after which he became Associate Editor of a newspaper called the Fox Populi, a position he occupied for a period of two years. In connection with others he then established a morning paper, oceupying successfully the position of Editor and Manager for several years. Subsequently he disposed of his interest. The paper, however, still continues in successful existence. His health having failed he was compelled to relinquish his literary pursuits, and in the fall of 1854 cmigrated to Illi- nois, and during the winter months he engaged as a writer for the Bloomington Pantagraph, a tri-weekly issue. The following spring he returned to Lowell, Massachusetts, and assumed charge of the Morning News. Ile located por- manently in Illinois in the spring of 1858, and the following year was engaged as Local Editor of the Peoria Transcript, and in the spring of 1$60 beeame its general and political editor. In July of the same year he purchased the paper in connection with E. A. Andrews. In the early part ef 1865 he was appointed by President Lincoln Postmaster of Peoria, retaining the position until his removal by Johnson, which oeeurred the following year, owing to his active op- position to that President's policy. He then purchased the

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interest of his partner, Mr. Andrews, and conducted the paper alone until 1869, when the present company was formed, under the name and style of " Peoria Transcript Company." He was elected President of the company, and has the entire management of its affairs. For two years he held the office of Collector of Internal Revenue for the Fifthi District, Illinois, having been appointed by President Grant. This was a responsible position, as the district is the fourth in importance in the United States, on account of its exten- sive local manufacturing interests. As a political writer Mr. Emery enjoys the reputation of being forcible and inde- pendent. An abolitionist through life, he has frequently sacrificed personal interests in defending his principles of right. Ile was married in 1847 to Mary Mocn, of Boston.

OND, THOMAS SHELDON, A. M., M. D., was born in Lee, Berkshire county, December 14th, 1842. His father, Rev. William Bush Bond, was a Congregational clergyman of Massachusetts. His mother was Harriet S. (Sheldon) Bond. He was fitted for college at the St. Johnsbury Acad- emy, Vermont, and entered Amherst College in 1859, grad- uating from that institution in 1863, and receiving the degree of A. M. He removed to Illinois in September of the same year, and settled at Lake Forrest, a suburban vil- lage of Chicago, where he taught school for a period of ten years. Upon receiving an appointment as Military Cadet in the military department of the Marine Hospital at Chi- cago, he commenced the study of medicine, and attended regular courses in the Chicago Medical College, where he graduated in March, 1867. Associating himself with his preceptor, Dr. R. N. Isham, of Chicago, he then entered on the labors of his profession, continuing in association with him until August, 1867. In the ensuing fall he per- fected himself still further in his profession, matriculating at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York city, and in the spring of 1868 receiving from it a degree. Re- turning afterward to Chicago, he resumed his practice. In the fall of 1869 he was elected Demonstrator of Anatomy in the Chicago Medical College, and in 1874 was appointed Professor of Anatomy in the same institution. This chair he now fills. He was married April 20th, 1871, to Char- lotte A. Mills, of Chicago, Illinois.

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The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century, Part 106

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