The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century, Part 111

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 111

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).

otlier office, State or Federal, during the terms for which they were elected, and for one year thereafter ; and further- more, that all votes cast for them as candidates for any other office, within the time specified, should be void. The ablest lawyers of the State had for a long time held this clause as invalid when applied to Federal offices, since the qualifica- tions for these should manifestly be fixed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Up to this time, however, this question had never been adjudicated. It so happened that the seat of Judge Trumbull, who had been elected to the United States Senate, was contested upon the same ground at the same time. The Senate, then overwhelm- ingly Democratic, decided the case in favor of Judge Trum- bull, a Republican, and the House of Representatives, then Republican, decided the same issue in favor of Judge Mar- shall, a Democrat. The circumstances under which these decisions were made gave them great weight as precedents. Mr. Marshall was re-elected to the Thirty-fifth Congress, and upon the expiration of his term declined another can- didacy for the position, which was strongly urged. In the Thirty-fourth Congress, he was a member of the Commit- tee on Claims. In 1861 he was elected as Judge of the Twelfth Illinois Circuit, and held this office until 1864, when he was elected a Representative to the Thirty-ninth Con- gress. In this body he was on the Committee of Elections and made the minority reports in the cases of Voorhees of Indiana, and Brooks of New York. It was in the first ses- sion of this Congress that he became virtually the leader of the minority. He was elected to the Fortieth Congress, and was placed on the Judiciary Committee, serving at the time the attempt was first made to impeach President John- son. In the Forty-first Congress he was a member of the Committee on Ways and Means, and during the session he was an active worker on that important committee. Ile became very prominent in debate, and from the first took a decided stand on the question of " Free Trade," delivering at one of the sittings an argument on that issue, which was subsequently scattered broadcast as a campaign document. This speech was an expose of the tariff as a scheme of rob- bery and oppression, and was extensively quoted by those who acted with Mr. Marshall for free trade. His subse- quent arguments on the " Funding Bill," on "Currency," and " Free Banking," were as extensively circulated, and secured for him the name of a leader in the Democratie party. In the Forty-second and Forty-third Congresses he was on the Committee on Appropriations, and during his Congressional career of fourteen years, of which ten were consecutive, he served on all the principal committees, and distinguished himself for the statesmanlike views he enter- tained relative to all the more vital matters of Federal legis- lation. He was a delegate from the State at large to the Charleston and Baltimore Conventions in 1860; to the Chi- cago Democratic National Convention in 1864, and the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in 1866. He received the entire vote of the Democratic delegation

496

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA.

of the Illinois Legislature in 1861 for the position of United | one engaged in so large a practice, active and consulting, States Senator, and in 1867 received the votc of the Demo- cratic members of the United States House of Representa- tives for the office of Speaker. He is now engaged in his professional duties, which engross his attention. He is a gentleman of commanding presence, and of fine culture. He has taken a great interest in all matters beneficial to the public, and has especially labored to improve the system of popular education in his section. He is now President of the Board of Managers of IIamilton College, an excellent institution located at McLeansboro', Hamilton county, Illi- nois. He is highly esteemed by all classes of citizens for his labors in State and Federal offices, and for an integrity of character beyond reproach.

LLEN, JONATHAN ADAMS, M. D., L.L. D., Professor of the Principles and Practice of Medi- cine and Clinical Medicine in Rush Medical College, Chicago, and editor of the Chicago Medical Journal (the leading professional peri- odical in the West), was born in Middlebury, Vermont, January 16th, 1825. Tracing his ancestry back to the days of the " Mayflower," he is one of those genuine Americans who are entitled to the credit of building up a distinctive and original school of medicine in this country that has commanded the attention and admiration of the profession in Europe. His father was an eminent physi- cian, surgeon and teacher in New England, where Dr. Allen acquired his early collegiate and professional education. Graduated in 1846, he left his New England home imme- diately for the West, married Mary Marsh, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and entered at once upon the practice of his pro- fession. He began his career with no other resources than a stout heart, a sterling ambition, an hereditary love for his profession, a strong physical constitution, studious habits, and a bonhomie that attracted confidence and friendship from the start. With this capital he rapidly fought his way through the hardships of a pioneer practice into a worldly competence, social esteem and professional distinction. In 1848 he was elected Professor of Materia Medica, Therapeu- tics, and Medical Jurisprudence in the Indiana Medical College, where he gave several courses of lectures. While holding this position he was asked to accept the chair of Physiology and Pathology in the University of Michigan, and his work in the organization of the medical department of that institution did much to assure the prosperity and fame which it has since attained. He subsequently became Lecturer on Physiology and Chemistry in Kalamazoo Col- lege, and in 1859, after having declined many flattering offers from medical colleges throughout the country, he ac- cepted the position in Rush Medical College which he now holds, and has contributed his full share to the high position which this institution now occupics. It is rarely that any

and with so many professional demands upon his time has accomplished so much in a general literary and scientific way as the subject of this sketch. It is only by the most rigorous regime and mental discipline that Dr. Allen has been able to carry through successfully the manifold labors he has voluntarily assumed. Ilis force and grace as a writer, and his attractiveness as a public speaker, have put upon him many engagements which he could not decline. He has always been in demand to deliver the annual addresses before lyceums, colleges, societics, agricultural fairs, ctc. His high position in the Masonic order, being Past Grand Master of the State of Michigan, has given the Masons a claim upon a portion of his time and eloquence, which he has always accorded them. His high position in the profession as a permanent member of the American Medical Association and former President of the State Medical Society of Michigan, and his wide reputation as a lecturer, bring him constant engagements for professional addresscs. His contributions to medical literature have been numerous and able. A treatment of the " Mechanism of Nervous Action," written by Dr. Allen more than twenty years ago, was a thorough exposition of the whole subject of reflex nervous action, and was the origin of important generalizations which have been accredited to Marshall IIall and other distinguished physiologists. His book on " Medical Examinations for Life Insurance " is the standard work on that subject, and he has now in preparation a treat- ise on the " Principles and Practice of Medicine," which will probably be the great work of his life. In Dr. Allen are united in an exceptional degree professional success with high scholarship and general scientific and literary attainments. Ile has always been a devout student without acquiring the exclusive characteristics of the reclusc. IIc is affable and popular personally, has the genial characteristics and literary reminiscences of a brilliant conversationalist, and enjoys the peculiar estecm and confidence only accorded to a family physician and trusted teacher.

ELSON, DANIEL THURBER, M. D , was born in Milford, Massachusetts, on September 16th, IS39. His parents were Drake and Lydia T. (Pond) Nelson, both of Massachusetts, and who were among the carly pioneers to Iowa, emigrat- ing to that State as soon as IS41. The father of the subject of this sketch dying when he was ten years of age, he returned to his native town (Milford), where he received his preliminary education, and entered Amherst College in 1857, graduating therefrom in 1861. Selecting the medical profession, he commenced his studies in that direction, and in March, 1862, entered Harvard Medical School. In June of that year he became engaged in the Hospital Transport Service of the United States Sanitary

Galaxy Fub. C. Philadelphia.

I. adams allew.

497

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA.

Commission, in which he was occupied until August, 1862. Ife then was attached to the Mason United States General Hospital, in Boston, until March, 1865. Subsequently hc served as Assistant Surgeon in the armies of the James and the Potomac, and was finally discharged from service at the close of the war, on June 20th, 1855. IIis medical diploma he received from the Harvard Medical School in March, 1865. He also received from his Alma Mater, Amherst College, the degree of A. M. In the fall of 1865 hc located himself in Chicago, where he has since been actively and successfully engaged in practice. In August, 1866, he was appointed Lecturer on Physiology and Histology in the Chicago Medical College, and in April, 1867, was chosen Professor of the same chair. This position he still holds. performing the duties of his branch with ability and satis- faction. He was married in November, 1862, to Sarah A. Travis, daughter of Clark Travis.

TOREY, WILBUR F., Journalist, was born in Salisbury, Vermont, December 19th, 1819. His family is a collateral of the Storey family, of which the well-known jurist was a member. The first ten years of his life werc passed on the farm of his parents, during which period he attended the district school; he then removed with his father to Middle- bury, where he entered the office of the Middlebury Free Press to learn the printing business. He remained there until seventeen years of age, with the exception of a single winter during which he attended a village school. He shortly after removed to New York, and secured a situation as compositor on the Journal of Commerce. He worked at the case a year and a half, and in the spring of 1838 de- cided to move to the West. His economical habits while in New York enabled him to reach Laporte, Indiana, with a cash capital of two hundred and fifty dollars. His first stopping-place was at South Bend, but learning that the Democrats of Laporte were about to establish a newspaper, he went to the latter place and made an arrangement to conduct the mechanical portion of the new paper, while the notorious Ned Hannegan acted as volunteer editor. The paper finally came entirely into his possession, and he was engaged in conducting it until it failed as a profitable ven- ture. At the expiration of a year lie purchased a drug store, but again failed to meet with success. About this time the Democrats of Mishawaka started the Tocsin, which he edited for a ycar and a half, afterward removing to Jackson, Michigan. He then applicd himself for two years to study- ing law, starting subsequently the Jackson Patriot, which succeeded in displacing the Democratic newspaper already in existence. Eighteen months later he was made Post- master by Polk, and held the position until the inauguration of Taylor's administration. Upon becoming Postmaster he had disposed of the Patriot, and upon leaving the office in

1848 again entered a drug store, while dealing also in gro- ceries, books and stationery. In 1850 he was elected to the Constitutional Convention over Blair by a heavy majority, and acted as Inspector of the State prison. Upon securing a onc-sixth interest in the Detroit Free Press, he at once gave up his mercantile pursuits, and in 1853 removed to Detroit. The Free Press at that time was not on a paying basis; becoming eventually sole proprictor, however, he rescued the journal from the helplessness into which it had fallen, and at the end of eight years had not only paid for the whole concern, but accumulated from its earnings about thirty thousand dollars. For six years he performed all the editorial labor of the paper without any assistance, and for two years only allowed himself a helper. In 1861 he rc- moved to Chicago, having desired a new and more extended ficld for operations, and assumed control of the Chicago Times. As a journalist he is remarkable for force, energy, industry, and administrative ability.

ILLER, DE LASKIE, M. D., was born in Ni- agara county, New York, on May 29th, 1818. He is the son of Daniel and Belinda (Jacobs) Miller. His early life was passed on his father's farm, his elementary education being obtaincd at the village school during winter time. At eigh- teen years of age he began to teach school, and having chosen the profession of medicine he at the same time en- tered upon its study under the guidance of the celebrated Dr. Thomas G. Catlin, of Brooklyn, recently deceased. He graduated at Geneva Medical College in 1842 and commenced practice in Lockport, Illinois. Remaining there, however, for a short time only, he removed to Flint, Michigan. Here he practised for several years with much ability and success, and at the same time identified himself thoroughly with all questions of public improvement and educational development. When his determination to leave Flint, in 1852, became known, the leading citizens of the place called a meeting, at which there was a very unanimous and deep expression of regret in anticipation of his depart- ure, and a series of resolutions was adopted setting forth the high esteem in which he was held by the whole com- munity, both in his professional and private character. From Flint he removed to Chicago, being desirous of find- ing a wider field for the exercise of his professional func- tions. In 1859 he was called to fill the chair of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children in the Rush Medical College, his pre-eminent success in that line of practice having marked him out as especially fitted for the position which he has continued to fill ever since with distinguished ability. So deep an interest did he feel in this department of professional labor that in 1863 he undertook a journey to Europe for the express purpose of procuring material for illustrating his lectures. He is also connected with St.

428

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA.

Luke's Hospital as Obstetrician, and is Consulting Physician of the Women's Hospital of the State of Illinois. As a lcc- turer he is careful, systematic and thorough, making always a deep impression, and is a favorite with his classcs. As a physician he is engaged in a large general practice, and in gynecology and obstetrics enjoys a wide and enviable repu- tation. He was married in 1846 to Adeline O. IIurd, of New York State, who died in 1861, deeply regretted by a large circle of relatives and friends.

ILCOX, HON. SILVANUS, Lawyer and Judge, was born in Montgomery county, New York, Sep- tember 30th, ISI8. IIis father was General Elijah Wilcox and his mother Sally Shuler. Until he arrived at the age of sixteen years he only attended school during the winters, his ser- viees being required on his father's farm in the summer. At the age of sixteen he attended a select school at Amster- dam, New York, under the charge of Professor Sprague, and remained there until April, 1336. He then received an appointment as Cadet at the Military Academy at West Point. After a residence in this institution of two years he was granted leave of absence for one year on account of ill-health, but at the expiration of that time he was still unable to return, and was foreed to resign. IIe subse- quently received the following testimonial letter from Major Delafield, Superintendent of the Academy :

MILITARY ACADEMY, WEST POINT, December 4th, 1839.

MR. S. WILCOX-Sir : Your friend, Cadet Van Vleit, has requested of me in your behalf, such a statement of standing and merit in your studies, and character relative to eonduet, as the records of this institution will enable me to give. It appears that you joined the Military Academy as a Cadet in July, 1835, and that at the last examination at which you were present, the academie staff pronounced you the fourth in the order of merit in mathematics, the ninth in French, and the thirteenth in drawing, which, when compared with the rest of your class, then consisting of fifty members, se- cured you the fifth place in general merit. It also appears from the records of the institution that you left here in bad heaith, and that after a protraeted illness of more than a year, you tendered your resignation, which was aeeepted by the Secretary of War, to take effect on the 15th of August, 1339. It gives me much pleasure to have it in my power to put you in possession of such highly favorable testimo- niels of your conduct and talents, when a member of this institution. Respectfully,

Your obedient servant, RICHARD DELAFIELD, Mijor of Engineers, and Sup't of Military Academy.

which he began the study of law with Judge Hcath. In 1844 he again moved West, located at Elgin in Kane county, and has resided there ever since. In 1845 he was appointed Postmaster of Elgin by President Polk, and held the office during his administration. Meantime he had continued the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in I845. Hc was for a time a partner with Judge Wilson, an eminent and well-known lawyer in the State, and continucd the practice of his profession very successfully until 1867, when he was elected Judge of what was then the Twenty- eighth and now is the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Illinois, and was re-clected in June, 1873. His circuit, comprising the counties of Du Page, Kane and Kendall, was a large one, and required almost his whole time to dispose of the business. In 1874, by reason of ill-health, brought on by confinement in the court room, and excessive mental labor, the Judge felt it his duty to resign. The monthly Western Jurist for September, 1874, published at Bloomington, Illinois, in speaking of Judge Wileox's resignation, says :

" It is the regret of all that Judge Wilcox felt compelled to resign. He, however, has the full satisfaction of know- ing that he has the sympathy of the entire people of his eireuit, and the judiciary of the State. His ability and in- tegrity, and the great eare he exercised to determine evcry question correctly, gave him the position he attained on the beneh, and his decisions commanded the respeet of all. We hope that rest and cessation from judicial labor will restore the Judge to health, and that he may again enter the prac- tiee of the profession in which he has spent his life."

In 1840 he was married to Jane Mallery, of Montgomery county, New York, and has two children, a son and a daughter. In March, 1859, while alighting from a horse, he received a severe injury, and for four years was unable to walk without the aid of a crutch or eane. Among his class- mates at West Point were General W. T. Sherman, Stewart Van Vleit, General George H. Thomas, Bushrod R. John- son, General Theodore Mead, and many others who have sinee beeome prominent men in the history of the United States. Since his retirement from the judicial beneh the condition of his health has been somewhat improving, though he is yet far from being well. He owns two large farms in Elgin, which are managed under his instruction and are devoted principally to the dairy business, which yields him a large income. Financially his success has been great, and his residence, situated on an eminence on the west side of the eity and commanding a fine view of Elgin and the surrounding country, is one of the finest in the county. Judge Wilcox is wholly domestic in his habits, yet greatly interested in public affairs. He is a man of extraordinary enterprise and energy, of firm convictions, and great tenacity of purpose, combined with strong common sense, good judgment, and excellent address. To these qualities his success in life, which has been without inter- ruption, is wholly due, for he commenced with limited means and only such friends as his talents and character

In 1840, when his health was sufficiently restored to allow him to travel, he moved West, and for about five months was occupied in visiting various parts of the country. He then returned to New York, and taught school one winter at " Yankee Hill" in Florida, Montgomery county, after |had won. The location of the watch factory at Elgin was

499

BIOGRAPIIICAL ENCYCLOPAEDIA.

obtained through the energy and perseverance of four gen- tlemen, of whom Mr. Wilcox was one. They purchased and presented to the company thirty five acres on which to erect their buildings, when the town had refused to do it. The wateh factory is in a great measure the making of Elgin.

AN DYKE, EBENEZER, M. D., was born in Warren county, Ohio, September 26th, 1822. His parents, natives of Pennsylvania, were among the pioneer settlers of Ohio, and emigrated to that State in the latter part of the last century, engaging afterward in farming and agricultural

pursuits. He attended the common schools of Monroe, Butler county, Ohio, where he acquired his elementary cducation. When eighteen years of age he engaged in teaching school, and at the same time pursued the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. W. W. Colwell. He then also attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College, and graduated from that institution in 1846. He subsc- quently commenced the practice of his profession at Bluc Ball, Butler county, Ohio, where, at the expiration of two years, he became associated in partnership with his former preceptor, a connection which was continued for two years. Hle afterward moved to Mason, Warren county, where he resided during the succeeding four years, removing later to Greenville, Dark county, where he was professionally occu- pied for about three years. In 1852 hc travelled by the overland route to California, purposely encountering the attendant hardships in order to benefit his health, which had become seriously impaired. In 1854 he returned from the Pacific slope with fully recruited powers, and after a tem- porary sojourn in Ohio settled in Illinois, selecting Shelby- ville as his place of residence, where he has since met with merited success as a medical practitioner. In 1863 hc cn- tered the service of the United States as Assistant Surgeon of the 31st Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, and served for one ycar, when he resigned on account of cnfeebled health, and returned to Shelbyville, resuming there his professional labors. He is a member of the Shelby County Medical So- ciety, and a member also of the District Medical Society of Central Illinois. IIe was married in 1845 to A. M. Moore, of Monroe, Ohio.

'ORY, JAMES Y., ex-Journalist, Postmaster of Waukegan, was born in Wellington, Canada West, October 12th, 1828. IIe is the son of Dr. Cory. ' His education was acquired at an acad- emy, where he pursucd a course of general studies. In 1844 he settled in Waukegan, then known as Little Fort, the Indian name " Waukegan " not being adopted until 1849. He there entered a store, where he was employed as a clerk until 1852. He then became

associated in partnership with Daniel O. Dickinson, a prominent merchant of the place, and until 1854 was engaged generally in the store, assuming, subsequently, the exclusive management of the grain department. For a period of six months after the dissolution of the firm, in 1856, he prosecuted the grain business in Chicago, and also sustained, for a brief period, a store at Hainesville. In I858 he purchased the Waukegan Gazette, and occupied its editorial chair, also controlling it as proprietor, until 1871. In 1861 he was appointed Postmaster, at Waukegan, an office which he has since continuously retained, with the exception of about two years, during the administration of President Johnson. Since 1871 he has been occupied by no other business but that connected with his position as Postmaster. IIe was married in 1852 to Eliza P. Kellog, of Waukegan.

ACEY, LYMAN, Lawyer, ex-Member of the Legis- lature, Circuit Judge of the Seventeenth District of Illinois, was born in Tompkins county, New York, May 9th, 1832. IIe is the son of John Lacey and Cloe (Hurd) Lacey, who removed to Michigan in 1836, and in 1837 settled in Fulton county, Illinois. His preliminary education was acquired in the public schools of Illinois, whencc he was transferred to the Illinois College at Jacksonville, from which institu- tion he graduated in 1855. In the same year he com- menced the study of law at Lewistown with Hon. L. B. Ross, and in 1856 was admitted to the bar. Locating in IIavana, the county-scat of Mason county, in October, 1856, he practised law up to 1862, when he was elected to the lower House of the Legislature, on the Democratic ticket, to represent the counties of Mason and Menard, and served one term. In June, 1873, he was elected Circuit Judge of the Seventeenth District, comprising the counties of Mason, Menard, Logan, and De Witt. His standing as a Judge is deservedly high. IIc was married May 9th, 1860, to Caro- line A. Potter, of Beardstown, Illinois, who died September 12th, 1863; and again, May 19th, 1865, to Mattie A. Warner, of IIavana, Illinois.

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 111

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