The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century, Part 24

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

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instrumental in contributing to the development of its in- dustries and resources. He is a skilful practitioner, and has ably conducted to a successful issue many cases of con- siderable importance; while, as a legislator, he sustained the interests of his constituents with unremitting vigor and attention. He was married, June 4th, 1861, to Nettie Young, of Champaign, Illinois.

'OWARD, HARTWELL C., M. D., was born near Rochester, Monroe county, New York, July 12th, 1832. His parents were Eleazer Howard and Matilda (Wood) Howard. While in his fourteenth year he removed to Franklin county, New York, and there attended three courses at the Columbus College. Upon the completion of his term of study in that institution, he decided to embrace the medical profession, and when seventeen years of age com- menced the study of medicine under the supervision and able guidance of Professor John Butterfield, one of the faculty of the Starling Medical College. At the latter insti- tution he matriculated in 1848, graduating therefrom in the spring of 1851. Subsequently, during the three ensuing years, he was engaged in the practice of his profession in the hospitals of New York. In 1854, believing that the West offered a wider field for the profitable exercise of skill and industry, he removed to Illinois and took up his residence in McLean county. In 1856 he located himself in Champaign, where he constructed a large flouring mill, the first one erected in the town. In 1857, however, he resumed the practice of the medical profession, and since that time has been constantly occupied in the skilful fulfil- ment of the duties attached to it. He is a valued member of the Central Illinois Medical Society, and has repeatedly been appointed a delegate from that body to the State Medical Society of Illinois. He was married, in 1856, to M. E. Monroe, a former resident of Rochester, New York.

OMROY, CALEB M., President of the First National Bank, Quincy, Illinois, was born in Salem, Massachusetts, August 8th, ISIO. His parents were Henry Pomroy and Fannie (Mayo) Pomroy. Ilis earlier education was acquired in the schools of his native place. Subsequently he was apprenticed to learn the trade of blacksmith, at which he worked constantly for a period of about seven years. In 1831 he travelled westward and engaged in boating from Cincinnati to New Orleans, continuing thus occupied for several years. In 1837 he moved to Illinois, and located himself in Quincy, where he established himself in the pork-packing business, which he pursued during the

ensuing quarter of a century. He was among the pioneers in that particular line of business in Quincy, and ultimately the firm of C. M. Pomroy & Co. attained a widespread and favorable reputation. In 1858 he became identified with various banking interests of a nature more or less impor- tant ; was chosen a director in the Quincy Savings Bank, and in 1864 was elected the President of that institution. In the same year the First National Bank was founded and organized, and he was selected to fill its Presidency. He is also a director in the Quincy, Mississippi & Pacific Railroad; director and Treasurer of the Quincy Gas Com- pany and director in the Knox College, located at Gales- burg. Also during three years he held the office of Treasurer for Adams county, fulfilling the duties of that trust with scrupulous care and marked ability. For four years he was a prominent director in the Shurtleff College, located at Alton, Illinois. In all matters relating to the advancement, social and political, of his adopted State and county, he is an active and efficient worker, and has materially aided in the prompt development of their natural and artificial resources. He was married, in 1834, to Nancy Simpson, of Cincinnati, Ohio.

OOT, HENRY, President of the Union Bank, of Quincy, Illinois, was born in Canada, June 4th, ISI3. His parents were Henry Root and Mary (Overholt) Root. Ilis earlier and elementa: y education was acquired in the educational estab- lishments of his native place. In 1836, believing that in western America lay a wider field for the profitable exercise of energy and industry, he located himself in St. Louis, where, however, he remained for but a brief period. In 1840 he moved to Quincy, Illinois, and there became engaged in mercantile pursuits, which occupied his entire time and attention during the ensuing twenty-five years. From these pursuits he withdrew himself in 1865, and in 1869 became one of the organizers of the Union Bank of Quincy, an institution whose Presidency has been filled 1 y him since its organization. Since his retirement from mercantile business, also, he has been prominently identificd with the development of railroad communications, and has aided effectively in assuring to Quincy the varied benefits arising from the existence of a well-controlled railway system. During the past two and a-half ycars he has been President of the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railroad, and while acting in that capacity has evinced the possession of financial and administrative abilities of a high order. A man of large public spirit, he manifests a deep and active interest in all local movements, and he is in no small measure one of the prime causes of Quincy's present pros- perity. He was married, in 1844, to Sarah Ann Miller, of Quincy, who died, June 22d, 1875.

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UNKLE, CORNELIUS, Banker, was born in Albany county, New York, in ISI0, being the son of John Runkle, a well-known and highly esteemed citizen of that section. He was reared on a farm, and was educated in the public schools of that section, materially improving his education by persistent study. In 1834 he removed to Knoxville, Illinois, where he embarked in a mercantile enterprise which claimed his close attention until 1857. His fine business tact and prudent management of his business affairs secured for him ample means, which, by judicious investment, became the foundation of a fortune. In 1857 he established the banking house of C. Runkle & Co., which was profitably and honorably conducted until 1865, when it was merged into the First National Bank, of Knoxville. He became President of this institution, and under his careful administration it has transacted a very large and flourishing business and has acquired a high reputation for its thorough financial solidity. For the past sixteen years he has been the City Treasurer of Knoxville, and has conducted the fiscal affairs of that city to the fullest satisfaction of its people. He was for one term Sheriff of the county. IIe is one of the oldest settlers in Knoxville, and has always enjoyed the unbounded respect of the community in which he resides.

and directed him to paint a sign for the old place; and when asked what he would have put upon it, he answered in the actual inspiration of the moment, in those memorable words, characteristic alike of the man and the city of his adoption. The next day afterward he erected, on the same spot, a small pine shanty-the first building of any kind put up on the burnt district. He sent to outside friends, to whom he had given maps of the city and its subdivisions, requesting their return, and soon had some at least of the regular appurtenances of a real estate office. He found himself the centre of travel and reference, cards were stuck upon his shed stating where parties could be found. Vis- itors began to call, and stages began running to the same point. People thought him crazy to think of dealing in real estate then ; but he had not long to wait before specu- lators and purchasers in this line came in from various quarters. One old capitalist came along that way and said sadly : " You are young, you may rebuild, but I never shall." That same man has already built one of the city's finest business structures, Mr. Kerfoot's business has steadily increased, and is already one of the largest of its kind in the city. He handles, perhaps, more property for non-residents than any real estate house in the city. He has since taken into partnership his brother, Charles D. Kerfoot, and W. D. Merigold, the young man who painted the sign after the firc. The sign itself is handsomely framed, and stands upon the mantel-piece in his elegantly rebuilt house-a memento for future generations.

ERFOOT, WILLIAM DALE, Dealer in Real Es- tate, was born April 16th, 13:7, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. His father was Dr. George B. Ker- foot, physician in Lancaster. He attended the IDWAY, LEVERETT BARKER, Banker, was born in Jersey county, Illinois, near Alton, Feb- ruary 14th, 1832. His father, George D. Sidway, was a tanner. His mother was Emeline Doug- las Sidway, a cousin of Stephen A. Douglas. His parents were Methodists, and their home was a regular stopping-place for leading itinerant Methodist clergymen ; such men as Peter Akers, Peter Cartwright, Bishop Ames and Bishop Jayne, and many other prominent Methodist preachers of those times were their frequent guests. At five years of age Leverett B. began attending school at the Otto Creek Seminary in Jersey county, the first brick or stone school edifice ever constructed in Illi- nois. It was built from a fund left by his uncle, Dr. Silas Hamilton, for that purpose, and which also made it a free school. IIc continued his studies here until 1847. His father then removed the family to Alton, where he engaged in the saddlery and leather business. The son attended a private school in Alton, and finished his education at the well-known Jones School of St. Louis. During his youth he was much of the time engaged about his father's store, and assisting in his business. In December, 1854, he formed a partnership with W. H. Turner, under the firm- public schools of Lancaster until the death of his father, in 1852, when he went to St. James' Col- lege, Hagerstown, Maryland, where he remained for two years. In 1854 he left and went to Chicago and entered the real estate office of James Il. Rees. While here he saved part of his salary and speculated in real estate. In 1858 he returned to St. James' College, paying his own way with what he had earned. He remained there until 1861 and graduated, when he returned to Chicago and took charge of the real estate interests of Thomas B. Bryan; continuing with him until 1862. He then opened a real cstate office at 89 Washington street. Ile was married, May 30th, 1865, in Covington, Kentucky, to Susan B. Mooklar of that place. Up to the time of the great fire of October 9th, 1871, his business had steadily increased ; everything promised well. But in that dire disaster both his home and his place of business were swept away. It was he who, on the morning after the fire, rearcd the first sign-board upon all the broad acres of smoking ruins, planting it upon the site of his old office, inscribed with those now famous words : " W. D. Kerfoot is at 59 Union Park place. All gone but wife, children, and energy." In the general confusion he had hunted up his book-keeper | name of Turner & Sidway, in the saddlery and leather

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business in Alton. In February, 1855, he was married to | lion dollars; Mr. Sidway occupying the position of Presi- Louise, eldest daughter of Judge William Martin, of Alton. dent, and Mr. Powers that of Vice- President; each, how- ever, assuming about an equal share in its management. Since this period both of these gentlemen, with the full approbation of their stockholders and directors, have been active in efforts to induce the Legislature of Illinois to pass a law requiring from all the State banks quarterly reports of their condition, and frequent unannounced examinations of their assets by the State Auditor; believing that there could be no sound savings bank system except it was under the general control of the State authorities, and that pub- licity of their affairs and manner of doing business was the greatest safeguard that could be given to the public. Their ideas on that subject were very clearly set forth in a letter addressed to IIon. George M. Bogue, member of the Illi- nois Legislature, January 23d, 1875. Mr. Sidway is a member of the South Park Commission, being one of the original appointees, and since reappointed by the circuit judges. In this connection he originated the feature of a botanical garden, which has been begun under the most favorable auspices and with every prospect of the most complete success. From the first he has had charge of the horticultural department. For over twenty years he has owned and kept up an extensive fruit farm near Alton, which includes the largest pear orchard in the State. Mr. Sidway has, by his integrity and ability, and constant atten- tion to the interests in his charge, acquired an enviable reputation. By the most strenuous efforts the young firm passed through the panic of 1857 without being compelled to ask exten- sions from their creditors, and in IS58 they moved to Chicago, where they opened in the same business, but very much reduced in capital. In the spring of 1861 the break- ing out of the civil war was followed by an almost utter . prostration of all business, except such as was connected with furnishing army supplies, to which business the firm of Turner & Sidway turned their attention. The first order they received was for the horse equipments for Captain Shaumberg's Chicago Cavalry Company, which was exe- cuted to the satisfaction of the State authorities, and was followed by other and larger orders from the States of Illi- nois and Iowa and the general government, until, within ninety days from the time of beginning on their first order, over 500 men were at work in their factories, turning out regularly 100 sets of horse equipments each day, besides considerable quantities of infantry accoutrements. During the year 1861 they manufactured and delivered goods amounting to about $700,000, without in a single instance having a package rejected, an invoice cut down a single penny, or any of their transactions having to be brought before an investigating committee. In 1863 they sent an old claim to Washington of about $3000, on which they had not been able to get a voucher on account of the death of the quartermaster who bought the goods, and some other complications. On its being brought before Judge Holt for examination and approval or rejection, he said, " This is a very irregular claim, but the record of the firm is so good that I shall order it paid." Although their capital was very small when they began to take government orders, their success in going through the panic of 1857 had given them an almost unlimited credit, which proved sufficient for all their business requirements, enabling them to hold their own vouchers until paid, and thereby avoid the shaves to which the majority of contractors were subjected. In 1863 Mr. Sidway became connected with and an active manager of the State Savings Institution. In 1865 he established the Union Hide & Leather Company of Chi- cago, of which he was the principal manager until July, 1872, when he sold out his interest and retired entirely from the leather business. After the great fire of 1871 the State Savings Institution was reopened at his residence, at 589 Wabash avenue, and he took general control of its business. In December of that year it was moved to its new quarters in the rebuilt business district. In January, 1873, he sold out his interest in this institution, with the in- tention of starting a new bank, on a somewhat different principle, and with a large cash capital. In May, 1873, hc and H. G. Powers, in connection with several other promi- nent gentlemen, began the organization of the Illinois Trust and Savings Bank, which commenced business in July of that year, with a paid up cash capital of half a mil-

ISBEE, LEWIS H., Lawyer, was born in Derby, Orleans county, Vermont, March 28th, 1839. Ilis father was engaged in agricultural pursuits. IIis preliminary education was acquired in the public schools of his native town, whose sessions he attended during the intervals of freedom from farm labor. Upon attaining his fifteenth year he engaged in teaching school, assisting meanwhile on the paternal farm, and pursued a course of studies in the higher branches at the Derby Academy. Finally, after preparing himself to enter an advanced class in the St. IIyacinth College, situ- ated near Montreal, Canada, he became a student in that institution, and thence graduated with the class of 1860, being then twenty-one years of age. His education was conducted in the French language, which circumstance has since been instrumental in aiding him to mount to his present high position. He has conducted various cases managed in that language, and, as a French scholar, is not surpassed in the city. At the completion of his collegiate course he decided to embrace the legal profession, and read law with I. L. Edwards, Esq., a prominent practitioner of Derby, Vermont. On the 10th of June, 1862, he was ad- mitted to the bar. At the samc date, the rebellion then growing to ominous proportions, he enlisted as a private in the 9th Regiment of Vermont Infantry. Serving with this

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body, and cheerfully sharing in all the hardships through | school, till he entered Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine, which it passed, he rose step by step through all the non- in 1831, and graduated in 1835. In 1836 he entered as law student in the office of John Neal, lawyer, novelist, and poet, in the city of Portland. In the fall of 1837 he emi- grated to Baltimore, Maryland, where he was engaged as Professor in Baltimore College for a few months. Listen- ing to the glowing accounts of the western prairies, the emigrating fever seized him. Congress was in session. Colonel Robinson was then United States Senator for the State of Illinois. The colonel furnished him with letters of introduction to Judge Wilson and others. Judge Wilson was Chief-Justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois, and with him he continued his law studies in 1838. That year he was admitted to practise law in all the courts of the State, and he opened a law office at Freeport in IS40. He was clected Secretary to the Council of Revision, composed of the Governor and Judges of the Supreme Court, for the approval of the laws of the session of 1842 and 1843. In IS48 he was elected for four years Judge of the County Court of Stephenson county, having probate jurisdiction, and was Presiding Judge of the County Commissioner's Court. After the expiration of his term of office he retired to private life, yet has often been elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, which office he now holds. commissioned grades, and ultimately received his commis- sion as Captain of Company H of the 9th Regiment Ver- mont Infantry. Ile was an active participant, with his company, in the engagements at Antietam, Gettysburg, and in all the principal battles fought by the Army of the Poto- mac during the eventful years of 1362 and 1863. In the course of the former year he was captured at Harper's Ferry, was released on parole, and remained at Camp Douglas until exchanged ; subsequently, he remained with his regiment until 1834, when his resignation, tendered on account of disability from sickness and wounds received in battle, was accepted. I. the fall of 1364 he commenced the practice of law at Newport, Vermont, and at once secured an extensive practice. I.1 1355 he was elected State Attorney for Orleans county, and was re-elected in 1357; but in the following fall resigned in order to accept the position of Deputy Collector of Customs, which office he filled until 1869. In the latter year he was elected to the Legislature, and in IS71 secured a re-election. During the course of the sessions of that body he maintained a prominent and leading position, and was constantly assigned to act on the more important committees-the Judiciary, Committee on Railroads, etc. In April, 1871, he removed to Chicago, and there entered on the practice of law as senior member of the law firm of Bisbee & Marsh, remain. ing in this connection until January Ist, 1872, at which dute he became a member of the law firm of Monroe, Bis- bce & Gibbs, still existing. The practice of this firm is very extensive, particularly in the real estate and chancery business. In that connection he acts in the capacity of jury lawyer, and is eminently successful in all his efforts. Ilis management of the Sturgess case, in December, I874, was highly commended by the bar in general. The firm also are attorneys for the United States Government for the Northwest on the "Alabama " claim cases. From 1365 to IS70 he was United States Commissioner from Newport, under the Extradition Treaty, He is an ardent supporter of the Republican party, and, both in the East and West, has delivered many able and brilliant speeches in the de- fence of its principles and policy. He was married, in 1854, to Jane E. Hinman, of Derby, Vermont.

URINTON, GEORGE, Lawyer and Judge, son of Robert and Betsy Hall Purinton, was born in Cumberland county, Maine, November 30th, 1809. IIe was raised on the homestead farm till sixteen years old, during which period he attended the winter school from six weeks to two months yearly. At the age of sixteen he was sent by his father to a private academy for six weeks, after which he worked his way along, supporting himself by teaching

ILDER, ROSWELL, one of the pioneers of Aurora, was born in New Fane, Windham county, Vermont, July 2d, 1784. He was the son of Joel Wilder and Lydia Morse, and comes from the old Puritan stock of New England. Ilis father was a soldier during the Revolution- ary war, resulting in American independence, and was once taken prisoner and kept for a long time on the British prison ships in Wallabout bay in New York harbor. Ros- well's early life was spent with his parents in farm labor. His education was obtained in the district schools of that time, whose advantages were meagre at best. In March, 1810, he was married to Sally Belknap, of Lynn, Massa- chusetts. He served his country as a soldier during the war with England of 1812, and was at the battle of Sack- ett's Harbor. IIe was engaged in husbandry and clearing his farm, in St. Lawrence county, New York, of the forest growths up to 1830, when he removed to Antwerp, Jeffer- son county, New York, and kept a hotel there for a number of years. From Antwerp he removed to Brockville, Can- ada, where he was engaged in the business of hotel keeping until 1838, when he removed to Aurora, Illinois, and

opencd a hotel which was one of the carly landmarks of the country. The " Wilder House " was known far and wide in those carly days, and was famed for its excel- lence and the generous dispensation of a lavish hospitality. Probably no man in the Northwest was better known in his time than Roswell Wilder, and numerous persons now

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living ean testify to his kindliness of heart and generosity in those early times, when hospitality meant something more than words. He purchased quite a large tract of land adjoining the town, and laid out what is known as " Wilder's Addition to West Aurora ; " and there are numerous other landmarks in that locality that testify to his enterprise in public affairs in those primitive days. IIe died on June 22d, 1860, aged seventy-six years.

was suceessful in his well-directed efforts in procuring an additional appropriation to the State Industrial University, thus enabling the trustecs to complete the construction of their buildings, which are the most extensive of any in the Western States ; and took a prominent part in all that eon- cerned the interests of his constituents. During the second Senatorial session he was again appointed on the Committee of State Institutions, and also on the Committee of Reve- nuc. It was during these two sessions that an entire revision of the State statutcs was made, some of the especial provis- ions of which he is the originator. He was married in September, 1854, to Eunice Mead, then a resident of Clarksfield, Ohio. He is an able and talented lawyer, and a skilful political tactician, while his record, both in public and private life, is wholly honorable, and every way worthy of a liberal Christian gentleman.

HELDON, JAIRUS C., Lawyer, Senator from the Thirtieth District of Illinois, was born in Lan- caster, Erie county, New York, November 2d, 1827, at which date the locality was known as Clarence. His father, Croydon Sheldon, a car- penter, died at an early age; his mother was Eunice (Brown) Sheldon, a native of Vermont, who subse- quently became the wife of Hiram W. Cunningham. In 1833 young Sheldon removed with the family to Clarks- EBBER, THOMAS R., was born in Shelby eounty, Kentucky, in October, 1807. His father was engaged in farming and agricultural pursuits. While in his boyhood, the educational facilities of which he was able to avail himself were few in number, and meagre in quality ; but, letting pass no opportunity to instruct himself, and accomplishing much profitable study during his leisure hours, and after the fulfilment of his duties on the farm, he managed to acquire a fair knowledge of the elementary branches. When in his seventeenth year he commenced to teach school, and continued at that avocation during the eight ensuing years. Moving subsequently to Champaign county, then part of Vermilion county, he cstablished himself in Urbana, in 1832. That locality he had destined to be the scene of further professional labors in the school-room, but the population of the time and place was so meagre that he was compelled to abandon his intentions; within a short period after taking up his residence there, however, he was chosen Constable for the section of the county then known as Vermilion. In May, 1833, the new county of Cham- paign was created, and he was chosen to occupy the position of County Clerk, an office which he held for twenty years. In the same ycar he was appointed Clerk of the Circuit Court, performing with ability the functions attached to that position until 1857; simultaneously he acted as Re- corder of Deeds, and also as Postmaster of Urbana, retain- ing control of the latter office for fifteen years. He was also Master in Chaneery from the time of the creation of that office up to 1874. In fact, during a protracted pericd of time, he held almost every public office and position existing in this section of Champaign county, and, from the commencement of his public and official career to its final termination, his inflexible rectitude and sterling abilities left no room for blame or cavil. In 1847 he represented field, Huron county, Ohio, where, in the public schools of the vicinity, he acquired the common rudiments of learning. After being employed in assisting in the work of clearing up the home farm until he had attaincd his eightcenth year, he found further employment in various ship-yards and on the craft frequenting the waters of Lake Erie. In the winter of 1849, resolving to acquire a more thorough education, he entered upon a one year's course of study in the Baldwin Institute, located at Berea, Ohio. At the ex- piration of that term he left the college, and, for a short period, was engaged in teaching school, assiduously per- fecting in the meantime his own acquirements. In May, 1853, he removed to Urbana, Illinois, and was there em- ployed in the construction of the Illinois Central Railroad, then being built; acting temporarily with the Engineer Corps, and afterward as assistant in land surveying for the same road. In the spring of 1856, resolving to embrace the legal profession, he entered the law office of Coloncl W. N. Coler, an able practitioner of Urbana, and, upon completing the requisite studies, was admitted to the bar in the following November; among his examiners was Abra- ham Lincoln. Entering at once upon the practice of law, he remained occupied with his professional duties until 1867, at which date he turned his attention exclusively to real estate matters until the fall of 1870. In that year he was elected to the Legislature (Twenty-seventh Assembly) on the Republican ticket, and served a term of two years. He was a member of the Committee of State Institutions and Education, and was instrumental, with others, in securing a large appropriation to the State Industrial Uni- versity, located at Urbana, in the eastern part of the State. In the fall of 1872 he was elected to the Scnate from the Thirtieth District (four years' term). During the first session he served in this body on the Committee of State Institutions, and also on the Committee of Appropriations; his district in the Constitutional Convention of the State,

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The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century, Part 24

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