The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century, Part 42

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

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URCHARD, HON. IIORATIO C., M.C., Lawyer, was born at Marshall, Oneida county, New York, September 22d, 1825. His parents were Horatio Burchard, formerly engaged in farming and agri- cultural pursuits, and Frances (Chapin ) Burchard, both of Springfield, Massachusetts. In 1840 he removed, with his family, to Beloit, Wisconsin. In 1850, after the termination of his allotted course of studies, he graduated at Hamilton College, located in his native State. During the ensuing year he had charge of an academy in Monroe, Green county, Wisconsin. He had previously commenced the study of law, in a special class, under the supervision and able guidance of Professor Dwight, now of Columbia College, New York, and in 1852 was admitted to the Monroe, Wisconsin, bar. In 1854 he took charge of the Freeport, Illinois, schools, as General Manager and head teacher. In 1855 he associated himself in a partner-

ship connection with Thomas I. Turner, under the style of Turner & Burchard, for the practice of law. In 1856 E. P. Barton was admitted as a partner, and T. I. Turner re- tiring in 1858, the firm was continued until 1873 under the style of Burchard & Barton. In 1862, in conjunction with his brother, he established a hardware store in Freeport, the firm of H. C. Burchard & Brother, which was continued until 1869, while, in the interim, he was professionally and successfully occupied. From 1857 to 1860 he was School Commissioner of Stephenson county, Illinois. In 1863 and 1865 he was a prominent member of the Legislature of Illi- nois, and while acting in that capacity evinced the posses- sion of sterling abilities, and faithfully guarded the interests of his constituents. In the session of 1863 he was a mem- ber of the Committee on Claims, and in that of 1865 was Chairman of the Committee on Banks and Corporations. In 1869 he was elected to Congress, at a special election held to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Washburne, prior to his departure for Europe as United States Minister to France. He sat with the Congressional body in the Forty-first, Forty-second, and Forty-third Con- gresses, and in November, 1874, was re-elected to the Forty- fourth Congress. In politics he is a firm and consistent Republican, and to the support of his party brings abilities of no mean order, and the prestige of an honorable reputa- tion and unsullied record.

ATTON, REV. FRANCIS L., D. D., was born in the island of Bermuda, January 22d, 1843. The family for several generations, or over a hundred years, have been residents of that island, but came originally from Scotland. His father was George I. Patton, a shipping merchant, and is now deceased. The son was educated in a private academy until the age of fifteen ; then further pursued his studies in the University of Toronto, Canada; and also in the Theological Department of Princeton College, where he graduated in 1865. IIe was then ordained, and settled, June Ist, 1865, as pastor over the Eighty-fourth Street Presbyterian Church of New York city. Two years later he accepted a call to the Presbyterian Church of Nyack, on the Hudson. In 1871 he was called to the South Presby- terian Church of Brooklyn, New York. In the following year he accepted the Professorship of Didactic and Polemic Theology, in the Presbyterian Theological Seminary of the Northwest, located at Chicago, which position he now holds. In 1873 he took editorial charge of The Interior, and still acts in that capacity, in company with Rev. C. L. Thomp- son, who has since become associate elder. Ile is also occupying the pulpit of the Jefferson Park Presbyterian Church of Chicago, as he has done for a year past. He is author of a treatise on the inspiration of the Scriptures, and of a summary of Christian doctrine, which is embraced in

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a volume entitled "Preparing to Teach," both of these | leaving the latter institution he practised for a brief period being published by the Presbyterian Board of Publication. He has also been an occasional contributor to the Prince- ton Review. He is, perhaps, best known to the public in connection with the famous ecclesiastical trial of Professor Swing, May-October, 1874; which resulted in the latter's acquittal before the Presbytery, and subsequent conviction of heresy before the Synod, and withdrawal from the denomi- nation. Professor Patton was married, October 10th, 1865, to Rosa Antoinette Stevenson, daughter of Rev. Dr. Steven- son, Secretary of the American Tract Society.

HARTERS, ALEXANDER, Merchant, was born in Belfast, Ireland, July 7th, 1800. His parents were Alexander Charters and Eleanor (Mackey) Charters. He received his education in his native place, and in 1816 sailed for New York, in order to join his two brothers, who were estab- lished in business in that city as linen importers. He there entered their store, and in due course of time was admitted into partnership with them, the firm-style then adopted being J. A. Charters & Co. Ile continued thus occupied until 1838, when he retired from active business life, and removed to Dixon, Illinois. In this locality he purchased a section of land, which is one of the most fertile and beau- tifully located properties in the State. There he has since permanently resided, surrounded by natural scencry of un- rivalled loveliness, retired within a spot on the Rock river, whose innumerable and unsurpassed beauties have called forth the admiration of that gifted woman, Margaret Fuller Ossoli. Though not actively engaged in business since his residence in Dixon, he has been prominently identified with many of the enterprises and movements relating to the town, and his unbounded hospitality and genial nature, coupled with his many other endearing characteristics, have conduced to make him one of the most widely known and best beloved citizens of the town. He was married in 1827 to Ellen Boomer, of Belfast, who died in New York in 1832. His only son, James B. Charters, is a prominent legal practitioner of Dixon, Illinois.

LAUW, C. A. W., M. D., was born in Germany, August 23d, 1843. His parents were A. J. Blauw and C. A. Blauw ; both were natives of Germany, and died in 1849 and 1850, respec- tively. His earlier and elementary education was acquired at the ordinary educational estab- lishments of Strasburg, France, whence he removed to Carlsruhe, Baden. Subsequently hc moved to Heidelberg, graduated from the famous institution of that name, and then completed his medical education at Wurtzburg. After

in Baden, then crossed over to London, England, where hc resumed the practice of his profession in connection with Dr. Fiekel, now widely known in Chicago, with whom, ultimately, he came to this country. After practising for varying periods in different cities, he settled finally in Cairo, where he has since permanently resided. He possesses an extensive business, and also the confidence and esteem of all those who have become acquainted with him and his many sound acquirements. Endowed with natural abilities of no mean order, the thorough course of elementary and advanced training, through which he passed in the foreign schools and universities, has effectively developed them. His varied experience also, both in the new world and the old, has added greatly to his value as a physician of capa- bilities and resources, while his innate predilection for study and research keeps him constantly within the current of the latest investigations and discoveries concerning the medical science.

ORA, JOHN WILLIAM, M. D., was born in Bracken county, Kentucky, May 5th, 1827. On the paternal side he is of English, and on the maternal of Scotch descent. His parents were originally residents of Maryland, who, very early in the present century, moved to Kentucky, and engaged in the culture of tobacco, four miles south of Augusta. He was educated in Cincinnati, at the Wes- leyan College. Upon abandoning a preparatory collegiate life he entered Bartlett's Commercial College at that place, purposing to engage in the mercantile trade. After keep- ing books for one year, however, he relinquished this inten- tion, and, deciding to embrace the medical profession, commenced the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. G. R. C. Todd, a brother of Mrs. Abraham Lincoln, at Cynthiana, Harrison county, Kentucky. At the com . pletion of the usual probationary term he graduated in 1850 at the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati. He then entered at once upon the active practice of his profession at Buena Vista, Harrison county, Kentucky, continuing occupied professionally and successfully until 1856. Subsequently, after a short sojourn in Missouri, he removed to Mattoon, Illinois, in August of the same year, where he has since, with a single exception, permanently resided. For two years he lived in Chicago, where he took a degree in medi- cine, at the Rush Medical College, and became a member of the Cook County Medical Association. For a period of nearly twenty years he has practised his profession in Coles county, meeting with great and deserved success, and attending to all important cases of surgery. He was one of the earliest settlers in this section of the State, and in his recollection has many interesting and instructive anec- dotes and incidents, illustrating in a vivid manner the events connected with its growth and development. He has

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always been prominently identified with the local history of Mattoon, and was the first Mayor of the town, serving three entire terms. In 1857 he obtained a dispensation for the organization of a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, the first established there, and of this he was the first Master installed. In politics he was always a Henry Clay Whig, until 1856, when he attached himself to the Democratic party, of which he has since been a faithful and valucd ad- herent. He was married May 11th, 1850, near Cynthiana, Kentucky, to Mrs. Martha E. Whitaker, a daughter of Robert Smith, of Harrison county, Kentucky. She died March 28th, 1873, leaving issue of four children.

ELCH, WILLIAM R., Lawyer, was born in Jes- samine county, Kentucky, in 1828, his parents being John and Elizabeth (Rice) Welch, both natives of the same State. He was educated at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, and graduated from the Literary Department of that institution in 1847, and from the Legal Department in 1851. He commenced the practice of law in Nicholasville, Kentucky, in 1854, and continued it until 1864, when he re- moved to Carlinsville, Macoupin county, Illinois, where he has been ever since actively engaged in his professional duties, to which he devotes his attention exclusively. He has won his way to the front rank of the profession in that county by the display of excellent qualities both as an advis- ing counsel and pleader at the bar. He is a thoroughly read lawyer, and is eloquent and logical in all his forensic cfforts. He has been retained in many of the most important cases which have engaged the attention of the courts of that sec- tion, and has earned the high reputation which he now pos- sesses. He was married in 1854 to Annie M. Corn, oi Jessamine county, Kentucky.

OORE, ENOCH W., M.D., was born in Monroe county, Illinois, December 7th, 1821, being the son of Enoch Moore, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, who was born at Bellefontaine, in the same county, February 17th, 1783, and was the first American male who could claim the State of Illinois as his birth-place. His mother, whose maiden name was Mary Whitesides, was a native of Kentucky, but removed to Illinois in 1793. Whitesides county, Illinois, was named after her brother. Dr. Moore's elementary edu- cation was principally obtained at home, there being at that early time very mcagre facilities for obtaining school instruc- tion in that section. Having concluded to adopt the medical profession as his pursuit for life, he commenced his studies with Dr. Knott, of Columbia, Illinois, now deceased, and in 1851 matriculated in the Medical Department of the St.

Louis University, from which he graduated in 1853. He located at Carlyle, in Clinton county, Illinois, and practised with encouraging success for five years and then removed to Decatur, where he has since lived and actively followed his profession, saving that interval during which he was con- nected with United States service. In October, 1862, he was commissioned Surgeon of the 115th Illinois Volunteers, but remained in the field only a few months, his failing health compelling his retirement. He resumed his practice, which he conducted alone for some time. In 1865 he again asso- ciated with Dr. Barnes, who had been connected with him prior to his entrance into the government service. Dr. Moore, as well as his associate, is a thoroughly read physi- cian, expert in the detection of discases, and skilful in the application of remedies. He enjoys the fullest confidence of the community, and is continually occupied with the duties of an extensive and daily increasing patronage. He was married in October, 1854, to Anna B. Lockwood, of Philadelphia.

¿RAY, JOHN C., M. D., was born in Greensburg, Green county, Kentucky, April 23d, 1817. His parents, Dr. William Gray and Kittie (Winn) Gray, were natives of the same State. His earlier educa- tion was acquired in the common school of his na- tive place, and also in the academy at Winchester, Clark county, Kentucky. On leaving school he engaged in merchandising in Kentucky for a period of two years, and then removed successively to Sangamon and Adams counties in Illinois, and finally to St. Louis, constantly engaged in the meanwhile in the prosecution of his business. While in Kentucky he commenced the study of medicine, which he continued after his departure from that State, and in St. Louis entered the Medical Department of the Kemper College, ultimately graduating from that institution. He was subse- quently appointed Adjunct to the Professor of Anatomy, and the year following Adjunct to the Professor of Chemistry in the same college, occupying the latter position during the winter of 1841-1842. He then removed to Mount Vernon, Jefferson county, Illinois, where, excepting a period of three years passed in California, he has since permanently resided, constantly engaged in the practice of his profession, in which he has met with marked success, having quickly secured a leading position among his brother practitioners. He now devotes his attention chiefly to the treatment of the discases of women and children, being in that branch of medicine at the head of his profession in this section of Illinois. He is the President of the Southern Medical Association, which position he has occupied since the organization of the insti- tution. While in St. Louis he graduated at the law school there, and is accordingly well acquainted with the general principles involved in the practice of common law. He was married in 1837 to Juliana Lovett, of Bond county, Illinois, who died several years ago. He was again married in 1861

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to Sarah A. Green, daughter of Dr. Duff Green, a well- | date being State Agent for an insurance company, he went known and respected citizen of Danville, Boyle county, Kentucky.

NDERHILL, ISAAC, Capitalist, was born in Sing Sing, Westchester county, New York, January 4th, ISOS. Ile was a lineal descendant of Captain John Underhill, who was sent to this country by the British government in 1700, to chastise the hostile Indians. His earlier years were passed upon the paternal farm, where he enjoyed the advantages of a common school education. At nineteen years of age he removed to New York city, where he was engaged for two years as clerk in a wholesale grocery and provision store. At the expiration of that time he established himself in the grocery business on his own account, and continued in it for three years. In November, 1830, he loaded a vessel with groceries, and sailed for New Orleans, Louisiana, where he was occupied in trade during two subsequent winters, resid- ing afterward temporarily at St. Louis. December 25th, 1833, in company with a friend, he arrived in Peoria, Illinois. Being pleased with the beauty of its site he purchased several town lots, and in 1834 laid out his first addition to the city. In 1840 he closed up his business in St. Louis, and settling permanently at Peoria, engaged in farming. In 1841 hc built a fine and spacious residence on the bluff, where he afterward resided for thirty years. He then erected three pork houses and also an extensive slaughter-house. He added in the meantime largely to his farm, until it embraced an area of over two thousand two hundred acres. In 1854 he assisted importantly in the organization of the Bureau Valley Railroad Company, and was the first President of the road. In 1855 he organized the Peoria Marine and Fire Insurance Company, and occupied its Presidency at various times for a period of thirteen years. In 1865 he was instru- mental in effecting the organization of the Mechanics' Na. tional Bank of Peoria, and over that institution presided ably as first President. In 1866 he disposed of his interest in this bank, and built the Metropolitan Hotel, an enterprise necessitating the outlay of eighty thousand dollars, and which in 1868 was totally destroyed by fire. In 1863 or 1864 he had also built at Secor a fine hotel at an expense of forty thousand dollars, expecting that place would become the county seat of Woodford county, Illinois. In 1867 he be- came interested in the development of water power on the Illinois river at Marseilles, and in conjunction with Rodine Clark invested a large amount of money in the speculation. In 1870 he removed to Marseilles, and was appointed Presi- dent of the Water Power Company, and organized also the Marseilles Bridge Company, which constructed the bridge at that place. Soon after its construction it was swept away, and immediately rebuilt by the same company. In Novem- ber, 1874, being in very feeble health, he removed to Dallas, Texas, where he remained until February Ist, 1875. At this

to Austin in the same State, where he died very suddenly, stricken with apoplexy, March 31st, 1875. In 1842 he was elected one of the Town Trustces of Pecria, and served three terms as Alderman. He was twice elected Supervisor and once Township Assessor. He laid out the towns of Secor, Massville, and what is now Bumfield, and founded them. He assisted also in building up the new town of Marseilles. He was a man of extraordinary energy and ability, and was engaged in more separate and distinct undertakings than any other person who has ever lived in Peoria. He was a very prominent Mason, and a most exemplary citizen. The news of his death was received with profound sorrow, and when his remains were brought to Pecria for interment, a vast concourse of citizens lined the streets, and attended the funeral services in honor of his memory, and as a tribute of sympathy and respect for his bereaved widow.

OBERT, EDWARD SISSON, Dentist, was born in Genoa, Cayuga county, New York, May 10th, 1827. His father was Captain Daniel Hobert, a shoemaker by trade. He first attended the district school, and afterward the academy at Hcmer, New York, until eighteen years of age. He then taught among the schools of that vicinity for eight years. He next commenced the study of dentistry in Farmersville, Seneca county, New York, with Dr. Lewis, which he con- tinued for two years. In the spring of 1855 he was married to Mary E. Phillipps of Farmersville. In the fall of 1855 he moved to Ottawa, Illinois, and opened a dental office, which practice he has continued till this day. He was admitted to the Illinois State Dental Association in 1872. He has been for years prominent in musical matters in various churches of the city, and is one of the most experienced dentists in that section of country.

OARDMAN, ISAAC S., Merchant and Editor, was born in Tioga county, New York, January 3d, 1816, being the son of Isaac S. and Abigail (Saltmarsh) Boardman. He was cducated at a private academy at Athens, Pennsylvania, and at the age of sixteen entered as clerk in a general store in Bath, Steuben county, New York. In the spring of 1837 he removed to Dixon, Illinois, where he established [ himself in mercantile business, entering into a partnership with S. M. Bowman, the firm-name being S. M. Bowman & Co. In 1841 the firm dissolved. Subsequently Mr. Boardman started a flour mill at Pine Creek, Ogle county, Illinois, which he profitably maintained until 185C, when he sold out and returned to Dixon. Shortly afterwards he was elected Circuit Clerk, and retained that office until 1860, in which year he purchased the Dixon Telegraph and became

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its editor, continuing in that eapaeity until 1871, when he retired from active life. IIe is largely interested in several real estate operations, and in other enterprises. He is a Republiean in polities. In 1838 he was elected County Clerk of Lee county, of which Dixon is the county seat, and held that position for four years, being the first ineumbent of that offiee. He is the son-in-law of old " Father Dixon," the patriarch and pioneer settler of northwestern Illinois, having married his daughter Mary in 1840. She died in 1850.

EEBLES, LEWIS P., County Judge of Maeoupin county, Illinois, was born in Chesterfield, in that county, July 13th, 1836. His father, Jesse Peebles, was a native of South Carolina, who settled in Illinois in 1834. 'His mother, whose maiden name was Margaret Reeder, was a native of Tennessee. He was taught in the schools of his seetion, which were above the usual standard, and obtained by careful study supervised by intelligent preceptors a broad and liberal edu- eation. In 1861 and 1862 he read law with W. A. Grim- shaw, of Pittsfield, Illinois. In August of the latter year he entered the United States serviee as Captain of Company D, 122d Illinois Infantry, and served with that command until 1865. Upon his return he resumed his law studies, and was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1867, loeating very shortly after in Carlinsville, Maeoupin county, where he eommeneed praetiee. He obtained a large clientage, and distinguished his profession by zeal and rare skill in the interpretation and application of the principles of law. He practised until the fall of 1873, when he was elected to the County Judgeship, in which offiee he has confirmed the high publie estimate of his legal abilities. He was for four years Deputy Sheriff of the same county. In 1869 he was married to Sarah E. Odell, who is also a native of Illinois.

HOMAS, COLONEL JOHN, Member of the Legis- lature for St. Clair county, Illinois, was born in Virginia, January 1Ith, 1800, and in the spring of 18IS removed to St. Clair county, in the then Territory, now State of Illinois, which he has since made his home. When a young man he was warmly interested in matters and movements of a mili- tary nature, and at different times was elected to various military offiees as Major, Colonel, ete. Also during the progress of the Black Hawk Indian war in 1832, he was placed in command of a regiment, and performed service of a varied and valuable nature. In 1838 he was elected to the General Assembly of the State of Illinois, and was a member of the last session held at Vandalia, Fayette county, and the first session held at Springfield, Sangamon county. In polities he aeted with the old Whig party during its exist- enee, and was a valued and efficient ally. In 1854 he be-

came one of the foremost men of St. Clair county in organiz- ing what was then known as the Anti-Nebraska party, ulti- mately the Republican party, of which he has always been a zealous and consistent member. In 1856 he was a eandi- date for Congress from the above distriet but failed to seeure an election, being defeated by Colonel J. L. D. Morrison. In 1862 he was again eleeted to the Legislature of Illinois, again in 1864, again in 1872, and again in 1874. For many years past he has been one of the largest farmers and agri- eulturists of St. Clair county, but of late has rented to various tenants all his farms and removed to Belleville, where he now permanently resides. Rendered thoroughly familiar with the infinite eurrents and under-eurrents of politieal life by his long and varied eareer as a publie official, perfectly cognizant for the same reason of the measures needed for the prompt and advantageous development of the resources of his adopted State and county, he is in many respects a model legislator, and has invariably sustained with fidelity and ability the true and most vital interests of his eon- stituents. Mingling incessantly with the frays and eon- flicts of rival organizations, he has yet always commanded the respeet of the leaders of all parties, and borne himself with loyalty and honor. He was married in June, 1822, to Isabella Kinney, daughter of William Kinney, late Lieu- tenant-Governor of the State of Illinois, a man of sterling qualities, whose decease in December, 1868, caused univer- sal regret among those with whom he had come in contaet, whether in the role of private citizen or publie funetionary. He was subsequently again married to Mrs. Magdalena Holdner, a daughter of Jaeob von Eue, a native of Switzer- land.

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The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century, Part 42

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