The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century, Part 46

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

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collect the works of various authors, and established the nucleus of a library, which by constant and discriminate additions has become one of the largest and one of the finest in the Western States. He commenced his prepara- tion for a collegiate carcer at Oxford, New York, and took high rank as a student, the rapidity of his progress being very largely due to the substantial elementary education which had been acquired under the supervision of his mo- ther. He studied three years at Oxford, and then entered the junior class of Geneva College, and at the request of the college society to which he belonged, he entered the list of competitors for the highest honors of the class. Among these competitors was Hon. George W. Nicholas, who for two years had been at the head of the class. The result of this scholarly contest was the triumph of Mr. Monroe, who secured the awards. In 1850 he graduated with the most distinguished honors in a class which comprised, among others, Hon. George W. Nicholas, Hon. M. W. Belshaw of California, and D. H. Ainsworth, now an eminent engineer. While a collegian he was a leader in athletic sports, main- taining a harmony of progress in both his intellectual and physical advancement, and attaining by these exercises a robust. vigor which is the invaluable basis for a uscful and happy life. In the various societies to which he belonged he was regarded as an adroit manager, and he was predicted as the future politician of his class. After his graduation he commenced at once the study of law, reading with Henry R. Mygatt, of Oxford, New York, then one of the leading practitioners of that section of the State. During his prep- aration for the bar he taught school a portion of his time. Hc applied himself so assiduously to his legal studics that this temporary vocation did not interfere with his careful preparation for the practice of his intended profession. In 1853 he passed his examination and was admitted to the bar, his success being highly complimented by the presiding judges. Accepting a small loan from his former preceptor, Mr. Mygatt, he purchased a collection of standard law books, and ordered them to be shipped to Chicago, to which city he at once removed. Upon his arrival he had but one personal acquaintance in the whole State of Illinois, and that was the late Stephen A. Douglas, with whom he had become intimately associated. In 1854 he opened an office in Chicago, and by unflagging energy, strict integrity, and the most conscientious zeal for his clients, he gradually obtained a patronage which was not only satisfactory from the elevated character of the people who gave it, but satis- factory by reason of its large pecuniary rewards. At the end of the first year of his profession he was enabled to rc- turn to his generous preceptor the money he had advanced. His first important case was that of Martin O. Walker vs. John Frink, the plaintiff and defendant being both well known all over the Northwest, not only as remarkably capa- ble and energetic business men, but as the bitterest enemies to each other. The action involved a large amount, and attracted general attention during its progress, its details

Galaxy Pub Co Philade

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being widely published throughout that section of the coun- | they met with almost universal approval. He has a very try. The plaintiff was represented by a very distinguished large general practice in all the courts of the northwestern section, and labors to best advantage in cases which tax all his energies and powers of resource, in which vital issues are involved, and in which the most patient labor and scientific research are demanded in the successful mastery of detail. He studies particularly the case as the opposi- tion may view it, marks out a line of action the direct an- tithesis of that he intends actually to follow, and in this manner is led to anticipate the theories intended to be set up by that opposition, and to prepare for overthrowing them. He is, though an active and energetic attorney, calmly deliberate in all his movements, and never precipi- tates himself into open errors as a counsel, the retraction of which would confess his weakness and want of thorough- ness in study and preparation. As a pleader at the bar he is unsurpassed, and few men are as rapid and conclusive in argument, keener in apprehension, or more thoroughly versed in all the forms and modes of procedure than he. He has rare powers of analysis, and is in high reputation as a cross-examining counsel. Although not in the fullest sense of the term a criminal lawyer, he has defended many prosecutions under the revenue laws, and in this line of practice has never failed to secure the acquittal of his clients. He has been leading counsel in important com- mercial, corporation and insurance cases, which involved vital questions to the financial and commercial interests of the State, and has in this line achieved no ordinary degree of success. He is a man strong in the confidence of his own judgment, and never abandons a case in which he is convinced he is right, so long as the slightest hope of secur- ing justice remains. An adverse decision does not intimi- date him nor shake his faith in the correctness of his own theory, and he rarely fails of success upon an appeal to a higher tribunal. His forensic efforts are models in rhetoric and arrangement. He presents fact in its plainest colors, unweaves in the most skilful manner involved masses of evidence, and presents to the bench, bar and jury an irresist- ible chain of circumstance and a conclusive line of theory, which carry conviction with them to the mind. He is now extensively engaged in real estate litigation, and has a patronage unsurpassed in the city of Chicago. Having early developed scholarly tastes, he has since his early man- hood been a lover of books, and has amassed a rare and invaluable collection of them, forming one of the largest private libraries in the Western States. His law library, which was burned in the great fire, was one of the most complete and valuable in the State, and that he now owns is one of the largest and best selected in the city in which he lives. He is as full of life and vigor as in his college days, and is a keen lover of athletic sports, of which he is not only the generous patron but a participator. He is a fine marksman, with rifle or shot-gun, whether the game be large or small. IIe is an excellent horseman, is a free and graceful rider, and is an accepted authority on the questions array of counsel, who had carned eminence at the bar. Mr. Monroe alone appeared for the defence, and achieved a de- cided success. His skilful management of his client's cause won the golden opinions of the bench, bar, and the public, and from this auspicious opening his career has been that of a distinguished counsel and advocate, whose con- stantly increasing practice extends into all the State and Federal courts, and into the courts of the adjoining States. Professionally he closely identifies himself with his clients' interest. He has a rare faculty for eliciting the real facts of the case, and of arriving at a correct conclusion as to the ultimate result of litigation. If in his judgment the latter should not be resorted to, and the ends of justice and the interests of his client can be attained by a compromise or settlement, he invariably insists on that procedure, let his patrons be as belligerently litigious as they may. He faithfully and conscientiously performs every professional duty. His characteristic trait of thoroughly mastering in principle and detail every case of which he has the management can be described no better than by the illustration of the action of Fisher vs. Stone. This was his second cause, which greatly excited public interest. It involved not only intricate ques- tions of law and pleading, but scientific problems then un- settled, the medical profession of both America and Europe being about equally divided in opinion thereon. In his preparation for the trial of this case he not only familiarized himself with the highest medical authorities upon the scien- tific issues involved, but it is said that he went so far in his client's interest as to have hired a dissecting-room, where the autopsy was made of subjects who had died from the same cause as that under judicial consideration. The result of all this elaborate preparation was that, when the great trial came on, although Professor White of Buffalo, Lee, Parker and Quackenboss of New York, Miller of Louis- ville, Delamater of Cleveland, Brainard, Freen, Allen, Blaney, Davis and Byford of Chicago, were on the witness- stand, not one of them exhibited a more practical knowl- edge of the scientific and technical detail of the subject in question than he did. His opening address to the jury was remarkable for its perspicuity and force, and the leading counsel for the opposition admitted that they feared its effect. The trial lasted thirty-one days, and the late dis- tinguished Judge Mannierre, who presided, said in his charge to the jury, that the issues of law and fact involved in it rendered the case one of the most important, if not the most important, ever tried in the State of Illinois. The verdict was for the defendant, whom Mr. Monroe repre- sented, and the result contributed largely to change the medical opinion of the world upon scientific questions which had long been debated. The correctness of the theories and principles advanced by Mr. Monroe in the de- fence became the subjects of profound discussion in the medical societies both of this country and of Europe, and

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of age and stock. He is, in all, a man of the most unim- peachable integrity, whose character both in professional and social life has been by his own brilliant efforts, by his liberal and enterprising spirit, and by his generous and gen- tlemanly conduct, raised to a high position in public estima- tion. He has an estimable wife, and an interesting family of children, who share with him the ample fortune which is the reward of his conscientious and industrious practice, and that respect which his many excellencies have elicited from his fellow-citizens. Ile has always stood aloof from politics save as a private citizen, and has repeatedly de- clined office. He gives himself almost wholly to the cares of his profession, and the time allotted for recreation is spent either with dog or gun, or in holding the reins of a flying roadster.

ALKER, CHARLES A., Mayor of Carlinsville, Illinois, was born in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1830, and is the son of Abram S. and Rosina (Phelps) Walker, who removed to Illinois in 1831, and took rank among the pioneer settlers of Carlinsville. His cducation, commenced at home, carried on in the public schools, and finished at Shurtleff College, at Alton, from which he graduated in 1851, was both substantial and varied. After his collegiate career he commenced to read law with Rinaker & Gilbert at Carlins- ville, and was thoroughly prepared under these preceptors for the bar, to which he was admitted in 1857. He entered at once upon practice, which grew gradually in extent and importance, being surpassed by that of no other practitioner in that section. In 1862 he was elected to the Illinois Legislature on the Democratic ticket, and in 1872 was chosen Mayor of Carlinsville, and fulfilled the responsible duties of this station with dignity, ability, and to popular satisfaction. He is widely respected for his sterling in- tegrity, his high attainments, and for his many fine social qualities. In 1853 he was married to Ann Dick, of Macou- pin, who still lives.

NOWLTON, DEXTER A., Merchant, was born in Fairfield, Herkimer county, New York, March 3d, 1812. During his infancy his parents moved to the hills of Chautauqua county, in the western part of the State. Here, upon a farm in the town of Stockton, were passed his childhood and youth. His parents were poor, but devout Christians, and trained their children in habits of frugality and industry. Even in his boyhood he exhibited much of the energy and thriftiness which, more fully developed in after years, paved for him the way leading to his present prominent and enviable po- sition. As he grew older he manifested an ardent desire to engage in trade, or cnter a store for the purpose of procuring

an insight into the details and workings of active business lifc, but his father, dreading the baneful effects of evil associations, endeavored to fix his attention on farming and agricultural pursuits. He was resolved, however, to follow the bent of his inclinations, and not desiring to succeed at the trade of shoemaker, which his parent had desired that he should embrace, determined to prepare himself to enter into a mer- cantile business by sccuring a more thorough and varied education. After much opposition on the part of his father, who held in detestation the loose and vicious courses of many of the careless students, he succeeded finally in en- tering the academy then flourishing at Fredonia, and there prosecuted diligently his studies, in the interim by means of his own exertions, paying for his board and tuition, and also furnishing a man to take his place on the paternal farm. Shortly before arriving at his majority, he returned to his home fully decided to leave the farm, and find em- ployment in a store or mercantile house. He had then saved about three hundred dollars, the fruits of his labor, and his father made him the proposition that, if he would give to his two sisters and brother two hundred dollars each, and provide for the support of the parents during their lifetimes, he should become the owner of the farm and its sundries and attachments. The offer was closed with, and in this manner he became the sole possessor of about $2000 worth of property. In 1838 he started on a peddling trip to the West, and in January, 1839, settled at Freeport, Illinois, where he opened a general store, meeting with gratifying success. At this date, his father desiring to live by him- self, moved to Fox River, having received full satisfaction for the claims for support which he had upon his son. In 1842 he first went to New York to buy goods, and soon es- tablished his credit in that city, and also in Chicago. In 1843 began his investments and operations in real estate, those ventures resulting ultimately in the Knowlton addi- tions to the town of Freeport, from which he realized a large sum of money. During 1847-48 he bought wheat heavily, in opposition to all the merchants of the town, and suc- ceeded finally in carrying his intentions to a victorious issue. He was importantly and pecuniarily interested in the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad, which was one of the first roads projected out of Chicago. In 1850 he was elected a Director of the company, and during the follow- ing twelve years was annually re-elected to the same posi- tion, whose duties he performed with energy and ability. He has never cared for or sought political preferment, and when the nomination for Governor of the State was urged upon him by the Free-Soil party, he accepted it only be- cause he knew that its powers were too weak to elect its candidate. In 1855 he built a house at Westfield, New York, purposing to withdraw from the turmoil of active business life, but he was restless in the retirement which cramped his energies and activities. In 1861 he purchased for $100,000 the Empire Spring at Saratoga, and afterward joined the proprietors of the famous Congress Spring, and

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in conjunction with them organized the Congress and Empire | Spring Company. After living on Brooklyn Heights for a period of four years, here turned to Freeport, Illinois, in IS70, in order to be near his six children. Three of his sons are associated with him in the banking business in this town, and are favorably known for their business abilities and trustworthiness. He was married January 15th, IS34, to Evelina Arnold, to whom he attributes a great measure of his success in life, and who died in August, 1874.

CCOURTIE, ISAAC, was born in Clifton Park, Saratoga county, New York, December 2d, 1820. His parents were James McCourtie and Dorcas McCourtie, the former being of Scotch descent, the latter of New England parentage. IIis educa- tion was acquired solely by his own unaided efforts. Upon attaining his fifteenth year he was apprenticed to a carpenter to learn his trade, and remained with him until the expiration of his apprenticeship. He then engaged in house building, continuing thus occupied until 1858, when he removed to Onarga, Iroquois county, Illinois. He there interested himself in the buying and selling of grain, lumber, and cattle, also pursuing in connection with his transactions in the above commodities a general frontier business. Dur- ing the greater portion of the time consumed in those opcra- tions, he was associated in a partnership connection with Lewis Russ, under the firm-name of Russ & McCourtic. The partners became well known also throughout Iroquois county as extensive importers of horses. For many years the firm furnished the citizens of Onarga with nearly every- thing which they were then unable to purchase; and the greater number of the school-houses, bridges, and fences were built by Russ & McCourtie, who were compelled by stress of circumstances to wait several years in almost every case for payment. He was married in 1847.

INCHCLIFFE, HON. JOHN, Lawyer and Jour- nalist, was born in Bradford, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, England, April 20th, IS22. He is the son of Abraham and Rebecca Hinchcliffe, and brother of Richard IIinchcliffe, recently editor of the Lawrence, Massachusetts, Journal, and now deceased. His aged father, now dead, was until recently a resident of the old Bay State, where his mother died but a few years ago. Before attaining even his seventh year he was sent to work in a neighboring factory, and afterward served an apprenticeship to the trade of a tailor, following that business subsequently with success as apprentice, jour- neyman, foreman, and employer, until 1858, at which date he entered upon a course of studies with a view to qualify himself for the legal profession, of which he became a mem- ber in 1860, the year of his admission to the bar. Later he i lated. The direct effect of his labors was the incorporation

was appointed Associate Editor of the Belleville Democrat, a weekly paper, and also of the Daily Dispatch, the same office being the place of publication for both of those jour- nals. In the opening of 1863 he began the publication of the Weekly Miner, and with a slight change in name and form continued the same for four years. Although, during the period here referred to, his editorial duties absorbed the major portion of his time, he has nevertheless, from the day he was admitted to the bar, been constantly and actively engaged in the practice of his profession as a lawyer. His residence in early life in one of the large mining districts of England enabled him to acquire a familiar knowledge of the characteristics, wants, and requirements of the mining classes ; and his intimate acquaintance with the factory systems, and the operations of trades' unions, and societies of a similar kind, renders him a valuable authority on the various mooted points and ceaseless discussions which constantly arise con- ccrning those organizations, their producing causes and ulti- mate results. Prior to his admission to the bar, the date of his arrival in the United States being the winter of 1847, he lived in the East for a period of three years, then for a brief period in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, whence he removed to St. Louis in 1853, settling finally with his family in St. Clair county, Illinois, where he has since permanently resided. When the first number of the Miner made its appearance, there were no papers in this country published exclusively in the interests of the industrial classes. Two weeks later, however, Fincher's Trades' Review was issued, and still later also, the Workingman's Advocate. Of these three, the first only, conducted upon the broad basis of labor reform, won for itself stability and success. In earlier days he was prominent and active in the English labor reform demonstra- tions, conducted by M. T. Sadler and Richard Oastler, in favor of shortening the hours of labor in factories from twelve and fourtecn to ten hours per day. He was subsequently a regular and valued contributor to the Tailor's Advocate, a monthly magazine published in the interests of the craft of which he was a member. In August, 1866, he was sent as a delegate from a labor organization in East St. Louis to the first genuine Labor Congress ever held in the United States, Baltimore, Maryland, and over that body ruled as President, to which position he was unanimously elected. At the con- clusion of the session he was appointed chairman of a com- mittee appointed to wait upon President Andrew Johnson, and request as far as possible his influence in favor of the measures proposed by the Labor Congress. When the Illinois Constitutional Convention was held in 1870, he was appointed by the miners of St. Clair county, Illinois, to obtain for them a recognition of their right to be protected by law against the perils of insufficient ventilation, and the frequent needless occurrence of mining catastrophes. Ultimately, by request, he presented at length his views before the Com- mittee on Mines and Mining, in an elaborate and striking argument, which was afterward published and widely circu-

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in the constitution of a clause making it obligatory on the and met with great success within a brief period, and through Legislature " to pass such laws from time to time, as may be necessary for the protection of the lives, limbs and health of the operative miners." At the next session of the Legislature he was elected Representative from St. Clair county, and drafted and secured the passage of a bill to carry out the constitutional obligations above alluded to, for the protection of working miners, and that is now onc of the laws of the State. While acting with the Twenty-seventh General As- sembly, then engaged in the important work of revising all the laws of the State, so as to bring them into harmony with the spirit and letter of the newly adopted constitution, his acumen, vigor, and able statesmanship clicited much atten- tion and innumerable encomiums, and so well satisfied were his constituents with his deportment and actions in the As- sembly, that at the ensuing general election he was chosen bv a handsome majority for the position of Senator from the Forty-ninth District, over his competitor, who is confessedly one of the ablest jurists in the State. He has always affili- ated and acted with the Progressive Democrats and Labor Reformers, and is regarded by them as a valuable, liberal, and consistent ally. " As a speaker, he is graceful and elo- quent ; as an advocate of labor's interests, recognized and beloved; as a friend, genial and true; as a man, esteemed by all who know him." He was married in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1852, to Sarah Gamber, a Pennsylvanian of good family and connections.

his rectitude and abilities soon secured the esteem and con- fidence of his fellow-townsmen. In 1865, when the town was incorporated into a city, he was elected Judge of the City Courts of Record, and performed the attendant functions of his office with thoroughness and fidelity for the term of three years, and then tendered his resignation. In 1866 he was one of the delegates to the National Peace Convention at Philadelphia. He finally resumcd the practice of law, and, since his return to a professional life, has been with some exceptions constantly and successfully occupicd. In 1874 he was elected to the Legislature from St. Clair county, which he still represents, and is one of the most active and influential members of that body. Prior to this, in 1868, he was the Democratic nominee for State Senator, and partici- pated prominently in the attendant campaign. Ultimately, although leading the Democratic ticket in his county eleven hundred and thirty-two votes, he was defeated by the Re- publican candidate. He has always acted warmly with the Democratic party, supporting it on all occasions, and has been importantly instrumental in fostering its interests in East St. Louis and the neighboring sections of the State. He is interested in the East St. Louis Rail Mill; is a Direc- tor of the East St. Louis Bank ; and the first President of the East St. Louis Library and Reading Room, a flourishing and useful institution, of which he was one of the founders and promoters. He is a vigorous coadjutor in local enter- prises, and in every possible way, to the extent of his ability, seeks to augment the public happiness and prosperity. He was married December 3d, 1867, to Anna Toomer of East St. Louis, a daughter of the banker, Simon W. Toomcr.

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The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century, Part 46

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