The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century, Part 54

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

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ment of temporal things. He was a delegate to the last general conference, and has accomplished much for the advancement of religion. He is a sound lawyer, and while upon the bench characterized his administration of justice by a thorough interpretation of the laws, unbiased by any motives of gain or friendship. Originally he was a Whig, and his earnest opposition to the institution of slavery made him one of the earliest advocates of the Free-Soil party. With this organization he was prominently identified until it was absorbed in the Republican party. He extended an carnest support to Mr. Lincoln, and warmly seconded all the meas- ures adopted by the government to suppress the rebellion. As one of the Directors of the Freedmen's Aid Society, he did much to advance its interests, and was also a mem- ber of the Union Defence Committee during the war. He is a gentleman who has earned the confidence and esteem of the entire community, not only through the fidelity with which he filled his judicial duties, but for the great efforts which he made in the causes of education and religion. At all times he has shown a rare degree of public spirit, project- ing many improvements for the benefit of his fellow-citizens, and warmly seconding those originated by others. He is a man of cultivated tastes and prepossessing manners. He has amassed a considerable fortune, which is a monument to his skill and industry, and dispenses its benefits with a gen- erous hand. He was married in 1836 to Juliet Atwater, of Westfield, New York, and has five children. One mar- ried daughter resides at St. Louis, one son is in Stuttgardt, Germany, where he is completing his education, one is en- gaged in manufacturing at Boston, Massachusetts, and one is at home.

'AGAY, BENJAMIN F., Lawyer, was born in Pleasant Township, Fairfield county, Ohio, Feb- ruary 27th, 1831. His father, Abraham B. Kagay, of German extraction, is still living, at the age of seventy-two years. His mother, Sarah (Hall) Kagay, of Seotch-Irish parentage, died while in her him with a full stock on hand, and from that time onward, fifty-fourth year. He was the recipient of a common school education, perfected by his own after efforts. From his six- teenth to his twenty-second year he was oceupied in teach- ing, and in the meantime prosecuted the study of law. En- tering subsequently upon the active practice of his profession,. he soon built up a large and remunerative business in Effing- ham county, Illinois, which has since engrossed his time and attention. He has been President of the Board of Trustees of Effingham, and twice filled the Supervisorship of the town of Douglas. For two terms he was Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Effingham county, and was Chair- man also of the Building Committee of the Effingham County Court House. He was a member of the Illinois Legislature of 1871-1872, and prior to this officiated, in 1867, as the first Mayor of the city of Effingham. He is a member of the law firm of Cooper & Kagay, one of the most suceessful

partnerships in the county. He was married February 6th, 1853, in Fayette county, Illinois, to Martha J. Starns, and has had five ehildren, three of whom are living. His eldest child, a daughter, is now the wife of A. B. Judkins, of Springfield, an accomplished musician and gentleman.

ALMER, POTTER, is a native of Potter's Hollow, Albany county, New York. His grandparents were Quakers, and moved thither at an early day from New Bedford, Massachusetts. During the Revolutionary war this town was sacked by the British, and his ancestors were among the suffer- His grandfather at fifteen years of age enlisted in the ers. army, and served until he received a wound that made him a cripple for life. His father, Benjamin Palmer, was an extensive farmer, and died in 1859 at the age of sixty-eight. Both parents were members of the Quaker Society, and to their wise and firm training he is accustomed to attribute his success in life. They taught him from early boyhood the preciousness of time, and when not at school he was expected to be at work. The habit of industry thus formed he has always adhered to, and it has enabled him to conduct a business which required an immense amount of labor. At eighteen he engaged as clerk in the store of Hon. Platt Adams, in Durham, New York, where he remained three years, having entire charge of the concern during the last year. When he became of age he opened a store at Oneida, New York, where he remained two years and a half. He then removed to Lockport and remained one year, when his ambition to do a still larger business led him to remove to Chicago, where he opened a dry-goods store. Commencing at first on a moderate scale, his trade steadily increased until, after thirteen years, the name of Potter Palmer became familiar to the entire trade of the West. He had faith in Chicago, and did not hesitate to incur the risks demanded. The rise in goods at the commencement of the war found he continued to carry immense amounts of goods both there and in New York, reaping large gains from every advance. After thus accumulating a princely fortune he retired from mercantile life in the winter of 1865. During the war he was unwavering and practical in his loyalty, and at its elose the government was indebted to him to the extent of three- quarters of a million dollars. He had, before retiring from business, removed his residence to New York, where he was engaged in buying for his western business, and continucd a resident of that city for about three years. He sold out to the firm of Field, Leiter & Co., whose business has increased to still greater proportions, and is now by far the heaviest dry-goods house in the West. Mr. Palmer then invested his means in Chieago real estate, of which he bought an im- mense amount, owning at one time nearly a mile along State street. He built the magnificent structure occupied by

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Field, Leiter & Co., a fine hotel called the Palmer House, and other buildings. Then came the great fire of 1871 and swept away his stores and hotel, and caused him immense loss over and above all insurance. He had at that time a new and finer hotel in progress, and when the smoke cleared away he resumed operations on it, and in about two years had completed the present Palmer House, the pride of the city, and the largest and finest hotel in the country, if not in the world. It is fire-proof, with a front of iron, and built without a single wooden lath or other wooden partition, and with its marble stair-cases, parlor fittings of silk, and beauti- ful frescoing, is probably the first thing of the kind in the world. It has six hundred guest rooms, beside at least one hundred other rooms needed to run the house. It was built to be fire-proof, regardless of expense, and cost over two million dollars, and has so far realized its purpose that one room in it took fire and burned itself out before those in the house were aware of the fact. Mr. Palmer, in seeking for plans for it, consulted various architects and travelled in Europe, but it may be truly said that the hotel was on the whole planned really by himself. Although losing heavily by the fire, and owning an immense amount of real estate in Chicago that in the present prolonged depression of the times is not worth what it has been and will be again, he is still onc of the wealthiest men of the West. He was mar- ried in the summer of 1870 to Bertha Honore, daughter of H. H. Honore, another of the famous capitalists of Chicago, by whom he has onc son. He has since the fire also con- structed fine business blocks, and is a partner in the carpet house of Allen, Mackey & Co., of Chicago. Mr. Palmer is about fifty years of age, unpretentious in manner, and when not driven with business is sociable and pleasant society.

ETTINGER, MATTHIAS, Merchant, was born in Keffenach, Alsace-Lorraine, France, January 24th, 1819, being the son of Joseph and Magdalena (Pflugmacher) IIcttinger. He was educated in his native place, and in 1836, in company with an elder brother, cmigrated to Amcrica. They located at Williamsville, New York, where Matthias worked at the trace of wagon-making for two years, and then removed to Canton, Ohio. From this place he went to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he stayed three years, and engaged during this period in the manufacture of plows. In 1841 he removed to Freeport, Illinois, and worked as journeyman at wagon making for a short time, and during the same year started a shop on a small scale for manufacturing and repairing wagons, buggies, etc. He added to this enterprise a black- smith shop, and employcd about seven hands. In the ycar 1845 he surrendercd this business and purchased a brewery, known as the " Yellow Creek " brewery, and continued this establishment for twenty-two years. During this time some unimportant changes occurred by the admission and retire- terest in that establishment. In 1846 he built a saw and

ment of one or two partners. The brewery is situated about two miles from the town of Freeport, and sends beer to all the surrounding places within a radius of fifty miles, includ- ing Galena and other large communities. Mr. Hettinger also during this period bought and cultivated a farm in the neighborhood. In 1865 he was prominently concerned in the formation of the German Insurance Company of Freeport, of which he was the first President. He was chosen to this position in 1866, and retained it until 1871, when he retired for two years. Again, in 1873, he resumed this office, and now fills it. In 1867 he gave up the brewing business, in which he had made a fine reputation and amassed a fortune, and in 1870, in partnership with Francis Bœckie, commenced to deal in grain. During this year, Mr. Bœckie retired and Jacob Williams became a partner, the firm being known as Hettinger & Williams. The business was enlarged to in- clude transactions in coal and salt. They shipped large quantities of ground feed to North Wisconsin and other points. This feed is ground by machinery worked by an engine of eight horse power. Mr. Hettinger has been Su- pervisor of the town of Silver Creek and Freeport, as well as Alderman of the latter city. He was one of the committce appointed to erect the new Freeport Court House, and in all his public service has filled his duties with ability and fidelity. In 1845 he was married to Cordelia Torry of Freeport, who dicd in 1851. In 1856 he was married to Elizabeth Gund, of Freeport.

TKINSON, CIIARLES, President of the Moline Water Power Company, and Operator in Real Estate, was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, May 18th, 1808. His parents were William Atkinson and Anna (Little) Atkinson. His edu- cation was acquired at the common schools in the vicinity of his home. In 1824 he found employment as a clerk in a store at Nashua, New Hampshire, where he rc- maincd during the ensuing seven years. In 1831 he estab- lished himself in business on his own account in the same place, as a dealer in dry goods, interesting himself also in a hat manufacturing business in conjunction with his brother, under the style of W. & C. Atkinson. The latter business was subsequently continued by the brothers in New Lowell, Massachusetts. He afterward engaged in business also in Vermont, and in New York city, where he was employed in insurance transactions. In 1835 he removed to Henry county, Illinois, being one of the first pioneers and settlers of that county, and there built the first frame house in this section. Primarily he turned his attention to farming, but was unsuccessful in his agricultural operations, and after an experience of eight years, abandoned farm life entirely. In 1843 he moved to Moline, where, after working with a team for some time, he purchased in 1844 a share in a small iron foundry located in the town, but in 1845 disposed of his in-

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planing mill, the first of its kind ever worked north of St. Louis. In 1850 he sold the mill and became a Director in the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad. Previously he had been connected with railroad matters through the agency of various coal lands in Bureau county, Illinois, which had been operated by a company that bought the grounds and worked the mines, and in which he filled the secretaryship. In 1855 he relinquished his relations with railroad trans- actions, and in 1857 withdrew also from the coal business. From the latter date down to the present time, he has been absorbed in real estate operations, meeting with great suc- cess. In 1868 the Molinc Water Power Company was pro- jected and organized, and he became the President of that enterprise, an office which he still retains. The government, by becoming the owner of the island known as Rock Island, on which the arsenal is now being built, had acquired a great interest in the water power here, and the Moline Water Power Company was established at the conclusion of the attendant negotiations. The Moline Water Power Company was successor to the old Moline Dam Company. He is one of the original proprietors of the town of Moline, and of late years has dealt extensively in real estate throughout the district. He is prominently identified with the local history of this section, and in many ways has been chicfly instru- mental in accelerating its development, and in contributing to the advance of its welfare, both social and political. He has been connected with almost every notable movement affecting his adopted town, and is recognized by all as a most useful and estimable citizen. He was married in 1830 to Ann Eliza Bates, of Nashua, New Hampshire.

CLEAN, JOHN, M. D., was born in Franklin county, Illinois, October 7th, 1837. His ancestors were Scotch, his immediate connections natives of the South, who emigrated to Illinois at an early day. His parents were James A. McLean and Lydia McLean. His earlier and preparatory education was acquired in the public schools of his native place, and on the completion of the course of studies allotted him there, he commenced to read medicine, under the pre- ceptorship cf Dr. Francis Ronalds. With that tutor he prosecuted his medical studies for a period of eighteen months, then removed to St. Louis, and attended the lecturcs given at the St. Louis Medical College during 1860-1861. At the outbreak of the Southern rebellion he entered the service of the United States as a private in the 40th Regiment of Illinois Infantry. In November, 1861, he was promoted to a Lieutenancy, and served ably and faithfully in that capacity until April, 1862, when he was wounded at the battle of Pittsburgh Landing. In the ensuing September his resignation was tendered and accepted, and he went to Chicago, where he attended, in the winter of 1862-1863, the lectures of the Rush Medical College, from which institution

he ultimately graduated. He then, in June, 1863, removed to Duquoin, in the same Statc, and making that place his home, entered at once upon the active practice of his pro- fession, meeting with success upon the threshold. He is a valued member of the Southern Illinois Medical Association, and is regarded by his professional colleagues and the gen- eral community as an estimable, trustworthy and cultured practitioner. He was married in 1864 to Helen P. Ward, of Duquoin, who died in 1870. In 1872 he was again mar- ried, to Eugenie Paris, of Bloomington, Illinois.

UTZ, EDWARD, Ex-State Treasurer of Illinois, was born in Baden, Germany, May 5th, 1829. His parents were natives of the same place. He was educated at the Polytechnical Institute at Carlsruhe, where he remained until he was eighteen years of age, and then removed to St. Clair county, Illinois. There he engaged in farming, and later was em- ployed in various capacities until 1854. He then removed to Iowa, and filled the position of Assistant-Engineer of the city of Davenport, residing in this place during the ensuing two years. From Iowa he proceeded farther to the West, as far as Kansas, seeking a position in the Surveyor-General's office, for which he was highly recommended, but on account of his known principles as a " Free-Soiler," and the conse- quent opposition of those in power, he met with failure. He then found employment as a Surveyor in different localities of the State, and finally, pushed by stress of circumstances, accepted a position under the government to convey supplies to Salt Lake City. This place, however, offering few in- (lucements to remain, he, in company with others, crossed the plains, with St. Bernardus, California, for a proposed destination, taking the Southern route. After being em- ployed for a brief period in this place, he removed to Los Angeles, and was there engaged in the surveyor's office until 1861, also in various other occupations. At the out- break of the civil war, he entered the service of the United States as a private in Battery C, of the 3d United States Ar- tillery, Captain Ransom, and served until the expiration of his term of enlistment for three years, being mustered out as a Sergeant, to which position he had been promoted. While in service he took part in the siege of Yorktown, and in the battles of Williamsburg, South Mountain, Antietam, Fred- cricksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and also in many other minor engagements. On his return from the field, he went to Belleville, St. Clair county, Illinois, where he was elected County Surveyor, and later, for three successive terms, County Treasurer. In 1872 he was elected on the Oglesby ticket to the State Treasuryship, an office whose im- portant duties he performed with such fidelity and ability as to leave no room for complaint or censure. He is an active and honored member of the Republican party, and has always been one of its most zealous and steadfast supporters.

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quilly at his home, although, in the near future, he pur- poses re-engaging in business. He was married in 1866 to Miss Maus, of Belleville, a daughter of one of the oldest settlers in the county.

Since his retirement to private life he has been living tran- [ initial yet flourishing condition of the Chicago Botanical Gardens. He is a member of the State Microscopical So- ciety, and in 1874 acted as President of that body. He was married in June, 1861, to Mary P'. Keyes, of Somerville, Massachusetts.

ABCOCK, H. H., Botanist, etc., was born in the town of Thetford, Vermont, December 19th, 1832. His father, Rev. E. G. Babcock, Congregationalist, was during a period of eighteen years a settler in the above-named section of Vermont; he was a member of the Babcock family of Massachusetts, and a member also of the first class which took a complete course at Amherst College, an event occurring in 1825. Ilis mother, née Eliza Hibberd, was a descendant of the stern old Scotch Presbyterians of that name, who were among the first of those pioneers who settled in London- derry, New Hampshire, and its vicinity. He was prepared for college at the academy in Thetford, and in 1849 entered the Dartmouth Collegiate Institute. At the expiration of a two years' course, however, he was compelled to turn his thoughts toward the gaining of a livelihood, and became a teacher in the public schools of Dedham, Massachusetts. Eighteen months later he was called to become the Prin- cipal of the Public School of Newton, Massachusetts, where he remained for nearly six years. Subsequently his services were sought for and obtained by the High School located at Somerville, in the same State ; of this establishment he remained in charge until 1867, when he removed to Chicago. Upon his arrival in that city he purchased the property known and used as the Chicago Academy, and, at once taking charge of that institute of learning, he entered ac- tively upon the accomplishment of his academical duties, and since then has been thus constantly occupied. His is a private academy, and the various courses of study embrace every requisite branch, while, from the alphabet to thosc higher studies preceding the entry into college life, each de- partment receives careful and rigid attention. As a teacher, Professor Babcock is thoroughly efficient, and his merited reputation as an instructor has made the academy onc of the most popular and prosperous institutes of the kind in Chi- cago. He is prominently identified with various scientific societies, and is constantly and actively interested in the progress of the arts and sciences. For many years he has been a valued member of the Chicago Academy of Natural Sciences, and at the present time is the Vice-President of that institution. He is also the Professor of Botany in the College of Pharmacy, and Director of the Botanical Garden. As a botanist lie has been zealous, acute and thorough in his researches ; and during many years past has been in con- tinuous communication with many of the famous scientists and botanists of the world, receiving from them rare and valuable specimens of trees, plants, etc. To his exertions is mainly due the successful development and present since been in successful operation. There, with much leis-

INSMORE, REV. J. W., Pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church of Bloomington, Illinois, was born in Canton township, Washington county, Pennsylvania, March 13th, 1839. His parents are William and Rebecca Dinsmore ; his father was extensively engaged in farming and agricultural pursuits ; his ancestors, on both the maternal and paternal sides, were of Scotch-Irish extraction, and noted for their piety and religious devotion ; on his father's side, especially, for several generations back his predecessors have been prominently connected with the history of Presby- terianism both in this country and in Ireland; his great- grandfather, James Dinsmore, emigrated from County An- trim, Ireland, to Pennsylvania in 1761, where his branch of the family has since permanently resided ; his mother's father was a Revolutionary soldier, and cffectively served the cause which he espoused. Until he had attained his fourteenth year he attended the sessions of a common school, and was instructed by a tutor in his father's family, and at that date was transferred to an academy to be fitted for college. Graduating from Washington College, Penn- sylvania, in 1859, he immediately entered the Western Theological Seminary, at Allegheny City, in the same Statc, . one of the leading educational establishments of the Pres- byterian Church; in this institution he spent two years, passed in incessant study, graduating in 1862. Prior to this, in April, 1861, he had been licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Washington, but, desiring to acquire a more varied and extensive acquaintance with theology and subjects of a kindred nature, he decided to pursue his researches for a further period of two years. Throughout his years of study he was noted for his clear- ness of perception, accuracy of thought, and unremitted in- dustry, and ever held a high rank among his colleagues. In January, 1863, through the invitation of a small Presby- terian church, he visited Cambria, Wisconsin, and spent several weeks in that locality. On the ensuing May 2d he returned to Cambria and took charge of the Presbyterian church existing there. After a residence of one year in this place, through the invitation of a number of Presby- terians who had removed from New York city and its vi- cinity to Prairie-du-Sac, Wisconsin, he visited the latter place, and was eminently successful in organizing a Presby- terian church. In that picturesque and tranquil village he remained for a period of six years, during which time a fine and commodious church building was erected, also a ccm- fortable parsonage, and a parochial academy, which has

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ure time, and in the society of a highly cu'tivated people, he was enabled to devote himself to extensive and profit- able study, and to acquire a still deeper insight into the divine mysteries of the Christian religion. In the spring of 1870 he was called to the charge of the Second Presbyterian Church of Bloomington, Illinois, and although he had pre- viously declined two similar calls, he felt in this case that it was his duty to obey, and in the following July removed to his new scene of labor, and there began his ministry. The church had been considerably weakened by minor dissen- sions and troubles; but in a remarkably short space of time entire harmony was restored, and the church entered upon an era of prosperity not equalled in its previous history. During the first three years of his pastorate upward of three hundred persons were added to the communion of the church, and the increase in the number of communicants has been constant and rapid. The Second Presbyterian Church is at the present time one of the largest and strongest churches in the State, and with the exception of some few in Chicago is surpassed by none. Its pastor is a finished classical scholar, and is unusually well versed in the Scriptures in their original languages. He was married in December, 1862, to Ada Vance, formerly a resident of Ravenna, Ohio, and the products of this union have been four children, two of whom, boys, are living, and two deceased.

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The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century, Part 54

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