The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century, Part 7

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

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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA.

retail grocery business, in which they continued until 1845, when they purchased a steamboat and engaged in the Ohio river and lower Mississippi trade, carrying both freight and passengers. In 1848 he went to Chicago and became in- terested in the real estate business, although the partner- ship with Mr. Starnes was not dissolved for some time there- after. When, however, that event occurred, he associated himself with Colonel Josiah L. James in the real estate busi- ness, a connection which continued for a long period, and he is still engaged in the same calling. He has been thrice married. His present wife, to whom he was united in May, 1857, was Carrie C. Pierce, of Watertown, Wisconsin. Fie has seen Chicago grow from a city of 20,000 to its present noble proportions.

OULTER, JOHN RAYER, Banker and Railroad Constructor, was born, December 7th, 1825, in Kiskimetas, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, where he lived until he attained his majority. His parents were in humble circumstances, and could do no better by their son than teach him a trade and give him but a rudimentary education, such as could be imparted by the inefficient school system then ex- isting. IIis father was a stonecutter, and instructed his son in the same hard but honest calling. The latter, however, was not satisfied with the limited knowledge he had ob- tained at school, but applied his spare moments to diligent study, reading much, and remembering everything, until his mind became stored with practical and useful information. This habit of acquiring knowledge followed him through lifc, and by the time he had grown to manhood his attain- ments were far above the average, and such as any college graduate might well envy. Being of an active, restless tem- perament, he went to the West as soon as the restraints of parental authority were removed, and entered into partner- ship with his brother at Charlotte, Michigan. This firm became extensively engaged in railroad building, and, among other contracts, they constructed an important section of the Michigan Central line. When the contracts for building the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad were being let, John Coulter went to Illinois and secured the responsible position of Superintendent of Construction on that line, and it was under his direction that most of the depots and important bridges along the main line were built. IIis last important work for that company was in erecting the magnificent bridge across the Mississippi, at Burlington, Iowa. Soon after the completion of this great work hc quitted the employ of the company, and in connection with W. W. Bishop started a private banking house in Aurora. This was in 1869, he having previously been a resident of Princeton, Illinois. The banking business was found to be both profitable and agreeable, as cvery one had full confi- dence in his own and his partner's integrity, and the busi- ness community were not slow about intrusting their financial

[ affairs to the new banking house. In 1870 the bank was reorganized under the National Banking law, and it is now known as the " Union National Bank of Aurora." He was made President of the institution, and retained that position until his death. During his residence in Aurora he became widely known for his unostentatious works of charity and his untiring labors in behalf of his less fortunate neighbors. It was a peculiarity of his nature never to subscribe his name for any donation to churches or charitable purposes, but his gifts were always liberal and timely. In 1855 him- self and Mr. Innis purchased a considerable tract of land, upon which a large portion of the city of Aurora now stands, and laid it out in town lots, which proved to be a profitalle speculation. Lots were sold at very reasonable rates, yet at an advance above prime cost. The poorer classes were allowed very accommodating terms; and many a man of limited means has since realized a handsome amount from investments that he was encouraged to make in this prop- erty. John R. Coulter possessed rare qualifications for any responsible position, and it was a knowledge of this fact that induced his friends and neighbors to solicit his acceptance of different positions of honor and trust ; but to the detri- ment and regret of the whole community he persistently refused. 'He was ever industrious, as well as far seeing, and at the time of his death, though he had scarcely reached the prime of life, had accumulated a large fortune. IIe was married in 1856 to Lucy Miner, of Princeton, Illinois; and his death occurred May 20th, 1873. IIe was buried in Spring Lake Cemetery, Aurora, under the auspices of the Masonic fraternity, of which he had been a prominent mem- ber. His estimable widow devoted a liberal sum of the princely fortune bequeathed her to the erection of a beau- tiful monument to his memory. Its cost was $Sooo.

ROESBECK, ABRAM, M. D., Physician, was born, May 24th, IS10, in the city of Albany, New York State, where his father was engaged in the avocation of tanning. When eleven years of age he commenced attending the Albany Academy, where he remained five years and acquired a good education, including the classics and the French language. Ile also at this early age entered the office of Dr. Jonathan Eights, where he remained ten years. He was in boyhood and youth an unusually apt and thorough scholar. After leaving school, at the age of sixteen, he fol- lowed the study of medicine exclusively. In IS31 he at- tended the Barclay Medical College, New York; and on May 27th of that year was licensed by the New York State Medical Society. He subsequently entered into partnership with Dr. Eights, and was associated with him for five years. During this period he was chosen one of the ward physicians of the city for two years; and while filling this position he attended in 1832 the first case of Asiatic cholera which

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA.

ever occurred in Albany, and had charge of the Cholera | another son-in-law, Mr. Mosher, entered the Srm, the sur- Hospital during that memorably terrible season. After- viving members of which still conduct the business which he had established. He passed the summer of 1874 in the Eastern States, and was preparing to go to the South in the following winter when he was attacked with typhoid pneu- monia and survived only nine days. It is thought that while in fulfilment of his duties as Park Commissioner he incurred the exposure which brought on the fatal attack. In the re- port of the proceedings of the West-Side Park Commis- sioners, transmitted to his family on the occasion of their bereavement, his former associates testified their high ap- preciation of his ability and moral worth. He was married November 2d, 1842, to Cornelia A. Gardner, of Syracuse, New York. He died January 9th, 1875, leaving a large circle of kindred to mourn his loss, and the public at large had occasion to regret the decease of its friend, and of an energetic and useful citizen. wards he was appointed Physician at the Albany Alms- House, where he continued for three years. He was steadily engaged in the practice of his profession in his native city for eighteen years. He received the degree of M. D. from the Albany Medical College January 23d, 1849. Later in the same year he removed to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he purchased a large farm and resolved to become an agri- culturist ; but finding it likely to prove a very expensive cx- periment he abandoned it and returned to his profession, which he practised for seven years in that town. In 1856 he went to Chicago, where hc at once entered upon pro- fessional duties, and where he has since remained, witnessing during that time much of the marvellous growth of the city. Ile was married October 20th, 1840, to Mary L. Williams, of Albany, New York.

OLE, DAVID, Builder, was born, July 28th, 1819, in Malta, Saratoga county, New York, where his ELSENTHAL, REV. BERNHARD, PH. D., Jewish Rabbi, was born, January 2d, 1822, in Münchweiler, Bavaria, and is a son of Simon Felsenthal, an agriculturist of that place. He gained his preliminary education in the schools of his native town, and afterwards in his fourteenth year went to Kaiserslautern, where he pursued his studies in the college for three years. At the expiration of this period he repaired to Munich, where he passed two years in completing his education under the rare advantages afforded by its renowned university. After graduating there he became pastor of a Jewish congregation at Steinbach, in Bavaria. Having brothers in America he was led in 1854 to visit the United States. After passing a short time with a brother settled in Louisville, Kentucky, he became dur- ing the same year pastor of a congregation in Madison, Indiana. In May, 1858, he removed to Chicago, where he has since remained, and where he has won a high reputa- tion for his ability and learning. A short time after his arrival in that city the Sina congregation was formed, of which he became the minister, and remained as such for six years. In 1864 the Zion congregation was formed, and he became their pastor, and for over ten years past has offi- ciated as their religious teacher. In 1868 he published "A Practical Grammar of the Hebrew Language." He has also printed at various times several pamphlets in German. Among these may be mentioned Judisches Schulwesen in Amerika, or " The Proper Construction of Jewish Sabbath- schools;" and Kritik des Christlichen Missionswesens, a " Criticism on Christian Missionary Efforts among the Jews; " also a pamphlet on the " Reforms Desirable in Judaism." In January, 1872, he was invited to deliver a lecture in English in Standard Hall, before a public audi- ence, on " The Wandering Jew," which was subsequently father followed the occupation of farming. Hc enjoyed but limited advantages for obtaining an education, and at an early age commenced learn- ing the trade of a carpenter and mason. In 1841 he removed to Syracuse, New York, where he was occupied for about fifteen years in building on his own account, and during this period constructed a portion of the Salt Works, the Park Church, and several business blocks. He then proceeded West, and during the following sixteen years filled various railroad contracts on the lines of the Michigan Southern, the Cincinnati and Marietta, the Illinois Central, and other roads in Indiana and Wisconsin, residing where- ever his work rendered it necessary. At the outbreak of the Rebellion he was engaged in constructing the South- western branch of the Pacific Railroad, near Waynesville, Missouri, where he was attacked by the rebels, who cap- tured his implements and drove away his laborers. He[] next became interested in shipping ice to St. Louis, and after pursuing this business for a few months removed to Chicago in 1863, where he resumed his former avocation as builder of houses, which he subsequently disposed of. In 1867, after constructing the " Cole Block," he ceased his building operations and entered into a regular real estate business, which prospered so well that it eventually became the heaviest of the kind on the western side of the city. In connection with S. S. Hayes he was the originator of the West-Side Park, and for several years was Commissioner for this chain of parks. He was likewise instrumental in procuring for the residents of the West-Side the convenience of a branch post-office; and was ever interested in de- vising and executing improvements for that portion of the city. In 1869 he associated his son, Charles D., in partner- ship, and two years thereafter his son-in-law, Mr. Newall. In June, 1874, he retired from the business, at which time |published in pamphlet form. He has on several occasions

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Joana 2 monison

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPÆDIA.

preached sermons to his people in English, which have | taught in the country. During these years he manifested been reported in the city press. He is an advocate of the modern or reformed school of Judaism, and is acknowl- edged to be a man of great learning, and a leading thinker and teacher among the Israelites of the Northwest. He was married, in 1862, to Henrietta Blumenfeld, of Chicago.

those original traits of character which has made his name conspicuous in later times ; as his method of teaching em- braced a wide range of business instruction and correspond- ence, differing altogether from that course usually pursued by teachers. His published works on writing are quite numerous, though of limited circulation, being confined principally to the range of his own schools. United in marriage with Rebekah J. Pierce, at Londonderry, Ver- mont, he soon afterwards, accompanied by her, went West and settled at Waukegan, Illinois, in IS54, where he re- sided for twelve years, after which time he removed to Aurora, and in 1866 established the Aurora Herald, which under his administration proved a signal success from its very commencement, and is to day one of the leading jour- nals of the Fox River Valley. Having at last acquired a competency which allowed him to carry out the great literary undertaking he had in view, he retired from editorial life, after three years' connection with it, and commenced the compilation of his work, entitled, Ilill's Manual of Social and Business Forms, which only one of his peculiar talent, education, and practical experience could prepare. As an evidence of its value, it may be stated, that it is a high-priced volume, and without any previous advertising, but relying solely on its own merits, over 20,000 copies were disposed of within a year of its publica- tion. Its sale, instead of diminishing, is constantly in- crcasing, with a fair prospect that the work, at least in its influence, will ultimately reach nearly every household in English-speaking lands. Being possessed of a versatile and superior business capacity, and also of literary talent, he at present is engaged with his publishers in aiding the sale of his work through subscription agencies; being at the same time occupied in the preparation of other works, which will be given to the world as soon as the relaxation from those duties at present devolving on him will afford him the opportunity.

FILL, THOMAS EDIE, Teacher, Journalist, and Author, was horn, February 29th, 1832, in Sand- gate, Bennington county, Vermont; and is the second son of David and Elizabeth (Edie) Hill of that town. His father was of Scotch-Irish extraction, noted during his younger days as an athlete, and in his riper years for his great physical endur- ance and rapidity of executing the various labors devolving on him in the management of the farm. His mother was of Scotch parentage, and known among her acquaintances as possessing artistic taste, untiring industry, and all those graces of mind and body which characterize the true model wife and mother. Thomas inherited from this parentage the peculiarities of mind and character which have dis- tinguished him in later years. His childhood, and until he was nine years of age, was mainly passed in the home of his maternal grandparents, in East Salem, New York, during which time he attended the district school at Eagle- ville, in that township, where he learned to read and write. He was thereafter transferred to his parents' home in Sand- gate, and labored on the farm, attending the neighboring schools in the winter, and occupying his leisure hours in reading everything attainable in that isolated region. After finishing his manual labor and the task allotted to him by his father, he hastened to the perusal and study of his beloved books. When sixteen years old, he was allowed to leave the farm, for the purpose of studying at better schools than those to be found in the vicinity, and during the three succeeding years attended various private semi- naries and the academy in Cambridge, New York ; taking the greatest delight in all studies of a philosophical and ORRISON, ISAAC L., Lawyer, was born, Jannary 20th, 1826, in Barnes county, Kentucky. By the death of his father the care and maintenance of his mother and sisters devolved upon him, at the early age of fifteen years. For five years, with unyielding energy he laborcd for the welfare of this household; and in this time accomplished so much, that in his twentieth year he felt himself at liberty to enter the Masonic Seminary, at Lagrange, Kentucky, and for two years pursued its studies. In the spring of 1848 he commenced to read law with A. M. Gaylay, and under this gentleman's careful guidance, and through his own individual persistence in study, he passed a highly success- ful cxamination in September, 1849, and was admitted to the Bar of Kentucky. He removed to Jacksonville, Illi- scientific character, and paying particular attention to phrenology, which enabled him to read character from the contour and configurations of a living head. He com- menced to teach at the age of nineteen, in Londonderry, Vermont, taking a public school during the winter months, and was so successful that the directors desired to engage him the following season at a largely increased stipend. But he chose to repair to Boston to qualify himself as a teacher of penmanship, and there he continued for fifteen years ; giving instruction, during that period, to over fifteen thousand individuals, many of whom became, in their turn, successful teachers of the art. ITis classes, which were chiefly conducted in academie», seminaries, and commercial col- leges, were regarded as among the most successful, as they certainly were the best attended of any of the kind ever | nois, early in 1851, where he has since lived and devoted

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA.

himself to the practice of the profession of the law. From | enabled to make the first report to the Legislature in the the date of its organization, he has been a member of the history of the State without requiring to ask an appropria- tion on behalf of that institution. In 1874 he was called to the position of Secretary and Manager of the Protection Life Insurance Company, of Chicago, for the duties of which office his rare financial and executive powers emi- nently fit him. The energy and business aptitude he dis- played in raising the Illinois State Penitentiary from a dependent to the self-supporting basis in which he left it, proves his ability to administer the affairs of corporations where heavy interests are at stake ; and his company fully appreciate and realize the benefit of his experience and qualifications. He is still a young man, and of remarkable physical as well as mental powers, and it is safe to predict for him a brilliant future from the success he has already achieved as soldier, journalist, public officer, and financier. Republican party, and was a delegate to the convention which first drafted and promulgated the doctrines of that party in Illinois. He was in the Convention at Baltimore, in 1864, which renominated Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency. Though born and bred in Kentucky, he was always an emancipationist, and never hesitates to oppose the pro-slavery arguments of his friends and neighbors. He is now in the exercise of a very large and highly remunerative practice, and is one of the leading lawyers of Central Illinois. IIe has a profound knowledge of civil law, and has been prominently identified with many of the more important cases which, during the past fifteen years, have come up for adjudication in that section. IIe is a skilful cross-examiner, and is clear and forcible in argument. A citizen of much public spirit, he takes a deep interest in all questions of local improvement. IIe was married in July, 1853, to Mrs. Anna R. Rapelgie, eldest daughter of Jonathan Tucker, late of New York, and has a daughter and son.

DWARDS, ALANSON WILLIAM, Secretary and Manager of the Protection Life Insurance Company, of Chicago, was born in Lorain county, Ohio, of American parentage, on August 27th, 1840. His paternal grandparents belonged to Connecticut ; those on the maternal side were from Scotland. He received his education at McKendree College, Lebanon, Illinois, and started in life as a Railroad Express Agent, and subsequently became a Telegraph Operator. Ile published a Democratic newspaper until the breaking out of the war in 1861, and was clected Surveyor in Macoupin county, Illinois, on the Democratic ticket. His patriotism would not allow him to stand by while the deadly struggle for the preservation of the Union was convulsing the country, so he enlisted as a private soldier in the 122d Illinois Regiment, in which capacity he served two years. Rising step by step in the service,- Lieutenant, Captain, and then Adjutant-General on the staffs of Generals Vandeventer, Corse, Smith, and others during the Vicksburg and Atlanta campaigns in 1863, he was also with Sherman in his march to the sea; and finally was mustered out at Washington, District of Columbia, in November, 1864, as a Major of Volunteers, having been a participator in the grand review at Washington after the cessation of hostilities. He then returned to Macoupin county, Illinois, and in January, 1865, commenced the publication of the Union Gazette, at Bunker's Hill, which he sold out in 1867 and secured a half interest in the Carlinville Democrat, a Republican organ. In 1872 he was appointed Warden of the Illinois State Penitentiary, and performed the arduous task of reorganizing the prison, establishing a management so successful that he was

ALIIOUN, JOIIN B., Railway Land Commis- sioner, was born, January, 1822, in Cornwall, Litchfield county, Connecticut, where he also was educated. In 1846 he removed to Bridge- port, in the same State, and entered the General Office of the IIousatonic Railroad Company, in which service he remained six years. He subsequently migrated to Chicago, where he received the appointment of Local Treasurer of the Illinois Central Railroad Com- pany, and in 1860 was transferred to the Land Depart- ment of that corporation. In 1866 he was promoted to the charge of that department, as Commissioner, and held that position until 1871, by which time nearly all the lands under his supervision were disposed of. He was then ap- pointed to a similar official station in Iowa, being named as Land Commissioner of the Iowa Railroad Land Com- pany, comprising territory on the lines of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, the Sioux City & Pacific Railroad, and the Dubuque & Sioux City branch of the Illinois Cen- tral Railway, which position he still retains. IIe was married, in 1850, to Frances Thompson, of Bridgeport, Connecticut.

ULLER, MELVILLE W., Lawyer, was born in Augusta, Maine, February 11th, 1833, and re- ceived his collegiate education at Bowdoin, from which institution he graduated in 1853. IIe pursued the study of law with his uncle, George Melville Weston, at Bangor; and likewise at- tended lectures in the Law Department of Harvard Uni- versity. In 1855 he commenced the practice of his pro- fession in his native city, but devoted himself chiefly to editorial duties upon The Age. IIe was elected, during the following year, a member of the Common Council of Augusta, of which body he was chosen President; and to

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA.

this official position was added that of City Solicitor. These honors proved insufficient to attach him to the city of his birth, for the West presented to him temptations, as it did to most young men of New England, and to these he yielded ; he resigned his official positions and removed to Chicago. In this new field he at once attracted most favor- able attention. IIe commenced a successful course in his profession, and soon established a reputation as an able lawyer. Predisposed to political life, which then excited the ambition of an honorable man more than it does at the present day, he took an active part in the Presidential campaign of 1856, giving his support to the Democratic candidate; but although he exercised a large influence upon the public, he was no seeker for official station. In 1861 he was induced to accept a nomination for Dele- gate to a Convention to form a new State Constitution. John Wentworth was his colleague, and they were both elected. In the following year he was clected a Representa- tive to the Legislature from the Sixty-first District. Al- though nominations for other offices have been repeatedly

tendercd him, he has steadily refused acceptance. He was, however, a Delegate to the National Democratic Con- ventions of 1864 and 1872, and has frequently represented his party in State Conventions. In the Constitutional Con- vention of 1861 he took high rank among older men, and left the impress of his views in the instrument adopted. The Legislature of 1863 sat during the war, and was one of the most noted assemblages in the history of Illinois. In it he became the leader of his party, which was in the majority in the lower House, and he maintained the posi- tion with great credit to himself. Among the numerous public addresses which he has delivered, one of welcome to Senator Douglas, at Michigan City, in 1860, and another in commemoration of the death of that distinguished statcs- man, in 1861, attracted much attention throughout the entire country. IIe has devoted his best energics to his profession, and, in this field, has won marked distinction. On his arrival in Chicago, in 1856, he entered upon a suc- cessful career, and very soon took rank among the leading members of the Bar in that city. In 1863 he was notably connected with the cases in the Supreme Court of Illinois, arising out of the prorogation of the Legislature by the late Governor Yates, which presented some of the most important public questions of a political nature. In 1869 he assumed the defence of Rev. Charles Edward Cheney, who was tried before an ecclesiastical tribunal at the in- stance of his Diocesan, the late Bishop Whitehouse, for his having omitted the word, " regenerate " from the office of Infant Baptism. The litigation, thus commenced, con- tinued in some form until a recent date, and at all stages Counsellor Fuller exhibited a profound research and knowledge of ecclesiastical law, rarely acquired by any man. His argument before the Supreme Court, in January, 1870, in one of these cases was one of the most brilliant ever delivered in the State. In this connection, it may be

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The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century, Part 7

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