The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century, Part 82

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

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was doubted by many; but the confidence of the people in his judgment and scientific ability was affirmed by the Municipal Council when it adopted his schemc and invested him with full power to render it practical. His reputation was crowned by the complete success of this achievement. Ilis great services to the public and his agreeable social qualities command for him the lasting respect of the entire community.

REENEBAUM, HENRY, Banker and Capitalist, was born June 18th, 1833, in Eppelsheim, near the city of Worms, not far from the banks of the Rhine, he being the son of Jacob and Sarah Greenebaum. He was educated in the village school and in the higher institutions of learning at Alzei and Kaiserslautern, where he acquired scholarly attainments. He soon emigrated to America, and in October, 1848, arrived in Chicago, where two of his brothers had for some time resided, and was soon followed by his father. He was immediately associated in busi- ness with his brothers, and early demonstrated his fitness for the career of a banker. He became influential among the young men of the city, was prominently connected with their literary clubs and various beneficial and protective societies, and received many testimonials of the high esteem in which he was held. In January, 1855, with his brother Elias, he established the banking-house of Greenebaum Brothers, and now presides over its business, though the firm has since assumed the name of Henry Greenebaum & Co. (Henry and David S. Greenebaum and Louis Rull- mann). It is the oldest European banking institution in Chicago, and stands high in the confidence of the com- mercial and financial communities of that city. Its drafts are honored in all parts of Europe. In October, 1855, he was married to Emilie Heymann. In 1856 he was elected an Alderman of the Sixth Ward, and became an active, faithful, and enterprising member of the City Councils. He declined a renomination. In the memorable campaign of IS60 he was nominated by the Democratic Convention of Illinois as one of the Presidential Electors on the Douglas ticket, having for years been a warm personal friend and admirer of that talented Senator. Upon the breaking out of the rebellion Mr. Greenebaum became a member of the Republican party, and was one of the most active and liberal citizens of Chicago in all matters projected for the benefit of the Union army. He addressed many war meet- ings, by his personal influence greatly stimulated enlist- ments, and contributed largely towards raising, equipping, and sending regiments to the field. He was appointed by Governor Oglesby, in 1867, a member of the State Board of Equalization, which had for its object the equalization of tax assessments. He has been successful in all enterprises, and deserves the reputation he has secured as an able finan- cier and a citizen of irreproachable integrity.

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AQUESS, ISAAC N., ex-Member of the Legisla- ture, was born in Harrison county, Kentucky, February 10th, ISII. His father, Isaac Jaquess, was a native of New Jersey, who in early life moved to Kentucky with his parents, where he engaged primarily in farming, and subsequently worked at the trade of wheelwright. Isaac, Jr., was edu- cated. at the common schools of Kentucky and Missouri. At a suitable age he learned the trade of cabinet-maker, and worked at it for several years. During this time he lived in Illinois, having removed to that State from Missouri, which place he disliked on account of the existence of slavery within its limits. In 1832 he entered the service of the United States, and served actively during the Black Hawk Indian war. In 1844 he was elected Sheriff of Wabash county, and was re-elected several times, serving in this capacity for a period of ten years. During a portion of that time he was engaged also in mercantile , business. In 1863 he again entered the service of the United States, officiating as Chaplain of the 73d Regiment of Illinois In- fantry, and served until the close of the rebellion. His regiment was known during the war as the " Preacher's Regiment," by reason of so many of that profession serving with it in different capacities. Colonel J. F. Jacquess was in command, and it was he that visited Jefferson Davis, at Richmond, for the purpose of ending the war. Chaplain Jaquess was with his regiment during the Atlanta campaign, at the battle of Nashville, and also in the pursuit of General Hood until that officer crossed the Tennessce river. At the close of the contest he returned to his home and engaged in the drug business, which he conducted until two years ago, when he disposed of his interest in this enterprise. In 1872 he was one of three elected to represent his district in the Legislature, comprising the counties of Wabash, Edwards, Wayne, Clay, and Richland, and served efficiently until the close of his term. IIe is one of the oldest citizens of Mount Carmel, and through his talents and honorable career has won the esteem and respect of all with whom he has been brought into contact. He is a large owner of real estate, and has been importantly identified with the progress and development of the city. He was married March 20th, 1834, to Jane Tilton, of Wabash county, who died in 1863. He was again married, October 13th, 1867, to Katherine McClintock, of Mount Carmel, Illinois.

& Atkinson, by whom he was employed for a period of ten years. He subsequently went into business on his own account by purchasing an interest in the same establishment, continuing thus occupied during the ensuing four years. He then sold his interest in the business, and moved to the West, settling eventually in Claremont, Illinois, where he engaged in mercantile business, which he prosecuted for about cight years. He was then employed for one year in the office of the United States Assessor, and afterward be- came First Clerk in the office of the Provost Marshal, acting in this capacity until the close of the war. He was appointed later bookkeeper of the newly-established Bank of Olney, where he performed his duties ably and faithfully in that position until he was appointed Assistant Cashier. On the death of the Cashier he was selected to fill the vacant cashiership, and since his appointment has performed the functions of the office with entire satisfaction to all par- ties interested in the management and welfare of the bank. He was married in 1857 to Amanda C. Jessup, of Baltimore county, Maryland.

EARDSLEY, JAMES MARVIN, Lawyer and Soldier, was born at Ellington, Chautauqua county, New York, October 30th, 1834, being the son of Levi S. and Amanda (Marvin) Beards- ley. His paternal grandfather was a captain in the revolutionary army. The family removed to Crawford county, Pennsylvania, in 1840. James M. was educated in the common schools and an academy, receiving from these institutions a substantial and comprehensive knowledge. In 1855 he went to Rock Island, Illinois, and became employed in the county clerk's office. He com- menced the study of law in the office of Beardsley & Smith, and in 1860 was admitted to the bar of Illinois. He com- menced practice in partnership with Albert T. Higby-the firm being that of Beardsley & Higby-and continued in the fulfilment of his professional duties until the firing on Sum- ter, when, in April, 1861, he enlisted as Orderly in the first company of volunteers raised in Rock Island, being mus- tered into service as First Lieutenant of Company D, 13th Illinois Infantry. His first action was at Wilson's Creek, near Springfield, Missouri, where he was detailed to com- mand the escort of General Nathaniel Lyon, who was killed in that battle. After this engagement he was sent with despatches to St. Louis, and was soon after promoted to a Captaincy., He was engaged in the siege of Vicksburg, and in the battle of Arkansas Post and in the actions in that vicinity. In 1864 he went to the relief of the Army of the Cumberland, at Chattanooga, and was in the battles of Dixon's Station, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and Ringgold Gap. In this last encounter he was severely wounded. In 1864 he was made Major, to date from the battle of Ringgold Gap, and in March of the same year lie

ARSHALL, HENRY, Cashier of the First Na- tional Bank, Olney, Illinois, was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, January 7th, 1828. His education was acquired at the Chester County Academy, in his native State. Upon leaving school he commenced business life as a clerk in a mercantile establishment, in which he remained for two ycars. He then engaged in the drug business with Roberts ! was promoted to the position of Inspector-General Ist

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Division, 15th Army Corps, on the staff of General Oster- | his unswerving probity in all matters and upon all points, hous, and remained in that capacity until the succeeding June, when he was mustered out with his regiment, receiv- ing the commission of Colonel. Returning to his home, he was in 1865 elected Clerk of the County Court of Rock Island county, and in 1869 was re-elected and served until IS73, when he resumed his practice in partnership with John T. Kenworthy, the firm-name being Kenworthy & Beardsley. He was intimately connected with the organi- zation of the Illinois Soldiers' College, at Fulton, Illinois, of which he is now a trustee. This institution was estab- lished for the education of disabled soldiers and their sons. Ile was also one of the promoters of the Soldiers' Orphans' IIome, and introduced a resolution in the Soldiers' Conven- tion, at Springfield, to apply to the Legislature for an appro- priation for this laudable charity, which was voted in IS66. With an impulse that led him to do all in his power for the benefit of his comrades-in-arms or their families, he gave his bounty money and accumulation of back pay as an officer for this same purpose. He was appointed one of the five Commissioners seleeted to locate the IIome, which was ereeted at Normal, MeLean county, Illinois. In 1867 he was appointed one of its Trustees, and in 1869 was elected President of the Board of Trustees, and remains in that office at the present time. He was married in 1862 to Lurany Conet, daughter of Joseph Conet, of Roek Island, Illi- nois. He was appointed on the Committee delegated to erect the Memorial Soldiers' Monument at Rock Island, and is now Captain of the Rock Island Light Artillery Battery. He is an able lawyer, enjoying a large practice.

RYAN, SILAS LILLARD, Attorney-at-Law, ex- Circuit Judge, ex-State Senator, was born in Culpepper eounty, Virginia, November 4th, IS22. He came from the agricultural ranks. His parents, who died when he was very young, were also natives of Virginia-Baptists in religion, Democratic in polities. Left an orphan at an early age, he was compelled to depend solely upon his own efforts to secure fame and fortune. Up to the time of the decease of his parents he had received but little education, and while still in his boyhood moved to the West, and since has there risen deservedly to a prominent and honorable position. In the intervals of labor he attended school, and upon securing the sum of money needed to defray the expenses attendant on eollege life, entered the McKendree College, and gradu- ated from this institution in July, 1849. He then engaged in teaching school, pursuing in the meantime the study of law, and in 1851 was admitted to the bar. He subsequently settled in Salem, Illinois, where, when not oeeupied in the performance of publie functions, he has since practised his profession with eminent success, his clientage being exten- sive and lucrative. That success is attributable mainly to

and his close and searching application to all subjects brought to his consideration. He has never been known to take a position before either court or jury which he did not deem an upright and just one. Such has ever been his reputation throughout the State, and his known aversion to the petty trickeries of law is a powerful argument in his favor when engaged in the conduct of a case. He has never encouraged litigation, nor advised the commencement of a suit, and when he has entered a courtroom it has al- ways been with a demand for simple justice. His political relations cover the period from 1852 to 1861, at which time he was elevated to the bench by election to the Circuit Judgeship of the Second Judicial District. He served six years in that eapacity, and was then re-elected, serving an- other term of six years, which expired in 1873. He was the only Judge in this section of Illinois who maintained his position during the war. His election at the opening of the conflict, and his re-election at its close, is a sufficient tribute, the peculiarity of circumstances being held undcr consideration, to his standing as an honorable and loyal Judge. ITis influence during the dark days of the rebellion was ever exerted in a beneficial manner, and his voice was heard incessantly imploring his fellow-eitizens to remember their constitutional obligations and to labor in behalf of the true eause. In 1852 he was elected to the State Senate, and he was re-eleeted in 1856, serving until 1860. Sinee his retirement from the bench he has resumed the practice of his profession, and is engaged also in farming, owning a beautiful and valuable estate ncar Salem. He has always been an energetic and generous supporter of all educational measures, and in movements of this nature has been a prominent and useful ally. He has been and is now a member of the Board of Trustees, who have charge of the higher education, and is tireless in his eordial and liberal support of the various institutions of learning throughout the State. He is esteemed also as an ardent friend of Sab- bath-sehools, Bible societies, and of all the interests of religious eultivation of the present day. In all fields of labor in which he has been engaged-agricultural, intellect- ual, professional, and religious-his actions have been characterized by energy and notable ability. He was mar- ried in 1852 to Mary Elizabeth Jennings, of Marion county, Illinois.

ALKER, WILLIAM, Attorney-at-Law, was born in Washington county, North Carolina, December 18th, 1836. His father, Jordan Walker, was a native of North Carolina, and in this State was married to Martha A. Nicholson in IS28. Wil- liam was educated at Windsor, North Carolina. . On leaving school he commenced the study of law with E. W. Jones, at Plymouth, North Carolina, and there, after a period of four years passed in study, was admitted to the

Galaxy Pub. ( 3 Phalod *.

Lilas. L. Bryan

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bar. He then began the practice of his profession in the | the periodical press, has written several successful dramas same place, and continued at it until 1861, when he entered and has delivered several lectures and addresses. In 1858 he married Lucy B. Dunlap, of Ovid, New York. the army as Captain of Company G, of the 3d North Caro- lina Cavalry, with which he served for eighteen months, subsequently resigning his position. He continued to reside in North Carolina until 1865, when he moved to Illinois, and established himself in Odin, there resuming the practice of his profession, in which he is still engaged, his practice being large and lucrative. Originally a Whig, he afterward became a Democrat, but has cschewed politics in order to devote his entire attention to his professional duties. He was married in 1866 to Mary Brinkley, of Halifax, North Carolina.

HUMAN, ANDREW, Journalist, was born on November 8th, 1830, in Manor, near Lancaster city, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. At the death of his father, seven years later, he was adopted by an uncle in Manor, who treated him in all respects like his own son. For seven years, winter and summer, the lad was kept at the district school, and during that time made admirable progress and deter- mined to be a literary man. At fourteen years of age he became an apothecary's clerk, but only for a few months. At the end of his short clerkship he entered the office of the Lancaster Union and Sentinel as an apprentice, working thus until 1846, when he went to Auburn, New York, with his employer, who took the ownership and editorship of the Daily Advertiser there, at that time the home organ of Hon. William H. Seward. At the age of eighteen, while still working in the office of the Advertiser, Andrew under- took the conduct of a small weekly paper which he called the Auburnian, all the work on which he did himself. The new paper was not a success, and died in its first year. At nineteen he became the partner of Thurlow W. Brown in the publication of the Cayuga Chief, at Auburn. He soon withdrew from this, however, determined to have a more complete education, and in 1850 entcred upon a course of preparation for college at the institute at Clinton, New York. In 1851 he entered Hamilton College there, earning the necessary money by working in printing offices during vacations. While in his junior year at college he was urged by the political friends of Governor Seward to take the editorial management of the Syracuse Daily Journal, and after some consideration accepted the flatter- ing offer. He edited the fournal with zeal and ability for three years and a half, when, in 1856, he became Assistant Editor of the Chicago Evening Journal. In 1861, when Charles L. Wilson, editor and proprietor of the Journal, went to London as Secretary of Legation, Andrew Shuman became Managing Editor of the paper, a position which he filled with the utmost ability. Besides the great amount of work demanded by his position he has contributed to

ARKINSON, ROBERT, Merchant, was born in Westmoreland county, England, on October 9th, 1816. His parents emigrated to this country in August, 1824, and settled in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where they lived until 1837; then they moved to Illinois, and died there a few years afterwards. Robert attended school in England, and completed his studies in this country. On leaving school he was engaged in farming, and afterwards learned the trade of a tanner. In 1836 he moved to Illinois, preceding his parents by one year, intending to carry on the business of tanning. This idea he abandoned, and, instead, en- gaged in merchandising at Mount Carmel, Illinois, where he is still located in the same business, which he com- menced at that time. He has been successful to a great degree, and in all the time so occupied has never in any manner tainted his honor as a merchant or citizen. Origin- ally a Democrat, he afterwards became a Whig, and since the formation of the Republican party has been an adherent of that organization. He was appointed, in 1838, Post- master at Friendsville, Wabash county, by President Van Buren. Mr. Parkinson has been an active, energetic citizen of Mount Carmel, and has been identified to a considerable extent with its prosperity. He has served in town offices where he thought he could be of benefit to his fellow- citizens, but has always refused to be a candidate for any strictly political office. He was married in 1842 to Frances J. Russell, of Mount Carmel.

OES, JAMES H., Jeweler, was born at Kinder- hook, Columbia county, New York, June 30th,. 1821, his father, an old Revolutionary patriot, being a farmer on the banks of the Hudson, in comfortable circumstances. Ile received the ad- vantages of a common school education, and at the age of fourteen became self-supporting by hiring out to a farmer in the neighborhood. In 1837 he accompanied the family to Bradford county, Pennsylvania, his father having sold his Kinderhook farm to Martin Van Buren, who had married one of his cousins, and here for a time he was occupied by the arduous labor incident to the life of an agriculturalist. He at length decided to seek an occupation less taxing to his physical strength, and set off on foot for Towanda, and was employed by a Mr. Langford, the pro- prietor of a watch manufactory. He soon mastered the details of this industry, which required the nicest skill and delicacy, and within a vear of his appearance at the estab-

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lishment was offered an interest in it, which, however, he declined until he had become thoroughly competent to take charge of the work. In the summer of IS40 Mr. Langford sold out and removed to New York, where he purposed establishing himself in the same line of business, with Mr. Iloes as partner ; but a long and serious illness, which prostrated the latter, prevented the consummation of this arrangement. Mr. Hoes, upon his recovery, resumed his trade at Owego, Tioga county, New York, with a man named Wilson, and was soon selected as superintendent. Ile remaincd here two years, and then moved to Bingham- ton, in the same State, where he commenced business on his own account. Shortly after, Mr. Wilson offercd his stock and good-will for sale, and, becoming the purchaser, Mr. Hoes found himself at the head of one of the finest establishments in that section of the State. Here he was married, and after quite a protracted residence in Owego he removed with his family to Dansville, Livingston county, New York, where he successfully pursued his calling for eight years. He then went west, and settled temporarily at Milwaukee, where, by his practical knowledge and keen business ability, he aided materially in establishing one of the largest jewelry houses in that city. He soon, however, changed his residence to Chicago, where he purchased the stock of Hoard & Avery, No. 117 Lake street, and up to the breaking out of the civil war had maintained a flourish- ing trade alone, except during a period of four years, when he was connected with Ion. Samuel Hoard, who subse- quently became Postmaster of Chicago. In 1860-'61 in- dustry and trade everywhere in the North were greatly stimulated, and the jewelry house of Mr. Hoes received the resulting benefit. His business so rapidly and profit- ably increased that he found it essential to have a co- partner to aid in its supervision, and admitted to an interest Mr. Matson, his associate in Milwaukee. This partnership continued until January, 1867, when he sold out his interest to Mr. Matson, and intended to retire after a career of over thirty years in the manufacturing and sale of jewelry. The habits of industry and activity contracted in this time, how- ever, defeated this intention, and soon after he accepted the management and superintendence of the establishment of the Northwestern Silverware Company. The comfortable fortune which he amassed is the result of his unflagging industry, sustained against the impediment of a weak con- stitution, and of his business integrity, which secured for him a patronage which few other men in the same line of trade enjoyed. He contributed liberally to the first Sani- tury Fair held in Chicago, and offered a gold watch to the person making the most valuable donation to it. President Lincoln presented the original draft of the Emancipation Proclamation, which realized $3000, and this document was decided as the most valuable gift. . Mr. Hoes for- warded to the President an elegant time-keeper, through Hon. I. N. Arnold, Congressman from Chicago, and re- ceived a characteristic letter from him, expressing his

thanks. He was one of the incorporators and organizers of St. Luke's Free IIospital, and became the Treasurer of that charitable institution. He was a member of the Dioccsan Conventions of New York and Wisconsin, Warden of St. James Church, Mi waukee, Vestryman of St. James Church, Chicago, and a member of the Protestant Episco- pal Missionary Board for Illinois. Ilis life has been one of public usefulness and has had the esteem of all the com- munities in which he has mingled, either in business or social affairs.

ONSINGER, EMANUEL, Dentist, was born at Henrysburg, Canada East, on the 12th of Sep- tember, IS23, and while a child was brought by his parents to Champlain, Clinton county, New York. He worked on the farm with his father until he was seventeen years old, when he left home to make his own way. Ile " worked out " mornings and evenings, and so supported himself through several years of schooling, and then went to teaching alternately with his studying. At length he decided to become a dentist, and went as a student into the office of Dr. H. J. Paine, of Troy, New York. Hc had early developed a remarkable mechanical talent. When fourteen years old he made a pair of boots for himself, and subsequently manufactured a drum, a flute, a dulcimer and a violin, for music was one of the self-taught accomplishments of this restless youth. Subsequently he manufactured an excellent sleigh, and all these without any instruction whatever. It is not surprising, therefore, that in his studentship he con- structed a reacting drill, which proved a very valuable implement in his profession. He made rapid progress and was soon an expert dentist. In the autumn of IS47 he opened an office in Troy, and in a few years had acquired a good practice. Here he invented two valuable imple- ments, both of which gained an acknowledged and perma- nent value among dental instruments; they were the Rotating Gum Lance and Honsinger's Combined Blowpipe and Lathe. In April, 1853, he removed to Chicago and located himself on Lake street, where he remained for thirteen years. He worked hard, he worked well and he prospered exceedingly. Not only did he achieve a lucra- tive practice, but his skill and talents won for him high professional recognition. In 1863 the Cincinnati Dental Coilege conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery, and he was First Vice-President of the Illinois State Dental Society. He has added to the resources of his profession by many valuable and ingenious inventions, some of which have come into use among dentists every- where. Prominent amongst these is his Rotating Spittoon- washer, which needs no care, but is self-operating and always clean and sightly, in beautiful contrast with the ordinary ones used for dental purposes, which need un- ceasing care, or they become disgusting in the extreme ; '

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The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century, Part 82

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