The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century, Part 86

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

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present time Buck & Rayner are among the leading deal- ers in Chicago, and are widely recognized as skilful and honorable men of business, also as pharmaceutists of un- questionable ability. The former was one of the organizers of the Chicago College of Pharmacy, and has always taken a lively interest in its welfare and proceedings. IIc is now one of its trustees, and was its third President. Hc has also been a member of the American Pharmaceutical Asso- ciation since 1856. IIc has been constantly found among those who have labored zealously and effectively to guard the standard of pharmacy, and, with others, has contributed his time and means to procure necessary legislation on this subject in order that the profession might be brought to a higher status. He was married in 1861 to Emma K. Somers, daughter of Captain Somers, of the British army; and in 1865 again married to Amelia Parke, daughter of Dr. Parke, of Chicago.

ULVER, JOSEPH F., Lawyer, ex-Judge of Liv- ingston county, Illinois, and Operator in the Loan, Insurance, Real Estate and Banking Busi- nesses, was born in Cumberland county, Pennsyl- vania, November 3d, 1834. His grandfather, James Culver, came from England and fought in the Revolutionary war; he was wounded in battle, and died in New Jersey, regretted by the patriots who esteemed him as a fearless soldier. His great-grandfather was noted as a Tory. His father served in the Pennsylvania Legislature in 1841. Joseph F. attended the district school until four- teen years of age, for two years studied in the academy and passed a further period of four years and six months in the Dickinson College, at Carlisle, Pennsylvania. After leaving school he worked on a farm, in summer, for two years, while in the winter months he applied himself to the study of law. He afterward removed to Ohio, and, as principal, taught in a Normal school for two winters. From this State he came to Pontiac, Illinois, February 16th, 1859. He there became Deputy County Clerk, and during his term continued his legal studies. At the breaking out of the rebellion hc entered the service of the United States as First Lieutenant of Company A, 129th Regiment of Illinois Volunteers. He was eventually promoted to the rank of Captain, and returned to his home in June, 1865. He was present with his regiment in all the battles from Nashville to Atlanta, and after the capture of the latter place marched with Sherman to the sea, and thence back to take part in the famous campaign which was crowned with that mem- orable suecess, the surrender of the rebel General Johnston with his entire army. April 28th, 1866, he was admitted to the bar, and in the fall of 1868 was elected County Judge of Livingston county, an office whose duties he performed with integrity and ability during the ensuing four years.

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Since his retirement from the bench he has been engaged | member of the Legislature from the Fiftieth District, serving in the loan, insurance, real estate and banking businesses. As a business man he is noted for his indomitable persever- ance and well-directed energy. He is one of the trustees of the State Reform School, located at Pontiac, and for the years 1873 and 1874 was President of the State Sunday- School Association. He was noted for early piety, and at the present time is widely esteemed as a true Christian and generous philanthropist. He is the Superintendent of two Sabbath-schools, and has been connected with the Pontiac Sabbath-school for a period extending over sixteen years. Ile is also the Chaplain of the Reform School, and as a local minister has attained considerable celebrity in this section of the State.

ERBERT, GEORGE, Lawyer, was born in Maine, and is now about fifty-three years of age. He is the descendant of a legal family which reaches back through several generations, while his father was one of the most prominent lawyers of his native State. He graduated at Amherst ; shortly after began the practice of his profession, and speedily se- cured an extensive clientage. About twenty-three years ago he settled in Chicago, Illinois. For a time he engaged in the lumber business, but of late years has applied him- self exclusively to the practice of law, in which his efforts have been deservedly crowned with entire success. He is prominent and influential in the Congregational Church, and noted for many admirable qualities of mind and heart.

NSCORE, HON. MATTIIEW J., Lawyer, was born in Springfield, Tennessee, February 22d, IS41. His parents, who were from England, al- though originally of German extraction, came to this country very early in the century and settled in North Carolina, from which place they moved ultimately to Tennessee. At the early age of eight years he was thrown entirely upon his own resources, having neither parents 'nor guardians; and, while serving an ap- prenticeship at the saddle and harnessmaker's trade, at- tended district school during a portion of a three months term, " which comprises the only educational advantages he has ever enjoyed." He continued for a period of ten years to work at his trade, and at the same time began the study of law, persevering in this latter particular, and without the aid of a tutor fitting himself to pass the required examina- tion. During eight consecutive years he thus added to his growing store of legal knowledge, and at the expiration of that time was admitted as a practitioner to the Supreme Court of the State. He then entered immediately upon the practice of his profession in Auna, where he had lived ·while working at his trade. In 1872 he was elected a

two years, and in November, 1874, re-elected for a period of like duration. In the Twenty-eighth General Assembly he presented the bill known as " The Dissecting Bill," of which he was the author and elaborator, and succeeded in passing it through the House. In the following year, while resting temporarily at Chicago, he was waited on by the Faculty of Rush Medical College, and, in a highly com- plimentary speech delivered by Dr. Allen, was presented with a costly gold-headed cane of fine workmanship. Until this meeting he was an entire stranger to the faculty, and the gift was purely and simply a testimonial to him of their appreciation of his efforts in aiding to secure the on- ward march of science. In the Twenty-ninth Assembly he presented the bill providing an amendment to the revenue articles of the constitution, primarily encountered much and determined opposition, and, though successful in secur- ing a passage for it through the House, was frustrated in his efforts by the Senatc. That is a most important bill, regard being paid to the interests of the people of his State, and though vanquished in his first essay he still purposes to carry it to a speedy and victorious issue. In Auna he has held the offices of City Clerk, City Treasurer and Police Magistrate. In politics his sentiments and principles have continuously inclined him toward the Republican party, although his county is governed almost wholly by Dem- ocratic policy. In 1862, however, he became the Rc- publican candidate, and that party has since persisted in placing him in nomination for office. In 1872 he suc- ceeded in carrying his district, and upon each occasion where he has entered the lists as an aspirant for office has invariably reduced his opponent's majority to a figure far below that of any other. As a legal practitioner he has been unusually successful in securing an extensive and re- munerative practice; is quick at professional retort and a powerful and pleasing as well as a convincing speaker ; and by the able and constant exercise of natural talents, well developed by profitable study, has won the confidence and esteem not only of his professional colleagues, but of the general community amid which he is a leading and honored citizen. He was married, April 7th, 1862, to Amanda J. Hoskins, a former resident of Zenia, Clay county, Illinois.

OUGALL, WILLIAM, M. D., Soldier and Physi- cian, fifth son of John Dougall and Margaret Houstoun, was born at Underwood, Paisley, Scotland, on March Ist, 1842. His father, who was a leading cotton spinner in the west of Scot- land, came with his family to this country in IS58, and invested in land near New Haven, Indiana, where he died on December 28th, 1874, at the age of seventy five, through life revered for his piety and un- compromising rectitude, and in death sincerely mourned

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for by his fellow-citizens. His mother, who still survives, [ of that time, in 1854, established his office in Chicago, is a descendant of the ancient Renfrewshire family of Illinois, where he has since permanently resided, the oldest and one of the most successful practitioners in the city. For a term of four years he was Medical Doctor to the city; and for six years acted as a member of the City Council. At the present time he is President of the Board of Health, having been appointed about one year ago. He is a member also of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, and for two years was a resident student at the Philadelphia Almshouse, and a pupil of Professor Gibson. He was married in IS22 to Maria Burke, of Philadelphia, and has celebrated his golden wedding. His son, J. S. Hahn, M. D., is also practising in Chicago, and is regarded as a rising practitioner by the profession and the community in general. Died, Oct. 1875. Houstoun, of Houstoun, where she was born. The subject of this sketch was educated at the High School of Glasgow, an institution founded in the twelfth century, preparatory to beginning the study of medicine, but this was interrupted by the change of circumstances and location consequent upon the family settling in the United States, and he was prevented from following out his career for the present. On the breaking out of the war he enlisted in Company C, 15th Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at Fort Wayne, on June Ist, 1861. He was with his regiment in every engagement, being severely wounded at the battle of Stone River, Tennessee, until October Ist, 1863, when, after passing the regular examination, he received a Captain's commission in the 13th Regiment United, States (Colored) Infantry, in which capacity he acted, often with independent command, until the close of the war, in April, 1865, when HERMAN, E. B., was born in Vermont, and passed his early years upon a farm. In ISCo he graduated with honors at the Middlebury Col- lege, and subsequently from the Chicago Law University. He was afterward engaged for a time in teaching, and served in the army during he resigned. His brother, Allan Houstoun Dougall, was also an officer in the Federal service-Captain and Adju- tant, SSth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. On his return he resumed the study of medicine, and subsequently took the regular medical course at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, during 1866 and 1867. On March 4th, 1868, he the war. He is widely known as a forcible speaker, and has had some experience in journalism. Ile has built up an extensive practice and takes a prominent position among his professional brethren. Immediately after the great fire he was selected by the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows as a member of the Relief Committce, and as its Secretary per- formed an immense amount of labor, discharging the diffi- cult and harassing duties of the office with eminent ability. graduated an M. D. at Chicago Medical College, and com- menced practice at Le Mont, Cook county, Illinois, on April Ist following. He was married on October Ist, IS72, to Cassie Walker, eldest daughter of Edwin Walker, of Le Mont, and removed to Joliet, Illinois, where he now resides, following his profession with much acceptance, more especially in surgical cases. Ile is also Secretary and Treasurer of the Will County Medical Society. Dr. Dougall was actuated by a pure love of this his adopted country and the Union to enlist as a soldier, and he is a firm upholder of the right of mankind to universal freedom, without distinction of race and color.

AHN, JAMES A., M. D., was born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, May 16th, 1803. His father, Dr. John Hahn, was a student under the celebrated Dr. Casper Wistar, and graduated from the Pennsylvania University. His mother, Margaret Weyer, was a daughter of H. S. Weyer, a large wholesale grocer of Philadelphia. James A. was educated in the Princeton College, and in 1822 entered the Pennsylvania University for the study of medicine, graduat- ing from that institution in 1825. Locating in Lehigh county, in the vicinity of Allentown, he practised his pro- fession for a brief period in this section, and removed sub. sequently to Seneca county, New York, where he was similarly engaged for about fifteen years. He afterward removed to Marshall, Michigan, practised medicine there during the succeeding fourteen years, and at the expiration

AIRD, WILLIAM F., Broker and Loan Agent, was born in Springfield, Ohio, February Ist, IS29. He is of Scotch-Irish extraction. His grandfather, on the paternal side, served in the Revolutionary war; and his grandfather, on the maternal side, one of the earlier pioneers and settlers of Springfield, Ohio, was a contractor and builder, and constructed most of the public buildings of that place in its early history. The latter moved from Lexington, Kentucky, in 1815, setting at liberty all his slaves, many of whom accompanied him to Springfield, where they settled permanently and reared families whose descendants are numerous, and in many cases now in a prosperous con- dition. His father was a merchant and manufacturer, whose property, consisting of flouring mills, woollen fac- tories, distilleries and saw mills, was in a single night swept away by fire. No insurance covering this loss, he was left utterly penniless, with seven children, six daughters and one son, then eight years of age. Notwithstanding that disastrous accident, however, he did not fail to give his children, especially his daughters, a good education.

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In his boyhood and youth William F. worked for wages on a farm and in stores in the summer, and in the winter months attended school. He continued thus occupied until he had attained his seventeenth year, when he obtained a permanent position in a store, where he remained until twenty years of age. He then established himself in mer- cantile business on his own account, pursuing it during the ensuing two years, when, on account of enfeebled health, he disposed of the concern and took a position as railroad conductor on the Little Miami, Columbus & Xenia Road, in which capacity he acted for a period of five years. He settled subsequently in Bloomington, Illinois. His wife inheriting a large property, and a portion of it being in- vested at a distance of about six miles from Bloomington, in a farm of a thousand acres, esteemed as one of the most valuable stock farms of its size in the State, he then en- gaged at once in stocking and cultivating that desirable acquisition. This business, farming and dealing in blooded stock, he has since regularly followed. In the meantime, during the progress of the rebellion, he was awarded a large government contract to furnish horses. Speaking in general terms, his farming and trading operations have been successful. In 1865, however, he invested over $30,000 in the Nevada Silver Mine, and eventually lost every dollar of the money invested. In 1870 he opened an office in Bloomington, Illinois, and engaged in the business of broker and loan agent, meeting at the outset with en- couraging success. His business, increasing steadily from the commencement to the present time, has now such extended relations that during the last two years the loans negotiated amounted to over a half million of dollars. All loans are secured by trust deed on farms, based upon security covering at least three times the amount loaned. In every case no security is accepted without personal examination, and to this scrupulous investigation is mainly attributable the absence of difficulties in the collection of moneys due, while a case is yet to be recorded where prin- cipal and interest have not been met promptly at maturity. In 1873 he associated with himself as partner W. W. Tuttle, of New York, the firm-style adopted being Baird & Tuttle. He was married to Annie M. Offutt, daughter of Urias Offutt, of Georgetown, Kentucky.

cCABE, JOHN, M. D., was born in Newark, Dela- ware, May 20th, 1824. His father, Dr. Robert McCabe, a native of Ireland, emigrated to the United States in 1819, settling in Delaware, where he practised many years. A few years ago he moved to Mississippi, where he died, in 1874. John was educated at the Delaware College, Newark, Delaware. Upon relinquishing college life he commenced the study of medicine with his father, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He then practised his

profession in New Castle county, Delaware, for six years. He subsequently moved to Chicago, where he resided for a period of eighteen months, and at the expiration of this time located himself at Carlyle, Illinois, which has since been his home. Here he has been engaged in professional labors for the past twenty years, and has won an admirable reputation as a physician of sterling scientific acquirements, his practice being extensive and lucrative. He was married in 1857 to Winifred Langan, of St. Louis.

ILSON, ISAAC G., Lawyer and ex-Judge of the Thirteenth Illinois, known as the Kane, Circuit, was born in Middlebury, Genesee county, New York, in 1816. His father also was a lawyer and a judge, and for many years a representative in Congress from the State of New York. He was an intimate friend of President Van Buren. When quite young he emigrated to New York from Vermont, where he studied law under the direction of a near relative, also a legal practitioner and judge. He was fitted for college at Wyoming, where ex-Senator Doolittle was his school com- panion, and transferred thence to Brown University, of Providence, Rhode Island, where he graduated with the class of 1838. Among his classmates at that institution were Hon. F. A. Jenkes, the originator of the present bankruptcy law; Judge Bradly and Judge Morton, of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts, and Dr. Robison, now President of the Brown University. While in college his father removed to Illinois and settled in Chicago, where he repaired immediately after graduation and commenced the study of law under the guidance of Butterfield & Collens, then prominent Illinois practitioners. After remaining with them about one year he entered the Law School of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and there completed his prepara- tion for the bar under the instructions of Judges Story and Greenleaf. In 1841 he was admitted to the Massachusetts bar, returned at once to Illinois, and in this State began the practice of his profession at Elgin. In 1846 he associated himself with William Wilcox, since also a judge in that district. This partnership was continued until 1850, when his colleague was elevated to the bench. He was first elected as the party candidate of the Democrats, but eventually the bar and leaders of both parties recognized his judicial ability and integrity, and he was repeatedly re- elected, without opposition, continuing to fill the office for a period of seventeen years. In 1867 he removed to Chicago and commenced the practice of law there, organizing the firm of Wilson, Villette & Sweet, which existed up to the time of the great fire of 1871. He suffered severely by this disastrous event, which caused the entire loss of his valu- able law library. During that year the firm of Wilson, Perry & Sturgis was formed; in 1873, however, the last- named partner retired, and the firm became Wilson &

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Perry, which is still in existence. Although a general practitioner, he has of late years confined his business par- ticularly to chancery, and practices in the United States Courts, where he has been notably successful. IIe possesses a varied and solid fund of legal learning, is of undisputed integrity, and is noted for his aversion to needless litigation, effecting settlements wherever the honor or the interest of his clients demands that course. For a number of years he has been a member of the Unitarian Church. He was married in 1843 to Caroline L. Clark, daughter of Scotto Clark, an old and highly esteemed merchant of Boston. IIe has five children ; the oldest is engaged in business in Chicago, Illinois; a second is a student in the paternal office.

ARY, ERASTUS, President of the Town Council of Wheaton, Illinois, was born in Pomfret, Con- necticut, April 5th, ISO6. Ile is the son of Wil- liam Gary and Lucy ( Perrin) Gary, of Connecticut. Ilis father was a farmer. IIe was educated in the schools of his native town, and, reared on a farm, has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. Ile left Connecticut in IS31, and cmigrated to Michigan. In IS32 he removed to Illinois, settling at Wheaton, Du Page county, where he has since permanently resided. He was recently clected President of the Town Council of Wheaton for 1875. For nineteen years he officiated as Justice of the Peacc, and fulfilled every attendant duty with scrupulous integrity and ability. He is an active mover in all measures designed to further the development and wel- fare of his town and fellow-citizens, and is greatly esteemed by the community amid which he has lived and labored for so many years. Ile was married in IS41 to Susan A. Vallette, from Stockbridge, Massachusetts, who died in March, 1874. His present family consists of three sons and one daughter.

UCAT, ARTHUR CHARLES, Insurance Agent, was born in Dublin, Ireland, February 24th, IS30, being the youngest son of M. M. Ducat, Esq., of Newlawn, county of Dublin. He received a thorough scientific education in his native city, and emigrated to the United States to follow the profession of a civil engineer. He followed this vocation until tendered the office of Secretary and Chief Surveyor of the Chicago Board of Underwriters, which he accepted and filled until the breaking out of the Southern rebellion. Immediately after the firing on Fort Sumter he raised a corps of engineers, sappers and mincrs, of three hundred ! men, which he first offered to the State of Illinois, and sub- sequently to the United States authorities; but for some unaccountable reason this company of professional engi- neers and skilled soldiers was rejected. Determined to

serve in the Union army, hc cnlisted then as a private. IIe was mustered in as a soldier of the 12th Illinois Infantry, at Springfield, in April, 1861, and was among those who first seized the strategic point of Cairo, and occupied Bird's Point. The 12th's first service was in supporting the late General Lyon in taking possession of the arsenal at St. Louis. Ducat's military knowledge and skill was soon discovered, and within a month of his enlistment he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant, with the appointment of Adjutant of the regiment, and upon the re-enlistment of the regiment for three years he was chosen Captain of Company A. The 12th formed part of the brigade which first occupied Kentucky, taking possession of Paducah in August, 1851, where Ducat was appointed Major of the regiment. This command was in the rear of Columbus at the time of Grant's first battle at Belmont, and was engaged in the reconnoissance of Fort Henry and in the attack on that stronghold and Fort Donelson. For gallantry displayed in the capture of the latter fort Ducat received special men - tion in general orders. In April, 1862, he was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment, and with his command participated in all the battles of the Mississippi campaign, in the memorable affair of Pittsburgh Landing, and in the advance on Corinth. In August, 1862, he was appointed to the command of the grand guards, pickets, and outposts of the army at Corinth, and was attached as senior officer on the staff of General Ord, serving in that capacity at the battle of Iuka. Upon the assumption of the command of the army by Major-General Rosecrans, Ducat was ordered to his staff, in command of grand guards and outposts, and at the battle of Corinth, and during the pursuit of the enemy, he served as senior aide, being warmly commended by his superior officers for his efficiency and bravery. Prior to this battle he received from General Grant the appointment of Inspector-General of the 2d Division of the District of West Tennessee, but preferred the active though morc dangerous duties of the field. Subsequently he was di- rected to conduct a flag of truce to the cnemy at IIolly Springs, Mississippi, necessitating a march of sixty milcs through a country swarming with guerillas. Hc succeeded in his mission. Upon the order assigning General Rose- crans to the command of the Army of the Ohio, Colonel Ducat was directed to accompany him, with the rank of Chief of Staff. IIe rendered important services in the work of reorganizing that army, and in its advance to Nashville, when the siege of the enemy was raised and railway com- munications from it to Louisville re-established. When the late Colonel Garrashe was assigned as Chief of Staff, Ducat was appointed by the War Department Inspector-General of the army commanded by General Rosecrans, then known as the 14th Army Corps; and after the battle of Stone River, and the organization of the Department of the Cum- berland, he became its Inspector-General, in addition to his supervision of grand guards, pickets, and outposts. IIe organized the Bureau of Inspection in a manner best

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The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century, Part 86

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