USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > The great revolution; a history of the rise and progress of the People's Party in the city of Chicago and county of Cook > Part 9
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159
FIRE MARSHALS.
DENIS J. SWENIE.
The First Assistant Fire Marshal was born in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, in the year 1834, where he remained until he arrived at the age of fourteen. In 1848 he came to Chi- cago and engaged in the harness trade. This engrossed his . attention up to the year of 1859. In the meantime Mr. Swenie was a member of the volunteer fire department, running "wid der masheen " more for sport than anything else. In 1849 he entered the service as a hose boy on No. 3, stationed at that time on the corner of Wells and Kinzie streets. He subsequently joined the regular engine corps. In 1852 Mr. Swenie went on the "Red Jacket," and took the position of Assistant Foreman. In 1854 the company was disbanded. Mr. Swenie then returned to No. 3. It was now that his services became appreciated. In 1856 he was appointed First Assistent Engineer. In 1858 he was appointed Chief Engineer, organizing the paid steam fire department.
In those days the position of Mr. Swenie was anything but enviable. The volunteer department considered the or- ganization of a paid department as a slur upon their honor, and fought with a desperation worthy of a better cause. All those squabbles, memorable in the annals of our fire history, Mr. Sweenie successfully mastered.
In 1861 Mr. Swenie took command of the Liberty, sta- tioned on North Dearborn street. In 1867 the same com- pany accompanied him to the command of the Gund. He
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THE GREAT REVOLUTION.
was captain of this company when appointed First Assistant Fire Marshal, October 1, 1873.
In all the great fires of his days the First Assistant Fire Marshal participated ; among others, the great fire of 1857. On this occasion, Mr. Swenie took charge of the diggers, and recovered eighteen bodies out of twenty-three supposed to have been lost. His traveling in pursuit of interesting information to further the interests of the Fire Depart- ment is extensive; and there are a great many who rank Mr. Swenie to-day among the foremost firemen of the country, from the extent of his experience.
In the great fire, Marshal Swenie, taking charge of affairs on the North Side, saved, it is said, five entire blocks in the vicinity of Kinzie street bridge. The engines in action at the time were Nos. 11, 5, and 16.
161
FIRE MARSHALS.
CHARLES S. PETRIE.
The Second Assistant is Charles S. Petrie. He was born in Chicago, Sept. 25, 1840, and studied at the Kinzie Public School. His educational course was further extended by a term at St. Joseph's Catholic School in this city, and aft- erwards at South Bend. At the age of 13, or thereabouts, he went to work at Fuller's old light - house. Here he was employed for about three years. He then went into McCor- mick's manufacturing establishment, and then into Wright's machine shop. In the meantime, he served in the Volunteer Fire Department. He now went South, and served as As- sistant Engineer on the Mississippi. At the breaking out of the war he returned to Chicago, and joined the Steam Fire Department, serving as stoker on Engine 3. In 1866, he went upon the " Rice " as stoker. Thence he was promoted to the engineership. He was then appointed Engineer on No. 3, the " James."
In 1872, he was promoted to the position of Third Assist- ant, and in the same year to the Second Assistantship. It is in the mechanical department Mr. Petrie's energies are most felt.
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THE GREAT REVOLUTION.
WILLIAM MUSHAM.
This gentleman is Third Assistant Fire Marshal. He was born in the city of Chicago, Feb. 9, 1839. In February, 1855, he joined the Volunteer Fire Department-at the early age of 16. Meantime, he pursued his avocation as a carpenter. About 1861, Mr. Musham joined the Paid Fire Department, which, at that time, was about fully organized. The first engine our subject went upon was the " Little Gi- ant," located on the corner of Washington and Dearborn streets. He served here as a pipeman. He was then trans- ferred to the " Atlantic," corner of State and Michigan streets. Having served here for a time, he was transferred to the "Giant," but after a short time, resigned and went to Philadelphia, where he served on the Volunteer Department, on the engine "Fairmount." Returning to Chicago, he went upon the "T. B. Brown," on West Lake street. Here he served as assistant foreman up to 1868. He now went as Foreman upon the "Giant," located at this time upon Maxwell street. After the great fire, March 1, 1872, Mr. Musham was appointed Third Assistant Fire Marshal.
The experience of Mr. Musham on our Fire Department is quite varied ; among other adventures, suffering severe injuries by the falling of a wall at a fire, corner of LaSalle and Water streets, in 1865, where two firemen were killed.
163
FIRE MARSHALS.
MAURICE W. SHAY.
The Fourth Assistant Fire Marshal is Maurice W. Shay. He was born in Nova Scotia, in 1832, and, as early as 1838, came to Eastport, Maine, remembering the great fire in that city in 1839, which destroyed three-quarters of a mile of property, including many wharves and much shipping. In 1840 he went to Charlestown, Massachusetts. In that city, in 1847, he ran with the "Warren " engine company, and with that company went to Boston and participated in the Haverill street fire, which destroyed three squares. In 1849 he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and in 1850 joined "Phoenix " engine company. In 1852, he was a member of the Eagle Fire Department in Pittsburgh. In 1855 he was elected Assistant Foreman of the company. In 1856 he was elect- ed Assistant Engineer of the Cleveland Fire Department, He participated in the New England fire in that city.
Mr. Shay then came to Chicago. Here his old love accom- panied him. In 1857 he joined the Liberty Hose Company, No. 6, as a pipeman. In 1858 he was appointed Assistant Foreman. In 1861 he joined the Paid Fire Department as a truckman on Hook and Ladder No. I. In 1862 he was transferred to engine 6, the " Little Giant." In 1864 he was appointed Foreman of engine company No. 9, the "Sher- man." In 1867 he accepted the foremanship of No. 13, the "Titsworth." Here he stayed until detailed Assistant Fire Marshal, in October, 1873. In all the great fires of his days Mr. Shay participated, with high honors.
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THE GREAT REVOLUTION.
LEO MEYERS.
The Fifth Assistant Marshal is Leo Meyers, aged about thirty-nine, of French extraction ; was born on the North Side, and is distinguished by the reputation of being the Chesterfield of the Fire Department. He is very popular. Mr. Meyers joined the Volunteer Fire Department probably at the age of fourteen, and, up to the organization of the Fire Department, followed iron moulding, being for some time foreman in Letz' foundry. He first served as a torch boy on No. 3, the "Niagara;" became Foreman of the "Island Queen; " held the same position on the "U. P. Harris; " was at one time Assistant Engineer under U. P. Harris; and also served as Foreman of the "Tempest Hose" and of the "Babcock." On October 5, 1873, he was ap- pointed Marshal under Chief Benner.
165
HYDROGEN GAS MACHINE.
J. J. WADE,
95 South Desplaines street, a prominent plumber and gas fitter, has gotten up a Hydrogen Gas Machine, which is ben- eficial to the public in the fitting up of buildings where tanks are in use, as there is no fire connected with it, and the lead is put together without the use of solder, therefore saving from thirty to forty per cent. in labor and material. This machine is indispensable in the fitting up of chemical, vinegar, distilling, and other works where acids are in use.
The value of the instrument is enhanced by the fact that it lessens the liability to fire in large public buildings. Mr. Wade has been connected with the plumbing and gas fitting interests of Chicago for over sixteen years, and has accom- plished the work on our most prominent public structures.
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
169
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
REDMOND PRINDIVILLE.
Mr. Prindiville was born in the southern part of Ireland, in 1826, of parents of the purest description of Norman about them. His father and uncle took degrees in Trinity. At a very early age, Redmond was borne to the State of New York, whence he was removed to Michi- gan for a time, to suit the convenience of the family, most probably. At nine, he entered Chicago. From this time up to 1849, it might be said that Redmond divided his days between sailing and attending school; holding a cap- taincy at 17, and until he was 23. He now connected him- self with the Galena Railroad; and in various positions he remained in the service of this corporation up to 1855, when he resigned. Since, Mr. Prindiville has identified himself extensively with river interests, owning, at the present, con- siderable shipping. He was appointed to the Board in December, 1869. He served in the Council from 1860 to '62, from the then Eighth Ward.
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THE GREAT REVOLUTION.
WILLIAM H. CARTER.
Commissioner Carter was born in Lancaster, Worcester county, Massachusetts, in 1821. He is, accordingly, 53 years of age. When about eight years old, Mr. Carter went to Franklin county, and worked there diligently on a farm for some time. He went to school there, and subsequently to the Academy at East Hampton, Massachusetts. He thence went to Springfield, in the same State, and engaged in building. He was at this time but 20. He went now to Northampton, and built there, among other structures, the House of Correction.
In the Fall of 1853, Mr. Carter came to Chicago, and pursued building up to the time of his election to the Coun- cil, where he served in 1855 and 1856. In 1857, he served on the Board of Education. In February, 1868, he was elected a member of the Board of Public Works.
He retired with the success of the People's Party; giving place to Louis Wahl.
171
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
J. K. THOMPSON.
Mr. Thompson was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1816, and followed building up to 1857. In July, 1855, he came to Chicago. In March, 1857, Mr. Thompson was given the full control of bridges and public buildings. In 1861, when the Board was organized, he was appointed Superintendent of Streets and Public Buildings, a position he has filled with great ability. He is the parent of the present style of bridges.
In his peculiar sphere Commissioner Thompson, it is said, stands without an equal. It has been intimated that a desideratum, municipally, would be an Inspector of Public Buildings. If such an office were made, it would, most probably, be tendered to Mr. Thompson.
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THE GREAT REVOLUTION.
LOUIS WAHL.
Louis Wahl. over whose selection as a member of the Board of Public Works so much of a stir was made in the Common Council, was born at Pirmassens, in Rhenish Bava- ria, in 1830. He is of pure German extraction, and his con- nections, wherever found, rank very high in society. His father was attached to the Bavarian Crown in the capacity of tax collector, and his uncles at one time represented five million francs in Paris, France. One of those relatives is at present Superintendent of the Road from Paris to the Med- iterranean. He was probably the only prominent German who, during the unpleasantness between France and Prussia, was not hustled out of Paris.
In 1847, the Wahl family, removing to America, Mr. Louis Wahl's father entered the glue business in Milwaukee, and achieved an independent fortune. The business, like many other foreigners upon their arrival on these shores, he picked up accidentally, and established. His success may be judged from the fact that he left, as an inheritance to his sons, the magnificent sum of $200,000. Besides this, he established the facilities for a glue house in Chicago for them. In 1850 Louis Wahl, in company with his brother Christian, took a portion of the fortune left them and made the trip to Cali- fornia; and it might be said passed through the Golden Gate to amass a fortune in Chicago.
They came to this city in 1854. The first place they con- structed their glue works (their father's success having urged them to stick to glue) was on the North Branch. In 1856
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
they removed to their present location, situated on Broad street near Thirty-first. At the outset they sent out 50,000 pounds of glue annually. Their present production is 3,000,000 pounds; the amount of capital invested is $600,- 000, and their business is probably the largest in the world.
The political position of Louis Wahl has been on the Re- publican side; though he cast his first vote for Pierce in 1852. He never cared much for office, on account of the immense requirements of his business. Among the posi- tions of trust he held, however, was a position in the State Legislature, and a Commissionership of Bridewell. A great effort was also made to run him for Mayor in last fall's elec- tion, on the Citizen's Union ticket.
His election to the Board of Public Works was bitterly opposed, on account of his presumed connection with an effort to once bribe the Aldermen in reference to the Ford contract. It is stated, nevertheless, that Mr. Wahl knew nothing of the attempt; handing over to a certain party a certain sum of money, with no knowledge whatever of its disposition. This money reached certain Aldermen, it ap- pears, subsequently. The probable presumption of Mr. Wahl was that it was merely a present to an editor for the influence of his newspaper.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
177
BOARD OF HEALTH.
DR. HAHN.
Dr. Hahn, the President of the Board of Health, was born in the east. He graduated in Jefferson Medical Col- lege, and for a time was connected, as a resident physician, in Blockley College, of Philadelphia. He subsequently removed to Chicago.
The Doctor's experience, as spoken of in Chicago, is ranked among that of the highest in the profession.
Among other political positions he has held that of an alderman.
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THE GREAT REVOLUTION.
CHARLES E. MOORE.
Charles E. Moore was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1825. In 1837 he went to Albany, N. Y., where he remained until 1848. Here he learned the trade of masonry. While here he was a member of the Emmett Guards, and offered his services in the Mexican war, with that organization. They were not called out, however.
In 1848, Mr. Moore came to Chicago and worked at his trade. In 1860 he made the trip to Pike's Peak. Returning in 1861, he entered the army, and for three years and three months served as Major of the 23d, which, in company with Col. Mulligan and others, he helped in organizing.
Among the positions of public trust he has filled were the Aldermanship of the Seventh Ward and Police Judgeship. Resigning the latter, he was subsequently chosen to the Board of Health.
179
BOARD OF HEALTH.
GEORCE SCHLÅ’TZER.
This gentleman was born in Kusel, Rhenish Bavaria, and is 52 years of age. His early life was spent in a very class- ical atmosphere ; which the observer of the Doctor's habits and predilections to-day may easily surmise. His father was the chief medical officer in the Bavarian army, at one time, and participated therewith in the Russian campaign.
Educated in Munich, Dr. Schlœtzer practiced medicine in the locality of that name as well as in Prague and Brus- sels, and very considerably throughout all Germany. He came to Chicago fifteen years ago, and has devoted himself to his practice ever since. He entered the Board of Health in 1869; was the City Physician at one time; and is at present connected with the Protestant Diaconese Hospital.
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THE GREAT REVOLUTION
BEN. C. MILLER.
Dr. Miller was born in Putnam county, Indiana, and hav- ing received an academical education at Battle Ground, Indi- ana, joined the army at 17- Company K, Ioth Indiana Cavalry ; rising from the ranks to a First Lieutenantcy, in the Army of the Cumberland. In 1865 Ben. studied medi- cine in his father's office, and soon graduated at Rush Med- ical College. He then entered Cook County Hospital, and . in 1869 was appointed County Physician.
Dr. Miller was appointed Superintendent of Public Char- ities for Cook county in 1872. In this position he effected incalculable good, especially in the matter of hospitals. A comparison of the expenditures of his year and of the year previous shows a reduction in his favor of over $100,000. He was subsequently selected to his present office- the Health Superintendency. Here he has perfected the pres- ent admirable vaccination regulations.
181
BOARD OF HEALTH.
JOSEPH MCDERMOTT.
Joseph McDermott was born in Durrow, King's county, Ireland, in 1827. When arrived at the age of twenty, he came to this country, and settled in New York, in the liquor traffic. After a successful experience there, he came to Chicago, and resumed the same business. He is engaged therein at present.
Politically, Mr. McDermott is a Democrat. He never sought office much, and his selection to the Board of Health probably surprised him somewhat.
MR. MOSES HOOK .- This gentleman has also just been elected to the Board of Health.
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POLICE JUSTICES AND CLERK.
185
POLICE JUSTICES AND CLERK.
DANIEL SCULLY.
The name of Daniel Scully is a household word in a very large region. There never was a more efficient Justice elected in the city of Chicago.
Mr. Scully was born in the city of New York, March 28. 1839. When the boy was two years old, his parents removed to McHenry county. Here the old folks placed him in charge of the farm. Agricultural pursuits were not sympa- thetic with the disposition of the Judge. He looked for better things.
In those days it was habitual with men of remarkable pro- clivities to get all the information they could. With this end in view, the Judge, in the year 1860, devoted himself to teaching school. The more he taught, the more he became convinced that he needed to learn something himself. His education he considered simply fortuitous. So it was. Ac- cordingly, in the fall of 1860, Mr. Scully went to St. Mary's of the Lake. Here he graduated, after two years, in the scientific and commercial departments. His conduct here elicited a very complimentary notice from Dr. McMullen, the principal of the institution.
In 1863 and 1864 Judge Scully studied law in the Chicago Law School, under the control of Judge Booth, at present of the Circuit Court. When graduated, he received a hand- some compliment from the principal, being the only one out of a class of thirty-four who had not been in a law office.
A promiscuous line of life followed his honors. The edu- cational seemed to have the mastery, however. Having
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THE GREAT REVOLUTION.
graduated in law, Mr. Scully made a tour of Iowa and Min- nesota ; but failing to discover any favorable locality where- in to throw out his shingle, he came to Chicago. He now entered the office of Willard & Quinn, and devoted himself rigidly to study. The result was a success that promises to be permanent.
The Judge has been appointed Police Justice three times by an overwhelming vote. Among other honors, he has served Hartland, in McHenry county, as Town Supervisor.
187
POLICE JUSTCES AND CLERK.
H. A. KAUFMANN.
The Justice of the North Division Police Court is Henry Aaron Kaufmann, a gentleman whose admirers north of the river, it is said, are very numerous. His progress so far in public life, it is certain, is only the result of an industrious attention to the minutest details of the various stations in life allotted to him.
Mr. Kaufmann was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, in 1821. Early in life, conceiving an idea that a young and rising region possessed availabilities not discoverable elsewhere, Mr. Kaufmann came to America, and, after prospecting somewhat, settled in Chicago.
His first introduction to public life, it may be said, was while employed by the city as a police patrolman and detec- tive. Thus engaged, Mr. Kaufmann enjoyed ample oppor- tunities for forming friendships - acquisitions he succeeded admirably in securing.
Being moderately ambitious, Mr. Kaufmann, subsequent to his retirement from the police force, was elected a Town Supervisor. The next prominent office of public trust await- ing him was the Police Justiceship of the North Division.
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THE GREAT REVOLUTION.
MARTIN SCULLY.
The Clerk of the South Side Police Court is Martin Scully. He was born in the county of Tipperary, Ireland, in 1835. In 1851 he emigrated to America, and learned the moulding business. This avocation he pursued up to his election. When the war broke out Mr. Scully entered the 23d Illinois regiment, under Mulligan, and was very soon appointed Sergeant of Company K. When the siege of Lex- ington took place, Sergeant Scully succeeded in showing an extraordinary hand, turning out 1,600 weight of shot from a rebel foundry at the time of the bombardment. He was here captured, but was subsequently exchanged, among the Camp Jackson prisoners. In 1861 he was mustered out at St. Louis. Returning to Chicago, in company with Capt. Shanley he raised a company and took 100 men to the famous Sixty- Ninth, the Irish regiment. Promotion soon followed, serving at the battle of Fair Oaks as Second Lieutenant. After the battle of Antietam he was appointed Captain. At Fair Oaks Mr. Scully was wounded. He was present also at the seven days fight under Gen. McClellan. The history of Capt. Scully can be learned at a glance when it is told that himself and two others were the sole survivors of Company D, of the Sixty-Ninth. When the Fenian excitement broke out, Capt. Scully went to Ireland, and was arrested in the city of Cork. Returning in 1869, he was elected Clerk of the North Side Police Court. In 1873 he was elected Chief Clerk on the People's ticket. Aside from his political history, Mr. Scully has always taken an active part in the interests of the work- ing men.
COLLECTORS AND ASSESSORS.
191
COLLECTORS AND ASSESSORS.
GEORGE VON HOLLEN.
This gentleman is the City Collector. He was born in the village of Drifthsethe, in Hanover, Germany, March 2, 1834, and, up to the age of fifteen, devoted himself to farm- ing. At this age he left Fatherland, arriving in New York in 1849. Here he gave his services to a grocer, and subse- quently to a butcher. In 1854, he came to Chicago. Here he resumed the business prosecuted in the east. Being a first-class Republican, Mr. Von Hollen soon became thor- oughly identified with politics. From 1863 to 1865, he rep- resented the Eleventh Ward in the Common Council. At the expiration of his term, he entered the Post-office and acted as foreman of foreign and general delivery. In 1869, he was a candidate for City Collector on the Republican ticket, but was defeated. In September, 1870, he was ap- pointed a member of the Board of Health. This position he resigned in 1871, when elected on the Fire-proof ticket to the position of City Collector. His majority was over 6,000. In 1873, espousing the People's ticket, he was re-elected by a majority of over 10,000.
The experience of Mr. Von Hollen during the war, for his adopted country, was not very pleasant. Among other tribulations, he was captured by Morgan's guerillas while administering to the wounded and sick boys of the Twenty-Fourth Illinois, after the battle of Perryville, Ken- tucky. In this engagement, his brother, Bernhard, was killed.
In 1868, Mr. Von Hollen was elected President of the
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THE GREAT REVOLUTION.
North Side Turner Society, of which he is a distinguished member.
It is very rarely found that the dry duties of a City Col- lector correspond with the divine affinities of the poet. Mr. Von Hollen, nevertheless, has written some of the very finest kind of German and English verses, about one hun- dred of which have graced the colums of the Staats Zeitung.
193
COLLECTORS AND ASSESSORS.
COL. P. M. CLEARY.
The gentleman whose familiar name is observed at the top of this page is Collector for the South Town of Chicago. He was elected to his position April 1, 1873, by a majority of about 1, 100.
He was born in Nanagh, county of Tipperary, Ireland, April 6, 1826, and arrived on these shores as long as 32 years ago. Five years of life in New York sufficed for an eager spirit like the Colonel's. The clattering wheel and the vulgar jostle were fresh variety when contrasted with the every-day life of his native town of Nanagh. But the combination grew monotonous, at length. Col. Cleary re- solved to see the world. He accordingly selected Chicago as the starting-point. He had an uncle in this city, in the drug business; and this in itself was as great an induce- ment as a man of his push needed, to try his fortune in a strange city.
Here, fortune seemed to smile upon him at the outset. He found here a host of friends just like himself - genial, broad-hearted, and energetic. What go-aheadativeness he did not bring with him he procured with the least possible trouble. He entered real estate speculation when he had secured a good footing, and to this industry he still devotes the efforts of his matured business talent. Occasionally, the Colonel takes a trip to Europe, and, when he returns, dwells with ecstacy upon the many scenes he has observed there.
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