USA > Illinois > The makers of Illinois; a memorial history of the state's honored dead > Part 14
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Stephen T. Logan
LAW partnership between Abraham Lincoln and A Stephen T. Logan was formed in 1841. Logan was described by Brand Whitlock, who wrote a small book about Lincoln in the series of "Beacon Biogra- phies," as "a little, weazcned man, with high, shrill voice, and a great plume of yellowed white hair, but pieturesque in his old capc, and accounted the best lawyer in Illinois. He loved money, and kept most of his carnings; but this did not trouble Lincoln, who loved men more than money, and regarded wealth 'as simply a superfluity of things we don't need.' Contact with Logan made him a closer student and an abler practitioner of law." The partnership was terminated in 1843. Lineoln said on one occasion that "it was his highest ambition to become as good a law- ver as Logan."
Stephen Trigg Logan was born in Franklin county, Kentucky, February 24, 1800; studicd law at Glasgow in the same state, and was admitted to the bar before he had attained to his majority. In 1832, he emigrated to Illinois, settling in Sangamon county and the next year opened an office in Springfield. In 1835 he was cleetcd circuit judge by the legislature, and after serving in that eapacity about two years he resigned because the salary was too small. Hc was elected to the legislature several times, and always took a leading part in debate. His opinions were received with deferenee, and he exereised an extraordinary influenec by the integrity of his charaeter and his fairness in diseussions.
Judge Logan was utterly destitute of those qualities which win the popular heart. He was too honest to succeed in political life, and would never eondeseend to the arts of and chicancry by which dema- gogucs are accustomed to clamber into offiee. Logan was small in stature and apparently frail in constitution, but he lived to a ripe old age. He accumulated considerable property and was aeeounted a wealthy man.
He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1848, and by his eharaeteristie wisdom and prudenee materially assisted in the adoption of some of the best provisions of the constitution adopted in that year. He was appointed by Governor Yates one of the seven
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commissioners to represent the state in the celebrated peace conven- tion, which met at Washington prior to Mr. Lincoln's inauguration as president. On that occasion Judge Logan pleaded powerfully for the preservation of peaceful relations between the sections.
In one of his speeches he said: "I have thought of a country through which armies have marched, leaving in their track the deso- lation of a desert; I have thought of harvests trampled down; of towns and villages, once the seat of happiness and prosperity, reduced to heaps of smoking ruins; of battlefields red with blood, which has been shed by those who ought to have been brothers; of families broken up, or reduced to poverty; of widowed wives, of orphaned children, and all the other misfortunes which are inseparably con- nected with war. This is the picture which presents itself to my mind every day and every hour. It is a picture which we are doomed soon to witness in our country unless we place a restraint upon our pas- sions, forget our selfish interests, and do something to save our country."
Of Judge Logan, Senator Cullom, in his "Fifty Years of Public Service," says: "I think I never knew another law, er who could so everlastingly ruin a man who undertook to misrepresent the truth. He seemed to understand intuitively whether a man was trying to tell the truth or was lying; if the latter, his words would so effectually be torn to pieces that they could be of no earthly value. But he was not an adept as a politician. *
* The judge was a true man in every respect,-honest, faithful to his friends, and fearless in doing whatever he believed to be right." At one time when he was pres- ident, Lincoln had the name of Logan, as well as those of O. H. Browning and David Davis, under consideration for appointment to the supreme bench, but it was finally decided in favor of Davis. "Logan was a better lawyer than Davis," says Cullom, "but Davis was an abler politician than Logan. Davis, Logan and Browning were all well qualified for the Supreme Court, all of them friends of Lincoln, and all Whigs."
Stephen T. Logan died in Springfield, July 17, 1880, in the eighty-first year of his age. "He will long be remembered," said Conkling, "for his public services as a legislator, for his ability as a judge, and for his eminent success as a lawyer."
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Richard Dates
T HE first appearance of Richard Yates in Illinois was as a youth of sixteen when he came to Springfield with his father, who settled there in 1831. He soon after entered Illinois College, at Jacksonville, from which he graduated in 1835. He subsequently stud- ied law in the office of Colonel John J. Hardin at Jacksonville, which thereafter beeame his home.
Richard Yates was born at Warsaw, Kentucky, January 18, 1815, his ancestors being of English extraction. Some time after having entered upon the praetiee of law he became a candidate for the legis- lature in 1842, and was elected, in all serving three terms in that body. In 1850, he was elected as a whig representative to congress, where he remained for two terms. A vigorous opponent of the exten- sion of slavery in the territories, he was an early participant in the movement for the organization of the republican party, having been a prominent speaker on the same platform with Lincoln before the republiean state convention, held at Bloomington, in May, 1856. In the November elections of 1860, Mr. Yates was elected governor of the state, and by his energetie support of President Lincoln's adminis- tration won the title of "the Illinois War Governor." In 1865, he was elected United States senator, serving until 1871. He died at St. Louis, November 27, 1873.
When Illinois was asked to furnish six regiments under the first call for volunteers in the Civil war, Governor Yates telegraphed General Richard K. Swift at Chicago to have "as strong a foree as you can raise," ready to march at a moment's warning. It was in obedience to this summons, within a few days thereafter, that the first arrivals of troops began to appear at their designated rendez- vous. While the Thirty-Ninth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers was being recruited it was called "the Yates Phalanx." It was distine- tively a Chicago regiment, and afterward rendered distinguished service in the Army of the Potomae. Several of the regiments after- ward raised in Chicago were recruited under the auspiees of the Chicago Board of Trade; and after the war Governor Yates in a speech at Chieago, reviewing his experiences while he was governor
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of the state, took occasion to pay a special tribute to this, the oldest and greatest commercial organization in the state. "While I was engaged in raising Illinois troops, in attempting to discharge the duties of my position," he said, "the most efficient cooperation which I received from any quarter whatever was from the Board of Trade of Chicago."
Governor "Dick" Yates, as he was familiarly called by his friends and supporters, was an orator. well versed in the old manner of speaking. The language of his inaugural address, delivered three months before the war began when secession talk was ripe, contains these stirring sentences: "I know that I speak for Illinois, and I believe for the northwest, when I declare them a unit in the unalter- able determination of her millions, occupying the great basin drained by the Mississippi, to permit no portion of that stream to be con- trolled by a foreign jurisdiction. * * On the question of the Union of these States, all our people will be a unit. The foot of the traitor has never yet blasted the green sward of Illinois. All the run- ning waters of the northwest are waters of freedom and union; and come what will, as they glide to the great gulf they will ever, by the ordinance of 1787, and by the higher ordinance of Almighty God, bear only free men and free trade upon their bosoms, or their channels will be filled by the commingled blood of traitors, cowards and slaves."
In his book of recollections entitled "The Illini," Hon. Clark E. Carr thus speaks of the war record of Governor Yates. "The mess- ages and proclamations and addresses of Governor Yates, eloquent, enthusiastic, instinct with patriotism, would fill volumes. His energy and activity were tremendous. He could brook no delay, and was always impatient to accomplish results. He was always urging the authorities at Washington to move faster,-to do more,-to hasten every movement to overwhelm the enemy."
After the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, Governor Yates pro- ceeded in person to the field and aided in caring for the wounded, working with tireless zeal. He won anew the love of his constituency and the devoted gratitude of the soldiers in the field, often himself performing the offices of nurse in the hospitals. Returning to Spring- field he exerted himself in sending forward the supplies gathered by the sanitary commission, and once more visited the scene of active operations. He obtained and well deserved the title of "the soldiers' friend." He sent the sick and wounded to the north in great num- bers, and provided for their comfort in every way in his power. In the company of officers on the deck of a river steamer, Governor Yates paid a tribute to the men of Illinois, extolling their patriotism
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and bravery. He spoke of the various battles in which they had taken a part, he talked of Grant and Logan, and did not forget the men who were inspiring the people of the north, cheering the soldiers at the front with their songs, such men as George F. Root and Henry C. Work.
A writer in the "Historical Eneyelopedia of Illinois" says of Governor Yates, that he "was a man of rare ability, earnestness of purpose, and extraordinary personal magnetism, as well as of a lofty order of patriotism. His faults were those of a nature, generous, impulsive and warm-hearted." A son of Richard Yates, bearing the same name (who was born at Jacksonville in 1860), was elected gov- - ernor of Illinois in November, 1900. He was the first native-born eitizen of Illinois to hold the office of governor.
Darbey B. Hurd
HE man who was most efficient in the preparation of T the law creating the sanitary district of Chicago was Harvey B. Hurd. Mr. Hurd was called "Judge" out of respect for his eminent legal attainments. He never held the position of judge though he was once a candidate for the Supreme bench but was defeated. Mr. Hurd unselfishly gave his time and talents to the formative per- iod of the sanitary district, which was succeeded by the construction of the great canal. He never charged the district one cent for his services, and never received from the district at any time a fee of any kind.
Harvey B. Hurd was born in Huntington, Connecticut, February 14, 1828. Until he was fourteen years of age he spent the summer months in work upon his father's farm, while in the winter he attended school. He left home in 1842 and became an apprentice in a news- paper office at Bridgeport; but two years later he emigrated, in com- pany with some other young men, to Illinois, where he spent a year in study at Jubilee College, situated in Peoria county. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1848. In 1854 he became a resi- dent of Evanston where he continued to live for fifty-two years, until his death, on January 20, 1906.
Mr. Hurd was an ardent abolitionist and took an active part in the stirring events which occurred in Chicago before and after the repeal of the Missouri compromise. He was a member of the conven- tion which met in Buffalo, New York, at which a national committee was formed to aid, arm and protect the northern settlers in Kansas, and became secretary of its executive committee with headquarters in Chicago. In 1856, Kansas crops proved a failure, owing to the depredations of the contending factions. In anticipation of a lack of seeds for the planting in the coming spring, the committee in New York in February, 1857, passed a resolution instructing the executive committee in Chicago to purchase and forward the necessary sceds, and at the same tine appropriated five thousand dollars to aid John Brown in the organization and equipment of the frec-soil settlers into companies for self-protection.
Mr. Hurd found on returning to Chicago that the funds in the hands of the treasurer were not sufficient to meet both requirements.
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He therefore decided to buy and send on the seeds. When Brown applied for the money appropriated to him, he found the treasury of the committee empty. At first Gerritt Smith and other friends of Brown were inclined to find fault with the action of Mr. Hurd, but when the steamer with the seeds arrived at Lawrence, Kansas, the settlers were overjoyed, and the wisdom of Mr. Hurd's course was amply vindicated. The settlers would have been obliged to leave Kansas had not this timely provision for a crop been made.
When John Brown was in Chicago, after he left Kansas, and a price was put on his head, he was concealed in the house of John Jones, a negro county commissioner, who had been a slave. Brown's clothes were so dilapidated that they were unfit for wear, but he dared not go down town to be measured for a new suit, for fear he would be captured. Mr. Hurd, being about his size, went down and was measured for a suit for Mr. Brown. Mr. Hurd frequently remarked that he was glad he was not in the suit when Brown was hung.
In 1869, Mr. Hurd was appointed by Governor John M. Palmer one of three commissioners to revise and rewrite the general statutes of the state. His colleagues soon withdrew, however, leaving the burden of the work to him alone. He completed his task in April, 1874, and was then appointed by the legislature to supervise the pub- lication of the laws thus codified. Today "Hurd's Statutes" stand as a monument to his memory. He had not only to compile into one homogeneous whole the various laws which from time to time had been enacted by the legislature, but to adapt them to the new state constitution of 1870, discarding old provisions which were in conflict with it, and constructing new ones in conformity with it. Since that time Mr. Hurd has been called upon to edit seventeen editions of the work, which is now regarded as an indispensable requisite in every law office in the state.
From an early time Mr. Hurd was a lecturer in the Union Col- lege of Law which eventually became a part of the Northwestern University. This academic work was congenial to him and he was eminently successful as a teacher. Clear cut and logical he had the rare faculty of imparting his knowledge, and giving his students a thorough understanding of the principles of law.
Mr. Hurd was one of the pioneer promoters of the Children's Aid society of Chicago, and throughout his long and useful life was constantly endeavoring to call public attention to the need of pre- ventive work among the young. He was one of the sponsors of the Juvenile Court bill, and took a deep interest in its administration.
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Frederick C. Reureuther
BREDERICK C. NEUREUTHER occupied the F position of purchasing agent for the zinc works at Peru and was prominent in industrial eireles as see- retary and treasurer of the National Sheet Metal Works. Other business interests also elaimed his attention and cooperation and were carefully directed, his sound judgment and energy proving effective forees in the attain- ment of prosperity.
Mr. Neureuther was born in Peru, December 25, 1873, a son of Charles F. and Louisa (Oesterle) Neureuther. The publie sehools of his native city afforded him his educational privileges, but when but fourteen years of age he left school in order to become a factor in business circles, being desirous of providing for his own support. He became connected with the zine works as driver of a coal wagon but soon after joined the office foree. He served in humble eapaei- ties because his father wished him to learn every phase of the business and accordingly started him at the bottom. No special favors were shown him because of parental influenee and his promotion eame in recognition of his individual merit and worth. He continued as an office boy for a short time and later was given charge of the shipping department, his responsibilities and duties inereasing with each change in his position. Subsequently he was sent to Joplin, Missouri, where he became a member of the ore department there, remaining for about two years in charge of the interests of the firm at that place. He then returned to Peru and became purchasing agent for the zine works, in which eapaeity he continued up to the time of his death on the 11th of August, 1912. He was also the secretary and treasurer of the National Sheet Metal Works at Peru and one of its stockholders. One of the elements of his sueeess was his continuous connection with the business in which he embarked as a young tradesman. He became familiar with every phase thereof and was well qualified to assume the responsibilities that later devolved upon him. He became one of the directors of the Peru State Bank and a director of the Deer Park Railway, and his eooperation was considered a valuable asset in the capable and successful direction of business affairs.
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Frederick C. neureuther
On the 20th of March, 1903, Mr. Neureuther was married to Miss Mildred Harseim, who was born at Secor, Illinois, a daughter of Rudolph and Katharine (Kerchner) Harseim, both of whom were natives of Germany, the former born May 8, 1830, and the latter May 28, 1836. The father was brought to America by his parents in 1839 and his father died when making his way up the Mississippi river on shipboard, and was buried along the bank of that stream. The fam- ily had landed at New Orleans and were proceeding northward with the intention of making La Salle, Illinois, their home. Rudolph Harseim was reared to manhood there and when twenty-five years of age was married at Peru. A year later he drove an ox team to Minne- sota and established his family upon a claim there, but afterward abandoned it because of the hostility of the Indians. He then returned to Peru but after a year went to Secor, where he engaged in general merchandising, making his home there until his death in 1906. His widow is now a resident of Peoria. Mr. Harseim became an exten- sive landowner in the vicinity of Secor and also owned property in both Secor and Peoria. When in Germany he had served as a mem- ber of the regular army. His family numbered fourteen children, of whom Mrs. Neureuther was the thirteenth in order of birth.
In his political views Mr. Neureuther was a stalwart republican, while his fraternal relations were with the Masonic and Knights of Pythias lodges at Peru. He was also a member of the Peru Busi- ness Men's Club and of the Deer Park Country Club, and was at all times popular with his associates because of his geniality, his unfeigned cordiality, his sterling worth and his reliability. It is true that he entered upon a business already established, but it was one in which he had to prove his individual worth, and in the course of years he worked upward to an enviable place when judged from the stand- point of success or the regard in which he was held.
3 ames Shields
I N THE capitol building at Washington the room onee used by the House of Representatives in the early days of the republic is now devoted to the purpose of holding the statues of distinguished men. The act of Congress which designated the old Hall of Representatives as Statutory Hall was signed by President Lincoln, and the states were formally invited to set up therein the statues of their most illustrious men or women, places for two such statues being assigned to each state. In response to this call Illinois designated James Shields as a worthy representative of the state. It was not until many years later that a second selection was made, that of Frances Willard in 1905.
James Shields was born in Ireland December 12, 1810, emigrated to the United States at the age of sixteen, and settled in Kaskaskia, Illinois. Here he began to practice law in 1832, was elected to the legislature in 1836, and three years later he became state auditor. He was elected Judge of the Supreme Court in 1843, and two years later was made Commissioner of the General Land Office.
Shields on one occasion sent a challenge to Mr. Lincoln to fight a duel. It was in the year 1842, and while Lincoln was the recog- nized leader of the whig party, Shields was prominent in the councils of the opposing party. Some criticism indulged in by Lincoln, touch- ing the administration of the office, at that time held by Shields, was the immediate cause of the challenge. When he was asked what he expceted to do about it, Mr. Lincoln replied that he was wholly op- posed to duelling, and would do anything he could to avoid a meet- ing, but rather than degrade himself he would fight. There being seemingly no alternative Lincoln sent his acceptance. Having the choice of arms he stipulated that they be cavalry broadswords, and the position to be taken was a space equal to twice the length of the swords. The locality selected was to be "within three miles of Alton on the opposite side of the river."
The belligerents and their seconds reached the appointed spot, when two gentlemen, R. W. English and John J. Hardin, the friends respectively of Shields and Lineoln, who had crossed the Mississippi in a canoe just behind the party, reached the field in time to enter
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into a discussion concerning the causes of the challenge. A recon- ciliation was brought about, deemed honorable to both parties, and the duel did not therefore take place. Twenty years later Lincoln was president of the United States with a great war on his hands, and one of the men whom he appointed to high rank in the army was James Shields.
In 1846, Shields received a commission as brigadier-general of volunteers, and accompanied the army to Mexico. His military career was brilliant; he was dangerously wounded in storming the heights of Cerro Gordo. Returning to Illinois after the war he re- ceived an appointment as governor of Oregon Territory, which, how- ever, he declined. In 1849, he was elected to the United States Sen- ate, and at the end of his term in the senate, he left Illinois and went to Minnesota. In Minnesota he was elected. to the senate to fill an unexpired term of one year.
Shields then went to California where he resided a year or more, when, in August, 1861, he was appointed a brigadier-general by President Lincoln. In the Shenandoah valley campaign of 1862, Shields was severely wounded, and in the next year he left the army. He then went to Missouri and took up his residence there and served in the legislature of that state. In 1879, he was elected by the Mis- souri legislature to the United States Senate to fill out the unexpired term of Senator Bogy, deceased, serving only six weeks. Shields thus acquired the unique distinction in the history of the country of having filled the office of United States Senator from three different states. General Shields died at Ottumwa, Iowa, June 1, 1879.
In a volume entitled "Adam W. Snyder in Illinois History," the following description and estimate of General Shields is given: "Nearly six feet tall, raw-boned, straight and soldier-like, with ruddy complexion and dark hair, his face and manners were singularly pleasing and ingratiating. Large-hearted and generous to a fault, he was idiotic in all details of business and finances, and but for his pension would have died in abject poverty. He was a fluent, witty and eloquent speaker, and though not a profound scholar, no one ever made a better display of his natural and acquired abilities than he did. No one was ever more loyal to his country, to his friends, and to the loftiest conceptions of honor and justice, than General Shields."
HENRY W. SCHEERER
Henry William Scheerer
EW men are required to take up the burdens and F responsibilities of life as early as was Henry W. Scheerer, the eldest of a family of eight children, who werc left fatherless when our subject was but six- teen years of age. The responsibility of providing for the family largely devolved upon him and through all the succeeding years he was found faithful to the duties which each day brought. Massachusetts numbered him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Bristol eounty, Deeember 5, 1859. His parents, Henry and Emily (Raab) Seheerer, were both natives of Germany. In early life the father was a sailor. After coming to the new world he settled in Massachusetts, where he resided until 1861 and then became a resident of Ottawa, Illinois. He there- after engaged in farming in La Salle county until his death in 1875. His widow continued upon the home farm until about 1902, when she went to Iowa and is still living with her children near Fort Dodge.
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