USA > Illinois > The makers of Illinois; a memorial history of the state's honored dead > Part 20
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Left an orphan when but ten years of age, he was early thrown upon his own resources and worked his way upward by reason of his industry, determination and honesty. He spent five years with Michael Connely, of Benton township, and was afterward employed at farm labor until eighteen years of age, when he began to learn the woodworker's trade in the carriage factory owned by his eldest brother, Robert. In 1865 he and his brother James purchased the factory, but two years later James sold his interest to Robert, who was then in partnership with Jeremiah Dady until 1870, at which time the younger brother beeame sole proprietor. He condueted one of the largest establishments of the kind in the city, his business growing year by year and bringing him a substantial finaneial return. He always held to high standards in the nature of workmanship and in the character of the service, so that his business grew along expanding lines and his sueeess made him one of the substantial residents of his city.
Mr. Dady was four times married. In 1866 he wedded Mary Shea, who passed away five months later. In 1868 he married Sarah Craw-
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Jeremiah R. Dady
ford, who lived for but five weeks. Two years later he married Marga- ret Mullery, who survived for eleven years. On the 24th of October, 1883, Mr. Dady was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Doyle, who was born in Rome, New York, May 15, 1859, a daughter of Arthur and Mary (Kerwin) Doyle, both of whom were natives of County Wexford, Ireland, the former coming to America when eighteen years of age and the latter when seventeen. They were married in Rome, New York, where Mr. Doyle was employed by a physician for a num- ber of years. He next entered the employ of the Watertown, Rome & Ogdensburg Railroad Company, with which he continued for fifteen years. In 1865 he came to Illinois and purchased a farm of three hun- dred acres near Sycamore, which is still in possession of the family. It was preempted by the mother's brother-in-law and there has been but one transfer of title, that being when it was purchased by Mr. Doyle, who continued to reside thereon until his death in 1885. His wife long survived him, passing away in June, 1907. In the meantime she had removed to Chicago, where she continued to reside until her death. Mrs. Dady was the eldest of six children. The others are Margaret, Alice, Anna, James and William, all residing at No. 2111 North Clark street, Chicago. The sons are Board of Trade men with offices in the Postal Telegraph building. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dady were born eight children: Arthur O., who is employed by one of the largest electrical companies in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after having been educated in the electrical department of the Illinois University; Margaret M., a graduate of the Waukegan high school and of the Lake Forest Uni- versity and now a teacher in the township high school; Mary, who is a graduate of the high school and of the Gray school of Chicago, and is now with the Pfanstiehl Electric Company of North Chicago; Lau- retta and Bessie, who are high-school graduates of Waukegan, the lat- ter now a student in the Lake Forest University; Robert and Gene- vieve, who are also attending high school; and Vincent Jo, who died at the age of nine years and seven months.
Mr. Dady was prominent in local political circles. In April, 1900, he was elected to the board of aldermen from the second ward and served for two years. He was also elected a supervisor of Waukegan and discharged the duties of both positions with promptness and abil- ity. He likewise held an important place on the school board and he was prominent in fraternal circles. He became one of the organizers of the Royal Arcanum of Waukegan, and he belonged also to the Modern Woodmen camp, the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters. Those different organizations officiated at his funeral services, following his death on the 14th of January, 1909.
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Jeremiah R. Dadp
The press spoke of him as one of Waukegan's most influential and highly honored eitizens. In the funeral services the priest at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, to which Mr. Dady belonged and to the support of which he contributed most generously, said of him:
" 'He was a good man'-what more ean we say. He was a law- abiding citizen. He strove always to do what was right. He was one of the mainstays of the Catholic Educational Board; and what I might say would only be to repeat what you have heard so many times during the last few days-he led a good life. It is our duty first to pray that his soul has entered the Kingdom of Heaven, and second, to make ready to follow in his footsteps for we do not know when our sum- mons shall eome. I will not promise you, but I have a right to believe in my own heart, that Mr. Dady's soul reposes in Heaven."
He leaves behind him the memory of a well spent life, a life fruit- ful of good results in business, a life fraught with many good deeds and characterized by high and noble purposes.
S.H. Mohu
Don. Samuel Hamilton AlcClure
ON. SAMUEL HAMILTON MCCLURE, who at H one time was a member of the state legislature but al- ways preferred to concentrate his energies upon agri- eultural pursuits, which he made his life work, was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, near Danville, No- vember 2, 1827. He was but six weeks old when his parents, James and Mary Givens (Campbell) McClure, removed to a farm near Washington, Illinois. His mother was a native of Ten- nessee, born February 2, 1795. The father was born in Fayette county, near Lexington, Kentucky, May 4, 1791, and was a son of Samuel and Jane (Hamilton) McClure. The birth of Samuel Me- Clure occurred in Augusta county, Virginia, May 16, 1748. Follow- ing the outbreak of hostilities with England, he joined the American army and served throughout the Revolutionary war. After the elose of the war he lived one year in Tennessee, then moved to Fayette county, Kentucky, and settled near where Lexington now stands, bearing his full share of the dangers, duties and privations of pioneer life. At one time during trouble with the Indians, his wife was taken eaptive and their two children, one a baby, killed before her eyes. The white settlers pursued the Indians and she escaped, how,-she could never tell. Some time after this Indian trouble their son James was born and spent his boyhood days at the old home in Kentucky, whence he removed to Indiana and on the 15th of January, 1815, at Vincennes, that state, was married. While in that loeality he followed farming, continuing to make his home there until 1816, when he re- moved with his young wife across the border to Illinois, settling on a farmi which he eultivated for a number of years. Hc afterward took up his abode in the eity of Washington, Illinois, where he lived retired for a time. Later he established his home in Peoria, where he engaged in merchandising for a few years. He next moved to Ver- sailles, where he carried on farming, but again disposed of his holdings and went to Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he carried on merehandising. There he remained from 1855 until 1861, when he returned to Wash- ington, Illinois, where he lived practically retired, spending mueh time in visiting among his children in Illinois and in Iowa. He died in Washington, June 25, 1865, his wife surviving him until April 23,
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Don. Samuel Hamilton McClure
1879. He was prominently connected with the history of the middle west through the period of its pioneer development and progress. He participated in the campaign against the Indians near Vincennes, Indiana, in the War of 1812, and afterward enlisted in Tazewell county, Illinois, for service in the Black Hawk war in 1832. In the former contest he participated in the battle of Tippecanoe, and in the siege of Fort Harrison. He not only aided in establishing the supremacy of the white race but also took most active and helpful part in retaining the wild land for the purpose of civilization, and as the years went on his labors in cultivating the fields greatly enhanced the richness and value of the property.
Samuel H. McClure, who was the sixth in order of birth in a fam- ily of eleven children, spent his youth largely upon his father's farm in the vicinity of Washington, Tazewell county, Illinois. He was educated in the. public schools of Washington, and graduated from a commercial school in Peoria, Illinois. At the age of eighteen years he started out in life on his own account and found employment as a clerk in a general mercantile store in Washington, this state, for two years, after which he went to Peoria where he occupied the position of bookkeeper in a large business house for a number of years. His health became impaired, however, and the family moved to Versailles, Mr. McClure again taking up the occupation of farming. He re- sided at that place until about 1855, when he went to Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he carried on general merchandising with his father until 1861. In that year he returned to Illinois, settling in Cruger township, Woodford county, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits. Although he did not remain upon the same farm, he continued in active connection with agricultural interests in that township to the time of his death, which occurred on September 15, 1897. In the meantime he had added to his holdings until he became an extensive landowner, the farm where he settled in 1861 and the homestead which he occupied in 1873, and upon which he resided until 1894, being still in possession of the family. In the latter year Mr. McClure re- moved to Eureka, where he resided until his death.
On the 11th of June, 1856, Mr. McClure married Miss Missouri Meek, who was born in Woodford county, three miles south of Eureka, Illinois, on the 7th of April, 1836, a daughter of Henry and Parthenia (Perry) Meek. She was educated in Walnut Grove Academy, now Eureka College. Her father was born in Pulaski county, Kentucky, August 11, 1804, and the mother's birth occurred in Blount county, near Knoxville, Tennessee, November 14, 1810. Mr. Meek made farming his life work and on coming to Illinois, in 1830, settled on
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Don. Samuel Damilton AlcClure
a farm which was his home until his death, on the 20th of September, 1883, his wife passing away on the 29th of December, 1889. In the early period, when no settlers were free from the danger of Indian attack, he, and the few other white settlers, took their families to the older settlement of Mackinaw, Tazewell county, for greater safety, but after a day or two his wife returned to aid him in protecting their home and property. He was always interested in the progress and welfare of his community and served as supervisor of his township and in other local positions of honor and trust, although he never aspired to publie office. He enjoyed the respect and esteem of those who knew him in an unusual degree. His success was the merited reward of his earnest, well directed labors. He became an extensive landowner, having sixteen hundred acres of choice land in Woodford county, yet when he arrived here, his capital consisted of only about three hundred dollars. He entered his first forty acres from the gov- ernment and with that start continued on his business career until his holdings were very extensive and he was numbered among the men of wealth and affluence in his part of the state. He was a man of unusual determination and much ability, and by indefatigable effort and honorable dealing he accumulated a comfortable competence. Unto him and his wife were born six children, of whom Mrs. McClure is the fourth in order of birth.
Unto the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McClure there were born two children: Henry Edwin, born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, September 30, 1857, who died at the age of six years; and Anna Josephine, born in Woodford county, Illinois, who graduated from Eureka College and is the wife of Dr. Charles Franklin Banta, a native of Woodford county and a well known citizen of his part of the state. He is a successful practicing physician and resident of Eureka. Dr. and Mrs. Banta have one child, Frances Irene, who was born in Eureka, was educated in the public schools and in Eureka College, and also at- tended Belmont College, at Nashville, Tennessee, while from Wash- ington College, at Washington, D. C., she received the Bachelor of Arts degree upon graduation with the class of 1911. She and her mother spent the summer of 1912 as students in Teachers College, Columbia University, New York city.
In his political views Mr. McClure was a democrat, recognized as one of the local leaders of the party. For many years he filled the office of trustee, and was also justice of the peace and supervisor from Cruger township for a number of years, acting as chairman of the board in 1888 and 1889. In 1892 he was elected to represent the twentieth distriet in the thirty-eighth general assembly and served
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with fidelity and honor. He voted according to the dictates of his judgment and conscience in the face of temptation and made a most creditable and spotless record as a public official. After the expira- tion of his term of office he retired to his farm and could not be induced to again accept the position. However, he afterward held a number of township offices and was school trustee at the time of his death. He belonged to William C. Hobbs Lodge, No. 306, A. F. & A. M., at Eureka, and from early manhood was a member of the Christian church. His life was ever upright and he was never known to take advantage of the necessities of another in any business transaction. He believed in giving to every man a fair show and a square deal. His word could be implicitly relied upon and his life measured up to lofty standards in all its various connections.
Seigel Delano Talcott
T HOUGH the life span of Seigel Delano Taleott was of comparatively short duration, covering but forty-one years, he had within that period made his work of usefulness to the world and established for himself a position as a capable, kindly, honorable gentleman and eitizen. He was a lifelong resident of Illinois and throughout the entire period of his connection with the bar was a resident of Waukegan. He was born at Half Day, Lake county, Illinois, June 15, 1862, and passed away October 29, 1903. His par- ents were Jeduthan and Mary E. (Savery) Talcott, both of whom were natives of Rome, New York, the father born Deeember 31, 1825. He made farming his life work and removed westward to Lake county, Illinois, settling at Half Day when that district was still largely inhab- ited by Indians. He took up land from the government and con- tinued to reside there throughout his remaining days, his death oceur- ring August 30, 1890, while his wife survived until July 19, 1899.
The son, S. D. Taleott, after attending the publie sehools of Half Day continued his education at Valparaiso, Indiana, and later went to Wooster, Ohio, where he took up the study of musie. He was about fourteen years of age when he determined to enjoy better educational privileges than had already been aeeorded him. He was a natural musieian and he earned mueh of the sum necessary for his edueation by giving music lessons in the neighborhood around his home. He not only studied in Valparaiso but also under Professor Phelps, of Clii- cago, and afterward spent a year in further study in Wooster, Ohio. The following year he returned to Wooster and was married. He then brought his bride to Waukegan and for a number of years was instrue- tor of music in the public schools of this city ; also gave private lessons and was choirmaster. He possessed a splendid bass voiee of remarkable range and was considered a most valuable aequisition to the musical cireles of the city.
While continuing in the teaching of music Mr. Taleott took up the study of law, and before giving up his position as superintendent of musie in the city sehools was admitted to the bar. He then began practicing his profession in Waukegan as a partner of Leslie P. Hanna, a relation that existed to the time of Mr. Taleott's death. He
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was serving as state's attorney at the time of his demise. As the years passed on and he prospered he made judicious investments in real es- tate and became an extensive owner of Waukegan city property, in- cluding both residences and business blocks.
It was on the 28th of June, 1887, that Mr. Talcott was united in marriage to Miss Annetta L. Underwood, who was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, January 18, 1863, a daughter of John Wesley and Mary (Hallobaugh) Underwood, both of whom were natives of Wellsville, Pennsylvania. Her father was a merchant, who removed from Wellsville to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and afterward became a resident of Wooster, Ohio, where he was engaged in merchandising until his death in 1876. The mother died when Mrs. Talcott was but four years of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Talcott were born four chil- dren: Mae Marie, who was born May 2, 1888, and died on the 14th of the same month; Mancel, who was born February 20, 1890, and is now attending the University of Illinois; Ruth Underwood, who was born September 7, 1894, and is a student in the Lake Forest Univer- sity; and Lester, who was born January 27, 1902, and is attending school in Waukegan.
In Masonry Mr. Talcott attained high rank, becoming a Knight Templar in the York Rite and a thirty-second degree Mason in the Scottish Rite. He also held membership with the Modern Woodmen of America, and his religious faith was evidenced in his membership in the Episcopal church. He passed away October 29, 1903, and so widely known and well loved was he in Waukegan that the news of his demise carried with it a sense of personal bereavement into many of the homes of that city. At the time of his death Mr. Talcott was serv- ing as state's attorney, having filled the position for three years. When the circuit court met, with Judge Donnelly on the bench, a me- morial resolution was passed in honor of Mr. Talcott which read:
"In person dignified yet kindly, the faults he had (and who is free therefrom) sprung from the gentler and generous side of his nature. No word or act of his was prompted or influenced by malice, hatred or ill will. That he was personally esteemed was best evidenced by the general inquiry for his condition from all the walks of life during the many anxious days of his distressing illness that terminated in his untimely death.
"That he was respected and esteemed by the entire circle of his acquaintance was not the result of chance. The measure of personal and public confidence that came to him was but the reflex of his manly character, made manifest in all he did. As a lawyer he stood in the foremost rank of his profession. Intellectual balance coupled with sound judgment and inherent honesty made him a safe counselor and
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Beigel Delano Calcott
a successful advocate. Better than to say he was a great lawyer, it can be said truthfully that he was an honorable practitioner, who never violated the spirit or letter of a professional agreement. He kept faith with all, and measured by the rule of success, his ability as a lawyer was marked.
"As a public officer he was alert, faithful and successful, a servant of the people who realized and acted on the principle that he was chosen to serve the public and not his own private ends,-an obliging neigh- bor, a faithful friend, an affectionate husband and father, an honest lawyer and public servant, strieken down in the flush and height of personal and professional success.
"His publie life has been an open book that all may read, and written therein ean be found only aets of honorable discharge of publie duty, fearlessly executed and without favor. And yet above, and influencing all else in his life, S. Delano Talcott, the man, stands out in bold relief. Generous and honorable, he won and retained the friend- ship of men to an extent seldom witnessed. As lives are estimated, his, though brief, was worthy and successful."
Fred Bairstow
HEN the life of Fred Bairstow drew to its close on the W 30th of August, 1912, he had coneluded all prepara- tions for his journey to "that undiseovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns." Business affairs had been so arranged that they could be taken up by others and conducted without loss of time or values; all through his life Mr. Bairstow had, in the development of an upright, honorable character, prepared for the end, and the memory which he leaves behind is one dear to the hearts of all who knew him. A gracious presence, high principles and exalted purposes character- ized him and made him one of Waukegan's foremost citizens. He was born in Halifax, Yorkshire, England, November 23, 1852, a son of James and Martha (Brearly) Bairstow, who were also natives of that place. The father was a stonecutter by trade and dicd in England when his son Fred was a young lad. The mother came to America in July, 1883, and was a resident of Waukegan until her death, in Febru- ary, 1902.
Fred Bairstow largely acquired his edueation in the publie sehools of his native land, but always remained a student of life's problems and in the school of experience learned many valuble lessons. He was eighteen years of age when he left his old home and accompanied by his brother eame to America in 1871, landing at New York. They did not tarry in the eastern metropolis but at once continued their journey overland until they reached Cook county, Illinois, where they settled, making a location at Rose Hill. There Mr. Bairstow began learning the stonecutter's trade and when he had mastered the business followed the trade in Calvary and South Evanston for six years. On the 1st of April, 1879, Mr. Bairstow established business in Waukegan as a dealer in marble and granite monuments and in 1886 extended the scope of his business to inelude lime, cement, coal and wood. His un- dertaking became one of the extensive and prosperous business eon- cerns of the eity, the trade reaching mammoth proportions and placing Mr. Bairstow among the most successful men of Waukegan. As the years passed on, he began making investments in real estate and was one of the city's largest property owners. He owned extensive grounds, which include the offices and yards of the Bairstow Marble &
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Fred Bairstom
Coal Company, on Genesee street, extending through to Country street. He also owned the coal yards at the foot of Madison street hill and other valuable pieces of city real estate, including the vacant prop- erty at the southeast corner of Clayton street hill. He was likewise the owner of the old Israel property on McAllister avenue, where the famous springs are located, and a large and valuable tract at the south- east corner of Marion street and South avenue. His judgment in busi- ness matters was sound, his enterprise keen, and his persistent energy accomplished most gratifying results. In addition to his other inter- ests Mr. Bairstow was one of the main stockholders, with M. H. Hus- sey, in the Hussey Lumber Company, operating yards at North Chi- cago and Waukegan. He also purchased in Cuba, this state, a few years ago some valuable acreage, but ill health prevented him from developing the tract.
On the 21st of March, 1875, Mr. Bairstow was united in marriage to Miss Emma E. Hastrawser, who was born in Belvidere, Boone county, Illinois, a daughter of Paul and Elizabeth (Hazelwood) Hastrawser, the latter a native of Hull, England. The father was a contractor and builder, who settled in Belvidere at an early day and was married there, his mother having come with her children to Amer- ica about seventy-five years ago, the first location being made in Can- ada, whence a removal brought them to Belvidere. Mr. and Mrs. Bairstow became the parents of six children: George H., Jessie F., Charles E., Martha E., F. Raymond and Paul J. The sons, George, Charles and Raymond, are now conducting the extensive business established by their father and are proving worthy successors of him who ranked among the leading and representative business men of the city.
Mr. Bairstow held membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Woodmen, the Royal Arcanum and the Royal League and filled various offices in the different lodges. In politics he was independent and never aspired to office. His religious faith was that of the Episcopal church. He was long a member of the vestry of Christ church and for many years served as junior warden. He never failed to attend church services when his health permitted, and there was no one more active in or loyal to the work of the church and its pur- poses. He did all he could to encourage the boy choir and was one of the men who showed active interest in the annual camping trip given the boys, and in their general welfare. He was equally zealous in his support of the Sunday school and was a firm believer in the proverb: "Train a child up in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it."
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