USA > Illinois > The makers of Illinois; a memorial history of the state's honored dead > Part 5
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Richard Teller Crane
It is the rational cure for truancy. And if it were more liberally given in the public grammar schools the need for truant and reform schools would be very greatly lessened. It gives to the ordinary school studies a new and attractive interest. It has a strong influence on morals. It is the best investment the public can make and will return liberal divi- dends both in the quality and the quantity of our future citizenship." In a letter urging the importance of manual training in the grades, in another city, he said: "On making inquiry at two of our schools in Chicago I was told that only about twenty per cent of the pupils at- tending the grammar schools are ever graduated from these schools. It seems to me it is of the greatest importance to discover the cause of this and then see whether there is some remedy for it. I firmly believe that manual training and domestic science will go a very great way towards correcting such conditions and the most important thing in connection with this work is the education and the training given to the girls; I have more faith in this department of the work than in any other feature. I do not know of another question of importance on which so little common sense is exercised as that of education. Ad- mitting, for the sake of argument, that there may be some merit in higher education, I can imagine no greater piece of inconsistency than for the advocates of higher education to absolutely and unanimously neglect the lower education. The fact remains, however, that practi- cally all educators appear to be aiming to do something for society at the top instead of the bottom, with the result that education such as I am advocating is largely neglected, while nearly every other kind is greatly overdone."
With the exception of Potter Palmer Mr. Crane was the largest subscriber to the Chicago Interstate and Industrial Exposition Com- pany, which was organized in March, 1873, to hold expositions on the lake front. These continued for many years, one of the most attrac- tive features in the public life of the city, drawing to Chicago hun- dreds of visitors annually and proving a decided stimulus to trade. Many other instances might be cited of Mr. Crane's kindly spirit and generous nature. To his financial assistance and intelligently devised plans many great movements and organizations owe their success today.
As a writer Mr. Crane was concise, analytical and forceful. His contributions during the last few years were numerous and cover a wide range of topics. Each issue of the "Valve World," his house publication, contained one or more editorials from his pen, and note- worthy among these are a series of biographies of English and Amer- ican inventors and a series of articles on education.
ES Norden
Edward Roe Dirden
DWARD ROE VIRDEN, well known for many E years in Prineeton, was respected and honored by all who knew him and most of all by those who knew him best, a faet indicative of an upright, honorable life. His serviee in the Civil war proved his patriotism and loyalty in eitizenship and throughout his busi- ness eareer he never deviated from a course which his judgment die- tated as right between himself and his fellowmen. He was born in Norwich, Muskingum county, Ohio, March 23, 1836, his parents being Jerome and Sarah (Fleming) Virden, both natives of Ohio. For an extended period the father engaged in the shoe business in Ohio but afterward beeame a contraetor on the Baltimore & Ohio Rail- road, doing work along the hills near the Ohio river. When his con- traet was executed he removed with his family to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, traveling across the country by team. There he passed away in 1867, while his wife died while visiting at the home of their son Edward and was laid to rest in Oakland eemetery.
Through the period of his boyhood Edward Roe Virden attended the publie sehools of Ohio and in 1854, when eighteen years of age, accompanied his parents to Iowa. A year later he came to Prineeton to visit his uncle, Benjamin Laird, a druggist, and decided to take up his permanent abode here. He entered business cireles of the city as a salesman for A. S. & E. C. Chapman, hardware merehants, with whom he remained for six years, gradually working his way upward until he was given full charge of the business. Throughout his entire eommereial career he was regarded as a man thoroughly reliable and worthy of all trust, and enjoyed in unusual measure the confidenee and good-will of those with whom he eame in contact.
At the outbreak of the Civil war it was well known that Mr. Virden's sympathies were with the Union eause and in 1862 he offered his aid to the government, enlisting for one hundred days' serviee as a member of Company A, Sixty-ninth Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was commissioned a lieutenant and on the completion of his term of enlistment he returned home. In 1864 he again joined the army and raised a company at Prineeton which became Company
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Edward Roe Dirden
A of the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Regiment of Illinois Infan- try. He was chosen captain and with his command was mustered into service at Peoria in June, 1864. He saw active duty in Missouri and Kentucky, following General Price, who had been making raids into those states. He was also detailed to carry dispatches from Cairo to New Orleans-dispatches which were in cipher from Presi- dent Lincoln to General Canby. Captain Virden made four or five extremely hazardous trips down the river, for the country was ยท infested with guerrillas who were on the alert to make way with any Yankee whom they might see. His caution and ability, however, enabled him to escape uninjured and he returned to his home after being mustered out at Peoria in November, 1864.
Captain Virden then again engaged in the hardware trade, in which he had embarked on his own account in 1862. He actively and successfully managed this until 1876 and for some time was in part- nership with Richardson Brothers under the firm style of Richardson Brothers & Virden. When that association was discontinued he joined Eli Shugart under the firm style of Shugart & Virden but eventually the junior member purchased his partner's interest and remained alone until he sold out in 1876. In 1872 his place was destroyed by fire and his loss amounted to about ten thousand dol- lars. This would utterly have discouraged a man of less resolute spirit and determination but he bravely undertook the work of resum- ing business and it was not long before he was again at the head of a large trade. While thus engaged he occupied one of the substantial brick business blocks of the city. Ere withdrawing entirely from the hardware trade Captain Virden in 1875 in company with Captain Clark Grey purchased the controlling interest of the Farmers National Bank, which had been organized a year or two before. He was elected president with Captain Grey as cashier and in the control of the bank established a safe, conservative policy that, however, did not interfere with progress. From the time that he assumed charge of the institution the business of the bank grew and the capital stock was increased from fifty to seventy-five thousand dollars and later to one hundred and ten thousand dollars. At length the bank had the largest capital, surplus and individual deposits of any financial institu- tion in Bureau or adjoining counties. The dividends of the bank had almost paid back the original stock and Captain Virden in 1894 with- drew from the institution, at which time the stock was valued at two hundred thousand dollars, while the deposits amounted to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, with surplus and undivided profits of ninety thousand. His attention was given almost wholly to the man-
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Coward Roe Virden
agement of the bank for eighteen years, although at the same time he loaned money on real estate in Kansas and Nebraska, and from time to time he made investments there until he became the owner of between five and six thousand acres in those states, together with a three hundred aere farm in Bureau county. On severing his eonnee- tion with the bank he eoneentrated his energies upon his real-estate interests. He was never a speeulator, confining his attention to legiti- mate channels of eommeree and banking. "His business enterprise was marked and his keen sagaeity and foresight were widely acknowl- edged so that he was seldom at error in matters of business judgment, but on the contrary placed his investments judieiously." Thus wrote of him a contemporary biographer. He ever looked to the welfare and improvement of Prineeton and did much to further its interests and upbuilding.
On the 26th of April, 1860, Captain Virden was married to Miss Anna Thompson, of Cambridge, Ohio, with whom he had attended school in their ehildhood. The youthful attachment was strengthened as the years went by and as soon as he had made preparations for having a home of his own Captain Virden returned to Ohio for his wife. Immediately following their marriage he brought her to the middle west and they afterward made their home in Prineeton. Unto Captain and Mrs. Virden were born five children, four daughters and a son, of whom one daughter died in infancy and the son has also passed away. The others are: Nellie R., the wife of Charles Sapp of Princeton; and Martha and Mary, twins, the former the wife of Joseph A. Brigham of Princeton, while Mary is living at home with her mother. All of the children were well edueated in the Princeton high school.
Captain Virden received his political training and formed his opinions largely under the teaching of Owen Lovejoy. He laeked a few months of having attained his majority at the time of the presi- dential eleetion of 1856 and voted for Lineoln in 1860 and thereafter remained a stalwart supporter of the republican party. He was a delegate to nearly every convention of the party including local, state and national meetings, and while he was never a politieian in the sense of office seeking he served for several years as supervisor and was a member of the high school board. He exemplified in his life the benefieent spirit of Masonry, joining the fraternity on attaining his majority. He died July 20, 1901. His was indeed a well spent life, given to the promotion not only of individual interests but all mat- ters relating to publie progress and improvement. He recognized the needs of the county and labored aeeordingly. The world is better
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Edward Roe Firden
for his having lived, for his life was crowned by many tangible results for the benefit of his community. It has been said that his name was a synonym for business industry and enterprise and in the wise use of his opportunities he prospered year by year, conducting all business matters carefully and successfully and in all of his acts displaying an aptitude for successful management. He never permitted the accumulation of wealth to affect in any way his actions toward those less successful. With Captain Virden it was once a friend, always a friend, and he rated people not by birth or by worldly possessions but by character worth. Mrs. Virden still makes her home in Prince- ton and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. She has every reason to cherish the memory of her husband, for his upright life commanded the respect of all who knew him and his ability carried him far beyond the ranks of the many to stand among the successful few.
JACOB A HENRY
Jacob A. Henry
ROM farm boy to bank president is not an unusual F record in this eountry, where labor finds its just reward, and close application and energy constitute the salient features of success; and yet such a record never fails, and rightly so, to elicit attention and commendation. The world admires the victor, and in a successful business career the struggle is continuously waged for supremaey over adverse conditions, and the obstaeles which arise through the subversion of plans through outside influenees. Without special advantages at the outset of his eareer, Jacob A. Henry made steady progress with the result that an enviable position in industrial and financial eireles was attained, for he became one of the prominent contractors of Illinois and also a leading faetor in banking eircles as the president of the Will County Bank of Joliet. He began life's journey in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, April 25, 1825, and reached the end of his earthly pilgrimage on the 16th of August, 1908. He became a resident of Joliet in 1858. A farmer's son, he was reared in the usual manner of boys brought up on the farm, where there is a fair division of time between the work of the fields and the attainment of an education. When seventeen years of age, however, he determined to seek employment in other ways and entered the serv- ice of the Hartford & New Haven Railroad Company. This was in 1842. He assisted in laying the first traek on the canal road through the eity of New Haven and thus made his initial step in what was a long and prosperous eareer in connection with the development and building of railways throughout the country. His constantly broad- ening experienee promoted his effieieney, and laudable ambition and indefatigable energy were elements in his advancement. In 1846 he went to Ohio, where he took his first railroad contract for the building of lines in Ohio and Indiana. Each work that he undertook served to demonstrate his ability to handle important engineering problems and at length he was chosen to superintend the construction of the Sandusky road. After several years of railroad building in Ohio and Indiana he came to Illinois in 1856 and for a number of years occupied the responsible position of roadmaster with the Chicago & Alton sys-
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Jacob A. Henry
tem. In 1870 he went to Texas, where he filled a contract for the building of the Houston & Great Northern, which was completed in 1873. In the meantime he also constructed a portion of the Southern Pacific line. His gradual advancement brought him to a position among the foremost contractors of the country in the field of rail- road construction. He built the Jackson branch line, from Dwight to Lacon, part of the line from Verona on the Peoria line and also the Roadhouse branch. He was the architect and builder of his own fame and fortunes as well, and with the acquirement of success in his original field of labor he found opportunity for cooperation in other lines. He was one of the original promoters and organizers of the Will County Bank of Joliet, which was established in 1871. Mr. Henry held a large portion of its stock and in 1892 consented to accept the presidency of the company, so continuing until his death. He ever took great interest in the development and improvement of Joliet and was a recognized leader in almost every movement that has been a factor in the growth and advancement of the city. He was the first president of the Joliet street cars and he was connected with many other projects which brought to him no financial return but which were of direct benefit in the upbuilding of the city.
Mr. Henry was married twice. On the 26th of April, 1846, he wedded Nancy Briggs, who died in 1878, leaving a daughter, Helen Josephine, now the wife of J. W. Folk. In October, 1885, Mr. Henry married Mrs. Rachel J. (Hulsizer) Apgar, who survives him and is still living in Joliet. Mr. Henry took up his abode in this city in 1858 and though his business affairs took him at times into various sections of the country, he was ever closely associated with this city and while he did not seek nor desire public office, his attitude toward affairs of general moment was that of a public-spirited citizen whose aid could ever be counted upon. In fact such was his influence that his name in support of any measure secured for it a large following. Men came to recognize the fact that his opinions were unprejudiced, that he seemed to view any question from every possible standpoint, that his conclusions were just and equitable. They therefore received his opinions as those of one who spoke with authority. His business record, too, is most commendable, showing the possibilities for attain- ment when one has the will to dare and to do, while his life history stands as incontrovertible evidence of the fact that success and an honorable name may be won simultaneously.
1
M. Curninh
Theron Cumins
ITH the settlement of Illinois the work of cultivating W its broad prairies began and as this was carried for- ward there came a demand for facilities which would lighten labor and inerease the speed with which work was aeeomplished. Then dawned the era of agrieul- tural implement and machinery manufacture and there sprang up within the borders of the state some of the largest manufacturing plants of the country. Aetively associated with that line of business was Theron Cumins, who became the president of the Grand Detour Plow Company, operating for many years at Dixon. He was born at Tunbridge, Vermont, a son of Joseph and Hannah (Converse) Cumins. When a young man he eame to Illinois with- out capital, thinking to find better business opportunities in the new and growing west than in the older and more thiekly settled states of the east. It was in 1842 that he took up his abode in Ogle county, Illinois, where he seeured a elerkship in a general store, being thus employed for three years. On the expiration of that period he went to Newark, Ohio, where he continued for four years and dur- ing two years of that period he was engaged in railroad building as a contraetor on the Fort Wayne & Pittsburg Railroad. On again eom- ing to Illinois he settled at Grand Detour and entered into partnership with L. Andrus in the manufacture of plows. Not long afterward Mr. Andrus beeame ill and Mr. Cumins took over the management of the eoneern, which he developed into a large manufacturing enterprise. After the death of Mr. Andrus he eondueted the business alone until 1869, when Colonel H. F. Noble acquired an interest. In June, 1874, O. B. Dodge entered the firm and a few years later, on aeeount of the growth of the business, it was incorporated under the name of the Grand Detour Plow Company. The plant was removed to Dixon about 1867 or 1868 and from that time on the business enjoyed a eon- tinuous growth, making it one of the leading produetive industries of that part of the state. On the incorporation Mr. Cumins beeame pres- ident of the company and so continued for many years, direeting its poliey and controlling its trade relations. He had the ability to eom- bine and co-ordinate seemingly diverse interests into a harmonious
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Theron Cumins
whole and in the management of the business there was practically lit- tle or no friction between the company and employes, to whom Mr. Cumins was ever just and considerate. In his trade relations he won a reputation for reliability that was most enviable and it became a rec- ognized fact that his commercial integrity was unassailable. In addi- tion to his manufacturing interests Mr. Cumins invested largely in farm mortgages in the west and also became a director of the Dixon National Bank and a stockholder in other corporations.
Mr. Cumins was twice married. In 1854 he wedded Josephine Harris, of Grand Detour, and following her death he was married on the 19th of February, 1885, to Miss Louise B. Gill. He was a man of rather retiring disposition, never sought office and avoided publicity, yet his life in its various activities was of far-reaching influence and effect and his good deeds won him gratitude, respect and honor. He was most charitable but it was almost impossible to get him to speak of his benevolences. His gifts of charity were made without ostenta- tion and display, following closely the biblical injunction not to let the left hand know what the right hand doeth. The very nature of some of his benefactions, however, brought him before the public, for he endowed the O. B. Dodge public library to the extent of fifteen thous- and dollars and the hospital to the sum of five thousand dollars. He also built two sun rooms at the hospital which his wife has since con- verted into ward rooms, spending a considerable sum of money in mak- ing this department of the hospital of the utmost value. His religious belief seemed to be largely in accord with the teachings of the Episco- pal church, for, although not a member, he attended its services and was most generous in its support. He died August 2, 1898. He was a man of broad humanitarian principles who recognized the obligations of the individual to his fellowmen and fully met such obligations. He delighted in doing good to others and his kind acts arose from no sense of duty but from a sincere and earnest desire to aid his fellow- men because of his deep and cordial interest in them. The simplicity and beauty of his character endeared him to all. He held friend- ship inviolable and home ties most sacred and there were exemplified in his life record the highest principles of manhood and citizenship.
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james Clark's
James Clark
J AMES CLARK was the first postmaster of Utica, which service proved but the initial step in an official career that led him through various local and county positions to that of state legislator. This, however, important as was his official record, constituted but one phase of a life of far-reaching activity and bene- fit. In business affairs he was prominent and influential and his name is written high on the roll of La Salle county's most prominent, worthy and valued citizens. Of him it has been said: "His life record covered seventy-seven years,-years which were fraught with the arduous labors of the pioneer and with the strenuous effort of the suc- eessful business man who forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution."
A native of England, Mr. Clark was born in Ashburnham par- ish, in Sussex county, on the 9th of September, 1811, his parents being James and Ann (Weston) Clark. The father was a successful livery- man in his native town. There the son was reared and educated and in early life he learned the coachmaker's trade, serving a regular apprenticeship. He was diligent and energetic and soon mastered the different elements of the business, becoming an excellent work- man, but his laudable ambition-one of his dominant qualities-was not satisfied with the business opportunities of the old world, and believing that he might have better opportunities in the new, he bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for America. His cross- ing was accomplished on one of the record-breaking trips of the sail- ing vessels of those days, and he reached New York, April 16, 1830, after but sixteen days spent on the water. His cash eapital at the time consisted of an English shilling and he was forced to seek employ- ment at once. In faet he pawned his overcoat in order to obtain food and shelter until he could seeure a position. After a few days he had arranged to work for his board and room and so capable did he prove that after a month his employer agreed to pay him in addition seventy-five cents per day.
Among his fellow passengers when en route to America was a Mrs. Luellum and her two nieces. She had known Mr. Clark at his
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James Clark
old home in England and on again meeting him in New York she persuaded him to accompany her to the west, where she intended to invest her capital of four hundred dollars in land. Mr. Clark agreed to accompany her, advise her in regard to preempting a farm and assist her in its development for a compensation of ten dollars per month. Accordingly he started with Mrs. Luellum and one of her nieces (the other remaining in New York, where she had secured a situation) for Grafton, Lorain county, Ohio, where Mrs. Luellum secured one hundred and sixty acres of government land. Mr. Clark staked out the claim, cut the logs used in building a pioneer cabin, and otherwise instituted the farm work. While the primitive home was being built he slept on a pallet beneath the wagon, while Mrs. Luellum and her niece occupied the "prairie schooner." As equip- ment for the farm Mrs. Luellum purchased a yoke of oxen, a cow, pig and some primitive farm machinery, and when these arrangements were made Mr. Clark became actively engaged in the improvement of the place. Losses attended them, for an epidemic of scurvy broke out among the stock in the neighborhood. The money was all exhausted, but the resourcefulness which characterized Mr. Clark throughout his entire life, was at this time manifest in meeting the exigencies of the situation. He cut the timber from ten acres of land, converted it into charcoal and selling it, thus secured ready money. Unable to pay Mr. Clark his wages, Mrs. Luellum finally offered to settle with him by transferring to him her right, title and interest in the preemption claim. This he sold for thirty dollars. He then covered the wagon with unbleached cotton and prepared to continue the journey further west. In September, 1830, he wedded Charlotte Sargent, Mrs. Luellum's niece, and with his wife and two children and Mrs. Luellum started for Illinois. While en route he was able to trade his oxen for a good team of horses and thus the party continued on their way to Peoria, where he left his family while he proceeded on horseback to Utica township to secure a claim. At length he obtained government land on section 4, Utica township, La Salle county, and soon was established with his family upon the new farm. He began to till the soil and at the same time conducted a stage line between Peoria and Utica and afterward between Utica and Chicago, for this period long antedated the era of railroad build- ing in Illinois. When the government placed land upon the market he purchased two hundred and forty acres and ever regarding real estate as the safest of all investments he kept adding to his holdings until he was the owner of twenty-four hundred acres of the most pro- ductive land in this section of the state. As opportunity offered he
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