USA > Illinois > The makers of Illinois; a memorial history of the state's honored dead > Part 7
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Verne Diram Stark
est regard. He was weleomed even when the objeet of his eall was business, for he radiated contentment and happiness. He always had a cheery word, a pleasant smile, an interesting and ofttimes humor- ous tale, and yet there was in him a depth of character that goes beyond mere soeiability. He knew life, its opportunities, its possi- bilities, its difficulties and its sorrows. He never believed, however, in giving way to the two latter and he always utilized the two former. He believed that every individual should make the best possible use of his time and talents and he gave no heed to the little minor per- plexities which are after all so inessential. He got the most out of life, and, while he did not preaeh, he lived his gospel of good cheer and his example was an inspiration to others.
W. Film Laughlin
TU. F. McLaughlin
O NE of early Chicago's successful men of affairs, of whom she has good cause to be proud, was W. F. Mclaughlin, founder and owner of the widely known coffee firm of W. F. MeLaughlin & Company.
Mr. Mclaughlin, the second son of Peter and Anna McLaughlin, was born, October 4, 1827, at the family home, Clonnybacon House, Queens county, Ireland. He was educated at home and at the local school, and later entered Carlow College. By the time that his education there had been completed hc had decided that, with his ambitious spirit, he could never be content with the easy-going Irish country life, so he determined to come to America. Accordingly in 1850, at the age of twenty-three, he arrived in this country and came immediately to Chicago. Here, hc soon secured his first, and only, situation, in the retail grocery store of J. M. Arnold. He remained there long enough to learn something of American customs and business methods, and then started in business for himself at the corner of State and Madison strects.
In 1854 Mr. MeLaughlin married Miss Mary Delanty of Chicago, and to this, the most important and fortunate act of his life, may be attributed a large proportion of his subsequent success. Eight years later his health failed and he was told that he had not much longer to live. That indomitable courage which during his entire life was one of his most prominent traits would not allow him to accept any such doom and he went immediately to Europe to consult physicians there in whom he had more faith. His confidence was justified and after a few months of treatment abroad he returned to America, spent a year in travel and investigation, and then again entered business life by founding the wholesale coffee house of W. F. Mclaughlin & Com- pany, to which he was to devote the rest of his long, successful and honorable life. He died on the 1st day of February, 1905, at the age of seventy-seven years, leaving his widow and four daughters: Mary, Anna, a religious of the Order of the Sacred Heart; Mrs. Martin D. Hardin and Mrs. Charles A. Mair; and three sons: George D., Robert and Frederie.
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TU. F. Mc Laughlin
Mr. Mclaughlin's career was unusual. A small beginning at Eldridge court and State street, with little capital and less trade, with few acquaintances and no assistance, grew, by his efforts alone, to be the second largest firm of its kind in the world, with mills and warehouses in Chicago, and branches in the principal coffee-growing countries; and during all that growth, throughout all its struggles, its credit was ever the highest, and its owners word and record ever spotless.
The great pride with which his family prize his record is not based on his financial success alone, but on the highly honorable manner in which this success was achieved. His mighty courage and will, his high-minded conception of a man's duty in his domestic as in his busi- ness life, and his quiet and unswerving allegiance to his principles at whatever cost, were, what so specially distinguished him. As an example-Mr. Mclaughlin, though not a prohibitionist, was strongly opposed to the use of alcoholic drinks, and yet during the lean years when a little more or less money was of vital importance, he let prop- erty which he owned lie idle and profitless rather than lease it to be used in the liquor trade. He was a man desiring peace but those who forced him into business fights can testify that once started he never sued for peace, nor gave to an opponent any cause for rejoicing. He had the intelligence to accurately measure his rights and the ability to maintain them. There were many times during his career when failure loomed very near but no one ever saw in him the slightest sign of per- turbation. When the Chicago fire wiped out more than half his capital no one in the ruined city went more quietly and cheerfully to work to build up again his injured fortune, and few succeeded better.
The business which Mr. Mclaughlin founded some fifty years ago is still occupying its leading position in the coffee industry, and is, under the management of his sons George and Frederic, being con- ducted according to the policies instituted by its founder.
Pustilichen
Judge Robert TU. Hilscher
HE year 1879 witnessed the arrival of Judge Robert T W. Hilscher in Watseka and from that time until his death he remained a resident of the eity, contribut- ing to its progress along many lines while at the same time he followed his profession, and whether praetie- ing law before, or presiding over the courts as judge, his record was an honor to the profession. His advancement in his chosen ealling was the direet result of well developed abilities, high purpose and eonseientiousness in the discharge of his duties. In early manhood he determined to make the practice of law his life work and throughout the years of his eonneetion therewith was devoted to the highest standard of professional ethies.
A native of Pennsylvania, Robert W. Hilseher was born in Lyeoming county on the 8th of March, 1853, his parents being Joseph and Louisa Hilseher. The family is of German lineage although representatives have resided in America through several genera- tions. The father followed the blacksmith's trade in the east until 1855, when he became a resident of Indiana, where he remained for two years. He then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits in the vieinity of Lineol, Illinois, and there upon the home farm Judge Hilseher spent the days of his boyhood and youth, dividing his time between the work of the field and the aequirement of an education in the publie sehools. The love of learning prompted him to embrace every opportunity for the acquirement of knowledge and when eighteen years of age he entered a college at Adrian, Michigan, from which he was graduated with the elass of 1875. Immediately after- ward he became a student in the law school at Albany, New York, and following his graduation there was admitted to the bar in 1876. The same year he loeated for praetiee in Hoopeston, Illinois, where he remained until 1879, when he came to Watseka.
No dreary novitiate awaited Judge Hilseher in his professional eareer. While advancement at the bar is proverbially slow he soon gave proof of his ability to cope with intricate problems of the law and was aeeorded a liberal and growing patronage. From the begin- ning of his eonneetion with the Iroquois county bar he rapidly rose to prominenee and in 1880 the republican party made him its eandidate
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Judge Robert JU. Dilscher
for state's attorney, to which office he was elected for a four years' term. His excellent service during that period led to his reelection in 1884 and the legal interests of his county were most carefully safe- guarded during the eight years of his incumbency in that office. For one term he filled the position of master in chancery and at the same time was enjoying a growing private practice which gave him con- tinuously stronger hold upon the confidence of the people. His repu- tation at the bar was such that in 1897 he was made his party's nominee for the office of circuit judge and was elected to the bench for a term of six years. He carefully considered every question which came up for judgment and his rulings were fair and impartial, being based upon the law and equity of the case. It is said that his decisions were models of judicial soundness and won for him the indorsement of the bar as well as the general public. It naturally followed that he was a candidate for reelection in 1903 and no better testimonial of his pre- vious able service could be given than the fact that in the election of that year he had no opposition. He possessed in the highest degree the judicial temperament. His knowledge of the fundamental prin- ciples of law was profound and he was thoroughly grounded in the practice and procedure of the courts. His industry and conscientious devotion to the duties of his high position were proverbial and he became recognized as one of Illinois' ablest jurists.
Judge Hilscher was not only well versed in the law but possessed a statesman's grasp of affairs as relating to the welfare of the com- munity and the nation. He held to the highest ideals of citizenship and was unfaltering in his advocacy of republican principles because of his belief in their efficacy as factors in good government. As a public speaker he stood very high. His appearance on the rostrum was dignified and impressive; his manner was deliberate and generally argumentative but his speeches always commanded attention and his language often rose to periods of impassioned eloquence. All lis- tened to him with attention and his utterances carried conviction to the minds of his hearers.
Judge Hilscher while honored and esteemed in public connections enjoyed the sincere love and friendship of all those with whom he came in contact through social relations. All of the beauty of the ideal home life was manifest in his connection with his family. He was married on the 8th of October, 1879, to Miss Clara McGill, and they became the parents of two children, Elma and Ralph. Judge Hil- scher's interests centered in his home and when professional ser- vices did not demand his attention he found his happiness in the com- panionship of his wife and children. He was most kindly in spirit, a
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Judge Robert Tel. Dilscher
trait of character recognized by all with whom he was associated. His life was very unselfish, his motives honorable and his devotion to the general good was manifest in many tangible ways relating to the material, intellectual and moral progress of his adopted eity. The death of Judge Hilscher occurred June 25, 1905, while he was still upon the circuit court beneh. The Watseka Republican, comment- ing upon his passing, said: "A strong man has fallen. In the death of Robert W. Hilscher Iroquois county has lost her foremost citizen, one who has for many years stood as a splendid type of all that was best and highest in the lives of her people. He was the embodiment of vigorous, upright, sterling manhood. His personality combined the dignity of conscious power with the simplicity of a pure and untainted life. He was warm-hearted, courageous and loyal. His character was true as steel, steadfast as granite. His mind was elcar, logical and vigorous. He was incapable of falsehood or double deal- ing and he possessed that instinctive honesty and straightforward- ness that turned to truth as the needle to the pole. His conscien- tiousness was inherent. Honesty and justice and right dealing were the natural result of the habitual bent of his mind. He loved his fellowmen with broadmindedness and charity for human frailty, sor- rowing deeply over misfortune and suffering. Few men have ever enjoyed more completely the confidence and respect of their fellow citizens-none have ever more richly deserved sueh confidence nor more saeredly respected it. His passing away in the prime of man- hood and at the zenith of his powers is felt as a personal loss by thou- sands in this and other counties."
Judge Hilscher had been well known in Masonic cireles, holding membership in Watseka Lodge, No. 446, F. &. A. M .; Watseka Chap- ter, No. 114, R. A. M .; and Mary Commandery, No. 67, K. T. The Methodist church found in him a faithful and loyal representative. Throughout the years of his residence in Watseka he was identified with the local organization and that he was honored in the eongre- gation is indicated by the fact that he was made a delegate to the national conference of the church at Los Angeles in 1904. This honor came unsolicited, for he was not even present at the session of the board when chosen. Nature endowed Judge Hilscher with certain desirable qualities which he carefully cultivated and thus became a strong man, strong in his honor and his good name, strong in his ability to plan and perform and strong in his support of all those forces which make for justice, refinement and truth. His official record was spotless and the public recognized that at all times he stood as a high type of American manhood and Christian citizenship.
The Century Publishing & Engraving Co Chicago
Very tinchy Gowns TM Shawn
Judge Thomas Al. Shaw
A MAN who seemed unconscious of his own great worth, Judge Thomas M. Shaw, nevertheless, exerted a widely felt influence in professional and commer- cial circles and upon municipal affairs, his well bal- anced life touching the lives of others for good, and its splendid record stimulating to higher and nobler deeds those with whom he came in contact. Dignity, courtesy and an. understanding appreciation of others were among his strong characteristics, while the innate strength of his purpose and his ability were constantly manifest in his success at the bar and his influence in molding public thought and action. He had back of him an ancestry honorable and distinguished and was fortunate in that his lines of life were cast in harmony therewith. Frequently he expressed himself to the effect that "The man who cares nothing for the deeds of his ancestors never does anything worth while remembering," and he always had the greatest respect for and interest in his ancestors. One of his grand- mothers was a cousin of George Washington. His father, George H. Shaw, who in his boyhood attended the same school as James Buchanan, afterward president of the United States, the two consti- tuting one-third of the number of pupils in the little school, became in early manhood a Kentucky planter, but after liberating his slaves removed to Illinois in 1829. He had previously married Miss Penel- ope R. Edwards and with his young wife he started northward, trav- eling day after day until they reached a point eight miles from the Illinois river, in what is now Roberts township, Marshall county, but was then part of Putnam county. The tract which George H. Shaw secured comprised both prairie land and timber and a point of grand old forest trees, mostly oaks, extending into the prairie tract, gave the name Shaw's Point to that district. There was also a stream of water running through the land and natural advantages were thus condu- cive to the development of an excellent farm there. Fearing not the task necessary to the development of the place, George H. Shaw at . once began to hew the logs from which he builded the cabin that became the birthplace of his son Thomas. At a later date the Shaw family manufactured upon the farm the bricks that were used in the
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Judge Thomas Al. Shaw
construction of a commodious two story dwelling that is standing today. With the early life of the community Mrs. George Shaw was identified for eleven years and then passed away in 1840, when her son Thomas was a little lad of four summers. The father long sur- vived, having reached the age of eighty years when death came to him on the 2d of February, 1877.
The primitive log cabin which the father erected immediately after his arrival in Illinois was the birthplace of Thomas M. Shaw on the 20th of August, 1836. His life history in his youth was not unlike that of most boys reared on the frontier. His educational opportuni- ties were few but his duties were many, as he assisted in cultivating the fields, cutting down the timber and fighting prairie fires. All manual labor assigned him was promptly performed, and well, but he turned eagerly from these tasks to his books, using every possible moment to acquaint himself with branches of learning which he regarded as essential to an adequate preparation for the later duties of life. He was especially interested in mathematics and history, and notwithstanding that the time which he could give to his books was exceedingly limited, he had made such progress by 1853 that he was qualified to enter Judson College at Mount Palatine, Putnam county, Illinois. That school was then the leading educational institution of the central part of the state and when he entered it Judge Shaw was a youth of sixteen. The school passed out of existence the following year and Judge Shaw then resumed his studies in the Mount Morris Academy. He entered upon preparation for the bar in 1855, when he became a law student in the office and under the direction of his cousin, William D. Edwards. His characteristic love of learning enabled him to master Blackstone, Kent and other commentaries almost as readily as he had done history and mathematics, and in later years, when he had earned an assured position as a lawyer and a judge, those who had the privilege of studying in his office and after- ward following his professional career and private life, instinctively testified to his broad understanding and impartial interpretation of the law as well as to his superior culture, his unquestioned integrity, and his firmness and his courage, which were coupled with a tender- ness as great as that of any woman.
With his admission to the bar when twenty years of age, Judge Shaw entered upon an active practice in Hennepin, where he remained for five years. In 1873 he was licensed to practice before the United States supreme court. Following the outbreak of the Civil war he offered his services to the government, enlisting at Hennepin, where he was chosen captain of a company but was afterward rejected on
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Mo of The Straw
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Judge Thomas Atl. Shaw
account of the loss of an eye which resulted from an aceident sustained in his boyhood. It was a matter of deep regret to Judge Shaw that he could not aid his country in the field, but his loyalty was ever mani- fest in his staneh support of the government and the administration at home. Although solicited to become a partner in the law firm of Judge Wced, in Peoria, he declined to do this, preferring to locate in his old home town of Laeon, which he did in 1862. He there joined Judge Mark Bangs in organizing the law firm of Bangs & Shaw, the partnership being maintained for seventeen years. No other firm of central Illinois occupied a more commanding position because of the breadth of their knowledge, their ability to accurately apply legal prineiples and their uniform adherence to the highest standard of professional ethies. When Mr. Bangs was appointed to the office of United States district attorney, with headquarters in Chicago, the partnership was dissolved, but in the meantime R. B. Edwards, a cousin of Judge Shaw, had been admitted to the firm and following the retirement of Judge Bangs in 1880 the firm name of Shaw & Edwards was assumed. In the active practice of law Judge Shaw gave proof of his familiarity with principles and precedent and ever proved himself to be most eareful and painstaking in his preparation of eases, so that his presentation was strong, forceful, logieal and con- vineing. His ability naturally recommended him for judicial hon- ors and in 1885 he was elected one of the three cireuit judges of the tenth judicial district. This was not the first politieal preferment that had come to him and yet he was in no sense a politieian. While perhaps not without laudable ambition, which is an ineentive to faith- ful and able publie serviee, he regarded the pursuits of private life as in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts, and while he stood staneh in his support of prineiples in which he believed, he did not eare to hold office. However, his fellow townsmen in Laeon twiee ealled him to the mayor's ehair and also made him a member of the school board. The demoeratie party made him a congressional nominee and in 1880 he was cleeted to represent in the state senate the distriet comprising Marshall, Woodford and Putnam counties. Through the two ensuing sessions of the legislature he had ably rep- resented the interests of his constituents and the publie at large and in the thirty-third general assembly received the unanimous support of democratie senators for the position of president pro tem. It was after his retirement from the legislative body that judicial honors were conferred upon him, and on the expiration of his first term of six years Judge Shaw was rcelected in 1891, and was chosen for the third time in 1897, an honor that few, if any, in his distriet have ever
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shared. Moreover, it is well known that the district is strongly repub- lican, yet he was elected each time by an increased majority-a fact indicative of his wide personal popularity and of his marked capabil- ity and fidelity upon the bench. His friends frequently urged him to become a candidate for the supreme court and others desired that he should be made the democratic nominee for governor. His decisions on the bench were models of judicial soundness, representing a mas- terful grasp of every problem presented for solution. He was serv- ing for the sixteenth year as circuit judge when death called him.
It was on the 24th of December, 1863, that Judge Shaw was united in marriage to Miss Nellie F. Hirsch, of Metamora, Wood- ford county, Illinois, one of the reigning belles of the locality. Her birth occurred in New Hampshire, her parents being Frederick F. and Caroline (Starrett) Hirsch. Her father was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, and her mother in New Hampshire, and both passed away in Metamora, Illinois, the father on the 22d of April, 1901, at the age of eighty-five years, and the mother on October 8, 1866. Mrs. Shaw's father passed away only six days after the death of her hus- band. It was indeed a dark hour in her life history when two so near and dear to her were called within such a short space of time. While residing in his native state Mr. Hirsch became an expert glass-blower, and prospering in his business there became the owner of a beautiful residence and grounds at Suncook, New Hampshire. In the later '50s, however, he disposed of his property there and came to Illinois, settling at Metamora, Woodford county, where he conducted busi- ness as a mason, contractor and builder. He was at one time mayor of Metamora and filled other local positions, the duties of which he dis- charged with promptness and fidelity. Unto Mr. Hirsch and his wife were born five children, of whom the eldest, Frederick Francis, died in New Hampshire. Caroline Sophia, the second, became the wife of Casner Irving, a real-estate dealer of Metamora. Marietta Augusta married William J. Cassell of Denver, Colorado, and became recognized as one of the leading society ladies of that city, but passed away there on the 4th of January, 1913. Mrs. Shaw is the next in order of birth. Clara Lutie, the youngest, is the widow of James A. Myers and now makes her home in St. Louis, Missouri, but was formerly a resident of Metamora. The maternal grand- father of Mrs. Shaw was an officer in the British army. He was related to Mary, Queen of Scots, his family name being Stuart; but while in England he fell in love with a lady of the English nobil- ity, and as their marriage was opposed on account of his Scotch con- nections they eloped to America and were married in New England.
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Judge Thomas M. Shaw
Then to hide his identity he changed his name from Stuart to Star- rett. Judge and Mrs. Shaw never had any children of their own, but rcared an adopted daughter, Daisy, and upon her they lavished the care and affection which would have been given to children of their own. This daughter developed a musical talent of high order which has been carefully trained. Mr. Shaw, himself a lover of music, sang in a deep mellow voice and he delighted in the musical talent of the daughter. She became the wife of J. P. Stout, now deceased, and since her husband's death she spends much time in travel. Judge Shaw not only loved music but also nature and art, and in the course of his extensive travels he visited many of the noted galleries. When he went abroad he was usually accompanied by his wife or his daughter and sometimes by both, and the measure of his enjoyment was never complete unless he could share it with others. He was most devoted to his family and in their companion- ship found his greatest happiness. Fraternally he was connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He was also a mem- ber of the State Bar Association and his colleagues and contempo- raries in the practice of law bore tribute to his high worth as a man and as a lawyer. Judge S. S. Page, also on the circuit court bench, wrote: "We all feel that we have lost one of the best and most lova- ble men we have ever known. The bench and bar alike will mourn his loss. I never knew a man who seemed to possess more of a sweet and womanly disposition." Judge Leslie Puterbaugh, of Peoria, in writing to Mrs. Shaw said: "No one can more fully than I appreciate your irreparable loss. While I had known Judge Shaw since my boyhood and had always respected and admired him as a lawyer and jurist, my close official and personal relations of recent years had led me to know and love him almost as a father. I feel that I have lost one of my best friends and shall long miss his generous compan- ionship and wise council." At the funeral service ex-Vice President Adlai E. Stevenson in a public speech referred to Judge Shaw as his lifelong friend and spoke of him not only as an able lawyer and upright judge but also characterized him as a man so true in every relation of life that he had fairly earned the immortality spoken of by the poet :
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