USA > Illinois > The makers of Illinois; a memorial history of the state's honored dead > Part 8
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"To live in hearts we leave behind, Is not to dic."
The Peoria Bar Association paid a high tribute to his memory in the following resolutions :
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Judge Thomas M. Shaw
"Whereas, Thomas M. Shaw, one of the judges of the Tenth Judicial Circuit of Illinois, has been suddenly called away in the midst of his usefulness, the members of the bar practicing before him in Peoria and adjoining counties, desire to place on record their appre- ciation of him as a judge and a man.
"Faithful in all his duties, widely and profoundly learned in the law, he brought large abilities to the work of the jurist. Kindly, patient and serene, his great endeavor was to mete out justice through the rules of law. He had not only the respect and admiration of the bar, but the love of its members also. 'Justice tempered by mercy,' was his motto.
"In social intercourse he was modest and unobtrusive, but always approachable and pleasant. He weighed social, moral, and religious questions with the same calm, judicial spirit that he brought to legal ones. As a friend he was reliable; always the same. When he approached any question, principles rather than persons guided him.
"Thus he won the confidence of the people. For the sixteen years they kept him on the bench he grew in that confidence. They felt their rights were safe in his hands.
"To his afflicted family we tender our heartfelt sympathy, know- ing that the beautiful picture of his life will abide with them so long as memory shall endure.
"To the people of this judicial district his departure is a great loss, but the effect and memory of his service on the bench endure as a great gain. A model judge, an upright citizen, a lovable man has gone from us. We ask that this imperfect memorial of him be placed on the records of Peoria county."
Says Rev. Theodore Clifton, western field secretary of the Con- gregational Educational Society: "I knew Judge Shaw long and well, only to love and honor him. The news of his death was a great sur- prise to me, and came with a distinct sense of personal loss. When I first met the judge, nearly thirty years ago, he was a young lawyer in Lacon, Marshall county. From that day to the day of his death he grew upon me, not only as a lawyer, but as a man, a citizen and a personal friend. Judge Shaw possessed a fine legal mind and his career as a lawyer and a judge was an honor to the state as well as to himself. Illinois did not confer honor upon him so much as he conferred honor upon Illinois. A quiet, unassuming man, he did not realize his own great worth or his own great influence. He was a man of few words, but whether before a jury, on the bench or in the social circle, his words were always listened to and carried weight. It
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Judge Thomas Al. Sham
was the weight of a noble manhood, a mature and aceurate judgment, and an unsullied life."
J. Casner Irving, a brother-in-law of Judge Shaw, draws the following reminiscent picture of his many-sided personality: "Judge Shaw was wedded to his profession, and onee said to me: 'I would rather feel that I was qualified to fill the position of judge of the supreme court of Illinois than be president of the United States.' He loved nature and lived as near to it as his environment would permit. He was a plain, unobtrusive man, meeting pomp and pride and show, but never seeking it. He loved art for art's sake, and said: 'It is nature's first cousin, and music, is its soul.' Gentle and kind; always regarding the rights of others; knightly and respectful to women wherever he met them; loving his home and those within it, it was a joy to him to return to it when his day's work was done. He lived for others, and especially those he loved. Firm as a roek when eon- vineed he was right, conseientious to an excessive degree, he worked harder to do justice and right than any man I ever knew. I was very close to him in some of his campaigns for office, and knew much of what he did and wanted done. Onee during his second judicial eam- paign Luther Dearborn, of Chicago, came to me and said: 'Now, young man, I met a party of lawyers in Peoria last night and the three democratic candidates for judges were there, and I was told you had the practical management of their eampaign in hand and at heart. Do your best, but be sure that Shaw is elected.' I saw Judge Shaw a few days afterward and told him of the ineident. He said: 'Cass, do your best; but do not push me past the other boys, for I would rather be defeated than to have them think I had not sailed fair with them.' He lived for others, and in the years to come-in that mysterious, sweet unknown, when mists and clouds and dark- ness and doubts have been dispelled, I only hope to meet my friend, Judge Shaw."
It is not difficult to speak of a man like Judge Shaw, for his life and character were as elear as the sunlight. No man came in contact with him but speedily appreciated him at his true worth and knew he was a man who cherished not only a high ideal of duty but who lived up to it. He constantly labored for the right and from his earliest youth devoted a large portion of his time to the service of others. His friends will miss him, but the memory of his sweet and beautiful life, of his sincerity and simplicity will not be forgotten.
"Sleep sweetly, tender heart, in peace
And the great ages onward roll."
D.7. Higgins.
Daniel Franklin Higgins
O HISTORY of the legal profession of Illinois would N be complete and satisfactory were there failure to make prominent reference to Daniel Franklin Hig- gins, who for a long period was a distinguished mem- ber of the Joliet bar. His contemporaries and col- leagues in practice entertained for him the highest regard because of the ability which he displayed and also by reason of his close conformity to the highest standard of professional ethies. . He fully recognized the importance of the profession to which life and liberty as well as property rights must look for protection, and his fidelity to the interests of his clients was therefore unfaltering. Mr. Higgins was a lifelong resident of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Du Page township, Will county, May 2, 1849. His par- ents were Chauncey and Emily (Root) Higgins. The ancestry is traced baek in the paternal line to the early colonial epoeh in Ameri- ean history and at the time when the colonies attempted to throw off the yoke of British oppression representatives of the name aided in achieving Ameriean independence. The great-grandfather was Sam- uel Higgins, and the grandfather Daniel Higgins. The latter mar- ried Hannah Le Baron, a daughter of David Le Baron, a soldier of the Revolutionary war who enlisted from Vermont. Representa- tives of the Le Baron family afterward eamc to Illinois and one is now living in Kendall county, while another was a teacher in Ripon College of Ripon, Wisconsin. Chauneey Higgins, son of Daniel and Hannalı (Le Baron) Higgins, was born in Rutland county, Ver- mont, and about 1840 eame to Illinois. Two years later, in Will county, he married Emily Root, a daughter of Martin and Abigail (Starns) Root, who were farming people of Vermont. Martin Root was the only one of his family of the older generation who came to Illinois and his remains now rest in a burying ground at Downers Grove. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Chauncey Higgins were born five chil- dren: Emily Frances, James Chauncey and Daniel Franklin, all deceased; Olney E., who is living in Naperville, Illinois; and Charles Sumner, who has also passed away.
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Daniel Franklin Diggins
The family home was established upon a farm of one hundred and forty acres in Du Page township, Will county, and there Daniel F. Higgins spent his youthful days, his time being largely devoted to the acquirement of an education in the public schools until he reached the age of twelve years. The country was then involved in Civil war and the boy determined that he would join the army. Accordingly he enlisted as a member of the One Hundredth Illinois Regiment in Chicago but his father and mother followed him to the front and took him home, feeling that he was entirely too young for military service. Later he once more offered his services to the government. This time parental authority did not intervene and he became a member of the One Hundredth Regiment but was later transferred to the Fifty-first Illinois, with which he continued until the close of hostilities. The same patriotic spirit was manifest throughout his entire life in all of his duties of citizenship. With the close of the war he resumed his education at Warrenville, Illinois, and later became a student in the Northwestern College, from which in due course of time he was grad- uated at Naperville. His commercial training was received in the Bryant & Stratton Business College but desiring to enter upon a pro- fessional career, he became a law student in the office of Hager & Flanders in Joliet. After a thorough course of preliminary reading he was admitted to the bar and entered at once upon active practice, in which he continued until the time of his death. He never special- ized in any particular branch but continued in the general practice of law and was well versed in the various departments of jurispru- dence, so that he capably handled many cases of a varied nature. At different times he was in partnership with Mr. Staley, A. F. Mather, Mr. Aiken and later F. W. Walter. He was elected in 1884 and served for one term as states attorney but preferred to devote his attention to private practice and was accorded a large and important clientage, the court records attesting the fact that he was retained as counsel for the defense or prosecution in many of the leading cases heard in the courts of his district.
At the home of the bride in Jackson township, Will county, on the 4th of May, 1881, Mr. Higgins was united in marriage to Miss Mary Brown, a daughter of Ara Broadwell and Martha (Hougham) Brown. The father, a native of the state of New York, was a son of Peter and Mary (Teeple) Brown, who in 1835 removed from Onondaga county, New York, to Jackson township, Will county, Illinois, and took up a tract of government land there which is still owned by the family. Father and son were both active, prominent and influential residents of the community in which they made their
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Daniel Franklin Diggins
home. Their real-estate holdings were extensive, their possessions eovering two miles of land there. Peter Brown laid out a private burying ground that is now known as Brown's cemetery and when he was called to his final rest his remains were there interred. His son, A. B. Brown, wedded Martha Hougham, who was born in Ohio and was of English descent. They were married October 11, 1846, and beeame the parents of thirteen children, of whom five are yet living: Elias, a resident farmer of Jackson township, Will eounty; Frank, who follows farming on the old homestead; N. Jane; Martha May; and Mary, who became Mrs. Higgins. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Higgins were eight in number: Daniel Franklin, who is now in Korea; Charles Chauneey, living in North Dakota; Helen Jane; Marshall Fargo, who is studying law; Max Brown, a student in the Illinois State University; Mary Margaret, who is attending school at Mount Carroll, Illinois; and Ara Broadwell and Alfred Nash, both at home. The husband and father died March 25, 1909, and his death was the oeeasion of deep and widespread regret not only among his family but throughout Joliet and wherever he was known. The same spirit of patriotism and loyalty which prompted his enlistment in his early boyhood days characterized him in all of his relations of citizenship and was particularly manifest in his active and praetieal efforts to promote the welfare of his eity while serving as a member of its council. He was also a member of both sehool boards for a number of years, was greatly interested in the eause of progressive education, worked hard at all times for the benefit of the schools and was largely instrumental in the loeation of the high school. His polit- ieal allegianee was given to the republican party, which had been the defense of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war and which he always regarded as the party of reform and progress. He therefore labored actively for its sueeess. He belonged to the Grand Army of the Republie, to the Masonie fraternity, the Modern Wood- men eamp and the Elks lodge and the principles which governed his life were further indieated in the faet that he held membership in the White Cross and attended the Universalist ehureh. He was a liberal minded man of broad views, of kindly spirit, of ready sympathy. To him life meant opportunity for growth and improvement and he sought not only individual advancement but ever aided in the work of general progress and improvement, prompted thereto by publie spirit.
Andrew Hamilton
MONG the citizens whom Ottawa and La Salle county A could ill afford to lose was Andrew Hamilton who, at the age of nineteen years, became a resident of that city, and throughout the remainder of his life was identified with commercial interests. He was born at Fairfield, Connecticut, May 25, 1835, and was a son of James and Isabelle (Gilerist) Hamilton, both of whom were natives of Scotland. They spent their childhood and youth in that country and were married near Glasgow. Soon afterward they arrived in the new world and became residents of Fairfield, Connec- ticut, where they lived for about a year and then removed to Rock- land county, New York. The father, who made farming his life work, became a landowner of that district and gave his attention throughout his remaining days to the further development and improvement of his farm. Both he and his wife died in that locality after reaching a very advanced age, the father passing away in 1890, at the age of ninety-three, and the mother in 1897, when ninety-one years of age.
Andrew Hamilton had the benefit of academical training in New York city after attending district schools near his father's home. A desire to try the opportunities offered by the west led him to Illinois when he was nineteen years of age. He made his way direct to Ottawa, obtaining a position as clerk in a general store, in which he remained for a number of years, his capability and fidelity winning the confi- dence and high regard of his employer. He afterward entered the service of a Mr. Armour, who was engaged in a lime, cement and brick business. After about two years Mr. Hamilton purchased the interests of his employer and extended the scope of his activities to include the sale of flour, feed, etc. In that business he continued until his death, December 9, 1903, remaining for many years a well known and representative merchant of the city. His business methods were always straightforward and reliable, never seeking disguise, and the high regard entertained for him by his fellow townsmen was well merited. In addition to his mercantile interests he became the owner of a number of building lots, including those on which he conducted
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Andrew Hamilton
his business, at No. 222 Main street. He was also the owner of sev- eral valuable residence properties, including that occupied by his widow, at No. 1104 Paul street.
On the 12th of September, 1876, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Hamilton and Miss Serena L. Bayley who was born in Ottawa, August 6, 1840, and is a daughter of William Thomas and Harriet (Landy) Bayley. Her father was born in Dorchester, Massachu- setts, in 1805, and the mother in Troy, New York, in 1808. In early life Mr. Bayley became a painter and house decorator in Boston,. Massachusetts, where he remained until 1839, when he left New England and came to Illinois, settling in Ottawa, after having resided for about two years in Aurora. Very shortly after coming to Ottawa he was elected justice of the peace, receiving his papers from Gov- ernor Ford and serving until his death. From that time forward he lived retired, save for the performance of his official duties. His deci- sions were always strictly fair and impartial, being based upon the law and the equity of the case. He continued to reside in Ottawa until called to his final rest in the year 1847. His widow long sur- vived him, making her home in Ottawa until 1894, when she, too, passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Hamilton.
Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton attended the Congregational church, of which the latter is a member. His political support was given to the republican party but he never aspired to office and in fact refused to become a candidate for political positions on a number of different occasions. He never allied himself with fraternal organizations, pre- ferring to concentrate his attention upon his business affairs and devoted his leisure hours to the enjoyment of the home. His social, genial nature found expression in his friendships and those who met him socially regarded him as a most congenial and interesting com- panion.
Mrs. Hamilton has been a life-long resident of La Salle county, living there for seventy-two years, during which period she has wit- nessed almost the entire growth and development of that section. She can relate many interesting incidents of the early days when Ottawa was a small town and when the work of improvement and progress seemed scarcely begun there.
Donahoe 1
John T. Donahoe
C ARLYLE, historian and philosopher, said: "The story of any man's life would have interest and value if truly told." Among Joliet's citizens who left the impress of their individuality upon the upbuilding and development of the city was John T. Donahoc.
A man of well balanced activities and powers, he occupied a central place on the stage of action for many years. The simplicity and beauty of his daily life were seen in his home and family relations, constituting an even balance to his excellent professional ability which won for him a creditable place among the leading law- yers of Joliet. He was born in this city October 15, 1855, his par- ents, Timothy and Mary Donahoc, having become early residents here when they left their old home in Tipperary, Ireland, and sailcd for the new world five years before. At a later period Timothy Don- ahoe removed to Wilmington, Illinois, and had resided there for five years when death called him. His wife also passed away in that place.
There were four children in the family, ineluding John T. Don- ahoe, who pursued his education in the schools of Joliet and when he had put aside his text-books entered the grocery business in Wilming- ton in connection with his brother. About 1875 he removed to Braid- wood, where he conducted a grocery business independently for three years. He mastered with thoroughness anything that he undertook and carried forward to successful completion his well formulated plans. In 1878, however, he was called from private to public life and disposed of his store in Braidwood. He returned to Joliet to enter upon the duties of the office of county treasurer to which he had been eleeted on the democratic and greenback tickets. For three years he filled that position and at different times he also served on the school board and as a member of the city council, representing the sixth ward. As such he was one of the heroic figures of the high lieense contest and gave evidence to the public of his sincerity and his cour- age. On his retirement from the office of county treasurer he entered the real-estate business and while thus engaged took up the study of law. Admitted to the bar, he at once began practice in Joliet, dis-
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John U. Donahoe
continuing his efforts in the real-estate field. He continued in gen- eral practice, never specializing in any particular department of the law. He was a close and discriminating student and never neglected to give a thorough preparation while his devotion to his client's inter- ests became proverbial. He entered into the financial field as one of the organizers of the Joliet National Bank and his sound judgment constituted an important element in its successful conduct. It was characteristic of him that he accomplished whatever he undertook and no trust reposed in him was ever betrayed in the slightest degree.
On the 31st of October, 1876, Mr. Donahoe was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary E. Dyer, a daughter of George and Anna Dyer, who were natives of Ireland and came to the United States in the '50s. They settled in Braidwood where they became identified with farming interests, and there remained until called to their final rest. It was in that town that Mr. and Mrs. Donahoe were married. As the years passed five children were added to the family circle: Teresa, the wife of William Redmond, of Joliet; Loretta, the wife of Mason Towle, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Cecelia; Lillian; and John J. The fam- ily circle was broken by the hand of death when on the 19th of July, 1911, Mr. Donahoe was called to his final rest. He was a devoted husband and father, finding his greatest happiness in ministering to the welfare of his wife and children and their companionship was his chief delight. He held membership in St. Patrick's Catholic church, in which he was an active and earnest worker. He belonged also to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, to the Ancient Order of Hibernians and for some time was grand knight of the Knights of Columbus. In club circles, too, he was well known, being a represen- tative and valued member of the Commercial and Country Clubs of Joliet. His political allegiance was always given to the democratic party and he was recognized as one of its local leaders, his opinions carrying weight in its councils.
Five years prior to his death Mr. Donahoe suffered a stroke of paralysis which partially crippled him but he kept on with his prac- tice and sought the restoration of his health on the golf links, being an almost daily visitor to the Country Club until he was confined to his bed. In manner he was modest and unassuming and free from all ostentation or display, but his friends and associates paid tribute to his character and his worth, establishing his position as one of the lead- ing and honored residents of Joliet. Robert Kelly, the president of the Joliet National Bank, said of him: "He was one of the organiz- ers of the Joliet National Bank and for many years we have been very close friends. He was a very good business man and one of the best
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John C. Donahoe
commercial lawyers this city ever had, very honorable, upright and sin- cerc in all of his transactions. His statements could always be relied upon and his judgment was sought by many. He seemed to have a keen insight into all business matters and a sort of intuition about things. He was always loyal to his friends of whom he had many." Mr. McKeown, at one time his partner, said: "I commenced the prac- tice of law in Mr. Donahoe's office and it seemed to me that no one could be more kind, patient and willing in helping a young lawyer to get started. I always had high regard for him for he possessed great ability and his word could always be relied upon." Col. McNaugh- ton, long associated with Mr. Donahoe in his law practice, said: "His business career like his domestic life was ideal. He was temperate in all things and possessed what might be termed an additional sense of instinct above the average man. He was a good judge of human nature and his opinions were largely based on that instinct. He was, moreover, a man of superior judgment in business matters and, bas- ing his opinion solely at times upon that instinct he reached conclu- sions which were absolutely correct. For twenty years he was my partner in the practice of law and during that time we never had a controversy over a single penny. He was square in all of his deal- ings, was a model husband and father and a very useful citizen." The simple telling of his life's history cannot fail to inspire and encour- age others, showing what may be accomplished when energy leads the way and when high principles constitute the guiding spirit of life. His breadth of view not only saw possibilities for his own advance- ment but also for the city's development and his lofty patriotism prompted him to utilize the latter as quickly and as effectively as the former. He never allowed personal interests nor ambitions to dwarf his public spirit or activities. His was the record of a strong individ- uality, sure of itself, stable in purpose, quick in perception, swift in decision, energetic, persistent and honorable in action.
1
NO. Stone-
Horatio Odell Stone, Fr.
O N THE 24th of April, 1912, was elosed the life history of Horatio Odell Stone, Jr., who for twenty years had oeeupied a eonspieuous position in business circles of Chicago, operating more extensively in real estate than almost any other resident of the eity. Chicago's spirit of enterprise early became a dominant foree in his nature and placed him, as it had his father, among the chiefest of the real-estate dealers of the western metropolis. He was born here July 15, 1860. Twenty-six years before his father had come to Chicago and although he resided here at that time for but a brief period he soon returned for permanent residence and established a home which was long a leading soeial center of the city, while his business activities gave him equal prominence in commercial and finaneial cireles.
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