THE UNITED STATES §io0ra|ltkal i^tionarg Centennial Record Eminent and Self-MadeHen. ILHiIISrOIS "VOXjTJIMIE. ^««*****s Taylor, a niece of Chancellor Taylor. She was a woman of grcal beauty, intelligence and energy. .She married Walthal 1 lal- combc, of Charlotte county, a gentleman of great wealth, influence and position. Upon the death of the mother of young Shirley, who was then only a child, his grandmother took him in charge, and he resided with her up to the time ot her death, which oc- curred in 1845. The subject of this sketch was an only son ; was edu- cated at the select school ol Professor Page, of Cumberland county, where he prepared for college. From that school he went to Prince Edward Court- House, entered the school of Professor Balentine, and thence to Washington College, '7 Lexington, Virginia, in 1840. Graduated in 1843; returned home, continued his .studies until 1846, and then went again to Washington College and received his degree of MA. He afterwards commenced the study of law at the Univer- sity of Virginia, and in 1S48 graduated in law and modern languages. While a student there, he paid special attention to the practice of law in the Moot Court, under the instruc- tions of John B. Minor. In 1848 he left the university, returned home, and remained there until the tall of 1849, when he came to Chicago. At the special suggestion of Professor McGulfee, he opened an office and commenced the practice of law, on Clark street; and one year later removed to Randolph street, to what was called Warner's Hall, where he practiced seven years, having a steady and successful business. In 1852 he prosecuted a fugitive slave case, which excited a great deal of attention. The public sentiment was much opposed to the return of fugitive slaves, but Mr. Shirlev heeded not public sentiment when he had a professional duty to perform. Since that time he has been engaged in general practice in the Stiitc and Federal courts of Illinois, devoting himself exclusively to his profession. His early studies made him familiar with the principles of law, which has given him great advantage in his prac- tice. His power of memory is very great: in the most pro- tracted cases, without notes, he always quotes the evidence correctly. His perseverance is unceasing; and having taken a case in hand, he follows it from the lowest to the highest courts, if necessary, to obtain justice. His style of oratory is vehement and pathetic, often drawing tears from the jury; while at times his humor is irresistible, convuls- ing the whole court. His defense of Nicholas .Slaaden, charged with arson, places Mr. Shirley in the front rank of criminal lawyers of the Northwest. Mr. Shirley ever throws his whole energy into the interests of his client. He has a great power of oratory. In 1873 he delivered the oration on the 4th of July at Naperville, w hich met with great favor, and manifested a high order of elo(|uenarticipated in that war. Married Elizabeth Irvine, and his offspring was nine boys and two girls, as follows : Will- iam, James, George, John. Williamson, Clendenin, Samuel, Robert I., Joseph, Hannah, and Ann. Robert I., the ninth child, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Pennsylvania, 1S02; emigrated to Ohio, and married Sarah Remley, by whom he had six children, viz.: Elizabeth J., Hannah A., Joseph C, Robert G., a Presbyterian clergyman ; Isabclle C, and Wilson G., — the last of whom died in infancy. Joseph C. spent his youth in the common schools of Ohio, was two years at Hanover College, Jefierson county, on the Ohio river, and completed the classical course at Miami University, receiving the degree of A.B. in 1S53, and A.M. in 1S56. He subsequently attended the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, where he received the title of M.D. Being dependent upon his own exertions, he engaged in teaching (after graduating), for the purpose of securing funds to continue his medical studies, in which he was already considerably advanced; but soon opened an oflSce and engaged in practice at a place called " Twenty Mile Stand," the home of Governor Morrow, in Ohio, where he remained one year. In 1857 he moved to Waynesville, De Witt county, Illi- nois, and engaged in his profession until the fall of 1862, when he was appointed surgeon in the 94th Illinois Reg- iment Infantry, 13th Army Corps; which position he occupied till the close of the war. In his early manhood he was a democrat, but afterwards became a free-soiler, and has been a republican since the organization of the party. In 1865 he moved to Lincoln, Illinois, where he has since continued the practice of his profession with marked suc- cess. He has served as alderman, but declines political preferment. In 1874, in company with Drs. Miller and .Sargent, he opened the Lincoln Infirmary, which institution, under the present management, gives ample assurance of success. He married Mary E. Willoughly, of Ohio, March 8, 1S55, and has Minnie, an only daughter. The family of Ross is originally of English extraction. Dr. Ross is one of the pillars of the Presbyterian church, is a man of noble aspirations, and has clear moral record. As a practitioner he has few equals, and has many friends and few enemies. WILLIAM TRUESDALE, WILLIAM TRUESDALE is a native of Trumbull countv, Ohio, and was born on the 2d of March, 181 1. His father was John Truesdale, a farmer of Washington countv, Pennsylvania. He served in the war of 181 2, and died in 1S24. His mother, also a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, was of Irish and Scotch descent and of good family. Mr. Truesdale's early educational advantages were very limited, owing to the death of his parents, which occurred within a few days of each other when he was fourteen years of age. Being thrown upon his own re- sources at the time of his parents' death, he learned the carpenter and joiners' trade, and began work at Hartford, Trumbull county, Ohio. He was associated with his uncle, Robinson Truesdale, for seven years, and at the age of twentv-one began work for himself in Hartford, Ohio. He afterwards spent some time in the South, meeting with ex- periences of varied interest. His opportunities for accumu- lating property were very limited, which, together with his desire to make himself a home, induced habits of rigid economy, industry, and temperance. On the 30th of July, 1S33, he was married to Miss Anna L. Borden, a native of Hartford, Ohio, born on the 25th of August, 1S14. She is a lady of excellent qualities and noble traits, and a distant relative of John Brown. In i8st Mr. Truesdale resolved to move west for the benefit of his family, who were growing up. He accord- ingly settled in Peoria, Illinois, where he worked one year at his trade. Having then a capit;il of about one thousand THE UNITEO STATES /i/oaRAI'/irCAE DICTIONA/fV. '3' dollnrs, he began the manufactiirinfj of sash, doors, and blindsi, in order that he might linnish eniployment lor his sons, whose tastes and skill wi-re in the direction of mechanical piir-.iiits. Mr. Trucsdale has established the reputation of being a man honest in all his purposes, pure in his motives, and upright in his dealings. To do right is his great principle, and he carries it into all his business relations. His business has been extended from year to year, and has proved a marked success. I le is a devoted Christian, and holds the views of the Congregational church. He was a strong anti-slavery man anil a pioneer of the old lil)ert_v party, and took an active part in the work of the underground railroad. He voted lor James G. Burney in 1840, and held to that man's principles until he saw the consummation of his long cherished hopes. He has never aspired to public oflice, but has given his attention to his own special business. His family consists of two sons and four daughters. The eldest, Ennna Trucsdale, was born on the 5th of July, 1S34, and was married to William II. Ballard, on the Z()ih of Jan- uary, 1857. Albert Trucsdale was born on the 21st of September, 1836, and married to Josie G. Newton on the 3d of September, iS6j, by whom ho has five children. Will iam P. Trucsdale was born on the 21st of February, 1839, and married on the ist of January, 1863, to Miss Kate Allen, by whom he has two children. The second daugh- ter, Abbie A. Trucsdale, was born on the loth of Septem- ber, 1S41. Lucy B. Trucsdale was born on the 12th of No- vember, 1843, and was married on the istof June, 1871, to R. M. Blaire — they have two children. Josie M. Trucsdale, the youngest child, was born on the 13th of January, 1855. GAVION D. A. PARKS, JOI.IET. THE subject of this sketch is a native of Bloomfield, Orleans county. New York, and was born on the 17th of September, 1S17. His parents were Joel M. Parks and Bathsheba Walker, youngest daughter of William Good- ing, of the same county. He received his early education under the instruction of private teachers and at Lewiston Academy, New York, pursuing the common and higher mathematical and classical studies ; and at the age of fifteen began the study of law at Lockport, New York. His taste for literary pursuits, which he imbibed while young, has never left him, and he has been a frequent contributor to papers and magazines. In 1837, then being twenty years of age, he went to New York city, where he pursued his legal studies, and was admitted to the bar in 1S41 ; and where, also, he was for a time connected in an editorial capacity with a daily paper called " The Transcript." In 1842 he removed to Lockport, Illinois, and began the practice of his profession at that place in 1843. In 1844 he enjoyed his first taste of official honor in being appointed master in chancery for Will county, but retained the position, however, only a few months. In 1845, there being a great depression in the law, as in all other business, and his health demanding a more active, out-of- door life, he accepted a position on the engineer corps of the Illinois and Michigan canal, and continued till the com- pletion of the enterprise in the spring of 1848. In 1849 he was elected county judge of Will county, and removed to Joliet, where, in partnership with his brother- in-law, Hon. N. D. Elwood, he resumed the practice of his prolession and built up an extensive and remunerative business. Mr. Elwood was an experienced business man of very extensive acquaintance, and to his untiring energy the firm owed a large share of its success and reputation. After his death, which occurred in 1861, Mr. Parks acted for several years as attorney for the Chicago and Rock Island, the Chicago and Mississippi, and the Indianapolis and Northern Indiana railroad companies. In his religious views he professes to be unfettered by sects or creeds, having no defined faith and belonging to no Christian organization. In political alVairs he has always taken an active part, although hardly to be regarded as remaikably greedy for public honors. In 184S he joined what was called the free- soil movement, and engaged to some extent in canvassing his district. In 1S50, after the consummation of the mem- orable compromises of that year, and the dissolution of this party into its original elements, he resumed his relations with the democratic body, with which he remained identi- fied until the repeal of the "Missouri compromise" in 1854; when he again withdrew, making a strong anti-Nebraska speech at Lockport within a week alter the introduction of that measure by Judge Douglas. In this same year he was elected to the House of Representatives from the forty-fifth district, comprising Du Page, Will, Kankakee and Iroquois counties, carrying his own town — uniformly democratic belore — by a majority of one. In the election of United States senator, in Kebriiary, 1855, although not choosing to submit himself to the dictation of the caucus, he steadily voted lor Abraham Lincoln, until it became painfully certain to his friends that he could not command the requisite votes to be elected, and then steadily sup- ported Lyman Trumbull, who was elected on the tenth ballot; a support which he has never regretted at any stage of that distinguished gentleman's career. In 1853, ''.y 'ivor of Governor Malteson, he was appointed one of the direct- ors of the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, holding the position for several years. In 1856 he was elected to the State senate, from the sixth district, comprising Will, Ken- dall, Kankakee and Iroquois counties; and upon the ex- piration of his term in i860, withdrew Irom the political arena. In 1864 he was appointed, by the unsolicited kind- ness of Governor Yates, one of the commissioners of the penitentiary at Joliet, — a position which he held one year. During the war he took an active interest in the Union 132 THE UNITED STATES BIOGRAPHICAL DlCTK^XAHr. cause, making many addresses and patriotic speeches. As a speaker he is earnest and eloquent, and he is accustomed to allude with pride to the fiict that for three successive anniversaries of the national birthday, in 1863, 1864 and 1S65, he was invited by the citizens of" Wilmington, in Will county, ivithout distinction of party, to address them. In 1872, having identified himself vyith the political move- ment originated at Cincinnati, he was nominated, on the liberal republican ticket, for Congress, from his district; but sharing the by no means uncommon fate of his liberal confreres, was defeated by the regular republican candidate, Mr. Corwin. Me has since taken but little conspicuous part in politics, though never found without decided and pro- nounced political views. His position, like many who are impatient of a too stringent party discipline, is best described as that of a conservative republican; inflexibly attached to the yital principles of that organization, but not conceiving himself bound to support its corruptions or perversions. Mr. Parks was married, in 184S, to Miss Lucretia S. Storv, daughter of Saint Story, of Moscow, New York. CHARLES G. WHEELER, B.S., Ph.D., CHARLES G. WHEELER is the son of William and Caroline M. Wheeler, whose ancestors were of Eng- lish descent, and were very early settlers in New England. Mr. William W'heeler migrated to the West in 1838. He carried on the hardware business, and built the iirst brick store on Lake street, west of Clark, which stood till the great fire. Charles Gilbert was born July J3, 1836, in London, Can- ada, where his jjarents were temporarily residing. His pri- mary education was acquired at private schools and acade- mies in Chicago. An important part of his early training he received at Wilson's Academy, on Lake street, one of the best educational institutions Chicago has ever had. When fifteen years of age he joined a party of seven of his schoolmates of about the same age as himself, and went to Connecticut; and the eight boys were formed into a family school at the home of that able teacher Dr. E. M. Beardsley, a name familiar to many of Chicago's leading citizens, as many similar classes were subsequently formed, exclusively of Chicago boys. Returning to Chicago in November, 1S52, Charles entered the store of his father as clerk, and remained three years. During a portion of this time he attended Bell's Conuiier- cial College, and graduated in 1S54. Mercantile pursuits were not congenial to him, and he determined to carry out a long premeditated plan, of acquir- ing an education that would fit him for a scientific career. Had he remained at the store, his father would have soon admitted him as a partner in an excellent business, but the acquisition of wealth was not regarded by him as wortliy his highest ambition ; he prefened to follow the bent of his own inclinations, and devote himself to scientific inquiry. With this end in view, preparatory to a scientific course at Harvard, he matriculated at Fort Edyyard Institute, New York, and remained there over a year. lie then entered the scientific department of Harvard University, where he spent three years, and graduated with credit. Chemistry received his greatest attention, but he pursued under Agas- si/, zoology and paleontology ; botany vmder Gra> , and com- parative anatomy under Wyman. During the last term he translated Fliedner's "Aulgaben aus der Physik " for Pro- fessor Horsford, to be used as a text-'oook in the Lawrence Scientific School. He was also lecture assistant for Profes- sor Cook, the university lecturer on Chemistry, who at that time gave the best illustrated lectures delivered in this country. In the autumn of 1S59 he returned to Chicago, and soon received a call to the professorship of Natural Sciences in Clark Seminary, Aurora, Illinois. He, ho\yever, declined this position in favor of another, which was offered him about the same time, as as.sistant State Geologist of Mis- souri. This position lie held until the breaking out of the war in 1861. During this time he performed a gi-eat amount of geological work in the counties north of the Missouri river; and in the winters made chemical analyses for the survey, chiefly of coals. In October, 1861, Mr. Wheeler left for Europe, with the intention of further prosecuting his studies at German universities, in analytical chemistry. He arrived at Ber- lin October 22, just as King, now Emperor, William was received in triumph on his return from Konigsberg, where the coronation ceremonies had been performed. Through the surgeon-general of the Prussian army, to whom he had brought a letter of introduction, he was enabled to enter, as a student, the private laboratory of the famous chemist Ileinrich Rose. Here he worked for six months, attending also the lectures of various scientists, such as Mitscheriich, Magnus, Dove, Bayer, Encke, and others. In the spring of 1862 he paid a short visit to Denmark, Sweden and Norway, and then went to London, spending two or three weeks studying the international .exhibition then being held. He then went to Holland and up the Rhine to Heidelberg, where he entered the laboratory of Professor Carius. Here he confined himself to organic chemistry, and attended the lectures of Professors Bunsen, Kirchhofl", and others. After he had been at Heidelberg about five months he received a dispatch from William H. Seward, Secretary of State, informing him that the President had appointed him Consul at Nuremberg, Bavaria. This was a surprise to him, as it was unsolicited. However, he after- wards learned that he was indebted to the Hon. Theo- dore S. Fay, formerly United States Minister to Switzer- land, but then a resident of Berlin, where Mr. Wheeler had made his acquaintance, and from which sprang up a warm friendship. Mr. Kay had paid a visit to President Lincoln, who asked what he could do lor himf Mr. Fay replied: THE I' SITED STATES HlOdliAPHIC M. D/CJ/OXA/iT. «3.5 " Nothing lor me, but there are two voung Americans study- ing in Germany, yvhose ap|x>intiaent as consuls would give me much pleasure." "What are their addresses?" asked the President. Mr. Kay gaye the information, and the conversation turned on other topics. Mr. Fav returned to Europe, and as he had heard of no consular appointments having been made, he concluded the President had forgotten the conversation. But Mr. Lincoln had not forgotten, but as soon as vacancies were found — which was only a few months thereafter — the two students received their appoint- ments: .Mr. Duncan, of South Carolina, to Carlsruhe, and Mr. Wheeler to Nurcml)erg. The duties of this' new office left him time for scientific research. lie fitted up a latoratorv adjoining the consulate, and for several years occupied himself with chemical inves- tigations, publishing nunierous papers in American and Ibreign scientific journals. Among those contributions were The Inorganic Constituents of Bavarian Hops, and an Analysis of the Soils on which they are Cultivated — An Original Method ol Determining Carbon, Hydrogen, 0);ygen and Nitrogen at One Operation — On the Action of Zinc and Sulphuric Acid upon Cyanacetic Acid — The Action of Hvpochlorous Acid upon Oil ol' Turpentine and Camphor — Action of Manganic Dioxide upon Uric Acid. In 1S65 he translated into German a work on the" Finan- cial Strength of the I'nited States," by Lorin Blodget. The same year he read before the German Association of Natu- ralists and Physicians his Research on the I'ltimate Analy- sis ol Nitrogenous Organic Compounds. This paper called forth a highly complimentary letter from Baron von Liebig, and awakened the interest of other chemists. Mr. Wheeler, in 1867, resigned his office and traveled in Italy, Malta, Morocco, Spain, France, Great Britain, Scandi- navia, Russia, Austria and Switzerland. He then spent six months in Paris at the Ecole de Medecinc, in the laboratory of Wurtz, and the Ecole Polytechnique under Rcgnault. In May, iS/>8, he returned to Chicago, alter an absence of >ix and a half years. He was tendered the chair of Chemis- try at the Northwestern L'niversity, but his former associa- tions determined him to resume work at the University of Chicago. He was also elected to two chairs: the one of Organic, the other Inorganic Chemistry, in the Chicago Medical College. He also opened an office as an analytical and consulting chemist. In 1869 Professor Wheeler in- vented a chemical fire extinguisher, which has been largely nianuliKlured an Logans- port, Indiana, to Chicago; and in 1S53 took charge of the survey of the railroad extending fnim IVemont to Lima, Ohio.' With his health restored he took lo banking once more, 136 THE UNITED STATES RIOGIiAPIIICAL DlCTIONARr. but this tiitio in the West. In 1855 he removed to Elkhorn, Wisconsin, and opened the Elkhorn Bank, under the State law. This is now the Elkhorn National Bank. The years 1859 and i860 Mr. Spencer was in New York citv in the brokerage business. Deceinber, 1861, he removed to Morris, Illinois, and organized the Grundy County Bank, under the State bankini; law, and in 1864 reorganized it as a national bank. During the twelve years spent at Morris Mr. Spencer was the leading banker ot" that place, and his bank became one of the most successful in the State and occupied a very high standing. In 1871 he removed to Chicago, where he might have a larger field of opera- lions, lie early became connected with the State Savings Institution, and in June, 1S73, took the presidency of this bank. The State Savings Institution stands at the very front of savings banks in the \Vest. It is by far the largest savings bank in the West, and the oldest in Chicago. Owing to its conservative character and excellent manage- ment, it suffered but little by the panic of 1874. The con- fidence of the public in the State Savings Institution is shown by the rapid increase of its deposits, which in 1863 amounted to three hundred thousand dollars; in 1865, to eight hundred thousand dollars; in 1S68, to one million eight hundred thousand dollars; in 1871, to three million dollars; in 1874, to four million dollars. Mr. Spencer, as a bank oflicer, has ever been noted for rare good judg- ment; and those who know him best regard him as a man of unswerving integrity, and remarkable foresight and tact in the management of the intricate and often perplexing details of the savings bank business. Of great persever- ance, and being at the head of the largest savings bank in the West, he is truly a representative man in his department. lie was married in 1855, at Bridgewater, New York, to Miss Mary A. Perkins, daughter of Erastus G. and Amanda Perkins, of Bridgewater. She died February 2J, 1S60, at Ilion, New York. .Mr. Spencer was married again, August, 1S63, at Morris, Illinois, to Miss Emeline W. Bulk- ley, daughter of Abel P. and Emeline W. Bulkley, of Morris. She died at New York February 14, 1874. Mr. Spencer has two sons and one daughter. ALFRED WRIGHT, cmcAdo. ALFRED WRIGHT, the present secretary of the Chicago Hoard of Underwriters, is a native of New York; having been born in the village of Jericho, Queen's county. Long Island, on the 8th of April, 1824. His father, William P. Wright, was a prominent wholesale grocer of New York city ; and his mother, Eliza Jackson, was from a family well known in the western part of Long Island as wealthy land jiroprietors. In his early life Mr. Wright attended school at Fordham, Westchester coimty. Long Island, and later, at Flushing Institute. Being of a practical turn of mind, he sought those studies which he thought would best fit him tor an active business life. Accordingly, with this purpose in view, he entered Columbia College, New York, and gave his chief attention to the study of mathematics and the modern languages. He completed his studies in 1840, and imme- diately took a position in his father's establishment in New York, which he held until his father retifed from business. The discipline and experience which he thus gaineil from his studies and contact with business life were well calcu- lated to prepare him for the important positions which he has since been called to fill. In the year 1855 Mr. Wright removed to Chicago, where he soon gained a reputation as a thorough business man, and won a large circle of friends; and when, in 1859, tlie Chicago Board of Underwriters was organized, he was called to the position of assistant secretary. This position he held till i860, when he was elected secretary of the board; an office in which he has served during the last fifteen years, to the entire satisfaction of those who repre- sent the insurance interests of Chicago. In his boyhood Mr. Wright became thoroughly imbued with the principles and traits of the Qiiakers, through the teachings of his mother, who belonged to that denomina- tion, and the influence of his early training has always adhered to him. ELIAS SMITH, M.D., THE stan.l which Elias Smith, M.D., the subject of this sketch, has taken in the science of anatomy and phys- iology, and the study which he has devoted to these and kindred subjects, have gained tor him a wide reputation and resulted in great good to the medical profession. He was born at Corydon, Harrison coimty, Indiana, on the 5th of October, 1S28, and is the son of John Smith and Nancy nie Grant, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. Be- tween the ages of nine and fourteen he attended school at Farmington, Illinois. For four years thereafter he was un- able to engage in study or work of any kind, having lost the sight of one eye by the bursting of a percussion cap. He had a great fondness for study of a scientific and philo- sophical character, and was especially fond of the study of human nature and physiology ; and, while yet a boy, he sought to increase his knowledge of comparative anatomy by going into the woods, killing rabbits and other small animals and dissecting them. He had a great taste for LIBRARY OF CONGRESS