1902 Biographies
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| Ezekial Day | Joseph Doubet |
| Henry Detweiller | Peter Doubet |
| Valentine Dewein | Oscar Dubuis |
| Eleonor Doubet | John Dungan |
DAY, EZEKIEL, one of Peoria's prominent business men of the last half
century, was born at Butler. Pennsylvania, August 4. 1805, the son of Daniel and
Mary Day. His paternal ancestors were among the early settlers of Plymouth
Colony, of whom three brothers came to America, one finally settling in New
Jersey. From the latter branch of the family Mr. Day was descended. After
receiving a common-school education he learned the trade of manufacturer of
tobacco at Pittsburg, later on establishing a factory of his own which he
conducted for a number of years. He also became the owner of a passenger
steamer, which was engaged in the trade between Pittsburg and Cincinnati. After
continuing in the tobacco trade, which he conducted successfully for many years,
and during which he accumulated a snug fortune, he retired. Being a man of
active, vigorous temperament, he soon grew restless and dissatisfied with a life
of inactivity, and a few years later, engaged in the iron manufacturing business
in Venango County, Pennsylvania. This proved a lucrative and prosperous business
under the operation of the protective tariff of that period; but when, under the
administration of President Buchanan, the tariff laws were modified in the
direction of free-trade, the change, for the time being, proved disastrous to
the iron industry, and Mr. Day suffered with the rest. After losing a large
amount of money in the effort to keep his establishment in operation, he was
compelled to abandon the business. In 1850 Mr. Day removed to Peoria and here
resumed his old business as a tobacco manufacturer, which he continued until
1875, when he finally retired.
In politics Mr. Day was an ardent Republican and,
during the war for the preservation of the Union, a zealous supporter of the
policy of President Lincoln. In religious belief he adhered to the faith of his
fathers, which was that of the Presbyterian Church.
On February 3, 1835, he was married at Pittsburg,
Pennsylvania, to Miss Elizabeth Gallaher. Dr. Thomas Burrell, the grandfather of
Mrs. Day, established the first iron-works at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and her
mother started the first fire in the furnace, christening the works "The
Cambria"—a name which has since become familiar as that of one of the most
extentive establishment of its kind in the world. Six children were born to Mr.
and Mrs. Day. of whom four are still living, viz.: Dr. A. H. Day, now of
Colorado; F. P. Day, of Omaha, Nebraska, where he is engaged in the coal
business; William P. Day, President of the Day Carpet and Furniture Company of
Peoria, and Josephine E., wife of William H. Day, Secretary and Treasurer of the
same Company.
Mr. Day was a man of strong domestic feelings, and his
life was devoted largely to the society of his family and to the promotion of
their welfare and happiness. His death occurred February 23, 1893.
(Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria
County, 1902, page 444, submitted by Janine Crandell)
DETWEILLER, CAPTAIN HENRY was born in Lorraine,
then a Province of France, but now of Germany, on the 19th of June, 1825. He was
a son of Christian and Catherine Shertz Detweiller, both natives of France. His
father was engaged in farming, milling, and in the transportation business, in
which he accumulated a fortune. He had three large estates situated in different
parts of the Province, at which he was in the habit of entertaining the
nobility, for weeks at a time, according to the custom of the day. He met with
reverses, during the War of 1812 and '13, and died in 1832, a poor man.
In the spring of 1837, Capt Detweiller came to the
United States, with his mother and three sisters, landing in New York, after a
voyage of sixty-eight days. At the suggestion of an older brother, John, who had
located in Peoria, in 1833, Captain Detweiller removed to that place. He was
forty-two days on the journey from New York to Peoria, traveling from New York
to Rochester, by boat; thence to Buffalo, by canal; thence by lake to Cleveland;
from there to Cincinnati, by canal; thence by boat, down the Ohio and up the
Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, to Peoria. His mother and one sister died
during the following year. Peoria had, at that time, about twelve hundred
inhabitants.
After coming to Peoria, Captain Detweiller attended
school and clerked for his brother, who kept the St. Croix Tavern, on Water
Street.— then the principal street of Peoria. He then clerked in the shoe-store
of Charles W. McCellan, and afterwards, for Samuel Voris & Co.. for the highly
remunerative compensation of six dollars per month. The business of Peoria, with
the outside world, at that time was chiefly transacted by water. Listening to
the stories of steamboat Captains, and the talk of John Frink, of the firm of
Frink & Walker, the mail and stage contractors of that early day, he conceived a
strong desire to become a pilot on the river. Mr. Frink gave him an opportunity
to go aboard the steamer "Frontier," then running as a mail and passenger packet
from Peoria to Peru. Through the kindness of Mr. Frink, the Captain instructed
the young man in the trade of the river and the secret of running and operating
the boats. He was soon appointed Second Pilot, and was upon the boat, when the
Steamer Panama ran into and sunk the "Frontier" at the "Towhead" above "The
Narrows." This occurred early on the morning of September 2, 1842, just after
the "Frontier" had left the village of Little Detroit, then situated on the
eastern shore of the river, but which has since entirely disappeared. By running
the boat ashore at the "Towhead," the forty or fifty passengers on board
escaped without the loss of a single life, but the hull of the "Frontier" still
lies at the bottom of the river, where it sunk sixty years ago. The following
year, the Company built a new steamer "Chicago," on which he shipped as Second
Pilot, under his old instructor, and continued upon that boat until it was
withdrawn from the river, in the spring of 1844. He continued in that position,
on other boats for a year. In 1847, he was made Captain of the "Gov Briggs" then
in the St. Louis and Alton trade. At that time, owing to the war with Mexico,
the boat carried many troops and much equipment from Alton to Jefferson Barracks
below St. Louis. In 1848 and '49. he was First Pilot on different boats. The
latter year was remarkable for the epidemic' of malignant cholera. St. Louis was
afflicted, and hundreds were dying daily. People were leaving the city upon the
boats, as rapidly as possible. Captain Detweiller continued at his post until
one night, while taking the steamer "Danube" to St. Louis, through over-work and
loss of sleep, he was suddenly stricken with cholera, and had just time to ring
the stopping bells before he fell to the floor of the pilot-house. Fortunately,
a pilot on the Mississippi was aboard the boat and took his place. Mr.
Detweiller was removed to Peoria, but, for nine months or more. was unable to
resume his duties. His Captain, at the time he was stricken, was seized with
cholera the next trip, died and was buried at Pekin.
From 1850 to 1860, the river business between the North and South was immense.
During these years, Mr. Detweiller acted in the different capacities of Pilot
and Captain, on a number of boats upon the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. In
1856, he became part owner of the Steamer "Movastar," and in 1857, became the
sole owner of the Steamer "Minnesota." During his last years upon the river, he
frequently had Abraham Lincoln as a passenger, and came to know him well. In
1862. he offered his services to the Government, and was sworn into the service,
at St. Louis, and assigned to the command of the United States Steamer "Jenny
Lind," and was ordered to Cairo, to await the arrival of the fleet with General
Pope's troops aboard from Island No. 10. The "Jenny Lind" was detailed as
dispatch boat to the flag-ship accompanying the fleet up the Tennessee River to
Pittsburg landing. Later on he was with the fleet at Memphis. In 1863, Captain
Detweiller was transferred to the U. S. Steamer Yankee, of which he had charge
until the close of the war and was attached to the fleet at the fall of
Vicksburg. While managing the Government transports, he performed a very
important and often hazardous service. So great was the danger to which his boat
was exposed during these perilous years, that Captain Detweiller was compelled
to adopt various schemes to evade the enemy. His boat was sometimes disguised as
a gun-boat. The Yankee was never seriously injured, although often fired upon.
The last important service of his boat was to take a cargo of horses, mules and
stores valued at $250,000 from St. Louis to New Orleans. The boat was fired
upon, but the cargo was at length safely delivered in New Orleans. After the
war, Captain Detweiller was in charge of the Steamer "Beaver" until he abandoned
the river, in 1874, to give his attention exclusively to the ice business, in
which he had engaged, establishing it, in 1870, in partnership with N. L.
Woodruff. In December, 1876, he severed his connection with Mr. Woodruff, and
has conducted the business, either in his own name or under the name of the
Detweiller Ice Company ever since.
He married Magdalena Bachman, November 5, 1848, at the
home of his sister, in Woodford County, Illinois. Mrs. Detweiller was also a
native of France. Seven children were born to them, three of whom are still
living: Thomas H., Amelia M. and Matilda E. Detweiller. Mrs. Detweiller died
December 10, 1888. Her death was a severe blow to her husband, as she had been
in all respects. a helpmate. She was in her home, not only a devoted wife and
mother, but a useful member of society, kindly, charitable and helpful to all
who were in trouble or want. She was active in charitable work; connected with
the Women's Christian Home Mission and with the Women's Relief Corps, and did
her part in society and in the community.
Captain Detweiller's life has been a laborious one and
beset with quite as many of the ordinary trials of life as fall to the lot of
most men; yet through it all he has borne himself honorably and with
characteristic geniality; never has allowed himself to be despondent, gloomy or
hopeless, but in adversity, as well as prosperity, has maintained the same
genial, pleasant, kindly character, endearing him to all with whom he has come
in contact. As an evidence of the confidence of his fellow-citizens in his
integrity, he was elected six times to the office of City Treasurer, without his
seeking, and really against his personal desire.
He is a member of the Odd Fellows, and a charter member
of Bryner Post 67, G. A. R., and was, for thirteen years. President of the Old
Settlers' Association of Peoria.
He cast his first vote for General Taylor for President
in 1848, and, since the organization of the Republican party, has been an
ardent, earnest worker in that party, believing thoroughly in its principles.
During his residence of sixty-five years, he has seen
the village of Peoria develop into a beautiful city of over 65,000 inhabitants,
and he has, during all these years, contributed his full part to the growth of
the city. It may be said of him, as of very few men, that he is not known to
have an enemy in the city of Peoria or anyone who entertains aught but the
kindliest sentiments towards him. This has resulted from his genial, kindly
disposition, and his efforts to help rather than mar the fortunes of any man or
woman. If there were more like him, it would be better for the community, for
the city, for the State. He is a man of decided character, strong convictions,
tout willing that other men shall enjoy the same right and freedom of thought
and act which he claims for himself. The thought of entertaining malice never
has entered his mind. He has never known what jealousy is over the prosperity of
others, and it is as much his delight to see his friends, neighbors and
acquaintances prosper as it is to prosper himself. Such evenly balanced
characters are rare: and when we see them, we cannot refrain from expressing our
appreciation of them and our commendation of the men or women who bear them.
(Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria
County, 1902, pages 500-502, submitted by Janine Crandell)
DEWEIN, VALENTINE, whose name is still
familiar to many of the residents of Peoria, was born April 1, 1817, in
Alsace-Lorraine, then a part of France, but now included in the German
Confederation. His parents, Valentine and Margaret (Gold) Dewein, were natives
of the same Province. They were descended from the French Huguenots, who located
near the line to avoid persecution, and to enable them the more easily to
escape, if persecution came.
Frederick Dewein, grandfather of the subject of this
sketch, was the first of the family to come to America. He came, made his home
at Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, and later engaged in the manufacture of pearlash
at Chambersburg. Before coming to America he had been a Commissary in the
Eastern Division of the French Army. His son, Valentine Dewein, Sr., served
seven years in the army under Napoleon I. He came to America in 1830, locating
at Baltimore, Maryland. Afterwards he removed to McConnellsburg, Bedford County,
Pennsylvania, where he resided until 1834. He was a tailor by trade, but
subsequently engaged in the manufacture of bagging.
The subject of this sketch was educated in his native
land, and coming to America with his parents in 1830, began life here by working
upon a farm in Pennsylvania. Subsequently he was apprenticed to a shoe-maker,
and followed that trade for about thirty years. He then began dealing in
leather, shoe-findings, saddlery hardware and harness ware, and continued in
that business until 1883. He became a resident of Peoria in 1847, and engaged in
the business last named here, with a good degree of success. By his energy,
business sagacity, prudence and economy, he accumulated a fortune. He invested a
considerable sum in the erection of a business block on South Adams Street,
which still stands as an evidence of his interest in the city and his business
foresight, it being now one of the most valuable pieces of property in the city.
Mr. Dewein was interested in the construction of the
Rock Island & Peoria Railroad, which he promoted and encouraged with his time
and money. He was always interested in the building up of the city, had great
faith in its future, and was willing to put all of his savings into property
located within its borders. He was public-spirited, took an interest in politics
only so far as related to the choice of men, particularly in municipal and State
affairs. His political acts were controlled more by his knowledge of men and his
interest in securing the best men, than from any political influence or bias. He
was an ardent Union man during the War of the Rebellion, and did what he could
to aid the Union cause and alleviate the suffering of the soldiers in the field.
He was a member of the City Council, for some years, and for nine years was
Director in the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway Company, and was subsequently
Secretary and Treasurer of the Peoria & Rock Island Railway Company.
In August, 1845, he married Margaret Shafer, who was
born near Strasburg, Germany. They had seven children, only one of them
surviving, —Louis K. Dewein, of Peoria.
Mr. Dewein was an added illustration of the value of
strict business integrity in the management of his affairs. He was never
niggardly, mean or parsimonious, but was careful, prudent, economical in
business affairs, and always lived within his income, whether great or small. He
never had any desire, apparently, to make a show of his wealth, but used it for
the upbuilding of the city, and for the comfort of himself and family. He
enjoyed the respect of all who knew him, and the confidence of all dealing with
him at any time. He died, February 19, 1891. Margaret Dewein, his wife, died
April 13, 1899. (Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria
County, 1902, page 502, submitted by Janine Crandell)
DOUBET, ELEONOR; farmer; born in France, June 12, 1824, son of Joseph and Ursula Doubet, natives of France. The family came to America in 1837. The voyage to New York was by sailing vessel, which was struck by lightning in mid-ocean and several sailors killed by the bolt. Leaving New York, the family proceeded to Pittsburg and thence by boat to Cincinnati, where they took a steamboat to Louisville. The family stopped with a brother-in-law of Mr. Doubet in Kentucky, while the latter follow the course of the rivers to Peoria alone. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 31, Kickapoo Township, which he entered at the Land Office at Quincy at a dollar and a quarter an acre. Here he afterward brought his family and made settlement, where he finally died at the age of seventy-two. He was Mayor of the city of Belfort for some years before leaving France. Eleonor Doubet remained at his father's home till he was twenty-six years old, then bought eighty acres of land in Limestone township on Section 26, and has since been acquiring land, now being the owner of six hundred and eighty acres in Knox County and over four hundred in Kickapoo and Limestone townships in Peoria county. His landed property has been somewhat lessened lately by gifts to his sons. He married Harriet Slane, in Kickapoo township, January 8, 1849. She was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, April 7, 1831, the daughter of Daniel and Mahala (LaFollett) Slane, natives of Virginia. He was a carpenter and farmer and, after stopping awhile in Ohio, came to Peoria county, and bought a farm in Rosefield Township. He taught school in Ohio and also after coming to Rosefield Township, and served as fifer in the Seventy-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion. Mr. and Mrs. Doubet are the parents of 10 children, 6 of whom are now living: George Lafayette, Joseph Daniel, Eliza, Mahala Isabel, John Franklin, Charles Edward, James Henry (deceased), one who died in infancy, Rebecca R. and Delilah Frances (deceased). One daughter lives in Iowa but all the others near the old home. (Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, 1902, page 739, submitted by Janine Crandell)
DOUBET, JOSEPH; farmer; born near Belfort, France, in 1833; son of Joseph and Ursula Doubet and grandson of Joseph Doubet, the second of that name, was a man of fine education, great strength of character and skillful in politics. He was a native of Belfort, of which City he was Mayor. He left France for the United States and, accompanied by his family, settled in Kickapoo township, Peoria county, while it was yet inhabited by Indians. He was a leading Democrat and held many offices in his township. He died in 1857. Joseph, second, was but four years old when his parents came to Kickapoo Township, and his education was what the times and opportunities of sixty years ago afforded, but by hard work and good management he has acquired the ownership of a farm of five hundred acres upon which he does not owe a dollar. He married Mary Ann Marie in Kickapoo township in 1851. She was a native of Ohio, daughter of Michael and Mary Ann Smith, both natives of France. They died when their daughter was very young. She died December 13, 1894. The names of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Doubet are: Joseph, Mary, Peter, Malinda, Eliza, Julia, Cicely, Nicholas, Henry, Ida, Eddie and Emma, who died at the age of 12 years. Eleven children surviving are all married and all but one live in the vicinity of the old homestead. (Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, 1902, pages 739-740, submitted by Janine Crandell)
DOUBET, PETER; farmer; born in Kickapoo Township July 20, 1855; son of Joseph and Mary Ann Doubet, natives, respectively, of France and of Ohio. His grandfather, Joseph F. Doubet and Nicholas Marie, were both born in France. Educated in Limestone Township, Peter Doubet was brought up a farmer and is the owner of two hundred and ninety acres of good land. He is a Democrat and a member of the Catholic church. He married in Kickapoo township, in 1879, Maggie Hanlon, who was born March 6, 1863, and who was born him children, as follows: Mary, born January 16, 1881; Peter E., February 19, 1883; William H., June 10, 1885; Clarence E., May 2, 1887; David L., August 24, 1890; Arthur L., June 28, 1891; Maggie M, April 18, 1894; Carrie M., May 29, 1896; and Bertha F., May 24, 1898. (Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, 1902, page 747, submitted by Janine Crandell)
DUBUIS, OSCAR F.; Superintendent Glen Oak Park; born in Canton Vaud, Switzerland, June 15, 1849; son of John and Rosalie (Lugrin) Dubuis, natives of Vaud. The father was a professor of natural sciences and teacher in the public school. The mother's people were farmers. Oscar Dubuis graduated from the common schools and took a two years' course at the Polytechnic Institute at Winterthur, Switzerland. The succeeding four years he spent as apprentice to an architect. In 1870, he came to America and settled in Chicago and took a position as architect and first-class draughtsman with W. L. B. Jenny, Engineer of the West Park, where he remained till after the fire of 1871, when, for want of funds, the city discontinued work on the Park. After a year spent in W. L. B. Jenny's office, he was appointed Engineer and Superintendent of the West Chicago Park system, where he remained till 1893 --a term of twenty-one years. In the latter year, in common with many others, he was removed for political reasons, but soon after became Engineer of Lincoln Park, where he remained one year. In 1895 he accepted an invitation to come to Peoria, where, as Engineer and Superintendent of Parks, he has transformed wild hills and glens into beautiful parks. He was married in Chicago, December 9, 1874, to Fanny Girard, daughter of Jason Girard, a native of California. They have six children: John O., Ernest G.. Francis M., Pearl, Harry F. and George G. Mr. Dubuis is a member of the Lutheran Church. His family are Episcopalians. He is a Republican, a Mason and a member of the Elks. (Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, 1902, page 585, submitted by Janine Crandell)
DUNGAN, JOHN MILTON: Retired Grain Merchant. His great-grandfather, Captain Dungan, fought in the Revolutionary War and located in Philadelphia County, now a part of Philadelphia City. His grandfather, James Reed Dungan, was a farmer on the old homestead, where John Milton Dungan was born; Lewis H., another son, father of John M., died there. The father was a Whig in politics and was widely known over Pennsylvania in his day. He was a member of the military company. Lewis H. married Phoebe Dyer, in Philadelphia, who died at the advanced age of seventy-five years; her husband having preceded her over a score of years. There were seven children in the family. John Milton and his brother, Joseph W., came to Knox County, Illinois, when eighteen and fifteen years old, respectively. John M. settled in Peoria county in 1858. They began work on a farm, John Milton purchased one hundred and sixty acres, to which he added more, making a total of three hundred and twenty-five acres. He owned a farm in Livingston County, which he sold and went into the grain business with Burt & Danforth. The firm having sold out, he returned to farming, though for a short time only, as he again got control of the elevator and ran it until he sold out to his son, Charles Lewis, who has managed it since. He married Ellen A. Burt, daughter of Charles B. Burt, and they have one son, Charles L., the present grain-dealer at this place. The latter married Carrie Tucker, a daughter of H. C. Tucker. They have four children: Alma, Helen L., John and Teddy. Charles L. was born September 20, 1862, in Peoria County, was educated in the Brimfield High School, and farmed for a while, but in 1887 began clerking for his father and finally assumed general management of the office, of which he is now in control. In addition to being a grain-dealer, he also conducts a lumber yard, furnishing all kinds of building material. John Milton Dungan is a Republican, has been Mayor of Brimfield and a member of the Council. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and Royal Neighbors of America. His wife is an active member in the Congregational Church. (Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, 1902, page 659, submitted by Janine Crandell)
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