taining to the U. S. Since 1878 has spent much
time in Europe, and in farming and stock
growing operations in Godfrey, Illinois. Clubs:
Union League; also Piccadilly, London. Office:
163 Randolph St. Residence: 4357 Lake Av.;
also Godfrey, Madison Co., 111.
SIGNER, Fred Edmund, transportation mgr.;
b. Buffalo, N. Y., May 26, 1869; s. Charles L.
and Lena M. (Habig) Signer; ed. Buffalo pub-
lic schools until 1882; m. Chicago, Feb. 27,
1895, Lyle Wiltshire; children: Marjorie,
Dorothy. After filling various minor positions
in Buffalo was clerk (1 year) of Buffalo, New
York & Philadelphia Ry., Buffalo, to June,
1887; clerk Chicago & Atlantic Ry., Chicago,
to Dec., 1887; S. Pac. Ry., Los Angeles, Calif.,
to Nov., 1888; C. & A. R. R., Chicago, to Mar.,
1889; clerk Wabash R. R., Chicago, until Apr.,
189S; Board of Trade representative same road
until May, 1900; agent Wabash & Lackawanna
Despatch until Apr., 1902; gen. freight and pas-
senger agent Chicago, Cincinnati & Louisville
R. R. until Aug., 1903; since then mgr. Lehigh
& Wabash Despatch. Office: Ellsworth Bldg.
Residence: 1218 Pratt Av.
SIKES, George Gushing', journalist; b. Dodge
Center, Minn., June 4, 1868; s. H. C. and
Eleanor (Shepard) Sikes; grad. Univ. of Minn.,
1892; Univ. of Chicago, Ph.M., 1894 (fellow);
m. Feb. 6, 1897, Madeleine, daughter Alfred
Wallin (then chief justice North Dakota Su-
preme Court). Learned printers' trade; was
one time pres. Minneapolis Typographical
Union; did newspaper work in Minneapolis
and Chicago; 5 years editorial writer on Chi-
cago Record, dealing especially with municipal
and labor topics; resigned and was 2 years
sec. Chicago St. Ry. commission; asst. sec.
Municipal Voters' League, Chicago, since Jan.
1, 1903; special student of municipal ques-
tions. Has written extensively on municipal
problems. Club: Press. Office: 228 Clark St.
Residence: 215 Jackson Park Terrace.
SILBERMAN, Aclolpk, wool and fur; b.
Rockenhausen, Ger., Oct. 2, 1853; s. Heinrich
and Amelia (Adler) Silberman; ed. public
schools in Germany; came to U. S., 1870; m.
Rock Island, 111., Mar. 10, 1891, Clara Rosen-
field; 2 children: Heinrich R., Charles Adolph.
Lived in Quincy, 111., 1870-6; resident of
Ottumwa, la., 1876-85, coming thence to Chi-
cago, 1885; has been a mem. of the firm of
Silberman Bros, since 1871. Republican. Mason;
mem. lodge and chapter in Ottumwa, la. Dir.
of the Chicago Home for Jewish Orphans.
Club: Standard. Office: 124 Michigan St. Resi-
dence: 4738 Grand Boul.
SILBERMAN, Ferdinand, wool and fur; b.
Rockenhausen, Bavaria, Ger., June 17, 1842; s.
Heinrich and Amelia Silberman; ed. public
schools in Germany; m. Quincy, 111., May 23,
1871, Fannie Kingsbaker; children: Cecelia,
Selma. Came to U. S. in 1864 and has ever
since been engaged in the trade in wool and
furs; was at Quincy, 111., in that line, 1866-80;
removed to Chicago, 1880; a mem. of Silber-
man Bros. Republican. Mason. Office: 122-128
Michigan St. Residence: 4943 Grand Boul.
SILBERMAN, Sigmund, wool and fur; b.
Rockenhausen, Bavaria, Ger., June 20, 1851; s.
Heinrich and Amelia Silberman; ed. public
schools in Bavaria; came to U. S., 1870, set-
tling in Quincy, 111.; m. Quincy, 111., May 15,
1883, Mary Levy; children: Beulah, Hubert,
David, Helen, Louise, Joseph D. Entered the
wool and fur business with his brother, Fer-
dinand, at Quincy, in 1870; removed to Chica-
go, 18S6, and has since been a mem. of the
firm of Silberman Bros. Republican. Mason.
Club: Standard. Office: 122-128 Michigan St.
Residence: 3606 Vernon Av.
SILK, Albert Edward, merchant; b. New
York, Mar. 17, 1860; s. W. N. and Elizabeth
Bowles Silk; ed. Detroit (Mich.) High School;
m. Detroit, July 28, 1885, Mary E. Joy. Began
business career as salesman, later becoming
supt. of agencies in Middle West for the
Jewell Belting Co., and since Jan., 1903, mgr.
western branch of Jewell Belting Co., of
Hartford, Conn.; also mgr. for Voorhees Rub-
ber Mfg. Co., manufacturers of mechanical
Rubber Goods, and for E. F. Houghton & Co.,
oils and greases. Independent Republican. Lib-
eral in religion. Clubs: Chicago Athletic,
Midlothian; Toledo (Toledo, O.), Detroit Golf.
Office: 175 E. Lake St. Residence: 1143 E.
55th St.
SILK, Edward Everett, sec. and gen. mgr.
The Holland Co.; b. Davenport, la., May 28,
1874; s. Robert J. and Kathrine Silk; ed. pub-
lic schools and in Purdue Univ., Indiana, in
course in railway mechanical engineering.
Served time in machine shops and was em-
ployed at the Government Arsenal, Rock Is-
land, 111., before entering college. After leav-
ing college was connected with the Central
R. R. of New Jersey in motive power dept.,
and later for 3 years associate editor of the
Am. Engineer and Railroad Journal, New
York; then 2 years Western mgr. of the O. M.
Edwards Co., and now sec. and gen. mgr. of
The Holland Co., manufacturers and jobbers
of railway supplies. Presbyterian. Mem. Sigma
THE BOOK OF CHICAGOANS
529
Nu fraternity. Clubs: Western Railway; also
Railroad (New York). Office: 77-83 Jackson
Boul.
SILSBEE, Joseph Lyman, architect; b.
Salem, Mass., Nov. 25, 1848; s. William and
Charlotte (Lyman) Silsbee; ed. Phillips Exeter
Acad., 1865; Harvard College, A.B., 1869; also
special studies in Massachusetts Institute of
Technology; m. Syracuse, N. Y., June 5, 1875,
Anna B. Sedgwick; children: Charlotte (Mrs.
Francis Drexel Smith), Margaret (Mrs. Prank
E. Wade), Joseph L., Jr., Ralph, Gladys, Anna,
Deborah. Republican. Clubs: University, Edge-
water, Glen View. Office: 115 Dearborn. Resi-
dence: 1328 Hollywood Av.
SILVERMAN, Lazarus, retired banker and
real estate operator; b. Oberschwarcach, Ba-
varia, Ger., Feb. 28, 1830; s. Samson and
Shalah (Rice) Silverman; ed. common schools
until age of 19, when came to U. S. ; went to
Sumter Co., Ala., and engaged in mercantile
business, 1849-53; since 1853 a resident of Chi-
cago; m. Louisville, Ky., Apr. 12, 1859, Hannah,
daughter of Benjamin Sachs; 4 children, of
whom only 1 daughter, Shalah, is now living.
First business experience as peddler in South-
ern States, from one plantation to another,
thus accumulating some capital. Began operat-
ing in real estate, 1853, and added banking,
1856. Advanced large sums at beginning of
Civil War for the equipment of troops for the
TJnion cause, and equipped a regiment at his
own expense. Went to Washington, D. C., 1873,
and submitted to U. S. Senator John Sherman
a plan for the resumption of specie payment
by the government. The plan was adopted by
Congress and known as the "Sherman Bill."
Lost heavily in the fire of 1871, but opened his
own house on Calumet Av. and built temporary
structure also for the shelter of the homeless
and destitute; bought all the flour he could
in Chicago and hired bakers, and in that man-
ner supplied bread to all families who could
be reached, and making large gratuitous dis-
tributions of food. Retired from active bank-
ing business in 1893. One of the dirs. in the
Minnesota Iron Co., which was the nucleus of
the Federal Steel Co., recently merged into
the U. S. Steel Co. Pres. Hope Iron Land Co.,
North Star Iron Co., 63-12 Iron Co., Enterprise
Iron Co., Oriental Granite and Iron Co.; dir. %
J. Romberg & Son, of New York. Republican.
Club: Lakeside. Office: 108 LaSalle St. Resi-
dence: 2213 Calumet Av.
SILVERTHORNE, Georg-e Morrill, secretary
Western Felt Works; b. Chicago, Feb. 1, 1877;
s. A. D. and Frances (Hodgkins) Silverthorne;
ed. Chicago public schools; Michigan Military
Acad.; Northwestern Univ. Law School; m.
Riverside, 111., Oct. 31, 1903, Edith Hellyer.
Began business career in the felt mfg. busi-
ness in 1898, joining in the organization of
the Western Felt Works, manufacturers of
harness and clothing felts, of which company
is sec. Was capt. Co. A, 161st Ind. Vol. Infy. ;
saw service in Cuba for 5 months during Span-
ish-Am. War; was stationed at Havana. Epis-
copalian. Club: Riverside Golf. Office: W. 41st
Av., cor. Ogden Av. Residence: Riverside, 111.
SIMMON'S, Francis Tolles, importer kid
gloves; b. Little Compton, R. I., Sept. 8, 1855;
s. Albert H. and Sarah J. (Tolles) Simmons;
direct descendant John and Priscilla Alden;
ed. public schools and Burr & Burton Acad.;
m. Chicago, 1883, Hattie Northam Bush; chil-
dren: William Bush, Kathryn Elizabeth. Be-
gan business life in Boston; came to Chicago,
1881, representing the Crosby Steam Gage &
Valve Co. until 1893, when he went into busi-
ness as mem. of Bush, Simmons & Co.; now
sec. and treas. Francis T. Simmons Co., im-
porters and jobbers of kid gloves; also sec.
and dir. William H. Bush & Co. Republican.
Presbyterian. Lincoln Park Commissioner
since 1901. Mem. Nat. Assn. of Credit Men.
Mem. and vice-pres. S. A. R. ; mem. of and first
pres. in Chicago of ward organization of the
Civic Federation; mem. Royal Arcanum;
formerly dir. of the Marquette Club. Clubs:
Union League, City. Office: 188-190 Market St.
Residence: 8 Gordon Terrace.
SIMMONS, George H., physician, surgeon;
b. England, Jan. 2, 1853; s. George and Sarah
Louise (Clifford) Simmons; came to U. S.,
1870; preliminary education in England; also
studied at Tabor College, la., 1871-2; Univ. of
Nebraska, 1872-6; grad. Hahnemann Med. Col-
lege, Chicago, 1882; Rush Med. College, Chica-
go, 1892; L. M. Rotunda Hosp., Dublin, 1884;
honorary A.M., Tabor College (la.), 1899; in
Europe, 1883-4; studied in Dublin, Ireland,
Birmingham and London, Eng., and Vienna,
Austria. Established at Lincoln, Neb.; ex-sec.
Nebraska State Med. Soc., ex-sec. Western
Surgical and Gynecological Assn. Editor and
gen. mgr. of the Journal of the Am. Med.
Assn., and gen. sec. of the Am. Med. Assn.
Club: University. Office: 103 Dearborn Av.
Residence: 1672 Kenmore Av.
SIMMS, Stephen Chapman, asst. curator of
ethnology Field Columbian Museum since Mar.,
1894; b. Georgetown, D. C., Mar. 22, 1864; s.
Joseph Libbey and Rosa Margaret (Edmon-
ston) Simms; ed. private school, Georgetown,
D. C.; m. Washington, Apr. 23, 1891, Margaret
Elizabeth, daughter late Ephraim Whitlock,
pres. Board of Education, Brooklyn. Reporter,
corr., asst. managing editor, 1884-90; asst. sec.
and charge d'affaires, dept. foreign affairs,
World's Columbian Exposition, 1891-4; Royal
Portuguese vice-consul, Chicago, since 1892;
made -representative of late Sultan of Johore,
Straits Settlement, during World's Columbian
Exposition; was asst. curator of industrial
arts, Field Columbian Museum, Chicago, prior
to 1894; was ethnologist in charge of the divi-
sion of ethnology, dept. of anthropology, St.
Louis Exposition, 1904. Address: 476 Kenwood
Terrace.
SIMON, Charles William; b. Hudson, N. Y.,
Apr. 30, 1854; s. George and Catherine
(Dietz) Simon; ed. common school and at Al-
bany Acad., Albany, N. Y. ; has lived in Chicago
since 1875; was cashier and mgr. for Perry &
Co., wholesale stoves, until 1888; mem. Ehman
& Simon Mfg. Co., 1889-96; and since then has
devoted entire attention to the business of the
Interior Wood Working Co. (established Jan.
1, 1893), wood mantels, tiles, mosaics, etc., of
which he is pres. Lutheran. Mem. Germania
Mannerchor, Ancient Order of Aztecs, North
Chicago Bowling Assn. Office: 296 Wabash Av.
Residence: 1715 Barry Av.
SIMON, Robert Matthew; b. Chicago, Feb.
17, 1866; s. Simon and Ann Elizabeth Simon;
grad. Lake View High School, 1883; m. Chi-
cago, 1895, Nellie Frances Ceperly. Began busi-
ness life in 1883 as shipping clerk; elected col-
lector of Lake View, 1894; elected recorder of
deeds of Cook Co., 1896, re-elected in 1900.
Mem. of the Republican County Central Com-
mittee since 1896, and was its sec. in the cam-
paign of 1898. One of the founders of the
Ravenswood Historical Soc. and of the
Ravenswood Public Library. Republican; mem.
State Board of Equalization, 10th Congres-
sional District. Supt for Cook Co. of re-
writing and making abstract books. Clubs:
Chicago Athletic, Ravenswood. Residence: 2561
N. Ashland Av.
SIMONDS, Edwin Franklin, mgr.; b. Fitch-
burg, Mass., Oct. 22, 1849; s. Abel and Jane
(Todd) Simonds; ed. public schools, Fitch-
burg, Mass., and Worcester (Mass.) Poly-
technic Institute, graduating as mechanical
engineer, 1873; m. Columbiana, O., Jan. 12,
1882, Myra C. Flaugher; children: Edith I.,
Earl E. ; mgr. Chicago branch Simonds Mfg.
Co. (saws) since 1880. Republican. Congrega-
tionalist. Mem. New England Soc. of Chicago.
Club: Union League, Office: 17th St. and West-
ern Av.
530
THE BOOK OF CfilCAGOANS
SIMONS, Franklin P., lawyer; b. New York
City. Sept. 18, 1853; s. Nelson P. and Hen-
rietta (Height) Simons; left motherless at age
of 2, and an orphan at 7, without any means
except his native courage; sold papers, blacked
boots and did what he could for a living; at-
tended school whenever possible; went to Au-
rora, N. Y. f at 16, and was aided by E. B.
Morgan and E. B. Wells, of that place, to se-
cure educational advantages; after 2 years of
general study took up study of law during
the leisure hours left from other duties; came
to Chicago, 1872, continued his studies and
was admitted to Illinois bar, 1878; m. at Bat-
tle Creek, Mich., 1884, Emily Hubbard; chil-
dren: Harriett H., Erskine Phelps. In general
practice of law since 1878 in Chicago; during
earlier years of professional life had nu-
numerous important criminal cases, including
the Gary murder case in 1878 and the case, in
same year, of Mark Gray, for attempting to
assassinate Edwin Booth, the famous Shakes-
pearian actor; has for many years confine's
himself to civil cases, and settled many impor-
tant questions of law now regarded as leading
precedent cases of Illinois. Has worked his way
up to higher order of Masonic fraternity.
Mem. Royal Arcanum. Office: Atwood Bldg.,
132 Clark St. Residence: 6629 Yale Av.
SIMONS, Joseph, grain commission; b. Bris-
tol, Eng., June 29, 1866; s. Lewis and Jane
(Jacobs) Simons; came to Chicago with par-
ents in childhood; ed. public schools of Chi-
cago; m. Chicago, Nov. 12, 1900, Carrie K.
Klrschner; children: Alexander, Raymond,
Rayner, Lewis, Grace. Messenger boy for E.
A. Bigelow, grain commission, and later in
employ of O. H. Roche, as settling clerk; then
a mem. of the firm of Gulick, Simons & Co.,
and on May 1, 1903, succeeded to the business
as sole proprietor, under firm name of J.
Simons & Co. Mem. of the Chicago Board of
Trade. Independent in politics. Office: Board
of Trade Bldg. Residence: 200 S. Willow Av.,
Austin, 111.
SIMONSON, Roger Allen, pres. Roger A.
Simonson & Co.; b. Newark, N. J., Jan. 26,
1875; s. Rev. George Allen and Emeline
(Clarke) Simonson; ed. public schools, New-
ark, N. J., 1881-3; Woburn, Mass., 1883-4; St.
Charles, 111., 1884-8; E. St. Charles (111.) High
School, 1888-92; grad., 1892, extension course
of Univ. of Chicago; m. Chicago, Nov. 18,
1902, Edith, daughter of John H. Byrne, M.D.
Was employed in Marshall Field & Co.'s
wholesale store, 1892-4; in Library Bureau,
1894-1901; on Aug. 10, 1901, organized Roger
A. Simonson & Co., of which he is pres., en-
gaging in the manufacture and installation of
fittings and furnishings for banks, libraries,
court-houses and business offices, in steel and
hardwood. Republican. Baptist. Mem. Illinois
Manufacturers' Assn., Chicago Credit Men's
Assn. Clubs: Berwyn Republican, Berwyn Fel-
lowship. Office: 135 Adams St. Residence: Ber-
wyn, 111.
SIMPSON, Grover Benjamin, supt. Wells,
Fargo & Co. Express: b. near Ft. Yamhill, Ore.,
Feb. 28, 1858; s. Hon. Bejamin and Nancy
(Cooper) Simpson; ed. at Willamette Univ.,
Salem, Ore.; m. The Dalles, Ore., Nov. 26,
1885, Alma C. Beezley; children: Dudley E.,
Burney J. In surveyor general's office at Port-
land, Ore., 1872-7; since 1877 in service of
Wells, Fargo & Co. Express, beginning as mes-
senger and later agent at Spokane Falls,
Wash., then consecutively agent at Tacoma,
Wash.; route agent at Portland, Ore.; route
agent at San Antonio, Tex.; asst. supt. and
agent at Helena, Mont. ; agent at Denver, Colo. ;
general agent at Kansas City; supt. at Omaha,
Neb., 1892, then at St. Louis, Mo., and since
Jan. 1, 1899, at Chicago. Republican. Mason.
Office: Hartford Bldg. Residence: 5535 Madi-
son Av.
SIMPSON, Marcus X>. L., brevet maj.-gen.
and brig.-gen. U. S. A.; retired 1888; b. Esper-
ance, Schoharie Co., N. Y., Aug. 28, 1824; grad.
West Point, 1846; m. Sept. 29, 1892, Clara B.
Barnum. Served in Mexico; brevetted lieut.
and capt. for gallantry, 1847; at various posts
as q. m. and commissary, 1848-61; chief com-
missary, Dept. of Pacific, 1859-61; served in
commissary gen.'s office during Civil War, at-
taining brevet rank of maj.-gen. ; after war
div. chief commissary until retired as col. Ad-
dress: Riverside, 111.
SINGER, Berthold, consul, patent atty. ; b.
Jaszberfiny, Hungary, Nov. 23, 1860; s. Maxi-
milian and Fanny (Kopperl) Singer; ed. gym-
nasium in Hungary; at Univ. of Budapest,
1880-2, and at University of Berlin, 1882-4;
m. Berlin, Ger., July 16, 1885, Anna Ebner;
children: Fay, Albert, Alexander, Ada. Came
to U. S., 1884, and to Chicago, 1889. Since
1899 consul of Spain, Cuba and Costa Rica in
Chicago. Club: Illinois. Office: Security Bldg.
Residence: 692 Washington Boul.
SINGLETON, Shelby Mag-offin, sec. and atty.
of Citizens' Assn. of Chicago; b. Alexandria,
Va,, May 2, 1867; s. William F. and Gertrude
(Magoffin) Singleton (grandson of Beriah Ma-
goffln, war gov. of Kentucky, and great-graiid-
son of Gen. Isaac Shelby, first gov. of Ken-
tucky; attended Evanston High School, 1884-
1887; Northwestern Univ., 1887-8; Northwest-
ern Law School, graduating LL.B. in 1892, as
valedictorian in class of 80 mem.; m. Evans-
ton, 111., June 6, 1893, Olive Mary Finley; chil-
dren: Shelby Magoffin, Jr., Mary Eleanor,
Elizabeth Anne. Practiced law, 1892-4; in
charge Chicago Law Institute Library, largest
law library in the West, 1895-6; on staff of
Chicago Inter Ocean, 1896-1901; Sunday editor
Milwaukee Sentinel, 1901-2; political editor
Chicago Record-Herald, 1902-3; sec. Citizens'
Assn. of Chicago since May, 1903. Mem. Phi
Delta Phi (legal fraternity), and the Delta
Upsilon college fraternity, and was first vice-
pres. of nat. organization of Delta Upsilon.
1904. Methodist. Clubs: City, Ouilmette Coun-
try. Office: 92 LaSalle St. Residence: 809 Lake
Av., Wilmette, 111.
SITTS, Lewi D., sec. McGregor Machinery
Co.; b. Caughdenoy, N. Y., July 20, 1858; s.
George H. and Eliza (Waltz) Sitts; ed., 1864-
1878, in Washington School, Chicago, grad-
uating, 1878. Began business life in 1878 in
employ of H. P. Stanley Co., wholesale fruit
dealers, with whom was employed for 26
years. In 1904 bought an interest, with
brother, Frank Sitts, in firm now known as
McGregor Machinery Co., of which is now sec.
Republican; was delegate to Nat. Republican
Convention, 1904; elected, 1903, and re-elected,
1905, alderman from "17th Ward of Chicago.
Mason: Hesparia Lodge, 411; Washington
Chapter, No. 43, R. A. M., Chicago Command-
ery, No. 19, K. T. Mem. Phil. Sheridan Coun-
cil, Royal League. Office: 39 W. Washington
St. Residence: 440 Grand Av.
SKEELE, Henry Blodjfett; b. Hollo well, Me.,
Aug. 21, 1852; s. John P. and Elizabeth (Blod-
gett) Skeele; grad. high school, Hartford,
Conn.; m. Elmhurst, 111., May 20, 1890, Edith
Elizabeth Case; children: John, Elizabeth. Was
employed in Connecticut Valley R. R. office,
1871-6; with Toledo, Peoria & Western and
Wabash railroads at Peoria, 111., Chicago, and
Des Moines, la., 1876-84; went into mfg. and
commercial life, 1885; organized the Ludowici
Roofing Tile Co., 1892, and since then has re-
mained at its head as pres. Republican. Pres-
byterian. Clubs: Union League; also City (New
York), Oglethorpe, Savannah Yacht, Savan-
nah Golf (Savannah, Ga.) Office: Chamber of
Commerce. Residence: Savannah, Ga.
SKEIiTON, Leonard Lawsne, physician and
surgeon; b. Elizabeth, 111., July 18, 1863; s.
William D. and Elizabeth L. (Lawshe) Skel-
ton; ed. Evanston, 111., public and high
THE BOOK OF CHICAGOANS
531
schools, graduating 1880; Northwestern Univ.,
A.B., 1885, A.M., 1887; Chicago Med. College,
M.D., 1889; interne Mercy Hosp., 1889-90; asst.
physician Illinois Eastern Hosp. for the In-
sane, Kankakee, 111., 1890-1; m. Appleton,
Wis., June 1, 1893, Antoinette Juergens; 1 son:
Leonard "William. In practice of medicine in
Chicago since 1892. Prof, physiology, 1894-
1900, and of clinical medicine, 1896-1900,
Northwestern Univ. Women's Med. College;
prof, of physiology, Chicago College of Dental
Surgery since 1892; prof, of internal medi-
cine, Chicago Clinical School, since 1900; prof,
of nervous and mental diseases, Illinois Med.
College since 1901. Mem. Chicago Med. Soc.,
Am. Med. Assn. and of Therapeutic Club of
Chicago. Writer of several articles on nervous
and mental subjects and on general medicine
in med. publications; lectures on nervous
physiology, evolution, etc. Independent in poli-
tics. Methodist. Mason (32); Shriner. Mem.
Delta Upsilon, Northwestern Univ. Office: 70
State St. Residence: 42 Seeley Av.
SKIFF, Frederick James Volney, museum
director, exposition mgr. ; b. Chicopee, Mass.,
Nov. 5, 1851; s. James Martin and Angeline
C. (Winchell) Skiff; ed. Springfield, Mass., and
Brooklyn; m. June 3, 1876, Mary R., daughter
Dr. Otis Everett French, of Garnett, Kan. En-
gaged in journalism; removed to Kansas,
1870, in newspaper work, Lawrence, Kan.,
1870-7; on staff Denver Tribune, 1877, and ad-
vanced until he became its mgr. Mem. Colo,
legislature, 1885-6; appointed, 1889, commis-
sioner of immigration and statistics for Colo-
rado; prepared exhibits resources of Colorado
at Chicago Exposition, 1889, St. Louis Expo-
sition, 1890; appointed, 1890, by President Har-
rison, mem. World's Columbian Commission;
chairman committee mines and mining, same;
also appointed by act of legislature, 1891,
mem. Colorado State Board, Columbian Fair
Mgrs. ; chief dept. mines and mining, 1891-3,
and deputy dir. gen., 1892-3, World's Colum-
bian Exposition. Dir. Field Columbian Mu-
seum, Chicago, since 1894. Assisted in organ-
izing and became mem. jury of awards, Nash-
ville (Tenn.) Exposition, 1897; dir.-in-chief U.
S. exhibits, Paris Exposition, 1898-1901; dir.
of exhibits, La. Purchase Exposition, 1901-5.
Received bronze medal from France and gold
medal from Germany at Columbian Exposi-
tion; commander LSgion d'Honneur, France,
1904, Leopold, Belgium, 1904, Crown, Italy,
1904, etc. Mem. Am. Inst. Mining Engineers,
International Mus. Assn. of Eng., Nat. Educa-
tional Assn., Nat. Geog. Soc., A. A. A. S., etc.
Address: Field Columbian Mus., Chicago.
SKINNEB, Edward McGinnis, gen. mgr. of
Wilson Bros.; b. Boston, Mass., Sept. 4, 1864;
s. Otis A. and Martha (McGinnis) Skinner; ed.
public schools; m. Chicago, July 5, 1893,
Carolyn Caldwell. Began business life as mes-
senger in the wholesale store of Field, Leiter
& Co., in 1881, remaining with that house until
1892, when went with Cluett, Coon & Co., in
charge of their credit dept., 1892-6; since 1896
with Wilson Bros., first as credit man and
since 1901 as gen. mgr. and a dir. One of or-
ganizers, then dir. and 1 year pres. of the
Chicago Credit Men's Assn.; 1st vice-pres. of
the Chicago Commercial Assn. Republican.
Clubs: Union League, Exmoor Country, City.
Office: 332 5th Av. Residence: 3813 Forest Av.
SKINNER, Oeorgre Rockwell, woolens; b.
Cambridge, N. Y., Sept. 13, 1856; s. Cortland
and Rhoda (Sherman) Skinner; ed. public
schools of Cambridge, N. T. ; Salem (N. Y.)
Acad., and the State Univ. of Iowa. Employed
by Daniels & Fisher, Denver, Colo., as sales-
man and buyer of dry goods, 1877-87; since
1887 in present business as partner in firm of
Skinner Bros., of which he is now pres. Re-
publican. Clubs: Union League, Washington
Park. Office: 180-186 Market St. Residence:
Union League Club.
SLACK, Charles Henry, grocer; b. Columbia,
Lancaster Co., June 24, 1839; s. John and
Patience (Appold) Slack; ed. public schools
of Columbia, Pa., to 1854; studied mechanical
engineering and entered employ of locomotive
works in Lancaster, Pa., as mechanical engi-
neer; m. Chicago, June 24, 1873, Harriet Faber;
Entered U. S. N. as 3d asst. engineer, 1861;
promoted to 2d asst. engineer, then 1st asst.
engineer; served on Hartford at battles of Mo-
bile Bay, Ft. Jackson and St. Philip, and on
Albatross at battle of Port Hudson; resigned
from navy, 1868; engaged as mechanical engi-
neer for S. P. R. R. ; went to Omaha; later