Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-03-25

mayor. Rock Island, it may be re-
peated. set the example rs between the
two cities in this respect. when
T homas j. Medill. Jr., was selected
to lead the peoples movement for
reform and progress in municipal
affairs.
Grown Up in the Community.
I. j. Medill. Jr., has grown up in
the community. Born at what i
now Milan. March 10. 1859, his par
ents are among the pioneers OF Rock
Island county, and he inherited Il
family name that is known and re
spected all over the county. From
the time he was 9 until he reached
the age of IL. his parents lived upon
a farm in Bowling township. and
there the boy learned the practical
lessons of industry, which have
proven so valuable to him in his
Young manhood. The family later
moving back to Milan. and for seven
years Tom worked at paper making
in the old Milan paper mill. learning
the trade.
In 1854 he accepted an offer from a
northern firm to 90 south and super
intend the putting in Of waterworks
in a numb Der of southern cities. Here
he demonstrated his business knowl-
edge and iudgment,and at the end of
his contract with the company.
though pressed to continue in its ser
vice, he determined to return to Rock
Island county and eventually become
identified with Rock Island. Being
averse to remaining idle for minute
he went into the employ of the Black
Hawk Paper company. while COM
pleting arrangements to cast his lot
with Rock Island. In the spring of
1855. the real estate firm of Medill X
Whitehead was formed and from that
time Mr.. Medill's energies and abili-
ties have been enlisted in Rock Isl
and's behalf.
Actively Identified With the City.
The firm which succeeded from the
first. afterward became known as Me
dill, Whitehead & Matthews. the lat
ter two members afterward retiring |
to engage in business and apply their
talents elsewhere. Mr.. Medill. how
ever. preferring to carry out his or
Island. From the first he took an
active interest in all that pertained to
the ci;y's growth and upbuilding.
He was one of the promoters of the
Rock Island Citizens Improvement
association, and in recognition of
what he had done to that end was
hOnored with being selected its first
secretary, and reelected at the eXpira-
ton of his term, and again urged to
continue in the office. but business re-
possibilities which had been rapidly
increasing about him, compelled his
declination.
AS secretary OF the association he
laid the foundation for some of the
most popular public improvements
that that body brought forth. the
matter of pavements being among
other enterprises which that associa-
ton brought up and to which it lent
it's cooperation with the council in
furthering.
In 1897 Mr.. Medill became one of
the organizers of the Black Hawk
Homestead Building association,
which like other similar organiza-
tions has proven n boon in assist
ing people of moderate means to ac-
qu1re homes and permanent ldentifi-
cation with the welfare of the CITY.
Mr.. Medill was chosen as the first
secretary of the Black Hawk associa-
ton, position he has continued to
hold.
Candidate to be Proud of
The record of Mr.. Medill's life so
far is one to be proud of, and his par
~ has every reason to be proud of his
While he has been a DEM
ocrat all his life. and has always tax