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HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
proficiency in the use of the German language, as well as a, general insight into European laws and customs. In 1885, after returning from Europe, he at once engaged in the active practice of his profession, entering into partnership with Henry B. Willis as the junior member of the law firm of Willis & Healy, his partner subsequently becoming one of the present Judges of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit of the State of Illinois. After the dissolution of the firm, Mr. Healy continued in the active practice of his profession until the month of February, 1903, when he was elected Judge of the City Courts of Elgin and Aurora, thereby achieving a signal victory as the result of a very spirited and exciting contest for this office. In addition to the discharge of his judicial duties in the two cities comprising his district, he has also been frequently called to the City of Chicago to assist in disposing of the causes on the dockets of the courts of Cook County, where his ability as a jurist has received the fullest recognition and the highest commendation, both by the judiciary and the members of the bar of that city. As a business man he has been both prosperous and progressive, having in conjunction with the practice of the law also devoted considerable attention to various commercial enterprises in which he has been exceptionally successful, as his many and extensive property investments in the City of Elgin and elsewhere fully attest. Conspicuous among these investments, as one of the instances of his building enterprises, is the Healy-Egan Block in the City of Elgin, modeled and equipped under his direction, in which are located his commodious and neatly appointed law offices, which in design and finish are the finest in the county, and which are also furnished with a carefully selected and valuable library; and in these pleasant quarters, when not engaged in the more arduous duties of his position, Judge Healy may be found at home, always ready to extend a cordial welcome to his friends.
HARRY DWIGHT HEMMENS. manufacturer and newspaper publisher, Elgin, Ill., was born in the city where he now resides in 1858, and received his educational training in the city schools. He began reportorial work on the "Bluff City," the first daily paper published in Elgin, in 1878, and was later connected with Chicago and New York newspapers until 1882, for a time being financial editor of the New York "Journal," when he returned to Elgin, and in company with William P. Doherty, founded the "Daily and Weekly Courier." For several years prior to 1903, he was editor and sole proprietor of this publication; but at the beginning of the latter year the "Courier Publishing Company" was organized, and to it Mr. Hemmens turned over his newspaper property, and retired from its editorship, but has retained an interest in the establishment and is acting as President of the corporation. He was appointed postmaster of Elgin by President McKinley in 1898, and reappointed by President Roosevelt in 1902. In politics he is a Republican.
HARRY G. HEMPSTEAD, attorney, St. Charles, Ill.; born in Chicago, Feb. 22, 1871; obtained his preliminary education in the public schools of Chicago and St. Charles, and later took a course in law at Ann Arbor and the Northwestern University; admitted to the bar in 1893; was city attorney for St. Charles one term; married in 1897 to Georgia E. Osgood.
PROSPER HEMPSTEAD, manager telephone lines, St. Charles, Kane County, Ill.; born in Williamstown, Oswego County, N. Y., July 7, 1838, son of William C. and Jennette (Putnam) Hempstead; obtained his education in an academy at Pulaski, N. Y., and was trained to merchandising in his native State, and has been more or less identified with mercantile pursuits during his business career. In 1855 he went to Minnesota, where he remained until 1861, when he came to Chicago and became connected with the famous Western Dry-Goods House, then conducted by the late Potter Palmer, remaining with this firm and its successors for many years, but was later associate! with Mr. Palmer in the management of the Palmer House in Chicago. In 1886 he established his home at St. Charles, where he has since resided. He became manager of the Chicago Telephone Company's lines in the Fox River Valley in 1899. In political views Mr. Hempstead is a Democrat; has served as City Clerk and Justice of the Peace, and has taken an active part in the conduct of municipal affairs. In 1867 he was married to Miss Helen H. Garner, daughter of Mrs. Sarah Garner.
