M. X. CHUSE, Bloomington; was born in Switzerland in 1831; when he was but 14 years old, he, with his parents, emigrated to America, landing in New York City; thence to Albany, N. Y., and from there West to St. Louis; here Mr. Chuse was working on a farm at Jefferson Barracks about four months; then to Centerville, St. Clair Co., Ill., farming a short time; he also commenced to learn his trade of harness-maker; he returned to St. Louis and finished learning his tra de there; and, about this time, was Mr. Chuse's first experience in the Fire Department; in 1845. he ran with the Washington Fire Co., No. 2; when he became of age, he joined Liberty, No. 6; this was about 1849. In 1850, he moved to Bloomington, which has been his home ever since he commenced at his trade as harness-maker; from this, he managed to save money, and carried on a very extensive business; he also was engaged in the wholesale saddlery, harness and leather business, the firm being Chuse & Risser. Twenty-five years ago, Mr. Chuse rang the first fire bell to call a meeting to organize a Fire Department, and ever since then, he has been connected with the Fire Department; he was first a pipeman, then assistant foreman, then foreman, and chief engineer; to-day Bloomington has probably one of the best regulated Fire Departments for a town of its size in the country. Mr. Chuse is also Superintendent of the Water Works, which has the stand-pipe system, with a stand-pipe 210 feet high, perhaps the tallest in the State; Mr. Chuse superintended the building of the Water Works, from the time they were first started until their completion. Such is a short sketch of Mr. Chuse, one of the best known and most respected men of Bloomington.

J. R. CLARK, 'bus line; Bloomington; another line of business that should be a pride to the citizens of Bloomington, is a thoroughly reliable 'bus line. This business is represented by Messrs. McBean & Clark. Mr. J. R. Clark, the junior member of the firm and subject of this sketch, is a native of the State of New York. In 1862, he enlisted in the 6th N. Y. I. B., spending three years of his life in the service of his country. The many hardships he passed through during his army life, can only be thoroughly understood by those who have passed a similar experience. In 1866, he came West and spent a short time in Dubuque, Iowa, and Chicago. In 1867, he came to Bloomington, and entered the employ of the U. S. and A. M. Express Cos.. which situation he held for eight years. May 6, 1871, he married Miss Alice McKisson, who was a native of Bloomington. In 1875, he first engaged in his present line of business, the firm then being McKisson & Clark; this partnership lasting but about one year, he then selling out to Mr. McKisson and again entering the employ of the Express Cos., though this time he remained with them but a short time; then in company with Mr. McBean buying the 'bus line which they are now running. They have met every demand of the public in their line. They now have on the line 3 'busses, 6 hacks, 2 baggage and 1 mail wagon; they keep 26 head of horses at their barns, which are located on East st., bet. Grove and Olive, and, during the 24 hours make 18 trains. By their courteous and gentlemanly treatment of their customers and the traveling public, they have established a good business. Their promptness in attending calls during all kinds of weather, the neatness and cleanliness of their vehicles, must insure them success in the future as they have had in the past.

W. G. COCHRANE, confectioner; Bloomington; the success of W. G. Cochrane, the "Candyman," is a fair demonstration of what can be done by energy, industry and a close attention to business. He is a native of Plymouth, N. H. In 1863, he came West, after having served a term of enlistment in the war of the rebellion; his first location in the West was in Chicago, where he remained seven years, engaged in the confectionary business; five years of this time he was in company with C. W. Sanford. In 1870, he came to Blooomington, and engaged in his present business; his establishment is located at No. 218 North Center st.; the building being 22 feet front and 100 feet deep, the rear being used for manufacturing purposes; the front part being used as salesroom. Here, Mr. Cochrane has by far the finest stock of goods in the city in his line, consisting of a complete line of pure candies, large quantities of foreign fruits and nuts, and a complete assortment of cigars and tobaccos. His specialty being strictly pure candies, his candies are becoming as celebrated in the city of Bloomington as those of Gunther are in Chicago. He is a wide-awake down-easter and is certainly doing a wide-awake business.

N. B. COLE, M. D., Bloomington; another of the regular physicians of Bloomington, who has established a reputation as a thoroughly read man in the science of medicine, is Dr. N. B. Cole, who is a native of Fairfield Co., Ohio; he was born Dec. 28, 1837; began the study of medicine under Dr. E. Lynch, of Lancaster, Ohio, and graduated at the Long Island College Hospital of Brooklyn, in 1860; he began the practice of medicine in Etna, Ohio, where he remained but two years, then entered the U. S. Army as Assistant Surgeon of the 19th Ohio, but was afterward commissioned as Surgeon of the field hospital of the 50th Ohio. Returning from the army in 1865, he located in Bloomington, where he has since resided, engaging in the practice of his profession. He is a member of the McLean Co. Medical Society, also of the Illinois State Medical Society; since locating in Bloomington, he has given his time exclusively to the practice of his profession; his practice is large and of a gratifying nature, which is the result of his energy and close attention to business.

WILLIAM CONDON, grocer, Bloomington; was born in County Cork, Ireland, Nov. 1, 1829; during his early life, he learned the trade of a baker; he came to this country in 1851, locating in New Haven, Conn., and there began the trade of a painter; in 1852, he moved to

Chicago; here he followed painting, in the employ of the I. C. R. R. Co., until 1856, when he came to Bloomington, Ill., and engaged with the C. & A.. R. R. Co.: he continued with the latter company until 1861, when he embarked in the grocery business at his present place, No. 802 West Chestnut, where he keeps a fine grocery store, with a good class of well-assorted groceries. He married Miss Bridget McNamara, of his native country, June 1, 1857; they have a family of eight children.

DR. HENRY CONKLING was born in Morristown, N. J., April 27, 1814; his father Stephen Conkling, moved to New York City in 1816, where the Doctor lived until he was 16 years old, when he returned to his native place and finished his school days in the Morristown Academy; his father and family emigrated to Ohio in 1831, and located in Mt. Vernon, at which place he joined them in 1832. When 23 years old, he was united by marriage to Eliza Wiley, daughter of Hugh Wiley, who lived near Mt. Vernon; in the spring of 1838, he came to Le Roy, in this county, making the journey in eighteen days, on horseback; his brother Edgar Conkling, was living there and had laid off two additions to the town; he returned to Ohio in a few weeks, and moved back to Le Roy the next fall, with his family; they came in a covered wagon, camp ing out on the way by the roadside; while living in Le Roy, he taught school and studied medicine with Dr. David Edwards; in the year 1843, he commenced the practice of medicine near Mount Hope, in this county; in the year 1844, he moved to Washington, Tazewell Co., this State; his health failing, he returned to Ohio in 1845, and practiced medicine five years, during which time he graduated and received his diploma from the Starling Medical College of Columbus, Ohio. His wife died in the spring of 1850; in June of that year, he returned to McLean Co., and located at Hudson, where his brother-in-law James T. Gildersleeve, Esq., was living, where he practiced medicine fourteen years, during which time he had an extensive practice; in 1864, he moved to Bloomington; during this year he was sent South as an additional Surgeon in the army, and was assigned to the 7th I. V. C; when Corinth was evacuated by Gen. Beauregard, the Doctor, with some of the Union army, pressed hard after them; many of the Union soldiers were wounded in a skirmish; these the Doctor took charge of, placing them in a cabin having one room, the best that could be done for them at that time; as soon as they were able to be moved, the Doctor sent them to the general hospital. After the war closed, he was appointed one of the Examining Pension Surgeons for disabled and wounded soldiers, which position he held about three years. He was married to his second wife January, 1851; she was the widow of L. Sampson, who died with cholera in Bloomington in 1849; she died in the fall of 1863, He was married to his third wife in May, 1866; she was the widow of C. E. Dodge, a Baptist minister, also the daughter of Peter Withers, who emigrated to this county from Kentucky in 1832. In June, 1866, the first meeting was held in Urbana, Ill., for the purpose of devising ways and means for the construction of a railroad from Danville, Ill., through Bloomington, to the Illinois River; he was the only delegate from Bloomington to the meeting; the meeting adjourned to meet in Le Roy in August, at which time an organization was effected, and the Doctor was appointed Secretary and one of the Directors of the road, known then as the Danville, Urbana, Bloomington & Pekin Railroad; he took a very active part in this enterprise, devoting all his time to its accomplishment; May 1, 1870, the road was finished, the Doctor putting in the last bolt that tied the road between Indianapolis and Pekin; as an appreciation of his efforts and success, the citizens of Bloomington presented to him, by the hands of Gen. I, Bloomfield, in Schroeder's Opera House, a valuable gold watch, engraved thereon a locomotive with the initials I. B. & W. R. R. The Doctor is the proprietor of the Turkish and ElectroThermal Institute, located in Bloomington, Ill., for the treatment of disease, which is largely patronized, not only by invalids but those who take the baths as a luxury.

THOMAS B. CORMAN, engineer of steam fire engine No. 1, Bloomington; was born near Nicholasville, Ky., in 1849, and is the son of Abraham Corman; when he was but 2 years old, he came with his parents to Bloomington, in 1851; here he has resided ever since; he learned the trade of a machinist; about 1866, he was a member of the hand fire engine, Prairie Bird; in 1871, he accepted a position as fireman on the steamer Prairie Bird No. 1 (commonly called stoker), this position he filled until 1874; he then was appointed engineer for the same steamer, which place he has held ever since; he is now one of the oldest members of the Fire Department.

THOMAS COULTAR, contractor, Bloomington. The Orphan's Home, National and People's Bank buildings, Dr. C. Wakefield's residence and many other prominent public and private buildings of the city of Bloomington and McLean County, were built by Mr. Thomas Coultar, contractor and builder; he is a native of Clark Co., Ohio, where he spent the early part of his life, and was educated by the old subscription school system; he served a regular apprenticeship at Springfield, at the carpenter and joiner trade, and came West in 1856, and located in Bloomington, where he has since resided, engaged in contracting and building; Bloomington was but a small place of about 5,000 population when he came to it in 1856; he has stuck steadily to his business from that time until the present, and is now known as a thoroughly reliable and respousible contractor; during the busy season he employs about twelve men regularly, and sometimes in special cases gives employment to many more than this number; his shop is located corner East and Douglas streets; he is a man well known and has many staunch friends; no better guarantee of his ability is needed than a view of some of the above mentioned buildings.

T. J. COX & CO., millers, Bloomington; another important feature of enterprise in McLean Co., is the milling business; the leading and most successful firm in this line is that of T. J. Cox & Co.; the members of the firm being T. J. Cox and his brother, George H. Cox; T. J., the sub. ject of this sketch, is a native of Dixfield, Oxford Co., Me., where his father, who is also a native of Maine, is still residing, engaged in the mercantile business, the firm being T. J. Cox, Sr., & Son; the early part of T. J.'s life was spent in a country store, where he learned something of business and human nature; he was born Oct. 25, 1837; in 1857, he came West, locating at Bloomington; in 1858, he engaged in the mill business by buying the Eagle Mills; in 1874, he bought the Union Mills: he also owns one-half of the McLean County Mills; the Eagle and Union Mills have a flouring capacity of 400 barrels daily; during the greater portion of the year they are run to their full capacity; the McLean County Mills have a flouring capacity of 100 barrels per day; this mill is also kept busy most of the time; the Union and McLean County Mills are located close to the Illinois Central Railroad depot, while the Eagle is near the C. & A. R. R. depot. Mr. Cox, though not a practical miller by trade, has proved himself to be one among the best financiers of McLean Co.; he owns the finest milling property in the county, which is the result of his own industry, energy and good financiering. Since writing the above he has bought his brother's interest, and is now sole proprietor of the Union and Eagle Mills.

GEORGE H. COX, miller, Bloomington; Mr. George H. Cox, of the firm of T. J. Cox & Co, is a native of Dixfield, Oxford Co., Me.; he was born Nov. 22, 1849, and came West in June, 1866, and engaged with his brother T. J. as book-keeper, which position he held until 1872, when he went into partnership with his brother, the firm name being then as now, T. J. Cox & Co., their mills being the Eagle, located near the C. & A R. R. depot, and the Union, located near the I. C. depot; they have a flouring capacity of about four hundred barrels of flour daily, and the reputation of the mills is such and the firm is so well known that, during a great portion of the year, they are run to their full capacity; they are very conveniently located for shipping, which is quite an advantage where so much flour is to be shipped. George H. spends his time principally at the Eagle Mills. The firm of T. J. Cox & Co. is so well known, and their financial success has been so marked that any compliments of the press are wholly unneeded on their part. N. W. COX, painter, Bloomington; was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, Feb. 2, 1825; his father was Amos Cox, who was among the first settlers of McLean Co.; they settled in this county in 1828; his father returned to Ohio and soon after died, and is therefore not well remembered in this county; but his family have witnessed the entire growth and development of McLean Co., and assisted in many of the public improvements. N. W. Cox has been engaged in mercantile life for a number of years, though his first business experience was in painting; this he learned thoroughly while quite young; in mercantile life, Mr. Cox was quite successful, though like many others, he met with adversity, when he again returned to his trade; he enjoys the reputation of being an honorable and upright man. He married Miss Elizabeth Satterfield, of this county.

WILLIAM COX, clerk, Bloomington; son of John and Elizabeth (Walker) Cox, and grandson of Benjamin and Philena (Dye) Cox; his father was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, Sept. 13, 1803; his grandfather came to McLean Co., Ill., in 1825; bought land and returned to bring his family, but soon died; in 1826, the grandmother came to McLean Co. with her family, which consisted of seven children, four sons and three daughters, also a nephew, John Kimler, and settled in what was then called Key's Grove, later known as Blooming Grove. At that time, the county was wild and desolate, and they experienced all the trials and hardships of a pioneer s life. John Cox married Miss Elizabeth M., daughter of William Walker, a pioneer, March 18, 1828; they raised a family of six, only three of whom are now living; he died Feb. 9, 1858, and his wife, Oct. 22, 1876. The subject of this sketch was raised upon a farm, and received a common education at district school, and took charge of the home farm after the death of his father, on which he continued until 1872, since which time, he has been engaged in the grocery business. He married Miss Minnie A. Ashby, of Bloomington, July 3, 1878.

DUDLEY CREED, present editor and publisher of the Democratic News, Bloomington; was born in Berryville, Highland Co., Ohio, Aug. 10, 1853, in which place he resided until he was 12 years of age, when he commenced working on a farm, during the summer months, and attending the high school in the winter, at Hillsboro', to which place his parents moved in the year 1864. He graduated from that school in the spring of 1868, and moved with his parents to Chillicothe, Mo., at which place he taught school for four or five months. Then he entered the office of the Chillicothe Tribune, for the purpose of learning the printing business, at which establishment he remained for three years, when he was made local editor of the Tribune. Mr. Creed moved to Bloomington in 1874. In 1876, in partnership with F. M. Doxsey, he purchased the job-printing establishment of A. L. Paine, at 212 North Main street. In June, 1876, moved the office to Paxton, Ford Co., and established a newspaper called the Ford County Blade. In December of the same year, sold out and returned to this city and established the Democratic News, the first number being issued Jan. 6, 1877.

H. C. CRIST, M. D., Bloomington; is another of the well established physicians of Bloomington; he is a native of Muskingum Co., Ohio, and was born Dec. 28, 1846; he began the study of medicine in 1865, under his father, Dr. David Crist (now deceased), who was among the leading

practitioners of Bloomington for twenty-three years; he was a native of Perry Co., Ohio: began the practice of medicine in 1842, after graduating at the Columbus Medical College, of Columbus, Ohio; during his residence in Bloomington, he was engaged in constant practice until his death, which occurred March 19, 1875. H. C., the subject of this sketch, in 1865, became a graduate of the State Normal University, thus qualifying himself for a thorough and comprehensive course of study in the science of medicine; during the winters of 1867-68 and 1869-70, he attended the Rush Medical College of Chicago, graduating in the spring of 1870; after graduating, he began practicing in Bloomington, which he continued until 1874, when he accepted the appointment of Surgeon of the Pima Indian Agency, of Arizona; this post he held until the death of his father in 1875, when he resigned and came home to settle up the estate; remaining here, he began practicing, which he has continued with very gratifying success; he is a thoroughly well-read physician, and has devoted much time and study to that part of the medical science known as obstetrics, in which he has practiced very successfully. He is a member of the McLean County Medical Society, also of the Illinois State Medical Society.

DAVID DAVIS, Bloomington. Cecil Co., Md., claims the proud distinction of being the birthplace of Mr. Davis; he was born in 1815; his education was received at Kenyon College, which, located at the village of Gambier, in the State of Ohio, was a half century ago one of, if indeed not the leading educational institution west of the great Eastern universities; here Mr. Davis formed the acquaintance of men, who have become equally famed with himself; Edwin M. Stanton, the great War Secretary under the lamented Lincoln, was an intimate college friend of the subject of this sketch; at the same institution Stanley Matthews erected the foundations of a future that has made him famous as the trusted adviser of a President; here, too, Rutherford B. Hayes, President of the United States, implanted the germ of a wonderful career; Henry Winter Davis, the "prince of parliamentary orators," if not an immediate associate, was a student at the same college, so that we find that the Alma Mater days of Mr. Davis were cast among associations which could not have failed to leave a lasting impression upon his mind, and no doubt, exerted an important influence upon his future. In 1847, he was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1848, he was chosen Judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit, embracing four counties; in 1862, he was appointed one of the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. In 1835, Mr. Davis removed to this city, and immediately stepped into a lucrative law practice, and that he was deserving of this his application and his fidelity to the interests of his clients gave ample proof. As a mere lawyer Mr. Davis was conscientious, even to his own disadvantage and pecuniary loss, as some of his professional colleagues claimed, and yet his career has abundantly demonstrated the truth of the old axiom that honesty is the best policy, though it is not the intent to infer that the subject was honest from policy. He never sought political preferment, never aspired to political place-though his name has on several occasions been mentioned in connection with high civic honors; he has always clung steadfastly and proudly to the chosen profession of the law, and to this directness of purpose and concentration of effort we must ascribe much of his great success. As a judge Mr. Davis has won an enviable place among the ermined magnates of the Bench; the conspicuous traits of his character as a jurist, are his inflexible and unswerving devotion to truth, his rigid impartiality upon all cases brought before him for adjudication, and his honest desire that every accused should have his case properly presented before the Court; if accused had not what he considered able counsel, he would not hesitate himself to consult the authorities to see that they had been fully set forth before the jury; he saw truth as if by intuition; he had an inborn, natural inclination toward equity, in illustration of which many incidents are recalled by attorneys who have had cause to remember this truly commendable trait, but none more pertinent than this: At a session of the Danville Court, at which Judge Davis presided, a “celebrated case," known as the Jones cause, was up for adjudication; able counsel were employed on both sides, as interests representing a large sum were at stake; Daniel W. Voorhees, now United States Senator, appeared for the defendant; the case was conducted in a skillful manner on both sides, the trial occupying several days in the hearing. Judge Davis took a keen interest in all the proceedings, and as usual discovered the equitable side. Mr. Voorhees overwhelmed the opposition with authorities parallel with the case, and it was universally conceded that this authority preponderated in the favor of his client; the attorneys were congratulating Voorhees upon the probable successful termination of the trial. No," said he, "it's of no use to argue the case; Davis will take it under advisement and will have a special law passed rather than give a decision that would rob the defendant of his rights, even though the weight of the authorities seemed to be against him." No greater compliment could be pronounced upon any Judge illustrating his love of equity. On the Bench Mr. Davis was a perfect model of a Judge-full of dignity and decision, and yet with mildness and suavity; his high personal character and his unbending morals have given an elevated tone and a purer atmosphere to the bar as an Associate Justice of the United States, his decisions were learned and able, and commanded the respect and admiration of his associate members. In the Senate, to which he was elected, Mr. Davis is the same dignified and conscientious gentleman, and whatever legislation he has introduced into that body has been based upon equity and justice, and

with a view to resulting in the "greatest good to the greatest number." For the young law student no more profitable study can be found than the life of the jurist and statesman, David Davis.

GEORGE P. DAVIS, Bloomington; was born in McLean Co., Ill., in 1842, and is the son of Judge David Davis, who was born in Cecil Co., Md., March 9, 1815, graduated at Kenyon College, Ohio, Sept. 4, 1832, and commenced the study of law at Lenox, Mass.; in 1835, he came to Illinois and located in Pekin, Tazewell Co.; after practicing law for a year in Pekin, he removed to Bloomington, which has ever since been his home. Judge Davis married Oct. 30, 1838, to Miss Sarah Walker, at Lenox, Mass.; she is a daughter of Judge Walker, of that State : they have two children living, a son and a daughter; the former, George P., the subject of this sketch, who graduated in 1864, and in 1867, he graduated in the law department of the Michi. gan University at Ann Arbor, Mich.; Mr. Davis commenced the practice of law in 1857, in Bloomington, and, at one time, was in partnership with William H. Hannah.

D. D. DANIELS, butcher, of the firm of Daniels & Logan, Bloomington; was born in Washington Co., Ohio, Oct. 20, 1829; in the spring of 1852, he, with five others of his town, started for California, via Topeka, Ft. Scott, etc., to Sacramento city, which place they reached after a tedious and eventful journey of six months; he returned in 1858 and located in Bloomington, where he has since lived; he is one of the oldest butchers, if not the very oldest, in Blooming. ton; and has the reputation of exposing for sale the finest quality of all kinds of meats, which, with fairness in dealing, has won him the large patronage he now enjoys; his place of business is 515 North Main street. He married Miss Emma Virden, of Virden, Ill., Oct. 22, 1863.

MISS A. DE CONVILLE, teacher, Bloomington; is now filling the position of principal of one of the ward schools of the city of Bloomington; she was born in Bloomington, McLean Co., Ill, and graduated from the High School of the city in 1877; in 1878, she commenced teaching school.

JOSEPH DENISON, County Treasurer, Bloomington; son of Andrew and Susanna (Herr) Denison, was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Dec. 10, 1832; during his early life, he received a good business education, and for several years was in a general store, where he learned business; he came to McLean Co., Ill., with his parents, in 1851, locating in Bloomington, and, for some three years, worked at the trade of marble engraving, after which he embarked in the grocery business; this he continued until 1862, when he enlisted in the 94th I. V. I., and went out as 1st Lieutenant; was promoted to Captain, which position he held to the expiration of his enlisted term (three years); he participated in many of the most severe battles of the late war, and escaped without a scratch. In 1865, he opened a grocery store in Lexington, Ill., where he

also served as express agent; here he was quite successful; in 1868. he was appointed U. S. Gauger and Storekeeper, for the Eighth District of Illinois; in 1871. he was elected Treasurer of McLean Co., and re-elected in 1873, and again elected in 1877; Mr. Denison is a man of fine business-ability and good social qualities. He married Miss Sarah J. Strain, of this county, Oct. 3, 1854; they have a family of five children.

REV. J. W. DINSMORE, Pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church, Bloomington; was born in Washington Co., Penn., March 13, 1839, and is the son of William and Rebecca Dinsmore; he received his college education in Washington, Penn., in 1859, and his theological education in Allegheny City, Penn., in 1862; his first appointment was at Prairie du Sac; here he remained for seven years; from there he came to Bloomington in 1870, and took charge of the Second Presbyterian Church, which charge he has held ever since. He was married in December, 1862, to Ada Vance, of Alleghany City, Penn.; they have had five children, three living.

S. E. DIAS, cigar manufacturer, Bloomington; was born in London, England, April 10, 1842, and came to this country in 1857 locating in the city of Boston, where he learned the trade of a cigar-maker. During the late war, he enlisted with the 38th Mass. V. I., and was in a number of severe battles, skirmishes and sieges; at the battle of Port Hudson, was wounded, disabling him from further duty, in consequence of which he was discharged in the fall of 1865, after a service of two and one-half years. In 1869, he moved to Detroit, Mich., where he began manufacturing cigars; he removed to South Bend, Ind., 1873, where he remained until 1875, when he came to Bloomington, Ill., where he has built up a considerable trade; his place of business is No. 103 North Main street, where he keeps a neat retail stand, well stocked. He married Miss Esther Holland, of South Bend, Ind., Aug. 24, 1870; they have a family of two living. N. DIEDRICH, foundry, Bloomington; Mr. N. Diedrich has probably shown more pluck and energy in carrying on his business through difficulties than any man in the city of Bloomington; he is a native of Germany, where the early part of his life was spent, and where he was educated and learned his trade; in 1852, he came to the United States, and located in Bloomington in 1856, and worked at his trade until 1860, when he started the Bloomington Foundry and Machine Shops; this establishment he ran for two years, then sold out and became foreman, which position he occupied until he took the Union Foundry; in 1874, this burned. causing a loss on his part of about $4,000; rebuilding on the same ground, he then contracted with the Ruttan Heating Co.; he did their work for two years, when they failed; this was a heavy loss for him, being about $15,000, though he retained the patterns of the Ruttan Co., and has since been manufacturing the heater himself; since conducting the business himself, he has