ALBERT L. IDE. - Albert L. Ide became a resident of Sangamon county in 1846 and was long accounted a leading citizen and representative business man of Springfield. He was one who, under the pressure of necessity and the stimulus of competition, rose to prominence in trade circles in central Illinois and in his career exemplified the fact that no country offers the advantages to its citizens as great as those furnished by America. Unhampered by castle of class, the people of this land may rise through the inherent force of character and the exercise of indomitable industry to positions of power and influence, and thus it was that Mr. Ide became one of the leading representatives of industrial life in Springfield and won the proud American title of self-made man. The Ide family of which he was a representative was founded in Vermont in Colonial days and was afterward established in Ohio. In the latter state the subject of this review was born, March 20, 1841, his parents being Harrison and Mary (Stockdale) Ide. The father, also a native of the buckeye state, came to Sangamon county in 1846, settling on a farm near Williamsville. He there carried on agricultural pursuits through the summer months and in the winter seasons engaged in teaching school. He resided in Sangamon county for several years, but there was something pleasing to him in pioneer life, and he delighted in claiming wild land and improving it for the purposes of civilization. This induced him to move farther west, and he went to Sanford, Iowa, where he purchased land and began its development. There he carried on agricultural pursuits until his death. The mother of our subject had died in Springfield and the father was afterward married again, his second union being with Mrs. Reynolds, who is also deceased.

Albert L. Ide acquired his education in the country schools which were taught by his father near Williamsville. He was about five years of age when brought to Sangamon county, and he made his home continuously in this locality until called to his final rest. When he had completed his education he entered upon his business career as an apprentice to the machinist's trade in Springfield, the trend of his mind and his native powers all tending in this direction. He was employed in different machine shops in Springfield for several years and then accepted a position as a salesman in the dry-goods store of Grover Ayres, being thus employed until after the outbreak of the Civil war in 1861, when his patriotic spirit was aroused and he offered his services to the government. Mr. Ide enlisted in the Seventh Illinois Regiment under Colonel Babcock for three months' service. He then came to Camp Lincoln and was then made drill master, while later he was appointed major of a regiment, but never served in that capacity in the field because an illness terminated his military career. Finding it impossible to aid his country in the field, he then accepted a clerkship in a jewelry store in Springfield owned by Mr. Myers. He afterward purchased a stock of jewelry and began business on his own account on the north side of the square and while thus engaged he furnished the soldiers with weapons, pistols and other implements of warfare. He conducted his business for several years with fair success, and was then made superintendent of the Springfield street car lines, acting in that capacity for some time. On severing that connection he turned his attention to the steam heating business, and his first work was the installation of the steam heating plant in the state capitol. He also put in heating plants in many of the leading public and office buildings of this city, doing a business of considerable extent and importance. He then purchased the foundry business which his sons now own, and began the manufacture of all kinds of engines and boilers, developing a business, which was conducted under the firm style of A. L. Ide & Sons. The trade constantly grew, demanding an enlargement of the plant, and today it is the largest enterprise of the kind in this part of the state. Mr. Ide continued in the business to the time of his demise, when he was also connected with other industries and enterprises of the city.

Albert L. Ide married Miss Adeline Pierce, who was born in New York and was the daughter of Simeon Pierce, who followed farming throughout his entire career and died in Cass county, Virginia. Five children were born of this union: Harry L., who is a member of the firm of A. L. Ide & Sons; Albert, who resides in Chicago; Francis P. and Roy W., who are also connected with the boiler manufacturing business; and Chester E., a teacher of music, who resides with his mother.

Mr. Ide passed away on the 6th of September, 1897. He had never taken a very active interest in politics, but voted the Republican ticket. Causes of local improvement elicited his attention and co-operation, and in matters of citizenship he was always progressive and public-spirited. In a business career of industry, integrity and success he made for himself an honorable name, never incurring an obligation that he did not fulfill or making an engagement that he did not meet. He came to enjoy in large measure the respect and confidence of all of his business associates, as well as his acquaintances of social life, and his death, therefore, was deeply regretted by all who knew him. His widow resides in a beautiful home at No. 515 North Third Street, and the sons all own fine residences in that neighborhood.