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BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL 


RECORD 


OF 


LA  SALLE  COUNTY 


ILLINOIS 


ILLUSTRATED 


^^OI^lLJAdE:    I. 


CHICAGO 
THE    LEWIS    PUBLISHING    COMPANY 

lyoo 


V. 


PREFACE. 


OUT  of  the  depths  of  his  mature  wisdom  Carlyle  wrote,  "History  is  the 
essence  of  innumerable  biographies."  Believing  this  to  be  the  fact,  there 
is  no  necessity  of  advancing  any  further  reason  for  the  compilation  of  such 
a  work  as  this,  if  reliable  history  is  to  be  the  ultimate  object. 

The  prominent  section  of  the  great  Prairie  state  comprised  within  the 
limits  of  these  volumes  has  sustained  within  her  confines  men  who  have  been 
prominent  in  the  history  of  the  state  and  the  nation  from  the  earliest  part 
of  this  century.  The  annals  teem  with  the  records  of  strong  and  noble  man- 
hood; and,  as  Sumner  has  said,  "the  true  grandeur  of  nations  is  in  those 
qualities  wdiich  constitute  the  greatness  of  the  individual."  The  final  causes 
which  shape  the  fortunes  of  individuals  and  the  destinies  of  states  are  often 
the  same.  They  are  usually  remote  and  obscure,  and  their  influence  scarcely 
perceived  until  manifestly  declared  by  results.  That  nation  is  the  greatest 
which  produces  the  greatest  and  most  manly  men  and  faithful  women;  and 

A        the  intrinsic  safety  depends  not  so  much  upon  methods  as  upon  that  true 
and  normal  development  from  the  deep  resources  of  which  proceed  all  that 

Q        is  precious  and  permanent  in  life.     But  such  a  result  may  not  consciously  be 

y       contemplated  by  the  actors  in  the  great  social  drama.     Pursuing  each  his 
personal  good  by  exalted  means,  they  work  out  this  as  a  logical  result. 

The  elements  of  success  in  life  consist  in  both  innate  capacity  and 

^        determination  to  excel.     Where  either  is  wanting,  failure  is  almost  sure  to 
result.     The  study  of  a  successful  life,  therefore,  serves  both  as  a  source  of 

r        information  and  as  a  stimulus  and  encouragement  to  those  who  have  the 

'  capacity.  As  an  important  lesson  in  this  connection  we  may  appropriately 
quote  Longfellow,  who  said,  "We  judge  ourselves  by  what  we  feel  capable 
of  doing,  while  we  judge  others  by  what  they  have  already  done."    A  faithful 

V<       personal  history  is  an  illustration  of  the  truth  of  this  observation. 

In  this  Biographical  and  Genealogical  Record  the  editorial  staff,  as  well 

as  the  publishers,  have  fully  realized  the  magnitude  of  the  task.     In  the 

collection  of  the  material  there  has  been  a  constant  aim  to  discriminate 

1 


284'278 


11 


PREFACE. 


carefully  in  regard  to  the  selection  of  subjects.  Those  who  have  been  promi- 
nent factors  in  the  pubHc,  social  and  industrial  development  of  the  county 
have  been  given  due  recognition  as  far  as  it  has  been  possible  to  secure  the 
requisite  data.  Names  worthy  of  perpetuation  here,  it  is  true,  have  in  sev- 
eral instances  been  omitted,  either  on  account  of  the  apathy  of  those  con- 
cerned or  the  inabihty  of  the  compilers  to  secure  the  information  necessary 
for  a  symmetrical  sketch;  and  even  more  pains  have  been  taken  to  secure 
accuracy  than  were  promised  in  the  prospectus.  Works  of  this  nature, 
therefore,  are  more  reliable  and  complete  than  are  the  "standard"  histories 
of  a  country. 


INDEX. 


Ackermann,   William,   57. 
Adams,    John    Q.,   268. 
Ames,   John   C,   304. 
Anderson,   Andrew    N.,   589. 
Anderson,  John   H.,    178. 
Angevine,   Peter  C.,  211. 
Annin,   William   V.   S.,  34°. 
Arentsen,   Daniel,  792. 
Arentsen,    David,   655. 
Arentsen,    Helia,   621. 
Armstrong,   Joseph    L.,    121. 
Arntzen,    Fridthgof    G.,    371. 
Austin,   George   L.,  725. 
Austin,   Seneca  S.,  735. 


B 


Bach,   Edward  W.,  97- 
Bailey,    Ezra   H.,   90. 
Bailey,  J.   B.,   190. 
Baisch,   Jacob   H.,   192. 
Baker.   Hiram  E.,  595. 
Baldwin,  Amos   C.,  352. 
Bane,   James,  685. 
Barackman,   ^lilani  J.,  222. 
Barratt.  Berkley  G.,  86. 
Bassctt.    Daniel,    704. 
Baughman,    Robert    N.,   55. 
Bedard,  Frank  W.,  458. 
Bedford.   William  T.,  252. 
Beem,  1.   N.,  274. 
Bell,   Alfred   H.,  666. 
Bennett,  George  A.,  492. 
Bennett,  Isaac  H.,  344. 
Bennett.  William   R..  399. 
Birkenbeuel,  Anton,  528. 
Birtwell,   Robert,  646. 
Blanchard.  Milton  E.,  584. 
Bliss,   Frank  J.,   ,390. 
Boggs,  William   F.,  765. 
Bonar.    Barnet    L..   32. 
Bond,  Joseph  E.,  343. 
Bovard,  iVlillard  F.,  71. 
Bo  wen.   Dan   W..   419. 
Bowen,  Henry,  375. 
Bowen,   John,   370. 
Bowers.  George  W.,  322. 
Boyle.   Edward  H.,  708. 
Brandenburg,   Christian   F.,   1 18. 
P>raun.  Charles  A.,  422. 
Braun.  John.  421. 
Brcese.  Andrew  B..  436. 
Brewster.  Benjamin  D..  402. 
Brewster.  Thernn   D..  401. 


Bronson,   AI.   A.,  2S- 
Brotherton,  James,  471. 
Brown,  Charles  R.,  360. 
Brown,  G.  W.,  645. 
Brown,  James  C,  720. 
Brown.  William  C,  722. 
Browne,  Edgar  S.,  209. 
Bruce,  James,  634. 
Brunner,   Charles,  520. 
Brunner,    Herman,   231. 
Burgess,   Sidney   W.,   757. 
Burgess,  Spencer  S.,  754. 
Burke,  Daniel  R.,  69. 
Butters,  Albert  E.,  173. 
Butters,  C.  W.,  643. 


Cahill,   Cornelius  J.,  294. 
Cahill,   James.   293. 
Cahill,  John  D.,  295. 
Callagan,   William,   586. 
Camenisch,  George,  470. 
Campbell,  George  A.,  639. 
Carter,   Charles,  463, 
Carter,  J.  J.,  392. 
Gary,  Charles  A..  354. 
Gary,    Norman  J.,  510. 
Cassiday.  John  J.,  553. 
Catlin,   Thomas   D.,   14. 
Chapman.   Clarence  B.,  75. 
Chapman.  Frank  O.,  39. 
Chapman,  Hosmcr  C,  486. 
Chapman,   Otis   L.,  488. 
Chai)man,    William    B.,   438. 
Chase,    Hudson   V.,   467. 
Cherrv.    William    S..   85. 
Clapsaddle.   Alman    A..   588. 
Clark,  James.   548. 
Clark.  John  L..  194. 
Clark,   Simpson.   428. 
Clay,  Levi,   150. 
Clayton,   John   S..  377. 
Cleary,  Charles.  444. 
Clement,   A..  345. 
Cole.    Samuel    D..    139. 
Cnllings.  John.  267. 
Collins.    Jeremiah.    446. 
Conard.    Grant.    174. 
Conard,   Willi.'im    H..  228. 
Co-.iard.    Wilson.   291. 
Conerton.   P..   7^r,. 
Con  key,  Oscar  D.  F..  448. 
Conover.   Ira.   736. 
Cooper.   Frederick   G..  404. 
Cooper.  John,  310. 


Ill 


IV 


INDEX. 


Cooper,  William,  636. 
Cope,   Israel   C,   142. 
Corbus,  J.  C,  671. 
Corbus,  J.  C,  Jr.,  653. 
Corbus,  William  F.,  232. 
Corley,   Francis,  516. 
Cornish,  Wallace  B.,  498. 
Costello,  John   M.,  133. 
Cotterman,   David  F.,  74, 
Cottew,  Abram,  546. 
Coulter,  Charles  A.,  590. 
Cram,   George  J.,  94. 
Crane,  Frank  M.,  433. 
Crawford,   Robert  N.,  202. 
Crider,  Martin  H.,  788. 
Cullen,  Thomas,  560. 
Cummings,  Nicholas  C,  434. 
Cummins,  W.  B.,  120. 

D 

Dale,  Arthur  H..  S92. 
Dale,  Frank.  591. 
Danielson,  Osman  M.,  597. 
Daugherty,  A.  J.,  277. 
Daugherty,  Francis  M.,  240. 
Davis,  David,  670. 
Davis,  Emanuel,  315. 
Davis,  Henry  J.,  615. 
Davison,  George  L.,  44. 
Davison.  William  B.,  389. 
Disier,  Claude,  497. 
Dolder,  Jacob,  225. 
Dolder,  John,  221. 
Dougherty,  M.  E.,  612. 
Downing.  Morton  E.,  116. 
Downs,  W.  E.,  637. 
Doyle,  Thomas  F.,  234. 
Drackley.  Thomas,  762. 
Drake,  James  H.,  43. 
Drake,  Jesse  R.,  43. 
Dudgeon,  Samuel  G.,  537. 
Duffy,  Michael,  626. 
Dupee,  Ralph  O.,  474. 
Dupee.  Walter  R.,  476. 
Dwyer,  Cornelius  C,  523. 


Eastegord,  Ole  T.,  767. 
Eaton.   Levi  M.,  632. 
Edwards.  James,  412. 
Elliott.  George  A.,  5^6. 
Ellis.   Toel  W..  327. 
Ellsworth,  Urbin   S.,  656. 
Elwell,  Stephen  D.,  576. 
Erickson,   Ole,   306. 
Ertel,  Joseph,  405. 
Esmond,  Thomas  W..  362. 
Ethridge.  Albert,  25. 
Etzler,  Benjamin  M.,  555. 


Farley.  Willis  C,  559- 
Farnham,  C.   E.,   146. 


,<s?^^ 


Farnham,   Perry,  395. 
Farnsworth.    Richard,    158. 
Ferrell,  J.  M.,  no. 
Fetzer,  Henry,  18. 
Finkler,  Alexander  C,  437. 
Fishburn,    Francis   M.,   299. 
Flaherty,   iMichael  J.,  638. 
Fleming,  Nathan,   160. 
Fletcher,  Ruffin  D.,  263. 
Fletcher,  William  F.,  169. 
Flick,   George  M.,  88. 
Foote,  Hosea,  506. 
Foote,  James  S.,  696. 
Ford,  George  W.,  699. 
Foreman,  George  T.,  593. 
Fowler,   Albert  J.,  357. 
Frank,  Charles  A.,  466. 
Eraser,  William  H.,  460. 
Fread,  William,  349. 
Frost,  Francis  A.,  185. 
Fullerton,  Thomas  C,  72. 
Funk,  John,   170. 
Futterer,  Joseph,  635. 


Gage,  B.  Frank,  339. 
Gage,  Isaac,  336. 
Gallagher,  Hamilton  M.,  232. 
Gallup,  Rinaldo  M.,  272. 
Gatchell,  James  M.,  367. 
Gatiss.  Henry,  598. 
Gay,  Joshua  G.,  680. 
Gentleman,   Frank,  186. 
George,  Horace  B.  570. 
Gerding,  August,  569. 
Gibson,  George  W.,  281. 
Girolt,  John,  441. 
Gleim,  Ernst,  346. 
Gmelich,  Gottlob,  530. 
Gochanour,  Mathias.  220. 
Gochanour,  William  H.,  324. 
Godfrey,  Abram  C,  82. 
Goedtner,  John.  580. 
Goodell,  Ira  W.,  544. 
Gordon.  James,    130. 
Graf,   Robert.  660. 
Grant,   David.  732. 
Greiner,  George  W.,  663. 
Griffith,  Martin  L.,  521. 
Griggs,   Clarence.  21. 
Grogan,  J.  J.,  128. 
Grove,  Jesse.  311. 
Grove,   L.  J..  253. 
Gruber,  William  D.,  379. 
Gum.   Allen   S..    182. 
Gunn.  Aaron,  690. 
Gunn,   Henry,  672. 
Gunn,  Moses  W.,  285. 

H 

Hackett,  Vinal  H.,  414. 
Hackshaw.  George.  196. 
Haeberle.    Christian.    112 
Hafifele,    George,    522. 


INDEX. 


Haight.   William   R.,   loo. 
Hail,   Henry   G.,  303. 
Hall,  Samuel   P.,   166. 
Halvcrson,    Charles    K.,   543. 
Hamilton,  Andrew,   113. 
Hampson,  John  E.,  415. 
Hanley,    Patrick,   526. 
Hanna,  John  A.,  316. 
Hapeman,    Douglas,  41. 
Harber,  John  D.,  489. 
Hartenbower,  Henry  F.,  724. 
Hartenbower,  John  E.,  730. 
Harth,   William,   409. 
Hartshorn.   Alfred    I.,   700. 
Hartshorn,  Frederick  P.,  353. 
Hartshorn,  George  A.,  779. 
Haskins,  Thomas  N.,  243. 
Hastings,  Samuel,  472. 
Hatheway,  Joseph  C.,  31. 
Hatton,  Albert  H.,  385. 
Hawley,   Ezra,  789. 
Hayer,   Elias,   109. 
Hayer,  G.   L.,  328. 
Hayer,   Lars,   104. 
Hayer,   Lorenzo,  338. 
Hayward,   George,   331. 
Hebel,  Andrew,  563. 
Heidler,  Samuel  H.,  20. 
Herbert,  Theodore  G.,  426. 
Herrcke,  Arthur  J.,  511. 
Herzig,  Adolph  F.,  518. 
Helherington,    Benjamin   M.,   403. 
Hibbs.    Jonah,    295. 
Hickok,    Horac^  D.,   782. 
Hill,   George  D..  631. 
Hill,  James  L.,  250. 
Hilliard.  John,  561. 
Hiltabrand,  George  D.,  618. 
Hiltabrand,   Simeon   C..   746. 
Hiltabrand,  William  W..  742. 
Hitter,  Joseph  C.,  256. 
Hoag,  Charles  H.,  376. 
Hoberg,   Frederick    E.,  454. 
Hochstattcr,   William,   667. 
Hodgson.   iMartin  C,   129. 
Hoffman,  Urias  J.,  50. 
Holland,  B.   B.,  66. 
Holland,  George,  423. 
Holly,  William,  198. 
Holmes,  George  W.,  in. 
Holmes,  Henry,  125. 
Horn,  William  J..   180. 
Horton,  Manley  H.,  507. 
Hoss,  Adolph,  533. 
Hoss,  Charles,  459. 
Hougas,  Thomas,  187. 
Howe,  Frank  L.,  251. 
Howe,  George  W..  758. 
Howland,   Henry   F.,   144. 
Huff,  Owen  W.,  273. 
Hull,  William  H.,  52. 
Hum.  George,  356. 
Humbert,   Felix  J..  774. 
Hunt,  James  R..  181, 
Hupp,   George   C,  558. 
Hupp,    Harley   G.,   557. 


Imus,  Thomas,  417. 
Isermann,  William  D.,  68. 


J 


Jacobson,  Jacob   C,  571. 
Jameson,  Gabriel  M.,  565. 
Janz,    Leopold   C,  519. 
Jeft'ery,  William  A.,   148. 
Johnson,  Amnion  S.,  154. 
Johnson,   Oscar   H.,  335. 
Jones,    Chauncey,   737. 
Jones,  Samuel  E.,  504. 
Just,    George,  464. 

K 

Kangley,  John,  610. 
Keating,  Bernard  T.,  79. 
Keating,   Edward,  781. 
Keating.  Thomas  S..  114. 
Keim,  Gustavc  J.,  203. 
Kellenbach,  Anton,  475. 
Kellenbach,  William   E.,  476. 
Kelley,  Oliver  IM.,  718. 
Kelly,   Henry   AL,  787. 
Kelso.  Alexander,  752. 
Kember,    Charles,   583. 
Kember.  Ralph  E.,  573. 
Kennedy,  John,  678. 
Kieselbach.  Otto,  524. 
Kilduff.  Joseph  F.,  791, 
Kingery.  E.  H.,  278. 
Kings,  John  A.,  432. 
Kirkhus,   Ole  J..  606. 
Kleibcr.    Aaron.    152. 
Klove,  Andrew  A.,  776. 
Knickerbocker.  Charles  H.,  168. 
Knott.  Richard  F..  323. 
Koch.  Joseph.  Sr.,  206, 
Koehler,  Fred  A..  469. 
Koons,  Jerome   C,  547. 
Kreidcr.  Wilson  E.,  750. 
Krouse.    David,    149. 
Kruse,   H.    G.,   126. 
Kuney,  Jacob,  478. 
Kurscheid,  Mathias,  662. 


L 


Ladd,  George  D.,  .300. 
Lambert.  P'dward  F.,  773. 
Lambert.  John  R.,  710, 
Lane,   AI.   C,  620. 
Larabee.  James  W.,  513. 
Larkin,  John  J.,  535. 
Lawrence,  Dwight,  321. 
Lawry,  Samuel  U.,  654. 
Lee,   George  W.,  539. 
Lee,  John  N..  574. 
Lehr.  John  J.,  430. 
Leininger,  Jefferson  W.,  697. 
Leix,  Julius  L.,  341. 
Leland,  Kimball  W.,  355. 


.VI 


INDEX. 


Leland,    Lorenzo.   325. 
Lenzen,  Aegidius  J.,  517. 
Lewis,  Samuel  R.,  296. 
Lewis,   William    R.,   40. 
Libbey.  Jane  S.,  378. 
Linfor.   John   227. 
Linfor.    Robert.   224. 
Lock,  Isaac,  739. 
Locke,  August,  648. 
Lockrem,   N.  J.,  365. 
Loekle,  Edward  G.,  264. 
Loekle.  Otto  J.,  266. 
Long,  Charles  W.,  184. 
Long,  Eugene  C,  676. 
Long,  Lewis,  108. 
Loos,  jMichael  E.,  414. 
Loring,  David,  47. 
Loring,  Hulbert  L.,  47. 
Lovejoy,  Elijah  B.,  238. 
Lovejoy.  Walter  C,  644. 
Luther,   ^^lilo  J.,  216. 

M 

Maass.  Ludwig  H..  183. 
Madden,  John  C.  508. 
Madden.  Stephen  J.,  505. 
Marshall.  John  L..  797. 
Marshall,  Theophilus,  772. 
Marshall,  Thomas.  687. 
Martin,  Willis  A.,  614. 
Mason.  Ernest  G.,  453. 
Mason,  Isaac  F.,  381. 
Mason.  William  T..  793. 
Massatte,  Frank,  763. 
Matern,  Joseph  J.,  669. 
Matthiessen.    Frederick   W.,   712. 
McArthur,    Peter   M.,   766. 
McCombs,  George  W.,  396. 
McCormick.  John   L.,   270. 
McElhenie.  William,  447. 
McFeely,  Samuel  R.,  56. 
McFerson.   George  A..  677. 
McKey.  Milroy  A..  450. 
McKinney,  William  T.,  515. 
McLauchlan,  John.  -^72. 
McMullan.   Frank  E.,  58. 
McNamara,  William  F.,  242. 
Means.  Archibald.  540. 
Means.  William  E.,  554. 
]\Teier.  Dominic.  30. 
Meisenbach,  Franz,  527. 
Mengle.  Samuel  G.,  798. 
Mers,   Andrew  W.,  611. 
Mercer.  Angus  R..  106. 
Merritt.  Amos  W..  748. 
Merritt,  Elisha  M.,  658. 
Metzger.  F.,  647. 
Miller,  Bruce  C  715. 
Miller,   Dyson,  36. 
Miller.  John  E..  496. 
Milling.  John  T..  424. 
Mills.  Daniel  C..  348. 
Mitchell.  Charles  J..  431. 
Mitchell.  Alarshall  B.,  89. 
]\Iontgomery,   Samuel   H.,  350. 


Moon,  Amnion  B.,  200. 
Morey,   Woodruff  A.,  63. 
^Mosey,   Henry  T.,  554. 
Mosey,  Thomas  T.,  568. 
^loulton,  Frank  D.,  255. 

N 

Nattinger,  Edward  A.,  594. 
Neff,  Frank  T.,  92. 
Neff.   Henry  B.,  630. 
Nichol,  A.   F.,  204. 
Nicholson,   Donald  A.,  96. 
Nicholson,  John,  713. 
Nicholson,   William.  760. 
Nitschelm,  E.  P.,  95. 
Nitter,  David,  115. 
Noon,  Thomas  F.,  276. 
Noonan,  John  F.,  796. 
Norton.  William  H.,  501. 

o 

Oakland,   Oliver   G..  602. 
O'Donnell.  John,  609. 
O'Kelly.   Henry  A.,   17. 
Olmstead,  Hiram   D.,  132. 
Olmstead.  Smith  H.,  605. 
Olsen.   Peter  A..  208. 
Osgood,  Simon  T..  249. 
Osman.  William.  683. 
Ostrander,  Albert  N.,  248. 
Ostrander,  John  B.,  247. 
Over.   John,  482. 


Page.  Thomas   M..  427. 
Palmer,  Ransom  D..  582. 
Palmer.  Walter  B..  80. 
Panneck.  Walter  A.,  780. 
Park,  John  B.,  503. 
Parr.   Francis   M..  453. 
Parr.  Henry  K..  373. 
Parrish.  James  W..  495. 
Patterson.  Frank  J.,  400. 
Patterson,  Samuel,  728. 
Patterson,   William,  744. 
Peck.   Henry,    123. 
Peddicord.   Edward  S.,  197. 
Peddicord,   Milton   B..  302. 
Pederson,  Enoch  H..  140. 
Peltier.   Victor   J.,   62. 
Penney.  G.   E..  163. 
Peterson,   Daniel,  682. 
Piergue,  J.   L..  46. 
Pinnell,   George  M.,  440. 
Pitzer.  George  W.,  483. 
Plumb.  Levancia,  27. 
Plumb.  Ralph.  9. 
Plumb.  Samuel.  26. 
Pool.   Carlisle   M..  628. 
Pool,  Isaac  H.,  777. 
Pope,  Milton.  600. 
Porter,  J.   E.,  740. 
Potter,   Seymour.   62^. 


INDEX. 


vu 


Powell,  James  A.,  397. 
Prichard,  William  E.,  84. 
Proelss,  Otto  T.,  411. 

Q 

Quam,  John  A.,  633. 

R 

Rathbun,  Charles  H..  288. 
Raymond,  Isaac,  716. 
Read,    I'Mwin  T.,  329. 
Rcddick,  William  S.,  193. 
Redmcn,  Andrew  J.,  143. 
Rees,  Wdliam  P.,  337. 
Reeves,  Walter,  38. 
Reinhardt,  Joseph,  418. 
Richards,  Frederick,  188. 
Richardson,  Justin  W.,  719. 
Richey,   David,  664. 
Rinke'r,  John,  309. 
Roath,  Byron  A.,  191. 
Roberts,  George  W..  332. 
Robertson,  Amos,  28. 
Robinson,  Delos,  217. 
Robinson,   Eugene   D.,   219. 
Rocheleau,  William  F.,  761. 
Rockenfeller,  Theodore,  318. 
Rockwood,  Harry  E.,  235. 
Roe,  William,  384. 
Rohrer,  Charles.  455. 
Rosebery,  W.  Guy,  257. 
Ross,  Walter  L.,  156. 
Rowe,  Thomas,  135. 
Rude,    David,   246. 
Rude,  Thaddeus,  480. 


Safeblade,  J.   F.,  775- 
Salladay.   Charles   P.,  258. 
Sanderson,  Austin,  572. 
Sauer,  Christian  G.,  722. 
Schaefer,  Albert,  351. 
Scherer,  Frederick  T.,  642. 
Schmid,   George  A.,  260. 
Schmitt,  Adam,  525. 
Schoch,  Albert  F..  60. 
Schoenneshoefer.  William,  771. 
Schott,  Joseph,  649. 
Schweickert,  Bertram.  435. 
Schweickert,  Charles  A.,  394. 
Schweickert,  Henry  E.,  410. 
Schweickert,  Jacob  F.,  462. 
Schweickert,  Vincent,  393. 
Severson.  Z..  51. 
Sexton,  James,  83. 
Sherman,  Henry,  755. 
Sherman,  Josenh.  587. 
Siegler,  Bart.  486. 
Siegler,  William  J.,  466. 
Simmons,  Terry.  484. 
Simon,   A.  D.,   138. 
Simonson,  Omun,  778. 
Slagle.  David  H.,  312. 
Smeeton,  Henry,  153. 


Smith,  A.  H..  382. 
Smith,  Cyrus  H.,  726. 
Smith,   Frederick  W.,  768. 
Smith,  James  K.,  660. 
Smith.  Uriah  T.,  308. 
Snelling,  David,  599. 
Snow,  Clyde  M.,  406. 
Solberg.  Charles  O.,  259. 
Soule.  Charles  E.,  795. 
Spaulding,  Judson,  347. 
Spencer,  Thomas  H.,  54. 
Springsteed,   Benjamin,  567. 
Stanford.  Russell  E.,  703. 
States,   Frank  E.,  485. 
States,  Gaylord  J.,  261. 
Stebbins,   Burr,   157. 
Stebbins,  Grant  C,  155. 
Steinmayer,  Christian,  383. 
Sterrett,  William  S.,  608. 
Stevenson,  James  W.,  70. 
Stiles,  E.  B.,  16. 
Stilson,  Samuel  T.,  98. 
Strong.  Charles  C,  342. 
Struever.  Charles,  490. 
Sullivan,  Thomas,  172. 


Tavlor.   Charles  P.,  286. 
Taylor.  W.  W.,  764. 
Teal.   Nathan,  320. 
Teissedre,    Paul,  784. 
Thomas,    Henry,   769. 
Thomas,  John.  745. 
Thomas,  William,  103. 
Thompson,   Barto.  617. 
Thompson,  John   M.,  334. 
Thompson,  Lewis  T.,  575. 
Thompson,   Sylvanus  S.,   165. 
Thompson,  Thomas  F.,  564. 
Thornton,  U.   N.,  607. 
Tisler.  Frederick  P..  167. 
Todd.  Harry  W.,  407. 
Townsend.  George  W..  627. 
Transeau,  James  W..  786 
Trowbridge,  Irving  H..   124. 
Truman,   William,  213. 
Trumbo,   B.  Frank,   127, 
Tucker,  Adney  N.,  211. 

U 

Ulricli,   John    B.,   245. 

V 

Van   Skiver,  A.   R.,  262. 
Vette,  John  D.,  363. 
Vigness.  Lauritz  A.,  33. 
Vohs,  John  J..  492. 
Vosburgh,  David  j\I..  283. 

w 

Wafer,  J.  J,,  145 
Wakey,  Jerry   W.,    137. 


Vlll 


INDEX. 


Walbridge,  Alonzo  F.,  280. 
Waldorf,  Louis,  442. 
Walsh,  James  T.,  107. 
Walter,  John,  215. 
Ward,  Ebin  J.,  64. 
Warren,  Charlotte  L.,  613, 
Warren,  William  P.,  578. 
Waszkowiak,   Paul,  499. 
Watts,  Charles  B.,  603. 
Watts,  Philip  C,  117. 
Watts,  Thomas  W.,  531. 
Waugh,  Samuel,  76. 
Weberling-,  Theodore,  196. 
Welsh,  M.  J.,  244. 
Werner,  Charles  G.,  361. 
Wheeler,  Julius  H.,  369. 
White,  John,  72>2. 
Whitney,  Emerson  L.,  533. 
Wickwire,  D.  H.,  307. 
Wiley,  Samuel  C,  205. 


Wilhelm,  C.  D.,  625. 
Wilkinson,  Aaron  S.,  147. 
Williams,  Silas  W.,  500. 
Williamson,  Albert,  255. 
Williamson,  William  E.,  179. 
Wills,  George  E.,  640. 
Wilson,  Thomas,  494. 
Wilson,  William  G.,  689. 
Winans,  Alva,  694. 
Winter,  John  J.,  672- 
Witte.  John  J.,  287. 
Woodward,  C.  W.,  134. 


Ziesing,  Richard,  648. 
Zimmerman,  Christian,  ,650. 
Zimmerman,  Christian,  Jr.,  652. 
Zolper,   Henry,  456. 
Zwick,   Frank  B.,  556. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 


A 


RALPH   PLUMB. 

THIRD  of  a  century  has  passed  since  this  gentleman  arrived  in  Streator, 
and  he  is  justly  numbered  among  her  leading  citizens,  his  labors  having 
contributed  largely  to  her  upbuilding  and  prosperity.  His  is  an  honorable 
record  of  a  conscientious  man,  who  by  his  upright  life  has  won  the  confi- 
dence of  all  with  whom  he  has  come  in  contact.  He  has  reached  the  age 
of  more  than  four-score  years,  but  though  a  long  and  busy  life  has  whitened 
his  hair  he  has  the  vigor  of  a  much  younger  man,  and  in  spirit  and  interests 
seems  yet  in  his  prime.  Old  age  is  not  necessarily  a  synonym  of  weakness 
or  inactivity.  It  need  not  suggest,  as  a  matter  of  course,  want  of  occupation 
or  helplessness.  There  is  an  old  age  that  is  a  benediction  to  all  that  comes 
in  contact  with  it,  that  gives  out  of  its  rich  stores  of  learning  and  experience, 
and  grows  stronger  intellectually  and  spiritually  as  the  years  pass.  Such 
is  the  life  of  Colonel  Ralph  Plumb,  an  encouragement  to  his  associates  and 
an  example  well  worthy  of  emulation  to  the  young. 

It  is  always  interesting  in  biographical  research  to  note  something  of 
the  ancestry  from  which  one  springs  and  to  take  cognizance  of  the  charac- 
teristics of  the  family,  watching  the  continuous  display  of  certain  traits  of 
character  through  many  generations.  A  most  complete  history  of  the  Plumb 
ancestry  is  obtainable,  the  line  being  traced  back  in  England  to  the  year 
1500,  and  in  this  country  to  1635.  Back  of  these  records  Plumbs  are  found — 
mostly  through  their  wills — through  all  the  centuries  to  1180,  A.  D.,  in  the 
great  rolls  of  Normandy,  thus  showing  Norman  ancestry  in  the  time  of 
Henry  II.,  the  great-grandson  of  William  the  Conqueror.  The  first  repre- 
sentative of  the  family  in  America  was  John  Plumb,  who  crossed  the  Atlantic 
from  England  in  1635,  locating  in  Wethersfield,  Connecticut.  He  served 
in  Captain  Mason's  command  during  the  Pequod  war,  and  received  a  grant 
of  land  for  his  services.  Only  one  of  his  children  was  born  in  America,  and 
no  record  of  any  exists  except  that  his  son  Samuel  lived  with  him  in  Branford 
when  he  died,  in  1648.  It  was  from  this  John  Plumb  and  another  who  came 
in  1660  and  left  descendants  that  the  American  branch  of  the  Plumb  family 

9 


lo  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

sprang,  and  they  have  been  prominent  in  the  civil  and  miHtary  Hfe  of  the 
country  ever  since.  They  have  been  a  race  of  warriors  and  statesmen,  and 
have  been  notable  and  forceful  in  all  the  emergencies  of  their  several  gener- 
ations. There  were  forty  representatives  of  the  name  in  naval  and  military 
service  during  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  This  family  was  also  worthily  repre- 
sented in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  and  in  times  of  peace  has  served  its 
country  in  a  most  creditable  manner.  Ebenezer  Plumb,  the  grandfather  of 
the  Colonel,  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  and  fought  for  the  liberty  of  the 
colonies.  Taking  a  very  prominent  part  in  church  work,  he  was  familiarly 
known  as  Deacon  Plumb,  on  account  of  holding  the  office  of  deacon  for 
many  years  in  the  old  church  at  Stockbridge,  Berkshire  county,  Massachu- 
setts. Theron  Plumb,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Berkshire 
county,  Massachusetts,  August  17,  1783,  and  having  arrived  at  years  of 
maturity  he  married  Miss  Harriet,  daughter  of  Samuel  Merry,  of  Herkimer 
county,  New  York. 

Colonel  Plumb  of  this  review  is  a  native  of  the  Empire  state,  his  birth 
having  occurred  in  Busti,  Chautauqua  county,  March  29,  1816.  In  1820  he 
was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Plartford,  Ohio,  where  he  spent  his  boyhood 
days,  attending  the  common  schools  until  fourteen  years  of  age,  when  neces- 
sity demanded  that  he  earn  his  own  livelihood,  and  he  put  aside  his  text- 
books. He  entered  upon  his  business  career,  being  employed  as  a  gardener, 
receiving  the  small  sum  of  eighteen  and  three-fourths  cents  per  day  in  com- 
pensation for  his  services.  However,  he  applied  himself  diligently  to  his 
work  and  won  the  good  will  and  confidence  of  his  employer,  Seth  Playes, 
who  gave  him  a  position  in  his  store,  conducted  under  the  firm  name  of 
Richard  Hayes  &  Company.  Mr.  Plumb  remained  there  until  he  had 
attained  his  majority,  and  in  the  meantime  he  improved  his  education  as 
opportunity  offered,  devoting  much  of  his  leisure  time  to  study. 

When  he  had  reached  man's  estate  Mr.  Plumb  entered  into  partnership 
with  his  employer,  under  the  firm  name  of  Hayes  &  Plumb,  and  an  extensive 
trade  was  enjoyed  by  them.  They  extended  their  business  by  establishing 
branch  stores,  and  Mr.  Plumb  gave  evidence  of  his  superior  business  ability 
by  personally  superintending  three  stores  in  a  successful  manner.  Thus  with 
the  passing  years  he  grew  in  influence  and  in  affluence,  and  his  fellow  towns- 
men, appreciating  his  worth,  called  him  to  public  office.  In  1854  he  was 
elected  to  the  Ohio  legislature,  where  he  served  for  three  sessions.  About 
that  time  he  disposed  of  his  business  interests  in  Hartford  and  removed  to 
Oberlin,  in  order  to  provide  his  children  with  better  educational  privileges. 

In  1858  he  was  an  active  factor  in  an  episode  that  has  become  historical 
and  that  clearly  proved  his  position  in  regard  to  the  slavery  question.  A 
fugitive  slave,  John  Price  by  name,  had  gone  to  Oberlin  and  secured  work. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  ii 

His  master,  learning-  of  his  whereabouts,  sent  a  slave-catcher  to  capture  him 
and  take  him  back  to  \\'ellington.  a  place  nine  miles  away,  where  an  officer 
with  papers  for  his  arrest  awaited  him.  Fearing  that  Price  might  recognize 
the  slave-catcher,  two  strange  men  were  sent  and  told  him  that  a  gentleman 
wished  to  hire  him.  With  the  trusting  disposition  of  the  negro,  fearing  no 
treachery.  Price  accompanied  the  men.  Oberlin  then  became  the  scene  of 
wild  excitement,  the  anti-slavery  people  being  greatly  roused  by  the  injustice 
of  the  methods  that  had  been  pursued.  Five  hundred  strong,  they  rescued 
the  slave  and  sent  him  ofif  to  Canada.  Mr.  Plumb,  with  thirty-six  others  of 
the  party,  was  arrested  and  thrown  into  jail.  For  eighty-four  days  they 
were  incarcerated,  during  which  time  Mr.  Plumb,  with  the  assistance  of 
two  of  his  fellow  prisoners,  established  and  edited  The  Rescuer,  an  anti- 
slavery  paper,  even  printing  the  same  in  the  jail,  where  one  of  the  party, 
owning  a  press  and  being  a  printer,  did  the  work.  This  paper  had  a  wide 
circulation  and  the  arrest  and  imprisonment  of  those  thirty-seven  men  caused 
the  wildest  excitement  in  the  county  and  state.  They  were  anxious  for  and 
demanded  a  trial.  The  town,  county,  state  and  even  the  federal  government 
did  not  know  what  to  do  with  them;  they  were  a  veritable  w'hite  elephant 
on  the  hands  of  the  authorities.  During  the  legislative  career  of  Mr.  Plumb 
he  helped  to  secure  the  passage  of  a  bill  defining  the  crime  of  kidnaping, 
and  of  this  the  citizens  of  Oberlin  took  advantage  at  this  time  and  had  the 
two  men  who  inveigled  the  slave  into  the  hands  of  the  officers  arrested  for 
kidnaping  him.  This  was  like  a  thunder-clap  out  of  a  clear  sky  to  the  author- 
ities and  brought  them  to  time;  and  they  opened  negotiations  with  the 
prisoners  for  their  release,  being  secretly  glad  to  get  rid  of  them.  They 
were  released  in  consideration  of  the  kidnapers'  not  being  prosecuted. 
During  these  eighty-four  days  of  incarceration  the  thirty-seven  prisoners 
were  the  heroes  of  the  hour.  Their  imprisonment  was  a  continuous  recep- 
tion, people  coming  from  all  parts  of  the  country  by  the  thousands  to  visit 
them  and  encourage  them  in  the  stand  they  had  taken  against  oppression 
and  injustice.  At  last  the  prison  doors  were  opened  with  eclat  and  the 
prisoners  welcomed  with  a  band  of  music  and  the  salute  of  one  hundred 
guns. 

Mr.  Plumb  continued  a  firm  advocate  of  anti-slavery  principles;  and, 
being  a  strong  advocate  of  the  Union  cause  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  war 
of  the  Rebellion,  he  received  the  appointment  of  assistant  quartermaster  of 
a  division,  with  the  rank  of  captain.  He  was  quartermaster  on  the  stafY  of 
James  A.  Garfield,  and  was  one  of  the  General's  closest  friends  and  warmest 
admirers  and  served  with  him  until  the  General  became  chief  of  stafif  for 
General  Rosecrans.  During  the  latter  part  of  the  great  struggle  he  was 
quartermaster  of  Camp  Dennison,  and  was  brevetted  colonel  for  meritorious 


12  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

service.  During  his  service  as  quartermaster  he  handled  immense  sums  of 
money  without  the  loss  of  a  dollar  to  the  government,  and  at  the  close  of 
the  war  he  returned  to  Oberlin  with  a  most  honorable  record. 

Since  the  year  1866  Colonel  Plumb  has  been  identified  with  the  interests 
of  Streator,  and  to  no  man  does  the  city  owe  its  upbuilding,  improvement 
and  progress  in  a  greater  degree.  He  was  chosen  by  a  large  syndicate  of 
capitalists  to  become  their  resident  manager  at  Streator,  and  he  purchased 
for  them  four  thousand  acres  of  coal  lands.  Under  his  supervision  the 
development  of  the  mines  was  commenced,  and  four  hundred  miles  of  rail- 
road was  built  in  order  to  provide  shipping  facilities  for  the  output.  The 
marked  business  and  executive  ability  of  Mr.  Plumb  was  manifest  in  the 
success  which  attended  the  new  enterprise  from  the  beginning.  It  yielded 
handsome  financial  returns  to  the  members  of  the  company  and  brought  to 
Mr.  Plumb  a  deserved  prosperity.  He  founded  and  laid  out  what  is  now 
the  city  of  Streator,  personally  giving  every  street  its  title,  and  naming  the 
place  in  honor  of  Dr.  Streator.  who  was  president  of  the  syndicate  of  which 
Colonel  Plumb  was  manager.  From  the  beginning  our  subject  has  been 
most  closely  identified  with  the  progress  and  improvement  of  the 
place  and  has  aided  materially  in  its  development.  The  leading  hotel  of  the 
city  bears  his  name,  as  does  the  opera  house,  and  at  his  own  expense  he 
built  one  of  the  finest  high-school  buildings,  furnished  with  all  modern  con- 
veniences for  educational  purposes,  and  presented  it  to  the  city.  It  was 
erected  and  equipped  at  a  cost  of  more  than  forty  thousand  dollars,  and 
is  one  of  the  finest  in  the  state.  No  public  enterprise  of  Streator  has  solicited 
his  aid  in  vain.  His  co-operation  with  movements  tending  to  promote  the 
general  welfare  has  been  hearty,  generous  and  prompt,  and  often  he  has 
been  the  leading  spirit  in  measures  that  have  advanced  the  material,  social, 
intellectual  and  moral  interests  of  the  community. 

In  his  political  views  Colonel  Plumb  has  always  been  a  stanch  Repub- 
lican, unfaltering  in  support  of  his  party,  and  in  addition  to  serving  in  the 
state  legislature  of  Ohio  he  was  Streator's  first  mayor,  holding  the  office 
for  two  terms.  His  administration  was  of  great  value,  and  he  ever  exercises 
his  official  prerogatives  for  the  benefit  of  the  city.  In  his  elections  to  the 
mayoralty  he  was  the  unanimous  choice  of  the  citizens,  having  no  opposition. 
In  1884  he  was  elected  to  represent  his  district  in  congress,  was  re-elected 
in  1886,  and  after  four  years'  service  retired  to  private  life. 

While  prominently  connected  with  public  afifairs  and  occupied  by  exten- 
sive business  interests.  Colonel  Plumb  is  a  man  of  domestic  tastes,  and  his 
interest  has  ever  centered  in  his  home,  his  familv  relations  beingf  ideal  in 
character.  In  1838  he  married  Miss  Marrilla  E.  Borden,  one  of  the  friends 
of  his  early  youth.     She  resided  in  Hartford,  Trumbull   county,   Ohio,   a 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  13 

daughter  of  Philo  Borden,  who  was  a  native  of  New  England  and  was  of 
Puritan  descent.  He  was  a  farmer,  a  captain  of  the  state  militia,  and  at  one 
time  the  postmaster  of  Hartford.  Mrs.  Plumb  was  born  September  16, 
181 8,  and  by  her  marriage  she  became  the  mother  of  three  daughters,  who 
grew  to  years  of  maturity,  but  are  now  deceased.  The  eldest,  Geraldine, 
passed  away  July  i,  1875;  Harriet  Eliza  died  January  24,  1861;  and 
Francenia  M.  was  called  to  the  home  beyond  February  11,  1872.  On  the 
15th  of  October,  1898,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Plumb  celebrated  the  sixtieth  anniver- 
sary of  their  marriage,  having  throughout  that  long  period  traveled  life's 
journey  together,  sharing  with  each  other  its  joys  and  sorrows,  its  adversity 
and  prosperity. 

A  contemporary  biographer  has  said :  "Mrs.  Plumb  is  as  popular  in 
Streator  as  is  her  honored  husband.  She  is  a  lady  of  beautiful  character,  in 
which  the  twin  virtues  of  charity  and  benevolence  shine  with  a  light  which 
has  made  life  easier  and  happier  for  numbers  of  people.  She  is  a  patron 
of  the  Ladies'  Library  at  Streator,  and  for  eighteen  years  has  furnished  it 
a  home,  rent  free,  in  the  Plumb  opera-house  block.  She  was  in  sympathy 
with  her  husband's  anti-slavery  principles  and  has  done  much  for  the  colored 
race,  donating  liberally  to  southern  colleges,  among  which  is  the  Freedmen's 
College  and  the  Fisk  University  at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  and  various  other 
institutions  of  learning.  So  broad  is  the  charity  of  this  noble  woman  that 
she  seeks  to  help  the  deserving  poor,  even  to  the  extent  of  giving  pleasure 
as  well  as  assistance.  She  and  her  husband  have  donated  liberally  to  the 
college  at  Oberlin,  Ohio,  where  her  daughters  were  educated,  and  is  a 
stanch  supporter  of  the  Good  Will  Church  of  Streator,  as  its  treasury  will 
show.  She  is  a  member  of  no  one  church,  but  a  firm  believer  in  all  religions, 
regardless  of  creeds.  She  is  a  womanly  woman  and  much  beloved  by  her 
own  sex,  and  has  hosts  of  friends,  among  whom  there  are  many  who  owe 
her  a  boundless  debt  of  gratitude  for  help  and  sympathy,  as  well  as  financial 
aid  given  in  times  of  trouble  and  distress." 

Colonel  Plumb  has  for  some  years  practically  lived  a  retired  life,  yet 
in  a  measure  superintends  his  investments.  His  has  been  a  very  active 
career,  and  the  rest  which  he  is  enjoying  in  his  palatial  home  in  Streator  is 
well  merited.  He  has  left  the  deep  impress  of  his  individuality  upon  almost 
every  department  of  the  city  life  wherein  honorable  men  find  an  interest,  and 
the  beautiful  and  enterprising  city  may  be  said  to  be  a  monument  to  the 
diligence  and  ability  of  the  founder. 


14  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


THOMAS  DEAN  CATLIN. 

It  has  been  practically  within  the  latter  part  of  the  nineteenth  century 
that  the  northern  portion  of  Illinois  has  been  opened  to  the  advance  of 
civilization,  and  the  cities  of  this  division  are  the  product  of  the  latter-day 
enterprise  and  progress.  Ottawa,  belonging  to  this  class,  is  mentioned 
in  the  Gazetteer  as  "the  seat  of  varied  and  useful  activities;"  and  among  the 
prominent  men  who  have  helped  to  make  it  such  stands  the  gentleman  whose 
name  heads  this  review\  He  has  been  identified  with  this  region  for  more 
than  forty-one  years,  and  is  to-day  the  representative  of  some  of  its  leading 
industries. 

Thomas  Dean  Catlin  is  a  native  of  Clinton,  Oneida  county,  New  York, 
born  March  12,  1838.  His  parents  were  Marcus  and  Philena  (Dean)  Catlin. 
His  father  was  a  professor  of  mathematics  in  Hamilton  College,  at  Clinton. 
He  was  of  English  descent,  and  his  death  occurred  in  1849.  On  the  maternal 
side  Mr.  Catlin  descends  from  an  old  historic  family  of  the  Empire  state. 
His  mother  comes  of  a  family  that  founded  Deansville,  New  York.  In 
1795,  on  the  site  of  that  town,  lived  the  Brotherton  Indians,  and  in  that 
year  John  Dean,  a  Quaker,  went  to  the  place  as  a  missionary  to  labor 
with  and  for  the  red  men.  For  a  year  he  lived  in  a  log  house,  and  then 
erected  what  is  now  the  wing  of  the  residence  owned  by  Charles  Hovey. 
There  he  faithfully  continued  his  work  until  life's  labors  were  ended,  and  he 
passed  peacefully  away  in  1820,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-eight  years. 
He  had  a  son,  Thomas  Dean,  who  likewise  was  devoted  to  missionary 
work  among  the  Indians.  He  had  been  his  father's  assistant,  and  when  the 
latter  died  he  continued  to  labor  toward  civilizing  the  red  men.  He  was  a 
man  of  herculean  proportions  and  of  great  ability  and  sound  judgment. 
He  was  not  only  the  Indian  agent  but  was  also  a  counselor,  spiritual  guide 
and  general  law-giver,  and  was  largely  instrumental  in  transferring  the 
Brotherton  Indians  to  a  reservation  at  Green  Bay,  Wisconsin.  He  secured 
the  appropriation  of  sixty-four  thousand  acres  from  the  government,  and 
also  secured  the  passage  of  a  law  through  the  New  York  legislature  which 
enabled  the  Indians  to  sell  their  lands  at  full  value.  From  1830  to  1840  his 
time  was  entirely  taken  up  with  locating  his  dusky  friends  in  their  new 
home  and  in  adjusting  business  matters  for  them,  and.  wearied  by  his 
great  toil,  death  came  to  end  his  arduous  service,  in  June,  1842.  when 
he  had  reached  the  age  of  sixty-three  years.  He  was  scrupulously  honest, 
and  his  career,  both  public  and  private,  was  above  reproach  in  every  partic- 
ular. He  had  the  love  and  reverence  of  the  Indians,  and  the  confidence 
and  highest  regard  of  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.     At  the  time  when 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  15 

a  petition  was  circulated  for  the  establishment  of  a  post-office  at  another 
place  in  the  vicinity,  he  went  to  Washington  and  secured  the  office  for 
Deansvillc  instead.  He  became  its  first  postmaster,  and  the  office  and  the 
village  were  named  in  his  honor.  He  had  five  children,  and  among  this 
number  was  Mrs.  Philena  Catlin. 

Her  son,  Thomas  Dean  Catlin,  acquired  his  education  in  Hamilton 
College,  at  Clinton,  New  York,  being  graduated  at  that  institution  in  the 
class  of  1857,  at  the  early  age  of  nineteen  years.  He  still  belongs  to  the 
college  society  known  as  Sigma  Phi.  Upon  the  broad  fields  of  the  west, 
with  its  unlimited  opportunities,  he  entered  upon  his  business  career.  In 
1858  he  came  to  Ottawa,  Illinois,  to  meet  by  appointment  his  uncle,  A.  H. 
Redfield,  of  Detroit,  who  was  acting  as  an  Indian  agent  and  was  stationed 
at  the  head-waters  of  the  Missouri  river.  It  was  liis  intention  to  go  to 
that  region;  but,  his  uncle  having  been  detained  for  a  time,  he  meanwhile 
sought  and  obtained  a  position  in  the  employ  of  the  Chicago,  Rock  Island 
&  Pacific  Railroad  Company,  first  as  a  freight  clerk,  receiving  a  salary  of 
only  four  hundred  dollars  a  year;  but  he  soon  afterward  won  promotion,  and 
for  five  years  served  as  agent,  finally  receiving  sixty  dollars  a  month — the 
highest  salary  he  ever  received  from  that  corporation. 

His  connection  with  the  establishment  of  telegraphic  communication 
in  the  west  certainly  makes  him  worthy  of  a  place  in  this  history.  It  is  said 
that  rapid  transit  and  rapid  communication  are  the  most  important  factors 
in  civilization.  Mr.  Catlin  is  a  pioneer  in  this  enterprise.  In  1863  he 
became  the  secretary  of  the  Illinois  &  Mississippi  Telegraph  Company,  which 
had  been  established  in  1849,  one  of  the  first  in  the  west.  This  company 
owned  telegraph  patents  for  several  of  thq  western  states,  controlling  the 
business  in  this  section  of  the  country.  It  Imilt  various  lines  throughout 
the  west,  and  in  1867  leased  its  lines  to  the  Western  Union  Telegraph  Com- 
pany, thus  forming  the  connecting  link  between  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific. 

Many  and  varied  have  been  the  business  interests  with  which  he  has  been 
connected.  He  is  a  man  of  broad  capabilities  and  resources,  and  his  keen 
discrimination,  sound  judgment  and  business  sagacity  enalile  him  to  carry 
forward  to  successful  completion  whatever  he  undertakes.  He  is  an  able 
financier,  his  ambition  being  tempered  with  a  safe  conservatism,  and  he  is 
now  at  the  head  of  one  of  the  leading  financial  institutions  of  the  state.  In 
April,  1884,  he  was  elected  vice-president  of  the  National  City  Bank,  of 
Ottawa,  and  in  June,  1890,  after  the  death  of  E.  C.  Allen,  its  president,  he  was 
elected  to  the  superior  office,  and  has  ever  since  acceptably  and  creditably 
filled  that  position.  This  bank  is  capitalized  for  one  hundred  thousand 
dollars,  and  it  now  has  a  surplus  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  thous- 
and   dollars,    and    undivided    ])rofits    of    fifty    thousand    dollars,    making 


i6  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

a  working  capital  of  about  three  hundred  thousand  dollars.  He  is  also 
president  of  the  State  Bank  of  Seneca,  Illinois. 

In  1867  Mr.  Catlin  organized  the  Ottawa  Glass  Company  and  they 
established  one  of  the  pioneer  industries  of  its  kind  west  of  Pittsburg,  of 
which  he  was  the  secretary  and  treasurer.  Business  was  carried  on  under 
that  name  until  1880,  when  the  company  sold  its  plant  to  the  United  Glass 
Company,  of  New  York,  a  corporation  capitalized  for  one  million  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  thousand  dollars  and  owning  factories  in  various  places.  Of  this 
company  Mr.  Catlin  was  the  president  and  treasurer  for  six  years  after 
its  organization. 

In  1866  Mr.  Catlin  was  married  to  Miss  Helen  C.  Plant,  a  resident  of 
Utica,  New  York,  and  a  member  of  one  of  the  old  and  honored  families 
of  the  Empire  state  and  connected  with  the  Daughters  of  the  Revolution. 
Their  only  child  is  James  Plant  Catlin. 

Mr.  Catlin  is  connected  with  many  of  the  public  interests  of  Ottawa 
which  are  calculated  to  promote  the  moral,  educational  and  material  welfare 
of  the  community.  He  is  a  member  of  the  First  Congregational  church, 
and  is  serving  as  one  of  its  deacons.  He  was  a  member  of  the  first  board 
of  trustees  of  the  public  library  at  Ottawa;  is  the  president  of  the  board  of 
trustees  of  the  Ryburn  Memorial  Hospital,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the 
board  of  trustees  of  Hamilton  College,  at  Clinton,  New  York.  Charitable 
and  benevolent,  he  gives  freely  of  his  means  to  those  in  need  of  assistance, 
but  gives  always  in  a  quiet,  unostentatious  way,  seeking  not  the  laudations 
of  men.  In  his  political  views  he  is  a  stalwart  supporter  of  the  Republican 
party,  and  has  served  his  city  as  alderman  and  a  member  of  the  board  of 
education. 

The  record  of  Mr.  Catlin  is  that  of  a  man  who  by  his  own  unaided 
efforts  has  worked  his  way  upward  to  a  position  of  affluence.  His  life  has 
been  one  of  industry  and  perseverance,  and  the  systematic  and  honorable 
business  methods  which  he  has  followed  have  won  him  the  support  and 
confidence  of  many.  Without  the  aid  of  influence  or  wealth,  he  has  risen 
to  a  position  among  the  most  prominent  men  of  the  state,  and  his  native 
genius  and  acquired  ability  are  the  stepping-stones  on  which  he  mounted.  , 


E.  B.  STILES. 


E.  B.  Stiles,  as  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Ransom  Review,  is  a 
worthy  representative  of  the  journalistic  interests  of  this  section  of  Illinois. 
On  the  17th  of  March,  1899,  he  took  charge  of  his  paper,  which  was  founded 
by  a  Mr.  Ford  and  was  known  as  the  Ransom  Republic.     Later  the  name 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  17 

of  this  journal  was  changed  to  the  Ransom  News,  and  it  was  edited  for 
a  number  of  years  by  J.  H.  Brown,  now  of  Blair,  Nebraska,  who  sold  out  to 
Mr.  Stiles.  When  this  change  occurred  the  present  name  was  adopted, 
and  the  Ransom  Review  has  steadily  gained  favor  with  the  public.  It 
is  a  bright,  newsy  sheet,  devoted  to  local  interests,  and  to  the  circulation  of 
domestic  and  foreign  news.  It  is  an  excellent  advertising  medium  and 
has  a  splendid  patronage  along  that  line.  Its  circulation  list  includes  more 
than  four  hundred  names,  and  the  paper  is  now  in  a  prosperous  condition. 
The  office  is  well  equipped  for  turning  out  a  high  grade  of  newspaper  and 
job  work  and  the  owner  is  well  worthy  the  liberal  support  of  the  public. 

Mr.  Stiles  has  been  a  resident  of  the  county  since  1881.  He  was  born 
in  Mendon  township,  Monroe  county.  New  York,  in  1836,  and  with  his 
parents  removed  to  Boyd's  Grove,  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  in  his  youth. 
There  he  was  reared  and  educated,  and  after  attaining  to  years  of  maturity 
he  married  Miss  Sarah  Wilson,  of  Bureau  county,  who  was  born  in  Peoria, 
Illinois.  Four  children  grace  their  union  :  Harry  C,  who  was  formerly  con- 
nected with  the  Review,  but  is  now  a  resident  of  Chicago;  Minnie,  wife  of 
G.  G.  Hoover,  express  messenger  for  the  Santa  Fe  Railroad  Company  at 
Streator,  Illinois;  Charles  L.,  a  railroad  bill  clerk  at  Streator,  Illinois;  and 
Ray  E.,  of  Ransom,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  Spanish-xA-merican  war,  as  a 
member  of  Company  A,  Third  Illinois  Infantry,  under  command  of  Colonel 
Bennett. 

In  politics  Mr.  Stiles  is  independent,  supporting  the  measures  which  he 
believes  will  best  advance  the  country's  interests,  and  voting  for  the  man 
whom  he  thinks  will  execute  those  measures.  He  is  a  prominent  member 
of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  with  which  he  has  been  connected 
for  more  than  thirty  years,  and  for  three  terms  has  been  a  representative  to 
the  grand  encampment  of  that  society. 


REV.    HENRY   A.    O'KELLY. 

The  great  work  of  the  Catholic  church  appealed  most  strongly  to  the 
Rev.  Father  O'Kelly  from  the  time  that  he  was  a  young  lad  until  he  entered 
its  service,  thenceforth  to  devote  his  life  solely  to  God  and  his  fellow  men. 
His  labors  of  zeal  and  love  have  borne  abundant  fruits,  and  no  more  revered 
and  honored  priest  is  often  found  in  a  community  than  the  pastor  of  the 
church  of  the  Immaculate  Conception,  in  Streator. 

A  brief  history  of  the  Father's  life  will  prove  of  interest  to  his  numerous 
friends  and  admirers  outside  the  church  as  well  as  those  of  his  flock.  He 
is  a  native  of  the  beautiful  Emerald  Isle,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  the 


i8  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

city  of  Gahvay,  on  the  western  coast,  in  1852.  A  son  of  a  physician  of  high 
standing,  Dr.  P.  F.  O'Kelly,  he  received  exceptionally  fine  training  and  edu- 
cational advantages,  and  was  encouraged  in  his  desire  to  enter  the  priest- 
hood. The  Doctor  was  a  native  of  Dublin,  and  his  wife,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Mary  Birmingham,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Birmingham,  Esq.,  of 
Ashgrove,  county  Galway,  belonged  to  one  of  the  most  ancient  Anglo- 
Norman  families  in  Ireland. 

When  a  young  man  of  eighteen  years  the  Rev.  H.  A.  O'Kelly  came 
to  the  United  States,  and  at  once  entered  a  theological  seminary  in  Troy, 
New  York  state.  In  research,  study  and  preparation  for  the  great  work 
which  was  the  goal  of  his  ambition,  he  spent  the  subsequent  eight  years, 
being  graduated  and  ordained  a  priest  by  Bishop  Spalding,  now  of  Peoria, 
Illinois.  The  young  priest  was  then  placed  in  charge  of  a  congregation  in 
Carthage,  Hancock  county,  this  state,  and  later  was  pastor  of  a  church  at 
El  Paso,  Illinois.  In  1883  he  came  to  Streator,  where  he  has  since  officiated 
as  the  spiritual  shepherd  of  the  two  hundred  or  more  families  included  in 
the  parish  of  the  church  of  the  Immaculate  Conception.  The  house  of 
worship  was  built  by  him,  and  in  connection  with  this  there  is  a  flourishing 
school  and  a  hospital  founded  by  Father  O'Kelly,  some  four  hundred  chil- 
dren being  in  regular  attendance  at  the  day  and  Sunday  schools.  Untiring 
in  his  zeal  for  the  welfare  of  his  church  and  people,  there  is  little  cause  for 
wonder  that  Father  O'Kelly  is  greatly  loved  and  looked  to  for  sympathy, 
help  and  counsel,  which  he  never  fails  to  give. 


HENRY   FETZER. 


The  learned  professions  call  for  individual  talent  and  ability  as  no  other 
lines  of  business  do.  An  industrial  or  commercial  enterprise  already  estab- 
lished and  in  successful  operation  may  be  taken  up  by  one  not  hitherto 
connected  with  it,  and  without  previous  training  he  may  carry  it  still  further 
forward  toward  successful  completion,  but  in  the  line  of  medicine  or  the 
law  one  must  be  specially  qualified  for  the  work,  and  strong  mentality,  com- 
prehensive knowledge,  close  application  and  indefatigable  energy  must  serve 
as  a  foundation  upon  which  to  rest  the  superstructure  of  professional  suc- 
cess. It  is  therefore  evident  when  one  attains  prominence  at  the  bar  that 
he  possesses  ability  that  enables  him  to  advance,  unaided  by  what  others  may 
have  done  before  him.  To-day  Henry  Fetzer,  of  Streator,  ranks  among  the 
leading  lawyers  of  LaSalle  county,  and  is  enjoying  a  large  clientage.  He 
began  practice  here  in  1894,  previous  to  which  time  he  had  been  identified 
with  the  business  interests  of  the  community  in  various  ways. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  19 

Mr.  Fetzer  came  to  the  county  in  1874  from  Ohio,  but  was  a  native  of 
\'irginia,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  the  Old  Dominion,  near  Winchester, 
April  II,  1854.  His  parents  were  William  and  Catharine  (Stickley)  Fetzer, 
and  the  great-great-grandparents  on  both  sides  of  the  family  were  of  Ger- 
man birth,  the  families  being  founded  in  America  at  about  the  same  period 
in  the  colonial  history  of  the  country,  the  Fetzers  becoming  residents  of 
Pennsylvania,  while  the  Stickleys  located  in  Frederick  City,  Maryland. 
Their  descendants  emigrated  to  Woodstock,  Shenandoah  county,  Virginia, 
and  thus  the  families  became  united  through  the  marriage  of  William  Fetzer 
and  Catharine  Stickley.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was 
Joachim  Fetzer,  who  was  born  in  Virginia  and  resided  near  Woodstock,  in 
the  Shenandoah  valley.  William  Fetzer,  the  father,  was  a  farmer  by  occu- 
pation, and  followed  that  pursuit  throughout  his  entire  life.  He  passed 
away  in  1887,  at  the  ripe  old  age  of  seventy-eight  years. 

Henry  Fetzer  spent  the  first  fifteen  years  of  his  life  in  Virginia,  and 
during  that  time  enjoyed  only  limited  school  advantages.  Fie  worked  as  a 
farm  hand  in  the  neighborhood  of  his  home,  his  wages  going  to  his  father. 
His  ambitious  spirit,  however,  was  not  content  with  such  a  life,  and  hearing 
that  better  wages  were  paid  in  the  west  he  asked  permission  to  leave  home, 
promising  to  give  his  father  just  what  he  could  make  in  Virginia.  Consent 
was  withheld,  however,  and  therefore  he  "ran"  away,  going  to  Ohio,  where 
he  readily  found  employment  in  Belmont  county.  There  he  worked  on  a 
farm  for  three  seasons,  and  in  the  winter  attended  school,  which  was  his 
first  experience  in  the  educational  line.  In  order  to  secure  this  privilege  he 
worked  nights  and  mornings  for  his  board;  nor  was  he  content  to  end  his 
studies  there.  He  found  a  true  friend  in  James  Frazier,  who,  noticing  his 
willingness  to  work  and  his  close  application  to  his  studies,  wisely  advised 
him  to  continue  his  education  in  Franklin  college,  meeting  his  tuition  with 
the  little  money  he  had  been  enabled  to  save  from  his  wages.  Acting  upon 
this  advice  Mr.  Fetzer  pursued  his  studies  until  his  small  capital  was  ex- 
hausted, when  he  was  again  forced  to  labor  for  his  daily  bread.  The  taste 
for  study  has  never  left  him,  and  his  wide  reading  and  close  observation 
have  made  him  a  well  informed  man. 

In  1874  Mr.  Fetzer  arrived  in  LaSalle  county,  where  he  taught  school 
for  some  time,  and  then  went  to  Grinnell,  Kansas,  where  he  served  as  post- 
master and  carried  on  general  merchandising  for  a  short  time,  but  the 
tornado  of  1879  destroyed  all  that  he  had  saved,  and  in  1880  he  again  came 
to  Illinois,  where  he  engaged  in  teaching  until  1883.  The  confinement  of 
the  school-room,  however,  undermined  his  health  and  he  turned  his  attention 
to  buying  and  shipping  stock,  which  Inisiness  he  successfully  followed  until 
1 891.    Through  all  these  years  it  had  been  his  ambition  and  desire  to  grad- 


20  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

uate  at  some  good  educational  institution,  and  in  the  fall  of  1892  he  entered 
upon  a  law  course  in  the  Northwestern  University  Law  School  of  Chicago, 
being  graduated  with  the  class  of  1894.  It  had  not  been  his  intention  to 
engage  in  practice,  the  course  having  been  taken  up  more  for  self-improve- 
ment; but,  becoming  deeply  interested  in  the  science  of  jurisprudence,  he 
opened  an  office  after  his  return  from  college,  and  has  since  been  an 
esteemed  member  of  the  LaSalle  county  bar.  He  has  steadily  worked  his 
way  upward,  and  his  devotion  to  his  clients'  interests,  his  careful  preparation 
of  cases  and  his  thorough  knowledge  of  the  law  have  gained  him  a  large 
practice  and  won  him  many  notable  successes  before  the  court.  His  political 
support  has  generally  been  given  the  Republican  party,  but  he  is  not  strictly 
partisan  and  has  no  ambition  for  office.  He  is  truly  a  self-made  man,  and 
though  opposed  by  a  seemingly  adverse  fate  he  has  steadily  worked  his  way 
upward  until  he  occupies  a  leading  position  among  the  citizens  of  his 
adopted  county. 


PROFESSOR  SAMUEL  H.   HEIDLER. 

In  September,  1895,  the  new  superintendent  of  the  public  schools  of 
Ottawa,  Professor  Samuel  H.  Heidler,  entered  upon  his  duties.  He  has 
made  a  most  painstaking,  efficient,  judicious  official,  and  has  won  the  high- 
est praise  from  our  citizens  and  those  interested  in  the  progress  of  education. 
His  whole  mature  life  has  been  devoted  to  study  and  work  along  the  lines 
of  education,  and  both  by  nature  and  training  he  is  eminently  qualified  for 
the  responsible  position  which  he  occupies.  Under  his  wise  management  of 
our  local  schools  great  improvement  is  to  be  noticed  in  many  directions, 
and  advanced  methods,  well  tried  and  valuable,  are  being  introduced  as 
rapidly  as  is  practicable. 

A  young  man  in  the  prime  of  life.  Professor  Heidler  was  born  Septem- 
ber 6,  1 86 1,  in  the  vicinity  of  Columbia,  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania, 
on  the  old  homestead  which  has  been  handed  down  from  one  generation  to 
the  next,  and  was  originally  purchased  by  the  paternal  ancestor  of  our 
subject,  of  William  Penn,  the  Quaker.  There  were  five  sons  and  five  daugh- 
ters in  the  Heidler  family,  the  parents  being  Levi  and  Martha  Heidler. 

Subsequent  to  leaving  the  common  schools  Samuel  Heidler  spent  three 
years  in  the  training  school  at  Millersville,  the  first  state  normal  in  the  state 
of  Pennsylvania.  Then  he  taught  for  two  years  in  his  native  county,  after 
which  he  went  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  there  pursued  special  lines  of 
study  for  a  year.  At  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  accepted  a  position  in 
the  schools  of  Cantrall,  a  town  situated  some  ten  miles  from  the  state 
capital  of  Illinois,  and  there  he  remained  two  years.     His  next  position  was 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  21 

in  Pleasant  Plains,  where  he  taught  until  1889,  at  that  time  being  offered 
the  principalship  of  the  Stuart  school  in  Springfield,  at  a  salary  of  twelve 
hundred  dollars  a  year.  This  amount  was  later  increased  to  fourteen 
hundred  dollars  a  year,  the  highest  salary  that  had  ever  been  paid  to  any 
ward-school  principal  in  the  city.  In  1893  the  Professor  went  to  California, 
and  for  two  years  devoted  himself  to  special  study  in  the  State  university. 
Returning,  he  at  once  entered  upon  his  work  as  superintendent  of  the 
public  schools  of  Ottawa.  Keen  in  intellect,  quick  to  grasp  and  deal  with 
the  difficulties  of  any  situation,  thoroughly  posted  in  his  chosen  profession, 
he  is  just  the  man  for  the  responsible  position  he  holds.  Fraternally  he 
stands  high  in  the  Masonic  order,  and  politically  he  is  independent  in  his 
attitude. 

In  1893  Professor  Heidler  was  married  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  to  ]Miss 
Delia  Bunn,  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Mary  Bunn,  of  that  city.  Mrs.  Heidler 
is  a  lady  of  superior  educational  and  social  attainments,  and  enjoys  the 
friendship  of  a  large  circle  of  acquaintances.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Order 
of  the  Eastern  Star,  and,  in  company  with  her  husband,  is  a  regular  attendant 
at  the  services  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

The  Ottawa  board  of  education  was  organized  under  a  special  law 
passed  in  the  winter  of  1854-5,  and  in  the  spring  of  the  year  last  mentioned 
the  people  empowered  the  board  to  levy  a  special  tax  of  one  per  cent,  for 
the  purpose  of  building  school-houses  and  paying  needed  expenses.  After 
much  discussion  two  large  buildings  were  erected,  at  a  cost  of  twenty-five 
thousand  dollars.  One  of  these,  now  known  as  the  Columbus  school,  is  in 
the  third  ward,  and  the  other,  now  the  Lincoln  school,  is  in  the  fifth  ward. 
Up  to  that  time  only  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  children  had  been 
enrolled  as  public-school  pupils,  but  from  the  day  that  the  new,  well  equipped 
buildings  were  opened  a  marked  change  was  observed,  and  in  a  short  time 
additional  accommodations  were  required.  The  intervening  years  have 
witnessed  many  great  and  notable  improvements  in  our  school  facilities  and 
educational  methods,  and  each  year  rapid  strides  are  made  toward  per- 
fection. 


CLARENCE  GRIGGS. 


In  no  profession  is  there  a  career  more  open  to  talent  than  in  that  of 
the  law,  and  in  no  field  of  endeavor  is  there  demanded  a  more  careful 
preparation,  a  more  thorough  appreciation  of  the  absolute  ethics  of  life,  or 
of  the  underlying  principles  which  form,  the  basis  of  all  human  rights  and 
privileges.  Unflagging  application  and  the  intuitive  wisdom  and  a  determi- 
nation to  fullv  utilize  the  means  at  hand  are  the  concomitants  which  insure 


22  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

personal  success  and  prestige  in  this  great  profession,  which  stands  as  the 
stern  conservator  of  justice;  and  it  is  one  into  which  none  should  enter 
without  a  recognition  of  the  obstacles  to  be  overcome  and  the  battles  to  be 
won;  for  success  does  not  perch  on  the  falchion  of  every  person  who  enters 
the  competitive  fray,  but  comes  only  as  the  direct  result  of  capacity  and 
unmistakable  ability.  Possessing  all  of  the  essential  qualities  of  the  able 
lawyer,  Clarence  Griggs  is  accounted  a  leading  member  of  the  Ottawa  bar. 

He  is  the  youngest  son  of  Edward  Young  Griggs,  who  traced  his 
ancestry  back  to  Dr.  William  Griggs,  a  resident  of  Salem,  Massachusetts, 
who  died  in  1698.  His  will,  approved  on  the  i8th  day  of  July  of  that  year, 
mentions  a  son  J^cob,  who  resided  in  Salem  and  in  Beverly,  Massachusetts. 
Among  the  children  of  Jacob  Griggs'  family  was  Isaac,  who  was  born  on 
the  27th  of  June,  1699,  and  died  in  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  January  27, 
1768.  His  son  Solomon,  who  resided  in  Waterbury,  Connecticut,  married 
Elizabeth  Gridley  on  the  19th  of  February,  1778.  He  served  as  a  soldier  in 
the  colonial  wars,  and  at  Waterbury,  Connecticut,  enlisted  for  service  in  the 
Revolution,  loyally  aiding  in  the  cause  of  independence  until  the  English 
power  in  the  colonies  was  overthrown.  One  of  his  children  was  Ebenezer 
Griggs,  who  was  born  September  26,  1789,  and  resided  in  Waterbury  and 
Southington,  Connecticut.  He  married  Hepzibah  Bartholomew  in  181 1, 
and  died  July  4,  1823,  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  He  was  the  grandfather  of  our 
subject.  His  wife  was  descended  from  William  Bartholomew,  who  was  born 
in  Ipswich,  Massachusetts,  in  1640,  and  died  in  1697,  leaving  a  son  Andrew, 
whose  birth  occurred  on  the  nth  of  December,  1670,  and  who  died  in 
Wallingford,  Connecticut,  in  1752.  The  last  named  was  the  father  of 
William  Bartholomew,  who  was  born  February  2,  1699,  was  married  in  New 
Haven,  Connecticut,  on  the  25th  of  January,  1721,  and  died  in  Northford, 
Connecticut.  His  son,  Seth  Bartholomew,  was  born  on  the  6th  of  March. 
1729,  and  died  in  Waterbury,  Connecticut.  One  of  his  children  was  Osea 
Bartholomew,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  7th  of  November,  1755,  and 
was  married  in  Waterbury,  Connecticut.  November  16,  1778,  and  his  daugh- 
ter, Hepzibah,  was  the  mother  of  Edward  Young  Griggs.  She  was  born 
on  the  6th  of  September,  1798,  and  died  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  in  the  summer 
of  1823. 

Edward  Young  Griggs,  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Baltimore, 
Maryland,  on  the  24th  of  October,  1818.  He  wedded  Mary  Philbene  Bar- 
nett,  on  the  5th  of  August,  1847.  She  was  born  in  Louisville,  Kentucky, 
May  9,  1827.  The  ancestry  of  the  Barnett  family  can  be  traced  back  to 
John  Barnett,  who  was  born  near  Londonderry,  Ireland,  in  1678,  and  emi- 
grated with  his  family  to  Pennsylvania  prior  to  .1730,  making  a  location  in 
Lancaster,  now  Hanover  county.     He  died  in  September,  1734,  and  among 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  23 

his  children  was  John  Barnett,  who  was  born  in  county  Derry,  Ireland,  in 
1705,  and  with  his  father  came  to  America,  his  death  occurring  in  Hanover 
in  1738.  His  son  Joseph  was  born  in  county  Derry  in  1727,  and  died  in 
Hanover  in  1788,  leaving,  among  other  children,  a  son  James,  whose  birth 
occurred  in  1756,  and  whose  death  occurred  in  1805.  The  last  named  was 
the  father  of  Allen  Barnett,  who  was  born  in  1796  and  was  married  February 
9,  1826,  to  Elizabeth  Shaffer.  His  death  occurred  September  19,  1879.  and 
his  wife  passed  away  on  the  20th  of  December,  1841.  Among  the  children 
who  survived  them  was  Mrs.  E.  Y.  Griggs.  On  the  17th  of  April,  1849,  the 
parents  of  our  subject  left  Springfield,  Ohio,  and  after  traveling  for  five 
days  reached  Ottawa,  Illinois,  by  canal  boat,  on  Sunday  morning.  Mr. 
Griggs  secured  a  clerkship  in  the  employ  of  J.  G.  Nattinger,  with  whom  he 
remained  until  September,  1850.  and  then  opened  a  drug  and  book  store 
in  the  three-story  brick  building  where  the  National  City  Bank  now  stands. 
In  1853  he  opened  his  drug  store  where  he  is  now  doing  business,  and  has 
since  been  one  of  the  leading  merchants  of  the  place. 

Clarence  Griggs,  youngest  son  of  Edward  Young  Griggs,  was  born  on 
the  2d  of  January,  1857,  and  attended  the  common  schools  of  Ottawa, 
being  afterward  graduated  in  the  literary  department  of  the  University  of 
Michigan,  with  the  class  of  1878.  Determining  to  become  a  member  of 
the  bar,  he  took  up  the  study  of  law  under  the  direction  of  Mayo  & 
Weidmer,  and  in  1880  was  licensed  to  practice,  and  opened  an  office  in  the 
spring  of  1881.  He  has  since  devoted  his  energies  successfully  to  the  work 
of  a  legal  practitioner,  and  has  held  the  office  of  master  in  chancery  and 
county  attorney,  having  been  elected  to  the  latter  position  for  four  successive 
terms.  He  is  very  conscientious  and  painstaking  in  the  preparation  of  his 
cases,  and  is  thoroughly  devoted  to  his  clients'  interests.  He  is  also  a 
director  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Ottawa,  having  succeeded  his  father 
in  that  position  in  January.  1897. 

On  the  6th  of  September.  1883,  Mr.  Griggs  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Lura  Nash,  eldest  daughter  of  John  F.  Nash,  who  traces  his  ancestry  back 
to  Thomas  Nash,  who  came  from  Lancashire,  England,  to  America,  landing 
at  Boston  July  26,  1637.  He  died  in  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  on  the  12th 
of  May,  1658.  His  youngest  son,  Timothy  Nash,  was  born  in  1626.  and 
died  March  13.  1699,  at  Hadley,  Massachusetts.  Lieutenant  Timothy  Nash 
settled  on  a  lot  designated  on  the  original  plat  of  the  town  of  Hadley.  and 
his  will  is  recorded  in  the  probate-court  records  of  Northampton,  Massa- 
chusetts, and  mentions  his  son  Thomas.  He  was  born  at  Hartford,  Con- 
necticut, in  1 66 1,  and  died  January  8,  1727.  This  Thomas  Nash  had  a  son 
Thomas,  who  was  born  February  26,  1692,  and  died  March  12,  1783.  John 
Nash,  son  of  Thomas  Nash.  Jr..  was  born  October  20,  1736,  in  Williamsburg, 


24  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

Massachusetts,  and  had  a  son,  John,  Jr.,  whose  birth  occurred  November 
12,  1764,  and  who  died  October  17,  1824.     Among  his  sons  was  Almerin 
Nash,  who  was  born  Februar}^  25,  1801,  and  married  Mandana  Warner,  a 
descendant  of  Jonathan  Warner,  a  captain  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution. 
They  removed  to  Granville,  Putnam  county,  Illinois,  in  1840,  where  Mrs, 
Nash  died  January  25,  1844.    John  Fiske  Nash,  son  of  Almerin,  was  born  in 
WilHamsburg,  Massachusetts,  December  16,  1824,  and  came  west  with  his 
parents.     He  taught  school  in  Putnam  county  in  1846,  edited  a  paper  at 
Hennepin,  and  on  the  2d  of  April,  1847,  came  to  Ottawa,  entering  the  law 
office  of  Dickey  &  Leland,  being  admitted  to  the  bar  in  October,  1849.    He 
served  as  deputy  clerk  under  Philo  Lindley  and  was  elected  to  the  office  of 
clerk  in  1856,  serving  six  years  in  all.     In  1861  he  opened  a  law  office  in 
partnership  with  E.  F.  Bull,  but  in  1865.  on  the  organization  of  the  First 
National   Bank  of  Ottawa,   Illinois,  became  assistant   cashier,   and  at   the 
beginning  of  the  new  year  was  made  cashier.     He  is  one  of  the  prominent 
Masons  of  the  state,  having  served,  in  1878,  as  grand  commander  of  the 
Grand  Commandery  of  the  Knights  Templar  of  Illinois.     On  the  26th  of 
November,  1849,  was  celebrated  his  marriage  to  Lura  M.  Pennell,  and  her 
ancestry  can  be  traced  back  to  John  Pennell,  who,  in  1728,  left  his  home 
in  Yorkshire,  England,  and  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  America,  taking  up  his 
abode  in  Colerain,  Massachusetts.    Among  his  sons  was  John  Pennell,  who 
served  in  the  colonial  wars  and  was  a  captain  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution. 
He  was  born  in   1721,  and  died  in  Halifax,  Vermont,  October  21,   1797. 
Among  his  sons  was  John  Pennell,  who  was  born  in   1758  and  dJed  June 
23>  1793-     He  was  the  father  of  John  Pennell,  Jr.,  whose  birth  occurred  in 
Halifax,  Vermont,  April  8,  1787,  and  died  in  Granville,  Illinois,  June   15, 
1858.     His  wife  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Betsey  Gaines,  and  with  their 
family  they  came  to  the  Prairie  state,  bringing  with  them  their  daughter, 
Lura  M.,  who  became  the  wife  of  John  Fiske  Nash.    She  was  born  at  Heath, 
Massachusetts,  January  7,    1826,  and   spent  her  girlhood  in   Bennington, 
Vermont,  coming  west  with  the  family.     Among  her  children  was  Lura 
Nash  Griggs,  wife  of  our  subject.     Mrs.  Griggs  was  born  August  27,  1858, 
and  acquired  her  education  in  the  common  and  high  schools  of  Ottawa  and 
in  Mount  Vernon  Seminary,  at  Washington,  D.  C.    She  is  particularly  inter- 
ested along  musical  lines,  and  for  three  years  served  as  the  president  of  the 
Amateur  Musical  Club.     She  is  also  a  charter  member  of  the  Monday  Club 
and  was  its  secretary  for  a  number  of  years.    She  also  held  the  same  position 
in  connection  with  the  board  of  lady  managers  of  the  Ryburn  Memorial 
Hospital  from  the  second  year  of  its  organization  until  her  resignation  in 
1899.  and  is  a  charter  member  of  the  Illini  Chapter  of  the  Daughters  of 
the  American  Revolution.  '  . 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  25 

Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Griggs  has  been  born  but  one  child,  Liira  Florence, 
whose  birth  occurred  May  26,  1890.  Their  home  is  the  center  of  a  cultured 
society  circle  and  many  friends  enjoy  its  gracious  hospitality.  Both  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Griggs  are  communicants  of  the  Episcopal  church.  Our  subject 
is  prominent  in  political  affairs,  and  has  labored  earnestly  for  the  success 
and  welfare  of  his  party,  having  through  several  campaigns  served  as  secre- 
tary of  the  Republican  county  central  committee.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Occidental  Lodge,  No.  40,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Shabbona  Chapter,  No.  37,  R.  A.  M., 
and  Ottawa  Commandery,  No.  10,  K.  T.  He  inspires  personal  friendship  of 
great  strength  and  has  the  happy  faculty  of  drawing  his  friends  closer  to  him 
with  the  passing  years.  In  his  profession  he  has  gained  respect,  and  his 
reputation  in  legal  circles  is  no  more  enviable  than  is  the  high  regard  in 
which  he  is  held  among  his  acquaintances  in  social  life. 


REV.   ALBERT  ETHRIDGE. 

Rev.  Albert  Ethridge,  formerly  the  beloved  pastor  of  the  Congrega- 
tional church  of  Marseilles,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  now  retired  from  active 
service,  was  born  in  Sandwich,  New  Hampshire,  January'  19,  1829.  His 
parents  were  Samuel  and  Lydia  (Cook)  Ethridge,  both  natives  of  the  state 
of  New  Hampshire  and  of  English  ancestry.  The  grandfather,  Stephen 
Ethridge,  was  a  farmer,  who  married  Jane  McGaft'ee,  and  a  son  of  Stephen 
Ethridge,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution.  The  family  was  founded  in  America 
in  1636.  The  maternal  grandfather  was  Joel  Cook,  who  married  Betsy  Max- 
field,  a  native  of  Massachusetts. 

Albert  Ethridge  lived  on  a  farm  during  his  earlier  life  and  was  a  student 
in  the  public  schools.  He  then  entered  the  home  seminary,  and  later  became 
a  student  in  the  New  Hampshire  Conference  Seminary,  where  he  prepared 
for  college.  He  then  entered  the  Wesleyan  University  of  Middletown, 
Connecticut,  graduating  with  the  degree  of  A.  M.  After  leaving  college 
he  devoted  several  years  to  teaching  in  the  high  school  of  Sandwich  and 
then  came  west,  stopping  in  Henry  county,  Illinois,  and  then  in  LaSalle 
county.  He  took  charge  of  the  Congregational  church  at  Deer  Park,  where 
he  remained  two  years,  and  then  went  to  Dover,  Bureau  county,  this  state, 
where  he  was  in  charge  of  the  Dover  Academy  six  years, — from  1859  to 
1864.  The  following  year  he  was  elected  principal  of  the  public  schools  of 
Princeton,  Bureau  county,  and  two  years  later  was  appointed  by  the  board 
of  supervisors  to  fill  the  vacancy  in  the  of^ce  of  county  superintendent  of 
schools,  caused  by  the  death  of  the  incumbent.  He  held  this  office  until 
1872,  when,  much  to  the  regret  of  those  associated  with  him,  he  resigned 


26  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

to  accept  a  position  in  Chicago  with  Harper  &  Brothers,  where  he  was  in 
charge  of  the  school-book  department.  He  was  with  them  until  1876,  when 
he  resigned  and  came  to  Marseilles  to  assume  the  pastorate  of  the  Congre- 
gational church.  His  labors  here  were  attended  with  the  most  flattering  re- 
sults, but  were  discontinued  three  years  later  that  he  might  accept  a  charge  at 
Normal,  this  state.  He  remained  there  until  1880,  when  he  was  recalled  to 
Marseilles,  but  at  the  expiration  of  two  years  resigned.  He  then  supplied 
the  pulpit  of  the  Decorah  (Iowa)  church  for  six  months,  when  he  moved  to 
Des  Moines  and  supplied  the  North  Park  Congregational  church.  In  1885 
he  took  charge  of  the  Congregational  church  at  Streator,  Illinois,  and  one 
year  later  was  commissioned  to  act  as  evangelist  under  the  direction  of 
the  Illinois  Home  Missionary  Society.  He  was  thus  engaged  two  years, 
when  he  was  called  to  Marseilles  for  a  third  time  to  fill  the  pulpit  of  the 
Congregational  church.  He  was  with  the  organization  as  pastor  six  years, 
and  then  tendered  his  resignation  and  retired  from  active  ministerial  duties. 
He  now  occasionally  supplies  the  pulpit,  performs  weddings  and  pays  the 
last  tribute  to  the  memory  of  the  departed.  He  is  a  pleasant,  sympathetic 
speaker,  and  has  been  an  earnest  worker  in  the  cause  of  Christianity. 

Rev.  Mr.  Ethridge  was  married  in  November,  J 852,  to  Miss  Marcia  A. 
Forrest,  of  Northfield,  New  Hampshire,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Marcia 
(Eastman)  Forrest  and  a  distant  relative  of  Daniel  Webster.  They  had 
three  daughters :  Lenora,  who  married  Dr.  C.  A.  Weerick,  now  a  prominent 
physician  of  Chicago;  Marcia  S.  and  Carrie  E.,  all  of  whom  are  deceased; 
Mrs.  Weerick  died  July  22,  1888,  leaving  two  children.  Mrs.  Ethridge  hav- 
ing died.  Rev.  Mr.  Ethridge  again  contracted  marriage,  on  June  16,  1875, 
this  time  with  Miss  Arzella  M.  Lovejoy,  of  Ottawa,  Illinois,  and  by  this 
marriage  there  is  one  son,  Albert,  a  student  in  the  Ottawa  Business  College. 


SAMUEL    PLUMB. 


The  man  who  has  been  born  a  financier  is  as  truly  a  genius  as  the  man 
born  a  poet  or  a  painter.  If  he  be  a  man  of  honor  and  loves  mankind,  his 
work  will  be  useful  to  many  other  men  who  have  not  his  talent  for  money- 
making.  He  may  even  be  a  philanthropist  by  attending  strictly  to  his  own 
business.  Hon.  Samuel  Plumb,  of  Streator,  Illinois,  went  further  than  that. 
He  took  an  interest  in  the  affairs  of  his  townsmen  that  inured  greatly  to  the 
public  good  and  made  him  loved  and  trusted  by  many. 

]\Ir.  Plumb  was  born  in  New  York,  January  15,  181 2,  and  died  at 
Colorado  Springs,  June  23,  1882.  He  was  a  son  of  Theron  and  Harriet 
(Merry)  Plumb.    He  gained  his  primary  education  in  the  public  schools  near 


EX=    9^  HEVRY  TAYLOR  JR  CHlCASa 


t^J^-f 


^ 


V; 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AXD    GEXEALOGICAL    RECORD.  27 

his  home  in  New  York  state,  but  the  greater  part  of  his  education  was 
obtained  by  study  while  at  his  work-bench.  He  was  the  president  of  a  bank 
at  Oberhn  and  later  became  identilied  in  a  prominent  way  with  Ohio  business 
and  politics,  and  being  an  abolitionist  (a  Whig  and  later  a  Republican)  he 
had  as  personal  friends  such  men  as  Hon.  Benjamin  Wade,  Hon.  Joshua  R. 
Giddings,  Governor  Salmon  V.  Chase  and  man\-  others  of  prominence  in 
different  parts  of  the  state.  He  represented  Ashtabula  county  in  the  Ohio 
legislature  and  was  active  and  intiuential  in  public  affairs  generally.  At 
the  time  of  the  civil  war  his  sympathies  were  enlisted  by  the  needs  of  the 
soldiers  in  the  field  and  of  their  families  left  at  home,  and  he  did  much  to 
better  the  condition  of  both  classes.  He  was  a  member  of  a  committee 
appointed  by  the  governor  of  Ohio  to  go  south  to  investigate  the  condition 
of  Ohio  troops  after  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run  and  to  devise  and  suggest 
means  for  its  improvement. 

After  the  war  ]Mr.  Plumb  and  others  established  a  bank  at  Oberlin  and 
he  was  connected  with  the  enterprise  of^cially  until  1869,  when  he  removed 
to  Streator,  Illinois.  A  recent  writer  said :  "Streator  is  not  a  beautiful  city. 
It  is  a  town  in  the  making. — not  yet  a  finished  product.  Its  wealth  and 
energies  are  devoted  to  deepening  and  broadening  the  foundations  of  its 
industrial  life,  rather  than  to  smoothing  out  the  wrinkles  of  toil  from  its  face 
or  adorning  itself  with  the  fruits  of  its  labor.  It  is  still  in  its  iron  age:  its 
golden  age  is  yet  to  come.  The  rude  framework  that  supports  the  social 
fabric  stands  out  bare  and  grim,  as  vet  uncovered  bv  the  accretions  which 
in  older  cities  soften  and  mellow,  if  they  do  not  conceal,  the  rough  beams 
which  knit  the  structure  together;  and  the  play  of  those  elemental  energies 
which  propel  the  industrial  mechanism,  and  thereby  vivify  and  vitalize  the 
social  life,  is  still  plainly  visible."  Thus  was  Streator  described  in  a  popular 
magazine  in  1898.  Perhaps  the  writer  was  too  aesthetic.  What  would  he 
have  thought  of  the  Streator  of  1869,  as  Mr.  Plumb  first  beheld  it?  Then 
it  was  a  crude,  unsightly,  embryo  village  of  small  wooden  buildings,  and 
not  many  of  them,  and  was  familiarly  known  as  Hardscrabble.  In  that  year 
Mr.  Plumb  opened  a  private  bank  and  later  associated  others  with  himself 
and  organized  the  Union  National  Bank  of  Streator.  of  which  he  was  presi- 
dent for  quite  a  number  of  years  and  until  his  death.  He  took  an  interest 
in  Streator  and  was  influential  in  promoting,  and  generous  in  supporting 
financially,  all  measures  and  enterprises  which  in  his  judgment  promised 
to  benefit  the  town  and  its  people. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church  of  Streator,  and  was 
interested  in  a  helpful  way  in  furthering  all  religious  work  without  much 
question  as  to  what  Christian  sects  had  it  in  hand. 

Miss  Levancia  Holcomb,  who  married  Mr.  Plumb,  and  survives  him. 


28  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

was  born  in  the  state  of  New  York,  a  daughter  of  Hiram  and  Jane  (Richards) 
Holcomb,  and  was  brought  to  Ohio  by  her  parents  on  their  removal  to  that 
state  when  she  was  twelve  years  old.  She  was  graduated  at  Oberlin  College 
in  1 86 1,  and  while  a  student  there  met  her  future  husband,  whom  she  mar- 
ried in  1865.  They  had  children  thus  named:  May  E.,  wife  of  R.  A.  Harris, 
M.  D.,  of  Redlands,  California;  Jessie,  who  married  H.  A.  Schryver  of 
Wheaton,  Illinois;  S.  Walter,  vice-president  of  the  Union  National  Bank 
of  Streator;  and  Bertha  M.,  wife  of  L.  B.  Frazier  of  Aurora,  Illinois.  The 
grandchildren  are:  Harold  R.  Harris,  son  of  R.  A,  and  May  E.  (Plumb) 
Harris;  S.  Walter  Plumb,  Jr.,  son  of  S.  Walter  and  Anna  D.  Plumb;  Donald 
Plumb  Frazier,  son  of  L.  B,  and  Bertha  (Plumb)  Frazier.  Mrs.  Plumb  occu- 
pies the  position  as  president  of  the  Union  National  Bank  of  Streator,  and 
has  one  of  the  handsome  residences  of  Streator  and  dispenses  a  refined 
hospitality  as  becomes  a  lady  of  such  culture  as  hers.  She  is  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  church  of  Streator  and  is  liberal  in  its  support  and  in  assist- 
ing in  the  charitable  work  of  the  town. 


AMOS  ROBERTSON. 


Amos  Robertson  is  now  living  a  retired  life  in  Sheridan,  but  for  many 
years  was  actively  identified  with  its  industrial  interests.  He  is  a  loyal  and 
public-spirited  citizen,  who  during  the  civil  war  manifested  his  fidelity  to  his 
country  by  entering  the  service  and  fighting  for  the  Union.  Therefore  as 
an  honored  veteran,  a  straightforward  business  man  and  a  reliable  friend, 
he  well  deserves  representation  in  this  volume. 

He  was  born  on  his  father's  farm  in  Cass  county,  Illinois,  March  7, 
1845,  his  parents  being  Rev.  William  H.  and  Nancy  (Stockton)  Robertson. 
The  former  was  born  near  Greencastle,  Indiana,  in  1820,  and  was  a  son  of 
Amos  Robertson,  who  for  several  years  represented  Putnam  county  in  the 
state  legislature  of  Indiana.  The  great-grandfather  of  our  subject,  Robert 
Robertson,  was  born  in  Bourbon  county,  Kentucky,  and  served  under 
General  Anthony  Wayne  in  the  Indian  war  of  1794.  In  an  early  day  he 
removed  to  Clark  county,  Indiana.  Amos  Robertson  became  a  resident  of 
Putnam  county,  Indiana,  in  1820,  and  in  1831  became  a  resident  of  Illinois, 
his  death  occurring  in  Morgan  county,  in  January,  1832.  In  the  fall  of 
that  year  his  widow  settled  on  land  which  is  now  the  site  of  Camp  Point, 
Illinois.  The  maternal  ancestry  of  our  subject  was  Irish  and  the  great- 
grandfather Warnock  served  for  seven  years  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  Two 
of  his  sons,  Joseph  and  James,  served  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  the  former 
was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Tippecanoe.     Having  arrived  at  years  of  maturity. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  29 

W.  H.  Robertson,  the  father  of  onr  subject,  was  married,  in  1840,  to  Nancy 
Stockton,  and  they  had  hve  children,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  while 
George,  Sarah  and  Amos  grew  to  years  of  maturity;  but  George  died  in  his 
twentieth  year.  The  sister  became  the  wife  of  George  Sprague,  who  served 
for  three  years  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Sixtieth  Illinois  Infantry,  and  died 
from  disease  contracted  in  the  army  in  1871.  His  wife  died  in  March,  1874. 
In  the  spring  of  1847  ^^s.  Robertson  died,  and  in  September,  1848,  Mr. 
Robertson  married  Martha  A.  Lindsey,  of  Hancock  county,  where  they  lived 
until  1855.  He  then  joined  the  ministry  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  church 
and  for  many  years  preached  the  gospel,  his  labors  resulting  in  great  good. 
He  was  located  at  various  points  in  Illinois,  and  in  September,  1864,  was 
elected  the  president  of  the  Illinois  conference,  and  in  1865  was  again 
appointed  to  the  Clinton  circuit.  In  1866  he  became  a  minister  of  the 
Bloomington  circuit,  which  he  traveled  three  years.  Later  he  had  charge 
of  various  churches  in  the  state,  coming  to  Sheridan  in  1875.  The  following 
year  he  was  elected  president  of  the  North  Illinois  conference.  His  influence 
in  the  church  was  most  marked  and  his  forceful,  persuasive  and  logical 
utterances  led  many  to  a  knowledge  of  the  better  life.  As  a  citizen  he 
was  public-spirited,  progressive  and  loyal,  and  in  Sheridan  he  served  for  a 
number  of  years  as  justice  of  the  peace,  being  first  elected  to  the  office  in 
1881.  He  also  served  as  the  president  of  the  board  of  village  trustees,  and 
did  all  in  his  power  to  promote  the  best  interests  and  the  upbuilding  of  the 
town.    He  died  in  Sheridan  in  1895,  respected  by  all  who  knew  him. 

Amos  Robertson,  whose  name  introduces  this  review,  accompanied  his 
father  on  his  various  removals,  and  enjoyed  such  educational  privileges  as 
the  schools  of  the  neighborhood  afit'orded,  but  after  the  inauguration  of  the 
civil  war  he  put  aside  his  text-books  in  order  to  battle  for  the  Union,  enlist- 
ing on  the  13th  of  August,  1862,  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years.  He  became 
a  private  of  Company  D,  One  Hundred  and  Sixteenth  Illinois  Infantry,  and 
the  first  engagement  in  which  he  participated  was  at  Chickasaw  Bayou,  four 
miles  from  Vicksburg,  in  December  of  that  year.  In  January,  1863,  he  took 
part  in  the  battle  of  Arkansas  Post,  and  was  at  Champion  Hills,  a  hotly 
contested  engagement  in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg.  He  also  aided  in  besieging 
Vicksburg  from  the  19th  of  May  until  the  4th  of  July,  when  the  city  sur- 
rendered, and  later  he  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Jackson,  Mississippi,  Mis- 
sion Ridge,  the  Atlanta  campaign  and  the  siege  of  Atlanta,  followed  by  the 
celebrated  march  with  Sherman  to  the  sea.  His  was  one  of  the  nine  regi- 
ments selected  at  Savannah  to  capture  Fort  McAllister  and  open  up  a  con- 
nection with  the  fleet.  It  was  a  difficult  and  arduous  task,  but  the  work  was 
accomplished,  and  Mr.  Robertson  was  the  first  man  to  surmount  the  walls 
of  the  fort,  with  the  exception  of  two  color-bearers.     Subsequently  he  par- 


30 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 


ticipated  in  the  Carolina  campaign  and  was  near  Durham,  North  CaroHna, 
when  General  "Joe"  Johnston  surrendered.  At  Washington  he  participated 
in  the  grand  review,  the  most  brilliant  military  pageant  ever  seen  on  the  west- 
ern hemisphere,  and  then  returned  to  Springileld,  where  he  was  discharged, 
July  I,  1865.  Throughout  his  service  he  was  in  the  same  company  and  regi- 
ment and  was  ever  a  loyal  and  faithful  defender  of  the  stars  and  stripes.  Just 
after  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  he  was  made  corporal  and  was  discharged  with 
that  rank.  After  three  years  of  faithful  service  he  returned  home,  and  was  not 
then  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  had  been  four  times  wounded:  first  at 
Vicksburg;  then  at  Dallas,  on  the  Atlanta  campaign;  at  Atlanta;  and  in 
the  side  at  Bentonville,  South  Carolina.  Mr.  Robertson  maintains  pleasant 
relations  with  his  old  comrades  in  arms  through  his  membership  in  Clayton 
Beardsley  Post,  No.  672,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Sheridan. 

For  the  first  five  vears  after  his  return  from  the  war  he  resided  in  Cass 
and  Morgan  counties,  Illinois,  and  in  1870  came  to  Sheridan,  where  he  has 
since  continued  to  reside.  He  is  a  painter  and  paperhanger  by  trade,  and 
diligently  followed  that  business  for  many  years,  but  for  the  past  seven  years 
has  lived  retired,  having,  through  his  well  directed  efforts,  gained  a  com- 
fortable competence  which  now  enables  him  to  rest  from  active  labor. 

In  1867  Mr.  Robertson  married  Miss  Lucy  Osborne,  who  died  in  1878, 
leaving  three  children, — Clinton,  now  deceased,  William  H.  and  Frank.  In 
1880  Mr.  Robertson  was  again  married,  his  second  union  being  with  Eliza 
\\'idman,  by  whom  he  has  a  daughter,  Genevieve.  The  family  have  many 
friends  in  the  community,  and  the  Robertson  household  .is  noted  for  its 
hospitality. 

In  his  political  connections  Mr.  Robertson  is  a  Republican,  and  has 
been  honored  with  several  local  offices  of  trust  and  responsibility.  He  served 
as  a  constable  for  eight  years,  was  police  magistrate  for  four  years,  and  for 
five  years  was  the  efficient  president  of  the  village  board  of  trustees.  Socially 
he  is  connected  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  His  life  has 
been  characterized  by  diligence,  by  enterprise  and  by  fidelity  to  every  duty, 
and  the  record  he  has  made  is  an  honorable  one. 


REV.   DOMINIC  MEIER. 

Saint  Antonius'  Catholic  church,  of  Streator,  has,  as  its  pastor,  the  Rev. 
Father  Meier,  who  has  accomplished  and  is  accomplishing  a  great  work  in 
this  community.  His  executive  and  financial  ability,  as  well  as  his  zeal  and 
helpful  sympathy  to  every  individual  of  his  flock,  render  him  worthy  of 
admiration  and  respect  by  every  one,  whatsoever  his  creed. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  31 

A  son  of  Gerkene  and  Mary  (Richter)  Meier,  the  Father  was  born  in 
Covington,  Kentucky,  in  1851.  His  parents  were  both  natives  of  Germany, 
whence  they  removed  to  the  United  States  in  1835.  They  made  a  perma- 
nent home  in  Covington,  and  there  passed  away  some  years  ago. 

In  his  youth  the  subject  of  this  biography  attended  school  in  his  native 
city,  receiving  excellent  advantages  in  an  educational  way.  After  he  had 
completed  his  preliminary  preparation  for  the  serious  task  to  which  he  had 
early  dedicated  his  life,  the  ministry,  he  went  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  he 
continued  his  collegiate  studies,  and  was  graduated  in  1874.  He  then  served 
for  some  time  as  an  assistant  priest,  and  in  1874  was  ordained  in  Louisville, 
Kentucky,  by  Bishop  McClosky.  Then,  going  to  Lafayette,  Indiana,  he 
w'as  assistant  to  Father  Beine  for  two  years,  after  which  he  was  assigned  to 
Reynolds,  same  state.  Subsequently  he  was  the  pastor  of  two  or  three 
different  congregations  in  Indiana,  and  in  1879  was  sent  to  Emporia,  Kansas. 
There  he  had  the  responsible  position  at  the  head  of  the  hospital  and  high 
school,  and  for  six  years  he  labored  with  most  gratifying  results  in  that 
important  post  of  trust.  In  1885  he  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  church  of 
St.  George,  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  he  continued  as  pastor  for  two  years. 

Twelve  years  ago  he  came  to  Streator,  and  during  this  period  the  many 
departments  of  work  connected  with  the  church  over  which  he  presides 
have  prospered  w^onderfully.  His  zeal  has  prompted  his  people  to  great 
undertakings,  as  may  be  plainly  seen  when  it  is  stated  that  the  splendid 
church  edifice,  erected  at  a  cost  of  thirty  thousand  dollars,  a  substantial 
school  building  valued  at  ten  thousand,  and  a  home  which  cost  nine  thou- 
sand dollars  have  been  built  within  a  few  years.  Thus,  altogether,  the 
church  property  is  very  valuable,  and  a  wide  field  of  usefulness  opens  before 
the  devoted  congregation,  which  is  now  equipped  fully  for  future  work. 


JOSEPH    C.    HATHEWAY,    M.    D. 

In  the  medical  profession  of  LaSalle  county  the  subject  of  this  article  has 
long  held  a  representative  place,  and  for  the  past  forty-three  years  he  has 
been  actively  engaged  in  practice  in  Ottawa.  Here  he  enjoys  the  esteem 
and  confidence  not  only  of  his  numerous  patients  but  also  of  the  citizens  in 
general,  and  those  of  his  own  profession,  by  whom  he  is  often  called  into 
consultation  on  difificult  and  complicated  cases.  His  wide  experience  in  his 
chosen  calling  is  not  alone  the  result  of  practical  labors  among  the  sick  and 
suffering,  but  comes  in  part  from  his  earnest  study  of  the  best  medical  works 
and  current  journals  devoted  to  the  interests  of  his  profession. 

The  birth  of  Dr.  J.  C.  Hatheway  took  place  in  the  town  of  Assonet, 


32  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

Bristol  county,  Massachusetts,  in  1833.  He  comes  from  one  of  the  old 
families  of  that  state,  his  parents  being  Elnathan  and  Salome  Hatheway. 
Having  mastered  the  various  branches  of  an  English  education,  the  Doctor 
concluded  that  he  would  enter  the  medical  profession,  and  accordingly 
matriculated  in  Jefferson  Medical  College  at  Philadelphia.  There  he  was 
graduated  in  the  class  of  1856,  and  at  once  established  an  office  in  Ottawa. 
He  is  one  of  the  oldest  members  of  the  LaSalle  County  Medical  Society,  and 
has  acted  as  president  of  the  same,  and  also  has  been  connected  with  the 
State  Medical  Society  for  years.  At  one  time  he  held  the  position  of  county 
physician  and  surgeon,  and  has  been  an  efficient  member  of  the  United 
States  board  of  pension  examiners.  In  the  multiplicity  of  his  other  duties 
the  Doctor  has  not  neglected  those  which  devolve  upon  every  good  citizen. 
The  cause  of  education  has  ever  found  an  active  and  sincere  friend  in  him, 
and  he  was  one  of  the  first  trustees  of  the  Ottawa  high  school.  The  high 
school  was  organized  and  the  present  building  was  erected  while  he  was  a 
member  of  the  board,  and  the  town  is  greatly  indebted  to  him  for  the  wisdom 
and  influence  which  he  exercised  in  the  matter.  In  political  affairs  the 
Doctor  is  independent  of  party  ties. 

In  1857  Dr.  J.  C.  Hatheway  married  Miss  Annie  Crane,  of  Assonet, 
Bristol  county,  Massachusetts.  Their  son,  E.  P.  Hatheway,  M.  D.,  seems 
to  have  an  inherited  talent  for  medicine,  and  is  now  associated  witlV  the  father 
in  practice.  He  is  a  young  man  of  much  promise  and  is  rapidly  building 
up  an  enviable  reputation  as  a  practitioner.  He  is  a  graduate  of  the  well- 
known  Rush  Medical  College  of  Chicago,  and  possesses  undoubted  ability 
and  fitness  for  his  favorite  field  of  action. 


BARNET  L.   BONAR,   M.   D. 

The  medical  profession  in  LaSalle  county  is  represented  in  the  various 
thriving  towns  by  men  who  have  achieved  distinction  and  well  won  laurels. 
Doctor  Bonar,  of  Streator,  is  one  of  its  most  successful  practitioners,  and 
is  very  popular  with  his  medical  brethren,  as  well  as  with  the  citizens  in 
general. 

A  native  of  Pennsylvania,  he  w^as  born  at  Coon  Island,  Washington 
county,  July  31,  1852.  His  father,  Samuel  Bonar,  was  likewise  a  native 
of  the  county  mentioned,  born  July  9,  1822,  and  was  a  son  of  Barnet  Bonar, 
who  was  born  January  14,  1778,  on  the  same  farm,  where  he  lived  until  his 
death,  February  i,  1870.  The  latter  was  a  son  of  William  Bonar,  who  was 
born  in  Scotland  July  9.  1740,  and  whose  father,  Barnet  Bonar,  was  born 
in  1695.  near  Edinburgh,  and  emigrated  to  America    in  1740,  coming  to 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  33 

Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1774,  thus  becoming  one  of  the  earHest 
settlers  of  that  county.  The  Doctor's  father  was  a  farmer  by  occupation, 
and  every  one  who  had  dealings  with  him  respected  and  admired  him  for  his 
sterling  integrity  and  uprightness  of  character.  He  married  Miss  Elizabeth 
Andrews,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (McConnell)  Andrews,  all 
of  Richland  county,  Ohio.  Mr.  Andrew'S  was  a  carpenter  by  trade  and  was 
successfully  engaged  in  contracting  and  building  for  many  years. 

The  boyhood  and  youth  of  Dr.  Barnet  L.  Bonar  passed  happily  and 
all  too  swiftly  in  his  native  county,  and  after  completing  the  common-school 
course  he  entered  Washington  and  Jefferson  College,  where  he  graduated 
in  1877.  He  then  took  up  the  study  of  medicine,  reading  under  the  instruc- 
tion of  Dr.  Thomas  McKennan,  of  Washington.  Subsequently  he  was  a 
student  in  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  at  Phil- 
adelphia, and  w-as  graduated  there  in  1880.  Going  to  Bucyrus,  Ohio,  he 
established  an  of^ce  and  w^as  occupied  in  practice  at  that  point  for  about 
one  year.  In  1881  he  came  to  Streator,  where  he  soon  obtained  a  foothold 
and  gained  a  desirable  reputation  for  skill  and  excellence  in  his  chosen  field 
of  labor.  In  order  to  keep  in  the  spirit  of  progress  and  thoroughly  conver- 
sant with  new  methods,  he  is  connected  with  several  medical  societies, 
among  them  being  those  of  the  county  and  state  and  that  of  north  central 
Illinois. 

In  his  political  belief  Dr.  Bonar  favors  the  platform  and  nominees  of 
the  Republican  party.  Socially  he  is  a  member  of  Streator  Lodge,  No.  607, 
F.  &  A.  M.;  Streator  Chapter,  No.  168,  R.  A.  M.,  and  Ottawa  Commandery, 
No.  10,  K.  T.  In  1888  the  marriage  of  the  Doctor  and  Miss  Sarah  Modes, 
a  daughter  of  William  Modes,  of  Streator,  was  solemnized.  They  have  two 
children,  Jessie  and  Barnet  E.,  whose  presence  lends  brightness  and  added 
happiness  to  their  pleasant  home. 


REV.   LAURITZ  A.   VIGNESS. 

One  of  the  notable  educational  institutions  for  which  the  pretty  little 
city  of  Ottawa  is  justly  famed  is  the  Pleasant  View  Luther  College,  which 
though  young  in  years  has  advanced  to  the  front  ranks  in  an  incredibly  short 
period.  The  building  is  new  and  modern  in  every  respect,  is  heated  by  steam 
and  lighted  by  gas,  and  affords  every  comfort  to  the  fortunate  student  who 
is  enrolled  as  a  pupil.  The  gentleman  whose  name  appears  at  the  com- 
mencement of  this  sketch  is  the  president  of  the  college,  and  is  working 
indefatigably  for  the  good  of  the  same.  His  heart  and  soul  are  in  the  enter- 
prise and  the  genuine  interest  which  he  takes  in  every  student  must  make 
a  favorable  impression  upon  the  scholar  throughout  his  life. 


34  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

In  tracing  the  life  history  of  the  worthy  president  it  is  found  that  he 
comes  from  the  sturdy,  manly  old  Viking  stock  of  Norway.  His  father,  Ole 
L.  Vigness,  was  born  in  Finnoe,  Norway,  and,  following  the  accustomed 
occupations  of  the  people  among  whom  his  youth  was  passed,  he  was  a 
fisherman  until  he  was  twenty-three  years  of  age.  Then  the  desire  to  see 
something  of  the  w^orld  and  to  enter  some  other  field  of  labor  led  him  to 
set  sail  for  America.  Arriving  here  in  1856,  he  went  to  Rock  county, 
Wisconsin,  and  found  employment  in  the  vicinity  of  Janesville.  In  1859  he 
took  up  a  homestead  of  government  land  in  Fillmore  county,  Minnesota, 
and  at  the  end  of  three  years,  when  he  had  made  improvements  and  had  a 
comfortable  home,  he  married  Miss  Anna  Hallum,  likewise  a  native  of  Nor- 
way. The  mother  died  in  1884,  leaving  three  sons  and  three  daughters  to 
mourn  her  loss.  Carl  L.,  the  second  son,  is  now  a  professor  in  a  college; 
Mary  is  the  wife  of  J.  Stennes.  of  Milan,  Minnesota;  Inga,  who  resides  in  the 
same  town,  is  the  wife  of  J.  Johnson;  and  Emma  and  Edward  are  the 
younger  members  of  the  family. 

Until  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age  Lauritz  A.  Vigness  attended  the  pubUc 
schools  of  his  native  county,  and  early  evinced  unusual  aptitude  for  books. 
His  youthful  ambition  to  enjoy  the  advantages  of  a  collegiate  education 
finally  received  fulfillment,  and,  after  passing  two  years  in  Marshall  (Wiscon- 
sin) Academy,  he  pursued  a  thorough  four-years  course  of  study  in  a  college 
at  Canton,  South  Dakota.  Not  satisfied  as  yet,  he  tlien  took  a  classical 
course  at  Dixon  College,  at  Dixon,  Illinois,  graduating  in  1885,  and  was 
a  student  at  Augustana  Theological  Seminary  at  Beloit,  Iowa,  for  one  year. 
In  1887  he  became  a  member  of  the  faculty  of  the  Highland  Park  University 
at  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  having  charge  of  the  classical  department,  and  for 
four  years  his  labors  in  that  well-known  institution  met  with  gratifying  suc- 
cess. The  presidency  of  the  Jewell  Lutheran  College,  at  Jewell,  Webster 
county,  Iowa,  was  then  tendered  him,  and  he  accepted  the  responsible 
charge.  The  authorities  and  managers  of  Pleasant  View  Luther  College  at 
length  obtained  ^Ir.  X'igness'  consent  to  become  president  of  the  institution, 
and  from  that  time  had  no  doubt  as  to  its  future  prosperity.  As  an  educator 
he  has  few  superiors  in  this  or  any  other  state,  and  systematic  methods  are 
noticeable  in  everything  which  he  undertakes. 

In  1887  the  marriage  of  ]\Ir.  Vigness  and  Miss  Margaret  Krogness  was 
solemnized  in  Larchwood,  Lyon  county,  Iowa.  Mrs.  Vigness  is  a  daughter 
of  Rev.  S.  M.  and  Johanna  (Ammandsen)  Krogness,  both  of  whom  have 
passed  to  their  reward.  To  our  subject  and  wife  four  sons  and  a  daughter 
were  born,  their  names  being  as  follows:  Joseph  Alfred,  Orrin  Sylvanus, 
Lewis  Martell,  Paul  Gerhard  and  Lydia  Ruth. 

The  Pleasant  View  Luther  College  has  several  distinct  departments  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  35 

study,  including  scientific,  literary,  commercial,  musical,  parochial  and  clas- 
sical. A  competent  instructor,  a  specialist  as  far  as  possible,  is  in  charge  of 
each  department.  The  rooms  of  the  students  are  homelike,  and  in  the  board- 
mg  hall  they  are  provided  with  an  abundance  of  well-prepared,  nourishing 
food.  Chapel  exercises  are  a  part  of  the  daily  routine,  and  here  the  students 
are  admonished,  brought  to  a  keener  sense  of  their  responsibility  toward 
God  and  man,  and  are  trained  in  the  fundamental  principles  of  noble  citizen- 
ship. The  college  is  wonderfully  prospering,  and  its  present  capacity  is  now 
well  taxed. 


M.  A.  BRONSON. 


AI.  A.  Bronson,  chairman  of  the  LaSalle  county  board  of  supervisors 
and  a  respected  resident  of  Streator,  is  recognized  as  an  influential  factor  in 
local  politics.  He  is  well  informed  upon  the  great  questions  of  the  day,, 
possesses  an  excellent  education  and  abundant  talent  and  general  ability. 

The  parents  of  our  subject,  George  and  Adaline  (German)  Bronson, 
were  natives  of  Litchfield,  Connecticut,  and  New  York  state,  respectively. 
The  father  was  a  son  of  Henry  Bronson,  of  the  former  state,  and  his  ances- 
tors, as  well  as  those  of  our  subject's  mother,  were  English.  The  only 
exception  to  this,  along  the  various  lines,  is  seen  in  the  case  of  the  mother 
of  Mrs.  Adaline  Bronson,  for  she  was  a  Miss  Secor  prior  to  her  marriage,  and 
came  of  sturdy  French  Huguenot  stock.  Her  husband,  Daniel  German, 
a  son  of  Reuben  German,  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  18 12,  and  lived  to  the 
advanced  age  of  eighty-six  years.  Our  subject's  mother,  who  was  born  April 
24,  1827,  is  living  with  her  son,  Walter  F.  Bronson,  in  Macon  county, 
Missouri.  The  father,  who  had  devoted  his  energy  to  agriculture  during 
his  active  years,  died  in  1895.  when  in  his  seventy-eighth  year,  at  his  home 
near  Deer  Park,  Illinois,  where  he  had  dwelt  since  1852. 

M.  A.  Bronson  was  born  in  Wayne  county,  ^Michigan,  not  far  from 
Detroit,  August  13,  1850.  Reared  on  the  parental  homestead,  he  received 
but  a  district-school  education  in  his  boyhood,  but  he  was  studious  and 
ambitious,  and  these  qualities  obtained  for  him  vastly  better  advantages  than 
fell  to  the  lot  of  the  majority  of  his  early  playmates.  When  a  mere  boy  he 
was  sent  to  Galesburg  (Illinois)  Academy,  and  later  he  attended  school  also- 
at  Aurora,  Illinois.  For  four  winters  after  leaving  school  he  was  occupietl 
in  teaching,  and  for  a  short  time  was  thus  employed  in  Streator.  Then  for 
ten  years  he  was  in  the  United  States  mail  service,  running  between  St. 
Louis  and  Chicago,  and  Streator,  Illinois,  and  Knox,  Indiana.  In  1892  he 
resigned  that  position  in  order  to  accept  the  one  he  now  holds,  that  of  agent 
for  the  Anheuser-Busch  Brewing  Association.     He  looks  after  the  sales  and: 


36  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

general  interests  of  the  company  which  he  represents,  not  only  in  Streator 
but  also  in  the  adjacent  territory,  and  has  made  himself  very  valuable  to  his 
employers. 

In  1875  ^Ir.  Bronson  married  Miss  Agnes  Mackey,  the  eldest  daughter 
of  Samuel  and  Sarah  Mackey. 

In  his  political  creed  Mr.  Bronson  is  a  stanch  Democrat,  and  for  the 
past  four  years  has  been  a  member  of  the  county  central  committee  of  that 
party.  He  takes  a  great  interest  in  local  and  state  politics,  and  does  effective 
service  for  the  party.  For  two  years  he  has  served  as  assistant  supervisor, 
and  in  1898  was  honored  with  the  position  of  supervisor  from  Streator, 
since  which  time  he  has  acted  in  the  capacity  of  chairman  of  the  board. 
Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Modern  \\'oodmen  of  America  and  Streator 
Lodge.  Xo.  607,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. 


DYSON  MILLER. 

Xo  resident  of  ^Mission  township  has  longer  resided  within  its  borders 
than  Dyson  Miller.  This  honored  pioneer  came  with  his  parents  to  this 
county  in  1832,  when  only  two  and  a  half  years  old,  and  has  witnessed  the 
entire  growth  and  development  of  this  section  of  the  state.  Indians  were  far 
more  numerous  than  the  white  settlers  at  the  time  of  his  arrival,  and  wild 
game  abounded  in  the  forest  and  furnished  many  a  meal  to  the  early  settlers. 
The  land  was  in  its  primitive  condition  and  there  was  little  promise  that 
this  section  would  one  day  be  situated  in  the  midst  of  the  richest  farming 
section  of  the  Union  and  would  l)e  the  place  of  abode  for  a  contented,  thrifty 
and  prosperous  people.  Mr.  Miller  has  always  borne  his  part  in  the  work 
of  development  and  advancement,  has  been  a  prominent  factor  in  agricultural 
interests,  and  now,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years,  is  living  a  retired  life,  enjoy- 
ing the  rest  which  he  has  so  richly  earned  and  truly  deserves. 

j\Ir.  Miller  was  born  in  Marion  county,  Ohio,  December  23,  1829.  and 
is  of  German  lineage,  his  grandfather,  Peter  Miller,  having  been  born  in 
Germany,  whence  he  came  to  America  during  the  Revolutionary  war.  He 
aided  in  the  struggle  for  independence  and  after  the  war  took  up  his  abode 
in  Ohio.  Peter  IMillcr,  Jr..  ihc  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Ross 
county,  Ohio,  September  5.  1802,  and  spending  his  youth  in  his  native 
county  he  attended  the  district  schools  through  the  winter  season  and 
worked  on  the  home  farm  through  the  summer  months,  lie  was  married 
in  Ohio  to  Harriet  Holderman,  a  daughter  of  Abraham  liolderman,  a  ])io- 
neer  of  Kendall,  then  a  part  of  LaSallc  county.  In  the  spring  of  1832  Mr. 
Miller,  with  his  wife  and  ihcir  little  son  Dyson,  then  two  and  a  half  years 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  37 

old,  came  to  Illinois  in  a  prairie  schooner.  They  were  six  weeks  in  crossing 
the  states  of  Indiana  and  Illinois  to  LaSalle  county,  where  they  arrived 
during  the  progress  of  the  Black  Hawk  war.  Hearing  of  the  hostilities,  Mr. 
Miller  hid  his  wagon  and  goods  in  a  thicket  and,  with  his  wife  and  child, 
proceeded  on  horseback  to  Ottawa.  The  militia  afterward  obtained  this 
wagon  for  him.  When  the  Indian  troubles  had  abated  Mr.  Miller  settled 
just  south  of  Sheridan,  where  he  secured  a  claim  in  1833.  His  business 
interests  were  diligently  conducted  and  managed  with  ability,  and  he  pros- 
pered in  his  undertakings,  becoming  an  extensive  land-owner.  In  1870  he 
decided  to  put  away  business  cares,  and  accordingly  removed  to  Sheridan, 
where  he  lived  retired  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1889.  His  wife 
passed  away  in  1888,  They  were  faithful  members  of  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal church,  and  were  honored  pioneer  people. 

Dyson  Miller  was  reared  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm  in  LaSalle 
county,  and  to  the  common-school  system  he  is  indebted  for  the  educational 
privileges  he  has  received.  He  has  always  resided  in  Mission  township,  and 
for  many  years  was  connected  with  its  agricultural  interests.  In  185 1  he 
married  Miss  Harriet  Amelia  Beardsley,  a  native  of  Massachusetts  and  a 
daughter  of  William  Beardsley,  a  pioneer  settler  of  Serena  township,  LaSalle 
county.  He  then  began  farming  on  his  own  account,  and  his  well-tilled 
fields  and  excellent  improvements  on  his  place  well  indicated  the  careful 
supervision  and  unabating  energy  of  the  owner.  When  he  was  only  eighteen 
years  of  age  he  drove  hogs  to  Chicago  for  his  father — a  distance  of  seventy 
miles — and  at  that  time  not  more  than  two  stock-buyers  were  doing  business 
in  the  now  flourishing  metropolis.  He  has  seen  the  great  changes  which 
have  taken  place  in  methods  of  farming,  has  watched  the  introduction  of 
new  machinery  which  has  revolutionized  agriculture,  and  while  actively  con- 
nected with  that  line  of  work  he  was  accounted  one  of  the  most  progressive 
farmers  of  LaSalle  county.  He  became  interested  in  the  grain  business  in 
Sheridan  about  1874,  and  a  few  years  later  removed  his  family  to  the  village, 
where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  After  being  connected  with  that  business 
for  ten  years  he  sold  out,  and  for  several  years  thereafter  was  in  the  stock 
business  as  a  buyer  and  shipper,  but  is  now  living  retired. 

In  1894  Mr.  Miller  was  made  to  mourn  the  loss  of  his  wife,  who  was 
called  to  her  eternal  rest.  The  children  born  of  their  marriage  were  William 
B.,  now  a  resident  of  Chicago;  Mrs.  Jane  Ann  Moore,  of  Michigan;  John 
H.,  a  resident  of  Minnesota;  Mrs.  Mary  R.  Spradling,  of  Kansas;  Mrs. 
Hattie  R.  Spurr,  of  Aurora,  Illinois;  Robert  R.,  a  stock-buyer  of  Sheridan; 
Peter  H.,  of  Ottawa;   and  Harry,  who  died  in  infancy. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Miller  is  a  Republican  and  has  held  a  number 
of  local  ofifices,  including  that  of  supervisor  of  ]Mission  township.     Socially 


38  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

he  is  a  Master  Mason,  and  in  religious  belief  he  is  a  Methodist.  He  has  now 
reached  the  Psalmist's  span  of  three-score  years  and  ten,  and  his  life  record 
is  one  unclouded  by  shadow  of  wrong.  He  has  always  been  true  to  his  duty 
to.  his  neighbor,  to  his  country  and  to  himself,  and  has  ever  merited  the 
warm  regard  so  uniformly  given  him. 


WALTER    REEVES. 


Walter  Reeves,  a  prominent  attorney  of  Streator,  and  one  of  the  law- 
makers of  the  nation,  is  now  for  the  third  time  representing  his  district  in 
congress.  He  was  born  near  Brownsville,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  25th  of 
September,  1848,  and  is  a  son  of  Harrison  and  Maria  (Leonard)  Reeves, 
the  former  of  Scotch-English  descent  and  the  latter  of  Welsh-German 
lineage.  The  father  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  was  also  a  native  of 
the  Keystone  state. 

When  eight  years  of  age  he  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal 
to  Illinois,  the  family  locating  on  a  farm  in  LaSalle  county,  where  he  was 
reared  to  manhood.  He  acquired  his  education  in  the  public  schools  and 
private  study,  and  in  early  manhood  became  a  teacher.  During  that  time 
he  also  read  law,  and  at  the  June  term  of  the  supreme  court,  in  1875,  he 
was  admitted  to  the  bar.  He  at  once  began  the  practice  of  law  in  Streator 
and  soon  attained  prominence  at  the  LaSalle  county  bar.  Li  1884  he  was 
admitted  to  practice  in  the  United  States  supreme  court,  and  has  since  been 
identified  with  much  important  litigation.  He  is  the  senior  member  of  the 
firm  of  Reeves  &  Boys. 

In  politics  Mr.  Reeves  has  always  been  a  pronounced  Republican  and 
protectionist.  In  1894  he  was  nominated  by  the  Repubhcan  party  for  repre- 
sentative in  congress  from  the  eleventh  congressional  district  of  Illinois, 
and  was  elected  by  a  plurality  of  four  thousand  nine  hundred  and  eighty-two 
votes.  In  1896  he  was  re-elected  by  a  plurality  of  six  thousand  two  hundred 
and  fifty-one  votes;  and  on  the  4th  of  March,  1899,  took  his  seat  for  the 
third  time  in  the  house  of  representatives.  Upon  entering  congress  in  1895 
he  recognized  the  fact  that  he  could  best  serve  his  constituents  by  devoting 
his  energies  to  the  work  of  internal  improvements  in  the  country.  He  was 
appointed  a  member  of  the  committee  on  rivers  and  harbors,  and  in  the 
river  and  harbor  bill  passed  by  the  fifty-fourth  congress  he  obtained  from 
the  general  government  for  improvements  in  the  state  of  Illinois  between 
eight  and  nine  million  dollars.  His  position  was  that  in  the  midst  of  exceed- 
ingly hard  times  the  laboring  people  should  be  helped  by  providing  work 
to  be  done  in  these  internal  improvements,  and  that  in  turn  farmers  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  39 

business  men  would.be  benefited  by  the  influence  on  freight  rates  resulting 
therefrom.  Thus  he  accomplished  more  for  the  internal  improvement  of  the 
state  by  the  general  government  than  had  been  accomplished  for  a  score  of 
years.  He  has  prepared  and  introduced  a  bill  in  congress  to  control  the  patent 
system  of  the  United  States,  and  a  leading  labor  paper  of  New  York  said 
that  if  passed  it  would  accomplish  more  for  the  laboring  people  of  the  United 
States  than  any  other  bill  ever  introduced.  His  course  in  congress  has  ever 
been  one  favoring  advancement  and  progress;  and  that  he  has  been  three 
times  elected  to  represent  his  district  is  unmistakable  evidence  of  the  confi- 
dence reposed  in  him  by  his  fellow  citizens. 

Mr.  Reeves  was  married  in  1876  to  Miss  Metta  M.  Cogswell,  of  Con- 
necticut, a  daughter  of  Lucius  T.  Cogswell.  He  is  a  man  of  fine  personal 
appearance,  affable  in  manner  and  a  cultured,  genial  gentleman  worthy  of 
the  high  regard  in  which  he  is  uniformly  held. 


FRANK  O.  CHAPMAN. 

Frank  O.  Chapman,  proprietor  of  Willow  Stock  Farm,  on  section  33, 
Miller  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  is  one  of  the  representative  and 
popular  citizens  of  this  county.  The  salient  points  in  regard  to  his  life  are 
as  follows : 

Frank  O.  Chapman  was  born  on  the  old  Chapman  homestead  in  Miller 
township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  April  19,  i860,  a  son  of  Hiram  Chapman 
and  grandson  of  Amasa  Chapman,  who  were  members  of  a  New  York 
family.  Hiram  Chapman  was  born  in  New  York  in  1824,  was  married  in 
his  native  state  to  Miss  Ann  E.  Davis,  and  a  few  years  later  came  west 
with  his  wife  and  two  little  children  and  settled  in  LaSalle  county,  when  this 
section  of  the  country  was  nearly  all  in  its  primitive  state.  Here  he  pur- 
chased three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land,  to  which  he  added  in  after 
years  until  his  farm  was  one  of  the  largest  in  the  county.  His  eldest  son, 
George,  resides  in  Odell,  Illinois.  The  other  three  sons — Otis  L.,  Hosmer 
and  Frank  O. — all  have  farms  in  this  township.  The  only  daughter  of  the 
family,  Delia,  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years.  The  father  died  in  1898, 
at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years.  The  mother  was  fifty-four  when  she  died, 
in  1882. 

Our  direct  subject,  Frank  O.,  received  his  early  training  in  the  public 
schools  and  finished  his  education  with  a  course  in  the  Normal  school  at 
Morris,  Illinois.  He  has  never  turned  aside  from  the  occupation  in  which 
he  was  reared,  and  as  the  proprietor  of  Willow  Stock  Farm  is  doing  a  busi- 
ness and  has  a  place  in  which  he  has  just  reason  to  take  pride,  his  farm 


40  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL-  RECORD. 

being  one  of  the  very  best  in  the  county.  Mr.  Chapman  has  for  several 
years  made  a  specialty  of  raising  Poland-China  hogs,  and  has  sold  hogs 
throughout  this  state,  Indiana,  Kansas,  Missouri  and  Iowa. 

Mr.  Chapman  has  been  twice  married.  December  23,  1883,  he  wedded 
Miss  Emma  Snyder,  daughter  of  John  Snyder,  deceased.  She  died  in 
August,  1885,  leaving  one  child,  a  son,  Elmer  E.  April  19,  1888,  Mr.  Chap- 
man married  for  his  second  wife  Miss  Fanny  I.  Harris,,  daughter  of  Isaac 
Harris,  of  Miller  township,  LaSalle  county.  The  present  Mrs.  Chapman 
was,  previous  to  her  marriage,  a  successful  teacher.  This  union  has  been 
blessed  in  the  birth  of  four  children, — Clyde,  Walter,  Harold  and  Sina 
Luthera. 

Mr.  Chapman  gives  his  support  politically  to  the  Republican  party. 


WILLIAM  R.  LEWIS. 


William  R.  Lewis,  the  efiticient  supervisor  of  Grand  Rapids  township, 
LaSalle  county,  is  one  of  the  popular  and  enterprising  agriculturists  of  this 
locality.  He  is  one  of  the  native  sons  of  Illinois,  his  birth  having  occurred 
in  Putnam  county  March  3,  1843.  Of  the  eight  children  born  to  the  Hon. 
S.  R.  Lewis,  whose  sketch  appears  elsewhere  in  this  volume,  but  four  sons 
survive,  the  others  being  E.  C,  Charles  and  S.  M.,  who  is  a  farmer  of  Fall 
River  township. 

In  his  youth  William  R.  Lewis  was  instructed  in  all  departments  of 
agriculture,  and  obtained  a  practical  education  in  the  public  schools.  In 
i860  he  located  upon  the  homestead  which  he  now  owns  and  carries  on. 
At  that  time  this  place,  as  well  as  all  of  the  other  land  in  the  vicinity,  was 
wild,  and  bore  little  promise  of  what  it  was  to  become  under  the  careful 
cultivation  and  care  of  its  future  owner.  Mr.  Lewis  set  to  work  with  a  will, 
and  the  result  of  years  of  his  well  applied  energy  is  seen  to-day  in  his  splendid 
farm,  which  is  considered  one  of  the  best  in  the  township.  The  place,  com- 
prising two  hundred  acres,  is  supplied  with  a  model  house,  good  barns  and 
other  buildings,  a  w^ell-kept  yard,  shaded  with  fine  old  trees,  and  a  thrifty 
orchard.  Two  windmills  furnish  the  power  for  supplying  an  abundance  of 
pure  water  to  the  house  and  barns,  and  improved  farm  machinery  and  imple- 
ments reduce  the  labor  of  managing  the  place  to  a  minimum.  A  high  grade 
of  live  stock  is  raised  and  kept  upon  this  farm,  and  a  ready  market  is  found 
for  all  of  the  products  of  the  place,  which  is  situated  but  three  miles  from 
Grand  Ridge  village. 

In  1865  Mr.  Lewis  wedded  Miss  E.  A.  Eichelberger,  whose  father  was 
born  February  28,  181 3,  and  died  April  16,  1879.     He  was  one  of  the  early 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  41 

settlers  of  this  township,  coming  to  Ottawa  in  1837  from  York  county, 
Pennsylvania.  His  widow  was  born  December  4,  1821,  and  is  still  living  on 
their  old  homestead  in  this  vicinity.  Four  children  were  born  to  our  subject 
and  wife :  Anna,  who  married  S.  E.  Jones,  the  agent  of  the  Chicago,  Bur- 
lington &  Quincy  Railroad  at  Earlville,  Illinois,  and  Edward  C,  Edith  C. 
and  F.  W.  The  three  younger  children  are  at  home,  F.  W.  being  a  student 
in  the  Luther  College,  at  Ottawa,  Illinois.  All  have  been  given  excellent 
musical  advantages  and  possess  considerable  talent  in  that  line,  both  daugh- 
ters now  being  teachers  of  the  art,  and  both  boys  being  connected  with  the 
Grand  Ridge  cornet  band. 

From  his  youth  Mr.  Lewis  was  an  abolitionist,  and  he  joined  the 
Republican  party  upon  its  organization,  since  which  time  he  has  been  a 
zealous  worker  in  its  interests.  He  has  frequently  attended  county  and  state 
and  congressional  conventions  of  his  party,  often  as  a  delegate.  For  eight 
years  he  has  served  as  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  in  1896  was  elected  to  the 
office  of  supervisor,  in  both  of  which  positions  he  has  acquitted  himself 
with  credit.  Religiously  Mr.  Lewis  and  his  family  are  connected  with  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  church,  contributing  liberally,  both  of  their  means 
and  influence,  towards  its  support. 


COLONEL   DOUGLAS    HAPEMAN. 

Electricity,  a  mysterious  force,  even  now  but  imperfectly  understood 
and  only  partially  available  in  a  practical  way,  is  nevertheless  such  an  impor- 
tant factor  in  the  domestic,  commercial  and  manufacturing  economy  of 
every  enterprising  town  that  it  has  engaged  the  services  of  the  best  thought 
of  men  of  intellectuality  and  splendid  business  ability,  under  whose  guidance 
it  is  being  developed  and  brought  under  control  and  made  more  and  more 
fully  the  servant  of  man.  Colonel  Douglas  Hapeman,  secretary  and  treas- 
urer of  the  Thomas  Electric  Light  &  Power  Company,  of  Ottawa,  Illinois, 
was  born  in  Fulton  county,  New  York,  January  15,  1839,  a  son  of  John  and 
Margaret  (Smith)  Hapeman.  At  the  age  of  five  years  he  was  brought  by  his 
parents  to  Illinois.  The  family  located  first  at  Aurora  and  later  at  Earlville, 
where  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hapeman  died,  leaving  three  sons  and  six  daughters: 
Almira,  Margaret,  Mary,  Matilda,  Adeline,  Elizabeth,  John,  William  and 
Douglas.  The  father,  who  became  Avell  known  as  a  bridge  builder,  lived 
sixty-two  years,  and  the  mother  died  at  the  age  of  fifty-three.  They  were 
zealous  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Douglas  Hapeman  received  his  early  education  in  a  school  which  was 
conducted  in  a  little  log  school-house  not  far  from  Earlville.     ^^'hen  thirteen 


42  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

years  old  he  began  to  work  as  a  printer,  and  followed  the  vocation  until 
April,  1 86 1.  For  some  time  prior  to  the  war  he  was  a  member  of  the  Wash- 
ington Light  Guards,  of  Ottawa,  and  on  the  first  call  of  President  Lincoln 
for  volunteers  he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Eleventh  Regiment  of  Illinois 
Volunteer  Lifantry,  and  was  made  second  lieutenant.  He  was  recommis- 
sioned  in  the  Eleventh  Regiment  for  three  years,  and  took  part  in  the  battles 
of  Fort  Donelson,  Shiloh  and  Corinth.  He  was  discharged  for  promotion 
in  August,  1862,  and  was  commissioned  lieutenant  colonel  of  the  One  Hun- 
dred and  Fourth  Regiment  of  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  At  Hartsville, 
Tennessee,  he  was  captured,  together  with  the  regiment,  and  with  Major 
Widmer  was  a  prisoner  about  five  months.  He  afterward  took  part  in  the 
battles  of  Chickamauga,  Lookout  Mountain,  Mission  Ridge,  Resaca,  Kene- 
saw  Mountain,  Atlanta,  Jonesboro  and  the  memorable  experiences  of  the 
march  to  the  sea.  In  the  campaign  after  Hood,  north  of  Atlanta,  he  com- 
manded a  brigade  in  the  First  Division,  Fourteenth  Army  Corps,  and  was 
mustered  out  of  the  army  June  22,  1865,  having  served  four  years  and  two 
months.  He  then  returned  to  Ottawa  and  became  one  of  the  publishers  of 
the  Free  Trader,  but  in  1882  disposed  of  his  interest  and  was  engaged  in 
the  book  and  stationery  business  until  1895,  when  he  sold  out  to  devote  his 
entire  time  to  his  work  as  secretary  and  manager  of  the  Thomas  Electric 
Light  &  Power  Company,  in  which  he  had  been  interested  since  1884,  and 
of  which  he  is  now  secretary  and  treasurer. 

The  Colonel  is  a  member  of  the  Loyal  Legion,  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic,  and  the  Masonic  fraternity.  He  was  married  November  6,  1867, 
to  Miss  Ella  Thomas,  daughter  of  William  Thomas,  president  of  the  Thomas 
Electric  Light  &  Power  Company.  They  have  a  son  and  a  daughter,  William 
T.  Hapeman,  who  is,  at  the  age  of  twenty-four,  a  successful  lawyer  of  Chi- 
cago, and  May  E.,  wife  of  Dr.  J.  R.  Hofifman,  of  Chicago. 

The  Thomas  Electric  Light  &  Power  Company  was  organized  in  1884, 
with  a  capital  of  fifteen  thousand  dollars,  and  Colonel  Hapeman  was  made 
its  secretary  and  treasurer.  Starting  out  in  a  limited  way,  with  two  arc-light 
dynamos,  capable  of  running  twenty-five  lights  each,  the  concern,  under  the 
personal  supervision  of  Messrs.  Hapeman  and  Thomas,  has  made  a  great 
stride  forward,  and  now  takes  rank  among  the  leading  institutions  of  the  city. 
At  first  the  station  was  on  the  "side  cut,"  near  the  Illinois  and  Michigan 
canal,  but  in  a  few  months  what  is  now  a  part  of  the  present  structure  was 
erected  between  the  Victor  Mills  and  the  City  Mills,  and  it  has  since  been 
more  than  doubled  in  size.  The  company  now  operate  three  dynamos,  with 
a  capacity  of  ninety  arc  lights,  two  incandescent-light  machines,  with  power 
for  three  thousand  six  hundred  lamps,  and  the  dynamos  which  run  the  city 
lights,  one  hundred  and  thirty-three  in  number.     The  company  maintains 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  43 

a  day  circuit,  as  well  as  a  power  circuit,  so  that  the  plant  is  operated  contin- 
uously. Having  the  advantage  of  water  power,  its  customers  are  supplied 
with  lights  and  power  much  cheaper  than  in  almost  any  other  city  in  the 
Union.  The  application  of  electricity  to  the  purposes  of  lighting,  heating 
and  power  is  only  just  beginning  to  be  indicated,  and  the  Thomas  Electric 
Light  &  Power  Company  is  ever  on  the  lookout  for  new  inventions,  or 
for  improvements  on  existing  ones,  which  will  better  its  service  and  help  it 
to  attain  a  perfect  system  of  artificial  light. 


JAMES   HENRY    DRAKE. 

Among  the  early  settlers  in  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  was  Jesse  R.  Drake, 
father  of  the  gentleman  whose  name  initiates  this  review,  who  with  his  family 
came  to  Illinois  in  1839  and  to  LaSalle  county  in  1844.  Jesse  R.  Drake  was 
a  son  of  William  Drake,  and  was  born  in  New  York  and  reared  and  educated 
there.  When  he  reached  manhood  he  went  to  Bradford  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  married  Miss  Jemima  Ferguson,  daughter  of  William 
Ferguson,  of  English  descent,  who  came  to  America  to  fight  for  the  colo- 
nists in  the  Revolutionary  war.  Some  years  after  their  marriage  they 
removed  with  their  family  to  Coles  county,  Illinois,  and  five  years  later  to 
LaSalle  county,  settling  in  South  Ottawa.  Their  family  consisted  of  eight 
children,  whose  names  in  order  of  birth  were  as  follows :  Ruthenne,  Benja- 
min, William,  Delia,  Jesse  W.,  all  now  deceased;  Mary,  wife  of  A.  G.  Bard- 
well,  of  Erie,  Neosho  county,  Kansas;  J.  H.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and 
Isaac,  deceased.  Both  parents  lived  to  venerable  age.  The  father  died  at 
seventy-three  and  the  mother  at  seventy-five.  Jesse  R.  Drake  was  a  pros- 
perous farmer  and  stood  high  in  the  esteem  of  his  fellow-citizens.  He  was 
a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  Politically  he  was  a  Republican.  His  good 
wife  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

James  Henry  Drake  was  born  in  Coles  county,  Illinois,  October  26, 
1840,  and  was  four  years  old  when  his  parents  came  to  Ottawa.  His  boy- 
hood days  were  passed  in  work  on  his  father's  farm  and  in  attending  the 
country  schools.  He  remained  at  the  home  of  his  parents,  except  one 
summer,  when  he  was  engaged  in  driving  cattle  from  Illinois  to  Kansas  until 
the  civil  war  broke  out.  When  the  civil  war  came  on  he  was  among  the 
first  to  enter  the  Union  ranks,  and  he  went  out  as  a  member  of  the  Fifty- 
third  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Colonel  William  Cushman  and 
Captain  J.  Skinner.  He  enhsted  in  1861  and  his  service  covered  a  period  of 
over  three  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  was  honorably  discharged.  In 
1886  Mr.  Drake  located  on  his  present  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twelve 


44  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

acres  in  South  Ottawa  township.  This  farm,  known  for  years  as  the  old 
Dewey  farm,  is  well  located,  three  miles  southeast  of  town,  and  is  nicely 
improved  with  good  buildings,  including  a  comfortable  residence  surrounded 
with  lawn  and  shade  trees. 

July  5,  1868,  Mr.  Drake  married  Miss  Mercy  J.  Turner,  a  native  of 
Wyoming  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  a  daughter  of  Erasmus  T.  and  Fidelia 
(Ball)  Turner,  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  Mrs.  Turner  died  in  1871, 
leaving  two  children,  Mrs.  Drake  and  Mrs.  Louisa  Clark.  ]\Ir.  Turner  is 
now  a  resident  of  Alta,  Iowa.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Drake  have  two  children, 
namely:  Charles  H.,  who  married  Miss  Allie  J.  Scidmore,  and  has  one 
child,  Charles  Henry,  w^ho  lives  at  Wenona,  Illinois;  and  Linnie  B.,  wife  of 
Irving  Scidmore  and  mother  of  one  child,  Ruth  Belle  Scidmore. 

Mr.  Drake  is  a  Republican.  Although  taking  an  active  interest  in 
politics,  he  has  never  aspired  to  official  honors.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
G.  A.  R.  Post  of  Streator,  and  he  and  his  family  are  identified  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

After  the  war  he  returned  to  his  father's  home  and  remained  there  until 
1871,  when  he  removed  to  Chatsworth,  where  he  remained  for  one  year; 
next  he  returned  to  the  old  home  and  engaged  in  the  occupation  of  farming 
until  1879.  Then  he  and  his  family  removed  to  Streator,  where  he  turned 
his  attention  to  the  flour  and  feed  business  and  in  buying  cattle. 


GEORGE   L.    DAVISON. 

In  1869  George  L.  Davison  cast  his  lot  with  the  people  of  LaSalle 
county,  and  has  never  seen  occasion  to  regret  that  he  did  so;  for  he  is,  first 
of  all,  patriotic  and  keenly  alive  to  whatever  he  believes  will  be  of  benefit  to 
the  community. 

Benjamin  Davison,  the  paternal  grandfather  of  George  L.,  was  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania.  His  son,  Benjamin,  Jr.,  was  born  in  Washington  county, 
of  that  state,  in  1793,  and  moved  with  his  father's  family  to  Trumbull  county, 
Ohio,  in  1802,  when  but  nine  years  of  age,  when  that  portion  of  Ohio  was 
almost  an  unbroken  wilderness.  In  1834  he  removed  to  Allen  county,  same 
state,  and  began  the  improvement  of  a  farm  near  Lima,  being  one  of  the 
pioneers  in  this  part  of  the  state.  In  December  of  that  year  he  married  Sid- 
ney Howard  Nelson,  who  was  born  November  5,  1795,  at  Geneva,  state  of 
New  York,  and  was  the  first  child  born  of  white  parentage  in  that  place. 
The  Indians  had  not  yet  left  that  part  of  the  state.  Her  parents  were  Edward 
and  Elizabeth  (Armstrong)  Howard. 

But  one  child  was  born  to  Benjamin  and  Sidney  Davison,  George  L,, 
who  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch.     He  was  born  on  his  father's  farm  near 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  45 

Lima,  Allen  county,  Ohio,  October  20,  1836,  and  during  his  youth  attended 
the  schools  in  his  neighborhood,  completing  his  education  in  1855  at  the 
Presbyterian  academy  in  Lima.  His  father  died  in  1854,  and  after  leaving 
school  he  and  his  mother  continued  to  reside  upon  and  operate  the  farm 
left  by  his  father  until  1869,  when  they  sold  the  farm  and  removed  to  LaSalle 
county,  Illinois,  locating  in  the  town  of  Manlius. 

On  the  nth  day  of  August,  1862,  Mr.  Davison  enlisted  in  Company  B, 
Ninety-ninth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  which  was  at  that  time  being  re- 
cruited at  Lima,  Ohio,  and  was  appointed  third  sergeant  at  the  organization 
of  the  company.  On  the  last  day  of  August  the  regiment  was  ordered  to 
Covington,  Kentucky,  and  was  there  during  the  Kirby  Smith  raid,  and 
subsequently  marched  with  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  of  which  it  became 
a  part,  from  Louisville  by  way  of  Perryville,  Crab  Orchard  and  Somerset  to 
Nashville,  Tennessee.  On  February  26,  1863,  while  his  regiment  was 
encamped  at  [Nlurfreesboro,  Tennessee,  Sergeant  Davison  was  promoted  to 
be  orderly  sergeant  of  his  company,  and  served  in  that  capacity  until  April 
10,  1863.  when  he  was  promoted  as  second  lieutenant  of  his  company,  and 
on  June  9,  1863,  was  advanced  to  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant.  On  July  16, 
1863,  he  took  command  of  his  company,  and  served  in  that  capacity  until 
January  i,  1864.  During  this  time  he  participated  in  the  advance  on  Chatta- 
nooga and  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19  and  20,  1863;  Lookout 
Mountain,  November  24,  1863;  and  Missionary  Ridge,  November  25,  1863. 
In  January,  1864,  he  obtained  a  twenty-days'  leave  of  absence  and  visited  his 
family  in  Ohio.  Immediately  upon  his  return  to  duty  he  was,  by  special 
order  No.  17,  headquarters  Second  Brigade,  First  Division,  Fourth  Army 
Corps,  detailed  for  duty  on  the  stafif  of  Colonel  J.  H.  Moore  of  the  One 
Hundred  and  Fifteenth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  then  commanding  the 
brigade.  On  March  31,  1864,  he  was,  by  special  order  No.  54,  headquarters 
First  Division,  Fourth  Army  Corps,  detailed  as  ambulance  officer  of  the 
division.  He  organized  and  was  in  charge  of  the  ambulance  train  of  the 
division  until  July  2,  1864,  when  his  resignation  was  tendered  and  accepted, 
based  on  a  surgeon's  certificate  of  disability.  The  following  indorsement 
appears  on  the  tender  of  his  resignation : 

Headquarters  Secorrd  Brigade,  First  Division, 

Twenty-third  Army  Corps. 
Respectfully  forwarded  for  the  action  of  the  Major  General  command- 
ing the  Department  of  Ohio. 

I  am  sorry  to  lose  the  services  of  so  valuable  an  ofiicer;   but  disease  has 
rendered  him  unfit  for  further  service,  and  his  life  is  in  danger  from  it. 
(Signed)  P.  T.SWAINE, 

Colonel  Ninety-ninth  Ohio  A'olunteer  Infantrv,  Commanding. 


46  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

Mr.  Davison's  army  record  is  of  the  best,  and  his  children  have  just 
cause  to  be  proud  of  his  gahant  and  creditable  service  in  the  defense  of  the 
Union. 

In  1869  Mr.  Davison  came  to  LaSalle  county  and  located  upon  a  farm 
in  Manlius  township,  four  miles  north  of  Seneca,  where  he  was  energetically 
engaged  in  farming  for  several  years.  In  1887  he  settled  in  Seneca,  and 
for  the  past  twelve  years  has  been  thoroughly  identified  with  the  town.  For 
a  period  he  was  employed  at  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  more  recently  he  has 
been  busily  occupied  by  public  duties.  While  living  on  his  homestead  he 
officiated  as  the  township  collector;  and  he  has  been  the  assessor  for  six 
years.  Seven  years  ago  he  received  an  appointment  as  a  notary  public,  and 
in  1897  he  was  elected  the  police  magistrate.  In  these  of^ces  he  is  still 
serving,  ably  discharging  his  duties  and  giving  entire  satisfaction  to  the 
citizens..  He  is  loyal  to  the  platform  and  nominees  of  the  Republican  party. 
Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  Manlius  Lodge,  No.  491,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  was 
the  first  commander  of  Joseph  Woodrufif  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  No.  281,  of  Mar- 
seilles. 

On  the  2ist  of  Septemljer,  1858,  Mr.  Davison  married  Miss  Margaret 
Boyd,  daughter  of  James  and  Mary  Boyd  of  Lima,  Ohio.  Two  sons  and 
two  daughters  of  Our  subject  and  wife  are  yet  living,  namely,  Ida  A.,  Louis 
M.,  Sidney  L.  and  M.  Howard,  who  have  received  an  excellent  education. 
Ida  is  at  hoiiie  with  her  father  and  the  three  sons  are  residents  of  Oglesby, 
this  state.  April  4,  1891,  Mrs.  Davison  passed  away,  leaving  her  family  and 
a  large  circle  of  friends  to  mourn  her  loss.  She  had  lived  a  consistent  Chris- 
tian life,  being  at  the  time  of  her  death  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  of  Seneca.  His  daughters,  Efifie  L.  and  Anna  M.,  both  died  in  1897, 
the  former  on  the  24th  day  of  April,  aged  thirty-one  years,  and  the  latter 
on  the  2d  day  of  June,  aged  twenty-five  years.  Both  were  conscientious  and 
consistent  Christians. 


J.    L.    PIERGUE. 

Mr.  J.  L.  Piergue  was  the  Delmonico  of  Ottawa  and  vicinity.  Through 
long  years  of  experience  he  has  earned  a  well-deserved  reputation  as  chef 
and  caterer.    A  brief  review  of  his  life  is  as  follows : 

J.  L.  Piergue  was  born  in  France,  in  1844,  of  a  good  family  noted  for 
their  industry,  honesty  and  morality.  His  father  was  a  baker  by  trade,  and 
under  him  our  subject  served  an  apprenticeship,  thus  laying  the  foundation 
of  his  successful  career.  He  attended  school  until  he  was  sixteen,  when,  in 
order  to  perfect  him.self  in  his  trade,  he  became  an  apprentice  to  a  regular 
caterer.     During  the  World's  Fair  in  Chicago,  in  1893,  he  was  chef  of  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  47 

Hungarian  Cafe,  which  he  sticcessfuhy  conducted  and  which  was  one  of  the 
most  popular  of  the  "White  City"  resorts.  He  is  now  located  at  Ottawa, 
Illinois,  where  he  maintains  his  reputation  in  his  line  of  business.  His  elegant 
and  successfully  conducted  saloon  is  located  in  his  own  building,  a  three- 
story  brick  structure,  it  being  finished  and  furnished  first-class  in  every 
respect. 

Mr.  Piergue  was  married,  in  Ottaw^a.  to  Miss  Victoria  De  Claude, 
daughter  of  M.  De  Claude,  and  she  is  a  woman  of  excellent  qualities,  and 
has  proved  herself  a  worthy  helpmate  to  her  husband.  They  have  four 
children :  Bert,  of  Omaha,  who  had  charge  of  the  German  Village  Cafe  at 
the  Omaha  exposition  in  1898;  Edith,  wife  of  Lee  Uhl,  of  Ottawa;  and 
Carrie  and  Louise,  at  home. 

Politically  Mr.  Piergue  is  identified  with  the  Democratic  party.  Socially 
he  is  a  Knight  of  Pythias,  a  member  of  the  uniform  rank  in  that  order,  and 
an  officer  and  one  of  the  active  promoters  of  the  same. 


DAVID    LORING. 


One  of  the  first  pioneer  settlers  of  LaSalle  county  was  David  Loring, 
who  arrived  in  this  section  of  the  state  in  1838,  since  which  time  representa- 
tives of  the  name  have  been  prominently  connected  with  public  aft'airsand 
business  interests  that  have  contributed  to  the  general  prosperity  and  ad- 
vancement of  the  county.  David  Loring  was  born  in  the  state  of  New 
Hampshire,  on  the  nth  of  November,  1775, — the  year  in  w'hich  the  Revo- 
lutionary war  began.  After  some  years  he  enlisted  in  the  United  States 
Navy,  and  when  the  second  war  with  Great  Britain  began  he  entered  his 
country's  service  to  protect  American  interests.  He  married  Mercy  Benson, 
a  native  of  Rhode  Island,  born  May  i,  1786,  and  afterward  purchased  a  farm 
in  East  Bloomfield,  Ontario  county.  New  York,  w^here  he  resided  with  his 
family  until  1832.  He  then  emigrated  westward,  locating  in  Medina  county, 
Ohio,  W'hence,  in  1838,  he  came  to  Illinois,  settling  on  section  32,  township 
34,  range  5,  in  what  has  since  become  known  as  Manlius  township,  LaSalle 
county.  There  Mr.  Loring  carried  on  farming  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
May  II,  1847,  when  he  had  reached  the  age  of  seventy-one  years  and  six 
months.  His  wife  passed  away  on  the  ist  of  September,  1846,  at  the  age  of 
sixty  years  and  four  months.  They  lived  to  see  all  their  children  married 
and  living  in  homes  of  their  own  near  the  old  family  homestead.  They  had 
four  sons  and  two  daughters:  Thomas,  Sally,  Betsey,  David,  John  and 
William  R. 

Thomas,  the  eldest  son  of  David  and  Mercy  (Benson)  Loring,  was  born 


48  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

in  Ontario  county,  New  York,  in  1806,  and  in  1827  married  Caroline  Hall, 
a  native  of  Providence,  Rhode  Island.  They  had  three  children, — Thomas, 
Hannah  and  Catherine.  Coming  to  Illinois,  Thomas  Loring,  Sr.,  was  serv- 
ing as  the  jailer  in  Ottawa  at  the  time  George  Gates  was  hung  for  the  murder 
of  an  Englishman  named  Liley.  He  was  also  a  deputy  sheriff  at  one  time 
and  guard  in  the  state  penitentiary  in  Alton,  Illinois.  He  was  on  various 
occasions  proprietor  of  hotels,  including  the  Fox  River  House,  at  Ottawa; 
Sulphur  Springs  House,  just  west  of  Ottawa,  and  the  Kimbol  House,  at 
]\Iarseilles.  His  wife  died  in  Marseilles  in  1850,  and  Mr.  Loring  afterward 
married  ]\Iiss  Laura  Cooley,  of  Northville,  by  whom  he  had  three  children, 
— Jennie.  Frankie  and  Nellie.  Mr.  Loring  died  in  Marseilles  in  1887,  at  the 
age  of  eighty-one  years.  His  son  Thomas  went  to  California  in  1849  with 
the  Green  Company,  and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  in  the  west,  his  death 
occurring  in  Boise,  Idaho,  a  few  years  ago.  Hannah,  a  daughter  of  Thomas 
Loring,  Sr.,  married  Aaron  Gage,  of  Brookfield,  LaSalle  county,  and  is  still 
living  on  the  old  homestead,  although  her  husband  died  several  years  ago. 
She  had  seven  children.  Catherine,  the  second  daughter  of  Thomas  Loring, 
Sr.,  married  Henry  Mitchell,  of  Ottawa,  LaSalle  county,  and  there  they 
made  their  home  for  several  years,  but  later  removed  to  La  Porte,  Iowa, 
where  Mr.  ]\Iitchell  died,  in  1896.    She  had  four  children. 

Sally  Loring,  daughter  of  David  Loring,  the  pioneer  of  the  family  in 
LaSalle  county,  was  born  in  Ontario  county.  New  York,  in  1809,  and  mar- 
ried Dolphus  Clark,  of  that  county.  They  came  to  Illinois  in  1836,  locating 
on  section  5.  township  33.  range  5.  In  1867  they  removed  to  Marseilles, 
where  ]\Ir.  Clark  died,  in  1884,  while  his  wife  survived  until  1898.  They  had 
ten  children, — four  sons  and  six  daughters :  Carlos,  Adaline,  Mercy,  Sally, 
Caroline,  John,  ]\Iary,  Dolphus,  Richard  and  Clara. 

Betsey  Loring,  the  second  daughter  of  David  Loring,  was  born  in 
Ontario  county.  New  York,  in  1812,  and  became  the  wife  of  Nelson  Morey. 
In  1836  they  came  to  Illinois,  afterward  emigrated  to  Texas,  and  in  1850 
Mrs.  Morey  died  near  Galveston,  leaving  one  son,  named  Harvey  Morey. 

David  Loring,  the  second  son  of  David  Loring,  Sr.,  was  born  in 
Ontario  county.  New  York,  in  1814.  and  in  1836  came  to  Illinois.  He  drove 
a  stage  for  Fink  &  Walker  on  the  old  stage  route  between  Chicago 
and  Ottawa,  and  was  a  prominent  factor  in  events  forming  the  pio- 
neer history  of  the  county.  He  married  Elizabeth  Nichol,  of  Mans- 
field, Ohio,  and  they  had  eight  children,  two  sons  and  six  daughters, 
but  two  of  the  children  died  in  infancy.  Those  still  living  are 
Malvina,  Betsey,  Ella.  Marvel,  Jennie  and  George.  Of  this  family  Malvina 
married  'Sir.  Hill,  by  whom  she  has  a  son  and  daughter,  and  they  now  make 
their  home  in  Olympia,  \\^ashington;    Betsey  is  now  the  wife  of  Mr.  Craw- 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  49 

ford,  of  Wyoming,  and  they  have  three  children;  Ella  is  the  wife  of  Mr. 
Swan,  of  Olympia,  Washington,  and  they  have  two  sons;  Marvel  also  lives 
in  Olympia;  Jennie  is  married  and  resides  in  Ontario  county.  New  York, 
upon  a  farm  near  the  old  David  Loring  homestead;  and  George  is  married 
and  lives  in  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah.  Mr.  Loring,  the  father  of  these  children, 
is  still  living,  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  years,  and  the  mother  is  now  eighty 
years  of  age.  They  reside  in  Olympia,  Washington,  and  are  now  enjoying 
fair  health  for  people  of  their  years. 

John  Loring,  the  third  son  of  David  Loring,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Ontario 
county,  New  York,  August  22,  1817,  and  in  1835,  when  eighteen  years  of 
age,  came  to  Illinois.  During  the  summer  months  he  worked  as  a  farm 
hand  for  Joseph  Brumbach,  and  when  autumn  came  returned  to  Ohio.  Li 
the  spring  of  1836,  however,  he  again  came  to  this  state  and  for  almost  half 
a  century  he  and  his  wife  resided  upon  one  farm  in  this  locality.  He  was 
married  January  i,  1844,  to  Lowisa  Mickey,  of  Mansfield,  Ohio,  who  died 
December  28,  1893,  at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years  and  eleven  months. 
After  her  death  Mr.  Loring  resided  with  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Piester,  in  Mar- 
seilles, and  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-one  years  and  seven  months.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Loring  were  the  parents  of  four  children,  two  sons  and  tVk^o  daugh- 
ters: Eliza,  Hulbert  L.,  George  and  Alzina.  The  elder  daughter  became 
the  wife  of  Milton  Piester,  of  the  town  of  Mission,  and  for  some  years  they 
resided  on  a  farm  in  Rutland.  In  1882  they  removed  to  Marseilles,  where 
Mr.  Piester  purchased  an  interest  in  a  hardware  store  and  became  a  partner 
of  Mr.  Wilson.  He  died  in  1887,  at  the  age  of  forty-nine  years,  leaving  his 
widow^  and  four  children — Carrie,  Marcia,  Alzina  and  Winnie — all  of  whom 
reside  in  Marseilles.  Hulbert  L.  Loring  was  born  in  the  town  of  Miller, 
September  6,  1846,  and  was  married  December  25,  1870,  to  Mary  Bosworth, 
who  died  June  27,  1872,  after  which  Mr.  Loring  lived  with  his  parents 
until  December  25,  1878,  when  he  wedded  Mary  J.  Grove.  They  live  on  a 
farm  in  Miller  township  and  have  two  children,  George  and  Wilber.  George 
Loring,  the  third  child  of  John  Loring,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Miller, 
January  13,  1849,  ^^'^d  married  Addie  B.  Engle,  of  Burr  Oak,  Michigan,  De- 
cember 5,  1878.  He  lives  on  the  John  Loring  homestead  in  the  southwestern 
part  of  Miller  township,  LaSalle  county,  and  has  two  children — Margaret 
and  Raymond.  Alzina  Loring,  the  fourth  child  of  John  Loring,  was  born 
January  i,  1856,  and  was  married  September  17,  1879,  to  John  M.  Wells, 
of  Nevada,  Iowa,  where  they  now  reside.  They  have  a  daughter  named 
Reine. 

William  R.  Loring,  the  youngest  son  of  David  Loring,  was  born  in  On- 
tario county.  New  York,  on  the  22d  of  August,  1820,  and  in  1838  came  to 
Illinois.     He  was  married  in   1843,  to  Jane  Mickey,  of  Mansfield,  Ohio,  a 


50  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

sister  of  his  brother  John's  wife,  and  by  this  union  were  born  ten  children, 
nine  sons  and  a  daughter,  of  whom  seven  are  Hving,  while  three  have  passed 
away.  Mrs.  Loring  died  in  Osceola,  Iowa,  several  years  ago,  and  Mr. 
Loring's  death  occurred  in  Peoria,  Illinois,  in  1897.  Of  their  children, 
Thomas  and  May  died  in  infancy;  Alonzo  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years; 
Riley  is  married  and  lives  in  Peoria;  Augustus  P.  is  married  and  resides  in 
Missouri;  Ernest  is  married  and  resides  in  Colorado;  Elzie,  Jesse  and  Simeon 
are  living  in  Kentland,  Indiana;  and  Charles  is  married  and  resides  in 
Chicago. 


URIAS  J.  HOFFMAN. 


The  popular  superintendent  of  schools  in  LaSalle  county,  Urias  J. 
Hoffman,  has  been  the  incumbent  of  this  responsible  office  for  the  past 
five  years,  during  which  time  many  notable  changes  for  the  better  have 
been  inaugurated  in  the  public-school  system  of  this  section  of  the  state. 
Professor  Hofifman  is  a  practical  educator  and  sound  business  man,  earnest 
and  well  grounded  in  his  convictions,  and  persevering  in  his  efforts  to  per- 
manently benefit  the  schools  of  this  vicinity. 

John  Hoffman,  father  of  the  above-named  gentleman,  was  a  native  of 
Saxe-Weimar,  Germany.  There  he  married  Margaret  Koelner,  and  together 
they  came  to  the  United  States  in  1852.  Settling  in  Indiana,  they  continued 
to  reside  there  until  the  death  of  the  father,  a  few  years  later.  The  widow, 
thus  left  alone  with  two  small  sons,  remarried. 

The  birth  of  Urias  J.  Hoffman  took  place  in  the  village  of  Wawaka, 
Noble  county,  Indiana,  May  12,  1855.  He  was  naturally  of  a  studious  turn 
of  mind,  and  spent  all  of  his  leisure  time  with  his  books.  At  fourteen  years 
of  age  he  was  given  his  time,  and  while  working  for  farmers  was  permitted 
to  attend  school  in  the  winter  season.  At  seventeen  he  had  saved  a  sufficient 
amount  from  his  limited  earnings  to  enable  himself  to  take  an  academic 
course,  and  in  1878  his  pedagogic  career  began,  as  he  taught  a  country 
school.  Then,  for  two  years,  he  was  employed  as  a  teacher  in  a  village 
school,  and  in  1881  he  was  elected  associate  principal  of  Jennings  Seminary, 
Aurora,  and  was  connected  with  that  institution  for  six  years.  He  then 
served  three  years  as  president  of  Hayward  Collegiate  Institute,  at  Fairfield, 
Illinois.  Going  then  to  the  DePauw  (Indiana)  University,  he  was  instructor 
in  English  for  a  year,  leaving  that  position  to  accept  one  in  Florida.  At  the 
end  of  three  years'  stay  in  the  south  he  returned  to  Marseilles,  Illinois,  where 
he  was  principal  of  schools  until  he  was  elected  to  the  present  position, 
in  November,  1894. 

Among  the  most  important  improvements  which  have  been  instituted 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  51 

in  the  educational  methods  of  LaSalle  county  in  the  past  few  years  the 
following  may  be  mentioned  :  A  uniform  system  of  text-books  in  the  country 
schools  is  in  force;  the  county  institute  has  been  attended  by  the  majority 
of  the  six  hundred  teachers  of  the  county,  as  great  care  has  been  taken 
in  securing  the  best  educators  in  the  land  for  the  purpose  of  instructing 
them  in  practical  methods  of  work;  a  regular  course  of  study,  as  systematic 
as  that  of  a  graded  school,  is  now  maintained  in  the  country  schools;  and 
libraries,  consisting  of  the  books  of  the  Illinois  Pupils'  Reading  Circle,  have 
been  started  in  about  three-fourths  of  the  country  schools.  In  round  num- 
bers there  are  twenty-five  thousand  children  of  school  age  within  the  limits 
of  this  county,  though  less  than  seventeen  thousand  are  enrolled  in  the 
public  schools;  the  total  expense  for  school  purposes  is  somewhat  over 
two  hundred  and  ninety  thousand  dollars  a  year;  there  are  three  hundred  and 
seventeen  school  houses,  and  the  estimated  value  of  school  property  is  six 
hundred  and  twenty-one  thousand  dollars. 

In  1885  Mr.  Hoffman  and  Miss  Ella  Walker  were  married,  in  Earl- 
ville,  LaSalle  county.  Mrs.  Hoffman  is  a  daughter  of  R.  H.  and  Susan 
(Sears)  Walker.  Her  higher  education  was  acquired  in  Jennings  Sem- 
inary, at  Aurora,  and  prior  to  her  marriage  she  was  successfully  engaged 
in  teaching  for  some  time.  The  only  child  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hoffman  is  Mar- 
garet, born  September  5.  1898. 


Z.  SEVERSON. 


Z.  Severson,  postmaster  and  general  merchant  at  Stavanger,  Illinois,  is 
a  prominent  and  well-known  factor  in  the  little  town  in  which  he  lives,  he 
having  filled  the  position  of  postmaster  here  for  a  dozen  years  and  having 
been  in  the  business  here  for  a  longer  period.  A  review  of  Mr.  Severson's  life, 
briefly  given,  is  as  follows : 

Z.  Severson  was  born  in  Norway,  May  18,  1841,  a  son  of  Severt  and 
Sophia  Severson,  and  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  land,  learning 
there  the  trade  of  shoemaker.  On  reaching  manhood  he  thought  to  better 
his  condition  by  emigration  to  America  and  accordingly  landed  here  in 
due  time  and  set  to  work  to  make  a  home  and  accumulate  a  competency. 
His  store  and  residence  in  Stavanger  he  built  in  1883.  He  keeps  a  well 
equipped  general  store,  his  stock  including  groceries,  boots  and  shoes  and  a 
general  line  of  dry  goods  and  notions,  and  by  his  honorable  and  upright 
business  methods  he  has  established  and  maintains  a  large  trade,  which 
extends  for  miles  in  every  direction.  He  was  appointed  postmaster  in  1887, 
and  that  he  has  since  filled  the  office  is  evidence  of  his  prompt  and  faithful 
service  in  the  same. 


52  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

Mr.  Severson  has  been  twice  married.  In  Norway,  in  1864,  he  married 
Miss  Margaret  Peterson,  who  died  in  Grundy  county,  IlHnois,  in  1881,  leav- 
ing three  children,  viz. :  Thomas,  who  has  a  store  in  Nettle  Creek  township, 
Grundy  county;  and  Samuel  and  Magnus,  at  home.  In  1882  Mr.  Severson 
wedded  Miss  Sarah  Johnson,  like  himself  a  native  of  Norway,  she  having 
come  to  this  country  since  grown. 

He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church  at  Stavanger, 
and  his  political  support  is  given  to  the  Republican  party. 


WILLIAM  H.  HULL. 


Honored  and  respected  by  all,  there  is  no  man  in  Ottawa  who  occupies 
a  more  enviable  position  in  commercial  and  financial  circles  than  William  H. 
Hull,  not  alone  on  account  of  the  brilliant  success  he  has  achieved  but  also 
on  account  of  the  honorable,  straightforward  business  policy  he  has  followed. 
He  possesses  untiring  energy,  is  cjuick  of  perception,  forms  his  plans  readily 
and  is  determined  in  their  execution;  and  his  close  application  to  business 
and  his  excellent  management  have  brought  to  him  the  high  degree  of  pros- 
perity which  he  to-day  enjoys.  He  is  now  the  president  of  the  Ottawa  Gas 
&  Electric  Light  Company,  and  at  different  times  has  been  connected  with 
the  various  enterprises  which  have  promoted  not  only  his  individual  success 
but  have  also  contributed  to  the  general  prosperity  by  promoting  com- 
mercial activity.  He  is  one  of  the  pioneer  business  men  of  the  city,  having 
been  prominently  connected  with  its  interests  since  1855. 

He  was  born  in  Oneida  county.  New  York,  on  the  nth  of  October, 
18 — ,  and  is  descended  from  good  old  Revolutionary  stock,  his  ancestry 
having  always  been  noted  for  patriotism.  His  paternal  grandfather,  Josiah 
Hull,  was  one  of  the  heroes  who  fought  for  the  independence  of  our  nation; 
while  Horace  Hull,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  a  gallant  soldier  in  the 
war  of  1812.  The  former  was  a  native  of  Durham,  Connecticut,  and  spent 
the  days  of  his  childhood  and  youth  there.  He  married  Mehitable  Walker 
and  for  many  years  they  were  residents  of  Oneida  county.  New  York,  where 
their  last  days  were  spent.  Both  reached  an  advanced  age,  and  after  the 
grandfather's  death  his  widow  was  granted  a  pension  in  recognition  of  his 
valuable  service  in  the  war  for  independence. 

Horace  Hull  was  born  and  reared  in  Oneida  county,  New  York,  and 
about  1835  removed  to  Oswego  county,  that  state,  wdiere  he  carried  on 
agricultural  pursuits.  He  was  a  man  of  great  industry,  enterprise  and  of  un- 
questioned honesty,  and  commanded  the  respect  of  all  who  knew  him. 
He  married  Sabrina  Lamphere,  and  to  them  were  born  five  children ;  but  two 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  53 

died  early  in  life.  The  others  are  W.  H.,  of  this  record;  Mary,  wife  of 
Frank  B.  Stearns,  who  formerly  resided  in  Ottawa  but  is  now  a  prominent 
and  influential  citizen  of  Ottawa  Beach,  Michigan;  and  George,  of  this  city. 
The  father  died  in  the  Empire  state,  at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years,  after 
W'hich  the  mother  came  to  Ottawa  to  make  her  home  with  her  son,  W.  H. 
Hull.  She  was  a  faithful  wife  and  tender  mother,  and  her  many  excellencies 
of  character  endeared  her  to  all  with  whom  she  was  brought  in  contact. 
She  died  at  the  very  advanced  age  of  ninety-four  years. 

W.  H.  Hull,  of  this  writing,  was  a  child  of  only  three  years  at  the  time  of 
the  removal  of  his  parents  to  Oswego  county,  New  York,  where  he  was 
reared  to  manhood  upon  his  father's  farm;  and  a  splendid  physical  develop- 
ment came  to  him  through  his  labors  in  field  and  meadow-,  combined  with 
the  out-door  sports  in  which  country  boys  usually  engage.  Nor  was  his 
mental  training  neglected  during  this  period;  for  he  attended  the  public 
schools  of  that  locality  and  later  pursued  an  academic  course,  so  that  he 
was  well  prepared  to  cope  with  the  responsible  and  practical  duties  of  life. 

After  laying  aside  his  text-books  he  engaged  in  teaching  in  Oswego 
county,  New  York,  for  three  years,  and  tlien  came  to  Ottawa,  in  1855.  His 
interests  have  been  closely  allied  with  those  of  his  adopted  city.  For  two 
years  he  was  employed  as  a  bookkeeper  and  then  began  business  on  his 
own  account  as  a  dry-goods  merchant,  in  partnership  with  a  Mr.  Thorson. 
Later  he  carried  on  operations  in  that  line  alone  and  enjoyed  a  liberal 
patronage,  owing  to  his  earnest  desire  to  please  the  public,  his  uniform 
courtesy,  willingness  to  oblige  and  his  well  known  reliability.  His  ability 
is  by  no  means  confined  to  one  line  of  endeavor,  and  in  the  successful  man- 
agement and  control  of  various  enterprises  he  has  largely  promoted  the 
prosperity  of  the  community.  He  was  one  of  the  promoters  and  officers 
of  the  glass-works  of  Ottawa,  aided  in  the  organization  of  the  company 
which  established  the  clay  works,  and  later  was  largely  instrumental  in 
the  formation  of  the  Gas  and  Electric  Light  Company,  of  which  he  was 
president.  To  his  careful  management,  sagacity  and  honesty  is  due  in  a  large 
measure  the  success  which  has  attended  the  enterprise. 

In  Oswego  county.  New  York,  when  twenty-four  years  of  age,  Mr.  Hull 
w-as  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Charlotte  Kendall,  a  lady  of  intelligence- 
and  culture  who  has  been  a  worthy  helpmeet  to  him  in  the  many  years  of 
their  married  life.  Thev  have  two  children :  Fannv,  wife  of  C.  A.  Caton,  a 
member  of  the  Illinois  Milling  Company,  of  Ottawa;  and  Horace,  a  w^ell 
known  attorney  and  court  stenographer  of  Ottawa;  he  is  a  graduate  of  the 
Chicago  Law  School  and  has  attained  considerable  prestige  in  his  profession. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Hull  is  a  Republican,  and  he  has  served  as  a 
member  of  the  city  council  for  eight  or  nine  years,  during  which  time  he.- 


54  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

has  advocated  many  measures  for  the  further  development  and  improve- 
ment of  his  native  city.  He  is  a  vakied  member  of  the  order  of  Knights  of 
Pythias,  and  in  all  life's  relations  commands  the  respect  and  confidence  of 
those  with  whom  he  is  brought  in  contact.  In  manner  he  is  frank  and 
genial,  ever  courteous  and  approachable.  He  stands  for  the  best  type  of 
American  manhood,  believing  in  the  dignity  of  honest  toil  and  the  nobility  of 
an  upright  life. 


THOMAS  H.  SPENCER. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  has  been  a  lifelong  resident  of  LaSalle 
county,  and  has  long  figured  as  one  of  the  prominent  and  highly  respected 
farmers  of  Otter  Creek  township,  his  post-office  being  Richards. 

Thomas  H.  Spencer  was  born  on  his  father's  farm  in  this  county,  April 
1 6,  1846,  of  English  parentage.  James  Spencer,  his  father,  was  a  native  of 
Lancashire,  England,  born  in  1808,  son  of  Harrox  and  Mary  (Hounsworth) 
Spencer,  the  former  a  mechanic  who  lived  and  died  in  Clitheroe,  England. 
At  the  age  of  eighteen  years  James  Spencer  came  to  America.  For  a  few 
3^ears  he  worked  at  his  trade,  that  of  blacksmith,  in  Rhode  Island  and  New 
York,  and  in  1840  came  west  to  Michigan,  settling  at  Romeo,  where  he 
was  subsequently  married  to  Miss  Mary  Billsborough,  a  native  of  Pendleton, 
Lancashire,  England,  and  in  1843  they  removed  to  LaSalle  county,  Illinois, 
and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Otter  Creek  township,  where  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  now  lives.  They  became  the  parents  of  five  children,  namely: 
Thomas  H.;  Peniath,  wife  of  William  Sexton,  of  Carroll  county,  Iowa;  Mary, 
deceased  wife  of  J.  R.  Brehman,  of  Otter  Creek  township;  James  R.,  a  Union 
soldier  of  Company  F,  One  Hundred  and  Fourth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry, 
was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Hartsville,  Tennessee,  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years; 
and  one  that  died  in  infancy.  The  mother  died  in  1858  and  the  father 
survived  her  until  1878,  when  he  died,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years.  He  was 
a  successful  farmer  all  his  life,  and  politically  was  a  Democrat,  having  filled 
at  different  times  several  township  offices,  including  those  of  township  super- 
visor, treasurer  of  the  school  board,  and  justice  of  the  peace. 

Thomas  H.  Spencer,  who  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  was 
educated  in  the  district  schools  and  the  Ottawa  high  school,  has  all  his  life 
been  engaged  in  farming.  He  has  a  pleasant  rural  home,  located  six  miles 
northeast  of  Streator,  where  he  owns  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  fine 
land  and  carries  on  diversified  farming,  making  a  specialty  of  raising  fine 
stock.  , 

Mr.  Spencer  was  married  January  2,  1870,  to  Miss  Carrie  Leach,  of 
Erooklyn,  New  York,  daughter  of  John  and  Anne  (Billsborough)  Leach, 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  55 

both  now  deceased.  Mrs.  Spencer  was  born  at  Hudson,  New  York,  and  edu- 
cated at  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Spencer  have  had  six 
children,  five  of  whom  are  living,  namely :  Mary,  wife  of  Reece  Snedaker, 
of  Alta  Vista,  Kansas;  James  B.,  of  Otter  Creek  township,  LaSalle  county, 
Illinois,  married  Miss  Clara  Sandrey;  Mabel,  wife  of  William  J.  Stevenson, 
of  Grand  Rapids  township,  LaSalle  county;  and  William  E.  and  Elmer  D., 
at  home.  Their  third  born,  John  R.,  was  killed  in  an  accident,  when  fourteen 
years  old. 

Until  the  past  few  years  Mr.  Spencer  was  a  Democrat,  but  now  affiliates 
with  the  Republican  party.  The  official  mantle  of  the  father  has  fallen  grace- 
fully to  the  son.  Like  his  father,  Thomas  H.  Spencer  has  served  acceptably 
in  several  local  offices.  He  was  township  clerk  five  years  and  president 
of  the  school  board  five  years,  and  at  this  writing  is  filling  the  office  of 
justice  of  the  peace.  Fraternally,  Mr.  Spencer  is  a  Mason,  having  member- 
ship in  Streator  Lodge,  No.  607,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Streator  Chapter,  No.  168,  R. 
A.  M.;  and  Ottawa  Commandery,  No.  10,  K.  T. 


ROBERT  NEWTON  BAUGHMAN. 

It  is  edifying  to  study  and  to  write,  even  briefly,  the  life  story  of  a 
good  man  who  has  "fought  the  good  fight"  and  has  gone  to  his  rest  after  the 
battle  of  life.  It  will  be  edifying  to  those  who  knew  Dr.  Robert  Newton 
Baughman,  of  Marseilles,  Illinois,  to  read  the  few  important  facts  concerning 
him  which  are  here  presented.  He  was  a  man  whose  influence  on  his  day 
and  generation  was  good,  and  his  works  live  after  him. 

Robert  Newton  Baughman  was  born  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  April  22, 
1847,  ^I'^d  died  at  Marseilles,  Illinois,  May  29,  1897.  He  was  a  son  of  Robert 
and  Margaret  (Armstrong)  Baughman.  His  father  was  born  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, his  mother  in  Ohio.  Robert  Baughman  was  a  painter,  and  as  a  child 
the  future  dentist  naturally  became  familiar  with  his  work.  The  lad  attended 
the  public  schools  of  Cincinnati,  and  on  completing  his  English  education 
took  up  the  study  of  dentistry.  He  was  graduated  from  the  Cincinnati  Dental 
College,  and  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Toledo,  Ohio.  He 
located  later  in  southern  Illinois,  and  in  1881  came  to  Marseilles,  where  he 
continued  his  professional  practice  successfully  until  1892,  when  he  was  com- 
pelled to  relinquish  it  on  account  of  failing  health,  and  sold  his  office  and 
practice  to  Dr.  D.  F.  Cotterman.  As  a  dentist  Doctor  Baughman  was  up- 
to-date  at  all  times  in  his  career.  He  used  only  the  best  materials  and 
employed  only  the  best  methods,  and  was  a  diligent  reader  of  the  important 
literature  of  his  profession,  and  a  frecjuent  contributor  to  it  as  w-ell.     He  was 


56  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

a  public-spirited  citizen,  and  his  removal  in  the  prime  of  life  was  looked  upon 
as  a  calamity  by  all  who  knew  him.    He  was  a  prominent  Mason. 

August  II,  1887,  Doctor  Baughman  married  Miss  Harriet  E.  Gage, 
second  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Lucy  (Little)  Gage.  Isaac  Gage  came  to 
LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  in  1837,  and  became  one  of  the  prosperous  farmers 
of  Brookfield  township.  There  Mrs.  Baughman  was  reared  and  spent  the 
years  of  her  girlhood.  She  is  a  woman  of  education  and  many  graces  and 
accomplishments,  and  dispenses  a  generous  hospitality  at  the  family  home 
on  West  Clark  street,  Marseilles.  She  has  a  son,  Isaac  Newton  Baughman, 
who  was  born  December  19,  1888. 


SAMUEL  R.  M'FEELY. 


Among  the  representative  men  of  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  is  the  vice- 
president,  superintendent  and  manager  of  the  J.  C.  Ames  Lumber  Company, 
whose  name  appears  at  the  head  of  this  biography.  He  was  born  in  Woburn, 
Massachusetts,  in  May,  1844,  and  is  a  son  of  James  and  EHza  (Ash)  McP'eely. 
James  McFeely  was  born  in  Ireland  and  there  educated  and  grew  to  young 
manhood.  In  his  nineteenth  year  he  came  to  the  United  States  and  settled 
in  Massachusetts,  where  he  married  Eliza  Ash,  daughter  of  Captain  Samuel 
Ash,  who  served  in  the  attack  on  the  East  Indies.  The  marriage  was  cele- 
brated in  Boston,  and  there  James  McFeely  worked  at  his  trade  of  carpenter 
and  bricklayer,  erecting  many  of  the  stores  and  dwellings  of  that  city.  His 
father  was  Patrick  McFeely. 

Samuel  McFeely  spent  his  younger  days  in  Woburn,  attending  the 
public  school  and  later  the  high  school.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Company 
K,  Thirty-ninth  Massachusetts  Infantry,  under  Colonel  P.  S.  Davis,  and 
served  the  following  three  years.  During  that  time  he  took  part  in  a  number 
of  important  engagements,  was  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  Spottsyl- 
vania.  Cold  Harbor,  Petersburg  and  several  minor  battles.  He  was  discharged 
in  June,  1865.  After  remaining  a  short  time  in  Woburn  he  went  to  Kansas 
and  worked  at  his  trade,  carpentering  and  contracting,  in  Topeka,  Abilene, 
Emporia  and  Eldorado,  for  six  years.  He  then  went  back  to  Massachusetts 
and  from  there  to  Canada,  where  he  spent  a  year.  His  next  move  was  to 
Illinois  and  he  worked  at  his  trade  in  Dwight  until  1872,  when  he  moved 
to  Streator.  He  continued  to  work  at  his  trade  until  1877,  erecting  many 
dwellings  and  business  blocks,  among  them  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
In  1880  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  J.  C.  Ames  Lumber  Company,  of 
which  he  was  made  vice-president  in  1891,  and  is  also  superintendent  and 
general  manager. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  57 

Mr.  McFeely  was  married  in  1870  to  Miss  Mary  Close,  daughter  of 
James  and  Elizabeth  Close,  of  Livingston  county,  Illinois.  He  is  a  stalwart 
Republican,  was  a  member  of  the  school  board  for  four  years,  and  two 
years  was  in  the  city  council.  He  is  a  member  of  Streator  Lodge,  No. 
607,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.;  Streator  Chapter,  No.  168,  R.  A.  M.;  Ottawa  Com- 
mandery,  No.  10,  K.  T. ;  and  Streator  Post,  No.  68,  G.  A.  R.,  in  which 
last  he  is  past  junior  vice  commander  of  the  Department  of  Illinois. 


WILLIAM  ACKERMANN. 

One  of  the  progressive  and  broad-minded  journalists  of  LaSalle  county 
is  William  Ackermann,  of  Streator.  He  is  one  of  the  native  sons  of  this 
county,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  Ottawa,  March  14,  1857.  His  parents, 
Christian  W.  and  Cordula  (Kempter)  Ackermann,  were  natives  of  Wurttem- 
berg,  Germany,  and  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1848.  They  first 
located  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  thence  went  to  Davenport,  Iowa,  and  ulti- 
mately became  well  known  residents  of  Ottawa,  Illinois.  The  father  departed 
this  life  in  1894,  and  the  mother  is  still  living,  her  home  being  in  Pekin,. 
Tazewell  county,  Illinois. 

After  he  had  completed  his  elementary  education  in  the  common 
schools,  our  subject  attended  the  Logansport  (Indiana)  high  school  for  some 
time,  and,  being  an  intelligent,  ambitious  youth,  found  little  difficulty  in 
obtaining  employment  in  the  of^ce  of  the  Logansport  Journal  and  other 
local  papers,  when  he  sought  to  learn  the  printing  business.  In  1880  he 
engaged  in  the  publication  of  the  Deutsche  Zeitun'g  in  Leadville,  Colorado, 
and  four  years  later  he  came  to  Streator  and  established  the  well  and  widely 
known  Volksblatt,  which  has  attained  an  extensive  circulation  among  the 
German  citizens  of  this  section  of  the  county.  It  is  a  five-column  quarto 
with  a  six-column  supplement,  and  is  issued  weekly,  on  Friday  morning. 
Until  September,  1894,  the  politics  of  the  paper  were  distinctly  Democratic,, 
but  at  the  time  mentioned,  the  tariff  issue  assuming  such  grave  importance 
to  the  people  of  the  commonwealth,  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  follow 
a  different  course  of  tactics,  and  to  advocate  protection  of  the  products  of 
-American  industry.  This  course  has  been  maintained  since,  and  though 
some  subscribers  demurred,  and,  "like  the  laws  of  the  Medes  and  Persians, 
changed  not,"  the  majority  have  conceded  the  wisdom  of  the  editor  and 
loyally  praise  him  as  a  man  possessing  the  courage  of  his  convictions.  The 
paper  is  of  and  for  the  people,  working  always  for  what  it  believes  to  be 
the  good  of  the  majority,  and  for  this  immediate  section  of  the  county.  It 
presents  in  a  clear,  concise  form,  the  important  news  of  the  day,  and  matters 
of  local  interest. 


58  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

Upon  the  loth  of  August,  1884,  Mr.  Ackermann  married  Miss  Adolph- 
ine  Hoebel,  a  native  of  Germany,  but  who,  for  a  number  of  years  had  resided 
in  Colorado.  This  worthy  couple  have  numerous  friends  and  well-wishers 
in  Streator,  among  both  the  German  and  English  citizens. 


FRANK  E.  M'MULLAN. 


One  of  the  youngest  successful  journalists  of  Illinois  is  the  gentleman 
whose  name  heads  this  article,  the  publisher  of  the  Weekly  Enterprise,  of 
Grand  Ridge,  LaSalle  county.  From  his  boyhood  he  has  been  deeply  inter- 
ested in  newspaper  work,  and,  under  the  judicious  tutelage  of  his  father,  the 
late  lamented  James  E.  McMullan,  himself  a  very  enterprising  journalist,  he 
mastered  the  details  of  the  business  when  he  was  a  mere  youth,  and  has 
steadilv  and  ambitiously  striven  to  attain  higher  things  in  his  chosen  pro- 
fession. 

The  birth  of  James  Espey  McMullan  occurred  in  a  farm-house  in 
Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania,  February  22,  1840.  He  not  only  learned 
agriculture  in  its  various  branches  but  also  became  an  expert  carpenter, 
following  that  calling  for  a  number  of  years.  He  was  married  in  the  Key- 
stone state,  June  2,  1870,  his  bride  being  Miss  Arabelle  Bute.  Three  children 
blessed  their  union,  of  whom  the  eldest,  Minnie,  is  the  wife  of  W.  J.  Dearth, 
of  Chicago;  Frank  E.  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  and  Arthur  G.  is  a  student 
in  the  Grand  Ridge  schools.  In  1875  the  family  removed  to  Grand  Ridge, 
with  which  place  the  interests  of  James  E.  McMullan  were  thenceforth  to 
be  associated.  In  1882  he  purchased  the  hardware  business  of  E.  Finley, 
to  whom  he  sold  out  at  the  end  of  three  years.  Then  for  a  few  years  he 
gave  his  attention  to  the  buying  and  selling  of  live  stock,  and  to  the  real- 
estate  business.  At  one  time  he  owned  a  large  section  of  the  land  in  the 
south  end  of  town,  where  some  of  the  finest  residences  here  have  been  built 
within  the  past  few  years,  owing  to  his  liberality  and  enterprise.  In  1891 
the  Grand  Ridge  Building  &  Improvement  Company  was  organized,  w4th 
Mr.  McMullan  as  president,  and  the  same  year  he  was  placed  in  charge  of 
the  newspaper  known  as  the  Herald,  which  was  published  by  the  Building 
&  Improvement  Company  under  the  name  of  the  Herald  Publishing  Com- 
pany. After  two  years  of  practical  experience  as  manager  of  the  journal 
the  paper  was  sold  to  Mr.  C.  R.  Bruer,  who  carried  it  on  until  the  plant  was 
destroyed  by  fire,  November  17.  1893,  and  even  then  endeavored  to  continue 
the  business  by  having  the  press  work  done  at  Streator.  This  was  unprofit- 
able, and,  believing  that  the  time  was  ripe  for  another  venture.  Mr.  ]\IcMullan 
purchased  a  new  and  complete  printing  outfit,  and  on  January  4,  1894,  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  59 

first  issue  of  the  Weekly  Enterprise  was  published  by  the  firm  of  J.  E. 
McMullan  &  Son.  From  that  day  until  his  death  the  senior  partner  lost 
no  opportunity  to  build  up  the  paper,  which  was  essentially  devoted  to 
the  promotion  of  the  local  welfare.  Among  the  numerous  industries  and 
organizations  with  which  he  was  prominently  connected  were  the  Grand 
Ridge  Electric  Light,  Power  &  Creamer}^  Company,  and  Cigar  Factory 
^"o-  793-  The  first  mentioned  company,  organized  in  1892,  erected  the 
first  power-house  and  introduced  the  fine  electric-light  system  in  this  place. 
Unfortunately,  the  plant  was  burned  to  the  ground  July  19,  1892,  though 
it  has  since  been  rebuilt.  .The  creamery  plant  suffered  the  same  fate,  and  it, 
too,  has  been  re-established.  Until  his  death  Mr.  McMullan  was  a  stock- 
holder in  the  new  electric-light  concern  and  in  the  cigar  factory,  both  of 
which  commanded  a  liberal  patronage.  He  was  an  ardent  Democrat,  but 
though  frequently  urged  to  accept  public  office,  he  firmly  declined,  with  one 
notable  exception,  when,  yielding  to  the  earnest  wishes  of  some  of  his  nearest 
friends,  he  acted  as  supervisor  for  one  term,  refusing  a  renomination.  In  his 
domestic  life  his  most  lovable  traits  of  character  were  shown,  for,  while  he 
was  extremely  popular  with  his  business  associates  and  the  public  in  general, 
he  reserved  for  the  dear  ones  of  his  home  circle  the  noblest  and  richest  side 
of  his  nature.  A  thousand  hearts,  probably,  were  deeply  saddened  and 
touched  when  the  news  came  of  his  sudden  demise,  March  6,  1896,  in  the 
fifty-seventh  year  of  his  age,  and  his  memory  is  tenderly  cherished  in  the 
hearts  of  a  host  of  sincere  friends. 

Frank  E.  McMullan,  who  is  ably  carrying  on  the  newspaper  work  inau- 
gurated by  his  father,  is,  as  stated  previously,  a  young  man,  as  he  was  born 
barely  twenty-three  years  ago.  He  grew  to  manhood  here  and  received  his 
preliminary  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Grand  Ridge,  subsequently 
attending  the  Ottawa  Business  College.  When  about  seventeen  years  of 
age  he  entered  the  printing  office,  and  since  that  time  has  steadily  risen  in 
the  journalistic  world.  Under  his  systematic  business  policy  the  Enterprise 
is  rapidly  progressing,  and  now  commands  the  respect  of  the  public.  It  aims 
to  present  the  news,  local  and  general,  in  a  concise,  readable  manner,  and 
as  it  is  independent  in  its  political  attitude  it  can  offend  no  one  on  that 
score.  The  office  is  well  equipped  with  modern  machinery  and  printing 
supplies,  a  fine  press  and  engine  and  job-printing  presses.  The  regular 
subscribers  number  about  one  thousand  and  the  circulation  is,  of  course, 
considerably  larger.  Though  still  publishing  the  Enterprise,  Mr.  McMullan 
has  again  entered  Knox  College,  at  Galesburg.  for  the  purpose  of  finishing 
his  education. 

In  his  personal  political  views  ]\Ir.  McMullan  is  a  Democrat,  and  has 
taken  a  very  active  part  in  local  campaign  work.     He  is  at  present  serving  on 


6o  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

the  county  central  committee  and  is  now  a  village  trustee.  Possessing 
musical  talent,  he  has  been  the  leader  of  the  Grand  Ridge  Cornet  Band  for 
some  time.  Socially  he  is  held  in  high  esteem,  and  is  connected  with  the 
Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  was  mar- 
ried recently,  on  the  25th  of  January,  1899,  Miss  Carrie  B.  Leighton,  one  of 
the  most  popular  young  ladies  of  this  place,  becoming  his  bride.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  L.  K.  Leighton,  a  well  known  citizen,  and  is  accomplished  and 
justly  admired  for  her  numerous  sterling  qualities. 


ALBERT   F.   SCHOCH. 


No  citizen  of  Ottawa  is  more  thoroughly  representative  or  more  devoted 
to  the  promotion  of  her  welfare  than  Albert  F.  Schoch,  whose  name  is  widely 
known  for  the  prominent  part  he  has  taken  in  local  affairs.  Without  doubt 
he  is  one  of  the  most  progressive  and  public-spirited  men  of  Ottawa,  and 
his  means  and  influence  have  been  used  unsparingly  in  advancing  enterprises, 
industries  and  improvements  in  this  place,  now  one  of  the  most  flourishing 
towns  of  northern  Illinois. 

One  great  reason  for  the  interest  which  Mr.  Schoch  takes  in  everything 
relating  to  Ottawa  is  that  he  is  one  of  her  native-born  sons,  his  birth  having 
occurred  forty-two  years  ago,  on  the  i8th  of  December,  1857.  Both  of 
his  parents,  Philip  and  Caroline  (Sulzberger)  Schoch,  were  born  near  Stras- 
burg,  Germany.  The  father  was  born  in  Gerstheim,  Alsace,  July  26,  1832, 
the  mother  born  in  Obenheim,  Alsace,  May  6,  1835.  They  came  to  the 
United  States  in  185 1,  locating  in  Ottawa.  The  father  had  learned  the 
trade  of  making  light  and  heavy  harness  in  his  native  land,  and  he  is  still 
carrying  on  the  business  which  he  established  in  this  town  nearly  half  a 
century  ago.     The  wife  and  mother  departed  this  life  June  i,  1885. 

Albert  F.  Schoch  is  a  gentleman  of  scholarly  tastes  and  attainments. 
He  is  proficient  in  literature  and  science,  and  reads  and  speaks  French  and 
German  almost  as  readily  as  he  does  English.  He  is  proud  of  the  fact  that 
he  obtained  his  elementary  education  in  the  public  grammar  and  high  schools 
of  Ottawa,  and  subsequently  he  pursued  a  special  course  of  study  in  a  French 
school  for  two  terms.  When  he  was  about  eighteen  years  of  age  he  took 
the  competitive  examination  for  admission  to  West  Point,  standing  second 
among  the  twenty-two  young  men  who  presented  themselves  for  that  rigor- 
ous ordeal. 

In  the  fall  of  1873  the  business  career  of  A.  F.  Schoch  commenced  by 
his  accepting  a  position  as  a  clerk  in  the  postoffice  under  J.  R.  Cameron.  At 
the  end  of  sixteen  months  he  became  connected  with  the  National  City  Bank 


(2/  7       ^.Jhr^A^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  6i 

of  Ottawa,  with  which  institution  he  has  since  been  closely  identified.  He 
proved  his  fidelity  and  perfect  trustworthiness  as  a  messenger  boy,  and  at 
the  end  of  three  years  was  promoted  to  the  post  of  bookkeeper.  Three 
years  more  rolled  away,  and  his  merits  and  stability  of  character  being  fully 
recognized  by  the  of^cials  of  the  bank,  he  was  elected  as  a  member  of  the 
board  of  directors  January  13,  1885,  and  was  appointed  assistant  cashier  on 
the  4th  of  the  following  month.  At  the  end  of  five  years,  during  a  part  of 
which  period  he  had  acted  in  the  capacity  of  cashier,  he  was  advanced  to  the 
honored  ofifice  which  he  has  since  occupied,  that  of  vice  president  of  the 
bank.  He  holds  a  similar  position  in  the  State  Bank  of  Seneca,  LaSalle 
county,  having  been  elected  to  the  vice  presidency  of  the  institution  at  the 
time  of  its  organization.  He  is  treasurer  of  the  Valley  Building  &  Loan 
Association,  is  the  owner  of  considerable  valuable  real  estate  and  other 
property,  and  has  numerous  investments.  In  view  of  the  fact  that  he  com- 
menced his  business  career  empty-handed,  his  success  is  the  more  remark- 
able, and  his  record  must  prove  an  inspiration  to  many  a  young  man  now 
starting  out,  as  he  did,  with  no  capital  save  brains,  integrity,  determination 
and  perseverance — which,  after  all,  is  the  best  capital,  and  without  which 
wealth,  influence  and  position  amount  to  naught. 

Had  not  great  financial  enterprises  and  a  multiplicity  of  interests 
demanded  a  large  share  of  his  time  and  energy  Mr.  Schoch  might  have  occu- 
pied almost  any  local  office  within  the  gift  of  the  people  for  many  years  past. 
Though  he  has  been  overtaxed  at  times,  he  has  endeavored  to  do  his  duty 
by  the  public  in  spite  of  this  fact,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  brief  summary  fol- 
lowing: from  1891  to  1895  he  w^as  mayor  of  Ottawa;  from  1889  to  1891  he 
was  city  treasurer;  for  two  terms  he  was  a  member  of  the  board  of  education; 
was  school  treasurer  of  the  congressional  township,  No.  33,  range  3,  from 
1887  to  1889;  was  a  member  of  the  volunteer  fire  department  for  sixteen 
years,  and  was  prominently  mentioned  at  the  last  Republican  state  conven- 
tion for  the  state  treasurership.  While  he  was  mayor  he  succeeded  in  having 
many  material  improvements  instituted  in  this  place,  such  as  the  paving  of 
streets,  the  laying  of  sewers  and  the  building  of  the  waterworks.  He  refused 
to  allow  his  name  to  be  used  as  a  candidate  for  the  mayoralty  a  third  term, 
and  retired  from  the  office  with  the  good  will  and  admiration  of  the  people 
for  his  wise,  progressive  policy.  He  has  been  appointed  by  Governor  Tanner 
as  a  member  of  the  board  of  special  commissioners  to  inspect  the  Chicago 
drainage  channel. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Schoch  is  eminent  commander  of  Ottawa  Commandery, 
No.  10,  K.  T.,  which  position  he  has  occupied  for  three  years.  At  the 
forty-third  annual  conclave  of  the  Grand  Commandery  of  Knights  Templar 
of  Illinois  he  was  elected  to  the  position  of  grand  warder.     He  belongs  also 


62  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

to  Humboldt  Lodge,  No.  555,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  to  Shabbona  Chapter,  No. 
T^y,  R.  A.  M.,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen. 
Upon  the  17th  of  December,  1879,  ^^^-  Schoch  married  Miss  Minnie  Wolfe, 
a  daughter  of  Henry  Wolfe,  a  leading  citizen  of  Ottawa,  and  they  have  three 
children,  namely:  Carrie  S.,  Lulu  C.  and  Esther  S.  The  home  of  the  family 
is  unpretentious,  but  is  a  home  in  the  best  sense  of  the  word,  and  to  the  most 
casual  observer  gives  evidence  of  the  culture  and  excellent  taste  and  traits 
of  character  of  its  inmates. 


VICTOR  J.  PELTIER. 


The  founder  and  superintendent  of  the  Novelty  Glass  Works,  a  flour- 
ishing industry  of  Ottawa,  is  Victor  J.  Peltier,  a  native  of  the  province  of 
Lorraine,  France  (now  German  property),  where  his  birth  occurred  some 
sixty-six  years  ago.  His  father,  Joseph  Peltier,  was  born  in  the  same  locality 
and  spent  his  whole  life  there,  and  the  mother,  Barbara  (Kresly)  Peltier,  was 
a  native  of  Alsace,  Germany. 

When  he  had  completed  his  education  our  subject  commenced  learning 
the  glass-blower's  trade,  which  calling  was  followed  by  his  father,  and, 
having  mastered  the  business,  he  worked  as  a  journeyman,  chiefly  in  the  city 
of  Lyons,  France.  In  1859  he  sailed  for  America  in  the  good  ship  Aerial, 
bound  for  New  York,  and  for  a  score  of  years  he  was  employed  at  his  trade 
in  that  city.  In  1882  he  came  to  Ottawa,  and  for  the  next  three  years  was 
connected  with  the  bottling  works.  In  1886  he  and  his  son  founded  the 
Novelty  Glass  Works,  which  has  since  risen  to  prominence  among  the  indus- 
tries of  this  place.  All  kinds  of  colored  and  opalescent  glass  are  manufac- 
tured here,  and  the  products  of  the  plant  find  ready  sale,  not  only  throughout 
the  United  States,  but  in  Europe  as  well.  Mr.  Peltier  is  a  practical  and 
skilled  workman,  and  not  only  superintends  and  directs  the  financial  and 
commercial  part  of  the  business,  but  also  personally  supervises  the  actual 
manufacture  of  the  glass.  He  employs  from  twelve  to  fifteen  men  and  is 
steadily  increasing  his  force  of  helpers.  His  excellent  management  and 
judicious  control  of  the  affairs  of  the  business  have  resulted  in  well  deserved 
success,  and  the  prospects  for  the  future  are  certainly  flattering,  as  the  merits 
of  his  glass  have  become  known  far  beyond  the  seas,  and  "once  a  customer, 
always  a  customer"  is  the  rule  with  all  firms  having  dealings  with  him. 

In  1862  Mr.  Peltier  and  Miss  Mary  Peltier,  daughter  of  Francis  Peltier, 
were  united  in  marriage.  Her  family,  of  the  same  name  but  not  related  to  our 
subject,  came  to  this  country  from  Germany  in  1859,  and  the  parents  both 
died  in  New  York  city.    Peter  V.,  who  was  associated  with  his  father  in  busi- 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  63 

ness  in  the  Novelty  Glass  Works  of  Ottawa,  died  December  12,  1893,  and 
two  other  children  of  Victor  J.  Peltier  and  wife  have  been  called  to  the  silent 
land.  Those  living  are  Louise,  wife  of  Theodore  Zellers,  of  Ottawa;  Mary, 
Mrs.  Fred  Heiser,  of  this  place;  Joseph  E.,  who  is  employed  in  the  glass  fac- 
tory; Emma,  bookkeeper  of  the  glass  works;  Sellers,  superintendent  of  the 
factory;  and  Kate,  who  is  at  home.  Mrs.  Zellers  is  the  mother  of  four  children 
and  Mrs.  Heiser  has  six  children. 

The  horiie  of  Y.  J.  Peltier  is  a  substantial  one,  built  of  brick,  and  having 
pleasing  surroundings.  In  his  political  creed  he  is  a  Republican,  and  relig- 
iously he  and  his  family  are  parishioners  of  St.  Francis  German  Catholic 
church.  Fraternally  Mr.  Peltier  belongs  to  the  Chosen  Friends'  Benevolent 
Insurance  Association. 


WOODRUFF  A.  MOREY. 

WoodrufT  A.  Morey,  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Marseilles, 
Illinois,  was  for  many  years  the  leading  lawyer  of  the  village.  He  w^as  born 
in  Manlius  township,  LaSalle  county,  July  24,  1840,  being  the  only  son  in 
a  family  of  five  children  whose  parents  were  Vivaldia  and  Emily  (Brown) 
Morey.  The  father  was  born  in  Orange  county,  New  York,  and  was  one  of 
the  family  of  twelve  sons  and  four  daughters  of  Hazard  Morey,  of  Welsh 
descent.  Vivaldia  Morey  grew  to  mature  years  in  New  York  and  about  183 1 
removed  with  his  parents  to  Ashtabula  county,  Ohio,  and  after  a  few  years' 
residence  there  moved  to  this  county,  in  1836.  He  purchased  a  farm  of 
two  hundred  and  forty  acres  in  what  is  now  Manlius  township,  upon  which  he 
resided  many  years,  carrying  on  general  farming  until  he  had  reached  an 
advanced  age.  In  1881  he  moved  to  Petoskey,  Michigan,  where  he  died 
in  October,  1895,  in  the  consciousness  of  a  well  spent  life,  at  the  advanced 
age  of  ninety-two  years.  His  wife,  Emily,  died  at  the  same  place  two  years 
before,  when  eighty-four  years  of  age.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Lysander 
Brown  and  Salley  nee  Everest,  and  was  born  and  reared  in  Bethany,  Genesee 
county,  New  York,  where  she  was  married  October  17,  1831.  One  of  the 
ancestors  of  Emily  Brown  was  banished  from  the  Massachusetts  colony  with 
Roger  Williams.  It  was  he  for  whom  Brown  University,  at  Providence, 
Rhode  Island,  was  named. 

W.  A.  Morey  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  upon  which  he  was  born. 
There  he  attended  the  district  school  and  obtained  his  preliminary  education. 
Later  he  entered  Knox  college  and  afterward  attended  the  public  and  pri- 
vate schools  in  Ottawa.  He  then  took  up  the  study  of  law  under  the  instruc- 
tions of  Hon.  Washington  Bushnell,  a  leading  attorney  of  Ottawa.  He  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  before  the  supreme  court  at  Ottawa  in  1861,  and  soon 


64  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

after  began  the  practice  of  his  profession.  In  a  short  time  the  firm  of  Rice  & 
Morey  was  formed  and  a  general  law  practice  was  carried  on,  the  partners 
being  J.  B.  Rice  and  W.  A.  Morey.  This  connection  was  dissolved  by  mutual 
consent,  and  our  subject,  on  account  of  ill-health,  retired  to  the  country 
where  with  his  father  he  carried  on  farming  for  two  years.  This  work,  how- 
ever, did  not  afford  sufficient  scope  to  his  abilities  and  he  resumed  his  pro- 
fessional career  in  Marseilles,  to  which  city  he  moved  in  1868.  He  there 
held  for  many  years  the  office  of  village  treasurer  and  clerk.  He  has  always 
taken  an  active  interest  in  educational  matters,  having  been  a  member  of 
the  board  of  directors  and  the  board  of  education  continuously  for  more 
than  twenty-five  years. 

He  was  a  successful  practitioner  and  was  in  active  practice  until  1887, 
when  he  purchased  of  J.  N.  Chappel  the  latter's  interest  in  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Marseilles,  an  institution  that  was  organized  in  1871  and  of  which 
Mr.  Chappel  was  president.  Since  the  purchase  he  has  given  his  entire 
attention  to  banking  and  has  held  the  office  of  president  continuously  since 
becoming  identified  with  the  institution. 

Mr.  Morey  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Helen  Belknap,  who  died 
leaving  two  children,  Harriet  and  Mabel;  but  the  former  died  May  23,  1896. 
On  June  13,  1872,  he  married  Miss  Addie  Sherman,  daughter  of  Orrin  and 
Caroline  (Lathrop)  Sherman,  of  Batavia,  New  York,  and  a  native  of  Genesee 
county,  that  state.  To  this  union  one  son,  W.  A.  Morey,  Jr.,  was  born, 
May  24,  1880,  and  at  present  he  is  a  college  student.  Mr.  Morey  is  and 
has  always  been  a  Republican  in  politics,  conservative  in  his  views  and  well 
posted  on  all  topics  of  the  day,  and  enjoys  the  confidence  and  respect  of  all 
who  know  him.  He  is  a  man  of  quiet  and  retiring  disposition,  always  found 
at  home  after  business  hours  in  the  society  of  his  own  family,  surrounded  by 
the  best  books  and  magazines  of  which  he  and  his  family  are  especially  fond, 
counting  among  their  possessions  a  library  of  rare  value.  Mabel  Morey 
occupies  at  present  a  business  position  with  a  law  firm  in  New  York  city, 
receiving  from  the  Governor  the  appointment  of  notary  for  the  firm.  Mr. 
Morey  will  visit  Europe  the  coming  season  on  a  combined  business  and 
pleasure  trip. 


EBIN  JENNINGS  WARD. 

Ebin  Jennings  Ward,  the  popular  ex-mayor  of  Marseilles,  LaSalle 
county,  is  one  of  the  native-born  sons  of  the  town,  his  birth  having  occurred 
here  September  2,  1854. 

The  first  mention  we  find  of  the  Ward  family  in  America  was  of  William 
Ward,  in  1639,  in  Sudbury,  Connecticut.     In  direct  descent,  his  son  Samuel 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  65 

was  born  September  24,  1641,  and  died  in  1729.  His  son  Joseph  was  born 
in  1670  and  died  at  Marlboro  June  30,  171 7,  aged  forty-seven.  Phineas 
Ward,  born  August  5,  1705,  died  October  19,  1756,  aged  fifty-one.  Captain 
Josiah  Ward,  born  September  4,  1741,  was  an  officer  in  the  Continental 
army  and  died  February  27,  1795,  in  Henniker,  New  Hampshire.  Josiah 
Ward  was  born  September  15,  1769,  and  died  in  Croydon,  New  Hamp- 
shire, in  1826.  Dr.  Daniel  Ward  was  one  of  the  pioneer  physicians  of  this 
place,  loved  and  highly  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him.  A  native  of  Croydon, 
New  Hampshire,  born  June  6,  1810,^  he  was  a  son  of  Josiah  and  Elizabeth 
(Hoyt)  Ward,  the  latter  a  daughter  of  a  Revolutionary  war  soldier.  The 
father  of  the  Doctor  died  when  the  latter  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  but  he 
received  an  excellent  education  for  that  early  day;  and  in  1834  the  Vermont 
Academy  of  Medicine  bestowed  upon  him  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine, 
upon  his  completion  of  his  prescribed  course  of  study.  Two  years  later 
he  came  to  Illinois,  and,  after  residing  in  the  town  of  Hennepin,  Putnam 
county,  for  a  short  period,  he  located  permanently  in  Marseilles,  where  he 
built  up  a  fine  practice  and  reputation  for  skill.  He  was  twice  married,  his 
first  wife  being  a  Miss  Mary  Ann  Goldwaite,  of  Newport,  New  Hampshire, 
and  their  three  children  were  Ada  A.,  Zina  G.  and  Mary  H. 

Ebin  J.  is  the  only  child  of  the  second  marriage,  his  mother  having 
been  Julia  Belle,  daughter  of  Levi  Jennings,  of  Fall  River,  IlHnois.  On 
the  mother's  side  were  Moses  Jennings,  who  was  born  August  19,  1733,  and 
died  March  26,  1813;  and  Levi  Jennings,  born  July  10,  1778.  His  daughter, 
Julia  Belle  Jennings,  was  born  November  13,  1819,  and  married  Daniel 
Ward  October  25,  1853;  she  died  at  Marseilles  September  6,  1862,  and  was 
survived  several  years  by  the  Doctor,  whose  death  took  place  in  Marseilles, 
March  21,  1873. 

The  boyhood  of  E.  J.  Ward  passed  quietly  in  this  town,  where  he  was 
a  pupil  in  the  grammar  schools  for  years.  In  order  that  he  might  enjoy 
better  educational  advantages,  he  went  to  Chicago,  in  1871,  and  during  the 
following  four  years  attended  the  old  central  high  school  of  that  city.  Thence 
going  to  Yale  College,  he  was  graduated  in  1878,  and  at  once  entered  upon 
a  course  in  civil  engineering  in  the  same  institution.  Having  completed 
his  work  in  that  department  in  1880,  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Northern 
Pacific  Railroad  Company  as  a  civil  engineer,  and  for  a  short  time  assisted 
on  construction.  Later  he  was  assistant  engineer  in  charge  of  bridge  con- 
struction for  two  years  with  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad  Company. 

The  great  project  of  the  Chicago  drainage  canal  becoming  an  assured 
enterprise,  Mr.  Ward  went  to  Chicago  and  from  1890  to  1895  was  one  of 
the  assistant  engineers  along  that  route  for  the  wonderful  water-way.  During 
his  connection  with  the  sanitary  district  of  Chicago  his  work  consisted  largely 


66  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

of  a  careful  inquiry  into  the  feasibility  and  oracticdbility  of  a  deep  water-way 
to  connect  the  western  end  of  the  sanitary  canal  at  Lockport  with  the  Missis- 
sinoi  river  by  way  of  the  Des  Plaines  and  Illinois  rivers. 

Mr.  Ward  has  won  the  highest  praise  for  his  eminently  satisfactory 
labors,  and  is  looked  up  to  as  an  authority  in  his  Hne.  For  the  past  four 
years  he  has  been  living  retired  at  his  pleasant  home  in  Marseilles,  devoting 
his  time  to  his  private  business  interests.  He  owns  considerable  valuable 
property,  and  is  one  of  the  well-to-do  citizens  of  this  place.  Politically  he  is 
a  Republican  in  national  affairs,  reserving  the  right  of  independent  action  in 
local  elections,  where  the  suitability  of  the  nominee  for  a  given  position 
takes  precedence  of  everything  else.  In  1897  Mr,  Ward  was  honored  by 
his  fellow  citizens,  who  elected  him  to  the  position  of  mayor.  During  the 
two  years  of  his  term  of  ofHce,  he  made  a  record  of  which  he  may  justly  be 
proud. 

On  the  5th  day  of  October,  1881,  Mr.  Ward  married  Miss  Anne  Ran- 
dolph Vaughan,  who  was  born  January  27,  1857.  They  have  one  daughter, 
Julia  Jennings,  born  April  4,  1887.  Mrs.  Ward,  a  lady  of  fine  education 
and  social  attainments,  is  a  daughter  of  Dr.  Isaac  P.  Vaughan,  of  Glasgow, 
Missouri. 


B.  B.  HOLLAND. 


The  Pioneer  Fire-Proof  Construction  Company,  of  Ottawa,  one  of  the 
largest  industries  of  the  kind  in  the  United  States,  if  not  in  the  world,  has 
for  its  local  general  manager  and  superintendent  B.  B.  Holland,  a  gentleman 
well  equipped  by  years  of  experience  for  so  important  and  responsible  a  posi- 
tion. A  brief  description  of  this  valuable  plant  may  prove  of  interest  to  the 
general  public. 

Organized  in  1880,  under  its  present  title,  the  Pioneer  Fire-Proof  Con- 
struction Company  rapidly  rose  to  prominence  and  now  occupies  a  distinctive 
place  in  the  world  of  business.  The  officers  are  Colonel  G.  M.  Moulton, 
president;  C.  F.  Eiker,  treasurer,  and  W.  A.  Moulton,  secretary.  The  com- 
pany owns  large  fire-clay  banks,  a  mile  and  a  half  distant  from  the  works, 
and  connected  therewith  by  their  own  private  electric  railway,  and,  including 
said  clay  banks,  the  property  in  possession  of  the  concern  here  amounts  to 
about  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres.  The  output  of  the  works,  exclusive  of 
fire-brick,  paving  and  sidewalk  brick,  is  estimated  at  about  fifty  thousand 
tons  per  annum.  The  chief  product  is  hollow  tile,  now  so  extensively  used 
in  the  construction  of  fire-proof  buildings,  and  particularly  in  the  noted 
"sky-scrapers,"  or  tall  ofiice  buildings,  where  a  skeleton  of  steel  framework 
carries  the  entire  weight  of  the  walls  and  flooring.    In  such  modern  structures 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  67 

the  floors  and  partition-walls  are  made  of  the  hollow  fire-proof  tile.  The 
immense  volume  of  business  transacted  by  the  company  of  which  we  are 
writing  may  be  inferred  when  it  is  stated  that  two-thirds  of  the  numerous 
great  office  buildings  of  Chicago,  Minneapolis,  St.  Paul,  Omaha,  and  all  the 
cities  of  the  Mississippi  valley  region  and  the  northwest  have  been  built  of 
fire-proof  tiling  furnished  by  them.  The  plant  in  which  this  important 
product  is  manufactured  is  a  fine,  large,  well  equipped  establishment,  and 
within  the  various  departments  of  the  business  employment  is  given  to 
upwards  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  hands.  One  of  the  main  buildings,  desig- 
nated as  A,  is  a  scjuare,  U-shaped  structure,  one  hundred  and  seventy-five 
feet  wide  and  two  hundred  feet  deep;  the  left  wing  seventy-five  and  the 
right  wing  fifty  feet  wide.  Building  B,  with  three  drying  floors  and  a  base- 
ment, is  two  hundred  feet  long  and  forty  feet  deep.  The  principal  motor 
is  water,  and  it  requires  the  steam  of  six  boilers  of  three  hundred  and  fifty 
horse-power  to  run  two  steam  presses,  to  heat  the  buildings  and  furnish 
steam  for  the  dry  floors.  In  the  yards  there  are  twenty-six  kilns,  seven  of 
which  are  twenty  feet  in  diameter,  eighteen  are  twenty-two  feet,  and  one  is 
thirty  feet,  inside  measurement.  To  fill  the  last  mentioned  it  requires  six 
men  working  for  two  days.  About  fifty  or  sixty  thousand  fire  brick  can 
be  turned  out  by  the  two  steam  presses  a  day.  From  the  above  statements, 
some  idea  of  the  difficulty  of  properly  managing  such  an  extensive  establish- 
ment may  be  gathered.  Certain  it  is  that  during  the  eleven  or  twelve  years 
of  Mr.  Holland's  connection  with  the  company  he  has  always  had  great 
responsibility  upon  his  shoulders  and  has  faithfully  met  every  requirement 
of  his  oflice. 

We  now  proceed  to  give  a  brief  personal  sketch  of  our  subject,  his 
ancestry,  etc.  John  Holland  was  born  in  England  in  1777,  and  came  to 
America,  locating  in  Brooks  county,  Virginia,  in  1806,  where  John  W.,  the 
father  of  our  subject,  was  born,  October  23,  1810.  In  1816  they  moved  to 
Brookville,  Franklin  county,  Indiana,  where  they  remained  until  1829,  then 
removing  to  Lawrenceburg,  same  state,  and  in  1830  to  Indianapolis,  where 
John  W.  Holland  was  united  in  marriage,  in  1846,  to  Eliza  J.  Roll,  a  daughter 
of  Solomon  Roll,  a  native  of  Ohio.  In  1847  John  W.  Holland  established  the 
first  wholesale  grocery  in  Indianapolis,  remaining  in  that  business  continu- 
ously until  1877,  when  he  retired  from  business.  He  died  in  May,  1884.  and 
his  wife  passed  away  June  30,  1894.  Tliey  were  the  parents  of  three  children : 
Pamelia  H.,  Benjamin  B.  and  William  G.,  all  of  whom  are  living. 

Benjamin  B.  was  born  in  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  March  29,  1852,  and 
received  a  good  education,  being  a  student  at  the  Indianapolis  high  school. 
When  the  state-house  was  being  erected,  he  was  made  the  superintendent 
of  the  Spencer  quarry,  which  furnished  building  stone  for  the  building,  and 


68  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

later  was  made  the  superintendent  of  construction,  having  charge  of  the 
erection  of  the  building  for  the  contractors,  and  at  the  same  time  was  asso- 
ciated with  Mr.  Rush  S.  Denig  in  supplying  ties  to  the  Nickel  Plate  Railroad 
at  the  time  of  its  construction.  In  this  capacity  he  remained  until  1887,  in 
which  year  he  came  to  Ottawa.  Few  men  have  been  more  enterprising  and 
energetic,  and  few  citizens  of  Ottawa  are  more  highly  esteemed  than  he. 
As  a  Republican,  he  has  taken  great  interest  in  the  prosperity  of  his  party. 

July  12,  1 87 1,  Mr.  Holland  was  married,  in  his  native  city,  to  Miss  Laura 
F.  Jordon,  a  daughter  of  John  Jordon,  a  prominent  merchant  of  Indianapolis. 
Edith,  the  eldest  child  of  our  subject  and  wife,  married  C.  W.  McGuire,  the 
auditor  of  the  Evansville  &  Louisville  Railroad  at  Evansville.  Lillie  E.  is 
the  wife  of  E.  C.  Walters,  the  cashier  of  the  Chicago,  Rock  Island  &  Pacific 
Railroad  at  Ottawa.  Mary  D.  is  living  v/ith  her  parents  at  home.  The 
family  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church  and  are  identified  with  various 
enterprises  calculated  to  benefit  humanity.  Mr.  Holland  is  genial,  frank 
and  warm-hearted  by  nature,  and  possesses  the  friendship  of  a  host  of 
acquaintances. 


WILLIAM  D.  ISERMANN. 

William  D.  Isermann,  supervisor  of  Otter  Creek  township,  LaSalle 
county,  Illinois,  is  a  well  known  citizen  of  the  county.  Born  January  16, 
1 86 1,  in  the  township  in  which  he  now  lives,  he  is  a  son  of  German  parents 
and  possesses  many  of  the  characteristics  which  have  contributed  to  the 
success  of  the  German  people  wherever  they  have  settled  in  this  country. 
His  parents,  William  and  Frederica  (Stoplar)  Isermann,  were  bora,  reared 
and  married  in  Germany,  and  shortly  after  their  marriage  they  emigrated  to 
this  country  and  settled  in  LaSalle  county,  Illinois.  Here  they  made  for 
themselves  a  comfortable  home,  and  here  sons  and  daughters  to  the  number 
of  seven  were  born  to  them.  Of  this  number  six  are  still  living,  namely: 
Charles  S.,  of  Otter  Creek  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois;  Carrie,  wife 
of  J.  C.  Hitter,  of  this  same  township;  Emma,  wife  of  John  Albrecht,  of 
Pottawattamie  county,  Iowa;  William  D.,  whose  name  introduces  this  sketch; 
Fred,  of  Streator,  Illinois;  and  Charlotte,  wife  of  L.  Schoenleber.  One 
daughter,  Dorothea,  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years. 

By  the  death  of  his  father,  William  D,  Isermann  was  left  an  orphan 
when  ten  years  old,  and  he  was  reared  by  Adam  Diller,  who  early  trained 
him  to  farm  work  and  gave  him  the  advantage  of  a  good  public-school 
education. 

Mr.  Isermann  was  married  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years,  to  Miss 
Mary  Lindemann,  a  native  of  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  and  a  daughter  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  69 

Rev.  Charles  and  Mauda  (Joquet)  Lindemann.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Isermann  have 
had  five  children  born  to  them — Carl  H.,  Carrie  F.,  Harry  W.,  Fritz  L.  and 
Florence  M.     Mrs.  Isermann  is  a  member  of  the  Evangelical  church. 

Mr.  Isermann  has  at  different  times  served  in  several  local  offices.  For 
six  years  he  was  commissioner  of  highways,  and,  as  already  stated,  is  now 
township  supervisor.  He  is  a  Republican  in  political  adherency,  and  frater- 
nally is  identified  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  Camp  No.  4, 
of  Streator. 


DANIEL  R.  BURKE. 


A  prominent  member  of  the  bar  of  Ottawa,  who  has  spent  the  early 
years  of  his  life  in  fitting  himself  for  the  profession  which  he  adorns,  is  Daniel 
R.  Burke.  He  was  born  in  Ottawa,  June  7,  1867,  a  son  of  Patrick  and 
Margaret  (Cummings)  Burke,  both  natives  of  Ireland.  His  father  came 
from  Longford  and  the  mother  from  Tipperary,  were  married  in  Canada  and 
soon  after  came  to  the  United  States,  settling  in  Ottawa.  Here  the  father 
opened  a  general  merchandise  store  and  later  admitted  a  partner,  namely, 
Daniel  Heenan.  The  firm  of  Burke  &  Heenan  was  one  of  the  largest  and 
most  successful  mercantile  houses  here  for  many  years.  In  1872,  Patrick 
Burke  retired  from  the  business  and  died  one  year  later.  He  was  a  promi- 
nent Democrat  and  a  hberal,  public-spirited  citizen.  He  was  at  one  time 
mayor  of  the  city  and  was  a  man  who  was  liked  by  every  one.  The  wife 
and  five  children  survive  him.  The  children  are  Thomas  A.;  Charles,  of 
Chicago;  James  P.,  also  of  Chicago;  William  J.;  and  Daniel. 

Except  the  years  spent  in  college,  Daniel  R.  Burke  has  always  resided 
in  Ottawa.  As  a  lad  he  attended  the  public  school,  preparing  for  college 
in  the  high  school  of  his  city.  He  then  entered  the  University  of  Michigan, 
at  Ann  Arbor,  graduating  in  the  law  department  of  that  institution  in  1888, 
when  twenty-one  years  of  age.  Returning  home  he  at  once  began  practicing 
his  profession,  and  soon  formed  a  partnership  with  Hon.  Maurice  T.  Maloney. 
The  firm  of  Maloney  &  Burke  was  dissolved  in  1892,  when  Mr.  Maloney  was 
elected  to  the  office  of  attorney  general  of  Illinois,  holding  the  office  four 
years.  Mr.  Burke  was  then  a  partner  with  D.  F.Trainer,  the  noted  criminal 
lawyer,  for  one  year,  since  which  time  he  has  conducted  a  general  law 
office  by  himself. 

In  1892  Mr.  Burke  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Fennell,  of 
Ottawa,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Mary  (Ryan)  Fennell,  prominent  residents 
of  the  county.  They  have  one  child,  Margaret  M.  Burke.  Mr.  Burke  belongs 
to  the  Uniform  Rank,  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  is  president  of  the  North 


yo  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

American  Insurance  Society.  He  is  a  strong  Democrat,  and  takes  an  active 
part  in  local  politics.  He  is  a  member  of  the  central  and  congressional  com- 
mittees, and  ably  represented  the  city  as  attorney  at  one  time.  He  is  affable 
and  pleasant,  gaining  the  friendship  and  good  will  of  all  classes. 


JAMES  W.  STEVENSON. 

The  venerable  postmaster  of  Sunrise,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  is  one 
of  the  most  popular  and  widely  known  residents  of  the  county,  having  taken 
an  active  part  in  all  public  affairs  of  local  import  that  have  engaged  the 
attention  of  the  citizens  of  this  community  since  his  residence  here, — a  period 
embracing  half  a  century. 

James  W.  Stevenson,  who  was  born  in  Warren  county.  New  Jersey, 
April  30,  1827,  is  a  son  of  John  and  Hannah  (Wilson)  Stevenson,  and  a 
grandson  of  Joseph  Stevenson.  John  Stevenson  also  was  born  in  the  state 
of  New  Jersey,  where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  engaged  in  tilling  the  soil. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  was  a. man  of  most  exem- 
plary character.  Hannah  Wilson,  the  lady  to  whom  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage, was  born  in  Warren  county.  New  Jersey,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Gabriel 
and  Grace  (Brotherton)  Wilson,  both  of  whom  were  of  English  descent. 
Eight  children  resulted  from  this  marriage,  namely :  Joseph,  a  resident  of 
Pasadena,  California;  James  W.,  whose  history  is  here  briefly  portrayed; 
Samuel,  deceased,  late  of  Pennsylvania;  Almira  Deats,  of  New  Jersey; 
William,  who  died  in  Sayre,  Pennsylvania;  Edwin,  who  was  drowned  when 
he  was  about  twenty-one  years  old;  Daniel,  a  resident  of  Streator,  Illinois; 
and  Walter,  who  resides  in  Pasadena,  California.  The  father  died  at  the  age 
of  fifty-four  years  and  was  survived  many  years  by  his  wife,  who  made  her 
home  in  this  township  until  her  eighty-seventh  year,  when  she  also  passed 
to  her  reward,  the  date  of  her  death  being  March  20,  1889. 

James  W.  Stevenson  was  reared  in  New  Jersey,  attending  the  public 
schools  and  the  West  Town  Friends'  Boarding  School.  He  was  employed 
for  some  years  as  an  instructor  in  the  schools  of  that  state,  and  in  1849  came 
to  Illinois,  locating  in  Rutland  township,  LaSalle  county.  About  185 1  he 
returned  to  New  Jersey  and  remained  there  two  years,  when  he  came  back 
to  this  county  and  took  up  his  permanent  residence  here,  on  the  farm  now 
owned  and  cultivated  by  him.  This  contains  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres 
of  land,  one  hundred  and  sixty  of  which  is  under  cultivation.  Good,  sub- 
stantial buildings  lend  an  added  charm,  while  a  large  orchard  furnishes  an 
abundance  of  finely  flavored  fruit,  such  as  is  grown  no  place  else  except  on 
the  broad  prairie  land  of  Illinois. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  71 

In  1 85 1  Mr.  Stevenson  was  married  to  Miss  Comfort  A.  Millikin,  daugh- 
ter of  Samuel  and  Rebecca  (Williams)  Millikin,  and  a  native  of  Licking 
county,  Ohio,  where  she  was  educated.  Her  parents  were  early  settlers  of 
LaSalle  county,  and  both  died  in  Rutland  township.  Eight  children  were 
born  to  them,  of  whom  six  daughters  and  one  son  are  living,  namely :  Com- 
fort A.,  wife  of  our  subject;  Sarah  Russell,  a  resident  of  Iowa;  Minerva 
Smith,  also  of  Iowa;  Amanda  L.  Wightman,  of  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa; 
Jerusha  Kelley,  of  Grant  City,  Missouri;   Samuel;   and  Lucy  Parr. 

To  INIr.  and  Mrs.  Stevenson  were  born  six  children,  namely:  Emma, 
who  lives  at  home;  John,  who  married  Miss  Florence  Carver,  by  whom  he 
has  two  children,  Grace  Eva  and  Roy;  Edward,  a  bridge-builder  of  Toledo, 
Ohio;  Ernest,  a  talented  musician,  who  married  Miss  Mamie  Vail  and  has 
two  children,  James  Vail  and  Elmira  C. ;  William,  who  married  Aliss  Mabel 
Spencer;   and  Byron,  who  died  at  the  age  of  thirty  years. 

Mr.  Stevenson  is  a  stanch  Repubhcan  and  has  taken  a  prominent  interest 
in  township,  county  and  state  politics,  rendering  much  aid  to  the  party  or- 
ganization. He  has  served  for  twelve  years  on  the  board  of  supervisors, 
representing  Otter  Creek  township,  and  for  thirty-one  years  has  acted  as 
postmaster  of  Sunrise,  Illinois,  discharging  his  duties  in  a  thorough  and  con- 
scientious manner,  which  qualities  have  been  among  the  chief  characteristics 
of  the  man.  He  is  now  in  his  seventy-second  year,  but  is  hale  and  hearty, 
with  a  good  word  for  every  one.  His  upright,  Christian  life  has  made  him 
generally  loved  and  respected,  and  no  man  stands  higher  in  the  esteem  of 
the  general  public  than  he. 


MILLARD  F.  BOVARD. 

Millard  F.  Bovard,  the  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Marseilles  Register, 
is  one  of  the  representative  citizens  of  LaSalle  county.  He  was  born  in 
East  Liverpool,  Ohio,  in  1856,  a  son  of  Oliver  K.  and  Mahala  (Herin) 
Bovard.  When  he  was  but  six  years  of  age  our  subject's  father  died,  and 
ten  years  later  the  devoted  mother  was  summoned  to  her  reward. 

Thus  left  an  orphan  at  an  early  age,  Millard  F.  Bovard  was  thrown  upon 
his  own  resources,  and  nobly  and  manfully  he  met  the  new  responsibihties  of 
his  position.  Realizing  that  the  basis  of  success  in  after  life  was  a  liberal 
education,  he  applied  himself  to  his  studies  with  assiduity.  Locating  in 
Bloomington,  Illinois,  in  187 1,  subsequently  to  the  death  of  his  mother, 
he  attended  school  there  for  a  period,  and  during  the  next  year  commenced 
an  apprenticeship  at  the  printer's  trade  in  the  ofhce  of  the  Bloomington 
Pantagraph.  He  devoted  his  whole  attention  to  journalistic  work  for  the 
next  eight  years,  after  which  he  taught  school  for  a  period,  and  served  as 


'J2  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

superintendent  of  city  schools  in  McLean  and  Livingston  counties  for  about 
fifteen  years.  He  then  conducted  a  newspaper  at  Forest,  Illinois,  for  a  year 
or  two,  and  upon  disposing  of  it  came  to  Marseilles,  in  August,  1895.  Here 
he  bought  the  Register,  a  six-column  quarto,  which  he  has  published  ever 
since.  The  paper,  which  is  issued  daily  and  weekly,  enjoys  a  large  local  cir- 
culation. Republican  in  politics,  it  is  not  offensively  partisan,  but  aims  to 
be  conservative  and  liberal  in  judgment,  and  to  present  to  its  readers  a  brief, 
yet  comprehensive  digest  of  the  great  affairs  engrossing  the  world's  atten- 
tion, and  at  the  same  time  to  chronicle  local  events  of  interest. 

Mr.  Bovard  is  thoroughly  interested  in  the  public  schools,  and  has 
acted  as  a  member  of  the  Marseilles  board  of  education.  For  years  he  has 
been  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church,  and  is  now  chorister,  his 
ability  in  this  direction  being  quite  pronounced. 

In  April,  1879,  Mr.  Bovard  married  Miss  Jennie  Plank,  a  daughter  of 
Horace  and  Louisa  Plank,  natives  of  Massachusetts,  and  now  residents  of 
Marseilles.  Two  sons  and  two  daughters  bless  the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Bovard,  namely:  Edna  L.,  who  is  a  successful  teacher  in  the  town  schools; 
Horace  R.;  Mahala  Blanche;  and  Millard  F.,  Jr.  It  is  needless  to  say  that 
the  children  are  receiving  excellent  educational  advantages,  and  are  thus 
being  fitted  in  the  wisest  manner  for  the  future  battle  of  life. 


CAPTAIN  THOMAS   C.   FULLERTON. 

Many  an  old  army  comrade  wdio  had  fought  by  his  side  and  shared  the 
hardships  and  privations  of  army  life  during  the  great  civil  w-ar,  many  a 
member  of  the  legal  profession  and  those  associated  with  him  in  fraternal 
and  political  relations  mourned  the  sudden  death  of  Captain  Thomas  C. 
Fullerton,  of  Ottawa,  and  treasure  his  memory.  Helpful  in  example,  wise 
in  counsel,  eloquent  in  speech,  kindly  and  generous  in  disposition  and  con- 
spicuous in  action,  his  life  challenges  our  admiration  and  bids  us  emulate  his 
worthy  career. 

A  native  of  Marion  township,  Montgomery  county,  Pennsylvania,  Cap- 
tain Fullerton  was  born  August  21,  1839.  and  accompanied  his  parents  to 
Illinois  in  the  fall  of  1855,  locating  upon  a  farm  near  Freedom.  Upon  the 
25th  of  September,  1861,  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  A,  Sixty-fourth 
Illinois  Infantry  (known  as  "Yates'  Sharpshooters"),  and  was  appointed 
orderly  sergeant  at  the  end  of  one  month.  On  June  28,  1863,  he  was  pro- 
moted to  the  first  lieutenancy  and  became  adjutant  of  the  regiment,  and 
April  2,  1864,  he  was  commissioned  and  mustered  in  as  captain  of  Company 
C,  at  the  same  time  being  appointed  acting  assistant  inspector  general  on  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  73 

staff  of  General  Spragiie,  commanding  the  Second  Brigade,  Fourth  Division, 
Sixteenth  Army  Corps.  Twenty  days  later  he  was  assigned  to  the  same 
position  on  the  staff"  of  General  G.  M.  Dodge,  commanding  the  left  wing  of 
the  Sixteenth  Army  Corps.  When  that  general  was  wounded,  in  August, 
and  was  succeeded  by  T.  E.  G.  Ransom,  next  in  command,  Captain  Fullerton 
continued  to  act  in  the  same  position  as  formerly,  remaining  until  October, 
1864,  when  he  was  assigned  to  duty  as  aide-de-camp  on  the  staff  of  General 
Ransom.  The  Captain  took  part  in  some  of  the  most  momentous  campaigns 
of  the  war,  always  distinguishing  himself  by  his  bravery  and  faithful  perform- 
ance of  duty.  He  fought  under  Pope  at  New  Madrid,  Island  Number  10, 
and  Fort  Pillow;  took  part  in  the  siege  of  Corinth,  luka  and  the  famous 
Atlanta  campaign,  which  was  an  almost  continuous  battle  from  Resaca  to 
Jonesboro. 

Returning  to  the  north  in  the  fall  of  1864,  Captain  Fullerton  studied 
law  in  the  offfce  of  Glover,  Cook  &  Campbell,  of  Ottawa,  and  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  January,  1866.  Then,  going  to  Alabama, — for  the  south  had 
many  attractions  for  him,  in  spite  of  the  sad  and  dreadful  memories  which 
were  ever  associated  with  it  in  his  mind, — he  opened  an  office  at  Huntsville. 
On  the  24th  of  August,  1866,  he  was  appointed  assistant  district  attorney 
of  the  United  States  for  the  northern  district  of  Alabama.  Unsolicited,  and 
indeed  against  his  wishes,  he  was  elected  the  state's  attorney  of  Madison 
county,  Alabama,  in  the  autumn  election  of  1868,  and  refused  to  qualify  for 
that  office.  In  the  previous  June  he  had  been  appointed  register  in  bank- 
ruptcy, and  served  until  January,  1871,  when  he  resigned.  Removing  to 
Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  he  practiced  before  the  various  courts 
and  commissions  there  until  November,  1881,  when  he  returned  to  Ottawa. 
From  that  time  until  his  death  he  was  actively  engaged  in  the  practice  of 
law  here,  and  from  1888  filled  the  position  of  master  in  chancery  with  ability 
and  distinction.  For  six  years,  from  1884  to  1890,  he  was  chairman  of  the 
Republican  county  central  committee,  and  conducted  five  campaigns  in  five 
successive  years.  Elevated  to  higher  honors,  he  acted  as  one  of  the  state  cen- 
tral committee  of  his  party  from  1890,  meeting  the  expectations  of  his  most 
sanguine  friends  in  every  respect,  and  well  meriting  the  title  of  a  party  leader. 
His  name  was  presented  and  he  was  nominated  at  Streator,  Illinois,  for  con- 
gress, and  it  was  while  absent  from  home,  aggressive  in  the  work  of  the  cam- 
paign, that  the  summons  came  to  him  to  cease  from  his  labors.  He  died 
suddenly,  of  heart  failure,  and  the  funeral  services  were  conducted  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic — that  "grand  army"  of  heroes 
whose  ranks  are  diminishing  year  by  year. 

The  Captain  was  connected  with  the  Grand  Army  organization  from 
1866,  and  was  one  of  the  charter  members  of  Seth  C.  Earl  Post,  No.  156, 


74  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

which  was  founded  in  the  fall  of  1882.  He  was  the  commander  of  the  post 
for  some  time,  and  served  in  various  capacities,  such  as  senior  vice  com- 
mander, assistant  inspector  general,  on  the  council  of  administration,  and 
as  a  member  of  the  Soldiers'  Home  committee.  He  made  a  point  of  attend- 
ing the  state  and  national  encampments,  and  thoroughly  enjoyed  meeting 
those  who  had  "worn  the  blue"  and  fought  for  the  Union.  He  belonged 
to  the  Ottawa  Club,  the  Ottawa  Boat  Club,  and  was  a  Mason  of  the  Knight 
Templar  degree,  being  connected  with  Ottawa  Commandery,  No.  10.  He 
was  loved  and  looked  up  to  by  an  extremely  large  circle  of  acquaintances, 
and  his  life  was  in  harmony  with  the  noblest  and  best  principles  which  ani- 
mate mankind. 


DR.   DAVID   F.   COTTERMAN. 

Dr.  Cotterman  is  the  leading  dentist  in  Marseilles,  LaSalle  county,  Illi- 
nois, having  established  an  office  in  this  city  in  1891.  He  was  born  December 
15,  1859,  in  Miami  county,  Indiana,  his  parents  being  Noah  and  Catherine 
(Weaver)  Cotterman,  and  his  grandfather  Andrew  Cotterman.  The  great- 
grandfather was  a  native  of  Germany.  The  mother  is  a  daughter  of  David  and 
Harriet  (Mason)  Weaver,  and  is  now  in  her  eighty-sixth  year.  As  nearly  as 
can  be  ascertained  the  Weavers  were  also  descended  from  German  origin. 

David  F.  Cotterman  spent  his  earlier  j-ears  on  the  farm,  and  attended 
the  district  schools  in  his  native  state  during  the  winter  terms.  He  then 
entered  a  select  school,  and  after  leaving  that  engaged  in  teaching  for  six 
years.  He  then  accepted  a  position  with  the  United  States  government  as 
railway  postal  clerk,  his  run  being  between  Toledo,  Ohio,  and  St.  Louis, 
Missouri.  He  remained  in  this  service  four  years  and  then  began  studying 
dentistry  under  Dr.  J.  H.  Hutton,  of  Hoopeston,  this  state.  Entering  the 
Chicago  College  of  Dental  Surgery  he  graduated  in  the  class  of  1891,  of 
which  he  was  president.  He  at  once  came  to  Marseilles,  purchased  the  busi- 
^less  and  good  will  of  Dr.  R.  N.  Baughman,  and  is  now  established  in  a  good, 
lucrative  practice,  while  his  offices  are  pleasantly  furnished  and  equipped 
with  the  most  approved  appliances  necessary  to  his  craft.  His  work  in  all 
lines  of  modern  dentistry  has  the  reputation  of  giving  the  best  satisfaction 
and  being  most  durable  in  quality.  He  has  a  steadily  increasing  business, 
and  his  popularity  is  but  the  outgrowth  of  the  conscientious  performance  of 
his  work. 

October  7,  1882,  Dr.  Cotterman  was  married  to  Miss  Laura  Rawlings, 
daughter  of  Mortimer  Rawlings,  of  Indiana.  She  died  in  December,  1893, 
leaving  four  children:  Jessie,  born  July  26,  1883;  Homer,  February  21, 
1886;   Laurance,  March  31,  1891;  and  Frances,  November  10,  1892. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  75 

The  Doctor's  residence  is  one  of  the  handsomest  in  Marseilles,  situated 
on  the  bluffs,  and  commanding  a  picturesque  view  of  the  village  and  the 
Illinois  river.  The  Doctor  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  was 
president  of  the  board  of  education  for  two  years  and  rendered  the  cause  of 
education  much  valuable  service.  He  has  been  treasurer  of  a  private  library 
fund  for  some  time, — an  institution  he  was  largely  instrumental  in  establish- 
ing. He  is  the  able  manager  of  the  Columbian  opera-house  in  Marseilles, 
and  it  has  been  his  endeavor  to  furnish  the  theater-loving  public  with  a  course 
of  entertainments  that  would  elevate  as  well  as  amuse.  The  Doctor  is  genial 
and  pleasant  to  all  and  has  endeared  himself  to  the  entire  community  by  his 
upright,  manly  bearing. 


CLARENCE   B.    CHAPMAN. 

Clarence  B.  Chapman,  an  honored  member  of  the  LaSalle  county  bar, 
and  ex-county  attorney  of  this  county,  was  born  in  Princeton,  Illinois,  Jan- 
uary I,  1857,  and  is  consequently  in  the  prime  of  life  and  mental  vigor.  His 
birthplace  was  in  Princeton,  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  and  his  boyhood  was 
passed  quietly  enough  upon  his  father's  farm  there.  His  parents  were  O.  E. 
and  Sarah  L.  (Beeman)  Chapman,  natives  of  Medina  county,  Ohio.  The 
Chapmans  were  of  English  extraction,  and  the  paternal  grandfather  of  our 
subject,  Sceva  Chapman,  was  born  in  Vermont,  while  the  maternal  grand- 
father, Milton  Beeman,  was  a  native  of  Connecticut. 

In  common  with  the  other  boys  of  his  neighborhood,  Clarence  B.  Chap- 
man obtained  his  elementary  education  in  the  district  schools  of  Bureau 
county.  He  was  an  apt  student  and,  being  ambitious  in  the  acquisition  of 
knowledge,  made  rapid  progress.  In  1878  he  was  graduated  in  the  high 
school  of  Princeton,  and  two  years  later  he  received  a  diploma  from  the 
Northwestern  University,  at  Evanston,  Illinois,  being  graduated  in  the  law 
department.  The  same  year,  1880,  he  came  to  Ottawa  and  entered  into  part- 
nership with  M.  N.  Armstrong,  under  the  firm  name  of  Armstrong  &  Chap- 
man. At  the  close  of  three  years  this  business  connection  was  dissolved,  and 
our  subject  practiced  alone  until  1887,  when  he  became  associated  with 
Duncan  McDougall,  with  whom  he  continues,  the  style  of  the  firm  being 
McDougall  &  Chapman.  During  nine  months,  commencing  in  July,  1886, 
Mr.  Chapman  was  located  in  Beatrice,  Nebraska.  McDougall  &  Chapman 
command  a  large  share  of  local  legal  work,  and  many  of  their  clients  live  in 
more  or  less  distant  parts  of  the  county.  Mr.  Chapman  is  an  earnest  advo- 
cate, thoroughly  understands  the  law,  and  presents  his  cases  to  judge  and 
jury  in  an  impressive,  clear  and  logical  manner,  which  carries  conviction  to 
the  minds  of  his  hearers.     He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and,  having  been 


76  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

elected  to  the  responsible  position  of  county  attorney,  he  served  in  that 
capacity,  acceptably  to  all  concerned,  from  September,  1894,  to  the  fall  of 
1896.  For  four  years  he  was  the  secretary  of  the  Republican  county  central 
committee,  doing  effective  work  for  the  party. 

On  the  I2th  of  October,  1886,  Mr.  Chapman  married  Miss  Katie  H. 
Ebersol,  a  daughter  of  Daniel  S.  Ebersol,  of  Ottawa.  Socially  he  belongs 
to  the  Masonic  order,  in  which  he  ranks  high,  as  he  is  a  member  of  Humboldt 
Lodge,  No.  555,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Shabbona  Chapter,  No.  37,  R.  A.  M.;  and 
Ottawa  Commandery,  No.  10,  K.  T.  In  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  he  is  identified  with  Ottawa  Lodge,  No.  41. 


SAMUEL   WAUGH. 


Among  the  well-known  and  respected  citizens  of  LaSalle  county  is 
numbered  the  subject  of  this  review,  Samuel  Waugh,  a  farmer  of  Peru. 
He  came  to  this  place  more  than  a  half  century  ago,  before  the  time  of  rail- 
roads, when  the  stage-coach  was  the  only  public  means  of  travel  overland. 
Peru  at  that  time  was  at  the  head  of  navigation  on  the  Illinois  river,  and 
was  an  important  business  point,  and  the  city  of  LaSalle  was  regarded  as 
the  rival  of  Chicago  as  a  general  market.  Mr.  Waugh's  subsequent  active 
business  career  was  such  as  to  afford  him  great  opportunities  to  observe  the 
growth  and  development  of  this  section  of  Illinois.  In  the  early  days  trans- 
portation was  by  river,  later  by  canal,  and  subsequently  railroads  were  con- 
structed across  the  broad  prairies,  and  business  was  correspondingly  in- 
creased as  time  and  space  were  thus  annihilated.  He  witnessed  the  opening 
of  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  canal  on  the  15th  of  April,  1848,  and  was  a 
citizen  of  Peru  during  the  dreadful  Asiatic  cholera  scourge  of  1849,  ^^  which 
time  more  fatalities  occurred  in  Peru  in  proportion  to  the  population  than 
in  any  other  city  in  the  United  States. 

Air.  Waugh  was  born  in  the  Ligonier  Valley  of  Westmoreland  county, 
Pennsylvania,  January  22,  1828,  his  parents  being  James  and  Jane  (Parke) 
Waugh,  who  were  also  natives  of  the  Keystone  state.  The  paternal  grand- 
father, Richard  Waugh,  was  of  Scotch  descent,  was  a  native  of  Cumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  a  farmer  by  occupation.  He  possessed  a  very 
practical  turn  of  mind,  and  when  the  war  of  18 12  broke  out  he  saw  an 
opportunity  of  bettering  his  fortunes  and  at  the  same  time  serve  the  govern- 
ment. To  this  end  he  engaged  in  the  transportation  of  troops  and  supplies, 
a  task  at  once  arduous  and  difficult.  William  Parke,  the  maternal  grand- 
father of  our  subject,  was  a  native  of  Westmoreland  county,  Pennsylvania, 
and  was  the  son  of  Zebulon  Parke,  of  the  same  county,  who  served  with 


IGHINCCD 


I 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  yy 

distinction  in  the  Revolutionary  war  under  General  Washington  for  a  period 
of  seven  years.     William  Parke  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  came  west 
with  the  Waugh  family,  spending  his  last  days  at  Lost  Grove,  Illinois.     He 
died  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-eight  years,  and  left  six  children.    James 
and  Jane  (Parke)  Waugh  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  five  sons  and 
six  daughters,  of  whom  eight  are  living,  namely :     William,  of  Rapid  City, 
South  Dakota;    Samuel,  of  this  review;    Catherine,  wife  of  A.  T.  Hagan  of 
Los  Angeles,  California;    James,  of  Princeton,  Illinois;    Caroline,  wife  of 
Nathan  Linton  of  Minneapolis,,  Minnesota;    Mary  A.,  of  Los  Angeles,  Cali- 
fornia;   Martha,  of  Chicago,  Illinois;    and  Rankin,  who  is  connected  with 
the  Union  Stockyards  in  Chicago.     In  early  life  James  Waugh,  the  father 
of  our  subject,  was  a  member  of  a  stage-coach  company  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
for  many  years  was  engaged  in  carrying  United  States  mail  between  Phila- 
delphia and  Pittsburg.     He  was  also  the  proprietor  of  a  hotel  in  Ligonier, 
Pennsylvania.     In  October  of  i<S47  he  came  with  his  family  to  the  west, 
locating  in   Peru,   Illinois,   where  he  conducted   the  well-known   National 
Hotel,  then  a  leading  hostelry  in  northern  Illinois.     As  many  as  from  ten 
to  fifteen  coaches  would  each  morning  depart  from  the  hotel  carrying  their 
passengers  to  the  various  surrounding  towns.     He  conducted  the  business 
until  the  fall  of  1849,  when  he  removed  to   Lost  Grove,   Bureau  county, 
Illinois,  and  there  purchased  a  farm,  after  which  he  devoted  his  attention  to 
agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death  in  1863,  in  his  sixty-fifth  year.     His  wife 
survived  him  only  about  six  weeks,  and  was  fifty-five  years  of  age  at  the  time 
of  her  death. 

Samuel  Waugh,  of  this  review,  came  with  his  father  to  Peru  in  October, 
1847,  ^^'^  was  associated  with  him  in  the  conduct  of  the  National  Hotel  until 
April,  1849,  when  he  left  the  parental  fireside  to  engage  in  business  for  him- 
self.    His  first  venture  was  in  buving  cattle,  a  business  to  which  he  s:ave 
his  time  for  forty-five  years.     To  use  his  own  words,  he  "spent  forty-five 
years  in  the  saddle,  traveling  on  horseback  over  a  great  part  of  northern 
Illinois,  buying  cattle."     Thus  he  became  well  acquainted  throughout  this 
section  of  the  state,  and,  being  a  keen  and  close  observer  and  possessed  of 
a  strong,  retentive  memory,  the  writer  found  Mr.  Waugh  one  who  could 
talk  in  a  most  interesting  manner    of    the  early  days,  giving  very  lucid 
descriptions  of  the  changes  that  had  taken  place  in  the  growth  and  develop- 
ment of  this  region.     He  had  acquired  a  fair  education  m  a  select  and  later 
the  district  schools  of  his  native  state,  and  the  greater  part  of  his  youth  had 
been  spent  upon  the  farm.    He  began  his  connection  with  cattle  dealing  as  an 
employe  of  a  firm  of  Peru,  which  also  did  considerable  business  in  LaSalle. 
He  was  connected  therewith  until  the  spring  of  1853,  when,  in  company 
with  Jesse  Dresser,  he  started  with  a  drove  of  cattle  to  California,  a  very 


-78  BIOGRAPHICAL   AXD    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 


/ 


arduous  undertaking.  They  left  Princeton,  Illinois,  on  the  6th  oi  April, 
1853,  and  reached  the  Sacramento  valley  in  September  of  the  same  year. 
After  disposing  of  their  cattle  Mr.  Waugh  went  to  the  mines  of  St.  Louis, 
Sierra  county,  that  state,  and  was  engaged  in  mining  and  butchering  for 
nine  years.  In  1862  he  returned  to  Illinois,  and  until  1871  was  interested 
in  the  ice  business  in  Peru  and  in  Cairo,  Illinois,  being  associated  with  his 
brothers-in-law,  A.  T.  Hagan  and  Nathan  Linton.  From  the  latter  date 
until  1877  he  was  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising,  after  which  he 
conducted  a  live-stock  commission  business  in  Chicago,  in  company  with 
his  brother,  Rankin  Waugh,  until  1894.  In  April  of  that  year  he  withdrew 
from  the  business  and  returned  to  his  farm  in  LaSalle  county. 

During  the  early  days  when  he  first  engaged  in  buying  cattle  Mr. 
Waugh  traveled  from  Peru  over  as  many  as  a  dozen  counties  in  northern 
Illinois.  This  wide  scope  of  territory  he  had  to  cover  in  order  to  purchase 
sufhcient  fat  cattle,  sheep  and  hogs  to  supply  the  markets  of  Peru  and 
LaSalle.  which  cities  were  then  enjoying  great  prosperity  on  account  of  the 
building  of  canals  and  railroads  and  the  consequent  increase  in  trade.  At 
that  time,  too,  the  country  was  sparsely  settled  and  the  farmers  did  not,  as 
to-day,  engage  so  extensively  in  stock-raising.  Mr.  Waugh  was  among  the 
hrst  to  ship  cattle  to  the  Chicago  market.  As  early  as  November,  1849,  in 
company  with  W.  P.  Ankney  of  Somerset,  Pennsylvania,  he  bought  a  large 
number  of  cattle  and  drove  them  to  Chicago,  selling  them  to  Gurdon  S. 
Hubbard,  one  of  the  very  first  packers  of  Chicago,  which  city  at  that  time 
contained  a  population  of  less  than  thirty  thousand.  Mr.  Waugh's  fine 
farm  of  five  hundred  and  sixty  acres  is  situated  in  Peru  township,  one  mile 
from  the  city  of  Peru.  As  a  successful  farmer  and  stock-raiser  he  ranks 
among  the  most  prominent  in  this  section  of  the  state.  It  is  well  known 
that  Illinois  takes  the  lead  as  a  grain-producing  state,  and  it  is  safe  to  say 
that  the  farm  of  Mr.  Waugh  is  among  the  best  and  most  carefully  tended 
in  the  heart  of  the  state.  In  1894  he  erected  an  attractive  modern  residence 
in  Peru,  which  has  since  been  his  home. 

In  politics  Mr.  \\'augh  has  never  been  an  oiTfice-seeker,  but  he  has  always 
been  a  stalwart  Republican  and  has  kept  abreast  with  the  advancement  in 
the  political  and  business  world.  Progressive  and  aggressive,  and  by  nature 
energetic  and  persevering,  his  success  in  life  has  been  well  merited.  In  this 
locality  he  has  long  had  a  wide  acquaintance,  and  his  fair  dealing  with  his 
fellowmen  has  won  for  him  innumerable  friends.  For  a  number  of  years  he 
has  resided  in  Peru,  but  has  continued  actively  in  agricultural  affairs,  and  his 
son,  Charles  L.  Waugh,  a  progressive  and  successful  agriculturist,  has  charge 
of  his  farm. 

On  the  14th  of  October,  1868,  Mr.  Waugh  and  Miss  Elizabeth  Maze 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  79 

were  united  in  the  holy  bonds  of  wedlock.  The  lady  was  a  daughter  of  S.  N. 
Maze,  of  Peru,  and  is  highly  respected.  Three  children  have  been  born  to 
them,  namely :  Jessie,  wife  of  W.  E.  Means,  of  Peru ;  Charles  L. ;  and  Eliza- 
beth. Mrs.  Waugh  is  a  member  of  the  Forty-first  Street  Presbyterian 
church  of  Chicago,  and  contributes  liberally  to  its  support. 


I 


BERNARD   T.    KEATING. 

Bernard  T.  Keating  deals  largely  in  real  estate  and  represents  several 
insurance  companies  in  Streator,  Illinois.  He  was  born  in  Bothwell,  Scot- 
land, April  24,  1857,  and  came  to  America  October  18,  1879,  and  in  all  these 
years  has  proved  himself  a  most  worthy  citizen.  James  and  Alice  (Cunning- 
ham) Keating,  his  parents,  were  born  in  Ireland,  shortly  after  marriage 
moved  to  Scotland,  and  came  to  this  country  in  1882,  locating  in  Streator. 
James  Keating  died  in  1897,  in  his  seventy-fifth  year,  his  wife  dying  three 
years  previously,  when  she  was  sixty-five  years  of  age. 

Mr.  Keating  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Scotland  and  when 
twenty-two  years  old  came  to  the  United  States,  arriving  in  New  York  in 
1879.  H^  ^t  once  proceeded  to  this  city,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home. 
He  worked  for  several  years  in  the  coal  mine,  beginning  as  a  coal  digger, 
and  advanced  through  the  several  departments  to  be  superintendent  of  the 
mine.  In  1883  he  began  dealing  in  real  estate,  handling  both  city  and  farm 
property,  and  has  been  quite  successful  in  making  trades  and  sales.  He  also 
represents  a  number  of  insurance  companies,  both  fire  and  life,  and  at  present 
is  district  manager  of  the  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company  of  New  York. 

In  1 88 1  Mr.  Keating  was  married  to  Miss  Helen  Lafferty,  daughter  of 
Frederick  and  Margaret  Lafferty,  of  Streator.  They  have  five  children, 
Margaret,  Bernard,  Frederick,  Richard  and  Bessie.  For  a  number  of  years 
Mr.  Keating  has  been  secretary  of  the  Home  Building  and  Loan  Association 
of  this  city,  using  his  utmost  endeavors  to  promote  the  advancement  of  the 
city's  interests.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  board  of  education  for  three 
years.  He  has  taken  a  decided  stand  in  favor  of  temperance,  and  was  presi- 
dent of  the  Father  Mathews  Total  Abstinence  Society  of  Streator  and  ex- 
treasurer  of  the  Catholic  Total  Abstinence  Union  of  Illinois.  We  wish  more 
such  men  might  be  induced  to  make  their  homes  in  America.  In  the  spring 
of  1899  he  was  elected  secretary  of  the  executive  committee  of  the  Citizens' 
League,  an  organization  combining  the  memberships  of  the  various  churches 
in  the  city,  for  the  purpose  of  seeing  that  the  laws  were  duly  enforced. 
Largelv  through  his  efforts  the  saloon-keepers  were  forced  to  respect  the 


8o  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

law  and  all  gambling  devices  were  removed  from  the  saloons.  In  recognition 
of  his  services  in  this  work  the  Citizens'  League  in  convention  unanimously 
nominated  Mr.  Keating  for  the  ofifice  of  mayor,  and  although  he  was  pledged 
the  support  of  the  League  and  a  host  of  other  citizens  in  sympathy  with  the 
movement,  he  respectfully  declined  the  honor. 


WALTER   B.    PALMER. 


"The  proper  study  of  mankind  is  man,"  said  Pope;  and  aside  from  this, 
in  its  broader  sense,  what  base  of  study  and  information  have  we?  Genea- 
logical research,  then,  has  its  value, — be  it  in  the  tracing  of  an  obscure  and 
broken  line,  or  the  following  back  of  a  noble  and  illustrious  lineage  W'hose 
men  have  been  valorous,  whose  women  of  gentle  refinement.  We  of  this 
end-of-the-century,  democratic  type  can  not  afTord  to  scofT  at  or  hold  in 
light  esteem  the  bearing  up  of  a  "  'scutcheon  upon  whose  fair  face  appears 
no  sign  or  blot";  and  he  should  thus  be  the  more  honored  who  honors  a 
noble  name  and  the  memory  of  noble  deeds.  The  lineage  of  the  subject  of 
this  review  is  one  of  most  distinguished  and  interesting  order,  and  no 
apology  need  be  made  in  reverting  to  this  in  connection  with  the  individual 
accomplishments  of  the  subject  himself. 

Justus  Palmer,  the  great-great-grandfather  of  him  whose  name  intro- 
duces this  review,  was  a  resident  of  Norwich,  Connecticut,  where  his  son 
Ephraim  was  born  December  17,  1760.  On  the  27th  of  August,  1786,  the 
latter  married  Margaret  Force,  and  on  the  30th  of  June,  1852,  he  was  called 
to  his  final  rest.  During  the  war  of  the  Revolution  he  valiantly  served  in  the 
Continental  army,  and  thus  aided  in  establishing  American  independence. 
His  eldest  son,  Thomas  Force  Palmer,  was  born  June  13,  1787,  and  on  the 
30th  of  May,  181 5,  married  Rebecca  Snow.  They  became  the  parents  of  six 
children,  the  third  child  and  second  son  being  Ephraim  M.  Palmer,  who  was 
born  December  13,  1828,  in  Cattaraugus  county,  New  York.  In  1831  the 
family  removed  to  Medina  county,  Ohio,  and  the  succeeding  eighteen  years 
of  Ephraim  Palmer's  life  were  passed  on  a  farm  in  the  Buckeye  state.  In 
1847  he  removed  to  Sugar  Grove,  Kendall  county,  Illinois,  and  in  the  spring 
of  1849  came  to  Freedom  township,  LaSalle  county,  having  previously 
purchased  a  land  warrant  for  one  hundred  acres.  On  locating  thus  in  the 
southwestern  corner  of  Freedom  township,  securing  thereby  eighty  acres  of 
land,  this  was  the  first  property  he  had  ever  owned.  The  deed  came  to  him 
direct  from  the  government,  and  the  land  is  still  a  part  of  his  estate.  In  the 
fall  of  1849  he  made  a  trip  across  the  plains  to  California,  where  he  remained 
for  nearly  eight  years,  meeting  with  fair  success  in  his  business  ventures  on 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  8i 

the  Pacific  coast.  He  then  returned  to  Freedom  township,  and  soon  after- 
ward purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Ophir  township. 

On  the  13th  of  June,  1861,  Ephraim  Pahner  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Sarah  Butler,  of  Ophir  township,  LaSalle  county,  the  eldest  child  of 
Ebenezer  and  Nancy  (Butterfield)  Butler.  On  the  father's  side  of  the  family 
thev  are  descendants  of  Nicholas  Butler,  who  was  born  at  Martha's  Vine- 
yard  in  1662.  His  son,  Benjamin  Butler,  was  married  in  1769  to  Amy  Dag- 
gett, and  in  1790  they  became  the  parents  of  a  son,  Benjamin,  Jr.,  who  was 
born  at  Martha's  Vineyard,  and  he  married  Huldah  Bradford,  a  relative  of 
Governor  Bradford,  of  Massachusetts.  They  removed  to  Avon,  Maine, 
where  Benjamin,  their  second  son,  was  born  May  18,  1808.  There  Benjamin 
Butler  married  Nancy  Butterfield,  on  the  24th  of  December,  1833,  and  on 
the  1 6th  of  November,  1834,  they  became  the  parents  of  a  daughter,  Sarah, 
whose  birth  occurred  in  Anson,  Maine,  and  who,  in  1861,  became  the  wife  of 
Mr.  Palmer.  On  the  maternal  side  Mrs.  Palmer  traces  her  ancestry  back  to 
Jonas  Butterfield,  who  was  born  in  Dunstable,  Massachusetts,  September 
12.  1742.  He  was  a  member  of  the  home  guards  or  minute  men,  and  marched 
from  Dunstable  to  Cambridge  on  the  alarm  of  April  19,  1775.  Four  of  his 
brothers  were  soldiers  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  the  military  history  of 
the  family  is  one  of  which  the  descendants  may  well  be  proud.  His  son, 
John  Butterfield,  was  born  April  16,  1780,  and  on  the  25th  of  June,  1800, 
married  Sybil  Willerd,  who  was  born  August  17,  1782.  Their  daughter, 
Nancy  Butterfield,  was  born  September  25,  1808.  and  became  the  wife  of 
Ebenezer  Butler  and  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Palmer.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ephraim 
Palmer  were  born  two  children, — Carrie,  born  September  i,  1865.  who  died 
on  the  30th  of  September,  of  the  same  year,  and  Walter,  the  surviving  son, 
who  was  born  June  22,  1868.  In  the  spring  of  the  latter  year  the  father 
removed  to  his  farm  in  Freedom  tow^nship,  a  tract  containing  two  hundred 
acres  of  very  valuable  land.  In  1881  a  niece  of  Mrs.  Palmer,  then  an  infant, 
became  an  inmate  of  their  home,  and  has  since  been  a  daughter  in  the  house- 
hold. Her  name  is  Agnes  Butler,  but  she  has  always  been  called  Agnes 
Palmer. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Palmer  was  a  stanch  Republican,  unswerving 
in  his  advocacy  of  the  principles  of  the  party.  He  filled  a  number  of  positions 
of  public  trust,  including  those  of  assessor,  commissioner  and  a  member  of 
the  school  board.  The  cause  of  education  found  in  him  a  warm  friend,  and 
for  nearly  thirty  years  he  was  regarded  as  a  leader  in  every  movement  that 
tended  to  advance  the  educational  interests  of  his  community.  He  was  at 
all  times  an  honest,  upright  man,  whose  word  was  as  good  as  his  bond,  and 
over  his  life  record  there  falls  no  shadow  or  wrong  or  suspicion  of  evil.  In 
January,  1892,  he  was  attacked  by  la  grippe,  which  was  followed  by  pneu- 


82  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

monia,  and  on  the  30th  of  that  month  his  Hfe's  labors  were  ended  in  death. 
Throughout  the  community  his  loss  was  deeply  mourned  and  his  memory  is 
cherished  in  the  hearts  of  all  who  knew  him. 

Walter  B.  Palmer,  his  only  surviving  child,  was  married  in  September, 
1889,  to  Miss  Ina  Lardin,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Lardin  and  a 
sister  of  Judge  A.  T.  Lardin,  of  Ottawa.  She  was  a  lady  of  culture,  who  had 
many  warm  friends,  but  in  May,  1891,  she  died  of  consumption.  In  Novem- 
ber, 1893,  Walter  B.  Palmer  and  his  mother  came  to  Ottawa  and  took  up 
their  abode  in  the  beautiful  modern  residence  which  they  had  erected.  In 
December,  1894,  he  was  again  married,  the  lady  of  his  choice  being  Miss 
Mary  Frances  White,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Nellie  (Barger)  White, 
formerly  of  Davenport,  Iowa,  where  her  father  was  a  prominent  lawyer.  Mr. 
Palmer  has  always  loved  a  fine  horse,  and  has  owned  some  of  the  best  in 
the  country.  He  has  been  very  successful  in  those  which  have  been  put 
upon  the  race  track,  and  each  year  he  has  a  number  of  fine  trotters  and 
pacers  that  are  displayed  at  fairs  and  upon  other  race  courses.  His  life  has 
been  spent  in  LaSalle  county,  where  he  has  a  wide  accjuaintance,  and  he  and 
his  estimable  wife  enjoy  the  hospitality  of  the  best  homes  of  Ottawa. 


ABRAM    C.    GODFREY. 

For  almost  half  a  century  the  Godfreys,  father  and  son,  have  been  num- 
bered among  the  progressive  business  men  of  Ottawa.  They  have  been  noted 
for  their  public  spirit  and  liberality  toward  all  local  enterprises  of  a  character 
that  would  tend  to  promote  the  welfare  of  the  community. 

Philip,  father  of  Abram  Godfrey,  was  born  in  Cork.  Ireland,  but  came 
to  America  when  young.  At  eighteen  years  of  age  he  wedded  Miss  Mary 
Avary,  a  native  of  New  York,  and  in  1850  this  sterling  couple  came  to  Ot- 
tawa. For  thirty-seven  years  Mr.  Godfrey  was  successfully  engaged  in  the 
grocery  business,  retiring  in  1887-  to  enjoy  the  competence  which  he  had 
won  by  years  of  diligence  and  indefatigable  energy.  He  embarked  in  mer- 
chandising with  the  small  capital  of  eighty  dollars  in  gold,  but  he  possessed 
much  more  pluck  than  money,  and  in  the  end  this  quality  proved  of  even 
more  value,  for  in  time  he  became  well-to-do  and  respected  as  a  man  of  up- 
rightness and  fairness  in  all  his  dealings. 

The  birth  of  Abram  C.  Godfrey  occurred  in  Ottawa,  April  6,  1859,  and 
here  he  passed  his  boyhood,  working,  at  intervals,  in  his  father's  store,  and 
early  acquiring  valuable  knowledge  of  the  business.  Desiring  a  little  wider 
experience  in  the  commercial  world,  he  went  to  Chicago  in  1884,  and  for 
one  year  was  employed  by  Fairbanks,  Morse  &  Company.    He  then  returned 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  83 

to  Streator,  Illinois,  and  was  with  Dennis  Fielding  in  a  shoe  store  for  two 
years.  In  1887,  upon  the  occasion  of  his  father's  retirement  from  business, 
our  subject  assumed  the  management  of  the  store,  and  has  continued  to 
enjoy  the  favor  of  our  leading  citizens  as  his  customers. 

On  the  5th  of  November,  1894,  Mr.  Godfrey  and  Bertha  T.  Taylor,  a 
daughter  of  W.  W.  Taylor,  of  Ottawa,  were  united  in  marriage.  They  have 
one  child,  Margaret  Louise,  born  July  17,  1898.  For  over  ten  years  Mr. 
Godfrey  has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  and,  like  his  honored 
father,  is  actively  interested  in  the  success  of  the  Republican  party.  He  has 
served  efficiently  as  an  alderman  while  Albert  F.  Schoch  was  mayor,  the 
administration  being  known  as  the  ''improvement  council." 


JAMES  SEXTON. 


The  gentleman  whose  name  initiates  this  sketch  is  one  of  the  retired 
farmers  of  LaSalle  county,  who  makes  his  home  in  the  town  of  Streator.  He 
is  an  Englishman  by  birth,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  America  since  his  elev- 
enth year.     His  history  in  brief  is  as  follows  : 

James  Sexton  was  born  in  Norfolk  county,  England,  in  1846,  a  son  of 
Stephen  Sexton,  who  was  born  in  Norfolk,  December  i,  1810,  and  Mary 
(Field)  Sexton,  born  in  Norfolk,  June  i,  181 1.  He  had  six  sisters  and  three 
brothers.  In  1857  his  father  and  mother,  with  all  but  the  oldest  daughter, 
embarked  for  the  New  World,  and  after  a  stormy  voyage  of  forty-two  days 
landed  at  Quebec,  Canada,  whence  they  came  direct  to  Ottawa,  Illinois,  set- 
tling on  a  farm  in  Otter  Creek  township,  and  there  the  father  engaged  in 
farming  until  1874,  when  he  removed  to  Carroll  county,  Iowa,  where  he 
resided  until  his  death,  in  1890.  The  winter  after  their  arrival  the  whole 
family  were  stricken  with  typhoid  fever,  the  mother  dying  in  January,  1858, 
and  one  boy  and  one  girl  later.  Of  the  remainder  of  the  family  Margaret  is 
in  Norfolk,  England;  Sarah  A.  in  Otter  Creek,  this  county;  Mary  A.  in 
Bluffton,  Indiana;  William,  Eliza  and  Emily  are  in  Carroll  county.  Iowa; 
and  Fred  resides  in  Everett,  Washington. 

James  Sexton  assisted  his  father  in  the  farm  work  and  remained  at  home 
until  he  was  sixteen,  when  he  started  out  in  life  on  his  own  account.  From 
that  time  until  he  was  nineteen  he  was  a  farm  hand,  working  by  the  month. 
He  then  rented  a  farm  and  afterward  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Otter 
Creek  township.  After  his  marriage,  about  this  time,  he  settled  on  his 
father-in-law's  farm  in  Otter  Creek  township,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farm- 
ing and  stock-raising  until  1887,  when  he  moved  to  Streator  and  engaged  in 
the  hardware  business  with  W.  H.  Pilcher.    Three  years  later  he  returned  to 


84  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

the  farm,  where  he  resided  until  1897,  and  since  that  date  he  has  been  retired, 
residing  in  Streator. 

Mr.  Sexton  married,  in  1867,  Miss  Elizabeth  Wade,  a  native  of  LaSalle 
county,  born  June  28,  1842,  a  daughter  of  Robert  Wade  and  Elizabeth  (Wil- 
son) Wade,  both  natives  of  England.  The  Wade  family,  on  first  coming  to 
America,  settled  in  Massachusetts,  and  it  was  from  Fall  River,  that  state, 
that  they  came  to  Illinois,  m  1840.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sexton  were  born  two 
children. — a  son  and  a  daughter.  Roy,  a  graduate  of  Oberlin  College,  Ohio, 
and  also  of  Northwestern  University  Medic<il  College,  is  a  practicing  physi- 
cian in  Streator;  and  Nellie  is  the  wife  of  Jay  Arthur,  of  Streator.  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  Sexton,  the  wife  and  mother,  died  on  the  26th  of  April,  1898. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Sexton  has  always  l^een  rather  independent, 
voting  for  the  man  he  believed  best  fitted  for  the  office,  instead  of  sticking 
closely  to  party  lines. 


WILLIAM  E.   PRICHARD. 

The  owner  and  manager  of  Highland  Stock  Earm,  William  E.  Prichard, 
is  well  known  throughout  LaSalle  and  adjoining  counties.  He  is  an  hon- 
ored veteran  of  the  civil  war,  as  when  eighteen  years  of  age,  in  February, 
1863,  he  enlisted  in  the  Second  Ohio  Heavy  Artillery  and  served  until  the 
close  of  the  conflict  between  the  north  and  south.  He  had  as  his  command- 
ing officers  Captains  Stevenson,  Downey  and  Tompson,  and  his  record  as 
a  brave  and  trusted  soldier  is  one  of  which  he  has  just  reason  to  be  proud. 
He  is  an  active  worker  in  the  Republican  party;  is  a  Grand  Army  man,  and 
a  Mason  in  high  standing. 

Born  in  Licking  county.  Ohio,  in  1845.  our  subject  is  a  son  of  David 
and  Ruth  (Lewis)  Prichard,  the  former  a  native  of  Wales  and  the  latter  of 
New  York  state.  The  father  died  in  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  in  1882.  Dur- 
ing his  youth  William  E.  Prichard  attended  the  public  schools,  and  subse- 
quent to  his  coming  to  this  state  in  1866  he  was  a  student  at  Eowler's  Insti- 
tute at  Newark  for  some  time.  Later  he  taught  school  for  a  few  terms. 
Since  1 87 1  he  has  made  his  home  in  Ottawa. 

In  April,  1871,  Mr.  Prichard  married  Miss  Harriet  Johnson,  a  daughter 
of  Samuel  and  Eliza  (Statler)  Johnson.  Jennie,  the  first  child  born  to  our 
subject  and  wife,  died  at  the  age  of  four  years.  Fred  S.  and  Arthur  D.,  twins, 
were  born  November  25,  1884.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Prichard  are  members  of  the 
Baptist  church,  the  former  having  had  charge  of  the  music  for  many  years. 

For  thirty  years  W.  E.  Prichard  has  been  engaged  in  importing,  breed- 
ing and  dealing  in  fine  draft  horses,  particularly  Percherons,  of  which  he 
always  keeps  a  large  number  on  hand.     One  of  the  best  Percherons  ever 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  85 

brought  over,  Napoleon  III.,  came  into  his  possession  in  1871.  It  is  said 
of  him  that  he  handles  more  high-grade  horses  each  year  than  any  other 
man  in  the  county.  His  premises  are  commodious  and  convenient,  his  large 
stables  being  at  South  Ottawa  and  his  farm  two  and  a  half  miles  from  that 
point. 


WILLIAM    STONE    CHERRY. 

A  representative  citizen  of  Streator  is  he  of  whom  this  sketch  is  penned, 
for  twenty-five  years  a  resident  and  leading  business  man  of  this  thriving 
town.  In  all  local  affairs  he  has  taken  an  active  part  and  genuine  interest, 
patriotically  upholding  every  effort  to  make  this  one  of  the  most  desirable 
places  for  a  home  or  business  location,  and  invariably  using  his  influence  on 
the  side  of  the  right  and  progress. 

Though  he  is  a  native  of  the  Emerald  Isle,  his  birth  having  occurred  in 
the  town  of  Monahan,  July  9,  1837,  Mr.  Cherry  has  little  recollection  of  the 
country,  as  he  was  brought  to  the  United  States  by  his  parents  at  the  age  of 
three  years,  and  was  reared  under  American  institutions.  For  some  time  the 
family  resided  in  Philadelphia,  whence  they  went  to  West  Virginia.  Young 
Cherry  received  as  good  an  education  as  his  parents  could  afford,  for,  owing 
to  the  poor  schools  of  the  young  state  mentioned,  he  attended  private  and 
select  schools,  where  tuition  was  required. 

In  1856  Mr.  Cherry  went  with  his  older  brother  to  Schuylkill  county, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  engaged  in  anthracite  coal  mining,  there  laying  the 
foundation  of  his  knowledge  that  has  guided  him  in  his  subsequent  career. 

When  the  civil  war  broke  out  the  young  man  went  to  Philadelphia, 
where  he  offered  his  services  in  the  United  States  Navy,  and  became  an  engi- 
neer upon  one  of  the  government  ships.  He  had  many  very  interesting 
experiences  during  the  seven  years  he  was  in  the  navy,  and  for  about  three 
years  sailed  along  the  South  American  coast,  being  stationed  off  Buenos 
Ayres  for  a  long  time.  In  1869.  when  lie  retired  from  the  government  em- 
ploy, he  returned  to  the  Quaker  city,  where,  in  company  with  Tryon  Rickert 
&  Company,  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  white  lead  and  paint,  at  Wil- 
mington, Delaware. 

In  1 87 1  Mr.  Cherry  came  to  Streator  and  entered  the  employ  of  the 
Chicago,  Wilmington  and  Vermillion  Coal  Company  as  mine  superintendent, 
and  later  was  made  general  mine  superintendent,  having  charge  of  all  the 
mines  operated  by  the  company;  and  during  the  long  years  which  have  since 
elapsed  he  has  faithfully  and  efficiently  performed  the  responsible  duties 
which  have  devolved  upon  him.     The  company  to  whose  interests  he  has 


86  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

devoted  his  mature  years  does  a  very  extensive  business,  and  owns  valuable 
mines  in  various  states. 

In  June,  1872,  Mr.  Cherry  married  Miss  Mary  D.  Godfrey,  a  daughter 
of  Charles  Godfrey,  of  Philadelphia.  They  have  three  children:  Henrietta; 
Walter  G.  (who  is  studying  law  under  the  auspices  of  the  firm  of  Reeves  & 
Boys,  of  Streator);  and  Robert  Hawthorne.  The  home  of  the  family  is  a 
very  pleasant  one,  situated  upon  one  of  the  finest  residence  streets  in  the 
town. 

Politically  Mr.  Cherry  is  a  stanch  Republican,  and  was  the  president 
of  the  board  of  city  fathers  for  one  year.  On  the  board  of  education  he  has 
served  as  a  member  and  as  its  president,  besides  being  a  trustee.  The  cause 
of  education  finds  in  him  a  true  and  tried  friend,  and  much  has  been  accom- 
plished in  the  perfecting  of  our  fine  school  system  under  his  advisement. 
For  a  period  he  was  a  stockholder  in  the  Streator  National  Bank,  and  from 
time  to  time  he  has  invested  in  local  industries  and  institutions,  thus  mani- 
festing his  patriotism  in  a  practical  manner.  Fraternally  he  is  a  Mason  of 
high  standing,  his  membership  being  in  Streator  Lodge,  No.  607,  F.  &  A. 
M.;  Streator  Chapter,  No.  168,  R.  A.  M.;  and  Ottawa  Commandery,  No. 
10,  K.  T.    Moreover  he  is  identified  with  the  Loyal  Legion  of  America. 


BERKLEY  G.  BARRATT. 

The  popular  and  thoroughly  efficient  superintendent  of  the  LaSalle 
County  Asylum,  Berkley  Gillett  Barratt,  has  been  an  incumbent  of  this 
responsible  position  since  March  8,  1898,  when  he  was  elected  on  the  Demo- 
cratic ticket  with  the  aid  of  Republicans.  He  is  a  veteran  of  the  civil  war  and 
fought  bravely  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union,  enlisting  in  Company  K, 
Seventy-fifth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  in  August,  1862,  for  three  years. 
Assigned  to  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  he  was  ahvays  found  at  his  post  of 
duty,  and  took  part  in  the  numerous  severe  campaigns  in  which  that  branch 
of  the  army  was  involved.  He  was  orderly  sergeant  during  the  most  of  the 
period  of  his  military  service,  being  promoted  second  lieutenant  and  serving 
as  such  for  the  remainder  of  his  time  in  the  army.  At  the  battle  of  Stone 
river  he  was  seriously  wounded  in  the  hand,  and  was  honorably  discharged 
from  the  service  with  his  regiment  at  Chicago  July  3,  1865,  after  the  close 
of  the  war. 

After  perusing  the  history  of  Mr.  Barratt  in  the  role  of  a  patriot  it  is 
not  a  surprise  to  learn  that  he  comes  from  loyal  American  ancestry,  and  that 
his  maternal  grandfather,  John  Farnham,  was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  the 
Revolution.     The  papers  relating  to  his  discharg-e  from  the  service,  when 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  87 

his  aid  was  no  longer  needed,  bear  the  signature  of  George  Washington, 
commander  of  the  colonial  army,  and  were  dated  June,  1782.  The  father  of 
our  subject  was  Daniel  Barratt,  born  June  3,  1797.  He  married  Permelia, 
daughter  of  John  Farnham,  and  to  them  five  sons  and  seven  daughters  were 
born,  namely:  John  F.,  Caroline,  Rebecca  Jane,  Mary  Ann,  Phoebe,  Caleb, 
Margaret,  Emily,  George,  Berkley  G.,  Lavinia  and  Elizabeth.  The  mother, 
who  was  born  March  23,  1805,  was  a  most  worthy,  noble  woman,  of  the  best 
type  of  the  pioneer,  courageous,  strong  and  capable,  making  the  best  of  cir- 
cumstances, however  gloomy  and  unpromising  the  outlook.  She  survived 
her  husband  many  years,  as  he  died  in  February,  1849,  ^--nd  her  death  did  not 
occur  until  1891.  One  of  her  sons,  George,  had  lived  in  the  south  for  some 
time  prior  to  the  war,  and  upon  the  outbreak  of  hostilities  he  was  drafted 
by  the  rebels.  However,  he  managed  to  effect  an  escape  and  returned  to 
the  north. 

The  birth  of  B.  G.  Barratt  took  place  near  Springfield,  Clark  county, 
Ohio,  and  w^hen  he  was  ten  years  of  age  he  came  to  Illinois.  The  family  at 
first  lived  near  Paw  Paw,  Lee  county,  and  there  the  lad  received  average 
educational  advantages  in  the  common  schools.  When  he  returned  from 
fighting  for  his  country  he  settled  in  Earlville,  Illinois,  and  engaged  in  paint- 
ing and  contracting  for  a  number  of  years.  He  was  appointed  postmaster 
of  Earlville  by  President  Cleveland  and  ofificiated  in  that  capacity,  and  in 
1882  he  became  a  deputy  sheriff  of  the  county,  acting  under  Sheriffs  Milli- 
gan  and  Taylor.  In  1886  Mr.  Barratt  made  the  run  for  the  nomination  for 
county  sheriff  and  was  defeated  by  only  one  vote,  and  at  another  time  he 
was  defeated  by  just  one  vote  for  circuit  clerk.  When  a  candidate  for  city 
treasurer  he  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  two  votes.  He  has  been  an  inde- 
fatigable worker  in  the  Democratic  party,  and  is  recognized  as  a  valuable 
factor  in  its  success  in  this  community.  In  the  Masonic  fraternity  he  has 
reached  the  Knight  Templar  degree,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Ottawa  Lodge 
and  Commandery.  In  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  he  is  identified  with 
Seth  C.  Earl  Post. 

In  1865  Mr.  Barratt  wedded  Miss  Emily  L.  Jones,  daughter  of  James 
Jones,  formerly  a  respected  citizen  of  Paw  Paw  and  now  deceased.  Mrs. 
Barratt  was  born  in  Ohio,  but  grew  to  womanhood  in  the  town  of  Paw  Paw. 
Six  children — two  sons  and  four  daughters — have  been  born  to  our  subject 
and  wife,  namely :  Ella,  Nina  and  Louie,  who  are  living.  Two  sons  and  one 
daughter  are  deceased. 

A  brief  account  of  the  LaSalle  County  Asylum,  of  which  ]\Ir.  Barratt  is 
now  superintendent,  may  be  of  interest  to  the  reader.  Without  doubt  the 
buildings  are  among  the  most  attractive  and  substantial  structures  for  the 
occupancy  of  the  poor  and  helpless  wards  of  the  county  of  all  to  be  found 


88  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

in  the  state.  The  buildings  are  modern;  heated  by  steam  and  Hghted  with 
gas,  and  every  practical  device  making  for  the  comfort  of  the  inmates  of 
the  institution  has  been  provided.  The  county  farm  contains  two  hundred  and 
ten  acres  of  fertile  land,  and  is  situated  about  three  and  a  half  miles  west  of 
Ottawa.  But  a  short  distance  to  the  south  flows  the  Illinois  river,  and  to 
the  north  rises  a  rocky  bluff,  at  the  foot  of  which  is  the  Illinois  &  Michigan 
canal.  Substantial  barns  afford  shelter  to  about  thirty  head  of  cattle  and  a 
dozen  horses,  and  some  fifty  to  sixty  hogs  are  annually  raised  on  the  place. 
There  are  cared  for  in  the  asylum  from  two  hundred  and  fifty  to  three  hun- 
dred persons  each  year,  one-third  of  the  number,  perhaps,  being  insane  or 
feeble-minded. 


GEORGE    M.    FLICK. 


George  Michael  Elick,  retired,  was  born  near  Centerville,  St.  Clair 
county,  Illinois,  May,  5,  1845,  ^^'^  has  claimed  Streator  as  his  home  for  more 
than  a  quarter  of  a  century.  Michael  and  Mary  Ann  (Miller)  Elick.  the 
parents,  were  born  in  Germany  and  came  to  the  United  States  and  settled 
in  St.  Clair  county,  this  state,  where  the  father  engaged  in  market  gardening 
for  a  year.  They  then  moved  upon  a  farm  in  this  county,  where  they  resided 
until  death  eleven  years  later.  Both  parents  died  during  the  year  1857,  leav- 
ing four  sons:  Frank  P.,  Charles  E.,  John  and  George  Michael.  Three  of 
the  brothers  were  soldiers  in  the  civil  war. 

Mr.  Flick,  our  subject,  attended  the  common  school  and  remained  on  the 
farm  until  the  death  of  his  parents,  when  he  was  twelve  years  old.  He  also  at- 
tended Oakfield  University  at  Oakfield  two  years,  receiving  a  good  education. 
His  next  step  was  to  secure  a  clerkship  in  the  store  of  Vosburge  &  Snow  at 
Earlville,  this  county.  He  remained  with  this  firm  until  the  cloud  which  had 
so  long  enveloped  our  land  broke  forth  in  the  storm  of  rebellion,  when  he 
took  up  arms  to  help  avert  the  calamity  which  threatened  the  nation.  He 
enlisted  in  the  Fifty-third  Illinois  Regiment,  Company  D,  under  Captain 
James  E.  Hudson  and  Colonel  Seth  C.  Earl.  Among  the  more  important 
engagements  in  which  he  took  part  were  those  fought  in  1863  at  Jackson, 
Mississippi.  They  were  ordered  from  Camp  Douglas  at  Chicago  to  St. 
Louis,  from  there  to  Paducah,  Kentucky,  and  thence  to  Savannah,  Tennes- 
see. They  assisted  in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg.  the  fight  at  Atlanta,  and  were 
with  Sherman  when  he  made  his  memorable  march  to  the  sea.  They  then 
returned  through  the  Carolinas  to  Washington  and  took  part  in  the  grand 
revicAv,  and  were  sent  to  Louisville,  Kentucky,  where  they  were  mustered 
out,  in  1865.  He  has  suffered  all  the  privations  which  is  the  lot  of  our  brave 
soldier  boys,  and  had  many  startling  experiences  and  narrow  escapes  which 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  89 

furnish  the  topic  for  many  an  interesting  story.  After  returning  home  Mr. 
FHck  engaged  in  the  butchering  business  with  his  brother  John  for  some 
sixteen  months.  After  that  he  was  interested  in  various  employments  until 
1872,  when  he  came  to  Streator  and  opened  a  meat  market,  which  he  con- 
ducted until  1894,  building  up  a  good  trade  which  has  netted  him  a  compe- 
tency. He  then  disposed  of  his  shop  and  purchased  a  small  farm  of  twenty 
acres  near  the  city,  devoting  it  to  the  culture  of  small  fruits  of  various  kinds. 
He  gives  almost  all  his  time  and  attention  to  this  fruit  farm,  and  is  known 
as  one  of  the  most  successful  grape-producers  in  the  county. 

On  the  thirteenth  of  November,  1869,  Mr.  Flick  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Pauline  Knoedler,  who  was  born  October  7,  1851,  a  daughter  of 
Jacob  and  Barbara  (Masner)  Knoedler.  Mrs.  Flick's  parents  were  born  in 
Wittenberg,  Germany,  emigrated  to  America  and  were  residents  of  Illinois 
at  the  time  of  the  father's  death.  The  mother  is  still  living  and  makes  her 
home  with  her  children.  These  children  are  Charles  F. ;  Caroline,  wife  of 
A.  Hartman,  of  Chicago;  Mrs.  A.  Weiss;  Mrs.  Sophia  Deist,  of  Chicago; 
Lucy,  wife  of  Colonel  Breitting,  of  Chicago;  and  Mrs.  Flick.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Flick  have  been  born  three  children,  who  were  reared  to  lives  of  use- 
fulness and  are  now  among  our  most  popular  and  esteemed  residents.  Cora 
B.,  born  June  27,  1870;  William  C,  August  31,  1872;  and  Meta  P.,  April  16, 
1877.  Cora  B.  taught  in  graded  schools  previous  to  her  death,  in  her  twenty- 
second  year;  William  C.  is  a  teller  in  the  Union  National  Bank;  and  Meta 
P.  is  one  of  the  most  efficient  teachers  in  the  high  school  of  the  city.  Mr. 
Flick  is  a  strong  Republican  and  a  prominent  member  of  Streator  Post,  No. 
68,  G.  A.  R. 


MARSHALL    B.    MITCHELL. 

Mr.  Mitchell  is  one  of  the  best  business  men  of  Ottawa,  and  one  who^  is 
very  highly  respected  for  his  pushing  enterprise  and  strict  integrity. 

He  was  born  in  Ottawa,  January  29,  1852,  and  is  the  son  of  Bradford 
and  Ann  (Sansberg)  Mitchell.  His  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  Mexican  war 
and  served  with  honor  and  occupied  a  respected  place  in  business  circles  at 
the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  while  Marshall  was  yet  a  child.  From 
his  early  childhood  to  the  present  day  Marshall  has  been  a  faithful  stay  to  his 
widowed  mother.  He  early  showed  his  business  instincts,  and  while  yet  a 
lad,  during  the  civil  war,  reaped  a  harvest  selling  papers.  He  passed  through 
a  course  of  study  at  the  public  schools  of  his  home  city  and  took  a  course  at 
Drew's  Business  College.  He  commenced  work  in  Hughes'  bakery  and 
confectionery  store  August  i,  1867.  Later,  April  i,  1868,  he  was  employed 
by  Strawn  &  Powell,  lumber  dealers  and  manufacturers  of  sash,  doors  and 


90  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

blinds.  He  proved  so  bright,  reliable  and  upright  that  he  was  offered  a  posi- 
tion with  Smith  &  Rising,  extensive  cigar  manufacturers,  June  i,  1870,  as  a 
shipping  clerk,  and  accepted  it.  He  again  proved  so  efficient,  that  he  was 
promoted  traveling  salesman,  and  was  very  successful  on  the  road.  He  thor- 
oughly mastered  the  business,  and  in  1877  started  in  a  cigar  and  tobacco  busi- 
ness for  himself,  with  a  small  capital,  but  well  equipped  in  experience,  deter- 
mination and  untiring  industry.  In  the  first  year  he  commenced  the  manu- 
facture of  his  own  goods,  and  his  famous  No.  7  Nickel  cigar  has  held  the 
leading  place  in  the  home  markets  for  twenty-three  years.  In  that  time  Mr. 
Mitchell  has  acquired  a  competency  and  a  commercial  standing  that  is  very 
highly  recognized  in  business  circles  at  home  and  abroad.  He  now  owns  on 
Madison  street,  the  second  door  east  of  the  National  City  Bank,  the  most 
complete,  though  perhaps  not  the  largest,  tobacco  store  and  cigar  factory 
building  in  northern  Illinois.  It  is  equipped  especially  for  the  business  from 
the  basement  up.  The  store-room  is  very  handsome  and  accommodates  daily 
as  extensive  and  choice  lot  of  customers  in  this  line  as  can  be  found  anywhere. 
Mr.  Mitchell  also  has  the  reputation  of  being  a  shrewd  handler  of  real  estate, 
and  owns  considerable  property  in  that  line.  In  politics  he  is  a  loyal  Repub- 
lican, but  believes  in  good  government  and  honest  officials  even  at  the  ex- 
pense of  party  ties. 

In  1887  Mr.  Mitchell  married  Miss  Lodema  Clift,  a  popular  and  well 
known  young  lady  belonging  to  an  old  and  respected  family.  He  owns  a 
handsome  home  on  Ottawa  avenue.  His  mother  still  survives,  and  he  has 
two  sisters, — Minnie  E.  and  Martha  A.  All  live  in  the  old  homestead  adjoin- 
ing his  own. 


EZRA  H.   BAILEY. 


A  quarter  of  a  century  has  passed  since  Ezra  H.  Bailey  came  to  Streator, 
and  in  the  intervening  years  he  has  been  actively  interested  in  everything 
affecting  the  progress  and  upbuilding  of  the  city.  He  has  been  especially 
prominent  in  financial  circles,  and  is  to-day  the  cashier  of  one  of  the  leading 
banking  institutions  of  LaSalle  county, — the  Union  National, — which  owes 
its  present  prosperity  in  no  small  degree  to  the  executive  ability,  keen  dis- 
cernment and  sound  judgment  of  Mr.  Bailey.  He  has  always  been  a  man  of 
action  rather  than  theory,  and  determined  purpose  has  characterized  his 
entire  career,  enabling  him  to  overcome  difficulties  and  work  his  way  steadily 
upward. 

A  native  of  Massachusetts,  he  was  born  in  the  town  of  Milford,  Decem- 
ber 25,  1853.  His  father,  James  D.  Bailey,  was  a  descendant  of  the  John 
Bailey  who  in  1635  left  his  home  in  Chippenham,  England,  and,  crossing  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  91 

Atlantic  to  America,  took  up  his  residence  in  Salisbury,  Massachusetts.  The 
family  was  loyal  to  the  cause  of  the  colonists  through  the  struggle  which 
brought  independence  to  the  nation,  Eliphalet  Bailey,  the  great-grandfather 
of  our  subject,  having  faithfully  served  in  the  American  army  during  the 
war  of  the  Revolution.  On  the  maternal  side  Mr.  Bailey  is  descended  from 
■one  of  the  oldest  and  most  prominent  families  of  the  Bay  state,  his  mother, 
Abigail  (Tyler)  Bailey,  tracing  her  ancestry  back  to  Job  Tyler,  who  was  one 
of  the  first  settlers  in  Andover,  Massachusetts,  the  date  of  his  arrival  there 
being  1640.  She  also  was  descended  from  Thomas  Dudley,  the  second  gov- 
ernor of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  colony,  through  his  daughter  Anne,  who 
was  the  first  American  poetess  and  who  married  Simon  Bradstreet,  who  was 
governor  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  colony  for  ten  years.  Fortunate  is  the 
man  who  has  back  of  him  an  honored  ancestry,  and  happy  is  he  if  his  lines 
of  life  be  cast  in  harmony  therewith.  Prominent  in  the  affairs  of  the  colonies 
the  ancestors  of  our  subject  engraved  their  names  on  the  pages  of  our  early 
American  history,  and  to-day,  with  equal  loyalty  and  faithfulness,  Ezra  H. 
Bailey  is  performing  the  duties  that  fall  to  him  in  the  walk  of  life  in  which 
lie  is  found. 

In  the  town  of  his  nativity  he  was  reared  to  manhood,  acquiring  his  edu- 
cation in  the  excellent  schools  of  the  Bay  state,  for  which  Massachusetts  is 
justly  famed.  When  fifteen  years  of  age  he  began  working  for  his  father  in 
a  boot  and  shoe  factory,  remaining  in  the  east  until  January,  1874,  when  he 
came  to  Streator  and  secured  employment  in  the  office  of  Ralph  Plumb,  then 
largely  interested  in  railroads  and  railroad  construction.  In  November  of 
the  same  year  he  accepted  the  position  of  bookkeeper  for  the  Streator  Coal 
Company,  remaining  with  them  as  bookkeeper  and  cashier,  and  with  their 
successors,  the  Luther  &  Tyler  Coal  &  Coke  Company,  until  1887,  when  he 
was  offered  the  position  of  cashier  in  the  Streator  National  Bank.  He  re- 
mained with  that  concern  until  1890,  during  which  time  he  gained  a  compre- 
hensive and  accurate  knowledge  of  the  banking  business  and  the  methods 
pursued  therein.  In  the  year  mentioned  he  associated  himself  with  the 
newly  organized  City  National  Bank,  as  cashier,  and  in  1892,  upon  the  death 
of  George  L.  Richards,  he  was  unanimously  elected  by  the  directors  of  the 
Union  National  Bank  to  the  vacant  cashiership,  which  position  he  accepted 
and  still  occupies.  To  his  able  and  conservative  management  of  the  finances 
of  the  bank  its  prosperity  is  directly  traceable  in  a  large  measure. 

On  the  i8th  of  January,  1879,  Mr.  Bailey  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Laurett  Benson,  of  Streator,  a  daughter  of  Sylvanus  H.  and  Laurett 
(Howard)  Benson,  whose  ancestors  were  among  the  early  settlers  in  and  near 
l^lackstone,  Massachusetts.  One  daughter,  Edith  Laurett,  was  born  to 
them,  January  19,   1881,  and  she  is  now  a  student  in  Lasell  Seminary,  in 


92  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

Auburndale,  Massachusetts.  Among-  her  ancestors  were  thirteen  Revolu- 
tionary soldiers.  The  wife  and  mother  died  July  3,  1883;  and  on  the  23d 
of  October,  1884,  Mr.  Bailey  married  Gertrude  Canfield,  of  Streator,  who, 
on  the  paternal  side,  is  a  direct  descendant  of  the  Canfield  family,  of  New 
Milford,  Connecticut,  and  the  Ten  Broecks,  who  were  among  the  early 
Knickerbockers  who  settled  New  York,  while  on  the  maternal  side  she  is 
descended  from  the  Luthers,  of  Rehoboth,  Massachusetts,  and  the  Stouts,  of 
New  Jersey.  Mrs.  Bailey  is  a  lady  of  fine  mental  and  social  attainments, 
being  well  qualified  to  grace  any  station  in  life  to  which  she  might  be  called. 
She  is  a  valued  member  of  the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution,  the 
local  chapter  of  the  Eastern  Star,  the  Callere  Club  and  other  societies  in  the 
city  in  which  she  resides. 

Though  great  responsibility  rests  upon  Mr.  Bailey  in  a  business  way, 
he  finds  time,  amid  the  multiplicity  of  his  cares  and  duties,  to  properly  dis- 
charge the  obligations  and  duties  of  a  patriotic  citizen.  He  uses  his  franchise 
in  favor  of  the  nominees  of  the  Republican  party,  but  has  never  sought  po- 
litical preferment,  and  the  only  public  ofitice  he  has  ever  held  is  that  of  school 
treasurer,  to  which  position  he  was  elected  twelve  years  ago,  and  still  retains. 
He  is  a  Knight  Templar  Mason,  belonging  to  Streator  Lodge,  No.  607,  F. 
&  A.  M.;  Streator  Chapter,  No.  168,  R.  A.  M.;  and  Ottawa  Commandery, 
No.  10,  K.  T.  His  life  history  exhibits  a  long  and  virtuous  career  of  private 
industry,  performed  with  moderation  and  crowned  with  success.  It  is  the 
record  of  a  well-balanced  mental  and  moral  constitution,  strongly  marked  by 
those  traits  of  character  which  are  of  especial  value  in  such  a  state  of  society 
as  exists  in  this  country.  A  community  depends  upon  business  activity,  its 
welfare  is  due  to  this;  and  the  promoters  of  legitiniate  and  leading  business 
enterprises  may  well  be  termed  in  its  benefactors,  in  which  relation  ]\Ir. 
Bailev  stands  to  the  commercial  interests  of  Streator. 


FRANK    T.    NEFF. 


Frank  Thomas  Nefi-",  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Marseilles, 
LaSalle  county,  is  one  of  the  representative  citizens  and  business  men  of  this 
section.  Imbued  with  the  spirit  of  progress  and  patriotism,  he  seeks  to 
uphold  every  worthy  or  creditable  movement  for  the  adA\ancement  of  his  city 
and  community,  and  has  been  unsparing  of  his  time,  means  and  influence 
toward  this  end. 

Daniel  NefT,  the  great-grandfather  of  the  above,  was  a  resident  of  Platts- 
burg,  New  York,  where  he  died  late  in  the  eighteenth  century      His  wife. 


U^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  93 

Silence  Neff,  afterward  married  a  Mr.   Cook,  and    removed  to    Franklin 
county,  Indiana,  where  she  died  August  20,  1828. 

Ebenezer  Neff,  the  grandfather,  was  born  at  Plattsburg.  New  York, 
August  4,  1790,  and  December  28,  1808,  he  was  married  to  Susana  Buck, 
in  New  York,  and  ten  children  were  born  to  them.  Susana  (Buck)  Nefif 
died  July  25,  1823.  He  then  married  Margaret  Douglass,  February  15,  1824, 
in  Franklin  county,  Indiana.  To  this  union  eight  children  were  born. 
Ebenezer  Neff  came  to  Mission  township.  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  in  May, 
1835,  at  which  place  they  resided  until  their  death.  He  departed  this  life 
May  31,  1867,  and  his  wiie,  Margaret,  died  December  9,  1871. 

Daniel  Buck  Neff  was  the  second  child  of  Ebenezer  and  Susana  (Buck) 
Neff,  and  his  birth  occurred  in  Franklin  county,  Indiana,  May  29,  181 1.  In 
1836  he  removed  to  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  and  a  short  time  thereafter  took 
up  his  residence  near  Newark,  Kendall  county,  this  state,  where  he  continued 
to  reside,  carrying  on  a  farm,  until  his  death,  January  26,  1865.  The  wife 
and  mother,  whose  maiden  name  v/as  Maria  Thomas,  was  born  in  Kentucky 
November  22,  1814.  She  was  married  to  Mr.  Neff  in  Indiana,  in  the  year 
1832,  and  at  the  time  of  her  death,  July  21,  1880,  resided  in  Newark,  Kendall 
county,  Illinois. 

Frank  T.  Neff  was  born  on  the  farm  at  the  old  home  of  the  family, 
in  Kendall  county,  Illinois,  November  24,  1854,  and  was  the  youngest  of  the 
five  children  born  to  Daniel  and  Maria  Neff.  He  obtained  his  elementary 
education  in  the  district  schools,  later  was  a  student  in  the  public  schools  of 
Newark,  Illinois,  and  pursued  the  higher  branches  of  learning  for  three  years 
at  Fowder  Institute.  Having  completed  this  course  of  mental  training,  he 
was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  for  a  time  at  Newark,  Illinois,  and 
during  the  years  1874  and  1875  was  a  student  of  the  Chicago  College  of 
Pharmacy,  afterward  embarking  in  the  drug  business  in  Rantoul,  Cham- 
paign county,  Illinois,  in  which  he  was  engaged  until  February,  1877.  when 
he  removed  to  Marseilles,  continuing  in  the  drug  business  until  in  October, 
1883.  On  January  8,  1884,  he  was  elected  a  director  and  cashiei  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  this  place, — a  position  which  he  has  most  creditably 
filled  for  fifteen  years.  He  is  one  of  the  largest  stockholders  in  this  flourish- 
ing institution,  which  ranks  high  among  the  leading  banks  of  the  county  and 
state,  and  no  small  credit  is  due  him  for  the  wise  and  efficient  management 
of  its  finances. 

The  exceptional  ability  of  Mr.  Neff  as  a  careful  financier  has  been  recog- 
nized by  those  competent  of  judging  his  merits  in  this  particular.  He  was 
city  treasurer  of  Marseilles  for  several  years,  and  is  now  serving  as  township 
treasurer  of  schools,  and  holds  many  other  ofiices  of  trust.  Politically  he 
is  a  staunch  Republican.     In  the  Masonic  fraternity  he  has  attained  the 


94  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

Knight  Templar  degree,  and  is  identified  with  Marseilles  Lodge,  No.  417^ 
A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  Shabbona  Chapter,  No.  37,  R.  A.  M.,  of  Ottawa,  and  Ottawa 
Commandery,  No.  10,  K.  T.,  of  Ottawa,  Illinois. 

He  was  married  to  Corintha  Brundage,  at  Marseilles,  February  19,  1879^ 
she  being  the  daughter  of  the  late  Milton  Brundage,  of  Marseilles.  Her 
mother,  Ann  E.,  is  now  the  wife  of  G.  E.  Wheeler,  residing  in  Minneapolis^ 
Minnesota. 


GEORGE  J.    CRAM. 


George  J.  Cram,  the  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Marseilles  (Illinois) 
Manufacturing  Company,  is  the  architect  of  his  own  fortunes,  having  worked 
his  way  up  from  an  errand  boy  to  his  present  honorable  and  responsible 
position.  His  parents  moved  to  Canada,  remaining  there  a  few  years,  and 
while  they  were  in  Lindsay,  Ontario,  the  subject  of  this  biography  was  born, 
in  June,  i860.  The  parents  were  George  C.  Cram  and  Agnes  (Jackson) 
Cram.  The  father  was  born  in  New  Hampshire  in  1823,  and  when  he  had 
attained  mature  years  he  engaged  in  the  packing  business  at  Brighton,  a 
suburb  of  Boston,  Massachusetts.  He  then  moved  his  family  to  Canada,  and 
for  nine  years  was  a  farmer  of  that  country.  In  1866  he  moved  to  Blooming- 
dale,  Du  Page  county,  this  state,  and  the  year  following  to  Marseilles,  where 
he  now  resides.  After  locating  here  he  dealt  in  meat  and  ice  until  his  retire- 
ment from  business.  He  married  Miss  Agnes  Jackson,  who  was  born  in^ 
Edinboro,  Scotland,  and  came  to  America  in  her  girlhood.  Her  father, 
George  Jackson,  was  a  soldier  in  the  British  army,  held  a  captain's  commis- 
sion, and  fought  in  the  battle  of  Waterloo.  She  died  in  1878,  leaving  the- 
following  children:  Elizabeth,  William  F.,  a  druggist,  Jennie,  George  J., 
Agnes  E.,  Lillian  V.,  Lewis  F.  and  Ralph  M. 

After  graduating  at  the  high  school  of  this  city,  George  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Marseilles  Manufacturing  Company,  in  the  humble  capacity 
of  errand  boy.  He  was  retained  in  this  department  for  one  year,  his  cheer- 
ful obedience  and  attention  to  business  winning  him  the  commendation  of 
his  employers,  with  the  result  that  he  was  promoted  to  the  position  of  ship- 
ping clerk,  where  he  continued  two  years.  From  there  he  entered  the  office 
and  was  assistant  bookkeeper  another  year,  when  he  took  the  road  in  the 
interest  of  the  company,  and  for  three  years  w-as  one  of  the  best  traveling: 
men  in  their  employ.  They  were  in  need  of  a  head  bookkeeper  and  tendered 
the  place  to  Mr.  Cram.  Two  years  were  spent  in  the  office  as  cashier  and 
bookkeeper,  and  he  was  then  placed  in  charge  of  their  collecting  department, 
where,  for  one  more  year,  he  demonstrated  his  usefulness  and  interest  in  the- 
concern,  and  was  again  rewarded  by  being  elected  to  the  office  of  secretary 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  95 

and  treasurer  of  the  business,  vice  Oliver  R.  Adams,  deceased,  who  had  held 
the  office  for  seventeen  years. 

Mr.  Cram  was  married,  in  1882,  to  Miss  Allie  Armstrong,  of  Marseilles, 
a  daughter  of  John  A.  and  Amy  (Davis)  Armstrong.  They  have  three  chil- 
dren :  Roy  v..  Myrtle  L.  and  George  A.  Mr.  Cram  is  a  Republican,  but 
his  life  has  been  too  busy  to  admit  of  dabbling  in  politics.  He  is  one  of  our 
most  prominent,  public-spirited  citizens,  and  is  ever  ready  to  advance  the 
welfare  of  the  city  in  any  way  in  his  power.  He  served  as  a  member  of  the 
board  of  education  for  several  years,  and  is  secretary  of  the  Manufacturers' 
Bridge  Company,  of  this  city.  His  industry  and  integrity  have  made  him 
many  friends,  including  the  members  of  the  company  Vvdiich  he  has  so  faith- 
fully served  and  the  general  public;  and  few  men  can  present  a  more  meri- 
torious record  than  George  J.  Cram. 


E.    P.    NITSCHELM. 


The  subject  of  this  narrative,  elected  supervisor  in  1897  and  still  acting 
in  that  capacity,  is  a  member  of  the  firm  of  W.  J.  Sinon  &  Company,  pro- 
prietors of  the  Sanicula  Mineral  Springs  near  Ottawa,  and  manufacturers  of 
seltzer  and  carbonated  waters. 

Mr.  Nitschelm  is  a  native  of  France,  his  birth  having  occurred  March 
14,  1844.  His  father,  J.  W.  Nitschelm,  likewise  of  that  country,  was  born 
October  19.  1808,  and  came  to  Ottawa  with  his  family  in  1849,  ^^^  ^^^^ 
November  17,  1899.  He  was  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Paris  and  for 
years  was  a  very  successful  veterinary  surgeon.  Now,  in  his  declining  days, 
he  is  tenderly  cared  for  by  his  daughter  Helen.  The  good  wife  and  mother, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Helen  Wideman,  died  in  August,  1896,  at  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  eighty-six  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  twelve  children, 
three  of  w^hom — Mary,  Adeline  and  Frederic — are  deceased,  the  last  men- 
tioned having  come  to  the  United  States  and  died  in  Peoria,  Illinois.  The 
children  who  survive  are  E.  P.,  of  this  sketch,  Mrs.  A.  Bernard  and  Eliza, 
widow  of  A.  Bastian. 

Having  mastered  the  details  of  a  practical  business  education,  Mr. 
Nitschelm  learned  the  trade  of  manufacturing  soda  water  and  so-called  ''soft" 
drinks,  and  in  1884  he  entered  into  partnership  with  W.  J.  Sinon,  with  whom 
he  has  since  been  associated,  to  their  mutual  profit.  They  manufacture 
ginger  ale,  birch  beer,  seltzer  and  carbonated  waters,  and  enjoy  a  large  and 
lucrative  trade.  The  unrivaled  Ottawa  ginger  ale  and  birch  beer  is  made 
with  water  from  the  justly  celebrated  Ottawa  Mineral  Springs,  which,  ac- 
cording to  the  analysis  of  the  noted  chemist,  Dr.  Benjamin  Silliman,  of  Yale 


96  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

College,  contains  in  solution  over  one  hundred  and  seventy  grains  of  min- 
erals and  gases  to  the  gallon.  A  marked  but  agreeable  flavor  is  thereby  im- 
parted to  the  water,  which  has  been  found  to  be  a  wonderful  remedy  for 
various  disorders  of  the  stomach,  liver  and  digestive  organs.  In  connection 
with  the  springs  W.  J.  Sinon  &  Company  conduct  the  finest  mineral  springs 
bath-house  in  this  part  of  the  west. 

As  a  public  official  Mr.  Nitschelm  has  always  been  found  thoroughly 
trustworthy  and  reliable.  In  the  Democratic  party  he  has  been  aggressive 
and  devoted,  and  usually  makes  it  a  point  to  be  present  at  the  local  and 
county  conventions.  Socially  he  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  to  the 
United  Workmen  of  America  and  to  the  Select  Knights. 

In  1878  Mr.  Nitschelm  was  married,  in  this  town,  to  Miss  Carrie  Myers, 
a  daughter  of  Peter  Myers,  a  well-known  citizen.  Mrs.  Nitschelm  was  born 
and  reared  in  Ottawa  and  received  her  education  in  its  excellent  public 
schools.  Three  children  have  blessed  the  union  of  this  worthy  couple.  The 
eldest  born,  Charles  Louis,  graduated  at  the  Northwestern  University,  near 
Chicago,  Illinois,  April  6,  1899,  and  died  May  3  following;  Arthur  is  the 
next  in  order  of  birth;  and  Carrie,  the  only  daughter,  is  attending  the  Ottawa 
public  schools. 


DONALD   A.    NICHOLSON. 

An  honored  veteran  of  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  and  for  a  number  of 
years  a  representative  business  man  of  Marseilles,  Donald  A.  Nicholson  en- 
joys the  confidence  and  high  regard  of  the  community.  His  strong  person- 
ality, his  broad  and  progressive  views  and  his  busy  and  useful  career  have 
made  him  a  power  for  good  wherever  he  has  dwelt. 

Donald  A.  Nicholson  is  a  grandson  of  Donald  and  son  of  the  Rev.  Don- 
ald Nicholson,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Scotland.  The  mother  of  our 
subject  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Elizabeth  Boyce,  her  father  being  Benja- 
mm  Boyce,  of  Canada.  For  several  years  subsequent  to  their  marriage  Don- 
ald and  Elizabeth  Nicholson  resided  in  Canada,  but  in  1843  they  removed 
to  Will  county,  Illinois,  where  the  father  followed  his  accustomed  occupation 
of  farming.  He  was,  moreover,  a  minister  in  the  Christian  church,  and  ac- 
complished much  in  his  noble  mission  of  aiding  and  uplifting  mankind.  In 
1850  he  located  upon  a  farm  near  Marseilles,  in  the  township  of  Manlius 
(now  known  as  Miller),  and  there  he  continued  to  reside  until  his  death,  in 
1862.    His  widow  survived  him  until  1886,  dying  at  Joliet,  Illinois. 

Born  near  the  town  of  Kingston,  Canada,  July  6,  1834,  Donald  A.  Nich- 
olson is  one  of  three  children,  two  of  whom  were  daughters;  and  his  early 
school  days  were  spent  in  the  Queen's  dominions.    Later  he  was  a  student  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  97 

the  schools  of  Will  county,  and  completed  his  education  in  the  Henry  (Illi- 
nois) high  school.  He  had  started  out  in  business  as  a  stone-mason  when 
the  civil  war  broke  out,  and  upon  the  20th  of  July,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany K,  Thirty-ninth  Regiment  of  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  made 
second  lieutenant.  On  the  14th  of  June,  1862,  he  resigned,  but  re-entered 
the  service  in  December,  1864,  as  first  lieutenant  of  Company  E,  One  Hun- 
dred and  Fifty-third  Regiment  of  Illinois  Infantry.  During  the  two  years 
and  nine  months  of  his  army  life  he  participated  in  numerous  battles  and 
lesser  engagements,  and  it  was  not  until  September,  1865,  that  he  was  mus- 
tered out  at  Springfield,  his  rank  then  being  that  of  captain.  Resuming  his 
former  line  of  employment,  Mr.  Nicholson  for  years  gave  his  whole  attention 
to  stone-masonry,  building  private  dwellings  and  public  works  of  various 
kinds,  including  the  foundations  and  approaches  to  bridges.  For  the  past 
forty-six  years  he  has  made  his  home  in  Marseilles.  In  1868  he  was  elected 
to  the  ofBce  of  police  magistrate  and  capably  discharged  his  duties  during  the 
four  years  of  his  incumbency.  Later  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  for 
the  town  of  Manlius,  and  in  1897  he  was  made  city  attorney  of  Marseilles, 
and  is  still  serving  the  public  in  this  position.  He  is  a  stalwart  Republican, 
and  fraternally  is  a  member  of  the  Joseph  Woodruff  Post,  No.  281,  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Nicholson  and  Miss  Sally  A.  Clark,  which  was 
solemnized  in  this  county  January  22,  1857,  was  blessed  with  six  children, 
namely:  Hiland  F.;  Will  C;  Mary  E.,  wife  of  Frank  E.  Smith;  Miles  S.; 
John  M.;  and  Elizabeth,  wife  of  T.  D.  Brewster.  Mrs.  Nicholson,  who  was 
born  June  9,  1834,  in  Ohio,  and  reared  in  LaSalle  county  here,  is  a  daughter 
of  Adolphus  and  Sally  (Loring)  Clark,  worthy  and  esteemed  citizens  of  this 
section  of  the  state. 


EDWARD  W.  BACH. 


Edward  W.  Bach,  the  secretary  of  the  Standard  Fire  Brick  Company, 
is  a  young  man  whose  business  ability  is  far  beyond  his  years,  and  was 
prominently  connected  with  the  leading  manufacturing  interests  of  the 
city  of  Ottawa,  Illinois,  before  he  had  attained  his  twenty-first  year.  He 
enjoys  a  wide  acquaintance  throughout  the  surrounding  country,  and  is  one 
of  our  most  popular  citizens. 

He  was  born  in  this  city  in  October,  1872,  his  parents  being  Andrew 
E.  and  Mary  L.  Bach.  His  father  was  a  native  of  the  state  of  New  York, 
having  been  born  at  Manlius,  Madison  county,  November  5,  1848,  and  at 
the  age  of  eight  years  moved  with  his  parents  to  this  city,  where  he  has 
since  lived.     After  passing  through  the  public-school  curriculum  he  learned 


98  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

the  trade  of  a  wagon  and  carriage  maker,  following  it  for  years.  He 
has  long  been  considered  one  of  the  best  accountants  in  the  city  and  most 
reliable.  He  served  as  assessor  and  collector  of  Ottawa  township,  and 
was  then  chosen  deputy  circuit  clerk,  performing  the  duties  in  such  an 
able  manner  that  he  was  appointed  to  the  office  of  deputy  county  clerk  in 
1894,  and  is  now  one  of  the  most  popular  men  in  the  county. 

Edward  Bach  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  his  native  city,  graduating 
at  the  high  school  and  finishing  a  good  business  education  with  a  course  in 
the  Ottawa  Commercial  College.     In  1892  he  accepted  a  position  as  book- 
keeper for  Thomas  D.  Catlin,  at  the  same  time  holding  other  responsible 
positions.     The  year  previous  he  had  charge  of  the  books  of  Hess,  Crotty 
&  Williams'  brick  factory,  also  the  Brickton  and  Dayton  factories'  books. 
In  November,  1895,  the  Standard  Fire  Brick  Company,  of  Ottawa,  Illinois, 
was   organized  and  put   in   operation   with   a   capital  stock  of  twenty-five 
thousand  dollars.     John  ^^'.  Channel  was  made  president  and  general  man- 
ager, Thomas  D.  Catlin  vice-president    and    treasurer,    and    E.  W.   Bach 
secretary.    They  purchased  the  Dayton  property,  consisting  of  a  large  four- 
story  stone,  and  a  three-story  frame  building,  with  clay  lands,  water  power 
and  machinery.     Soon  after  they  purchased  of  Hess,  Crotty  &  Williams 
the  latter's  brick  factory  at  Brickton,  and  took  control  in  May,  1896,  increas- 
ing their  capital   stock   to   fifty  thousand   dollars.     Both   plants   are  fully 
equipped  with  the  most  approved  modern  machinery  and  the  output  of 
their  factories  are  considered  among  the  best  goods  on  the  market.     They 
have  excellent  shipping  facilities,  as  they  are  happily  located  on  the  line 
of  two  railroads,  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Ouincy  at  Dayton,  and  the 
Chicago,  Rock  Island  &  Pacific  at  the  Ottawa  factory,  with  private  side- 
tracks at  each.     This  is  among  the  most  important  enterprises  of  Ottawa, 
and  Mr.  Bach  has  labored  earnestly  to  make  it  the  success  it  has  proved 
to  be. 

Mr.  Bach  is  a  member  of  Occidental  Lodge,  No.  40,  A.  F.  &  A.  M., 
also  of  Shabbona  Chapter,  No.  37,  R.  A.  AI.,  and  Ottawa  Commandery,  No. 
10,  Knights  Templar. 


SAMUEL  T.  STILSON. 


Samuel  Talbert  Stilson  (deceased)  was  born  in  Connecticut,  July  16, 
1814,  and  died  in  Earlville,  lUinois,  April  26,  1888.  He  was  a  son  of  Curtis 
and  Abigail  Stilson.  When  he  was  one  year  old  his  parents  removed  from 
Connecticut  to  Chautauqua  county,  New  York,  w^iere  as  pioneer  settlers 
they  became  farmers.  Our  subject  received  a  common-school  education, 
and  when  a  youth  virtually  began  life  for  himself.     When  about  twenty- 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  99 

one  he  began  rafting  logs  down  streams  into  the  Ohio,  finding  a  market 
in  Cincinnati. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-four  he  came  west,  direct  to  LaSalle  county, 
and  secured  farm  lands  at  the  present  town  site  of  Earlville.  He  began 
farming,  prospered  and  at  the  time  of  the  completion  of  the  Chicago,  Bur- 
lington &  Quincy  Railroad  he  had  four  hundred  acres  of  land,  and  hereon 
was  located  Earlville.  The  log  cabin,  his  first  residence,  was  located  on 
what  is  now  Ottawa  street  in  that  town,  near  Church  street.  Almost  on  this 
site  is  now  the  Stilson  homestead,  occupied  by  his  widow  and  which  he 
erected  in  1855.  He  kept  the  first  hotel  in  Earlville  and  was  the  first  mer- 
chant, his  store-room,  hotel  and  residence  being  all  in  the  same  business. 
He  was  also  the  first  banker,  being  associated  for  a  short  time  with  a 
Mr.  Halleck  in  operating  a  private  bank.  He  sold  his  interest  to  Mr.  Hal- 
leck  and  soon  afterward  the  bank  failed  under  the  management  of  Mr. 
Halleck.  He  was  one  of  the  first  grain  merchants  of  Earlville,  and  for  a 
time  was  associated  with  William  R.  Haight,  in  both  the  grain  business  and 
general  merchandising.  They  erected  the  first  elevator  in  Earlville,  in  1857. 
He  never  followed  agriculture  after  1854,  but  raised  considerable  stock 
on  his  several  farms  he  had  secured,  and  dealt  considerably  in  stock  for 
several  years.  He  was  an  organizer  of  and  stockholder  in  the  present  First 
National  Bank  of  Earlville,  organized  in  1885,  and  was  also  an  organizer 
of  the  Curtis  Gang  Plow  Company,  of  Peru,  which  was  at  first  a  large 
institution,  but  not  finally  a  successful  one,  and  Mr.  Stilson  sustained  heavy 
losses.  He  was  a  founder  of  Earlville  and  did  much  for  the  upbuilding 
of  the  place. 

He  was  a  Republican  and  in  early  days  held  minor  offices,  but  was 
never  an  office-seeker  nor  politician.  He  began  life  poor  and  amassed  a 
handsome  fortune.  He  was  a  Royal  Arch  Mason  and  during  the  last  years 
of  his  life  he  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church.  He  married,  in  1839, 
Miss  Eleanor  Wood,  a  native  of  New  York,  who  came  to  Whiteside  county, 
Illinois,  in  1839,  with  her  parents,  bore  him  five  children,  and  died  in  Novem- 
ber, 1852.  One  of  the  above  children  died  in  infancy,  and  four  of  them 
grew  to  maturity.  Davis  B.  Stilson  was  a  soldier  in  the  civil  war,  and  from 
the  effects  of  the  war  service  died,  in  California,  in  1864.  The  three  living 
children  are  Orthencia,  Samuel  Edwin  and  Talbert  U.  The  daughter,  ]\Irs. 
McKinney,  resides  in  New  Mexico.  Edwin  is  in  Grant  county.  Nebraska. 
Talbert  is  a  citizen  of  Earlville.  January  i,  1854,  Mr.  Stilson  was  married 
a  second  time,  wedding  Miss  Sarah  T.  Lukens,  of  Ohio,  who  came  west  with 
her  parents  in  1847  ^^^^  settled  at  Freedom,  LaSalle  county.  Her  parents 
were  Benjamin  and  Elizabeth  (Worrall)  Lukens,  natives  of  Ohio.  They 
lived   and  died   in   LaSalle   county.      Their  father  was   a   farmer.      To   the 


lOO 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


second  marriage  of  Mr.  Stilson  three  daughters  were  born,  namely :  Ella, 
the  wife  of  George  McDonald,  of  Sandwich,  Illinois;  Marie  Bella,  the  wife 
of  Charles  Hass,  of  Earlville;  and  one,  Lizzie  C,  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr. 
'  Stilson  was  ever  ready  to  help  his  fellowmen  and  aid  good  enterprises,  and 
was  highly  patriotic — a  leader,  a  friend  of  culture,  education  and  the  church. 
He  gave  to  all,  Methodist  Episcopal,  Presbyterian  and  Universalist,  churches 
-of  Earlville  the  lots  on  which  stand  their  buildings. 


WILLIAM  R.  HAIGHT. 


This  gentleman,  one  of  the  foremost  citizens  of  Earlville,  and  the  presi- 
dent of  the  First  National  Bank  of  this  place,  is  a  pioneer  of  Illinois,  and 
during  the  almost  half  century  of  his  residence  in  the  state  has  been  more 
instrumental  in  advancing  the  interests  of  his  community  and  county  than 
most  of  his  contemporaries.  He  possesses  unusual  public  spirit  and  patriot- 
ism, and  to  his  efforts  Earlville  is  deeply  indebted  for  many  of  the  benefits 
which  she  enjoys. 

The  Haight  family  was  founded  in  America  several  generations  ago 
and  originated  in  Scotland.  The  great-grandfather  of  our  subject  was  born 
in  the  land  of  heather  and  came  to  this  country  with  his  parents  when  he 
"was  very  young.  His  parents  settled  in  Vermont.  Benjamin,  the  grand- 
father of  our  subject,  was  a  native  of  Vermont;  his  life  was  spent  in  New 
England,  and  he  lived  to  be  about  three-score  years  old.  His  widow  sur- 
vived him,  living  to  be  almost  one  hundred  years  old.  They  were  the 
parents  of  the  following  children:  John  Haight,  when  twenty-two  years 
of  age,  set  out  from  his  native  state,  walked  to  Pickering,  Canada  (West), 
and  there  located  and  became  a  prominent  figure  as  a  Quaker  minister. 
He  established  an  orthodox  Quaker  church  at  Pickering  and  other  places; 
and  his  sister  Lydia  was  also  prominent  as  a  Quaker  minister,  and  was  for 
a  period  stationed  at  Peru,  New  York.  Leonard  Haight,  another  of  this 
same  family,  also  became  a  resident  of  Pickering.  The  other  children  were 
Benjamin,  the  father  of  our  subject;  and  Hannah  Haight,  who  married  a  Mr. 
Bears,  and  resided  in  Addison  county,  Vermont.  Lydia  married  B.  Hal- 
leck  and  became  a  Quaker  minister,  and  later  in  life  resided  at  Keeseville, 
New  York. 

Benjamin  Haight  married  Susan  Rutherford.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
were  natives  of  Addison  county,  Vermont,  and  removed  to  St.  Lawrence 
county,  same  state,  where  they  settled  on  a  farm  and  reared  their  three 
sons  and  three  daughters.  Of  their  children,  William  R.,  the  subject  of  this 
review,  John  L.,  a  farmer  of  Parishville,  New  York,  and  Mary,  widow  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  loi 

Amasa  Grandy,  of  Malone,  New  York,  are  the  only  members  of  the  family 
now  living.  George  Haight  came  west  in  1848,  first  resided  in  Wisconsin, 
and  later  in  Missouri,  where  he  died.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  Of 
these  children,  Emily  died  in  infancy,  and  Lydia  died  at  the  age  of  thirty- 
two  years. 

Benjamin  Haight,  the  father,  was  associated  with  the  Society  of 
Friends,  and  died  in  New  York  when  he  was  in  his  seventy-eighth  year; 
and  his  wife,  who  adhered  to  the  Methodist  faith,  lived  to  attain  her  ninetieth 
year.  Her  father,  Daniel  Rutherford,  of  Vermont,  and  of  English  descent, 
was  a  farmer,  and  served  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  died  when  but 
little  past  the  prime  of  life,  and  left  four  children. 

The  birth  of  William  R.  Haight  took  place  in  Monkton,  Addison  county, 
Vermont,  September  12,  1822.  After  completing  his  district-school  edu- 
cation he  was  a  student  at  the  St.  Lawrence  Academy  for  a  period,  after 
which  he  successfully  taught  for  ten  terms  in  St.  Lawrence  county.  New 
York.  He  next  clerked  in  a  store  at  Parishville,  same  state,  for  four  years. 
In  1850  he  came  to  Illinois,  taking  up  his  residence  in  Elgin.  He  soon 
obtained  employment  in  the  engineers'  corps  of  what  was  then  known 
as  the  Chicago  &  Galena  Union  Railroad  Company.  The  road  then  ran 
to  Freeport,  where  it  connected  with  the  Illinois  Central  line,  then  in  course 
of  construction.  After  remaining  with  that  corporation  for  two  years,  Mr. 
Haight  removed  to  Aurora  and  took  charge  of  the  building  of  a  section 
of  road  on  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincv,  between  Mendota  and 
Leland.  When  this  work  had  been  successfully  completed  he  served  as  a 
civil  engineer  for  the  Bureau  Valley  Railroad  for  a  period. 

In  the  spring  of  1855  he  came  to  Earlville  and  here  engaged  in  the 
grain  business,  in  partnership  with  Samuel  T.  Stilson.  They  erected  the 
first  grain  elevator  of  Earlville,  completing  its  erection  in  1857.  They 
also  conducted  a  general  merchandise  store.  Mr.  Haight  purchased  Mr. 
Stilson's  interest  in  the  store  and  managed  that  for  one  year,  selling  it  out 
in  1857.  He  retained  his  interest  in  the  grain  business  till  1861,  and  then 
followed  merchandising  again  for  two  years.  From  1863  to  1866  he  was 
engaged  in  looking  after  farm  interests,  still  residing  in  Earlville,  but  in 
1866,  as  an  organizer  of  the  Exchange  Bank,  of  Earlville,  he  first  engaged 
in  banking.  He  remained  in  charge  of  this  bank  for  five  years  and  then 
disposed  of  his  interest  in  it.  In  1874  he  removed  to  Chicago,  where  he 
resided  one  year.  Having  traded  for  farm  lands  in  Monroe  county,  Missouri, 
he  removed  to  that  state  and  followed  agricultural  pursuits  and  dealt  in  cattle 
up  to  1879,  when  he  returned  to  Earlville.  For  several  years  thereafter 
his  time  was  taken  up  in  looking  after  various  investments,  but  upon 
the  organization  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Earlville,  in  March  of  1885, 


I02  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

Mr.  Haight  became  its  president,  a  position  he  has  since  held,  his  career  as  a 
banker  marking  him  as  a  successful  financier. 

In  early  manhood  Mr.  Haight  joined  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  in  St.  Lawrence 
county,  New  York.  He  also  belongs  to  Meridian  Lodge,  No.  183,  A.  F. 
&  A.  M.,  and  Aurora  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  Until  the  political  campaign  of 
1896  he  affiliated  with  the  Democratic  party,  but  at  that  time,  being  in 
hearty  sympathy  with  the  Republican  attitude  on  the  money  question, 
he  voted  for  McKinley.  He  has  never  sought  nor  desired  public  office, 
but  has  l3een  town  supervisor  twice,  and  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  one 
term,  in  order  to  satisfy  the  wishes  of  his  friends. 

On  the  7th  of  July,  1853,  Mr.  Haight  married  Ruth  P.  Norton,  a 
daughter  of  William  G.  and  Elmira  (Parker)  Norton.  She  departed  this 
life  December  i,  1870,  aged  thirty-six  years.  Of  the  four  children 
born  to  them  the  youngest,  Sybil  N.,  died  at  the  age  of  ten  months.  George 
H.  is  an  Ottawa  lawyer,  and  William  D.  is  a  physician  located  at  Johnstown, 
Pennsylvania.  The  former  married  Mary  Vosburgh  and  has  four  children — • 
David  M.,  Ruth,  Earl  and  Harold.  William  D.  married  kla  Lacy,  and  all 
of  their  children,  three  in  number,  have  passed  away.  Etta  C.  Haight 
became  the  wife  of  Dr.  John  C.  Sheridan,  of  Johnstown,  Pennsylvania,  and 
their  eldest  child,  Eula,  is  Mrs.  Henry  Geer,  of  Pueblo,  Colorado.  The 
younger  ones  are  Jessie  M.,  John  C,  Jr.,  and  William  R. 

The  second  marriage  of  our  subject  took  place  August  27,  1876,  when 
Mrs.  Ruth  P.  Whaley,  widow  of  J.  M.  Whaley,  became  his  wife.  Mrs.  Haight 
had  five  children  by  her  former  marriage,  but  three  of  the  number  are 
deceased :  Mrs.  Nellie  Lowe,  of  Two  Harbors.  Minnesota,  and  Charles 
E.  Whaley,  of  Chelan,  Washington,  are  tlie  only  survivors.  The  former 
has  two  daughters — DeEtte  and  Ruth,  and  the  two  children  of  Charles  E. 
are  Myrtle  and  Mildred.  Mrs.  Haight's  parents  were  Vinton  and  Susan 
(Parker)  Streator,  both  natives  of  Maine  and  of  English  descent.  In  tracing 
the  history  of  her  ancestors  we  ascertain  that  Jonathan  Streator  was  stationed 
at  Fort  Edwards,  New  York,  during  the  French  and  Indian  war  and  par- 
ticipated in  the  Revolution,  being  at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  Among  his 
children  was  Daniel  Streator,  who  was  born  in  Worcester,  Massachusetts, 
in  1772.  He  married  Rhoda  Stearns,  and  to  them  were  born  Vinton, 
Johnson  and  Stebbins  Streator.  He  removed  from  Massachusetts  to  Leeds, 
Maine,  where  the  above  named  sons  were  born,  Vinton  being  born  in  1794. 
Vinton  Streator  married  Susan  Parker,  and  their  children  were  John  Vinton, 
Josiah  Parker,  Susan  Johnson,  Rhoda  Johnson,  Ruth  Parker,  Philena  Mary, 
Cornelia  Ann,  Elias  Hutchins  and  Lorenzo  Newell.  The  family  removed 
to  Lowell,  Massachusetts,  from  Maine;  from  Lowell  they  started  west,  Octo- 
ber 19,  1850,  and  arrived  at  Ottawa,  Illinois,  November  i,  same  year.    Those 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  103 

who  came  at  that  time  were  the  father  and  mother  and  Josiah,  Ruth,  Philena, 
EHas  and  Newell.  John  had  preceded  them  to  Ottawa.  The  father  was  a 
hero  of  the  war  of  181 2,  and  received  from  the  government  in  consequence 
thereof  a  warrant  for  land  in  LaSalle  county,  Illinois.  In  1852  Mrs.  Haight's 
parents  removed  to  Hudson,  Wisconsin,  where  they  both  died,  her  father  in 
1866  and  her  mother  in  1883.  The  maternal  great-grandfather  of  Mrs. 
Haight  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  Mrs.  Haight  is  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and,  wdth  her  husband,  is  actively  interested  in 
the  causes  of  church,  education  and  whatever  tends  to  the  good  of  humanity. 


WILLIAM    THOMAS. 


To  be  satisfactory,  success  in  life  must  have  been  won  worthily  and  with 
due  regard  for  the  rights  of  the  public.  Such  an  honest  and  well  merited 
success  is  that  which  has  crowned  the  w^orthy  efforts  of  William  Thomas, 
one  of  the  leading  business  men  of  Ottawa,  who  for  more  than  forty  years 
has  been  closely  and  prominently  connected  with  the  development  and  pros- 
perity of  Illinois. 

William  Thomas,  president  of  the  Thomas  Electric  Light  and  Power 
Company,  Ottawa,  Illinois,  was  born  February  20,  182 1,  at  Bristol,  Ontario 
county.  New  York,  a  son  of  Silas  and  Bethia  (Crooker)  Thomas.  His  father, 
who  was  of  Welsh  descent,  was  born  in  Maine  and  served  his  country  as  a 
soldier  in  the  war  of  18 12- 14.  His  mother  was  a  daughter  of  Noah  Crooker, 
who  did  gallant  service  in  the  Revolutionary  war  in  defence  of  American 
liberty.  Mr.  Thomas  died  in  1852,  aged  seventy-two  years,  and  Mrs.  Thomas 
died  in  1881.  They  were  zealous  and  helpful  members  of  the  Christian 
church.  Of  their  ten  children  nine  grew  to  manhood  and  womanhood:  Deb- 
orah, Silas  P.,  Frederick  F.,  Mary  Ann,  Noah  C,  William,  Minerva,  Maria 
and  Bethia.  William  Thomas  received  a  common-school  education,  and  at 
the  age  of  fifteen  removed  with  his  parents  to  Grass  Lake,  Michigan,  and, 
after  aiding  them  to  clear  up  a  farm,  returned  to  New  York,  where  he  learned 
the  carpenter  and  joiner's  trade,  and  worked  at  it  until  1854,  when  he  came 
to  Will  county,  but  again  returned  to  New  York.  In  1857  he  came  west 
once  more,  and  located  at  Lockport,  where  he  was  employed  on  the  Illinois 
and  Michigan  canal  as  a  bridge  builder,  but  the  same  year  he  w^as  made  over- 
seer of  the  repair  shop  at  Lockport.  In  1862  he  was  advanced  to  the  position 
of  assistant  superintendent  of  the  canal,  with  headquarters  at  Ottawa,  since 
which  time  he  has  been  largely  identified  with  that  city.  He  was  also  in 
charge  of  the  construction  of  the  canal  in  Camden.  Illinois,  in  1871,  and  of 
several  other  important  engineering  works.     December  i,  1 871,  he  was  pro- 


I04  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

moted  to  the  position  of  general  superintendent  of  the  canal,  with  his  office 
at  Lockport,  and  retained  the  position  until  July,  1885.  At  that  date  he  re- 
signed in  order  to  devote  his  time  to  the  interests  of  the  Thomas  Electric 
Light  and  Power  Company,  of  which  he  was  the  founder.  Since  that  time  he 
has  devoted  his  active  energies  to  assisting  in  the  work  of  the  company.  This 
is  an  incorporated  concern,  with  a  capital  of  fifteen  thousand  dollars,  which 
operates  the  dynamos  that  furnish  light  to  the  city. 

February  22,  1844,  Mr.  Thomas  was  married,  at  Bristol,  Ontario  county, 
New  York,  to  Miss  Phoebe  D.  Wilder,  a  daughter  of  John  Wilder.  Mrs. 
Thomas  died  in  Ottawa  in  1889.  leaving  a  daughter,  who  is  the  wife  of  Col- 
onel Douglas  Hapeman.  the  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Thomas  Electric 
Light  &  Power  Company.  The  only  other  child  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas 
died  in  infancy.  Mrs.  Thomas  was  a  woman  of  fine  abilities  and  great  benev- 
olence, and  was  an  active  and  zealous  worker  in  the  Congregational  church; 
and  in  its  Sunday-school  for  many  years  she  taught  an  ever-changing  class 
of  young  boys,  to  many  of  the  members  of  which  she  was  a  spiritual  mother. 
Dr.  Lempke,  now  one  of  the  prominent  physicians  of  Chicago,  was  one  of 
the  many  upon  whom  she  exerted  powerful  influence  for  good.  Her  sunny 
disposition  and  her  many  acts  of  kindness  made  her  a  favorite  with  all.  Mr. 
Thomas  has  been  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church  for  more  than 
thirty  years,  helpfully  devoted  to  all  its  interests.  Politically  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican. He  became  known  early  in  life  as  an  abolitionist,  and  cast  his  first 
presidential  vote  in  1844,  for  James  G.  Birney.  In  1856  he  voted  for  John 
C.  Fremont  and  in  i860  for  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  since  then  he  has  been 
actively  identified  with  progressive  Republican  work.  Mr.  Thomas  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  being  a  Knight  Templar.  He  is  also  a  member 
of  the  Society  of  Sons  of  the  Revolution. 

The  life  of  William  Thomas  has  been  a  busy  one  from  boyhood.  He 
was  scarcely  sixteen  when  he  began  his  business  career,  and  now,  at  the  age 
of  seventy-eight,  he  is  still  able  and  active,  and  is  honored  as  one  who  has 
done  well  for  himself  and  the  community  in  which  he  has  lived  and  upon 
whom  the  reward  of  business  success  has  most  deservedlv  fallen. 


LARS  HAYER. 


As  a  biography  of  the  representative  men  of  LaSalle  county,  Illinois, 
this  book  would  be  decidedly  incomplete  without  more  than  a  passing  notice 
of  the  gentleman  whose  name  appears  at  the  head  of  this  sketch.  He  has 
been  one  of  the  prominent  men  of  Miller  township  for  years,  and  is  known 
throughout  the  entire  county  for  the  efficiency  with  which  he  has  performed 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  105 

his  duties  as  a  public  officer.  He  was  born  in  the  township  in  which  he  now 
resides,  near  Danway,  on  March  15,  1846,  and  is  a  son  of  OHver  and  JuHa 
(Elefson)  Hayer. 

OHver  Hayer  was  born  in  TilHmarken,  Norway,  March  22,  1820,  and 
there  grew  to  manhood,  learning  the  trade  of  shoemaker  in  that  country.  He 
sailed  for  the  United  States  when  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age  and  first 
located  in  Rock  county,  Wisconsin,  where  he  lived  two  years,  coming  from 
there  to  this  county  in  1844.  He  purchased  a  farm  in  section  16,  and  re- 
mained upon  it  for  eight  years,  finally  disposing  of  it  to  advantage  and  buy- 
ing two  hundred  acres  on  an  adjoining  section.  He  was  a  good  farmer  and 
derived  a  neat  income  from  the  product  of  his  farm.  He  was  a  man  of  deeply 
religious  nature  and  a  member  of  the  church  of  the  Latter  Day  Saints.  He 
was  married  in  the  township  of  Rutland,  this  county,  on  April  18,  1845,  to 
Miss  Julia  Elefson,  who  was  born  in  Norway  April  i,  182 1,  and  is  now  resid- 
ing on  the  homestead.  She  is  a  bright,  cheerful  lady,  whose  declining  years 
are  spent  in  scattering  sunshine  by  kind  deeds  and  words  to  those  about  her. 
Five  sons  and  three  daughters  were  born  to  this  union,  all  of  whom  are  living, 
namely:  Lars,  who  is  the  eldest  and  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Christian,  a 
resident  of  Eagle  Grove,  Wright  county,  Iowa;  Ann  Hanson,  of  this  town- 
ship; Oliver,  a  resident  of  Lamoni,  Decatur  county,  Iowa,  as  is  Eli,  the 
brother  next  in  age;  Matilda,  wife  of  C.  Wickwire,  of  Kentland,  Newton 
county,  Indiana;  Mrs.  Caroline  Lysinger,  of  Wright  county,  Iowa;  and 
Charles,  a  resident  of  Seneca,  this  state.  Their  father  reached  the  age  of 
sixty-seven  years  when  the  angel  of  death  called  him  to  his  reward,  October 
31,  1886. 

Lars  Hayer  is  a  product  of  LaSalle  county  who  reflects  credit  upon  it 
by  his  honorable  life  and  upright  dealings.  His  education  was  obtained  in 
the  public  schools  and  his  early  years  spent  upon  his  father's  farm,  where  he 
assisted  in  the  work.  He  has  one  of  the  most  attractive  homes  in  the  coimty, 
with  pleasant,  commodious  buildings,  beautiful  and  refreshing  shade-trees, 
and  well  cultivated  fields.  This  land  was  purchased  by  him  in  1873,  and  has 
well  repaid  the  care  and  labor  expended  in  its  improvement. 

■  On  March  22,  1878,  Mr.  Hayer  and  Miss  Fena  Johnson  were  made 
man  and  wife.  Mrs.  Hayer  is  a  native  of  Norwegian  land,  where  she  was 
educated  and  received  the  teaching  that  has  made  her  peculiarly  adapted  to 
become  the  helpmeet  of  an  energetic,  frugal  farmer  like  Mr.  Hayer.  She 
arrived  in  this  country  in  July,  1872,  first  living  in  Minnesota,  and  in  January, 
1876,  came  to  LaSalle  county.  Her  father,  Thomas  Johnson,  died  October 
10,  1887;  her  mother  is  a  resident  of  the  United  States,  making  her  home 
with  her  children  in  this  vicinity.  Six  children  have  blessed  the  union  of  this 
worthy  couple,  to  whom  they  are  an  inspiration  and  aid.    They  are  Dollie  J., 


io6  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

born  November  30,  1878;  Orin  T.,  April  6,  1882;  Lottie,  September  20, 
1885;  Cora.  Aug-ust  8,  1888;  Maggie,  October  18.  1890;  and  Francis,  July 
28,  1893. 

Probably  no  man  in  the  township  has  taken  a  greater  interest  and  more 
prominent  part  in  the  work  of  the  Republican  party  than  has  our  subject.  He 
has  served  in  many  offices,  was  assessor  for  three  years,  township  collector 
for  a  time,  and  in  1894  was  elected  township  supervisor,  an  office  in  which 
he  is  still  retained.  His  pubHc  life  has  been  above  reproach  and  has  given 
the  most  perfect  satisfaction  to  his  constituents,  while  his  jovial,  kindly  dis- 
position makes  him  a  favorite  with  all  who  meet  him  and  his  life  well  worthy 
of  emulation. 


CAPTAIN  ANGUS   ROSS   MERCER. 

Ottawa  is  rapidly  working  up  to  a  place  in  the  front  ranks  of  the  leading 
industrial  centers  of  the  state  of  Illinois.  Many  new  plants  and  manufac- 
turing concerns  have  been  located  here  during  the  past  decade,  as  excellent 
shipping  facilities  are  afforded  and  numerous  advantages  present  themselves 
to  the  attention  of  the  commercial  world.  Among  the  new  enterprises 
destined  to  bring  the  town  into  yet  greater  prominence  than  ever  before  was 
the  establishment  of  the  United  States  Silica  Company's  plant  in  the  southern 
part  of  Ottawa.  Four  years  have  passed  and  the  business  has  grown  remark- 
ably, among  the  customers  of  the  concern  being  many  of  the  best  flint  houses 
and  glass-makers  of  this  country.  The  buildings,  machinery  and  lands  of  the 
company  are  valued  at  upward  of  sixty  thousand  dollars,  and  the  capacity  of 
the  works  is  placed  at  twenty-five  to  thirty  car-loads  per  day.  The  fifty  acres 
of  land  owned  by  the  company  is  underlaid  with  St.  Peter's  sandstone,  a  vast 
mass  of  silicious  material,  the  strata  varying  in  thickness  from  one  hundred 
and  seventy  to  four  hundred  feet.  No  finer  material  for  the  manufacture  of 
glass  exists,  the  product  possessing  the  necessary  qualities  of  clearness  and 
strength. 

Captain  Angus  Ross  Mercer,  the  superintendent  of  the  United  States 
Silica  Company's  works  in  south  Ottawa,  is  a  gentleman  of  exceptional  busi- 
ness ability,  and  to  his  genius  and  energy  can  be  traced  much  of  the  success 
of  the  enterprise' with  which  he  is  connected.  He  was  born  in  Ontario.  Can- 
ada. April  II,  1858.  of  Scotch  ancestry;  and  many  of  the  family  were  sea- 
faring men.  His  father.  Captain  Alexander  Mercer,  was  for  half  a  century 
a  captain  of  vessels  which  sailed  on  the  great  lakes,  and  the  latter's  father, 
Robert  Mercer,  was  for  a  like  period  on  the  "high  seas."  Our  subject  fol- 
lowed the  example  of  his  seniors,  and  when  a  mere  lad  commenced  sailing  on 
the  great  lakes,  rising  from  one  position  to  another  until  he  was  made  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AXD    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  107 

first  officer  and  captain,  and  finally  he  reached  the  goal  of  his  youthful  de- 
sires and  was  the  owner  of  a  ship.  In  1895  he  assumed  the  superintendency 
of  the  silica  company's  plant,  in  response  to  the  urgent  wishes  of  its  officials, 
and  has  proved  the  "right  man  in  the  right  place." 

Captain  Alexander  Mercer  married  Miss  Ellen  Springstein,  a  native  of 
Canada,  and  to  that  worthy  couple  but  two  children,  sons,  were  born,  namely: 
Angus  R.  and  W.  F.    The  latter  is  now  a  resident  of  Michigan. 

In  his  political  standing  Captain  Angus  R.  Mercer  is  a  Republican,  and 
fraternally  he  is  a  Mason.  His  marriage  w^as  celebrated  June  26,  1881,  the 
lady  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Pauline  Felz.  Mrs.  Mercer  is  a  daughter  of 
Valentine  Felz,  of  Grand  Haven,  Michigan.  To  the  union  of  the  Captain  and 
wife  three  children  have  been  born,  namely:  May  R.,  Valentine  Alexander 
and  Hugh. 


JAMES   T.    WALSH. 


In  the  spring  of  1898  James  T.  Walsh  was  elected  to  the  office  of  alder- 
man, representing  the  fifth  ward  in  the  city  council  of  Ottawa,  county-seat  of 
LaSalle  county.  In  the  ranks  of  the  Democratic  party  in  this  section  he  is 
regarded  as  an  influential  man,  one  of  the  foremost  in  local  campaigns. 

Like  many  of  the  well  known  citizens  of  Ottawa,  James  T.  Walsh  is  a 
native  of  the  Emerald  Isle,  whose  beauties  are  renowned  in  song  and  story. 
He  reached  the  half-century  mark  on  the  8th  of  March,  1899.  He  is  one  of 
the  nine  children  of  Thomas  and  Catherine  Walsh,  the  others  being  as  fol- 
lows :  William,  Jerry,  Cornelius,  John,  Thomas,  Patrick,  Hanora  and  ]\Iary. 
The  four  sons  first  mentioned  are  residents  of  Chicago,  Illinois.  Thomas  is 
the  collector  of  Wallace  township,  LaSalle  county.  Patrick,  Hannah  and 
Mary  are  still  living  in  Ireland.  Though  the  parents  were  not  wealthy  nor 
influential,  they  taught  their  children  the  lessons  of  industry  and  good  citi- 
zenship, and  were  themselves  respected  in  the  community  in  which  they 
dwelt. 

When  twenty  years  of  age.  in  1869,  James  Walsh  crossed  the  Atlantic 
ocean,  with  the  intention  of  making  a  permanent  home  in  the  New  World. 
After  spending  some  time  in  New  York  he  came  to  LaSalle  county,  and  at 
present  he  is  the  owner  of  a  well  stocked  grocery,  finely  located  and  com- 
manding an  extensive  trade.  By  strict  attention  to  the  needs  of  his  customers 
and  by  uniformly  treating  them  with  courtesy  and  fairness  he  has  built  up  a 
profitable  business,  and  stands  well  in  the  estimation  of  all  who  have  had 
dealings  with  him.  A  few  years  ago  it  was  his  esteemed  privilege  to  make 
a  visit  to  the  land  of  his  birth,  where  he  renewed  the  friendships  of  "auld  lang 
syne,"  and  spent  some  time  in  journeying  to  places  with  which  he  was  famil- 


io8  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

iar.     Fraternally  Mr.  Walsh  is  a  member  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United 
Workmen. 

In  Syracuse,  New  York,  the  marriage  of  our  subject  and  Miss  Catherine 
Walsh,  an  old  schoolmate,  was  solemnized  in  1873.  Four  children  have  been 
born  to  this  worthy  couple,  three  sons  and  a  daughter,  namely:  Thomas  P., 
William,  Michael  and  Catherine. 


LEWIS  LONG. 


Since  1825,  the  year  of  his  birth,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  has  been  a 
resident  of  LaSalle  county,  and  since  i860  has  maintained  his  home  on 
his  present  farm,  on  section  28,  Miller  township.  His  long  identification 
with  the  county  and  the  prominent  position  he  occupies  as  one  of  its 
leading  farmers  make  his  history  of  more  than  passing  interest  in  the  present 
work. 

The  Long  family  from  which  Lewis  Long  springs  is  of  German  origin. 
His  grandfather,  Christopher  Long,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Germany  and  came  to 
this  country  when  a  child,  settling  in  New  York.  His  son  Christopher,  the 
father  of  Lewis,  was  born  in  Fulton  county,  New  York,  and  in  1818  came 
from  the  Empire  state  to  Illinois,  that  being  the  year  Illinois  attained  the 
dignity  of  statehood.  In  Pike  county,  this  state,  he  was  married,  March  18, 
1824,  to  Miss  Sallie  Booth,  a  native  of  Connecticut  and  a  daughter  of  A. 
Booth.  The  year  following  their  marriage  they  moved  to  LaSalle  county, 
first  settling  at  South  Ottawa  and  in  1831  moving  to  a  place  near  Marseilles. 
During  the  Black  Hawk  war  he  helped  to  build  the  fort  in  which  the  settlers 
sought  refuge  from  the  Indians.  Mrs.  Long  died  in  1832,  leaving  three 
children :  Catherine,  now  the  wife  of  Elias  Trumbow,  of  Rutland  township, 
LaSalle  county,  Illinois;  Elizabeth,  deceased  wife  of  Jonathan  Stadden;  and 
Lewis,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  For  his  second  wife  Christopher  Long 
married  Mrs.  Alvard,  and  she  bore  him  four  children,  only  one  of  whom 
is  now  living — William  H.  Long,  a  resident  of  Piano,  Illinois.  In  1849  the 
father  died,  on  his  farm,  at  the  age  of  fifty  years.  His  political  afhliations 
were  with  the  Whig  party.  He  took  an  intelligent  interest  in  public 
affairs,  and  was  one  of  the  highly  respected  citizens  of  his  community. 

During  Lewis  Long's  boyhood  educational  advantages  in  LaSalle 
county  were  limited.  He  attended  the  rural  schools,  such  as  they  were, 
during  the  winter  months,  often  having  to  walk  several  miles  to  and  from 
school.  Reared  on  his  father's  farm,  he  early  became  familiar  with  all  kinds 
of  farm  work,  and  learned  that  industry  and  careful  management  were 
essential  to  success;  after  years  have  shown  that  his  early  training  was  not 


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BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  109 

in  vain.  He  settled  on  his  present  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres, 
in  Miller  township,  in  i860.  Besides  this  he  owns  six  hundred  and  forty 
acres  of  land  in  Miller  township,  one  hundred  and  six  acres  in  Brookfield 
township,  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Rutland  township,  and  his  father's 
old  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres — comprising-  a  total  of  one  thousand 
one  hundred  acres,  all  in  LaSalle  county. 

Mr.  Long  was  married  December  14,  1852,  to  Miss  Emily  E.  Barber, 
who  was  born  November  9,  1832,  a  native  of  New  York,  and  the  daughter 
of  Zina  and  Sarah  (Potter)  Barber.  Mrs.  Barber  died  when  Mrs.  Long 
was  four  years  old,  leaving  three  children — Charles  M.,  now  deceased;  Mrs. 
Long;  and  Sarah,  wife  of  M.  Morgan,  of  Crawford  county,  Iowa.  Mr. 
Barber  was  subsequently  married  to  Huldah  Deans,  and  by  her  had  eight 
children,  among  them  being:  Alden,  who  died  in  Libby  prison  during  the 
civil  war;  Cicero,  who  was  killed  in  battle  during  the  civil  war; 
John,  a  veteran  of  the  same  war;  Caroline  Massy;  and  Ruth  Edison. 
Mr.  Barber  died  in  Miller  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  in 
1857.  By  trade  he  was  a  millwright,  politically  was  a  Whig,  and  religiously 
a  Methodist.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Long  have  had  eight  children  and  their  grand- 
children now  number  ten.  Their  first-born,  Sarah  H.,  died  in  infancy.  Of 
the  seven  living,  the  following  record  is  made.  Eugene  C.  is  a  resident 
of  Marseilles,  Illinois;  Emma  F.,  wife  of  Gaylord  J.  States,  of  Miller  town- 
ship, is  the  mother  of  two  children,  Maud  and  Lena;  Charles  W.,  who 
married  Mae  Clark  and  is  now  living  in  Rutland  township,  has  two  children, 
Harry  and  Esther;  Ruth  Inez,  wife  of  George  Finkle,  residing  on  a  farm 
near  Marseilles,  has  three  children,  Alta,  Blanche  and  Ray;  Bertha  A., 
wife  of  F.  Spencer,  of  Rutland  township,  has  one  child,  Grace;  Lewis  Walter, 
who  married  Miss  Cora  B.  Brumback,  has  two  children,  Walter  Floyd  and 
Elsie  L. ;  and  Arthur  F.,  who  married  Miss  Sarah  Etta  Grove,  lives  on  a  part 
of  the  home  farm.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Long  also  reared  from  childhood  Mrs. 
William  H.  States  of  Greene  county,  Iowa. 

While  he  has  never  aspired  to  official  honors  Mr.  Long  has  always 
taken  a  commendable  interest  in  public  affairs  and  party  matters,  and  casts 
his  vote  with  the  Republicans.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Universalist  church. 


ELIAS   HAYER. 


Elias  Hayer,  the  assessor  of  Miller  township  and  for  more  than  a  quarter 
of  a  century  a  resident  in  the  near  vicinity  of  Stavanger,  LaSalle  county,  Illi- 
nois, was  born  in  Lee  county,  Iowa,  in  1848,  and  is  the  son  of  Ole  L.  and 
Martha  (Buland)  Hayer.    The  father  was  a  native  of  Norway,  where  he  grew 


no  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

to  man's  estate,  and  soon  after  reaching  his  majority  he  came  to  America. 
His  first  stopping  place  was  in  Wisconsin,  in  1842,  and  in  1844  he  went  to 
Iowa,  where  he  met  and  married  Miss  Martha  Buland.  In  185 1  he  came  to 
LaSalle  county,  IHinois,  where  the  remainder  of  his  hfe  was  passed.  He  was 
seventy-four  years  old  at  the  time  of  his  death,  and  his  wife  was  in  her  sixty- 
eighth  year.  She  was  a  member  of  the  church  of  the  Latter  Day  Saints. 
They  had  five  children:  Elias;  Samuel,  who  resides  on  the  old  homestead; 
Sarah  Ann  and  Andrew,  deceased;  and  Isabella,  the  wife  of  John  Midgorden, 
of  this  township. 

Elias  Hayer  received  a  good  common-school  education,  and  early 
learned  habits  of  industry,  assisting  in  the  labors  incident  to  farm  life.  He 
was  married  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  years,  the  lady  of  his  youthful  devo- 
tion being  Miss  Annie  Teal,  a  native  of  this  township  and  a  daughter  of  the 
late  Edward  Teal,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  this  county.  Edward  Teal 
married  Miss  Susan  Piester,  a  native  of  Germany,  and  had  a  family  of  five 
children,  namely:  Harriet,  wife  of  T.  Hougas.  of  this  township;  Mary  Jane, 
wife  of  J.  Hougas,  of  Iowa;  Nathan;  Morgan;  and  Annie,  wife  of  our  sub- 
ject. The  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hayer  has  been  blessed  by  the  birth 
of  eight  children,  of  whom  Alillie,  the  eldest,  is  the  wife  of  Thomas  J.  Thorson, 
of  Grundy  county,  this  state;  Silas,  the  second  child  and  eldest  son,  is  now  in 
his  twenty-fifth  year,  and  is  living  at  home;  Laura;  Frederick,  Bessie,  Nellie 
and  Allen  E.  are  all  residing  at  home;  and  next  to  the  youngest,  Olan,  died 
at  the  tender  age  of  six  vears.  Mr.  Haver  and  familv  are  zealous  members 
of  the  church  of  the  Latter  Day  Saints.  He  has  resided  on  his  present  home- 
stead for  over  twenty-nine  years,  and  has  improved  it  until  it  is  one  of  the 
ideal  homes  for  which  Illinois  is  noted.  The  farm  comprises  one  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  of  the  most  fertile  land,  with  large  barns  and  a  fine,  modern 
residence,  which  was  erected  in  1896.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  as  assessor 
of  the  township  has  won  more  than  passing  commendation  for  the  fair  and 
impartial  manner  in  which  he  discharged  his  duties.  Straightforward  and 
honorable  in  his  life,  he  has  the  respect  of  every  one,  and  stands  as  one  of  the 
representative  men  of  LaSalle  county. 


J.   M.    FERRELL. 


J.  M.  Ferrell,  station  agent  at  Marseilles,  Illinois,  was  born  in  Bronson, 
Michigan.  May  29,  1862,  the  son  of  Abel  and  Mary  (Free)  Ferrell.  His 
youthful  days  were  spent  in  obtaining  a  common-school  education,  and  when 
a  boy  he  removed  with  his  parents  from  Michigan  to  Indiana.  When  he 
started  out  in  life  for  himself,  which  was  at  an  early  age,  it  was  in  railroad 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  iii 

business, — first  with  the  Grand  Rapids  &  Indiana  Railroad  in  1879.  In  the 
fall  of  the  same  year  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  Railroad, 
going  to  Mansfield,  Ohio,  and  later  he  was  located  at  Walkerton,  Indiana. 
From  the  latter  place  he  was  transferred  to  the  Chicago,  Rock  Island  &  Pa- 
cific Railroad  in  1882,  at  Cameron,  Missouri,  and  in  1892  to  Marseilles,  his 
present  location,  where  he  has  spent  the  past  eight  years,  and  where  he  is 
well  known  as  the  popular  and  efficient  station  agent  of  his  road. 

Mr.  Ferrell  was  married  at  Unionville,  Iowa,  to  Miss  Belle  Peterson,  of 
that  place. 

Politically  he  is  a  Democrat;  fraternally  a  Mason.  He  identified  him- 
self with  the  Masonic  order  in  1887,  served  three  years  as  worshipful  master 
of  his  lodge,  and  is  deeply  interested  in  Masonry.  He  is  a  member  of  Mar- 
seilles Lodge,  No.  417,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Shabbona  Chapter,  No.  61,  R.  A.  M.; 
and  Ottawa  Commanderv,  No.  10,  K.  T. 


GEORGE   W.    HOLMES. 

Success  in  any  line  of  business  comes  only  as  the  direct  result  of  wisdom, 
experience  and  energy  well  applied,  and  thus  it  is  seen  in  the  case  of  George 
W.  Holmes,  whose  present  prosperity  is  directly  traceable  to  the  years  of 
indefatigable  effort  he  has  expended  in  the  past  in  the  science  of  hotel-keep- 
ing. 

The  family  whence  our  subject  springs  is  of  German  extraction,  his 
ancestors  being  early  settlers  in  Pennsylvania.  His  father,  John  Holmes, 
was  born  in  that  state  in  181 7,  and  the  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Rachel  Weaver,  was  likewise  a  native  of  the  Keystone  state.  She  died  several 
years  ago,  in  Indiana,  and  the  father  is  now  a  resident  of  Ottawa.  Of  their 
nine  children  who  lived  to  maturity  four  sons,  Perry,  Henry,  John  and  Jere- 
miah, were  L^nion  soldiers  in  the  civil  war. 

George  W.  Holmes  was  born  near  the  town  of  Wooster,  Ohio,  in  1837. 
His  father  being  a  hotel-keeper,  it  was  not  strange  that  the  lad  decided  to 
follow  in  the  same  line  of  business,  and  from  his  early  years  he  received  in- 
struction which  fitted  him  for  the  calling.  Going  to  St.  Joseph,  ^Michigan, 
in  1854,  he  there  engaged  in  carpenter  work.  Coming  to  Ottawa  in  1876, 
he  assumed  the  management  of  the  Holmes  Hotel,  as  it  has  since  been 
known,  and  has  won  the  favor  and  patronage  of  the  traveling  and  local  public 
to  a  gratifying  extent.  Making  no  pretensions  to  the  great  elegance  and 
luxuries  of  the  high-priced  hotels  of  the  metropolis,  the  Holmes  Hotel  takes 
its  place  upon  its  own  merits,  and  is  noted  for  its  homelikeness,  its  comforts 
and  excellent  bill  of  fare,  all  furnished  at  moderate  prices. 


112  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

Mr.  Holmes,  who  is  deservedly  popular  with  his  guests  and  with  the 
citizens  of  Ottawa  in  general,  is  a  man  of  splendid  physique,  as  he  is  six  feet 
and  one  inch  in  height,  and  weighs  two  hundred  and  fifteen  pounds,  thus 
dw'arfing  men  of  ordinary  size  by  comparison.  His  time  is  too  thoroughly 
occupied  for  outside  interests,  but  he  uses  his  franchise  in  favor  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party  and  its  nominees. 

On  October  4,  1859,  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Holmes  and  Miss  Elizabeth 
Bennage,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  daughter  of  Jacob  Bennage,  was 
celebrated  in  St.  Joseph  county,  Michigan.  Three  daughters  were  born  to 
our  subject  and  his  estimable  wife,  but  Harriet  A.  died  at  the  age  of  six  years; 
Emma  E.  married  M.  L.  Sample,  of  Chicago;  Georgia  Anna  is  the  wife  of 
J.  Zeller,  of  Ottawa,  Illinois. 


CHRISTIAN  HAEBERLE. 

Christian  Haeberle  is  one  of  the  well  and  favorably  known  citizens  of 
Ottawa,  LaSalle  county,  of  which  town  he  is  a  native,  his  birth  having  oc- 
curred here  February  24,  1861.  He  is  a  son  of  Christian  Haeberle,  Sr.,  wdio 
was  born  in  Wittenberg,  Germany,  and  came  to  the  United  States  at  an 
early  day.  For  many  years  he  was  numbered  among  the  substantial  business 
men  of  Ottawa,  his  sterling  qualities  winning  the  respect  of  all  who  were  in 
any  manner  associated  with  him.  He  married  Miss  Paulina  Heffemer,  and 
to  their  union  two  sons  and  a  daughter  were  born,  namely:  John,  now  a 
resident  of  Broken  Bow,  Nebraska;  Christian,  Jr.;  and  Carrie,  who  is  the 
wife  of  J.  Formhalls,  of  this  place.  The  husband  and  father,  who  was  an 
esteemed  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  society,  died  at  the  age  of  forty-nine 
years,  and  was  buried  with  the  rites  of  that  honored  order. 

Christian  Haeberle,  Jr.,  was  reared  in  Ottawa,  and  received  his  education 
in  the  pubhc  schools  of  the  place.  In  1893  he  became  the  proprietor  and 
assumed  the  management  of  the  Washington  Hotel,  at  No.  219  Main  street, 
and  has  met  with  gratifying  success  in  his  efforts.  The  hotel,  wdiich  is  one 
of  the  most  popular  in  the  county,  Avas  established  by  the  father  of  our  sub- 
ject, who  was  experienced  in  this  line  of  business,  and  safely  launched  the  new 
undertaking,  always  a  doubtful  experiment  in  any  town  or  city.  Long  since 
it  had  won  its  way  into  the  favor  of  the  public,  and  its  high  standard  has 
been  maintained  until  the  present  time.  The  building  is  spacious,  light  and 
well  ventilated,  every  arrangement  being  made  for  the  comfort  and  conven- 
ience of  guests.  An  air  of  neatness  and  homelikeness  pervades  the  place, 
and  the  personal  attention  of  the  proprietor  is  constantly  given  to  the  super- 
vision of  every  detail. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  113 

In  his  political  attitude  Mr.  Haeberle  is  quite  independent,  not  being 
affiliated  with  any  party,  and  reserving  the  right  of  inirestrained  judgment  as 
to  the  nominee  or  principle  which  shall  receive  the  support  of  his  ballot. 
Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen.  He  finds 
an  able  and  willing  assistant  in  the  management  of  his  hotel  in  the  person 
of  his  wife,  a  lady  of  good  education  and  general  attainments.  She  was 
formerly  Miss  Katherine  Flagaus,  and  was  married  to  Mr.  Haeberle  in  1893. 
A  native  of  Ottawa,  she  has  spent  her  entire  life  here,  and  numbers  many 
friends  in  the  community.  The  only  child  of  our  subject  and  wife  is  a  little 
daughter,  Ola,  who  is  a  great  favorite  with  the  guests  of  the  hotel. 


ANDREW    HAMILTON. 

One  of  the  progressive,  prosperous  and  substantial  business  men  of 
Ottawa,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  is  Andrew  Hamilton,  who  was  born  No- 
vember 15.  1837,  in  Fairfield,  Connecticut.  His  parents,  James  and  Isabella 
(Gilchrist)  Hamilton,  were  natives  of  Scotland,  where  they  were  married, 
moving  thence  to  the  United  States  in  1835  and  settling  at  Fairfield,  remain- 
ing there  a  few  years  and  then  locating  near  Rockland  Lake,  Rockland 
county.  New  York,  where  they  resided  until  their  death.  The  father  died  in 
1890,  and  the  mother  in  October,  1897.  There  were  two  boys  and  two  girls 
in  the  family, — Robert,  Andrew,  ]\Iargaret  and  Sarah.  Robert  lives  in  Spring 
Valley,  New  York;  Margaret  in  Monsey,  New  York;  and  Sarah  in  Brook- 
lyn, New  York. 

Andrew  Hamilton  received  his  primary  education  in  the  district  schools 
of  Rockland  county,  supplementing  this  with  two  years  in  the  schools  of 
New  York  city.  He  continued  to  assist  his  father  on  the  farm  until  he  was 
nineteen  years  of  age.  In  1856  he  came  to  LaSalle  county  and  secured  em- 
ployment with  M.  F.  Fairfield.  After  this  he  clerked  in  different  stores  in 
Ottawa  until  1868,  when  he  embarked  in  the  mercantile  business  for  himself, 
opening  a  flour,  feed,  salt  and  cement  store.  He  buys  his  flour  and  feed  by 
car-load  lots  and  sells  at  wholesale  and  retail,  and  also  handles  foreign  and 
domestic  cement.  He  is  nicely  situated  at  222  West  Main  street,  and  has 
worked  up  a  lucrative  trade,  his  courteous  and  accommodating  treatment 
meeting  with  a  quick  response  from  his  customers. 

Mr.  Hamilton  was  married  April  12,  1861,  to  Miss  Eliza  A.  Richards, 
a  native  of  Rockland  Lake,  New  York.  To  them  one  daughter  was  born, 
Eliza,  wife  of  J.  D.  Vincent,  of  Ottawa.  Mrs.  Hamilton  died  February  22, 
1867,  and  in  1876  Mr.  Hamilton  chose  as  the  head  of  his  household  Miss 
Serena  Bailey,  daughter  of  William  Bailey,  a  resident  of  this  city.    They  have 


114  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

a  beautiful  home,  at  the  corner  of  Paul  and  Washington  streets,  in  which  they 
entertain  their  friends  in  the  most  hospitable  manner.  They  are  attendants 
of  the  Congregational  church,  and  are  among  the  most  influential  citizens 
of  Ottawa. 


REV.   THOMAS  S.   KEATING. 

Father  Keating,  pastor  of  the  St.  Columba's  Catholic  church,  is  one  of 
the  most  popular  and  prominent  figures  in  Ottawa.  Much  of  his  life  has 
been  spent  in  our  midst,  and  his  interest  in  the  w^elfare  of  our  city,  together 
with  his  grand,  lofty  character  and  the  excellent  judgment  displayed  in  con- 
nection with  the  noble  institutions  over  which  he  has  almost  complete  juris- 
diction, has  won  for  him  the  commendation  and  admiration  of  all  classes, 
irrespective  of  their  religious  views.  He  was  born  December  21,  1846,  and 
attended  the  pul^lic  schools  of  Morris,  Grundy  county,  Illinois,  until  ten  years 
of  age.  The  following  three  years  were  spent  as  a  student  in  the  Columbus 
school  of  this  city,  after  which  he  entered  St.  Mary's  College,  in  Perry  county, 
Missouri,  from  which  he  graduated  four  years  later.  Having  fully  decided 
upon  consecrating  his  life  to  the  service  of  the  church,  he  entered  the  Uni- 
versity of  St.  Mary's  of  the  Lake,  at  Chicago,  where  he  graduated  in  1865. 
From  Rev.  Dr.  McMullen's  Clerical  Seminary,  which  he  attended  for  two 
years,  he  entered  Mount  St.  Mary's  College,  at  Emmettsburg,  Maryland, 
the  oldest  seminary  in  the  United  States.  Three  years  later  he  graduated 
from  this  institution  and  went  to  Chicago.  It  was  in  compliance  with  a  wish 
of  Dean  Terry,  a  near  relative,  that  he  Avas  ordained  a  priest  in  the  old  St. 
Columba  church,  at  Ottawa,  on  August  19,  1870,  by  Rt.  Rev.  Dr.  Foley, 
bishop  of  Chicago.  Since  then  his  life  has  been  crowded  with  deeds  of  love  and 
usefulness,  and  many  amongst  whom  he  has  labored  bear  loving  testimony 
to  the  good  accomplished  by  him  in  rescuing  them  from  human  weakness. 
He  was  first  assigned  as  assistant  to  the  bishop  at  Chicago,  where  he  re- 
mained until  after  the  great  fire,  when  he  was  permitted  to  be  of  invaluable 
aid  to  many  of  the  unfortunate  sufferers  of  the  scourged  district.  Then  he 
assisted  Dean  Terry  in  his  work  here  until  August.  1873,  when  he  w-as  given 
charge  of  St.  Rosa's  church,  at  Wilmington,  Illinois,  and  during  his  one  year 
at  this  point  organized  a  branch  church  at  Braidwood,  which  had  previously 
been  wdthout  church  or  pastor.  St.  Mary's  church,  at  El  Paso,  Woodford 
county,  was  his  next  charge,  and  there  he  remained  six  years,  establishing 
mission  schools  in  different  towns  in  his  parish,  paying  off  the  church  debt 
and  erecting  a  fine  building  for  a  parochial  school.  During  the  following 
eight  years  he  was  pastor  of  Champaign  and  Rantoul  mission,  building  a 
large  nunnery  for  the  Sisters  of  Notre  Dame,  of  Milwaukee,  erecting  a  church 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  115 

edifice  at  Penfield,  and  collecting  twelve  thousand  dollars  for  the  erection  of 
another  church,  the  contract  for  which  was  let  in  February,  1888,  a  few 
months  before  he  left  the  parish.  In  April  of  that  year  he  took  charge  of  the 
parish  here,  and  the  results  achieved  by  him  seem  almost  incredible. 

St.  Columba's,  of  which  Dean  Keating  is  pastor,  is  one  of  the  finest 
church  edifices  in  Ottawa,  and  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  fifty-two  thousand 
dollars.  A  fine,  mellow-toned  pipe  organ  was  built  for  this  church  and  is 
pronounced  by  the  best  musicians  to  be  an  instrument  wonderful  in  its  depth 
of  volume  and  perfection  of  tone.  Father  Keating  has  endeared  himself  to 
the  people  of  the  parish,  and  gained  the  esteem  of  the  entire  community  by 
his  wisdom  and  by  the  noble  qualities  which  are  his  characteristics.  In  1888 
he  was  appointed  dean  of  the  diocese  of  Peoria,  Illinois,  and  the  work  accom- 
plished by  him  since  then  is  a  record  in  which  he  may  feel  a  pardonable  pride : 
The  greater  part  of  the  church  debt  has  been  lifted;  St.  Xavier's  Academy, 
costing  some  twenty-two  thousand  dollars, completed;  the  boys'  school  estab- 
lished and  new  building  erected;  the  new  deanery  completed,  at  a  cost  of 
fourteen  thousand  dollars;  and  the  cemetery  enlarged  and  improved.  These 
are  some  of  the  visible  results  of  his  work,  but  of  the  good  accomplished  by 
him  as  the  wise  adviser  and  spiritual  director  of  his  people  who  shall  speak? 
His  influence  has  been  far-reaching  and  lasting,  causing  him  to  be  regarded 
with  affectionate  reverence.  On  August  19,  1895,  Dean  Keating  celebrated 
his  silver  jubilee  of  twenty-five  years  in  the  service  of  the  church.  He  is  now 
an  irremovable  pastor  and  one  of  the  best  known  and  respected  citizens  of 
LaSalle  county. 


DAVID   NITTER. 


David  Nitter,  postmaster  of  the  village  of  Norway,  LaSalle  county,  Illi- 
nois, and  the  prosperous  proprietor  of  a  general  store  at  this  place,  dates  his 
birth  in  Chicago,  June  8,  1861. 

Mr.  Nitter  is  a  son  of  William  and  Thea  (Schlanbusch)  Nitter,  both  na- 
tives of  Norway,  who  came  to  this  country  late  in  the  '50s,  where  they  were 
shortly  afterward  married.  The  first  few  years  of  their  married  life  was  passed 
in  Chicago,  whence,  about  1864,  they  came  to  Norway,  LaSalle  county, 
where  he  opened  a  general  store.  His  death  occurred  here  shortly  after  he 
was  established  in  business.  Mrs.  Nitter  subsequently  became  the  wife  of 
John  Quam,  a  farmer,  who  died  about  eighteen  years  ago.  After  his  death 
she  moved  to  Iowa,  where  she  still  lives.  By  her  first  husband  she  had  two 
children,  David  and  a  daughter,  the  latter  dying  in  childhood.  By  her  second 
husband  she  had  seven  children. 

David  Nitter  was  reared  principally  on  a  farm,  his  stepfather  being  a 


Ii6  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

farmer,  and  received  a  fair  education  in  the  common  schools  of  the  district 
and  normal  school  at  Morris,  Illinois,  in  the  year  1881.  He  remained  with 
his  mother  until  the  age  of  sixteen  years,  when  he  left  home  and  began  the 
battle  of  life  for  himself,  starting  out  as  a  clerk.  He  clerked  in  Norway, 
Serena  and  Sheridan,  and  after  a  few  years  thus  spent  he  went  to  Iowa,  where 
"he  was  engaged  in  farming  two  years.  Returning  to  LaSalle  county  at  the 
end  of  that  time,  he  resumed  clerking,  spent  one  year  at  Sheridan  and  two 
years  in  Seneca,  and  in  the  spring  of  1888  engaged  in  business  for  himself 
at  Norway,  where  he  has  since  continued  successfully.  His  beginning  was  a 
restaurant.  To  it  he  from  time  to  time  added  other  lines,  until  he  now  has 
a  complete  general  store,  well  stocked  and  up-to-date  for  an  establishment 
of  its  kind.  In  1889  Mr.  Nitter  was  appointed  the  postmaster  of  Norway, 
which  office  he  has  filled  acceptably  for  the  past  ten  years.  He  is  a  Repub- 
lican. 

Mr.  Nitter  was  married  in  1882  to  Miss  Maria  Marcuson,  a  native  of 
Norway,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  four  children. 


MORTON    E.    DOWNING. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch,  Morton  E.  Downing,  is  the  superintendent  of 
one  of  the  most  important  industries  of  LaSalle  county — the  mining  and 
shipping  of  sand  for  glass  manufacture. 

Mr.  Downing  was  born  in  Bartholomew  county,  Indiana,  January  12, 
1868,  and  is  of  Scotch  origin.  The  family,  however,  have  long  been  identified 
with  America,  having  settled  in  Ohio  at  the  time  of  their  emigration  to  this 
country.  Don  E.  Downing,  the  father  of  Morton  E.,  is  a  native  of  Cincin- 
nati, Ohio,  born  some  sixty-six  years  ago,  and  is  now  a  resident  of  Marshall 
county,  Indiana,  working  at  the  carpenter's  trade  at  Bourbon,  that  state. 
He  and  his  wife,  w^hose  maiden  name  was  Jane  Cassell,  are  the  parents  of  the 
following  named  children :  Mary,  who  married  Joseph  Harris,  resides  in 
Bartholomew  county,  Indiana;  Emma,  wife  of  Thomas  Parrish,  resides  in 
Durand,  Missouri;  Tamar  is  the  wife  of  Harry  Compton,  of  Wedron.  Illinois; 
Morton  E.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Josie,  wife  of  Tyde  Deardorf,  of  Bour- 
bon, Indiana;  and  Julia,  wife  of  Phihp  Baugher,  also  of  Bourbon. 

Morton  E.  Downing,  as  he  grew  up,  spent  some  time  working  at  the  car- 
penters trade,  under  his  father's  instructions,  and  some  time  working  in  a 
machine  shop;  but  on  leaving  his  parental  home  at  the  age  of  twenty-one 
he  took  a  position  as  stationary  engineer  at  Millington,  Illinois.  From  that 
place  he  went  to  Aurora,  this  state,  where  he  filled  a  similar  position  in  the 
Aurora  Chemical  Works,  and  from  there  came  to  his  present  location  at 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  wj 

Weclron.  Here  he  had  charge  of  the  engine  at  the  works  of  the  Wedron. 
White  Sand  Company  until  1896,  when  he  w^as  made  foreman,  and  afterward 
superintendent,  the  position  he  now  holds.  His  continuance  in  the  service- 
of  this  company  and  his  promotion  by  them  is  ample  evidence  of  his  ability 
and  faithfulness. 

Mr.  Downing  was  married  in  McHenry  county,  Illinois,  in  the  town  of 
Woodstock,  June  21,  1897,  to  Miss  Effie  Worden.  They  have  an  only  childj. 
Nora,  born  September,  1898. 


PHILIP    C.   WATTS. 


I 


Prominent  in  the  development  of  LaSalle  county,  the  W^atts  family, 
founded  here  nearly  three-score  years  ago  by  the  subject  of  this  biography, 
is  deserving  of  special  mention.  Loyal,  patriotic  citizens,  always  to  be  relied 
upon  to  use  their  influence  and  ballot  for  the  right  and  best,  for  progress  and 
improvement  in  all  lines,  their  example  is  worthy  of  respect  and  emulation. 

Philip  C.  W^atts,  of  South  Ottawa,  comes  from  one  of  the  honored  old 
families  of  Devonshire,  England.     His  grandfather  in  the  paternal  line  was 
one  Joseph  Watts,  a  farmer,  whose  wife  was  Dolly  (Reed)  Watts.     Our  sub- 
ject, born  in  Devonshire,  June  24,  1822,  is  one  of  the  eight  children  of  John 
and  Elizaljeth  (Challacombe)  Watts.  The  Challacombes  were  direct  descend- 
ants of  William  The  Concjueror.    The  others  were  as  follows:    William;  Jo- 
seph;   Elizabeth,  wife  of  James  Parker,  of  Macoupin  county,  Illinois;   John,, 
who  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  war  l3etween  the  United  States  and  Mexico* 
and  later  engaged  in  gold-mining  in  Australia  and  California;    James,  who< 
was  drowned  in  the  river  at  LaSalle,  Illinois;    Henry,  a  resident  of  Devon- 
shire, England;  and  Rebecca,  wife  of  T.  Chammins. 

When  Philip  C.  Watts  was  seventeen  years  of  age  he  came  to  the  United 
States  with  the  family,  staying  one  year  in  New  York,  and  since  1840  he  has 
dwelt  in  LaSalle  county.  He  has  been  an  ardent  Republican  since  the  organ- 
ization of  the  party,  and  has  acted  in  the  capacity  of  justice  of  the  peace  and 
as  a  member  of  the  school  board  for  many  years. 

A  notable  event  in  the  history  of  P.  C.  Watts  was  his  marriage,  Novem- 
ber 5,  1847,  to  Miss  Margaret  A.  Brown,  a  daughter  of  Charles  Brown,  who> 
came  to  Illinois  in  1830  in  a  covered  wagon  from  the  east.     He  settled  upon. 
a  claim  south  of  Ottawa,  built  a  log  cabin  and  proceeded  to  develop  a  farm. 
During  the  Black  Hawk  war  he  joined  a  military  organization  styled  the 
home  e:uards.    The  brothers  and  sisters  of  Mrs.  Watts  are  Louisa,  widow  of 
Calvin  Ells,  and  William,  both  deceased;  Clarissa,  wife  of  Christopher  Mills,, 
of  Marvsville.  California;  Russell,  a  successful  business  man  of  Ottawa;  and: 


Ii8  BIOGRAPHICAL   AXD    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

Edward,  deceased.  The  father  died  May  20,  1876,  when  four-score  years  of 
age,  and  the  mother  December  11,  1876,  after  having  attained  the  age  of 
seventy-eight  years. 

To  the  union  of  ]\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Watts  nine  children  were  born,  and  this 
happy  family  circle  is  still  untouched  by  the  angel  of  death.  Charles  B.,  the 
eldest,  is  supervisor  of  Earlville,  Illinois,  and  by  his  marriage  to  Miss  Anne 
Gillett  he  has  six  children  :  Clarence,  Harry,  Alice,  Daisy,  Willie  and  Archie. 
Elizabeth,  the  eldest  daughter  of  our  subject,  is  the  wife  of  J.  M.  Poundstone, 
of  Ottawa,  and  the  mother  of  four  children, — Ralph,  Florence,  Mabel  and 
Grace.  Henrietta,  wife  of  J.  Jones,  of  Livingston  county,  has  three  little 
ones, — Clara,  Howard  and  Philip.  Laura,  now  a  resident  of  Peabody,  Kan- 
sas, is  the  wife  of  Alexander  Gray  and  has  two  children, — Arthur  and  Celia. 
Louise  married  \\^alter  Trumbow,  of  Peabody,  Kansas,  and  they  have  two 
sons, — Wesley  and  Ray.  Florence  wedded  B.  Holler,  of  Peabody,  Kansas; 
^^^allace  lives  on  the  home  farm;  and  Lucy  and  Clara  are  still  living  at  home. 

The  year  which  witnessed  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  the  happy  wedded 
life  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  \\^atts  was  celebrated  by  them  in  a  very  pleasant  manner. 
It  happened  that  the  great  jubilee  in  honor  of  Queen  Victoria  was  held  that 
3^ear,  and  they  decided  to  visit  England.  They  went  together  to  the  child- 
hood home  of  Mr.  Watts,  where  he  renewed  his  friendship  with  old  associates, 
and  the  trip  has  left  many  pleasant  memories  in  the  minds  of  both.  They 
have  reared  their  children  to  be  noble,  useful  citizens,  have  always  striven  to 
do  their  duty  toward  God  and  man,  and  without  regret  may  look  backward 
along  the  pathway  they  have  pursued  hand  in  hand.  They  are  earnest  mem- 
bers of  the  Alethodist  church,  as  are  their  children,  and  they  feel  that  the 
promise  of  old  has  been  fulfilled  to  them,  that  "goodness  and  mercy  have 
followed  them  all  the  days  of  their  lives." 


CHRISTIAN   F.    BRANDENBURG. 

Christian  F.  Brandenburg,  the  son  of  the  venerable  and  wealthy  pioneer, 
Peter  Brandenburg,  was  born  just  west  of  Serena,  December  23,  1856.  He 
obtained  but  little  education  at  school,  and  his  history  can  be  summed  up 
briefly  by  saying  that  hard  work  has  been  his  lot  for  thirty  years,  in  which  he 
has  been  able  to  make  a  hand  on  the  farm.  His  life  history,  could  it  be  writ- 
ten in  full,  would  be  filled  with  trying  experiences,  and  finally  crowned  with 
that  abundant  success  his  labors  and  perseverance  so  richly  merit.  When  it 
comes  to  "ups  and  downs"  in  life  he  steps  aside  and  permits  us  to  make  a 
brief  reference  to  his  paternal  ancestors. 

Peter  Brandenburg  was  born  in  Heistelburg,  Nassau,  Germany,  Sep- 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  119 

tember  26,  1824.  His  father  bore  the  same  Christian  name  and  his  mother 
was  a  Miss  Tomas.  Peter  is  the  third  of  four  children  of  his  farmer  father, 
and  he  went  to  the  German  schools,  as  was  required,  until  he  was  fourteen 
years  of  age.  He  then  learned  the  old  country  method  of  farming  and  re- 
mained with  his  father  until  he  was  twenty-four  years  old.  He  was  then 
given  his  liberty  and  barely  enough  money  to  pay  his  passage  to  America. 
He  sailed  for  the  New  World,  being  induced  hither  by  some  neighbor  boys 
who  had  preceded  him;  and  he  says  that  he  was  so  displeased  with  the  out- 
look when  he  first  landed  that  he  wished  many  times  he  were  back  in  the  old 
fatherland.  He  did  not  have  a  five-cent  piece  when  he  arrived  at  Serena; 
so  he  was  obliged  to  get  work  at  once.  He  entered  the  employ  of  a  farmer 
for  eleven  dollars  a  month,  and  remained  a  farm  hand  for  five  long  years. 
In  this  period  of  time  he  saved  six  hundred  dollars,  and  he  bargained  for  his 
first  American  real  estate, — the  old  homestead  west  of  the  village  of  Serena. 
He  agreed  to  make  payments  on  the  same  annually  for  three  years,  and  really 
saw  no  reason  why  he  could  not  fulfil  his  agreement.  He  set  out  with  a 
light  heart,  for  he  was  now  his  own  governor  and  the  sole  manager  of  the 
earthly  affairs  of  the  industrious  Peter.  His  first  crop  was  eaten  up  by  the 
chinch  bugs;  this  was  discouraging;  but  he  planted  again,  and  the  second 
season  he  came  out  as  badly  as  the  first.  The  third  year  he  also  failed  to 
get  a  good  crop,  and  this  so  disheartened  him  that  he  proposed  to  his  cred- 
itor that  he  take  the  farm  back;  that  he  had  worked  three  years,  day  and 
night,  and  had  nothing  to  show  in  return,  and  of  course  could  pay  nothing 
on  the  land.  The  man  who  sold  to  him  tried  to  discourage  this  move  and 
insisted  that  he  try  it  yet  one  more  year;  and  this  he  did,  and  with  wonderful 
success.  From  that  date  on  he  made  money  rapidly  and  added  to  his  realty 
holdings  with  great  swiftness.  He  was  as  good  as  two  hands  himself  and  he 
had  plenty  of  boys,  who  inherited  their  father's  industry,  so  that  he  followed 
ao-riculture  on  a  large  scale,  with  little  outlay  for  his  help.  But  no  matter 
how  well  he  prospered,  Peter  Brandenburg  never  ceased  work  for  himself 
until  he  found  himself  worn  out  and  heavy  with  age.  He  is  one  of  the  largest 
land-owners  in  LaSalle  county,  and  is  not  unfrequently  referred  to  as  "the 
old  German  who  got  rich  by  hard  work." 

This  venerable  old  German,  for  his  wife,  married,  in  LaSalle  county  in 
1855,  Catherine  Weber,  who  died  in  1877.  Her  children  are:  Christian  F. 
(our  subject);  Caroline,  wife  of  Joseph  Moore;  Frank  Brandenburg,  who  is 
a  prominent  young  farmer  of  the  town  of  Serena,  and  who  married  Ella  De 
Bolt;  Mary,  wife  of  George  Jones,  of  Serena,  Illinois;  and  George,  who  mar- 
ried Ida  Whitman  and  now  resides  on  the  old  home  place.  In  1887  Peter 
Brandenburg  married  Mrs.  Matthias  Stine,  whose  maiden  name  was  Kathrina 
Kern,  and  first  husband  Jacob  Meyer. 


I20 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


Our  subject  was  married  February  12,  1895,  to  Freda,  daughter  of  Jacob 
Meyer,  whose  widow  afterward  married  Peter  Brandenburg.  Freda  was 
born  in  Germany  in  1877,  and  she  is  the  mother  of  two  children,— Ruby  and 

Raymond. 

The  Brandenburgs  have  done  as  much  as  any  other  family  toward  the 
development  and  improvement  of  the  town  of  Serena.  They  have  given 
their  energies  freely,  as  others  have  done,  expecting  reward,  and  have  not  been 
disappointed.  They  have  grubbed  roots,  dug  ditches  and  erected  buildings 
and  done  the  innumerable  other  necessary  things  to  be  done  in  improving 
a  new  country  until  their  farms  "blossom  as  the  rose,"  as  it  were,  giving  evi- 
dence of  progress  and  prosperity  at  every  point  of  view.  They  have  not 
dabbled  in  politics,  for  there  is  no  promise  of  reward  in  that.  They  have  not 
undertaken  other  and  strange  ventures,  with  the  hope  of  avoiding  hard 
labor  and  at  the  same  time  making  big  money,  for  they  are  the  firm  believers 
in  the  adage,  "Let  well  enough  alone." 


W.  B.   CUMMINS. 


This  gentleman  has  had  an  experience  of  twenty-two  years  in  the  grain 
business,  and  since  1888  has  been  located  at  Ransom,  LaSalle  county,  Illi- 
nois, where  he  is  the  representative  of  the  Bartlett-Frazier  Company,  of  Chi- 
cago. He  owns  the  grain  elevator  here  and  a  half  interest  in  the  business, 
and  each  year  handles  a  large  amount  of  grain,  averaging  no  less  than  four 
hundred  thousand  bushels.  In  1897  he  shipped  three  hundred  and  sixty- 
seven  car-loads  and  in  1898  three  hundred  and  fifty-eight  car-loads. 

Mr.  Cummins  is  a  native  of  Lincoln,  Marshall  county,  Illinois,  and  was 
born  March  29,  1851.  His  father,  Theodore  Cummins,  was  a  native  of  Steu- 
ben county.  New  York;  his  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Nancy  White, 
was  born  in  North  Carolina,  and  their  family  comprised  three  children,  now 
married  and  scattered:  W.  B.,  whose  name  introduces  this  sketch;  Ervin, 
of  Hot  Springs,  Arkansas;  and  Mary  Duchene,  of  Carlisle,  Arkansas.  The 
father  of  this  family  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-two.  The  mother  is  still  living, 
in  Carlisle,  Arkansas. 

W.  B.  Cummins  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  state,  completing 
his  studies  with  a  high-school  course,  and,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  months 
spent  in  Carlisle,  Arkansas,  he  has  always  made  his  home  in  Illinois.  He 
was  stationed  for  some  time  at  Ancona,  this  state,  where  he  bought  grain, 
and  since  1888  he  has  been  located  at  Ransom. 

At  the  age  of  twenty  Mr.  Cummins  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ida 
Pratt,  a  native  of  Long  Point,  Livingston  county,  Illinois,  and  a  daughter  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  121 

Philander  Pratt,  of  this  state.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cummins  have  an  only  child, 
Belle,  who  is  now  the  wife  of  Frank  Mears,  of  Kankakee,  Illinois. 

Ever  since  he  became  a  voter  Mr.  Cummins  has  given  active  support  to 
the  Democratic  party,  and  at  this  writing  is  serving  as  township  clerk.  Fra- 
ternally he  is  identified  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 


JOSEPH  L.  ARMSTRONG. 

Success  in  any  walk  of  life  is  not  the  result  of  chance,  but  is  the  outcome 
of  keen  sagfacitv  in  business  affairs  combined  with  well  directed  effort,  and 
it  is  these  qualities  which  have  made  Mr.  Armstrong,  of  Brookville  township, 
one  of  the  most  enterprising  and  prosperous  farmers  of  LaSalle  county. 

His  birth  occurred  on  the  old  family  homestead  March  i,  1847,  his  par- 
ents being  Hon.  George  W.  and  Nancy  Armstrong.     His  father  was  born 
in  Ohio,  December  11,  1812,  and  was  a  son  of  Joseph  Armstrong,  whose  birth 
occurred  in  Ireland  and  who  was  of  Scotch-Irish  descent.    The  great-grand- 
father, John  Armstrong,  was  a  linen  merchant,  and  came  to  the  United  States 
in  1780,  locating  in  Somerset  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  engaged  in 
merchandising  for  a  number  of  years.     His  son  Joseph  was  a  lad  of  only  ten 
years  at  the  time  of  the  emigration  to  America.    He  was  reared  and  educated 
in  Pennsylvania  and  there  married  Miss  Elsie  Strawn,  a  representative  of  an 
old  and  honored  Pennsylvania  family.     Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Joseph  Arm- 
strong W'Cre  born  nine  sons,  namely:   John  S.,  who  died  in  Ottawa,  Illinois; 
George  W.,  the  father  of  our  subject;   William,  who  died  in  South  Ottawa, 
in  1850;   Joel,  who  died  near  Ottawa,  in  1871;   Jeremiah,  who  went  west  in 
1849  and  died  in  California  in  1850;  James,  who  died  near  Ottawa;   P.  A.,  a 
very  prominent  citizen  of  Morris;    CliiTord,  who  died    in  Licking  county, 
Ohio;   and  I.  Z.,  who  went  to  the  west  in  1849,  and  is  now  living  in  Sacra- 
mento, California.     Joseph  Armstrong,  the  father,  died  in   1856,  and  the 
mother  passed  away  in  1871. 

George  W.  Armstrong  spent  his  youth  in  Ohio  and  is  indebted  to  its 
common  schools  for  the  educational  privileges  afiforded  him.  In  183 1  he 
came  to  the  west,  making  the  journey  with  wagon  and  team.  Two  years 
previously  his  brother  John  had  come  to  Illinois  and  taken  up  his  abode  in 
Putnam  county.  During  the  Black  Hawk  war  George  W.  Armstrong  was 
Vvith  his  mother  and  brothers  in  the  fort  at  Ottawa.  They  settled  in  this 
county  in  1831  on  a  half  section  of  land,  built  a  log  cabin  and  began  life  in 
the  west  in  true  pioneer  style.  On  the  loth  of  March.  1835,  George  Arm- 
strong was  married,  in  Jacksonville,  Illinois,  to  Miss  Nancy  Green,  a  native 
of  Knox  county,  Ohio,  and  a  daughter  of  John  and  Susanah  (\Vinter)  Green, 


122  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

both  of  whom  are  now  deceased.     Her  sister,  Matilda  Green,  was  the  first 
wife  of  Jacob  Strawn,  the  great  cattle  king. 

Mr.  Armstrong,  father  of  our  subject,  has  led  a  very  busy  and  useful 
life  and  is  a  prominent  and  influential  citizen.  For  a  year  or  two  he  operated 
a  sawmill  on  Wauponsee  creek,  in  Grundy  county,  and  then  built  and  opened 
a  general  store,  which  he  later  sold.  For  nineteen  years  he  served  as  a  super- 
visor and  for  twelve  3'ears  was  the  chairman  of  the  board.  For  ten  years  he 
was  a  member  of  the  state  legislature,  being  elected  first  in  1844.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  constitutional  convention  in  1847.  He  was  elected  to  the 
legislature  again  in  1871,  after  which  he  served  for  six  years  without  inter- 
ruption. He  was  an  active  working  member  of  the  house  and  aided  in  secur- 
ing the  adoption  of  many  important  measures  which  have  proved  of  great 
benefit  to  the  state.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  first  county  convention 
of  LaSalle  county,  and  at  all  times  has  been  a  progressive,  public-spirited  and 
loyal  citizen.  He  was  a  war  Democrat  at  the  time  of  the  hostility  betw^een 
the  north  and  the  south  and  was  an  ardent  admirer  of  Stephen  A.  Douglas, 
the  Little  Giant  of  Illinois.  Probably  no  man  in  LaSalle  county  has  been 
more  prominent  in  public  aft'airs  or  done  more  for  her  best  interests  than 
George  W.  Armstrong,  who  has  left  the  impress  of  his  individuality  upon 
many  departments  of  our  public  life.  A  valued  member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity, he  was  one  of  the  active  promoters  of  Seneca  Lodge,  in  which  he 
held  his  membership.  He  was  a  man  five  feet  and  seven  inches  in  height, 
€rect  in  carriage  and  quick  in  movement.  He  was  of  high  moral  character, 
firm  in  his  convictions,  and  the  temerity  with  which  he  made  known  his  posi- 
tion and  his  marked  ability  well  fitted  him  for  leadership.  His  wife  passed 
away  February  25,  1893.  Like  her  husband,  she  shared  the  high  regard  of 
all  who  knew  her,  for  she.  possessed  many  sweet,  womanly  qualities  which 
endeared  her  to  all.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Armstrong  were  born  nine  children, 
eight  of  whom  are  now  living:  William,  of  Pueblo,  Colorado,  who  served  for 
four  years  as  a  Union  soldier  in  the  civil  war,  being  captain  of  Company  A, 
Fifty-third  Illinois  Infantry;  Rev.  Julius  C,  a  pastor  in  the  Congregational 
church,  who  served  for  three  years  with  the  Ninety-first  Regiment  of  Illinois 
Volunteers;  Millie  Eliza,  wife  of  William  Crowley,  of  Burlington,  Kansas; 
Joseph  L.,  who  is  living  on  the  old  homestead  farm;  Marshall  W.,  a  well 
known  attorney  of  Ottawa;  Susan  Ida,  wife  of  L.  B.  Laughlin,  of  Bridge- 
M-ater,  South  Dakota;  James  E.,  principal  of  the  high  school  at  Englewood, 
Illinois;  Charles  G.,  an  electrician  in  Chicago;  and  John  G.,  who  was  a  suc- 
cessful lawyer,  and  died  in  Ottawa  in  1890,  at  the  age  of  fifty-four  years. 

Joseph  Armstrong,  whose  name  begins  this  sketch,  was  reared  and  edu- 
cated in  LaSalle  county,  and  having  arrived  at  years  of  maturity  he  was  mar- 
ried, in  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  to  Miss  Laura  J.  Henderson,  the  daughter  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  123 

John  P.  Henderson,  now  deceased.  They  located  on  the  old  home  farm, 
which  comprises  four  hundred  and  thirty  acres  of  rich  and  arable  land.  Alto- 
gether Mr.  Armstrong  owns  eight  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  and  from  the 
golden  harvests  which  he  garners  he  secures  a  good  income.  He  is  accounted 
one  of  the  leading  agriculturists  of  the  county,  and  in  his  methods  he  is  pro- 
gressive, practical  and  systematic.  His  dealings  are  also  characterized  by 
the  utmost  fairness,  and  he  justly  merits  the  confidence  reposed  in  him. 

Politically  Mr.  Armstrong  is  a  Democrat,  having  supported  that  party 
since  attaining  his  majority.  He  keeps  well  informed  on  the  issues  which 
divide  the  country  politically,  and  is  therefore  prepared  to  give  intelligent 
support  to  his  views.  He  has  served  for  four  years  as  a  county  supervisor, 
and  has  been  a  member  of  the  school  board  for  fifteen  years,  discharging  his 
duties  in  a  most  prompt  and  satisfactory  manner.  Not  only  as  a  representa- 
tive of  one  of  the  prominent  pioneer  families  of  the  county,  but  also  because 
of  his  own  personal  merits,  does  he  deserve  mention  in  this  volume  among 
the  leading  citizens  of  his  section  of  the  state. 


HENRY    PECK. 


In  the  vicinity  of  Ottawa,  LaSalle  county,  is  some  of  the  finest  farm 
land  in  the  northern  part  of  Illinois,  and  much  of  the  prosperity  of  this  section 
is  due  to  this  fact  and  to  one  other  of  equal  importance,  that  the  agricultur- 
ists hereabouts  are  thoroughly  imbued  with  the  spirit  of  the  times  and  are 
progressive  in  the  extreme. 

One  of  the  successful  farmers  of  this  locality  is  Henry  Peck,  whose  birth 
occurred  in  the  town  of  Ottawa,  September  27,  1846.  He  is  a  son  of  David 
and  Jane  (Griffith)  Peck  and  a  grandson  of  Baker  Peck,  who  was  a  native  of 
Vermont.  David  Peck  was  born  in  Clark  county,  Ohio,  where  his  father 
had  located  at  an  early  day.  When  grown  to  manhood  he  mastered  the 
trades  of  brick-mason  and  tailor,  and,  concluding  that  he  would  fare  better 
in  the  west,  where  towns  were  rapidly  being  built  up,  he  came  to  Ottawa. 
Here  he  found  plenty  of  employment  for  years,  but  when  still  in  his  prime 
he  was  summoned  to  the  home  beyond.  He  left  four  children,  namely: 
Anna,  who  is  the  wife  of  Albert  Mclntyre,  and  Ruth,  May  and  Henry.  The 
mother  subsequently  (about  1858)  became  the  wife  of  James  Pickens. 

In  his  boyhood  and  youth  Henry  Peck  attended  the  schools  of  Ottawa, 
worked  on  the  farm  and  clerked  in  a  dry-goods  store.  In  1882  he  took  up 
his  abode  on  the  fine  homestead  where  he  is  still  living.  It  is  located  but  half 
a  mile  from  the  town,  and  was  formerly  the  property  of  the  Rev.  Justice  M. 
Clark.     ]\Ir.  Peck  is  extensively  engaged  in  the  stock  business,  buying  and 


124  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

selling  cattle  and  hogs,  and  in  addition  to  that  line  of  enterprise  he  has  given 
some  attention  to  dairying  of  late  years,  having  numerous  customers  in 
Ottawa. 

When  he  was  twenty-five  years  of  age  ^Ir.  Peck  married  Addie,  daugh- 
ter of  James  Pickens,  and  several  years  afterward  she  died,  leaving  two  chil- 
dren. Fred,  now  in  his  twenty-fifth  year,  was  one  of  the  patriotic  young  men 
who  responded  to  his  country's  call  in  the  Spanish-American  war,  and  served 
under  Colonel  Bennett  as  a  member  of  Company  C.  Third  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry.  Nellie,  the  daughter,  became  the  wife  of  Cyrus  P.  Bradish,  who  is 
deceased.  In  1882  Mr.  Peck  wedded  Miss  Sarah  Farnsworth,  a  daughter  of 
Robert  Farnsworth,  and  live  children  bless  their  union,  namely :  Bertha, 
Edward,  Jane,  Belle  and  Joseph. 

Mr.  Peck  is  connected  with  the  Masonic  order,  being  a  member  of  Occi- 
dental Lodge,  No.  40.    In  his  political  creed  he  is  a  Democrat. 


HON.  IRVING  H.  TROWBRIDGE. 

During  the  past  decade  this  prominent  citizen  of  Marseilles,  LaSalle 
county,  has  been  before  the  public  continuously  in  official  capacities,  and 
has  demonstrated  beyond  question  his  fitness  as  a  representative  of  the 
people.  A  fearless  champion  of  what  he  earnestly  believes  to  be  their 
rights,  he  presents  his  views  in  a  concise  manner,  carrying  conviction  with 
him. 

The  Trowbridges  originated  in  Scotland,  but  many  generations  have 
come  and  gone  in  America  since  the  family  was  founded  in  the  New  World. 
The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  \\'illiam  Trowbridge.  Sumner 
Trowbridge,  the  father,  is  still  living,  his  home  being  in  Delta,  Fulton  county, 
Ohio,  where  he  was  a  pioneer  and  has  passed  the  major  portion  of  his  life. 

The  birth  of  the  Hon.  Irving  H.  Trowbridge  occurred  March  16,  1849, 
on  the  old  homestead  near  Delta.  With  the  l^asis  of  a  good  common-school 
education,  obtained  in  the  village  of  Delta,  and  at  Three  Rivers,  Michigan, 
he  entered  Adrian  College,  at  Adrian,  ^Michigan,  where  he  pursued  studies 
in  the  higher  branches  of  learning.  Then,  returning  to  his  native  town,  he 
found  employment  in  the  service  of  a  local  druggist,  and  within  the  ensuing 
five  years  thoroughly  mastered  the  business.  In  1876  he  came  to  Alarseilles, 
where  he  has  since  carried  on  a  drug-store  of  his  own. 

In  October,  1873,  Mr.  Trowbridge  married  Miss  Ella  Stall,  of  Delta, 
Ohio.  She  was  a  lady  of  amiable  disposition  and  was  loved  by  all  who 
knew  her.  Six  years  ago,  in  June,  1893,  the  little  household  over  whose 
comfort  and  happiness  she  presided  with  womanly  grace,  was  called  upon 


I 


i 


< 


i 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  125 

to  mourn  her  loss,  as  she  was  summoned  to  the  heavenly  mansions.     She 
left  three  promising-  children — Leslie  J.,  Ralph  E.,  and  Irene. 

Though  he  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  the  election  of  the 
nominees  of  the  Republican  party  and  the  triumph  of  its  principles,  Mr. 
Trowbridge  had  never  aspired  to  public  office  and  it  was  a  matter  of  surprise 
to  him  when,  in  1890,  he  was  elected  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  county 
supervisors  from  Rutland  township.  He  acted  in  that  important  position 
for  six  years,  to  the  full  satisfaction  of  the  people,  and  upon  his  retirement 
from  the  office  in  1896  he  was  nominated  and  elected  to  the  legislature. 
While  serving  as  a  representative  he  was  especially  honored  for  a  new  mem- 
ber, as  he  was  made  chairman  of  the  mines  and  mining  committee,  and 
served  on  the  committees  on  education,  license,  civil  service,  drainage  and 
waterways,  and  geology  and  science.  In  each  of  these  committees  he  distin- 
guished himself  by  his  clear  and  comprehensive  grasp  of  the  questions 
involved,  and  his  ready  and  practical  solutions  of  difliculties  presenting 
themselves.  When  his  name  came  before  the  people  for  consideration  at 
the  time  of  the  expiration  of  his  first  term,  he  was  renominated,  with  ^mall 
opposition,  and  in  the  fall  of  1898  was  duly  re-elected.  In  the  organization 
of  the  Forty-first  General  Assembly  he  was  made  chairman  of  the  committee 
on  education — one  of  the  most  important  of  the  house  committees — and 
was  also  a  member  of  the  steering  committee,  which  is  the  body  that  shapes 
all  legislation  during  the  session.  He  was  very  successful  in  all  legislation 
committed  to  his  care  by  his  constituents,  some  of  which  was  of  great  im- 
portance. He  has  a  wide  acquaintanceship  with  the  leading  men  of  the  day 
and  possesses  broad,  liberal  views  upon  all  great  public  issues. 

August  15,  1894,  Mr.  Trowbridge  wedded  Miss  Rebekah  S.  Pomeroy, 
a  daughter  of  Cyrus  Pomeroy.  of  Marseilles,  and  two  children  have  been 
born  to  them — Cyrus  P.  and  Irving  Harrison. 


HENRY    HOLMES. 


Well  known  in  Ottawa  and  within  a  radius  of  twenty-five  miles  of  this 
place,  Henry  Holmes  ranks  as  a  representative  citizen  of  LaSalle  county.  As 
an  honored  veteran  of  the  civil  war,  as  an  active  worker  in  the  Republican 
party,  and  as  a  conscientious,  upright  business  man,  he  enjoys  the  respect 
of  a  multitude  of  friends,  and  is  justly  entitled  to  be  remembered  as  an  old 
settler  of  Illinois. 

For  three  years  Mr.  Holmes  has  given  his  attention  to  the  management 
of  his  livery,  feed  and  sale  stable  at  No.  417  LaSalle  street,  Ottawa.  The 
establishment  is  located  near  the  new  bridge  and  is  thoroughly  equipped  with 


126  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

carriages  and  vehicles  of  different  kinds  and  a  good  stock  of  driving  horses. 
The  barn,  forty  by  eighty  feet  in  dimensions  and  three  stories  in  height,  was 
originally  built  for  a  grain  elevator,  and  was  used  as  such  for  some  time,  but 
has  been  found  to  be  equally  well  adapted  to  the  purpose  for  which  it  is  now 
utilized.  In  1896  Mr.  Holmes  sold  out  to  Mr.  C.  Campbell,  but  in  October, 
1898,  he  resumed  the  control  of  the  business,  and  has  since  carried  it  on  suc- 
cessfully. 

A  son  of  John  Holmes,  a  hotel-keeper,  Henry  Holmes  was  born  in 
Wayne  county,  Ohio,  November  16,  1840,  the  year  of  the  famous  "Tippe- 
canoe" Harrison  campaign.  In  his  youth  he  attended  the  common  schools 
of  Indiana,  and  in  1856,  when  the  excitement  over  gold  discoveries  in  Col- 
orado was  intense,  he  went  to  Pike's  Peak,  but  returned  home  at  the  end  of 
some  three  months.  In  1861  he  offered  his  services  to  the  United  States, 
enlisting  in  Company  A,  Fifty-third  Illinois  Infantry.  For  three  years  and 
eight  months  he  endured  the  hardships  and  perils  of  a  soldier's  life,  striving 
to  preserve  the  Union,  and  among  the  numerous  battles  and  encounters  in 
which  he  was  engaged  against  the  enemy  were  those  at  Shiloh,  Jackson 
(Mississippi),  and  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  besides  the  famous  march  to  the 
sea  with  Sherman.  Since  he  received  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  given  his 
allegiance  to  the  Republican  party. 

About  the  time  he  arrived  at  his  majority  Mr.  Holmes  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Nellie  Cummings,  who  died  February  26,  1880,  leaving 
three  children,  namely:  George.  Harry  and  ]\Iary.  The  daughter  is  now 
the  wife  of  Henry  Arnold  of  Chicago,  Illinois.  In  April,  1881,  Mr.  Holmes 
was  married  to  Miss  Emma  Walter.  Three  children  bless  this  union, — Flora, 
Willie  and  Lucy.  The  family  reside  in  a  pleasant  home  and  have  many 
sincere  friends  among  the  citizens  of  Ottawa  and  vicinity. 


H.  G.  KRUSE. 


H.  G.  Kruse,  an  enterprising  young  business  man  of  Ottawa,  possesses 
the  qualifications  which  insure  success  in  any  hue  of  endeavor,  and  by  the 
exercise  of  judicious  methods,  excellent  management  and  uniform  courtesy 
toward  his  customers  he  has  won  the  respect  and  confidence  of  the  public. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  G.  A\\  Kruse,  was  a  native  of  Germany,  in 
which  country  he  passed  twenty-five  years  of  his  life.  Then,  coming  to 
America  in  order  to  obtain  the  better  opportunities  for  making  a  livelihood 
afforded  here,  he  became  a  loyal  citizen  of  the  United  States.  Soon  after 
his  arrival  on  these  hospitable  shores  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Lliss 
Annie  Gronewald,  who  died  in  1867,  and  left  two  sons  and  two  daughters 
to  mourn  her  loss. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  127 

Of  these  children,  H.  G.  Kriise  was  born  in  Macomb,  Illinois,  August 
20,  1867.  He  attended  the  common  schools  of  that  place  and  in  Kewanee 
served  an  apprenticeship  at  the  wheelwright's  trade  under  the  guidance  of 
O.  F.  Kreidler.  In  1887  he  became  the  head  trimmer  for  the  firm  of  Gay 
&  Son,  carriage  manufacturers  in  Ottawa,  Illinois,  with  which  firm  he  con- 
tinued for  four  or  five  years.  He  is  now  the  proprietor  of  the  Kruse  Manu- 
facturing Company,  his  plant  being  situated  at  the  corner  of  Clinton  and 
Jackson  streets,  in  the  central  part  of  Ottawa.  The  building  is  a  new  one, 
substantial  in  construction,  thirty  by  sixty  feet  in  dimensions,  and  with  a 
wing  thirty  by  forty  feet,  used  for  a  shop.  The  fourteen  years  of  practical 
experience  which  Mr.  Kruse  has  had  in  his  present  line  of  business  renders 
him  thoroughly  familiar  with  the  demands  of  the  trade  and  abundantly 
able  to  supply  his  customers  with  just  the  kind  of  vehicle  which  they  desire. 
He  manufactures  various  kinds  of  carriages,  road  wagons  and  carts,  and 
for  style  and  workmanship,  excellence  and  durability  of  material,  the 
vehicles  turned  out  from  this  establishment  are  rarely  surpassed. 

Five  years  ago,  August  7,  1894,  Mr.  Kruse  was  married  to  Miss  Meta 
Bruck,  whose  father,  J.  Bruck,  is  an  old  settler  of  Ottawa,  and  for  many 
years  was  engaged  in  the  tailoring  business  here.  The  pleasant  home  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kruse  is  brightened  by  the  presence  of  their  little  daughter, 
Harriett,  their  only  child.  In  his  political  standing  Mr.  Kruse  is  affiliated 
with  the  Democratic  party.  He  is  an  exemplary  citizen,  meeting  every 
responsibility  and  duty  in  a  manly,  straightforward  way,  and  seeking  ever 
to  forward  the  best  interests  of  the  community  in  which  he  dwells. 


B.  FRANK  TRUMBO. 


Trumbo  is  a  familiar  name  in  LaSalle  county.  The  family  which 
bears  it  was  founded  here  along  with  the  Greens  and  other  pioneers  of 
Dayton  and  Rutland  townships  and  have  left  to  later  generations  the  im- 
press of  their  civilizing  influence.  While  Frank  Trumbo,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  is  not  a  descendant  of  the  first  Trumbos  of  the  county,  he  is 
a  blood  relative  and  possesses  the  same  family  characteristics  which  endear 
Elias  Trumbo  and  his  descendants  to  the  population  of  the  above-mentioned 
townships. 

B.  Frank  Trumbo  is  a  son  of  Moab  Perry  Trumbo,  one  of  the  successful 
farmers  of  Dayton  township,  LaSalle  county,  where  he  settled  in  1853, 
having  come  here  that  year  from  the  "Old  Dominion."  Moab  Perry 
Trumbo  was  born  in  Rockingham  county,  Virginia,  December  16,  1829. 
The  farm  upon  which  he  was  born  has  been  the  property  of  the  Trumbos 


128  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

for  one  hundred  and  thirty  years,  having  been  the  property  of  his  grand- 
father and  father,  both  named  Jacob.  The  younger  Jacob  Trumbo  also 
came  to  LaSalle  county,  Ilhnois,  in  the  year  1853,  and  shortly  after  his 
arrival  here  he  died.  His  wife  Elizabeth,  nee  Snyder,  will  be  remembered 
by  the  people  of  Dayton  township  as  living  as  late  as  1873.  Their  children 
are:  Dorothy,  widow  of  Lewis  Hess,  of  Kingman,  Kansas;  Oliver,  assessor 
of  Dayton  township,  LaSalle  county;  Moab  P.,  and  Mary  J.,  wife  of  Isaac 
Green,  of  Dayton  township.  Moab  P.  Trumbo  and  his  wife,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Rebecca  Kagy,  have  two  children — Frank  and  Maie.  The  latter 
is  the  wife  of  Ed.  Bradfor,  the  proprietor  of  the  Ottawa  Steam  Laundry. 

It  was  on  the  old  Trumbo  homestead  in  Dayton  township,  November 
25,  1862,  that  Frank  Trumbo  was  born.  He  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  and  in  Drew's  Business  College,  and  on  completing  his  studies 
settled  down  to  the  life  of  a  farmer.  He  has  ever  since  been  engaged  in 
general  farming  and  stock-raising,  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  most 
promising  young  farmers  in  the  township. 

Mr.  Trumbo  was  married  December  3,  1886,  to  Miss  Josephine 
Rhodes,  the  daughter  of  Joseph  Rhodes,  well  known  in  Ottawa  as  "the 
liveryman."  Their  union  has  been  blessed  in  the  birth  of  two  children: 
Helena,  born  in  1887,  and  Josephine,  born  in  1892. 

Mr.  Trumbo  is  a  Democrat  and  is  at  this  writing  the  supervisor  of 
his  township,  to  which  office  he  was  elected  in  the  spring  of  1898.  Also 
he  is  serving  on  the  public-buildings  committee  and  on  the  committee  to 
settle  with  the  recorder  and  to  audit  the  accounts  of  the  state  attorney. 
And  in  this  connection  it  should  be  further  stated  that  he  had  been  drawn 
into  the  public  service  by  being  named  and  elected  for  office  without  per- 
sonal solicitation  on  his  part. 


REV.  J.  J.  GROGAN. 


The  pastor  of  St.  Patrick's  church  at  Ransom,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois, 
is  a  familiar  figure  to  the  residents  of  that  vicinity  and  he  has  made  many 
friends  aside  from  those  who  come  under  his  jurisdiction  as  a  pastor.  His 
work  in  the  ministry  since  coming  to  this  charge  has  been  attended  with  the 
m.ost  flattering  results  and  has  marked  him  as  a  man  of  no  small  executive 
ability  and  as  a  shepherd  who  watches  carefully  after  the  spiritual  wants 
of  his  flock.  He  was  educated  in  the  University  of  Chicago,  being  a  student 
there  from  1863  to  1867.  The  following  year  he  was  made  curate  of  St. 
Patrick's  church,  on  the  West  Side.  Chicago.  While  there  he  built  St. 
Jarlath's  church,  which  is  located  on  Jackson  street,  and  had  charge  of  that 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  129 

district  for  about  four  years.  His  next  charge  was  at  Mill  Creek,  Lake 
county,  this  state,  where  a  handsome  church  was  erected  under  his  guidance, 
and  two  years  later  he  was  transferred  to  Sheffield,  Bureau  county,  Illinois, 
where  a  parsonage  and  parochial  building  were  built,  at  a  cost  of  two  thous- 
and dollars. 

The  church  of  St.  Patrick's,  at  Ransom,  was  built  in  1883,  at  a  cost 
of  somewhat  over  two  thousand  dollars,  and  six  years  later  Father  Grogan 
was  given  charge  of  the  parish.  He  at  once  set  about  improving  and 
remodeling  this  structure,  the  cost  being  about  twenty-five  hundred  dollars. 
He  also  purchased  six  additional  lots,  and  the  property  as  it  stands  to-day 
speaks  eloquently  of  the  reverend  father's  energy  and  forethought.  It  is 
beautifully  situated  in  a  charming  location,  and  is  one  of  the  most  attrac- 
tive spots  in  this  vicinity.  The  parish  organization  is  composed  of  about 
fifty  families,  and  the  love  and  reverence  in  which  they  hold  their  pastor  is 
but  a  fitting  tribute  to  his  worth.  The  quiet,  earnest  manner  in  which 
he  has  gone  about  his  w-ork,  and  the  success  which  has  characterized  his 
ministrations,  have  caused  him  to  be  highly  regarded  by  all  who  have  had 
the  opportunity  of  meeting  him,  and  no  citizen  stands  higher  in  the  esteem 
and  honor  of  the  residents  than  the  faithful,  hard-working  pastor  of  St. 
Patrick's. 


MARTIN    C.    HODGSON. 

Ridge  Farm,  one  of  the  best  known  horse  farms  in  LaSalle  county,  Illi- 
nois, is  owned  by  the  Hodgson  estate  and  operated  by  Martin  C.  Hodgson, 
son  of  and  successor  to  the  original  founder  of  the  farm,  Eli  Hodgson.  In 
this  connection  we  take  pleasure  in  referring  personally  to  both  gentlemen. 

Eli  Hodgson  was  born  in  the  state  of  Ohio  in  18 19,  son  of  Joel  Hodg- 
son, who  emigrated  to  Illinois  in  the  year  1831.  In  this  state  Eli  w^as  reared 
from  his  eleventh  year,  and  was  here  married  to  Miss  Phoebe  Kincade,  who 
bore  him  the  following  named  children :  Ellen  and  Mary,  who  died  in  child- 
hood; Sarah,  wife  of  F.  W.  Farnham,  of  Shell  City,  Missouri;  Almeda,  who 
died,  unmarried;  Martin  C,  whose  name  initiates  this  sketch;  Emily,  wife 
of  L.  B.  Pickerill,  of  Clinton,  Illinois;  J.  W.,  of  Lexington,  Nebraska; 
Martha  J.,  of  Clinton,  Illinois;  and  Joel  E.,  of  Ottawa,  Illinois.  Eli  Hodgson 
came  to  Farm  Ridge  township,  LaSalle  county,  in  1853,  when  this  part  of 
the  country  was  all  wild  land,  and  here  purchased  three  hundred  and  twenty 
acres,  comprising  what  is  now  known  as  Ridge  Farm,  and  a  few  years  later, 
in  1858,  began  dealing  in  horses.  He  was  one  of  the  first  men  in  the  state  to 
give  especial  attention  to  fine  horses.     In  1874  he  first  imported  Percheron 


I30 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


stock  direct  from  France,  and  made  it  a  point  to  secure  the  best  the  market 
afforded.  Mr.  E.  Dillon,  another  well  known  importer  of  stock  in  this  state, 
was  a  brother-in-law  of  Eli  Hodgson.  The  latter  built  a  fine  house  and  barn 
on  his  farm  and  otherwise  improved  the  same,  and  became  well  known  as 
one  of  the  leading  men  of  the  county,  recognized  as  an  authority  on  all  ques- 
tions pertaining  to  horses.  He  was  noted  for  his  fair  dealing  and  his  hospi- 
tality. The  latch-string  of  his  home  was  always  out,  and  a  cordial  welcome 
was  extended  to  all  who  came  his  way.  He  was  politically  a  Republican,  and 
religiously  a  member  of  the  Christian  church.  In  physique  he  was  large  and 
well  proportioned,  weighing  about  two  hundred  pounds,  and  in  manner  he 
was  always  genial  and  obliging.  He  died  November  ii,  1893,  and  his  good 
wife  passed  away  December  20,  1895;    she  was  born  November  6,  1822. 

Martin  C.  Hodgson  was  born  August  6,  1852,  in  Tazewell  county,  Illi- 
nois, and,  was  a  babe  when  lirought  to  the  farm  on  which  he  has  since  resided. 
He  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools,  the  academy  at  Eureka, 
Illinois,  and  in  the  broad  school  of  experience.  As  soon  as  he  arrived  at 
adult  years  he  became  his  father's  partner  and  was  associated  with  him  in 
business  up  to  the  time  of  his  father's  death,  when  he  succeeded  him.  Under 
his  supervision  Ridge  Farm  maintains  the  high  standard  of  excellence  which 
it  had  attained,  and  its  horses,  both  black  and  gray  Percherons,  are  second 
to  none  in  the  state. 

Mr.  Hodgson  has  been  twice  married.  At  the  age  of  twenty-five  he 
married  Miss  Elizabeth  Wilson,  daughter  of  James  Wilson,  of  Iowa,  and  to 
them  were  given  four  children, — Edna  F.,  Ethel  Maud,  Everett  Eli  and 
Ernest  W.  This  wife  and  mother  died  in  1886,  and  in  1894  he  wedded  Miss 
Hattie  M.  Zibbell. 

Like  his  father,  Mr.  Hodgson  is  a  man  of  large  physique  and  pleasing 
manner.  Indeed,  he  possesses  many  of  his  father's  sterling  characteristics. 
Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Masonic  order,  and  has  taken  the  Knight 
Templar  degrees,  having  membership  in  Ottawa  Commandery,  No.  10. 


JAMES  GORDON. 


The  extensive  landed  interests — seven  hundred  and  sixty  acres — which 
are  scheduled  as  part  of  the  property  of  James  Gordon,  have  been  acquired 
entirely  through  his  well-directed  and  earnest  efforts,  and  thus  he  is  justly 
entitled  to  the  proud  American  title  of  a  self-made  man.  Although  he  has 
now  rounded  the  psalmist's  span  of  three-score  years  and  ten.  he  possesses 
the  vigor  and  energy  of  a  man  of  much  younger  years,  and  is  still  actively 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  131 

identified  with  the  business  interests  of  LaSalle  county,  as  a  farmer  and 
stock-raiser,  his  home  being  one  of  the  fine  farming  properties  of  Allan 
township. 

Mr.  Gordon,  who  has  been  a  resident  of  the  county  since  1853,  and 
w^as  born  in  Roxburyshire,  on  the  Tweed,  in  the  north  of  England,  seventy- 
three  years  ago,  his  parents  being  John  and  Mary  (Davidson)  Gordon.  His 
father  was  a  native  of  Coldstrom,  Scotland,  while  the  mother  was  born  in 
the  north  of  England.  They  both  died  in  the  latter  country,  where  they 
had  spent  their  married  life.  Their  four  children  were  James;  Elizabeth; 
John,  who  died  in  Ford  county,  Illinois;  and  Margaret,  who  is  living  in 
England. 

James  Gordon  spent  the  days  of  his  childhood  and  youth  in  the  land 
of  his  nativity,  and  there  acquired  a  good  common-school  education  and 
learned  a  trade.  When  about  twenty-six  years  of  age  he  sailed  from  Liver- 
pool to  New  York,  hoping  to  benefit  his  financial  condition  in  the  New 
World.  After  eight  weeks  and  four  days  spent  upon  the  broad  Atlantic 
he  landed  in  the  eastern  metropolis,  whence  he  at  once  came  to  LaSalle 
county.  Here  he  began  earning  his  livelihood  by  working  in  the  harvest 
fields,  and  the  following  year  he  worked  in  a  sawmill  in  Putnam  county. 
His  first  purchase  of  land  comprised  eighty  acres,  in  Brookfield  township, 
two  miles  south  of  Marseilles.  With  characteristic  energy  he  began  its 
development,  and  his  careful  management  and  practical  business  methods 
soon  enabled  him  to  extend  the  boundaries  of  his  farm.  From  time  to  time 
he  has  added  to  his  landed  possessions  until  he  now  has  four  hundred  and 
forty  acres  in  Brookfield  township  and  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in 
Allan  township.  He  resides  upon  the  latter  and  on  the  home  farm  he  has 
erected  a  fine  modern  residence,  large  and  substantial  barns  and  com- 
modious sheds  for  the  shelter  of  his  stock.  He  also  has  a  wind-mill  and  the 
latest  improved  machinery.  There  are  also  good  pastures,  supplied  with 
running  water,  and  beautiful  groves  add  to  the  value  and  attractive  appear- 
ance of  the  place.  Mr.  Gordon  makes  a  specialty  of  raising  blooded  cattle 
and  has  made  a  close  study  of  the  needs  of  stock,  so  that  this  branch  of 
his  business  is  most  ably  carried  on  and  has  proved  a  very  profitable  source 
of  income. 

In  Ottawa,  Illinois,  Mr.  Gordon  was  married  to  Miss  Johanna  How- 
ard, and  to  them  have  been  born  five  children,  namely:  John,  who  is 
married  and  resides  in  Shaler,  Iowa;  James,  who  married  Miss  Ida  Pelon, 
and  is  located  on  the  old  homestead,  in  Brookville  township;  Hannah 
and  Frank,  both  at  home;  and  Jane,  wife  of  James  Kennedy,  of  Brook- 
field township. 

Mr.  Gordon  votes  with  the  Republican  party  and  is  deeply  interested 


132  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

in  political  matters,  keeping  well  informed  on  the  questions  and  issues  of 
the  day.  He  has  never  sought  public  office,  however,  preferring  to  devote 
his  energies  to  his  business  interests,  which  have  been  so  capably  controlled 
that  he  has  won  signal  success. 


HIRAM  D.  OLMSTEAD. 

Hiram  D.  Olmstead,  more  familiarly  known  among  a  wide  circle  of 
friends  as  Deacon  Olmstead,  is  a  retired  farmer  of  Ottawa,  LaSalle  county, 
Illinois.     He  was  born  in  the  town  of  Catherine,  Tioga  county.  New  York, 
December  9,  1822,  and  is  a  son  of  David  and  Esther  (Clinton)  Olmstead. 
The  father  was  born  in  the  year  1800,  in  the  state  of  Connecticut,  and  the 
mother  two  years  later,  in  the  state  of  Massachusetts.     She  was  a  relative 
of  the  celebrated  Governor  DeWitt  Clinton,  of  New  York.     In  October, 
1832,  David  Olmstead  and  his  family  started  on  their  long  journey  from 
New  York  to  this  county.     The  trip  was  made  by  wagon  and  was  neces- 
sarily slow  and  tedious.     Arriving  here  they  took  up  a  claim  some  four 
miles  northeast  of  Marseilles.     This  land  was  afterward  offered  for  sale  by 
the  government,  the  squatter  having  the  first  right  to  purchase.     Mr.  Olm- 
stead bought  the  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  upon  which  he  had  settled  and 
set  about  its  improvement.     Here  he  lived  during  the  remainder  of  his 
life,  adding  to  the  original  purchase  until  he  had  acquired  three  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  land.     He  was  a  man  of  courage  and  great  force  of  char- 
acter, making  him  a  fearless  defender  of  right.     He  was  an  active  worker 
in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  died  on  his  farm  in  1855,  deeply 
mourned  by  all  who  knew  him.     His  wife  had  crossed  the  river  of  Death 
three  years  previously  to- the  removal  of  the  family  to  this  state.    His  father 
was  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  LaSalle  county.     He  was  a  good  friend  of 
Sibbony,  the  noted  Indian  chief. 

Hiram  D.  Olmstead  was  but  ten  years  old  when  he  came  to  this 
county.  He  attended  school  during  the  winter  months  until  he  was  nine- 
teen years  of  age.  The  school-house  was  a  rude  affair  of  logs,  with  benches 
taking  the  place  of  the  comfortable  desk  and  seat  of  our  modern  civilization, 
and  it  was  surprising  what  swift  progress  they  made.  When  nineteen  _ 
years  of  age  he  began  to  operate  for  himself,  working  on  a  farm  by  the 
month  for  three  years.  In  1844  he  was  married  to  Mrs.  Elnor  A.  Harding, 
the  widowed  daughter  of  James  Howland,  of  New  York  state.  She  owned 
a  farm  and  upon  it  they  moved  after  their  marriage  and  lived  for  upward  of 
thirty  years,  and  here  the  four  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Olmstead  were  born 
and  grew  up.     They  are  as  follows:     Charles  H.,  a  farmer  in  Dayton  town- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  133 

ship;  Smith  H.,  deceased,  whose  widow  resides  on  the  homestead;  Judson 
H.,  now  of  Kansas;  and  Almira,  wife  of  A.  H.  Fuller,  of  Ottawa. 

Mr.  Olmstead  added  to  his  occupation  as  farmer  that  of  raising  fine 
hogs,  his  pigs  growing  into  popular  favor  and  being  shipped  to  all  parts 
of  the  state  for  breeding  purposes  and  invariably  commanding  good  prices. 
In  1876  the  family  moved  to  Ottawa  and  rented  the  farm  to  the  son, 
Smith  H.  They  have  made  their  home  in  the  city  since;  and  here,  on 
March  23,  1896,  Mrs.  Olmstead  passed  to  her  reward  after  rounding  out 
eighty-one  years  of  usefulness.  She  was  a  woman  of  strong  sympathies,  a 
devoted  wife  and  mother  and  an  untiring  worker  in  the  vineyard  of  the 
Master.  She  had  for  years  been  an  earnest  laborer  in  the  Baptist  church, 
in  which  organization  her  husband  has  been  a  deacon  for  forty  years.  Mr. 
Olmstead  is  a  stalwart  Republican  and  was  trustee  of  Freedom  township 
for  a  number  of  years.  He  is  now  in  his  seventy-seventh  year  and  is  a 
fine  example  of  well-preserved  manhood,  being  hale  and  hearty,  a  fact 
which  is  no  doubt  largely  attributable  to  his  total  abstinence  from  tobacco 
and  liquors  of  all  kinds. 

JOHN  M.  COSTELLO. 

John  M,  Costello  is  the  well  known  blacksmith  of  Ottawa,  whose  fame 
as  a  horse-shoer  of  more  than  average  ability  has  gained  for  him  more  than 
a  local  reputation.  He  is  a  native  of  this  county,  having  entered  this 
mundane  sphere  at  the  village  of  Marseilles  on  August  15,  1846. 
He  is  a  son  of  Michael  and  Mary  (Hogan)  Costello,  both  parents 
having  come  from  Ireland  to  this  country  in  1840.  Michael 
Costello  was  a  contractor  on  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  canal,  but  sold  this 
contract  later  to  Michael  Killelea  and  moved  upon  a  farm  about  three 
miles  from  Marseilles.  He  lived  there  until  his  death,  in  1850,  and  became 
a  successful  farmer  and  stock-raiser.  Five  children  were  born  to  him,  viz.: 
Ellen,  wife  of  William  Killelea;  Mary  Ann,  wife  of  John  W.  GafTaney,  of 
Chicago;  Margaret  S.,  of  Chicago;  Bridget,  widow  of  Mr.  Lynch;  and 
John  W.,  our  subject.     The  widow  and  five  children  survive  his  death. 

John  M.  Costello  was  about  four  years  old  at  the  time  of  his  father's 
death  and  made  his  home  with  the  family  of  Michael  Killelea  until  he  was 
fourteen  years  old,  attending  school  at  the  Grove  school-house.  He  was 
then  bound  to  Patrick  McDermott,  of  Ottawa,  to  learn  the  trade  of  black- 
smith. After  serving  his  time  he  went  to  work  for  Thomas  McDermott 
for  a  time,  but  later  went  to  Morris,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade.  Return- 
ing to  Ottawa  he  was  employed  four  years  by  Hahn  &  Shehan,  buggy  and 
wagon   manufacturers.      He   then   entered   into   a   partnership   with   John 


134  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

Leonard  for  eighteen  months,  running  a  shop  in  this  city.  In  1876  he 
opened  a  shop  at  No.  108  East  Main  street,  in  an  old  frame  building,  for- 
merly a  part  of  the  old  Mansion  house,  kept  by  one  Mr.  Wade,  but  his  busi- 
ness increased  to  such  an  extent  that  this  building  would  not  meet  the 
requirements  of  his  trade  and  he  erected  a  two-story  brick  building.  He 
now  has  three  forges  and  has  three  men  working  for  him  the  greater  part 
of  the  time,  and  has  all  the  work  he  can  attend  to,  being  especially  in  de- 
mand among  the  farmers. 

November  26,  1874,  he  was  married  to  ^liss  Eliza  Fennerty,  a  native 
of  Ottawa  and  the  eldest  daughter  of  James  and  Bridget  (O'Brien)  Fen- 
nerty, who  were  born  in  Ireland  and  emigrated  to  America  in  1831,  coming 
to  Ottawa  in  1834.  Mr.  Costello  has  erected  a  fine  residence  on  Post 
street  for  his  home,  and  owns  besides  other  city  property.  He  began  life 
in  a  small  way  with  but  scant  means,  and  by  industry  and  frugality  has  laid 
by  a  competency  which  will  allow  him  to  pass  his  last  days  in  comfort  and 
ease  if  he  be  so  disposed.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United 
Workmen. 


C.  W.  WOOD\\^\RD. 


Grand  Rapids  township.  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  includes  among  its 
leading  citizens  the  gentleman  whose  name  introduces  this  sketch.  On 
his  present  farm,  which  comprises  two  hundred  and  five  acres,  Mr.  Wood- 
ward has  resided  since  1871,  when  he  purchased  it  of  George  Mills,  and 
he  is  thoroughly  identified  with  the  best  interests  of  this  locality.  Some 
personal  mention  of  him  is  appropriate  in  this  work,  and  we  take  pleasure 
in  presenting  to  our  readers  the  following  review: 

C.  W.  Woodward  was  born  in  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania,  February 
23,  1847,  the  son  of  Caleb  Woodward,  also  a  native  of  Fayette  county, 
Pennsylvania.  Joseph  W^oodward,  the  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was 
likewise  born  in  the  Keystone  state.  He  was  of  Scotch  and  EngHsh  descent 
and  was  a  man  of  honest  industry,  by  occupation  a  farmer.  Caleb  Wood- 
ward grew  up  on  his  father's  farm  in  Fayette  county,  and  there  married  Miss 
Rebecca  Lynn,  a  native  of  that  county  and  a  daughter  of  Samuel  Lynn  and 
wife,  nee  McCormick,  both  of  whom  died  in  Pennsylvania.  Caleb  Wood- 
ward died  in  Pennsylvania,  in  1847,  when  our  subject  was  six  months  old, 
and  his  widow  later  became  the  wife  of  Elias  Jeffries.  She  died  in  Dela- 
ware county,  Iowa,  in  1859. 

After  his  father's  death  the  subject  of  our  sketch  found  a  home  with 
his  paternal  grandfather,  with  whom  he  lived  for  nine  years.  From  his  ninth 
year  until  he  reached  maturity  he  was  a  member  of  the  household  of  his 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  135 

uncle,  Taylor  Woodward.  His  youth  was  passed  in  farm  work,  and  a  por- 
tion of  each  year  he  attended  the  public  schools.  On  reaching  manhood 
he  engaged  in  farming  on  his  own  account,  remaining  in  Fayette  county 
until  1871,  in  which  year  he  came  west  to  Illinois  and  purchased  the  farm 
he  now  occupies,  as  stated  in  the  beginning  of  this  sketch.  This  place  is 
nicely  improved  with  first-class  buildings,  etc.,  the  residence  being  located 
on  a  natural  building  site,  and  everything  conveniently  arranged  and  well 

kept. 

Mr.  Woodward  was  married  October  24,  1867,  to  Miss  Martha  J. 
Leckey,  a  native  of  the  same  county  in  which  he  was  born,  and  a  daughter 
of  William  and  Mary  A.  (Moore)  Leckey,  also  natives  of  Fayette  county. 
Mrs.  Leckey  died  in  middle  life,  leaving  two  children — Mrs.  Woodward  and 
^.Irs.  Louisa  Rice,  of  Fayette  county.  Mr.  Leckey  lived  to  the  age  of  sixty 
years,  and  he  likewise  died  in  Pennsylvania.  By  a  second  marriage  he  had 
other  children.  By  trade  he  was  a  millwright,  in  politics  was  a  Republican, 
and  in  religion  a  Lutheran.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Woodward  have  been  born 
eleven  children,  nine  sons  and  two  daughters,  namely:  Anna  Alice,  wife 
of  Charles  Palmer  of  Grand  Ridge,  Illinois;  Charles  Lynn,  a  bookkeeper 
of  Ottaw^a,  Illinois;  William  A.,  of  Webster  county,  Iowa;  I.  Lewis,  a 
bridge-builder  of  LaSalle  county;  Etta  M.,  at  home;  Arthur  E.,  of  Webster 
county,  Iowa;  Chester  R.,  at  home;  Clayton,  a  student  of  Lake  Forest, 
Illinois;  and  Samuel  C,  Kent  L.  and  Floyd  Wayne.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wood- 
ward are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Politically  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican. 


THOMAS  ROWE. 


Thomas  Rowe  is  one  of  the  well  known  early  settlers  of  Grand  Rapids 
township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois.  He  was  born  in  New  Haven  county, 
Connecticut,  December  12,  1831,  and  is  descended  from  old  New  England 
families  who  were  noted  for  their  industry,  honesty  and  patriotism.  ^  Mr. 
Rowe's  father  was  Frederick  Rowe,  a  native  of  Bennington,  Vermont.  Fred- 
erick Rowe's  mother  was,  before  marriage,  a  Miss  Perry,  and  her  people  were 
among  the  patriots  in  Revolutionary  times,  six  of  her  brothers  serving  in 
the  Revolutionary  army.  Thomas  Rowe's  mother's  maiden  name  was 
Hepsebee  Johnson.  She  was  born  in  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  daughter 
of  Jesse  Johnson,  whose  a^jcestors  came  from  England  in  the  Mayflower. 

In  1849  Frederick  Rowe  left  his  New  England  home  and,  accompanied 
by  his  family,  came  west  to  Illinois,  making  the  journey  across  the  country 
to  Buffalo,  thence  via  the  lakes  to  Chicago,  and  by  canal  from  Chicago  to 
Ottawa.     Arrived  in  LaSalle  county,  he  settled  in  Grand  Rapids  township, 


136  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

and  here  he  passed  the  rest  of  his  life  and  died,  his  age  at  death  being 
seventy-one  years.  The  wife  and  mother  likewise  was  seventy-one  years 
of  age  when  she  died.  They  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  and  in  his  political  views  Mr.  Rowe  was  Democratic.  Their  children 
in  order  of  birth  were  as  follows:  Georgiana  Rigler,  who  died  in  Chicago; 
Minerva  James,  of  Connecticut;  Frederick  W.,  of  Ottawa,  Illinois;  Ellen 
Lowry,  deceased;  Thomas,  whose  name  initiates  this  sketch;  Elizabeth 
Ford,  of  Grand  Ridge,  LaSalle  county;  and  ]\Iary  Jeffries,  of  D wight,  Illi- 
nois. 

Thomas  Rowe  was  reared  in  Connecticut,  where  he  received  a  fair 
education  in  the  common  schools,  and  wdiere  for  one  year  he  was  employed 
in  a  tack  and  nail  factory.  Then  came  their  emigration  to  Illinois.  He  was 
eighteen  at  that  time,  and  on  their  settlement  here  he  devoted  his  energies 
to  assisting  his  father  in  work  on  the  farm.  He  remained  on  the  home  farm 
until  1858,  when  he  thought  to  try  his  fortune  in  Texas,  and  went  to  Hunts- 
ville,  where  he  made  the  first  brooms  manufactured  in  that  state.  He  was 
in  the  south  at  the  time  the  civil  war  broke  out,  and  circumstances  impelled 
liim  to  enter  the  Confederate  army,  in  which  he  served  for  a  period  of  three 
years,  being  with  the  forces  that  operated  in  Arkansas  and  Louisiana.  At 
the  close  of  the  war,  in  1865,  he  returned  to  his  old  home  in  Illinois  and  has 
since  been  a  resident  of  LaSalle  count}^  He  is  now  the  owner  of  one  hun- 
dred and  seventeen  acres  of  choice  farming  land,  well  improved  with  good 
house  and  barn,  and  under  an  excellent  state  of  cultivation. 

Mr.  Rowe  was  married,  April  12,  1868,  to  Mary  E.  Read,  a  native  of 
Saratoga  county,  New  York,  and  a  daughter  of  Butler  and  Emeline  Read, 
natives  of  that  county,  both  now  deceased.  The  fruits  of  this  union  were 
four  children — Alice,  now  the  wife  of  Grant  Baker,  of  Grand  Ridge;  Fred- 
erick, who  died  in  infancy;  Emma  L.,  a  successful  teacher,  employed  in 
the  Grand  Ridge  schools;  and  Jessie  B.,  of  South  Qmaha,  Nebraska.  The 
mother  of  this  family  died  in  1886.  She  was  a  most  amiable  woman,  loved 
by  all  who  knew  her,  and  was  a  devoted  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  In  August,  1890,  Mr.  Rowe  married  ]\Irs.  A.  D.  Hodgeman,  widow 
of  Ransom  Hodgeman  and  daughter  of  Ephraim  and  Abigail  (Lowe)  Ray, 
the  former  a  native  of  Connecticut  and  the  latter  of  ]\Iedina  county,  Ohio, 
in  which  county  Mrs.  Rowe  was  likewise  born.  Her  parents  are  still  living, 
being  residents  of  Victoria,  Knox  county,  Illinois.  The  father  is  eighty- 
three  years  of  age,  and  the  mother  eighty,  and  their  married  life  has  covered 
a  period  of  sixty-two  years.  Both  have  long  been  devoted  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  By  her  first  husband,  Mrs.  Rowe  has  five 
children,  namely:  Isabelle,  wife  of  C.  Hammond,  of  Victoria,  Illinois; 
Alvin,  also  of  Victoria;   Ira  E.,  of  Missouri;    Carl  N.,  who  was  a  soldier  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  137 

the  late  war  with  Spain;  and  Raymond  B.,  at  home.  Mr,  Hodgeman  died 
April  17,  1889.  He  was  a  man  of  sterling  integrity  and  was  held  in  high 
esteem  by  the  people  among  whom  he  lived.  He  was  identified  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  the  Republican 
party. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rowe  are  Presbyterians  in  religious  adherency,  and  po- 
litically Mr.  Rowe  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  man  whose  genial  hospitality 
is  well  known  and  who  has  the  confidence  and  high  regard  of  all  who  have 
ever  in  any  way  been  associated  with  him. 


JERRY  W.  WAKEY. 


The  prosperous  and  well-to-do  farmer  whose  name  initiates  this  re- 
view, Jerry  W.  Wakey,  is  a  native  of  Otter  Creek  township,  LaSalle  county, 
Illinois,  and  dates  his  birth  August  21,  1859.  He  is  a  son  of  William 
W^akey,  deceased,  one  of  the  prominent  early  settlers  and  respected  citizens 
of  this  country.  He  was  born,  reared  and  educated  in  Germany  and  came 
as  a  young  man  to  the  United  States,  locating  shortly  afterward  in  LaSalle 
county,  Illinois,  where  he  married  and  made  permanent  settlement.  His 
widow,  Elizabeth  Wakey,  who  is  still  a  resident  of  this  county,  was  born 
and  reared  in  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania. 

Jerry  W.  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm,  receiving  his  education  in 
the  public  schools,  and  at  home  was  early  taught  that  honesty  and  industry 
form  the  foundation  of  all  true  success.  He  remained  at  home,  assisting 
his  father  in  the  farm  work  until  he  attained  his  majority.  Starting  out  in 
life  for  himself,  he  was  well  equipped  by  careful  training,  and  it  was  but 
natural  that  he  should  succeed  in  his  operations.  He  is  now  the  owner  of 
a' fine  farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres,  located  on  section  28,  Grand 
Rapids  township,  and  ranking  as  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the  township, 
and  his  residence,  which  was  built  in  1896,  at  a  cost  of  two  thousand  dollars, 
is  of  modern  architectural  design,  and  shows  by  both  its  interior  and  exterior 
surroundings  that  its  owner  is  not  only  a  prosperous  man,  but  also  that 
he  and  his  family  are  people  of  culture  and  refinement.  Among  other 
improvements  on  his  farm  may  be  mentioned  the  commodious  barn  and 
other  buildings,  and  the  windmill,  which  furnishes  the  power  for  bringing 
water  from  a  depth  of  two  hundred  feet  and  supplying  it  to  convenient 
places  for  use,  in  the  residence,  milkhouse,  etc. 

Mr.  Wakey  was  married  February  3,  1887,  to  Miss  Luemma  Wood- 
ward, a  native  of  LaSalle  county  and  a  daughter  of  George  B,  Woodward, 


138  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

who  died  in  1892,  her  mother  having  passed  away  in  1867.  Mrs.  Wakey 
was  educated  in  Lincohi,  Ihinois,  and  is  one  of  a  family  of  two,  her  brother 
being  J.  W.  Woodward,  of  Grand  Ridge,  this  state.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wakey 
have  one  son.  Earl  Rodner,  born  June  22,  1892. 

Both  Mr.  Wakey  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  being  prominent  and  active  in  the  same,  and  for  years  they  have 
been  interested  in  Sabbath-school  work.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  and 
has  filled  some  local  offices,  such  as  that  of  road  commissioner,  etc.  Frank, 
genial  and  hospitable,  Mr.  Wakey  has  a  large  acquaintance  and  a  corre- 
SDonding  number  of  friends. 


A.  D.  SIMON. 


The  year  that  witnessed  the  close  of  the  great  civil  war  in  the  United 
States  was  the  year  in  which  the  subject  of  this  article  saw  fit  to  cast  in  his 
lot  with  our  people,  and  from  that  time  until  the  present  day  none  of  its 
citizens  have  been  more  loyal  and  patriotic,  in  word,  thought  and  deed. 
Thirty-three  years  have  rolled  away  since  Mr.  Simon  identified  himself  with 
the  business  interests  of  Ottawa,  and  during  this  long  period  he  has  main- 
tained an  unblemished  record  for  integrity  and  square  dealing. 

F.  A.  Simon,  the  father  of  our  subject,  a  native  of  Cassel,  Germany, 
served  in  the  standing  army  of  the  empire  much  of  his  active  life,  winning 
distinction,  and  for  twenty-seven  years  held  official  rank  and  title.  He  was 
a  fine  musician,  and  his  talent  in  that  line  was  inherited  by  his  son,  A.  D., 
of  this  sketch.  The  latter  was  born  in  the  city  of  Cassel,  Germany,  and 
when  of  sufficient  age  entered  the  public  schools.  He  obtained  a  liberal 
education,  and  paid  particular  attention  to  the  study  of  music,  in  which  he 
became  proficient  when  quite  young. 

He  emigrated  to  this  country  in  i860,  and  in  1865,  in  partnership  with 
his  brother  Carl,  opened  a  store  in  Ottawa  where  all  kinds  of  pianos  and 
musical  instruments  were  kept  for  sale.  In  1884  A.  D.  Simon  started  a 
store  on  his  own  account.  Years  ago  this  business  had  won  a  foremost 
place  in  this  department  of  enterprise  in  LaSalle  county,  and  this  reputa- 
tion is  sturdily  maintained  by  the  proprietor.  The  location  is  central,  at 
No.  803  LaSalle  street,  and  here  may  be  found  many  of  the  leading  makes 
of  pianos  and  organs  in  a  great  variety  of  styles  and  cases,  suited  to  the 
diiTfering  tastes  and  requirements  of  purchasers.  High-grade  musical  instru- 
ments of  all  kinds  are  kept,  and  hard  to  please,  indeed,  must  he  be  who  can- 
not be  suited  here. 

For  over  twentv  vears  Mr.  Simon  has  been  the  organist  in  the  Metho- 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  139 

dist  church  of  Ottawa,  and  his  love  for  music  increases  rather  than  wanes 
as  he  grows  older.  He  stands  high  in  social  and  fraternal  circles  and,  among 
others,  is  connected  \vith  the  Knights  Templars.  In  politics  he  is  a  stanch 
Republican. 


SAMUEL  D.  COLE. 


It  is  not  alone  to  the  lives  of  the  great  that  we  must  look  for  the  lessons 
of  life.  It  will  not  make  a  man  a  great  farmer  or  merchant  to  emulate 
the  deeds  of  a  great  lawyer  or  general  or  naval  commander.  There  are 
more  farmers  than  statesmen,  and  there  always  will  be,  and  if  it  were  not  so 
the  statesman's  occupation  would  be  gone.  The  life  of  a  successful  farmer 
like  Samuel  D.  Cole  of  Ottawa,  Illinois,  is,  in  detail,  important  to  thousands 
who  will  necessarily  have  to  follow  in  his  footsteps  more  or  less  closely. 

Samuel  D.  Cole  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Tompkins  county,  New  York, 
March  31,  1821,  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Depsey  (Robinson)  Cole.  His  father 
was  a  native  of  France  and  when  young  came  to  the  United  States,  when, 
after  learning  and  working  at  the  shoemaker's  trade,  he  took  up  farming  in 
New  York,  and  later  in  life  removed  to  Indiana,  where  he  died.  His  mother 
was  a  daughter  of  Andrew  Robinson,  a  well-to-do  farmer  of  Tompkins 
county,  New  York,  where  she  was  born. 

Samuel  D.  Cole  was  brought  up  on  a  farm,  and  after  he  was  old 
enough  assisted  his  father  with  its  work  until  he  attained  his  majority. 
He  then  came  west  as  far  as  Cleveland,  Ohio,  where  he  was  employed 
by  a  contractor,  at  teaming,  carpentry  and  any  other  work  there  was  to 
be  done.  He  was  always  looking  for  a  dollar,  but  he  wanted  no  dollars  but 
honest  ones,  and  was  willing  to  work  hard  for  such.  He  got  ahead  a  little 
financially  and  was  married  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  May  15.,  1845,  to  Elizabeth 
Bell,  who  was  born  August  20,  1828,  the  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Sarah 
Bell,  of  that  city.  In  that  same  year  he  came  to  Illinois  with  his  young 
wife,  and  rented  a  farm  in  Vermilion  township.  In  those  times  this  would 
have  been  a  proposition  not  without  risks  to  one  who,  like  Mr.  Cole,  might 
enter  upon  it  on  a  cash  capital  of  only  twenty-five  dollars.  It  was  haz- 
ardous, even  to  that  day  of  small  things,  but  it  was  a  transaction  which 
must  be  emphasized  here  as  indicating  the  man's  strong,  decisive  char- 
acter and  unconquerable  perseverance.  He  kept  this  farm  three  years 
and  made  money  on  it,  and  was  then  able  to  venture  upon  the  purchase 
of  an  eighty-acre  farm  in  the  township  of  Utica,  where  he  began  farming 
and  raising  stock.  He  gave  much  attention  to  hogs,  as  he  could  raise  them 
and  get  them  to  market  in  a  short  time  and  turn  his  small  capital  over  often. 
As  he  made  money  he  improved  the  property  and  added  to  it  until  he 


I40  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

had  four  hundred  acres  of  choice  land,  provided  with  buildings  of  the  best 
class  and  responsive  to  the  most  perfect  cultivation.  His  stock  was  of  all 
kinds  and  of  the  highest  grade. 

There  came  a  time  when  it  was  no  longer  necessary  for  Mr.  Cole  to 
attend  personally  to  his  farming  and  stock-raising,  and  he  moved  to 
Ottawa,  with  the  intention  of  living  there  retired  and  contented.  But  he 
had  been  too  busy  a  man  for  too  many  years  to  take  readily  to  a  life  of  ease. 
He  secured  control  of  a  boat  on  the  canal,  which  he  ran  for  five  years. 
He  then  added  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  to  his  farm,  where  he  remained 
ten  years,  but  finally,  in  1875,  retired  from  active  agricultural  life  and  moved 
into  Ottawa,  where  he  purchased  a  tract  of  eighty  acres,  where  his  son 
Charles  carried  on  gardening  until  1892,  when  he  sold  it  to  the  Terracotta 
Manufacturing  Company  and  moved  to  his  present  home.  He  owns  eight 
or  ten  good  houses  and  two  store-houses,  the  rental  and  care  of  which 
demand  much  of  his  time;  and  he  also  loans  money,  but  devotes  much 
attention  to  the  supervision  of  his  farming  interests. 

There  have  been  born  to  Samuel  D.  and  Elizabeth  (Bell)  Cole  six 
children:  Louisa,  who  died  in  infancy;  Lydia,  widow  of  Alonzo  Tate;  Julia 
B.,  the  wife  of  Bona  Cole,  a  cousin,  and  living  in  Chicago;  Albert,  living 
on  the  Cole  farm  in  Utica  township;  Charles,  a  gardener;  and  Sherman,  a 
carpenter,  living  in  Ottawa.  Mr.  Cole  was  formerly  an  old-line  Whig,  but 
has  been  a  stanch  Republican  since  the  organization  of  the  party.  He  is 
a  member  of  Occidental  Lodge,  No.  40,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  of 
Ottawa  Chapter,  No.  37,  Royal  Arch  Masons.  He  is  widely  known  as  a 
successful  business  man  and  his  frugality  and  industry  and  their  well  de- 
served reward  should  be  a  shining  lesson  to  the  young  men  of  his  acquaint- 
ance. 


ENOCH  H.  PEDERSEN. 


Enoch  H.  Pedersen,  of  Sheridan,  Mission  township,  owes  his  success 
to  his  own  efforts,  his  energy,  industry  and  laudable  ambition  being  the 
elements  whereby  he  has  won  a  place  among  the  substantial  citizens  of 
LaSalle  county. 

He  was  born  in  Leland,  this  county,  June  14,  1861,  a  son  of  Peter  H. 
and  Lavina  (Hanson)  Pedersen,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Norway. 
His  grandfather  was  Halvar  Pedersen,  who  with  his  family,  consisting  of  a 
wife  and  four  children,  emigrated  to  this  country  in  1843.  A  settlement 
was  made  in  Mission  township,  this  county,  and  four  years  later  they 
removed  to  Leland,  where  the  grandfather  spent  his  last  days.     He  was 


^^-^'U^  ^::^^^^ 


1 


4 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  141 

a  farmer  by  occupation  but  spent  his  last  years  in  retirement.     Peter  H. 
Pedersen  entered  the  ministry  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church  in  early 
manhood,  but  after  some  years  devoted  to  that  work  he  was  obliged  to 
discontinue  preaching  on  account    of    failing    health.       Subsequently   he 
engaged  in  merchandising  in  Leland  for  seven  years.     He  was  married  in 
this  county,  to  Lavina  Hanson,  who  died  in  1866,  while  his  death  occurred 
in  1873.    They  left  three  children,  who  are  still  living,  namely:     Enoch  H.; 
George  M.,  of  Yorkville,  Illinois;  and  Minnie,  the  wife  of  Benjamin  John- 
son, of  Cambridge,  Iowa.    A  son,  Noah,  died  in  1865.     In  1839,  when  Mr. 
Pedersen's  mother  was  three  years  of  age,  her  parents  settled  in  LaSalle 
county,  near  Brumback  creek,  a  few  miles  north  of  Ottawa,  and  here  they 
resided  until  the  following  year,  when  they  moved  to  Adams  township  in  the 
same  county,  where  many  of  the  family  still  reside.    For  a  second  wife  Peter 
H.  Pedersen  married  Bertha  Void,  and  by  this  marriage  there  was  one  child, 
which  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Pedersen,  of  this  review,  spent  the  days  of  his  boyhood  and  youth 
in  Leland,  and  when  nineteen  years  of  age  came  to  Sheridan.  He  acquired 
his  preliminary  education  in  the  schools  of  the  former  place  and  also  pursued 
his  studies  in  Minneapolis,  Minnesota,  and  in  Keokuk,  Iowa.  Afterward 
he  engaged  in  clerking  in  a  general  store  two  years,  and  then  one  year 
in  a  drug-store  in  Leland;  and  on  coming  to  Sheridan  he  accepted  a  clerical 
position  in  a  general  store,  which  he  filled  for  six  years.  He  then  embarked  in 
general  merchandising  on  his  own  account,  continuing  in  that  line  of  business 
for  twelve  years,  during  which  time  he  had  several  partners  and  conducted 
stores  at  the  towns  of  Sheridan,  Dayton  and  Yorkville,  Illinois.  In  the  fall 
of  1898  he  embarked  in  the  hardware  business  in  Sheridan  and  was  success- 
fully engaged  in  this  line  of  business  until  the  fall  of  1899,  when  he  sold 
his  stock. 

In  1885  was  celebrated  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Pedersen  and  Miss  Rose 
McClary,  of  Sheridan,  the  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Susan  McClary,  early 
settlers  of  Mission  township.  They  have  two  sons:  Pierre  M.,  born  in 
1886;  and  McClary  W.,  born  in  1890.  Socially  Mr.  Pedersen  is  a  Royal 
Arch  Mason  and  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  In 
politics  he  is  a  staunch  Republican,  having  supported  that  party  since  attain- 
ing his  majority.  He  keeps  well  informed  on  the  issues  of  the  day  and 
does  all  in  his  power  to  promote  the  growth  and  insure  the  success  of 
his  party.  He  has  served  as  school  treasurer  of  Mission  township  for  ten 
years,  as  alderman  of  Sheridan  for  one  term,  and  in  April.  1898,  he  was 
appointed  by  John  C.  Ames  to  the  oftlce  of  deputy  United  States  marshal, 
in  which  capacity  he  is  now  serving  most  acceptably. 

In  the  beginning  of  his  business  career  Mr.   Pedersen  did  not  have 


142  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

wealth  to  aid  him.  His  reliance  has  been  placed  upon  the  more  substantial 
qualities  of  perseverance,  untiring  enterprise,  resolute  purpose  and  com- 
mendable zeal;  and  withal  his  actions  have  been  guided  by  an  honesty  of 
purpose  that  none  have  questioned. 


ISRAEL  C.  COPE. 


A  prominent  figure  in  the  annals  of  Streator  is  Israel  C.  Cope,  wlio  has 
achieved  distinction  in  numerous  important  public  positions,  acquitting  him- 
self of  the  duties  devolving  upon  him  with  zeal,  fidelity  and  promptness,  and 
meriting  the  high  enconiums  which  have  been  accorded  him.  The  following 
facts  relative  to  himself  and  his  honorable  career  will  possess  much  interest 
to  his  hosts  of  admirers,  here  and  elsewhere. 

The  Cope  family  was  established  in  America  by  one  Oliver  Cope,  a 
member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  who  accompanied  William  Penn  on  one 
of  his  voyages  from  England  to  the  vicinity  of  Philadelphia.  Israel  C.  is  a 
son  of  Eli  and  Susan  (Shotwell)  Cope,  and  a  grandson  of  James  Dickinson 
and  Rebecca  (Cooke)  Cope,  and  of  John  Shotwell,  the  latter  of  New  Jersey, 
while  the  Copes  were  natives  of  the  Keystone  state. 

The  birth  of  Israel  C.  Cope  took  place  in  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania, 
March  4,  1849,  he  being  one  of  ten  children,  five  of  whom  were  sons.  He 
spent  his  youthful  days  in  his  native  county,  where  he  gained  an  excellent 
education.  Later  he  pursued  his  studies  in  Bethany  College,  West  Virginia. 
In  1 87 1  he  decided  to  try  his  fortunes  in  the  west  and  went  to  Ottumwa, 
Iowa,  where  he  spent  two  years.  In  1873  he  came  to  Streator  and  secured 
employment  as  a  clerk,  and  subsequently  he  embarked  in  the  drug  business 
upon  his  own  account.  He  met  with  success  in  his  financial  undertakings, 
and  thoroughly  merits  the  high  esteem  in  which  he  is  held  by  those  who 
have  had  business  dealings  with  him. 

Though  he  has  loyally  adhered  to  the  Republican  party  since  becoming 
a  voter,  Mr.  Cope  has  been  nothing  of  a  politician  in  the  sense  of  seeking 
public  honors.  His  influence,  however,  in  local  circles  has  been  materially 
felt  and  acknowledged,  and  his  appointment  as  the  postmaster  of  Streator, 
under  President  Harrison's  administration,  gave  general  satisfaction.  Later 
he  was  appointed  deputy  United  States  marshal  of  the  northern  district 
of  Illinois,  in  which  capacity  he  is  still  acting.  For  the  past  nine  years  he 
has  been  the  Illinois  state  secretary  of  the  American  Protective  Tariff 
League. 

On  the  last  day  of  May,  in  the  centennial  year,  Mr.  Cope  married  Miss 
Fannie  O.  Ames,  a  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Aurelia  (Mooar)  Ames,  of  Streator. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  143 

They  have  a  son  and  daughter — Jessie  O.  and  Ehiier  A.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cope 
have  an  attractive  home  in  this  town,  and  are  surrounded  by  the  numerous 
comforts  and  hixuries  which  bespeak  true  refinement  in  the  possessors,  as 
indicating  love  for  the  beautiful. 

Socially,  Mr.  Cope  is  a  member  in  high  standing  in  the  Masonic  order. 
He  belongs  to  Streator  Lodge,  No.  602,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Streator  Chapter,  No. 
168,  R.  A.  M.,  of  Streator;  and  Ottawa  Commandery  No.  10,  K.  T. 


ANDREW  J.   REDMEN. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  furnishes  an  illustration  of  the  self-made 
man.  Coming  to  Illinois  and  locating  in  LaSalle  county  more  than  four 
decades  ago,  without  means,  his  only  resource  being  his  pluck  and  energy, 
Andrew  Jackson  Redmen  w'orked  his  way  to  the  front,  and  to-day  he  occu- 
pies a  representative  position  among  the  leading  farmers  of  Farm  Ridge 
township. 

Mr.  Redmen  is  a  native  of  Preble  county,  Ohio,  and  was  born  Decem- 
ber 14,  1835.  The  Redmens  were  among  the  earl}^  settlers  of  this  country 
and  occupied  prominent  positions  in  New  Jersey,  Maryland  and  Virginia 
at  an  early  day.  John  Redmen,  the  grandfather  of  Andrew  J.,  was  a  soldier 
in  some  of  the  early  wars.  His  son  Benjamin  Redmen  married  Miss  Eliza- 
beth House,  a  native  of  West  Virginia  and  a  descendant  of  German  ancestry. 
After  their  marriage  they  moved  west  to  Preble  county,  Ohio,  where  they 
reared  their  family  and  passed  the  rest  of  their  lives.  Their  children, 
seven  in  number,  were  named  as  follows:  Mary  Catherine,  deceased;  Ellen 
Caroline;  Andrew  Jackson;  Sarah  Jane,  deceased;  Susan;  one  child  who 
died  in  infancy;  and  William.  The  father  died  at  the  age  of  fifty-nine 
years.     He  was  a  farmer  all  his  life,  and  politically  was  a  Democrat. 

•  Andrew  J.  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Preble  county,  attending 
the  subscription  schools  of  the  neighborhood,  assisting  in  the  farm  work 
at  home,  and  early  having  impressed  upon  his  mind  lessons  of  honesty  and 
industry.  Leaving  home  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  in  1856,  he  came  to 
Illinois  and  found  employment  in  LaSalle  county.  A  few  years  later  he 
returned  to  Ohio  and  was  married,  and  in  i860  came  back  to  Illinois  and 
settled  in  Farm  Ridge  township,  LaSalle  county,  where  he  has  since  lived 
and  prospered.  When  he  landed  here  the  second  time  his  capital  consisted 
of  thirty-three  dollars  in  money  and  an  abundance  of  energy,  and  his  suc- 
cess is  due  wholly  to  his  own  perseverance  and  good  management.  He  is 
now  the  owner  of  four  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  fine  land,  comprised  in 


144  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

four  well  improved  farms,  and  is  ranked  with  the  leading  farmers  of  the 
township. 

Mr.  Redmen  was  married  in  Preble  county,  Ohio,  to  Miss  Sarah 
Bunger,  a  native  of  that  state  and  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Eva  (Lock) 
Bunger.  They  have  eight  children,  namely:  Mrs.  Eathlinda  Rutter,  of 
western  Nebraska;  James  P.,  who  owns  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land 
and  is  engaged  in  farming  in  Farm  Ridge  township,  LaSalle  county;  John 
Perry%  of  Webster  county,  Iowa;  Samuel,  on  his  father's  farm;  William 
F.,  on  Deer  Park  farm;  Mrs.  Eva  H,  Provins,  of  Gardner,  Illinois;  and 
Andrew  J.,  Jr.,  and  Leroy  at  home. 

Mr.  Redmen  has  always  supported  the  Republican  party  and  has  served 
officially  in  several  local  ofhces.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  xVs  a  citizen  he  stands  high  in  the  estimation  of  the  people  of  his 
communitv. 


HENRY  F.  HOWLAND. 

In  reviewing  the  life  history  of  Henry  F.  Howland,  one  of  the  leading 
and  wealthy  citizens  of  Streator,  one  is  inevitably  impressed  with  what  he, 
v.ho  was  a  few  years  ago  a  poor  man,  has  accomplished.  From  his  boy- 
hood industry  and  diligent  application  to  w'hatever  task  he  had  before 
him  have  been  among  his  marked  traits  of  character,  and  this  concentra- 
tion of  his  energy  to  the  working  out  of  some  particular  aim  is  one  of  the 
secrets  of  his  success. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  Shubal  Howland,  was  born  at  Cape  Cod, 
Massachusetts,  and  during  the  greater  part  of  his  mature  life  he  was  en- 
gaged in  merchandising.  The  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Mary 
Godfrey,  was  born  at  Blackstone,  Rhode  Island,  and  passed  the  most  of 
her  life  in  her  native  state. 

Henry  F.  Howland  was  born  in  Seekonk,  Massachusetts,  May  5,  1839. 
When  he  was  quite  young  his  parents  removed  to  Rhode  Island,  and  there 
the  lad  attended  the  public  schools  until  he  was  about  fifteen  years  of  age. 
He  then  obtained  employment  in  the  great  Lonsdale  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany's mills,  at  Lonsdale.  Rhode  Island,  W'here  he  continued  to  render 
faithful  service  for  some  fourteen  years. 

In  1870  the  desire  to  see  the  west,  with  a  view  to  making  his  perma- 
nent abode  there,  led  to  his  coming  to  LaSalle  county,  and,  having  some 
capital,  he  invested  it  in  a  furniture  and  undertaking  establishment  at 
^A^ilmington,  where  he  remained  eleven  years.  During  this  time  he  was 
always  at  the   front  in   furthering  the   development  and   improvement   of 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  145 

his  home  city.  He  served  two  years  as  city  clerk  and  six  years  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  city  council,  and  was  also  solicited  a  number  of  times  to  accept 
the  office  of  mayor,  but  declined  further  honor  in  that  line.  Becoming 
acquainted  with  Daniel  Heenan,  of  Streator,  through  that  gentleman's 
persuasion  he  was  induced,  in  1880,  to  remove  his  business  to  Streator, 
where  he  has  met  with  even  greater  success,  and  numbers  among  his 
patrons  the  best  families  of  the  place.  In  1891  he  erected  a  fine,  substantial 
three-story  brick  block,  forty-five  feet  by  ninety  feet  in  dimensions,  and 
all  of  the  room  thus  afforded  is  used  by  him  in  the  various  departments 
of  his  prosperous  business.  He  carries  a  large  and  well  selected  stock  of 
household  furnishings,  carpets,  furniture  and  general  supplies.  A  fine  line 
of  caskets  and  funeral  equipments  are  to  be  found  in  that  department  of  the 
enterprise,  and  a  good  hearse  and  horses  complete  what  is  considered  one 
of  the  best  undertaking  outfits  in  the  county.  Mr.  Howland's  reputation 
in  his  special  lines  of  business  has  extended  over  the  southern  and  central 
part  of  LaSalle  county,  and  his  record  for  fairness  and  square  dealing  is 
unsurpassed. 

In  1859  Mr.  Howland  wedded  Miss  Mary  Carlin,  a  daughter  of  John 
Carlin,  of  Lonsdale,  Rhode  Island.  Five  children  were  born  to  this  worthy 
couple,  namely:  Mary,  wife  of  Nicholas  Casey,  a  retired  farmer  of  Streator; 
Lydia,  who  is  at  home;  Henry  J.,  who  is  associated  in  business  with  his 
father;  John  F.,  now  employed  by  the  Santa  Fe  Railroad  Company;  Lydia, 
who  is  at  home;  and  Lucy,  who  is  still  pursuing  her  studies  at  the  Academy 
of  the  Sacred  Heart,  Chicago. 

In  politics  Mr.  Howland  is  a  stanch  Republican.  For  six  years  he 
served  as  a  member  of  the  Streator  school  board,  favoring  progressive 
methods  and  better  educational  facilities  for  the  rising  generation.  Socially 
he  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  owns  his  attractive 
home  and  other  valuable  property  here,  and  has  an  assured  competence  for 
his  declining  years,  all  of  which  is  the  result  of  his  executive  ability  and 
good  judgment  in  business  affairs. 


J.  J.  WAFER. 


Unusual  merit  and  stability  of  character  must  be  possessed  by  the 
young  lad  who  is  thrown  upon  his  own  resources  at  an  age  when  he 
should  be  in  the  school-room,  yet  who  bravely  fights  the  battle  for  a  liveli- 
hood in  which  many  of  his  elders  are  worsted,  and  eventually  comes  ofif 
victor  over  circumstances.     This  is  found  to  be  the  case  in  the  history  of 


146  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

J.  J.  Wafer,  who  for  the  past  five  years  has  been  engaged  in  business  in 
Ottawa. 

He  is  a  native  of  St.  Louis,  his  birth  having  taken  place  in  that  city 
some  thirty-four  years  ago.  His  father,  John  Wafer,  now  deceased,  was 
a  son  of  the  Emerald  Isle,  but  in  his  young  manhood  he  emigrated  to  the 
United  States,  and  taking  up  his  residence  in  St.  Louis  there  married  Miss 
Elizabeth  Early.  Li  1876  they  removed  to  Denver,  Colorado,  where  they 
dwelt  for  years. 

J.  J.  Wafer  had  but  limited  educational  advantages,  as  he  commenced 
serving  an  apprenticeship  at  the  plumbing,  gas  and  steam-fitting  business 
when  he  was  but  eleven  years  of  age.  He  made  rapid  progress  in  the  craft, 
and  at  last  was  promoted  to  the  position  of  foreman  for  the  business  house 
of  W.  W.  'Judd,  of  Denver,  in  whose  employ  he  continued  for  eight  years. 
He  is  a  practical  workman,  understanding  thoroughly  every  branch  of  his 
line  of  business,  and  all  contracts  awarded  him  are  executed  with  a  prompt- 
ness and  ability  which  make  friends  of  all  of  his  patrons.  Since  locating 
in  Ottawa  his  place  of  business  has  been  at  No.  104  Main  street,  where 
may  be  found  a  complete  stock  of  plumbers'  supplies.  He  has  succeeded 
in  gaining  a  large  and  remunerative  patronage,  and  his  outlook  is  most 
promising. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Wafer  is  a  Knight  of  the  Globe,  and  a  member  of  the 
L  O.  M.  A.,  and  politically  he  is  independent.  In  1890  Mr.  Wafer  mar- 
ried Miss  Ella  Hayne,  a  daughter  of  William  Hayne.  Mrs.  Wafer  is  a 
native  of  Ottawa,  and  is  a  lady  of  liberal  mental  and  social  attainments.  A 
little  son  and  daughter,  Willie  and  Esther,  bless  their  happy  home,  where 
is  represented   the   acme   of  comfort  and  culture. 


C.   E.   FARNHAM,  M.   D. 

Dr.  C.  E.  Farnham,  of  Grand  Ridge,  Illinois,  is  one  of  the  prominent 
young  physicians  in  LaSalle  county,  and  the  following  brief  sketch  of  his 
life  is  appropriately  given  in  this  connection.  He  was  born  in  Farm  Ridge 
township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  February  16,  1865,  son  of  William  F. 
Farnham,  a  well  known  and  highly  respected  citizen  of  the  township.  The 
latter  is  of  New  England  birth  and  ancestry,  born,  reared  and  educated  in 
Maine.  He  came  to  Illinois  when  a  young  man,  locating  in  LaSalle  county, 
and  was  here  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Hodgson,  daughter  of  Eli  Hodgson, 
deceased,  a  prominent  early  settler  of  the  county.  In  1870  William  F. 
Farnham  and  wife  went  to  Missouri,  locating  in  Vernon  county,  at  Shell 
City,  where  they  have  since  lived.    They  have  the  following  named  children: 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  147 

C.  E.,  whose  name  introduces  this  sketch;  WilHam  G. ;  Warren  E.,  a 
teacher,  and  Mattie  E. 

C.  E.  Farnham  received  his  education  chiefly  at  Shell  City,  Missouri, 
and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  commenced  teaching,  which  occupation  he  fol- 
lowed for  a  few  years.  In  the  meantime  he  chose  the  medical  profession 
for  his  life  work,  and  regularly  took  up  the  study  of  medicine  in  1887,  under 
the  instructions  of  Dr.  H.  C.  Jarvis,  a  well  known  and  successful  physician 
of  Shell  City,  with  whom  he  remained  one  year.  In  1888  he  entered 
Bennett  Eclectic  College,  in  Chicago,  from  which  institution  he  graduated, 
being  one  of  a  class  of  seventy-five  members.  Immediately  after  his  gradu- 
ation, in  1890,  he  located  at  Harding,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  where  he 
began  his  professional  career  and  practiced  two  years.  From  Harding  he 
came,  in  1892,  to  Grand  Ridge,  his  present  location,  where  he  soon  built 
up  a  good  practice  and  where  his  success  as  a  physician  and  his  kindly 
and  genial  manner  have  brought  him  into  favor  with  the  people  among 
whom  he  lives. 

Dr.  Farnham  was  married  in  1890,  at  Osceola,  Clark  county,  Iowa,  to 
Miss  Rosa  Sutton,  an  accom.plished  young  woman,  who  was  reared  in 
LaSalle  county,  being  the  daughter  of  William  and  Martha  Sutton.  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  Farnham  have  one  child,  Edna  M. 

Politically  and  religiously  Dr.  Farnham  clings  to  the  faith  in  which 
he  was  reared,  being  a  Republican  and  a  Methodist.  In  church  matters 
he  takes  an  active  interest,  and  at  this  writing  is  steward  of  the  Methodist 
church  at  Grand  Ridge.  Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Knights  of 
Pythias  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  being  a  past  chancellor  in 
the  former.  Personally  Dr.  Farnham  is  a  man  of  fine  physique,  weighing 
two  hundred  pounds,  and  in  manner  he  is  frank  and  genial. 


AARON  S.  WILKINSON. 

The  gentleman  whose  name  we  are  pleased  to  place  at  the  head  of 
this  memoir, — the  late  Aaron  S.  Wilkinson,  of  Allen  township,  LaSalle 
county,  Illinois, — was  a  justice  of  the  peace  and  a  veteran  of  the  civil  war. 
The  record  of  his  life,  briefly  given,  is  as  follows: 

Aaron  S.  Wilkinson  was  born  in  Auburn,  New  York,  July  7.  1828, 
son  of  Aaron  Wilkinson,  a  native  of  Scott's  Plain,  New  York,  and  his  wife, 
Polly  (Wilkins)  Wilkinson,  daughter  of  a  Revolutionary  soldier.  Aaron 
and  Polly  Wilkinson  were  the  parents  of  a  large  family,  whose  names  in 
order  of  birth  are:  Mrs.  Sophia  Wisner,  of  Hanson.  Nebraska:  Permelia 
Linsley,  of  New  York;   James,  an  early  settler  of  Allen  township,  LaSalle 


148  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

county,  Illinois,  is  deceased;  Polly  Granger,  deceased;  Eleanor  Caldwell, 
deceased;  and  Cornelia  Holcomb,  deceased. 

In  his  native  state  Aaron  S.  Wilkinson  was  reared  and  educated.  He 
had  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife  was  before  marriage  Miss  Maria 
Babcock,  she  being  a  native  of  Branch  county,  Michigan,  and  daughter  of 
Frank  Babcock,  of  that  state.  The  fruits  of  their  union  were  four  children, 
viz.:  Edna,  wife  of  James  Ford,  of  Ransom,  Illinois;  James,  of  Crystal 
Falls,  Michigan;  Frank,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-seven  years;  and 
Ambrose  B.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-eight,  leaving  a  wife  and  three 
children.  Mrs.  Maria  Wilkinson  died  June  23,  1885.  She  was  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  was  a  most  estimable  woman,  loved 
by  all  who  knew  her.  In  September,  1886,  Mr.  Wilkinson  was  married 
to  Mrs.  Lovisa  Wilkinson,  who  is  the  daughter  of  Bourbon  Matthews,  a 
native  of  Virginia.  By  this  marriage  there  are  two  children:  Irma  and 
Bertha,  aged  ten  and  three  years  respectively. 

Mr.  Wilkinson's  war  record  began  in  September,  1862,  when  he 
•enlisted  in  Company  B,  Eighth  Michigan  Cavalry,  under  Captain  Miles 
Warren  and  Colonel  Stockton,  and  he  was  made  first  lieutenant  of  his 
company.  He  was  with  his  command,  participating  in  the  engagements  in 
which  it  took  part,  until  June  10,  1864,  when  he  was  honorably  discharged, 
and  thereupon  returned  home. 

Politically  Mr.  Wilkinson  was  always  known  as  an  ardent  Republican. 
For  twelve  years  he  served  as  a  justice  of  the  peace  and  a  notary  public. 
Fraternally  he  was  identified  with  the  Masonic  Order,  and  was  a  member 
of  Francis  M.  Lane  Post,  No.  247,  G.  A.  R.,  having  been  its  first  com- 
mander and  being  senior  vice-commander  at  the  time  of  his  death.  Mr. 
Wilkinson  was  an  accomplished  musician,  having  taught  music  for  over 
forty  years,  and  for  some  years  past  was  the  leader  of  the  Methodist  church 
choir.  November  3,  1899,  Mr.  Wilkinson  passed  to  his  reward,  leaving 
a  large  circle  of  friends  to  mourn  his  demise.  He  leaves  his  wife  and  their 
two  children  and  two  children  by  his  former  marriage  to  mourn  his 
loss.     He  Avas  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Ransom. 


WILLIAM  A.  JEFFERY. 

During  the  years  1895  ^^^'^  1896  William  A.  JefTery  was  the  efificient 
and  popular  chairman  of  the  Republican  township  central  committee  at 
Ottawa.  He  is  considered  one  of  the  most  loyal  workers  in  the  party  in 
this  locality,  and,  at  the  same  time,  he  is  not  an  office-seeker,  never  having 
had  aspirations  in  that  direction.     He  firmly  believes  in  the  usefulness  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  149 

wisdom  of  the  party  principles  and  seeks  to  promulgate  its  beneficent  doc- 
trines. In  the  order  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  he  is  an  esteemed  member, 
and  at  present  he  occupies  the  honored  position  of  major  of  the  second 
battalion  of  the  Uniformed  Rank. 

For  the  past  twelve  or  thirteen  years  Mr.  Jeffery  has  been  a  resident 
of  Ottawa.  He  is  engaged  in  contracting  and  building  and  has  his  busi- 
ness office  at  No.  325  Madison  street.  Many  of  the  best  houses  of  the- 
town  have  been  erected  by  him,  or  under  his  direction,  and  examples  of 
his  handicraft  are  to  be  seen  upon  every  side.  Upright  and  honorable  in 
all  his  transactions,  faithful  in  the  carrying  out  of  his  contracts,  whether 
verbal  or  written,  he  justly  ranks  high  among  the  business  men  of  this 
place. 

Thomas  Jeffery,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  New  York  state, 
and  was  of  English  descent.  He  married  a  Miss  Mary  Andrews,  who  passed 
to  her  reward  in  1893,  and  to  this  worthy  couple  nine  children  were  born. 
All  of  the  children,  save  William  A.,  are  residents  of  Michigan.  In  order 
of  birth  they  are  named  as  follow^s:  William  A.;  Leanora;  John;  Milo; 
Lillie;  Elton;  Edward;  Hattie;  and  Ivia.  The  father  has  made  agriculture 
the  main  business  of  his  life,  and  in  this  he  has  been  quite  successful.  In 
his  political  adherency  he  is  a  Democrat. 

The  birth  of  William  A.  Jeffery  took  place  on  the  old  homestead  hi 
Wayne  county,  Michigan,  September  27,  1850.  He  received  the  benefits- 
of  a  good  common  and  high  school  education,  and  w^as  thus  qualified  for 
the  battle  of  life.  Subsequently  to  his  graduation  in  the  Howell  high, 
school  he  commenced  learning  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  in  1882  he  came 
to  Illinois,  wdiere  he  has  since  been  busily  engaged  in  his  chosen  vocation. 
On  New  Year's  day,  1878,  a  marriage  ceremony  performed  in  Mar- 
seilles, Illinois,  united  the  destinies  of  William  A.  Jeffery  and  Miss  Florence 
Irwin,  a  daughter  of  Richard  Irwin,  ex-county  superintendent.  Three  sons 
and  a  daughter  grace  the  union  of  our  subject  and  wife,  namely:  Mary,, 
Amos,  Ray  and  Frank. 


DAVID  KROUSE. 


David  Krouse,  of  Ottawa,  Illinois,  is  a  native  of  the  Keystone  state,. 
and  dates  his  birth  in  Luzerne  county  on  the  27th  of  September.  1846.     His 
forefathers  were  of  German  origin  and  were  among  the  early  settlers  of 
Pennsylvania.     His  father,  Joseph  Krouse,  married  a  Miss  Huthmaker,  and 
to  them  were  born  seven  children, — all  sons. 

David's  boyhood  days  w^ere  passed  on  his  father's  farm  and  in  attend-- 
ance  at  the  public  school,  and  ^^•]len  he  was  fifteen  the  great  civil  war  broke; 


I50  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

out.  The  next  year,  in  1862,  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  he  enlisted  as  a  member 
of  Company  G,  One  Hundred  and  Seventy-seventh  Pennsylvania  Volun- 
teers, under  Captain  B.  G.  Cooper.  His  army  service  covered  a  period  of 
ten  months,  during  which  time  he  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Suffolk  and 
Deep  Creek,  Virginia.  He  was  then  honorably  discharged,  and  returned 
home  and  resumed  farming. 

In  1864  he  served  an  apprenticeship  with  Charles  Roth,  of  Wilkes- 
barre,  Pennsylvania,  in  the  gunsmith's  trade,  remaining  with  him  three 
years,  and  in  1867  he  came  to  Ottawa,  working  at  his  trade  with  H.  P. 
Drunker  for  three  years  and  the  same  length  of  time  with  D.  S.  Ebersol. 
Since  then  has  been  in  business  for  himself. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-six  years  Mr.  Krouse  married  Miss  Sarah  A. 
Arnold,  also  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  their  union  has  been  blessed  in 
the  birth  of  three  children,  viz.:  Jesse,  Benjamin  Franklin  and  Alice.  Ben- 
jamin F.  was  in  the  late  war  with  Spain,  a  member  of  Company  C,  Third 
Illinois   Volunteer   Infantry. 

Politically,  Mr.  Krouse  is  identified  with  the  Republican  party,  and  by 
appointment  filled  for  some  time  the  office  of  receiver  of  the  port  at 
Ottawa.  Socially  he  maintains  membership  in  the  Uniform  Rank,  Knights 
of  Pythias,  in  which  organization  he  was  elected  first  lieutenant  and  after- 
ward captain. 


LEVI  CLAY. 


For  sixteen  years  Levi  Clay  has  lived  retired  from  the  active  cares  and 
labors  to  which  his  prime  was  given,  his  home  being  in  Streator  during  this 
period  of  enjoyment  of  the  fruits  of  his  former  toil.  Energetic  and  progres- 
sive, he  made  his  own  way  in  the  world  from  boyhood,  and  won  a  position 
and  competence  and  the  esteem  of  all  who  know  him. 

Levi  Clay  comes  from  the  same  ancestral  stock  as  does  the  distin- 
guished Kentucky  statesman,  Cassius  M.  Clay.  He  is  a  son  of  David  and 
Catherine  (Harter)  Clay,  and  a  grandson  of  David  Clay,  Sr.  His  maternal 
grandfather,  George  Harter,  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Stark  county,  Ohio, 
and  the  latter's  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Bowman,  came  from  Baden, 
Germany,  in  1725,  as  some  old  records  state. 

Our  subject's  father  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  his  marriage  to 
Miss  Catherine  Harter,  in  1809,  was  the  first  wedding  in  that  county.  Ten 
children  were  born  to  David  and  Catherine  Clay,  and  of  this  number  eight 
lived  to  maturity, — George,  whose  location  since  1836  is  unknown;  David 
died  at  Plainfield,  Illinois,  leaving  a  wife  with  five  children,  three  sons  and 
two  daughters;  Jacob  died  in  Darke  county.  Ohio,  leaving  seven  children, 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  151 

one  son  and  six  daughters;  John,  with  his  wife  and  children,  one  son  and 
five  daughters,  hves  in  Cahfornia;  Catherine  and  husband  died  in  Stark 
county,  Ohio,  about  1842,  leaving  an  infant  son,  Abraham  Miller,  who  is  at 
this  time  a  minister  of  the  gospel  at  Alliance,  Ohio;  Solomon  Clay,  of  Pauld- 
ing county,  Ohio,  having  been  married  four  times,  has  a  wife  and  ten  chil- 
dren; Polly  married  John  Ditsler,  of  Summit  county,  Ohio,  and  died  there 
about  1849;    ^^^  Levi  is  the  subject  proper  of  this  sketch. 

Our  subject's  mother  became  the  wife  of  George  Henny  after  the  death 
of  her  first  husband,  and  by  her  second  union  had  one  daughter,  Priscilla, 
now  a  resident  of  Fonda,  Iowa,  and  wife  of  Jacob  Sanders. 

Born  in  1825.  upon  the  parental  homestead,  in  Stark  county,  Ohio, 
Levi  Clay  early  learned  the  proper  management  of  a  farm.  His  education 
was  limited  to  an  occasional  three-months  term  of  school,  and,  as  he  was 
young  when  his  father  died,  the  cares  of  life  fell  upon  his  shoulders  when  he 
was  a  mere  boy.  He  remained  in  his  native  state  until  1844,  when  he  came 
to  this  county,  with  but  seven  dollars  and  an  ax  to  start  with.  The  seven 
dollars  was  stolen,  leaving  only  the  ax!  For  several  years  he  resided  in 
Ottawa  or  vicinity.  In  1846  he  enlisted  in  the  First  Illinois  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, for  service  in  the  Mexican  war,  and  saw  some  hard  fighting,  taking 
part  in  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista  and  other  engagements.  Upon  his  return 
he  worked  at  plastering  in  Ottawa  for  a  year  and  a  half. 

In  1848  he  was  married,  and,  settling  upon  a  farm  in  Livingston  county, 
in  the  vicinity  of  Streator,  cultivated  the  place  many  years,  greatly  improved 
it,  and  in  the  course  of  time  added  more  until  his  possessions  amounted  to 
three  hundred  and  ninety-one  acres.  His  buildings  and  everything  about 
his  homestead  were  kept  in  fine  condition,  and  the  supervision  of  the  prac- 
tical, painstaking  owner  was  apparent  to  the  most  casual  observer.  In  the 
raising  and  feeding  of  cattle  and  hogs  he  was  quite  successful,  realizing  a 
large  income  from  this  source  alone. 

More  than  half  a  century  ago,  in  1848,  Mr.  Clay  married  Miss  Cordelia 
M.  Ecker,  of  LaSalle  county.  Her  parents,  John  and  Lucy  (Roberts)  Ecker, 
were  natives  of  New  York  state,  and  at  an  early  day  became  residents  of 
Illinois.  Mrs.  Clay  was  summoned  to  the  silent  land  in  1895.  The  only  son, 
Cassius  M.,  is  now  occupying  the  family  homestead  in  Livingston  county. 
He  makes  a  specialty  of  breeding  fine  Morgan  horses  and  Jersey  cattle,  and 
is  a  progressive,  wide-awake  business  man  and  agriculturist.  He  married 
Miss  Barbara  E.  Zeigler,  daughter  of  \\'illiam  Zeigler,  of  Livingston 
county,  in  1874,  and  four  children  bless  their  home, — Ora  M.,  Edward  C, 
Avis  B.  and  Mabel  R. 

The  only  daughter  of  our  subject  is  Lucetta  J.,  wife  of  William  M. 
Bentley,    of   Osage    township.    LaSalle   county.      She   has   three   children, 


1^2  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

namely:    Ola  M.,  wife  of  Edgar  J.  Hakes;  Minnie  E.,  wife  of  R.  Bailey;  and 
Arlie  M. 

In  his  early  life  Mr.  Clay  was  affiliated  with  the  Whig-  party,  and  upon 
the  founding  of  the  Republican  party  he  joined  its  ranks  and  has  been  faith- 
ful to  its  principles  from  that  day  to  the  present.  His  career  has  been 
marked  by  rigid  integrity,  and  to  his  posterity  he  will  leave  the  priceless 
heritage  of  an  untarnished  name  and  record. 


AARON  KLEIBER. 


Aaron  Kleiber  was  born  in  Rutland  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois, 
August  25,  1833,  and  in  this  county  he  has  thus  far  spent  his  life,  devoting 
his  energies  to  agricultural  pursuits,  his  present  location  being  in  Bruce 
township. 

Mr.  Kleiber  traces  his  ancestry  along  the  agnatic  line  to  the  French. 
His  grandfather,  John  Henry  Kleiber,  was  born  in  France,  and  early  in 
life  became  a  resident  of  this  country,  living  for  some  years  in  Pennsylvania. 
In  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  Joseph  Kleiber,  the  father  of 
Aaron,  was  born,  and  in  Licking  county,  Ohio,  he  was  reared  and  married, 
the  lady  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Elizabeth  Daniels.  In  1830  the  young- 
couple  left  Ohio  and  came  out  to  Illinois,  settling  in  LaSalle  county.  They 
became  the  parents  of  eight  children,  namely:  Mary,  Margaret  A., Jonathan, 
Malissa,  Aaron,  James,  William  and  Stephen.  All  of  this  number  are  now 
deceased  except  Aaron  and  Stephen,  and  the  last  named  resides  on  the  old 
homestead,  in  Rutland  township.  The  father  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-one 
years.  He  had  lived  for  nearly  forty-two  years  in  this  county  and  had  not 
only  seen  the  land  developed  from  its  primitive  state  into  fine  farms,  with 
substantial  buildings  thereon,  but  also  had  done  his  part  toward  bringing 
about  this  change.  Politically  he  was  a  Democrat,  and  both  he  and  his 
wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Aaron  Kleiber  grew  up  on  his  father's  farm,  his  boyhood  days  being 
spent  not  unlike  other  farmer  boys  of  the  neighborhood,  and  after  reaching 
manhood  he  purchased  a  farm  in  Allen  township,  three  and  one-half  miles 
southwest  from  Ransom.  He  now  has  a  well  cultivated  and  valuable  farm 
of  two  hundred  acres,  and  is  ranked  with  the  prosperous  and  influential 
farmers  of  his   township  and   county. 

February  20,  1856,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Rosanna  McKernan,  a 
native  of  Otter  Creek  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  and  a  daughter 
of  Captain  J.  McKernan,  an  old  and  well  known  citizen  of  this  county. 
Captain  McKernan  was  born  in  Ohio,  son  of  John  and  Polly  (Stowder) 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  153 

McKernan,  and  in  his  native  state  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Cramer, 
daughter  of  Henry  Cramer.  They  had  a  family  of  nine  children,  namely: 
Rosanna,  now  Mrs.  Kleiber;  Mrs.  Candis  Ackerman,  of  Iowa;  Ann  Eliza 
Gochanour,  of  Otter  Creek  township,  LaSalle  county;  Samuel;  Celanda 
Lockwood,  of  Streator,  Illinois;  Charles,  of  Iowa;  Augusta  McKernan,  of 
Streator;  and  George  and  Ralph,  deceased.  The  mother  now  resides  with 
her  daughter,  Miss  Augusta  McKernan,  at  Streator.  The  father  died  at 
the  age  of  sixty-three  years.  He  was  a  man  of  prominence  in  the  county, 
was  a  Republican,  and  filled  a  number  of  political  ol^ces.  His  military 
title  was  earned  during  the  civil  war.  He  was  captain  of  a  company  in 
the  One  Hundred  and  Fourth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  held 
as  prisoner  at  Huntsville  for  some  time  during  the  war. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kleiber  have  had  eleven  children,  five  of  whom  are  living, 
as  follows:  James,  who  married  Miss  Harriet  Cramer,  resides  in  Bruce 
township;  Mary,  wife  of  Fred  Zigler,  of  Manville,  Illinois;  Joseph,  at  home; 
Elma,  wife  of  Alfred  Patton,  of  Allen  township,  this  county;  and  Grace,  wife 
of  Perry  Snyder,  of  LaSalle  county.  The  other  members  of  the  family  died 
in  childhood, — Stephen,  Milton,  Candace,  Mabel,  Maud  and  Myrtle. 

Mr.  Kleiber  is  identified  with  a  number  of  fraternal  organizations,  and 
politically  he  gives  his  support  to  the  Democratic  party.  Honorable  and 
upright  in  all  his  dealings,  and  frank  and  genial  in  manner,  he  enjoys  high 
standing  among  his  neighbors  and  many  friends. 


HENRY  SMEETON. 


Some  forty-four  years  have  passed  since  this  worthy  citizen  of  Ottawa 
cast  in  his  lot  with  the  inhabitants  of  this  little  city,  and  he  enjoys  the  dis- 
tinction of  being  one  of  the  oldest  business  men  in  the  place.  His  fellow 
townsmen  esteem  him  highly,  and  his  reputation  for  integrity  and  upright- 
ness is  something  of  which  he  may  justly  be  proud,  as  it  is  well  merited. 

The  parents  of  Henry  Smeeton  were  William  and  Jane  (Berridge) 
Smeeton,  of  Devonshire,  England.  Thomas,  a  brother  of  William  Smeeton, 
v.as  an  inventor,  and  an  excellent  business  man.  He  operated  a  large  fac- 
tory, where  seamless  undervests  were  manufactured.  John  Smeeton,  a  rela- 
tive, was  the  keeper  of  the  famous  Eddystone  Lighthouse,  which  is  situated 
off  the  south  coast  of  England.  William  Smeeton  was  a  manufacturer  of 
Brussels  carpets.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Congrega- 
tional church.  Of  their  live  children  John  and  Jane  died  in  England;  Har- 
riet is  the  widow  of  Robert  Scott,  and  is  a  resident  of  Chicago,  Illinois,  and 
Georg-e  still  lives  in  England. 


154 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


Henry  Smeeton  was  born  April  2,  1825,  in  Northamptonshire,  Eng- 
land.. His  boyhood  was  happily  passed  in  the  beautiful  country  of  his  birth, 
and  when  he  was  quite  young  his  enjoyment  of  music  became  marked.  He 
made  a  flute  all  by  himself,  and  when  he  had  learned  to  play  it  he  set  his 
heart  on  possessing  a  violin,  and  this,  too,  came  to  him  in  time,  and  he  mas- 
tered that  instrument.  He  has  never  lost  his  love  for  music,  and  many  of 
the  happiest  hours  of  his  life  have  been  spent  in  this  pastime. 

On  reaching  man's  estate  Mr.  Smeeton  concluded  to  settle  in  the 
United  States.  SaiHng  from  Liverpool,  he  had  a  long,  tedious  voyage  of 
live  weeks  and  two  days'  duration.  Proceeding  westward,  he  arrived  in 
Chicago,  then  a  small  city,  bearing  little  promise  of  the  great  future  in  store 
for  her,  and  there  he  found  employment  as  a  carpenter.  Later  he  became 
interested  in  the  manufacture  of  roofing,  and  has  since  given  much  of  his 
time  to  the  development  of  this  line  of  business.  In  1855  he  came  to  Ot- 
tawa, and  established  himself  in  the  manufacture  of  various  articles  of  hard- 
ware, household  utensils,  roofing,  metallic  shingles,  etc.  By  judicious  meth- 
ods of  transacting  his  business  affairs,  and  by  industry  and  well  applied 
energy,  he  built  up  a  remunerative  patronage  and  amassed  a  competence. 
Politically  he  has  always  been  a  strong  Republican,  and  keeps  thoroughly 
posted  in  the  history  of  the  world,  current  events,  and  matters  affecting 
the  welfare  of  this  great  republic,  of  which  he  is  a  devoted  son  and  a  true 
patriot.  Like  his  venerated  parents,  he  attaches  due  importance  to  religion 
and  everything  else  which  tends  to  develop  the  better  part  of  man's  nature, 
and  for  years  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Smeeton  and  Miss  Eliza  Crowden  was  celebrated 
in  1850.  Their  three  daughters  are  Susan,  wife  of  D.  B.  Snov;,  a  leading 
attorney  of  Ottawa;  Louisa,  who  married  Rev.  Mr.  Paisley,  a  Presbyterian 
minister;  and  Anne,  wife  of  William  Paisley,  now  the  business  manager  in 
the  factory  established  here  by  our  subject.  Mrs.  Anne  Paisley  is  a  very 
successful  and  popular  musician  and  teacher  of  the  art,  and  apparently 
inherited  her  talent  from  her  father.  He  looks  on  the  bright  side  of  things, 
and  b}-  his  genuine  optimism  sheds  an  atmosphere  of  cheer  and  pleasant- 
ness wherever  he  goes. 


AMMON  S.  JOHNSON. 

Ammon  S.  Johnson,  who  resides  on  his  farm  on  section  3,  Otter  Creek 
township.  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  was  born  in  the  township  in  which  he 
lives,  October  6,  1861,  the  son  of  Ole  Johnson,  an  old  and  well  known 
citizen  of  this  county,  now  deceased,  who  Avas  born  and  educated  in  Norway. 

Ole  Johnson  came  to  America  in  1849.     I^^  185 5  l^^  ^^'^^  married  to 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  155 

Miss  Martha  Hill,  a  woman  possessing  both  education  and  refinement,  and 
who,  like  himself,  was  born  in  Norway.  Three  children  were  born  to 
them,  a  son  and  two  daughters,  namely:  Ammon  S.,  the  subject  of  this 
review;  Serena,  wife  of  William  Harris,  of  South  Dakota;  and  Bertha, 
wife  of  Neal  J.  Hone,  of  this  township.  Ole  Johnson  died  in  October, 
1896.  His  widow  survives  him  and  is  now  sixty-three  years  of  age.  She 
is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  with  which  he  likewise  was  identified. 

Ammon  S.  Johnson  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  at  the  State 
Normal  School,  and  since  he  became  a  man  has  been  engaged  in  the  occu- 
pation in  which  he  was  reared,  that  of  farming.  He  located  on  his  present 
farm  in  1886.  This  place  comprises  three  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  sec- 
tion 3,  Otter  Creek  township,  and  among  its  improvements  are  a  beautiful 
modern  residence.  Its  large  barns,  granary,  well  kept  fences,  etc.,  and  its 
well  cultivated  fields,  together  with  the  attractive  home,  are  all  indicative 
of  the  prosperity  which  has  attended  the  efforts  of  the  owner. 

Mr.  Johnson  was  married  February  17,  1886,  to  Miss  Frances  Horn, 
A\ho  was  born  and  reared  in  LaSalle  county,  daughter  of  Francis  Horn, 
one  of  the  old  settlers  of  the  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  have  one 
child,  a  son,  William  A.,  now  ten  years  of  age. 

Politically  Mr.  Johnson  has  always  advocated  the  principles  of  the 
Republican  party,  and  has  served  officially  in  several  local  capacities.  He 
has  been  a  member  of  the  school  board  for  nine  years,  has  been  township 
clerk  four  years,  and  has  twice  served  as  township  collector.  He  is  a  man 
in  the  prime  of  life,  frank  and  genial  in  manner,  well  posted  on  all  the 
topics  of  the  day, — in  short,  one  of  the  "live"  men  of  the  township. 


GRANT   C.   STEBBINS. 


This  gentleman,  the  present  mayor  of  Marseilles,  Illinois,  is  a  man  of 
large  public  spirit,  closely  identified  with  all  the  business  interests  of  the 
town,  and  generally  and  favorably  known  throughout  the  county  and  state 
as  a  business  man  and  politician.  He  was  born  in  the  town  of  Manlius, 
LaSalle  county,  March  27,  1862,  and  is  a  son  of  Burr  and  Dency  (Mullen) 
Stebbins.  His  youth  and  early  manhood  were  spent  on  the  old  home- 
stead, but  at  the  age  of  twenty  he  entered  the  business  college  at  Dixon, 
Illinois,  where  he  developed  his  naturally  keen  insight  of  the  business  world. 

In  1883  he  left  school  and  his  native  state  for  the  west,  and  while  in 
the  employ  of  the  Sante  Fe  Railroad  Company  engaged  in  the  real-estate 
business  in  Kansas  and  Nebraska,  handling  thousands  of  acres  of  rich  agri- 
cultural lands.     At  the  expiration  of  seven  years  he  returned  to  Marseilles 


156  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

and  opened  a  real-estate  and  insurance  office,  and  now  represents  one  of 
the  largest  insurance  agencies  in  northern  Illinois.  He  represented  the 
Cincinnati  Underwriters'  Insurance  Company  as  general  agent  for  the  west 
for  over  four  years,  having  full  charge  of  the  state,  with  over  one  hundred 
agents.  He  has  built  up  an  excellent  business,  both  in  the  insurance  line 
and  in  the  real-estate  department.  He  is  a  man  of  keen  foresight  and 
executive  force,  of  marked  energy  and  sound  judgment,  and  is  seldom  at 
error  in  regard  to  his  opinion  either  of  men  or  lands.  He  has  a  good  stock 
farm  in  Brookfield  township  and  other  investments  in  the  west. 

In  1888  Mr.  Stebbins  was  married  to  Miss  Kate  Kritchfield,  of  Wa- 
keeney,  Kansas,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Kritchfield,  a  prominent  citizen  of 
that  place.  Three  children  have  been  born  to  the  union:  Dencie  E., 
Gladys  B.,  and  James  LeRay.  The  family  have  a  pleasant  home  on  West 
Clark  street,  where  their  cordial  hospitality  is  extended  to  a  large  circle  of 
friends. 

Mr.  Stebbins  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  always  having  been  an  active 
worker  in  the  party.  He  is  a  broad-minded,  public-spirited  man,  and  has 
spent  freely  of  his  time  and  money  for  the  promotion  of  his  city's  pros- 
perity, and  as  a  testimony  to  his  merit  was  elected  to  the  office  of  mayor  of 
the  city  last  spring,  by  a  very  large  majority  of  the  votes  of  the  people. 


WALTER  L.   ROSS. 


Several  years  ago  Walter  L.  Ross  became  identified  with  the  interests 
of  the  flourishing  town  of  Streator,  and,  being  connected  with  the  railroad 
corporation  as  general  agent,  is  well  known  to  the  traveling  public  of  this 
locality.  Strictly  attentive  to  his  duties,  prompt  and  reliable,  and  thor- 
oughly trustworthy,  he  is  highly  esteemed  by  his  employers,  and  at  the 
same  time  his  genial  manner  and  courteous  treatment  of  all  witli  whom 
he  has  dealings  make  him  popular. 

Born  in  Bloomington,  Illinois,  January  i,  1865,  our  subject  is  a  son  of 
A.  S.  and  Margaret  (Clark)  Ross,  natives  of  Somerset  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  Frankfort,  Kentucky,  respectively.  The  paternal  grandfather 
of  Walter  L.  was  James  Ross,  and  his  maternal  grandfather  bore  the  name 
of  John  Clark.  An  early  settler  in  Bloomington,  A.  S.  Ross  was  engaged 
in  the  hardware  business  there  for  many  years,  and  was  considered  one  of 
the  representative  citizens  of  the  place. 

The  boyhood  and  youth  of  Walter  L.  Ross  were  spent  at  his  birthplace, 
his  education  being  obtained  in  the  common  and  high  schools  of  Bloom- 
ington.   Upon  the  completion  of  his  course  of  study  he  entered  the  employ 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  157 

of  the  Western  Union  Telegraph  Company,  at  Pontiac,  IlHnois,  and  a  year 
later  began  working  for  the  Central  Union  Telephone  Company.  Since 
1882  he  has  been  connected  with  the  Wabash  Railroad  Company,  as  a  clerk 
and  telegraph  operator  and  in  other  capacities.  During  the  first  two  years 
of  this  service  he  was  stationed  at  Pontiac,  then  was  transferred  to  Streator, 
and  acted  as  chief  clerk  here  for  a  year.  He  was  next  sent  to  Forest, 
Illinois,  where  he  held  a  position  in  the  ofitice  of  the  train  dispatcher  for 
some  time.  Returning  to  Streator,  he  became  the  agent  for  the  Indiana, 
Illinois  &  Iowa,  and  the  Wabash  Railroads,  and  in  1896  he  took  charge  of 
the  entire  passenger  and  freight  business  of  the  Indiana,  Illinois  &  Iowa 
Railroad  Company  at  this  point.  He  has  been  prosperous,  as  he  eminently 
deserves,  and  from  time  to  time  has  invested  his  carefully  husbanded  means 
in  real  estate  in  Streator. 

In  the  social  circles  of  this  town  Mr.  Ross  occupies  a  prominent  place. 
Pie  is  the  president  of  the  Haynes  Coal  Company,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
local  lodge  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  Politically  he  favors  the  platform 
of  the  Republican  party,  and  uses  his  ballot  on  behalf  of  its  nominees.  On 
the  22d  of  November,  1888,  Mr.  Ross  and  Miss  Kate  Cox,  a  daughter  of 
J.  N.  Cox,  deceased,  of  Streator,  were  united  in  marriage,  and  two  children 
grace  their  home,  namely:  Mildred  K.  and  George  Sidney.  Mrs.  Ross  is 
a  lady  of  excellent  education  and  general  attainments,  and,  with  her  hus- 
band, enjoys  the  friendship  of  a  large  circle  of  acquaintances. 


BURR  STEBBINS. 


The  inevitable  law  of  destiny  accords  to  tireless  energy  and  industry 
a  successful  career,  and  there  is  no  other  path  that  leads  to  prosperity  save 
that  of  persistent  and  well  directed  effort.  It  was  in  this  way  that  Burr 
Stebbins  became  one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  LaSalle  county,  where 
he  located  in  pioneer  days,  becoming  one  of  the  leading  representatives 
of  the  agricultural  interests  of  this  section  of  the  state.  He  was  born  in 
Chautauqua  county.  New  York,  on  the  3d  of  January,  1831,  his  parents 
being  Josiah  and  Eliza  (Case)  Stebbins.  His  father  was  born  in  the  Empire 
state  and  his  mother  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  her  birth  occurring  in 
Unabilla,  in  1802.  When  seventeen  years  of  age  she  removed  to  western 
New  York,  where  she  married  Josiah  Stebbins.  The  Stebbins  family  is  of 
English  origin,  but  was  probably  founded  in  America  at  an  early  period 
in  the  history  of  the  country. 

Burr  Stebbins  spent  the  first  eight  years  of  his  life  in  New  York  and 
then  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal  to  Michigan  in  1839.    There 


158  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

he  remained  until  1854,  when  he  became  a  resident  of  LaSalle  county, 
locating  in  Manlius  township,  where  he  improved  a  new  farm,  transform- 
ing the  wild  lands  into  richly  cultivated  fields.  As  time  passed  and  his 
financial  resources  increased  he  added  to  his  property  until  the  old  home- 
stead comprised  three  hundred  and  sixteen  acres  of  the  choice  prairie  land 
which  has  made  the  farms  of  Illinois  justly  celebrated  throughout  the 
Union.  He  made  excellent  improvements  upon  the  place,  built  good 
fences,  erected  substantial  buildings,  and  secured  all  the  accessories  and 
conveniences  of  the  model  farm.  He  was  a  man  of  great  energy,  and  his 
diligence  and  perseverance  brought  him  gratifying  financial  returns.  In 
1886,  desiring  to  lay  aside  the  more  arduous  duties  of  farm  life,  he  removed 
to  Marseilles,  where  he  spent  his  remaining  days. 

In  July,  1859,  Mr.  Stebbins  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Dency  Mul- 
len, of  Morristown,  New  Jersey,  the  fourth  daughter  of  William  and  Abigail 
(Crane)  Mullen.  She  was  born  in  Morristown,  November  3,  1835,  and  by 
her  marriage  became  the  mother  of  four  children,  namely:  Grant  C,  a 
prominent  real-estate  and  insurance  agent  of  Marseilles;  Everett  J.,  de- 
ceased April  12,  1899;  Cora  F.,  a  talented  elocutionist,  living  with  her 
mother;    and  Delia,  wife  of  Eugene  D.  Allen,  a  pharmacist,  of  Marseilles. 

Mr.  Stebbins  was  a  Republican  of  the  most  pronounced  type,  and  be- 
fore the  organization  of  the  party  he  voted  the  Whig  ticket.  He  served 
for  some  time  as  a  member  of  the  city  council  of  Marseilles,  and 
gave  an  earnest  and  conscientious  support  to  all  measures  and  movements 
which  he  believed  would  result  to  the  benefit  of  the  city.  He  passed  away 
April  17,  1894,  at  the  age  of  sixty-three  years,  and  many  friends,  as  well 
as  his  immediate  family,  deeply  mourned  his  loss.  He  left  to  his  wife  and 
children  the  priceless  heritage  of  an  untarnished  name,  for  his  life  had  ever 
been  characterized  by  fidelity  to  duty  and  by  faithfulness  to  every  trust 
reposed  in  him.  His  widow  is  still  occupying  the  family  home  on  Wash- 
ington street,  and  is  a  lady  held  in  high  esteem  by  all  who  know  her. 


RICHARD  FARNSWORTH. 

The  spirit  of  self-reliance  and  independence  so  universally  prevails 
in  the  United  States  that  it  is  a  matter  of  congratulation  to  the  average 
man  when  he  can  truly  afifirm  that  he  has  been  the  architect  of  his  own 
fortune, — that  he  is  indebted  to  no  one  for  the  prosperity  which  at  last 
crowns  his  labors.  Though  success  does  not  smile  upon  many  who  are 
thoroughly  deserving,  it  is  a  well  established  fact  that  the  undeserving  rarely 
win  riches  and  position.     R.  Farnsworth,  who  is  well  and  favorably  known 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  159 

in  Ottawa  and  LaSalle  county,  may  be  styled  a  self-made  man,  and  the 
recital  of  his  history  may  prove  an  incentive  to  others. 

His  grandparents,  Abraham  and  Sarah  (Smith)  Farnsworth,  were 
natives  of  Yorkshire,  England.  His  father,  Robert  Farnsworth,  was  born 
in  1822  in  Yorkshire.  When  he  was  four  years  of  age  he  was  brought  by 
his  parents  to  Belleville,  Ontario.  He  devoted  his  life  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits and  passed  his  declining  years  at  the  home  of  our  subject  and  his 
sister,  Mrs.  Sarah  Peck.  For  a  long  period  he  was  an  active  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  for  years  served  as  clerk  of  the 
congregation  with  which  he  w'as  connected.  His  wife,  Betsy,  a  daughter 
of  Asa  Wilcox,  departed  this  life  in  1866,  in  Ontario,  and  of  their  six 
children  five  survive,  namely:  Richard;  Sarah,  wife  of  Henry  Peck;  David, 
a  resident  of  Ottawa;  Robert,  and  J.  C,  of  Ottawa.  Asa  died  when  a 
child,  and  Robert  departed  this  life   November   17,   1899. 

Richard  Farnsworth  was  born  in  Belleville,  Hastings  county,  Ontario, 
April  15,  1849,  ^^''d  was  reared  in  that  section.  In  starting  out  to  make 
his  own  way  in  the  world  he  began  learning  a  trade,  to  wdiich  he  devoted 
three  years.  Then,  going  to  Indiana,  he  worked  on  a  farm  for  two  years. 
At  the  time  that  he  left  home  he  had  but  two  dollars  and  forty  cents,  and 
that  sum  was  stolen  from  his  trunk  the  first  week!  He  had  many  dis- 
couraging experiences,  but  he  bravely  persevered,  sticking  to  his  task,  and 
winning  the  commendation  of  his  employers.  Husbanding  his  small  means, 
and  gaining  an  invaluable  reputation  for  honesty  and  reliability,  he  pros- 
pered, and  in  1872  purchased  the  fine  homestead  which  he  has  since  carried 
on.  It  is  situated  but  half  a  mile  from  Ottawa,  comprises  two  hundred 
and  thirty-six  acres,  and  is  considered  one  of  the  most  valuable  farms  in 
the  county.  The  buildings  on  the  place  alone  cost  upward  of  ten  thousand 
dollars,  and  many  substantial  improvements  have  been  made  by  the  enter- 
prising proprietor  since  it  came  into  his  possession.  He  has  not  been 
afraid  of  hard  work,  has  met  his  obligations  manfully,  has  dealt  honestly 
and  fairly  by  all  with  whom  he  has  had  business  transactions,  and  the  result 
is  apparent.  # 

As  might  be  expected  of  a  citizen  of  this  character,  Mr.  Farnsworth 
has  not  neglected  his  public  duties.  He  has  served  as  a  member  of  the 
local  school  board,  and  as  one  of  the  supervisors  of  LaSalle  county,  his  in- 
fluence being  used  for  advancement  and  improvement  in  all  lines.  His 
ballot  is  always  given  to  the  nominees  of  the  Republican  party.  Fraternally 
he  is  identified  with  the  A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  belonging  to  Occidental  Lodge, 
No.  40;  Shabbona  Chapter,  No.  37,  and  to  Ottawa  Commandery,  No.  10, 
K.  T. 

The  first  wife  of  Mr.  Farnsworth  was  Editli,  daughter  of  James  and 


i6o  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

Elizabeth  (Close)  Pickens,  natives  of  Massachusetts.  She  was  summoned 
to  her  reward  on  the  2d  of  February,  1889,  and  left  four  children  to  mourn 
her  loss,  namely:  Walter,  who  is  a  commercial  traveler  and  at  present  is 
living  in  the  Bay  state;  George,  who  is  a  high-school  student  in  Ottawa; 
Percy  and  Lizzie,  who  are  at  home.  In  February,  1890,  Mr.  Farnsworth 
married  Miss  Emma  Danz,  of  Peru,  Illinois.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Charles 
and  Margaret  (Nebel)  Danz,  and  by  her  marriage  was  the  mother  of  one 
child,  Gretchen.  Mrs.  Farnsworth  passed  away  March  3,  1899,  mourned 
by  her  family  and  a  large  circle  of  friends.  \\^ith  Mr.  Farnsworth  she  was 
a  member  of  the  Congregational  church. 


NATHAN  FLEMING. 


The  gentleman  named  above,  who  is  the  subject  of  this  biographical 
record,  was  born  at  Chestnut  Hill,  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  January 
10,  1827.  His  paternal  great-grandfather  was  of  Scotch-Irish  descent  and 
came  from  Donegal,  Ireland,  to  America  early  in  the  eighteenth  century. 
He  settled  in  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  his  son  John  Fleming 
was  born  in  1772.  The  latter  was  a  carpenter  by  trade  and  followed  his 
chosen  vocation  during  the  greater  part  of  his  life.  He  married  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Hill,  who  was  born  in  Donegal,  Ireland,  and  came  with  her  parents 
to  Lancaster  county  when  very  young.  Their  only  child,  John  Fleming,  Jr., 
was  born  in  1803,  in  Cumberland  county,  Pennsylvania.  The  mother  died 
soon  after  the  birth  of  her  son,  who  was  carried  in  his  father's  arms  to  Cones- 
toga  valley,  in  Lancaster  county,  where  he  was  reared  by  his  maternal 
grandparents.  The  "little  red  schoolhouse,"  where  he  pursued  his  education, 
was  still  standing,  near  Morgantown,  Pennsylvania,  when  Nathan  Fleming 
visited  the  locality  in  1895.  John  Fleming  never  married  again  after  his 
wife's  death  in  1803,  but  spent  the  most  of  his  time  in  later  years  in  the 
home  of  his  son.  He  died  in  Davenport,  Iowa,  in  1844,  in  the  seventy-third 
year  of  his  age.  In  religious  belief  he  adhered  to  the  faith  of  the  family — 
the  Presbyterian. 

In  1825  John  Fleming,  Jr.,  w^as  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary 
Brower,  a  daughter  of  Abraham  and  Mary  (Goodman)  Brower.  Her  father 
was  of  Dutch  parentage.  He  was  born  in  Norristown,  Pennsylvania,  in  1783, 
and  died  in  1869,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church,  in  which  he  was  class- 
leader  and  exhorter.  His  wife,  who  was  of  German  descent,  was  born  in 
Reading,  Pennsylvania,  in  1784,  and  departed  this  life  in  1877,  in  her  ninety- 
third  year.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  sons  and  six  daughters,  of  whom 
three  sons  and  one  daughter  are  still  living.     Both  the  Browers  and  the 


i 


i 

I 


i 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  i6i 

Goodmans  were  weavers  and  workers  in  textile  fabrics.  Although  Pennsyl- 
vania Dutch  was  his  mother  tongue,  Abraham  Brower  acquired  an  English 
education  and  taught  school,  his  family  being  proficient  in  both  languages. 
John  and  Mary  (Brower)  Fleming  had  nine  children,  six  sons  and  three 
daughters:  Nathan;  Isaac  N.;  Joshua  C,  who  died  in  infancy  and  is  buried 
at  Harmony  church,  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania;  James,  who  died  in  1869,  at 
the  age  of  thirty-six  years;  Mary  Anna,  who  died  in  1847,  in  her  thirteenth 
year;  Elizabeth;  Margaret  Jane;  Burr  Bryant,  who  died  in  1876,  in  his 
thirty-fourth  year;  and  John  Davis,  who  died  in  infancy. 

In  the  spring  of  1837,  John  Fleming,  Jr.,  and  his  family  made  their 
first  move  westward,  stopping  in  Butler  county,  Pennsylvania;  in  1841  they 
removed  to  Mount  Vernon,  Ohio;  in  1843  to  Marion  county,  that  state, 
and  in  the  autumn  of  1845  came  to  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  locating  on 
the  bank  of  the  Illinois  river  just  above  the  present  site  of  Seneca.  In 
October,  about  one  month  after  their  arrival,  John  Fleming,  Jr.,  suddenly 
departed  this  life,  in  his  forty-third  year,  his  death  being  occasioned  by  a 
congestive  chill.  "It  has  always  seemed  providential,  after  these  many 
removals,  that  he  should  just  live  to  leave  his  family  in  this  God-favored 
land  of  the  great  state  of  Illinois." 

When  the  family  removed  from  Ohio  Nathan  Fleming  did  not  accom- 
pany them,  having  an  engagement  to  run  a  potash  factory,  at  six  dollars  per 
month.  Not  hearing  of  his  family,  he  returned  late  in  the  fall  to  Ohio, 
from  Pennsylvania,  where  he  had  gone  at  the  close  of  his  term  of  engage- 
ment, and  there  he  first  learned  of  the  death  of  his  father.  He  at  once 
started  for  Illinois,  arriving  about  the  ist  of  March,  1846,  having  traveled 
on  foot  alone  five  hundred  miles  in  the  dead  of  winter.  "Shall  thy  mother 
ever  forget  thee?"  If  ever  a  mother  was  glad  to  meet  her  son  it  was  then. 
He,  being  the  eldest,  assumed  his  place  at  the  head  of  the  family  and  thus 
relieved  his  mother  of  much  responsibility  and  care.  She  was  most  devoted  to 
her  children,  her  most  pronounced  characteristic  being  her  unselfish  love 
for  them.  She  departed  this  life  at  the  home  of  her  daughter  Elizabeth, 
in  North  Evanston,  Illinois,  December  14,  1879,  and  lies  buried  in  the 
cemetery  by  the  little  church  in  Manlius. 

In  1847  Nathan  Fleming  was  employed  on  the  farm  of  Solomon  Bell, 
whose  stepdaughter  he  subsequently  married.  In  1848  he  rented  a  farm 
and  was  enabled  to  make  a  first  payment  on  land  bought  at  the  first  canal- 
land  sale  of  that  year.  He  continued  farming  until  1853,  when  he  went 
to  California,  going  from  New  York  by  ship  and  across  the  isthmus  of 
Panama.  He  engaged  both  in  agricultural  pursuits  and  mining  in  California 
until  1857,  but  not  meeting  with  the  success  he  anticipated  he  returned  home 
by  the  route  which  he  had  previously  taken. 


t62  biographical   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

On  the   19th  of  April,    1858,  in  Ottawa,   Illinois,  was  celebrated  the 
marriage  of  Nathan  Fleming  and  Maiy  Harrington,  who  was  born  in  Central 
Square,   near  Syracuse,   New  York,  January  22,   1837.     Her  grandfather, 
John  Harrington,  was  a  native  of  England,  and  in  that  land  married  Miss 
Mary  Barbara  Bell.     They  became  the  parents  of  seven  children,  of  whom 
Thomas,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Fleming,  was  the  eldest.  He  was  born  in  England 
August  7,  1808,  and  came  to  America  with  his  parents  about  1834.     On 
the  loth  of  March,  1836,  he  wedded  Margaret  Summers,  at  Central  Square, 
New  York.     She  was  born  December  16,  181 1,  and  in  1837  they  came  to 
Marseilles,  where  Mr.  Harrington  was  drowned  in  the  Illinois  river,  March 
16,   1838.     In  1844  Mrs.  Harrington  was  united  in  marriage  to  Solomon 
Bell,  of  Rutland  township,  and  on  the  6th  of  January,  1876,  she  was  called 
to  her  final  rest.    To  Nathan  Fleming  and  his  wife  eight  children  were  born : 
Herbert  H.,  born  May  26,  1859,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Cuban  war  as  a  member 
of  the  Second  Regiment  Illinois  Infantry;  Sherman,  who  was  born  March 
26,    1 86 1,  and  married  Bertha  Arnold,   by  whom  he  has  two  children — 
Margaret  Lucile  and  Florence  A.;  Edwin  D.,  who  was  born  November  28, 
1862,  and  died  March  29,   1864;  George  C,  who  was  born  February   12, 
1865,  and  married  Jessie  C.   Samuels,   by  whom  he  has  three  children — 
Nathan   L.,   Mary   E.   and  Jeanette  B.;   Gertrude;  James,   who  was   born 
March  13,  1870,  and  died  April  17,  1892;  Frederic  S.,  born  July  31,  1872;  and 
Margaret  June,  born  June  5,  1874. 

In  1858  Mr.  Fleming  engaged  in  the  milling  business  in  Ottawa,  carry- 
ing on  operations  there  until  1863,  when  he  rerrtoved  to  his  farm  in  Rutland 
township,  operating  it  until  1867.  Through  the  six  succeeding  years  he 
purchased  grain  in  Marseilles  for  the  firm  of  Scott  &  Harrington,  after 
which  he  took  a  vacation,  going  to  California,  where  he  visited  some  of 
the  places  that  he  had  seen  in  the  '50s.  The  First  National  Bank  of  Mar- 
seilles was  incorporated  in  1871  and  Mr.  Fleming  was  one  of  the  original 
stockholders.  He  was  elected  vice-president  January  17,  1874,  and  has 
since  served  continuously  in  that  position.  In  1891  the  directors  presented 
him  a  splendid  gold  watch  chain  and  charm.  In  1874  he  removed  to  the 
farm  where  he  now  resides,  leasing  it  for  three  years,  and  at  the  end  of 
that  time  extending  the  lease.  Upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Bell,  his  wife's  step- 
father, one-half  of  the  farm  reverted  to  Mrs.  Fleming  and  Mr.  Fleming 
purchased  the  other  half  of  the  remaining-  heirs. 

In  1848  our  subject  cast  his  first  presidential  vote,  supporting  Martin 
Van  Buren.  Since  the  organization  of  the  Republican  party  he  has  been 
one  of  its  staunch  supporters,  never  swerving  in  his  allegiance  to  the  party 
and  its  principles.  It  has  been  his  good  fortune  to  represent  that  somewhat 
rare  and  ideal  condition  in  which  the  office  sought  the  man,  rather  than 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  163 

the  too  common  reversal  of  the  case.  He  is  at  present  township  trustee  of 
schools,  and  is  officially  connected  with  other  concerns,  being  a  director 
of  the  Rutland  and  Manlius  Friendly  Aid  Insurance  Company;  treasurer  of 
Marseilles  Lodge,  No.  417,  F.  «&  A.  M.;  vice-president  and  director  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Marseilles,  and  has  held  the  office  of  assessor  of 
Rutland  township  for  twenty-live  years,  being  elected  twenty  times  without 
opposition.  He  voluntarily  resigned  in  1898.  He  is  a  member  of  Marseilles 
Lodge,  No.  417,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Shabbona  Chapter,  No.  37;  and  Ottawa  Com- 
mandery.  No.  10,  K.  T.  In  January,  1897,  Mr.  Fleming,  accompanied  by 
his  wife,  made  another  trip  to  California,  and  one  of  the  places  of  interest 
visited  by  them  was  the  old  mining  camp  at  Nevada  City,  California.  On 
the  very  ground  where  Mr.  Fleming  had  worked  a  claim  forty  years  before, 
they  found  one  solitary  man  at  work.  After  a  pleasant  sojourn  in  the 
Golden  state,  they  returned  to  LaSalle  county  and  to  their  many  friends 
living  in  this  section  of  the  state. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  remarks  of  Mr.  P.  A.  Butterfield, 
made  on  the  fortieth  anniversary  of  their  wedding: 

Mr.  and  Mrs,  Fleming :  Your  children  and  friends  have  met  with  you  in 
commemoration  of  your  wedding  which  occurred  forty  years  ago  to-day, 
and  have  chosen  me,  in  behalf  of  your  children,  to  present  to  you  their  filial 
gratitude  for  favors,  precept  and  example,  and  also  this  fine  furniture.  May 
it  be  useful,  ornamental  and  always  a  reminder  of  those  who  view  you  with 
tender  regard  and  loving  kindness  in  your  declining  years. 

Allow  me  also  to  present  to  you  these  beautiful  chairs,  in  behalf  of 
your  many  friends  here  convened,  as  a  memento  of  their  kind  regard  and 
esteem.  They  do  not  offer  them  as  an  article  of  any  considerable  money 
value,  nor  do  they  conceive  they  would  be  any  more  thankfully  received 
by  you  were  they  more  elaborate.  They  tender  them  to  you  hoping  you 
may  use  them  much,  that  they  may  be  useful  and  comfortable,  and  bring 
to  you  that  rest  and  repose  so  necessary  to  the  welfare  of  those  who  have 
started  down  the  western  slope  of  life's  hillside.  Finally  they  present  them 
wishing  that  they  may  cause  you  to  recall  occasionally  the  vision  of  the 
donors,  the  day  and  the  date  which  makes  this  meeting  and  greeting  emi- 
nently proper. 


G.   E.  PENNEY. 


G.  E.  Penney,  a  retired  farmer  residing  at  Ottawa,  Illinois,  may  well 
be  classed  among  the  representative  men  of  LaSalle  county.  Intelligent, 
public-spirited  and  liberal,  his  life  has  been  an  example  and  inspiration  to 
others  to  make  the  best  of  their  opportunities,  even  as  he  has  done.  He 
was  born  in  the  town  of  Adams,  Jefferson  county,  New  York,  October  3, 


i64  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

1832,  the  state  in  which  his  father,  George  Penney,  was  also  born.  The 
family  came  from  England  to  this  country  about  the  year  1630  and  settled 
in  the  New  England  colony.  The  grandfather  Penney  married  a  Miss 
Crosby  and  moved  to  "York"  state,  where  he  brought  up  his  children. 
George  Penney  married  Miss  Polly  Gardner,  whose  father,  Ezekiel  Gard- 
ner, was  a  native  of  Rhode  Island  and  moved  from  that  state  to  New  York 
after  the  birth  of  Polly.  She  died  in  that  state  in  1870,  and  her  husband 
twenty  years  later. 

Mr.  Penney  was  the  second  child  in  a  family  of  five  who  reached 
mature  years.  His  boyhood  and  youth  were  passed  in  Jefferson  county, 
and  there  he  received  his  education,  finishing  with  a  course  in  Adams  col- 
lege. He  farmed  in  the  summer  and  for  three  years  employed  his  time  by 
teaching  during  the  winter  months,  but  his  natural  inclination  was  for 
farming,  and  in  1856  he  came  to  LaSalle  county  and  ])urchased  a  farm  of 
one  hundred  acres  at  Freedom  Center,  in  Freedom  township.  This  land 
and  its  cultivation  received  his  closest  attention  and  he  brought  it  to  such  a 
state  of  perfection  that  it  yielded  him  a  sufificient  return  to  enable  him  to 
add  to  it  until  he  owned  four  hundred  acres  of  the  choice  land  for  which 
this  state  is  famous.  He  has  been  much  interested  in  raising  cattle  and  hogs 
of  a  fine  grade,  and  in  this  respect  he  has  been  a  benefactor  to  the  com- 
munity by  teaching  them  the  benefit  to  be  derived  from  raising  choice 
stock  on  the  farm.  He  has  been  unusually  successful  as  a  corn-grower, 
raising  some  two  hundred  acres  annually  and  feeding  a  part  of  it  to  his 
hogs  and  cattle,  thus  not  only  getting  more  for  his  crop,  but  also  keeping 
his  land  in  the  best  possible  condition  of  fertility.  He  feeds  and  sells  from 
this  farm  each  year  a  carload  of  hogs,  and  his  successful  crops  and  hand- 
some returns  from  the  stock  raised  has  demonstrated  clearly  that  he  has 
solved  the  problem  of  extensive  crop-raising  without  impoverishing  the 
land.  For  twenty  years  he  gave  his  entire  attention  to  agriculture,  and 
then  took  up  his  residence  in  Ottawa  in  1877,  and  the  following  twelve  years 
carried  on  his  farm  by  means  of  hired  help.  Since  then  he  has  rented  the 
land  and  for  four  years  engaged  in  buying  grain  near  the  Rock  Island  Rail- 
road. 

In  1855  Mr.  Penney  was  married  to  Miss  Arvilla  Wheeler,  daughter 
of  Daniel  Wheeler  and  a  native  of  the  township  of  Lorraine,  near  Adams, 
New  York,  where  our  subject  was  born.  Three  children  were  born  to 
them:  Anna  Dell,  wife  of  Thomas  McCall,  of  Chicago;  Edith  M.,  wife 
of  Emil  Johnson,  of  this  city;  and  George  B.,  of  Chicago.  Mrs.  Penney 
passed  to  her  reward  May  6,  1896,  a  sincere  member  of  the  Baptist  church, 
and  left  a  host  of  friends  to  mourn  her  demise. 

April  17,  1899,  Mr.  Penney  was  married  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Johnson, 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  165 

the  daughter  of  Rev.  David  and  Ruth  (Lewis)  Prichard.  Her  father  was 
a  native  of  Brekenshire,  Wales,  and  her  mother  of  Remsen,  Oneida  county, 
New  York.  Mrs.  Penney  was  born  in  Delhi,  Delaware  county,  Ohio,  Jan- 
uary 26,  1850.  By  her  former  marriage,  to  W.  W.  Johnson,  she  had  two 
daughters:  Mrs.  Lucy  Lansing,  who  lives  at  Amboy,  Illinois;  and  Ger- 
trude, who  lives  with  her  mother. 

Mr.  Penney  is  an  earnest  worker  in  the  Baptist  church,  of  which  he  is 
a  trustee,  and  he  is  also  a  prominent  Mason,  belonging  to  Freedom  Lodge, 
No.  194,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  Li  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  but  has  never 
aspired  to  ofifice.  In  1892  he  erected  a  fine  residence  in  one  of  the  most 
pleasant  locations  in  the  city,  on  Paul  street,  which  is  a  model  of  modern 
architecture  and  convenience.  It  is  finished  in  the  most  approved  modern 
style  and  heated  throughout  with  hot  water,  making  it  a  most  comfortable 
and  desirable  property.  Mr.  Penney  is  characterized  as  a  broad-minded, 
upright  man,  whose  conduct  in  life  will  bear  the  test  of  the  closest  scrutiny 
and  who  has  the  esteem  of  evervone. 


SYLVANUS  S.  THOMPSON. 

Some  forty-five  years  ago  Sylvanus  S.  Thompson  came  to  LaSalle 
county,  with  whose  welfare  he  has  been  closely  associated  ever  since,  and 
few  citizens  of  Marseilles  and  vicinity  are  better  known  or  more  highly 
esteemed. 

The  family  to  which  our  subject  belongs  has  been  represented  in 
Pennsylvania  for  several  generations.  John  Thompson  was  the  grand- 
father and  George  L.  Thompson  the  father  of  Sylvanus  S.  Born  in  the 
Keystone  state  in  1823,  George  L.  Thompson  married,  in  1846,  EHzabeth 
Wilson,  of  the  same  state.  In  1854  they  removed  to  LaSalle  county  and 
settled  in  the  town  of  Grand  Rapids,  where  the  husband  and  father  improved 
a  farm,  and  was  successfully  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  his 
death  in  1891.  The  mother,  who  was  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth 
Wilson,  departed  this  life  in  1877,  having  preceded  her  husband  about  four- 
teen years. 

The  birth  "of  Sylvanus  S.  Thompson  occurred  in  Beallsville,  Wash- 
ington county,  Pennsylvania,  June  10,  1847,  and  he  was  consequently  seven 
years  of  age  when  he  accompanied  his  parents  in  their  removal  to  this 
county.  He  acquired  a  thorough,  practical  knowledge  of  farming  when 
quite  young,  and  continued  to  aid  his  father  in  the  management  of  the  old 
hom.estead  until  he  reached  his  majority.  He  then  engaged  in  farming  upon 
his    own   account,    and   was    prosperous   in   the   undertaking.      Making  a 


i66  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

specialty  of  raising  and  feeding  cattle  and  hogs,  he  found  a  ready  market 
for  them,  and  derived  a  good  income  from  this  source  alone.  For  twenty- 
five  years  he  has  owned  a  homestead  in  Grand  Rapids  township,  and  has 
instituted  substantial  and  valuable  improvements  upon  the  place  within 
this  period.  The  farm  comprises  three  hundred  acres  of  fertile  land,  all 
kept  under  fine  cultivation.  Since  1892  Mr.  Thompson  has  lived  in  Mar- 
seilles and  has  carried  on  his  farm  by  the  aid  of  reliable  men  whom  he  has 
employed.  March  26,  1874,  the  marriage  of  our  subject  and  Miss  Sylvia 
vStead,  a  daughter  of  Henry  Stead,  of  Grand  Rapids  township,  LaSalle 
county,  was  solemnized.  A  son  and  a  daughter  were  born  to  this  worthy 
couple,  namely:  Henry  S.,  now  a  student  at  Lake  Forest,  Illinois;  and 
Ethelinda,  now  the  wife  of  Charles  Booth,  of  Peoria,  Illinois. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Thompson  is  a  Knight  Templar  Mason,  belonging  to 
Marseilles  Lodge,  No.  417,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Ottawa  Chapter,  No.  37,  R.  A.  M.; 
and  Ottawa  Commandery,  No.  10,  K.  T.  Politically  he  has  been  a  faithful 
worker  in  the  ranks  of  the  Republican  party  for  years,  having  held  many 
positions  of  trust.  In  June,  1898,  he  was  honored  with  the  appointment 
to  the  postmastership  at  Marseilles,  and,  entering  upon  his  duties  upon  the 
1 6th  of  the  following  July,  he  has  made  a  record  as  an  efficient  and  popular 
public  ol^cial. 


SAMUEL  P.   HALL. 


An  able  member  of  the  LaSalle  county  l)ar  is  Judge  Samuel  P.  Hall, 
who  for  the  past  nine  years  has  been  engaged  in  practice  in  Ottawa,  and 
who  long  since  achieved  distinction  in  the  field  of  jurisprudence.  He  is 
a  man  of  scholarly  attainments,  possessing  thorough  knowledge  of  the 
law,  sound  judgment  upon  all  disputed  points,  and  the  clear,  logical  mind 
which  readily  solves  intricacies  and  involved  questions.  All  cases  entrusted 
to  him  he  manages  with  masterly  skill  and  tact,  and  never  stoops  to  the 
petty  methods  employed  by  too  many  members  of  the  legal  profession,  but 
maintains  that  high  standard  of  ethics  to  which  none  can  take  exceptions. 

The  family  to  which  our  subject  belongs,  and  to  wdiich  his  name  and 
record  haVe  added  new  luster,  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  New  England.  The 
founder  of  this  branch  in  America  was  a  native  of  England,  and  settled  in 
th«  colony  of  Connecticut  in  1645.  Sherman  A.  Hall,  the  paternal  grand- 
father of  the  judge,  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  DeKalb  county,  Illinois, 
where  he  was  occupied  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death. 

Born  December  25,  1818,  in  JefTerson  county.  New  York,  Russell  R. 
Hall,  the  father  of  the  judge,  passed  his  boyhood  there,  and  about  1845 
became  a  resident  of  DeKalb   count v,   Illinois.      December  22,    1848,  he 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  167 

married  Miss  Ruth  Ann  Simmons,  who  was  born  July  10,  1823;  and  to 
them  were  born  two  sons  and  a  daughter:  Samuel  P.,  Frank,  who  is  a 
farmer  of  LaSalle  county;  and  Emeline  M.,  wife  of  C.  C.  DufTy,  of  Ottawa, 
the  present  clerk  of  the  supreme  court.  The  death  of  Mrs.  Ruth  Ann  Hall 
occurred  July  16,  1861. 

The  birth  of  Samuel  P.  Hall  took  place  May  16,  1851,  in  Clinton, 
DeKalb  county.  In  his  youth  he  attended  the  public  schools  and  Jenning's 
Seminary,  at  Aurora,  an  institution  conducted  under  the  auspices  of  the 
Methodists.  He  continued  his  higher  studies  there  until  he  was  graduated, 
in  1 87 1.  Having  determined  his  future  course  in  life,  he  then  began  the 
study  of  law  in  the  office  of  Judge  Parks,  of  Aurora,  and  later  he  was  guided 
and  aided  by  William  Barge,  a  lawyer  of  Dixon,  Illinois.  Circumstances 
prevented  his  rapid  progress  in  the  acquisition  of  a  legal  education,  and  it 
was  not  until  1879  that  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  LaSalle  county,  in  the 
appellate  court  at  Ottawa.  He  established  an  office  at  Piano,  Illinois,  and 
subsequently,  in  February,  1881,  removed  to  LaSalle,  where  he  succeeded 
in  building  up  an  extensive  practice.  In  1890  he  was  elected  to  the  judge- 
ship of  the  probate  court  of  this  county,  in  which  office  he  made  a  record 
of  which  he  may  justly  be  proud.  Upon  the  expiration  of  his  term,  in  1894, 
he  opened  an  office  in  Ottawa,  and  is  conducting  a  general  law  business, 
giving  particular  attention  to  probate  matters.  Politically  he  is  identified 
with  the  Democratic  party,  and  socially  is  a  member  of  Acacia  Lodge, 
No.  67,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  LaSalle. 

December  17,  1881,  Judge  Hall  married  Miss  Carrie  Henry,  daughter 
of  James  K.  Henry,  of  Dixon,  Illinois.  They  have  a  pleasant  home  and 
are  the  parents  of  five  promising  children,  who  are  named,  in  order  of  birth, 
as  follows:  Samuel  P.,  Jr.;  Bruce;  Ruth  H.;  Blanche,  and  Esther.  Mrs. 
Hall  is  a  lady  of  intelligence  and  culture,  and  presides  over  her  home  with 
womanly  grace  and  dignity,  endearing  herself  to  all  who  know  her,  and 
carrying  an  atmosphere  of  loving  sympathy  and  helpfulness  wherever  she 
goes. 


FREDERICK  P.  TISLER. 

Prominent  among  the  French-Americans  of  LaSalle  county  is  Fred- 
erick P.  Tisler,  a  well-to-do  and  enterprising  florist  of  Marseilles.  He  was 
born  in  Alsace,  France,  December  15,  1843,  l^is  parents  being  Charles  B. 
and  Catherine  (Neuviller)  Tisler.  Both  of  his  grandfathers,  John  Tisler 
and  Charles  Neuviller,  were  soldiers  serving  under  the  orders  of  Napoleon 
Bonaparte.  In  1855  the  Tisler  family,  to  which  our  subject  belonged,  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States.     Arriving  in  New  York  city,  they  proceeded 


1 68  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

on  their  westward  journey,  and  thenceforth  were  residents  of  Ottawa,  Illi- 
nois, until  death  released  them  from  life's  burdens  and  responsibilities. 
Mrs.  Tisler  died  in  1867,  and  was  survived  by  the  husband  and  father,  whose 
death  took  place  in  1895. 

Frederick  P.  Tisler  is  the  eldest  of  five  children,  and  with  his  brother 
and  three  sisters  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native  land.  After 
coming  to  this  country  he  went  to  the  Ottawa  schools  for  a  short  time, 
and  then  set  about  learning  the  carpenter's  trade.  During  the  next  few 
years  he  was  employed  in  the  building  of  many  of  the  houses  and  stores 
in  Ottawa.  In  1879  he  came  to  Marseilles,  where  for  a  score  of  years  he 
was  similarly  occupied.  In  1892  he  embarked  in  a  very  different  line  of 
enterprise,  and  has  made  a  success  of  the  venture.  He  opened  a  green- 
house, and  has  since  made  numerous  improvements  which  add  greatly  to 
the  value  of  the  plant.  A  fine  hot-water  system  is  used  during  the  winter 
season  for  keeping  the  greenhouse  at  the  proper  temperature,  and  all  mod- 
ern appliances  and  devices  used  by  florists  are  employed  by  ]\Ir.  Tisler, 
who  is  wide-awake  and  progressive.  He  is  very  popular.  In  1896  his 
fellow  citizens  elected  him  to  the  position  of  alderman,  and  he  was  re-elected 
for  a  second  term.  In  1897  he  was  appointed  collector  of  taxes  for  Rutland 
township.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Work- 
men. 

In  1867  Mr.  Tisler  married  Miss  Sophie  E.  Scheidecker,  who  was  born 
and  reared  in  France.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Louis  and  Henrietta  (Bernard) 
Scheidecker,  and  from  this  union  were  born  to  them  the  following,  namely: 
Sophie  E.,  wife  of  M.  H.  Pitts,  of  Deer  Park,  Alabama;  Emilie  H.,  wife 
of  Louis  Morel,  Marseilles;  Fred  P.,  Jr.,  a  machinist;  Ida  J.,  a  graduate  of 
1893;  May  L.,  a  teacher  in  the  Marseilles  schools;  Charles  L.,  who  died 
in  Ottawa,  in  1878;  Henry  A.;  Cora  L.,  a  graduate  of  the  class  of  1899 
(M.  H.  S.);  Adele  L.;  Eva  J.;  and  Mabel  E.,  who  died  in  1890.  All  of  the 
children  were  given  a  liberal  education  and  are  well  qualified  to  meet 
the  battles  of  life.  Mr.  Tisler  is  a  man  of  thorough  integrity  of  character, 
as  all  who  know  him  cheerfully  testify. 


CHARLES  H.  KNICKERBOCKER. 

Charles  H.  Knickerbocker,  a  retired  farmer  of  LaSalle  county,  was 
born  in  Columbia  county,  New  York,  August  17,  1841,  upon  a  farm  near 
where  both  his  parents  were  ushered  into  existence.  His  father,  James  B.,  \vas 
born  February  5,  181 2,  and  his  mother,  Catherine,  nee  Latimer,  in  1821. 
In  1845  JaiT^es  Knickerbocker  brought  his  family  to  LaSalle  county,  Illi- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  169 

nois,  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Manlius  (now  Miller)  township.  He  broke 
the  sod,  improved  tlie  land  and  did  general  farming.  He  was  a  man  whose 
personality  was  largely  felt  throughout  the  community,  where  he  was  much 
esteemed.  He  was  a  Republican  and  held  a  number  of  minor  offices.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  school  board  several  years  and  also  acted  in  the  ca- 
pacity of  treasurer  for  the  school.  His  death  occurred  on  his  farm,  May  4, 
1884,  his  wife  dying  there  March  8,  1887.  Their  children  are:  Harriet, 
deceased,  wife  of  Richard  Pitzer;  Sally,  wife  of  J.  B.  Parr,  of  Manlius; 
Milton,  deceased;  Lorinda,  wife  of  George  Bowers,  residing  on  the  old 
homestead;    and  Charles  H.,  our  subject. 

As  a  boy  Charles  H.  Knickerbocker  was  inured  to  the  work  incident 
to  farm  life.  He  attended  district  school  during  the  winter  months,  work- 
ing on  the  farm  in  summer.  He  remained  with  his  parents  until  he  attained 
his  twenty-first  year,  when  he  began  to  follow  agriculture  for  himself,  at 
first  on  rented  ground.  He  then  purchased  eighty  acres  in  ]\Iiller  town- 
ship, where  he  lived  until  1883,  when  he  bought  one  hundred  acres  in 
Brookfield  township,  where  he  moved,  remaining  there  until  1884,  and 
he  then  came  to  Marseilles.  He  has  been  most  successful  in  his  farming 
operations  and  has  accumulated  a  neat  competency  by  his  thrift  and  in- 
dustry, making  him  independent  of  future  labor.  January  10,  1866,  he 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Rebecca  Shipman.  daughter  of  Johnathan 
and  Laura  A.  (Woodard,  born  February  23,  181 2)  Shipman.  Her  father 
was  born  in  Providence,  New  York,  March  11,  1809,  and  was  captain  of 
the  home  guards.  Johnathan  Shipman  was  united  in  marriage,  in  Provi- 
dence, New  York,  September  30,  1830,  to  Miss  Laura  A.  Woodard,  and 
they  came  to  Marseilles,  LaSalle  county,  in  1856.  They  were  the  parents 
of  four  children,  three  of  whom  lived  to  maturity:  Marcius  M.,  who  lives 
in  Nebraska;  Rebecca,  wife  of  our  subject;  and  Davis  N.,  who  is  a  resident 
of  Joliet,  Illinois.  Johnathan  Shipman  died  January  28,  1883,  and  his  wife 
passed  away  September  28  of  the  same  year. 


WILLIAM  F.  FLETCHER. 

In  all  the  various  relations  of  life  W.  F.  Fletcher  bears  an  excellent 
reputation.  As  a  citizen  he  upholds  all  movements  of  progress  and  im- 
provement, and  loyally  supports  the  principles  which  lie  at  the  foundation 
of  good  government.  As  a  business  man  his  integrity,  justice  and  enter- 
prise are  well  known  and  favorably  mentioned  among  the  people  of  Ottawa. 
In  the  home  circle  and  in  society  his  genial,  happy  manner  and  genuine 


ijo  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

kindliness  of  nature  render  his  presence  something  to  be  wished  for,  and 
thus  his  friends  are  numerous. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  WilHam  G.  Fletcher,  is  still  living,  and  is 
now  in  his  eighty-second  year.  He  is  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  has  fol- 
lowed the  occupation  of  machinist  as  a  means  of  gaining  a  livehhood.  His 
wife,  the  mother  of  William  F.  Fletcher,  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Hester 
Griffin.  To  the  marriage  of  William  G.  and  Hester  Fletcher  four  sons  and 
two  daughters  were  born,  of  whom  the  eldest  sons,  John  and  Stephen,  are 
deceased,  and  the  others  are  named,  in  order  of  birth,  Catherine,  George, 
Mary  and  William  F.     The  mother  is  now  seventy-eight  years  of  age. 

Our  subject  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Maryland,  March  26,  1855,  and 
when  he  arrived  at  a  suitable  age  he  commenced  attending  the  public 
schools  of  Baltimore,  where  he  laid  the  foundations  of  the  liberal  educa- 
tion which  he  now  possesses.  In  1875  he  came  to  Ottawa,  where  he  has 
been  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  cigars  since  1886.  He  enjoys  an  exten- 
sive patronage,  which  he  justly  deserves,  owing  to  the  high  grade  of  work 
which  is  turned  out  under  his  supervision.  He  is  the  manufacturer  of  the 
celebrated  Red  Back  brand,  the  reputation  of  which  is  not  confined  to  La- 
Salle  county  limits,  and  also  Fletcher's  Key  West  and  the  original  Monte- 
zuma, all  of  which  are  strictly  hand-made. 

The  pleasant  home  of  Mr.  Fletcher  is  located  at  No.  927  Walnut  street. 
He  was  married  in  1875  to  Miss  Christiana  Baisch,  a  daughter  of  Jacob 
Baisch.  Mrs.  Fletcher's  parents  were  born  in  Germany  and  emigrated  to 
America  in  1848,  coming  direct  to  Ottawa,  where  they  resided  until  1887, 
when  they  moved  to  Madison,  Nebraska,  where  they  still  reside.  Our 
subject  and  wife  have  one  child,  Lillie  B.,  born  June  15,  1876,  and  is  a  well- 
educated,  accomplished  young  lady,  living  with  her  parents.  Mr.  Fletcher 
is  essentially  a  domestic  man,  usually  passing  his  leisure  time  at  home.  He 
IS  not  a  politician,  but  discharges  his  duty  as  a  voter,  his  preference  being 
the  Republican  nominees  and  principles. 


JOHN  FUNK. 


John  Funk,  one  of  the  leading  and  public-spirited  citizens  of  Ottawa, 
LaSalle  county,  is  a  native  of  Germany,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  the 
town  of  Coblentz,  on  the  river  Rhine,  August  i,  1838.  When  he  was 
five  years  of  age  he  accompanied  his  parents,  Francis  J.  and  Elizabeth 
(Burger)  Funk,  to  America,  taking  passage  in  a  sailing  vessel,  the  Victoria, 
at  the  port  of  Havre  de  Grace,  France.  After  a  long,  tedious  voyage  of 
many  weeks  the  little  party  landed  at  their  destination,  New  Orleans,  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  171 

proceeded  by  steamer  up  the  Mississippi  river.  At  first  the  family  Hved 
in  LaSalle,  but  later  removed  to  the  vicinity  of  Rutland,  where  the  father 
purchased  a  tract  of  land  of  John  Green.  The  wife  and  mother  was  sum- 
moned to  her  final  rest  in  1847,  ^"^  soon  after  that  sad  event  the  father 
bought  a  lot  and  built  a  house  near  the  old  Fox  River  Hotel,  in  Ottawa, 
making  his  home  here  until  1852. 

The  year  mentioned  was  a  notable  one  to  John  Funk,  for  though  but 
fourteen  years  of  age,  his  father  permitted  him  to  become  his  companion 
on  a  trip  across  the  plains.  They  started  with  an  ox  team  on  April  i, 
and  reached  Shasta,  California,  on  the  8th  of  September  following.  For 
eleven  months  they  prospected,  being  at  the  placer  mines  of  the  Pitt  and 
Grace  rivers  chiefly,  and  at  the  expiration  of  that  time  they  returned  to  this 
state,  better  satisfied  than  ever  before  with  its  advantages.  Francis  J. 
Funk  married  Esther  Morton,  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  and  two  children 
were  born  of  their  union.  Eliza,  their  daughter,  was  reared  in  the  family 
of  a  Mr.  Reddick,  by  whose  surname  she  was  called.  The  death  of  Francis 
J.  Funk  occurred  in  1880,  when  he  was  in  his  eighty-second  year,  at  his 
homestead  adjoining  the  town  of  Streator. 

Upon  his  return  to  this  state  from  California  John  Funk  resumed 
agricultural  pursuits,  to  which  he  gave  his  attention  until  he  reached  his 
majority.  Then,  going  to  Streator,  he  embarked  in  the  lumber  business, 
selling  out  his  interest  in  the  same  in  1870.  His  next  venture  was  to  be- 
come a  member  of  the  firm  subsequently  known  as  McCormick  &  Funk, 
grain  dealers,  and  in  this  enterprise  he  met  with  great  success.  At  the  close 
of  a  year  and  a  half  he  bought  his  partner's  interest  and  moved  the  build- 
ings and  business  to  Long  Point,  Livingston  county,  IlHnois.  He  remained 
there  for  eighteen  months,  then  leasing  the  property  and  returning  to  his 
father's  old  homestead  near  Streator.  He  assisted  in  the  management  of  the 
farm  during  the  last  years  of  the  elder  man's  life,  and  continued  to  carry  on 
the  place  until  1888.  For  the  last  eleven  years  he  has  lived  in  Ottawa,  and 
has  occupied  the  residence  on  Columbus  street  which  was  formerly  owned 
by  his  sister,  who  died  a  number  of  years  ago.  He  is  the  owner  of  one 
thousand  acres  of  excellent  farm  land  in  Valley  county,  Nebraska,  and  of 
a  valuable  improved  homestead  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  near  the 
town  of  Wallace,  LaSalle  county.  Many  of  the  leading  industries  of 
Streator  found  an  influential  friend  and  supporter  in  Mr.  Funk.  One  of 
the  founders  of  the  Streator  Coal  Company,  he  was  a  stockholder  and  a 
director  of  the  organization  for  years,  and  was  a  director  and  vice-president 
of  the  Streator  Bottle  and  Glass  Company  for  several  years.  In  political 
principles  he  is  clear-minded,  and,  though  he  never  sought  or  desired  public 
ofTfice,  his  friends  and  neighbors  frequently  brought  forward  his  name  as 


172  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

a  candidate  for  local  positions,  with  the  result  that  he  was  elected  and  served 
as  one  of  the  trustees  of  Streator,  as  assessor  of  the  town,  and  as  assessor 
of  the  town  of  Bruce,  and  held  various  other  offices,  acquitting  himself  in 
a  creditable  manner. 

In  the  autumn  of  1864  Mr.  Funk  and  Miss  Mary  Rich,  of  Streator, 
were  united  in  marriage  at  the  home  of  the  bride's  parents,  H.  and  j\Iary 
(Strockbien)  Rich.  Eight  children  bless  their  union,  namely:  Elizabeth, 
now  the  wife  of  E.  S.  Kempton,  of  Adams,  Livingston  county,  Illinois; 
Amelia,  Mrs.  William  H.  Hendricks,  of  Sandwich,  Illinois;  Ella,  who  mar- 
ried Frank  Egan,  of  Ottawa;  Mary,  wife  of  R.  H.  Smith,  a  member  of  the 
firm  of  Funk  &  Smith,  grain  dealers  of  Streator;  Lydia,  Fannie  and  Sylvia, 
who  are  at  home;  and  Frank,  who  is  a  high  school  student. 


THOMAS  SULLIVAN. 


Thomas  Sullivan,  of  Allen  township,  LaSalle  county,  is  one  of  the  sub- 
stantial and  influential  farmers  of  northern  Illinois  and  represents  that  tvpe 
of  citizenship  of  whom  any  community  might  well  be  proud.  He  has 
amassed  a  considerable  property  by  hard  work  and  good  judgment  dis- 
played in  looking  after  his  business,  and  his  achievements  in  this  regard 
cannot  but  be  a  source  of  gratification  to  him  and  his  family.  Starting  in 
life  a  poor  boy,  with  no  one  to  help  him  to  prosperity,  he  has  shown  what 
an  American  lad  can  accomplish  when  possessed  of  ambition,  industry,  per- 
severance and  frugal  habits.  His  example  will  act  as  an  incentive  to  the 
youth  of  this  age,  by  firing  their  ambitions,  and  his  life  is  well  worthy  their 
emulation.  He  was  born  in  Norway,  on  May  2,  1835.  The  death  of  his 
father  left  his  mother  and  three  small  children  without  means.  She  was 
a  woman  not  easily  daunted,  and  at  once  set  to  work  to  earn  a  living  for 
herself  and  little  ones.  She  was  not  afraid  of  hard  work  and  the  endurance 
she  displayed  in  caring  for  her  family  was  one  of  the  characteristics  which 
made  her  successful  in  her  efforts.  She  was  called  to  the  higher  life  in 
1846,  leaving  one  daughter,  Julia,  and  two  sons,  Thomas  and  Avian,  of 
Norway  township,  to  bless  her  memory. 

Thomas  Sullivan  was  reared  to  manhood  by  Samuel  Pierson,  of  this 
county.  He  first  labored  three  years,  receiving  no  wages,  and  when  he 
reached  an  age  when  he  was  able  to  engage  his  services  for  wages  he 
worked  for  Ole  Anderson,  the  first  year  receiving  a  pair  of  calves  and  the 
second  year  four  dollars  per  month.  He  was  frugal  in  his  habits,  and  soon 
was  able  to  purchase  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land,  paying  therefor 
six  dollars  per  acre.     He  continued  to  save  his  earnings  and  add  to  his 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  173 

original  purchase  until  he  had  secured  six  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land 
in  this  township.  This  is  well  improved  and  cultivated,  and  is  as  valuable 
as  any  land  in  the  state.  It  is  provided  with  good  groves,  which  furnish 
the  necessary  shade  for  the  stock,  while  the  large,  commodious  barns  and 
a  modern  residence,  which  was  constructed  at  a  cost  of  five  thousand  dol- 
lars, make  his  land  one  of  the  most  attractive  in  this  section. 

]\Ir.  Sullivan  and  Miss  Margaret  Ann  Thompson  were  joined  hand  and 
heart  and  have  traveled  the  path  of  life  together  for  many  years.  Ten 
children  have  blessed  their  union — six  daughters  and  four  sons — namely: 
Isabella  Curren,  of  Aurora,  Illinois;  Mary  Ann  Nelson,  a  resident  of  Minne- 
sota; Sarah;  Martin;  John  Allen,  who  resides  in  Meeker  county,  Minnesota, 
on  a  farm  of  three  hundred  acres,  wdiich  is  the  property  of  his  father;  Nellie, 
,vho  lives  at  home;  Ila  Anderson,  Minnesota;  Lydia,  Frank  and  Marshall, 
all  at  home.  Mr.  Sullivan  and  his  family  are  attendants  at  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  of  which  they  are  members,  and  where  they  are  earnest 
workers.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  represents  that  party  as 
assessor  of  Allen  township.  He  also  renders  effective  service  as  a  member 
of  the  school  board  and  is  one  of  the  most  honorable  and  esteemed  men  of 
the  county. 


ALBERT  E.  BUTTERS. 


About  sixteen  years  ago  Albert  E.  Butters  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of 
LaSalle  county,  and  for  eleven  years  of  this  period  he  was  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  his  profession  alone.  Since  1894  lie  has  been  associated  in 
partnership  with  Robert  Carr  and  George  J.  Gleim,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Butters,  Carr  &  Gleim.  They  enjoy  an  extensive  practice,  of  the  most 
representative  type,  and  number  on  the  list  of  their  clients  many  of  the 
leading  business  houses  and  prominent  citizens  of  Ottawa  and  LaSalle 
county. 

William  and  Elizabeth  (Wilson)  Butters,  the  parents  of  our  subject, 
were  natives  of  Scotland.  Both  were  born  and  reared  in  the  city  of  Glas- 
gow, and  there  was  celebrated  their  marriage.  Soon  after  that  event  the 
young  couple  sailed  for  America,  the  land  of  opportunity,  and  reached 
New  York  city  in  185 1.  They  continued  their  westward  journey,  coming 
direct  to  Ottawa,  and  within  a  short  time  they  settled  in  the  village  of 
Harding,  in  Freedom  township.  The  father  opened  a  blacksmith  shop  and 
built  up  a  good  trade,  but  the  continuance  of  California  gold  discoveries 
eventually  led  to  his  journeying  to  the  Pacific  slope.  There  he  spent  two 
years  in  the  gold-mining  region.  Returning  to  his  old  home  in  Freedom 
township,  he  continued  to  cultivate  and  improve  his  farm  until  the  death  of 


174  BIOGRAPHICAL   AXD    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

his  loved  wife,  December  30.  1883.  He  removed  to  Ottawa  at  that  time, 
and  died  in  this  city  November  29,  1896,  aged  seventy-seven  years.  Mrs. 
Butters  was  born  in  1821,  and  was  consequently  in  her  sixty-third  year  at 
the  time  of  her  demise.  Of  their  seven  children  two,  William  and  James, 
are  deceased.  Agnes  married  a  Mr.  Wilcox;  Elizabeth  is  the  wife  of  C.  C. 
Carpenter;  Anna,  married  C.  H.  Stockley,  of  Freedom  township;  and  Jane 
is  the  wife  of  C.  K.   Howard. 

Albert  E.  Butters  was  born  in  Freedom  township,  LaSalle  county, 
September  22,  1865.  He  grew  up  on  the  farm  and  received  the  customary 
district  school  education  of  the  period.  Later  he  graduated  in  the  Ottawa 
high  school  and  then  pursued  a  course  of  commercial  studies  in  the  Ottawa 
Business  College.  Thus  well  equipped  for  the  practical  duties  of  life,  he 
obtained  a  position  as  a  teacher,  and  during  the  following  three  years  was 
in  charge  of  schools  at  Harding  and  Dayton,  Illinois.  In  the  meantime 
he  spent  his  leisure  hours  in  the  study  of  law,  and  was  admitted  to  practice 
in  1883,  as  previously  stated.  By  strict  attention  to  business,  and  by  the 
exercise  of  the  talents  with  which  he  is  liberally  endowed,  he  has  risen  to 
an  enviable  position  among  the  members  of  his  profession,  and  commands 
a  large  share  of  the  patronage  of  the  public.  Socially  he  is  connected  with 
Freedom  Lodge,  No.  194,  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  polit- 
ically he  is  an  active  worker  in  the  Democratic  party. 

On  the  1 8th  of  February,  1890,  Mr.  Butters  married  Miss  Ida  B.  Hayes, 
a  daughter  of  George  Hayes,  a  leading  citizen  of  East  Saginaw,  Michigan. 
November  19,  1892,  was  the  date  of  the  birth  of  their  son,  Harold. 


GRANT  CONARD. 


Ottawa  boasts  of  no  more  ambitious,  enterprising  young  men  than  he 
of  whom  this  sketch  is  penned.  Admitted  to  the  bar  by  the  supreme  court 
of  Illinois,  in  1895,  he  immediately  embarked  in  the  practice  of  law  at  Ottawa. 
He  also  became  interested  in  the  sale  of  real  estate,  particularly  farm  lands 
in  Indiana,  Missouri  and  Texas.  To  those  various  states,  and  to  others  in 
the  great  and  prosperous  west,  he  for  several  years  conducted  excursions 
of  homeseekers,  and  was  successful  in  locating  a  laro-e  number  of  families, 
happily  and  to  their  entire  satisfaction.  Recently,  however,  on  account  of 
his  large  and  steadily  increasing  law  practice,  he  has  found  it  necessary 
to  abandon  his  real-estate  operations  and  devote  his  entire  time  to  the 
interests  of  his  clients.  In  view  of  the  fact  that  he  has  been  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  law  but  a  few  years,  and  when  he  started  had  his  reputation 
to  make,  his  success  has  been  marked,  and  his  future  is  full  of  promise. 


m. 


1 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  175 

The  ancestors  of  Grant  Conard  were  undoubtedly  Germans,  the  correct 
name  beine  "Conrad."  But  neither  the  date  of  their  first  settlement  in 
America  nor  the  manner  in  which  the  name  became  changed  can  be  definitely 
ascertained.  Certain  it  is,  however,  that  for  a  number  of  generations  prior  to 
the  Revolutionary  war  his  ancestors  resided  in  the  colony  of  Virginia  and 
were  leading  and  respected  people  in  that  aristocratic  old  state.  The 
great-grandfather  of  our  subject,  Anthony  Conard,  was  a  soldier  of  the 
Revolutionary  war,  and  all  of  his  descendants  have  been  noted  for  patriotism 
and  loyal  citizenship.  The  father  of  Anthony  Conard  was  John  Conard,  a 
native  of  Virginia.  His  children  were  Anthony,  John,  Jonathan,  Nathan, 
Joseph  and  Susan.  Anthony  was  born  at  the  foot  of  the  Blue  Ridge  moun- 
tains, in  Loudoun  county,  Virginia,  in  1760,  and  was  but  a  mere  boy  when 
he  enlisted  in  the  patriot  army.  After  the  war  he  resided  in  Virginia,  near 
the  plantation  of  General  Washington,  with  whom  he  was  personally 
acquainted,  and  upon  at  least  one  occasion  General  Washington  was  a  visitor 
at  the  home  of  Anthony  Conard. 

In  1827  Anthony  Conard  emigrated  to  the  state  of  Ohio.  He  lived  one 
year  in  Belmont  county  and  then  located  in  Licking  county,  Ohio,  near  the 
village  of  Utica,  where  he  died  in  1843.  He  was  buried  on  the  farm  of  his 
brother  Joseph,  near  Utica,  Ohio. 

Anthony  Conard,  Jr.,  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Virginia,, 
in  October,  1799,  and  died  in  Crawford  county,  Illinois,  December  26, 
185 1.  In  182 1  he  married  Nancy  Gregg,  a  native  of  Virginia.  She  was  born 
in  1801  and  died  in  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  in  1847.  The  eldest  son  oi 
Anthony  and  Nancy  Conard  was  David  Wilson  Conard,  father  of  our  subject. 
(The  name  "Wilson"  was  the  family  name  of  Nancy  Gregg's  mother.)  David 
W.  Conard  was  born  in  Loudoun  county,  Virginia,  April  7,  1825,  and  died  in 
LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  April  24,  1899.  He  removed  to  Licking  county, 
Ohio,  with  his  parents  in  1828,  and  came  to  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  on 
horseback  from  Licking  county,  Ohio,  arriving  here  May  24,  1846.  Soon 
after  coming  to  this  county  he  located  on  what  is  now  section  30  of  Miller 
township,  and  engaged  in  farming,  in  which  business  he  was  unusually 
successful,  becoming  one  of  the  largest  landowners  in  this  county.  His 
success  is  a  striking  example  of  what  may  be  accomplished  by  a  youth 
who  has  the  energy  and  perseverance  to  seize  upon  opportunity,  and  tO' 
master  it  by  diligence  and  perseverance. 

David  W.  Conard  was  a  man  of  sterling  worth.  Unassuming,  unosten- 
tatious, he  had  no  political  ambitions,  but  was  forced  at  various  times 
to  accept  the  honorary  offices  of  his  town.  He  practiced  strict  economy  with 
himself,  but  was  generous  to  others.  He  was  a  splendid  example  of  the 
citizen  farmer,  informed  upon  the  matters  pertaining  to  his  country's  wel- 


176  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

fare,  regarding  these  not  simply  from  the  standpoint  of  a  partisan,  but  from 
the  broader  view  of  a  patriot.  It  is  with  pleasure  that  we  insert  here  a 
brief  extract  from  the  resolutions  adopted  by  the  board  of  directors  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Marseilles,  Illinois,  upon  the  death  of  this  old 
settler. 

"Resolved,  That  in  the  death  of  David  W.  Conard  this  board  loses  a 
member  who  for  an  unbroken  period  of  twenty  years  had  been  a  director 
of  this  association.  His  long  period  of  service  is  thus  coincident  with  much 
of  the  entire  history  of  the  bank;  yet  his  business  activities  were  so  intense 
and  extended  that  his  work  here  was  but  a  small  part  of  that  restless  energy 
by  which  he  attained  success  and  became  conspicuous  in  his  chosen  field 
of  practical  enterprise.  David  W.  Conard  was  pre-eminently  a  self-made 
man,  of  that  self-reliant  American  type  which  creates  and  wins  success. 
He  always  took  an  active  interest  in  public  affairs,  and  held  public  positions 
of  responsibility  and  trust,  and  yet  such  was  the  versatility  of  his  mind  that 
he  found  time  for  a  wide  range  of  reading,  and  in  his  literary  attainments 
had  written  papers  and  poems  on  practical  subjects  of  the  day. 

"Our  departed  friend  lies  in  the  sleep  of  death,  and  after  reviewing  the 
activities  of  his  busy  life  it  is  hard  to  realize  that  he  is  still  in  death. 

To  rest  forever,  after  earthly  strife. 
In  the  calm  light  of  everlasting  life." 

David  W.  Conard  was  married  in  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  March  17, 
1853,  to  Elizabeth  J.  (Grove)  Conard.  Of  the  children  born  of  this  marriage 
but  three  are  living,  Wilson,  born  October  5,  1863,  residing  upon  a  farm 
in  Rutland  township  in  this  county;  Laura,  born  November  15,  i860,  now 
the  wife  of  Samuel  H.  JMontgomery,  of  Marseilles,  Illinois;  and  our  subject, 
Grant,  born  August  5,  1867.  Elizabeth  (Grove)  Conard  was  born  in  Licking 
county,  Ohio,  January  17,  1828.  She  was  a  daughter  of  David  and  Anna 
(Howser)  Grove.  David  Grove  was  born  in  Shenandoah  county,  Virginia, 
October  14,  1804,  and  died  in  this  county  February  18,  1880.  Anna 
(Howser)  Grove  was  born  in  Loudoun  county,  Virginia,  December  2,  1805, 
and  died  in  this  county  August  8,  1849.  David  and  Anna  (Howser)  Grove 
were  married  in  Licking  county,  Ohio,  December  22,  1826,  and  came  to 
LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  in  December,  1829,  being  among  the  very  first 
settlers  of  this  county.  During  the  Indian  troubles  and  the  Black  Hawk 
war  David  Grove  and  family  lived  in  the  old  fort  in  Ottawa,  to  which  place 
they  had  fled  wdien  warned  by  Shabbona  of  the  approach  of  the  murderous 
Black  Hawk  and  his  tribe.  The  mother  of  our  subject  is  still  living  and 
lias  a  vivid  recollection  of  the  stirring  scenes  of  her  childhood.  She  resides 
with  her  dauo-hter,   Laura,  in  Marseilles,  Illinois.     She  is  one  of  the  few 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  177 

survivors  of  that  rugged  band  of  pioneers  who  prepared  the  way  for  the 
advanced  civiHzation  of  to-day — who  left  the  comforts  and  luxuries  of  their 
eastern  homes,  braved  the  dangers  and  privations  of  a  new  country  and 
on  the  rough  borders  of  civilization  toiled  and  suffered  and  died  that  their 
children  might  inherit  the  promise. 

David  Grove  was  a  son  of  John  and  Barbara  (Lienbarger)  Grove, 
natives  of  Germany,  the  correct  name  for  Grove  being  "Grafif."  Barbara 
was  born  in  1773  and  died  in  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  in  June,  1853. 

The  birth  of  Grant  Conard  took  place  in  Miller  township,  this  county, 
and  during  his  boyhood  he  attended  the  district  school  of  the  neighborhood 
at  such  times  as  he  could  be  spared  from  the  work  of  the  farm.  After  attain- 
ing his  majority  he  attended  the  Grand  Prairie  Seminary,  Onarga,  Illinois; 
Ottawa  Business  College;  Columbia  School  of  Oratory,  Chicago;  and  the 
Kent  College  of  Law,  Chicago.  He  taught  in  the  public  schools  of  tnis 
county  several  years,  and  also  taught  in  the  Ottawa  Business  College.  For 
three  years  that  institution  was  under  the  management  of  Mr.  Conard,  this 
being  prior  to  his  entrance  into  the  legal  profession.  He  read  law  in  the 
of^ce  of  Lincoln  &  Stead,  prominent  attorneys  of  this  place.  Mr.  Conard 
is  a  stanch  Democrat  and  has  taken  considerable  interest  in  local  politics. 

The  year  which  witnessed  Mr.  Conard's  entrance  into  the  professional 
world  was  marked  by  an  event  of  equal  importance  in  his  career,  as  on 
November  7th  of  that  year  Miss  Mildred  Shaver  became  his  wife.  Her  par- 
ents, George  D.  and  Fidelia  (Munson)  Shaver,  were  among  the  early 
settlers  of  LaSalle  county,  and  here  Mrs.  Conard  was  born  and  reared. 
She  was  born  February  5,  1870.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Conard  have  two  children, 
namely:  Horace  Milton,  born  August  6,  1896,  and  Fidelia  Elizabeth,  born 
April  17,  1898. 

George  D.  Shaver  was  born  in  this  county  January  28,  1839.  He  was  a 
son  of  Cyrus  and  Betsey  (Hackett)  Shaver.  Cyrus  Shaver  was  born  in 
Licking  county,  Ohio,  August  30,  1812,  and  died  in  this  county  February 
21,  1883.  Betsey  (Hackett)  Shaver  w^as  born  in  Wheeling,  Virginia, 
November  4,  181 5,  and  is  now  living  in  this  county.  The  parents  of  Cyrus 
Shaver  were  David  and  Nancy  (Grove)  Shaver.  David  Shaver  was  born 
in  Shenandoah  county,  Virginia,  October  10,  1787,  and  died  in  this  county 
January  2,  1848.  Nancy  (Grove)  Shaver  was  born  in  Virginia,  July  31,  1791. 
They  were  married  August  8,  181 1.  The  father  of  David  Shaver  was 
Nicholas  Shaver,  a  native  of  Virginia.  George  D.  and  Fidelia  (Munson) 
Shaver  were  married  in  this  county  December  20,  i860.  George  D.  is  a 
prominent  farmer  of  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  and  resides  upon  a  farm  in 
Rutland  township.  Fidelia  (Munson)  Shaver  was  born  in  this  county  No- 
vember 18,  1840,  and  died  in  this  county,  February  28,  1891.     She  was  a 


j;8  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

daughter  of  William  and  Rachel  (Hall)  Munson.  William  Munson  was 
born  in  Onondaga  county,  New  York,  October  5,  1806,  and  died  in  this 
county  February  16,  1879.  He  settled  in  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  in  1833. 
His  father  was  Hiram  Munson,  a  native  of  New  York.  Rachel  (Hall) 
Munson  was  born  in  Kentucky,  in  18 17.  She  was  a  daughter  of  William 
and  Mary  J.  R.  (Wilburs)  Hall,  ^^'illiam  Hall  was  born  in  Georgia,  in 
1787,  and  his  wife  Mary  was  born  in  Kentucky,  the  same  year.  William 
Hall  and  wife  and  their  daughter  Elizabeth  were  massacred  by  the  Indians, 
at  the  Indian  Creek  massacre,  in  Freedom  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois, 
May  20,  1832,  and  their  two  daughters,  Rachel  and  Sylvia,  were  taken 
captive  by  the  Indians.  Rachel  died  in  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  May  20, 
1870. 


JOHN  H.  ANDERSON. 

No  one  can  hear  the  story  of  John  Hunter  Anderson's  life  and  fail  to 
be  impressed  with  the  pluck  and  fortitude  which  he  has  manifested.  Nor 
can  one  refrain  from  deeply  admiring  and  respecting  this  worthy  citizen  of 
Streator,  and  at  the  same  time  must  learn  many  lessons  from  his  brave 
struggles  with  adversity  and  obstacles  which  would  have  daunted  the  spirit 
of  most  men. 

A  native  of  Airdrie,  Scotland,  born  July  8,  1859,  our  subject  is  a  son  of 
William  and  Mary  (Hunter)  Anderson  and  a  grandson  of  John  Anderson 
and  John  Hunter.  The  parents,  who  are  likewise  natives  of  the  land  of 
heather,  are  still  living,  their  home  being  in  Streator.  They  emigrated  to 
the  United  States  when  their  son,  John  H.,  was  an  infant  but  nine  months 
old,  and  for  a  number  of  years  Mr.  Anderson  was  inspector  of  coal  mines 
at  Braidwood  and  Streator,  Illinois,  later  acting  in  the  same  capacity  at 
Virden. 

The  boyhood  of  our  subject  was  spent  in  Braidwood,  W^ill  county, 
Illinos,  chiefly,  his  educational  advantages  being  limited,  as  he  commenced 
working  in  the  coal  mines  at  the  early  age  of  ten  years.  Eight  long,  tedious 
years  the  lad  was  thus  employed,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  met  with  the 
great  calamity. of  his  life.  A  large  portion  of  the  roof  of  the  mine  in 
which  he  and  his  brother  were  working  collapsed,  and  when  he  was  extri- 
cated it  was  found  that  his  spine  was  seriously  injured.  Paralysis  of  the 
lower  limbs  resulted,  and  for  a  long  time  he  was  practically  helpless.  When 
he  had  partially  recovered  the  brave  youth  set  about  the  task  of  mastering 
the  science  of  telegraphy,  and  is  entirely  self-taught.  At  length  he  was 
employed  by  the  Western  Union  Telegraph  Company  at  Streator,  and 
remained  with  that  concern  for  twelve  years.     In  1892  he  became  the  man- 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  179 

ager  of  the  Postal  Telegraph  Cable  Company's  office  at  Streator,  and  still 
occupies  this  responsible  position.  He  has  proved  himself  faithful  and 
efficient,  and  enjoys  the  confidence  and  sincere  respect  of  all  who  know 
him.  In  early  Hfe  he  formed  careful,  frugal  habits,  and,  partly  owing  to 
this,  and  partly  to  the  fact  that  he  has  made  judicious  investments  of 
his  savings,  he  is  now  the  possessor  of  a  competence.  He  owns  three  good 
residences  in  Streator,  and  rents  two  of  them,  while  the  third  is  his  own 
home,  and  besides  he  has  money  invested  in  the  wholesale  and  retail  tobacco 
business. 

On  the  5th  of  May,  1893,  the  marriage  of  John  H.  Anderson  and 
Miss  Emily  Anderson  was  celebrated  in  Streator.  Mrs.  Anderson,  who 
is  of  Swedish  parentage,  and  was  not  even  in  the  remotest  degree  related 
to  our  subject,  is  a  lady  of  good  education  and  refinement,  and,  like  her 
husband,  has  numerous  friends  in  thj=  city. 


WILL:tAM  E.  WILLIAMSON. 

William  E.  Williamson,  of  Miller  township,  LaSalle  county,  is  one  of 
the  leading  agriculturists  of  this  county,  where  he  enjoys  an  extended 
acquaintance,  having  grown  from  infancy  to  manhood  here.  His  parents 
were  Endre  and  Christena  (Gunnerson)  Williamson,  both  natives  of  Nor- 
way, who  moved  to  Miller  township,  where  our  subject  was  born  Feb- 
ruary 4,  1852.  Endre  Williamson  was  born  February  5,  1827,  and  was 
educated  in  the  Norwegian  schools.  He  came  to  America  in  the  year  1849, 
and  was  married  in  this  country  to  Miss  Christena  Gunnerson,  who  was 
born  in  Norway,  March  25,  1832.  He  located  in  this  county  and  purchased 
some  land,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  and  reared  his  family  to  honorable 
manhood  and  womanhood.  Eight  children  blessed  their  home,  namely: 
William  E.,  the  subject  of  this  biography;  Cordelia  Knutson;  Martin  E.; 
Milton  C;  George  F.;  Albert;  Theodore  H.,  who  farms  the  homestead;  and 
Helen  Hoganson,  deceased.  The  living  children  are  all  residents  of  this 
vicinity  except  George  F.,  who  resides  at  Rankin,  Vermillion  county,  Illi- 
nois. The  father  died  February  7,  1876,  and  the  mother  passed  away  Au- 
gust 5,  1899. 

William  E.  Williamson  received  his  education  in  the  public  school, 
and  at  the  same  time  improved  his  spare  moments  by  assisting  his  father 
with  the  farm  work.  He  has  always  shown  a  remarkable  aptitude  for  this 
industry,  and  when  he  arrived  at  manhood  he  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hun- 
dred and  forty-three  acres  in  this  township,  where  he  has  since  made  his 
home.     He  is  a  careful  business  man  and  his  land  shows  that  brain  as  well 


i8o  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

as  brawn  has  been  applied  in  its  cultivation.  He  was  married  December 
12,  1878,  to  Miss  Sallie  O.  Sampson,  a  native  of  this  county,  and  a  daughter 
of  S.  K.  Sampson,  who  was  born  in  Norway.  Seven  children  have  been 
born  to  them — Mamie,  Silas,  Charlotte,  Ethel,  Ernest  and  two  who  died 
in  infancy.  Mr.  Williamson  is  a  strong  Democrat,  and  has  held  a 
number  of  township  offices,  being  at  present  school  treasurer  and  town 
clerk  of  the  township.  Himself  and  family  are  members  of  the  Church  of 
the  Latter  Day  Saints,  and  are  most  estimable  people,  greatly  respected. 


WILLIAM  JOSEPH  HORN. 

Located  on  a  fine  farm  in  Otter  Creek  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illi- 
nois, near  the  town  of  Streator,  we  find  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  William 
Joseph  Horn,  son  of  John  Horn,  deceased,  for  many  years  a  prominent  and 
influential  citizen  of  the  county. 

John  Horn  was  born  in  Germany  in  1833,  ^"^^  i^^  early  life  came  to  this 
country.  With  the  exception  of  some  six  years,  when  he  worked  at  the 
carpenter's  trade,  he  spent  his  life  in  agricultural  pursuits.  In  1852  he 
made  the  overland  journey  to  California,  experiencing  the  usual  hardships 
and  privations  incident  to  a  trip  across  the  plains  at  that  day.  Being  a 
successful  hunter,  he  killed  a  considerable  amount  of  game  on  the  way.  At 
the  end  of  a  year  spent  in  California  he  returned  east,  making  the  journey 
by  the  isthmus  route.  In  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  he  acquired  a  large 
farm,  comprising  six  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  on  which  he  built  a  commo- 
dious residence,  large  barns,  etc.,  and  on  which  are  several  groves.  He 
chose  for  his  wife  Miss  Theresa  Burgall,  a  native  of  Alsace,  France,  a  young 
woman  well  educated  in  both  the  French  and  German  languages.  To 
them  were  born  ten  children,  eight  of  whom  grew  to  adult  age.  They  are 
as  follows:  William  Joseph,  whose  name  initiates  this  review;  Frances 
M,  Johnson;  George  Henry,  of  Otter  Creek  township,  LaSalle  county; 
Mary  A.  Schlachter,  of  Streator,  Illinois;  Neal,  of  Otter  Creek  township; 
Lizzie  R.  and  Katie  B.  Kuhn,  of  Grand  Rapids  township,  LaSalle  county; 
and  Sarah,  of  Streator,  Illinois.  The  two  deceased  were  James  and  Amelia. 
The  mother  of  these  children  is  still  living,  but  their  father  died  in  February, 
1892,  at  the  age  of  fifty-nine  years.  He  was  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F., 
and  gave  his  support  politically  to  the  Republican  party. 

William  Joseph  Horn  was  born  in  the  township  in  which  he  now  lives, 
January  28,  1861;  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  educated  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  near  his  home.  At  the  age  of  twenty-four  he  left  home  and  went 
to  Comanche  county,  Kansas,  where  he  resided  eight  years,  engaged  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  i8i 

the  stock  business.  At  the  death  of  his  father  he  returned  home  and  took 
charge  of  the  home  farm,  and  has  carried  on  its  operations  ever  since. 

Mr.  Horn  was  married,  at  the  age  of  twenty-nine  years,  at  Cold  Water, 
Comanche  county,  Kansas,  to  Miss  Nora  E.  Kohar,  who  was  born  and 
educated  at  South  Bend,  Indiana,  daughter  of  David  and  EHzabeth  Kollar, 
now  residents  of  Oklahoma.  Mrs.  Horn  is  one  of  seven  children — Delia 
Merrill,  Joseph,  Franklin,  Horace,  Nora  E.,  Clara  Barber  and  Almira 
Pierce.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Horn  have  four  sons — Leon  G.,  John  David,  Frank- 
lin Elmer  and  James  Foster. 

Mr.  Horn  is  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the  Modern  Woodmen 
of  America  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias.     Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 


JAMES  R.  HUNT. 


James  R.  Hunt,  proprietor  of  the  Spring  Hill  Dairy,  Ottawa,  Illinois, 
has  been  in  business  here  for  over  twenty-seven  years.  He  purchased  the 
dairy  from  Samuel  Dickerman,  keeps  over  fifty  head  of  cows,  and  has  a 
large  sale  for  his  products — pure  milk  and  cream. 

Mr.  Hunt  was  born  January  25,  1847,  i"  the  Sandwich  Islands,  where 
his  father.  Rev.  T.  Dwight  Hunt,  was  a  missionary.  His  father  was  a 
native  of  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  was  educated  at  Yale  college,  and  was  for 
many  years  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  a  power  for  good  wherever  his  influ- 
ence was  felt.  For  seven  years  he  was  located  in  California,  doing  evangel- 
istic work.  He  died  in  New  York  at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-four 
years.  His  wife's  death  occurred  some  years  previous  to  his.  She  was  a 
native  of  Newark,  New  Jersey,  where  they  were  married,  her  maiden  name 
being  Mary  Hedges. 

The  first  eight  years  of  James  R.  Hunt's  life  were  spent  in  California. 
The  next  move  the  family  made  was  to  New  York,  and  from  there  he  went 
to  Marquette  county,  Wisconsin,  locating  near  Portage  City.  Thus  his 
boyhood  experience  was  diversified,  being  passed  in  the  far  west,  the  east 
and  in  the  middle  northern  state  of  Wisconsin.  AVben  he  was  twenty-one 
years  of  age  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Evelyn  M.  Bangs,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Alba  Bangs,  of  Oxford,  Wisconsin.  The  fruit  of  their  union  is 
seven  children,  whose  names  in  order  of  birth  are  as  follows:  William  B., 
a  missionary  in  Korea,  who  was  educated  at  Lake  Forest  University  at  Lake 
Forest,  Illinois,  and  Princeton  Seminary,  at  Princeton,  New  Jersey;  Mary 
C,  the  wife  of  Robert  Evans,  a  missionary  in  China;  Henry  H.,  educated 
at  Wooster  University,  at  Wooster,  Ohio,  and  is  now  a  resident  of  Moline, 
Illinois;  and  Charlotte,  Laura  L.,  Gertrude  M.,  and  J.  Raymond,  at  home. 


i82  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

Mr.  Hunt  is  a  public-spirited  man,  interested  in  educational  matters 
and  all  that  tends  to  promote  the  general  welfare  of  his  community.  For 
years  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  school  board.  He  is  politically  a  Re- 
publican and  religiously  a  Presbyterian.  He  joined  the  Presbyterian 
church  in  Oxford,  Wisconsin,  and  he  has  remained  a  consistent  church 
member,  regularly  attending  services. 


ALLEN  S.  GUM. 


Allen  S.  Gum,  now  living  retired  at  his  old  home  adjoining  the  town  of 
Marseilles,  LaSalle  county,  is  a  native  of  Rockingham  county,  Virginia,  his 
birth  having  occurred  upon  the  plantation  owned  by  his  father,  August  25, 
1832.  The  latter,  Norton  Gum,  as  well  as  his  father.  Captain  James  Gum, 
■were  likewise  natives  of  Rockingham  county.  The  mother  of  our  subject 
was  Sarah,  daughter  of  Joseph  Shoup,  who  was  of  German  ancestry.  In 
1836  Norton  Gum  concluded  to  try  his  fortunes  in  the  west,  and  coming 
to  LaSalle  county  he  located  not  far  from  Streator.  Two  years  later  his 
■death  occurred,  and  subsequently  his  widow  became  the  wife  of  William 
JR-ichey,  who  owned  a  small  farm  adjoining  the  limits  of  Marseilles.  One 
■daughter  was  born  of  this  union,  namely,  Harriet  Richey.  After  the  death 
•of  the  senior  Mr.  Richey  his  widow  went  to  Indiana  and  made  her  home 
with  a  daughter  until  her  death.  The  children  of  Norton  Gum  and  his  wife 
Sarah,  nee  Shoup,  were:  Catherine  and  Harvey,  both  of  whom  died  at  the 
age  of  five  )^ears;  Steven  M.,  who  married  Anna  Harris;  Serena  P.,  who,  on 
September  20,  1838,  married  John  Richey;  Diana,  who  became  the  wife  of 
Amasa  G.  Cook;  St.  Clair,  who  married  Julia  E.  Reniff;  Joseph  S.,  who  mar- 
ried Corneha  Bradford;  John,  who  married  Ada  Wilson;  Allen  S.,  who  mar- 
ried Abby  J.  Mullen;  and  Harriet,  who  became  the  wife  of  Charles  Van 
Auher. 

As  he  was  but  four  years  of  age  when  his  parents  removed  to  this  county, 
Allen  S.  Gum  has  but  few  associations  or  memories  of  any  other  home,  and 
has  consequently  been  identified  entirely  with  the  welfare  of  this  section. 
Until  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age  he  resided  with  his  mother  on  the  farm 
near  Marseilles,  his  time  being  spent  largely  in  the  local  schools,  where  he 
gained  a  liberal  education. 

In  August,  1862,  Mr.  Gum  enlisted  in  the  defense  of  the  Union  in 
Company  C,  Seventy-second  Regiment  of  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  un- 
der the  command  of  Captain  James  (now  of  Chicago)  and  Colonel  Star- 
ing. After  being  mustered  into  the  service  the  young  man  proceeded  with 
Jiis  regiment  to  Paducah,  Kentucky,  and  was  then  ordered  to  join  the  Union 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  183 

forces  in  their  memorable  siege  of  the  city  of  Vicksburg.  After  that  great 
struggle  he  became  ill  and  was  sent  to  the  hospital,  but  as  soon  as  possible 
he  rejoined  his  regiment  and  participated  in  a  number  of  more  or  less  im- 
portant engagements.  Exposure  and  the  general  hardships  of  army  life 
once  more  laid  him  low,  and  for  weeks  he  was  in  the  hospitals  at  Louisville, 
Kentucky,  and  Keokuk,  Iowa.  He  was  finally  mustered  out  and  given 
his  honorable  discharge.  Returning  to  Marseilles,  he  purchased  a  tract  of 
thirty  acres  near  the  town,  and  has  sold  off  a  portion  of  the  land.  There 
are  large  gravel  and  sand  banks  of  this  property,  and  for  years  the  owner 
has  derived  a  substantial  income  from  this  source,  as  the  sand  is  desirable  for 
building  purposes,  while  the  gravel  is  extensively  employed  in  the  construc- 
tion of  graveled  roads. 

In  his  political  convictions  Mr.  Gum  is  a  Republican.  Fraternally  he 
is  a  member  of  the  Joseph  Woodruff  Post,  No.  281,  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic. 

In  1866  the  marriage  of  Allen  S.  Gum  and  Miss  Abby  J.  Mullen  was 
celebrated  in  Ottawa.  Four  sons  and  two  daughters  have  been  born  of 
this  union,  namely:  Erasmus  M.,  Harvey,  George  S.,  Charles  Newcome, 
Kittie  A.,  and  Hazel  Lillie.  The  three  younger  children  are  at  home,  and 
the  elder  ones  are  enterprising  young  men  who  are  making  their  own  way 
in  the  world,  and  reflect  great  credit  upon  their  parents.  Mrs.  Gum  is  a 
daughter  of  William  and  Abby  (Crane)  Mullen,  and  was  born  and  reared 
in  the  Buckeye  state. 


LUDWIG  H.  MAASS. 


Ludwig  Herman  Maass,  one  of  the  well  known,  prosperous  German- 
American  farmers  of  South  Ottawa  township,  LaSalle  county,  identified 
with  this  county  since  1870,  is  a  native  of  Prussia,  Germany,  born  June  3, 
1843,  a  son  of  Peter  and  Sophia  (Schrader)  Maass,  who  passed  their  entire 
lives  in  their  native  land.  Ludwig  H.  attended  school,  according  to  the 
German  custom,  until  he  was  fourteen,  and  was  then  put  to  a  trade.  He 
worked  at  his  trade,  that  of  tailor,  until  1868,  with  the  exception  of  time 
spent  in  the  army.  He  served  in  the  German  army  as  a  member  of  Gager 
Battalion,  No.  2,  Greifswald  Pommern,  for  a  period  of  twenty-two  months, 
making  an  honorable  record.  In  1868  he  sailed  from  Hamburg  for  New 
York,  being  eleven  days  in  making  the  voyage,  and  from  New  York  di- 
rected his  way  to  Bourbon,  Indiana,  where  he  worked  for  six  months. 
After  that  he  spent  some  time  in  Chicago,  and  in  1870  came  to  LaSalle 
county,  locating  in  Ottawa,  where  for  ten  years  he  worked  for  Fisk  &  Been, 
the  leading  tailors  of  that  place,  and  five  years  for  Mr.  Steinmetz.     At  the 


1 84  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

end  of  this  time  he  bought  his  farm,  one  hundred  and  forty-three  acres  of 
fine  land,  three  miles  and  a  half  from  Ottawa,  well  improved  with  good 
buildings,  fences,  etc.,  and  conveniently  arranged  for  successfully  carrying 
on  general  farming. 

Mr.  Maass  was  married  in  Germany  to  Miss  ]\Iaria  Hannemann  Jurg- 
ens,  a  daughter  of  Carl  and  Christena  (Jurgens)  Hannemann,  natives  of 
Germany.  She  was  born  November  8,  1844.  Air.  and  Mrs.  Maass  are 
the  parents  of  five  children,  namely:  Alma,  wife  of  Martin  Oleson,  of 
Marseilles,  Illinois,  who  has  three  children,  one  son  and  two  daughters; 
Bertha,  the  wife  of  William  Schuette,  of  Brookfield,  Illinois;  Otto  J.,  who  is 
married,  has  one  daughter  and  is  engaged  in  farming  in  Fall  River  town- 
ship, LaSalle  county;  and  Hermann  and  Peter,  at  home. 

Politically  Mr.  Maass  is  somewhat  of  an  independent,  but  affiliates  for 
the  most  part  with  the  Democratic  party.  He  favors  education,  religion 
and  general  reform,  and  has  reared  his  family  to  occupy  useful  positions  in 
society. 


CHARLES  W.  LONG. 


Lying  along  the  public  highway,  two  and  three-quarters  miles  from 
Wedron  and  seven  miles  northeast  of  Ottawa,  is  the  fine  farm  owned  and 
occupied  by  Charles  W.  Long,  one  of  the  well-known  and  popular  citizens 
of  Rutland  township,  LaSalle  county. 

Mr.  Long  belongs  to  a  family  that  has  for  many  years  been  identified 
with  this  county,  his  grandfather,  Christopher  Long,  having  been  one  of  its 
early  pioneer  settlers.  Lewis  Long,  the  father  of  Charles  W.,  was  born  in 
LaSalle  county  in  1825.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Emily  Barber,  a  native 
of  New  York  state,  and  a  daughter  of  L.  E.  Barber.  The  fruits  of  their 
union  have  been  eight  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living  at  this  writing, 
viz.:  Eugene  C,  of  LaSalle  county;  Emma  F.,  wife  of  G.  J.  States,  of  this 
county;  Charles  W.,  whose  name  initiates  this  review;  Ruth  Inez,  wife  of 
George  Finkle,  who  resides  on  the  old  Long  homestead,  near  Marseilles; 
Bertha  A.,  wife  of  F,  Spencer,  of  Rutland  township,  LaSalle  county;  Lewis 
Walter,  and  Arthur  F.  The  father  of  this  family  has  long  been  recognized 
as  one  of  the  successful  and  substantial  men  of  the  county. 

Charles  W.  Long  was  born  on  the  old  Long  homestead,  in  ]\Iiller 
township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  August  8,  1862.  He  was  reared  and 
educated  in  his  native  township,  and  from  boyhood  has  devoted  his  ener- 
gies to  farming.  He  has  for  some  years  past  given  no  little  attention  to 
the  stock  business,  making  a  specialty  of  raising  a  high  grade  of  cattle. 
Politically  he  gives  his  support  to  the  Republican  party. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  185 

October  18,  1888,  Mr.  Long  married  Miss  Mary  Etta  Clark,  of  LaSalle 
county,  daughter  of  Richard  and  Mary  (Parr)  Clark.  They  have  two  chil- 
dren— Harry  L.,  born  July  23,  1891;  and  Ethel  Esther,  born  January  7, 
1899. 


FRANCIS  A.  FROST. 


For  more  than  half  a  century  the  Frost  family  to  which  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  belongs  has  been  represented  in  Ottawa.  S.  L.,  the  father  of 
Francis  A.,  was  of  English  extraction,  though  New  York  state  was  the 
place  of  his  birth.  For  some  time  he  lived  in  Michigan,  in  which  state  he 
married  Miss  Onilla  Shaw,  and  in  1847  they  removed  to  Ottaw^a,  coming 
the  entire  distance  in  a  covered  wagon.  Mr.  Frost  was  a  ship  carpenter 
by  trade,  but  after  becoming  a  citizen  of  this  tow-n  he  devoted  himself  to 
general  carpentering.  He  died  in  CaHfornia  soon  after  the  close  of  the 
civil  war,  and  his  wife  lived  to  attain  the  age  of  three-score  years.  Both 
w^ere  devoted  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Francis  A.  Frost  was  born  in  Three  Rivers,  Michigan,  March  20,  1846, 
and  is  one  of  six  children  born  to  his  parents.  The  others  are  Mrs. 
Josephine  Toobs,  of  Ashtabula,  Ohio;  Agnes,  wife  of  Judge  E.  Nugen,  of 
Idaho;  Fernando,  a  resident  of  California;  Mrs.  Belle  Hulsey,  who  died  in 
Ohio;  and  Edward,  wdio  died  in  Texas.  The  education  of  F.  A.  Frost  was 
obtained  in  the  public  schools  of  Ottawa,  and  when  the  civil  war  broke  out 
with  the  enthusiasm  of  youth  he  w^as  determined  to  enlist  as  a  soldier.  He 
had  his  name  enrolled  as  a  private  of  Company  I,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty- 
eighth  Illinois  Infantry.  He  served  his  time  out  in  this  regiment  and  then 
re-enlisted  in  Company  A,  Third  Illinois  Cavalry,  under  Captain  Sanders. 
He  made  a  good  record  as  a  soldier,  and  for  years  has  been  an  honored 
member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  He  also  belongs  to  the  K.  of 
P.,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  A.  O.  U.  W.,  and  other  orders.  He  is  a  second  lieutenant 
in  the  local  branch  of  Knights  of  Pythias. 

For  a  period  of  thirteen  years  Mr.  Frost  served  most  creditably  as  a 
member  of  the  Ottawa  police  force,  and  in  1889  he  entered  the  employ  of 
the  government  as  a  mail  carrier.  This  line  of  business  he  followed  for  four 
years  and  seven  months,  then  resigned  his  position.  In  his  political  views 
he  is  a  stalwart  Republican,  devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  party  under  whose 
beneficial  and  conservative  policy  this  nation  was  reconstructed  and  made 
a  power,  as  never  before,  among  the  nations  of  the  world,  subsequent  to  the 
great  civil  war. 

Mr.  Frost  has  been  twice  married.  The  wife  of  his  youth  was  Miss 
Sarah  C.  Lightfoot,  of  this  place,  to  whom  he  was  wedded  December  17, 


1 86  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

1867.  She  departed  this  Hfe  in  1872,  leaving  one  child  named  Ora,  who  is 
now  the  wife  of  James  Dick,  of  Joliet,  Illinois.  In  1874  Mr.  Frost  mar- 
ried Miss  EHza  Kain,  of  Ottawa,  whO'  passed  away  in  1895.  A  son  and  a 
daughter  were  born  to  this  union,  namely:  Agnes  Delbridge,  whose  home 
is  in  South  Ottawa;  and  Fernando,  who  is  a  painter  L}-  t.aae  and  engaged 
in  his  calling  in  this  place. 


FRANK  GENTLEMAN. 


LaSalle  county  has  had  no  more  useful,  patriotic  citizens  among  her 
inhabitants  from  the  days  when  it  was  a  wilderness  to  the  present  time  than 
the  family  of  which  Frank  Gentleman  is  a  sterling  representative.  His 
paternal  grandfather  was  a  native  of  England,  but  at  an  early  day  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  United  States  transferred  his  allegiance  to  the  land  of  the  free, 
and  was  thenceforth  a  resident  of  the  Green  Mountain  state. 

William  Gentleman,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Orange 
county,  Vermont,  in  1805,  and  was  reared  to  maturity  there,  receiving  a 
liberal  education  for  that  day  and  place.  In  1833  ^^^  determined  that  he 
would  seek  his  fortune  in  the  new  west,  and  coming  to  Illinois  located  in 
Fall  River  township,  a  portion  of  which  was  heavily  timbered  at  that  time. 
Making  a  careful  selection  of  land,  he  continued  to  dwell  upon  the  prop- 
erty thus  judiciously  chosen  until  he  was  summoned  to  the  home  beyond, 
in  1893.  He  made  good  improvements  upon  his  farm,  and  gave  much 
attention  to  the  raising  of  live  stock,  in  which  he  was  very  successful.  The 
unpretentious  house  which  he  occupied  at  first  gave  place  to  a  substantial 
one  of  stone,  and  few  better  or  more  commodious  farm  houses  are  to  be 
found  in  the  county  to-day  than  this  one,  now^  occupied  by  the  subject  of 
this  review.  The  wife  and  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Dorinda  Har- 
den, also  was  a  native  of  the  Green  Mountain  state.  Daisy,  her  elder 
daughter,  is  the  wife  of  John  E.  Muir,  of  Fall  River  township.  Willard, 
the  eldest  son,  is  a  prominent  attorney  at  law  in  Chicago;  James,  the  pro- 
prietor of  the  St.  Hubert  Chop  House  in  Chicago;  Rena,  who  married  C. 
D.  Basore,  who  owns  one  of  the  finest  fruit  farms  in  LaSalle  county. 

Frank  Gentleman  was  born  in  Fall  River  township,  February  25,  1866, 
and,  being  the  youngest  son,  he  remained  with  his  parents  on  the  home 
farm  after  some  of  the  elder  ones  had  embarked  in  the  battle  of  life  else- 
wdicre.  During  the  winter  season  he  attended  the  district  schools,  and 
later  the  Ottawa  grammar  school.  More  and  more  he  relieved  his  father 
of  the  cares  and  management  of  the  homestead,  until  he  was  the  practical 
head  of  affairs,  and  when  death  claimed  his  venerable  parents  he  very 
naturally  continued  in  his  accustomed  way  of  doing  things.     He  has  known 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  187 

no  other  home  than  this,  his  birthplace,  now  one  of  the  most  desirable 
farms  in  the  township.  Of  late  years  he  has  given  much  attention  to  the 
raising  of  Norman  horses.  Short-horn  cattle,  and  Poland-China  hogs,  keeping 
his  farm  thoroughly  stocked  with  high  grades.  Business  enterprise  and 
well-directed  talents  are  rapidly  bringing  him  to  the  front  ranks  of  the 
agriculturists  and  financiers  of  LaSalle  county,  and  his  future  is  one  of  great 
promise. 

In  political  matters  Mr.  Gentleman  is  a  stanch  Democrat,  taking  an 
active  interest  in  local  elections  and  using  his  influence  for  the  men  who  in 
his  estimation  are  best  qualified  to  carry  out  the  wishes  of  the  people.  For 
two  years  he  served  as  the  assessor  of  this  township,  and  in  1896  was  hon- 
ored by  being  elected  as  the  supervisor  of  this  district.  Upright  and  just, 
possessing  worthy  principles  and  a  genuine  desire  to  see  the  right  triumph, 
he  enjoys  the  good  will  and  high  opinion  of  every  one  who  has  the  pleasure 
of  his  acquaintance.  , 

THOMAS  HOUGAS. 

Miller  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  includes  among  its  best  class 
of  farmers  a  number  of  men  who  are  of  Norwegian  descent,  and  who  in- 
herit to  a  marked  degree  the  characteristics  which  contribute  to  the  success 
of  that  nationality. 

Goodman  Hougas,  the  father  of  Thomas  Hougas,  was  born  in  Nor- 
way, and  when  a  youth  came  to  America  and  settled  in  Illinois.  He  was 
married  in  New  York  to  Miss  Julia  Madland,  and  they  became  the  parents 
of  eleven  children,  of  whom  five  are -now  living:  Isabella,  wife  of  O.  Lewis; 
Thomas,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Daniel,  of  Pottawattamie  county,  Iowa; 
John,  also  of  Iowa;  and  Caroline  Bower,  of  Sheridan,  IlHnois.  Three  of 
their  children  died  in  infancy  and  three  daughters  after  they  were  grown, — 
Elizabeth  Lewis,  Sarah  Selle  and  Julia  Richards.  Both  parents  died  in  the 
prime  of  life, — the  mother  at  the  age  of  thirty-six  years,  the  father  in  1849, 
at  the  age  of  forty-nine.  He  was  an  elder  in  the  Church  of  the  Latter  Day 
Saints. 

Thomas  Hougas  was  born  in  Rutland  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illi- 
nois, December  2,  1836,  and  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  county. 
Thrift  and  industry  were  early  instilled  into  him.  Being  left  an  orphan  at 
an  early  age,  he  was  thrown  upon  his  own  resources,  and  the  success  he  has 
made  in  life  is  due  to  his  own  efforts.  He  has  a  farm  of  two  hundred  and 
seventy-nine  acres  on  section  14,  Miller  township,  which  is  highly  culti- 
vated and  improved  with  excellent  buildings,  the  whole  comprising  a  most 
desirable  and  model  rural  place. 


i88  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

Mr.  Hougas  was  married  in  1858,  in  Miller  township,  to  Miss  Harriet 
Elizabeth  Teal,  a  native  of  Dutchess  county,  New  York,  and  a  daughter  of 
Edward  Teal,  an  early  settler  of  LaSalle  county.  The  fruits  of  their  union 
have  been  eleven  children,  the  record  of  whom  is  as  follows:  Joseph; 
Daniel  C;  Ida,  wife  of  William  Gallup;  Xathan  Alma;  John  B.;  George 
A.;  Charles  M.;  Susan  May;  Nathaniel,  who  died  at  the  age  of  two  years; 
Zenus  Melvin,  who  died  in  infancy;  and  Emma  Jane,  who  was  the  wife  of 
Oliver  Hayer,  Jr.,  and  died  in  1897,  at  the  age  of  thirty-nine  years. 

Mr.  Hougas  has  long  been  identified  with  the  Reorganized  Church  of 
Jesus  Christ  of  Latter  Day  Saints,  in  which  he  is  a  minister  of  high  stand- 
ing. Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  and  for  fifteen  or  twenty  years  has 
been  a  member  of  the  school  board. 


FREDERICK  RICHARDS. 

One  of  the  most  extensive  land-owners  in  LaSalle  county  is  Frederick 
Richards,  whose  possessions  aggregate  twenty-two  hundred  acres.  The  life 
history  of  such  a  man  well  deserves  a  place  in  this  volume,  for  his  example 
should  serve  as  a  source  of  inspiration  to  young  men  who  are  forced  to  enter 
upon  a  business  career  without  capital.  Strong  determination,  great  diligence 
and  unfaltering  perseverance  brought  to  ]Mr.  Richards  the  splendid  success 
which  now  crowns  his  elTorts  and  w^hich  makes  him  one  of  the  wealthy  men  of 
his  adopted  county. 

A  native  of  Prussia,  Germany,  he  was  born  in  September,  1828,  and  in 
the  schools  of  the  Fatherland  he  acquired  his  education,  pursuing  his  studies 
until  fourteen  years  of  age.  He  then  entered  upon  an  apprenticeship  to 
the  cooper's  trade,  serving  a  four-year  term,  during  which  time  he  thoroughly 
mastered  the  business,  becoming  an  expert  workman.  On  the  expiration 
of  that  period  he  came  to  America,  believing  that  in  the  New  World  better 
opportunities  and  advantages  were  afforded  young  men  than  in  the  older 
countries  of  Europe.  After  a  voyage  of  forty-seven  days  he  landed  in 
New  York  city,  and  thence  proceeded  to  Illinois,  making  the  journey  by  way 
of  the  canal  to  BuiTalo,  New  York,  and  thence  by  the  Great  Lakes  to  Chicago. 
He  completed  the  journey  to  Ottawa  by  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  canal, 
arriving  at  his  destination  in  the  summer.  Soon  afterward  he  secured  em- 
ployment with  a  Mr.  Hoffman,  who  was  engaged  in  the  coopering  business, 
his  work  being  to  make  pork  and  flour  barrels  and  butter  firkins.  Engaged 
in  that  service,  Mr.  Richards  spent  two  years  in  Eagle  township,  LaSalle 
county,   and   subsequently   turned  his   attention   to   farming,   devoting  his 


S-^^<.e/e^  ^oM      ^^  c/ ^2>n--^ 


1 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  189 

energies  to  the  cultivation  of  the  fields  through  the  day,  while  in  the  evenings 
he  worked  at  his  trade. 

In  185 1  Mr.  Richards  made  his  first  purchase  of  land,  consisting  of 
one  hundred  acres,  in  the  township  of  Bruce.  In  1852  he  began  the  devel- 
opment of  the  tract,  and  in  addition  carried  on  work  at  his  trade.  His  energy 
and  ability  enabled  him  to  so  prosecute  his  labors  that  he  derived  therefrom 
a  good  income,  and  as  his  financial  resources  increased  he  extended  the 
boundaries  of  his  farm  until  it  comprised  one  hundred  and  forty  acres.  In 
1 86 1  he  made  an  additional  purchase  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres,  and 
upon  his  farm,  then  comprising  more  than  half  a  section,  he  began  feeding 
cattle  and  hogs.  The  new  branch  of  business  also  proved  a  profitable  one, 
and,  as  stock  brought  good  prices  through  the  war,  he  made  considerable 
money  and  invested  it  very  judiciously.  In  1863  he  purchased  another 
tract,  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  in  Bruce  township,  making  five 
hundred  and  forty  acres  in  all,  and  at  different  times  he  has  added  to  his 
landed  possessions  until  he  now  has  twenty-two  hundred  acres  of  valuable 
land.  His  last  purchase  was  made  in  1894,  when  he  became  the  owner  of 
what  is  known  as  the  Payne  farm — a  tract  of  two  hundred  and  seventy-six 
acres.  His  home  farm  comprises  five  hundred  acres,  and  is  one  of  the  most 
desirable  country  residences  in  this  section  of  Illinois,  being  improved  with 
all  the  accessories  and  conveniences  of  the  model  farm.  A  good  residence, 
spacious  barns  and  large  cattle  sheds  are  found  upon  the  place,  and  the 
well  tilled  fields  yield  to  the  owner  a  golden  tribute  in  return  for  his  care 
and  labor.  One  of  his  purchases  consisted  of  eighty  acres,  a  part  of  which 
was  within  the  corporation  limits  of  Streator.  This  he  has  laid  out  in  town 
lots,  and  it  is  known  as  the  Richards  addition.  One  of  his  valuable  farms 
is  situated  in  Livingston  county.  He  has  been  one  of  the  successful  cattle- 
feeders  of  Bruce  township,  LaSalle  county,  feeding  as  high  as  five  hundred 
head  of  cattle  in  a  year  and  about  one  thousand  head  of  hogs.  His  business 
interests  have  been  well  conducted.  He  follows  progressive  methods,  his 
practical  common  sense  readily  selecting  what  is  best  in  the  new  theories 
that  are  advanced  in  regard  to  farming  and  stock-raising.  He  has  ample 
shed  room  for  the  shelter  of  cattle  and  hogs  through  the  winter  and  during 
inclement  weather,  which  insures  good  animals,  well  fitted  to  be  placed 
upon  the  market. 

In  addition  to  his  extensive  agricultural  interests  Mr.  Richards  has 
also  carried  on  other  lines  of  business,  and  is  to-day  the  owner  of  a  good 
grain  elevator  at  the  town  of  Richards.  He  handles  all  kinds  of  grain 
and  is  doing  a  large  and  profitable  business  in  that  way.  He  has  been  a 
stockholder  and  director  in  the  Union  National  Bank,  at  Streator,  since  its 
organization,  and  his  sound  judgment  has  contributed  in  no  small  measure  to 


I90  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

its  success.  His  systematic  methods,  his  unfaiHng  energy  and  his  reHability, 
which  is  above  question,  are  the  characteristics  which  have  brought  to  him 
wealth  and  gained  him  a  position  among  the  leading  business  men  of  La- 
Salle  county. 

In  185 1  Mr.  Richards  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Leah  Croty, 
a  native  of  Germany,  but  at  that  time  a  resident  of  LaSalle  county.  They 
had  one  son,  William,  now  a  prosperous  farmer  of  Otter  Creek  towfiship, 
LaSalle  county.  The  mother  died  in  1856,  and  Mr.  Richards  afterward 
married  Mary  Graham,  by  whom  he  had  the  following  named  children: 
Thomas,  Mary,  Alexander,  Louis,  Walter,  Charles,  and  two  who  died  in 
infancy,  named  James  and  Fred. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Richards  is  independent,  voting  for  the  man 
of  his  choice,  regardless  of  party  affiliations.  He  has  served  as  commissioner 
of  highways  for  a  period  of  twelve  years,  his  long  continuance  in  office 
well  indicating  his  fidelity  to  duty.  In  1897  he  was  appointed  postmaster 
of  Richards.  His  duties  of  citizenship  have  ever  been  faithfully  performed, 
and  in  all  life's  relations  his  well  known  integrity  has  won  him  confidence 
and  respect. 


J.  B.  BAILEY. 


The  proprietor  of  the  Ottawa  livery,  feed  and  sale  stable,  J.  B.  Bailey 
is  one  of  the  native  sons  of  LaSalle  county,  and  has  spent  his  whole  life 
within  its  boundaries.  He  is  well  and  favorably  known,  not  only  in  Ottawa, 
but  in  various  parts  of  the  county,  and  bears  an  excellent  reputation  as  a 
business  man  and  worthy  citizen. 

The  father  of  the  above-named  gentleman  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  born 
in  April,  18 12;  but  he  left  the  land  of  his  birth  when  he  was  a  youth  of 
about  sixteen  years,  and  in  1828  sailed  for  America,  the  land  of  promise. 
For  some  time  he  lived  in  Oswego,  New  York,  after  which  he  proceeded  to 
Illinois.  Arriving  in  this  state  in  1835,  he  settled  in  LaSalle  county,  and 
years  afterward  he  took  up  his  residence  in  Ottawa.  In  1836  Mr.  Bailey 
served  on  the  committee  which  built  the  first  Catholic  church  erected  in 
Ottawa. 

J.  B.  Bailey  was  born  in  1854,  during  the  period  that  his  parents  resided 
in  LaSalle  county,  and  when  he  had  reached  a  suitable  age  he  commenced 
attending  the  common  schools.  Industry  and  economy  were  among  the 
lessons  which  he  thoroughly  mastered  in  his  youth,  and  these  principles 
carried  out  in  his  later  life  were  the  foundations  of  his  present  prosperity. 
Many  years  ago  he  embarked  in  the  livery  business,  and  within  his  spacious 
stables  can  be  found  a  large  assortment  of  horses  and  vehicles,  including 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  191 

carriages,  both  single  and  double,  hacks,  picnic  wagons,  etc.  In  political 
matters  Mr.  Bailey  is  a  Democrat,  and  fraternally  he  is  associated  with  the 
Woodmen  of  America. 

When  he  was  a  young  man  of  about  twenty-three  years,  in  1877,  Mr. 
Bailey  married  Miss  Cathrine  A.  O'Conner.  This  estimable  couple  have 
a  very  nice  family,  comprising  five  sons  and  three  daughters,  whose  names, 
m  the  order  of  birth,  are  as  follows:  Christopher  R.,  Elmer  E.,  James  B., 
Mary  L.,  Catherine  E.,  Alice  Estella,  William  Francis,  and  Edmund  Joseph 
Robert. 


BYRON  A.  ROATH. 


Byron  A.  Roalh,  one  of  the  brave  boys  who  wore  the  blue  through 
the  trying  years  of  the  civil  war,  has  been  an  honored  inhabitant  of  Mar- 
seilles since  the  close  of  that  dreadful  strife.  He  is  a  native  of  Lockport, 
Niagara  county.  New  York,  his  birth  having  occurred  October  19,  1842. 
His  parents.  Mason  and  Hannah  (Swift)  Roath,  were  likewise  born  and 
reared  in  that  town,  where  they  continued  to  reside  until  about  1845.  The 
father  was  of  Teutonic  extraction,  as  his  great-grandfather  was  a  native  of 
Germany,  while  the  mother  of  our  subject,  a  daughter  of  James  Swift,  of 
the  Empire  state,  was  of  Scotch  descent. 

When  he  was  three  years  old  Byron  A.  Roath  was  taken  to  Michigan, 
where  his  parents  carried  on  a  farm  on  a  school  section  of  land  for  five  years. 
At  the  expiration  of  that  period  the  family  located  near  Adrian,  Michigan, 
and  there  our  subject  attended  school.  His  military  life  began  in  t86i, 
when  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Ninth  Michigan  Volunteer  Infantry,  Cap- 
tain George  K.  Newcomb  and  Colonel  W.  W.  Duffield  being  in  command 
of  his  company  and  regiment.  That  winter  was  spent  in  camp  at  Louis- 
ville, Kentucky,  and  the  following  spring  the  regiment  was  sent  to  Eliza- 
bethtown,  where  Mr.  Roath's  company  was  detached,  and,  going  to  Nolin, 
Kentucky,  participated  in  the  battles  of  Murfreesboro,  July  13,  1862; 
Lavergne,  Tennessee,  December  27,  1862;  Stone  River,  Tennessee,  De- 
cember 29  to  31,  1862,  and  January  i  and  2,  1863;  Chickamauga,  Georgia, 
September  19  and  20,  1863;  Mission  Ridge,  November  25,  1863;  Rocky 
Face  Ridge,  Georgia,  May  8,  1864;  Resaca,  Georgia,  May  14,  1864;  Dallas, 
May  27,  1864;  Kenesaw,  June  25,  1864;  Chattahoochie  River,  July  3  to  6, 
1864;  siege  of  Atlanta,  July  22  to  August  25,  1864;  and  Jonesboro,  Georgia, 
September  i,  1864.  With  his  regiment  our  subject  was  then  ordered  to 
Chattanooga  to  take  charge  of  the  deserters  and  bounty-jumpers,  and 
later  served  under  General  Grant,  and  in  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  At 
the  battle  of  Stone  River  he  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  forces  of  General 


192 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


Wheeler,  but  fortunately  was  released  at  the  end  of  thirty-six  hours  on 
parole,  and  sent  to  Nashville,  Tennessee.  In  December,  1864,  he  and  his 
comrades  veteranized  and  continued  actively  engaged  in  the  war  for  the 
preservation  of  the  Union  until  peace  was  declared,  being  mustered  out  in 
June,  1865.  He  was  a  brave,  efficient  and  thoroughly  reliable  soldier, 
prompt  and  cheerful  in  the  performance  of  his  duties,  and  fully  merited  the 
high  esteem  in  which  he  was  held  by  his  comrades  and  superiors  alike. 
From  1878  until  1888  Mr.  Roath  was  a  member  of  Company  A,  Twelfth 
Battalion,  Illinois  National  Guard,  commencing  as  first  lieutenant  and 
served  in  that  capacity  for  six  years.  He  was  then  elected  captain  and 
served  until  the  company  was  disbanded. 

In  October,  1865,  Mr.  Roath  came  to  Marseilles,  where  he  has  unin- 
terruptedly dwelt  during  the  intervening  years.  He  had  mastered  the 
trade  of  mason  and  plasterer,  and  continued  to  follow  this  calling  for  some 
ten  years.  He  then  embarked  in  the  mercantile  business,  keeping  a  general 
line  of  goods,  and  for  fifteen  years  he  was  very  prosperous  as  a  merchant. 
Then  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  he  held  that  office  acceptably  to  all  con- 
cerned for  twelve  years,  and  for  two  years  served  as  an  alderman,  repre- 
senting the  third  ward  in  the  town  council,  and  being  elected  on  the  Re- 
publican ticket.  He  is  an  ardent  admirer  of  the  principles  of  that  party, 
and  has  been  a  member  of  the  county  central  and  township  committees. 
For  some  time  he  has  conducted  a  general  insurance  and  real  estate  busi- 
ness, besides  being  a  notary  public.  Being  interested  in  the  Covenant  Mu- 
tual Benefit  Association,  he  was  one  of  its  directors  for  three  years.  Social- 
ly he  is  affiliated  with  Marseilles  Lodge,  No.  417,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and 
Ottawa  Chapter,  No.  37,  R.  A.  M.,  and  Joseph  Woodruff  Post,  No.  281, 
G.  A.  R. 

Soon  after  his  return  from  the  battle-fields  of  the  south  Mr.  Roath 
married  Miss  Amanda  A.  Bangham,  daughter  of  John  Bangham,  of  Mar- 
shall, Michigan,  and  they  have  two  living  children,  namely:  Anna  A.,  now 
the  wife  of  AI.  L.  Robinson,  of  Marseilles;  and  June  A.,  an  enterprising 
3'oung  man,  who  is  still  living  at  home  with  his  parents. 


JACOB  H.  BAISCH. 


This  prominent  citizen  of  Ottawa,  LaSalle  county,  was  born  Novem- 
ber 15,  1858,  in  this  place,  which  he  has  always  looked  upon  as  his  home. 
He  is  a  son  of  Jacob  Baisch,  who  was  born  in  Germany,  where  he  passed 
twenty-seven  years  of  his  life.  Then  crossing  the  Atlantic,  he  landed  in 
New  York  city,  where  he  resided  for  some  time,     ^^'hile  there  he  married 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  193 

Miss  Caroline  Raisling,  and  in  1850  they  came  to  Ottawa.  Later,  in  1888, 
this  worthy  couple  removed  to  Madison  county,  Nebraska.  The  father  is 
a  loyal  citizen  of  this  his  adopted  country,  and  reared  his  children  to  the 
same  high  standard  of  patriotism.  Two  of  his  sons  are  now  living-  in  Ne- 
braska,— Joseph  in  the  town  of  Broken  Bow,  Custer  county,  and  Fred  in 
Madison,  Madison  county.  The  only  daughter,  Christiana,  is  the  wife 
of  William  Fletcher. 

Jacob  H.  Baisch,  of  this  sketch,  is  fortunate  in  being  almost  equally 
proficient  and  familiar  with  both  the  English  and  German  languages.  After 
completing  his  public  school  education  in  Ottawa  he  commenced  learning 
the  trade  of  cigarmaker,  at  which  calling  he  was  employed  from  1874  until 
1888.  He  was  associated  with  W.  F.  Fletcher  in  the  cigar  business  from 
1886  to  1888,  and  met  with  success,  and  since  1888  he  has  been  located  at 
800  Jackson  street  in  the  saloon  business. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-five  years  Mr,  Baisch  married  Miss  Adaline 
]\Ieyer,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Meyer,  of  this  town.  They  have  one  child, 
Lottie  B.,  now  in  her  fourteenth  year,  and  a  promising  student  in  the  local 
schools.  Following  the  example  of  his  father,  Mr.  Baisch  is  an  ardent 
adherent  of  the  Republican  party.  Socially  he  is  identified  with  the  Ger- 
man Benevolent  Order  and  the  United  American  Workmen.  He  enjoys 
the  friendship  of  a  large  circle  of  acquaintances,  who  one  and  all  united  in 
wishing  him  well  and  in  praising  his  sterling  qualities. 


WILLIAM  S.  REDDICK. 

This  gentleman  is  one  of  the  popular  citizens  and  successful  farmers 
of  Otter  Creek  township,  LaSall.e  county,  Illinois,  and  also  belongs  to  that 
class  of  brave  men  whose  ranks  are  each  year  being  thinned, — the  veterans 
of  the  civil  war. 

William  S.  Reddick  was  born  in  Washington,  D.  C,  in  1841,  and  is 
of  Irish  descent.  His  father,  James  Reddick,  was  born  on  the  Emerald 
Isle,  son  of  William  Reddick,  and  when  a  lad  of  six  years  accompanied  his 
parents  to  America.  In  this  country  he  grew  up,  and  here  married  Miss 
Margaret  Wise,  who  was  born  and  reared  in  Georgetown,  across  the  river 
from  Washington,  D.  C.  They  made  their  home  in  the  east  until  1858, 
when  the  family  came  west  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  LaSalle  county,  north 
of  Ottawa.  On  his  father's  farm  William  S.  was  early  taught  lessons  of  in- 
dustry and  economy,  and  soon  after  he  came  to  this  state  he  engaged  in 
farmiing  on  his  own  account,  an  occupation  in  which  he  has  since  been  en- 
gaged, his  location  being  in  Otter  Creek  township. 


194  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-eight  Mr.  Reddick  married  Miss  Matilda  Wakey, 
who  was  born  near  South  Ottawa  and  who  is  the  daughter  of  WilHam 
Wakey,  an  early  settler  of  LaSalle  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reddick  have 
six  children,  viz.:  Lulu  Weber,  a  successful  music  teacher;  Maggie,  wife 
of  James  Armstrong,  of  Streator,  Illinois;  Birdie,  wife  of  Charles  Gerry, 
of  Otter  Creek  township;  Mamie,  at  home;  William  Clifford,  of  Streator; 
and  James,  who  married  Miss  Carrie  L.  Baker,  daughter  of  Christian 
Baker.  The  Reddick  family  attend  worship  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  and  politically  Mr.  Reddick  is  a  Democrat. 


JOHN  L.  CLARK. 

We  have  now  to  consider  the  career  of  a  pioneer  and  the  son  of  a 
pioneer, — a  man  who,  with  the  good  example  of  an  honest,  intelligent  and 
enterprising  father  before  him,  has  made  his  way  to  a  position  of  prominence 
in  the  business  and  social  circles  of  LaSalle  county,  along  lines  which  com- 
mend him  to  his  fellow  citizens  and  assure  him  that  self-satisfaction 
belongs  of  right  to  the  man  whose  aims  are  high,  whose  methods  are  good 
and  whose  success  is  in  every  way  praiseworthy. 

Such  a  man  is  John  L.  Clark,  of  Ottawa,  Illinois,  a  son  of  the  late  Hon. 
James  Clark,  one  of  the  most  prominent  men  in  this  part  of  the  state.  James 
Clark,  father  of  John  L.  Clark,  was  born  in  Ashburnham  parish,  Sussex, 
England,  September  9,  181 1,  a  son  of  James  and  Ann  (Westen)  Clark, 
and  died  at  Utica,  Illinois,  in  1888.  He  learned  the  ccachmaker's  trade 
in  England,  and  in  1830  came  to  the  United  States  and  located  at  Grafton, 
Ohio.  After  farming  there  four  years  he  came  to  Utica,  Illinois,  and  in 
1835  bought  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  jof  land.  He  lived  in  a  log  house 
for  ten  years.  He  was  contractor  for  a  portion  of  the  Illinois  &  Michigan 
canal,  which  work  he  finished  in  1848.  In  1849  he  was  appointed  first  post- 
master of  Utica,  and  held  the  office  continuously  for  fourteen  years.  He 
began  the  manufacture  of  hydraulic  cement  in  1845.  Later  his  son,  John 
L.  Clark,  was  associated  with  him  in  the  business,  which  reached  an  annual 
production  of  one  hundred  thousand  barrels.  Under  the  firm  name  of 
James  Clark  &  Son  they  bought  grain  extensively  at  Utica  from  i860  until 
1878.  From  1867  until  1869  they  manufactured  stoneware  pottery.  In 
1869  they  became  associated  with  William  White  and  began  the  manufac- 
ture of  sewer  pipe  and  drain  tile,  the  first  factoiy  of  the  kind  of  any  im- 
portance in  the  county,  and  they  continued  until  1878,  when  they  leased 
the  property  and  retired  from  the  business.  As  early  as  1852  James  Clark 
&  Son  commenced  the  shipment  of  sand  from  Utica  to  St.  Louis  for  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  195 

manufacture  of  glass;  also  large  quantities  were  shipped  to  the  different 
iron  manufacturers.  They  continued  this  business  until  1877.  In  1883 
the  hydraulic  cement  enterprise  passed  into  the  control  of  a  joint  stock 
company,  of  which  Mr.  Clark  was  president.  Upon  the  completion  of  the 
Rock  Island  Railroad,  in  1853,  Mr.  Clark  was  made  its  agent,  a  position 
wdiich  he  held  for  many  years.  He  was  long  a  member  of  the  board  of 
supervisors  of  LaSalle  county,  and  he  w^as  a  member  of  the  Illinois  legisla- 
ture in  1870-71  and  served  on  the  committee  on  canals  and  on  other  commit- 
tees of  equal  importance.  He  was  a  man  of  strict  business  integrity  and 
of  honest,  upright  principles,  as  well  as  of  indomitable  will  and  tireless 
energy. 

He  was  twice  married, — first  to  Charlotte  Sargent,  a  native  of  England, 
who  died  August  12,  1877;  ^^<^  his  second  wife  was  Mary  J.,  nee  Cary. 
James  Clark  and  Charlotte  Sargent  were  married  September  18,  1830,  and 
they  had  children  as  follows:  John  L.,  born  in  Ohio,  July  8,  1832;  James, 
born  in  Ohio,  November  4,  1833,  died  August  4,  1845;  Charlotte,  born 
April  29,  1838,  married  John  B.  Peckham,  and  is  now  a  widow  living  at 
Danville,  Illinois;  Ann  W.,  born  in  Illinois,  December  31,  1841,  died  March 
27,  1848. 

John  L.  Clark  attended  school  in  the  old  county  court  house  at  Ottawa. 
The  teacher  was  a  Mrs.  Towell.  Later  he  attended  the  Mount  Palatine 
Academy,  in  Putnam  county,  Illinois.  After  leaving  school  he  assisted  his 
father  in  the  hydraulic  cement  business  at  Utica,  and  in  time  became  his 
partner.  He  was  connected  with  the  enterprise  until  1879;  in  1882  he 
moved  to  Iowa  and  engaged  in  farming  on  a  tract  of  seven  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  land  in  Hancock  county,  which  he  purchased.  In  1888  he 
returned  to  Illinois  and  located  at  Ottawa,  and  has  since  given  his  time 
to  the  supervision  of  his  general  business  interests.  He  was  elected  super- 
visor in  1872  and  served  two  terms. 

Mr.  Clark  was  married  October  29,  1856,  to  Miss  JuHa  Hardy,  a 
daughter  of  Truman  Hardy,  of  Utica  township.  Mrs.  Clark  was  born  in 
Vermont,  October  29,  1834.  Her  great-grandfather,  Lemuel  Hardy,  was 
born  in  1737  and  died  in  18 13.  The  grandfather,  Silas  Hardy,  born 
March  13,  1763,  served  as  captain  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  died  December 
6,  1827.  Truman  Hardy,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Clark,  was  born  at  Monkton, 
Vermont,  June  4,  1792,  served  in  war  of  1812,  and  died  in  Utica  township, 
November  22,  1869. 

The  following  brief  mention  of  Mr.  Clark's  children  will  be  found  of 
interest:  J.  Truman  is  a  graduate  of  the  Northwestern  University  and  is  a 
dentist  living  and  practicing  in  Chicago;  Charlotte  became  the  wife  of  E.  G. 
Osman,  a  publisher  of  Chicago;  George  H.  was  graduated  with  the  degree 


196  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

of  M.  D.  at  Hahnemann  Medical  College,  Chicago,  and  took  special  courses 
in  the  hospitals  of  London,  England,  Vienna,  Austria,  and  is  practicing  his 
profession  at  Humboldt,  Iowa;  Jessie  married  T.  J.  Lynch,  a  prominent 
merchant  of  Ottawa,  Illinois;  and  Julia  lives  with  her  parents. 


GEORGE  HACKSHAW. 


The  broad  acres  and  pleasant  rural  home  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
George  Hackshaw,  are  located  in  Otter  Creek  township,  LaSalle  county, 
Illinois,  not  far  distant  from  the  town  of  Streator.  Mr.  Hackshaw  is  a 
native  of  the  county  in  which  he  lives.  He  was  born  November  14,  1852, 
the  son  of  a  prosperous  and  highly  respected  pioneer  of  the  county,  John 
Hackshaw,  a  native  of  England.  John  Hackshaw  was  married  at  Toronto, 
Canada,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Jensen,  a  native  of  Glasgow,  Scotland.  Their 
union  was  blessed  in  the  birth  of  six  children,  namely:  Jane  McCormick, 
of  Chicago,  Illinois;  John  F.,  of  Streator,  Illinois;  Mary  S.;  Satie  S.;  Corwieh- 
er,  who  passed  away  in  childhood;  and  George,  whose  name  introduces  this 
sketch.  In  LaSalle  county  the  parents  spent  the  greater  part  of  their  lives 
and  died,  the  father  passing  away  in  the  prime  of  life;  the  mother  lives 
in  Streator.  She  is  an  energetic,  industrious  woman,  of  great  strength  of 
character,  and  early  instilled  into  her  children  right  principles  of  living. 
The  home  farm  comprised  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  and  on  it  the 
family  were  reared. 

George  Hackshaw  early  became  familiar  with  all  kinds  of  farm  work, 
and  on  reaching  adult  years  engaged  in  farming  for  himself.  He  owns  a 
fine  farm  of  two  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  on  which  he  raises  the  usual 
crops  of  this  locality,  and  where  he  is  interested  in  the  stock  business. 

Mr.  Hackshaw  was  married  May  17,  1894,  at  Streator,  Illinois,  to  Miss 
Minnie  Willard,  a  native  of  Chicago,  Illinois,  and  the  daughter  of  William 
J.  Willard,  deceased. 

Politically  Mr.  Hackshaw  is  known  as  a  Republican.  He  may  well  be 
classed  as  one  of  the  best  citizens  of  the  township,  for  he  shares  the  respect 
and  confidence  of  his  fellow  men. 


THEODORE  WEBERLING. 

Theodore  Weberling,  superintendent  of  the  water  works  and  electric 
light  plant  of  Peru,  Illinois,  was  born  in  Hanover,  Germany,  February  7, 
1849.  His  parents  were  Frederick  and  Carolina  (Groetch)  Weberling,  who 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1853,  ^"d  located  in  Peru,  where  they  spent  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  197 

remainder  of  their  lives.  The  father  was  a  carpenter,  who  worked  many 
years  in  the  Peru  Plow  and  Wheel  Works.  Both  were  members  of  the 
Evangelical  Lutheran  church,  and  are  held  in  kindly  remembrance.  The 
father  died  in  1875,  and  the  mother  survived  him  but  ten  years.  They  had 
but  two  children,  the  elder,  Henry,  dying  after  coming  to  Peru. 

Theodore  Weberling  was  but  little  more  than  four  years  old  when  he 
became  a  resident  of  Peru.  At  the  age  of  thirteen  he  was  taken  from 
the  public  school  and  placed  with  a  harnessmaker  to  learn  the  craft.  Here 
he  remained  five  years,  and  the  succeeding  five  years  were  spent  as  a 
journeyman  at  his  trade,  mostly  in  Atlanta  and  Galesburg,  both  in  Illinois. 
Returning  to  Peru  he  opened  a  saloon,  which  he  personally  conducted  six- 
teen years,  and  in  189 1  retired  permanently  from  the  business.  In  1888 
the  Peru  electric  light  plant  was  established,  and  he  was  placed  in  the  man- 
agement of  it.  Three  years  later  this  plant  was  purchased  by  the  city, 
and  he  was  continued  in  the  management,  while  the  same  year  the  water- 
works were  built,  and  he  was  made  superintendent  of  them  when  they 
were  put  in  operation  the  following  January.  About  this  time  he  was 
appointed  J:o  the  office  of  street  commissioner  and  still  holds  the  several 
positions,  giving  to  them  his  whole  time  and  attention,  and  discharging  the 
duties  in  a  highly  satisfactory  manner.  He  favors  the  Lutheran  church, 
and  is  a  Republican  in  politics.  He  is  an  active  worker  in  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  also  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  Amer- 
ica and  the  Alystic  Workers  of  the  World.  He  was  married  in  1878  to 
Miss  Bertha,  daughter  of  Albian  Smith,  and  five  children  have  been  born  to 
them, — Antoinette,  Alvina,  August,  Edward  and  Max. 


EDWARD  S.  PEDDICORD. 

Among  the  native  sons  of  Manlius  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois, 
is  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  Edward  S.  Peddicord,  who  owns  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  fine  land  and  is  classed  with  the  prosperous  farmers  of 
his  localit}^ 

Mr.  Peddicord  was  born  March  4,  1862,  son  of  Edward  and  Elizabeth 
(Johnson)  Peddicord,  prominent  residents  of  this  county  for  over  forty-six 
years,  now  both  deceased.  They  were  the  parents  of  the  following  named 
•children:  William  D.,  a  resident  of  Dallas  county,  Iowa;  Lewis  E.,  of 
Chicago,  Illinois;  Willis  P.,  who  died  in  childhood;  Charles  J.,  of  Marseilles, 
LaSalle  county;  Edward  S.,  whose  name  introduces  this  sketch;  Milton  B.; 
Isabel,  deceased;  Ami  J.,  of  Story  county,  Iowa;  Jannie,  of  Marseilles. 

Edward  S.  was  reared  in  his  native  county  and  educated  in  its  public 


198  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

schools,  and  has  all  his  life  been  engaged  in  farming.  His  farm  is  located 
three  miles  from  Seneca,  is  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  and  is  improved 
with  modern  residence,  large  barn,  fine  grove  and  orchard,  etc.  In  short, 
it  is  one  of  the  most  desirable  farms  in  this  vicinity. 

Mr.  Peddicord  was  married  at  Ottawa,  Illinois,  May  19,  1886,  to  Miss 
Nora  Mayers,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Barbara  Mayers;  and  to  them 
have  been  born  six  children,  whose  names  in  order  of  birth  are  x\rthur 
Frank,  Louise,  John,  Isabelle,  Eunice  and  Joseph. 

In  his  political  af^liations  Mr.  Peddicord  is  Republican.  He  is  now 
serving  his  fourth  year  as  a  member  of  the  school  board. 


WILLIAM  HOLLY. 


For  half  a  century  or  more  William  Holly,  a  prominent  citizen  of 
Peru,  has  resided  in  the  neighborhood  of  this  town,  and  during  his  life  in 
LaSalle  county  he  has  been  a  witness  of  much  of  its  development  from  the 
wilderness.  He  has  given  his  attention  to  various  lines  of  business  since 
he  reached  man's  estate,  and  has  prospered  in  nearly  all  of  his  undertakings. 

The  grandfathers  of  our  subject,  on  both  sides  of  the  house,  were  of 
German  birth.  Daniel  Holly,  the  paternal  grandfather,  spent  some  years 
in  his  native  land,  was  married  there  and  finally  emigrated  to  Butler  county, 
Ohio,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  The  parents  of  our  subject  were 
Daniel  and  Helen  (Bender)  Holly,  both  natives  of  the  Fatherland.  They 
had  five  sons  and  two  daughters,  namely:  Mary,  wife  of  Christian  Brenne- 
mann,  of  this  county;  John,  of  Putnam  county;  William,  the  immediate 
subject  of  this  sketch;  Theodore,  of  Putnam  county;  Gustav,  of  Kansas; 
Eliza,  wife  of  Oscar  Brennemann,  of  Putnam  county;  and  George  \\'.,  of 
this  county.  AMien  he  came  to  the  United  States  Daniel  Holly,  Jr.,  was  a 
boy,  and  the  remainder  of  his  youth  was  spent  on  a  farm  in  Butler  county, 
Ohio.  With  his  wife  and  four  children  he  came  to  Illinois,  making  the 
trip  by  boat  from  Cincinnati  to  St.  Louis;  thence  up  the  Illinois  river,  over 
which  he  crossed  and  proceeded  to  Hennepin,  Putnam  county.  They  set- 
tled on  a  farm  about  ten  miles  distant  from  that  town,  and  in  the  course  of 
time  the  father  accumulated  considerable  property.  He  retired  about  five 
years  prior  to  his  death,  which  occurred  in  Peru,  in  1887,  when  he  was 
seventy-one  years  of  age.  His  widow  is  still  living,  and  is  now  in  her 
eighty-fourth  year.  In  religious  belief  they  were  originally  Mennonites,  but 
Mr.  Holly  became  a  Free  Thinker  when  he  was  about  fifty-five  years  of 
age.  For  several  years  he  served  as  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  also  acted  in 
the  capacity  of  road  commissioner  at  Peru. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  199 

William  Holly,  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Butler  county,  Ohio,  May  i, 
1843.     When  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age  his  father  gave  him  a  team  of 
horses,  and  he  began  farming  a  part  of  the  old  homestead  on  shares,  and 
also  ran  a  threshing  machine.     At  the  end  of  four  years  he  went  to  Gran- 
ville, ■  Illinois,  and  clerked  in  a  general  store.     Within  a  year  the  manage- 
ment failed,  and  Mr.  Holly  was  chosen  to  take  charge  and  sell  out  the  stock, 
which  required  about  a  year.     Then,  going  to  Chicago,  the  young  man 
purchased  a  new,  fresh  stock  of  goods,  and  opened  a  store  of  his  own  in 
Granville.     After  spending  three  years  in  that  enterprise  he  sold  out,  at  a 
fair  profit,   and   in   the   fall   of    1875   ^^^  joined    his   brother-in-law,    Oscar 
Brennemann,  and  started  a  grocery  store  in  the  new  building  which  had 
just  been  erected  in  Peru  by  the  senior  Mr.  Holly.     The  firm  was  known 
as  Holly  &  Brennemann,  and  that  management  was  in  existence  some  five 
years.     Mr.   Holly  then  bought  out  his  partner's  interest  and  continued 
alone  in  business  until  1887,  when  he  finally  disposed  of  his  stock.     His 
next    enterprise  was  the  Peru    Elevator  Company,  which    he  organized. 
Renting  the  elevator  he  managed  it  for  three  years,  from  1890  to  1893,  and 
then  sold  out. 

In  1890  Mr.  Holly  and  five  other  public-spirited  citizens — G.  D.  Ladd, 
Theodore  Weberling,  G.  Lassig,  H.  Bellinghausen  and  Charles  Bruner — 
sunk  an  artesian  well,  and  at  a  depth  of  about  seven  hundred  feet  a  fine  vein 
of  salt  water  was  struck.  They  went  down  further,  and,  reaching  a  depth 
of  fourteen  hundred  feet,  found  fresh  water.  Pipes  were  put  in  and  the  well 
was  afterward  sold  to  the  city,  which  built  new  water-works.  In  1893  Mr. 
Holly  went  to  California,  and,  stopping  in  Salt  Lake  City,  he  took  a  few 
plunges  in  the  briny  inland  sea,  and  so  thoroughly  enjoyed  the  effects  that 
he  returned  home  with  a  new  idea,  which  he  proceeded  to  put  into  suc- 
cessful operation.  Purposing  to  use  the  salt  water  piped  from  the  above- 
mentioned  well,  he  opened  an  establishment, — a  bath-house  for  giving  hot 
salt-water  baths, — and  has  since  enlarged  the  capacity  of  the  bath-house, 
until  there  are  now  ten  separate  rooms,  with  all  approved  appliances.  The 
ground  floor  is  devoted  to  the  use  of  men  and  the  second  story  to  ladies, 
while  the  basement  contains  a  fine  plunge  bath,  used  chiefly  in  the  summer 
season.  Though  the  popularity  of  the  bath-house  is  greatest  during  the 
hot  weather,  it  receives  a  liberal  patronage  the  year  round. 

Mr.  Holly  has  other  business  interests.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the 
Peru  Plow  &  Wheel  Company,  and  has  served  on  the  board  of  directors 
for  this  company,  and  also  as  treasurer.  He  is  also  a  stockholder  and 
director  in  the  Peru  Plow  &  Implement  Company,  of  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa, 
and  is  also  interested  in  the  Peru  Shoe  Company,  of  which  he  is  general 
manager. 


200  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

In  politics  our  subject  has  been  perfectly  independent,  voting  for  the 
nominee  or  principle  in  which  he  believed  most  thoroughly,  and  changing 
from  one  party  to  the  other  as  he  deemed  best  under  pubHc  conditions. 
He  voted  for  S.  J.  Tilden  in  1876,  and  had  cast  his  first  vote  for  Lincoln, 
as  nominee  for  a  second  term.  He  supported  Cleveland  the  first  time  that 
he  ran,  but  not  liking  his  methods  he  next  used  his  ballot  in  favor  of  Har- 
rison. Then  he  reverted  to  Cleveland,  and,  lastly,  he  voted  for  McKinley, 
and  every  time  the  man  for  whom  he  desired  the  place  of  chief  executive 
(since  1876)  has  been  elected.  Personally  ]\Ir.  Holly  has  never  aspired  to 
public  of^ce.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Peru  Sharp-shooters'  Society,  but  is 
not  connected  with  any  of  the  lodges. 

In  1888  the  marriage  of  ]\Ir.  Holly  and  Miss  Emma  ^Miller  was  sol- 
emnized. They  have  had  three  children,  Arthur,  Gertrude  and  Lillian. 
The  last  named,  little  Lillian,  died  in  1896,  at  the  age  of  three  years. 


AMNION  B.  MOON. 


For  many  years  having  followed  farming  in  LaSalle  county,  Mr.  Moon 
is  now  living  retired  in  Streator,  enjoying  a  rest  which  he  has  truly  earned 
and  richly  desen-es.  He  is  one  of  the  extensive  land-owners  of  the  com- 
munity, and  his  property  has  all  been  acquired  entirely  through  his  well 
directed  efforts.  A  native  of  Eden  township,  LaSalle  county,  he  was  born 
January  27,  1834,  his  parents  being  Albert  and  Elizabeth  Moon.  The 
father  was  born  in  Virginia,  in  1808,  and  the  mother's  birth  occurred  in 
Kentucky,  January  28,  1818.  The  Moon  family  was  probably  established 
in  the  Old  Dominion  at  an  early  period  in  its  history,  for  the  paternal 
grandfather  of  our  subject,  who  was  of  Scotch  and  English  descent,  was  a 
native  of  that  state,  and  there  resided  until  after  his  marriage.  In  1833  he 
became  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Illinois,  making  his  home  in  Reading 
township,  Livingston  county,  until  called  to  his  final  rest.  Albert  Moon, 
the  father  of  our  subject,  was  reared  to  manhood  in  Greene  county,  Ohio, 
and  when  twenty-four  years  of  age  cast  in  his  lot  Avith  the  early  settlers 
of  LaSalle  county,  his  home  being  on  a  farm  near  Tonica.  At  the  time 
of  the  Indian  massacre  in  the  Black  Hawk  war  there  was  a  company  of 
sixteen  organized  at  Ottawa  to  bury  the  victims  of  the  savage  cruelty, 
and  Mr.  Moon  was  among  the  number  chosen  for  that  purpose.  In  the 
winter  of  1833  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Elizabeth  Boyle,  a  daughter 
of  David  and  Rachel  Boyle,  who  settled  in  Putnam  county,  Illinois,  in 
1829.     Four  children  were  born  of  this  union:    Ammon  B.,  of  this  review; 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  201 

Salanda,  wife  of  Mr.  Sawyer;  Matilda,  wife  of  H.  B.  Schuler,  of  Chicago, 
Illinois;  and  Jacob  W.,  who  is  living  at  Iowa  Falls,  Iowa.  In  1834  the 
father  of  this  family  disposed  of  his  property  in  LaSalle  county  and  the 
following  year  purchased  a  tract  of  land  in  Reading  township,  Livingston 
county.  There  he  carried  on  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  on  the  19th  of  November,  1865. 

During  his  infancy  Ammon  Moon  was  taken  to  Livingston  county, 
where  the  days  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  were  passed  upon  his  father's 
farm.  He  assisted  in  its  cultivation,  and  after  acquiring  a  practical  English 
education  in  the  common  schools  he  began  farming  on  his  own  account, 
his  early  training  in  the  fields  then  proving  of  practical  value  to  him.  He 
secured  a  farm  on  section  34,  Eagle  township,  erected  thereon  a  frame  resi- 
dence in  the  fall  of  1856,  and  the  following  spring  took  possession  of  the 
place  and  began  its  development  and  improvement.  Soon  the  land  was 
transformed  into  richly  cultivated  fields,  which  yielded  to  the  owner  a 
golden  tribute.  As  time  passed  he  extended  the  boundaries  of  his  place 
until  it  comprised  four  hundred  and  eighty  acres,  and  he  made  excellent 
improvements  upon  it,  erecting  substantial  buildings  and  replacing  the 
first  residence  with  a  modern  and  commodious  brick  structure  in  1872. 
At  other  times  he  has  purchased  property  elsewhere,  and  in  addition  to  the 
old  homestead  he  has  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  section  33 
and  one  hundred  and  sixty  on  section  27,  making  an  aggregate  of  eight 
hundred  acres.  After  a  long  and  active  life  upon  the  farm,  during  which 
he  won  most  gratifying  success,  he  retired  to  private  life  in  1893,  taking 
up  his  abode  in  Streator,  where  he  is  now  living,  surrounded  with  the  com- 
forts which  make  existence  most  pleasant. 

On  the  8th  of  October,  1856,  Air.  Moon  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Mary  E.  Lyon,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Mills)  Lyon. 
Her  father,  who  was  born  in  Clinton  county,  Ohio,  in  181 8,  died  in  Pontiac, 
Illinois,  in  1892,  and  her  mother,  who  also  was  a  native  of  the  Buckeye 
state,  passed  away  in  Pontiac,  in  1882.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moon  were  born 
five  children,  but  two  are  now  deceased,  namely:  Carrie,  who  died  in 
infancy,  and  Lillie,  who  died  at  the  age  of  five  years.  The  three  children 
now  living  are  Nellie  I.,  William  A.  and  Estelle  E.  Nellie  I.  married 
William  Turner  and  has  two  children, — Guy  F.  and  Harry.  In  1882  Mr. 
Turner  passed  away  and  his  widow  afterward  became  the  wife  of  Dr.  O.  J. 
Raub,  of  Abilene,  Kansas,  and  by  this  marriage  there  is  one  boy,  named 
Stanley.  Estelle  E.  became  the  wife  of  Dr.  O.  D.  Holland,  of  Streator, 
and  they  have  one  son,  named  Parke. 

Mr.  Moon  is  one  of  the  oldest  native  sons  of  LaSalle  county,  and 
through  more  than  six  decades  he  has  watched  with  interest  the  progress 


202  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

and  improvement  which  have  marked  the  onward  march  of  time,  ever 
bearing  his  part  in  the  same.  He  has  been  a  citizen  loyal  and  true,  and 
in  the  management  of  his  business  affairs  he  has  accumulated  a  handsome 
property,  which  is  the  merited  reward  of  his  earnest,  honest  labors. 


ROBERT  N.  CRAWFORD. 

Robert  N.  Crawford,  president  of  the  Mendota  National  Bank,  was 
born  on  a  farm  in  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  November  28,  1868,  and  repre- 
sents a  type  of  business  man  that  is  a  credit  to  any  community.  He  has 
worked  his  way  by  patient  industry  and  the  faithful  discharge  of  the  duties 
that  came  to  his  hand,  from  the  humble  career  of  a  farmer  lad  to  the  posi- 
tion of  president  of  one  of  LaSalle  county's  most  firmly  established  banks, 
showing  what  the  American  boy  is  capable  of.  His  parents  were  Charles  and 
Mary  A.  (Liscom)  Crawford,  the  former  a  native  of  the  state  of  Vermont 
and  the  latter  born  in  Massachusetts.  They  were  united  in  the  holy  bonds 
of  matrimony  in  Vermont  and  came  west  to  seek  their  fortunes  in  the 
broad  and  fertile  prairies  of  Illinois,  settling,  in  1849,  in  Bureau  county, 
where  they  engaged  in  farming.  They  remained  in  that  locality  for  twenty 
years  and  then  moved  to  a  farm  in  LaSalle  county,  a  short  distance  west 
of  Mendota,  where  they  continued  to  share  the  vicissitudes  of  life  until 
Februarys  1877,  when  the  grim  reaper.  Death,  entered  their  home  and  took 
from  it  the  husband  and  father  just  as  he  had  passed  the  fifty-sixth  mile- 
stone in  his  journey  of  life.  Left  alone  with  a  family  to  care  for,  the 
mother  bent  her  energies  to  rearing  them  to  Hves  of  usefulness  and  honor; 
and  how  well  she  succeeded  is  well  known  by  the  citizens  of  Mendota, 
who  watched  with  interest  her  noble  life.  She  is  now  in  her  seventy-fifth 
year  and  resides  on  the  old  homestead,  made  dear  by  years  of  tender  asso- 
ciations and  memories. 

Robert  N.  Crawford  was  the  youngest  of  seven  children  and  was 
reared  on  his  father's  farm.  His  love  for  learning  was  given  scope  and 
after  leaving  the  country  schools  he  completed  the  high-school  course  at 
Mendota.  Farm  work  did  not  appeal  to  his  nature  as  did  the  more  exciting 
and  active  commercial  life,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years  he  bade  adieu 
to  the  monotony  of  farm  life  and  took  up  his  residence  in  this  city.  He 
was  fortunate  in  securing  a  clerkship  in  the  First  National  Bank  and  was 
well  adapted  to  the  work,  remaining  with  the  institution  in  that  capacity 
for  ten  years,  when  he  resigned  to  become  the  president  of  the  Mendota 
National  Bank.  This  bank  was  organized  in  July,  1897,  and  opened  for 
business  in  September  of  that  year  with  a  capital  stock  of  fifty  thousand 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  203 

dollars.     It  is  one  of  the  solid  institutions  of  LaSalle  county  and  has  a  large 
number  of  depositors. 

Robert  N.  Crawford  was  united  in  marriage,  in  1892,  to  Miss  Mary 
E.  Truman,  a  daughter  of  William  Truman,  an  extensive  farmer  of  this 
county.  Mr.  Crawford  keeps  intelligently  posted  on  political  subjects  and 
renders  valuable  aid  to  the  Republican  cause.  He  is  a  Knight  of  Pythias 
and  also  a  Knight  Templar  Mason.  He  is  interested  in  all  municipal  mat- 
ters and  has  been  closely  identified  with  the  city's  growth  during  recent 
years.  He  is  straightforward  and  upright  in  all  transactions  and  has  won 
the  commendation  of  all  who  have  had  any  dealings  with  him. 


GUSTAVE  J.  KEIM. 

When  Gustave  J.  Keim,  a  man  six  feet  in  height  and  finely  proportioned, 
a  man  of  notable  military  presence,  takes  his  position  at  the  head  of  his 
company, — a  captain  of  the  Uniformed  Rank  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias, — • 
he  commands  the  respect  of  all  observers  and  is  looked  upon  with  just 
pride  by  those  under  his  orders.  He  is  in  the  prime  of  early  manhood,  as 
his  birth  occurred  June  12,  1867,  and  Ottawa  was  the  place  of  that  event. 
He  has  grown  to  maturity  in  this  town,  receiving  his  education  in  her  public 
schools,  and  since  entering  the  world  of  business  Ottawa  has  continued  to 
be  his  home.  The  associations  of  his  whole  life  thus  being  connected  with 
this  immediate  locality,  he  is  thoroughly  patriotic  and  genuinely  interested 
in  everything  relating  to  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  town. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  Martin  Keim,  w^as  a  native  of  Germany,  born 
August  6,  1836.  He  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  in  1857,  when 
the  young  man  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  his  senior  paid  three  hundred 
dollars  to  the  government  for  the  release  of  the  son  from  the  law  requiring 
military  service.  Soon  afterward  Martin  Keim  bade  adieu  to  the  Father- 
land and  came  to  America.  During  the  civil  war  he  enlisted  in  the  defense 
of  the  land  of  his  adoption,  and  participated  in  some  of  the  worst  battles 
of  the  conflict,  including  that  of  Chickamauga  and  the  siege  of  Vicksburg. 
He  served  in  the  Twenty-fourth  Illinois  Infantry,  his  commanding  officer 
being  Colonel  Hecker,  who  was  a  German  and  had  done  valiant  servnce  in 
the  Mexican  war,  with  General  Thomas.  By  trade  Martin  Keim  was  a 
cooper,  and  after  the  close  of  the  war  he  settled  in  Ottawa,  where  he  found 
employment.  Socially  he  was  identified  with  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows. 

In  1866  Mr.  Keim  married  Miss  Lizzie  Gabauer,  likewise  a  native  of 
Germany;   and  as  the  years   rolled  by   six  children  came  to   bless   their 


204  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

happy  home.  One  son  died  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years,  but  the  other  chil- 
dren are  still  living,  and  are  named  respectively  Gustave,  Adam,  George, 
Herman  and  Emma. 

Gustave  Keim,  the  first-born,  was  taken  into  business  with  his  father 
as  soon  as  he  was  old  enough  to  be  of  service,  and  was  quite  young  when  he 
had  mastered  the  trade.  He  has  continued  in  the  butcher  business  and  has 
built  up  a  fine  reputation  for  honor  and  exactness  in  all  his  transactions. 
He  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  St.  Elmo  Lodge,  No.  70;  Humboldt 
Lodge,  No.  555,  of  the  Masons,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Union  Hose 
Company,  which  is  organized  for  protection  against  fire.  Politically  he 
uses  his  franchise  in  favor  of  the  principles  and  nominees  of  the  Democratic 
party. 

On  the  20th  of  July,  1897,  ]\Ir.  Keim  married  Miss  Adeline  Meyer,  a 
well  known  Ottawa  lady.  The  young  couple  have  one  child,  a  son,  named 
Walter  M.  They  have  a  pleasant,  cosy  home  and  have  a  host  of  friends  in 
this  place. 


A.  F.  NICHOL. 


A.  F.  Nichol,  a  farmer  residing  in  Rutland  township,  LaSalle  county, 
was  born  December  30,  1852,  a  son  of  John  Tilton  and  Rebecca  (Mickey) 
Nichol.  His  great-grandfather  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  where  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  a  Miss  Hilton,  by  whom  he  had  two  sons  and  three 
daughters.  He  emigrated  to  America  about  the  year  1770.  John  Tilton 
Nichol  is  a  native  of  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  a  son  of  Robert  and 
Elizabeth  (Tilton)  Nichol.  His  father  was  born  in  Washington  county, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1780  and  died  in  1831.  His  mother  was  born  in  Elizabeth- 
town,  New  Jersey,  in  1782  and  died  at  her  son's  residence  in  1854.  J.  T. 
Nichol  was  reared  a  farmer,  receiving  a  common-school  education.  He  left 
his.  native  county  and  settled  in  Wayne  county,  Ohio,  thence  he  moved 
to  Ashland  county,  that  state,  and  in  June,  1845,  came  to  LaSalle  county, 
Illinois,  and  settled  where  he  now  lives,  in  Rutland  township.  He  bought 
eighty  acres  of  land,  but  has  added  to  these  until  he  now  owns  four  hundred 
acres,  and  his  improvements  are  among  the  best  in  the  township.  Mr.  Nichol 
was  married  February  6,  1840,  to  Rebecca  Mickey,  a  native  of  Ashland 
county,  Ohio,  born  December  25,  1820,  a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth 
(Woodrow)  Mickey.  Her  father  was  a  native  of  Westmoreland  county, 
Pennsylvania,  and  her  mother  of  Maryland.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nichol  have 
been  born  seven  ohildren,  five  of  whom  are  living:  Lucius  R.,  a  resident 
of  Bates  county,  Missouri,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  civil  war,  a  member  of 
Ford's  Cavalry,  Company  L,  Fifteenth  Regiment.     He  enlisted  January, 


I 


,a 


^MuAy 


x^- 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  205 

1862,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war;  Marcia,  wife  of  M.  H.  Trow- 
bridge, also  of  Bates  county,  Missouri;  James  E.,  of  Platte  county,  Nebraska; 
A.  F.,  our  subject;  Flora  B.,  of  this  township;  Samantha  E.;  and  John  Orr, 
deceased.  In  politics  Mr.  Nichol  is  a  Republican  and  has  served  his  town- 
ship as  supervisor  for  seven  years.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity.  Rebecca  Nichol  was  laid  to  rest  February  i,  1890,  at  the  age 
of  seventy  years. 

A.  F.  Nichol  received  his  preliminary  education  in  the  schools  of  his 
native  township,  also  spent  one  year  at  the  Northwestern  University  at 
Evanston,  Illinois,  and  is  now  taking  a  course  in  engineering  and  surveying, 
at  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  On  December  30,  1879,  he  made  a  journey 
to  Ashland  county,  Ohio,  bringing  back  with  him  a  wife.  This  lady  was 
Miss  Sadie  Riddle,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Margaret  (Dally)  Riddle,  born 
September  24,  1853.  Three  children  have  blessed  their  home,  one  of  whom, 
Portia,  was  taken  to  the  heavenly  home  at  the  tender  age  of  five  years. 
Ethel  was  born  February  14,  1886.  Grace  was  born  December  24,  1893. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nichol  are  highly  respected  residents  of  the  community  in 
which  they  live.  He  is  a  Republican  and  has  served  his  party  in  places 
of  trust. 


SAMUEL  C.  WILEY. 


Samuel  C.  Wiley,  a  retired  farmer  and  lumber  dealer  of  Earlville,  La- 
Salle  county,  Illinois,  was  born  in  Somerset  county,  Maine,  November  it, 
1833,  and  was  a  son  of  Charles  and  Seraphina  (Greenleaf)  Wiley.  His 
great-great-grandfather  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  who  moved  to  Ireland, 
where  the  great-grandfather  was  born  and  when  this  lad  was  about  twelve 
years  old  the  family  moved  to  America  and  settled  in  Massachusetts.  Rob- 
ert Wiley  was  the  youngest  of  seven  sons,  and  was  born  in  the  state  of 
Maine,  where  he  grew  to  man's  estate  and  married  Hannah  Charles,  who 
also  was  a  native  of  Maine.     Her  parents  came  from  Sweden. 

Charles  Wiley  was  born  in  Freiburg,  Maine,  March  15,  1803.  He  mar- 
ried Miss  Seraphina  Greenleaf,  by  whom  he  had  a  family  of  five  children, 
namely:  Samuel  C;  Henry,  a  farmer  on  the  old  home  in  Freedom  town- 
ship; Mary  Ann,  who  died  in  early  life;  Laura,  who  also  died  young;  and 
Martha,  the  wife  of  David  Davis,  born  in  LaSalle  county.  In  1844  Charles 
Wiley  brought  his  family  direct  from  the  state  of  Maine  to  Freedom  town- 
ship, LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  where  he  and  his  sons  developed  a  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres.  He  died  in  1875  and  was  survived  by  his  widow 
until  1896,  who  died  in  her  eighty-sixth  year.  Her  parents  were  English 
people,  who  located  in  Maine  in  the  early  days.     Charles  Wiley  was  one  of 


2o6  BIOGRAPHICAL    AXD    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

five  brothers  who  settled  in  this  county,  one  of  whom  was  Dr.  Samuel  Wiley, 
of  Mendota.  The  father  also  made  this  his  home  during  his  later  years  and 
died  here.  The  family  were  adherents  of  the  Universalist  church  and  were 
upright,  honorable  people,  highly  esteemed. 

Samuel  C.  Wiley  was  but  eleven  years  of  age  when  his  parents  moved 
to  this  county,  which  has  since  been  his  home.  The  advantages  for  obtaining 
a  schooling  at  that  time  were  very  limited,  as  long  distances  must  be 
traversed  in  order  to  reach  a  school,  which  at  best  was  a  very  primitive  affair 
and  the  teaching  of  the  crudest  sort.  As  Samuel's  life  was  spent  on  a  farm 
it  was  not  easy  to  take  advantage  of  even  the  opportunity  thus  offered,  so 
his  education  was  obtained  chieflv  from  observation  and  reading.  He  re- 
mained  at  home  until  his  marriage,  but  in  the  meantime  had  purchased  a 
farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  in  Meriden  township,  which  he  had 
developed  and  placed  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  He  has  been  one  of  the 
most  prosperous  farmers  in  Illinois  and  added  to  his  original  farm  until 
to-day  he  has  five  hundred  acres  of  as  fertile  land  as  can  be  found  in  the  state. 
About  1874  he  entered  into  partnership  with  ^^^  E.  Hapeman  and  opened 
a  lumber-yard,  which  he  conducted  eleven  years,  when  he  sold  out  to  his 
partner.  For  the  past  fifteen  years  he  has  been  engaged  in  buying  and 
shipping  live  stock  and  has  made  it  a  profitable  business. 

He  was  united  in  marriage,  in  1858,  to  ]\Iiss  ]\Iary  E.  Thompson,  a 
native  of  New  York  and  a  daughter  of  Harvey  I.  Thompson,  who  came  from 
that  state  to  Christian  county,  Illinois,  when  Mrs.  Wiley  was  a  child  and  later 
located  in  this  county.  Their  union  was  blessed  by  the  birth  of  eight  chil- 
dren, seven  of  whom  are  still  living;  Laura  died  when  about  two  years  old, 
and  the  seven  living  are  Carrie,  J\label,  Herbert  C,  Gilbert,  Ruth,  Rosa  and 
George  S.  ]\Irs.  Wiley  was  spared  to  her  family  until  her  fifty-third  year  was 
passed,  in  1893,  when  she  was  called  to  enter  the  life  everlasting.  Mr.  Wiley 
is  a  Knight  Templar  Mason  and  an  adherent  of  the  Democratic  party.  He 
has  held  a  number  of  minor  offices,  acting  as  the  supervisor  of  Earl  and 
Meriden  townships  for  seven  or  eight  years,  and  in  1882  was  elected  to  the 
house  of  representatives  from  this  district,  and  was  re-elected  two  years 
later. 


JOSEPH  KOCH,  SR. 

Seventy-eight  years  ago  the  birth  of  Joseph  Koch  occurred  in  Bavaria. 
Germany,  the  date  of  the  event  being  ^larch  21,  1821.  He  is  a  son  of 
Michael  Koch,  who  was  a  native  of  the  same  kingdom,  where  he  was 
occupied  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death,  in  1878,  when  he  was  about 
seventy-five  years  of  age.     His  first  wife,  the  mother  of  our  subject,  whose 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  207 

maiden  name  was  Barbara  Baumann,  departed  this  life  in  1832.  The  father 
remanded,  and  his  second  wife  Hved  to  attain  th.ree-score  and  ten  years.  In 
their  rehgious  behef  they  were  all  Catholics.  Both  of  the  grandfathers  of 
our  subject  were  fanners,  and  both  were  upward  of  seventy  years  old  at  the 
time  of  death. 

Joseph  Koch,  of  this  sketch,  is  the  only  survivor  of  his  father's  family. 
He  had  but  one  brother,  Andrew  by  name,  and  one  sister,  Mary  Ann,  who 
married  "V^alentine  Redline,  of  Waterloo,  Iowa;  and  both  have  passed  away. 
In  his  youth  our  subject  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native  land  and 
aided  in  the  management  of  the  parental  homestead.  In  1853  he  came  to 
the  United  States,  being  accompanied  by  his  wife,  Eva  Baumann,  who  died 
while  they  were  journeying  across  the  country  and  was  buried  in  Battle 
Creek,  Michigan.  Mr.  Koch  became  a  resident  of  Peru,  which  he  has  since 
looked  upon  as  his  home.  At  first  he  worked  at  whatever  he  could  find  to 
do,  in  order  to  gain  an  honest  livelihood.  Nature  had  endowed  him  with 
a  marked  talent  for  music,  and  before  very  long  he  had  plenty  of  occupation 
in  teaching  various  kinds  of  instrumental  music.  He  organized  the  first 
cornet  band  in  Peru,  as  well  as  the  first  orchestra,  and  for  years  was  a  leader 
in  local  musical  circles.  His  genius  and  ability  once  recognized  by  the 
citizens,  he  had  his  time  fully  taken  up  in  meeting  the  many  demands  upon  it, 
his  pupils  being  numerous  and  his  evenings  being  largely  occupied  in  fur- 
nishing nuisic  for  balls,  receptions  and  other  public  occasions.  Though  near- 
ing  four-score  years,  his  love  for  music  is  not  a  whit  abated,  and  though  he 
does  not  give  lessons  as  formerly  he  finds  solace  and  happiness  in  evoking 
sweet  harmonies.  The  life  of  an  artist  of  any  profession  leads  away  from 
what  are  termed  "the  practical  realities,"  yet  Mr.  Koch  has  never  failed  in 
his  duty  as  a  citizen,  and  has  always  manifested  deep  interest  in  the  public 
welfare.     He  uses  his  right  of  franchise  in  behalf  of  the  Republican  party. 

The  first  marriage  of  Mr.  Koch  was  celebrated  in  Germany,  half  a  cen- 
tury ago,  the  lady  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Eva  Baumann.  Four  children  were 
born  to  them,  but  all  died  at  an  early  age.  In  February,  1854,  Mr.  Koch 
and  Miss  Mary  Ann  Keupp,  daughter  of  Kilian  and  Margaret  Keupp.  were 
united  in  wedlock.  Three  children  blessed  their  union,  of  whom  Mary,  the 
eldest,  became  the  wife  of  John  Fischer  and  had  live  children, — Josie,  Annie, 
Minnie,  John  and  Henry.  After  the  death  of  Mr.  Fischer  his  widow  married 
George  Weber,  of  Peru.  Joseph,  the  only  son  of  our  subject,  is  a  wagon- 
maker  by  trade,  is  unmarried,  and  at  present  is  a  citizen  of  Leonore,  Illinois. 
Minnie,  the  youngest  daughter,  married  Frank  Zadow,  who  was  killed  in 
a  railroad  accident.  His  widow  subsequently  became  the  wife  of  William 
Fuchs.  and  they  have  a  little  daughter,  named  Annie.  The  devoted  wife  of 
our  subject,  Mrs.  Mary  Ann  Koch,  was  summoned  to  her  reward  in  Fcbru- 


2o8  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

ary,  1890,  when  she  was  in  her  seventy-third  year.  This  worthy  couple  came 
to  Peru  in  its  early  days  and  witnessed  its  gradual  growth  and  the  correspond- 
ing development  of  the  surrounding  country.  Their  sterling  quahties  won 
the  love  and  friendship  of  those  who  were  associated  with  them  in  any 
manner,  and  naught  but  the  kindest  feelings  have  always  been  entertained 
for  them. 


PETER  A.  OLSEN. 


It  is  a  fact  continually  receiving  greater  recognition  that  the  Scandi- 
navian race  is  playing  a  very  nnportant  part  in  the  development  of  the 
great  west  and  northwest,  and  equally  certain  it  is  that  no  more  patriotic, 
honest,  industrious  citizens  can  be  found  in  the  length  and  breadth  of 
this  fair  land.  For  many  generations  the  people  of  the  Scandinavian  penin- 
sula have  been  noted  for  their  peaceful,  law-abiding  qualities,  for  their  up- 
rightness of  word  and  deed,  for  sincere  trust  in  God  and  fraternal  regard 
for  their  fellow  men. 

Peter  A.  Olsen  is  proud  of  the  fact,  and  well  he  may  be,  that  he  comes 
of  this  noble  race  of  "hardy  Norsemen."  His  birthplace  was  in  the  pic- 
turesque town  of  ]\Iolde,  Norway,  on  the  same  line  of  latitude  as,  and  not 
a  great  distance  from,  the  Shetland  islands,  north  of  Scotland.  The  date 
of  his  birth  is  April  i,  1868.  His  father,  Ole  Olsen,  is  a  jeweler  by  trade 
and  for  thirteen  years  plied  his  calling  in  Chicago,  thence  returning  to  his 
native  land,  in  1893.  The  mother  of  our  subject  died  when  he  was  twenty- 
four  years  of  age. 

The  education  of  Peter  Olsen  was  acquired  in  the  excellent  public 
schools  of  Bergen  and  Christiania,  Norway,  and  was  completed  in  Chicago. 
The  young  man's  love  for  journalism  manifested  itself  when  he  was  scarcely 
out  of  the  school-room,  and  he  served  an  apprenticeship  to  the  business  in 
the  ofifice  of  the  Norden  and  later  in  the  office  of  the  Skandinaven,  a  news- 
paper which  is  published  in  Chicago.  Having  thoroughly  mastered  the 
trade  and  become  familiar  with  the  various  departments  connected  with 
the  publishing  of  a  paper,  Mr.  Olsen  established  the  Afholds-Vennen, 
which  was  first  issued  in  Chicago,  March  30,  1894.  Subsequently  he  re- 
moved to  Ottawa,  in  1896.  and  the  first  local  edition  of  this  now  popular 
journal  bore  date  of  April  4,  1896.  Thus  it  is  now  entering  upon  the 
seventh  year  of  its  existence,  and  is  no  longer  an  experiment,  as  it  has  won 
its  way  into  the  hearts  and  homes  of  about  fourteen  or  fifteen  hundred 
Scandinavians  in  this  vicinity  and  in  the  adjacent  territory.  The  paper, 
comprising  four  pages,  is  devoted  particularly  to  the  interests  of  the  Nor- 
wegian people  and  is  sound  and  progressive  in  tone,  advocating  righteous 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  209 

causes,  such  as  temperance  and  disinterested  American  citizenship,  the 
purity  of  the  ballot  and  the  nobility  of  labor.  A  brilliant  future  is  opening 
before  the  young  and  ambitious  editor,  who  seems  peculiarly  fitted  to  stand 
in  the  attitude  of  a  leader  of  thought  among  his  beloved  people.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  an  uncompromising  Republican,  believing  heartily  in  the  policy 
of  the  party  under  whose  wise  guidance  the  ship  of  state  breasted  the  stormy 
weaves  of  the  troublous  civil-war  period,  and  rode  through  breakers,  scarcely 
less  dangerous,  of  the  "reconstruction"  and  great  financial  crises  of  1873 
and  1893. 

On  the  4th  of  August,  1888,  Mr.  Olsen  and  Miss  Marie  A.  Solem  were 
united  in  marriage  in  Chicago.  They  have  two  interesting  little  girls, — ■ 
Caroline  and  Viola.  Mrs.  Olsen  is  a  lady  of  culture  and  good  education, 
ajid  in  innumerable  ways  she  is  of  assistance  to  her  husband  in  his  important 
undertakings. 


EDGAR  S.  BROWNE. 


Edgar  Selwyn  Browne,  mayor  of  Mendota,  Illinois,  was  born  on  a  farm 
in  Oxford  county,  Maine,  May  11,  1851.  His  parents  were  George  H. 
and  Lavina  (Shaw)  Browne,  both  natives  of  Boston,  Massachusetts,  and 
representatives  of  old  New  England  families.  The  Brownes  are  of  English 
origin  and  the  Shaws  are  of  Welsh  extraction.  George  H.  Browne  was  a 
merchant  and  the  owner  of  farming  land.  During  the  civil  war  he  was  a 
member  of  the  Seventeenth  Maine  Regiment,  which  he  entered  as  a  private. 
He  was  in  charge  of  hospitals  at  Alexandria,  Virginia,  and  was  a  con- 
temporary of  Morrill,  Blaine  and  Hannibal  Hamlin,  and  served  in  the  Maine 
legislature  in  1859  with  James  G.  Blaine.  In  politics  he  was  a  Republican. 
After  the  war  he  carried  on  merchandising,  also  speculating  in  lumber  and 
doing  contract  work.  He  died  in  February,  1896,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
two  years.  His  widow,  at  this  writing  (1899),  eighty-one  years  of  age,  re- 
sides in  Mason,  Maine. 

Edgar  S.  Browne  spent  his  boyhood  days  up  to  the  age  of  thirteen 
years  on  a  farm.  He  is  the  eldest  of  a  family  of  four,  and,  their  father  being 
in  good  circumstances,  all  were  given  excellent  educational  advantages. 
Edgar  S.  is  a  graduate  of  Gould's  academy.  Bethel,  Maine,  and  was  for  some 
time  a  student  in  the  State  Normal  School  at  Farmington,  Maine.  He 
began  teaching  at  the  early  age  of  fourteen  years  and  taught  and  attended 
school  alternately.  While  teaching  he  studied  law,  and  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  of  Maine  in  1871.  For  five  years  he  practiced  law  in  Portland, 
Maine,  and  in  1876  he  came  west  and  located  in  Chicago,  where  he  spent 
nearly  a  year,  at  the  end  of  that  time  removing  to  Earlville  and  becoming 


2IO  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

associated  in  the  practice  of  law  with  his  cousin,  Hon.  J.  W.  Browne,  with 
whom  he  was  afterward  in  business  at  Mendota.  He  located  in  Mendota 
in  1879,  and  since  that  date  has  continued  here.  He  is  what  is  known  as  a 
trial  lawyer,  and  his  successful  career  has  shown  him  to  be  possessed  of 
more  than  ordinary  ability  in  this  line.  Politically  he  has  always  been  a 
Democrat.  In  the  east  he  filled  some  minor  offices,  and  in  LaSalle  county, 
Illinois,  he  has  been  frequently  honored  with  ofificial  position.  Mr.  Browne 
was  the  principal  of  the  high  school  at  Bethel,  Maine,  and  in  Gould's 
academy  was  professor  of  higher  mathematics,  grammar  and  elocution. 
Also  he  taught  Latin  in  the  last  named  institution.  He  served  as  justice  of 
the  peace,  commissioner  of  deeds  for  Maine  and  New  Hampshire,  and  was 
a  trial  justice  in  New  Hampshire,  being  located  in  Coos  county,  that  state, 
for  a  brief  time.  After  coming  to  Mendota  his  first  public  office  was  that 
of  city  attorney,  which  position  he  resigned  before  the  close  of  the  second 
year.  As  the  incumbent  of  that  office  he  tried  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
one  cases,  and  won  each  case,  his  salary  being  one  hundred  dollars  per 
year!     No  wonder  he  resigned! 

In  1886  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  lower  house  of  the  Illinois 
state  legislature,  as  representative  for  LaSalle  county;  and  was  re-elected 
in  1888.  He  was  made  the  chairman  of  the  Democratic  caucus  of  the  mem- 
bers of  house  and  senate  that  formulated  the  bill  for  the  reduction  of  state 
expenses,  which  afterward  made  the  state  go  Democratic  at  the  polls.  He 
was  the  author  of  a  large  portion  of  the  bill  which  was  enacted  and  entitled 
"An  act  to  create  sanitary  districts  and  remove  obstructions  in  the  Des 
Plaines  and  Illinois  rivers,"  which  went  into  effect  July  i,  1889,  and  which 
was  of  great  moment  and  utility  to  the  valleys  of  said  rivers.  In  another 
issue  he  was  influential  in  securing  a  defeat  of  a  movement  for  the  consolida- 
tion of  the  supreme  court.  In  1891  Mr.  Browne  was  elected  the  door- 
keeper for  the  house  of  representatives,  and  during  this  time  participated  in 
the  great  election  contest  for  United  States  senator  in  which  John  M. 
Palmer  was  successful.  Mr.  Browne  was  re-elected  doorkeeper  in  1890, 
and  held  that  position  during  the  Democratic  reapportionment  of  the  state. 
In  1882  he  was  a  member  of  the  LaSalle  County  Democratic  central  com- 
mittee. In  1888  he  was  chairman  of  the  committee  on  permanent  organi- 
zation at  the  state  Democratic  convention  of  marching  leagues,  and  as 
chairman  he  decided  the  tie  vote  in  favor  of  Frank  Jones,  of  Springfield;  as 
the  permanent  president  of  the  league.  Mr.  Jones  afterward  became  assist- 
ant postmaster  general  under  Cleveland.  Mr.  Browne  was  elected  mayor 
of  Mendota  in  1897,  a  position  he  has  since  filled  and  in  which  he  has 
rendered  most  excellent  service. 

Turning  from  his  political  career  to  his  domestic  life,  we  record  that 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  211 

Mr,  Browne  was  married  in  1885  to  Miss  Gertrude  Schick,  of  Mendota, 
and  the  fruits  of  their  union  are  two  children, — Robert  G.  and  Hazel 
Beatrice. 


ADNEY  N.  TUCKER. 


Adney  N.  Tucker,  who  is  engaged  in  the  livery  business  in  Sheridan, 
Illinois,  is  a  representative  of  one  of  the  pioneer  families  of  LaSalle  county. 

Mr.  Tucker  was  born  in  Freedom  township,  LaSalle  county,  Ilhnois, 
December  26,  1850,  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Phoebe  E.  (Beem)  Tucker.  Jacob 
Tucker  was  born  in  New  Hampshire,  November  11,  1822,  and  died  in 
Sheridan,  Illinois,  February  28,  1897.  He  came  to  LaSalle  county,  a  young 
man,  in  the  spring  of  1845,  ^^^  here,  February  23,  1848,  was  married  to 
Miss  Phoebe  E.  Beem,  who  was  born  in  Ohio,  July  20,  1824,  a  daughter 
of  Benjamin  Beem.  The  latter  removed  with  his  family  to  IlHnois  in  1837, 
making  the  journey  by  wagon,  and  settled  in  Freedom  township,  LaSalle 
county,  where  he  passed  the  rest  of  his  life.  After  their  marriage  Jacob 
Tucker  and  wife  settled  on  a  farm  in  Freedom  township,  where  they  lived 
until  1871,  that  year  removing  to  Sheridan,  where  he  died,  as  above  recorded, 
and  where  his  widow  still  resides,  at  this  writing  being  in  her  seventy-fifth 
year. 

Adney  N.  Tucker  is  an  only  son,  and  has  but  one  sister  living.  He 
was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  after  his  marriage,  in  1870,  took  charge 
of  the  farming  operations  on  the  homestead,  later  coming  into  possession 
of  it  and  still  retaining  ownership.  He  gave  his  attention  to  agricultural 
pursuits  until  1897,  when  he  came  to  Sheridan  and  engaged  in  the  livery  busi- 
ness, which  he  has  conducted  since  February  16,  1898. 

Mr.  Tucker  was  married  in  1870  to  Miss  Olive  Hall,  a  native  of  Wayne 
county,  Iowa,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  three  children.  He  affiliates 
with  the  Democratic  party,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America. 


PETER   C.  ANGEVINE. 

Among  the  retired  farmers  of  LaSalle  county  is  the  gentleman  whose 
name  introduces  this  sketch,  Peter  C.  Angevine,  of  Sheridan.  He  is  a 
native  of  the  neighboring  state  of  Indiana,  born  in  Dearborn  county,  August 
I,  1830,  a  son  of  James  and  Susan  (Montfort)  Angevine,  the  former  a  native 
of  New  York  city,  born  August  i,  1777;  the  latter  of  Fishkill,  Dutchess 
county.  New  York,  born  September  23,  1793.     James  Angevine  was  a  son 


212  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

of  John  Angevine,  also  a  native  of  New  York  city,  and  a  son  of  Daniel  Ange- 
vine,  who  was  a  native  of  Rochelle,  France.  Daniel  Angevine  had  to 
leave  France  on  account  of  his  religious  views  and  was  among  the  Hugue- 
nots who  sought  refuge  from  persecution  in  America.  He  was  a  sea  cap- 
tain and  ship-owner  and  also  at  one  time  was  a  wine  merchant.  It  was 
about  1643  that  he  landed  in  the  American  colonies  and  made  a  settlement  in 
New  York  city,  where  he  passed  the  closing  years  of  his  life,  working  at  the 
trade  of  shoemaker.  John  Angevine,  the  grandfather  of  Peter  C,  was  born 
and  reared  in  New  York  city,  and  was  there  married  to  Miss  Sallie  Coutant, 
who,  as  her  name  indicates,  was  of  French  origin.  They  were  the  parents 
of  several  children,  James  being  their  only  son.  For  thirteen  years  during 
his  early  life  he  followed  the  ocean,  as  a  sailor  and  cooper.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  New  York  in  1812,  and  in  18 17,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  three 
children  and  his  father  and  mother,  he  came  west  to  Indiana,  which  had  only 
the  year  previous  attained  to  the  dignity  of  statehood,  and,  selecting  a  loca- 
tion in  Dearborn  county,  made  a  permanent  settlement.  Their  children  in 
order  of  birth  were  as  follows:  James  A.,  John  H.,  Charles  E.,  Alletta  AT, 
Eliza  A.,  William,  Gilbert,  Jane  S.,  Peter  C,  Sarah  L.  and  Addie  V. 

Peter  C.  Angevine  came  to  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  in  the  fall  of  1869, 
landing  on  the  present  site  of  Sheridan,  October  27.  That  w^as  before  the 
town  of  Sheridan  came  into  existence.  He  has  since  been  identified  with 
this  place.  His  father  also  came  to  LaSalle  county,  but  lived  here  only  a 
short  time,  when  he  died  and  was  taken  back  to  Dearborn  county,  Indiana, 
and  laid  to  rest  by  the  side  of  his  wife.  Peter  C.  carried  on  farming  opera- 
tions here  during  his  early  residence  in  the  county,  but  for  some  time  past 
has  lived  retired. 

He  came  to  LaSalle  county  in  the  fall  previous  to  his  permanent  settle- 
ment here,  and  November  18  married  Miss  Jane  E.  Rowe,  returning  with 
his  bride  to  Indiana  and  remaining  there  nearly  a  year.  Mrs.  Angevine 
was  born  in  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  July  27,  1833,  a  daughter  of  Robert 
and  Mary  (McMath)  Rowe.  Mr.  Rowe  was  a  Scotchman,  born  in  Edin- 
burgh, Scotland,  January  10,  1802,  and  died  in  Sheridan,  Illinois,  June  10, 
1879;  his  wife,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  November  21,  1804,  died  in 
Sheridan  in  1857.  ]\Ir.  Rowe  was  brought  to  this  country  when  two  years 
old  by  his  parents,  Robert  and  Isabelle  (Mill)  Rowe,  their  settlement  being 
in  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  where  Robert  grew  up  and  married.  He  and 
his  family  came  to  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  April  5,  1838,  and  settled  on  a 
farm  which  is  now  covered  by  the  town  of  Sheridan,  where  he  lived  for 
many  years,  carrying  on  agricultural  pursuits.  He  was  also  a  surveyor  and 
made  many  of  the  surveys  in  this  locality,  and  he  was  somewhat  of  an 
astronomer,  too.     He  was  a  successful  man  in  whatever  he  undertook,  and 


I 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  213 

was  well  known  and  highly  respected  in  this  vicinity.  His  family  comprised 
the  following  named  members:  Mary  Ann,  Isabelle  M.,  James  M.,  Samuel 
M.,  Jane  E.,  Amelia,  Emmeline,  Alfred,  and  two  that  died  in  childhood. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Angevine  had  an  only  child,  Aline  A.,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  five  years;  and  they  have  an  adopted  daughter,  Fannie  A. 

In  their  religious  faith  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Angevine  are  Universalists  and  are 
identified  with  th©  church  of  that  denomination. 


WILLIAM  TRUMAN. 


For  almost  half  a  century  William  Truman  and  wife  were  honored  iti- 
zens  of  Mendota  township,  LaSalle  county.  They  literally  saw  the  "wil  icr- 
ness  bloom  as  the  rose,"  and  aided  materially  to  this  result  by  their  own 
well-directed  industry.  Their  numerous  friends  will  peruse  the  history  of 
their  well-spent  lives  with  interest,  and  great  credit  and  praise  is  certainly 
due  this  estimable  couple  for  the  heroic  manner  in  which  they  met  and  over- 
came the  obstacles  which  confronted  them  at  the  time  of  their  early  settle- 
ment  here. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  bore  the  same  Christian  name. 
He  was  born  in  England,  and  died  there  when  over  three-score  and  ten  years 
of  age.  In  his  early  manhood  he  was  pressed  into  the  government  service, 
at  London,  and  was  held  on  board  of  a  man-of-war  for  some  time.  By 
trade  he  was  a  carpenter,  and  followed  that  vocation  chiefly  as  a  means  of 
livelihood.  He  reared  three  children,  one  of  whom  was  Robert,  the  father 
of  William  Truman,  of  this  sketch.  He  learned  the  trades  of  carpenter  and 
wheelwright  in  his  youth,  and  in  1852  he  removed  to  the  United  States. 
Locating  in  LaSalle  county,  he  resided  here  for  almost  two-score  years, 
working  at  this  trade  for  some  time.  He  died  at  the  home  of  his  son,  Robert, 
in  Daykin,  Nebraska,  in  1896,  when  in  his  eighty-fifth  year.  His  wife, 
Elizabeth,  departed  this  life  June  21,  1884,  aged  seventy-four  years.  She 
was  one  of  the  four  children  of  John  Robison,  a  native  of  England  and  a 
miller  and  baker  by  trade.  He  lived  to  be  over  seventy  years  of  age,  dying 
in  his  native  land.  Mr.  Truman  was  an  Episcopalian  in  religious  faith,  while 
his  wife  was  identified  with  the  Baptist  denomination  at  the  time  of  her 
death.  Three  sons  and  three  daughters  were  born  to  them,  namely:  Will- 
iam, John  R.,  of  Denver;  Robert,  of  Daykin,  Nebraska;  Jane,  wife  of  A.  C. 
Johnston,  of  Denver,  Colorado;  Eliza,  wife  of  David  Reece,  of  Denver;  and 
Lizzie,  deceased,  formerly  the  wife  of  William  McBoyle. 


214  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

William  Truman  was  born  in  Lincolnshire,  England,  April  i6,  1833,  and 
received  a  limited  education  in  the  public  schools.  When  he  was  a  mere 
child  he  began  learning  the  bakers  and  confectioners'  trade  and  subse- 
quently devoted  his  time  to  this  calling  for  many  years,  meeting  with  finan- 
cial success.  After  coming  to  the  United  States  in  1852  with  his  newly 
wedded  wife  he  located  in  LaSalle,  whence  they  removed  to  Mendota  in 
1855.  I"  this  place  they  established  a  bakery  and  confectionery  shop,  and 
carried  it  on  prosperously  for  a  period  of  twelve  years.  They  were  the  pio- 
neers in  this  line  of  business  here  and  enjoyed  a  large  and  remunerative  pat- 
ronage. After  the  civil  war  Mr.  Truman  and  John  Mundie  entered  into  part- 
nership and  bought,  sold  and  shipped  cattle  and  hogs  for  the  next  ten  years, 
one  year's  business  alone  amounting  to  one  hundred  and  eighty  thousand  dol- 
lars. 

In  1866  Mr.  Truman  rented  the  homestead  where  his  widow  now  re- 
sides. The  place  then  comprised  five  hundred  acres,  and,  after  renting  it 
for  ten  years,  he  purchased  three  hundred  acres  of  the  tract,  which  he 
greatly  improved.  Forty  acres  of  the  original  three  hundred  acres  he  sold  for 
three  hundred  dollars  an  acre,  and  in  its  stead  he  bought  a  two-hundred  and 
forty-acre  farm  adjoining  it  on  the  northeastern  corner.  In  addition  to  this 
he  owns  residence  and  business  property  in  Mendota.  For  many  years  he 
made  a  specialty  of  breeding  and  raising  shorthorn  cattle,  and  sheep  of  an 
excellent  grade,  and  upon  his  farm  line  stock  was  always  to  be  found. 

Politically  Mr.  Truman  was  a  Republican,  and  for  ten  years  he  served 
as  a  supervisor  of  his  home  township.  For  eleven  months  during  the  civil 
war  he  was  on  scout  duty,  under  the  command  of  Provost  Marshal  Wanless, 
of  Denver,  and  his  enlistment  was  under  Colonel  Shivington,  who  was  a 
Methodist  minister  in  times  of  peace.  Once,  while  on  duty,  Mr.  Truman 
captured  five  men,  and  upon  other  occasions  he  distinguished  himself  for  his 
daring  and  ef^ciency.  Fraternally  he  was  a  Mason,  belonging  to  the  Men- 
dota lodge  and  chapter,  and  to  the  council,  and  to  Bethany  Commandery, 
No.  28,  k.  T. 

On  the  20th  of  April,  1852,  Mr.  Truman  and  Mary  Taylor  were  united 
in  marriage  in  England.  Her  parents,  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Taylor)  Tay- 
lor, were  faithful  members  of  the  Methodist  church.  They  died  in  England, 
their  native  country,  the  father  in  1847,  ^^  the  age  of  fifty-two  years,  and 
the  mother  in  1881,  when  in  her  eighty-fifth  year.  Only  three  of  their  ten 
children  now  survive,  namely:  Mary;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  William  Clawson, 
of  Welbourn,  England;  and  James,  who  for  over  thirty-one  years  has  been  a 
citizen  of  Mendota. 

Four  sons  and  three  daughters  were  born  to  our  subject  and  wife. 
Louisa,  who  is  unmarried;  Adeline  Elizabeth,  who  died  when  young;  William 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  215 

S.,  who  died  when  four  years  of  age;  Charles  Robert  and  another  child, 
who  died  in  infancy;  William  R.,  an  enterprising  farmer  of  this  township, 
who  married  Bertha  Blanche  Boslough,  and  has  two  children, — Greta  Marie 
and  Theora  Tryllis;  and  Mary  E.,  who  is  the  wife  of  R.  N.  Crawford,  the 
president  of  the  Mendota  National  bank,  and  their  children  are  Louise  and 
Robert  N.,  Jr.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Truman  became  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist church  early  in  life,  Mr.  Truman  lived  a  life  of  perseverance,  energy  and 
earnest  purpose,  succeeded  in  business  life,  secured  for  himself  an  excellent 
reputation  as  a  citizen,  and  passed  away  in  death  leaving  to  his  family  and 
friends  a  full  assurance  of  his  abiding  faith  in  the  Christian  religion.  His 
death  occurred  July  11,  1899. 


JOHN  WALTER. 


An  enterprising,  straightforward  business  man  of  Ottawa  is  he  of  whom 
this  sketch  is  penned.  He  comes  of  sturdy,  industrious  German  ancestry, 
and  possesses  the  sterling  traits  of  character  for  which  the  sons  of  the  Father- 
land are  celebrated.  Kindness  and  generosity  and  a  sincere  desire  to  be  of 
service  to  his  fellow  men  makes  him  win  friends  wherever  he  goes. 

John  Walter,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Germany,  and  about  half  a  century  ago, 
when  he  was  a  young  man,  he  left  the  scenes  and  friends  of  his  childhood 
to  found  a  new  home  in  the  United  States.  Coming  to  Ottawa,  he  sub- 
sequently married  here  Miss  Julia  Leix,  and  seven  children  blessed  their 
union.  Four  of  the  number  are  deceased;  Julia  is  a  resident  of  Ottawa,  and 
Joseph  is  a  resident  of  Chicago. 

John  Walter,  our  subject,  was  born  in  this  town  over  two- 
score  years  ago,  the  date  being  September  15,  1858.  His  entire  life  has 
been  spent  in  this  place,  here  he  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  and 
here  he  embarked  in  his  successful  business  career.  He  served  a  thorough 
apprenticeship  at  the  hardware  business,  learning  the  trade  of  manufacturing 
sheet-iron  implements,  and  follows  both  branches  of  enterprise.  He  is  the 
owner  of  a  large  and  well  stocked  hardware  store,  situated  at  No.  312  Main 
street. 

In  1885  Mr.  Walter  married  Miss  Louisa  Schomas,  the  daughter  of 
Charles  Schomas,  deceased.  The  sons  and  daughters  who  grace  the  union 
of  our  subject  and  wife  are  named  respectively  Joseph,  Carl,  Julia,  Louisa, 
and  Helen. 

In  political  afifairs,  Mr.  Walter  is  an  ally  of  the  Democratic  party.  In 
the  local   fraternities   he  is   associated  with   the  Uniformed   Rank   of  the 


2i6  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

Knights  of  Pythias,  the  German  Benevolent  Society  and  the  Pleasant  Even- 
ing Club.  He  contributes  liberally  to  various  charitable  organizations  and 
favors  local  improvements  and  everything  tending  to  promote  the  beauty 
and  desirability  of  Ottawa  as  a  place  of  residence  or  investment. 


MILO  J.  LUTHER. 


Streator  has  no  more  thoroughly  representative  citizen  than  Milo  J. 
Luther,  whose  ardent  interest  in  the  growth  and  progress  of  the  town  has 
continued  unabated  during  the  long  period  of  his  residence  here.  By  his 
means  and  influence  he  has  fostered  many  of  the  leading  industries  and  enter- 
prises of  this  vicinity,  and  to  his  wise  counsel  and  excellent  judgment  are 
due  numerous  advantages  and  improvements  which  our  citizens  enjoy. 

In  common  with  the  majority  of  his  countrymen  who  have  risen  to 
positions  of  honor  and  high  standing,  Milo  J.  Luther  was  born  and  reared 
upon  a  farm;  his  forefathers  were  of  the  agricultural  class.  The  founder 
of  the  Luther  family  in  America  came  to  these  hospitable  shores  from 
England,  and  the  great-grandfather,  Ezra  Luther,  born  in  1751,  was  so  in 
sympathy  with  the  Colonies  that  he  took  up  arms  in  their  defense  during  the 
war  of  independence.  He  was  a  native  of  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  and 
died  in  1847.  His  son  Nathaniel,  the  next  in  line  of  descent,  w-as  born 
in  Rhode  Island,  in  1784.  In  early  manhood  he  removed  to  New  York. 
In  the  war  of  181 2  he  enlisted  and  served  his  country  as  a  captain  of  militia. 
He  died  in  Scio,  Allegany  county.  New  York,  November  12,  1862.  Benja- 
min, the  son  of  Nathaniel,  was  born  March  9,  1806,  and  departed  this  life  in 
the  town  of  Scio,  New  York,  September  3,  1859.  For  a  companion  and 
helpmate  along  life's  journey  he  chose  Electa,  daughter  of  Peter  L.  Stout, 
like  himself  a  native  of  the  Empire  state.  Her  father,  who  was  a  man  of 
much  influence  and  decision  of  character,  w^as  born  in  New  Jersey,  and  upon 
arriving  at  man's  estate  he  married  a  Miss  Waite  Luther.  He  fought  for 
his  country  in  the  war  of  18 12,  and  reared  his  children  to  be  loyal,  patriotic 
citizens. 

The  birth  of  Milo  J.  Luther,  son  of  Benjamin,  took  place  on  the  parental 
homestead  in  Scio,  Allegany  county,  New-  York,  October  15,  1835.  His 
boyhood  days  passed  happily  and  uneventfully  in  the  usual  pursuits  of 
country  lads,  and  it  was  not  until  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age  that  he 
left  home.  Going  to  Pennsylvania,  he  soon  found  employment  with  con- 
tractors, then  constructing  a  portion  of  the  Oil  Creek  Railroad.  He  con- 
tinued with  them  and  in  the  service  of  the  railroad  company  for  seven  years, 
giving  entire  satisfaction  in  the  performance  of  the  duties  assigned  to  him. 


C^CyL^I^cZ^-y 


J 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  217 

In  1867  he  came  to  LaSalle  county  and  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  construc- 
tion of  the  first  line  of  railroad  built  out  of  Streator.  At  that  time  the 
mining  industry  had  not  reached  its  present  importance  in  this  region,  but 
the  possibilities  in  this  direction  soon  appealed  strongly  to  the  mind  of  Mr. 
Luther,  and  he  became  a  leading  spirit  in  the  firm  known  as  the  Luther  & 
Tyler  Coal  and  Coke  Company.  Gradually  his  interests  and  investments 
widened  and  he  became  an  extensive  operator  in  coal  and  iron  mines,  and  in 
gold  and  silver  mines  as  well.  He  was  one  of  the  fortunate  few  who  reaped 
a  splendid  financial  harvest  during  the  great  advance  in  Brotherton  and 
other  mining  stocks  some  years  ago,  and  at  present  he  owns  shares  in 
prominent  and  promising  mines  in  difTerent  parts  of  the  west.  Probably  in 
no  one  matter  has  he  contributed  more  to  the  industrial  prosperity  of 
Streator  and  vicinity  than  by  his  system  of  coal-w-ashing,  by  which  process 
great  quantities  of  coal,  hitherto  considered  valueless,  have  been  freed  from 
dust  and  other  impurities  and  rendered  fit  for  use. 

The  genuine  interest  which  Mr.  Luther  maintains  toward  everything 
in  the  line  of  progress  and  education  has  been  manifested  in  ways  too  numer- 
ous to  mention.  Fraternally  he  is  associated  with  Streator  Lodge,  No.  607^ 
F.  &  A.  M.;  Streator  Chapter,  No.  168;  and  Ottawa  Commandery,  No. 
10,  K.  T. 

His  cultured,  accomplished  wife  ever  warmly  seconds  his  efforts,  and 
for  three  decades  has  shared  his  joys  and  sorrows.  It  was  in  Streator, 
January,  1869,  that  Mr.  Luther  wedded  Melissa  E.  Wilson,  daughter  of 
James  Wilson,  of  Pennsylvania.  James  Wilson  was  of  Scotch-Irish  descent, 
born  in  New  York  in  181 1.  He  married  Hannah  Baumgardner,  of  Mills- 
boro,  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  who  died  in  1852.  Mr.  Wilson 
died  in  California  in  1855.  Mrs.  Luther  was  born  in  Millsboro,  Pennsylvania, 
January  14,  1848,  and  was  their  only  child.  Possessing  the  same  broad, 
progressive  views  of  her  husband,  she  endorses  all  movements  calculated  to 
benefit  the  locality  in  which  her  lot  is  cast,  and  besides  taking  a  distinctive 
part  in  literary  affairs  here  she  has  served  with  great  credit  as  the  president 
of  the  Women's  Council,  a  city  federation  of  women's  clubs,  and  was  for 
twenty  years  a  member  of  the  Ladies'  Library  Board.  She  is  at  present  one 
of  the  trustees  of  the  Citv  Public  Librarv. 


DELOS  ROBINSON. 


No  man  has  been  more  prominently  connected  with  the  public  interests 
of  Sheridan  than  this  gentleman,  who  for  many  years  was  postmaster  and 
the  leading  merchant  of  the  town.  His  fidelity  in  the  former  position,  and 
his  reliability  and  enterprise  in  the  latter,  won  him  the  confidence  and  respect 


2i8  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

of  the  entire  community,  and  he  well  deserves  mention  among  the  represen- 
tative citizens  of  LaSalle  county. 

Mr.  Robinson  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Tompkins  county,  New  York, 
July  8,  1834,  his  parents  being  Eh  and  Charlotte  (Young)  Robinson.  The 
father  was  a  native  of  Putnam  county,  New  York,  and  a  son  of  Chapel 
Robinson,  who  also  was  born  in  the  same  county  and  was  a  soldier  in  the 
war  of  1 812.  His  father  was  one  of  the  heroes  of  the  Revolution,  and  it  is 
believed  was  a  native  of  New  York,  of  Scotch  origin.  The  family  traditions 
say  that  the  original  American  ancestors  came  to  this  country  wath  the  Puri- 
tans in  the  early  settlement  of  New  England.  The  mother  of  our  subject 
was  also  a  native  of  the  Empire  state,  and  was  a  daughter  of  John  Young,  an 
older  brother  of  Brigham  Young.  Delos  and  Mrs.  Celesta  Rowe,  of  Chi- 
cago, were  the  only  children  born  unto  Eli  and  Charlotte  Robinson.  The 
parents  removed  to  Kirtland,  Ohio,  in  1835,  and  in  that  place  the  daughter 
was  born  and  the  mother  died,  her  death  occurring  in  1840,  when  about 
twenty-eight  years  of  age.  The  father  afterward  married  Sallie  Ann 
Sprague,  and  about  1842  returned  with  his  family  to  New  York,  but  in  1854 
again  came  to  the  west,  locating  in  Mission  township,  LaSalle  county,  in 
the  spring  of  1855.  Here  the  father  died  in  1888,  at  the  age  of  seventy-six 
years,  his  remains  being  interred  in  the  cemetery  at  Sheridan.  He  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation,  but  lived  a  retired  life  in  his  later  years,  and  from  1869 
until  his  death  made  his  home  in  Sheridan. 

Delos  Robinson  ac-companied  his  father  on  his  various  removals,  com- 
ing with  him  to  LaSalle  county,  and  casting  in  his  lot  with  the  early  settlers 
of  this  locality.  His  childhood  days  were  spent  on  the  farm,  and  his  educa- 
tion was  obtained  in  the  common  schools.  When  twenty-one  years  of  age 
he  started  out  in  life  for  himself,  and  after  his  marriage  in  1856  removed 
to  Livingston  county,  where  he  purchased  a  tract  of  raw  prairie  land  and 
developed  an  excellent  farm  of  eighty  acres.  On  the  22d  of  August,  1856, 
Miss  Emeline  Rowe  became  his  wife.  She  was  born  near  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
and  by  her  marriage  became  the  mother  of  three  children,  namely:  Char- 
lotte, who  died  at  the  age  of  two  years;  Ida  Belle,  wife  of  Robert  Knapp, 
of  Sheridan;  and  Eugene  D.,  a  merchant  of  Sheridan,  who  became  his 
father's  successor  in  business  about  six  years  ago.  The  mother  of  these 
children  died  in  the  spring  of  1865,  when  Mr.  Robinson  was  in  the  army. 

On  the  8th  of  August,  1862,  prompted  by  a  spirit  of  patriotism,  our  sub- 
ject enlisted,  joining  the  "boys  in  blue"  of  Company  C,  One  Hundred  and 
Twenty-ninth  Illinois  Infantry.  He  was  made  sergeant  of  his  company, 
and  continued  at  the  front  until  after  the  cessation  of  hostilities,  when  he 
was  mustered  out  June  25,  1865,  in  Washington,  D.  C.  He  was  in  the  west- 
ern department  under  General  W.  T.  Sherman  and  participated  in  the  At- 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  219 

lanta  campaign,  was  with  that  general  on  the  notable  march  to  the  sea,  and 
then  took  part  in  the  Carolina  campaign  to  Raleigh.  He  was  always  found 
at  his  post  of  duty,  and  whether  on  the  tented  field,  keeping  guard  in  the 
silqnt  watches  of  the  night  or  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight,  he  was  always  loyal 
to 'the  starry  banner  on  account  of  the  cause  it  represented.  He  is  now  a 
valued  member  of  Clayton  Beardsley  Post,  No.  672,  G.  A.  R.,  and  for  several 
years  has  been  honored  with  the  office  of  commander.  He  has  for  years 
taken  an  active  interest  in  Freemasonry,  being  a  Master  Mason,  and  has 
served  as  secretary  of  his  lodge  for  the  last  fifteen  years. 

Mr.  Robinson  resumed  farming  upon  his  return  from  the  war,  and  was 
again  married  September  24,  1868,  his  second  union  being  with  Miss  Eliza 
Howard,  a  native  of  Yates  county.  New  York.  They  now  have  a  daughter, 
Bertha  N.,  and  have  lost  two  children,  who  died  in  infancy.  The  year  fol- 
lowing his  marriage,  1869,  he  came  to  Sheridan  and  embarked  in  general 
merchandising.  He  followed  that  business  for  twenty  years,  conducting  an 
excellent  store,  well  equipped  with  everything  found  in  a  first-class  estabhsh- 
ment  of  the  time.  He  received  a  Hberal  patronage,  which  was  accorded 
him  by  reason  of  his  diligence  and  his  straightforward  dealing,  and  as  the 
result  of  his  good  business  he  accumulated  a  handsome  competency,  which 
enabled  him  to  retire  from  business  life  about  six  years  ago,  when  he  sold 
out  to  his  son.  With  the  progress  and  upbuilding  of  the  village  of  Sheridan 
he  has  always  been  prominently  identified,  and  has  contributed  largely  to  its 
advancement  and  prosperity.  He  built  the  first  hotel  in  the  town, 
and  still  owns  the  building,  which  is  known  as  the  Sheridan  Hotel.  He  was 
also  the  first  postmaster,  and  served  in  that  office  altogether  for  nineteen 
years,  his  continuous  occupancy  being  interrupted  during  President  Cleve- 
land's first  administration.  His  long  term  plainly  indicates  his  fidelity  to 
duty,  his  administration  being  satisfactory  to  the  public  and  the  government. 

In  politics  Mr.  Robinson  has  always  supported  the  party  which  stood 
by  the  Union  in  the  dark  days  of  war,  and  which  has  ever  upheld  American 
institutions  and  protected  American  interests.  For  more  than  ten  years  he 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Republican  central  committee  of  LaSalle  county. 
What  he  has  done  for  his  town  and  county  in  political  and  business  lines 
well  entitles  him  to  mention  among  the  representative  citizens.  He  has  won 
the  friendship  of  many,  the  respect  of  all  with  whom  he  has  come  in  contact, 
and  his  example  is  well  worthy  of  emulation. 

Eugene  D.  Robinson,  a  son  of  Delos  Robinson,  was  born  near  Pontiac, 
Livingston  county,  Illinois,  October  7,  1862,  and  obtained  his  education 
in  the  common  schools,  acquiring  a  knowledge  of  the  English  branches  that 
fit  one  for  the  practical  duties  of  life.  He  assisted  his  father  in  the  store  in 
his  youth,  and  in  1891  became  his  successor,  since  which  time  he  has  engaged 


220  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

in  merchandising  on  his  own  account.  He  is  a  man  of  marked  enterprise 
and  energy,  and  his  well  directed  efforts  are  bringing  to  him  a  merited  pros- 
perity. 

In  1887  Mr.  Robinson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mtss  Ola  Hoffman, 
who  died  in  1897,  leaving  a  son,  Clair  E.  In  1899  he  wedded  Mrs.  Addie 
Breuer,  and  in  this  community  both  are  held  in  high  regard.  In  his  political 
affiliations  Mr.  Robinson  is  a  stanch  Republican,  and  socially  he  is  a  Master 
Mason.  He  ranks  among  the  reliable  business  men  and  popular  merchants 
of  Sheridan. 


MATHIAS  GOCHANOUR. 

Among  the  men  who  have  contributed  largely  to  the  prosperity  and 
development  of  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  none  is  more  widely  known  or 
stands  higher  in  the  esteem  of  his  fellow  citizens  than  Mathias  Gochanour, 
of  Otter  Creek  township.  He  was  born  April  20,  1845,  ii'^  Licking  county, 
Ohio,  and  is  the  son  of  Jonathan  C.  and  Lucinda  (Ritter)  Gochanour.  The 
father  is  descended  from  Revolutionary  stock  and  was  born  in  the  state  of 
Virginia,  which  was  also  the  birthplace  of  the  mother.  Nine  children  were 
born  to  them,  namely:  William  H.,  of  Otter  Creek  township;  Mathias; 
Angus,  of  Cass  county;  James,  of  Otter  Creek  township;  John;  Edward, 
also  of  this  township;  Amanda  Larry,  a  resident  of  Iowa;  Jane  Marsh,  also 
of  that  state;  and  Ann  Johnson,  of  Otter  Creek  township.  The  mother  was 
taken  to  her  heavenly  home  in  1895,  when  in  her  sixty-third  year.  She  is 
survived  by  her  venerable  husband,  who  is  an  honored  resident  of  this 
county  and  is  past  eighty  years  of  age.  He  has  been  an  industrious,  hard- 
working man  and  was  engaged  in  the  carpenter  trade  for  many  years. 

Our  subject  was  little  more  than  two  years  of  age  when  his  parents 
moved  to  this  county,  and  it  was  here  he  received  his  education  in  the 
common  schools,  and  here  he  grew  to  a  noble  manhood.  About  twenty-four 
years  ago  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land,  to  which  he  has  since  added 
until  he  now  has  a  farm  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres.  He  is  a  capable 
farmer  and  his  place  shows  that  thrift  and  care  are  part  of  his  system  of 
work.  He  has  improved  his  land  with  good  barns  and  neat,  roomy  resi- 
dence, and  he  has  one  of  the  most  attractive  homes  in  the  neighborhood. 

September  16,  1866,  Mathias  Gochanour  and  Miss  Anna  E.  McKernan 
were  united  in  the  holy  bonds  of  matrimony.  A  family  of  seven  children 
have  been  born  to  them,  namely:  Ralph  A.,  at  home;  Clara  A.,  wife  of 
Henry  Rumph,  of  Otter  Creek  township;  Hugh  J.;  Pearl;  Lloyd  W.; 
Paul,  who  died  at  the  tender  age  of  three  years;  and  an  infant  daughter,  who 
was  also  transplanted  to  the  heavenly  garden.  Mr.  Gochanour  is  a  Repub- 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  221 

lican  in  his  political  views  and  has  served  as  township  collector.  He  has 
been  a  member  of  the  school  board  for  a  great  many  terms,  and  is  a  strong 
friend  to  education.  He  possesses  a  wide  scope  of  knowledge  and  keeps 
thoroughly  conversant  with  all  current  topics  of  the  day.  Mrs.  Gochanour 
was  born  in  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  and  is  a  woman  of  worth.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  Captain  James  J.  McKernan,  deceased,  an  officer  of  Company 
F,  One  Hundred  and  Fourth  Illinois  Volunteers,  and  the  maiden  name  of 
her  mother  was  Mary  Cramer.  The  children  born  to  Captain  James  J.  and 
Mary  (Cramer)  McKernan  are  as  follows:  Ralph;  Rosanna  Kleiber,  of  this 
township;  Candice  Ackerman;  Anna  Gochanour,  wife  of  our  subject; 
George;   Samuel;   Charles;   and  Augusta. 


JOHN  BOLDER. 


France  has  contributed  a  host  of  sterling  citizens  to  Illinois,  and  none 
more  worthy  and  patriotic  than  the  family  represented  by  the  subject  of 
this  biography.  For  fifty-five  years  the  Dolders  have  been  numbered  among 
the  residents  of  LaSalle  county,  actively  interested  in  its  progress,  and  ma- 
terially aiding  in  the  development  of  its  resources.  Their  lives  have  been 
models  of  good  citizenship,  and  in  the  multiplicity  of  their  own  private  and 
business  affairs  they  have  still  found  time  to  faithfully  discharge  their  public 
duties. 

The  father  of  the  subject  of  this  memoir,  John  Bolder,  Sr.,  was  born  in 
the  province  of  Alsace-Lorraine,  in  1816,  and  married  there  Martha  Bolder, 
a  native  of  the  same  locality.  After  the  birth  of  their  first  child,  the  worthy 
couple  decided  to  cast  in  their  fortunes  with  the  people  of  the  United  States, 
and  in  1844  crossed  the  Atlantic.  Coming  direct  to  LaSalle  county  they 
located  upon  a  farm  in  Northville  township,  whence  they  later  removed  to 
Serena  township.  For  about  half  a  century  the  father  was  actively  and 
successfully  engaged  in  agriculture,  and  bore  an  enviable  reputation  for 
uprightness  and  integrity  of  word  and  deed.  His  long  and  useful  career 
came  to  a  peaceful  close  in  1895,  when  he  was  in  his  eightieth  year.  His 
faithful  helpmate  passed  to  the  better  land  when  she  was  in  her  eighty-fifth 
year.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  all  but  one  born  in  the  United 
States.  Two  of  the  number  died  in  infancy,  and  William,  the  eldest,  and 
Frederick,  the  third  child,  are  deceased.  Magdalene  is  the  wife  of  George 
Lentz,  and  Elizabeth  married  Aaron  Knight. 

John  Bolder,  Jr.,  was  born  on  the  old  farm  in  Serena  township,  LaSalle 
county.  May  i,  1856,  and  in  his  boyhood  received  a  liberal  education  in  the 
common  schools.     He  remained  with  his  parents,  giving  his  time  to  his 


222  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

father  until  he  reached  his  majority,  when  he  was  given  charge  of  the  farm, 
as  he  had  already  given  proof  of  his  competence  to  manage  the  place.  He 
continued  to  cultivate  the  farm  until  1890,  when  he  came  to  Sheridan  and 
succeeded  J.  W.  Wedding  in  business,  buying  that  gentleman's  interest  in 
the  already  established  firm.  At  first  Mr.  Bolder  dealt  only  in  lumber  and 
coal,  but  he  soon  added  farm  implements  and  carriages  to  his  stock  in 
trade,  and  has  steadily  prospered,  his  business  growing  rapidly  from  year  to 
year.  He  is  eminently  deserving  of  success,  for  he  is  energetic  and  business- 
like, giving  his  full  time  and  mind  to  meeting  the  desires  of  his  customers, 
and  treating  every  one  with  whom  he  has  dealings  in  a  uniformly  kind, 
courteous,  fair  manner.  His  reputation  for  integrity  and  faithful  execution 
of  all  of  his  contracts  is  something  of  which  he  has  reason  to  be  proud,  and 
without  exception  his  customers  are  his  warm  friends. 

In  1 88 1  Mr.  Bolder  married  Alice  Morel,  a  daughter  of  Charles  and 
Marie  (Bloom)  Morel,  natives  of  Alsace-Lorraine,  France,  and  in  1866  came 
to  the  United  States  and  became  early  settlers  of  LaSalle  county.  Mrs. 
Bolder  was  born  in  Belmont,  Alsace-Lorraine,  France,  May  23,  1857,  and 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1866,  with  her  parents,  who  settled  in  Serena 
township,  this  county.  Two  sons  and  four  daughters  have  been  born  to 
our  subject  and  wife,  their  names  in  order  of  birth  being  as  follows:  Emma 
Elizabeth,  Henry  George,  Samuel  Alfred,  Ida  May,  Laura  Ellen  and  Evaline 
Alice. 

Since  becoming  a  voter,  Mr.  Bolder  has  given  his  allegiance  to  the  Re- 
publican party.  He  has  capably  officiated  in  several  minor  local  positions, 
and  is  an  ex-member  of  the  Sheridan  village  board  of  trustees  and  a  present 
member  of  the  school  board.  He  is  deeply  interested  in  the  cause  of  educa- 
tion and  all  movements  calculated  to  benefit  and  elevate  the  race,  and  he 
and  his  estimable  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of 
which  he  is  a  trustee,  and  are  esteemed  in  social  circles  of  the  town. 


MILAM  J.  BARACKMAN. 

Both  as  a  patriot  and  as  a  business  man,  Milam  James  Barackman  has 
an  enviable  record,  and,  if  for  no  other  reason  than  for  what  he  sufifered  and 
endured  that  the  Union  might  be  preserved,  he  is  entitled  to  a  high  place  in 
the  annals  of  his  country  and  state. 

Born  in  Reading  township,  Livingston  county,  Illinois,  September  26, 
1842,  he  is  a  son  of  James  and  Ellen  (Moon)  Barackman,  both  of  whom 
were  natives  of  Kentucky.  Their  deaths  occurred  when  Milam  J.  was  about 
four  years  old,  and  he  became  a  member  of  the  household  of  his  uncle, 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  221 

Albert  Moon.  Daniel  Barackman,  the  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject, 
an  early  settler  of  Reading  township,  and  a  native  of  the  Blue  Grass  state, 
died  in  1864.  Jacob  Moon,  the  maternal  grandfather,  was  born  in  Virginia, 
whence  he  removed  to  Ohio,  and  subsequently  to  Reading  township,  Liv- 
ingston county,  Illinois,  Daniel,  the  only  brother  of  Milam  J.,  died  at  the 
age  of  nine  years,  and  his  two  sisters  are  Mrs.  Gary,  of  Normal,  Illinois,  and 
Mrs.  Ellen  Latham,  of  Saginaw,  Michigan. 

Until  he  was  about  eighteen  years  of  age  Milam  J.  Barackman  lived 
with  his  uncle,  Albert  Moon,  and  attended  the  local  schools  of  his  native 
township.  He  then  entered  Lombard  University,  at  Galesburg,  Illinois, 
and  was  making  good  progress  in  his  studies  when  the  outbreak  of  the  war 
routed  all  other  interests  from  his  mind.  Upon  the  president's  first  cah  for 
volunteers,  he  enlisted  in  Gompany  D,  Twentieth  Illinois  Regiment  of  In- 
fantry, and  was  filled  with  chagrin  and  disappointment  when  his  guardian 
withheld  his  permission  for  him  to  be  mustered  into  the  service  on  the  ground 
that  he  was  not  of  age.  After  remaining  at  home  for  two  weeks  the  young 
man  re-enlisted,  this  time  in  Gompany  G,  Forty-fourth  Illinois  Infantry,  for 
the  term  of  three  years,  Golonel  NoblesdorfT  being  his  commander.  With 
his  regiment  he  was  ordered  in  pursuit  of  General  Price,  after  which  cam- 
paign he  participated  in  the  battles  of  Pea  Ridge  and  Perryville,  and  fought 
under  the  leadership  of  General  Rosecrans  at  the  battle  of  Stone  River,  that 
officer  then  being  in  charge  of  the  Army  of  the  Gumberland.  For  his 
meritorious  services  in  the  great  battle  last  mentioned  Mr.  Barackman's  name 
was  placed  upon  a  special  roll  of  honor  of  non-commissioned  ofificers,  to 
whose  daring  and  fidelity  General  Rosecrans  felt  much  indebted,  and  thus 
acknowledged  publicly.  Later,  when  in  the  Twentieth  Army  Gorps,  com- 
manded by  General  McGook,  our  subject  took  an  active  part  in  the  famous 
battles  of  Ghickamauga  and  Mission  Ridge.  At  Stone  River,  where  the 
Union  forces  suffered  so  dreadfully,  Mr.  Barackman  was  injured,  and  lost 
his  right  eye,  but  it  was  not  until  1864,  when  his  regiment  veteranized,  that 
the  matter  came  before  the  notice  of  the  proper  authorities,  who  refused  to 
allow  him  to  re-enter  the  lists  with  his  comrades,  as  he  desired  to  do.  He 
was  accordingly  mustered  out  of  the  service  and  honorably  discharged,  at 
the  Marine  Hospital  in  Ghicago. 

Returning  to  his  old  home  in  Reading  township,  Mr.  Barackman  became 
interested  in  coal  operations,  to  which  he  gave  much  of  his  attention  for 
the  succeeding  thirty  years,  then  turning  the  entire  business  over  to  his  son, 
Arthur  M.  In  the  meantime  he  had  also  been  successfully  engaged  in 
farming,  and  owns  a  finely  improved  homestead  of  four  hundred  acres,  in  his 
native  township.  One  of  the  pioneer  coal  operators  of  Streator  and  vicinity, 
he  accomplished  a  great  deal  for  this  great  industry,  and  is  well  known 


224  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

throughout  this  region.  For  some  years  he  was  the  president  of  the 
Barackman  Coal  Company,  and  was  the  senior  member  of  the  firm  of 
Barackman  &  Son,  who  for  a  period  conducted  a  grocery  in  Streator.  By  his 
well  directed  energy  and  financial  ability  he  accumulated  a  snug  little  for- 
tune, and  now  owns  a  large  amount  of  valuable  property  aside  from  his 
splendid  farm,  which  he  now  rents  to  responsible  tenants.  Fraternally  he  be- 
longs to  Streator  Post,  No.  68,  G.  A.  R.,  and  in  politics  he  favors  the 
Republican  party. 

In  1866  Mr.  Barackman  and  Miss  Fanny  W.  Goodyear,  of  Parkville, 
Missouri,  were  united  in  marriage.  Mrs.  Barackman  died  in  1872,  and  left 
two  children,  Arthur  M.  and  Eulola  F.,  the  latter  now  the  wife  of  Albert 
Finchman,  of  Streator.  In  1876  Miss  Alice  C.  Tutlow,  of  Ottawa,  Illinois, 
became  the  wife  of  our  subject.  Their  children,  in  order  of  birth,  are  as 
follows:  Harry  E.,  Guy  B.,  Jessie  F.,  William  G.,  and  May.  They  are 
receiving  good  educational  advantages,  and  are  being  well  equipped  for  the 
battles  of  life. 


ROBERT  LINFOR. 


An  ex-soldier  of  the  civil  war  and  a  well  known  and  much  respected 
citizen  of  Allen  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  is  found  in  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  Robert  Linfor,  whose  post-office  address  is  Ransom. 

Mr.  Linfor  dates  his  birth  in  Longsutton,  Lincolnshire,  England,  Oc- 
tober I,  1846,  and  is  a  son  of  William  and  Dinah  (Isaba)  Linfor.  He  spent 
the  first  two  years  of  his  life  in  his  native  land  and  in  1849  came  with  his 
parents  and  other  members  of  the  family  to  America,  their  objective  point 
being  Ottawa,  Illinois,  where  they  settled  and  lived  a  short  time  and  whence, 
in  1856,  they  subsequently  moved  upon  section  20,  Allen  township,  locating 
on  a  farm.  Here  the  father  lived  until  1879,  when  he  removed  to  Syracuse, 
New  York,  where  he  is  now  living,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-eight  years. 
The  mother  died  February  28,  1879,  at  the  age  of  seventy-three  years.  They 
were  the  parents  of  four  children,  namely:  John,  a  resident  of  the  same 
township  in  which  his  brother  Robert  lives,  and,  like  him  a  veteran  of  the 
civil  war;  William,  of  Walnut,  Iowa;  Sarah  Colder,  who  died  in  Kansas; 
and  Robert,  whose  name  introduces  this  review. 

Robert  Linfor  was  engaged  in  work  on  his  father's  farm  at  the  time  the 
civil  war  broke  out.  His  love  for  his  adopted  country  at  once  asserted  itself 
by  his  enlistment  in  the  Union  army.  As  a  member  of  Company  C.  First 
Illinois  Light  Artillery,  under  Captain  M.  H.  Prescott  and  Colonel  Charles 
Hathling,  he  went  to  the  front,  being  with  the  forces  that  operated  in  the 
south.     He  was  in  the  engagements  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Bentonville  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  225 

Atlanta;  was  on  that  famous  "march  to  the  sea,"  and  took  part  in  the  grand 
review  of  the  victorious  armies  at  Washington,  D.  C.  June  12,  1865,  he  was 
honorably  discharged  and  returned  home. 

Mr.  Linfor  has  made  farming  his  life  work.  Since  1875  he  has  owned 
and  occupied  his  present  farm,  a  fine  tract  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
in  Allen  township.  His  modern  residence  he  erected  in  1891;  he  has  large 
barns  and  other  farm  buildings,  and  the  general  appearance  of  his  firm  is 
indicative  of  thrift  and  prosperity. 

June  9,  1867,  was  consummated  Mr.  Linfor's  marriage  to  Miss  Cynthia 
Alice  Isgrig,  of  i\llen  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois.  She  was  born  in 
Ohio  and  is  a  daughter  of  Wilson  and  Mahala  (Loveland)  Isgrig,  natives  of 
New  York  and  now  residents  of  Glidden,  Carroll  county,  Iowa.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Linfor  have  four  children,  namely:  Carrie,  wife  of  Grant  West,  of  Chi- 
cago; Lottie,  wife  of  A.  Berge,  of  Allen  township;  John  W.,  at  home,  was 
a  member  of  the  Third  Illinois  Infantry,  Illinois  National  Guards,  from  1893 
to  1897;   and  Mabel,  at  home. 

Mr.  Linfor  has  always  given  his  support  to  the  Republican  party  and 
has  taken  an  active  interest  in  local  affairs,  serving  officially  in  various  ca- 
pacities. For  twelve  years  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  school  board  and 
he  has  served  as  township  collector  two  years.  He  is  a  member  of  several 
fraternal  organizations,  including  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  Lodge  312,  of 
Ransom,  and  the  G.  A.  R.  post  at  the  same  place. 


JACOB  BOLDER. 


America  would  be  much  more  desirable  and  better  in  every  way  if  the 
foreign-born  citizens  who  came  to  dwell  beneath  her  flag  were  all  as  loyal 
and  patriotic  as  is  the  subject  of  this  notice.  It  would  seem  that  a  spirit  of 
love  and  gratitude  should  fill  the  heart  of  every  man  who  has  sought  pro- 
tection, wealth  and  citizenship,  and  found  what  he  desired  in  liberal  measure, 
under  the  dear  old  Stars  and  Stripes;  but  too  frequently,  alas!  is  heard 
throughout  the  land,  in  the  press  and  from  the  platform  and  in  public  and 
private  gatherings,  the  voices  of  the  malcontents,  decrying  the  institutions, 
laws  and  customs  of  the  very  country  which  has  nourished  them  and  their 
children,  and  given  them  the  luxuries,  perhaps,  which  were  reserved  for  the 
nobility  of  their  own  fatherlands.  But  in  the  case  of  Jacob  Bolder,  as  will 
be  seen,  the  utmost  loyalty  to  the  United  States  reigns  in  his  heart. 

He  was  born  in  the  province  of  Alsace-Lorraine,  France,  November  i, 
1827,  the  fifth  in  order  of  birth  of  the  eight  children  of  Leonard  and  Magda- 
lene (Stoffer)  Bolder,  the  others  being  named  Charles,  Leonard,  Caroline, 


226  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

Louis,  Christian,  Benjamin  and  Felix.  The  parents  were  hkewise  natives  of 
Alsace-Lorraine  and  the  father  serve  under  the  great  Napoleon  in  the  French 
army. 

In  his  early  manhood,  Jacob  Bolder  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade, 
which  he  pursued  until  he  was  well  along  in  years.  Li  1844  he  came  to 
the  United  States,  and  came  direct  to  LaSalle  county,  where  he  remained 
for  a  year.  Then,  going  to  Chicago,  he  spent  four  years  in  that  place,  then 
a  small  village,  with  little  promise  of  the  great  future  in  store  for  it.  In 
1849  he  returned  and  established  a  blacksmith's  shop  on  the  hill  just  east 
of  the  Ellerding  water-power  mill,  and  there  for  twenty-one  years  he  played 
the  role  of  "the  village  blacksmith,"  after  which  he  was  similarly  employed 
at  Sandwich,  Illinois,  for  about  a  year.  Feeling  the  need  of  a  change,  Mr. 
Bolder  next  settled  upon  a  farm  in  Northville  township,  and  for  eight  years 
devoted  his  entire  attention  to  agriculture,  with  good  success.  Since  1873 
he  has  made  his  home  in  the  town  of  Sheridan,  where,  for  seven  years,  he 
was  engaged  in  the  lumber  business.  Then  selling  out,  he  later  embarked  in 
the  hardware  business  here,  and  for  eight  years  commanded  a  large  and 
lucrative  trade.  At  the  end  of  that  period  he  disposed  of  his  stock  and 
retired  from  the  commercial  world  for  a  brief  time.  We  next  find  him 
conducting  a  meat  market,  and  in  this  venture,  as  in  all  others,  he  met  with 
success.  After  five  years  in  this  line  of  business  he  sold  out  and  retired  to 
enjoy  the  competence  which  he  had  acquired  by  a  life-time  of  hard  and 
industrious  enterprise. 

In  1849  Jacob  Bolder  married  Miss  Mary  Louise  Bolder,  who  has  been 
a  true  helpmate,  ably  seconding  her  husband's  efforts  to  make  a  home  and 
competence.  They  were  poor  when  they  commenced  the  battle  of  life  to- 
gether, but  they  had  brave  hearts  and  were  willing  to  exercise  frugality  and 
toil  industriously  toward  the  goal  which  they  had  in  view,  and  success 
crowned  their  struggles.  They  have  a  beautiful  home  in  Sheridan,  and 
are  surrounded  by  all  of  the  essential  elements  of  comfort  and  happiness. 
Each  time  that  Mr.  Bolder  sold  his  business  he  and  his  wife  took  advantage 
of  his  temporary  retirement  from  the  commercial  world  to  make  a  trip  to 
their  native  land,  for  Mrs.  Bolder,  also,  was  born  in  Alsace,  and  came  to 
the  United  States  in  1844.  He  is  very  fond  of  hunting,  and  every  time  that 
he  returned  to  the  land  of  his  birth  he  enjoyed  the  privilege  of  hunting  in 
the  wild  mountain  regions,  through  the  courtesy  of  an  old  friend,  a  wealthy, 
influential  man  of  Alsace.  The  same  gentleman  frequently  urged  Mr.  Bolder 
to  remain  in  that  province,  instead  of  returning  to  the  United  States,  but, 
though  his  afifection  for  the  land  in  which  his  happy  childhood  days  were 
spent  is  unchanged,  he  has  strongly  preferred  to  pass  his  declining  years  in 
this  country, — the  place  which  has  witnessed  his  struggles  and  triumph  over 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  227 

adverse  circumstances,  the  land  where  the  prime  of  his  hfe  has  been  passed. 
Conspicuous  in  his  pleasant  home  are  some  trophies  of  his  skill  in  marks- 
manship,— a  finely  mounted  head  of  a  wild  boar,  two  mounted  antelope  heads 
and  the  skin  of  a  silver  fox, — all  killed  in  the  forests  of  Alsace.  Since  his 
arrival  in  America  Mr.  Bolder  has  been  a  loyal  supporter  of  the  Republican 
party,  casting  his  first  presidential  vote  for  John  C.  Fremont,  and  voting  for 
every  Republican  candidate  since  then. 


JOHN    LINFOR. 


This  respected  resident  of  Allen  township,  LaSalle  county,  is  a  native 
of  Norfolkshire,  England,  born  August  22,  1837,  a  son  of  William  and 
Dinah  (Isaba)  Linfor,  also  natives  of  Albion's  isle.  He  is  one  of  six  children, 
two  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Sarah  H.,  who  became  Mrs.  Colder,  died  in 
Kansas,  in  1873;  and  those  living  are  John  William,  a  resident  of  Walnut, 
Iowa;  and  Robert,  of  Allen  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois.  In  1849  the 
family  emigrated  to  America,  landing  at  New  York  August  22,  1849,  after 
being  eight  weeks  on  the  Atlantic  ocean.  A  few  w^eeks  after  landing  on  the 
shores  of  this  New  World  they  came  to  Ottawa,  Illinois,  arriving  on  the  ist 
day  of  October;  and  here  the  father,  William  Linfor,  was  the  sexton  of  the 
West  cemetery  of  Ottawa,  while  John  was  bound  out  to  Jerry  Woods,  of 
that  city.  In  1856  John  and  his  mother  came  out  upon  the  wdld  prairie  and 
began  the  development  of  the  homestead  now^  occupied  by  him,  the  father 
and  the  other  children  remaining  in  Ottawa;  but  the  next  year  they  also  came 
here.  John  continued  to  work  upon  the  place,  assisting  his  father,  in  the  days 
when  ox  teams  were  employed  in  breaking  the  original  prairie.  The  father 
is  still  living,  but  is  now  a  resident  of  Syracuse,  New  York.  He  was  born 
in  181 1,  and  his  wife  was  born  in  1805,  and  died  in  1879. 

On  the  2d  day  of  August,  1861,  Mr.  John  Linfor,  our  subject,  tendered 
a  member  of  Company  E  of  the  Twenty-sixth  Illinois  Infantry  Volunteers, 
his  services  to  the  government  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union,  becoming 
This  company  w-as  ordered  to  the  front  under  Captain  A.  F.  Jaques  and 
Colonel  John  A.  Looniis,  and  Mr.  Linfor's  army  service  covered  a  period  of 
three  years, — eighteen  months  in  Company  E.  He  was  taken  sick  at  the 
second  battle  of  Corinth,  and  taken  to  the  hospital  at  St.  Louis,  and  remained 
there  three  months.  Recovering,  he  enlisted  again,  this  time  in  the  Missis- 
sippi Marine  Brigade,  in  Company  A,  cavalry,  under  Captain  J.  R.  Crandall 
and  Brigadier  General  Alfred  W.  Ellet.  Finally  he  was  honorably  dis- 
charged, at  Vicksburg,  September  23,   1864. 

Returning  to  his  Illinois  home,  he  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm,  and  he 


228  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

has  ever  since  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  with  that  success  that 
attends  perseverance  and  a  judicial  management.  He  is  a  member  of  Post 
No.  247,  G.  A.  R.,  and  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Mr,  Linfor  was  married  February  21,  1865,  to  Miss  Martha  E.  Patten, 
a  native  of  Putnam  county,  Illinois,  born  November  16,  1845,  ^  daughter 
of  David  and  Catherine  (Umbarger)  Patten,  the  former  a  native  of  Ohio, 
born  in  June,  1826,  and  the  latter  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  September,  1827. 
Of  the  thirteen  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Patten  six  are  still  living,  namely: 
Martha  E.,  George  A.,  Owen  W.,  Dartha  J.  Bergman,  Alfred  E.  and  Sarah 
E.  Bergman.  David  Patten  was  a  member  of  Company  E  of  the  Twenty- 
sixth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  going  to  the  front  under  Captain  A.  F. 
Jaques  and  Colonel  John  A.  Loomis,  in  1861.  Mrs.  Patten  died  in  1888, 
and  Mr.  Patten  died  in  the  year  1895,  both  being  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church.  Air.  and  j\Irs.  Linfor  have  two  children, — Flora  E.  and 
Ida  L., — both  of  whom  are  married  and  settled  in  life.  Flora  E.,  born  July 
14,  1867,  is  the  wife  of  John  Blair,  of  Allen  township,  and  has  one  child, 
named  Flossie  E.;  and  Ida  L.,  born  May  26,  1870,  is  the  wife  of  Otto 
Strobel,  also  of  Allen  township,  and  has  two  children, — Martha  C.  and 
WiH-iam  O. 


WILLIAM  H.   CONARD. 

William  H.  Conard.  of  Ransom,  Illinois,  is  a  prominent  farmer  and 
stock-raiser  of  Allen  township,  and  this  biography  of  the  representative  men 
of  LaSalle  county  would  fall  far  short  of  its  object  did  it  not  contain  a  synop- 
sis of  his  life. 

He  is  a  native  of  Licking  county,  Ohio,  born  November  9,  1843.  The 
ancestors  of  William  H.  Conard  were  undoubtedly  Germans,  the  correct 
name  being  Conrad;  but  neither  the  date  of  their  settlement  in  America  nor 
the  manner  in  which  the  name  became  changed  can  be  definitely  ascertained. 
Certain  it  is,  however,  that  for  a  number  of  generations  prior  to  the  Revo- 
lutionary war  his  ancestors  resided  in  the  colony  of  Virginia  and  were  re- 
spected people  in  that  aristocratic  old  state.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject, 
Anthony  Conard,  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  Anthony  was 
born  at  the  foot  of  the  Blue  Ridge  mountains  in  Loudoun  county,  Virginia, 
in  the  year  1760,  and  was  but  a  mere  boy  when  he  enlisted  in  the  patriot 
army.  After  the  war  he  resided  in  Virginia,  near  the  plantation  of  General 
Washington,  with  whom  he  was  personally  acquainted.  The  father  of 
Anthony  Conard  was  John  Conard,  a  native  of  Virginia.  His  children  were 
Anthony,  John,  Johnathan,  Nathan,  Joseph  and  Susan.  In  1827  Anthony 
Conard  emigrated  to  Ohio,  lived  one  year  in  Belmont  county,  and  then 


.JM  Ml^ 


/y?A^^^^-«^>v2^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  229 

located  in  Licking  county,  same  state,  near  the  village  of  Utica,  where  he 
died,  in  1843. 

Anthony  Conard,  Jr.,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Loudoun 
county,  Virginia,  October  16,  1799,  and  emigrated  to  Licking  county,  Ohio, 
in  1828,  remaining  there  until  1847,  when  he  emigrated  to  LaSalle  county, 
Illinois,  and  died  in  Crawford  county,  this  state,  December  26,  1851. 

He  married  Nancy  Gregg,  a  native  of  Virginia,  on  the  i8th  day  of 
January,  1821.  She  was  born  October  15,  1802,  and  died  in  LaSalle  county, 
Illinois,  on  the  i6th  day  of  December,  1847.  Their  children  were  Mary  E., 
Elinor,  David  W.,  Charles  W.,  Amelia,  George  W.,  Nelson,  John,  Nancy, 
James  W.,  Melvina  M.,  Joseph  W.,  William  H.  and  Rebecca  L. 

William  H.  Conard  removed  with  his  parents  from  Licking  county, 
Ohio,  to  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  when  but  three  years  old.  Soon  afterward 
he  was  left  an  orphan  and  he  was  cared  for  by  his  friends  until  he  was 
nine  years  old,  when  his  sister  Nancy  was  married  to  P.  W.  Jacobs,  of  Serena 
township,  and  was  adopted  by  them  until  fourteen  years  of  age.  He  helped 
them  on  the  farm  in  summer  and  attended  district  school  in  winter.  At  the 
age  of  fourteen  years  Mr.  Conard  started  out  in  life  for  himself,  inheriting 
nothing  but  health,  an  honest  heart  and  willing  hands  to  work.  He  began 
working  as  a  farm  hand  at  ten  dollars  per  month  and  by  most  frugal  habits 
and  economy  he  saved  sufiticient  from  his  small  earnings  in  four  years  of 
patient  labor  to  begin  farming  for  himself  on  shares;  but  just  at  that  time 
his  country  was  in  danger,  rebels  in  the  south  had  seceded  and  were  trampling 
the  "old  flag"  in  the  dust.  President  Lincoln  had  called  for  three  hundred 
thousand  more  men  and  Mr.  Conard  could  no  longer  quench  the  flame  of. 
patriotism  witMn  his  breast.  He  sold  the  little  property  he  had,  left  the  grain 
in  the  field  to  be  gathered  by  others  and  went  to  battle  for  his  country.  His 
record  in  the  army  is  one  of  honor,  and  it  is  with  pleasure  that  we  here  insert 
his  army  record,  taken  from  the  "History  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourth 
Regiment  of  Illinois  Volunteers,"  of  which  he  was  a  member: 

"Sergeant  William  H.  Conard,  aged  eighteen,  a  farmer,  enlisted  from 
Serena  August  14,  1862;  was  in  the  Kentucky  campaign  and  the  battle  of 
Hartsville  in  the  Tullahoma  and  Chickamauga  campaigns;  was  present  at 
Elk  River  and  Davis  Cross  Roads  and  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  in  the 
battles  of  Lookout  Mountain  and  Missionary  Ridge  and  the  skirmishes  fol- 
lowing; was  promoted  corporal  for  meritorious  services  May  i,  1864;  was 
in  the  Atlanta  campaign  at  Buzzards'  Roost,  the  battles  around  Resaca,  New 
Hope  Church,  Kenesaw  Mountain  and  Peach  Tree  Creek.  In  the  last  named 
battle  he  was  severely  wounded  in  the  right  shoulder  and  was  sent  to  the 
hospital,  thence  home.  On  recovering  he  rejoined  the  regiment  at  Golds- 
boro,  North  Carolina,  and  participated  in  the  last  campaign.     Promoted  ta 


230 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 


sergeant  April  7,   1865,  for  meritorious  services.     Mustered   out  June  6, 
1865. 

"A  soldier  who  could  be  counted  upon  in  a  tight  place,  on  his  return 
home  he  was  tendered  a  commission  as  a  lieutenant  in  the  regular  army  by 
Hon.  B.  C.  Cook,  then  a  member  of  congress  from  the  Ottawa  district,  but 
declined." 

Mr.  Conard  was  married,  the  20th  of  February,  1866,  to  Sarah  Belinda 
Dominy,  a  daughter  of  Lorenzo  and  Sarah  A.  (Gurnea)  Dominy,  both  of 
whom  were  natives  of  New  York.  Her  parents  were  among  the  early  settlers 
of  LaSalle  county,  and  here  Mrs.  Conard  was  born  and  reared.  She  was 
born  March  13,  1845.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Conard  have  been  born  five  chil- 
dren, all  of  whom  are  living:  John  M.,  born  January  24,  1867;  WilHam  L., 
September  25,  1868;  Belinda  R.,  December  15,  1870;  David  E.,  November 
2,  1873;  and  Reno  J.,  August  12,  1876.  John  M.  Conard  was  married  to 
Esther  A.  Shinn,  of  Ottawa,  Kansas,  January  21,  1891,  and  they  have  one 
child,  Alberta  B.,  born  March  2,  1899.  Mr.  Conard  is  a  farmer  and  stock- 
raiser  on  his  ranch  in  Franklin  county,  Kansas.  William  L.  Conard  was 
married  to  Elizabeth  A.  Martin,  of  Detroit,  Michigan,  January  31,  1894,  and 
they  have  two  children:  Wilma  A.,  born  November  27,  1894;  and  Harvey 
M.,  December  23,  1896.  Their  home  is  in  Toledo,  Ohio.  William  L.  is  a 
professor  in  the  Toledo  College.  Belinda  R.  Conard  was  married  to  Frank 
X.  Strobel,  of  Allen  township,  on  January  28,  1891.  They  live  near  the  old 
home  and  are  farmers.  David  E.  Conard  was  married  to  Nettie  Clark,  of 
D wight,  Illinois,  February  15,  1899,  and  is  a  farmer  near  the  old  home.  Reno 
J.  lives  at  the  old  home,  single,  and  farms  his  own  and  a  part  of  his  father's 
farm. 

Lorenzo  Dominy  was  born  in  Clinton  county,  New  York,  June  22,  1822, 
a  son  of  Ezra  and  Rhoda  (Smith)  Dominy.  He  removed  with  his  parents  to 
LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  in  1835,  and  shared  the  hardships  incident  to  a  new 
country.  He  was  much  respected.  He  served  his  town  in  the  capacities  of 
supervisor  and  justice  of  the  peace,  and  finally  died  at  his  home  in  Serena 
township,  April  18,  1887.  Ezra  Dominy  was  born  on  Long  Island,  New 
York,  May  13,  1786,  and  died  January  13,  1879,  in  LaSalle  county,  Illinois. 
Ezra  was  a  son  of  Henry  Dominy,  also  a  native  of  Long  Island,  born  Decem- 
ber 26,  1746,  and  a  grandson  of  Nathaniel  Dominy,  one  of  three  brothers 
who  came  to  America  from  England  and  settled  on  Long  Island.  Henry 
Dominy  was  in  the  employ  of  the  government  and  was  on  Long  Island  when 
it  was  captured  by  the  British.  The  grandfather  of  Rhoda  (Smith)  Dominy 
was  a  native  of  England  and  also  settled  on  Long  Island.  Sarah  A.  (Gurnea) 
Dominy  was  born  April  21,  1826,  in  Montgomery  county,  New  York,  and 
now  resides  in  Los  Angeles,  California.    Her  father,  William  F.  Gurnea,  was 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  231 

born  September  15,  1796,  in  Montgomery  county,  New  York,  and  died  in 
LaSalle  county,  Illinois. 

Isabella  (Peck)  Gurnea,  wife  of  William  F.  Gurnea,  was  born  April  6, 
1807,  in  Montgomery  county,  New  York,  and  died  in  LaSalle  county. 

In  the  year  1866  William  H.  Conard  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  on 
section  35  in  Allen  township  and  moved  to  it  in  1867,  and  here  he  still 
resides.  He  has  occupied  his  time  in  farming  and  stock-raising  and  he  has 
added  to  the  orginal  eighty  acres  until  now,  after  giving  to  each  of  his  chil- 
dren a  good  farm  or  its  equivalent,  he  still  has  nine  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
good  land  in  his  possession. 

Mr.  Conard  has  served  his  town  in  the  capacity  of  school  trustee,  road 
commissioner,  school  treasurer  and  supervisor.  He  is  an  honored  member  of 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  belongs  to  the  Methodist  church.  In 
politics  Mr.  Conard  is  thoroughly  independent.  He  votes  for  men  and 
measures  and  not  for  party.  The  party  lash  in  the  hands  of  party  "bosses" 
finds  no  victim  of  obedience  in  his  political  action.  He  votes  his  convictions 
without  obligations  to  partisans  and  believes  the  purity  of  the  ballot-box 
can  be  secured  from  fraud  and  corruption  only  by  every  one  so  doing. 


HERMAN    BRUNNER. 


Herman  Brunner,  who  was  for  some  years  president  of  the  Peru  Beer 
Company  and  a  well  known  citizen  of  Peru,  was  born  in  Hesse-Darmstadt, 
Germany,  on  the  5th  of  March,  1838,  his  parents  being  August  and  Johanna 
(Roth)  Brunner.  His  father  was  the  superintendent  of  iron  works  in  Hirzen- 
heim.  Herman  was  the  eldest  of  three  children  and  acquired  his  education 
in  Germany.  In  October,  1866,  he  came  to  America,  coming  direct  to  Peru, 
Illinois,  where  he  accepted  a  clerkship  in  a  store.  After  a  short  time,  how- 
ever, he  resigned  that  position  and  became  a  clerk  for  the  Peru  Beer  Com- 
pany, with  which  he  was  connected  up  to  the  time  of  his  death.  In  1872,  in 
connection  with  Andrew  Hebel,  he  purchased  the  business  and  conducted 
the  plant  under  the  name  of  Hebel  &  Brunner.  That  partnership  was 
maintained  until  Mr.  Hebel  died  and  was  succeeded  by  his  son,  Andrew,  in 
1886.  Three  years  later  the  company  was  incorporated  and  has  since  been 
known  as  the  Peru  Company.  Herman  Brunjier  at  that  time  became  its 
president,  Andrew  Hebel  its  secretary  and  treasurer,  and  Charles  Herbold 
its  superintendent.  They  built  up  a  good  business  and  shipped  their  goods 
to  various  markets. 

In  1870  Mr.  Brunner  was  married  to  Miss  Rosa  Reinhart,  whose  father, 


232 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 


Professor  Joseph  Reinhart,  is  well  remembered  here  as  a  music  teacher  of 
more  than  ordinary  ability  and  skill.  Four  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Brunner,  namely:  Flora,  Rose,  Sidonia  and  Camilla.  Mr.  Brunner 
died  in  December,  1899,  but  the  family  yet  reside  in  Peru. 


WILLIAM  F.   CORBUS. 

William  F.  Corbus,  of  LaSalle,  than  whom  few,  if  any,  have  been  longer 
engaged  in  the  drug  business  in  LaSalle  county,  is  a  native  of  the  Buckeye 
state,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  Millersburg,  Holmes  county,  April  28, 
1840. 

He  obtained  a  good  common-school  education,  and  from  the  time  he 
was  thirteen  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age  he  worked  at  the  printer's 
trade  in  his  native  town,  being  employed  in  the  office  of  the  Holmes  County 
Republican.  In  i860  he  came  to  this  state  and  dwelt  in  Lee  county  until 
Septem.ber  15,  1862,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  K,  Seventy-fifth  Ihinois 
Volunteer  Infantry,  as  a  hospital  steward,  in  which  capacity  he  continued  to 
serve  until  he  was  granted  an  honorable  discharge,  July  3,  1865.  During 
all  this  time  he  was  with  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  from  its  organization 
until  his  company  was  disbanded,  and  took  an  active  part  in  every  skirmish 
and  engagement  in  which  it  was  concerned. 

After  his  return  from  the  battle-fields  of  the  south,  ]\Ir.  Corbus  obtained 
a  position  as  a  clerk  in  a  drug-store  in  Mendota,  and  subsequently  embarked 
in  the  same  line  of  business  in  that  place  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  W.  F. 
Corbus  &  Company.  In  1876  he  came  to  LaSalle,  where  he  opened  a  drug- 
store. 

In  1870  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Corbus  and  ]\Iiss  Clara  M.  Robison  was 
solemnized  in  Mendota.  They  have  one  son.  Politically  our  subject  is  a 
Republican,  and  fraternally  he  is  a  Master  Mason  and  a  member  of  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 


HON.  HAMILTON  MURRAY  GALLAGHER. 

Without  doubt  one  of  .the  most  public-spirited  and  representative  cit- 
izens that  Peru  ever  had  was  the  gentleman  whose  name  forms  the  heading 
of  this  brief  tribute  to  his  worth  and  ability.  Everything  connected  with  the 
city's  progress  and  advancement,  in  whatsoever  lines  of  industrial  enterprise 
or  improvement,  its  municipal  government,  its  educational  system,  and  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  23^ 

short  in  all  things  which  affected  the  permanent  welfare  of  the  place,  received 
his  earnest  attention  and  elicited  his  zealous  interest. 

Bernard  Gallagher,  the  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  lived  in 
Virginia  during  the  progress  of  the  war  of  the  Revolution  and  rendered 
effective  service  to  the  colonial  army  under  Washington  by  carrying  pro- 
visions and  supplies  to  the  troops.  On  one  of  these  expeditions  he  was 
captured  by  a  band  of  the  enemy  but  was  soon  exchanged.  He  died  in 
Alexandria,  Virginia,  and  left  five  or  six  children  to  perpetuate  his  name. 
One  of  the  number,  Charles  Henry,  was  the  father  of  Hon.  H.  M.  Gallagher. 
He  was  born  in  the  Old  Dominion,  but  possessed  the  spirit  of  enterprise 
which  led  so  many  of  the  sons  of  that  state  to  explore  the  west  and  to- 
develop  its  wonderful  resources.  After  spending  a  few  years  in  New  York 
city,  engaged  in  the  dry-goods  business,  he  went  to  Moniteau  county,  Mis- 
souri, some  years  prior  to  the  outbreak  of  the  civil  war.  In  the  vicinity  of 
Boonville,  he  owned  and  carried  on  a  large  plantation,  and  there  he  con- 
tinued to  dwell  until  he  was  summoned  to  the  silent  land,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-two  years.  His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Sophia  Cole,  survived 
him  about  one  year,  and  was  over  sixty-five  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  her 
death.  She  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  but  her  father  and  ancestors  were 
Pennsylvanians  and  of  the  old  Dutch  stock  which  did  so  much  for  that 
great  state.  Seven  of  the  nine  children  of  C.  H.  and  Sophia  Gallagher  are 
yet  living,  namely:  Sarah,  wife  of  George  Reynolds,  of  Missouri;  Kate  and 
Mary,  unmarried,  and  residents  of  Tipton,  Missouri;  Milton  and  Peyton, 
of  Missouri;  Newton,  of  Peru,  Illinois;  and  Jesse,  of  Waco,  Texas. 

The  boyhood  of  our  subject  was  spent  in  the  vicinity  of  his  birthplace, 
near  Tipton,  Missouri,  his  nativity  being  on  the  26th  of  April,  1841.  He  was 
a  studious  lad,  and  though  his  advantages  for  obtaining  an  education  were 
not  of  the  best  in  that  western  state,  he  made  the  best  of  his  opportunities, 
and  attended  the  private  school  in  Boonville  which  had  at  its  head  Professor 
Kemper,  a  man  of  considerable  ability.  Before  attaining  his  majority  Mr. 
Gallagher  took  up  the  study  of  law,  and  after  being  admitted  to  the  bar 
engaged  in  practice  in  St.  Louis  for  a  few  years.  In  1865  he  went  to 
Ottawa,  Illinois,  where  he  was  occupied  in  his  professional  labors  for  about  a 
year,  after  which  he  came  to  Peru,  thenceforth  to  be  his  home.  Here  he  was 
the  city  attorney  for  a  number  of  years,  and  concfucted  an  excellent  and 
representative  practice  as  long  as  he  lived.  During  some  six  or  eight  years 
he  was  the  editor  of  the  Peru  Herald,  manifesting  his  unusual  talents  as 
forcibly  in  this  new  field  of  effort  as  in  any  which  he  had  hitherto  undertaken. 

The  Democratic  party  of  this  section  of  the  state,  in  whose  councils 
Mr.  Gallagher  ranked  high,  found  in  him  an  able  supporter  and  friend. 
He  attended  numerous  conventions  in  the  capacity  of  delegate,  and  acted 


234 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 


upon  many  important  committees.  Elected  to  the  office  of  mayor  of  Peru, 
he  served  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  all  of  our  citizens  during  a  number  of 
terms,  and  at  the  time  of  his  demise  he  was  a  supervisor  and  a  member  of 
the  board  of  education.  In  1870  and  1871  he  represented  this  district  in 
the  Illinois  legislature,  winning  fresh  laurels  for  himself  and  party.  Socially 
he  was  a  Master  Alason,  and  also  belonged  to  the  Odd  Fellows  order. 

In  1867  Mr.  Gallagher  married  Miss  Martha  A.  Brewster,  who  departed 
this  life  about  four  years  subsequently.  Their  only  child,  Charles  D.,  w^as  one 
of  the  gallant  Seventy-first  Regiment  of  Xew  York  Volunteers  in  the  late 
Spanish-American  war.  The  second  marriage  of  Mr.  Gallagher  took  place 
November  18,  1874,  ]\Iiss  E.  Lena  Kellenbach  becoming  his  bride.  They 
becanie  the  parents  of  three  children,  namely:  Kate  Murray,  Harry  Milton 
and  William  Hamilton.  The  parents  of  Mrs.  Gallagher,  Anton  and  Margaret 
(Birkenbeuel)  Kellenbach,  esteemed  citizens  of  Peru,  are  natives  of  Prussia, 
Germany.  They  came  to  this  country  in  1856,  and,  locating  in  this  place,  the 
father  was  actively  engaged  in  working  at  his  trade,  as  a  brick  and  stone 
mason,  and  as  a  contractor  on  the  Rock  Island  Railroad,  for  many  years. 
His  father  died  in  Germany,  and  his  wife's  father,  William  Birkenbeuel,  died 
on  ship-board,  on  his  way  to  America.  He  was  then  over  three-score  and 
ten  years  of  age. 

The  extremely  active  and  successful  life  of  H.  M.  Gallagher  came  to  a 
close  wdiile  he  was  in  the  prime  of  manhood,  his  vigor  of  mind  and  body 
unimpaired.  The  summons  came  April  13,  1888,  and  he  was  laid  to  rest  near 
the  city  which  he  dearly  loved  and  with  whose  fortunes  his  own  had  been 
so  closely  interwoven.  His  record  as  a  business  man  and  citizen,  as  a  friend 
^nd  in  the  home  circle,  was  above  reproach,  and  his  children  have  just  cause 
to  be  proud  of  his  honorable  name  and  fame. 


THOMAS  F.  DOYLE. 


The  legal  profession  has  ever  had  great  attractions  for  a  large  class  of 
American  young  men;  for,  added  to  the  desire  to  assist  in  the  righting  of 
wrongs  and  injustice,  which  is  a  most  natural  and  commendable  feeling, 
there  are  greater  opportunities  for  genius  to  assert  itself  within  this  realm 
than  perhaps  in. any  other;  and  from  its  ranks  our  most  illustrious  statesmen 
have  been  culled.  He  who  grapples  with  the  intricacies  of  the  law  receives 
a  peculiar  training,  acquires  a  keenness  and  acumen  which  qualifies  him  for 
any  position,  howsoever  responsible  and  important;  and  thus  it  is  not  strange 
that  bright,  ambitious  minds  are  the  rule  and  not  the  exception  among  those 
^ho  have  practiced  law. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  235 

Thomas  F.  Doyle,  one  of  the  young  members  of  the  bar  of  LaSalle 
county,  is  a  native  of  Dimmick  township,  this  county,  his  birth  having  oc- 
curred July  8,  1873.  He  is  a  son  of  Luke  and  Ann  (Hanley)  Doyle,  who 
reside  on  a  farm  in  the  locality  mentioned,  and  are  worthy  and  respected 
citizens  of  the  community.  The  boyhood  of  our  subject  passed  uneventfully, 
his  time  being  chiefly  devoted  to  the  obtaining  of  an  elementary  education 
in  the  common  schools  of  the  neighborhood  of  his  home.  Later  he  went  to 
New  York  and  completed  his  literary  and  scientific  training  at  Niagara 
University.  He  then  entered  the  law  department  of  the  University  of  Mich- 
igan, at  Ann  Arbor,  and  was  graduated  in  that  celebrated  institution  of 
learning  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Laws,  in  June,  1895.  In  the  pre- 
ceding April  he  passed  the  required  examination  admitting  him  to  practice 
in  the  Michigan  courts,  and  subsequently  he  was  admitted  to  the  Illinois  bar. 

In  September,  1895,  Mr.  Doyle  accepted  the  position  of  assistant  state's 
attorney  under  V.  J.  Duncan,  of  Ottawa,  then  occupying  the  superior  office, 
and  in  this  capacity  he  continued  to  act  for  one  year,  or  until  the  expiration 
of  Mr.  Duncan's  term.  Then  coming  to  LaSalle,  Mr.  Doyle  opened  an 
office  and  started  upon  the  regular  practice  of  law  and  continued  alone  in 
business  until  January  15.  1897,  when  he  entered  into  partnership  with  his 
former  friend  and  legal  associate,  Mr.  Duncan.  This  business  connection  is 
still  in  existence,  and  the  firm  enjoys  a  large  and  representative  practice  in 
this  section  of  the  county.  They  are  both  deservedly  popular  with  the 
citizens  of  LaSalle  and  Ottawa,  and  take  an  active  part  in  local  affairs.  Mr. 
Doyle  uses  his  right  of  franchise  in  favor  of  the  platform  and  nominees  of 
the  Democratic  party. 


HARRY  E.  ROCKWOOD. 

Owning  and  occupying  one  of  the  nice  country  homes  in  Farm  Ridge 
townslnp,  LaSalle  county,  is  found  the  gentleman  whose  name  forms  the 
heading  of  this  sketch, — Harry  Earl  Rockwood, — a  representative  of  one  of 
the  well  known  families  of  the  county. 

He  was  born  on  his  father's  farm  in  Farm  Ridge  township,  April  27, 
1 86 1,  a  son  of  William  H.  Rockwood,  deceased.  The  Rockwoods  are  of 
English  origin  and  the  family  was  represented  in  America  at  an  early  day, 
New  England  being  their  first  place  of  settlement.  (The  genealogy  is  given 
more  fully  further  on.)  William  H.  Rockwood  was  born  at  Chesterfield, 
New  Hampshire,  November  2,  1826.  In  1835  John  Rockwood  and  family 
came  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  South  Ottawa  tow^nship,  LaSalle  county,  and 
on  his  farm  he  and  his  wife  passed  the  rest  of  their  lives.    He  was  a  school- 


236  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

teacher  as  well  as  farmer,  and  his  religious  creed  was  that  of  the  Presby- 
terian church. 

At  the  time  his  father  moved  to  Illinois  William  H.  was  a  boy  of  eight 
years.  He  attended  the  district  schools  here  and  later  was  a  student  at 
Granville,  Illinois,  and  on  his  return  from  school  he  engaged  in  farming, 
which  he  followed  through  life.  He  died  on  his  farm  in  Farm  Ridge  town- 
ship, LaSalle  county,  June  2,  1881,  at  the  age  of  fifty-five  years.  He  was 
married,  February  13,  1855.  to  Maria  I.  Dolittle,  a  native  of  St.  Mary's, 
Georgia,  and  a  daughter  of  Alfred  and  Adaline  (Garvin)  Dolittle,  the  former 
a  native  of  Vermont  and  the  latter  of  Florida.  Alfred  Dolittle  was  a 
merchant.  He  came  to  South  Ottawa,  Illinois,  in  1851  and  engaged  in 
business  and  here  he  died  at  the  age  of  sixty  years.  Mrs.  Dolittle  died  at 
the  home  of  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Rockwood,  at  the  age  of  sixty-one  years. 
Mr.  Dolittle  was  the  father  of  eleven  children,  five  by  a  former  marriage  and 
six  by  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Rockwood.  Mrs.  Rockwood  was  educated  in 
Vermont  and  Massachusetts,  and  was  before  her  marriage  a  popular  and 
successful  teacher.  To  William  H.  Rockwood  and  wife  were  given  seven 
children,  of  whom  only  three  are  living,  the  others  having  died  in  early  life. 
These  three  are  Harry  E.,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch,  who  occupies 
the  old  Rockwood  homestead;  Everette  C.,  of  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  engaged 
in  the  stock  business;  and  William  H.,  Jr.,  a  teacher,  of  Grand  Ridge, 
Illinois.  The  father  was  a  man  of  local  prominence.  He  filled  several  town- 
ship of^ces,  at  different  times,  such  as  assessor  and  collector  and  member  of 
the  school  board.  He  was  an  active  church  worker,  identified  with  the 
Presbyterian  church  and  for  years  one  of  its  trustees.  Mrs.  Rockwood, 
his  widow,  has  a  pleasant  home  in  the  village  of  Grand  Ridge,  where  she 
has  resided  since  1893,  having  moved  here  from  the  farm  now  occupied  by 
her  son  Harry  E. 

The  Rockwood  farm  is  one  of  the  best  improved  and  most  desirable  in 
LaSalle  county.  The  residence  is  located  on  a  natural  building  site;  the 
barn  is  spacious,  and  everything  is  conveniently  arranged, — in  short,  a  model 
farm.  While  he  carries  on  general  farming,  Mr.  Rockwood  makes  a  specialty 
of  the  stock  business,  raising  and  marketing  cattle. 

Harry  E.  Rockwood  was  married,  in  1893,  to  Miss  Nelly  Margaret 
Shepherd,  of  Deer  Park,  this  county,  where  she  was  engaged  in  teaching 
previous  to  her  marriage.  Their  union  has  been  blessed  in  the  birth  of  three 
children:  Frank  Shepherd,  Robert  Earl  and  Mildred,  aged  five,  four  and  two 
years  respectively. 

Mr.  Rockwood  is  one  of  the  progressive,  up-to-date  farmers  of  the 
county,  interested  in  everything  intended  to  promote  the  general  welfare 
of  his  locality.    He  is  a  Republican  and  has  filled  some  of  the  township 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  237 

offices.  Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  Occidental  Lodge,  No.  40;  Shab- 
bona  Chapter;  and  Ottawa  Commandery,  No.  10,  of  Ottawa. 

In  the  genealogy  of  Mr.  Rockwood,  of  the  foregoing  sketch,  we  add 
that  the  first  six  generations  of  his  American  ancestry  are  taken  from  the 
Genealogical  Register  of  the  descendants  of  the  early  planters  of  Sherborn, 
Holliston  and  Medway,  Massachusetts,  compiled  by  Rev.  Abner  Morse, 
A.  M.,  of  Sherborn,  a  member  of  the  New  England  Historical  and  Genealog- 
ical Society,  and  published  in  1855. 

The  names  Rockwood  and  Rocket  were  formerly  identical,  and  the 
latter  is  a  corruption  of  the  former.  The  name  Rockwood  was,  no  doubt, 
local,  derived  from  Rocky  Woods  in  England,  and  once  common  in  west 
England.  It  was  probably  the  abode  of  the  first  person  who  assumed  it. 
Nothing  of  their  history  prior  to  their  arrival  in  New  England  had  been 
ascertained  so  far  as  known  to  the  compiler  of  the  genealogy  referred  to; 
but  the  Rev.  Abner  Morse  thought  that  in  the  further  pursuit  of  their 
genealogy  they  must  explore  the  history  of  their  Puritan  sire  among  the 
Rockwoods  of  England,  in  Dorset  and  Suffolk  counties. 

Tradition  says  that  a  page  by  the  name  of  Rockwood  at  the  court  of 
Henry  VIII,  in  a  game  of  chess  with  his  king,  won  a  manor  belonging  to 
one  of  the  monasteries  distributed  in  his  reign.  In  commemoration  of  the 
victory  he  received  from  his  king  six  chess  rooks  for  his  arms.  The  above 
estate  is  still  occupied  by  Rockwoods  who  are  of  the  gentry.  Richard  Rock- 
wood was  a  planter,  of  Dorchester,  Massachusetts,  in  1636,  having  come 
to  this  country  in  1627  or  before.  His  first  wife  was  Agnes,  a  daughter 
of  Zachary  Bicknell,  of  Weymouth,  Dorsetshire,  England.  She  died  in 
1643,  ^t  Braintree,  Massachusetts,  and  he  married  a  second  wife,  named 
Ann.  His  children  were,  by  his  first  wife,  Nicholas,  born  in  1628,  and  by 
his  second  wife,  John,  born  in  1647.  The  latter  married  Johanna  Ford,  of 
Braintree,  in  1662;  Lydia,  who  married  Edward  Adams,  a  son  of  Henry 
Adams,  of  Braintree,  now  Ouincy, 

Nicholas  Rockwood  first  located  at  Braintree,  and  in  1650  he  and  the 
sons  of  Henry  Adams  settled  the  town  of  Medfield.  He  married,  first,  Jane 
Adams,  a  daughter  of  Henry  Adams,  who  died  December  15,  1654;  and, 
secondly,  Margaret  Holbrook,  a  daughter  of  John  Holbrook,  of  Weymouth, 
in  1656.  She  died  April  23,  1670;  and  his  third  wife's  name  was  Silence. 
His  children  were:  Samuel,  who  was  born  at  Braintree  and  married  Han- 
nah Ellis;  Benjamin;  Josiah,  who  married  Mary  Twitchell;  Elizabeth,  wdio 
became  the  wife  of  John  Partridge;  Rev.  John  Rockwood  was  the  next  in 
order  of  birth;  and  the  youngest  was  Nathaniel  Dea,  who  was  born  Feb- 
ruary 23,  1665,  and  died  September  24,  1 721,  at  Wrenth. 

Nathaniel  Rockwood  Dea  (Deacon?)  married  Johanna  Ellis,, a  daughter 


238  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

of  Thomas  Ellis,  of  Aledfield.  and  his  children  were:  IMargaret,  who  mar- 
ried Ebner  Metcalf;  Nathaniel,  who  married  Margaret  Phipps;  Benjamin, 
who  married  Mehetibel  Thomson;  Abigail;  Ebenezer;  Hannah,  who  be- 
came the  wife  of  Thomas  Lawrence;  ]\Iary;  and  Elisha,  who  was  born  June 
II,  1716,  and  died  December  5,  1788. 

Elisha  Rockwood  settled  in-  Groton.  August  18,  1738,  he  married 
Elizabeth  Adams,  who  was  born  September  4,  1719,  and  died  May  16,^ 
1799.  She  was  the  daughter  of  James  Adams,  of  Sherborn,  by  his  wife  Abi- 
gail nee  Hill,  and  granddaughter  of  Moses  Adams,  by  his  wife  Lydia  nee 
Whitney,  and  great-granddaughter  of  Henry  Adams,  of  Medfield,  by  wife 
Lydia  Paine,  and  great-great-granddaughter  of  Henry  Adams,  of  Braintree; 
and  she  was  distantly  related  to  Robert  Treat  Paine,  a  signer  of  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence.  His  children  were:  Elisha,  who  was  born  Novem- 
ber 9,  1740,  and  died  in  February,  1831;  Joseph,  Ebenezer,  A.  M.,  M.  D., 
Abagail,  Elizabeth,  Lydia,  Sarah  and  Sybil. 

Elisha  Rockwood,  of  the  above  family,  married  Mary  Farnsworth  in 
1762,  and  she  died  in  1765,  and  he  married,  secondly,  Abigail  Stone,  in  1771. 
He  removed  from  Groton,  Massachusetts,  to  Chesterfield,  New  Hampshire. 
His  children  were:  Elisha,  D.  D.,  who  married  Susanna  Parkman;  Will- 
iam, who  married  Anna  Horton;  John,  who  married  Sally  Green,  of  West- 
moreland; Otis,  D.  D.,  married  Maria  Johnson. 

John  Rockwood,  of  the  above  family,  was  born  July  7,  1782,  and  died 
June  29,  1859.  He  was  married  June  26,  1817,  to  Sally  Green,  of  West- 
moreland, who  was  born  August  i,  1791.  and  died  January  8,  1882.  She  was 
a  daughter  of  Captain  Levi  Green,  of  Westmoreland,  New  Hampshire. 
They  resided  on  the  paternal  Rockwood  farm  in  Chesterfield,  New  Hamp- 
shire, until  1835,  when  he  removed  to  Ottawa,  Illinois,  settling  on  a  farm 
in  South  Ottawa  township,  where  he  resided  till  his  death.  His  children 
were:  Mary  Abigail,  who  married  Rev.  James  Dunn;  Laura  Maria;  Loring 
Otis;  John  Adams,  who  married  Sarah  Lewis;  William  Henry,  and  Elisha 
Earl,  who  married  Debora  Cox. 


ELIJAH  B.  LOVEJOY. 


Elijah  B.  Lovejoy,  a  veteran  of  the  civil  war,  and  an  honored  citizen 
of  Ottawa,  is  now  passing  his  declining  days  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  fruits 
of  many  years  of  diligent  toil.  In  all  of  the  varied  relations  of  life  he  has 
endeavored  to  perform  his  entire  duty,  and  well  does  he  deserve  the  praise 
and  admiration  which  are  accorded  him  by  all  who  are  acquainted  with  him 
or  his  history. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  239 

Jacob  Lovejoy,  the  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  a  native  of  Connect- 
icut, and  was  a  descendant  of  one  of  the  five  famiHes  that  first  located  per- 
manently in  that  state.  They  originated  in  England,  and  eventually  went 
to  New  Hampshire  from  Connecticut,  and  later  settled  in  Hebron,  that 
state.  Jacob  Lovejoy  served  as  a  drummer  boy  in  the  war  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, and  his  son  Phineas  (father  of  Elijah  B.)  was  a  "minute"  man,  and, 
enlisting  in  the  war  of  181 2,  was  commissioned  to  the  rank  of  lieutenant  in 
that  struggle  with  England.  The  wife  of  Jacob  and  mother  of  Phineas  Love- 
joy was  a  Miss  Baxter  in  her  girlhood.  The  birth  of  Phineas  Lovejoy  took 
place  in  Hebron,  Grafton  county.  New  Hampshire,  in  1771,  and  in  Janu- 
ary, 1866,  he  was  summoned  to  the  silent  land.  He  married  Annice  Blood, 
a  daughter  of  James  Blood.  She  was  a  native  of  Fairlee,  Vermont,  born  in 
June,  1783,  and  her  death  occurred  in  the  town  of  LandafT,  New  Hampshire, 
when  she  was  in  her  eighty-second  year. 

Elijah  B.  Lovejoy  was  born  in  Hebron,  New  Hampshire,  November 
2/,  1816,  and  in  his  youth  learned  agriculture  thoroughly,  in  its  various 
phases.  He  remained  on  the  old  homestead  until  he  reached  his  majority, 
and  always  continued  the  labors  of  farming  as  long  as  he  led  an  active  life. 
He  owned  in  connection  with  his  farm  a  saw  and  shingle  mill.  In  1872 
he  decided  to  try  his  fortunes  in  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  and  he  accordingly 
purchased  one  hundred  acres  of  land  in  the  northern  part  of  Ottawa  town- 
ship, there  giving  his  attention  to  the  raising  of  crops  commonly  grown  in 
this  region,  and  raising  cattle  and  hogs  to  some  extent.  In  1882  he  retired 
from  the  active  work  which  he  had  faithfully  followed  for  so  many  decades, 
and  has  resided  quietly  in  Ottawa  ever  since. 

In  August,  1862,  Mr.  Lovejoy,  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Thirteenth 
New  Hampshire  Infantry,  under  the  command  of  Captain  John  Fair  and 
Colonel  Abel  Stevens.  With  his  regiment  he  was  ordered  to  Washington. 
District  of  Columbia,  and  soon  afterward  participated  in  the  battle  of  Fred- 
ericksburg, which  lasted  for  three  days.  A  short  time  elapsed,  and  Mr. 
Lovejoy  became  seriously  ill  and  was  sent  to  the  Garver  hospital  at  Wash- 
ington. At  length  he  received  a  certificate  of  the  surgeon  in  charge  of  the 
institution  that  he  was  unfit  for  further  duty  on  account  of  his  impaired 
health,  was  granted  an  honorable  discharge  from  the  army,  and  of  late  years 
has  been  given  a  pension  by  the  government.  As  a  citizen  he  has  been 
noted  for  his  patriotism  and  high  regard  for  what  he  considers  the  duties 
devolving  upon  every  inhabitant  of  this  great  republic.  He  has  acted  in 
the  capacity  of  school  director,  and  was  once  the  president  of  the  township 
board.  In  politics  he  has  given  his  allegiance  to  the  Republican  party  since 
its  organization.  For  the  past  fifty-six  years  he  has  been  an  active  member 
of  the   Methodist  Episcopal   church,   and  has  held  the   positions   of  class 


240  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

leader  for  fifty-six  years  and  steward  in  the  congregations  to  which  he  has 
belonged.  His  zeal  and  fidelity  in  church  enterprises  have  been  unwaver- 
ing, and  he  has  always  been  safely  relied  upon  to  uphold  every  worthy 
public  measure  or  movement. 

December  lo,  1841,  Mr.  Lovejoy  married  Miss  Maria  E.  Bullis,  the 
eldest  daughter  of  Hera  BulHs,  of  Addison  county,  Vermont.  Six  sons  and 
two  daughters  were  born  to  this  estimable  couple,  namely:  Elvira  M,,  who 
was  born  June  28,  1844,  and  married  Allen  Gififer,  a  farmer;  Cyrus  C,  born 
October  9,  1847,  and  became  a  Methodist  preacher;  Arzilla  M.,  born  Feb- 
ruary 10,  1849,  and  married  Rev.  A.  Ethridge,  a  minister  of  the  Congre- 
g-ational  church;  OHn  T.,  born  April  18,  1851,  became  a  teacher  and  served 
for  a  time  as  the  president  of  the  board  of  education  of  his  town,  and  is 
serving  now;  Amen  E.,  born  April  8,  1854,  and  is  in  business  in  the  state 
of  Washington;  Kilburn  B.,  born  May  10,  1861,  is  a  truck  gardener  at  Red 
Wing,  Minnesota;  Irving  B.,  born  June  19,  1864,  is  a  farmer  in  Ottawa, 
I^aSalle  county;  and  Walter  C,  born  October  3,  1867,  is  a  physician  now 
practicing  in  Chicago.  The  mother  of  these  children  was  born  November 
15,  1821,  and  was  called  to  the  better  land  April  7,  1869.  On  the  17th  of 
November,  1869,  Mr.  Lovejoy  wedded  Miss  Lorrain  L.  King,  wdio  was 
born  December  6,  1829,  at  Fairlee,  Vermont;  and  by  the  latter  marriage 
there  was  one  child,  born  October  10,  1871,  who  married  Dr.  Charles  S. 
Hubbard,  and  is  now^  residing  in  Chicago.  The  last  wife  of  our  subject 
has  passed  to  her  eternal  rest.     She  was  a  lady  of  many  amiable  qualities. 


FRANCIS  M.  DAUGHERTY. 

Illinois  is  noted  as  the  leading  agricultural  state  of  the  Union,  the  grain 
raised  within  her  boundaries  being  shipped  to  all  parts  of  the  world,  supply- 
ing food  for  countless  numbers,  and  her  fine  farms  are  the  subject  of  general 
observation.  Perhaps  no  part  of  the  state  contains  more  fertile  or  better 
•cultivated  land  than  that  lying  within  LaSalle  county,  and  among  the  most 
productive  and  well  kept  farms  of  this  section  is  the  one  owned  and  operated 
by  the  gentleman  whose  name  appears  above. 

Francis  Marion  Daugherty  was  born  in  Nicholas  county,  Kentucky,  on 
the  22d  of  August,  1837,  his  parents,  Thomas  and  Mary  (Swartz)  Daugherty, 
being  among  the  oldest  settlers  in  LaSalle  county.  John  Daugherty,  the 
Igrandfather  of  our  subject,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Indian  wars  and  was  a  resi- 
dent of  Kentucky,  where  his  son  Thomas  was  born.  The  latter  grew  to 
manhood  in  that  state  and  there  married  Miss  Mary,  daughter  of  John 
Swartz.    They  both  lived  to  attain  good  old  age, — the  father  passing  away 


i 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  241 

in  1894,  at  the  age  of  seventy-three  years,  and  the  mother  being  seventy-one 
years  of  age  at  the  time  of  her  demise.  In  his  political  adherency  Thomas 
Daugherty  was  a  Democrat  of  the  old  school.  He  and  his  wife  became  the 
parents  of  ten  children,  concerning  whom  we  offer  the  following  epitomized 
record:  John,  a  resident  of  Texas  county,  Missouri;  Francis  Marion,  the 
immediate  subject  of  this  review;  Sarah  Willis,  deceased;  Daniel  B.,  whose 
life  was  sacrificed  on  the  altar  of  his  country  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  in 
which  he  served  as  a  corporal  of  Company  F,  One  Hundred  and  Fourth 
Regiment  of  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry;  Rebecca  Brown,  deceased;  Mar- 
garet, deceased;  Amos,  a  resident  of  Chariton  county,  Missouri;  Nancy  Ann 
Smith,  of  Sumner,  that  state;  and  Andrew  and  Elizabeth,  both  of  whom  are 
deceased. 

Francis  M.  Daugherty  came  to  Illinois  in  1858,  with  his  parents,  and 
when  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age  his  loyalty  and  patriotism  prompted 
him  to  enlist  as  a  member  of  Company  F,  One  Hundred  and  Fourth  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry,  with  which  he  served  as  sergeant.  He  was  offered  a 
commission  in  the  Seventh  Kentucky  Cavalry,  but  preferred  to  remain  with 
his  company.  He  was  in  a  number  of  the  important  encounters  with  the 
Confederate  forces,  taking  part  in  the  battle  of  Hartsville  and  was  captured, 
and  also  participating  in  the  celebrated  battles  of  Chickamauga,  Lookout' 
Mountain  and  Missionary  Ridge.  He  was  also  in  the  Atlanta  campaign,  in 
which  he  took  part  in  the  engagements  at  Buzzard's  Roost,  Rocky  Face 
Ridge,  New  Hope  Church,  Peach  Tree  Creek  and  the  siege  of  Atlanta,  and 
in  the  engagement  at  Eutaw  Creek  he  was  wounded.  He  served  three  years, 
or  until  the  close  of  the  war,  being  mustered  out  on  the  6th  June,  1865.  He 
was  with  his  command  in  following  Hood  into  Alabama,  participated  in  the 
famous  march  to  the  sea,  thence  through  the  Carolinas  and  on  to  Washing- 
ton, where  he  took  part  in  the  Grand  Review. 

Returning  home  after  his  eftective  service  in  defense  of  the  integrity 
of  the  nation,  Mr.  Daugherty  turned  his  attention  to  the  peaceful  vocation 
of  agriculture,  locating  upon  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  which  is 
his  present  place  of  abode.  In  the  matter  of  permanent  improvements  the 
farm  is  well  equipped,  having  a  good  house  and  substantial  and  convenient 
outbuildings,  while  the  place  is  kept  in  a  fine  state  of  cultivation.  Mr. 
Daugherty  is  an  acknowledged  leader  in  the  farming  community  in  which 
he  has  so  long  made  his  home.  He  was  the  first  breeder  of  Poland-China 
hogs  in  the  county,  and  w^as  the  first  man  in  his  township  to  use  tile  to  drain 
his  land.  In  politics  he  renders  stanch  allegiance  to  the  Republican  party 
and  its  principles,  and  fraternally  he  keeps  alive  his  interest  in  his  old  com- 
rades in  arms  by  maintaining  membership  in  Post  No.  68,  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic,  at  Streator. 


242  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

On  the  15th  of  November,  1865,  Avas  solemnized  the  marriage  of  Mr. 
Daiigherty  and  Miss  Ruth  Jefferson,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Ann  (Lock) 
Jefferson.  Of  this  union  nine  children  were  born,  of  whom  seven  yet  survive. 
Of  the  children  we  give  the  following  brief  record:  Thomas,  a  commercial 
traveler,  who  resides  in  Streator,  married  Miss  Lida  D.  Sederbrand,  of  that 
place;  Mary  Alberta,  a  successful  teacher,  is  now  the  wife  of  F.  K.  Garver, 
a  commercial  traveler  of  South  Bend,  Indiana;  Robert  married  Emma  E. 
Holland,  of  Streator;  Jane,  wife  of  Dr.  C.  G.  Reno,  of  Louisville,  Kentucky, 
was  a  successful  teacher  in  Otter  Creek  township,  this  county;  Hattie  P.  is 
a  graduate  of  the  Streator  high  school,  in  the  class  of  1899;  Francis  is  a 
student  in  the  Streator  high  school;  William  D.  is  the  next  in  order  of  birth; 
Anna  died  at  the  tender  age  of  three  years;  and  Rosa,  a  young  woman  of 
exceptional  talent,  who  was  a  very  successful  teacher  and  who  gave  great 
promise  for  the  future,  was  summoned  to  her  heavenly  home  at  the  untimely 
age  of  twenty-two  years,  deeply  mourned  by  a  wide  circle  of  devoted  friends. 

Robert  Jefferson,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Daugherty,  was  a  native  of  Eng- 
land, and  his  wife  was  born  in  Ireland.  They  came  to  America  and  at  first 
took  up  their  residence  in  Michigan,  whence  they  later  came  to  DeKalb 
county,  Illinois,  and  from  there,  in  1852,  to  Streator,  where  they  passed  the 
residue  of  their  days.  The  mother  died  at  the  age  of  sixty  years,  but  the 
father  survived  her  many  years,  attaining  the  venerable  age  of  ninety-one 
years.  He  was  a  lifelong  Republican,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  were  mem- 
bers of  and  earnest  workers  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  They  became 
the  parents  of  five  children,  namely:  Alexander,  deceased;  Mary  Richards, 
of  Bruce  township,  this  county;  William,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  One  Hun- 
dred and  Fourth  Illinois  V'olunteer  Infantry,  participated  in  all  the  battles 
in  which  his  company  took  part,  and  on  July  21,  1864,  while  on  the  skirmish 
line  in  front  of  Atlanta,  he  was  killed  by  a  Confederate  sharpshooter; 
Thomas,  who  also  was  a  soldier,  was  a  member  of  Company  E,  Twenty- 
sixth  Illinois  Regiment,  and  he  died  at  Scotsboro,  Alabama,  April  17,  1865, 
from  an  attack  of  pneumonia;  and  Ruth,  who  was  born  near  Romeo,  Macomb 
county,  Michigan,  June  15.  1842,  is  the  wife  of  ]\Ir.  Daugherty,  the  immedi- 
ate subject  of  this  sketch. 


WILLIAM  F.  McNAMARA. 

Young  Irish  blood  is  having  a  powerful  influence  in  the  municipalities 
of  the  west.  This  is  true  no  less  of  the  small  cities  than  the  large  ones. 
At  the  head  of  the  municipal  government  of  LaSalle  is  a  man  of  thirty-two, 
who  has  been  prominently  connected  with  it  since  he  was  twenty-two  years 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  243 

of  age.  This  man  is  certainly  young  for  one  of  his  prominence  and  experi- 
ence.    Both  lines  of  his  family  descent  have  been  Irish  of  the  purest  blood. 

William  F.  McNamara  was  born  on  a  farm  in  LaSalle  county,  Illinois, 
March  16,  1867,  a  son  of  Michael  J.  and  Bridget  (Burke)  McNamara. 
Michael  J.  McNamara  was  a  son  of  Martin  McNamara,  and  was  born  at 
Schenectady,  New  York,  and  came  with  his  father  to  LaSalle  county  in 
1847.  The  family  located  first  at  LaSalle,  and  later  on  a  farm  some  distance 
from  that  town,  w4iere  Martin  McNamara  died.  The  parents  of  Bridget 
Burke  settled  in  the  county  about  1847  also.  After  their  marriage  Michael 
and  Bridget  (Burke)  McNamara  located  on  a  farm  in  LaSalle  county,  and 
lived  upon  it  until  1884,  when  they  removed  to  LaSalle,  where  Mr.  Mc- 
Namara embarked  in  the  grocery  trade,  in  which  he  has  since  continued 
with  success. 

When  his  parents  came  to  LaSalle  William  F.  McNamara,  future  mayor 
of  the  city,  was  seventeen  years  old.  He  had  spent  his  life  thus  far  since 
his  childhood  in  helping  his  father  about  the  farm  work  and  attending  the 
public  schools.  After  the  family  took  up  their  residence  in  LaSalle  he  was 
for  several  years  a  student  at  the  parochial  school  of  the  Brothers  of  St. 
Patrick  at  LaSalle.  At  twenty-one  he  became  a  clerk  in  a  clothing  store, 
and  was  thus  employed  for  eight  years. 

Mr.  McNamara's  political  experience  began  in  1889,  when,  as  a  Dem- 
ocrat, he  was  elected  alderman,  and  by  successive  re-elections  he  filled  that 
office  until  1897,  when  he  was  elected  mayor,  which  office  he  still  holds,  and 
which  he  has  filled  with  a  zeal  and  ability  that  have  made  him  popular  with 
all  classes  of  citizens. 

Mr.  McNamara  is  a  Roman  Catholic,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic 
Order  of  Foresters,  the  Royal  Arcanum,  the  Court  of  Honor,  the  Knights 
of  Pythias  and  the  Woodmen  of  America,  and  is  always  prominently  identi- 
fied with  every  movement  having  for  its  object  the  enhancement  of  the 
welfare  of  the  people  of  LaSalle  and  LaSalle  county. 


THOMAS  N.  HASKINS. 


Thomas  N.  Haskins,  a  prominent  attorney  of  LaSalle,  was  born  Octo- 
ber 29,  1862,  in  this  city.  He  is  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (White)  Haskins, 
both  of  whom  were  born  in  Ireland.  They  were  married  in  Lexington, 
Missouri,  and  moved  to  LaSalle  in  1850,  since  which  time  they  have  resided 
here.  The  father  was  a  large  contractor  and  dealer  in  lumber  at  one  time, 
and  later  lived  on  a  farm  in  Woodford  county  for  three  years  before  moving 
to  LaSalle. 


244  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

Thomas  N.  Haskins  was  reared  in  LaSalle  and  received  his  education 
in  that  city  during  his  early  years.  This  was  supplemented  with  a  three- 
year  course  in  the  Seminary  of  Our  Lady  of  the  Angels,  now  the  University 
of  Niagara.  Returning  home  he  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter,  at  which 
he  worked  only  a  short  time,  as  it  proved  most  uncongenial  labor.  He  had 
an  inordinate  love  of  books  and  decided  to  choose  for  his  vocation  the  pro- 
fession of  law.  Accordingly  he  began  his  studies  in  the  office  of  the  firm 
of  Meer,  Duncan  &  O'Conor;  had  soon  mastered  the  intricacies  of  that 
profession,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  January,  1887.  He  has  been  a 
practitioner  in  this  city  ever  since,  first  in  the  firm  of  Hall  &  Haskins,  then 
alone,  afterward  in  the  firm  of  Duncan,  O'Conor  &  Haskins,  later  as  Duncan, 
Haskins  &  Panneck,  and  still  later  as  Haskins  &  Panneck,  which  is  the 
style  of  the  firm  at  this  time.  He  is  a  lawyer  of  more  than  average  ability, 
keen  and  shrewd  in  his  judgment,  and  a  forcible  speaker  who  carries  con- 
viction to  the  mind  of  his  hearers. 

In  1890  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Conerton,  of  Dimmick, 
this  state.  They  are  both  devout  members  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church, 
and  are  highly  esteemed  for  their  many  worthy  qualities.  Mr.  Haskins  is 
also  connected  with  a  number  of  fraternal  orders,  belonging  to  Royal  Arca- 
num, the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  Court  of  Honor.  In  politics  he 
is  a  strong  Democrat,  and  for  four  years  made  one  of  the  ablest  and  most 
efficient  city  attorneys  ever  elected  to  that  office  in  LaSalle.  In  1894  he 
was  the  party  candidate  for  state  senator,  and  in  1897  was  in  the  field  as 
candidate  for  circuit  judge,  in  both  races  receiving  a  flattering  vote.  He 
has  many  friends  in  both  parties,  and  is  deservedly  popular  among  the  great 
mass  of  people,  as  well  for  his  kindly,  genial  manner  as  his  upright  honesty 
of  purpose. 


M.  J.  WELSH. 


The  subject  of  this  review  is  one  of  the  popular  and  well-known  citi- 
zens of  Brookfield  township,  LaSalle  county.  His  entire  life  has  been  spent 
in  this  locality,  for  he  is  one  of  LaSalle  county's  native  sons.  His  birth 
occurred  in  1866,  his  parents  being  Thomas  E.  and  Ellen  Welsh,  both  of 
whom  were  natives  of  Ireland.  The  father  was  a  farmer  by  occupation, 
and  in  1849  became  a  resident  of  this  county,  making  his  home  here  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1887.  He  had  a  family  of  four  sons  and  four 
daughters,  namely:  Edward,  who  died  in  1885,  at  the  age  of  twenty-four; 
Dennis,  of  Verona,  Illinois;  Mrs.  Dennis  O'Donnell,  who  resides  in  Minne- 
apolis, Minnesota;  Mrs,  William  Coughlin,  of  Brookfield  township;  Thomas, 
Ella  and  Mary,  of  Seneca,  Illinois;  and  M.  J.,  the  subject  of  this  review. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  245 

J\lr.  Welsh,  whose  name  heads  this  article,  was  reared  in  LaSalle  county, 
and  early  became  familiar  with  all  the  duties  and  labors  of  the  agriculturist. 
He  attended  the  public  schools  and  later  was  a  student  in  the  college  at 
Valparaiso,  Indiana.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  years  he  began  teaching  school 
and  successfully  followed  that  profession  for  ten  years,  his  services  giving 
excellent  satisfaction  in  the  schools  where  he  was  employed.  Since  that 
time  he  has  devoted  his  energies  uninterruptedly  to  his  farming  interests. 
He  owns,  occupies  and  operates  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land,  which 
is  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  the  well-tilled  fields  yielding  to  the 
owner  a  golden  tribute  in  return  for  the  care  and  labor  he  bestows  upon 
them.  He  follows  progressive  methods  in  his  farming  operations,  is  prac- 
tical and  enterprising,  and  has  one  of  the  best-improved  farms  in  his  town- 
ship. 

Mr.  Welsh  has  been  twice  married.  On  the  4th  of  October,  1894,  he 
wedded  i\Iiss  IMaggie  ]\IcCormick,  of  Seneca,  a  lady  of  intelligence  and 
natural  refinement,  but  in  less  than  a  year  they  were  separated  by  death, 
]\Irs.  \\>lsh  being  called  to  her  final  rest  July  10,  1895.  On  the  27th  of 
February,  1897,  j\Ir.  \\'elsh  was  united  in  marriage  to  ]\Iiss  Nellie  Sheedy, 
of  Brookfield  township,  and  they  now  have  an  interesting  little  son,  Joseph 
Russell. 

In  his  political  aftiliations  Mr.  Welsh  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  now  serving 
his  sixth  year  as  supervisor.  He  was  also  the  town  clerk  for  a  number  of 
years,  and  his  retention  in  public  office  plainly  indicates  the  fidelity  with 
which  he  discharges  his  duties.  Socially  he  is  connected  with  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America.  ]Mr.  \\^elsh  is  a  gentleman  of  enterprise,  of  frank 
and  genial  manner,  and  is  very  popular,  his  commendable  qualities  winning 
him  favor  with  all  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact. 


JOHN  B.  ULRICH,  JR. 


John  B.  Ulrich  is  one  of  the  prominent  and  progressive  young  farmers 
of  Dayton  township,  LaSalle  county,  and  is  a  worthy  son  of  one  of  the  hon- 
ored early  settlers  of  this  county.  His  father,  John  B.  Ulrich,  Sr.,  was  born 
in  Alsace,  France,  about  seventy-seven  years  ago,  and  in  early  life  emigrated 
to  this  country,  settling  in  Northville  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois, 
where  he  was  subsequently  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sophia  Hubrecht, 
Here  he  reared  his  family  and  here  for  a  period  of  sixty  years  he  has  been 
prominently  connected  with  the  material  prosperity  of  his  township. 

The  younger  John  B.  Ulrich  dates  his  birth  in  Northville  township 
April  II,  1861.     He  was  reared  to  farm  life,  and  has  always  been  engaged 


246  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

in  agricultural  pursuits.     He  has  only  recently  taken  up  his  abode  in  Dayton 
township,  but  has  already  thoroughly  identified  himself  with  its  interests. 

Mr.  Ulrich  was  married  January  25,  1893,  to  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Marshall. 
Mrs.  Ulrich  is  a  daughter  of  Edward  Retz,  one  of  the  early  Alsatian  settlers 
of  Northville  township,  and  a  man  highly  respected  throughout  the  county. 
Her  first  husband,  Edward  Marshall,  was  a  son  of  John  L.  Marshall,  and 
she  has  one  son,  Edward  J.  IMarshall,  born  January  30,  1880.  Also  by  her 
present  husband  Mrs.  Ulrich  has  one  child,  Rosalie  Sophia  Margarete,  born 
March  18,  1894. 


DAVID  RUDE. 


It  is  gratifying  in  this  age  to  meet  a  man  who  has  had  the  courage  to 
face  the  battle  of  life  with  strong  heart  and  steady  hand  and  carve  out  for 
himself  a  competence,  beginning  at  the  very  foot  of  the  ladder  and  mount- 
ing to  success  when  the  whole  world  seemed  against  him  and  he  had  no 
capital  with  which  to  woo  the  fickle  goddess  of  fortune. 

Such  has  been  the  record  of  David  Rude,  who  was  born  in  Ashfield, 
Franklin  county,  Massachusetts,  May  7,  1831,  and  at  the  tender  age  of  thir- 
teen took  upon  his  young  shoulders  the  task  of  a  wage-earner,  a  task  that 
has  proved  too  much  for  many  an  older  head.  He  is  a  son  of  Thaddeus 
and  Betsie  (Vincent)  Rude,  both  natives  of  Massachusetts.  The  father  was 
born  in  Franklin  county,  and  was  a  son  of  Thaddeus,  who  was  born  at  New 
Salem,  that  state.  They  were  of  Scotch-Irish  lineage,  and  settled  in  the  state 
of  Connecticut,  whence  they  emigrated  to  Massachusetts.  Thaddeus  Rude, 
Jr.,  was  a  farmer  and  married  Betsie  Vincent,  who  was  born  in  Denis,  Cape 
Cod,  Massachusetts,  and  was  of  English  descent.  Her  ancestors  were 
among  the  early  settlers  of  that  state,  and  she  was  related  to  Miles  Standish, 
the  brave  Puritan  leader.  The  father  died  at  Ashfield  in  1833,  in  his  thirty- 
ninth  year,  leaving  his  widow  with  eight  children  to  rear  to  adult  years. 
They  were  Arial,  who  died  in  ^Massachusetts  in  1837;  Elizabeth.  Thaddeus, 
Hannah,  Alfred,  Mary,  David  and  Harriett.  The  mother  did  all  in  her 
power  for  her  children,  and  was  assisted  by  them  when  they  arrived  at 
years  when  their  services  would  be  of  use  to  her.  A  number  of  the  children 
came  west  to  Illinois,  and  here  the  mother  followed  them,  settling  in  La- 
moille, this  state,  where  she  died  in  1886,  at  the  age  of  ninety-three  years, 
conscious  of  a  life  well  spent  and  a  victorious  struggle  in  behalf  of  her  father- 
less little  ones. 

David  Rude  remained  on  the  farm  until  he  was  thirteen  years  of  age, 
and  was  able  to  obtain  but  little  literary  education,  attending  school  for  about 
three  years,  some  three  months  each  winter.     At  the  age  of  thirteen  he 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  247 

started  out  as  a  peddler  of  notions,  traveling  through  the  country  and  small 
towns  of  Massachusetts  with  a  pack  on  his  back  and  selling  notions  and 
small  wares.  This  was  continued  until  he  was  eighteen,  when  he  was  mar- 
ried, and  within  a  few  weeks  thereafter  came  west  with  his  brother  Thad- 
deus,  who  had  married  a  sister  of  Mrs.  David  Rude  and  located  at  Lamoille 
on  farm  land.  They  remained  there  ten  years  and  were  joined  there  by  the 
mother  and  brothers  and  sisters,  except  Alfred.  In  i860  our  subject  moved 
to  Lamoille,  where  he  engaged  in  general  merchandising,  although  he  re- 
tained his  interest  in  farm  lands,  and  now  owns  some  seven  or  eight  hun- 
dred acres  in  Iowa.  Three  years  later  he  purchased  a  furniture  store  in 
Mendota,  Illinois,  and  in  March,  1865,  made  this  city  his  home.  He  sold  the 
furniture  store  in  1868  and  took  the  position  of  bookkeeper  for  his  brother 
Thaddeus,  who  was  in  the  grain  business.  In  1871  he  purchased  a  hard- 
ware store,  first  being  associated  with  L.  R.  Curtis  and  later  with  George 
Holland,  who  is  still  in  the  business  with  him.  This  has  proved  to  be  a 
paying  investment  and  has  prospered  under  the  management  of  Mr.  Rude 
until  it  is  the  leading  store  of  its  kind  in  Mendota.  In  all  his  business  trans- 
actions he  has  met  with  success,  and  he  has  never  been  without  money 
from  the  day  he  worked  for  Deacon  Newton  in  Massachusetts  for  six  months 
for  the  munificent  sum  of  thirty  dollars  (!)  until  the  present  time. 

On  September  20,  1849,  ^^  the  age  of  eighteen,  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Philena  Hall,  of  Hawley,  Massachusetts.  The  ceremony  was 
celebrated  in  Vermont  by  the  famous  Universalist  minister,  Hosea  Ballou, 
and  the  happy  life  thus  inaugurated  lasted  until  January  11,  1888,  when 
death  claimed  Mrs.  Rude.  November  29,  1888,  Mr.  Rude  married  Mary  A. 
Whitney,  a  most  estimable  lady.  Mr.  Rude  is  not  a  member  of  any  church, 
but  contributes  with  a  generous  hand  to  the  cause  of  religion,  charity  or 
education.  He  was  formerly  an  Abolitionist,  but  has  voted  with  the  Republi- 
can party  since  he  cast  his  first  vote  for  Fremont.  He  was  chiefly  instru- 
mental in  establishing  the  electric-light  plant  in  Mendota,  and  has  become 
closely  identified  with  the  city  from  his  long  residence  and  public  spirit,  and  is 
among  the  leading  and  most  highly  respected  residents  of  the  city. 


JOHN  B.  OSTRANDER. 

John  B.  Ostrander,  proprietor  of  the  Covel  Creek  House  in  South 
Ottawa  township,  LaSalle  county,  is  one  of  the  well-known  men  of  the  town- 
ship. He  has  himself  been  a  traveler  to  a  considerable  extent,  having  made 
the  trip  to  the  Pacific  coast  three  times,  and  understands  the  business  of 
catering  to  the  traveling  public. 

Mr.  Ostrander  is  a  New  Yorker  by  birth.     He  was  born  near  Corinth, 


248  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

in  Saratoga  county,  of  the  Empire  state,  May  31,  1824,  a  son  of  New  York 
parents.  His  father,  Joseph  P.  Ostrander,  was  a  native  of  Rensselaer 
county,  while  his  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Rachel  Barber,  was 
born  in  Tompkins  county,  both  representatives  of  old  and  well-known  fami- 
lies. John  Ostrander,  the  grandfather  of  John  B.,  was  a  Revolutionary 
soldier.  His  parents  came  to  this  country  from  Holland.  Joseph  B.  Os- 
trander and  wife  came  to  Illinois  in  1852  and  settled  in  Livingston  county, 
where  he  died.  The  mother  of  our  subject  died  in  Boone  county,  Iowa, 
at  the  age  of  seventy-three  years.  The  father  was  twice  married,  and  had 
two  children  by  the  first  wife  and  five  by  the  second.  Of  this  number 
three  are  now  living:  John  B.,  whose  name  initiates  this  review;  Mrs, 
Jane  Tombaugh,  of  Livingston  county,  Illinois;  and  Mrs.  Hannah  Clark, 
of  Boone  county,  Iowa. 

John  B.  was  reared  in  Erie  county,  Xew  York,  and  there  learned  the 
trade  of  carpenter.  He  came  out  to  Illinois  in  1844  and  was  employed  in 
work  at  his  trade  here  until  the  California  gold  "fever"  broke  out  in  1849, 
when  he  was  among  its  victims.  He  made  the  trip  overland  by  stage  to  Cali- 
fornia in  1863.  spent  some  time  at  "Hangtown,-"  or  Placerville.  and  returned 
east  by  way  of  the  isthmus  of  Panama,  again  taking  up  his  abode  in  Illinois. 
He  was  variously  employed  for  some  years,  made  several  moves,  going  in 
1875  to  Colorado,  where  he  rem.ained  a  short  time,  and  finally  settled  down 
to  the  hotel  business.  He  conducted  a  hotel  at  Marseilles,  Illinois,  for  some 
years  previous  to  his  taking  charge  of  the  Covel  Creek  House,  which  he  is 
now  running,  and  which  has  long  been  a  favorite  resort  for  travelers. 

Mr.  Ostrander  was  married  in  1849,  ^^  Deer  Park,  LaSalle  county,  Illi- 
nois, to  Miss  Nancy  Latham,  a  native  of  Bradford  county,  Pennsylvania, 
born  in  1834.  a  daughter  of  Lyman  S.  and  ]\Iary  A.  (Gollop)  Latham,  both 
natives  of  Connecticut.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Latham  came  west  to  Livingston 
county,  Illinois,  in  1838,  and  resided  here  until  1862,  when  they  went  to 
California.  Both  parents  died  in  the  Golden  state, — the  father  at  the  age 
of  sixty-five  years,  the  mother  at  eighty-four.  In  their  family  were  eight 
children,  four  sons  and  four  daughters,  ]\Irs.  Ostrander  being  the  only  one 
now  living  in  LaSalle  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ostrander  have  had  nine  chil- 
dren, six  of  whom  are  living,  viz.:  Helen,  wife  of  Ed  Udell,  of  Rantoul, 
Illinois;  Bellzora,  wife  of  John  Poundstone,  of  Grand  Rapids  township,  La- 
Salle county;  Mary,  wife  of  John  A.  Sale,  of  Rantoul,  Illinois;  Charles  H., 
principal  of  a  public  school  in  Chicago;  Frank  M.,  a  carpenter  at 
Mazon,  Grundy  county,  Illinois;  and  Albert  N.,  at  home,  a  carpenter. 
The  three  deceased  are  Viola,  who  died  at  the  age  of  five  years;  Augusta  J., 
at  the  age  of  fifteen  months;  and  Arthur,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years. 
The  last  named  was  a  promising  young  man  and  successful  teacher. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  249 

Politically  Mr.  Ostrander  is  a  Republican,  taking  a  commendable  inter- 
est in  public  affairs,  and  has  filled  several  local  offices.  As  a  citizen  he  stands 
in  high  esteem. 


SIMON  T.  OSGOOD. 


The  standing  of  a  town  or  community  is  measured  -by  the  character 
of  its  business  men,  and  in  this  respect  Marseilles  is  especially  fortunate. 
For  about  a  quarter  of  a  century  Simon  T.  Osgood,  one  of  its  most  progres- 
sive and  enterprising  citizens,  has  been  closely  associated  with  its  upbuild- 
ing and  prosperity,  and  with  the  patriotic  spirit  of  all  true  Americans  has 
used  his  influence  and  means  in  the  support  of  worthy  public  industries  and 
undertakings,  upholding  the  law  and  good  government  and  everything  else 
making  for  the  permanent  good  of  the  people. 

The  Osgood  family,  to  which  our  subject  belongs,  is  one  of  the  oldest 
and  most  honored  of  New  England,  it  having  been  founded  here  in  1638 
by  one  John  Osgood,  an  Englishman,  and  his  wife,  Sarah.  They  settled  at 
first  in  Andover,  Essex  county,  Massachusetts,  and  several  generations 
of  their  descendants  have  lived  in  the  Bay  state.  The  great-grandfather  of 
our  subject  was  Josiah  Osgood,  and  the  great-great-grandfather  bore  the 
Christian  name  of  David.  The  grandfather,  Luther  Osgood,  was  born  in 
Wendell,  Massachusetts,  June  20,  1780,  and  when  the  war  of  181 2  was 
being  waged  with  England  he  served  in  the  ranks  of  the  American  army. 
For  a  wife  he  chose  Miss  Joanna  (Beaman)  Osgood,  of  Sterling  and 
Wendell,  Massachusetts. 

The  parents  of  Simon  T.  Osgood  were  Luther  P.  and  Catherine  (Toll) 
Osgood,  the  latter  a  daughter  of  Simon  and  Susan  (Conde)  Toll,  and  born 
in  the  Mohawk  valley  in  1821.  In  1852  the  Osgood  family  removed  to 
LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  and  located  upon  a  farm  in  Brookfield  township. 
The  father  became  one  of  the  successful  and  influential  agriculturists  of  that 
section,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1889,  he  left  a  valuable  estate,  as  a 
result  of  his  well-applied  energy  and  business  acumen.  Both  himself  and 
wife  were  prominent  members  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  led  worthy,  up- 
right Christian  lives.  The  wafe  and  mother  did  not  long  survive  her  hus- 
band, as  she  received  her  summons  to  the  silent  land  in  1890.  Of  their 
children  Lucy  M.  is  the  wife  of  George  Marsh,  of  Washington,  District  of 
Columbia;  Susan  Condee  is  the  widow  of  Henry  Upton,  late  of  Pierce,  Ne- 
braska; Catherine  married  Charles  M.  Carpenter,  of  Rock  Rapids,  Iowa; 
Frances  P.  is  the  wife  of  Marshall  M.  Armstrong,  of  Ottawa,  Illinois;  and 
Henry  D.,  Luther  P.,  Simon  T.,  and  Charles  DeWitt  are  all  residents  of 
Marseilles. 


250  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

Born  in  the  town  of  Verona,  Oneida  county,  New  York,  March  14,  1843, 
Simon  T.  Osgood  lived  in  his  native  place  for  four  years,  after  which  he 
passed  five  years  in  Oswego  county,  same  state.  Since  1852  he  has  dwelt 
in  LaSalle  county,  and  until  1875  w-as  connected  with  the  agricultural  inter- 
ests of  Brookfield  township.  For  many  years  he  was  associated  in  the 
grain  business  with  Isaac  Gage,  also  operating  a  planing-mill  and  dealing 
extensively  in  ki'mber  until  after  the  death  of  the  senior  partner.  Since 
1890  Mr.  Osgood  has  devoted  his  time  and  attention  chiefly  to  the  real- 
estate  business,  and  has  bought  and  sold  large  tracts  of  land  in  the  western 
states.  He  owns  considerable  property  in  this  county  as  well  as  elsewhere, 
and  has  amassed  a  large  fortune  by  his  excellent  financiering. 

On  the  22d  of  January.  1868,  Mr.  Osgood  married  Miss  Louisa  C.  Gage, 
of  Brookfield  township.  She  is  the  eldest  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Lucy  (Lit- 
tle) Gage,  and  was  born  and  reared  in  the  township  just  mentioned.  The 
following  named  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Osgood:  Edgar  G.; 
Harriet  L.,  wife  of  Howard  McCullough,  of  Marseilles;  Susan  Conde,  now 
a  resident  of  Phoenix,  Arizona,  and  the  w-ife  of  Rev.  George  H.  Brewer; 
Isaac  Gage,  who  married  Lottie  Estelle  Drakley,  the  youngest  daughter  of 
Thomas  Drakley,  of  ]\Ianlius  township,  and  is  managing  the  old  home- 
stead in  Brookfield  township;  Lucy  L.,  a  student  in  the  Chicago  university; 
John  L.,  attending  Morgan  Park  Academy,  near  Chicago;  and  Beman  F., 
Simon  Milford  and  Catherine  Toll,  at  home. 

Religiously  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Osgood  are  Baptists,  belonging  to  the  Mar- 
seilles church,  where  he  has  acted  in  the  capacity  of  deacon  for  a  score  of 
years  or  more.  Politically  Mr.  Osgood  is  a  Republican,  and  for  several 
years  has  been  one  of  the  trustees  of  Marseilles.  He  is  a  man  with  high 
ideals  of  duty,  and  to  his  children  he  will  leave  an  honorable  record,  of  which 
they  will  have  just  cause  to  be  proud. 


JAMES  L.  HILL. 


James  L.  Hill  resides  near  Kernan,  and  is  one  of  the  most  popular  and 
progressive  young  farmers  of  LaSalle  county,  where  he  was  born  February 
24,  1869.  His  parents  were  Thork  and  Elizebeth  (Engleson)  Hill.  His 
father  was  born  in  Norway  in  1840,  and  when  a  lad  of  fifteen  came  to  the 
United  States  and  made  his  home  in  this  county.  In  1862  he  enlisted 
in  Company  F,  One  Hundred  and  Fourth  Illinois  Infantry,  under  Captain 
J.  J.  McKinnan,  and  took  part  in  a  number  of  engagements,  among  them 
the  battles  of  Hartsville,  Tennessee,  Chickamauga  and  Missionary  Ridge. 
He  was  in  the  grand  review  at  Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  and  re- 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  251 

ceived  his  honorable  discharge  in  June,  1865.  His  wife  was  Miss  Elizebeth 
Engleson,  who  was  born  in  Norway,  and  was  a  daughter  of  James  Engleson, 
deceased.  He  took  his  young  wife  to  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres,  which  he  had  purchased  and  which  they  utilized  with  unremitting 
care.  Prosperity  attended  their  efiforts,  and  they  were  able  to  add  to  their 
original  purchase  until  they  had  a  farm  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of 
fertile  farm  land.  A  family  of  six  children  grew  up  around  them,  viz.: 
Serena,  who  was  formerly  a  successful  teacher,  and  is  now  the  wife  of  Elmer 
Remey,  of  Muncie,  Indiana;  James  L.,  our  subject;  Bertha  M.,  a  popular 
teacher  in  Streator,  this  state;  Allie  B.,  wife  of  Peter  Peterson,  of  Otter 
Creek  township;  Rosa  D.,  who  is  engaged  in  teaching  school;  and  Lizzie  T., 
who  is  yet  a  student.  The  mother  resides  at  Streator,  and  the  father  died 
June  13,  1894,  at  the  age  of  fifty-four  years.  He  was  a  Republican  and  a 
member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  at  Ransom. 

James  L.  Hill  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  township  (Otter  Creek), 
attending  the  public  schools  in  winter  and  working  on  the  farm  in  summer, 
and  later  taking  hold  of  the  more  serious  duties  of  life  with  a  vim  that 
bespoke  success  and  won  for  him  the  hearty  approval  and  commendation 
of  even  the  most  critical.  He  acquired  a  good  common-school  education, 
and  was  well  prepared  to  enter  upon  his  career  in  the  pursuits  of  agriculture 
in  an  intelligent  manner.  Developing  a  predilection  for  the  carpenter's 
trade,  he  entered  the  employ  of  S.  W.  Egbert,  a  contractor  of  Streator, 
and  for  three  years  gave  his  whole  time  and  attention  to  learning  the  busi- 
ness. At  length,  however,  owing  to  the  failing  health  of  his  father,  he 
returned  to  the  farm  and  managed  it  with  vigor  and  magnificent  success. 
He  takes  great  pleasure  and  pride  in  having  only  the  best,  his  specialty  being 
the  breeding  of  high-grade  poultry. 

November  28,  1894,  he  w^as  united  in  matrimony  with  Miss  Stella  M. 
Hayes,  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Emma  Hayes,  of  Wedron,  in  which  place 
Mrs.  Hill  was  brought  up  and  educated.  October  16,  1899,  to  this  worthy 
couple  twins  were  born,  named  Glen  O.  and  Gale  E. 

Mr.  Hill  is  a  Republican  in  his  politics,  and  has  served  his  township  one 
term  as  constable,  one  term  as  a  school  trustee  and  two  terms  as  a  collector. 


FRANK  L.  HOWE. 


•  Among  the  prosperous  farmers  of  Miller  township,  LaSalle  county, 
Illinois,  may  be  mentioned  Frank  L.  Howe,  whose  postof^ce  address  is 
Seneca.  He  was  born  in  the  township  in  which  he  lives,  January  17,  i860, 
a  son  of  Isaac  W.  and  Alma  (Packer)  Howe,  who  were  among  the  early 
settlers  of  LaSalle  county,  and  who  lived  on  their  farm  in  Miller  township 


252  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

for  many  years,  rearing  their  family  here.  Their  five  children,  now  scattered 
and  settled  in  life,  are  as  follows:  Jenny,  wife  of  E.  R.  Butterfield,  of  St. 
LaAvrence,  South  Dakota;  John  B.,  of  Kentland,  Indiana;  Ida,  wife  of  W. 
J.  Thomas,  of  Seneca,  Illinois;  Charles,  also  of  Seneca;  and  Frank  L.,  whose 
name  forms  the  heading  of  this  sketch.  The  mother  of  these  children 
was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Frank  L.  Howe  passed  his  boyhood  days  as  other  farmer  boys,  assisting 
in  the  farm  work  and  attending  the  public  schools,  and  when  he  grew  up 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  on  his  own  account.  He  has  been  success- 
ful in  his  operations,  has  acquired  considerable  property,  and  is  one  of  the 
well-known  and  prosperous  farmers  of  the  county. 

Mr.  Howe  was  married  September  27,  1882,  to  Miss  ]\Iary  \>lma  Fry, 
a  native  of  Grundy  county,  Illinois,  and  a  daughter  of  Simon  and  Achsah 
(Wilson)  Fry.  !Mr.  Fry  was  a  Virginian,  who  went  from  that  state  to 
Indiana  in  1836,  and  in  1840  came  over  into  Illinois,  where  he  made  a  per- 
manent settlement.  Here  he  married  Miss  Wilson,  the  daughter  of  William 
Wilson,  a  native  of  New  York  state.  The  fruits  of  their  union  were  four 
children,  namely:  Andrew  J.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years; 
Aaron  Burr,  a  resident  of  LaSalle  county;  ^lary  V.,  wife  of  Mr.  Howe;  and 
Jeannette,  wife  of  F.  A.  Mossman.  of  Xettle  Creek  township,  Grundy  county. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Howe  have  two  children:  Edna  M.,  born  April  24,  1885; 
and  James  Wallace,  born  September  16,  1889. 

]\Ir.  Howe's  father  was  a  Democrat,  and  he  also  gives  his  support  to  this 
party. 


WILLIAM  T.  BEDFORD. 

William  Turner  Bedford,  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  LaSalle  Tribune, 
first  saw  the  light  of  day  on  September  18,  1863,  in  Surrey,  England,  and  was 
a  member  of  one  of  the  most  prominent  families  of  that  community.  His 
grandfather,  Joshua  Thomas  Bedford,  represented  the  ward  of  Farrington 
Without  in  the  London  common  council  for  a  period  of  niore  than  thirty 
years,  and  at  his  death  was  succeeded  by  his  brother,  John  T.  Bedford,  who 
is  still  a  member  of  that  council.  His  father  was  William  Henry  Bedford, 
who  died  in  1872.  William  H.  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ellen  Thorn- 
ton, a  daughter  of  the  late  General  Thornton,  who  distinguished  himself 
while  fighting  with  the  allied  armies  of  England  and  France,  against  Russia, 
in  the  Crimean  war  of  1854, 

William  Turner  Bedford  received  his  education  in  his  mother  country, 
graduating  in  1879  at  Christ's  College,  London,  with  the  honors  of  the  class. 
He  was  an  apt  pupil  and  diligent  in  his  studies,  and  the  energy  which  marked 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  253 

his  school  days  has  figured  prominently  in  his  business  career.  His  first  busi- 
ness experience  began  on  the  staff  in  the  correspondence  department  of  the 
large  wholesale  dry-goods  firm  of  Copestake,  Hughes,  Crampton  &  Com- 
pany. Having  read  much  of  the  ad\'antages  to  be  gained  in  America,  he 
determined  to  try  his  fortune  in  this  country  and  early  in  1884  sailed  for 
the  United  States.  He  landed  in  New  York  in  February  of  the  same  year 
and  at  once  came  to  LaSalle,  where  for  a  short  time  he  was  engaged  in  the 
insurance  business,  but  not  for  a  long  period.  His  ability  in  the  newspaper 
field  was  soon  recognized  and  he  was  offered  the  position  of  editor  of  the 
Peru  Daily  News-Herald.  He  was  the  LaSalle  editor  of  this  publication 
for  six  rears,  and  to  his  efforts,  largely,  is  attributed  the  success  of  that 
paper.  In  June,  1891,  he  succeeded  A.  L.  Hennessy  as  editor  and  publisher 
of  the  LaSalle  Republican.  He  changed  the  name  of  the  paper  to  the 
LaSalle  Weekly  Tribune,  and  on  July  ist  of  that  year  issued  the  first  number 
of  the  LaSalle  Daily  Tribune.  Although  started  on  a  very  modest  scale,  the 
Tribune  now  occupies  a  most  enviable  position  among  the  newspapers  of  this 
county  and  is  essentially  the  people's  paper,  giving  the  news  in  a  compre- 
hensive and  interesting  form.  Mr.  Bedford's  untiring  work  in  making  his 
paper  an  excellent  one  is  appreciated  by  the  public  and  has  enabled  him  to 
place  it  on  a  secure  financial  basis  which  is  flattering  in  the  extreme.  The 
Tribune  is  Republican  in  tone  and  is  earnest  and  fearless  in  its  advocacy  of 
what  it  considers  right,  and  equally  fearless  in  its  denunciation  of  wrong, 
gaining  it  many  supporters  among  Democrats  as  w^ell  as  Republicans;  for 
what  the  people  want  is  honest  convictions,  boldly  uttered. 

Mr.  Bedford  was  married  October  20,  1892,  to  Miss  Anna  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  George  B.  Treat,  of  LaSalle.  Being  of  a  social  disposition  he 
has  attached  himself  to  a  number  of  fraternal  orders,  being  a  member  of 
De  Soto  Lodge,  Knights  of  Pythias;  LaSalle  Lodge,  IMystic  Workers  of 
the  World;  and  Deer  Park  Camp,  ]\Iodern  Woodmen  of  /Vmerica.  He  is 
always  prominent  in  the  councils  of  the  Republican  party,  and  for  four  years 
has  represented  his  city  on  the  county  central  committee.  Although  a  young 
man  he  has  attained  a  wide  degree  of  popularity,  and  the  industry  and 
perseverance  which  have  characterized  his  past  bespeak  for  him  an  even  more 
successful  future. 


L.    J.    GROVE. 


L.  J.  Grove  was  born  January  29,  1842,  and  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Elma 
N.  (Jackson)  Grove,  and  a  grandson  of  John  and  Barbara  (Limberger) 
Grove,  the  grandfather  being  a  native  Virginian.  Joseph  Grove  was  born 
in  Licking  county,  Ohio,  December  28,  1806,  and  remained  there  until  he 


254  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

was  a  young  man  of  twenty-five  years.  He  then  left  that  state  and  came 
to  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  making  the  trip  on  horseback.  He  purchased 
the  farm  which  is  now  occupied  by  our  subject  and  became  one  of  the  most 
successful  farmers  of  this  region.  In  1838  he  was  married  to  Miss  Elma 
N.  Jackson,  a  native  of  the  state  of  Pennsylvania  and  a  daughter  of  Jesse 
Jackson,  who  came  to  LaSalle  county  at  an  early  day.  The  children  born 
to  them  were  as  follows:  Jesse,  of  Rutland  township;  L.  J.,  our  subject; 
Elmira,  wife  of  George  Pitzer,  of  Rutland  township;  Samantha,  wife  of 
Winkfield  L.  Appling,  of  \Mchita,  Kansas;  Mary,  wife  of  H.  L.  Loring,  of 
this  township;  Minerva,  who  died  in  childhood;  Jeremiah,  who  died  in  the 
civil  war;  David  L.,  who  went  to  South  America,  and  John,  who  died  in 
Nevada,  Stor}^  county,  Iowa,  and  left  a  widow  and  two  children.  The  hard- 
ships and  privations  endured  by  those  early  inhabitants  of  our  state  in  its 
wild,  uncultivated  condition,  were  enough  to  make  the  stoutest  heart  quail, 
and  they  left  their  impress  on  Mr.  Grove,  completely  shattering  his  health 
and  enfeebling  his  constitution,  and  eventually,  at  the  age  of  fifty-two  years, 
his  life  was  the  forfeit.  The  mother  reached  the  age  of  fifty-seven  years, 
when  she  too  passed  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death. 

L.  J.  Grove  was  educated  in  LaSalle  county,  where  he  grew  to  man- 
hood. The  first  school  which  he  attended  was  held  in  a  log  school-house, 
with  the  most  primitive  furnishings.  The  farm  upon  which  he  now  resides 
was  purchased  by  him  in  1866,  and  contains  two  hundred  and  forty  acres 
of  valuable  farm  land,  while  the  barn,  an  immense  structure  which  was  put 
up  in  1888,  would  be  noticeable  in  any  locality.  The  main  part  of  the  struc- 
ture is  forty  by  sixty-four  feet,  with  an  "L"  thirty-four  by  forty  feet,  while 
the  posts  used  in  its  construction  measure  twenty-four  feet.  In  1894  our 
subject  erected  a  handsome  residence,  at  a  cost  of  three  thousand  two  hun- 
dred dollars,  from  which  a  beautiful  view  of  the  surrounding  country  can 
be  seen,  and  it  is  conceded  that  he  has  one  of  the  most  attractive  places  in 
LaSalle  county. 

He  was  married  December  28,  1865,  to  Miss  Malinda  Pitzer.  daughter 
of  William  and  Sarah  (Kite)  Pitzer,  early  settlers  of  this  county.  Five  chil- 
dren have  resulted  from  this  union.  Their  only  son,  William  L.  Grove, 
was  born  on  May  25,  1869,  and  December  12,  1893.  he  married  Rose  A.,  an 
adopted  daughter  of  F.  A.  Forbes,  of  Seneca.  Two  children  have  been  born 
to  them, — Etta  Pearl,  who  died  at  the  age  of  two  years  and  nine  months,  and 
one  son,  Lucian,  born  December  3,  1898.  The  daughters  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
L.  J.  Grove  are  Etta,  wife  of  Arthur  Long,  of  Miller  township;  Cora  Mabel 
and  Belle,  at  home.  One  child  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Grove  and  family  are 
attendants  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which  they  are  members, 
and  are  liberal  contributors  to  its  cause.     He  is  a  believer  in  the  principles 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  255 

of  the  Democracy,  and  gives  his  support  to  that  party,  and  is  at  present  a 
faithful  member  of  the  school  board.  He  is  a  man  who  commands  the 
respect  and  confidence  of  every  one,  and  his  kindly  nature  is  ever  prompting 
him  to  deeds  of  mercy. 

ALBERT  WILLIAMSON. 

Among  the  popular  young  business  men  of  Miller  township,  LaSalle 
county,  Illinois,  is  Albert  Williamson,  proprietor  of  a  general  store  and  the 
postmaster  at  Danway. 

Mr.  Williamson  is  a  native  of  the  township  in  which  he  lives,  born 
February  15,  1870,  and  is  of  Norwegian  descent.  His  father,  Endre  William- 
son, was  born  in  Norway  in  18 19;  his  mother  was,  before  marriage,  Miss 
Christina  Gunnerson.  They  w^ere  the  parents  of  ten  children,  three  of  wdiom 
are  deceased.  Those  living  are  as  follows:  William  E.,  Alartin  E.,  Milton 
C,  Albert,  Cordelia,  Knutson  and  Theodore  H.,  the  last  named  on  the  old 
Williamson  homestead, — all  residents  of  Miller  township.  The  father  of 
these  children  died  some  years  ago,  and  their  mother  died  August  5,  1899. 

Albert  Williamson  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  the  Pleasant 
View  College,  and  after  leaving  the  latter  institution  secured  a  position  as 
clerk  in  a  dry-goods  store.  As  clerk  he  became  familiar  with  every  detail  of 
the  business,  was  employed  in  this  capacity  for  several  months,  and  last  year 
he  purchased  the  general  store  at  Danway,  w'hich  he  is  successfully  conduct- 
ing, and  where  by  his  uniform  courtesy. and  his  honorable  business  methods 
he  has  won  a  large  circle  of  friends.  Politically  he  is  a  Democrat.  Relig- 
iously a  Lutheran.     He  was  appointed  postmaster  in  1899. 


FRANK  D.  MOULTON. 

Frank  D.  Moulton,  one  of  Ottawa's  best  citizens,  was  born  in  Chicago, 
the  great  and  wonderful  metropolis  of  Illinois,  May  14,  i860,  the  only  child 
of  George  W.  Moulton  and  Lina  Daniels  Moulton.  His  mother  died  in 
the  centennial  year,  when  her  son  Frank  was  a  youth  of  sixteen. 

•Much  of  the  life  of  our  subject  has  been  passed  in  the  city  of  his  birth, 
to  whose  fine  public  schools  he  is  indebted  for  the  excellent  education  which 
he  possesses.  He  graduated  at  the  Chicago  high  school  in  1879,  at  the 
age  of  nineteen  years,  and  soon  afterward  accepted  a  position  as  clerk  in  a 
large  wholesale  mercantile  establishment.  The  years  of  1890  and  1891  he 
spent  in  New  York  city  and  Baltimore,  as  timekeeper  on  elevators  being  con- 
structed by  J.  T.  Moulton  &  Son,  grain  elevator  contractors.       But  he  re- 


256  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

turned  to  the  west,  better  satisfied  with  the  enterprise  and  business  activity 
which  prevails  here.  Since  1881  he  has  been  a  resident  of  Ottawa,  which 
place  he  intends  to  make  his  permanent  home.  He  is  now  engaged  with  the 
Pioneer  Fireproof  Construction  Company,  and  has  met  with  success  and  has 
won  an  enviable  reputation  among  the  citizens  of  Ottawa  as  a  man  of  sterling 
uprightness  and  reliability  in  all  his  dealings. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Moulton  and  Miss  Mabelle  Ashley,  a  graduate 
of  the  Ottawa  high  school,  and  a  lady  of  many  attractive  characteristics, 
was  solemnized  November  8,  1894.  Mrs.  Moulton  is  the  daughter  of 
Thomas  E.  and  Anna  M.  Ashley.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moulton  have  two  chil- 
dren,— George  Franklin,  born  December  14,  1895,  and  Lina  Maria,  born 
March  28,  1899. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Moulton  is  a  Knight  of  Pythias,  and  has  served  as 
master  of  finance  of  his  lodge  several  years.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Uni- 
formed Rank,  K.  of  P.,  and  has  been  recorder  many  years.  Politically  Mr. 
Moulton  is  associated  with  the  Republican  party.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  church,  and  is  a  valued  worker  in  the  Sunday-school,  contributing 
liberally  of  his  time,  means  and  influence  to  the  advancement  of  Christianity 
and  high  and  noble  principles  of  living. 

Mr.  Moulton  is  a  cousin  of  George  M.  Moulton,  colonel  of  the  Second 
Regiment,  I.  N.  G.,  who  served  in  the  late  war  in  Cuba  and  afterward  was 
a  member  of  Colonel  Fitzhugh  Lee's  staff  in  Havana. 


JOSEPH  C.  HITTER. 


Joseph  C.  Hitter  is  a  native  of  Otter  Creek  township,  born  January  6, 
1856,  where  he  now  resides,  near  Streator,  LaSalle  county,  and  is  a  son  of 
Henry  and  Augusta  (Weler)  Hitter.  Henry  Hitter  was  of  German  descent, 
his  ancestors  having  made  their  home  in  Saxony  for  many  decades.  He 
was  among  the  early  settlers  of  LaSalle  county,  was  married  in  Streator  to 
Miss  Augusta  Weler,  and  located  at  Willow  Park.  Later  he  moved  to  Chi- 
cago, where  he  now  resides.  He  is  a  Republican  in  his  political  views,  and 
in  religion  a  devout  member  of  the  Evangelical  church.  Six  children  com- 
pose their  family,  viz.:  John,  of  Iroquois  county;  William,  who  died  in  in- 
fancy; Joseph  C,  the  subject  of  this  biography;  George,  of  Iroquois  coimty; 
Melissa  (Mrs.  Charles  Iserman),  of  this  township;  and  Emily  Nolan,  of 
Chicago. 

Joseph  C.  Hitter  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  LaSalle 
county,  and  after  completing  his  education  turned  his  attention  to  farm- 
ing.    Realizing  that  whatever  he  achieved  must  be  by  his  own  unaided  ef- 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  257 

forts,  he  applied  himself  diligently  to  his  chosen  task,  and  is  to-day  one  of 
the  most  substantial  and  influential  citizens  of  his  locality,  a  self-made  man 
in  the  truest  sense  of  the  word.  His  farm  is  supplied  with  good,  comfortable 
buildings,  and  shows  that  neatness  and  care  have  been  used  in  its  manage- 
ment. 

January  3,  1878,  he  led  to  the  altar  Miss  Carrie  Iserman,  daughter  of 
William  Iserman,  a  prominent  farmer  residing  in  this  township.  She  is  a 
native  of  this  county,  where  she  was  educated  and  grew  to  womanhood,  and 
her  many  excellent  qualities  of  mind  and  heart  have  endeared  her  to  a  large 
circle  of  friends.  An  interesting  family  of  eight  children  have  blessed  their 
liome,  the  two  older,  Estella  B.  and  Lillie  E.,  being  employed  as  teachers  in 
the  public  schools,  where  they  have  met  with  success.  Nora  E.,  Josie  N., 
Ida  A.,  Lawrence  A.,  and  Pearl  W.  constitute  the  other  members  of  the 
family,  Clarence  J.  having  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Hitter  has  been  warmly 
interested  in  the  cause  of  education,  and  for  a  number  of  years  was  one  of 
the  most  efificient  members  of  the  school  board,  making  the  opportunity,  if 
none  was  offered,  for  promoting  educational  interests.  Furthermore  Mr. 
Hitter  is  greatly  interested  in  public  roads,  having  held  the  office  as  commis- 
sioner of  highways  for  nine  successive  years  in  Otter  Creek  township.  His 
family  are  extremely  popular  in  the  social  circles  in  which  they  move,  and 
their  integrity  and  fundamental  worth  have  won  for  them  general  approval 
and  respect. 


W.  GUY  ROSEBERY. 


W.  Guy  Rosebery,  the  principal  of  Brown's  Business  College  at  Ottawa, 
is  an  educator  well  known  in  this  section  of  the  state,  and  his  marked  devo- 
tion to  the  profession  he  has  chosen,  combined  with  actual  ability,  has  gained 
him  deserved  prestige.  He  was  born  in  Madison  county,  Illinois,  near  the 
historic  towns  of  Edwardsville  and  Alton.  His  father,  Robert  A.  Rosebery, 
is  well  and  favorably  kn'own  throughout  the  county.  The  Gillhams,  of 
\\hich  family  his  mother  was  a  member,  and  the  Roseberys  were  among  the 
first  settlers  of  southern  Illinois,  and  are  to-day  prominent  in  political,  edu- 
cational and  social  affairs. 

Mr.  Rosebery  acquired  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Madison 
and  Montgomery  counties,  and  in  the  Peoria  high  school.  He  prepared 
for  his  work  as  a  business  educator  by  a  thorough  course  in  Brown's  Peoria 
Business  College,  one  of  the  leading  schools  of  the  kind  in  the  country,  and 
by  private  tutor.  After  teaching  for  about  five  years  in  the  Peoria  Business 
College  he  came  to  Ottawa,  in  1896,  having  been  elected  the  principal  of  the 
commercial  department  of  Pleasant  View  College.     He  remained  here  for 


258  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

three  years,  giving  his  best  efforts  to  the  Avork  and  estabHshing  this  depart- 
ment on  a  very  thorough  and  practical  basis.  In  July,  1899,  he  resigned 
his  position  at  this  school  to  become  the  principal  of  Brown's  Ottawa  Busi- 
ness College,  to  which  institution  he  is  now  devoting  all  his  energies.  This 
school  is  a  part  of  the  system  known  as  Brown's  Business  Colleges,  seven 
large  and  successful  schools  being  under  one  management.  Professor  G. 
W.  Brown,  of  Jacksonville,  Illinois,  is  the  president,  and  the  various  schools 
are  located  respectively  at  Jacksonville,  Peoria,  Decatur,  Galesburg,  Bloom- 
ington,  Centralia  and  Ottawa.  Brown's  Business  College  made  a  splendid  ex- 
hibit at  the  educational  exhibit  at  the  World's  Fair,  receiving  both  diplomas 
and  medals.  Professor  Brown  was  the  manager  of  the  business  educational 
exhibit  at  the  World's  Fair,  having  been  selected  by  the  business  colleges  of 
America.  Professor  Rosebery  has  made  the  business  college  at  Ottawa  of 
equal  prominence  and  proficiency  with  the  others. 

His  reputation  in  educational  circles  is  indeed  enviable.  He  holds  a 
World's  Fair  diploma,  issued  by  the  board  of  lady  managers  to  the  business 
educators  who  prepared  students  to  assist  in  the  business  college  exhibit  at 
the  World's  Fair.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Business  Teachers'  Association, 
the  Western  Penman's  Association  and  the  Federation  of  Commercial 
Teachers  of  America. 

Mr.  Roseber)^  was  married  in  January,  1900,  to  Miss  Addielou  Grant,  of 
Newport,  Vermont,  the  daughter  of  Theophilus  Grant,  one  of  the  prominent 
residents  of  the  state. 


CHARLES  P.  SALLADAY. 

Among  the  representative  citizens  of  the  town  of  Streator,  Illinois,  is 
Charles  P.  Salladay,  local  manager  of  the  Armour  Packing  Company.  He 
is  a  "Hoosier"  by  nativity,  born  in  Albion,  Noble  county,  Indiana,  October 
22,  1 861,  a  son  of  Samuel  H.  and  Mary  Ann  (Russell)  Salladay. 

Samuel  H.  Salladay  was  a  son  of  James  Salladay  and  was  born  in 
Kentucky  in  18 13.  By  occupation  he  was  a  farmer.  The  greater  part  of 
his  life  was  spent  in  Indiana,  but  when  well  advanced  in  years  he  went  to 
Clinton,  Iowa,  where  he  died  in  1898.  The  mother  of  our  subject,  Mary  A. 
Russell,  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1823,  her  parents  having  moved  at  an  early  day 
from  Vermont  to  that  state.  She  died  in  1890.  In  their  family  were  seven 
children,  three  daughters  and  four  sons,  of  which  number  four  lived  to  adult 
age,  the  others  dying  in  infancy.  Only  two  are  now  living, — Charles  P.  and 
his  sister,  Mrs.  C.  S.  Maltby,  a  resident  of  Iowa. 

Charles  P.  Salladay  spent  the  first  thirteen  years  of  his  life  in  his  native 
town,  Albion,  Indiana.     Then  he  moved  with  his  parents  to  Mercer  county, 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  259 

Illinois,  and  for  a  time  attended  school  at  Alexis,  Illinois,  following  which 
he  was  for  three  years  a  student  in  Monmouth  College,  Monmouth,  Illinois. 
He  concluded  his  schooling  with  one  year  at  Davenport,  Iowa.  Then  he 
entered  the  employ  of  the  Armour  Packing  Company,  at  Davenport,  where 
he  remained  thus  occupied  until  1895.  That  year  he  was  transferred  to 
Streator,  Illinois,  and  placed  in  charge  of  the  company's  business  as  local 
manager  for  Streator  and  neighboring  towns  in  LaSalle  and  adjacent  coun- 
ties. 

In  1896  Mr.  Salladay  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sue  Atherton,  of 
Streator,  wdiere  she  was  born,  daughter  of  George  H.  Atherton.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Salladay  have  one  son, — George  Harrison,  born  March  10,  1897. 

Fraternally  the  subject  of  our  sketch  is  identified  with  several  organiza- 
tions, including  Emulation  Lodge,  F.  and  A.  M.,  of  Clinton,  Iowa;  Colum- 
bus Lodge,  No.  333,  K.  of  P.,  of  Davenport,  Iowa;  and  Streator  Lodge, 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 


PROF.   CHARLES  ORRIN   SOLBERG,  A.   M.,  B.   D. 

Pleasant  View  Luther  college,  one  of  the  representative  educational 
institutions  of  Ottawa,  and  indeed  of  this  section  of  Illinois,  has  not  long  been 
in  the  field,  yet  has  gained  a  very  enviable  reputation.  It  is  conceded  by 
all  that  a  better  place  of  training  for  the  young  would  be  hard  to  find,  as 
here  not  only  his  mind  but  his  heart  and  higher  nature  as  well  are  cultivated, 
and  he  goes  forth  to  fight  the  battle  of  life  well  equipped  in  every  respect. 
The  college  is  mentioned  at  some  length  in  the  sketch  of  the  president, 
Rev.  L.  A.  Vigness. 

The  parents  of  Professor  C.  O.  Solberg  are  Halvor  and  Anna  (Natesta) 
Solberg,  his  father  being  a  native  of  Norway.  Charles  is  one  of  four  chil- 
dren, all  sons,  and  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Beloit,  Wisconsin.  His 
birth  took  place  in  Fillmore  county,  Minnesota,  on  the  24th  of  December, 
1869.  Naturally  of  a  studious  turn  of  mind,  he  made  the  most  of  his  oppor- 
tunities for  the  accjuisition  of  an  education,  graduating  at  Beloit  college, 
Beloit,  Wisconsin,  in  1893.  He  then  entered  the  Lutheran  Seminary  in  Chi- 
cago, and  was  graduated  in  that  institution  of  learning  in  the  class  of  1896, 
the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Divinity  being  conferred  upon  him.  He  imme- 
diately entered  upon  his  career  as  a  teacher,  and  from  the  first  has  met  with 
gratifying  success.  His  methods  are  broad  and  liberal,  and  he  has  the  rare 
and  happy  faculty  of  being  able  to  impart  instruction  in  a  clear  and  pleasing 
manner.  With  his  pupils  he  is  deservedly  popular,  and  his  ready  sympathy 
and  helpfulness  is  deeply  appreciated  by  them.     At  present  he  is  teaching 


26o  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

classes  in  Greek  and  English,  though  his  duties  are  not  thus  limited,  but  have 
a  comprehensive  grasp  of  the  work  being  performed  in  the  school.  Young, 
active  and  ambitious,  he  is  pressing  forward  to  greater  triumphs,  which  he 
undoubtedly  will  win. 

The  marriage  of  Professor  Solberg  and  Miss  Anne  Louise  Jacobson,  a 
lady  of  excellent  education  and  cultured  tastes,  was  solemnized  in  Clinton, 
Wisconsin,  in  1896.  They  have  one  child,  a  little  daughter,  whom  they 
have  named  Helen  Eunice. 


GEORGE  A.  SCHMID. 


Standing  in  the  front  ranks  of  LaSalle  county's  successful  business  men 
is  George  A.  Schmid,  of  Streator.  By  well-directed  energy  and  strict  ad- 
herence to  well-established  financial  methods  he  has  won  an  enviable  repu- 
tation for  acumen  and  ability,  while  at  the  same  time  he  bears  an  unimpeach- 
able name  in  regard  to  integrity  and  square  dealing. 

The  birth  of  Mr.  Schmid  took  place  near  Beyreuth,  Bavaria,  Germany, 
August  23,  1856.  His  parents  were  John  and  Eva  M.  (Insbruker)  Schmid, 
who  passed  their  entire  lives  in  the  kingdom  of  Bavaria.  The  father  visited 
America,  and  was  very  favorably  impressed  with  the  people  and  country,  but 
circumstances  prevented  his  settling  here,  as  he  frequently  remarked  that 
he  would  like  to  do,  and  his  liking  for  America  and  her  institutions  was  nec- 
essarily an  influential  factor  in  the  decision  of  our  subject  a  few  years  later. 

In  the  common  and  high  schools  of  his  native  land  George  A.  Schmid 
obtained  an  excellent  education,  and  when  a  youth  of  fifteen  he  commenced 
serving  an  apprenticeship  to  the  cabinet  and  carpenter's  trades.  Before  he 
had  quite  finished  the  three  years  of  his  engagement  his  father  purchased  his 
time  of  his  employer,  and  not  long  afterward  the  young  man  sailed  for  i\mer- 
ica.  Arriving  in  New  York  city,  he  remained  there  for  a  year,  working  as  a 
carpenter,  and  then  went  to  a  small  town  in  Pennsylvania,  where  he  found 
employment.  Subsequently  he  was  given  a  position  in  the  carpenter's  de- 
partment of  the  car  construction  shops  at  Irwin,  Pennsylvania,  and  in  1879 
he  came  to  Streator,  where  he  worked  for  the  Chicago,  Pekin  &  Southwest- 
ern Railroad  in  their  car-repairing  shops. 

For  three  years  Mr.  Schmid  worked  for  the  firm  of  Sipe  &  Miller,  con- 
tractors and  builders  of  this  place,  at  the  end  of  that  time  buying  an  interest 
in  the  business.  He  continued  with  his  old  associates  as  a  partner  until 
1894,  when  he  became  the  sole  proprietor,  buying  out  the  others'  interest. 
He  deals  in  lumber,  lime  and  cement,  and  carries  on  a  large  and  finely 
equipped  planing-mill  and  sash,  door  and  blind  factory.    A  specialty  is  made 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  261 

of  material  for  the  fine  interior  work  of  stores,  banks  and  churches;  and  all 
kinds  of  moldings  and  finished  lumber  is  furnished  the  trade.  Many  of  the 
splendid  churches  and  public  buildings,  as  well  as  some  of  the  best  residences 
of  Streator  and  neighboring  towns,  have  been  constructed  under  the  contract 
of  Mr.  Schmid,  who  employs  from  thirty  to  forty  skilled  workmen  to  carry 
out  his  plans.  Of  this  number  twenty-three  are  on  his  pay  rolls  winter  and 
summer,  the  whole  year  round,  and  frequently  in  the  busy  season  this  force 
is  strongly  augmented.  It  might  be- mentioned  that  Mr.  Schmid  built  St. 
Anthony's  Catholic  church  in  Streator,  and  completed  the  interior  work  as 
well  as  the  rest  of  the  structure,  and  the  substantial  church  at  Budd,  Living- 
ston county;  St.  Mary's  church  at  Pontiac,  Illinois;  St.  Thomas'  church  at 
Philo;  St.  Mary's  church  at  El  Paso,  this  state;  and  convents  and  sisters' 
homes  at  Eagle  and  Campus,  Illinois,  and  the  Spaulding  Lyceum  at  Streator. 

Erom  its  inception  until  the  present  time  Mr.  Schmid  has  been  actively 
connected  with  the  Streator  German  Building  &  Loan  Association,  and  is 
now  its  vice  president.  Eraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the  Ancient  Order  of 
United  Workmen,  and  belongs  to  the  Catholic  Order  of  Eoresters.  He 
has  served  the  city  as  alderman  for  four  years. 

In  1882  Mr.  Schmid  and  Miss  Lucy  C.  Wachter,  a  native  of  Illinois, 
were  united  in  marriage.  They  have  become  the  parents  of  three  daughters, 
— Theresa,  Lucy  and  Eva, — all  now  attending  school.  The  family  belong 
to  St.  Anthony's  CathoHc  church,  and  are  respected  and  held  in  high  regard 
by  a  large  circle  of  acquaintances. 


GAYLORD  J.  STATES. 


On  section  28,  Miller  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  is  found  the 
pleasant  home  and  farm  of  Gaylord  States,  one  of  the  up-to-date  farmers  of 
the  county. 

Mr.  States  is  a  native  of  the  Buckeye  state,  having  been  born  in  Fairfield 
county,  Ohio,  February  26,  1855.  His  grandfather  and  father,  Abraham  and 
Emanuel  States,  respectively,  were  Pennsylvanians,  the  latter  born  May  6, 
1823.  At  an  early  date  the  States  family  moved  to  Ohio,  where  they  lived 
until  1858,  and  it  was  in  that  state  that  Emanuel  States  was  first  married. 
His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Elenora  Lysinger,  was  born  in  Bedford 
county,  Pennsylvania,  September  9,  1828,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Lysinger, 
who  was  of  German  descent.  This  union  was  blessed  in  the  birth  of  twelve 
children,  of  whom  the  following  are  still  living:  Amanda,  wife  of  C.  E. 
Spencer;  George  and  William,  twins,  of  Greene  county,  Iowa;  Rebecca  C. 
Harris,  of  Dallas  county.  Iowa;  Gaylord  J.;  John  N.,  of  Grundy  county,  Illi- 


262  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

nois;  Charles  D.,  of  Greene  county,  Iowa;  Frank  E.,  on  the  homestead;  and 
Cora,  wife  of  James  Parr,  of  Greene  county,  Iowa.  Those  deceased  are 
Angeline,  Theodore  and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  The  mother  of  this  fam- 
ily died  April  9,  1876.  She  was  for  many  years,  and  up  to  the  time  of  her 
death,  a  devoted  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  For  his  second  wife  the 
father  married  Mrs,  Eliza  Coats,  of  Lewis  county,  New  York,  who  died 
August  8,  1897. 

Mr.  States  passed  away  March  9,  1899.  Politically  he  was  in  early  life 
a  Whig,  and  later  identified  himself  with  the  Republican  party,  of  which 
he  was  a  supporter  the  rest  of  his  life.  He  was  a  great  admirer  of  General 
Fremont,  and  voted  for  him  for  president. 

In  1 861,  when  Gaylord  J.  States,  the  direct  subject  of  this  sketch,  was 
six  years  old,  his  parents  moved  from  Ohio  to  Illinois  and  settled  on  a  farm 
in  LaSalle  county,  where  they  lived  one  year,  then  removing  to  Grundy 
county,  Illinois,  remaining  there  until  1865,  when  they  located  on  the  old 
home  farm,  section  33,  Miller  township;  here  he  was  reared  and  educated, 
his  educational  advantages  being  limited  to  the  public  schools.  He  has 
always  given  his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits,  and  has  been  fairly  pros- 
perous in  his  operations.  His  present  farm,  comprising  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  choice  land,  well  improved,  and  under  a  high  state  of  cultiva- 
tion, he  has  owned  and  occupied  since  1880. 

August  12,  1879,  Mr.  States  married  Miss  Emma  F.  Long,  daughter  of 
Lewis  Long,  of  Miller  township,  LaSalle  county.  She  was  born  and  edu- 
cated in  this  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  States  are  the  parents  of  two  daughters, 
Maude  E.  and  Lena,  aged  respectively  eighteen  and  fifteen  years. 

Like  his  father,  Mr.  States  is  a  stanch  Republican.  He  has  served  four, 
terms  on  the  school  board,  is  interested  in  all  that  contributes  to  the  general 
welfare  of  his  community,  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  its  substantial  citizens. 
Naturally  of  a  genial,  social  nature,  he  is  a  favorite  w-ith  his  large  circle  of 
friends,  and  his  accomplishments  as  a  musician,  in  playing  both  the  piano 
and  violin,  add  in  no  small  measure  to  his  popularity.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Modern  Woodmen. 


A.  R.  VAN  SKIVER. 


A  progressive,  public-spirited  citizen  of  Streator  is  he  whose  name 
heads  this  sketch.  His  influence,  which  is  not  slight,  is  always  to  be  found 
upon  the  side  of  good  government,  the  enforcement  of  the  law,  progress 
and  improvement  along  all  lines,  better  educational  facilities  and  high-class 
teachers  for  the  rising  generation,  and  everything  which  will  be  of  perma- 
nent benefit  to  the  public  of  this  community. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  263 

A  native  of  Preble  county,  Ohio,  Mr.  Van  Skiver  was  born  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  the  town  of  Camden,  September  20,  1856,  his  parents  being  Joseph 
G.  and  Rebecca  B.  Van  Skiver.  After  receiving  a  hberal  education  in  the 
pubHc  schools,  the  young  man  engaged  in  teaching,  and  enjoyed  the  dignity 
of  conducting  a  school  before  he  was  twenty  years  of  age.  Feeling  the  need 
of  a  better  education  in  the  higher  branches,  he  pursued  a  scientific  course 
of  study  in  the  National  Normal  University,  at  Lebanon,  Ohio,  being  grad- 
uated in  that  well-known  institution  in  1879.  He  continued  to  devote  his 
time  and  energy  to  teaching  and  self-improvement  until  1884,  when  he 
came  to  Streator.  Here  he  purchased  a  half  interest  in  the  Free  Press, 
becoming  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Van  Skiver  &  Fornof.  His  partner,  J. 
W.  Fornof,  is  the  present  postmaster  of  Streator,  and  thus  the  major  share 
■of  the  business  of  managing  the  paper  falls  upon  our  subject. 

The  Free  Press  is  a  wide-awake,  representative  journal,  devoted  to  the 
interests  of  the  citizens  of  Streator  and  locality.  It  aims  to  give  a  clear,  con- 
cise account  of  the  events  which  are  occupying  the  attention  of  the  busy 
world,  and  at  the  same  time  gives  items  of  especial  interest  to  the  people  of 
this  section.  It  is  Republican  in  political  creed,  and  is  a  fearless  champion 
of  the  right.  The  well-grounded  opinions  of  its  editors  are  frequently  re- 
flected upon  its  pages,  and  without  doubt  the  paper  is  growing  in  popularity 
constantly. 

Mr.  Van  Skiver  has  a  very  pleasant  and  attractive  home,  which  is  pre- 
sided over  by  the  lady  whom  he  made  his  wife  in  1881.  She  was  then  Miss 
Fannie  Beall,  a  daughter  of  F.  A.  Beall,  of  Preble  county,  Ohio. 


% 


RUFFIN  D.  FLETCHER. 

Ruffin  Drew  Fletcher,  local  superintendent  of  the  Chicago,  Wilmington 
&  VermiHon  Coal  Company,  Streator,  Illinois,  has  resided  in  this  city  and 
been  identified  with  this  company  for  a  number  of  years  and  is  well  known 
and  highly  respected. 

Mr.  Fletcher  is  a  native  of  Montgomery  county,  Tennessee,  born 
December  2,  1840,  and  is  a  son  of  John  H.  and  Alice  (Bennyvvorth)  Fletcher, 
the  former  a  native  of  Tennessee  and  the  latter  of  England.  Mrs.  Fletcher 
came  to  the  United  States  with  her  parents  when  she  was  a  girl  of  thirteen 
years,  and  in  Illinois,  in  1838,  she  and  Mr.  Fletcher  were  married,  he  having 
come  to  this  state  when  a  young  man  and  located  in  Greene  county.  Shortly 
after  their  marriage  they  moved  to  Tennessee,  where  they  remained  until 
1 85 1,  that  year  coming  back  to  Illinois  and  again  settling  in  Greene  county. 
From  there  he  moved  to  Macoupin  county,  Illinois,  in  1855,  where  he  died 


264  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

in  1878.  His  widow  survives  him  and  still  makes  her  home  in  Nil  wood, 
Illinois.    Her  father  was  Samuel  Bennyworth, 

Mr.  Fletcher's  paternal  grandfather  was  John  Fletcher.  He  was  a 
native  of  North  Carolina,  of  which  state  the  Fletchers  were  early  settlers. 
The  family,  it  is  supposed,  came  to  this  country  from  Scotland. 

R.  D.  Fletcher,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  review,  spent  the  first 
twelve  years  of  his  life  in  Tennessee,  and  accompanied  his  parents  on  their 
return  to  Illinois,  as  above  stated.  He  attended  the  district  schools  in 
Greene  and  Macoupin  counties  and  later  was  a  student  in  a  seminary  at 
Greenfield,  Illinois.  In  1862  he  enhsted  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty- 
second  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  rendered  faithful  service  for  three 
years,  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  a  participant  in  a  number  of 
engagements.  A  portion  of  the  time  he  was  on  detached  service  in  the 
quartermaster's  and  commissary  departments,  with  Captain  Langdon,  who 
was  stationed  a  part  of  the  time  at  Cairo,  Illinois. 

After  receiving  an  honorable  discharge,  in  June,  1865,  he  returned  to 
his  home  in  Macoupin  county,  Illinois,  and  in  1869  began  railroading  on 
the  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad,  with  which  he  was  connected  for  seven 
years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  accepted  a  position  with  the  Chicago, 
Wilmington  &  Vermilion  Coal  Company,  first  as  shipping  clerk,  in  which 
capacity  he  served  for  ten  years.  In  1889  he  was  promoted  to  the  position 
he  now  fills,  that  of  local  superintendent.  This  year  is  his  twenty-sixth  in 
the  service  of  the  company. 

In  January,  1873,  Mr.  Fletcher  married  Miss  Rachel  S.  Proctor,  of 
Mason  City,  Illinois,  daughter  of  Richard  and  Rachel  (Harris)  Proctor.  To 
them  have  been  born  a  son  and  a  daughter.  The  son,  Ralph  Proctor 
Fletcher,  is  deceased.    The  daughter,  Edna  May,  is  at  home. 

Mr.  Fletcher  has  always  been  a  stanch  Republican  and  taken  a  deep 
interest  in  the  general  growth  and  good  of  the  town  in  which  he  lives.  For 
thirteen  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  school  board.  He  is  prominently 
identified  with  the  ]\Iasonic  order,  maintaining  membership  in  Streator 
Lodge,  No.  607,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Streator  Chapter,  No.  168,  R.  A.  M.;  and 
Ottawa  Commanderv,  No.  10,  K.  T. 


EDWARD  G.  LOEKLE. 


Success  rarely  comes  to  the  undeserving,  and  when,  as  in  the  case  of 
Edward  G.  Loekle,  prosperity  and  high  standing  in  a  community  have  been 
achieved,  it  is  always  interesting  and  profitable  to  trace  the  successive  steps 
taken  toward  this  desirable  goal.     During  the  almost  half  a  century  of  his 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  265 

residence  in  Peru,  LaSalle  county,  the  subject  of  this  article  has  been  closely 
associated  with  the  commercial  interests  of  the  place,  and  has  performed  his 
share  of  the  labors  which  devolve  upon  every  patriotic  citizen. 

The  ancestors  of  E.  G.  Loekle  were  natives  of  Germany,  and  his  parents, 
Heinrich  and  Louise  Loekle,  lived  and  died  in  the  province  of  Wurtemberg-. 
They  were  honest,  industrious  people,  and  reared  their  children  in  the  faith 
of  the  Lutheran  church,  to  which  they  belonged.  The  father,  wdio  at  one 
time  was  a  member  of  a  militia  company,  was  a  saddler  and  harness-maker 
by  trade.  He  died  when  about  forty-two  years  of  age,  in  1835  or  1836. 
and  his  widow  survived  him  several  years.  Five  sons  and  four  daughters 
were  born  to  them,  and  the  seven  who  are  yet  living  are  as  follow^s:  Charley, 
of  New  York  city;  Paulina,  wife  of  Henry  Hartmann,  of  Lebanon,  Pennsyl- 
vania; Edward  G.;  Emelia,  wife  of  Lawrence  Kronawitter,  of  Chicago; 
Henry,  of  Philadelphia;  Ernest,  of  New  York,  and  Ferdinand,  of  Stuttgart, 
Germany. 

Edward  G.  Loekle  was  born  in  the  city  of  Ludwigsburg,  Wurtemberg, 
Germany,  June  6,  1828.  Until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age  he  was  a  pupil 
in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  land,  after  which  he  learned  the  butcher's 
trade  and  worked  at  that  for  several  years.  Being  an  ambitious  young 
man,  he  decided  that  he  would  try  his  fortunes  in  the  United  States,  and  on 
the  1st  of  May,  1849,  he  arrived  in  New  York  city.  Very  wisely  he  left 
the  crowded  metropolis  at  once,  and  going  to  Lancaster  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, he  worked  at  his  trade  for  two  weeks,  and  then  took  a  position  upon 
a  farm,  where  he  gradually  mastered  the  English  language  and  customs. 
Learning  that  the  west  was  a  more  promising  place  for  enterprising  men, 
he  came  to  Illinois,  and  May  i,  1850,  he  had  his  first  view  of  Peru.  He  has 
since  made  his  home  here,  and  after  the  first  year,  when  he  worked  at  his 
trade  for  wages,  he  has  been  engaged  in  business  for  himself.  Opening  a 
market,  he  conducted  it  successfully  for  about  forty  years,  but  has  been 
retired  for  the  last  seven  years.  Since  the  Peru  State  Bank  was  organized 
he  has  been  the  vice-president  of  the  institution,  which  is  now  in  a  most 
flourishing  condition.  He  has  used  his  franchise  in  favor  of  the  Democratic 
party. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Loekle  and  Aliss  Catherine  Mather,  a  daughter  of 
Jacob  and  Kunigundy  Mather,  was  celebrated  September  10,  185 1.  Twelve 
children  came  to  bless  their  home,  namely:  Edward,  Henry,  Charley,  Bertha, 
Louise,  Paulina,  Emma,  Frederick,  Anna,  Carrie,  Otto  and  Minnie.  Edward 
died  in  infancy  and  Bertha  when  fourteen  years  of  age.  Henry,  who  mar- 
ried Emma  Sperber,  and  had  one  child,  Eduard,  died  when  in  his  thirty- 
third  year.  Charley  married  Carrie  Wolfer,  and  has  three  children  living — • 
Richard,  Florence  and  Frank.     Paulina  is  the  widow  of  Henry  Peters,  and 


266  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

is  the  mother  of  three  children, — Willie,  Tillie  and  Edward.  Emma  wedded 
Charley  Danz,  and  has  a  son  and  daughter,  Harry  and  Viola.  Carrie  is  the 
widow  of  Charles  Birkenbeuel,  by  whom  she  had  two  children, — Reuben 
and  Clarence.  Minnie  is  the  wife  of  John  E.  Seepe  and  is  the  mother  of  a 
son,  named  Walter.  The  other  children  of  our  subject  are  unmarried.  Otto 
is  the  assistant  cashier  of  the  Peru  State  Bank,  and  is  a  young  man  of  ability 
and  promise.  The  parents  are  members  of  the  German  Evangelical  church. 
Their  pleasant  home  at  the  corner  of  Putnam  and  Seventh  streets  has  been 
occupied  by  them  for  almost  forty  years,  and  many  a  happy  family  reunion 
has  taken  place  within  these  sheltering  w-alls.  Now  in  the  evening  of  life, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Loekle,  surrounded  by  their  dear  ones,  may  look  back  with 
few  regrets,  feeling  that  they  have  ever  striven  to  do  their  whole  duty  tow-ard 
God  and  man,  and  knowing  that  the  love  and  sincere  regard  of  all  who  know 
them  is  theirs  without  stint. 


OTTO  J.  LOEKLE. 


When  a  man  is  spoken  of  only  in  the  highest  terms  by  those  who  have 
known  him  during  his  entire  life,  the  public  may  rest  assured  that  he  is 
perfectly  trustworthy  and  deserving  of  respect,  for  no  more  just  and  compe- 
tent judges  could  be  found  than  those  wdio  have  watched  the  development 
of  the  child  into  the  man,  and  the  gradual  building  of  his  character.  When, 
therefore,  the  citizens  of  Peru,  with  one  accord,  praise  the  straightforward, 
manly  course  which  the  subject  of  this  sketch  has  followed  from  his  boyhood 
no  greater  tribute  could  be  paid  him. 

Born  in  this  town,  October  9,  1870,  in  the  house  which  still  shelters 
liim.  Otto  J.  Loekle  is  a  son  of  Edward  G.  and  Katherine  (Mather)  Loekle, 
both  of  whom  are  natives  of  Germany.  The  father,  one  of  the  best  and  most 
favorably  known  citizens  of  Peru,  was  engaged  in  business  here  for  forty 
years  and  has  made  his  home  in  this  place  for  almost  half  a  century. 

The  excellent  public  schools  of  Peru  afforded  Otto  J.  Loekle  the  oppor- 
tunity of  obtaining  a  liberal  education,  and  he  was  not  slow  to  make  the  best 
of  his  advantages.  Being  graduated  in  1888,  he  went  to  Chicago,  where  he 
further  qualified  himself  for  a  commercial  career,  by  taking  a  course  in 
Bryant  &  Stratton's  Business  College.  Returning  home,  he  worked  in 
his  father's  market  for  about  three  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  became 
connected  w'ith  the  Peru  State  Bank.  Entering  upon  his  new  duties  on  the 
first  of  January,  1892,  he  gradually  worked  his  way  upward  from  the  humble 
position  of  office  boy  to  that  of  assistant  cashier,  and  is  now  acting  in  that 
responsible  office.  He  is  a  young  man  of  marked  ability  and  his  future  is 
full  of  promise. 


i 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  267 

Educational  affairs  and  everything  affecting  the  pubHc  welfare  to  a 
greater  or  less  degree  are  matters  of  deep  interest  to  Mr.  Loekle,  who  is  a 
patriotic  American  citizen,  endeavoring  to  do  his  whole  duty  to  the  state 
and  community  in  which  he  lives.  In  1893  he  was  elected  as  a  member  of 
the  city  school  board  and  worked  for  three  years  in  that  body,  and  in  1898 
he  was  elected  to  serve  as  a  school  trustee.  In  the  spring  of  1897  he  was 
elected  city  clerk  and  re-elected  in  1899,  for  a  second  term  of  two  years;  and 
in  1898  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  township  clerk,  an  office  he  is  now 
holding.  In  the  spring  of  1899  he  was  appointed  deputy  tax  collector, 
under  Louis  Leittl,  to  attend  to  the  local  taxes  for  the  year  just  ended. 
Thus  it  may  be  readily  seen  that  Mr.  Loekle's  time  and  services  are  in 
great  demand,  and,  had  he  not  been  of  so  genial  and  accommodating  a  dis- 
position, he  would  have  declined  some  of  the  numerous  responsibilities  thrust 
upon  him.  Formerly  he  was  very  active  in  the  Democratic  party,  to  which 
he  continues  loyal;  but  a  press  of  other  duties  is  at  present  keeping  him  out 
of  politics.  For  some  time  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Liberty  Fire  Com- 
pany and  the  Peru  fire  department. 

In  his  social  relations  he  is  deservedly  popular,  and  among  the  fraterni- 
ties he  is  associated  wdth  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Modern  Woodmen 
of  America,  the  Royal  Neighbors  and  the  Mystic  Workers  of  the  World. 
He  was  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  German  Evangelical  church,  and  attends 
the  services  of  the  local  congregation.  December  2,  1899,  Mr.  Loekle  mar- 
ried Miss  Louise  Neureuther,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Louise  Neureuther, 
of  Peru,  Illinois. 


JOHN  COLLINGS. 


John  Collings,  a  venerable  citizen  of  Ottawa,  has  been  one  of  her  prom- 
inent business  men  for  many  decades.  About  eighty  years  ago  his  birth  took 
place  in  the  northern  part  of  England,  the  date  of  the  event  being  June  11, 
1819.  His  parents  were  Thomas  and  Ann  (Jobling)  Collings,  who  had  six 
sons  and  six  daughters. 

In  early  manhood  John  Collings  determined  to  seek  his  fortune  in 
America,  and  accordingly  he  crossed  the  Atlantic.  His  chief  business  in 
Hfe  has  been  that  of  a  tailor.  He  came  to  Ottawa,  where  he  opened  a  shop 
and  actively  engaged  in  business.  A  thorough  master  of  his  trade,  he 
commanded  the  best  custom  of  the  town,  and  can  lay  claim  to  having  made 
the  wedding  suits  of  many  of  the  older  merchants  and  citizens  of  this  section 
of  the  county.  He  attended  strictly  to  his  business,  and  by  uniform  courtesy, 
punctuality  and  fidelity  to  his  word  and  agreement,  won  the  confidence  and 
regard  of  his  patrons.     In  the  multiplicity  of  his  private  interests,  however, 


268  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

he  never  forgot  the  duties  which  rested  upon  him  as  a  citizen  of  this  great 
republic.  He  cast  his  first  presidential  ballot  for  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  has 
ever  since  been  a  loyal  Republican.  At  various  times  he  has  served  as  a 
member  of  the  local  school  board,  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  common 
council.  He  is  a  deep  student  of  politics  and  current  events,  and  is  an  able 
speaker  and  writer  on  the  topics  of  the  times. 

In  1854  Mr.  Collings  married  Miss  Mary  Anne,  daughter  of  James  and 
Lucy  (Cox)  Fulton.  Of  the  four  children  born  to  them,  the  only  son,  Henry, 
died  at  the  age  of  six  months,  and  Lillian  Virginia,  a  beautiful  young  lady, 
died  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years.  Two  daughters  survive,  namely:  Erminie 
Rose,  wife  of  Albert  Prisler,  of  Ottawa;  and  Frances  M.,  who  married  Farley 
Swartz,  and  resides  at  No.  365  Winchester  avenue,  Chicago,  Illinois.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Prisley  have  three  children,  Milton,  Myron  and  Ethel;  and  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Swartz  have  a  little  daughter,  Daisy. 


JOHN  QUINCY  ADAMS. 

For  nearly  three-score  years  the  Adams  family,  now  represented  in 
]\Iarseilles,  LaSalle  county,  by  the  subject  of  this  article  and  his  brothers, 
have  been  prominently  connected  w^ith  the  manufacturing  interests  of  north- 
ern Illinois,  and  have  a  reputation  which  is  world-wide,  as  the  products  of 
their  business  plant  have  gone  to  all  parts  of  the  earth. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  Samuel  Adams,  a  native 
of  Cayuga  county.  New  York.  The  parents  of  John  Q.  were  the  Hon. 
Augustus  and  Lydia  (Phelps)  Adams,  the  latter  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Phelps, 
of  the  Empire  state.  The  father  was  born  in  Genoa,  New  York,  May  10, 
1806,  and  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  state.  In  1840  he  removed  with 
his  family  to  Elgin,  Illinois,  where  he  speedily  became  a  power  in  social, 
business  and  political  circles.  He  occupied  numerous  responsible  positions, 
was  a  member  of  the  constitutional  convention  of  the  state  in  1848,  and  served 
with  honor  in  the  house  and  senate.  He  was  a  warm  personal  friend  of 
Abraham  Lincoln,  Judge  David  Davis  and  General  John  M.  Palmer  and 
many  other  famous  and  representative  men.  In  1857  he  removed  from 
Elgin  to  Sandwich,  Illinois,  where  he  organized  the  Sandwich  Manufacturing 
Company,  of  which  he  was  the  president  for  many  years.  He  possessed 
great  mechanical  ability  and  was  the  inventor  of  the  celebrated  Adams 
corn-sheller  and  other  agricultural  implements.  In  1870  he  became  the 
president  of  the  Marseilles  Manufacturing  Company,  which  was  established 
here  by  his  sons,  and  for  twenty-two  years  he  was  connected  with  this  enter- 
prise, or  until  his  death,  in  1892.    His  wife,  Lydia,  born  in  Homer,  Cortland 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  269 

county.  New  York,  died  at  her  home  in  Sandwich,  in  1867,  when  in  her  fifty- 
third  year.  She  was  the  mother  of  eight  children,  seven  of  whom  were  sons, 
and  all  but  one  of  the  number  survive. 

The  birth  of  J.  O.  Adams  occurred  in  Greenwood,  Steuben  county, 
New  York,  July  23,  1839,  and  his  youth  was  spent  in  Elgin,  Illinois,  where 
he  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  academy.  He  then  learned  the 
machinist's  trade  in  his  father's  shop,  and  had  just  fairly  started  upon  his 
mechanical  career  when  the  great  civil  war  came  on.  He  took  a  very  active 
part  in  the  Lincoln  campaign  of  i860,  being  a  member  of  the  celebrated 
Wide  Awake  Club. 

In  September,  1861,  Mr.  Adams  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Fifty-second 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Wilson.  After 
being  encamped  at  Geneva,  Illinois,  and  at  Benton  Barracks,  St.  Louis, 
Missouri,  the  regiment  was  placed  on  guard  duty  along  the  Hannibal  &  St. 
Joseph  Railroad,  and  later  stationed  in  Kentucky,  at  Smithland,  where 
Colonel  T.  W.  Sweeny  took  command  of  the  regiment.  Arriving  at  Fort 
Donelson  just  after  the  surrender,  the  regiment  was  sent  north  to  Camp 
Douglas,  Chicago,  with  prisoners.  Afterward,  joining  General  Grant's 
army,  the  regiment  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh  and  there  met  with 
heavy  loss,  as  one  hundred  and  seventy  men  were  killed  or  wounded  of  the 
four  hundred  and  fifty  participating  in  the  engagement.  Mr.  Adams  fought 
in  the  thickest  of  the  fray  both  days  of  the  dreadful  conflict,  and  later  was 
engaged  in  the  siege  of  Corinth  under  General  Halleck,  and  on  October 
3  and  4,  1863,  in  the  second  battle  of  Corinth  under  Rosecrans,  in  which 
battle  the  division  with  which  he  was  connected  lost  one  thousand  and  four 
out  of  less  than  three  thousand  men.  General  Hackelman,  commanding 
the  First  Brigade,  was  killed,  and  General  Oglesby,  commanding  the  Second 
Brigade,  was  badly  wounded. 

In  January,  1864,  Mr.  Adams  veteranized.  In  April  of  the  same  year 
the  regiment  joined  Sherman's  army  and  took  part  in  nearly  all  the  most 
important  battles  of  the  Atlanta  campaign,  after  which  they  went  with  Sher- 
man on  his  famous  march  to  the  sea,  and  later  on  his  other  great  campaigns 
through  the  Carolinas,  which  included  the  burning  of  Columbia  and  the 
battle  of  Bentonville,  ending  with  the  capture  of  Raleigh  and  the  march  to 
Washington,  where  they  took  part  in  the  grand  review  of  the  troops.  He 
served  with  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant  and  regimental  quartermaster  during 
the  last  months  of  the  war,  and  was  discharged  as  such  in  July,  1865,  when 
his  services  were  no  longer  required. 

Returning  to  the  peaceful  vocations  of  life,  Mr.  Adams  joined  his  father 
and  brothers,  H.  R.  and  O.  R.  Adams,  in  the  Marseilles  Manufacturing 
Company,  and  gradually  advanced  until  he  became  president  of  the  concern, 


270  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

as  he  is  to-day.  In  this  finely  equipped  factory  all  kinds  of  corn-shellers, 
horse-power  pumps,  plows,  windmills  and  various  implements  required  in 
modern  farming  are  manufactured  in  immense  quantities,  and  sold  and 
shipped  to  all  parts  of  this  and  foreign  countries.  The  brothers  have  perse- 
vered through  many  long  years  in  their  ambitious  endeavor  to  build  up  an 
extensive  and  remunerative  trade,  and  have  succeeded  beyond  their  most 
sanguine  expectations.  A  large  force  of  men  are  afforded  employment,  and 
in  numerous  ways  the  community  reaps  benefit  from  this  thriving  industry. 
In  December,  1865,  John  Q.  Adams  and  Miss  Helen  A.  Beardsley,  of 
Carlton,  Orleans  county,  New  York,  were  united  in  marriage,  at  Sandwich, 
DeKalb  county,  Illinois.  They  have  a  very  handsome  home,  situated  upon 
the  bluffs  overlooking  the  town  and  surrounding  country.  Mr.  Adams,  it 
is  needless  to  say,  is  now,  as  he  has  always  been,  a  firm  friend  to  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Republican  party.  He  has  not  been  desirous  of  holding  public 
of^ce,  but  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  town  board  of  trustees.  Ever  since 
1856  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Congregational  denomination,  and  for 
the  past  thirty  years  has  been  treasurer  of  the  Alarseilles  church.  His  life 
has  been  conspicuous  for  integrity,  honor  and  nobility  of  word  and  deed; 
he  has  been  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty  toward  his  country,  his  fam- 
ily and  to  society  in  general. 


CAPTAIN  JOHN  L.  McCORMICK. 

Probably  the  death  of  no  private  citizen  has  called  forth  such  universal 
and  heartfelt  expressions  of  genuine  sorrow  as  were  heard  in  Peru,  Illinois, 
when  the  news  was  received  that  Captain  McCormick  had  passed  away.  It 
was  on  June  25,  1893,  when  the  earth  was  clothed  with  the  verdure  of  spring- 
time, a  fitting  season,  for  this  noble  life,  which  had  battled  with  such  courage 
with  the  world  for  eighty-five  years,  to  lay  down  its  burdens  and  begin  the 
morning  of  a  new  life.  He  had  resided  in  Peru  for  almost  half  a  century, 
and  was  known  and  beloved  far  and  w4de  for  his  many  good  qualities  of 
mind  and  heart.  Many  from  surrounding  cities  were  present  to  pay  their 
last  tribute  of  respect,  and  his  remains  were  followed  to  their  last  resting 
place  by  a  procession  of  friends  that  extended  a  mile  in  length.  The  Rev. 
B.  F.  Underwood,  of  Chicago,  conducted  the  brief,  but  impressive  services, 
speaking  eloquently  and  touchingly  of  the  honesty  and  integrity  of  Captain 
McCormick,  and  the  genial,  kindly,  charitable  nature  that  won  friends  in 
all  circumstances  and  in  all  classes. 

Captain  John  L.  McCormick  was  born  in  Lycoming  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, on  New  Year's  day,  1808,  and  was  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Rebecca 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  271 

(Qtiigley)  McCormick.  The  family  were  originally  from  Ireland,  the  great- 
grandfather of  our  subject,  Joseph  McCormick,  being  a  resident  of  county 
Antrim,  near  the  famous  "Giant's  Causeway."  After  his  death  his  widow 
with  her  family  came  to  America,  settling  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania, 
about  the  year  1760.  John  McCormick,  the  grandfather,  was  one  of  two 
brothers  who  came  to  this  country  with  their  mother;  the  brother  went 
west  and  the  grandfather  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  and  from  this  source  also 
are  sprung  the  family  of  that  name  whose  reapers  have  made  their  name 
familiar  throughout  the  United  States.  John  McCormick  died  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  1842,  after  rounding  out  his  century  of  life. 

Joseph  McCormick,  the  father,  was  also  a  Pennsylvanian,  as  was  his 
wife.  He  was  a  farmer  and  raised  his  family  of  two  sons  and  three  daughters 
on  his  farm  of  eighty  acres.  He  lived  to  be  about  seventy-five  years  old. 
None  of  his  family  are  living.  His  wife  was  a  daughter  of  John  Quigley,  a 
native  of  Lycoming  county,  but  a  German  by  descent.  He  was  a  farmer  in 
his  native  state  and  an  active,  hard-working  man.  He  had  passed  his 
eightieth  year  when  he  met  an  accidental  death,  being  killed  by  a  threshing 
machine. 

Captain  McCormick  remained  on  his  father's  farm  in  his  native  state 
until  he  attained  his  majority.  He  was  then  appointed,  by  Governor  Wolfe 
of  that  state,  as  foreman  of  the  canal  running  between  the  mouth  of  the 
Juniata  and  Northumberland  rivers.  He  held  this  position  three  years  and 
then  began  buying  and  selling  lumber,  transporting  it  on  rafts  to  New  York 
and  Port  Deposit,  Maryland.  In  1836  he  w^ent  to  Pittsburg,  where  he  con- 
tinued in  the  same  business,  adding  coal  and  ice  to  his  stock.  He  remained 
in  this  enterprise  until  the  fall  of  1847,  when  he  moved  to  Peru  to  engage 
in  the  ice  business,  having  formed  a  partnership  with  William  B.  Quigley 
and  Victor  F.  Wilson,  the  former  having  an  office  at  Vicksburg  and  the  latter 
at  Natchez.  They  dealt  extensively  in  ice,  which  was  obtained  from  the 
Illinois  river  and  the  numerous  sloughs  in  that  vicinity.  In  1854  Captain 
McCormick  turned  his  attention  to  farming  and  stock-raising.  He  had,  by 
his  own  unaided  efforts  and  with  no  capital  except  a  stout  heart  and  willing 
hands,  been  steadily  laying  up  a  fortune,  and  was  now  the  owner  of  over 
twelve  hundred  acres  of  choice  land  in  the  fertile  valley  of  Illinois  and  it 
was  a  source  of  much  pleasure  to  him  during  the  remainder  of  his  life  to 
attend  to  its  cultivation.  He  was  a  shrewd  business  man  and  a  good  man- 
ager, and  in  no  place  was  his  business  ability  better  displayed  than  in  the 
management  of  this  large  estate. 

September  30,  1841,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  Jones,  a  native  of 
Paupack,  Pennsylvania,  and  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Arabella  (Newman) 
Jones.     Her  parents  were  natives  of  Dublin,   Ireland,  who  came  to  this 


272  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

country  and  settled  in  Paupack  about  the  year  1820.  Eight  children  were 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McCormick,  namely:  Joseph  Henry,  who  married 
Mrs.  Jennie  Arnold  and  has  one  son,  Henry  Joseph,  who  lives  in  Caledonia 
on  a  farm;  William  Quigley,  who  left  college  to  take  up  arms  for  the  Union, 
serving  all  through  the  war;  he  was  promoted  for  bravery  at  the  battle  of 
Vicksburg,  and  died  February  i,  1881,  at  the  age  of  thirty-five  years,  eleven 
months  and  four  days;  John  Lowry,  Jr.,  who  died  November  15,  1891,  aged 
forty-four  years,  one  month  and  two  days;  Charles  and  Douglas  who  died 
in  infancy;  and  twin  daughters,  Rebecca  and  Arabella,  and  the  youngest 
child  died  in  infancy.  Miss  Arabella,  who  is  at  home  and  has  charge  of 
her  father's  extensive  business  interests,  manages  the  farms  and  other 
affairs  of  the  estate  with  a  clearness  of  perception  and  a  sound  judgment  sel- 
dom displayed  by  a  woman.  Captain  McCormick  took  an  intelligent  interest 
in  politics  and  was  active  in  furthering  the  interests  of  the  Democratic  party. 
He  was  elected  mayor  of  Peru  in  1855  and  discharged  the  duties  devolving 
upon  him  in  an  able  and  efhcient  manner.  He  was  a  warm  personal  friend 
of  that  eminent  statesman,  Stephen  A.  Douglas. 


RINALDO  M.   GALLUP. 

Rinaldo  Martin  Gallup,  of  Stavanger,  Miller  township,  LaSalle  county, 
was  born  in  Rhode  Island,  January  26,  1838,  and  is  the  son  of  George  S.  and 
Betsey  Fuller  Gallup,  his  father  being  born  in  Connecticut  and  his  mother 
in  Rhode  Island.  His  grandfather  was  Martin  Gallup  whose  father  came 
from  England  when  he  was  a  young  man  and  settled  in  the  state  of  Rhode 
Island.  George  S.  Gallup  married  Miss  Betsey  Fuller,  whose  ancestors  of 
that  name  are  not  unknown  to  Revolutionary  fame.  They  had  three  children, 
whom  they  reared  to  adult  years.  The  eldest,  Rinaldo  Martin,  is  the  subject 
of  this  brief  biography;  Isadora  Ruth,  the  wife  of  Z.  Bourne,  living  in  Ham- 
ilton county,  Iowa;  and  William  Spencer,  residing  in  this  township.  Their 
mother  died  in  her  seventy-third  year,  and  their  father  is  still  living,  now  in 
his  eighty-fourth  year, — both  the  parents  thus  reaching  a  good  old  age. 

Rinaldo  M.  Gallup  attended  the  public  schools  and  in  them  received  a 
good  common  education.  He  remained  at  home  until  his  twenty-second 
year,  when  he  purchased  a  farm  and  began  to  manage  for  himself.  On 
November  i,  i860,  he  married  Miss  Ann  Eliza  Holley,  of  Salisbury,  Con- 
necticut, and  five  children  were  born  to  them, — John  S.,  Nettie  A.,  Nellie 
E.,  Nina  B.  and  Bessie  F.  John,  the  eldest,  has  been  twice  married.  Miss 
Cora  Lewis  becoming  his  first  wife.  She  died  six  years  after  marriage, 
leaving  a  daughter,  named  Mav.     He  was  afterward  married  to  Mrs.  Ade- 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  273 

laide  Ormsby,  of  Connecticut.     Nettie  married  Eugene  Barker,  of  Seneca, 
Illinois,  and  resides  in  Morris,  this  state. 

Mr.  Gallup  is  a  progressive  farmer,  who  believes  in  taking  advantage  of 
modern  ideas  to  accomplish  work  in  these  modern  times,  and  the  result  is 
seen  in  his  successful  business.  Politically  he  is  a  supporter  of  the  Republi- 
can party.  He  is  social  and  genial  by  nature  and  has  made  many  warm 
friends  in  this  community,  who  appreciate  the  sterling  worth  of  the  man 
and  the  integrity  and  energy  which  have  contributed  to  his  success. 


OWEN  W.  HUFF. 


An  honored  old  resident  of  Ottawa  is  Owen  W.  Huff,  who,  after  a  very 
active  and  enterprising  business  career,  settled  in  this  place  many  years  ago 
and  has  since  been  retired.  Though  now  in  his  eighty-fourth  year,  he  is 
hale  and  hearty,  and  is  in  the  complete  possession  of  all  of  his  faculties,  bid- 
ding fair  to  enjoy  life  for  many  years  to  come.  The  subjoined  sketch  of  his 
past  will  be  of  interest  to  his  multitudes  of  friends,  both  in  Ottawa  and  else- 
where. 

His  parents  were  James  and  Catherine  (Hess)  HufT,  both  of  whom  were 
natives  of  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania.  The  father  of  James  was  John 
Huf¥,  who  served  under  General  Washington  throughout  the  greater  part 
of  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  married  Martha  Burns  and  reared  a  large 
family.  John  Huf¥  was  a  powerfully  built  man,  six  feet  and  six  inches  in 
height,  and  his  mental  characteristics  were  no  less  remarkable  than  was  his 
physical  strength.  The  Huffs  originally  came  from  Scotland,  and  have  been 
in  this  country  for  many  generations.  The  father  of  our  subject's  mother 
was  Abraham  Hess,  a  native  of  Germany,  and  his  wife  was  a  Miss  Sarah 
Wright  prior  to  their  marriage.  For  several  years  after  the  birth  of  Owen 
W.  Huff,  January  29,  1816,  his  parents  lived  upon  a  farm  near  the  village  of 
Sunbury,  Delaware  county,  Ohio.  The  father  died  there  in  1830,  and  was 
survived  by  his  wife,  who  attained  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-one  years. 

Owen  W.  Huff's  birthplace  was  in  Luzerne,  now  Wyoming,  county, 
Pennsylvania,  but  his  first  recollections  are  of  Ohio,  whither  his  parents  had 
taken  him  in  his  infancy.  He  went  to  the  district  school  and  to  one  in 
Columbus,  the  state  capital,  then  a  mere  village.  His  first  regular  employ- 
ment was  as  a  farm  hand,  his  wages  being  four  dollars  a  month  and  board, 
and  later  he  was  paid  double  that  amount.  Going  to  Portsmouth,  Ohio,  he 
spent  some  time  there  and  made  a  reputation  for  reliability  and  trustworthi- 
ness that  resulted  in  his  appointment  to  superintend  the  construction  of  fifty- 
one  miles  of  railroad  between  Vicksburg  and  Jackson,   Mississippi.     He 


274  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

received  seventy-five  dollars  a  month  and  board  while  acting  in  this  respon- 
sible position,  and  most  of  the  time  for  months  was  on  horseback,  riding  back 
and  forth  along  the  line  of  the  road.  When  the  railroad  had  been  completed 
he  returned  to  Delaware  county,  Ohio,  and  purchased  fifty  acres  of  land  in 
the  woods.  This  property  he  soon  disposed  of,  at  the  rate  of  five  dollars  an 
acre.  Then  going  to  Cincinnati  he  entered  the  employ  of  his  brother  John, 
and  while  there  he  was  offered  a  position  in  the  state  penitentiary  at  Colum- 
bus, Ohio.  He  accepted  the  place  and  remained  there  for  twenty  years, 
investing  the  amount  which  he  saved  from  his  salary  in  local  real  estate. 
Some  property  which  he  owned  on  Main  street,  near  the  depot,  he  sold 
later  at  a  price  three  times  as  great  as  the  purchase  price.  His  next  move 
was  to  come  to  Illinois,  and,  locating  upon  a  farm  of  two  hundred  and  six- 
teen acres  in  the  vicinity  of  Elgin,  Kane  county,  he  cultivated  the  place  for 
about  two  years.  A  favorable  opportunity  then  presenting  itself,  he  sold 
the  farm,  for  which  he  had  paid  seven  thousand  dollars,  and  realized  just  three 
thousand  dollars  on  the  transaction.  From  1858  to  1874  he  was  engaged  in 
the  wholesale  liquor  business  in  Ottawa,  and  since  selling  out  in  the  last 
named  year  he  has  been  retired,  merely  looking  after  his  various  investments. 
For  half  a  century  Mr.  Hufif  was  cheered  and  assisted  in  all  his  under- 
takings by  the  presence  of  his  devoted  wife,  who  was  a  woman  of  rare  traits 
of  mind  and  character,  and  was  respected  and  loved  by  all  who  knew  her, 
Mrs.  Hufif  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Julia  Winders,  her  father  being  William 
Winders,  of  Columbus,  Ohio.  She  was  born  in  West  Virginia,  and  removed 
to  the  Buckeye  state  with  her  parents  when  she  was  quite  young.  Four 
children  blessed  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hufif,  namely:  Charles  E., 
now  of  Pollard,  Oregon;  Minnie  H.,  wife  of  Henry  Aronstine,  of  Anderson, 
Indiana;  Eliza,  who,  with  her  husband,  George  Sherman,  is  deceased;  and 
Alice,  who  died  when  in  her  twenty-second  year.  The  loving  wife  and 
mother  was  summoned  to  her  reward  on  the  i6th  of  January,  1893,  mourned 
by  all  who  had  ever  known  her. 


I.  N.  BEEM. 


One  of  the  old  and  reliable  business  houses  of  Ottawa  has,  as  a  member 
of  the  firm,  the  subject  of  this  article,  I.  N.  Beem,  who  is  of  German 
descent,  though  his  family  has  been  located  in  the  United  States  for  several 
generations.  His  grandfather,  Michael  Beem,  was  a  hero  of  the  Revolution- 
ary war,  and  the  same  spirit  of  devotion  which  he  manifested  toward  his 
country  in  that  crucial  period  of  its  history  has  animated  his  descendants. 
He  married  and  reared  to  maturity  eight  sons  and  three  daughters. 

One  of  the  sons,  Jacob  Beem,  born  in  1799,  was  the  father  of  our  sub- 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  275 

ject.  He  was  an  early  settler  in  Licking  county,  Ohio,  and  lived  to  attain 
the  age  of  seventy-six  years.  His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Phoebe 
Rose,  was  a  daughter  of  Philip  Rose,  and  was  a  native  of  the  Buckeye  state. 
She  survived  her  husband  several  years,  dying  likewise  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
six  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  of  whom,  Milton  died  in 
Oregon;  Orrin,  a  soldier  during  the  civil  war,  was  accidentally  killed  at 
Marion,  Ohio;  his  home  was  in  Richmond,  Ohio;  Albert  died  at  Macomb, 
Illinois;  Jacob  is  a  farmer  of  Richwood,  Ohio;  P.  Andrew  and  Stephen  G. 
were  soldiers  in  the  Union  army  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion;  both  died  in  the 
service;  Arminta  Frances  is  the  wife  of  Adam  Marrow^,  of  Union  county, 
Ohio;  and  Lewis  and  Benjamin  F.  are  residents  of  Richwood,  Ohio. 

L  N.  Beem  was  born  in  Licking  county,  Ohio,  August  7,  1832.  He 
received  a  liberal  education  for  that  day  in  the  schools  of  the  neighborhood 
and  Columbus,  Ohio;  learned  the  tailor's  trade  of  his  uncle,  Philip  Rose,  and 
came  to  Illinois  in  1850,  settling  at  Magnolia.  He  engaged  in  the  merchant 
tailoring  business.  He  entered  a  quarter  section  of  land  from  the  govern- 
ment, near  Wenona,  and  moved  on  and  improved  it.  He  remained  at  that 
town  lor  three  and  a  half  years,  then  going  to  Henry,  where  he  gave  his 
time  and  attention  to  the  grocery  business  for  several  years.  He  went  to 
Columbus,  Ohio,  and  engaged  in  the  merchant  tailoring  business  until  1866, 
when  he  went  to  Arkansas,  and  raised  a  crop  of  cotton.  In  1867  he  cG^me 
to  Ottawa,  and  in  1871  became  a  member  of  the  firm  with  which  he  has 
continued  ever  since.  This  w-ell  known  business  house,  which  w-as  estab- 
lished in  1867  under  the  style  of  Fiske,  Strickland  &  Wing,  has  gone  by  its 
present  title,  Fiske  &  Beem,  for  the  past  twenty-eight  years.  Prosperity 
has  smiled  upon  the  efforts  of  this  firm  to  give  ample  satisfaction  to  their 
customers,  and  their  straightforward,  just  methods  of  transacting  business 
merit  the  esteem  which  they  enjoy. 

On  the  31st  of  January,  1856,  Mr.  Beem  married  Miss  Mary  Clarkson, 
a  daughter  of  William  and  Sarah  (Alexander)  Clarkson,  of  Putnam  county, 
Illinois.  Three  children  bless  the  marriage  of  our  subject  and  wife,  namely: 
\A''illiam  Orrin,  who  is  carrying  on  a  fruit  farm  at  West  Plains,  Howell 
county,  Missouri;  Frances,  who  became  the  wife  of  Charles  Bradford,  and 
died,  leaving  one  child,  Clarkson  Beem;  and  Fred  Clarkson,  of  Kansas  City, 
jMissouri.  William  O.,  the  elder  son  of  Mr.  Beem,  married  Miss  Bronson 
and  has  three  children,  Fanny  May,  Belle  and  William.  Mrs.  Mary  C. 
Beem,  who  was  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  church,  died  in  1874.  Three 
years  later  Mr.  Beem  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Vilda  Prescott,  whose 
death  occurred  in  1880,  one  child,  Vilda,  being  left  to  mourn  her  mother's 
loss.  The  lady  who  now  bears  the  name  of  our  subject,  to  whom  she  was 
married  in  1882,  was  formerly  Miss  Annie  M.  Connell,  of  Columbus,  Ohio. 


2/6  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

The  handsome  residence  of  the  Beem  family  is  located  at  No.  609 
Illinois  avenue.  Socially  Mr.  Beem  stands  high  in  the  Masonic  order,  being 
connected  with  Occidental  Lodge.  Xo.  40.  In  his  political  views  he  is  an 
uncompromising  Republican,  and  at  present  is  serving  in  the  capacity  of 
alderman  of  Ottawa. 

F.  L.  Fiske,  the  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Fiske  &  Beem,  has  been 
an  honored  citizen  of  Ottawa  for  the  long  period  of  forty-three  years,  and  has 
been  prominently  associated  with  its  progress.  He  was  born  in  Norwich, 
Connecticut,  in  1840,  and  thus  has  passed  the  best  years  of  his  life  here.  He 
is  independent  in  politics,  using  his  ballot  without  regard  to  party,  solely 
\vith  reference  to  the  principal  issues  and  nominees  in  question.  He  stands 
well  in  various  social  orders  of  this  place,  and  is  justly  accounted  one  of  the 
most  popular  of  our  pioneer  citizens. 


THOMAS   F.    NOON. 


Thomas  F.  Noon  was  born  in  Peru.  Illinois,  ]\Iarch  7,  1857,  and  is  a 
•son  of  Michael  and  Winifred  (Meathe)  Noon,  who  were  natives  of  county 
Mayo,  Ireland.  The  father  was  born  in  1825.  and  the  mother  in  1829,  and 
after  their  marriage  they  sailed  to  the  United  States,  in  1852.  Coming  to 
Peru,  they  made  a  permanent  settlement  here,  and  were  thenceforth  num- 
bered among  the  enterprising  citizens  of  this  place.  The  father  died  in 
■October.  1886,  and  the  mother  is  still  living  in  her  Peru  home.  In  1861, 
during  the  civil  war,  Mr.  Noon's  father  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  H, 
Fifty-eighth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of 
corporal.  His  term  of  enlistment  expired  February  7,  1865,  and  on  the  21st 
of  the  following  month  he  veteranized,  becoming  a  member  of  Company  B. 
Fifth  United  States  Regulars,  which  was  attached  to  the  Third  Army  Corps, 
and  was  under  the  command  of  General  Hancock.  He  received  an  honor- 
able discharge  at  the  end  of  one  year.  ]\Iarch  21,  1866,  and  returned  home. 
Faithful  and  trustworthy  in  the  performance  of  his  duties,  he  won  the  praise 
and  commendation  of  his  superiors  and  the  respect  of  his  comrades  in  the 
ranks. 

Thomas  F.  Noon  is  one  of  the  five  children  born  to  his  parents,  the 
•  others  being  Ann,  John  E..  Eliza  and  William  Harry.  Mr.  Noon  was  edu- 
cated in  the  schools  of  Peru,  and  when  fourteen  years  of  age  he  entered  upon 
his  business  career.  For  ten  years  he  was  connected  with  the  drug  business, 
:  and  in  the  meantime  also  served  as  assistant  postmaster  of  Peru  for  nine 
years,  and  meanwhile  he  also  served  as  city  and  town  clerk  for  five  years. 
In  March.  1881.  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Illinois  Zinc  Company,  as  a 


1 

I 
I 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  277 

clerk,  and  was  gradually  promoted  from  time  to  time.  In  May,  1898,  upon 
the  death  of  Archibald  Mears,  the  general  manager  of  the  company,  Mr. 
Noon  was  called  to  succeed  him,  and  he  has  since  held  this  position,  render- 
ing most  acceptable  service  in  the  interests  of  the  company.  Prior  to 
becoming  general  manager,  ■Mr.  Noon  had  served  in  various  capacities, 
including  clerk,  pay-master  and  cashier,  and  had  gained  a  general  knowledge 
of  the  business,  and  thus  became  well  qualified  to  fill  his  present  responsible 
position. 

The  cause  of  education  finds  a  sincere  friend  in  Mr.  Noon,  who  for 
twelve  years  served  as  a  member  of  the  Peru  school  board,  and  is  now  acting 
as  its  president.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  and  fraternally  a  member  of 
the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen  and  other 
societies.  Following  in  the  faith  of  his  parents,  he  is  a  Catholic.  In  1882, 
he  married  Miss  Mary  H.  Xelowski,  and  five  children  bless  their  union, 
namely,  Mary  Henrietta,  Genevieve  Lucy,  Helen  Louise,  Thomas  Henry  and 
Thaddeus  Roderick. 


A.  J.  DAUGHERTY. 


A.  J.  Daugherty,  of  Streator,  is  the  proprietor  of  the  Cloverdale  Dairy 
and  a  representative  business  man  of  this  part  of  the  state.  He  is  widely 
and  favorably  known  throughout  the  surrounding  country,  having  been  born 
in  this  county  July  22,  1862,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  John  and  Sarah  Ann 
(Barnhart)  Daugherty.  His  grandparents,  Thomas  and  Mary  Daugherty, 
were  both  natives  of  the  state  of  Kentucky  and  in  that  state  his  father  also 
opened  his  eyes  to  the  light  of  day.  John  Daugherty  moved  to  this  state 
and  later  to  Missouri,  in  1874,  where  he  still  lives.  He  was  a  stanch  Demo- 
crat and  contributed  his  influence  to  the  success  of  the  party.  He  was  the 
father  of  eight  children:  A.  J.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Harlan,  a  resident 
of  Texas  county,  Missouri;  Amos,  of  Arkansas;  Melvin,  of  Texas  county, 
Missouri;  Wallace,  of  Streator,  this  state;  Jacob,  also  of  Streator;  Thomas 
and  John,  of  Texas  county,   Missouri. 

Mr.  Daugherty  lived  in  this,  his  native  county,  until  he  was  eight  years 
old,  when  his  parents  removed  to  the  state  of  Missouri,  locating  in  Texas 
county,  where  he  remained  until  he  was  nineteen  and  where  he  received  his 
education.  He  then  returned  to  the  home  of  his  early  boyhood  and  located 
on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  him,  the  Cloverdale  Dair}-.  This  dairy  was 
established  by  George  W.  Graham  many  years  previously  and  the  farm 
is  one  of  the  finest  in  this  part  of  the  state.  It  would  be  difficult  to  find  a 
farm  better  adapted  to  the  purpose  for  which  it  is  used  than  is  this  one,  the 
broad,  rich  meadow  land  being  crossed  by  streams  of  the  purest  water. 


278  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GEXEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

furnishing  an  abundant  supply  for  the  large  herd  of  cattle  who  graze  there. 
The  large,  roomy  barn  is  kept  in  scrupulous  order,  while  a  silo  of  three 
hundred  and  seventy  tons'  capacity  furnishes  the  necessary  green  food  which 
is  one  of  the  essential  requirements  to  keep  a  herd  in  the  best  condition 
through  the  winter  months.  Seventy-five  head  of  fine  Holstein  cattle — cows 
that  would  be  a  delight  to  the  eyes  of  a  lover  of  good  stock,  as  they  are  a 
source  of  pride  and  profit  to  their  owner — furnish  the  milk  that  has  made 
this  dairy  one  of  the  most  successful  and  reputable  in  the  county,  Mr. 
Daugherty  takes  a  pardonable  pride  in  his  dairy  and  the  quality  of  milk  placed 
on  the  market;  and  that  his  efforts  in  this  direction  are  appreciated  by  the 
public  is  shown  by  his  constantly  increasing  trade,  indeed  it  has  been  found 
impossible  to  meet  the  demand  made  upon  him. 

February  25,  1896,  he  was  united  in  the  holy  bonds  of  matrimony  to 
Miss  Amelia  Turner,  a  daughter  of  Mark  and  Rosanna  (Robinson)  Turner, 
of  Streator,  this  state.  ]\Irs.  Daugherty  was  born  in  Broadwood,  Grundy 
county,  but  moved  to  Streator  with  her  parents  at  an  early  age  and  was  there 
educated  and  reared  to  a  lovable  womanhood.  Two  bright  children  have 
been  added  to  their  home. — Hazel  and  Byron.  Mr.  Daugherty  is  a  promi- 
nent m.ember  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  the  Masonic  lodges 
of  Ottawa,  and  is  a  strong  Republican,  taking  an  active  part  in  the  workings 
of  his  party,  although  he  has  never  been  an  aspirant  for  political  honors. 


DR.  E.  H.  KINGERY. 


E.  H.  Kingerv,  \'eterinarv  surgeon,  Mendota,  Illinois,  was  born  in 
Center  county,  Pennsylvania,  February  11,  1837,  a  son  of  Dr.  Daniel  and 
Susanna  (Hoover)  Kingery,  natives  of  that  state,  he  being  one  of  their 
twelve  children.  Of  that  large  family,  nine  sons  and  three  daughters,  nine 
are  still  living,  namely:  John.  Daniel,  Samuel,  Ephraim  H.,  Susanna  (widow 
of  David  Goode),  ]\Iary  (wife  of  Abe  Eshelman,  of  Arkansas),  David,  Andrew 
and  George.  In  early  life  the  father  was  a  farmer.  Later  he  took  up  the 
medical  profession,  came  west  to  Illinois  in  1847  and  located  in  Ogle  county, 
and  there  practiced  medicine  for  a  period  of  thirty-five  years.  He  died  in 
Ogle  county,  at  the  age  of  sixty-nine  years.  His  widow  died  in  1895,  at 
the  age  of  eighty-three  years.  Both  were  buried  at  Polo,  this  state.  They 
were  originally  identified  with  the  Evangelical  church,  but  after  coming 
west  united  with  the  United  Brethren. 

The  Kingery  family  is  of  German  origin  and  the  name  was  formerly 
Gingerich.  John  Kingery,  the  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  a  native  of  Pennsvlvania  and  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionarv  war.     Both 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  279 

he  and  his  wife  Hved  to  a  ripe  old  age,  he  being  eighty  at  the  time  of  death,  she 
ninety-two.  They  were  the  parents  of  six  sons  and  five  daughters.  The 
Hoovers  Hkewise  were  of  German  origin  and  were  among  the  early  settlers 
of  the  Keystone  state.  Michael  Hoover,  our  subject's  maternal  grandfather, 
was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  by  occupation  was  a  farmer,  and  his  age  at 
death  was  the  same  as  that  of  Grandfather  Kingery, — eighty  years.  In 
the  Hoover  family  were  ten  children. 

Dr.  E.  H.  Kingery  was  ten  years  old  when  he  came  with  his  parents  to 
Illinois,  and  he  was  reared  in  Ogle  county,  receiving  his  early  education  in 
its  district  schools.  Later  he  was  a  student  at  Mount  Morris  Academy 
and  still  later  at  the  Western  Iowa  College.  For  ten  or  twelve  years  he  fol- 
lowed the  milling  business  and  was  thus  occupied  at  the  time  the  civil  war 
broke  out.  In  answer  to  a  call  for  volunteers  he  left  the  mill  and  entered 
the  Union  ranks,  becoming  a  member  of  Company  C,  One  Hundred  and 
Fifteenth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  the  fortunes  of  which  he  shared  two 
years,  being  first  lieutenant  and  a  part  of  the  time  commanding  the  com- 
pany. He  was  in  the  battles  of  Richmond,  Kentucky;  Franklin,  Tennessee; 
Chickamauga;  Franklin,  again;  Nashville,  Tennessee;  and  Duck  River,  be- 
sides many  skirmishes. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  Mr.  Kingery  gave  his  attention  to  the  study  of 
veterinary  surgery,  under  Professor  Navin,  of  Cincinnati,  and  began  prac- 
ticing in  Wabash  county,  Illinois,  in  1867.  Since  then  he  has  devoted  the 
whole  of  his  time  and  attention  to  the  practice  of  his  profession.  In  the 
fall  of  1867  he  returned  to  Ogle  county,  remained  there  till  1878,  and  then 
located  in  Paw  Paw.  Illinois.  Afterward  he  practiced  in  Arlington  and 
Lamoille,  both  in  this  state,  and  from  the  latter  place  moved  in  1885  to  his 
present  location  in  Mendota. 

March  28,  1858,  Dr.  Kingery  married  Miss  Mary  E.  Hammaker,  daugh- 
ter of  Abraham  and  Elizabeth  (Longenecker)  Hammaker,  their  marriage 
being  consummated  at  Mount  Carmel.  Illinois.  The  fruits  of  their  union 
are  nine  children,  five  sons  and  four  daughters,  whose  names  in  order  of 
birth  are  as  follows:  Levi,  Elizabeth,  Jennie,  Samuel,  Laura,  Minnie,  Frank, 
Le  Roy  and  Charles.  Levi  married  Miss  Ella  VanLaw  and  they  have  one 
child,  VanLaw.  They  reside  in  Parker,  South  Dakota,  where  he  has  the 
position  of  foreman  in  the  Northwestern  Elevator  Company.  Lizzie  died 
at  the  age  of  twenty-five  years,  the  wife  of  Charles  Sturdevant.  Jennie  mar- 
ried Fremont  Piedlow,  of  Rochelle.  Illinois,  and  they  have  four  children, — 
Pearl,  Wilbur,  Minnie  and  Mabel.  Samuel  married  Miss  C.  Pierson,  of 
Creston,  Iowa,  and  they  have  one  child.  Hazel.  Samuel  is  a  graduate  of  the 
Chicago  Veterinary  College,  with  the  class  of  1888,  and  is  now  assistant  state 
veterinary  of  Iowa.     Laura  married  Daniel  Gushing,  of  Prophetstown,  Illi- 


28o  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

nois,  and  they  have  three  children.  The  other  members  of  the  family  are  at 
home  with  their  parents.  Mrs.  Kingery  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church. 

Fraternally  Dr.  Kingery  is  identified  with  ]\Iendota  Lodge,  No.  76,  A.  F. 
&  A.  M.;  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  of  which  he  is  venerable  counsel; 
and  Hill's  Post,  G.  A.  R..  of  Lamoille.  Politically  he  has  always  affiliated 
with  the  Republican  party,  and  has  served  in  various  local  official  capacities. 
He  was  tax  collector  of  Wysox  township,  Carroll  county;  deputy  sheriff  in 
Wabash  countv;  and  school  trustee  and  school  director  several  times.    . 


ALONZO  F.  WALBRIDGE. 

For  more  than  three-score  years  the  Walbridge  family  has  l^een  repre- 
sented in  LaSalle  county  by  honorable,  industrious,  patriotic  citizens  bearing 
the  name.  Actively  concerned  in  the  founding  of  the  county,  true  to  all 
the  obligations  of  citizenship,  and  sincere  and  upright  in  all  their  dealings 
with  their  fellow  men,  none  is  more  worthy  of  a  prominent  place  in  the 
annals  of  this  region. 

In  1685  three  brothers — Henry,  William  and  Stephen  Walbridge — 
left  their  old  home  in  Dorsetshire,  England,  and  came  to  America,  casting 
in  their  lot  with  the  hardy  pioneers  of  the  New  World.  Henry  Walbridge, 
the  ancestor  of  our  subject,  lived  in  Dedham,  Massachusetts,  and  in  Preston 
and  Norwich.  Connecticut.  On  Christmas  day,  1688.  he  married  Miss  Anna 
Ames,  and  one  of  their  descendants  was  Asa,  the  grandfather  of  our 
subject.  The  parents  of  the  latter  were  Alonzo  and  Mary  (Keys)  Walbridge, 
the  father  born  in  St.  Lawrence  county.  New  York,  March  9,  18 10,  and 
the  mother  born  September  21,  1802,  in  Hiram  township,  Vermont.  She 
was  a  daughter  of  Parly  Hughs  and  Esther,  nee  Ormsby,  who  were  united  in 
marriage  November  19,  1778,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Russell. 

When  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age  our  subject's  father  removed  from 
Bennington,  Vermont,  to  St.  Lawrence  county,  New  York,  and  in  1835 
came  to  Illinois.  Two  years  later  he  became  a  permanent  resident  of  LaSalle 
county,  the  remainder  of  his  life  being  spent  upon  his  farm  in  Rutland  town- 
ship. There  he  located  upon  raw  prairie  land,  which  he  broke  and  improved, 
and  by  arduous  labor  converted  into  a  fertile,  productive  homestead,  one 
of  the  best  in  that  section.  His  first  humble  home  was  a  very  modest  one, 
but  as  time  passed  it  was  supplanted  by  a  commodious  dwelling,  and  other 
substantial  farm  buildings  were  erected  on  the  place.  There  being  few 
settlers  on  the  prairie  and  no  fences,  cattle  ranged  at  will  over  the  broad 
expanse,  and  Mr.  Walbridge  kept  large  herds  at  small  expense  or  trouble. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  281 

His  busy  and  useful  life  was  brought  to  a  close  February  26,  1875.  His  wife, 
who  died  several  years  later,  November  9,  1890,  was  the  mother  of  seven 
children,  four  of  the  number  by  her  marriage  to  Mr.  Keys.  The  others  were 
named  respectively  Alonzo  F.,  Ora  D.,  and  Edward  K.,  and  the  last  men- 
tioned is  now  a  resident  of  Pittsburg,  Kansas. 

Alonzo  F.  Walbridge  was  born  on  the  family  homestead  in  Rutland 
township,  this  county,  February  26,  1839.  He  became  thoroughly  familiar 
with  the  routine  work  of  agriculture  when  a  mere  boy,  and  continued  to 
assist  his  father  at  home  until  his  marriage  in  his  twentieth  year.  Even 
then  he  did  not  leave  his  birthplace,  but  as  long  as  he  was  actively  engaged 
in  farming  he  cultivated  the  same  property.  After  his  father's  death,  it 
came  into  his  possession  by  heritage  and  purchase,  and  for  years  it  has 
been  considered  one  of  the  most  desirable  farms  in  the  county.  It  com- 
prises four  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  arable,  well  improved  land,  and  good 
farm  buildings  stand  on  the  premises. 

In  1890  Mr.  Walbridge  removed  with  his  family  to  Marseilles,  where 
he  occupies  a  pleasant  residence  on  West  Blufif  street.  He  was  married  on 
the  7th  of  February,  1858,  to  Miss  Delilah  Mick,  the  second  daughter  of 
Jesse  and  Martha  (Williams)  Mick,  and  for  over  forty  years  they  have  happily 
pursued  the  journey  of  life  together.  Mrs.  W^albridge  was  born  in  Lan- 
caster county,  Pennsylvania,  and  when  quite  young  removed  with  her  parents 
to  Jefferson  county.  New  York,  and  subsequently  came  to  this  county  in 
1855.  Two  daughters  bless  the  union  of  our  subject  and  wife,  namely:  Relief 
E.,  wife  of  Elihu  Baxter,  a  farmer;  and  Adella  D.,  who  married  William 
H.  Millikin,  likewise  a  tiller  of  the  soil. 

Politically  Mr.  W^albridge  is  a  stanch  "sixteen-to-one"  Democrat,  l)ut 
has  never  found  time  to  interfere  in  public  affairs,  even  had  he  desired  to 
do  so.  He  has  attended  strictly  to  his  own  concerns  and  to  the  welfare  of 
his  immediate  community,  and  is  deserving  of  the  high  esteem  in  which  he  is 
held  by  all. 


GEORGE  W.  GIBSON. 


For  three-score  years  George  W.  Gibson  has  made  his  home  in  LaSalle 
county,  having  come  here  from  Ohio  with  his  parents  in  1838,  and  he  is 
not  only  familiar  with  the  history  of  the  county,  but  has  also  contributed 
his  part  toward  its  growth  and  development. 

Mr.  Gibson  was  born  in  Marysville,  Kentucky,  March  22,  1826,  and 
along  the  agnatic  line  traces  his  origin  to  Scotland.  His  grandfather,  Robert 
Yates  Gibson,  was  a  Scotch  army  officer,  and  when  a  young  man  emigrated 
to  this  country  and  settled  in  Pennsylvania.     In  Cumberland,  Pennsylvania, 


282  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

John  Gibson,  the  father  of  George  W.,  was  born  and  reared.  He  was  a 
soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  married  EHzabeth  C.  Yates,  Hke  himself  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania  and  a  descendant  of  Scotch  ancestry.  Some  time 
after  their  marriage  they  removed  to  Marysville,  Kentucky,  where  they 
remained  for  two  years,  going  thence  to  Licking  county,  Ohio,  and  in  1838 
coming  to  Illinois  and  establishing  their  home  in  LaSalle  county,  where  the 
father  purchased  a  farm  and  where  he  and  his  good  wife  passed  the  rest  of 
their  lives  and  died,  her  age  at  death  being  seventy-five  years,  while  he 
attained  the  venerable  age  of  eighty-six.  She  was  for  many  years,  and  up 
to  the  time  of  her  death,  a  devoted  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  This  worthy  couple  reared  six  children,  as  follows:  Martha,  wife 
of  C.  McKinley,  is  deceased;  Maria  is  the  widow  of  James  Trenary;  William, 
who  died  in  Eldorado,  Kansas,  was  a  veteran  of  both  the  Mexican  and  civil 
wars,  being  colonel  of  the  Fourth  Illinois  Infantry;  George  W.,  whose  name 
graces  this  sketch,  is  also  a  veteran  of  the  Mexican  war;  J.  M.  was  likewise  a 
soldier  in  the  Mexican  war;  and  Theodore,  also  a  veteran  of  the  Mexican 
and  civil  wars,  was  major  of  the  Sixty-fourth  Illinois  Infantry,  and  has  for 
years  been  a  resident  of  Ottawa,  Illinois. 

George  W.  Gibson  was  a  lad  of  eleven  years  when  his  parents  first 
sought  the  Illinois  prairies,  and  was  reared  in  the  vicinity  of  Ottawa,  attend- 
ing the  Ottawa  schools.  In  1849,  ^^"1  company  with  his  brother  Theodore,  he 
started  westward  to  seek  the  gold  fields  of  California;  they  made  the  trip 
with  ox-team  and  were  six  months  on  the  way.  En  route  they  passed  large 
herds  of  buffalo  and  were  often  in  terror  on  account  of  the  bands  of  Indians 
along  the  trail.  For  three  years  he  remained  in  the  west,  engaged  in  mining, 
returning  to  Chicago  at  the  end  of  that  time  and  thence  to  his  home  in 
LaSalle  county.  The  return  trip  was  made  by  way  of  the  Isthmus  of 
Panama  and  New  York  city.  Aside  from  this  western  mining  experience, 
Mr.  Gibson's  life  has  been  quietly  devoted  to  agricultural  pursuits.  Although 
now  seventy-three  years  of  age,  he  is  still  active  and  vigorous,  both  physically 
and  mentally. 

Mr.  Gibson  was  married  first  in  1856,  to  Miss  Cynthia  Robinson,  and 
to  them  were  born  two  children,  Lewis  and  Clara.  Lewis  married  Miss  Flora 
Ditch,  and  they  have  two  children,  George  P.  and  Mabel.  Mrs.  Cynthi^ 
Gibson  died  in  1861,  and  for  his  second  wife  Mr.  Gibson  married  Miss 
Rachel  Green.  There  were  l^orn  of  this  marriage  two  children — ^John  and 
Alta,  who  became  the  wife  of  William  Miller,  of  Pennsylvania,  and  who  has 
one  child,  Gertie.  Mrs.  Rachel  Gibson  died  in  1883,  and  in  1889  Mr.  Gibson 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Mrs.  Mary  Ann  Poole,  his  present  companion. 
She  was  the  widow  of  Joseph  Poole,  who  was  a  native  of  England,  and 
she  is  the  mother  of  five  children,  three  sons  and  two  daughters. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  283 

While  he  has  never  been  a  politician  in  any  sense  of  the  word,  Mr. 
Gibson  has  always  in  local  affairs  given  his  support  to  the  men  best  suited 
for  office,  while  in  national  affairs  he  has  voted  the  Democratic  ticket. 


DAVID  M.  VOSBURGH,  M.  D. 

David  Martin  Vosburgh,  M.  D..  is  among  the  oldest  and  widely  known 
citizens  of  Earlville,  LaSalle  county,  and  occupies  a  conspicuous  place  in  the 
county,  having  been  a  practicing  physician  here  for  nearly  half  a  century. 
He  is  a  native  of  Evansburg,  Crawford  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  born 
July  28,  1826,  his  parents  being  Dr.  David  J.  and  Mary  (Richards)  Vosburgh. 
David  Martin  Vosburgh,  the  grandfather,  was  a  descendant  of  the  Hol- 
lander emigrants  who  settled  in  New  York,  of  which  state  he  was  a  native. 
The  name  .was  of  Holland-Dutch  origin.  David  Martin  and  two  of  his 
brothers  were  soldiers  of  the  Revolution  and  participated  in  the  battle  of 
Bunker  Hill,  where  both  brothers  gave  their  lives  in  the  cause  of  American 
independence. 

Dr.  David  J.  Vosburgh  was  born  in  Washington  county,  New  York, 
August  4,  1792,  and  was  one  of  seven  sons,  of  whom  five  became  practicing 
physicians.  He  fought  in  the  war  of  1812,  where  he  served  as  an  assistant 
surgeon  under  Chief  Surgeon  Payne,  who  was  afterward  given  a  place  on 
the  staff  of  professors  in  the  Albany  (New  York)  Medical  College,  and 
General  Pitcher,  the  noted  fighter.  Later  he  was  sent  out  with  Colonel 
(afterward  General)  Taylor  to  quell  the  Indians  on  the  frontier.  This  expedi- 
tion went  by  way  of  Fort  Dearborn  (Chicago)  to  Lake  George,  Wis- 
consin. With  this  company  was  Captain  Jefferson  Davis,  who  afterward 
was  secretary  of  war  and  figured  so  prominently  as  the  president  of  the 
southern  Confederacy.  Previous  to  enlisting  in  this  war  he  had  graduated  at 
the  University  of  New  York  city,  and  after  returning  he  continued  his 
studies,  soon  afterward  locating  in  Crawford  county,  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  began  the  regular  practice  of  medicine.  Here  it  was  that  he  became 
acquainted  with  Miss  Mary  Richards,  and  the  friendship  soon  ripened  into 
a  love  which  culminated  in  their  betrothal  and  marriage.  They  were  the 
happy  parents  of  three  sons:  John  Jay,  a  farmer  of  Iconium,  Iowa;  Hiram 
Alonzo,  a  resident  of  Chicago;  and  David  Martin,  our  subject.  The  mother 
died  about  1827,  and  the  father  was  again  bound  in  matrimony,  his  second 
wife  being  Doris  Wright,  who  bore  him  several  children,  five  of  whom 
reached  adult  years,  namely:  Sabrena  S.,  wife  of  Joseph  P.  Howe;  Horatio 
L. ;  Doris,  wife  of  George  Howe;  and  Edward  and  Eliza,  twins,  the  latter 
becoming  the  wife  of  Amos  Gilliland.     Early  in  the  '30s  Dr.  David  J.  Vos- 


284  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

burgh  moved  from  Evansburg  to  Penn  Line,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was 
a  most  skillful  and  successful  practitioner  until  ill  health  compelled  him  to 
retire  from  practice,  when  he  was  about  fifty-five  years  of  age.  His  wife  was 
called  to  her  long  rest  in  1865,  when  in  her  sixty-eighth  year,  and  soon 
after,  in  1868,  he  went  west  and  made  his  home  with  his  son,  John  Jay,  in 
Iowa.  Here  he  quietly  passed  into  his  long,  dreamless  sleep  on  May  2, 
1875,  after  a  long  life  of  usefulness  and  kindness.  He  was  a  Democrat  in 
his  politics  and  while  a  resident  of  Penn  Line  was  given  the  unanimous  vote 
of  the  convention  as  a  nominee  for  congress.  This  was  equivalent  to  an 
election,  but  the  honor  was  declined  by  the  Doctor,  who  felt  that  his  poor 
health  would  not  permit  him  to  serve  his  constituents  in  the  manner  he 
thought  incumbent  upon  a  congressman.  He  was  honest  and  sincere  in 
all  his  actions  and  was  respected  and  loved  by  all  who  knew  him. 

Dr.  David  M.  Vosburgh  lived  the  greater  part  of  his  early  life  in  Penn 
Line,  Pennsylvania,  and  received  his  education  in  Kingsville  Academy, 
Ashtabula  county,  Ohio.  His  youthful  ambition  was  to  become  a  physician 
and  follow  in  the  footsteps  of  his  father,  and  his  first  step  in  this  direction 
was  to  enter  his  father's  office  to  obtain  the  rudiments  of  the  knowledge 
necessary  to  a  successful  practice  of  that  science.  Later  he  entered  the 
office  of  Dr.  C.  E.  Cleveland  of  Kingsville,  Ohio,  who  had  been  a  former 
pupil  of  the  elder  Vosburgh.  Here  he  studied  three  years,  obtaining  valu- 
able experience  during  the  third  year  in  the  hospital  of  Ashtabula  county. 
He  then  entered  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  at  which  he  graduated  in 
1850.  For  two  years  he  practiced  at  Custordville,  Pennsylvania,  and  Febru- 
ary 12,  1853,  he  came  to  Earlville,  Illinois,  where  he  has  practiced  continu- 
ously since.  When  he  located  here  but  two  other  doctors,  Wylie  and 
Badgly,  were  practicing  here,  and  he  is  the  only  one  of  the  trio  remaining. 
He  has  worked  up  a  large  and  lucrative  practice,  having  brought  many  of 
his  patrons  into  the  world  and  attended  them  and  their  families  in  all  their 
sickness.  He  has  attended  over  five  thousand  births,  and  three  of  these  were 
triplets.  He  is  one  of  the  most  eminent  and  skillful  physicians  in  the 
county,  and  has  the  confidence  and  affection  of  a  large  circle,  who  appreciate 
his  sterling  worth. 

He  was  married  June  21,  1853,  to  Mary  AL  Hubbell,  who  died  No- 
vember 2,  1854.  He  then  chose  as  his  helpmeet  Miss  Phoebe  B.  Breese,  to 
whom  he  was  joined  in  wedlock  October  14,  1855,  and  who  died  October 
18,  1898.  after  suffering  four  years  from  paralysis,  during  which  time  she 
was  speechless  and  helpless.  Her  children  were  Mary  E.,  wife  of  George 
H.  Haight,  attorney:  Clara  A.,  wife  of  G.  A.  Cope,  of  Earlville,  now  a  widow; 
Martin  B.,  who  died  June  30,  1861,  at  the  age  of  fifteen  months,  the  result 
of  a  scald;  and  Charles  B.,  who  resides  in  Chicago  and  is  in  the  railroad 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  285 

business.  Dr.  Vosburgh  has  been  connected  with  the  drug  business  for  a 
period  of  fort}-t\vo  years  and  has  been  a  prominent  worker  for  the  advance- 
ment of  Earlville.  He  was  a  prime  mover  for  the  establishment  of  the 
graded-school  system  in  this  village  and  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  educa- 
tion did  all  in  his  power  to  advance  the  cause  of  education.  He  was  the 
president  of  the  \'illage  board  four  or  five  years  and  three  terms  was  mayor, — 
1881-2  and  1893-7.  It  was  during  his  administration  that  the  water-works 
was  established  here.  He  belongs  to  the  county,  state,  and  National  Med- 
ical Associations,  is  a  Knight  Templar,  and  has  filled  all  the  offices  in  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  in  which  he  was  a  department  grand 
master.  He  was  brought  up  in  the  Presbyterian  church,  to  which  his  wife 
was  devoted  and  to  which  he  is  a  liberal  contributor,  although  not  a  mem- 
ber. Any  religious  object  is  sure  of  his  support  and  his  generosity  is  never 
appealed  to  in  vain  for  a  worthy  cause. 


MOSES  W.  GUNN. 


Moses  W.  Gunn  is  probably  one  of  the  best  known  and  most  highly 
respected  residents  of  LaSalle  county,  where  he  has  passed  his  entire  life 
and  been  prominent  in  religious  work,  and  is  a  farmer  of  intelligence  and 
great  executive  ability.  He  was  born  in  LaSalle.  Illinois,  March  31.  1839, 
and  is  a  son  of  Aaron  and  Nancy  (Winters)  Gunn,  w^ho  were  closely  identi- 
fied with  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  this  community  and  who  will  be 
remembered  for  their  many  kindly  deeds  long  after  they  have  passed  to 
their  reward. 

M.  W.  Gunn  grew  to  manhood  in  LaSalle,  attended  select  schools 
until  seventeen  years  of  age,  then  entered  the  public  schools  and  supple- 
mented this  education  with  a  year  at  Franklin  College,  at  Franklin,  Indiana. 
His  education  has  been  broadened  by  extensive  travel  in  different  parts  of 
the  United  States.  Mr.  Gunn  had  a  natural  and  inherited  taste  for  farming 
and  was  a  valuable  help  to  his  father  in  running  his  farm.  He  served  ten 
months  as  a  private  in  the  Eleventh  Illinois,  Company  K,  enlisting  in  the  in- 
fantry during  the  year  1864  and  being  mustered  out  July  14  of  the  following 
year,  at  Baton  Rouge,  Louisiana.  He  took  part  in  the  battle  at  Fort 
Blakely,  April  9,  1865,  and  was  in  the  engagements  that  took  place  around 
Mobile.  As  a  farmer  he  has  won  an  enviable  reputation  by  reason  of  his 
advanced  views  and  modern  methods  employed  by  him  in  conducting  his 
work.  He  has  lately  patented  a  combined  fence-wire  stretcher,  mender, 
splicer  and  staple  puller,  which  he  is  now  having  manufactured  and  will 


286  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

meet  a  ready  sale  as  it  will  supply  a  need  long  felt  by  the  builders  of  wire 
fence.     He  is  at  present  trustee  of  his  father's  estate.  ^ 

Mr.  Gunn  was  united  in  matrimony  May  14,  1889,  to  Miss  Emma  J. 
Richards,  of  Bureau  county,  this  state.  She  is  a  daughter  of  David  and  Mary 
(Althouse)  Richards,  the  former  a  native  of  Wales,  whence  he  came  to 
America  when  a  lad  of  fourteen,  and  the  latter  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and 
a  descendant  of  Holland  ancestry.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gunn  are  the  parents  of 
four  children:  AVilmer,  who  died  in  March,  1893,  at  the  age  of  three  years; 
Frances  Ivy;  Carrol;  and  Emory  Loyd.  In  politics  Mr.  Gunn  is  a  Prohi- 
bitionist, and  in  religion  a  Baptist,  having  united  with  that  church  at  an 
early  age  and  been  reared  in  a  home  whose  atmosphere  was  one  of  true 
religion.  He  began  preaching  in  the  fall  of  1872  as  a  lay  preacher,  and  has 
continued  the  work  since,  doing  a  great  deal  of  missionary  work  among 
the  churches  and  accomplishing  a  vast  amount  of  good.  He  is  a  speaker  of 
power  and  influence  and  is  well  and  favorably  known  for  his  untiring  devotion 
to  the  cause.  Personally  he  is  genial  and  pleasant,  an  interesting  converser, 
devoted  in  his  friendships,  and  liberal  in  his  charities. 


CHARLES  P.  TAYLOR. 


One  of  the  able,  enterprising  young  business  men  and  financiers  of 
LaSalle  county  is  Charles  P.  Taylor,  who  is  a  director  of  the  National  City 
Bank  of  Ottawa,  and  is  the  cashier  of  the  State  Bank  of  Seneca.  He  pos- 
sesses qualities  which  have  rapidly  brought  him  to  the  front  and  gained  for 
him  a  reputation  as  a  successful  man  of  affairs,  and  his  numerous  friends 
predict  for  him  a  brilliant  future  in  the  world  of  finance. 

Born  December  3,  1866,  in  Rock  Island,  Illinois,  Mr.  Taylor  is  a  son 
of  Alfred  H.  and  Sarah  (Case  )Taylor,  who  were  natives  of  Vermont  and 
Rock  Island,  respectively.  The  mother  is  a  daughter  of  Charles  H.  Case, 
one  of  the  sterling  pioneers  of  the  city  mentioned,  he  having  settled  there 
in  1827.  Among  his  early  friends  in  that  locality  was  the  famous  Indian 
chief.  Black  Hawk.  The  parents  of  Alfred  H.  Taylor  were  Rev.  Philander 
and  Faithful  (Manning)  Taylor,  the  former  a  native  of  the  Green  Moun- 
tain state,  and  both  of  English  descent,  and  highly  respected.  After  a  busy, 
useful  life,  spent  chiefly  in  Rock  Island  and  Ottawa,  A.  H.  Taylor  is  now 
retired,  after  eighteen  years'  service  as  the  clerk  of  the  supreme  court,  his 
home  being  in  the  last  mentioned  place. 

When  he  was  a  lad  of  about  nine  years  Charles  P.  Taylor  removed  to 
Ottawa  with  his  parents,  and  there  obtained  his  elementary  education  in 
the  public  schools.     After  being  graduated  at  the  high  school  of  Ottawa  he 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  287 

entered  the  Michigan  State  University  at  Ann  Arbor,  and,  after  complet- 
ing the  curriculum,  was  graduated,  in  1889.  He  then  went  to  California 
with  a  party  of  friends  on  a  pleasure  trip,  thus  having  the  satisfaction  of 
seeing  something  of  this  wonderful  country  before  settling  down  to  business 
life.  Upon  his  return  to  Ottawa  he  accepted  a  position  in  the  employ  of 
the  firm  of  Fisk  &  Beem,  as  bookkeeper  and  cashier,  and  continued  with 
that  house,  one  of  the  leading  merchant  tailoring  establishments  of  the 
place,  for  two  or  three  years.  When  the  State  Bank  at  Seneca  was  or- 
ganized in  1892  Mr.  Taylor  was  honored  by  being  chosen  as  its  cashier,  the 
other  officers  being:  Thomas  D.  Catlin,  president,  and  A.  P\  Schoch,  vice- 
president.  A  general  banking  business  is  transacted,  and  from  the  first 
the  bank  has  possessed  the  confidence  of  the  public,  largely  on  account  of 
the  high  standing  and  excellent  business  reputation  of  its  officials,  who  are 
gentlemen  of  unimpeached  integrity  of  character,  and  for  many  years  have 
occupied  distinguished  places  among  the  citizens  of  Ottawa. 

Socially  Mr.  Taylor  is  exceedingly  popular,  and  is  connected  with  sev- 
eral fraternal  organizations.  While  a  college  student  he  was  a  member 
of  the  Sigma  Phi,  a  leading  and  influential  Greek  letter  fraternity.  He 
now  belongs  to  Occidental  Lodge,  No.  40,  F.  and  A.  M.;  Shabbona  Chapter, 
No.  37,  R.  A.  M.;  and  Ottawa  Commandery,  No.  10,  K.  T.,  in  all  of  which 
he  is  highly  esteemed. 

In  1894  the  marriage  of  C.  P.  Taylor  and  Miss  Josephine  Porter  was 
solemnised  in  Ottajwa,  and  they  have  a  little  son  and  daughter  now  to 
gladden  their  attractive  home,  the  elder  being  named  Sarah  and  the  younger 
Alfred  H.,  Jr.,  for  his  paternal  grandfather.  Mrs.  Taylor  is  a  daughter  of 
J.  E.  Porter,  the  well-known  manufacturer  of  agricultural  implements  at 
Ottawa.  She  possesses  a  superior  education  and  many  graces  of  character 
and  manner^  which  endear  her  to  everyone  she  chances  to  become  acquainted 
with. 


JOHN  J.  WITTE. 


The  German  press  of  the  United  States  is  a  power  that  must  always  be 
considered  by  those  who  watch  the  trend  of  public  sentiment.  The  Ger- 
man press  of  Illinois  has  long  been  recognized  as  of  first-class  ability,  and 
the  Central  Illinois  Wochenblatt,  published  by  J.  J.  Witte  &  Son,  at  Ottawa, 
long  ago  attained  a  standing  as  one  of  the  strongest  German  papers  in 
the  state,  which  position  it  is  likely  to  maintain  for  many  years. 

John  J.  Witte,  editor  and  publisher  of  the  Central  Illinois  Wochen- 
blatt, was  born  in  Colmar,  Prussia,  August  20,  1845,  and  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1865.     He  worked  at  his  trade,  that  of  printer,  for  four  years  in 


288  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

New  York,  Milwaukee,  Chicago  and  Springfield,  until  March  4,  1869,  when 
he  came  to  Ottawa  and  purchased  an  interest  in  the  Wochenblatt.  For 
ten  years  the  paper  was  published  by  Denhard  &  Witte,  until  the  death  of 
Mr.  Denhard  in  February,  1879,  since  which  time  it  has  been  published 
by  John  J.  Witte  and  the  firm  of  J.  J.  \Mtte  &  Son.  Mr.  Witte  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  is  widely  known  in  German  newspaper 
circles  throughout  the  country. 

Edward  R.  Witte.  junior  member  of  the  firm  of  J.  J.  Witte  &  Son,  was 
born  at  Ottawa,  April  4,  1874,  and  attended  the  schools  of  that  city.  He 
learned  his  trade  in  the  Wochenblatt  office,  and  was  admitted  to  partnership 
with  his  father  a  few  years  ago. 

He  enlisted  in  Company  M,  of  the  Sixth  Infantry,  Illinois  National 
Guard  (now  Company  C,  Third  Infantry),  March  29,  1891,  and  he  is  now 
second  sergeant  of  the  company.  On  January  2  he  was  appointed  corporal 
in  said  company,  and  on  Alay  3,  1897,  he  was  promoted  sergeant.  On  April 
2"/  Edward  R.  Witte  enlisted  with  Company  C  as  quartermaster  sergeant  in 
the  volunteer  army,  U.  S.  A.,  serving  in  that  capacity  throughout  the  Span- 
ish war,  doing  duty  on  the  island  of  Porto  Rico,  and  was  discharged  with 
said  company  on  January  19,  1899.  Since  then  he  has  again  enlisted  in 
Company  C,  Illinois  National  Guard,  and  ranks  as  quartermaster  sergeant. 

The  Wochenblatt  has  been  ably  edited  for  nearly  thirty-two  years  by 
Mr.  Witte,  and  is  one  of  the  most  influential  German  papers  in  Illinois.  For 
twenty-five  years  it  has  been  the  official  German  paper  of  LaSalle  county,  and 
is  widely  read  throughout  this  part  of  Illinois. 


CHARLES    H.    RATHBUN. 

There  is  a  class  of  representative  American  citizens  who  in  the  active 
affairs  of  life  have  won  continued  advancement  and  gratifying  success.  No 
land  offers  to  its  people  such  advantages  as  does  this  republic,  and  through- 
out the  nation  are  found  men  who  have  continually  worked  their  way 
upward  to  positions  of  prominence  in  military  and  civic  circles  and  who  in 
the  business  world  have  gained  positions  of  distinction  where  substantial 
financial  reward  has  awaited  them.  Such  a  one  is  C.  H.  Rathbun,  of 
Streator,  who  is  now  superintendent  of  the  mines  of  the  Star  Coal  Company 
and  is  also  the  representative  of  various  other  important  concerns. 

Mr.  Rathbun  is  a  native  of  Steuben  county,  New  York,  born  in  1846, 
and  is  a  son  of  Hubbard  S.  and  Lucretia  (Calkins)  Rathbun.  In  tracing 
the  genealogy  of  the  family  we  find  that  he  is  descended  from  a  long  line  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  289 

sturdy,  intelligent  and  honorable  ancestors,  and  that  in  both  the  lineal  and 
collateral  branches  representatives  have  been  prominent  in  the  affairs  which 
form  the  history  of  the  country.  The  first  of  the  name  in  America,  of  whom 
we  have  record,  was  Richard  Rathbun,  who  was  born  in  1574.  He  married 
Marion  Whipple,  sister  of  Captain  John  Whipple,  and  they  had  four  chil- 
dred,  all  sons.  So  far  as  we  have  been  able  to  discover  none  of  them  have 
left  issue  except  John.  He  was  born  about  the  year  1610  and  married 
about  1633.  His  son  John  Rathbun  (2)  was  born  about  1634  and  married 
Margaret  Dodge,  a  daughter  of  Tristram  Dodge,  and  their  children  were 
Thomas,  John,  Sarah,  William  Joseph  and  Samuel.  The  father  of  this  family 
was  one  of  those  who  on  the  17th  of  August,  1660,  met  at  the  house  of  John 
Alcock,  in  Roxbury,  Massachusetts,  to  confer  concerning  the  purchase  of 
Block  island. 

John  Rathbun  (3)  was  born  in  Roxbury,  Massachusetts,  about  1658, 
and  married  Ann  Dodge,  whose  father  settled  on  Block  island  in  1662.  Just 
before  his  marriage  he  received  from  his  father  a  deed  to  sixty  acres  of  land 
on  Block  island,  the  consideration  being  "one  barrel  of  pork."  From  some 
old  records  we  learn  that  Great  James  and  his  wife  (Indians)  bound  their 
daughter  Betsey  to  John  Rathbun  and  his  wife  Ann  as  an  indentured 
servant  for  the  period  of  eighteen  years,  the  consideration  being  "one  gallon 
of  rum,  one  blanket  in  hand,  and  for  five  years  afterward  one  gallon  of  rum. 
If  she  remained  five  years  the  said  Rathbun  to  pay  four  blankets  and  every 
third  year  thereafter."  The  children  of  John  and  Ann  Rathbun  were  Mercy, 
Jonathan,  John,  Joshua,  Benjamin,  Anna,  Nathaniel  and  Thomas. 

Benjamin  Rathbun,  the  fifth  member  of  that  family,  was  born  on  Block 
island,  February  11,  1701,  and  became  a  resident  of  Escoheag,  Rhode 
Island,  but  afterward  removed  to  West  Greenwich.  He  was  admitted  a  free- 
man there  in  1737.  He  was  married  October  31,  1732,  to  Hannah  Car- 
penter, and  their  children  were  Benjamin,  Joshua,  Anna,  Mary,  Elizabeth, 
Hannah  and  Martha. 

Benjamin  Rathbun  (2)  was  born  about  1720,  was  married  November 
II.  1742,  to  Mary  Cahoon.  and  their  children  were  Daniel,  Benjamin,  Job 
and  Simeon.  Of  this  family  Job  Rathbun  was  born  at  Colchester,  Connecti- 
cut, in  1748,  and  married  Deborah  Welch,  who  was  born  in  Wales,  England. 
He  removed  to  Howard.  Steuben  county,  New  York,  in  1808,  and  there  his 
death  occurred  May  i,  1838,  when  he  had  reached  the  age  of  ninety  years. 
His  wife  died  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-two.  Their  children  were 
Washington,  Eunice,  Russell,  Deborah,  Lydia,  Betsy,  Ami  Riley,  Hubbard 
W.,  Alfred,  Sarah  Ann,  Amariah,  Dana  and  Clarissa. 

Hubbard  Welch  Rathbun.  the  grandfather  of  him  whose  name  heads  this 
record,  was  born  about  1790,  in  New  York,  was  married  in  1 810  to  Abbie 


290  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

Saxton,  and  died  in  1859.  Their  children  were  Hubbard,  Saxton  and 
Abbie. 

Hubbard  Saxton  Rathbun  was  born  in  the  Empire  state,  May  11,  181 1, 
and  was  married  February  24,  1836,  to  Lucretia  /Vnn  Calkins,  whose  death 
occurred  February  6,  1856.  On  the  15th  of  September,  1858,  he  married 
Julia  Barton,  and  on  the  20th  of  October,  1861,  he  was  called  to  his  final 
rest.  The  children  of  the  first  marriage  were  Helen  M.,  Margelia  R.,  Charles 
H.  and  Lucretia. 

Charles  H.  Rathbun,  whose  name  introduces  this  review,  spent  his 
boyhood  days  in  his  native  town,  and  there  acquired  his  preliminary  educa- 
tion, which  was  supplemented  by  study  in  Rochester  Seminary  and  Genesee 
College,  being  graduated  in  the  latter  institution  in  the  class  of  1863.  Three 
years  rolled  away,  at  the  end  of  which  time  the  young  man  determined  to 
seek  his  fortune  in  the  west.  Accordingly  he  came  to  Illinois,  where  he 
found  employment  with  the  Chicago  &  Iowa  Railroad  Company,  after  which 
he  was  with  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Northern  Railroad  Company  for 
several  years.  He  diligently  applied  himself  to  the  task  assigned  him,  and 
his  marked  business  and  executive  ability  won  him  promotion  from  time  to 
time  until  he  was  made  auditor,  at  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  where  he  remained 
for  two  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  severed  his  connection 
with  the  railroad  and  came  to  Streator  in  1888  to  superintend  the  mines 
of  the  Star  Coal  Company  of  this  place.  In  1881  he  had  been  made  sec- 
retary of  the  company,  and  in  both  capacities  he  has  rendered  invaluable 
service  to  the  corporation.  They  own  and  control  six  mines,  some  located 
in  other  states,  and  most  of  these  are  kept  under  constant  operation.  The 
output  of  the  Streator  mines  is  about  two  hundred  thousand  tons  annually, 
a  ready  sale  being  found  for  the  product  in  this  locality  and  in  the  neighbor- 
ing metropolis.  In  addition  to  this  business  connection  Mr.  Rathbun  is. 
secretary  of  the  Streator  Mercantile  Company,  and  is  a  director  in  the  Union 
National  Bank  of  this  place,  besides  having  other  investments. 

Some  years  ago  Mr.  Rathbun  and  his  family  took  up  their  residence  in 
one  of  the  beautiful  modern  homes  of  Streator,  located  on  one  of  the 
leading  avenues  of  the  city.  On  the  2d  of  August,  1869,  was  celebrated 
the  marriage  of  Mr.  Rathbun  and  Miss  Mary  M.  Dawson,  of  Rochelle,  Illi- 
nois, who  died  a  few  years  later,  leaving  a  daughter,  Winnifred  L.,  now  the 
wife  of  William  R.  Hawkins.  They  have  one  son,  Charles  Rathbun  Haw- 
kins, born  February  20,  1898.  On  the  25th  of  February,  1881,  Mr.  Rathbun 
and  Miss  Sarah  M.  Landon  were  united  in  marriage,  in  Oregon,  Illinois. 
Her  ancestry  can  be  traced  back  through  many  generations  to  Ezekiel  Lan- 
don and  his  wife,  of  Connecticut.  Their  son  Horace  married  Bethia  Jennie, 
of  Connecticut,  and  one  of  their  children  was  Horace  Landon,  Jr.,  who  was 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  291 

born  at  Collins,  Erie  county,  New  York,  April  22,,  1820,  and  married  Amelia 
Agard,  June  3,  1847.  He  died  in  the  town  of  his  nativity,  June  6,  1855  and 
his  wife  died  in  Oregon,  Illinois,  July  20,  1899.  Their  children  were  New- 
ton and  Sarah  M.  The  ancestors  of  Amelia  Agard  were  Joshua  Agard,  who 
was  born  in  1756,  married  Ruth  Needham  and  lived  in  Wilmington,  Con- 
necticut. He  died  January  24,  1830.  His  son,  Joshua  Agard,  married  Lucy 
Sibley,  and  lived  in  Concord,  Erie  county.  New  York.  Amelia  Agard, 
their  daughter,  was  born  in  Erie  county,  New  York,  November  9,  1822. 
Joshua  Agard,  Sr.,  was  a  private  in  Captain  Waterman  Clift's  company,  of 
Plainfield,  Connecticut,  the  Sixth  Company  of  the  Sixth  Regiment,  com- 
manded by  Colonel  Samuel  Holden  Parsons. 

In  his  political  affiliation  Mr.  Rathbun  is  a  staunch  Republican. 
Socially  he  is  a  prominent  Mason,  being  an  honored  member  of  Horicon 
Lodge,  No.  244,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Rochelle  Chapter,  No.  167,  R.  A.  M.,  and 
Ottawa  Commandery,  No.  10,  K.  T.  That  Mr.  Rathbun  has  met  success 
in  his  business  life  is  indicated  by  the  prominent  position  which  he  now  occu- 
pies in  commercial  and  financial  circles.  His  career  clearly  illustrates  the 
possibilities  that  are  open  in  this  country  to  earnest,  persevering  young  men 
who  have  the  courage  of  their  convictions  and  are  determined  to  be  the 
architects  of  their  own  fortunes.  When  judged  by  what  he  has  accomplished 
his  right  to  a  first  place  among  the  representative  citizens  of  Streator  cannot 
be  questioned. 


WILSON   CONARD. 


Occupying  a  leading"  position  among  the  prominent  and  influential 
farmers  of  Rutland  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  is  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  Wilson  Conard,  Ottawa,  being  his  post-office  address. 

Wilson  Conard  is  a  native  of  the  county  in  which  he  lives.  He  was 
born  in  Miller  township,  October  5,  1863,  and  is  a  son  of  the  late  David 
W.  Conard.  The  following  reference  to  his  father  we  clip  from  a  local 
newspaper: 

"One  more  has  been  added  to  the  list  of  pioneers  who  have  passed 
away.  Mr.  David  W.  Conard,  who  during  the  last  three  years  has  been  a  resi- 
dent of  Marseilles,  died  in  Ottawa  on  Monday,  April  24,  1899.  David 
Wilson  Conard  was  born  in  Loudoun  county,  Virginia,  April  7,  1825.  At 
the  age  of  three  he  accompanied  his  parents  to  Licking  county,  Ohio,  where 
he  grew  to  manhood.  At  the  time  this  great  Mississippi  valley  region  was 
being  rapidly  settled,  believing  he  would  find  here  larger  opportunities,  he 
started  across  the  country  on  horseback,  and  arrived  in  LaSalle  county  in 


292  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

May,  1844,  and  continued  a  resident  of  this  county  until  his  death.  For 
several  years  after  coming  here  he  taught  school  in  winter  and  worked  at  the 
carpenter  trade  in  summer.  In  1848  he  bought  one  hundred  acres  of 
prairie  land  north  of  Marseilles  and  thus  entered  upon  the  work  of  farming, 
in  which  he  was  unusually  successful.  As  he  prospered  he  added  to  his 
original  holding  of  land,  until  he  became  the  owner  of  many  hundred  acres 
of  real  estate.  He  also  became  connected  with  banking  interests  in  Mar- 
seilles and  other  cities,  both  east  and  west.  A  conservative  estimate  places 
his  property  interests  at  the  time  of  his  death  at  upward  of  two  hundred 
thousand  dollars.  He  constantly  practiced  a  rigid  economy  in  matters  of 
personal  expense.  He  was  a  man  of  untiring  energy  and  possessed  of  an 
almost  iron  constitution.  Until  within  a  few  years  before  his  death  he  did 
not  know  what  it  was  to  have  a  day  of  sickness.  His  judgment  in  matters  of 
business  was  excellent.  His  investments  always  turned  out  well.  Although 
his  chances  for  an  education  in  early  life  were  limited,  he  improved  them 
so  well  that  he  was  al^le.  as  already  noted,  to  do  the  work  of  a  teacher.  Al- 
though so  entirely  occupied  in  the  work  of  farming,  he  kept  himself  informed 
upon  the  questions  of  the  day.  His  political  convictions  were  strong  and 
he  was  able  to  give  to  them  very  intelligent  expression.  His  views  were  not 
those  of  the  mere  partisan,  but  rather  those  of  the  patriot.  It  may  be  said  to 
his  praise  that  he  was  honest  in  his  business  dealings.  No  part  of  his  large 
property  was  won  by  treachery  or  fraud.  He  was  considerate  toward  those 
who  were  under  obligation  to  him,  and  he  is  kindly  remembered  and  spoken 
of  in  this  regard  by  many  of  them.  Mr.  Conard  was  twice  married.  On 
June  10,  1849,  ^^^  married  Barbara  DeBolt,  who  died  February  9.  185 1,  leav- 
ing one  son.  ^"irgil,  who  grew  to  manhood,  but  died  in  1892.  March  17, 
1853,  he  married  Elizabeth  Grove,  a  cousin  of  his  first  wife,  and  she  and 
three  of  her  six  children  remain, — ■Wilson,  a  farmer  of  Rutland  township; 
Grant,  a  lawyer  of  Ottawa;  and  Mrs.  Samuel  Montgomery  of  Marseilles, 
Illinois." 

Wilson  Conard  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  township  and 
remained  a  member  of  the  home  circle  until  he  reached  his  majority.  Fol- 
lowing in  the  footsteps  of  his  father,  he  is  devoting  his  energies  to  agricultural 
pursuits.  The  first  farm  he  owned  he  bought  at  twenty-five  dollars  per  acre. 
Subsequently  selling  it  for  sixty-five  dollars  an  acre,  he  purchased  his  present 
farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres,  from  his  father,  D.  ^^^  Conard. 

Mr.  Conard  was  married  when  twenty-three  years  of  age  to  Miss  Mary 
Batchelor,  daughter  of  George  and  Christina  (Morrison)  Batchelor,  natives 
of  Scotland,  where  Mrs.  Conard  was  born.  They  came  to  America  when 
Mrs.  Conard  was  a  child,  and  she  was  reared  and  educated  in  Iroquois 
county,  Illinois,  being  a  student  of  Grand  Prairie  Seminary.     Mr.  and  Mrs. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  293 

Conard  have  three  children:    David  Roy,  born  December  19,   1887;    and 
Laura  E.  and  Anna  C,  twins,  born  October  16,  1889. 

The  Conard  family  attend  worship  at  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
Politically  Mr.  Conard  is  a  Democrat. 


JAMES  CAHILL. 


No  more  eloquent  illustration  can  be  given  of  the  appreciation  of  the 
benison  bestowed  upon  its  people  by  a  republic  than  in  the  respect  and 
admiration  given  to  its  self-made  men.  The  history  of  such  an  one  is  always 
of  interest,  and  the  life  record  usually  contains  lessons  which  others  may 
profitably  follow.  Mr.  Cahill  sought  not  the  alluring  promises  of  the  future, 
but  strove  in  the  present  to  utilize  the  opportunities  that  surrounded  him, 
and  thus  he  won  a  distinguished  position  in  connection  with  the  great 
material  industries  of  the  state.  His  efforts  were  so  discerningly  directed 
along  well  defined  lines  that  he  carried  forward  to  successful  completion 
whatever  he  undertook.  A  man  of  distinct  and  forceful  individuality,  of 
broad  mentality  and  mature  judgment,  he  left  the  impress  of  his  individuality 
upon  the  industrial  interests  of  LaSalle  county,  and  while  promoting  his 
individual  success  also  contributed  materially  to  the  general  prosperity. 

Mr.  Cahill  was  a  native  of  county  Kerry,  Ireland,  and  was  one  of  a 
family  of  five  children.  His  parents  died  on  the  Emerald  Isle.  When  a 
young  man  he  determined  to  seek  a  home  in  the  New  World,  believing  it 
offered  superior  advantages  to  those  whose  advancement  in  life  must  depend 
upon  labor.  In  1837  he  arrived  in  Peru,  Illinois,  and  with  this  city  was 
identified  throughout  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  entered  upon  his  business 
career  in  the  humble  capacity  of  a  wood  chopper,  but  the  work  was  honest 
and  he  was  industrious  and  soon  better  things  offered.  He  began  buying 
and  selling  wood,  and  as  his  financial  resources  increased  extended  the  field 
of  his  labors,  until  eventually  he  became  quite  an  extensive  dealer  in  that 
commodity.  In  1853  he  also  opened  a  grocery  and  general  mercantile 
establishment,  which  he  conducted  with  marked  success  to  the  time  of  his 
death.  For  some  time  he  was  a  director  in  the  Peru  National  Bank,  and 
gradually,  as  opportunity  for  safe  investment  offered,  he  became  the  owner 
of  extensive  realty  holdings  in  LaSalle  and  in  some  of  the  southern  counties 
of  Illinois.  In  1879  ^'•^  began  mining  coal,  owning  the  property  known  as 
the  Cahill  coal  fields.  It  was  not  long  before  he  had  built  up  a  thriving 
trade,  and  his  business  necessitated  the  employment  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty-five  men  in  the  mines.  He  shipped  coal  in  large  quantities  and  at 
the  same  time  carried  on  a  considerable  retail  business.     Thus  year  by  year 


^94  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

his  capital  was  augmented  until  he  took  rank  among  the  wealthy  men  of 
the  county,  and  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  leading  factors  in  business 
circles  in  northern  Illinois. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Cahill  was  a  Dem.ocrat  and  served  for  several 
years  as  a  member  of  the  school  board  of  Peru,  but  never  sought  of^ce. 
His  membership  in  the  Catholic  Benevolent  Society  of  America  covered 
a  period  of  several  years,  but  before  joining  the  organization  he  exemplified 
its  spirit  in  his  life.  He  married  Miss  Johanna  Lee,  also  a  native  of  Ireland, 
as  were  her  parents;  but  her  father  spent  his  last  years  in  America.  Both 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cahill  were  consistent  members  of  St.  Mary's  Catholic  church, 
and  were  numbered  among  its  first  parishioners.  By  their  marriage  they 
became  the  parents  of  five  children,  but  two  of  the  number  have  passed 
away,  those  living  being  Catherine,  Cornelius  J.  and  John  D.  Death  did  not 
long  separate  the  parents,  for  Mrs.  Cahill  died  October  21,  1887,  and  a  month 
later,  on  the  24th  of  November,  ]\Ir.  Cahill  departed  this  life. 

Cornelius  J.  Cahill,  the  elder  son,  occupies  a  leading  position  in  con- 
nection with  the  business  interests  of  his  native  county.  He  was  born  in 
Peru,  July  18.  1854,  and  for  forty-five  years  he  has  resided  on  one  street. 
He  has  long  been  familiar  to  the  people  of  the  town  as  one  of  its  oldest, 
most  enterprising  and  public-spirited  citizens,  and  he  has  carried  forth  with 
ability  the  work  which  his  father  began.  He  was  reared  in  his  native  town 
and  acquired  his  education  in  the  public  schools  and  in  the  parochial  school 
of  the  Christian  Brothers  of  that  town.  During  the  months  of  vacation  and 
after  leaving  school  he  acted  as  clerk  in  his  father's  store  until  1879,  when 
his  father  began  his  coal-mining  operations,  which  were  afterward  developed 
so  extensively.  In  1881  Cornelius  Cahill  assumed  the  superintendency  of 
the  mines,  and  has  since  remained  in  charge,  so  that  the  success  which 
has  attended  this  important  industrial  concern  is  largely  attributable  to  his 
management.  The  company  now  employs  about  two  hundred  men  and 
ships  coal  throughout  Illinois  and  Iowa  and  quite  extensively  in  other  west- 
ern states;  also  handles  hard  coal  in  large  quantities.  While  the  stockholders 
in  the  company  have  gained  a  handsome  competence  from  the  mines,  the 
industry  has  also  proved  a  very  valuable  one  to  the  community,  furnishing 
employment  to  so  large  a  force  of  workmen. 

On  the  5th  of  November,  1884.  'Sir.  Cahill  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Bridget  Kirby,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Sarah  (Berry)  Kirby,  and 
they  noW'  have  three  children, — ]Mary,  James  and  Gertrude.  The  family  are 
parishioners  of  St.  Mary's  Catholic  church,  of  Peru,  and  in  politics  Air. 
Cahill  is  a  stanch  Democrat,  well  informed  on  the  issues  of  the  day.  He 
is  not  an  office-seeker,  how-ever,  and  has  persistently  refused  to  accept  several 
important  of^ces  to  which  he  might  have  been  elected  without  opposition, 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  295 

so  great  is  his  personal  popularity.  His  time  is  devoted  to  his  business 
interests,  the  superintendence  of  the  mines,  and  the  management  of  the 
estate,  being  one  of  its  trustees,  in  connection  with  his  brother. 

The  birth  of  John  D.  Cahill  occurred  during  the  great  civil  war,  June 
23,  1863.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  Peru,  his  native  town,  and  later 
pursued  his  studies  in  what  was  then  known  as  the  Seminary  of  Our  Lady 
of  Angels,  but  now  called  the  Niagara  University,  on  account  of  its  location 
on  the  bank  of  the  Niagara  river,  near  the  suspension  bridge,  on  the  Amer- 
ican side,  ^^'ell  equipped  with  a  good  education  for  the  duties  of  life,  Mr. 
Cahill  entered  his  father's  store,  where  he  served  as  a  clerk  until  his  father's 
death,  when  he  took  charge  of  the  financial  affairs  of  the  estate,  the  other 
trustees  beine"  his  brother  Cornelius  and  Michael  Flahertv.  Thev  continue 
to  operate  the  Cahill  coal  mines  and  to  carry  on  the  various  business  enter- 
prises beg'un  by  the  father,  and  the  volume  of  business  which  they  control 
is  an  indication  of  the  splendid  success  which  is  attending  their  efforts. 

On  the  nth  of  October,  1887,  was  celebrated  the  marriage  of  John  D. 
Cahill  and  Miss  Margaret  A.  Monks,  daughter  of  Joseph  Monks.  They 
have  two  children,  James  and  Zita.  The  Cahill  family  is  one  of  the  most 
prominent  in  Peru,  and  in  social  circles  its  representatives  occupy  leading 
positions.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Cahill  are  members  of  St.  Mary's  Catholic 
church  and  he  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  the  Catholic 
Order  of  Foresters.  His  political  support  is  unwaveringly  given  the  Democ- 
racy. No  name  is  better  known  in  connection  with  the  coal-mining  interests 
of  Illinois  than  that  of  Cahill,  and  in  the  development  of  the  "black  diamond" 
districts  the  owners  have  not  only  promoted  their  individual  wealth,  but  have 
also  added  to  the  general  prosperity  by  advancing  commercial  activity. 


JONAH  HIBBS. 


The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  one  of  the  representative  farmers  of  Grand 
Rapids  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  and  has  been  identified  with  this 
place  since  1862.     A  brief  review  of  his  life  is  herewith  given: 

Jonah  Hibbs  was  born  in  Red  Stone  township,  Fayette  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, February  15,  1844,  and  has  in  his  veins  a  mixture  of  Scotch,  Ger- 
man and  English  blood.  His  father,  Jonah  Hibbs,  Sr.,  was  of  Scotch  and 
German  descent;  his  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Nancy  Jeffries,  was 
of  English  extraction — both  being  natives  of  Fayette  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, the  latter  born  near  Uniontown.  In  their  family  were  six  children, 
namely:  Ann  Eliza  Walters,  of  Nebraska;  Mary  Ann  Moss,  of  New  Salem, 
Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania;  Harriet  Galligher,  of  Des  Moines,    Iowa; 


296  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

Clarissa,  wife  of  M.  C.  Near,  died  near  Des  Moines,  Iowa;  Jacob,  who  died 
when  young;  Lacey,  a  resident  of  Grand  Ridge,  Illinois;  and  Jonah.  The 
father  died  in  his  native  county,  at  the  age  of  sixty-one  years;  the  mother 
at  the  time  of  death  was  eighty-two.  Both  were  members  of  the  Presby- 
terian church. 

Jonah  Hibbs  is  the  youngest  of  his  father's  family.  His  father  being  a 
farmer,  he  was  reared  to  farm  life,  his  youthful  days  being  passed  like  those 
of  other  boys  in  the  neighborhood,  working  in  the  field  in  summer  and  at- 
tending the  district  school  in  winter.  In  1862,  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  he 
came  to  Illinois  and  engaged  in  farming  with  his  brother  Lacey,  in  LaSalle 
county,  and  was  associated  with  him  for  a  period  of  ten  years.  His  present 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  on  section  16,  Grand  Rapids  town- 
ship, he  purchased  in  1883.  This  is  one  of  the  desirable  farms  of  the  town- 
ship, is  well  improved  with  good  buildings,  fences,  etc.,  and  is  under  a  high 
state  of  cultivation,  devoted  to  general  farming  and  stock  raising. 

Mr.  Hibbs  was  married  January  24,  1884,  to  Miss  Elsie  Wakey,  who 
was  born  and  reared  in  LaSalle  county.  Mrs.  Hibbs'  father,  William 
Wakey,  who  was  a  native  of  Germany,  came  to  this  country  when  a  young 
man  and  located  first  in  Connecticut,  coming  later  to  Illinois  and  settling 
in  LaSalle  county,  near  Ottawa.  He  was  married  in  this  county,  Decem- 
ber 14,  1844,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Hopple,  a  native  of  Perry  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, whose  parents,  Solomon  and  Sarah  (Cramer)  Hopple,  came  to  Illi- 
nois with  their  family  in  1842  and  located  on  Covel  creek,  in  Grand  Rapids 
township,  LaSalle  county.  William  Wakey  died  in  1886.  His  wife  is  still 
living,  a  resident  of  Grand  Rapids  township.  She  is  a  Methodist,  as  also 
was  her  husband.  For  years  he  was  prominent  and  active  in  church  work, 
being  a  class  leader  and  leader  of  the  choir.  In  the  Wakey  family  were 
ten  children.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hibbs  have  one  child,  a  son,  William  I.,  born 
August  22,  1887.  Politically  Mr.  Hibbs  gives  his  support  to  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  and  religiously  he  and  his  wife  are  Presbyterians. 


SAMUEL  R.  LEWIS. 


The  career  of  the  Hon.  Samuel  R.  Lewis,  of  Fall  River  township,  is 
well  worthy  of  emulation.  Faithful  and  devoted  to  what  he  has  believed  to 
be  right  and  best,  he  has  thereby  won  and  continues  to  enjoy  the  friend- 
ship and  genuine  regard  of  every  one,  as  the  direct  outcome  of  his  noble 
life.  Now,  in  the  eveningtide  of  his  days,  he  may  look  back  with  few  re- 
grets, for  he  has  ever  striven  to  do  his  whole  duty. 

The  Lewis  family  originated  in  Wales,  and  in  1682  was  founded  in  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  297 

United  States  by  one  Henry  Lewis,  who  lived  in  a  small  town  in  Pembroke- 
shire. After  reaching  America  he  lived  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania, 
on  the  west  bank  of  the  Delaware  river,  and  was  a  personal  friend  of  William 
Penn,  who  had  emigrated  to  this  country  in  1681.  The  family  of  Henry 
Lewis,  at  the  time  that  he  came  to  America,  comprised  his  wife  Margaret, 
two  sons  and  a  daughter,  and  his  aged  father,  Evan  Lewis.  The  grand- 
father of  Mr.  Lewis  wedded  a  Miss  Hogue,  a  member  of  the  Society  of 
Friends. 

The  parents  of  S.  R.  Lewis  were  Jehu  and  Rachel  (Mills)  Lewis,  the 
former  born  in  1781,  in  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  latter, 
likewise  a  native  of  the  Keystone  state,  was  the  daughter  of  Henry  Mills, 
a  Quaker.  For  many  years  after  their  marriage  Jehu  Lewis  and  his  wife  re- 
sided in  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  but  in  1833  they  removed  with 
their  family  to  Putnam  county,  Illinois.  They  settled  on  what  was  then 
called  Clear  creek,  and  in  1855  the  father  was  summoned  to  the  silent  land. 
The  wife  and  mother  survived  many  years,  dying  in  April,  1874,  when  she 
was  laid  to  rest  beside  her  husband  in  the  Quaker  cemetery  at  Clear  Creek, 
Putnam  county. 

Samuel  R.  Lewis  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  Jan- 
uary 12,  1 818,  and  there  spent  his  early  years.  A  very  important  step  in 
his  life  was  taken,  January  i,  1842,  when  he  married  Miss  Ann  Eliza  Har- 
ley,  born  June  13,  1820,  in  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  a  daughter  of 
Rudolph  Harley.  About  a  year  after  his  marriage  Mr.  Lewis  removed  to 
the  homestead  on  section  21,  Fall  River  township,  which  has  since  been  his 
place  of  abode.  His  first  purchase  was  a  quarter  section  of  canal  land, 
and,  as  it  was  wild  prairie,  it  had  to  be  broken  with  the  plow.  In 
due  time  industry  and  persevering  toil  brought  their  reward,  and  Mr.  Lewis 
long  ago  was  considered  one  of  the  rich  and  influential  citizens  of  his  town- 
ship. He  invested  in  more  land,  from  time  to  time,  until  he  owned  six 
hundred  and  forty  acres.  His  homestead  is  finely  equipped  with  substan- 
tial buildings  and  all  modern  conveniences  for  farming,  and  on  the  north 
side  of  the  road  which  divides  his  land  there  is  a  splendid  growth  of  timber, 
and  a  spring  of  pure  water,  which  flows  freely  at  all  seasons,  unaft'ected  by 
the  most  severe  droughts. 

By  the  union  of  Samuel  R.  Lewis  and  his  wife  four  sons  were  born, — 
sons  of  whom  they  have  just  reason  to  be  proud.  William  R.,  the  eldest, 
married  Miss  Ellen  Eichelburger,  and  is  a  successful  farmer  and  the  present 
supervisor  of  Grand  Rapids  township,  LaSalle  county;  Edward  C,  the  sec- 
ond son,  is  an  attorney  at  law  of  Chicago.  He  was  born  in  LaSalle  county, 
October  5,  1845,  and  acquired  his  literary  education  at  Lake  Forest,  Chi- 
cago University  and  Wheaton  College.    Determining  to  enter  the  legal  pro- 


298  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

fession,  he  was  graduated  in  1865  in  the  Cincinnati  Law  School.  For  five 
years  he  practiced  law,  and  for  twenty  years  he  was  engaged  in  stock  raising 
and  breeding  thoroughbred  cattle  and  horses.  For  twelve  years  he  served 
as  a  member  of  the  board  of  supervisors  of  LaSalle  county,  and  during  one- 
half  of  that  period  was  chairman  of  the  board.  From  1882  until  1890  he 
was  a  member  of  the  state  board  of  agriculture  of  Illinois,  and  for  about 
three  years,  from  1882  until  1885,  was  railway  and  warehouse  commissioner 
of  this  state.  In  1869  he  married  Miss  Nellie  A.  Armstrong,  daughter  of 
Joel  W,  Armstrong,  of  Deer  Park  township,  LaSalle  county,  and  they 
now  have  three  children:  Mrs.  Mabel  Lewis  Kitchen,  of  Kansas  City, 
Missouri:  Samuel  R.,  also  of  Kansas  City;  and  Julia  Isabel,  who  is  still  with 
her  parents.  Mr.  Lewis  is  now  associated  with  John  H.  Kitchen  in  a  busi- 
ness conducted  under  the  name  of  the  American  Warming  &  Ventilating 
Company,  which  deals  in  modern  heating  apparatus,  having  a  large  factory 
and  office  in  Chicago  and  a  branch  office  in  Kansas  City,  Missouri.  Charles 
Lewis,  the  third  son  of  the  family,  is  a  graduate  of  Oberlin  College,  at  Ober- 
lin,  Ohio.  He  studied  law  in  the  of^ce  of  the  firm  of  Cook,  Lawrence  & 
Campbell,  of  Chicago,  and  after  being  admitted  to  the  bar  removed  to  Fergus 
Falls,  Minnesota,  where  he  practiced  law  for  several  years,  and  also  served 
for  one  term  as  county  attorney.  Removing  to  Duluth,  Minnesota,  he 
was  elected  circuit  judge  of  that  district,  and  has  recently  been  elected  to 
the  supreme  court  of  Minnesota.  The  duties  of  the  ofifice  he  will  assume  on 
the  1st  of  January,  1900.  Samuel  Morris  Lewis,  the  youngest  of  the  fam- 
ily, now  has  the  management  of  the  home  farm.  He  wedded  Miss  Mary 
Thomas,  daughter  of  Colonel  John  Thomas,  of  Belleville,  Illinois,  and  they 
have  two  children:  John  M.  and  Sherman,  who  are  students  in  the  Ottawa 
high  school. 

The  public  services  of  S.  R.  Lewis  have  been  marked,  redounding  great- 
ly to  his  credit.  In  1857  he  was  elected  to  the  important  position  of  treas- 
urer of  LaSalle  county,  in  which  capacity  he  served  for  four  years,  discharg- 
ing his  duties  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  In  1878  he  was 
elected  to  represent  his  county  in  the  state  senate,  and  served  through  two 
regular  and  one  extra  session.  During  that  time  he  was  a  member  of 
several  important  committees  and  was  chairman  of  the  committee  on  rail- 
roads and  canals.  At  various  times  he  has  acted  as  supervisor  of  his  town- 
ship and  occupied  the  important  position  of  chairman  of  the  county  board 
for  four  years.  To  the  principles  of  the  Republican  party  he  has  been  loyal 
ever  since  its  organization.  His  first  presidential  vote  was  cast  in  1840 
for  James  G.  Birney,  the  Abolition  candidate.  He  was  a  delegate  to  the 
convention  which  organized  the  Republican  party  in  Illinois,  in  1854,  and 
has  since  taken  a  deep  interest  and  active  part  in  political  affairs,  but  has 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  299 

not  stooped  to  the  political  chicanery  which  is,  alas!  too  common  at  the 
present  day;  on  the  contrary,  he  has  not  sought  office,  and  made  no  slight 
sacrifice  of  his  personal  wishes  and  inclinations  when  he  assumed  the  duties 
to  which  he  was  called  by  his  friends  and  neighbors.  Honorable  in  busi- 
ness, reliable  in  positions  of  public  trust,  loyal  in  citizenship,  faithful  in 
friendship,  over  the  record  of  his  life  falls  no  shadow  of  wrong  or  suspicion 
of  evil. 


FRANCIS  M.  FISHBURN. 

Francis  M.  Fishburn,  one  of  the  respected  citizens  of  LaSalle  county, 
Illinois,  for  nearly  half  a  century,  was  born  April  9,  1836,  the  son  of  Jacob 
Fishburn  and  grandson  of  Deterich  Fishburn,  the  latter  a  soldier  in  the 
war  of  181 2.  Jacob  Fishburn  was  a  native  of  Middletown,  Pennsylvania. 
He  married  Miss  Catherine  Murray,  daughter  of  Francis  Murray,  who  was 
of  Scotch  descent,  and  in  1840  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fishburn  came  west,  making 
the  journey,  as  was  the  custom  in  those  days,  by  team.  In  1840  Mr.  Fish- 
burn settled  in  LaSalle  county,  and  here  passed  the  rest  of  his  life  and  died, 
his  age  at  death  being  seventy  years.  By  trade  he  was  a  cooper.  His 
good  wife  lived  to  the  ripe  age  of  seventy-five  years.  Both  were  members 
of  the  Lutheran  church.  Of  their  seven  children  we  record  that  four  are 
now  living,  namely:  Francis  M.,  whose  name  forms  the  heading  of  this 
sketch;  America,  wife  of  G.  W.  Klive;  Margaret,  wife  of  James  Smith;  and 
Benjamin,  a  resident  of  South  Ottawa.  Of  those  deceased  one  died  in  in- 
fancy, and  the  other  two,  James  and  William,  died  at  the  ages  of  four  and 
two  years,  respectively. 

Francis  M.  Fishburn,  the  direct  subject  of  this  review,  was  a  child  of 
four  years  when  brought  west  by  his  parents  from  Pennsylvania.  His  youth- 
ful days  were  passed  in  assisting  his  father  on  the  farm  and  in  attending 
during  the  winter  months  the  public  school.  On  reaching  manhood  he 
engaged  in  farming  on  his  own  account  and  has  devoted  his  energies  to 
agricultural  pursuits  ever  since.  He  has  a  fine  farm  of  two  hundred  and 
forty  acres,  well  stocked  and  improved  with  first-class  buildings,  the  resi- 
dence surrounded  with  shade  trees.  Everything  about  the  premises,  build- 
ings, fences,  etc.,  and  well-cultivated  fields,  all  go  to  stamp  the  owner  as  a 
man  of  thrift  and  enterprise,  up-to-date  in  his  farming  ideas. 

Mr.  Fishburn  was  married  in  1861  to  Miss  Caroline  Hogaboom,  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Abigail  Hogaboom,  early  settlers  of  this  country.  She  died 
in  1873,  leaving  four  children,  namely:  George  H.,  a  resident  of  Prairie 
Center  township,  LaSalle  county;  Catherine,  wife  of  P.  Woods,  of  Prairie 
Center  township;  Francis  M.,  and  Harry  S.,  both  of  Prairie  Center  town- 


I 


300  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

ship.  By  this  marriage  there  were  two  other  children,  deceased:  James 
B.  and  Wilham,  who  died  at  the  ages  of  thirteen  and  eight  years  respect- 
ively. In  1882  Mr.  Fishburn  married  for  his  second  wife  ]\Iiss  Sarah  E. 
Kain,  daughter  of  William  and  Catherine  (Snyder)  Kain.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Kain  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  Air.  Kain  died  in  Pulaski  county, 
Illinois,  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years,  and  Mrs.  Kain  is  still  living,  her 
home  being  in  Ottawa,  Illinois,  and  her  age,  at  this  writing,  eighty-eight 
years.  In  the  Kain  family  were  twelve  children,  six  sons  and  six  daughters, 
nine  of  whom  are  now  living,  viz.:  George,  of  this  county;  Jacob,  who  was 
a  soldier  in  the  civil  war,  a  member  of  the  Twenty-sixth  Illinois  Infantry 
Volunteers;  Catherine,  wife  of  Wallace  Herdon,  of  Ottawa;  Sarah,  wife 
of  F.  M.  Fishburn;  America,  wife  of  J.  A.  Townsend,  of  Ottawa;  Joseph,  a 
veteran  of  the  civil  war,  and  now  a  resident  of  Jefferson,  Arkansas;  Simon, 
a  resident  of  Ottawa;  Florence,  wife  of  George  Lewis,  of  Ottawa;  and  Mar- 
tin, also  of  Ottawa.  The  deceased  members  were  Mary,  wife  of  Andrew 
Bach,  of  Ottawa;  Eliza,  wufe  of  Frank  Frost;  and  William,  a  soldier  in  the 
One  Hundred  and  Fourth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry  in  the  civil  war,  who 
was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Missionary  Ridge. 

Mr.  Fishburn  is  politically  a  Democrat,  and  fraternahy  a  Mason.       A 
genial,  cordial  man,  he  has  many  friends  throughout  the  county. 


GEORGE    D.    LADD. 


George  Dana  Ladd.  one  of  Peru's  most  honored  and  distinguished  citi- 
zens, and  for  more  than  two  score  years  connected  with  numerous  local 
industries  and  enterprises  of  this  place,  came  from  fine  old  Puritan  stock, 
and  was  the  embodiment  of  many  of  the  best  traits  of  that  hardy,  brave, 
God-fearing  race  who  nobly  withstood  the  hardships,  dangers  and  privations 
of  bleak  New  England. 

On  the  24th  of  March,  1633,  as  the  old  records  show,  one  Daniel  Ladd 
sailed  for  America  from  England;  and  in  the  archives  of  Ipswich  may  be  seen 
a  deed  executed  to  this  worthy  man  entitling  him  to  six  acres  of  ground. 
Later  he  was  one  of  the  founders  of  Salisbury  and  Haverhill,  Massachusetts, 
his  death  occurring  in  the  town  last  mentioned.  July  27,  1693.  He  had 
eight  children,  of  whom  the  sixth,  Nathaniel,  had  seven  children.  The 
eldest  was  Nathaniel,  and  his  third  son,  Edward,  married  Catherine  Thing. 
That  worthy  couple  had  a  son,  Edward,  and  a  son  who  received  his  mother's 
maiden  name.  Thing.  Thing  Ladd  was  the  father  of  fourteen  children,  of 
whom  Edward,  the  ninth,  married  Sophia  Gookin. 

George  Dana  Ladd,  the  fourth  child  of  Edward  and  Sophia  Ladd,  was 
born  in  Peacham,  Caledonia  county,  Vermont,  June  15,  1833.     His  father 


-t^, 


4 


I 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  301 

was  a  thrifty  farmer,  intiuential  and  highly  respected  in  his  community;  and 
the  mother,  whose  educational  advantages  had  been  better  than  her  hus- 
band's, was  a  woman  of  exceptional  ability.  She  died  February  26,  1849, 
and  soon  after  that  sad  event  our  subject  left  home.  Joining  his  brother 
Leonard,  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  they  both  clerked  in  a  book-store,  but  within 
a  month  after  he  landed  in  that  city  George  D.  Ladd  found  that  his  services 
as  a  nurse*  were  in  requisition,  as  his  brother  was  stricken  with  the  cholera. 
Though  the  young  man  survived,  they  concluded  to  return  to  the  old  Ver- 
mont homestead,  that  his  health  might  be  fully  restored. 

Agriculture  was  not  well  suited  to  the  rather  delicate  constitution  of  our 
subject  in  his  early  manhood;  indeed,  it  was  commonly  believed  that  he 
would  die  with  consumption  sooner  or  later.  Always  a  great  student,  he 
learned  many  of  his  lessons  while  guiding  the  plow,  and  after  leaving  the 
district  schools  he  attended  the  academy,  during  the  winter  seasons,  at 
Danville  Green,  and  was  successfully  engaged  in  teaching  for  several  terms. 
He  then  took  up  the  study  of  law,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1855,  and  at 
once  started  west  to  found  a  home  and  embark  upon  his  career.  For  a  brief 
time  he  resided  in  Racine,  Wisconsin,  and  there  formed  the  acquaintance  of 
Judge  Blanchard,  now  of  Ottawa,  whose  advice  had  great  weight  in  induc- 
ing him  to  locate  in  Peru.  Coming  here  in  1856,  he  established  an  office  and 
soon  had  won  favorable  notice  as  a  lawyer.  Naturally  he  was  not  fond  of 
legal  wars  and  litigation,  and  as  the  years  passed  his  friends  were  not  sur- 
prised that  he  gradually  dropped  out  of  practice  and  more  and  more  turned 
his  attention  to  his  various  financial  investments  and  outside  interests.  He 
was  one  of  the  prime  movers  in  the  incorporation  of  the  Illinois  Valley  & 
Northern  Railroad,  now  a  part  of  the  Burlington  system,  and  in  its  subse- 
quent construction.  His  invaluable  services  in  this  matter  have  resulted  to 
the  lasting  benefit  of  Peru,  and  had  he  accomplished  nothing  else  for  the 
welfare  of  this  locality  his  name  would  deserve  to  live  in  the  annals  of  the 
county. 

Space  could  not  be  reserved  to  enumerate  in  full  the  many  enterprises 
in  which  the  genius  of  George  D.  Ladd  found  manifestation.  During  the 
last  years  of  his  busy  life  he  was  prominently  connected  with  the  Peru  Ele- 
vator Stock  Company,  and  previously  he  had  been  active  in  the  organiza- 
tions of  the  Peru  Water  Works  and  Electric  Light  Company,  the  Peru 
Water  &  Gas  Pipe  Company  and  the  Illinois  &  Wisconsin  Live-stock  Com- 
pany, besides  many  others  of  lesser  note. 

In  his  political  convictions.  Mr.  Ladd  was  broad  minded,  and,  posting 
Iiimself  thoroughly  upon  all  the  great  issues  of  the  day,  acted  in  accordance 
with  the  verdict  which  his  judgment  returned.  For  the  most  part  a  Demo- 
crat, he  was  still  so  lil)eral  and  unbiased  by  party  ties  that  he  voted  for 


302 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


Harrison  and  McKinley,  as  a  matter  of  principle,  believing  that  the  good 
of  the  country  would  be  best  subserved  by  their  election.  Never  a  seeker  of 
political  preferment,  upon  his  own  account,  he  could  not  disregard  the 
wishes  of  his  fellow  citizens,  when,  in  1886,  they  honored  him  with  the  office 
of  mayor  of  Peru;  but  at  the  end  of  his  two-years  term  he  declined  re-elec- 
tion. He  was  a  true  friend  of  the  workingmen,  and  many  a  deed  of  kindly 
charity  and  unostentatious  assistance  did  he  perform.  Quiet  and  reserved, 
he  found  publicity  especially  distasteful;  but  his  name  and  fame  were  such 
that  he  was  not  always  able  to  avoid  being  brought  into  prominence. 

In  early  life  he  identified  himself  with  the  Masonic  order  and  the 
Presbyterian  church.  After  coming  to  Peru  he  joined  the  Congregational 
church,  from  which  he  afterward  withdrew,  owing  to  the  fact  that  a  political 
sermon  was  delivered  from  the  pulpit, — a  thing  that  offended  all  of  his 
principles  of  good  taste.  In  after  years  he  expressed  regret  to  his  family 
that  he  had  severed  his  connection  with  the  church,  but  his  action  in  this 
matter  was  but  an  expression  of  his  strong  individuality  and  his  inherited 
belief  that  church  and  state  should  be  kept  separate,  each  perfoming  its 
mission  in  its  proper  place.  Deeply  mourned  by  the  whole  community,  Mr. 
Ladd  passed  away  at  his  home  in  this  city,  in  1898,  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
five  years. 

The  wife  of  his  youth  was  a  Aliss  Lorinda  Laird,  of  Danville,  Vermont, 
and  of  the  two  daughters  born  to  them  Kate,  the  elder,  now  the  wife  of 
Thomas  F.  Bitner,  resides  in  Milwaukee;  while  the  younger,  Lora,  died 
when  but  six  years  old.  Some  time  subsequent  to  the  death  of  his  first  wife, 
Mr.  Ladd  wedded  Mrs.  Louise  Banks,  who  died  without  children.  Li  1875 
the  marriage  of  Mr.  Ladd  and  Miss  Christina  Murray  was  solemnized. 
Mrs.  Ladd,  who  survives  her  husband,  is  a  native  of  Peru,  where  her  father 
w  as  a  prominent  merchant  for  years,  and  was  one  of  the  early  settlers.  Both 
of  the  parents  of  Mrs.  Ladd,  Andrew  and  Bessie  Belle  (Buchanan)  Murray^ 
were  natives  of  Scotland,  and  they  are  now  residents  of  St.  Louis.  The 
eldest  son  of  our  subject  and  wife,  George  Dana,  is  now  employed  in  the 
ore  department  of  the  Illinois  Zinc  Company  and  stationed  at  Joplin,  Mis- 
souri; Frank  Fenton,  the  second  son,  is  with  the  same  company;  and  the 
younger  sons  are  Andrew  Murray  and  Lester  L. 


MILTON  B.  PEDDICORD. 

Milton  B.  Peddicord,  an  energetic  and  influential  farmer  of  Rutland 
townsliip,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  was  born  in  this  county,  January  22, 
1857,  his  parents  being  E.  S.  and  Elizabeth  (Johnson)  Peddicord.  His 
father  was  a  Virginian,  having  been  ushered  into  existence  in  that  state 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  303 

July  9,  1829.  He  left  his  native  state  when  a  lad,  traveling  on  foot  to 
Licking-  county,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  ten  years,  going  thence  to  Dela- 
ware county,  that  state,  where  he  worked  two  years.  In  1870  he  came 
west  to  Illinois,  and  during  his  life  was  known  as  one  of  the  most  success- 
ful business  men  of  LaSalle  county.  September  20,  1842,  he  was  joined  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Elizabeth  Johnson,  a  native  of  Ohio.  Nine  children 
were  born  to  them, — six  sons  and  three  daughters,  namely:  William  D., 
of  Dallas  county,  Iowa;  Lewis  E.,  of  Chicago,  Illinois;  Willis  P.,  who  died 
in  boyhood;  Charles  J.  of  Miller  township;  Isabella,  deceased;  Milton  B.,  of 
this  sketch;  Edward  P.;  Jennie  L.,  of  Marseilles,  Illinois;  and  Ami  J.,  of  Ne- 
vada, low'a. 

Milton  B.  Peddicord  was  educated  in  this  county,  where  he  grew  to 
manhood  and  adopted  the  vocation  of  farming.  He  is  one  of  the  progressive 
farmers  of  the  county  and  takes  a  pride  in  the  appearance  of  his  property. 
He  was  married  February  23,  1882,  to  Miss  Clara  E.  Gibson,  daughter  of 
George  W.  Gibson  of  this  township,  and  took  his  bride  at  once  to  the 
farm  he  now  owns.  This  contains  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  and  is 
located  one  and  three-quarters  miles  from  Wedron  station.  The  house  in 
which  they  formerly  resided  was  replaced  in  1896  by  a  new  building  of 
modern  architecture,  one  of  the  finest  country  residences  to  be  found  in  the 
county.  They  have  two  children, — a  daughter  and  a  son:  Myrtle  M.,  born 
August  29,  1886,  and  George  E.,  born  May  12,  1890. 

Mr.  Peddicord  takes  an  intelligent  interest  in  politics,  and  is  a  strong 
Democrat.  He  has  been  an  able  member  of  the  school  board  for  more 
than  sixteen  years,  and  has  lost  no  opportunity  of  furthering  the  cause  of 
education.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  and  has 
the  respect  of  the  entire  community. 


HENRY  GLOVER  HALL. 

Occupying  a  representative  position  among  the  leading  farmers  of 
LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  is  the  subject  of  this  review,  Henry  G.  Hall,  whose 
postoffice  address  is  W>dron. 

Mr.  Hall  was  born  in  Ottawa,  also  in  this  county,  November  29,  1853, 
and  was  a  son  of  the  late  Joseph  Hall,  of  Dayton  township,  this  county, 
who  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  here.  He  was  a  native  of  Binghamton, 
New  York,  and  in  1836,  when  a  young  man  of  twenty,  came  west  to  Illi- 
nois, niaking  the  journey  by  canal  to  Buffalo  and  thence  by  wagon  to  his 
destination,  Ottawa.  He  had  learned  the  trade  of  blacksmith  in  his  native 
state,  and  on  taking  up  his  residence  in  Ottawa  engaged  in  work  here  at 


304  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

his  trade.  Some  years  after  his  location  here  he  acquired  the  property  on 
which  the  Ottawa  postoffice  building  is  now  located,  and  at  this  point  had 
a  shop  and  conducted  a  successful  business  for  a  number  of  years.  In 
1857  he  purchased  a  farm  in  Dayton  township,  where  his  etTorts  in  the  direc- 
tion of  cultivating  and  improving  were  characterized  by  that  same  push 
and  energy  that  had  gained  him  success  at  the  forge.  Soon  he  became 
one  of  the  prominent  farmers  in  the  township,  and  such  was  his  life  that 
he  won  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  all  who  knew  him.  He  was  married 
in  1 84 1  to  Miss  Sarah  Bryant  Gurley,  in  Ottawa.  Mrs.  Hall  was  born  in 
Hartford.  Connecticut,  May  23,  1823,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Jason  Gur- 
ley, a  cousin  of  the  author,  William  Cullen  Bryant.  She  was  a  sister  of  ex- 
Congressman  John  A.  Gurley,  a  Universalist  minister  of  Ohio,  and  gov- 
ernor of  the  territory  of  Arizona  under  President  Lincoln.  Mrs.  Hall  died 
in  November,  1896,  after  a  residence  of  over  fifty-five  years  in  LaSalle 
county.  Joseph  Hall  died  in  1890,  at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years.  Their 
children  are  Harriet,  wife  o'f  E.  G.  Keith,  of  Chicago;  Charles  A.,  engaged 
in  the  fruit  and  insurance  business  at  San  Jose,  California;  Frank  G.,  a 
wholesale  merchant  of  Chicago;  Henry  G.,  whose  name  heads  this  sketch; 
John  A.,  at  Hinsdale,  Illinois,  is  an  agent  for  Mr.  Phipps,  of  Phipps  & 
Carnegie;  Jason  G.,  at  the  homestead;  Mary  L.,  wife  of  L.  W.  Fuller,  of 
Chicago;  and  Clarence  R.,  connected  with  the  Metropolitan  Bank  of  Chi- 
cago. 

Henry  G.  Hall  was  four  years  old  at  the  time  his  father  moved  to  the 
farm,  as  above  stated,  in  1857,  and  here  his  youthful  days  were  passed. 
In  1875  he  went  to  Chicago  and  became  associated  with  his  brother,  C.  A. 
Hall,  in  the  commission  business.  Later  he  went  into  the  custom  house, 
where  for  eight  years  he  filled  a  responsible  position.  In  1894  he  returned  to 
the  home  of  his  childhood  and  resumed  farming,  taking  in  charge  the  home 
farm,  a  tract  of  three  hundred  and  eighty  acres,  and  since  that  date  he  has 
managed  farming  operations  with  as  much  skill  and  success  as  though  he 
had  never  known  any  other  business.  Politically  he  afifiliates  with  the  Re- 
publican party.     He  is  unmarried. 


JOHN    C.    AMES. 


If  those  who  claim  that  fortune  favored  certain  individuals  above  others 
will  but  investigate  the  cause  of  success  and  failure,  it  will  be  found  tha.t 
the  former  is  largely  due  to  the  improvement  of  opportunity,  the  latter  to 
the  neglect  of  it.  Fortunate  environments  encompass  nearly  every  man  at 
some  stage  of  his  career,  but  the  strong  man  and  the  successful  man  is  he 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  305 

who  realizes  that  the  proper  moment  has  come,  that  the  present  and  not 
the  future  holds  his  opportunity.  The  man  who  makes  use  of  the  Now  and 
not  the  To  Be  is  the  one  who  passes  on  the  highway  of  life  others  who 
started  out  ahead  of  him  and  reaches  the  goal  of  prosperity  far  in  advance 
of  them.  It  is  this  quality  in  John  C.  Ames,  of  Streator,  that  has  made 
him  a  leader  in  the  business  world  of  his  county  and  won  him  a  name  in 
connection  with  commercial  and  political  interests  that  is  known  through- 
out tlie  state.  He  is  now  occupying  the  responsible  position  of  United 
States  marshal  for  the  northern  district  of  Illinois,  and  at  the  same  time  is 
closely  allied  with  the  business  affairs  of  Streator. 

A  native  of  LaSalle  county,  Mr.  Ames  was  born  on  his  father's  farm 
in  Freedom  township,  July  17,  1852,  his  parents  being  Isaac  and  Arilla 
(Mooar)  Ames,  natives  of  Maine  and  pioneer  settlers  of  LaSalle  county, 
where  they  took  up.  their  abode  in  1848.  In  the  usual  manner  of  farmer 
lads,  among  richly  cultivated  fields  and  verdant  meadows,  Mr.  i\mes  spent 
his  youth,  assisting  in  the  labors  of  the  farm  through  the  sunmier  months, 
while  in  the  winter  season  he  attended  the  district  school  of  the  neighbor- 
hood. Subsequently  his  educational  privileges  were  extended  by  a  two- 
vear  course  in  the  Illinois  State  Normal  School,  at  Normal.  On  laying 
aside  his  text-books  in  1872,  in  order  to  learn  the  more  difficult  lessons  in  the 
school  of  experience,  he  joined  John  Dickerman  in  the  drug  business  in 
Streator,  under  the  firm  name  of  Dickerman  &  Ames.  The  following  year, 
however,  he  sold  his  interest,  and  in  1873  engaged  in  the  hardware  business 
in  connection  with  his  father,  under  the  firm  style  of  I.  Ames  &  Son, 
which  connection  was  continued  until  1875,  '^vhen  their  store  was  destroyed 
by  fire.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  then  resumed  business  alone  and  be- 
came the  proprietor  of  an  extensive  hardware  store,  which  brought  to  him 
a  handsome  income.  He  conducted  it  successfully  until  the  ist  of  -July, 
1885,  when  he  disposed  of  his  stock  in  order  to  give  his  attention  more 
entirely  to  the  lumber  business,  in  which  he  had  embarked  in  1878.  In 
that  year  he  organized  the  J.  C.  Ames  Lumber  Company,  of  which  he  is 
still  president,  and  under  his  able  direction  the  enterprise  has  been  carried 
forward,  vielding  a  handsome  return  to  the  stockholders. 

Mr.  Ames  has  by  no  means  limited  his  efforts  to  one  line  of  undertak- 
ing, but  has  been  a  promoter  of  many  enterprises  which  have  contributed 
not  only  to  his  personal  prosperity,  but  have  also  advanced  the  general 
welfare  through  the  promotion  of  commercial  activity.  He  was  one  of  the 
incorporators  of  the  Plumb  Hotel  Stock  Company,  and  was  made  a  member 
of  its  board  of  directors.  He  was  also  a  director  and  vice  president  of  the 
Streator  Loan  &  Building  Association,  which  was  organized  in  1874.  In 
1891   he  organized  the  City  National   Bank  of  Streator,  and  remained  its 


3o6  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

presicknt  until  he  resigned  his  position  to  take  that  of  United  States  marshal, 
to  which  he  had  been  appointed  by  President  McKinley. 

With  the  growth  of  the  city  Mr.  Ames  grew'  in  influence,  affluence  and 
in  public  esteem,  and  not  only  became  a  leader  in  commercial  circles,  but  was 
also  called  into  prominence  in  political  life  and  ably  fulfilled  many  public 
trusts  reposed  in  him.  He  has  filled  many  local  offices,  has  been  alderman 
and  county  supervisor,  and  in  April,  1885,  was  elected  mayor  of  Streator, 
which  position  he  filled  for  two  terms,  when  he  declined  a  third  nomination. 
His  administration  was  at  once  practical,  progressive  and  beneficial,  he 
using  his  official  prerogatives  for  the  substantial  improvement  and  advance- 
ment of  the  city.  Under  Governor  Fifer  he  served  as  one  of  the  canal  com- 
missioners of  Illinois  for  four  years,  and  by  President  McKinley  he  was 
appointed  to  his  present  position  of  United  States  marshal  for  the  northern 
district  of  Illinois.  This  w^as  an  honor  well  merited,  for  he  has  not  only 
been  a  recognized  leader  in  the  ranks  of  the  Republican  party  in  the  state  for 
many  years,  but  also  in  every  official  position  which  he  has  filled  he  has  dis- 
charged his  duties  in  a  manner  which  has  won  him  the  highest  commenda- 
tion bv  reason  of  his  fidelity  to  duty  and  his  faithfulness  to  the  trust  reposed 
in  him. 

On  the  2d  of  March,  1875,  Mr.  Ames  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Minnie  Ross,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Hunter)  Ross,  of  Lacon, 
Illinois.  They  have  one  child  living,  Isaac  Carlos,  now  doing  service  for 
his  country  in  the  Philippine  islands.  One  daughter,  Aurelia  Elizabeth,  died 
at  the  age  of  fourteen  months,  and  a  son,  Walter  Cope,  died  December 
28,  1895.  at  the  age  of  eleven  years.  In  Streator,  where  they  have  so  long 
made  their  home,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ames  are  held  in  the  highest  regard,  and 
their  residence  is  the  center  of  a  cultured  society  circle.  In  his  social  relations 
Mr.  Ames  is  connected  wath  the  Masonic  fraternity,  belonging  to  Streator 
Lodge,  No.  607,  F.  and  A.  M.,  to  Streator  Chapter,  No.  147,  R.  A.  M.,  and 
to  Ottawa  Commandery,  No.  10,  Knight  Templars.  He  is  a  man  of  fine 
personal  appearance,  of  courteous  deportment  and  social  disposition,  and, 
above  all,  of  that  sterling  worth  of  character  which  wins  recognition  every- 
where and  commands  respect  in  every  land  and  every  clime. 


OLE   ERICKSON. 


Miller  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  includes  among  its  well- 
known  citizens  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  Ole  Erickson,  who  has  for  three 
years  figured  in  the  public  capacity  of  road  commissioner,  and  who  during 
this  time  has  not  only  extended  his  accpiaintance  throughout  the  township. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


307 


but  also  has  won  the  confidence  and  favor  of  those  with  whom  he  has  come 
in  contact. 

As  his  name  suggests,  Mr.  Erickson  is  a  Norwegian.  He  was  born 
in  Norway,  January  12,  1852,  a  son  of  George  and  Winnie  (Clarkson)  Erick- 
son, who  were  the  parents  of  seven  children.  Two  of  this  number,  Rjestine 
and  Maria,  are  deceased.  Those  living  are  Ole,  the  direct  subject  of  this 
review;  Julia  Jacobson,  a  resident  of  Lee  county;  and  Bertha,  Carrie  and 
Mina,  in  Norway. 

On  his  emigration  to  this  country  Ole  Erickson  located  first  in  Fillmore 
comity,  Minnesota,  where  he  remained  for  five  months,  at  the  end  of  that 
time  coming  to  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  which  has  since  been  his  home.  In 
1879  he  purchased  his  present  farm,  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  in  Miller 
township,  which  he  has  improved  with  a  modern  residence,  other  good  build- 
ings, etc.,  and  has  since  that  date  devoted  his  energies  to  the  cultivation  of 
his  broad  acres. 

The  same  year  he  purchased  his  farm  Mr.  Erickson  took  to  himself 
a  wife.  Mrs.  Erickson,  formerly  Miss  Caroline  Anderson,  is  a  native  of 
Miller  township,  LaSalle  county,  and  a  daughter  of  Andrew  Anderson,  de- 
ceased. They  have  five  children:  Celia,  Florence,  Olive,  George  and  Alice. 
Also  they  have  three  children  deceased,  all  having  died  in  infancy.  Their 
daughter.  Miss  Olive,  is  an  accomplished  musician,  and  Celia  is  a  successful 
teacher. 

Mr.  Erickson  is  a  Democrat.  Besides  filling  the  ofifice  of  road  com- 
missioner, above  referred  to,  he  has  for  nine  years  been  a  member  of  the 
school  board.  He  is  identified  with  the  Lutheran  church,  while  his  wife  be- 
longs to  the  Church  of  Latter  Day  Saints. 


D.  H.  WICKWIRE. 


Since  1867  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  D.  H.  Wickwire,  has  been  a  resi- 
dent of  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  and  since  that  time  has  owned  and  occupied 
his  present  farm  near  Ottawa,  As  one  of  the  representative  men  of  the 
county,  some  personal  mention  of  him  is  appropriate  in  this  work. 

D.  H.  Wickwire  was  born  in  Litchfield  county,  Connecticut,  January 
3,  1844,  the  home  of  the  distinguished  Henry  Ward  Beecher,  and  his  talented 
sister,  Harriet  Beecher  Stowe,  and  comes  of  English  ancestry,  his  grandsire, 
Daniel  Wickwire,  having  been  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Connecticut. 
Chester  Wickwire,  the  father  of  D.  H.,  was  born  in  Connecticut,  May  27, 
1810,  and  passed  his  life  and  died  there,  his  death  occurring  in  1887,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-seven  years.     His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Miss  Mary 


3o8  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

A.  Harrisson,  was  born  October  2,  1816,  and  is  still  living.  To  them  were 
born  seven  children,  six  of  whom  reached  adult  age,  namely:  Jennie  Smith, 
of  Cortland  county,  New  York;  D.  H.,  whose  name  introduces  this  sketch; 
Julia  J.;  L.  C;  Eugene,  of  Berkshire  county,  Massachusetts;  and  Gertrude 
Hornbeck,  of  Falls  Village,  Connecticut. 

D.  H.  in  his  boyhood  attended  the  district  and  "select"  schools  of  the 
neighborhood  in  which  he  was  reared,  and,  his  father  being  a  dairy  farmer, 
the  boy  found  plenty  of  work  to  do  at  home  when  he  was  not  in  school. 
In  the  fall  of  1867  he  came  to  Illinois,  and  settled  in  LaSalle  county,  and  has 
since  been  operating  a  dairy  farm. 

Mr.  Wickwire  was  married  in  1871  to  ]\Iiss  Isabella  Grove.  Her  father, 
David  Grove,  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  was  for  many  years  a  prominent 
citizen  of  LaSalle  county,  where  he  died  in  1880.  Mrs.  Wickwire's  mother, 
before  marriage  Miss  Amanda  Houser,  was  a  native  of  Licking  county, 
Ohio.  She  died  in  August,  1849,  leaving  seven  children,  six  of  whom  are 
living,  as  follows:  Elizabeth,  widow  of  D.  W.  Conard;  Catherine  Grove, 
of  LaSalle  county;  Samuel,  also  of  this  county;  George,  of  Ottawa,  Illinois; 
Isabella;  and  Eliza,  wife  of  William  Chapman,  of  Freedom  township,  La- 
Salle county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wickwire  have  had  two  children:  Gertrude, 
born  October  26,  1882,  died  in  May,  1885;  and  Herbert  G.,  born  October  18, 
1876,  is  at  home  with  his  parents. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wickwire  are  identified  with  the  Congregational  church, 
and  politicall}^  he  is  a  Republican. 


URIAH  T.  SMITH. 


Uriah  T.  Smith,  proprietor  of  the  livery,  sale  and  feed  stables  located 
at  the  corner  of  Washington  and  Rose  streets,  near  the  railroad  station, 
in  Marseilles,  Illinois,  has  been  successfully  engaged  in  business  in  this  city 
for  a  number  of  years.  His  livery  barn  is  a  spacious  brick  structure,  sixty 
by  one  hundred  feet  in  dimensions,  and  is  well  stocked  with  a  large  number 
of  good  horses  and  an  assortment  of  carriages,  cabs,  etc.  The  business  as 
conducted  by  Mr.  Smith  is  a  successful  one,  and  both  as  an  enterprising 
and  up-to-date  business  man  and  as  a  public-spirited  citizen  does  the  pro- 
prietor of  this  establishment  merit  mention  in  the  present  work. 

Uriah  T.  Smith  was  born  at  Starruca,  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania, 
November  I,  1826,  and  was  reared  in  his  native  state.  His  father,  Uriah 
Smith,  was  the  son  of  a  Revolutionary  soldier  and  Vvas  born  on  Long  Island, 
New  York.  He  married  Miss  Sarah  Wyant,  a  native  of  Orange  county. 
New  York,  and  their  union  was  blessed  in  the  birth  of  ten  children,  five  sons 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  309 

and  five  daughters,  four  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely:  Michael,  a  resi- 
dent of  Waymont,  Pennsylvania;  Uriah  T.,  whose  name  forms  the  heading 
of  this  sketch;  Wesley  T.,  first  lieutenant  of  the  Sixteenth  Kansas  Infantry 
during  the  civil  war,  and  now  a  resident  of  Amboy,  Illinois;  and  Sarah  Cur- 
tis, who  resides  in  Sherman,  Pennsylvania.  The  father  of  this  family  died  in 
Pennsylvania,  on  the  old  homestead,  and  the  mother  passed  away  at  Mound 
City,  Linn  county,  Kansas. 

In  his  young  manhood  Uriah  T.  Smith  was  employed  in  the  lumber 
trade,  running  rafts  down  the  Delaware  river.  He  remained  in  Pennsylvania 
until  1857,  when  he  came  west  and  located  in  Missouri,  where  he  resided  at 
the  time  of  the  civil  war.  He  enlisted  as  a  member  of  Company  C,  Sixth 
Kansas  Infantry,  and  served  for  eighteen  months  under  Colonel  Jamison. 

In  the  meantime,  June  14,  1853,  before  he  left  the  east,  which  was  in 
1857.  he  was  married,  in  Pennsylvania,  to  Miss  Amanda  C.  Hale.  She 
died  in  1869,  leaving  a  family  of  seven  children,  namely:  Sophronia,  Allie, 
Fanny,  Emma,  Luella,  Wesley  and  Uriah  W.  Luella  is  now  a  resident 
of  Montana  and  Wesley  lives  in  Boone,  Iowa.  October  i,  T871,  Mr.  Smith 
was  a  second  time  married,  Joicy  Deem  becoming-  his  wife.  They  have  two 
children,  Gertrude  and  Forrest  E.     In  politics  Mr.  Smith  is  a  Republican. 


JOHN  RINKER. 


Among  the  worthy  citizens  that  Germany  has  furnished  to  the  New 
World  is  John  Rinker,  who  resides  near  Marseilles.  He  is  now  numbered 
among  the  early  settlers  of  LaSalle  county  and  at  all  times  he  has  been 
loyal  to  his  adopted  land,  having  faithfully  served  in  the  Union  army  during 
the  civil  war,  while  in  days  of  peace  he  displays  the  same  fidelity  to  duty 
which  marked  his  career  upon  the  battle-fields  of  the  south. 

Born  in  the  Fatherland,  Octol^er  17,  1840,  he  is  a  son  of  Christian  and 
Frederica  Rinker.  His  mother  died  when  he  was  only  six  years  of  age, 
leaving  five  children,  namely:  Charles,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of 
the  Rebellion  and  is  now  living  at  Marseilles;  Fred,  who  also  followed  the 
Stars  and  Stripes  during  the  period  of  civil  strife,  and  is  now  a  resident  of 
Hastings,  Nebraska;  John,  of  this  review;  Christian,  who  is  living  in  LaSalle 
county;  and  Frederica,  deceased.  After  the  death  of  his  first  wife  the  father 
was  again  married,  and  by  the  second  union  also  had  five  children:  William, 
who  is  living  in  Great  Bend,  Kansas;  Henry,  whose  home  is  near  Papillion, 
Nebraska;  Nancy,  deceased;  Mrs.  Jane  Shobert.  of  Nebraska;  and  Mrs. 
Lizzie  Seybold.  who  is  living  near  Papillion,  Nebraska.     In  1853  Christian 


3IO  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

Rinker  left  his  native  land  and  with  his  family  sailed  from  Antwerp,  Belgium. 
After  a  voyage  of  sixty-seven  days  he  landed  at  New  York  and  at  once 
proceeded  to  Chicago,  whence  he  made  his  way  to  Ottawa.  He  then  pur- 
chased forty  acres  of  land  on  section  25,  Grand  Rapids  township,  seven 
miles  from  Ransom,  and  there  carried  on  agricultural  pursuits  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  1898,  when  he  had  reached  the  advanced  age  of 
eighty-eight  years. 

John  Rinker  has  resided  in  LaSalle  county  since  he  was  thirteen  years 
of  age,  and  has  long  been  a  prominent  representative  of  its  agricultural 
interests.  Amid  the  fields  and  verdant  meadows  his  youth  was  passed  and  he 
was  early  trained  to  the  practical  work  of  the  farm.  When  the  country 
became  involved  in  civil  war  and  President  Lincoln  issued  his  call  for  three 
hundred  thousand  men,  with  a  marked  spirit  of  patriotism  he  offered  his 
services  to  the  government,  August  12,  1862,  and  was  assigned  to  Company 
D,  One  Hundred  and  Fourth  Illinois  Infantry,  under  the  command  of 
Captain  Collins  and  Colonel  Moore.  During  the  battle  at  Hartsville,  Ten- 
nessee, he  was  taken  prisoner,  but  was  soon  afterward  exchanged  and 
participated  in  the  battles  of  Chickamauga  and  Missionary  Ridge.  On  the 
20th  of  July,  1864,  he  was  wounded  by  a  bullet  which  lodged  in  his  right 
ankle,  and  was  sent  to  the  hospital  at  Nashville.  In  June,  1865,  he  was  hon- 
orably discharged  and  with  a  creditable  military  record  he  returned  to 
his  home  to  resume  the  peaceful  vocations  of  civil  life. 

In  1869  Mr.  Rinker  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Minnie  Sunder- 
ifian,  daughter  of  Simon  Sunderman,  a  native  of  Germany.  Fourteen  chil- 
dren were  born  of  their  union,  seven  sons  and  seven  daughters,  and  thirteen 
of  tht  rtumber  are  still  living,  as  follows:  John,  Lizzie,  Polly,  Ernest.  Ed- 
win. Euirna.  Paul,  Bert.  August,  Minnie,  Herman.  Ida  and  Ralph.  A  little 
daughter.  Kitty,  died  at  the  age  of  two  years  and  nine  months.  The  mother 
of  this  family  *<'as  called  to  her  final  rest  May  3,  1893.  and  in  1896  Mr. 
Rinker  was  agam  married,  his  second  union  being  with  Mrs.  Ellen  S. 
Wormley,  widow  ot  John  \\'ormley.  She  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  a 
daughter  of  B.  Bolhouser. 

Throughout  his  busin«fss  career  Mr.  Rinker  has  carried  on  agricultural 
pursuits,  and  is  to-day  the  owner  of  a  valuable  farm  of  two  hundred  and 
forty  acres,  all  of  which  is  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  and  yields  to 
the  owner  a  golden  tribute  in  return  for  the  care  and  labor  he  bestows  upon 
it.  The  place  is  improved  with  a  good  residence,  two  large  barns  and  other 
substantial  outbuildings,  and  the  latest  improved  machinery  facilitates  and 
lightens  the  farm  labor.  Mr.  Rinker  gives  his  political  support  to  the  Repub- 
lican party,  and  as  every  true  American  citizen  should  do  keeps  well  informed 
on  the  issues  of  the  day.     For  many  years  he  has  held  the  of^ce  of  justice 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  311 

of  the  peace,  discharging  his  ditties  in  a  most  creditable  manner.  He  and 
his  family  attend  the  Methodist  church  and  are  people  of  the  highest  respecta- 
bility, who  enjoy  and  merit  the  confidence  and  regard  of  their  friends  and 
neighbors. 


JESSE  GROVE. 


Jesse  Gro\-e,  a  well-known  and  influential  citizen  of  Rutland  township, 
LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  is  a  son  of  Joseph  Grove,  deceased,  one  of  the  early 
settlers  of  that  township.  Joseph  Grove  was  born  in  Licking  county,  Ohio, 
December  28,  1806,  a  son  of  John  and  Barbara  (Lineberger)  Grove,  the 
former  a  native  of  Virginia.  The  Linebergers  were  of  German  origin.  In 
1829,  when  a  young  man  of  twenty-three  years,  with  a  spirit  for  adventure 
and  a  desire  to  see  something  of  the  world,  Joseph  Grove  made  the  journey 
on  horseback  from  Ohio  to  Fort  Dearborn  (Chicago)  and  also  visited 
other  points  in  Illinois,  and  in  1835  he  located  on  the  farm  in  Rutland  town- 
ship where  our  subject  now  lives.  Here,  on  the  28th  of  June,  1838,  he 
married  Miss  Elma  N.  Jackson,  who  was  born  January  23,  181 5,  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania  and  a  daughter  of  Jesse  Jackson,  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
LaSalle  county,  locating  here  in  1836.  With  the  passing  years  sons  and 
daughters  to  the  number  of  ten  came  to  bless  the  home  of  Joseph  and  Elma 
N.  Grove.  Of  this  number  six  are  still  living,  as  follows:  Jesse,  the  direct 
subject  of  this  sketch;  Lucien  J.,  of  Miller  township,  LaSalle  county; 
Elmira,  wife  of  George  Pitzer,  of  Rutland  township,  this  county;  Samantha, 
wife  of  Wakefield  Apling,  of  Wichita,  Kansas;  Mary,  wife  of  H.  L.  Loring, 
of  Miller  township;  and  Clara  E.,  also  of  Miller  township.  The  four  children 
deceased  were:  Minerva,  who  died  in  childhood;  Jeremiah,  a  Union  soldier, 
who  died  during  the  civil  war;  David  L.,  who  died  in  South  America;  and 
John,  who  died  in  Nevada,  Boone  county,  Iowa,  leaving  a  widow  and  two 
children.  Joseph  Grove,  the  father,  died  December  28,  1858,  at  the  age 
of  fifty-two  years.  In  the  very  prime  of  life  his  health  was  broken  by  exposure 
and  the  hardships  incident  to  pioneering.  The  mother  died  January  21, 
1873,  at  the  age  of  fifty-eight  years.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  from  her  girlhood  till  the  time  of  her  death  and  her  life 
was  of  an  exemplary  Christian  character. 

Jesse  Grove  was  born  on  his  father's  farm  in  LaSalle  county,  January 
29.  1 84 1.  His  boyhood  was  passed  in  attending  the  district  school  and  the 
Ottawa  high  school,  and  his  adult  years  have  been  devoted  to  agricultural 
pursuits.  The  farm  on  which  he  resides  is  located  near  Wedron  Station, 
six  miles  northeast  of  Ottawa,  and  comprises  a  valuable  tract  of  three  hun- 


312  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

dred  and  sixty-eight  acres,  where  he  carries  on  general  agriculture,  consider- 
able attention  being  given  to  a  high  grade  of  Durham  and  Holstein  cattle. 

February  15,  1877,  Mr.  Grove  was  married  to  Miss  Louise  Parr,  a 
native  of  Manlius  township,  LaSalle  county.  She  was  born  May  6,  1850,  a 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Rebecca  Parr,  early  settlers  of  the  county,  both  now 
deceased.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Grove  were  born  two  children:  Joseph  Roy, 
born  May  2y,  1878;  and  Everett,  who  died  at  the  age  of  three  months. 
The  wife  and  mother  died  April  20,  1880,  at  the  age  of  thirty  years.  She 
was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  was  a  most  estimable 
woman  in  every  respect,  and  her  early  death  was  a  source  of  sorrow  not 
only  to  her  immediate  family  but  also  to  a  large  circle  of  friends. 

Politicallv  y\\-.  Grove  is  a  Democrat. 


DAVID  H.  SLAGLE. 


An  honored  veteran  of  the  civil  war  and  a  faithful  employe  in  the  mail 
service  of  the  nation,  David  Henry  Slagle  well  deserves  mention  among  the 
representative  citizens  of  Marseilles.  He  was  born  at  Delta,  Fulton  county, 
Ohio,  March  23,  1843,  the  eldest  son  of  Henry  and  Caroline  Slagle,  whose 
family  numbered  five  children, — three  sons  and  two  daughters.  The  father 
was  a  native  of  Little  York,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  mother,  who  bore  the 
maiden  name  of  Caroline  Hobart,  was  born  at  Pulteney,  Steuben  county, 
New  York.  Their  children  were  Mary,  who  died  in  infancy;  Elizabeth  E., 
David  H.,  Oscar  and  James.  During  the  Mexican  war  Henry  Slagle  en- 
listed in  the  country's  service,  becoming  a  member  of  Company  A,  Fifth 
Regiment  of  Ohio  Volunteers,  commanded  by  Colonel  Morgan.  When 
the  war  was  ended  and  the  regiment  was  on  the  way  home,  he  was  taken  ill 
and  died  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  leaving  a  widow  and  four  children. 

David  H.  Slagle,  the  subject  of  this  review,  after  his  father's  death,  was 
adopted  by  George  Gallaher,  a  man  of  strict  Presbyterian  faith,  living  near 
Delta,  Ohio.  Li  May,  1851,  with  Mr.  Gallaher  he  came  to  Illinois,  locating 
in  the  vicinity  of  Marseilles,  in  Manlius  township.*  He  entered  school  in  1852, 
pursuing  his  education  in  the  old  log  school-house  south  of  the  Christian 
church,  on  section  3,  Manlius  township.  Among  his  fellow  students  at  that 
time  was  Dwight  M.  Sabin,  afterward  United  States  senator  from  Minnesota. 
Mr.  Slagle  was  eighteen  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  the  inauguration  of  the 
civil  war,  and  was  clerking  in  the  store  of  William  W.  Richey,  of  Marseilles. 
When  the  secessionists  of  the  south  attempted  to  drag  the  flag  of  the  Union 
in  the  dust  and  rend  in  twain  the  nation,  and  men  came  from  work-shop, 
factory,  the  counting-room  and  the  offlce  to  do  battle  for  the  starry  banner 
and  the  cause  it  represented,  Mr.  Slagle  also  offered  his  service.     \\'ith  five 


iJavicil  JK  Sia£fle, 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  313 

or  six  of  his  friends,  young  men,  he  was  the  first  from  the  vihage  to  enhst 
in  the  three-months  service,  1)ecoming  a  member  of  Captain  Charles  Hough- 
taHng's  battery  of  light  artillery,  which  was  organized  at  Ottawa,  Illinois, 
April  19,  1 86 1.     His  name  was  carried  on  the  roll  as  Henry  Slagle. 

On  the  same  day  the  battery  left  for  the  war,  arriving  at  Cairo,  Illinois, 
April  22.  This  organization  became  Company  F,  Tenth  Illinois  Infantry, 
and  during  its  term  of  enlistment  did  service  at  Cairo.  While  Mr.  Slagle 
was  in  the  three-months  service,  Hon.  B.  C.  Cook,  a  representative  in 
congress,  assured  Captain  Houghtaling  that  any  young  man  of  his  company 
that  he  would  recommend  from  his  battery  would  be  named  to  the  secretary 
of  war  for  appointment  as  a  cadet  at  the  West  Point  Military  Academy. 
Mr.  Slagle  was  recommended  and  strongly  urged  to  accept  the  appointment, 
but  declined,  and  a  few  weeks  later,  on  the  27th  of  August,  1861,  re-entered 
the  service  as  a  member  of  Company  K,  Thirty-ninth  Regiment,  Yates 
Phalanx,  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  The  company  was  recruited  at  Mar- 
seilles to  serve  for  three  years  or  during  the  war  and  was  under  command 
of  Captain  Joseph  Woodruff.  Mr.  Slagle  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of 
sergeant  at  Benton  Barracks,  Missouri,  October  19,  1861,  and  served  for 
three  vears,  after  which  he  re-enlisted  at  Hilton  Head,  South  Carolina.  His 
W'-as  no  temporary  loyalty,  and  throughout  the  entire  struggle  he  remained 
at  the  front,  faithfully  defending  the  cause  he  loved  on  the  battlefields  of  the 
south. 

In  1862,  while  the  regiment  was  at  Harrison's  Landing,  Virginia,  Mr, 
Slagle  was  one  of  ten  detailed  from  the  regiment  to  return  to  IlHnois  on 
recruiting  service.  After  performing  that  duty  he  rejoined  his  command 
at  New'bern.  North  Carolina,  and  soon  entered  upon  the  year's  cam- 
paign in  South  Carolina.  He  participated  in  the  battles  in  front  of 
Charleston,  and  the  regiment  then  returned  to  the  front  of  Richmond,  where 
he  took  part  in  the  many  engagements  that  occurred  in  that  vicinity  in  the 
summer  of  1864.  On  the  13th  of  October  of  that  year  the  First  Brigade, 
First  Division,  Tenth  Army  Corps,  made  an  advance  on  the  works  in  front 
of  Richmond  and  executed  a  notable  charge  on  a  line  of  works  at  Darby- 
town  Cross  Roads.  In  that  charge,  while  climbing  the  abattis  of  the  works. 
Sergeant  Slagle  was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner,  and  in  the  same  engage- 
ment his  brother  James  was  wounded,  but  not  captured.  His  regiment  with 
two  hundred  and  fifty  men  in  line  lost  seventy.  While  a  prisoner  our  subject 
was  confined  in  Castle  Thunder  prison,  just  across  the  street  from  Libby 
prison,  but  being  wounded  he  was  held  only -for  a  few  days,  after  which  he 
was  paroled  and  sent  down  the  James  river  to  Annapolis,  Maryland,  to 
the  St.  John's  College  Hospital.  In  January,  1865,  with  one  hundred  and 
fifty  other  wounded  soldiers,  he  was  placed  on  board  a  steamer  to  be  trans- 


314  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

ferred  to  the  hospital  at  Baltimore.  A  steamer  usually  made  the  run  up  the 
Chesapeake  bay  in  two  hours  and  consequently  carried  no  provisions  and 
but  few  men  to  care  for  the  wounded;  but  on  this  trip  the  boat  became 
lodged  in  the  ice  in  the  middle  of  the  bay  and  was  forced  to  remain  there  for 
two  days  and  two  nights  in  the  bitter  cold  of  winter.  The  Eleventh  Indiana 
Infantry,  at  Baltimore,  twenty-seven  miles  distant,  volunteered  to  rescue  the 
imperiled  men,  and  every  soldier  on  skates  and  drawing  a  hand  sled  made 
of  board  went  to  the  steamer,  whence  they  transferred  the  wounded,  on 
a  terribly  cold  night,  to  the  shore,  four  miles  distant.  From  Baltimore  our 
subject  was  sent  to  Wilmington,  Delaware,  and  on  to  Philadelphia,  where 
he  was  discharged  from  the  United  States  service  when  orderly  sergeant,  on 
account  of  a  severe  wound  in  the  joint  of  the  right  ankle.  This  necessitated 
his  use  of  crutches  for  nearly  a  year  after  his  return  home,  where  he  arrived 
in  June,  1865. 

During  the  following  fall  Mr.  Slagie  attended  Bryant  &  Stratton's  Com- 
mercial College,  at  Chicago.  On  the  6th  of  March,  1866,  he  was  appointed 
postmaster  at  Marseilles,  Illinois,  the  salary  being  then  twenty  dollars  per 
month  for  service,  office,  fuel  and  lights.  On  the  loth  of  December,  1872, 
the  office  became  presidential  in  the  character  of  appointment,  and  Mr. 
Slagie  was  commissioned  postmaster  by  President  Grant;  January  21,  1878, 
by  President  Hayes;  and  January  30,  1882,  by  President  Arthur,  serving 
until  April  i,  1886,  when  E.  Barber  became  his  successor,  by  an  appoint- 
ment made  by  President  Cleveland.  For  one  year  he  served  as  deputy  under 
Mr.  Barber,  making  a  continuous  service  in  the  office  of  twenty-one  years. 

On  his  retirement  he  accepted  the  position  of  bookkeeper  for  the  firm 
of  Bruce  &  Barron,  bridge  contractors,  with  whom  he  remained  for  two 
years.  In  February.  1889,  he  took  the  United  States  civil  service  examina- 
tion, and  on  the  5th  of  June,  of  that  year,  received  an  appointment  as  railway 
postal  clerk  on  the  Chicago.  Dunbar  &  Dubuque  Railway  post-office,  run- 
ning between  Chicago  and  Dubuque,  Iowa.  In  February,  1890,  he  was 
transferred  to  the  Chicago  &  West  Liberty  Railway  post-office,  running 
between  Chicago  and  West  Liberty,  Iowa. 

Socially  Mr.  Slagie  has  long  been  a  Mason,  having  become  a  member 
of  Marseilles  Lodge,  No.  417,  F.  &  A.  M.,  in  1868.  He  has  been  very  promi- 
nent in  the  work  of  the  order  and  has  served  as  treasurer,  secretary,  warden 
and  master  of  the  lodge.  On  the  21st  of  February,  1873,  he  was  exalted  ta 
the  august  degree  of  Royal  Arch  Mason  in  Shabbona  Chapter,  No.  37; 
and  on  the  20th  of  November,.  1873,  he  received  the  orders  of  knighthood 
in  Ottawa  Commandery,  No.  10,  Knights  Templar.  He  was  again  con- 
nected with  the  military  service  of  the  state,  when  on  the  30th  of  March,. 
1876.  he  was  commissioned  by  Governor  John  L.  Beveridge  second  lieuten- 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  315 

ant  in  the  Marseilles  Light  Guards,  Third  Regiment  Illinois  National 
Guards,  in  which  capacity  he  served  until  Septemher  21,  1877,  when  he 
resigned. 

At  the  organization  of  Joseph  Woodruff  Post,  No.  281,  G.  A.  R.,  on 
the  13th  of  February,  1874,  he  was  elected  ofificer  of  the  day;  in  1887  was 
elected  adjutant;  and  on  the  7th  of  April,  1895,  was  elected  commander. 

In  politics  he  is  a  stanch  Republican,  and  in  June,  1874,  he  served  as  a 
delegate  from  LaSalle  county  to  the  state  convention  at  Springfield.  On 
the  13th  of  August,  1879,  he  ivas  a  delegate  from  LaSalle  county  to  the  con- 
gressional convention  at  Morris,  Illinois.  In  1866  he  was  made  clerk  of  the 
corporation  of  the  village  of  Marseilles,  in  1867  was  clerk  of  the  town  of 
Manlius,  and  in  all  these  different  positions,  social,  civil,  military  and  political^ 
he  has  ever  been  most  faithful  to  the  trust  and  confidence  reposed  in  him. 

Mr.  Slagle  was  married  October  20,  1864,  to  Miss  Hattie  Juckett,  of 
Coldwater,  Michigan,  who  died  August  8,  1875,  on  which  date  their  infant 
son  also  passed  away.  On  the  21st  of  December,  1876,  Mr.  Slagle  was 
joined  in  wedlock  to  Mrs.  Lucy  M.  Fleming,  of  Marseilles.  Their  only 
child,  Bessie  D.,  died  November  21,  1880,  at  the  age  of  three  years,  one 
month  and  four  days;  and  the  mother's  death  occurred  April  7,  1895.  On 
the  2 1st  of  April,  1897,  was  celebrated  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Slagle  and  Miss 
Lillie  L.  Conkling,  the  wedding  ceremony  being  performed  by  the  Rev.  A.  H. 
Laing,  at  Joliet,  Illinois.  The  lady  is  a  native  of  Delphos,  Ohio,  and  a 
daughter  of  Dr.  Samuel  F.  Conkling.  On  the  7th  of  April,  1898,  a  son  was 
born  to  them,  David  Henry,  Jr. 

Such  in  l)rief  is  the  life  history  of  one  of  Marseilles'  most  prominent  and 
esteemed  citizens.  His  life  has  been  an  honorable  and  upright  one,  and  he 
is  to-day  as  true  to  his  duties  of  citizenship  as  when  he  followed  the  starry 
banner  upon  the  battle-fields  of  the  south. 


EMANUEL  DAVIS. 


Numbered  among  the  enterprising,  public-spirited  citizens  of  Streator 
for  many  years,  Mr.  Davis  has  aided  many  industries  w'hich  have  proved  of 
benefit  to  the  place,  and  has  upheld  all  movements  of  progress.  Recognized 
as  a  man  of  unusual  ability  and  genius,  he  has  been  called  upon  to  occupy 
various  official  positions  of  responsibility  and  importance,  and  has  ably 
and  conscientiously  discharged  the  duties  pertaining  to  these  offices. 

Born  in  the  city  of  Birmingham,  England,  March  2,  1863,  our  subject 
is  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  A.  (Fellows)  Davis,  likewise  natives  of  that 
country,  where  they  have  always  dwelt.     When  he  was  eigliteen  years  of 


c.i6  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

age,  Emanuel  Davis  began  making  plans  to  come  to  the  United  States,  and 
took  up  the  trade  of  mason.  In  1882  he  arrived  in  New  York  city,  whence 
he  proceeded  to  Chicago,  where  he  found  plenty  of  employment.  For  about 
one  year  he  worked  at  the  gas-tube  foundry,  and  in  1883  came  to  Streator. 
Here  he  has  been  busily  engaged  in  contracting  and  building,  undertaking 
all  kinds  of  brick  work  and  plastering;  and  many  of  the  dwellings,  churches 
and  stores  of  this  place  stand  as  evidences  of  his  skill  and  handiwork.  For 
several  years  he  was  associated  with  D.  L.  Thomas  as  a  member  of  the  firm 
of  Davis  &  Thomas,  but  this  connection  was  dissolved  by  mutual  consent, 
and  Mr.  Davis  has  carried  on  the  business  alone.  For  six  years  he  was  a 
director  of  the  German  Building  &  Loan  Association,  after  which  he  was 
elected  president  of  the  Ninth  Branch  of  the  Illinois  Bureau  of  the  Brick- 
layers and  Masons'  International  Union,  and  at  present  is  serving  as  financial 
secretary  of  the  organization. 

Zealous  in  the  Republican  party,  Mr.  Davis  is  a  political  factor  of  con- 
siderable influence  in  Streator  and  vicinity,  and  has  been  elected  twice  to 
the  responsible  post  of  alderman,  representing  the  sixth  ward  in  the  city 
council.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows,  Knights  of  Pythias, 
Modern  Woodmen  and  Foresters  of  America.  In  August,  1888,  Mr.  Davis 
married  Rosalia  Aaron,  a  daughter  of  James  Aaron,  of  Cornell,  Illinois,  and 
two  promising  sons  bless  their  union,  namely:  Lincoln  Earl  and  Orville 
Erwin.  They  have  a  pleasant  home  and  many  sincere  friends  here  and 
elsewhere. 


JOHN  A.   HANNA. 


A  worthy  representative  of  a  sterling  pioneer  family  of  Grand  Rapids 
township,  LaSalle  county.  John  A.  Hanna  was  born  in  Putnam  county,  this 
state,  January  16.  1856.  His  father.  Joseph  M.  Hanna,  long  one  of  the 
prominent  citizens  of  this  county,  was  a  native  of  W'ashington  county, 
Pennsylvania,  born  in  1826.  a  son  of  Alexander  Hanna,  of  the  same  state. 
During  the  gold  excitement  in  1849  he,  then  an  ambitious  young  man, 
started  on  the  long  and  dangerous  journey  across  the  plains  to  CaHfornia, 
going  by  way  of  the  Ohio,  Mississippi  and  Missouri  rivers  to  St.  Joseph, 
where  the  five-months  trip  overland  was  begun.  Arriving  at  his  destination, 
he  engaged  in  gold-mining  for  two  years,  with  fair  success,  and  then  returned 
home  by  way  of  the  Isthmus  of  Panama. 

An  important  step  in  the  life  of  J.  M.  Hanna  was  his  marriage  to  Miss 
Permelia,  daughter  of  John  Thompson,  of  Pennsylvania.  She  was  a  devoted 
helpmate,  sharing  his  joys  and  sorrows,  and  now.  the  most  arduous  labors 
of  her  life  completed,  she  is  passing  her  declining  years  at  her  pleasant  home 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  317 

in  South  Ottawa.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hanna  removed  to  this  state  in  1853,  and, 
after  living  in  Putnam  county  for  a  few  years,  permanently  located  in  this 
township.  Here  he  improved  a  farm,  developing  wild  land  into  a  fertile, 
well  cultivated  homestead,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  the  owner  of 
five  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  He  was  the  president  of  the  Grand  Rapids, 
Brookfield  &  Fall  River  Home  Insurance  Company,  a  director  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Marseilles,  a  member  of  the  board  of  supervisors,  and 
township  school  treasurer  for  eighteen  years.  Industry,  patience  and  in- 
domitable energy  were  among  his  chief  characteristics,  and  justice  in  word 
and  deed  marked  all  of  his  transactions.  He  died  November  4,  1890,  in 
Colorado,  whither  he  had  gone  in  the  hope  of  benefiting  his  failing  health, 
and  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  South  Ottawa.  His  only  daughter,  Flor- 
ence, wife  of  Elwood  Peddicord,  is  deceased,  and  his  second  son,  Elmer 
Ellsworth,  died  in  childhood.  Irwin  I.,  the  youngest,  is  a  successful  attorney 
at  law  in  Ottaw'a. 

In  his  early  years  John  A.  Hanna  mastered  the  details  of  farming,  and 
was  of  great  assistance  to  his  father  in  the  improvement  of  the  old  home- 
stead. After  finishing  his  district  school  education,  he  attended  the  National 
Normal  at  Lebanon,  Ohio,  and  then  took  up  the  study  of  law,  being  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  1887,  at  Ottawa,  Kansas.  For  the  next  two  or  three  years  he 
diligently  pursued  the  practice  of  his  chosen  profession,  but  the  death  of  his 
father  made  it  necessary  for  him  to  return  and  attend  to  the  settling  of  the 
estate  and  the  subsequent  management  of  the  farm.  He  owns  three  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres  of  land  here,  eciuipped  with  excellent  residence  and 
barns  and  all  of  the  modern  appliances  used  in  carrying  on  a  well  ordered 
farm.  He  also  owns  eight  hundred  and.  sixty  acres  of  improved  land  in 
eastern  Kansas.  This  land  is  well  stocked  with  high-grade  cattle.  He  is 
intelligent  and  progressive  in  his  ideas  on  agriculture,  as  in  everything  else, 
and  is  making  a  success  of  his  undertakings. 

The  marriage  of  J.  A.  Hanna  and  Miss  Hattie  A.  Richards  was  cele- 
brated in  this  county  in  1885.  She  is  a  native  of  Berkshire,  Massachusetts, 
and  is  a  daughter  of  Alexander  and  Sophronia  A.  (Dow)  Richards,  wdio  came 
to  this  county  with  their  family  in  1870.  Mrs.  Hanna  was  educated  in 
the  Ottawa  public  schools  and  is  a  lady  of  many  amiable  qualities.  Three 
sons  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hanna,  but  only  one,  Roland  R.,  a  lad  of 
ten  years,  survives.  Warren  R.  died  when  in  his  second  year,  and  E.  Ells- 
worth in  babyhood. 

Since  he  attained  the  right  of  franchise  Mr.  Hanna  has  given  his 
allegiance  to  the  Republican  party.  He  is  an  earnest  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  church,  and  all  religious,  educational  and  charitable  enter- 
prises receive  his  loyal  support.     His  career  has  been  marked  by  sincerity 


3i8  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

and  uprightness,  and  his  legal  training  has  given  him  a  keenness  of  mental 
grasp  and  a  power  of  dealing  with  difficulties  wdiich  cause  him  to  be  looked 
to  as  an  authority  in  his  section  of  the  county. 


THEODORE  ROCKENFELLER. 

The  keynote  of  success  is  pluck  and  persistence  in  a  well-planned  course 
of  action,  and  in  reviewing  the  record  of  Theodore  Rockenfeller,  a  repre- 
sentative citizen  of  Streator,  it  is  to  be  seen  that  this  rule  holds  good.  He 
stands  for  progress,  for  good  government,  for  the  best  possible  educational 
facilities  for  the  young,  for  all  that  tends  to  uplift  and  benefit  humanity, 
and  thus  no  eulogy  is  required  in  setting  forth  his  history,  but  the  mere 
presentation  of  facts. 

Though  he  is  a  native  of  Germany,  his  birth  having  occurred  at  Cob- 
lentz  on  the  Rhine,  in  1852,  our  subject  has  no  recollection  of  that  land,  as 
he  was  but  three  years  of  age  when  he  was  brought  to  America  by  his  par- 
ents. That  worthy  couple,  John  M.  and  Catherine  Rockenfeller,  had 
learned  much  in  favor  of  this  country,  and  wisely  decided  that  they  would 
found  a  home  here,  where  they  might  rear  their  children  under  the  beneficent 
institutions  of  the  republic.  The  family  landed  in  New  York  city  after  a 
tedious  voyage  of  seven  weeks  on  a  sailing  vessel,  and  continued  their  west- 
ward journey  to  Peoria.  Illinois.  At  the  end  of  a  year  they  located  near 
Washington,  Tazewell  count}-,  where  their  home  was  made  until  1864,  and 
the  following  eleven  years  they  were  residents  of  Woodford  county,  Illinois. 
In  1875  they  came  to  Streator,  and  here  the  father  is  yet  living,  but  the 
mother  died  four  years  ago.  They  had  four  children,  the  older  son  being 
"killed  while  employed  by  the  Santa  Fe  Railroad  Company,  ten  years  ago; 
Hannah  is  at  home,  and  Elizabeth  is  the  wife  of  Robert  Genseke. 

Theodore  Rockenfeller  received  a  liberal  education  in  the  common 
and  select  schools  of  this  state,  and  for  four  years  was  a  student  in  the 
Northwestern  College  at  Naperville,  Illinois.  From  1876  to  1884  he  was 
successfully  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  in  Streator,  and  in  the  year 
mentioned  was  appointed  agent  for  the  sale  of  railroad  lands  in  southern 
Minnesota  along  the  line  of  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Railway. 
After  he  had  disposed  of  a  large  amount  of  this  property  he  was  made  the 
general  agent  and  manager  for  the  company's  lands  in  that  section  of  the 
■country,  succeeding  in  establishing  thousands  of  families  along  the  line  of 
that  road.  For  ten  years  he  was  the  immigrant  agent  for  the  x^tchison, 
Topeka  &  Santa  Fe  railroad.  In  September,  1898,  he  was  elected  to  the 
position  of  vice-president  of  the  Farmers'  Colonization  Company,  of  Chi- 
cago, which  controls  many  thousands  of  acres  of  desirable  farm  land  in  vari- 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  319 

ons  parts  of  the  west.  During  the  fifteen  years  which  Mr.  Rockenfeller  has 
devoted  to  this  line  of  enterprise  he  has  been  remarkably  fortunate,  as  he  has 
disposed  of  o\er  live  hundred  and  seventy-five  thousand  acres  of  land,  sit- 
uated chiefly  in  Illinois,  Iowa  and  southern  Minnesota.  The  incalculable 
good  thus  accomplished  is  not  limited  to  the  financial  side  of  the  question, 
but,  considered  in  a  broader  light,  means  the  opening  up  of  vast  territories 
and  fields  of  usefulness  and  prosperity  in  the  west,  and  the  placing  of  thou- 
sands of  families,  many  from  overcrowded  cities  of  the  east,  in  comfortable 
homes,  where  their  labor  receives  its  due  reward,  and  poverty  and  priva- 
tion become  things  of  the  past.  In  addition  to  his  other  interests,  Mr. 
Rockenfeller  has  extensive  investments  in  mining  property.  He  is  presi- 
dent of  the  Streator  &  Cripple  Creek  Gold  Mining  Company,  and  the  presi- 
dent of  the  Security  Mining  &  Milling  Company,  of  Omaha,  Nebraska. 

In  affairs  affecting  the  welfare  of  this  state  and  community  our  sub- 
ject takes  a  patriotic  interest.  For  a  period  of  ten  years  he  served  as  a 
member  of  the  Streator  board  of  education,  and  assisted  in  the  organization 
of  the  local  Young  Men's  Christian  Association.  He  is  a  strong  Repub- 
lican, and  socially  is  identified  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America, 
belonging  to  Camp  No.  4.  In  1891  he  married  Miss  Louise  Holbine,  and 
they  have  one  son,  Vernen  W.  They  are  members  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
church,  Mr.  Rockenfeller  being  one  of  its  trustees. 


JOHN  COOPER. 


Like  many  other  prominent  and  influential  citizens  of  LaSalle  county, 
Illinois,  John  Cooper,  of  Otter  Creek  township,  is  a  native  of  Ireland.  His 
parents  were  Edward  and  Jane  (Coughlin)  Cooper,  and  he  was  born  April 
9,  1 84 1,  near  Belfast.  When  he  was  a  lad  of  eight  years  the  family  came 
to  America  and  settled  first  at  Salmon  Falls,  New  Hampshire,  where  they 
lived  for  some  time.  The  father  died  at  the  age  of  forty-five  years,  leaving 
the  mother  with  a  family  of  eight  children.  She  still  survives  him  and  is  now 
eighty-five  years  of  age.  Of  their  children,  John,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
is  the  eldest;  Mrs.  Maria  Roberts  is  a  resident  of  Alden,  Indiana;  Mrs. 
Sarah  Berry  is  a  resident  of  Rock  Rapids,  Iowa;  William  resides  in  Otter 
Creek  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois;  Richard  was  a  soldier  in  the  Fifty- 
third  Illinois  Regiment  during  the  civil  war  and  died  at  Vicksburg.  Missis- 
sippi; Edward  is  a  veteran  of  the  civil  war  and  lives  in  Streator,  IlHnois; 
Mrs.  Jane  Litts  lives  in  Stuart,  Iowa;  and  Mrs.  Lizzie  Jones  is  a  resident  of 
Otter  Creek  township. 

John  Cooper  was  reared  to  farm  life,  attendin*^  the  public  schools  in 


320  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

winter,  his  parents  having  moved  to  IlHnois  during  his  boyhood,  and  at  the 
time  the  civil  war  broke  out  he  was  engaged  in  farm  work  in  this  state.  In 
1862  he  enhsted  under  Captain  James  J.  McKernan,  in  Company  F,  One 
Hundred  and  Fourth  IlHnois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  with  his  command  was 
on  active  duty  in  the  south.  He  participated  in  the  engagements  of  Harts- 
ville,  Chickamauga  and  Missionary  Ridge,  ever  acting  the  part  of  a  brave 
and  patriotic  soldier.  During  his  army  life  he  had  the  smallpox.  In  1865 
he  was  honorably  discharged  at  Camp  Douglas,  and  from  Chicago  returned 
to  his  home  in  LaSalle  county.  He  remained  on  the  home  farm  until  1870, 
when  he  married.  For  years  he  has  been  ranked  with  the  prosperous  farm- 
ers of  Otter  Creek  township,  his  location  being  near  Kernan. 

November  10,  1870,  ]\Ir.  Cooper  married  Miss  Sarah  Kirkpatrick,  a 
native  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  and  a  daughter  of  James  and  Margaret 
Kirkpatrick.  ]\Ir.  Kirkpatrick  died  in  Philadelphia,  at  the  age  of  thirty-five 
years,  leaving  a  widow  and  one  child,  the  former  having  died  in  1893,  at 
the  age  of  seventy-two  years,  and  the  latter  is  Mrs.  Coope*.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Cooper  have  had  six  children,  viz.:  John  Edward,  at  home;  Ida  Florence, 
wife  of  Arthur  Harber,  of  Otter  Creek  township;  R.  Frank,  of  Ottawa,  Illi- 
nois; Elmer,  at  home;  and  Alyrtle  and  Clara,  deceased,  the  former  having 
died  at  the  age  of  seven  years,  and  the  latter  at  three. 

Mr.  Cooper  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  Post  68,  G.  A.  R.,  at 
Streator. 


NATHAN  TEAK. 


Miller  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  includes  among  its  prosperous 
farmers  Nathan  Teal,  who  has  been  identified  with  this  county  since  his 
early  boyhood.  He  dates  his  nativity  in  Dutchess  county.  New  York,  Jan- 
uary 25,  1848.  His  father,  Edward  Teal,  a  native  of  Columbia  county, 
New  York,  was  born  September  10,  1820;  his  mother,  Susan,  who  was  a 
daughter  of  Jacob  and  Ellen  Piester,  was  born  in  New  York  in  1819,  and 
was  reared  and  educated  in  that  state.  Edward  Teal  was  a  Republican  and 
a  man  of  local  prominence.  For  a  period  of  twenty  years  he  served  as 
justice  of  the  peace,  and  he  also  filled  several  other  township  ofifices.  He  died 
in  LaSalle  county,  Ihinois,  January  22,  1896,  at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy- 
six  years.  Of  the  five  children  born  to  him  and  his  wife,  record  is  made  as 
follows:  Harriet,  wife  of  Thomas  Hougas,  of  Miller  township,  LaSalle 
county;  Mary  J.,  wife  of  John  Hougas,  of  Iowa;  Anne,  wife  of  Elias  Hayer, 
of  this  township;  Nathan,  whose  name  initiates  this  sketch;  and  Morgan 
A.,  who  resides  on  section  14.  Miller  township. 

Nathan  Teal  was -a  small  boy  when  he  was  brought  by  his  parents  to 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  321 

Illinois,  and  in  LaSalle  county  he  was  reared  and  educated,  his  educational 
advantages  being  limited  to  the  public  schools.  Farming  has  been  his  life 
occupation.  He  is  located  on  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  near  the  village  of 
Norway,  this  farm  being  a  representative  one  as  regards  good  buildings, 
well  cultivated  fields,  etc. 

In  April,  1885,  Mr.  Teal  married  Miss  Sabina  A.  Godwin,  who  was 
born  and  reared  in  Miller  township,  daughter  of  John  Godwin.  John  God- 
^\•in  was  a  native  of  Essex  county,  Ontario,  born  July  11,  1822,  of  English 
descent.  He  was  married  in  1844,  at  Detroit,  Michigan,  to  Anna  M.  Long, 
a  native  of  England,  who  survives  him  and  is  now  seventy-eight  years  of 
age.  Mr.  Godwin  died  February  15,  1896,  at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Godwin  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Miller  township,  LaSalle 
county,  in  185 1,  and  here  reared  their  family  of  ten  children,  all  of  whom  are 
still  living,  namely:  Alwilda  J.,  Josephine  A..  Josiah  J.,  Alvin  G.,  Hattie  E., 
Ammi  M.,  Dan.  W.,  Sabina,  Frank  and  Jessie  A.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Teal  have 
one  daughter,  Myrtle  May,  born  September  29,  1886. 

Politically,  Mr.  Teal  is  known  as  an  ardent  Republican.  He  has  served 
as  justice  of  the  peace  for  five  years,  as  member  of  the  school  board  nine 
years,  and  as  clerk  of  school  elections  several  times.  He  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  the  church  of  the  Latter  Day  Saints. 


DWIGHT  LAWRENCE. 


The  ancestors  of  Dwight  Lawrence,  a  well  known  citizen  of  Ottawa,  on 
both  the  paternal  and  maternal  lines,  were  men  of  sturdy  patriotism  and 
w^orthy  of  respect  in  every  particular.  His  father's  grandfather,  Colonel 
Bigelow  Lawrence,  was  a  hero  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  the  maternal 
great-grandfather  of  our  subject,  Amasa  Farnham,  was  likewise  a  soldier  in 
that  struggle  with  our  mother  country. 

The  parents  of  Dwight  Lawrence  were  Jairus  and  Alice  (Farnham) 
Lawrence.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Onondaga  county,  New  York,  and 
held  numerous  local  offices  of  honor  and  trust.  In  political  creed  he  was 
a  Democrat.  To  himself  and  estimable  wife  six  children  were  born,  namely: 
Dwight,  Rachel.  Lucretia,  Jairus,  Alice  and  Fred.  The  devoted  husband 
and  father  was  summoned  to  the  silent  land  in  1881,  at  the  ripe  age  of 
seventy-one  years. 

The  birth  of  Dwight  Lawrence  occurred  in  Orleans  county,  New  York,. 
February  6,  1833.  He  grew  to  maturity  and  received  his  education  in  his 
native  state,  learning  meanwhile  every  detail  of  agriculture.  In  1849  he 
came  to  Illinois  and  went  into  the  stock  business,  devoting  much  of  his  time 


322  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL-  RECORD. 

to  the  breeding  and  training  of  high-grade  blooded  horses.  He  owns  a  fine 
homestead,  known  as  the  Lawrence  Stock  Farm,  in  Ophir  township,  LaSalle 
county,  thirteen  and  one-half  miles  from  Ottawa.  Everything  about  this 
place  calls  forth  the  admiration  and  favorable  comment  of  visitors.  The 
barns  and  feed  stables  are  modern,  substantial  and  well  ec^uipped,  there  are 
splendid  pastures  and  productive  grain  and  hay  fields,  an  abundance  of 
clear,  pure  water,  and  a  beautiful  hedge  over  two  miles  long  surrounds  the 
premises.  Without  question  the  place  is  one  of  the  finest  and  most  valuable 
in  the  county,  and  from  all  parts  of  the  state  dealers  and  buyers  come,  as  to 
a  new  ]\Iecca.  In  connection  with  this  farm  the  owner  runs  a  livery,  sale 
and  feed  stable  at  No.  8ii  Columbus  street,  Ottawa,  under  the  firm  name 
of  Dwight  Lawrence  &  Son.  In  the  score  or  more  of  years  that  our  subject 
has  resided  in  this  vicinity  he  has  made  an  enviable  record  for  business  hon- 
esty.and  enterprise.  He  is  a  Democrat  and  is  public-spirited,  and  actively 
interested  in  the  general  welfare. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Lawrence  took  place  in  1859,  his  bride  being  Miss 
Harriet,  daughter  of  Theron  and  Margaret,  nee  Belknap,  of  Orange  county, 
New  York.  She  died  in  Ottawa,  October  17,  1886,  and  left  one  son,  Wilbur 
H.,  who  was  born  March  i,  1865,  and  is  now  engaged  in  business  with  his 
father.  He  and  wife  reside  on  the  farm  in  Ophir  township,  where  he  was 
born.  He  was  married  March  15,  1894,  to  Sadie  Stockley,  a  daughter  of 
Charles  Stockley,  of  Freedom  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois.  Mr. 
Stockley  was  a  soldier  in  the  Union  army  during  the  war  of  the  Rebellion, 
w'-is  captured  and  suffered  the  horrors  of  Anderson ville  prison. 


GEORGE    W.    BOWERS. 

George  W.  Bowers  was  born  in  Fairfield  county,  Ohio,  February  9, 
1853,  and  is  of  German  descent,  although  several  generations  of  the  family 
have  been  residents  of  this  country.  Christian  Bowers,  the  father  of  George 
W.,  was  born  in  Merland,  Virginia.  He  married  Miss  May  Smetzer,  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  sons  and  daughters  to  the  number  of  thirteen  were 
born  to  them.  Of  this  family  eleven  are  still  living,  namely:  Catherine. 
Elizabeth,  George  W.,  David,  Charles,  Emma,  Edward,  Lotta,  John,  Alice 
and  Dextor.  The  father  was  by  trade  a  cooper,  at  which  he  worked  previous 
to  the  civil  war,  and  since  then  he  has  lived  on  a  farm.  He  is  now  nearing 
his  eightieth  milepost  marking  the  years  of  life,  and  his  good  wife  is  past 
seventy.  Both  are  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
\\ith  which  they  have  long  been  identified. 

Georee  W\  Bowers  was  reared  in  Fairfield  countv.  Ohio,  and  received 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  323 

his  education  in  the  public  schools.  Industry  and  careful  economy  in  youth 
and  early  manhood,  continued  to  the  present,  have  brought  him  comfort  and 
plenty.  In  1884  he  purchased  his  present  farm,  eighty  acres  of  land,  near 
Norway,  in  Miller  township,  LaSalle  county,  which  is  well  improved  and 
under  excellent   cultivation.  , 

In  March,  1883,  Mr.  Bowers  married  Miss  Lorinda  Knickerbocker,  the 
daughter  of  James  B.  Knickerbocker,  a  well  known  citizen  of  this  county, 
and  his  wife,  Catherine  (Lattimer)  Knickerbocker.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bowers 
have  six  children, — five  sons  and  a  daughter,  namely:  Lester  C,  Benjamin 
H.,  Duncan  G.,  Bessie  Belle,  Harald  Dewey  and  James  N. 

Mr.  Bowsers  is  a  man  well  informed  on  all  questions  of  the  day,  har- 
monizes with  the  Republican  party,  and  at  this  writing  is  a  member  of  the 
school  board,  on  which  he  has  served  for  some  time. 


RICHARD    F.    KNOTT. 


At  the  head  of  one  of  the  infant  enterprises  of  Marseilles,  Mr.  R.  F. 
Knott  has  plainly  demonstrated  his  executive  and  financial  ability  and  his 
right  to  be  classed  with  the  progressive  business  men  of  LaSalle  county. 

Born  about  thirty-six  years  ago,  in  the  city  of  Mobile,  Alabama,  Mr. 
Knott  represents  two  old  and  highly  honored  southern  families.  His  father, 
Richard  F.  Knott,  who  was  a  very  successful  cotton  merchant,  was  stricken 
with  the  dread  yellow-fever  scourge  in  1873,  and  died  when  still  in  his  prime. 
He  not  only  bore  an  enviable  reputation  as  a  business  man  but  also  ranked 
high  in  the  Masonic  fraternity,  having  taken  the  thirty-third  degree,  and 
having  occupied  the  exalted  office  of  first  grand  commander  of  the  state  of 
Alabama.  For  his  wife  he  chose  Miss  Charity  Prince,  a  lady  of  superior  edu- 
cation and  social  attainments,  and  five  children  blessed  their  marriage. 

^^'ith  his  brothers  and  sisters,  R.  F.  Knott  was  reared  in  the  sunny  south- 
land and  received  a  liberal  education.  He  suffered  an  irreparable  loss  when 
he  was  about  ten  years  old  in  the  death  of  his  father,  but  the  memory 
of  his  judicious  counsels  and  worthy  example  served  as  a  guiding  star 
through  his  youth.  In  1889  he  married  Miss  Sallie  Oliver,  daughter  of 
Thomas  Oliver,  of  Birmingham,  Alabama,  and  they  have  one  bright  little 
son,  Richard  F.,  Junior,  now  four  years  of  age. 

Coming  to  Marseilles,  Mr.  Knott  assisted  in  the  organization  of  the 
Crescent  Paper  Company  in  May,  1896,  and  has  since  acted  as  president 
of  the  concern,  while  J.  H.  Collough  is  the  secretary  and  treasurer,  and  D. 
Samuels  is  the  superintendent.  This  company  has  succeeded  in  establishing 
a  large  and  lucrative  trade  within  the  past  three  vears,  and  now  affords  em- 


324 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GEXEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


ployment  to  a  force  of  more  than  one  hundred  people.  They  manufacture 
paper  box-board,  tgg  cases  and  crates  of  various  kinds,  paper  boxes,  and 
other  receptacles  for  shippers'  and  merchants'  supplies.  The  growing  im- 
portance of  this  industry  to  this  town  and  vicinity  is  duly  acknowledged  by 
its  citizens,  and  it  promises  to  be  a  sj;ill  greater  factor  in  the  development 
of  com.mercial  enterprises  here. 

In  his  political  convictions,  Mr.  Knott  is  a  loyal  gold  Democrat,  and 
takes  great  interest  in  the  leading  issues  of  the  day.  Fraternally  he  has 
followed  in  the  footsteps  of  his  father,  being  identified  with  the  Masonic 
order,  as  a  Knight  Templar  of  the  Ottawa  Commandery,  No.  lo.  Both  he 
and  iiis  estimable  wife  are  members  and  regular  attendants  of  the  Episcopal 
church. 


\MLLIAM  H.  GOCHANOUR. 

An  esteemed  and  honored  resident  of  Otter  Creek  township,  LaSalle 
county,  Illinois,  is  W^illiam  H.  Gochanour,  who  was  born  in  Licking  county, 
Ohio,  December  20,  1840,  the  son  of  Jonathan  C.  and  Lucy  (Ritter) 
Gochanour.  The  father  is  a  native  of  A^irginia,  but  has  been  a  resident  of 
LaSalle  county  since  1844  and  is  now  one  of  the  oldest  residents  of  Otter 
Creek  township.  He  married  Miss  Lucy  Ritter.  the  daughter  of  a  southern 
planter,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  nine  of  whom  are 
living,  namely:  William  H.,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  review;  Mathias, 
to  whom  individual  reference  is  made  elsewhere  in  this  work;  Amanda 
Larry,  a  resident  of  Iowa;  Angus,  of  Cass  county,  Iowa;  James,  of  Otter 
Creek  township,  this  county;  John,  also  of  this  township;  Jane  Marsh,  of 
Iowa;  Ann  Johnson,  of  Otter  Creek  township,  and  Edward,  also  of  this 
township.  The  mother  of  these  children  passed  away  in  1895,  in  her  sixty- 
third  year. 

William  H.  Gochanour  received  his  educational  discipline  in  the  public 
schools,  after  leaving  which  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  farming  industry. 
He  is  a  shrewd  business  man  and  has  been  very  successful,  having  about 
twenty  thousand  dollars  well  invested  in  this  county.  He  has  an  extensive 
apiary,  and  has  found  the  culture  of  bees  to  be  not  only  profitable,  but  also 
a  pleasure  as  well.  This  work  has  received  close  attention  from  him  and  he 
has  studied  to  secure  the  best  plans  for  handling  the  industrious  little  work- 
ers, thus  insuring  the  largest  yield  of  honey;  his  methods  have  resulted  in 
a  very  successful  enterprise  in  this  line. 

On  the  19th  of  January,  1862,  Mr.  Gochanour  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Orilla  J.  Brock,  a  daughter  of  Solomon  Brock,  of  this  township, 
and  five  children  have  blessed  their  union,  four  of  whom  are  living,  namely: 


I 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  325 

Willis  Elliott,  of  this  township;  Ella  Dell,  wife  of  Henry  Gebo,  of  Montana; 
Orlando  Rees,  w-ho  is  married  and  resides  on  the  home  farm;  and  Elmer 
Lee,  who  lives  at  home.  In  his  political  adherency  Mr.  Gochanour  is  a 
Democrat,  and  he  has  served  for  three  terms  as  assessor  of  his  township. 
This  ofifice  he  accepted  at  the  urgent  solicitation  of  his  friends;  he  has  always 
been  averse  to  accepting  any  preferment  in  an  official  way.  He  is  of  genial, 
social  disposition,  and  is  popular  with  his  fellow  citizens. 

The  father  of  Mrs.  Gochanour  was  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  Otter 
Creek  township,  coming  here  in  L831  and  locating  in  the  midst  of  the  great 
prairies  of  Illinois,  his  house  at  that  time  being  nine  miles  distant  from  any 
Other  human  habitation.  The  farm  upon  which  he  lived  contained  six  hun- 
dred and  forty  acres,  and  he  was  one  of  the  first  farmers  in  this  part  of  the 
state  tc»  do  a  profitable  business  in  the  raising  of  cattle.  In  politics  he  gave 
his  support  to  the  Republican  party  and  its  principles.  The  maiden  name 
of  his  wife  was  Jane  Moon,  and  she  was  a  sister  of  A.  B.  Moon,  an  early 
settler  here.  The  children  of  Solomon  and  Jane  (Moon)  Brock  were  as  fol- 
lows: Eleanor;  Evan,  deceased;  Rees,  who  w-as  killed  in  the  battle  of  Harts- 
ville,  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion;  Philander;  Sylvester;  Calvin  L.,  for  four 
years  a  soldier  in  the  civil  war;  Mary  M.  Hopple,  of  Nebraska;  Orilla  J.,  wife 
of  the  subject  of  this  review;  Angeline;  and  Lily  D.  Mr.  Brock  passed 
away  December  25,  1858,  aged  sixty-two  years;  and  his  wife  died  May  7, 
1854,  aged  forty-four  years. 


LORENZO    LELAND. 


The  first  ancestor  of  the  Leland  family  in  America  was  Henry  Leland, 
who  was  born  in  England,  in  1625,  married  Margaret  Badcock,  and  in  1652 
came  to  America,  his  death  occurring  in  Sherborn,  Massachusetts,  April  4, 
1680.  His  fourth  child  and  eldest  son,  Ebenezer  Leland,  was  born  at  Sher- 
born, January  25,  1657,  and  died  in  1742.  James,  the  son  of  Ebenezer, 
was  born  in  1687,  married  Hannah  Learned  and  died  in  1768,  at  the 
advanced  age  of  eighty-one  years.  His  son  Phineas  was  born  in  1731  and 
died  in  1773.  Eleazer  Leland,  son  of  Phineas,  was  born  in  1755,  and  was 
a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  participating  in  the  battles  of  Lexing- 
ton and  Bunker  Hill.  He  married  Elizabeth  Sherman,  and  his  death 
occurred  in  Grafton,  Massachusetts,  in  1827. 

Cyrus  Leland,  the  next  in  direct  line  of  descent,  w-as  born  in  Grafton, 
Massachusetts,  in  1785,  and  married  Betsy  Kimball,  whose  grandfather, 
Aaron  Kimball,  was  a  soldier  in  the  early  French  and  Indian  war.  When 
hostilities  commenced  that  resulted  in  the  establishment  of  the  republic, 


326  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

he  was  commissioned  captain  of  a  company  in  the  Sixth  Massachusetts  In- 
fantry, his  commission  being  dated  April  5.  1776.  His  son,  the  father  of 
Betsy  Kimball,  \yas  captain  of  a  company  in  the  regiment  commanded  by 
Colonel  Wheelock.     Cyrus  Leland  died  in  Grafton,  Massachusetts,  in  1831. 

Lorenzo  Leland,  second  son  of  Cyrus,  \yas  born  in  Grafton,  Massachu- 
setts, September  14,  18 13.  and  married  Martha  Holbrook,  who  was  also  a 
native  cf  Grafton.  In  1834  he  came  west,  locating  in  Peoria,  Illinois,  where 
he  remained  for  one  year.  In  1835  he  came  to  Ottawa,  being  the  second 
lawyer  10  locate  in  this  city.  He  was  appointed  clerk  of  the  circuit  court  in 
1842,  by  Tohn  D.  Caton,  which  position  he  held  until  1848,  when  he  was 
elected  clerk  cf  the  supreme  court  of  the  northern  district  of  Illinois.  He 
held  that  office  until  1866,  his  service  covering  eighteen  years,  wdiile  for  six 
additional  years  he  was  clerk  of  the  circuit  court.  He  gave  his  support  to 
the  Democracy  and  was  an  active  factor  in  politics,  carrying  his  district  at 
times  against  great  odds.  He  died  in  August,  1881,  when  almost  sixty- 
eight  years  of  age,  respected  and  honored  by  all. 

Lorenzo  Leland,  whose  name  heads  this  sketch,  w'as  born  in  Ottawa, 
Illinois,  October  17,  1852.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  this  city  and 
was  graduated  from  the  high  school.  He  was  studious  by  nature,  and 
determined  to  follow  in  the  footsteps  of  his  father  in  the  choice  of  a  pro- 
fession. He  graduated  at  Phillips  Academy,  at  Andover,  Massachusetts, 
in  1870,  and  the  same  year  entered  Yale  College,  graduating  there  in  1874. 
Returning  to  his  native  city  he  commenced  the  study  of  law-,  and  in  1876, 
upon  examination  before  the  supreme  court  of  Illinois,  was  admitted  to  the 
bar.  Immediately  thereafter  he  went  to  El  Dorado,  Kansas,  where,  in  com- 
pany with  his  brother,  Cyrus  A.,  he  practiced  his  profession  until  1880.  He 
then  returned  to  Ottawa  and  opened  an  office  in  this  city,  continuing  in 
active  practice  until  a  few  years  ago,  when  other  business  matters  demanded 
his  entire  attention.  He  has  been  intimately  identified  with  the  various 
financial  institutions  of  the  city  and  has  given  much  study  to  the  subject 
of  finance.  He  is  the  attorney  and  treasurer  of  the  Ottawa  Buildin§|^ome- 
stead  &  Savings  Association,  and  that  institution  ow-es  much  of  its  pros- 
perity to  his  care  and  attention.  He  was  elected  a  director  of  the  First 
National  Bank  several  years  ago  and  in  1894  was  chosen  the  president  of 
that  institution  and  continues  to  hold  that  position.  He  is  the  secretary  of 
the  Ottawa  Hydraulic  Company  and  a  director  of  the  Ottawa  Railway  Light 
&  Power  Company,  besides  being  extensively  interested  in  real  estate  in  and 
around  Ottawa. 

On  the  9th  of  October,  1878,  Mr.  Leland  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Fannie  C.  Hamilton,  a  daughter  of  H.  M.  and  Kate  (White)  Hamilton. 
Her  father  was  born  in  the  north  of  Ireland  and  was  of  Scotch-Irish  descent. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


327 


In  early  life  he  came  to  America,  locating  in  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  was  married.  In  1854  he  came  to  Ottawa.  He  was  a  contractor  and 
builder,  but  later,  in  company  with  S.  E.  King,  engaged  in  the  hardware 
business  in  this  city.  In  1866,  as  a  partner  of  William  Oilman  and  S.  E. 
King,  he  commenced  manufacturing  corn-shellers,  and  later  extended  their 
held  of  labor  by  manufacturing  other  implements  and  machinery  until  their 
factory  became  t)ne  of  the  most  important  manufactories  of  Ottawa.  Mr. 
Hamilton  served  for  a  number  of  years  as  president  of  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Ottawa.  He  has  a  beautiful  home  in  Pasadena,  California,  where 
he  now  resides.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leland  one  child  has  been  born,  Hugh 
H.,  whose  birth  occurred  September  22,  1880,  and  who  is  now  a  student  in 
Lake  Forest  University. 

Mr.  Leland  has  always  taken  a  lively  interest  in  all  athletic  sports,  and 
when  at  Yale  was  a  member  of  the  base-ball  nine.  He  is  ever  ready  to 
devote  his  time  and  means  to  promote  the  cause  of  education  or  any  move- 
ment which  has  for  its  object  the  welfare  of  the  city  or  county  in  which  he 
lives. 


JOEL  W.  ELLIS. 


For  almost  thirty  years  Joel  W.  Ellis  has  been  known  as  one  of  the  most 
public-spirited  citizens  of  Seneca,  LaSalle  county,  and  unquestionably  ranks 
with  th.e  leading  business  men  of  this  flourishing  town.  He  is  deservedly 
popular  with  all  classes,  rich  and  poor,  farmer,  mechanic  or  business  man, 
and  in  the  transaction  of  his  affairs  he  maintains  the  utmost  fairness  and  jus- 
tice toward  everyone. 

His  father,  Joel  C.  Ellis,  was  a  native  of  Vermont,  born  in  1814,  and 
at  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  in  his  prime,  being  but  forty  years  of  age. 
His  wife,  our  sul)ject's  mother,  a  Miss  Mary  Hunt  in  her  girlhood,  was 
born  in  Connecticut,  a  daughter  of  J.  Hunt.  She  is  still  living,  now  in  her 
eighty-fifth  year,  and  makes  her  home  with  her  younger  son,  William  H.,  of 
Rathbun.  Iowa.  Her  onl\-  daughter,  Ella,  is  married  and  is  a  resident  of 
Kansas  City,  Kansas. 

The  birth  of  Joel  \\'.  Ellis  occurred  in  Waterford,  Pennsylvania,  January 
19,  1844,  and  he  was  but  ten  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  father's  death, 
which  event  took  place  at  Morris,  Illinois,  where  the  family  had  been  living 
for  several  years.  But  six  months  old  when  he  was  brought  to  this  state, 
Mr.  Ellis  has  been  thoroughly  identified  with  its  progress  from  his  earliest 
recollections,  and  is  proud  of  the  rapid  strides  it  has  made  toward  everything 
which  is  desirable  in  a  commonwealth,  within  the  half-century  just  ending. 
After  he  had  left  school  he  took  a  position  as  a  clerk  in  the  post-ofKice,  his 


328  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

superior  being  George  Fisher,  and  later  he  was  employed  in  the  post-office 
at  Morris,  under  Postmaster  Edward  Hanna. 

In  August,  1 86 1,  when  but  seventeen  and  a  half  years  old,  J.  W.  Ellis 
enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  G,  Thirty-sixth  Illinois  Infantry,  his  captain 
being  I.  W.  Parkhurst,  and  his  colonel  N.  Greusel.  The  regiment  was  at  first 
encamped  at  Aurora,  and  our  subject  was  detailed  as  a  mail  messenger. 
Soon  ordered  to  the  front,  he  participated  in  numerous  eligagements  and 
battles  with  the  Confederates,  including  Atlanta,  Georgia;  Columbus  and 
Nashville.  Serving  faithfully  at  his  post  of  duty  until  the  close  of  the  war, 
four  years  and  two  months  from  the  date  of  his  enlistment,  he  was  mustered 
out  and  honorably  discharged,  in  October,  1865. 

After  having  given  to  his  country  some  of  the  best  years  of  his  early 
manhood,  Mr.  Ellis  took  up  the  burden  of  life  again  on  his  own  account. 
In  1869  he  removed  to  Hennepin,  Illinois.  In  1872  he  came  to  Seneca, 
and  for  sixteen  years  conducted  a  lumber  business.  Ten  years  after  his 
arrival  here  he  bought  a  stock  of  hardware  and  farm  machinery  and  imple- 
ments, and  his  business  in  this  line  increased  so  rapidly  and  gratifyingly 
that  he  disposed  of  his  lumber  yard  in  1888,  and  since  that  time  has  given 
liis  entire  attention  to  the  other  trade.  He  keeps  a  large  and  finely  selected 
•stock  of  goods,  and  controls  the  greater  portion  of  the  business  in  his  line 
in  this  locality. 

In  1890  he  was  appointed  as  post-master  of  Seneca,  to  fill  the  vacancy 
■occasioned  by  the  death  of  D.  H.  Underbill,  and  served  for  eighteen  months; 
and  in  November,  1897,  President  McKinley  appointed  him  to  the  post- 
mastership  here.  On  New  Year's  day,  1898,  he  entered  upon  his  new  duties, 
•and  is  still  officiating  with  the  promptness  and  fidelity  and  the  unfailing 
courtesy  which  have  made  many  friends  for  him.  He  is  a  Republican,  "true 
blue,"  and  fraternally  belongs  to  Seneca  Post,  No.  324,  G.  A.  R.;  Manlius 
Lodge,  No.  491,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  to  Logan  Camp,  No.  1212,  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America. 

In  October,  1868,  Mr.  Ellis  married  Miss  T,  E.  Strong,  of  Morris,  Illi- 
nois, and  their  union  is  blessed  with  five  children,  namely:  Estelle,  Edna 
M.,  Elmer,  Tracy  W.,  and  Hilda.  Mrs.  Ellis  is  a  daughter  of  S.  S.  and 
Temperance  Strong,  in  their  day  well  known  citizens  of  Morris,  Illinois. 


G.   L.  HAYER. 


G.  L.  Hayer,  one  of  the  prominent  farmers  of  LaSalle  county,  has  long 
been  a  resident  of  Miller  township,  near  Stavanger.  He  was  born  in  the 
state  of  Iowa,  November  12,  1848,  and  is  a  son  of  Austin  and  Elizabeth 
(Jacobs)  Hayer  and  a  grandson  of  Lars  Hayer.     His  father  was  a  native  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  329 

Norway  and  was  a  member  of  the  colony  founded  by  the  Norsemen  in 
Rock  county,  Wisconsin.  From  that  state  he  moved  into  Iowa  and  settled 
in  Lee  county.  Here  he  met  Miss  Elizabeth  Jacobs,  who  also  was  a  native 
of  the  Norseland,  but  had  been  reared  and  educated  on  this  side  of  the 
ocean.  Their  acquaintance  ripened  into  love  and  culminated  in  their  mar- 
riage, but  their  wedded  life  was  to  be  of  short  duration.  Two  children  were 
born  to  them, — G.  L.  and  Lars  A.  The  latter  died  in  infancy  and  in  1850, 
when  our  subject  was  but  two  years  of  age  the  mother  was  called  to  the 
better  land.  The  father  took  a  second  wife  in  the  person  of  Miss  Annie 
Danielson  and  by  her  had  six  children,  only  three  of  whom  are  now  living, 
viz.:  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Jacob  Oleson,  of  Grundy  county.  Illinois;  Emma, 
wife  of  Charles  Wiley,  of  Polk  county,  Missouri;  and  Electa,  wife  of  H. 
Hoie,  of  Miller  township.  The  father  was  an  elder  in  the  church  of  the 
Latter  Day  Saints  and  also  took  an  active  interest  in  the  Republican  party. 
His  death  occurred  March  9,  1896.  at  the  age  of  seventy  years. 

G.  L.  Hayer  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  helped  his  father 
with  such  chores  as  a  lad  could  do.  As  he  grew  older  he  took  a  more  active 
part  in  the  work  and  became  a  good  farmer  and  one  who  adopted  the  more 
progressive  method  of  work,  and  is  now  one  of  the  substantial  agriculturists 
of  LaSalle  county.  When  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Malina  Hagland,  who  was  born  in  Norway,  a  daughter  of  Thosten  and 
Bertha  Hagland.  Her  parents  came  to  the  United  States,  settling  in  Fill- 
more county,  Minnesota,  where  she  was  educated  and  grew  to  }'oung 
womanhood.  Six  children  blessed  their  union,  two  of  whom  have  been 
taken  to  blossom  in  the  garden  of  the  blessed  Redeemer, — little  Minnie 
Theresa,  who  lived  but  four  short  years,  and  an  infant  that  died  unnamed; 
Albert  Elias  resides  with  his  parents;  Bertha  is  the  wife  of  Oscar  Johnson, 
of  this  neighborhood;  Zenas  Milton  and  Walter  T.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hayer 
are  members  of  the  church  of  the  Latter  Day  Saints  and  are  worthy  Chris- 
tian people.  He  has  always  supported  the  Republican  party,  but  devotes 
little  time  to  politics,  as  his  time  is  fully  occupied  with  looking  after  his 
personal  interests. 


EDWIN  T.  READ. 


For  more  than  forty  years  Edwin  T.  Read  has  resided  upon  his  present 
farm  in  Grand  Rapids  township,  LaSalle  county,  and  is  numbered  among 
the  pioneer  settlers  of  1854.  Great  changes  have  occurred  since  his  arrival 
and  the  county  has  made  wonderful  progress  and  advancement  along  edu- 
cational, commercial  and  agricultural  lines.     In  the  latter  department  Mr. 


330  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

Read  has  been  especially  active  and  is  a  recognized  factor  in  public  affairs 
in  his  localit}^ 

A  native  of  the  Empire  state,  Mr.  Read  was  born  in  Chautauqua  county, 
New  York,  near  Jamestown,  December  25,  1832.  His  father,  Thomas  Read, 
was  born  in  Washington  county.  New  York,  in  1801,  and  was  a  son  of  Rev. 
M.  Read,  a  Methodist  minister.  He  was  reared  and  educated  in  New  York, 
and  there  married  Miss  Eliza  Ferguson,  a  native  of  western  New  York. 
Their  union  was  blessed  with  eleven  children,  nine  sons  and  two  daughters: 
Edwin  T.;  Frank,  who  was  a  member  of  Company  A,  Fifty-third  Illinois 
Infantry  and  lost  an  arm  and  leg  while  fighting  for  his  country  at  Jackson, 
Mississippi,  and  died  of  the  wounds;  Henry,  who  was  a  member  of  the 
Ninth  New  York  Cavalry  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  died  at  Alexandria, 
Virginia;  Harriet,  died  in  Ford  county,  Illinois;  Helen,  who  resides  also 
in  Ford  county;  Thomas,  John  B.,  William  T.,  Charles  M.,  and  Arba  D. 
are  all  residents  of  that  county;  and  Emmett  died  in  LaSalle  county,  at  the 
age  of  eighteen  years.  The  father  died  i-n  western  New  York,  in  July,  1862, 
leaving  the  mother  with  her  eleven  children  to  support.  He  had  at  one 
time  been  a  man  of  considerable  means,  but  through  the  failure  of  a  railroad 
enterprise  he  lost  greatly  and  his  widow  paid  three  thousand  dollars'  security 
debts.  By  careful  management  and  earnest  toil,  however,  Mrs.  Read  man- 
aged to  keep  her  children  together  and  provide  a  comfortable  home  for 
them,  ever  fulfilling  every  obligation  of  a  faithful  mother.  She  taught  them 
to  live  upright,  honorable  lives,  and  early  instilled  into  their  minds  habits  of 
industry  and  economy,  thus  preparing  them  for  the  practical  duties  of  their 
later  years.  She  died  October  19,  1878,  at  the  home  of  our  subject,  when 
sixty-six  years  of  age,  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  Grand  Ridge  cemetery. 
She  held  membership  in  the  Methodist  church,  and  hers  was  an  earnest 
Christian  life. 

Edwin  T.  Read  was  reared  on  the  old  family  homestead  in  New  York. 
His  educational  privileges  were  somewhat  limited,  for  he  was  the  eldest  son 
and  his  services  were  needed  on  the  farm.  In  the  fall  of  1854  he  came  to 
the  west  and  purchased  eighty  acres  -of  land  in  Grand  Rapids  township,  the 
purchase  price  being  ten  dollars  per  acre.  Two  years  later  he  broke  the 
raw  prairie  and  taking  up  his  abode  upon  the  place  continued  its  develop- 
ment and  cultivation.  Soon  abundant  harvests  rewarded  his  labors  and  in 
course  of  time  he  became  the  owner  of  one  of  the  most  desirable  farms  of 
the  locality.  As  a  companion  and  helpmeet  on  life's  journey  he  chose 
Miss  Helen  E.  Ebersol,  the  marriage  being  celebrated  March  15,  i860.  The 
lady  was  born  in  Grand  Rapids  township,  LaSalle  county,  and  is  a  daughter 
of  Joseph  Ebersol,  a  pioneer  settler  who  came  to  the  county  from  Harris- 
burg,  Pennsylvania,  in   1834.     He  died  February  13,   1873,  at  the  age  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  331 

eighty-two  years,  and  his  wife,  who  bore  the  maiden  name  of  EHzabeth 
Shuey,  departed  this  hfe  February  26,  1871,  at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ebersol  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  three  of  whom  are 
now  Mving:  Mrs.  George  Rugg,  of  Ottawa,  Ihinois;  A.  H.,  who  was  a 
soldier  in  the  civil  war  and  is  now  residing  in  Englewood,  Illinois;  and  Mrs. 
Read.    Those  deceased  are  D.  F.,  A.  M.  and  Mrs.  Catharine  Budd. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Read  began  their  domestic  life  in  a  small  frame  house, 
which  is  now  used  by  tenants.  In  1885  their  first  home  was  replaced  by 
a  commodious  modern  residence,  in  the  rear  of  which  stand  large  barns 
and  other  necessary  outbuildings,  which  provide  good  shelter  for  grain 
and  stock.  Everything  about  the  place  is  neat  and  thrifty  in  appearance, 
giving  evidence  of  the  careful  supervision  of  the  owner,  and  the  house 
indicates  the  watchful  care  of  Mrs.  Read.  This  worthy  couple  have  an 
adopted  son,  Frank  E.,  who  married  Bertha  Katz,  of  Ransom,  Illinois,  by 
whom  he  has  a  son,  Edwin  T.,  named  in  honor  of  our  subject. 

]\lr.  Read  is  a  stanch  advocate  of  Republican  principles  and  is  a  recog- 
nized leader  in  the  party  ranks,  doing  all  in  his  power  to  promote  its 
growth  and  insure  its  success.  For  some  years  he  has  served  as  supervisor, 
and  has  discharged  his  duties  in  a  most  commendable  manner.  Socially  he  is 
a  Mason,  belonging  to  Marseilles  Lodge,  No.  417,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  at 
Marseilles;  Shabbona  Chapter,  No.  37,  R.  A.  M.,  and  Ottawa  Commandery, 
No.  10,  K.  T.  From  his  boyhood  he  has  been  accustomed  to  earnest  toil 
and  to  his  own  labors  may  be  attributed  his  success.  Energy  and  persever- 
ance are  the  salient  points  in  his  career  and  have  brought  to  him  a  com- 
fortable competence. 


GEORGE  HAYWARD. 


George  Hayward  was  born  in  Ottawa,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  April  19, 
1843,  ^i''<^^  l^y  close  application  and  industry  has  accumulated  a  competency 
which  will  enable  him  to  pass  the  remainder  of  his  life  in  comfort  and  afflu- 
ence. He  is  a  son  of  Charles  and  Julia  Ann  (Mason)  Hayward,  who  came 
to  this  coimty  from  the  east  early  in  this  century.  The  family  tree  of  the 
Haywards  was  deep-rooted  in  Scotland,  whence  one  Caleb  Hayward  emi- 
grated to  America,  settling  at  Braintree,  Massachusetts,  and  moving  later 
to  Lebanon,  Connecticut,  where  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life.  The 
paternal  grandfather,  John  Henry  Hayward,  was  born  in  Lebanon,  Connecti- 
cut, and  on  February  3,  1790,  was  married  to  Eunice  Hutchison.  They 
reared  a  family  of  seven  sons  and  four  daughters,  and  September  11,  1826, 
the  grandfather  entered  his  long  sleep.  One  of  the  sons  was  Charles  Hay- 
ward, who  was  born  in  Lebanon,   Connecticut,  April  8,    1808,  and  there 


332 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


grew  to  manhood.  October  8,  1838,  he  was  joined  in  marriage  with  Miss 
JuHa  Ann  Mason,  who  was  born  in  Cortland  county,  New  York,  July  22, 
1819.  Her  parents  were  Oliver  and  Sarah  (Thayer)  Mason,  both  natives  of 
Vermont,  who  came  to  Illinois  in  1837  and  settled  in  Kane  county.  Oliver 
Mason  fought  in  the  war  of  181 2.  After  their  marriage  Charles  Hay  ward 
and  wife  moved  to  Ottawa,  Illinois,  where  he  built  the  Fox  River  House, 
which  he  kept  for  a  few  years,  being  also  interested  in  merchandising.  He 
sold  his  interests  and  moved  to  his  farm  in  1847.  There  his  death  occurred, 
on  the  20th  of  July,  1849.  He  carried  on  farming  operations  during  this 
entire  period.  Three  children  survived  him:  Estelle  J.;  George,  our  sub- 
ject; and  Emma,  who  married  David  Grove,  a  retired  farmer  residing  in 
Ottawa.  After  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Hayward  was  again  married, 
being  united  to  Captain  Henry  J.  Reed,  a  soldier  in  the  Mexican  war  and 
•captain  of  Company  I  during  the  civil  war.  They  took  up  their  residence 
in  Ottawa,  where  they  resided  during  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  One 
.son  was  born  to  them,  Charles  H.,  who  died  in  1876  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
two  years.  Mrs.  Reed  died  April  3,  1890,  and  Mr.  Reed  passed  away  May 
25,   1894. 

George  Hayward  spent  his  boyhood  upon  his  father's  farm  and  attended 
the  district  school  in  the  towai  of  Ottawa.  He  remained  with  his  parents 
until  the  death  of  his  father,  when  the  management  of  the  farm  fell  to  him. 
He  continued  to  farm,  adding  gradually  to  his  land,  until  his  present  posses- 
sions amount  to  seven  hundred  acres  in  Dayton  township,  in  addition  to 
which  he  owns  some  valuable  city  property.  In  1870  he  retired  to  Ottawa 
.and  has  since  busied  himself  in  looking  after  his  various  business  interests 
and  supervising  the  management  of  his  farm. 

He  was  married  June  17,  1875,  to  Miss  Nettie  Stickland.  a  daughter  of 
Rial  Stickland  of  this  city.  They  have  three  children,  Edith  E.,  Mabel  S.,  a 
student  in  the  high  school,  and  Charles  De  Alton.  Mr.  Hayward  is  a 
Republican  and  has  served  as  township  director.  He  is  a  pleasant,  genial 
gentleman  whom  it  is  a  pleasure  to  meet,  and  is  a  man  of  strong  personality 
.and  warm  attachments. 


GEORGE  W.  ROBERTS. 

The  subject  of  this  review,  who  is  now  retired  from  active  business 
pursuits,  is  one  of  the  substantial  and  influential  men  of  LaSalle  county, 
Illinois,  and  for  many  years  has  been  an  honored  and  esteemed  resident  of 
Ottawa.  He  was  born  January  27,  1829,  in  Luzerne  (now  Wyoming) 
■county,  Pennsylvania,  and  is  a  son  of  Moris  and  Susan  (Newman)  Roberts. 
Moris  Roberts  was  born  in  the  state  of  New  York,  but  moved  with  his 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  335 

parents  to  Pennsylvania,  and  there  grew  to  manhood  and  engaged  in  agri- 
culture. He  was  married  to  Miss  Susan  Newman,  a  native  of  Luzerne 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  a  daughter  of  Caleb  and  Emily  (Reynolds)  New- 
man, whose  forefathers  were  early  settlers  of  the  state  of  Rhode  Island. 
Eleven  children  were  born  of  this  marriage,  ten  of  whom  reached  adult 
years,  and  it  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  five  of  them  served  in  the  war  of  the 
Rebellion.  Those  who  attained  maturity  were  as  follows:  Clarentine, 
deceased;  L.  B.,  deceased;  George  W.,  our  subject;  Adaline,  deceased; 
Benjamin  F.,  a  member  of  the  Eighteenth  Illinois  Infantry,  was  commis- 
sioned lieutenant  and  died  in  Kansas,  in  1895;  Daniel,  now  of  Ottawa,  was  a 
member  of  the  Twentieth  Ohio;  John  L.  was  a  member  of  the  Eighteenth 
Illinois,  moved  to  Kansas,  where  he  died,  near  Great  Bend;  Edward  H., 
the  Ottawa  baker,  was  also  a  member  of  the  Twentieth  Ohio;  Giles  H.,  a 
partner  in  the  bakery,  was  a  member  of  Captain  Kimball's  company  in  the 
Ninety-sixth  Ohio;  and  Moris  B.,  also  a  resident  of  Ottawa.  The  grand- 
father, Samuel  Roberts,  was  born  in  New  York  and  married  Sarah  More- 
house, but  the  origin  of  the  Roberts  family  was  in  Wales,  whence  three 
brothers  emigrated  to  America,  and  from  them  have  sprung  the  various 
branches  of  the  family  in  this  country. 

George  W.  Roberts  went  with  his  parents  to  Delaware  county,  Ohio, 
when  about  ten  years  of  age,  living  near  Sunbury,  where  he  attended  district 
schools,  and  later  he  entered  Central  College,  in  Franklin  county,  that  state, 
pursuing  his  studies  there  for  some  time.  He  then  taught  country  schools 
during  the  winter,  farming  in  the  summers,  and  in  this  way  his  time  was 
spent  in  an  industrious  and  profitable  manner  until  1855,  when  he  came  to 
LaSalle  county  and  accepted  a  position  as  clerk  in  the  store  of  G.  L.  Thomp- 
son, the  leading  druggist  of  Ottawa.  After  remaining  there  for  some  months 
he  formed  a  partnership  with  Louis  Hess,  under  the  firm  name  of  Roberts  & 
Hess,  and  conducted  a  bakery  and  confectionery  store  for  six  years.  He 
then  sold  out  to  Mr.  Hess  and  remained  out  of  business  eight  years.  On 
March  i,  1877,  he  and  his  brother  Daniel  opened  a  bakery  and  confectionery, 
and  soon  built  up  a  profitable  business.  In  connection  with  this  they  estab- 
lished a  lunch  room,  which  was  well  patronized  and  proved  a  paying  invest- 
ment. This  partnership  was  continued  until  1898,  when  George  sold  his 
interest  in  the  firm  to  his  brother  Giles  H.,  and  it  was  continued  under  the 
old  name  of  Roberts  Brothers,  our  subject  retiring  permanently  from  active 
business  life. 

In  1858  Mr.  Roberts  led  to  the  altar  Martha  E.  Mcintosh,  of  this 
county,  whose  parents,  Daniel  and  Henrietta  (Crouch)  Mcintosh,  at  that 
time  resided  near  Crawfordsville,  Indiana.  She  is  a  most  excellent  woman 
and  has  been  a  constant  inspiration  and  strength  to  her  husband.     Four 


334  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

children  have  been  born  to  them,  namely:  Elma,  who  married  H.  A. 
Stanard  and  died  in  February,  1888,  leaving  three  children;  Eliza  E.,  who 
resides  at  home;  Alice;  and  Susan  B.,  who  has  been  employed  for  several 
years  as  teacher  in  the  Ottawa  schools.  The  family  are  members  of  the 
Congregational  church  and  are  held  in  high  esteem.  Fraternally  Mr.  Rob- 
erts is  a  member  of  the  Legion  of  Honor  and  the  Ancient  Order  of  United 
Workmen. 


JOHN   M.  THOMPSON. 

John  M.  Thompson,  of  Rutland  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  is 
one  of  the  prosperous,  substantial  farmers  of  the  county  and  a  lifelong 
resident  here.  His  parents  are  Thomas  M.  and  Sarah  C.  (Mason)  Thomp- 
son. His  father  was  a  native  of  Bergen,  Norway,  having  been  born  there 
some  sixty-nine  years  ago  and  there  spent  the  earlier  years  of  his  life.  At 
the  age  of  thirteen  he  came  to  America  with  his  parents,  who  settled  in 
Mission  township,  this  county,  where  they  resided  many  years.  On  January 
24,  1855,  he  was  united  in  matrimony  with  Miss  Sarah  C.  Mason.  She  was 
a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Charlotte  (Dart)  Mason,  the  former  of  whom 
reached  his  eightieth  year,  dying  in  1889,  the  latter  in  1898,  in  LaSalle 
countv.  Twelve  children  were  born  to  Thomas  Thompson  and  wife, — six 
sons  and  six  daughters, — ten  of  whom  are  now  living,  viz.:  John  M.,  our 
subject;  Mary  Maria  (Mrs.  J.  Tilden);  Huldah  Jane  (Mrs.  A.  Richardson); 
Edgar  and  Edward,  twins;  Charlotte  (Mrs.  John  Benson);  Tork  W.;  Etta 
(Mrs.  George  DeBolt);  Josie  (Mrs.  S.  Solvin);  and  Ella,  who  resides  at 
home.  Mr.  Thompson  now  has  some  sixty-four  living  descendants  and  the 
name  is  an  honored  one  wherever  known.  He  was  an  adherent  of  the  De- 
mocracy and  a  man  of  strict  integrity.     He  departed  this  life  May  29,  1895. 

John  M.  Thompson  was  educated  and  reared  to  manhood  in  Mission 
township.  He  had  a  natural  aptitude  for  agricultural  pursuits  even  in  boy- 
hood and  has  since  made  that  calling  his  own,  meeting  with  such  success 
as  is  attained  only  by  the  few.  He  has  a  beautiful  home,  the  residence  a  fine 
modern  structure,  built  for  convenience  and  symmetry,  barns  large  and 
commodious,  spacious  granaries,  while  an  orchard  of  various  kinds  of  fruit 
furnishes  an  abundant  yield  of  toothsome  dainties  that  would  tempt  an  epi- 
cure. He  has  four  hundred  acres  of  land  which  is  under  high  cultivation,  the 
broad  fragrant  meadows  and  well  tended  fields  making  a  pleasing  picture  to 
the  eyes  of  the  casual  observer.  He  has  reduced  farming  to  a  science  and  has 
introduced  many  modern  methods  in  his  work  that  have  proved  of  great 
value  to  the  farming  element. 

Mr.  Thompson  chose  as  his  partner  through  life.  Miss  Ida  M.  Bruner,  to 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  335 

whom  he  was  united  September  10,  1885.  Three  children  have  blessed  this 
imion:  Ora  B..  who  was  born  August  14,  1886;  Lillian,  born  August  30, 
1888;  and  Libbie  Hazel,  born  December  8,  1893.  Their  home  is  a  social 
center  and  a  cordial  welcome  is  ever  accorded  the  guest,  while  their  popu- 
laritv  and  the  high  esteem  in  which  they  are  held  is  ecjualed  only  by  their 
genial  manner  and  sterling  worth.  The  parents  of  Mrs.  Thompson  were 
Franklin  and  Elizabeth  (Brumbach)  Bruner,  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia. 
Elizabeth  Brumbach  was  the  first  white  child  born  in  Rutland  township, 
her  birth  occurring  February  13,  1830.  He  was  twice  married,  his  first 
wife  ])eing  Miss  Ellen  Conard,  who  died  leaving  him  four  children:  John 
Calvin;  Nelson,  of  Buckley,  Illinois;  George  Wesley;  and  Emma.  He  then 
place  at  the  head  of  his  household  Miss  Elizabeth  Brumbach,  who  bore  him 
but  one  child,  who  is  the  wife  of  Mr.  Thompson.  Mr.  Bruner  died  in  1871, 
in  his  fiftieth  year,  and  was  survived  by  his  wife  until  October,  1896,  when 
she  had  attained  her  sixtv-sixth  vear. 


OSCAR  H.  JOHNSON. 


Oscar  H.  Johnson,  of  Miller  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  w^as 
1;orn  and  reared  in  this  county.  He  is  a  son  of  Henry  and  Ellen  (Olsen) 
Johnson,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  Norway  in  1835,  and,  with  his 
brother  Andrew,  the  father  of  Judge  Johnson,  of  Ottawa,  came  to  the  United 
States.  He  was  married  in  Miller  township,  this  county,  to  Miss  Ellen 
Olsen.  Ffer  parents  were  Austin  and  Caroline  (Hayer)  Oleson,  and  they 
resided  for  many  years  in  this  county  w-ith  their  family  of  five  children. 
These  children  are:  Lewis,  a  resident  of  Missouri;  Mary  Weld,  of  Lamoni, 
Iowa;  Ole  Oleson,  of  Lamoni;  Ellen  Johnson,  and  Anna  Lew^s,  of  DeKalb 
county,  Missouri.  Mr.  Oleson  died  while  yet  a  young  man,  and  his  widow 
married  for  her  second  husband  A.  B.  Anderson,  by  whom  she  had  four 
children:  Austin;  Martha,  deceased;  Erickson,  of  this  township;  and  Ben- 
jamin, of  Ottawa.  The  marriage  of  Henry  Johnson  and  Ellen  Oleson  was 
honored  in  the  birth  of  nine  children,  of  whom  six  are  deceased.  Two  died 
in  infancy;  Elias  had  reached  his  thirtieth  year  ere  death  claimed  him,  and 
three  daughters, — Maggie,  Bertha  and  Emma, — had  known  but  twenty  sum- 
mers when  they  were  called  to  the  better  land.  Three  children  have  been 
spared  them,  viz.:  Caroline,  wife  of  Andrew  Varland,  of  Rutland  town- 
ship; Hattie,  wife  of  Andrew  Lewis,  of  DeKalb  county,  Missouri;  and  Oscar, 
our  subject.  The  father  died  at  the  age  of  fifty-seven  years.  Politically  he 
acted  with  the  Republican  party. 

Oscar  H.  Johnson  was  educated  in  this  county,  where  he  grew  to  man- 


336  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

hood,  and  has  since  made  his  home.  He  was  married  December  i6,  1897, 
to  Miss  Bertha  Hayer,  who  was  born  in  this  township,  and  is  a  daughter 
of  Goodman  and  Mahna  (Hagland)  Haver.  ]\Ir.  Johnson  has  a  vahiable 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  which  is  weh  cuhivated  and  improved 
with  neat,  substantial  barns  and  a  modern  residence.  He  is  a  Repubhcan 
in  pohtics,  and  l^oth  himself  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Church  of  Latter 
Dav  Saints. 


ISAAC    GAGE. 


When  a  sturdy  band  of  pioneers  were  opening  up  LaSalle  county  to  the 
influences  of  civilization  Isaac  Gage  came  to  the  county  and  cast  in  his  lot 
with  the  early  settlers.  He  faithfully  bore  his  part  in  the  work  of  progress 
and  development,  aided  in  transforming  the  wild  land  into  rich  farms,  assisted 
in  organizing  the  township  and  establishing  civil  authority,  and  in  many 
other  ways  left  the  impress  of  his  individuality  upon  the  growth  and  improve- 
ment of  this  section  of  the  state.  He  was  ever  a  respected  citizen,  and  his 
record  deserves  a  place  on  the  pages  of  the  history  of  his  adopted  county. 

Mr.  Gage  was  born  in  Orford.  Grafton  county.  New  Hampshire,  No- 
vember 7,  181 5,  his  parents  being  Isaac  and  Ruth  (Stone)  Gage.  They  were 
born,  reared  and  married  in  Massachusetts,  and  soon  after  their  marriage 
removed  to  Orford,  where  they  spent  their  remaining  days.  Upon  the  home 
farm  Isaac  Gage  spent  the  days  of  his  boyhood  and  when  old  enough  he 
began  to  assist  his  father,  who  was  a  stone-mason  and  took  contracts  for 
building  bridges,  walls  and  other  stone  structures.  He  became  a  resident 
of  Illinois  in  1837,  in  which  year  he  accompanied  his  uncle,  Aaron  Gage,  to 
Chicago.  On  the  loth  of  July  of  the  same  year  he  arrived  in  Ottawa  and 
soon  obtained  a  situation  with  Levi  Jennings.  Jr.,  with  whom  he  lived  for 
several  years,  when  he  established  a  home  of  his  own. 

On  the  1st  of  January,  1845,  Mr.  Gage  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Lucy  Little,  a  native  of  Grafton  county.  New  Hampshire,  and  a  daughter 
of  James  and  Polly  Little,  who  were  early  settlers  of  Eden  township,  LaSalle 
county,  dating  their  residence  here  from  the  fall  of  1839.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Gage  began  their  domestic  life  upon  the  farm  which  has  since  been  their 
home,  and  four  children  came  to  bless  their  union:  Louisa  C,  wife  of  S.  T. 
Osgood,  of  Marseilles;  Harriet  E.,  widow  of  Dr.  R.  N.  Baughman;  Ida  A., 
who  became  the  wife  of  J.  S.  Batkin,  and  died  December  23.  1884;  and  B. 
Frank. 

Throughout  his  active  business  career  Mr.  Gage  carried  on  agricultural 
pursuits,  and  was  a  most  practical,  progressive  and  enterprising  farmer.  His 
thrift  and  industry  were  attended  with  success,  and  his  prosperity  enabled 


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BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  337 

him  to  replace  the  Httle  house  in  which  he  first  Hved  by  a  spacious  and 
pleasant  residence,  and  to  extend  the  boundaries  of  his  farm  until  it  com- 
prised four  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  richly  cultivated  land.  He  also 
owned  an  additional  quarter  section  elsewhere  in  Brookfield  township,  La- 
Salle  county,  and  had  some  valuable  real  estate  in  Marseilles.  His  business 
affairs  were  prosecuted  with  great  energy  and  characterized  by  the  strictest 
honesty. 

Mr.  Gage  cast  his  first  presidential  vote  for  William  Henry  Harrison 
in  1840  and  voted  with  the  Whig  party  until  its  dissolution,  when  he  joined 
the  ranks  of  the  new  Republican  party  and  was  one  of  its  stalwart  advo- 
cates until  his  death.  He  assisted  in  the  organization  of  Brookfield  town- 
ship, was  its  first  assessor  and  held  various  other  offices  of  trust  and 
responsibility,  discharging  his  duties  with  marked  faithfulness.  His  was  an 
honorable,  upright  and  useful  life,  and  in  his  death,  which  occurred  February 
1 1,  1886,  the  community  lost  one  of  its  valued  citizens  and  esteemed  pioneers. 


WILLIAM  P.  REES. 


Situated  upon  the  southern  bank  of  the  Illinois  river,  at  Ottawa,  is  the 
pleasant,  modern  home  of  William  P.  Rees,  who  is  one  of  the  esteemed 
citizens  of  LaSalle  county,  his  residence  here  dating  from  1852.  His  beau- 
tiful home  commands  a  fine  view  of  Ottawa  and  the  surrounding  country, 
and  he  takes  great  pride  in  keeping  everything  about  the  house  and  grounds 
in  excellent  condition. 

The  Rees  family  originated  in  Wales,  our  subject's  great-grandfather 
being  a  native  of  that  country.  The  grandfather,  Jonathan  Rees,  was  born 
in  Ohio,  whence  he  removed  to  Kentucky,  and  in  that  state  Albert  G.,  the 
father  of  William  P.  Rees,  was  born,  in  1801.  He  grew  to  manhood  there 
and  a  number  of  years  after  his  marriage  to  Caroline  Helm,  a  native  of  the 
same  state,  he  removed  to  Illinois.  At  first  he  dwelt  in  Ottawa  township, 
on  a  farm,  later  locating  on  a  homestead,  which  he  purchased,  in  Grand 
Rapids  township.  This  tract,  comprising  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres, 
was  wild  prairie  land  at  the  time  that  he  became  its  owner,  and  he  was 
obliged  to  l)reak  the  ground  and  expend  much  energy  in  placing  it  under 
cultivation.  In  the  course  of  time  he  had  a  splendid  farm,  on  which  were 
substantial  buildings,  fences  and  other  improvements.  He  took  an  active 
part  in  the  afi'airs  of  his  community,  and  enjoyed  the  love  and  respect  of 
his  neighbors  and  associates.  He  was  summoned  to  the  silent  land  in  1881, 
having  survived  his  wife  only  two  years.  Three  of  their  children  are  living, 
two  sons  and  a  daughter. 


338  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

William  P.  Rees,  whose  birth  occurred  upon  a  farm  in  Mason  county, 
Kentucky,  January  21,  183 1,  spent  his  youth  in  that  state,  and  then  gained  a 
common-school  education.  In  November,  185 1,  he  came  to  Illinois,  to  inves- 
tigate some  of  the  possibilities  and  prospects  of  the  state,  and  being  pleased 
with  LaSalle  county  decided  to  make  his  future  home  here.  His  parents  and 
the  rest  of  the  family  came  here  in  the  following  spring,  and  he  continued  to 
live  with  them  until  his  marriage,  ]\Iarch  26,  1856.  After  that  event  he  settled 
on  a  homestead  in  Grand  Rapids  township,  and  carried  on  general  farming 
and  stock-raising.  He  remained  on  this  farm  for  many  years,  and  gradually 
increased  its  value  by  care  and  cultivation.  Th^  place,  comprising  two 
hundred  acres,  is  still  owned  by  him,  and  he  now  rents  it  to  responsible 
tenants.  In  1875  he  retired  from  active  life,  and  since  that  time  has  made 
his  home  in   Ottawa. 

I\Ir.  Rees  has  been  twice  married,  his  first  wife  having  been  Miss  Sarah 
Ann  Robinson,  a  daughter  of  Ephraim  and  Christiann  Robinson.  This 
marriage  took  place  in  1856,  and  six  children  were  born  to  them,  five  of  whom 
died  in  infancy.  The  one  surviving  is  Minnie  E.,  now  the  wife  of  William 
I.  Mohr,  of  Ottawa,  and  she  is  the  mother  of  three  interesting  children,  Mrs. 
Rees  passed  to  her  reward  November  6,  1893,  and  on  the  17th  of  September, 
1896,  Mr.  Rees  married  Miss  Martha  Ann  Newburn,  a  daughter  of  William 
and  Leah  (Harley)  Newburn.  They  had  one  child,  Ruth  M.,  born  May  17, 
1899. 

For  a  number  of  years  Mr.  Rees  has  been  a  member  of  the  First 
Presbyterian  church  of  Ottawa,  and  at  present  he  is  serving  in  the  capacity 
of  an  elder  in  the  congregation.  In  his  political  views  he  is  a  Democrat,  and 
takes  an  active  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  community,  state  and  county 
in  which  his  lot  is  cast. 


LORENZO  HAYER. 


Owning  and  occupying  a  nice  farm  and  a  pleasant  rural  home  on  section 
16,  Miller  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  not  far  distant  from  the  little 
town  of  Danway,  is  found  the  subject  of  this  review,  Lorenzo  Hayer. 

Mr.  Hayer  was  born  and  reared  in  the  township  in  which  he  lives,  the 
date  of  his  birth  being  July  14,  1853,  and  is  a  son  of  Norwegian  parents. 
Hans  Hayer,  his  father,  was  born  in  Norway,  July  28,  1822,  and  in  his  early 
manhood  came  to  America,  settling  first  in  Rock  county,  Wisconsin,  in 
1842.  where  he  remained  two  years,  until  1844.  That  year  he  came  to 
Illinois  and  took  up  his  abode  in  LaSalle  county.  Here,  in  the  year  1849, 
he  was  married  to  IMiss  Sarah  Elefson,  who  was  born  January  13,   1831. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  339 

They  lived  on  a  farm  in  LaSalle  county  until  1885,  and  reared  their  family 
here.  Since  1894  they  have  been  residents  of  Iowa.  They  are  the  parents 
of  five  children,  four  daughters  and  a  son,  viz.:  Lorenzo;  Julia,  wife  of 
M.  J.  Danielson,  of  Lamoni,  Iowa;  Ellen;  Sarah,  wife  of  W.  E.  Hougas,  of 
Iowa;  and  Carrie. 

Lorenzo  Hayer  was  reared  to  farm  life  and  has  never  been  engaged  in 
any  other  business.  His  present  farm  on  section  16,  above  referred  to,  com- 
prises one  hundred  and  forty  acres.  It  has  a  good  residence  and  other 
farm  buildings  and  is  among  the  desirable  farms  of  the  locality. 

Mr.  Hayer  was  married  March  17,  1881,  to  Miss  Bertha  Danielson,  at 
Earlville,  this  county.  Mrs.  Hayer  is  a  daughter  of  Christopher  and  Ann 
Danielson,  early  settlers  of  LaSalle  county.  Their  family  comprises  nine 
children,  namely:  M.  J.,  D.  C,  Bertha,  6.  M.,  Ida,  E.  A.,  D.  N.,  Mary 
Gaard  and  Joseph.  Mr.  and  Mrs,  Hayer  have  four  children — Minnie  E., 
Lida,  Andentia  and  Vernie. 

Mr.  Hayer  is  a  Republican,  and  is  now  serving  his  district  as  school 
trustee.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  church  of  Jesus  Christ  of 
Latter  Day  Saints. 


B.  FRANK  GAGE. 


On  the  old  family  homestead  of  the  Gage  family  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  born,  March  30,  1858,  his  parents  being  Isaac  and  Lucy  Gage. 
His  father  was  one  of  the  honored  pioneer  settlers  of  the  county  and  for 
many  years  was  numbered  among  the  leading  farmers  of  this  section  of 
Illinois.  He  was  born  in  Grafton  county.  New  Hampshire,  November  7, 
1815,  and  in  1837.  when  twenty-two  years  of  age,  he  determined  to  try  his 
fortune  in  the  then  far  west.  Accordingly  he  made  his  way  to  Illinois,  casting 
in  his  lot  with  the  early  settlers  of  LaSalle  county  during  the  formative  period 
of  its  development.  Throughout  his  life  he  devoted  his  energies  to  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  and  so  capably  managed  his  business  interests  that  he 
became  one  of  the  extensive  land-owners  of  the  community,  his  possessions 
aggregating  one  thousand  acres,  partly  in  LaSalle  county  and  partly  in 
northeastern  Iowa.  Here  Mr.  Gage  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Lucy 
Little,  a  native  of  New  Hampshire  and  a  daughter  of  James  Little,  who 
came  to  this  county  at  an  early  day.  The  young  couple  began  their  domestic 
life  on  the  farm  in  Brookfield  township,  which  is  now  the  home  of  our  subject, 
and  there  they  reared  their  family  of  four  children,  named  as  follows:  Louisa 
C,  wife  of  S.  T,  Osgood,  of  Marseilles;  Mrs.  H.  E.  Baughman,  of  Mar- 
seilles; Mrs.  Ida  Atkin,  who  is  deceased;  and  B.  Frank.  The  father 
exercised  his  right  of  franchise  in   support  of  the   men  and   measures  of 


340  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

the  Republican  party  and  for  a  number  of  years  acceptably  served  his 
township  as  supervisor.  In  addition  to  his  agricultural  pursuits,  he  was  a 
director  in  the  National  Bank  at  Marseilles,  and  his  reputation  was  that  of 
a  reliable  and  substantial  business  man.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  con- 
sistent members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  both  died  when  seventy 
years  of  age, 

B.  F,  Gage  spent  his  childhood  and  youth  on  the  old  home  farm  midst 
play  and  work.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  Marseilles,  acquiring  a 
good  practical  education,  and  was  trained  to  habits  of  industry  and  perse- 
verance in  the  fields.  He  is  now  living  on  the  old  family  homestead,  which 
comprises  four  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  valuable  land,  under  a  high  state 
of  cultivation.  He  has  a  high-grade  stock  farm  and  is  known  throughout 
this  section  of  Illinois  for  the  excellence  of  his  cattle.  The  improvements 
on  his  place  are  many  and  modern,  consisting  of  a  pleasant  and  commodious 
residence,  substantial  barns,  good  fences  and  the  latest  improved  machinery. 

In  1885  was  celebrated  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Gage  and  Miss  Cornelia 
V.  Carr.  a  nati\e  of  LaSalle  county  and  a  daughter  of  Xathan  Carr,  now^ 
deceased.  Her  father  was  a  prominent  farmer  in  Brookfield  township,  where 
ber  mother  still  resides.  The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gage  has  been  blessed 
with  four  children:  Ida  A.,  Carrie  L.,  Lawrence  and  an  infant  son.  Mr. 
Gage  is  a  Republican  in  his  political  faith  and  is  deeply  interested  in  the 
growth  and  success  of  his  party,  but  has  never  sought  office.  Like  his 
father,  he  is  a  director  in  the  National  Bank  of  Marseilles,  and  it  is  such 
substantial  stockholders  that  have  made  the  institution  one  of  the  most 
reliable  financial  concerns  in  the  state.  In  manner  he  is  cordial  and  courte- 
ous, and  has  gained  a  large  circle  of  friends,  including  many  who  have 
known  him  since  his  boyhood  days. 


WILLIAM  V,  S.  ANNIN. 

A  valued  citizen  of  Marseilles  is  the  gentleman  of  whom  this  sketch  is 
permed,  his  residence  here  dating  back  almost  a  score  of  years.  In  tracing 
his  lineage  it  is  found  that  he  comes  from  honored  old  New  Jersey  families, 
and  that  in  him  are  united  two  quite  distinct  nationalities,  the  Scotch  and 
the  Holland-Dutch,  both  noted  for  integrity,  industry  and  thrift,  for  a  high 
sense  of  honor  and  for  patriotism  and  many  other  of  the  noblest  qualities 
which   animate  mankind, 

John  Annin.  who  was  born  in  Scotland,  was  the  founder  of  the  Annin 
family  in  New  Jersey.  One  of  his  descendants  was  Jonathan  Annin,  of 
Liberty  Corner,  Somerset  county.  New  Jersey,  and  one  of  the  latter's  chil- 
dren was  Joseph  S.,  the  father  of  our  subject.     He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGiCAL   RECORD. 


341 


of  1812,  and  was  a  merchant  1)y  occupation.  He  married  Miss  Ellen 
Schenck.  a  daughter  of  Ferdinand  Schenck,  of  Dutch  ancestry.  Mr. 
Schenck  was  a  successful  agriculturist  in  New  Jersey  for  many  years. 

William  V.  S.  Annin  was  born  in  Millstone,  Somerset  county,  New 
Jersey,  November  2S,  1827,  and  in  his  boyhood  received  a  liberal  education. 
He  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  he  reached  his  majority,  and  in 
1849,  (luring  the  great  gold  excitement  on  the  Pacific  coast,  he  sailed  for 
California,  going  around  Cape  Horn.  He  was  not  xtry  favorably  impressed 
with  the  west  nor  the  prospects  of  acquiring  a  fortune,  and  the  following 
year  he  returned  to  New  York  city.  At  New  Brunswick,  New  Jersey,  he 
embarked  in  a  mercantile  business,  wdiich  occupied  his  time  and  attention 
J/jx-tu-pntv  ^•ears.     In   1870  he  concluded  to  come  to  Illinois,  and,  locating 

TLANTA.  GA.  ^  .  . 

found  employment  with  the  Marseilles  Manufacturing 

^_  rge  of  the  store  of  supplies,  bolts,  screws,  and  similar 

^N|d  to  act  in  this  position  vear  after  vear,  winning  the 

nt Ai  aq  ado.  '...'.  '        ,  .  . 

so'i  o^  K.ix6  will  of  all  associated  in  busmess  with  him,  and  only 

ftu9a^^.ia' -^  ^""''  ^°  abandon  his  post  of  duty,  recently. 

I   -pa^aidmorick  residence  of  the  Annin  family  is  located  on  West 

i|_ff^L^'^  ;mable  lady  who  presides  over  the  well-being  of  the 

ly  Miss  Harriet  M.   Plummer,  her  marriage  to  Mr. 

D^n'xl  in  Brooklyn,  New  York,  June  2,  1858.     She  was 

^^^  city,  and  is  the  only  daughter  of  Roswell  and  Harriet 

OTBjT,  who  were  natives  of  Vermont,  but  who  after  their 

^g^°:lyn.    Seven  children  blessed  the  union  of  our  subject 

a     Roswell  P.  is  now  a  resident  of  Los  Angeles,  Cali- 

'^^"^e  wife  of  Howard  M.  Weirick,  of  Phoenix,  Arizona; 

E.  R.  Spencer,  of  Marseilles;  William  S.  is  living  in 

i^°^v/[ary  T.  is  the  wife  of  Walter  Hobart,  of  Marseilles; 

e  W.  are  at  home.     In  all  of  the  varied  relations  of 

;s,   society   or  in   the  home,  Mr.   Annin   has  nobly 

1  to  his  children  he  will  leave  a  record  of  which  they 


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JULIUS  L.  LEIX. 


lung  business  man  of  Ottawa,  Julius  L.  Leix  is  of 

»ossesses  the  sterling  traits  of  the  Teutonic  race. 

I  . 

ins,  he  is  actively  interested  in  whatever  is  of  benefit 

'■:\\  he  dwells,  and  to  that  end  he  uses  his  ballot  and 


en  children  of  Dionys  and  Victoria  (Rapp)  Leix, 


340 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


the  Republican  party  and  for  a  number  of  years  acceptably  served  his 
township  as  supervisor.  In  addition  to  his  agricultural  pursuits,  he  was  a 
director  in  the  National  Bank  at  Marseilles,  and  his  reputation  was  that  of 
a  reliable  and  substantial  business  man.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  con- 
sistent members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  both  died  when  seventy 
years  of  age. 

B.  F.  Gage  spent  his  childhood  and  youth  on  the  old  home  farm  midst 
play  and  work.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  Marseilles,  acquiring  a 
good  practical  education,  and  was  trained  to  habits  of  industry  and  perse- 
verance in  the  fields.  He  is  now  living  on  the  old  family  homestead,  which 
comprises  four  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  valuable  land,  under  a  high  state 
of  cultivation.     He  has  a  high-grade  stock  farm  and  ;ut.  '  "'        '^ 

this  section  of  Illinois  for  the  excellence  of  his  cattle^  ^^^- ^.nd  Mrs.  Laughiin,  of  Sarg( 

...  11  •   .■  r         1       .■'    ^^^    visiting-    with   Mrs.    M. 

on  his  place  are  many  and  modern,  consistmg  ot  a  pleaN^ewport. 

residence,  substantial  barns,  good  fences  and  the  latest  ,,^"^' ^'^^ool  ^^o^^se  is  receiving  a  eoi 

°  3f  coats  of  paint. 

In  1885  was  celebrated  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Ga   Mr.  Burkhardt  is  giving  bis  st 

V.  Carr,  a  native  of  LaSalle  countv  and  a  daughter )^"4''^?^  ^."'^  *^"'®^^'°§"^o^s^i*sann 

°  jCoat  of  paint. 

deceased.    Her  father  was  a  prominent  farmer  m  Broo    Mr.  Evans'  family  of  Pennsyivai 
her  mother  still  resides.    The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  ,have  arrived  and  are  now  domiei 

T,       v^-TT  near  the  school  house  on  the  hill. 

With  four  children:     Ida  A.,  Game  L.,  I^awrence  ar    Communion  services  at  the  Cong 

Gage  is  a  Republican  in  his  political  faith  and  is  d.^^^^°°^^  ^^^^^^^^  ^ext  Sunday  morni 

,  1  r     1    ■  .  1        i.     1  CARD  OF  THAXKS 

growth    and    success    of    his    party,    but    has    never   so      ^he   undersigned    desire   to   expr 

father,  he  is  a  director  in  the  National  Bank  of  Mj  our  thanks  to  all  who  so  kindly  mii 

substantial  stockholders  that  have  made  the  institf  the^oss  0/ ou?\'"orand%To\hTr.''^' 
reliable  financial  concerns  in  the  state.     In  manner  h  T^[^^  especially  to  express  our  appr 

,,.,.,'  lation  of  the  sympathy  and  helpf uln 
ous,   and   has  gamed   a  large  circle  of  friends,   inclj  as  .shown  by  the  teachers  and  pupils 

the  public  school. 

W.M.  VOIGHT  AXD  FAMILY, 

^^^^^.^  Kangley,  111 

Ransom. 
Ray  and  Ethel  Poi-ter  are  students 
the  High  school,  and  will  attend   t 
winter  term. 

Quite  a  lot  of  land  seekers  went  w( 
on  the  excursion  Tuesday  from  tl 
place. 

Our  community  was  greatly  excit 
last  Fridaj'  when  the  news  came  th 
John  Held  had  shot  himself  with  t 
intention  of  suicide.  He  left  hoi 
Thursday  with  his  gun,  and  neighbc 
searched  all  day  for  him  and  could  n 
find  him.  Friday  he  was  found  in  j 
old  deserted  house,  in  the  cellar,  "-i 
a  bullet  hole  in  his  forehead,  bii 
vras  still  conscious.  He  was  taken 
the  hospital  in  Ottawa,  and  it  is  nc 
believed  he  will  recover. 

The  masons  are  laying  the  found 
tion  of  the  Hagi  house.  C.  Shaefer  h; 
the  carpenter  work  to  do. 

Mrs.  William  Whitmore  and  so 
Charles,  of  Wilmington,  are  visitir 
friends  here  this  week. 


known  him  since  his  bovhood  davs. 


WILLIAM  V.  S.  ANNIN 

A  valued  citizen  of  Marseilles  is  the  gentlemar 
penned,  his  residence  here  dating  back  almost  a  sec 
his  lineage  it  is  found  that  he  comes  from  honored 
and  that  in  him  are  united  two  quite  distinct  natic 
the  Holland-Dutch,  both  noted  for  integrity,  Indus" 
sense  of  honor  and  for  patriotism  and  many  othe? 
which   animate  mankind.  ^ 

John  Annin,  who  was  born  in  Scotland,. was 
family  in   New  Jersey.     One  of  his  descendants 
Liberty  Corner,  Somerset  county.  New  Jersey,  aUg 
diren  was  Joseph  S..  the  father  of  our  subject.     Ha- 

4, 

Q- 
16 

m 


E.  Wormley  is  talking   of   havin,, 
furnace  put  in  his  house. 

Rev.    Taylor  now   preaches    at    fl 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGiCAL   RECORD.  341 

of  18 12,  and  was  a  merchant  by  occupation.  He  married  Miss  Ellen 
Schenck,  a  daughter  of  Ferdinand  Schenck,  of  Dutch  ancestry.  Mr. 
Schenck  was  a  successful  agriculturist  in  New  Jersey  for  many  years. 

William  V.  S.  Annin  was  born  in  Millstone,  Somerset  county,  New 
Jersey,  November  28,  1827,  and  in  his  boyhood  received  a  liberal  education. 
He  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  he  reached  his  majority,  and  in 
1849.  (luring  the  great  gold  excitement  on  the  Pacific  coast,  he  sailed  for 
California,  going  around  Cape  Horn.  He  was  not  very  favorably  impressed 
with  the  west  nor  the  i)rospects  of  acquiring  a  fortune,  and  the  following 
year  he  returned  to  New  York  city.  At  New  Brunswick,  New  Jersey,  he 
embarked  in  a  mercantile  business,  which  occupied  his  time  and  attention 
for  twenty  years.  In  1870  he  concluded  to  come  to  Illinois,  and,  locating 
in  Marseilles,  he  soon  found  employment  wath  the  Marseilles  Manufacturing 
Company,  having  charge  of  the  store  of  supplies,  bolts,  screws,  and  similar 
fittings.  He  continued  to  act  in  this  position  year  after  year,  winning  the 
approbation  and  good  will  of  all  associated  in  business  with  him,  and  only 
his  severe  illness  caused  him  to  abandon  his  post  of  duty,  recently. 

The  substantial  brick  residence  of  the  Annin  familv  is  located  on  West 
Bluff  street.  The  estimable  lady  who  presides  over  the  well-being  of  the 
household  was  formerly  Miss  Harriet  M.  Plummer,  her  marriage  to  Mr. 
Annin  being  solemnized  in  Brooklyn,  New  York,  June  2,  1858.  She  was 
born  and  reared  in  that  city,  and  is  the  only  daughter  of  Roswell  and  Harriet 
(Chamberlain)  Plummer,  who  were  natives  of  Vermont,  but  who  after  their 
marriage  lived  in  Brookhn.  Seven  children  blessed  the  union  of  our  subject 
and  wife,  and  of  these  Roswell  P.  is  now  a  resident  of  Los  Angeles,  Cali- 
fornia; Harriet  M.  is  the  wife  of  Howard  M.  Weirick,  of  Phoenix,  Arizona; 
Louise  E.  is  the  wife  of  E.  R.  Spencer,  of  Marseilles;  William  S.  is  living  in 
Council  Bluffs,  Iowa;  Mary  T.  is  the  wife  of  Walter  Hobart,  of  Marseilles; 
and  Joseph  S.  and  Nellie  W.  are  at  home.  In  all  of  the  varied  relations  of 
life,  whether  in  business,  society  or  in  the  home,  Mr.  Annin  has  nobly 
performed  his  duties,  and  to  his  children  he  will  leave  a  record  of  which  they 
may  justly  be  proud. 


JULIUS  L.  LEIX. 


A  representative  young  business  man  of  Ottawa,  Julius  L.  Leix  is  of 
German  ancestry,  and  possesses  the  sterling  traits  of  the  Teutonic  race. 
Like  all  patriotic  Americans,  he  is  actively  interested  in  whatever  is  of  benefit 
to  the  conmiunity  in  which  he  dwells,  and  to  that  end  he  uses  his  ballot  and 
influence. 

He  is  one  of  the  seven  children  of  Dionys  and  Victoria  (Rapp)  Leix, 


342  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

who  were  natives  of  Germany.  Mrs.  Leix  departed  this  life  July  30,  1899. 
His  brothers  and  sisters  are  named  as  follows:  John,  Joseph,  Frank,  Kate, 
Sophia,  and  Victoria.  Kate  became  the  wife  of  George  Jobst,  of  Ottawa; 
Sophia  is  the  wife  of  L.  S.  Ball,  of  LaSalle  county;  and  Victoria  married 
Robert  Richardson. 

The  birth  of  Julius  L.  Leix  took  place  in  this  town,  October  17,  1870, 
and  with  his  brothers  and  sisters  he  acquired  thorough  knowledge  of  both 
the  English  and  German  languages  in  his  childhood.  For  several  years  he 
has  been  engaged  in  the  hotel  business,  for  which  he  seems  to  have  special 
talent,  and  is  widely  known  and  popular  among  the  traveling  public  and 
his  local  patrons.  His  father  was  the  manager  of  the  Washington  House 
m  this  place  for  some  time,  but  has  retired.  Julius  L.  is  the  proprietor  of 
the  National  Hotel,  which  is  centrally  situated,  at  No.  303  Main  street. 
The  building,  which  is  a  commodious,  modern  brick  structure,  sixty  by 
seventy  feet  in  dimensions,  and  three  stories  in  height,  was  erected  just  ten 
years  ago.  It  is  furnished  with  fire  escapes,  is  heated  by  steam  and  is  fitted 
out  in  every  way  in  a  neat,  attractive  manner.  There  are  forty-five  rooms 
in  the  hotel,  thus  affording  guests  abundant  opportunity  of  choice  and 
location. 

In  1897  Mr.  Leix  married  Miss  Carrie  Kummer,  of  Ottawa,  and  one 
child,  Andrew,  has  blessed  the  union  of  the  young  couple.  Fraternally  Mr. 
Leix  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  German  Benevolent  Society. 
Politically  he  is  independent,  using  his  franchise  for  the  men  and  principles 
instead  of  party.' 


CHARLES  C.   STRONG. 


What  may  be  accomplished  by  a  young  man  possessing  brains,  energy 
and  good  principles  is  exemplified  in  the  life  of  Charles  C.  Strong,  one  of  the 
prominent  and  highly  respected  citizens  of  Grand  Ridge,  LaSalle  county,  and 
we  are  glad  to  be  able  to  present  to  his  numerous  friends  in  business  and 
social  circles,  here  and  elsewhere,  the  following  synopsis  of  his  career  and 
history. 

His  father,  Alfred  W.  Strong,  was  one  of  the  honored  early  farmer 
settlers  of  DuPage  county,  Illinois,  while  his  mother,  who  bore  the  maiden 
name  of  Orilla  J.  Crawford,  was  a  native  of  Hudson,  Ohio,  and  died  when 
Charles  C.  was  but  two  years  of  age.  He  was  the  second  eldest  of  four 
children,  the  others  being  Emma,  now  the  wife  of  Dr.  M.  Bullesfeld,  of 
Troy  Grove,  Illinois;  Caroline,  who  is  unmarried  and  resides  in  Waterbury, 
Conn.;  and  Emmett,  who  died  in  New  Mexico,  about  six  years  ago.  The 
lather,  who  was  a  man  of  liberal  education  and  attainments,  was  killed  by 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  343 

the  cars  while  attending  a  Knights  Templar  conclave  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri, 
ten  years  ago,  and  was  mourned  by  all  who  had  known  him. 

The  birth  of  Charles  C.  Strong  took  place  four  miles  south  of  the  town 
of  Naperville,  DuPage  county,  in  1862,  and  when  he  arrived  at  a  suitable  age 
he  commenced  attending  the  schools  of  his  native  place.  Later  he  entered 
the  local  college  and  made  good  progress  in  his  studies.  Upon  embarking 
in  the  world  of  business  he  obtained  employment  with  the  Chicago,  Burling- 
ton &  Ouincy  Railroad  Company,  and  was  telegraph  operator  and  station 
and  ticket  agent  and  served  in  other  capacities  during  the  fourteen  or  fifteen 
years  of  his  connection  with  that  corporation.  In  1894  he  came  to  Grand 
Ridge,  where  he  has  invested  considerable  money,  and  where  he  intends  to 
make  his  permanent  home.  Five  years  ago  he  established  the  now  thriving 
Bank  of  Grand  Ridge,  and  was  one  of  the  original  stockholders  in  the  First 
National  Bank  at  Earlville,  Illinois.  He  owns  valuable  real  estate  in  various 
parts  of  this  county,  and  brick  business  houses  in  Grand  Ridge,  heated  with 
hot  water  throughout,  with  large  plate-glass  windows  and  finished  in  oak, 
this  representing,  in  part,  what  he  has  achieved  unaided.  In  his  political 
views  he  favors  the  platform  of  the  Republican  party,  and  votes  accordingly, 
and  is  usually  in  attendance  at  their  political  conventions.  Socially  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  being  identified  with  the  blue  lodge, 
chapter  and  commandery  of  Knights  Templars.  Mr.  Strong  is  a  member 
of  the  village  council  and  has  under  his  supervision  the  construction  of  a 
sewer  for  draining  Grand  Ridge  and  various  other  local  improvements  for 
the  upbuilding  of  Grand  Ridge. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Strong  and  Miss  Abbie  L.  Aldrich  took  place 
at  the  home  of  the  bride's  mother,  Mrs.  Laura  Aldrich,  December  23,  1883. 
at  Mendota,  Illinois.  Three  sons  and  a  little  daughter  bless  the  home  of 
our  subject  and  wife,  their  names  in  order  of  birth  being  as  follows:  Willis 
v.,  Robert,  Orilla  and  Charles  Howard.  The  family  reside  in  an  attractive 
home  and  within  its  hospitable  walls  their  numerous  friends  are  frequently 
entertained.  Mr.  and  ^[rs.  Strong  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
at  Grand  Ridge. 


JOSEPH   E.   BOND. 


The  native  sons  of  Illinois  are  noted  the  country  over  for  exceptional 
business  ability,  and  those  who  have  been  so  fortunate  as  to  serve  an 
apprenticeship  in  Chicago,  the  city  of  marvelous  enterprise,  must  of  neces- 
sity have  become  imbued  with  the  spirit  which  prevails  there.  One  of  the 
young  and  progressive  business  men  of  Marseilles,  J.  E.  Bond,  was  born  in 


344  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

Champaign  county,  Illinois,  in  November,  1865,  and  consequently  is  in  his 
early  prime,  full  of  ambition  and  promise. 

The- father  of  our  subject  was  David  Bond,  a  native  of  England  and  for 
years  one  of  the  representative  citizens  of  Champaign  county.  The  mother 
of  J.  E.  Bond  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Elizabeth  Edwards.  With  his  two 
brothers  and  six  sisters  he  passed  his  early  years  in  his  native  town,  attend- 
ing the  public  schools,  and  when  he  had  completed  his  high-school  course  he 
entered  the  state  university.  Having  spent  as  much  time  in  preparation  for 
the  more  serious  duties  of  life  as  he  felt  justified  in  doing,  Mr.  Bond  went  to 
Chicago,  where  he  obtained  a  position  with  the  well  known  packing  tirm  of 
Swift  &  Company,  with  whom  he  remained  for  eighteen  months.  Thus 
thoroughly  initiated  into  the  systematic  methods  of  an  extensive  concern,, 
he  resigned  his  place  in  order  to  accept  a  better  one  with  Baird  &  Company, 
and  later  was  employed  by  the  Link  Belt  Company.  In  November,  1895, 
he  came  to  Marseilles  and  is  now  the  superintendent  of  the  Western  Egg 
Case  Company,  and  vice-president  of  the  Bule  Gas-Engine  Company.  He 
has  worked  untiringly  for  the  prosperity  of  these  two  companies,  and  to  his 
efforts  are  due  much  of  their  present  success  and  high  standing. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Bond  and  Miss  Margaret  Moore,  a  daughter  of 
the  Rev.  J.  !>kIoore,  of  Kewanee,  Illinois,  was  solemnized  at  Lake  Forest, 
Illinois,  in  September,  1894.  They  have  two  sons,  Joseph  E.,  Jr.,  and 
Roger  M.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bond  are  members  of  the  Congregational  church, 
and  are  valued  workers  in  the  Sunday-school.  They  have  many  sincere 
friends  here  and  elsewhere,  and  are  justly  esteemed  by  all  who  enjoy  their 
acquaintance. 


ISAAC    H.    BENNETT. 


This  gentleman  is  one  of  the  progressive  farmers  and  leading  and  public- 
spirited  citizens  of  Deer  Park  township,  LaSalle  county,  and  as  such  his 
biography  is  of  more  than  passing  interest  in  this  work. 

Isaac  Heman  Bennett  was  born  in  Litchfield  county,  Connecticut,  June 
30,  1835,  a  son  of  William  Bennett  and  a  grandson  of  Stephen  Bennett. 
The  Bennetts  are  descended  from  English  and  Scotch  ancestors  who  were 
among  the  early  settlers  of  Connecticut.  Stephen  Bennett  passed  his  life  in 
that  state.  His  father  grew  up  on  the  Connecticut  frontier,  around  Great 
Barrington,  among  the  red  men  of  the  forest  and  was  necessarily  one  of 
the  hardy  pioneers  of  our  colonial  period.  For  the  most  part  the  Bennetts 
have  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  and  wherever  they  have  lived 
have  been  among  the  leading  and  highly  respected  citizens  of  their  respective 
localities.     William  Bennett,  the  father  of  Isaac  H.,  brought  his  family  to 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  345 

the  west  by  the  lake  route  to  Chicago  and  by  canal  to  Ottawa,  Illinois,  in 
1852.  He  chose  Deer  Park  township  as  his  place  of  settlement  and  bought 
a  tract  of  land,  mostly  wild  and  with  scarcely  an  evidence  of  the  white  man's 
presence,  and  upon  this  tract  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  and  died.  His 
wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Sarah  Brunson,  survived  him  a  number  of 
years,  her  death  occurring  in  1899,  at  the  age  of  eighty-six  years.  Their 
children  are:  Diana,  the  wife  of  Rev.  A.  S.  Calkins,  of  Normal,  IlHnois; 
Isaac  H.;  George  A.,  of  Utica  township;  Henry  F.,  of  Deer  Park  township; 
Charles  Franklin,  of  California;  Edgar,  of  Mendota,  Illinois;  Edwin,  of 
Iowa;  Nelson  G.,  of  Livingston  county,  Illinois;  and  Emma,  who  died  aged 
four  years. 

Isaac  H.  Bennett  was  seventeen  years  old  when  he  first  saw  the  prairies 
of  LaSalle  county.  He  remained  a  member  of  his  father's  household  until 
his  marriage,  after  which  he  was  for  a  few  years  a  renter.  Then,  in  the 
early  '60s,  he  bought  a  portion  of  his  father's  farm,  and  this  he  has  improved 
and  enlarged  in  area,  and  has  made  it  his  home.  One  of  the  first  lessons  he 
learned  was  that  of  industry.  All  his  life  he  has  practiced  industr}^  and  a 
wise  economy,  and  in  consecjuence  has  reached  a  position  of  financial  inde- 
pendence. 

Mr.  Bennett  was  married  in  January,  1856,  to  Miss  Anna  Reed,  a 
daughter  of  Jonathan  Reed,  and  the  fruits  of  their  union  are  three  sons — 
William  is  a  resident  of  his  native  township;  Arthur  E.  is  in  California; 
and  Milton  G.  is  a  minister  of  the  Christian  church  in  Iowa. 

Politically  Mr.  Bennett  has  no  public  record.  He  has  found  it  to  his 
interest  to  support  the  Republican  party  in  all  elections  affecting  the  state 
and  nation,  but  has  never  been  ambitious  to  possess  any  place  of  public 
trust. 


A.   CLEMENT. 


The  enterprise  of  New  England  and  the  progressive  methods  of  doing 
business  in  the  western  states  find  exemplification  in  the  daily  life  of  Mr. 
Clement,  proprietor  of  the  Windsor  Hotel,  of  Ottawa,  for  he  has  spent 
years  in  both  parts  of  the  Union  and  has  thoroughly  entered  into  the  spirit  of 
the  communities  in  which  he  has  dwelt. 

In  reviewing  the  history  of  our  subject  it  is  found  that  he  comes  from 
one  of  the  old  and  honored  families  of  Vermont.  His  paternal  grandfather 
was  captain  of  a  sea-going  vessel,  the  Neptune.  The  parents  of  Mr. 
Clement,  Chauncey  and  Sarah  (Brown)  Clement,  natives  of  Vermont,  had 
six  children,  five  sons  and  one  daughter,  most  of  whom  are  still  living. 

Mr.  Clement  was  born  in  Franklin,  Vermont,  in  1830.     When  thirty 


346  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

years  of  age  he  went  to  California,  and  for  some  time  was  engaged  in 
business  in  San  Francisco.  He  then  returned  to  his  native  state  and  for 
a  number  of  years  was  very  successfully  occupied  in  the  hotel  business  in 
the  town  of  Richford.  Later  he  went  to  Wisconsin,  where  he  managed 
hotels  at  Sheboygan,  Stevens'  Point  and  Beloit,  being  located  at  the  last 
named  place  for  three  years.  In  1897  he  came  to  Ottawa  and  took  charge 
of  the  Windsor  Hotel,  which  he  rented  and  has  since  carried  on  with  grati- 
fying success.  This  fine  hotel,  one  of  the  best  in  the  northern  part  of  Illinois, 
wa"s  erected  at  a  cost  of  thirty  thousand  dollars.  It  is  a  modern  three- 
storv  building,  heated  by  steam,  furnished  throughout  with  hot  and  cold 
water,  and  all  of  the  appliances  considered  necessary  in  a  first-class  hotel. 
Large,  attractive  dining  and  billiard  rooms  and  parlors,  and  light,  clean  and 
comfortably  furnished  rooms  for  guests  are  among  the  features  noted  here, 
and  the  cuisine  is  excellent.  The  long,  practical  experience  of  the  proprietor, 
who  has  devoted  almost  his  entire  mature  life  to  this  line  of  business,  makes 
him  thoroughly  conversant  with  the  wishes  and  needs  of  the  public.  He  is 
frank,  generous  and  of  a  happy,  genial  disposition,  and  is  a  great  favorite 
with  his  patrons  and  numerous  friends  of  this  locality.  In  political  standing 
he  is  a  Democrat,  taking  an  intelligent  view  of  the  national  issues  of  the  day. 
On  the  25th  of  January,  1881,  Mr.  Clement  and  Miss  Mary  Shell,  of 
Wisconsin,  were  united  in  marriage.  Mrs.  Clement  is  an  able  coadjutor  in 
the  multitudinous  duties  and  cares  which  rest  upon  her  husband,  and  in 
many  ways  she  makes  her  presence  felt  for  good  in  the  direction  and  super- 
vision of  the  various  departments  of  work  always  inseparable  from  the 
proper  management  of  a  hotel  of  these  proportions. 


ERNST  GLEIAL 


This  well  known  citizen  of  Ottawa  is  a  native  of  Germany,  his  birth 
having  occurred  in  the  village  of  Asmushausen,  Hesse-Cassel,  October  26, 
1835.  He  is  a  son  of  George  and  Anna  B.  Gleim,  who  were  of  the  agri- 
cultural class,  honest  and  respected,  and  whose  entire  lives  were  spent  in  the 
Fatherland. 

Having  completed  the  regulation  period  of  time  in  the  government 
schools,  Ernst  Gleim  was  well  qualified  in  general  to  enter  upon  the  more 
serious  responsibilities  of  life,  and  in  1851  he  made  one  of  the  most  important 
steps  in  his  career.  He  determined  to  come  to  the  L'nited  States,  and  bidding 
farewell  to  the  friends  and  associations  of  his  childhood  he  embarked  on 
a  sailing  vessel  at  the  port  of  Bremen.  At  the  end  of  a  tedious  voyage  of 
some  six  weeks'  duration,  he  arrived  at  New  York  city,  in  which  metropolis 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  347 

he  passed  seven  years.  In  the  meantime  he  had  learned  the  barber's  trade, 
serving  a  two  years'  apprenticeship,  and  after  working  as  a  journeyman  for 
some  time  he  concluded  to  go  to  Chicago,  where  better  wages  were  paid. 
Not  long  after  he  reached  that  city  he  came  to  Ottawa,  where  he  opened  a 
barber  shop  in  1858.  For  forty-one  years  he  has  conducted  this  business 
here,  and  without  doul)t  he  is  one  of  the  most  popular  and  well  patronized 
barbers  of  LaSalle  county. 

In  1862  Mr.  Gleim  married  Miss  Fredericka  Wolf  in  New  York  city. 
She  is  a  native  of  Germany,  and  is  a  daughter  of  John  E.  Wolf.  Ten  chil- 
dren were  born  to  this  marriage,  and  the  family  circle  is  still  unbroken  by 
the  hand  of  death.  In  order  of  birth  the  children  are  named  as  follows: 
Henry,  Adam,  Katherine.  Louisa,  Minnie,  Ernest,  Jr.,  George,  Fred,  Will 
and  Frank. 

A  man  well  informed  upon  the  general  topics  of  the  day,  Mr.  Gleim  is 
a  patriotic  son  of  his  adopted  country,  with  intelligent  views  upon  all 
public  questions  of  moment.  Until  1887  he  had  upheld  the  Republican 
party,  but  since  that  time  he  has  been  independent  in  politics.  Socially  he 
belongs  to  Lessing  Lodge,  No.  326,  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  owns  a  comfortable 
dwelling  and  has  a  competence  for  his  declining  years,  as  a  result  of  his 
industry  and  application  to  business. 


JUDSON  SPAULDING. 


Judson  Spaulding,  son  of  the  well  known  citizen,  George  H.  Spaulding, 
of  Waltham  township,  LaSalle  county,  was  born  in  ^^^altham  township,  Oc- 
tober 13,  1853.  He  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  was  educated  in 
the  district  schools,  and  on  reaching  his  majority  engaged  in  farming  on  his 
own  account.     Since  1875  ^^^  ^^s  been  identified  with  Ophir  township. 

Mr.  Spaulding  was  married  March  10.  1881,  to  Annie  M.  Bibbins,  who 
came  to  the  state  of  Illinois  from  New  York.  The  children  of  this  marriage 
are  three, — Arthur  J.,  Walter  S.,  and  William  G.  Mr.  Spaulding's  father, 
George  H.  Spaulding,  was  born  in  New  York  state,  August  13,  1827,  a  son 
of  William  Spaulding,  a  sailor.  In  185 1  George  H.  Spaulding,  then  a  poor 
man.  took  up  his  residence  in  Waltham  township.  He  did  many  a  hard  day's 
work  for  the  wages  it  brought  and  needed  it  for  the  support  of  life  in  his 
home,  and  in  his  case  honest  and  earnest  effort  brought  just  reward.  He 
engaged  in  farming  and  met  with  that  success  that  enabled  him  to  buy  a 
piece  of  land  from  time  to  time,  and  as  the  years  rolled  by  prosperity  attended 
him  until  now  he  is  reckoned  one  of  the  substantial  and  well-to-do  men  of 
this  town.     He  married  Miss  Polly  Bibbins,  a  daughter  of  Jeremiah  Bibbins, 


348  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

and  their  children  are:  Annie,  the  wife  of  Patrick  Donahue,  of  the  town 
of  Wakham;  Judson;  Juha,  the  wife  of  WilHam  Scott,  of  Waltham;  Mary, 
the  wife  of  Niel  Peterson,  of  Calamus,  Iowa;  Naomi,  the  wife  of  John  Bain, 
of  Gushing-,  Iowa;  Nellie,  the  widow  of  Lee  Spaulding,  living  at  home; 
Cora,  the  wife  of  George  Spaulding.  Gushing.  Iowa;  and  Belle,  the  wife 
of  William  Hunter,  also  of  Gushing,  Iowa. 


DANIEL  C.  MILLS. 


Daniel  C.  Mills,  a  retired  farmer  of  Ottawa,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois, 
was  born  in  Staffordshire.  England.  July  3,  1832.  He  is  a  son  of  Daniel  and 
Sarah  (Smith)  Mills,  both  natives  of  England  who  emigrated  to  the  United 
States  in  1833,  arriving  in  New  York  city.  He  became  interested  in  the 
Veneer  Mills,  of  Cohoes,  New  York,  remaining  there  until  1839.  He  sold 
his  mills  at  Cohoes  and  returned  to  Tipton,  Staffordshire,  England,  where  he 
engaged  in  business,  remaining  there  until  1843.  when  he  started  from 
Tipton  by  boat  to  Liverpool;  thence  he  went  by  sailing  vessel  to  New 
York,  by  boat  to  Albany,  by  the  Erie  canal  to  Buffalo,  and  by  steamer  to 
Chicago,  making  the  entire  distance  from  his  old  home  in  England  ta 
Chicago  by  water. 

At  Chicago  he  purchased  a  wagon  and  team,  with  which  he  came  to 
Ottawa.  Here  he  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
Thomas  Basnett,  and  at  once  entered  upon  its  improvement.  He  was  also 
interested  in  the  mills  here  and  continued  to  identify  himself  with  the  pros- 
perity of  the  place  until  his  death,  which  occurred  September  23,  1880,  at 
the  advanced  age  of  seventy-six  years.  He  was  a  Republican  and  took  an 
active  interest  in  all  local  affairs,  acting  as  supervisor  and  assessor  of  the 
town  of  South  Ottawa,  and  treasurer  of  the  school  district,  also  as  enrolling 
ofHcer  during  the  war.  His  wife  reached  her  seventy-eighth  year,  dying 
June  30,  1 89 1.  They  were  the  parents  of  four  children,  namely:  Daniel  C, 
our  subject;  Edward  G..  who  died  in  1870;  Sarah  J.,  wife  of  Thomas  J. 
Stumph;  and  George  A.,  of  this  city. 

Daniel  C.  Mills  was  a  lad  of  twelve  years  when  his  parents  left  their 
native  country,  and  his  education  was  well  advanced.  After  reaching  Ottawa 
he  attended  school  in  what  was  known  as  the  old  Mechanics'  Hall.  He  con- 
tinued to  assist  his  father  about  the  farm  work  until  he  was  twenty-one,  and 
at  the  age  of  twenty-three  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
in  Farm  Ridge,  where  he  began  farming  for  himself.  He  placed  this  land  in 
first-class  condition,  putting  up  a  good  dwelling,  barn,  sheds  and  other 
required  improvements,  and  adding  greatly  to  its  convenience  and  appear- 


^.^.^^ 


I 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  349 

ance.  He  was  among  the  first  to  introduce  the  famous  Norman  and  EngHsh 
Shire  horses  in  this  locahty,  receiving  fabulous  prices  for  some  of  them.  One 
team  brought  him  the  splendid  sum  of  seven  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  and 
all  commanded  good  prices.  He  continued  to  add  to  his  original  purchase 
until  he  had  accumulated  four  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  choice  farm  land, 
upon  which  he  lived  until  1887,  when  he  moved  to  East  Ottawa. 

Mr.  Mills  was  married  November  3,  1855,  to  Miss  Eliza  Hogoboom,  a 
native  of  this  city  and  a  daughter  of  Richard  and  Phoebe  (Farnsworth) 
Hogoboom.  Mr.  Hogoboom  came  from  New  York  to  LaSalle  county  in 
1829,  and  in  partnership  with  Russel  Kimbal  built  the  first  dam  across  the 
Illinois  river,  at  Marseilles,  in  1830.  Mrs.  Hogoboom  departed  this  life  in 
May,  1877,  while  Mr.  Hogoboom  lived  until  May  9,  1899,  passing  away  in 
his  ninety-second  year. 

Five  sons  and  four  daughters  have  blessed  the  home  of  Mr.  Alills.  viz.: 
Charles  C,  an  attorney  at  law,  of  Rensselaer,  Indiana;  Albert  F.,  a  farmer; 
Horace,  also  a  farmer;  Abbie,  deceased;  Alice;  Phoebe;  Eliza;  Richard,  a 
student;  and  William  A.  The  family  are  all  members  of  the  Episcopal 
church  and  liberal  contributors  of  both  time  and  money  to  the  cause  of  that 
ecclesiastical  body.  Mr.  JMills  is  a  member  of  Occidental  Lodge,  No.  40, 
F.  &  A.  M.;  Ottawa  Chapter,  No.  37,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  and  Ottawa 
Commandery,  No.  10,  Knights  Templar.  A  Republican,  he  has  held  a  num- 
ber of  minor  offices  in  the  gift  of  the  people  and  is  highly  respected  for  his 
honor  and  integrity  of  character. 


WILLIAM   FREAD. 


William  Fread.  of  Serena  township,  LaSalle  county,  is  entitled  to  rank 
with  that  class  of  citizens  known  as  pioneers,  he  having  taken  up  his  abode 
on  Fox  river  in  this  county  in  1857.  His  father,  also  named  William  Fread, 
came  to  LaSalle  county  in  1856  and  died  here  in  the  fall  of  that  year.  He  was 
a  Kentuckian  who  had  at  a  very  early  day  gone  up  into  Indiana  and  settled 
at  a  frontier  home  in  Franklin  county,  where  he  married  and  reared  his 
children.  His  wife,  a  New  Jersey  lady,  was  before  marriage  Miss  Abigail 
Rockefeller.  Their  graves  are  side  by  side  in  Mission  township,  LaSalle 
county,  across  the  river  from  the  old  Fread  homestead.  Of  their  family  we 
record  that  John,  who  had  married  Ruth  Clark  in  Indiana,  went  to  Texas, 
and  died  there  some  fifty  years  ago;  Samuel  and  Henry,  the  next  two,  died 
young;  the  fourth  born  was  William,  whose  name  introduces  this  sketch; 
and  James  married  a  Miss  Scott  and  died  in  Livingston  county,  Illinois, 
leaving  a  number  of  children. 


350  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

William  Fread  was  born  in  Franklin  county,  March  7,  181 6,  and  was 
there  reared  and  married.  Since  coming  to  Illinois  he  has  devoted  his 
energies  to  farm  work,  his  efforts  have  been  rewarded  with  success,  and  he  is 
now  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  sixteen  acres  of  choice  land,  well  im- 
proved and  highly  cultivated,  ranking  with  the  best  farms  to  be  found  on 
Fox  river. 

Mr.  Fread  was  married,  in  1841,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Spradling,  who 
died  about  ten  years  ago.  She  bore  him  the  following  named  children: 
Martha,  wife  of  Henry  Miller,  of  Kansas;  Henry  R.,  of  Sheridan,  Illinois, 
who  married  a  Miss  Pooler;  Leonidas,  who  married  a  Miss  Hoag,  resides 
in  Iowa;  Sarah  J.;  Louise,  wife  of  Henry  Plauger;  and  Nancy  E.,  wife  of 
Daniel  Bagwell,  of  South  Dakota. 

Mr.  Fread  cast  his  first  vote  for  Martin  Van  Buren  for  president  of 
the  United  States.  He  then  deserted  the  Democracy  and  has  since  affiHated 
with  the  Republican  party.  He  has  never  sought  nor  filled  ofifice,  his  own 
private  affairs  having  occupied  the  whole  of  his  time  and  attention. 


SAMUEL  H.  MONTGOMERY. 

Samuel  H.  Montgomery  was  born  July  6,  1857,  near  the  village  of 
Richmond,  Jefferson  county,  Ohio.  His  parents  were  Dr.  James  Mont- 
gomer}^  and  Rebecca  Swickard  Montgomery,  natives  of  Ohio.  Dr.  James 
Montgomery,  our  subject's  father,  was  reared  on  a  farm  until  seventeen 
years  of  age,  his  father,  Hugh  Montgomery,  being  a  farmer  by  occupation. 
Dr.  Montgomery  received  his  primary  education  in  the  district  schools  and 
afterward  spent  about  two  years  at  the  Richmond  College.  He  began  the 
study  of  medicine  in  the  office  of  Dr.  George  D.  Hamilton,  of  Knoxville, 
Ohio,  and  later  attended  the  Ohio  Medical  College,  at  Cincinnati.  He 
commenced  the  practice  of  medicine  at  Knoxville,  Ohio,  and  in  November, 
1863.  came  to  Illinois,  locating  at  Smithville,  Peoria  county,  where  he 
remained  until  1867.  In  1867  he  settled  in  Marseilles,  where  for  nearly  a 
quarter  of  a  century  he  was  actively  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession. 
As  a  physician  he  was  widely  known,  popular  and  highly  successful,  dis- 
pensing medical  aid  and  comfort  to  the  sick  and  dying,  often  without  hope 
of  reward  or  remuneration,  other  than  that  of  ministering  to  the  needs  and 
welfare  of  his  fellow  beings.  As  a  citizen  he  was  respected  and  honored 
with  the  presidency  of  the  city  council,  and  as  a  man  he  was  generous  and 
just,  genial  and  cheerful.  He  died  in  Marseilles,  March  11,  1896.  His 
widow  survives  him  and  resides  at  the  old  home  with  Miss  Mary,  a  daughter, 
one  of  the  most  popular  and  successful  teachers  in  the  city  schools. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  351 

Samuel  H.  Montgomery,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  accompanied  his 
parents  to  Marseilles,  where  he  grew  to  manhood.  In  1885  he  went  to 
Beatrice,  Nebraska,  where  he  remained  seven  years,  the  greater  part  of  that 
time  being  in  the  employ  of  The  Beatrice  Electric  Light  &  Gas  Company. 
In  November,  1892,  he  returned  to  Marseilles.  November  6,  1895,  Mr. 
Montgomery  was  married  to  Laura  Conard,  a  daughter  of  David  Conard  and 
Elizabeth  Grove  Conard.  She  was  born  on  the  old  homestead  in  Miller 
township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  November  15,  i860.  After  receiving 
her  primary  education  in  the  Loring  district  school  she  spent  some  time  at 
the  Morris  Normal  School,  this  state.  As  Miss  Laura  Conard  she  was 
known  as  one  of  the  most  efficient  and  popular  teachers  in  the  county,  and 
many  of  her  pupils  carry  pleasant  memories  of  profitable  days  that  were 
passed  under  her  instructions.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Montgomery  have  been 
born  two  children:  Wilson  C,  who  died  in  infancy;  and  \\'inifred,  a  bright 
little  daughter  who  now  blesses  their  home. 


ALBERT   SCHAEFER. 


A  life-long  resident  of  Ottawa,  LaSalle  county,  Albert  Schaefer,  the 
owner  and  manager  of  the  Ottawa  Opera-House,  is  well  known  here,  and 
no  one  stands  higher  in  the  esteem  of  the  general  public.  As  his  name  gives 
evidence,  he  is  of  German  extraction,  and  in  fact  his  father,  A.  Schaefer, 
was  a  native  of  the  great  empire  now  ruled  by  Emperor  William.  He  came 
to  the  United  States  more  than  half  a  century  ago,  however,  and  fought 
for.  his  adopted  country  in  the  Mexican  and  civil  wars,  thus  doubly  entitling 
himself  to  be  enrolled  in  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  with  which  organ- 
ization he  was  connected.  He  married  Miss  Christine  Miller,  of  Lanark, 
Illinois,  and  of  the  eleven  children  born  to  this  worthy  couple  seven  are 
still  living.  Four  daughters  reside  in  Ottawa;  John  makes  his  home  in 
California,  and  George  is  now  in  Tennessee.  Their  honored  father,  who 
died  in  1874,  was  the  victim  of  a  most  distressing  railroad  accident. 

The  birth  of  Mr.  Schaefer  occurred  in  1863,  at  his  parental  home  in 
Ottawa,  and  when  he  had  arrived  at  suitable  years  he  commenced  attending 
the  public  schools  of  this  place.  One  of  the  most  important  steps  taken  by 
him  in  his  early  manhood  was  his  marriage,  in  February,  1888,  to  Miss 
Mary  Sophia  Schmidt,  who  is  a  native  of  Germany,  and  for  some  time  has 
lived  in  this  country.  Two  daughters  bless  this  union,  namely:  Sylvia  and 
Esther. 

As  the  crowning  act  of  a  long  and  prosperous  business  career,  Mr. 
Schaefer  erected  the  handsome  and  substantial  brick  opera-house  of  Ottawa, 


352 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


three  years  ago.  This  modern  structure,  two  stories  in  height,  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty-six  feet  long  and  thirty-six  feet  wide,  has  a  seating  capacity 
of  one  thousand  persons,  and  is  extensively  used  for  public  meetings,  and 
for  the  various  local  lodges  and  associations  of  the  town.  It  is  centrally 
situated,  being  at  the  corner  of  Chestnut  and  Jefferson  streets.  Politically 
Mr.  Schaefer  is  a  stanch  Republican,  and  fraternally  he  is  a  Knight  of  Pythias, 
a  member  of  the  German  Benevolent  Society;  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  the  O. 
M.  P. 


AMOS  C.  BALDWIN 


Amos  C.  Baldwin,  of  Deer  Park  township,  LaSalle  county,  was  born  at 
the  place  where  he  now  lives,  August  7,  1848;  was  educated  at  Jennings 
Seminary  at  Aurora,  and  at  Mount  Carroll,  Illinois,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
three  engaged  in  teaching,  a  profession  he  followed  for  four  years.  At  the 
end  of  that  time  he  decided  to  return  to  the  labors  of  the  farm  and  accord- 
ingly established  himself  at  the  old  home,  where  he  has  given  the  best  years 
of  his  life  to  the  successful  and  intelligent  cultivation  of  the  soil  and  the 
raising  of  live  stock. 

Mr.  Baldwin  is  a  son  of  Edgar  Baldwin,  who  was  born  in  Litchfield 
county,  Connecticut,  in  the  year  1814,  and  who  spent  the  early  years  of  his 
life  in  his  native  state  and  learned  the  carriage-maker's  trade  there.  In  1843 
he  came  west  to  Illinois,  a  journeyman  carriage-maker,  and  located  at 
Ottawa,  where  he  engaged  in  the  carriage  business  with  William  Palmer, 
with  whom  he  was  associated  for  some  time.  When  he  left  the  factory  he 
bought  a  farm  in  Deer  Park  township,  where  he  resided  until  his  death  in 
1895.  In  politics  he  was  originally  a  Whig,  but  in  later  life  affiliated  with 
the  Democratic  party.  His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Helen  Calkins, 
was  a  daughter  of  John  W.  Calkins,  wdio  came  from  Connecticut  to  Illinois 
in  1838,  and  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Deer  Park  township.  Their 
children  are  as  follows:  Amos  C,  the  direct  subject  of  this  sketch;  Mrs. 
I.  N.  Reed,  of  Urbana,  Illinois;  Mrs.  J.  M.  Massey,  of  Virginia,  Illinois;  and 
Mrs.  Lucy  Williams,  deceased. 

Amos  C.  Baldwin  married,  January  17,  1878,  Miss  Elizabeth  Reynolds, 
a  daughter  of  Joseph  M.  Reynolds.  The  Reynolds  family  was  the  first  to 
settle  in  Deer  Park  township,  Martin  Reynolds,  Mrs.  Baldwin's  grandfather, 
being  the  first  settler.  He  came  from  the  state  of  Ohio  and  his  place  of 
location  here  was  on  Vermilion  river  near  Deer  Park.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bald- 
win's children  are  Agnes  R.,  Jessie,  Louise,  Marion  and  Margaret. 

Mr.  Baldwin  is  one  of  the  prominent  political  factors  in  his  township. 
In  politics  he  has  always  been  a  Republican  and  is  at  the  present  time  a 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  353 

member  of  the  Republican  county  central  committee.  He  was  elected  the 
supervisor  in  1892,  having  previously  been  the  township  clerk  and  com- 
missioner of  highways.  He  was  a  member  of  the  county  board  seven  con- 
secutive years,  three  of  the  seven  years  being  the  chairman  of  the  board, 
and  rendered  valuable  service  to  his  town  and  country.  He  served  as  the 
chairman  of  the  committee  on  paupers  and  statistics,  was  on  the  road  and 
bridge  committee  and  on  the  special  committee  of  that  name.  He  was  on 
the  special  committee  to  erect  the  county  insane  asylum.  The  matter  of  the 
reduction  of  pauper  expenses  gave  him  much  concern  and  he  labored  to 
bring  about  such  a  reform  in  the  administration  of  the  county  pauper  affairs 
that  would  achieve  that  end.  The  present  plan  in  vogue  was  adopted  in 
conformity  with  a  resolution  of  his  own  and  is  expected  to  produce  beneficial 
results. 

Mr.  Baldwin  takes  an  active  interest  in  church  and  Sunday-school  afTairs. 
He  has  been  the  superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school  of  his  community 
twenty-five  years. 


FREDERICK  P.   HARTSHORN. 

Mr.  Hartshorn,  named  above,  is  a  progressive  farmer  who  adds  skill 
and  science  to  agricultural  art,  and  is  not  slow  to  forsake  old  methods 
when  they  are  improved  by  modern  appliances.  He  has  one  of  the  finest 
and  best  improved  farms  in  LaSalle  county,  due  to  his  intelligent  and 
judicious  management.  He  is  a  son  of  Alfred  I.  and  Amelia  (Dean)  Harts- 
horn, and  was  born  in  Waltham  township,  LaSalle  county,  August  17,  i860. 
His  father,  a  native  of  New  York,  and  his  mother,  of  Connecticut,  came  to 
this  county  in  1837,  their  location  being  chosen  probably  because  his  aunt, 
Mrs.  Hannah  B.  Burnham,  had  preceded  them  and  made  her  home  in 
Waltham  township,  this  county.  They  purchased  a  farm  in  that  township, 
and  there  Frederick  P.  Hartshorn  grew  to  manhood,  attending  the  district 
schools  and  later  entering  the  high  school  in  LaSalle.  He  had  a  natural 
ability  for  farming  and  assisted  his  father  in  the  care  of  his  land.  In  1882 
the  family  moved  to  LaSalle  township,  and  about  seven  years  ago  he  took 
charge  of  his  father's  large  farm  of  four  hundred  and  fifty  acres.  He  carries 
on  general  farming,  raises  horses  and  hogs,  and  conducts  a  dairy.  His 
dairy  herd  consists  of  about  sixty  cows,  whose  feed  and  comfort  are  care- 
fully looked  after,  and  the  returns  he  receives  from  them  clearly  demonstrate 
the  success  of  his  methods. 

Mr.  Hartshorn  was  married,  September  8.  1885,  to  Miss  Juliet  Bush- 
nell,  daughter  of  Washington  and  Phoebe  (Charles)  Bushnell,  of  Ottawa. 
One  child,  Alfred  Burnham,  has  blessed  this  union.    They  are  communicants 


354  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

of  the  Episcopal  church,  and  Mr.  Hartshorn  is  a  prominent  member  of 
Wakham  Lodge,  No.  384,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  the  Peru  Chapter,  R.  A.  M. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  St.  Elmo  Lodge.  No.  70,  K.  of  P.,  of  Ottawa; 
and  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  Home  Forum,  Royal  Neighbors 
and  the  Court  of  Honor. 


CHARLES    A.    CARY. 


In  followinsf  the  history  of  successful  men  in  the  business  world  how 
often  does  the  truth  of  the  saying  of  the  great  poet  come  to  us  that  "there 
is  a  tide  in  the  affairs  of  men  which,  taken  at  the  flood,  leads  on  to  fortune." 
Happy  is  the  man  who  is  prepared,  by  nature  and  education,  to  grasp 
the  opportunity  at  the  instant  that  it  presents  itself,  and  then,  with  all  the 
powers  of  his  mind,  molds  and  adapts  himself  to  the  opportunity,  and  it,  in 
turn,  to  his  own  uses. 

Charles  A.  Cary,  a  prominent  citizen  of  Utica,  is  an  example  of  the 
keen,  energetic  business  man  of  to-day,  one  who,  even  in  his  early  manhood, 
evinced  marked  talents,  and  by  the  time  that  he  had  seen  thirty  summers 
was  fully  launched  upon  the  flood  tide  which  is  bearing  him  on  to  fortune. 
One  of  LaSalle  county's  native  sons,  he  was  born  in  the  city  of  that  name, 
December  4,  1857,  a  son  of  Charles  A.  and  Mary  J.  (Blakeslee)  Cary.  When 
he  was  eleven  years  old  he  removed  w-ith  the  family  to  Chicago,  which  was 
his  home  for  several  years.  His  elementary  education  w-as  acquired  in  the 
public  schools  of  LaSalle  and  Chicago.  He  then  attended  University  of 
Notre  Dame,  at  South  Bend,  Indiana,  after  which  he  attended  the  Highland 
Military  Academy  at  Worcester,  Massachtisetts.  Returning  to  Chicago, 
he  then  pursued  a  course  in  telegraphy,  and  in  1877  was  appointed  as  an 
operator  at  Ottawa,  and  in  the  following  April  was  transferred  to  Utica,. 
where  for  nine  years  he  was  in  charge  of  the  Rock  Island  Railway  office. 
At  the  end  of  that  period,  in  1887,  he  entered  into  partnership  with  W.  C. 
and  E.  J.  Reynolds,  under  the  firm  name  of  E.  J.  Reynolds  &  Company, 
and  engaged  in  the  shipping  of  w-ashed  sand  from  the  celebrated  sand  hills 
near  this  place.  The  company  controls  a  large  area  of  this  sand,  which  is  of 
an  extremely  fine  quality,  possessing  the  features  especially  desirable  in  the 
manufacture  of  glass,  its  chief  use.  Thousands  of  car-loads  are  annually 
shipped  to  glass  factories  in  Chicago  and  points  in  Illinois  and  Indiana,  the 
output  of  this  plant  finding  a  market  within  a  comparatively  limited  area 
of  the  country.  Mr.  Cary  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Utica  Hydraulic  Cement 
Company,  and  is  now  acting  in  the  capacity  of  vice-president  of  that  flourish- 


mg  concern. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  355 

On  the  4th  of  Deceml^er,  1883.  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Gary  and  Miss 
JuHa  M.  Peckham,  of  Pontiac,  Illinois,  was  solemnized.  She  is  a  daughter 
of  Professor  John  B.  and  Charlotte  (Clark)  Peckham.  Two  sons  and  three 
daughters  bless  the  home  of  our  subject  and  wife,  namely:  Howard  Clark; 
Alta  Beulah;  Viola  Belle;   Charles  Arthur  and  Marjorie  M. 

Socially  Mr.  Cary  is  a  member  of  Acacia  Lodge,  No.  6^,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M.,  of  LaSalle,  and  of  Peru  Chapter,  No.  60,  R.  A.  M.;  Peru  Council, 
No.  12,  R.  &  S.  M.;  and  St.  John's  Commandery,  No.  26,  K.  T.  In 
political  matters  he  adheres  to  the  platform  of  the  Republican  party,  and  is 
an  earnest  supporter  of  its  nominees.  In  local  affairs  he  takes  an  intelli- 
gent interest,  his  ballot  and  influence  being  always  used  for  the  improvement 
of  the  town. 


KIMBALL   WHITE   LELAND.   M.  D. 

The  blood  of  sturdy,  patriotic  New  Englanders  flows  in  the  veins  of  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  a  leading  physician  of  Utica,  LaSalle  county.  His 
great-great-grandfather,  Aaron  Kimball,  was  a  hero  of  the  French  and 
Indian  war  of  1757,  and  at  the  commencement  of  the  notable  struggle  of  the 
British  colonies  of  this  country  against  the  parental  government  he  was 
commissioned  a  captain,  on  account  of  his  past  experience  and  valuable 
services  about  a  score  of  years  previously.  His  commission,  dated  April  5, 
1776,  placing  him  in  charge  of  a  company  of  the  Sixth  Massachusetts 
Infantry,  was  the  direct  outcome,  however,  of  the  prominent  part  which 
he  had  taken  on  the  19th  of  April,  1775,  at  Lexington.  His  son,  the  great- 
grandfather of  the  Doctor,  was  a  member  of  the  company  commanded  by 
Captain  Aaron  Kimball,  at  Lexington,  participated  in  the  battles  of  Benning- 
ton, Vermont,  and  Bunker  Hill,  and  eventually  became  a  captain  in  the 
regiment  commanded  by  Colonel  Wheelock.  On  the  Leland  side  of  the 
family  the  Doctor  is  a  great-grandson  of  Eleazer  Leland,  who  served  ia 
the  war  for  independence,  and  took  an  active  part  in  the  battles  of  Lexington 
and  Bunker  Hill,  and  grandson  of  Colonel  Cyrus  Leland,  a  prominent  citizen 
of  Grafton.  Massachusetts. 

Born  in  Ottawa.  Illinois,  November  4.  1857.  Dr.  K.  W.  Leland  is  a 
son  of  Judge  Pardo'n  Kimball  and  Elizabeth  Margaret  (White)  Leland.  He 
received  excellent  educational  advantages  in  the  schools  of  that  locality,  and, 
after  completing  his  studies  in  the  Ottawa  high  school,  took  up  medical 
work  under  the  preceptorship  of  Dr.  A.  E.  Gibbs  and  Professor  Olin.  ol 
Ottawa,  in  1876.  For  the  three  winters  following  he  attended  the  Bennett 
Medical  College,  in  Chicago,  and  was  graduated  in  that  institution,  March 
27,  1879.    The  same  year  he  came  to  Utica,  where,  for  just  a  score  of  years 


356  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

he  has  been  very  successfully  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession.  A 
thorough  believer  in  progress  in  all  lines,  he  endeavors  to  keep  posted  in  all 
discoveries  relating  to  disease  and  the  treatment  of  the  same,  and  in  the 
winter  of  1879  he  pursued  a  special  course  in  the  Chicago  College  of 
Ophthalmology  and  Otology.  He  also  graduated  at  Rush  Medical  College, 
in  March,  1892.  In  1892  the  honorary  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science  was 
bestowed  upon  him  by  the  Northwestern  Norman  School,  of  Geneseo.  Illi- 
nois. At  present  he  is  serving  the  LaSalle  Medical  Society  as  its  president, 
and  has  long  been  one  of  its  most  esteemed  and  valued  members.  From 
1879  to  1885  he  was  the  city  physician  of  Utica,  and  from  1879  to  1887  he 
served  this  township  in  a  similar  capacity.  As  a  surgeon  he  has  won  special 
attention,  as  he  has  performed  many  exceedingly  difficult  and  delicate 
operations.  In  connection  with  his  regular  practice  he  made  a  special  study 
of  the  subject  of  drugs  and  their  uses,  and  holds  a  diploma  as  a  registered 
pharmacist. 

Socially  the  Doctor  is  very  popular.  He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  order, 
in  which  he  has  attained  the  Knight  Templar  degree,  and  he  also  is  affiliated 
with  the  Odd  Fellows.  His  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Louisa  Crosair  was 
solemnized  October  24,  1883.  She  departed  this  life  on  the  17th  of  June, 
1 89 1,  and  left  one  child.  Pardon  Kimball,  Jr.  Dr.  Leland  is  a  member  of 
the  Utica  Baptist  church,  and  is  a  deacon  in  the  congregation. 


GEORGE  HUM. 


The  subject  of  this  sketch,  George  Hum,  is  ranked  with  the  prosperous 
and  enterprising  farmers  of  Mission  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois.  Al- 
though a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  he  has  never  known  any  other  home  than 
Illinois,  whither  he  was  brought  in  his  infancy  by  his  parents,  Henr)-  and 
Anna  (Keck)  Hum. 

Henry  Hum  was  born  in  Westmoreland  county,  Pennsylvania,  Jul}-  4, 
181 1,  of  German  parentage.  In  his  youth  he  received  a  good  education 
in  both  German  and  English,  and  for  some  time  taught  a  German  school. 
Farming,  however,  was  his  life  occupation.  He  was  married  in  Pennsylvania 
to  Miss  Anna  Keck,  who,  like  himself,  was  a  native  of  that  state  and  of 
German  extraction.  In  1851  they  came  west  to  Illinois,  settlmg  first  in 
Northville  township,  LaSalle  county,  and  later  moving  to  Adams  township. 
He  carried  on  farming  in  this  county  for  a  number  of  years;  lived  to  a  ripe  old 
age,  and  died  in  1893.  His  wife  passed  away  in  1888.  They  were  the 
parents  of  thirteen  children,  six  of  whom  are  now  living. 

George  Hum  was  born  in  Mercer  county,  Pennsylvania,  December  27, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  357 

1849,  ^"d  at  the  time  his  parents  emigrated  to  Ilhnois  was  two  years  old. 
He  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm,  receiving  his  education  in  the  common 
schools,  and  remaining  a  member  of  the  home  circle  until  he  was  twenty- 
seven  years  of  ag'e,  when  he  married.  For  four  years  after  his  marriage 
he  was  engaged  in  farming  in  Earl  township.  Then  he  farmed  three  years 
in  Serena  township,  four  years  in  Adams  township,  and  from  the  latter  place 
came  to  his  present  farm  in  Mission  township,  where  he  owns  one  hundred 
and  thirty-three  acres  of  fine  land  and  is  carrying  on  general  farming.  Also 
he  has  for  a  period  of  thirty-four  years  been  operating  a  threshing  machine, 
in  season,  doing  a  successful  business.  In  the  fall  of  1899,  Mr.  Hum  pur- 
chased a  hardware  store  in  Sheridan,  to  which  place  he  then  removed. 

Mr.  Hum  was  married  in  1878  to  Miss  Olive  A.  Beardsley,  a  daughter 
of  Edwin  and  Margaret  (Tovvnsend)  Beardsley.  Mr.  Beardsley  was  born 
in  Williamstown,  Berkshire  county,  Massachusetts,  February  24,  1824,  and 
came  to  IlHnois  about  1834.  He  was  married  in  LaSalle  county,  this  state, 
in  1844,  to  Miss  Townsend,  a  native  of  Sullivan  county,  New  York,  born 
August  19,  1826,  who  came  to  Illinois  about  the  time  of  his  arrival  here. 
In  1849  they  made  the  journey  across  the  plains  to  California,  but  some 
time  later  returned  to  Illinois,  and  are  now  living  in  Sheridan,  LaSalle 
county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hum  have  one  son,  Laurin  V.,  and  an  adopted 
daughter,  Leona. 

Politically  Mr.  Hum  is  a  Republican;  and  while  he  has  never  sought 
official  honors  for  himself  he  has  always  taken  a  commendable  interest  in 
the  success  of  his  party. 


ALBERT  J.  FOWLER. 


This  gentleman  owns  and  occupies  a  valuable  farm  in  Mission  town- 
ship, LaSalle  county,  comprising  one  hundred  and  ninety-five  acres  of  land, 
and  is  a  practical  and  progressive  agriculturist,  whose  business  methods 
are  bringing  to  him  creditable  success. 

Mr.  Fowler  can  trace  his  ancestry  back  through  many  generations 
to  Richard  Eastman,  who  was  born  in  Wales,  in  161 1,  and  came  to  this 
country  in  1640,  settling  in  Salisbury,  Massachusetts.  In  the  year  1747 
three  of  his  sons — Thomas,  Enoch  and  Benjamin  Eastman — removed  to 
Hopkinton,  New  Hampshire,  and  there  Thomas  married  Eunice  Chase,  of 
that  town.  They  had  three  sons — Thomas,  John,  and  Samuel,  who  was 
sometimes  called  Bonus — and  a  daughter,  Hannah,  and  perhaps  other 
daughters.  Hannah  married  Deacon  Jonathan  Fowler,  of  Hopkinton,  in 
1784,  and  their  children  were  Mary,  Thomas  (who  was  born  November  13, 


358  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

11786),  Nicholas,  Timothy,  Ruth,  Joanna  G.,  Jeremiah,  Eunice,  Betsey, 
Martha  and  Chase.  Mr.  Fowler  died  September  7,  1840,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-six  years,  and  his  wife  passed  away  May  19,  1858,  at  the  age  of 
ninety-one  years. 

Of  their  children  Thomas  Fowler  married  Olive  Hale,  of  Hopkinton, 
a  daughter  of  Captain  John  Hale,  who  commanded  a  company  in  the  battle 
of  Bunker  Hill  under  General  Stark.  Thomas  and  Olive  Fowler  became 
the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Olive  B.,  who  was  born  in  Hopkinton, 
New  Hampshire,  July  23,  1812,  and  died  April  22,  1832;  Thomas  Milton, 
was  born  in  Hopkinton,  August  7,  1814,  and  died  March  21,  1899;  Jonathan, 
who  was  born  at  Warner,  New  Hampshire,  Januar}-  27,  181 7,  and  died  in 
Newark,  Illinois,  November  20,  1850.  The  father  of  these  children  died 
in  Newark,  March  16,  1872,  and  his  wife  departed  this  life  at  the  same 
place,  on  the  19th  of  April,  1850. 

Thomas  Milton  Fowler,  their  elder  son,  was  married  November  8,  1849, 
to  Hannah  F.  Phillips,  who  was  born  in  Erie  county,  Pennsylvania,  March 
22,  1 82 1.  Their  children  were  all  natives  of  Newark,  and  in  order  of  birth 
were  as  follows:  Calvin,  born  April  9,  185 1;  Sylvanus,  born  February  10, 
ij8-52;  Olive  and  Orville,  twins,  born  February  11,  1854;  Annie,  who  was 
born  January  11,  1856,  and  died  at  Cambridge,  Massachusetts,  November 
4,  1874;  Emma,  born  December  28.  1857;  William,  bom  August  2,  i860; 
Matilda,  who  was  born  July  11,  1862,  and  died  in  Newark,  Illinois,  March 
3,  1876;  and  Adell,  born  February  i,  1864.  Of  these  children  Calvin,  the 
eldest,  married  Sophronia  Parker,  January  11,  1882,  and  their  children 
are:  Grace  Maude,  born  in  Wisconsin,  January  13,  1883;  Flossey  Pearl, 
who  was  born  at  White  Lake,  South  Dakota,  June  3,  1884,  and  died  on  the 
13th  of' September  of  the  same  year;  and  L.  D.,  who  was  born  in  Ottawa, 
UHnois,  February  6,  1890.  Sylvanus  was  married  January  13,  1875,  to 
Ida  R.  Phillips.  Orville  was  married  November  6,  1878,  to  Amelia  A.  Jones, 
and  their  children  are:  Claude  E.,  who  was  born  in  Newark,  June  16,  1880; 
and  R.  B.,  in  Newark,  July  11,  1885.  Olive  became  the  wife  of  Charles  S. 
Johnson,  January  5,  1881,  and  their  children  are:  Irving  E.,  who  was  born  at 
Fox,  Illinois,  September  18,  1885;  and  Jay  F.,  at  Piano,  Illinois,  June  11, 
1888.,  Emma  married  Edgar  E.  Edgerton,  January  5,  1881.  and  their  chil- 
dren, born  in  Newark,  are:  Glenn  V.,  born  August  7,  1883;  and  Dean, 
May  26,  1889. 

Jonathan  Fowler,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  at  Warner,  New 
Hampshire,  December  27,  18 17,  and  became  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of 
LaSalle  county.  With  his  brother,  Milton  Fowler,  he  came  to  the  west 
about  the  year  1847,  locating  in  JNIission  township,  LaSalle  county,  where 
he  Srpeat  his  remaining  days.    He  was  here  united  in  marriage,  June  9.  1842, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  359 

to  Miss  Sarah  Phillips,  who  was  horn  in  Henniker,  New  Hamp- 
shire. Septemher  24,  1817.  jNIr.  Fowler  died  in  185 1,  but  the  mother  long 
survived  him  and  passed  away  in  Newark,  Illinois,  November  4,  1896. 
Their  children  were  all  born  in  Newark.  John  Hale,  born  March  23,  1845, 
is  now  an  attorney  at  law  of  Ottawa,  Illinois.  He  married  Clara  Wright, 
on  the  9th  of  October,  1872,  and  their  children  are:  Edward  Wright,  who 
was  born  in  Newark,  June  27,  1884;  and  Rex  Hale,  who  was  born  in  Ottawa, 
August  27,  1893.  Chase,  who  was  born  August  15,  1846,  is  a  member  of  the 
legal  profession  of  Ottawa.  He  was  married  November  21,  1879,  to  Mrs. 
JMary  E.  Waterman,  who  died  March  22,  1892,  leaving  two  children,  Eva 
and  Chase,  who  were  born  in  Ottawa,  the  former  September  21,  1880,  the 
latter  February  15,  1883.  For  his  second  wife  Chase  Fowler  wedded  Angle 
Fread,  on  the  24th  of  September,  1895,  and  they  have  a  son,  Lyle  N.,  who 
was  born  in  Ottawa,  Illinois,  June  24,  1896.  Albert  J.,  who  was  born 
August  10,  1848,  is  the  subject  of  this  review.  Jonathan  and  Thomas,  twins, 
complete  the  list  of  children,  and  were  born  July  2,  1850;  but  Thomas  died 
the  following  year.  Jonathan,  who  is  now  a  lawyer  at  the  bar  of  Aurora, 
Illinois,  was  married  March  24,  1 891,  to  Mary  E.  Barnard,  and  they  have  one 
daughter,  Marian  Edna,  who  was  born  in  Illinois,  January  9,  1899. 

Albert  J.  Fowler  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  lessons  of  industry  and 
economy  were  early  impressed  upon  his  mind  and  have  had  marked  bearing 
upon  his  later  life,  causing  him  to  be  a  practical,  energetic  and  success- 
ful man  of  business.  He  was  educated  in  the  schools  near  his  home,  and 
has  spent  his  entire  life  in  Mission  township.  His  diligence  has  been 
unabating,  his  perseverance  continuous,  and  these  qualities,  combined  with 
his  honorable  dealings,  have  secured  to  him  a  fine  property,  so  that  he  is  now 
the  owner  of  one  of  the  valuable  farms  of  the  county. 

Mr.  Fowler  has  been  twice  married.  On  the  nth  of  March,  1873, 
he  led  to  the  marriage  altar  Miss  Frances  Lewis,  who  died  August  27,  1881. 
They  had  two  children — Charles  Milton,  who  w^as  born  in  Newark,  March 
17,  1874,  and  died  November  12,  1874;  and  Edith  Marsellis,  who  was  born 
June  26,  1876,  in  Newark,  and  was  married  January  23,  1895,  to  Stanton 
Sinclair,  a  native  of  Kansas,  and  they  have  one  child,  born  November  27, 
1898.  and  named  Frances  May.  On  the  14th  of  December,  1882,  Mr. 
Fowler  was  again  married,  his  second  union  being  with  Permelia  Jane 
Mason,  and  four  children  have  come  to  bless  their  union,  all  natives  of  New- 
ark, namely:  Emery  Stipp,  born  March  11,  1884;  Milton  Ross,  born  No- 
vember 8,  1885;  Anna  Arvillia,  born  July  3,  1888:  and  Alpha  Armedia, 
born  January  21,  1895. 

Mr,  Fowler  exercises  his  right  of  franchise  in  support  of  the  men 
and  measures  of  the  Democracy,  believing  that  its  principles  contain  the 


36o  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

best  elements  of  good  government.  He  is  a  man  worthy  of  the  esteem  of 
his  fellow  men,  and  in  LaSalle  county,  where  his  entire  life  has  been  passed, 
he  is  widely  and  favorably  known. 


CHARLES  R.  BROWN. 


In  memory  Charles  R.  Brown  can  live  again  the  experiences  of  the 
pioneer  life  in  LaSalle  county  and  recall  the  scenes  and  environments  of 
those  days  on  the  frontier  when  the  work  of  settlement  was  just  beginning 
and  marked  progress  and  advancement  were  still  in  the  future.  His  long 
residence  in  LaSalle  county  has  made  him  widely  known  and  his  upright 
life  has  gained  for  him  the  high  regard  of  all  with  whom  he  has  come  in 
contact. 

A  native  of  Vermont,  he  was  born  in  the  town  of  Brandon,  September 
28.  181 7.  His  parents  were  Micah  and  Phoebe  (Merriam)  Brown.  The 
father  was  born  at  Ashford,  Connecticut,  in  1876,  and  was  descended  from 
Welsh  ancestry.  The  mother  was  a  native  of  Walpole,  New  Hampshire,  and 
was  a  representative  of  an  old  New  England  family,  to  one  of  the  collateral 
branches  of  which  belonged  Ethan  Allen,  the  famous  general  of  the  Revo- 
lution. Charles  R.  Brown  was  the  eighth  in  order  of  birth,  of  a  family  of 
eleven  children,  namely:  James  C,  Evaline,  Caroline,  William  Violet, 
Phoebe  T.,  Cyrus  M.,  Mary,  Charles  R.,  Albert,  Anna  D.,  and  Laura  Eva- 
line.  The  father  of  these  children  resided  in  Brandon,  Vermont,  where  his 
death  occurred  in  1863,  when  he  had  attained  to  the  advanced  age  of  eighty- 
seven  years.  He  served  with  distinction  in  the  war  of  181 2,  rising  to  the 
rank  ol  major. 

Charles  R.  Brown  spent  his  boyhood  days  upon  a  farm,  and  in  the 
common  schools  acquired  his  education.  When  a  youth  of  fourteen  years 
he  accompanied  his  eldest  brother,  the  late  Dr.  James  C.  Brown,  to  Ohio, 
where  he  was  reared  to  manhood.  For  a  time  he  engaged  in  clerking  in 
mercantile  establishments  in  that  locality,  but  devoted  the  greater  part  of  his 
energies  to  agricultural  pursuits.  In  1842  he  was  married  and  began  his 
domestic  life  upon  a  farm.  He  wedded  Miss  Malinda  T.  Dakin,  who  was 
bom  in  Oakland,  Ohio,  and  died  in  LaSalle,  Illinois,  in  1893,  ^t  the  age  of 
sixty-nine  years,  leaving  an  only  child,  now  Mrs.  Clara  Parrish.  In  1852 
Mr.  Brown  and  his  wife  came  to  LaSalle,  but  soon  afterward  he  purchased 
a  farm  near  Princeton,  in  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  where  he  made  his  home 
for  several  years.  On  selling  that  property,  he  bought  land  in  LaSalle 
county,  and  for  many  years  thereafter  was  numbered  among  the  most  suc- 
cessful and  extensive  farmers  and  stock-raisers  of  the  county.     He  entered 


I 


f  y 


^Mo<C^,/^.  f.j^^ 


\ 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  361 

upon  his  business  career  with  no  capital  save  determined  purpose  and  will- 
ingness to  work.  Gradually,  as  the  result  of  his  enterprise  and  economy,  his 
financial  resources  increased  and  he  became  one  of  the  wealthiest  farmers 
of  LaSalle  county.  He  was  never  a  spendthrift,  but  made  good  use  of  his 
money  and  acquired  it  as  the  result  of  industry  and  careful  management. 
He  has  spent  the  last  few  years  in  retirement  from  active  labor,  making  his 
home  in  LaSalle.  He,  however,  yet  retains  the  ownership  of  a  number  of 
farms,  his  landed  possessions  being  quite  extensive. 

Mr.  Brown  has  a  wide  acquaintance  in  this  county  and  is  uniformly  re- 
spected by  those  who  know  him.  He  has  never  sought  political  office, 
preferring  to  devote  his  energies  and  time  to  his  business.  He  has,  how- 
ever, kept  well  informed  on  the  issues  of  the  day  and  has  thus  been  able  to 
give  an  intelligent  support  to  the  party  of  his  choice.  He  cast  his  first 
presidential  vote  for  William  Henry  Harrison,  and  when  the  RepubHcan 
party  was  formed  he  joined  its  ranks  and  has  since  followed  its  banners.  One 
of  his  old-time  acquaintances  said  to  the  writer,  "You  can  find  no  better 
man  in  LaSalle  county  than  Charles  R.  Brown."  He  has  been  a  successful 
farmer,  a  splendid  citizen,  an  honest  and  upright  man  and  a  faithful  friend. 


CHARLES  G.  WERNER. 

Possessing  the  love  and  talent  for  music  which  seems  to  be  the  special 
heritage  of  the  German  people,  Professor  Werner,  of  Ottawa,  has  devoted 
much  of  his  time  to  the  art  and  figures  conspicuously  in  all  local  events  of 
a  musical  nature.  He  is  looked  up  to  and  consulted  in  matters  pertaining  to 
music,  his  opinions  being  considered  authority  on  the  subject. 

John  George  Werner,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  a  native  of  Spangen- 
berg,  near  Cassel,  Germany,  who  for  several  years  served  in  the  standing 
army  of  that  government,  holding  during  his  term  of  service  several  mili- 
tary positions  of  high  honor.  He  was  with  the  famous  Hussars  and  saw  six 
years  of  active  service,  during  which  the  battle  of  Schleswig-Holstein  against 
Denmark  took  place,  in  1848.  He  often  related  reminiscences  of  his  military 
experiences,  in  which  he  took  great  pride.  He  settled  in  this  county  in 
1856,  and  departed  this  life  in  1895,  when  in  his  seventy-first  year.  For  his 
wife  he  married  Anna  Eliza  Kerste,  who  is  a  devoted  Christian  and  earnest 
co-worker  with  the  German  Lutheran  congregation  of  Ottawa,  her  parents 
having  been  very  religious  and  brought  her  up  in  their  faith.  Professor 
Werner's  parents  both  often  spoke  of  the  eight  weeks'  voyage  on  the 
sailing  vessel  on  which  they  crossed  the  Atlantic  ocean  to  the  New  World. 
When  they  arrived  here  in  LaSalle  county  the  Indians  were  still  numerous 


362  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

in  the  vicinity.  Mrs.  Werner  is  still  living,  being  now  sixty-seven  years  of 
age.  These  parents  had  twelve  children,  of  whom  four  have  passed  to  the 
silent  land.  The  survivors  are:  Charles  G.,  the  subject  proper  of  this 
sketch;  Christine;  Henry  G.,  successfully  engaged  in  business  in  Ottawa 
as  a  boot  and  shoe  merchant;  Mrs.  Minnie  Poltrock,  of  Ottawa;  Herman, 
a  grocerj^man  in  Aurora,  this  state;  Mrs.  Martha  Gasser,  of  Ottawa;  Con- 
rad, who  is  clerking  in  his  elder  brother's  shoe  store;   also  George. 

The  birth  of  Mr.  \\'erner  took  place  on  the  Atlantic  ocean,  ]\Iay  26, 
1856,  and  he  passed  his  boyhood  in  Ottawa,  receiving  his  education  in  the 
excellent  public  schools  of  the  place.  His  musical  ability  was  noted  at  an 
early  period,  and  he  received  a  thorough  training  from  competent  teachers. 
In  1884  he  entered  into  business  relations  with  C.  A.  Genold,  a  well  known 
manufacturer  of  pianos  in  Chicago  and  has  represented  the  firm  as  an 
agent  here  ever  since,  selling  various  musical  instruments  and  enjoying  an 
extensive  patronage  as  a  piano-tuner,  in  which  line  he  is  proficient,  having 
made  a  special  study  of  the  difficult  art.  His  diligent  attention  to  the  needs 
and  wishes  of  his  customers,  his  fair  and  courteous  treatment  of  them  and  his 
thorough  knowledge  and  experience  in  his  chosen  field  of  enterprise,  have 
resulted  in  financial  success;  and  whereas  he  was  a  poor  man  a  few  years 
ago  he  now  enjoys  a  remunerative  trade,  etc. 

The  modern,  beautiful  residence  of  Professor  Werner  is  situated  at  No. 
1002  Ottawa  avenue, — elegant  in  all  its  appointments, — and  was  erected  in 
1892,  at  a  cost  of  twelve  thousand  dollars.  Mrs.  Werner,  who  presides 
over  this  attractive  home,  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Eva  L.  Pope;  and  her 
marriage  to  Mr.  Werner  took  place  in  1881,  at  the  home  of  her  stepfather, 
John  Brundage,  of  Miller  township,  this  county.  The  youngest  daughter 
of  Mr.  Werner  and  wife,  Clara  L.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  ten  years,  was  a 
bright,  promising  girl,  and  her  loss  seems  specially  severe.  Adaline  L., 
another  daughter,  now  eighteen  years  of  age,  is  attending  Ferry  Hall 
Seminary  at  Lake  Forest,  being  naturally  a  talented  musician  and  a  skilled 
artist  as  a  pianist. 

Politically  Professor  Werner  is  a  Republican,  and  socially  is  identified 
with  several  of  the  Masonic  bodies,  in  which  he  is  deservedly  popular. 


THOMAS  WRIGHT  ESMOND. 

The  Esmonds  have  performed  their  full  share  toward  the  develop- 
ment of  LaSalle  county,  and  no  more  loyal  citizens  have  ever  dwelt  within 
its  boundaries  from  the  time  when  it  lay  on  the  frontier  of  western  civiliza- 
tion until  the  present  day,  when  it  ranks  among  the  finest  and  most  fertile 
and  resourceful  counties  of  the  great  prairie  state. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  363 

Cornelius  W.  Esmond,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  memoir,  was  one 
of  the  first  settlers  of  Utica  township  and  in  time  became  noted  as  one  of 
its  most  prosperous  agriculturists.  For  a  wife  he  chose  Miss  Anna  Brown, 
and  they  became  the  parents  of  seven  children. 

Thomas  Wright  Esmond,  the  second  son  of  the  worthy  couple  men- 
tioned, was  born  in  Utica  township,  June  4,  1858.  His  judicious  father 
trained  him  well  in  every  department  of  work  pertaining  to  the  cultivation 
and  care  of  a  farm,  and  by  the  time  he  had  arrived  at  his  majority  he  was 
thoroughly  competent  to  undertake  the  management  of  a  large  home- 
stead. He  obtained  a  practical  knowledge  in  the  essential  branches  of  an 
English  education  in  the  schools  of  his  home  district,  and  with  this  as  a  foun- 
dation he  has  become  familiar  with  wider  fields  of  research  and  affairs  of 
moment  to  the  world  in  general.  Since  his  marriage,  some  fifteen  years 
ago,  he  has  conducted  the  farm  which  he  now  owns.  The  place  is  located 
on  both  sides  of  the  road,  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  being-  situated  on 
section  12,  Utica  township,  and  the  remainder,  ninety-seven  acres,  in  Ottawa 
township.  Large  barns  afford  ample  accommodation  for  the  quantities 
of  grain  raised  each  year  on  the  place.  A  high  grade  of  Norman  horses  and 
fine  cattle  are  kept  by  the  progressive  proprietor. 

In  1884  Thomas  W.  Esmond  and  Miss  Anna  Moore  were  united  in 
marriage.  They  have  had  four  children,  namely:  Oakley  W.,  Roy  M., 
Dale  B.,  and  a  little  daughter,  Elva  E.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  five  years. 
Mrs.  Esmond's  parents,  David  and  Elizabeth  (McClure)  Moore,  were  na- 
tives of  Beaver  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  came  to  this  county  in  1855, 
locating  in  Waltham  township. 

Mr.  Esmond  has  never  sought  nor  held  public  office,  his  preference 
being  for  a  quiet,  domestic  life  and  his  time  given  to  his  houshold  and 
private  affairs.  For  greater  freedom  and  liberty  of  action  he  has  remained 
unidentified  with  political  party  organizations,  using  his  vote  independently, 
and  in  the  late  presidential  campaign  he  declared  for  free  silver.  He  pos- 
sesses the  high  regard  of  all  who  are  acquainted  with  him,  and  his  word 
is  considered  to  be  as  good  as  his  bond. 


JOHN  D.  VETTE. 

Though  now  nearing  the  eighty-second  anniversary  of  his  birth,  John 
D.  Vette,  an  honored  old  citizen  of  Ottawa,  is  remarkably  well  preserved 
and  has  the  use  of  all  his  faculties.  He  and  his  estimable  wife  celebrated 
their  golden  wedding  day  on  the  2d  of  September,  1896,  and  the  pleasant 
occasion  will  be  long  remembered  by  the  participants,  children,  grand- 
children,  other  relatives  and   family  friends  who  were  present,  and  who 


364  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

brought  to  the  venerable  couple  substantial  tokens  of  love  and  a  multitude 
of  kind  wishes  for  their  continued  health  and  happiness. 

A  son  of  Charles  and  Angeline  (Brindensek)  Vette,  both  of  whom  were 
natives  of  Germany,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  July  2,  1817,  in 
the  province  of  Hesse-Schaumburg.  Following  in  his  father's  calling,  John 
D.  served  an  apprenticeship  of  three  years  at  the  blacksmith's  trade.  Dur- 
ing this  period  he  was  given  his  board  but  received  no  wages  and  had 
to  furnish  his  own  clothing.  For  some  time  he  then  worked  as  a  journey- 
man, and  the  last  place'  where  he  was  thus  employed  was  at  Hanover.  On 
the  15th  of  March,  1843,  he  embarked  on  a  sailing  vessel  at  Bremen  and 
eight  weeks  later  he  landed  at  New  York.  Thence  he  proceeded  by  steamer 
to  Albany,  by  the  canal  to  Buffalo  and  by  a  sailing  boat  to  Chicago,  and 
was,  altogether,  six  weeks  in  making  the  journey  which  can  now  be  made 
in  less  than  eighteen  hours.  He  arrived  in  Chicago,  June  29,  1843,  ^^^^ 
found  the  place  but  a  scattering  town,  with  Httle  promise  of  the  great  future 
in  store  for  her.  In  1847  the  parents  of  our  subject  came  to  this  country 
and  located  on  a  farm  in  Cook  county,  not  far  from  Chicago,  at  a  place 
called  Schaumburg,  where  many  other  families  from  the  same  neighbor- 
hood in  Germany  had  settled.  There  the  parents  resided  until  their  death. 
After  coming  to  Chicago  John  D.  spent  about  six  weeks  on  farms  in  the 
vicinity,  during  the  harvesting  season,  after  which  he  worked  at  his  trade 
as  a  blacksmith,  in  company  with  a  man  named  S.  Bainard. 

It  was  in  1845  that  Mr.  Vette  came  to  Ottawa,  and  for  three  years 
he  was  in  the  employ  of  the  same  man  with  whom  he  had  been  associated 
in  Chicago.  Our  subject  then  started  a  shop  of  his  own  on  a  small  scale, 
on  Columbus  street,  near  the  Palmer  w'agon  factory,  and  for  several  years 
his  trade  consisted  chiefly  of  shoeing  the  horses  used  on  the  canal.  As  time 
passed  he  prospered,  as  he  deserved  to  do,  and  in  1857  he  erected  a  large 
two-story-and-basement  brick  building  on  Superior  street,  the  cost  thereof 
being  six  thousand  dollars.  The  main  wing  was  eighty  by  forty-five  feet 
in  dimensions.  As  soon  as  the  building  was  completed  the  owner  com- 
menced to  manufacture  wagons  and  continued  in  this  business  for  almost 
half  a  century.  The  workmanship,  material  used  and  everything  connected 
with  the  Vette  wagons  was  of  the  best,  and  all  through  this  region 
and  the  surrounding  counties  the  products  of  the  factory  managed  by  our 
subject  came  into  great  demand.  Mr.  Vette  employed  from  ten  to  fifteen 
men  steadily  and  was  as  faithful  in  the  payment  of  their  wages  and  in  the 
recognition  of  their  rights  as  he  always  was  in  meeting  his  larger  bills  and 
responsibilities.  In  1896  he  retired,  having  amassed  a  competence  for  old 
age,  and  having  long  since  conquered  the  difficulties  which  he  had  at  first 
experienced  as  a  stranger  in  a  strange  land. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  365 

When  he  received  his  right  of  franchise  Mr.  Vette  voted  for  James 
K.  Polk,  and  sided  with  the  Democratic  party,  but  after  the  organization 
of  the  RepiibHcans  he  identified  himself  with  their  political  body,  and  has 
voted  for  its  nominees  down  to  and  including  McKinley. 

Mr.  Vette  married  Miss  Wilhelmina  C.  Ghiske,  a  native  of  Germany, 
born  August  16,  1825,  the  ceremony  which  united  their  destinies  being 
solemnized  in  Cook  county,  September  2,  1846.  Five  children  blessed 
their  union,  namely:  Charlotte,  wife  of  August  Engel;  John  F.;  Sophronia 
J.,  who  married  E.  Engel;  Amelia  and  Julia  C.  John  F.,  the  only  son,  a 
practical  and  skilled  business  man  and  mechanic,  has  been  connected  with 
the  famous  Peter  Schuttler  wagon  factory  in  Chicago,  in  the  capacity  of 
foreman,  for  the  past  twenty  years. 


REV.  N.  J.  LOCKREM. 

Rev.  N.  J.  Lockrem  is  a  well  known  resident  of  Norway,  LaSalle 
county,  and  although  still  a  young  man  has  laid  the  foundation  for  a  life 
of  usefulness  that  will  cause  his  name  to  be  remembered  with  gratitude  by  the 
many  who  have  come  under  his  administration.  He  is  one  of  the  able 
ministers  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  has  charge  of  three  organizations  of 
that  denomination  in  this  county,  and  his  services  in  connection  therewith 
have  been  attended  with  marked  success.  His  field  of  usefulness  is  also 
extended  to  educational  lines  and  he  is  the  founder  of  a  Lutheran  college  in 
Ottawa. 

Rev.  Mr.  Lockrem  was  born  in  Norway,  mentioned  above,  on  the  27th 
of  November,  1863,  and  is  a  son  of  Jorgen  Lockrem,  a  farmer  of  that 
locality.  He  acquired  his  primary  education  in  the  schools  of  Norway  and 
when  quite  young  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  where  he  worked  on  a 
farm  and  engaged  in  teaching  in  order  to  earn  the  means  to  continue  his 
studies.  He  subsequently  added  to  his  knowledge  by  studying  in  Chicago 
and  at  theological  seminaries  in  Minnesota  and  Chicago,  and  after  being 
prepared  for  his  chosen  life  work,  was  ordained  for  the  ministry  in  Fox 
River  church,  in  Illinois,  on  July  12,  1893.  He  has  shown  himself  to  be  a 
speaker  of  force  and  ability  and  of  marked  oratorical  power.  His  discourses 
are  eloquent,  but  he  also  made  his  audiences  through  logical,  well  ex- 
pressed thoughts  which  won  for  him  sympathetic  attention.  Gradually  the 
thought  of  the  need  of  Christian  education  took  possession  of  him  and 
resulted  in  the  establishment  of  the  Lutheran  College  at  Ottawa  and  was 
the  first  one  to  propose  the  establishment  of  a  school  of  this  nature  in  this 
district.     He  also  had  an  extensive  acquaintance  with  schools  of  a  higher 


I 


366  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

instruction  and  is  well  qualified  for  leadership  in  this  work.  Speaking  of 
the  matter  to  a  friend  who  asked  him  what  circumstances  led  to  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  school,  he  said: 

"I  noticed  that  the  people  in  this  district  were  enjoying  considerable 
material  prosperity;  that  in  the  diligent  effort  of  our  people  to  build  up  their 
economic  fortunes  there  was  danger  of  negligence  to  provide  for  the  mental 
and  spiritual  fortunes  of  the  rising  generations.  This  negligence  did  not 
grow  out  of  carelessness  entirely,  but  arose  largely  from  the  force  of  cir- 
cumstances. Although  our  people  rapidly  became  Americanized,  yet  they 
are  conservative  in  matters  of  religious  faith  and  anxious  to  have  their 
children  retain  the  elements  of  faith  in  the  form  held  b)''  the  fathers.  They 
are  therefore  very  careful  in  their  selection  of  schools  to  which  to  send 
their  children.  This  characteristic  I  consider  as  one  of  the  best  among  our 
people.  It  is  a  fact  taught  by  the  history  of  the  church  that  only  those 
who  had  clearly  defined  principles  and  adhered  faithfully  to  them  ever  did 
much  positive  work  in  building  up  the  walls  of  Zion  and  furthering  the 
best  elements  of  civilization  and  progress.  I  knew  there  was  a  vast  amount 
of  pent-up  energy  in  the  minds  of  the  multitudes  of  our  young  generation 
that  only  required  emancipation  in  order  to  become  a  large  force  in  advanc- 
ing their  own  best  interests  and  those  of  humanity  at  large.  To  accomplish 
this  desirable  end  the  most  effective  means  would  be  the  establishment  of  a 
school  in  some  good  center  of  intelligence  and  culture  in  our  district.  I 
noticed  that  communities  of  our  people  in  other  states  had  tried  the  same 
experiment  and  had  been  very  successful.  I  accordingly  made  up  my 
mind  to  make  an  attempt  in  this  direction.  In  the  latter  half  of  1892  I  com- 
municated my  thoughts  to  some  of  my  friends  privately.  I  will  mention 
among  these  particularly,  the  Rev.  INIr.  Ellestad,  who  was  a  pastor  formerly 
in  my  present  charge,  and  who  was  at  that  time  superintendent  of  missions 
in  the  United  Norwegian  Lutheran  church  of  America.  Traveling  from 
the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific  coast  in  the  performance  of  his  duties,  he  had 
excellent  opportunities  of  observation  upon  the  enterprises  and  successes  of 
our  people  everywhere,  as  well  as  of  knowing  their  needs.  He  was  well 
acquainted  in  this  district  and  expressed  the  opinion  that  a  school  of  this 
nature  was  strongly  in  demand.  He  encouraged  me  to  go  forward  in 
my  plan.  Other  friends  gave  similar  encouragement.  In  Stevens'  Grove, 
on  the  4th  of  July,  1893,  I  made  the  first  expression  of  my  thoughts  to  a 
public  audience.  Some  of  the  leading  men  present  afterward  expressed 
to  me  their  hearty  approval  of  the  thought  and  encouraged  a  prosecution 
of  the  plan.  Later  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year,  at  our  semi-annual  district 
meeting,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Aarrestad,  in  introducing  the  question  of  the  proper 
education   and   culture   of  our  young  people,  took  occasion  to  propound 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  367 

quite  fully  the  idea  of  estal)lishing  such  a  school  in  our  midst.  At  that 
meeting  was  appointed  the  first  committee  to  investigate  the  matter  and 
take  such  preliminary  movement  as  its  wisdom  might  dictate." 

Thus  the  idea  of  the  college  took  root.  It  has  required  earnest,  arduous 
and  continuous  labor  to  place  it  upon  a  firm  foundation,  but  with  unremitting 
zeal  Rev.  Mr.  Lockrem  undertook  the  task  and  carried  it  forward  to  success- 
ful completion.  To-day  it  stands  as  a  monument  to  his  Christian  zeal,  his 
enterprise  and  devotion  to  the  needs  of  the  community.  The  school  is 
now  well  organized  in  its  various  departments  and  is  under  the  guidance 
of  careful  instructors,  who  give  attention  not  only  to  the  mental  develop- 
ment of  the  pupils  but  also  to  their  spiritual  growth  and  welfare. 

On  the  19th  of  May,  1893,  Rev.  Mr.  Lockrem  led  to  the  marriage  altar 
Miss  Caroline  Bergslie,  who  was  born  in  Norway  and  was  educated  in 
Ch.icago.  She  is  a  most  estimable  lady  and  an  invaluable  aid  to  her  husband 
in  his  work.  Two  children,  a  daughter  and  a  son,  have  been  born  to 
them:  Gertie  Lydia,  born  January  i,  1896;  and  Noble  Gerhard,  born  Sep- 
tember 19,  1897. 

Rev.  Mr.  Lockrem  has  few  idle  moments,  but  is  never  so  busy  but  that 
he  finds  time  to  give  willing  aid  to  any  who  come  to  him  for  counsel  and 
guidance.  He  is  a  man  of  broad  views  and  is  deservedly  a  favorite  with  all 
who  have  come  in  contact  with  him,  his  strong  personality  exerting  a 
powerful  influence  for  good. 


JAMES  M.  GATCHELL. 


Forty-two  years  have  passed  since  James  M.  Gatchell  came  to  LaSalle 
county,  and  he  has  therefore  been  a  witness  of  the  greater  part  of  its  devel- 
opment and  upbuilding.  He  has  seen  its  wild  lands  transformed  into  beauti- 
ful homes  and  farms,  its  hamlets  grow  into  thriving  towns  and  cities,  and 
has  witnessed  the  introduction  of  many  and  varied  business  enterprises, 
including  the  railroad,  the  telegraph  and  the  telephone.  As  an  agriculturist 
he  has  assisted  in  reclaiming  the  wild  land  for  purposes  of  civilization  and 
is  to-day  numbered  among  the  leading  agriculturists  of  Brookfield  town- 
ship. 

Mr.  Gatchell  was  born  in  the  township  of  Wales,  county  of  Lincoln, 
near  Bowdoinham,  Maine,  February  9,  1839,  ^"d.  is  a  representative  of 
an  old  family  of  English  origin.  His  father,  Aaron  Gatchell,  was  born 
March  11,  1800,  and  was  reared  in  Maine.  He  married  Miss  Adah  Witterell, 
of  Lincoln  county,  Maine,  and  in  order  to  support  his  family  engaged 
in  farming,  although  he  was  a  sawyer  by  trade.     Nine  children  were  born 


368  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

of  the  marriage:  Betsy,  who  is  living  at  Clear  Lake,  Iowa;  Martha,  who 
lives  in  Richmond,  Maine;  Isaac,  who  was  a  veteran  of  the  civil  war  and 
a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  Post  at  Pontiac,  Illinois,  and  died  in  Odell, 
this  state;  Sewell  B.,  a  merchant  of  Freeport,  Illinois;  Charles,  who  is  living 
on  the  old  homestead  in  Maine;  Miss  Vesta,  who  lives  in  Lynn,  Massachu- 
setts; Mellen  M.,  who  died  in  Story,  Illinois;  Lettice,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  thirteen  years;  and  James  M.,  who  is  the  subject  of  this  biographical 
notice.  In  his  political  views  the  father  of  these  children  was  a  Jackson 
Democrat  until  Abraham  Lincoln  became  a  candidate  for  the  presidency, 
when  he  joined  the  ranks  of  the  Republican  party.  In  his  religious  views  he 
was  a  Baptist.  He  died  June  2,  1878,  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight  years,  and 
his  wife  passed  away  March  16,  1889,  at  the  age  of  eighty-one  years. 

Upon  the  old  homestead  farm  in  Maine  James  M.  Gatchell  spent  the 
days  of  his  boyhood  and  youth,  and  in  the  common  schools  of  the  neigh- 
borhood he  acquired  his  education.  When  eighteen  years  of  age  he  bade 
adieu  to  home  and  friends,  and  leaving  the  Pine  Tree  state  came  to  Illinois, 
locating  in  LaSalle  county,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  On  the 
14th  of  August,  1862,  however,  he  put  aside  all  personal  considerations  to  aid 
his  country  in  her  efforts  to  preserve  the  Union  and  became  a  member  of 
Company  F,  One  Hundred  and  Fourth  Illinois  Infantry,  under  command  of 
Captain  J.  J.  McHernan,  Colonel  Moore  and  Lieutenant  Hapeman,  of  Ot- 
tawa. He  participated  in  twenty-one  engagements  with  the  enemy,  includ- 
ing the  battle  of  Harville,  Tennessee,  where  on  the  7th  of  December,  1862, 
he  was  taken  prisoner.  The  following  month,  however,  he  was  exchanged, 
and  later  he  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Chickamauga,  Lookout  Mountain 
and  Missionary  Ridge.  In  the  last  named  he  was  slightly  wounded,  and 
at  the  battle  of  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Georgia,  July  21,  1864,  he  was  seriously 
wounded,  which  forced  him  to  remain  in  the  hospital  for  nine  months. 
He  was  honorably  discharged  March  4,  1865,  and  returned  to  his  home  in 
LaSalle  county,  carrying  with  him  a  bullet  wound  six  by  eight  inches. 
He  had  been  a  soldier  loyal  and  true,  and  his  name  deserves  a  place  upon 
the  honored  roll  of  the  Union's  defenders. 

When  he  had  sufficiently  recovered  his  health  Mr.  Gatchell  began  farm- 
ing. In  1866  he  located  upon  a  seventy-acre  tract  of  land  in  Brookfield 
township,  and  in  1878  he  purchased  his  present  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
forty  acres,  succeeding  James  J.  McCully  in  its  ownership.  This  farm  is  now 
under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  being  divided  into  good  fields  and  pasture 
lands.  The  house  is  a  modern  residence  and  the  farm  buildings  are  in 
good  condition,  indicating  the  careful  supervision  of  a  progressive  owner. 

On  the  27th  of  October,  1867,  Mr.  Gatchell  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Catherine  Rose,  a  representative  of  a  family  of  high  respectability. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  369 

She  \vas  born  in  New  York  and  is  a  daughter  of  Washington  and  Maria 
(Balsh)  Rose,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  the  Empire  state  and  early 
settlers  of  LaSalle  county.  They  had  eight  children:  William  Henry,  of 
Brookfield  township,  LaSalle  county;  Mrs.  Gatchell;  Albert  D.  (ist),  de- 
ceased; Albert  D.  (2d),  who  is  living  in  Brookfield  township;  Truman  D., 
of  Boulder,  Colorado;  Ellen,  who  died  at  the  age  of  ten  years;  George,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  thirty-nine  years,  leaving  a  widow  and  five  children; 
and  Emma,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-seven  years.  The  father's  death 
occurred  when  he  was  seventy-three  years  of  age.  By  occupation  he  was 
a  farmer,  following  that  pursuit  throughout  his  life.  In  his  political  views 
he  was  a  Republican  and  in  religious  faith  both  he  and  his  wife  were 
Methodists.  Mrs.  Rose  is  still  living,  at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-eight 
years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gatchell  are  the  parents  of  six  children,  three  no>v 
living, — Cora  Delia,  Charles  Albert  and  Chester  Edward.  Those  deceased 
are  William  Edward  and  William  James,  who  died  in  infancy;  and  Adah 
Maria,  who  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen  months. 

Mr.  Gatchell  has  been  a  stanch  Republican  since  casting  his  first  presi- 
dential vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln.  He  has  served  in  several  township  offices 
and  is  now  school  director.  He  belongs  to  Joseph  Woodworth  Post,  No. 
281,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Marseilles,  and  his  wife  and  daughter  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church.  The  family  hold  a  high  position  in  social  circles  and 
have  the  warm  regard  of  all  who  know  them. 


JULIUS   H.   WHEELER. 

Mr.  Wheeler  controls  one  of  the  leading  industrial  concerns  of  Mar- 
seilles, LaSalle  county,  having  been  engaged  for  a  number  of  years  in  the 
manufacture  of  brick  and  tile  at  that  place.  His  close  application  and  strong 
determination,  so  necessary  to  a  successful  business  career,  have  proved 
potent  elements  in  securing  to  him  a  comfortable  competence.  He  came 
to  Illinois  from  New  England,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  Hydeville, 
Rutland  county,  Vermont,  on  the  30th  of  June,  1853.  He  is  a  son  of 
Nicholas  and  Nancy  Ann  (Thatcher)  Wheeler,  the  former  a  native  of 
Rutland  county  and  the  latter  of  Ticonderoga,  New  York.  In  their  family 
were  two  sons  and  three  daughters,  namely:  Mrs.  Nancy  Coleman,  Julius 
H.,  Mrs.  Harriet  Powell,  Mrs.  Jennie  Bull  and  Fred  H.  In  1864  the  father 
removed  to^  Illinois,  and  his  last  days  were  spent  in  Livingston  county, 
this  state,  where  his  death  occurred  in  1866. 

Julius  H.  Wheeler  acquired  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  that 
county,  to  which  place  he  accompanied  his  parents  when  about  nine  years  of 


370  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

a;g€.  There  he  grew  to  man's  estate  and  in  1895  he  took  charge  of  the 
brick  and  tile  factory  in  which  he  has  since  carried  on  an  extensive  business, 
his  patronage  steadily  increasing.  He  finds  a  ready  market  for  his  products, 
awing  to  their  excellent  quality,  and  the  output  of  the  factory  is  now  very 
large.  The  plant  was  established  some  twenty  years  ago,  by  Mr.  Layman, 
and  is  now  the  best  equipped  factory  in  this  part  of  Illinois.  The  annual 
returns  are  two  thousand  dollars  each  season,  and  the  superior  quality  of  the 
brick  sold  insures  a  continuous  demand. 

Mr.  Wheeler  entered  the  matrimonial  state  on  the  22d  of  December, 
1874,  his  bride  being  Miss  Ida,  daughter  of  S.  M.  Rodgers.  Seven  children 
have  blessed  their  union,  namely:  Fred  E..  born  December  3,  1875;  Elmer 
A.,  February  i,  1877;  Ernest  R.,  March  7,  1881;  Lucy  A.,  July  19,  1883; 
Ida  May.  who  was  born  August  8,  1886,  and  died  at  the  age  of  one  year, 
eight  months  and  nine  days;  Harry  E.,  born  April  23,  1893;  and  Elma  E., 
born  September  22,  1895. 

Mr.  Wheeler  is  a  prominent  member  of  Shabbona  Camp,  No.  258, 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  In  his  political  adherency  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican. He  is  one  of  the  most  enterprising  business  men  of  the  county,  and 
is  public-spirited  and  liberal,  contributing  in  many  ways  to  the  growth  and 
upbuilding  of  the  community. 


JOHN    BOWEN. 


John  Bowen,  a  son  of  the  pioneer,  Hiram  Bowen,  will  form  the  subject 
pftliis  memoir.  He  was  born  in  Kane  county,  Illinois,  February  8,  1839, 
reared  and  educated  a  farmer  boy  and  now  owns  and  manages  the  old  family 
h-omestead.  In  his  youth  he  attended  school  and  improved  his  every  oppor- 
tunity to  acquire  knowledge.  His  first  impressions  were  that  school  was  a 
good  place  for  a  boy  and  that  study  was  one  process  of  mind  development 
and  culture.  His  favorite  study  was  mathematics,  and  he  was  not  only  a 
master  of  this  branch  himself  while  in  school,  but  he  also  had  time  to  aid  the 
larger  pupils  and  frequently  the  teacher,  as  well.  At  twenty  years  of  age 
Mr.  Bowen  was  obliged  to  quit  school  and  take  a  permanent  and  continuous 
interest  in  farming.  As  time  went  on  and  his  financial  position  became 
more  independent  he  turned  his  attention  to  cattle-feeding  and  still  later  to 
toying  and  shipping  live  stock,  and  he  remained  in  this  lucrative  business 
for  many  years. 

Mr.  Bowen  remained  a  single  man  until  December.  1898,  when  he 
married  Susan  Edwinson,  the  daughter  of  a  Norwegian  school  teacher. 
Mrs.  Bowen  is  fortv-two  vears  of  asfe  and  is  a  native  of  the  United  States.' 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  371 

Our  subject's  identity  with  political  matters  has  been  confined  to  voting. 
He  has"  never  cared  to  hold  public  office, — in  fact  is  not  constructed  in  the 
lines  necessary  for  a  public  servant.  He  is  one  of  the  well  posted  men, 
historically,  of  the  town,  and  while  he  may  have  no  particular  pride  on  that 
account  it  is  certainly  a  source  of  great  satisfaction  to  him  to  be  able  to 
recall,  with  accuracy,  the  important  events  that  have  entered  into  the  history 
of  our  country  and  speak  of  them  as  if  they  were  of  the  living  present.  He 
has  strong  convictions  on  political  questions,  which  his  own  experience  and 
study  warrant  him  in  defending.  His  first  presidential  vote  was  cast  for 
the  martvred  Lincoln,  and  his  last  for  William  McKinlev,  who  he  believes 
ranks  with  the  first  president  of  the  Republican  party  in  statesmanship 
and  patriotism.  He  believes  in  the  policy  of  expansion  practiced  by  the 
present  administration  and  forced  upon  it  by  existing  circumstances  con- 
nected with  the  late  Spanish  war.  Defensive  expansion,  in  the  interests 
of  humanity,  is  a  national  virtue  that  is  entirely  novel,  and  one  in  which  the 
United  States  has  the  distinction  of  being  the  pioneer,  thinks  Mr.  Bowen. 
These  conclusions  are  not  arrived  at  by  mere  speculation  and  fanciful 
theories,  but  by  a  good  knowledge  of  the  history  of  all  nations  and  the  light 
of  an  advanced  Christian  civilization. 


FRIDTHGOF  G.  ARNTZEN. 

Fridthgof  George  Arntzen,  a  retired  merchant  of  Serena,  was  born  in 
the  parish  of  Flagstad  in  the  northern  part  of  Norway,  December  19,  1847. 
His  father,  Andrew  Arntzen,  was  a  merchant,  and  our  subject  was  reared 
and  trained  in  that  line  of  business.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  years  he  left 
school  and  became  a  bookkeeper  in  the  office  of  a  merchant  at  Bergen, 
Norway.  Upon  finishing  his  engagement  there,  in  1869,  he  joined  a  com- 
pany of  young  people  who  were  emigrating  to  the  United  States.  He 
embarked  from  Bergen  on  the  sailing  vessel  Valkyren,  bound  for  Quebec, 
and  after  five  long  weeks  of  water  journey  he  landed,  on  the  i6th  of  June. 
He  continued  his  journey  by  rail  to  Chicago,  went  to  Wisconsin  and  found 
work  on  a  farm  that  fall  and  winter.  He  had  heard  so  many  roseate  accounts 
of  the  south  that  he  went  to  Mississippi,  where  he  secured  work  on  a  planta- 
tion. This  was  too  far  south  for  a  man  born  in  sight  of  an  iceberg  and 
reared  in  the  pure  air  of  pine-and-hemlock-perfumed  Norway;  so,  by  the 
middle  of  the  following  December,  he  made  his  way  back  to  Chicago.  In 
the  spring  of  1871  he  came  to  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  and  clerked  for  a 
time  in  the  village  of  Norway.  He  came  to  Serena,  March  13  of  that  year, 
and  then  began  clerking  for  Mason  &  Schlenbusch,  and  later  for  Mr.  Mason. 


372 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


In  1882  Mr.  Arntzen  succeeded  Mr.  Mason,  by  purchase,  and  conducted  a 
general  merchandise  business  just  ten  years,  retiring  in  1892. 

The  date  of  Mr.  Arntzen's  marriage  was  June  27,  1882.  He  chose  for 
his  companion  Henrietta,  a  daughter  of  John  D.  Hoxsey.  The  latter  was 
born  in  Williamstown,  Massachusetts,  August  3,  1812,  and  came  to  Illinois 
about  1840,  settling  in  Serena,  and  became  one  of  her  prosperous  and  pro- 
gressive citizens.  He  was  a  fine  business  man  and  became,  in  general  stand- 
ing, one  of  the  first  men  in  the  place.  He  died  February  23,  1881.  His 
wife  was  by  maiden  name  Elizabeth  Beem.  Their  children  were:  Henry, 
who  died  in  the  army  during  the  civil  war  period;  Frances  E.,  deceased; 
Henrietta,  born  April  10,  1849;  Fremont;  Lincoln;  Fannie  E.,  the  wife  of 
Ed.  S.  Jacobs.  Mrs.  Hoxsey  died  October  27,  1886.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Arntzen 
are  the  parents  of  John  Decatur,  born  1883;  Mary  E.,  born  in  1884;  and 
Richard,  born  in  1891. 

In  national  matters  Mr.  Arntzen  has  identified  himself  with  the  Repub- 
lican party.  By  his  strict  attention  to  business,  as  well  as  by  his  deahngs 
with  his  neighbors  and  friends,  he  has  shown  himself  to  be  a  gentleman  of  the 
first  order  and  one  worthy  of  the  confidence  of  the  public.  He  adopted 
American  ways  and  habits  and  early  became  as  thorough  an  American  as 
if  born  in  this  country.  He  has  never  sought  nor  favored  publicity  for 
himself,  preferring  to  remain  a  quiet  and  modest  man  of  afifairs.  Unlike 
many  other  foreign-born  people,  the  Scandinavians  come  gracefully  under 
the  flag  of  this  nation  and  prefer  to  become  as  one  among  us.  They  are 
a  portion  of  the  best  of  our  adopted  brotherhood. 


HON.  JOHN  McLAUCHLAN. 

"Honest  John  McLauchlan,"  as  he  is  familiarly  called  by  his  numerous 
friends  and  admirers,  is  now  acting  as  a  representative  in  the  state  legislature 
from  the  twenty-seventh  senatorial  district  of  Illinois.  He  is  a  man  who 
comes  from  the  ranks  of  toil  and  whose  proudest  boast  is  that  he  is  of  and 
for  the  working  men.  By  his  own  exertions  and  indefatigable  energy  he  has 
educated  himself,  becoming  well  informed  upon  the  great  questions  of  the 
day,  and  by  his  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  problems  and  needs  of  the 
toilers  and  masses  is  enabled  to  speak  with  authority  in  their  behalf. 

The  ancestors  of  our  subject,  upon  both  the  paternal  and  maternal  lines, 
were  purely  Celtic  in  origin.  His  parents,  Daniel  and  Elizabeth  (McCrae) 
McLauchlan,  were  natives  of  Scotland,  the  former  coming  from  the  agri- 
cultural class  and  the  latter's  relatives  being  more  given  to  mechanics  and 
trades.    The  paternal  great-grandfather  of  our  subject  operated  the  second 


£■■■ 


.^^f 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  373 

blasting  engine  ever  used  in  Scotland  in  the  smelting  of  iron.  In  his  early 
manhood  Daniel  McLauchlan  was  engaged  in  agriculture,  but  later  he  turned 
his  attention  to  iron-mining  and  devoted  himself  to  that  line  of  business  for 
over  a  quarter  of  a  century.  Both  he  and  his  wife  died  in  their  native  land, 
where  they  had  led  worthy,  upright  lives. 

John  ^klcLauchlan,  whose  birth  occurred  January  27,  1840,  is  one  of 
seven  children  who  attained  maturity,  and  is  the  only  representative  of  the 
family  in  America.  He  attended  school  until  he  was  ten  years  of  age  only, 
and  was  then  obliged  to  begin  learning  how  to  mine  iron  ore.  He  worked 
industriously  at  this  calling  in  Scotland  until  1869.  when  he  came  to  the 
United  States,  hoping  to  better  his  condition  and  to  enjoy  the  blessings  of  a 
free  country.  At  first  he  made  his  home  in  Pennsylvania,  whence  he  came 
to  Illinois  early  in  the  '70s,  and  since  the  Centennial  year  he  has  dwelt  in 
LaSalle.  with  the  interests  of  which  community  he  is  actively  identified. 
For  five  years  after  coming  here  he  was,  as  formerly,  occupied  in  mining. 
In  the  spring  of  1881  he  was  elected  a  supervisor  of  LaSalle  township,  and 
has  served  in  that  capacity  ever  since.  He  is  strongly  in  favor  of  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Democratic  party  and  is  a  believer  in  free  silver.  In  1894  he 
was  elected  to  the  legislature,  and  upon  the  expiration  of  his  term  was 
honored  by  re-election  in  1896,  and  again  in  1898.  As  may  be  surmised, 
he  is  particularly  active  in  labor  organizations  and  in  all  movements  which 
he  believes  will  benefit  the  laboring  class. 

Before  leaving  his  native  land,  Mr.  McLauchlan  married  Miss  Sibelle 
McBeth,"who  died  in  Pennsylvania  in  1871.  The  only  child  of  this  union, 
Daniel  McLauchlan,  is  now  living  in  Indian  Territory.  In  1873  our  subject 
was  married,  in  Illinois,  to  Miss  Mary  Arbuckle,  who  was  a  native  of  Glas- 
gow, Scotland,  and  whose  death  occurred  in  1891.  She  left  three  sons  and 
a  daughter  to  mourn  her  loss,  namely:  Robert,  James,  Andrew,  and  Katie. 
In  1893  Mr.  McLauchlan  married  Elizabeth  Fleming,  who  was  born  in 
England  and  came  to  the  United  States  with  her  parents  when  two  years  of 
age.  Her  father,  William  Fleming,  was  an  early  settler  and  a  successful 
farmer  of  Dimmick  township. 


HENRY  K.  PARR. 


This  widely  known  and  popular  retired  agriculturist  of  Serena  belongs 
to  one  of  the  earliest  families,  who  made  up  the  vanguard  in  the  settlement 
of  LaSalle  county.  He  was  born  in  Rutland  township,  this  county,  Decem- 
ber 22,  1830.  His  father,  William  Parr,  was  born  in  Licking  county,  Ohio, 
reared  there  and  brought  up  to  do  farm  labor.     He  came  to  LaSalle  county 


374  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

in  October,  1830,  and  at  once  began  to  subdue  the  new  prairie  country  by 
the  improvement  of  his  farm.  Being  the  offspring  of  a  sturdy  foreigner, 
he  inherited  an  industrious  disposition.  His  father  was  an  Irishman,  of  the 
working  class,  just  the  station  from  which  to  select  material  for  good  citizen- 
ship in  a  free  land. 

William  Parr  married  Sally  Trumbo,  whose  people  were  numbered 
among  LaSalle  county's  settlers  before  the  Indian  tribes  had  yet  forsaken 
the  territory.  They  were  Alsatian  people,  speaking  probably  the  French 
tongue,  and  their  descendants  are  numerous  and  prominent  in  the  county 
to-day.  William  Parr  passed  from  the  scenes  of  earth  in  1859,  and  his  good 
wife  in  1896.  Their  children  were:  Henry  K.;  Isabel,  deceased,  who 
married  Orson  Potter;  Samuel  Parr,  of  Ottawa;  Mary,  the  wife  of  Samuel 
Groves,  of  Utica;  and  John,  deceased. 

Henry  K.  Parr's  childhood  was  at  a  time  when  playmates  were  scarce, 
and  therefore  he  became  intimate  with  the  little  Indian  boys,  while  his  school 
days  were  passed  in  the  old-time  log  cabin,  where  he  underwent  about  as 
great  development  from  the  pure  air  and  hickory  gad  as  he  did  from  the 
open  text-book  before  him  on  the  primitive  slab  desk.  When  it  is  remem- 
bered that  there  was  but  one  other  white  family  on  the  north  side  of  the 
Illinois  river  between  Ottawa  and  Chicago,  one  can  form  some  idea  how 
much  nature  had  to  do  with  the  early  training  of  our  subject. 

Mr.  Parr  began  life  for  himself  in  Rutland  townshij:)  of  this  county, 
where,  September  8,  1853,  he  married  Elsie,  a  daughter  of  J.  S.  Armstrong, 
being  the  first  native-born  LaSalle  county  people  to  be  married  here.  His 
beginning  in  life  was  very  modest.  A  log  cabin,  a  stove  and  the  plainest 
of  home-made  furniture,  being  the  only  ornaments  his  farm  home  possessed. 
He  came  to  Serena  in  the  excessively  cold  and  snowy  month  of  January, 
1855,  ^i""^^  located  on  what  is  now  known  as  one  of  the  ideal  farms  of  the 
township.     He  owns  a  half-section  farm,  from  which  he  retired  in  1890. 

Mrs.  Parr  died  February  9,  1889.  Her  children  were:  Florence  May, 
the  wife  of  Walter  D.  Strawn,  of  Ottawa,  Illinois;  Ida  D.,  the  wife  of 
James  W.  Hupp,  of  McCook,  Nebraska;  Cora  D.,  the  wife  of  W.  B.  Miller, 
of  Chicago;  Estella,  the  wife  of  Dr.  Logan,  of  Aurora,  Illinois;  and  John  S., 
deceased,  who  married  Laura  Leonard.  Our  subject's  second  wife  was 
Mrs.  Mary  Maar,  a  sister  of  John  Louis  Marshall,  of  Serena.  They  were 
married  in  1891.  Mrs.  Parr's  first  husband  was  John  Maar,  who  died  leaving 
three  daughters,  viz.,  Mary,  Rosie  and  Lizzie. 

Be  it  said  to  his  credit,  Mr.  Parr  has  ever  done  his  share  toward  the 
public  service  of  his  town.  He  has  filled  the  offices  of  town  clerk,  assessor, 
justice  of  the  peace  and  commissioner.  Politically  he  is  a  "naturally  born'' 
Democrat  and  as  he  remarked  to  one  interviewing  him,  'T  was  chopped 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  375 

out  of  a  basswood  log  and  fed  on  Democratic  nourishment  and  breathed 
the  Democratic  air."  Indeed  it  is  as  natural  for  him  to  be  a  Democrat  as  it  is 
for  a  duck  to  take  to  water.  He  is  outspoken  and  plain;  everybody  knows 
his  views,  and  where  he  stands,  and  he  expresses  himself  in  the  vernacular — 
adjective,  expletives  and  all — common  to  the  time  of  his  bringing  up. 

George  Gallow^ay,  born  in  1827;  H.  K.  Parr,  born  in  1830,  and  H.  H. 
Holdridge.  born  in  1831,  were  the  first  three  white  male  children  born  in 
LaSalle  county.  They  remained  in  it  to  be  fifty  years  of  age  and  had  their 
pictures  taken  to^^ther  in  1883! 


HENRY   BOWEN. 


Henry  Bowen,  the  supervisor  of  the  town  of  Serena  and  one  of  the 
most  thrifty  and  prominent  tillers  of  LaSalle  county  soil,  was  born  in  Kane 
county,  Illinois,  December  16,  1834.  His  father  was  one  of  the  truly  pioneer 
band  in  this  state,  coming  to  its  broad  and  fertile  domain  in  1833.  He  hailed 
from  Washington  county.  New  York,  reaching  Illinois  before  the  govern- 
ment had  yet  sectionized  the  land.  He  took  a  claim  and  resided  on  the 
same  until  the  year  1845,  wiien  he  came  to  LaSalle  county  and  settled  on 
a  farm  in  Mission  township.  He  possessed  moderate  means  when  he  left 
his  native  state  and  was  considered  a  well-to-do  man  in  Illinois.  He  devoted 
his  time  and  tact  to  farming,  and  no  political  or  other  movement  attracted 
him  in  the  least.  The  nominees  of  the  Whig  party  constituted  his  ticket, 
but  he  never  suffered  his  name  to  be  up  for  local  office. 

The  Bowen  family  originally  came  from  Wales.  Samuel  Bowen.  our 
subject's  grandfather,  was  born  in  the  state  of  New;  York,  of  Welsh 
parentage.  The  exact  advent  to  America  is  not  known,  but  it  is  nearly  cer- 
tain that  it  was  prior  to  our  Revolutionary  conflict.  Hiram  Bowen,  the 
father  of  our  subject,  was  forty-nine  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  death,  in 
1854.  He  married  Olive  Niles,  of  Bennington,  Vermont,  and  she  departed 
this  life  in  1883.  Her  children  were  Henry,  John  and  Thomas.  The  last 
named  served  as  a  member  of  the  Thirty-sixth  Illinois  Infantry  in  the  army 
of  the  Tennessee,  during  the  civil  war.  He  participated  in  the  heavy  engage- 
ments at  Chickamauga,  Missionary  Ridge,  Lookout  Mountain,  etc.,  ex- 
posure during  which  injured  his  health  so  that  he  died  early  in  life's  careen, 

Mr.  Bowen  spent  his  youthful  days  upon  his  father's  farm,  and  besides 
obtaining  a  good  practical  knowledge  of  the  successful  management  of  the 
same  he  acquired,  at  the  common  district  school,  a  somewhat  limited  knowl- 
edge of  the  common  branches  of  learning.  As  he  briefly  puts  it,  "Experience 
has  been  my  best  teacher."     He  located  on  his  present  fine  farm  about 


376  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

1850,  and  in  its  wild  state  began  the  long  years  of  ceaseless  toil,  by  which  he 
has  made  it  one  of  the  best  equipped  farms  in  the  town.  He  owns  a  four- 
hundred-acre  tract  here  and  a  six-hundred-acre  tract  near  Hastings, 
Nebraska. 

Every  true  American  citizen  has  his  political  party  choice,  and  in  the 
case  of  our  subject  he  affiliates  with  the  Republican  party.  About  1883  he 
was  elected  the  supervisor  of  his  town  and  has  served  ever  since.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  board  of  supervisors  during  the  time  the  county  buildings 
were  being  constructed, — the  court  house,  jail,  and  county  asylum, — and 
his  suggestions  were  then  and  are  now  a  valuable  aid  in  the  proper  conduct 
of  the  business  of  the  public.  He  is  the  capable  secretary  of  the  Farmers' 
Insurance  Company,  capitalized  at  one  million  dollars,  and  it  is  doing  a 
good  business  in  LaSalle  county. 

The  death  angel  visited  the  home  of  our  subject  in  1871,  claiming  Mrs. 
Bowen,  to  whom  he  was  united  in  marriage  in  1869.  Mrs.  Martha  Bowen 
was  the  daughter  of  Jesse  Davidson,  who  came  to  Illinois  from  Ohio.  By 
her  death  she  left  a  daughter,  Harriet,  now  the  wife  of  Thomas  Duffy,  of 
Serena. 


CHARLES  H.  HOAG. 


Charles  H.  Hoag,  of  Serena,  was  born  in  Delaware  county.  New  York, 
May  18,  1821,  was  reared  and  obtained  his  education  in  his  native  state 
and  learned  to  farm  from  his  father.  His  father,  Amos  Hoag,  was  born 
on  Quaker  Hill,  on  the  line  between  Connecticut  and  New  York.  He  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Haynes.  In  his  politics  he  was  originally  a  Whig  but  later 
a  Republican;  and  he  died  in  1856.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Amos  Hoag'  were  the 
parents  of  the  following  children:  Albert,  who  died  in  LaSalle  county,  in 
185 1 ;  George,  wdio  died  in  Serena,  in  1869;  Mark,  who  died  in  1884; 
Charles  H.;  Henry,  who  died  in  1856;  Cynthia,  deceased:  Cyrus,  of  Dela- 
ware county.  New  York;  and  Jane,  deceased.  Our  subject's  paternal  grand- 
father, Timothy  Hoag,  was  a  farmer,  of  the  good  old  Quaker  faith,  and  died 
in  Columbia  county.  New  York.  His  wife  was  a  Miss  Weed,  and  one  of 
their  children,  Gilbert,  came  west  and  died  in  LaSalle  county,  Illinois. 

Charles  H.  Hoag  came  to  Illinois  when  twenty-eight  years  of  age, 
hoping  to  find  a  broader  field  with  better  opportunities  for  gaining  a  compe- 
tency than  the  overcrowded  east  then  afforded.  Illinois  was  already  known 
as  the  "garden  spot  of  the  west."  But  before  permanently  locating  he  spent 
four  years  in  Michigan,  going  to  that  state  in  1845,  stopping  in  St.  Joseph 
county,  where  he  was  married,  in  1847,  to  Hellen  Robinson;  and  they  came 
to  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  in  1849,  by  wagon,  and  settled  on  a  rented  farm 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  377 

in  Dayton  townshi])  and  began  life  in  earnest.  After  four  years  of  steady 
toil  be  purchased  tbe  farm  be  still  owns,  adjoining  the  town  plat  of  Serena. 
Here  forty-six  years  of  bis  life  bave  been  spent.  Being  public-spirited  he 
has  ever  done  bis  share  toward  tbe  upbuilding  of  his  home  town.  In  politics 
he  of  whom  we  write  was  first  a  Whig  and  later  entered  tbe  Republican  ranks. 
He  has  held  many  local  offices  of  trust,  including  town  and  school  offices. 

Mr.  Hoag's  first  wife  died  in  1856,  being  tbe  mother  of  three  children — 
Mary,  wife  of  Leonidas  Fread;  Clara,  who  married  Albert  Fread,  deceased; 
and  William,  deceased.  Mr.  Hoag's  second  wife  was  Mary  Wells,  who  died 
in  1891.  Their  children  were:  Lincoln,  of  Boston,  Massachusetts;  George, 
who  died  in  Texas;  Lillie,  tbe  wife  of  Walter  Carter,  of  Serena;  Cyrus,  who 
died  in  Kansas,  in  1889;  Franklin,  of  Serena;  Alvin,  of  Serena;  Adam, 
who  married  Josephine  Beckwith  and  lives  in  Serena;  and  Maud,  the  wife 
of  C.  B.  Stockholm,  also  of  Serena. 

In  tbe  settlement  of  every  new  country  there  are  a  large  number  of 
the  early  pioneers  who  do  not  remain  long,  but  move  on  in  search  of  greener 
pastures  and  not  unfrequently  make  the  mistake  of  their  lives.  Not  so  with 
Mr.  Hoag;  for  he  has  remained  through  the  long  years  until  almost  a  half 
century  has  slipped  by.  He  has  been  afiflicted  by  tbe  cruel  band  of  death, 
bereaving  him  of  many  of  his  loved  ones,  yet  he  has  taken  tbe  manly  view  of 
life's  realities  and  is  now  enjoying  the  fruit  of  his  long  years  of  toil  and  frugal 
management.  It  is  such  men  as  Mr.  Hoag  who  contribute  much  toward 
the  advancement  of  this  great  west  to  its  present  high  state  of  development. 


JOHN  S.  CLAYTON. 


The  gentleman  whose  name  appears  at  the  head  of  this  article  is  a  repre- 
sentative of  one  of  tbe  oldest  and  best  known  families  in  Deer  Park  town- 
ship, LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  and  was  born  on  tbe  farm  on  which  he  now 
resides,  June  18,  1837.  His  father  being  a  well-to-do  farmer,  John  S.  in  his 
youth  was  given  good  educational  advantages.  He  has  all  his  life  given  his 
attention  to  agricultural  pursuits.  Now  he  is  carrying  on  both  general 
farming  and  a  live-stock  business,  buying,  feeding,  and  shipping  stock  to 
the  Chicago  market. 

Mr.  Clayton  has  in  his  veins  a  mixture  of  English  and  German  blood 
and  counts  among  his  ancestors  men  of  sterling  worth.  His  father,  William 
Clayton,  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  in  1806,  of  English  parents, 
and  spent  the  early  years  of  bis  life  in  Brooke  county,  Virginia,  now  West 
Virginia,  coming  from  there  in  1834  to  Illinois.  Here  he  bought  several 
hundred  acres  of  land,  including  tbe  famous  "Deer  Park,"  and  although 


378  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

he  owned  much  other  land  he  made  this  his  home  until  his  death,  in  1885. 
When  the  town  was  organized  he  was  made  its  first  supervisor.  He  owned 
a  large  tract  of  land  in  Iroquois  county,  Illinois,  and  in  his  later  life  he  built 
a  town  upon  it  and  called  it  Claytonville.  He  retired  from  business  at  an 
advanced  age  and  during  the  closing  years  of  his  life  made  his  home  with 
his  son  John  S.  In  early  life  he  was  a  Free-soil  Democrat,  but  became  a 
Republican  when  that  party  was  organized.  He  was  a  strong  Abolitionist 
at  the  time  when  that  question  was  a  vital  one.  In  stature  he  was  about 
five  feet  and  eight  inches;  his  weight,  one  hundred  and  sixty  pounds.  His 
wife,  nee  Elizabeth  Puntney,  died  in  1873.  She  was  of  German  and  English 
descent,  and  lived  a  life  of  good  deeds.  Like  her  husband,  she  inclined 
toward  Universalism,  but  really  never  got  very  far  away  from  true 
Methodism.  Her  children  were:  James  W.,  who  was  robbed  and  murdered 
near  Denver  in  1874;  Sarah  E.,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  David  Dick; 
Unity  A.,  deceased;  Carrie,  now  Mrs.  J.  C.  Reynolds;  William  R.;  John 
S.;  George  W.,  who  was  murdered  near  Fredericksburg",  Texas,  in  1871; 
Ellen  C.,  the  wife  of  Captain  S:  A.  Lodge,  of  Monticello,  Illinois;  and 
Manning  U.,  deceased. 

In  Decemljer,  1861,  John  S.  Clayton  was  married  to  Julia  A.  Surdam, 
a  daughter  of  Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  L.  L.  Surdam.  who  came  to  Illinois  from  Con- 
necticut. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clayton's  three  children  are  Grant  F.,  D.  O.,  a 
graduate  of  the  American  School  of  Osteopathy  at  Kirksville,  Missouri; 
he  is  now  successfully  practicing  his  profession  in  Chadron,  Nebraska; 
Charles  S.,  now  a  student  in  the  Pacific  School  of  Osteopathy  and  Infirmary 
at  Los  Angeles,  California;  and  Glennie  A.,  who  married  Charles  G.  Piercy, 
and  both  are  living  with  her  parents  in  Deer  Park  township. 

Mr.  Clayton  has  affiliated  with  the  Republican  party  since  attaining 
his  majority,  and  has  been  one  of  the  promoters  of  its  interest  and  welfare 
as  a  private  citizen. 


MRS.   JANE   S.    LIBBEY. 

Mrs.  Jane  S.  Libbey,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  LaSalle  county  and  well 
known  in  Ottawa  and  vicinity,  is  the  widow  of  Francis  Libbey,  who  during 
his  last  years  was  numbered  among  the  most  progressive  agriculturists  of 
this  section.  He  was  born  near  Portland,  Maine,  in  181 5,  and  in  his  early 
manhood  came  to  the  west,  where  he  believed  that  greater  opportunities 
for  advancement  awaited  him. 

After  residing  for  some  time  in  Alton,  Illinois,  Mr.  Libbey  came  to 
Ottawa,  and  here  his  destiny  was  united  with  that  of  Miss  Jane  S.  Brown, 
their  marriage  taking  place  in  1849.    Mrs.  Libbey  is  a  daughter  of  the  Hon. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  379 

Charles  Brown,  wlio  was  one  of  the  eariiest  settlers  of  this  county.  He 
located  on  a  claim  just  south  of  Ottawa  in  1830,  and  during  the  Black  Hawk 
war  serv^ed  in  a  company  of  home  guards.  The  old  homestead,  now^  owned 
and  managed  by  Mrs.  Libbey,  comprises  four  hundred  and  sixty-six  acres 
of  the  most  valuable  and  productive  land  around  Ottaw^a. 

To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Libbey  five  children  were  born, — three 
daughters  and  two  sons.  Elnora  married  William  C.  Griffith,  who  died  in 
Indianapolis,  Indiana,  and  their  four  children  are  Frank,  Harry,  Howard 
and  William.  Lucy,  the  second  daughter,  became  the  wife  of  W.  C.  Riale, 
an  Ottawa  business  man,  and  they  have  one  child,  named  Florence.  Joseph- 
ine is  the  wife  of  Frank  A.  Kendall,  of  Cherokee,  Iowa,  and  has  five  chil- 
dren,— Fanny,  Grace,  Edith,  Josephine  and  Burton.  Wallace,  whose  home 
is  at  Farm  Ridge,  LaSalle  county,  chose  Miss  Ida  Watts,  of  i\lton,  Illinois, 
for  his  wife,  and  their  children  are  Bessie  J.,  Esther  and  Ellen.  Howard 
married  Miss  Florence  Smith,  of  Fall  River,  LaSalle  county,  their  home  is 
at  LaPlata,  Missouri,  and  their  two  sons  are  Harrold  and  Donald.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Libbey  gave  their  children  good  educational  advantages,  and 
equipped  them  for  the  battle  of  life  as  far  as  was  in  their  power.  Mr.  Libbey 
used  his  franchise  in  favor  of  the  Democratic  party,  but  was  not  a  politician 
in  any  sense  of  the  word.  Death  called  him  from  his  labors  when  he  was 
still  in  his  prime,  being  but  forty-nine  years  of  age.  He  left  an  honored 
name,  and  a  record  of  which  his  children  and  posterity  may  justly  be  proud. 


WILLL\M    D.    GRUBER. 

There  is  a  saying  that  "a  prophet  is  not  without  honor  except  in  his 
own  country."  Soldiers,  however,  as  such  always  have  honor  in  their  ow-n 
country;  and  everywhere  in  this  country  the  man  who  risked  his  life  in 
defense  of  the  Union  is  held  in  honor,  and  when  a  veteran  dies  the  whole 
community  is  moved  by  one  common  feeling  of  sorrow^  LaSalle  county 
has  its  proportion  of  these  old  heroes,  who  have  fought  for  their  country  as 
young  men  and  have  given  the  best  years  of  their  subsequent  lives  to  its 
development,  and  none  of  them  is  more  highly  regarded  than  William  D. 
Gruber,  who  is  not  only  a  veteran  of  our  civil  war,  but  also  an  early  settler 
and  prominent  citizen  of  Farm  Ridge  tow-nship. 

Mr.  Gruber  was  born  in  Preble  county,  Ohio,  March  21,  1837,  a  son 
of  Rev.  Jacol)  Gruber,  who  was  for  forty  years,  until  his  death,  one  of  the 
most  influential  and  most  highly  respected  citizens  of  Farm  Ridge  township, 
LaSalle  county.  Mr.  Gruber's  ancestors  came  from  France  to  Pennsylvania 
in  1670,  on  account  of  the  cruel  persecutions  to  which  the  Huguenot  Chris- 


380  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

tians  were  subjected  after  the  revocation  of  the  Edict  of  Nantes.  Christian 
Griiber,  father  of  Rev.  Jacob  Gruber,  was  born  in  Berks  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, August  3,  1767.  He  married  Catharine  Metzsger,  a  native  of  Union 
county,  Pennsylvania.  They  were  the  parents  of  fifteen  children, — eight 
boys  and  seven  girls:  John,  born  March  8,  1800;  Jacob,  November  10, 
1801;  Henry.  December  22.  1803;  Philip,  June  5,  1806;  Elizabeth,  May 
26,  1808;  Mary,  June  23,  1810;  Joseph,  December  31,  1812;  Catharine, 
April  29,  1815;  George,  September  17,  1817;  Susanna,  March  9,  1819; 
Sarah,  October  27,  1820;  Christena,  October  25,  1822;  Christian,  December 
29,  1824;  Daniel,  April  12,  1827;  and  Samuel,  April  12,  1829.  George, 
Samuel  and  Daniel  were  soldiers  in  the  Mexican  war,  George  being  killed  at 
the  storming  of  the  city  of  Mexico.  Samuel  was  wounded  in  the  same 
battle,  and  died  before  he  reached  home.    Daniel  is  the  only  survivor. 

In  1804  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gruber  removed  to  Pickaway  county,  Ohio. 
(He  served  in  the  war  of  18 12.)  Jacob  Gruber  having  been  born  in  Berks 
county,  Pennsylvania,  November  10.  1801,  was  at  that  time  three  years 
old.  He  lived  in  Pickaway  county,  Ohio,  until  1856,  when  he  came  to 
LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  and  settled  on  a  farm  of  two  hundred  and  sixty- 
two  acres,  much  of  which  he  improved  and  placed  under  profitable  cultiva- 
tion: and  that  he  retains  most  of  it  will  be  apparent  when  it  is  considered 
that  this  same  farm  is  the  one  upon  which  he  spent  his  declining  years, 
containing  two  hundred  and  ten  acres  of  land.  He  married  Susan  Emrick, 
a  native  of  Montgomery  county,  Ohio,  March  4,  1830.  Mrs.  Gruber  died 
April  17,  1878,  leaving-  seven  children:  Amanda  M.,  Melusena  E.,  William 
D.,  Sarah  Victoria,  Milton  L.,  Joseph  L.,  and  Samuel  H.  Mr.  Gruber  was 
married  a  second  time  July  15,  1879,  to  Elizabeth  Runbarger,  who  was 
born  in  Montgomery  county,  Ohio,  January  9,  1826.  He  was  ordained  a 
minister  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  in  1828.  He  was  a  Democrat 
and  a  Freemason  and  a  man  of  much  public  spirit.  His  death  occurred  in 
Grand  Ridge,  January  19,  1895. 

William  D.  Gruber.  the  eldest  son  of  the  Rev.  Jacob  and  Susan  (Emrick) 
Gruber,  received  a  good  education  and  has  been  a  student  and  a  diligent 
reader  all  his  life,  as  well  as  a  close  observer  of  men  and  events.  He  has 
much  artistic  and  mechanical  talent  and  acquired  knowledge  of,  and  for  some 
years  devoted  himself  to,  the  marble-cutter's  trade.  In  1862  he  enlisted 
in  the  Eighty-eighth  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  for  senace 
against  the  south  in  the  civil  war,  and  participated  in  the  battles  of  Perry- 
ville  and  Stone  River  and  in  other  engagements  and  skirmishes  of  less  note 
and  in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg.  He  lost  the  sense  of  sight  in  one  eye  and  the 
sense  of  hearing  in  one  ear  and  for  a  time  was  detailed  to  duty  as  a  clerk  at 
headquarters,  for  which  his  education  and  experiences  fitted  him.     When, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  381 

September  7,  1864,  he  was  mustered  out  of  the  service,  he  had  taken  part 
in  twenty-six  engagements,  some  of  them  among  the  most  notable  of  the  war, 
and  had  an  excellent  record  as  a  soldier. 

Mr.  Gruber  interested  himself  in  education,  and  was  for  some  time  one 
of  the  most  popular  teachers  in  his  part  of  the  country.  Since  he  left  the 
school-room  his  interest  in  public  education  has  not  diminished,  and  he  has 
been  a  life-long  advocate  of  and  worker  for  improvements  in  the  schools 
of  his  township  and  county.  His  home  is  one  of  the  most  inviting  in  its 
vicinity  and  he  and  his  family  have  always  dispensed  a  most  generous  hos- 
pitality. His  farm  abounds  in  fruits  and  vegetables  in  great  variety,  includ- 
ing many  varieties  of  strawberries.  The  lawn  surrounding  his  large  resi- 
dence is  shaded  by  many  ornamental  trees  and  beautified  with  shrubs  and 
flowering  plants  of  various  kinds,  including  forty  kinds  of  roses  alone. 

Mr.  Gruber  was  married  in  1867  to  Miss  Caroline  A.  Von  Forell,  who 
was  born  at  Buffalo,  New  York,  October  26,  1848,  a  daughter  of  Captain 
Adolph  Von  Forell,  a  German  military  officer  and  a  member  of  one  of  the 
noblest  families  of  Desseldorf,  who  married  Augusta  Schmeiding,  a  lady 
of  good  family  and  thorough  education,  and  soon  afterward  came  to  Amer- 
ica and  took  up  his  residence  in  Buffalo.  Later  he  removed  with  his  family 
to  Illinois  and  still  later  to  Nebraska,  where  he  died  aged  sixty-nine.  His 
wife,  now  seventy-three,  lives  in  Thayer  county,  Nebraska.  They  were  life- 
long members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  Of  their  nine  children  eight  are 
living:  Adolph,  Fredrick,  Henry,  Ernest,  Mrs.  Gruber,  August,  Charles 
and  Julius.  Bertha  is  dead.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  D.  Gruber  have  nine 
children:  Oscar,  who  married  Miss  Louisa  Schurer  (now  deceased),  lives 
near  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa;  Augusta,  wife  of  C.  I.  Woodward,  a  well  known 
farmer  of  Farm  Ridge  township;  Charles,  who  lives  at  Iowa  Falls,  Iowa; 
Milton,  not  married,  who  is  living  in  Farm  Ridge  township;  Florence,  of 
Grand  Ridge;  Arthur,  at  home;  and  Susan,  Sarah  and  Mary,  at  their 
parental  home.  • 


ISAAC  F.  MASON. 


Among  the  representative  farmers  of  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  certainly 
one  of  the  most  progressive  and  popular  is  the  gentleman  whose  history  it  is 
our  privilege  and  pleasure  to  present  on  this  page.  He  was  born  May  9,  1857, 
on  the  old  Mason  homestead  in  this  county,  and  has  grown  to  man's  estate 
among  the  friends  who  have  known  and  loved  him  from  boyhood.  His 
father,  Joseph  Mason,  was  born  in  the  state  of  Ohio,  and  there  remained 
until  he  had  reached  mature  years,  when  he  came  to  Illinois  and  here  was 
married  to  Mrs.  Rosanna  Pickens,  a  sister  of  Captain  J.  J.  McKernan,  who 


382  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

was  a  well  known  resident  and  an  early  settler  of  this  locality.  She  had 
first  married  Henry  Pickens  and  become  the  mother  of  two  children, — 
Maranda,  now  deceased,  and  Celestia  Jane.  Mr.  Pickens  died  six  years 
previous  to  the  marriage  of  his  widow  to  Mr.  Mason.  By  the  latter  mar- 
riage there  were  five  children,  namely:  Isaac  F..  our  subject,  and  James, 
twins;  Justice,  who  died  in  childhood;  Luella,  also  deceased;  and  Joseph 
F.  When  Isaac  was  about  seven  years  of  age  his  father  died,  and  his 
widow  took  for  her  third  husband  Mr.  Henry  Slater. 

Isaac  F.  Mason  received  his  educational  training  in  the  public  schools 
and  early  learned  habits  of  industry  and  thrift  which  have  been  character- 
istic of  his  entire  life.  His  attention  has  been  given  to  farming  and  his  farm 
of  four  hundred  acres  is  so  well  improved  and  cared  for  that  it  is  sure  of 
attracting  attention,  even  from  the  most  casual  observer.  The  residence  is 
a  large,  pleasant  one,  and  the  barn,  the  main  part  of  which  is  thirty-two  by 
thirty-two,  has  an  L  of  almost  equal  size,  thirty-two  by  thirty,  furnishing 
ample  room  for  stock  and  grain.  Another  feature,  seldom  found  on  private 
grounds,  but  none  the  less  desirable,  is  a  large  reservoir,  which  is  well  stocked 
with  fish,  from  which  a  mess  of  the  finny  tribe  can  be  transferred  to  the 
owner's  table  on  short  notice. 

He  was  married  September  4,  1879,  to  Miss  Jennie  Fair,  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania  and  a  daughter  of  John  Fair.  Her  father  died  in  his  fifty- 
-eighth  year  and  her  mother  when  one  year  younger.  Mrs.  Mason  was  one 
of  nine  children,  eight  of  whom  are  living,  viz.:  Samuel  C,  Wesley,  Mary 
Robinson.  Ella  Williamson,  Jennie  Mason,  W^illiam,  Emma,  and  Cora.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Mason  are  the  parents  of  five  children,  namely:  Arthur  F.,  a 
young  man  of  nineteen;  Bessie  J.,  a  school-girl  of  fourteen;  Isaac  R.,  who 
is  in  his  eighth  year;  Zelma,  a  child  of  two  summers;  and  Letha,  an  infant 
that  died  at  the  age  of  eleven  months.  Mr.  Mason  is  a  Republican  in  his 
political  proclivities.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America, 
and  one  of  the  most  highly  esteemed  residents  of  this  county. 


A.    H.   SMITH. 


A.  H.  Smith,  editor  of  the  leader.  Earlville,  Illinois,  dates  his  birth  in 
the  town  in  which  he  now  lives,  December  9,  1868,  and  is  a  son  of  Charles 
M.  and  Mary  C.  Smith.  Charles  M.  Smith  was  a  man  well  known  through- 
out this  locality  and  was  recognized  as  an  authority  on  horses.  He  was  a 
breeder  of  trotting  horses,  took  great  delight  in  the  turf,  and  acted  as  judge 
at  many  a  race. 

A.  H.  Smith  was  early  taught  the  value  of  a  dollar  and  that  it  required 


.  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  383 

work  to  get  it,  and  when  a  mere  boy  he  began  saving  a  part  of  his  earnings. 
The  small  amount  thus  saved  and  put  out  at  interest  later  gave  him  a  start 
in  business.  He  received  a  common-school  education  in  Earlville,  which  he 
followed  with  a  commercial  course  in  the  Gem  City  Business  College  at 
Quincy,  Illinois.  In  1886  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Earlville  Leader, 
with  which  he  was  connected  ai  that  time  for  two  years.  He  then  went  to 
Chicago  and  secured  a  position  as  job  printer  in  a  large  concern,  wdiere 
he  obtained  a  valued  experience  in  all  kinds  of  job  printing  and  where  he 
remained  two  years.  Returning  to  Earlville  at  the  end  of  that  time,  he  and 
his  brother,  Charles  M.  Smith,  Jr.,  purchased  the  Earlville  Leader,  which 
they  successfully  conducted  together  until  1893,  when  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  bought  out  his  brother's  interest  in  the  paper.  Since  that  date  he 
has  been  the  sole  proprietor.  The  Leader  has  ahvays  been  conducted  on 
independent  principles,  and  under  the  etTicient  management  of  Mr.  Smith 
has  prospered  and  largely  increased  in  circulation. 

While  in  Chicago,  December  18,  1889,  Mr.  Smith  married  Miss  Fannie 
Dumond,  of  Earlville,  and  they  have  two  children,  Marjoi-y  and  Bryce. 


CHRISTIAN   STEINMAYER. 

The  German  character  is  in  all  communities  influential  for  good  upon 
business  prosperity  because  its  conspicuous  qualities  are  thrift,  industry,  per- 
severance and  integrity,  the  four  corner-stones  of  all  stable  financial  and 
industrial  structures.  LaSalle,  Illinois,  has  its  German  contingent  and  is 
duly  appreciative  of  it  and  of  what  it  has  done  for  the  town,  and  there  are 
few,  if  any,  of  this  worthy  class  of  citizens  who  are  more  highly  regarded  in 
business  and  social  circles  than  the  man  whose  name  forms  the  caption  of 
this  article. 

Christian  Steinmayer  was  born  in  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  January  6, 
1854,  a  son  of  Christopher  and  Lena  (Horwarth)  Steinmayer,  and  is  the 
last  of  his  father's  family,  his  only  sister  having  died  in  Germany.  In  his 
native  land  he  gained  an  education  equivalent  to  a  high-school  education 
in  America  and  learned  the  machinist's  trade  and  worked  at  it  there  until 
1874.  when,  at  the  age  of  twenty,  he  came  to  the  United  States  and  after 
living  one  year  in  Chicago,  located  at  LaSalle,  where  he  was  employed  as 
a  machinist  by  Matthiessen  &  Hegeler  Zinc  Company  until  1878,  in  which 
year  he  was  made  foreman  of  this  concern's  machine  shop.  This  position 
Mr.  Steinmayer  held  until  1887. 

In  April  of  the  year  last  mentioned  Mr.  Steinmayer,  with  others,  organ- 
ized the  LaSalle  Pressed  Brick  Company,  wdiich  engaged  in  the  manufacture 


384  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  • 

of  pressed  brick  from  clay  found  in  LaSalle  township.  Success  has  attended 
the  enterprise,  and  the  factory  has  been  increased  until  it  is  now  three  times 
its  original  size.  The  busiiiess  has  witnessed  a  steady  increase,  until  the 
products  of  the  factory  have  reached  an  annual  output  of  over  four  millions 
of  brick.  The  company  manufacture  plain,  moulded  and  ornamental 
pressed  brick,  standard  and  Roman  sizes,  in  red,  buff,  brown,  pink,  and  other 
colors  and  find  ready  sale  for  the  output,  shipping  to  many  points  in  the 
northwest,  including  Chicago,  Minneapolis,  St.  Paul  and  Duluth,  and  to  more 
distant  points  in  the  Dakotas  and  other  western  states.  Mr.  Steinmayer, 
the  president  of  the  company,  has  been  in  charge  of  its  interests  from  the 
day  of  its  beginning,  and  the  success  it  has  achieved  under  his  management 
reflects  the  greatest  credit  on  his  ability  to  organize  and  build  up  a  big 
enterprise. 

In  1876  Mr.  Steinmayer  married  Catharine  Feurer,  who  likewise  was 
born  in  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  and  who  has  borne  him  seven  children,  six 
of  whom  are  living.  He  regards  his  success  in  life  modestly,  and  does  much 
quiet  and  effective  work  for  the  public  good.  He  takes  no  active  interest 
in  politics,  but  has  decided  views  on  all  public  questions,  and  performs  his 
duty  as  a  citizen,  unfailingly  and  conscientiously. 


WILLIAM  ROE. 


This  is  the  age  of  the  young  man,  and  young  men  have  come  to  the 
front  in  these  last  years  of  the  nineteenth  century  who  will  give  an  impetus 
to  commerce,  to  science,  to  education,  to  professional  success  and  to  moral, 
literary  and  religious  progress  which  will  make  the  twentieth  century  a  land- 
mark in  the  world's  history.  In  our  mixed  blood  is  the  concentrated  spirit 
of  pioneers  wdio  loved  liberty  and  were  willing  to  risk  their  lives  for  the 
right  and  for  the  opportunity  to  earn  comfort  for  their  wives  and  their 
children,  and  the  Scotch  strain  promises  as  much  for  the  moral  and  intellec- 
tual future  of  our  country  as  any  other. 

William  Roe,  attorney-at-law,  LaSalle,  Illinois,  was  born  in  Ayrshire, 
Scotland,  August  13,  1868,  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Jamieson)  Roe. 
His  father  was  of  Scotch,  his  mother  of  Irish  nativity,  but  Mrs.  Roe's  father 
had  some  Scotch  blood  in  his  constitution  and  had  a  Scotch  name.  They 
came  to  the  United  States  in  November,  1884,  and  immediately  thereafter 
settled  at  Oglesby,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  wdiere  Thomas  Roe  died,  in 
November,  1891,  at  the  age  of  fifty-eight.  His  widow  is  living  at  LaSalle, 
now  in  her  sixty-fourth  year.     Mr.  Roe  was  a  coal-miner  of  many  years 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  385 

experience,  a  man  of  reading  and  intelligence  and  a  patriotic  citizen  who 
adapted  himself  to  the  American  ways  and  did  honor  to  American  citizenship. 
AMien  the  family  came  to  this  county  William  Roe  was  sixteen  years 
old.  He  had  left  school,  in  his  native  land,  at  the  early  age  of  thirteen  and 
began  to  work  in  the  coal  mines.  After  his  arrival  at  Oglesby  he  resumed 
mining  in  the  mines  of  that  vicinity.  He  spent  one  year  at  Spring  Valley, 
where  the  family  lived  for  that  time.  In  1891,  before  he  was  twenty-three, 
he  began  the  study  of  law,  reading  evenings  and  working  in  the  mines  during 
the  long  days.  But  while  he  worked  he  also  studied  and  reasoned  and 
acquired  a  habit  of  mind  which  has  since  been  of  much  service  to  him.  He 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  December,  1894,  and  entered  upon  the  practice 
of  his  profession  at  LaSalle  early  in  the  succeeding  year.  His  fellow-towns- 
men know  that  he  has  been  successful,  and  they  know,  too,  that  he  has  won 
by  methods  honorable  and  legitimate,  with  due  regard  for  the  law,  for  the 
courts  and  for  himself.  He  is  an  active  citizen,  who  looks  at  public  questions 
from  the  Republican  point  of  view,  and  takes  a  helpful  interest  in  every 
movement  for  the  general  good.  He  is  identified  with  the  First  Congre- 
gational church  of  LaSalle,  and  is  helpfully  interested  in  all  its  work,  and  is 
a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  Much  of  his  spare  time 
he  has  devoted  to  literature,  and  he  is  the  author  of  numerous  poems  of 
more  than  ordinary  merit.  One  of  these,  William  Roe's  Farewell  Address 
to  his  Sunday-school  Class  of  the  Oglesby  Union  Church,  has  had  an  exten- 
sive local  circulation  and  is  much  admired. 


ALBERT  H.   HATTON,  M.  D. 

For  eighteen  years  this  well  known  physician  and  surgeon  of  Peru  has 
been  a  resident  of  LaSalle  county,  actively  identified  with  western  interests. 
Among  his  professional  brethren  he  ranks  high  and  his  ability  has  gained  him 
prestige,  and  his  devotion  to  his  profession  has  given  him  a  leading  place 
in  the  ranks  of  the  representatives  of  the  medical  fraternity.  In  tracing 
the  genealogy  of  our  subject  we  find  that  he  is  descended  from  a  long  line  of 
sturdy,  intelligent  and  honorable  ancestors,  and  that  in  both  the  lineal  and 
collateral  branches  the  representatives  have  been  prominent  in  the  history  of 
the  nation  in  connection  with  civil  and  military  affairs  of  the  country. 

The  first  of  the  name  to  seek  a  home  in  America  was  Thomas  Hatton, 
who  was  born  in  England  in  1600  and  died  in  Maryland  in  1655.  He  was 
descended  from  Sir  Christopher  Hatton,  a  lord  chancellor  in  Queen  Eliza- 
beth's reign.  In  1648  he  bade  adieu  to  the  land  of  his  birth  and  sailed  from 
London  for  the  colonial  possessions  of  England  in  America.     He  was  the 


386  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

trusted  friend  of  Lord  Baltimore  and  shortly  after  his  arrival  was  appointed 
secretary  of  the  province  and  privy  council.  He  was  closely  identified  with 
the  interests  of  Lord  Baltimore  in  Maryland  and  died  in  battle  during  the 
engagement  at  the  Severn.  His  descendants  are  still  found  in  Maryland, 
Virginia,  Ohio  and  other  western  states,  and  have  filled  many  positions  of 
public  trust,  including  a  cabinet  office  and  places  of  high  military  rank,  a 
representative  of  the  family  having  been  a  brigadier  general  of  volunteers. 

Forsyth  Hatton,  the  paternal  grandfather  of  the  Doctor,  was  a  native 
of  Virginia  and  by  trade  was  a  blacksmith.    In  1836  he  came  to  Illinois  and 
fortv  years  later  died  at  his  home  in  Marshall  county,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
•six  years.     One  of  his  brothers  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  was  in 
•action  at  the  battle  of  New  Orleans,  and  another  served  in  the  Mexican  war, 
■enlisting  in   1847.     The  grandfather  of  Forsyth  Hatton  was  a  captain  in 
the  British  army  and  was  serving  under  General  Wolfe  when  he  fell  at  the 
TDattle  of  Quebec.     The  father  of  the  Doctor  was  Andrew  Hatton,  a  native 
•of  Rockbridge  county,  Virginia.     He  married  Artemisia  Moulton,  who  was 
born  in  Tazewell  county,  Illinois,  and  a  daughter  of  Levi  Moulton,  who  was 
a  native  of  Kentucky  and  representative  pioneer  of  Tazewell  county.     Levi 
Moulton  married  Mary  Burns,  a  daughter  of  Garrett  Burns,  who  was  born 
at  Rising  Sun,  Kentucky,  in  1801.     Her  father  was  born  near  Edinburg, 
Scotland,  and  was  an  own  cousin  of  Robert  Burns,  the  well  known  Scot- 
tish bard.     In    1786  Garrett   Burns  came   to   the  United  States  with  his 
parents,  the  family  locating  in  eastern  Maryland.     He,  however,  started  for 
the  western  frontier  and  crossing  the  Alleghany  mountains  he  cast  in  his 
lot  with  the  pioneer  settlers  in  Kentucky,  making  his  home  on  the  Ohio 
river  near  Cincinnati.     Those  were  dangerous  and  troublous  times  on  the 
frontier  and  the  pioneers  were  almost  constantly  warring  with  the  Indians 
of  the  territory.     During  the  fall  that  he  arrived  on  the  "dark  and  bloody 
ground"  Mr.  Burns  joined  the  army  and  through  the  succeeding  seven  years 
was  in  almost  constant  service,  taking  part  in  many  of  the  hardest-fought  en- 
gagements with  the  Indians  in  the  successive  campaigns  under  Generals 
Harmar,  St.  Clair  and  Anthony  Wayne.     In  a  hand-to-hand  fight  with  an 
Indian  warrior  at  the  time  of  St.  Clair's  defeat,  his  thumb  was  cut  off  by  a 
tomahawk  stroke  which  was  aimed  at  his  head,  but  which  he  parried  with 
his  rifle.    Making  good  his  escape  he  started  with  two  wounded  companions 
through  the  wild  forests  for  the  nearest  pioneer  settlements.     They  had  no 
arms  except  hunting  knives,  no  blankets  and  no  means  of  making  a  fire.    For 
three  weeks  they  subsisted  on  acorns,  black  cherries  and  slippery-elm  bark 
and  traveled  day  after  day  through  forests  infested  by  wild  animals  and  still 
wilder  men  till  they  safely  arrived  at  a  settlement  on  the  Ohio  river.     In 
1794  Mr.  Burns  was  again  under  the  command  of  General  Wayne  in  battle 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  387 

near  the  Maumee  river  against  the  Indians  under  their  famous  war  chief 
Little  Turtle.  This  ended  in  the  crushing  defeat  of  the  red  men  and  delivered 
the  territory  from  further  depredations  by  the  hostile  tribes  of  Indians.  Mr. 
Burns  died  in  Tazewell  county,  Illinois,  in  1859,  at  the  advanced  age  of 
ninety  years.  Levi  Moulton,  the  maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject, 
came  to  Tazewell  county  in  1824,  at  a  time  when  that  section  of  the 
state  was  little  better  than  a  veritable  wilderness,  infested  by  wolves  and 
Indians.  He  was  a  farmer  and  a  prominent  man  in  his  settlement  and  for 
many  years  served  as  justice  of  the  peace.  He  burned  the  first  brick  laid 
at  Fort  Clark,  now  Peoria.  Illinois.  Being  an  Abolitionist,  politically,  he 
was  active  in  the  underground-railway  scheme  and  did  all  in  his  power  to 
promote  anti-slavery  principles.  He  had  a  personal  acquaintance  with  Abra- 
ham Lincoln  when  he  was  an  embryo  attorney  and  unknown  to  fame,  and 
with  other  prominent  men  of  that  day,  and  was  himself  regarded  as  one  of  the 
leading  citizens  in  his  section  of  the  state.  He  reared  a  family  of  nine  chil- 
dren and  all  four  of  his  sons  were  soldiers  in  the  Union  army  during  the 
war  of  the  Rebellion. 

Andrew  Hatton,  the  father  of  the  Doctor,  came  to  Illinois  in  1836  and 
died  here  in  1852,  when  he  was  but  twenty-five  years  of  age,  his  death  being 
the  result  of  an  accident.  In  1849  he  purchased  a  farm  in  Belle  Plain  town- 
ship, Marshall  county,  of  a  man  who  had  pre-empted  the  property  from  the 
government.  Mrs.  Hatton  survived  her  husband  some  twenty-four  years, 
her  death  occurring  in  the  year  1876,  aged  forty-six  years.  They  had  but  one 
son  and  one  daughter:  the  latter,  Mary  Elizabeth,  is  now  the  wife  of  C.  A, 
Reed,  of  Davenport,  Iowa.  The  parents  were  consistent  members  of  the 
Christian  church  and  possessed  the  love  and  high  regard  of  all  who  knew 
them. 

Born  on  the  old  farm  in  Marshall  county,  June  4,  1851,  Albert  Henry 
Hatton  was  by  death  bereft  of  a  father's  guidance;  but  his  mother  did 
much  to  direct  the  footsteps  of  the  boy  as  he  grew  up.  His  youth  was  spent 
on  the  homestead  and  his  time  was  divided  between  the  farm  work  and 
chores  and  attendance  at  the  country  district  schools.  In  the  latter  he  soon 
developed  an  aptitude  for  study  and  a  great  fondness  for  books.  Subse- 
quently he  was  a  student  in  the  Shattuck  grammar  school  at  Faribault, 
Minnesota,  and  later  at  Eureka  College,  at  Eureka,  Illinois.  When  he  was 
just  past  seventeen  he  commenced  teaching,  and  the  following  five  years 
found  him  teaching  and  going  to  school  alternately,  at  the  end  of  which  time 
he  gave  up  pedagogy  and  took  up  medicine  as  a  profession.  After  attending 
a  course  of  lectures  at  the  Eclectic  Medical  Institute  in  Cincinnati  he  returned 
to  Marshall  county  and  practiced  at  La  Rose  for  about  two  years.  Then 
he  repaired  to  St.  Louis,  IMissouri,  for  a  final  course  of  lectures,  and  on 


388  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

January  27,  1877,  was  graduated  at  the  American  Medical  College,  as  vale- 
dictorian of  his  class.    After  graduation  he  resumed  practice  at  La  Rose. 

A  year  later  he  removed  to  Peru,  where  he  practiced  for  two  years,  and 
then  moved  to  Henry  county,  this  state,  where  he  remained  a  year.  Then 
he  accepted  a  call  to  the  professorship  of  anatomy  and  physiology  at  his 
alma  mater  in  St.  Louis,  and  filled  the  place  with  credit  to  himself  and  satis- 
faction of  the  faculty;  but  at  the  end  of  a  year  he  resigned  the  chair  and  in 
August,  1882,  returned  to  Peru  and  soon  had  a  large  business,  which  he 
has  held  to  the  present  time. 

After  he  had  been  practicing  the  traditional,  empirical  method  of  dealing 
with  disease  for  about  a  decade  he  became  convinced  that  homeopathy  was- 
by  far  the  most  reasonable  system  in  the  field,  and  he  gradually  drifted  into 
the  same.  Li  1893  he  was  graduated  at  the  Chicago  Homeopathic  Medical 
College,  and  has  since  engaged  in  practice  as  a  homeopathist.  He  is  now 
a  member  of  the  Fox  River  Institute  of  Homeopathy,  the  Illinois  State 
Homeopathic  Association  and  of  the  American  Institute  of  Homeopathy. 
His  accurate  knowledge,  his  comprehensive  reading  and  his  close  application 
to  his  duties  have  secured  him  a  leading  place  among  his  professional  breth- 
ren and  gained  him  a  reputation  which  is  justly  enviable. 

On  the  4th  of  March,  1874,  Mr.  Hatton  married  Miss  Jennie  Bangs,  the 
3'oungest  daughter  of  Samuel  L.  and  Margaret  (Howard)  Bangs.  Samuel 
L.  Bangs  was  born  in  Massachusetts  and  is  a  lineal  descendant  of  the 
Puritan  Pilgrim  Edward  Bangs,  who  came  to  the  Plymouth  colony  on  the 
ship  Anne  in  1624.  His  father  and  his  grandfather  were  soldiers  in  the  war 
of  the  Revolution,  on  the  colonial  side.  His  wife  Margret,  nee  Howard,  was- 
born  in  England  and  is  of  the  family  of  Howards  so  noted  in  the  history 
of  England.  Miss  Jennie  Bangs  was  born  at  Lamoille,  Bureau  county, 
Illinois,  in  July,  185 1,  and  at  the  time  of  her  marriage  was  a  "school-ma'rm"^ 
of  rare  ability  and  a  growing  reputation.  The  Doctor  and  his  wife  have  four 
children,  named  Edward  Howard,  Fred  Hammond,  Harry  Loomis  and 
Arthur  Wilson. 

Having  taken  all  the  degrees  of  the  York  rite,  Dr.  Hatton  has  advanced 
to  a  high  station  in  Freemasonry.  He  was  made  a  Mason  in  Varna  Lodge, 
No.  720,  at  Varna,  Illinois,  on  February  22,  1878.  He  is  now  a  past  master 
of  St.  John's  Lodge,  No.  13,  A.  F.  &  A.  ]M..  at  Peru;  a  past  eminent  com- 
mander of  St.  John's  Commandery,  No.  26,  K.  T.,  stationed  also  at  Peru; 
is  also  a  member  of  Marshall  Lodge,  No.  63,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  at  Henry,  this 
state,  and  of  De  Soto  Lodge,  No.  53,  K.  of  P.,  at  LaSalle. 

In  his  political  attitude  the  Doctor  is  an  uncompromising  Republican; 
and  in  religion  he  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  church.  However,  as  there 
is  no  organization  of  this  body  at  Peru  he  has  always  attended  the  Con- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  389 

gregational  church,  of  which  his  wife  is  a  member.  Both  himself  and  wife 
have  many  friends  in  the  community  where  they  reside.  He  is  a  man  of 
high  intellectuaHty,  broad  human  sympathies  and  tolerance,  and  imbued 
with  fine  sensibilities  and  clearly  defined  principles.  Honor  and  integrity 
are  synonymous  with  his  name,  and  he  deserves  the  respect,  confidence  and 
high  regard  of  the  community. 


WILLIAM    B.    DAVISON. 

An  energetic,  capable  business  man  of  Utica  is  the  gentleman  of  whom 
this  sketch  is  penned.  Public-spirited  and  deeply  interested  in  whatever 
affects  the  general  welfare,  he  is  an  ideal  citizen,  prompt  in  the  performance 
of  his  duties  as  such  and  setting  an  example  worthy  of  emulation. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  Thomas  Davison,  was  a  native  of  England, 
where  he  was  reared  to  manhood.  Soon  after  his  marriage  to  Margaret 
Blyth  he  came  to  the  United  States  and  took  up  his  abode  in  Bradford 
county,  Pennsylvania.  In  1857  he  removed  to  LaSalle,  Illinois,  wdiere  for 
thirty  years  he  was  numbered  among  its  representative  citizens.  In  1887 
he  went  to  Chicago  to  live,  but  death  soon  claimed  him.  His  widow  is 
still  a  resident  of  that  city. 

The  birth  of  William  B.  Davison  occurred  August  30,  1853,  in  Canton, 
Bradford  county,  Pennsylvania,  but  nearly  all  of  his  life  has  been  passed  in 
this  county.  In  the  excellent  public  schools  of  LaSalle  he  acquired  a  good 
education,  and  soon  after  arriving  at  his  majority  he  turned  his  attention 
to  the  same  line  of  business  which  has  occupied  his  time  until  the  present 
day.  Having  mastered  the  details  of  brick-manufacturing,  he  carried  on  a 
plant-  of  his  own  for  several  years  in  LaSalle.  In  1882  he  sold  out  and 
coming  to  Utica  entered  the  employ  of  the  Utica  Fire  Brick  Company,  with 
which  concern  he  is  yet  connected.  Gradually  he  worked  his  way  upward  in 
the  business  until  he  was  made  superintendent  of  the  company's  works,  large 
responsibilities  resting  upon  his  shoulders.  In  1893  the  factory  was  de- 
stroyed by  fire,  but  was  rebuilt  in  a  better  style  than  formerly  and  reopened 
in  June,  1899,  and  with  increased  accommodations  and  facilities  a  finer 
grade  of  brick  is  turned  out  than  ever  before.  The  works  were  established 
by  A.  T.  GrifTfin,  in  1882,  and  for  years  this  has  been  regarded  as  one  of 
the  important  local  industries,  employment  being  afforded  to  a  number  of 
men. 

On  the  2d  of  February,  1881,  Mr.  Davison  married  Miss  Ella  F. 
Griffin,  the  eldest  daughter  of  A.  T.  Griffin  and  wife,  Mary  H.,  whose 
parents  were  Edward  and  Eva  Holland.     The  children  blessing  the  union 


390 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 


of  our  subject  and  wife  are  Blanche,  Mary,  Blythe  and  William  T.     Mrs. 
Davison  died  September  3,  1899. 

The  cause  of  education  is  one  near  to  the  heart  of  Mr.  Davison,  as  it 
should  be  to  every  patriotic  American.  He  has  served  as  the  president  of 
the  Utica  school  board  for  two  terms  and  at  present  occupies  this  responsible 
position.  Politically  he  is  an  ardent  Republican,  and  fraternally  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  of  the  Mystic  Workers. 
He  has  served  one  term  as  the  mayor  of  Utica  and  two  terms  as  an  alderman. 


FRANK  J.   BLISS,   D.   V.   S. 

For  more  than  a  score  of  years  Dr.  Frank  J.  Bliss  has  been  successfully 
engaged  in  practice  as  a  veterinary  surgeon,  and  since  1872  has  been  a  resi- 
dent of  Earlville,  LaSalle  county,  where  he  is  well  and  favorably  known.  He 
possesses  an  excellent  education  and  is  thoroughly  experienced  in  his  chosen 
field  of  labor, 

John  Bliss,  the  paternal  grandfather  of  the  Doctor,  was  a  farmer  and 
noted  for  the  fine  horses  which  he  raised.  He  was  in  the  service  during  the 
second  war  with  England,  and  died  at  Royalton,  Vermont,  when  over  ninety 
years  of  age.  He  was  the  father  of  twelve  children,  to  each  of  whom  he  gave 
good  advantages  for  that  period.  His  father,  John  Bliss,  Sr.,  was  a  native 
of  England,  and  was  a  pioneer  farmer  in  Vermont.  During  the  struggle  of 
the  colonies  with  the  mother  country  he  joined  the  army  of  Washington, 
and  aided  in  establishing  the  independence  of  the  United  States.  He  married 
Rebecca  Hutchinson  and  lived  to  extreme  old  age,  dying  when  in  his  ninety- 
ninth  year.  He  was  the  father  of  seventeen  sons  and  daughters,  and  from 
him  are  descended  many  bearing  the  name  of  Bliss.  The  maternal  grand- 
father of  our  subject,  David  Nichols,  married  Abigail  Winslow,  of  the 
celebrated  family  who  were  passengers  on  the  Mayflower,  and  eleven  chil- 
dren were  born  of  their  union.  David  Nichols  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of 
1812,  and  his  brother  William  was  an  aide  on  the  staff  of  General  Gates  at 
the  time  of  Burgoyne's  surrender.  By  occupation  David  Nichols  was  a 
farmer,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  he  had  reached  the  venerable  age  of 
ninety-one  years,  while  his  wife  was  in  her  eighty-ninth  year  when  she  was 
called  to  the  silent  land.  His  father,  Abraham  Nichols,  also  lived  to  extreme 
old  age,  dying  when  almost  a  centenarian.  His  home  was  in  Rehoboth, 
Rhode  Island,  and  his  numerous  sons  and  daughters  and  their  posterity 
went  to  various  localities  in  this  country.  A  worthy  example  was  set  by  him 
as  a  patriot  and  citizen,  and  his  loyal  services  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution 
are  gratefully  remembered. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  391 

The  parents  of  the  Doctor  were  Carlton  P.  and  Maria  (Nichols)  Bliss, 
both  natives  of  Vermont.  The  father,  a  gentleman  of  superior  education 
and  attainments,  was  a  graduate  of  the  Middlebury  (Vermont)  College,  and 
was  an  expert  civil  engineer.  In  his  early  manhood  he  went  to  the  south 
and  for  a  number  of  years  divided  his  time  between  Savannah,  Georgia;  St. 
Augustine,  Florida,  and  a  place  called  Double  Branches,  in  Georgia,  his 
winters  being  passed  at  the  two  first  mentioned  points.  Later  he  was  in 
the  employ  of  the  government  as  a  superintendent  of  harbor  and  drainage 
construction  and  improvements.  His  last  years  were  passed  in  his  native 
state,  where  he  carried  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Randolph,  Orange  county. 
There  he  died,  in  1883.  when  in  his  seventy-ninth  year,  and  his  devoted  wife 
did  not  long  survive  him,  as  she  was  laid  tO'  rest  in  the  quiet  cemetery  within 
a  month  after  his  death,  she  being  sixty-three  years  of  age.  Both  were 
consistent  members  of  the  Congregational  church,  and  for  many  years  he 
acted  in  the  office  of  deacon.  In  his  home  township  he  was  called  upon  to 
hold  nearly  all  of  the  local  offices,  and  for  a  score  of  years  he  was  a  selectman, 
transacting-  the  general  business  of  the  district.  For  a  period  he  occupied 
the  chair  of  mathematics  in  Dartmouth  College,  and  the  cause  of  education 
was  ever  dear  to  his  heart.  Thus  it  may  be  seen  that  he  was  a  leader  both 
by  nature  and  training,  a  power  for  good  in  his  community.  To  himself 
and  wife  three  children  were  born,  Frank  J.  being  the  only  son.  Mary  J.  is 
the  widow  of  Mason  J.  Rowland,  and  is  now  a  resident  of  Box  Butte, 
Nebraska,  as  is  also  the  younger  sister,  Emma  Adelia,  wife  of  Henry  Gilberts. 

The  birth  of  Dr.  F.  J.  Bliss  occurred  in  Savannah,  Georgia,  October  i, 
1852,  and  until  his  tenth  year  he  lived  in  the  south.  His  elementary  educa- 
tion was  obtained  of  a  private  tutor,  an  old  Presbyterian  minister,  and  after 
he  returned  with  his  parents  to  New  England  he  received  excellent  training 
in  the  public  schools,  and  in  1874  was  graduated  in  the  Vermont  State 
University.  Desiring  to  enter  the  medical  profession,  the  young  man  then 
pursued  a  course  of  study  in  the  Burlington  Medical  College,  and  afterward 
attended  a  series  of  lectures  in  the  old  New  York  Veterinary' College.  Being 
convinced  that  the  west  is  a  better  field  for  a  young  practitioner,  he  located 
in  Milwaukee,  where  for  two  years  he  was  engaged  in  veterinary  work. 
In  1872  he  removed  to  Earlville,  where  he  soon  built  up  an  excellent  practice, 
and  has  remained.  He  belongs  to  the  State  Veterinary  Society  of  Illinois, 
and  keeps  thoroughly  abreast  of  all  progress  in  his  particular  line  of  work. 
He  has  made  good  investments  in  real  estate,  and  at  the  present  time  is 
the  owner  of  an  entire  block  of  Earlville  property  and  three  paying  farms, — 
one  in  Nebraska,  one  in  Missouri,  and  one  in  Kansas,  aggregating  seven 
hundred  and  sixty  acres.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  and  fraternally  an 
Odd  Fellow. 


392  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

The  marriage  of  Dr.  Bliss  and  Miss  Isabel  Rubdew  was  celebrated  June 
28,  1876.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Alexander  and  Julia  (Pelca)  Rubdew,  who 
were  early  settlers  of  Earl  township,  LaSalle  county,  coming  here  from  their 
former  home  in  Vermont.  The  Doctor  and  wife  have  one  child,  named 
Qjertrude  Frances. 


J.    J.    CARTER. 


J.  J.  Carter,  a  successful  farmer  of  Farm  Ridge  township,  LaSalle 
county,  was  born  in  Wayne  county,  New  York,  February  10,  184 1.  He  is  of 
Scotch  descent,  his  first  ancestor  in  this  country  having  been  one  of  four 
luimarried  brothers  who  came  to  America  about  1650,  one  locating  in  Vir- 
ginia, one  in  Philadelphia,  and  two  in  the  Empire  state.  Some  of  their 
descendants  were  soldiers  in  the  war  for  independence,  while  others  bearing 
the  name  were  actively  engaged  in  the  war  of  18 12. 

Asa,  father  of  J.  J.  Carter,  was  born  in  New  York  state,  the  son  of  a 
hero  of  the  second  war  with  England.  He  married  Hannah  Braymer,  of 
the  same  state,  daughter  of  a  thrifty  Pennsylvania  German.  In  1844  they 
removed  to  Will  county,  Illinois,  and  four  years  later  came  to  this  township, 
where  the  parents  continued  to  dwell  until  called  to  their  reward,  the  father 
dying  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years,  and  the  mother  at  sixty-seven  years. 
Both  were  devoted  members  of  the  ]\Iethodist  Episcopal  church.  They  had 
s-even  children,  of  whom  one  daughter,  Fannie,  is  deceased.  The  others  are: 
Edwin,  of  Iowa;  Charles,  of  this  township;  J.  J.;  Mrs.  Almira  Gillespie,  of 
Nebraska;    Mrs.  Janet  Singer,  of  Ottawa;   and  Allen,  of  Nebraska. 

From  his  earliest  recollections,  J.  J.  Carter  has  been  famihar  with  farm- 
ing, in  its  various  branches.  His  energetic  efforts  to  acquire  a  competence 
met  with  due  reward,  and  for  many  years  he  has  been  one  of  the  well-to-do 
farmers  of  this  township.  He  owns  a  quarter  section  of  finely  improved  land, 
part  of  the  old  homestead.  This  place  is  a  very  desirable  one,  as  it  has  good 
barns,  a  comfortable  residence,  orchard,  fine  pastures  and  fertile  fields,  all 
in  excellent  condition.  In  addition  to  this  farm  he  owns  another,  at  Red 
Lake,  Minnesota. 

In  1862  Mr.  Carter  married  ]\Iiss  Mary  Ann  Reese,  daughter  of  A.  G. 
and  Caroline  (Helm)  Reese,  both  of  whom  are  deceased.  The  eldest  born 
child  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carter  is  IMelvin,  of  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa.  He  married  a 
Miss  Rambler,  and  has  three  children.  Ora,  eldest  daughter  of  Mr.  Carter, 
is  the  wife  of  George  Scherrer,  of  Alexis,  Illinois.  Carrie  is  a  successful 
teacher  of  music;  and  Edna  and  Nellie  are  still  at  home.  Ellen  died  at 
the  age  of  eighteen  months,  Josephine  at  twelve  years,  and  Laura  at  the  age 
of  sixteen  years. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  393 

Politically  Mr.  Carter  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  served  in  a  number  of 
township  offices,  with  credit.  His  means  and  influence  are  liberally  used 
in  the  support  of  schools  and  churches,  the  temperance  cause  and  other 
movements  calculated  to  uplift  and  benefit  humanity.  He  and  his  estimable 
wife  are  devoted  members  and  active  workers  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  he  having  acted  as  one  of  the  officials  of  the  congregation.  Integrity 
and  justice  characterize  all  of  his  dealings  with  his  fellow  men  and  all  unite 
in  praise  of  his  honorable,  upright  life. 


VINCENT   SCHWEICKERT. 

An  honored  citizen  of  Peru  is  he  of  whom  this  sketch  is  penned.  For 
forty-two  years  he  has  been  a  resident  of  this  flourishing  town,  which  bore 
little  resemblance  to  its  present  proud  pre-eminence  when  he  first  beheld  it, 
a  straggling  hamlet.  He  may  justly  feel  that  he  has  borne  his  share  in  the 
making  of  the  place,  for  many  of  the  substantial  public  and  private  buildings 
here  stand  as  monuments  to  his  skill  and  excellent  workmanship,  and  Peru  is 
proud  to  acknowledge  the  debt  she  owes  him. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  George  Adam  Schweickert, 
a  farmer  of  Baden,  Germany,  where  he  resided  until  his  death,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-six  years.  He  had  five  daughters  and  two  sons,  and  one  of  the  sons 
was  Jacob,  the  father  of  Vincent  Schweickert.  He  was  born  in  the  last 
year  of  the  eighteenth  century,  and  plied  his  trade  as  a  bleacher  of  cloth 
for  some  years,  later  engaging  in  agriculture  and  giving  a  part  of  his  time 
to  the  raising  of  silk-worms.  He  died  in  1871,  and  was  survived  but  two 
years  by  his  devoted  wife,  Philopena,  who  was  seventy-three  at  the  time 
of  her  death.  She  was  one  of  the  four  children  of  August  Lindenmeyer, 
who  lived  in  the  village  of  Kerrlach,  Baden,  and  who  fought  in  one  of  the 
wars  of  Germany  with  Austria.  He  was  eighty-four  years  old  at  the 
time  of  his  demise,  in  1835.  ^^'^^  three  of  the  ten  children  of  Jacob  and 
Philopena  Schweickert  are  living.  Regina  is  the  wife  of  Emanuel  Scher- 
motty,  of  Wiesenthal  Baden,  Germany,  and  Francis  Xavier  resides  in  the 
same  town. 

A  native  of  the  German  village  just  mentioned,  Vincent  Schweickert 
was  born  August  24,  1831.  After  completing  his  common-school  education 
he  worked  in  a  sugar  refinery  until  1850,  when  he  turned  his  attention  to 
mastering  the  brick  and  stone  mason's  trade.  In  1853  he  sailed  for  the 
United  States,  the  land  of  promise,  and  for  the  next  three  years  he  made 
his  home  in  Reading,  Pennsylvania.  Since  then  he  has  dwelt  in  Peru,  and 
until  he  was  obliged  to  retire  on  account  of  advancing  years  and  the  rheu- 


394  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

matism,  he  kept  busily  employed  as  a  builder  and  contractor.  Perfect 
confidence  was  placed  in  his  integrity  and  capability,  and  his  customers  in- 
variably recommended  his  work. 

On  the  15th  of  May,  1855,  Mr.  Schweickert  married  Mary  Wellner,who 
was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany.  Her  parents  were  Michael  and  Barbara 
(Busch)  Wellner.  She  and  her  first  husband  came  to  America  and  settled  in 
Pennsylvania.  Here  our  subject  and  wife  were  married  and  in  1856  came 
to  Peru,  where  they  have  lived  for  thirty  years  in  their  comfortable  home, 
which  was  erected  by  him  in  1869.  They  are  members  of  the  Catholic 
church,  and  in  his  political  faith  Mr.  Schweickert  is  independent. 

Seven  sons  and  two  daughters  blessed  the  marriage  of  this  worthy 
couple,  and  of  this  number  two,  Jacob  and  Edward,  are  deceased.  Charles 
A.  married  Theresa  Domas,  who  died,  leaving  four  children — Charles,  Mary, 
Lizzie  and  Anton.  Subsequently  he  married  Theresa  Beckmann,  by  whom 
he  had  six  children,  but  only  one  survives.  Mary,  who  became  the  wife  of 
Peter  Weyand,  had  six  children — Bernard,  Peter,  Vincent,  Charles,  Francis 
Xavier,  and  one  who  is  deceased.  Henry  E.  wedded  Lizzie  Ellerbrock,  and 
their  children  are  Vincent,  Peter  Philip  Muria,  Henry  Charles  Anton 
Alexander,  Mary  Francisca,  Hildegard  and  Mary  Beatrice.  Jacob  married 
Helena  Morschauser  and  their  surviving  children  are  named  Helena,  Ber- 
tram, Frank  and  Margaret.  Lizzie  became  the  wife  of  Frank  Ellerbrock,  and 
their  three  children  are  Lizzie,  William  and  Peter.  Bertram  and  wife,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Mary  Brinkmann,  have  two  sons,  Ewald  Vincent  Frank 
and  Lawrence  Henry  Thomas.  Francis  Xavier  married  Mary  Weyand,  and 
their  only  child  is  called  Martha.  Thus  it  may  be  seen  that  many  children 
and  grandchildren  of  our  subject  and  wife  are  left  to  cheer  their  declining 
days,  and  on  numerous  festal  occasions  they  assemble  to  spend  a  happy  day 
or  evening  together. 


CHARLES  A.  SCHWEICKERT. 

Charles  Anthony  Schweickert  is  one  of  the  enterprising  business  men  of 
Peru,  prominent  in  commercial,  fraternal  and  political  circles  and  highly 
esteemed  for  his  sterhng  qualities  and  public  spirit.  A  son  of  our  well-known 
citizens,  Vincent  and  Maria  Schweickert.  he  was  born  in  this  town  two-score 
years  ago,  the  date  of  his  birth  being  February  17,  1859. 

Growing  to  manhood  in  Peru,  our  subject  was  a  pupil  in  the  parochial 
schools  and  completed  his  education  in  Saint  Patrick's  Academy,  at  LaSalle. 
He  was  a  boy  of  twelve  or  thirteen  years  when  he  did  his  first  work  as  a  stone 
and  brick  mason,  under  his  father's  instruction,  and  from  that  time  until  the 
present  he  has  devoted  much  of  his  attention  to  this  Hne  of  business.    In  1895 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  395 

he  purchased  the  Peru  Steam  Laundry,  which  he  operated  until  December, 
1898,  then  selling  out.  Returning  to  his  old  trade,  in  which  his  father  and 
brothers  as  well  as  himself  are  expert,  it  is  now  his  intention  to  follow  no 
other  occupation  henceforth.  He  is  a  partner  in  the  firm  of  Schweickert 
Brothers  &  Company,  which  comprises  the  five  brothers,  Charles  A.,  Henry, 
Jacob,  Bertram  and  Francis,  and  their  brother-in-law,  Frank  Ellerbrock. 
Much  of  the  heavy  masonry  of  Peru  has  been  done  by  them,  and  their  work 
has  not  been  exclusively  local,  for  monuments  of  their  skill  may  be  seen  in 
many  other  towns  of  this  county,  and  they  execute  contracts  for  foundations 
for  bridges  and  similar  public  works.  Reliability,  promptness  and  thorough- 
ness in  all  work  entrusted  to  them  may  be  confidently  expected,  as  they  bear 
an  enviable  reputation  and  endeavor  to  please  their  patrons  in  every  respect. 

The  commodious,  substantial  two-story  brick  house  which  Charles  A. 
Schweickert  owns  and  occupies  was  erected  by  him  in  1885.  He  was  married 
September  6,  1883,  to  Miss  Theresa  Domas,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Mary 
Magdalena  Domas.  She  died  November  12,  1892.  when  in  her  twenty-ninth 
year,  and  left  four  children  to  mourn  her  loss,  namely:  Charles  Henry,  Mary 
Theresa,  Elizabeth  Margaret  and  Vincent  Anthony.  On  the  4th  of  April, 
1893,  Mr.  Schweickert  and  Miss  Theresa  Beckmann  were  united  in  marriage. 
She  is  a  daughter  of  Bernhard  and  Theresa  (Imoor)  Beckmann,  and  by  her 
union  with  our  subject  has  six  children,  only  one  of  whom,  Leonore,  is  living. 
The  parents  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church.  He  is  connected  with  St. 
Joseph's  Catholic  Benevolent  Society  and  is  a  member  of  the  Twin  City 
Band.    In  his  political  opinions  he  is  a  Democrat. 


PERRY  FARNHAM. 


The  gentleman  whose  name  appears  above  was  one  of  the  oldest  and 
best  known  citizens  in  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  where  he  resided  after  1856, 

Mr.  Farnham  was  born  in  Marseilles,  Onondaga  county,  New  York, 
September  7,  181 5,  a  son  of  Amasa  and  Rachel  (Perry)  Farnham.  Amasa 
Farnham  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  a  son  of  Reuben  Farnham,  who  was 
a  Revolutionary  soldier.  The  latter  moved  from  Massachusetts  to  Vermont 
and  subsequently  to  New  York.  The  family  were  poor  and  the  father  of  our 
subject  when  a  boy  was  "bound  out,"  and  at  the  age  of  fifteen  went  as  a 
bound  boy  to  New  York  state,  where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  married.  His 
first  wife  died  when  their  son  Perry  was  two  years  old,  and,  besides  him,  left 
four  other  children — Hiram,  John,  Alice  and  Sophia.  The  father  was  after- 
ward married  again,  and  in  New  York  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  and  died. 

His  father  a  farmer,  the  subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  to  agricultural 


396  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.         ^  ^^     ] 

pursuits,  remaining  a  member  of  the  home  circle  until  he  was  twenty-two 
years  old.  He  then  hired  out  as  a  farm  hand,  and  not  long  afterward  went  to 
Ridgeway,  New  York,  and  secured  a  position  as  a  clerk  in  a  store,  in  which 
capacity  he  served  four  years.  After  his  marriage,  which  event  occurred  in 
the  spring  of  1842,  he  engaged  in  farming  in  Cayuga  county,  New  York,  and 
.gave  his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits  there  for  twelve  years.  On  coming 
to  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  in  1856,  he  first  settled  in  Ophir  township,  where 
lie  soon  ranked  with  its  successful  farmers  and  where  he  lived  until  1888, 
when  he  moved  to  Earlville,  and  here  lived  retired  till  his  death  occurred. 
He  disposed  of  his  home  farm,  but  owned  eighty  acres  in  Iowa  at  the  time  of 
liis  death, 

Mr.  Farnham  was  married  in  April,  1842,  to  Miss  Mary  Ann  Bishop, 
who  died  in  i860,  leaving  two  children:  Don  B.,  still  at  home,  and  Dorr  B., 
engaged  in  farming  in  Iowa.  July  27,  1863,  Mr,  Farnham  married  Miss 
Nancy  McGregor,  a  native  of  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  born  February  i, 
1823,  a  daughter  of  James  McGregor.  Her  father  and  brother  Joseph 
■came  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  LaSalle  county  in  1852,  and  she  joined  them 
here  in  1857. 

Mr.  Farnham  was  a  hard  worker  all  his  life,  and  it  was  to  his  energy  and 
liis  good  management  that  his  success  in  life  was  due.  Politically  he  was  a 
Republican.  July  23,  1899,  he  passed  to  the  great  beyond,  leaving  a  widow 
and  two  sons  to  mourn  his  loss;  and  numerous  friends  hold  him  in  affection- 
ate memory. 


GEORGE  W.  McCOMBS. 

A  popular  citizen  of  Farm  Ridge  township  is  he  of  whom  this  sketch  is 
penned.  He  is  a  native  of  German  township,  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania, 
liis  birth  having  occurred  June  9,  1846,  His  parents,  John  and  Mary  J. 
(Gallagher)  McCombs,  were  members  of  the  agricultural  class,  and  were 
noted  for  their  sterling  honesty,  integrity  and  good  citizenship  generally. 
They  likewise  were  natives  of  Fayette  county,  where  they  resided  during 
their  entire  lives,  respected  and  loved  by  those  who  knew  them  best.  The 
iather,  who  was  born  in  1809,  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years,  in  1883, 
and  the  mother,  born  in  1818,  departed  this  life  in  1851.  He  was  a  Repub- 
lican in  his  political  creed,  but  was  not  an  aspirant  for  public  office,  preferring 
to  devote  his  whole  attention  to  his  business  affairs  and  his  little  home  circle. 
He  set  a  worthy  example  to  his  children  and  his  sons  were  thoroughly  and 
systematically  trained  in  correct  business  principles  and  in  love  of  their 
country  and  their  fellow  men.    Of  his  eleven  children,  two  died  when  young 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  397 

and  the  others  were  named  as  follows:  Margaret,  Hannah,  EHzaheth,  Anne, 
George  W.,  Mary,  William,  John  A.  and  James  Clark. 

George  \V.  McCombs  was  reared  on  the  old  homestead  in  the  Keystone 
state,  and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  the  vicinity.  Believing  that 
the  west  afforded  greater  opportunities  to  a  young  man  desirous  of  success,, 
he  came  to  LaSalle  county  in  1866.  For  one  year  he  lived  upon  the  Finley 
farm.  September  11,  1866,  he  bought  the  S.  P.  Crouch  farm,  in  Grand 
Rapids  township,  where  he  resided  until  1876,  when  he  purchased  the  John 
McCormick  farm.  This  place,  which  has  since  been  his  home,  comprises 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  rich,  productive  land,  excellent  pastures, 
rivaling  the  celebrated  blue-grass  meadows  of  Kentucky,  and  a  substantial 
house  and  barns,  windmill,  fences,  fine  shade-trees  and  orchard  are  among 
the  features  which  render  this  a  model  country  home.  The  thrifty  owner 
pays  special  attention  to  the  raising  of  high-g"rade  live  stock,  and  on  his  farm 
there  may  always  be  found  fine  Jersey  cattle,  Poland-China  swine  and  Per- 
cheron  and  various  standard  horses.  In  all  of  his  farming  methods  Mr.  Mc- 
Combs is  progressive  and  practical,  and  the  success  which  he  has  wrought 
out  is  well  deserved. 

Physically  he  is  large  and  well  proportioned,  as,  though  he  is  six  feet 
and  two  inches  in  height,  he  weighs  two  hundred  and  thirty  pounds.  In 
manner  he  is  cheerful  and  optimistic,  making  the  best  of  Hfe  and  persistently 
looking  upon  the  bright  side  of  things.  In  several  of  the  local  offices  he  has 
served  the  people  in  an  acceptable  manner,  and  in  his  political  creed  he  is  a 
Republican.     The  family  belongs  to  the  Presbyterian  church. 

In  1870  the  marriage  of  Mr.  McCombs  and  Miss  Martha  J.  Woodw^ard 
was  solemnized.  She  was  born  in  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania,  a  daughter 
of  Joseph  Woodward,  and  has  been  a  faithful  helpmate,  ably  seconding  the 
plans  made  by  her  husband.  They  became  the  parents  of  six  children,, 
namely:  Louvica  A.,  John  T.,  Nellie  B.,  Maud  H.,  Mabel,  and  Edward, 
who  died  when  about  two  years  of  age.  John  T.  married  Anna  K.  Lehr, 
and  is  a  well-to-do  citizen  of  Grand  Rapids  township,  this  county. 


JAMES  A.  POWELL. 


One  of  the  native  sons  of  Illinois  and  for  years  an  esteemed  citizen  of 
LaSalle  county  has  ever  been  ready  and  willing  to  do  his  share  as  a  patriot, 
whether  in  time  of  peace  or  in  war.  He  stands  deservedly  high  as  a  business 
man,  neighbor  and  friend,  and  is  very  popular  with  all  classes. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  Howell  F.  Powell,  a  native 


398  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

of  Wales.  He  crossed  the  broad  Atlantic  about  1816  and  made  his  home  in 
or  near  Boston.  He  had  mastered  the  gardener's  business,  and  after  settling 
in  New  England  gave  his  attention  for  some  years  to  supplying  a  summer 
resort.  He  lived  to  attain  an  advanced  age.  He  was  the  father  of  four 
daughters  and  two  sons,  one  of  whom  was  William  H.,  the  father  of  our  sub- 
ject. He  was  likewise  a  native  of  Wales  and  in  his  early  manhood  he  learned 
the  trade  of  wood-carving  and  upholstering.  In  1837  he  came  to  Illinois 
and  bought  a  tract  of  land  from  the  government.  He  reared  his  children  on 
that  place  and  it  was  not  until  1896  that  he  retired  and  located  in  Mendota, 
where  he  is  now  passing  in  quietude  the  remainder  of  his  days.  For  thirty 
years  he  served  in  the  capacity  of  justice  of  the  peace,  and  for  three-score 
years  he  occupied  an  influential  place  in  his  own  community.  His  first  wife, 
who  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Elizabeth  Warner  and  was  a  native  of  Massa- 
chusetts, died  in  1865.  Her  father,  George  Warner,  was  born  in  England, 
and  upon  his  arrival  in  America  took  up  his  abode  in  the  Bay  state,  where 
he  worked  at  his  trade  as  a  weaver  until  he  came  to  Illinois,  some  sixty  years 
ago.  He  located  near  Northville,  LaSalle  county,  and  engaged  in  farming 
there  for  many  years.  Later  he  returned  to  Massachusetts,  where  he  died  at 
the  age  of  eighty-iive  years.  Three  sons  and  a  daughter  were  born  to  Wil- 
liam H.  and  Elizabeth  Powell:  James  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Mar- 
shall F.,  now  deceased;  ]\Iary,  wife  of  H.  C.  Ballou;  and  William  H.,  Jr. 
The  second  wife  of  William  H.  Powell  was  Sophronia  McNett,  and  their  two 
children  were  Frank  B.  and  ]\Iabel. 

James  A.  Powell  was  born  in  Xorthville,  LaSalle  county,  August  29, 
1844,  and  passed  his  boyhood  in  the  usual  pursuits  of  farmers'  lads,  a  portion 
of  his  time  being  devoted  to  the  acquisition  of  an  education  in  the  district 
schools,  after  which  he  taught  school  several  years  during  the  winter  seasons. 
When  the  civil  war  broke  out  he  was  too  young  to  be  enlisted  in  the  ranks, 
but  he  was  a  stanch  patriot  and  at  length  was  permitted  to  enter  the  army, 
where  he  was  ever  found  at  his  post  of  duty.  He  was  a  member  of  Company 
C,  One  Hundred  and  Forty-sixth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  for  one  year, 
and  made  an  excellent  record  as  a  soldier.  After  the  war  he  returned  to 
Illinois  and  began  farming  in  Kankakee  county  for  the  ensuing  five  years. 
Then,  going  to  Harmon,  Lee  county,  Illinois,  he  purchased  a  farm,  which 
he  carried  on  at  that  place  successfully  for  a  period  of  eleven  years.  A  favor- 
able opportunity  for  disposing  of  the  farm  then  presenting  itself,  Mr.  Powell 
sold  the  farm  and  returning  to  this,  his  native  county,  invested  in  an  eighty- 
acre  farm  situated  conveniently  near  Mendota,  only  half  a  mile  east  of  the 
town.  This  farm  he  sold  at  the  end  of  five  years,  and,  going  to  Nebraska, 
bought  a  larger  farm,  but  did  not  locate  there.  Two  years  later  he  sold  his 
western  propertv  at  a  good  profit  and  invested  some  of  his  capital  in  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  399 

dairy  business,  which  he  has  carried  on  with  growing  success  for  the  past 
decade.  His  fertile  farm,  well  adapted  for  pasturage,  comprises  eighty-six 
and  a  half  acres,  located  in  Mendota  township,  adjoining  the  city  of  Men- 
dota,  and  is  one  of  the  pleasantest  and  most  attractive  locations  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  that  city. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Powell  and  Miss  Eliza  McNett  took  place  on  the 
22d  of  July.  1870.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Mary  McNett,  and  by 
her  marriage  has  two  promising  sons, — Charles  D.  and  Claude  A.  Charles 
is  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  w'hile  Claude  is  helping  to  conduct  the 
dairy  business. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Powell  is  connected  with  the  Odd  Fellows  and  the 
Court  of  Honor,  and  in  politics  he  is  a  true-blue  Republican.  For  nine  years 
he  served  as  a  highway  commissioner,  w-as  clerk  of  the  town  for  two  years 
and  for  one  year  served  as  a  collector.  Mrs.  Powell  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  church,  and  they  are  both  liberal  contributors  to  all  worthy  local 
charities. 


WILLIAM    R.    BENNETT. 

Deer  Park  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  has  its  full  share  of 
enterprising,  up-to-date  farmers,  and  among  them  none  are  more  worthy 
of  special  mention  in  a  work  of  this  character  than  is  William  Ralph  Ben- 
nett. 

Mr.  Bennett  was  born  in  the  township  in  which  he  now  lives,  October 
31,  1856,  the  eldest  of  the  three  sons  of  Isaac  H.  Bennett.  The  second  son, 
Arthur  E.,  is  now  a  resident  of  Los  Angeles,  California,  and  the  youngest. 
Rev.  Milton  G.,  resides  at  Clarion.  Iowa.  William  R.  was  reared  in  his 
native  township,  on  his  father's  farm,  and  with  the  exception  of  one  year 
spent  in  Iowa,  where  he  moved  with  his  parents  in  the  early  '70s,  he  has  never 
resided  outside  of  Deer  Park  township.  He  remained  with  his  father,  assist- 
ing in  the  work  of  the  farm  and  contributing  to  the  common  purse,  until 
he  reached  his  majority.  At  the  age  of  twenty-four  he  married  and  settled 
on  the  farm  which  he  now^  owns  and  occupies  and  which,  under  his  manage- 
ment, is  being  successfully  conducted  and  shows  evidence  of  thrift  and 
prosperity. 

Mrs.  Bennett  was  formerly  Miss  Belle  Follett,  and  was  born  in  1859,  in 
LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  her  father,  James  Follett,  a  well  known  farmer  of 
this  county,  having  come  here  in  1857.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bennett  have  four 
children:     Walter  Ray,  Florence,  Louise  and  Follett  F. 

Mr.  Bennett's  traits  of  character  are  well  known  to  the  citizens  of 
Deer  Park  township.     He  has  been  their  collector  of  taxes  and  has  given 


400  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

them  faithful  service.  His  opinions  and  counsels  are  respected  on  matters 
afifecting  the  welfare  of  his  town  and  his  standing  as  a  business  man  is 
above  question  or  suspicion.  He  has  the  same  regard  for  right  in  doing 
things  politically  that  he  has  in  the  every-day  afifairs  of  life. 


FRANK  J.   PATTERSON,   L.   D.   S. 

]\lendota,  Illinois,  has  its  quota  of  professional  men,  and  prominent 
among  them  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  Frank  J.  Patterson,  who  has 
been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  dentistry  here  for  the  past  six  years. 

Dr.  Patterson  is  a  Canadian  by  birth  and  education.  He  was  born  in 
Glasgow,  Canada,  March  12,  i860,  a  son  of  Dr.  Elijah  and  Martha  (Pear- 
son) Patterson,  both  natives  of  Canada.  The  Pattersons  have  long  been 
residents  of  Canada,  to  which  place,  it  is  supposed,  they  went  from  Vermont. 
The  Pearsons  are  of  English  origin,  the  first  representatives  of  the  family 
having  come  from  England  to  America  in  1833  and  settled  in  Upper 
Canada.  Dr.  Elijah  Patterson  has  for  a  number  of  years  been  engaged  in 
the   practice    of   dentistry   at   Toronto,    Canada. 

Following  in  the  footsteps  of  his  father,  Frank  J.  chose  the  dental 
profession.  He  was  reared  in  Port  Perry,  to  which  place  his  parents  moved 
when  he  was  a  child,  and  where  he  completed  a  high-school  course  and 
graduated  in  1875.  That  same  year  he  matriculated  in  the  Royal  College 
of  Dental  Surgeons,  Toronto,  and  pursued  his  studies  there  for  a  time, 
following  which  he  operated  in  his  father's  office  until  1879.  He  then  re- 
entered the  same  college,  and  is  a  graduate  with  its  class  of  1882.  From 
the  time  of  his  graduation  until  1893  he  was  engaged  in  practice  in  Toronto, 
and  since  January  of  the  latter  year  he  has  been  identified  with  the  interests 
of  Mendota,  Illinois,  and  engaged  in  a  successful  practice  here,  having  suc- 
ceeded Dr.  J.  D.  Moody. 

Dr.  Patterson  was  married  in  1880  to  Miss  Roby  N.  Kelley,  of  Oshawa, 
Ontario,  and  their  happy  union  has  been  blessed  in  the  birth  of  two  children, 
the  older  one  dying  in  infancy,  and  the  younger,  Greta  N.,  is  living. 

Fraternally  Dr.  Patterson  has  a  membership  in  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and 
Foresters. 


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