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L  I  E)  R.AFLY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY 

or    ILLINOIS 

977. 3E7 

B52 
V.2 


111.    Hist,    burvey 


^i 


NOTICE 

AT  LEAST  ONE  OF  THE  EDGES  OF  THIS 
MAGAZINE  HAS  BEEN  LEFT  UNTRIMMED, 
BECAUSE  OF  AN  EXTREMELY  NARROW 
MARGIN. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL 


RECORD 


UF 


LA  SALLE  COUNTY 


ILLINOIS 


LLUSTRATED 


\^oi^x^j]\4e:    II. 


CHICAGO 
THE   LEWIS    PUBLISHING   COMPANY 

1900 


7^ 


,  0  J    -^ 


THE  LEWIS  PUB.CD  Cl<i 


o/^//^/VZ^    ^■^-i^.^-r.ii^- 


> 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 


T 


THERON  D.  BREWSTER. 

HE  visitor  in  Peru,  Illinois,  always  has  pointed  out  to  him  one  of  the 

time-honored  old  landmarks,  a  substantial  and  imposing  brick  resi- 
dence, two  stories  in  height,  and  surrounded  by  w'ell  kept  grounds.  This  is 
the  old  Brewster  home,  which  has  stood  here  for  almost  three-score  years, 
having  been  erected  in  1841  by  the  gentleman  whose  name  heads  this  article, 
one  of  the  honored  early  settlers  of  this  place. 

Coming  from  stanch  Puritan  stock,  Mr.  Brewster  was  born  in  Salis- 
bury, Litchfield  county,  Connecticut,  February  29,  1812,  being  the  eldest  son 
of  Daniel  and  Asenath  (Canfield)  Brewster,  who  were  likewise  natives  of 
the  same  state.  When  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age  the  mother  of  Theron  D. 
Brewster  died,  and  in  December,  1835,  the  father  also  passed  to  his  reward. 

In  his  youth  our  subject  received  thorough  training  as  a  farmer,  his 
father  being  a  successful  agriculturist.  His  tastes  did  not  lie  in  that  direc- 
tion, however,  and  when  he  had  completed  his  education  in  the  academy  at 
Westfield,  Connecticut,  he  concluded  to  try  his  fortune  in  the  w^est,  sooner 
or  later.  In  1835  he  came  to  Peru,  where  he  accepted  a  clerical  position,  but 
at  the  end  of  six  months  he  was  summoned  home  to  his  father's  deathbed 
and  remained  at  the  old  homestead  until  the  fall  of  1836,  adjusting  the  estate. 
The  following  year  he  laid  out  Ninawa  addition  to  Peru,  and  commenced 
dealing  in  real  estate,  and  in  1843  ^""^  embarked  in  the  mercantile  business 
here  in  partnership  with  Herman  Baldwin,  with  whom  he  was  associated 
three  years.  He  then  began  dealing  in  grain,  and,  building  a  large  ware- 
house on  the  bank  of  the  Illinois  river,  carried  on  an  extensive  and  remuner- 
ative business  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Brewster  &  Beebe.  At  the  end  of 
five  years  he  retired,  and  for  several  years  thereafter  was  in  the  dry-goods 
business,  in  company  with  E.  Higgins. 

Many  other  local  industries  and  enterprises  received  the  support  of 

Mr.  Brewster.     In  1856  he  was  the  president  of  the  stock  company  which 

jj      ow-ned  and  sank  the  Peru  coal  shaft,  which  was  worked  with  good  results 

for  about  seventeen  years.     In  1852  the  firm  of  T.  D.  Brewster  &  Company 

401 


284-^79 


402  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

was  formed,  and,  buying  out  Messrs.  Tuller,  Pitts  &  Dodge,  who  had  been 
manufacturing  plows  on  a  limited  scale,  and  had  conducted  a  small  machine 
shop,  the  Peru  City  Plow  Factory  was  established.  He  became  the  manager 
of  the  concern  and  remained  at  its  helm  until  1882,  when,  on  account  of  his 
advanced  age,  he  withdrew  from  its  management.  At  that  time  (1882)  the 
Qoncern  was  reorganized  into  a  stock  company  and  is  now  known  as  the 
Peru  Plow  &  Wheel  Company.  His  last  years  were  especially  devoted  to 
the  real-estate  business,  in  which  he  had  been  interested  throughout  his 
career.  He  managed  with  great  ability  the  sale  of  property  which  he  bought 
of  the  heirs  of  his  uncle,  Lyman  Brewster,  a  pioneer  of  this  county,  who 
owned  much  of  the  land  upon  which  Peru  now  stands. 

Remarkably  successful  in  all  of  his  undertakings,  no  man  was  more  inti- 
mately associated  with  the  development  and  upbuilding  of  Peru.  He  was 
the  first  mayor  of  the  city,  elected  in  1851.  and  re-elected  in  1852  and  again 
in  1854.  As  early  as  1838  he  held  the  office  of  town  trustee  and  for  several 
years  served  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  education.  He  was  a  prime  mover 
in  securing  to  Peru  the  Chicago,  Rock  Island  &  Pacific  Railroad,  and  served 
as  one  of  its  first  directors.  He  was  an  organizer  of  the  First  National  Bank 
of  Peru  and  served  as  its  president  during  its  existence  of  some  twenty  years. 
Beginning  the  battle  of  life  empty-handed,  he  amassed  a  fortune  by  his 
excellent  business  methods,  pluck  and  enterprise.  Politically  he  was  a  strong 
Republican  after  the  organization  of  that  party.  Though  not  a  member  of 
any  religious  body,  he  was  most  in  sympathy  with  the  Congregational  de- 
nomination, and  was  liberal  in  its  support. 

Mr.  Brewster  was  twice  married,  the  wife  of  his  youth  being  ]\Iiss 
Phoebe  ]\Iann,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  Their  union  was  solemnized  in 
1844.  and  five  years  later  she  died,  leaving  a  son  and  a  daughter.  For  his 
second  wife  Mr.  Brewster  chose  Miss  Margaret  Jones,  of  Pittsburg,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  four  of  their  children — two  sons  and  two  daughters — survive. 
Mourned  by  the  friends  and  associates  of  a  life-time,  Mr.  Brewster  passed 
away  at  his  home  in  Peru,  March  2,  1897. 

Benjamin  D.  Brewster,  son  of  Theron  D.  Brewster,  who  was  so  influen- 
tial in  the  founding  of  Peru,  was  born  in  this  place  November  24,  1864,  a 
son  by  his  father's  second  marriage.  He  was  reared  and  educated  here  and 
later  attended  Bryant  &  Stratton's  Business  College,  in  Chicago,  Illinois. 
After  having  mastered  the  course  of  commercial  training  afforded  him  in  that 
institution  he  accepted  a  position  as  a  traveling  salesman  for  the  Western 
Clock  Manufacturing  Company,  of  LaSalle,  remaining  with  that  firm  for 
three  years.  Then,  going  to  New  York  city,  he  spent  two  years  there  with 
the  Time  Stamp  Company,  and  in  1893  returned  to  Peru.  For  the  past 
five  vears  he  has  conducted  the  real-estate  and  loan  business  formerlv  man- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  403 

aged  by  his  father,  and  besides  is  interested  in  the  Peru  Plow  &  Wheel 
Company,  being  a  director  in  the  same.  Since  this  concern  became  a  stock 
company  it  has  enjoyed  remarkable  prosperity  and  growth  in  the  volume 
of  business  transacted,  and  long  since  was  found  to  be  entitled  to  rank 
among  the  leading  industrial  enterprises  in  this  section  of  the  country.  A 
branch  house  was  established  some  time  ago  in  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa,  it  being 
known  as  the  Peru  Plow  &  Implement  Company,  and  of  this  Mr.  Brewster 
holds  the  place  of  secretary.  He  has  inherited  much  of  his  father's  business 
talent,  and  is  a  young  man  of  sterling  integrity  of  character,  respected  by  all 
Avho  know  him. 


BENJAMIN    M.    HETHERINGTON. 

The  only  representative  of  his  family  in  America,  this  respected  citizen 
■of  EaSalle  was  born  in  Ireland  fifty-eight  years  ago.  His  parents,  John  and 
Ellen  (Moynahan)  Hetherington,  passed  their  entire  lives  in  the  Emerald 
Isle,  dying  when  our  subject  was  young. 

Being  an  ambitious  youth,  Benjamin  M.  Hetherington  decided  to  come 
to  America,  where  he  was  confident  that  he  would  find  better  advantages, 
and  in  1854  landed  in  Savannah,  Georgia.  He  then  spent  about  four  years 
in  visiting  different  parts  of  this  country,  and  thus  is  a  competent  judge  of 
the  merits  of  the  various  localities.  In  1858  he  was  married,  in  Jackson 
county,  Wisconsin,  to  Mary,  daughter  of  Michael  and  Kate  (McDonald) 
Lawlor.  They  were  natives  of  Ireland,  who  first  settled  in  New  Jersey  upon 
their  arrival  in  the.  United  States,  and  subsequently  removed  to  Galena, 
Illinois,  where  Mrs.   Hetherington  was  born. 

The  year  after  his  marriage  INIr.  Hetherington  and  wife  became  resi- 
dents of  LaSalle,  and  thus  for  two-score  years  they  have  been  identified 
with  the  welfare  of  this  place.  During  this  long  period  our  subject  has 
been  connected  with  the  coal-mining  industry,  and  for  many  years  has  held 
the  responsible  position  of  mine  manager  of  the  Union  coal  shaft  in  LaSalle. 
To  his  ingenuity  and  constructive  ability  may  be  ascribed  the  two  bridges 
built  across  the  Illinois  river  at  LaSalle  and  Utica.  Recognized  as  a 
hard  worker  and  a  thoroughly  competent  man  in  his  line,  he  commands 
the  respect  of  all  who  are  associated  with  him  in  any  manner. 

For  eighteen  years  Mr,  Hetherington  has  been  a  member  of  the  LaSalle 
board  of  aldermen,  and  in  this  ofiice  has  done  much  effectual  work  toward 
the  upbuilding  and  improvement  of  the  place.  In  his  early  manhood  he 
cast  in  his  lot  with  the  Democratic  party,  but,  being  one  who  reads,  studies 
and  thinks  for  himself  and  has  the  courage  of  his  convictions,  he  took  issue 
with  his  late  poHtical  comrades  in  the  last  presidential  campaign,  fearlessly 


404  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

declaring  himself  for  sound  money.  He  went  to  the  state  convention  in 
Chicago  as  a  delegate  to  the  Democratic  convention  that  nominated  the 
Hon.  John  M.  Palmer  for  the  ofifice  of  chief  executive.  Mr.  Hetherington 
acted  in  the  capacity  of  township  supervisor  for  five  years,  and  in  other 
local  offices  has  proved  his  genuine  regard  for  the  public  advancement. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  and  wife  was  blessed  with  twelve  children, 
eight  of  whom  are  living.  In  the  order  of  their  birth  they  are  named  as 
follows:  Margaret,  John.  Thomas,  Mary,  Kittie,  Nora,  Benjamin  W.  and 
Lawlor.  The  family  belong  to  the  Catholic  church,  and  are  actively  con- 
nected with  its  work  and  benevolences. 


FREDERICK   G.   COOPER. 

Frederick  G.  Cooper,  engineer  of  the  city  water-works  at  LaSalle, 
Illinois,  w-as  born  at  Lockport,  this  state,  July  12,  1862,  a  son  of  Thomas 
and  Christine  (Bloom)  Cooper  and  a  grandson  of  Thomas  Benton  Cooper, 
who  sprung  from  Quaker  stock  and  whose  place  of  nativity  was  in  Penn- 
sylvania, about  twenty  miles  from  Philadelphia.  His  occupation  was  that 
of  husbandry,  and  although  a  Quaker  and  a  believer  in  peace  yet  he  took 
up  arms  and  fought  in  the  war  of  181 2.  After  his  marriage  he  moved  to 
the  state  of  New  York,  where  he  died  in  early  manhood,  leaving  a  widow, 
who  lived  to  be  a  very  old  lady,  dying  in  the  summer  of  1892,  and  an  only 
son. 

This  son  was  Thomas  Cooper,  who  was  born  in  Nev;  York,  and  moved 
to  the  state  of  Illinois  some  forty  years  ago,  settling  at  LaSalle  and  making 
that  his  headquarters  while  he  plied  his  vocation  of  boating  on  the  Illinois 
river  and  the  canal.  He  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Christine  Bloom, 
with  whom  he  has  lived  in  conjugal  happiness  many  years  and  who  is  still 
the  presiding  genius  of  his  home  in  Newton,  Illinois.  They  have  three 
children  awaiting  them  in  the  better  land  and  three  who  are  spared  to  them 
here,  viz.:  Martha,  wife  of  Charles  Heagy,  of  LaSalle;  Frederick  G.  and 
Lydia.  Mrs.  Cooper  was  a  daughter  of  Peter  Bloom,  a  shoemaker  in 
Sweden,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  wars  that  were  waged  in  that  country 
and  finally  left  there  for  America  with  his  family.  On  the  voyage  over 
they  suffered  shipwreck  and  one  of  his  daughters  was  lost.  With  the 
remaining  children,  two  sons  and  one  daughter  (now  Mrs.  Cooper),  he  made 
his  way  to  the  inland  country  and  settled  in  Henry  county,  Illinois,  where 
he  lived  to  be  more  than  eighty-three  years  of  age. 

Frederick  G.  Cooper  received  a  public-school  education,  but  early  in 
life  developed  a  fondness  for  machinery  which  culminated  in  a  mastery  of 
the  trade  to  which  he  is  devoted.    When  seventeen  or  eighteen  years  of  age. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  405 

he  began  his  apprenticeship  as  an  engineer,  and  it  was  not  long  before  he 
could  take  charge  of  an  engine.  For  nine  or  more  years  he  has  been  em- 
ployed in  the  water-works  and  electric-light  plants  of  the  city  and  takes  a 
pardonable  pride  in  his  work.  He  was  married  August  23,  1888,  to  Miss 
Nellie  Williams,  a  daughter  of  Captain  E.  L.  and  Lydia  A.  (Hyers)  Williams. 
Three  children,  Thomas,  Edwin  and  Lydia,  have  blessed  their  home.  Mr. 
Cooper  is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  In  politics 
he  does  not  incline  to  either  party,  being  entirely  independent  of  party 
influence  and  in  all  local  elections  voting  for  the  candidate  whom  he  thinks 
will  best  serve  the  interests  of  the  people. 

Captain  Edwin  Lewis  Williams,  the  father  of  Mrs.  F.  G.  Cooper,  was 
born  in  Darien,  Connecticut,  at  which  place  his  parents  died  after  attaining 
an  advanced  age.  The  father,  W'illiam  Williams,  was  a  native  of  Limerick, 
Ireland,  while  the  mother,  Phoebe,  came  from  Holland.  When  a  lad  of 
about  sixteen  years,  Edwin  L.  Williams  came  west  and  learned  the  trade  of 
painter,  at  Toulon,  Stark  county,  Illinois.  He  enlisted  in  Company  F, 
Eighth  Illinois  Volunteers,  at  Pekin,  and  served  four  years,  doing  duty  at 
Fort  Donelson,  Fort  Henry  and  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  and  taking  part 
in  many  skirmishes.  He  returned  to  his  home  in  Pekin,  on  account  of 
poor  health,  but  his  patriotic  ardor  was  in  no  way  dampened,  and  as  soon 
as  he  recovered  somewhat  he  raised  another  company.  Company  K,  One 
Hundred  and  Forty-sixth  Illinois,  of  which  he  was  chosen  captain.  They 
were  sent  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  where  they  did  state  service,  and  he  was 
one  of  the  body  guards  of  the  body  of  our  martyr  president,  Lincoln,  as  it 
lay  in  state.  After  receiving  his  discharge  he  went  to  low-a,  having  previ- 
ously served  as  postmaster  of  Pekin,  Illinois,  and  located  at  Mt.  Ayr, 
where  he  filled  the  ofhces  of  deputy  sheriff  and  city  marshal  from  the  year 
1872  to  1883.  He  was  united  in  wedlock  to  Miss  Lydia  Hyers,  a  native 
of  West  Point,  Lee  county,  Iowa,  and  a  daughter  of  William  B.  and  Eleanor 
(Waggoner)  Hyers,  a  carpenter  and  cabinet-maker  of  that  place.  She  was 
of  Scotch  descent,  and  one  of  seven  children.  After  leaving  Mt.  Ayr,  Mr. 
Williams  took  his  family  to  Tazewell  county,  Illinois,  locating  in  Spring 
Lake  township,  where  he  was  scale  master  and  assessor  for  several  years, 
and  W'here  he  died,  in  his  fifty-ninth  year,  in  1893,  loved  and  respected 
by  all. 


JOSEPH    ERTEL. 

Joseph  Ertel,  proprietor  of  the  Eagle  Mills  and  dealer  in  flour  and  all 
kinds  of  feed,  Mendota,  Illinois,  is  a  young  man  who  has  worked  his  way 
to  the  front  and  who  occupies  a  representative  position  among  the  business 


4o6  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

men  of  his  town.  Mr.  Ertel  was  born  in  Austria,  March  5,  1865,  and  was 
reared  in  his  native  land,  learning  there  the  miller's  trade.  In  1891  he  took 
to  himself  a  wife  and  on  the  same  da}-  of  his  marriage  bade  good-by  to  home 
and  friends  and  native  land  and  with  his  bride  started  for  America.  Upon 
his  arrival  in  this  country  he  came  directly  west  to  Iowa.  After  four  weeks 
spent  in  Iowa  City  he  located  in  Tomberg,  Keokuk  county,  Iowa,  and  was 
there  for  two- years  engaged  in  railroading,  as  a  section  hand.  In  1893  he 
came  to  Mendota  and  secured  employment  in  the  Eagle  Mills,  then  operated 
by  Mr.  Meisenbach,  and  remained  with  him  one  year.  The  next  two  years 
he  was  engaged  in  farming  in  Minnesota.  Returning  at  the  end  of  that 
time  to  Mendota,  he  took  charge  of  the  mills  in  which  he  had  formerly 
been  employed,  and  has  since  run  them  successfully. 

j\Ir.  Ertel  was  married  in  the  old  country,  as  already  stated,  in  1891^ 
the  lady  of  his  choice  being  Mary  Pesibel,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  four 
children.     Fraternally  Mr.  Ertel  is  identified  with  the  A.  O.  U.  W. 


CLYDE   M.   SNOW. 


Clyde  M.  Snow,  one  of  the  younger  business  men  of  Earlville.  Illinois, 
is  a  son  of  Simeon  Edward  Snow,  who  was  born  in  Shaftsbury,  Vermont^ 
October  15,  1849.  Mr.  Snow's  paternal  grandparents  were  Reuben  Russell 
Snow  and  Sarah  (Mason)  Snow.  In  tracing  the  genealogy  of  the  family,  we 
observe  that  Reuben  R.  Snow  was  a  son  of  Simeon  Snow,  son  of  Reuben 
Snow,  son  of  Eleazar  Snow,  son  of  William  Snow,  son  of  William  Snow,. 
Sr.,  who  was  the  parent  tree  of  the  family  in  America,  coming  from  Lon- 
don, England,  his  native  city,  to  New  England,  in  1635.  He  was  then  in 
his  youth  and  was  brought  to  this  country  as  an  apprentice.  Reaching 
his  majority,  he  married  and  settled  in  Massachusetts.  Many  have  been 
his  descendants,  and  they  have  been  scattered  to  many  of  the  states  of  the 
Union.  Among  them  have  numbered  prominent  professional  and  business 
men.  Longevity  is  remarkable  in  the  Snow  family.  Not  a  male  descendant 
in  direct  line,  reaching  maturity,  save  one,  has  died  under  the  age  of  eighty 
years.  One  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years.  The  paternal  grand- 
father of  our  subject  came  from  Vermont  to  Illinois  in  1857  and  located 
in  Earlville,  and  here  died  in  1898,  aged  eighty-seven  years.  His  occupa- 
tion was  not  confined  to  one  vocation  of  life.  Various  pursuits  he  followed. 
In  early  life  he  was  a  tanner  and  in  later  Hfe  a  druggist,  and  to-day  is  best 
remembered  in  Earlville  as  a  druggist.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Vermont 
legislature  in  1851.     Only  three  of  his  children  lived  to  a  mature  age,  they 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  407 

being  Emery  and  Zerina,  who  are  now  deceased,  and  S.  E.  Snow,  the 
father  of  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch. 

S.  E.  Snow  was  about  seven  years  of  age  when  his  father  came  to 
Earlville,  IlHnois,  in  which  place  he  has  ahvays  made  his  home.  For  more 
than  thirty  years  he  has  been  continuously  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
carriages,  in  blacksmithing  and  dealing  in  farm  implements.  His  place  of 
business  was  burned  out  in  1875,  but  he  rebuilt  and  to-day  has  a  fine  brick 
structure  for  a  business  house,  and  is  a  prosperous  business  man.  He  com- 
menced his  business  career  with  a  limited  capital,  has  worked  out  his  own 
success,  and  won  his  way  to  a  position  among  the  substantial  and  leading 
citizens  of  Earlville.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  fraternally  a  Master 
Mason.  In  1867  S.  E.  Snow  married  Arabelle  Warren,  a  native  of  Paw 
Paw,  Illinois,  and  the  subject  of  this  biography,  Clyde  M.  Snow,  is  their 
only  child. 

Clyde  M.  Snow  was  born  in  Earlville,  Illinois,  March  9,  1868.  He 
attended  the  public  schools  of  Earlville,  spent  six  months  in  a  military 
academy  at  Oxford,  IMaryland,  and  took  a  commercial  course  in  Bryant  & 
Stratton's  Business  College  at  Chicago.  From  boyhood  he  worked  more  or 
less  with  his  father,  and  was  devoting  his  time  to  the  interest  of  his  father's 
business  when  he  was  commissioned  postmaster  of  Earlville,  May  i,  1894. 
For  four  years  he  acted  in  that  capacity,  rendering  satisfactory  service  to 
the  public.  June  15,  1898,  he  became  a  member  of  the  drug  firm  of  Pool 
&  Snow,  of  Earlville,  and  at  this  writing  is  engaged  in  the  drug  business. 
In  politics  Mr.  Snow  has  been  active  as  a  Democrat.  He  is  a  Master  Mason 
and  also  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  the  Globe. 


HARRY  W.  TODD. 


Harry  W.  Todd,  the  prosperous  and  well  known  grocer  of  LaSalle,  was 
born  on  the  Vermilion  river,  at  Todd's  Mills,  near  Vermilion,  July  9,  1856. 
He  is  a  son  of  Ira  and  Mary  W.  (Cushman)  Todd.  The  family  are  of 
Scotch  extraction,  and  the  great-grandfather  fought  in  the  war  of  the 
Revolution.  The  grandfather,  also  named  Ira  Todd,  came  west  in  1832 
and  bought  the  mill  at  Todd's  Mills.  Previous  to  this  he  conducted  mills  at 
Jersey  City,  New  Jersey;  Cooperstown,  New  York;  Northampton,  Massa- 
chusetts; and  Hartford,  Connecticut.  He  was  at  the  head  of  the  milling 
company  in  St.  Louis,  a  company  which  he  helped  to  organize  and  which 
had  formerly  had  its  headquarters  at  Jersey  City  and  Detroit.  He  died  at 
Winona  in  his  eighty-sixth  year. 

Ira  Todd,  the  father,  was  one  of  ten  children,   eight  sons  and  two 


4o8  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

daughters,  of  whom  but  one  is  now  living.  That  one  is  George  Todd,  of 
St.  Louis,  who  is  now  in  his  eighty-fourth  year  and  has  resided  in  that 
city  since  1835.  He  was  an  extensive  manufacturer  of  mill  machinery. 
Ira  Todd  remained  at  Todd's  Mills  until  1857,  when  he  came  to  LaSalle  and 
conducted  a  wholesale  grocery  house,  at  the  same  time  operating  a  mill 
in  Peru  which  was  known  as  that  of  W.  &  I.  Todd  &  Company.  He  was 
the  victim  of  the  "wildcat"  currency  and  failed  in  business  during  the  war 
as  a  result  of  that  policy.  He  then  opened  a  retail  grocery  in  this  city  in 
company  with  J.  S.  Roberts,  Calvin  Wilson  and  Dr.  J.  C.  Brown.  Later  he 
had  charge  of  the  books  in  the  glass  factory  and  the  Oglesby  Coal  Com- 
pany's offices.  After  his  son  Harry  opened  his  grocery  store  he  assisted  in 
that,  retiring  from  active  life  a  few  years  prior  to  his  death.  He  was  a 
•man  of  robust  constitution  and  great  endurance.  He  was  a  great  reader  in 
•all  lines  of  importance  to  the  public  and  a  close  Bible  student.  A  man  of 
■decided  views,  he  formed  his  opinions  after  mature  deliberation,  and  was 
not  easily  moved  to  change  them.  He  was  a  Republican  in  former  times 
and  a  great  friend  of  Alexander  Campbell,  of  LaSalle.  He  was  also  a 
friend  and  admirer  of  Abraham  Lincoln.  He  later  became  a  strong  Pro- 
hibitionist. The  mill  first  operated  by  him  was  the  one  his  father  purchased 
in  1832.  Farmers  used  to  bring  their  grist  a  distance  of  fifty  miles  and  wait 
until  it  had  been  converted  into  flour  or  meal. 

He  was  married  to  Mary  W.  Cushman,  a  sister  of  the  late  Colonel 
Cushman,  of  Ottawa,  Illinois.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Todd  were  honored  members 
of  the  Congregational  church,  in  which  he  held  the  office  of  deacon  for 
about  twenty-five  years.  He  was  a  native  of  Hartford,  Connecticut,  while 
his  wife  was  from  the  state  of  Massachusetts.  Three  children  were  born 
to  them,  of  whom  two  are  living:  George  I.  and  Harry  W.,  both  of  LaSalle. 
The  father  died  January  25,  1899,  after  passing  his  seventy-sixth  year. 
His  wife  died  November  7,  1894,  when  in  her  seventieth  year.  The  father  of 
Mrs.  Todd  was  Hercules  Cushman,  a  native  of  the  state  of  Massachusetts 
and  of  English  descent.  His  grandfather  came  to  America  about  the  time 
the  Mayflower  brought  the  early  Pilgrims.  Hercules  was  a  lawyer  in  his 
native  state,  where  he  died  in  middle  life.  He  was  twice  married,  the  ladies 
being  sisters  named  Washburn.  He  had  three  children,  two  daughters  and 
one  son. 

Harry  W.  Todd  has  made  his  home  in  LaSalle  from  the  time  he  was 
brought  here  by  his  parents  in  1857.  Here  he  received  his  education.  He 
was  with  E.  B.  Treat  seven  years,  quitting  his  employment  once  to  open 
a  hardware  store  of  his  own.  This  was  conducted  but  a  short  time  when 
he  returned  to  his  former  employer.  He  also  engaged  for  a  time  in  the 
wholesale   and   retail   butter   and   egg  business.      In    1883   he   opened   his 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  409 

grocery  store  at  545  Marquette  street,  where  he  has  since  conducted  it. 
He  has  a  growing  and  prosperous  business  and  endeavors  to  satisfy  the 
wants  of  his  many  patrons.  He  is  a  RepubHcan  in  poHtics  and  is  a  member 
of  the  Congregational  church  society.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Knights 
and  Ladies'  Security.  He  has  traveled  extensively  in  the  states  and  is  a  man 
of  Dleasine:  address  and  an  intelligent  converser.  It  has  l^een  forty-three 
years  since  he  first  made  his  home  in  LaSalle,  and  thirty-five  years  of  the 
time  have  been  spent  in  the  old  home  at  No.  1007  Marquette  street.  In 
November,  1899,  Mr.  Todd  married  Miss  Neva  L.  Dimmitt,  of  Kansas 
Citv.  Kansas. 


WILLIAM   HARTH. 


The  German-American  citizens  of  the  United  States  have  always  been 
numbered  among  her  most  loyal  sons,  and  to  their  industry  and  energy 
and  sound  business  enterprise  much  of  the  prosperity  which  this  great 
nation  enjoys  may  be  justly  attributed.  One  of  the  old  and  honored  resi- 
dents of  LaSalle  county  was  William  Harth,  who  lived  his  last  years  in 
retirement  from  active  labors  and  cares,  and  for  the  last  eleven  years  of 
his  life  made  his  home  in  Peru.  He  enjoyed  the  respect  of  the  friends 
and  neighbors  who  knew  him  for  }'ears,  some  for  almost  half  a  century. 

The  parents  of  the  above  named  gentleman  were  Theodore  and  Ger- 
trude (Pfeld)  Harth,  both  natives  of  Germany,  their  occupation  being  that 
of  tillers  of  the  soil.  The  father  died  when  about  sixty-three  years  of  age,  in 
183 1,  and  the  mother,  whose  death  took  place  in  1844,  was  then  in  her  sixty- 
fourth  year.  They  were  both  identified  with  the  Catholic  church.  Both  of 
the  grandfathers  of  our  subject  were  agriculturists  and  passed  their  whole 
lives  in  Germany.  Grandfather  Pfeld  died  suddenly,  when  in  the  full  vigor 
of  life,  while  engaged  in  plowing  a  field.  His  children  were  three  in  number. 
Christian  Harth,  a  brother  of  our  subject,  is  the  only  survivor  of  the  parental 
family,  as  one  by  one  their  six  sons  and  four  daughters  passed  into  the 
silent  land. 

William  Harth  was  born  in  the  town  of  Kull,  on  the  banks  of  the  river 
Rhine,  in  Germany,  March  12.  1821.  His  boyhood  was  quietly  spent  in  the 
usual  vocations  of  a  farm  and  in  attendance  at  the  common  schools.  He 
continued  to  live  at  home  until  he  reached  man's  estate,  and  in  1846  he 
decided  to  try  his  fortune  in  the  United  States.  Almost  immediately  after 
his  arrival  in  this  country  he  settled  in  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  and,  having 
purchased  a  quarter  section  of  land  in  Eagle  township,  he  proceeded  to 
cultivate  and  improve  his  property.  As  the  years  rolled  by  he  prospered  and 
from  time  to  time  he  added  more  land  to  his  possessions  until  he  owned  five 


4IO  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

hundred  and  forty  acres.  In  1888  he  left  the  homestead,  and  thereafter 
resided  in  Peru.  As  good  opportunities  presented  themseh/es  he  disposed 
of  his  farms,  and  with  abundant  means  for  old  age  spent  his  days  in  well 
deserved  rest  and  retirement.  Thrift  and  industry  were  the  secrets  of  his 
success,  for  he  early  learned  the  lesson  that  honest  toil  is  the  only  safe  and 
sure  method  of  earning  a  livelihood  and  competence.  In  political  affairs 
he  was  always  an  ally  of  the  Democratic  party. 

The  marriage  of  William  Harth  and  Katherine  Henn.  a  daughter  of 
Philip  and  Helena  (June)  Henn,  was  solemnized  October  17,  1847.  They 
have  had  four  sons  and  six  daughters,  namely:  John.  Joseph,  Elizabeth, 
Henry,  Mary,  Christina.  Anna,  Peter.  ^Minnie  and  Sibella.  John  and 
Joseph  live  in  Kansas.  The  latter  chose  for  his  wife  Alary  Shetzer  and  the 
former  is  also  married.  Elizabeth  became  the  wife  of  William  Laufenberg" 
and  they  live  in  Little  Rock.  Arkansas.  Henry  married  Louisa  Center  and 
is  a  resident  of  Nebraska.  Alary,  who  wedded  John  Smith,  also  lives  in 
Nebraska,  her  home  being  in  Hartwell.  Anna,  Airs.  Frank  Schinzel.  is 
living  in  Leonora,  Illinois.  Peter  married  Ella  Clampler  and  makes  his 
home  in  Spring  Valley.  Illinois.  Alinnie  is  the  wife  of  Peter  Aleisen,  of 
Leonore,  this  state.  Aliss  Sibella,  unmarried,  took  care  of  her  parents 
during  their  last  days.  \Mlliam  Harth  and  wife  were  devout  members  of 
the  Catholic  church,  as  were  their  ancestors  before  them  for  many  gener- 
ations. 


HENRY  E.   SCHWEICKERT. 

This  gentleman,  a  prominent  business  man  of  Peru,  is  a  native  of 
this  place,  his  birth  having  occurred  here  August  24,  1863.  He  is  one  of 
the  nine  children  of  Vincent  and  Alary  (W^ellner)  Schweickert,  who  were 
born  in  Baden  and  in  Rhein.  Bavaria.  Germany,  respectively.  Eor  three 
years  after  his  arrival  in  America,  in  1853,  Vincent  Schweickert  resided  in 
Reading,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  found  employm.ent  at  his  trade  of  brick 
and  stone  mason  and  plasterer.  He  was  married  during  his  stay  in  that 
city,  whence  he  came  to  Peru  in  1856,  and  he  and  his  estimable  wife  are 
still  living  in  their  comfortable  home  on  the  corner  of  Pike  and  Ninth 
streets.  He  was  one  of  the  five  children  of  Jacob  Schweickert,  whose  life 
was  spent  in  Germany,  death  cutting  short  his  career  when  he  was  but 
forty  years  of  age.  His  business  was  the  raising-  of  silk-worms  and  the 
bleaching  or  whitening  of  cloth.  The  father  of  Airs.  Alary  (Wellner) 
Schweickert  served  in  the  German  army  under  Napoleon,  and  was  a  coal- 
miner  by  occupation.  He  died  in  his  native  land,  at  the  ripe  age  of  eighty- 
two  vears. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  411 

Henry  E.  Schweickert  and  his  six  surviving  brothers  and  sisters  are 
all  citizens  of  Peru.  The  former  are  named  in  order  of  birth:  Charles, 
Jacob,  Bertram  and  Francis  Xavier.  Mary  is  the  wife  of  Peter  Weyand, 
and  Lizzie  is  Mrs.  Frank  Ellerbrock.  In  common  with  the  others,  our 
subject  was  a  pupil  in  the  public  and  parochial  schools  of  Peru,  his  studies 
being  completed  in  the  high  school  here.  At  intervals  he  worked  on  farms 
in  this  county  until  he  was  twenty  years  old,  when  he  began  learning  the 
brick  and  stone  mason's  trade. 

Ten  years  ago  Henry  E.,  Charles  and  Jacob  Schweickert  entered  into 
partnership  and  carried  on  a  contracting  and  building  business  for  two 
years.  Then  our  subject  withdrew  and  conducted  his  affairs  independently 
for  seven  years,  and  since  1898  has  been  associated  with  his  brothers  Jacob, 
Bertram,  Francis  X.,  and  Frank  Ellerbrock,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Schweickert  Brothers  &  Company.  They  do  an  extensive  and  paying  busi- 
ness, and  are  winning  a  large  share  of  the  patronage  of  the  public. 

On  the  17th  of  May,  1887,  Mr.  Schweickert  married  Miss  Lizzie 
Ellerbrock,  a  daughter  of  John  William  and  Anna  (Utendorf)  Ellerbrock, 
Six  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  namely:  Vincent, 
Peter  Phillip  Maria,  Henry  Charles  Anton  Alexander,  Mary  Franciska,. 
Mary  Hildegard  and  Mary  Beatrice. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schweickert  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church,  and 
he  is  connected  with  the  fraternal  orders  of  St.  Joseph's  Benevolent  Society 
and  the  Catholic  Order  of  Foresters.  Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat.  The 
pleasant  home  of  the  family  was  built  by  our  subject  in  1888.  It  stands  on 
the  corner  of  Pike  and  Tenth  streets,  an  attractive  residence  section  of 
the  town,  and  near  the  home  of  the  elder  Schweickerts. 


OTTO   T.   PROELSS. 


Otto  T.  Proelss,  foreman  of  the  sulphuric-acid  department  of  the 
Matthiessen  &  Hegeler  Zinc  Works,  LaSalle,  Illinois,  came  to  this  city 
October  12,  1889,  started  to  work  in  the  laboratory  of  the  factory  and  for 
ten  years  has  been  in  the  employ  of  the  establishment. 

Mr.  Proelss  was  born  in  Viviez,  France,  August  9,  1870,  a  son  of  Dr. 
Otto  and  Anna  (Eckhort)  Proelss,  both  natives  of  Germany.  Dr.  Otto 
Proelss  was  educated  at  Heidelberg  University,  at  which  institution  he 
graduated  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Philosophy.  For  twenty  years  he 
was  the  superintendent  of  the  Gladblach  Zinc  Works,  and  held  the  position 
at  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1890. 

Otto  T.,   the   subject   of  this   sketch,   also   had   excellent   educational 


412  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

advantages  in  his  youth.  He  spent  four  years  in  the  gymnasium  at  Frei- 
berg and  later  was  a  student  in  the  gymnasium  of  Mulheim,  where  he 
completed  his  course.  The  father's  occupation  tended  to  lead  the  son  into 
the  zinc  business,  with  which  he  became  familiar  in  the  old  country,  and  in 
1889  he  came  to  the  United  States  to  enter  the  employ  of  the  Matthiessen 
&  Hegeler  Zinc  Works,  as  above  recorded. 

Mr.  Proelss  was  married  in  1894  to  Miss  Alvine,  daughter  of  Charles 
Seepe,  a  prominent  dry-goods  merchant  of  Peru,  Illinois.  Charles  Seepe  is 
a  native  of  Prussia,  born  near  Ham,  June  9,  1842,  one  of  the  seven  children 
of  Gerhard  and  Maria  (Kemper)  Seepe,  both  natives  of  Prussia.  The 
family  came  to  America  in  1849  and  settled  at  Peru,  Illinois,  where  both 
parents  died.  Charles  Seepe  was  reared  in  Peru  from  his  seventh  year  and 
at  fourteen  became  an  apprentice  at  the  dry-goods  business.  Since  1872 
he  has  been  in  business  for  himself.  He  was  married  October  23,  1864, 
to  Miss  Sophia  Beckley,  daughter  of  John  Beckley,  and  to  them  were 
born  three  sons  and  six  daughters,  namely:  Jennie,  Julia  (deceased),  Clara, 
Alvine,  Albert,  Charles,  Harrv,  Etta  and  Edith. 


JAMES   EDWARDS. 

James  Edwards,  the  superintendent  of  the  Peru  Plow  &  Wheel  Com- 
pany, is  a  native  of  England,  having  been  born  in  Redruth,  Cornwall,  March 
16.  1848.  This  has  been  the  birthplace  of  the  Edwards  family  for  several 
generations  past,  the  great-great-great-grandfather  of  our  subject  having 
been  wrecked  on  the  Cornish  coast  between  Perron  and  Portreath  and  lo- 
cated near  the  scene  of  the  wreck,  about  two  miles  inland.  Here  the  family 
remained  and  the  different  members  were  born  down  to  the  birth  of  our  sub- 
ject, James  Edwards.  Since  then  the  family  have  scattered  until  none  of  the 
name  are  left  in  that  vicinity  at  the  present  day. 

James  Edwards,  the  father  of  our  subject,  began  when  a  boy  to  work 
in  copper,  tin,  coal  and  iron.  He  became  an  engineer  of  ability  and  was  in 
the  employ  of  one  firm.  Sparrow  &  Son,  for  more  than  tvventy-seven  years. 
He  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Grace  Bowden,  by  whom  he  had  three 
sons  and  three  daughters,  of  whom  James  and  William  are  the  only  survivors. 
Both  parents  were  Wesleyan  Methodists.  The  wife  and  mother  died  in 
1885,  in  her  fifty-eighth  year,  and  the  November  of  the  next  year  found  the 
father  in  Chicago,  where  he  made  his  home  with  his  son  James  until  his 
death,  on  May  29,  1890,  at  the  age  of  sixty-six  and  one-half  years.  His  father 
was  William  Edwards,  a  miner  and  engineer,  and  a  member  of  the  Home 
Guards  militia  during  the  Napoleon  wars.    He  died  at  the  age  of  fifty-seven, 


a4i^i£^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  413 

leaving  six  children.  It  was  the  great-grandfather  of  William  who  founded 
the  family  in  Cornwall.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  Will- 
iam Bowden,  a  native  of  Wendron,  Cornwall,  and  a  farmer.  The  Bowden 
family  were  large  land-owners  and  prominent  people.  William  was  a  soldier 
in  the  Home  Guards  during  the  peninsular  wars,  and  held  a  number  of 
township  offices.  He  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years,  after  rearing  six 
children, — three  sons  and  three  daughters. 

When  ten  or  twelve  years  old,  James  Edwards  went  to  work  in  a 
pottery,  and  later  entered  the  tin  and  copper  mines  at  Cornwall,  where  he 
remained  until  he  was  fifteen.  He  has  worked  his  own  way  in  the  world 
from  that  tender  age,  and  is  a  ready  sympathizer  and  helper  of  any  young 
man  who  earnestly  and  industriously  strives  for  advancement.  When  he  was 
fifteen  he  began  learning  the  trade  of  blacksmith,  serving  his  time  until  he 
was  twenty-one.  Two  years  later  he  came  to  America  and  located  in  Indian- 
apolis, where  he  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Cleveland,  Columbus,  Cincinnati 
&  Indianapolis  Railroad  for  six  months.  He  left  them  to  accept  a  position 
as  locomotive  blacksmith  in  the  Atlantic  &  Great  Western  shops  at  Gallon, 
Ohio.  He  w^as  there  four  years  and  then  returned  to  England,  where  he 
was  in  the  employ  of  the  Pendleton  Iron  Works,  and  later  took  charge  of 
the  iron  works  of  Bradford  &  Son.  Still  later  he  was  connected  with  the 
Manchester  Carriage  Company,  and  then  opened  a  business  of  his  own. 
He  was  in  the  crockery  and  glassware  business  for  five  or  six  years,  but  dis- 
posed of  his  stock  in  1886,  returning  to  America  in  July  of  that  year.  He 
stopped  in  Chicago  and  worked  in  the  iron  business  with  Harris  &  Wins- 
low,  the  Bab.cock  Fire  Engine  Company,  and  R.  T.  Crane  until  1890,  when, 
in  December,  he  came  to  Peru  and  took  the  superintendency  of  the  Peru 
Plow  &  Steel  Company,  the  position  he  still  retains.  This  institution  makes 
agricultural  implements  of  nearly  all  descriptions  and  gives  employment  to 
a  large  force  of  men,  nearly  two  hundred  being  given  steady  work.  Al- 
though the  superintendency  of  this  plant  is  attended  with  great  responsibility 
and  care,  Mr.  Edwards  maintains  a  calm  and  courteous  manner  that  is 
unruffled  by  the  little  worries  incident  to  business  life.  No  doubt  his  great 
success  and  popularity  are  attributable  in  a  great  measure  to  the  fact  that 
his  men  appreciate  his  kindness  and  civility  and  are  willing  to  make  extra 
efforts  to  meet  his  wishes  in  all  their  work. 

Mr.  Edwards  was  married  August  20,  1872,  to  Miss  Nannie  Williams 
Bowden,  daughter  of  John  and  Nannie  (Williams)  Bowden,  of  Cornwall. 
Ten  children  have  been  born  to  them,  namely:  John  Harrison,  deceased; 
William  Henry,  deceased;  Grace  Bowden.  deceased;  James,  deceased; 
Emily;  Charles;  James,  deceased;  Gertrude;  Nannie;  and  Henry.  The 
children  are  living  with  their  parents.    Although  ]\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Edwards  are 


414 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


not  communicants  of  any  church,  they  are  beHevers  in  the  Congregational 
doctrines  and  attend  that  church.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order  and 
both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star.  He  also 
belongs  to  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen,  and  is  the  worthy  mas- 
ter of  the  Mystic  \A'orkers  of  the  World.  Politically  he  is  in  sympathy  with 
the  Republicans.  Mr.  Edwards  is  temperate  in  his  habits,  never  tasted 
beer  or  tobacco,  and  has  made  the  golden  rule  the  motto  which  has  governed 
all  his  actions. 


VINAL  H.   HACKETT. 


Vinal  Herbert  Hackett,  proprietor  of  a  livery  establishment  at  Men- 
■dota,  Illinois,  is  a  New-Englander  by  birth.  He  was  born  in  Merrimack, 
New  Hampshire,  August  22,  1856. 

At  nineteen  he  came  west  to  Illinois  and  located  at  Dixon,  where  he 
resided  for  a  period  of  ten  years,  the  most  of  that  time  engaged  in  the 
livery  business,  with  a  partner.  April  2,  1888,  he  came  to  Mendota,  and 
has  since  been  engaged  in  the  livery  business  here,  having  a  large  estab- 
lishment and  doing  a  prosperous  business  with  the  best  class  of  trade. 


MICHAEL    E.    LOOS. 


Michael  E.  Loos,  rolling-mill  foreman  for  the  Illinois  Zinc  Company, 
LaSalle.  Illinois,  is  of  German  birth,  but  has  been  identified  with  this 
country  since  his  early  boyhood.  He  was  born  in  Luxemburg,  Germany, 
January  30,  1843,  ^  son  of  Nicholas  and  Lena  (Krier)  Loos  and  one  of  a 
iamily  of  ten  children.  The  Loos  family  left  their  native  land  in  1855  and 
after  a  successful  voyage  landed  in  this  country,  Illinois  their  objective 
point  and  their  first  place  of  settlement  being  in  Ogle  county.  There  the 
father  died,  in  1861,  at  the  age  of  sixty-one  years.  The  mother  survived 
him  until  1871,  when  she  died  in  Freeport,  at  the  age  of  seventy-two. 

At  the  time  of  their  emigration  to  this  country  Michael  E.  was  a  boy 
of  twelve  years.  His  schooling  was  all  obtained  previous  to  that  time, 
for  after  they  settled  in  Illinois  he  was  occupied  in  assisting  his  father  in 
the  work  of  the  farm.  However,  he  has  always  been  a  close  observer  and 
•great  reader,  and  what  he  missed  in  school  advantages  he  made  up  in  home 
study,  thus  gaining  a  wide  range  of  useful  information.  He  continued  the 
■occupation  in  which  he  was  reared,  that  of  farming,  until  1866.  In  the 
meantime  the  civil  war  came  on  and  he  rendered  his  adopted  country 
valiant  service  in  the  arm}-.     He  enlisted  September  7,  1861,  as  a  private 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  415 

in  Company  H,  Thirty-fourth  Illinois  Infantry,  and  served  as  such  until 
June  14,  1865,  when  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  second  lieutenant.  His 
first  enlistment  was  for  a  term  of  three  years,  and  at  the  end  of  that  time 
he  veteranized  in  the  same  company.  He  participated  in  the  engagements 
at  Pittsburg  Landing,  Corinth,  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  was  with  Sher- 
man on  his  memorable  march  to  the  sea.  At  the  close  of  his  service,  July 
12,  1865,  he  was  honorably  discharged  at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  and  re- 
turned home.  He  resumed  farming  at  his  old  home,  and  farmed  that  season 
and  the  next,  after  which  he  moved  to  Freeport,  Illinois,  and  turned  his 
attention  to  railroading,  first  securing  an  engagement  in  the  service  of  the 
Northw^estern  Railroad  Company,  later  was  at  El  Paso,  on  the  Illinois 
Central  Railroad,  and  then  went  to  Nebraska  and  took  a  homestead  claim. 
In  1873  he  located  in  LaSalle.  Illinois,  as  car  inspector  for  the  Illinois 
Central  Railroad,  and  two  years  later,  in  1875,  he  entered  the  employ  of 
the  LaSalle  Zinc  Company,  with  which  he  remained  until  that  company 
sold  out  to  the  Matthiessen  &  Hegeler  Zinc  Company.  He  then  entered 
the  employ  of  the  latter,  with  which  he  remained  until  1882.  That  year  he 
became  connected  with  the  Illinois  Zinc  Company,  and  was  made  foreman 
of  the  rolling-mill  department  the  following  year,  which  position  he  has 
since  filled.  His  long  identity  wath  this  concern  is  ample  evidence  of  the 
value  of  his  service  and  of  his  reliability. 

Mr.  Loos  was  married  in  1865  to  Catherine  Orth,  and  two  children, 
William  and  Catherine,  are  the  fruits  of  their  union. 

Like  most  veterans  of  the  Union  army,  Mr.  Loos  belongs  to  that 
popular  organization,  the  Grand  i\rmy  of  the  Republic.  Also  he  is  identi- 
fied with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  served  one  term  as 
alderman  of  LaSalle,  elected  to  the  office  by  a  Republican  constituency. 
Religiously  he  and  his  family  are  Catholics. 


JOHN    E.    HAMPSON. 


John  E.  Hampson,  a  well  known  citizen  of  Farm  Ridge  township,  La- 
Salle county,  Illinois,  dates  his  identification  with  this  place  from  1865. 
The  record  of  his  life  and  ancestry,  briefly  given,  is  as  follows: 

John  E.  Flampson  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  Oc- 
tober 16,  1848,  son  of  John  B.  Hampson,  one  of  the  venerable  citizens  of 
Farm  Ridge,  Illinois.  John  B.  Hampson,  also  a  native  of  Washington 
county,  Pennsylvania,  was  born  March  16,  1815,  a  son  of  Daniel  and 
grandson  of  Joseph  Hampson,  the  former  a  native  of  New  Jersey.  Joseph 
Hampson  and  wife,  nee  Hazen,  were  the  parents  of  three  children, — Lydia, 


4i6  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

Harriet  and  Daniel.  When  Daniel  was  seven  years  of  age  the  family  home 
was  changed  from  New  Jersey  to  Pennsylvania,  where  he  grew  up  and 
married  Miss  ]\Iary  Biddle,  also  a  native  of  New  Jersey.  She  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  Timothy  Biddle,  of  that  state.  Daniel  and  Mary  Hampson  had  nine 
children,  four  sons  and  five  daughters,  namely:  John  B.,  Catherine,  Lucinda, 
Hannah,  Ezekiel.  Wiley,  J\lary,  Nancy  and  Thomas;  and  of  this  number 
John  B.  is  the  only  one  now  living.  The  father  died  at  the  age  of  fifty-six 
years;  the  mother  at  seventy-six.  In  early  life  they  were  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  but  later  united  with  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterians, and  Daniel  Hampson  was  an  elder  in  the  church  for  a  number 
of  years.  John  B.  Hampson  married,  in  1838,  Miss  Ruth  Bane,  a  native 
of  the  same  county  in  which  he  was  born  and  a  daughter  of  George  and 
Rhoda  (Clutter)  Bane,  both  natives  of  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania. 
To  John  B.  and  Ruth  Hampson  were  born  four  children,  as  follows:  Mrs. 
Mary  J.  Oiler,  who  died  in  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania;  Mrs.  Charity 
Ann  Berkhimer,  of  Humboldt,  Iowa;  John  E.,  whose  name  initiates  this 
review;  and  Joseph  Alexander,  of  South  Ottawa,  Illinois.  John  B.  Hamp- 
son, like  his  father  before  him,  is  identified  with  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian church  and  is  an  elder  in  the  same.     Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 

Returning  now  to  John  E.  Hampson,  we  record  that  when  he  was  a 
youth  of  seventeen  years,  in  1865,  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Illinois. 
Farming  has  been  his  life  work.  He  is  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  fine  land  in  Farm  Ridge  township,  devoted  to  general  farm- 
ing and  improved  with  good  house,  barn,  orchard,  etc. 

Mr.  Hampson  was  married,  February  24,  1874,  to  Miss  Eliza  Walley,  a 
native  of  Illinois,  born  in  Farm  Ridge  township,  LaSalle  county,  daughter 
of  Samuel  and  Eliza  (Hera)  Walley,  the  former  a  native  of  Chester  county, 
Pennsylvania,  who  came  to  Illinois  in  1841;  the  latter  a  native  of  Phila- 
delphia. Samuel  Walley's  family  comprised  the  following  members:  Louisa, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty  years;  Elias,  a  resident  of  Deer  River,  Minne- 
sota; John,  a  resident  of  Cedar  county,  Iowa;  and  Mrs.  Hampson.  Mrs. 
Walley  died  in  1871,  at  the  age  of  forty-six  years:  Mr.  Walley,  in  1896  at 
the  age  of  eighty-three  years.  They  were  Methodists.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hampson  have  seven  children,  namely:  Lura  B.,  wife  of  Charles  E.  Wood- 
ward, of  Ottawa,  IlHnois:  Birdie  ]M.,  wife  of  George  Hopple,  of  Arling- 
ton, Nebraska;  and  Ethel,  Ralph  E..  Walter  W.,  Nelly  R.  and  Lloyd,  at 
home. 

Mr.  Hampson  has  always  manifested  an  interest  in  public  affairs, 
especially  those  of  a  local  nature,  and  has  ser\^ed  acceptably  in  an  official 
capacity.  He  is  at  this  writing  one  of  the  township  road  commissioners,  and 
for  twentv  years  has  been  a  member  of  the  school  board.     He  is  politically 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  417 

a  Republican  and  fraternally  a  Knight  of  Pythias.  Frank  and  genial  in 
manner,  honorable  and  upright  in  all  his  dealings,  he  is  a  man  who  has  the 
confidence  and  respect  of  all  who  know  him. 


THOMAS   IMUS. 


The  venerable  gentleman  whose  name  heads  this  sketch  and  who 
resides  at  the  corner  of  Fifth  street  and  Second  avenue.  Mendota,  Illinois, 
came  here  from  the  Green  Mountain  state  in  1856,  and  has  lived  here  ever 
since,  an  honored  and  respected  citizen.  He  has  marked  the  town's  growth 
from  its  infancy.  At  the  time  he  arrived  it  had  only  one  store,  that  owned 
by  Giles  &  Wells.  He  engaged  in  the  marble  business,  which  he  conducted 
sucessfully  until  about  1880,  when  he  sold  out,  having  since  that  time  lived 
retired  from  active  business  life. 

Thomas  Imus  was  born  in  Bennington  county,  Vermont,  in  the  town 
of  Arlington,  August  21,  181 5,  a  son  of  William  and  Annie  (Rising)  Imus, 
the  former  a  native  of  London,  England,  and  the  latter  of  Sufifield,  Connecti- 
cut. Six  children  composed  their  family,  two  sons  and  four  daughters,  all 
of  whom  have  passed  away  except  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  who  was 
the  youngest.  The  father  was  a  watchmaker  by  trade,  which  he  followed 
in  the  early  part  of  his  life.  He  came  to  America  in  1753,  located  in 
Sufifield,  and  subsequently  removed  to  Bennington  county,  Vermont,  where 
he  became  the  owner  of  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  land  and 
where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  in  agricultural  pursuits.  He  died  in  1830, 
at  the  age  of  ninety-six  years.  He  was  twice  married.  By  his  first  wife, 
Lucy  Buck,  he  had  nine  children,  and  by  his  second  wife  six,  the  subject 
of  our  sketch  being  one  of  the  latter.  The  second  wife  was  eighty-four 
years  old  at  the  time  of  her  death.  They  were  all  Episcopalians.  During 
the  Revolutionary  war  William  Imus  was  three  times  drafted  into  the 
service,  but  would  not  fight  against  his  own  country  and  relations,  and 
each  time  hired  a  substitute. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  William  Imus.  He  was 
the  father  of  four  sons,  and  was  a  large  property  owner.  He  lived  and 
died  in  England.  The  maternal  grandfather  also  was  an  Englishman. 
He  came  to  America  in  the  eighteenth  century,  settled  on  a  New  England 
farm  and  devoted  his  energies  to  agricultural  pursuits  the  rest  of  his  life, 
and  reached  a  ripe  old  age. 

Thomas  Imus,  the  direct  subject  of  this  review,  was  reared  on  his  fath- 
er's farm  in  Vermont,  and  after  his  father's  death  he  began  learning  the 
marble-cutter's  trade,  being  at  that  time  twenty-one  years  of  age. 


4i8  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

On  the  28th  of  February,  1845,  he  married  ]vliss  Louisa  Gleason,  a 
daughter  of  Newton  and  Annis  (Mixer)  Gleason,  and  two  children,  a 
son  and  daughter,  were  born  to  them.  The  son,  Newton,  married  Isabella 
Wyrick  and  lives  in  Mendota;  they  have  one  child,  named  Mable.  The 
daughter,  Mattie,  is  the  wife  of  \\'illiam  E.  \Mxom,  and  they  have  one 
child,  named  Blossom.  ]\Irs.  Thomas  Imus  died  August  2,  1894,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-three  years.  She  was  a  devoted  Christian  and  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  church. 

Mr.  Imus  has  always  been  a  temperance  man,  and  in  his  younger  years 
was  a  member  of  the  Rechabites  and  the  Good  Templars.  Also  he  was 
for  years  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  His  early  political  affiliation 
was  with  the  Whig  party,  and  when  the  Republican  party  was  organized 
he  identified  himself  with  it  and  has  since  given  it  his  support.  For  a 
number  of  years  he  was  a  school  director  in  Mendota,  and  his  influence  has 
always  been  directed  on  the  side  of  right  and  progress.  Now  in  his  old 
age  he  enjoys  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  many  friends  in  the  town 
where  he  has  lived  for  nearly  half  a  century. 


JOSEPH   REINHARDT. 

Hon.  Joseph  Reinhardt,  of, Peru,  LaSalle  county,  was  a  native  of  Ger- 
many, having  been  born  in  the  town  of  Fulda,  in  Hesse,  Prussia,  January 
II,  1828.  His  parents,  Conrad  and  Clara  (Malkmas)  Reinhardt,  lived  and 
died  in  Germany,  where  the  father  was  a  physician  of  ability.  Joseph  was 
the  only  son  in  the  family  who  greiw  to  adult  years  and  to  him  was  accorded 
an  excellent  education.  After  receiving  a  liberal  education  in  other 
branches,  he  entered  the  University  at  Jena,  where  he  took  a  course  in  the 
agricultural  department,  preparing  himself  to  prosecute  intelligently  that 
branch  of  labor. 

When  twenty-four  years  of  age  he  contracted  marriage  with  Miss 
Bertha  Brennemann,  also  a  native  of  Prussia,  and  the  same  year,  1852, 
started  foi  the  United  States.  Five  children  were  born  to  them,  who  be- 
came honorable  and  useful  citizens.  They  are:  Adolph,  a  resident  of 
Spring  Valley;  Emma,  wife  of  Julius  Brennemann,  of  Peru;  Mary,  wife 
of  John  G.  Feldes,  of  Chicago;  Helen,  wife  of  C.  W.  Leimbach,  of  Chicago; 
and  Lina,  wife  of  E.  J.  Robinson,  of  Arkansas.  The  wife  and  mother  passed 
to  her  reward  August  2,  1887,  after  the  family  had  made  their  home  in 
Peru.  When  he  first  arrived  in  this  country,  Mr.  Reinhardt  settled  on  a 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Putnam  county,  Illinois,  eight 
miles  south  of  this  city.     There  he  lived  and  toiled  for  thirty-one  years, 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  419 

well  knowing  what  it  was  to  work,  for  he  labored  early  and  late,  acknowl- 
edging no  defeat  and  overcoming  all  obstacles  that  stood  between  himself 
and  prosperity.  With  true  German  perseverance  and  pluck,  he  plowed 
his  fields  and  prepared  his  seed,  using  not  only  his  acquired  knowledge,  but 
his  native  shrewdness  in  preparing  for  the  harvest,  and  was  rewarded  by 
being  able  to  turn  his  abundant  yield  into  money  and  land.  In  this  way 
he  continued  until  he  had  accumulated  a  large  acreage,  consisting  of  several 
farms  in  Putnam  county.  Owing  to  his  good  judgment,  industry  and  fru- 
gality, he  prospered  far  above  the  average,  and  much  credit  is  due  him  for 
placing  farming,  in  that  community,  on  a  broader  and  more  scientific  scale 
than  it  formerly  occupied.  After  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  of  hard 
labor,  he  moved  his  family  permanently  to  Peru,  where  he  spent  his  last 
days  in  retirement  from  the  arduous  duties  of  active  business  life. 

He  supported  the  cause  of  Republicanism  and  took  a  deep  interest  in 
all  affairs  of  state  and  nation.  Being  a  strong  friend  to  education  he  was 
a  prominent  worker  for  that  cause,  serving  as  school  director  for  many 
years.  In  1870  he  was  elected  to  the  Illinois  legislature,  serving  two  years, 
and  in  1885  was  elected  to  the  state  senate  for  four  years  from  LaSalle 
county.  Both  in  legislative  halls  and  senate  chamber  he  so  discharged 
the  duties  devolving  upon  him  as  to  receive  the  highest  commendation  and 
approbation.  As  a  legislator,  Mr.  Reinhardt  reflected  credit  on  his  con- 
stituents and  won  for  himself  a  splendid  reputation.  After  taking  up  his 
residence  in  Peru  he  was  for  several  years  a  member  of  the  school  board 
and  was  a  most  active  citizen  in  working  for  the  public  welfare.  For  years 
he  was  treasurer  of  the  Peru  Farmers'  Insurance  Company.  His  character 
was  above  reproach  and  the  probity  of  his  official  life  admits  of  no  question. 
His  death  occurred  October  22,  1899,  in  the  seventy-second  year  of  his  life. 


DAN  W.   BOWEN. 


Dan  W.  Bowen,  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  Freedom  township, 
LaSalle  county,  is  a  native  of  Berkshire  county,  Massachusetts,  his  birth 
having  occurred  July  22.  1842.  The  family  w-as  established  in  New  England 
at  a  very  early  period,  but  the  record  has  been  lost,  and  all  that  is  certainly 
known  of  its  history  refers  no  further  back  than  to  the  grandfather  of  our 
subject.  David  Bowen.  as  was  his  name,  was  a  native  of  the  state  of  Massa- 
chusetts, where  he  pursued  the  quiet,  industrious  life  of  a  tiller  of  the 
soil.  His  son  William,  the  father  of  Dan  W.,  was  likewise  born  in  the  old 
Bay  state,  and  was  reared  to  the  calling  of  his  ancestors.  For  a  com- 
panion and  helpmate  along  the  highway  of  life  he  chose  Emeline  Burt,  and 
in  1854  they  removed  to  Illinois.     At  first  the  home  of  the  family  was  in 


420  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

Earl  township,  whence  they  later  removed  to  Meriden  township.  There 
the  father,  ,whose  birth  had  occurred  in  1817,  died  in  1895,  after  a  resi- 
dence of  two-score  years  in  this  state.  The  wife  and  mother  departed  this 
life  in  1891.  Their  children  comprised  the  following  named:  Julia,  wife 
of  Wellman  Tisdale,  of  State  Center,  Iowa;  Marian,  deceased,  formerly  the 
wife  of  George  W.  Dumond;  Dan  W. ;  Harriet  and  Gertrude,  both  of 
Earlville;  Louise,  wife  of  Jesse  Reynolds,  of  Newton,  Kansas;  and  Cora, 
wife  of  Duncan  Dunn,  of  Freedom.  Two  children  died  in  infancy, — Frank 
and  Francis. 

Dan  W.  Bowen  obtained  a  fair  education  in  the  district  schools  of  his 
native  state  and  Illinois,  and  was  early  initiated  into  the  duties  of  farming. 
For  several  years  after  reaching  man's  estate  he  continued  to  live  on  the 
old  homestead  and  shared  the  profits  and  losses  of  running  the  same,  with 
his  father.  Then  for  two  years  he  rented  a  farm  in  Freedom  township,  at 
the  end  of  which  period  he  returned  to  the  old  home,  and  for  a  dozen 
years  or  more  was  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  the  farm.  At  length  he 
purchased  a  homestead  in  Earl  township,  but.  after  operating  it  for  a  short 
time  only,  he  rented  the  place,  and  in  turn  leased  what  is  known  as  the 
David  Davis  farm,  in  Freedom  township,  where  he  has  the  advantage  of 
a  greater  acreage,  situated  in  one  body.  He  has  been  quite  successful  in 
his  undertakings,  and  enjoys  the  respect  of  all  of  his  neighbors  and  acquaint- 
ances. 

During  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  ]\Ir.  Bowen,  then  a  young  man,  was 
very  anxious  to  offer  his  services  in  the  defense  of  the  Union,  but  deferred 
to  the  wishes  of  his  father,  who  needed  him  on  the  farm,  for  he  was  an  only 
son.  At  last,  however,  the  elder  man  yielded  to  the  wishes  of  the  younger, 
and  in  September,  1864,  our  subject  was  duly  enlisted  in  the  ranks  of  the 
Federal  army  to  serve  for  one  year.  He  became  a  private  of  Company  E, 
Fourth  Illinois  Cavalry,  which  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  in  September, 
1865.  During  this  last  year  of  the  great  conflict  the  old  and  seasoned  troops 
were  the  ones  placed  at  the  front,  where  their  experience  was  needed,  and 
the  later-enlisted  regiments  were  assigned  to  guard  duty,  and  were  posted 
on  the  outskirts  of  the  main  branches  of  the  army.  Thus  Mr.  Bowen  did 
not  take  part  in  any  of  the  great  battles  of  the  war,  though  he  participated 
in  some  pretty  sharp  skirmishes  with  the  enemy  while  he  was  stationed  at 
or  near  Memphis,  Vicksburg,  Yazoo  City,  Natchez,  and  other  points  in  the 
Mississippi  valley.  Returning  home  in  the  autumn  of  1865,  he  resumed  the 
peaceful  vocations  of  life,  and  has  striven  to  perform  his  entire  duty  as 
a  citizen. 

In  January,  1866,  Mr.  Bowen  and  Eliza,  daughter  of  Samuel  Smith,  of 
Kendall  county,  Illinois,  were  united  in  marriage.    She  died  in  April,  1876, 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  421 

leaving"  three  children,  namely:  Fred,  who  married  Lydia  Haslett  and 
resides  in  Earlville;  Elsie;  and  Josephine,  wife  of  D.  Franks,  of  Earlville. 
In  January,  1879,  Mr.  Bowen  married  Gertrude  L.  Cook,  and  their  five 
children  are  Gladys,  Fay,  Scott,  Inez  and  Helen.  Mrs.  Bowen  is  a  daughter 
of  Lyman  and  Sarah  Cook,  who  came  from  Meriden,  Connecticut,  to  Earl 
township  many  years  ago. 


JOHN    BRAUN. 

A  highly  respected  German-American  citizen  of  Peru  is  he  of  whom 
this  sketch  is  penned,  his  residence  here  dating  back  half  a  century.  His 
paternal  grandfather  followed  the  same  calling,  that  of  tailor,  in  Germany, 
as  does  our  subject.  The  latter's  father,  George  Braun,  who  was  one  of 
six  children,  four  of  whom  were  sons,  likewise  was  a  tailor  by  trade,  though 
he  gave  some  attention  to  farming  also.  He  was  a  soldier  under  the  great 
general,  Napoleon  Bonaparte,  and  died  when  in  the  prime  of  manhood, 
aged  about  forty-nine  years.  His  widow,  whose  maiden  name  was  Kath- 
erina  Diedewig,  came  to  America  in  1852,  bringing  with  her  their  four 
younger  children.  For  some  time  she  made  her  home  in  Peru,  and  in 
1853  the  dread  scourge,  cholera,  swept  her  away.  She  was  an  only  daughter, 
but  had  three  or  four  brothers.  Her  father,  who  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade, 
died  in  Germany,  at  an  advanced  age.  George  Braun  and  wife  were  devout 
members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  were  upright,  honored  citizens,  as 
their  ancestors  were  before  them. 

John  Braun  of  this  sketch  is  the  twin  brother  of  Peter  Braun,  born 
April  15,  1819,  in  the  village  of  Nieder  Saulheim,  on  the  river  Rhine,  in 
the  province  of  Hesse-Darmstadt,  Germany.  His  other  brothers  and 
sisters  who  grew  to  mature  years  were  George;  Andrew;  Katherina,  who 
married  Jacob  Kreis,  and  is  now  deceased;  Appolonia,  wife  of  Mr.  Graeber, 
of  Lawrence,  Kansas;    and  Lorena,  wife  of  Clemens  Young,  of  Kansas. 

When  he  was  young  John  Braun  attended  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  land,  and  as  soon  as  old  enough  he  commenced  learning  his  father's 
trade.  In  1843  he  came  to  the  United  States,  and  for  one  year  lived  among 
the  Indians  and  forests  of  Washington  county,  Wisconsin.  Then,  going  to 
Chicago,  he  worked  at  his  trade  for  six  years  in  that  infant  metropolis, 
and  in  1850  came  to  Peru,  which  has  been  his  abiding  place  ever  since. 
At  first  he  was  employed  as  a  journeyman,  but  in  i860,  growing  a  little 
more  ambitious,  he  opened  a  shop  of  his  own.  The  beginning  of  the  civil 
war  the  following  year,  however,  interfered  materially  with  his  business 
prospects,  and  he  gave  up  his  independent  enterprise.  For  the  next  fifteen 
years  he  was  employed  as  a  cutter  in  tailoring  establishments  Here,  but 


422  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

during  the  Centennial  year  he  opened  his  store,  which  has  been  conducted 
ever  since  under  the  firm  name  of  Braun  &  Son.  It  has  enjoyed  the  patron- 
age of  the  leading  citizens  of  Peru,  and  only  first-class  work  and  the  best  of 
material  are  confidently  expected  to  emanate  from  this  well  known  business 
house.  Many  minor  concerns  have  waxed  and  waned  since  Braun  &  Son 
opened  their  shop,  but  their  popularity  has  continued  unabated,  and  they 
have  always  been  kept  very  busy  in  meeting  the  demands  of  the  trade. 

On  the  2d  of  June,  1847,  John  Braun  married  Katherine,  daughter  of 
Adam  Betz,  and  though  this  worthy  couple  celebrated  their  golden  wedding 
anniversary  two  years  ago  they  bid  fair  to  live  to  enjoy  many  happy  returns 
of  the  festal  day.  Since  185 1  they  have  resided  on  Center  street,  near  the 
city  hall,  and  are  much  attached  to  their  home,  around  which  the  associ- 
ations of  almost  half  a  century  cling.     In  religious  faith  they  are  Lutherans. 

Two  of  the  eleven  children  born  to  John  and  Katherine  Braun  died  in 
infancy.  The  eldest  son,  Charles  A.,  who  has  been  engaged  in  business 
with  the  father  since  early  manhood,  married  Julia  Van  Horn,  and  has  two 
children, — Ora  and  Fred.  Elizabeth,  the  eldest  daughter  of  our  subject, 
is  the  wife  of  L.  A.  Williams,  a  well  known  Ottawa  lawyer,  secretary  to 
the  Old  Settlers'  Society,  and  they  have  two  children,  Charles  and  Lorena. 
George  married  Annie  Wilson,  and  died  about  three  years  ago  in  New 
York  city.  Mary  E.,  who  is  unmarried,  is  a  teacher  in  the  Engiewood 
(Illinois)  schools.  Fred  W.  married  Mrs.  Kate  E.  Standiford,  and  has  one 
child,  June  Elizabeth.  They  reside  in  Los  Angeles,  California,  where  he 
is  engaged  in  the  wholesale  drug  business.  John,  his  next  younger  brother, 
is  employed  by  him  in  the  drug  store  mentioned.  John  married  Linda  Hill, 
of  Los  Angeles,  California.  L.  Gustav,  the  youngest  of  the  children,  is  a 
mail-carrier  in  Chicago.  He  married  Marian  E.  Van  Sciver,  and  has  two 
children, — Harold  and  Ida.  Anna,  wife  of  Frank  Crawford,  is  the  mother 
of  four  daughters,  and  is  a  resident  of  Lake  Mills,  Wisconsin.  Emma  mar- 
ried John  Klinger  and  lives  at  the  corner  of  Second  and  West  streets, 
Peru.  John  Braun,  our  subject,  and  his  sons,  are  afiiliated  with  the 
Democratic  party. 


CHARLES   A.    BRAUN. 


An  almost  lifelong  resident  of  Peru.  Charles  A.  Braun  is  well  known 
in  this  vicinity  and  bears  an  enviable  reputation  as  a  business  man  and 
citizen.  He  is  devoted  to  the  welfare  of  this  place,  doing  all  within  his 
power  to  promote  the  cause  of  progress  and  good  government. 

Of  German  ancestry,  Mr.  Braun  has  inherited  many  of  the  best  qualities 
of  the  sons  of  the  Fatherland.     His  sterling  integrity,  justice  and  general 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  423 

reliability,  united  with  his  business  traits  of  industry  and  perseverance,  have 
won  for  him  the  approbation  of  his  associates  and  acquaintances.  A  son 
of  John  and  Katherine  (Betz)  Braun,  natives  of  Germany,  Charles  A.  was 
born  in  the  city  of  Chicago,  Illinois,  March  17,  1848.  When  he  was  two 
years  old  he  was  brought  to  Peru  by  his  parents,  and  here  he  grew  to  man- 
hood. His  education  was  obtained  in  the  public  schools  and  in  the  German 
Lutheran  parochial  school.  During-  the  winter  of  1865-6  he  attended 
Bryant  &  Stratton's  Business  College  in  Chicago,  thus  gaining  a  practical 
knowledge  of  commercial  methods.  Prior  to  this,  however,  he  had  been 
employed  by  the  dry-goods  house  of  R.  &  A.  D.  Murray,  and  subsequently 
he  worked  for  J.  B.  Lininger,  who  was  in  the  same  line  of  business  in 
Peru.  His  next  situation  was  as  bookkeeper  for  the  firm  of  Hank,  Ream 
&  Company  (later  knowai  as  C.  J.  Hank  &  Company),  who  were  likewise  in 
the  dry-goods  business.  On  the  7th  of  August,  1877,  the  young  man 
started  in  business  in  partnership  with  his  father,  under  the  style  of  Braun 
&  Son.  They  occupy  fine  quarters  in  Turner  Hall  building,  carry  a  full 
line  of  furnishing  goods  and  a  well  selected  stock  of  material  to  be  manu- 
factured into  suits  and  overcoats  of  the  latest  fashion.  The  firm  commands 
a  large  and  remunerative  custom,  and  numbers  among  its  patrons  many 
of  the  leading  citizens  of  the  town  and  locality. 

July  9,  1879,  C.  A.  Braun  married  Miss  Julia,  daughter  of  John  and 
Mary  (Hibbs)  Van  Horn.  They  have  a  son  and  daughter,  named  re- 
spectively Ora  and  Fred.  The  family  reside  in  a  pleasant  home  at  the  corner 
of  Grant  and  Second  streets.  Prior  to  his  marriage,  Mr.  Braun  traveled  ex- 
tensively in  various  parts  of  the  United  States  and  Canada,  and  is  well 
posted  in  matters  of  general  interest.  In  his  political  faith  he  is  a  Demo- 
crat, and  fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Mystic  Workers  of  the  World.  His 
success  in  life  has  been  well  deser^'ed.  and  his  example  is  one  worthy  of  emu- 
lation. 


GEORGE   PIOLLAND. 


George  Holland,  a  hardware  merchant  of  Mendota,  was  born  in  the 
city  of  Albany,  New  York,  September  8,  1852,  and  is  a  son  of  Nicholas  and 
Anna  (Strausner)  Holland,  both  natives  of  Germany,  but  residents  of  the 
state  of  New  York  at  the  time  of  their  marriage.  In  1856  they  came  to 
Mendota,  where  the  father  worked  at  his  trade  of  plasterer  and  mason  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  his  sixty-fourth  year.  Six  children  were 
born  to  them,  George,  Maggie,  August,  deceased,  Hannah,  deceased, 
Sophia  and  John.  The  mother  is  a  resident  of  Chicago,  making  her  home 
with  a  daughter. 


424  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

George  Holland  was  but  three  years  of  age  when  his  parents  moved 
to  this  city,  and  it  was  here  he  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools. 
He  began  work  at  the  age  of  fifteen  as  clerk  in  the  hardware  store  of 
Hodge  Brothers.  Later  he  accepted  a  clerkship  with  Curtis  &  Rude, 
with  whom  he  remained  twenty-five  years.  In  1894  Air.  Rude  withdrew 
from  the  firm  and  his  place  was  taken  by  Mr.  Holland,  who  purchased  the 
interest  of  Mr.  Curtis  in  1897,  and  now  conducts  the  store  under  the  name 
of  Holland  &  Company,  with  Mr.  Rude  as  a  silent  partner.  He  handles  a 
general  line  of  hardware  and  has  worked  up  a  fine  trade,  his  courteous 
treatment  of  his  customers  making  him  a  popular  salesman,  and  his  long 
experience  giving  him  the  advantage  of  knowing  the  wants  of  his  patrons 
and  the  best  fine  of  goods  to  place  in  stock. 

He  was  married  in  1876  to  Miss  Ella  Cooper,  of  Mendota,  who  has 
presented  him  with  four  children,  two  of  whom  are  deceased.  He  is  a 
Republican  and  was  elected  to  the  office  of  city  clerk  in  1S85,  and  has  held 
the  office  continuously  since,  discharging  the  duties  in  an  able  and  efficient 
manner.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and 
the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  and  is  highly  respected  as  well  for  his 
kindly  bearing  as  for  his  honest  and  upright  dealings,  while  his  business 
record  calls  for  the  commendation  of  the  business  men. 


JOHN  T.  BULLING,  M.  D. 

No  one  in  Peru,  LaSalle  county,  has  lived  here  as  long,  uninterruptedly, 
as  has  the  honored  old  citizen  whose  name  stands  at  the  beginning  of  this 
sketch.  Half  a  century  ago  he  established  himself  in  practice  in  this  town, 
and  though  he  is  now  four-score  years  of  age  many  of  his  old  friends  and 
patients  are  urgent  in  their  desire  to  retain  his  medical  attendance  whenever 
illness  seizes  upon  them.  He  is  still  as  ambitious  and  enterprising  as  are 
many  men  of  half  his  years,  and  the  invaluable  experience  he  has  acquired  in 
a  life-time  of  professional  work  would  be  to  any  young  practitioner  a  treasure- 
house  of  wealth  untold  could  the  venerable  physician's  wisdom  be  trans- 
ferred. The  only  surviving  charter  members  of  the  LaSalle  County  Medical 
Society  are  Drs.  Milling  and  Hatheway.  The  former  has  always  kept  up 
his  active  relations  with  the  society,  and  moreover  has  belonged  to  the  med- 
ical organization  of  the  state.  His  acquaintanceship  is  very  extensive,  and 
in  scores  of  families  his  name  has  been  a  household  word  for  the  greater  part 
of  the  existence  of  Peru,  which  town  he  has  seen  developed  from  a  hamlet 
to  a  large  and  prosperous  place. 

Nine  children  were  born  to  John  and  Susan  (Siddel)  IMilling.  and  only 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  425 

three  of  the  number  survive,  namely:  Dr.  MilHng,  of  this  sketch;  Jane, 
who  resides  at  the  old  homestead  in  Ireland,  and  is  now  ninety-five  years  of 
age;  and  Elizabeth,  also  a  resident  of  the  parental  home,  and  now  in  her 
eighty-sixth  year.  Their  father,  who  was  a  farmer  of  county  Louth,  Ireland, 
died  in  1823,  when  about  seventy  years  of  age,  and  their  mother's  death 
occurred  the  previous  year.  They  were  both  Episcopalians  in  religious  faith. 
The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  John  Milling,  was  a  physician  also, 
and  lived  and  died  in  the  Emerald  Isle.  He  had  eleven  children.  Mrs. 
Susan  Milling  was  one  of  three  children,  and  her  father,  likewise,  spent  his 
whole  life  in  Ireland. 

Dr.  J.  T.  Milling  was  born  in  county  Louth,  Ireland,  April  16,  1819.  In 
his  school-days  he  studied  Latin  and  Greek,  and  chose  his  course  with  special 
reference  to  taking  up  medical  work  later.  In  accordance  with  the  cus- 
tom of  that  time  he  graduated  in  the  several  departments  of  the  Royal 
College  of  Surgeons,  receiving  separate  diplomas  from  each  branch.  He 
was  graduated  in  the  surgical  department  in  July,  1842,  and  in  the  general 
medical  department  in  1843.  Entering  the  college  in  1839,  he  was  not 
deemed  thoroughly  competent  to  practice  until  he  had  spent  four  years  in 
earnest  study  and  hard  work — rather  of  a  contrast,  so  he  found,  to  the 
loose  methods  in  vogue  on  this  continent,  at  the  same  time,  when  any  man 
who  had  spent  a  few  weeks  or  months  in  assisting  an  established  physician 
might  set  up  an  office  and  practice  of  his  own,  if  he  chose  to  do  so.  It  was 
in  1843  that  Dr.  Milling  sailed  to  the  United  States,  and,  locating  in  Prince- 
ton, Bureau  county,  Illinois,  he  continued  to  practice  there  until  1849,  when 
he  became  a  permanent  resident  of  Peru.  For  years  his  life  was  not  an  easy 
or  desirable  one,  in  many  respects,  for  it  meant  to  ride  through  all  kinds  of 
weather,  far  and  near,  across  swamps  and  over  roads  of  the  worst  possible 
description,  to  suffer  hardships  to  which  the  modern  practitioner  is  an  utter 
stranger.  He  never  neglected  the  call  of  the  suffering,  and  rarely  considered 
his  own  comfort  or  convenience.  He  endeared  himself  to  hundreds,  and  his 
name  has  been  spoken  with  love  and  reverence  throughout  this  locality  for 
years  and  years. 

The  sharer  of  the  Doctor's  joys  and  sorrows  for  almost  a  half  century, 
his  devoted  wife,  formerly  Elizabeth  Leech,  is  still  living  and  is  the  center 
of  his  home  and  affection.  They  were  married  on  the  loth  of  July,  1850, 
and  became  the  parents  of  two  beautiful  daughters,  both  of  whom  were  sum- 
moned to  the  better  land  when  at  the  threshold  of  mature  life.  Mary 
Virginia  died  at  twenty-three  and  Frances  Elizabeth  at  eighteen.  The  par- 
ents of  Mrs.  Milling  were  John  and  Mary  (Parr)  Leech,  natives  of  Dublin, 
Ireland,  who  came  to  America  about  1795,  when  they  w^ere  children,  and  with 
their  respective  parents  settled  in  the  vicinity  of  Steubenville,  Ohio.     The 


426  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

latter  were  pioneers  of  Jefferson  county,  Ohio,  and  at  death  they  were  placed 
to  rest  in  a  country  cemetery  there.  In  early  days  John  Leech  belonged 
to  the  state  militia  of  Ohio.  About  1833  he  came  to  Illinois  and  settled 
on  the  present  site  of  Peoria,  when  the  only  structure  there  consisted  of  a 
fort.  At  the  close  of  two  years  or  so  he  went  to  Putnam  county,  where  he 
died  in  1839.  His  widow  survived  him,  and  died  in  1880,  at  the  advanced 
age  of  ninety-three  years. 

From  the  time  that  he  received  the  right  of  franchise  in  this,  the  land 
of  his  adoption,  the  Doctor  has  adhered  to  the  Democratic  party.  For 
some  four  years  he  served  as  county  coroner,  and  for  two-score  years  he 
has  been  examiner  for  the  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company  of  New  York. 
The  home  in  which  he  and  his  loved  wife  have  spent  almost  all  of  their 
happy  married  life  was  built  in  1852,  and  thus  is  one  of  the  oldest  houses  in 
the  town  or  county.  In  the  summer  of  1895  occurred  one  of  the  pleasantest 
events  in  the  quiet  but  laborious  career  of  this  worthy  couple.  They  made  a 
tour  of  Ireland,  Scotland,  England  and  Wales,  visiting  the  old  home  of  the 
Doctor  in  the  Emerald  Isle,  and  having  a  most  enjoyable  time  generally. 
In  religious  creed  he  holds  to  the  one  in  which  he  was  reared,  the  Episcopal- 
ian, while  Mrs.  Milling's  preference  is  for  the  Presbyterian  church. 


THEODORE  G.  HERBERT. 

Theodore  G.  Herbert,  of  the  firm  of  Herbert  Brothers,  proprietors  of 
a  meat  market  in  Mendota,  was  born  in  Lee  county,  this  state,  near  the 
town  of  Compton,  July  31,  1864.  The  Herberts  are  of  German  origin. 
Mr.  Herbert's  parents,  Andrew  and  Appolonia  (Zach)  Herbert,  were  both 
born  in  Germany,  Hesse-Darmstadt  being  their  native  place.  In  their 
family  were  eleven  children,  seven  sons  and  four  daughters,  of  whom  five 
are  now  living,  three  sons  and  two  daughters,  namely:  Theodore  G.,  the 
direct  subject  of  this  sketch;  Andrew  J.,  his  partner;  Benjamin,  of  Men- 
dota; Caroline,  wife  of  Charley  Beckett,  of  Mendota;  and  Emma  Eliza- 
beth, wife  of  Henry  Fike,  residing  two  miles  north  of  Mendota.  Their 
father,  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  emigrated  to  this  country  about  the  year 
1862  and  first  located  at  LaSalle.  A  short  time  afterward  he  moved  to  a 
place  near  Perkins'  Grove.  Lee  county,  all  this  time  working  at  his  trade. 
Next  we  find  him  engaged  in  farming,  w-hich  he  continued  up  to  1895.  He 
first  rented  eighty  acres  and  later  a  larger  tract,  and  for  several  years  he 
carried  on  farming  operations  successfully.  In  1894  he  bought  a  home  in 
Mendota,  and  has  lived  here  ever  since,  retired.  He  and  his  w'ife  were 
originally  German  Catholics,  but  for  some  years  past  have  been  identified 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  427 

with  the  German  Evangehcal  church.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  and 
at  one  time  he  served  as  the  road  commissioner  of  Lee  county. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  Andrew  Herbert.  He, 
too,  was  a  native  of  Germany,  and  by  trade  he  was  a  mason.  He  lived  to 
the  ripe  age  of  eighty-five  years.  Of  his  children,  three  sons  and  four 
daughters,  only  two  are  now  living, — Andrew  and  Margaret  Becker. 
Grandmother  Herbert  was  seventy-six  when  she  died.  The  great-grand- 
father of  our  subject  also  was  named  Andrew  Herbert.  He  was  a  farmer. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  reached  advanced  age,  he  being  ninety-six  at  the 
time  of  death  and  she  seventy-four. 

The  maternal  grandfather  of  Mr.  Herbert  lived  and  died  in  Germany; 
served  his  time  as  a  soldier  in  the  army,  and  afterward  worked  at  his  trade, 
that  of  carpenter.  Both  he  and  his  wife  attained  old  age.  Their  only  child 
was  Mr.  Herbert's  mother. 

Theodore  G.  Herbert  was  reared  to  farm  life  in  Lee  county,  Illinois, 
receiving  his  early  education  in  the  district  school  near  his  home  and  later 
attending  a  seminary  in  Aurora,  Ilhnois.  When  he  started  out  in  life  on  his 
own  account  it  was  as  a  farm  hand,  working  by  the  month,  and  after  one 
year  of  this  kind  of  service  he  rented  eighty  acres  of  land,  which  he  culti- 
vated two  years.  At  the  end  of  this  time,  in  1890.  he  moved  to  Mendota 
and  engaged  in  running  a  meat  market  in  company  with  M.  O.  Larson, 
with  whom  he  was  associated  two  years,  then  buying  out  his  partner  and 
the  next  three  years  running  the  business  alone.  The  following  three 
years  he  had  for  a  partner  J.  B.  Kuney;  and  since  then  he  and  his  brothers, 
Andrew  and  Benjamin,  have  been  associated  together  under  the  firm  name 
of  Herbert  Brothers.  They  have  a  nice  shop  and  are  doing  a  large  business, 
meeting  with  the  ^success  which  their  enterprising  efforts  warrant. 

Mr.  Herbert  resides  in  a  pleasant  home  on  Twelfth  street  in  Mendota. 
He  was  married  on  the  4th  of  F'ebruary,  1890,  to  Miss  Emma  E.  Rupert, 
daughter  of  Andrew  and  Mary  (Metzger)  Rupert.  They  have  four  children, 
viz.:  Hildah  L.,  Rupert  A.,  Theadore  A.  and  John  Robbins.  All  the  family 
belong  to  the  Evangelical  church,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  identified 
with  the  Mystic  Workers  of  the  World,  and  he  also  belongs  to  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America.     Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 


THOMAS    M.    PAGE. 


The  respected  citizen  of  LaSalle,  Illinois,  whose  name  introduces  this 
sketch  was  born  in  Frankfort,  Franklin  county,  Kentucky,  May  21,  1842, 
a  son  of  Thomas  S.  and  Jane  B.  (Julian)  Page.  He  was  born  in  New  York 
city,  April  19,  1800,  only  a  few  hours  after  the  landing  of  his  parents  at 


428  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

that  port  from  England,  their  native  country.  They  made  a  settlement  in 
Richmond,  Virginia,  where  Thomas  S.  was  reared.  He  moved  to  Ken- 
tucky and  became  a  prominent  man  in  that  state.  For  a  period  of  eighteen 
or  twenty  years  he  filled  the  office  of  auditor  of  state,  of  which  of^fice  he  was 
the  incumbent  at  the  time  the  civil  war  broke  out,  and  during  the  war  he 
was  in  the  adjutant  general's  office,  as  bookkeeper.  Politically  he  was  a 
Know-nothing  and  a  Whig,  and  later  a  Republican.  He  died  in  Frankfort, 
Kentucky,  in  1879.  He  was  twice  married,  his  second  wife,  Jane  B.,  nee 
Julian,  being  the  mother  of  Thomas  M.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Thomas  M.  Page  was  reared  in  his  native  city,  Frankfort,  receiving 
a  common-school  education  in  the  schools  of  that  place.  When  the  civil 
war  came  on  he  was  a  young  man  just  emerging  from  his  'teens,  and  in 
the  second  year  of  the  war,  in  September,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  C, 
Ninth  Kentucky  Cavalry,  as  a  private,  and  when  mustered  into  service  was 
made  second  lieutenant  by  the  adjutant  general.  As  a  member  and  of^cef 
of  this  command  he  served  one  year.  He  was  in  the  advance  at  the  battle 
of  Perryville,  and  throughout  his  service  he  acted  the  part  of  the  brave, 
true  soldier.  At  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  enlistment,  in  1863,  he  was 
honorably  discharged  and  came  to  LaSalle,  Illinois.  For  five  or  six  years 
lie  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Kentucky  Coal  Company,  at  LaSalle,  following 
which  service  he  was  engaged  in  farming  two  years,  returning  then  to  the 
coal  company.  In  1871  he  engaged  as  an  employe  of  the  Illinois  Central 
Railroad  Company,  and  for  eleven  years  was  ticket  agent  and  car  account- 
ant. After  this  he  again  turned  his  attention  to  farming,  this  time  in 
Dakota,  where  he  spent  three  years.  Returning  to  LaSalle,  he  accepted 
a  position  as  check  clerk  at  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  depot,  which  posi- 
tion he  gave  up  in  October,  1897. 

Mr.  Page  w'as  married  in  LaSalle,  in  1868,  to  Miss  Mary  Kate,  daugh- 
ter of  the  late  Dr.  James  C.  Brown,  of  LaSalle.  Seven  children  have  been 
born  to  them,  namely:  Julian  Day,  Henry  Brown  (deceased),  Anna  Louise 
(deceased),  Mary  Elizabeth  (deceased),  Addison  Thomas,  Catherine  and 
Annie  Pauline. 

Politically  Mr.  Page  is  a  Republican.  In  religious  relations  his  family 
are  identified  with  the  Congregational  church. 


SIMPSON  CLARK. 


The  aged  resident  of  any  community  who  has  assisted  in  the  develop- 
ment of  the  material  blessings  amid  which  he  lives,  and  who  has  exerted 
an  influence  for  good  before  the  people  about  him,  is  always  held  in  special 
•esteem.     Such  a  man  is  the  venerable  Simpson  Clark,  of  Mendota,  Illinois. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  429 

now  ninety-three  years  old,  l)nt  active,  alert,  full  of  good  cheer  and  rich  in 
interesting  reminiscences. 

Simpson  Clark  was  born  March  12,  1806,  in  Thornton,  Grafton  county, 
New  Hampshire,  a  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Enos)  Clark,  early  resi- 
dents of  Londonderry,  Rockingham  county,  that  state.  John  Clark  was 
a  Revolutionary  soldier  and  he  and  his  father  served  in  the  same  company. 
He  left  the  plow  to  go  to  war,  and  after  American  independence  was  assured 
he  again  became  a  farmer.  He  died  at  Thornton,  New  Hampshire,  about 
1809.  His  wife  died  about  1856,  aged  eighty-nine  years.  They  had  eleven 
children,  all  of  whom  lived  to  manhood  and  womanhood.  The  tenth  in 
order  of  birth  was  Simpson  Clark,  who  was  named  Simpson  in  honor  of  his 
maternal  grandmother's  maiden  name,  and  who  is  the  only  member  of  the 
family  now  living.  At  the  time  of  his  father's  death  he  was  about  three 
years  old.  His  mother  kept  him  four  years  longer,  until  he  was  seven,  and 
then  he  was  given  a  home  in  the  family  of  James  Smith,  of  Squam  Ridge, 
Grafton  county,  New  Hampshire,  in  which  he  remained,  getting  a  limited 
amount  of  schooling  and  living  the  life  of  a  farmer's  boy  of  all  work  until 
he  was  eighteen.  He  then  went,  a  stranger,  to  seek  his  fortune  in  Boston, 
and  for  a  time  his  experiences  were  discouraging;  but  at  length  he  met  a 
friend  named  Wheaton,  who  procured  work  for  him  of  a  farmer  living  just 
outside  the  city.  After  a  few  months  he  returned  to  New  Hampshire  and 
worked  at  cjuarrying  and  laying  stone.  Later  he  was  employed  at  the 
United  States  navy-yard  at  Charlestown,  Massachusetts,  and  helped  to  lay 
the  foundations  of  the  runways  from  which  the  Vermont  was  launched. 
From  this  work  he  went  to  Ouincy,  Massachusetts,  and  was  there  employed 
in  the  stone  yards  for  a  time.  For  a  number  of  years  he  lived  in  Boston 
and  was  a  member  of  the  city  police  force.  Railway  construction,  on  the 
line  of  the  Connecticut  River  Railroad,  next  claimed  his  services,  and  he 
was  stationed  at  New  London. 

In  1829  Mr.  Clark  married  Miss  Matilda  Vickery,  daughter  of  Abra- 
ham and  Rachel  (McLinch)  Vickery,  of  New  Hampshire,  and  she  bore 
him  two  children,  named  Chastina  E.  and  Matilda  L.  Chastina  E.  Clark 
married  Ivory  Chick,  a  native  of  Maine.  They  had  a  son,  named  Ivory  S. 
Chick.  Ivory  Chick  died  while  on  a  visit  to  Maine  in  1854.  Matilda  L. 
Clark  married  Nicholas  Johnston  and  is  now  living,  a  widow,  at  Boulder, 
Colorado.  She  has  six  children,  named  Charles,  Frank,  Mary,  Lizzie, 
George  and  Roy. 

In  1852  Mr.  Clark,  his  wife  and  their  daughter  Matilda  came  west  to 
LaSalle,  Illinois,  where  Ivory  Chick,  husband  of  his  daughter  Chastina, 
had  a  contract  for  construction  work  on  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  and 
had  preceded  them  with  his  family.     Mr.  Clark  was  employed  at  railroad 


430  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

building  for  some  time  on  a  salary,  and  later  did  contract  work  on  the 
Bureau  Valley  Railroad,  toward  Peoria.  Returning  to  LaSalle  he  removed 
to  Mendota  in  the  fall  of  1854,  built  a  residence  and  remained  there  nine 
years.  He  then  purchased  a  twenty-acre  farm  at  Troy  Grove  and  later 
added  other  land  to  it  and  farmed  there  successfully  thirty  years  and  then 
retired  from  active  life  and  located  at  Mendota.  Mrs.  Clark  died  August 
15,  1892,  aged  eighty-one  3'ears  and  ten  days.  Mrs.  Chick,  his  widowed 
daughter,  had  been  a  member  of  his  family  for  many  years  and  she  then 
took  the  position  which  she  has  since  held  as  the  head  of  his  household. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clark  were  reared  under  relig'ious  influences,  and  though 
they  never  joined  any  denommation,  were  always  in  sympathy  with  the 
church.  Since  the  death  of  his  wife,  however,  Mr.  Clark  and  also  Mrs. 
Chick  have  united  with  the  Baptist  church,  to  which  his  younger  daughter 
also  belongs. 

Mr.  Clark  has  always  been  a  leader  of  many  cjf  the  men  with  whom  he 
has  been  associated.  In  Xew  Hampshire  he  was  captain  of  a  militia  com- 
pany four  years.  He  was  constable  and  deputy  sheriff  in  LaSalle  county 
before  he  moved  to  Troy  Grove.  Until  1896  he  was  a  Democrat  who 
never  failed  to  vote  for  the  nominees  of  his  party;  but  at  that  time,  influ- 
enced by  his  view  of  the  financial  question,  then  paramount,  he  cast  his 
vote  for  "McKinley  and  sound  money."  An  earnest,  kind-hearted  old 
gentleman,  modest  in  his  manners  and  social  intercourse,  he  takes  an 
interest  in  current  events  and  converses  well  on  all  the  important  topics  of 
the  day.  His  nobility  of  character  is  always  evident  and  he  is  in  every 
way  worthy  of  the  affectionate  regard  in  which  he  is  held  by  numerous 
friends,  some  of  them  of  many  years'  standing.  He  preserves  in  a  wonder- 
ful degree  the  robust  health  and  physical  strength  which  characterized  him 
in  the  prime  of  his  manhood,  and  in  good  weather  took  especial  delight, 
until  a  recent  date,  in  dailv  walks  down  town. 


JOHN    J.    LEHR. 


The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  well  known  stock  farmer  of  Farm 
Ridge  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois.  He  deals  in  fine  stock,  making 
a  specialty  of  Jersey  cattle,  Poland-China  hogs,  and  Oxford  Down  sheep, 
and  takes  a  pride  in  the  fact  that  his  stock  in  point  of  quality  is  not  excelled 
in  the  county.  In  1893  he  started  his  herd  of  Jerseys  by  buying  the  very 
best  stock  he  could  get,  purchasing  from  the  herds  of  Isaac  Hodgson  and 
Eli  Bradford,  prominent  stockmen,  and  he  now  has  twenty  head  of  as 
fine  Jersey   cattle  as  can  be  found   in   LaSalle   county.      His  farm,   com- 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  431 

prising  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  is  located  three  miles  west  of  Grand 
Ridge,  and  is  one  of  the  most  desiral3le  in  the  neighborhood,  well  improved 
with  good  buildings,  fences,  etc..  and  conveniently  arranged  for  success- 
fully carrying  on  both  the  stock  business  and  general  farming. 

Air.  Lehr  is  a  native  of  Illinois  and  was  born  forty-five  years  ago. 
He  is  of  German  parentage,  both  his  father  and  mother  having  been  born 
in  Germanv.  His  father.  Valentine  Lehr.  came  to  this  country  in  early 
life,  first  locating  at  Ottawa.  Illinois.  He  worked  for  some  time  on  the 
old  Illinois  canal.  By  tr^de  he  was  a  carpenter,  a  first-class  workman,  and 
built  many  of  the  best  houses  in  Farm  Ridge,  South  Ottawa  and  Deer 
Park.  He  was  married  in  Ottawa,  and  to  him  and  his  wife  were  born  eight 
children,  five  of  whom  are  living,  namely:  Matilda  Hagie,  of  Grand  Rapids 
township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois;  John  J.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
William,  who  lives  in  Saunders  county,  Nebraska;  Mary  Hawk, "of  Ottawa, 
Illinois;  and  Minnie  Freeze,  also  of  Ottawa.  Godfrey  died  at  the  age  of 
thirtv-eight  years,  leaving  a  widow  and  five  children.  The  mother  of 
this  family  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-six  years,  and  the  father  lived  to  be 
sixty-eight.  Both  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  in  politics  the 
father  was  a  Republican. 

John  J.  Lehr  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  received  a  common-school 
education.  At  the  age  of  twenty-six  years  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Elizabeth  Berge,  of  Allen  township,  LaSalle  county,  daughter  of  George 
and  Christena  Berge.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lehr  have  had  four  children, — Christena 
and  Louis  J.,  aged  respectively  eighteen  and  thirteen  years;  and  two  who 
are  deceased. 

Politically,  like  his  father  before  him.  Mr.  Lehr  is  a  Republican.  He 
has  served  officially  as  township  assessor,  as  commissioner  for  six  years, 
and  as  a  member  of  the  school  board,  in  the  latter  capacity  eleven  years, 
always  performing  his  duty  with  promptness  and  fidelity.  His  life,  in  both 
public  and  private  capacities  has  been  such  that  he  has  gained  the  con- 
fidence and  esteem  of  all  with  whom  he  has  in  anv  wav  been  associated. 


CHARLES   JACOB    MITCHELL. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Mitchell  Brothers, 
large  farmers  of  the  township  of  Dimmick.  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  and  is 
a  son  of  the  late  William  Mitchell,  for  a  number  of  years  one  of  the  promi- 
nent farmers  of  this  state. 

William  Mitchell  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  born  in  the  year  1814,  and 
when  small  came  to  America  and  took  up  his  abode  in  Illinois,  being  among 
the  pioneers  of  Dimmick  township,  LaSalle  county.    His  early  life  was  spent 


432  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

as  a  shepherd  boy,  his  simple  earnings  supplying  him  with  the  necessaries 
of  life.  Finally  by  careful  economy  he  acquired  a  tract  of  land,  which  he 
improved  and  which  in  time  became  a  valuable  farm.  William  Mitchell 
married  Mary  Wenner,  daughter  of  Jacob  Wenner,  a  German  who  settled 
in  Dimmick  township  at  an  early  day.  Mrs.  Mitchell  is  still  living,  at 
the  age  of  sixty-nine  years, — the  age  at  which  Mr.  Mitchell  died  in  1883. 
The  members  composing  their  family  are  as  follows:  Elizabeth,  wife  of 
William  Reed,  of  LaSalle,  Illinois;  W^illiam,  a  resident  of  Lawrence  county, 
South  Dakota,  married  Miss  Edith  Miner;  Kat.e;  James,  a  resident  of 
Utica,  Illinois,  married  Miss  Bertha  Bill;  Minnie,  wife  of  George  A.  Harts- 
horn, a  prominent  farmer  of  W'altham  township.  LaSalle  county;  Lena  B., 
wife  of  the  Hon.  John  Wylie,  of  Waltham;  Charles  J.,  whose  name  intro- 
duces this  article;  Henry  J.,  engaged  in  the  creamery  business  at  Utica,. 
Illinois;  Walter  B.,  of  Utica,  Illinois,  and  a  member  of  the  firm  referred 
to  in  the  first  paragraph;   and  Frank  R.,  also  a  member  of  that  firm. 

The  Mitchells  have  political  records  as  Republicans.  Their  father 
was  the  incumbent  of  many  of  the  township  offices,  and  his  sons,  like  him, 
are  public-spirited  and  enterprising  men,  who  stand  high  in  the  estimation 
of  the  people  of  their  respective  localities. 

Charles  J.  Mitchell  was  born  on  his  father's  farm  above  referred  to, 
October  18,  1868,  and  here  he  has  always  lived.  He  was  educated  in  the 
academy  at  LaSalle  and  the  Normal  School  at  Valparaiso,  Indiana,  com- 
pleting his  studies  in  the  last  named  institution  at  the  age  of  twenty-two. 
He  then  entered  the  employ  of  The  Home  Produce  Meat  Market  in  LaSalle, 
with  which  he  was  identified  for  a  time,  and  since  then  he  has  been  en- 
gaged in  farming.  In  1898  he  and  two  of  his  brothers  entered  into  a 
partnership  under  the  firm  name  of  Mitchell  Brothers,  for  the  operation  of 
the  Mitchell  farm,  one  of  the  largest  in  the  township  and  which  is  being 
successfully  run  as  a  stock  farm,  slaughtering  and  shipping  being  important 
features. 

Charles  J.  Mitchell  is  a  Knight  of  Pythias  and  a  member  of  the  Mystic 
Workers.  His  lodge  of  Knights  is  "Old  53"  of  LaSalle.  one  of  the  im- 
portant lodges  of  the  state  and  which  has  furnished  some  of  the  best 
Pvthians  in  Illinois. 


JOHN  A.   KINGS. 

Few  citizens  of  LaSalle  are  better  known  or  more  generally  esteemed 
than  John  A.  Kings,  who  has  made  his  home  here  for  nearly  three  decades 
and  has  served  in  of^cial  positions  for  a  number  of  years,  acquitting 
himself  with   abilitv  and   distinction. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  433 

He  is  a  native  of  Richmond  county,  Staten  Island,  New  York,  his 
l3irth  having  occurred  March  3,  1849.  His  parents,  Garrett  J.  and  Johanna 
(Schoemaker)  Kings,  were  natives  of  Holland  and  came  to  the  United 
States  late  in  the  '40s.  They  were  married  in  this  country,  and  in  1850 
removed  from  Staten  Island  to  Passaic,  New  Jersey,  and  later  came  to 
Illinois,  settling  in  Belvidere,  Boone  county,  upon  a  farm.  There  the  father 
died  in  1870,  at  the  age  of  seventy-one  years.  The  wife  and  mother  is  still 
living,  and  though  now  in  her  eighty-fourth  year  is  remarkably  strong 
and  well  preserved.  Their  children  were:  John  A.;  Garrett  H.,  of  Sanborn, 
Iowa;  Andrew  J.,  of  Mitchell,  Dakota;  and  Theodore  F.,  of  Phoenix,  Ari- 
zona. 

In  his  youth  John  A.  Kings  received  a  good  public-school  education. 
He  continued  to  live  on  the  old  homestead  and  to  assist  his  father  until 
he  was  fifteen  years  of  age.  He  then  entered  upon  the  business  of  rail- 
roading, and  was  thus  employed  until  1881.  For  several  years  after  he 
came  to  LaSalle  he  was  employed  as  section  foreman,  car  inspector  and 
yard-master  for  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  Company.  In  1881  he  ac- 
cepted a  position  as  carpenter  with  the  Matthiessen  &  Hegeler  Zinc  Com- 
pany, with  which  concern  he  remained  until  1888.  In  May  of  that  year 
he  became  a  member  of  the  LaSalle  police  force,  and  is  still  one  of  the 
guardians  of  the  city's  peace.  He  bears  an  excellent  record,  is  faithful, 
prompt  and  ef^cient,  and  merits  the  good  will  which  the  citizens  feel  toward 
him.  From  1884  to  1886  he  was  a  member  of  the  city  council,  and  in 
1889  was  elected  to  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace.  In  1893,  and  again 
in  1897,  'ic  ^'^'^^  re-elected,  and  is  still  serving'  in  this  important  position. 

In  1874  Mr.  Kings  married  Miss  Mary  D.  Flynn,  a  native  of  Canada 
and  of  Irish  lineage.  Two  sons  and  two  daughters  have  blessed  the  union 
of  this  estimable  couple,  namely:  Mary  J..  Ellen  Agnes,  Francis  J.  and 
John.  The  family  are  Roman  Catholic  in  their  religious  faith.  They 
have  a  pleasant  home  and  are  highly  esteemed  by  all  who  know  them. 


FRANK    M.    CRANE. 


The  Crane  family,  of  which  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  representa- 
tive, traces  its  origin  to  New  England.  There  Albert  Crane,  the  grand- 
father of  Frank  M.,  was  liorn  and  thence  he  went  to  the  Catskill  regions 
of  New  York,  where  he  followed  the  trade  of  blacksmith.  Albert  Crane, 
his  son  and  the  father  of  Frank  ]\I.,  came  from  New  York  state  to  Illinpis 
in  1851  and  settled  on  section  14,  Dimmick  township,  LaSalle  county, 
where  he  became  a  prosperous  farmer  and  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his 
life  and  died,  his  death  occurring  in  1894.     His  wife,  ]\Iary  Aiken,  whom  he 


434  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

married  in  his  native  state,  died  in  1876.  Their  children  were  the  following" 
named:  Miss  Sarah  Crane;  Robert  Crane,  of  Burlington,  Kansas;  Albert, 
Jr.,  who  died  in  1886;  James  Crane;  Mary  E.,  deceased  wife  of  Thomas 
Gardiner;   and  Frank  ]\1.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Frank  M.  Crane  was  born  on  his  father's  farm,  March  4,  1853,  and 
was  here  reared  and  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools.  At  the 
age  of  twenty  he  engaged  in  farming  on  his  own  account.  Stock-raising 
became  one  of  the  chief  features  of  his  business,  and  it  is  still  a  source  of  no 
jimall  revenue  to  him.  He  owns  a  farm  of  five  hundred  acres,  desirably 
located  and  substantially  improved. 

Mr.  Crane  was  married  December  15,  1886,  to  Miss  jNIargaret  J.  Jack- 
son, daughter  of  John  Jackson,  of  Troy  Grove,  Illinois;  and  the  children 
in  their  family  are  Charles  H.,  Howard  A.,  Nelson  J.,  Edith  AI.,  Elsie  and 
Aletha. 

The  Crane  family  for  the  most  part  have  been  identified  with  the 
Democratic  party  and  active  in  its  support.  In  1896,  however,  Frank  i\I. 
supported  the  McKinley  ticket  in  the  belief  that  sure  relief  from  long  finan- 
cial depression  lay  in  the  triumph  of  the  head  of  that  ticket,  and  two 
years  of  its  administration  of  public  affairs  have  not  served  to  convince  him 
that  he  was  mistaken  in  his  judgment.  For  the  last  two  years  Mr.  Crane 
has  l)een  a  school  director. 


=  NICHOLAS   CHARLES   CUMMINGS. 

The  well  known  gentleman  whose  name  forms  the  heading  of  this 
sketch  has  Iieen  a  resident  of  ]\Iendota,  Illinois,  for  a  period  of  thirty-six 
years,  and  for  more  than  twenty  years  was  in  business  here  as  a  dealer  in 
groceries  and  boots  and  shoes. 

Nicholas  Charles  Cummings  was  born  in  Rensselaer  county.  New 
York,  August  10,  185 1,  a  son  of  John  and  Almira  (Craver)  Cummings, 
natives  of  the  same  state.  He  is  the  younger  of  two  children;  his  brother 
Eli  died  in  Mendota  in  1898.  Their  father  was  a  farmer,  who  came  to 
Illinois  with  his  family  in  1852  and  located  in  Lee  county  ten  miles  north- 
east of  ]Mendota,  where  he  bought  land  and  for  eleven  years  carried  on 
agricultural  pursuits.  In  1863  he  came  to  Mendota,  where  he  lived,  retired, 
till  his  death,  in   1899.     His  wife  died  in  1886. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Eli  Cummings,  was  of  English 
and  Irish  descent,  was  a  farmer  and  lived  and  died  in  New  York  state,  at 
the  age  of  eighty  years.  In  his  family  were  eight  sons  and  two  daughters. 
Mr.   Cummings'   maternal  grandfather,   Nicholas  Craver,  was  a   native  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  435 

Pennsylvania  and  by  trade  a  blacksmith.  In  the  early  '50s  he  came  out 
to  Illinois  and  bought  a  farm  adjoining  the  one  owned  by  the  father  of  our 
subject,  and  lived  there  until  about  1872,  when  he  moved  to  Mendota;  and 
here  he  died,  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  years. 

Nicholas  C.  Cummings  was  an  infant  when  brought  to  Illinois  by  his 
parents,  and  the  first  twelve  years  of  his  life  were  spent  on  his  father's 
farm,  since  then  living  in  Mendota.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
and  the  college  at  Mendota,  and  when  he  started  out  to  make  his  own 
way  in  the  world  it  was  as  a  clerk  in  a  grocery.  In  1878  he  engaged  in  the 
grocery  business  for  himself,  in  Mendota,  and  later  added  also  a  stock  of 
boots  and  shoes  in  connection  with  his  groceries,  doing  a  prosperous  busi- 
ness in  both  lines  until  August  19,  1899,  when  he  closed  out  the  business. 

Mr.  Cummings  owns  and  occupies  a  pleasant  home  on  the  corner  of 
Fourth  avenue  and  Eighth  street,  which  he  built  a  number  of  years  ago. 
He  was  married  November  25,  1872,  to  Miss  Mary  Alice  Gheer,  a  daughter 
of  Levi  and  Nancy  Gheer.  Two  sons  were  born  to  INIr.  and  Mrs.  Cum- 
mings, namely:  Arthur  E.  and  Claude  G.  The  former  married  Laura  Roth, 
in  1895,  and  was  superintendent  for  the  Mendota  Gas  Company  when  he 
met  with  his  death,  by  accident,  being  shot,  the  accident  occurring  as  he 
was  taking-  a  gun  from  his  buggy.  This  sad  affair  happened  October  13, 
1899.  His  age  at  the  time  of  death  was  twenty-six  years  and  a  few  days. 
Claude  G.,  the  second  son,  is  twenty-four  years  of  age  and  is  an  employe 
of  the  Mendota  Electric  Light  Company. 

Mr.  Cummings  is  a  Republican  and  has  always  taken  a  commendable 

interest  in  public  affairs,  especially  those  of  a  local  nature.     For  nine  years 

he  has  been  a  director  in  the  city  schools  of  Mendota.     He  is  a  member  of 

Lodge  No.  293,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  Camp  No.  65,  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America. 


BERTRAM  SCHWEICKERT. 

This  popular  young  business  man  of  Peru  is  one  of  the  younger  sons 
of  our  well  known  citizen,  Vincent  Schweickert,  who  is  represented  else- 
where in  this  work.  Born  in  this  town  on  the  22d  of  June,  1872,  our  sub- 
ject has  always  been  closely  identified  with  the  place,  as  child,  youth  and 
man,  and  the  deepest  interest  is  felt  by  him  in  all  local  affairs  touching  the 
good  of  the  community. 

When  he  had  arrived  at  a  suitable  age  he  entered  the  parochial  schools, 
and  acquired  a  liberal  education.  He  was  about  sixteen  years  old  when 
he  obtained  employment  in  a  bakery,  where  he  remained  for  about  a  year, 
but.  not  caring  for  the  trade,  he  decided  to  adopt  that  of  his  father  and 


436  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

elder  brothers,  and,  to  that  end,  commenced  learning  the  business  of  laying 
brick  and  stone  masonry.  He  has  followed  this  calling  ever  since,  and  in 
1898  went  into  partnership  with  his  brothers,  Henry,  Jacob,  Francis  X., 
and  his  brother-in-law,  Frank  Ellerbrock.  This  enterprising  firm,  which  is 
now  commanding  a  large  share  of  the  local  contracts  for  brick  and  stone 
work  for  buildings  and  bridges,  is  known  as  Schweickert  Brothers  & 
Company. 

Bertram  Schweickert  resides  in  an  attractive  home  on  Ninth  street, 
between  Pike  and  Calhoun.  The  lady  who  presides  here  as  wife,  mother 
and  hostess,  was  formerly  Miss  Mary  Elizabeth  Brinkmann,  a  daughter 
of  Frank  and  Mary  (Schumacher)  Brinkmann.  The  ceremony  which  united 
the  destinies  of  our  subject  and  wife  was  performed  in  Ottawa,  Putnam 
county,  Ohio,  on  the  22d  of  April,  1896.  Two  sons  bless  their  happy 
home,  named  respectively  Ewald  Vincent  Frank  and  Lawrence  Henry 
Thomas. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bertram  Schweickert  are  members  of  the  Catholic 
church.  He  belongs  to  the  Catholic  Order  of  Foresters;  to  St.  Joseph's 
Benevolent  Society;  and  to  the  Bricklayers  and  ]\Iasons'  International 
Union,  No.  11,  of  Illinois.  In  his  political  faith  he  is  an  uncompromising 
Democrat. 


ANDREW  B.  BREESE. 


Andrew  Bray  Breese,  deceased,  was  one  of  the  prominent  men  of  Earl- 
ville,  LaSalle  county,  where  he  had  been  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business 
for  many  years.  He  was  a  native  of  Newark,  New  Jersey,  having  been  born 
April  29,  1824,  and  was  a  son  of  Bailey  and  Phoebe  Breese,  both  of  promi- 
nent New  Jersey  families.  ]Mr.  Breese  was  one  of  eleven  children,  five 
sons  and  six  daughters.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  came  west  with  his  par- 
ents, who  settled  in  Paw  Paw,  this  state,  and  about  two  years  later  moved  to 
Grand  Detour,  where  he  entered  upon  his  career  as  a  dry  goods  merchant. 
Two  years  later  he  moved  his  store  to  Paw  Paw,  Illinois,  and  continued  in 
the  business  there  for  fifteen  years,  when  he  came  to  Earlville  and  remained 
tmtil  his  death.  He  was  a  veteran  dry  goods  man,  having  been  engaged  in 
this  business  for  forty-nine  years,  and  his  prosperity  was  assured  from  the 
start.  He  was  a  man  of  keen  perception,  a  close  observer,  and  displayed  an 
acuteness  in  business  that  augured  well  for  his  success. 

He  was  married  in  1844  to  Aliss  ]\Iary  E.  Carber,  a  native  of  Brad- 
ford county,  Pennsylvania,  and  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Sabrina  (Sweet) 
Carber.  Jacob  Carber  and  wife  were  natives  of  the  state  of  New  York,  the 
former  tracing  his  ancestry  to  Germany  and  the  latter  to  England.     He 


^^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  437 

enlisted  in  the  war  of  181 2  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years.  He  was  well 
educated  and  taught  school  in  the  east  during  his  early  life,  coming  west 
about  1835  and  settling  in  Scott  county,  Iowa,  where  he  engaged  in  farming 
in  the  Mississippi  bottom.  Here  he  died,  leaving  two  children, — Mrs. 
Breese  and  Andrew  J.  Carber,  a  farmer  of  Scott  county,  Iowa.  Mrs.  Breese 
was  a  school  teacher  in  her  early  life,  and  it  was  while  thus  engaged  in  the 
vicinity  of  Paw  Paw  that  ]\Ir.  Breese  made  her  acquaintance.  Mr.  Breese 
died  December  18,  1891,  after  an  illness  of  only  three  days'  duration.  His 
sudden  death  was  a  severe  blow  to  the  whole  community,  to  whom  the  news 
came  as  a  shock,  and  business  and  social  circles  alike  felt  the  blow.  He 
had  a  happy  disposition  and  always  looked  on  the  bright  side  of  life,  while 
jovial  good  nature  always  made  him  a  favorite  in  any  social  gathering.  He 
was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  but  did  not  seek  emoluments  of  ofifice.  In  re- 
ligion he  had  the  comforting  faith  of  the  Universalist,  and  went  to  meet  his 
Maker  with  the  trust  of  a  confiding  child  in  a  loving,  all-wise  and  merciful 
Father. 

Mrs.  Breese,  his  widow,  resides  in  Earlville,  and  holds  an  interest  in  the 
business  so  successfully  inaugurated  by  her  husband.  The  firm  is  Breese  & 
McKinney,  the  latter  having  bought  an  interest  in  the  store  soon  after 
the  death  of  Mr.  Breese. 

The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Breese  was  without  issue,  but  an  adopted 
daughter,  Ruth  May,  now  the  wife  of  John  Buchanan,  of  Chicago,  was  the 
recipient  of  their  loving  care  and  bounty,  finding  at  their  hearthstone  a  par- 
ent's care  and  affection. 


ALEXANDER  C.  FINKLER. 

Alexander  C.  Finkler,  who  is  recognized  as  quite  an  important  factor  in 
the  local  pohtics  of  LaSalle  county,  is  now  serving  as  city  clerk  of  LaSalle. 
He  is  one  of  the  native  sons  of  this  place,  his  birth  having  occurred  here 
February  16,  1869.  Thus  he  is  in  the  prime  of  early  manhood  and  am- 
bition, and  judging  from  what  he  has  alread}'  accomplished  in  his  brief 
career  he  has  a  most  promising  future. 

Alexander  Finkler,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  article,  was  born 
in  Westphalia,  Germany,  and  came  to  the  United  States  with  his  parents 
when  a  young  lad.  His  two  brothers,  Frank  J.  of  Dixon,  Illinois,  and 
John  A.,  who  died  at  Streator,  this  county,  and  his  only  sister,  ]\Iary,  who 
became  the  wife  of  Isaac  Robinson,  of  Peru,  LaSalle  county,  were  all  born 
in  America.  The  parents  located  at  Johnstown,  Pennsylvania,  where  they 
continued  to  reside  until  death.  When  he  had  arrived  at  man's  estate, 
Alexander  Finkler,  Sr..  came  to  this  count v,  and  after  living  at  Peru  for 


438  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

some  time  went  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  where  he  was  employed  in  the 
United  States  arsenal.  In  that  city  he  formed  the  acquaintance  of  Miss 
Johanna  McKnight,  who  was  a  native  of  Ireland.  They  were  married  in 
LaSalle,  began  their  domestic  life  here,  and  their  happy  home  was  blessed 
with  eight  children,  namely:  A.  C. ;  Frank  (who  is  deceased);  Mary; 
Eliza;  Margaret;  Agnes;  Josephine;  and  Emily.  The  father  died  in  1883, 
at  the  age  of  fifty-six  years,  at  his  home  in  Ottawa,  where  he  had  been 
living  for  fi\e  years  previously.  His  widow  returned  to  LaSalle,  where 
the  greater  part  of  her  married  life  had  been  spent  and  where  she  is  still 
a  resident. 

With  the  exception  of  five  years  spent  in  Ottawa  with  the  rest  of  the 
family,  Alexander  C.  Finkler  has  always  dwelt  in  LaSalle,  and  received  his 
education  in  its  public  schools.  He  was  a  youth  of  fourteen  when  his 
father  died,  and  he  at  once  took  up  the  more  serious  realities  of  life.  His 
father  had  been  for  years  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  soda-water,  and 
with  energy  and  wisdom  far  beyond  what  could  be  expected  of  such  a 
child,  young  Alexander  took  up  the  reins  of  the  business  and  successfully 
carried  on  the  undertaking  for  eleven  years,  finally  selling  out  in  1894.  In 
the  meantime  he  pursued  a  course  of  study  in  the  Dixon  (Illinois)  Business 
College,  in  order  more  fully  to  ec^uip  himself  for  his  commercial  career. 

For  several  years  Mr.  Finkler  has  been  active  in  the  Democratic  party, 
and  in  1893  he  was  honored  by  election  to  the  office  of  city  clerk  of  LaSalle. 
Two  years  later  he  was  re-elected,  and  again  in  1897  and  1899,  now  serving 
his  fourth  term  in  this  capacity.  In  1898  he  was  his  party's  candidate  for 
the  more  responsible  position  of  county  clerk,  and,  with  the  rest  of  the 
nominees  on  that  ticket,  was  defeated  at  election. 

In  1895  Mr.  Finkler  married  Miss  Xellie  Lehan  of  LaSalle,  and  one 
child  blesses  their  happy  home,  namely,  Alexander.  In  his  social  relations 
Mr.  Finkler  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Alodern  Woodmen  of 
America,  the  Independent  Order  of  Foresters,  and  the  Turn  Verein.  Re- 
ligiously he  and  his  wife  are  identified  with  the  Catholic  church. 


WILLIAM    B.    CHAP:\IAN. 

W^illiam  Barber  Chapman,  a  retired  business  man  and  one  of  the  most 
substantial  and  respected  citizens  of  LaSalle,  Illinois,  was  born  in  Peters- 
burg, New  York,  February  25,  1828.  He  was  one  of  seven  children  born 
to  Moses  and  Lucinda  (Collins)  Chapman,  namely:  Moses,  of  Hutchinson, 
Kansas;  Henry,  a  resident  of  Pasadena,  California;  \\'ealthy,  the  widow 
of  Isaac  DeVoe,  of  Seattle,  Washington;   William  B.,  our  subject;  Lucinda 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  439 

Chapman,  of  Forest,  Illinois;  ]\Iary,  widow  of  J.  P.  Knight,  also  of  Forest; 
and  Nettie,  the  wife  of  Henry  Sloan,  of  Sidney,  Washington.  Both  parents 
were  natives  of  Springfield,  ^Massachusetts,  where  they  were  married.  The 
father  learned  the  trade  of  blacksmith  and  carriage  making-,  which  he 
followed.  They  lived  for  a  time  in  Orleans,  New  York,  and  from  that 
state  came  to  Illinois  by  horses  and  wagon,  reaching  Putnam  county,  this 
state,  on  November  2,  1843.  He  purchased  a  farm  near  Hennepin,  which 
was  culti\ated  by  his  sons,  and  upon  which  he  lived  until  his  forty-ninth 
year,  at  which  time  his  death  occurred.  His  wife  reached  the  advanced 
age  of  seventy-one  years.  They  were  of  the  Baptist  faith.  He  was  a 
prominent  man  and  held  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  in  Orleans  and 
was  also  count}-  commissioner  for  many  years.  His  father,  Moses  Chap- 
man, of  English  origin,  was  also  a  blacksmith  and  reached  an  extreme  old 
age.  living  all  his  life  in  ^Massachusetts.  He  had  a  small  number  of  chil- 
dren. Henry  Collins,  the  maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  a  mili- 
tary man  and  connected  with  the  armory  at  Springfield,  Massachusetts. 
He  had  a  few  children  and  died  in  his  native  state  when  past  his  ninetieth 
year. 

^^'illiam  B.  Chapman  was  reared  on  a  farm,  attending  the  common 
schools  in  the  east,  and  then  entered  the  academy  at  Granville.  Illinois. 
He  remained  at  home  until  1853  and  then  came  to  LaSalle  and  entered  the 
livery  business,  which  he  conducted  for  sixteen  years.  He  then  went  to 
Forest.  Livingston  county,  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres,  placed  it  in  good  cultivation,  and  remained  on  it  for  seventeen  years, 
when  he  returned  to  this  city  and  took  charge  of  the  land  ofifice  for  the 
Union  Pacific  Railroad  for  eight  or  ten  years.  Since  that  time  he  has  lived 
a  life  of  retirement  from  business.  He  is  a  stalwart  Republican  and  served 
under  Eli  Watterman  four  years  as  deputy  sheriff  of  LaSalle  county.  He 
was  married  on  December  2,  1857.  to  Miss  Martha  Foster,  by  whom  he 
had  four  children,  all  of  whom  died  in  childhood.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chapman 
are  liberal  contributors  toward  the  support  of  the  Congregational  church, 
of  which  organization  ]Mrs.  Chapman  is  a  member.  Mrs.  Chapman  is  a 
lady  of  culture  and  refinement,  having  received  the  advantages  of  a 
superior  education.  She  took  a  preparatory  course  at  Granville  Academy 
and  then  entered  the  Albion  College,  at  Albion,  Michigan,  at  which  she 
graduated  in  the  class  of  1855.  She  was  the  youngest  but  one  in  a  class  of 
eleven.  Her  studies  having  included  a  business  course,  she  took  charge  of 
her  father's  banking  business  and  acted  as  his  bookkeeper  for  several 
years  after  returning  from  school. 

As  the  parents  of  Mrs.  Chapman  were  important  factors  in  the  early 
historv  of  LaSalle  countv.  a  brief  sketch  of  their  career  will  here  be  ad- 


440  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

missible.  Benjamin  G.  Foster  was  born  in  Barnard,  Windsor  county,  Ver- 
mont, where  he  grew  to  adult  years  and  married  Charlotte  M.  Brown,  a 
native  of  the  village  of  Swanton,  that  state.  He  was  a  carpenter  and  con- 
tractor, and  in  1836  came  to  Peru,  LaSalle  county,  leaving  his  family  in 
the  east  in  the  care  of  his  wife,  until  a  more  convenient  mode  of  trans- 
portation could  be  provided  for  them,  and  it  was  not  until  the  fall  of  1847 
that  he  saw  his  way  to  establishing  them  in  this  county.  With  true  sturdi- 
ness  of  purpose,  he  at  once  began  work  at  his  trade  and  soon  found  steady 
employment.  He  erected  nearly  all  the  large,  heavy  buildings  put  up  at 
that  time,  such  as  warehouses,  elevators,  stores,  etc.  Ho  constructed  the 
first  coal  shaft  tower  in  LaSalle,  afterward  destroyed  by  fire,  and  built  the 
first  wagon  bridge  across  the  Illinois  river  at  LaSalle.  He  employed  a 
large  force  of  men  and  made  considerable  money.  He  owned  four  proper- 
ties on  Fifth,  one  on  Wright  and  one  on  L'nion  street.  The  residence 
now  occupied  by  our  subject  was  owned  by  Mr.  Foster.  He  was  identified 
with  the  Whigs,  and  latterly  with  the  Republicans,  but  was  too  much  occu- 
pied with  his  trade  to  allow  his  name  to  be  used  as  a  candidate  for  oftice. 
The  only  exception  to  this  rule  was  when  he  was  elected  school  director. 
He  was  a  great  friend  to  education  and  was  a  member  of  the  first  school 
board  in  LaSalle.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church.  Mrs. 
Foster,  although  a  Baptist  in  faith,  was  not  identified  with  any  church. 
She  was  of  English  descent  and  died  in  her  fifty-seventh  year,  December  4, 
1876.  Mr.  Foster  survived  her  until  September  i,  1882,  when  he  had 
reached  his  seventy-first  year  of  life,  joining  her  in  the  "city  beautiful." 
An  uncle  of  his.  Colonel  Joseph  Foster,  was  a  well  known  soldier  in  the 
war  of  the  Revolution. 


GEORGE   M.   nXXELL,   M.   D. 

Dr.  George  ]\L  Pinnell,  of  LaSalle,  is  a  physician  of  extensive  experi- 
ence and  generaL information,  and  in  his  chosen  specialty  has  met  with 
unqualified  success.  He  has  traveled  in  all  parts  of  this  country  and  in 
Australia,  has  met  many  distinguished  people,  particularly  those  of  his  own 
profession,  and  is  a  most  interesting  speaker  and  converser. 

Born  in  Buchanan.  Upshur  county.  West  Virginia,  February  16,  1840, 
the  Doctor  is  a  son  of  Dr.  David  S.  and  Catherine  E.  (Wolffenborger) 
Pinnell,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  the  Old  Dominion,  representing 
respected  Virginia  families.  Dr.  David  S.  Pinnell,  who  was  a  well-to-do 
planter  and  slaveholder,  was  actively  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession for  the  exceptionally  long  period  of  fifty-four  years.  Four  of  his 
sons  were  prominent  in  the  same  calling,  namely:     Dr.  P.  F.  Pinnell,  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  441 

West  Virginia;  Dr.  N.  W.  Pinnell,  of  Ohio;  Dr.  D.  S.  Pinnell,  Jr.,  of 
Wheeling,  West  Virginia,  and  the  subject  of  this  narrative. 

Thus  it  is  evident  that  Dr.  G.  M.  Pinnell  comes  of  a  family  devoted 
to  the  healing  of  the  "ills  to  which  flesh  is  heir,"  all,  moreover,  men  of 
versatile  talent  and  fine  education.  Reared  in  his  native  town,  our  subject 
attended  the  schools  of  Morgantown,  West  Virginia,  and  after  completing 
his  literary  and  scientific  studies  began  reading  medicine  under  his  father's 
instruction.  At  the  end  of  four  years  of  study  and  practice  as  his  senior's 
assistant,  he  matriculated  in  the  Western  Reserve  Medical  College,  at 
Cleveland,  Ohio,  where  he  was  graduated  in  1867.  Two  years  later  he 
accompanied  his  father  to  Melbourne,  Australia,  the  latter  having  been 
appointed  consul  of  the  United  States  government  at  that  city.  There  the 
young  man  spent  four  years  more  in  preparation  for  his  future  work,  and 
was  graduated  in  the  University  of  Melbourne  in  1873. 

Returning  to  this  country  soon  afterward  Dr.  Pinnell  was  married,  in 
Pittslnirg,  Pennsylvania,  to  Miss  Cora  Spindler.  He  located  in  the  town 
of  Flemington,  West  Virginia,  where  he  estaljlished  himself  in  practice, 
remaining  there  for  about  four  or  five  years.  WHiile  pursuing  his  scientific 
investigations  in  Australia,  in  connection  with  medical  work,  he  discovered 
a  remedy  for  rheumatism,  with  which  malady  thousands  of  people  in 
every  land  are  afflicted.  This  remedy  he  has  prepared  and  placed  on  the 
market  under  the  name  of  "Dr.  Pinnell's  Vegetable  Germicide  Compound 
for  Rheumatism,"  and  for  more  than  a  score  of  years  he  has  traveled,  giving 
lectures  on  the  subject  of  rheumatism,  and  treating  patients  who  are 
afflicted  with  this  painful  and  disabling  disease.  He  has  met  with  great 
success  and  thousands  are  deeply  indebted  to  him  and  earnest  in  their 
praise  of  his  methods.  In  December,  1897,  he  came  to  LaSalle,  where  he 
has  since  resided,  and  during  the  succeeding  fourteen  months  he  treated 
eight  thousand  three  hundred  and  seventeen  patients.  There  is  no  question 
in  regard  to  the  efficacy  of  the  celebrated  remedy  which  he  uses,  and  his 
entire  svstem  and  theories  were  far  in  advance  of  the  times  twentv  vears 
ago,  as  he  then  advocated  the  germ  or  bacilli  theory,  which  has  since 
claimed  the  serious  attention  and  acceptance  of  the  scientific  world. 


JOHN    GIROLT. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch,  John  Girolt,  a  prosperous  farmer  of  North- 
ville  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  is  an  American  by  adoption  and  is 
thoroughly  identified  with  the  interests  of  this  country,  having  fought  for 
the  old  flag  and  the  preservation  of  the  Union  in  the  dark  days  of  civil 
war. 


442  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

John  Girolt  was  born  in  Alsace-Lorraine,  Germany  (then  France), 
January  21,  1839,  a  son  of  John  and  ]MagdaHne  (Bolder)  Girolt.  In  the 
Girolt  family  were  five  children,  three  sons  and  two  daughters,  all  of  whom 
are  living,  and  in  this  country,  except  one  son,  deceased.  The  father  died 
in  Alsace-Lorraine,  and  after  his  death,  in  1853,  the  widowed  mother  and 
her  children  came  to  America  and  settled  in  Xorthville  township.  LaSalle 
county.    She  died  here  in  1892. 

At  the  time  of  their  emigration  to  this  country  John  was  a  boy  in  his 
fourteenth  year.  He  was  reared  to  farm  life,  receiving  only  a  common- 
school  education.  The  war  of  the  Rebellion  coming  on,  he  was  not  long  in 
deciding  to  enter  the  service  of  his  adopted  countr}'.  He  enlisted  in  No- 
vember, 1 861,  as  a  private  in  Company  E,  Fifty-eighth  Illinois  A'^olunteer 
Infantry,  the  fortunes  of  which  he  shared  nine  months.  He  was  then  trans- 
ferred to  the  First  Missouri  Light  Artillery,  Company  H,  and  continued 
in  the  service  until  the  close  of  the  war,  when,  in  June,  1865,  he  was  hon- 
orably discharged,  coming  out  of  the  army  with  the  rank  of  corporal.  He 
was  made  corporal  during  the  Atlanta  campaign.  Among  the  important 
engagements  in  which  he  participated  were  the  battles  of  Fort  Donelson, 
Shiloh  and  Corinth.  He  was  in  the  Atlanta  campaign  and  with  Sherman 
on  his  famous  march  to  the  sea,  and  the  last  action  in  which  he  took  part 
was  the  battle  of  Bentonville,  South  Carolina,  going  thence  to  Washington, 
D.  C,  to  the  grand  review  of  the  victorious  armies.  'Sir.  Girolt  is  a 
member  of  Clayton  Beardsley  Post,  Xo.  674,  G.  A.  R.,  and  politically  har- 
monizes with  the  Republican  party. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  home  and  has  ever  since  been 
engaged  in  farming  in  LaSalle  county.  He  owns  a  fine  farm  of  two  hun- 
dred and  thirty-five  acres  on  the  north  liank  of  Fox  river,  in  Xorthville 
township,  and  is  successfully  carrying  on  his  farming  operations. 

Mr.  Girolt  was  married  in  1867  to  ]Miss  Louisa  Bernard,  and  they 
are  the  parents  of  five  children. 


LOUIS  WALDORF. 


Among  the  wealthier  residents  of  ]\Iendota  who  have  done  a  great 
deal  for  the  city  and  whose  money  is  extensively  invested  in  home  enter- 
prises, is  the  gentleman  whose  name  stands  at  the  head  of  this  sketch.  He 
is  a  native  of  Hesse-Darmstadt,  Germany,  and  was  born  X^ovember  30, 
1848.  His  parents  were  Phillip  and  ^^largaret  (Gud)  Waldorf,  both  natives 
of  the  same  province,  where  they  were  married  and  three  of  their  children 
were  born, — Margaret,  Catherine  and  Louis.  They  emigrated  to  America 
in  1853.  landing  in  X'ew  York  April  13.  and  at  once  came  to  this  county 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  443 

and  settled  in  Troy  Grove,  where  the  father  engaged  in  farming  until  1863, 
when  he  died  in  his  forty-ninth  year.  Three  children  were  born  to  them 
after  locating  in  Troy  Grove, — Phillip,  William  and  Peter, — the  first  men- 
tioned residing  on  the  old  homestead  and  the  two  latter  in  Nebraska. 
Margaret  married  Ferdinand  Kampf,  a  farmer  of  Troy  Grove  township, 
and  Catherine  is  the  wife  of  Edward  Grube,  of  LaSalle.  The  mother 
reached  her  seventy-fourth  year  and  sank  to  sleep  in   1872. 

Mr.  Waldorf  was  educated  in  the  country  schools  and  grew  to  man- 
hood on  the  farm,  remaining  there  until  he  was  twenty-one,  when  he  came 
to  Alendota  and  with  his  brother-in-law,  Mr.  Grube,  went  to  manufacturing 
and  wholesaling  vinegar.  The  business  was  conducted  until  June,  1874, 
when  Mr.  Waldorf  sold  his  interest  in  the  concern  to  his  partner,  who  dis- 
continued it  in  1875,  as  it  was  not  a  profitable  investment.  In  October, 
1874.  he  entered  into  a  partnership  with  M.  Abrahams,  under  the  firm 
name  of  Abrahams  &  \\'aldorf,  and  engaged  in  the  wholesale  liquor  busi- 
ness in  this  city.  On  the  first  of  January,  1890,  ^Ir.  Waldorf  purchased 
the  interest  of  his  partner  and  has  since  carried  on  the  business  alone.  He 
has  been  very  successful,  disposing  of  large  cjuantities  of  liquor,  and  from 
the  modest  beginning  of  two  thousand  dollars'  capital  the  business  has 
spread  to  its  present  gigantic  proportions.  He  is  an  able  business  man  and 
is  regarded  by  the  citizens  as  one  of  the  shrewdest  in  this  section  of  the 
state.  Not  only  has  he  guarded  his  own  interests  with  an  eagle  eye  but 
has  also  worked  for  the  municipality,  and  he  has  been  the  means  of  bring- 
ing much  trade  to  the  merchants  of  this  city.  He  formerly  held  the  position 
of  vice  president  of  the  Mendota  National  Bank,  of  which  he  was  one  of 
the  organizers,  and  is  one  of  the  foremost  citizens  of  Mendota.  He  re- 
signed as  vice  president  of  the  Alendota  National  Bank  and  sold  his  interest 
in  the  institution  in  September,  1899. 

In  1878  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  ]\Iiss  Josephine  Pitts,  a  native 
of  Luxemburg,  Germany.  Four  children  have  been  the  fruits  of  this 
union, — Lorena,  Arthur,  Rufus  and  Herbert.  Lorena  and  Arthur  are 
eraduates  of  the  Blackstone  hioh  school,  of  ^lendota,  and  are  remarkably 
bright  pupils.  Mrs.  Waldorf  was  a  teacher  of  German  in  the  Blackstone 
schools  of  Mendota  from  1873  to  1878  and  as  such  made  many  friends  both 
among  parents  and  pupils.  They  are  memljers  of  the  German  Lutheran 
church  and  contribute  liberally  to  the  cause  of  Christianity  and  the  spread 
of  the  gospel.  Their  home  is  a  model  of  elegance  and  refined  taste.  Little 
short  of  a  mansion  in  architecture  it  pleases  the  eye  of  all  who  view  its 
magnificence.  Entering  the  heavy  oak  doors  leading  to  the  vestibule  the 
same  refined  taste  is  apparent,  everything  being  of  the  most  elegant  but 
unostentatious  character.     The  vestibule  is  a  spacious  room  with  a  mosaic 


444  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

floor  and  leads  directly  to  the  hall  proper,  which  can  also  be  used  as  a 
reception  room  and  is  a  circular  apartment  ornamented  with  art  glass  of 
varied  and  beautiful  tint.  Passing  to  the  left  we  enter  the  parlor  and 
confront  a  large  mirror  built  into  the  wall,  the  sides  of  which  are  green 
while  the  ceiling  is  frescoed  with  Mexican  roses.  The  finish  is  birch  with 
a  mahogany  finish,  and  in  no  part  of  the  house  has  paint  or  paper  been  used, 
natural  wood  and  fresco  taking  their  places.  In  the  rear  of  the  sitting-room, 
which  is  finished  in  light  oak  with  light  blue  frescoe  and  ceiling  ornamented 
with  morning-glories,  is  the  dining-room,  a  beautiful  creation  in  dark 
oak  with  paneled  wainscoting.  This,  like  the  sitting-room,  has  a  fire- 
place, and  a  handsome  sideboard  is  built  in  the  wall.  A  butler's  pantry 
connects  ^^■ith  the  kitchen,  which  is  provided  with  all  the  conveniences 
known  to  modern  housewifery.  This  floor  has  a  pleasant  bed-room,  and 
each  floor  is  supplied  with  an  elegant  bath-room,  with  onyx  washstand, 
porcelain  tubs,  nickel  fixtures,  and  floors  and  walls  of  pure  white  tile  with 
delicate  pink  border.  Hot  and  cold  water,  either  hard  or  soft,  can  be  had 
whenever  needed;  and  not  one  point  has  been  forgotten  or  neglected  that 
would  add  to  the  comfort  of  the  inmates.  The  wood-work  of  the  entire 
second  story  is  of  highh-  finished  cypress,  and  the  large,  pleasant  bed-rooms 
are  situated  on  this  floor,  as  is  also  the  library.  The  room  designed  for 
the  eldest  daughter  is  peacock  blue,  with  wild-rose  ornaments,  and  is  a 
dream  of  beauty.  The  furniture  is  in  keeping  with  the  building  and  har- 
monizes with  the  finish  in  each  room.  In  the  cellar  is  the  laundry,  heating 
plant,  etc.,  and  taken  altogether  it  is  one  of  the  handsomest  and  most  com- 
plete residences  it  has  ever  been  our  good  fortune  to  see. 

On  the  close  of  the  year  1899,  Mr.  Waldorf  completed  the  building  of 
a  two-story  business  block,  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Illinois  and  Jeft'er- 
son  streets  in  ]Mendota.  The  building  is  the  most  modern  business  block 
in  ]\Iendota  and  is  a  model  structure.  Two  store-rooms  30x85  feet,  each 
with  basements;  and  the  second  floor,  devoted  to  office  rooms,  is  heated 
throughout  by  steam,  and  has  other  con-\'eniences  of  excellency.  The  entire 
building  is  a  monument  to  the  enterprise  of  Mr.  Waldorf. 

]\Ir.  \\  aldorf  is  a  Democrat  and  served  as  alderman  for  ten  years.  He 
is  also  a  member  of  the  board  of  education  and  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 


CHARLES    CLEARY 


The  career  of  an  enterprising,  honest  business  man  is  a  matter  of 
interest  in  any  community,  and  when  the  public  witnesses  his  gradual 
advancement  and  increasing  prosperity  it  rejoices  in  his  justlv  won  success. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  445 

During  a  period  of  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  Charles  Cleary  has 
been  engaged  in  business  in  LaSalle  and  has  won  the  esteem  and  best 
wishes  of  all  with  whom  he  has  had  dealings. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of,  our  subject,  John  Cleary,  was  a  farmer  in 
Ireland,  and  died  when  about  sixty-live  years  of  age,  from  injuries  received 
in  a  runaway.  Of  his  eight  or  nine  children  Peter,  the  father  of  Charles 
Cleary,  was  a  gentleman  of  excellent  education  and  general  attainments. 
In  his  early  manhood  he  was  a  school-teacher,  and  subsequently  to  his 
marriage  he  turned  his  attention  to  agriculture.  He  was  a  participant  in 
one  of  the  rebellions  in  Ireland,  but  was  too  great  a  lover  of  his  country 
to  ever  leave  her  shores.  He  died  December  28,  1896,  at  the  advanced 
age  of  eighty-seven,  and  on  the  17th  of  March,  1898,  his  faithful  wife 
followed  him  to  the  grave,  she  being  in  her  eighty-seventh  year  at  the  time 
of  her  death.  In  her  girlhood  she  bore  the  name  of  Frances  Flynn,  and  her 
father,  Henry  Flynn,  lived  and  died  in  Ireland.  He  was  a  shepherd  much 
of  his  life,  and  for  a  few  years  was  a  pilot  in  the  employ  of  the  government. 
Peter  and  Frances  Cleary  were  members  of  the  Catholic  church  and  reared 
their  children  in  the  same  faith.  Of  their  three  sons  and  eight  daughters 
nine  are  yet  living,  namel)^:  Maria,  wife  of  Thomas  Cardon  of  Easky,  Ire- 
land; Ann,  wife  of  John  O'Donnell,  of  Culleen,  Ireland;  John,  a  resident 
of  West  Hartlepool,  England;  Charles;  Kate,  wife  of  Michael  O'Leary, 
of  Streator,  Illinois;  Frances,  wife  of  James  O'Leary,  of  the  same  town; 
Peter,  of  Joliet,  Illinois;  Jane,  of  Chicago;  and  Julia,  Mrs.  ]\Iichael  Brady, 
of  Culleen,  Ireland. 

Charles  Cleary  was  born  in  county  Sligo,  Ireland,  April  3,  1851,  and 
received  a  common-school  education.  He  was  but  twelve  years  old  when 
he  commenced  learning  the  grocery  business,  to  which  line  he  has  devoted 
himself  chiefly  ever  since.  In  1872  he  came  to  America  and  for  seven 
months  was  employed  in  New  York  city.  The  same  year  he  came  west 
and  lived  in  Utica,  Illinois,  until  the  fall,  when  he  removed  to  LaSalle,  and 
for  about  a  year  was  in  the  employ  of  Matthiessen  &  Hegeler,  in  their  zinc 
works.  The  following  four  years  he  worked  in  the  coal  mines,  and  at 
length  he  commenced  clerking  in  the  grocery  owned  by  Mr.  Cavanaugh. 
During  the  next  ten  months  he  thoroughly  mastered  the  details  of  the 
business  and  finally  became  the  manager.  In  1879  he  purchased  ]\Ir. 
Cavanaugh's  stock,  and  for  several  years  carried  on  a  grocery  on  First 
street,  one  block  west  of  his  present  location,  where  he  has  been  for  the 
past  fourteen  years. 

In  his  political  convictions,  Mr.  Cleary  is  rather  independent,  but 
inclines  to  the  Democratic  party.  A  friend  to  education,  he  is  now  serving 
for  the  ninth  vear  as  a  member  of  the  school   board.      Sociallv,  he  is  a 


446  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

member  of  the  Royal  Arcamim  and  the  Court  of  Honor,  He  is  strictly 
temperate  in  his  habits,  leaving  all  kinds  of  intoxicating  liquor  entirely 
alone,  and  in  every  respect  his  life  is  worthy  to  be  held  up  as  an  example  to 
the  young. 

On  the  1st  of  May,  1876,  Mr.  Cleary  and  Miss  Annie,  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Mary  (Manly)  Durkin,  were  united  in  wedlock.  They  have 
had  seven  children,  but  Annie  Teressa  and  Teressa  Annie  died  when 
young.  Three  daughters  and  two  sons  remain  to  brighten  the  home, 
namely:  Mary  A.,  Frances,  Thomas  H.,  Charles  Vincent  and  Loretto. 
In  1889  Mr.  Cleary  purchased  his  comfortable  residence,  which  is  situ- 
ated at  the  corner  of  Fifth  and  Creve  Coeur  streets. 


JEREMIAH    COLLINS. 


For  almost  half  a  century  Jeremiah  Collins,  justice  of  the  peace,  has 
been  a  resident  of  LaSalle,  and  numbered  among  its  honest,  industrious, 
patriotic  citizens.  Believing  thoroughly  that  "there  is  no  royal  road"  to 
success,  he  faithfully  and  perseveringly  worked  at  his  trade,  allowed  himself 
to  be  led  aside  by  no  visionary  schemes  of  wealth  easily  obtained,  and 
now  in  his  declining  years  he  enjoys  a  competence  and  the  feeling  that  he 
has  performed  his  duty  nobly  and  commendably. 

One  of  the  sons  of  the  Emerald  Isle,  Mr.  Collins  was  born  December 
15,  1834.  His  parents,  Jeremiah  and  Ellen  (Mahoney)  Collins,  emigrated 
with  their  family  to  the  United  States  in  185 1,  first  locating  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, later  removing  to  Indiana  and  finally  taking  up  their  permanent 
abode  in  LaSalle  in  1852.  Here  they  died,  the  father  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
six  vears,  and  the  mother  when  in  her  seventy-fourth  year.  Their  children 
were  as  follows:  Mary,  deceased;  Frederick,  deceased;  Lawrence,  who 
was  a  captain  in  the  civil  war,  and  died  from  the  effects  of  disease  con- 
tracted in  the  service;  Jeremiah;  John,  who  graduated  in  the  Notre  Dame 
(Indiana)  Cohege,  and  took  up  the  practice  of  law,  but  died  during  the 
war  of  the  Rebellion;  and  James,  who  was  associated  in  business  with  our 
subject  for  years. 

Jeremiah  Collins,  Jr.,  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade  of  his  father, 
who  was  one  of  the  early  workers  in  iron  in  LaSalle.  In  1859  the  young 
man,  then  twenty-five  years  of  age,  became  imbued  with  the  Pike's  Peak 
excitement,  and  started  for  the  west  overland,  making  the  tedious  and 
dangerous  trip  across  the  plains  in  a  wagon.  He  spent  some  time  in  the 
gold  fields,  but  returned  to  this  place  with  small  reward  for  his  pains, 
and  with  the  steadfast  determination  to  stick  to  his  trade  in  the  future  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  447 

to  earn  his  bread  "by  the  sweat  of  his  face."  Rarely  was  he  absent  from 
his  shop,  and  his  patrons  came  to  rely  upon  him,  and  to  no  one  else  would 
they  give  their  work. 

For  eighteen  years  Mr.  Collins  served  as  a  member  of  the  LaSalle  city 
school  board,  and  he  has  always  taken  great  interest  in  the  education  of 
the  rising  generation.  Politically  he  is  affiliated  with  no  party,  acting  inde- 
pendently of  party  lines;  and  in  1897  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  for 
a  term  of  four  years.  He  is  now  acting  in  this  position  and  is  a  capable, 
conscientious  official,  meeting  his  responsibilities  to  the  satisfaction  of  all 
'concerned.  For  twelve  years  Mr.  Collins  served  as  a  city  alderman,  being 
first  elected  to  the  office  in  1864. 

In  1863  Mr.  Collins  was  married,  in  this  city,  to  Miss  Mary  McCarthy, 
a  native  of  Ireland.  She  departed  this  life  in  1874,  and  is  survived  by  two 
daughters,  namely:  Mary  and  Ellen,  who  reside  with  their  father,  their 
home  being  at  No.  1012  First  street.  Ellen  is  a  successful  teacher  in  the 
public  grammar  schools,  and  Mary  is  the  mistress  of  the  pretty  and  attrac- 
tive home. 


WILLIAM    McELHENIE. 

William  McElhenie,  who  probably  has  been  longer  engaged  in  the  liv- 
ery business  than  any  one  in  LaSalle  county,  is  an  esteemed  citizen  of  the 
town  of  LaSalle.  Fle  is  a  native  of  Wayne  county,  Ohio,  his  birth  having 
occurred  September  2,  1846.  He  is  of  Scotch-Irish  extraction,  his  ancestors 
having  settled  in  the  United  States  prior  to  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  He 
is  a  son  of  William  and  grandson  of  Thomas  McElhenie,  of  Pennsylvania. 
The  former  went  to  Ohio  at  an  early  day  and  there  married  Harriet  Porter, 
a  native  of  the  Buckeye  state,  and  daughter  of  John  Porter,  who- was  born 
in  Ireland,  and  was  a  pioneer  settler  in  Ohio.  In  1852  our  subject's  parents 
came  to  Illinois,  and  for  four  years  resided  in  LaSalle,  where  he  kept  the 
Tremont  Hotel,  and  subsequently  the  St.  Charles  Hotel;  and  then,  going 
to  Mendota,  engaged  in  the  grocery,  grain  and  commission  business.  He 
was  very  successful  and  popular  as  a  business  man  and  had  a  host  of 
friends  among  his  fellow  citizens.  He  died  in  1863,  at  his  home  in  Men- 
dota, aged  fifty  years,  and  his  widow,  who  survived  him,  departed  this 
life  in  LaSalle,  in  1881,  when  she  was  in  her  sixty-sixth  year. 

William  McElhenie  is  the  only  one  left  of  his  father's  family,  his  broth- 
ers, Thomas  J.  and  Albert  H.,  having  passed  away.  He  was  but  six  years 
old  when  he  was  brought  to  this  county,  and  his  educational  advantages 
were  such  as  the  public  schools  afforded.  When  in  his  fifteenth  year  he 
embarked  in   business  as  a  news  agent  on  trains,  and   continued  in  this 


448  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

calling  until  1866.  That  year  witnessed  his  permanent  settlement  in  La- 
Salle,  where  he  at  first  was  interested  in  the  transportation  and  expressing 
business.  Then,  quite  naturally,  he  turned  his  attention  to  his  present 
vocation,  for  which  he  seems  specially  adapted.  He  keeps  a  fine  line  of 
carriages  and  vehicles  of  various  descriptions  and  a  number  of  horses  suit- 
able for  driving  or  as  saddle  animals. 

Politically  Mr.  McElhenie  is  a  Republican,  and  fraternally  he  belongs 
to  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Royal  Arcanum,  and  the  Modern  Woodmen 
of  America.  At  the  close  of  the  civil  war.  on  the  2d  of  May,  1865,  Mr, 
McElhenie  was  married,  in  Chicago,  to  Miss  Anna  Maria  Graham,  who, 
like  himself,  was  a  native  of  Wayne  county,  Ohio.  Five  children,  who  are 
still  living,  bless  the  union  of  this  worthy  couple,  and  have  been  given 
excellent  educational  advantages  and  judicious  training  for  the  more 
serious  duties  of  life.  These  five  children  are  Arthur  J.,  of  Pittsburg,  Kan- 
sas, holding  a  responsible  position  with  a  coal  company;  Jessie  M.,  wife  of 
Frank  Russel  Fields,  of  Denver,  Colorado;   Pearlie  L.,  George  L.  and  Elsie. 


OSCAR  D.  F.  CONKEY. 


During  a  period  of  forty-five  years  this  honored  citizen  of  Mendota  has 
been  very  actively  associated  with  the  development  and  prosperity  of  the 
place,  which  was  a  mere  village  when  he  came  here  and  located  in  June, 
1854.  When  he  first  visited  the  place,  the  preceding  November,  there  were 
but  two  buildings  there.  He  aided  the  town  in  its  early  struggles,  and  has 
ever  been  its  stanch  friend  and  one  of  its  most  substantial  and  trusted  citi- 
zens. 

The  ancestors  of  Mr.  Conkey,  on  the  paternal  side  of  the  family,  were 
natives  of  Ireland,  but  several  generations  of  the  name  have  lived  in  the 
United  States.  Silas  Conkey,  the  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  born  in 
Massachusetts,  and  died  in  middle  life.  His  home  was  in  Salem,  Washing- 
ton county.  New  York.  His  widow,  survived  him,  living  to  the  extreme 
age  of  ninety-five  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  sons  and  three 
daughters.  One  of  the  sons.  Colonel  Adam  Conkey,  was  the  father  of  the 
subject  of  this  sketch.  He  won  his  title  while  serving  in  the  New  York  state 
militia,  and  he  also  was  a  participant  in  the  war  of  1812.  His  life  was  passed 
chiefly  in  Lewis  county.  New  York,  and  his  long  and  useful  career  of  ninety- 
four  years  came  to  a  close  in  1884.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and 
lived  many  years  in  Martinsburg,  New  York.  His  wife,  Elizabeth  (Lee) 
Conkey,  had  preceded  him  to  the  silent  land  about  twenty  years.  She  was 
one  of  several  brothers  and  sisters  who  were  born  and  reared  upon  a  farm 


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BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  449 

in  the  Empire  state,  and  was  of  English  extraction.  She  was  a  devout  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  her  noble  Christian  life  was  a  power  for 
good  in  the  community  where  her  lot  was  cast.  Of  her  four  sons  and  four 
daughters  four  are  still  living,  namely:  Amanda  M.,  wife  of  D.  D.  Guiles,  of 
Wellington,  Kansas;  Oscar  D.  F.;  William  F.,  of  Iroquois,  South  Dakota; 
and  Adelia  M.,  now  Mrs.  Thomas  Wilson,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio.  The  others 
died  in  early  life. 

The  birth  of  Oscar  D.  F.  Conkey  took  place  in  Martinsburg,  Lewis 
county,  New  York,  December  i,  1821.  He  was  reared  in  his  native  locality 
and  supplemented  a  district-school  education  with  a  course  in  Lowville 
Academy.  In  1843  he  came  to  the  west  by  way  of  Alilwaukee,  and  spent 
one  winter  in  Milwaukee  and  two  summers  and  a  winter  in  Batavia,  Illinois. 
He  then  went  to  Massillon,  Stark  county,  Ohio,  where  he  operated  a  line  of 
boats  on  the  canal  until  the  fall  of  1853.  At  that  time  he  returned  to  the 
west  on  a  prospecting  tour,  and,  being  pleased  with  the  country  around  and 
about  the  present  town  of  Mendota,  decided  to  locate  here.  The  Burling- 
ton railroad  was  then  in  course  of  construction.  He  purchased  land  and  the 
following  summer  he  brought  his  family  and  became  a  permanent  resident  of 
the  place.  The  Burlington  railroad  was  built  through  Mendota  in  the  winter 
of  1853-4,  and  Air.  Conkey  embarked  in  the  grain  and  general  merchandis- 
ing business.  For  about  three  years  after  his  arrival  here  he  remained  in 
the  general  merchandise  business  and  then  sold  his  interest  therein.  From 
1857  until  1888  he  gave  his  entire  attention  to  the  buying,  selling  and  ship- 
ping- of  grain.  He  won  success  and  a  goodly  fortune  in  the  legitimate  chan- 
nels of  trade,  and  may  justly  be  proud  of  his  honorable  record  as  a  business 
man.  At  various  times  he  has  made  judicious  investments  of  the  capital 
which  was  accumulated  by  his  energy  and  zeal,  and  at  present  is  interested 
in  the  coal  business,  which  is  carried  on  by  his  son,  Harry,  and  is  the  treasurer 
of  the  Alendota,  Troy  Grove  &  Clarion  Insurance  Company. 

On  the  8th  of  February,  185 1,  Air.  Conkey  married  Aliss  Lucy  Rex,  and 
four  children,  all  now  dead,  were  born  of  their  union.  The  oldest  and 
youngest  of  the  children,  with  their  mother,  were  drowned  in  June,  1861, 
\\hen  they  were  attempting  to  cross  a  creek  near  Troy  Grove.  The  stream 
was  much  swollen  by  recent  heavy  rains,  and  the  little  party  were  com- 
pletely at  the  mercy  of  the  flood.  The  second  marriage  of  Air.  Conkey 
was  celebrated  February  8,  1865,  Aliss  Elizabeth  S.  Eaken,  a  daughter  of 
John  Eaken,  being  his  bride.  Three  sons  were  born  to  them,  of  whom 
George,  the  eldest,  died  in  infancy;  Arthur  was  summoned  to  the  better  land 
when  about  sixteen  years  of  age;  and  Harry  D.  alone  remains.  He  is  en- 
gaged in  the  insurance  business  and  also  the  coal  business  in  Alendota,  as 
previously  noted,  and  is  an  enterprising,  wide-awake  young  man,  with  a 


450  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

promising  future.  On  April  19,  1899,  he  married  ]\Iiss  Elizabeth  Wilson, 
of  Mendota,  daughter  of  M.  Wilson,  the  present  recorder  of  LaSalle  county. 
Since  1855  Oscar  D.  F.  Conkey  has  been  a  Master  Mason,  and  he 
has  many  sincere  friends  in  the  fraternity.  He  and  his  estimable  wife  are 
active  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  he  being  a  trustee  and  treasurer 
of  the  board  of  officers.  For  a  number  of  years  he  has  served  as  a  member 
of  the  board  of  education,  always  upholding  progressive  methods.  For 
years  he  acted  as  one  of  the  city  aldermen,  and  in  his  political  convictions 
he  is  a  stalwart  Republican. 


MILROY    A.    McKEY 


The  success  of  such  men  as  Milroy  A.  McKey.  of  Mendota,  is  the 
result  of  the  influence  upon  the  affairs  of  life  of  all  those  traits  of  character 
and  qualities  of  mind  which  lead  to  honesty,  thoroughness  and  permanence. 
It  is  not  the  success  which  comes  from  fortunate  speculation,  but  that  which 
is  the  reward  of  long  years  of  unwearying  well-doing.  He  has  been  identi- 
fied with  many  of  the  leading  enterprises  of  the  city  and  county,  and  belongs 
to  that  class  of  representative  American  citizens  who  promote  the  public 
good  while  enhancing  their  individual  prosperity.  The  extent  and  volume 
of  his  business  may  be  indicated  somewhat  by  a  statement  of  his  connec- 
tions with  many  important  concerns.  He  is  the  president  of  the  Mendota 
Gas  Company;  ex-president  and  now  director  of  the  LaSalle  National 
Bank;  vice-president  of  the  Mendota  National  Bank;  director  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Mendota,  of  the  Creston  National  Bank,  of  Creston, 
Iowa,  and  the  Earlville  National  Bank;  and  is  extensively  interested  in 
real  estate  and  in  other  first-class  investments  in  Illinois  and  adjoining 
states. 

Mr.  McKey  is  a  native  of  Candor,  Tioga  county.  New  York,  born 
May  4,  1825,  and  is  descended  from  families  which  in  dift'erent  generations 
have  furnished  many  prominent  representatives  to  public  life  and  business 
interests,  and  which  in  all  periods  of  our  national  history  have  been  patriotic 
and  public-spirited  to  a  degree  that  has  made  them  leaders  in  the  com- 
munities in  which  they  have  li\'ed.  His  grandfather,  in  the  paternal  line, 
was  Alexander  McKey,  a  native  of  Scotland,  who  came  to  the  United  States 
before  the  Revolution  and  located  at  Troy,  New  York,  where  at  the  time 
of  the  historic  Indian  massacre  one  of  his  sisters  was  captured  by  the 
savages  and  was  ransomed  by  him  for  a  barrel  of  whisky.  His  father, 
mother  and  other  brothers  and  sisters  were  killed  and  their  house  burned. 
He  was  a  weaver  and  farmer,  and  some  time  after  the  Revolution  removed 
to   Chemung  county.    New  York,   where   he  died  when  past   the   age   of 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  451 

seventy  years.  During  the  greater  part  of  his  hfe  he  was  a  devout  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

James  Westbrook,  Mr.  McKey's  maternal  great-grandfather,  hved  in 
Chemung  county.  New  York,  where  his  death  occurred  when  past  the  age 
of  eighty  years.  The  traditions  of  the  family  have  it  that  he  was  six  feet, 
four  inches  tall  and  massive  in  proportion,  and  that  he  was  as  brave  as  he 
was  strong.  He  was  a  member  of  General  Washington's  staff  and  fought 
by  his  side  during  much  of  the  struggle  for  American  independence.  His 
great-grandson  has  a  cane  which  once  belonged  to  James  Westbrook,  who 
on  one  occasion  saved  his  life  with  it  by  warding  off  a  blow  aimed  at  him 
by  a  British  soldier.  Mr.  Westbrook  followed  agricultural  pursuits  in 
times  of  peace,  and  was  a  large  land-owner  and  an  influential  citizen.  His 
ancestors  came  to  this  country  from  Holland.  His  son,  James  Westbrook, 
the  grandfather  of  Mr.  McKey,  was  born  and  died  in  Chemung  county, 
New  York.  He  was  a  slave-owner,  and  it  is  said  that  he  emancipated  his 
negroes  but  could  not  get  rid  of  them  because  they  liked  him  and  depended 
upon  him  so  much  for  everything  that  they  would  not  leave  him.  His 
family  was  a  numerous  one,  and  his  descendants  are  now  widely  scattered 
over  the  country. 

Alexander  W.  McKey,  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Harpersfield, 
Delaware  county.  New  York,  became  a  school-teacher,  and  while  pursuing 
that  profession  also  studied  medicine.  After  receiving  his  diploma  he  en- 
gaged in  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Candor,  New  York,  and  for  forty  years 
was  the  leading  physician  of  that  place.  In  1864  he  removed  to  Bureau 
county,  Illinois,  and  later  took  up  his  abode  in  LaSalle  county,  his  death 
'occurring  in  Troy  Grove,  April  5,  1876.  The  following  day  would  have 
been  the  seventy-eighth  anniversary  of  his  birth.  His  widow  died  March 
15,  1877,  in  her  seventy-seventh  year.  He  served  his  fellow  townsmen  as 
postmaster  and  as  supervisor,  as  well  as  in  other  local  offices,  and  took 
a  deep  interest  in  the  cause  of  public  education,  doing  all  in  his  power  to 
promote  the  welfare  of  the  schools.  He  kept  a  small  stock  of  school- 
books  in  his  house  and  gave  them,  as  occasion  presented,  to  the  children 
of  people  who  were  too  poor  to  buy  them.  His  wife,  Maria  (Westbrook) 
McKey,  was  born  in  Newark,  New  York,  and  by  her  marriage  became  the 
mother  of  five  children,  four  of  whom  are  living:  Milroy  A.;  Eliza  Ann,  wife 
of  N.  T.  Moulton,  of  Wenona,  Illinois;  Laura  Maria,  widow  of  LaFayette 
L.  Huson,  of  Viola,  Illinois;  and  \\^illiam  J.,  a  well  known  resident  of 
Princeton,  Illinois.  John  A.  McKey,  brother  of  Dr.  McKey  and  uncle  of 
Milroy  A.  McKey,  served  his  country  as  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  18 12. 

Mr.  McKey,  of  this  review,  was  reared  in  his  native  town  and  acquired 
his  education  in  the  academy    at    Cortland    and    from    a    private    tutor. 


452  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

Subsequently  he  taught  school  for  several  terms  in  the  vicinity  of  his  home. 
In  1848,  at  the  age  of  twenty-three,  he  came  to  Lamoille,  Bureau  county, 
Illinois,  where  he  purchased  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  land.  He 
then  returned  to  the  east,  but  in  1850  again  came  to  Illinois  and  located 
at  Lamoille,  where  he  built  a  residence  upon  his  land  and  then  began  the 
cultivation  and  improvement  of  the  hitherto  wild  tract.  In  185 1  he  went 
again  to  New  York  and  this  time  returned  with  a  bride  to  Bureau  county, 
in  the  spring  of  1852.  There  he  successfully  carried  on  farming  until  the 
fall  of  1 86 1,  when  he  removed  to  Lamoille,  and  to  Mendota  in  the  fall 
of  1864.  He  had  gradually  become  identified  with  business  interests  of 
importance  in  Mendota,  and  it  was  not  long  before  he  was  a  leader  in  the 
public  affairs  of  the  little  city.  He  also  became  prominent  in  her  city  life, 
ably  serving  as  mayor  for  four  years,  while  for  a  number  of  years  he  was 
a  member  of  the  Bureau  county  board  of  supervisors  and  was  one  year  its 
chairman.  In  politics  he  is  an  independent  Democrat  and  wields  the 
quiet  but  powerful  influence  of  a  sagacious  and  alert  man  of  affairs  in  the 
ranks  of  his  party.  Socially  he  is  a  Master  Mason  and  an  Odd  Fellow, 
and  takes  a  helpful  interest  in  everything  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  those 
orders. 

On  the  30th  of  March,  1852,  Mr.  McKey  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Mary  Frost,  a  daughter  of  Horton  and  Electa  (Coryell)  Frost.  She 
died  April  25,  1891,  at  the  age  of  sixty-three  years  and  sixteen  days.  She 
was  a  woman  of  many  virtues,  a  devoted  member  of  the  Baptist  church 
and  an  efTlicient  assistant  in  many  good  works.  On  the  13th  of  January, 
1892,  Mr.  McKey  married  Mrs.  Georgietta  ]\IcKean,  widow  of  Nathan 
Hubbard  McKean  and  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Phoebe  (Young)  Fisher. 
Mrs.  ]McKey  is  of  Scotch  and  French  lineage,  and  was  born  near  the 
Bunker  Hill  monument,  at  Charlestown,  Massachusetts.  Her  parents 
died  in  the  east  when  she  was  very  young,  and  she  came  west,  being  mar- 
ried in  Brookiield,  Missouri,  to  Nathan  H.  ]\IcKean,  by  whom  she  had  two 
children,  Georgia  Adelaide  and  Frank  Paine.  Their  daughter  died  at  the 
age  of  thirteen  years  and  eleven  months.  Frank  P.  ]McKean  is  now  a 
bookkeeper  in  the  First  National  Bank  of  ]Mendota. 

Mr.  McKey  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  able  business  men  of 
Mendota.  His  sagacity  and  foresight  enabling  him  to  make  judicious 
investments,  while  his  diligence,  indomitable  energy  and  undaunted  perse- 
verance have  won  him  a  prosperity  that  numbers  him  among  the  most 
substantial  citizens  of  the  county,  he  has  not  only  advanced  his  individual 
interests,  but  has  done-  much  toward  promoting  the  general  welfare  by 
encouraging  trade  and  commerce.  His  career,  both  public  and  private, 
has  been  marked  by  the  strictest  integrity  and  faithfulness  to  every  trust 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  453 

reposed  in  him.  The  record  of  his  life  is  unclouded  by  shadow  of  wrong 
or  suspicion  of  evil;  he  is  known  as  an  honorable  man  and  a  pleasant, 
social  companion. 


ERNEST   G.    MASON. 


Among-  the  enterprising  3'oung  farmers  of  Rutland  township,  LaSalle 
county,  Illinois,  who  claim  this  county  as  their  birthplace  is  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  Ernest  G.  ]\Iason,  whose  post-ofhce  address  is  Wedron. 

Mr.  Mason  was  born  December  9,  1867,  a  son  of  Daniel  Mason,  who 
has  for  years  been  one  of  the  highly  respected  citizens  of  LaSalle  county 
and  who  still  resides  on  his  farm.  Daniel  Mason  was  born  in  Dearborn 
county,  Indiana,  July  9,  1821,  a  son  of  Daniel  Mason.  Sr.,  who  was  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania  and  a  veteran  of  the  war  of  1812.  The  younger  Daniel 
Mason  was  reared  and  married  in  Indiana,  the  lady  of  his  choice  being 
Elizabeth  Towsley,  daughter  of  F.  Towsley.  The  fruits  of  their  union 
were  ten  children,  five  of  whom  are  living  at  this  writing,  namely:  Lucy, 
wife  of  Andrew  Wenmer,  the  custodian  of  the  state  capitol  at  Lincoln, 
Nebraska;  Mary,  a  resident  of  Wedron,  Illinois;  Jane,  deceased,  who  mar- 
ried J.  E.  Hill,  of  Fairmount,  Nebraska;  Ernest  G.,  whose  name  forms 
the  heading  of  this  sketch;  and  Charles  A.,  of  Rutland  township,  LaSalle 
county,  Illinois. 

Ernest  G.  Mason  spent  his  boyhood  days  not  unlike  other  farmer 
boys,  working  on  the  farm  in  summer  and  in  winter  attending  the  public 
schools.  December  i,  1898,  he  married  Miss  Carrie  Makeever,  daughter  of 
R.  M.  Makeever  and  wife  Mary,  nee  Showers.  He  has  an  infant  daughter, 
born  October  17,  1899,  by  the  name  of  Bessie  Marie  Mason. 

Mr.  Mason  is  a  public-spirited  and  wide-awake  young  man,  interested 
in  all  that  pertains  to  the  general  welfare  of  his  locality.  He  has  served  two 
years  on  the  school  board.  Politically  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  fraternally  a 
Master  Mason  and  a  Modern  Woodman,  having  his  lodge  membership  at 
Marseilles. 


FRANCIS   M.    PARR. 


Francis  Marion  Parr,  of  Northville  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois, 
was  born  in  this  county  June  10,  1845;  a  son  of  Thomas  J.  and  Sarah  Ann 
(Pitzer)  Parr. 

Thomas  J.  Parr  was  born  in  Licking  county,  Ohio,  March  13,  1815, 
and  died  in  Dayton  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  February  19,  1898. 
He  was  a  son  of  Thomas  Parr,  who  came  witli  his  family  to  LaSalle  county, 


454  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GEXEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

Illinois,  in  1834,  and  settled  in  Dayton  township.  Sarah  Ann  (Pitzer) 
Parr  was  born  in  Licking  county,  Ohio,  March  30.  181 5,  and  with  her 
widowed  mother  and  family  came  to  LaSalle  county,  their  arrival  here 
dating  October  16,  1831.  They  settled  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Fox  river, 
about  nine  miles  above  Ottawa,  which  was  then  a  small  village  of  only  a 
few  houses.  Dayton  was  then  a  frontier  fort.  This  was  the  year  previous 
to  the  Black  Hawk  war.  Here  ]Miss  Pitzer  grew  up  and  became  the  wife  of 
Thomas  J.  Parr.  She  is  still  living,  a  resident  of  Dayton,  now  in  her  eighty- 
fifth  year.  Of  their  six  children  we  record  that  Jesse  X.  married  Anna 
Cain;  Amanda  E.  married  Xoah  Brunk;  Joseph  B.  married  Sarah  Knicker- 
bocker; Francis  ]M.  is  the  stibject  of  this  sketch;  ^Martha  A.  married  Lyman 
Cole:   and  \\'illiam  H.  married  Alary  Ruger. 

Francis  AL  Parr  was  reared  on  the  farm,  and  farming  has  been  his 
life  occupation.  Soon  after  his  marriage,  which  event  occurred  in  1868,  he 
settled  in  Freedom  township.  Later  he  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  in 
Serena  township,  to  which  he  removed  and  where  he  lived  several  years. 
Disposing  of  that  farm,  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in 
Xorthville    township,   where    he   has   since   lived. 

Mr.  Parr  was  married  December  31,  1868,  to  Aliss  Julia  Curyea,  a 
native  of  Ohio,  born  July  23,  1843,  ^^'^^^  ^  daughter  of  John  and  Lydia 
(Sager)  Curyea.  Her  parents  were  natives  of  Mrginia,  whence  they  went 
to  Ohio  in  early  life,  and  from  there  came  in  1843  to  Illinois,  settling  in 
Dayton  township,  LaSalle  county,  where  Mr.  Curyea  o^vned  the  well  known 
Curyea  mill.  Air.  and  Airs.  Parr  have  two  children,  viz.:  Ettie  B.,  wife 
of  Frank  Jones,  a  farmer  of  Serena  township,  LaSalle  county:  and  Jay  C. 
Parr,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  with  his  father  in  Xorthville  township. 
Jay  C.  Parr  was  born  April  6,  1877,  and  in  1897  married  Miss  Jessie 
Dominy,  daughter  of  J.  Alartin  Dominy  and  Rebecca  J.  (Aliller)  Dominy, 
of  Freedom  township,  LaSalle  county. 


FREDERICK   E.    HOBERG. 

One  of  the  most  prominent  members  of  the  bar  in  LaSalle  county, 
Illinois,  is  Frederick  E.  Hoberg,  who  resides  in  Peru,  where  he  was  born 
December  29,  1862.  His  parents  were  August  William  and  Justine 
(Schlingmann)  Hoberg,  both  natives  of  Prussia.  Their  marriage  was 
solemnized  in  this  country,  the  maiden  having  preceded  her  betiothed 
here  by  two  years.  He  landed  in  America  on  the  day  that  saw  Franklin 
Pierce  elected  to  the  ot^ce  of  president.  He  came  to  Peru,  where  he  was 
married,  in  1853,  and  with  the  possible  exception  of  two  years  has  resided 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AXD   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  455 

in  LaSalle  county  ever  since.  Some  fifteen  years  ago  they  moved  to  Pern, 
where  thev  are  spending  their  declining  years.  Five  of  the  ten  children 
born  to  them  are  living  at  this  time.  They  have  been  adherents  of  the 
Lutheran  faith  for  many  years.  The  father  has  been  a  mechanic  and  is 
well  known  throughout  the  county.  He  is  a  Democrat  and  for  six  years 
has  filled  the  office  of  alderman  of  Peru. 

When  Frederick  E.  Hoberg  was  a  child  his  parents  moved  to  Tonica, 
v\here  they  resided  until  he  was  fifteen,  returning  then,  in  1878,  to  his 
native  city.  His  education  was  received  in  the  public  schools,  and  at  the 
age  of  fifteen  he  left  school  to  accept  a  clerkship  in  a  dry-goods  store  in 
Peru.  He  remained  with  this  concern  seven  years,  but  his  whole  ambition 
was  to  enter  the  profession  of  law,  and  for  this  purpose  he  left  his  place  as 
clerk  to  enter  the  law  ofifice  of  H.  M.  Gallagher,  of  Peru,  to  study  under 
hini.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1887  and  began  practicing  in  Peru 
the  same  year.  It  is  said  to  be  one  of  the  most  difficult  things  for  a  young 
man  to  enter  upon  any  profession  in  his  native  city  and  make  of  it  a  success, 
that  in  order  to  obtain  the  smiles  of  the  fickle  goddess  of  fortune  it  is 
necessary  to  start  where  you  are  a  comparative  stranger;  yet  young  Hoberg 
settled  down  amidst  the  people  who  had  known  him  from  childhood,  and 
here  proved  the  fallacy  of  the  adage.  His  success  was  assured  from  the 
start,  and  for  nine  years  he  represented  the  city  as  attorney,  in  a  manner 
that  showed  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  requirements  of  the  office.  A 
Democrat,  he  has  l)een  active  in  the  work  of  helping  that  party  to  success, 
and  has  been  called  to  fill  a  number  of  municipal  offices  in  recognition  of 
the  fact  that  he  ever  holds  the  welfare  of  the  community  as  of  paramount 
importance.  He  has  1)een  town  and  city  clerk,  a  supervisor,  and  a  member 
of  the  board  of  education,  and  in  discharging"  the  duties  incumbent  upon 
liim  has  shown  that  the  public  confidence  has  not  been  misplaced.  He  is 
::  Knight  Templar  and  also  a  Modern  Woodman  of  America.  In  1889  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Annie  R.  Knapp.  of  Peru,  a  most  estimable  lady. 
Five  children  have  been  born  to  them,  one  of  whom  is  deceased. 


CHARLES   ROHRER. 


Char'es  Rohrer,  who  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising 
on  section  9,  Xorthville  township,  LaSalle  county,  has  throughout  his  life 
1:)een  connected  with  the  agricultural  interests  of  this  communitv.  He  was 
born  on  section  8  of  this  townshiij,  his  i^arents  being  l^ouis  and  Lib  (Smith) 
Rohrer.  His  father,  now  a  resident  of  Sandwich,  Illinois,  was  for  many 
years  a  prominent  citizen  of  Xorthville  township.  He  was  born  in  Alsace, 
Germany,  January  6,  1837,  and  in  1845  came  to  America  with  his  parents, 


456  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

Joseph  and  Mary  Ann  (Harter)  Rohrer.  who  located  on  the  farm  now 
occupied  by  the  subject  of  this  review,  Charles  Rohrer.  There  Joseph 
Rohrer  carried  on  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death,  in  1858.  He  was 
the  father  of  six  children:  John  B.,  Rosalie,  Louis,  Celestia,  Constantine 
aind  one  now  deceased.  On  the  4th  of  July,  1857,  Louis  Rohrer  was  married 
to  a  daughter  of  Frederick  and  Amelia  (Foster)  Smith,  who  had  seven  chil- 
dren. ,  Her  parents  came  to  LaSalle  county  in  1834.  Her  father  was  born  in 
Hessen-Darmstadt,  Germany,  August  6,  18 10,  and  was  one  of  the  honored 
pioneer  settlers  of  this  county.  By  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rohrer  ten 
children  were  born,  namely:  Annie,  Charles  E.,  William  J.,  Clara  E.,  Fred- 
erick, Matilda  J.,  Herbert  C,  Elizabeth,  who  died  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years, 
and  two  who  died  in  early  childhood.  Mr.  Rohrer,  while  residing  in  North- 
ville  township,  held  several  ofiices,  including  those  of  highway  commissioner 
and  supervisor.  He  finally  removed  to  Sandwich  and  is  now  an  esteemed 
resident  of  that  city. 

Charles  Rohrer,  whose  birth  occurred  IMarcli  3,  1861,  was  reared  on 
the  homestead  farm  and  early  trained  to  the  duties  of  farm  life,  assisting 
in  caring  for  the  stock,  in  tilling  the  fields  and  harvesting  the  crops  in  the 
late  autumn.  He  attended  the  district  schools  through  the  winter  after 
crops  w^ere  all  gathered,  and  gained  a  good  practical  English  education. 
After  attaining  his  majority  he  began  farming  on  his  own  account,  and  has 
made  it  his  life  work.  The  w-aving  fields  of  grain  indicate  his  energy  and 
diligence,  and  in  addition  to  the  cultivation  of  the  various  cereals  adapted 
to  this  climate  he  raises  considerable  stock,  and  in  both  branches  of  his 
business  is  meeting  with  good  success. 

On  the  3d  of  September,  1885,  Mr.  Rohrer  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Adaline  Bernard,  a  daughter  of  David  Bernard,  and  their  union 
has  been  blessed  with  seven  children,  namely:  Edna,  Louis,  Lillie,  Joann, 
David,  and  Edwin  F.  and  Emma,  twins,  born  October  27,  1899. 

In  his  political  affiliations  Mr.  Rohrer  is  a  Democrat,  but  has  never 
been  an  ofiice-seeker,  preferring  to  devote  his  time  and  energies  to  his 
business  interests,  in  which  he  is  meeting  with  a  well  merited  prosperity. 
His  life  has  been  a  quiet  and  uneventful  one,  but  one  true  to  all  manly 
principles,  and  his  native  county  numbers  him  among  its  valued  citizens. 


HENRY   ZOLPER. 


The  substantial  and  well  known  citizen  whose  name  heads  this  sketch — 
Kenry  Zolper — is  a  contractor  in  brick  and  stone  work  at  INIendota,  where 
he  resides  in  a  modern  residence  of  hi?  own  building,  on  Burlington  street. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  457 

between  Twelfth  and  Thirteenth  avenues.  A  sketch  of  his  Hfe  is  appropriate 
in  this  work,  and  is  as  follows: 

Henry  Zolper,  as  the  name  indicates,  is  of  German  descent.  He  was 
born  in  Peru,  Illinois,  November  15,  1855,  a  son  of  Henry  and  Eva 
(Trecker)  Zolper,  natives  of  Germany.  Their  family  is  composed  of  four 
children,  two  sons  and  two  daughters,  as  follows:  Henry;  Catherine,  wife 
of  jMat  Reckinger;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Christopher  Burg;  and  Peter  J. 
Henry  is  of  the  third  generation  that  has  followed  the  trade  of  brick  and 
stone  mason,  both  his  father  and  grandfather  before  him  having  Ijeen 
masons.  The  father  of  our  subject  on  coming  to  this  country  in  1852 
settled  in  Peru,  Illinois,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  and  did  contracting 
until  1867,  when  he  moved  to  Troy  Grove,  this  state.  There  he  passed  the 
rest  of  his  life  and  died  in  1897,  st  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years.  His  first 
wife  died  in  1864.  Some  years  later  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Hernscheidt, 
but  by  her  had  no  children. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  Peter  Zolper.  As  above 
stated,  he  was  a  brick  and  stone  mason.  He  lived  and  died  in  Germany, 
and  at  the  time  of  his  death  w-as  sixty-two  years  of  age.  In  his  family  were 
four  children. 

The  maternal  grandfather  also  was  named  Peter.  Peter  Trecker  was 
a  German,  a  carpenter  by  trade,  who  came  to  America  about  1852,  and 
settled  at  Peru,  Illinois,  where  he  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years.  He 
had  six  children. 

Henry  Zolper,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  review,  lived  in  Peru  until 
he  was  twelve  years  old,  attending  the  parochial  and  public  schools,  and 
from  that  time  on  his  youthful  days  were  passed  on  the  farm,  his  education 
being  continued  in  the  common  schools.  His  mother  died  when  he  was 
nine  years  old  and  for  nineteen  years  thereafter  his  father  remained  a 
widower.  When  he  was  fifteen  young  Henry  began  learning  the  trade  of 
brick  and  stone  mason,  wdiich  he  has  followed  ever  since.  He  moved  to 
Mendota  in  February,  1898.  Previous  to  this  he  had  established  a  large 
business  here  and  at  other  points  in  the  county,  doing  all  kinds  of  iM'ick 
and  stone  w-ork,  and  making  a  specialty  of  cement  or  manufactured  stone 
sidew'alks.  His  business  career  thus  far  has  been  a  successful  one  and  he 
has  accumulated  valuable  property. 

Mr.  Zolper  was  married  April  18,  1882,  to  Miss  Mary  Reck,  daughter 
of  Peter  and  Barbara  (Kratz)  Reck,  natives  of  Germany  and  for  many  years 
farmers  in  Troy  Grove  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  their  residence 
in  this  county  dating  from  1848.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Zolper  were  born  three 
sons,  Harry  W.,  Joseph  L.  and  Benedict  J.  Mrs.  Zolper  died  in  1889,  at 
the  asre  of  thirtv-six  vears.      She  was  a  devout  member  of  the   Catholic 


458  BIOGRAPHICAL  AXD   GEXEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

church,  as  also  is  ]\Ir.  Zolper  and  as  were  his  father  and  mother.  ]\Ir. 
Zolper  maintains  fraternal  relations  with  the  Catholic  Foresters,  M.  W.  A. 
and  the  A.  O.  U.  W.     Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 


FRANK   W.    BEDARD. 


Frank  AV.  Bedard,  of  LaSalle,  Illinois,  is  secretary  and  general  man- 
ager of  the  Peru-LaSalle  Gaslight  and  Power  Company,  and  is  one  of  the 
trustworth}',  self-reliant  men  who  figure  largely  in  the  prosperity  and  growth 
of  the  municipality  in  which  they  reside.  He  was  ushered  into  this  life  in 
this  citv.  January  27,  1857,  his  parents  being  John  and  ]^Iary  AI.  (Chapin) 
Bedard.  The  grandfather,  John  Napoleon  Bedard,  was  a  native  of  France 
and  later  a  resident  of  Ottawa,  Canada,  where  he  died  in  his  sixtieth  year. 
John  N.  Bedard,  the  father,  was  one  of  six  children  who  grew  to  mature 
years.  Wliile  yet  in  his  'teens  he  made  a  visit  to  the  Mississippi  valley  but 
returned  to  Canada,  where  he  remained  until  1853,  when  he  took  up  his 
residence  in  LaSalle.  He  was  in  the  railroad  business  and  also  bought 
grain,  but  later  opened  a  grocery  store  which  he  conducted  for  several 
years.  During  the  civil  war  he  was  on  a  gunboat  on  the  Mississippi  river, 
but  was  not  enlisted,  and  remained  but  a  short  time.  He  was  a  tax  collector 
here  at  one  time.  His  death  occurred  in  1878,  when  he  was  but  forty-five 
years  old,  and  surviving  him  are  his  widow  and  six  children.  The  children 
are:  Frank  \\\ ;  Belle,  wife  of  John  W.  Dugan,  of  LaSalle;  Adelaide, 
the  wife  of  Charles  A\'ard,  of  Chicago;  Charles,  of  LaSalle;  George,  of 
Boulder,  Colorado;  and  Edith,  wife  of  B.  N.  Rhodes,  of  this  city.  Mrs. 
Mary  M.  Bedard  is  a  resident  of  LaSalle.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian church  and  a  lady  of  noble  Christian  character.  Her  father,  F.  C. 
Chapin,  was  a  native  of  New  York,  where  he  followed  the  trade  of  printer. 
He  came  west  about  the  year  1853  and  located  at  Toulon,  where  he  worked 
at  painting  a  short  time  and  then  came  to  LaSalle,  dying  in  his  eighty- 
eigiith  year.  He  was  of  French  and  English  stock  and  left  seven  children 
to  perpetuate  his  memory. 

F.  W.  Bedard  has  always  lived  in  LaSalle,  attended  the  pul^lic  schools 
when  a  boy,  and  here  gained  his  business  education.  AA'lien  lie  was  seven- 
teen he  entered  the  gas  works  and  may  trul}"  l:e  said  to  ha\'e  g'rown  up  with 
the  plant.  Becoming  thoroughly  conversant  with  every  detail  of  the  business 
he  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  plant  as  superintendent  about  fourteen  vears 
ago.  and  so  acceptably  were  the  duties  of  the  office  discharged  that  he  was 
still  farther  honored  a  year  ago,  by  being  assigned  to  the  office  of  secretary 
and  general  manager.     This  p'ant  employs  from  ten  to  twenty  men,  and  its 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  459 

interests  are  carefully  looked  after  by  ]\Ir.  Bedard,  who  is  very  popular  with 
those  in  his  employ. 

He  was  united  in  marriage,  November  26,  1885,  to  Aliss  ^Margaret  E. 
Lininger,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Emma  (Slyder)  Lininger.  early  settlers  of 
Peru.  ]Mr.  Bedard  is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  and 
also  of  the  Court  of  Honor.  He  has  always  given  his  support  to  the 
Republicans.  During  his  forty-two  years  of  life  in  LaSalle  he  has  made  a 
wide  circle  of  acquaintances,  all  of  whom  hold  him  in  the  highest  esteem. 


CHARLES   HOSS. 


Charles  Hoss,  the  popular  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Earl- 
ville.  LaSalle  county,  is  one  of  the  native  sons  of  this  county,  his  Ijirth 
having  occurred  in  Troy  Grove  township,  October  19,  1859.  His  ancestors 
were  of  sturdy  German  stock,  and  he  possesses  many  of  the  qualities  which 
have  made  the  people  of  that  nation  great  and  honored. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  lived  and  died  in  Prussia, 
attaining  a  ripe  age.  He  reared  several  children,  one  of  whom  was  William, 
father  of  Charles  Hoss.  He  learned  the  trade  of  weaver  in  the  Fatherland, 
but  after  his  arrival  in  the  United  States,  in  1846,  he  devoted  his  attention 
to  agriculture.  Locating  in  Troy  Grove  township,  LaSalle  county,  he 
entered  eighty  acres  of  land,  which  he  improved  and  continued  to  culti- 
vate until  well  along  in  years.  He  departed  this  life  at  the  old  home, 
where  he  had  passed  so  many  happy  years,  January  25,  1899,  when  within 
two  months  of  the  eighty-fourth  anniversary  of  his  birth.  His  wife,  Eliza- 
beth, died  many  years  previously,  in  April  1870,  at  the  age  of  forty-two 
years.  They  were  Catholics  originally,  but  in  their  later  years  became 
liberal  in  matters  pertaining  to  religion.  The  father  of  ]\Irs.  Hoss  was 
John  Bellinghausen,  who  came  to  this  country  from  Prussia,  and  after  living 
in  Peru,  Illinois,  for  a  numljer  of  years  passed  to  the  silent  land,  at  the  age 
of  seventy-six  years.  He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  and  provided  well  for 
his  large  family.  Two  of  his  sons,  Charles  and  John,  were  soldiers  in  the 
war  of  the  rebellion,  enlisting  in  the  ranks. 

Charles  Hoss  is  one  of  the  six  children  born  to  his  parents,  the  others 
being  Theodore,  Adolph,  William.  John  and  ^Minnie.  \\'ith  them  he  passed 
his  early  years  on  the  homestead  in  Troy  Grove  township,  a  portion  of  his 
time  being  devoted  to  the  acquisition  of  an  education  in  the  district  schools. 
\\'hen  in  his  thirteenth  year  he  went  to  Peru,  where  he  commenced  clerk-, 
ing  in  a  dry-goods  store,  and  for  ten  years  was  thus  employed.  By  this 
means  he  gained  an  excellent  idea  of  business  methods,  and  his  stability 


46o  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

and  general  trustworthiness  were  the  foundations  of  his  later  success.  When 
he  was  in  his  twenty-fifth  year  he  was  ofifered  a  position  as  a  bookkeeper 
in  the  First  National  Bank  of  Peru,  in  which  capacity  he  acted  for  about 
a  year.  Desiring  to  see  something  of  the  west,  he  went  to  various  points  in 
that  great  territory,  but  eventually  returned  and  for  six  months  was  em- 
ployed in  the  Peru  Plow  Works.  In  1885  he  came  to  Earlville,  and  for 
nearly  fifteen  years  he  has  been  the  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
this  city. 

In  addition  to  this,  Mr.  Hoss  has  been  interested  in  various  local  enter- 
prises, and  is  a  truly  patriotic  citizen,  in  the  best  sense  of  the  word.  He 
has  been  the  local  agent  for  several  fire-insurance  companies,  and  is  a  notary 
public,  as  well.  During  the  past  four  years  he  has  been  the  city  treasurer, 
and  for  one  term  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  school  board.  In  his  po- 
litical views  he  is  an  ardent  Republican. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Hoss  and  Miss  ]\I.  Bella  Stilson,  daughter  of 
Samuel  T.  and  Sarah  T.  (Lukens)  Stilson,  was  celebrated  October  25, 
1888.  They  have  two  children,  Carl  S.  and  Herman  H.  The  family  occupy 
a  pleasant  modern  house,  which  was  erected  on  Ottawa  street  by  Mr.  Hoss 
the  year  of  his  marriage.  It  stands  upon  land  which  was  a  part  of  the 
original  homestead  of  Samuel  T.  Stilson,  one  of  the  worthy  pioneers  of 
this  place.  Mrs.  Hoss  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church,  and,  like  her 
husband,  is  interested  in  everything  which  tends  to  elevate  society  and 
benefit  humanitv. 


WILLIAM  H.  FRASER,  M.  D. 

William  Halliday  Fraser,  M.  D.,  one  of  the  leading  physicians  of  La- 
Salle  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century,  was  born  in  the  tow^n  of  Perth, 
in  the  county  of  Lanark,  Canada,  March  26,  1839,  and  is  a  son  of  Archibald 
and  Mary  (Halliday)  Fraser.  The  paternal  grandfather,  James  Fraser,  was 
a  house  builder  by  occupation,  and  was  a  native  of  Inverness,  Scotland. 
The  family  sprung  from  Norman-French  antecedents  and  came  to  Scotland 
with  William  the  Conqueror.  The  Frasers  took  a  prominent  part  in  the 
Scottish  struggle  for  liberty.  James  Fraser  died  in  Canada,  leaving  an  only 
child,  Archibald,  the  father  of  our  subject.  Archibald  was  a  lad  of  ten  years 
when  his  father  moved  from  Scotland  to  Canada.  Here  he  grew  to  man- 
hood, and  tilled  the  soil  until  the  age  of  thirty-nine  years,  when  his  career 
was  cut  short  by  accidental  death.  Surviving  him  are  the  wife,  four  sons  and 
four  daughters.  The  maiden  name  of  his  wife  was  Mary  Halliday.  She 
'also  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  and  was  five  years  of  age  when  her  parents 
established  their  home  in  Canada.     Her  father  was  chosen  bv  the  Colonists 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AXD   GEXEALOGICAL  RECORD.  461 

and  employed  and  paid  by  the  British  government  to  teach  the  Colonists  in 
Canada.  He  was  the  only  teacher  in  Canada  paid  by  that  government. 
He  was  sent  out  in  181 5,  with  three  ship  loads  of  colonists,  who  were  sent 
to  counteract  the  influence  of  the  French  in  Canada.  While  they  were  en 
route  the  battle  of  ^Vaterloo  was  fought,  and  from  that'  time  French  power 
was  on  the  wane,  making  it  unnecessary  to  send  more  colonists.  Grand- 
father Halliday  passed  his  ninety-second  year,  and  at  his  death  left  eight 
sons,  four  daughters  and  one  hundred  grandchildren,  all  living.  Mrs. 
Fraser,  the  mother  of  our  subject,  is  now  in  her  ninetieth  year  and  is  still 
a  resident  of  Canada. 

William  Halliday  Fraser  was  one  of  the  younger  members  of  the  family. 
He  passed  his  boyhood  and  youth  on  his  father's  farm  and  attended  the 
country  schools,  his  Grandfather  Halliday  being  his  first  teacher.  At  the 
age  of  seventeen  he  went  to  Toronto  to  attend  the  Provincial  Normal  School, 
from  which  he  graduated.  When  eighteen  he  received  a  class  A  normal- 
school  provincial  diploma.  After  spending  four  years  in  teaching  he  en- 
tered McGill  university,  Montreal,  graduating  in  1867  and  going  at  once 
to  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  to  continue  his  medical  studies.  In  the  summer 
of  that  year  he  received  his  diploma  from  the  Royal  College  of  Surgeons, 
being  the  first  from  the  Dominion  of  Canada  to  graduate  from  the  institu- 
tion. Returning  he  located  in  Nova  Scotia,  opening  an  office  in  Liverpool, 
where  he  practiced  two  years,  and  then  moved  to  Chicago,  where  he  re- 
mained until  after  that  city  was  swept  by  the  great  fire  of  1871.  The  follow- 
ing summer  was  spent  in  the  northern  part  of  Canada,  and  then  he  again 
took  up  his  residence  in  Illinois.  In  1873  he  came  to  LaSalle,  where  he 
has  practiced  since,  and  he  enjoys  an  extended  patronage,  which  embraces 
a  large  territory  and  has  been  most  lucrative.  He  is  painstaking  and  care- 
ful in  diagnosis,  skillful  and  efficient  in  practice,  and  brings  a  sympathetic 
heart  to  soothe  the  sufferer. 

Dr.  Fraser  was  married  in  1869  to  Miss  Lydia  'M.  AA'atterman.  of  Mil- 
ton, Xova  Scotia,  whose  ancestors  came  over  in  the  Mayflower.  Nine  chil- 
dren, five  sons  and  four  daughters,  have  been  born  to  them,  and  have  been 
reared  in  accordance  with  the  teachings  of  the  Congregational  church,  of 
which  the  Doctor  and  his  wife  are  members.  These  children  are  Halliday 
]Mary,  wife  of  B.  F.  Pay,  of  INIankato,  Minnesota;  Caroline  E.,  wife  of  Daniel 
W.  Cole,  of  Melrose,  Massachusetts;  Millera  L..  wife  of  ^^^  S.  ^lason,  of 
LaSalle.  Illinois;  W.  A.  Gordon  Fraser,  master  mechanic  at  the  Michigamme 
mines  of  the  Cleveland  Clift's  Iron  Company;  Henry  P.  Fraser,  United 
States  Express  messenger  on  the  Rock  Island  road;  and  Edward  S.,  Anna- 
bell.  ^Malcolm  and  Kenneth,  who  are  students. 

In  politics  the  Doctor  affiliates  with  the  Republican  party,  but  has  given 


462  BIOGRAPHICAL  AXD  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

little  time  to  politics,  his  attention  being  centered  in  his  profession.  He 
was  made  a  ]\Iaster  Mason  in  1894.  and  became  a  member  of  the  Scottish 
Clan  in  1891. — Clan  Fraser.  of  LaSalle.  being  named  in  his  honor.  In  1893 
he  was  made  physician-in-chief  of  that  order  in  the  United  States  and  Can- 
ada, an  office  which  die  has  held  e\'er  since.  He  is  a  prominent  member  of 
the  State  and  County  ^^ledical  Associations,  and  of  the  Eastern  Illinois  \'al- 
ley  Medical  Association.  He  comes  from  a  family  of  remarkable  longevity, 
and  has  the  promise  of  many  added  years  of  usefulness  in  this  community, 
where  he  has  won  the  respect  and  esteem  of  every  one. 


JACOB    F.    SCHWEICKERT. 


Among  those  who  have  literally,  as  well  as  figuratively,  assisted  in  the 
building  of  Peru,  the  Scln\eickerts,  father  and  sons,  have  played  a  ver\- 
important  part.  Their  work  is  noted  for  thoroughness,  reliability  and 
durability,  and  throughout  all  this  section  of  LaSalle  countv  examples  of 
their  handiwork  may  be  seen. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  native  of  Peru,  his  birth  ha\'ing  occurred 
April  3.  1866.  The  history  of  his  parents.  \'incent  and  ]\Iaria  Schweickert, 
esteemed  citizens  of  this  place,  appears  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  The  bov- 
hood  days  of  our  subject  passed  uneventfully,  his  time  being  divided  between 
attending  the  ])ublic  or  parochial  schools  and  the  accustomed  recreations 
in  which  lads  delight.  When  he  was  in  his  fifteenth  vear  he  entered  the 
employ  of  a  farmer,  and  continued  to  give  his  attention  to  agriculture  for 
lOur  or  five  years. 

Having  no  special  taste  for  farming,  young  Schweickert  next  began 
learning  the  stone-mason's  trade,  wliich  his  father  had  followed  before 
him,  and  within  a  short  period  he  became  regularly  engaged  in  Inisiness 
with  his  brothers  Charles  and  Henr}'  and  his  father.  At  present  he  is 
associated  vith  Charles  A.,  Henr}-  E..  Francis  Xa\ier,  and  Bertram 
Schweickert.  and  his  brother-in-law.  Frank  Ellerbrock.  under  the  firm  name 
of  Schweickert  Brothers  &  Company.  They  execute  contracts  for  founda- 
tions for  buildings  and  bridges,  stone  and  brick  work  in  general,  plastering 
and  for  other  work  in  similar  lines. 

In  the  various  fraternities,  our  subject  is  identified  with  the  Inter- 
national Bricklayers  &  [Masons'  Union,  of  America,  and  with  the  Coal 
Miners'  Union;  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Order  of  Foresters  and  St. 
Joseph's  Benevolent  Society.  In  his  political  belief  he  adheres  to  the 
principles   of  the   Democratic   party. 

September  24.  1889.  in  Springfield.  Illinois.  Mr.  Schweickert  married 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AXD  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  463 

Miss  Mary  Magdalene,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Christina  (Schmidt)  Mor- 
hauser.  all  natives  of  Germany,  but  since  1883  residents  of  the  United 
States.  For  some  years  past  the  parents  have  owned  and  carried  on  a 
farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Springfield.  Of  the  five  children  born  to  our  subject 
and  his  amiable  wife,  one.  the  youngest,  Jacob,  died  when  but  eight  months 
old.  and  those  who'  survive  are  named  respectively  Magdalene.  Bertram, 
Frank  and  Margaret.  The  family  reside  in  a  pretty,  modern  brick  house, 
built  by  Mr.  Schweickert  the  year  of  his  marriage.  It  is  situated  in  one  of 
the  best  residence  sections  of  the  city,  at  the  corner  of  Pike  and  Ninth 
streets.  In  their  religious  creed.  l)oth  our  subject  and  wife  are  Catholics,  as 
were  their  fathers  before  them. 


CHARLES  CARTER. 


One  of  the  pioneer  farmers  of  LaSalle  county,  Charles  Carter  has  been 
a  witness  of  its  marvelous  development,  and  from  his  boyhood  has  per- 
formed his  full  share  of  the  work  involved  in  its  progress  from  a  wild  state  to 
a  condition  of  fruitfulness  and  prosperity  in  all  lines.  Honorable,  true  and 
just  in  all  his  dealings,  he  is  respected  and  admired  by  all  who  are  acquainted 
with  him.  and  without  exception  the  confidence  of  his  neighbors  is  accorded 
him. 

The  iurth  of  Charles  Carter  occurred  in  ^\'ayne  county.  New  York. 
December  2^,  1837,  and  he  was  se\'en  years  old  when  l)rought  by  his 
parents,  Asa  and  Hannah  Carter,,  to  Will  county,  Illinois,  whence  three 
years  later  they  removed  to  LaSalle  county.  Locating  on  the  homestead,  in 
Farm  Ridge  township,  which  is  now  owned  l)y  our  subject,  he  grew  to 
manhood  here,  assisting-  in  reducing  the  land  to  a  proper  state  for  cultiva- 
tion. In  the  days  of  his  boyhood  the  old-fashioned  plow  was  used,  and 
scythes  and  cradles  were  employed  in  the  place  of  the  impro\'ed  farm  ma- 
chinery of  to-day,  which  on  every  farm  does  away  with  the  labor  of  several 
men  in  har\-est  time.  Such  education  as  he  recei\'ed  was  that  which  the 
district  schools  afforded.  Now  Mr.  Carter  owns  three  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  of  rich  land,  ^•alued  at  eighty  dollars  an  acre,  and  rendered  much  more 
desirable  by  the  excellent  house,  barns  and  other  buildings  which  stand 
upon  the  place.  Everything  is  kept  in  a  neat  manner,  improvements  are 
made  whenever  needed,  and  all  bespeak  the  constant  attention  of  the  practical 
owner. 

In  1863  Mr.  Carter  married  Miss  Caroline  Helm,  who  was  l)orn  in 
Brown  county,  Ohio,  and  reared  in  the  Lutheran  faith  of  her  pious  an- 
cestors.    This  marriage  was  blessed  with  one  child,  namely,  Nettie,  now 


464  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

the  wife  of  F.  A.  Bangs,  of  Mobile,  Alabama.  But  Mrs.  Carter  passed  to  her 
reward  on  high  in  1865,  and  in  1866  Mr.  Carter  married  Mary  Lizzie 
Tole.  and  by  this  marriage  there  were  six  children,  five  of  whom  are  living, 
as  follows:  Lillian,  the  wife  of  J.  H.  Rambler,  of  Calhoun  county,  Iowa; 
Clara  B.,  the  deceased  wife  of  Robert  Heath,  of  this  township;  Charles  E., 
a  resident  of  this  locality;  Earl,  of  Calhoun  county,  Iowa;  and  Woodford 
Royal  and  Rose  Ethel,  at  their  parental  home.  The  mother  of  these  chil- 
dren passed  to  her  reward  on  high  January  14,  1884,  and  subsequently  Mr. 
Carter  married  Annie  M.  Albert,  of  Preble  county,  Ohio,  and  by  this  mar- 
riage there  was  one  child,  who  was  named  Lewis  Wilber  and  who  died 
May  I,  1894. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Carter  is  identified  with  Victor  Lodge,  No.  578,  I.  O. 
O.  F.,  of  Grand  Ridge.  He  contributes  toward  the  support  of  schools  and 
churches,  and  upholds  all  worthy  public  enterprises  which  he  deems  of 
benefit  to  the  people.  Frank  and  jovial  in  disposition,  he  is  very  popular  and 
is  heartily  welcomed  wherever  he  goes.  His  right  of  franchise  is  used  in 
favor  of  the  nominees  and  principles  of  the  Democratic  party. 


GEORGE  JUST. 


Every  employer  of  men  and  every  observant  person  in  general  has 
noticed  that  there  are  two  totally  different  kinds  of  workers:  those  who 
perform,  more  or  less  grudgingly,  the  duties  assigned  as  their  share,  think- 
ing most  longingly  of  the  time  when  freedom  shall  be  theirs  again;  and 
that  nmch  rarer  class,  those  whose  work  is  a  pleasure  to  them  and  who 
find  their  chief  interest  in  figuring  out  some  mechanical  or  financial  prob- 
lem, and  in  their  busy  zeal  find  the  hours  of  labor  all  too  quickly  slipping 
away.  To  the  latter  class  belongs  George  Just,  who  for  long  years  has  been 
a  faithful  and  trusted  employe  of  the  ]\Iatthiessen  &  Hegeler  Zinc  Com- 
pany, of  LaSalle. 

A  son  of  Adolph  and  Julia  (Michaelis)  Just,  our  subject  was  born  in 
Ostrowo,  province  of  Posen,  Germany.  December  7,  1843.  The  father, 
W'ho  was  a  surveyor  in  the  employ  of  the  government,  died  in  his  native 
land  when  seventy-eight  years  of  age,  and  the  mother  departed  this  life  at 
the  ripe  age  of  eighty-one  years.  They  had  six  children,  three  sons  and 
three  daughters,  and  George  was  next  to  the  youngest  of  the  family. 

In  his  boyhood  George  Just  attended  the  public  schools  and  gym- 
nasium for  six  years,  gaining  a  fair  education.  When  sixteen  and  a  half 
years  of  age  he  went  to  Breslau,  where,  as  a  clerk  in  a  grocery,  he  served 
a  hard  apprenticeship  of  four  years.      He  received  no  wages  during  this 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AXD   GEXEALOGICAL  RECORD.  465 

period,  and  his  only  hours  of  freedom  were  from  two  to  six  o'clock  of  every 
fourth  Sunday  afternoon!  He  remained  another  year,  receiving  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  dollars  and  his  board  that  year,  and  was  allowed  from  two 
to  ten  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  and  evening  of  alternate  Sundays.  Then 
he  went  to  Berlin,  where  he  learned  the  drug  business,  and  spent  a  por- 
tion of  his  time  in  the  mixing  and  compounding  of  paints.  Here  he  was 
given  two  hundred  dollars  a  year  and  his  board,  and  had  his  evenir>gs  after 
seven  o'clock  at  night;  but  he  was  not  content  and  finally  persuaded  his 
father  to  allow  him  to  come  to  America. 

On  the  17th  of  June,  1868.  George  Just  embarked  for  New  York  city, 
where  he  spent  three  days  and  then  continued  his  westward  journey.  Land- 
ing in  Chicago,  he  searched  for  work  for  some  ten  days  in  vain,  and  was 
then  advised  to  go  to  ]\Iineral  Point,  Wisconsin.  There  he  was  unable  to 
obtain  employment,  and,  bethinking  himself  of  an  acquaintance  who  was 
at  Peru,  Illinois,  he  wrote  to  him  and  was  urged  to  come  to  this  county. 
His  father  had  given  him  two  hundred  dollars,  but  it  had  melted  away  for 
necessary  expenses  until  he  had  but  seventeen  dollars  left  at  the  time  that 
he  applied  to  the  firm  of  Matthiessen  &  Hegeler  for  a  position  as  book- 
keeper. He  had  reached  Peru  and  for  a  short  time  had  worked  at  house 
and  fence  painting,  but  he  wisely  decided  that  it  would  be  better  for  him 
to  seek  for  steady  employment  in  the  service  of  a  well  established,  pros- 
perous business  concern.  At  first  he  was  given  a  place  as  a  shipping  clerk, 
and  at  the  end  of  eighteen  months  he  was  promoted  to  the  more  responsible 
post  of  night  foreman  in  the  rolling-mill.  On  the  5th  of  May,  1871,  he 
was  made  general  foreman  of  the  rolling-mill  department,  and  from  that 
time  until  the  present  he  has  faithfully,  punctually  and  creditably  performed 
every  duty  devolving  upon  him.  and  no  more  trusted  employe  is  on  the 
pay-roll  of  the  company.  The  habits  of  steadiness,  sobriety  and  upright- 
ness in  word  and  deed  which  were  formed  by  him  during  his  long  and 
severe  apprenticeship  in  Germany  have  been  the  habits  of  his  entire  life. 
During  the  thirty-one  years  of  his  connection  with  the  zinc-works  company 
he  has  taken  not  more  than  three  weeks  altogether  for  his  own  pleasure 
and  recreation,  and  by  frugality  and  wise  use  of  his  earnings  has  acquired 
a  competence. 

In  1873  Mr.  Just  married  Mrs.  Bertha  Fleischer,  a  widow  with  one 
child.  Otto.  Mrs.  Just  came  to  LaSalle  in  1866.  Her  parents  were  Peter 
and  Bertha  ('Rose)Remmong.  She  was  born  in  Stelle,  Rhine,  Germany, 
May  30,  1847.  "^^'^s  left  motherless  at  ten  years  of  age,  and  when  fourteen 
came  to  America  with  a  family  the  head  of  which.  Mr.  Pagenstecher,  came 
to  LaSalle  to  build  the  rolling  mills  for  the  Matthiessen  &  Hegeler  Zinc 
Company.       He    was    here    five    years,    in    completing    the    work.       Mrs. 


466  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

Just, came  with  the  family  as  a  maid  in  their  service.  In  1868  she  was  first 
married,  by  which  union  she  had  a  son,  now  residing  in  Chicago,  named  Otto 
Fleischer.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Just's  daughter  Harriet  is  the  wife  of  Harry  Eickoff, 
of  Peru;  and  their  other  children  are  Julia  and  George.  Their  pleasant  home 
is  the  abode  of  peace,  content  and  happiness. 


WILLIAM    J.    SIEGLER. 

William  J.  Siegler,  a  rising  young  attorney  of  LaSalle,  Illinois,  is  a  man 
of  push  and  energy  whose  untiring  effort  and  perseverance  have  opened 
for  him  the  doors  of  success  at  an  age  when  the  majority  of  young  men 
are  in  college.  He  was  born  in  this  city,  October  4,  1874.  and  is  not  yet 
twenty-six  years  old.  although  he  has  been'  practicing  his  profession  for 
almost  two  years  and  is  accounted  shrewd,  logical  and  clear-sighted.  His 
parents  are  Bartholomew  and  Helen  (Heltenberg)  Siegler,  both  natives  of 
Germanv.  In  former  years  the  father,  a  tinner  by  trade,  was  engaged  in 
the  hardware  business  in  LaSalle,  and  subsequently  served  in  the  employ 
of  the  Matthiessen  &  Hegeler  Zinc  Company,  for  over  twenty  years,  in 
the  capacity  of  tinner.     Eor  the  last  several  years  he  has  lived  a  retired  life. 

\Mlliam  J.  Siegler  was  reared  and  educated  in  this  city,  attending  the 
public  schools.  He  then  paid  his  own  way  through  the  St.  Bede  College, 
located  near  Peru,  at  which  he  graduated  in  1894.  He  then  turned  to  the 
study  of  law  and  entered  the  office  of  O'Conor,  Duncan  &  Haskins, 
where  he  applied  himself  diligently  to  the  task  in  hand  and  made  rapid 
advancement.  In  the  meantime,  from  ^larch  until  December,  1896,  he 
served  as  deputy  circuit  clerk  under  Daniel  A.  Maher,  of  Ottawa.  The 
following  June  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  two  months  later  opened  an 
office  in  LaSalle,  where  he  has  since  prosecuted  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession, steadily  winning  his  way  to  the  front  ranks.  In  the  spring  of  1899 
Mr.  Siegler  was  elected  to  the  office  of  city  attorney  for  LaSalle,  an  office 
he  now  holds,  his  services  meeting  with  public  approval.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  LaSalle  Bar  Association,  and  is  an  active  partisan  in  the  cause  of 
Democracy.     In  religion  he  is  a  Roman  Catholic. 


CHARLES   A.    FRANK. 


The  business  interests  of  Earlville,  Ilhnois.  have  an  important  factor 
in  the  person  of  Charles  A.  Frank,  proprietor  of  a  bakery,  restaurant  and 
confectionery. 

Mr.  Frank  was  born  in  Earl  township,  LaSalle  county,  IlHnois,  April 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  467 

28,  1872.  son  of  August  H.  and  Ann  (Cook)  Frank,  the  former  a  native  of 
Germany  and  the  latter  of  Ireland.  The  Frank  family  is  composed  of  three 
sons  and  five  daughters,  namely:  Harriet,  wife  of  Levi  H.  Norton,  of 
Zearing,  Iowa;  Amanda,  wife  of  John  Norton,  of  the  same  place;  Laura, 
of  Chicago;  Isadora,  wife  of  E.  Schwanz,  of  Somonauk,  Illinois; 
Frederick  W.,  of  Paw  Paw,  Illinois;  James  D.,  of  Earlville;  Charles  A., 
whose  name  introduces  this  sketch;  and  Mayme,  of  Earl  township. 
August  H.  Frank,  the  father,  was  six  years  old  when  brought  by 
his  parents  to  America.  For  a  number  of  years  he  lived  in  New 
York.  By  trade  he  is  a  carriage  painter,  at  which  he  worked  in  the 
east,  but  on  coming-  to  Illinois  he  turned  his  attention  to  farming,  first 
working  on  his  father's  farm  at  Somonauk.  In  1871  he  came  to  LaSalle 
county  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Earl  township,  one  mile  north  of  Earlville, 
where  he  made  his  home  a  few  years.  For  the  past  twenty-two  years  he 
has  lived  in  Earlville. 

Frederick  Frank,  the  grandfather  of  Charles  A.,  served  his  time  as  a 
soldier  in  the  German  army,  and  after  coming  to  this  country  devoted  his 
attention  to  farming.  He  died  near  Somonauk,  Illinois,  at  about  the  age 
of  seventy  years.  His  family  was  composed  of  five  sons  and  one  daughter. 
The  maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  William  Cook.  He  died  in 
Ireland,  at  an  advanced  age. 

Charles  A.  Frank  was  reared  in  Earlville  from  his  fourth  year,  receiving 
his  education  in  the  public  schools.  In  November,  1895,  he  engaged  in  his 
present  business,  opening  a  bakery,  restaurant  and  confectionery,  and  for 
the  past  four  years  has  done  a  prosperous  business,  keeping  a  neat  and 
attractive  establishment  and  catering  to  a  good  class  of  trade. 

As  above  stated,  Mr.  Frank  has  lived  in  Earlville  ever  since  he  was 
four  years  old,  and  it  should  be  added  that  he  has  a  host  of  friends  wdio 
appreciate  his  many  good  qualities  of  heart  and  mind  as  well  as  his  excellent 
meals  and  polite  attention  to  patrons.  Mr.  Frank  is  a  member  of  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  also  belongs  to  the  orders  of  Knights  of  the  Globe  and 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America.    Politicallv,  like  his  father,  he  is  a  Democrat. 


HUDSON   V.    CHASE. 

Hudson  V.  Chase,  the  city  clerk  and  police  magistrate  of  Earlville, 
Illinois,  lives  on  Ottawa  street,  and  has  been  a  resident  of  this  place  for 
fourteen  years.  A  native  of  the  Keystone  state,  he  was  born  in  Hones- 
dale,  Pennsylvania,  May  9,  1846,  a  son  of  Cyrus  and  Sophronia  (Suydam) 
Chase,  natives  respectively  of  New  Hampshire  and  Ne\v  York.     Their  fam- 


468  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

ily  comprised  four  sons  and  six  daughters,  of  which  number  four  are  now 
living,  namely:  Isadora,  widow  of  Alfred  W.  Kellogg,  of  Valparaiso,  In- 
diana; Josephine  L.,  also  of  Valparaiso;  Cyrus  Van  Buren  Chase,  of  Clay- 
ville.  New  York;  and  Hudson  V.,  whose  name  introduces  this  sketch. 
The  father  was  a  manufacturer  of  v\-oolen  goods  in  the  east,  and  later  car- 
ried on  a  wagon-making  establishment  in  V'alparaiso,  he  having  come  west 
to  Indiana  in  i860.  He  died  in  V^alparaiso  in  1874,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
three  years.  His  widow  survived  him  about  ten  years  and  at  the  time  of 
her  death  was  eighty-three.  Both  were  members  of  the  Universalist  church. 
He  was  a  Republican  and  was  at  one  time  nominated  for  congress,  but 
preferred  not  to  enter  public  life  and  withdrew^  from  the  contest. 

Turning  back  to  another  generation,  we  find  that  the  paternal  grand- 
father of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  named  David  Chase.  He  was  of 
English  descent,  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death 
was  eighty  years  of  age.  He  was  the  father  of  six  children.  The  maternal 
grandfather  of  Mr.  Chase  was  a  native  of  Holland.  On  coming  to  this 
country  he  located  in  New  York,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  and  died 
at  a  ripe  old  age.  His  was  a  remarkable  family.  Of  his  fourteen  children 
all  with  one  exception  lived  to  be  over  eighty. 

Hudson  V.  Chase  passed  the  first  three  years  of  his  life  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  then  went  with  his  parents  to  New  York,  where  he  lived  until  he 
was  sixteen,  the  family  home  being  in  Oneida  county.  During  this  period 
he  spent  his  winters  attending  the  common  schools.  When  he  was  sixteen 
he  began  working  at  the  carpenter's  trade  in  Valparaiso,  and  was  thus  occu- 
pied at  the  time  the  civil  war  broke  out.  In  May,  1862,  he  enlisted  in 
Company  E,  Fourth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  which  became  a  part  of 
the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  and  he  was  in  the  service  twenty-one  months. 
Among  the  engagements  in  which  he  participated  were  the  battles  of  Dand- 
ridge  and  Chickamauga  and  numerous  skirmishes. 

The  war  over,  Mr.  Chase  received  an  honorable  discharge  and  returned 
to  Valparaiso,  and  instead  of  resuming  work  at  his  trade  he  took  up  the 
study  of  law%  diligently  pursuing  the  same  and  being  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
1866,  and  for  a  short  time  he  practiced  law  in  Valparaiso.  About  that  time, 
however,  the  ministry  seemed  to  have  a  great  attraction  for  him,  and,  feeling 
called  tO'  preach,  he  left  the  bar  for  the  pulpit,  entering  the  ministry  of  the 
Universalist  church.  His  first  charge  was  at  Franklin  Grove,  Illinois,  where 
he  preached  one  year.  Afterward  he  was  stationed  at  Dixon,  this  state, 
eight  years;  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  two  years;  Sycamore,  Illinois,  three 
years;  and  Earlville,  Illinois,  three  years.  At  the  end  of  this  time  he  was 
threatened  with  nervous  prostration,  and  rested  for  two  or  three  years. 
His  next  work  was  to  edit  the  Earlville  Gazette,  he  being  its  first  editor,  a 


•      BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  469 

position  he  filled  two  years.  Since  1894  he  has  filled  the  positions  of  police 
magistrate  and  city  clerk. 

On  the  1st  of  May,  1866,  he  married  Miss  Addie  Arundle.  To  them 
were  born  four  children, — Isadore,  Herman,  Hudson  and  Evelyn, — all  liv- 
ing and  at  home  except  Hudson,  Avho  died  at  the  age  of  ten  months. 

]\Ir.  Chase  belongs  to  McCullough  Post,  No.  475,  G.  A.  R.  He  is  a 
Republican. 


FRED   A.   KOEHLER. 


One  of  the  leading  carpenters,  contractors  and  builders  of  Peru,  LaSalle 
county,  is  Fred  A.  Koehler,  a  native  of  this  place,  his  birth  having  occurred 
March  8,  1862.  For  nearly  half  a  century  his  family  has  been  identified 
with  Peru  and  its  business  interests,  aiding  in  local  enterprises  and  ma- 
terially contributing  to  its  growth  and  improvement. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  Albright  and  Elizabeth  S.  (Burkhart) 
Koehler,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Germany,  the  former  in  Michelstadt, 
Hessen,  and  the  latter  in  Opergimper,  Baden.  Their  marriage  was  cele- 
brated in  Peru,  in  1858.  The  former  came  to  the  United  States  in  1852, 
and  within  a  year  or  two  was  followed  by  his  parents.  His  father,  George 
Koehler,  was  a  physician,  and  for  many  years  was  successfully  engaged 
in  practice  in  Peru,  Henry  and  Chicago,  Illinois.  About  1854  Albright 
Koehler  came  to  Peru,  where  for  several  years,  or  until  the  civil  war,  he 
was  a  druggist,  and  on  November  14,  1861,  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the 
Union  army,  belonging  to  Company  A,  Fifty-third  Regiment  of  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry.  He  was  soon  promoted  from  the  ranks,  on  account 
of  his  knowledge  of  drugs  and  medicine,  to  the  more  responsible  post  of 
assistant  surgeon.  In  the  fall  of  1862  he  was  discharged  from  the  army 
because  of  ill  health.  When  he  returned  to  Peru  he  turned  his  attention 
again  to  the  drug  business,  spending  periods  of  time  at  Mendota,  Peoria, 
Henry  and  Wenona,  Illinois,  and  then  again  returned  to  Peru  and  took  up 
the  painter's  trade,  and  for  a  number  of  years  was  employed  in  that  line. 
For  a  long-  period  he  served  as  a  justice  of  the  peace,  making  a  creditable 
record.  A  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic,  he  stood  high  in  the  estimation  of  his  comrades.  He  died  De- 
cember I,  1891,  aged  fifty-three  years,  eight  months  and  fifteen  days.  His 
widow,  who  was  born  August  8,  1838,  and  is  still  living,  in  Peru,  came  to 
this  place  in  185 1,  with  her  parents,  John  and  Mary  Ann  (Ehrlacher)  Burk- 
hart. Her  father  was  a  mechanic,  and  died  in  Peru  in  1857;  and  her 
mother  lived  many  years  thereafter,  dying  in  1881.  Six  children,  of  whom 
two  are  deceased,  were  born  to  Albrioht  Koehler  and  wife,  namelv:   Louisa 


470  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

W.,  Fred  A.,  George  C.  (deceased).  Emma  M.  H.  (deceased),  Leopold  W. 
and  Minnie  J. 

Our  subject  was  reared  in  Peru  and  received  a  practical  education  in 
the  public  schools.  When  fourteen  years  of  age  he  commenced  serving  an 
apprenticeship  to  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  spent  three  years  in  this  man- 
ner. In  1885  he  branched  out  in  business  on  his  own  account,  becoming 
a  member  of  the  firm  of  Utz,  Sperber  &  Koehler.  After  continuing  with 
his  partners  for  some  six  or  seven  years  he  withdrew  and  since  that  time 
has  conducted  business  alone.  He  has  met  with  deserved  success,  and 
among  the  numerous  buildings  which  stand  as  monuments  of  his  skill 
here  are  the  Masonic  Temple,  Turner  Hall,  the  residences  of  C.  Brunner, 
C.  Nadler,  and  many  other  public  and  private  structures  which  might  be 
mentioned.  Faithful,  reliable  and  prompt  in  the  execution  of  his  contracts. 
he  has  won  the  high  regard  of  his  patrons  and  the  good  will  of  the  citizens 
generally. 

Following  his  father's  example,  Air.  Koehler  is  affiliated  with  the  Dem- 
ocratic party,  being  quite  independent  in  local  politics,  however.  He  is  an 
honorary  member  of  the  Peru  fire  department  and  belongs  to  the  Peru 
Rod  &  Gun  Club,  the  society  of  the  Turn  Verein,  and  the  Knights  of 
Pythias.  In  1882  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Wickert,  of  Peru,  and  of  the 
five  children  who  blessed  their  union  two  have  been  summoned  to  the  silent 
land.  The  children's  names  are  Elma,  deceased;  Fred  \\.\  Edith,  deceased; 
Walter  and  Irene.  Mrs.  Koehler's  parents  are  August  and  Lena  (Erb) 
Wickert,  natives  of  Germanv. 


GEORGE    CAMENISCH. 

George  Camenisch  is  one  of  the  younger  business  men  of  LaSalle. 
Illinois,  who  by  close  application  and  steady,  frugal  habits  has  built  up  an 
enviable  reputation  in  the  business  world,  and  enjoys  the  respect  and  esteem 
of  the  entire  community.  He  was  born  in  this  city,  December  17.  1868, 
and  has  always  made  it  his  home.  His  father.  David  Camenisch,  was  a 
native  of  Switzerland,  who  came  to  America  when  about  ten  years  of  age 
and  at  Peoria  enlisted  in  the  L'nited  States  Army  and  served  in  the  civil 
war  as  a  soldier  for  four  years.  He  was  twice  wounded, — at  Champion  Hill 
and  Fort  Donelson.  After  the  war  he  located  in  LaSalle,  about  1866, 
and,  having  learned  the  cigar-maker's  trade  before  the  war.  he  continued  in 
the  cigar  business  until  his  death,  January  7,  1884,  when  he  was  in  his 
forty-second  year.  He  was  married  to  Sophia  Planner,  a  daughter  of 
George  Planner,  a  German  who  came  to  America  many  years  ago  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  471 

settled  in  Pern,  and  whose  last  years  were  spent  in  the  home  of  his  grand- 
son, onr  subject,  where  he  died  when  about  sixty-five  years  old. 

George  Camenisch  attended  the  public  schools  until  he  was  fifteen 
years  of  age,  when  he  learned  the  trade  of  a  cornice-maker,  following  it 
ever  since.  In  1895  he  started  for  himself  and  does  a  large  amount 
of  contract  work,  putting  up  all  kinds  of  roofings,  steel  ceilings  and  cornices. 
He  is  a  skillful  and  conscientious  workman  who  takes  pride  in  his  work. 
December  6,  1893,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Selma  Schneider,  a  daughter 
of  Gustave  and  Edith  (Kolbe)  Schneider.  They  have  two  children, — Adolph 
and  George.  They  have  a  cosy  home  on  Fourth  street,  where  their  many 
friends  find  a  hearty  welcome.  Mr,  Camenisch  is  a  member  of  the  LaSalle 
Turnverein,  and  in  politics  a  strong  Republican. 


JAMES    BROTHERTON, 

James  Brotherton,  city  treasurer  and  highway  commissioner  of  LaSalle, 
was  born  in  this  city  November  10,  1856.  His  parents  were  Henry  and 
Marcella  (Dooley)  Brotherton.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Henry 
Brotherton,  died  in  his  native  country,  England,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years 
or  more.  He  had  a  large  number  of  children,  many  of  whom  came  to 
England,  and  among  them  the  father  of  our  subject.  He  came  to  America 
some  time  during  the  '40s,  locating  in  LaSalle  and  working  at  his  trade, 
that  of  engineer,  for  several  years  in  the  Matthiessen-Hegeler  Zinc  Works. 
He  afterward  worked  at  Oglesby  and  was  accidentally  killed  on  the  Illinois 
Central  Railroad  about  the  year  1880,  when  forty-five  years  of  age.  He 
married  Marcella  Dooley,  a  native  of  Ireland  and  a  daughter  of  James 
Dooley,  who  died  in  that  country  at  an  advanced  age,  leaving  four  or  five 
children.  Mrs.  Brotherton  is  a  devout  Roman  Catholic.  Her  residence  is 
in  Spring  Valley.  Seven  children  were  born  to  her,  of  whom  six  are  now 
living,  namely:  Mary  i\nn,  wife  of  Charles  McCarty,  of  Oglesby;  this  state; 
James;  Alfred,  of  Dickey  county.  North  Dakota;  Drucilla,  wife  of  Patrick 
Corcoran,  of  Spring  Valley;  Maggie,  wife  of  William  Doyle,  of  Spring 
Valley;  and  Katie,  wife  of  Edward  Doyle,  of  the  same  village.  Their  father 
served  in  the  civil  war  under  Captain  Neddy. 

James  Brotherton  attended  the  parochial  schools  of  his  native  town, 
and  at  the  early  age  of  thirteen  began  learning  the  trade  of  engineer.  He 
followed  this  vocation  until  1894,  when  he  met  with  an  accident  in  which 
he  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  two  fingers.  This  incapacitated  him  for  some 
time  and  he  did  not  again  take  up  his  trade.  He  was  the  foreman  of  the 
street  improvement  for  some  time  and  then  was  made  center  police.  In 
1893  ^''c  ^^'^s  elected  a  commissioner  of  highways,  a  position  he  still  holds. 


472  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GEXEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

In  1897  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  city  treasurer  and  now  performs  the 
duties  of  both  trusts  in  a  manner  highly  satisfactory  to  his  constituents. 

'Mr.  Brotherton  was  united  in  marriage,  September  19,  1887,  to  Miss 
Mary  O'Day,  daughter  of  Patrick  and  Ann  (Flannagan)  O'Day.  They 
were  early  settlers  in  Peru,  the  father  coming  from  Ireland  and  the  mother 
from  Brooklyn,  Xew  York.  He  was  a  coal  miner  in  county  Mayo,  where 
his  parents  died.  He  married  Ann  Flannagan,  whose  parents  died  in 
Brooklyn,  and  five  children  were  born  to  them,  namely:  Thomas  O'Day, 
of  Westville,  Illinois;  Katie,  unmarried  and  living  in  Centralia;  Nellie, 
unmarried  and  living  in  Streator;  Annie,  wife  of  John  Pouk,  also  of 
Streator;  and  i\Irs.  Brotherton.  They  were  members  of  the  Catholic  church 
and  both  died  in  middle  life. — she  at  the  age  of  thirty-four,  in  1882,  and 
he  at  the  age  of  forty-five,  in  1893.  'Sir.  and  ]Mrs,  Brotherton  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Catholic  church  and  are  highly  esteemed  in  the  community. 
He  is  a  Democrat  and  contributes  in  no  uncertain  way  to  the  success  of 
the  local  ticket.  He  belongs  to  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen 
and  the  3*Iodern  Woodmen  of  America. 


SAMUEL  HASTINGS. 


For  forty-five  years  Samuel  Hastings  has  been  numbered  among  the 
influential  citizens  and  leading  business  men  of  Mendota,  but  is  now  living 
retired.  As  a  representative  of  commercial  circles  he  has  borne  an  import- 
ant part  in  securing  the  material  development  and  substantial  progress  of 
the  city  with  which  his  family  name  has  so  long  been  interwoven.  The 
substantial  residence  which  is  to-day  his  home,  located  at  the  corner  of 
Monroe  and  Michigan  streets,  was  erected  by  his  father  in  1854,  and  is  thus 
one  of  the  landmarks  of  the  town. 

Samuel  Hastings  was  born  in  ]\Ioorfield.  Harrison  county,  Ohio,  Sep- 
tember II,  1829,  and  traces  his  ancestry  back  to  John  Hastings,  who  was 
a  native  of  Ireland,  but  of  English  descent.  He  came  to  the  United  States, 
locating  in  Harrison  county,  in  1822,  and  there  continued  his  accustomed 
vocation  of  farming.  His  death  occurred  when  he  was  about  seventy-two 
years  of  age.  His  brothers.  Thomas  and  James,  accompanied  him  to  this 
country,  the  former  settling  near  Washington,  Pennsylvania,  while  the  latter 
became  a  resident  of  JelTerson  county,  Ohio. 

The  Hon.  John  Hastings,  a  son  of  John  Hastings,  the  emigrant,  and 
the  father  of  Samuel  Hastings,  of  this  review,  was  born  in  Inniskillen,  Ire- 
land, and  was  one  of  five  children.  In  1822  he  came  to  these  hospitable 
shores  with  his  father  and  for  some  time  pursued  his  studies  in  a  seminary 


{24M^youJL 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  473 

in  ]\Ioiint  Pleasant,  Ohio,  while  later  he  engaged  in  teaching  for  several 
years.  After  his  marriage  he  settled  npon  a  farm  which  his  father  gave 
him.  and  a  few  years  later  embarked  in  the  mercantile  business  near  Cadiz, 
Ohio.  After  managing  that  enterprise  with  ability  for  a  number  of  years 
he  was  nominated  and  elected  to  the  state  senate,  where  he  served  his 
constituents  with  credit  for  two  terms.  For  a  long  period  he  was  a  justice 
of  the  peace,  and  in  1850  he  held  the  office  of  census  enumerator.  In  1854 
he  came  to  Illinois  and  was  associated  wdth  his  son  Samuel  in  the  dry  goods 
and  lumber  business  in  Mendota  until  his  death,  which  occurred  September 
12,  1857,  when  he  was  fifty-three  years  of  age.  He  married  Miss  Jane 
Knox.  W'ho  was  born  in  Stribane,  county  Tyrone,  Ireland,  a  daughter  of 
Samuel  Knox,  a  wealthy  gentleman  wdio  w-as  born  and  reared  in  Scotland 
and  became  connected  w-ith  agricultural  pursuits.  That  he  carried  on  an 
extensive  business  may  be  inferred  from  the  fact  that  he  employed  thirty 
servants.  About  181 7  he  came  to  the  United  States,  locating  in  Harrison 
county,  Ohio,  where  he  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years.  He  was  one 
of  the  typical  "old-school"  gentlemen,  quiet  and  severe  in  manner  and  a 
strict  Presbyterian  in  religious  faith.  For  a  number  of  years  he  was  an 
elder  in  the  church  and  took  an  active  part  in  its  work.  Mrs.  Jane  Hastings, 
tog'ether  with  her  five  brothers  and  sisters,  were  reared  in  the  same  belief, 
Init  in  her  later  years  she  identified  herself  with  the  Methodist  denomination, 
to  which  Mr.  Hastings  likewise  belonged.  She  preceded  her  husband  to  the 
better  land,  dying  January  9,  1855,  when  in  her  fiftieth  year. 

Samuel  Hastings,  whose  name  introduces  this  review,  is  one  of  twelve 
children,  seven  of  whom  w^ere  sons.  The  surviving  members  of  the  family 
are:  Mary  Ann,  a  resident  of  Lee  county,  Illinois;  Jane,  of  Mendota; 
Mariah,  widow  of  S.  Newton  Barton,  who  died  during  the  civil  war;  Harry, 
of  Lee  county,  Illinois;  and  James,  of  Seattle,  Washington.  They  were 
reared  upon  the  paternal  homestead  in  Harrison  county,  Ohio,  and  in  the 
town  where  their  father  carried  on  business,  and  were  provided  wath  good 
educational  advantages.  John  Hastings,  the  eldest  brother  of  our  subject, 
was  associated  with  him  in  business  in  an  early  day,  and  died  in  Mendota, 
in  1858,  at  the  age  of  thirty-two  years. 

After  he  had  completed  the  common-school  course,  Samuel  Hastings 
entered  the  commercial  college  in  Columbus.  Ohio,  where  he  obtained  a 
knowledge  of  business  forms  and  banking.  In  1853  he  came  to  Mendota, 
wdiile  upon  an  inspecting  tour  seeking  a  settlement  in  a  desirable  location. 
Pleased  with  this  town,  he  returned  to  his  native  state  and  the  following- 
June,  accompanied  by  other  members  of  his  father's  household,  took  up  his 
abode  in  the  city  which  has  since  been  his  place  of  residence.  He  w'as  as- 
sociated with  his  father  in  the  dry-goods  business  uiuil  the  latter's  death. 


474  BIOGRAPHICAL  AXD   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

and  afterward  accepted  a  clerkship  in  the  employ  of  W.  T.  Black,  under  the 
firm  name  of  W.  T.  Black  &  Company.  In  1867  Mr.  Hastings  withdrew,  and 
as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  W.  F.  Corbus  &  Company  was  engaged  in  the  drug- 
business  until  1876,  when  he  bought  out  the  interest  of  the  senior  partner 
and  continued  alone  in  the  enterprise  for  eighteen  years.  In  1894  the  firm 
became  Hastings  &  Wylie  by  the  admission  of  Robert  A.  Wylie  to  the  busi- 
ness, and  finally,  in  December,  1898,  after  this  extremely  long  and  successful 
commercial  career,  Mr.  Hastings  sold  out  his  interest  and  has  since  practi- 
cally liVed  a  retired  life.  He  owns  a  valuable  farm  of  eighty  acres  situated 
about  ten  miles  north  of  the  town  and  has  other  property  and  investments 
w^hich  yield  good  returns. 

In  1865  Mr.  Hastings  was  appointed  and  afterward  elected  secretary 
and  treasurer  of  the  Mendota  Cemetery  Association,  which  was  organized 
several  years  ago.  but  to  him  was  left  the  task  of  systematizing  the  business. 
He  has  since  continued  in  this  ofiice,  and  to  his  ability  and  excellent  business 
ideas  may  be  largely  attributed  the  development,  extension  and  adorning  of 
this  beautiful  city  of  the  dead.  During  the  war  Mr.  Hastings  was  an  ardent 
w^orker  in  the  Union  League  of  America,  which  organization  was  formed  to 
encourage  loyalty  to  the  Union  and  give  aid  and  succor  to  the  loyal  citizens 
throughout  the  land  and  to  further  promote  the  general  welfare  of  the  pub- 
lic and  to  furnish  such  aid  to  the  Union  soldiers  as  they  needed  in  the  way 
of  clothing,  shelter,  food  and  other  supplies.  In  the  interest  of  the  league 
Mr.  Hastings  labored  very  actively  and  effectively,  and  was  a  warm  friend 
of  the  Union  cause. 

In  his  political  affiliations  he  is  a  stalwart  Republican,  unswerving  in 
the  principles  of  the  party.  For  years  he  has  been  a  leading  member  of  the 
Mendota  Lodge,  No.  176,  F.  and  A.  M..  Mendota  Chapter,  No.  79,  R.  A. 
M.,  and  Bethany  Commandery.  No.  28,  K.  T.  He  and  his  sister,  Jane  K., 
live  together  in  the  old  family  residence,  which  has  sheltered  them  for  so 
many  years.  They  have  the  care  of  two  nephews, — Harry  Hastings  Wright 
and  Roy  Knox  Wright, — whose  parents  are  deceased.  Miss  Hastings  is 
a  lady  of  excellent  education  and  amiable  qualities,  and  an  active  member 
of  the  Methodist  church.  Both  she  and  her  brother  have  many  friends, 
and  are  highly  esteemed  by  all  who  enjoy  their  acquaintance. 


RALPH  O.  DUPEE. 


The  Dupee  family,  so  well  known  and  highly  esteemed  in  Earlville  and 
LaSalle  countv.  is  one  of  the  honored  early  families  of  New  England, 
it  having  been  established  in  Boston  in  1685  by  Jean  Dupuy  (as  the  name 
was  originally  spelled),  who  fled  from  La  Rochelle,  France,  his  own  loved 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  475 

country,  to  America,  on  account  of  the  persecution  of  the  Huguenots. 
His  descendants  continued  to  dwell  in  the  land  which  had  been  such  a 
kind  foster  mother  to  him,  and  in  the  opening  year  of  this  century  Jacob 
Dupee  was  born  in  Boston.  He  learned  the  tailor's  trade  and  during  the 
last  years  of  his  life  dwelt  in  Earlville  and  Chicago  with  his  children,  four 
of  his  sons  having  lived  to  maturity.  He  died  in  this  town  in  1879,  when 
nearly  four-score  years  of  age.  His  wife  was  of  Scotch-English  extraction, 
one  branch  of  her  family  dating  back  to  the  historic  Mayflower. 

One  of  the  sons  just  mentioned  was  Ralph  Oscar  Dupee.  who  was 
born  in  West  Brookfield,  Massachusetts,  April  23,  1846,  and  was  reared 
with  his  three  elder  brothers, — Charles  A.,  for  years  one  of  the  prominent 
lawyers  of  Chicago;  Jacob  A.,  of  Earlville,  with  whom  he  was  engaged  in 
business  for  more  than  twenty  years;  and  Henry  H.,  for  the  past  ten 
years  a  resident  of  Paola,  Florida.  The  great  civil  war  claimed  the  anxious 
attention  of  Ralph  O.  Dupee  as  he  was  approaching  maturity,  and  though 
he  was  young  he  enlisted  in  the  Forty-second  Massachusetts  Infantrv 
and  served  for  four  months,  in  the  Arni}-  of  the  Potomac,  when  the  terrible 
conflict  was  finished. 

As  early  as  1854  one  of  the  Dupee  brothers  came  to  the  west,  and  as 
the  years  rolled  away  his  example  was  followed  by  the  other  members 
of  the  family.  After  his  army  service,  R.  O.  Dupee  came  to  Illinois  and 
for  a  period  dwelt  at  Augusta.  In  1867  he  came  to  Earlville  and  entered 
into  business  with  his  brothers  Jacob  and  Henry,  the  latter  of  whom  with- 
drew from  the  firm  in  1871,  on  account  of  poor  health.  The  other  brothers 
continued  successfully  engaged  in  the  same  enterprise  imtil  the  death  of 
Ralph  O.  Dupee,  in  the  spring  of  1895.  He  was  the  vice-president  of 
the  Earlville  Bank  for  several  years,  and  ^^•as  the  president  of  the  board 
of  education  two  terms.  The  patriotic  spirit  which  led  to  his  enlistment  in 
the  defense  of  the  Union  always  governed  him,  and  few  are  more  sincere 
in  desiring  the  welfare  of  the  public  and  the  land  of  freedom.  He  was  an 
active  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  in  his  religious 
belief  he  adhered  to  the  staunch  old  Congregational  creed  of  his  forefathers. 
During  a  period  of  years  he  served  as  the  church  clerk,  treasurer,  trustee 
and  superintendent,  and  his  place  in  the  congreg'ation  has  indeed  been 
hard  to  fill.  The  entire  community  felt  that  it  had  suft'ered  an  irreparable 
loss  when  he  was  so  suddenly  stricken,  but  his  example  and  the  ennobling 
influence  of  his  manly  life  endures  and  will  endure  for  many  years  to  come. 
In  all  of  his  relations,  in  the  business  world,  in  the  church  and  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic,  in  the  social  and  home  circles,  he  was  loved  and 
admired  for  his  truly  superior  qualities  of  mind  and  heart.  His  uniform 
courtesy  and  kindness,  his  generosity  and  considerateness.  won  the  respect 


476  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

of  the  most  casual  acquaintance  and  endeared  him  forever  to  those  who 
knew  him  intimately.  His  widow,  whose  maiden  name  was  Sarah  Cone, 
is  still  a  resident  of  Earlville.  She  was  born  in  Rhode  Island  and  is  of 
Scotch-English  descent.  Her  father,  Rev.  William  Cone,  was  a  native  of 
New  Hampshire,  and  was  a  minister  of  the  Methodist  denomination.  At  a 
very  early  day  he  came  to  Illinois,  where  he  preached  the  gospel  until  he 
was  well  advanced  in  years.  He  died  in  Earlville  and  left  three  children 
to  mourn  his  loss. 

Mrs.  Dupee,  soon  after  her  marriage,  joined  the  Congregational  church, 
and  in  church  matters  has  ever  taken  an  active  interest.  She  is  the  mother 
of  one  daughter  and  three  sons,  namely:  Ella,  Walter  R..  Frank  W.  and 
John. 


WALTER  R.  DUPEE. 


Walter  Ralph  Dupee,  the  son  of  Ralph  O.  and  Sarah  (Cone)  Dupee, 
was  born  in  Earlville,  November  9,  1875,  has  passed  his  entire  life  here 
and  is  thoroughly  identified  with  its  welfare.  He  received  a  liberal  educa- 
tion in  the  local  public  schools,  and  completed  a  thorough  course  of  study 
in  the  higher  branches  of  learning  at  the  Beloit  (Wisconsin)  College. 
After  the  death  of  his  father  he  returned  home  and  at  once  sought  to 
master  the  business  which  had  been  brought  to  such  a  successful  standing 
by  his  father  and  uncle.  He  remained  with  his  uncle  in  the  business 
for  two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  became  the  sole  proprietor  and 
is  now  managing  his  affairs  with  marked  ability. 

Following  in  the  political  footsteps  of  his  respected  father,  he  is  a  stanch 
Republican.  Fraternally,  he  is  connected  with  the  Knights  of  the  Globe, 
which  lodge  in  Earlville  was  named  in  honor  of  his  father,  Ralph  O.  Dupee. 
He  also  belongs  to  the  Phi  Kappa  Psi,  of  Beloit  College.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Congregational  church,  and  is  actively  interested  in  all  worthy 
religious  and  philanthropic  enterprises. 


ANTON  KELLENBACH. 

Anton  Kellenbach,  who  was  for  many  years  one  of  Peru's  influential 
business  men,  and  is  now  living  practically  retired,  is  a  native  of  Germany, 
his  birth  having  occurred  in  Prussia,  August  15,  1820.  He  is  a  son  of 
Anton  and  Katherine  (Schwartz)  Kellenbach,  and  is  the  only  survivor  of 
the  family,  in  which  there  were  ten  brothers  and  sisters.  The  father 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  but  little  is  remembered  of  him  by  our 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  477 

subject,  who  was  but  four  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  the  death  of  his 
senior.  The  wife  and  mother  died  when  she  was  about  seventy-five  years 
of  age.     Both  were  Catholics  in  their  rehgious  faith. 

In  his  youth  our  subject  was  a  student  in  the  common  schools  of 
his  native  land,  and  later  he  learned  the  stone-mason's  trade.  In  1854 
he  sailed  for  America,  where  he  believed  that  greater  opportunities  for 
advancement  awaited  him,  and  since  that  year  he  has  made  his  home  in 
Peru.  For  a  quarter  of  a  century  he  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Rock  Island 
Railroad  Company,  engaged  in  the  construction  of  bridges.  Then  for 
several  years  he  was  variously  employed,  and  for  about  three  years  past 
has  taken  charge  of  the  stables  of  the  Union  Star  Brewdng  Company,  of 
Peru.  As  a  citizen  his  record  has  been  exemplary,  and  he  has  been  actively 
interested  in  the  promotion  of  whatever  he  believed  to  be  of  permanent 
benefit  to  this  community.  In  his  political  attitude  he  is  a  stanch  Repub- 
lican. 

The  marriage  of  IMr.  Kellenbach  and  Miss  Margaret  Birkenbeuel  was 
solemnized  February  18,  1849,  in  Prussia.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Peter 
William  and  Anna  Fay  (Heinmann)  Birkenbeuel.  Ten  children  were  born 
to  our  subject  and  wdfe — seven  sons  and  three  daughters — namely:  William, 
Peter,  Henry,  Albert,  William  E.,  Henry,  Lena,  Emma,  and  two  others. 
Only  three  of  the  number  are  now  living, — Lena,  William  E.  and  Henry. 
Lena  became  the  wife  of  H.  AI.  Gallagher,  who  was  a  prominent  citizen 
of  Peru,  and  whose  death  occurred  some  eleven  years  ago.  They  became 
the  parents  of  three  children, — Kate  ]\Iurray,  Harry  Milton  and  William 
Hamilton.  William  E.  Kellenbach  is  represented  in  the  next  article.  He 
is  a  leading  citizen  of  La  Salle,  is  married  and  has  four  children, — Eddie, 
Lillie,  Anabelle  and  Willie.  Henry  Kellenbach  also  is  married,  and  has 
two  children, — Henrietta  and  jMargaret. 


WILLIAM  E.  KELLENBACH. 

In  any  line  of  business,  success  comes  to  the  conscientious  worker  and 
not  to  the  undeserving:  it  comes  as  the  direct  reward  of  earnest,  painstaking 
endeavor,  of  skill  and  well  applied  energy.  Even  in  this  day  of  sometimes 
suddenly  acquired  fortunes,  it  appears  that  the  old  decree  in  regard  to 
winning  one's  bread  by  the  "sweat  of  his  face"  is  as  much  in  force  as  ever, 
and  that  to  the  majority  of  men  a  livelihood  must  be  earned  by  hard, 
honest  toil.  Thus  it  has  been  in  the  case  of  the  subject  of  this  article, 
who  has  manfully  discharged  his  duties  and  thereby  has  won  the  regard 
of  the  public. 


478  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GEXEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

The  parents  of  William  E.  Kellenbach,  Anton  and  Margaret  (Birken- 
beuel)  Kellenbach.  are  represented  in  the  preceding  article.  Born  in  Peru, 
LaSalle  county,  September  22.  1861,  our  subject  has  passed  his  entire  life 
in  this  section  of  the  state.  In  attendance  at  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  town  the  years  sped  away  rapidly  until  he  was  about  fifteen,  when 
he  began  learning  the  blacksmith's  trade,  to  which  calling  he  has  ever  since 
devoted  himself.  In  1882  he  opened  a  shop  upon  his  own  account,  making 
a  specialtv  of  fine  horse-shoeing.  In  1886  he  came  to  LaSalle,  where  he 
established  himself  in  business,  his  shop  being  at  the  corner  of  Joliet  and 
Second  streets.  This  immediate  region  is  noted  for  the  splendid  race  and 
drivinsf  horses  which  are  raised  here,  and  Mr.  Kellenbach  has  been  fortu- 
nate  in  securing  the  business,  or  the  major  portion  of  it,  of  shoeing  this 
fine  stock.  In  his  line  he  is  an  acknowledged  expert,  and  by  his  skill  in 
fitting  the  prope^"  kind  of  shoes  numerous  defects  of  otherwise  excellent 
horses  are  permanently  overcome. 

For  fourteen  years  Mr.  Kellenbach  has  been  actively  connected  with 
the  fire  departments  of  Peru  and  LaSalle.  seven  years  in  each  place,  and 
for  the  past  two  years  has  been  the  fire  marshal  of  this  city.  Moreover, 
he  is  the  superintendent  of  the  city  electric-light  plant,  and  in  both  of  these 
responsible  positions  is  rendering  the  public  effective  service.  He  belongs 
to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  and  to  the  Royal  Arcanum,  and  in 
politics  is  a  Democrat. 

On  the  7th  of  December,  1882.  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Kellenbach  and 
Miss  Anna  Broemer.  a  daughter  of  George  and  Dora  Broemer,  was  sol- 
emnized in  Peru.  Two  sons  and  two  daughters  have  blessed  their  union, 
namely:  Edwin,  Lillian,  William  and  Anabelle.  The  family  residence  is 
pleasantly  located  at  the  corner  of  Third  and  Joliet  streets,  Mr.  Kellenbach 
having  purchased  the  property  about  two  years  ago. 


JACOB    KUXEY. 


One  of  the  venerable  citizens  of  LaSalle  county  is  Jacob  Kuney,  now 
living  retired  in  the  pretty  town  of  Earlville.  Though  now  well  along  in 
years,  he  comes  of  families  noted  for  longevity,  and  doubtless  will  live  to 
see  manv  rears  of  the  new  century  so  near  at  hand.  Both  of  his  grand- 
fathers were  soldiers  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  and  patriotism  has  been 
a  notable  characteristic  of  all  of  his  relatives. 

The  Kunevs  are  of  German  descent,  as  the  name  indicates,  but  several 
generations  have  resided  in  America;  and  the  grandfather  of  our  subject, 
for  whom  he  was  named,  was  a  Pennsylvania  farmer,  the  father  of  a  large 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  479 

family.  Of  these  children,  Samuel  Knney.  a  native  of  the  same  state,  was 
engaged  in  farming  in  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  until  his  death,  at 
the  age  of  sixty-five  years.  His  wife,  Mary,  daughter  of  Jacob  Bergstresser, 
survived  him,  attaining  the  age  of  eighty-six  years.  She,  too,  was  a  Penn- 
sylvanian,  though  her  father  was  a  native  of  Germany.  He  was  eighty- 
six  years  old  at  death,  but  his  wife  lived  to  be  six  months  over  one  hun- 
dred years  of  age!  For  many  years  he  served  as  the  clerk  of  the  county 
court,  but  the  chief  business  of  his  life  was  agriculture.  In  religion  the 
Kuneys  were  originally  Lutherans,  but  later  identified  themselves  with 
the  Methodist  church.  Of  the  five  sons  and  five  daughters  of  Samuel  and 
]\Iary  Kuney,  but  three  are  now  living,  namely,  our  subject;  Sarah,  of 
Jackson.  ^Minnesota,  widow  of  John  Bergstresser;  and  Daniel,  of  Baker, 
Kansas. 

The  birth  of  Jacob  Kuney  took  place  in  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania, 
November  29,  1816,  and  when  twenty  }ears  of  age  he  left  home  and  went 
to  Niagara  county.  New  York.  At  the  time  of  the  Canadian  rebellion  he 
was  called  into  miHtary  service,  but  at  the  end  of  two  weeks  was  allowed 
to  resume  his  accustomed  vocation.  In  1838  he  was  married,  and  for  a 
period  was  occupied  in  farming,  later  learning  the  blacksmith's  trade, 
which  he  pursued  about  four  years.  In  1847  ^^^  went  to  Waukesha,  Wis- 
consin, accompanied  by  his  wife  and  three  children.  Locating  near  the 
town,  he  continued  to  reside  there  for  twenty  years,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  he  sold  his  farm  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  and  removing  to 
Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  invested  in  one  thousand  acres  of  land.  Two 
years  later,  in  1869,  he  divided  six  hundred  acres  of  this  tract  among  his 
children,  and,  selling  the  remainder,  came  to  LaSalle  county.  Here  he 
bought  four  hundred  acres  of  land  in  Earl  township,  and  subsequently 
disposing  of  this  property  he  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  situated  about  a  mile  north  of  Earlville.  This  place  he  still  owns, 
though  he  rents  it  and  makes  his  home  in  Earlville,  in  the  enjoyment  of  well 
earned  rest  from  toil. 

As  previously  noted,  ]\Ir.  Kuney  was  married  in  1838,  the  lady  of  his 
choice  being  Miss  Amanda,  daughter  of  Joshua  and  Laodicea  (Cotton) 
Slayton.  Six  children  were  born  to  our  subject  and  wife.  The  eldest  son, 
Cassius  'M.  Clay,  was  graduated  in  the  Bryant  &  Stratton  Business  Col- 
lege, and  at  seventeen  years  of  age  enlisted  in  the  L'nion  army,  serving 
with  distinguished  bravery  from  the  beginning  to  the  close  of  the  war  of 
the  Rebellion.  He  wedded  Miss  Ellen  Guthrie  and  has  five  children, — Inez, 
Edith,  Ralph,  Carl  and  Max.  The  family  is  now  living  in  Wasco,  Oregon. 
Garrett  Smith,  the  younger  son,  married  ^liss  Alice  Boozle.  and  is  a  resi- 
dent of  Earlville,  his  occupation  being  that  of  a  farmer.     He  has  five  chil- 


48o  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

dren, — Perry,  Cora,  Harry,  Mabel  and  Agnes.  Mary,  the  oldest  daughter 
of  our  subject,  now  living  at  White  City,  Kansas,  is  the'  wife  of  Horace 
Harmon,  and  is  the  mother  of  four  living  sons, — Joseph,  Horace,  Guy  and 
Ernest.  Emeline,  the  second  daughter,  married  Joseph  Gauthie,  of  Wauke- 
sha, Wisconsin.  Desire  married  ElHs  T.  White,  of  Earlville,  and  their  chil- 
dren are  Eria,  Archie,  Laura,  Sadie,  Radley,  Clyde  and  Ralph.  Josephine 
D.  wedded  Henry  Boozle,  a  farmer,  now  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  and  their 
children  are:  Grace,  Angie,  Kittie,  Myrtle,  Louise,  John  and  Harry.  Alto- 
gether, Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kuney  have  thirty-nine  grandchildren  and  thirty-one 
great-grandchildren;  and  it  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  of  all  their  descendants 
onlv  six  have  passed  to  the  silent  land. 

For  many  years  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kuney  have  been  devoted  members  of 
the  Congregational  church.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  and  though  he 
has  never  desired  public  of^ce  he  has  served  as  township  assessor  four  times, 
thrice  in  succession  when  he  was  living  in  Wisconsin,  and  once  while  in 
Earl  township.  In  all  of  his  relations  with  his  fellow  men,  Mr.  Kuney  has 
been  honorable  and  just,  winning  the  respect  of  every  one,  and  to  his  chil- 
dren he  will  leave  what  is  better  far  than  riches,  the  record  of  an  exemplary 
life. 


THADDEUS  RUDE. 


Thaddeus  Rude,  who  for  more  than  three  decades  has  been  one  of  the 
honored  citizens  of  Mendota,  was  one  of  the  sturdy  frontiersmen  who  came 
to  this  state  when  it  was  a  wilderness  and  paved  the  way  for  the  civilization 
and  prosperity  of  later  years.  Nobly  did  he  perform  his  part  in  the  develop- 
ment of  its  resources,  and  never  for  a  moment  has  his  interest  in  its  future 
diminished  or  weakened. 

Mr.  Rude  is  a  fitting  example  of  the  self-made  man, — one  who  by  the 
inherent  force  of  his  character  has  acquired  an  enviable  name  and  place 
among  the  business  men  and  capitalists  of  his  generation.  Doubtless  he  is 
indebted  largely  to  his  upright  New  England  ancestors  for  much  of  what  is 
finest  in  his  nature,  and  certainly  the  influences  which  were  brought  to  bear 
upon  him  in  the  impressible  days  of  his  childhood  cannot  be  overestimated. 
He  was  named  in  honor  of  his  grandfather,  Thaddeus  Rude,  who  was  of 
Scotch-Irish  descent,  and  was  born  in  Salem,  Massachusetts,  in  which  state 
many  generations  of  his  family  had  lived  and  died.  His  death  took  place 
when  he  was  but  little  past  the  prime  of  life,  the  event  occurring  in  Ash- 
field,  Massachusetts,  in  1826.  Of  his  several  children  four  grew  to  maturity. 
His  widow  survived  him  many  years,  dying  when  nearly  ninety  years  of  age. 
The  maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  David  Vincent,  a  native  of  Cape 


c}f\C(C(c^U^^    -/^t^2^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  481 

Cod.  was  a  hero  of  the  RevoUitionary  war,  and  was  one  of  Washington's 
vaUant  band  of  dauntless  patriots  who  suffered  the  untold  hardships  of  that 
dreadful  winter  at  Valley  Forge.  In  his  early  life  he  was  a  sailor,  but  his 
last  years  were  quietly  spent  at  Ashfield,  his  death  taking  place  when  he 
was  seventy  years  of  age.  He  had  three  daughters  and  several  sons,  the 
latter  becoming  substantial,  respected  business  men,  and  one  of  the  num- 
ber, John,  serving  in  the  ^Massachusetts  legislature  for  two  or  three  terms 
with  credit. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  Thaddeus  and  Betsy  (Vincent)  Rude, 
both  natives  of  the  Bay  state.  The  former  was  engaged  in  the  clothing' 
business  at  Haydenville.  New  York,  in  his  early  manhood,  and  later  turned 
his  attention  to  agriculture,  carrying  on  a  farm  in  Franklin  county,  Massa- 
chusetts. Death  cut  short  his  career  when  he  was  in  his  prime,  as  he  was 
but  thirty-nine  years  of  age  when  he  died,  in  1833.  His  widow  survived 
him  many  years,  and  in  1856  came  to  Illinois.  Thenceforth  she  resided  at 
the  home  of  her  daughter  Mary,  in  Bureau  county,  dying  in  1886,  at  the 
extreme  age  of  ninety-three.  Mr.  Rude  was  a  man  of  prominence  in  his 
community,  and  at  various  times  was  called  upon  to  serve  in  local  offices, 
among  others  that  of  selectman.  Both  he  and  his  honored  wife  w'ere  active 
workers  in  the  Congregational  church,  and  always  stood  ready  to  support 
all  enterprises  which  they  deemed  worthy.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight 
children,  four  of  whom  were  sons.  Those  who  survive  are  Thaddeus;  Han- 
nah, wife  of  Rev.  William  ^vlcCulloch,  of  Red  Oak,  Iowa;  Mary,  widow 
of  Lorenzo  Whitney,  of  Williams  Station,  Illinois;  David,  of  Mendota;  and 
Harriet,  wife  of  Joseph  Hawks,  of  \\^illiams  Station. 

The  birth  of  Thaddeus  Rude  took  place  in  Ashfield,  Massachusetts, 
February  24,  1822.  He  was  reared  upon  a  farm,  and  with  true  Yankee  spirit 
he  mastered  agriculture  and  kindred  occupations.  In  1849  he  determined 
to  seek  a  fortune  in  what  then  was  the  new  west.  Coming  to  Bureau 
county,  Illinois,  he  bought  eighty  acres  of  prairie  land,  and  within  a  short 
time  disposed  of  that  property,  which  was  situated  in  Berlin  township,  and 
removed  to  La  Moille  township.  There  he  purchased  a  quarter  section  of 
land  for  five  hundred  and  forty  dollars,  and  industriously  set  about  increasing 
its  desirability  and  value.  The  country  was  very  wild,  the  deer  coming 
and  eating  out  of  his  corn  cribs,  and  the  wolves  frequentl}^  howling  upon 
the  doorsteps  of  his  house.  In  time,  as  he  prospered,  he  added  to  his  original 
homestead  until  it  comprised  four  hundred  acres,  and  in  1867  he  sold  the 
original  quarter  section  for  eleven  thousand  dollars.  He  then  removed  to 
this  county,  and  since  then  has  made  his  home  in  Mendota,  where  he  is 
highly  esteemed  as  a  citizen  of  enterprise  and  true  public  spirit.  For  about 
three  years  he  and  his  partner.  Frederick  Schroeder.  were  engaged  in  the 


482  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

grain  business,  and  managed  an  elevator  which  they  erected.  Mendota 
was  a  great  grain  market  at  that  time,  much  greater  than  it  is  to-day,  and 
the  firm  did  an  extensive  business.  After  selHng  out  his  interest  to  Mr. 
Schroeder,  Mr.  Rude  turned  his  attention  to  real  estate,  and  for  years  has 
handled  fine  farm  lands  in  this  and  other  western  states,  meeting  with  suc- 
cess. At  one  time  he  owned  land  in  five  or  six  counties  in  Iowa,  some 
four  thousand  acres  altogether,  and  at  present  he  has  twenty-five  hundred 
acres  in  the  county  of  Hamilton  alone.  Beginning  his  business  career  in 
this  slate  with  a  capital  of  barely  five  hundred  dollars,  he  gradually  accu- 
mulated a  fortune,  by  adherence  to  the  recognized  rules  of  legitimate  trade, 
and  is  to-day  a  man  of  means  and  influence, — an  example  entirely  worthy  of 
being  held  up  to  the  ambitious  young  man  now  starting  out  in  commercial 
life. 

When  a  resident  of  Bureau  county  ]\Ir.  Rude  acted  in  the  capacity  of 
road  commissioner,  but  aside  from  this  he  never  has  acted  in  official  positions. 
He  is  an  ardent  Republican,  and  has  endeavored  to  perform  his  entire  duty 
as  becomes  a  patriotic  American,  giving  due  attention  to  the  great  questions 
of  the  day. 

On  the  nth  of  January,  1844,  the  marriage  of  Thaddeus  Rude  and 
Keziah,  daughter  of  Rufus  and  Keziah  (Hall)  Hall,  was  solemnized.  She 
departed  this  life  November  17,  1893,  aged  seventy-one  years  and  four 
months.  For  almost  half  a  century  she  had  been  a  faithful  helpmate,  loyally 
aiding  her  husband  in  his  early  struggles  to  make  a  livelihood  and  place  in 
the  business  world,  and  her  memory  is  cherished  by  a  host  of  her  old  friends. 
Religiously  she  was  a  Congregationalist.  On  the  2d  of  June,  1895,  Mr. 
Rude  and  Mrs.  Emily  Fisher,  widow  of  Clement  Fisher,  were  united  in 
wedlock.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Mary  (Leatherby)  Ham,  natives 
of  Somersetshire,  England,  and  both  now  deceased.  Mrs.  Rude  had  four 
children  by  her  first  marriage, — three  who  died  in  infancy,  and  Carrie,  wife 
of  Charles  Thelo,  Jr.,  of  ]\Iendota,  Illinois.  The  latter  have  three  children, — 
Eda,  Earl  and  Fred.  ]\Irs.  Rude  is  a  member  of  the  Church  of  England, 
and  is  interested  in  all  movements  calculated  to  uplift  and  benefit  humanity. 


JOHN    OVER. 


The  village  of  Leonore,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  includes  among  its 
leading  and  prosperous  citizens  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  John  Over,  a 
Prussian  by  birth  and  an  American  by  adoption.  It  was  less  than  ten  years 
ago  that  he  left  his  native  land,  and  since  his  arrival  here  we  find  him 
rushing  into  financial  independence  at  a  remarkable  speed  and  succeeding 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  483 

in  business  at  an  age  when  most  men  have  either  made  their  stake  or  have 
retired  from  the  arena  in  despair. 

John  Over  was  1)orn  in  the  province  of  Prussia,  February  28,  1858, 
the  son  of  Henry  Over,  a  farmer.  Selecting  the  trade  of  carpenter,  John 
served  an  apprenticeship  therein  and  followed  that  branch  of  mechanics  as 
a  business  while  he  remained  in  Prussia.  Being  influenced  by  relatives  and 
friends  who  had  come  to  this  country,  he  decided  to  try  his  fortunes  here, 
and  accordingly,  in  company  with  Conrad  Eschbach,  he  set  sail  from 
Bremen,  Germany,  in  1890,  on  the  ill-fated  steamship  Elbe.  Arrived  in 
New  York,  he  came  west  to  Illinois,  and  the  first  two  years  of  his  residence 
here  he  spent  in  work  at  his  trade.  Then,  w-ith  a  small  capital,  he  began 
business  as  a  merchant  in  Leonore.  October  i,  1892,  was  the  date  of  his 
debut  as  a  "kaufman,"  and  the  popularity  of  his  place  of  business  is  a  fact 
noted  Ijy  all  who  have  in  any  way  come  in  contact  with  it. 

Mr.  Over  is  a  man  of  family.  He  was  married  April  25,  1893,  to  Miss 
Anna  Berninger,  whose  father,  Alexander  Berninger,  was  a  Prussian  emi- 
grant to   LaSalle   county.      They   have  two   children, — John  and   Alvis. 


GEORGE  W.   PITZER. 


Among  the  early  settlers  of  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  was  William  Pit- 
zer,  a  native  of  Licking  county,  Ohio,  who  was  born  September  23,  1809, 
came  west  in  183 1  and  took  up  his  abode  on  the  frontier.  He  was  a  son  of 
Richard  Pitzer,  a  major  in  the  war  of  1812  and  a  man  noted  for  his  bravery 
in  battle.  William  Pitzer  married  Miss  Sarah  Kite,  daughter  of  Adam  Kite, 
a  native  of  Ohio.  She  was  born  March  10,  1810.  Their  union  was  blessed 
in  the  birth  of  seven  children,  namely:  Alva,  a  resident  of  South  Dakota; 
George  W.,  whose  name  forms  the  heading  of  this  sketch;  Jacob,  a  resident 
of  Lyon  county,  Kansas;  David,  also  of  Lyon  county,  Kansas;  Elizabeth, 
wife  of  Robert  Lane,  of  Chebanse,  Illinois;  Julia,  wife  of  B.  F.  Fuller,  of  Lyon 
county,  Kansas,  and  Malinda  J.,  wife  of  L.  J.  Grove,  of  Miller  township, 
LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  ^^'illiam  Pitzer  was  a  farmer  all  his  life  and  lived 
to  the  ripe  old  age  of  seventy-four  years,  his  death  occurring  January  19, 
1884,  on  his  farm.  His  wife's  death  occurred  ]\Iarch  21,  1887,  also  at  the 
age  of  seventy-four  years.  They  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church. 

George  W.  Pitzer  was  born  in  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  July  2y,  1837; 
was  reared  on  his  father's  farm,  and  has  always  made  this  county  his  home 
and  given  his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits.  His  present  farm,  a  fine 
tract  of  two  hundred  acres,   he  purchased  in   1889.     This  farm  is  one  of 


484  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

the  best  improved  and  most  highly  cultivated  in  the  locality,  its  general 
appearance  at  once  giving  evidence  of  the  fact  that  its  owner  is  a  progres- 
sive, up-to-date  farmer. 

The  grandson  of  a  valiant  soldier,  George  Pitzer,  when  the  civil  war 
came  on,  showed  his  patriotism  by  offering  his  services  to  his  countrv.  He 
enlisted  in  1862  and  was  assigned  to  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourth  Illinois 
Infantry,  under  Colonel  Moore  and  Lieutenant  Hapeman,  and  served  three 
years.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Chickamauga.  Lookout  Mountain  and 
Missionary  Ridge,  and  during  his  army  life  spent  six  months  in  hospital. 
At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  home  and  resumed  farming. 

Mr.  Pitzer  was  married  in  1866  to  Miss  Elmira  Grove,  daughter  of 
Joseph  Grove,  deceased  (see  sketch  of  Jesse  Grove),  and  who  previous  to 
her  marriage  was  a  teacher.  They  are  the  parents  of  four  children:  Elma, 
wife  of  James  McMichael;    and  Harry,  ]\Iay  and  Earl,  at  home. 

Like  most  veterans  of  the  civil  war,  ]\Ir.  Pitzer  is  a  member  of  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  Politically  he  casts  his  vote  and  influence 
with  the  Democratic  party. 


TERRY   SIMMONS. 


For  almost  a  quarter  of  a  century  Terry  Simmons  has  been  identified 
with  the  journalistic  circle  of  LaSalle  county,  and  in  consequence  is  widely 
known.  He  is  a  gentleman  of  marked  ability  and  wide  information,  is 
devoted  to  the  best  interests  of  the  county  and  state,  and  uses  his  influence 
on  behalf  of  good  government  and  all  that  goes  toward  the  elevation  of  his 
fellow-men. 

Several  generations  ago  the  ancestors  of  our  subject  emigrated  from 
Scotland  and  Ireland  to  the  United  States,  and  his  paternal  grandfather, 
Morris  Simmons,  was  a  native  of  New^  York  state.  The  birth  of  Terry 
Simmons  occurred  in  Shabbona,  De  Kalb  county,  Illinois,  September  26, 
1855.  His  parents,  M.  M.  and  Phylance  (Terry)  Simmons,  were  natives 
of  the  Empire  state,  and  there  were  reared  to  maturity.  They  came  to 
Illinois  in  1835,  and  in  1870  removed  to  Marseilles. 

The  school  days  of  Terry  Simmons  were  passed  in  the  town  of  his 
Dirth,  Leland  and  Marseilles.  It  was  his  privilege  to  attend  Jennings  Semi- 
nary at  Aurora,  Illinois,  for  some  time,  and  upon  the  completion  of  his 
studies  he  was  employed  in  the  post-office  here  under  D.  H.  Slagle,  serving 
for  six  years  as  deputy.  In  the  Centennial  year  he  founded  the  Marseilles 
Plaindealer,  and  eighteen  years  later,  November  28.   1894,  purchased  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  485 

Seneca  Record,  both  of  which  papers  he  has  pubHshed  ever  since.  They 
are  issued  weekly,  on  Fridays,  and  are  extensively  circulated  throughout 
the  county.  Devoted  first  and  foremost  to  the  interests  of  their  respective 
communities,  county  news  and  other  information  also  find  a  place  in  their 
columns.  Personally,  Mr.  Simmons  is  a  Republican  in  national  affairs,  but 
is  thoroughly  independent  in  local  elections,  favoring  the  most  suitable 
candidate  and  best  principle,  regardless  of  party  lines. 

June  12,  1879,  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Simmons  and  Miss  Julia  Thompson 
w^as  celebrated  at  Leland,  Illinois,  and  their  union  has  been  blessed  with  four 
sons  and  three  daughters.  Mrs.  Simmons  is  a  daughter  of  Henry  and 
]\Iinnie  Thompson,  of  Leland. 


FRANK   E.    STATES. 


A  representative  farmer  of  the  younger  class  is  Frank  E.  States,  who 
owns  and  occupies  the  States  homestead  and  farm  on  section  33,  Miller 
township,  LaSalle  county,  Marseilles  being  his  post-office  address.  He 
was  born  in  Grundy  county,  this  state,  December  31,  1863,  and  is  descended 
from  ancestors  who  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Pennsylvania.  Eman- 
uel States,  his  father,  was  born  in  P)edford  county,  Pennsylvania,  May  6, 
1823,  a  son  of  Abraham  and  Rebecca  States.  The  mother  of  our  subject 
was  before  her  marriage  ]\Iiss  Elenora  Lysinger,  and  she  was  born  Sep- 
tember 9,  1828,  in  Bedford  county,  Pennsylvania.  Emanuel  and  Elenora 
States  were  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living  at  this 
writing, — six  sons  and  three  daughters.  Their  mother  died  April  9,  1876, 
and  their  father  was  married  a  second  time,  to  Mrs.  Eliza  Coats,  of  Lewis 
county.  New  York,  who  died  September  8,  1897,  he  surviving  her  till 
March  9,  1899,  dying  in  the  seventy-sixth  year  of  his  age. 

Frank  E.  States  was  a  child  two  years  of  age  when  his  parents  moved 
from  Grundy  county  to  LaSalle  county,  and  here  he  was  reared,  on  his 
father's  farm,  dividing  his  boyhood  days  between  working  on  the  farm 
and  attending  the  public  schools.  He  now  owns  the  home  farm,  a  valual:)le 
tract  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  on  section  33  of  Miller  township. 
December  24,  1889,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Rhoda  M.  Drackley,  who  was 
born  in  this  county  August  28,  1867,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Cornelia 
H.  (Gaige)  Drackley.  William  Drackley  was  born  in  England  May  22, 
1835.  and  his  wife  in  Schenectady  county,  Xcav  York.  January  17,  1837, 
and  are  the  parents  of  four  children, — three  sons  and  one  daughter, — all 
of   whom   are  living.      :\Irs.   States  was   reared  on  lier  father's   farm   near 


486  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

Seneca,  LaSalle  county,  receiving  a  common-school  education,  and  prior  to 
her  marriage  was  engaged  in  teaching  school. 

Politically  Mr.    States  is  a  Republican  and  at   present  a  member  of 
the  school  board  of  his  district. 


BART   SIEGLER. 


Bart  Siegler,  agent  for  the  United  States  and  American  Express  Com- 
panies at  LaSalle,  Illinois,  was  born  in  Sublette,  LaSalle  county,  this  state, 
December  12,  1864,  a  son  of  Bartholomew  and  Helen  (Heltenberg)  Siegler, 
both  natives  of  Germany.  When  he  was  five  years  old  his  parents  moved 
to  LaSalle,  and  here  he  was  reared  and  educated,  having  the  benefit  of  the 
public  schools.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  left  school  and  began  hustling  for 
himself.  First  his  attention  was  directed  to  the  tinner's  trade,  at  which 
he  worked  about  six  years.  Next  he  became  driver  for  the  L^nited  States 
Express  Company  and  two  years  later  was  given  the  position  of  express 
messenger  for  the  same  company,  with  the  run  out  of  Peoria.  Later  he 
was  made  night  agent  at  the  depot  at  Peoria,  which  position  he  filled  one 
year,  then  being  given  day  service.  In  July,  1894,  he  was  sent  liack  to 
LaSalle,  as  agent  for  the  company.  In  November,  1897,  when  the  Amer- 
ican and  United  States  Express  Companies  combined  their  business,  he  was 
retained  in  the  service,  doing  the  business  for  both,  and  this  position  he  still 
fills.  Mr.  Siegler  is  an  enterprising  young  business  man,  prompt  and 
faithful  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties,  and  that  his  efficient  services  are 
appreciated  by  his  employers  is  evidenced  by  his  long  continuance  with 
them. 

In  1892  Mr.  Siegler  married  Miss  Katie  Berghardt,  and  they  have  one 
child,  Helen.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church, 
and  politically  he  is  a  Democrat,  not,  however,  taking  an  active  part  in 
politics. 


HOSMER    C.    CHAPAIAX. 

The  Chapmans  are  a  family  that  have  long  been  identified  with  LaSalle 
county,  Illinois,  and  occupying  a  representative  place  among  them  is  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  Hosmer  C.  Chapman,  who  is  engaged  in  farming 
in  Miller  township,  Marseilles  being  his  post-ofBce  address. 

Hiram  W.  Chapman,  the  father  of  Hosmer  C,  was  one  of  the  pioneer 
settlers  of  the  county.  He  was  born  in  East  Bloomfield,  Ontario  county. 
New  York,  lanuarv  16,  1824,  son  of  Amasa  Chapman  and  his  wife,  whose 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AXD    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  487 

maiden  name  was  Emily  D.  Cooley.  She  was  born  in  Canandaigua,  New 
York,  July  4,  1799,  and  he  in  Hancock,  Massachusetts,  September  29,  1793. 
He  died  April  27,  1836,  and  she  passed  away  April  30,  1842. 

Hiram  A\'.  Chapman  grew  to  manhood  in  New  York  and  was  there 
married,  January  23.  1849,  the  lady  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Ann  E.  Davis, 
daughter  of  Cornelius  Davis.  Mrs.  Chapman  was  born  and  reared  in 
Victor,  Ontario  county,  New  York,  and  was  a  woman  of  great  strength  of 
character. 

In  1854  she  accompanied  her  husband  to  Illinois  and  the  following 
year  they  purchased  a  farm  in  LaSalle  county,  its  location  being  in  Miller 
township,  and  here  they  reared  their  family  and  passed  the  rest  of  their 
lives.  She  died  at  the  homestead  in  February,  1882,  at  the  age  of  fifty- 
three  years,  and  he  survived  her  until  March  i,  1898,  when  he  died  at  the 
age  of  seventy-four.  Politically  he  was  a  Republican,  interested  in  public 
affairs,  and  for  a  number  of  years  served  as  a  member  of  the  school  board 
and  also  filled  other  local  ofiices.  Mrs.  Chapman  was  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  They  reared  to  maturity  five  children,  four 
sons  and  one  daughter,  namely:  George  H.,  Hosmer  C,  Delia  Lucina, 
Frank  O.  and  Otis  L.  The  daughter  died  in  1880,  at  the  age  of  twenty-two 
years. 

Hosmer  C.  Chapman  was  born  March  16,  1853,  and  was  eighteen 
months  old  when  his  parents  moved  to  Miller  township,  and  consequently 
has  never  known  any  other  home  than  this.  He  w^as  reared  on  his  father's 
farm,  receiving  his  education  in  the  schools  of  the  district,  and  since  he 
reached  adult  years  he  has  carried  on  farming  operations  on  his  own  ac- 
count. He  has  lived  on  his  present  farm  nine  years.  This  farm,  known  to 
many  as  the  "Jesse  Mick  Farm,"  is  well  improved  with  modern  residence 
and  other  good  farm  buildings,  and  its  cultivated  fie],ds  and  general  appear- 
ance at  once  indicate  that  a  prosperous,  energetic  man  is  at  the  head  of  its 
operations. 

Mr.  Chapman  was  married  February  14,  1878,  to  Miss  Clara  M.  Snyder, 
of  Manlius  township,  LaSalle  county,  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  (Petefish) 
Snyder,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio,  respectively.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Chapman  were  born  two  children, — Mabel  June,  born  Alay  24,  1882.  and 
Arthur  Jay,  born  November  29,  1887. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Snyder  came  to  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  in  1854,  and 
here  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  and  died,  his  death  occurring  wdien  he  w'as 
sixt}'-four  years  of  age:  hers  at  seventy-four.  Both  were  members  of  the 
Christian  church.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  five  of  whom 
are  now  living,  namely:  Samuel,  a  veteran  of  the  civil  war,  is  now  a  resident 
of  Springfield,  Missouri:    Mrs.  Francis  Battles,  of  Perry,  Iowa:    Maggie, 


488  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

wife  of  G.  A.  Willmarth,  of  Aliller  township,  LaSalle  county;  Clara  M.,  wife 
of  our  subject;  and  John  N.,  of  Farnam,  Dawson  county,  Nebraska. 

The  deceased  members  of  the  family  were:  William,  who  was  a  soldier 
in  the  civil  war,  and  who  died  in  Dallas  county,  Iowa;  Tabitha,  who  was 
the  wife  of  C.  N.  Rolph,  of  Miller  township;  Sarah  E.,  who  was  the  wife  of 
W.  A.  Harris,  of  Perry,  Iowa;  and  Emma  E.,  who  was  the  wife  of  F.  O. 
Chapman  of  Miller  township, 

Mr.  Chapman  gives  his  support  to  the  Republican  party,  and  is  now 
serving  as  a  member  of  the  school  board.  He  is  fraternally  identified  with 
the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  having  membership  in  Chapter  No'. 
258,  of  Marseilles. 


OTIS    L.    CHAPMAN. 


Otis  L.  Chapman,  whose  farm  is  located  on  section  33,  Miller  township, 
LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  is  a  native  of  the  township  in  which  he  lives  and 
is  ranked  with  its  respected  and  influential  citizens. 

Mr.  Chapman's  father,  Hiram  Chapman,  deceased,  was  a  native  of 
East  Bloomfield,  Ontario  county.  New  A^ork,  where  he  was  born  January 
16,  1824,  the  son  of  Amasa  Chapman,  a  native  of  Hancock,  Massachusetts. 
The  latter  was  born  September  29,  1793,  and  died  April  27,  1836.  His 
wife,  who  was  before  marriage  Miss  Emily  D.  Cooley,  was  born  July  4, 
1799,  and  died  April  30,  1842.  They  both  lived  and  died  in  New  York 
state. 

Their  son  Hiram  grew  to  manhood  in  New  York,  and  was  there  mar- 
ried, on  January  23,  1849,  the  lady  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Ann  E.  Davis, 
daughter  of  Cornelius  Davis,  a  native  of  New  England.  In  1854  the  young- 
married  couple  cante  west  to  Illinois  and  the  following  year  settled  in 
Miller  township,  LaSalle  county,  where  they  resided  until  death.  She  died 
at  the  age  of  fifty-three  years  and  his  age  at  death  was  seventy-four. 

They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  and  of  these  four  sons  and  a 
daughter  grew  to  maturity,  namely:  George  H.,  of  Odell,  Illinois;  Hos- 
mer  C,  of  Miller  township,  LaSalle  county;  Delia  Lucina,  who  died  in 
1880,  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years;  Frank  O.,  of  Miller  township;  and 
Otis  L. 

Otis  L.  Chapman  was  born,  October  29,  1863.  on  his  father's  farm, 
and  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  the  district.  While  at 
home  he  always  found  plenty  to  do,  assisting  in  the  farm  work  and  the 
care  of  stock,  his  father  having  one  of  the  largest  stock  farms  in  the  county, 
and  thus  young  Chapman  early  became  so  familiar  with  every  detail  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  489 

the  work  that  he  was  fitted  to  take  charge  of  a  farm  of  his  own.  He  now  has 
a  large  stock  farm  and  is  conducting  his  operations  successfully. 

Mr.  Chapman  was  married  January  15,  1890,  to  Miss  Martha  Jane 
Hohensheli,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Catherine  (Waltz)  Flohenshell,  of 
Grundy  county,  Illinois.  They  have  three  children, — William  Henry,  born 
March  11,  1891;  Hiram  Wesley,  born  February  23,  1892;  and  Delia 
Catherine,  born  April  8.   1895. 

Mr.  Chapman  is  a  Republican,  and  is  at  present  serving  as  a  member 
of  the  school  board. 


JOHN    D.    HARBER. 


John  D.  Harber,  an  ex-soldier  and  prominent  farmer  of  LaSalle  county, 
Illinois,  is  a  resident  of  Otter  Creek  township.  He  was  born  June  19, 
1847,  in  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  and  is  a  son  of  Elijah  and  Francis 
(Waller)  Harber.  The  grandfather,  Elisha  Harber,  Sr.,  resided  in  the  state 
of  Ohio,  where  the  father  of  our  subject  was  born  and  grew  to  manhood. 
Elisha,  the  grandfather,  fought  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  died  at  the  age  of 
eighty  years.  The  lady  whom  he  married  was  formerly  Miss  Francis 
W^aller,  a  native  of  Logan  county,  Ohio.  They  had  three  sons  and  two 
daughters,  John  D.,  our  subject,  being  the  eldest.  Franklyn,  Mary  Anne 
and  Amandy  Jane,  the  youngest  child,  are  deceased.  Elisha  resides  at  Fort 
Madison,  Iowa,  Mary  Anne  Fordery  in  the  state  of  Missouri,  and  Willard 
at  Fort  Madison.  The  father  was  a  Democrat.  He  died  in  Indiana,  at  the 
age  of  sixty-seven  years  and  his  wife  at  the  age  of  fifty-five. 

John  D.  Harber  was  educated  in  Indiana,  about  twenty-five  miles 
from  Fort  Wayne,  where  he  remained  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  re- 
bellion. Although  but  sixteen  years  of  age  he  at  once  enlisted  in  Company 
D,  Captain  McDonald,  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-ninth  Indiana  A^olun- 
teers,  under  Colonel  Case,  and  for  eighteen  months  saw  active  service, 
taking  part  in  some  sharp  battles,  among  which  were  the  battles  of  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  Atlanta,  Jonesboro,  all  in  Georgia,  and  Franklin  and  Nash- 
ville, Tennessee.  He  received  a  severe  wound  in  the  hip  and  was  honorably 
discharged  in  1865,  when  he  returned  to  his  old  home  in  Indiana.  He  has 
a  kindly  interest  in  the  "boys  in  blue"  who  took  part  in  that  struggle,  and 
they  are  sure  of  meeting  a  hearty  welcome  from  him.  Post  No.  68,  G.  A. 
R.,  of  Streator,  Illinois,  claims  him  as  an  honored  member. 

He  was  married  in  1867.  in  Whitley  county,  Indiana,  to  Miss  Marilla 
Pimlot,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Pimlot.  Five  children  have  blessed  their 
union,  viz.:     Wallace,  who  married   Miss  Hattie   Hillison   and  resides  in 


490  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

this  township;  and  Arthur,  who  married  Miss  Ida  Cooper  and  resides  also 
in  this  township;  Emma,  the  wife  of  Richard  Hilgert,  also  of  this  town- 
ship; and  Anna  and  Ralph.  ]\Ir.  Harber  is  a  stanch  Republican  and  takes 
a  prominent  part  in  the  politics  of  his  county.  He  was  the  efficient  road 
commissioner  of  Otter  Creek  towaiship,  for  three  years,  and  has  done 
creditable  work  in  improving  the  highways  in  a  permanent  manner;  and  he 
is  the  deputy  sheriff  of  LaSalle  county.  He  is  quiet  and  retiring  in  disposi- 
tion rather  than  aggressive,  and  his  many  excellent  traits  of  character  have 
caused  him  to  be  highly  esteemed. 

Joseph  Pimlot  was  born  in  Chesterfield,  England,  and  enlisted  in  the 
English  army  and  was  captured  on  Lake  Erie,  September  lo,  1813,  by 
Commodore  Perry.  After  he  was  released  as  prisoner  he  moved  to  Akron. 
Ohio,  where  he  was  married,  and  to  this  union  five  children  were  born, — 
three  sons  and  two  daughters:  The  oldest  son,  Clark,  and  Stanton  are 
deceased;  Cary  is  now  residing  in  Kansas;  Melissa  and  Orpha,  both 
deceased.  By  his  marriage  to  Louisa  Lockwood  there  have  been  three 
children, — Meralda  and  >\Iartha,  deceased,  and  Greeley,  who  resides  in 
Oklahoma. 


CHARLES  STRUEVER. 

It  is  a  fact  freely  conceded  that  America  has  no  better  citizens  than  those 
sons  of  the  Fatherland  wdio  have  cast  in  their  lot  w'ith  the  people  of  this 
country,  becoming  thoroughly  identified  with  every  institution,  upholding 
our  laws  and  w'orking  for  the  good  of  the  community  in  wdiich  their  home  is 
made.  Such  a  valued  citizen  is  Charles  Struever,  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
Struever  &  Son,  of  Peru,  LaSalle  county. 

Born  in  Gottingen,  province  of  Hanover,  Germany,  July  15,  18 16,  our 
subject  is  a  son  of  George  and  Dorothea  (Biel)  Struever,  both  of  whom  were 
natives  of  the  province  of  Hanover,  Germany,  where  they  passed  their  entire 
lives.  The  father  was  a  forester  by  occupation,  and  for  half  a  century  was 
in  the  employ  of  a  wealthy  landholder,  von  Bodenhausen,  whose  extensive 
forests  he  looked  after.  He  was  honest,  industrious  and  faithful  to  the  in- 
terests of  his  employer,  and  was  respected  by  all  who  were  associated  with 
him  in  any  manner.  He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church 
and  reared  their  children  in  that  faith.  The  father  died  about  1886,  w'hen  at 
an  advanced  age,  and  the  mother  departed  this  life  in  1871.  Of  their  four 
sons  and  four  daughters  but  two  are  now  living, — Charles  and  William, — 
the  latter  being  a  resident  of  Oshkosh,  Wisconsin.  Those  who  have  passed 
away  are  Augusta,  who  died  unmarried;  George,  who  died  in  the  war  of  the 


C-''^^0£>/^'^^    tTv^^r^c^^^^^'-c^^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  491 

rebellion;  Sophia,  who  became  the  wife  of  Mr.  Schimmelpfennig;  Betty, 
who  married  a  Mr.  Scheidermann;  Louis,  whose  widow  still  lives  in  Stras- 
bnrg-;  and  Jeannetta,  who  married  a  man  named  Annaker. 

Charles  Struever  obtained  a  liberal  education  in  the  common  schools 
of  his  native  land,  and  later  received  private  instruction  in  special  lines  of 
study,  and  spent  two  years  in  Gottingen  University.  When  he  had  arrived  at 
his  majoritv  he  was  called  home  in  order  to  draw  cuts  that  it  might  be  de- 
termined v.hether  or  not  he  was  to  serve  for  a  period  in  the  regular  army,  the 
result  being  that  he  was  absolved.  For  six  years  he  held  a  responsible 
position  as  overseer  of  a  farm  in  Mecklenburg,  after  which  he  acted  in  a 
similar  capacitv  for  ]\Iinister  von  Trott.  While  there  he  became  acquainted 
with  the  late  Mr.  von  Baumbach,  of  Milwaukee,  who  induced  the  young- 
man  to  accompany  him  to  the  United  States,  in  1849.  Von  Baumbach 
purchased  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Elyria,  Ohio,  in  Lorain  county,  and  his 
son,  aided  by  Mr.  Struever,  attended  to  the  cultivation  of  the  place.  At  the 
end  of  t\\o  years  our  subject  removed  to  Wisconsin,  where  he  bought  a 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Winnebago  county,  not  far  from 
Oshkosh.  Subsequently  he  added  another  quarter  section  of  land  to  his 
original  farm,  on  which  he  made  material  improvements.  Li  1854  he  sold 
the  property  to  Mr.  von  Baumbach,  and  soon  afterward  he  came  to  Peru, 
where  he  has  dwelt  ever  since,  engaged  in  various  enterprises.  At  first  he 
carried  on  a  grocery  for  a  couple  of  years.  Becoming  local  agent  for  the 
Matthiessen  &  Hegeler  Zinc  Company,  in  the  purchase  of  coal  lands,  he 
bargained  for  several  farms,  and  thus  was  initiated  into  his  present  line  of 
business.  For  many  years  he  has  been  one  of  the  leading  real-estate  men  of 
this  section  of  the  state,  and  he  also  represents  most  of  the  first-class  insur- 
ance companies. 

Almost  half  a  century  ago  Mr.  Struever  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Mary  Minthorn,  who  is  still  sharing  his  joys  and  sorrows.  Their  mar- 
riage was  celebrated  at  Elyria,  Ohio,  September  17,  185 1,  and  they  became 
the  parents  of  two  children,  Doretta  and  Rudolph  F.  The  daughter  wedded 
Charles  Bolster  and  lived  on  a  farm  at  Sugar  Grove,  near  Aurora.  Illinois. 
She  died,  leaving  a  little  son,  who  was  taken  to  the  home  of  our  subject,  but 
when  he  was  about  two  years  and  a  half  old  he  was  called  away  to  the  better 
land.  Rudolph  F.  has  been  associated  with  his  father  in  business  for  the 
past  eleven  years,  and  is  an  able  young  man.  He  married  Miss  Mary  Hun- 
toon,  and  they  have  one  child,  Charles,  named  in  honor  of  his  grandfather. 

A  few  months  after  his  coming  to  Peru  Mr.  Struever  bought  a  house 
on  Fifth  avenue,  and,  since  remodeling  it,  has  now  made  it  his  home  for 
about  forty-five  years.  He  is  active  as  a  Republican;  was  one  of  the  first 
city  marshals  of  Peru,  and  for  four  years  served  the  public  as  county  coroner. 


492  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

Socially  he  has  been  a  member  of  Mokena  Lodge,  No.  34,  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  for  many  years.  Though  Lutherans  in  religious 
faith,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Struever  have  not  identified  themselves  with  any  church. 
They  enjoy  the  friendship  of  all  who  know  them,  and  few  are  better  known 
in  Peru.  Mrs.  Struever  was  born  in  Torringford,  Litchfield  county,  Connec- 
ticut, February  15,  1828.  Her  parents  were  Hiram  and  Hulda  (Cowles) 
Minthorn;  father  born  in  Torrington,  Connecticut,  of  Holland  ancestors, 
and  her  mother  was  born  in  Litchfield,  same  state,  of  English  descent. 
When  eight  years  of  age  her  parents  removed  to  Elyria,  Ohio,  where  she 
was  married.  Mrs.  Struever  was  a  school  teacher  in  early  life,  in  Ohio  for 
a  time  and  in  Peru  five  vears. 


JOHN   J.    VOHS. 


John  J.  V'ohs,  who  occupies  the  position  of  bookkeeper  in  the  state 
department  of  the  Matthiessen  &  Hegeler  Zinc  Company,  of  LaSalle,  Illi- 
nois, was  born  in  Mineral  Point,  Wisconsin,  May  i,  1868,  and  is  a  son  of 
Andrew  and  Elizabeth  (Linz)  Vohs.  both  natives  of  Germany  and  now 
residents  of  Galena,  Illinois.  J.  J.  Vohs  left  his  parental  home  in  1884, 
coming  to  LaSalle.  Illinois,  where  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  M.  &  H. 
Zinc  Company.  He  was  married  in  1893,  and  had  three  children,  two 
now  living. 


GEORGE    A.    BENNETT. 

The  history  of  Utica  township  would  be  incomplete  should  the  name 
which  begins  this  article  be  omitted,  since  for  more  than  thirty  vears  he 
has  been  actively  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  here,  and  has  been  fore- 
most in  all  movements  tending  toward  the  general  prosperity  of  this 
locality. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  William  Bennett,  who  was  born  in  Kent, 
Litchfield  county,  Connecticut,  in  1809,  a  son  of  Stephen  and  Diana  Ben- 
nett. The  former  also  was  a  native  of  Litchfield  county,  and  was  of  Scotch- 
English  extraction.  William  Bennett  chose  for  a  wife  Sarah,  a  daughter 
of  Hiram  Bronson.  She  was  born  in  the  same  county,  in  the  village  of 
Warren,  in  1813,  and  lived  to  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-six  years,  her 
death  taking  place  in   1899. 

In  1852  William  Bennett  came  with  his  family  to  LaSalle  county  and 
made  a  settlement  in  Deer  Park  township,  upon  a  farm  of  eighty  acres 
which  he  had  purchased  the  preceding  year.     Later  he  bought  one  hundred 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  493 

and  forty  acres  in  Farm  Ridge  township.  He  was  accounted  one  of  the 
most  progressive  and  prosperous  farmers  of  Deer  Park  township,  where 
he  continued  his  residence  till  he  died.  His  sterling  qualities  of  heart  and 
mind  won  for  him  the  admiration  and  good  will  of  his  neighbors,  and  his 
death,  March  22,  1868,  was  deeply  mourned  in  the  community  and  felt  to 
be  a  public  loss.  His  widow  survived  him  more  than  thirty  years,  as 
previously  stated,  and  she  continued  to  dwell  upon  the  old  homestead  up  to 
thirteen  years  previous  to  her  death,  during  which  latter  period  she  li\'ed 
with  her  daughter  in  Normal,  Illinois.  Ten  children  were  born  to  this 
worthy  couple.  Those  besides  our  subject  were:  Diana  C.  who  married 
the  Rev.  A.  S.  Calkins,  of  Normal;  Isaac  H.,  of  Deer  Park;  George  A.,  of 
Utica;  Henry  F.,  a  farmer  of  Deer  Park  township;  Charles  F.,  a  resident 
of  California;  Edgar,  of  Mendota,  Illinois;  Edwin,  of  Iowa;  Nelson  G., 
of  Livingston  county,  this  state;   and  Emma,  who  died  aged  four  years. 

The  birth  of  George  A.  Bennett  occurred  in  the  town  where  his  father 
and  grandfather  before  him  had  been  born.  The  date  of  this  event  was  May 
25,  1837,  and  in  his  native  town  the  lad  acquired  his  elementary  education. 
In  1852  he  accompanied  the  family  to  this  county,  and  until  he  arrived  at 
his  majority  he  continued  to  dwell  at  his  parental  home.  After  coming  here 
he  attended  a  district  school  at  Bunker  Hill  for  a  period,  and  by  private 
study  and  reading  has  kept  abreast  of  the  times.  In  his  early  manhood  he 
was  very  industrious,  methodical  and  economical,  and  thus  made  his  first 
steps  toward  an  independent  fortune.  In  1868  he  bought  one  hundred  and 
twenty-eight  acres  of  land  on  section  4.  Utica  township,  and  later  he  pur- 
chased forty  acres  more,  thus  making  his  homestead  a  full  quarter  section  in 
extent.  During  the  years  which  have  since  rolled  away  he  has  made  sub- 
stantial improvements,  and  now  is  the  possessor  of  a  model  farm,  with 
excellent  buildings  and  conveniences  in  keeping  with  the  progressive  spirit 
of  the  age. 

In  1861  Mr.  Bennett  married  Miss  Semantha  E.  Shaver,  of  Rutland 
township,  LaSalle  county.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Ephraim  and  Mary  Ellen 
(Mortin)  Shaver.  Ephraim  Shaver  was  born  in  Rockingham  county,  \"ir- 
ginia,  in  18 12,  and  was  a  son  of  George  and  Hannah  (Sites)  Shaver,  of 
German  extraction.  Wdien  a  young  man  he  went  from  his  native  state  to 
Indiana,  where  he  was  married.  In  January.  1839,  he  came  to  LaSalle 
county  and  settled  in  Rutland  township,  where  he  died  in  1888.  His  wife 
was  a  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  (W^est)  ]\Iortin.  She  died  in  1896, 
aged  seventy-six  years.  Ephraim  Shaver  and  wife  had  the  following  chil- 
dren: Semantha  E.,  George  W.,  Mary  L.,  Margert  H..  Sybella  N.,  Isadore 
E..  Delsena  V.,  Levi  Peter  and  Emily  G.  Mrs.  Bennett  was  born  in  Rut- 
land, Illinois,  in  1839.  and  prior  to  her  marriage  she  was  successfully  en- 


494  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


\ 


sraoed  in  teaching  scliool  for  about  nine  years.  Emma  L.,  the  only  dausrhter 
of  our  subject  and  Ayife,  is  the  wife  of  George  Sargent,  of  Deer  Park,  and 
their  three  children  are  ^^'ill3ur  Henry,  Jetta  Naomi  and  King  George.  Dee 
A.,  the  only  son  of  Mr.  Bennett,  married  Nancy  Aiken  and  is  an  enterprising 
farmer. 

In  his  poHtical  creed  Mr.  Bennett  is  a  stanch  Democrat,  and  fraternahy 
he  is  a  member  of  \\'aUham  Lodge,  No.  384,  F.  &  A.  M.  For  eight  years 
he  \yas  the  president  of  the  Home  ^Mutual  Insurance  Company,  of  which 
organization  he  \yas  a  charter  member. 


THOMAS    WILSON. 


Thomas  Wilson,  deceased,  was  l^orn  in  Earl  township,  LaSalle  county, 
Illinois,  August  10.  1839.  and  died  here  January  17.  1885,  at  the  age  of 
forty-fiye  years.  He  was  a  son  of  Osman  John  and  Sarah  Caroline  (Thorn- 
ton) W^ilson.  Reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Earl  townsliip.  he  chose  the 
occupation  of  farming  and  followed  it  through  life,  meeting  with  success 
in  his  operations  and  being  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  agriculturists  of 
his  locality.  After  his  marriage  he  moyed  to  his  own  farm,  one  hundred 
acres,  on  section  9,  Earl  township,  ha\'ing  built  a  home  previous  to  his 
marriage,  and  there  he  passed  the  rest  of  his  life  and  died.  At  the  time 
of  his  death  he  and  his  wife  together  owned  tv/o  hundred  and  fifty  acres. 
j\Ir.  \\'ilson  was  a  man  well  known  and  highly  respected  in  his  community. 
For  a  number  of  years  he  served  his  township  as  road  commissioner.  He 
was  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R., — McCullough  Post.  No. 
59.  During  the  civil  war  he  enlisted,  September  23,  1861,  for  a  term  of 
three  years,  as  a  private  in  Company  I,  Fourth  Illinois  Volunteer  Cavalry, 
and  was  in  the  service  nine  months,  at  the  end  of  that  time  being  discharged, 
April  28,  1862,  on  account  of  physical  disability.  Among  the  engagements 
in  which  he  participated  was  the  battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing. 

February  25,  1869,  was  consummated  his  marriage  to  Miss  Mary 
Catherine  Wood,  daughter  of  Nicholas  and  Catherine  Maria  (Race)  Wood, 
natives  of  New  York  state,  he  of  English  descent  and  she  of  Dutch.  Their 
happy  union  was  blessed  in  the  birth  of  two  sons  and  five  daughters,  namely: 
Cora  Ann,  Carrie  Gertrude,  Sarah  Adaline,  Charley  Thomas,  John  Henry, 
Mary,  and  one  that  died  in  infancy.  Carrie  Gertrude  is  the  wife  of  Edward 
R.  Emory  and  resides  near  Baraboo,  Wisconsin,  and  has  one  child,  Orlou 
Viola.  Sarah  Adaline  married  W^ilford  S.  Elinn,  and  they  also  live  near 
Baraboo.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Flinn  have  one  child, — Edith  Mildred.  Mrs.  Wil- 
son and  her  other  children  reside  at  the  home  farm. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


495 


]Mrs.  AMlson  was  one  of  six  cliildren, — four  sons  and  two  daughters. — 
of  whom  four  are  now  H\-ing,  viz.:  Isaac  X.,  of  Earh'ille,  llHnois;  Mrs. 
Mary  C.  Wilson;  EHza,  wife  of  John  W.  Stall;  and  Gordon  Wood,  of 
Nevada,  Iowa.  Their  father,  Nicholas  W^ood,  was  a  farmer.  He  came  to 
Illinois  in  the  spring  of  1863,  landing  in  LaSalle  county  on  the  17th  of 
April,  and  shortly  after  his  arrival  purchased  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres 
of  land  two  miles  and  a  half  northeast  of  Earlville,  where  he  spent  the  rest 
of  his  life,  and  died  in  1871,  at  the  age  of  fifty-five  years.  His  widow 
survives  him.  is  now  in  the  eighty-first  year  of  her  age,  and  resides  in 
Earlville.  She  is  a  devoted  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  as  also  was  her 
husband.  Mrs.  Wilson's  grandfather,  David  AVood,  died  on  the  Conklin 
farm  in  LaSalle  county,  in  1843,  ^^'^'1  advanced  in  years.  He  had  a  large 
family.  He  was  twice  married  and  was  the  father  of  three  children  by  his 
first  wife  and  fifteen  by  his  second  wife.  Grandfather  Race,  Mrs.  Wilson's 
grandfather  on  her  mother's  side,  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  He 
was  a  natiA-e  of  New  York  state.  Grandmoth.er  Race  lived  to  the  remark- 
able age  of  one  hundred  and  one  years,  her  death  occurring  in  1894.  They 
were  the  parents  of  six  children,  all  of  whom  are  living. 


JAMES   W.    PARRISH. 

! 

James  William  Parrish,  one  of  the  most  extensive  farmers  of  the  town- 
ship of  Dimmick,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  is  of  Virginia  birth  and  is 
descended  from  a  line  of  farmers,  his  father  and  sfrandfather  havino-  been 
farmers  in  the  Old  Dominion.  Great-grandfather  Parrish  was  an  English 
emigrant  to  this  country.  Josiah  Parrish.  the  father  of  James  \\\.  was 
born  in  A'irginia  in  1822,  and  died  in  Christian  count}',  Illinois,  in  February, 
1896.  His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Mary  Slonaker,  died  in  \^irginia. 
In  1869  he  came  with  his  family  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Dimmick  town- 
ship, LaSalle  county,  and  three  years  later  they  removed  to  Christian 
county,  where  his  younger  children  were  reared.  His  family  comprised  the 
following  named  members:  Sarah,  wife  of  Charles  Vest,  of  Keyser,  West 
Virginia;  !Mollie,  the  wife  of  John  Bailey,  of  Alineral  county.  West  \w- 
ginia;  Alargaret,  wife  of  Ed.  Witcraft,  of  Iowa;  Benjamin,  of  Christian 
county.  Illinois;  Erank,  a  resident  of  ]\Iineral  county.  A\'est  Virginia; 
George,  of  Christian  county.  Illinois;  and  James  W.,  whose  name  intro- 
duces this  sketch. 

James  W.  Parrish  dates  his  birth  in  Alineral  county.  West  Virginia. 
September  30.  1853,  and  was  sixteen  years  old  at  the  time  of  their  removal 
to  Illinois.     Here  at  the  age  of  twenty  he  started  to  make  his  own  way  in 


496  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

the  world,  engaging  as  a  farm  hand  for  Arthur  Long  at  a  salary  of  twenty 
dollars  per  month.  Afterward  he  worked  for  several  of  the  large  farmers 
of  the  township  and  finally  settled  down  with  C.  R.  Brown,  probably  the 
most  wealthy  and  influential  farmer  of  the  township,  and  during  his  experi- 
ence as  a  wage  earner  laid  by  each  month  a  little  sum.  When  he  began 
farming  independently  he  was  in  a  measure  prepared  for  it.  He  remained 
with  Mr.  Brown  and  undertook  the  management  of  his  large  estate.  With 
the  exception  of  a  period  spent  on  his  ow^n  farm,  a  half  section  of  land  in 
Nebraska,  he  has  been  a  resident  of  the  neighborhood  where  he  married 
and  made  his  first  start. 

]\Ir.   Parrish  married  ]\Iiss  Clara   Brown,  only  child  of  C.  R.  Brown. 
The  children  of  this  marriage  are  Arthur,  Rollin  and  Gertie. 


JOHN    E.    MILLER. 

John  E.  Miller,  one  of  the  honored  pioneers  of  Illinois,  was  born  in 
Windham,  Wilmington  township,  Vermont,  and  is  the  only  survivor  of  a 
family  which  once  numbered  eleven  members,  six  of  the  children  being 
sons  and  three  daughters.  The  parents,  who  were  highly  respected  citizens, 
were  Isaac  and  Lucy  (Conant)  Miller,  natives  of  Massachusetts.  They 
removed  to  the  Green  Mountain  state,  where  they  were  interested  in  the 
management  of  a  farm  for  many  years.  The  father  died  on  his  homestead 
there  when  about  three-score  and  ten  years  of  age.  He  was  born  January 
28,  1782,  and  died  May  29,  1850,  aged  sixty-eight  years;  and  his  wife,  born 
February  15,  1787,  preceded  him  to  the  silent  land  August  30,  1848,  sixty- 
one  years  of  age.  They  were  L^niversalists  in  religious  faith,  and  were  noted 
for  all  of  the  qualities  of  the  true  Christian. 

The  birth  of  John  E.  Miller  took  place  December  7,  1826,  and  in  his 
l^oyh.ood  he  attended  the  district  schools  of  \\'ilmington  township.  He 
early  mastered  the  details  of  agriculture  and  laid  the  foundations  for  a 
successful  business  career.  He  worked  for  neighbors  for  several  years  after 
attaining  his  majority,  and  at  last  concluded  that  he  would  try  his  fortunes 
in  the  west,  about  whose  vast  resources  so  much  was  then  being  said. 
Accordingly,  in  September,  185 1,  he  came  to  Illinois,  and  while  looking 
around  for  a  permanent  location  engaged  in  working  for  the  pioneers. 
He  was  thus  occupied  for  about  a  year,  in  the  meantime  buying  one  hun- 
dred and  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Clarion  township.  Bureau  county.  He 
then  returned  to  Vermont  on  a  visit,  and  remained  there  for  a  little  over 
a  vear.  In  the  spring  of  1853  he  again  came  west  and  began  cultivating" 
and  improving  his  homestead,  continuing  to  dwell  there  until  1865.     That 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  497 

year  he  sold  the  farm  aiul  came  to  this  county,  where  he  invested  his  means 
in  a  quarter  section  of  land  in  Mendota  township.  In  1874  he  erected  a 
handsome  house  here,  at  a  cost  of  six  thousand  dollars,  and  in  1895  it  was 
destroyed  by  fire.  The  same  year,  however,  he  built  another  residence, — - 
a  larg-e,  modern  brick  house,  one  of  the  most  attract Inc  homes  in  the  county. 
Substantial  barns,  granaries  and  other  farm  buildings  provide  al)undance 
of  accommodations  for  stock  and  the  products  of  the  farm,  and  everything 
about  the  place  is  kept  up  neatly  and  in  a  manner  denoting  thrift.  About 
1893  ^Ir.  ]\Iiller  bought  an  eight}--acre  farm  adjoining  his  homestead,  and 
no^^•  owns  and  cultix'ates  two  hundred  and  forty  acres. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Miller  and  Miss  Elmina  D.  Ballon  was  solemnized 
Februar}-  28,  1856,  and  after  more  than  two-score  years  of  happiness  to- 
gether the  de\()ted  wife  and  mother  was  summoned  to  the  better  land. 
She  died  .\ugust  i,  1897,  at  the  age  of  sixty-three  years  and  ten  months. 
Her  loss  is  deeply  felt  in  this  community,  and  her  noble  example,  and 
lo\ing,  womanly  sympathy  and  helpfulness  is  remembered  b}'  her  friends, 
who  were  innumerable.  She,  as  well  as  Mr.  Miller,  has  long  been  identified 
with  the  Universalist  faith,  her  parents,  Asahel  and  Diantha  (Fox)  Ballon, 
have  been  deceased  many  years. 

To  the  union  of  our  subject  and  ^vife  four  sons  and  a  daughter  were 
born:  Martha  E.,  whose  birth  occurred  October  i,  1857,  died  July  28.  1861 ; 
Loren  C,  born  March  30,  i860,  died  March  13,  1863;  Frank  H..  born 
March  21,  1862,  married  Alma  R.  Clark,  by  whom  three  children  were 
born, — Lee,  Grace  and  Frank;  the  father  died  in  August,  1889;  Dana  E., 
born  June  26,  1864,  first  wedded  Sarah  Taylor,  and  after  her  death  Anna 
Taylor  became  his  wife;  they  have  one  little  daughter,  Helen;  and  Eddie 
A.,  born  in  Mendota,  March  z"/,  1866,  resides  upon  the  eighty-acre  farm 
adjoining  his  father's  homestead.  His  wife  was  Miss  May  Lambert  prior  to 
their  marriage. 

Politically  J.  E.  Miller  is  a  stalwart  advocate  of  the  Republican  party 
platform  and  principles.  He  has  served  in  the  capacity  of  school  director 
two  terms.  During  a  long  period  he  was  the  treasurer  and  a  director  in 
the  Farmers'  Mutual  Fire  and  Lightning  Insurance  Company,  and  other 
local   concerns  received  his  aid  and  influence. 


CLAUDE    DISIER. 


The  man  who  by  industr}-  and  perseverance  i)ro\-idcs  liberall}'  for  his 
family  and  in  addition  lays  by  a  sufficient  store  upon  which  to  sul)sist  when 
the  frost  of  age  shall  have  whitened  his  brow,  is  considered  to  be  a  person 
entitled  to  our  admiration,  and  the  pulilic  hasten  to  do  him  honor.     This  is 


498  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

perfectly  right,  as  it  is  refreshing  to  see  a  man  who  is  not  discouraged  by 
every  ill  wind,  who  stands  bravely  to  the  front  in  the  many  battles  with 
fortune,  and  is  ever  ready  with  his  cry  of  ''Onward"  when  others  falter  and 
fall  back.  Such  a  man  is  Claude  Disier,  whom  we  are  proud  to  call  a  citizen 
of  our  commonwealth. 

Like  his  ancestors  for  generations,  he  is  a  farmer  and  has  made  of 
the  vocation  something  more  than  the  mere  drudgery  that  characterizes 
so  many  of  the  so-called  farmers  who  appear  to  have  no  ambition  beyond 
a  mere  hand-to-mouth  existence.  Mr.  Disier  was  born  in  the  agricultural 
districts  of  sunny  France  in  November,  1827,  was  there  educated  and 
trained  to  farm  work,  his  father  and  grandfather  both  being  farmers  in 
that  country.  He  was  a  son  of  Francis  and  Catherine  (Euteria)  Disier. 
In  1856  he  took  passage  at  Havre  on  a  sailing  vessel  bound  for  New  York. 
Six  weeks  was  consumed  by  the  voyage  across,  the  ship  being  the  Amer- 
ican vessel,  Happin.  He  spent  a  year  in  the  city  of  New  York  and  the 
following  summer  farmed  at  Cape  Vincent.  In  November,  1857,  he  came 
to  Ottawa,  where  he  worked  in  the  machine  shops  for  a  time  and  then 
purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Waltham  township.  It  was  his  endeavor 
to  make  this  farm  first-class  in  every  respect,  and  so  to  cultivate  it  that  it 
would  yield  him  the  greatest  possible  returns.  Having  started  without 
means,  he  understood  the  value  of  good  management  and  well  directed 
energy  and  applied  both  to  the  work  before  him.  He  now  owns  two  good 
farms,  containing  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres,  within  two  miles  of  Ottawa. 
These  farms  are  well  improved  and  furnished  with  good  houses,  barns,  and 
other  necessary  buildings,  while  the  fertility  of  the  soil  has  been  so  carefully 
looked  after  that  they  are  among  the  most  productive  in  the  state. 

Mr.  Disier  has  been  twice  married,  his  first  wife  being  Miss  Georgiana, 
daughter  of  George  Sulzerberger.  Four  children  were  born  to  them, — 
Fanny,  Emma,  Sophia  and  George  Ganiere.  His  second  marriage  was 
contracted  February  27,  1865,  and  by  this  there  was  one  son,  Edouard,  who 
died  in  1895,  leaving  one  child,  Claude  Disier.  Mr.  Disier  has  been  an 
upright,  honorable  citizen,  and  is  highly  esteemed  by  his  neighbors. 


WALLACE    B.    CORNISH. 

Wallace  Bruce  Cornish,  night  foreman  in  the  rolling  mills  of  the 
Matthiessen  &  Hegeler  Zinc  Company,  LaSalle,  is  a  native  of  the  Empire 
state,  born  in  Westkill,  Greene  county.  January  22.  1843,  ^  son  of  James 
Monroe  Cornish  aiid  Henrietta  (Bennett)  Cornish,  both  natives  of  New 
York.     Both  his  sfrandfathers  were  Englishmen  and  were  among  the  earlv 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


499 


settlers  of  Greene  county.  Grandfather  Cornish  was  Democratic  in  his  polit- 
ical views,  hut  his  son  James  M.  was  a  Republican,  as  also  is  Wallace  B.  By 
trade  James  M.  was  a  watchmaker.  He  lived  and  died  in  Greene  county. 
New  York,  and  some  time  after  his  death  his  widow  moved  to  Chicago, 
where  she  is  still  living. 

Wallace  B.  Cornish  was  reared  in  Westkill  and  received  a  common- 
school  education  there.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  years  he  was  thrown  upon 
his  own  resources.  He  began  the  battle  of  life  as  a  farm  hand,  working  by 
the  month,  and  this  form  of  employment  he  followed  for  five  or  six  years. 
In  New  York  he  married  Asenath  Schermehorne,  and  shortly  after  his 
marriage  came  west,  locating  in  LaSalle,  Illinois,  in  1865,  and  at  that  time 
accepting  a  position  as  a  clerk  in  a  dry-goods  store.  He  clerked  for  about 
six  years,  after  which  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Matthiessen  &  Hegeler 
Zinc  Company,  as  a  bookkeeper.  After  filling  the  position  of  bookkeeper 
for  about  a  year  and  a  half,  he  was  made  night  foreman  of  the  rolling  mills, 
and  has  continued  in  this  position  ever  since.  His  long  continuance  in  the 
employ  of  the  zinc  company  is  ample  evidence  that  his  service  has  been 
appreciated.  All  that  he  is  and  has  accomplished  in  life  has  been  achieved 
by  diligent  and  persistent  effort  on  his  own  part. 

Mr.  Cornish  holds  a  membership  in  the  Ancient  Order  of  United 
Workmen   of  America. 


I 


PAUL   WASZKOWIAK. 

Paul  Waszkowiak.  a  merchant  of  LaSalle,  Illinois,  is  of  Polish  birth 
and  early  education.  He  was  born  in  Poland,  Germany,  January  15,  1858, 
and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Anna  (Candeika)  Waszkowiak.  His  father  died  in 
Poland  in  1866,  at  the  age  of  fifty-two  years,  and  his  mother  is  still  living, 
a  resident  of  this  coimtry.  To  them  were  born  the  following  children: 
John,  Frank,  Joe,  Paul,  ]Mary  and  Anton.  Their  son  John  came  to  this 
country  and  to  LaSalle  in  1870,  the  following  year  Frank  came,  and  in 
1873  their  widowed  mother,  with  three  of  her  children, — Paul,  Mary  and 
Anton, — also  came  to  LaSalle.  The  mother,  now  seventy-four  years  of 
age,  is  still  living  in  LaSalle.  At  the  time  of  her  coming  to  America  her  son 
Joe  was  in  the  German  army.  He  joined  the  other  members  of  the  family 
here  in  1875,  and  at  this  writing  all  of  them,  except  Frank,  reside  in  LaSalle. 

Paul,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  fifteen  years  old  when  he  landed 
on  American  soil.  He  had  gained  a  fair  education  in  his  native  language, 
but  after  coming  to  this  countrv  never  went  to  school.  However,  he  has 
learned  to  read  and  write  as  well  as  speak  the  English  language.  Immedi- 
ately after  he  came  to  LaSalle  he  obtained  employment  as  a  horse  driver  in 


500  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

the  yards  of  the  ]\Iatthiessen  &  Hegeler  Zinc  Company,  at  a  salary  of  one 
dollar  and  ten  cents  per  day.  Afterward  he  was  given  work  in  the  furnace  de- 
partment of  the  zinc  works,  at  better  wages,  and  for  several  vears  held  a  posi- 
tion with  the  company.  He  saved  his  earnings  and  was  therebv  enabled  to 
g'O  into  business  for  himself.  This  he  did  in  the  vear  1894.  He  engaged  in 
the  grocery  and  saloon  lousiness,  in  which  he  has  continued,  achieving  suc- 
cess, building  up  a  good  trade,  and  gaining  for  himself  a  splendid  reputation 
as  a  business  man. 

In  1879  ^Ir.  W'aszkowiak  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Bozalija 
Siekieska.  and  to  them  have  been  born  five  sons  and  one  daughter.  He 
and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Polish  Catholic  church,  and  he  belongs 
to  the  Catholic  Order  of  Foresters. 


SILAS  W.  WILLIAMS. 


The  gentleman  here  named  is  a  retired  paper  manufacturer  and  a  ])rom- 
inent  citizen  of  Streator.  He  was  born  in  Albau}-,  A'ermont.  on  March 
22,  1 84 1,  a  direct  descendant  of  Roger  Williams,  of  colonial  fame,  to  wit: 
Roger  ^^'illiams,  Joseph,  John.  Nathaniel.  James,  James  R..  Cvril,  Silas  W. 
The  grandfather,  James  R.,  served  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  Darius, 
an  uncle,  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812. 

Cyril  Williams  was  born  in  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  in  1801,  and 
was  taken  by  his  father,  in  change  of  residence,  to  Vermont  in  1807.  At 
the  same  time  his  grandfather  emigrated  to  that  state  with  them.  Cvril 
Williams  married  Catherine  A\'etherbee.  of  Fitchburg,  Massachusetts,  a 
daughter  of  Caleb  ^^'etherbee  and  a  granddaughter  of  Nathan  ^^'etherbee 
and  Elizabeth  Dunton.  also  of  the  Bay  state.  Nathan  \\>therbee  was  a 
minute  man  of  the  Re\olution.  ]\Irs.  Williams  attained  the  remarkable  age 
of  ninety-three  years. 

Silas  ^^'.  Williams  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Caledonia 
county.  \'ermont.  and  the  Orleans  Liberal  Institute,  of  that  state.  In 
1869  he  came  to  Ottawa,  Illinois,  and  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  straw- 
board  and  straw  wrapping  paper.  He  afterward  owned  paper  mills  at  Day- 
ton, IMarseilles  and  Streator,  all  in  this  county,  in  1893  he  sold  out  his 
paper-mill  interests  to  the  Columbia  Straw  Paper  Company  and  retired  from 
the  manufacturing  business,  engaging  in  banking  and  real  estate.  He  was 
a  director  of  the  City  National  bank,  and  was  the  president  for  some  vears 
of  the  Young  Alen's  Christian  Association.  He  has  also  filled  the  position 
of  president  of  the  board  of  education  since  1896.  He  is  an  active  member 
of  the  Streator  Social  Service  Club,  and  also  of  the  Streator  Social  Club,  and 


L^^t^--V^-'^<-'i<:?>^?^- 


I 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  z^oi 


in  his  religious  relations  a  member  of  the  Park  Presbyterian  church,  in 
\>  hich  he  was  for  a  number  of  years  the  president  of  the  board  of  trustees. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  with  no  ambitions  for  political  ofifice.  He 
has  the  broadness  of  character  to  vote  for  a  Republican  if  he  thinks  that 
the  public  welfare  will  be  best  promoted  thereby. 

In  1873  he  married  Catherine  E.  Worthingham,  a  daughter  of  Morri- 
son and  Sarah  Angeline  (Barker)  Worthingham.  Her  father  was  a  lieu- 
tenant in  the  One  Hundredth  Illinois  Regiment  in  the  civil  war.  and  was 
killed  at  the  l^attle  of  Stone  River  near  Murfreesboro.  Tennessee.  He  was 
but  nine  vears  old  when  brought  to  Canada  l)y  his  father  in  his  emigration 
from  Enoiand,  his  native  land.  Shortlv  after  their  arrival  in  America  his 
father  returned  to  England  on  business,  and  died  there.  Later  the  son 
came  into  the  United  States.  Mrs.  Williams'  grandfather,  Benjamin  Barker, 
was  in  the  war  of  181 2.  and  her  great-grandfather,  Zenas  Barker,  served  in 
the  war  of  the  Revolution.  Her  brother,  Charles,  served  in  our  late  war  with 
Spain.  Her  grandmother  was  Catherine  Goodrich,  of  Roxbury.  Connecti- 
cut. The  American  Goodriches  settled  in  Wethersfield,  Connecticut,  about 
1643.  The  familv  in  England  can  be  traced  to  an  ancestor  who  fought  and 
fell  in  Harold's  army  at  Hastings  in  1066. 

Air.  and  Mrs.  Williams  have  two  children, — Alice  Amelia  and  Blanche 
Catherine. 


WILLIAAI    H.    NORTON. 

William  H.  Norton,  the  superintendent  and  engineer  of  the  Earlville 
water-works,  was  born  in  New  Portland.  Somerset  county,  ^Nlaine,  October 
17,  1 83 1,  a  son  of  William  G.  and  Elmira  (Parker)  Norton,  both  natives  of 
the  Pine  Tree  state. 

The  Norton  family  is  of  English  origin  and  was  represented  in  New 
England  at  an  early  ])eriod  in  the  history  of  this  country.  The  Parkers  are 
of  .Scotch-Irish  extraction.  Both  families  were  represented  in  the  early 
wars  of  this  country,  Grandfather  Norton  serving  in  the  war  of  i8t2  and 
Grandfather  Parker  in  the  Revolutionary  war. 

William  G.  Norton  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  the  following  named 
children:  William  H..  the  immediate  sul)ject  oi  this  review;  John  P., 
deceased;  Ruth  P.,  deceased,  was  the  first  wife  of  W.  R.  Haight,  of  Earl- 
ville. Illinois;  Octava  E..  a  widow  residing  in  Jacksonville,  Illinois;  and 
Sybel,  wife  of  F.  H.  Hall,  the  superintendent  of  the  Blind  Asylum  at 
Jacksonville.  Illinois.  William  (i.  Norton  left  Elaine  in  the  fall  of  1849  and 
brought  his  family  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Boone  county,  where  they  resided 
until  the  sjiring  of  1851,  when  they  removed  to  Freedom.  LaSalle  county. 


502 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GEXEALOGICAL    RECORD. 


In  1852  they  came  to  Eaiiville,  and  here  the  parents  spent  the  closing  years 
of  their  Hves  and  died. 

In  his  yonth  Wihiam  H.  Norton  obtained  a  fair  academical  edncation, 
and  when  a  yonng  man  engaged  in  teaching.  He  tanght  his  first  school  in 
the  winter  of  185 1-2.  and  for  four  or  live  years  thereafter  spent  his  time  in 
the  school-room  as  teacher.  After  his  marriage,  in  1854,  Mr.  Norton  set- 
tled in  Earlville,  where  he  has  since  continnousl}'  resided,  with  the  exception 
•of  four  years,  1873  to  1877,  when  he  lived  in  Aurora.  Illinois.  The  first 
five  years  after  his  marriage  he  was  engaged  in  farming,  and  from  that 
turned  his  attention  to  the  grain  l)usiness,  in  \\hich  he  was  occupied  at 
the  time  the  civil  war  came  on.  He  enlisted  April  22.  1861,  in  Company 
D.  Twenty-third  Illinois  Infantry,  as  a  private.  This  regiment  was  captured 
in  September,  1861.  at  Lexington,  ^Missouri,  was  paroled  three  days  later 
and  was  discharged  by  the  United  States  government.  \\'hen  it  was  after- 
ward reorganized  ]\Ir.  Norton  did  not  enter  it.  He  re-enlisted  in  August, 
1862,  as  a  private  in  Company  A,  One  Hundred  and  Fourth  Illinois  In- 
fantry, and  served  until  November,  1864,  when  he  was  discharged  on 
account  of  ill  health.  Prominent  among  the  engagements  in  which  he 
participated  were  the  battles  of  Hartsville.  Chickamauga  and  Missionary 
Ridge  and  the  Atlanta  campaign;  and.  like  most  veterans  of  the  Union 
:army,  he  now  maintains  a  membership  in  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Repul)lic, 
being  identified  with  McCulloch  Post,  No.  475. 

For  two  years*  after  his  return  from  the  army  Mr.  Norton  was  in  such 
poor  health  that  he  was  not  in  any  lousiness.  \Mien  he  recovered  he  was 
for  several  years  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  shoes,  and  for  several  years 
following  that  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Ouincy 
Railroad  Company,  being  engaged  in  railroading  while  in  Aurora.  In 
1877  we  find  him  dealing  in  agricultural  implements,  which  he  continued  for 
seven  years.  In  1889  he  was  appointed  the  postmaster  of  Earlville,  under 
President  Harrison's  administration,  and  served  as  such  four  years  and 
seven  months,  until  a  change  of  administration  caused  his  successor  to  be 
appointed.  In  early  life  he  learned  the  business  of  stationary  engineering, 
and  has  followed  that,  at  intervals,  when  not  otherwise  occupied.  Since 
May,  1896,  he  has  held  the  position  of  superintendent  and  engineer  of  the 
Earlville  water-works.  INIr.  Norton  is  an  ardent  Republican,  and  besides 
the  ofifice  above  referred  to  he  has  been  honored  with  other  ofificial  posi- 
tions. He  has  served  as  alderman,  town  clerk,  town  assessor,  township 
trustee  of  schools  and  justice  of  the  peace.  He  was  elected  to  the  last 
named  office  in  1898. 

Mr.  Norton  was  first  married,  in  1854,  to  INIiss  Harriet  A.  Smith.  She 
died  in    1874,   leaving  four  children. — Lawrence  J..   Finette.   Harriet   and 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  503 

Maud.  In  1878  he  wedded  Elizabeth  Cook,  his  present  companion.  Their 
union  has  been  blessed  in  the  birth  of  two  children. — \"ere  and  Blanch. 
The  latter  was  drowned  at  the  age  of  six  years! 


JOHN    B.    PARK. 


John  B.  Park,  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser  of  Earl  township,  LaSalle 
county,  was  born  in  Greencamp,  ]Marion  county,  Ohio,  October  26,  1834, 
and  is  a  son  of  Ira  and  ^Matilda  (McNeal)  Park.  His  father  was  a  son  of 
John  Park  and  was  born  in  the  state  of  Massachusetts,  but  at  the  age  of 
four  or  five  years  death  robbed  him  of  both  parents  and  he  was  sent  to 
Ohio,  where  he  grew  to  man's  estate  and  was  married  to  Matilda  McNeal. 
She  was  born  in  Ireland  and  was  brought  over  to  this  country  with  her 
parents  when  she  was  a  child  of  four  and  one-half  years  and  was  also  reared 
in  Ohio.  Their  marriage  resulted  in  the  birth  of  six  children,  namely, 
Elizabeth,  John  B.,  Sarah,  Caroline,  Levi  \\\  and  George  F.,^ — all  of  whom 
are  now  dead  but  John  B.  and  George  F.  They  left  Ohio  during  the  year 
1837  and  stopped  one  year  in  Holderman's  Grove,  Illinois,  thence  went  to 
Paw  Paw,  this  state,  and  two  years  later  to  Shabbona,  DeKalb  county. 
Here  they  took  up  their  residence  on  the  wild  prairie  lands  of  Illinois  anfl 
made  their  home  for  many  years,  moving  to  Leland,  Adams  township,  this 
county,  in  1862.  Here  he  kept  a  hotel  for  four  years,  and  then  bought  a 
farm  and  began  farming,  residing  in  Leland  two  more  years.  He  then 
removed  to  Shabbona  and  remained  there  about  two  years.  Securing  land 
in  Earl  township,  LaSalle  county,  he  was  next  engaged  for  six  years  in  farm- 
ing in  this  township.  A  few  years  later  he  retired  from  the  farm,  and 
removed  to  Earlville,  where  he  now  resides.     His  wife  died  in  1893. 

John  B.  Park  spent  his  early  life  in  DeKalb  county,  where  he  received 
his  education  in  the  public  schools  and  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm. 
He  continued  to  be  his  father's  right-hand  man  for  many  years  and  remained 
in  that  county  until  1870,  when  he  came  to  LaSalle  county  and  settled  in 
Earl  township  on  the  14th  of  February  of  that  year,  on  a  farm  of  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres,  in  section  14.  He  was  an  industrious,  hard-working 
man,  and  his  success  in  agriculture  has  been  the  result  of  energy  and  a 
well  disciplined  mind.  Thinking  to  find  a  better  price  for  the  product  of 
his  farm  he  began  raising  stock,  to  which  he  fed  his  grain  and  hay,  putting 
them  on  the  market  when  in  prime  condition  and  realizing  from  their  sale 
a  much  larger  profit  than  would  have  been  received  from  the  raw  material. 
Since  then  he  has  dealt  largely  in  stock,  finding  that  instead  of  impoverished 
land  and  ordinary  crops  he  has  a  ^arm  that  yields  a  bountiful  harvest  and  a 


504  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

neat  income  from  the  sleek  herds  always  ready  for  the  butcher.  He  is 
among  the  best  agriculturists  in  this  county  and  his  ideas  ha\'e  been  largely 
adopted  by  many  of  his  neighbors. 

In  1858  he  was  joined  in  marriage  to  ]\Iiss  Rosetta  ]\Iarks.  by  whom  he 
had  the  following  children,  viz.:  Linton  A\'.,  who  married  Gertrude  Labee, 
a  daughter  of  Richard  Labee,  of  this  township;  he  is  a  farmer  here;  L"a 
died  at  the  age  of  two  years;  George  died  when  two  and  one-half  sunmiers 
had  passed  over  his  head;  the  fourth  child  died  in  infancy,  as  did  Jennie  E.; 
and  the  youngest  was  Eva  ^I.  Airs.  Park  was  born  in  'Xauvoo  and  was  a 
daughter  of  LaFayette  and  ^Martha  E.  (Erost)  Alarks,  who  were  among  the 
early  settlers  of  DeKalb  county,  where  they  lived  for  many  years.  The 
father  was  born  in  the  state  of  New  York  and  the  mother  in  Elaine. 

Air.  Park  is  a  Democrat  and  for  a  time  ser\-ed  as  the  deputy  sheriff  and 
tax  collector  of  DeKalb  county.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Eellows  and  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  is  a  man  who  has  won,  the 
respect  and  esteem  of  all  Ijy  his  upright,  honorable  bearing.  His  children 
were  educated  in  Earlville  and  occupy  a  prominent  place  in  the  social 
circles  of  their  home. 


SAAIUEL    E.    lOXES. 


Samuel  Edward  Jones,  agent  at  Earlville.  Illinois,  for  the  Chicago,  Bur- 
lington and  Ouincy  Railroad  Company,  lias  held  this  position  since  Octoljer 
I.  1895.  I^^  li^s  been  in  the  employ  of  this  company  since  September,  1887. 
when,  at  the  age  of  twenty,  he  began  his  railroad  career.  His  lirst  service 
was  as  a  Ijill  clerk  in  the  freight  office  at  Aurora.  Illinois,  a  position  he  held 
from  September.  1887,  to  July.  1888.  He  was  then  transferred  to  Xorth 
Aurora,  as  agent,  and  was  there  for  a  period  of  six  months,  after  which  he 
was  made  relief  agent  and  as  such  was  on  the  road  for  about  a  year  and  a 
half,  relieving  other  agents  at  various  stations.  Next  he  was  day  operator 
at  A\'estern  Avenue  Station,  Chicago,  six  months,  following  ^^■hich  he  be- 
came station  agent  at  Grand  Ridge.  Illinois,  a  position  he  filled  for  seven 
years,  and  from  there  being  sent  to  his  present  place  at  Earhille.  The  fact 
that  he  has  remained  constantly  for  so  long  a  period  in  the  employ  of  the 
same  railroad  is  ample  evidence  of  his  ability  as  station  agent  and  operator. 

Air.  Jones  was  born  in  Xew  Salem.  Pennsylvania,  January  16.  1867, 
only  son  and  one  of  a  family  of  three  children  of  William  AI.  and  Alary  J. 
(Harn)  Jones,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  In  1884  Air.  Jones  brought  his 
familv  west,  seeking  a  change  of  location  on  account  of  the  ill  health  of 
our  subject,  the  family  home  being  established  at  Grand  Ridge.  Illinois. 
Being  of  a  delicate  constitution  in  his  boyhood,  Samuel  E.  was  kept  away 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  505 

from  school  much  of  the  time,  and  thus  his  eckicational  advantages  were 
limited.     He  is  practically  a  self-made  man. 

At  Grand  Ridge,  in  1890,  Mr.  Jones  married  ]Miss  Anna  E.  Lewis, 
who  was  born  near  that  place.  They  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church. 

Mr.  Jones'  parents  still  reside  at  Grand  Ridge,  Illinois.  His  father  was 
a  Union  soldier  in  the  civil  war,  serving  as  a  private  in  Company  C,  One 
Hundred  and  Fourth  Illinois  Infantr}-,  and  while  engaged  in  l)att]e  at 
Missionary   Ridge   lost   his   left   arm. 


STEPHEN    J.    MADDEN. 

A  worthy  representative  of  the  honored  pioneer  families  of  LaSalle 
county.  Mr.  Madden  was  born  in  ^lendota.  April  3,  1864.  He  spent  his 
boyhootl  days  here,  and  having  laid  the  foundation  for  a  successful  busi- 
ness career  1)y  acquiring  a  ])ractical  education  he  learned  the  machinist's 
trade  in  his  father's  machine  shops  and  became  a  skilled  workman.  For  a 
number  of  years  he  was  in  th.e  employ  of  others,  but  in  1896  he  opened  a 
plumbing  establishment  of  his  own  in  Mendota  and  has  since  done  a  large 
business  in  this  line,  making  a  specialty  of  all  kinds  of  steam  and  hot-water 
heating  a]:)pliances  and  outfitting.  He  also  takes  contracts  for  plumbing, 
sewer  and  water  works,  and  has  succeeded  in  l)uilding  up  an  excellent 
business.  Soon  after  his  father's  death  he  succeeded  to  his  father's  interest 
in  the  firm  of  Donohue  &  ^^ladden,  proprietors  of  the  foundr\-  and  machine 
shops  of  Mendota.  The  firm  name  was  unchanged,  and  now  to  the  two 
branches  of  the  business  'Sir.  ]Madden,  of  this  review,  devotes  all  the  time 
and  attention  which  he  cares  to  give  to  liusiness.  Inherited  al)ility  doubt- 
less partially  accounts  for  the  success  which  he  has  won.  and  a  better  ex- 
ample than  that  afforded  him  by  his  honored  father  could  not  be  found; 
but  his  own  close  application,  his  keen  discernment  and  his  untiring  industry 
are  unmistakable  elements  in  his  prosperity,  without  which  inherited  ability 
would  haN'e  been  of  no  avail. 

The  marriage  of  Stephen  J.  Madden  and  Miss  Maggie  Naughtin  was 
celebrated  on  the  3d  of  September,  1890.  Four  children  have  blessed  their 
union,  namely:  Paul.  John.  ?ylabel  and  Stella.  Air.  ]\laddcn  and  his  family 
are  communicants  of  the  Catholic  clnu-ch.  and  fraternall}"  he  is  connected 
with  the  \Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  the  Independent  Order  of  For- 
esters and  the  Commercial  Club.  He  has  followed  in  his  father's  political 
footsteps  and  is  a  stalwart  Democrat.  His  fellow  townsmen  lia\-e  elected 
him  to  the  ])osition  of  alderman  and  in  that  office  he  labored  earnestly  to 


5o6  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

secure  needed  improvements  and  to  produce  material  advancement  in 
Mendota.  He  supported  measures  toward  securing  good  sidewalks,  sewers, 
water-works  and  other  good  and  substantial  improvements,  and  at  all  times 
has  labored  to  benefit  the  city  in  progressive  lines. 


HOSEA   FOOTE. 


Hosea  Foote,  one  of  the  enterprising  business  men  of  Earlville,  LaSalle 
county,  is  one  of  the  honored  pioneers  of  this  state,  his  arrival  in  Illinois 
dating  back  fifty-five  years.  A  witness  of  almost  the  entire  development 
of  the  county,  he  has  contributed  his  share  toward  its  welfare,  and  is  well 
and  favorably  known  throughout  this  section. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  Nicholas  Floyd  and  Catherine  (Beagle) 
Foote,  who  were  natives  of  New  York  state.  The  former  was  one  of  the 
five  children  of  Isaac  Foote,  of  English  extraction,  likewise  born  in  the 
Empire  state,  and  a  farmer  and  lumljerman  by  occupation.  His  latter  years 
were  spent  in  Illinois,  and  his  death  took  place  upon  the  homestead  of  a 
son,  south  of  Earlville.  when  he  was  in  his  eighty-sixth  year.  Mrs.  Cath- 
erine (Beagle)  Foote,  who  died  in  1839,  was  a  daughter  of  John  Beagle,  a 
farmer,  whose  birthplace  was  in  New  York  state,  and  who  was  of  Dutch 
ancestry.  In  1833  Nicholas  F.  Foote  and  family  removed  to  Steuben 
county,  Pennsyh'ania.  and  eleven  years  later  came  to  Illinois.  For  two 
and  a  half  years  they  dwelt  upon  a  farm  situated  a1)out  tliree  miles  from 
Aurora,  and  then,  coming  to  LaSalle  county,  they  resided  upon  a  farm  of 
one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  in  Earl  township,  three  miles  from  Earlville. 
A  few  years  prior  to  his  death.  ^Ir.  Foote  retired  from  active  lal)or  and 
made  his  home  in  Earlville,  where  he  departed  this  life  in  July,  1893.  in 
his  eighty-ninth  year.  His  second  wife  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Mary 
Miner,  and  of  the  sons  and  daughters  born  to  them  four  survive:  Nancy, 
Lucinda,  Martha  and  Almira.  To  the  first  marriage  of  Mr.  Foote  three 
sons  and  two  daughters  were  born,  but  only  Floyd  and  Hosea  survive. 

Hosea  Foote  was  born  in  Tioga  county,  Pennsylvania,  January  15, 
1832.  Thus  he  was  twelve  years  of  age  when  the  family  came  to  this 
prairie  state,  and  in  the  district  schools  he  completed  his  education.  After 
leaving  home  upon  attaining  his  majority,  he  worked  for  farmers  bV  the 
month  for  a  period,  after  which  he  was  employed  for  a  number  of  years  on 
the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Ouincy  Railroad,  as  a  foreman  of  construction 
of  the  road-bed,  part  of  the  time  doing  contract  work.  In  1858  he  took 
charge  of  a  sawmill  near  Freedom,  and  operated  it  for  the  proprietor  for 
about  three  years.     Afterward  he  was  employed  by  Sutman  &  Lighthall, 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


507 


of  Earlville,  for  several  years,  and  finally,  in  1892,  he  purchased  the  sawmill 
here  which  was  owned  by  Frank  Atherton,  and  has  managed  it  successfully 
ever  since,  also  running  a  feed  mill  in  connection.  A  public-spirited  citizen, 
he  takes  a  loyal  interest  in  local  enterprises.  For  two  terms  he  served  in 
the  capacity  of  alderman,  being  elected  on  the  Democratic  ticket. 

On  the  17th  of  March,  1855,  ]Mr.  Foote  married  Miss  Isabel,  daughter 
of  Thomas  and  Isabel  (Beggs)  Holgate,  and  after  about  a  quarter  of  a 
century  of  happy  wedded  life  she  was  called  to  the  home  beyond.  She  was 
then  forty-six  years  of  age,  a  devoted  member  of  the  Methodist  church. 
Of  their  five  children,  Charles  H.  died  at  the  age  of  six  months,  and  Mabel, 
who  was  the  wife  of  Robert  Horr,  of  Mendota,  died  when  her  baby  girl, 
Mabel,  was  a  week  old.  Etta  is  the  wife  of  William  Buck,  of  Earlville; 
and  Alice,  Mrs.  Joseph  Schrecengost,  also  of  this  town,  has  five  children: 
May,  Bert,  Carl,  lone  and  Ada.  Floyd  H.,  unmarried,  is  in  the  employ  of 
his  father.  On  the  7th  of  August,  1885,  Hosea  Foote  wedded  ]\Irs.  Mary 
Bosard,  widow  of  George  L.  Bosard  and  daughter  of  Cornelius  and  Fannie 
(Hammond)  Beagle.  The  latter  were  natives  of  New  York  and  Pennsyl- 
vania, respectively,  the  father,  of  Dutch  extraction,  having  been  born  and 
reared  in  Broome  county,  and  the  mother  in  Tioga  coimty.  Both  died 
when  in  their  fiftieth  vear,  on  the  old  farm  in  Tioga  coiuitv,  where  thev 
had  commenced  keeping  house,  death  separating  them  little  more  than  a 
year.  In  religious  faith  he  was  a  Baptist,  while  she  was  a  Presljyterian,  btit 
they  were  liberal  enough  to  allow  each  other  perfect  freedom  of  opinion. 
His  father,  John  Beagle,  was  a  native  of  New  York  state,  a  farmer,  and  his 
death  occurred  when  he  was  still  in  the  prime  of  manhood.  David  Ham- 
mond, father  of  Mrs.  Fannie  Beagle,  was  a  hero  of  the  war  for  independence. 
He  was  born  in  Connecticut,  followed  farming  as  a  means  of  livelihood  and 
lived  to  pass  the  three-score  and  ten  years  spoken  of  by  the  Psalmist.  ^Nlrs. 
Foote  is  one  of  eight  children,  of  whom  seven  stu'vive.  Kate  is  the  wife  of 
George  Buckbee;  Elsie  is  Airs.  John  Brimmer;  Lizzie  is  unmarried;  Fan- 
nie is  the  widow  of  Frank  Dodge;  Jennie  is  the  wife  of  John  Houck;  and 
John  Beagle  is  the  only  brother  living.  ]Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Foote  are  con- 
sistent members  of  the  Methodist  church  and  in  their  daily  lives  they  strive 
to  mirror  the  noble  principles  which  they  profess  and  in  which  they  earnestly 
believe. 


MANLEY    H.    HORTOX. 

Manley  H.  Horton,  Earlville,  Illinois,  was  born  in  Savoy,  Berkshire 
county,  ^Massachusetts,  February  10,  1843,  a  son  of  Ansel  and  Hannah 
(Thompson)    Horton.      His   ancestors   were   among   the    early   settlers   of 


5oS  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

New  Engiand.  the  Hortons  being  of  Scotch  descent  and  tlie  Thompsons  of 
English,  and  1)oth  his  father  and  mother  were  1)orn,  lived  and  died  in 
Massachusetts.  Their  family  was  composed  of  eight  sons  and  three  daugh- 
ters. 

His  father  a  carpenter  and  builder,  Manley  H.  in  his  youth  learned  that 
trade,  working  under  his  father.  At  the  age  of  nineteen,  laying  down  the 
hammer  and  the  saw,  he  enlisted,  September  i.  1862,  as  a  private  in 
Company  .V,  Eorty-ninth  Massachusetts  Infantry,  for  a  term  of  nine 
months,  an.d  \\as  hc^norably  discharged  September  i,  1863,  havirig  served 
three  months  more  than  his  term  of  enlistment.  Among  the  engagements 
in  v;hich  he  participated  were  the  siege  of  Port  Hudson  and  the  battles  of 
Hudson  I'lains  and  Donaldson^'ille. 

At  the  close  of  his  army  service  young  Horton  returned  to  his  home  in 
Massachusetts  and  resumed  work  at  his  trade.  In  1876  he  came  v>est  to 
Illinois  and  located  in  Earlville.  where  he  followed  his  trade  live  years,  at 
the  end  of  that  time  mo\-ing  to  a  farm  in  Lee  count}',  this  state,  where  he  was 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  ten  years,  and  at  the  same  time  did  some 
contract  work  in  Iniilding.  in  1891  he  mo\ed  to  Marathon,  lov.a,  where  he 
invested  in  land,  liuying  a  cpiarter  section,  which  he  improved  and  subse- 
quently sold  at  a  good  profit.  He  also  in\-ested  in  other  lands  there  and 
bought  a  drug  store  in  the  town  of  Marathon,  which  is  conducted  by  liis 
son-in-law.  Mr.  Horton  made  his  home  in  Marathon  until  1896.  March 
1st  of  that  year  he  returned  to  Earlville  and  has  since  resided  here.  The 
pleasant  and  attractive  iKime  he  now  occu})ies  he  erected  in  1898.  Recently 
he  met  with  an  accident  which  crippled  his  knee  and  he  is  now  unable  to 
do  active  work. 

Mr.  Horton  was  married,  in  1865,  in  Massachusetts,  to  Miss  Emaline 
Carpenter,  a  native  of  the  same  town  in  which  he  was  born  and  a  repre- 
sentative of  one  of  the  old  families  of  the  place.  She  died  in  1873,  leaving 
three  children. — Edna,  Herbert,  and  Etta.  In  1874  he  married  Mary  A. 
Blood,  a  native  of  Cheshire,  ^Massachusetts,  and  they  have  four  children, — 
Howard,  LeRoy,  Imogene  and  Harry. 

]\Ir.  Horton  is  politically  a  Republican  and  fraternally  a  ]\Iason. 


JOHN  C.  MADDEN. 


lohn  C.  Madden,  deceased,  was  a  pioneer  citizen  and  highly  respected 
business  man  of  ]\Iendota.  Illinois.  He  was  born  in  Bandon.  County  Cork, 
Ireland.  June  17,  1830,  and  was  a  son  of  Stephen  and  Hannorah  (Hurley) 
]Madden.     The  father  was  a  native  of  countv  ^[eath,  Ireland,  born  m  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  509 

last  year  of  the  eighteenth  century,  and  his  death  occurred  in  Alendota 
about  1876.  The  subject  of  this  review  accompanied  liis  parents  on  their 
emioration  to  .America  when  a1)out  four  \-ears  old.  the  fami!\-  locating  in 
Taunton,  Massachusetts,  where  he  passed  his  boyhood  days.  acc[uirino-  a 
good  connnon-school  education.  He  also  served  an  apprenticeship  to  the 
trades  of  carpenter  and  pattern-maker,  thus  thoroughly  ec[uipping  himself 
for  a  successful  business  career.  He  was  reared  under  the  parental  roof  and 
earl}-  taught  the  imi)ortance  of  industry  and  perseverance  in  the  affairs  of 
life.  The  survi\ing  children  of  his  father's  family  are:  Mrs.  Peter  Dono- 
hue.  of  Mendota;    and  Mrs.  Chester  Ste\'ens.  of  ^^^ichita.  Kansas. 

Realizing  that  the  Ijroad  ])rairies  of  Illinois  would  pro\'e  an  ad\-an- 
tageous  field  of  labor  for  ambitious  young  men  Mr.  Madden  came  to  La- 
Salle  count}-  in  1832  and  for  se\'eral  months  devoted  himself  to  the  work 
of  cari)entering  and  building.  In  the  spring  of  1853  he  returned  to  Taun- 
ton. Massachusetts,  and  on  the  4th  of  April  of  the  same  year  was  united 
in  marriage,  in  St.  Mary's  Catholic  church,  of  that  city,  to  Miss  Marv  Sulli- 
van, who  shared  with  him  the  joys  and  sorrows  of  life  until  he  was  called 
to  the  home  beyond.  Immediately  after  their  marriage  the  young  couple, 
accompanied  by  his  ])arents.  came  to  Illinois,  taking  up  their  residence  upon 
a  farm  al)out  four  nn'les  north  of  Mendota. 

There  Mr.  Madden  remained  until  1855.  when  he  removed  tu  the  city 
and  became  associated  with  others  in  the  organization  of  the  Eagle  Manu- 
facturing Company  formed  for  the  purpose  of  manufacturing  gang  plows. 
The  company  was  succeeded  by  another  in  which  the  leading  stockholders 
were  Mr.  Madden,  Peter  Donohue,  Warren  Clark  and  William  Rockford. 
In  i860  this  company  sold  its  interests  to  the  firm  of  Donohue  &  Madden, 
the  latter  gentlemen  establishing  a  foundr}-  and  machine  shop,  in  which 
they  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  wagons  and  agricultural  implements. 
The  partnership  was  continued  uninterruptedly  and  most  harmoniously 
up  to  the  time  of  Mr.  Madden's  death,  and  the  business  was  one  of  marked 
success,  for  years  being  numbered  among  the  substantial  enterprises  of  the 
city.  The  firm  of  Donohue  &  Madden  underwent  no  change  after  Mr. • 
Madden's  death.  sa\-e  that  his  son  Stephen  J.  succeeded  to  his  interest  in  the 
business. 

Unto  our  subject  and  his  wife,  who  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  nine  chil- 
dren were  born,  one  of  whom,  Charles  T.  Madden,  died  recently.  He  served 
as  postmaster  of  Mendota.  and  was  well  and  favorably  known.  The  surviv- 
ing children  are:  George  H..  of  the  Germania  Bank  of  Mendota;  Stephen 
J.,  his  father's  successor  in  business;  John  F..  an  attorney  at  law;  Edward 
T..  a  bank  cashier;  Mary,  wife  of  A.  H.  Eagan.  of  Evansville;  and  Emma. 
Mrs.  Madden  also  survives  her  husband,  and  is  one  of  the  most  estimable 


510  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

ladies  in  the  city,  having  a  large  circle  of  warm  friends  in  the  community 
where  she  has  so  long  resided. 

]\fr.  ]\Iadden  passed  away  March  i6,  1897,  ^i""^^  ^"lis  death  was  the  cause 
of  much  sorrow  in  Mendota,  as  he  was  universally  respected  and  liked  here. 
In  the  management  of  his  financial  aft'airs  he  was  very  enterprising  and 
successful,  and  his  course  was  marked  by  the  highest  integrity.  His  em- 
ployes and  associates  in  business  had  for  him  warm  regard,  and  his  genial 
and  cheery  manner  and  his  strong  and  hearty  sympathy  with  those  in 
trouble  won  him  lasting  friends.  He  was  a  public-spirited  citizen,  always 
ready  to  assist  in  promoting  laudable  enterprises,  and  was  a  man  of  worth 
to  the  community.  He  served  as  alderman  and  as  school  trustee  and  in 
those  official  capacities  sought  to  advance  the  welfare  of  the  people  whom 
he  represented.  His  integrity  was  ever  above  question,  and  his  memory 
will  ever  be  cherished  by  those  who  enjoyed  his  friendship. 

"His  life  was  noble  and  the  elements 
So  mixed  in  him  that  Nature  might  stand  up 
And  sav  to  all  the  world.  'This  was  a  man.'  " 


NORMAN  J.  GARY. 

Not  often  does  it  fall  to  the  lot  of  a  man,  years  before  he  has  reached 
his  prime,  to  occupy  such  responsible  positions  of  trust  as  Norman  J.  Gary 
has  held;  but  he  has  proved  eminently  worthy  and  capable  of  meeting  every 
requirement  of  his  difficult  offices.  Ambitious  to  succeed,  he  was  ready  for 
advancement  when  the  opportunity  presented  itself,  had  faith  in  himself, 
and  by  faithful,  persistent  labor  has  managed  to  carry  out  the  plans  of  his 
early  manhood. 

Norman  J.  Gary  is  proud  of  the  fact  that  he  is  a  native  son  of  Illinois, 
and  that  the  major  portion  of  his  life  has  been  spent  in  LaSalle  county,  to 
whose,  interests  his  own  are  wedded.  A  son  of  Gharles  A.  and  Mary  J. 
(BlakesleeJ  Gary,  our  subject  was  born  in  LaSalle,  Illinois,  June  2,  1855.  In 
1868  he  removed  to  Ghicago  with  his  parents,  and  attended  the  schools 
of  that  city,  his  education  being  completed  in  Bryant  &  Stratton's  Business 
Gollege.  In  1872  he  accepted  a  position  in  the  office  of  James  Glark,  then 
at  the  head  of  what  was  known  as  the  Utica  Gement  Association,  in  Ghi- 
cago. and  continued  with  that  firm  for  a  period  of  fire  years,  establishing 
his  value,  his  fidelity  and  interest  in  his  employer's  affairs.  In  1878  he 
vielded  to  the  advice  of  some  of  his  friends  and  entered  the  wholesale  house 
of  Marshall  Field,  of  Ghicago.  remaining  there  but  a  year,  however,  and 
then  returning,  in  1879,  to  the  employ  of  ^Ir.  Glark  in  Utica.       In  1883, 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  511 

when  the  Utica  HydrauHc  Cement  Company  was  organized,  ]\Ir.  Cary  be- 
came one  of  the  stockholders  and  was  chosen  as  secretary  and  treasurer 
ot  the  new  concern.  In  1898  he  was  given  similar  positions  in  the  Utica 
Cement  Manufacturing  Company,  and  in  both  of  these  now  flourishing 
enterprises  he  retains  his  original  offices.  In  1888.  when  the  (James) 
Clark's  bank,  of  Utica,  came  into  existence,  Mr.  Cary  was  chosen  to  serve  as 
its  cashier,  and  is  still  acting  in  that  capacity,  Mrs.  M.  J.  Clark  being  president 
of  the  institution,  as  well  as  occupying  the  same  office  in  the  Utica  Hydraulic 
Cement  Company,  and  also  the  Utica  ]\Ianufacturing  Company.  Mr.  Cary 
is  one  of  the  directors  in  the  bank,  and  to  his  judicious  management  must 
be  attributed  a  large  share  of  the  success  which  has  attended  it  from  the 
first. 

An  important  event  in  the  life  of  our  subject  was  his  marriage,  March 
24,  1885,  to  Miss  Manda  ]\I.  Collins,  a  daughter  of  Cassius  A.  and  Mary  J. 
(Sanger)  Collins,  of  Utica.  The  elder  child  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cary  is  Clar- 
ence C,  born  December  22,  1886,  and  now  attending  the  University  of 
Notre  Dame  at  South  Bend,  Indiana.  The  younger  son,  Clark  B.,  born 
'April  19,  1890,  is  a  pupil  in  the  public  schools  of  Utica. 

Though  not  a  politician  in  the  sense  of  seeking  or  desiring  public  office, 
]\Ir.  Cary  takes  a  lively  interest  in  local  and  national  affairs,  and  uses  his 
ballot  and  influence  in  favor  of  the  Republican  party.  In  the  fraternities  he 
ranks  deservedly  high.  In  the  Masonic  order  he  has  taken  the  thirty- 
second  degree,  and  is  active  in  Acacia  Lodge,  Xo.  67,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.; 
Peru  Chapter,  No.  60,  R.  A.  ]\I.;  Peru  Council,  No.  12,  R.  and  S.  M., 
and  St.  John's  Commandery,  No.  26.  K.  T.,  of  Peru;  and  in  1893  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  Oriental  Consistory,  at  Chicago.  He  is  also  a  member  of 
Medina  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  ]\I.  S.,  also  of  Chicago.  In  these  various 
organizations  he  has  occupied  many  of  the  important  offices;  was  conductor 
of  the  council  from  1892  to  1893;  and  is  at  present  thrice  illustrious  master 
of  the  council;  was  the  worshipful  master  of  Acacia  Lodge  from  1895  to 
1897;  and  was  the  eminent  commander  of  St.  John's  Commandery  from 
1897  to  1898  inclusive.  In  all  of  his  relations  with  his  fellow  men,  whether 
in  business,  society  or  the  home  circle,  Mr.  Cary  is  upright,  true  and  just, 
winning  the  esteem  and  admiration  of  all  who  know  him. 


ARTHUR    J.    HERRCKE. 

Arthur  J.  Herrcke,  bookkeeper  in  charge  of  the  purcliasing  and  dis- 
bursing department  of  the  Matthiessen  &  Hegeler  Zinc  Company,  LaSalie, 
Illinois,  was  born  in  Prussia,  Germany,  May  6,  1861. 

He  is  a  son  of  Ernest  and  Henrietta  (\'on  Wellatovski)  Plerrcke,  both 


512  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

natives  of  Danzig.  Prussia,  Germany.  The  father  had  in  liis  veins  a  mixture 
of  German  and  Frencli  l)lood.  his  paternal  ancestors  being  purely  German 
while  on  the  maternal  side  they  were  French,  some  members  of  the  family 
having  gone  from  France  to  Germany  in  the  time  of  the  reign  of  Napoleon 
the  Great.  On  his  mother's  side  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch  is  of 
Polish  origin,  his  great-grandfather  having  l)een  Graf  A^on  ^^'ellatovski. 
Arthur  J.  is  the  second  of  a  family  of  four  children,  the  others  l)eing  Charles, 
Robert  and  }^Iax.  all  natives  of  Germany.  The  mother  with  her  children 
came  to  America  in  the  year  1867.  and  joined  the  father  in  Janesville,  Wis- 
consin, he  ha\'ing  come  to  this  countr\-  the  pre\'ious  vear.  His  original 
intention  was  to  go  to  South  America,  but  on  cirri^•ing  at  Cuba  he  changed 
his  plans  and  came  to  the  United  States,  locating  iirst  in  Milwaukee,  Wis- 
consin. From  there  he  went  to  Janesville  and  came  thence  to  LaSalle,  Illi- 
nois, in  the  year  1869.  He  came  to  LaSalle  to  take  charge  of  the  sales  de- 
partment of  the  Matthiessen  &  Hegeler  Zinc  Company,  a  position  he  held 
up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  in  May,  1885,  at  the  age  of  fiftv-one  years.  His 
widow  is  still  a  resident  of  LaSalle. 

Arthur  J.  Herrcke  was  six  years  old  when  he  was  brought  to  America. 
He  was  reared  in  LaSalle.  Illinois,  and  educated  in  its  public  schools.  At 
the  age  of  fourteen  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  same  company  with  which 
his  father  was  connected,  the  Matthiessen  &  Hegeler  Zinc  Company,  and  as 
messenger  boy  began  his  ser\'ice  in  this  establishment.  During  the  years 
he  served  as  messenger  boy  he  attended  night  sessions  in  a  business  col- 
lege and  thus  learned  practical  bookkeeping.  That  was  from  1878  to 
1880.  At  the  same  time  he  had  charge  of  the  company's  printing  office. 
He  was  transferred  from  the  messenger  position  to  c^ne  in  the  sales  depart- 
ment, and  was  promoted  to  his  present  position,  that  of  bookkeeper  in 
charge  of  the  purchasing  and  disbursing  department,  in  1886.  His  entire 
service  with  the  company  has  been  characterized  b}'  promptness  and  fidelity, 
and  that  his  faithfulness  has  been  appreciated  is  evidenced  l)y  his  promotion 
and  continuance  with  the  same  concern. 

Mr.  Herrcke  was  married  in  LaSalle,  in  1888,  to  Miss  Adela  Moeller, 
daughter  of  Frederick  and  Bertha  Moeller.  Her  father  was  born  in  Saxony. 
Germanv,  and  when  fourteen  years  of  age  was  brought  to  this  countrv  bv 
his  parents  who  located  in  Mineral  Point,  Wisconsin,  whence  they  subse- 
quently came  to  LaSalle.  Illinois.  Mr.  Moeller  was  a  brother  of  Mrs.  F.  W. 
]\Iatthiessen.  of  LaSalle.  Mrs.  Herrcke's  grandparents  resided  many  years 
in  LaSalle  and  her  grandfather  was  an  ore  purchaser  for  the  Matthiessen 
&  Hegeler  Zinc  Company.  Mrs.  Herrcke's  mother  was  born  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, of  German  parentage,  and  is  the  mother  of  eight  children,  two  of 
whom  are  deceased:  and  she  now  resides  in  LaSalle.     Mrs.  Herrcke's  father 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  513 

died  in  1892.  Her  maternal  grandfather,  Fredrick  Ehemann,  went  west 
during  the  gold  excitement  of  1849,  prospered,  returned  home,  and  then 
went  west  again  and  was  never  heard  from.  It  is  believed  he  was  murdered 
for  his  money,  for  he  had  a  large  sum.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Herrcke  have  five 
children — Ernest,  Otto,  Hildagard,  Ralph  and  Florence.  Mr.  Herrcke 
is  a  Repul)lican. 


JA^IES  WOOL  LARABEE. 

With  particular  pleasure  we  trace  the  history  of  this  gallant  hero  of 
the  great  ci\il  war,  who  gave  some  of  the  best  years  of  his  early  man- 
hood to  his  country  and  to  the  preservation  of  that  Union  which  is  now 
indissolubly  united  in  aims,  ambitions  and  spirit.  Success  and  wealth  have 
come  to  him  in  later  years  as  the  just  reward  of  honest  toil  and  duties 
well  performed,  but  the  crown  of  his  manhood  ever  has  been  his  loyalty  to 
his  country  in  peace  and  war. 

The  Larabees  are  of  French  extraction,  and  our  subject's  paternal 
grandfather,  Willett  Larabee,  was  a  native  of  \^ermont,  in  which  state  he 
lived  and  was  engaged  in  farming  until  his  death,  which  event  occurred 
when  he  was  but  forty  years  of  age.  Of  his  seven  children,  all  but  one  of 
whom  were  sons,  Willett,  born  two  }-ears  prior  to  the  close  of  last  century, 
became  the  father  of  James  Wool  Larabee.  He  followed  agriculture,  and 
at  an  early  day  removed  to  Xew  York  state,  where  he  died  in  1853.  His 
first  wife  was  a  Miss  Rachel  Winton,  by  whom  he  had  two  children: 
Willett,  now  a  resident  of  Nebraska,  and  Rachel,  who  married  Daniel  Van- 
dercarr  and  is  deceased.  The  second  wife  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Mary 
Wool,  she  being  a  daughter  of  James  \A"ool,  a  native  of  Xew  York  state 
and  a  hero  of  the  war  for  independence.  He  was  a  successful  farmer  and 
a  man  of  influence  in  his  community,  e^"ery  one  calling  him  "L'ncle  Jimmie." 
He  lived  to  attain  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-six  years,  his  death  taking- 
place  in  the  Empire  state.  ^Irs.  Aviary  (Wool)  Larabee  was  liorn  in  Xew 
York,  and  died  in  1864.  when  in  her  sixty-sixth  year.  She  was  the  mother 
of  two  children:  James  W..  of  this  sketch,  and  ^Mary.  who  l^ecame  the 
wife  of  Timothy  Carpenter  and  has  passed  to  the  silent  land.  \\  illett 
Larabee,  Sr.,  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church,  while  his  wife,  who 
was  a  Baptist  in  creed,  was  identified  with  the  Presbyterian  church  for 
some  years. 

The  birth  of  James  W.  Larabee  occurred  in  Rensselaer  county,  Xew 
York,  December  5.  1838.  He  learned  farming  in  its  varied  forms,  and  in 
1855  came  to  LaSalle  county,  where  he  believed  that  he  would  find  greater 
opportunities   for  making   his   own   way   in   the   world.      His   half-brother, 


514  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

Willett,  was  living  here,  and  the  young  man  entered  his  employ,  and  con- 
tinued to  work  by  the  month  for  several  years  for  him.  Having  accumu- 
lated a  small  amount  of  money  by  the  time  that  the  civil  war  broke  out, 
he  invested  a  part  of  it  in  a  team  and  had  negotiated  for  the  renting  of  a 
tract  of  land  preparatory  to  farming.  The  firing  upon  Fort  Sumter  awak- 
ened all  of  his  patriotic  ardor  and  indignation,  and,  abandoning  all  of  his 
personal  plans,  he  promptly  responded  to  the  president's  first  call  for 
volunteers  to  check  the  rebellion.  Enlisting  in  the  three-months  service, 
in  Company  H,  Twelfth  Illinois  \"olunteer  Infantry,  he  returned  home 
at  the  expiration  of  his  term,  only  to  sell  his  team,  adjust  a  few  items 
in  his  affairs,  and  then  to  re-enlist  in  the  Fifty-fifth  Illinois  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, with  which  regiment  he  continued  until  the  spring  of  1864.  He 
then  veteranized  and  resumed  his  place  in  the  ranks  of  the  Fifty-fifth, 
serving  until  the  close  of  the  war.  and  being  honorably  discharged  in  Au- 
gust, 1865,  after  four  years  and  five  months  of  actual  army  life.  He  par- 
ticipated in  many  of  the  memorable  and  important  campaigns  of  the  war, 
taking  part  in  the  following  named  battles,  among  others:  Shiloh,  Corinth, 
luka,  Memphis,  Hernando,  Grand  Gulf,  Arkansas  Post,  Haines'  Bluff, 
Champion  Hills,  Black  River  and  the  famous  siege  of  Yicksburg.  He  was 
wounded  at  Shiloh,  in  the  right  arm.  and  was  again  wounded  at  Mcks- 
burg.  In  the  last  named  engagement  he  was  one  of  the  sixty  brave  sol- 
diers who  volunteered  to  storm  the  fort,  and  thirty-one  of  whom  w?re 
killed  in  making  the  heroic  attempt.  For  this  valorous  feat  he  was  pre- 
sented with  a  medal  by  the  government,  it  bearing  the  simple  Imt  impres- 
sive sentence,  "for  conspicuous  gallantry  in  action  at  A'icksburg.  Mississippi, 
May  22,  1863."  During  his  ser^■ice  he  was  promoted  from  the  ranks  to 
the  posts  of  corporal  and  sergeant. 

Upon  returning  from  the  southern  battle-fields,  Mr.  Larabee  re- 
sumed his  interrupted  labors  as  a  farmer,  and  on  the  9th  of  the  following 
November,  1865.  was  united  in  marriage  with  ]\Iiss  ]\Iary  E.  Haight,  who 
has  been  a  faithful  helpmate.  She  is  a  daughter  of  S.  J.  and  Lura  (Miller) 
Haight.  Seven  children  were  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  namely:  Sam- 
uel John  Flaight,  James  AV..  Jr..  Willett  Ralph.  Louis  Benjamin,  Mary  E., 
Charles  D.  and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  S.  J.  H.  Larabee  married  Miss 
Emma  Lawrence,  and  is  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  in  Chicago.  J.  W., 
Jr.,  married  Almira  Howard  and  has  four  children,  namely:  Goldie.  Emma, 
Jimmie  and  Samuel.  Willett  R.  married  Ethel  Barrett  and  has  a  son, 
Willett  R.  J.  W..  Jr..  and  Willett  R.  are  both  living  in  Lee  county,  and 
the  younger  children  of  our  subject  are  yet  at  home. 

After  his  marriage,  ]\Ir.  Larabee  rented  a  farm  of  ninety  acres,  and 
aided  by  his  young  wife  proceeded  to  win  a  competence.     At  the  end  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  515 

two  years  he  was  al)le  to  buy  two  linndred  acres  of  his  present  farm,  on 
section  4,  Meriden  township,  which  lie  has  since  increased  in  extent  to 
three  hundred  and  twenty  acres.  His  wife  owns  two  hundred  and  eighty 
acres  and  thus  their  united  possessions  are  six  hundred  acres.  He  raises 
good  stock,  horses,  cattle  and  hogs,  and  is  one  of  the  successful  farmers 
of  this  region. 

Politically  Mr.  Larabee  has  never  allied  himself  to  any  party,  as  he 
prefers  to  be  entirely  independent.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  devoted  mem- 
bers of  the  jMethodist  Episcopal  church,  and  of  late  years  he  has  given  his 
ballot  to  the  Prohibition  party  candidates  in  national  elections,  as  he  believes 
that  the  liquor  traffic  is  the  paramount  issue  of  the  present  day.  Fraternally 
he  is  a  member  of  the  W.  H.  Thompson  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Paw  Paw, 
Illinois. 


WILLIAM  T.  M'KINNEY. 

\\'illiam  T.  McKinney,  a  dry-goods  merchant  and  one  of  the  leading 
business  men  of  the  town  of  Earlville.  Illinois,  has  been  identified  with  the 
interests  of  this  place  for  the  past  thirty-three  years.  He  is  a  native  of  the 
Keystone  state,  born  in  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  28,  1833,  a  son 
of  William  and  Anna  (McKitt)  McKinney,  who  were  born,  lived  and  died 
in  that  county.  The  father  was  twice  married  and  by  his  first  wife  had 
eleven  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  our  sketch  is  one;  by  his  second 
marrias:e  there  were  four  children.  In  his  native  countv,  near  the  town 
of  Lewistown,  William  T.  was  reared,  and  in  the  common  schools  of  the 
neighborhood  he  received  his  earh-  education.  This  was  supplemented  by 
three  years  and  a  half  in  a  newspaper  office,  where  he  served  an  apprentice- 
ship, which  was  equal  to  a  schooling  to  him.  Afterward  he  went  to  Philadel- 
phia, where  for  over  twelve  years  he  was  a  compositor  on  a  newspaper.  He 
remained  in  Philadelphia  tmtil  1866,  that  year  coming  west  and  taking 
up  his  abode  in  Earlville. 

In  the  meantime,  al)out  1853,  a  brother  of  our  subject,  H.  T.  McKin- 
ney, familiarly  known  as  Hank  ]\IcKinney,  had  come  to  Illinois  and  obtained 
a  clerkship  at  Earlville.  Not  long  afterward  he  engaged  in  the  general 
merchandise  business  on  his  own  account,  and  for  several  years,  until  the 
fall  of  1872,  he  conducted  a  successful  business  here.  Since  that  date  he 
has  been  a  resident  of  Albuquerque,  New  Mexico. 

^^'hen  William  T.  McKinney  came  to  Earlville,  !March  4,  1866,  it  was  to 
accept  a  position  as  a  bookkeeper  and  clerk  in  his  brother's  store.  After- 
ward he  clerked  for  A.  B.  Breese,  and  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Breese, 
in  the   spring  of  1892,   Mr.   ]\IcKinnev  became  a  partner  in  the  business 


5i6  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

witli  Mrs.  Breese.  widow  of  his  former  employer,  and  since  April  25th  of 
that  }"ear  has  had  charge  of  the  store. 

Mr.  McKinney  is  a  man  of  many  estimable  traits  of  character  and 
during  his  long  residence  in  Earhille  has  gained  the  confidence  and  esteem 
of  all  who  ha^'e  in  an\-  wav  been  associated  with  him. 


FRAXXIS  CORLEY. 


Francis  Corle}'.  the  first  engineer  of  the  LaSalle  city  water  works  and 
electric  light  plant,  was  born  in  Bureau  county.  Illinois,  Xo^■emi3er  18.  1852, 
and  is  a  son  of  Martin  and  Sarah  (Bigelow)  Corley.  His  father  was  a 
farmer  who  emigrated  from  the  old  country  to  America,  coming  by  stage 
from  Chicago,  in  1841,  to  Bureau  count}-,  and  locating  near  Arlington. 
At  that  time  there  was  but  one  house  between  Arlington  and  Peru,  and 
the  nearest  market  was  Chicago,  to  which  place  the  grain  was  hauled 
by  wagon.  Droves  of  deer  were  a  common  sight  on  the  prairies,  and 
often  the  table  of  the  frontiersman  was  graced  b}'  a  dish  of  venison,  a 
luxury  unknown  at  this  time.  ]\Iartin  Corley  was  industrious  and  frugal, 
and  scKMi  became  prominent  and  well-to-do.  At  the  time  of  his  death, 
in  1873,  lis  ^"^"^s  sixty-seven  years  of  age,  and  owned  five  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  land.  The  country  l)egan  to  be  more  thickly  settled  about 
this  time  and  he  was  chosen  as  a  highway  commissioner,  and  in  the  early 
days  was  a  tax  collector.  His  wife  was  Sarah  Bigelow.  who  was  a  natixe 
of  A'ermont  and  whose  ancestors  were  soldiers  in  the  colonial  and  Revolu- 
tionary wars.  One  of  her  brothers.  John  Bigelow,  a  nati\'e  of  St.  Albans, 
Vermont,  was  a  large  land-owner  and  died  suddenly  in  Sacramento,  Cali- 
fornia, in  middle  life,  during  his  candidacy  for  the  govern.orship  of  that 
state. 

Francis  Corley  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Bureau  county,  and 
received  such  educational  advantages  as  were  to  be  derived  from  the 
district  schools  at  that  time.  He  remained  at  home,  helping  with  the  work 
until  he  was  grown  to  manhood.  In  1890  he  came  to  LaSalle  to  accept 
the  position  of  engineer  in  the  City  Electric  Railway.  December  2j, 
1887.  he  was  married  to  Miss  ^lary  I.  ]\IcGann.  a  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  ?^Iary  McGann.  They  have  three  children:  A'ivian,  Louisa  and  Thomas. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Corley  are  members  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church.  He 
is  a  strong  Democrat  in  his  political  beliefs  and  takes  an  active  interest 
in  the  success  of  that  party.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America.  His  residence  is  at  the  intersection  of  Eleventh  and 
]\Iarquette   streets.    LaSalle,   where   he   has   a   comfortable   home.      Of  his 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GEXEALOGICAL   RECORD.  517 

ten  brothers  and  sisters,  eight  are  stiH  hving,  three  brothers  having 
served  through  the  RebelHon.  They  are:  Daniel,  a  member  of  the  First 
IlHnois  Artillery,  now  a  resident  of  Fremont,  Nebraska;  John,  who 
served  in  the  Seeond  ^Missouri  .\rtillery,  and  now  is  a  citizen  of  Peru; 
Stephen,  of  the  Ninety-third  Illinois  Infantry,  is  now  a  ^Montana  ranch- 
man; Francis,  the  subject  of  this  biography;  Emma,  wife  of  \\'.  W.  Grimes, 
of  Denver.  Colorado;  Agnes,  wife  of  Clinton  Cassidy,  of  Arlington,  Illi- 
nois; Miriam,  wife  of  H.  \\\  Loehr.  of  Hinsdale,  this  state;  and  ]\Iary, 
wife  of  Thomas  McDonald,  a  resident  of  Corley,  a  town  in  Iowa,  Shelby 
coun.tv,  named  in  honor  of  the  familv. 


E.  J.  LENZEN. 

Professor  Aegidius  Joseph  Lenzen  is  the  well  known  music  dealer  and 
able  instructor  in  vocal  and  instrumental  music,  located  at  No.  191 7  Fourth 
street,  Peru,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois.  He  is  a  native  of  the  beautiful 
Rhine  country,  having  first  seen  the  light  of  day  in  Liiiz,  Germanv,  May 
31,  1846.  He- was  one  of  seven  children,  four  of  whom  are  living,  born 
to  John  C.  and  Anna  Barbara  (Nelles)  Lenzen.  These  children  are; 
Aegidius  Joseph,  our  subject;  Theressa.  wife  of  Robert  Mossbach;  Aloysius 
C.  and  Henry.  The  'father  was  a  cooper  by  ^•ocation  and  plied  his  trade 
in  his  native  countr}-,  ha^•^ng  learned  it  of  his  father,  Henr}-  Lenzen.  who 
was  also  a  cooper  and  died  in  Linz  in  1802,  leaving  four  sons  and  one  daugh- 
ter. He  was  married  to  Anna  B.  Nelles,  whose  father  was  born  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  Rhine,  in  France,  and  fought  in  the  battle  of  \\'aterloo 
and  was  a  private  under  the  great  Napoleon.  Although  he  resided  in 
the  town  of  Koenigsfeldt.  he  owned  considerable  land  and  was  well  off. 
In  1857,  John  C.  Lenzen  came  with  his  family  to  America  and  located  in 
Peru,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade.  In  1888  the  wife  and  mother  died,  aged 
about  sixty-two  years.  The  following  year  he  returned  to  the  fatherland, 
where  he  died  in  1S95.  ^^  the  age  of  seventy-one  years.  Both  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Catholic  church  and  esteemed  by  every  one  who  knew 
them. 

Professor  Lenzen  was  a  lad  of  eleven  years  when  the  famil}'  sought  a 
home  in  this  country.  His  primary  education  was  received  in  the  schools 
of  Germany,  noted  for  their  excellence.  After  coming  here  he  attended 
the  public  scliools  of  Peru  and  later  took  private  instructions  under  Pro- 
fessor Rheinhart.  He  first  learned  the  cooper's  trade,  working  at  it  until 
he  was  twenty-one.  In  1869  he  went  with  his  parents  on  a  farm  and  fol- 
lowed the  life  of  an  agriculturist  for  eight  vears  more.     Tins  work,  however, 


5i8  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

was  not  congenial  to  his  taste  and  he  returned  to  town  and  turned  his 
attention  to  music,  for  which  lie  was  pecuHarly  adapted.  He  taught  voice 
culture  and  also  gave  instruction  on  the  cornet  and  all  kinds  of  instruments, 
making  a  specialty  of  bands.  He  also  furnishes  musical  supplies  and  instru- 
ments to  those  wishing  to  purchase,  and  carries  a  nice  line  of  these  goods. 
He  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Teresa  Kilduff.  who  has  borne 
him  six  children — four  sons  and  two  daughters.  These  are  Anna  Lucile. 
Liszt  Joseph,  Verdi,  Kent  Anthony,  Helen  Teresa  and  Aloysius.  The 
professor  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church,  and  he  is  a 
Republican  politically.  He  has  lived  in  Peru  since  1857,  or  in  the  vicinity, 
and  has  made  many  friends  here.  Three  years  ago  he  purchased  the  pleas- 
ant home  which  he  now  occupies  and  where  the  casual  visitor  is  sure  of 
spending  a  delightful  hour. 


ADOLPH  F.  HERZIG. 


Adolph  F.  Herzig.  foreman  in  the  machinists"  department  of  the 
Matthiessen  &  Hegeler  Zinc  Works.  LaSalle,  is,  like  many  of  the  employes 
of  that  establishment,  a  native  of  Oberhausen.  Germany,  born  September 
3,  1858.  a  son  of  Adolph  and  ]\Iary  (Kottenbach)  Herzig.  and  one  of  a 
family  of  four  children,  whose  names  in  order  of  birth  are  as  follows:  Adolph 
F. ;  Otto,  a  machinist  of  Chicago;  Ida,  married  and  living  in  Chicago;  and 
Evvald,  also  a  machinist  of  Chicago. 

Adolph  F.  was  reared  in  his  native  land,  receiving  there  the  rudiments 
of  an  education  and  learning  the  trade  of  machinist.  For  a  time  he  was 
employed  in  a  large  steel  works  and  later  in  the  shipyard  at  \\^ilhelm's 
Haven.  When  a  young  man  he  left  Germany,  in  order  to  avoid  the  army 
service  required  by  law  in  that  country,  and  came  to  America,  landing  in 
Baltimore.  Maryland,  February  22.  1879.  From  that  city  he  immediately 
came  west  to  Missouri  and  secured  employment  on  a  cattle  ranch  near 
Kansas  City.  He  landed  in  this  country  without  means  and  with  but  little 
education,  knowing  not  a  word  of  English,  but  during  the  year  he  spent 
in  Missouri  he  learned  to  speak  English  and  has  since  learned  to  read 
and  write  it;  and  while  his  advantages  for  schooling  were  limited  he  has 
in  the  broad  school  of  experience  picked  up  a  fund  of  useful  informa- 
tion. 

Mr.  Herzig's  brother  Otto  came  to  the  United  States  in  1880  and 
secured  employment  in  the  Matthiessen  &  Hegeler  Zinc  ^^''orks  in  LaSalle. 
Illinois,  and  the  same  year  Adolph  F.  joined  him  here  and  also  entered  the 
employ  of    this    concern.      \\"orking    together    and    saving    their    money. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  519 

the  brothers  soon  accumulated  money  enough  to  send  for  their  parents, 
which  they  did  in  1881.  They  came  and  settled  in  LaSalle,  but  soon  after- 
ward removed  to  Chicago  and  there  the  father  died,  in  1885,  at  the  age 
of  fifty-three  years.  The  mother  then  returned  to  LaSalle,  where  she 
now  resides. 

Adolph  F.  Herzig  has  been  continuously  in  the  employ  of  the 
Matthiessen  &  Hegeler  Zinc  Company  since  he  came  here  with  the  excep- 
tion of  two  years,  1885  to  1887,  during  which  time  he  ran  a  machine  shop  of 
his  own  in  LaSalle.  At  the  end  of  the  two  years,  on  resuming  work  with 
the  company,  he  was  made  foreman,  which  position  he  has  since  filled.  He 
has  an  excellent  reputation  both  as  a  skilled  machinist  and  as  a  trusted 
employe,  and  it  may  be  added  that  his  success  in  life  is  due  to  his  own 
efforts. 

October  18,  1881,  Mr.  Herzig  married  Miss  Kunigunda  Seiwerth,  of 
German  birth  and  a  native  of  his  own  town,  and  they  have  six  children, 
viz.:     Helena,  Jacob,  William,  Adela,  Adolph  and  Ferdinand. 

The  family  belong  to  the  Roman  Catholic  church  and  Mr.  Herzig  is 
a  pronounced  Republican  in  politics. 


LEOPOLD  C.  JANZ. 


America  can  boast  of  no  better  or  more  patriotic  citizens  than  those 
which  Germany  has  furnished  her,  and  in  every  community  throughout 
the  length  and  breadth  of  this  great  land  the  sons  of  the  fatherland  are 
aiding  materially  in  the  working  out  of  the  problems  of  our  nation  and  are 
contributing  loyally  to  her  prosperity.  One  of  the  leading  German-Ameri- 
can citizens  of  Peru,  LaSalle  county,  is  the  gentleman  whose  name  intro- 
duces this  sketch. 

Born  in  Prussia,  Germany,  not  far  from  the  city  of  Jastrof,  on  the 
17th  of  May,  1854,  Leopold  C.  Janz  is  a  son  of  Charles  and  Charlotte 
(Stark)  Janz.  Both  were  natives  of  the  same  locality  as  our  subject,  and 
it  was  not  until  1892  that  they  came  to  the  United  States,  here  to  pass 
their  declining  years.  The  father  was  a  carpenter  by  trade  and  followed 
that  occupation  until  he  was  well  along  in  years,  and  now  is  living  retired, 
having  amassed  a  competence.  He  came  from  a  representative  family,  and 
his  brother  Martin  held  the  responsible  position  of  mayor  of  the  town 
of  Osofge.  Both  of  the  grandfathers  of  our  subject  lived  and  died  in 
Germany. 

Li  his  boyhood  Leopold  C.  Janz  obtained  an  excellent  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  his  native  land,     ^^'hen  he  was  about  fifteen  years 


520 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


of  age  he  began  learning  the  shoemaker's  trade,  which  he  has  followed 
ever  since.  In  1873.  when  in  his  twentieth  year,  he  sailed  westward  to 
found  a  home  and  to  dwell  among  the  people  of  this  great  republic.  Com- 
ing to  Peru,  he  found  employment  at  his  trade,  and  worked  for  others  until 
1882,  when  he  embarked  in  business  on  his  ow'U  account,  and  has  since 
carried  on  a  flourishing  trade,  as  a  boot  and  shoe  merchant.  He  uses 
his  ballot  in  behalf  of  the  Republican  party  and  belongs  to  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America. 

On  the  22d  of  January,  1888,  the  marriage  of  '\h\  Janz  and  Miss 
Josephine  Schubeker,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Schubeker,  of  Peru,  was  sol- 
emnized. They  have  three  children — Charley,  Joseph  and  Clara.  Their 
comfortable  home,  which  is  situated  on  St.  Louis  street,  is  owned  by  the 
estimable  couple.  In  religious  belief  ^Nlr.  Janz  is  a  Lutheran,  while  his 
wife  is  a  Catholic. 


CHARLES    BRUNNER. 


There  is  a  lesson  to  ambitious  and  struggling  young  men  in  the  story 
of  the  endeavors  and  triumphs  of  a  leading  manufacturer  like  Charles  Brun- 
ner,  of  Peru,  Illinois,  who  has  made  his  way  to  a  high  position  in  the  business 
world  from  a  position  of  comparative  helplessness  and  against  formidable 
obstacles. 

Charles  Brunner  was  born  in  Hesse-Darmstadt,  Germany,  March  5, 
1841,  a  son  of  August  and  Johanna  (Roth)  Brunner.  who  had  three  chil- 
dren, one  of  whom.  Amelia,  is  dead,  and  another  of  whom,  Hermann,  is  a 
well  known  brewer  of  Peru,  Illinois.  The  elder  Brunner,  who  was  a  machin- 
ist and  foundryman,  had  the  management  of  an  extensive  manufacturing 
establishment  in  Germany  and  never  came  to  America.  Charles  left  school 
at  the  age  of  fourteen  and  was  employed  by  a  mercantile  establishment  three 
years,  and  in  1858  came  to  America  and  spent  a  few  months  in  and  near 
New  York  city.  Then,  in  the  spring  of  1859,  he  came  west  and  located  in 
Peru.  He  began  his  career  in  Peru  as  a  dry-goods  clerk  for  about  three 
years.  Then,  in  partnership  with  William  Ranch,  he  engaged  in  the 
grocery  trade,  in  which  he  continued  successfully  about  three  years  and  a 
half.  He  disposed  of  his  interest  in  this  business,  and  in  1868,  with  others, 
under  the  name  of  Foote,  Brunner  &  Company,  established  a  machine  shop, 
foundry  and  boiler  works  in  Peru.  In  1874  Mr.  Foote.  one  of  his  partners, 
died,  and  Mr.  Norman  Snow  accjuired  an  interest  in  the  business  and  the 
style  of  the  firm  was  changed  to  Brunner  »&  Snow.  In  1878  Mr.  Snow 
sold  his  interest  to  j\Ir.  Brunner  and  retired  from  the  firm,  which  has  since 
been  known  by  Mr.  Brunner's  name  alone.     ]\Ir.  Brunner  has  enlarged  his 


'/^Z^^^^-'X-'t-T-^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GEXEALOGICAL   RECORD.  521 

plant  from  time  to  time  as  demands  for  increased  manufacturing  facilities 
have  dictated,  and  his  establishment  is  not  only  the  only  foundry  and 
machine  shop  in  Peru  but  is  also  one  of  the  largest  of  its  kind  in  the  west. 
It  comprises  a  foundry,  machine  shop  and  boiler  works,  fitted  up  for  the 
manufacture  of  specialties,  of  which  Mr.  Brunner  is  patentee,  including 
the  Brunner  gas  and  gasoline  engines,  pulleys,  clutches,  shafting,  boxings, 
hangers,  pumping  jacks,  power  pumps  and  all  kinds  of  elevator  machinery, 
and  the  Acme  and  Brunner  scales,  of  which  Mr.  Brunner  is  the  inventor. 

]\Ir.  Brunner  was  married  in  1861  to  Elizabeth  Rausch,  a  native  of 
Peru,  and  they  have  five  children:  Amelia,  Sidonia,  Lillie,  Jennie  and 
Fannie.  He  is  an  infiuential  Republican  and  has  been  five  times  elected  as 
alderman  of  Peru,  a  sufticient  indication  of  his  personal  popularity,  and  has 
served  in  that  capacity  ten  years  with  an  eye  single  to  the  public  interests. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  German  Lutheran  church.  He  was  made  a  Mason 
nearly  thirty  years  ago  and  has  advanced  to  the  degree  of  Knight  Templar 
and  is  a  Mystic  Shriner.  He  is  identified  also  with  the  Ancient  Order  of 
United  Workmen  and  with  the  order  of. Modern  Woodmen  of  the  World. 
He  is  a  director  in  the  company  controlling  the  Peru  Plow  Works  and  in 
the  LaSalle  Pressed  Brick  Company,  and  is  interested  more  or  less  inti- 
mately in  other  important  industrial  enterprises. 


MARTIX  L.  GRIFFITH. 


One  of  the  prominent  representatives  of  the  journalistic  profession 
in  tliis  section  of  the  state  is  the  gentleman  whose  name  heads  this  brief 
notice,  the  well-known  editor  of  The  Gazette-Express,  of  Earlville,  Illinois. 
He  is  numbered  among  the  native  sons  of  this  state,  his  birth  having 
occurred  April  10.  i860,  at  Farmer  City  (then  Mount  Pleasant),  De  Wht 
county.  Illinois.  His  father,  John  Griffith,  a  veteran  of  the  civil  war.  was 
born  in  Pickaway  county,  Ohio,  and  in  early  manhood  married  Aliss  Ma- 
linda  E.  Clearwater,  a  native  of  Mount  Pleasant,  already  mentioned,  and 
a  daughter  of  Nathan  and  'Slavy  AI.  Clearwater,  who  came  to  this  state  from 
Indiana  and  were  one  of  the  first  four  white  families  to  settle  in  that  neigh- 
borhood. 

In  1879  ]\Iartin  L.  Griffith  commenced  learning  the  printer's  trade 
in  the  ofiice  of  The  Public  Reaper,  at  Farmer  City,  and  in  1885  pur- 
chased the  plant,  which  he  moved  to  Dana,  Indiana,  but  sold  it  two  years 
later.  He  went  to  Xorth  Dakota  in  1889  and  was  there  engaged  in  news- 
paper work  for  himself  two  years,  and  for  the  same  length  of  time  worked 
in  the  state  printing-oftice  at  Bismarck.     He  returned  to  Illinois  in   1893 


522  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

and  the  same  year  purchased  The  Gazette  published  at  Earlville.  Two 
years  later  the  paper  was  consolidated  with  the  Leland  Express,  owned 
by  A.  L.  Hall,  and  the  firm  of  Hall  &  Griffith  conducted  the  paper  known 
as  the  LaSalle  County  Gazette-Express;  but  on  the  4th  of  February,  1899, 
Mr.  Hall's  interest  was  purchased  by  'M.  L.  Griffith  &  Company,  the  com- 
pany being  Dr.  D.  M.  Vosburgh.  The  paper  is  now  published  by  that 
firm,  and  is  one  of  the  leading  journals  of  the  county  and  a  staunch  sup- 
porter of  Republican  principles  in  politics. 

Mr.  Griffith  is  an  able  newspaper  man,  is  a  good  writer  and  has  a 
thorough  comprehension  of  every  department  of  the  work,  so  that  he  is 
conducting  the  paper  with  consummate  skill  and  ability.  He  is  unmar- 
ried.    His  mother,  four  brothers  and  one  sister  are  still  living. 


GEORGE  HAFFELE. 


No  one  is  more  deserving  of  success  than  is  the  man  who  begins  the 
battle  of  life  empty-handed  and  by  honest  toil,  continued  through  a  long 
period,  accumulates  a  competence.  Such  a  task,  with  the  additional  care 
and  responsibility  of  rearing  several  children  to  maturity,  fitting  them  to 
take  part  in  the  struggle  for  a  livelihood,  is  no  light  undertaking;  and  the 
one  who  has  successfully  performed  these  duties  is  worth}^  of  sincere  re- 
spect, as  in  the  case  of  the  subject  of  this  article. 

George  Hafifele,  now  living  retired  from  business  cares,  in  Peru,  is 
a  native  of  Alsace-Lorraine,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  April,  1836.  He 
is  a  grandson  of  John  Haft'ele,  who  was  a  carpenter  b}'  trade  and  lived 
and  died  in  Germany.  The  parents  of  our  subject  were  John  and  Kath- 
erine  (Harmesser)  Hafifele,  both  natives  of  Alsace-Lorraine.  The  mother 
was  a  daughter  of  Anton  Harmesser.  (She  had  a  brother  whose  death 
was  caused  by  the  falling  of  a  tree  upon  him.)  Mrs.  Haffele  was  one  of 
six  children,  and  by  her  marriage  she  became  the  mother  of  eight  children, 
two  of  w^hom  died  in  childhood,  leaving  two  sons  and  four  daughters.  Our 
subject  is  the  only  survivor.  The  father,  who  did  farming  upon  a  small  scale, 
died  in  Germany,  in  1872,  when  sixty  years  of  age.  His  wife  departed 
this  life  some  two  years  previously. 

After  he  had  gained  a  fair  general  education  and  had  mastered  the 
various  branches  of  farming,  George  Haffele  decided  to  try  his  fortune  in 
America.  Crossing  the  ocean  in  1866  he  took  up  his  residence  in  Henry 
county,  Illinois,  where  he  found  employment  with  farmers.  He  was  in- 
dustrious and  economical,  and  the  result  was  that  he  soon  had  a  little 
capital  which  he  invested  in  ten  acres  of  land.     To  this  he  afterward  added 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  523 

another  ten-acre  tract,  then  twenty  acres  more,  and  by  this  time  he  was 
prospering,  and  spnrred  on  to  fresh  efforts.  As  the  years  rolled  by  he 
was  enabled  to  buy  forty  acres  at  one  time,  a  farm  of  like  size  some  time 
later,  and  finally  eighty-five  acres,  thus  making  his  possessions  amount  to 
over  two  hundred  acres.  On  this  homestead  he  reared  his  children  and 
passed  the  prime  of  his  life,  winning  the  respect  of  his  neighbors  and  ac- 
quaintances by  his  manly,  upright  conduct.  He  still  owns  the  old  place 
in  Henrv  county,  it  being  cultivated  and  managed  by  his  son-in-law,  Robert 
Clemens.  AVhile  living  there  he  did  not  neglect  his  duties  as  a  citizen, 
and  for  fifteen  years  served  in  the  capacity  of  school  director.  Until  re- 
cently he  has  been  firm  in  his  allegiance  to  the  principles  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  but  since  the  issues  of  the  last  presidential  campaign  came  up 
for  the  consideration  of  the  people  he  has  been  independent  of  party 
lines. 

In  October,  1869,  Mr.  Haffele  and  Mary  Clemens,  a  daughter  of 
George  Clemens,  were  united  in  marriage.  Lizzie,  their  eldest-born,  is  the 
wife  of  George  Rhode,  and  resides  in  Mendota,  Illinois.  Alice  is  the  wife 
of  Robert  Clemens  and  is  living  at  the  home  of  her  childhood.  They 
have  two  sons  and  a  daughter,  namely,  Harry,  George  and  Mary  Magda- 
lene. In  1889  Mrs.  Mary  C.  Haffele,  who  was  a  devout  Catholic,  died 
at  her  home  in  Henry  county,  aged  forty-six  years.  In  1892  Mr.  Haffele 
married  Mrs.  Dora  Meyerhoff,  widow  of  John  Meyerhoff,  and  she  died 
the  following  year.  October  18,  1894,  Mr.  Haffele  and  Mrs.  Magdalene 
Siler  were  united  in  marriage.  She  was  the  widow  of  George  Siler,  and 
their  two  children,  Mary  and  Clara,  are  both  deceased.  Mrs.  Haffele  is 
a  daughter  of  Sebastian  and  Maria  Magdalene  (Dole)  Gebhart,  who  died 
in  Germany  in  1858  and  1855,  respectively.  She  continued  to  reside  in 
the  Fatherland  until  1870,  when  the  attractions  of  America  led  her  to  seek 
a  home  upon  these  hospitable  shores.  Following  in  the  faith  of  his  ances- 
tors. Mr.  Haffele  is  a  Catholic,  as  is  also  his  wife. 


CORNELIUS  C.  DWYER. 

Cornelius  C.  Dwyer,  the  genial  and  affable  proprietor  of  the  First 
Street  butcher  shop,  at  LaSalle.  Illinois,  was  born  at  Arlington,  Bureau 
county,  this  state,  in  1863,  a  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Murphy)  Dwyer  and 
a  grandson  of  Cornelius  Dwyer.  His  parents  were  natives  of  Ireland.  His 
father  was  a  farmer  in  the  Emerald  Isle  and  came  to  America  about  forty- 
five  years  ago.  settling  first  in  Ohio  and  later  moving  to  Arlington,  where 
thev  still  reside.     Thev  are  both  devout  members  of  the  Catholic  church, 


524 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


and  are  highly  respected  citizens,  the  father  holding  a  number  of  township 
of^ces.  Thirteen  children  were  born  to  them,  of  whom  ten  are  living: 
Cornelius  C,  Frank,  James,  John,  Augustus,  Dennis.  3ilary.  Adelia.  Cath- 
erine and  Tessie. 

Cornelius  C.  Dwyer  attended  the  district  school  and  remained  on  his 
father's  farm  until  he  was  eighteen  years  old,  when  he  began  life  for  himself. 
He  began  by  learning  the  butcher  business  in  Arlington,  and  in  1886 
came  to  LaSalle.  where  he  worked  in  the  l)utcher  shop  of  P.  Stuart  until 
1892,  when  he  and  his  brother  Augustus  bought  the  business  and  con- 
tinued together  two  years.  In  1894  Cornelius  purchased  his  brother's  in- 
terest and  has  since  conducted  the  business  alone.  He  has  built  up  a 
large  trade,  his  customers  knowing  that  he  is  giving  them  meat  from 
the  best  grade  of  cattle  to  be.  procured. 

He  was  married  June  28.  1893,  to  Miss  Mary  Morrissy.  daughter  of 
Larey  and  Mary  Morrissy.  This  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  two  children: 
]\Iarion,  who  died  at  the  age  of  ten  months;  and  Dorothy.  Mrs.  Dwyer 
died  March  9.  1897,  a  sincere  member  of  the  Catholic  church,  as  is  also 
Mr.  Dwyer.  He  is  also  an  honored  member  of  the  [Modern  Woodmen 
and  of  the  Court  of  Honor.  He  coincides  with  the  Democratic  party  and 
takes  an  active  interest  in  its  prosperity. 


OTTO  KIESELBACH. 


Otto  Kieselbach.  attorney  at  law  and  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Re- 
porter and  the  German  Post,  ]\Iendota,  Illinois,  is  one  of  the  leading  spirits 
of  tlie  town  in  which  he  lives. 

]\Ir.  Kieselbach  is  a  German  by  birth  and  early  association,  and  an 
American  by  adoption.  He  was  born  at  Treptow  on  the  Rega,  Prussia, 
June  19,  1854,  a  son  of  Carl  and  Caroline  (Jeske)  Kieselbach  and  one 
of  a  family  of  nine  children,  four  of  whom  lived  to  maturitv.  namely: 
August,  of  Koenigsberg,  Germany;  Otto,  whose  name  graces  this  sketch; 
Hermine,  wife  of  William  Reiff.  of  Stettin,  Germany;  and  Louis,  who  lives 
near  Stettin.  Carl  Kieselbach,  the  father,  was  a  soldier  with  the  Cuirassiers 
from  1836  to  1839.  By  occupation  he  was  a  contractor  and  builder,  as 
also  was  his  father  before  him.  The  latter,  Gottfried  Kieselbach,  was  in 
all  the  Napoleonic  wars.  He  died  in  German}-  at  the  age  of  fort^•-seven 
years.  In  his  family  were  five  children  who  lived  to  adult  age.  The  ma- 
ternal grandfather  of  Otto  Kieselbach  was  A\'illiam  Jeske.  who  was  a 
soldier  under  Napoleon,  by  occupation  a  farmer,  and  died  in  middle  life, 
leaving  six  children.     Carl  Kieselbach  died  in  1896,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


525 


nine  years;  his  widow  is  still  livino-,  making  her  home  with  her  children  and 
is  now  nearly  eighty-fonr  }ears  of  age. 

Otto  Kieselbach  lived  in  his  native  land  until  he  was  nearly  seventeen 
years  old,  and  received  in  his  youth  the  advantage  of  a  college  education. 
Emigrating  to  America  in  June,  1871,  he  first  located  at  Winona.  Minnesota. 
In  March,  1877,  he  came  to  Mendota,  Illinois,  and  accepted  a  position  as 
teacher  of  German  in  the  city  schools,  which  place  he  filled  until  1881.  In 
the  meantime  he  took  up  the  study  of  law,  sul)sequently  pursued  his 
studies  for  a  while  at  the  Union  College  of  Law,  and  in  1883  was  admitted 
to  the  bar.  The  same  year  he  formed  a  partnership  with  L.  S.  Seaman, 
both  in  law  and  the  publishing  business.  This  association  lasted  until 
November,  1887,  when  Mr.  Seaman  left  Mendota.  Mr.  Kieselbach  has 
since  conducted  the  Reporter  and  the  German  Post  alone,  also  engag- 
ing to  a  certain  extent  in  the  practice  of  law.  He  has  been  a  Democrat 
since  1872.  Always  interested  in  educational  matters  and  using  his  influ- 
ence to  promote  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  schools  of  his  town,  he  is 
an  important  factor  on  the  school  board,  of  which  he  has  served  as  a 
meml)er  for  the  past  nine  years. 

Mr.  Kieselbach  belongs  to  Alemannia  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  which  he 
is  past  noble  grand,  and  he  is  also  identified  with  Mendota  Camp,  Mod- 
ern W'oodmen  of  America,  and  the  Germania  Society. 

He  was  married  to  Ottilie  \^olk  at  Mendota.  January  8,  1885.  Her 
untimely  death  occurred  July  17,  1891,  and  he  was  left  with  two  children — 
Oswald  and  Clara.  July  4,  1895,  at  Koenigsberg,  Prussia,  he  wedded  Elise 
Henschel,  his  present  companion. 


ADAM  SCHMITT. 


Adam  Schmitt,  of  the  clothing  firm  of  Schmitt  &  Eickoff,  of  Peru, 
Illinois,  was  born  in  that  city,  INfarch  13,  1862,  and  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and 
Apallonia  (Jacobs)  Schmitt,  natives  of  Germany,  where  the  grandparents 
of  our  subject  died.  Joseph  Schmitt  came  to  this  country  with  his  family 
in  1 86 1,  and  at  first  worked  at  whatever  came  to  hand,  and  at  length 
located  in  Peru  and  accepted  position  as  a  clerk  in  a  grocery  store,  remain- 
ing with  the  firm  for  seventeen  years.  This  line  of  business  appealing 
strongly  to  him,  he  opened  a  store  of  his  own  on  l^^'ourth  street,  which 
he  still  conducts,  most  successfnlh'.  In  religion  he  is  a  Catholic,  as  is  his 
wife. 

.\dam  Schmitt  is,  essentially,  a  product  of  Peru,  having  lived  all  his  life 
here  and  received  his  education  in  her  public  and  i)arochial  schools.   He 


526  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

was  enterprising  and  ambitious  as  a  youth,  and  at  the  age  of  fifteen  he 
entered  commercial  hfe  l)y  securing  a  clerkship  in  a  dry-goods  store.  This 
was  afterward  changed  for  a  situation  in  a  clothing  store,  where  his  engag- 
ing manner  and  polite  attention  assured  his  success.  In  1887  he  opened 
a  clothing  business,  and  has  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  it  prosper  year 
bv  year  under  his  skillful  management,  until  to-day  its  prosperity  and  stabil- 
ity is  second  to  none.  In  October.  1899,  E.  G.  Eickoff  bought  an  interest 
in  the  store  and  the  style  of  the  firm  became  Schmitt  &  Eickoff.  He  is  a 
fine  example  of  what  can  be  accomplished  by  industry  and  perseverance, 
honesty  and  integrity.  He  was  married  October  28.  1890,  to  Miss  Joseph- 
ine Hebel.  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Caroline  (Repp)  Hebel.  In  anticipation 
of  this  event  he  had  built  a  snug  home  on  the  corner  of  Fifth  and  Pike 
streets,  to  which  he  took  his  bride  and  where  they  still  make  their  resi- 
dence. Their  family  circle  has  been  increased  by  the  birth  of  two  children, 
Joseph  and  Apallonia.  Mr.  and  IMrs.  Schmitt  are  members  of  St.  Joseph's 
Catholic  church,  and  he  also  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Order  of  For- 
esters and  St.  Joseph's  Benevolent  Society.  He  is  independent  in  politics, 
preferring  to  give  his  ^'Ote  to  the  best  man. 


PATRICK  HAXLEY. 


Patrick  Hanley.  for  many  years  justice  of  the  peace  of  LaSalle.  is 
Irish  by  birth  and  American  from  long  residence  and  adoption.  He  was 
born  in  the  county  of  Roscommon.  Ireland.  December  20,  1844.  to  Martin 
and  Ellen  (Igo)  Flanley.  and  with  them  came  to  this  country  when  a  child 
of  three  years.  He  is  one  of  a  family  of  thirteen  children,  of  whom  three 
are  living.  The  family  settled  in  LaSalle  in  January,  1848,  and  Mr.  Hanley 
has  since  considered  that  cit\'  his  home,  although  for  a  few  vears  his  business 
called  him  away.  It  was  here  he  received  his  education,  attending  the 
parochial  and  public  schools,  and  learned  the  trade  of  tinsmith  and  plumber. 
At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  began  to  work  for  himself,  engaged  in  a  grocery 
store  previous  to  learning  his  trade.  He  plied  his  craft  many  years,  ten  of 
them  in  St.  Louis  and  other  southern  points.  In  1873  he  returned  to  this 
city  and  followed  the  business  here  until  1885,  conducting  a  store  of  his 
own.  He  has  also  been  engaged  in  the  feed  and  grain  business,  and  at 
one  time  had  a  clothing  store. 

Mr.  Hanley  was  married  in  1877.  ^^  Miss  Eliza  Hoar,  of  this  city. 
Ten  children  have  blessed  their  home  and  are  being  reared  in  accordance 
with  the  teachings  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church,  of  which  the  parents 
are  devout  members.     Mr.  Hanlev  has  alwavs  been  an  advocate  of  Demo- 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  527 

cratic  principles  and  gives  that  party  his  earnest  support.  He  was  fire 
marshal  of  LaSalle  for  two  years,  and  in  1885  was  elected  to  the  office  of 
justice  of  the  peace.  So  well  has  he  discharged  the  duties  imposed  upon 
him  that  he  has  been  continued  in  that  position  ever  since.  It  has  always 
been  his  aim  to  temper  justice  with  mercy  to  the  end  that  the  offender 
might  be  induced  to  forsake  his  evil  ways  and  become  an  honorable  citizen. 
In  addition  to  his  other  duties,  he  is  now  deputy  clerk  of  the  county,  and 
in  this,  as  in  his  ofifice  of  justice,  receives  only  commendation. 


FRANZ  MEISENBACH. 


Franz  Meisenbach  was  born  on  the  Rhine,  near  Cologne,  Germany, 
February  19,  1826.  His  parents  never  emigrated  to  this  country.  His 
father,  also  named  Franz,  was  a  tanner  by  trade,  which  art  was  learned  also 
by  him.  At  the  age  of  twenty-three  years  our  subject  emigrated  to  the 
United  States.  He  spent  the  first  two  years  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  engaged 
in  the  trade  of  tanner  and  currier.  In  185 1  he  came  to  Peru,  followed  his 
trade  there  two  years,  then  came  to  Mendota,  just  as  this  place  was  starting 
into  existence,  on  the  completion  of  the  two  great  railroads  to  this  point. 
He  was  therefore  a  pioneer  here  and  one  of  the  fathers  of  the  city. 

The  previous  year,  1852,  in  Peru,  he  married  Aliss  Helen  Reck,  who 
was  born  in  Germany  and  died  in  Mendota  in  1876,  aged  forty-two  years. 
She  was  brought  to  America  by  her  parents  when  she  was  about  eleven 
years  of  age.  On  his  arri\'al  here  in  Mendota  Mr.  jMeisenbach  opened  a 
hotel  on  what  is  now  ]\Iain  street  and  boarded  the  railroad  men  employed  in 
the  construction  of  the  tracks.  Later  he  entered  mercantile  business,  in  the 
lines  of  groceries,  boots  and  shoes,  clothing,  dry  goods,  etc..  and  for  a  short 
time  also  conducted  a  tannery,  and  in  all  was  successful.  He  had  meanwhile 
great  ambition  for  the  growth  of  the  new  town,  and  did  much  to  enhance 
the  value  of  property  here.  For  the  last  twenty  years  of  his  life  he  was 
retired  from  active  business.  He  established  the  first  German  newspaper 
in  Mendota,  or  in  LaSalle  county — a  paper  Ijy  the  name  of  the  Mendota 
Democrat,  in  the  columns  of  which  the  doctrines  of  the  great  statesman 
Stephen  A.  Douglas  were  ably  advocated.  He  continued  to  edit  this  paper 
to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  February  16,  1889.  He  was  a 
very  charitable  man,  a  zealous  friend  of  the  church,  though  not  a  member, 
contributed  to  the  erection  of  church  buildings  and  was  an  exemplary  citi- 
zen in  all  respects.  His  religious  predilections  were  in  faxor  of  the  German 
Lutheran  church.     He  was  not  an  aspirant  for  office,  though  he  served  for 


528  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

three  years  as  alderman  in  ^lenclota.     Being  a  great  reader,  he  was  a  well 
informed  man. 

He  had  eleven  children,  namely:  Helen,  the  first  child  born  in  Alen- 
dota.  who  is  probably  the  oldest  continuous  resident  of  the  city;  Frank 
and  Charles,  twins,  the  former  of  whom  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-eight 
years  and  the  latter  at  the  age  of  thirty-eight;  Laura,  deceased;  Emma,  the 
wife  of  John  Schmitz;  Bertha;  Emil,  a  resident  of  iMendota;  Mathilda,  the 
widow  of  R.  S.  Knouer;  Louise,  the  wife  of  Robert  W'ylie;  and  Otto  and 
Henrietta,  both  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Frank  married  ]\Iinnie  Grancow' 
and  died  leaving  three  children;  and  Charles  was  never  married. 


AXTOX  BIRKEXBECEL. 

Peru  has  l)een  extremely  fortunate  in  possessing  citizens  of  high 
patriotism  and  fine  business  abilit}'.  and  among  those  whom  she  has  hon- 
ored by  electing  to  positions  of  public  trust  and  responsibility  none  have 
])een  better  or  more  favorably  known  than  the  worthy  German-American 
whose  name  appears  at  the  beginning  of  this  sketch  of  his  career. 

Born  near  the  village  of  Eitorf,  Prussia,  Germany.  December  i8,  1819, 
Anton  Birkenbeuel  was  one  of  the  thirteen  children  of  Peter  ^^'illiam  and 
Sophia  (Heimann)  Birkenbeuel.  His  father  was  a  mason  and  contractor 
in  Ifis  native  land,  and  died  on  the  ocean  while  on  his  way  to  the  L'nited 
States,  in  1854.  when  about  fifty-six  years  of  age.  He  was  a  man  of  good 
education,  and,  being  a  fine  penman,  his  services  were  in  great  demand 
in  Aarious  local  ofifices  where  a  recorder's  work  was  necessary.  His  father, 
who  l)ore  the  Christian  name  of  ^Matthias,  was  a  farmer,  and  lived  and  died 
in  Ciermany,  his  age  at  the  time  of  his  death  being  sixty-six  years.  Peter 
\\'illiam  and  Sophia  Birkenbeuel  were  connected  with  the  Catholic  church. 
She  died  in  1848.  when  in  the  fiftieth  year  of  her  age.  Her  father.  Anton 
Heimann,  a  farmer  and  a  man  of  infiuence  in  his  own  community,  died 
in  Germany  when  he  had  reached  the  age  of  three-score  and  ten  years. 
One  brother  and  three  sisters  of  our  subject  are  still  living,  namely:  Fred- 
erick, of  Peru;  ^Mary,  widow  of  Andrew  Traeger,  of  this  place;  Elizabeth, 
widow  of  August  Tuxhorn,  of  Inman,  Kansas;  and  Louisa,  wife  of  Joseph 
Kuss,  of  Peoria.  Another  sister.  ]\Irs.  Anton  Kellenbach,  recently  died 
at  her  home  in  Peru. 

Reared  to  hard  and  honest  toil.  Anton  Birkenbeuel  aided  his  father  as  a 
mason  when  he  was  a  youth,  and.  with  his  brother  Peter,  served  the  re- 
c|uired  time  in  the  army.  In  1847  ^^^  determined  to  seek  his  fortune  in 
America.     He  came  direct  to  Peru,  where  he  lived  all  his  after  life  save 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  529 

three  years  spent  on  a  farm  near  Wenona,  Illinois.  For  years  Mr.  Birken- 
beuel  was  a  successful  contractor. 

He  early  allied  himself  with  the  Republican  party,  to  whose  wise  policy 
he  attributed  much  of  the  prosperity  which  this  country  has  enjoyed  since 
the  civil  war.  More  than  twenty  years  ago  he  was  honored  with  the  ofifices 
of  township  and  city  assessor,  in  which  capacity  he  served  faithfulh^  until 
his  death.  For  two  terms  he  officiated  as  township  and  city  collector, 
and  at  one  time  was  a  member  of  the  city  council.  A  man  of  broad  infor- 
mation and  extended  reading,  he  had  no  narrow  view  of  life,  its  responsi- 
bilities and  meaning,  and  in  his  earnest  search  for  truth  he  cast  aside  the 
dogmas  and  theories  with  which  his  mind  was  formerly  enthralled.  He 
was  a  member  of  a  German  reading  society,  and  found  much  pleasure  in  the 
companionship  of  men  who  read  and  thought  for  themselves.  Fraternally 
he  was  identified  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  for  many 
years. 

On  the  5th  of  June,  1849,  was  consummated  the  marriage  of  Anton 
Birkenbeuel  and  Mary  Katherine  Hoss.  This  worthy  couple,  who  trod 
the  highway  of  life  together  for  almost  half  a  century,  were  among  the 
oldest  citizens  of  Peru,  and  few  had  more  sincere  friends.  Four  children 
blessed  their  home,  but  two  of  their  little  sons  soon  passed  away,  Frank 
dying  when  but  three  months  old,  and  Arthur  when  in  his  fifth  vear. 
Mary,  who  is  unmarried,  resides  on  the  old  homestead  in  Peru  and  cared 
for  her  parents  in  their  declining  years.  William  E.  is  engaged  in  the 
jewelry  business  in  LaSalle  and  is  prominent  in  business  and  political  affairs. 

The  parents  of  Mrs.  Anton  Birkenbeuel  were  Peter  and  Margaret 
(Kurenbach)  Hoss.  The  former  died  in  Germany,  in  1830,  when  he  was 
eighty  years  old,  his  life  having  been  devoted  to  agriculture.  His  widow 
came  to  America,  with  her  son  Theodore  and  daughter  Mar}^  Katherina, 
in  1846,  and  joined  her  two  sons.  William  and  Adolph,  who  had  preceded 
them.  She  lived  in  the  country,  near  Peru,  for  three  years,  and  after  her 
removal  into  the  town,  in  1849,  she  received  the  summons  of  the  death  angel, 
she  then  being  in  her  sixty-ninth  year.  One  of  her  daughters,  Christina, 
died  in  Germany,  and  another,  Elizabeth,  widow  of  John  Bellinghausen, 
has  long  resided  in  Peru.  The  brothers  of  Mrs.  Birkenbeuel  have  passed 
away,  one  by  one,  the  last  to  go  being  William,  who  died  at  Troy  Grove, 
this  county,  January  24,  1899.  aged  eighty-four  years.  Mrs.  Birkenbeuel 
died  February  6,  1899,  and  Mr.  Birkenbeuel  lived  not  long  thereafter,  his 
death  occurring  October  26,  1899. 

The  lives  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Anton  Birkenbeuel  were  quiet  and  com- 
paratively uneventful,  but  they  endeavored  to  perform  their  duties  faithfully, 
and  in  so  doing  they  were  free  from  regret  and  won  the  approval  of  their 


530  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

own  consciences  as  well  as  the  esteem  of  their  associates.  They  left  an 
honored  and  unsullied  name  to  their  posterity,  and  tender  memories  in  the 
hearts  of  innumerable  friends. 


GOTTLOB   GMELICH. 


Gottlob  Gmelich,  late  treasurer  of  LaSalle  county  and  a  man  well 
known  and  universally  respected,  was  born  in  Wurtemberg,  Germany, 
February  13,  1843.  and  when  nine  years  of  age  accompanied  his  parents  on 
their  emigration  to  this  country.  They  landed  in  LaSalle  county,  Illinois, 
in  1852,  and  from  that  time  until  his  death,  April  21.  1898,  he  made  his 
home  in  Peru.  His  parents  were  Jacob  and  Barbara  (Walter)  Gmelich, 
and  in  their  family  were  four  daughters  and  two  sons. 

Mr.  Gmelich  had  but  limited  advantages  for  obtaining  an  education, 
the  most  of  his  schooling  being  before  his  tenth  year.  At  fourteen  he 
became  an  apprentice  to  a  tinsmith,  and  thus  was  at  work  in  the  shop 
when  he  should  have  been  in  school.  However,  the  broad  school  of  experi- 
ence was  open  to  him  and  in  it  he  obtained  a  large  fund  of  useful  informa- 
tion as  the  years  went  by,  being  quick  to  observe  and  possessing  a  good 
memory,  and  he  never  failed  to  put  his  knowledge  to  the  best  use  in  his 
business  life.  Books  and  papers  were  a  never  failing  source  of  interest  to 
him.  He  worked  at  his  trade  until  the  outbreak  of  civil  war,  when  he 
tendered  his  services  in  support  of  the  Union.  He  enrolled  his  name  on 
the  volunteer  list  August  i.  1861;  rendezvoused  at  Camp  Ellsworth,  Chi- 
cago, Illinois,  and  was  mustered  into  Company  A,  Forty-fourth 
Illinois  Infantry,  August  13,  1861,  and  went  to  the  front.  To  give 
a  detailed  account  of  his  army  life  would  be  to  write  a  history  of  much  of 
the  civil  war.  Suffice  it  to  say  in  this  connection  that  he  followed  the  for- 
tunes of  his  command,  participating  in  the  various  actions  in  which  it  was 
engaged,  until  the  battle  of  Resaca,  where  he  was  wounded  in  the  knee  by  a 
rebel  bullet.  He  was  then  placed  in  hospital  at  Jefferson  and  later  at 
Ouincy,  Illinois,  and  altogether  was  in  hospital  about  three  months.  Dur- 
ing this  time  his  three-years  term  of  enlistment  expired  and  he  was  honor- 
ably discharged,  being  mustered  out  September  15,  1864.  He  entered 
the  army  as  a  private  and  came  out  with  the  rank  of  corporal. 

Immediately  after  leaving  the  army,  ^Ir.  Gmelich  returned  to  Peru 
and  resumed  work  at  his  trade,  which  he  continued  until  1866.  That  year 
he  engaged  in  business  on  his  own  account,  dealing  in  tinware  and  stoves. 
He  conducted  a  successful  business  for  a  number  of  years,  until  he  was 
elected  to  the  office  of  county  treasurer  in  1894,  when  he  sold  out  in  order 


■ty 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  531 

to  give  his  whole  time  and  attention  to  the  duties  of  his  office.  It  was 
while  he  was  the  incumbent  of  the  treasurer's  office  that  he  died. 

Mr.  Gmelich  was  a  stanch  Republican,  active  and  interested  in  the 
success  of  his  party  and  in  the  general  w'elfare  of  his  community.  He  filled 
other  important  official  positions  besides  that  of  county  treasurer.  For  six 
years  he  represented  his  ward  as  city  alderman.  In  1890  and  again  in  1891 
he  \vas  elected  mayor  of  Peru,  a  position  which  for  two  terms  he  filled  most 
acceptably.  He  was  prominently  identified  with  a  number  of  fraternal 
organizations.  He  was  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  and  was  the  commander 
of  his  post;  in  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  he  filled  all  the  chairs,  and  on  several  occasions 
as  delegate  represented  his  lodge  in  the  state  conventions  of  that  order; 
was  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America;  and  served  as  presi- 
dent of  the  Peru  Turnverein. 

Mr.  Gmelich  w^as  married,  in  Peru,  in  1867,  to  Miss  Josephine  Schmidt, 
a  daughter  of  Albin  and  Caroline  (Conrod)  Schmidt,  natives  of  Germany. 
Mr.  Schmidt  was  a  baker  and  confectioner.  Mrs.  Gmelich  was  a  child  when 
she  came  with  her  parents  to  this  coimtry,  their  first  location  being  at 
Louisville,  Kentucky,  and  from  there  in  1853  they  came  to  Peru,  Illinois. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gmelich  were  born  four  children, — Lula,  Jacob,  Robert 
and  Fred.  Lula  is  the  wife  of  Charles  Penning,  a  clothier  of  Peru;  Jacob, 
the  eldest  son,  is  with  an  uncle  eng'aged  in  the  confectionery  business  in 
Detroit,  Michigan;  and  Robert  is  holding  a  clerical  position  in  Peru.  Mr. 
Gmelich,  the  father,  was  formerly  a  member  of  the  German  Lutheran 
Evangelical  church,  and  Mrs.  Gmelich  was  reared  in  the  Cathohc  faith. 
Their  children  are  members  of  the  Congregational  church. 


THOMAS  W.  WATTS. 


The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  Edward  L.  Watts,  a  native 
of  England,  who,  coming  to  the  L^nited  States  in  1850,  purchased  a  farm 
of  about  twenty-five  acres  in  LaSalle  county.  There  his  wife  died,  many 
years  ago,  and  in  1877  he  removed  to  Peru,  where  he  built  a  house  and 
continued  to  reside  until  his  death,  in  1879,  when  he  was  in  his  eightieth 
year. 

One  of  the  three  children  of  this  worthy  couple  was  Edward  W.,  born 
in  London,  England,  in  1833.  He  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  and  ob- 
tained a  fair  education  in  his  youth,  and  was  but  seventeen  when  he  sailed 
for  America.  Coming  to  this  state,  he  worked  in  the  town  of  Lamoille, 
Bureau  county,  for  some  time,  after  which  he  was  employed  upon  a  farm. 
Next  he  rented  land  for  six  or  seven  years,  and  by  economy  and  well  applied 


532  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

energy  was  enabled  to  buy  a  homestead  of  one  hundred  and  ninety  acres 
in  Dimmick  township,  LaSahe  county.  To  this  he  later  added  twenty-five 
acres,  but  ultimately  sold  ten  acres  to  the  LaSalle  &  Bureau  County  Belt 
Line  Railroad.  He  is  still  living  upon  his  place,  keeps  everything  in 
fine  condition,  and  is  considered  one  of  the  most  enterprising  farmers  of 
his  community.  He  is  interested  in  the  cause  of  education,  Ijeing  a  mem- 
ber of  the  district  school  board,  and  in  political  matters  is  an  unflinching 
Republican. 

Edward  W.  Watts  married  Ann  Raycraft,  whose  birth  had  occurred  in 
Ireland,  January  22,  1838.  Her  father,  John  Raycraft,  came  to  this  country 
from  the  Emerald  Isle  about  1856,  and,  after  residing  for  a  period  in  Wis- 
consin, lived  with  his  children  in  Bureau,  Lee  and  LaSalle  counties,  Illinois. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  lived  to  advanced  years,  and  their  numerous  children 
are  to  be  found  in  widely  separated  states  of  this  Union.  Of  the  six  sons 
and  six  daughters  born  to  Edward  W.  and  Ann  Watts  three  are  deceased; 
Edward,  who  died  from  the  efi^ect  of  severe  burns,  when  a  child;  and  two 
other  boys,  who  died  in  infancy.  Martha  is  the  widow  of  John  Thompson, 
of  LaSalle;  Thomas  W.  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch:  Anna  is  the  wife  of 
John  Bangert,  of  Chicago;  Lida  is  the  ^^ife  of  Gus.  Jackley,  of  Penoea, 
Iowa;  Frances  married  Walter  Spanswick,  of  Ottawa,  Illinois;  George.  Al- 
fred, Nellie  and  Mabel  are  still  living  at  home. 

The  birth  of  Thomas  W.  Watts  took  place  near  the  present  town  of 
Ladd,  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  March  i,  1861.  When  he  was  six  years  old 
he  was  taken  by  his  parents  to  their  new  home  in  Dimmick  township,  La- 
Salle county.  He  received  a  district-school  education,  and  after  he  had 
reached  man's  estate  he  had  charge  of  the  old  homestead  for  about  two 
years.  Later  he  rented  a  farm  in  the  vicinity,  though  he  continued  to  live 
at  home,  and  was  prospering  when  all  of  his  ambitious  plans  were  over- 
turned. He  was  run  over  by  a  team  and  so  seriously  injured  that  he  was 
practically  an  invalid  for  the  next  two  years.  When  able  to  engage  in 
active  life  again  he  became  the  agent  for  wire  fencing,  and  in  December, 
1894,  came  to  Peru,  where  he  purchased  the  livery  business  of  George 
Snyder,  on  Water  street.  He  built  uj)  a  paying  business,  and  in  May, 
1898,  erected  a  new  livery  stable  on  Fifth  street.  This  he  equipped  with 
various  kinds  of  vehicles,  carriages,  broughams  and  light  road-carts,  and  is 
doing  a  good  business. 

On  the  22d  of  January,  1896,  Mr.  Watts  married  Rebecca  M.,  daughter 
of  Fred  and  Mona  (Cox)  Daft.  The  young  couple  have  an  attractive  home 
on  Fifth  street  near  his  livery,  and  two  little  ones — Cecil  E.  and  Rebecca — 
brighten  their  home  with  their  presence.  In  political  matters  Mr.  Watts 
is  a  Republican,  and  before  he  left  the  township  in  which  he  was  reared  he 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  533 

served  for  three  terms  as  a  school  director.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Odd  Fellows,  and  the  ^Mystic  Workers  of  the  World. 
Upright  and  just  in  all  his  dealings,  he  commands  the  respect  and  sincere 
regard  of  all  with  whom  he  is  associated. 


EMERSON  L.  WHITNEY. 

^Ir.  Whitney  is  the  manager  in  charge  of  the  publication  known  as 
"Our  Hope  and  Life  in  Christ,"  issued  by  the  W^estern  Advent  Christian 
Publication  Association,  of  ]\Iendota.  This  periodical  was  brought  from 
Minneapolis  to  Mendota  in  1892,  and  Mr.  Whitney  has  held  his  present 
position  in  connection  with  the  concern  ever  since  August,  1894. 

]\Ir.  Whitney  was  born  at  Vanorin,  Bureau  county,  this  state,  ]\larch 
18.  1862.  His  parents.  Lysander  and  Roxanna  (Viner)  Whitney,  were 
natives  of  Alassachusetts,  of  Berkshire  county,  and  both  were  of  old  New 
England  families  from  old  England.  After  marriage  they  came  west,  about 
1854.  locating  upon  a  farm  in  Bureau  county,  where  Mrs.  Whitney  died 
in  1882,  aged  sixty-two  years,  and  Mr.  Whitney  died  in  Mendota,  in  1897, 
at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years.  Both  were  Advent  Christians,  and  in 
politics  he  was  a  Republican. 

Emerson  L.  \\diitney  was  reared  to  farm  life  and  given  a  fair  education 
in  the  country  schools  and  at  Bryant  &  Stratton's  Business  College  in  Chi- 
cago. In  local  office  he  has  served  for  several  years  as  a  member  of  the 
educational  board  of  Mendota  College.  In  1887  he  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Anna  ]\Ioore,  of  Brodhead,  Wisconsin,  and  they  have  two  inter- 
esting children. 


ADOLPH  HOSS. 


Adolph  Hoss,  who  for  the  past  eight  years  has  been  connected  with  the 
Peru  State  Bank  and  is  now  serving  in  the  responsible  position  of  cashier 
of  that  well  and  favorably  known  institution  of  LaSalle  county,  is  one  of 
the  native  sons  of  Peru,  his  Ijirth  having  occurred  October  17,  1861. 

His  parents,  Adolph  and  ^Margaret  (Wunder)  Hoss.  were  natives  of 
Bonn,  Prussia,  and  the  kingdom  of  Bavaria,  respectively,  and  their  marriage 
took  place  in  the  E^nited  States.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject 
died  in  Germany,  at  an  advanced  age.  and  the  maternal  grandfather,  Michael 
Wunder,  who  followed  the  trade  of  shoemaker  in  his  native  land,  came  to 
this  country  in  1840.  Locating  in  LaSalle  county  at  first,  he  later  bought 
land   in    Bureau   county,   Illinois,   and  there   was   successfully  occupied   in 


534  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

agricultural  pursuits  for  a  long  time.  He  reached  the  extreme  age  of  ninety- 
one  years.  Mrs.  JNIargaret  Hoss,  who  was  one  of  the  three  children  of  this 
patriarch,  was  married,  in  her  early  womanhood,  to  a  ^iv.  Teichmann.  and 
they  became  the  parents  of  three  children,  all  of  whom  have  passed  away. 
Adolph  Hoss,  Sr.,  born  in  the  year  1818,  was  one  of  five  children,  and 
spent  his  early  years  in  Prussia,  whence  he  sailed  for  the  United  States  in 
1845.  The  succeeding  year  found  him  located  in  Peru,  where  he  worked 
at  his  trade  as  a  tailor,  and  for  a  period  carried  on  a  boarding-house  and 
saloon.  At  the  time  of  the  great  excitement  over  the  discovery  of  gold 
on  the  Pacific  coast,  he  walked  the  entire  distance  across  the  plains,  and 
after  passing  a  couple  of  years  in  the  west  returned  home.  Wlien  the  war  of 
the  Rebellion  broke  out,  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  A,  Forty- 
fourth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Pea  Ridge, 
Murfreesboro  and  many  other  important  engagements.  At  the  end  of  al- 
most two  years  of  gallant  service  on  behalf  of  his  adopted  country,  he 
was  honorably  discharged,  owing  to  physical  disability,  his  papers  being- 
dated  in  April,  1863.  He  died  in  1882.  and  his  widow  in  1885  married  John 
Weber,  of  Leonore,  Illinois,  where  her  death  occurred  in  1892,  in  her 
seventy-first  year. 

The  subject  of  this  article.  Adolph  Hoss,  only  child  of  Adolph  and 
Margaret  Hoss,  has  lived  in  Peru  nearly  the  whole  of  his  life.  After  com- 
pleting his  common-school  education  here  he  entered  the  LaSalle  Business 
College,  and  there  learned  the  principles  of  commerce.  For  several  years 
thereafter  he  was  employed  as  a  clerk  in  the  dry-goods  house  of  A.  D.  Mur- 
ray, and  later  assumed  the  management  of  his  father's  business.  Having  l)een 
made  a  justice  of  the  peace,  he  conducted  the  duties  of  that  office  and  carried 
on  a  general  insurance  business.  In  1891  he  became  assistant  cashier  of 
the  Peru  State  Bank,  and  upon  the  21st  of  January,  1899,  was  promoted 
to  the  cashiership.  He  is  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Hoss  &  Loekle,  insur- 
ance agents,  and  is  secretary  of  the  board  of  education.  Politically  he  is 
independent,  and  fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Sons  of  Veterans.  Gifted 
Avith  an  unusual  talent  for  music,  ]\Ir.  Hoss  was  the  leader  of  the  famous 
Northwestern  Light  Guard  Band  of  Peru  for  a  number  of  years. 

The  attractive  home  of  Adolph  Hoss  is  situated  at  the  corner  of  First 
and  Putnam  streets.  His  first  marriage  took  place  October  25,  1882,  at 
Mendota,  Illinois,  ]\Iiss  Anna  M.,  daughter  of  John  Huelzer,  becoming  his 
bride.  She  died  in  1885,  aged  twenty-four  years,  a  member  of  the  Catholic 
church.  Two  sons  were  born  to  this  marriage — Gustav  Adolph  and  ^^'illiam 
Henry,  the  latter  dying  in  infancy.  September  9,  1890,  Mr.  Hoss  married 
at  Secor,  Illinois,  Miss  Emma  M.  Harseim,  a  daughter  of  Rudolph  Har- 
seim,  and  one  child  blesses  their  union,  Alberta  ^lildred.     ]\Irs.   Hoss  is 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


535 


identified  with  the  German  EvangeHcal  church  and  is  a  well  educated,  cul- 
tured lady,  who  has  many  friends  in  this  community.  ]\Ir.  Hoss  also  is 
very  popular,  and  possesses  marked  talent  as  a  financier  and  as  a  musi- 
cian. 


JOHN  J.  LARKIN,  D.  D.  S. 

Undoubtedly  more  serious  attention  is  being  paid  to  the  proper  care 
and  preservation  of  the  teeth  to-day  than  ever  before;  and  whereas  the 
science  of  dental  surgery  as  practiced  a  few  years  ago  was  extremely  crude 
and  inadequate,  it  is  making  rapid  strides  towards  perfection,  and  great 
things  are  already  accomplished  by  it.  The  successful  dentist  must  be  an 
indefatigable  student,  keeping  posted  upon  the  methods  of  treatment  used 
by  the  great  specialists  in  the  profession,  and  sparing  himself  no  work  or 
research  which  may  redound  to  the  good  of  his  patients. 

Dr.  John  J.  Larkin,  who  is  specially  qualified  in  the  art  of  modern 
dentistry  and  is  now  engaged  in  practice  in  LaSalle,  is  a  native  of  Streator, 
his  birth  having  occurred  May  27,  1870.  His  grandfathers  were  both 
natives  of  Ireland.  His  father's  father,  Edward  Larkin,  came  to  America 
many  years  ago,  and  his  last  years  were  spent  in  the  vicinity  of  Streator, 
on  his  son's  farm.  He  reared  a  number  of  children,  and  lived  to  attain 
the  extreme  age  of  ninety  years.  Jeffrey  Conness,  the  maternal  grand- 
father of  the  Doctor,  was  an  early  settler  in  the  neighborhood  of  Streator, 
and  was  occupied  in  farming  until  his  death,  when  about  seventy-five  years 
old.  Some  thirty-five  or  forty  years  ago  the  father  of  our  subject,  Thomas 
Larkin,  came  to  the  United  States  from  his  birthplace  in  the  Emerald  Isle, 
and  made  a  permanent  location  near  Streator.  He  occupied  various  town- 
ship offices  and  has  been  justly  respected  among  his  neighbors  and  ac- 
quaintances. He  and  his  faithful  wife  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church, 
and  in  that  faith  reared  their  children.  The  mother,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Delia  Conness,  is  a  native  of  Illinois.  Of  their  six  sons  and  four 
daughters,  seven  are  now  living,  namely:  Mrs.  E.  L.  Cavanaugh,  of  Chi- 
cago; Edwin  J.,  of  San  Antonio;  Thomas  W.,  of  Chicago;  Mrs.  T.  P. 
Halligan,  of  Chicago;  Dr.  John  J.,  of  LaSalle;  Delia  L.  and  Robert  E.,  of 
Streator. 

The  usual  routine  of  work  and  play  which  falls  to  the  lot  of  the 
farmer's  boy  was  the  experience  of  Dr.  Larkin  in  his  early  years.  The 
foundations  of  his  education  were  gained  in  the  district,  common  and  high 
schools,  supplemented  by  a  course  at  St.  Bede  College.  In  1896  he  was 
graduated  in  the  Northwestern  University,  of  Evanston  and  Chicago.  Illi- 
nois, where  he  had  spent  three  years  in  the  study  of  dentistry.     (The  dental 


536  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

department  is  conducted  in  the  city  of  Chicago.)  Coming  to  LaSalle,  he 
opened  an  office  and  has  since  been  successfully  engaged  in  practice.  When 
about  twenty  years  of  age  he  took  a  course  in  bookkeeping,  which  knowl- 
edge is  not  to  be  wasted,  as  he  is  thereby  fitted  to  keep  his  accounts  and 
transact  business  in  a  systematic  manner.  His  office,  situated  at  the 
corner  of  First  and  Gooding  streets,  is  centrally  located,  and  is  equipped 
W'ith  all  of  the  necessary  appliances  of  modern  dentistry. 

On  the  5th  of  November,  1898,  Dr.  Larkin  married  Miss  Isabella  M. 
Duncan,  daughter  of  Hon.  and  ]\Irs.  James  Walter  Duncan,  whose  home 
is  chiefly  in  Chicago.  Mr.  Duncan  at  one  time  was  a  member  of  the  Illinois 
senate.     On  November  ist,  1899,  a  son,  Walter  Duncan  Larkin,  was  born. 

In  the  fraternities,  the  Doctor  belongs  to  the  ]\Iodern  Woodmen  of 
America,  the  Mystic  Workers  of  the  World  and  the  Catholic  Order  of 
Foresters.  Politically  he  is  affiliated  with  the  Democratic  party.  Both 
himself  and  wife  are  identified  with  the  Catholic  church.  They  have  a 
pretty  home  at  the  corner  of  Third  and  Joliet  streets,  in  a  pleasant  residence 
section  of  the  city. 


GEORGE  A.  ELLIOTT. 


Among  the  earlier  merchants  who  contributed  largely  to  the  growth 
and  prosperity  of  LaSalle,  Illinois,  is  George  A.  Elliott,  a  retired  citizen  of 
that  thriving  little  city.  He  was  born  in  the  northern  part  of  Ireland, 
near  the  city  of  Dublin,  on  July  27,  1832.  His  parents  were  George  and 
Fanny  (Bourne)  Elliott,  who  came  to  America  in  1851.  The  father  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation  in  liis  native  country,  although  he  held  a  number  of 
offices  under  the  English  government,  serving  at  one  time  as  deputy  sheriff 
of  the  county  of  Louth,  Ireland,  and  later  as  assessor  and  tax  collector. 
After  bringing  his  family  to  this  country  he  did  not  engage  in  business,  but 
lived  in  retirement  at  LaSalle  until  his  death  in  the  fall  of  1870,  after  hav- 
ing reached  his  seventy-second  year.  His  wife  was  sixty-eight  years  of 
age  at  the  time  of  her  death,  which  occurred  in  1868.  They  were  both  mem- 
bers of  the  church  of  England,  and  were  worthy  Christian  people.  Their 
family  consisted  of  thirteen  children,  of  whom  nine  reached  adult  years  and 
six  are  still  living.  These  are  as  follows:  Fanny,  a  resident  of  Ireland; 
Eliza,  widow  of  F.  I.  Foote,  of  this  city:  George  A.,  our  sul^ject;  Harriet, 
wife  of  Jacob  P.  Bixler,  of  Augusta,  Kansas;  Joseph  I.,  of  Manitoba;  and 
Charlotte,  wife  of  Thomas  Heathcote,  who  resides  three  miles  north  of 
LaSalle.  Both  the  paternal  and  maternal  grandparents  were  lifelong  resi- 
dents of  Ireland,  the  latter  being  a  wealthy  resident  of  Dublin,  where  he 
spent  the  evening  of  his  life. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


537 


George  A.  Elliott  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  given  an  educa- 
tion in  the  schools  of  Dulilin.  A\'hen  he  was  nineteen  he  came  to  America 
with  his  parents  and  has  since  l^een  a  resident  of  LaSalle,  living  here  more 
than  forty-eight  years.  He  was  industrious  and  energetic,  always  finding 
employment  of  some  kind  by  which  to  earn  his  living.  When  the  discov- 
ery was  made  that  coal  was  to  be  had  here  for  the  digging,  he  was  placed 
in  the  management  of  the  mines  at  Hog's  Back,  the  mining  village  three 
miles  north  of  LaSalle.  This  he  managed  most  successfully  and  then  turned 
his  attention  to  other  business.  He  engaged  in  selling  agricultural  imple- 
ments, in  1862,  at  the  corner  of  First  and  Joliet  streets,  and  continued  in 
that  line  of  business  for  twenty-one  years.  In  connection  with  this  line  of 
goods  he  handled  feed  and  flour,  finding  these  very  profitable  articles 
of  commerce.  He  handled  his  affairs  with  success,  but  on  account  of 
failing  health  had  to  retire  from  active  work  in  1883,  since  when  he  has 
resided  at  Xo.  11 18  Creve  Coeur  street,  LaSalle,  in  retirement  from  active 
business  cares. 

On  the  28th  day  of  November.  1865,  Mr.  Elliott  led  to  the  altar  Miss 
Jennett.  daughter  of  Aaron  and  Xancy  (Winters)  Gunn.  The  parents  of 
Mrs.  Elliott  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  in  this  county.  Her  father  was 
born  in  Massachusetts  and  her  mother  was  a  native  of  Ohio.  Five  chil- 
dren were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elliott,  three  of  whom  have  been  spared  to 
bless  the  lives  of  their  parents,  while  two  were  taken  in  their  infancy,  to 
''blossom  in  the  garden  of  the  Lord."  The  survi\ing  children  are:  Francis 
B.,  a  carpenter;  Jessie  B.,  who  resides  with  her  parents;  and  Harriet  Eliza- 
beth, a  bookkeeper  who  has  been  for  several  years  employed  in  the  office 
of  the  Electric  Street  Railway  Company.  Mr.  Elliott  affiliates  with  the 
Republican  party,  and  shows  an  intelligent  interest  in  both  municipal  and 
national  affairs,  but  has  never  allowed  himself  to  be  drawn  into  the  whirl- 
pool of  politics.  In  religion  l)oth  he  and  his  estimable  wife  are  devout  mem- 
bers of  the  Baptist  church. 


SAMUEL  G.  DUDGEON. 

Just  forty-five  years  ago  Samuel  Grant  Dudgeon  arrived  in  Alendota, 
where  he  has  since  been  numbered  among  the  most  enterprising  and  public- 
spirited  citizens.  The  best  years  of  his  manhood  have  been  devoted  to  the 
upbuilding  of  this  place.  When  it  has  prospered  he  has  prospered,  when 
it  has  suffered  financial  depression  he  has  shared  the  burden,  and  at  all  times 
he  has  sought  earnestly  to  perform  his  full  duty  toward  the  community  with 
whose  interests  his  own  are  linked. 

yir.  Dudgeon  comes  of  the  sturdy  Protestant  Scotch-Irish  stock,  which 


538  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

is  one  of  the  best  of  the  old-world  race  types,  its  strong  traits  being  of 
especial  value  in  this  democratic  country.  His  paternal  grandfather,  Rich- 
ard Dudgeon,  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  and  for  many  years  prior  to  his 
death  he  resided  in  the  northern  part  of  Ireland.  He  attained  a  ripe  age, 
and  died  respected  and  mourned  by  all.  One  of  his  eight  sons  was  Gail 
Grant  Dudgeon,  the  father  of  our  subject,  born  in  county  Donegal,  Ire- 
land. He  learned  the  shoemaker's  trade,  which  he  followed  for  some  years 
after  his  arrival  in  America.  His  first  location  here  was  in  Pittsburg,  Penn- 
sylvania, whence  he  removed  to  Ohio  and  carried  on  the  manufacture  of 
boots  and  shoes  in  Wintersville.  Later  he  executed  a  contract  for  a  wagon 
road  and  then  resided  in  Cadiz  and  Moorefield,  Ohio.  In  1857  he  came 
to  Mendota,  where  he  was  employed  at  his  trade  until  his  death  in  1861,  in 
his  sixty-fourth  year.  He  had  married,  in  Ohio,  Miss  Aimis  IMcConnell,  a 
daughter  of  Samuel  McConnell.  a  farmer,  who  though  born  in  the  Emerald 
Isle  was  of  Scotch  lineage.  He  died  at  his  home  in  the  Buckeye  state 
when  well  along  in  years.  Mrs.  Dudgeon  departed  this  life  in  1865,  at  the 
age  of  sixty-five  years.  Both  lierself  and  husband  were  faithful  members 
of  the  Methodist  church. 

Samuel  G.  Dudgeon  was  1)orn  in  Jefferson  county.  Ohio,  January  29, 
1 83 1,  one  of  six  children,  four  of  whom  were  girls,  and  he  now  is  the  only 
survivor  of  the  family.  He  passed  his  boyhood  chiefly  in  the  town  of  Moore- 
field, Harrison  county,  Ohio.  Having  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  by  the 
time  he  was  twenty,  he  proceeded  to  take  up  the  burdens  of  life,  and  has 
since  been  actively  occupied  in  various  kinds  of  building  and  contracting. 
On  the  nth  of  May.  1854.  he  landed  in  ]\Iendota,  and.  being  favorably 
impressed  with  the  place,  he  decided  to  locate  here.  He  found  plenty  of 
employment,  and  as  the  years  rolled  by  specimens  of  his  skill  were  to  be 
seen  upon  every  hand.  In  1889  he  opened  a  lumber-yard,  which  he  is  still 
successfully  carrying  on.  Many  of  the  substantial  business  blocks  and 
houses  of  this  town  and  vicinity  were  constructed  by  Mr.  Dudgeon,  whose 
work  has  been  thoroughly  satisfactory  to  all  concerned.  Honorable  and 
exact  in  the  fulfillment  of  his  contracts,  prompt  and  reliable  in  every 
respect,  he  enjoys  the  esteem  of  his  fellow  citizens.  Great  changes  have 
come  to  pass  in  the  town  during  his  residence  here,  as  may  be  judged  Avhen 
it  is  stated  that  the  first  railroad  through  the  place  was  not  completed  until 
some  time  after  his  arrival. 

Prior  to  the  organization  of  the  Republican  party  'Mr.  Dudgeon  was 
allied  wath  the  Whigs,  and  of  later  years  has  given  his  allegiance  to  the 
first-named  party.  In  1890  his  fellow  townsmen  honored  him  by  electing 
him  to  the  mayoralty,  where  he  served  acceptably  for  two  years.  During 
a  period  of  nine  years  he  ofificiated  as  one  of  the  city  fathers,  using  his 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  539 

influence  in  the  council  for  progress  and  advancement  in  all  lines.  He  was 
the  assessor  and  collector,  also,  acting  for  one  year  in  each  position.  Fra- 
ternally he  is  a  master  Mason. 

In  September,  1856,  Mr.  Dudgeon  married  Miss  Mary  Finley,  a 
daughter  of  Alvin  and  Hannah  Finley,  and  after  nearly  sixteen  years  had 
elapsed  she  was  summoned  to  the  silent  land,  in  August,  1872.  She  was  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  church,  and  possessed  many  admirable  traits  of 
disposition  which  endeared  her  to  all.  Of  the  six  children  born  to  this 
worthy  couple.  John  A.  married  Mayme  Wallace,  and  has  two  sons  and 
a  daughter, — Carrie,  Samuel  and  John.  Francis  Grant  married  Annie 
Thelo,  and  has  two  children,— Oran  and  Pearl.  Alice  J.  became  the  wife 
of  Emil  Otto,  and  their  three  sons  are  Edgar,  Walter  and  Samuel.  Charles 
W.  wedded  \^ie  Freeland,  by  whom  he  has  two  children, — Gladys  and 
Grant.  Samuel  O.  married  Sarah  Lawrence  and  their  little  son  is  named 
Harold.  Miss  Carrie  Belle,  the  youngest  daughter  of  Mr.  Dudgeon,  is 
living  at  home.  He  was  united  in  marriage  with  ]Mrs.  Augusta  C.  Baum- 
bach  in  April,  1880.  Mrs.  Dudgeon,  who  is  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Au- 
gusta Stalil,  was  the  wife  of  Dr.  Baumbach  in  her  early  womanhood,  and 
the  only  child  of  that  union.  Tillie.  is  now  ]\Irs.  W.  P.  Butler,  of  Bloom- 
ington.  Mrs.  Dudgeon  is  identified  with  the  Methodist  denomination.  In 
1896  the  beautiful  residence  of  the  family  at  the  corner  of  Indiana  and  Jeffer- 
son streets  was  erected  by  our  subject,  and  here,  surrounded  with  the  com- 
forts which  his  own  industry  has  provided,  he  passes  his  happiest  hours. 


GEORGE   W.    LEE. 


Thirty-six  years  ago,  on  the  21st  of  February,  1864.  George  ^^'.  Lee 
was  born  in  Utica  township,  and  in  this  immediate  vicinity  his  industrious. 
peaceful  life  has  thus  far  Ijeen  spent.  His  father.  Dwight  F.  Lee,  was  a 
native  of  Connecticut,  and  after  residing  in  LaSalle  county  for  many  years 
he  was  called  to  his  reward,  i-i  June,  1883.  at  the  age  of  sixty  years.  The 
wife  and  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Isabella  Piercy,  was  born  in 
Eng'and,  April  7,  1829,  and  when  twelve  years  of  age  came  to  the  Lnited 
States  with  her  parents.  James  and  Jane  Piercy,  who  located  upon  a  farm 
in    Utica    township,    and    there    Mrs.    Lee    continued    to    dwell    until    her 


marriage. 


George  ^^^  Lee  is  one  of  six  children,  his  three  brothers  being:  Gilbert, 
now  a  citizen  of  Harvey,  Illinois;  Walter,  of  McHenry  county,  this  state; 
and  John,  of  Utica.  A  sister,  Nettie,  became  the  wife  of  Edward  Allin,  of 
Marseilles,  Illinois,  and  Nellie,  the  youngest  of  the  family,  resides  in  Utica. 


540  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

Reared  to  agricnltural  pursuits,  George  W.  Lee  decided  to  continue 
•in  the  pathway  marked  out  for  him,  and  surely  has  no  occasion  to  regret  his 
decision.  He  received  a  liberal  public  school  education,  and  has  increased 
his  fund  of  knowledge  by  observation,  experience  and  reading.  Upon 
arriving  at  his  eighteenth  year,  he  started  out  to  make  his  own  independent 
way  in  the  world,  and  at  present  is  cultivating  a  snug  little  farm  of  twenty- 
seven  acres,  conveniently  situated  near  the  corporate  limits  of  Utica.  Mr. 
Lee  rents  a  considerable  amount  of  farm  lands  and  carries  on  farming 
extensively,  being  one  of  the  most  successful  farmers  of  Utica  township. 
Li  1896  Mr.  Lee  was  elected  to  serve  as  a  highway  commissioner,  and  in 
1899  was  again  called  to  occupy  this  important  office.  Fraternally  he 
belongs   to   the   Modern   Woodmen   of   America. 

In  1887  Mr.  Lee  wedded  Miss  Achsa  Leech,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and 
Prudence  (Brown)  Leech,  of  L'tica.  ^NL^s.  Lee  died  November  26,  1889, 
and  left  two  sons,  Warren  and  Du  Fae,  to  mourn  her  loss. 


ARCHIBALD    MEANS. 


Archibald  ]\Ieans,  deceased,  a  distinguished  citizen  of  Peru,  LaSalle 
couTity,  for  many  years  past,  will  long  be  remembered  witli  gratitude  and 
affection  by  the  people  of  this  community  as  a  friend  of  the  ^^■orking  man 
and  the  promoter  of  institutions  which  tended  to  elevate  and  upbuild 
the  municipality.  Shrewd  and  sagacious,  he  was  at  once  an  excellent 
finan.cier  and  a  kind  employer,  gaining  the  earnest  support  and  co-opera- 
tion of  those  in  his  employ  to  advance  the  interest  of  the  institution  for 
which  he  labored. 

He  was  born  in  Allegheny  county.  Pennsylvania.  ]\Iarch  31.  1833.  and 
traced  his  ancestry  back  to  county  Tyrone.  Ireland,  where  his  grandfather 
was  born,  in  1750.  In  lySj  the  attractions  of  the  New  A\'orld  enticed  him 
to  America,  causing  him  to  settle  in  the  state  of  Pennsylvania,  where  the 
father,  William  Cleans,  was  born  September  15.  1803.  William  Means 
removed  to  Steubenville,  Ohio,  in  1836,  and  was  engaged  in  the  foundry 
business  at  that  place  for  fourteen  years.  Abandoning  that  employment 
he  gave  his  attention  to  agriculture  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  his 
sixty-eighth  year.  He  was  married  in  Allegheny  county  to  ]\Iiss  Nancy 
Dawson,  February  11,  1832,  and  through  her  ]\Ir.  ]VIeans  traced  his  family 
tree  as  far  back  as  1656,  when  one  Garret  von  Swearinger,  a  native  of 
Holland,  emigrated  to  America  and  located  in  New  Castle,  Delaware,  and 
in  1664  moved  to  ]Vlaryland.  Nancy  Dawson  was  the  immediate  descend- 
ant of  Nicholas  and  Verlinda  (Blackmore)  Dawson,  her  grandfather,  Samuel 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  541 

Blackmore,  Jr..  having  come  from  his  native  land.  England,  and  settled  on 
a  tract  of  land  in  Maryland  which  had  been  granted  to  his  father  by  Lord 
Baltimore.  This  tract  included  the  grounds  on  which  stands  the  national 
capitol  at  Washington.  The  lives  of  these  early  settlers  were  filled  with 
toil  and  privation;  and  the  suffering  and  hardships  endured  by  them  in  the 
wild,  unbroken  country,  as  they  labored  perseveringly  in  the  wilderness  to 
build  their  rude  log  huts  and  rear  their  families  to  lives  of  independence 
and  industry,  made  possible  the  grand  heritage  of  a  free  and  independent 
nation. — America. 

To  such  antecedents  Archibald  Means  owed  his  origin,  and  it  is  but 
natural  that  he  should  have  inherited  many  of  the  predominant  traits  of 
their  character.  We  will  take  a  brief  glance  at  his  life  from  childhood. 
When  a  child  of  three  years  his  parents  moved  to  Steubenville.  Ohio,  where 
he  grew  to  man's  estate.  He  was  given  an  academic  education,  but  close 
application  to  study  had  undermined  his  health,  never  robust,  and  it  was 
deemed  advisable  to  try  country  air  to  perfect  a  cure.  At  the  age  of 
eighteen  he  engaged  in  farm  work  and  continued  it  three  years,  until  he 
reached  his  twenty-first  birthday.  He  then  went  to  Ashland.  Kentucky,  in 
1854.  remaining  there  until  1861,  employed  in  the  bank  of  Thomas  W. 
Means.  This  gentleman,  although  of  the  same  name,  was  in  no  way  related 
to  our  subject. 

His  first  presidential  vote  was  cast  for  the  Democratic  candidate, 
James  Buchanan,  but  his  sympathies  were  soon  enlisted  in  the  cause  of 
freedom  and  he  became  a  strong  supporter  of  the  Republican  party.  He 
was  one  of  five  men  in  the  precinct,  and  of  eleven  in  his  county,  who  cast 
their  vote  in  i860  for  Abraham  Lincoln.  During  those  troublous  times 
it  was  dangerous  for  a  man  to  express  his  allegiance  to  the  federal  govern- 
ment, as  many  of  the  southern  states,  among  them  Kentucky,  counted 
it  basest  treason;  and  an  opposition  to  slavery  was  often  expressed  at  the 
expense  of  the  life  of  the  bold  speaker.  Mr.  Means  was  known  as  a  man 
who  had  the  courage  to  fearlessly  stand  by  any  view  he  considered  right, 
and  he  was  a  strong  opposer  of  the  laws  of  slavery,  expressing  himself 
freely  on  the  subject.  As  soon  as  hostilities  began  Mr.  Means  tendered  his 
services  to  the  cause  of  the  nation,  and  in  June,  1861,  began  to  recruit  a 
company  of  Union  soldiers  from  his  district,  which  was  known  as  Company 
E,  Fourteenth  Kentucky  Infantry.  Of  this  company  he  was  elected,  and 
afterward  commissioned,  captain,  and  at  once  he  went  with  it  to  the  front, 
where  he  served  under  General,  then  Colonel,  Garfield  against  Humphrey 
Marshall,  on  the  Big  Sandy  river,  in  January,  1862.  His  company  was  one 
of  a  number  which  formed  the  nucleus  of  what  afterward  became  the  East 
Tennessee  troops,  and  consisted  of  seven  regiments.     \Miile  acti\-elv  en- 


542  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

gaged  in  service  at  the  battle  of  Cumberland  Gap,  CapLaiii  Means  was 
taken  seriously  ill,  granted  a  furlough  and  sent  home  to  die,  as  his  friends 
regretfully  believed.  However,  under  the  tender  nursing  of  a  devoted 
mother  he  slowly  recuperated  and  was  able  to  return  to  the  front  of 
battle,  where  he  was  assigned  to  the  staff  of  General  A.  J.  Smith  and  given 
charge  of  the  pontoon  bridge  at  Cincinnati.  His  health  again  failing,  with 
much  regret  he  was  obliged  to  tender  his  resignation,  in  October,  1862. 

After  restoring  his  shattered  health  in  some  degree.  Captain  Means 
moved  to  Pittsburg,  where  he  engaged  in  the  iron  business  and  later  in 
the  pottery  manufacture  in  Manchester,  Ohio.  In  1871  he  came  to  Peru  in 
order  to  close  out  the  zinc  works  here  in  the  interest  01  the  stockholders. 
The  plant  was  then  a  small  affair,  which  had  never  been  conducted  on  a 
paying  basis,  and  it  had  been  thought  useless  to  try  to  continue  it.  After 
looking  it  over  Mr.  Means  decided  that  it  could  be  made  a  paying  invest- 
ment and  at  once  set  about  putting  his  plans  in  operation.  The  Illinois 
Zinc  Company  was  formed  and  Mr.  ]\Ieans,  one  of  the  stockholders,  was 
made  A-ice-president  and  manager.  He  at  once  began  to  add  improvements, 
doing  this  in  a  cautious  manner,  and  increased  the  works,  having  the 
supreme  satisfaction  of  seeing  his  plans  materialize  in  financial  success  for 
the  investors.  This  plant  has  assumed  large  proportions  and  is  one  which 
contributes  in  no  small  way  to  the  prosperity  of  Peru,  giving  employment, 
as  it  does,  to  hundreds  of  workmen.  As  the  promoter  and  successful  manip- 
ulator of  the  scheme,  !Mr.  [Means  proved  himself  a  benefactor  to  the  entire 
community,  while  his  general  bearing  and  conduct  since  he  became  a  resi- 
dent of  the  city  placed  him  in  an  enviable  position  among  the  l)usiness  men 
and  he  was  universally  esteemed. 

Captain  ]\Ieans  was  married  three  times,  his  first  matrimonial  alliance 
being  with  Isabella,  daughter  of  Thomas  \\\  ]\Ieans,  who  was  born  in  Law- 
rence county,  Ohio,  and  moved  to  Ashland.  Kentucky.  This  marriage  was 
contracted  June  2,  1858,  and  five  years  later,  on  January  20,  she  died 
without  issue.  Three  years  passed  when,  on  April  26,  1866,  he  led  to  the 
altar  Sarah  Jane,  daughter  of  ^^'illiam  Ellison,  near  Hanging  Rock,  Ohio. 
This  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  five  children:  Annie,  who  died  in  child- 
hood; William  E. ;  Archibald  L.,  who  died  in  August,  1898;  Robert  W., 
W'ho  was  drowned;  and  Sara.  January  24,  1880,  the  mother  of  these 
children  was  called  to  her  reward  and  Captain  Means  was  once  more  left  a 
widower.  August  16,  1881,  he  joined  his  lot  with  Miss  Jennie  Schleich,  a 
daughter  of  General  Newton  S.  Schleich  of  Lancaster,  Ohio,  and  to  them 
one  child  was  born,  Alan  Hay  [Means. 

Our  subject  was  an  active  worker  in  the  E.  X.  Kirk  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  and 
served  as  commander  of  the  same,  and  was  also  a  member  of  the  Illinois 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  543 

Commandery  Military  Order  of  the  Loyal  Legion,  ^^llile  president  of  the 
school  board  he  made  many  opportunities  to  advance  the  cause  of  education, 
and  indeed  was  always  interested  in  the  growth  and  welfare  of  the  city.  Al- 
though a  Presbyterian  in  faith,  he  contributed  to  the  support  of  the  Con- 
gregational denomination  in  a  most  liberal  manner,  there  being  no  Presby- 
terian church  in  Peru.  He  was  benevolent  when  a  worthy  object  was 
presented  to  his  notice,  although  intolerant  of  shams.  Industrious  and 
progressive,  with  keen,  sound  judgment,  and  alert  to  wise  suggestions,  he 
was  a  rare  acquisition  to  the  commercial  circles  and  a  strong  addition  to 
what  was  best  in  society;  and  it  is  no  wonder  that  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  Chicago  May  22,  1898,  while  there  for  medical  treatment,  was  felt  a  great 
loss  by  the  community  and  by  an  endearing  family. 


CHARLES    K.    HALVERSOxN. 

America  can  boast  of  no  better  or  more  patriotic  citizens  than  those 
which  Norway  has  furnished,  and  LaSalle  county  had  no  more  worthy, 
industrious,  honorable  pioneer  than  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  narra- 
tive, who,  with  all  of  his  sons,  have  been  ready  to  do  all  within  their  power 
for  this  land,  the  land  of  their  love  and  pride. 

Born  near  Christiania,  Norway,  in  1813,  Knute  Halverson  continued 
to  dwell  in  his  native  land  until  1838,  when  he  sailed  for  the  west,  believing 
that  greater  opportunities  awaited  him  here.  Landing  in  the  harbor  of 
New  York,  after  a  long,  weary  journey  on  the  old-style  sailing  vessel  of  the 
period,  he  went  to  Chicago  by  way  of  the  great  lakes,  and  from  that  place, 
then  a  tiny  hamlet  comprised  of  a  few^  rude  cabins,  he  pursued  his  way  on 
foot  to  LaSalle  county.  Beginning  at  the  bottom  rounds  of  the  ladder 
leading  to  success,  he  worked  at  whatever  he  could  find  to  do  whereby  he 
might  earn  an  honest  dollar,  and  frequently — for  money  was  scarce  among 
the  settlers — had  to  accept  farm  produce  or  provisions  in  lieu  of  other 
payment.  In  1840  he  married  Elizabeth  Olson  and  settled  upon  a  little 
farm.  Years  rolled  by  and  in  1858  he  was  enabled  to  purchase  the  fine 
place  known  as  the  Halverson  farm,  in  Adams  township.  Here  he  spent 
the  remaining  years  of  his  life,  respected  by  all  who  knew  him,  and  at  his 
death  he  left  a  valuable  estate,  accumulated  solely  by  his  thrift  and  good 
business  talents.  He  was  a  true-blue  Republican,  and  voted  for  every 
presidential  candidate  of  his  party  from  William  H.  Harrison  to  William 
McKinley.  One  of  the  organizers  of  the  Lutheran  church  in  his  commu- 
nity, he  held  the  ofBce  of  deacon  and  contributed  liberally  to  the  support  of 
religious    enterprises. 


544  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

Charles  K.  Halverson  is  one  of  ten  children,  all  but  three  of  whom 
have  entered  the  silent  land.  His  brother  Nels  is  a  resident  of  this  county; 
and  the  only  surviving  sister,  Betsy,  is  the  wife  of  S.  M.  Sanderson.  Two 
brothers  were  heroes  of  the  civil  war,  and  their  lives  were  sacrificed  to  their 
country.  They  were  l)oth  members  of  Company  I.  Eighty-second  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry,  which  saw  hard  service  in  some  of  the  important  cam- 
paigns of  the  great  civil  conflict.  Halver  died  of  t3'phoid  fever  in  the  south, 
and  Ole  was  killed  during  one  the  Virginia  campaigns. 

The  birth  of  Charles  K.  Halverson  occurred  May  28,  1854.  He  re- 
ceived good  public-School  advantages  in  his  youth,  and  during  the  greater 
part  of  his  life  he  has  pursued  the  calling  of  his  forefathers,  agriculture. 
Hov\'ever,  he  was  engaged  in  business  in  the  town  of  Lee,  Illinois,  for  a 
period  of  twelve  years,  in  the  meantime  servdng  as  a  justice  of  the  peace 
and  a  police  magistrate.  In  1894  he  sold  out  his  interests  in  the  store  which 
he  had  conducted  at  Lee,  and  returned  to  the  old  homestead  in  Adams 
township,  where  he  had  been  born  and  reared  to  maturity.  By  the  exercise 
of  the  talents  with  which  he  was  endowed  by  nature,  he  long  ago  placed 
himself  above  the  need  of  anxiety  respecting  his  financial  affairs,  and  with 
faith  in  himself  and  the  kindly  Providence  which  has  watched  over  his 
welfare  he  is  quietly  pursuing  the  even  tenor  of  his  way. 

On  the  30th  of  September.  1875,  Mr.  Halverson  wedded  Martha, 
daughter  of  Sander  H.  Sanderson,  of  De  Kalb  county,  Illinois.  They  have 
several  children,  namely:  Curtis,  whose  education  was  recently  finished  at 
Steinman's  College,  in  Dixon,  Illinois;  Mabel,  Clara.  Sander.  Leslie, 
Walter  and  Edith. 

Following  in  the  political  footsteps  of  his  father.  Mr.  Halverson  is  a 
loyal  Republican.  He  and  his  wife  and  elder  children  are  members  of  the 
Lutheran  church,  and  active  in  its  various  departments  of  usefulness. 


IRA   W.  GOODELL. 


About  a  quarter  of  a  century  has  elapsed  since  Ira  W.  Goodell  first 
engaged  in  railroading,  and  since  1882  he  has  been  closely  associated  with 
the  local  railroad  interests  of  Peru.  He  is  of  English  descent,  his  paternal 
grandfather,  John  Goodell.  being  a  farmer  of  Oneida  county.  New  York, 
subsequent  to  his  arrival  in  this  country,  in  1835.  He  died  there  in  1883, 
at  the  extreme  age  of  ninety-two  years;  and  his  wife  also  attained  about 
the  same  age.  They  had  three  sons  and  six  daughters.  The  maternal 
grandfather  of  our  subject.  Walter  Olmstead.  was  a  native  of  the  Empire 
state,  owned  a  paper-mill  at  \\^alesville  for  a  number  of  years,  and  passed 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  545 

his  entire  life  in  that  section  of  the  United  States,  his  death  occurring  when 
he  was  four-score  years  old. 

William  Goodell,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Lancastershire, 
England,  and  came  to  the  United  States  when  a  child  of  seven  or  eight 
years.  He  lived  in  Oneida  county.  New  York,  until  1862,  when  he 
removed  to  Hillsdale  county,  Michigan.  About  1870  he  settled  near  Fre- 
mont, Steuben  county,  Indiana,  where  he  lived  until  his  death,  in  July, 
1888,  wheal  he  was  sixty-three  years  of  age.  His  chief  occupation  was 
agriculture,  though  in  connection  with  this  he  was  engaged  in  teaming 
for  a  few  years.  He  was  not  a  member  of  the  church,  but  led  an  upright, 
moral  life,  and  was  a  thorough,  practical  believer  in  the  Bible  and  the  truths 
of  Christianity. 

For  a  wife  William  Goodell  chose  Miss  Fidelia  Olmstead,  whose  l^irth- 
place  was  W'alesville,  New  York.  She  was  one  of  three  children,  and,  as 
the  only  daughter  of  a  well-to-do  mill-owner,  she  received  good  advantages. 
To  William  and  Fidelia  Goodell  four  sons  and  a  daughter  were  born:  two 
sons  are  deceased;  Ella  is  the  wife  of  Elroy  J.  Carpenter,  of  Angola, 
Indiana;  Ray  is  a  citizen  of  LaSalle,  Illinois,  and  Ira  W.  completes  the  list. 
The  mother,  who  is  a  devoted  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
has  made  her  home  in  LaSalle  for  the  past  nine  years.  While  yet  a  very 
young  girl  she  was  honored  by  being  made  postmistress  at  Walesville, 
New  York,  which  position  she  retained  for  several  years. 

Ira  \\\  Goodell  was  born  in  W^alesville,  New  York,  October  13.  1858, 
and  accompanied  the  famih'  in  its  various  removals,  working  for  his  father 
on  the  farm  until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age.  He  managed  to  gain  a  fair 
education  in  the  district  and  pul)lic  schools  of  Michigan  and  Indiana,  and 
in  1874  obtained  employment  in  the  freight  office  of  the  Fort  Wayne  & 
Jackson  Railway  Company  at  Fremont,  remaining  there  for  three  years. 
Then,  going  to  Pleasant  Lake,  he  worked  for  the  same  company,  and  in 
1882  came  to  Peru.  Here  he  found  employment  in.  the  service  of 
the  Chicago,  Rock  Island  &  Pacific  Railroad  Company,  being  in 
charge  of  their  local  coal  shutes  for  about  three  years.  Then,  going  to 
LaSalle,  he  served  for  the  same  company  as  car  clerk,  following  which  he 
was  their  cashier  for  two  years.  Since  1889  he  has  been  located  in  Peru 
as  chief  clerk  in  the  freight  department  of  the  same  corporation.  He  is 
considered  one  of  the  most  efficient  and  faithful  of  its  employees,  for  he 
carefully  consults  the  best  interests  of  the  company  in  all  that  he  does. 

Socially  Mr.  Goodell  belones  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America 
and  to  the  Mystic  \\'orkers  of  the  A\'orld.  In  his  political  l^elief  he  is  a 
stanch  Republican,  as  was  his  father  before  him.  In  1889  Mr.  Goodell 
built  a  comfortable  modern  house  at  No.  625  Creve  Coeur  street.  LaSalle, 


546  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

and  makes  his  home  there,  although  much  of  his  time  is  necessarily  spent 
in  Peru.  In  both  places  he  is  very  well  known  and  stands  high  in  the 
esteem  of  their  citizens,  being  popular  among  his  associates  in  railroad 
circles  at  the  same  time.  June  i6,  1886,  a  marriage  ceremony  was  per- 
formed by  which  Miss  Harriet  Turner  became  the  wife  of  our  subject,  and 
two  children  bless  their  union,  namely:  Cecil  and  Hazel.  Mrs.  Goodell's 
father,  Henry  Turner,  was  born  in  Germany,  but  her  mother,  Mrs.  Isabel 
(Chapin)  Turner,  is  a  native  of  Illinois. 


ABRAM   COTTEW. 


Xumi3ered  among  the  well-to-do  farmers  and  successful  business  men 
of  Adams  township,  LaSalle  county,  is  he  of  whom  this  biography  is 
penned.  He  is  one  of  the  five  children  of  John  and  Sarah  (Young)  Cottew, 
respected  pioneers  of  this  county.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Kent  county, 
England,  born  August  2,  1814,  and  his  long,  useful  life  was  brought  to  a 
close  August  29,  1892.  His  parents  were  poor,  and  he  found  it  exceedingly 
diihcult  to  make  a  good  living  in  his  native  isle,  and  for  that  reason  he 
decided  to  try  his  fortunes  in  the  land  of  promise,  America.  It  was  in 
1844  that  he  carried  out  this  resolution,  coming-  the  entire  distance  to 
Chicago  by  the  water  route,  from  New  York  city  liy  way  of  the  canals  and 
great  lakes.  In  the  Garden  City,  as  Chicago  has  since  been  known,  he 
hired  a  teamster  to  convey  himself  and  family  to  LaSalle  county.  Here 
he  bargained  for  a  small  tract  of  land,  procured  a  yoke  of  oxen,  and  for 
some  time  provided  for  his  loved  ones  by  breaking  prairie  and  other  ardu- 
ous work  for  the  settlers  of  the  neighborhood.  Industry  and  earnest  effort 
always  bring  their  reward,  and  in  the  course  of  time  this  worthy  man  be- 
came one  of  the  substantial  farmers  of  Adams  township.  During-  the 
early  years  of  his  residence  here  he  gave  his  ballot  to  the  Democratic  party; 
but  when  the  great  contest  over  the  slavery  question  came  on  he  trans- 
ferred his  allegiance  to  the  Republican  party,  which  he  thenceforth  sup- 
ported. H[is  wife  was  summoned  first  to  the  better  land,  her  death  occur- 
ring December  30,  1887.  Their  eldest  son,  AMlliam,  enhsted  in  the  Union 
army  in  the  civil  war,  and  died  after  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  in  which  he  was 
actively  engaged.  The  three  daughters  survive,  namely:  Harriet,  wife  of 
Walter  Partridge,  of  Iowa;  ^fary  Ann,  wife  of  Henry  Shulz,  of  Otoe 
county,  Nebraska;  and  Sarah  A.,  ]\Irs.  Edwin  ]\Ioore,  of  Dawson  county, 
Nebraska. 

Abram  Cottew,  born  July  i,  1848,  has  passed  his  entire  life  at  his 
birthplace,  the  old  farm  in  Adams  township.     Such  education  as  he  pos- 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GEXEALOGICAL   RECORD.  547 

sesscb  uas  acquired  in  the  district  schools,  and  from  his  boyhood  he  has 
been  famiHar  with  farming,  in  its  various  departments.  Success  has  at- 
tended his  eftorts,  and  his  farm,  comprising  two  hundred  and  fifty-two 
acres,  in  the  southeastern  corner  of  Adams  township,  is  considered  one  of 
the  most  desirable  in  this  locality.  Following  in  the  political  footsteps 
of  his  father,  he  cast  his  first  presidential  ballot  for  Hayes,  and  is  loyal  to 
the  principles  which  the  Republican  party  maintains. 

The  married  life  of  Mr.  Cottew  was  of  brief  duration.  On  the  22d  of 
February,  1882,  he  wedded  Emma  Lett,  whose  death  occurred  March  16, 
1884,  and  their  only  child,  Ethel,  passed  into  the  silent  land  October  10, 
1883.  ]Mrs.  Cottew  was  a  daughter  of  Robert  Lett,  who  was  a  native  of 
Ireland  but  for  some  time  after  coming  to  America  resided  in  Canada  and 
spent  his  last  years  in  this  county. 


JEROME  C.  KOOXS. 

Probably  no  citizen  of  Peru  is  better  known  or  more  popular  with 
the  general  public  than  is  Jerome  C.  Koons,  whose  position  as  agent  for 
the  Chicago,  Rock  Island  and  Pacific  Railroad  brings  him  into  contact  with 
multitudes  daily.  ^Moreover,  he  is  one  of  the  native  sons  of  the  town,  and 
has  passed  his  whole  life  here,  winning  the  esteem  of  every  one,  both  as 
boy  and  man. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  of  German  descent.  Born 
in  Pennsylvania,  he  was  reared  in  Ohio,  and  was  a  farmer  by  occupation. 
He  reared  a  large  family,  and  was  a  worthy,  upright  man.  William  Hicks, 
the  maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  of  English  extraction  and 
was  a  painter  by  trade.  He  removed  from  Xew  York  to  Ohio,  and  finally 
came  to  Peru,  where  he  died  about  1855,  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years. 

Joseph  Koons,  father  of  Jerome  C,  was  born  in  the  Buckeye  state. 
About  half  a  centurv  ago  he  became  a  resident  of  Peru,  where  he  was  en- 
gaged  in  the  jewelry  business  until  1895.  thus  being  one  of  the  oldest  busi- 
ness men  of  the  place  in  years  of  active  enterprise.  He  was  a  stanch 
Republican,  and  served  as  an  alderman  for  one  term.  Death  summoned 
him  to  his  reward,  when  he  was  in  his  seventy-third  year,  July  14,  1898. 
His  widow,  who  survives  him,  is  still  making  her  home  in  Peru.  She  was 
a  native  of  New  York  state,  and  bore  the  name  of  Harriet  Hicks  in  her 
girlhood.  Of  her  four  children — three  sons  and  a  daughter — one  is  de- 
ceased, and  the  others  are  Jerome  C,  Edward  and  Carrie. 

Jerome  C.  Koons  was  born  March  10,  1854,  and  after  completing  his 
public-school  education  he  began  learning  telegraphy,  with  the  railroad  he 


548  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

is  now  employed  by,  and  his  first  station  was  at  Princeton.  Missouri,  where 
he  remained  for  eight  months.  Then,  returning  to  Peru,  he  was  appointed 
operator  liere  and  has  filled  the  responsible  position  ever  since.  In  1887 
he  was  made  ticket  agent  also,  and  is  still  serving  as  such. 

On  the  9th  of  June.  1886.  ]vlr.  Koons  married  Helen  AI.  Gardner. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Koons  occupy  a  comfortable  home  on  Fourth  street,  it  having 
been  erected  by  ]\Ir.  Koons  some  six  years  ago.  Mrs.  Koons.  who  is  a 
lady  of  good  education  and  attainments,  is  a  member  of  the  Christian 
church,  and  is  identified  with  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star.  Mr.  Koons 
likewise  belongs  to  the  order  mentioned,  is  a  ]\Iason  in  high  standing, 
being  a  member  of  St.  John's  Lodge.  Xo.  13.  A.  F.  &  A.  ]\I.;  Peru  Chap- 
ter. Xo.  Go.  R.  A.  AI.:  and  Peru  Council,  No.  12.  R.  &  S.  M.;  and  he 
is  also  connected  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  is  a  stalwart 
Republican  in  his  political  \iews.  and  uses  his  l^allot  in  favor  of  all  measures 
which  he  deems  worthy  of  support. 


'  JAMES  CLARK. 

The  specific  history  of  the  west  was  made  by  the  pioneers:  it  was  em- 
blazoned on  the  forest  trees  by  the  strength  of  sturdy  arms  and  gleaming- 
ax.  and  written  on  the  surface  of  the  earth  by  the  track  of  a  primitive  plow. 
These  were  strong  men  and  true  who  came  to  found  the  empire  of  the 
west— these  hardy  settlers  who  builded  their  rude  domiciles,  grappled  with 
the  giants  of  the  forest  and  from  the  svlvan  wilds  evolved  the  fertile  and 
productive  fields  which  have  these  many  years  l^een  furrowed  and  refur- 
rowed  by  the  plowshare.  The  red  man.  in  his  motley  garb,  stalked  through 
the  dim,  woody  avenues,  and  the  wild  beasts  disputed  his  dominion.  The 
trackless  prairie  was  made  to  yield  its  tribute  under  the  eft'ective  endeav- 
ors of  the  pioneer,  and  slowly  Imt  surely  were  laid  the  steadfast  foundations 
upon  which  has  been  builded  the  magnificent  superstructure  of  an  opulent 
and  enlightened  commonwealth.  To  establish  a  home  amid  such  surround- 
ings, and  to  cope  with  the  many  privations  and  hardships  which  were  the 
inevitable  concomitants,  demanded  an  invincible  courage  and  fortitude, 
strong  hearts  and  willing  hands.  All  these  were  characteristics  of  the 
pioneers,  whose  names  and  deeds  should  be  held  in  perpetual  reverence 
by  those  who  enjoy  the  fruits  of  their  toil. 

People  of  the  present  end-of-the-century  period  can  scarce  realize  the 
struggles  and  dangers  which  attended  the  early  settlers;  the  heroism  and 
self-sacrifice  of  lives  passed  upon  the  borders  of  civilization;  the  hardships 
endured,  the  difTficulties  overcome.     These  tales  of  the  early  days  read  al- 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  549 

most  like  a  romance  to  those  who  have  known  only  the  modern  prosperity 
and  convenience.  To  the  pioneer  of  the  early  days,  far  removed  from  the 
privileges  and  conveniences  of  city  or  town,  the  struggle  for  existence  was  a 
stern  and  hard  one.  and  these  men  and  women  must  have  possessed  wis- 
dom, immutahle  energies  and  sterling  worth  of  character  as  well  as  marked 
physical  courage,  when  they  thus  voluntarily  selected  such  a  life  and  suc- 
cessfully fought  its  battles  under  such  circumstances  as  prevailed  in  the 
w^est. 

The  pioneers  were  not  unaccustomed  to  more  pleasing  environments 
and  to  one  who.  like  the  subject  of  this  memoir,  came  higher  from  the  older 
civilization  and  the  more  perfectly  developed  and  more  consistent  man- 
ners of  life  of  an  old  English  town,  the  radical  change  was  one  which  must 
ha\"e  l)een  endured  only  by  one  who  had  the  courage  of  his  convictions 
and  who,  looking  to  the  ultimate  results,  was  willing  to  sow  that  others 
might  reap,  was  wilHng  to  be  an  organizer,  a  builder  and  an  institutor. 
To  lames  Clark  is  there  particular  congruity  in  directing  attention  in 
this  connection,  for  he  was  one  who  lived  and  labored  to  goodly  ends  and 
who  gained  not  only  a  position  of  distinctive  prominence  in  the  state 
which  he  had  aided  to  develop,  but  who  stood  "four-scjuare  to  every  wind 
that  blows"  and  held  the  respect  and  esteem  which  is  never  denied  to  a 
man  whose  integrity  and  honor  are  beyond  question. 

James  Clark  was  born  in  Ashburnham  parish,  Sussex  county,  England, 
on  the  9th  of  September,  181 1,  being  the  son  of  James  and  Ann  (Weston) 
Clark,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  prosperous  liveryman.  Our  stibject  was 
reared  in  his  native  country,  and  was  eventually  apprenticed  to  learn  the 
coach-maker's  trade.  He  was  a  young  man  of  alert  mentality  and  ambitious 
natr.re,  and  his  ambition  soon  began  to  strain  at  its  fetters  as  he  began 
to  outline  his  plans  for  a  career  of  usefulness  and  success.  He  became 
convinced  that  in  America  were  offered  better  opportunities  for  advance- 
ment and  for  securing  due  returns  from  individual  effort,  and  accordingly 
in  1830  he  set  sail  from  the  land  of  his  nativity  and  was  soon  en  route  to 
the  United  States.  His  voyage  was  uneventful,  being  marked  by  but  one 
notable  incident — the  lime  made  in  crossing  the  ocean  being  sixteen  days 
and  the  l)oat  being  a  sailing  vessel.  This  lowered  the  time  record  of  the 
day  in  a  very  considerable  degree.  He  landed  in  New  York  city  on  the 
1 6th  of  April,  1830,  with  only  one  shilling  in  his  pocket,  and  realizing  his 
somewhat  precarious  situation  as  a  stranger  in  a  strange  land  he  immedi- 
ately cast  about  for  employment,  having  in  the  meantime  pawned  his  over- 
coat in  order  to  secure  food  and  lodging.  In  a  few  days  he  secured  a 
situation.  recei\-ing  in  recompense  for  his  services  his  board  and  lodging, 
but  '?t  the  end  of  one  month  he  had  proved  himself  of  sufficient  value  to  his 


550  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

employer  to  insure  him  the  additional  pay  of  seventy-five  cents  per  diem. 

The  extent  to  which  accident  or  circumstances  may  shape  a  man's 
career  was  soon  given  exemplification  in  the  life  of  our  subject.  A  Mrs. 
Luellum  and  two  nieces  came  to  New  York  from  England,  the  eldest  of 
the  ladies  having  known  [Nlr.  Clark  in  his  native  parish.  Upon  her  arrival 
here  she  made  a  successful  efTort  to  find  him,  and  thereupon  prevailed  upon 
him  to  accompany  her  to  the  west,  where  she  wished  to  purchase  a  farm, 
having  four  hundred  dollars  which  she  desired  to  invest  in  this  way.  She 
agreed  to  pay  Mr.  Clark  ten  dollars  per  month  and  his  expenses  if  he  would 
go  with  her  and  advise  her  in  regard  to  pre-empting  a  farm  and  assist  her 
in  its  cultivation.  The  overtures  were  accepted  by  Mr.  Clark,  and,  in  com- 
pany with  Mrs.  Luellum  and  one  of  her  nieces,  he  started  for  that  section  of 
the  Union  which  was  to  figure  as  the  scene  of  his  earnest  and  successful 
endeavors.  The  other  niece  remained  in  New  York,  where  she  had  se- 
cured a  situation.  The  three  made  their  way  westward  to  Grafton,  Lorain 
county,  Ohio,  and  in  the  immediate  vicinity  Mrs.  Luellum  pre-empted  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land.  Mr.  Clark  staked  out  the  claim  and  cut 
logs  to  build  the  primitive  cabin  which  should  serve  as  a  home  and  shelter 
for  the  little  party.  While  this  work  was  being  accomplished  the  ladies 
slept  in  their  wagon  and  our  subject  took  the  "lower  berth,"  that  is,  he 
made  his  bed  beneath  the  wagon.  After  securing  her  farm  Mrs.  Luellum 
had  only  sufficient  funds  left  to  purchase  a  yoke  of  oxen,  a  cow,  a  pig  and  the 
most  primitive  farming  implements.  Under  these  conditions  was  instituted 
the  work  of  clearing  and  cultivating  the  pioneer  farm;  but  ill  fortune  at- 
tended the  efforts  of  the  members  of  the  little  household.  Their  stock  was 
lost  through  an  epidemic  of  scurvy,  and  they  were  reduced  eventually  to 
the  direst  financial  extremity.  Nothing  daunted  by  the  unpropitious  out- 
look, young  Clark  proved  himself  a  master  of  expedients.  He  cut  down 
ten  acres  of  timber,  burned  it  into  charcoal  and  for  this  produce  found  a 
ready  sale,  thus  recuperating  the  resources  of  the  family  of  which  he  was 
a  member.  During  this  time  Mrs.  Luellum  had  been  unable  to  pay  Clark 
his  wages,  and  finally  she  offered  to  settle  with  him  by  transferring  to  him 
her  right,  title  and  interest  in  her  pre-emption  claim;  and  after  receiving  this 
he  sold  it  for  thirty  dollars.  After  this  he  covered  their  wagon  with  un- 
bleached cotton  and  they  prepared  to  utilize  the  same  for  continuing  their 
journey  further  west. 

In  September,  1830,  Mr.  Clark  had  been  united  in  marriage  to  Mrs. 
Luellum's  niece,  Charlotte  Sargent,  and  now.  with  his  wife,  two  children, 
and  Mrs.  Luellum  he  started  for  Illinois.  On  the  way  he  traded  his  oxen 
for  a  good  team  of  horses,  and  with  this  superior  equipment  the  party  con- 
tinued their  wav  to  Peoria,  Illinois,  where  ]\Ir.  Clark  left  his  familv,  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  551 

proceeded  thence  on  horseback,  to  Utica  township,  where  he  paid  a  man 
named  Croisar  the  sum  of  ten  dollars  to  advise  him  as  to  eligible  location 
where  he  might  "squat"  on  government  land,  the  result  being  that  he 
located  on  section  4,  Utica  township.  He  then  brought  his  family  from 
Peoria  and  settled  down  to  pioneer  life.  He  operated  a  private  stage  line 
between  Peoria  and  Utica  and  later  from  Utica  to  Chicago,  and  as  this  was 
the  only  method  of  transportation  in  the  early  days  he  made  money  through 
this  enterprise. 

At  the  land  sales  in  1835  he  effected  the  purchase  of  two  hundred  and 
forty  acres,  and  from  time  to  time  added  to  the  area  of  his  possessions 
until  he  was  the  owner  of  two  thousand  four  hundred  acres  of  the  most 
productive  land  in  this  section  of  the  state.  His  first  home  in  LaSalle 
county  was  a  log  house.  In  1837  Mr.  Clark  took  a  contract  on  the  con- 
struction of  the  Illinois  &  Michigan  canal,  his  contract  providing  for  the 
extending  of  the  canal  through  two  miles  of  solid  rock.  The  work  was 
completed  in  1848.  In  1845  he  had  erected  a  substantial  and  handsome 
residence,  and  this  is  still  pointed  out  as  one  of  the  finest  in  this  section  of 
the  state. 

A  man  of  marked  ability,  indefatigable  industry  and  utmost  probity,  it 
was  but  natural  that  Mr.  Clark  should  soon  become  a  man  of  distinctive  prom- 
inence and  influence  in  the  community.     He  was  the  first  postmaster  of 
Utica,  and  was  the  incumbent  in  this  ofifice  for  the  long  period  of  fourteen 
years.     There  had  been  established  in  Utica  an  enterprise  for  the  manu- 
facture of  cement  to  be  used  in  the  construction  of  the  locks  of  the  canal, 
the  projectors  of  this  undertaking  having  been  George  Steele  and  Hiram 
Norton,  who  had  come  hither  from  Canada  but  had  conducted  operations 
upon  a  very  moderate  scale.     Mr.  Clark  purchased  the  cement  works  and  in 
1845  began  the  manufacture  of  hydraulic  cement.     The  investment  proved 
a  profitable  one  and  constituted  the  nucleus  of  a  large  fortune  which  our 
subject  acquired.     The  great  industry,  which  he  founded  so  many  years 
ago,  has  grown  to  be  one  of  the  most  extensive  of  the  sort  in  the  Union, 
from  three  to  five  hundred  thousand  barrels  of  cement  being  turned  out  each 
year.    His  wisdom  and  mature  judgment  were  shown  not  alone  in  the  estab- 
lishing of  this  enterprise,  but  also  in  conducting  its  affairs  continuously 
toward  the  maximum  of  success,  his  business  and  executive  ability  having 
been  of  the  most  pronounced  type.    In  1883  Mr.  Clark  decided  that  it  was 
expedient  to  expand  the  business  facilities  by  the  organization  of  a  joint- 
stock  company;  and  this  was  effected.     He  became  president  of  the  com- 
pany and  N.  J.  Cary  secretary  and  treasurer.     The  business  was  pushed 
forward  with  increased  vigor  and  became,  and  still  is,  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant industries  of  the  state. 


552  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

Mr.  Clark  was  the  first  agent  of  the  Rock  Island  Railroad  at  Utica, 
and  this  position  he  retained  until  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  supervisors  of  the  county  for  eleven  years.  During 
the  war  he  was  a  member  of  the  county  committee,  and  in  1870  was  granted 
distinguished  honor  and  preferment  in  the  gift  of  the  people  of  LaSalle 
county,  being  elected  to  membership  in  the  lower  house  of  the  state  legis- 
lature. In  this  body  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  committee  on  canals 
and  on  three  others  of  equal  importance,  bringing  to  bear  in  this  capacity 
the  same  practical  business  ability  and  sturdy  common  sense  which  had 
characterized  his  career  in  private  life,  and  he  thus  was  a  power  in  insuring 
wise  legislation,  gaining  the  hearty  endorsement  of  his  constituents,  having 
been  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  Democratic  party,  while  in  his  fraternal  rela- 
tion he  was  prominently  identified  with  the  Masonic  order. 

His  wife,  after  having  shared  with  him  the  trials  and  vicissitudes  of 
pioneer  life,  and  having  seen  her  children  well  settled,  was  summoned 
into  eternal  rest  on  the  12th  of  August,  1877.  She  left  two  children  to 
mourn  her  loss.  In  1877  was  consummated  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Clark  to 
Mary  J.  Cary,  widow  of  Charles  A.  Cary.  She  was  born  in  Jefferson 
count}^  New  York,  on  Christmas  day,  1833,  and  in  1843  she  accompanied 
her  father,  a  clergyman  of  the  Latter  Day  Saints"  church,  to  Illinois,  and 
while  living  in  Batavia  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mr.  Cary,  the  date  of  this 
ceremonial  having  been  in  1850.  They  became  the  parents  of  two  children 
— Norman  J.  and  Charles  A.  Cary.  ]\Ir.  Clark's  second  marriage  proved 
a  wise  one  in  all  that  makes  the  marriage  state  beautiful  and  happy.  His 
wife  was  a  true  helpnieet  in  every  sense  of  the  term,  and  by  her  tender 
solicitude  and  ministrations  made  his  declining  days  happy  and  serene. 
His  death  occurred  on  the  2d  of  July,  1888.  after  a  long  life  of  prominence 
and  uninterrupted  progress.  His  pathway  was  ever  upward,  both  in  a 
spiritual  and  temporal  sense.  As  this  review  shows,  he  was  distinctively  a 
self-made  man,  one  of  nature's  noblemen  whom  no  force  of  circumstances 
could  prostrate  or  draw  into  obscurity.  His  friends  were  many,  and  on  the 
list  were  numbered  many  of  the  representative  men  of  the  state,  and  his 
demise  was  the  cause  of  widespread  regret,  while  a  community  mourned  the 
loss  of  one  of  its  truest  and  best  citizens.  After  liberally  providing  for 
his  children  he  left  the  major  portion  of  his  large  fortune  to  his  widow. 

Mary  Cary  Clark  is  a  remarkably  gifted  woman.  She  is  a  poetess 
of  marked  ability,  and  is  also  the  author  of  prose  works  of  a  high  standard 
of  excellence.  She  possesses  a  brilliant  intellectuality  and  a  charming 
personality,  being  a  woman  of  great  spirituality  and  one  who  has  made 
deep  researches  into  the  great  truths  of  life.  Such  a  woman  could  not  but 
be  an  able  and  devoted  helpmeet  for  even  the  most  exalted  of  mankind. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  553 

and  the  affection  existing"  between  ]\lr.  and   Mrs.   Clark  was  a  deep  and 
abiding  one. 

Mrs.  Clark  is  an  excellent  business  woman,  as  well  as  a  brilliant  writer, 
and  during  her  husband's  life  she  was  his  confidential  adviser  and  helper 
in  all  his  complicated  business  affairs,  and  he  held  her  judgment  and  opin- 
ions in  the  highest  estimation.  Since  his  death  she  has  ably  carried  on  the 
business  of  the  Utica  Cement  Works  and  has  also  worthily  used  the  large 
fortune  left  her  by  her  devoted  husband.  She  still  retains  her  abode  in 
the  beautiful  Clark  homestead,  which  is  picturesquely  located  upon  the 
bluff"  overlooking  the  town  of  Utica.  The  home  is  a  most  attractive  one 
and  is  a  landmark  for  the  surrounding  country.  Mrs.  Clark  enjoys  the 
respect  and  admiration  of  the  people  of  Utica  and  worthily  bears  the  honors 
of  an  honored  name. 


JOHN  J.  CASSIDY. 


The  office  of  police  magistrate  is  one  requiring  peculiar  talents  and 
close  attention  to  details  almost  innumerable.  It  requires  an  intimate 
knowledge  of  human  nature  and  a  knowledge  of  the  law  that  applies  to 
police  cases  combined  with  the  ability  to  decide  quickly  and  with  due  re- 
gard for  the  just  claims  of  all  conflicting  interests.  There  are  some  model 
police  justices  in  the  west  and  Police  ]^Iagistrate  Cassidy,  of  LaSalle,  is 
one  of  them.  LaSalle  is  his  native  town,  and  he  was  born  November  29. 
1855,  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Rose  (McGuire)  Cassidy,  who  were  descended 
from  historic  Irish  families.  Thomas  Cassidy  was  born  in  New'  York,  a 
son  of  Francis  Cassidy.  a  native  of  Ireland.  At  an  early  day  in  the  history 
of  LaSalle.  Francis  Cassidy.  with  his  family,  took  up  his  residence  there. 
He  lived  there  many  years,  and  died  there  at  a  ripe  old  age.  His  son 
Thomas,  father  of  John  J.  Cassidy.  has  spent  most  of  his  life  at  LaSalle 
and  is  still  living  there,  aged  about  eighty.  He  was  formerly  well  and  favora- 
bly known  as  a  bridge  builder  and  general  building  contractor.  His  wife.  Rose 
McGuire,  was  born  in  Ireland.  She  bore  him  the  following  named  children, 
who  survive  her:  John  J.,  Thomas,  James.  Maggie  and  Minnie — the  latter 
the  wife  of  Nelse  Nelson. 

John  J.  Cassidy  was  reared  in  LaSalle  and  educated  there  at  a  Cath- 
olic institution  called  the  Christian  Brothers"  School  and  favorably  known 
for  the  excellent  character  of  its  educational  work.  At  this  institution  he 
was  graduated  in  1871.  His  first  experience  in  the  business  world  was 
as  a  dry-goods  clerk.  In  subsequent  years  his  business  experience  was 
varied.  He  w^as  at  the  head  of  a  hotel  enterprise  at  LaSalle  longer  than  he 
devoted  himself  to  any  other  one  interest. 


554 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


In  politics  Mr.  Cassidy  is  a  Democrat  and  is  in  all  ways  active  in  the 
support  of  the  principles  and  measures  of  his  party.  In  local  elections  in 
LaSalle  party  lines  are  not  closely  drawn  and  it  is  only  in  national  politics 
that  strong  partisanship  is  developed.  In  1888  Mr.  Cassidy  was  elected 
police  magistrate  of  the  city.  He  was  re-elected  to  the  same  office  in  1892 
and  again  in  1896,  and  is  filling  it  at  the  present  time  in  such  a  manner  that 
his  continuance  in  it  is  not  even  slightly  problematical  if  he  should  consent 
to  another  re-election.  He  is  one  of  LaSalle's  public-spirited  citizens,  zeal- 
ous in  all  good  works  for  the  town  and  devoted  to  the  best  interests  of  its 
people. 


WILLIAM    E.    MEANS. 


William  E.  Means,  assistant  general  manager  of  the  Illinois  Zinc 
Company  at  Peru,  is  a  son  of  Archibald  Means,  elsewhere  mentioned  in  this 
volume,  and  was  born  in  Manchester,  Adams  county,  Ohio,  May  21.  1868. 
When  he  was  but  three  years  old  he  w^as  brought  by  his  parents  to  Peru, 
Illinois,  where  he  was  reared  and  has  spent  most  of  his  life.  He  is  a  gradu- 
ate of  the  high  school  of  this  place  and  was  for  two  years  a  student  in  the 
State  University  of  Illinois.  After  leaving  college  he  went  to  Chicago, 
where  he  spent  one  year  in  a  wholesale  hardware  establishment.  The  next 
two  years  he  was  in  the  Merchants'  National  Bank  of  Chicago.  Then,  on 
June  I,  1890,  he  accepted  a  position  in  the  employ  of  the  Illinois  Zinc  Com- 
pany of  Peru,  and  as  assistant  general  manager  of  the  same  continues  in 
the  service  of  this  concern. 

Mr.  Means  was  married  June  29,  1892,  to  Jessie  Waugh,  daughter 
of  Samuel  W^augh,  and  to  them  have  been  born  two  children,  one  of  whom, 
Marjorie,  is  living,  the  other  having  died  in  infancy. 

Politically,  Mr.  Means  is  a  Republican,  active  and  enthusiastic,  and 
took  a  prominent  part  in  the  campaign  of  1896.  He  is  a  thirty-second 
degree  Mason  and  is  identified  with  the  Illinois  Commandery  of  the 
Military  Order  of  Loyal  Legion. 


HENRY  T.  MOSEY 


Henry  T.  Mosey,  Freedom,  Illinois,  is  a  son  of  Thomas  T.  Mosey  and 
a  nephew  of  Barto  Thompson,  two  of  the  well  known  and  most  highly 
respected  pioneers  of  the  town  of  Freedom.  He  is  one  of  a  family  of  eight 
children,  all  enumerated  in  the  sketch  of  Thomas  T.  Mosey.  His  only 
brother,  Charles  T.  ]\Iosey.  is  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Klove  &  ]Mosey, 
hardware  and  implement  dealers  of  Leland,  Illinois. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  555 

Henry  T.  was  born  in  the  town  of  Freedom,  Illinois,  May  11.  1858. 
He  received  his  early  training  on  the  farm  and  in  the  district  school.  After 
reaching  his  majority  he  assumed  the  role  of  farmer  independent  of  par- 
ental assistance,  which  occupation  he  still  follows  and  in  which  he  finds 
contentment  and  a  reasonable  degree  of  prosperity.  He  resides  on  and 
owns  the  farm  upon  which  he  was  born,  ranks  with  the  representative  men 
of  his  township,  and  has  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  all  who  know  him. 

Mr.  Mosey  was  married  January  17,  1888,  to  Miss  Emma  Quam,  a  sis- 
ter of  John  A.  Ouam,  of  Sheridan,  Illinois.  Their  union  has  been  blessed 
in  the  birth  of  four  children,  namely:    Earling,  Omer,  Ruth  and  Blanche. 

Mr.  Mosey  is  a  Republican.  He  cast  his  first  presidential  vote  for  the 
lamented  Garfield,  and  has  supported  every  candidate  of  his  party  since. 
He  has  served  as  a  town  collector  and  has  just  concluded  a  seven-years  ser- 
vice as  town  assessor,  and  is  serving  his  fifth  year  as  surveyor  for  the  Inde- 
pendent Farmers'  Aid  Company  for  Freedom "towaiship. 


BENJAMIN  M.  ETZLER,  D.  D.  S. 

Nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago  Dr.  Etzler  began  the  practice  of 
dentistry,  and  few,  if  any,  are  his  superiors  in  this  profession.  During  this 
period  greater  progress  has  been  made  in  dental  science  than,  perhaps, 
in  any  other  field  of  professional  endeavor,  and  the  public  has  not  been 
slow  in  demanding  nothing  but  the  best  and  most  skilled  work  at  the 
hands  of  the  dentist.  Desiring  to  keep  thoroughly  abreast  of  the  times, 
Dr.  Etzler  has  neglected  no  study  or  effort  that  would  advance  him  in 
his  chosen  vocation,  and  has  thus  succeeded  where  many  of  his  colleagues 
have  failed. 

A  native  of  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania,  born  September  21,  1853, 
Benjamin  M.  Etzler  is  a  son  of  Frank  and  Mary  (Hartman)  Etzler,  whose 
five  children  included  William  W.;  Sarah,  Mrs.  Wagner;  Howard;  and 
Jane,  wife  of  Calvin  Fryberger.  The  parents  likewise  were  natives  of  the 
Keystone  state,  and  there  the  mother  departed  this  life  in  1856.  The 
following  year  the  father  came  to  Illinois,  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  the 
vicinity  of  Freeport,  Stephenson  county,  where  he  died  in  1858,  aged  about 
thirty-eight  years.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  valued  members  of  the  German 
Reformed  church.  His  father,  Benjamin  Etzler,  was  born  in  Pennsyl- 
vania and  passed  his  entire  life  in  that  state,  his  occupation  being  that  of 
agriculture.  The  father  of  Mrs.  Mary  Etzler  was  Michael  Hartman,  like- 
wise a  native  of  the  Keystone  state,  and  a  shoemaker  by  trade.     At  an 


556  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

early  day  he  came  to  Illinois  and  located  upon  a  farm  in  Stephenson  county, 
in  which  county  he  died  when  over  seventy  years  of  age. 

Dr.  Etzler  resided  in  Stephenson  county  until  he  reached  his  majority, 
obtaining  a  good  education  in  the  public  schools.  Later  he  took  up  the 
study  of  dentistry  in  Freeport,  under  the  tutelage  of  Dr.  Samuel  Garber, 
and  after  having  mastered  the  business  he  came  to  Peru  in  1876,  and 
opened  an  office.  After  practicing  here  for  two  years  he  went  to  LaSalle, 
where  he  passed  three  years.  Then,  going  to  Chicago,  he  remained  in 
that  city  for  seven  years. 

Thus,  b}'  extended  practice  in  every  variety  of  dentistry  he  gained 
invaluable  experience,  and  has  steadily  progressed.  In  1889  he  returned  to 
LaSalle;  thence  he  went  to  Freeport  and  in  1895  he  resumed  his  inter- 
rupted practice  in  Peru.  In  all  local  aftairs  of  the  place  in  which  he  makes 
his  home  he  takes  an  interested  part,  doing  his  duty  as  a  citizen  and  voter. 
His  political  preference  is  for  the  principles  and  nominees  of  the  Repub- 
lican party. 

The  marriage  of  Dr.  Etzler  and  Miss  Jennie  Corwin  was  celebrated 
in  1894,  at  the  home  of  the  bride's  father.  H.  S.  Corwin,  of  Peru.  Airs. 
Etzler  is  a  lady  of  pleasing  mental  and  social  qualities,  and  she  presides 
over  her  cozy  home  with  grace  and  dignity. 


FRANK  B.  ZWICK. 


An  enterprising,  wide-awake  young  business  man  of  LaSalle.  Frank  B. 
Zwick  may  be  justly  termed  self-made  and  self-educated.  Starting  into 
business  here  a  few  years  ago.  he  has  steadily  advanced  financially  and  in 
every  way.  winning  the  respect  and  high  esteem  of  all  with  whom  he  lias 
been  associated  or  had  dealings. 

A  native  of  Germany,  our  subject  is  a  son  of  Casimer  and  Anna 
(LoerkeJ  Zwick.  of  the  same  country.  The  father  emigrated  to  the  United 
States  in  1871  and  in  the  spring  of  the  following  year  sent  for  his  family, 
who  arrived  in  LaSalle  April  22.  The  eldest  daughter.  Rosa,  with  her  hus- 
band. John  Waszkowiak,  had  located  in  this  place  in  1870.  and  it  was 
largely  through  her  influence  that  the  others  concluded  to  cast  in  their 
fortunes  with  the  citizens  of  this  state.  Pauline,  the  second  daughter,  is 
now  deceased,  as  are  Anton  and  one  who  was  born  in  this  countv  and 
died  when  young.  Augusta  is  married.  \\'ynoa.  Casimer  is  a  merchant 
in  this  city,  and  Anna  is  married  and  lives  in  Chicago.  The  parents  are 
still  living  here,  the  father  being  seventy-six  years  of  age  and  the  mother 
in  her  sixty-seventh  year. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  557 

When  he  was  but  eleven  years  of  age,  Frank  B.  Zwick  was  obliged 
to  leave  school,  which  he  had  attended  but  three  years,  and  from  that  time 
to  the  present  he  has  been  one  of  the  world's  busv  workers.  He  was  four- 
teen and  a  half  years  old  when  the  family  came  to  the  United  States,  and 
though  he  obtained  a  position  in  a  general  store  in  LaSalle  soon  after  his 
arrival  here  he  had  no  knowledge  of  English  and  had  a  very  difficult  ex- 
perience in  being  initiated  into  the  language  and  customs  of  our  people. 
He  was  bright  and  ambitious,  and  ere  long  had  acquired  familiarity  with 
these  necessary  things.  He  now  speaks,  reads  and  writes  English  well, 
and  is  well  posted  in  general  affairs.  For  three  years  he  worked  in  a  gro- 
cery, after  which  he  was  employed  in  a  cement  works  for  two  years.  Then, 
for  six  months  he  was  with  the  Matthiessen  &  Hegeler  Zinc  Company, 
and  subsequently  with  the  Illinois  Zinc  Works.  At  length,  in  November. 
1883,  he  embarked  in  business  for  himself,  opening  a  dry-goods  and  gentle- 
men's furnishing  goods  store.  His  capital  was  small  at  first,  but  his  am- 
bitious undertaking  has  been  very  successful,  and  he  has  branched  out 
quite  extensively,  keeping  a  well  selected  stock  of  goods  and  meriting  the 
large  patronage  he  enjoys. 

On  the  I2th  of  June,  1887,  ~Mv.  Zwick  wrote  his  first  fire-insurance 
policy,  and  since  that  time  has  been  the  local  agent  for  about  all  of  the 
leading  fire-insurance  companies  in  this  countr}".  He  is  active  in  the  sup- 
port of  the  Democratic  party.  For  a  time  he  served  as  deputy  county 
clerk;  in  1890  he  was  made  a  notary  public;  the  following  year  he  was 
elected  to  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace,  and  at  the  expiration  of  his 
term  he  was  re-elected,  and  again,  in  1897,  was  honored  with  the  position. 
His  marriage  to  Miss  Julia  Mathys  was  celebrated  January  29,  1894.  They 
belong  to  St.  Hyacinth's  Polish  church,  and.  as  both  have  musical  talent, 
they  give  their  services  to  the  congregation,  he  '-"^-jdluo;  the  choir  and  his 
wife  acting  as  organist. 


HARLEY  G.  HUPP. 


Among  the  younger  class  of  farmers  whose  honest,  earnest  eft'orts  are 
counting  for  the  advancement  of  the  agricultural  interests  of  Northville 
township,  LaSalle  county,  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  Harley  G.  Hupp, 
son  of  George  C.  Hupp,  a  highly  respected  citizen  of  tliis  county,  whose 
biographical  sketch  appears  in  this  work. 

Harley  G.  Hupp  was  born  in  Serena  township,  this  county,  Decem- 
ber 25,  1867,  and  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm,  having  the  advantage 
of  a  liberal  education.  After  completing  his  studies  in  the  district  school 
he  was  for  a  time  a  student  in  the  Normal  School  at  Geneseo,  Illinois,  and 


558  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

later  took  a  commercial  course  in  Bryant  &  Stratton's  Business  College  at 
Chicago.  Since  leaving  school  he  has  been  successfully  engasred  in  farm- 
ing  in  Northville  township  and  is  classed  with  the  prosperous  young  farm- 
ers of  his  vicinity.     Like  his  father,  ]\Ir.  Hupp  is  a  Republican. 

Mr.  Hupp  was  married  February  12,  1896,  to  Miss  Effie  M.  Nichols, 
a  native  of  Niagara  county.  New  York.  To  them  two  cliildren  have  been 
born — Russel  N.  (deceased)  and  Earl  Wesley. 


GEORGE  C.  HUPP. 


The  substantial  and  respected  farmer  whose  name  introduces  this 
sketch — George  C.  Hupp — has  been  identified  with  LaSalle  county  all  his 
life  and  for  nearly  three  decades  has  made  his  home  on  his  present  farm 
in  Northville  township.  The  record  of  his  life,  which  includes  honoral)le 
war  ser\ice,  is  herewith  presented: 

George  C.  Hupp  was  born  in  Serena  township.  LaSalle  county,  Illinois, 
June  9,  1836.  His  parents.  John  and  ]\Iary  (De  Bolt)  Hupp,  were  natives- 
of  Virginia  and  Ohio,  respectively,  and  were  married  in  the  latter  state. 
Early  in  the  year  1836  they  came  to  Illinois  and  first  made  a  settlement 
in  the  township  of  Serena,  LaSalle  county,  where  their  son  George  was 
born,  as  already  stated,  and  where  they  lived  one  year.  The  next  year 
they  removed  to  Adams  township.  John  Hupp  went  to  California  in  1850, 
and  as  no  news  was  received  from  him  after  1853  it  is  believed  that  he 
died  there  about  that  time.  His  wife  died  in  February,  1892,  at  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  eighty-seven  years.  Their  family  comprised  the  following 
named  members:  Sedrick  \\\.  W^ilson,  Havila  S.,  A.  Jane,  Samantha, 
Stephen,  George  C,  Riley  E.  and  Louisa  B.  \Mlson  went  west  with  his 
father  and  was  drowned. 

George  C,  the  direct  subject  of  this  article,  was  reared  on  a  farm  and 
has  followed  farming  all  his  life,  with  the  exception  of  time  spent  in  the 
Union  army  during  the  civil  war.  He  enlisted  in  September,  1861,  in  Com- 
pany K,  Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry,  in  1863  re-enlisted  for  the  rest  of  the 
period  of  the  war,  and  accordingly  his  service  lasted  until  the  conflict  was 
ended  and  peace  restored.  During  the  first  three  years  of  his  service  he 
held  the  rank  of  sergeant,  was  then  promoted  to  the  position  of  second 
lieutenant  and  later  to  that  of  first  lieutenant,  which  rank  he  held  at  the 
time  he  was  honorably  discharged.  July  17.  1865.  He  participated  in  a 
numl3er  of  prominent  engagements,  always  bravely  ready  for  duty,  prompt 
to  oljey  or  command,  and  at  the  end  of  the  war  came  home  with  a  record 
of  which  he  may  justly  ever  be  proud.     For  a  number  of  years  he  was  a 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  559 

member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  but  on  account  of  his  hearing  faihng  him  he 
withdrew  his  membership. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  Mr.  Hupp  returned  home  and  resumed  farm- 
ing. Since  1871  he  has  resided  on  his  present  farm  of  two  hundred  and 
ninety-seven  acres,  in  Northville  township.  In  addition  to  this  farm  he 
has  another  tract  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  making  four  hundred 
and  seventeen  in  all,  and  has  also  given  land  to  his  children,  assisting  them 
to  get  a  start  in  life.  He  gives  his  political  support  to  the  Republican 
party. 

]\Ir.  Hupp  was  married  in  February,  1866.  to  Aliss  Mary  Jane  Calla- 
gan.  who  was  born  in  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  August  3,  1842,  a  daughter 
of  \\'illiam  and  Jane  (Flemming)  Callagan.  both  natives  of  the  north  of 
Ireland.  William  Callagan  was  born  September  9,  181 7,  and  died  in  Adams 
township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  February  17,  1896.  His  wife,  born  Feb- 
ruary 2,  1813,  is  still  living,  making  her  home  with  her  daughter,  Mrs 
Hupp.  They  were  married  in  Ireland  and  in  1839  came  to  the  United 
States,  settling  first  in  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  where  they  resided  until 
1845,  that  year  removing  to  Adams  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois. 
Their  family  comprised  the  following  named  children:  Mary,  Mary  Jane, 
Anna,  William.  Samuel  and  Martha.  All  of  this  number  are  deceased  ex- 
cept Mary  Jane  and  William.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hupp's  children  are  as  fol- 
lows: Clara  I.,  Harley  G.,  William  E.  (deceased),  Euretta  M.,  Fred  E. 
and  Arthur  C. 


WILLIS    C.    FARLEY. 


This  popular  merchant  of  Leland  was  born  in  the  township  of  Adams, 
LaSalle  county.  May  13,  1866.  a  son  of  Christopher  and  Helen  (Sanderson) 
Farley,  natives  of  Norway.  His  father  was  born  May  15.  1832,  a  son  of 
Christopher  and  Julia  Farley,  who  emigrated  to  America  in  1842,  settling 
in  ?\Iuskego,  Wisconsin.  There  the  senior  Christopher  Farley  died,  and 
his  wife,  with  her  son  Christopher  (the  father  of  our  subject),  in  1844  moved 
to  LaSalle  county,  locating  in  Adams  township.  Here  the  junior 
Christopher  followed  farming,  four  years  as  a  farm  hand  at  four  dollars  a 
month,  until  he  was  enabled  to  make  better  arrangements.  He  married 
and  continued  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death,  which  occurred  Au- 
gust II.  1895.  In  politics  he  was  a  Republican.  His  widow  is  still  living, 
in  Leland.  Their  children  were  Esther,  deceased;  Matilda,  also  deceased; 
^^'^illis  C,  our  subject;  Llannah;  Frank,  living  on  the  old  homestead;  Ed- 
ward and  Alfred,  who  have  been  grocers  in  Leland  ever  since  1897. 

\\'illis  C.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  at  the  country  schools. 


56o  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

He  left  the  farm  in  1891  and  entered  the  butchering  business  in  Leland. 
Afterward  selHng  out  he  entered  the  clothing-  business,  in  partnership  with 
an  uncle,  under  the  firm  name  of  Sanderson  &  Farley.  His  interest  in  this 
he  sold  out  in  the  fall  of  1894:  but  on  January  26  following  he  purchased 
the  business  of  his  uncle  and  has  eyer  since  conducted  it  alone.  His  stock 
embraces  everything  in  the  line  of  clothing,  boots  and  shoes  and  gents' 
furnishing  goods,  and  he  has  a  nice  stock  and  a  large  business. 

He  was  married  in  1894  to  Nettie  Baker,  a  daughter  of  Ole  Baker,  of 
Pawpaw  township,  DeKalb  county,  this  state,  and  they  haye  two  children, 
— Fremont  and  Okley, — the  latter  of  whom  is  deceased.  Mr.  Farley  is  a 
Lutheran  and  a  Republican. 


THOMAS    CULLEN. 


Numbered  among  the  pioneers  of  LaSalle  county  is  Thomas  Cullen, 
of  Adams  township,  now  arrived  at  the  venerable  age  of  eighty-four  years. 
He  is  the  eldest  child  of  James  Cullen,  who  emigrated  to  the  United  States 
from  Ireland  in  1835,  reaching  New  Orleans  on  the  ist  of  Jime  of  that 
year.  He  was  accompanied  by  his  family,  and  had  no  definite  place  of 
location  decided  upon,  and  therefore  stopped  at  different  points  on  his  way 
northward,  up  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi,  working  at  his  trade,  that  of 
blacksmith.  It  was  not  until  1846  that  he  finally  arrived  in  LaSalle  county, 
thenceforth  to  be  his  permanent  place  of  abode.  Buying  the  farm,  in  Adams 
township,  now  owned  Ijy  Ernest  Suppes,  he  improved  it  and  spent  the  rest 
of  his  active  life  there,  his  death  occurring  in  1879,  when  he  was  in  his 
eighty-fourth  year.  One  of  his  sons  is  the  Hon.  \\'i]liam  Cullen,  ex-con- 
gressman, of  Ottawa,  Illinois,  and  the  second  son,  James  Fleming  Cullen. 
is  deceased.  The  daughters  were  Catherine,  the  wife  of  James  McNeal,  of 
Redding,  California;  Margaret,  wife  of  John  Reed,  both  deceased;  and 
Eliza,  widow  of  Byron  Braden. 

Born  in  the  parish  of  Invers,  county  Donegal,  Ireland,  February  4, 
1816,  Thomas  Cullen  was  reared  to  young  manhood  in  his  native  land. 
He  was  remarkably  apt  as  a  student  and  prided  himself  upon  his  memory. 
He  was  instructed  in  the  catechism  and  was  a  very  small  boy  when  he  was 
able  to  repeat  as  many  as  twelve  chapters  of  the  Bible,  missing  only  a  few 
words  of  the  whole.  It  was  a  joke  in  the  family  that  his  mother  hid  an 
old  dictionary  which  they  possessed,  in  the  fear  that  he  would  commit  that 
to  memory,  also!  The  love  for  study  and  books  which  he  then  formed  has 
never  left  him,  and  has  been  a  source  of  great  pleasure  to  him  in  all  the 
past  years.     Very  few  of  the  really  valuable  works  of  history  and  fiction 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  561 

have  been  neglected  by  him,  and  many  of  the  classics  as  well,  have  possessed 
deep  interest  for  him.  Religious  and  theological  works  were  much  read  by 
him  prior  to  his  conversion  to  Christianity,  and  Clarke's  Commentaries  on 
Ecclesiastical  History  and  the  works  of  William  Paley,  D.  D.,  had  a  great 
influence  in  forming  his  religious  opinions. 

In  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  Mr.  Cullen  learned  the  business  of  build- 
ing locomotives,  and  followed  that  calling  for  a  quarter  of  a  century.  About 
1837  he  became  convinced  that  he  ought  to  devote  some  of  his  time  to 
the  spreading  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  and  for  ten  years  thereafter  he 
traveled  through  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Virginia  and  Illinois,  preaching  and 
doing  whatever  good  he  could.  In  1847  ^"^^  returned  to  Adams  township, 
where  he  has  since  resided,  secure  in  the  love  and  genuine  esteem  of 
neighbors  and  associates.  In  his  political  faith  he  has  always  adhered  to 
the  Democratic  party,  and  strongly  believes  in  the  Jefifersonian  principles. 
He  is  unalterably  opposed  to  any  form  of  aristocracy,  and  views  with  deep 
concern  the  concentration  of  wealth  in  the  hands  of  the  few. 

On  the  1st  of  April,  1855,  Mr.  Cullen  wedded  Mary  Lindsay,  a  daughter 
of  Samuel  Lindsay,  who  was  of  Scotch  descent,  and  whose  wife,  Annie 
(Barnes)  Lindsay,  was  a  native  of  Steubenville,  Ohio.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cullen 
have  three  children,  namely:  Benjamin,  who  married  a  Miss  Guir  and  is 
managing  the  home  farm;  Jennie,  who  became  the  wife  of  William  Smith; 
and  William,  a  railroad  engineer,  of  Chicago.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cullen 
are  members  of  the  Protestant  Methodist  church,  and  this  venerable  couple 
have  long  enjoyed  the  highest  esteem  and  confidence  of  a  wide  acquaintance. 
Richest  blessings  of  health,  prosperity  and  happiness  have  been  granted 
them,  for  which,  with  grateful  hearts,  they  give  thanks  and  praise  to 
God.  Devout  Christians,  their  lives  have  been  largely  devoted  to  work 
in  behalf  of  the  Master, — Jesus  Christ.  Many  happy  years  have  been 
allotted  them  in  this  life,  through  the  declining  years  of  which  they  journey 
with  unshaken  faith  in  the  hand  of  God  to  strengthen  them  in  life,  care 
for  them  in  death  and  reward  them  with  happiness,  peace  and  rest  in  the 
great  beyond. 


JOHN  HILLIARD. 


This  honored  veteran  of  the  great  civil  war  and  prominent  citizen  of 
Ottawa,  LaSalle  county,  was  born  at  Plattsburg,  Clinton  county.  New 
York,  November  2,  1838.  His  paternal  grandfather,  Joshua  Hilliard,  a 
native  of  Connecticut,  was  one  of  the  heroes  of  the  war  for  independence. 
He  married  a  Miss  Grinnell,  likewise  of  Connecticut,  and  for  a  number  of 
years  thev  dwelt  in  ^^ermont.     It  was  in  that  state  that  the  father  of  our 


562  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

subject,  Anson  Milliard,  was  born  and  reared.  When  a  mere  youth  he 
removed  to  the  Empire  state,  there  passing  the  remainder  of  his  life,  and 
dying  while  in  his  prime,  in  1856.  His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Amity  Smith,  was  born  in  Montpelier,  Vermont,  and  departed  this  life 
in  1849. 

Thus,  when  but  eleven  years  of  age,  John  Hilliard  was  deprived  of  the 
tender  care  of  a  mother,  from  whom  he  received  training-  in  example  and 
precept,  resulting  in  high  standards  of  action  in  his  later  life.  Until  the 
death  of  his  father,  he  continued  to  live  at  the  place  of  his  birth,  Platts- 
burg,  in  whose  public  schools  he  obtained  a  liberal  education  for  that 
period.  In  1858  he  came  to  the  prairie  state  and  spent  about  a  year  in 
Ottawa  and  vicinity,  then  returning  to  his  native  town. 

When  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  broke  out,  John  Hilliard  was  prompt 
in  offering  his  services  to  the  government.  He  enlisted  in  1861  for  a  period 
of  two  years,  in  Company  C,  Sixteenth  Regiment  of  the  New  York  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  under  command  of  Captain  Frank  Palmer  and  Colonel 
Davies.  With  his  regiment  he  was  ordered  to  the  front  in  time  to  take 
part  in  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run,  and  subsequently  participated  in  numer- 
ous minor  engagements.  In  1863  he  was  actively  engaged  in  the  battle  of 
Fredericksburg,  and  was  captured  by  the  enemy,  but  exchanged  at  the  end 
of  ten  days.  At  the  close  of  his  term  of  enlistment  he  was  mustered  out, 
at  Albany,  and  granted  an  honorable  discharge. 

In  1863,  Mr.  Hilliard  returned  to  Ottawa,  where  for  three  years  he  was 
employed  on  the  Illinois  &  Michigan  canal,  engaged  in  the  transfer  of  farm 
produce  from  various  points  along  the  line  to  Chicago.  In  1868  he  en- 
tered into  business  relations  with  Andrew  Hamilton,  of  Ottawa,  under 
the  firm  name  of  Hamilton  &  Hilliard,  and  for  ten  years  they  were  suc- 
cessfully engaged  in  the  sale  of  flour  and  feed,  lime  and  other  products. 
At  the  end  of  the  decade  our  subject  sold  his  interest  to  his  partner  and 
bought  a  quarter  section  of  land  in  Utica  township.  For  four  years 
he  gave  his  entire  attention  to  the  cultivation  and  improvement  of  this 
property,  and  dealt  more  or  less  in  live  stock.  A  good  opportunity  present- 
ing itself  for  the  disposal  of  his  homestead,  he  sold  the  place,  and  returning 
to  Ottawa  again  became  a  partner  of  Mr.  Hamilton.  This  connection  con- 
tinued for  two  years.  For  the  second  time  he  sold  out  and  retired  on 
account  of  failing  health.  He  subsequently  purchased  a  farm  near  the  town 
of  Utica,  and  here  resided  temporarily  for  two  years,  and  in  the  fall  of  1899 
returned  to  Ottawa,  his  present  place  of  residence. 

Mr.  Hilliard  served  for  one  term  as  an  alderman,  in  Ottawa.     In  the 

'Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  he  belongs  to  Seth  C.  Earl  Post,  No.   156, 

of  Ottawa.     In  the  Masonic  order  he  is  identified  with  Occidental  Lodge, 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  563 

Ko.  40,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  this  place.  By  his  marriage  to  Miss  Maria 
Hickling,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Hickling.  Mr.  HiUiard  had  one  child,  a 
daughter,  who  died  when  eight  years  of  age.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hilliard  have  an 
adopted  son,  Hubert  J.  Hilliard,  who  now  resides  on  ^Nlr.  Hilliard's  farm 
near  Utica. 


ANDREW  HEBEL. 


Andrew  Hebel.  the  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Peru  Beer  Company, 
and  ex-mayor  of  Peru,  was  born  in  LaSalle,  Illinois.  Alay  13,  1865.  His 
father.  Andrew  Hebel,  was  a  well  known  pioneer  brewer  of  LaSalle  and 
Peru,  and  was  a  native  of  Bavaria,  Germany,  coming  to  the  United  States 
some  time  during  the  '50s.  After  visiting  Milwaukee.  St.  Louis  and  other 
points,  with  a  view  to  locating,  he  came  to  LaSalle,  where  he  settled  about 
i860.  Here  he  married  Miss  Karolina  Rapp,  who  came  from  Bavaria  to 
LaSalle  a  few  years  later  than  ]Mr.  Hebel.  Five  children  were  the  fruits 
of  this  marriage — Andrew,  Josephine,  Caroline,  Annie  and  Bertha.  The 
father  was  a  master  brewer,  having  learned  the  trade  in  his  native  land,  and 
after  locating  in  LaSalle  took  charge  of  the  brewing  of  the  Eliel  Brewing 
Company,  remaining  there  nine  years.  In  1869  he  moved  to  Peru  and 
took  charge  of  the  old  Peru  Beer 'Company,  a  co-operative  concern.  Three 
years  later  he  and  Herman  Brunner  bought  the  plant  and  operated  it 
under  the  name  of  Hebel  &  Brunner  until  his  death  in  1886.  His  wife  still 
survives  him. 

Andrew  Heliel.  our  subject,  was  about  four  years  old  when  his  father 
became  a  resident  of  Peru,  and  he  grew  to  manhood  in  this  citv.  He 
was  given  every  facility  for  obtaining  a  good  education  in  order  that  he 
might  become  a  successful  man  of  business.  His  primary  training  was 
received  in  the  public  schools  of  Peru  and  the  high  school,  at  which  he 
graduated  in  1880.  He  then  attended  the  L'niversity  of  St.  Louis  for  one 
year,  and  took  a  six-months  course  in  the  Bryant  &  Stratton  Business  Col- 
lege of  Chicago  to  gain  a  practical  idea  of  bookkeeping.  To  gain  actual 
experience  in  the  work  he  secured  a  position  as  bookkeeper  in  the  office  of 
Rand.  McXally  &  Company,  of  Chicago,  where  he  remained  four  vears, 
leaving  there  in  the  spring  of  1886,  at  his  father's  request,  to  take  charge  of 
the  latter's  interest  in  the  brewerv.  At  the  death  of  his  father  he  took  charge 
of  the  office  and  became  a  partner,  taking  his  father's  interest  and  continu- 
ing the  business  under  the  old  style  for  three  years.  In  1889  the  firm  was 
changed  to  a  stock  company,  which  was  incorporated  and  known  as  thfe 
Peru  Beer  Company,  with  an  invested  capital  of  fifty  thousand  dollars, 
and  at  present  the  annual  output  is  about  fifteen  thousand  barrels.     Th6 


564  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

officers  elected  were  Herman  Brunner.  president;  Andrew  Hebel,  secretary 
and  treasurer;  and  Charles  Herbold.  superintendent.  They  have  been  con- 
tinued in  that  capacity  ever  since.  They  have  made  a  special  effort  to  pro- 
duce a  pure,  malt-and-hop  beer,  and  are  given  credit  for  brewing  a  high 
grade.  Their  business  has  increased  to  such  an  extent  that  it  was  found 
necessary  to  enlarge  their  buildings,  and  they  have  just  completed  the  erec- 
tion of  a  large  stock  house  or  cold-storage  cellars,  at  a  cost  of  thirty  thous- 
and dollars. 

Mr.  Hebel  was  united  in  marriage,  in  1889,  to  IMiss  Rose  Cossmann, 
whose  father  was  an  iron-foundry  man  of  Chicago.  Five  of  the  six  chil- 
dren born  to  them  are  living.  Mr.  Hebel  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Catholic  church  and  are  liberal  contributors  toward  its  support.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Catholic  Order  of  Foresters,  the  Catholic  Knights  of  Amer- 
ica and  other  organizations.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat  and  was  twice 
elected  to  the  office  of  alderman  without  opposition.  During  his  second 
term  of  office  Mayor  Rausch  resigned  and  the  council  elected  Mr.  Hebel 
mayor  pro  tem.  for  the  remainder  of  the  term.  At  the  election  held  in 
the  following  May  he  was  elected  mayor  without  opposition  and  held  the 
trust  for  a  further  period  of  two  years,  declining  re-election  afterward  on 
account  of  his  business. 


THOMAS  F.  THOMPSON. 

The  Scandinavian  element  in  our  great  western  population  is  a  good 
one.  The  men  from  Sweden  and  Norway  who  have  cast  their  lot  with 
us  have  demonstrated  their  ability  to  seize  upon  the  advantages  of  Amer- 
ican citizenship  as  practically  and  as  patriotically  as  men  "to  the  manor 
born."  One  of  the  most  prominent  Scandinavians  in  LaSalle  county  is 
Thomas  F.  Thompson,  grain  merchant  and  banker,  at  Leland,  who  has 
made  his  way  to  permanent  success  in  life  in  the  face  of  many  obstacles. 

Thomas  F.  Thompson  was  born  in  Norway,  September  7,  1832,  and 
Avas  brought  to  the  United  States  by  his  parents  in  1844.  and  the  family 
found  a  home  in  Norway,  Racine  county,  Wisconsin.  His  parents  were 
Thomas  T.  Flattre  and  Isabella  Thompson.  His  mother  died  in  Norway, 
Wisconsin,  and  his  father  in  Leland.  LaSalle  county.  Illinois,  where  he 
located  in  1853,  though  he  later  lived  in  Kansas  for  a  time. 

Thomas  F.  Thompson  remained  at  the  family  home  in  Norway.  Wis- 
consin, until  1852,  when  he  was  twenty  years  old.  and  then  he  went  to 
Chicago,  where  he  remained  two  years.  In  1854  he  first  came  to  Leland, 
where  for  two  years  he  was  in  partnership  with  A.  A.  Klove.  Disposing 
of  his  interests  to  Mr.  Klove,  he  went  to  Atchison  countv,  Kansas,  where 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  565 

he  ran  a  sawmill  two  years.  After  his  return  to  Leland  he  was  for  a  time 
employed  in  the  store  of  Hans  Thompson.  In  1861  Mr.  Thompson  and 
Thomas  Iverson  began  to  deal  in  grain  at  Leland  and  they  continued  the 
business  with  varying  success  until  1866,  when  Mr.  Thompson  disposed  of 
his  interest  in  it  and  was  associated,  for  a  time,  with  C.  F.  Okefield  in  the 
same  business.  He  then  removed  to  Crescent,  Illinois,  where  •  for  eight 
years  he  was  engaged  in  merchandising.  Returning  to  Leland,  he  formed 
a  partnership  with  Knute  Buland  and  bought  the  grain  business  of  Mr. 
Okefield,  who  had  died  just  before  that  time.  In  1883  Andrew  Anderson 
bought  Mr.  Buland's  interest  in  the  business  and  the  firm  became  Thompson 
&  Anderson,  under  which  style  it  exists  at  this  time.  Its  banking  depart- 
ment was  added  in  J\Iay.  1896. 

Mr.  Thompson  is  a  Republican.  He  has  served  for  his  townsmen  since 
1880  as  town  clerk  and  has  filled  several  other  important  offices.  He  was 
confirmed  in  the  Lutheran  church  more  than  fifty  years  ago.  He  married 
Miss  Caroline  Selter,  a  daughter  of  Ole  T.  Selter,  June  19,  1861.  Mrs. 
Thompson  was  a  native  of  Norway  and  was  brought  to  the  United  States 
when  she  was  only  about  a  year  old.  She  bore  Mr.  Thompson  ten  children 
and  died  deeply  regretted  in  1886.  Six  of  their  children  are  living:  Lewis 
T.,  Stanley  O.,  Cora  M.,  Nettie  E.,  Jeannette  O.  and  Charlotte  T.  Mr. 
Thompson  has  proven  himself  a  public-spirited  citizen,  alive  to  the  best  inter- 
ests of  his  town,  county  and  state  and  deeply  interested  in  national  affairs. 
There  is  no  public  movement  affecting  the  weal  of  the  people  of  LaSalle 
county  in  which  he  is  not  active  and  helpful. 


GABRIEL  M.  JAMESON. 

America  can  boast  of  no  better,  more  patriotic  citizens  than  the  sons 
of  old  Norway,  and  Illinois  and  the  great  northwest  recognize  tliem  as 
extremely  important  factors  in  the  development  and  progress  of  this  splen- 
did region.  Almost  without  exception  they  are  industrious,  peaceable,  law- 
abiding  citizens,  and  in  these  respects  few  countries  can  compete  with 
Norway.  Prominent  among  the  early  settlers  of  LaSalle  county  were  the 
Jamesons,  who  for  more  than  thirty  years  have  been  numbered  among  the 
enterprising  agriculturists  of  this  flourishing  section  of  the  state. 

The  father  of  the  subject  of  this  article  was  Sivert  Jameson,  a  son 
of  Gudman  Jameson,  and  a  native  of  the  island  of  Skudesness,  on  the  west- 
ern coast  of  Norway,  born  May  16,  1826.  When  he  was  twenty-seven 
years  of  age  he  married  Rachel  Christopherson,  and  to  them  were  born 
the  following  named  children:     Gabriel  M.;  Rastus;  Annie,  wife  of  Knute 


566  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

Holt,  of  Iowa;  Maggie;  Rachel,  wife  of  Richard  Thorgerson,  of  Chicago; 
Martha,  who  married  John  Watnem.  of  Dayton  township,  LaSaHe  county; 
Laura,  wife  of  B.  Johnson,  of  Freedom;  Olhe,  bookkeeper  for  the  firm  of 
Skinner,  Richards  &  Company,  of  Chicago:  and  Miss  Nelfie. 

Until  he  was  forty  years  of  age,  Sivert  Jameson  struggled  to  gain  an 
honest  livelihood  for  himself  and  family  by  farming  and  fishing,  as  was 
the  custom  of  the  people  of  his  country.  Largely  through  his  own  per- 
sistent efforts  he  obtained  a  little  education,  and,  having  given  particular 
attention  to  the  subject  of  the  United  States  and  its  development,  its  re- 
sources and  industrial  conditions,  he  at  length  determined  to  seek  a  home 
in  the  land  which  ever  has  extended  a  warm  welcome  to  the  honest  sons 
of  toil.  When  he  landed  on  these  hospitable  shores  he  was  better  versed 
in  the  politics  and  duties  of  citizens  here  than  some  of  the  native-born 
sons  of  the  countrv.  and  he  had  made  up  his  mind  to  uphold  the  laws  and 
do  all  within  his  power  to  promote  the  prosperity  of  the  nation.  On  the 
1st  of  June,  1866,  with  his  six  children,  he  stepped  from  the  deck  of  the 
sailing  vessel  which  had  conveyed  them  from  Stavanger,  Norway,  to  Quebec, 
and  thence  proceeded  by  railroad  to  Chicago.  There  he  remained  for  one 
month,  and  then  went  to  Leland,  Illinois,  where  he  rented  a  house,  and. 
having  safely  installed  his  family  therein,  he  commenced  working  by  the 
day,  as  his  scanty  funds  were  in  need  of  replenishment.  In  the  following- 
spring  he  rented  an  eighty-acre  farm  of  Charles  Wiley,  who  was  so  impressed 
by  the  industry  and  spirit  of  his  tenant  that  he  said  to  him  one  day  that 
summer,  "I  want  to  sell  you  this  farm;"  and  when  ]\Ir.  Jameson  replied, 
"I  am  not  able  to  pay  for  it,"  Mr.  ^^'iley  told  him  that  he  would  sell  the 
property  for  two  hundred  dollars  in  cash,  and  the  remainder  might  be  paid 
for  on  as  easy  terms  as  he  desired.  ]\Ir.  Jameson  accepted  the  condition,  and, 
in  due  time  the  farm  was  deeded  to  him.  After  owning  the  place  for  eight 
-years  he  sold  it  to  Theodore  ]\IcClure,  and  purchased  two  hundred  and 
forty  acres  in  ^^'allace  township,  making  a  fine  country  home  there. 

Gabriel  M.  Jameson  was  born  near  Stavanger,  Norway,  ]\Iarch  21, 
1852,  and  was  a  lad  of  fourteen  when  he  came  to  LaSalle  county.  After 
learning  the  details  of  farming  on  the  parental  homestead,  he  worked  for 
three  vears  bv  the  month,  and  with  the  carefullv  saved  earnings  of  this 
period  later  bought  an  eighty-acre  tract  of  land  from  his  father.  There 
he  began  his  independent  family  life  and  resided  there  until  1898,  when  he 
sold  that  property  and  bought  the  Rowe  estate  in  Freedom  township.  He 
is  improving  this  farm  and  is  making  a  success  of  his  business  undertakings, 
as  he  g'enerally  does. 

The  first  wife  of  Mr.  Jameson  was  Amelia,  daughter  of  Matthias  Saw- 
yer.    They  were  married  in  February,  1881,  and  in  September,  1884,  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  567 

wife  died,  leaving  two  children — Raymond  and  Merton.  In  January,  1896, 
Mr.  Jameson  married  Mary  Thomson,  a  daughter  of  Thorn  Thomson, 
and  they  became  the  parents  of  two  children,  Fremont  and  Marian.  Mrs. 
Jameson  was  summoned  to  the  silent  land  in  August,  1898,  and  her  loss  has 
been  deeplx"  felt  by  all  who  had  the  pleasure  of  her  acquaintance. 


BENJAMIN  SPRINGSTEED. 

Benjamin  Springsteed,  of  Serena  township,  LaSalle  county,  has  a  wide 
acquaintanceship  in  this  section  of  the  state  and  is  highly  esteemed  by 
every  one.  He  is  a  son  of  one  of  the  sterling,  rugged  pioneers  of  this 
county,  Hiram  Springsteed,  who  settled  here  three-score  years  ago,  in 
October,  1839,  and  thenceforward  was  associated  with  the  welfare  of  this 
community.  He  was  a  native  of  Onondaga  county,  New  York,  born  Oc- 
tober 16,  1 8 19.  He  had  but  limited  educational  advantages  in  his  youth, 
but  was  a  man  of  practical  business  ability,  possessing  sound  common 
sense  and  good  judgment.  \Mien  he  was  a  lad  of  twelve  or  fourteen  years 
he  left  his  native  state,  lived  four  years  in  Ohio,  and,  going  to  the  pine 
woods  of  Michigan,  found  employment  in  the  forests.  He  worked  very 
hard  for  the  two  years  he  was  there,  becoming  noted  for  the  number  of 
rails  which  he  could  split  in  a  day,  and  after  coming  to  Illinois,  in  1839, 
he  was  similarly  occupied  for  some  time,  chiefly  employed  by  a  Mr.  Borap, 
of  Bureau  county.  Carefully  husbanding  his  means,  he  was  at  length  en- 
abled to  purchase  a  quarter  section  of  land  from  the  government,  and  part  of 
his  original  farm  is  now  in  the  possession  of  Henry  Harthan,  of  Adams 
township.  Selling  this  homestead  later,  Mr.  Springsteed  invested  his  funds 
in  a  piece  of  timber  land  in  Adams  township,  and  subsequently  he  secured 
adjoining  lands  in  Serena  township.  He  cleared  and  improved  his  posses- 
sions, gave  to  each  of  his  two  eldest  children  a  farm,  and  still  owns  five 
hundred  and  fifty  acres.  He  hauled  to  the  Chicago  market  one  of  the 
first  loads  of  wheat  that  were  hauled  to  Chicago,  and  he  took  it  to  Whiting's 
warehouse.  During  the  gold  excitement,  in  1850.  he  went  to  the  Pacific 
coast,  crossing  the  plains,  but  was  not  of  the  fortunate  few  who  reaped  a 
fortune,  and  at  the  end  of  a  year  he  returned  home,  by  way  of  the  isthmus 
of  Panama,  but  little  richer  than  when  he  started.  He  was  very  active 
in  the  support  of  the  Democratic  party  and  took  an  active  interest  in  local 
affairs,  though  in  no  wise  a  politician.    His  death  occurred  in  October,  1895. 

January  4,  1844,  Hiram  Springsteed  married  Maria,  a  daughter  of 
Samuel  Lett,  and  a  sister  of  Benjamin  Lett,  the  celebrated  Canadian  patriot 
and  revolutionist  who  blew  up  the  monument  to  General  Brock  and  had  a 


568  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

price  set  on  his  head  by  the  British  government.  To  Hiram  and  Maria 
Springsteed  several  children  were  born,  and  those  surviving  are:  Riley, 
of  Kansas  City,  Missouri;  Mary,  the  wife  of  Joseph  Nelson,  of  Serena; 
Hiram,  a  prominent  farmer  of  Serena  township;  Benjamin;  and  Emma,  the 
wife  of  Gus  Grandgeorge,  of  Adams  township. 

The  birth  of  our  subject,  Benjamin  Springsteed,  took  place  upon  the 
farm  which  is  his  present  place  of  abode,  the  date  of  the  event  being  June 
22,  1856.  He  received  a  fair  district-school  education,  and  early  mastered 
the  details  of  farming.  Possessing  the  industrious  spirit  which  animated  his 
father,  he  has  been  justly  successful,  and  is  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and 
twenty-seven  acres  of  valuable,  improved  property.  Politically  he  is  a 
Democrat  and  takes  an  interest  in  the  management  of  township  matters 
as  well  as  in  the  greater  state  and  national  issues. 

Joy  and  sorrow  have  come  into  the  life  of  Mr.  Springsteed.  as  to  every 
one,  and  he  has  endeavored  to  act  the  manly,  noble  part,  under  all  circum- 
stances. The  lady  who  is  his  wife,  and  sharer  of  his  fortunes,  is  a  native 
of  NeW'  York  state,  and  was  visiting  a  cousin  in  Serena  township  when 
she  made  the  acquaintance  of  her  future  husband.  Her  maiden  name  was 
Luna  B.  Nichols,  her  father  being  George  Nichols,  of  Niagara  county.  New 
York.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Springsteed  were  married  July  26,  1888.  Their  eldest 
child,  born  in  1889,  and  named  Mabel,  was  killed  accidentally,  April  4,  1899. 
Two  daughters  and  three  sons  remain  to  cheer  and  brighten  the  home. 
Their  names  are  given  in  order  of  their  ages:  Jessie  Ellen.  Harry  Bryan, 
Vera  Belle,  Rilev  G.,  and  an  unnamed  babv. 


THOMAS   T.    MOSEY 


One  of  the  pioneers  of  LaSalle  county.  Thomas  T.  Alosey.  has  been 
a  citizen  of  this  county  for  fifty-five  years  and  has  been  actively  interested 
in  its  upbuilding  and  progress.  His  life  has  been  quiet  and  unmarked  by  so- 
called  great  events,  but  he  has  ever  endeavored  to  perform  his  full  duty 
toward  his  fellow  men,  and  has  found  his  chief  pleasure  in  extending  a  help- 
ing hand  to  the  poor  and  needy  and  in  caring  for  his  family. 

One  of  the  native  sons  of  Norway,  Mr.  Mosey  inherited  from  a  long 
line  of  worthy  ancestors  the  sterling  traits  of  character  which  he  possesses 
in  no  unstinted  measure.  He  was  born  August  21,  1827,  was  reared  upon 
a  farm,  and  was  early  instructed  in  the  thrifty,  industrious  methods  pursued 
by  his  father.  The  latter,  Knute  Mosey,  emigrated  to  the  United  States 
with  his  family,  in  1845,  '^"'^l  entered  a  tract  of  land  from  the  government, 
in   Freedom   township,    LaSalle   county.      During   the   scourge   of  cholera 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AXD    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  569 

which  swept  away  so  many  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  country  in  1849,  ''""^ 
succumbed  to  the  dread  disease,  as  also  did  the  wife  and  mother  and  their 
two  daughters. 

Thomas  T.  ]\Iosey  was  thus  left  as  the  mainstay  of  the  younger  mem- 
bers of  the  family,  and  faithfully  did  he  carry  out  the  plans  which  had  been 
made  by  the  father.  Having  been  thoroughly  familiar  with  farming  labor 
since  his  early  years,  he  was  equal  to  the  task  of  carrying  on  the  home- 
steady  and  continued  to  give  his  entire  attention  to  agriculture  for  forty- 
three  years.  By  that  time,  he  had  amassed  a  modest  competence,  and  not 
being  ambitious  for  wealth  he  took  up  his  abode  in  Leland,  where  he  has 
since  dwelt.  While  a  resident  of  Freedom  township  he  served  as  a  member 
of  the  school  board  for  sixteen  vears,  and  since  cominsf  to  Leland  he  was 
one  of  the  town  councilmen  for  three  years.  Politically  he  is  a  stalwart 
Republican.  In  his  church  affiliations  he  is  a  Lutheran,  and  has  of^ciated 
as  deacon  in  his  church. 

When  a  young  man  of  twenty-three  years,  Mr.  Mosey  married  Betsy 
Hanson,  a  daughter  of  Hans  Hanson,  of  Adams  township.  They  became 
the  parents  of  eight  children,  namely:  Sarah,  the  wife  of  the  Rev.  Gjertsen. 
of  ^Minneapolis,  ^Minnesota;  Josephine,  the  wife  of  Dr.  Laws,  of  Minne- 
apolis; Mary,  the  wife  of  the  Rev.  Guldbrandsen,  of  Blair,  Wisconsin; 
Charles,  a  hardware  merchant  of  Leland;  Henry  T.,  a  farmer  of  this  county; 
Hannah,  the  wife  of  Andrew  Klove,  of  Leland;  Lila  and  Esther,  who  are 
unmarried  and  are  at  home.  The  children  have  received  an  excellent  edu- 
cation and  are  worthy  citizens  of  the  various  communi:ies  in  which  their 
lot  is  cast. 


AUGUST  GERDING. 


August  Gerding,  photographer  and  one  of  the  leading  business  men 
and  enterprising  citizens  of  Ottawa,  was  born  in  the  city  of  Ottawa  forty- 
two  years  ago.  He  is  one  of  a  family  of  ten  children.  He  obtained  the 
benefits  of  a  liberal  education  in  the  public  schools,  and  for  over  a  cjuarter 
of  a  century  he  has  devoted  his  time  and  energies  to  the  art  of  photography, 
making  steady  improvement  and  keeping  abreast  of  the  spirit  of  the  times. 
Rapid  advances  have  been  made  in  this  useful  profession,  science  being- 
pressed  into  the  service,  and  great  minds  finding  it  worthy  of  their  deep  re- 
search and  investigation.  Li  order  to  be  a  successful  photographer  in.  these 
end-of-the-century  days,  one  must  be  an  artist,  in  addition  to  everything 
else,  and  here  it  is  that  the  natural  talent  of  ]Mr.  Gerding  especially  asserts 
itself.  Among  his  patrons  may  be  found  the  representative  citizens  of 
Ottawa   and  vicinity,  as  his  gallery,   at  the  corner  of  Main  and  LaSalle 


570  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

streets,  is  reputed  to  be  the  best  and  most  thoroughly  equipped  of  all 
photographic  establishments  in  this  place.  To  the  enlarging  of  photo- 
graphs and  to  the  execution  of  crayon,  pastel  and  water-color  work,  par- 
ticular attention  is  given,  especially  fine  likenesses  being  guaranteed. 

The  marriage  of  August  Gerding  and  Miss  Louise  Scherer  took  place 
November  17,  1882.  They  have  five  children,  named  in  order  of  birth  as 
follows:  Augusta,  Fred,  Othileo,  Carl  and  Hubert.  The  family  residence 
is  a  pleasant  one,  situated  at  No.  1021  West  Webster  street,  on  the  west 
side  of  the  town.  Politically,  Mr.  Gerding  is  affiliated  with  the  Democratic 
party. 


HORACE   B.   GEORGE. 


Horace  B.  George,  a  retired  farmer  and  one  of  the  oldest  citizens  of 
Leland,  LaSalle  county,  was  born  in  Jeft'erson  county.  New  York,  October 
28.  1824,  and  is  a  son  of  Gilman  and  Fannie  (Bartlett)  George.  His  father 
was  born  in  \'ermont  and  the  mother  in  New  Hampshire,  and  both  were 
descended  from  Puritan  stock,  their  ancestors  having  come  from  England. 
They  were  married  in  New  Hampshire  and  settled,  about  1820.  in  Jefferson 
county,  New  York,  where  they  followed  farming  and  both  ended  their  life. 
Their  family  consisted  of  the  following-  children:  Horace  B..  our  sul)ject; 
Moses,  deceased,  and  for  more  than  thirt}'  years  an  engineer  on  the  Rock 
Island  Railway;  Harvey,  who  has  been  a  farmer  of  Iowa  for  about  thirty 
years;  Mary  Jane,  deceased,  who  married  I.  A.  Thompson,  of  \\'atertown, 
New  York;  and  Daniel,  who  lived  many  years  in  Jefferson  count}'.  New 
York,  but  came  to  this  county  about  three  years  before  the  civil  war,  enlisted 
in  the  Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry  and  died  in  Baltimore,  Maryland,  while  in 
the  service. 

Horace  B.  George  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  received  but  a  limited 
education  as  the  facilities  for  attending  school  were  very  poor.  He  left 
home  when  twenty-one  to  learn  the  trade  of  miller,  securing  a  place  at 
Redwood  in  one  of  the  mills.  He  came  west  in  1848,  in  the  fall  of  that  year 
locating  in  this  county,  where  he  has  been  a  resident  ever  since, — more  than 
fifty  years.  He  first  secured  employment  in  a  mill  at  Dayton,  this  county, 
where  he  remained  at  a  good  salary  for  fifteen  years.  He  was  a  poor  man 
when  he  came  west  and  went  on  to  California  in  1852  during  the  gold 
excitement,  making  some  money  by  the  trip.  He  saved  his  earnings  and 
invested  in  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Earl  township,  locating 
it  with  a  warrant  that  cost  him  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  and  was 
signed  by  President  Fillmore.  He  afterward  added  another  eighty,  for 
which  he  paid  fifty  dollars  per  acre.     His  brother  first  moved  upon  this  land 


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BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  571 

and  improved  it  for  him,  and  he  moved  upon  it  in  1863,  and  from  that  time 
until  1885  he  continued  to  make  this  place  his  home.  In  1885  he  moved 
to  the  village  of  Leland  and  has  since  lived  a  retired  life. 

Mr.  George  was  married,  while  working  in  Dayton  as  a  miller,  in  1852, 
to  Miss  Elizabeth  Stadden,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Judah  (Daniels) 
Stadden,  who  came  from  Ohio  to  this  county  in  1829,  and  here  Mrs.  George 
was  born  four  years  later.  Mrs.  George's  father  was  one  of  the  early  sher- 
iffs of  LaSalle  county  and  also  served  two  terms  in  the  state  senate, 
and  later  as  a  member  of  a  constitutional  convention  for  the  revision  of  the 
state  constitution,  and  was  also  prominent  in  Masonry.  He  settled  at 
Dayton,  and  there  operated  one  of  the  first  gristmills  of  the  county.  He 
was  a  prominent  character  in  the  early  history  of  the  county.  Wo.  record, 
however,  that  he  died  rather  early  in  life,  being  only  forty-live  years  of  age 
at  the  time  of  his  death. 

Mr.  and  ]Mrs.  George  were  the  parents  of  four  children,  one  of  whom 
died  in  early  childhood.  The  other  children  were  William,  deceased,  who 
was  a  hotel-keeper  in  Spring  Mew,  Nebraska,  where  he  died  in  1891,  aged 
thirty-nine  years;  he  married  Hellen  Target  and  left  a  daughter,  iMyrtle; 
Ida  B.  married  William  G.  Cove,  a  traveling  salesman  for  Kimbark  &  Com- 
pany, of  Chicago;  and  Edgar  C.  married  Jennie  Fluellen,  and  is  living  on 
the  old  homestead  in  Earl  township.  Like  his  father,  Mr.  George  is  a 
stanch  Democrat,  but  has  never  l;)een  an  aspirant  for  political  preferment. 
He  has  been  honest  and  industrious  and  his  life  has  been  pure  and  simple, — 
one  that   will  bear  the  closest  scrutinv. 


JACOB    C.    JACOBSON. 

Jacob  C.  Jacobson,  proprietor  of  a  large  general  store  at  Leland,  La- 
Salle county,  was  born  in  Haugesund.  Xorway,  April  16.  1835,  and  came 
to  the  L'nited  States  when  in  his  twenty-second  year.  His  parents.  Chris- 
tian and  Anna  ]\I.  Jacobson,  lived  and  died  in  Norway.  Four  sons  and  one 
daughter  were  born  to  them,  and  they  were  educated  and  grew  to  adult 
years  in  their  native  land.  They  were  farmers  and  there  did  Jacob  spend 
the  first  fifteen  years  of  his  life.  The  following  seven  years  was  spent  mostly 
at  sea  and  one  year  he  was  a  clerk  in  his  nati^•e  country,  and  he  then  took 
a  sailing  vessel  for  Quebec.  From  there  he  went  by  rail  to  Ottawa,  Illinois, 
and  in  the  month  of  July,  1857,  reached  Adams  township,  LaSalle  county, 
where  he  went  to  work  as  a  farm  hand.  He  continued  to  work  as  a  farm 
hand  until  1864.  when  he  moved  into  Leland  and  followed  various  employ- 
ments for  the  next  ten  years, — in  the  lumber-yard,  clerking  in  a  drug  store 


-7^  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 


^/^ 


for  four  or  live  years  and  as  a  clerk  in  a  dry-goods  store.  In  1874  he  opened 
his  general  store  in  this  city  and  ten  years  later  took  his  son  into  partnership, 
and  continued  as  J.  C.  Jacobson  &  Son.  They  handle  a  big  stock  of  goods 
and  have  worked  up  a  large  trade,  buying  the  building  which  they  occupy 
in  1886,  and  also  a  good  residence  property. 

Mr.  Jacobson  was  married  in  the  fall  of  1857  to  Miss  Cathaline  M. 
Karlson.  who  came  to  America  at  the  same  time  as  did  Mr.  Jacobson. 
Their  children  are:  Christian  B.,  who  is  in  partnership  with  his  father,  was 
married  to  Miss  Emma  Hansen, — by  whom  he  has  three  children, — and 
was  educated  in  Leland,  afterward  taking  a  course  in  the  Bryant  &  Strat- 
ton  Business  College;  he  was  brought  up  in  the  store  and  had  an  inherited 
as  well  as  acquired  talent  for  the  mercantile  business;  Andrew  M.,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  eight  years;  and  Jacob,  who  died  in  his  twenty-ninth  year.  Mr. 
and  Airs.  Jacobson  are  earnest  members  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  church, 
as  are  the  son  and  his  family.  He  has  held  the  office  of  secretary  of  the 
organization  for  a  numl)er  of  years.  He  took  out  naturalization  papers  in 
1862  and  since  that  time  has  cast  his  vote  with  the  Republican  party,  also 
serving  in  a  number  of  offices,  such  as  township  collector,  president  of  the 
board  of  trustees  for  twenty  years,  treasurer  of  the  school  board,  supervisor 
of  the  township  and  treasurer  of  Leland  Cemetery  Association  for  fifteen 
years.  He  has  not  forgotten  the  home  of  his  youth  and  five  times  has  he 
made  a  visit  there,  on  one  occasion  spending  a  year  there  with  his  family. 
He  is  whole-souled  and  patriotic  and  represents  a  class  of  citizens  who  reflect 
credit  upon  their  adopted  country. 


AUSTIN   SANDERSON, 


Austin  Sanderson,  one  of  the  substantial  and  wealthy  citizens  of  Leland, 
LaSalle  county,  was  born  in  Norway,  August  14.  1836,  and  was  a  son  of 
Hely  and  Adalaide  (Knutson)  Sanderson,  l^oth  natives  of  that  country. 
They  were  the  parents  of  three  sons  and  three  daughters:  Sander  H.,  who 
died  in  1881;  Lavina.  a  resident  of  Leland:  Knute,  who  died  in  1899, 
aged  sixty-nine  years;  Margaret,  who  died  in  1897,  aged  sixty-one;  Austin, 
our  subject;  and  Ellen,  of  Leland.  In  1843  they  came  to  this  country  with 
their  family,  landing  in  ^Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  from  which  place  they  went 
to  Muskego,  that  state,  and  from  there  came  to  this  county,  to  Earl  town- 
ship, where  ]\Irs.  Sanderson  had  a  brother  residing,  making  the  latter  part 
of  tlie  journey  on  foot.  The  fatlier  entered  forty  acres  of  government  land 
in  Earl  township,  upon  which  a  small,  rude  house  was  built  and  into  this 
the  family  moved  and  made  their  home.     He  purchased  an  adjoining  forty 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 


573 


and  placed  it  all  under  cultivation,  living  upon  it  at  his  death  in  1855,  ^^  the 
age  of  sixty-one  years.  His  widow  continued  to  make  her  home  on  this 
property  until  1887.  when  she  joined  her  husband  in  the  better  land,  after 
a  long  and  useful  life  of  eight}--four  years. 

Austin  Sanderson  was  seven  years  of  age  when  the  family  came  to  this 
country,  and  he  was  reared  to  farm  work,  attending  the  common  school 
during  the  short  winter  months.  He  worked  with  his  father  until  the 
death  of  the  latter  and  two  years  later  he  bought  the  old  homestead,  which 
he  still  owns,  and  has  added  adjoining  land  until  it  now  contains  one  hun- 
dred and  ninety  acres.  He  has  been  a  most  successful  farmer  and  has  con- 
tinued to  add  to  his  possessions  until  he  now  owns  seven  hundred  and 
seventy  acres  in  Earl  and  Freedom  townships,  the  Munson  farm  being 
one  of  the  pieces.  He  has  made  most  of  his  money  by  agriculture  and  kept 
at  that  business  until  1891,  when  he  moved  to  Leland  and  engaged  in  the 
clothing  business  for  five  years,  under  the  firm  name  of  Sanderson  &  Farley. 
He  then  sold  out  to  his  partner  and  the  following  3^ear  conducted  a  grocery 
in  company  with  Martin  Olson.  He  disposed  of  this  business  also  and 
since  then  has  not  been  actively  engaged  in  any  business. 

He  is  a  stanch  Republican  and  has  been  on  the  school  board,  using  his 
best  efforts  to  further  the  cause  of  education.  During  1898-99  he  was  the 
president  of  the  board  of  trustees.  He  has  been  a  hard-working  man  and 
knows  what  a  day's  work  is,  never  shirking  the  task  before  him,  and  only 
after  years  of  toil  did  he  consent  to  take  life  easier.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Norwegian  Evangelical  church  and  a  member  of  the  building  com- 
mittee when  their  beautiful  house  of  worship  was  erected  in  Leland,  and 
he  was  one  of  the  most  liberal  contributors  to  the  building  fund. 


RALPH    E.    KEMBER. 


The  farming  industry  of  Serena  township.  LaSalle  county,  has  in  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  Ralph  E.  Kember,  an  enterprising  factor, — a  young 
man  upon  whom  early  devolved  the  care  of  a  farm  and  who  has  always 
proved  himself  equal  to  every  emergency. 

Mr.  Kember  was  born  June  14,  1863,  in  the  town  of  Serena,  Illinois,  a 
son  of  the  well-known  and  much  respected  pioneer,  William  Kember.  The 
feeble  health  of  the  latter  caused  him,  while  yet  in  the  prime  of  life  and  while 
his  son  Ralph  was  a  boy  in  his  teens,  to  relinquish  the  active  duties  of  the 
farm,  and  they  naturally  fell  to  the  son,  who.  upon  the  father's  death,  be- 
came the  head  of  the  establishment.     He  was  then  nineteen.     Two  years 


574  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

later  his  mother  died.  He  has  continued  to  reside  upon  the  home  place 
and  successfully  conduct  its  operations,  and  has  never  been  absent  from 
home  for  any  length  of  time  except  on  two  occasions,  once  making  a  trip 
to  Michigan  and  at  another  time  to  Canada.  His  efforts  as  a  farmer  have 
met  with  that  reward  that  wisdom  and  industry  combined  always  bring, 
and  he  is  thus  ranked  as  one  of  the  thrifty  and  successful  men  of  his  town- 
ship. 

Mr.  Kember  was  married  June  22,  1892,  in  Freedom,  Illinois,  to  Ann 
E.,  a  daughter  of  William  Bolder  and  wife,  nee  Morsch.  Mr.  Bolder  died 
some  years  ago,  leaving  the  following  named  children:  Herman;  Mrs. 
Kember:  Louise,  wife  of  E.  A.  Stoetzel,  of  Chicago;  and  \\'ilHam  Bolder,  of 
Freedom.  The  w-idowed  mother  is  also  a  resident  of  the  village  of  Freedom. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kember  have  three  children,  namely:  Belbert  William,  born 
August  31,  1893;  Winnie  Esther,  born  May  20,  1895;  and  Rachel  Norma, 
born  February  12,  1897. 

Mr.  Kember  is  a  member  of  the  Republican  party.  At  present  he  is 
the  incumbent  of  the  constable's  office,  and  sees  that  peace  and  order  are 
maintained  in  Serena.  Both  Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Kember  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  holding  their  membership  at  Zion  Hill, 
Serena  township;  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 


JOHN  N.  LEE. 

John  Nathaniel  Lee,  the  postmaster  and  leading  merchant  of  the  vil- 
lage of  Triumph,  LaSalle  county,  is  a  native  of  Betroit,  Michigan,  born 
May  24,  1843.  His  father,  Joseph  Lee,  was  an  Englishman,  born  in  the 
city  of  London  in  1818.  In  1836,  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  he  left  his  native 
land  and  sought  his  fortune  in  America,  stopping  first  in  New  York  city. 
By  trade  he  was  a  marble  cutter.  He  did  some  fine  work  in  New  York 
and  in  the  cemetery  at  Brooklyn.  Also  he  worked  on  the  capitol  at  Wash- 
ington, B.  C.  Finally  he  came  west  to  Michigan  and  for  a  number  of 
years  made  his  home  in  Betroit.  He  died  in  Black  River,  New  York,  in 
1888.  His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Sarah  Amesbury,  is  also  deceased. 
Their  children  besides  John  N.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  were  as  follows: 
Ann,  who  married  James  Fitzgerald:  Sarah,  who  was  twice  married,  her 
first  husband  being  Oscar  Kennedy  and  whose  present  husband  is  Henry 
Welch;  Joseph,  deceased;  George,  of  Triumph,  Illinois;  William,  deceased; 
Frank,  of  Beatrice,  Nebraska;  Mary,  wife  of  Joseph  Graves,  of  Black  River, 
New  York;  and  Agnes,  deceased. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  575 

John  X.  Lee  became  self-supporting  at  an  early  age.  When  he  was 
only  seven  years  old  he  was  an  errand  boy  in  a  clothing  establishment. 
At  twelve  years  he  became  an  apprentice  to  the  painter's  trade.  Contact  with 
the  paints  and  oils  being  injurious  to  his  health,  he  turned  from  this  to 
the  carpenter's  trade,  at  which  he  served  an  apprenticeship  of  three  years. 
He  was  working  at  the  carpenter's  bench  when  the  civil  war  was  inaugu- 
rated. Dropping  the  saw  and  hammer  in  August,  1862,  he  ofTered  his  ser- 
vices to  his  country,  enlisting  as  a  member  of  Company  D,  Tenth  New 
York  Volunteers,  his  brigade  forming  a  part  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 
He  was  a  participant  in  much  of  the  hard  fighting  of  the  war.  While  in 
the  service  he  lost  an  eye  and  had  his  health  shattered,  the  result  being- 
much  physical  suffering  during  all  the  years  which  have  followed.  He 
was  honorably  discharged  at  Washington,  D.  C,  February  21,  1865. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  Mr.  Lee  came  to  Illinois,  and  for  a  few  years 
worked  at  his  trade  at  Odell.  He  engaged  then  in  selling  goods,  located 
one  year  in  Streator.  Illinois,  and  one  year  in  Clinton,  Iowa.  Returning  to 
Illinois,  he  settled  in  the  village  of  Prairie  Center,  LaSalle  county,  where 
for  a  dozen  years  he  conducted  a  successful  business,  dating  from  1872. 
when  he  purchased  the  stock  and  good  will  of  John  Bowman.  At  the  end 
of  twelve  years  he  sold  out  and  went  to  Colorado  for  the  benefit  of  his 
wife's  health.  She  died  December  20,  1886.  In  August,  1887,  he  opened  a 
store  in  Triumph,  and  has  since  been  the  principal  merchant  of  the  village 
and  done  a  successful  business. 

Mr.  Lee  was  married  at  Odell,  Illinois,  in  1866,  to  Miss  Olive  Moore, 
a  daughter  of  Alvin  Moore  and  wife,  nee  Russell,  who  were  natives  of  the 
state  of  Maine.  The  fruits  of  their  union  were  two  children,  namely:  Guy, 
who  married  Amanda  Wallace,  and  is  a  partner  in  the  store  with  his  father; 
and  Eva  Grace.  Both  son  and  daughter  had  good  educational  advantages, 
the  former  being  a  graduate  of  the  Ottawa  high  school  and  a  business  col- 
lege at  Holton,  Kansas;  while  the  latter  was  educated  in  the  Illinois  State 
Normal  School.  Mr.  Lee's  present  wife  was  Mrs.  Frances  Norwood  Tharp, 
whom  he  married  at  Hornellsville,  New  York,  February  21,  1889. 

Politically  ]\Ir.  Lee  is  an  ardent  Republican. 


LEWIS    T.    THOMPSON. 

Lewis  T.  Thompson,  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  substantial  busi- 
ness men  of  Leland,  LaSalle  county,  is  a  native  of  that  village,  having  been 
born  there  August  5,  1866.  He  is  a  son  of  Thomas  F.  Thompson,  a  pioneer 
citizen  here,  and  was  reared  to  manhood  and  received  his  primary  educa- 


576  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

tion  in  the  public  schools.  He  then  accepted  a  clerkship  in  the  hardware 
store  of  Hovda  &  Johnson,  where  he  remained  five  }-ears.  gaining  much 
valuable  experience,  which  was  afterward  turned  to  good  account  when  he 
engaged  in  business  for  himself.  He  now  felt  that  a  commercial  education 
was  necessary  for  a  successful  business  career,  and  went  to  Chicago,  where 
he  took  a  complete  course  in  one  of  the  best  business  colleges  of  that  city. 
He  then  clerked  for  a  short  time  for  Stark  Brothers,  general  merchants  of 
Chicago,  when  he  went  to  Pullman  as  head  clerk  in  the  hardware  establish- 
*  ment  of  L.  H.  Johnson.  The  grocery  business  appeared  to  ofifer  induce- 
ments to  a  man  who  possessed  push  and  energy  to  carry  it  on  and  he 
engaged  in  that  for  about  two  years,  but  finally  sold  out  and  secured  a 
position  with  L.  Franklin,  of  Franklin  Park,  with  whom  he  remained  until 
.1893,  when  he  returned  to  the  home  of  his  childhood  and  opened  a  general 
store  in  partnership  with  Andrew  Hayer.  under  the  style  of  Hayer  & 
Thompson.  This  partnership  continued  until  1896.  when  the  business  was 
disposed  of  and  Mr.  Thompson  engaged  in  business  by  himself,  opening  a 
stock  of  general  merchandise  and  adding  furnace  and  plumbing  material. 
He  has  worked  up  a  lucrative  business  and  has  contributed  materially  to 
the  prosperity  of  Leland  in  pushing  his  own  trade.  It  is  a  matter  of  gratifi- 
cation that  the  city  possesses  a  man  whose  business  propensities  and  enter- 
prising spirit  have  brought  it  into  the  notice  of  the  surrounding  country 
and  called  here  an  outside  trade  that  has  added  to  the  general  prosperity. 
Mr.  Thompson  was  married  in  the  fall  of  1889  to  IMiss  Linda  Jacobson, 
a  daughter  of  Thomas  Jacobson,  an  old  settler  of  this  vicinity,  and  five 
children  have  been  born  to  them,  two  of  whom  have  been  taken  to  the  better 
world  to  await  the  happy  reunion.  Mr.  Thompson  is  a  Republican  and  has 
been  on  the  county  committee  of  that  party,  giving  unstinted  support  to 
their  success.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  village  board  of  trustees  and 
was  elected  supervisor  of  Adams  township  in  1896,  and  re-elected  in  1898. 
He  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  the  ^Modern  Wood- 
men of  America  and  the  Knights  of  the  Globe.  His  prosperity  has  been 
accomplished  by  untiring  perseverance  and  industry,  combined  with  strict, 
honorable  dealings,  and  has  caused  him  to  be  regarded  with  admiration 
and  respect  by  every  one. 


STEPHEN    D.    ELWELL. 

Stephen  Douglas  Elwell.  one  of  the  enterprising  citizens  of  the  town 
of  Serena,  LaSalle  county,  was  born  in  this  place.  November  4.  1859.  The 
circumstances  of  his  birth  caused  him  to  become  identified  with  the  farm 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  ^77 

from  his  infancy,  and  his  early  training  was  entirely  rural.  He  spent  two 
years  in  the  Sugar  Grove  Normal  School,  in  addition  to  his  elementary 
training  in  the  district  school  at  home.  This  training  furnished  him  with 
the  proper  equipment  for  meeting  the  affairs  of  life  intelligently  and  with 
confidence. 

October  6,  1879,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Minnie,  the  daughter  of 
Adolph  Mclnturf  and  wife,  which  latter  couple  was  an  early  family  in  the 
settlement  of  Serena  and  came  from  Ohio.  Mr.  Elwell  began  life  on  the 
old  homestead  and  his  success  the  past  twenty  years  has  been  such  as  to 
warrant  him  in  feeling  well  satisfied  with  his  efforts.  His  farm  of  more  than 
two  hundred  acres  is  one  of  the  prize  farms  on  the  west  branch  of  the  "Big 
Indian"  and  he  keeps  it  in  prime  condition. 

To  acquaint  the  reader  with  something  concerning  the  family  history 
of  the  subject  at  hand,  it  should  be  stated  that  the  Elwells  came  to  LaSalle 
county  in  1841.  The  father  was  Samuel  B.  Elwell.  who  was  1)orn  in  Hard- 
wick,  Massachusetts.  July  24,  1821.  His  father  (our  subject's  grandfather) 
was  Stillman  Elwell,  and  he  moved  his  family  to  Iowa  the  same  year  that 
Samuel  B.  settled  in  Northville  town,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois.  He  died 
in  Wright  county,  Iowa.  In  1843  Samuel  B.  settled  and  improved  the 
farm  upon  which  our  subject  now  resides  and  is  there  spending  his  declining 
years.  William  Elwell,  of  Charles  City,  Iowa,  is  a  brother  of  Samuel  B. 
Elwell,  and  Mrs.  Sophia  Brooks,  a  sister,  died  there.  Samuel  B.  Elwell 
married,  in  LaSalle  county,  January  i,  1846,  Elizabeth  Dolph.  whose  father, 
Orson  Dolph,  came  from  Crawford  county,  Pennsylvania,  to  LaSalle 
county.  Three  of  the  five  children  by  this  union  are  living,  viz.:  Dr.  Mila 
B.,  who  married  Dr.  Preston  Sharp  and  with  her  husband  resides  and 
practices  medicine  in  Madison,  Wisconsin;  Evaline,  deceased,  who  married 
Elza  Beardsley;  Dr.  Adaline,  the  wife  of  Arthur  Portman,  of  Washington, 
D.  C;  Jessie  C,  deceased,  who  married  Joe  Gregg,  of  Freedom,  Illinois, 
and  Stephen  D.,  our  subject.  Stephen  D.'s  children  are  Jed  F.,  Fred  H., 
Grace,  Maud,  Delbert.  Myra  and  Clair. 

Early  in  life,  Mr.  Elwell  demonstrated  a  fondness  for  music  and  was 
so  infatuated  with  it  that  he  took  up  its  study,  both  vocal  and  instrumental. 
The  violin  possessed  the  greatest  charm  for  him  and  he  made  himself  master 
of  the  theory  of  correct  execution  and  acquired  a  degree  of  excellence  as 
a  performer  seldom  found  in  the  rural  districts.  He  organized  an  orchestra 
of  stringed  instruments  some  years  ago,  which  attained  notoriety,  and  was 
in  frequent  demand  in  all  the  surrounding  towns. 

Politically,  Mr.  Elwell  is  a  Republican.  His  ancestors  were  Democrats 
until  the  civil  war,  but  then  even  the  patriotism  of  Stephen  A.  Douglas  was 
no   longer   a   panacea   for   the   ills   of   Democracv.      Mr.    Elwell   has   filled 


578  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

nearly  the  whole  list  of  town  offices,  is  a  frequent  and  regular  attendant 
upon  county  conventions  of  his  party  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  influential 
men  of  his  town. 


WILLIAM    P.    WARREN. 

Among  the  representative  citizens  and  leading  farmers  of  Serena  town- 
ship, LaSalle  county,  none  perhaps  is  better  known  or  more  highly  re- 
spected than  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  William  Perry  Warren. 

Mr.  Warren  is  a  son  of  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  LaSalle  county, 
Nathan  Warren.  Nathan  Warren  was  born  in  the  state  of  ]\Iaine,  in  the 
year  1806,  a  son  of  Samuel  Warren,  also  a  native  of  that  state;  emigrated  to 
New  York  state  with  his  parents  when  a  child,  and  in  1836,  accompanied  by 
his  family,  came  west  to  Illinois,  making  the  journey  hither  by  wagon, 
spending  a  month  en  route  and  landing  in  safety  at  his  destination,  Serena 
tow^nship,  LaSalle  county,  October  20.  He  bought  land  from  the  govern- 
ment, in  section  8,  and  here  improved  a  farm  and  reared  his  family.  Con- 
sidering the  many  obstacles  he  had  to  encounter  incident  to  life  in  a  new 
locality  while  he  improved  and  cultivated  his  farm  and  supplied  the  wants 
of  a  family,  his  success  was  remarkable.  He  had  little  or  no  advantages  for 
obtaininsT  an  education  in  his  vouth.  and  it  was  not  until  he  was  the  head  of 
a  family  that  he  learned  to  read  and  write,  then  being  taught  to  do  so  by 
his  wife.  Later  in  life  a  great  reader,  well  informed  on  the  topics  of  the 
day,  and  possessing  a  strong  individuality,  he  became  a  potent  factor  in 
the  pioneer  locality.  On  all  political  matters  he  entertained  decided  views. 
The  ^Morgan  incident  made  him  a  radical  anti-Mason  man  and  the  slavery 
Cjuestion  found  him  on  the  side  of  the  most  intense  abolitionists.  \\'hen 
the  Republican  party  was  organized  he  identified  himself  with  it  and  became 
one  of  the  leading  Republicans  in  Serena  township,  which  from  time  to  time 
he  served  in  various  official  capacities,  always  promoting  the  best  interests 
of  the  public.  In  every  sense  of  the  word  he  was  a  Christian  gentleman, 
and  was  a  member  of  the  old  "close  communion"  Baptist  church.  He  died 
in  Serena,  in  1886.  Of  his  family,  we  record  that  his  first  wife,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Lydia  Baxter,  was  the  daughter  of  Connecticut  parents.  She 
died  in  1846.  Subsequently  he  married  Maria  Lester.  The  children  of  the 
first  marriage  were  named  \\^illiam  P.,  Fannie  ]\I.  and  Lucien  L.  The 
dausfhter  is  married  and  lives  in  Ottawa,  Illinois,  and  the  son  Lucien  is  a 
resident  of  Galesburg,  this  state.  There  were  four  daughters  by  the  second 
marriage,  all  now  deceased,  namely:  Laura  and  Emily;  ]\Iary,  the  wife  of 
Almon  Bristol;  and  Florence,  wife  of  Elmer  Perkins. 

Returning  now  to  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch,  William  P. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  579 

Warren,  we  find  that  be  was  Ivorn  in  ^ladison  county.  New  York.  June 
28,  1828.  and  was  eight  years  old  wlien  lie  accompanied  his  parents  to 
IlHnois.  In  the  pioneer  schools  of  the  locality  in  which  they  settled  he  re- 
ceived his  early  training.  He  relates  an  incident  of  his  experience  as  a 
school-boy  calculated  to  undeceive  the  modern  youth  as  to  the  actual 
conditions  imder  which  the  pioneer  boys  and  girls  of  the  west  were  edu- 
cated. Many  of  the  early  schools  were  kept  in  dwellings  that  had  been 
abandoned  or  for  any  reason  were  unoccupied,  and  in  this  instance  a  double 
log  house  was  being  used  liy  the  school.  One  night  it  rained  and  some 
roaming  cattle  took  shelter  on  the  porch  connecting  the  two  buildings. 
One  of  the  animals  found  the  leather  latch-string  and  began  chewing  it, 
which  caused  the  door  to  open,  and  in  walked  the  cows  and  took  posses- 
sion of  the  school-room!  Books  were  scattered  about  tlie  room  and  there 
were  other  evidences  that  cattle  were  not  the  tidiest  housekeepers  in  the 
world.  The  puncheon  floor  had  a  passage  through  to  the  cellar  and  one 
of  the  cows  found  its  way  thither,  where  it  was  found  by  our  subject  the 
next  mornino-  when  he  went  to  school!  The  children  of  the  closing  days 
of  the  nineteenth  century  are  scarcely  able  to  imagine  that  very  many  such 
incidents,  and  even  more  laughable  ones,  actually  occurred  where  now  are 
to  l)e  found  such  modern  and  greatly  superior  accommodations  and  appli- 
ances for  their  instruction. 

On  reaching  manhood  Mr.  Warren  continued  in  the  occupation  in 
which  he  had  been  reared,  that  of  farming,  and  settled  down  to  it  in  earnest 
after  his  return  from  the  Pacific  coast,  whither  he  went  in  cjuest  of  gold. 
It  was  ]\Iarch  20,  1850,  that  he  started  for  California.  This  journey  he 
made  across  the  plains,  by  caravan,  and  after  five  months  of  weary  travel 
he  landed  in  "Hangtown,"'  now  Placerville,  California,  where  he 
began  work  as  a  prospector.  \\'hile  he  flid  not.  in  the  language  of  the 
miner,  "strike  it  rich,"  in  the  course  of  two  years  he  got  enough  of  the 
shining  metal  together  to  pay  for  a  large  piece  of  the  land  he  now  owns. 
He  returned  home  by  the  wa}-  of  the  Nicaragua  route,  purchased  the  partial 
swamp  that  is  now  so  well  improved  and  so  tillable,  and  has  been  a  suc- 
cessful farmer  e\-er  since.  The  prairies  of  Illinois  in  their  wild  state  were  full 
of  "rattlers"  and  it  was  a  continuous  battle  between  the  snake  and  tlie 
settler  as  to  supremacy.  The  ground  was  rife  with  them  in  the  spring,  the 
fields  were  overrun  with  them  in  summer  and  the  meadows  were  guarded 
by  them  in  the  autumn.  While  stacking  wheat  on  a  chilly  day  one  season, 
these  pests  (having  secreted  there  for  warmth)  would  fall  out  of  the  bundles 
upon  Mr.  Warren's  head  or  be  thrown  from  the  load  by  his  father  to  be 
killed  by  the  son,  and  on  that  particular  day  he  killed  twenty!  He  says 
he  never  let  a  snake  get  away  that  he  saw,  heard  or  smelled! 


58o  BIOGRAPHICAL    AXD    GEXEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

Mr.  Warren  has  ever  been  a  Republican  in  politics,  interested  in  the 
success  of  his  party  and  the  general  good  of  his  township  and  county.  He 
has  filled  the  of^ce  of  deputy  county  surveyor,  which  business  he  acquired 
while  acting  as  assistant  for  Surveyor  Brumback  many  years  ago.  He 
makes  plans  for  bridges  and  other  structures  requiring"  the  services  of  a 
civil  engineer,  and  has  acquired  an  excellent  reputation  for  his  work  in  this 
line. 

During  the  latter  part  of  the  civil  war  Mr.  \\'arren  was  in  the  Union 
armv  ten  months;  was  stationed  at  Mobile.  Alabama,  as  a  member  of  the 
Fortv-seventh  Illinois  Infantry,  and  saw  the  surrender  of  Fort  Blakely. 
At  the  close  of  the  war  he  received  an  honorable  discharge  and  returned 
to  his  h-ome. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-six  years  Mr.  Warren  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Delia  A.,  daughter  of  Samuel  Flint,  of  Ohio.  She  died  ]\Iarch  7,  1893. 
To  this  union  we  record  the  birth  of  these  children,  namely:  ^Marion  A., 
the  eldest;  Horace,  who  married  Lyda  Roe;  Geneva  (deceased),  who  was 
the  wife  of  John  Woolsey;  Lewis  E.,  who  married  Helga  Holmba;  and 
Harry  and  Sherman,  both  single  and  still  at  home.  In  1894  ^Ir.  \\'arren 
married  for  a  second  wife  Mrs.  Louise  Granteer,  nee  Dann.  of  Pennsyl- 
\'ania  birth. 


TOHX    GOEDTXER. 


For  many  years  a  resident  of  Alendota.  Illinois,  and  prominently  identi- 
fied with  the  financial  interests  of  this  city,  is  found  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  John  Goedtner.  As  the  name  indicates,  Mr.  Goedtner  is  of  German 
origin.  He  was  born  in  ^^'allroth,  biu'germeisterei  Asbach,  bezirk  Coblenz, 
Germany,  February  10,  1849.  -^  ^^^'^  ^f  John  'SI.  and  Margaretha  (Erlen- 
born)  Goedtner,  and  one  of  a  family  of  eleven  children,  six  sons  and  live 
daughters,  only  three  of  whom  are  now  living, — John;  Heinrich,  of  Buch- 
holz,  Westerwald,  Germany;  and  Anton,  of  ]\Iendota,  Illinois.  Both 
parents,  farmers,  lived  and  died  in  Germany, — the  father  in  August,  1893, 
at  the  age  of  seventy-three  years,  and  the  mother  in  ]\Iay,  1895,  at  the  ag"e 
of  sixty-seven  years.  Both  were  Catholics.  The  father  filled  various 
minor  offices  in  his  town,  and,  as  is  the  custom  in  that  country,  served  a 
term  in  the  army.  During  the  war  in  Baden  his  command  was  called  as  a 
reserve,  but  immediately  thereafter  the  war  was  declared  at  an  end.  Going 
back  further  in  the  history  of  the  family,  we  find  that  the  paternal  grand- 
father of  our  subject  was  John  Goedtner,  also  a  farmer,  who  died  in  Ger- 


'.  35^-. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  581 

manv,  at  the  age  of  seventy-one  years.  His  family  was  composed  of  five 
sons  and  one  daughter.  Tlie  maternal  grandfather  of  Mr.  Goedtner  was 
Kasper  Erlenborn.  He  was  a  grocer,  baker  and  tavern-keeper,  and  the 
government  contractor  to  furnish  bread  to  the  starving  poor  during  the 
famine  of  1847  ^"<J  1849.  His  age  also  was  seventy-one  at  the  time  of 
death,  which  occurred  in  1871,  at  Mendota,  Illinois,  to  which  place  he  had 
come  in  1858.     In  his  family  were  eleven  children. 

John  Goedtner  came  to  America  in  November,  1866,  a  youth  in  his 
'teens,  equipped  with  a  fair  education  and  ambitious  to  make  his  way  in 
the  world.  He  came  direct  to  Mendota,  Illinois,  and  as  a  clerk  entered  the 
employ  of  his  uncles,  Anton,  John  ]\Iichael,  Gottfried,  Philip  and  Mark 
Erlenborn.  His  uncle  Philip  is  the  only  one  of  these  now  living.  At  that 
time  they  were  engaged  in  a  grocery,  crockery  and  saloon  business,  which 
they  continued  for  several  years,  and  in  connection  therewith  they  started 
the  Germania  Bank,  in  1874.  In  the  meantime,  in  1873,  the  subject  of 
our  sketch  went  to  Chicago,  where  he  spent  two  years,  the  first  six  months 
as  a  student  in  Bryant  and  Stratton's  Business  College,  and  the  second 
year  as  a  bookkeeper  for  James  S.  Kirk  &  Company,  soap  manufacturers. 
Returning  to  Mendota  in  1875.  ^^^  ^^'^^  made  cashier  of  the  Germania  Bank, 
which  position  he  filled  up  to  December,  1876,  also  during  that  time  acting 
as  general  overseer  in  his  uncle's  store.  In  1876,  after  his  uncle  Anton  died, 
he  became  a  partner  in  the  bank  with  John  M.,  the  firm  being  Erlenborn 
&  Goedtner  until  July  i,  1877,  when  it  was  succeeded  by  Madden  & 
Goedtner,    the    present   firm    style. 

Mr.  Goedtner  resides  in  a  pleasant  home  on  the  corner  of  Washington 
street  and  Wisconsin  avenue,  in  which  block  he  has  lived  since  1879.  He 
was  married  February  25,  1879,  to  Miss  Mary  L.  Clinefelter,  daughter  of 
Einderan  Clinefelter  and  wife,  nee  Jacobs.  They  have  four  children,  xA.nna 
L.,  Ida  M.,  Justin  T.  B.  and  Theresia.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Catholic  church,  and  with  a  number  of  social  and  other  organizations 
he  is  prominently  identified.  He  is  president  of  the  Germania  Society,  and 
for  a  number  of  years  from  1875  '^'^'^s  its  secretary.  Also  he  is  president  of 
the  Germania  Gesang  Verein.  Politically,  he  harmonizes  with  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  and  has  served  as  city  treasurer  of  Mendota,  to  which  office 
he  was  elected  for  the  fourth  time  and  is  at  present  deputy  city  treasurer. 
In  1894  he  was  nominated  by  acclamation  for  LaSalle  county  treasurer  on 
the  Democratic  ticket,  but  was  defeated  for  the  office,  his  party  being  in  the 
minoritv,  but  he  made  a  creditable  race,  holding  even  more  than  the 
full  strength  of  his  party.  An  important  enterprise  of  Mendota  with 
which  Mr.  Goedtner  is  connected  is  the  Mendota  Light  and  Heat  Com- 
pany, of  which  he  is  president.     Much  more  might  be  said  of  the  active, 


582  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GEXEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

useful  life  of  Mr.  Goedtner,  but  enough  has  been  given  to  indicate  his 
position  and  standing,  namely,  in  the  front  ranks  of  the  leading  citizens 
of  his  city  and  county. 


■W&^ 


RANSOM    D.    PALMER. 


Ranking  with  the  representative  farmers  of  Ophir  township,  LaSalle 
county,  is  found  the  gentleman  with  whose  name  we  are  pleased  to  intro- 
duce this  re\'iew.  Ransom  Dunn  Palmer. 

]\Ir.  Palmer  was  born  on  the  farm  on  which  he  now  lives  and  which 
has  always  been  his  home,  October  18,  1857.  He  was  educated  in  the 
Englewood  high  school.  After  completing  his  four  years"  course  in  that 
institution  he  became  actively  identified  with  the  management  of  the  farm. 
His  father  becoming  enfeebled  more  and  more  as  age  crept  on.  the  responsi- 
bilities of  the  farming  operations  were  finally  all  transferred  to  the  son. 
Ransom  D. 

Joseph  Snow  Palmer,  the  father  of  Ransom  D.,  was  born  in  \\'arsaw. 
New  York,  April  29.  1819.  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Rebecca  (Snow)  Palmer, 
w^ho  emigrated  from  Xew  York  to  Medina  county,  Ohio,  in  1831.  and  to 
Kane  county,  Illinois,  seven  years  later.  In  1843  Joseph  S.  Palmer  re- 
turned to  Ohio  and  bought  the  old  home  place,  but  in  the  fall  of  that  year 
sold  it  and  came  back  to  Illinois,  settling  then  in  LaSalle  county.  Decem- 
ber 15,  1845,  l""^  married  Cynthia  Parker,  who  died  in  July,  1899,  at  their 
home  in  Ophir  township,  whither  they  had  moved  in  the  spring  of  185 1. 
His  death  occurred  June  2"/,  1892.  Their  children  are  as  follows:  ]\Irs. 
Azema  Kimmey,  of  Chicago,  Illinois:  Rush  H.,  of  Miden,  Nebraska:  Ran- 
som D.,  w'hose  name  initiates  this  review:  ]^Irs.  Alma  Smith,  of  Peoria, 
Illinois;  and  Dr.  Enos  E.,  of  Ottawa,  Illinois.  Mrs.  Cynthia  Palmer  was 
a  daughter  of  Shepard  and  C.  Zarina  Parker,  and  w-as  born  in  Lower  Can- 
ada. Her  parents  removed  to  Ohio  in  the  early  part  of  the  present  century 
and  died  in  Medina  county,  in  1846.  Joseph  S.  Palmer  was  one  of  the 
foremost  citizens  of  Ophir  township,  interested  in  all  that  tended  to  ad- 
vance the  general  welfare  and  material  prosperity  of  his  township  and 
county.  His  industry  and  business  foresight  were  amply  rewarded  by  the 
acquirement  of  a  large  landed  estate,  and  everybody  within  the  scope  of 
his  acquaintance  was  glad  to  refer  to  him  as  a  friend.  Politically  he  was  a 
Republican:    religiously  a  Free-will  Baptist. 

Ransom  D.  Palmer  was  married  January  13,  1887,  to  Miss  Nettie  E. 
Cole,  a  daughter  of  Lawrence  and  Frances  (Lowe)  Cole.  Mrs.  Palmer 
is  one  of  a  family  of  five,  her  brothers  and  sisters  being:  Charles  D.  Cole, 
a  commission  merchant  of  Chicago:    Edwin  Cole,  of  Pomona,  California; 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  583 

Mrs.  Catherine  Hickok,  of  Crown  Point,  New  York;  and  Mrs.  J.  W. 
Phelps,  of  Cahfornia.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pahiier  are  the  parents  of  three  chil- 
dren:   Horace  E.,  Ina  Frances  and  Kenneth  Cole. 

Ransom  D.  Palmer  is  a  counterpart  of  his  father  in  all  that  contributes 
to  good  citizenship.  He  is  successful  to  a  marked  degree  in  his  vocation 
9.nd  is  an  honor  to  the  name  he  bears  and  a  credit  to  the  town  and  county  in 
which  he  lives.  A  staunch  Republican,  he  has  done  his  part,  as  he.  has  been 
called  upon,  in  matters  of  public  interest,  but  is  in  no  sense  a  seeker  for  pub- 
lic honors. 


CHARLES    KEMBER. 


Charles  Kember.  of  Serena  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  is  a  son 
of  the  late  William  Kember.  who  was  born  in  Kent  county,  England,  at 
Chelseafield,  in  the  year  18 13.  The  latter  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1840  with  his  wife,  nee  Sarah  Castle,  and  settled  in  LaSalle  county,  Illinois. 
They  were  in  poor  circumstances  but  were  by  nature  endowed  with  an 
industrious  disposition  and  were  impelled  by  a  strong  desire  to  acquire  a 
home  in  this  Mecca  of  the  poor,  and  were  rewarded  for  their  labors  with 
more  than  mere  existence.  Mr.  Kember  had  no  advantages  for  obtaining 
an  education  in  his  youth  and  it  was  not  until  after  his  marriage  that  he 
learned  to  read  and  cipher.  In  his  later  life,  however,  he  gained  a  fair 
knowledge  of  books  and  papers,  and  he  was  a  useful  and  trustworthy  citi- 
zen. On  his  arrival  in  Illinois  he  bought  a  tract  of  cheap  land,  which 
"Uncle  Sam"  was  then  selling  to  home-seekers,  and  through  frugal  and 
industrious  management  paid  for  it,  improved  it,  and  subsequently  added 
to  its  area,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  the  owner  of  a  farm  of 
two  hundred  and  forty  acres.  When  it  is  remembered  that  he  was 
"freighted"  into  this  county  with  an  ox  team,  with  only  ten  dollars  in  his 
pocket  to  stand  between  his  family  and  actual  destitution,  his  accumulations 
do  not  seem  small.  He  soon  became  interested  in  the  politics  of  his 
adopted  country,  and  espoused  the  cause  of  the  Republican  party  upon  its 
organization,  and  while  he  was  always  interested  in  public  affairs  he  never 
sought  nor  accepted  office  other  than  that  of  membership  on  the  school 
board  of  his  district.  His  first  wife  died  in  1861  and  some  time  afterward 
he  married  Rachel  Brewer,  who  died  in  1885.  The  children  by  his  first 
marriage  were  William,  who  married  Kate  Reed,  was  four  years  in  the 
federal  army  during  the  civil  war,  and  died  in  1889;  Alfred,  who  married 
Miss  C.  Middleton.  died  in  1874:  Charles,  who  is  the  subject  proper  of  this 
sketch;  and  Albert  J.,  who  married  Mary  McAtee  and  now  resides  in 
Oklahoma.     The  children  of  the  second  marriage  are  Ralph  E.;    Ella,  wife 


584  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

of  Wilson  W.  Hupp;  Mary,  wife  of  Lincoln  Knight,  of  Adams  township; 
and  Arthur  T.,  of  Serena  township,  who  married  Nellie  Harthan.  The 
father  died  in  April,  1882.  He  had  lived  an  honorable,  upright  and  useful 
life  and  passed  to  the  world  beyond  believing  that  "He  who  doeth  all  things 
well"  would  give  him  the  reward  that  is  promised  the  God-fearing  man 
here  below. 

Charles  Kember  was  ushered  into  life  in  Serena  township  on  the  226. 
of  August,  1846.  He  passed  his  youth,  as  was  the  custom  of  the  farm 
boys  of  his  time,  going  to  school  in  winter  and  following  the  plow  in  sum- 
mer. He  remained  at  his  parental  home  till  past  twenty-two  years  of  age, 
when  he  was  attracted  to  the  west  by  the  reports  of  the  large  and  quick 
profits  to  be  made  in  the  stock  business  on  the  frontier.  He  located  at 
Burlingame,  Kansas,  engaged  in  the  cattle  business,  and  for  four  years 
reaped  a  reasonable  harvest  from  his  ventures.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he 
closed  out  his  business  and  returned  to  the  state  of  his  birth  to  be  near 
his  father  and  to  try  his  fortune  with  the  money-makers  of  LaSalle  county. 
He  turned  his  attention  to  farming  and  soon  began  acquiring  real  estate. 
His  has  not  been  the  fate  of  "the  rolling  stone"  but  rather  of  the  rolling 
snowball.  He  now  owns  no  less  than  six  hundred  acres  in  Serena  town- 
ship, and  his  home  place  is  one  of  the  finest  in  LaSalle  county.  Also  he  has 
a  large  creamery  in  Serena  township,  which  he  is  successfully  operating. 

Mr.  Kember  was  married  in  1876  to  a  young  lady  whom  he  met  while 
in  business  in  Kansas — Miss  Winnie  Granteer.  a  daughter  of  the  late  Will- 
iam Granteer.  Her  mother  is  now  the  wife  of  W.  P.  W^arren,  of  Serena, 
Illinois.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kember  have  three  children. — Orville  H..  Jesse  E. 
and  Elsie. 

Mr.  Kember  votes  with  the  Republican  party,  has  filled  the  office  of 
township  assessor  and  is  at  present  the  commissioner  of  highways  and  post- 
master of  Serena.  It  is  due  to  him  that  Serena  township  has  more  than 
fifty  miles  of  gravel  road,  and  it  is  also  largely  due  to  his  efforts  that  the 
Republican  organization  in  Serena  has  been  so  well  preserved,  for  he  has 
been  a  member  of  its  advisory  committee  for  fifteen  years. 


MILTON    E.    BLANCHARD.   M.    D. 

Through  two  decades  Dr.  Blanchard  has  engaged  in  the  practice  of 
medicine  in  Marseilles  and  has  won  distinctive  preferment  as  a  representa- 
tive of  the  profession.  His  entire  life  has  been  passed  in  Illinois,  his  birth 
having  occurred  in  Brookfield  township.  LaSalle  county,  on  the  30th  of 
September,    1852.      His    parents    were    Psalter    S.    and    Phoebe    (Thorp) 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  585 

Blanchard.  His  father  was  born  near  Rochester,  New  York,  October  18. 
1800,  and  was  married  in  that  city  to  Miss  Thorp,  whose  birth  occurred 
June  14,  1816,  and  who  was  a  daughter  of  James  Thorp,  a  native  of  Genesee 
county,  Michigan,  and  a  farmer  l^y  occupation.  Throughout  his  Hfe 
Psalter  S.  Blanchard  carried  on  agricultural  pursuits.  He  arrived  in  La- 
Salle  county,  Illinois,  in  1847,  ^'^'^^  purchased  a  farm  on  section  16,  Brook- 
field  township,  devoting  his  energies  to  its  cultivation  and  improvement 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  the  14th  of  March,  1868.  In  his  family 
w-ere  the  following  children:  Adelaide  L.,  Elizabeth,  Emily,  James  S., 
Alba  G.,  Achsah  M.,  Milton  E..  Eunice  L.  and  David  E.,  and  all  are  living 
with  the  exception  of  Elizabeth  and  James. 

Dr.  Blanchard  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  his  father's  farm  and  early 
became  familiar  with  the  work  of  the  fields,  following  the  plow  and  perform- 
ing other  services  incumbent  upon  those  who  engage  in  the  tilling  of  the 
soil.  In  1869,  however,  he  left  home  and  went  to  Remington,  Indiana, 
where  he  was  employed  in  a  grain  office.  He  was  ambitious  and  energetic, 
and,  desiring  to  acquire  a  better  education  than  had  hitherto  been  vouchsafed 
to  him,  he  spent  all  his  leisure  time  in  study.  In  the  winter  of  1873-4  he 
engaged  in  teaching,  and  in  1875  joined  his  brother  Alba  in  conducting  a 
drug  store,  which  they  purchased,  in  Cornell,  Illinois.  In  September  of 
the  same  year  Dr.  Blanchard  went  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  entered  the 
Eclectic  Medical  College,  where  he  pursued  his  studies  for  two  terms,  after 
which  he  began  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Norway,  LaSalle  county.  There 
he  remained  until  September,  1877,  when  he  re-entered  college,  and  was 
graduated  January  22,  1878.  Immediately  thereafter  he  went  again  to 
Norway  and  remained  there  until  June,  1880,  when  he  came  to  Marseilles. 
He  has  further  perfected  himself  in  his  chosen  calling  by  a  post-graduate 
course  in  the  Rush  Medical  College  at  Chicago,  where  he  pursued  his 
studies  in  1893-4,  and  while  there  he  was  promoted  as  assistant  to  Professor 
Adolphus  in  the  clinical  chair  of  gynecology.  His  professional  connection 
with  Marseilles  covers  a  period  of  twenty  years,  during  which  time  he  has 
demonstrated  his  ability  to  cope  successfully  with  all  sorts  of  disease.  His 
superior  skill  and  his  devotion  to  the  profession  have  won  him  a  creditable 
place  in  its  ranks,  and  he  enjoys  the  regard  of  those  who,  like  himself,  are 
giving  their  energies  to  the  healing  art.  His  genial  manner  in  the  sick 
room,  as  well  as  his  skill  and  ability,  makes  his  visits  very  desirable.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  LaSalle  County  Medical  Society  and  of  the  Illinois 
State  Medical  Society,  and  is  a  surgeon  of  the  Chicago,  Rock  Island  & 
Pacific  Railroad  Company, — which  position  he  has  held  ever  since  1890. 

'     All  his  life  he  has  manifested  a  deep  interest  in  all  that  pertains  to  the 
welfare   of  the   community,   withholding   his   support    from   no   movement 


586  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

which  gives  a  net  residt  in  favor  of  human  welfare.  Accordingly  he  has 
also  been  an  active  politician.  A  stanch  Jeffersonian  Democrat,  in  1(892 
his  party  rewarded  his  zeal  and  fidelity  b}'  electing  him  the  coroner  of  this 
g-reat  conntv,  which  ofifice  he  filled  with  credit  to  the  countv  and  honor  to 
himself.  He  has  also  distinguished  himself  in  the  Masonic  fraternity,  hav- 
ing held  an  ofiice  in  Marseilles  Lodge,  No.  417,  with  the  exception  of  one 
vear,  for  the  past  eighteen  years.  He  has  been  elected  worshipful  master 
five  times,  and  now  occupies  the  chair,  for  the  fourth  time,  of  excellent 
high  priest  of  Shabbona  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  at  Ottawa.  He  is 
also  thrice  illustrious  master  of  Oriental  Council.  Royal  and  Select  Masters, 
at  Ottawa,  a  member  of  Oriental  Consistory,  Sublime  Princes  of  the  Royal 
Secret,  Chicago,  and  of  Ottawa  Commandery,  No.  10.  Knights  Templar. 
In  further  social  connection  with  the  fraternity  he  is  also  a  member  of 
Medinah  Temple  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Sfirine  at  Chicago.  In  active  philanthropic  connection  with  the  order  he 
is  also  a  life  member  and  a  director  of  the  Illinois  Masonic  Home  for  the 
Aged. 

Locally  he  has  just  completed  one  of  the  finest  business  blocks  hi  the 
city  of  Marseilles  and  now  occupies  it  with  a  drug  store  and  his  offices. 

On  the  /th  of  November,  1874,  the  Doctor  was  married  to  Miss  Ella 
M.  Bartlett.  a  daughter  of  Charles  E.  and  Maria  S.  (Virgil)  Bartlett.  She 
was  born  November  16,  1858,  in  Naperville,  Illinois,  and  is  now  the  mother 
of  four  children,  namely:  Florence,  who  was  born  August  15,  1875;  ^"ivian 
M.,  born  October  18,  1877:  Alfa  ^vl.,  born  December  10,  1888:  and  John, 
born  May  23,  1897. 

In  all  his  professional,  political  and  domestic  relations  the  Doctor  has 
manifested  a  trustworthy  devotion  and  responsible  skill,  and  so  has  won  for 
himself  a  name  and  fame  envied  by  all. 


WILLIAM    CALLAGAN. 

It  has  been  said  that  if  the  roll  were  called  of  the  men  who  have  won 
lasting  fame  as  leaders  of  this  grand  republic,  of  those  who  have  achieved 
great  things  in  the  domains  of  science  and  commerce,  we  should  be  wonder- 
fully surprised  to  find  how  large  a  proportion  of  these  men  were  reared 
upon  farms  and  shared  in  the  arduous  labors  of  the  pioneer,  clearing  the 
land  and  preparing  it  for  cultivation,  growing  strong  in  body  and  mind, 
while  nourished  l)y  simple,  wholesome  country  food  and  invigorated  by  the 
clear  pure  air.  Thus  it  is  not  strange,  after  all,  nor  is  it  remarkable,  that 
many  return  to  mother  nature  and  agriculture  after  a  few  years,  more  or 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GEXEALOGICAL    RECORD.  587 

less,  spent  in  the  feverish  pursuits  of  wealth  and  honor,  realizing  that  here 
alone  is  found   true  contentment. 

William  Callagan,  one  of  the  progressive  farmers  of  Adams  township. 
LaSalle  countv,  has  never  aspired  to  a  place  in  the  l)usy  world  of  commerce 
or  public  life,  but  has  quietly  and  happily  attended  to  the  business  of  culti- 
vating his  homestead  and  providing  for  the  needs  of  his  little  family.  He 
is  a  son  of  William  Callagan,  who  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1820.  of  poor, 
but  honest  and  upright  parents.  He  learned  a  trade,  and  in  1845  came  to 
the  United  States.  Upon  coming  to  LaSalle  county  he  bought  a  tract  of 
government  land,  and  continued  to  improve  and  cultivate  the  place  during 
his  life-time.  His  career  was  that  of  an  industrious,  patriotic  citizen,  his 
chief  ambition  to  do  his  duty  in  e\'ery  way  and  to  merit  the  good  opinion  of 
those  who  knew  him.  In  his  political  convictions  he  was  a  stanch  Repub- 
lican. He  died  in  1896,  and  is  survived  by  his  widow,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Jane  Fleming,  and  by  their  three  children,  namely:  Mrs.  Mary  Hupp, 
of  Northville  township;   Mrs.  Annie  Madison,  and  the  subject  of  this  article. 

The  latter  was  born  January  13,  1848.  in  Adams  township,  and  has 
spent  his  entire  life  here.  His  education  consists  of  the  knowledge  gained 
in  the  schools  of  this  district,  together  with  the  more  practical  learning  of 
experience,  reading  and  observation.  Industry  and  well  applied  energy  are 
the  secrets  of  the  success  he  has  won,  and  now  in  the  prime  of  life  he  is  the 
owner  of  four  hundred  and  thirty  acres  of  valuable  land  in  LaSalle  county, 
and  is  accounted  one  of  the  leading  agricidturists  of  this  locality.  Ampl}- 
abundant  as  are  his  means  to  support  himself  and  family  for  the  remainder 
of  his  days,  he  is  not  a  lover  of  idleness,  and  has  no  desire  to  retire  as  long 
as  he  is  blessed  with  health  and  strength. 

At  the  age  of  thirty-three  years,  December  2/,  1881,  Mr.  Callagan 
married  Miss  Eva,  daughter  of  William  Reed,  of  Sycamore,  Illinois,  and 
they  have  had  born  to  them  four  children,  namely:  Ralph  Jason,  Rilla  May, 
Lloyd  Harrison  and  Cora  Ann.  Mr.  Callagan  and  family  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  church,  he  being  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  congregation 
with  which  he  is  identified,  and  having  served  as  superintendent  of  the 
Sundav-school. 


lOSEPH    SHERMAN. 


Joseph  Sherman,  a  prosperous  farmer  and  stock-raiser  of  Northville 
township,  LaSalle  county,  was  born  in  the  township  in  which  he  lives, 
September  20,  1846,  a  son  of  Stephen  and  Louise  Sherman,  natives  of  Ger- 
many, the  former  born  in  Prussia  and  the  latter  in  Alsace-Lorraine. 
Stephen  Sherman  came  to  this  country  a  young  man,  about  the  year  1839, 


588  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

having  a  brother  John  who  had  preceded  him  to  this  country  and  settled  in 
IlHnois, — Northville  township.  LaSalle  county, — when  the  Indians  were 
yet  plentiful  through  this  section  of  the  country.  The  mother  of  our  sub- 
ject came  to  this  country  about  the  time  the  father  did.  They  were  mar- 
ried in  Illinois,  and  afterward  he  pre-empted  a  tract  of  government  land, 
one  hundred  and  ninety-three  acres,  in  Northville  township,  where  they 
spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  and  died,  his  death  occurring  in  1869.  when  he 
had  attained  the  age  of  sixty-four  years:  hers  in  1875.  at  the  age  of  fifty- 
one.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  namely:  Joseph;  Sophia,  de- 
ceased; Bosine,  deceased;  Elizabeth.  Henry,  Mary,  Kate,  Edward,  infant, 
deceased,  and  Caroline  Lawrence.  In  their  religious  faith  the  parents 
were' devout  members  of  the  Catholic  church. 

Joseph  Sherman  has  all  his  life  continued  in  the  occupation  in  which 
he  was  reared,  and  in  his  farming  operations  has  been  rewarded  for  his  labor 
by  a  fair  degree  of  success.  While  he  carries  on  general  farming  he  has 
always  given  more  or  less  attention  to  stock-raising. 

In  1873,  at  the  age  of  twenty-tive  years.  ^Ir.  Sherman  married  ]Miss 
Louise  Antoine.  a  native  of  Northville  township  and  a  daughter  of  Lawrence 
and  Catherine  Antoine,  early  settlers  of  this  township,  having  come  here 
from  their  native  land,  Alsace-Lorraine,  Germany.  Mr.  and  ^Mrs.  Sherman 
have  three  children. — Lawrence.  Clara  and  Henry. 

Mr.  Sherman  is  identified  with  the  church  in  which  he  was  reared,  and 
politically  is  a  Democrat,  supporting  the  same  party  as  did  his  father. 
As  to  public  position,  he  has  filled  the  oftice  of  road  commissioner. 


al:man  a.  clapsaddle. 

Alman  A.  Clapsaddle  is  a  brilliant  young  attorney  of  Leland.  Illinois, 
who  is  rapidly  forcing  his  way  to  a  prominent  place  among  the  legal  fra- 
ternity of  this  county.  He  was  born  November  25,  1868,  in  De  Kalb, 
De  Kalb  county,  this  state,  and  is  a  son  of  Andrew  and  ]\Iary  (Ames)  Clap- 
saddle,  prominent   residents   of  that  county. 

Andrew  Clapsaddle  was  of  German  origin,  but  the  place  of  his  nativity 
was  Herkimer  county.  New  York,  whence  he  came  to  De  Kalb  county  in 
1848.  He  had  received  a  good  education  and  the  earlier  years  of  his 
life  were  spent  in  teaching  school,  a  vocation  for  which  he  was  eminently 
fitted.  Coming  to  this  state  he  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  and  it  was 
while  thus  ene-ag-ed  that  he  met  ]Mrs.  Marv  Heustis.  nee  Ames,  for  whom 
a  strong  friendship  was  formed.  Her  parents  were  of  Scotch-English 
descent  and  were  early  settlers  of  Stonington.  Massachusetts,  moving  later 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  589 

to  Otsego  county,  New  York,  where  the  daughter,  Mary,  was  born.  The 
friendship  which  sprung  up  between  Andrew  Clapsaddle  and  Mrs.  Mary 
Heustis  soon  ripened  into  love  and  cuhninated  in  their  marriage.  A  family 
of  five  children  blessed  their  home,  which  was  rudely  broken  by  the  death 
of  the  affectionate  wife  and  mother  in  1873.  Left  with  a  number  of  small 
children  to  care  for,  the  father  chose  a  second  wife  to  preside  over  his  house- 
hold and  care  for  his  little  ones  and  was  permitted  to  remain  with  them  until 
they  were  grown  to  adult  years.  In  1894  he  laid  down  the  burdens  of 
life  and  entered  into  the  dreamless  sleep  that  leads  to  life  everlasting. 

Alman  A.  Clapsaddle  was  five  years  of  age  when  he  was  bereft  of  his 
mother's  love  and  care,  but  remained  at  home  and  grew  to  manhood  on 
his  father's  farm.  He  assisted  with  the  chores  common  to  all  farms  and 
attended  the  country  schools;  but  farm  work  did  not  appear  congenial 
and  he  decided  to  enter  a  profession,  choosing  the  legal  as  offering  the 
greatest  scope.  He  attended  school  at  Leland  and  then  entered  Jennings 
Seminary  at  Aurora.  Leaving  school  he  became  a  teacher  for  four  or  five 
years,  having  in  the  meantime  entered  the  office  of  ]\L  T.  Maloney,  of 
Ottawa,  with  whom  he  studied  two  years  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
June,  1892.  He  first  practiced  in  Ottawa  for  one  year  and  in  1893  came  to 
Leland,  where  he  has  since  been  established  and  has  worked  up  a  good 
clientage.  He  has  a  large  patronage  among  the  better  class  of  people  and 
his  skill  in  the  treatment  of  the  cases  that  come  under  his  care  has  shown  a 
surprising  ability  in  one  of  his  experience. 

Mr.  Clapsaddle  was  married  in  1890  to  Miss  Alinnie  Potter,  daughter 
of  C.  M.  Potter,  of  Leland.  and  two  children  have  been  the  fruits  of  their 
union,  Reita  M.  and  Janet  A.  He  is  a  member  of  Leland  Lodge,  No.  558, 
F.  &  A.  M.,  and  Sandwich  Chapter,  No.  107,  R.  A.  M.  He  is  a  Republican 
in  his  political  views  and  is  well  posted  on  all  the  current  events  of  the  day. 
He  has  won  the  respect  of  the  community  l)y  his  conduct  and  general 
bearing  and  his  friends  predict  for  him  a  bright  and  prosperous  future. 


ANDREW  N.  ANDERSON. 

The  gentleman  whom  we  here  select  as  deserving  special  mention  in  a 
collection  of  biographical  sketches  of  citizens  of  LaSalle  count}-,  is  a  l^anker 
at  Leland.  He  was  born  in  Adams  township,  this  county,  March  17,  1855,  a 
son  of  Nelson  and  Ann  (Ouam)  x\nderson.  His  parents  were  both  natives 
of  Norway.  He  came  to  this  country  about  1845  ^"'-^  ^is  wife  in  1842.  and 
were  married  in  De  Kalb  county,  Illinois,  in  which  county  they  continued  to 
reside  for  a  short  time,  and  then  moved  to  Adams  township,  LaSalle  county. 


590  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

Nelson  Anderson  was  a  farmer  by  vocation  and  died  in  1864.  at  the  age  of 
forty-four  years;  and  his  wife  is  still  living,  now  aged  sixty-eight  years,  and 
living  on  the  old  homestead  in  Adams  township.  Their  six  children  were 
Sophia  B.',  ]\Iattie  S.,  Lorinda  S.,  Andrew  N.,  John  N..  and  Nelsey  M.  All 
these  are  now  deceased  excepting  onr  subject  and  John  N..  who  is  a  farmer 
on  the  old  homestead. 

Mr.  Anderson  of  this  sketch  was  reared  to  farm  duties  and  educated 
at  Leland;  and  he  continued  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  Adams  township 
until  he  was  thirty-two  years  of  age.  In  the  autumn  of  1883  he  and  Thomas 
F.  Thompson  formed  a  partnership,  he  buying  out  Mr.  Thompson's  former 
partner.  Air.  Buland,  in  the  grain  business,  ever  since  which  time  the  firm 
name  has  been  Thompson  &  Anderson,  b-ankers  and  grain  merchants.  They 
established  the  Leland  Bank  in  1896,  and  are  doing  a  safe  and  profitable 
business. 

yir.  Anderson  has  been  a  resident  of  Leland  ever  since  1883.  He  has 
served  as  supervisor,  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Alethodist  Epis- 
copal church.  In  1884  he  married  Anna  Void,  who  died  in  1897.  leaving 
three  children — \'ira  A.,  Xelson  C.  and  Nieda  J. 


CHARLES    A.    COULTER. 

Charles  Alvin  Coulter,  the  genial  and  accommodating  postmaster  of 
LaSalle,  Illinois,  has  been  a  lifelong  resident  of  this  city,  having  been 
ushered  into  life  here  June  15,  1859.  He  is  a  son  of  Robert  K.  and  Mary 
E.  (Allinder)  Coulter,  well  known  substantial  citizens  of  this  city.  The 
father  was  born  September  22.  1822,  in  Indiana  county,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  was  educa'ted  and  learned  the  trade  of  painter.  When  twenty 
years  of  age  he  began  work  as  a  journeyman  painter  and  later  contracted 
work  and  painted  many  steamboats  at  Brownsville  and  Pittsburg.  In 
1857  he  came  to  LaSalle  and  opened  a  shop,  soon  acquiring  the  reputation 
of  being  a  first-class  house  painter  and  decorator.  He  was  married  in 
Brownsville,  Pennsylvania,  to  Aliss  Mary  E.  Allinder,  in  1851.  Six  chil- 
dren were  born  to  them,  namely:  William  G.,  Emily  J.,  Charles  A.,  John 
A.  and  two  that  are  deceased. 

Charles  A.  Coulter  attended,  the  public  schools  of  LaSalle.  finishing 
with  a  course  in  the  high  school.  As  his  father  was  a  painter  and  deco- 
rator of  ability,  it  was  not  strange  that  the  son  should  show  a  decided 
aptitude  for  the  work  and  make  it  his  vocation.  For  seventeen  years  he 
was  the  junior  member  of  the  firm  of  R.  K.  Coulter  &  Son.  general  painters 
and  decorators.     ]\Ir.  Coulter  was  married  in  1887  to  ]\Iiss  Lucy  J.  Brown, 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  591 

daughter  of  N.  R.  Brown,  one  of  the  oldest  citizens  of  Peru,  lUinois. 
Charles  A.  Coulter  has  been  prominently  identified  with  the  Republicans 
of  LaSalle  county  since  early  youth  and  has  contributed  much  toward  the 
success  of  that  party  in  his  district.  For  seven  years  and  a  half  he  was  a 
member  of  the  city  council,  but  resigned  in  1894  in  order  that  he  might 
take  his  wife  to  Colorado,  hoping  the  change  would  prove  beneficial  to 
her  health.  This  hope  was  a  delusive  one  and  she  passed  away  in  October, 
1896,  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  that  state  beside  an  infant  son.  Donald.  With 
two  little  ones.  Lucy  M.  and  Robert  G..  left  to  his  fatherly  care,  he  returned 
to  his  native  city  and  once  more  took  up  the  duties  of  life.  On  May  4.  of 
the  following  year.  1897.  '^^  ^^^^^  commissioned  postmaster  of  LaSalle  and 
has  filled  the  of^ce  most  acceptably  since.  He  is  a  Knight  Templar  Mason 
and  stands  high  in  the  councils  of  that  body,  being  the  present  worshipful 
master  of  Acacia  Lodge.  Xo.  67,  A.  F.  &  A.  M..  of  which  he  served  as 
the  same  officer  in  the  years  1886-7  ^"^^  '^• 


FRANK  DALE. 


Frank  Dale,  deceased,  was  born  in  Yorkshire,  England.  January  2;^, 
181 2.  and  was  struck  and  killed  by  a  train  in  Leland.  Illinois.  September  4. 
1890. 

When  a  small  child,  in  1819.  Mr.  Dale  came  with  his  father.  David  Dale, 
and  family,  to  this  country,  their  settlement  l^eing  in  Luzerne  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  was  reared.  In  1834  he  went  to  Port  Huron,  Michigan, 
where  he  remained  two  years,  thence  coming  to  Illinois  and  first  locating 
in  De  Kalb  county,  near  Freeland,  where  he  farmed  and  acquired  consid- 
erable land.  Disposing  of  his  interests  there,  he  removed  to  Somonauk, 
Illinois,  in  1853,  and  established  the  first  store  in  the  town.  In  1859  he  came 
to  Leland  and  engaged  in  the  grain  business,  which  he  conducted  for  a  period 
of  ten  }'ears.  He  then  moved  to  a  farm  in  De  Kalb  county,  five  miles  north  of 
Leland.  and  for  seven  }'ears  carried  on  farming,  after  which  he  returned 
to  Leland  and  lived  retired  up  to  the  time  of  his  death. 

Mr.  Dale  was  a  man  of  local  prominence.  For  several  years  he  was 
the  president  of  the  De  Kalb  County  Old  Settlers'  Association.  Politically 
he  was  a  Republican,  and  for  a  time  served  as  the  president  of  the  board  of 
village  trustees.  For  many  years  he  was  actively  identified  with  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  church,  in  which  he  was  an  ordained  minister,  and  while  he 
never  had  a  regular  charge  he  frequently  preached,  substituting  his  services 
for  that  of  absent  ministers.  He  was  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  eight  chil- 
dren and  was  the  last  to  leave  the  scenes  of  this  life. 


592  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

Of  Mr.  Dale's  family,  we  record  that  he  was  twice  married,  and  by  his 
first  wife  had  a  large  number  of  children.  August  17.  1833.  he  wedded 
Maria  Webster,  a  daughter  of  John  Webster,  and  for  nearly  forty  years  their 
lives  were  happily  blended  together,  her  death  terminating  the  union  August 
21,  1872.  They  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children.  The  first  rwo  died 
in  infancy,  one  died  at  the  age  of  eight  years,  and  eight  are  still  living,  namely: 
Clara,  the  wife  of  George  Metcalf,  of  Oklahoma;  Caroline,  the  wife  of  H.  L. 
Bacon,  of  Chicago,  Illinois;  Mary  E.,  the  wife  of  \[.  L.  Watson,  of  Andale, 
Kansas;  Susan  E.,  the  wife  of  John  Beckwith,  of  Wichita,  Kansas;  Arthur 
H.,  of  whom  mention  is  made  further  on  in  this  sketch;  John  W.,  of  Wichita, 
Kansas;  J.  Frank,  ex-chief  justice  of  Oklahoma;  and  David  M..  a  district 
iudge  residing  in  Sedgwick  county,  Kansas.  December  7,  1873,  ■Mr.  Dale 
married  Sarah  E.,  the  widow  of  Ira  Kipp,  who  is  now  living  with  a  daughter 
in  Dawson,  Minnesota. 

Arthur  H.  Dale,  referred  to  al)Ove.  was  born  in  Luzerne  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, February  2,  1846,  while  his  parents  were  making  a  brief  sojourn 
there,  that  being  his  father's  bovhood  home;  and  in  his  infancv  Arthur  H. 
was  brought  to  Illinois.  At  Somonauk  he  was  reared  and  received  a  com- 
mon-school education,  and  later  he  took  a  six-months  commercial  course  in 
a  Chicago  business  college.  In  1861  he  engaged  in  the  grain  business  at 
Leiand,  with  his  father,  their  association  continuing  until  the  summer  of 
1864,  when  young  Dale  enlisted  in  Company  E,  Eighty-ninth  Illinois  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  as  a  recruit,  and  was  in  the  Fourth  Army  Corps,  under  Gen- 
eral Thomas,  remaining  in  the  service  until  the  close  of  the  war,  when  he 
was  honorably  discharged.  He  was  a  participant  in  the  battles  of  Franklin 
and  Nashville,  Tennessee. 

Returning  to  Leiand,  Illinois,  after  the  war,  Mr.  Dale  again  engaged 
in  business  with  his  father;  was  with  him  until  1870,  and  afterward  was  for  a 
time  alone  in  business  there.  Then  he  went  to  Plattsburg,  Missouri,  where 
he  spent  two  years  and  a  half,  engaged  in  the  hardware  business.  From 
Missouri  he  went  to  California,  and  after  spending  a  year  in  the  Golden  state, 
near  Sacramento,  he  returned  to  Leiand  and  engaged  in  the  live-stock  busi- 
ness, which  he  has  since  successfully  conducted,  owning  a  fine  tract  of  land 
here.  He  was  in  the  hardware  trade  for  eight  years  in  Leiand,  just  after  his 
return  from  Missouri. 

Mr.  Dale  is  a  Republican,  and  has  always  shown  a  commendable  interest 
in  public  affairs.  He  has  served  as  road  commissioner,  having  filled  that 
office  for  some  ten  years;  from  1893  to  1895  inclusive  he  was  the  assessor 
of  Adams  township,  LaSalle  county,  and  for  the  past  twenty  years  has  been 
a  school  director.  Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Masonic  order,  the 
Eastern  Star,  and  the  Knio;hts  of  the  Globe. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  593 

He  was  married  in  December,  1874,  to  Louie  H.  Gedney,  a  (laughter  of 
Henry  E.  Gedney,  of  Ottawa,  Illinois.  Mr.  Gedney  was  the  founder  of  the 
Ottawa  Constitution,  now  the  Republican-Times. 


GEORGE  THOMAS  FOREMAN. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  one  of  the  successful  farmers  of  Adams 
township,  LaSalle  county,  Sheridan  his  postoffice  address.  It  was 
in  Kent  county,  England,  April  13,  1856,  that  he  was  born,  a  son  of  George 
and  Emily  (Nettlingham)  Foreman.  The  Foreman  family  emigrated  to  this 
country  in  1858.  Coming  west  at  once  to  Illinois,  they  settled  on  the  Lyman 
farm,  near  the  line  between  Serena  and  Freedom  townships,  LaSalle  county, 
where  they  resided  for  a  number  of  years.  The  parents  and  one  daughter 
are  now  residents  of  Iroquois  county,  Illinois,  and  the  father  is  now  seventy 
years  of  age.  Of  their  children  we  record  that  George  Thomas,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  is  the  eldest;  Alfred  married  Annie  King  and  resides  in  Iro- 
quois county;  Ellen  R.,  the  wife  of  Anson  Taylor,  lives  in  Dodge  county, 
Nebraska;  Maggie,  the  wife  of  Melvin  Sturdevant,  resides  in  Birmingham, 
Alabama;  Henry,  who  married  Mary  Sturdevant,  is  in  Iroquois  county; 
William  E.,  who  married  Phoebe  Carlock,  is  a  resident  of  Minnesota;  Albert 
R.,  also  of  Iroquois  county,  married  Lavina  Brandenburg;  Walter,  of  Chi- 
cago; Lewis  J.,  who  married  Mrs.  Celia  (Van  Vleet)  Elgin,  and  resides  in 
Iroquois  county;  and  Fannie  S.  resides  in  Watseka,  Illinois,  with  her  par- 
ents. 

George  T.  was  reared  in  LaSalle  county  and  received  a  limited  education 
in  the  local  schools.  He  remained  with  his  parents  and  aided  in  the  support 
of  the  home  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age.  He  then  secured  employ- 
ment as  a  farm  hand  in  Adams  township,  and  v,as  thus  occupied  two  or 
three  years.  Carefully  saving  his  earnings,  he  acquired  an  interest  in  a 
threshing  machine,  of  which  he  became  manager,  and  while  running  the 
thresher  made  some  money.  In  1888  he  went  to  work  in  the  bridge  de- 
partment of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad,  where  he  was  em- 
ployed for  two  years.  In  1890  he  came  to  the  old  Cottew  homestead, 
his  father-in-law's  home,  and  has  since  resided  here.  A  man  of  energy  and 
good  management,  he  is  meeting-  with  justly  deserved  success  in  his  farming 
operations. 

Mr.  Foreman  was  married  March  13.  1883,  to  Miss  Caroline,  daughter 
of  James  and  Harriet  Cottew,  early  settlers  of  Adams  township.  Mr.  Cot- 
tew died  in  1894,  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years.  He  was  a  soldier  in 
the  civil  war,  a  member  of  the  First  Illinois  Regiment  of  Light  Artillery, 


594 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 


and  was  discharged  from  service  on  account  of  disability.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Foreman  have  two  children — Pearl  S.  and  Allen  R. — aged  respectively  four- 
teen and  six  years. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Foreman  is  identified  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America,  having  his  membership  in  Baker  Camp,  No.  4434.  He  is  a  Re- 
publican in  his  political  affiliations. 


EDWARD  A.  NATTINGER. 

Probably  one  of  the  best  known  men  in  journalistic  circles  of  northern 
Illinois  is  Edward  A.  Nattinger,  of  Ottawa,  now^  connected  with  the  Republi- 
can-Times of  that  flourishing  city.  He  has  occupied  numerous  important 
pubHc  positions  of  trust  and  honor  and  stands  high  in  political  and  frater- 
nal organizations.  His  ability  and  direction  of  affairs  entrusted  to  him, 
and  his  worth  and  integrity,  have  won  for  him  the  friendship  of  all  who  have 
been  associated  with  him  in  any  manner. 

Born  June  20,  1846,  a  son  of  J.  G.  Nattinger,  who  for  many  years  was 
a  leading  merchant  of  Ottawa,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  claims  this  as  his 
native  town.  In  his  boyhood  he  obtained  a  liberal  education  in  the  public 
and  private  schools  of  the  place;  but  the  excitement  occasioned  by  the  open- 
ing years  of  the  great  civil  war  interrupted  his  studies,  and  in  the  fall  of 
1862  he  ran  away  and  enlisted  as  a  bugler  at  Peoria,  Illinois.  Ere  long 
he  was  promoted  to  the  ranks  and  he  served  faithfully  and  gallantly  until  the 
close  of  the  great  conflict,  being  but  nineteen  years  of  age  when  he  was 
granted  an  honorable  discharge,  August  5,  1865.  The  boy  soldier's  record  is 
one  well  worthy  of  many  who  were  twice  his  years  in  age;  and,  summed 
up  in  the  briefest  form,  it  may  be  stated  thus:  Participated  in  twelve  battles 
of  the  war;  was  in  numberless  skirmishes;  went  on  the  long  and  exciting 
chase  after  John  ]\Iorgan,  who  was  at  last  captured  near  the  Ohio-Penn- 
sylvania line;  went  on  the  several  daring  cavalry  raids  in  Virginia,  Ten- 
nessee, North  Carolina  and  finally  was  made  a  prisoner  on  the  Stoneman 
raid  in  Georgia,  and  suffered  the  horrors  of  the  rebel  prisons  of  Anderson- 
ville  and  Macon,  Georgia,  and  Charleston  and  Florence,  South  Carolina. 

Resuming  the  paths  of  peace,  young  Nattinger  went  to  Chicago  and 
pursued  a  course  in  Bryant  &  Stratton's  Business  College  and  for  some 
time  was  employed  as  a  clerk  in  the  Ottawa  postoffice  and  in  dry-goods  and 
grocery  houses.  Then  he  began  to  learn  the  printer's  trade,  in  the  office 
of  the  Ottawa  Republican,  finishing  in  the  Lyons  (Iowa)  Mirror  office. 
By  degrees  he  worked  up,  taking  various  positions,  including  those  of  re- 
porter and  advertising  solicitor,  and  started  three  Illinois  journals — the  Buda 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  595 

Enterprise,  the  Bradford  Chronicle  and  the  Wyoming  Blade — running  the 
whole  number  for  three  months  himself.  For  six  years  he  was  the  city 
editor  of  the  Joliet  Republican,  Sun  and  Record;  and  in  June,  1877,  in 
partnership  with  Mr.  Fletcher,  he  started  the  Ottawa  Daily  Times,  the  first 
daily  established  in  this  county  of  the  ten  now  published.  A  few  months 
later  Mr.  Fletcher  retired  from  the  business,  and  at  the  end  of  another 
year  the  weekly  edition  of  the  paper  was  established  also.  In  1890  the 
Times  and  the  Republican  were  consolidated,  F.  M.  Sapp,  the  editor  of 
the  Times,  becoming  the  senior  partner  of  the  new  organization.  Needless 
to  say,  the  Republican-Times  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  representative 
papers  not  only  of  this  county  but  also  of  the  great  state  of  Illinois,  and 
the  high  standard  which  it  always  has  maintained  is  steadily  winning  for 
itself  friends  among  the  most  intelligent  citizens. 

An  influential  factor  in  the  Republican  party  of  this  section,  Mr.  Nat- 
tinger  has  been  the  secretary  of  the  Young  Men's  Republican  Club  of  Joliet, 
and  has  occupied  like  positions  in  the  Will  county  and  LaSalle  county  cen- 
tral committees  of  his  party,  and  has  been  the  president  of  the  Young  Men's 
Republican  Club  of  Ottawa,  and  chairman  of  the  town  committee.  From 
1890  to  1894  he  was  the  postmaster  of  this  place,  serving  under  President 
Harrison's  administration. 

Mr.  Nattinger  is  a  past  commander  of  Seth  C.  Earl  Post,  No.  156,  G.  A. 
R.:  is  the  chief  of  the  staff  of  the  department  of  Illinois,  and  aide-de-camp 
to  the  commander-in-chief;  is  the  president  of  the  Fourteenth  Illinois  Cavalry 
Regimental  Association;  a  member  of  the  committees  having  in  charge  the 
Illinois  Soldiers'  Home,  the  Illinois  Soldiers'  Orphans'  Home  and  the  Illinois 
Soldiers'  Widows'  Home.  In  the  Masonic  order  he  is  identified  with  Occi- 
dental Lodge,  No.  40,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  Shabbona  Chapter,  No.  37,  R.  A. 
M.;  and  of  Mary  E.  Chapter,  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star;  and  he  is  also 
associated  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  the  Knights  of  Honor 
and  the  Ottawa  Boat  Club. 


HIRAM  E.  BAKER. 


Hiram  Emmit  Baker,  of  Dayton  township,  LaSalle  county,  is  a  promi- 
nent farmer  and  stock  dealer  and  is  entitled  to  more  than  a  passing  notice 
on  the  pages  of  this  work,  devoted  as  it  is  to  a  portrayal  of  the  lives  of  the 
representative  men  and  women  of  LaSalle  county. 

Mr.  Baker  may  well  be  termed  a  self-made  man.  He  began  life  a  poor 
boy,  he  toiled  and  saved,  and  his  industry  and  good  management  have 
Ijrought  hini  the  success  he  now  enjoys.     He  was  born  in  Clinton  county, 


596  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

New  York,  February  4,  1848,  the  son  of  a  farmer,  and  was  reared  and 
schooled  in  Plattsburg.  His  father,  Daniel  Baker,  was  born  at  I^hazy, 
New  York,  and  died  in  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  in  1884.  He  and  his  wife, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Laura  Card,  were  the  parents  of  the  following 
named  children:  James,  of  Allegan,  Michigan;  Martha,  wife  of  Henry 
Miller,  of  Oakland,  California;  H.  E.;  George,  of  Iowa;  Oscar,  of  Dayton 
township,  LaSalle  county;  Charles,  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa;  Susan,  who  mar- 
ried Gideon  Ruger;  and  Nelson,  a  traveling  salesman  in  Kentucky. 

H.  E.  Baker,  on  leaving  school,  entered  the  employ  of  a  Mr.  Benedict, 
a  milkman,  with  whom  he  remained  two  years,  beginning  at  a  salary  of 
ten  dollars  per  month,  and  five  years  with  I.  S.  Thorn.  At  the  end  of  the 
seven  years  he  had  assisted  his  father  to  the  extent  of  one  hundred  and  thirty 
dollars  and  had  six  hundred  dollars  in  the  bank.  He  then  married  and  rented 
his  father-in-law's  farm,  which  he  ran  four  years,  after  which  he  was  pre- 
vailed upon  by  Gabe  Ruger,  his  wife's  uncle,  to  emigrate  to  Illinois.  Com- 
ing here  in  1874,  he  was  employed  as  the  foreman  on  Mr.  Ruger's  farm, 
in  which  capacity  he  served  two  years,  receiving  four  hundred  dollars  the 
first  year  and  five  hundred  dollars  the  second.  The  third  year  he  purchased 
eighty  acres  of  land  in  Dayton  township,  the  price  being  four  thousand 
dollars.  Half  of  this  amount  he  paid  down.  The  other  half  and  five  hun- 
dred dollars  worth  of  stock  he  went  in  debt  for,  paying  ten  per  cent  interest 
on  the  money,  and  at  the  end  of  five  years  he  had  the  farm  paid  for.  Then, 
with  the  hope  of  bettering  himself,  he  went  to  Greene  county,  Iowa,  but 
returned  to  his  former  residence  in  Dayton  township,  after  an  absence  of 
one  year.  He  bought  one  hundred  acres  on  the  bluff,  near  Ottawa,  at 
sixty-five  dollars  an  acre,  on  five  years'  time;  built  a  modern  house  and 
barn,  and  when  the  five  years  had  elapsed  his  obligations  had  all  been  met. 
Still  another  tract  of  eighty  acres  he  contracted  for,  at  five  thousand  five  hun- 
dred dollars,  four  thousand  dollars  of  which  consideration  he  received  four 
years'  time  on  with  the  usual  results,  prompt  payment  of  principal  and 
interest.  The  last  addition  he  made  to  his  property  was  the  stock  yards 
west  of  Ottawa,  which  he  purchased  from  the  Phelps  estate.  These  yards 
he  himself  used  for  a  time,  while  he  was  engaged  in  buying  and  shipping 
stock,  but  now  has  them  leased.  Such  rapid  accumulation  of  wealth  among 
the  farming  classes  where  the  products  of  the  soil  are  depended  upon  solely 
to  meet  such  investment  expenses  is  remarkable,  even  wonderful;  and  the 
instances  are  rare  where  such  good  fortune  attends  so  regularly  and  so 
persistently  as  in  this  one. 

Mr.  Baker  was  married  in  1870,  at  Plattsburg,  New  York,  to  Annie 
Ruger,  a  daughter  of  Gideon  Ruger.  The  Ruger  family  is  one  of  prominence 
in  the  townships  of  Serena  and  Dayton,  where  they  are  classed  among  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  597 

most  inclnstrious  and  progressive  people  of  their  respective  localities.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Baker  have  six  children,  namely:  Sadie,  Julius,  Anna,  Florence, 
Hiram  E.,  Jr.,  and  Glen. 

j\Ir.  Baker  affiliates  with  the  Republican  party  and  takes  an  active  in- 
terest in  local  affairs.  He  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  road 
commissioners,  of  which  he  was  the  treasurer. 


OSMAN  MATTHIAS  DANIELSON. 

The  Danielson  family  has  been  prominent  in  the  settlement  and  devel- 
opment of  LaSalle  county,  coming  here  in  pioneer  days.  Hard-working,  up- 
right and  just  in  all  their  dealings,  they  have  merited  the  respect  and  confi- 
dence which  have  been  lil)erally  accorded  them  by  neighbors  and  acquaint- 
ances. 

The  father  of  our  subject  is  Christopher  Danielson,  who  was  born  in 
\'adla,  Norway,  January  4,  1834.  and  when  one  year  old  was  brought  to 
this  country  by  his  father,  who  settled  in  the  vicinity  of  Norway,  LaSalle 
county,  and  carried  on  a  farm  there  until  1849,  when  he  and  his  wife  and  all 
his  children  save  Christopher  fell  victims  to  the  cholera.  When  twenty-one, 
Christopher  Danielson  married  Ann,  daughter  of  Osman  Thompson,  a  w^ell 
known  farmer  owning  property  near  Big  Indian,  LaSalle  county.  She  came 
with  her  father  to  the  United  States  in  1835,  ^vhen  she  was  two  years  old. 
Durinsf  his  active  life,  Mr.  Danielson  carried  on  a  fine  farm  near  Leland, 
and  became  prosperous.  In  1897  he  retired  and  went  to  Lamoni,  Iowa, 
where  his  sons,  Daniel  C.  and  Joseph,  reside.  His  eldest  son,  Martin,  has 
charge  of  the  Old  Folks'  Home  at  Lamoni,  an  institution  supported  by  the 
church  of  the  Latter  Day  Saints.  Another  son,  Edwin,  born  in  1869,  is 
engaged  in  business  with  our  subject,  and  David  N.  is  a  grain  merchant,  of 
Thompson,  Illinois.  The  daughters  are  Bertha,  wife  of  Lorenzo  Hayer.  of 
LaSalle  county;  Ida,  Mrs.  Charles  Hayer;  and  Mary,  Mrs.  Andrew  Gaard, 
of  Sheridan,  Illinois. 

O.  M.  Danielson  was  born  in  this  county,  November  15.  1863.  After 
having  completed  his  liberal  public-school  education  he  came  to  Leland 
and  for  a  year  was  engaged  in  the  grocery  business.  From  his  boyhood 
he  had  evinced  great  aptitude  in  the  use  of  all  kinds  of  tools,  and  he 
concluded  to  embark  in  the  manufacture  of  wagons  and  carriages  in  Leland. 
Soon  afterward,  he  commenced  handling  foreign-made  vehicles,  and  added 
a  stock  of  implements  of  various  kinds.  Success  attended  him  from  the 
first,  and  his  excellent  business  methods  won  for  him  increasing  popularity. 
In  1895  the  firm  of  Danielson  Brothers  was  organized,  and  a  general  hard- 


598  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

ware  business  was  started,  as  well.  For  a  few  years  the  brothers  operated 
the  Leland  electric-light  plant,  which  our  subject  constructed  for  the  town, 
but  the  expense  attending  the  operation  of  this  enterprise  proved  too  great 
for  the  citizens  and  it  was  abandoned. 

On  the  28th  of  February.  1885,  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Danielson  and 
Carrie,  daughter  of  William  Larson,  was  celebrated.  They  have  had  two 
children,  but  only  Willis,  who  was  born  in  1887.  is  living.  Mrs.  Danielson's 
father  was  a  successful  farmer  and  an  early  settler  in  the  vicinity  of  Wenona, 
Illinois. 

Our  subject  is  a  member  of  the  church  of  Latter  Day  Saints.  In  his 
political  faith  Mr.  Danielson  is  a  Republican.  He  takes  a  i^atriotic  interest 
in  public  affairs,  and  is  highly  esteemed  by  his  customers  and  acquaintances 
in  general.  Now  in  the  prime  of  manhood  he  has  already  achieved  more 
than  many  men  years  his  senior,  and  judgmg  his  future  by  his  past  he  will 
be  some  dav  a  wealthv  man. 


HENRY  GATISS. 


Henry  Gatiss,  a  prominent  and  popular  grocer  of  LaSalle,  was  born 
in  the  county  of  Durham,  England,  March  21,  1839,  and  is  a  son  of  Henry 
and  Sarah  (Hunt)  Gatiss.  Llis  grandfather,  John  Gatiss,  died  in  England, 
his  native  home,  at  an  advanced  age,  leaving  a  large  family.  His  maternal 
grandfather  also  lived  and  died  in  that  country.  Henry  Gatiss  was  the  father 
of  eight  children,  six  sons  and  two  daughters,  as  follows:  John  H.,  of 
Eagle  River,  Michigan;  William,  of  Thetford,  Ontario;  Robert  B.,  of  Black 
Hawk  county,  Iowa;  Thomas  W.,  of  Dimmick  township,  this  county;  Henry, 
our  subject;  Mary  Ann,  wife  of  William  Dinsmore,  of  Earlville,  this  state; 
Richard  E.,  of  National  City,  California;  and  Sarah  Jane,  wife  of  Joseph 
Elliott,  of  Manitoba.  The  father  was  married  a  second  time.  Miss  Jane 
Pickering  becoming  his  wife,  and  to  them  were  born  nine  children,  of  whom 
four  are  living.  Those  living  are  Joseph  P.,  of  Earlville,  Illinois;  Samuel  R., 
of  Manitoba;  Sophia  R.,  of  Earlville.  Illinois;  and  A\^alter,  of  the  same 
place.  The  father  of  these  children  in  early  life  was  a  shaft-sinker  in  his 
native  land.  In  1842  he  came  to  the  United  States,  landing  in  New  York 
on  July  4  of  that  year.  He  immediately  went  to  Bradford  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  remained  until  1856,  engaged  in  mining  for  an  English 
syndicate.  He  explored  aiid  opened  up  about  twenty  thousand  acres  of 
land  for  them,  which  he  afterward  sold.  He  then  moved  to  LaSalle,  Illinois, 
and  was  the  superintendent  of  the  coal  shaft  for  some  time,  when  he  pur- 
chased a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  some  four  and  a  half  miles  north 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  599 

of  this  city.  He  then  spent  his  time  in  tilHng  the  soil  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1877,  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years  and  ten  months.-  He 
served  as  a  road  commissioner  for  a  number  of  terms.  He  was  twice  mar- 
ried; his  first  wife,  the  mother  of  our  subject,  died  in  1850,  when  about 
forty-five  years  of  age. 

Henry  Gatiss,  our  subject,  was  but  three  years  of  age  when  his  parents 
took  up  their  residence  in  America.  He  attended  the  Pennsyb/ania  schools 
and  worked  for  his  father  until  he  was  twenty-six  years  old.  When  he  was 
seventeen  they  moved  to  LaSalle,  where  he  has  since  hved  with  the 
exception  of  two  years  spent  in  Canada.  Before  making  this  trip  he  en- 
gaged in  farming,  but  found  the  work  unsuited  to  his  liking.  He  then  en- 
tered a  grocery  as  clerk  and  met  with  such  success  in  this  line  that  in  1877, 
in  partnership  with  his  brother  Richard,  he  purchased  the  stock  of  his  em- 
ployer, the  store  being  conducted  conjointly  by  them  until  1891,  when 
Richard  retired  from  the  business,  leaving  Henry  Gatiss  the  sole  proprietor. 
In  his  twenty-two  years'  work  as  a  grocer  he  has  built  up  a  large  trade, 
his  patronage  extending  many  miles  into  the  country.  His  strict  honesty  and 
integrity  have  won  their  confidence  and  made  him  warm  friends  through- 
out the  entire  county. 

Mr.  Gatiss  was  united  in  the  holy  bonds  of  matrimony  on  the  25th 
of  December,  1874,  to  Miss  Margaret  Nixon,  a  daughter  of  Hugh  and 
Mary  Ann  (Robson)  Nixon.  Three  children  have  blessed  this  union:  Henry 
Milton;  Stella  May,  who  died  at  the  age  of  two  years  and  two  months;  and 
Mary.  Both  the  children  living  are  with  their  parents.  Mrs.  Gatiss  and 
her  daughter  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  which 
they  are  zealous  workers.  Their  residence  is  on  Fifth  street,  where  they 
have  a  pleasant,  comfortable  home  and  a  house  which  they  rent.  Mr.  Gatiss 
has  been  a  resident  of  LaSalle  for  forty-three  years.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity  and  in  politics  a  Republican. 


DAVID  SNELLING. 


This  well  known  citizen  and  respected  farmer  of  Adams  township.  La- 
Salle county,  Illinois,  is  a  native  of  Rutland  township,  this  county,  born 
June  26,  1848,  and  is  a  representative  of  one  of  the  pioneer  families  of  this 
locality.  His  parents  were  John  and  Rebecca  Jane  (Shaver)  Snelling,  the 
former  a  native  of  Virginia  and  the  latter  of  Ohio.  John  Snelling,  when  quite 
small,  was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Ohio,  where  he  grew  to  manhood.  When 
a  young  man,  previous  to  his  marriage,  he  came  west  to  Illinois,  then  called 
the  frontier,  and  located  in  LaSalle  county.    That  was  some  time  in  the  '30s. 


6oo  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

Here  he  subsequently  married  Rebecca  Shaver,  a  daughter  of  David  Shaver, 
one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Rutland  township,  this  county.  Mrs.  Snelling 
was  born  in  1821,  was  ten  years  old  when  brought  by  her  parents  to  Illinois, 
and  is  still  a  resident  of  LaSalle  county,  her  home  being  in  Serena  town- 
ship, where  her  husband  settled  on  a  farm  a  number  of  years  ag"o.  He  died 
there  in  1884,  at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years.  They  w^ere  the  parents  of 
seven  children,  viz.:  Nancy,  Elizabeth  (deceased).  James,  Olive  (deceased), 
David,  Annis  and  George. 

David  Snelling  received  his  early  education  in  the  country  schools  of 
his  native  county  and  then  for  two  years  was  a  student  in  Lombard  Uni- 
versity, Galesburg,  Illinois.  On  his  return  home  from  college  he  was  for 
a  short  time  engaged  in  teaching  school.  Farming,  however,  has  been  his 
life  pursuit.  After  his  marriage,  which  event  occurred  in  1879.  he  settled 
on  his  present  farm,  two  hundred  and  sixty-seven  acres,  a  part  of  which  lies 
in  the  southwest  corner  of  Adams  township  and  the  rest  across  the  line  in 
Serena  township.  In  his  farming  operations  he  has  been  very  successful, 
and  is  well  known  as  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  his  locality. 

Mr.  Snelling  was  married  in  1879  to  Miss  Evaline  Umphrey,  and  they 
have  two  children:  Claudia,  the  wife  of  William  Hoadley;  and  Maud.  Mrs. 
Snelling's  parents  were  Samuel  and  Sophia  (Snelling)  Umphrey,  both  natives 
of  Ohio,  who  came  to  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  some  thirty  years  ago  and 
settled  in  Serena  township;  they  are  now  residents  of  Earl  township.  Mrs. 
Snelling  was  born  in  Ohio  and  is  the  oldest  of  four  children,  namely:  Mrs. 
Snelling,  Anna  (deceased),  Charles,  and  Hattie. 


MILTON    POPE. 


The  ancestral  history  of  Mr.  Pope  can  be  traced  back  to  representa- 
tives of  the  Revolutionary  period,  including  John  Pope,  who  joined  the 
colonial  forces  and  fought  for  the  independence  of  the  nation.  He  was 
captured  by  the  Tories  and  died  while  on  his  way  home  from  the  war,  in 
1 78 1.  His  wife  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Sarah  Atheran  and  was  born 
on  Martha's  Vineyard,  in  1725.  Her  parents  were  Solomon  and  Sarah 
(Skiff)  Atheran,  and  her  grandparents  were  Simon  and  Mary  (Butler) 
Atheran.  The  next  in  the  line  of  descent  is  Benjamin  Pope,  a  son  of  John 
and  Sarah  Pope.  He  was  born  November  23,  1769,  and  in  1797  married 
Sarah  Purcell,  who  was  born  on  Martha's  Vineyard,  August  28,  1777.  He 
died  October  18,  1838,  and  his  w-ife  passed  away  January  12,  1848. 

George  Pope,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Lorain  county, 
Ohio,  December  21,   18 14,  and  in   1843  came  from  the  Buckeye  state  to 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  6oi 

LaSalle  county,  locating  near  the  town  of  ]\Ianlins  in  what  is  now  Miller 
township.  There  he  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  March  2,  i860.  He  was  industrious  and  successful  and  his 
enterprise  and  capable  management  brought  to  him  a  merited  competence. 
He  took  a  great  interest  in  the  newly  organized  Republican  party  and 
joined  its  ranks,  stanchly  supporting  its  principles.  He  married  Miss 
Louisa  R.  Redington,  a  daughter  of  Harry  and  Lydia  (Allen)  Redington. 
Her  father  was  a  native  of  London,  England,  wdiere  he  was  born  April  3, 
1786,  and  his  wife  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  December  14,  1793,  and  was 
of  Welsh  descent.  He  died  November  18,  1848,  and  her  death  occurred  on 
the  25th  of  April,  1836.  Mrs.  Pope  was  born  in  Girard,  Erie  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, October  6,  1820,  and  with  her  parents  removed  to  Lorain  county, 
Ohio,  in  1821.  In  December,  1840,  she  became  the  wife  of  George  Pope 
and  in  1843  ^^^^Y  ^veiit  to  Cedar  county,  Iowa,  but  in  August  of  the  same 
year  became  residents  of  LaSalle  county.  Mr.  Pope  died  in  i860,  and  on 
Christmas  day  of  1861  his  widow  became  the  wife  of  John  Brundage,  a 
w'ealthy  and  respected  citizen  of  Manlius  township.  He  w^as  born  in  Seneca 
county.  New  York,  April  27,  1808,  and  came  to  LaSalle  county  about  1843, 
residing  here  until  his  death,  which  occurred  September  7,  1891.  Mrs. 
Brundage  departed  this  life  April  5,  1896,  when  in  her  seventy-sixth  year. 
By  her  first  marriage  she  had  three  children  who  lived  to  maturit)-  and  three 
who  died  in  infancy.  Alanson  became  a  member  of  Company  C,  Eighty- 
eighth  Illinois  Infantry  in  the  civil  war,  anrl  v.hile  at  Camp  Douglas  on  his 
way  to  the  front  was  drowned  in  Lake  Michigan.  Milton  is  the  next 
younger.  Eva,  the  only  daughter,  is  the  wife  of  Charles  G.  Werner,  of  Ot- 
tawa. 

Milton  Pope,  of  this  review,  was  born  in  the  township  of  Miller,  LaSalle 
county,  June  5,  1852,  and  spent  the  years  of  his  l^oyhood  in  a  manner  com- 
mon to  country  lads,  a  portion  of  his  time  l^eing  devoted  to  the  acquisition 
of  knowledge  in  the  district  schools  of  the  period.  Subsecjuently  it  was  his 
privilege  to  attend  school  in  Oberlin,  Ohio,  for  about  two  years.  Returning 
to  his  old  home  in  LaSalle  county  he  continued  to  follow'  the  occupation  to 
which  he  had  been  reared  until  1891,  when  he  retired  from  active  agricul- 
tural labors.  He  carried  on  farming  along  very  progressive  lines  and  man- 
aged his  business  affairs  so  capably  that  he  won  thereby  very  creditable  and 
desirable  success.  At  present  he  is  the  owner  of  about  five  hundred  acres  of 
fine  farming  land  in  LaSalle  county  and  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in 
Kansas.  He  is  a  director  in  the  First  National  Bank  of  Ottawa,  negotiates 
loans  and  attends  to  his  other  Imsiness  interests. 

On  the  24th  of  Novem])er,  1897,  Mr.  Pope  married  Miss  Cora  J. 
Pickens,  of  Ottawa,  a  daughter  of  James  H.  and  Clementine  L.  Pickens,  old 


6o2  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

and  respected  citizens  of  that  city.  Her  father  is  a  grandson  of  Henry 
Pickens,  who  was  born  in  Middleton,  Massachusetts,  June  i8,  1785,  and 
came  to  Otter  Creek,  LaSalle  county,  in  1839,  accompanied  by  his  wife, 
Mercy  Pierce  Pickens.  He  died  in  1844,  leaving  a  son,  Jam.es,  who  married 
Ehza  Chase.  James  Pickens  and  his  wife  came  from  Massachusetts  to 
Illinois  in  1838,  traveling  the  entire  distance  in  a  wagon  and  accompanied 
by  their  aged  grandmothers,  Mrs.  Abia  Hathaway,  who  died  a  few  years 
later,  at  the  age  of  eighty-nine  years.  In  1848  James  Pickens  removed  with 
his  family  from  Otter  Creek  to  Ottawa,  where  he  died  October  11,  1889, 
when  almost  eighty-one  years  of  age,  his  birth  having  occurred  December 
15.  1808.  His  son,  James  Henry  Pickens,  was  l)orn  in  New  Bedford,  Massa- 
chusetts, August  16,  1834,  and  in  December.  1856,  married  Clementine 
Lavelia  Ashley,  of  Lakeville,  ]\Iassachusetts.  In  the  same  winter  he  brought 
his  young  wife  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Ottawa,  where  their  children — Cora 
Justene  and  John  Ashley — were  born.  Mrs.  Clementine  L.  Pickens  is  a 
granddaughter  of  Xoah  and  Ruth  (Pickens)  Ashley.  The  former  was  born 
June  18,  1787,  and  the  latter  May  20,  1791.  Their  son,  Silas  P.  Ashley,  was 
born  April  4,  1813.  married  Phebe  Davis  and  died  in  April,  1897,  leaving  a 
daughter,  Clementine  L.,  who  was  born  August  28.  1839,  and  is  the  mother 
of  Islrs.  Milton  Pope.  Cora  Pickens,  the  esteemed  wife  of  our  subject,  was 
born  July  13,  i860,  in  Ottawa,  acquired  a  liberal  education  and  is  well  quali- 
fied to  grace  any  station  in  life  to  which  she  may  be  called.  Mr.  Pope  is  a 
member  of  Marseilles  Lodge,  Xo.  417,  A.  F.  tS:  A.  M.,  Shabbona  Chapter, 
No.  37,  R.  A.  ]M.,  and  Ottawa  Commandery,  No.  10,  K.  T.  He  and  his  wife 
enjoy  the  high  regard  of  many  warm  friends,  and  all  who  pass  beneath  the 
portals  of  their  pleasant  home  enjo}'  there  a  most  gracious  hospitality 


OLIVER  G.  OAKLAND. 


Oliver  G.  Oakland  enjoys  the  distinction  of  being  the  first  settler  and 
first  merchant  of  the  thriving  little  town  of  Baker.  LaSalle  county,  Illinois, 
where  he  opened  his  general  store  in  the  fall  of  1890.  He  was  born  in 
Adams  township,  this  county,  January  28.  1856,  on  his  father's  farm.  His 
parents  were  Gunder  A.  and  Seneva  (Serhus)  Oakland,  both  of  whom  were 
natives  of  Stavanger.  Norway.  The  father  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  in 
Adams  township,  where  he  bought  government  land  and  followed  farming 
until  1864.  when  he  disposed  of  this  property  and  moved  to  the  vicinity  of 
Pontiac,  where  he  died,  in  his  eighty-fourth  year,  in  1887.  In  his  earlv  life 
in  his  native  country  he  worked  at  the  trade  of  a  carpenter;  and  he  was 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  603 

married  in  that  country,  but  had  lost  his  wife  before  coming  to  America. 
He  was  again  married  while  residing  in  Mission  township,  this  county,  to 
Miss  Seneva  Serhus,  by  whom  he  had  children.  She  now  resides  at 
Rowe,  Illinois. 

Oliver  G.  Oakland  was  reared  on  a  farm,  having  been  eight  years  of 
age  when  his  parents  moved  to  Livingston  county,  where  he  grew  up 
to  an  industrious  manhood.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  began  to  work 
for  himself,  hiring  out  to  do  farm  work  until  he  was  twenty,  when  he  rented 
a  piece  of  gi'ound,  which  he  cultivated.  He  continued  to  follow  the  pursuit 
of  agricultural  life  until  1890,  when  he  came  to  Baker  and  opened  a  general 
store  in  the  depot,  serving  also  as  agent  for  the  railway  company,  a  position 
he  still  holds.  His  trade  increased  to  such  proportions  that  he  was  justified 
in  erecting  his  present  commodious  store  room,  and  it  is  still  increasing. 
He  began  life  as  a  poor  man  and  by  his  own  efforts  has  built  up  a  neat 
competency,  dealing  honesth'  and  uprightly  with  all  men  and  winning  their 
respect  and  admiration  for  his  strict  lousiness  methods.  He  was  the  manager 
of  the  elevator  for  five  years  and  has  been  a  busy,  energetic  man. 

Mr.  Oakland  was  married  in  Livingston  county,  Illinois,  in  1878,  to 
Miss  Mary  Chew,  who  was  born  at  Chillicothe,  Illinois.  They  have  three 
children — Jesse  ]\I.,  Ella  S.,  and  Imus  M.  He  is  a  Republican  and  held 
the  postofifice  from  1891  to  1897.  giving  general  satisfaction  to  the  patrons 
of  the  ofifice.  He  is  a  zealous  member  of  the  Norwegian  EvangeHcal  Luth- 
eran church. 


CHARLES  B.  WATTS. 


Charles  Brown  A\'atts,  supervisor  of  Earl  township  and  a  wealthy  and 
substantial  farmer  of  LaSalle  county.  Illinois,  was  born  October  12.  1848. 
on  a  farm  some  four  miles  south  of  Ottawa,  this  state,  and' is  a  son  of  Phillip 
C.  and  Margaret  Ann  (Brown)  AA'atts,  who  are  among  the  oldest  and  most 
respected  residents  of  this  countv. 

Phillip  C.  Watts  was  born  in  Devonshire.  England,  Januarv  22,  1822, 
and  came  to  America  with  an  uncle  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  locating  in  Genesee 
county,  New  York,  where  he  remained  one  year,  and  then  came  to  this 
state  and  acted  as  a  guard  in  the  penitentiary  at  Alton  for  a  few  years.  In 
1844  lie  came  to  this  county,  settling  at  Ottawa,  and  in  November.  1847. 
married  Miss  Margaret  Ann  Brown,  by  whom  he  had  nine  children,  all  of 
whom  are  living.  They  have  prospered  in  their  business  and  own  the  farm 
four  miles  south  of  Ottawa,  and  are  well-to-do  people.  His  wife  was  a 
daughter  of  Charles  Brown,  who  came  here  in  1830,  and  she  remembers 


6o4  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

the  Black  Hawk  war  and  being  driven  into  the  fort  at  Ottawa.  She  tells 
of  burning  hickory  wood  to  obtain  saleratus  and  obtaining  their  meal  by 
grinding  corn.  Her  father  entertained  the  Indian  chief,  Shabbona,  but  could 
never  get  that  famous  character  to  sleep  in  the  house.  The  Brown  family 
came  here  from  New  York,  the  journey  being  made  by  ox  team  and  fifteen 
miles  being  considered  a  good  day's  travel. 

Charles  Brown  Watts  Avas  the  eldest  of  nine  children — seven  sisters 
and  two  brothers — and  was  reared  on  a  farm.  He  attended  the  country 
schools  and  then  entered  the  high  school  of  Ottawa  and  later  attended  the 
Normal  School  at  Normal,  Illinois.  Returning  from  school  he  took  up 
the  occupation  of  farming  and  has  been  remarkably  successful.  Some 
twenty  years  ago  he  purchased  farm  lands  in  Nebraska,  which  he  afterward 
disposed  of  at  a  profit,  enabling  him  to  purchase  a  tract  of  tine  land  in  Earl 
township,  containing  three  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  Mrs.  Watts  also  owns 
a  quarter  section  in  Kansas  and  a  house  and  four  lots  in  the  town  of  Earl. 
He  has  made  a  neat  income  from  stock  raising  and  is  a  farmer  who  uses 
both  brawn  and  brain  in  his  work. 

Mr.  Watts  w-as  married  in  1874  to  Miss  Anna  Gillett,  who  was  born 
on  the  farm  upon  which  they  now  reside  on  June  13,  1850.  They  at  once 
located  on  a  farm  in  Livingston. county,  owned  by  ^.Ir.  Watts"  father,  and 
cultivated  it  for  three  years,  moving,  at  the  expiration  of  that  time,  in  1878, 
to  the  farm  where  they  now  live.  The  children  born  of  this  marriage  were 
Clarence  M.,  Harry  W.,  Alice  I..  William  W..  Daisy,  Archie  T.,  and  two — 
Grace  and  Margaret — that  are  dead.  Mr.  Watts  is  a  Republican  and  has  filled 
several  minor  offices,  having  been  a  school  director  nine  or  ten  years  and 
in  1898  was  elected  to  the  office  of  supervisor.  He  is  a  ^Master  Mason,  a 
Modern  Woodman  of  America,  and  a  Knight  of  the  Globe,  and  is  a  man 
who  makes  many  friends. 

The  father  of  ^Irs.  Watts  was  Thomas  Gillett,  who  came  to  this  state 
from  New  York  in  1844.  He  was  born  in  Kent,  England.  March  16,  181 1, 
and  in  1842  came  to  the  United  States  and  located  in  Syracuse  for  two 
years,  whence  he  came  to  this  county  and  lived  in  Ottawa  for  about  four 
years,  when  he  rented  a  farm  in  Earl  township,  and  the  following  year,  1849, 
married  Miss  Sarah  Hoadley,  who  was  born  in  England  in  1809.  They 
had  grown  up  in  the  same  neighborhood  and  in  1842  she  came  to  America 
with  her  uncle,  Henry  Hoadley.  Thomas  Hoadley,  a  pioneer  of  Earl  town- 
ship, was  her  brother.  Thomas  Gillett  purchased  a  soldier's  claim  to  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Earl  township,  on  which  he  settled  and 
which  is  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Mrs.  Watts  and  her  family.  He  had 
l)ut  two  children:  Anna  (Mrs.  Watts),  and  Thomas  H.,  who  died  in  Kansas, 
in  1879.     In  1884  Mr.  Gillett  retired  from  the  active  duties  of  agricultural 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  605 

life  and  took  up  his  residence  in  Earlville,  where  his  wife  died  in  1889  and  he 
in  1 89 1,  both  having  attained  to  the  advanced  age  of  eighty  years  and  having 
the  love  and  respect  of  all  with  whom  they  came  in  contact. 


SMITH  H.  OLAISTEAD. 


Smith  Rowland  Olmstead,  deceased,  was  one  of  the  prominent  and  ster- 
ling citizens  of  Freedom  township,  where  his  entire  life  was  passed.  He 
came  from  one  of  the  pioneer  families  of  LaSalle  county,  and  his  name  is 
indissolubiy  connected  with  the  history  of  this  region.  It  stands  for  patriot- 
ism and  public  spirit,  for  industry  and  uprightness — in  short,  for  all  of  the 
qualities  which  are  embodied  in  the  noblest  citizens  of  this  great  common- 
wealth. His  memory  is  tenderly  kept  in  the  hearts  of  scores  of  his  old-time 
friends,  and  many  of  them  will  scan  with  deep  interest  the  following  outline 
of  his  career  and  tribute  to  his  genuine  worth. 

Sixty  years  ago  Hiram  D.  Olmstead,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this 
memoir,  removed  from  his  former  home  in  New  York  state  to  the  wilds 
of  LaSalle  county.  He  located  in  the  township  of  Freedom,  and  in  184-I. 
wedded  Eleanor  Harding,  by  whom  three  sons  were  born,  namely:  Charles 
H.,  Judson  H.,  and  Smith  Howland.  Hiram  D.  Olmstead,  after  a  busy, 
useful  life  as  an  agriculturist,  is  now  living  retired,  his  home  being  in  Ottawa, 
Illinois. 

The  birth  of  Smith  Howland  Olmstead  occurred  on  the  parental  home- 
stead in  this  township,  July  8,  1850.  He  obtained  a  common-school  edu- 
cation, and,  with  characteristic  energy,  mastered  the  varied  details  of  farm- 
ing when  he  was  a  mere  youth.  He  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until 
his  marriage,  when  he  was  twenty-five  years  of  age,  by  which  time  he  had 
laid  the  foundations  of  his  future  success.  Aided  by  his  thrifty,  brave-hearted 
wife,  he  steadily  prospered,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  he  left  a  large  and 
valuable  estate  as  the  result  of  their  united  efforts.  He  not  only  was  "not 
afraid  of  work"  but  he  really  enjoyed  it;  and  he  was  so  thoroughly  in  earnest 
in  all  of  his  plans  that  he  imparted  his  enthusiasm  and  interest  to  all  around 
him.  It  has  been  said  that  one  of  the  secrets  of  success  is  "to  be  in  love 
with  your  work;"  and  thus  it  proved  in  the  case  of  Mr.  Olmstead.  How- 
ever great  his  interest  in  his  personal  undertakings,  he  never  neglected  his 
public  duties,  and  his  neighbors  relied  upon  his  thorough  performance  of 
whatever  work  was  intrusted  to  him  for  the  general  welfare.  Fie  was  a  zeal- 
ous Republican,  and  held  the  ofifices  of  road  commissioner  and  assessor  and 
school  director.  His  prominence  in  pul)lic  and  social  afifairs  of  his  locality 
was  due  to  his  well  recognized  qualities  of  worth,  and  his  genial,  friendly 


6o6  BIOGRAPHICAL    AXD    GEXEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

disposition,  ^^•hich  \von  every  one  with  whom  circumstances  brought  him 
into  acquaintanceship.  When  death  stilled  his  noble  heart  he  was  in  the 
prime  of  life,  and  the  blow  was  deeply  felt  throughout  the  entire  community. 
He  entered  into  the  silent  land  on  the  17th  of  August,  1886,  but  a  few  weeks 
subsequently  to  the  thirty-sixth  anniversary  of  his  birth. 

The  widow  of  'Mr.  Olmstead  was,  like  her  husband,  a  native  of  Freedom 
township.  Her  parents  were  Seth  F.  and  Elizabeth  (Frye)  Ford,  the  for- 
mer born  in  1809  and  the  latter  in  181 5,  and  both  natives  of  Massachusetts. 
They  came  to  this  county  in  1850  and  located  on  the  farm  which  is  now 
owned  bv  Charles  T.  ]\Iosev.  Five  of  their  six  children  are  living  at  this 
writing,  namely:  Fidelia,  widow  of  J.  J-  Hutchinson,  of  Washington  county, 
Kansas;  Caroline,  widow  of  Hartson  E.  Billings,  of  Washington 
county,  Kansas;  Myra  S.,  wife  of  F.  A.  Barker,  of  Parsons.  Kansas;  Hattie 
F.,  ]\Irs.  Olmstead;  and  Florence  E..  ]\Irs.  Isaac  G.  Parish,  of  this  town- 
ship. 

]Mrs.  Hattie  F.  Olmstead  resided  with  her  parents  until  her  marriage, 
December  30,  1875.  Of  h^i"  ^^'^  children  two  died  in  infancy  and  a  daughter 
and  two  sons  survive:  ]\Iyra,  the  eldest,  born  in  1878,  became  the  wife 
of  William  Gregg,  November  20,  1897;  Burton  C,  the  elder  son,  was  born 
in  1880,  and  wedded  Olive,  daughter  of  Lewis  ^^^arren,  of  Serena  town- 
ship, November  30,  1898;  and  Frank  D..  the  younger  son,  was  born  in 
1885,  and,  with  his  elder  brother,  is  of  great  assistance  to  his  mother  in  the 
management  of  the  home  farm.  She  has  manifested  marked  ability  and 
excellent  judgment  in  the  cultivation  and  maintenance  of  the  homestead, 
and  enjoys  the  respect  of  her  neighbors,  who  regard  her  as  a  model  farmer 
and  financier.  She  has  maintained  the  same  interest  in  public  affairs  as 
did  her  lamented  husband,  and  has  served  her  locality  as  a  school  director 
for  six  years,  being  the  only  woman  here  who  has  had  this  responsibility 
and  honor.  She  also  belongs  to  the  County  Grange  and  to  the  Woman's 
Relief  Corps,  and  is  kind  and  helpful  to  the  poor  and  needy. 


OLE  J.  KIRKHUS. 

Ole  J.  Kirkhus  was  born  in  Norway.  September  24.  1850.  a  son  of 
John  and  Elizabeth  (Olson)  Kirkhus,  and  one  of  a  family  of  ten  children. 
Of  this  family  six  are  still  living,  three  having  died  in  infancy  and  one  at 
the  age  of  eighteen  years.  Three  of  the  sons  and  one  daughter 
reside  in  this  country.  The  father  was  a  farmer,  and  on  a  farm  in  his  native 
land  Ole  J.  spent  his  youthful  days. 

j\Iay  18,  1869,  before  he  reached  his  twentieth  year,  he  bade  good-by 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  607 

to  home  and  friends  and  started  for  America,  having  borrowed  the  money 
with  wdiich  to  pay  his  passage  to  this  country.  His  father  could  have  helped 
him  at  this  time,  but  as  the  family  was  large  and  our  subject  was  of  an  inde- 
pendent disposition,  he  preferred  not  to  ask  assistance  at  home.  It  is  need- 
less to  say  that  as  soon  as  possible  after  he  came  to  this  country  he  repaid 
the  debt.  Landing  at  Quebec,  he  came  thence  by  rail  to  Chicago  and 
from  there  to  Ottaw-a,  wdiere  he  secured  work  as  a  farm  hand.  For  three 
years  he  was  engaged  in  farm  work,  as  a  wage-earner,  and  then  in  1873  he 
married  and  settled  on  a  rented  farm  in  Adams  township,  LaSalle  county, 
the  one  which  he  now  owns  and  occupies.  After  renting  this  farm  three 
years  he  removed  to  Earl  township,  in  the  same  county,  where  he  rented 
land  and  lived  the  next  three  years,  then  returning  to  the  first  farm,  wdiich 
he  bought  in  1880  and  where  he  has  since  lived.  Here  he  owns  one  hundred 
and  six  acres,  well  improved  and  under  an  excellent  state  of  cultivation, 
the  result  of  his  hard  work  and  good  management. 

Mr.  Kirkhus  married  a  woman  of  his  own  nationality,  Isabelle  Gunder- 
son,  who  came  with  her  parents  to  America  wdien  she  was  six  months  old. 
Her  father,  Thomas  Gunderson,  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  LaSalle 
county,  Illinois,  having  located  at  an  early  day  on  the  farm  now  owned 
and  occupied  by  ]\Ir.  Kirkhus.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kirkhus  have  six  children. 

Politically  Mr.  Kirkhus  is  a  Republican,  and  has  served  his  district  as 
a  school  director.    He  is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 


U.  N.  THORNTON. 


U.  N.  Thornton,  M.  D.,  C.  M.,  was  born  in  Ontario,  Durham  county, 
Canada,  July  i,  1865,  and  worked  his  way  from  the  position  of  a  farmer 
lad.  through  college,  up  to  his  present  enviable  position  among  the  most 
skillful  and  firmly  established  physicians  of  Leland,  Illinois  He  is  a  son 
of  Thomas  and  Susan  (Powers)  Thornton,  and  a  grandson  of  John  Thorn- 
ton. Thomas  Thornton  was  born  in  Hull,  Yorkshire,  England,  in  1822,  and 
came  to  Canada  with  his  parents  when  he  was  seven  years  old.  There  he 
grew-  to  manhood  and  became  a  tiller  of  the  soil,  following  that  as  his  prin- 
cipal occupation.  He  was  married  to  Susan  Powers,  daughter  of  Nathaniel 
Powers,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Vermont,  as  were  all  their  ancestors, 
whose  nativity  were  in  America.  The  family  were  started  in  this  country  by 
Thomas  Powers  (spelled  Pouers),  who  left  the  parent  trunk  and  settled 
in  the  New^  England  States  of  America  in  1643,  having  come  from  England. 
The  father  of  Nathaniel  Powers  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution.  The  mother 
of  our  subject  died  in  1880,  at  the  age  of  fifty-four  years. 


6o8  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

U.  N.  Thornton  was  the  eleventh  child  in  a  family  of  twelve — six  broth- 
ers and  six  sisters.  His  early  years  were  spent  on  his  father's  farm  and  he 
then  entered  Albert  College,  at  Belleville,  Ontario,  where  he  matriculated  in 
the  arts.  He  then  began  the  study  of  medicine  in  the  Trinity  Medical  School, 
of  Toronto,  from  which  he  received  a  fellowship  and  graduated  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Trinity  College  in  1887,  with  the  degrees  of  M.  D.  and  C.  M.  In 
the  fall  of  that  year  he  came  to  the  states  and  opened  an  office  at  Rockford, 
Illinois,  but  remained  only  a  short  time,  as  a  better  location  was  offered  at 
New  Milford,  this  state,  where  he  practiced  four  years.  He  was  an  assistant 
surgeon  at  the  Rockford  Sanitarium  for  three  months,  when  he  went  to  Chi- 
cago and  practiced  until  December,  1892,  and  then  located  in  Leland,  where 
he  has  since  been  practicing,  and  has  built  up  a  large  patronage  among  the 
better  class,  although  his  services  are  given  alike  to  rich  and  poor.  He  is 
a  general  practitioner,  preferring  to  keep  up  on  all  branches  rather  than 
to  devote  himself  to  one  particular  class  of  disease. 

He  was  married  November  20,  1890,  to  Miss  Augusta  Dale,  of  Thorold, 
Canada.  They  have  two  children:  Charles  D.,  five  years  old,  and  Dorothy, 
aged  two.  He  is  a  Republican  and  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America,  the  Knights  of  the  Globe  and  the  Home  Forum,  and  is  a  Royal 
Arch  Mason.  He  also  belongs  to  the  LaSalle  Medical  Society  and  takes  an 
active  part  in  the  deliberations  of  that  organization. 


WILLIAM  S.  STERRETT,  M.  D. 

Dr.  William  S.  Sterrett,  a  popular  young  physician  of  Marseilles,  Illinois, 
comes  of  an  honored,  old  southern  family,  his  ancestors  coming  from  Vir- 
ginia and  Kentucky.  His  father,  G.  W.  Sterrett,  was  born  in  Augusta  county, 
Virginia,  February  14,  1834.  At  the  age  of  four,  with  his  father,  he  removed 
to  Monroe  county,  Missouri,  where  he  has  resided  ever  since.  On  March 
4,  1858,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Gorilla  Price,  of  Monroe  county, 
her  parents  coming  from  the  "blue-grass  region"  of  Kentucky.  They  be- 
came the  parents  of  five  children,  namely:  Eva.  James  G.,  William  S..  J. 
Claudius,  who  died  in  his  ninth  year,  and  George  W.,  Jr.  The  devoted  wife 
and  mother  departed  this  life  February  15,  1899,  when  in  her  sixtieth  year. 
The  father  is  still  living,  making  his  home  in  Monroe  county,  Missouri. 
He  has  always  given  his  allegiance  to  the  Democratic  party,  and  has  en- 
deavored to  do  his  duty  as  a  citizen  and  patriot  under  all  circumstances. 

The  birth  of  Dr.  Sterrett  occurred  about  thirty-three  years  ago.  in 
Monroe  county,  Missouri,  the  date  of  the  event  being  March  29,  1867. 
He  passed  his  boyhood  and  youth  in  his  native  state,  and  received  a  liberal 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  609 

education  in  the  public  and  high  schools.  Later  he  entered  the  University  of 
Missouri,  where  he  pursued  a  course  of  study,  after  which  he  engaged  in 
teaching  for  some  time.  Ever  ambitious  and  striving  after  greater  knowl- 
edge and  higher  standing  in  the  intellectual  world,  he  next  enrolled  him- 
self as  a  student  at  the  celebrated  University  of  Virginia,  where  he  spent 
two  years  in  the  study  of  medicine.  Previous  to  entering  the  University 
of  Virginia,  he  had  given  considerable  attention  to  medicine,  under  the 
guidance  of  Dr.  Thomas  Chowning.  of  Hannibal,  Missouri.  In  1894  he 
graduated  in  medicine  at  Rush  Medical  College,  of  Chicago.  He  estabhshed 
an  ofifice  in  the  Masonic  Block,  in  Marseilles,  Illinois,  and  has  since  been 
actively  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
LaSalle  County  Medical  Society,  the  Illinois  State  Medical  Society  and  is 
identified  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias  as  well. 


JOHNO'DONNELL. 


On  the  I  St  of  March,  1897,  John  O'Donnell  was  appointed  to  his  present 
position  as  collector  of  the  port  of  Ottawa,  and  entered  upon  the  discharge 
of  the  responsible  duties  which  devolve  upon  him  in  this  capacity.  He  is 
popular  and  highly  esteemed  loy  till  who  know  him,  and  he  is  faithful,  prompt 
and  courteous  as  an  ofTficial. 

For  over  half  a  century  Jerry  O'Donnell,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
a  resident  of  Ottawa,  and  for  many  years  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Chicago, 
Burlington  &  Ouincy  Railroad  Company.  For  his  wife  he  chose  Miss  Jo- 
hanna White,  and  to  them  were  born  seven  children — four  sons  and  three 
daughters.  The  family  have  been  numbered  among  the  substantial  citizens 
of  Ottawa  during  the  greater  part  of  the  existence  of  the  town,  and  have 
been  noted  for  a  worthy  public  spirit  and  patriotism.  Jerry  O'Donnell  died 
September  13,  1899,  aged  seventy-two  years. 

The  birth  of  John  O'Donnell  occurred  in  1865,  in  Ottawa,  and  when 
he  was  a  lad  he  acquired  a  practical  business  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  this  place.  Wlien  he  had  arrived  at  years  of  maturity  he  went  to 
Chicago,  and  for  some  time  was  employed  as  a  conductor  on  a  street  car. 
He  became  one  of  the  most  popular  conductors  on  the  road,  and  the  cour- 
tesy which  has  ever  been  one  of  his  marked  traits  was  particularly  grateful 
to  those  who  journeyed  to  and  from  the  commercial  center.  M.  length, 
returning  to  Ottawa,  he  took  a  position  in  the  Ottawa  Bottle  &  Flint  Glass 
Company's  works,  of  which  concern  he  was  a  shipping"  clerk  for  ten  years. 
Afterward  he  was  made  the  assistant  manager,  which  position  he  held  until 
the  company  went  out  of  business  in  1895. 


6io  BIOGRAPHICAL    AXD    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

In  1889  Mr.  O'Donnell  wedded  Miss  }^Iinnie  Kennedy,  a  daughter  of 
Captain  and  ]\Irs.  Julia  Kennedy,  the  former  now  deceased.  Two  sons 
bless  the  happy  home  of  our  subject  and  wife,  their  names  being  respectively 
Leo  and  George.  Politically  ^Ir.  O'Donnell  is  associated  with  the  Repub- 
lican party,  and  in  the  fraternities  he  is  the  second  lieutenant  of  the  uniformed 
rank  Knights  of  Pythias. 


JOHN  KAXGLEY. 


The  record  of  a  man  who  started  out  to  win  a  place  for  himself  in  the 
world,  when  a  poor  boy.  almost  alone  and  without  friends,  in  a  foreign  land, 
and  who,  in  spite  of  great  obstacles  and  discouragements,  persevered  in  the 
task  he  had  set  out  before  him,  until  he  became  wealthy  and  influential,  is 
one  which  cannot  fail  to  be  of  interest,  and  should  spur  the  young  to  greater 
bravery  and  more  steadfast  principles  of  conduct.  Such,  in  brief,  is  the  sum- 
mary of  the  career  of  the  late  John  Kangley,  who  was  a  highly  esteemed 
citizen  of  Streator,  LaSalle  county. 

The  birth  of  the  subject  of  this  memoir  occurred  in  county  Meath,  Ire- 
land, in  1843.  His  parents  were  John  and  ^Mary  Kangley,  both  of  whom 
died  when  their  son  John  was  a  mere  child.  The  father  was  a  man  of  more 
than  ordinary  attainments  and  education,  and  was  successfully  engaged  in 
teaching  at  the  time  of  his  death.  At  eleven  years  of  age  John  Kangley,  Jr., 
left  his  native  land  to  seek  a  new  home  in  America,  the  land  of  promise.  He 
accompanied  a  friend  and  came  direct  to  Illinois,  locating  at  first  in  Grundy 
county.  He  attended  school  to  some  extent  after  coming  here,  and  ob- 
tained employment  in  the  coal  mines  when  quite  young.  He  was  indus- 
trious and  economical*  earnestly  watching  every  opportunity  for  advance- 
ment, and  the  result  was  that  ere  many  years  had  passed  he  had  become  a 
coal  operator  upon  his  own  account.  In  1869  he  came  to  Streator,  where 
he  continued  to  make  his  home  until  his  death.  AMien  the  Star  Coal  Com- 
pany was  organized,  in  1880.  he  was  made  general  manager  of  what  is  better 
known  as  the  Kangley  &  Carbon  Hill  ]*iline.  ]\Iany  years  later  he  retired 
from  the  active  management  of  the  mines,  but  continued  to  be  one  of  the 
largest  stockholders  in  the  concern.  For  several  years  prior  to  his  death  he 
devoted  his  time  to  dealing  in  railroad  stocks  in  Chicago  and  Xew  York 
city  and  met  with  marked  success  in  his  speculations. 

In  1877  jMr.  Kangley  married  ]\Iiss  ]\Iary  Lunney,  of  Ottawa,  and  of 
the  eight  children  born  to  this  worthy  couple  seven  survive,  Zita  having  died 
August  13,  1898.  Minnie  is  a  student  in  a  Chicago  college,  and  J.  Arthur, 
the  elder  son,  at  present  is  attending  Philips  Exeter  Academy  in  Xew 
Hampshire.     Helen  and  Charles  Vincent  are  in  the  Streator  high  school, 


:  FW15  PUBLlBHinr  r.r 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  6ii 

and  Louise,  Gertriule  and  Lucy  complete  the  family.  Mrs.  Kangiey  was 
born  and  reared  in  Ottawa,  her  parents,  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Limney, 
being  early  settlers  of  that  place,  their  residence  there  dating  from  1852. 

In  1882  Mr.  Kangiey  erected  his  commodious  and  comfortable  brick 
residence  in  Streator.  Fraternally  he  belonged  to  Streator  Lodge,  No.  607, 
F.  &  A.  M.,  and  in  political  faith  was  a  Republican.  He  enjoyed  the 
sincere  respect  of  those  who  had  been  associated  with  him  in  business  or 
social  relations,  and  his  long  and  honorable  commercial  career  justly  entitled 
him  to  the  love  and  admiration  of  our  citizens.  His  death  occurred  June  8, 
1899,  resulting  from  an  attack  of  pneumonia.  His  final  illness  was  of  short 
duration  and  the  community  mourned  the  loss  of  one  who  had  occupied  a 
prominent  position  in  business  and  social  life,  and  whose  high  character  had 
gained  for  him  unreserved  regard,  while  to  his  immediate  family  the  bereave- 
ment came  as  the  greatest  of  all  possible,  for  in  his  home  his  many  sterling 
qualities  and  his  true  kindliness  and  nobility  had  ever  cast  their  beneficent 
light  with  never  varying  power. 


ANDREW  W.  MERS. 


Deer  Park  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  includes  among  its  intel- 
ligent, thrifty  and  progressive  farmers  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  Andrew  W. 
Mers,  who  has  been  identified  with  this  place  since  1853,  having  been  drawn 
hither  at  that  time,  as  he  says,  "in  close  pursuit  of  a  young  lady  who  soon 
afterward  became  his  wife."'  After  his  arrival  here  he  bought  a  small  tract 
of  land  southeast  of  Vermillionville  and  began  the  work  of  developing  a  farm 
and, making  a  home.  The  land  was  then  almost  in  its  wild  state  and  only 
a  shell  of  a  house  was  here  to  indicate  that  man  had  ever  made  it  his  abidine 
place. 

Mr.  Mers  came  to  Illinois  direct  from  Kentucky,  his  native  state.  He 
was  born  in  Fleming  county,  July  21,  1830,  a  son  of  Samuel  Mers,  a  native 
of  the  same  county,  born  in  1797.  Samuel  Mers  spent  his  active  life  as  a 
farmer,  and  died  at  Knightstown,  Indiana,  in  1862.  He  was  a  soldier  of 
the  United  States  in  our  second  war  with  England,  and  inherited  his  mili- 
tary inclinations  from  his  father,  who  was  a  patriot  soldier  of  the  American 
Revolution.  The  latter,  also  named  Samuel,  was  born  in  Ireland,  and  was, 
it  is  thought,  a  recruit  for  Washington's  army  from  the  state  of  Virginia, 
and  from  that  state  entered  Kentucky  soon  after  the  conclusion  of  his 
seven  years  of  army  service. 

The  younger  Samuel  Alers  married  Tenna  Plank,  whose  father  was  of 
German  birth.     She  died  in   1889,  at  the  age  of  eighty-eight  years.     The 


6i2  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

children  of  Samuel  and  Tenna  Mers  were  as  follows:  Margaret,  deceased, 
was  the  wife  of  Henry  Rice;  Frederick,  of  Pleasant  Hill,  Missouri;  John,  who 
still  resides  in  the  home  county  in  Kentucky;  Elizabeth,  deceased,  was  the 
wife  of  Henry  Keal;  Mary,  now  Mrs.  William  Beckner,  of  Rush  county, 
Indiana;  Evaline,  the  wife  of  Alfred  Beckner,  of  the  same  county;  and  Andrew 
W..  whose  name  introduces  this  review.  There  were  other  children,  that 
died  in  infancy. 

Andrew  W.  Mers  spent  his  youth  on  his  father's  farm  and  received  his 
education  in  the  private  schools  near  his  home,  attending  only  during  the 
winter  months.  When  about  eighteen  years  of  age  he  engaged  regularly  in 
farming  for  himself,  and  remained  in  his  native  state  until  lured  away,  as 
above  recorded.  Since  he  came  into  possession  of  his  first  tract  of  land 
Mr.  Mers  has  increased  the  area  of  his  farm  to  two  hundred  and  six  acres, 
all  now  nicely  improved  and  well  tilled,  farming  one  of  the  few  attractive 
places  on  the  highway  on  which  it  is  located. 

Mr.  Mers  was  married  in  1855,  to  Miss  Mary  Newell,  a  daughter  of 
George  Newell.  The  Newell  family  came  to  this  state  from  Brown  county, 
Ohio,  in  the  year  1851.  Mr.  Newell  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in 
1798.  the  son  of  an  Irishman,  and  died  in  the  town  of  Deer  Park,  in  1875. 
One  of  his  children,  .John  H.  Newell,  is  a  retired  farmer  of  Deer  Park, 
residing  with  his  son,  George  A.,  who  is  a  most  higdily  esteemed  and  pros- 
perous farmer.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mers  have  two  sons:  Lawrence  Webster 
and  Charles  D.,  both  worthy  citizens  of  their  native  town. 

Mr.  Mers  is  well  known  as  a  Democrat.  He  has  held,  at  some  time, 
all  the  offices  of  his  town,  except  that  of  supervisor,  and  is  now  a  justice 
of  the  peace.  A  quarter  of  a  century  ago,  when  the  Farm  Ridge  &  Deer 
Park  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company  was  organized,  Mr.  Mers  was  one 
of  its  charter  members;  and  of  the  thirty-one  men  whose  names  were  on  the 
charter  he  is  one  of  six  survivors.  He  has  been  a  director  of  the  company 
all  these  vears. 


M.  E.  DOUGHERTY 


Prominent  among  the  rising  young  men  of  LaSalle  county  stands  M.  E. 
Dougherty,  one  of  the  native-born  sons  of  Ottawa,  in  which  city  he  has 
passed  his  entire  life.  His  father,  Michael  Dougherty,  was  for  thirty-five 
years,  or  until  his  death,  an  honored  citizen  of  this  place.  For  a  companion 
and  helpmeet  on  the  journey  of  life  he  chose  Miss  Catharine  Feeney,  and  to 
this  worthy  couple  six  children  were  born,  two  daughters  and  four  sons,  one 
of  whom,  P.  J.  Dougherty,  is  a  well  known  printer  of  Ottawa. 

The  birth  of  M.  E.  Dougherty  occurred  some  thirty-one  years  ago,  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  613 

in  company  with  his  brothers  and  sisters  he  attended  the  public  schools  when 
he  reached  a  suitable  age.  He  received  a  liberal  education,  and  is  thoroughly 
posted  upon  all  of  the  current  events  and  leading  cjuestions  of  the  day.  In 
the  spring  of  1898  he  \vas  honored  by  being  elected  to  the  responsible 
office  of  town  collector  of  Ottawa  by  his  political  friends,  and  has  ably  dis- 
charged the  duties  resting  upon  him,  giving  entire  satisfaction  to  all  con- 
cerned. He  is  well  liked,  personally,  and  enjoys  the  friendship  of  all  who 
are  well  acquainted  with  him. 


MRS.  CHARLOTTE  L.  WARREN. 

The  lady  whose  name  graces  this  sketch  represents,  in  her  position 
as  a  citizen,  two  of  the  prominent  pioneer  families  of  the  township  of  Serena, 
LaSalle  county,  Illinois.  Her  father,  the  late  venerable  John  Wright,  brought 
his  family  to  LaSalle  county  some  time  in  the  '50s,  and  her  husband,  the 
late  Ruden  Warren,  was  a  son  of  that  worthy  citizen  and  guardian  of  the 
frontier,  Daniel  Warren,  who  came  to  this  county  from  New  York. 

John  Wright,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Warren,  was  a  native  of  Suffolk  county, 
England,  his  birth  having  occurred  at  Ipswich  in  the  year   1807..    In  his 
youth  he  had  limited  advantages  for  obtaining  an  education,  but  made  the 
best  of  his  opportunities  and  by  close  observation  and  general  reading  ac- 
quired a  good  store  of  useful  information  and  became  a  useful  citizen.   After 
his  conversion  to  Christianity  he  put  away  "worldly  sins"  and  became  an 
active  and  influential  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  taking  a 
prominent  part  in  Sunday-school  work.     It  was  in  1849  that  he  came  to 
America.     He  landed  in  Canada,  his  wife  sick  of  cholera,  and  from  Canada 
he  came  over  into  the  United  States,  selecting  a  location  in  Vermont,  where 
he  made  his  home  until  1855,  farming,  after  working  for  a  time  at  his  trade 
in  a  blacksmith  shop.     In   1855,  coming  west  to  Illinois,  he  took  up  his 
residence  in  LaSalle  county.    Here  he  also  engaged  in  farming  and  succeeded 
in  providing  his  large  family  with  all  the  necessities  and  comforts  of  life, 
though  he  never  succeeded  in  accumulating  property.     He  died  in  LaSalle 
county,  in  July,  1890;  and  his  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Rebecca  Os- 
born,  died  at  the  same  place  a  few  vears  later.    Their  children  were:    Hannah, 
wife  of  Thomas  E.  Earnsworth,  of  Silver  City,  New  Mexico;  Mary  A.,  de- 
ceased wife  of  William  Gillespie;  Fannie,  deceased;  Lucy  A.,  wife  of  John 
Townsend,  of  Ford  county,  Illinois;  Maria,  deceased  wife  of  John  Rogers; 
Charlotte  L.,  whose  name  introduces  this  review;  Fannie  C.  (2d),  who  mar- 
ried John  Rogers,  of  southeastern  Kansas;  Eleanor,  deceased  wife  of  Brice 
Dick:  and  Silas  M.,  who  was  born  in  Vermont  October  5,  1855,  and  is  a 
successful  farmer  of  Serena.' 


6i4  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

Mrs.  Warren  was  born  April  28,  1846,  and  August  13,  1862,  was  mar- 
ried to  Ruden  \\'arren.  a  native  of  Serena  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois, 
born  December  31,  1840.  They  spent  their  married  life  on  the  farm  where 
she  still  resides,  and  here  their  family  was  reared.  I\Ir.  Warren's  youth  was 
passed  on  his  father's  farm,  and  before  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-two 
years  he  enlisted  in  the  service  of  his  country  as  a  member  of  Battery  C, 
First  .Illinois  Light  Artillery,  for  a  term  of  three  years.  His  battery  was 
in  the  department  of  the  Tennessee  and  participated  in  some  of  the  hard- 
fought  battles  of  the  civil  war.  When  the  battery  was  captured  at  Stone 
River  Mr.  Warren  succeeded  in  making  his  escape.  In  the  campaign 
around  Chattanooga  Mr.  Warren  was  in  poor  health  and  was  assigned  to 
hospital  guard  duty.  He  was  honorably  discharged  at  Nashville  at  the 
close  of  the  war,  and  returned  home,  shattered  in  health.  Chronic  disease 
contracted  during  the  war  was  the  cause  of  much  suffering  to  him  and  no 
doubt  shortened  his  days.  He  died  in  1890.  His  life  was  spent  as  a  farmer. 
He  was  progressive  and  successful  and  was  ranked  with  the  leading  farm- 
ers of  his  locality.     Politically  he  was  an  ardent  Republican. 

Mr.  Warren's  parents,  Daniel  and  Lucy  (Skeels)  Warren,  were  the 
parents  of  the  following  named  children:  Elizabeth,  widow  of  Anthony 
Horr;  Ardilla,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Henry  Horr;  Luther,  deceased: 
Huron,  of  Lincoln,  Nebraska;  Ruden:  and  Lewis,  a  prominent  farmer  and 
worthy  citizen  of  Serena  township. 

The  children  of  Ruden  Warren  and  wife  are:  Herman  ^^^,  born  April 
II,  1867;  Myra  E.,  October  8,  1876;  and  Silas  H..  September  28,  1882. 

Mrs.  Warren  and  her  children  are  active  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church. 


WILLIS   A.    MARTIN. 


Willis  Allen  Martin,  the  popular  merchant  of  Harding,  is  a  son  of  Rich- 
ard Martin,  the  carpenter  and  builder.  He  was  born  in  Freedom,  January  21, 
1862,  on  a  farm  one  mile  east  of  the  village  of  Harding,  on  what  is  known 
as  the  Sampson  place.  He  was  sparingly  educated  in  the  village  school 
and  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  of  his  father,  beginning  at  the  age  of  thir- 
teen years,  following  it  about  six  years.  If  the  brand  of  Dick  Martin  & 
Son  was  on  all  the  buildings  for  which  they  are  partly  responsible,  being  con- 
nected with  their  construction,  the  improvement  of  the  township  could  be 
more  nearly  judged.  Having  an  opportunity  to  engage  in  a  business  not 
physically  as  hard,  he  accepted  a  position  in  the  employ  of  S.  U.  Lawry,  then 
the  leading  merchant  of  Harding,  from  whom  he  took  his  first  lessons  in 
commercial  transactions.     xAlthough  Mr.  Martin  was  only  a  boy  in  his  ex- 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  615 

perience,  his  employer  said  of  him,  ''He  was  never  a  boy  Init  always  a  man." 
Again  he  remarked,  "He  was  as  straight  as  a  string  and  I  would  trust  him 
with  anything  I  possessed."  About  seven  years  after  he  entered  this  store 
as  a  clerk,  his  employer  proposed  a  partnership  to  him,  which  was  accepted 
and  entered  into,  the  same  existing  until  some  time  in  1893,  when  he  pur- 
chased his  senior's  interest  in  the  concern  and  thus  became  the  sole  pro- 
prietor of  the  only  store  in  the  village  of  Harding.  He  was  appointed  the 
postmaster  of  the  Freedom  office,  and  has  held  the  position  through  all  the 
administrations  since.  He  is  a  "gold  Democrat,"  but  that  has  been  no  legal 
or  other  barrier  to  his  holding  the  office  during  a  Republican  administration 
of  the  nation.  The  best  recommendation  one  can  have  for  an  appointment 
to  the  public  service  is  honesty,  capacity  and  adaptability  for  doing  the  work, 
and  all  these  Mr.  Martin  possessed.  The  popularity  of  Harding,  as  a  trading 
point,  is  due  to  the  manner  in  which  business  is  conducted  in  Martin's 
store,  and  to  the  further  fact  that  it  carries  about  everything  that  a  well- 
regulated  country  home  ever  needs.  Everybody  is  "Will"  Martin's  friend 
and  all  rejoice  in  his  prosperity  and  aid  him  toward  success. 

Our  subject's  father.  Richard  Martin,  came  to  LaSalle  county  in  1856. 
He  was  born  in  Vermont,  in  1830,  and  is  still  active  at  his  trade.  He  mar- 
ried Minerva  Allen,  the  daughter  of  Ethan  Z.  Allen,  of  New  York  state. 
The  Aliens  claim  to  be  descended  from  the  Aldens,  who  were  passengers 
on  the  historic  Mayflower;  but  the  name  was  after^vard  changed  to  "Allen." 
The  genealogy  of  the  family  reveals  this  fact,  and  it  was  compiled  some 
years  ago,  after  many  years  of  patient  labor. 

Richard  Martin's  children  were:  Ethan  Allen,  a  railway  mail  clerk:  Ir- 
win L.,  a  printer,  of  Grand  Ridge;  and  Willis  A.,  the  last  named  being  the 
first  born.  He  was  married  in  November,  1891,  to  Frankie,  a  daughter  of 
James  R.  Walters,  of  Freedom.     They  have  no  children. 

Mr.  Martin  is  that  type  of  manhood,  of  whom  the  world  has  none  too 
many.  He  is  a  good  business  man;  a  good  citizen  ever  seeking  to  do  the 
right  for  the  right's  sake.  His  general  rule  of  life  is  to  practice  the  golden 
rule. 


HENRY  J.  DAVIS. 

Among  the  worthy  citizens  that  Wales  has  furnished  to  this  country 
is  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  Henry  Jenkins  Davis,  of  Freedom,  Illinois,  who 
was  born  in  Cardiganshire,  Wales,  ]\Iarch  18.  1830,  a  son  of  Samuel  Davis. 
The  latter  brought  his  family  of  sons  and  daughters  to  the  United  States 
in  1 84 1,  making  the  voyage  from  Liverpool  England,  to  Castle  Garden, 
New  York,  in  the  sailing  vessel  Batsford,  which  required  four  weeks  to 


6i6  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

make  the  trip.  From  New  York  they  went  up  the  Hudson  river  to  Albany, 
thence  by  canal  to  Buffalo,  and  to  Newark,  Ohio.  Their  first  location  was  on 
a  farm  in  Licking  county,  Ohio,  nine  miles  west  of  the  city  of  Newark,  where 
they  lived  five  years.  Thomas  Jenkins,  one  of  the  older  sons,  born  in 
1818,  left  the  parental  roof  in  1843,  seeking  a  location  on  the  fertile,  frontier 
prairies  of  Illinois,  whither  David,  his  brother,  had  preceded  him.  He  reached 
Chicago  by  boat  and  from  there  came  on  foot  to  Millington.  In  Green's 
mill,  at  Dayton,  Illinois,  he  secured  employment,  and  for  nine  years  remained 
in  Mr.  Green's  service.  His  acquaintance  with  the  conditions  and  environ- 
ments of  LaSalle  county  led  him  to  advise  the  remainder  of  the  family  to 
come  further  west,  and  they  arrived  in  Freedom  in  1846. 

Samuel  Davis,  the  father,  was  in  limited  circumstances,  and  as  cheap  as 
land  was  at  that  date  he  was  unable  to  pay  for  more  than  a  small  tract. 
His  farm  was  in  section  5,  Freedom  township,  and  on  it  he  spent  the  rest  of 
his  life,  devoting  his  energies  to  its  cultivation  and  improvement.  He  was 
twice  married,  his  first  wife  being  a  Miss  Jones;  his  second  wife,  her  sister. 
Miss  Eleanor  Jones,  who  died  in  1848.  His  children  were  as  follows:  Jen- 
kins Davis,  who  died  in  Iowa  many  years  ago;  Maria,  the  wife  of  Elias  Jones, 
died  in  Ohio;  John  J.,  deceased;  Thomas  J.,  of  the  town  of  Ophir,  Illinois; 
David  J.,  deceased;  Rachel,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  William  Williams; 
Henry  J.,  whose  name  initiates  this  review;  Evan  J.,  of  Iowa;  Fred  J.,  of 
Ottawa,  Illinois;  Mary,  who  first  married  George  L.  Kinney;  he  died  in  1870, 
and  she  is  now  the  wife  of  John  Hoadley,  and  resides  at  Earlville,  Illinois; 
with  her  lives  her  only  daughter,  Miss  Georgie  L.  Kinney,  at  present  em- 
ployed as  bookkeeper;  and  Jane,  wife  of  Plinn  Bears.  Chicago,  Illinois.  The 
father  of  these  children  died  in  1859,  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years. 

Henry  J.  Davis  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  Licking 
county,  Ohio,  and  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  and  in  the  broad  school  of  experi- 
ence. At  nineteen  he  left  home  and  became  a  wage-worker  on  farms,  at  the 
rate  of  fifty  cents  per  day,  among  his  employers  being  Mr.  Hosford  and  John 
Llenderson,  prominent  farmers.  With  what  he  had  saved  from  his  earnings 
in  four  years  he  purchased  a  forty-acre  tract  of  land.  But  he  had  no  team 
and  had  to  hire  the  soil  broken.  This  cost  him  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  per 
acre,  and  it  was  not  until  the  second  year  after  the  purchase  that  he  obtained 
a  crop.  He  continued  to  work  and  save  and  invest  in  land,  and  in  a  few 
years  he  found  himself  with  a  quarter  and  then  a  half  section  of  land.  While 
he  was  buying  he  was  also  improving,  and  at  this  writing  there  is  pa'haps 
not  a  farm  in  LaSalle  county  that  will  excel  his  own  in  the  cost  of. improve- 
ments and  the  care  and  expense  with  which  they  are  preserved. 

June  15,  1854,  Mr.  Davis  married  Miss  Sarah  Jane  Crumpton,  a  daugh- 
ter of  William  Crumpton,  who  came  from  Maine  to  Illinois  in  an  early  day 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  617 

and  became  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  LaSalle  county.  Mrs.  Davis  has  a 
brother,  Samuel  Crumpton,  who  resides  in  Superior,  Wisconsin.  Of  her 
sisters  we  record  that  Mrs.  Ann  Bangs  resides  in  Chatsworth,  Illinois;  and 
Mrs.  Charlotte  Davis,  wife  of  Thomas  J.  Davis,  is  a  resident  of  Ophir  town- 
ship, LaSalle  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  J.  Davis  began  housekeeping 
in  a  primitive  way,  in  keeping  with  their  circumstances,  and  for  a  period  of 
forty-five  years  their  lives  have  been  happily  blended  together. 

Mr.  Davis  is  a  Republican,  but  has  never  sought,  nor  would  he  accept, 
official  position,  his  own  private  affairs  requiring  the  whole  of  his  attention. 
He  believes  in  expansion,  protection  and  all  other  doctrines  that  have  made 
the  United  States  prosperous  and  powerful.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  noted 
for  their  genial  hospitality  and  are  invariably  referred  to  in  the  most  gen- 
erous and  complimentary  terms. 


BARTO  THOMPSON. 


Barto  Thompson,  of  Freedom  township,  is  a  living  example  of  that 
remarkable  and  wonderful  prosperity  that  follows  some  of  the  sons  of  semi- 
illiterate,  but  industrious  pioneers  of  a  new  country.  He  was  born  July  2"/. 
1836,  in  Christiansand  stift.  on  a  place  called  Mosey,  in  Norway.  His  parents 
were  Knute  Thompson  Mosey  and  Sarah  Thompson.  At  the  age  of  eight 
years  he  emigrated  with  his  parents  to  this  country.  His  father  had  been 
mduced  to  take  the  southern  route,  with  the  intention  of  locating  in  Texas, 
but,  on  reaching  New  Orleans  and  learning  of  the  advantages  to  be  had  in 
the  north,  changed  his  course  and  started  up  the  JMississippi  river.  This 
trip  was  an  experience  of  bitterness  and  suffering;  their  boat  stuck  on  an 
island  and  they  came  near  starving  and  freezing  to  death  before  they  could  be 
rescued!  Then  one  of  their  companions,  a  generous  fellow  from  the  old 
country,  fell  overboard  and  was  lost,  and  this  threw  a  damper  over  the  whole 
company.  When  they  were  released  from  the  ice  gorge  the  company  hired 
another  boat  and  arrived  at  Alton,  Illinois,  after  a  long  voyage.  The  family 
came  up  the  Illinois  to  Ottawa,  and  reached  the  town  of  Freedom  nearly 
one  year  after  their  embarking  in  Norwa}'. 

After  buying  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  from  the  government, 
the  hardships  can  better  be  imagined  than  told.  It  would  require  a  small 
volume  to  relate  all  that  took  place  to  bar  the  settlement  and  progress  of 
civilization  and  to  add  to  the  discomfiture  of  the  white  settlers  in  the  west — 
First,  their  efTorts  to  reach  their  intended  location;  then  their  troubles  while 
getting  a  cabin  ready  to  shelter  them  from  the  beating  storms.  In  this 
case  their  first  house  was  a  dug-out;  and  this  filled  with  water  when  it  rained; 


6i8  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

in  winter  snow  obstructed  its  entrance;  in  hot  weather  its  w-alls  were  filled 
with  living  reptiles;  and  there  scarcely  could  have  been  a  time  when  the 
family  felt  secure  and  happy.  Through  all  this  the  family  survived  and  lived 
with  the  will  of  their  Maker  in  mind  until  the  summer  of  1849,  when  that 
terrible  plague,  the  Asiatic  cholera,  called  four  of  the  family — father,  mother 
and  two  sisters.  Our  subject  and  a  brother,  Thomas  T.  ]\Iosey,  now  of  Le- 
land,  Illinois,  w'ere  the  only  members  of  the  family  who  survived. 

Being  left  an  orphan  at  the  age  of  thirteen,  he  had  to  make  the  best 
he  could  of  the  schools  in  winter  and  working  in  summer  until  he  reached  the 
age  of  twenty-one,  when  he  commenced  life  for  himself.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-three  he  married  Tarbar  Baker,  a  daughter  of  Halver  Baker,  who 
came  to  Freedom  from  Thelemarken,  Norway,  in  1854.  They  were  blessed 
with  four  children.  Charles  M.,  who  died  March  30,  1895;  Hattie  J.,  the 
wife  of  Fred  Mathieson,  who  is  farming  in  Dayton  township;  Joseph  E.,  also 
a  farmer,  in  Freedom;  and  Sarah  E.,  the  wife  of  Professor  L.  H.  Chally,  of 
Red  Wing,  Minnesota. 

Mr.  Thompson's  success  as  a  farmer  has  been  all  that  could  be  desired, 
and  as  he  acquired  the  means  he  added  to  his  domains  until  he  now  owns 
tw'o  as  good  farms  as  lie  in  LaSalle  county — one  in  Freedom  and  one  in 
Dayton  township. 


GEORGE  D.  HILTABRAND. 

Though  comparatively  a  young  man,  George  D.  Hiltabrand  has  already 
evinced  that  he  possesses  exceptional  business  and  financial  ability,  and  dur- 
ing the  six  years  of  his  residence  in  Tonica,  LaSalle  county,  he  has  been 
an  untiring  worker  in  the  interests  of  the  place — a  fact  thoroughly  appre- 
ciated by  its  citizens.  The  standing  of  a  town  or  community  in  the  public 
opinion  is  a  matter  that  should  be  of  great  concern  to  every  inhabitant  of 
the  place,  for  true  patriotism,  like  charity,  should  begin,  though  not  end. 
at  home. 

The  grandfathers  of  our  subject  were  numbered  among  the  early 
pioneers  of  Illinois,  and  his  relatives  have  borne  an  important  part  in  the 
development  of  its  resources.  George  Hiltabrand,  his  paternal  grandfather, 
was  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and  lived  in  Tennessee  prior  to  his  removal 
to  Magnolia  township,  Putnam  county,  Illinois,  in  1827.  His  farm  was  lo- 
cated at  a  place  known  as  Ox  Bow,  and  there  he  resided  until  his  death,  which 
event  occurred  when  he  was  nearly  three-score  and  ten  years  of  age.  During 
the  Black  Hawk  war  he  enlisted  and  served  as  a  sergeant  of  his  company. 
Jeremiah  Hartenbower,  the  maternal  grandfather,  was  born  in  Germany, 
came  to  America  in  the  '20s.  and  about  1830  located  in  Putnam  county. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  619 

Illinois,  taking  up  some  government  land.  Later  he  settled  in  Hennepin 
township,  and  in  1876  he  departed  this  life  at  his  home  in  the  village  of  the 
same  name.  He  had  nine  or  more  children  and  George  Hiltabrand  had 
eleven  children,  and  their  descendants  are  numerous  and  influential,  both  in 
this  and  in  other  states  of  the  Union. 

Benjamin  F.  Hiltabrand,  father  of  George  D.,  was  born  in  Putnam 
countv,  where  he  was  a  successful  farmer  and  stock-raiser  for  many  years 
after  arriving  at  manhood.  In  1882  he  came  to  LaSalle  county,  and  during 
the  next  thirteen  years  he  dwelt  about  a  mile  and  a  half  west  of  the  village  of 
Lostant.  He  owns  six  tracts  of  eighty  acres  each  in  that  locality,  another 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  that  district,  and  about  five  hun- 
dred and  seventy  acres  in  Iowa,  besides  twenty  acres  in  Putnam  county. 
Since  1895  he  has  lived  retired  in  Bloomington,  Illinois.  For  some  time 
he  was  the  supervisor  of  Magnolia  township,  Putnam  county;  and  in 
Hope  township,  this  county,  he  served  in  the  same  capacity.  Po- 
litically he  is  a  Democrat,  and  religiously  both  he  and  his  estimable  wife 
are  members  of  the  Baptist  church.  In  her  girlhood  she  bore  the  name 
of  Minerva  Hartenbower,  and,  like  her  husband,  she  was  born  in  Putnam 
county.  They  had  six  children,  four  of  whom  survive,  namely:  George  D., 
Norman  J..  Vera  L.,  and  Benjamin  Franklin. 

The  birth  of  George  D.  Hiltabrand  occurred  on  the  parental  homestead 
near  Magnolia,  Putnam  county.  September  10,  1872.  At  ten  years  of  age 
he  came  to  this  county,  and,  after  finishing  his  district  and  village  school 
education,  he  took  a  commercial  course  at  the  Dixon  (Illinois)  Business 
College  and  for  about  a  year  pursued  his  studies  in  the  Northern  IlHnois 
Normal  School  in  the  same  town.  Then,  returning  to  his  father's  old  home- 
stead, he  continued  the  agricultural  labors  which  have  engrossed  his  time 
and  attention,  to  a  great  extent,  from  his  childhood.  He  is  now  engaged  in 
the  stock  business,  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  Norman  J.,  and  they  culti- 
vate a  farm  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres.  In  1893  our  subject  became 
assistant  cashier  of  the  Tonica  Exchange  Bank,  and  two  years  later  he  en- 
tered into  partnership  with  John  E.  Hartenbower  and  Austin  Hiltabrand, 
and  for  a  year  they  were  the  proprietors  of  this  now  well  known  and  suc- 
cessful banking  institution.  In  1896  Mr.  Hiltabrand  retired  and  the  firm  has 
since  consisted  of  J.  E.  Hartenbower  and  George  D.  Hiltabrand.  The  latter 
owns  considerable  real  estate  and  is  interested  in  its  sale  and  in  the  insurance 
business  and  other  enterprises. 

In  the  multiplicity  of  his  private  business  afifairs,  Mr.  Hiltabrand  does 
not  neglect  his  duties  as  a  citizen,  and  at  present  he  is  serving  as  president 
of  the  board  of  trustees  of  Tonica.  He  is  independent  in  politics,  using  his 
franchise  for  the  nominees  and  principles  which  he  deems  worthy  of  sup- 


620  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

port  regardless  of  party  lines.  Socially  he  belongs  to  Tonica  Lodge,  No.  364, 
F.  &  A.  M.,  of  which  he  is  the  present  master;  of  Peru  Chapter,  No.  60, 
R.  A.  M.;  Tonica  Lodge,  No.  298,  L  O.  O.  F.;  and  of  Kaiser  Camp,  Mod- 
ern Woodmen  of  America. 

On  the  I2th  of  December,  1894,  Mr  Hiltabrand  married  Miss  Lizzie, 
a  daughter  of  Abraham  and  Sarah  (Dixon)  Phillips,  and  they  have  one 
child,  Wendall  K.  Abraham  Phillips  is  a  native  of  Manchester,  England, 
while  his  wife  was  born  in  Philadelphia.  Pennsylvania.  He  came  to  this 
state  about  1840  and  was  preceded  here  by  his  wife,  who  came  west  with 
her  parents  in  1838.  Her  mother  dying  when  the  little  Sarah  was  but  four 
years  old,  the  latter  was  reared  by  a  ]\Irs.  Miriam  Graves,  who  lived  to  the 
remarkable  age  of  one  hundred  years.  The  paternal  grandparents  of  Mrs. 
Phillips  were  James  and  Nancy  Dixon,  and  her  maternal  grandparents  were 
John  and  ]\Iary  Woolsoncroft.  James  Dixon,  a  native  of  England,  located 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Alagnolia,  Illinois,  about  1845,  ^^'^^  ^^^  lived  to  be  well 
along  in  years,  while  his  wife  w-as  almost  a  century  old  at  the  time  of  her 
death.  John  Woolsoncroft,  also  a  native  of  England,  did  not  come  to  Amer- 
ica until  he  was  past  the  prime  of  life,  and  his  last  years  were  spent  in  Put- 
nam county,  Illinois,  where  he  died  at  an  advanced  age. 


M.  C.  LANE. 


Among  the  venerable  and  well  known  citizens  of  Allen  township,  La- 
Salle  county,  Illinois,  is  M.  C.  Lane,  who  has  been  identified  with  the  county 
since  1856.    A  resume  of  his  life  is  as  follows: 

M.  C.  Lane  was  born  in  Brown  county,  Ohio,  February  9,  18 19,  and  is 
descended  from  English  and  Irish  ancestors.  The  Lanes  were  English  peo- 
ple and  were  among  the  first  settlers  of  the  Old  Dominion.  Elias  Lane,  the 
grandfather  of  M.  C.  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  born  in  1755,  and  died  in 
1820.  The  father,  Elias  Lane.  Jr.,  was  born  in  1786.  Elias  Lane  was  reared 
on  the  Kentucky  frontier  and  was  there  married  to  Miss  Jane  Neeper. 
daughter  of  John  and  Tabitha  Neeper,  who  were  of  Irish  descent.  Elias 
and  Jane  Lane  were  the  parents  of  a  large  number  of  children,  of  whom 
William  H.  and  Emily  Dow,  residents  of  Nebraska,  an_d  the  subject  of  our 
sketch,  are  living.  One  son.  Thomas,  went,  in  1852,  to  California,  where  he 
w?as  supposed  to  have  died,  as  nothing  has  been  heard  from  him  since  1853. 
Two  of  the  sons,  Frank  and  Alexander,  were  L'nion  soldiers  in  the  Civil  war 
and  lost  their  lives  in  the  army,  Alexander's  death  resulting  from  wounds 
received  in  battle,  and  Frank  dying  of  disease.  The  father  of  this  family 
lived  to  the  ripe  age  of  ninety-one  years,  and  died  in  Allen  township,  La- 


^.^.  ^.^^^->^ 


,         VX^    / 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  621 

Salle  count}',  Illinois,  in  October.  1877.  The  mother  also  died  in  Allen, 
her  death  having  occurred  in  1866,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years. 

On  his  father's  farm  and  in  his  native  county  IM.  C.  Lane  passed  his 
boyhood  days,  receiving  his  education  in  the  public  schools  and.  when  not 
in  school  assisting  in  the  farm  work.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two  he  married, 
and  the  young  couple  went  to  housekeeping  on  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres,  the  house  on  which  contained  only  three  rooms.  He  remained 
in  Ohio  until  185 1.  when  he  moved  his  family  to  Illinois  and  settled  in 
Putnam  county.  Here  he  remained  until  1856,  when  he  moved  to  Allen 
township,  LaSalle  county,  where  he  was  for  many  years  actively  engaged  in 
farming  operations,  and  where  he  owns  a  fine  farm  of  four  hundred  acres, 
carefully  cultivated,  and  improved  with  first-class  buildings,  included  among 
which  is  his  two  thousand  eight  hundred-dollar  residence  and  his  large 
barn,  40x60  feet,  with  twenty-four-foot  posts. 

Mr.  Lane  was  married  August  7,  1840.  to  Miss  Amanda  Evans,  born 
December  23,  1820,  a  daughter  of  Benjamin  Evans,  and.  like  himself,  a 
native  of  Brown  county,  Ohio.  Their  union  was  blessed  in  the  birth  of 
ten  children,  nameh":  Marcus  J.,  a  soldier  in  the  civil  war.  a  member  of 
Company  D.  One  Hundred  and  Fourth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  Captain 
William  H.  Collins;  j\Iary  Hawk,  of  Doniphan.  Nebraska;  George,  of 
Oklahoma,  who  also  was  in  the  civil  war,  a  member  of  the  Sixty-third 
Illinois  Infantry;  Eliza;  Thomas,  of  Allen  township;  Eldoras,  of  Doniphan, 
Nebraska;  Albert,  of  Aurora.  Nebraska;  Lincoln,  at  home:  Joanna,  wife 
of  Oscar  Folk  of  Rolfe,  Iowa;  and  Ida.  at  home.  Two,  Amanda  and 
Fremont,  died  in  infancy.  The  mother  died  December  8,  1895,  at  the  age 
of  seventy-five  years. 

Mr.  Lane  is  politically  a  Republican,  and  throughout  his  long  and 
useful  life  has  always  taken  a  laudable  interest  in  public  afTairs:  and  while 
he  has  never  sought  official  honors  he  has  frequently  been  called  upon  to 
fill  local  offices  and  in  several  capacities  has  served  the  township,  faithfully 
and  well. 


HELIA    ARENTSEN, 


This  citizen  of  the  town  of  Freedom,  LaSalle  county,  was  the  son  of 
the  late  pioneer  Thorbjorn  Arentsen,  who  was  born  among  the  pine-clad  hills 
of  that  most  picturesque  of  all  northern  European  countries — Norway — in 
Bergen,  March  21,  18 12.  To  better  his  condition  he  emigrated  to  America, 
in  1836,  just  after  his  marriage,  and  worked  at  day  labor  in  his  new  home 
in  New  York.  He  had  led  the  life  of  a  sailor  in  Norway,  but  came  here  to 
lay  the  foundation  for  something  more  to  his  liking,  and  to  gain  a  freedom 


622  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

not  once  to  be  thought  of  in  his  native  land.  In  his  search  for  a  spot  to 
suit  his  fancy,  he  left  the  state  of  New  York  and  by  water  came  to  Mus- 
kegon, Michigan,  and  from  that  point  he  wended  his  way  overland  to  La- 
Salle  countv,  Illinois,  bv  ox  team.  He  found  himself  twelve  dollars  in  debt, 
l)ut  by  day  labor  he  supported  his  family  and  repaid  this  sacred  debt.  How 
our  subject  came  into  possession  of  his  first  piece  of  American  land  may  be 
of  interest  in  this  connection.  There  were  two  young  Norwegians  in  this 
locality  who  wanted  to  become  preachers.  One  of  their  chief  qualifications 
was  the  possession  of  the  proper  garb  of  a  broadcloth  suit  and  a  plug  hat. 
This  mantle  neither  of  them  had.  Init  one  of  them  owned  twenty  acres  of 
wild  land;  and  ]\Ir.  Arentsen  had  in  his  possession,  left  o\er  from  his  days 
of  greater  prosperity  and  when  his  thoughts  ran  more  to  style,  a  Inroad- 
cloth  suit  and  the  coveted  "tile;"  and  when  it  was  proposed  h\  the  germinat- 
ing re\erend  to  swap  the  land  for  the  clothes  he  lost  no  time  in  agreeing  to 
do  so.  and  the  head  of  the  Arentsen  house  became  a  freeholder  of  Free- 
dom township.  He  pursued  his  new  occupation  with  renewed  diligence 
and  industry  and  made  a  success  of  it.  His  accumulations  came  somewhat 
slowly,  but  as  they  did  come  he  found  them  in  the  form  of  additional  area 
to  his  homestead,  and  when  he  died  he  was  the  owner  of  a  large  farm. 

Thorbjorn  Arentsen  was  just  the  type  of  man  that  made  life  valuable  in 
that  early  day.  He  was  not  endowed  with  selfishness;  on  the  contrary, 
he  had  an  unselfish  interest  in  all  his  neighbors  and  was  especially  awake 
to  the  needs  of  those  who  were  in  distress.  During  the  cholera  scourge  he 
aided  in  nursing  the  sick  and  buried  the  dead,  thus  unavoidably  exposing  him- 
self to  the  attacks  of  that  deadly  plague,  with  no  thought  of  its  possible  conse- 
quences to  him.  \Yherever  there  was  needed  a  word  of  encouragement  to  the 
stricken,  or  bit  of  comfort  to  the  afflicted,  he  always  had  it  ready,  and  his  pres- 
ence did  as  much  good  as  the  old  doctor's  remedies.  He  was  a  Christian 
gentleman  and  prominent  in  the  Lutheran  church.  He  passed  on  to  his  re- 
ward September  14,  1889.  His  devoted  wife,  Caroline,  died  January  13, 
1888.  Their  children  were:  Cecelia,  wife  of  Christ  Olson,  of  Ottawa;  Helia; 
Henry,  who  died  in  the  army,  during  the  civil  war;  he  was  in  Company  D, 
Second  Artillery,  and  died  April  26,  1863;  Caroline,  wife  of  Ole  Thorson,  of 
Freedom;  David  and  Daniel  Arentsen. 

Our  subject,  Helia  Arentsen,  was  born  in  Perry,  Wyoming  county, 
New  York,  April  26,  1839,  and  was  not  favored  with  an  excellent  schooling, 
but  had  to  be  content  with  what  he  could  obtain  in  the  little  "log  seminary," 
as  it  was  styled.  However,  he  got  sufflcient  book  knowledge  to  enable  him 
to  teach  a  district  school  one  winter,  but  after  that  he  became  a  farmer  and 
held  to  that  without  interruption,  except  as  to  the  period  he  served  his 
country  during  the  Rebellion.     He  came  to  Illinois  with  his  parents  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GEXEALOGICAL    RECORD.  623 

1844.  x\ugust  25,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Second  Illinois  Artillery, 
as  a  private.  His  regiment  was  a  part  of  the  Fifteenth  Army  Corps,  and 
he  served  in  the  western  army  under  General  Logan,  receiving  his  discharge 
September  24,  1864,  at  Nashville,  Tennessee. 

Mr.  Arentsen  was  married  at  Ottawa,  Illinois,  by  Justice  of  the  Peace 
Arthur  Lockwood,  to  Julia  Thompson,  a  sister  of  Andrew  Thompson,  of 
Leland,  Illinois.  After  his  marriage  he  began  life  with  a  team  and  wagon 
and  the  money  he  had  saved  from  his  salary  as  a  soldier.  He  went  to 
housekeeping  on  the  spot  where  the  handsome  residence  now  stands  and 
where  he  was  the  possessor  of  sixty  acres  of  land.  His  prosperity  was  at- 
tested by  his  final  ownership  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  which  he  had 
made  one  of  the  most  beautiful  farms  in  all  his  township.  He  claimed  to  be 
nothins',  if  not  a  farmer.  He  filled  a  small  town  office  or  two,  but  he  never 
permitted  his  friends  to  lead  him  off  for  political  crumbs,  when  he  knew 
his  success  lay  in  the  soil.  He  was,  however,  a  director  on  the  school  board 
for  eighteen  years.  He  was  a  stanch  Republican.  He  died  January  20,  1900, 
a  great  loss  to  the  community. 

Of  his  family  it  may  be  added  that  his  children  are:  Henry  T.,  who  is 
a  prominent  young  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  advisory  committee 
of  the  party  for  the  town  of  Freedom;  Joseph  E. ;  Clara  R.;  William  T.,  with 
Reed  &  Co.,  of  Ottawa;  Annie  C.  a  successful  teacher  of  the  county  schools; 
Emma  S..  a  pupil  at  Dixon  (Illinois)  University;  and  Herbert  L. 


SEYMOUR  POTTER. 


The  Potter  family,  which  is  worthily  represented  in  LaSalle  county  l:)y 
the  subject  of  this  article,  is  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  highly  respected  in 
the  United  States,  having  been  founded  here  by  Nathanial  Potter,  a  native 
of  England,  who  emigrated  to  the  New  World  in  1638.  He  located  at 
Portsmouth,  Rhode  Island,  where  his  son  and  grandson,  named  in  his  honor, 
were  born. 

In  tracing  the  ancestry  of  Seymour  Potter  it  is  found  that  he  is  a  son 
of  Darius  and  Susan  (Bower)  Potter,  the  former  one  of  the  ten  children  of 
Esec  and  Lucena  (Curtis)  Potter.  Esec  Potter,  in  turn,  was  a  son  of  Job 
and  Desire  (Irish)  Potter,  and  grandson  of  Nathaniel  and  Mary  (Carr)  Pot- 
ter. Nathaniel  was  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  Potter,  grandson  of  Nathaniel 
and  Elizabeth  (Stokes)  Potter,  great-grandson  of  Nathaniel  and  Dorothy 
Potter,  and  great-great-grandson  of  the  Nathaniel  Potter  who  founded  the 
family  in  New  England.  John  Potter,  his  son  Nathaniel  and  grandson  Job, 
above  mentioned,  in  the  direct  line  of  descent,  were  born  and  dwelt  in  the 


624  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

town  of  Dartmouth,  Massachusetts,  where  they  were  highly  esteemed  citi- 
zens. Our  subject's  parents  were  both  natives  of  New  York  state,  the 
father  born  in  Cayuga  county  and  the  mother  in  Tompkins  county.  Esec 
Potter  had  emigrated  into  the  wilds  of  Cayuga  county,  cleared  a  small 
farm,  and  at  first  lived  in  a  rude  cabin,  which  he  built  of  logs  cut  by  himself 
in  the  surrounding  forest.  He  cleared  the  timber  and  farmed  days,  and  at 
night  worked  at  blacksmithing.  In  time  he  developed  a  good  farm,  and 
there  the  rest  of  his  useful  life  was  passed.  The  maternal  grandfather  of 
our  subject,  on  the  other  hand,  was  Adam  Bower,  who  with  his  wife  was  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  was  of  German  extraction.  He  settled  in  the 
Empire  state  at  an  early  period,  and  was  a  neighbor  of  the  Potter  family 
there. 

In  184 1  Darius  and  Susan  Potter  removed  to  the  west  to  found  a  new 
home,  and,  locating  on  section  26  in  Northville  township  where  our  subject 
now  resides,  proceeded  to  improve  a  farm.  The  father  did  not  live  to  carry 
out  many  of  his  plans,  as  he  died  in  1849,  at  the  age  of  forty-five  years,  and 
his  devoted  and  sorrowing  wife  did  not  long  survive,  as  she,  too,  entered 
the  silent  land  during  the  following  year,  her  age  at  death  being  ribout 
forty-six  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  a  number  of  children,  among 
whom  were:  Orange,  Fannie,  Annice,  Theron,  Seneca,  Seymour,  Jane, 
Sarah,  Lydia  Ann  and  Ellen. 

Seymour  Potter  was  born  July  20,  1834,  in  Tompkins  county,  New 
York,  and  was  a  child  of  seven  years  when  he  came  to  this  county.  Here  he 
acquired  a  common-school  education  and  laid  the  foundations  of  his  future 
success.  He  has  always  resided  on  the  old  homestead  where  his  parents  set- 
tled in  1 84 1,  buying  the  property  of  the  other  heirs,  after  the  death  of  the 
mother.  He  has  carried  out  the  work  of  improvement  inaugurated  by  his 
father,  and  possesses  a  very  desirable  homestead,  as  the  result  of  his  well 
directed  labors. 

In  1866  Mr.  Potter  married  Mary  Elizabeth  Pearson,  who  was  born  in 
the  city  of  New  Orleans.  Her  father  died  when  she  was  an  infant,  and 
her  mother  came  to  live  with  her  after  her  marriage,  and  died  in  the  home 
of  our  subject.  Mrs.  Potter  was  summoned  to  the  silent  land  in  1887,  and 
left  four  children  to  mourn  her  loss,  namely:  ]\Iary  T.,  Sarah  A.,  Arthur  S. 
and  Eliza  J. 

Mr.  Potter  is  a  public-spirited  citizen,  always  ready  to  do  all  within 
his  power  to  promote  the  welfare  of  the  community.  He  has  persistently 
declined  official  distinction  and  responsibility,  preferring  the  quiet  life  of  a 
private  citizen,  yet  has  neglected  none  of  his  duties  toward  the  public.  He 
uses  his  franchise  in  favor  of  Republican  nominees,  and  takes  a  deep  interest 
in  the  success  of  his  party. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  625 

In  December,  1899,  Mr.  Potter  visited  his  birthplace  and  his  parents' 
early  homestead  in  New  York,  and  renewed  many  old  acquaintances,  and 
learned  much  from  the  early  pioneers  there  of  his  own  family.  Among  those 
with  whom  he  renewed  acquaintance  was  Roswell  Beardsley,  of  North  Lan- 
sing, Tompkins  county,  New  York,  who  was  a  neighbor  of  Mr.  Potter's 
grandparents,  both  paternal  and  maternal,  and  which  gentleman  has  been 
postmaster  of  North  Lansing  for  the  last  seventy-two  years,  a  remarkable 
and  unequaled  continuance  in  office  as  a  postmaster. 


C.  D.  WILHELM. 


No  more  loyal  American  citizen  can  be  found  in  Ottawa  than  this  son 
of  the  German  Fatherland;  for  though  his  affections  cling  tenderly  to  his 
birthplace  he  realizes  the  greater  blessings  and  advantages  which  he  now 
enjoys  under  this  flourishing  republic,  and  has  instilled  into  the  hearts  of  his 
children  the  same  patriotism  and  love  for  the  Union  which  he  feels. 

Born  in  Hesse  Cassel,  Germany,  in  1837,  C.  D.  Wilhelm  is  one  of  the 
four  children  of  George  and  Dora  Wilhelm.  His  sister  Dorothea  is  the  wife 
of  Lawrence  Romer,  of  Ottawa,  and  his  sister  Elizabeth  married  A.  Carver, 
while  the  youngest  of  the  family,  Gertrude,  is  unmarried.  In  his  youth 
our  subject  was  employed  first  in  farming;  then,  for  three  years  he  served 
in  the  German  army,  in  compliance  with  the  law  compelling  able-bodied 
young  men  of  that  nation  to  give  a  certain  period  of  time  to  the  support 
of  the  military  system. 

Li  1868  young  Wilhelm  took  one  of  the  most  important  steps  of  his 
career,  for  he  decided  to  come  to  the  United  States.  Sailing  from  Bremen, 
he  landed  in  Baltimore,  and  thence  proceeded  to  Chicago,  where  he  spent 
some  time.  In  1868  he  came  to  Ottawa,  with  whose  business  interests  he  has 
since  been  connected.  He  is  now  the  proprietor  of  one  of  the  largest  and 
best  equipped  meat  markets  in  the  place,  and,  owing  to  the  neatness  of  the 
shop,  the  courtesy  and  desire  to  please  manifested  by  himself  and  his  em- 
ployes, and  on  account  of  the  strictly  first-class  meats  which  are  to  be  found 
here  at  all  times,  he  enjoys  a  large  and  representative  patronage. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Wilhelm  and  Miss  Julia  Saulman  was  solemnized 
August  24,  1875,  in  this  town.  They  have  two  sons,  of  whom  they  have 
reason  to  be  proud — Walter  W.  and  Fred  C. — both  of  whom  are  now  serv- 
ing as  members  of  Company  C,  Third  Regiment  of  Illinois  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, being  under  command  of  Colonel  Bennett.  When  their  country 
called  for  men  in  the  late  war  with  Spain,  they  immediately  responded  and 
accompanied  their  regiment  to  Camp  Chickamauga.  where  they  were  drilled 


626  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

and  prepared  for  active  duty  in  the  lield  should  their  services  be  required; 
but,  greatly  to  their  regret,  they  were  not  sent  to  Cuba,  but  were  sent  to 
Porto  Rico,  returning  to  Ottawa  in  November,  1898;  but  they  suffered  the 
numerous  discomforts  and  hardships  of  camp  life,  just  the  same.  Besides 
these  sons,  Mr.  and  jMrs.  Wilhelm  have  two  daughters,  Gertrude  and  Doro- 
thea. 

In  his  poHtical  relations  Mr.  AA'ilhelm  is  a  stalwart  Republican,  and 
never  fails  in  discharging  his  duty  as  a  voter.  He  favors  schools  and  churches, 
and  all  worthy  public  institutions  and  enterprises,  and  has  a  good  word  and 
helpful  sympathy  for  the  poor  and  unfortunate. 


MICHAEL  DUFFY. 


Now  over  three-score  and  ten  years  of  age,  ^Michael  Duffy  is  passing 
the  evening  of  his  life  in  quiet  and  contentment  at  his  pleasant  home  in 
the  northern  part  of  Ottawa.  For  more  than  half  a  century  he  has  dwelt 
in  this  immediate  locality  and  has  been  a  witness  of  wonderful  changes, 
as  the  wild  prairie  blossomed  into  usefulness  and  beauty  under  the  labor  of 
man,  as  thriving  villages  sprang  into  existence,  and  the  county  was  covered 
with  a  network  of  railroads,  which  afford  easy  transportation  facilities  to 
the  farmer  who  desires  to  dispose  of  the  products  of  his  land  in  the  adja- 
cent towns  and  cities. 

A  son  of^  James  and  Mary  (Kennedy)  Duft'y,  our  subject  was  born  in 
county  West  ]\Ieath.  Ireland,  in  1827.  His  parents  spent  their  entire  lives  in 
the  Emerald  Isle,  their  attention  being  given  to  agriculture.  At  an  early 
age,  Michael  Duft'y  had  to  take  up  the  burdens  of  life,  and  until  recently 
he  kept  busily  at  work,  adding  to  his  capital  and  steadily  making  improve- 
ments upon  his  farm.  It  was  in  1844  that  he  concluded  to  come  to  the 
United  States,  and  after  a  three-weeks  vovas^e  in  a  sailins:  vessel  he  landed 
in  New  York  city,  whence  he  proceeded  direct  to  Ottawa.  A  brother, 
Bernard,  had  come  to  this  locality  about  two  or  more  years  previously,  and 
made  a  purchase  of  land  in  their  joint  names.  This  property,  three  hun- 
dred acres,  was  not  divided,  but  together  the  brothers  carried  on  the  home- 
stead harmoniously  until  the  death  of  Bernard  in  1895,  fifty-one  years  from 
the  time  that  they  had  first  started  to  run  the  farm.  Bernard  was  the  only 
brother  of  our  subject,  and,  as  he  remained  unmarried,  he  made  his  home 
chiefiy  with  ^Michael  Duft'y.  The  latter  succeeded  to  the  sole  ownership 
of  the  homestead  at  the  death  of  his  brother,  and  now  leases  the  place  to 
responsible  tenants.  A  substantial  brick  house,  good  barns  and  other  farm 
buildings  are  to  be  found  on  the  place,  which  is  kept  in  a  neat  and  thrifty 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  627 

manner.     The  farm  is  finely  situated,  being  on  the  well  kept  graveled  road 
leading  from  Ottawa  to  Utica. 

In  political  matters  Mr.  Duffy  is  a  stanch  friend  of  the  Democratic 
party.  He  and  all  of  his  family  are  members  of  St.  Patrick's  Catholic  church, 
of  Ottawa.  Thirty  years  ago  he  married  iVIary  Vork,  of  Ottaw-a  township, 
and  three  children  blessed  their  union,  namely:  James,  who  resides  on 
the  farm  owned  by  the  father;  John,  who  is  engaged  in  farming;  and  ]\Iary, 
who,  since  the  death  of  the  devoted  wife  and  mother,  in  1896,  has  been  her 
father's  housekeeper. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON  TOWNSEND. 

The  family  of  the  Townsends  is  an  ancient  and  honored  one.  It  is  very 
old  in  England  and  was  early  established  in  America  by  James  Townsend 
and  his  two  brothers,  who  came  over  together,  James  locating  in  ]\Iassa- 
chusetts,  one  in  New  York  and  one  in  Vermont. 

It  was  in  the  A^ermont  line  of  the  family  that  the  ancestors  of  George 
Washington  Townsend  descended.  Mr.  Townsend's  grandfather  was  Aaron 
Townsend.  His  son.  Almond  Townsend,  father  of  George  Washington 
Townsend,  was  born  in  AMndsor  county,  A^ermont,  Januarv  26,  1803, 
and  was  a  prosperous  farmer  and  an  extensive  breeder  of  Alerino  sheep. 
He  married  Elvira  Butler,  also  a  native  of  Windsor  county,  Vermont,  a 
daughter  of  that  well  known  man,  Charles  Butler,  who  was  drowned  in 
the  Connecticut  river.  Mrs.  Townsend  was  born  in  181 1,  and  died  April 
15,  1880.  Mr.  Townsend  died  April  16,  1885.  Almond  and  Elvira  (Butler) 
Townsend  had  seven  children:  Charles  G.,  born  April  30,  1834  (deceased); 
EugVne  B.,  born  June  13,  1836,  died  April  26,  1883;  James  A.,  born  Febru- 
ary 8,  1838;  Henry  H..  born  May  5,  1841;  Carrie  E.,  born  April  12,  1843 
(deceased);  George  Washington,  and  one  other  whose  name  is  not  at 
hand. 

George  \\'ashington  Townsend  was  born  in  \\'indsor  county,  \'ermont, 
at  the  birthplace  of  his  father  and  mother,  April  10,  1847.  He  passed  the 
first  sixteen  years  of  his  life  in  Vermont,  where  he  was  sent  to  the  district 
school  and  later  to  the  Green  Mountain  Institute  at  South  Woodstock.  He 
supplemented  the  education  thus  obtained  by  a  commercial  course  at  East- 
man's Business  College,  at  Poughkeepsie,  New  York.  In  1865  he  came  west 
to  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  and  went  from  there  to  Grundy  county  and  tar- 
ried a  year  at  Morris.  He  then  made  a  short  visit  to  his  native  town.  On 
his  return  he  stopped  at  Morris  for  a  short  time  and  then  went  to  Grinnell, 
Iow\a,  and  thence  to  Alonmouth,  Illinois,  w'here  he  located  in  1861.  For 
a  time  he  did  a  thriving  business  in  wooden  eave-spouts.     He  abandoned 


628  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

this  business  to  learn  the  tinners'  trade.  He  remained  at  Monmouth  and 
in  Stark  county,  Illinois,  until  1877,  when  he  removed  to  Ottawa  and  en- 
gaged in  the  dairy  business  on  an  eighty-acre  farm  which  he  purchased  in 
Ottawa  township,  two  miles  and  a  half  north  of  the  city.  This  place,  known 
as  the  \\'^ade  farm,  he  improved  and  stocked  with  thirty  or  forty  cows  and 
sold  the  milk  they  produced  to  a  fine  trade  in  Ottawa.  He  maintained  this 
business  on  an  extensive  scale  until  1897,  and  still  keeps  a  few  cows,  more 
to  have  something  to  look  after  than  for  the  profit  there  may  1)e  in  so  small 
a  trade. 

Mr.  Townsend  was  married.  December  19,  1892,  to  Miss  Julia  P.  Judd, 
a  native  and  resident  of  Wayne,  Stark  county,  Illinois.  He  is  a  stanch 
Republican  and  has  held  the  responsible  position  of  treasurer  of  Ottawa 
high  school  for  the  past  nine  years.  He  has  a  fine  residence,  heated  through- 
out by  a  modern  hot-water  system  and  provided  with  other  up-to-date 
conveniences  and  luxuries.  A  library  of  fine  and  useful  books  attracts  the 
attention  of  the  visitor,  but  the  presence  of  these  is  not  necessary  to  suggest 
to  any  one  who  meets  ]\Ir.  Townsend  that  he  is  a  man  of  high  intelligence 
and  a  wide  range  of  general  information. 


CARLISLE  M.  POOL. 


Carlisle  ]\I.  Pool  is  a  member  of  that  large  and  popular  family  of  Pools 
that  settled  in  Freedom  township,  LaSalle  county,  at  a  very  early  day  in  the 
history  of  this  section  and  have  been  prominently  identified  with  it  ever 
since. 

The  Pools  are  of  English  origin.  Joseph  Pool  and  William,  his  son. 
grandfather  and  father  of  Carlisle  M.,  were  both  born  in  Yorkshire,  England, 
the  former  in  1798;  the  latter  June  16,  1823.  In  1830  Joseph  Pool  emi- 
grated with  his  family  to  the  United  States,  locating  first  in  Clinton  county. 
New  York.  In  1846  he  came  west  to  Illinois,  making  the  journey  by  canal 
and  lake  route,  and  selecting  a  location  in  Serena  township,  LaSalle  county, 
where  he  bought  a  farm  and  soon  took  rank  with  the  leading  and  success- 
ful farmers  of  the  county.  Here  he  lived  and  labored  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1874.  Politically  he  was  a  Democrat,  active  and  influential  in 
local  aft'airs.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  paren.ts  of  the  following  named 
children:  Thomas,  Mathew,  ^^'illiam,  Mary  E.  (who  married  Gilbert  Dom- 
iny),  Joseph,  George  and  Ann  Eliza  (who  married  Augustin  Dominy). 

William  Pool  was  seven  years  old  at  the  time  he  came  with  his  parents 
and  other  members  of  the  family  to  America,  and  at  the  time  of  their  re- 
moval from   New  York  to   Illinois  was  twentv-three.     He  was  reared  a 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  629 

farmer,  receiving  only  limited  educational  advantages.  In  1844,  at  the  age 
of  twenty-one,  he  came  west  on  a  prospecting  tour  and  was  so  well  pleased 
with  LaSalle  county  that  he  decided  to  locate  here.  Hence  the  coming  of 
the  family  a  short  time  later.  He  was  married  May  28,  1846,  just  before 
they  all  started  west,  the  lady  of  his  choice  being  Sarah,  daughter  of  David 
Smith,  a  \'ermont  farmer.  Of  the  Smith  family  we  record  that  John  Smith, 
the  father  of  David,  was  born  at  Needham,  Massachusetts,  October  9,  1758. 
He  fought  in  the  battle  of  Lexington  April  19,  1776,  and  w-as  an  artillery- 
man in  the  battles  of  Bunker  Hill  and  Ticonderoga.  His  second  enlistment 
was  at  West  Point  in  1779,  and  it  is  fair  to  presume  he  served  through 
the  war.  He  married  Sarah  Mastick  in  1780,  and  died  at  Grafton,  Vermont, 
in  1838.  His  children  were  Clarissa,  Hannah,  John,  Sarah.  Walter,  Elijah, 
Nahum,  Joseph,  Nathan  and  David.  David  Smith,  born  in  1794,  went  to 
Plattsburg,  New  York,  in  1812,  and  married  Phebe  McCreedy,  August  2, 
1818.  He  died  in  1837,  and  his  widow  in  1843.  Their  children  were  Sylvia, 
who  married  Benjamin  Barber,  died  in  1846;  Sarah,  born  July  13,  1825; 
Esther  M.,  wife  of  Isaac  Winters,  died  in  1857;  Phebe,  deceased;  and  Ann, 
a  resident  of  Joliet,  Illinois,  is  the  widow  of  Benjamin  Barber. 

William  Pool  and  wife  are  the  parents  of  the  following  named:  Albert 
J.,  a  prominent  farmer  and  stockman  of  Ford  county,  Illinois,  married  Lucy 
Crook  and  has  four  children — Willie  C,  Harry  A.,  Ralph  W.,  and  Ethel 
May.  Arthur  S.,  a  resident  of  Freedom,  Illinois,  has  been  twice  married, 
his  first  wife  being  Eliza  Ball,  and  his  second  wife  Hester  Hinchman;  Car- 
lisle 'M.,  born  March  10,  1855;  and  Sarah,  wife  of  J.  W.  Hall,  of  Eldon, 
Iowa;  they  have  two  children — Clarence  L.  and  Lyle  W. 

Carlisle  M.  Pool  has  thus  far  passed  his  life  on  the  farm  on  which  he 
was  born.  His  opportunities  for  obtaining  an  education  were  limited  to 
the  district  schools.  Under  his  father's  training  and  with  experience  as  a 
teacher,  he  became  a  first-class  farmer  and  has  always  taken  a  pride  in 
keeping  his  place  in  the  best  condition.  His  farin  and  home  are  among 
the  most  attractive  in  the  township,  giving  every  evidence  of  the  fact  that 
the  owner  is  a  man  of  industry  and  careful  management.  He  has  always 
taken  an  active  interest  in  the  public  affairs  of  his  township  and  has  ren- 
dered efficient  service  in  some  of  its  public  offices.  He  comes  from  a  line 
of  Democrats,  politically,  but  claims  to  be  an  independent  during  the  events 
of  the  present  time.  He  has  been  a  town  clerk  and  commissioner  of  high- 
ways. Fraternally  he,  as  well  as  Albert  and  his  father,  is  identified  with 
the  iMasonic  order,  having  his  membership  in  Freedom  Lodge,  No.  194.  Al- 
bert and  Carlisle  have  also  taken  the  Chapter  and  Commandery  degrees — 
Carlisle  in  Ottawa  Chapter,  No.  40,  and  Ottawa  Commandery,  No.  10. 

Carlisle  M.  Pool  was  married  in  1885  to  Louisa  Fogg,  who  was  born 


630  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

Atignst  7,  1858,  a  daughter  of  Ezekiel  Fogg,  of  Ottawa,  Illinois.  She  has 
two  brothers  and  two  sisters:  Dr.  Charles  Fogg,  of  \\'enona,  Illinois;  Lean- 
der  Fogg,  of  Freedom,  also  in  Illinois;  Sophia,  wife  of  Frank  Smith,  of  Col- 
orado Springs,  Colorado;  and  Anna  ]\I.,  of  Ottawa,  this  state.  ]Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Pool  have  two  children,  a  daughter  and  a  son:  Irene  Bertha,  born 
October  23,  1886;  and  Ernest  Howard  Carlisle,  June  5,  1894. 


HENRY   B.    NEFF. 


The  gentleman  to  whose  life  history  we  now  direct  attention — Henry 
B.  NefT — was  born  in  Franklin  county,  Indiana,  October  14,  1821.  a  son 
of  Ebenezer  and  Susanna  (Buck)  Xeff.  pioneers  of  that  place. 

Ebenezer  Neff  was  a  native  of  the  Green  ^Mountain  state,  being  born 
in  Vermont,  August  4.  1790:  was  a  pioneer  of  Indiana,  and  in  1835  left 
the  "Hoosier"  state  for  Illinois,  coming  to  iMission  Point,  LaSalle  county, 
Avhere  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  ]\Iay  31,  1867.  He  was  a  farmer 
by  occupation,  always  took  an  active  part  in  the  public  afifairs  of  the 
community  in  which  he  li\-ed,  and  when  the  Republican  party  was  organ- 
ized in  LaSalle  county  became  one  of  its  ardent  supporters.  He  was  twice 
married.  His  first  wife,  nee  Susanna  Buck,  was  born  October  2,  1784,  and 
died  in  Franklin  county,  Indiana,  July  25,  1823.  Their  children  who  grew 
to  maturity  were  Daniel  B.,  Betsey,  Almira  S.,  Olive,  Isabelle  P.  and  Henry 
B.  ]\Ir.  NeiT's  second  wife  was  before  marriage  ]^Iiss  IMargaret  Douglas. 
She  was  born  July  12,  1799.  and  died  December  9,  1871.  The  children  of 
this  union,  that  lived  to  adult  age,  were  William  B.,  Rachel,  Sarah  Bell, 
Janetta,  Ellen,  George  and  ^Margaret. 

Henry  B.  NefT  was  a  boy  in  his  "teens  when  he  accompanied  his  father 
and  family  to  Illinois.  He  was  reared  a  farmer,  receiving  only  a  common- 
school  education,  and  when  he  started  out  to  make  his  own  A\ay  in  the 
world  it  was  as  a  poor  young  man  with  no  capital  save  a  willing  hand  and 
a  determination  to  succeed.  He  engaged  in  farming  in  Kendall  county, 
Illinois,  was  prosperous  from  the  start,  and  as  the  years  went  by  accumu- 
lated a  large  amount  of  property.  He  continued  farming  until  1882,  when 
he  moved  to  Ottawa,  near  which  city  he  had  a  farm,  and  during  the  rest  of 
his  life  his  time  was  spent  in  looking  after  his  property,  loaning  money, 
etc.  He  died  in  Ottawa,  January  14,  1895.  Politically,  like  his  father,  he 
was  a  stanch  Republican,  but  never  aspired  to  official  honors.  His  religious 
creed  was  that  of  the  Congregational  church,  of  which  he  was  a  consistent 
member. 

]\Ir.  NefT  was  married  April   15.   1852.  to  i\Iiss  ]\Iary  J.   Freeland,  a 


)fom^i   /y  uf^fir 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  631 

native  of  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  born  February  24,  1829,  a  daughter 
of  Richard  and  Ellice  (McMath)  Freeland.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Freeland  were 
natives  respectively  of  New  York  and  Pennsylvania,  were  among  the  early 
settlers  of  Indiana  and  were  married  in  that  state.  Their  family  consisted  of 
the  following  named  members:  Mary  J.,  John  W.,  Samuel  L.,  Ann  Eliza 
and  Ellice  Augusta.  In  1848  the  Freeland  home  was  changed  from  Indiana 
to  Mission  township,  in  LaSalle  county,  Illinois;  and  many  years  afterward 
to  Troy  Grove,  this  county,  where  the  mother  died.  After  the  mother's 
death  the  father  went  to  Champaign  county,  Illinois,  where  he  passed  the 
closing  years  of  his  life.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Neff  had  no  children,  but  adopted 
a  daughter,  Lillian  \^.,  whom  they  reared  as  their  own.  Mrs.  Nef¥  is  a 
member  of  the  Congregational  church. 


GEORGE  D.  HILL. 


For  some  years  Mr.  Hill  has  been  a  prominent  factor  in  the  business 
circles  of  Grand  Ridge,  and  at  the  present  writing  he  is  the  popular  and 
efficient  mayor  of  the  city,  who,  in  his  control  of  municipal  affairs,  follows 
a  wise  and  progressive  policy,  resulting  greatly  to  the  benefit  of  the  com- 
munity which  he  thus  ofiicially  represents.  He  is  an  enterprising  man,  loyal 
citizen,  and  at  all  times  loyal  and  reliable  in  the  discharge  of  the  trusts  and 
responsibilities  devolving  upon  him. 

A  native  of  Maine,  Mr.  Hill  was  born  in  Augusta,  a  son  of  John  and 
Oral  (Sutherland)  Hill,  who  had  seven  children,  three  sons  and  four  daugh- 
ters. The  father,  who  was  the  proprietor  of  a  shoe  store,  removed  to  Bement, 
Illinois,  and  thence  to  Streator,  this  state,  where  for  a  number  of  years  he 
was  successfully  engaged  in  dealing  in  shoes.  ]\Ir.  Hill  accompanied  his 
parents  to  Illinois,  and  under  the  parental  roof  spent  the  days  of  his  boy- 
hood and  youth.  He  acquired  a  good  education,  well  fitting  him  for  the 
practical  and  responsible  duties  of  life,  and  after  attaining  his  majority  he 
was  engaged  in  business  in  Dana,  Illinois,  where  he  dealt  in  fruit  for  five 
years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  came  to  Grand  Ridge  and  pur- 
chased of  A.  K.  Knott  &  Company,  of  Ottawa,  his  present  grain  and  coal 
business.  Here  he  is  enjoying  a  liberal  patronage,  which  is  steadily  in- 
creasing. He  has  a  very  large  elevator  with  a  capacity  of  six  hundred  thous- 
and bushels  of  grain;  and  as  Grand  Ridge  is  located  in  the  center  of  a  rich 
farming  district  he  carries  on  an  extensive  business,  deriving  therefrom  a 
good  income  and  at  the  same  time  furnishing  an  excellent*  market  for  the 
grain  producers  of  this  region. 

In  1894,  in  Morris,  Grundv  countv,  Illinois,  Mv.  Hill  was  united  in 


632  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

marriage  to  ]\Iiss  Martha  Lindsay,  a  lady  of  superior  education  and  culture. 
She  was  graduated  in  the  State  Normal  School,  and  for  some  years  prior 
to  her  marriage  was  a  successful  teacher.  ]Mr.  and  ]^Irs.  Hill  have  two 
children.  May  and  Oral.  The  parents  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church 
and  are  numbered  among  the  most  prominent  people  of  Grand  Ridge,  occu- 
pying a  leading  position  in  social  circles  and  enjoying  the  hospitality  of 
many  of  the  best  homes.  In  his  political  affiliations  Mr.  Hill  is  a  Republican, 
and  on  that  ticket  was  elected  to  the  office  which  he  is  now  filling  so  credit- 
ably to  himself  and  satisfactorily  to  his  constituents.  Socially  he  is  connected 
with  several  fraternal  organizations.  He  is  a  Royal  Arch  Mason,  and  is  also 
a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Knights  of 
Pythias  fraternity.  In  manner  he  is  frank  and  cordial,  entirely  free  from 
ostentation  and  display,  but  his  genuine  worth  at  all  times  commands  re- 
spect and  in  the  community  he  has  many  warm  friends. 


LEVI  M.  EATON. 


Levi  'M.  Eaton,  of  Sheridan,  Illinois,  was  born  in  Freeport,  this  state, 
April  4,  1848,  a  son  of  William  and  Eliza  (Hunt)  Eaton,  the  former  a  native 
of  Cortland  county.  New  York,  the  latter  of  Massachusetts,  and  both  of 
English  lineage.  ^Mr.  Eaton's  maternal  grandfather  was  a  soldier  in  the 
Mexican  war  and  sen-ed  as  a  drummer.  The  snare  drum  used  by  him  is  now 
owned  by  Mr.  Eaton,  who  is  himself  a  fine  drummer;  and  to  this  day  it  is 
as  fine  an  instrument  of  its  kind  as  can  be  found. 

]Mr.  Eaton  was  reared  on  a  farm,  his  only  educational  advantages  in 
early  life  being  those  of  the  country  school.  In  the  broad  school  of  ex- 
perience, however,  he  has  acquired  a  large  stock  of  useful  information,  and, 
being  a  good  reader  and  a  close  observer,  keeps  himself  well  posted  on  the 
general  topics  of  the  day.  He  began  the  battle  of  life  for  himself  at  the 
age  of  seventeen  years.  At  twenty-three  he  went  west  and  had  consider- 
able experience  in  mining.  Afterward  he  spent  three  years  in  the  iron  mines 
of  jSIichigan.  In  1882  he  returned  to  Freeport,  his  native  town,  and  for 
several  years  thereafter  his  occupation  varied.  June  11,  1890,  he  started  out 
on  the  road,  with  horse  and  wagon,  selling  Dr.  Ward's  Remedies,  and  in 
this  business  he  has  since  continued  with  success.  Dr.  Ward's  name  and 
remedies  are  too  well  known  to  need  further  mention  here.  Suffice  it  to 
say  that  ^Mr.  Eaton  as  a  salesman  in  this  line  has  met  with  more  than  or- 
dinary success.  For  several  years  he  has  resided  in  Sheridan,  where  he 
is  well  and  favorably  known. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  633 

Mr.  Eaton  ^vas  married,  in  1884.  to  ]\Iiss  Lena  Olsen,  and  they  have 
one  daughter,  named  Eva  J.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America,  the  Home  Forum  and  the  Royal  Circle. 


JOHN  ARTHUR  GUAM. 

There  is  no  foreign  element  in  our  American  nationality  more  valuable 
than  that  which  comes  from  Norway.  The  land  of  the  midnight  sun  has  fur- 
nished to  the  United  States  many  of  its  most  prominent  citizens,  and  its  rep- 
resentatives are  found  in  all  the  useful  walks  and  vocations  of  life.  The  gen- 
tleman whose  name  heads  this  biographical  record  belongs  to  a  worthy 
Norwegian  family,  although  he  is  a  native  son  of  LaSalle  county.  He  is  now 
occupying  a  leading  position  in  business  circles,  being  a  merchant  and  banker 
of  Sheridan,  where  he  exerts  a  wide  and  beneficent  influence  upon  the  com- 
mercial affairs  of  the  place. 

Born  on  a  farm  in  Mission  township.  May  24,  1854,  he  is  a  son  of  Ole 
A.  and  Gertrude  (Osmunson)  Quam,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Nor- 
way. When  thirteen  years  of  age  the  former  came  to  the  United  States 
with  his  parents,  in  1843,  the  family  settling  in  Mission  township,  LaSalle 
county,  where  John  Arneson  Quam,  the  grandfather  of  our  subject,  spent 
the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  in  1880,  when  he  had  reached 
the  age  of  eighty  years.  His  wife,  Rachel  Quam,  has  also  passed  away. 
They  were  the  parents  of  two  sons  and  four  daughters,  but  one  son  and 
two  daughters  are  now  deceased.  Ole  A.  Quam  and  Gertrude  Osmunson 
were  married  in  LaSalle  county.  The  latter  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1839,  when  five  years  of  age.  Her  father  died  in  Chicago  soon  after  the 
arrival  of  the  family  in  this  country,  and  the  mother  moved  to  the  town 
of  ^Mission,  LaSalle  county,  where  she  passed  away  six  months  later,  leav- 
ing two  little  daughters,  alone  in  a  strange  land,  and  without  a  known 
relative  in  the  world!  Here  they  grew  to  womanhood,  and  Gertrude  mar- 
ried as  above  mentioned.  By  the  union  were  born  eight  children,  namely: 
Rebecca,  John  Arthur,  Rachel,  Isabelle,  Bertha,  Emma,  Clara  and  Victor  J. 
The  parents  continued  to  reside  in  LaSalle  county  until  1879  and  then 
removed  to  Norway,  Iowa,  where  they  remained  until  1896,  since  which 
time  they  have  made  their  home  in  Ashland,  Wisconsin. 

John  Arthur  Quam,  the  subject  of  this  review,  was  reared  in  LaSalle 
county,  and  has  here  spent  his  entire  life.  He  acquired  his  elementary  edu- 
cation in  the  common  schools  and  later  pursued  his  studies  in  the  schools 
of  Aurora  and  in  the  Fowler  Institute  at  Newark,  Illinois.  He  left  the 
farm  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  and  came  to  Sheridan,  where  he  entered 


634  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

upon  his  business  career  as  a  general  merchant,  in  partnership  with  Peter 
C.  Berkland.  This  connection  was  continued  for  three  years,  when  Mr. 
Ouam  bought  out  his  partner's  interest,  and  since  that  time  he  has  dealt 
exclusively  in  clothing  and  men's  furnishing  goods.  His  store  is  filled  with  a 
large  and  well  selected  stock  of  everything  found  in  his  line  and  he  receives 
a  liberal  patronage.  In  1884  he  estabHshed  a  private  banking  business  and 
in  1887  Robert  Knapp  became  his  partner  in  both  branches,  since  which 
time  operations  have  been  carried  on  under  the  firm  style  of  Quam  &  Knapp, 
merchants  and  bankers. 

In  1875  the  subject  of  this  review  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Amelia  Nelson,  a  daughter  of  Peter  C.  and  Sygne  (Danielson)  Nelson.  Her 
father  was  born  in  New  York  and  was  a  son  of  Cornelius  Nelson,  a  native 
of  Norway  and  one  of  the  owners  of  and  passenger  on  the  "Norwegian  May- 
flower," the  sloop  Restoration,  which  weighed  anchor  from  Stavanger.  Nor- 
way, on  July  4,  1825,  with  fifty-two  emigrants,  and  landed  in  New  York, 
October  9,  with  fifty-three  passengers.  Cornelius  Nelson  settled  in  that  city 
and  his  son  was  born  in  the  Empire  state.  After  the  death  of  the  grandfather 
of  Mrs.  Ouam,  his  widow  and  her  children  came  west  to  LaSalle  county, 
Illinois,  in  1836,  casting  in  their  lot  with  the  early  settlers  here.  Mrs.  Nel- 
son's death  occurred  in  this  county,  at  a  ripe  old  age.  Her  son,  Peter  C. 
Nelson,  was  born  January  20,  1830,  and  is  believed  to  be  the  oldest  living 
Norwegian  born  in  America.  He  is  now  residing  at  Larned,  Kansas.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ouam  have  been  born  three  children:  Mabel,  wife  of  Rev.  J. 
M.  Hibbish,  of  California;  Vida  and  Hila. 

The  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  are 
numbered  among  the  most  prominent  citizens  of  Sheridan.  In  politics  Mr. 
Ouam  is  a  stalwart  Republican  and  for  the  past  ten  years  has  held  the  office 
of  supervisor  for  Mission  township.  As  a  citizen  he  is  progressive  and  gives 
a  generous  support  to  all  measures  calculated  to  prove  of  public  benefit. 
In  business  he  has  been  successful,  and  his  reputation  is  unassailable,  for 
his  honesty  is  proverbial,  and  in  all  transactions  he  fully  merits  the  confidence 
reposed  in  him. 


IA:\IES  BRUCE. 


James  Bruce,  junior  member  of  the  firm  of  Bruce  and  Jamieson.  and 
one  of  the  promising  young  business  men  of  Marseilles,  LaSalle  county,  was 
born  at  Lockport,  near  Joliet,  on  September  2,  1872.  and  is  a  son  of  James 
and  Jane  (Stephens)  Bruce.  His  parents  were  both  natives  of  Scotland,  the 
father  having  been  born  at  Aberdeen  in  1823.  He  came  to  America  in 
1844  and  located  at  Lockport.  where  he  was  a  contractor  in  the  stone  c^uar- 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  635 

ries  of  Joliet  for  many  years.  He  died  December  13,  1898,  at  Lockport. 
He  was  a  son  of  George  Bruce,  of  Scotland.  The  same  vessel  that  brought 
him  to  this  country  also  brought  Jane  Stephens,  a  daughter  of  Ebenezer 
Stephens,  to  whom  he  was  united  in  marriage  in  this  country.  Of  the  live 
children  born  to  them  but  three  survive. 

James  Bruce  was  the  second  child  born  in  the  family.  He  attended 
pul)lic  school  at  Lockport,  finishing  with  the  high  school,  after  which  he 
took  a  course  in  a  commercial  college  at  Chicago.  The  following  four 
years  were  spent  assisting  his  father  in  his  work  connected  with  the  stone 
quarries.  In  1894  he  came  to  Marseilles  and  formed  a  partnership  with  J. 
A.  Jamieson  and  has  since  dealt  in  all  kinds  of  grain,  hard  and  soft  coal, 
and  built  up  a  very  profitable  business.  He  is  a  straightforward,  honorable 
man  with  whom  it  is  a  pleasure  to  do  business. 

In  1895  he  was  joined  in  marriage  to  Miss  Adlaine  Richards,  whose 
grandmother  was  a  Miss  Middleton  and  whose  parents  were  Daniel  and 
Catherine  (Gould)  Richards,  of  Boston,  Massachusetts.  Mr.  Bruce  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  First  National  Bank,  and  is  the  trustee 
of  his  father's  estate. 


JOSEPH  FUTTERER. 


Among  the  zealous  and  influential  workers  in  the  Democratic  party 
of  LaSalle  county,  Joseph  Futterer  is  acknowledged  to  be  in  the  front  ranks. 
His  ability  and  valued  assistance  to  the  party  received  fitting  recognition 
when,  in  1892,  he  was  honored  by  election  to  the  responsible  ofiice  of 
supervisor.  He  served  for  two  years — the  full  term — to  the  entire  satisfac- 
tion of  all  concerned,  and  was  then  chosen  by  the  vote  of  the  majority  for 
a  second  term.  In  1898  he  was  again  elected  to  the  supervisorship,  and  is 
thus  filling  his  third  term.  Not  only  in  a  puljlic  capacity  but  also  as  a  citi- 
zen in  the  private  walks  of  life,  he  commands  the  respect  and  high  regard 
of  all  with  whom  he  has  had  dealings,  and  he  has  been  engaged  in  business  in 
Ottawa  for  many  years. 

A  native  of  Baden-Baden.  Germany,  born  in  1852.  Joseph  Futterer 
spent  the  first  years  of  his  life  in  that  fair  land,  and  was  a  lad  of  about  thir- 
teen years  when,  in  1865,  he  and  his  parents,  Joseph  and  Rosa  Futterer, 
bade  adieu  to  all  their  old  friends  and  associations  and  set  sail  for  America, 
here  to  found  a  new  home.  In  1868  they  settled  in  IMonroe  county,  ^^^is- 
consin,  and  on  the  homestead  there,  not  far  from  the  village  of  Sparta, 
the  mother  is  still  living.  The  father  died  some  years  ago,  when  in  his 
sixtieth  year.  They  had  only  one  son,  but  were  the  parents  of  four  daugh- 
ters. 


636  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

Our  subject  received  the  benefits  of  a  thorough  training  in  both  the 
German  and  Enghsh  languages,  and  in  his  boyhood  and  youth  acquired  an 
intimate  knowledge  of  the  various  duties  connected  with  the  proper  manage- 
ment of  a  farm.  In  1873  he  came  to  Ottawa,  where  he  has  since  made  his 
home,  while  occupied  in  business  transactions.  By  diligence  and  persever- 
ance in  whatever  he  undertook  he  gradually  amassed  a  competency,  and 
he  now  has  a  good  bank  account  and  valuable  property.  Socially  he  is  con- 
nected with  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  German  Benevolent  Society  and 
several  other  fraternal  organizations. 

In  1877  Mr.  Futterer  married  Miss  Theresa  Schaeffer,  of  Ottawa. 
Nine  children  came  to  bless  their  happy  home,  but  four  of  the  number  have 
passed  to  the  silent  land.  Four  promising  sons  and  a  daughter  are  left  to 
the  devoted  parents,  their  names  in  order  of  birth  being  as  follows:  Fred, 
Charles,  Alice,  John  and  Ernest. 


WILLIAM  COOPER. 


William  Cooper,  of  Otter  Creek  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  is 
one  of  the  well  known  and  popular  citizens  of  the  county,  and  has  the 
distinction  of  being  a  veteran  of  the  civil  war.  While  he  fought  for  this 
country  and  is  thoroughly  an  American  at  heart,  ?\Ir.  Cooper  is  not  a  native 
of  the  United  States.  He  was  born  in  the  northern  part  of  Ireland,  No- 
vember II,  1842.  His  father,  Edward  Cooper,  was  a  native  of  Ireland  and 
a  shoemaker  by  trade,  following  that  pursuit  in  early  life,  but  later  turn- 
ing his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits.  His  wife,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Jane  Coughlin,  was  also  a  native  of  the  Emerald  Isle.  When  their  son 
William  was  a  boy  of  six  years  they  emigrated  with  their  family  to  this 
country,  and  settled  at  Salmon  Falls,  New  Hampshire,  where  they  lived  for 
some  time,  after  which  they  came  to  Illinois  and  took  up  their  abode  in 
LaSalle  county.  Edward  Cooper  died  at  the  age  of  forty-five  years.  His 
widow,  surviving  him,  is  now  eighty-five  years  of  age  and  is  a  resident  of 
Streator,  Illinois.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  namely:  Mrs. 
Maria  Roberts,  of  Indiana;  Mrs.  Sarah  Berry,  of  Rock  Rapids,  Iowa;  John, 
of  Otter  Creek  township,  LaSalle  county,  who  is  given  personal  mention 
elsewhere  in  this  work;  William,  whose  name  introduces  this  sketch;  Rich- 
ard, who  was  a  member  of  the  Fifty-third  Illinois  Volunteers,  under  Gen- 
eral Grant,  and  was  killed  in  the  engagement  at  Vicksburg,  Mississippi,  in 
the  civil  war;  Edward,  of  Streator,  Illinois;  ]\Irs.  Jane  Litts,  of  Stuart,  Iowa; 
and  Mrs.  Lizzie  Jones,  of  Otter  Creek  township.  All  of  the  four  sons  in 
this  family  volunteered  in  the  Union  army  during  the  civil  war,  rendered 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  637 

faithful,  courageous  service,  and  one,  as  already  stated,  lost  his  life  on  the 
battlefield.     Few  families  can  show  such  a  war  record. 

William  Cooper,  with  his  brothers  and  sisters,  was  reared  on  the  farm 
and  educated  in  the  public  schools,  and,  as  one  of  a  large  family  in  moder- 
ate circumstances,  he  was  early  taught  industry  and  economy,  and  for  a  time 
he  worked  in  a  cotton  factory.  To  his  early  training,  indefatigable  industry 
and  his  determination  to  succeed  may  be  attributed  the  success  he  has  at- 
tained in  life.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  a  valuable  farm  in  Otter  Creek 
township,  well  improved  and  giving  every  evidence  of  successful  man- 
agement on  the  part  of  the  owner. 

During  the  civil  war  Mr.  Cooper  "donned  the  blue"  and  fought  in 
defense  of  the  Union.  He  enlisted  in  1862  and  went  to  the  front,  his  name 
being  enrolled  on  the  14th  of  August,  among  the  members  of  Company  F, 
One  Flundred  Fourth  Illinois  Volunteers,  under  command  of  Captain  Mc- 
Kennan.  Among  the  engagements  in  which  he  participated  were  the  battles 
of  Hartsville  and  Missionary  Ridge.  While  in  the  service  he  was  disabled 
by  deafness  of  the  left  ear,  and  was  honorably  discharged  in  June,  1865,  at 
Washington,  D.  C. 

In  January,  1867,  Mr.  Cooper  married  Miss  Mary  Smith,  daughter  of 
Richard  and  Sarah  (Booth)  Smith,  both  natives  of  England.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Cooper  have  had  six  children,  all  of  whom  are  deceased.  One  of  their 
daughters,  Violet,  married  jMr.  John  Brock  and  died  in  May,  1893,  leaving  a 
child,  Clarence  William  Brock,  who  is  now  eight  years  old  and  who  resides 
with  his  grandparents,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cooper.  Mr.  Cooper  is  a  member 
of  G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  68,  at  Streator,  and  is  a  loyal  and  public-spirited  citizen 
whose  faithfulness  to  duty  is  as  marked  as  when  he  followed  the  stars  and 
stripes  upon  the  battlefields  of  the  south. 


W.  E.  DOWNS. 


From  the  time  that  he  arrived  at  his  majority  W.  E.  Downs  has  been 
one  of  the  most  zealous  workers  in  the  interests  of  the  Democratic  party 
in  Ottawa.  He  was  but  twenty-five  years  old  when,  in  the  spring  of  1893, 
he  received  the  nomination  and  was  elected  to  the  office  of  alderman  by 
his  numerous  party  friends.  In  1897  he  was  again  chosen  to  represent  the 
people  in  the  city  council,  and  was  elected  from  the  Third  ward.  He  is 
still  acting  in  that  capacity,  and  now.  as  always,  has  the  best  interests  of  the 
public  at  heart.  Progressive  and  in  accord  with  the  spirit  of  the  times,  he 
advocates  public  improvements  and  judicious  expenditure  of  the  people's 
money. 


638  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

One  of  the  native  sons  of  Ottawa,  in  which  place  he  has  passed  his 
whole  life,  Mr.  Downs  is  naturally  proud  of  this  enterprising  Httle  city,  and 
is  loyally  anxious  to  promote  its  growth  and  prosperity.  He  was  born  in 
1868,  and  is  a  son  of  John  Downs,  an  old  and  prominent  citizen  of  this 
place.  In  his  youth  our  subject  attended  the  public  schools  and  gained 
a  practical  business  education.  After  leaving  the  school-room  he  obtained 
a  position  in  the  emplo}'  of  the  Ottawa  Electric  Street  Railway  Company, 
with  which  corporation  he  has  been  connected  in  various  capacities  for 
many  years.  At  present  he  is  the  foreman  and  superintendent  of  tracks. 
Bv  lono^  and  faithful  service  and  strict  attention  to  the  welfare  of  his  em- 
ployers,  he  has  won  their  approbation  and  confidence. 

Mr.  Downs  bears  an  enviable  i"eputation  for  integrity  and  uprightness 
in  all  the  varied  relationships  of  life.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Uniformed 
Rank  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  has  many  friends  in  the  organization. 
For  years  he  has  been  sent  as  a  delegate  to  political  conventions,  local  and 
general,  and  has  kept  well  posted  on  party  tactics  and  plans  of  campaign 
work. 


MICHAEL  J.  FLAHERTY. 

^Michael  J.  Flaherty,  the  genial  and  courteous  postmaster  and  merchant 
of  Baker,  LaSalle  county,  is  well  and  favorably  known  throughout  the 
county  as  a  man  of  energy  and  push  whose  residence  in  this  state  has  been 
marked  by  an  industry  and  energy  that  have  brought  him  to  the  road  to 
prosperity.  He  was  born  in  Boston.  ^Massachusetts,  December  28,  1842,  and 
is  a  son  of  Michael  and  Bridget  (Flaherty)  Flaherty.  Both  parents  were 
born  in  Ireland  and  were  there  married,  coming  to  the  L'nited  States  in 
1831  and  settling  in  Boston,  where  the  mother  died  in  1852,  and  four  years 
later  the  father  and  five  of  the  children  came  west  and  located  at  Serena, 
this  county.  He  purchased  land,  which  was  taken  in  charge  In'  his  son 
Martin  and  converted  into  valuable  property.  The  children  of  Michael 
Flaherty  were  two  sons  and  four  daughters:  ]\lartin,  deceased;  Sarali,  de- 
ceased; Alargaret;  Ellen;  Kate  and  Michael.  The  father  died  in  Serena  in 
1888  and  his  remains  were  taken  back  to  the  east  and  placed  beside  his 
wife  at  Bunker  Hill.  ]^Iartin  Flaherty  was  a  successful  man  of  business 
and  well  liked  by  those  who  knew  him.  He  resided  at  Serena  and  was  a 
supervisor  for  fourteen  years,  moving  to  Ottawa,  where  he  was  again  elected 
supervisor.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  his  political  affiliation  and  died  at  Ottawa 
in  1892,  aged  sixty-six  years.     He  was  unmarried. 

^lichael  J.  Flahertv  remained  behind  to  attend  school  in  Boston,  when 
his  father  and  family  came  west,  in  1856.  but  in  the  course  of  about  two 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  639 

years  he  followed  them  to  LaSalle  county.  He  worked  on  the  farm  until 
1893  and  then  lived  in  Leland  five  years  more,  when  he  came  to  Baker  and 
opened  a  store  of  general  merchandise.  He  was  appointed  the  postmaster 
of  Leland  in  1893  and  served  four  years  and  a  half,  and  during  that  time 
was  elected  the  president  of  the  town  board.  He  was  appointed  to  the  office 
of  postmaster  in  Baker  in  December,  1897.  and  the  following  year  was 
elected  a  justice  of  the  peace.  He  is  one  of  the  workers  among  the  Repub- 
lican ranks,  and  renders  the  party  valuable  aid  in  their  local  elections.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church  and  belongs  to  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America,  the  Knights  of  the  Globe,  the  Home  Forum  and  the 
Foresters.  In  1872  Mr.  Flaherty  married  Kate  Calvy.  who  died  seven 
years  later,  leaving  a  son,  Martin,  who  died  one  year  afterward.  He  was  mar- 
ried a  second  time,  in  1881,  to  Miss  Eliza  A.  DeBolt,  a  daughter  of  John 
DeBolt,  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  of  LaSalle  county,  who  came  here  as  early 
as  1832.  The  union  of  ^Ir.  and  ^Irs.  Flaherty  has  been  blessed  by  the 
birth  of  four  children:  ]\Iartin  (ist),  who  died  in  his  seventh  year,  Harold, 
!Martin  (2d)  and  Mary. 


GEORGE  A.  CAAIPBELL. 

As  his  name  indicates,  George  A.  Campbell,  of  Ottawa,  comes  of 
Scotch-Irish  ancestry.  His  father,  Hugh  Campbell,  was  born  in  the  city  of 
Belfast,  in  the  northern  part  of  Ireland,  and  in  his  early  manhood  he  came 
to  the  United  States.  At  first  he  resided  in  Xew  York  state,  where  he 
married  Miss  Nancy  Polls,  a  native  of  Orange  county.  Later  he  removed 
with  his  family  to  ^Michigan,  and  throughout  his  active  life  he  devoted  his 
attention  to  farming.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  had  reached  the  extreme 
age  of  eighty-seven  years.  His  widow  is  still  living  and  makes  her  home 
with  her  youngest  son,  Joseph  R.,  in  Clinton  county,  Michigan.  The  three 
eldest  sons  of  this  worthy  couple,  James,  Chester  and  Robert  W.,  were  heroes 
of  the  civil  war,  nobly  upholding  the  Union  in  its  time  of  peril.  Chester 
was  wounded  in  one  of  the  numerous  battles  in  which  he  participated,  and 
for  six  months  was  a  captive  in  a  Confederate  prison.  Thomas,  a  railroad 
conductor,  whose  home  is  in  Frankfort,  Indiana,  and  three  children,  who 
have  passed  to  the  silent  land,  complete  the  family. 

George  A.  Campbell,  whose  name  forms  the  caption  of  this  sketch,  was 
born  near  Newburg,  Orange  county,  Xew  York,  September  6,  1848,  and  was 
reared  to  farm  life.  In  his  boyhood  he  accompanied  the  family  in  its  re- 
moval to  Michigan,  where  he  experienced  the  vicissitudes  of  pioneer  life, 
and  in  order  to  pursue  his  education  was  often  obliged  to  walk  two  miles  to 
school.     When  a  young  man  he  came  to  Ottawa,  where  he  remained  for 


640  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

several  years.  In  1880  he  went  to  ^Montana,  where  he  spent  about  four 
years,  but  returning  here  at  the  end  of  that  period,  he  located  his  place  with 
the  intention  of  remaining  permanently.  On  the  ist  of  July,  1887,  he  was 
appointed  to  his  present  position  as  mail  carrier  and  dehvery  clerk,  and  has 
made  a  desirable  record  for  efhciency  and  faithfulness.  In  his  political  con- 
victions he  is  a  Democrat,  as  was  his  father  before  him. 

In  October,  1874,  occurred  an  important  event  in  the  Hfe  of  George 
A.  Campbell,  as  at  that  time  his  marriage  to  Miss  Lizzie  Cross  was  solemnized 
in  Ottawa,  Mrs.  Campbell  is  a  native  of  Wayne  county.  New  York,  and 
is  a  daughter  of  Jairus  Cross.  Louise,  the  only  daughter  of  our  subject 
and  wife,  is  employed  by  J.  E.  Scott  &  Company;  and  Norman  D.,  the  only 
son,  is  at  home,  attending  the  local  school.  The  pleasant  home  of  the 
family  is  at  No.  635  Chapel  street,  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Campbell  and  their  children  are  members  of  the  Congregational 
church,  lending  their  influence  to  the  support  of  religion,  morality,  temper- 
ance and  all  that  makes  a  community  prosperous. 


GEORGE    E.    WILLS. 


George  E.  Wills,  a  prosperous  and  public-spirited  citizen  of  Troy  Grove 
township,  LaSalle  county,  is  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  locality,  and 
for  forty-three  years  he  has  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  this 
vicinit3\  He  has  seen  the  development  of  the  county  almost  from  its 
wild  state,  and  has  himself  broken  prairie  and  improved  tracts  of  land  which 
gave  little  promise  of  the  wealth  that  proper  cultivation  was  to  evolve  from 
the  soil. 

A  son  of  George  and  Mary  (\\'atts)  Wills,  both  natives  of  Somerset- 
shire, England,  our  subject  was  born  March  22,  1836,  in  Michigan,  and, 
with  his  little  sister,  Mary,  was  left  motherless  at  a  tender  age,  in  the 
year  1838.  The  father,  who  was  a  carpenter  and  mechanic,  returned  to 
England,  where  his  death  took  place  in  1847.  He  was  a  son  of  Richard 
Wills,  who  likewise  was  a  carpenter  and  who  lived  to  a  ripe  age,  dying  in 
England,  where  he  had  been  a  life-long  resident.  He  had  but  two  children. 
The  maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  also  lived  and  died  in  that  country. 

George  E.  Wills  was  reared  at  a  place  about  twenty-eight  miles  dis- 
tant from  Detroit,  Michigan,  and  resided  in  that  city  also  for  a  short  period, 
prior  to  his  seventeenth  year.  He  was  early  thrown  upon  his  own  resources, 
and  may  truly  be  termed  a  self-made  man.  About  1853  he  went  to  New 
Brighton,  Pennsylvania,  a  town  some  thirty  miles  northwest  of  Pittsburg, 
and  there  learned  the  trade  of  plasterer.    Later  he  attended  school  at  North 


lU^iAjey 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  641 

Sewickley,  and  by  earnest  study  qualified  himself  for  teaching.  In  1854 
he  went  to  Jackson  county,  Iowa,  where  he  worked  on  farms  during  the 
summer  and  taught  school  in  the  winter  season.  At  the  end  of  thirteen 
months  he  came  to  Mendota,  and  here  he  assisted  James  Henderson  in 
establishing  a  seminary,  in  which  he  also  became  a  student. 

It  was  in  1856  that  Mr.  Wills  permanently  turned  his  attention  to  agri- 
culture. For  two  years  he  carried  on  a  rented  farm  west  of  the  limits  of  Men- 
dota, and  then  leased  a  place  south  of  the  town  and  adjoining  his  present 
homestead  on  the  south.  That  land  was  wild  prairie,  and  for  sixteen  years 
Mr.  Wills  cultivated  the  place,  which  soon  bore  little  resemblance  to  its 
original  condition.  In  1874  he  bought  the  homestead  which  has  been  the 
scene  of  his  endeavors  for  a  quarter  of  a  century.  In  addition  to  this  place, 
which  he  greatly  improved,  building  a  substantial  house,  barns,  granaries 
and  fences,  he  owns  another  farm,  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  situated 
four  miles  north  of  Mendota,  in  the  township  of  the  same  name. 

During  the  past  two  years  Mr.  Wills  has  been  the  president  of  the 
Mendota  Union  Fair  Association,  of  which  he  had  served  as  a  director  for 
a  number  of  years  previously.  For  twelve  years  he  has  acted  in  the  capacity 
of  road  commissioner,  and  was  township  assessor  for  one  term,  discharging 
his  duties  to  the  full  satisfaction  of  every  one  concerned.  He  is  a  stanch 
Republican,  and  fraternally  is  identified  with  Mendota  Lodge,  No.  176, 
A.  F.  &  A.  M.;  Mendota  Chapter.  No.  79,  R.  A.  M.;  and  Bethany  Com- 
mandery.  No.  28,  K.  T. 

In  1862  Mr.  Wills  married  JNIary,  daughter  of  Slocum  and  Matilda 
Bunker.  Jennie  M.,  their  first-born,  became  the  wife  of  the  Rev.  W.  H. 
Clatworthy,  a  Presbyterian  minister,  and  has  been  called  to  the  better  land. 
James  S.,  the  eldest  son,  is  in  the  west  for  the  improvement  of  his  health. 
George  A.,  who  married  JNIiss  Belle  Garwood,  is  financiallv  interested  in  the 
Stockholm  Manufacturing  Company,  of  Chicago,  in  which  city  he  makes 
his  home.  Oscar  T.  married  Miss  Carrie  Bailey,  and  is  engaged  in  man- 
aging the  farm  owned  Ijy  our  subject.  Edgar  B.  married  Margaretta 
Moore,  and  carries  on  the  farm  north  of  Mendota  owned  by  his  father. 
The  mother  of  these  children,  who  was  a  devoted  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian church  and  a  most  lovable  lady  in  everv  respect,  departed  this  life 
February  12,  1877.  On  the  12th  of  October,  1886,  Mr.  Wills  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Sarah,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Magdalena  (Leufer) 
Miller.  They  have  two  children,  Roy  INI.  and  Jennie  Mabel.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Wills  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Her  parents  were  natives 
of  Germany,  and  were  early  settlers  of  Troy  Grove  township.  Her  father, 
who  was  a  respected,  hard-working  farmer,  died  about  1863;  and  her 
mother,  who  belonged  to  the  Evangelical  church,   survived  her  husband 


642  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

many  years,  dying  in  January,  1887,  when  in  her  sixty-fourth  year.  She  was 
the  mother  of  one  son  and  two  daughters:  ]\Iagdalena,  who  is  the  wife  of 
Thomas  Bowers;  Henry  J.,  and  Sarah.  'Sir.  \\"ills  has  led  an  interesting 
career.  Left  an  orphan  in  very  early  childhood  and  thrown  upon  his  own 
resources  very  early  in  life,  he  began  the  battle  of  life  under  very  discourag- 
ing conditions.  Nature  had  endowed  him  with  a  burning  ambition  to 
succeed  in  life,  and  with  a  noble  purpose  before  him  he  set  about  first  to  gain 
the  best  education  possible  for  him  to  gain  under  the  circumstances 
of  his  early  youth.  His  spare  hours  and  nights  were  spent  in  study.  We 
soon  find  him  in  the  school-room  as  teacher,  then  we  find  him  engaged 
in  farming.  To  the  latter  noble  calling  he  brought  his  thirst  for  knowl- 
edge and  progressive  spirit,  and  with  energy  and  pluck  he  has  risen  to  a 
high  place  among  the  successful  tillers  of  the  soil,  and  gained  a  competency 
for  declining  years,  and  established  a  lasting  friendship  with  his  fellow- 
citizens. 


FREDERICK  T.  SCHERER. 

One  of  the  most  enterprising  business  concerns  of  Ottawa  is  that  known 
as  the  Scherer  Brothers'  Transfer  Line.  To  the  indomitable  energy  and 
executive  ability  of  the  eldest  brother  in  the  firm,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
is  due  the  credit  of  having  established  the  business  on  a  sound,  practical 
basis  many  years  ago,  and  to  his  genius  and  keen  foresight  in  a  large  meas- 
ure can  be  attributed  the  success  of  the  enterprise. 

Thomas  Scherer,  Sr.,  the  father  of  our  subject,  is  a  native  of  Germany, 
born  there  about  seventy-two  years  ago.  In  1856  he  decided  to  try  his 
fortune  in  America  and  came  to  Ottawa,  where,  in  1863,  he  embarked  in 
the  draying  business  in  a  humble  way.  As  the  years  rolled  by  he  materially 
increased  the  number  of  his  wagons  and  was  kept  very  busy  in  meeting  the 
demands  of  the  town.  Li  1877  he  admitted  his  son,  Frederick  T.,  to  a  part- 
nership in  the  business,  and  a  few  years  later  the  father  retired,  having  ac- 
quired a  handsome  competence  for  old  age.  To  him  and  his  wife,  Cather- 
ine (Frontz)  Scherer,  six  sons  and  two  daughters  vrere  born,  but  two  of 
the  sons  are  deceased. 

The  birth  of  Frederick  T.  Scherer  occurred  in  Ottawa,  in  1865,  and  as  he 
was  the  eldest  son  he  early  became  his  father's  assistant  in  the  business. 
As  soon  as  his  brothers,  Louis  T.  and  Thomas,  Jr.,  had  reached  a  suitable 
age  they  became  associated  with  him,  and  are  still  enterprising  members  of 
the  firm.  Another  brother,  Hubert,  was  admitted  to  the  partnership  in 
1890,  but  subsequently  withdrew  and  established  a  grocery.  The  company 
not  only  transfers  goods  from  one  railroad  to  another  but  also  delivers 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GEXEALOGICAL    RECORD.  643 

great  quantities  of  merchandise  to  business  and  private  houses.  About  three 
years  ao'o  the  firm  was  awarded  the  contract  for  carrying  the  United  States 
mail  to  and  from  the  postoffice  and  raihvay  stations,  and  provided  a  hand- 
some new  wagon  for  the  purpose.  In  their  business  about  eight  drays, 
trucks  and  express  wagons  are  used  and  some  eighteen  or  twenty  horses 
are  kept.  The  vehicles  are  as  neat  and  business-like  as  any  to  be  seen  in 
the  city  and  the  horses  are  large,  fine  animals.  In  addition  to  their  regular 
business  the  firm  has  the  local  agency  for  the  Standard  Oil  Company,  and  has 
succeeded  in  building  up  a  large  and  lucrative  trade  at  this  point  for  the 
great  corporation.  One  of  the  more  recent  enterprises  of  the  Scherer  Broth- 
ers consists  in  the  storage  of  furniture  or  other  goods  in  their  large  stor- 
age building  and  in  the  handling  of  hard  and  soft  coal,  in  wholesale  and 
retail  cjuantities. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-two  years  F.  T.  Scherer  married  Miss  Lucy  Lilley, 
and  six  children  brighten  their  happy  home.  In  order  of  birth  they  are 
named  as  follows:    Stella,  Fred,  Othelia,  Hazel,  Helen  and  Alboene. 

In  disposition  Mr.  Scherer  is  genial  and  fond  of  society,  and  he  holds 
a  membership  in  several  local  orders.  He  is  a  prominent  worker  in  the 
Woodmen's  lodge,  is  the  president  of  the  German  Benevolent  Society,  and 
belongs  to  the  Uniformed  Rank  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  Recently  he 
has  been  associated  with  the  Ottawa  Evening  Pleasure  Social  Club.  In 
the  spring  of  1896  ]Mr.  Scherer  was  elected  alderman  from  the  Seventh 
ward,  and  after  serving  for  two  years  was  re-elected  by  a  large  majority.  He  is 
an  ardent  Democratic  politician  and  usually  attends  the  caucuses  and  con- 
ventions of  his  party.  Such  in  brief  is  the  life  history  of  Frederick  T. 
Scherer.  The  character  of  the  man  has  been  shadowed  forth  between  the 
lines  of  this  review,  and  in  a  summary  of  his  career  we  note  only  a  few 
of  the  salient  points — his  activity  and  sound  judgment  in  business  aft'airs 
and  his  conformity  to  the  ethics  of  commercial  life,  his  faithfulness  to  public 
office,  and  his  genuine  friendship  and  regard  for  true  worth  of  character. 
These  are  the  qualities  which  made  Mr.  Scherer  a  valued  citizen  in  whatever 
community  he  has  made  his  home. 


C.  W.  BUTTERS. 


One  of  the  native  sons  of  LaSalle  county  is  C.  \\\  Butters,  an  enterpris- 
ing young  business  man  of  Ottawa.  He  was  born  in  Prairie  Center  town- 
ship. February  i,  1871,  and  is  one  of  the  six  children  of  John  and  Maggie 
(]\Iiller)  Butters,  the  former  a  native  of  Scotland. 

With  his  brothers  and  sisters  young  Butters  passed  his  childhood  upon 


644  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

the  old  homestead  and  received  a  pubUc-school  education.  Lessons  of  in- 
tegrity and  justice,  public  spirit  and  patriotism  were  instilled  into  his  youthful 
mind  by  his  wise  and  conscientious  parents,  and  his  whole  life  thus  far  has 
been  actuated  and  controlled  by  the  most  admirable  principles.  He  is  a 
student  and  thinker,  making"  up  his  mind  to  a  course  of  action  in  no  hasty 
manner,  but  when  he  has  resolved  what  is  the  right  thing  to  do  he  does 
not  hesitate  but  manfully  takes  up  the  task  before  him. 

During  the  long  weeks  of  anxious  suspense  in  the  early  part  of  1898, 
prior  to  the  declaration  of  war  by  the  United  States  government  against 
Spain,  the  oppressor  of  her  helpless  subjects,  Mr.  Butters  decided  the  ques- 
tion for  himself  that  he  would  offer  his  services  to  his  country  upon  the 
first  call  to  arms.  Accordingly,  when  the  opportunity  presented  itself  he 
enlisted,  April  26,  1898,  as  a  member  of  the  Third  Regiment  of  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  made  a  corporal,  serving  under  Colonel  Bennett. 
After  passing  through  the  hardships  of  camp  life,  and  holding  himself  ready 
at  any  moment  for  the  more  serious  responsibilities  of  military  life,  he  was 
honorably  discharged  January  19,  1899. 

Returning  home,  Mr.  Butters  resumed  the  ordinary  vocations  of  busi- 
ness life.  He  is  the  proprietor  of  a  neat  and  well  ecpiipped  restaurant  and 
cafe  at  No.  106  Market  street,  Ottawa,  where  an  appetizing  meal  can  be 
obtained  at  any  reasonable  hour  of  the  day  or  night.  He  carries  a  large  stock 
of  fruit  and  confectionery,  bread,  cake  and  bakery  goods,  and  ices,  ice-cream 
and  oysters  in  season.  By  uniform  courtesy  and  a  genuine  desire  to  please, 
he  has  won  a  large  patronage  and  has  a  promising  business  career  before 
him. 


WALTER  C.  LOYEJOY,  ^I.  D. 

One  of  the  younger  member's  of  the  medical  profession  of  LaSalle 
county  is  Dr.  Walter  C.  Lovejoy,  of  Marseilles.  A  son  of  E.  B.  Lovejoy,  now 
a  prominent  citizen  of  Ottawa,  Illinois,  he  was  born  in  the  pretty  village  of 
LandalT,  New  Hampshire,  October  3,  1869,  and  there  his  early  years  were 
happily  passed. 

When  a  mere  child  he  accompanied  his  parents  in  their  removal  to 
Illinois,  and,  locating  in  Ottawa,  he  acquired  his  English  education  in  the 
public  grammar  and  high  schools  of  that  place.  Having  a  fixed  purpose 
to  devote  his  life  and  talents  to  the  healing  of  the  sick  and  to  alleviating  the 
"ills  to  which  flesh  is  heir,"  he  went  to  Chicago  after  he  had  completed  his 
elementary  education  and  began  the  study  of  medicine  under  the  instruction 
and  guidance  of  Dr.  C.  A.  \Yeick,  a  well  known  physician  of  that  metropolis. 
In  1891   he  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  in  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  645 

Chicago  Homeopathic  Medical  College,  and  succeeded  his  preceptor,  Dr, 
Weick,  in  practice.  Subsequently  he  came  to  Marseilles,  where  he  opened 
an  office  and  soon  was  enjoying  a  fair  share  of  the  patronage  of  the  people 
of  this  locality.  In  July,  1898,  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Spanish- American 
war,  and  was  given  a  position  as  assistant  surgeon  in  a  Wisconsin  regiment. 
Ordered  to  the  Pacific  coast,  he  accompanied  the  regiment  to  Camp  Mer- 
ritt,  Presidio,  California,  and  it  was  not  until  the  5th  of  December,  1898,  that 
he  received  his  honorable  discharge  and  was  permitted  to  return  to  his  home 
and  regular  practice.  The  wide  experience  and  broader  views  of  life  and 
duty  which  he  gained  in  this  six  months'  experience,  however,  will  be  of 
inestimable  value  to  him  in  his  future  career;  and  even  though  he  had  person- 
ally been  benefited  not  a  whit  he  would  not  begrudge  the  time  and  service 
he  had  given  to  his  country.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Illinois  State  Medical 
Society  and  takes  the  leading  medical  journals,  thus  keeping  posted  on  the 
latest  discoveries  in  regard  to  diseases  and  modern  methods  of  dealing  with 
them. 

j\n  important  event  in  the  life  of  Dr.  Lovejoy  occurred  on  the  13th  of 
June,  1895,  when  his  marriage  to  Miss  Ella  Frances  Pitts,  a  daughter  of 
F.  D.  Pitts,  an  honored  citizen  of  Marseilles,  was  solemnized.  The  Doctor 
and  wife  are  members  of  the  Congregational  church  of  this  place,  and  are 
both  very  popular  in  local  society. 


G.  W.  BROWN,  JR. 

Brown's  Ottawa  Business  College,  which  has  been  running  under  its 
present  management  only  since  1894,  was  founded  as  a  commercial  college 
in  1888.  The  school  is  centrally  located  in  one  of  the  best  business  blocks 
in  Ottawa,  a  flourishing  little  city  of  perhaps  fifteen  thousand  inhabitants. 
All  of  the  methods  used  in  the  institution  are  modern,  the  equipment  of 
the  rooms  substantial  and  attractive,  and  everything  possible  is  done  to 
advance  the  students  in  their  work. 

G.  W.  Brown,  the  principal  of  Brown's  Ottawa  Business  College,  is  a 
teacher  of  wide  experience  and  possesses  a  thorough  and  practical  knowledge 
of  the  requirements  of  his  responsible  position.  The  range  of  studies  which 
the  pupil  may  pursue  is  extensive,  and  an  able  corps  of  teachers  further 
his  efforts  to  give  a  comprehensive  commercial  education.  The  Ottawa 
college  is  a  branch  of  the  Brown's  Business  Colleges  so  well  known  through- 
out this  state.  The  company,  which  n.ow  owns  and  manages  colleges  in 
Jacksonville,  Peoria,  Decatur,  Galesburg,  Bloomington  and  Ottawa,  was 
incorporated  under  the  laws  of  Illinois  in  1888.     Five  directors  have  control 


646  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

of  affairs  of  the  company  and  the  president  is  G.  W.  Brown,  Sr.,  who,  for 
thirty  years  has  been  the  owner  and  manager  of  the  college  at  Jacksonville. 
Each  college  belonging  to  the  company  has  at  its  head  as  principal  a  gen- 
tleman well  qualified  for  the  position  by  years  of  educational  work  and 
commercial  experience.  One  of  the  chief  advantages  of  any  of  Brown's 
business  colleges  to  the  student  is  that  his  scholarship  is  transferable  to 
any  other  of  the  colleges  owned  by  the  company,  without  additional  expense, 
and  the  interchange  of  practical  ideas  and  business  correspondence  between 
the  pupils  of  the  various  colleges  is  of  great  value  to  them. 

The  eldest  of  the  nine  children  of  Charles  I.  and  J\Iary  (Ogle)  Brown, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Fulton  county,  Illinois,  in  1843.  The 
parents  were  both  natives  of  New  York  state,  and  their  other  children  were 
named  as  follows:  Esther,  Edgar,  John,  Frederick,  Frank.  Alice,  Nora  and 
Charles  I.    The  latter  is  a  successful  teacher,  and  Edgar  is  deceased. 

Having  gained  a  good  English  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  county,  G.  W.  Brown  took  a  course  of  commercial  training  in  the 
Jacksonville  Business  College.  In  1894  he  was  placed  in  charge  of  the 
newly  reorganized  college  at  Ottawa,  and  to  his  enthusiastic  efforts  is  due. 
in  a  large  measure,  the  success  which  the  school  now  enjoys.  He  likes  to 
associate  with  young  people  and  is  very  popular  with  them,  as  a  class,  for 
he  enters  into  their  plans,  aiding  and  sympathizing  with  them,  and  vsithal 
exercising  a  marked  influence  for  good  over  them. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Brown  and  ]\Iiss  Jennie  Yates  was  celebrated  in 
Peoria,  Illinois.  Mrs.  Brown,  who  was  a  popular  and  very  successful  teacher, 
is  a  daughter  of  James  Yates,  and  is  a  niece  of  Richard  Yates,  deceased. 
once  governor  of  this  state.  Three  children  have  blessed  the  union  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Brown,  namely:  Louis  P.,  James  and  Ada.  The  parents  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Congregational  church,  and  are  active  in  various  kinds  of  Chris- 
tian enterprises,  having  for  their  object  the  amelioration  of  humanity. 


ROBERT  BIRTWELL. 


Among  the  well-known  farmers  of  Otter  Creek  township.  LaSalle 
county,  is  Robert  Birtwell,  a  veteran  of  the  civil  war  and  a  man  highly  es- 
teemed by  all  who  knew  him.  He  was  born  in  Lancashire,  England,  Feb- 
ruary II,  1839,  the  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Taylor)  Birtwell.  The  parents 
came  to  America  when  their  son  Robert  was  very  small,  and  for  some  vears 
lived  at  Hudson,  New  York.  In  1849  they  moved  out  to  Illinois  and  set- 
tled on  a  farm  in  LaSalle  county,  where  John  Birtwell  is  still  living.  His 
wife  died  April  14,  1865.     She  was  a  member  of  the  Church  of  England,  to 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  647 

which  he  also  belongs,  and  in  that  faith  they  reared  their  children.  The 
five  children  born  to  them  were  named  as  follows:  Ellen;  Robert,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch;  Sarah,  widow  of  Evan  Brick;  James,  of  Allen  township, 
LaSalle  county;  and  Permeha,  the  wife  of  W.  Porter  Donnell,  of  Kearney, 
Nebraska. 

Robert  Birtwell  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm,  acquired  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools,  and  as  he  was  the  eldest  son  he  always  found 
plenty  of  work  at  home  to  occupy  his  time  when  he  was  not  in  school. 
During  the  civil  war,  in  August,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  One  Hun- 
dred and  Fourth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Captain  J.  J.  McKennan, 
and  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Hartville,  Missionary  Ridge  and  Arlington 
Heights,  and  at  the  close  of  the  war  participated  in  the  Grand  Review  at 
Washington,  D.  C.  At  Camp  Douglas  he  received  an  honorable  discharge 
and  from  there  returned  home,  and  since  the  war  has  been  actively  engaged 
in  the  occupation  in  which  he  was  reared.  He  owns  a  valuable  farm  of 
three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  on  section  6,  Otter  Creek  township,  which 
has  a  good  residence  and  other  buildings  thereon  and  which  is  highly  cul- 
tivated. 

Mr.  Birtwell  was  married  in  1878  to  Miss  Mary  Reddick,  daughter  of 
William  Reddick,  a  prominent  citizen  of  this  county.  Mr.  Reddick  was  born 
in  New  Jersey,  reared  and  educated  in  Washington,  D.  C,  and  has  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  been  identified  with  LaSalle  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Birtwell  have 
an  only  child,  Frank  R.,  born  March  19,  1880. 

Like  his  father  before  him,  the  subject  of  our  sketch  is  a  Repuljlican, 
and  although  he  has  never  aspired  to  office  he  takes  an  active  interest  in  the 
issues  of  that  party.  He  is  a  wide-awake,  practical  and  enterprising  farmer, 
who  is  meeting-  with  good  success  as  the  result  of  his  capable  management 
of  his  business  affairs. 


F.  METZGER. 


For  more  than  three  decades  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  F.  Metzger,  has 
been  a  resident  of  LaSalle  county,  making  his  home  in  Ottawa.  He  was 
born  more  than  fifty  years  ago  in  Germany,  one  of  the  family  of  four  children 
of  Robert  Metzger.  In  his  youth  he  had  the  advantage  of  a  good  education 
in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  land,  afterward  emigrated  to  America 
and  since  1867  he  has  resided  in  this  county,  where  he  is  extensively  engaged 
in  handling  beer,  which  he  sells  to  the  wholesale  trade,  receiving  a  large  and 
lucrative  patronage. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-six  years  Mr.  Metzger  married  Miss  Louise  Schaef- 
fer,  and  they  have  three  children — Mary,  Robert  G.  and  Joseph.    The  elder 


648  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

son  is  at  this  writing  a  student  in  the  Indiana  State  University.  Mr.  Metzger 
is  an  enthusiastic  Republican,  taking  an  active  interest  in  public  local  affairs, 
and  as  a  public-spirited  citizen  he  is  highly  respected.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
German  Benevolent  Society  of  Ottawa. 


AUGUST  LOCKE. 


August  Locke,  the  master  mechanic  for  the  Matthiessen  &  Hegeler 
Zinc  Company,  LaSalle,  is  a  native  of  Prussia,  Germany,  and  was  born 
November  15,  1840.  When  he  was  a  child  of  two  years  his  mother  died,  and 
thus  deprived  of  a  mother's  loving  care  he  was  taken  into  the  home  of  an 
uncle  in  Dresden,  Saxony,  Germany,  and  there  he  was  reared  to  manhood. 
His  boyhood  days  were  spent  in  attending  the  common  schools  and  learning 
the  trade  of  machinist.  He  worked  at  his  trade  as  a  journeyman  for  some 
time  in  the  old  country,  and  also  held  the  position  of  foreman  there  in 
machine  shops. 

In  1872,  at  the  age  of  thirty-two  years,  Mr.  Locke  came  to  America 
and  located  in  Chicago,  where  he  remained  until  the  spring  of  1875.  In 
March  of  that  year  he  came  to  LaSalle  and  entered  the  employ  of  the 
Matthiessen  &  Hegeler  Zinc  Company,  as  a  machinist,  and  in  November, 
1877,  he  was  promoted  to  the  position  of  master  mechanic,  which  important 
post  he  still  holds. 

'Sh.  Locke  was  married  in  Germany  to  Aliss  Caroline  Batzlapp,  and 
thev  have  had  seven  children,  four  of  whom  are  still  living-. 

On  coming  to  this  country  Mr.  Locke  espoused  the  faith  of  the  Repub- 
lican party,  and  has  given  it  his  support  ever  since.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
A.  O.  U.  W.  and  the  Turnverein. 


RICHARD  ZIESING. 


Richard  Ziesing,  foreman  in  the  furnace  department  of  the  Matthiessen 
&  Hegeler  Zinc  Company,  LaSalle,  was  born  on  a  farm  just  north  of  Peru, 
Illinois,  March  5,  i860,  and  is  a  son  of  Dr.  Henry  Ziesing,  one  of  the  leading 
physicians  and  surgeons  of  LaSalle  county. 

Dr.  Henry  Ziesing  is  of  German  birth  and  education.  He  was  born  in 
Hessen-Darmstadt,  Germany,  December  21,  1829,  a  son  of  Christian  and 
Elizabeth  (Landman)  Ziesing.  He  completed  a  liberal  literary  education  and 
then  took  up  the  study  of  medicine,  following  in  the  footsteps  of  his  father, 
who  was  in  the  medical  profession;  pursued  a  course  in  the  University  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  649 

Giessen  and  graduated  in  185 1,  before  he  reached  his  twenty-second  year. 
After  one  year  of  practice  in  his  native  land,  he  came  to  this  country,  locating 
in  the  city  of  Baltimore  in  1852.  A  year  later  he  removed  to  Chicago,  where 
he  practiced  a  year  and  a  half,  and  whence  in  the  fall  of  1854  he  came  to  Peru, 
Illinois,  where  he  has  since  resided,  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession. 
During  the  civil  war  he  served  from  January,  1865,  to  September  of  that 
year  as  surgeon  of  the  Fifty-third  Illinois  Infantry.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
LaSalle  County  Medical  Society,  and  the  North  Central  Illinois  Medical 
Society.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican.  For  some  twelve  or  fifteen  years 
he  has  been  a  member  of  the  board  of  education  of  Peru  and  has  served 
several  years  as  the  president  of  the  board. 

Richard  Ziesing  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  LaSalle  and 
Peru,  under  a  private  tutor,  and  in  the  University  of  Illinois.  While  in  the 
university  he  made  a  specialty  of  the  study  of  chemistry.  On  leaving  college 
in  his  junior  year,  he  accepted  a  position  as  a  drug  clerk  in  a  store  in  Peru, 
\vhere  he  remained  a  year  and  a  half,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Matthiessen  &  Hegeler  Zinc  Company,  as  assistant  assayer, 
a  position  he  held  for  three  years.  He  was  then  transferred  to  the  practical 
furnace  work,  of  the  same  establishment,  and  is  now  one  of  the  foremen  of 
this  department. 

Mr.  Ziesing  was  married  in  Chicago,  in  1884,  to  Miss  Minnie  Hibben, 
and  they  have  two  children — a  daughter  and  son — Hester  E.  and  Richard  B. 


JOSEPH  SCHOTT. 

An  example  of  pluck  and  perseverance  and  the  just  reward  which  is 
accrued  to  these  cjualities  is  to  be  found  in  the  life  of  Joseph  Schott,  who 
landed  in  America  a  poor  youth,  without  friends,  money,  knowledge  of  the 
language  spoken  here  or  any  of  the  advantages  which  the  average  young 
man  takes  as  a  matter  of  course  in  this  ''land  of  the  free.''  Nevertheless,  he 
possessed  the  spirit  of  a  hero  and  a  firm  determination  to  succeed,  at  the 
same  time  being  willing  to  work  and  to  work  hard  at  w'hatever  he  could 
find  to  do  whereby  he  might  earn  an  honest  livelihood;  and  therein  lies 
the  secret  of  success. 

Joseph  Schott  and  his  parents,  John  and  Hedwig  (Jachcgyk)  Schott, 
were  natives  of  the  same  place.  Krojanke,  kreis  Flatow,  regierungbezirk 
Marienwerder,  West  Prussia,  Germany.  The  father  and  mother  spent  their 
entire  lives  there,  dying  some  years  ago.  John  Schott  held  a  very  respon- 
sible position  as  gamekeeper  and  forester,  having  charge  of  a  large  tract  of 
Ijeavily  timbered  land  belonging  to  the  government. 


650 


BIOUR.IPIIICAL   A\D   Gl 


One  of  cigiu  chiUlrcn.  Joseph  Scholt 
received  a  good  education  in  llie  piiMic 
learned   the   trade   of   harness-maker,   s:i 
eighteen  years  of  age  left  his  home  and  fr: 
World.    Landing  on  the  shores  of  America  : 
westward  until  he  reached  LaSallc 
as  he  had  but  sixty  cents  left.     Failin: 
ately,  he  accepted  a  position   as    .: 
Matthiessen  ^:  liegeler  Zinc  Works,  w. 
an.l  a  quarter  a  day.     before  long  he 
of  the  plant,  and  the  Fourth  of  Ju: 
his  being  promoted  to  tlie  post  ot  m. 
Faithfulness  and  strict  attention  t 
trustworthy  position  of  day  foreman  • 
lie  has  never  been  absent  a  ' 
larly  fortunate  in  this  respect,  as  ;> 
two  weeks  in   his  entire  life.     Since   b« 
allegiance  to  the  Republican  parl\ 
largely  the  cause  of  the  prosperity  iuui 
the  close  of  the  civil  war. 

On  the  J^d  of  June.    1S73.   Mr.   S 
LaSalle.     She  was  Imrn  in  llermany.  n- 
subject's  childhood   days  were  spent,  ami 
parents  to  the  I'nited  States.     W 
by  trade,  dietl  in  1895.  aged  eighly-tlit' 
the  same  age.  departe<l  this  life  in   1 
subject,  who  was  a  kind  an»l  dutifut  - 
chiKlren.  has  become  the  mother  of  cinhl 
family  are  identified  with  the  * 
hand  to  tho.se  who  are  sick  or  in  lu-cd  ui 


II 


.AL    RECORD. 

•rn  March  28,  1854,  and 

his  fatherland.    Later  he 

nd   upholsterer,  and   when 

ek  his  fortune  in  the  New 

he  continued  his  journey 

perforce,  obliged  to  halt, 

k  at  his  trade  inunedi- 

rcr   in    the  yards  of  the 

^  a  day  at  a  dollar 

c  in  the  furnace  room 

i«ie  memorable  to  him  by 

inc  department. 

.  his  being  given  the 

is  still  acting. 

and  has  been  particu- 

ill  more  than 

he  has  given  his 

he  bt  .  has  been 

nation  since 

li»  hve  I'erra,  of 

t  lite  town  in  which  our 

•mpanied  her 

a  carpenter 

«.r.  who  attained 

4  at  the  home  of  our 

vho  is  one  of  three 

V  her  marriage.    The 

lend  a  helping 


CHRISTLW    ZIM 

A  successful  business  career  reflects 
who  has  achieve<l  it  but  also  upon  the 
pered.     The  business  interests  of  Ch  /imi 

solubly  entwined  with  those  of  Peru  and  L. 
half  a  century,  and  his  name  is  one  of  the  \>< 
Illinois. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  w 


•:\  the  individual 

ri  which  he  has  pros- 

e  been  indis- 

for  more  than 

\vn  in  this  portion  of 

an<i  ched  in  Germany^ 


^4 


■^  .^^-^^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  651 

and  his  maternal  grandfather,  who  was  a  farmer,  was  at  one  time  mayor  of 
the  village  of  Horkeim,  and  died  when  in  middle  life,  in  his  native  land. 
Michael  Zimmermann,  father  of  our  subject,  fought  in  the  German  army, 
under  Napoleon,  against  Russia,  and  lost  a  brother  in  that  memorable  cam- 
paign. The  father  of  Christian  Zimmermann  was  born  March  12,  1787. 
He  had  two  brothers  and  one  sister,  and  with  them  grew  to  maturity  in 
Germanv.  After  farming-  there  for  a  number  of  vears  he  came  to  the  United 
States,  in  1847.  Locating  at  first  in  LaSalle,  he  later  came  to  Peru,  where 
he  died  of  the  cholera,  June  28,  1849.  His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  had 
been  Katherina  Fredericka  Kuhner,  was  born  in  the  Fatherland,  December 
18,  1785,  and  died  at  Peru,  September  28,  1872.  They  were  Lutherans  in 
religion,  and  were  honest,  upright  citizens,  respected  and  highly  regarded 
by  all.  Six  of  their  nine  children  have  passed  into  the  silent  land;  Mina 
is  the  widow  of  W^illiam  Scherzer,  a  former  jeweler  of  Peru;  and  Caroline  is 
the  widow  of  Otto  Winheim. 

Christian  Zimmermann  was  born  in  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  May  30, 
1823,  and  received  a  liberal  education  in  the  government  schools.  He  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  and  when  old  enough  spent  two  years  in  the  regular  army. 
In  1847  J^G  came  to  America  with  his  parents  and  after  spending  a  short 
time  in  LaSalle  came  to  Peru,  where  he  has  made  his  home  ever  since  with 
the  exception  of  a  period  of  ten  years. — from  1856  to  1866, — when  he  was 
the  proprietor  of  the  Zimmermann  Hotel  in  LaSalle.  Selling  out  in  the 
last  named  year,  he  returned  to  Peru,  and  in  1867  embarked  in  the  lumber 
business,  which  has  since  claimed  his  attention.  He  deals  in  various  kinds 
of  builders'  supplies, — lath,  shingles,  doors  and  blinds,  sash  and  lime, — 
and  has  an  extensive  trade  in  lumber  and  coal.  He  owns  farm  lands  in 
Minnesota  and  elsewhere,  and  has  been  very  successful  in  his  investments. 
In  every  sense  of  the  word  he  is  a  self-made  man,  and  he  attributes  his  rise 
to  wealth  and  prominence  to  hard  and  persistent  work  and  application, 
coupled  with  common  sense  and  a  desire  to  meet  the  wishes  of  his  cus- 
tomers. 

On  the  24th  of  January,  1854,  ]\Ir.  Zimmermann  married  Miss  Louisa, 
daughter  of  Jacob  and  Barbara  (Walter)  Gmelich,  all  natives  of  Germany. 
The  Gmelich  family  came  to  the  United  States  in  1852,  when  the  parents 
w-ere  well  along  in  years,  and,  after  visiting  relatives  in  Ohio  they  came  to 
Peru.  The  mother  died  here  in  1869,  aged  about  three-score  and  ten  years, 
and  the  father  died  in  1872,  when  in  his  seventy-fourth  year.  They  were 
members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  in  that  creed  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Zim- 
mermann were  reared;  but  they  are  now  members  of  the  Peru  Evangelische 
Lutheran  church,  which  they  assisted  in  building.  Mrs.  Zimmermann  came 
to  America  one  year  before  her  parents.     The  eldest  son  of  this  worthy 


6^2  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

couple,  Charley,  was  killed  by  the  cars  when  he  was  a  most  promising 
young  man  of  twenty-five  years;  and  Robert,  the  third  son,  died  at  the 
age  of  sixteen  and  a  half  months.  Christian,  Jr.,  who  has  been  in  business 
with  his  father  since  a  lad  of  twelve  years,  is  now  managing  the  afifairs  of 
the  same,  and  has  relieved  his  father  of  many  of  the  responsibilities  per- 
taining thereto.  He  wedded  Anna  Lassig  and  has  two  sons, — Arthur  and 
Harry.  Albert,  the  youngest  child,  is  unmarried,  and  is  a  successful  archi- 
tect in  Chicago. 

Until  recently  Mr.  Zimmermann  was  allied  with  the  Democratic  party, 
from  the  time  that  he  received  the  right  of  franchise,  but  in  1896,  believing 
in  McKinley  and  the  principles  which  he  represents,  he  had  the  courage  to 
turn  his  back  upon  his  own  past  political  record  and  cast  his  ballot  for  the 
great  man  of  whom  the  whole  nation  is  proud.  For  a  score  of  years  he  has 
been  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  Prior  to  his 
marriage  he  built  a  house  on  First  street,  and  lived  therein  for  a  short  time, 
and  subsequent  to  his  return  from  LaSalle  he  continued  to  dwell  there  until 
1879.  He  then  removed  to  a  stone  house,  adjoining  his  present  modern, 
beautiful  home,  which  he  built  in  1894  and  has  since  occupied.  It  is  finely 
situated  at  the  corner  of  Third  and  West  streets,  and  is  furnished  with 
eleg'ance  and  excellent  taste. 


CHRISTIAN   ZIAIMERMANN,  JR. 

Ever  since  he  was  a  little  lad  of  twelve  years,  perhaps,  the  subject  of  this 
article  has  been  associated  with  his  father  in  business.  He  is  a  practical 
man  of  afifairs  and  for  some  time  has  been  the  manager  of  the  extensive 
commercial  interests  of  his  senior,  whose  history  appears  at  length  in  the 
preceding  sketch. 

The  parents  of  our  subject,  Christian  and  Louisa  (Gmelich)  Zimmer- 
mann, have  been  residents  of  LaSalle  county  for  over  half  a  century  and 
are  numbered  among  her  representative  and  honored  citizens.  Christian 
Zimmermann,  Jr.,  was  born  in  LaSalle,  Illinois.  January  31,  1857,  and  has 
spent  his  whole  life  in  that  town  and  in  Peru.  In  this  place  he  has  been  a 
resident  for  thirty-three  years,  uninterruptedly.  His  education  was  acquired 
in  our  local  schools,  and  as  soon  as  he  was  old  enough  he  commenced 
working  for  and  with  his  father.  Their  business  relations  have  always 
been  very  harmonious  and  the  younger  man  generously  attributes  much 
of  his  success  in  the  financial  world  to  the  judicious  training  given  him  l)y 
the  father.     When  the  youth  was  found  able  to  meet  the  exigencies  of  any 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  653 

situation,  the  senior  man  gradually  withdrew  in  favor  of  the  son,  and  thus 
the  latter  has  learned  every  department  of  the  business.  The  firm  deals  in 
lumber,  lath,  sash,  doors,  blinds,  etc.,  and  in  addition  conducts  an  extensive 
trade  in  coal  and  other  fuel.  Energy  and  keen,  shrewd  business  sense  are 
marked  characteristics  of  our  subject,  and  year  by  year  he  has  been  forging 
to  the  front. 

In  1892  Christian  Zimmermann,  Jr.,  built  a  beautiful  modern  home  on 
the  corner  of  West  and  Fourth  streets,  and  fitted  it  with  all  the  comforts  and 
conveniences  of  the  times.  The  lady  who  presides  over  this  attractive  home 
was  formerly  Miss  Anna  Lassig,  a  daughter  of  Gustav  and  Eliza  (Throne) 
Lassig.  The  marriage  ceremony  which  united  the  destinies  of  our  subject 
and  wife  was  solemnized  in  February,  1892,  and  two  liright  little  boys — 
Arthur  and  Harry — are  the  pride  of  the  household. 

Politically  Mr.  Zimmermann  is  affiliated  with  the  Democratic  party, 
and  socially  he  is  a  member  of  tlie  Modern  ^Voodmen  of  America.  He 
belongs  to  the  German  Evangelische  Lutheran  church. 


J.  C.  CORBUS,  JR.,  M.  D. 

Dr.  J.  C.  Corbus,  Jr.,  numbered  among  the  medical  practitioners  of 
Mendota,  is  one  of  the  native  sons  of  Illinois,  his  birth  having  occurred  at 
Mulligan  Grove,  in  Lee  county,  on  the  3d  of  August,  1861.  He  is  a  son 
of  Dr.  J.  C.  Corbus,  now  the  superintendent  of  the  Kankakee  Insane  Asylum. 
He  was  only  a  year  old  when  his  parents  removed  to  Mendota,  and  here  he 
was  reared  and  educated,  attending  the  Blackstone  high  school,  and  with 
a  broad  knowledge  of  the  English  branches  of  learning  to  serve  as  a  founda- 
tion upon  which  to  rear  a  superstructure  of  professional  knowledge  he  began 
the  study  of  medicine,  under  the  able  direction  of  his  father,  who  carefully 
guided  his  early  reading  in  the  science.  Later  he  entered  the  medical  depart- 
ment of  the  University  of  Iowa,  and  on  completing  the  course  was  graduated 
in  the  class  of  1883. 

After  two  years  spent  in  practice  with  his  father  in  Mendota  he  located 
in  Troy  Grove,  Illinois,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  prosecution  of  his 
chosen  profession  for  fourteen  years,  and  then  returned  to  his  former  home. 
Here,  where  he  is  so  widely  and  favorably  known,  he  has  succeeded  in 
building  up  a  large  and  lucrative  practice,  his  skill  and  ability  being  quickly 
recognized.  It  is  an  old  saying  that  a  prophet  is  never  without  honor  save 
in  his  own  country;  but  Dr.  Corbus  enjoys  high  honor  even  there  also,  for 
in  the  citv  where  he  was  reared  and  where  he  has  been  known  to  manv  from 


654  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

early  boyhood  he  has  \yon  a  marked  prestige  as  a  representatiye  of  his 
chosen  yocation. 

In  1890  \yas  celebrated  the  marriage  of  Dr.  Corbns  and  Miss  Jeanie 
A.  Wylie.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican  and  socially  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fello\ys  and  the  order  of 
Knights  of  Pythias.  His  genial  qualities  render  him  a  social  fayorite,  and 
he  is  a  great  fayorite  \yith  a  large  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances. 


SAMUEL  U.  LAWRY 


Samuel  Urban  Lawry,  a  retired  farmer  and  ex-merchant  of  Harding,  is 
the  present  superyisor  of  the  town  of  Freedom,  LaSalle  county.  He  is  a 
natiye  of  the  Empire  state,  born  in  Steuben  county,  New  York,  June  23, 
1842,  and  came  to  LaSalle  county  with  his  father,  James  Lawry,  in  October, 
1855.  This  journey  was  not  effected  as  nowadays,  by  a  fast-flying  express 
train,  but  l)y  lake  to  Chicago  and  the  remainder  of  the  way  by  slow'-going 
wagons,  to  Harding.  ]\Ir.  Lawry  passed  his  youth  and  earl\-  manhood  on  his 
father's  farm,  without  incident  other  than  the  experiences  common  to  the 
freedom  of  boyhood  life.  When  he  reached  his  majority  he  rented  land  and 
took  up  the  burthen  of  life  alone.  The  ciyil  war  was  on  when  he  became  of 
age  and  before  its  conclusion  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  One  Hundred  and 
Forty-first  Illinois  \"olunteer  Infantry.  He  was  on  detail  at  Columbus, 
Kentucky,  as  clerk  in  the  proyost  marshal's  ofiice,  this  detail  succeeding 
that  of  carpenter,  and  he  remained  in  the  marshal's  oflice  until  his  discharge 
at  the  end  of  the  war. 

Upon  his  return  he  operated  a  corn-sheller  and  thresher  for  two  years. 
With  the  funds  he  had  accumulated  up  to  this  date,  he  bought  the  stock 
of  goods  owned  at  Harding  by  H.  E.  Billings.  He  was  soon  appointed  the 
postmaster.  Competition  was  so  sharp  for  his  competitor  that  he  soon  with- 
drew from  the  field  and  ]\Ir.  Lawry  was  seldom  worried  by  fear  of  further 
opposition.  He  prospered  in  his  new  venture,  maintained  the  good  \vill 
of  his  patrons,  remaining  in  business  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century.  He 
sold  his  interest  to  his  partner,  Willis  A.  Martin,  with  whom  he  had  been 
associated  since  1884,  and  retired  from  the  care  of  mercantile  life  to  the  quiet 
of  his  farm  near  the  yillage. 

Our  subject  cast  his  first  yote  for  a  Republican  candidate  and  has  been 
identified  with  that  party  eyer  since.  He  has  been  chosen  the  school  treas- 
urer of  his  town  for  sixteen  years,  and  has  been  the  superyisor  of  his  town 
the  past  seyen  years. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  655 

'Mr.  Lawrv  comes  of  English  blood.  His  father  was  born  in  London, 
in  1808,  and  learned  the  pattern-making  trade.  He  worked  at  the  carpen- 
ter's trade  in  Steuben  county,  New  York,  and  engaged  in  farming  in  Illinois, 
In  1884  he  went  to  Kansas  and  died  at  Newton,  that  state,  in  February, 
1899.  He  married  Ann  Harrison,  a  Pennsylvania  lady,  who  died  in  Ophir 
township,  in  1864.  Mrs.  Lawry  also  was  born  in  England.  Her  children 
were:  William,  of  Omaha.  Nebraska;  James,  a  farmer  in  Cloud  county, 
Kansas;  Walter,  of  the  same  state  and  county;  Elizabeth,  the  widow  of 
Elijah  Batchellor,  of  Chicago;  Samuel  U.,  and  Dr.  Joseph,  of  Redding, 
California. 

Samuel  \J.  Lawry  was  married  October  7.  1874.  to  Myra,  a  daughter  of 
Freeborn  Lewis.  j\Ir.  Lewis  was  born  in  New  York,  in  1809,  and  in  early  life 
was  a  river  flatboatman  on  the  Ohio  and  Alississippi  rivers,  from  Cincinnati 
to  New  Orleans.  He  lived  in  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  many  years  and 
was  there  married  to  Alletta  Angevine,  who  is  still  living,  in  Sheridan,  Illi- 
nois, at  the  age  of  eighty  years.  Mr.  Lewis  came  to  LaSalle  county  in  1865 
and  died  here  in  1888.  His  children  are:  ]\Iary.  wife  of  Quincy  Wemple, 
of  Sheridan;  Ada,  deceased;  ]Mrs.  Lawry  and  Freeborn  Lewis,  of  Sheridan. 

Mr.  Lawry's  children  are:  Carl  C.  and  J.  L.  The  former  finished  his 
education  in  the  Ottawa  high  school  in  1899,  and  the  latter  was  educated  in 
Bryant  &  Stratton's  Business  College,  Chicago;  he  is  also  a  stenographer  at 
the  Chicago  Athletic  Club. 


DAVID  ARENTSEN. 


David  Arentsen,  a  son  of  the  late  pioneer,  Thorbjoren  Arentsen,  was 
born  in  South  Freedom  township,  LaSalle  county,  on  the  old  Arentsen 
homestead,  now  the  property  of  Daniel  Arentsen.  the  date  of  his  birth  being 
March  12,  185 1.  His  early  life  was  identical  with  that  of  other  youths  reared 
on  the  frontier  and  his  school  opportunities  were  in  keeping  with  his  time. 
From  his  father  he  learned  the  lessons  of  honesty  and  industry  and  by  ex- 
ample was  taught  what  true  manhood  is.  When  he  started  out  in  life  on 
his  own  responsibility,  it  was  as  a  farmer  on  a  portion  of  the  home  farm, 
which  later  came  into  his  possession  and  to  which  he  has  added  by  subse- 
quent purchase  and  improved,  until  now  his  farm  is  one  of  the  best  and 
most  attractive  in  the  township. 

Mr.  Arentsen  was  married  April  5,  1877,  to  Sarah  Olsen,  a  daughter  of 
John  and  Ann  (Halverson)  Olsen,  who  came  to  this  country  from  Bergen, 
Norway,  in  i860.     In  the  Olsen  family  were  ten  children,  of  whom  four  are 


656  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

now  living,  namely:  Martha,  whose  first  husband  was  Soren  Eames  and 
whose  second  husband  was  Oliver  Grundy;  Mrs.  Sarah  Arentsen;  Josephine, 
the  wife  of  Osman  Tisdale,  of  Artesia,  South  Dakota,  and  Christ  Olsen,  of 
the  same  place.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Arentsen  have  reared  only  one  child,  an 
adopted  one,  Ella  Sophia  Eames,  a  daughter  of  Soren  and  Martha  Eames. 

The  Arentsen  family  are  identified  with  the  Lutheran  church,  and  politi- 
cally Mr.  Arentsen  is  a  Republican. 


URBIN  S.  ELLSWORTH. 

Urbin  S.  Ellsworth,  of  Vermilionville,  Illinois,  has  for  years  been  a 
prominent  factor  in  the  affairs  of  township,  county  and  state,  and  is  too 
well  known  to  need  introduction  here.  A  work  of  this  character,  however, 
would  be  incomplete  did  it  not  include  some  biographical  mention  of  him. 
The  history  of  his  life,  in  brief,  is  as  follows: 

Urbin  S.  Ellsworth  was  born  on  his  father's  farm  on  s'ection  31,  South 
Ottawa  township,  LaSalle  county,  April  19,  185 1,  and  is  a  son  of  the  vener- 
able pioneer  citizen,  William  A.  Ellsworth,  of  this  county. 

William  A.  Ellsworth  is  a  native  of  Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania, 
born  January  8,  18 18,  a  son  of  Eliphalet  Ellsworth,  Avho  was  the  son  of  a 
Revolutionary  soldier.  The  Ellsworths  figured  among  the  prominent  early 
settlers  of  this  country.  Erom  the  Connecticut  branch  of  the  family  is  our 
subject  descended.  One  member  of  this  family,  Oliver  Ellsworth,  was  the 
chief  justice  under  President  \\^ashington,  and  this  chief  justice  had  a  son, 
\\^illiam  Ellsworth,  who  was  at  one  time  the  governor  of  the  state  of  Connec- 
ticut. Eliphalet  Ellsworth's  grandfather  was  an  ardent  patriot  during  the 
American  Revolution  and  fought  the  battles  for  independence  along  with 
his  son.  Eliphalet  Ellsworth  served  a  short  time  as  a  soldier  in  the  war  of 
1812:  after  that  war  he  settled  in  Pennsylvania  and  was  for  a  number  of 
}"ears  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  His  last  years  were  passed  in  LaSalle 
county,  and  he  is  buried  in  the  Vermilionville  cemetery.  His  son,  William 
A.  Ellsworth,  before  he  was  of  age  came  to  this  county,  stopping  first  on 
Hopkins'  Hill  in  South  Ottawa  township,  where  Philip  ^^^atts  now  resides. 
Here  he  went  to  work  by  the  month,  and  when  the  canal  grant  came  into 
market  he  claimed  an  eighty-acre  tract  of  land  on  section  31,  which  he  still 
owns.  This  land  he  improved,  building  thereon  the  first  brick  house  erected 
in  the  county,  making  the  brick  himself.  That  was  in  the  year  1844.  He 
continued  his  residence  here  until  1856,  when  he  removed  to  Deer  Park. 
Li  boyhood  his  opportunities  for  obtaining  an  education  were  not  of  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  6-^7 

best  and  be  was  practically  tbrown  upon  bis  own  resources  at  tbe  age  of 
twelve  years.  Tbat  be  bas  made  a  success  of  life  is  due  wbolly  to  bis  own; 
efforts.  He  bas  amassed  a  competency  ample  for  bis  family  needs.  Wben  a 
young  man  be  joined  tbe  Congregational  cburcb,  and  for  more  than  sixty 
years  bas  lived  consistently  witb  tbe  tenets  of  tbat  religious  body.  December 
i8,  1845,  be  married  Miss  Lydia,  a  daughter  of  Jobn  Clark,  wbo  came  into 
LaSalle  county  from  Holderness,  New  Hampshire,  she  being  a  native  of  tbe 
village  of  Campton,  tbat  state.  Mr.  Clark  was  a  Scotch-Irishman,  wbo  re- 
moved witb  his  family  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  LaSalle  county  in  1839,  the 
year  succeeding  the  advent  of  Mr.  Ellsworth.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Clark 
the  following  named  children  were  born:  Jobn,  a  resident  of  Henry  county, 
Ibinois;  Charles,  who  died  in  Missouri,  leaving  a  family  there;  Moody,  de- 
ceased; Sarah,  deceased,  was  tbe  wife  of  Jobn  Elliott,  and  Lydia.  The 
children  of  William  A.  Ellsworth  are:  Ada  L.,  the  wife  of  Ransom  Bullock, 
of  Tonica,  Illinois;  Urbin  S.;  Orin  W.,  a  druggist  of  Keokuk,  Iowa;  and 
Sarah,  wife  of  James  D.  Selah,  of  Ewing,  Nebraska. 

L^rbin  S.  Ellsworth  remained  a  member  of  his  father's  household  until 
bis  twenty-fifth  year.     He  attended  Jennings  Seminary  at  Aurora,  where  he 
graduated  in  the  classical  course  at  the  age  of  twenty-three,  and  afterward 
for  a  few  years  taught  school  in  winter  and  farmed  during  the  summer 
months.     He  bas  been  identified  with  the  farming  interests  of  Deer  Park  and 
South  Ottawa  townships  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century.     Early  be 
became  recognized  as  one  of  the  relialile  men  of  the  township  and  during 
his  residence  here  bas  been  connected  with  every  movement  having  its  wel- 
fare in  \iew.    His  safe  and  conservative  views  upon  public  affairs  brought  him 
into  notice  and  his  services  in  various  official  capacities  were  required.     He 
is  a  Republican.     In  his  early  political  experience  he  filled  tbe  offices  of 
township  assessor  and  clerk.     In  1875  he  was  elected  a  trustee  of  the  schools 
of  the  township,  and  is  still  serving  as  such,  now  rounding  out  twenty-five 
years  of  service  in  this  office.    He  was  elected  tbe  supervisor  of  tbe  township 
in   1888,  and  filled  tbe  office  five  years.     He  was  on  the  committees  on 
equalization,  roads  and  bridges,  to  settle  witb  tbe  circuit  clerk,  and  on  fees 
and  salaries.     As  the  chairman  of  tbe  committee  on  drainage  and  waterways 
he  h.ad  much  to  do  with  shaping  legislation  connected  witb  the  Chicago 
drainage  channel  and  always  fought  strenuously  for  the  rights  of  the  people 
of  tbe  Illinois  valley.     At  this  time  Mr.  Ellsworth  was  also  a  member  of  the 
committees  on  contingent  expenses  of  tbe  house,  education,  corporations, 
agriculture,  fish  and  game  laws  and  military  affairs.     In  the  fall  of  1890  he 
was  elected  a  minority  member  of  the  state  legislature  and  succeeded  him- 
self as  such  in  1892,  being  the  only  Republican  elected  in  the  county  tbat 
year.     In  the  fall  of  1894  be  was  elected  a  majority  candidate  by  a  majority 


658  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

of  two  thousand  and  five  hundred  votes.  During  the  session  referred  to  he 
was  the  chairman  of  the  drainage  and  waterways  committee.  He  had  in 
"mind  a  measure  for  the  improvement  of  the  condition  of  the  insane  of  the 
state,  during  his  whole  service,  out  of  which  the  sentiment  for  the  establish- 
ment of  the  Hospital  for  the  Insane  was  developed.  The  Hospital  for  the 
Incurable  Insane  was  also  established  as  a  result  of  the  movement  thus  put 
under  way.  'Mr.  Ellsworth  also  worked  for  the  revision  of  the  revenue  laws 
of  the  state,  and  for  the  adoption  of  the  Australian  ballot  law.  He  was  in 
the  fight  of  the  joint  session  which  elected  General  John  ]\I.  Palmer  to  the 
United  States  senate  and  helped  disrupt  the  F.  M.  B.  A.  organization  by 
supporting  their  state  president  for  senator,  which  the  F.  M.  B.  A.  members 
would  not  do.  In  the  spring  of  1899  Air.  Ellsworth  was  again  elected  to 
be  the  supervisor  of  his  town  and  is  serving  on  the  committees  on  asylum, 
rules  and  settlement  with  the  county  treasurer. 

Mr.  Ellsworth  was  married  December  18,  1876,  to  Mctoria  B.  Gibbs. 
Mrs.  Ellsworth's  father,  A\'illiam  T.  Gibbs,  was  born  in  Chittenango,  Xew 
York.  He  was  superintendent  of  a  reformatory  at  Lenox,  ]\Iassachusetts, 
in  his  early  life,  and  in  1855  moved  to  Aurora.  Illinois,  where  he  was  for  a 
time  engaged  in  the  milk  business.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  the  Union  army 
as  a  member  of  Company  H,  Sixteenth  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  was  made  the 
captain  of  his  company.  He  served  through  the  war  as  a  gallant  soldier, 
and  at  its  close  entered  the  service  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Ouincv 
Railroad  Company,  in  their  shops  at  Aurora,  where  he  remained  until  his 
retirement  from  active  life  in  1877.  He  died  July  5,  1899,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-four  years.  His  wife,  before  marriage  ]\Iiss  Harriet  Dickerson.  was 
born  in  Ulysses,  New  York,  and  their  only  child  is  Mrs.  Ellsworth.  ]\Ir. 
and  ]\Irs.  Ellsworth's  children  are:  William  B.,  born  October  21,  1877; 
Ada  A.,  September  9,  1883;  and  Dorothy  R.,  ]\Iay  31,  1890.  Their  son  was 
educated  in  the  State  University  of  Illinois. 

]\Ir.  Ellsworth  has  held  the  position  of  consul  in  the  camp  of  the  M.  W. 
A.  in  his  township  for  the  past  four  years. 


ELISHA  M.  MERRITT. 


Just  half  a  century  ago  Elisha  AI.  Alerritt,  a  retired  farmer,  now  living 
in  Troy  Grove,  LaSalle  county,  came  to  this  locality  from  the  east,  and  dur- 
ing this  long  period  he  has  made  his  home  within  the  boundaries  of  this 
county,  and  has  been  actively  connected  with  its  development  and  progress. 
He  is  thoroughly  posted  in  its  history  and  geological  formation,  having  made 
a  special  study  of  the  subject  for  years.     Since  he  retired  from  active  labor 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  659 

he  has  devoted  much  of  his  time  and  attention  to  collectins:,  classifvine  and 
arranging  geological  specimens  and  Indian  relics  of  this  region,  and  few 
persons  can  be  considered  better  authority  along  these  lines  of  research. 

The  paternal  and  maternal  ancestors  of  the  above-named  gentleman 
were  of  Holland-Dutch  origin.  His  grandfather  Merritt  was  a  native  of 
New  Jersey  and  a  farmer  by  occupation.  He  lived  to  attain  advanced  years. 
His  children  were  six  in  number,  five  sons  and  one  daughter.  The  maternal 
grandfather  of  our  subject,  Isaac  Ray,  likewise  born  in  New  Jersey,  was  a 
farmer  and  had  two  daughters,  but  no  sons. 

The  parents  of  E.  M.  Merritt  were  Henry  and  Christiana  (Ray)  Merritt, 
both  of  New  Jersey  and  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  The  father,  who 
followed  in  the  footsteps  of  his  ancestors  in  the  choice  of  an  occupation, 
removed  to  New  York  state,  where  he  died  in  1861,  aged  sixty-four  years. 
Mrs.  Christiana  Merritt,  who  was  his  second  wife,  departed  this  life  in  1857. 
There  were  two  sons  and  two  daughters  by  the  previous  marriage,  but  none 
of  them  are  living  now.  Of  the  three  sons  and  three  daughters  born  to  our 
subject's  parents,  only  two  survive.  Laura  P.  is  the  wife  of  Alonzo  Wood- 
ford, of  Victory,  Cayuga  county,  New  York. 

The  birth  of  Elisha  M.  Merritt  occurred  in  Auburn,  Cayuga  county. 
New  York,  April  7,  1826.  His  boyhood  was  spent  upon  a  farm,  and,  after 
finishing  his  elementary  education  in  the  district  schools,  it  was  his  privilege 
to  attend  the  local  academy.  He  assisted  his  father  until  he  was  twenty 
years  of  age,  when  he  secured  employment  in  a  hotel  at  Little  Sodus  Bay, 
for  a  few  months.  Then,  going  to  Auburn,  New  York,  he  obtained  a  place 
as  jailer,  serving  under  the  command  of  the  sherift*.  In  1849  ^^^  started  to 
seek  a  new  home  in  the  west,  and.  coming  to  LaSalle  county,  worked  by 
the  month  in  Ophir  township  for  a  period,  and  then  bought  and  improved 
a  forty-acre  farm  in  the  same  district.  A  favorable  opportunity  presenting 
itself,  he  sold  that  place  and  purchased  another.  This  also  he  disposed  of 
later,  and  invested  his  capital  in  a  quarter-section  of  land  in  McLean  county. 
He  did  not  leave  this  county,  however,  but  leased  his  farm  to  responsible 
tenants,  until  he  sold  it,  in  order  to  buy  stock  in  the  Chicago,  Burlington  & 
Ouincy  Railroad.  For  the  past  twenty-two  years  he  and  liis  estimable  wife 
have  made  their  home  in  the  village  of  Troy  Grove,  where  they  are  very 
highly  respected.  He  is  a  believer  in  the  Prohibition  party,  and  uses  his 
franchise  on  behalf  of  its  candidates. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Merritt  and  Miss  Ann  L.  Searls  took  place  on  the 
22d  of  December,  1852.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Captain  Gurdon  and  Eunice 
(Lathrop)  Searls,  who  were  natives  of  Connecticut.  They  removed  to  this 
state  in  1838,  and  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  Rockwell,  LaSalle 
county,  there  being  no  house  between  their  own  and  Ottawa  for  some  time. 


66o  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


They  came  west  with  a  colony,  by  way  of  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  rivers, 
taking  three  weeks  to  make  the  trip,  and  coming  over  the  Alleghany  moun- 
tains in  tram-cars,  which  had  stationary  engines  for  motive  power.  Mr. 
Searls  was  a  successful  farmer  and  was  actively  engaged  in  his  chosen  voca- 
tion until  his  death  in  1856,  when  he  was  sixty-three  years  of  age.  After 
surviving  him  for  a  few  years  his  widow  passed  away,  in  1862,  aged  sixty- 
three  years  and  six  months.  Mr.  Searls  vas  generally  called  by  the  title  of 
captain,  as  he  held  that  rank  in  a  cavalry  company  during  the  war  of  18 12, 
and  won  lasting  honor  in  that  second  great  conflict  of  this  country  with 
Eno-land. 


't>' 


ROBERT   GRAF. 


Robert  Graf,  who  for  a  long  term  of  years  was  cashier  of  the  Matthies- 
sen  &  Hegeler  Zinc  Company,  LaSalle,  Illinois,  is  now  living  retired  in  this 
city.  He  was  born  in  Dresden,  Saxony,  Germany,  November  16,  1820. 
In  his  youth  he  had  excellent  educational  advantages.  He  attended  the 
Kreutz-schule  and  the  University  of  Leipsic,  and  from  1842  to  1845  studied 
law.  For  a  short  time  he  was  in  a  law  office,  engaged  in  practice.  The 
law,  however,  was  not  suited  to  his  taste,  and  in  1852  he  came  to  America 
and  turned  his  attention  to  farming.  His  first  location  here  was  in  Illinois, 
where  he  farmed  one  year.  In  1853  he  went  to  Wisconsin,  located  on  a 
tract  of  land  in  Iowa  county,  that  state,  and  there  carried  on  agricultural 
pursuits  for  twelve  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  returned  to  Illinois. 
In  May,  1864,  he  took  up  his  residence  in  LaSalle.  He  had  an  acquaintance 
with  Mr.  Matthiessen,  of  the  Matthiessen  &  Hegeler  Zinc  Company,  who 
offered  him  a  position  in  that  establishment,  and  as  cashier  he  rendered 
prompt  and  faithful  service  for  a  period  of  thirty-four  years,  until  July, 
1898,  when  he  resigned.     Since  then  he  has  been  living  retired. 

Mr.  Graf  has  never  married,  but  has  maintained  a  residence  at  No. 
1207  Sixth  street,  LaSalle,  since  1871.  While  he  has  never  mingled  much  in 
society,  he  is  well  and  favorably  known  in  LaSalle  and  is  respected  for  the 
cjuiet  and  faithful  business  life  he  has  lived.  He  is  a  member  of  the  German 
Lutheran  Evangelical  church. 


JAMES  E.  SMITH. 


James  E.  Smith,  one  of  the  foremost  citizens  of  Troy  Grove,  is  a  pioneer 
of  this  locality,  and  has  spent  about  thirty-five  years  of  his  busy,  enterprising 
life  here,  actively  engaged  in  farming  and  other  lines  of  industry. 


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^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  66i 

On  both  sides  of  the  family,  Mr.  Smith  is  of  German  descent,  and  both 
of  his  grandfathers  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  belonged  to  the  agri- 
cultural class.  His  paternal  grandfather,  James  Smith,  lived  to  an  advanced 
age,  dying  in  the  Keystone  state.  He  had  three  sons,  the  eldest  of  whom 
was  James,  the  father  of  our  subject.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  our 
subject  also  attained  a  ripe  age,  and  died  on  his  Pennsylvania  homestead, 
where  he  had  reared  his  five  or  six  children. 

James  Smith,  the  father  of  J.  E.  Smith,  removed  from  Pennsylvania, 
his  birthplace,  to  Ohio,  at  an  early  day,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1846.  Here 
he  settled  in  LaSalle  county,  buying  one  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  in 
Troy  Grove  township,  and  this  property  he  continued  to  cultivate  until 
about  seven  years  prior  to  his  death,  when  he  turned  his  attention  to  the 
coal  business.  He  was  called  to  the  home  beyond  in  1865,  when  he  was  in 
his  sixty-fifth  year.  For  several  years  he  had  served  as  supervisor  of  Troy 
Grove  township,  and  held  other  local  ofifices  with  credit.  He  favored  the 
platform  of  the  Democratic  party,  but  was  in  no  wise  a  politician.  Both  he 
and  his  wife  were  devoted  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  he  was 
an  elder  for  a  long  time.  She  was  Miss  Sarah  Eaken  prior  to  their  marriage, 
and  she  also  was  born  in  the  Keystone  state.  She  survived  her  husband  sev- 
eral years,  being  over  three-score  and  ten  years  old  at  the  time  of  her  demise. 

James  E.  Smith,  born  in  Wayne  county,  Ohio,  August  25,  1830,  is 
now  the  only  survivor  of  his  parents'  family,  as  his  brother  and  sister  have 
been  called  to  the  silent  land.  He  was  sixteen  years  old  when  he  came  to 
Illinois,  and  he  continued  to  reside  with  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty-two 
years  of  age.  He  obtained  a  district  school  education  and  early  learned 
agriculture  in  its  varied  forms.  In  starting  upon  his  independent  life  he 
bought  an  eighty-acre  farm  in  Dimmick  township,  and  later  added  forty 
acres  to  the  original  tract.  He  lived  there  until  1861,  when  he  removed  to 
Mendota,  and  for  about  nine  years  was  engaged  in  buying  and  selling  grain. 
Then,  going  to  Benton  county,  Iowa,  he  carried  on  a  farm  for  two  or  three 
years,  after  which  he  was  in  the  grain  business  at  Vinton  for  four  years  or 
more.  Then  for  a  short  time  he  resided  in  Hamilton  county,  and  during 
the  next  six  or  seven  years  he  managed  a  homestead  of  two  hundred  acres. 
This  fine  place,  situated  in  Carroll  county,  Iowa,  is  still  in  his  possession. 
In  1883  he  returned  to  this  state,  and  has  since  been  interested  in  the  grain 
and  coal  trade  at  Troy  Grove.  He  has  prospered,  as  he  richly  deserves, 
and  bears  an  enviable  name  for  business  rectitude  and  square  dealing.  In 
all  of  his  views  he  is  liberal  and  broad-minded,  and  in  politics  he  prefers  to 
be  independent,  voting  for  the  man  and  measure  which  he  deems  worth v  of 
support,  regardless  of  party  lines. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Smith  and  Miss  Caroline  INIatilda,  daughter  of 


662  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

Leonard  ancl  Julia  (Dewey)  Towner,  was  solemnized  December  14,  1853. 
Five  children  were  born  to  them,  namely:  Orlando,  who  is  married  and 
resides  in  Colorado;.  Orange  L.,  who  died,  unmarried,  when  about  twenty- 
eight  years  of  age;  Harry  G.,  who  first  married  Maggie  Boyce,  and,  after  her 
death,  her  sister,  Bessie;  Sarah  M.,  who  is  deceased;  and  Tessie  M.,  who  is 
living  with  her  parents.  Harry  G.  has  two  children  by  his  first  marriage, 
Raymond  and  Mattie  May.  He  is  managing  an  elevator  at  Triumph.  Illi- 
nois. The  mother  of  the  above-named  children  departed  this  life  in  18S3, 
aged  fifty-one  years.  The  lady  who  now  bears  the  name  of  our  subject  was 
formerly  Celinda,  widow  of  Erastus  W.  Dewey,  and  a  daughter  of  William 
A.  and  Polly  B.  (Butler)  Hickok.  She  had  two  children  by  her  first  mar- 
riage: Horace,  who  died  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years;  and  Mattie,  who  is 
living  with  her  mother.  The  pleasant  dwelling  of  the  Smith  family  at  Troy 
Grove  was  erected  by  our  subject  six  years  ago. 


MATHIAS  KURSCHEID. 

Mathias  Kurscheid,  the  leading  merchant  of  Leonore,  Richland  town- 
ship, LaSalle  county,  has  passed  the  greater  portion  of  his  forty  years  in 
this  county,  and,  as  a  citizen  of  the  new  town  of  Leonore  and  one  of  her 
builders,  has  made  his  influence  felt  in  a  manner  conspicuously  substantial 
and  public-spirited. 

He  was  born  in  New  York  city,  in  April,  i860,  the  son  of  a  Rhine- 
lander  who  came  to  the  United  States  late  in  the  '50s,  and  was  killed  in  New 
York  city  a  few  years  afterward,  while  acting  as  a  foreman  in  one  of  the 
sugar  factories  of  that  city.  His  widow  survived  the  shock  of  his  sudden 
and  terrible  death  but  a  short  time,  and  young  ]\Iathias  was  left  an  orphan. 
He  was  taken  into  the  home  of  a  relative,  with  whom,  about  1869,  he  came 
west  to  Illinois  and  located  in  LaSalle  county.  It  was  on  a  farm  in  Richland 
township,  this  county,  that  young  Kurscheid  obtained  his  first  impressions 
of  the  serious  side  of  life.  As  he  approached  manhood  he  turned  his  atten- 
tion to  work  at  the  carpenter's  trade,  which  he  followed  as  a  business  for 
several  years.  His  mercantile  career  began  as  a  clerk  for  a  Mr.  White,  and 
later  he  was  with  John  Linder,  in  that  capacity,  in  the  village  of  Leonore. 
In  1889  he  embarked  in  business  alone,  on  a  small  scale,  and  to  such  an 
extent  has  his  business  increased  that  to-day  he  is  regarded  as  the  leading- 
merchant  of  the  village. 

Mr.  Kurscheid  has  identified  himself  prominently  with  the  growth  and 
progress  of  his  town.  At  different  times  he  has  served  as  one  of  its  council- 
men,  and  has  occupied  other  places  of  trust  and  honor  in  the  management 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  663 

of  its  affairs.  In  the  spring  of  1899  he  was  chosen  at  the  general  election 
to  be  the  president  of  the  village.  He  was  one  of  the  incorporators  of  the 
^•olnnteer  fire  company  of  Leonore,  and  is  its  clerk;  and  he  was  a  subscriber 
to  the  stock  of  the  Leonore  Creamery.  Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the 
local  camp  of  Modern  Woodmen,  of  which  he  is  the  consul. 

In  February,  1889,  Mr.  Kurscheid  married  Miss  Mary  Brunsbach,  a 
daughter  of  August  Brunsbach,  one  of  the  foremost  citizens  of  Vermilion 
township,  this  county,  having  settled  here  at  an  early  day. 


GEORGE  W.  GREINER. 

One  of  the  young,  energetic  business  men  of  Tonica,  LaSalle  county, 
is  George  A\\  Greiner,  who  is  well  along  on  the  highway  leading  to  fortune. 
A  truly  wide-awake,  enterprising  citizen,  he  is  heart  and  soul  alive  to  the 
progress  and  advancement  of  this  place,  and  for  that  reason,  if  for  no  other, 
he  would  l)e  highly  esteemed  by  the  residents  of  this  thriving  village 

Mr.  Greiner  is  proud  of  the  fact  that  he  is  one  of  the  native  born  sons 
of  Illinois,  and  that  in  him  two  nationalities  are  united,  as  his  father,  Charles 
Greiner.  was  born  under  the  French  flag,  while  his  mother,  Sophia  (Ehmler) 
Greiner,  was  a  native  of  Prussia.  His  paternal  grandfather  lived  and  died 
in  France,  and  reared  twelve  children.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  our 
subject  emigrated  to  the  United  States  many  years  ago,  settling  in  Putnam 
county,  Illinois,  where  he  lived  until  his  death,  at  the  age  of  about  three- 
score and  ten  years.  Charles  Greiner  came  to  America  to  seek  his  fortune 
when  he  was  a  young  man.  and  locating  in  Hennepin,  engaged  in  the  bakery 
and  grocery  business  during  most  of  his  active  life.  He  died  in  that  section 
of  the  state  in  1889,  when  in  his  seventieth  year,  and  is  survived  by  his  widow, 
who  is  a  resident  of  Hennepin.  Of  their  eight  children  six  are  living,  and 
all  dwell  in  Putnam  county  save  George  W.  They  are  named  as  follows: 
Anna,  Charles,  Jennie,  Ida  and  Charlotte.  Anna  is  the  wife  of  W.  E.  Eddy; 
Jennie  of  John  ]\Iarkley;  Ida  of  W.  C.  Patterson;  and  Charlotte  of  H.  B. 
Zenor. 

The  birth  of  George  W.  Greiner  took  place  in  Putnam  county,  July  18, 
1869.  The  benefits  of  an  excellent  public  school  education  were  his,  and 
after  completing  his  studies  he  began  clerking  in  a  store.  Thus  occupied 
for  several  years,  he  gained  a  practical  idea  of  business  methods,  and  at  the 
same  time  carefully  accumulated  a  snug  little  capital,  with  which  to  embark 
in  an  enterprise  of  his  own  when  the  proper  time  came.  In  1895  he  came  to 
Tonica  and  purchased  the  general  store  owned  by  the  Miller  estate,  adding 
a  meat  market.     He  keeps  a  high  grade  of  goods  and  transacts  his  business 


664  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

in  a  thoroughly  enterprising  manner,  his  store  being  neat  and  attractive. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Greiner  is  a  highly  esteemed  member  of  Tonica  Lodge, 
No.  364,  F.  &  A.  M.,  at  the  present  time  enjoying  the  honor  of  being  master 
of  the  lodge.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 
Politically  he  is  independent,  preferring  to  use  his  franchise  for  the  nominees 
and  principles  which  he  deems  worthy  of  support,  regardless  of  party  lines. 
His  fellow  citizens,  respecting  his  financial  ability  and  excellent  judgment, 
honored  him  with  the  position  which  he  still  holds,  that  of  village  treasurer. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Greiner  and  Miss  Irma  Boyle  took  place  Novem- 
ber 28,  1890.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Albert  and  Frances  (Hartenbower)  Boyle. 
Three  children  bless  the  home  of  our  subject  and  wife,  their  names  Ijeing, 
respectively,  Earl,  Frances  and  \'ervne. 


DAVID  RICHEY. 


David  Richey,  a  much  respected  citizen  and  successful  farmer  residing 
on  section  10,  Eden  township,  LaSalle  county,  dates  his  birth  in  Muskingum 
county,  Ohio,  forty  miles  east  of  Columbus,  July  31,  1822.  He  is  a  son  of 
Nathaniel  and  Susanna  (Kirkpatrick)  Richey,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
one  of  ele\en  children,  four  sons  and  seven  daughters,  all  of  whom  grew  to 
maturity  except  one  daughter,  who  died  at  the  age  of  five  years.  Eight 
of  this  number  are  now  living,  namely:  Mary,  widow  of  William  Bower,  of 
Tonica;  David,  Avhose  name  initiates  this  review;  Margaret  Jane,  widow  of 
George  B.  Holmes,  of  Topeka,  Kansas;  James,  of  Eden  township,  LaSalle 
county;  Susanna,  wife  of  J.  F.  Evans,  of  Los  Angeles,  California;  John,  of 
northern  Iowa;  Elizabeth,  widow  of  A.  P.  Landis.  of  Shell  City,  ^Missouri; 
and  Nathaniel,  of  Redlands.  California.  Nathaniel  Richey.  father  of  the 
above  named,  moved  about  the  year  181 2  to  Ohio,  where  he  made  his  home 
until  1830,  and  that  year,  again  imbued  with  a  spirit  of  emigration,  he  came 
out  to  Illinois  and  located  at  Cedar  Point,  in  Eden  township,  LaSalle  county, 
where  he  took  claim  to  two  hundred  and  seventv-nine  acres  of  government 
land.  About  1867  he  sold  his  land  and  moved  to  Peru.  A  few  years  later 
he  went  to  Tonica,  where  he  died  in  1872,  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years 
and  seven  months.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  18 12,  in  the  volunteer 
service,  under  Perry,  and  was  stationed  near  Erie.  His  wife  survived  him 
a  number  of  years,  her  age  at  death  being  about  eighty.  He  was  reared 
in  the  Presbyterian  faith,  but  he  and  his  wife,  for  convenience  of  worship, 
joined  the  Methodist  church  after  coming  to  LaSalle  county,  there  being  no 
Presbyterian  church  near  them.  Politically  he  was  first  a  \Miig,  then  an 
Abolitionist  and  finally  a  Republican.  He  served  four  years  as  a  justice  of 
the  peace. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  665 

The  Richeys  are  of  Scotch  descent.  John  Richey,  the  grandfather  of 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  \vas  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  by  occupation 
was  a  farmer.  He  served  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  lay  a  prisoner  at 
New  York  when  a  man  on  each  side  of  him  was  frozen  to  death.  He,  how- 
ever, survived  the  rigors  of  war  and  lived  to  old  age.  In  his  family  were 
fourteen  children.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  David  Richey  was  James 
Kirkpatrick,  a  native  of  Ireland,  who  on  coming  to  this  country  settled  in 
Pennsylvania  and  subsequently  removed  to  Ohio;  and  he  died  in  Muskingum 
county,  in  the  latter  state,  when  well  advanced  in  years.  He,  too,  was  a 
farmer,  and  his  family  was  composed  of  three  daughters  and  one  son. 

David  Richey  was  eight  years  old  when  he  came  with  his  parents  to 
Illinois,  and  since  that  time  his  life  has  been  spent  in  Eden  township,  LaSalle 
county.  Since  1850  he  has  lived  on  his  present  farm.  Reared  on  a  farm 
in  a  frontier  locality,  his  educational  advantages  were  limited.  Altogether 
he  attended  school  only  about  nine  months.  He  remained  a  member  of  his 
father's  household  until  he  was  twenty-six  years  of  age,  and  on  starting  out 
in  life  to  do  for  himself  he  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  from  the  government, 
paying  for  it  at  the  rate  of  one  dollar  and  twenty-five  cents  per  acre.  This 
was  wild  prairie.  He  borrowed  unbroken  cattle,  which  he  trained,  and  with 
which  he  plowed  his  land,  sowing  it  the  first  year  to  wheat.  He  hauled  his 
crop  with  oxen  to  Chicago,  a  distance  of  one  hundred  miles,  requiring  eight 
or  ten  days  of  good  weather  to  make  the  round  trip.  This  land  he  sold  in 
1850,  and  that  same  year  bought  his  present  farm,  one  hundred  and  sixty- 
three  acres,  which  he  improved,  building  a  substantial  house,  barns,  grana- 
ries, fences,  etc.  Also  he  owns  forty  acres  of  timber  land.  Mr.  Richey 
carries  on  diversified  farming  and  has  always  given  more  or  less  attention 
to  the  stock  business,  raising  horses,  cattle,  sheep  and  hogs. 

He  was  married  June  28,  1849,  to  IMiss  Margaret  Elizabeth  Evans,  a 
daughter  of  James  F.  and  Feraby  (Elam)  Evans;  and  they  are  the  parents 
of  three  children — two  sons  and  one  daughter — Frank,  Alice  and  Guy 
Nathaniel.  Frank  is  a  practicing  lawyer  of  St.  Louis,  Missouri.  He  married 
Miss  Fannie  Lipman  and  they  have  two  children — Gida  and  Frederick  D. 
Alice  married  John  I.  Salisbury,  and  died  October  21,  1885.  Guy  Nathaniel 
died  October  23,  1886.  He  and  his  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Eva 
Dent,  had  one  son — Guy  Dent  Richey. 

Mr.  Richey  is  a  Democrat,  having  come  to  this  party  from  the  Green- 
back party.  In  early  life  he  took  an  active  interest  in  political  matters.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  thirty-first  general  assembly  of  the  Illinois  legislature. 

Speaking  of  his  early  experience  in  Illinois,  Mr.  Richey  says  that  during 
the  Black  Hawk  war  they  were  living  peaceably  in  their  log  cabin  in  the 
woods  when  thev  heard  that  "the  Indians  were  coming."     He  moved  his 


666  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

family  to  Magnolia  for  a  short  time  and  then  to  Granville,  in  Putnam  county, 
and  later  to  a  block-house  near  Peru.  As  he  was  a  cripple  he  did  not  par- 
ticipate in  the  war.  At  that  time  there  were  three  LaSalle  county  families 
murdered  by  the  Indians — the  Hall.  Pettigrew  and  Davis  families.  Mr. 
Richev  is  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  in  LaSalle  countv. 


ALFRED  H.  BELL. 


Alfred  H.  Bell,  the  genial  and  popular  postmaster  of  Lostant,  LaSalle 
county,  is  one  of  the  progressive  merchants  of  this  thriving  town.  He  has 
occupied  a  number  of  local  offices  of  trust  and  honor,  to  the  entire  satisfac- 
tion of  everyone,  and  enjoys  an  enviable  reputation  for  square  dealing  and 
public  spirit. 

John  Bell,  the  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  a  native  of  Italy  and 
lived  to  attain  an  extreme  age,  dying  in  Pennsylvania  and  leaving  several 
children  to  perpetuate  his  name.  During  the  war  of  the  Revolution  in  this 
country  he  supplied  the  army  with  meat,  and  was  very  useful  in  many  ways. 
He  was  a  ship  carpenter  by  trade.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  Alfred  H. 
Bell  was  William  Henning,  whose  l^irth  took  place  in  Ireland.  He  fought 
at  the  great  battle  of  Waterloo,  under  the  Duke  of  W^ellington.  being  an  aide 
to  General  Crumy.  Subseciuently  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  and 
after  residing  in  the  Keystone  state  for  a  numb.er  of  years  came  to  Putnam 
county,  Illinois,  where  he  was  a  pioneer.  He  was  industriously  engaged  in 
farming  until  his  death,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years.  All  of  his  thirteen 
children  lived  to  maturity,  and  eleven  of  the  number  attended  the  funeral 
of  their  mother,  who  lived  to  be  eighty-five  years  of  age. 

John  G.  Bell,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  followed  the  trade  of  milling,  and  in  1857  came  to  Illinois.  After  living 
at  Todd's  Mill  for  a  short  time  he  went  to  Ottawa,  where  he  made  his  home 
for  many  years.  Then  one  year  was  spent  in  Hennepin,  and  from  that  time 
until  1898  he  dwelt  upon  a  farm  in  Hope  township.  He  then  located  in 
Lostant.  where  his  death  occurred  June  i,  1899.  ^'S  wife,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Alary  Henning,  and  who  was  born  in  Ireland,  is  still  living.  She 
is  a  devout  member  of  the  Episcopal  church,  while  her  husband  was  a 
Lutheran.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  sons  and  four  daughters,  five  of 
whom  survive,  namely:  A.  H.;  George  F.,  of  Lostant;  Lulu,  wife  of  James 
Patterson,  of  Hope  township;  Olive,  wife  of  Charles  Lambourne,  of  the 
same  district;  and  j\Iiss  C.  Mae  Bell. 

Alfred  H.  Bell,  who  was  born  in  Putnam  county,  Illinois,  attended  the 
public  schools  of  Ottawa  and  obtained  an  excellent  education,  as  a  founda- 
tion for  his  future  career.     For  several  years  subsecjuent  to  leaving  school 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  667 

he  worked  in  a  flouring  mill  in  Ottawa,  together  with  his  father;  and  after 
the  latter's  removal  to  the  farm  in  Hope  township  he  devoted  his  winters  to 
teaching,  while  in  the  summer  he  worked  on  the  homestead.  A  number  of 
3'ears  were  thus  Inisil}-  occupied,  and  then,  leaving  his  brother  George  to 
superintend  the  farm,  he  came  to  Lostant,  in  1894,  and  has  since  been  a 
resident  of  the  place,  thoroughly  identified  with  its  upbuilding.  For  the 
first  year  after  coming  here  he  was  associated  with  his  uncle.  James  Henning, 
in  his  warehouse  and  elevator  business,  and  at  the  expiration  of  the  time 
stated  he  and  his  brother  George  purchased  the  senior  man's  interest,  and 
have  since  conducted  the  business  under  the  firm  name  of  Bell  Brothers. 
They  possess  energy  and  sound  common  sense  in  the  management  of  their 
financial  affairs,  and  are  steadily  prospering. 

In  1897  Mr.  Bell  was  appointed  the  postmaster  of  Lostant,  and  entered 
upon  his  duties  in  December  of  that  year.  He  takes  great  pains  to  meet 
the  wishes  of  his  fellow  citizens,  and  is  highly  conimended  for  his  promptness 
and  general  efiiciency.  For  two  years  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  village 
board  of  trustees  of  this  place,  and  while  living  in  Hope  township  he  was  a 
road  commissioner  for  five  years.  Politicahy  he  is  a  Republican  of  no  uncer- 
tain stamp.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  Magnoha  Lodge,  No.  103,  F.  &  A. 
M.,  and  is  connected  with  Magnolia  Grange.  Following  in  the  line  of  his 
early  religious  training,  he  is  an  Episcopalian. 


AMLLL-VM  HOCHSTATTER. 

A  life-long  resident  and  highly  respected  citizen  of  Troy  Grove  town- 
ship is  he  of  whom  the  following  lines  are  penned.  By  the  exercise  of  his 
native  talents  and  well  directed  energy  he  has  become  well-to-do,  financially, 
and  in  the  midst  of  his  many  business  undertakings  he  finds  time  to  dis- 
charge his  duties  as  a  citizen  of  this  great  republic.  His  success  is  due  solely 
to  his  own  efforts,  and  integrity  and  justice  mark  all  of  his  dealings  with 
others. 

The  parents  and  ancestors  of  our  subject  were  natives  of  Germany, 
and  both  of  his  grandfathers  lived  and  died  in  that  country.  His  grandfather 
Hochstatter,  who  was  a  farmer,  lived  to  reach  his  seventieth  year,  and  reared 
five  children.  After  the  death  of  the  maternal  grandfather  his  widow  came 
to  America,  passed  her  declining  years  in  LaSalle  county,  and  is  now  sleep- 
ing her  last  sleep  in  the  old  Catholic  burying  ground.  Theodore  Hoch- 
statter. the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Prussia,  and  in  1846  sailed 
for  the  L^nited  States.  Upon  arriving  in  Illinois,  he  worked  on  the  canal  at 
Lockport  for  some  time,  and  received  a  bolt  of  cloth  in  payment  for  his 


668  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

labor,  and  this  cloth  later  paid  his  transportation  from  Lockport  to  Troy 
Grove.  Locating  in  Troy  Gro\e  township,  he  bought  an  eighty-acre  farm, 
which  he  improved,  and  as  the  years  rolled  by  he  invested  in  other  property 
until  his  possessions  amounted  to  seven  hundred  and  twenty  acres.  He 
was  summoned  to  the  silent  land  on  the  12th  of  Alarch,  1895,  "^vlien  he  was 
in  his  seventy-fourth  year.  He  had  occupied  the  offices  of  road  commis- 
sioner and  school  director  for  many  years,  and  enjoyed  the  respect  and 
confidence  of  the  entire  community  in  which  he  had  dwelt  so  long.  His 
devoted  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Christina  Kratz.  was  l)orn  in  Prussia, 
also,  and,  like  himself,  was  a  member  of  the  Catholic  church.  She  survived 
him  al^out  one  year,  dying  at  the  age  of  seventy-five.  They  were  the  parents 
of  three  sons  and  two  daughters,  one  of  whom  is  deceased.  The  others 
are  John,  William,  Helen,  widow  of  Theodore  Sondgeroth.  and  Peter,  of 
Kellogg,  Kansas. 

WilUam  Hochstatter,  of  this  sketch,  was  born  on  his  father's  farm  in 
this  township,  Septeml^er  29.  1853.  He  attended  the  district  schools,  the 
Lutheran  seminary,  and  Henderson's  high  school  at  Mendota,  and  thus 
his  educational  advantages  were  much  l)etter  than  those  of  most  of  his  youth- 
ful associates  and  neighbors.  His  father  also  gave  him  some  timely  aid, 
after  he  was  married,  and  was  starting  out  on  the  difficult  pathway  of  inde- 
pendent living.  \\'ith  this  sum — five  hundred  dollars — he  rented  a  farm 
of  one  hundred  acres,  and  purchased  necessary  agricultural  implements  and 
household  furnishings.  He  continued  to  lease  the  farm  for  about  twenty 
years,  in  the  meantime,  however,  purchasing"  a  quarter-section  farm  in  1881, 
and  buvino-  and  selling  several  other  homesteads.  Recentlv  he  sold  a  farm 
of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Kansas,  which  he  had  owned  for  some 
time,  and  he  still  has  seven  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  his  possession.  In 
addition  to  farming,  he  conducted  an  extensive  grain  business  for  two  or 
more  years,  and  buih  an  elevator  at  Culton,  which  station  was  established 
on  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  at  l:Hs  solicitation.  The  town  is  located 
four  miles  south  of  ^Mendota,  and  three  miles  north  of  Dimmick,  and  the 
land  for  the  site  was  donated  to  the  railroad  company  l)y  ]Mr.  Hochstatter. 
For  just  a  quarter  of  a  century  he  has  served  as  a  school  director,  and  has 
been  instrumental  in  securing  good  educational  ad^'antages  for  the  children 
of  his  township.  Politically  he  is  independent,  using  his  franchise  for  the 
candidates  and  principles  which  he  considers  worthy  of  his  support,  regard- 
less of  party. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  and  ]\Iiss  Eva,  daughter  of  Conrad  and 
Margaret  (Schroeder)  Sondgeroth,  was  celebrated  October  25,  1875.  They 
have  become  the  parents  of  three  sons  and  six  daughters,  namely:  Christina, 
Catherine,  Peter,  Annie.  Henry,  Ella,  Maggie.  Benjamin  and  Eva,  all  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  669 

whom  are  at  home  with  the  exception  of  the  eldest  born,  Christina,  who  is 
the  wife  of  Joseph  Happ,  of  Calloway  county,  Missouri.  They  have  two 
children,  named  in  honor  of  our  subject  and  wife — William  and  Eva. 


JOSEPH  J.  MATERN. 

Joseph  J.  ]Matern,  of  Tonica,  LaSalle  county,  is  in  the  prime  of  man- 
hood, as  he  was  born  April  24,  1861.  He  is  one  of  the  ten  children  of 
Adam  and  Theressa  (Amrehn)  Matern.  who  were  natives  of  Bavaria,  Ger- 
many, and  became  loyal,  respected  citizens  of  the  United  States.  The  father, 
who  has  made  farming  his  chief  occupation  in  life,  located  in  Putnam 
county,  this  state,  in  1844,  and  now,  after  fifty-five  years  passed  in  that  local- 
ity, he  is  living  retired  from  the  active  toil  in  which  he  v^as  engaged  until 
recently.  Beginning  his  career  as  a  common  laborer  on  farms,  he  pros- 
pered, on  account  of  his  industry  and  economy,  and  within  a  few  years  after 
landing  in  this  country,  a  stranger  to  its  people,  language  and  customs,  he 
had  bought  a  farm  and  had  made  substantial  improvements  upon  the  place. 
He  reared  his  sons  and  daughters  to  be  useful,  patriotic  citizens,  and  the 
regard  and  respect  of  all  who  know  him  is  his  in  gratifying  measure.  His 
wife,  who  faithfully  seconded  all  of  his  plans,  and  was  a  true  helpmate  in  every 
respect,  was  summoned  to  the  silent  land  in  1895,  when  she  was  in  her 
sixty-third  year.  Both  have  been  identified  with  the  Catholic  church  since 
childhood.  Their  respective  fathers  passed  their  entire  lives  in  Germany, 
where  they  were  engaged  in  managing  farms. 

Joseph  J.  Matern  is  one  of  the  seven  children  of  the  parental  household 
who  are  yet  living.  His  brothers,  Michael  and  Bernard,  are  residents  of 
Wesley,  Iowa,  as  also  is  the  elder  sister.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Joseph  Gates. 
Theressa,  William  and  Henry  are  living  in  Alount  Palatine.  Illinois.  Two 
sons  and  a  daughter  died  in  childhood. 

Near  the  towm  last  mentioned  the  birth  of  our  subject  occurred,  and 
there,  on  his  father's  farm,  he  learned  the  elementary  principles  of  business 
and  good  citizenship  under  the  wise  guidance  of  his  elders.  He  remained 
at  home,  giving  his  aid  to  his  father  in  the  care  of  the  farm  until  he  had 
reached  maturity,  in  the  meantime  acquiring  a  practical  education  in  the 
local  schools.  His  father  then  being  well  along  in  years,  the  young  man 
took  charge  of  the  old  homestead,  which  he  continued  to  carry  on  with 
distinct  success  until  1898.  the  year  of  his  coming  to  Tonica.  Here  he  en- 
tered into  partnership  with  C.  F.  Austin,  and  transacted  a  large  business 
in  grain,  coal  and  tile  until  the  spring  of  1899,  when  he  purchased  Mr.  Aus- 
tin's interest,  and  is  running  his  affairs  alone  at  present.  His  business  is 
constantly  increasing,  and  his  patrons  are.  without  exception,  on  the  best 


670  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

of  terms  with  him,  for  he  is  accommodating  and  genial,  prompt  in  filHng 
orders  and  perfectly  fair  and  just  in  all  of  his  dealings. 

On  the  19th  of  April,  1898,  Mr.  Matern  married  Miss  Anna  Lawrence, 
a  daughter  of  Anton  and  Frances  Lawrence,  and  they  have  become  the 
parents  of  a  little  daughter,  Irene.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Matern  are  Catholics  in 
their  religious  faith,  as  were  their  ancestors  before  them. 

While  living  in  Putnam  county,  our  subject  served  for  three  years  as 
the  assessor  of  MagnoHa  township,  and  was  the  collector  for  four  years, 
making  an  enviable  record  as  a  public  official.  He  uses  his  franchise  in  favor 
of  the  Democratic  party. 


DAVID    DAVIS. 


David  Davis,  a  retired  farmer  of  Earlville,  LaSalle  county,  was  born 
in  Wales,  September  24,  1831.  His  parents  were  John  and  Maria  (Davis) 
Davis,  who  were  born,  reared  and  married  in  that  country.  The  father, 
a  saddler  by  trade,  died  in  early  life,  leaving  two  children:  David,  our 
subject,  and  Rachel,  wife  of  L.  B.  Stark,  of  Licking  county,  Ohio.  After 
his  death  the  mother  married  Elias  Jones,  by  whom  she  had  four  children, — 
Mary,  Samuel,  Elizabeth  and  Jane,  ah  deceased,  the  son  dying  in  the  army 
during  the  civil  war.  The  mother  came  to  this  country  in  1840,  with  her 
parents,  six  brothers  and  three  sisters.  Her  brothers  were  John  J.,  Thomas 
J.,  David  J.,  Henry  J.,  Evan  J.  and  Frederick  J.;  and  her  sisters  Rachel, 
Mary  and  Jane.  She  settled  in  Licking  county,  Ohio,  where  she  married 
Mr.  Jones. 

David  Davis  was  nine  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  America  with 
his  mother  and  remained  in  Licking  county  on  a  farm  until  1857,  when 
he  came  to  LaSalle  county,  where  his  uncles  had  located.  He  worked  on 
his  uncle  Henry's  farm  for  about  ten  years,  receiving  a  monthly  stipend, 
most  of  which  was  carefully  saved  up  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  land. 
His  first  property  was  eighty  acres  of  unimproved  land  in  Freedom  town- 
ship, which  he  soon  placed  in  a  state  of  cultivation,  making  it  second  to  none 
in  that  section.  He  was  industrious  and  economical,  and  the  habits  of 
thrift  and  industry  so  early  formed  now  enabled  him  to  add  to  this  acreage 
until  his  farm  land  covers  some  two  hundred  acres.  His  farming  has  been 
by  improved  methods,  and  the  success  which  has  marked  his  progress  speaks 
well  for  his  ideas  and  has  placed  him  among  the  front  rank  of  intelligent, 
prosperous  farmers. 

Mr.  Davis  was  married  February  24,  1876,  to  Miss  Martha  AViley,  of 
Freedom  township,  this  county,  born  January  2,  1845.  Her  parents  were 
Charles  and  Seraphina  (Greenleaf)  Wiley,  pioneer  settlers  of  this  township, 


Jj)&^<rcS    JS>L 


Oiyty-tJ) 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  671 

who  came  from  the  state  of  Elaine  in  1844.  ^Nlr.  Davis  is  a  RepubHcan,  but 
has  never  been  an  aspirant  for  official  honors.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity  and  stands  high  in  the  community. 


J.  C.  CORBUS,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Corbus  is  one  of  the  distinguished  physicians  of  IlHnois,  his  skill 
and  ability  winning  him  a  marked  prestige  as  a  representative  of  the  medical 
fraternity.  In  the  progress  that  has  been  made  in  the  science  of  medicine 
durinsf  his  connection  therewith  is  found  an  incentive  for  renewed  effort, 
becoming  familiar  with  all  the  discoveries  and  theories  advanced  by  members 
of  the  profession.  His  knowledge  of  medicine  is  broad  and  comprehensive, 
and  in  its  application  to  the  needs  of  suffering  humanity  he  has  won  the 
success  that  numbers  him  among  the  leading  practitioners  in  his  section 
of  the  state.  He  has  recently  been  appointed  the  superintendent  of  the 
Kankakee  Insane  Asylum,  a  position  which  he  is  fully  competent  to  fill. 

Dr.  Corbus  was  born  in  Holmes  county,  Ohio,  in  1833,  and  after  com- 
pleting his  literary  education  he  deteriiiined  to  devote  his  energies  to  the 
practice  of  medicine.  To  this  end  he  entered  the  Western  Reserve  Medical 
College,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and  was  graduated  in  that  institution  with  the 
degree  of  M.  D.  In  1855  he  came  to  Illinois,  where  he  has  since  engaged 
in  successful  practice.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  civil  war  he  put  aside  all 
personal  considerations  and  responded  to  the  country's  call  for  volunteers, 
being  made  assistant  surgeon  of  the  Seventy-fifth  Illinois  Infantry.  Subse- 
quently he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  surgeon,  but  was  unable  to  remain 
at  the  front  throughout  the  four  years  of  the  civil  strife,  owing  to  ill  health. 

Returning  to  the  north,  he  resumed  the  private  practice  of  medicine 
in  Illinois,  and  as  a  physician  and  surgeon  ranked  second  to  but  a  few  of 
the  practitioners  of  the  Prairie  state.  For  years  he  was  the  president  of  the 
state  board  of  charities,  and  was  retained  in  that  office  by  every  governor 
except  Altgeld  since  his  appointment  to  the  position  by  Governor  Beveridge. 
For  fifteen  years  he  was  a  United  States  medical  examiner,  his  thorough 
knowledge  of  medicine  and  anatomy  well  qualifying  him  to  discharge  the 
duties  devolving  upon  him  in  that  office. 

Dr.  Corbus  is  a  man  of  broad  general  knowledge  and  is  a  prominent  and 
influential  member  of  the  Republican  party.  For  four  years  he  served  as 
a  member  of  the  Repulilican  state  central  committee,  and  at  all  times  has 
labored  earnestly  for  the  advancement  of  the  welfare  and  success  of  his 
party.    As  a  Knight  Templar  Mason  he  is  very  prominent  in  Masonic  circles, 


6/2  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GEXEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

and  as  a  gentleman  of  genuine  worth  and  genial  manner  is  highly  esteemed 
in  social  circles. 

He  has  been  twice  married.     His  first  wife  died  in  1890,  and  in  1892  he 
married  !Mrs.  Helen  Ruggles. 


HENRY  GUNN. 


Conspicuous  among  the  successful  lawyers  of  LaSalle  county  is  the 
gentleman  named  above,  who  is  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Gunn  &  Gunn, 
at  Tonica.  He  was  born  in  Montague,  Franklin  county,  Massachusetts, 
December  13,  1830,  a  son  of  Windsor  and  Abigail  (Osgood)  Gunn,  natives 
also  of  the  Bay  state.  In  both  ancestral  lines  the  first  families  in  this  country 
settled  in  Massachusetts  about  1632.  The  parents  of  our  sul:)ject  had  fiye 
sons  and  two  daughters,  and  of  these  six  are  still  living,  viz.:  John,  a 
resident  near  Mount  Palatine,  IlHnois;  Eunice,  the  widow  of  Charles  Mud^e 
and  now  residing  in  Tonica;  Henry,  our  subject;  Levi,  living  in  Barton 
county,  Kansas,  seven  miles  from  Great  Bend;  Cyrus,  living  near  2^Iount 
Palatine;  and  Mrs.  Lucy  Ullery,  of  Barton  county,  Kansas. 

Windsor  Gunn,  the  father,  was  in  early  life  a  comb  manufacturer  and 
later  a  farmer.  He  came  west  with  his  family  in  the  autumn  of  1842,  locating 
near  Davenport,  Iowa,  and  lived  there  till  the  winter  of  1849;  then  he  came 
to  Putnam  county,  Illinois,  and  remained  a  resident  there  till  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  February,  1871,  when  he  had  attained  the  age  of  sixtv- 
nine  years  and  eight  months.  His  wife  survived  till  1876,  being  about 
seventy-four  years  old  at  the  time  of  her  death.  In  her  religious  proclivities 
she  was  a  Baptist,  but  was  a  member  of  no  ecclesiastical  organization.  Mr. 
Gunn  was  for  many  years  a  Unitarian.  In  his  native  state  he  was  once  a 
captain  of  the  state  militia. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Joseph  Gunn,  was  also  a  native 
of  the  Bay  state,  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  was  about  seventv-five  years 
of  age  at  the  time  of  his  death,  in  Schoharie  county.  New  York.  He  brought 
up  a  large  number  of  children.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  ]\Ir.  Gunn, 
Samuel  Osgood,  was  also  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  had  six  children,  and 
died  in  middle  life. 

Henry  Gimn,  whose  name  heads  this  sketch,  was  four  or  five  years  of 
age  when  his  parents  moved  from  Massachusetts  to  Vermont,  where  their 
home  continued  to  be  until  1842.  As  he  grew  up  he  attended  schools  in  his 
native  village,  also  in  Brattleboro,  \'ermont.  a  select  school  in  Davenport 
and  the  academy  and  college  at  ]Mount  Palatine.  Illinois.  He  is  a  good 
Greek  and  Latin  scholar.  The  expenses  of  his  advanced  education  he  de- 
frayed from  his  own  earnings.     He  began  studying  law  at  Mount  Palatine 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  673 

abont  1852.  and  several  years  later  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  first  in  Iowa 
and  in  i<S59  in  Illinois.  He  began  practicing-  in  Pntnani  county,  and  after 
a  few  years  came  to  LaSalle  county  and  followed  his  profession  in  Men- 
dota  for  a  time;  then  he  moved  to  South  Ottawa,  and  finally,  in  i860,  he 
came  to  Tonica,  where  he  has  followed  the  law  ever  since.  His  many 
interesting  experiences  in  the  practice  of  his  profession,  as  well  as  in  many 
other  phases  of  life,  would  fill  a  volume.  Politically  Mr.  Gunn  was  originally 
an  old-line  \\'hig,  one  among  the  many  thousands  who  became  Republi- 
cans on  the  establishment  of  that  party.  In  1856  he  addressed  the  public 
in  favor  of  the  election  of  John  C.  Fremont  to  the  presidency  of  the  United 
States.  For  four  years  he  ser\-ed  as  town  clerk  of  Eden  township.  In  1868 
he  was  elected  supervisor,  and  he  satisfactorily  filled  the  responsibilities  of 
that  office  till  1871.  In  1883  he  was  again  elected,  and  by  re-election  he 
continued  to  hold  the  ol^ce  until  i8f)8.  For  four  consecutive  years  he  was 
chairman  of  the  board.  For  fifteen  or  sixteen  years  he  v;as  police  magistrate 
in  Tonica. 

In  social  affiliations  he  was  for  some  years  an  active  Odd  Fellow,  and 
in  1870  he  was  a  delegate  to  the  state  grand  lodge,  and  also  to  the  grand 
encampment;  but  he  has  not  been  in  afiiliation  with  the  order  for  some  time. 
His  son  Bert  is  a  member  of  Tonica  Lodge,  No.  364,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and 
is  at  present  the  secretary  of  the  lodge. 

]Mr.  Gunn's  marriage  was  celebrated  in  1858,  when  he  wedded  Miss 
Cornelia  L.  Fisher,  a  daughter  of  Rev.  Otis  Fisher,  a  Baptist  minister.  Her 
mother  was  Lydia  (Osgood)  Fisher.  By  this  marriage  were  four  sons  and 
four  daughters,  namely:  Cyrus  H.,  Mabel,  Walter  F.,  Edwin,  Cora,  Nellie, 
Bert  and  Mae  L.  Mabel  and  Edwin  died  in  infancy;  Cora  became  the  wife 
of  George  A.  McFerson  and  is  now  deceased;  Nellie  died  in  1895,  in  her 
twenty-second  year;  Cyrus  H.  married  Emma  Knapp  and  is  a  farmer  in 
Vermilion  township;  Walter  F.  married  Hattie  Van  Tassel  and  lives  in 
Putnam  county  on  a  farm;  they  have  four  children — Sallie,  Fred  Henry, 
Luna  and  Flossie;  and  Bert,  the  youngest  son,  is  single  and  is  a  lawyer  in 
I)artnership  with  his  father.  He  completed  his  legal  course  of  study  before 
he  was  of  age  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  February,  1898.  He  is  the 
present  village  attorney  of  Tonica.  He  and  his  sister  Mae  L.  make  their 
home  with  their  parents. 


JOHN  J.  WINTER. 


One  of  the  reliable  citizens  and  substantial  business  men  of  Garfield, 
LaSalle  county,  is  the  gentleman  of  whom  this  sketch  is  penned.  Pie  has 
ever  been  sincerely  interested  in  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  this  town 


674  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

and  county,  and  is  entitled  to  great  credit  for  the  public  spirit  which  he 
has  manifested  at  all  times.  A  review  of  his  life  will  pro\e  of  interest  to  his 
numerous  friends  and  cannot  fail  to  be  an  inspiration  to  the  rising  genera- 
tion— to  those  especially  who  are  starting  out  to  fight  the  battle  of  life 
empty-handed  as  he  did  a  few  years  ago. 

He  is  of  German  extraction  and  comes  of  two  sterling  Pennsylvania 
families.  His  paternal  great-grandfather  was  a  hero  of  the  American  war 
for  independence;  and  his  grandfather,  John  Jacob  \\'inter.  was  a  native  of 
Germany,  but  at  an  early  age  became  a  resident  of  the  Keystone  state.  Later 
he  removed  to  Ohio  and  spent  the  declining  years  of  his  life  on  a  farm 
in  Licking  county.  He  died  when  in  his  sixty-third  }'ear,  respected  and 
admired  by  all  who  knew  him.  For  a  number  of  years  he  had  l)een  a  minister 
of  the  gospel,  being  identified  with  the  United  Brethren  church.  To  himself 
and  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Catherine  Miller,  five  sons  and  a  daughter 
were  born. 

One  of  the  sons,  Daniel  Winter,  was  the  father  of  our  subject.  Born 
in  Pennsylvania,  he  went  to  Ohio  with  his  family  in  1837,  and  in  1875  came 
to  Illinois.  For  a  wife  he  first  chose  Sarah  Simmons,  a  native  of  the  Keystone 
state,  and  after  her  death,  in  1835,  he  wedded  Susanna  Ann  Beabout.  Three 
sons  and  one  daughter  were  born  of  the  first  union.  The  daughter  is  now 
deceased,  and  the  sons  are  Nicholas  C  of  Villisca,  Iowa;  David  S.,  of  Ot- 
tawa, Illinois;  and  John  J.  Mrs.  Susanna  Winter  departed  this  life  February 
13,  1875,  after  which  event  the  father  made  his  home  with  our  subject  until 
the  summons  to  the  silent  land  came  to  him.  January  J  2.  1877,  ^vhen  he 
was  in  his  seventy-second  year. 

John  J.  AMnter  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania.  Septem- 
ber 19,  1832,  and  at  the  age  of  five  years  he  removed  to  Licking  county, 
Ohio,  with  his  father  and  family,  where,  when  old  enough,  he  began  at- 
tending the  common  schools.  Later  he  pursued  his  studies  in  the  local 
academy,  after  which  he  engaged  in  teaching,  and  was  thus  occupied  for 
three  terms  in  the  Buckeye  state.  In  1855  he  came  to  LaSalle  county, 
Illinois,  and  for  four  years  thereafter  he  taught  school  during  the  winters 
and  worked  upon  farms  near  Ottawa  in  the  summer.  At  length  he  con- 
cluded that  he  did  not  wish  to  devote  his  entire  life  to  either  of  these  voca- 
tions, and  he  determined  to  enter  the  commercial  world.  Thus  for  nine 
years  we  find  him  steadily  and  industriously  engaged  in  employment  as  a 
traveling  salesman  for  a  Dayton  (Illinois)  woolen  factory,  and  then  for  three 
years  he  was  head  salesman  for  the  Cushman  Manufacturing  Company,  of 
Ottawa,  Illinois. 

Having  had  this  necessary  business  experience,  Mr.  Winter  came  to 
Garfield  and  started  a  lumber  yard,  which  he  managed  successfully  for  three 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  675 

years.  Since  1876  he  has  given  his  entire  attention  to  the  carrying  on  of 
a  general  merchandising  estabhshment  at  Garfield,  save  when  he  has  been 
officiating  as  the  postmaster  of  the  place.  He  was  first  honored  with  this 
responsible  position  during  the  administration  of  President  Hayes,  and  con- 
tinned  to  serve  until  President  Cleveland's  election  made  it  necessary  for 
him  to  resign  the  duties  of  the  office  to  the  Democratic  appointee.  Need- 
less to  say.  he  is  a  stalwart  Republican,  and  though  he  has  never  sought 
public  office  he  has  frequently  been  called  upon  to  serve  the  people,  as  when 
•he  was  elected  the  town  clerk  for  one  year  and  a  justice  of  the  peace  for 
four  years.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  Camp  No.  4127.  Modern  A\'oodmen 
of  America. 

On  the  1st  of  April.  1855,  ^Ir.  \\'inter  wedded  ]\Iartha  Maria,  a  daugh- 
ter of  William  and  Jane  (Alillikin)  Parkinson,  who  were  natives  of  England 
and  Pennsylvania  respectively.  Her  father  was  brought  to  America  by 
his  parents  in  1801,  when  he  was  three  years  old.  His  father,  John  Park- 
inson, also  of  English  birth,  was  a  farmer  and  kept  a  dairy  farm  in  New 
York  state  for  a  period,  then  removing  to  Licking  county.  Ohio,  where  he 
died  when  well  along  in  years.  He  had  four  sons  and  two  daughters. 
William  Parkinson  removed  from  Ohio  to  Illinois  in  the  spring  of  1856  and 
settled  in  LaSalle  county,  on  a  farm  adjacent  to  Ottawa.  He  died  as  the 
result  of  a  fall  from  a  wagon,  November  15,  i860,  when  he  was  in  his 
sixty-third  year.  His  widow,  who  survived  him  until  November,  1878,  was 
seventy-eisfht  vears  and  four  months  old  at  the  time  of  her  death.  Both 
were  earnest  members  of  the  United  Brethren  church.  The  father  of  Mrs. 
Parkinson,  James  ]Millikin,  who  was  born  in  the  Keystone  state,  was  of 
Scotch  descent.  He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade  and  followed  that  calling  until 
shortly  before  his  death,  which  event  occurred  in  his  native  state  when  he 
was  advanced  in  years.  J\Irs.  ]Mary  Millikin,  the  maternal  grandmother  of 
Mrs.  AX'inter,  was  a  native  of  Ireland.  She  v.-as  a  very  remarkable  old  lady, 
noted  for  many  things,  among  others  that  when  she  was  ninety-four  years 
old  she  was  able  to  walk  a  mile  or  two  without  excessive  fatigue,  and 
still  operated  her  spinning-wheel  much  as  in  the  days  of  her  prime.  She 
died  in  1856,  when  five  months  past  the  ninety-fifth  anniversary  of  her 
birth.  Mrs.  \A'inter  was  one  of  the  five  surviving  members  of  a  family 
which  originally  comprised  five  daughters  and  four  sons.  Her  sister,  Mar- 
garet A.,  is  the  wife  of  Clark  Downey,  of  Wenona,  Illinois;  Catherine  R.  is 
Mrs.  William  Trumbo,  of  Shafter,  IMissouri;  and  Sarah  E.  is  the  widow  of 
Aaron  Martin,  of  AA'enona:  while  W^illiam  H.  Parkinson  resides  near  the 
same  town.  Mrs.  ^Martha  ^I.  A\'inter  died  January  15.  J900,  on  the  sixty- 
eighth  anniversary  of  her  birth. 

The  union  of  'Mr.  and  ]Mrs.  AA'inter  was  blessed  with  three  sons  and 


676  BIOGRAPHICAL    AXD    GEXEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

three  daughters,  namely:  Harr}'  A.,  who  married  Florence  Wilson  and 
resides  on  a  farm  seven  miles  west  of  Wenona;  Orrel  Dell,  who  wedded 
P.  H.  Jennett  and  lives  near  Whitamore,  Iowa;  Lyman  Lee.  whose  wife 
was  Annie  Lechner  in  her  girlhood;  William  D.,  who  chose  Ida  Thrasher 
for  a  wife;  Sarah  J.,  the  wife  of  Jefferson  R.  Eward,  of  Garfield;  and  Susie, 
who  died  when  about  eight  months  old.  The  children  of  Harry  A.  are  named 
respectively  Jay  W.,  Reuben  Roy  and  Floyd  Leslie.  '\lr.  and  ^Irs.  Jennett 
have  ten  children:  Albert  V\'illiam,  Walter  Lee,  Ora  ]\Iae,  Edwin  Maithew, 
Luella,  Hugh  Burnett.  John  Austin,  Ralph,  Jason  and  Francis.  Lyman 
Lee  \\'inter,  of  Garfield,  has  four  living  children:  Arthur  J..  Jennie  B.,  Wilbur 
Ray  and  John  Lawrence;  and  William  D.  Winter,  also  a  citizen  of  Garfield, 
has  two  living  children — Oliver  Guy  and  Frances  Emma.  ^Ir.  and  Mrs. 
Eward  are  the  parents  of  three  children — ^^lattie  Edith,  Elsie  Dell  and 
Thomas  James. 

The  \vife  of  our  subject  was  identified  with  the  church  of  the  L'nited 
Brethren  in  her  early  womanhood,  but  of  late  years  she  has  held  her  member- 
ship in  the  Presbyterian  denomination.  She  has  been  a  faithful  helpmate 
to  her  husband,  a  loving  mother  and  a  helpful,  sympathetic  friend  and 
neighbor,  endeared  to  every  one  who  knows  her.  ^Ir.  and  ]\Irs.  Winter 
are  justly  regarded  and  highly  respected  by  those  who  know  them  and 
are  held  as  models  worthv  to  follow. 


EUGENE  C.  LONG. 


Eugene  C.  Long  is  a  well  known  and  much  esteemed  citizen  of  Rut- 
land township,  LaSalle  count}',  ^vhere  he  has  spent  his  entire  life,  his  birth 
having  occurred  in  Rutland  township,  January  26,  1857.  Lewis  Long,  his 
father,  has  been  a  prominent  and  influential  citizen  of  the  county  for  many 
years.  He  and  his  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Emily  Barber,  were  the 
parents  of  eight  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living,  namely:  Eugene  C.; 
Emma  F.,  the  wife  of  Gaylord  States,  of  Miller  township;  Charles  W.,  of  Rut- 
land township:  Ruth  Inez,  the  wife  of  George  Funkle,  of  [Marseilles;  Bertha 
A.,  the  wife  of  F.  Spencer,  of  Rutland  township;  and  Lewis  ^^'alter  and 
Arthur  F.,  at  their  parental  home. 

Eugene  C.  Long  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and,  being  the  oldest  of  a 
large  number  of  children,  early  became  his  father's  assistant.  In  his  boy- 
hood he  was  inured  to  the  various  kinds  of  farm  work  and  for  two  or  three 
years  after  attaining  his  majority  he  was  connected  with  the  brick  and  tile 
manufactory  at  jMarseilles.  Returning  to  the  home  farm,  he  again  directed  his 
attention  to  agricultural  pursuits,  which  he  has  continued  up  to  the  present 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  677 

time,  now  having  full  charge  of  the  farming  operations  at  the  home  place. 
Mr  Lone  is  a  member  of  several  social  orders,  and  is  an  officer  in 
the  Knights  of  Pythias  Lodge,  No.  62,  of  Marseilles.  Politically  he  is  a 
Republican,  but  has  never  been  an  aspirant  for  political  honors,  preferring 
to  devote  his  attention  to  the  vocation  in  life  in  which  he  has  met  with  credit- 
able and  lionorable  success. 


GEORGE  A.  McFERSON. 

An  enterprising  business  man  of  Tonica  is  the  gentleman  named  above, 
who  is  successfully  engaged  in  the  furniture  and  undertaking  business.  He 
was  born  in  Putnam  county,  this  state,  March  29,  1848,  a  son  of  Harvey 
and  Mary  Jane  (Atchison)  McFerson.  His  father  was  a  native  of  southern 
Ohio,  and  his  mother  of  Virginia,  and  they  had  eleven  children,  of  whom 
four  are  now  living,  namely:  Mary  Jane,  the  wife  of  Frederick  Hannum. 
of  San  Francisco;  Alice  G.,  the  wife  of  Henry  Leininger,  of  Piper  City, 
Illinois;  George  A.;  and  Grant,  of  Kewanee.  this  state.  Harvey  McFerson, 
a  farmer,  came  to  Illinois  in  1840  and  settled  in  Union  Grove,  Putnam 
county,  where  he  faithfully  engaged  in  his  calling  until  1855,  when  he  came 
to  LaSalle  county,  locating  in  Eden  township,  upon  a  quarter  section  of 
good  land  which  he  had  purchased,  and  he  followed  agricultural  pursuits 
there  until  1877;  t'"'^'''  ^''^  moved  to  Tonica.  wdiere  he  passed  the  remainder 
of  his  life,  quitting  the  scenes  of  this  world  in  1878.  y\pril  26.  at  the  age  of 
sixty  years.  His  first  wife,  the  mother  of  our  subject,  died  in  1864.  November 
14,  aged  forty-seven  years.  In  her  religious  sympathies  she  was  a  Con- 
gregationalist,  while  her  husband  was  a  Universalist.  In  his  political  views 
he  was  a  Republican,  and  in  public  position  he  for  a  time  held  the  office 
of  supervisor  of  Eden  township,  and  also  that  of  assessor  and  other  public 
positions.  For  his  second  wife  he  married  Martha  E.  King,  who  is  still  living, 
and  by  this  marriage  there  were  no  children. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  Mr.  McFerson.  Alexander  McFerson.  was 
also  a  native  of  the  Buckeye  state,  of  Scotch  ancestry,  and  died  in  his  native 
state,  in  middle  life,  being  killed  by  a  kick  from  a  horse.  He  had  th':ee  sons 
and  two  daughters.  The  history  of  the  maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject 
is  not  known. 

George  A.  McFerson  was  seven  vears  old  when  the  familv  of  which 
he  was  a  member  moved  to  LaSalle  county,  and  he  was  reared  to  the  heavy 
work  of  the  farm  until  twenty-two  years  of  age.  attending  school  during 
the  winter  seasons.     In  1869  he  married  and  1)OUght  a  farm  of  one  hundred 


6/8  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

and  sixty  acres  in  A\'abaunsee  county,  Kansas,  and  followed  farming  there 
for  five  years.  (This  farm  he  still  owns.)  He  then  returned  to  LaSalle 
county,  in  the  winter  of  1874,  and  was  employed  as  clerk  by  his  father-in-law, 
James  S.  Underbill,  in  a  hardware  store,  for  a  period  of  five  years,  and 
then  he  purchased  his  present  furniture  store,  where,  in  addition  to  his 
business  of  dealing  in  furniture,  he  also  is  an  undertaker.  He  is  a  well 
known  and  highly  esteemed  citizen  of  this  county,  having  been  a  resident 
here  ever  since  he  was  seven  years  of  age  excepting  when  he  was  in  Kansas. 

In  his  religion  he  is  exemplary,  being  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
church;  and  he  is  also  connected  with  Tonica  Lodge,  Xo.  364.  A.  F.  &  A. 
M.;  of  Peru  Chapter,  Xo.  60,  R.  A.  'M.:  Peru  Council,  Xo.  12,  R.  &  S. 
M.;  of  St.  John's  Commandery,  X"o.  26,  K.  T.;  and  of  the  Mystic  Workers 
of  the  World.  Of  the  commandery  he  was  the  presiding  officer  for  four 
years,  .and  was  then  elected  generalissimo,  in  which  oflice  he  faithfully  served 
until  1898;  and  he  was  senior  warden  for  a  number  of  years.  He  was  the 
master  of  the  blue  lodge  for  three  years.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Eastern 
Star  lodge.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  and  he  has  served  as  town  clerk 
of  Eden  township  for  several  terms. 

On  the  1 6th  of  December,  1869,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  ]\Iiss 
Maria  Underbill,  daughter  of  James  S.  and  Jane  (AIcLean)  Underbill,  and 
they  have  one  son.  Charles  A.,  who  is  a  conductor  on  the  Illinois  Central 
Railroad,  and  married  Sophia  AA'estmeier.  ]\Irs.  George  A.  McFerson  died 
February  28,  1880.  at  the  early  age  of  twenty-nine  years;  and  for  his  second 
wife  Mr.  ]\IcFerson  chose,  March  12.  1895.  [Miss  Cora  C.  Gunn,  a  daughter 
of  Henry  and  Cordelia  (Fisher)  Gunn.  There  were  no  children  bv  this 
marriage.  ]\lrs.  McFerson  died  January  12.  1898.  at  the  age  of  twenty-nine 
years,  a  pious  and  exemplary  member  of  the  ]\Iethodist  church. 


JOHX  KEXXEDY 


John  Kennedy,  a  farmer  residing  on  section  10.  Groveland  township. 
LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  has  been  identified  with  this  county  for  a  period 
of  forty-one  years,  and  is  well  known  as  one  of  its  respected  and  infiiiential 
citizens. 

]\Ir.  Kennedy  is  a  native  of  Ireland.  He  was  born  in  county  Queens, 
October  9,  1836,  a  son  of  John  and  Margaret  (Call)  Kennedy,  both  natives 
of  the  Emerald  isle,  the  former  of  county  Queens  and  the  latter  of  county 
Carlow.  To  John  and  Margaret  Kennedy  were  born  seven  children,  three 
sons  and  four  daughters,  four  of  whom  are  living:     Jane,  the  widow  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GEXEALOGICAL   RECORD.  679 

Edward  Brennan,  of  Carlow,  Ireland;  ]Mary,  the  wife  of  John  W.  McGarvey, 
of  Sherrington,  Canada;  ]^Iargaret,  the  wife  of  Patrick  Cooglan,  also  of  Sher- 
rington. Canada;  John,  whose  name  introduces  this  sketch.  The  father,  who 
was  a  farmer,  came  to  America  with  his  family  in  the  year  1850  and  located 
on  a  farm  eight  miles  south  of  Utica.  New  York,  where  he  died  in  1855,  at 
the  aee  of  fortv  vears.  His  wife's  death  occurred  about  one  vear  before 
his. 

William  Kennedy,  the  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  reached 
the  extreme  old  age  of  one  hundred  and  eight  years,  and  his  death  was  then 
caused  l)y  falling  from  his  horse  while  going  to  a  fair.  He  was  the  father 
of  one  son  and  live  daughters.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject 
also  died  in  Ireland,  at  a  ripe  old  age.    Both  were  farmers. 

John  Kennedy  spent  the  first  fourteen  years  of  his  life  in  Ireland,  reared 
on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  accompanied  his  par- 
ents to  America,  settling  with  them  in  New  York,  where  he  remained 
until  after  his  father's  death.  Then  he  went  to  Chicago  and  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Burlington  Railroad  Company,  but  remained  with  that  road 
onlv  a  short  time.  Wt  next  find  him  in  La  Porte  county.  Indiana,  where 
for  one  vear  he  worked  by  the  month  on  a  farm.  Then  he  came  to  ]Mar- 
shall  county,  Illinois,  and  in  1858  to  LaSalle  county,  where  he  continued  as 
a  farm  hand,  working  by  the  month,  until  1864.  That  year  he  enlisted  in 
Company  B,  One  hundred  and  Fiftieth  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  one 
vear.  Wliile  in  the  army  he  took  part  in  a  number  of  skirmishes  but  was 
in  no  heavy  battles. 

A-fter  the  war  ]\[r.  Kennedy  settled  in  A\'oodford  county.  Illinois,  where 
he  lived  one  year,  at  the  end  of  that  time  removing  to  Rutland, 
LaSalle  county.  Here  he  rented  a  farm,  which  he  cultivated  a  short  time, 
and  then  bought  eighty  acres  in  Groveland  township,  near  Pleasant  Yalley 
school-house,  which  he  still  owns.  Afterward  he  bought  forty  acres,  where 
he  now  lives,  and  later  added  another  eighty-acre  tract.  He  carries  on 
general  farming  and  stock-raising  and  has  been  fairly  successful  in  his  oper- 
ations, his  career  showing  conclusively  that  in  this  country  an  energetic 
3^oung  n^.an  can  b}-  honest  industry  and  good  management  win  success. 

]\Ir.  Kennedy  was  married  December  4.  1870,  to  Miss  Mary  Ann  Gol- 
den, a  daughter  of  Patrick  and  ]\Iary  Golden;  and  the  fruits  of  their  union 
are  thirteen  children:  Margaret,  Ann,  William.  Mary,  John,  Jane,  Thomas, 
Frank,  Rose  Ellen,  Emma.  Julia.  Kate  and  Daniel.  All  of  the  children  ex- 
cept the  three  oldest  daughters  are  at  home,  and  two  of  these,  Margaret 
and  Ann.  are  married.  ^Margaret  is  the  wife  of  AA'illiam  Akens,  of  Chicago. 
Ann  married  John  Burns,  also  of  Chicago,  and  the}-  have  one  child,  Mary. 

Mr.  Kennedy's  parents  were  devout  members  of  the  Catholic  church, 


68o  BIOGRAPHICAL    AXD    GEXEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

and  he  and  his  wife  also  are  CathoHcs.  their  membershin  beine'  in  Sacred 
Heart  Catholic  church  of  Rutland.  Believing"  that  "new  times  demand 
new  measures  and  new  means,''  Mr.  Kennedy  has  changed  his  political  views. 
He  was  first  a  Republican,  then  a  Democrat,  and  is  now  an  independent. 
As  a  citizen  he  stands  in  high  esteem. 


JOSHUA   G.    GAY. 

For  just  half  a  century  Joshua  Guilford  Gay  was  actively  engaged  in 
business  in  Ottawa,  and  is  now  living  retired,  after  an  extremely  busy,  useful 
life.  He  has  used  his  means  and  influence  to  the  lasting  welfare  of  this, 
his  chosen  place  of  abode,  fostering  local  industries  and  improvements,  and 
all  that  has  gone  toward  the  upbuilding  and  prosperity  of  the  community. 

The  Guilfords  and  Gays  were  numl^ered  among  the  early  Pilgrims  of 
New  Engiand,  and  many  distinguished  representatives  of  both  families  ha^■e 
flourished  in  the  United  States  and  have  brought  additional  honor  to  the 
names  they  l)ore.  The  Gay  family  was  founded  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston. 
Massachusetts,  by  one  John  Gay,  who  was  a  native  of  England,  and  in  each 
generation  of  his  posterity  there  was  a  John,  named  in  his  honor.  Philip 
Thomas  Guilford,  our  subject's  maternal  ancestor,  emigrated  from  Eng- 
land to  this  country  in  1640.  He  located  in  Virginia,  where  he  died,  and 
subsequently  his  widow  and  son  removed  to  Massachusetts  and  settled  upon 
a  strip  of  land  on  the  seashore  which  was  later  styled  Guilford's  Point.  The 
son  grew  to  manhood  there  and  several  generations  of  his  descendants 
were  born,  lived  and  died  in  the  old  Bay  state.  The  maternal  grandfather 
of  our  subject  was  Simeon  Guilford,  who,  with  five  of  his  brothers,  served 
through  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  was  one  of  the  guards  in  whose 
keeping  the  celebrated  Major  Andre  was  placed  subsequently  to  his  capture. 
One  of  the  Guilford  brothers  lived  to  attain  the  extreme  age  of  ninety-three 
years.  Simeon  Guilford  married  a  Miss  Hayden  and  reared  a  large  number 
of  children. 

The  birth  of  Joshua  Guilford  Gay  occurred  in  Pittsfield,  Berkshire 
county,  Massachusetts,  December  11.  1821.  He  is  one  of  the  six  children  of 
Willard  and  Electa  Gay,  the  others  being  Willard  and  Lemuel  Bingham, 
who  are  deceased;  Rev.  William  Moore  Gay,  wdio  is  a  Congregational  min- 
ister, now  located  in  Georgetown.  Massachusetts;  Electa  M.,  who  is  unmar- 
ried and  is  a  resident  of  Boston ;  and  Mrs.  Catherine  D.  Hayden,  whose 
husband,  Henry  Hayden,  died  in  1896,  since  which  time  she  has  lived  with 
her  son  at  Colorado  Springs. 


-^cyZ 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  68i 

The  boyhood  of  Joshua  G.  Gay  was  spent  in  his  native  town,  where 
he  was  a  student  in  the  pubHc  schools  until  he  was  seventeen  years  old.  His 
father  was  a  carriase-maker  ])v  trade,  and  the  vouth  assisted  him  in  his  busi- 
ness  for  some  time,  later  going  to  New  Haven.  Connecticut,  where  he 
served  an  apprenticeship  to  the  carriage-maker's  trade.  In  1846  he  came 
west,  and  for  about  one  year  worked  at  his  calling  in  Chicago.  Then,  com- 
ing to  Ottawa,  he  entered  into  partnership  with  William  Palmer,  who  was 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  wagons,  and  continued  in  partnership  with 
that  worthy  citizen  for  some  three  years.  The  ambitious  young  man, 
having  accumulated  a  little  capital  by  economy  and  good  management, 
then  opened  a  small  shop  of  his  own  and  commenced  manufacturing  car- 
riages and  various  kinds  of  light  road  wagons.  He  was  alone  until  1870, 
and  employed  cjuite  a  force  of  men  during  the  last  years.  The  following- 
decade  he  was  associated  with  Colonel  B.  S.  Porter  in  business,  that  gentle- 
man retiring  from  the  firm  in  1880,  when  his  interest  was  purchased  by 
Simeon  G.  Gay,  who  is  the  eldest  son  of  our  subject,  and  who  for  the  past 
two  years  has  been  the  sole  proprietor  of  the  enterprise  which  was  founded 
nearly  half  a  century  ago  1:)y  his  esteemed  father.  The  firm  known  as 
Gay  &  Son,  for  seventeen  years,  built  u])  an  extensive  and  remunerative 
business  and  a  very  desirable  reputation  for  square  dealing  and  for  excel- 
lence of  vehicles  turned  out  in  its  factory.  The  plant  is  equipped  with  the 
best  modern  machinery,  and  high-grade  work  is  invariably  to  be  found  in 
ever}-  department  of  the  factory. 

The  marriage  of  J.  G.  Gay  and  Miss  Ann  M.  Aldrich,  of  Warsaw.  Illi- 
nois, was  celebrated  May  18,  185 1.  Her  father,  Mark  Aldrich,  was  a  pioneer 
at  Warsaw,  which  town  he  laid  out  in  1846.  Years  afterward  he  went  to 
California,  and  then  to  Arizona,  where  his  death  occurred.  Mrs.  Ann  Gay 
departed  this  life  in  1868,  and  of  the  four  sons  born  to  herself  and  husband 
two  have  entered  the  silent  land,  namely:  Willard  and  Frederick  W. 
Simeon  G.  and  Joseph  W.  are  well  known  business  men  of  Ottawa.  For 
his  second  wife  Mr.  Gay  chose  Mrs.  Olive  W.  Ashley,  of  Springfield, 
Massachusetts,  their  marriage  taking  place  November  21,  1873;  and  a  son 
and  daughter  were  born  to  them,  namely:  Nellie  M.,  who  died  in  infancy, 
and  Burton  Albro,  who  is  yet  at  home.  By  her  former  marriage,  to  Lester 
Ashley,  Mrs.  Gay  has  one  daughter,  Mabel  E.,  who  is  now  the  wife  of  Alfred 
Michell,  of  Dallas,  Texas. 

In  his  political  faith  Mr.  Gay  is  a  stalwart  Republican.  Coming  from 
stanch  old  Puritan  stock,  he  naturally  adheres  to  the  Congregational  de- 
nomination, to  which  his  ancestors  belonged,  and  for  a  number  of  years  he 
has  officiated  in  the  capacity  of  deacon  in  the  Ottawa  church.  All  worthy 
religious  and  philanthropic  enterprises  find  a  friend  and  assistant  in  him, 


682  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GEXEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

and  many  a  needy  person  has  had  cause  to  bless  and  remem])er  his  name, 
though  his  deeds  of  helpfuhiess  are  quietly  performed  and  rarely  known  to 
the  public. 


DANIEL  PETERSON. 


The  subject  of  this  sketch,  although  a  native  of  the  Buckeye  state,  has 
been  identified  with  Illinois  all  his  life,  having  been  brought  here  by  his  par- 
ents in  his  infancy.  He  is  a  resident  of  Tonica.  engaged  in  the  stock  busi- 
ness,, and  is  one  of  the  substantial  and  leading  citizens  of  the  place. 

Daniel  Peterson  was  born  in  Harrison  county.  Ohio.  April  21,  1835.  a 
son  of  Isaac  and  ]\lary  (Bush)  Peterson,  natives  of  Ohio.  In  the  Peterson 
family  were  ten  children,  four  sons  and  six  daughters,  six  of  whom  are  now 
living,  namely:  Daniel,  the  direct  subject  of  this  review;  Nancy  Jane,  the 
wife  of  B.  F.  ^^  hittaker.  of  Nebraska;  John  I.,  of  Putnam  cotmty,  Illinois; 
William  A.,  of  Red  Wing,  Minnesota;  Ruth,  wife  of  .\.  S.  Bickle,  of  North 
Chillicothe,  Illinois;  and  Elizabeth  D..  immarried.  Isaac  Peterson,  the 
father,  was  a  farmer.  He  left  Ohio  in  the  fall  of  1835  and  brought  his 
family  west  to  Illinois,  selecting  a  location  in  Putnam  county  and  buying 
at  that  time  forty  acres  of  land.  To  this  tract  he  subsequently  added  until 
he  had  a  fine  farm  of  two  hundred  acres  and  some  timljer  land,  and  on 
this  farm  he  reared  his  family  and  passed  the  rest  of  his  life.  He  died  in 
January.  1875.  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years.  His  wife  survived  him  five 
or  six  years  and  at  the  time  of  her  death  was  about  seventy-four.  In  her 
religious  faith  she  was  a  ]\Iethodist. 

Turning  back  another  generation  for  a  glimpse  of  the  grandparents 
of  ]\Ir.  Peterson,  we  find  that  his  grandfather.  Daniel  Peterson,  was  of 
Holland-Dutch  descent,  was  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  Ohio,  and  from 
there  in  the  spring  of  1835  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Putnam  county, 
where  he  died  at  about  the  age  of  seventy-five  years.  He  was  a  farmer, 
and  his  family  comprised  five  children.  Grandfather  Bush,  Mr.  Peterson's 
grandfather  on  his  mother's  side,  was  a  native  of  Ohio  and  lived  and  died 
there,  being  well  advanced  in  vears  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  had  several 
sons  and  two  daughters,  and  he.  too,  was  a  farmer. 

Daniel" Peterson,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch,  as  above  stated,- 
was  brought  to  Illinois  in  his  infancy,  and  his  life  was  spent  in  Putnam 
county  up  to  1892.  when  he  mo^'ed  to  Tonica.  His  educational  advantages 
were  those  only  of  the  district  schools.  Reared  a  farmer,  he  naturally  en- 
gaged in  agricultural  pursuits  when  he  reached  his  majority  and  started  out 
in  life  to  do  for  himself.  For  four  or  five  years  he  farmed  some  of  his  fither's 
land  on  the  shares.     Then  he  bought  eighty  acres  of  improved  land,  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  683 

later  he  and  his  brother  Johii  bought  out  some  of  the  heirs  in  the  old  home- 
stead, and  they  two  farmed  together  from  1870  for  a  number  of  years.  They 
now  o\\n  four  eighty-acre  tracts  and  a  forty-acre  piece  of  land  in  Putnam 
county,  and  have  two  hundred  and  eighty-one  acres  of  timber  land.  In  1892 
they  rented  their  farms,  and  Daniel  moved  to  Tonica,  where  he  has  since 
bought  a  home,  located  in  the  southwest  part  of  town;  and  since  the  above 
date  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  stock  business,  dealing  chiefly  in  hogs. 

Mr.  Peterson  has  been  twice  married.  November  6,  1856,  he  wedded 
Miss  Mary  J.  Inks,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Matilda  Inks,  and  their 
union  was  blessed  in  the  birth  of  six  children,  one  son  and  five  daughters, 
viz.,  Mary  Matilda,  Martha  Jane,  Emma  Ella,  Isaac,  Willetta  and  Edna. 
Mary  Matilda  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-three  years.  She  was  the  wife  of  Don- 
ald Dagger  and  had  two  children,  Blanche  and  Cora.  Martha  Jane  is  the  wife 
of  George  Ford,  of  Putnam  county,  Illinois,  and  they  have  one  child,  Joy. 
Emma  Ella  married  \V.  L.  Skeel  and  lives  at  Sandwich,  Illinois.  The  other 
children,  Isaac.  Willetta  and  Edna,  died  in  infancy.  The  mother  of  these 
children  passed  away  May  12,  1870,  at  the  age  of  thirty-six  years,  a  Presby- 
terian. December  17,  1874,  ^Ii'-  Peterson  married  Miss  Elizabeth  M.  Mc- 
Clung.  a  daughter  of  William  McClung.  There  are  no  children  by  this  mar- 
riage.    Mrs.  Peterson  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church. 

Politically  J\Ir.  Peterson  is  a  Democrat,  as  was  his  father  before  him. 
V/hile  in  Putnam  county  he  served  four  years  as  the  supervisor  of  Henne- 
pin township,  and  has  always  taken  an  intelligent  and  commendal)le  interest 
in  public  aft'airs. 


WILLIAM  OSMAN. 


William  Osman  is  probably  the  oldest  representative  of  newspaper  in- 
terests in  Illinois,  having  been  connected  with  the  Free  Trader  at  Ottawa 
for  more  than  half  a  century.  He  was  born  near  Gratz,  Dauphin  county, 
Pennsylvania,  on  the  19th  of  June,  1819,  and  is  a  son  of  Robert  and  Cath- 
erine (Schreiber)  Osman,  the  former  of  English  and  the  latter  of  German 
lineage.  The  father  was  the  owner  of  a  farm  of  three  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  in  Pennsylvania,  one  hundred  acres  of  the  place  being  mountain  land. 
Between  the  ages  of  seven  and  thirteen  years  our  subject  attended  school 
through  the  short  winter  seasons,  his  privileges  being  thus  afforded  in  pri- 
vate schools  of  the  neighborhood.  He  learned  to  read  and  write  and  also 
completed  Pike's  arithmetic,  but  the  greater  part  of  his  education  has  been 
obtained  through  reading  and  study  outside  of  the  school-room.  At  the  age 
of  thirteen  he  entered  the  office  of  the  Morgenroethe.  a  German  newspaper 
established  by  Jacob  Baab  at  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania.     He  served  a  six- 


684  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

years  apprenticeship  to  the  printer's  trade  and  afterward  pursued  his  studies 
for  a  short  period  in  Gettysburg  College,  but  on  account  of  his  limited  means 
was  forced  to  abandon  his  text-books.  In  the  fall  of  1839  he  went  to  Phila- 
delphia, where  he  was  employed  as  a  compositor  in  the  establishment  of 
L.  Johnson  &  Company,  stereotypers,  with  whom  he  remained  until  the 
spring  of  1840. 

Subsequently  he  worked  as  a  journeyman  in  Harrisburg  and  in  Jul}% 
1840,  started  westward,  traveling  by  way  of  Philadelphia,  New  York,  Albany, 
by  railroad  to  Syracuse,  thence  by  the  Erie  canal  to  Buffalo  and  by  the 
great  lakes  to  Chicago,  where  he  took  a  stage  for  Ottawa,  arriving  on  the 
1st  of  August,  1840.  Pie  began  working  for  Weaver  &  Hise,  proprietors 
of  the  Ottawa  Free  Trader,  doing  various  kinds  of  work  in  the  office,  includ- 
ing the  writing  of  editorials.  He  \x^s  an  employe  of  that  firm  until  1842, 
when  he  ])urchased  the  interest  of  George  F.  Weaver,  thus  entering  into 
partnershi])  with  Mr.  Hise,  under  the  firm  name  of  Hise  &  Osman.  That 
connection  was  continued  until  1848,  when  Moses  Osman,  a  brother  of 
our  subject,  purchased  the  interest  of  Mr.  Hise.  The  partnership  between 
the  brothers  continued  until  1856,  when  our  subject  became  sole  proprietor, 
conducting  the  business  alone  until  1867,  when  he  entered  into  partnership 
with  Douglas  Hapeman,  a  relationship  that  was  maintained  until  1888,  when 
Mr.  Hapeman  retired  and  Mr.  Osman  admitted  his  sons  to  an  interest  in 
the  business.  One  of  them,  William  H.  Osman,  is  still  connected  with  his 
father.  During  the  greater  part  of  his  time  for  fifty-eight  years  Mr.  Osman 
has  written  the  majority  of  the  editorials  for  the  Free  Trader  and  has  made 
the  paper  one  of  the  leading  journals  in  his  section  of  the  state.  It  has 
always  been  a  pronounced  Democratic  paper,  stanchly  advocating  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  party  during  the  greater  part  of  the  time,  save  only  in  1896, 
when  it  advocated  the  gold  standard  in  opposition  to  the  Chicago  platform 
on  free  silver. 

During  the  Mexican  war  Mr.  Osman  served  from  May,  1846,  until 
Jul}-,  1847,  as  a  volunteer  in  Company  L,  First  Regiment  of  Illinois  In- 
fantry, under  the  command  of  Captain  T.  Lyle  Dickey  and  afterward  under 
the  command  of  Captain  B.  M.  Prentiss.  He  entered  the  service  as  a  pri- 
vate but  arose  to  the  rank  of  quartermaster  sergeant  of  his  regiment.  The 
only  battle  the  regiment  was  engaged  in  and  in  which  Mr.  Osman  of  course 
took  part,  was  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista.  February  23,  1847,  in  which  General 
Zacharv  Tavlor.  with  four  thousand  five  hundred  men,  so  sigfuallv  defeated 
the  Mexican  army  of  twenty  thousand  men  under  Santa  Ana. 

Mr.  Osman  has  served  for  two  terms  as  the  postmaster  of  Ottawa,  fill- 
ing the  position  from  1856  until  i860,  and  again  from  1887  until  1891.  He 
served  during  two  sessions,   1853-4  and   1856-7,  as  an  engrossing  clerk  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GEXEALOGICAL    RECORD.  685 

the  house  of  representatives  in  the  llHnois  legislature,  and  in  1854  was  for 
some  six  months  a  clerk  in  the  interior  department  at  Washington;  l)ut 
other  than  this  he  has  held  no  public  office  excepting  some  very  minor 
ones. 

On  the  28th  of  November.  1848,  Mr.  Osman  was  united  in  marriage  to 
]\liss  Mary  Hise,  a  sister  of  his  former  partner,  John  Hise,  of  Ottawa.  Four 
children,  two  sons  and  two  daughters,  were  born  to  them,  but  their  first 
child,  a  daughter,  died  at  the  age  of  two  years.  The  others  are  still  living. 
One  son  is  now  assistant  editor  of  the  American  Miller  at  Chicago,  and 
the  other  son  is  associated  with  his  father  in  business.  Socially  Mr.  Osman 
has  been  connected  with  the  Masonic  fraternity,  but  has  never  taken  a 
very  acti\e  part  in  its  work.  For  fifty-nine  years  he  has  been  the  editor  of 
the  Free  Trader,  and  his  long  connection  with  the  paper  makes  him  the 
pioneer  in  journalistic  work  in  this  state.  At  all  times  he  has  labored  to 
advance  the  interests  of  the  conmiunity  which  he  represents,  and  Ottawa 
has  found  in  him  a  progressive  and  valued  citizen  who  enjoys  the  high 
regard  of  her  leading  people. 


JAMES  BANE. 

A  native  of  Marshall  county,  ^^'est  Virginia,  born  Deceml)er  30,  1840. 
James  Bane  is  a  son  of  Nimrod  and  Leanna  (Bowers)  Bane,  who  were 
among  the  pioneers  of  Illinois,  settling  in  ^Marshall  county  in  1850.  The 
father  was  a  son  of  Jesse  Bane,  a  farmer,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania, 
of  English  descent.  He  participated  in  the  war  of  18 12  and  instilled  the 
same  principles  of  patriotism  that  animated  him  into  the  minds  of  his  several 
children.  He  passed  the  later  years  of  his  life  in  West  Virginia,  his  death  oc- 
curring when  he  was  about  sixty-five  }'ears  of  age.  The  maternal  grandfather 
of  our  subject,  Henry  Bowers,  likewise  was  a  native  of  the  Keystone  state, 
and  was  of  German  extraction.  He.  too.  followed  agricultural  pursuits,  and 
reared  a  large  number  of  children.  He  was  about  three  score  and  ten  years 
of  age  when  claimed  by  death,  in  1845. 

Ninn-od  Bane,  who  is  still  li\-iug.  is  a  nati\e  of  Greene  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, as  was  also  his  wife.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  eight 
of  whom  were  sons.  Fi\'e  of  the  number  are  ]i\-ing  at  this  writing,  namely: 
Henry,  of  Greenwood  county,  Kansas;  James;  Ephraim.  of  Reno  county, 
Kansas;  Jacob,  of  Springfield.  Blinois;  and  Joseph,  of  Morris  county.  Kansas. ' 
As  previously  stated,  the  father  removed  to  this  state  almost  half  a  century 
ago,  and  locating  upon  a  farm  of  eightv  acres  in  ^Marshall  county  he  pro- 
ceeded to  improve  and  cultivate  the  place,  which  he  transformed   into  a 


686  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

very  desirable  homestead.  For  a  number  of  years  they  dwelt  in  the  vicinity 
of  Robert's  Point,  where  the  children  received  excellent  educational  advant- 
ages. The  devoted  wife  and  mother  was  summoned  to  the  better  land  in 
1876,  when  she  was  in  her  sixty-second  year.  She  adhered  to  the  religious 
faith  of  her  ancestors,  being  a  Lutheran.  Of  late  years  the  father  has  made 
his  home  with  his  children.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  has  ever  taken  an 
active  part  in  the  affairs  of  his  own  locality. 

James  Bane,  whose  name  heads  this  sketch,  has  resided  in  Illinois  since 
he  was  about  ten  years  old,  and  in  1856  he  became  a  citizen  of  LaSalle 
countv.  Here  he  worked  for  farmers  for  several  years,  or  until  the  civil  war 
was  well  under  wa}-,  when  he  offered  his  services  in  the  defense  of  the  stars 
and  stripes.  Becoming  a  member  of  Company  H,  One  hundred  and  Fourth 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  he  continued  at  the  post  of  duty  to  which  he 
was  assigned  until  there  was  no  longer  need  of  his  aid,  the  war  having 
ended.  He  took  part  in  many  of  the  leading  and  decisive  battles  of  the 
war,  among  them  being  Chickamauga,  Lookout  Mountain,  Alission  Ridge 
and  Hartsville,  Tennessee.  He  then  went  with  Sherman  on  the  world- 
famed  march  to  the  sea,  and  participated  in  important  campaigns  in  Georgia, 
North  and  South  Carolina,  and  finally  went  to  Richmond  and  thence  to 
Washington.  He  was  captured  at  Hartsville,  but  was  soon  exchanged,  and 
a  second  time,  at  Walden's  Ridge,  Tennessee,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
Confederates — General  Joe  \\  heeler  and  his  forces.  At  last  he  was  paroled, 
and  in  his  possession  to-day  is  the  parole  which  was  signed  by  the  adjutant- 
general  of  the  officer  just  mentioned.  After  having  served  three  years, 
lacking  two  months,  he  was  mustered  out  of  the  L^nion  army,  in  June,  1865, 
and  returned  home. 

Alaking  a  permanent  settlement  in  LaSalle  county,  Air.  Bane  bought 
a  farm  of  eight}"  acres  in  Groveland  township,  and  six  years  later  sold  that 
place.  He  then  leased  farms  for  six  years,  after  which  he  bought  his  present 
homestead  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  two  and  three-quarters  miles 
northeast  of  Dana,  in  Groveland  township.  As  long  ago  as  1856  he  l:)roke 
prairie  on  this  farm,  and  at  that  time  there  were  but  a  few  houses  in  the 
township.  He  is  practically  a  self-made  man,  as  he  began  earning  his  own 
livelihood  when  he  was  very  young,  and  h.as  had  to  rely  solely  upon  him- 
self. He  attended  the  old  style  subscription  schools  to  a  limited  extent, 
in  liis  boyhood,  and  is  in  the  main  self-educated.  Fraternally  he  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Long  Point  Lodge,  Xo.  552,  A.  F.  &  A.  ]\I.;  a  non-af^liated  mem- 
ber of  Rutland  Chapter,  Xo.  112,  R.  A.  M..  and  Rutland  Council.  Xo.  52; 
and  l^elongs  to  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  his  membership  being 
with  Rutland  Post  X^o.  292.  For  three  years  he  acted  in  the  capacity  of 
high  priest  of  Rutland  chapter  "and  for  a  like    period    he    was    master    of 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  687 

the  Rutland  blue  lodge.  In  his  political  creed  he  is  an  ardent  Republican. 
The  marriage  of  Mr.  Bane  and  Miss  Eliza  Jane  White  was  solemnized 
February  6.  1867.  She  is  a  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  Ann  (W'hetzel) 
White.  Eleven  children  were  born  to  ]Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Bane,  nine  of  the  num- 
ber being  sons.  Austin  H.,  now  of  Livingston  county.  Illinois,  married 
Annie  Dunbar,  and  has  three  children.  Stella,  Oakley  and  Alta.  Anna  Lee 
married  Silas  Blakely  and  has  one  son,  James.  They  are  residents  of  Jasper 
county,  Iowa.  Arthur  J.  wedded  Cora  Bailey,  and  dwells  at  Long  Point, 
Illinois.  William  Or\'ille  died  at  the  age  of  five  years  and  five  months. 
Charles  C.  at  present  is  in  the  employ  of  a  farmer  of  this  locality,  and  all 
of  the  younger  children  are  at  home,  and  comprise  Herbert  C,  Gilbert  S., 
Emily  H.,  Edward  S.,  Robert  LeRoy  and  DeWitt  Clinton.  ^Ir.  and  ^Irs. 
Bane,  both  of  whom  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church,  have  conscien- 
tiously performed  their  duty  toward  their  children,  church  and  community, 
and  are  eminently  deserving  of  the  genuine  esteem  in  which  they  are  held 
bv  evervone. 


THOMAS  MARSHALL. 


Thomas  Marshall,  a  prosperous  farmer  of  Groveland  township,  LaSalle 
county,  has  been  the  architect  of  his  own  fortunes,  and  from  a  humlDle  be- 
ginning has  steadily  advanced  to\\ard  an  influential  position  in  the  com- 
munity where  his  lot  is  cast. 

He  is  a  son  of  Robert  and  Elizabeth  (Moats)  ^Marshall,  and  was  born 
in  Ohio  county,  Mrginia,  November  10,  1826.  His  father  was  born  on 
the  Atlantic  ocean,  while  his  parents  were  on  their  way  to  America,  from 
their  old  home  in  Ireland.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  ]\Iarshall  was  a  native  of  ]\Iary- 
land,  and  was  married  in  that  state.  Her  father,  \\'illiam  Moats,  was  a  pros- 
perous farmer  of  the  same  state,  where  he  passed  his  entire  life,  and  reared 
a  large  number  of  children  to  be  useful  citizens.  After  their  arrival  in  this 
country,  the  parents  of  Robert  ]^Iarshall  located  upon  a  farm  in  ^Maryland, 
and  there  he  grew  to  manhood  and  learned  the  trade  of  a  weaver.  Later, 
he  removed  to  the  vicinity  of  \Mieeling,  Wtst  Virginia,  and  resided  upon  a 
farm  there  until  death  released  him  from  his  labors.  He  was  then  about 
seventy-five  years  of  age.  His  wife  survived  him  many  years,  and  had  at- 
tained the  extreme  age  of  ninety-eight  years  at  the  time  of  her  death.  They 
were  adherents  of  the  Baptist  creed.  l)ut  were  not  identified  with  any  church 
in  West  Virginia.  ]Mr.  Marshall  was  a  highly  respected  citizen  of  his  com- 
munity, and.  true  to  his  patriotic  principles,  he  enlisted  in  the  defense  of  his 
country  in  the  war  of  181 2,  though  he  was  not  called  upon  to  participate 
in  any  battle.     Of  his  fourteen  children  only  five  are  now  living,  namelv: 


688  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GEXEALQGICAL   RECORD. 

Jacob,  of  Stillwater.  Oklahoma;  William,  of  \\'ood  comity.  \\'est  Virginia; 
Susanna,  widow  of  James  Pritchett.  of  Dana,  Illinois;  Thomas,  of  this 
sketch;  and  ]\Irs.  Elizabeth  W.  ]\I.  Croft,  of  Streator,  this  county. 

Thomas  Marshall,  whose  home  is  on  section  35,  Groveland  township, 
was  born  in  Ohio  county,  ^^'est  A'irginia.  November  10.  1826.  He  was 
reared  to  the  pursuits  of  an  agriculturist,  and  received  his  education  in 
the  district  schools.  For  a  number  of  years  he  ]i\'ed  in  ^\'ood  county.  West 
Virginia,  and  it  was  not  until  1864  that  he  came  to  Illinois.  His  father 
gave  to  him,  as  he  did  to  each  of  his  boys,  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
acres  of  timber  land.  After  clearing  twenty  acres  of  this  property,  Thomas 
Marshall  sold  the  farm  for  one  thousand  dollars,  and  it  was  soon  after  this 
event  that  he  became  a  resident  of  Livingston  county.  Illinois. 

On  the  19th  of  August.  1855,  ^Nlr.  [Marshall  married  Bessie,  daughter 
of  William  Henry  and  Susan  (Geddy)  Curgenven.  all  natives  of  England. 
The  father  died  in  that  country,  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years,  when  ]\Irs. 
^.larshall  v^as  seven  months  old.  and  his  widow  married  again,  and  accom- 
panied her  second  husband  to  America.  They  took  up  their  abode  in  \\'ood 
county,  \\'est  Mrginia,  where  he  died  at  the  age  of  sixty  years.  His  widow 
survived  him,  dying  near  the  town  of  Rutland,  Illinois,  in  1874.  when  she 
was  sixty-two  years  of  age.  She  was  a  Baptist  in  her  religious  faith,  and 
was  a  lady  of  exemplary  life  and  amiable  character.  The  maternal  grand- 
father of  Mrs.  Alarshall  was  the  Rev.  Nicholas  Geddy.  a  minister  in  the 
]Methodist  denomination,  and  her  uncle,  Nicholas  Geddy.  Jr.,  was  a  success- 
ful legal  practitioner  and  solicitor  in  London,  his  address  being  the  Mansion 
House.  Mrs.  ^larshall  was  a  child  of  six  years,  when  she  came  to  the 
United  States,  and  her  early  years  were  spent  in  Wood  county.  West  Mr- 
ginia. 

Nine  children  Ijlessed  the  union  of  our  subject  and  wife,  six  of  the  num- 
ber being  sons.  The  eldest.  William  Henry,  of  Dana,  married  Annie  Evans, 
and  has  six  living  children.  Cliarles,  Grace,  Jenkins,  Harry.  Oscar  and  Ray. 
Nicholas  Geddy.  the  next  son.  living  three  miles  from  Dana,  chose  Lizzie 
Huckins  for  his  wife,  and  has  five  children,  namely:  Charlotte,  George, 
Lucy,  Ethel  and  Ralph.  Milton  Thomas  died  when  fourteen  years  of  age. 
Wesley,  whose  home  is  near  Rutland,  Illinois,  wedded  Mary  Cunningham, 
and  their  only  child  is  called  Bessie.  Susan  Mctoria  died  when  two  and 
a  half  years  old.  Harriet  ]\Iay.  who  became  the  wife  of  Loren  Burton, 
of  Scotia,  Nebraska,  is  the  mother  of  five  children:  Bessie,  Jennie.  Grace, 
John  Thomas  and  Robert  Ray.  James  Franklin  wedded  Emma  Marshall, 
a  second  cousin,  and  their  pleasant  home  near  Dana  is  graced  by  the  pres- 
ence of  their  two  sons.  Roscoe  and  Russell.  Bessie  Rose,  also  living  near 
Dana,  is  the  wife  of  John  Luther  Boyd,  and  their  three  children  are  named 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  689 

respectively  Bessie,  Eva  and  Clark.    Robert,  the  youngest  child  of  our  sub- 
ject, is  at  home  and  assists  in  the  management  of  the  farm. 

When  Mr.  Marshall  came  to  Illinois  with  his  wife  and  four  children, 
thirty-five  years  ago,  he  purchased  forty  acres  of  land  in  Livingston  county, 
east  of  Dana,  and  during  this  long  period  he  has  dwelt  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  town  and  been  closely  associated  with  the  development  of  this 
section  of  the  state.  In  the  course  of  time,  after  making  substantial  im- 
provements upon  his  original  farm,  he  invested  in  two  additional  tracts  of 
forty  acres  each.  This  property  he  later  sold  and  in  its  stead  bought  one 
hundred  and  thirty  acres  of  land  situated  southwest  of  Dana,  across  the  line, 
in  LaSalle  county.  Here  he  has  continued  to  reside  until  the  present  time — 
some  twenty-three  years.  He  is  a  stanch  Republican,  but  has  never  sought 
nor  desired  public  office.  Mrs.  Marshall,  who  has  been  a  true  helpmate, 
a  loving  wife  and  mother,  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church,  and  is  held 
in  the  same  high  regard  by  every  one,  as  is  also  her  husband. 


WILLIAM  G.  WILSON. 


William  Grundy  Wilson,  one  of  the  respected  citizens  of  Lostant, 
Illinois,  is  a  native  of  this  state  and  dates  his  birth  in  Putnam  county.  May 
31,  1846. 

Mr.  Wilson  is  a  son  of  Garrison  and  Ann  (Dugan)  A\'ilson.  natives  of 
Kentucky  and  Pennsylvania,  respectively.  In  their  family  were  nine  chil- 
dren, five  sons  and  four  daughters,  and  of  this  number  seven  are  now  living: 
Elizabeth  D.,  wife  of  D.  C.  Hull,  of  Canton,  South  Dakota;  Matilda  A.,  wife 
of  H.  L.  Hammitt,  also  of  Canton;  William  G.,  of  Lostant,  Illinois;  Mary 
A.,  widow  of  Daniel  Kemp,  of  Streator,  Illinois;  Thomas  M..  of  Chicago; 
Robert  T.,  of  Granville,  Illinois;  and  Edward  H.,  of  Lostant.  Garrison 
Wilson,  the  father,  was  a  farmer.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  1829  and  located 
in  Putnam  county,  being  a  boy  at  that  time  and  accompanying  his  parents 
hither.  Their  settlement  was  in  Magnolia  township.  There  he  grew  to 
manhood  and  married  and  reared  his  family,  and  there  also  the  evening  of 
his  life  was  passed.  He  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years.  His  widow 
still  survives  and  lives  in  Lostant  with  her  sons.  She  is  a  Presbyterian,  while 
he  was  a  Methodist.  In  politics  he  was  in  early  life  a  Whig  and  later  a 
Republican.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Black  Hawk  war,  serving  under  Cap- 
tain Hawes. 

The  Wilsons  are  of  Scotch  origin.  Thornton  Wilson,  the  grandfather 
of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  came  from  Kentucky  to  Illinois  in  1829,  and 


690  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

as  already  recorded  made  a  settlement  in  Putnam  county.  His  life  was 
spent  in  agricultural  pursuits,  and  he  lived  to  a  venerable  age.  In  his 
family  were  five  sons  and  two  daughters.  He  is  buried  at  Princeton,  Illinois. 
The  maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  Robert  Dugan,  a  native  of 
Ireland,  who  came  to  America  and  settled  in  Pennsylvania;  later  moved  to 
Ohio,  and  about  1833  came  to  Putnam  county,  Illinois,  and  settled  on  a 
farm.  He  was  nearly  eighty  years  old  at  the  time  of  his  death.  His  family 
comprised  six  members,  three  sons  and  three  daughters. 

William  G.  Wilson  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Magnolia  town- 
ship, Putnam  county,  and  that  was  his  home  for  forty-four  years,  he  having 
traveled  considerably,  however,  in  the  meantime.  In  1893  he  moved  to 
Lostant,  LaSalle  county,  and  he  and  his  brother  Edward  H.  and  their 
mother  live  together  in  Lostant.  He  owns  eighty  acres  of  improved  land 
in  Putnam  county,  and  his  mother  owns  one  hundred  and  ninety-five  acres. 

Mr.  Wilson  is  a  member  of  ^Magnolia  Lodge,  No.  103,  F.  &  A.  M. 
Politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 


AARON   GUNN. 


Aaron  Gunn,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Montague,  Massachusetts, 
having  been  born  at  that  place  April  4,  1806.  He  came  to  LaSalle,  Illinois, 
in  the  early  days  and  made  his  home,  about  the  year  1838,  at  No.  1174 
Creve  Coeur  street,  wdiere  he  lived  until  his  death,  March  12,  1897.  From 
1870  he  enjoyed  the  distinction  of  being  the  earliest  settler  residing  in 
LaSalle.  He  was  a  man  good  and  true  whose  personality  was  strongly 
felt  in  the  community  and  whose  presence  was  a  magnetic  influence  for 
good.  He  died  in  the  ripeness  of  age,  with  the  consciousness  of  a  life 
well  spent  and  much  good  accomplished,  but  his  death  cast  a  gloom  over 
the  city  and  surrounding  country  that  will  not  soon  be  dissipated.  The 
words  of  wisdom  and  guidance  that  fell  from  his  lips  have  led  many  to 
choose  the  "straight  and  narrow  way"  in  their  w^alk  through  life,  and  his 
counsel  and  help  in  times  of  trouble  are  remembered  by  scores  of  others, 
who  think  of  him  with  grateful  hearts. 

Aaron  Gunn  was  of  Scotch  descent,  and  the  name  is  still  prominent  in 
certain  parts  of  the  Scottish  Highlands,  where  it  is  frequently  found.  It  is 
thought  the  family  in  this  country  sprung  from  Jasper  Gunn,  a  physician 
who  came  to  America  in  1635,  from  county  Kerry,  in  the  ship  Defence. 
One  of  his  descendants,  Nathaniel  Gunn,  was  one  of  the  original  proprietors 
of  the  town  of  Montague.     Elihu  Gunn,  Aaron  Gunn's  father,  was  one  of 


*  iliBSm     ''^Si^  -^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  691 

€ight  brothers;  one  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years;  the  others  all  lived 
to  be  over  seventy;  one  reached  his  one  hundred  and  second  year,  another 
was  ninety-eight,  while  the  father  of  our  subject  was  eighty-eight  at  the  time 
of  death. 

Young  Aaron  worked  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was  about  twenty- 
four,  when  he  determined  to  see  something  of  the  great  west,  and  in  the 
fall  of  1830  made  a  trip  to  central  Michigan.  He  was  so  well  pleased  with 
the  prospect  of  that  country  that  he  returned  to  his  father's  in  order  to  make 
arrangements  to  remove  permanently  to  the  west.  In  the  spring  of  183 1 
he  joined  a  company  who  styled  themselves  the  "Hampshire  Colony,"  and 
who  left  Albany,  New  York,  by  way  of  the  Erie  canal,  on  May  7,  1831,  and 
arrived  at  Buffalo  ten  days  later.  There,  much  to  their  disappointment, 
they  learned  that  the  boats  did  not  go  to  Chicago  (then  Fort  Dearborn), 
and  they  were  compelled  to  be  content  with  a  passage  to  Detroit.  When 
they  reached  that  point  they  made  arrangements  with  a  schooner  to  take 
their  goods  later,  and  then  hired  teams  to  convey  them  overland  to  Lake 
Michigan.  Among  the  company  were  eight  young  men  who  were  unmar- 
ried and  whose  baggage  consisted  only  of  their  trunks.  These,  in  the  order 
of  their  ages,  were  John  Leonard,  John  P.  Blake,  Aaron  Gunn,  Amos  C. 
Washburn,  Christopher  C.  Corse,  George  Hinsdel,  E.  Hinsdel  Phelps  and 
Charles  C.  Phelps.  When  the  party  reached  Mottville  seven  of  these  young 
men  bought  two  "dug-outs''  of  the  Lidians,  lashed  them  firmly  together, 
side  by  side,  launched  them,  loaded  in  their  trunks,  and  paddled  down  the 
St.  Joseph  river  until  they  reached  its  mouth.  Going  to  the  site  now  occu- 
pied by  the  city  of  South  Bend,  where  a  French-Indian  trading  post  was 
then  kept  by  a  man  named  Coquillard  (pronounced  Cut-te-aw),  they  hired 
a  man  and  ox  team  to  haul  themselves  and  luggage  six  or  eight  miles  across 
the  country  to  the  Kankakee  river,  which  they  reached  at  sundown  on  the 
first  of  June,  1831.  Their  boats  were  once  more  launched  and  they  paddled 
down  the  Kankakee  and  Illinois  rivers  to  Illinois  Town,  now  LaSalle, 
reaching  it  on  the  9th  of  June,  1831,  and  landing  at  a  point  just  below  the 
mouth  of  the  Big  Vermilion.  Here  was  an  Indian  trading  post  kept  by  one 
Crozier,  father  of  the  late  Amaza  Crozier,  of  Utica,  Illinois.  This  place  was 
called  Shippingport,  and  the  same  man  had  charge  of  the  post-office,  the  first 
in  LaSalle  county.  The  white  population  at  that  time  consisted  of  three 
men  and  one  woman  at  LaSalle.  At  this  time  the  Indians  were  showing 
their  treacherous  disposition  and  hostile  feelings  toward  the  white  men, 
and  many  a  narrow  escape  from  their  treachery  were  experienced  by  these 
pioneers. 

The  Black  Hawk  war  occurred  the  year  following  the  arrival  of  the 
Hampshire  colony,  and  in  this  war  Aaron  Gunn  served  in  the  militia  under 


692  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

Colonel  Strawn,  being  mustered  out  after  twenty-nine  days'  service.  This 
war  scattered  the  Hampshire  colony  to  various  parts  of  the  country,  and 
'Mv.  Gunn  sold  his  claim,  located  at  La  Moille,  to  Moses  A.  Bowen,  father 
of  Colonel  Bowen.  of  Mendota.  He  then  entered  a  claim  in  Putnam  county, 
not  far  from  the  Quakers'  yearly-meeting  house.  This  claim  he  sold  later, 
to  Joseph  Hoyle,  the  first  Quaker  settler  in  the  Clear  creek  neighborhood. 
In  1835  ^16  entered  the  west  half  of  section  10,  in  the  town  of  LaSalle,  which 
he  made  his  home,  and  upon  which  he  resided  for  almost  fifty-nine  years. 
He  was  industrious  and  painstaking  in  his  work  and  converted  his  land 
into  most  desirable  farm  property. 

In  1833,  while  attending  religious  services  conducted  by  a  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  preacher  named  Mitchell,  he  was  led  to  accept  divine  guidance 
in  his  daily  life,  and  this  conversion  brought  about  a  radical  change  in  his 
whole  character.  From  that  hour  it  became  his  great  object  to  pattern  his 
life  after  that  of  the  Savior  and  to  aid  in  the  uplifting  and  betterment  of 
humanity.  His  zeal  in  the  cause  of  religion  would  allow  of  no  lukewarm 
measures,  and  he  felt  that  he  must  take  an  active  part  in  the  cause  that  lay 
so  near  his  heart.  At  that  time  there  were  no  churches  in  that  section 
of  the  country,  services  being  held  by  traveling  preachers  who  occasionally 
visited  that  region.  He  was  a  Baptist  in  belief,  but  as  no  organization  of 
that  faith  had  as  yet  been  started  he  united  with  the  Methodists,  believing 
the  Lord  would  understand  and  appreciate  the  work,  whether  it  was  carried 
forward  under  the  banner  of  one  denomination  or  another.  It  was  not  an 
easy  matter  at  that  time  to  find  men  who  were  able  to  preach  the  gospel, 
and  the  Methodists  readily  received  him  as  one  of  their  most  earnest  work- 
ers. They  were  not  slow  in  recognizing  his  ability,  and  he  held  a  prominent 
place  in  their  meetings  for  several  years,  preaching  at  various  points  in 
his  section  of  the  state,  and  by  his  example  and  teaching  influencing  many 
to  leave  their  burdens  at  the  Cross  and  seek  the  better  way.  He  had  charge 
of  the  circuit  one  year,  covering  the  territory  east  to  Morris,  north  to 
Dixon,  and  back  to  the  Hennepin  neighborhood.  He  was  the  first 
Protestant  minister  to  settle  in  LaSalle,  and  was  one  of  the  founders  of 
the  first  Protestant  church  organized  there.  This  was  the  Baptist  church, 
which  was  organized  about  1839.  He  had  been  actively  associated  with  the 
Presbyterians  in  Peru  for  some  time  previous  to  this.  He  always  spoke  of 
the  many  pleasant  associations  connected  with  his  Methodist  ministry,  and 
the  remembrance  of  them  always  afforded  him  the  keenest  pleasure.  When 
the  Methodists  organized  in  LaSalle,  in  1851,  he  was  greatly  interested  in 
the  movement  and  assisted  them  by  giving  their  first  minister  a  home  in 
his  own  household,  without  charge,  for  the  seven  months  of  his  pastorate. 
After  reaching  the  age  of  fifty  years  he  seldom  made  public  addresses, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  693 

although  his  interest  in  the  moral  growth  and  development  of  those  around 
him  was  in  no  measure  abated.  He  was  a  man  of  singular  purity  of  heart 
and  simplicity  of  manner,  and  it  has  been  impossible  to  find  in  his  life 
anything  of  personal  reproach  or  weakness;  strong  and  dignified,  he  won 
the  sympathy  and  friendship  of  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact,  and  his 
career  is  a  matter  which  reflects  credit  to  his  adopted  city.  He  was  gener- 
ous and  extended  his  charities  alike  to  all  deserving  objects,  regardless  of 
their  nationality  or  beliefs;  it  was  only  necessary  that  he  should  know  the 
help  was  needed  to  insure  its  speedy  arrival.  His  strong  personality  was  so 
impressed  on  the  community  that  it  will  be  felt  for  many  years  to  come,  and 
it  is  but  natural  that  his  death  should  be  regarded  as  a  public  calamity, 
although  he  had  nearly  rounded  out  the  century  of  life  before  he  heard  the 
call,  "Well  done,  thou  good  and  faithful  servant,  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of 
thy  Lord." 

May  14,  1837,  Aaron  Gunn  was  married  to  Miss  Nancy  Winters,  a 
daughter  of  Obadiah  and  Elizabeth  (Prillaman)  Winters,  and  a  grand- 
daughter of  Moses  Winters  and  Jacob  Prillaman.  Moses  Winters  was  a 
native  of  New  York  and  reached  the  extreme  age  of  ninety-four  years. 
Jacob  Prillaman  was  of  German  descent  and  died  in  advanced  years.  Oba- 
diah Winters  was  a  native  of  New  York,  but  when  a  young  lad  went  to 
Virginia,  where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  married  Elizabeth  Prillaman, 
who  was  born  in  Richmond,  that  state.  Mrs.  Gunn  was  born  in  ■Miami 
county,  Ohio,  July  31,  1806,  and  is  now  in  her  ninety-fourth  year.  Seven 
children  were  born  to  herself  and  husband,  namely:    Jennett,  wife  of  George 

A.  Elliott,  of  LaSalle;    Moses  W.,  also  of  this  city;    Lucy,  wife  of  Heman 

B.  Chapman,  of  LaSalle;  Lydia  C.,  deceased;  Elizabeth  Sarah,  wife  of 
F.  L.  Ayers,  of  Augusta,  Kansas;  Aaron  Elihu,  deceased;  and  Esther 
Belle,  wife  of  T.  A.  Williams,  of  Tallahassee,  Florida.  They  also  reared  a 
pair  of  twins,  Clarence  and  Clara  Bradley,  the  latter  being  the  wife  of 
Harry  Turner,  a  contractor  and  builder  of  this  place.  They  celebrated 
their  golden  wedding  anniversary  in  1887,  and  at  the  time  of  Mr.  Gunn's 
death  had  been  married  nearly  sixty  years.  Mrs.  Gunn  was  of  the  same 
religious  views  as  her  husband,  and  both  were  ardent  abolitionists,  and  she 
is  now  also  a  firm  believer  in  the  principles  of  prohibition.  She  is  a  woman 
of  strong  Christian  character  and  has  an  abiding  trust  and  faith  in  her 
heavenly  Father,  a  faith  that  is  shared  alike  by  her  children  and  grand- 
children. 

Mr.  Gunn  was  a  Whig,  but  later  became  an  adherent  of  the  Republican 
party,  although  he  was  never  a  politician.  The  emoluments  of  a  petty- 
office  holder  offered  no  inducements  to  him.  His  depth  and  breadth  of 
character  made  him  a  safe  standard  to  follow,  while  his  ready  sympathy  and 


694  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

simple  eloquence  caused  him  to  be  in  frequent  demand  when  death  had 
claimed  his  own  and  the  loved  one  was  to  be  laid  away;  then  did  his  voice 
offer  comfort  to  the  bereaved  while  his  words  led  their  thoughts  to  that 
better  land  and  prepared  them  to  so  live  as  to  be  ready  for  the  final  sum- 
mons. The  portrait  of  Mr.  Gunn  given  in  connection  with  this  brief 
mention  of  his  career,  is  from  a  photograph  taken  of  him  in  his  eighty-third 
year. 


ALVA  WINANS. 


The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  retired  farmer  and  one  of  the  highly 
respected  citizens  of  Dana,  Illinois,  and  as  such  his  life  history  is  of  interest 
in  this  work,  and  is  as  follows: 

Alva  Winans  was  born  on  the  Hudson  river,  in  the  towai  of  German- 
town,  Columbia  county,  New  York,  December  28,  1826.  His  parents,  Alva 
and  Eva  (Hover)  Winans,  were  natives  respectively  of  Canaan,  Massachu- 
setts, and  Columbia  county.  New  York,  and  in  their  family  were  nine  children 
who  lived  to  be  grown,  five  of  whom  are  now  living:  Orrin,  Alva,  Robert 
Bruce,  Lavina  (the  widow  of  Lyman  Utter,  of  Lewiston,  Idaho),  and  Mary 
(the  widow  of  John  L.  Boyd,  of  Groveland  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illi- 
nois). Their  father,  a  farmer,  about  1855  came  out  to  Illinois  and  located 
on  a  farm  in  Groveland  township,  LaSalle  county,  where  he  bought  a  farm 
of  eighty  acres.  He  died  here  in  1871,  past  the  age  of  seventy-three 
years.  His  wdfe  was  about  seventy-two  at  the  time  of  her  death,  Avhich 
occurred  three  years  after  his.  Both  were  members  of  the  Advent  Church. 
During  the  war  of  181 2  he  enlisted  in  the  service  of  his  country  and  went 
down  to  New  York  city  to  enter  upon  active  duty,  but  the  war  closed  shortly 
afterward  and  he  never  participated  in  any  engagements.  He  filled  various 
township  ofiices. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  has  in  his  veins  a  mixture  of  Danish  and 
German  blood,  the  former  coming  through  his  paternal  ancestors  and  the 
latter  through  his  maternal.  Grandfather  Lewis  Winans  was  a  native  of 
Canaan,  Massachusetts,  and  was  by  occupation  a  farmer.  He  died  in  New 
York  state,  over  seventy  years  of  age.  His  family  comprised  four  sons  and 
two  daughters.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  Mr.  Winans,  Andrew  Hover, 
was  a  native  of  New  York,  and  although  a  farmer  by  occupation  was  a 
man  of  considerable  education  and  Avas  well  versed  in  law.  Being  of  German 
descent  and  a  German  scholar,  he  was  frequently  called  upon  by  his  German 
neighbors  to  draw  up  papers  of  various  kinds  for  them.  He  was  drowned 
in  the  Hudson  river,  when  over  seventy  years  of  age.     He  was  in  a  row 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  695 

boat  with  two  other  men  and  three  women,  when  they  were  run  into  by 
an  old  scow,  and  all  the  lives  in  the  row  boat  \vere  lost.  Mr.  Hover  was  the 
father  of  fourteen  children. 

Alva  Winans  was  reared  to  farm  life  in  Columbia  and  Monroe  counties. 
New  York,  and  also  for  a  time  lived  in  Greene  county,  that  state.  He  spent 
three  years  on  the  river  and  Atlantic  ocean;  ran  from  New  York  to  Phila- 
delphia on  the  steamer  Kennebeck,  and  was  one  year  on  the  steamer  Roan- 
oke. Then  he  spent  another  year  as  a  farmer  in  New  York,  and  in  1853  came 
west  to  Illinois.  Buying  a  yoke  of  cattle,  he  began  breaking  prairie  in 
Marshall  county,  having  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  in  La  Prairie  township, 
this  state.  This  land  he  sold  not  long  afterward,  and  in  1856  he  came  to 
LaSalle  county  and  bought  one  hundred  and  fifty-seven  acres  in  the  north- 
west quarter  of  section  2,  Groveland  township,  which  he  improved  from 
raw  prairie  and  which  he  still  owns,  it  now  being  operated  by  his  youngest 
son.  Mr.  Winans  resided  upon  his  farm  until  March,  1898,  when  he  re- 
tired from  the  active  duties  of  life  and  has  since  been  living  quietly  in  a 
pleasant  home  in  Dana. 

He  was  married  January  i,  1853,  to  Miss  Delia  Sickles,  a  daughter  of 
Christopher  and  Julia  (Jenks)  Sickles,  natives  of  New  York  state.  She  is 
one  of  a  family  of  six  children,  four  of  whom  are  now  living,  the  other  three 
being  Emeline,  the  wife  of  John  Phillips,  of  La  Prairie  township,  Marshall 
county,  Illinois;  Edward,  of  Chillicothe,  Illinois;  and  Julia,  the  wife  of  Porter 
La  Zelle.  Mrs.  Winans'  maternal  grandfather  was  Thomas  Jenks.  He  was 
a  native  of  New  York,  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  lived  to  a  ripe  old  age. 
He  was  the  father  of  tw-elve  children,  of  whom  ]\lrs.  Winans'  mother  was  the 
eldest.  Mrs.  Winans  came  with  her  parents  to  Illinois  in  1850,  the  family 
settling  in  Marshall  county,  where  she  was  reared.  Her  father  died  in 
Chillicothe,  Illinois,  October  10,  1889,  on  his  eighty-fifth  birthday.  Her 
mother  died  in  February,  1887,  at  the  age  of  eighty-two  years.  They  were 
members  of  the  Baptist  church. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Winans  have  had  twelve  children,  six  sons  and  six  daugh- 
ters, three  of  wdiom  died  in  infancy.  The  following  is  a  brief  record  of  the 
other  members  of  the  family:  Daniel  married  Mary  White,  lives  in  Grove- 
land  township,  LaSalle  county,  and  has  three  children — Cassie,  Dio  and 
Belle;  Ira,  unmarried,  is  the  proprietor  of  a  livery  stable  in  Dana;  Ellsworth 
married  Ida  Cox  and  lives  on  a  farm  in  Groveland  township;  Eva,  wife  of 
James  Hayter,  of  Newton,  Jasper  county,  Iowa,  has  two  children — Lulu 
and  Beryl;  Julia,  wife  of  Richard  White,  of  Pocahontas  county,  Iowa,  has 
eight  children — Ernest,  Chloe,  Ethel,  Pearl,  Harvey,  and  Leo,  Lila  and  Lela 
(triplets);  Belle,  a  resident  of  Newton,  Iowa,  has  been  twice  married,  by  her 
first  husband,  George  Griffin,  having  two  children.  Amy  and  Alva,  her  pres- 


696  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

ent  husband  being  William  J.  Crawford;  Ida,  the  wife  of  James  Justice,  of 
Newton,  Iowa,  has  two  children — Guy  and  Bernice;  Ella,  the  wife  of  Allen 
Martin,  of  Dana,  has  six  children — Edna,  Alva,  John,  William,  Agnes  and 
Doris;  and  Bernice,  the  wife  of  William  ]^Iathis.  of  Los  Angeles,  Cali- 
fornia. 

Politically  ]\Ir.  A\'inans  is  a  Democrat.     He  has  filled  some  local  offices, 
such  as  roadmaster  and  school  trustee. 


JAMES  S.  FOOTE. 

Owning  and  occupying  one  of  the  fine  farms  of  LaSalle  county,  located 
on  section  11.  Hope  township,  is  found  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  James  S. 
Foote,  one  of  the  substantial  and  highly  respected  farmers  of  the  county. 
For  a  period  of  fifty  years  Mr.  Foote  has  been  identified  with  LaSalle  county, 
and  as  one  of  its  representative  citizens  it  is  fitting  therefore  that  some  per- 
sonal mention  should  be  made  of  him  in  this  work. 

James  S.  Foote  was  born  in  the  town  of  ]\Iilton.  Saratoga  county,  Xew 
York,  May  6,  1833,  and  is  a  son  of  Daniel  A.  and  ]\Iary  D.  (Prior)  Foote, 
natives  of  Connecticut,  and  Massachusetts  respectively.  He  is  one  of  six 
children — four  sons  and  two  daughters,  three  of  whom  are  now  living,  the 
other  two  being  Caroline  P.,  the  widow  of  Elijah  Dimmick,  of  Dimmick 
Station,  Illinois;  and  Dauphin  K.,  of  Downer's  Grove,  Illinois.  Daniel  A., 
the  father,  was  boss  carpenter  and  farmer,  owning  two  or  three  farms  in 
Saratoga  county,  New  York.  He  died  in  that  state  in  July,  1849,  ^t  the 
age  of  sixty-six  years.  His  widow  survived  him  some  years  and  came  out 
west  to  Illinois,  with  her  son  James  S.  She  died  in  Tonica.  Illinois,  about 
1 86 1,  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years.  Both  parents  were  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church. 

On  both  the  maternal  and  paternal  side  ]\Ir.  Foote  is  of  English  descent. 
His  grandfather,  David  Foote,  of  ^^'ashington.  Connecticut,  married  Esther 
Averill,  of  Preston,  that  state,  and  was  a  lieutenant  colonel  in  the  army  of 
the  Revolution,  engaging  in  the  battles  of  Stillwater,  New  York  and  Dan- 
bury,  Connecticut.  He  died  June  13.  1806.  The  maternal  grandfather  of 
our  subject,  John  Prior,  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  serving  also  as 
a  lieutenant  colonel.  Both  these  men  were  farmers  in  their  vocation,  and 
reared  large  families  of  children.  Nathaniel  Foote,  the  original  ancestor 
of  the  Foote  family  in  America,  landed  in  this  coimtry  as  a  passenger  from 
the  famous  ]\Iayflower. 

James  S.   Foote  spent  the  first  sixteen  years  of  his  life  in  Saratoga 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  697 

county,  New  York,  his  days  being"  passed  not  unlike  those  of  other  farmer 
boys,  assisting  in  the  farm  work  in  summer  and  in  winter  attending  the  dis- 
trict school.  Farming  has  been  his  life  occupation.  In  September,  1849,. 
he  came  to  Illinois  and  located  in  Eden  township,  LaSalle  county.  Here 
for  two  years  he  was  a  wage  worker,  employed  by  the  month.  At  the  end 
of  that  time  he  purchased  a  team  and  began  farming  operations  of  his  own. 
Buying  one  hundred  and  eight  acres,  on  time,  at  the  rate  of  thirty  dollars 
an  acre,  he  built  a  small  house  and  gave  his  diligent  efforts  to  the  improve- 
ment of  his  property.  This  farm  he  subsequently  sold  and  then  bought 
eighty  acres  in  Hope  township,  which  he  improved  and  which  he  still 
ow'us.  Also,  he  has  from  time  to  time  invested  in  other  land  and  at  this 
writing  has  four  other  farms,  containing  respectively  eighty,  fifty-eight,  one 
hundred  and  twenty-nine  and  one  hundred  and  forty  acres,  the  last  named 
tract  being  south  of  Lostant. 

Mr.  Foote  is  a  man  of  a  family.  Mrs.  Foote,  formerly  ^kliss  Caroline 
A.  Crandall,  is  a  daughter  of  Otis  and  Eliza  (Lake)  Crandall.  ]\Ir.  and 
Mrs.  Foote  have  four  children,  namely:  Edward  J.,  Hettie  E.,  Emma  M. 
and  Fred  L.  Edward  J.  married  Miss  Luella  Bailey,  lives  south  of  Lostant^ 
and  has  four  children.  Jay,  Celia,  Elmer  and  Ralph.  Emma  ]M.  married 
Clarence  Oug,  of  Eden  township,  LaSalle  county,  and  they  have  three 
children,  Ralph,  Fred  and  Harry.  Hettie  E.  and  Fred  L.  are  at  home.  Mrs. 
Foote  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church. 

Politically  Mr.  Foote  is  a  Republican  and  has  served  a  number  of  years 
in  local  offices.  He  was  a  school  director  many  years,  nine  years  was  road 
commissioner,  and  is  now  serving  his  fourth  term  as  a  justice  of  the  peace. 
Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  A.  O.  U.  W. 


JEFFERSON  W.  LEININGER. 

The  well  known  and  much  esteemed  citizen  whose  name  heads  this 
sketch  and  who  is  a  retired  farmer  of  Tonica,  Illinois,  has  been  a  resident 
of  LaSalle  county  for  a  period  of  forty-two  years,  and  has  maintained  his 
home  in  Tonica  since  the  spring-  of  1884.  A  sketch  of  his  life  is  of  interest 
in  this  connection,  and  briefly  is  as  follows: 

Jefferson  W.  Leininger  was  born  in  Stark  county,  Ohio,  August  4,. 
1837,  the  son  of  pioneers  of  the  Western  Reserve.  His  parents,  Jacob  and 
Elizabeth  (Slusser)  Leininger,  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  In  their  family 
were  eleven  children,  nine  sons  and  two  daughters,  of  which  number  three 
are  now  living:     George,  of  Stark  county,   Ohio;  Jefferson,  whose  name 


698  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

heads  this  review;  and  Henry,  of  Ford  county,  lUinois.  The  father  was  by 
occupation  a  farmer.  He  went  from  Pennsyh^ania  to  Ohio  in  181 2  and 
settled  in  Stark  county,  where  he  Hved  until  1857,  when  he  came  with  his 
family  to  Illinois  and  located  at  Cedar  Point,  Eden  township,  LaSalle 
•county.  At  this  last  named  place  he  was  engaged  in  farming  until  the  time 
of  his  death.  His  first  purchase  of  land  in  Eden  township  was  two  hundred 
and  twenty-four  acres.  Afterward  he  bought  three  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  in  the  same  township,  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Mendota 
township  and  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Lee  county.  He  made  his 
home  on  the  original  farm  he  bought  in  Eden  township  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1872,  when  he  had  attained  the  age  of  seventy-four  years. 
He  was  a  self-made  man.  In  his  youth  he  had  no  educational  advantages, 
three  days  being  the  extent  of  his  schooling.  His  widow  ched  in  1896,  at  the 
age  of  eighty-eight  years.     Both  were  Methodists. 

Of  the  grandparents  of  our  subject,  we  record  that  his  paternal  grand- 
father was  George  Leininger,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  a  descendant 
of  German  ancestors.  He  died  in  Stark  county,  Ohio,  over  seventy  years 
of  age.  In  his  family  were  four  sons  and  four  daughters.  The  maternal 
grandfather  of  Mr.  Leininger  was  John  Slusser,  likewise  a  native  of  Penn- 
sylvania. He  was  one  of  twelve  men  who  came  with  their  families  from 
Pennsylvania  to  Stark  county,  Ohio,  in  1812,  all  making  the  western  journey 
together.  John  Slusser  passed  the  rest  of  his  life  and  died  in  Stark  county. 
He  was  the  father  of  several  children. 

JefTerson  W.  Leininger  spent  the  first  twenty  years  of  his  life  in  his 
native  county,  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  educated  in  the  district  schools. 
Then  in  1857  he  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal  to  Illinois,  and 
he  remained  a  member  of  the  home  circle  until  he  was  twenty-three.  After 
liis  marriage,  which  event  occurred  in  1861,  his  father  gave  him  a  little 
start  in  a  piece  of  land,  a  part  of  an  eighty-acre  tract.  To  this  the  young 
man  added  by  the  purchase  of  an  adjoining  tract,  making  in  all  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres,  which  he  improved  and  on  which  he  made  his  home  for 
thirty-two  years.  He  still  owns  this  farm.  Also  he  owns  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  in  Dakota,  and  a  like  amount  in  Nebraska.  He  carried  on 
farming  operations,  meeting  with  success  in  his  undertakings,  until  he 
retired  in  ]\Iarch.  1884,  and  moved  to  Tonica.  Here  he  has  seventeen 
acres,  on  which  he  built  a  comfortable  and  attractive  home,  and  where  he 
and  his  good  wife  are  living  surrounded  with  all  the  comforts  of  life. 

Mr.  Leininger  was  first  married  September  17,  1861,  to  Miss  Harriet 
Rank,  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Hull)  Rank.  She  died  in  1892,  at 
the  age  of  fifty-two  years,  leaving  no  children.  His  present  wife,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Alcena  Early,  he  wedded  October  i,  1896.     She  was  Iwrn 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  699 

in  Van  Buren  county,  Iowa,  and  her  parents,  James  C.  and  Susanna  (Mc- 
Daniel)  Early,  were  both  natives  of  Indiana,  and  the  parents  of  nine  children, 
three  of  whom  are  deceased.  The  parents  removed  to  Iowa  at  an  early 
day,  but  later  returned  to  Indiana  and  there  Mrs.  Leininger  was  reared; 
but  in  after  years  her  parents  returned  to  Iowa,  she  accompanying  them. 
Her  mother  died  in  1882,  aged  fifty-three,  and  her  father,  now  seventy- 
eight,  resides  in  Iowa  with  a  daughter.  Mrs.  Leininger  taught  school  seven 
years  in  Indiana,  and  then  thirteen  years  in  the  graded  schools  of  Iowa, 
teaching  mostly  in  Farmington  and  West  Branch,  that  state.  She  and  Mr. 
Leininger  were  married  near  Bonaparte,  Iowa.  She  has  been  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  church  since  the  age  of  sixteen,  her  people  being  adherents  to 
the  faith  of  this  church.  Mr.  Leininger  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
church,  and  in  politics  a  Republican. 


GEORGE  W.  FORD. 


George  AV.  Ford,  the  son  of  the  late  pioneer  Joseph  F.  Ford,  was  born 
in  Freedom  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  in  1848,  his  birthplace  being 
the  Swenson  farm,  five  miles  southwest  of  the  village  of  Harding.  He  had 
the  advantage  of  a  common  school  education,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  years 
began  life  on  his  own  account.  For  three  vears  he  rented  land  of  his 
brother  Frank  and  afterward  lived  on  rented  farms  in  Waltham,  Ophir  and 
Freedom  townships,  renting  of  different  parties,  for  about  twenty  years.  His 
accumulations  were  slowly  made  and  it  was  not  until  1891  that  he  decided 
to  purchase  a  farm.  He  then  selected  a  tract  of  land  a  short  distance  east  of 
the  village  of  Prairie  Center,  which  he  has  since  owned  and  occupied. 

Joseph  F.  Ford,  the  father  of  George  W.,  was  born  in  the  state  of 
Maine;  was  a  wheelwright  by  trade  and  helped  to  make  the  first  water 
wheel  used  in  Lowell,  Massachusetts.  Also  he  helped  to  build  the  first 
trucks  that  were  used  under  the  first  cars  on  the  Boston  &  Maine  Railway. 
Having  a  brother  in  the  w-est,  he  was  induced  to  come  to  Illinois,  and  on  his 
arrival  here  he  settled  on  the  farm  above  mentioned  in  Freedom  township, 
LaSalle  county,  where  he  passed  the  rest  of  his  life  and  died,  his  death  occur- 
ring in  1867,  at  the  age  of  sixty-three  years.  His  wife,  wdiose  maiden  name 
\vas  Elizabeth- Whitcomb,  bore  him  eleven  children,  and  is  now  deceased. 
Their  children  in  order  of  birth  were  as  follows:  Frank,  who  died  in  1892; 
Emma,  the  wife  of  Milton  Courtright,  of  Sheridan,  Illinois;  Josephine,  the 
wife  of  Daniel  Beckwith,  of  Ottawa.  Illinois;  Eugene  O.,  a  prominent  farmer 
of  Freedom,  Illinois;  George  W.;  j\Iary  E.,  Eva  and  Nina — the  last  three 
of  Ottawa. 


700  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

George  W.  Ford  was  married  December  25,  1871,  to  Miss  Sophia  But- 
ler, daughter  of  the  well  known  Captain  Ed  Butler,  a  soldier  of  the  Mexican 
war,  and  a  sister  of  the  prominent  and  prosperous  farmer,  Benjamin  J. 
Butler,  of  LaSalle  county.  The  Butlers  came  from  the  state  of  Maine  and 
settled  in  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  some  years  after  the  arrival  of  the  Fords. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  W.  Ford  have  four  children:  Gordon  C.,  Sarah, 
Nettie  and  Ben  Jack. 

The  Fords  have  affiliated  with  the  Republican  party,  and  while  they 
have  filled  some  of  the  town  offices  when  called  upon  to  do  so  they  have 
not  gone  out  of  their  way  to  become  candidates  for  any  office,  preferring 
to  remain  private  citizens  and  devote  their  energy  to  their  own  chosen, 
vocations. 


ALFRED   L   HARTSHORN. 

On  the  roll  of  LaSalle  county's  pioneers  we  find  the  name  of  this 
gentleman,  who  since  an  early  period  in  the  development  of  this  section  of 
the  state  has  been  a  resident  of  the  county  and  has  borne  an  important  part 
in  the  work  of  upbuilding  and  progress.  Li  mercantile  circles  and  agri- 
cultural lines  he  has  not  only  won  individual  success,  ])ut  has  also  advanced 
the  general  welfare,  and  at  all  times  has  commanded  the  respect  and  esteem 
of  his  fellowmen  by  reason  of  his  upright  and  honorable  life.  Mr.  Hartshorn' 
is  a  representative  of  one  of  the  oldest  American  families,  for  his  ancestry 
may  be  traced  back  to  1633,  when  a  representative  of  the  family  came  from 
England,  taking  up  his  abode  in  Connecticut.  Oliver  Hartshorn  was  a 
Revolutionary  soldier  and  valiantly  aided  in  the  cause  of  American  inde- 
pendence. He  was  born  November  i,  1760,  and  his  wife,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Pettengill,  was  born  May  2,  1759.  They  were  farming  people, 
who  reared  sons  and  daughters  named  Oliver,  Royal,  Ira,  Asa,  Mrs.  Clarissa- 
Armstrong,  Miranda,  Sophronia,  wife  of  John  White,  and  Eliza. 

Of  this  family  Ira  Hartshorn  was  the  father  of  our  subject.  He  was 
born  in  Lisbon,  New  London  county,  Connecticut,  June  3,  1793,  and  died  in 
LaSalle  county,  Illinois.  September  17,  1859.  He  served  for  a  short  time 
in  the  war  of  18 12  in  his  native  state,  and  was  connected  with  business 
affairs  there  as  a  merchant  and  hotel  proprietor,  and  in  New  York  was 
the  manager  of  a  stage  route.  February  4,  1818,  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Joanna  Burnham.  a  native  of  Lisbon,  Connecticut,  who  was  born 
July  30,  1796.  They  located  in  Cazenovia.  Madison  county.  New  York,  but 
a  year  or  so  later  removed  to  Lebanon,  that  state.  In  1836  Mr.  Hartshorn 
made  a  prospecting  tour  through  the  west,  and  in  1837  brought  his  family 


o^</. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  701 

to  Illinois.  He  was  first  a  resident  of  Joliet,  where  he  secured  employment 
in  a  sawmill,  but  in  1837  he  entered  a  claim  of  government  land,  which  he 
afterward  developed  into  a  fine  farm,  making  his  home  there  for  two  dec- 
ades. That  property  is  now  owned  by  his  son,  Alfred.  Mr.  Hartshorn 
died  September  17.  1859,  at  the  age  of  sixty-six,  from  disease  contracted 
that  year  while  on  a  prospecting  tour  at  Pike's  Peak.  His  wife  was  a  lady 
of  strong  character  and  many  virtues.  She  remained  on  the  old  homestead 
until    1866,  and  afterward  lived  with  her  children   until  her  death,  which 

■occurred  February  14,  1875.  In  his  political  views  Mr.  Hartshorn  was  a 
Democrat  in  early  life,  but  after  his  removal  to  Illinois  became  a  supporter 
of  the  Free-soil  party.  He  was  well  known  to  the  pion_eer  settlers  of 
LaSalle  county  and  performed  an  im])ortant  part  in  transforming  its  wild 
prairie  land  into  a  tract  of  rich  fertility.  Ira  and  Joanna  (Burnham)  Harts- 
horn became  the  parents  of  nine  children:  Joshua  P.,  who  was  born 
December  10,  181 8,  is  now  a  resident  of  Cass  county,  Iowa;  Erasmus  Dar- 
win, born  June  4,  182 1,  resides  in  California;  Alfred  I.  is  the  next  in  order 
of  birth;  Pliny,  born  August  26,  1825,  is  living  in  LaSalle;  Calvert,  born 
July  25,  1827,  is  a  resident  of  Onarga,  Illinois;  Mary,  born  March  i,  1830, 
is  the  widow  of  Eli  Strawn  and  resides  in  Chicago;  Lucy,  who  was  born 
March  17,  1832,  is  the  widow  of  A.  M.  Niles  and  lives  in  Ulysses,  Nebraska; 
Lydia,  born  November  28,  1835,  is  the  wife  of  R.  V.  Downing,  of  David 

•City,  Nebraska;  and  Charles  Bishop,  born  June  23,  1838,  died  at  Shiloli, 
Tennessee,  during  the  civil  war,  while  serving  as  a  member  of  the  Fourth 
Illinois  Cavalry.     Of  these  children  the  youngest  one  was  born  in  LaSalle 

-county,  the  others  having  been  born  in  New  York. 

Alfred  Ira  Hartshorn  is  a  native  of  the  Empire  state,  his  birth  having 
occurred  in  Lebanon,  Madison  county,  on  the  22d  of  May,  1823.  He  came 
with  his  father's  family  to  LaSalle  county  in  1837,  when  fourteen  years  of 
age,  and  there  are  few  residents  of  the  county  who  have  lived  longer  within 
its  borders  than  he.  His  educational  advantages  were  limited,  but  in  1840 
he  spent  about  six  months  as  a  student  in  an  advanced  school  in  Princeton, 
IlHnois,  paying  his  way  by  the  expenditure  of  his  savings  from  the  proceeds 
of  farm  work,  at  which  he  was  employed  in  1838-9.  In  1841  he  and  two 
brothers  secured  a  claim  of  canal  land,  which  was  subsequently  purchased  at 
a  sale  of  canal  lands,  and  is  still  the  property  of  him  whose  name  introduces 
this  review.  By  other  acquisitions  from  time  to  time  Mr.  Hartshorn  became 
the  possessor  of  much  property,  principally  farming  land,  the  total  aggre- 
gating one  thousand  and  four  acres.  His  old  homestead  embraces  five  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres,  all  in  one  body.  In  1854  he  rented  his  farm  and  en- 
gaged in  the  coal  trade,  shipping  the  first  car-load  of  coal  that  was  sent  on 
the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  from  LaSalle,  which  fact  is  of  interest  from  an 


702  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

historical  point  of  view.  He  continued  in  that  business  successfully  until 
i860,  when  he  returned  to  his  farm  and  devoted  himself  to  agriculture  and 
stock-raising.  Progressive  methods  characterize  the  management  of  the 
place,  and  the  neatness  and  thrift  which  pervades  the  home  farm  is  an  indica- 
tion of  the  careful  supervision  of  the  owner. 

Mr.  Hartshorn  had  been  three  times  married.     On  the  ist  of  January, 

1849,  1^^  wedded  Miss  Teressa  Culver,  a  native  of  New  York,  who  died  in 

1850,  leaving  one  child,  that  died  in  infancy.  On  the  loth  of  December, 
1856,  he  married  Amelia  A.  Dean,  a  native  of  Kentucky  and  a  daughter  of 
Alfred  Dean.  She  died  in  November,  1869,  leaving  three  children, — George 
A.,  Frederick  P.  and  Teressa,  wife  of  Charles  L.  Diesterwey,  of  LaSalle.  In 
1897  Mr.  Hartshorn  was  again  married,  ]\Iiss  Mary  Watson  becoming  his 
wife,  and  they  have  one  son,  Asa. 

George  A.  Hartshorn,  the  eldest  son,  is  numbered  among  the  native 
residents  of  LaSalle  county,  his  birth  having  occurred  here  in  October,  1857. 
He  acquired  a  high-school  education  in  the  town  of  LaSalle  a,nd  then  pur- 
sued a  commercial  course  in  Bryant  &  Stratton's  Business  College,  of  Chi- 
cago. Since  attaining  his  majority  he  has  devoted  his  energies  to  the  opera- 
tion of  the  Hartshorn  homestead  in  Waltham  township,  and  is  one  of  the  en- 
terprising and  progressive  agriculturists  of  the  community.  He  was  mar- 
ried July  5,  1885,  to  Miss  Minnie  Mitchell,  daughter  of  William  Mitchell, 
and  they  now  have  four  interesting  children, — Amelia,  Ira,  Floyd  and  Wal- 
ter. In  his  political  views  George  Hartshorn  is  a  stalwart  Democrat,  and 
has  several  times  been  honored  with  local  positions  of  trust  and  responsibil- 
ity. The  first  township  of^ce  he  held  was  that  of  school  trustee,  in  which 
capacity  he  served  for  fifteen  years.  He  has  also  filled  the  position  of  justice 
of  the  peace  and  town  collector,  and  in  the  spring  of  1896  he  was  elected  to 
his  present  position,  that  of  supervisor,  to  succeed  the  Hon.  John  Wylie. 
He  is  now  acting  as  a  member  and  chairman  of  the  county  asylum  commit- 
tee on  the  board  of  supervisors,  and  exercises  his  official  prerogative  to  sup- 
port all  measures  and  movements  which  are  calculated  to  benefit  the  entire 
community.  He  is  known  as  a  valued  citizen  and  a  progressive  young  busi- 
ness man,  and  in  LaSalle  county  has  many  warm  friends. 

In  his  political  views  Alfred  I.  Hartshorn  has  been  a  lifelong  Democrat, 
loyal  to  his  party  and  holding  its  traditions  sacred;  but  from  the  financial 
principles  of  that  branch  of  the  party  which  advocates  a  free  coinage  of  silver 
he  is  a  dissenter.  He  has  been  one  of  the  prominent  gold  Democrats  of  his 
part  of  the  state,  and  in  1896  was  a  delegate  to  a  convention  at  Chicago 
which  led  to  the  national  convention  at  Indianapolis  that  nominated  Hon. 
John  M.  Palmer  for  the  presidency  on  the  sound-money  platform.  Though 
he  has  always  been  actuated  by  motives  purely  patriotic  and  borne  an  active 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 


70s 


part  in  public  affairs,  he  has  never  sought  pohtical  preferment  or  accepted 
any  political  office.  His  ability  as  a  man  of  affairs  is  of  a  high  order  and  his 
advice  has  often  been  sought  in  matters  involving  very  important  interests.. 


RUSSELL  E.  STANFORD. 

Russell  E.  Stanford,  who  is  well  and  favorably  known  throughout 
LaSalle  county,  is  a  worthy  representative  of  two  of  the  pioneer  families  of 
this  county.  His  father,  Emory  Stanford,  a  native  of  New  York  state, 
located  at  Lowell  in  1838,  and  constructed  the  old  water-power  mill  at  that 
point.  In  his  early  manhood  he  was  engaged  in  contracting  and  building, 
but  his  later  years  were  devoted  to  agriculture.  About  1849  ^^^  purchased 
a  farm  situated  four  miles  south  of  Lowell,  and  there  he  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  days,  dying  when  in  his  seventy-second  year.  He  was  much  honored 
and  looked  up  to  in  his  community,  was  the  first  supervisor  of  Vermillion 
township,  at  one  time  was  the  trustee  of  the  school  fund  and  a  member  of 
the  local  school  board.  Politically  he  was  a  stanch  Republican,  and  prior 
to  the  civil  war  was  a  strong  Abolitionist.  His  father,  Jonathan  Stanford,, 
was  a  native  of  Vermont  and  of  English  extraction.  He  supported  the 
American  cause,  however,  and  served  in  the  army  for  supremacy  of  the 
young  republic  on  this  continent.  He  removed  to  the  state  of  New  York,, 
where  his  death  some  years  subsequently  occurred,  after  he  had  reached 
the  age  of  three-score  years. 

The  first  wife  of  Emory  Stanford  was  a  Miss  Emeline  Cantine.  and 
their  only  child,  Susan,  married  Henry  Loomis,  now  of  Dakota  county, 
Nebraska.  The  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  article  was  Mary,  the  daughter 
of  Jacob  Elliott,  who  came  from  one  of  the  early  colonial  families  of  Massa- 
chusetts, in  which  state  his  own  birth  took  place.  He  removed  to  the  Empire 
state,  and  at  an  early  period  came  to  LaSalle  county,  in  company  with 
a  man  by  the  name  of  Seeley.  They  bought  the  w-ater-power  mill  at  Lowell 
and  were  interested  in  various  local  industries  here.  Mr.  Elliott  died  when 
in  his  prime,  leaving  several  children.  Mrs.  Mary  L.  Stanford  was  born 
in  New  York  state,  and  by  her  marriage  to  Emory  Stanford  she  became- 
the  mother  of  seven  sons  and  a  daughter,  of  whom  but  three  survive,  Russell 
E.,  Sarah  M.,  wife  of  Justin  Hall,  of  L'rbana,  Illinois;  and  John  Franklin, 
who  resides  near  Chatsworth,  this  state. 

The  birth  of  Russell  E.  Stanford  took  place  in  Lowell,  LaSalle  county, 
October  11,  1842,  and  from  that  time  until  February,  1898,  he  dwelt  in 
Vermillion  township,  all  but  six  or  seven  years  of  this  period  being  spent 
on  his  father's  old  homestead.     When  he  had  arrived  at  man's  estate,  he 


704  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

rented  a  quarter-section  of  this  property  of  his  father,  and  the  first  land 
owned  by  him  was  the  undivided  half  of  a  tract  of  eighty  acres,  adjoining 
the  old  home  place.  To  this  he  later  added  about  forty  acres,  which  he 
cultivated  in  connection  with  the  land  owned  by  his  father.  After  the  death 
of  that  honored  citizen,  he  purchased  the  homestead  and  now,  after  buying 
another  eighty-acre  tract  of  one  of  the  heirs,  his  farm  comprises  two  hun- 
dred and  forty  acres.  This  place  is  an  excellent  one,  improved  with  good 
buildings  and  all  of  the  accessories  of  a  model  farm.  Mr.  Stanford  con- 
tinued to  operate  the  farm  until  a  little  more  than  a  year  ago,  when  he  retired, 
having  amassed  a  competency  sufificient  for  his  remaining  years.  He  has 
bought  a  pleasant  house  in  the  southwestern  part  of  the  village  of  Tonica, 
and  is  enjoying  a  well  earned  rest  from  the  arduous  labor  which  has  hitherto 
engrossed  him. 

Everything  afTecting  the  welfare  of  this  community  has  received  the 
-earnest  attention  of  Air.  Stanford.  For  three  years  he  was  the  supervisor  of 
Vermillion  township,  for  seven  years  or  more  he  was  a  road  commissioner, 
and  for  many  years  he  served  as  a  school  director.  In  his  political  belief 
he  is  a  Republican. 

In  February,  1866,  Mr.  Stanford  married  Miss  Rebecca  Downey,  who 
died  May  10,  1868,  aged  but  twenty-two  years.  She  was  a  devoted  member 
of  the  Congregational  church,  and  was  loved  by  all  who  knew  her.  She 
left  one  child,  Emory  H.,  who  is  married  and  for  years  was  engaged  in  teach- 
ing, but  at  present  is  in  business  in  Tacoma,  Washington.  On  the  nth  of 
January,  1872,  Mr.  Stanford  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary,  a 
daughter  of  Israel  and  Mary  (Burgess)  Hutchinson.  Three  children  were 
born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  namely:  Bertha  E.,  Mary  Eva,  and  Florence 
Ella,  all  of  whom  are  receiving  good  educational  advantages  and  are  yet  at 
home  with  their  parents. 


DANIEL  BASSETT. 


Honored  and  highly  esteemed  by  everyone  who  knows  him,  Daniel 
Bassett,  of  Groveland  township,  LaSalle  county,  is  a  sterling  representative 
of  two  of  the  oldest  families  of  New  England,  and  possesses  many  of  the 
traits  of  character  for  which  his  sturdy  ancestors  were  renowned.  He  ad- 
heres to  the  same  high  principles  of  daily  life,  upholds  the  same  ideas  of 
religion  and  religious  liberty,  and  has  the  same  love  for  the  cause  of  educa- 
tion and  every  power  making  toward  the  uplifting  and  progress  of  the  race. 

In  tracing  his  lineage  it  is  found,  by  old  records,  that  his  ancestor, 
William  Bassett,  emigrated  from  England  to  Boston,  Massachusetts,  in  1639, 
and  located  at  a  village  called  Hamden,  about  three  miles  north  of  New 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  705 

Haven,  Connecticut.  He  married  a  Miss  Ives.  They  had  one  son,  John, 
who  was  born  in  1653.  and  died  February  8,  1714.  He  served  in  the  state 
militia,  and,  being  appointed  as  captain  of  a  company  of  New  Haven  troops, 
ahvays  afterward  went  by  the  title  of  Captain  Bassett.  He  married  Mercy 
Grigson,  and  their  son  John,  born  in  1691,  became  a  personage  of  influence 
in  his  time.  He  represented  the  town  of  New  Haven  in  the  state  legislature 
for  a  number  of  sessions,  and  was  appointed  cornet  of  a  company  of  home 
guards.  He  owned  considerable  property,  and  was  highly  respected.  He 
died  March  27,  1757,  aged  sixty-six  years.  His  wife  was  Elizabeth  Thomp- 
son, and  one  of  his  children,  John,  was  born  in  1717,  married  Sarah  Eaton,  a 
granddaughter  of  the  first  governor  of  the  New  Haven  colony,  and  died 
when  sixty  years  of  age,  February  12,  1777.  Their  son.  Levi,  born  in  1747, 
married  Mabel  At  water,  and  had  five  children,  namely:  Esther,  Eaton, 
Lyman,  Sallie  and  Leverett.  He  departed  this  life  Septeml)er  6,  1816,  when 
sixty-nine  years  old. 

Leverett  Ives  Bassett.  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Litchfield 
county,  Connecticut,  and  died  on  the  same  old  homestead  where  he  first 
saw  the  light.  He  married  Linda  Holt,  a  native  of  the  same  county,  and 
they  led  the  peaceful,  industrious  lives  of  agriculturists.  Her  father,  Daniel 
Holt,  also  a  Connecticut  farmer,  came  from  oiie  of  the  oldest  families  in 
that  state.  His  ancestor,  William  Holt,  came  from  England  and  was  one 
of  the  early  settlers  of  New  Haven,  and  was  one  of  the  seven  persons  who 
signed  the  New  Haven  constitution  on  the  ist  of  July,  1664.  He  died  at 
Wallingford,  Connecticut,  September  i,  1683,  aged  seventy-three  years. 
Daniel  Holt,  above  mentioned,  was  the  eldest  of  twelve  children,  and  was 
born  in  East  New  Haven,  July  5,  1767.  On  the  12th  of  January,  1789,  he 
married  Hannah,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Hannah  Holt,  born  August  17, 
1767,  and  died  December  14,  1839.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  children, 
namely:  Daniel,  Hiram,  Jeremiah,  Hannah  and  Linda.  Daniel  Holt,  who 
died  June  23,  1834,  when  in  his  sixty-eighth  year,  removed  to  Northbury 
(subsequently,  Plymouth,  and  now  Thomaston)  in  1789,  and  thence  to 
Harwinton,  where  the  remainder  of  his  life  was  spent.  Mrs.  Linda  (Holt) 
Bassett  was  born  May  23,  1800,  and  died  on  Christmas  day,  1854.  Later 
Leverett  I.  Bassett  wedded  Hannah,  sister  of  his  first  wife,  and  she  lived  to 
attain  the  extreme  age  of  one  hundred  and  one  years.  Mr.  Bassett  was 
called  to  his  reward,  April  4,  1863.  Of  ten  children  born  in  his  family,  four 
were  sons,  and  of  the  entire  number  six  survive,  namely:  Daniel,  our  sub- 
ject; Levi;  Annis,  the  widow  of  Stiles  Hotchkis;  Mary,  the  wife  of  William 
W.  Clemence;  Mrs.  Lois  B.  Coe,  of  Connecticut;  and  George,  of  Cleveland, 
Ohio. 

The  birth  of  Daniel  Bassett  took  place  in  the  country  where  so  many 


7o6  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

generations  of  his  forefathers  had  passed  the  span  of  hfe,  the  date  of  this 
event  being  February  i6,  1823.  He  grew  to  manhood  on  a  farm  and  re- 
ceived a  very  "common"  school  education.  In  August,  1852,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Miss  Amy  Elvira  Barker,  a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Amy 
(Pardy)  Barker,  and  one  week  afterward  the  young  couple  started  for  the 
new  home  which  they  were  to  found  on  the  broad  prairies  of  Illinois.  They 
located  near  West  Hallock,  Peoria  county,  buying  a  quarter-section  of  land, 
to  the  cultivation  of  which  Mr.  Bassett  devoted  his  chief  energy  for  many 
years.  In  1865  he  removed  to  his  present  homestead  in  Groveland  township. 
Here  he  has  owned,  previous  to  allotting  to  his  children,  five  hundred  and 
sixty  acres,  finely  improved,  having  a  substantial  dwelling  and  other  farm 
buildinsfs,  and  all  of  the  comforts  and  conveniences  deemed  necessarv  in 
modern  life.  Mr.  Bassett  has  been  an  industrious,  hard-working  man.  useful 
in  his  community,  upright  and  just  in  all  of  his  transactions,  and  is  wholly 
worthy  the  high  esteem  in  which  he  is  held. 

For  almost  forty-six  years,  Mr.  Bassett  found  a  faithful  companion 
and  sharer  of  his  joys  and  sorrows  in  the  person  of  his  devoted  wife.  She 
was  a  lady  of  rare  Christian  virtues,  and  was  loved  by  all  who  knew  her. 
As  is  her  husband,  she  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Congregational 
church,  and  nobly  strove  to  do  her  duty  toward  all  mankind.  She  received 
the  summons  to  the  mansions  above  in  April,  1898,  when  she  was  in  her 
seventy-second  year.  The  three  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bassett  are:  Annis 
Elvira,  Owen  B.  and  Ella  A.  The  elder  daughter  married  Joseph  Bane, 
since  deceased,  and  their  children  are  named  respectively  Daniel  Hubert 
and  Ira  Owen.  Owen  B.,  the  only  son  of  our  subject,  is  unmarried,  and 
resides  at  home.  Ella  A.  first  married  Wilev  INIarshall  and  had  one  child, 
Edna,  and  is  now  the  wife  of  C.  R.  Hinton. 

Mr.  Bassett  has  kept  posted  in  all  of  the  public  affairs  of  this  country, 
deeming  this  the  duty  of  every  patriotic  citizen,  but  he  has  never  been  an 
aspirant  to  official  distinction,  and  has  resolutely  kept  aloof  from  politics. 
Since  becoming  a  voter  he  has  cast  his  ballot  for  the  nominees  of  the  Whig 
and  Republican  parties. 


AMOS  W.  ^lERRITT. 


Amos  W.  Merritt,  of  the  firm  of  Merritt  &  Bangs,  general  merchants, 
Lostant,  Illinois,  claims  Ohio  as  his  native  state,  his  birth  having  occurred 
in  Belmont  county,  June  29,  1843.  He  is  a  son  of  Henry  P.  and  ]\Iargaret 
M.  (Wilson)  Merritt,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  Their  family  was  composed 
of  eleven  children,  seven  sons  and  four  daughters,  of  whom  nine  are  now 
living:     Amos  W.,  whose  name  introduces  this  sketch;  John  E.,  of  White 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  707 

City,  Kansas;  Isabel  W.,  wife  of  I.  P.  Wierman,  of  Lostant,  Illinois;  Hannah 
B.,  wife  of  Sewell  Gatchell,  of  Freeport,  Illinois;  Mahlon  L.,  of  Roberts,  Illi- 
nois; Charles  H.,  also  of  Roberts;  Maggie  J.,  wife  of  George  B.  Hager,  of 
Ottawa,  Illinois;  Isaac  E.,  of  Buckley,  Illinois;  and  George  L.,  of  Roberts. 
The  father  of  this  family  learned  the  trade  cf  wagon-maker  in  early  life  and 
followed  it  until  he  was  forty  years  of  age,  from  that  time  on  giving  his 
attention  to  farming.  He  went  with  his  parents  from  Pennsylvania  to  Bel- 
mont county,  Ohio,  when  he  was  seven  years  old.  and  grew  to  manhood 
and  married  in  that  state.  In  1853  he  moved  to  Illinois  and  located  in 
Magnolia,  Putnam  county,  where  he  had  a  wagon  shop  for  four  years,  until 
1857.  That  year  he  came  to  LaSalle  county  and  bought  a  farm  of  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres  in  Hope  township,  partly  improved  at  the  time  of  pur- 
chase. It  was  principally  upon  this  farm  that  he  reared  his  children.  He 
lu'ed  there  until  1882,  when  he  moved  to  a  place  near  Wenona  and  lived 
there  twelve  years.  He  died  April  13,  1896,  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight 
years.  His  widow  is  still  living,  now  in  her  eightieth  year,  her  home  being 
in  Lostant.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  as  also  was  he. 
Politically  he  was  a  Republican,  and  at  different  times  held  several  township 
offices,  including  that  of  supervisor. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  John  Merritt.  He  was  a 
Pennsylvanian,  a  dealer  in  boots  and  shoes,  and  died  in  the  prime  of  early 
manhood,  being  only  twenty-five  years  old  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  left 
a  widow  and  three  little  sons.  On  his  mother's  side  Mr.  Merritt's  grand- 
father was  Amos  Wilson,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  1794.  Mr.  Wil- 
son was  twice  married.  His  first  wife,  Hannah  Brown,  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  whose  father  was  an  Irishman,  he  married  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
by  her  had  five  children.  The  family  moved  to  Ohio  and  located  on  a  farm 
in  Belmont  county  in  1826,  and  the  same  year  the  wife  and  mother  died,  at 
the  age  of  twenty-six  years.  In  1828  Mr.  Wilson  married  Miss  Anna 
Morris,  by  whom  he  had  nine  children.  They  came  to  Illinois  in  1851  and 
located  in  Putnam  county,  on  a  new  farm,  where  he  passed  the  rest  of  his 
life,  and  where  he  died  January  15,  1881,  in  his  eighty-seventh  year. 

Amos  W.  Merritt  was  ten  years  old  when  he  came  with  his  parents  to 
Illinois,  and  he  has  lived  in  Hope  township,  LaSalle  county,  since  1857. 
His  youthful  days  were  passed  not  unlike  those  of  other  farmer  boys,  assist- 
ing in  the  farm  work  and  in  winter  attending  the  district  schools.  When  he 
started  out  in  life  on  his  own  responsibility  it  was  as  a  farmer  on  rented  land. 
He  continued  farming  until  1888,  when  he  moved  to  Lostant.  The  following 
year  he  was  appointed  postmaster,  ^^l^ile  filling  this  ofhce,  in  1890,  he 
engaged  in  the  grocery  business,  and  the  following  year  took  in  as  a  partner 
M.  H.  Bangs,  his  brother-in-law,  the  firm  becoming  Merritt  &  Bangs.    They 


7o8  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

then  added  a  stock  of  dry  goods,  boots  and  shoes,  making  a  complete  gen- 
eral store,  and  have  since  kept  a  ^Yell  assorted  stock  of  general  merchandise. 
They  have  established  a  good  trade  among  the  leading  citizens  of  the  town 
and  surrounding  country  and  are  ranked  with  the  enterprising  up-to-date 
business  men  of  Lostant. 

Mr.  Merritt  was  married  December  30.  1875,  to  Miss  Sarah  A.  Bangs, 
daughter  of  Samuel  L.  and  Margaret  (Howard)  Bangs,  the  former  a  native 
of  England,  the  latter  of  Massachusetts.  Mrs.  Merritt  is  one  of  five  children 
— two  sons  and  three  daughters — and  she  has  one  sister  and  two  brothers 
living,  namely:  Jennie,  wife  of  Dr.  A.  H.  Hatton,  of  Peru,  Illinois;  J.  Ed- 
W'ard,  superintendent  of  the  township  high  school,  Pontiac,  Illinois;  and 
Mark  H.,  in  business  with  Mr.  Merritt  at  Lostant.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Merritt 
have  no  children.  For  several  years  previous  to  her  marriage  Mrs.  Merritt 
was  a  popular  and  successful  teacher,  ucaching  at  Rutland  and  Lostant  and 
for  a  short  time  in  the  academy  at  L.illsboro,  LaSalle  county.  She  was  Mr. 
Merritt's  assistant  in  the  postoffice  during  the  four  years  and  a  half  he  filled 
that  position.  Religiously  she  is  a  Methodist  and  fraternally  a  member  of 
the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star.  Mr.  Merritt  being  identified  with  both  the 
F.  &  A.  ]\I.,  Tonica  Lodge,  No.  364,  and  the  O.  E.  S.  Politically  he  is  a 
Republican.  In  addition  to  the  office  already  named,  he  has  served  in  other 
local  offices,  such  as  those  of  township  assessor,  member  of  the  village  school 
l)oard  and  member  of  the  village  board  of  trustees. 


EDWARD  H.  BOYLE. 


Now  living  retired,  in  the  town  of  Lostant,  LaSalle  county,  is  Edward 
Harrison  Boyle,  one  of  the  sterling  pioneers  of  this  county  and  state.  In 
his  youth  he  experienced  the  hardships  of  life  on  the  frontier,  and  during 
his  entire  life  he  has  been  industrious  and  public  spirited,  desirous  of  pro- 
moting the  welfare  of  his  community. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  David  Boyle,  who  was 
born  in  Virginia  and  was  of  Irish  descent.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation, 
and  came  to  Illinois  at  an  early  day.  He  reared  several  children  and  died 
wdien  in  the  prime  of  manhood.  The  maternal  grandfather,  Thornton  Wil- 
son, a  native  of  Kentucky,  was  of  Scotch  descent.  He  came  to  this  state 
m  1825,  and  iirst  located  near  Elkhart  Grove  and  Springfield.  At  the  end 
of  fi^•e  }-ears  he  removed  to  a  farm  in  Putnam  county,  where  he  died  in 
March.  1835,  leaving  a  large  family  to  mourn  his  loss. 

The  parents  of  Edward  H.  Boyle  were  Abner  and  Matilda  (Wilson) 
Boyle.  The  father  was  born  in  Bedford  county,  Virginia,  and  was  but  three 
years  old  when  his  parents  removed  to  Kentucky,  settling  in  Todd  county, 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  709 

where  he  grew  to  manhood.     In  1828  they  came  to  IlHnois,  and,  for  a  few- 
months  Hved  in   Danville.      In  the   spring  of   1829  they  went  to   Putnam 
county,  where  Abner  Boyle  took  up  a  quarter-section  of  government  land. 
Improving  that  place  he  continued  to  dwell  there  until  the  autumn  of  1882, 
when  he  retired,  and  made  his  home  in  Lostant  until  his  death,  in  ]\[arch, 
1886,  when  he  was  in  his  seventy-ninth  year.     His  widow,  whose  death 
took  place  in  1892,  was  almost  ninety  years  of  age  at  that  time.     She  was 
a  devoted  member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian   church.     Mr.    Bovie 
was  a  typical  pioneer,  undaunted  by  obstacles,  hard-working  and  hopeful.   He 
participated  in  the  Black  Hawk  war,  and  -was  active  in  all  of  the  affairs  of 
his  community  for  years.    Several  times  he  served  as  a  supervisor  in  Putnam 
county.     In  former  years  he  was  a  Whig,  and  later  was  identified  with  the 
Republican  party.     At  the  time  that  he  settled  on  Ox  Bow  prairie,  in  1829. 
he  and  his  brothers  built  a  cabin  of  rough  logs,  rudely  piled  together,  the 
roof  made  of  "shakes."     The  spaces  between  the  logs  were  unfilled,  and 
windows  and  chimneys  were  not  required,  as  all  of  the  cooking  was  per- 
formed out  of  doors.     The  first  season,  in  addition  to  building  this  simple 
cabin,  they  planted  and  raised  twenty  acres  of  corn,  the  yield  being  from 
fifty  to- sixty  bushels  to  the  acre.     This  corn  was  conveyed  to  the  mills  on 
the  Mackinaw  river,  fifty  miles  away,  and,  with  a  plentiful  supply  of  venison, 
the   hardy   pioneers   fared   quite   comfortably   the   ensuing   winter.      Their 
needs  were  few  and  simple,  and  they  really  enjoyed  their  quiet,   humble 
life.    In  1830  Mr.  Boyle  was  appointed  postmaster  of  Ox  Bow,  by  President 
Pierce.     It  cost  twenty-five  cents  to  send  letters  in  those  da^-s,  and  the  work 
of  postmaster  was  so  nominal   that  Mr.  Boyle  soon  resigned.     He  frequently 
made  trips  to  Chicago  with  wheat,  receiving  only  forty  cents  a  bushel.     The 
first  circuit  court  convened  in  Putnam  county  was  held  on  the  first  Mondav 
in  May,  183 1,  and,  in  accordance  with  the  law,  the  county  commissioners 
had  selected  the  house  of  Thomas  Gallagher,  on  the  bank  of  the  Illinois 
river,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  above  the  trading  post  kept  l)y  Thomas. 
Hartzell,  as  the  place  where  the  court  should  be  held.     On  the  appointed 
day  the  people  of  that  section  assembled,  and  as  no  clerk  had  as  yet  been 
provided  the  judge  appointed  Hooper  Warren  and  fixed  his  official  bond  at 
two  thousand  dollars,  his  sureties  being  John  Dixon  and  Henry  Thorn.    The 
sheriff  then  gravely  announced  that  the  court  was  considered  in  session,  and 
the  grand  jurors  were  duly  chosen  and  sworn  in.     They  were  as  follows: 
Daniel   Dimmick,   Elijah  Epperson,   Henry  Thomas,  Leonard  Roth,  Jesse 
Williams,  Israel  Archer,  James  Warnock,  John  L.  Ramsey,  William  Hames,, 
John  Strawn,   Samuel   Laughlin  (foreman),   David  Boyle,   Stephen  \\'illis, 
Jeremiah  Strawn,  Abraham  Stratten  and  Nelson  Shepherd.     After  the  divis- 
ion of  Putnam  county,  the  first  election  held  was  on  August  i,  1834,  the 


7IO  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

officials  to  be  elected  being  a  member  of  congress,  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and 
a  constable  for  each  precinct.  The  vote  was  small,  and  each  voter  called  out 
the  name  of  the  person  whom  he  desired  to  take  the  office,  the  clerk 
writing  this  down,  opposite  the  name  of  the  voter,  in  the  poll  book.  This 
election  was  held  in  Sandy  precinct,  at  the  houses  of  Jesse  Roberts,  John 
H.  Shaw  and  Abner  Boyle. 

Edward  Harrison  Boyle,  who  was  born  in  Hennepin,  Illinois,  Feb- 
ruary 14,  1837,  was  one  of  six  children,  two  sons  and  four  daughters.  Two 
of  the  number  are  deceased;  William  A.  resides  in  Burton,  Kansas;  Caroline 
is  the  widow  of  John  Griffith,  and  lives  in  Lostant,  and  Artemesa,  the 
youngest,  lives  with  her  brother,  our  subject,  neither  of  them  ever  having 
married.  William  A.  is  a  hero  of  the  civil  war,  as  for  nearly  three  years 
he  was  a  member  of  Vaughn's  battery,  was  stationed  at  Little  Rock  for 
some  time,  assisted  in  taking  that  city,  and  was  in  the  command  of  General 
Steele. 

In  his  boyhood,  E.  H.  Boyle  attended  the  district  schools  of  Putnam 
county,  and  always  dwelt  with  his  parents  as  long  as  they  lived,  giving  them 
loving,  filial  care  and  attention,  especially  in  their  declining  years.  Since 
1882  he  has  resided  in  the  village  of  Lostant.  At  the  time  of  his  father's 
death  his  estate  of  some  eight  hundred  and  fifty  acres  was  divided  among 
the  heirs.  He  and  his  sister,  whose  interests,  plans  and  aims  are  one,  own 
the  home  property  in  Lostant,  and  six  hundred  and  thirty  acres  of  fine 
farm  land,  three  hundred  and  ten  acres  of  which  is  situated  in  Putnam  county 
and  half  a  section  in  LaSalle  county.  Mr.  Boyle  is  a  loyal  citizen,  striving 
to  do  his  dutv  toward  his  countrv  and  communitv,  and  since  he  arrived  at 
his  majority  he  has  deposited  his  ballot  in  favor  of  the  nominees  and  prin- 
ciples of  the  Republican  party. 


JOHN  R.  LAMBERT. 


John  R.  Lambert  is  a  self-made  man,  and  his  example  is  well  worthy  of 
emulation  by  the  rising  generation.  His  success  is  but  another  testimony 
to  the  oft-repeated  fact  that  a  young  man  of  good  common  sense,  indus- 
trious and  economical  habits,  and  with  upright  principles,  is  certain  to 
prosper,  if  he  perseveringly  attends  to  business  and  faithfully  carries  out  the 
plans  which  he  carefully  decides  upon  in  the  first  place. 

The  parents  of  John  R.  Lambert  were  Joel  and  Sarah  (Reed)  Lam- 
bert, both  natives  of  Kentucky.  The  father  was  a  son  of  Benjamin 
Lambert,  of  German  lineage,  a  native  of  Virginia  and  an  early  settler  in 
Kentucky.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  besides  was  a  local  minister,  devoted  to 
the  old-school   Baptist  creed.     He  lived  a  worthy,  useful  life  and  passed 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  711 

to  his  reward  at  a  ripe  age,  his  death  taking  place  in  Indiana.  The  father 
of  Mrs.  Joel  Lambert  was  John  Reed,  who  likewise  was  born  in  Virginia 
and  who  was  a  hero  of  the  war  of  1812.  He  was  of  Welsh  descent  and  a 
typical  frontiersman,  a  pioneer  of  Kentucky,  Indiana  and  Illinois.  To  this 
state  he  came  in  1830  and  his  death  took  place  in  Knox  county  when  he 
was  well  along  in  years. 

Joel  Lambert  accompanied  his  father's  family  to  Indiana  and  to  Knox 
county,  Illinois,  nearly  seventy  years  ago.  He  bought  eighty  acres  of  land 
in  \\'arren  county  later  and  there  passed  his  last  years,  his  death  occurring 
in  1840,  when  he  was  in  his  prime,  being  but  thirty-eight  years  of  age. 
His  widow,  Mrs.  Sarah  Lambert,  survived  him  more  than  half  a  century 
and  died  in  1890,  when  seventy-five  years  of  age.  Both  were  members  of 
the  Baptist  church.  In  the  early  days  of  Illinois'  statehood,  Mr.  Lambert 
belonged  to  what  was  known  as  the  light-horse  cavalry,  a  state  military 
organization.  Of  their  two  sons  and  three  daughters  two  are  deceased,  and 
those  surviving  are  John  R.,  James  A.,  and  Ann  Jane,  the  widow  of  Coleman 
Hailey,  of  Peoria.  In  1845  Mrs.  Lambert  became  the  wife  of  Hartwell 
Hailey,  and  their  two  children  were  Lida,  who  died  when  in  her  seventeenth 
year;  and  Ara,  who  married  L.  T.  Broadus  and  is  now  a  resident  of  Horton, 
Kansas. 

The  birth  of  John  R.  Lambert  occurred  in  Knox  county,  Illinois, 
October  12,  1836,  and  owing  to  the  death  of  his  father  when  he  w-as  quite 
young  he  was  thrown  upon  his  own  resources  earlier  than  he  otherwise 
would  have  been.  In  1845  he  went  to  Putnam  county  and  twenty  years 
later  he  came  to  LaSalle  county.  When  he  left  home  to  earn  his  own  liveli- 
hood he  had  but  six  dollars,  and  this  he  had  made  by  working  for  neighbors. 
As  soon  as  he  could  do  so,  he  commenced  renting  a  farm  in  Putnam  county, 
and  at  the  end  of  two  vears  came  to  this  countv,  where,  after  rentin.'j  land 
for  a  year,  he  bought  eighty  acres,  in  Hope  township.  This  place  was 
partly  improved,  and  some  time  afterward  he  sold  it,  investing  his  capital 
in  a  quarter-section  farm  in  the  same  township.  Later  he  disposed  of  that 
place  also  and  since  then  has  owned  the  old  homestead  in  Hope  township, 
which  is  now  carried  on  by  his  son.  As  the  years  rolled  by  he  prospered, 
and  on  several  occasions  he  bought  more  land  until  he  now  owns  four 
hundred  and  eighty  acres,  two  hundred  and  forty  being  in  Eden  township 
and  the  rest  in  Hope  township.  Besides  accomplishing  this,  he  assisted 
each  of  his  two  sons  in  the  purchase  of  a  quarter-section  of  land.  He  has 
made  substantial  improvements  on  his  property,  expending  large  sums  of 
money  for  this  purpose. 

Throughout  life  Mr.  Lambert  has  adhered  strictly  to  just  and  upright 
methods,  and  in  consequence  he  enjoys  the  good  will   and  esteem  of  all 


712  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

who  have  had  dealings  with  him.  Xor  has  he  neglected  his  duty  as  a  citizen, 
and  for  many  years  officiated  as  town  clerk,  school  trustee  or  director  on 
the  school  board.    Politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 

On  the  3d  of  September,  1847,  Mr.  Lambert  married  Miss  Emily  E. 
Hiltabrand,  daughter  of  George  and  Elizabeth  (Gunn)  Hiltabrand.  She  was 
summoned  to  the  better  land  in  1886,  when  in  her  forty-sixth  year.  Edward 
F..  the  elder  son  of  our  subject  and  wife,  married  Julia  Borngasser  and  has 
four  living  children,  namely:  \>y,  Edward.  Fern  and  Norman.  Edward  F. 
Lambert  is  an  energetic  young  business  man  of  Tonica,  being  the  present 
proprietor  of  a  large  lumber  yard  here.  George  H.  Lambert,  the  younger 
son,  is  managing  the  old  homestead  belonging  to  his  father.  His  wife  was 
formerly  Mary  Weber,  and  their  four  children  are  Nora,  Merlin,  Harold  and 
A^rnor.  Following  in  the  footsteps  of  their  ancestors,  our  subject  and  his 
wife  early  identified  themselves  with  the  Baptist  church,  contributing 
liberally  toward  its  support  and  actively  aiding  in  the  noble  work  of  uplifting 
humanitv. 


FREDERICK  W.  ^L\TTHIESSEN. 

Frederick  W.  Matthiessen.  secretary  of  the  ALitthiessen  &  Hegeler  Zinc 
Company,  LaSalle,  Illinois,  is  a  native  of  Germany,  born  in  1835.  He  was 
educated  in  Germany  and  graduated  in  mining  engineering  at  the  Univer- 
sity of  Freiberg,  in  that  country.  Mr.  jMatthiessen  and  E.  C.  Hegeler  were 
fellow  students  at  the  University  of  Freiberg,  and  in  1857  they  came  to  the 
United  States  together.  Their  purpose  was  to  gain  practical  experience 
in  mining  engineering,  and  accordingly  went  to  ^Mineral  Point,  Wisconsin. 
While  at  that  place  they  observed  the  great  waste  of  zinc  ore,  and  con- 
ceived the  idea  of  engaging  in  the  smelting  of  zinc.  They  came  to  LaSalle, 
Illinois,  in  1858,  selecting  this  city  as  a  location  on  account  of  coal  facilities. 
They  began  smelting  in  1858.  and  their  first  operations  were  hardly  more 
than  experimental,  the  ore  being  obtained  from  Wisconsin.  As  soon  as 
the  success  of  the  venture  was  demonstrated,  the  works  were  enlarged,  again 
and  again  enlarged,  until  to-day  the  Matthiessen  &  Hegeler  Zinc  Com- 
pany operate  the  largest  plant  in  the  United  States,  with  several  millions  of 
dollars  invested  and  a  business  that  has  steadily  increased  until  it  has  reached 
an  enormous  volume.  In  1866  the  rolling-mill  department  was  added.  In 
1874  the  company  began  to  mine  its  own  coal,  of  which  an  enormous  quan- 
tity is  necessarily  used.  Thus  it  is  observed  that  many  coal  miners  have 
found  employment  through  the  company.  A  large  number  of  workmen 
are  employed  in  the  zinc  works,  and  to  this  industry  the  growth  of  LaSalle 
is  largely  indebted.     Of  the  Matthiessen  &  Hegeler  Zinc  Company  it  can 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  713, 

be  truthfully  said  to  its  credit  that  workmen  have  been  well  paid  for  their 
labor  and  have  been  in  more  than  one  way  shown  consideration.  Among^ 
the  laborers  employed  no  strike  was  ever  inaugurated. 

In  1881  the  company  began  the  manufacture  of  sulphuric  acid,  and  in 
this  department  of  the  business  wonderful  progress  has  been  achieved  and 
an  immense  volume  of  ijrofiialjie  business  transacted.  The  zinc  ore  is 
brought  principally  from  Missouri.  First,  it  is  desulphurized  in  the  acid 
works,  where  tons  of  acid  are  made  daily.  Then  the  process  of  smelting 
takes  place,  and  many  tons  of  spelter  are  produced  each  day,  and  rolled  in 
the  rolling-mills  into  sheet  zinc.  The  first  street  railway  in  LaSalle,  which 
was  nominally  owned  by  an  independent  company,  was  really  an  appendage 
to  the  zinc  works,  ]\Iessrs.  Matthiessen  and  Heg"eler  paying  a  certain  sum 
annually  for  the  use  of  the  tracks  for  the  purpose  of  conducting  freight  to 
and  from  the  works. 

The  zinc  company  was  incorporated  in  1871,  Messrs.  Matthiessen  and 
Hegeler  holding  the  greater  part  of  the  stock,  the  latter  president  and  the- 
former  secretary. 

Mr.  Matthiessen  has  been  and  is  connected  with  and  interested  in  sev- 
eral other  business  enterprises.  He  was  interested  in  the  LaSalle  Pressed 
Brick  Company  and  now  has  interest  in  the  Western  Clock  Manufacturing 
Company,  of  LaSalle.  In  the  growth  and  development  of  LaSalle  no  other 
citizen  has  taken  greater  interest  than  has  he.  The  city  owns  a  fine  electric 
light  plant  and  water  works  system,  which  was  gained  through  the  gener- 
osity of  Mr.  Matthiessen,  who  purchased  and  gave  them  to  the  city.  Educa- 
tional facilities  in  LaSalle  have  been  increased  through  his  manifested  inter- 
est and  efforts,  assisted  by  other  progressive  citizens.  From  1887  to  1897, 
a  period  of  ten  years,  he  served  as  mayor  of  the  city,  and  declined  further 
election  to  this  office. 

Li  his  personal  relations  Mr.  Matthiessen  is  unostentatious  and  pon- 
siderate.  Li  business  affairs,  to  his  foresight  and  sagacity,  his  extraordinary 
success  may  well  be  attributed.  His  has  been  a  business  career  well  rounded, 
with  success. 

In  1864  Mr.  Matthiessen  married  Fannie  Clara  Moeller,  in  ^^lineral 
Point,  Wisconsin. 


JOHN  NICHOLSON. 


It  is  always  a  pleasure  to  see  true  merit  suital)!)'  rewarded,  to  behold' 
the  prosperity  of  those  who  eminently  deserve  it,  as  does  the  subject  of  this 
review.  At  an  early  age  he  learned  one  of  the  great  lessons  of  life,  that 
there  is  no  "royal  road"'  to  wealth,  and  as  he  was  not  above  work  he  toiled 


714  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

industriously  until  he  won  not  only  a  snug  little  fortune,  but  also  the 
esteem  and  confidence  of  the  people  with  whom  he  has  been  associated  for 
many  years.  Work,  the  true  friend  of  mankind,  has  developed  his  latent 
resources  and  brought  out  the  strong,  self-reliant  force  of  his  character. 

John  Nicholson  of  this  sketch  bears  the  same  Christian  name  as  did 
his  two  grandfathers.  His  father's  father,  a  carpenter,  was  born  near  the 
"village  of  Lowder,  Westmoreland,  England,  and  passed  his  entire  life  there, 
dying  at  an  advanced  age,  as  did  also  his  wife.  They  were  the  parents  of 
four  children.  John  Moffatt,  the  maternal  grandfather,  was  born,  lived  and 
died  in  England,  and  for  nearly  seventy  years  was  actively  engaged  in  the 
milling  business.  He  had  several  children,  only  one  of  whom  was  a  son. 
He  was  signally  a  patriarch  at  the  time  of  his  death,  as  he  had  seen  about 
■ninety  winters  ere  he  was  summoned  to  his  reward. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  John  and  Elizabeth  (Moffatt)  Nichol- 
;Son,  natives  of  England.  The  father  pursued  his  calling,  that  of  shoe- 
making,  in  the  English  isle  until  i860,  when  he  crossed  the  Atlantic,  accom- 
panied by  his  wife  and  a  daughter.  He  came  to  Lowell,  LaSalle  county, 
where  he  lived  retired  until  his  death  about  five  years  later,  when  he  was  in 
his  sixty-seventh  year.  He  was  survived  about  eight  years  by  his  widow, 
and  four  of  their  seven  children  have  also  passed  to  the  better  land.  John, 
William,  and  Elizabeth,  Mrs.  Joseph  Warner,  are  all  living  in  Lowell.  The 
parents  were  devout  members  of  the  Episcopal  church. 

John  Nicholson  was  born  in  Westmoreland,  England,  April  10,  183 1, 
•and  when  he  was  fourteen  years  old  he  was  apprenticed  for  a  term  of  seven 
years  to  the  miller's  trade.  Having  thoroughly  mastered  this  calling,  he  pro- 
ceeded to  devote  his  energies  solely  to  this  line  of  business  until  he  retired 
some  ten  years  ago.  In  1855  he  came  to  the  United  States,  and  at  once 
located  in  Lowell,  where  he  has  dwelt  for  the  long  period  of  forty-four  years. 
During  the  first  two  years,  he  worked  in  the  mill  here  at  a  small  salary,  after 
W'hich  he  grew  more  ambitious  and  rented  the  mill  himself,  running  it  with 
very  fair  success  from  the  beginning.  Later  he  purchased  the  mill  property 
and  in  time  bought  some  excellent  farm  land.  The  story  of  his  business 
career  may  be  briefly  summed  up  as  follows:  He  was  honest  and  just  in 
-all  of  his  transactions,  courteous  and  accommodating  to  his  patrons,  and 
strictly  reliable  and  punctual  always.  He  still  owns  three  hundred  and 
seventeen  acres  of  land  and  several  substantial  residences  in  Lowell.  For 
■nearly  twenty  years  he  served  as  a  school  director,  and  for  five  years  he  was 
Ihe  supervisor  of  this  township.  Politically  he  is  rather  independent,  but  in 
national  elections  usually  favors  the  Democratic  party. 

\n  September,  1863,  Mr.  Nicholson  married  Miss  Martha,  daughter  of 
Benjamin  Huss.     They  have  three  children — a    son    and    two    daughters. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  715 

Alvin  W.  married  Cynthia  Haldeman,  and  has  six  children,  namely: 
Ralph  A.,  Alice  V.,  Vincent  R.,  J.  Allen,  Edna  L.  and  Elmer  Dewey.  Mar- 
garet Nicholson  is  unmarried  and  resides  with  her  parents,  and  Harriet  is 
the  wife  of  Joseph  Dodd,  of  Farwell,  South  Dakota.  In  their  religious 
faith,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nicholson  adhere  to  the  creed  in  which  they  were 
reared,  the  Episcopalian. 


BRUCE  C.  MILLER. 


Bruce  Clawson  Miller,  a  successful  agriculturist  of  Eden  township, 
LaSalle  countv,  has  been  the  architect  of  his  own  fortunes,  as  he  started 
out  in  the  battle  of  life  empty  handed  and  by  the  exercise  of  his  native  powers 
has  won  an  honored  place  and  an  assured  competence  for  his  later  years. 

The  parents  of  our  subject,  Seymour  and  Polly  (Clawson)  Miller,  were 
natives  of  New  York  state.  They  had  four  children,  but  one  son  and  one 
daughter  have  died  and  only  Bruce  C.  and  Dwaght,  of  Prattsville,  New 
York,  survive.  The  mother  died  when  our  subject  was  a  small  boy,  and 
the  father  subsequently  married  her  sister,  Lydia,  and  had  one  child  by  that 
union.  After  her  death  he  wedded  Harriet  Goodsell,  and  m  his  old  age,  as 
death  had  once  more  deprived  him  of  a  companion  and  helpmate,  he  mar- 
ried Mary  Goodsell.  a  sister  of  his  third  wife.  He  was  of  Irish  descent,  and 
his  father,  John  Miller,  a  farmer,  was  born  in  New  York  state.  He  passed 
his  entire  life  there,  dying  when  upward  of  three-score  and  ten  years.  The 
father  of  Mrs.  Polly  (Clawson)  Miller  also  was  born  in  the  Empire  state  and 
followed  agriculture  as  a  means  of  livelihood.  Seymour  Miller  learned  the 
carpenter's  trade,  which  he  pursued  to  some  extent,  later  managing  a  farm 
and  runnmg  a  hotel.  His  wdiole  life  was  spent  in  Greene  county,  New  York, 
the  place  of  his  birth,  and  he  reached  the  age  allotted  to  man,  three-score 
and  ten.  He  was  a  conscientious,  upright  man  and  was  a  worthy  member 
of  the  Baptist  church. 

The  birth  of  Bruce  C.  Miller  took  place  in  Greene  county,  New  York, 
July  24,  1836.  He  remained  with  his  father,  working  on  the  farm  and  in 
the  hotel,  until  he  had  reached  his  majority.  Desiring  to  locate  permanently 
in  the  west,  he  came  to  Illinois  in  1862  and  for  some  time  worked  for  a 
farmer  in  the  vicinity  of  Tonica.  At  length  he  had  saved  sufficient  capital 
lo  buy  a  farm  of  eig-hty  acres  in  Livingston  county,  but  this  being  in  the 
nature  of  an  investment,  he  did  not  go  there  to  live.  A  few  years  later,  he 
rented  a  homestead  in  LaSalle  county,  selling  the  other  place,  and  at  the 
end  of  seven  or  eight  years  he  purchased  his  present  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty  acres,  which  he  had  previously  leased  for  three  years.  In  time  he 
added  another  tract  of  forty  acres  to  his  original  farm,  but  this  property  he 


7i6  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

afterward  sold.  Since  1877  he  has  Hved  upon  his  now  well  improved  home- 
stead one  mile  east  of  Tonica,  on  section  24,  Eden  township.  Altogether  he 
owns  three  hundred  and  ten  acres,  one  farm  of  a  quarter-section  being  in 
Franklin  county,  Iowa.  He  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising, 
and  has  been  very  successful,  as  he  justly  deserves. 

On  the  15th  of  April,  1876,  ]^Ir.  Miller  married  Aliss  Sarah  Scott,  a^ 
daughter  of  ^^'illiam  and  Xellie  (Hill)  Scott,  who  were  natives  of  Ohio,  and 
farmers  by  occupation.  ]\Irs.  ]\Iiller's  grandfathers,  likewise,  were  born  in 
the  Buckeye  state,  and  her  mother's  father  participated  in  the  war  of  1812. 
Mrs.  Miller  had  one  sister,  who  is  deceased,  and  her  only  brother,  Alitchell 
Scott,  who  was  sergeant  in  a  company  of  an  Ohio  regiment  of  volunteers, 
during  the  civil  war,  is  now  a  resident  of  Ayr,  Nebraska.  Four  children 
were  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  ^^'illie,  who  died'  when  about  twelve 
months  old,  and  Ralph,  \"erna  and  Roy,  who  are  yet  at  home.  ■Mrs.  ]\Iiller's 
parents  were  members  of  the  ^lethodist  Episcopal  church,  and  she  conse- 
quently was  an  attendant  at  the  services  of  that  denomination.  In  his 
political  belief  Mr.  Miller  is  a  Democrat.  l)ut  he  devotes  little  of  his  time  to 
public  affairs,  as  his  business  and  domestic  interests  take  the  first  place  in 
his  heart. 


ISAAC    RAYMOND. 


One  of  the  venerable  and  highly  honored  citizens  of  Tonica  is  he  of 
whom  the  following  sketch  is  penned.  For  forty-four  years  he  has  dwelt  in 
this  immediate  locality,  thoroughly  interested  in  its  development  and  pros- 
perity, and  doing  his  full  share  toward  the  transforming  of  the  unbroken 
prairie  into  the  garden  spot  of  the  west,  as  it  is  to-day. 

In  tracinp;  his  historv  it  is  learned  that  he  comes  of  fine  old  Puritan 
stock  on  the  paternal  side,  his  grandfather,  Abraham  Raymond,  having 
been  a  native  of  Connecticut  and  a  farmer  by  occupation.  His  last  years 
were  spent  in  New  York  state,  his  death  taking  place  when  he  was  more 
than  seventy  years  of  age.  Of  his  large  family,  Isaac  Raymond,  born  in 
Saratoga  county,  New  York,  became  the  father  of  our  subject.  In  his 
voung  manhood  he  was  a  blacksmith,  later  he  was  engaged  in  merchan- 
dising in  Brooklyn,  and  his  last  years  were  spent  in  agricultural  pursuits. 
After  he  had  carried  on  a  farm  in  Saratoga  county  for  some  years  he  came  to 
Illinois,  and  died  in  Tonica  in  the  eighty-fifth  year  of  his  age.  His  first 
wife,  Esther,  was,  like  himself,  born  in  Saratoga  county.  New  York,  and 
in  the  Empire  state  her  death  took  place  in  1842.  She  was  a  daughter  of 
John  Haves,  a  native  of  New  York  state,  and  of  German  descent.     He,  too, . 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  717 

■was  a  tiller  of  the  soil,  reared  a  large  family  and  attained  a  ripe  age.  For 
■4iis  second  wife,  Isaac  Raymond  chose  Ann  Underhill,  who  died  before  he 
came  to  Illinois.  She  was  the  mother  of  two  children  that  survive,  namely: 
Clara,  widow  of  Eugene  Hamer.  and  Harriet,  wife  of  Leonard  Perry.  Isaac, 
Jr.,  and  his  brother,  John  H.,  of  Odell,  Illinois,  are  the  only  children  of  the 
marriage  of  Isaac  and  Esther  (Hayes)  Raymond.  The  father  served  as  a 
justice  of  the  peace  for  a  long  period,  and  in  politics  was  first  a  Whig  and 
later  a  Republican. 

The  birth  of  Isaac  Raymond  occurred  on  the  old  homestead  in  Sara- 
toga county,  New  York,  December  18,  1830.  His  education,  begun  in  the 
district  schools,  was  completed  in  the  excellent  schools  of  Brooklyn,  and 
subsequent  years  of  observation  and  experience  added  to  this  until  he  became 
the  broad-minded,  well  informed  man  to  whom  his  numerous  friends  have 
looked  for  counsel  for  many  years.  After  leaving  school  he  returned  to  his 
-native  county  and  rented  land  there  for  several  years,  engaging'  in  its  culti- 
vation.    In  1853  he  went  to  California,  leaving  New  York  on  a  steamer  and 

ig-oing  by  the  isthmus  of  Panama  route.  A  year  later  he  returned  home, 
this  time  coming  by  way  of  Nicaragua.  In  1855  he  came  to  Illinois,  locat- 
ing in  Eden  township,  LaSalle  county;  and  though  he  had  no  capital  at  the 
time  of  his  arrival  here  he  industriously  worked  for  others,  saving  his  wages. 
After  renting  farms  for  four  years  he  bought  a  homestead  of  eighty  acres, 
three  miles  southwest  of  Tonica  and  partly  improved  the  place,  which  he 

"then  sold  and  invested  the  proceeds  in  another  farm  of  like  acreage,  but 
nearer  town.  In  time  he  added  to  the  original  tract  other  land,  thus  making 
his  place  one  of  two   hundred  and  twenty-five  acres.      He  built   a  good 

modern  house  and  made  other  substantial  improvements  on  his  homestead, 
which  is  now  carried  on  by  his  son  Frederick,  his  only  child,  a  young  man 

-of  excellent  business  ability. 

The  first  marriage  of  Isaac  Raymond  was  to  Mrs.  Mary  Underhill, 
nee  Brandow,  who  died  in  1892,  leaving  one  son,  Frederick.  On  the  ist  of 
March,  1894,  Mr.  Raymond  wedded  Mrs.  Lou  M.  Cox,  the  widow  of  Davis 
G.  Cox  and  a  daughter  of  William  B.  and  Mary  Jane  (Harris)  Magee.  By 
her  previous  marriage  Mrs.  Raymond  had  one  daughter,  Lulu  M.,  who  died 
when  seventeen  years  of  age.  Her  parents  were  natives  of  Wilmington, 
Clinton  county,  Ohio,  and  early  settlers  in  Illinois,  coming  in  1840  from 
Ohio  to  Princeton,  and  later  to  Eden  township.  Here  the  father  died  in 
1886,  aged  sixty-eight  years,  and  the  wife  and  mother  is  yet  living  and 

•residing  in  Tonica. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Raymond  are  members  of  the  Congregational  church. 

Tie  being  a  deacon  and  a  trustee.     Politically  he  is  afiiliated  with  the  Repub- 

'lican  party.     For  about   ten  years  he  ser\-ed  in   the  capacity  of  township 


7i8  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

assessor;  for  one  term  he  was  the  collector  for  his  district,  and  was  a  school 
director  in  Tonica  twelve  years,  discharging  his  duties  in  a  thoroughly  sat- 
isfactory manner  to  all  concerned. 


OLIVER  M.  KELLEY. 


Oliver  M.  Kelley,  grain  and  stock  buyer  and  dealer  in  farm  machinery, 
at  Dana,  Illinois,  is  one  of  the  prominent  business  factors  in  the  town  in 
which  he  has  lived  for  the  past  four  years.    A  resume  of  his  life  is  as  follows: 

Oliver  M.  Kelley  was  born  in  Alorris,  Illinois,  February  5,  1857,  a  son  of 
Alfred  and  Louisa  (Ferguson)  Kelley,  natives  of  Ohio.  In  the  Kelley  fam- 
ily were  seven  children,  four  sons  and  three  daughters,  all  of  whom,  with 
one  exception,  are  still  living,  namely:  Sara  A.,  the  widow  of  Lloyd  Wright; 
Franklin  P.,  of  Peoria.  Illinois;  Oliver  M.;  Inez,  deceased;  Alice,  wife  of  An- 
drew McBride,  of  Livingston  county,  Illinois;  Willard,  of  Groveland  town- 
ship, LaSalle  county;  and  Presley,  of  Dana.  Their  father  was  a  farmer 
who  came  from  Ohio  to  Illinois  in  the  year  1855,  locating  at  Morris  and 
carrying  on  farming  operations  there  for  eight  years.  He  then  came  to 
LaSalle  county  and  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Groveland  township, 
where  he  lived  until  a  few  months  before  his  death.  He  died  in  1895,  at  the 
age  of  sixty-eight  years.  His  widow  still  survives  him  and  makes  her  home 
in  Dana.     She  belongs  to  the  "Holiness"  organization. 

James  Kelley,  the  grandfather  of  Oliver  M.,  was  a  native  of  Ohio  and 
lived  and  died  in  that  state,  his  age  at  death  being  about  ninetv  vears. 
He  was  the  father  of  seven  or  eight  children.  Grandfather  Ferguson  also 
was  a  native  of  Ohio.  He  was  a  shoemaker  and  farmer,  passed  his  whole 
life  in  the  Buckeye  state,  and  was  sixty  years  old  at  the  time  of  his  death. 
He  had  several  children. 

Oliver  M.  Kelley  was  seven  years  old  when  his  parents  moved  to  La- 
Salle county.  Reared  on  a  farm,  he  naturally  engaged  in  farming  when  he 
started  out  in  life  for  himself.  At  first  he  rented  land,  next  worked  by 
the  month,  and  then  for  two  years  farmed  at  home.  x\fter  his  marriage 
he  rented  in  this  county,  remaining  here  thus  occupied  for  several  years, 
and  then  moved  to  Nebraska.  He  remained  in  that  state,  however,  only 
one  year,  at  the  end  of  that  time  returning  to  Groveland  township,  LaSalle 
county,  where  he  resumed  farming  and  continued  the  same  seven  years.  In 
1895  he  decided  upon  a  change  of  occupation  and  came  to  Dana  and  en- 
gaged in  the  grain,  coal,  live-stock  and  farm-implement  business,  and  the- 
past  year  has  also  run  an  elevator  at  Leeds. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  719. 

September  28,  1882,  'Mr.  Kelley  married  Aliss  Jessie  Mooney,  a  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Lucinda  (Ramsey)  ]\Iooney.  They  are  the  parents  of 
six  children,  four  sons  and  two  daughters,  namely:  John  C,  Mary  G., 
Roscoe  M.,  Hurless  L.,  Cassius  O.  and  Leota. 

Mrs.  Kelley  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  church.  Fraternally  Mr. 
Kelley  is  identified  with  Rutland  Lodge,  No.  163,  I.  O.  O.  F..  and  also- 
with  the  M.  W.  A.  Politically  he  has  always  been  a  Democrat  He  served 
as  school  director  in  Groveland  township  several  terms,  and  is  now  serving 
his  fourth  year  as  a  member  of  the  village  board  of  Dana. 


JUSTIN  W.  RICHARDSON. 

The  publisher  of  the  Tonica  News  and  the  Lostant  Local,  at  Tonica,. 
Justin  W.  Richardson,  is  one  of  the  chief  builders  of  the  material  interests 
of  Tonica.  He  was  born  in  Lexington,  Kentucky,  March  31,  1836,  a  son 
of  Henry  and  Lucy  (Fisher)  Richardson,  both  natives  of  Massachusetts. 
These  parents  had  six  children,  of  whom  four  are  now  living — Justin  W.,, 
Lunsford  P.,  William  F.  and  George  Herbert.  The  father  in  earlier  life  was- 
employed  in  the  woolen  mills  of  Lowell,  Massachusetts,  and  moved  to  Lex- 
ington, Kentucky,  on  account  of  poor  health,  and  after  a  residence  of  t^vo 
years  at  that  place  removed  to  Illinois,  locating  on  a  farm  near  Bloom- 
ington.  In  1852  he  moved  into  that  city  and  conducted  a  grocery  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  in  December,  1872,  when  he  had 
attained  the  age  of  sixty-five  years.  His  wife  died  in  1858.  Both  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Congregational  church.  For  a  number  of  years  Mr.  Richardson 
was  treasurer  of  the  board  of  education  of  Bloomington.  For  his  second 
wife  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  INIrs.  Caroline  Robertson,  a  native 
of  Vermont,  and  she  still  resides  in  Bloomington. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Gideon  Richardson,  was  a 
native  also  of  the  Bay  state  and  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  He 
was  of  English  descent,  and  had  thirteen  children.  Mr.  Richardson's  ma- 
ternal grandfather,  John  Fisher,  was  the  operator  of  a  machine  and  black- 
smith shop  in  Lowell.  He  also  was  of  English  ancestry,  had  two  children, 
and  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-nine  years. 

Justin  W.  Richardson  was  brought  up  on  his  father's  farm  near  Bloom- 
ington from  the  age  of  one  year  to  sixteen,  meanwdiile  attending  the  dis- 
trict school  in  the  winter.  At  length  he  enjoyed  the  opportunity  of  attending 
the  university  at  Bloomington,  and  afterward  he  taught  school  for  seven 
or  eight  years.     Next  he  was  employed  on  the  Bloomington  Pantagrapb 


720  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

as  a  reporter,  and  also  on  the  Journal.  In  1863  he  went  to  Peoria  and 
became  associate  editor  of  the  Peoria  Transcript;  later  he  was  city  editor 
of  the  Ouincy  ^^'hig"  and  Republican,  which  position  he  filled  for  a  period 
of  four  years.  Then  for  a  time  he  was  again  engaged  in  the  pedagogical 
profession  and  in  work  on  the  Bloomington  papers,  and  then  two  years  in 
newspaper  work  in  Farmer  City.  In  the  fall  of  1872  he  came  to  Streator, 
next  went  to  ]>kIillington.  where  he  remained  two  years,  and  then  for  three 
3^ears  was  in  Sheridan,  still  engaged  in  newspaper  work. 

In  February,  1878,  he  came  to  Tonica  and  re-established  the  Tonica 
News,  which  he  has  ever  since  conducted  as  a  local  weekly  gazetteer,  with 
the  success  that  only  comes  of  intelligence  and  enterprise. 

Politically  he  is  a  Republican;  was  postmaster  at  Millington  a  short 
time,  and  has  been  village  clerk  here  in  Tonica  for  six  years;  he  has  been 
a  resident  of  this  place  twenty-two  years.  He  is  a  member  of  Tonica  Lodge, 
No.  364,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.;  of  Tonica  Lodge.  No.  298.  I.  O.  O.  F..  and  with 
his  wife  is  also  a  member  of  Rebekah  degree  order.  In  religion  both  him- 
self and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church. 

On  the  25th  day  of  June,  1878,  'Slv.  Richardson  was  united  in  marriage 
Avith  ^liss  Adelaide  S.  Partridge,  the  daughter  of  L.  H.  and  ]\Iaria  A.  (Sea- 
ven  Partridge.  They  have  had  a  son  and  a  daughter — Raymond  and 
Alma. 


JAMES  C.  BROWX. 

To  the  memory  of  a  distinguished  citizcfi.  a  man  of  sterling  worth, 
integrity  of  purpose  and  purity  of  ambition,  this  biographical  sketch  is 
recorded. 

November  2,  1802.  in  Brandon,  A'ermont.  a  son  was  born  to  ]\Iicah  and 
Phoebe  (^lerriam)  Brown.  He  was  given  the  name  of  James  C.  Brown, 
and  it  is  of  him  that  we  write.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Connecticut  and 
his  ancestors  were  of  Welsh  origin.  ]\Iicah  was  a  major  in  the  war  of  1812 
and  did  active  service  in  that  conflict.  He  resided  in  Brandon  and  died  there 
in  1863.  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-seven  years.  His  wife,  Phoebe  Mer- 
riam.  was  of  an  old  New  England  family  and  laterally  related  to  Ethan 
Allen,  the  famous  Revolutionary  general. 

James  C.  Brown  obtained  a  liberal  education  in  his  native  town,  and 
early  in  life  took  up  the  study  of  medicine,  in  which  he  graduated  at  the 
Medical  College  of  Castleton,  Vermont.  Deciding  to  seek  his  fortune  in 
the  west.  Dr.  Brown  removed,  in  1830,  to  Zanesville.  Ohio.  Here  was 
begun  his  professional  and  business  career.     In  his  profession  Dr.  Brown 


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BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  721 

won  an  enviable  reputation,  and  in  business  achieved  far  more  than  ordinary 
success.  In  1851  he  became  a  citizen  of  LaSalle,  Illinois,  and  here  he  died 
June  12,  1883,  in  the  eighty-first  year  of  his  age. 

In  tracing  the  career  of  Dr.  Brown,  we  find  that  he  was  a  regularly 
enlisted  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812,  though  then  but  ten  years  of  age.  His 
•duty  then  was  to  keep  the  roll-book  for  his  father.  Major  Brown.  Here 
we  catch  a  gleam  of  his  character.  From  early  childhood  he  was  fond  of 
books  and  study.  He  became  not  only  a  proficient  and  skillful  physician, 
but  also  a  well-informed  man,  conversant  with  a  multitude  of  subjects.  Like 
Abou  ben  Adhem,  "he  loved  his  fellow  men,"  and  with  those  whose  good 
fortune  it  was  to  know  him  there  was  no  lack  of  respect  and  esteem  for 
him.  In  support  of  any  principle  he  believed  to  be  right,  he  was  fearless 
and  courageous.  Such  men  are  likely  to  receive  determined  opposition, 
and  this  was  true  of  Dr.  Brown.  In  the  early  agitation  of  Abolitionism  he 
took  a  bold  stand  against  slavery,  and  at  a  time  and  in  a  vicinity  wherein 
his  stand  on  this  great  question  was  very  unpopular.  So  bitter  was  the 
•opposition  given  him  that  it  militated  much  against  his  professional  and 
business  interests,  and  especially  in  social  circles.  Nothing  daunted  him, 
however,  and  he  even  held  on  to  his  views  all  the  firmer.  He  never  aspired 
to  public  or  political  life,  yet  he  was  a  stanch  Republican. 

As  observed  above,  he  came  to  LaSalle  in  1851.  Here  he  practiced 
medicine  until  1855,  when  on  account  of  failing  health  he  gave  up  the  pro- 
fession. He  became  interested  in  the  banking  business,  in  connection 
with  the  old  First  National  Bank  of  LaSalle,  in  the  history  of  which  we 
find  him  serving  as  its  president  in  1865.  Becoming  displeased  with  the 
business  plans  incorporated  in  the  management  of  the  bank,  it  was  pur- 
chased by  him,  in  1872,  and  merged  into  a  private  bank  and  placed  under 
the  management  of  his  sons,  James  P.  and  William  C.  Brown,  who  con- 
ducted it  until  1880,  when  it  was  sold,  its  purchasers  merging  it  into  the  pres- 
ent LaSalle  National  Bank. 

Dr.  Brown  was  a  consistent  Christian.  For  years  he  was  a  leading 
spirit  in  the  Congregational  church  of  LaSalle.  He  \yas  twice  married.  His 
first  wife,  nee  Elizabeth  Tupper,  died  a  few  weeks  after  her  marriage.  Sub- 
:sequently  the  Doctor  married,  in  Zanesville,  Ohio,  Ann  Day,  who  was 
born  in  South  Hadley,  Massachusetts,  April  9,  181 3.  She  is  now  in  the 
eighty-seventh  year  of  her  age  and  is  still  a  remarkably  well  presei^ved 
woman.  Mrs.  Brown's  life  has  been  an  exemplary  one,  and  she  has  reared 
an  interesting  family.  Her  children  are:  Mrs.  Elizabeth  B.  Adams,  of 
Indianapolis,  Indiana;  James  P.  Brown,  a  banker,  residing  in  Minneapolis, 
Minnesota;  Henry  D.  Brown  (deceased),  born  in  Ohio,  January  26,  1839, 
•died  in  Omaha,  Nebraska,  September  10,  1896,  was  for  years  a  prominent 


722  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

dry  goods  merchant  of  LaSalle;  William  C.  Brown,  and  Mrs.  Mary  Kate 
Page,  residing  in  LaSalle.     The  oldest  child,  Albert,  died  aged  eight  months. 

William  C.  Brown  was  born  in  Utica,  Ohio,  April  6,  1842,  and  was 
educated  at  Illinois  College,  Jacksonville.  For  several  years  he  was  in  the 
coal  business  in  LaSalle.  Then  from  1869  to  1874  he  was  assistant  treasurer 
of  the  Burlington  and  Missouri  River  Railroad.  On  resigning  this  position 
he  entered  the  banking  business  in  LaSalle.  In  1880  he  became  a  partner 
in  the  Collins  Plow  Company,  of  Quincy,  IlHnois.  While  in  the  factory  he 
met  with  an  accident,  breaking  both  of  his  arms,  and  for  nearly  three  years 
thereafter  was  disabled  from  business.  For  ten  years  (up  to  1895)  he  was 
sales  agent  for  the  Matthiessen  &  Hegeler  Zinc  Company,  of  LaSalle,  but 
is  now  living  a  retired  life,  residing  in  Chicago. 

October  22,  1868,  he  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  James  Cowie,  a 
prominent  pioneer  in  the  coal  business  in  LaSalle.  Mr.  Cowie  was  a  native 
of  England,  born  in  1805;  came  to  the  United  States  in  1840;  once  resided 
in  West  Virginia,  and  later  in  LaSalle,  Illinois,  for  several  years,  and  died  in 
West  Virginia  in  1886.  He  was  a  competent  business  man  and  an  esteemed 
citizen,  and  to  him  much  of  the  development  of  the  LaSalle  coal  fields  is 
to  be  attributed.  To  Mr,  and  Mrs.  William  C.  Brown  the  following  children 
were  born:  Annie  (deceased),  James  C,  Margaret  (a  teacher),  Mabel  and 
William  C,  Jr.  i 

Mr.  Brown  and  family  are  communicants  of  the  Congregational  church, 
and  in  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 


CHRISTIAN  G.  SAUER. 


Christian  G.  Sauer,  a  grain  dealer  and  one  of  the  representative  business 
men  of  Dana,  Illinois,  is  a  native  of  this  state,  born  in  Bureau  county,  July  19, 
185 1.  He  is  of  German  and  French  descent,  his  father,  George  A.  Sauer, 
having  been  born  in  Germany;  his  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Dorothy 
Swartz,  in  Strassburg,  France.  In  their  family  were  ten  children,  seven  of 
whom  are  now  living:  Rudolph  G.,  of  George,  Iowa;  Louisa,  wife  of  The- 
odore Monk,  of  Livingston  county,  Illinois;  Christian  G.,  whose  name  heads 
this  sketch;  George  A.,  of  Rutland,  Illinois;  Lizzie,  wife  of  L.  M.  Holland, 
of  Washington,  Illinois;  WilHam,  of  Hartley,  Iowa;  and  Mary,  the  wife  of  J. 
A.  Mingers,  of  Minonk,  Illinois.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sauer  came  to  America 
in  childhood  and  were  reared  and  married  here.  It  was  in  1836  that  he 
landed  in  this  country,  with  his  father  and  family,  their  settlement  being 
in  Bureau  county,  where  he  grew  up  and  where,  later,  he  bought  a  farm 
of  eighty  acres,  for  which  he  paid  one  hundred  dollars.    He  afterward  owned 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  723 

at  one  time  about  two  or  three  thousand  acres  in  lUinois  and  Iowa.  He 
moved  to  Livingston  county,  Ilhnois,  in  1865,  Hved  there  until  1884,  and 
then  moved  to  LaSalle  county,  settHng  in  Groveland  township,  one  mile 
west  of  Dana,  where  he  still  lives.  His  first  wife,  the  mother  of  our  sub- 
ject, died  about  1883,  at  the  age  of  fifty-seven  years.  She  was  a  devoted 
Christian  and  a  member  of  the  German  Lutheran  church,  to  which  he  also 
belongs.  He  married  for  his  second  wife  Miss  Lottie  Strasburg,  and  by  her 
has  three  children — Lillie,  Rosie  and  Minnie.  Politically  the  senior  Mr. 
Sauer  has  always  afiiliated  with  the  Democratic  party,  to  which  his  son, 
Christian  G.,  has  also  given  support. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  Christian  G.  Sauer  was  Rudolph  Sauer. 
He  came  to  America,  as  already  stated,  in  1836,  bringing  with  him  his 
family  and  coming  in  company  with  his  brother  George.  In  the  old  coun- 
try he  was  a  shoemaker  and  dealer,  but  after  his  settlement  in  Bureau 
county,  Illinois,  he  turned  his  attention  to  farming.  He  died  in  that  county, 
at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years.  To  him  belonged  the  distinction  of  serv- 
ing in  the  army  under  Napoleon.  Of  his  family,  two  sons  and  two  daughters 
reached  adult  age.  Grandfather  Swartz,  Mr.  Sauer's  grandfather  on  his 
mother's  side,  was  a  native  of  France.  He  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers 
of  Lacon,  Illinois,  where  he  reared  his  family  of  ten  children.  He  was 
eighty-four  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

Turning  now  to  the  direct  subject  of  this  sketch,  Christian  G.  Sauer, 
we  record  that  he  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Bureau  county,  in 
summer  passing  his  boyhood  days  in  assisting  in  the  farm  work  and  in  winter 
attending  the  district  school,  held  in  a  log  house.  When  he  became  a  man 
and  engaged  in  farming  for  himself  it  was  on  a  rented  farm  in  Livingston 
county.  About  1882  he  bought  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Lyon 
county,  Iowa;  afterward  purchased  another  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
in  that  county — six  hundred  and  forty  in  all — which  he  still  owns.  He  also 
owns  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Groveland  township,  LaSalle  county, 
and  has  some  land  in  Kansas.  Since  1877.  with  the  exception  of  four  years, 
he  has  been  in  the  grain  business  in  Dana.  His  first  home  in  Dana  he 
built  in  1882,  in  the  northern  part  of  town,  and  in  1898  he  rebuilt  on  the 
same  location,  his  present  home  being  a  delightful  and  attractive  one. 

January  13,  1879,  Mr.  Sauer  married  Miss  Matilda  Gingerich,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Joseph  Gingerich,  and  they  have  three  children — Charles  B.,  Jessie  M. 
and  Clark. 

Mrs.  Sauer  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  As  already 
indicated,  Mr.  Sauer  clings  to  the  political  faith  in  which  he  was  reared, 
and  from  time  to  time  he  has  filled  numerous  local  positions  of  prominence 
and  trust.     He  was  the  supervisor  of  Groveland  township  eight  years,  and 


724  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

for  a  number  of  years  he  was  a  school  director.  He  has  long  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  village  board  of  Dana,  and  for  about  ten  years  has  been  the 
president  of  the  board.  His  residence  in  LaSalle  county  covers  a  period 
of  twenty-three  years,  and  few  men  throughout  the  county  are  better  known 
or  more  highly  respected  than  he. 


HEXRY  F.  HARTENBOWER. 

The  gentleman  whose  name  appears  above  is  a  leading  business  man  of 
Tonica,  dealing  in  agricultural  implements,  threshers  and  engines.  He  was 
born  in  ^Magnolia  township,  Putnam  county,  Illinois,  April  ii,  1849,  a  son 
of  Christian  and  Jerusha  (Hiltabrand)  Hartenbower.  His  father  was  a 
native  of  Wittenberg,  Germany,  and  his  mother  was  born  in  Tennessee. 
They  had  seven  children,  six  of  whom  are  living,  namely:  Henry  F.,  George 
F.,  Emily,  wife  of  G.  J.  Williams,  of  Eagle  Grove,  Iowa,  William  F.,  John 
E.,  of  Tonica,  Illinois,  and  Catherine,  the  wife  of  Albert  Grant.  The  father 
of  these  children,  a  farmer  by  occupation,  emigrated  to  America  in  1836, 
locating  in  Putnam  county,  where  he  followed  agricultural  pursuits  until 
1852,  and  then  moved  to  Hope  township,  LaSalle  county,  settling  upon 
a  quarter  section  which  he  had  purchased.  To  this  he  subsequently  added 
by  further  purchases  until  he  had  at  one  time  five  hundred  and  seventy 
acres.  It  was  here  that  he  reared  his  children  and  lived  until  1886,  when  he 
moved  to  Tonica,  where  he  now  lives  retired,  his  son  William  cultivating 
the  old  farm.  In  his  political  sympathies  he  has  always  been  a  Democrat, 
and  in  public  position  he  has  been  road  commissioner  for  many  years.  In 
religion  he  and  his  wife  are  Baptists. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Christian  Hartenbower,  a 
native  of  the  fatherland,  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  and  came  to  America 
in  1836,  settling  in  Putnam  county,  in  Magnolia  township,  where  he  fol- 
lowed his  trade.  He  finally  died  in  LaSalle  county,  at  the  home  of  his  son, 
aged  about  seventy-six  years.  He  had  seven  children.  The  maternal  grand- 
father of  Mr.  Hartenbower.  George  Hiltabrand,  was  a  native  of  North 
Carolina,  of  German  descent,  and  a  farmer  by  occupation.  He  emigrated 
to  Illinois  in  1829,  settling  in  Putnam  county,  had  a  large  number  of  chil- 
dren, and  died  at  the  old  homestead,  aged  about  sixty-eight  years. 

Mr.  Hartenbower,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  brought  up  in  La- 
Salle county  from  the  year  1852,  reared  to  the  heavy  duties  of  the  farm, 
attending  the  public  schools  in  the  winter.  \A'hen  a  grown  man  he  rented 
for  himself  a  farm  of  one  hundr,ed  and  seventy  acres,  for  six  years,  and 
then  bought  a  hundred  acres  in  Hope  township,  which  he  cultivated  till  1889, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  725 

then  sold  it  and  moved  into  Tonica,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  Here 
he  began  work  in  the  employ  of  the  firm  of  R.  A.  Radle  &  Company,  in  their 
implement  store,  and  afterward  for  J,  E.  Morris,  and  in  1893  he  bought  out 
the  stock  of  Mr.  Morris  and  ran  business  alone  until  1896,  when  he  asso- 
ciated with  himself  G.  W.  Hartenbower,  since  which  time  the  firm  name 
has  been  H.  F.  &  G.  W.  Hartenbower.  These  men  have  a  fine  reputation 
as  honest  and  reliable  dealers  and  industrious  and  enterprising  citizens  of 
their  chosen  town. 

Politically  Mr.  Hartenbower,  our  subject,  has  always  been  a  Democrat, 
and  in  fraternal  relations  he  is  a  member  of  Tonica  Lodge,  No.  364,  A.  F. 
&  A.  M. 

He  was  married  on  the  15th  of  February,  1872,  to  ]\Iiss  ]\Iary  Hutch- 
ings,  a  daughter  of  Martin  and  Mary  (Bolton)  Hutchings,  and  they  have 
been  blessed  with  five  sons  and  five  daughters,  whose  names  are,  in  order, 
Mary  J.,  Charles  F.,  Clara  J.,  Edna,  Roy  B.,  Fred,  Ella,  Nell,  Harold  and 
Marion.  Mary  J.  became  the  wife  of  Ozer  Keller,  lives  in  CofTeyville,  Kan- 
sas, and  has  two  children;  Charles  F.  was  a  soldier  in  the  Spanish- American 
war,  a  member  of  the  Fifth  Illinois  Volunteers,  and  is  unmarried;  Edna 
married  Burton  Thompson  and  resides  in  Henry,  this  state;  and  the  other 
children  are  at  their  parental  home. 


GEORGE  L.  AUSTIN, 


The  town  of  Rutland,  LaSalle  county,  has  a  no  more  enterprising"  busi- 
ness man  and  public  spirited  citizen  than  George  L.  Austin,  v.ho  has  served  in 
various  local  positions  of  responsibility  and  trust,  always  acquitting  himself 
of  the  duties  devolving  upon  him  and  meriting  the  approbation  of  every 
one  concerned. 

He  is  a  son  of  Seneca  S.  and  Sarah  H.  Austin,  who  are  represented 
elsewhere  in  this  work.  He  was  born  in  Greene  county,  New  York,  July  25, 
1847,  si^tl  spent  eight  years  of  his  life  there.  In  1855,  he  came  to  Illinois 
with  his  parents,  and  for  the  succeeding  five  years  he  lived  in  Stark  and 
Bureau  counties.  Then  returning  to  the  Empire  state,  he  remained  there 
for  several  years,  completing  his  education.  In  1868  he  again  came  to 
this  state  and  resided  in  Bureau  and  LaSalle  counties,  assisting  his  father 
in  farming  a  portion  of  the  time  for  several  years.  He  had  learned  the 
machinist's  trade  at  Albany,  New  York,  in  1866.  and  for  seven  years  he 
was  occupied  in  work  along  this  line  of  endeavor,  with  good  results.  In 
1876  he  purchased  an  interest  in  his  father's  general  store  at  Rutland,  the 


726  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

firm  being  Austin  &  Son,  for  thirteen  years  or  more.  At  the  end  of  that 
period  the  young  man  purchased  his  father's  share  of  the  enterprise,  and 
since  then  has  conducted  it  alone.  On  the  15th  of  April,  1899,  his  store 
and  nearly  all  of  his  stock  of  goods  were  destroyed  by  fire,  but,  nothing 
daunted,  the  energetic  proprietor  opened  a  store  in  temporary  quarters, 
within  a  week  after  the  unfortunate  occurrence,  and  is  now  building  a 
handsome  brick  block,  of  two  stories  and  basement,  an  opera-house  being 
above  the  stores. 

In  company  with  his  brother,  Chester  Y.  Austin,  Mr.  G.  L.  Austin 
owns  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  two  miles  and  a  half  from 
Rexford,  Sheridan  county,  Kansas.  He  is  very  successful  as  a  business  man, 
and  is  on  the  high  road  leading  to  assured  wealth.  He  is  looked  up  to 
and  his  judgment  relied  upon  in  financial  and  public  matters,  and  after 
serving  as  a  member  of  the  village  board  of  trustees  for  some  time,  he  acted 
in  the  capacity  of  president  of  the  same  for  a  year.  He  also  was  the  treas- 
urer of  the  township  for  some  four  years.  Formerly  he  was  active  in  the 
Masonic  order,  but  has  a  letter  of  demittance  from  the  lodge,  and  still  keeps 
his  membership  in  the  Odd  Fellows  society.  Politically  he  uses  his  fran- 
chise in  behalf  of  the  Republican  party. 

On  the  13th  of  February,  1881.  Mr.  Austin  married  Miss  Kate  D.  Shull, 
daughter  of  Frederick  A.  and  Sarah  M.  (Barger)  Shull.  They  have  be- 
come the  parents  of  three  daughters  and  a  son,  namely:  Leslie,  Fern,  Caro 
and  Ruth.  They  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  he  being 
one  of  the  trustees,  and  is  one  of  the  most  zealous  workers  in  the  cause. 


CYRUS  H.  SMITH,  M.  D. 

The  successful  physician  to-day  must  possess  not  only  a  pecuHar  fitness 
for  the  profession  in  innate  qualities  of  mind  and  heart,  but  also  must  be 
thoroughly  equipped  for  his  calling  by  a  long,  systematic  course  of  study 
and  training  under  the  tutelage  of  old,  experienced  medical  men,  who  have 
been  chosen  for  the  responsible  task  on  account  of  their  prominence  and 
success  in  the  treatment  of  some  particular  form  of  disease.  The  public  is 
to  be  congratulated  that  the  lines  are  constantly  tightening  around  the 
profession,  to  the  end  that  only  thoroughly  competent  physicians  and  sur- 
geons will  be  permitted  to  minister  to  the  sick  and  suffering  in  the  near 
future.  Already  noticeable  reforms  have  been  inaugurated — the  years  of 
preparation  required  have  been  increased  and  rigorous  examinations  must 
be  passed  ere  a  diploma  is  awarded  the  student.    Thus  the  young  physician 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  727 

of  this  decade  possesses  a  much  better  foundation  for  future  success  than 
did  his  predecessors,  being  conversant  with  modern  discoveries  in  the  science 
of  disease  and  its  treatment. 

Dr.  Cyrus  H.  Smith,  a  well  known  physician,  surgeon  and  druggist  of 
Tonica,  comes  of  an  old  and  respected  Kentucky  family,  his  paternal  grand- 
father, William  F.  Smith,  having  been  born  in  Warren  county,  that  state. 
He  was  of  Scotch-Irish  extraction,  and  during  the  war  of  1812  fought  in 
the  army  of  this  young  republic  against  the  mother  country.  He  owned 
a  large  plantation  and  was  a  slaveholder,  like  the  most  of  his  neighbors.  His 
entire  life  was  spent  in  his  native  county,  where  he  died  at  an  advanced  age, 
leaving  several  sons  and  daughters. 

James  B.  Smith,  the  father  of  the  Doctor,  was  born  in  the  Blue  Grass 
state  and  in  1839  came  to  Illinois.  For  a  year  or  two  he  resided  in  Warren 
county,  but  in  1841  he  settled  in  Knox  county,  where  he  passed  the  rest 
of  his  days,  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  summoned  to  the  silent  land 
in  1887,  when  in  his  seventy-seventh  year.  His  devoted  wife,  Elizabeth 
A.,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  survived  him  a  few  years,  dying  in  January, 
1898,  when  sixty-five  years  of  age.  She  was  one  of  the  two  daughters  of 
Isaac  Burns,  whose  home  was  near  Chambersburg,  Pennsylvania.  For  a 
time  he  was  a  stage-driver,  running  between  Baltimore  and  Harrisburg, 
Pennsylvania,  and  few  men  in  that  part  of  the  country  were  better  known 
or  more  thoroughly  respected. 

Dr.  Cyrus  H.  Smith,  who  was  born  on  his  father's  farm  in  Knox  county, 
this  state.  April  3,  1869,  is  one  of  the  younger  children  of  the  parental  fam- 
ily. Of  his  six  brothers  and  three  sisters,  nine  are  yet  living,  Hattie,  the 
youngest,  having  died  at  the  age  of  eight  years.  John  L.  and  Robert  M. 
are  citizens  of  Superior,  Nebraska;  Henry  F.,  of  Abingdon,  Illinois;  James  B., 
of  Knoxville,  Illinois;  George  W.  and  Charles  E.,  of  Galesburg,  Illinois; 
and  Mary  A.,  the  wife  of  Albert  Kennedy,  and  Laura  R.,  Mrs.  Frank  R.  Rey- 
nolds, reside  in  Abingdon,  this  state. 

The  boyhood  and  youth  of  the  Doctor  were  quietly  spent  on  his  father's 
farm,  his  early  education  being  gained  in  the  district  school.  At  nineteen  he 
entered  Hedding  College,  at  Abingdon,  where  he  pursued  the  higher 
branches  of  knowledge  for  four  years,  after  which  he  went  to  Chicago  and 
in  1890  was  graduated  in  the  Illinois  College  of  Pharmacy.  During  the 
following  year  he  was  engaged  in  the  drug  business  at  North  Henderson, 
IlHnois,  in  the  meantime  taking  up  the  study  of  medicine.  Going  to  Chicago 
in  1892.  he  was  graduated  in  Rush  Medical  College  three  years  later,  since 
which  time  he  has  practiced  his  profession  at  Tonica.  In  1898  he  opened 
a  drug  store  here,  which  he  conducts  in  connection  with  his  professional 
practice.     He  has  been  very  successful  in  his  undertakings,  and  enjoys  the 


728  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

high  opinion  of  his  medical  brethren,  as  well  as  that  of  his  patients  and 
the  general  public.  He  belongs  to  the  county  and  state  medical  societies, 
and  in  every  possible  manner  keeps  himself  posted  in  the  progress  of  his 
profession.  Socially  he  is  a  member  of  Tonica  Lodge,  No.  364,  F.  &  A.  M., 
and  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  In  his  political  creed 
he  is  a  true-blue  Republican. 

The  marriage  of  Dr.  Smith  and  Miss  Glenna  Peabody  was  celebrated 
January  28,  1892.  The  young  couple  have  three  charming  little  daughters, 
named  respectively  Dorothy,  Agnes  and  Glenna.  Mrs.  Smith,. who  is  a 
daughter  of  \Mlliam  and  Mary  (Rogers)  Peabody,  is  a  lady  of  attractive 
personality,  refined  and  well  educated,  and  an  active  member  of  the  Baptist 
church. 


SAMUEL  PATTERSON. 


Among  the  prominent  early  settlers  and  well-to-do  farmers  of  LaSalle 
county  is  Samuel  Patterson,  who  resides  on  his  farm  on  section  36,  Vermilion 
township.     A  resume  of  his  life  is  as  follows: 

Samuel  Patterson  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  No- 
vember 10,  1839,  a  son  of  Stephen  and  Elizabeth  (Bane)  Patterson,  natives 
of  Pennsylvania;  and  of  their  three  daughters  and  one  son  he  is  the  only 
one  now  living.  Stephen  Patterson,  the  father,  was  a  farmer.  He  came 
from  Pennsylvania  to  Illinois  in  1857  and  located  in  Vermilion  township, 
LaSalle  county,  where  he  bought  three  hundred  and  ten  acres  of  land,  partly 
improved,  and  where  he  passed  the  rest  of  his  life  and  died,  his  death  occur- 
ring here  May  25,  1874,  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years.  His  wife,  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  church,  died  in  1845,  aged  about  thirty-five.  Politically 
he  was  a  Democrat,  and  at  different  times  filled  acceptably  a  number  of 
township  offices. 

The  Pattersons  are  of  Irish  origin  and  the  family  was  represented  in 
this  country  at  an  early  day.  William  Patterson,  the  grandfather  of  Samuel, 
was  born  in  Pennsylvania  and  passed  his  life  in  that  state,  engaged  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  with  the  rank  of 
captain.  He  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years.  In  his  family  were  five 
children.  Mr.  Patterson  traces  his  ancestry  on  the  maternal  side  to  Germany. 
His  grandfather,  Jacob  Bane,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania:  bv  occupation 
was  a  farmer  and  miller:  was  the  father  of  twelve  children:  and  died  when 
past  middle  life. 

Samuel  Patterson  spent  the  first  eighteen  years  of  his  life  on  his  father's 
farm  in  \\'ashington  county,  Pennsylvania,  receiving  his  education  in  the  dis- 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  729 

trict  schools,  and  in  1857  came  with  his  parents  to  Illinois.  He  has  lived 
in  LaSalle  county  ever  since.  After  his  marriage,  which  event  occurred 
in  the  early  part  of  1867,  he  rented  land  of  his  father  and  carried  on  opera- 
tions in  that  way  for  a  few  years.  He  then  bought  sixty  acres  in  Eagle  town- 
ship, which  he  afterward  sold,  investing  the  proceeds  in  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  in  Vermilion  township,  his  present  place,  where  he  has  lived  since 
1876. 

February  14,  1867,  was  consummated  the  marriage  of  Samuel  Patter- 
son and  Harriet  Geer.  Mrs.  Patterson  is  a  daughter  of  Nathaniel  and 
Eliza  Maria  (Clark)  Geer,  natives  of  Connecticut.  Seven  children  have 
been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Patterson — two  sons  and  five  daughters,  namely: 
NelHe,  EHzabeth,  Charlotte,  James,  Roy  Stephen,  Evaline  and  Bertha  Lou- 
isa. Nellie  is  the  wife  of  Frank  Leslie,  of  Eldora,  Iowa,  and  they  have  three 
children — Warren,  Nina  and  Cora.  Elizabeth  married  B.  U.  Hiester,  of 
Farm  Ridge  township,  LaSalle  county,  and  they  have  one  child,  John 
Paul.  The  other  children  are  still  members  of  the  home  circle.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Patterson  are  members  of  the  Episcopal  church,  of  which  he  is  a  vestry- 
man, an  office  he  has  filled  for  sixteen  years. 

Politically  he  is  a  Democrat.  For  about  twenty  years  he  has  served 
as  school  director,  and  was  at  one  time  elected  a  justice  of  the  peace,  but  did 
not  accept  the  office. 

Of  Mrs.  Patterson's  parents,  Nathaniel  and  Eliza  Maria  (Clark)  Geer, 
it  has  already  been  stated  that  they  were  born  in  Connecticut.  The  history 
of  the  Geer  family  can  be  traced  back  to  the  Mayflower,  when  two  brothers 
came  over  from  England,  one  of  them,  David,  being  the  great-grandsire  of 
jMrs.  Patterson.  He  Avas  known  as  Deacon  David  Geer.  He  settled  in 
Kent  township,  Litchfield  county,  Connecticut.  Of  him  it  is  recorded  that 
"he  was  gentle  in  spirit,  of  suave  manner,  and  secured  the  strong  affection 
of  all  who  knew  him."  He  was  a  Congregationalist  and  a  zealous  and  de- 
voted Christian.  Among  the  Geers  of  this  country  were  Jarvis  Geer,  of  New 
York  city,  a  high  churchman  in  the  Episcopal  church,  and  his  cousin,  Wel- 
come Geer.  The  latter  died  in  Litchfield  county,  Connecticut,  in  1833. 
He  was  by  occupation  a  surveyor,  and  was  at  one  time  a  captain  in  the  state 
militia. 

Mrs.  Patterson's  father's  mother  was  Sylvia  (Bishop)  Brown.  The 
Browns  were  represented  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  John  Brown,  of 
Rehoboth,  the  founder  of  the  family  in  this  country,  was  prominent  in  the 
government  of  Plymouth  colony.  His  son  James  married  Lydia,  a  daughter 
of  John  Howland,  of  the  ^Mayflower,  a  copy  of  whose  will,  as  well  as  that 
of  his  son  Jabez,  is  in  the  Yale  library  at  New  Haven.  Nathaniel  Brown's 
birth  is  also  recorded  in  the  Rhode  Island  record  as  the  son  of  Hezekiah 


730  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

Brown,  who  was  born  in  Barrington,  Rhode  Island,  in  1739.  Thus  Mrs. 
Patterson  belongs  to  the  ninth  generation  of  the  family  in  this  country. 
The  Bishops  came  from  John  Bishop,  of  Guilford,  Connecticut,  who  came 
to  this  country  with  the  Whitfields. 


JOHN  E.  HARTENBOWER. 

LaSalle  county  is  to  be  congratulated  on  the  possession  of  business 
men  and  financiers  whose  enterprise,  ability  and  integrity  have  contributed 
in  a  large  measure  to  the  prosperity  which  this  section  of  the  state  enjoys. 
Of  this  class  John  E.  Hartenbower  is  a  prominent  representative.  He  is 
one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Tonica,  who  not  only  stands  high  in  the 
financial  world  here,  but  is  equally  esteemed  in  the  social,  political  and 
ojfficial  circles  of  the  town  and  locality. 

On  both  the  paternal  and  maternal  sides  our  subject  is  of  German 
descent  and  has  inherited  many  of  the  sterling  and  reliable  qualities  of  the 
Teutonic  race.  His  grandfather,  Christian  Hartenbower,  came  to  the 
United  States  from  Wertemburg,  Germany,  and  settled  in  Putnam  county, 
Illinois,  but  died  in  LaSalle  county,  about  1875,  when  almost  four-score 
years  of  age.  He  followed  the  shoemaker's  trade  in  Germany,  and  in 
America  he  gave  his  attention  chiefly  to  agricultural  pursuits.  His  wife, 
Catherine  Kolbin,  died  when  Christian,  Jr.,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
two  years  old.  When  he  was  thirteen  years  of  age  his  parents  left  their 
home  at  Kirchheim,  on  the  Neckar  river,  in  Wertemburg,  and  came  to  the 
New  World.  He  was  born  February  4,  1825,  and  on  their  emigration  he 
accompanied  the  family  and  with  them  became  a  resident  of  Putnam  county, 
where  he  resided  for  fifteen  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he 
came  to  LaSalle  county,  where  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Hope 
township,  and  as  the  years  passed  by  he  added  to  his  possessions  until  at 
one  time  he  owned  nearly  eight  hundred  acres  of  excellent  farming  property. 
For  the  past  seventeen  years  he  has  made  his  home  in  Tonica,  and  for  ten 
years  has  lived  retired  from  business  cares.  In  former  days  he  was  not 
only  engaged  in  general  farming,  but  also  bought  and  shipped  livestock. 
He  chose  for  his  wife  Miss  Jerusha  G.  Hiltabrand,  who  was  born  in  Ten- 
nessee, August  22,  1825,  and  was  the  eldest  of  twelve  children  of  George 
and  Elizabeth  (Gunn)  Hiltabrand.  Her  father  was  born  near  Camden, 
Pennsylvania,  in  June,  1799,  and  was  of  German  lineage.  He  was  reared 
in  North  Carolina  until  1818,  when  he  removed  to  Robinson  county,  Ten- 
nessee, and  in  1828  he  came  to  Tazewell  county,  Illinois.  The  following 
spring,  however,  he  settled  in  what  is  known  as  Ox  Bow,  Putnam  county. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  731 

During  the  Black  Hawk  war  he  served  as  a  sergeant  in  Captain  William 
Haws'  company  of  mounted  volunteers,  belonging  to  the  Fortieth  Regi- 
ment, Fourth  Brigade  and  First  Division  of  the  Illinois  militia.  He  was 
mustered  out  of  the  service  at  Hennepin  on  the  28th  of  June,  1832.  At 
one  time  he  purchased  four  quarter-sections  of  government  land,  for  which 
he  paid  a  dollar  and  a  quarter  per  acre,  and  by  the  aid  of  his  sons  improved 
the  property  which  is  now  estimated  to  be  worth  one  hundred  dollars  per 
acre.  Long  before  his  death  he  was  a  wealthy  man  and  an  extensive  land- 
owner, and,  although  he  suffered  many  hardships  and  privations  in  the 
first  years  of  his  residence  in  this  state,  in  his  last  years  he  was  enabled  to 
secure  all  the  necessaries  and  many  of  the  comforts  and  luxuries  of  life. 
He  died  October  20,  1870,  aged  seventy-one  years. 

Seven  children  blessed  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hartenbower, 
namely:  Henry  F.;  Geprge  F.;  William  F.;  Emily,  who  is  the  wife  of  G. 
J.  Williams,  of  Eagle  Grove,  Iowa;  John  E.;  Catherine  C,  wife  of  A.  B. 
Grant,  of  LaSalle  county;  and  Simeon,  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harten- 
bower are  members  of  the  Baptist  church  and  are  held  in  the  highest  regard 
by  all  who  know  them. 

The  birth  of  J.  E.  Hartenbower  occurred  on  the  parental  farm  in  this 
county,  March  18,  1864,  and  his  childhood  and  young  manhood  were  passed 
within  five  miles  of  Tonica.  He  supplemented  a  district  school  education 
by  a  course  at  Eureka  College,  in  Woodford  county,  this  state,  and  subse- 
quently was  occupied  in  teaching  for  some  four  years.  Later  he  clerked 
in  a  drug  store,  and  in  1887  his  connection  with  the  Tonica  Exchange  Bank 
began.  After  acting  as  a  clerk  for  a  period,  he  became  the  cashier,  and  is 
now  the  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Hartenbower  &  Hiltabrand,  owners 
of  this  popular  banking  institution.  Austin  Hiltabrand  was  the  junior 
partner  for  a  few  years,  but  since  1896  George  D.  Hiltabrand  has  occupied 
that  position  in  the  firm.  The  Tonica  Exchange  Bank  has  transacted  busi- 
ness under  that  title  for  the  past  twenty  years,  and  possesses  the  confidence 
of  the  community,  as  the  policy  of  the  gentlemen  at  its  head  is  conservative, 
methodical  and  eminently  trustworthy. 

Mr.  Hartenbower  is  interested  in  real  estate  in  this  locality,  as  well  as 
in  the  west.  For  twelve  years  he  has  been  the  special  agent  of  the  Union 
Central  Life  Insurance  Company,  of  Cincinnati,  and  also  handles  fire  insur- 
ance. He  is  a  director  in  the  LaSalle  State  Bank,  of  LaSalle.  For  the 
past  five  years  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Tonica  public  school  board,  and 
is  now  acting  as  its  clerk,  and  was  the  clerk  of  the  town  for  three  years, 
township  collector  for  two  terms,  and  since  1887  has  been  a  police  magis- 
trate. Politically  he  is  independent,  though  his  vote  is  usually  given  to  the 
Democratic  party. 


732  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

In  the  fraternities  our  subject  belongs  to  Tonica  Lodge,  No.  364,  A. 
F.  &  A.  M.,  of  which  he  is  a  past  master;  Peru  Chapter,  No.  60,  R.  A.  M.; 
St.  John's  Commandery,  No.  26,  K.  T.;  and  Peoria  Consistory,  thirty-second 
degree,  Scottish-Rite  Masons.  He  also  is  identified  with  Tonica  Lodge,  No. 
298,  Odd  Fellows;  Kaiser  Camp,  No.  707,  ]\L  W.  of  A.;  ^vlarshall  Lodge  of 
the  Knights  of  Pythias,  at  W'enona,  Illinois,  and  with  his  wife,  is  a  member 
of  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star.  His  marriage  to  ]\Iiss  Jennie  E.,  born 
May  13,  1864,  a  daughter  of  James  A.  Lambert,  was  solemnized  November 
28,  1886,  and  they  have  two  children,  Emily  J.,  born  July  20,  1888,  and  J. 
Delwin,  born  November  14,  1893. 

Mr.  Hartenbower  is  a  natural  musician,  and  is  the  leader  of  the  Tonica 
Woodmen  Brass  and  Reed  Band,  comprising  tw'enty-two  members.  As 
may  be  inferred,  he  is  one  of  the  most  popular  men  in  this  section  of  the 
county,  few  being  in  greater  demand  in  all  business,  social  or  public  enter- 
prises, and  his  name  seems  to  be  all  that  is  needed  to  make  a  success  of  any 
local  undertaking. 


DAVID  GRANT. 


Forty-four  years  ago  David  Grant  cast  in  his  fortunes  with  the  people 
of  LaSalle  county,  and  during  all  of  this  period  he  has  dwelt  in  Eden 
township,  where  he  stands  high  in  the  estimation  of  old  time  acquaintances 
and  every  one  else  in  general  who  knows  him.  He  is  a  self-made  man, 
having  amassed  a  competence  by  enterprise  and  persistent  industry,  and  now, 
as  the  evening  of  his  life  draws  near,  he  has  abundant  means  to  pass  in 
comfort  his  remaining  years. 

As  Marsby  Grant,  the  father  of  our  subject,  died  when  the  latter  was 
but  two  years  old,  but  little  is  known  of  the  family  history  on  the  paternal 
side.  Both  he  and  his  father  before  him  were  natives  of  Vermont,  and  the 
maternal  grandfather  of  David  Grant,  a  ]\Ir.  Kemp,  was  from  the  same  state, 
and  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  He  removed  to  New  York 
state,  where  he  died  at  about  ninety  years  of  age.  He  was  a  farmer  by 
occupation  and  reared  his  six  children  to  the  same  pursuit.     Three  sons 

were  born  to  Marsby  and (Kemp)   Grant,  but  only  Edward  and 

David  survive. 

The  birth  of  David  Grant  took  place  in  Saratoga  county,  New  York,. 
February  18,  1828.  He  spent  his  boyhood  in  that  locality,  receiving  a  good 
public  school  education.  Believing  that  the  west  offered  greater  opportun- 
ities to  a  young  man,  he  came  to  Illinois  in  ^larch,  1855,  and  for  three  or 
four  years  rented  land  in  Eden  township.  He  then  bouglit  two  acres  of 
ground  and  erected  thereon  a  one-story  frame  house,  fourteen  by  twenty- 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GEXEALOGICAL   RECORD.  733 

four  feet  in  dimensions,  and  a  small  straw-thatched  stable.  Having  thus 
made  a  start,  he  worked  early  and  late  toward  the  accomplishment  of  more 
ambitious  things,  with  the  result  that  he  was  soon  able  to  Iniy  a  quarter 
section  of  land.  This  place  he  sold  at  the  end  of  two  years,  in  1864,  and 
in  the  following  spring  he  removed  to  his  present  homestead.  This  finely 
improved  farm,  situated  on  section  36,  comprises  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres,  well  adapted  for  a  general  line  of  crops  grown  in  this  region.  In  addi- 
tion to  owning  this  place,  he  has  a  good  dwelling  house  in  Bloomington,  Illi- 
nois. He  takes  a  patriotic  interest  in  the  welfare  of  his  community,  and 
votes  the  Democratic  ticket,  but  he  has  never  been  an  aspirant  to  public 
office. 

Just  before  coming  to  this  state  to  found  a  new  home  and  make  a 
position  for  himself,  Mr.  Grant  was  married,  on  the  9th  of  February,  1855, 
to  Miss  Jane  Humphries,  who  has  been  a  faithful  helpmate.  They  became 
the  parents  of  three  daughters  and  five  sons,  Robert,  David  H.,  Annie  E., 
Mary  E.,  Sarah  J.,  James  H.  and  Thomas  I.  (twins)  and  Charles  W.  The 
two  last  mentioned  are  unmarried,  and  David  H.  died  when  but  ten  months 
old.  The  others  are  married  and  are  settled  in  homes  of  their  own.  Rob- 
ert chose  Miss  Jane  Kent  for  his  wife,  and  they  have  one  daughter.  Their 
home  is  in  Chicago,  where  the  father  is  engaged  in  the  livery  and  feed  stable 
business.  Annie  became  the  wife  of  Frank  ]\Iiner,  since  deceased,  and  their 
two  children  are  named  Arthur  and  David  H.  Later  she  wedded  a  Mr. 
P.  S.  Crites,  by  whom  she  has  one  son,  and  their  present  home  is  in  the 
vicinity  of  Las  Animas,  Colorado.  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Wright  resides  at  Storm 
Lake,  Iowa,  and  Sarah,  Mrs.  Samuel  Jamison,  the  mother  of  two  children, 
lives  near  Utica,  LaSalle  county.  James  married  Miss  Edna  A.  Fairchild, 
and  their  only  child  is  Eddie  Grant.  Mrs.  David  Grant  is  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  church  and  is  a  most  exemplary  lady,  loved  by  all.  Both  she 
and  our  subject  are  highly  esteemed  in  this  community,  where  they  com- 
menced their  happy  married  life  together,  and  none  of  their  old  neighbors 
begrudge  them  the  prosperity  which  now-  crowns  their  busy,  industrious 
lives. 


JOHN  WHITE. 


Since  the  middle  of  the  century  John  White  has  been  identified  with 
LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  and  since  1866  he  has  owned  and  occupied  his 
present  farm  on  section  14,  Groveland  towaiship. 

Mr.  White  is  a  native  of  the  Old  Dominion.  He  was  born  in  Frederick 
county,  Virginia,  in  the  year  1814,  a  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Carper) 
White,  both  natives  of  Virginia.     In  the  White  family  were  eleven  children. 


734 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


six  daughters  and  five  sons,  and  at  this  writing  six  of  that  number  are  Hving, 
namely:  John,  whose  name  initiates  this  review;  EHzabeth,  the  widow  of 
Thomas  McCombs,  of  West  Virginia;  Jane,  the  widow  of  Ezekiel  Caldwell, 
of  Peoria  county,  Illinois;  Ellen,  the  widow  of  David  Lutz,  of  West  Virginia; 
Amanda,  the  wife  of  Jerrie  Null,  of  Marshall  county,  West  Virginia;  and 
Alfred,  of  Clyde,  Kansas.  The  senior  John  White  was  a  farmer  and  team- 
ster, and  for  many  years  drove  a  team  from  Baltimore  to  Pittsburg  and 
Wheeling,  making  regular  trips.  The  last  two  years  of  his  life  were  spent 
in  Peoria  county,  Illinois,  where  he  died,  at  the  age  of  seventy-three  years. 
His  wife's  death  occurred  in  West  Virginia  six  years  before  his.  They  were 
Presbyterians  in  faith. 

WilHam  White,  the  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  a  native 
of  Virginia,  whO'  moved  to  Kentucky  in  the  early  history  of  that  state.  He 
had  a  small  family.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  William 
Carper.  He  was  of  Dutch  descent,  was  the  father  of  two  sons  and  three 
daughters,  and  died  in  his  native  state,  Virginia,  when  past  middle  Hfe. 

When  John  White,  the  direct  subject  of  this  review,  was  ten  years  old 
his  parents  removed  with  their  family  from  the  eastern  part  of  Virginia, 
to  what  is  now  known  as  West  Virginia,  where  he  lived  until  1850.  That 
year  he  came  to  Illinois,  making  the  journey  by  way  of  the  Ohio  and 
Mississippi  rivers,  and  landing  at  Lacon.  He  first  located  nine  miles  east 
of  Lacon,  where  he  rented  land  for  six  years.  The  next  four  years  he  rented 
land  in  Osage  township,  LaSalle  county,  and  following  that  was  five  years 
on  a  rented  farm  in  Groveland  township.  In  the  spring  of  1866  he  bought 
his  present  home  farm,  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Groveland  township, 
which  he  has  since  occupied,  carrying  on  general  farming  operations. 

In  1839  Mr.  White  married  Miss  Mary  Ann  Whetsel,  daughter  of  John 
and  EHzabeth  (Darnell)  Whetsel,  whose  life  was  happily  blended  with  his 
from  that  time  until  1883,  when  she  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-three  years. 
She  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Christian  church,  as  also  is  Mr.  White. 
To  them  were  born  eleven  children — three  sons  and  eight  daughters,  all  of 
whom  reached  adult  age  except  two  that  died  in  infancy;  and  the  grand- 
children of  this  worthy  sire  now  number  forty,  and  the  great-grandchildren 
twenty.  Of  Mr.  White's  children  we  record  that  Rachel,  the  widow  of 
Egbert  Dresser,  has  six  children,  Chauncey,  Orrie,  Fred,  Elmer,  Charles  and 
Corie;  Margaretta,  the  wife  of  George  Studyman,  lives  in  Compton,  New- 
ton county,  Arkansas,  and  their  six  children  are  Sylvester,  Sene,  John, 
Lucinda,  Ellis  and  Grant;  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  Henry  Bane,  of  Eureka, 
Kansas,  is  the  mother  of  six  children,  Ida,  Alvin,  Mary,  Nellie,  John  and 
Frank;  Jane,  the  wife  of  James  Bane,  of  Dana,  Illinois,  has  ten  children, 
Austin,  Annie,  Arthur,  Herbert,   Charles,  Gilbert,   Loretta,  Richard,  Roy 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  735 

and  Clinton;  Mary  Ann,  the  wife  of  Daniel  Winans,  of  Dana,  Illinois,  has 
three  children  living,  Cassie,  Dial  and  Belle;  Nellie,  the  wife  of  John  Clegg, 
of  Leeds,  Illinois,  has  one  child,  Curtis;  James,  who  married  Carrie  Austin, 
has  one  child,  Henry;  Richard,  who  married  Julia  Winans,  has  eight  children 
— Ernest,  Chloe,  Ethel,  Pearl,  Harvey,  and  Lelah,  Ida  and  Leo  (triplets), 
and  Frank,  who  married  Dora  Yohe,  and  has  one  child,  Roy. 
Politically  Mr.  White  is  a  Democrat. 


SENECA  S.  AUSTIN. 


Nearly  forty-five  years  ago  this  honored  citizen  came  to  Illinois,  and 
for  almost  a  quarter  of  a  century  he  has  dwelt  in  the  town  of  Rutland,  LaSalle 
county.  His  life  has  been  an  exceptionally  active  and  useful  one,  and  though 
actuated  by  a  proper  amount  of  ambition  and  desire  for  success,  he  has 
ever  kept  in  view  the  higher  aims  which  should  animate  mankind,  and 
has  nobly  striven  to  fulfill  what  he  believed  was  his  chief  mission.  As  he 
looks  back  along  the  pathway  he  has  pursued  for  just  eighty  years,  he  can 
have  but  few  regrets,  for  the  majority  of  his  mistakes  have  been  errors  of 
judgment,  not  of  deliberate  choice,  and  his  heart  has  been  filled  with  love 
and  sympathy  for  his  fellow  men  and  a  genuine  desire  to  aid  them  by  every 
means  in  his  power. 

He  is  one  of  the  five  surviving  children  of  Daniel  and  Betsy  (Drigg) 
Austin,  who  were  natives  of  New  York  state  and  Connecticut  respectively. 
Four  of  their  children  have  passed  to  the  better  land,  and  those  who  re- 
main are  named  as  follows:  Seneca  S.;  Harriet,  the  widow  of  Curtis  Rog- 
ers, of  Utica,  Illinois;  John,  a  citizen  of  Greene  county,  New  York;  Alphon- 
sine,  the  wife  of  Curtis  Lacy,  of  Greene  county.  New  York;  and  Louisa,  who 
resides  in  the  same  county  and  is  the  wife  of  Isaac  Smith.  The  father,  Daniel 
Austin,  was  a  successful  farmer  of  that  locality,  where  he  died  in  1875,  at  the 
age  of  nearly  eighty-two  years.  His  widow's  death  took  place  seven  years 
later,  when  she  was  in  her  eighty-sixth  year.  Both  were  devoted  mem- 
bers of  the  Christian  church.  Jeremiah,  the  father  of  Daniel  Austin,  was 
a  native  of  the  Empire  state,  a  weaver  by  trade  and  a  farmer  to  some  extent. 
He  had  two  sons  and  three  daughters,  and  lived  to  an  advanced  age.  The 
father  of  Mrs.  Betsy  Austin  was  John  Drigg,  a  native  of  Connecticut.  He 
was  a  brick  and  stone  mason  and  a  plasterer  by  trade.  His  children  were 
six  in  number — two  sons  and  four  daughters. 

The  birth  of  Seneca  S.  Austin  occurred  on  the  parental  homestead  in 
Cairo  township,  Greene  county.  New  York,  August  4,  1819.  He  early  mas- 
tered the  details  of  agriculture  and  attended  the  old  fashioned  subscription 


736  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

schools  of  that  early  period.  After  he  reached  his  majority  he  followed  the 
usual  custom  of  learning  a  trade,  and  at  length  was  pronounced  an  excellent 
blacksmith,  but  he  soon  abandoned  that  pursuit  and  resumed  farming,  to 
which  he  gave  his  energy  until  1875. 

On  the  15th  of  October,  1843,  a  momentous  event  occurred  in  the 
history  of  Mr.  Austin,  as  on  that  day  Miss  Sally  Lake  was  united  10  him 
in  wedlock,  and  during  the  many  years  which  have  come  and  gone  since  then 
she  has,  indeed,  been  a  faithful  sharer  of  his  joys  and  sorrows.  Her  parents 
were  Godfrey  M.  and  Permelia  (Edwards)  Lake,  natives  of  the  Empire 
state  and  farmers  by  vocation.  The  father  was  of  Dutch  descent,  a  son 
of  William  and  Mary  (Miller)  Lake,  of  old  New  York  families.  The  latter, 
Mrs.  Mary  M.  Lake,  reached  the  remarkable  age  of  one  hundred  and  ten 
years.  Godfrey  M.  Lake  died  at  his  home  in  New  York,  February  3,  1887, 
when  six  months  over  eighty-two  years  of  age,  and  his  widow,  who  died  in 
1895,  was  then  ninety-one  years  and  four  months  old.  Mrs.  Sally  Austin 
is  one  of  their  nine  children,  only  three  of  whom  have  crossed  to  the  other 
shore.  Mary  B.,  now  of  Grand  Rapids,  Michigan,  first  married  Edmund 
Spring,  and  after  his  death  she  became  the  wife  of  Peter  Day.  Ann  C.  is 
the  wife  of  Henry  Risedorph,  of  Cairo,  New  York.  George  and  William 
H.  Lake  reside  in  Greene  county,  New  York,  and  Lydia  R.,  the  youngest, 
IS  the  wife  of  Ezra  Thorn,  of  Greenville,  New  York. 

Three  children — Daniel  M.,  George  L.  and  Chester  Y. — blessed  the 
union  of  S.  S.  Austin  and  wife.  Daniel  M.,  of  Rutland,  chose  Jennie  Cooper 
for  a  wife,  and  their  children  are  named  Addie,  Clara  and  Clifford.  George 
L.  wedded  Kate  Duf^eld  Shull  and  their  four  children  are  Leslie,  Fern, 
Caro  and  Ruth.  He  is  a  general  merchant  at  Rutland,  and  is  represented 
elsewhere  in  this  work.  Chester  Y.  married  Nora  Briggs  and  their  three 
children  are  Clem,  Ollie  and  Bernice.  Their  home  is  in  Streator,  and  he  is 
employed  as  a  distributing  bill  agent  of  the  Santa  Fe  Railroad  Company. 
Concerning  Daniel  M.  Austin,  we  may  add  that  he  enlisted  in  the  United 
States  army  when  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age  and  was  out  on  the 
frontier  three  years.  He  has  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  two  miles  east  of  Rut- 
land, but,  his  health  failing  about  five  years  ago,  he  rented  his  land  and 
has  since  lived  in  Rutland.  Chester  Y.  Austin  was  formerly  a  telegraph 
operator  at  various  points,  and  now  he  is  employed  in  a  different  capacity 
by  the  Santa  Fe  Railroad  Company. 

In  1855  S.  S.  Austin  came  to  Illinois  with  his  wife  and  three  children, 
locating  on  a  farm  in  Stark  county.  He  experienced  the  hardships  of  the 
pioneer  on  these  w^estern  prairies,  and  was  obliged  to  break  the  hitherto  un- 
cultivated ground  with  the  great  plows  and  the  yokes  of  oxen,  according 
to  custom.     In  1858  he  removed  to  Bureau  county,  and  after  two  years 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  y2>7 

more  of  western  farming  he  returned  to  his  native  state,  where  the  conditions 
were  in  many  respects  more  favorable.  He  remained  there  for  eight  years, 
and  then  came  back  to  his  old  farm  in  Bureau  county.  Four  years  later 
he  located  in  Rutland,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  He  bought 
property  here  and  was  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  for  two  years.  During 
the  ensuing  thirteen  or  fourteen  years  he,  in  partnership  with  his  son  George, 
w^as  engaged  in  general  merchandising.  Then  selling  his  interest  to  his  son, 
he  retired  to  enjoy  the  competence  which  he  had  justly  earned. 

When  residing  in  Bureau  county,  Mr.  Austin  was  one  of  the  school 
trustees,  and  has  served  in  the  same  capacity  since  coming  to  Rutland.  He 
also  served  as  township  clerk  when  he  dwelt  in  Stark  county,  and  at  all  times 
has  taken  a  commendable  interest  in  the  community  wherein  his  lot  was 
cast.  He  and  his  estimable  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  church,  and 
have  hosts  of  sincere  friends  in  various  parts  of  the  country. 


CHAUNCEY  JONES. 


During  the  forty-five  years  of  Chauncey  Jones'  residence  in  Illinois  he 
has  been  a  witness  of  remarkable  changes,  as  the  wild  prairie  yielded  to 
the  cultivation  of  the  hardy  pioneers,  and  fertile  farms  and  thriving  villages 
sprang  into  existence,  and  the  "prairie  schooners,"  conveying  little  parties 
of  home-seekers,  gave  place  to  the  swift-moving  trains,  with  their  thousands 
of  passengers,  carried  tO'  and  fro.  He  has  been  no  idle  on-looker,  but  has 
faithfully  contributed  his  share  toward  the  prosperity  which  this  state  and  its 
inhabitants  now  enjoy,  and  as  his  footsteps  lead  toward  the  declining  sun  of 
life  he  may  look  l)ack.  without  regrets,  feeling  that  he  has  performed  his  en- 
tire duty  and  efficiently  filled  his  place  in  his  generation. 

Ezra  Jones,  the  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  a  native  of 
New  Hampshire  and  of  Welsh  descent.  He  was  a  miller  by  trade,  and  died 
when  in  the  prime  of  life,  leaving  six  or  seven  children.  The  maternal  grand- 
father was'  William  Dodge,  also  a  native  of  New  Hampshire,  and  a  cabinet- 
maker and  owner  of  a  sawmill.  He  reared  a  large  family  and  lived  to  attain 
an  advanced  age. 

John,  the  father  of  Chauncey  Jones,  was  born  and  grew  to  maturity 
in  New  Hampshire.  There  he  mastered  the  trade  of  cabinet-making,  and 
in  1837  he  settled  in  Ohio,  his  home  being  in  the  town  of  W^oodstock,  Cham- 
paign county,  for  the  ensuing  eighteen  years.  In  1855  he  came  to  Illinois- 
and  thenceforth  lived  in  Long  Point  township,  Livingston  county.  He  was 
summoned  to  the  better  land  in  1869,  surviving  his  wife  about  one  year. 
Both  were  members  of  the  Free-Will  Baptist  church,  and  were  highly  es- 


738  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

teemed  members  of  society.  Mr.  Jones  was  a  Democrat  until  the  time  when 
the  disturbed  condition  of  the  country  led  to  the  organization  of  the  Re- 
publican party,  when,  espousing  its  noble  doctrines,  he  ever  afterward  was 
affiliated  with  it.  Mrs.  Jones  was  born  in  New  Hampshire,  and  in  her  girl- 
hood bore  the  name  of  Polly  Dodge.  She  became  the  mother  of  six  chil- 
dren, five  of  whom  were  sons.  Only  three  survive,  namely:  Chauncey, 
David  C,  of  Mahaska  county,  Iowa,  and  Enoch  P.,  a  citizen  of  Minonk, 
Illinois. 

The  birth  of  Chauncey  Jones  occurred  in  Wilmot,  New  Hampshire, 
October  29,  1830.  He  was  seven  years  of  age  when  his  father  removed  to 
Ohio,  and  prior  to  reaching  his  majority  he  lived  on  farms  and  in  the  town  by 
turns.  He  received  a  common-school  education,  and  in  1854  started  out  in- 
dependently, entering  eighty  acres  of  land  at  Long  Point,  Illinois.  He  im- 
proved that  property,  which  he  still  owns,  and  in  addition  to  that  he  owns 
two  other  tracts  of  eighty  acres  each,  in  the  same  locality,  and  a  farm  of 
similar  size  in  Lee  county.  He  continued  to  carry  on  his  agricultural  pur- 
suits in  Livingston  county  until  1891,  when  he  retired,  and  "coming  to 
Dana  bought  a  house,  which  he  remodeled  and  beautified,  making  his  home 
here  ever  since. 

His  marriage  to  Miss  Sarah  A.  Bane  was  solemnized  July  23,  185 1, 
and,  after  more  than  two-score  years  of  joys  and  sorrows  shared  together 
she  was  summoned  to  the  silent  land  by  the  angel  of  death,  December  27, 
1893.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Absalom  and  Sarah  (Downey)  Bane.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Jones  had  the  following  named  five  children:  Polly  L.,  the  eldest 
daughter,  first  married  William  Tullis  and  after  his  death  became  the  wife 
of  John  Stanley,  of  Lee  county.  By  her  first  union  six  children  were  born, 
namely:  Susan,  Boyd,  William,  Annie,  Rena  and  Charles.  Sarah  Etta,  the 
second  child  of  Mr.  Jones,  died  at  the  age  of  one  year.  Annetta,  the  third 
born,  is  the  wife  of  Ezekiel  Marshall,  of  Groveland  township,  and  has 
two  sons — Orville  and  Howard.  George  B.,  the  older  son,  died  at  the  age 
of  thirty-four  years,  unmarried;  and  William  H.,  the  younger  son,  married 
Inez  Kelly  and  had  two  children — Elsie  and  Curtis.  His  wife  died  and  after- 
ward he  wedded  Miss  Mary  Knox,  and  their  twin  boys  are  named  respec- 
tively John  K.  and  Chauncey.  The  home  of  this  family  is  in  Long  Point 
township,  Livingston  county. 

On  the  1st  of  November,  1894.  Chauncey  Jones  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Sophia  Cartwell.  They  are  members  of  the  Christian  church 
and  have  manv  sincere  friends  in  Dana  and  elsewhere. 

Politically  Mr.  Jones  is  a  true-blue  Republican.  He  has  served  as  a 
police  magistrate  for  three  years,  and  for  nine  years  acted  in  the  capacity 
of  road  commissioner.     He  is  conscientious  in  discharging  every  obligation 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  739 

of  citizenship,  and  merits  the  favorable  regard  which  is  generously  accorded 
him.  Education  of  the  young  is  a  subject  which  he  deems  well  worthy  of 
his  serious  attention,  and  for  one  term  he  served  as  a  school  director. 


ISAAC  LOCK. 


Vermilion  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  counts  among  its 
esteemed  citizens  and  respected  farmers  the  gentleman  whose  name  initiates 
this  sketch — Isaac  Lock. 

Mr.  Lock  is  a  native  of  Ohio.  He  was  born  in  Preble  county,  October 
15,  1822,  a  son  of  Philip  and  Elizabeth  (Wolf)  Lock,  natives  of  Maryland, 
and  he  is  the  only  one  now  living  of  their  family  of  eight  children,  four 
sons  and  four  daughters.  Philip  Lock  was  by  trade  a  shoemaker,  but 
was  for  a  number  of  years  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  one  of  the  pioneers 
of  Preble  county,  Ohio,  where  he  cleared  and  improved  a  farm,  and  where 
he  died,  at  the  age  of  fifty  years.  His  widow  survived  him  a  number  of  years 
and  came  west  with  her  youngest  son  to  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  where 
she  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years.  Both  Philip  Lock  and  his  wife 
were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

The  Locks  are  of  German  origin.  Henry  Lock,  the  grandfather  of 
our  subject,  was  a  native  of  Maryland  and  lived  and  died  in  that  state.  He 
was  a  farmer.  Of  the  maternal  grandfather  of  Isaac  Lock,  whose  name  was 
John  Wolf,  we  record  that  he  was  a  native  of  Maryland,  and  at  the  tim.e  of 
his  death  was  eighty  years  old.    He  was  the  father  of  nine  children  . 

Isaac  Lock  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Harrison  township, 
Preble  county,  Ohio,  and  received  his  education  in  the  district  school  near 
his  home.  After  his  marriage,  which  occurred  in  1844,  when  he  was  twenty- 
two  years  of  age,  he  settled  down  in  Ohio  and  carried  on  farming  there  for 
six  years.  He  then  moved  over  into  the  neighboring  state  of  Indiana  and 
located  on  a  farm  eight  miles  from  Winchester,  where  he  lived  two  years. 
In  1846  he  came  to  Illinois.  His  first  location  here  was  on  a  farm  in  Ridge 
township,  LaSalle  county,  where  he  lived  four  years.  At  the  end  of  that 
time  he  rented  his  present  farm,  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  on  section 
34,  Vermilion  township,  wdiich  three  years  later  he  purchased  and  on  which 
he  has  since  lived,  devoting  his  energies  to  its  cultivation  and  improvement, 
with  the  result  that  he  has  one  of  the  most  desirable  farms  in  his  locality. 

Mr.  Isaac  Lock  was  married  October  9,  1844,  to  Miss  Susan  Hapner, 
a  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Ellis)  Hapner,  and  the  fruits  of  their  union 
were  four  children,  namely:  Milton,  Minerva,  Amanda  and  Isaac  E.  The 
three  first  died  in  early  life.     Isaac  E.  married  Miss  Mary  Hauenstein,  a 


740  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

daughter  of  Philip  and  ]\Iaggie  (Klag)  Hauenslein,  and  they  have  two 
children — Ira  Allen  and  Courtland.  ]\Irs.  Susan  Lock  shared  the  joys  and 
sorrows  of  life  with  her  husband  for  more  than  half  a  century,  and  at  the 
ripe  age  of  eighty  years  and  ten  months  passed  away,  February  2.  1899. 

Adhering  to  the  religious  faith  in  which  he  was  reared,  ]\Ir.  Lock  is 
a  Lutheran.  Politically  he  affiliates  with  the  Republican  party.  By  honest 
industry  and  careful  management  he  has  secured  a  competency  for  old  age, 
and  now  that  the  evening  of  life  has  come  he  is  in  the  enjoyment  of  comfort 
and  plenty. 


J.  E.  PORTER. 


J.  E.  Porter  stands  at  the  head  of  one  of  the  leading  industrial  concerns 
of  Ottawa.  Everywhere  in  our  land  are  found  men  who  have  worked  their 
own  way  from  humble  and  lowly  beginnings  to  places  of  leadership  in  the 
commerce,  the  great  productive  industries  and  the  management  of  the 
veins  and  arteries  of  the  traffic  and  exchanges  of  the  co.untry.  To  this  class 
belongs  ^Ir.  Porter,  and  to-day  he  stands  among  the  representative  busi- 
ness men  of  LaSalle  county,  enjoying  not  only  the  fruits  of  his  toil,  but  also 
the  respect  and  esteem  of  his  fellow  men,  for  his  reputation  is  unassailable. 

The  Porter  family  is  of  Irish  lineage,  the  great-grandfather  of  our 
subject,  in  company  with  two  brothers,  having  sailed  from  the  Emerald 
Isle  in  the  early  part  of  the  seventeenth  century  to  become  members  of  a 
Massachusetts  colony  near  Boston,  where  two  of  the  three  brothers  reared 
their  families.  John  Porter,  the  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  the  eldest 
child  of  his  father's  family  and  was  born  January  7,  1756.  He  emigrated 
westward,  locating  in  \\'ashington  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  married 
a  Miss  Hossack,  a  lady  of  Scotch  parentage  who  was  born  November  17, 
1758.  They  had  six  sons  and  three  daughters,  the  youngest  child  being 
Joseph,  the  father  of  J.  E.  Porter.  He  was  born  in  ^^'ashington  county, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1798,  and  during  the  war  of  1812  assisted  in  taking  care 
of  the  wounded  and  other  unfortunate  soldiers,  although  only  a  lad  of 
fourteen  summers  at  the  time.  On  attaining  his  majority  he  sought  a  home 
in  the  west,  becoming  a  resident  of  Adams  county,  Ohio,  in  1822.  There  he 
formed  the  acquaintance  of  Miss  Eliza  Moore,  and  on  the  ist  of  April, 
1824,  they  were  married.  She  was  born  February  27,  1805,  near  Lexington, 
Virginia, 'and  died  June  22,  1840.  Her  father,  David  ]\Ioore,  was  born 
]\Iay  10,  1773,  and  was  a  son  of  Captain  John  Moore,  one  of  the  noted 
families  of  ^loores  that  furnished  so  many  valiant  soldiers  to  \^irginia 
regiments  during  the  Revolution.  His  wife,  Ann  Ewing,  was  born  June 
18,  1782,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Ewing  family  that  also  took  an  active  part 


/.  S.  Porter. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  741 

in  the  war  for  independence,  Joseph  and  EHza  Porter  became  the  parents 
of  five  sons  and  two  daughters,  of  whom  two  are  now  living:  Joseph  E.  and 
a  sister,  Sarah  E.,  now  the  w-ife  of  Henry  Moft'ett,  of  Ransom,  Illinois. 

Joseph  E.  Porter,  the  only  living  male  representative  of  this  family, 
was  born  in  Brown  county,  Ohio,  May  i,  1831,  and  has  lived  in  Ottawa 
for  the  past  forty-five  years.  On  the  22d  of  March,  i860,  he  married  j\Iiss 
Margaret  Hossack,  daughter  of  John  Hossack,  wdio  was  the  eldest  son  of 
John  and  Margaret  (Forsythe)  Hossack.  He  was  born  in  Elgin,  Scotland, 
December  6,  1806,  and  went  to  Canada  when  twelve  years  of  age.  His 
wife,  Martha  Hossack,  was  the  eldest  daughter  of  Cord  Lens,  who  was 
born  in  Germany,  in  1786,  his  wife  being  Ann  Lens,  who  was  born  Decem- 
ber 4,  1786,  and  was  a  daughter  of  William  and  Ann  Gilly,  nee  Banks,  of 
England.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lens  were  married  in  England  in  1810,  but  soon 
afterward  removed  to  Scotland,  where  Martha  was  born,  November  28, 
1813.  In  1818  they  emigrated  with  their  family  to  Quebec.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hossack  were  married  in  Quebec,  Canada,  in  1833;  in  1838  removed  to 
Chicago,  and  in  1849  took  up  their  abode  in  Ottawa,  where  Mr.  Hossack 
engaged  in  merchandising,  dealing  in  lumber  and  grain.  He  purchased 
the  latter  commodity  from  the  farmers  and  shipped  it  by  rail  to  Chicago. 

There  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  E.  Porter,  eight  children:  Eliza- 
beth, born  March  7,  1861,  married  William  F.  Jacobs,  February  18,  1890; 
Jessie  F.,  born  November  16,  1862,  married  George  W.  Yentzer,  November 
J  5.  1888;  Lincoln  Ewing,  born  February  26,  1865,  married  Anne  Combs, 
May  23,  1889;  Annie  L.,  born  June  5,  1867,  married  Arthur  S.  Hook,  June 
10,  1892;  Josephine,  born  April  30,  1870,  married  Charles  P.  Taylor,  October 
31,  1894  (all  the  above  mentioned  now  living  in  Ottawa,  Illinois);  John  H., 
born  Januar}'  4,  1873,  and  now  living  at  Buffalo,  New  York;  Louise  C, 
born  July  14,  1876,  still  at  home;  and  Sidney  S.,  born  September  18,  1880, 
is  at  school. 

It  was  in  the  fall  of  1852  that  Joscjih  Porter  came  from  Ohio  to  Ottawa. 
He  was  first  employed  as  a  clerk  b}-  J.  G.  Nattinger,  who  was  at  that 
time  one  of  the  leading  merchants  of  the  city,  but  Mr.  Porter  did  not  see 
a  favorable  outlook  for  a  clerkship,  and  being  of  an  inventive  turn  of  mind, 
he  gave  his  attention  first  to  the  study  of  the  daguerreotype  art  in  1854,  and 
was  one  of  the  first  in^•entors  of  photography.  This  he  followed  for  a 
number  of  years.  Visiting  his  father's  farm  during  the  fall  of  1856,  he  was 
called  upon  to  assist  in  storing  away  the  hay,  the  work  at  that  time  being 
done  by  the  common  pitchforks  and  manual  labor.  Thinking  that  better 
methods  could  be  secured  he  at  once  entered  upon  the  work  of  inventing 
an  easier  way  for  storing  hay.  and  as  a  result  produced  the  famous  Porter 
Hay  Carrier,  which  has  gained  for  him  a  national  reputation  as  an  inventor 


742  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

and  manufacturer  of  hay  tools,  and  in  that  occupation  he  has  continued 
since  1869.  Being  without  capital  he  at  first  began  manufacturing  them 
by  hand,  doing  all  of  the  work  himself.  After  working  until  he  had  a 
sufificient  quantity  on  hand  he  would  make  a  tour  of  the  country,  exhibiting 
the  tools  and  taking  orders  from  the  dealers.  In  this  way  he  worked  until 
1872,  when  the  demand  for  his  goods  had  so  increased  that  he  was  obliged 
to  employ  help  in  the  manufacturing  department.  The  excellence  of  his 
machines  commended  them  to  the  trade  and  to  the  public,  a  fact  which  is 
evidenced  by  the  large  demand  at  the  present  time  and  the  number  of  medals 
that  have  been  awarded  him  by  state  fair  associations  and  foreign  exhibi- 
tions. He  was  awarded  the  first  premium  at  the  World's  Columbian  Ex- 
hibition, held  in  Chicago  in  1893.  His  manufacturing  interests  have  steadily 
grown  until  at  the  present  time  the  J.  E.  Porter  Company  occupies  large 
and  commodious  brick  buildings  and  gives  employment  to  a  large  number 
of  workmen.  The  output  of  the  plant  is  extensive,  and  the  business  has  been 
so  ably  conducted  that  it  returns  an  excellent  income  to  him  who  is  at 
the  head.  Mr.  Porter  is  a  man  of  resourceful  ability,  and  in  connection  with 
his  factory  interests  in  Ottawa  in  1894  he  was  instrumental  in  organizing  the 
Inland  Steel  Company,  whose  mill  is  located  at  Chicago  Heights.  Mr. 
Porter  was  elected  president  of  the  organization  and  occupied  that  position 
for  four  years,  when  he  resigned.  His  son,  J.  H.  Porter,  is  now  the  secretary 
of  the  company  and  one  of  the  active  managers  of  the  mill,  the  business  of 
which  has  constantly  grown  until  to-day  the  enterprise  is  one  of  the  few 
rolHng  mills  in  the  west,  producing  all  kinds  and  shapes  of  steel  used  in  the 
manufacture  of  agricultural  implements.  Mr.  Porter  certainly  deserves  great 
credit  for  his  success,  which  has  resulted  from  deep  thought,  careful  inves- 
tigation and  untiring  labor. 


WILLIAM  W.  HILTABRAND. 

Seventy  years  ago  the  father  and  numerous  relatives  of  William  W. 
Hiltabrand  came  to  the  frontier  of  Illinois,  and  thus  from  pioneer  days  the 
name  has  been  indissolubly  connected  with  the  early  history  of  the  state. 
The  family  has  been  noted  for  all  of  the  sterling  qualities  and  public  spirit 
which  goes  toward  the  making  of  valued  citizens. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Conrad  Hiltabrand,  was  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania  and  was  of  German  descent.  At  an  early  day  he  re- 
moved to  North  Carolina,  and  his  last  years  were  spent  in  Tennessee,  where 
he  died  at  an  advanced  age.  His  widow,  Jane  Brown  Hiltabrand,  came  to 
Illinois,  and  departed  this  life  in  Putnam  county  about  i860.  They  were  the 
parents  of  ten  children,  most  of  whom  followed  agricultural  pursuits,  to 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  743 

which  calling  they  had  been  reared.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  our  sub- 
ject was  Hartwell  Hailey,  of  Scotch-Irish  extraction.  He  was  bom  in  North 
Carolina  and  in  1829  came  from  Tennessee  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Putnam 
county,  where  he  died  at  a  ripe  age.  He  was  the  father  of  thirteen  chil- 
dren. 

The  parents  of  William  W.  are  Isaac  and  Elizabeth  (Hailey)  Hilta- 
brand,  natives  of  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee,  respectively.  The  father 
came  to  this  state  in  1829  and  took  up  a  quarter  section  of  government 
land  in  Putnam  county.  Later  he  became  quite  wealthy  for  that  day,  and 
owned  a  section  of  land,  some  being  within  the  boundaries  of  this  county. 
He  continued  to  dwell  in  Putnam  county  until  his  death,  in  1877,  when 
he  was  nearly  seventy  years  of  age.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Black  Hawk 
war,  and  never  failed  in  the  discharge  of  his  public  duties.  His  wife  died 
in  1 87 1,  when  fifty-two  years  of  age.  Both  were  members  of  the  Baptist 
church,  and  loved  and  honored  by  every  one  who  knew  them.  Eight  sons 
and  one  daughter  of  their  fourteen  children  are  yet  living,  namely:  William 
W.,  our  subject;  Gilbert,  Andrew  and  James,  of  Hope  township,  LaSalle 
county;  Allen,  of  Henry,  Illinois;  Austin,  of  Tonica;  Douglas,  on  the  old 
homestead  in  Putnam  county;  Edward,  in  Magnolia,  same  county;  and 
Amanda,  the  wife  of  Eliphlet  Ketchum,  of  Henry,  Illinois. 

Born  in  Putnam  county,  February  2.  1839,  William  W.  Hiltabrand 
was  early  initiated  into  the  routine  of  farm  life,  and  received  such  knowledge 
as  he  could  gain  in  the  common  schools.  As  he  approached  manhood  he 
managed  the  old  homestead  on  shares,  for  his  father,  for  four  years,  and  then 
bought  eighty  acres  in  LaSalle  county.  To  this  tract,  situated  in  Hope 
township,  he  subsequently  added  adjoining  land  from  time  to  time,  and  in- 
vested in  other  property  until  he  is  now  the  owner  of  eleven  or  twelve  hun- 
dred acres,  altogether.  Seven  tracts  of  eighty  acres  each  are  located  in  Hope 
township;  and  another,  the  one  on  which  he  now  makes  his  home,  is  in 
Tonica;  while  one  quarter  section  is  in  Iowa,  and  two  quarter  sections  are  in 
Nebraska.  That  he  possesses  business  ability  is  evident  from  the  above 
mentioned  facts,  and  when  it  is  taken  into  consideration  that  he  started  out 
a  poor  boy,  and  that  his  success  has  been  mainly  due  to  his  own  efforts, 
his  success  in  Hfe  is  well  worthy  of  admiration.  Honesty  and  industry  are 
the  only  secrets  of  his  prosperity. 

In  1863  Mr.  Hiltabrand  married  Miss  Sabina  Kreider,  who  died  just 
ten  years  subsequently.  She  was  a  daughter  of  the  well  known  citizens, 
Samuel  and  Catherine  (Reed)  Kreider,  and  was  a  consistent  member  of  the 
Baptist  church.  Three  children  were  bom  to  our  subject  and  his  first  wife, 
namely:  Sabina  Katie,  Marion  F.,  and  John  Willard.  The  latter  died  at 
the  age  of  twenty-three  years.     Sabina  K.  is  the  wife  of  H.  A.  Barr,  and 


744  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

resides  near  Lostant.  She  is  the  mother  of  seven  children,  named  as  follows: 
Elsie,  Verna,  Mina,  Florence  and  Forest  (twins),  Ralph  and  Hazel.  ^Marion 
F.  married  ]\Iiss  Ida  Stilhvell,  and  their  home  is  in  Hope  township.  They 
have  five  children — Wilma.  Berle,  Laura.  Lelah  and  Charles.  In  1874  our 
subject  wedded  Miss  ^lelissa  Ferry,  and  their  two  children,  Burton  and 
Jane  Elizabeth,  are  at  home — the  former  still  a  student  in  the  local  schools, 
and  the  latter  a  teacher  in  district  schools.  Mr.  and  ?\Irs.  Hiltabrand  are 
active  members  of  the  Methodist  church.  Following  out  his  strong  tem- 
perance principles,  he  favors  the  Prohibition  party  with  his  ballot.  For  a 
number  of  years  he  served  as  a  road  commissioner  and  school  director.  All 
public  enterprises  calculated  to  benefit  the  people  have  received  his  earnest 
co-operation. 

WILLIAM  PATTERSON. 

This  estimable  citizen  of  Vermilion  township,  LaSalle  county,  is  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  ^^'ashington  county, 
that  state.  August  3,  1829.  His  parents,  Samuel  and  Eliza  (Helm)  Patterson, 
likewise,  were  natives  of  the  Keystone  state,  as  were  his  two  grandfathers, 
William  Patterson  and  \\'illiam  Helm.  William  Patterson.  Sr.,  was  of  Irish 
descent  and  was  a  miller  by  occupation,  following  that  pursuit  until  he  was 
well  along  in  years.  He  was  the  father  of  three  sons  and  two  daughters. 
Both  he  and  the  maternal  grandfather  lived  and  died  in  Pennsylvania.  The 
latter  was  of  Irish  extraction,  also,  and  was  a  miller  by  trade.  His  children, 
eight  in  number,  comprised  three  sons  and  five  daughters. 

In  1852  Samuel  Patterson  came  to  Illinois  and  purchased  three  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  in  A'ermilion  township.  Later  he  sold  that  property  and 
removing:  to  Ottawa  resided  there  for  several  vears.  He  then  returned  to  this 
township  and  rented  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  the  present 
homestead  of  the  subject  of  this  narrative.  Here  he  spent  his  last  years, 
dying  in  1889,  at  an  advanced  age.  He  was  a  citizen  thoroughly  respected 
for  his  many  sterling  qualities  and  his  friends  were  legion.  His  first  wife, 
the  mother  of  our  subject,  died  in  July.  1852,  and  he  subsequently  married 
Mary  Hughes,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Frank.  After  her  death  he  wedded 
Julia  Ann  Helm,  a  sister  of  his  first  wife.  By  his  first  wife  he  had  eleven 
children,  but  only  three  are  now  living,  namely:  AMlliam;  Stephen,  of  Scat- 
tering Point,  Livingston  county,  Illinois,  and  Samuel. 

William  Patterson  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  his  native  county  and  at- 
tended school  in  an  old-fashioned  log  school-house  in  his  boyhood.  He  has 
always  followed  farming  as  a  means  of  livelihood,  and  has  met  with  success, 
as  he  justly  deserves.     Before  coming  to  Illinois,  in   1852,  he  spent  two 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  745. 

3-ears  in  \'iro-inia,  but  he  concluded  to  locate  permanently  in  the  west,  as  this, 
state  was  then  thought  of  by  the  people  of  the  east.     Arriving  here,  he 
lived  in  Livingston  county  for  about  a  year,  since  which  time  he  has  resided 
in  LaSalle  county.    For  a  twelvemonth  or  so  he  carried  on  a  farm  three  miles 
east  of  his  present  homestead,  and  then  for  eighteen  years  he  managed  a 
homestead  situated  south  of  Lowell.     Going  next  to  Deer  Park  township, 
he  remained  there  during  a  year,  and  then  came  to  his  fine  farm  on  section  27, 
Vermilion  township.     Here  he  bought  eighty  acres  and  later  added  another 
tract  of  like  extent.     He  has  made  sulistantial  improvements  and  his  farm 
l)ears  the  reputation  of  being  one  of  the  most  productive  and  valuable  of  all 
in  this  locality.     Following  in  the  political  footsteps  of  his  father,  Mr.  Pat- 
terson is  a  Democrat.     For  eleven  years  he  served  efflciently  as  township, 
collector,  and  for  the  past  three  years  he  has  been  a  road  commissioner. 

The  'marriage  of  Mr.  Patterson  and  Miss  Minerva  Huss,  a  daughter 
of  Benjamin  and  Sarah  (Church)  Huss,  was  solemnized  May  22,  185 1.    They 
became  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  ten  of  whom  they  reared  to  maturity,. 
Agnes  and  Stephen  dying  in  infancy.     Their  eldest  born,  Sarah  Adeline,, 
married  Alonzo  Trout,  of  Seneca,  Illinois,  and  has  three  children — Ernest, 
Ella  and  Tliirza.    Robert  Franklin,  the  eldest  of  the  six  sons,  married  Minnie 
Humphreys,  and  resides  in  Chicago.     Elizabeth  Joan  became  the  wife  of 
Henry  Marsh,  of  Utica,  Illinois,  and  mother  of  William,  Charles,  George, 
Nettie  and  Fred.    Thomas  Harvev  chose  Ellen  Trout,  of  Vermilionville,  for 
his  wife  and  their  children  are  named  respectively  Jesse,  Bessie,  Ralph  and 
William.     Benjamin  Austin  wedded  Marian  Groat  and  their  home  is  north- 
east of  Tonica.  this  county.     Their  four  children  are  Mabel,  Ira,  Noah  and 
Verna.     Maria  Jane  is  the  \vife  of  Ebenezer  Hurton,  of  Deer  Park.  LaSalle 
county;  and  Mary  Minerva,  wife  of  F.  A.  Gardner,  of  Franklin  county,  Iowa, 
has  two  children  living — Ray  and  Marie.    John  William,  of  Franklin  county, 
Iowa,  wedded  Rose  Hetrick;  and  Noah  Elwin  married  Elnora  Brown.    Eliza 
Caroline  is  unmarried  and  is  devoting  herself  to  the  care  of  her  loved  par- 
ents, who  are  approaching  the  evening  time  of  their  lives,  esteemed  and 
honored  by  every  one. 


JOHN  THOMAS. 


John  Thomas,  of  Deer  Park  township,  LaSalle  county.  Illinois,  is  one 
of  the  enterprising  farmers  of  this  county.  He  was  born  in  the  German 
empire.  March  28.  1867.  and  in  his  infancy  was  brought  by  his  parents  to- 
this  country,  their  first  location  being  in  Putnam  county.  Illinois. 

Henry  Thomas,  the  father  of  John,  was  a  tailor  by  trade,  at  which 
he  worked  in  Germany,  but  after  his  arrival  in  this  country  he  turned  his- 


746  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

attention  to  agricultural  pursuits.  He  was  not  able  at  first  to  establish 
himself  on  a  farm,  having  only  seven  dollars  upon  his  arrival  here  and 
with  a  family  dependent  upon  him.  but  after  working  by  the  day  for  about 
two  years  as  a  farm  hand  he  saved  enough  from  his  wages  to  sufficiently 
furnish  him  with  a  scant  equipment  for  renting.  Year  after  year  he  toiled 
early  and  late  and  his  honest  efforts  were  crowned  with  success.  When  he 
died  he  left  an  estate  which  comprised  six  eighty-acre  tracts  of  land.  His 
death  occurred  June  13,  1889.  His  widow  who,  like  himself,  is  of  German 
birth,  was  before  her  marriage  Miss  Margaret  Brown.  She  is  still  living, 
is  sixty-five  years  of  age,  and  is  the  mother  of  five  children,  viz.:  Henry, 
Louie,  John,  Christopher  and  Jacob,  all  well  known  farmers  of  Farm  Ridge 
and  Deer  Park  townships,  LaSalle  county,  and  all  respected  for  their  industry 
and  push. 

John  Thomas  was  early  inured  to  farm  work  of  various  kinds  and  has 
never  been  engaged  in  any  other  occupation  than  farming.  On  the  death 
of  his  father  he  succeeded  to  the  homestead  in  Deer  Park  township,  the 
operations  of  which  he  has  since  successfully  conducted.  He  was  married 
in  1891  to  Miss  Lizzie  Egart,  a  daughter  of  a  German  farmer  of  LaSalle 
county,  and  they  have  three  children:  Carrie  J.,  John  C.  and  Arthur.  Mr. 
Thomas  is  a  Republican. 


SIMEON  C.  HILTABRAND. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  one  of  the  wealthy  and  influential  farmers  of 
Hope  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  his  home  farm  being  on  the  south- 
east corner  of  section  4;  Tonica  his  post-office  address. 

Simeon  Conrad  Hiltabrand  may  well  claim  to  be  a  pioneer  of  Illinois, 
the  date  of  his  arrival  here  being  1829.  From  that  date  until  185 1  his  home 
was  in  Putnam  county,  and  since  185 1  he  has  been  a  resident  of  the  township 
in  which  he  now  lives.  He  has  not  only  been  an  eye-witness  to  the  devel- 
opment that  has  been  wrought  here  but  has  done  his  part  toward  bringing 
about  the  transformation  of  a  frontier  district  into  a  beautiful,  well-cultivated 
farming  country.  We  take  pleasure  in  here  recording  the  life  history  of  Mr. 
Hiltabrand. 

He  was  born  in  Tennessee,  about  thirty  miles  from  Nashville,  in  what 
was  then  called  Robinson  county,  September  13,  1826,  a  son  of  George  and 
Elizabeth  (Gunn)  Hiltabrand,  natives  of  North  Carolina.  Their  family  was 
composed  of  twelve  children,  seven  sons  and  five  daughters,  eight  of  whom 
are  now  living:  Jerusha,  wife  of  Christian  Hartenbower,  near  Tonica,  Illi- 
nois; Simeon  C;  Henry  H..  of  Hope  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois; 
Edward    C,    of    Henry,    Illinois;    Josephus,    of    Tonica;    George    W.,    of 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  747 

Henry,  Illinois;  Benjamin  F..  of  Bloomington,  Illinois;  and  Me- 
lissa, the  wife  of  Joseph  Ebner,  of  Hope  township.  The  father  of  these 
children  was  a  farmer  all  his  life.  Also  he  was  a  natural  mechanic,  and  as 
such  did  many  a  kind  turn  for  his  neighbors  in  the  way  of  repairing,  etc., 
without  ever  a  cent  of  charge,  when  there  were  few  mechanics  on  the  frontier. 
He  and  his  wife  were  known  to  all  the  neighbors  throughout  the  pioneer 
settlement  as  "Uncle  George"  and  "Aunt  Betsey."  He  went  from  North  Car- 
olina to  Tennessee  when  nineteen  or  twenty  years  of  age,  crossing  the 
mountains  on  horseback,  and  in  the  fall  of  1828  came  to  Illinois.  That 
first  winter  he  spent  in  Tazewell  county.  The  next  year  he  moved  to  Putnam 
county,  being  the  second  man  to  settle  in  Ox  Bow  Prairie,  in  this  move  being 
accompanied  by  his  brother-in-law,  Hartwell  Haley.  Mr.  Hiltabrand  took 
up  a  homestead  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  to  which  he  afterward 
added  eighty  acres,  and  still  later  he  accumulated  four  hundred  and  eighty 
acres  in  Hope  township,  LaSalle  county,  where  his  son,  Simeon  C.  now  lives. 
Also  he  owned  eighty  acres  in  what  is  called  the  "Quaker  neighborhood." 
At  the  time  he  settled  in  Ox  Bow  Prairie  there  was  not  a  rail  in  sight  nor 
a  foot  of  land  broken.  He  at  once  put  up  a  little  cabin,  which  was  torn 
down  during  his  absence  and  which  he  rebuilt,  being  assisted  by  a  few 
Magnolia  families.  In  after  years  he  improved  his  place  handsomely,  and 
on  his  farm  passed  the  rest  of  his  life  and  died,  his  death  occurring  in  1870, 
at  the  age  of  seventy-one  years.  His  widow  died  in  1881.  at  the  age  of 
seventy-seven.  Both  belonged  to  the  old-school  of  Baptists.  He  was  a 
soldier  in  the  Black  Hawk  war;  politically,  was  always  a  Democrat. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  Conrad  Hiltabrand.  He 
was  descended  from  German  ancestors  who  were  among  the  early  settlers 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  it  was  in  that  state  that  he  was  born.  In  his  boy- 
hood he  went  to  North  Carolina  and  some  years  later  to  Tennessee,  where 
he  died  at  about  the  age  of  seventy  years.  He  was  a  farmer  and  also  ran  a 
sawmill.  He  and  his  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Lutz,  were  the  parents 
of  a  large  family.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  Simeon  C.  Hiltabrand  was 
Daniel  Gunn.  He  was  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  moved  from  there  to 
Tennessee,  and  in  August,  1829,  came  to  Illinois  and  located  on  Ox  Bow 
prairie,  where  he  died  soon  afterward,  aged  about  seventy  years.  He  was 
a  farmer  and  was  the  father  of  fourteen  children. 

Simeon  C.  Hiltabrand  was  reared  in  Putnam  county  from  the  time  he 
was  about  two  and  a  half  years  old.  He  attended  the  old-fashioned  sub- 
scription schools  on  Clear  creek  before  the  Black  Hawk  war,  on  the  Indian 
camp  ground,  where  they  had  fine  springs  of  water.  And  he  bears  testimony 
to  the  honesty  of  the  Indians;  says  he  never  knew  them  to  steal  in  his  neigh- 
borhood.   He  remained  at  home  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old,  assisting 


748  BIOGRAPHICAL  AXD   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

his  father  in  the  farm  work,  and  when  he  started  out  for  himself  he  rented 
some  land  from  his  father,  his  father  furnishing  the  seed,  which  he  (Simeon) 
sowed  the  next  day  after  he  was  twenty-one,  his  share  being  one-third  of 
the  crop.  Afterward  he  hired  for  one  month  to  a  man  who  was  building  a 
sawmill  and,  being  known  for  his  ability  and  willingness  to  work,  was  given 
nineteen  dollars  a  month.  During  the  following  winter  he  chopped  cord- 
wood,  helped  to  dig  a  mill-race,  and  split  rails.  As  a  rail-splitter  he  some- 
times made  one  dollar  and  a  quarter  a  day,  when  seventy-live  cents  was 
considered  good  wages.  After  he  had  raised  three  crops  on  the  eighty 
acres  he  rented  of  his  father,  he  moved  to  his  present  home  place,  which 
he  bought  of  his  father,  this  place  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres,  the  improvements  on  which  have  been  made  by  him.  Since  then  he 
has  at  different  times  bought  other  land  and  is  now  the  owner  of  eight  hun- 
dred and  twenty-six  acres,  all  in  LaSalle  county  except  two  hundred  and 
forty  acres  in  Wright  county,  Iowa.  Besides  this  he  has  bought  and  sold 
several  pieces  of  land. 

Mr.  Hiltabrand  was  married  March  29,  1855,  to  J\Iiss  Hannah  A.  Funk, 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  ]\Iargaret  (^^^igfall)  Funk,  natives  of  Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania.  Having  no  children  of  their  own,  they  have  taken  into  their 
home  and  reared  three  children  and  now  have  a  fourth  one  with  them, 
namely:  Louis  A,  Deobald,  Julia  Borngasser,  ]\Iaude  Gunn  and  George 
Henry  Roth. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hiltabrand  have  been  members  of  the  old-school  Baptist 
church  since  1867.  Politically  he  harmonizes  with  the  Democratic  party, 
and  has  served  as  a  road  commissioner  and  school  director. 


AMOS  W.  MERRITT. 


Amos  ^^^  ]\Ierritt,  of  the  firm  of  ]\Ierritt  &  Bangs,  general  merchants, 
Lostant,  Illinois,  claims  Ohio  as  his  native  state,  his  loirth  having  occurred 
in  Belmont  county,  June  29,  1843. 

Mr.  ]\Ierritt  is  a  son  of  Henry  P.  and  ^Margaret  ]\I.  (Wilson)  ]\Ierritt, 
natives  of  Pennsylvania.  Their  family  was  composed  of  eleven  children, 
seven  sons  and  four  daughters,  of  whom  nine  are  now  li\'ing:  Amos  W., 
whose  name  introduces  this  sketch;  John  E.,  of  White  City.  Kansas;  Isabel 
W.,  wife  of  I.  P.  Wierman,  of  Lostant,  Illinois;  Hannah  B.,  wife  of  Sewell 
Gotchell,  of  Freeport,  Illinois;  Alahlon  L.,  of  Dwight,  Illinois;  Charles  H., 
also  of  Dwight;  ]\Iaggie  J.,  wife  of  George  B.  Hager,  of  Ottawa,  Illinois; 
Isaac  E.,  of  Buckley,  Illinois;  and  George  L.,  of  Roberts.  The  father  of 
these  children  learned  the  trade  of  wagon-maker  in  earl}-  life  and  followed 
it  until  he  was  forty  years  of  age,  from  that  time  on  giving  his  attention  to 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  749 

farming.  He  went  with  his  parents  horn  Pennsyhania  to  Behnont  county, 
Ohio,  when  he  was  seven  years  old,  and  grew  to  manhood  and  married  in  that 
state.  In  1853  he  moved  to  IlHnois  and  located  in  ]\Iagnolia,  Putnam  county, 
where  he  had  a  wagon  shop  for  four  years,  until  1857.  That  year  he  came 
to  LaSalle  county  and  bought  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in 
Hope  township,  partly  improved  at  the  time  of  purchase.  It  was  principally 
upon  this  farm  that  he  reared  his  family.  He  lived  there  until  1882.  when 
he  moved  to  a  place  near  Wenona  and  li^•ed  there  tweh'e  years.  He  died 
April  13,  1896,  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight  years.  His  widow  is  still  living, 
now  in  her  eightieth  year,  her  home  being  in  Lostant.  She  is  a  member  of 
the  Society  of  Friends,  as  also  was  he.  Politically  he  was  a  Republican, 
and  at  different  times  held  several  township  offices,  including  that  of  super- 
visor. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  John  Merritt.  He  was 
a  Pennsylvanian,  a  dealer  in  boots  and  shoes,  and  died  in  the  prime  of  early 
manhood,  being  only  twenty-five  years  old  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  left 
a  widow  and  three  little  sons.  On  his  mother's  side  Mr.  Merritt's  grand- 
father was  Amos  \\'ilson,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  1794.  Mr. 
\\'ilson  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife,  Hannah  Brown,  a  native  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  whose  father  was  an  Irishman,  he  married  in  Pennsylvania  and 
by  her  had  five  children.  The  family  moved  to  Ohio  and  located  on  a 
farm  in  Belmont  count v  in  1826,  and  the  same  vear  the  wife  and  mother 
died,  at  the  age  of  twenty-six  years.  In  1828  Mr.  Wilson  married  Miss 
Anna  ]\Iorris.  by  whom  he  had  nine  children.  They  came  to  Illinois  in 
185 1  and  located  in  Putnam  county,  on  a  new  farm,  where  he  passed  the 
rest  of  his  life,  and  where  he  died  January  15,  1881,  in  his  eighty-seventh 
year. 

Amos  \\\  ]\Ierritt  was  ten  years  old  when  he  came  with  his  parents  to 
Illinois,  and  he  has  lived  in  Hope  township,  LaSalle  county,  since  1857. 
His  youthful  days  were  passed  not  unlike  those  of  other  farmer  boys,  assist- 
ing in  the  farm  work  and  in  winter  attending  the  district  schools.  When 
he  started  out  in  life  on  his  own  responsibility  it  was  as  a  farmer  on  rented 
land.  He  continued  farming  until  1888,  when  he  moved  to  Lostant.  The 
following  year  he  was  appointed  postmaster.  \\'hile  filling  this  office,  in 
1890,  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  business,  and  the  following  year  took  in 
as  partner  M.  H.  Bangs,  his  brother-in-law,  the  firm  l)ecoming  Merritt  & 
Bangs.  They  then  added  a  stock  of  dry  goods,  boots  and  shoes,  making 
a  complete  general  store,  and  have  since  kept  a  well  assorted  stock  of  gen- 
eral merchandise.  They  have  established  a  good  trade  among  the  leading 
citizens  of  the  town  and  surrounding  country  and  are  ranked  with  the 
enterprising,  up-to-date  business  men  of  Lostant. 


750  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

Mr.  Merritt  was  married  December  30,  1875,  to  Miss  Sarah  A.  Bangs, 
daughter  of  Samuel  Lyman  Bangs  and  Margaret  (Howard)  Bangs.  Mrs. 
Merritt  is  one  of  a  family  of  five  children — two  sons  and  three  daughters — 
and  she  has  one  sister  and  two  brothers  living,  namely:  Jennie,  wife  of 
Dr.  A.  H.  Hatton,  of  Peru,  Illinois;  J.  Edward,  superintendent  of  the  town- 
ship high  school,  Pontiac,  Illinois;  and  Mark  H.,  in  business  with  Mr.  Merritt 
at  Lostant.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Merritt  have  no  children.  For  several  years 
previous  to  her  marriage  Mrs.  Merritt  was  a  popular  and  successful  teacher, 
teaching  at  Rutland  and  Lostant  and  for  a  short  time  in  the  academy  at 
Hillsboro,  LaSalle  county.  She  was  Mr.  Merritt's  assistant  in  the  post- 
office  during  the  four  years  and  a  half  he  filled  that  position.  Religiously 
she  is  a  Methodist  and  fraternally  a  member  of  the  Order  of  the  Eastern 
Star,  Mr.  Merritt  being  identified  with  both  the  F.  &  A.  M.,  Tonica  Lodge, 
No.  364,  and  the  O.  E.  S.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican.  In  addition  to 
the  office  already  named,  he  has  served  in  other  local  offices,  such  as  town- 
ship assessor,  member  of  the  village  school  board  and  member  of  the  village 
board  of  trustees. 

In  tracing  the  family  history  of  the  Bangs  and  Howard  families,  we 
find  that  both  families  are  from  good  stock.  Samuel  Lyman  Bangs,  the 
father  of  Mrs.  Merritt,  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  of  patriotic  ancestors. 
His  father,  Zenas  Bangs,  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  and  one  of  his 
brothers  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  18 12,  and  his  son  served  his  country 
during  the  civil  war.  The  early  ancestors  of  the  Bangs  family  came  to 
Plymouth  colony  in  1623. 

Margaret  Howard,  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Merritt,  was  descended  from 
the  royal  family — the  Howards  of  England.  She  is  now  past  eighty  years 
of  age,  makes  her  home  with  Mrs.  Merritt,  and  is  remarkably  strong  and 
active  both  in  mind  and  body  for  one  of  her  age.  Possessed  of  sterling 
qualities,  the  excellent  family  she  has  reared  owe  much  to  her  for  what 
they  are  and  have  achieved  in  life. 


WILSON  E.  KREIDER. 


A  patriotic  citizen  and  untiring  worker  for  the  good  of  Tonica,  LaSalle 
county,  is  he  w^hose  name  heads  this  article.  His  father,  Samuel  Kreider, 
a  native  of  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  born  October  15,  18 16,  was 
one  of  the  pioneers  of  Illinois,  as  he  came  here  in  1835,  when  Chicago  was 
a  tiny  hamlet  of  a  few  houses,  and  was,  in  the  main,  a  swamp,  with  no  promise 
of  future  greatness.  The  father  and  son  have  thus  been  identified  with  the 
development  of  the  northern  central  part  of  Illinois  for  nearly  sixty-five 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  751 

years,  witnessing  almost  the  whole  of  its  progress  from  its  wild  state  to  its 
present  high  standard. 

George  Kreider,  the  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  likewise  was 
of  Pennsylvania  birth  and  of  German  descent.  He,  too,  made  a  settlement 
in  Illinois  in  1835,  and  from  that  time  until  his  death,  at  an  advanced  age, 
he  made  his  home  in  Fulton  county.  His  son  Samuel  grew  to  maturity  in 
his  native  state,  with  his  eight  brothers  and  three  sisters,  learning  agricul- 
ture in  all  of  its  branches.  Believing  that  the  west  afforded  greater  oppor- 
tunities to  a  young  man  desirous  of  advancement,  he  came  to  this  state 
sixty-five  years  ago,  with  his  father,  and  was  actively  occupied  in  the  cultiva- 
tion of  farms  in  Fulton,  Putnam  and  Marshall  counties  for  many  years 
thereafter.  In  1880  he  retired.  He  resided  in  Varna,  Illinois,  eleven  years, 
one  year  in  Ouincy,  and  in  1892  removed  to  Tonica,  where  he  died  June 
21,  1899.  His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Katharine  Reed,  was  the 
daughter  of  John  Reed,  a  farmer,  who  died  aged  seventy  years  in  Knox 
county,  Illinois,  where  he  had  settled  in  1836;  and  her  mother,  Katharine 
(Wight)  Reed,  was  ninety-nine  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  her  demise.  Mrs. 
Kreider  departed  this  life  May  25,  1879,  when  but  fifty-two  years  of  age. 
She  was  born  in  Indiana,  May  21,  1826,  was  a  consistent  member  of  the 
Baptist  church  and  possessed  qualities  of  heart  and  mind  which  endeared 
her  to  everyone  who  knew  her.  She  was  the  mother  of  five  sons  and  a 
daughter,  of  whom  but  three  survive,  namely:  W.  E. ;  George,  of  Quincy, 
Illinois,  and  James,  of  Forest  City,  Missouri.  The  deceased  are  Sabina  J., 
John  R.  and  William. 

The  birth  of  Wilson  Elmer  Kreider  occurred  in  Marshall  county,  Illi- 
nois, November  9,  1865,  and  his  boyhood  was  quietly  spent  upon  the  parental 
homestead.  After  completing  a  district  school  course  of  study  he  further 
equipped  himself  for  the  practical  duties  of  life  by  attending  the  Gem  City 
Business  College,  at  Ouincy,  this  state.  He  was  in  his  sixteenth  year  when 
he  left  the  farm,  and  from  that  time  until  1890  he  was  employed  by  his 
brother  George,  in  a  hardware  store  in  Varna,  also  in  this  state.  The  follow- 
ing year  he  clerked  at  De  Kalb,  Illinois,  in  an  establishment  devoted  to 
the  sale  of  dry  goods,  boots  and  shoes,  and  general  furnishing  supplies. 
Going  to  Quincy  next,  he  embarked  in  the  hardware  business  in  partnership 
with  his  brother  George,  and  a  year  later  came  to  Tonica,  since  his  home. 
Here  he  at  once  engaged  in  the  grain  business,  becoming  the  proprietor 
of  the  William  A.  Flint  elevator,  which  he  saw  fit  to  demolish  in  1895,  build- 
ing a  much  larger  and  better  one  in  its  stead.  His  present  elevator  has  a 
capacity  of  about  forty-five  thousand  bushels  of  grain,  and  a  most  flourish- 
ing business  has  been  built  up  by  the  enterprising  owner.  Within  a  very 
few  years  he  has  won  a  reputation  as  one  of  the  leading  business  men  of 


752  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

Tonica,  and  for  six  years  he  has  served  efficiently  as  one  of  the  village  trus- 
tees. He  is  the  president  of  the  Tonica  Switch  Board  Company,  a  private 
telephone  line,  and  has  given  of  his  time,  influence  and  means  to  many  local 
industries. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Kreider  and  Miss  Carrie  B.  Conaway,  a  daughter 
of  James  E.  and  Mary  E.  (Maxwell)  Conaway,  was  solemnized  September 
5,  1888.  They  have  three  children,  Alta,  Edna,  and  one  unnamed.  The 
pleasant  home  of  the  family  is  situated  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town. 
Mr.  Kreider  purchased  there  a  substantial  house,  which  he  reconstructed, 
making  a  pretty  modern  residence,  and  which  he  has  since  occupied. 

In  political  matters  he  has  used  his  ballot  in  favor  of  Prohibition  can- 
didates for  some  years,  in  national  elections,  as  the  great  temperance  cause 
has  appeared  to  him  to  be  of  supreme  importance,  but  in  the  last  presi- 
dential election,  when  the  sound  financial  system  of  this  country  was  threat- 
ened, he  promptly  gave  his  influence  and  vote  to  McKinley  and  the  Repub- 
lican party. 


ALEXANDER  KELSO. 

Forty  years  ago,  Alexander  Kelso  came  to  LaSalle  county,  and  during 
the  period  since  then  he  has  become  wealthy  and  influential  in  his  own 
community.  Industry  and  perseverance  have  been  his  watch-words  and 
integrity  has  well  marked  all  of  his  transactions. 

He  is  a  native  of  the  Emerald  Isle,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  county 
Londonderry,  July  12,  1838.  He  is  one  of  the  eight  children  of  Alexander 
and  Margaret  (Densmore)  Kelso,  of  whom  the  three  daughters  are  deceased. 
Joseph  is  living  in  Australia,  Samuel  in  Ireland.  James  in  Richland  town- 
ship and  Daniel  in  Hope  township.  LaSalle  county.  The  latter  two  named 
are  twins.  The  father,  who  was  a  farmer,  died  in  Ireland  about  the  year 
1850,  his  wife  having  died  several  years  before.  They  were  both  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Alexander  Kelso,  of  this  sketch,  resided  in  Ireland  until  he  was  sixteen 
years  of  age,  the  greater  part  of  which  time  he  attended  the  public  schools, 
on  which  his  education  depended  at  that  time,  his  parents  both  being  dead. 
Sparkling  with  energy  and  ambition,  he  finally  decided  to  try  his  fortunes 
in  America,  and  accordingly  in  July,  1854,  he  crossed  the  ocean.  Finding 
employment  at  Albany,  Castleton  and  other  points  along  the  Hudson  river, 
and  pleased  with  the  change  of  countries  and  labor,  he  remained  at  these 
points  about  four  years,  the  greater  part  of  which  was  spent  at  Albany 
in  the  manufacture  of  brick. 

During  that  period  of  time  he  met  with  Miss  Annie  Murphy,  whom 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  753 

he  married  November  22,  1858,  the  ceremony  being  performed  by  Father 
Roach  in  St.  Mary's  church,  Albany.  Mrs.  Kelso  also  is  a  native  of  Ireland, 
her  parents,  Collins  and  Annie  (Kavenaugh)  Murphy,  being  farmers  there. 
Both  died  in  the  early  part  of  their  united  life,  leaving  eight  small  children, 
one  son  and  seven  daughters,  and  Mrs.  Kelso  being  but  two  years  of  age  at 
the  time  of  their  death.  After  this  she  made  her  home  with  her  uncle  and 
aunt,  Richard  and  Julia  Gory,  until  she  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  when  she 
and  another  sister  came  to  America,  in  the  fall  of  1856.  Mrs.  Kelso,  with  her 
sister,  ]\lrs.  Bridget  Dean,  now  living  at  Sierraville,  California,  are  the  only 
survivors  of  the  family  at  this  writing. 

In  the  spring  of  1859  Mr.  Kelso  and  wife  came  to  Illinois  and  have 
since  resided  in  LaSalle  county.  After  living  in  Tonica  about  six  months 
Mr.  Kelso  worked  by  the  month  for  a  short  time,  after  which  he  raised 
crops  on  shares  for  three  years.  Next  he  bought  seventy  acres  of  land  in 
Hope  township,  east  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  which  property  he 
improved  and  still  owns.  Later  he  purchased  another  eighty-acre  tract, 
situated  three-fourths  of  a  mile  from  his  present  home,  and  then  the  home- 
stead, comprising  eighty  acres,  which  he  has  since  improved  with  a  hand- 
some house,  barn  and  other  buildings.  From  time  to  time  he  invested  in 
additional  land  and  now  owns,  altogether,  in  one  body,  six  hundred  and 
twenty-six  and  one-half  acres.  One  farm,  of  ninety  acres,  is  located  south- 
east of  his  home;  one,  of  a  quarter  section,  north;  another,  of  eighty  acres, 
east;  and  sixty-six  and  one-half  acres  to  the  north  of  that  place.  In  con- 
nection with  general  farming,  Mr.  Kelso  is  an  extensive  stock  raiser. 

In  all  of  his  joys  and  sorrows,  for  the  past  two-score  years  and  more, 
Mr.  Kelso  has  been  aided  by  his  ever  dutiful  and  devoted  wife.     The  union 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kelso  was  blessed  with  six  sons  and  six  daughters.    Joseph 
married  Kate  Hickey,   of  Dimmick  township,   October  30,   1895.     James 
chose  Mary  Molloy,  of  Chicago,  Illinois,  for  his  wife,  and  they  were  married 
February  14,  1892.     Maggie  became  the  wife  of  Peter  Stumpf  March  17, 
1880,  and  was  the  mother  of  Mary  Anna,  Alexander  and  Lauretta.     Mrs. 
Stumpf  and  oldest  daughter,  Mary  Anna,  died  on  September  5,  1887,  ^^^^^ 
both  were  buried  in  the  same  grave.     Alexander,  of  this  family,  died  when 
but  four  months  old.     Robert  wedded  Mary  Ryan,  of  Dimmick  township. 
May  3,  1893,  their  only  child  being  a  boy  and  named  Alexander,  after  his 
grandfather.     Mary  became  the  wife  of  Frank  Faircloth,  an  operator,  No- 
vember 23,   1898,  and  is  the  mother  of  one  child,   whose  name  is  Anna 
Cecelia;   their  place   of   residence  at   this   writing  is  Litchfield,   this   state. 
Daniel  died  in  infancy.     Bridget  died  at  the  age  of  one  year  and  six  months. 
Alexander,  Jr.,  is  unmarried  and  living  at  home.     Matilda  became  the  wife 
of  David  Ryan,  of  Dimmick  township.  May  28,   1890,  and  is  the  mother 


754  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

of  three  children,  Alexander,  Ella  and  Marie.  Samuel  is  unmarried  and 
living  at  home.  Isabella  and  Maria,  twins,  are  also  unmarried  and  living  with 
their  parents.  Lauretta  Stumpf  has  made  her  home  with  her  grandparents 
since  the  death  of  her  mother.  Mr.  Kelso  and  wife  are  both  members  of 
the  Catholic  church  and  have  reared  their  children  in  that  faith. 

Mr.  Kelso's  political  views  are  Democratic,  but  he  is  not  an  aspirant 
to  public  office,  though  for  a  period  of  three  years  he  served  as  road  com- 
missioner and  has  acted  as  pathmaster. 


^-  '  ■*;  •  SPENCER  S.  BURGESS. 


Among  the  pioneers  of  Vermilion  township,  LaSalle  county,  is  Spencer 
Stokes  Burgess,  who  has  been  an  interested  witness  of  its  development  from 
a  wild  state  to  its  present  condition  of  excellence.  He  experienced  the 
vicissitudes  of  life  on  the  frontier,  and  his  accounts  of  the  hardships  and 
trials  of  the  early  settlers  here  are  replete  with  interest.  Money  was  a  very 
scarce  commodity  in  those  days,  and  he  recalls  a  time  when  a  neighbor  could 
not  raise  enough  money  in  the  whole  township  to  get  a  letter  out  of  the  post- 
office,  twenty-five  cents. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  Jacob  and  Olive  (Clark)  Burgess, 
natives  of  Massachusetts.  For  a  few  years  their  home  was. in  New  Jersey, 
but  in  1837  they  set  out  for  the  west  and  located  in  Vermilion  township, 
where  they  spent  their  last  years,  the  father  dying  on  his  farm  in  1842,  just 
after  he  had  made  a  fair  start  toward  prosperity.  At  the  time  of  the  family's 
arrival  here  there  were  no  roads  or  fences  and  only  two  or  three  houses 
anywhere  near  the  tract  of  land  where  they  took  up  their  abode.  Mrs.  Bur- 
gess, whose  father  lived  and  died  in  the  Bay  state,  became  the  mother  of  nine 
children,  only  three  of  whom  survive,  namely:  Spencer  S.,  Warren  and 
Sidney.  She  was  a  woman  of  great  force  of  character,  and  after  the  death 
of  her  husband  she  heroically  took  his  place  and  reared  her  children  to 
lives  of  usefulness.  She  was  summoned  to  her  reward  in  1862,  when  seventy- 
two  years  of  age.    In  religious  belief  she  was  a  Presbyterian. 

Spencer  Stokes  Burgess,  who  was  born  in  Burlington  county,  New- 
Jersey,  November  21,  1831,  was  but  six  years  old  when  he  was  brought  to 
this  locality,  and  he  vividly  recalls  the  appearance  of  the  vast  expanses  of 
prairie  land,  unbroken  by  signs  of  human  habitation,  for  the  most  part. 
His  educational  advantages  were,  necessarily,  extremely  limited,  and  he  has 
had  to  rely  upon  his  own  energy  in  the  acquisition  of  knowledge  as  well 
as  material  wealth.  When  he  was  about  sixteen  years  of  age  he  commenced 
working  for  wages,  and  at  eighteen  he  took  charge  of  the  old  homestead  for 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  755 

his  widowed  mother.  At  length  he  had  saved  a  sufficient  sum  of  money  to 
buy  a  quarter-section  of  land  on  section  28,  in  the  same  township,  and  this 
place  is  his  present  home.  From  time  to  time  he  made  other  investments 
in  real  estate  and  now  is  the  fortunate  possessor  of  nearly  five  hundred 
and  forty  acres,  besides  having  given  his  son  a  fine  farm  of  one  himdred 
and  forty  acres.  In  his  business  transactions  he  has  been  just,  prompt  and 
reliable,  and  he  owes  his  success  to  his  honesty,  industry  and  perseverance. 
He  has  attended  strictly  to  business,  raising  a  full  line  of  crops  usually  grown 
in  this  latitude,  and  keeping  such  live  stock  as  he  needed  upon  the  farm. 

In  his  young-  manhood,  Mr.  Burgess  served  as  a  road  commissioner  of 
this  township  for  several  years,  and  for  eight  or  ten  years  he  acted  in  the  im- 
portant office  of  supervisor,  during  that  period  being  a  member  of  the 
building  committee  who  had  in  charge  the  construction  of  the  court-house 
at  Ottawa.  Other  enterprises  calculated  to  benefit  the  people  of  this  county 
have  received  his  earnest  co-operation,  and  for  several  years  he  was  the 
president  of  the  ^^'enona  Union  Fair  Association.  The  cause  of  education 
has  been  warmly  supported  by  him,  and  for  some  years  he  was  a  school 
director,  while  at  present  he  is  a  trustee  of  the  local  school  board.  He  favors 
the  Republican  party  with  his  ballot. 

Forty-one  years  ago,  in  June,  1858,  iMr.  Burgess  and  JNliss  Eliza  Jane 
Kellar,  daughter  of  Absalom  Kellar,  were  united  in  marriage.  They  be- 
came the  parents  of  a  son  and  daughter,  Elwin  S.  and  Lonie  J.  The  son 
wedded  Miss  Addie  Gallup,  and  they  have  four  children,  Joseph  G.,  Pansy 
B.,  Stokes  H.  and  Fern  D.  Mrs.  Burgess  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational 
church,  and  with  her  husband  takes  a  lively  interest  in  everything  tending  to 
uplift  and  benefit  humanity. 


HENRY  SHERMAN. 


Among  the  prosperous  farmers  and  best  known  citizens  of  Northville 
•township,  LaSalle  county,  is  found  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  Henry  Sher- 
man, who  resides  on  the  old  Sherman  homestead. 

Henry  Sherman  w^as  born  December  21.  1858,  a  son  of  Stephen  and 
Louise  Sherman,  pioneer  settlers  of  Northville  township.  Further  men- 
tion of  Stephen  Sherman  and  wife  will  be  found  in  the  sketch  of  Joseph 
Sherman  on  another  page  of  this  work.  Henry  was  reared  on  the  home 
farm  and  has  always  been  engaged  in  farming  here.  He  was  married  in  1883 
to  Miss  Caroline  Martin,  a  native  of  France.  Her  parents  both  having 
died  in  their  native  land,  she,  in  company  with  her  three  brothers,  came 


756  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND  GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

to  this  country  in  1870.  In  Illinois  she  married  Mr.  Sherman,  and  their 
happy  union  has  been  blessed  in  the  birth  of  the  following  named  children: 
Stephen,  George,  Nora,  Joseph,  Edward,  Vernon  and  Freddie.  The  last 
named  is  deceased. 

Politically  Mr.  Sherman  is  a  Democrat,  and  at  this  writing  he  is  serving 
as  a  school  director. 


IRA  CONOVER. 


Ira  Conover,  foreman  of  the  Grififin  clay  bank  and  farm  in  Utica  town- 
ship, LaSalle  county,  has  been  identified  with  the  interests  of  this  place 
for  some  time  and  is  well  known  as  a  man  of  sterling  integrity. 

Mr.  Conover's  father,  James  Conover,  was  born  in  New  Jersey  and  in 
early  life  removed  from  that  state  to  Ohio,  where  he  carried  on  farming 
operations  for  a  number  of  years.  When  the  civil  war  came  on  he  joined 
the  Seventy-fifth  Ohio  Volunteers,  was  captured  at  Franklin.  Tennessee,, 
and  died  in  Andersonville  prison.  His  wife,  nee  Mary  Ann  Connor,  died 
within  two  weeks  after  learning  of  his  awful  experience  and  death.  Their 
family  comprise  the  following  named  members:  Henry,  of  Loveland,  Ohio; 
Ira,  whose  name  introduces  this  sketch;  Frances,  wife  of  Richard  Rose  Swift, 
of  Brown  county,  Ohio;  and  John,  also  of  Brown  county,  Ohio. 

Ira  Conover  was  born  in  Brown  county,  Ohio,  April  2,  1848,  and  in 
his  native  place  spent  his  childhood  and  youth.  He  left  Ohio  at  the  close  of 
the  war,  in  which  he  served  a  short  time,  and  the  following  seven  years  was 
employed  as  a  farm  hand.  He  located  at  Utica,  Illinois,  in  1872,  and  en- 
tered the  store  of  E.  E.  Taylor,  in  which  he  clerked  five  years,  following 
which  he  clerked  three  years  for  Messrs.  Leonard  and  Holland.  At  the 
end  of  this  time  he  engaged  in  business  for  himself.  He  dealt  exclusively 
in  groceries  until  1890,  when  he  added  a  stock  of  dry  goods  to  his  store, 
and  for  five  years  longer  he  continued  in  business.  In  1895  he  became  con- 
nected with  Mr.  Grifiin's  interests,  as  foreman,  the  position  he  holds  at  the 
present  time. 

Mr.  Conover  was  married  April  2,  1874,  to  a  daughter  of  William  H. 
Arthur,  of  Brown  county.  Ohio.  She  died  July  2,  1895,  leaving  a  husband 
and  three  sons  to  mourn  their  loss.  The  eldest  son,  Frederick,  married 
Mary  Farmer,  and  is  a  resident  of  Utica.  Thomas  and  George,  the  other 
sons,  are  also  residents  of  Utica. 

For  years  Mr.  Conover  has  been  an  active  Republican  of  LaSalle 
county.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Utica  school  board  three  years,  served 
as  the  town  clerk  five  years,  and  for  four  years  was  the  supervisor  of  Utica 
township.     Also  he  served  on  the  committees  on  miscellaneous  claims  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  757 

equalization  of  town  lots.  In  these  various  places  of  local  trust  and  respon- 
sibility he  performed  faithful  and  acceptable  service  and  won  the  confidence 
.and  respect  of  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contJ^ct. 


SIDNEY  W.  BURGESS. 


Among  the  leading  farmers  of  Vermilion  township,  LaSalle  county, 
is  found,  residing  on  section  31,  Sidney  W.  Burgess,  who  was  born  on  the 
farm  on  which  he  now  lives,  July  19,  1840,  and  who  has  passed  his  whole  life 
in  LaSalle  county. 

Mr.  Burgess  is  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Olive  (Clark)  Burgess,  natives  of 
Massachusetts,  and  one  of  their  family  of  eight  children,  only  three  of 
whom  are  now  living — Warren,  Spencer  S.  and  Sidney  W.  Jacob  Burgess 
was  a  farmer.  He  came  to  LaSalle  county  when  it  was  on  the  frontier  and 
made  a  settlement  among  its  pioneers,  buying  eighty  acres  of  land.  This 
land  he  partly  improved,  but  while  this  section  of  the  country  was  yet 
undeveloped  he  died,  passing  away  in  middle  life.  His  wife  died  in  1862. 
She  was  a  Presbyterian. 

Sidney  W.  Burgess  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm.  In  his  early 
boyhood  there  were  only  four  or  five  houses  in  the  neighborhood  in  which 
they  lived  and  the  district  school  which  he  attended  was  held  in  a  log  cabin. 
Later  he  attended  a  commercial  college  in  Peoria.  When  he  started  out 
in  life  on  his  own  account  it  was  as  a  farm  hand  w^orking  for  wages.  As 
soon  as  he  was  able  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Vermilion  town- 
ship, which  he  subsequently  sold.  After  his  mother's  death  he  came  into 
possession  of  the  home  farm.  In  addition  to  it  he  owns  ten  acres  near  by, 
and  has  eighty  acres  in  Sedgwick  county,  Kansas,  not  far  from  Wichita. 

November  20,  1871,  Mr.  Burgess  married  Miss  Eugenia  Allen,  a 
daughter  of  Cornelius  and  Excy  (Striker)  Allen,  natives  of  New  York,  and 
the  fruits  of  their  union  are  three  children,  namelv:  Olive,  Eva  and  Burton 
S.  Olive  is  the  wife  of  Wilson  Childers  and  has  two  children — Hazel  and 
Glen.  They  reside  in  Lostant,  Illinois.  Mrs.  Burgess  is  a  member  of  the 
Tonica  Congregational  church. 

Politically  Mr.  Burgess  is  a  Republican  and  takes  an  intelligent  and 
commendable  interest  in  public  affairs.  He  is  now  serving  as  the  township 
clerk,  which  position  he  has  filled  for  about  twelve  years.  He  is  a  member 
of  Randolph  Post,  No.  93,  G.  A.  R.,  having  earned  a  membership  in  this 
distinguished  body  by  loyal  service  for  his  country  in  its  dark  days  of  civil 
war.  He  enlisted  August  6,  1862,  as  a  member  of  Company  B,  One  Hun- 
dred and  Fourth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  in  the  army  a  little 


758  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

over  three  years,*  having  been  honorably  discharged  and  mustered  out  Sep- 
tember I,  1865,  at  Louisville,  Kentucky.  He  was  at  Hartsville  and  in 
the  Tullahoma  and  Chickamauga  campaigns;  in  the  battles  of  Chickamauga,. 
Lookout  Mountain  and  Mission  Ridge;  was  in  the  Atlanta  campaign  at 
Buzzards'  Roost,  Resaca,  New  Hope  Church,  the  battles  around  Kenesaw 
Mountain  and  that  of  Peach  Tree  Creek,  in  which  last  named  battle  he  was- 
wounded. 

Mr.  Burgess  is  a  civil  engineer,  and  his  business  as  such  he  has  followed 
to  some  extent  in  connection  with  his  farming  operations.  His  postoffice 
address  is  Tonica. 


CAPTAIN  GEORGE  W.  HOWE. 

The  venerable  gentleman  whose  name  adorns  this  page  is  one  of  the 
well-known  citizens  of  LaSalle  county,  where  he  has  lived  for  nearly  half 
a  century. 

George  W.  Howe  was  born  in  \\'indsor  county,  Vermont,  December  15,. 
1822,  one  of  the  three  children  of  Calvin  and  Achie  (^^'al]ace)  Howe.  His 
brother  Norman,  the  eldest  of  the  family,  died  at  the  age  of  twelve  years,. 
and  his  sister,  Eunice  W.,  the  second  in  order  of  birth,  married  Philip  G. 
Sewal,  and  became  the  mother  of  two  daughters  and  one  son.  She  died  in 
1889,  at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years.  Their  father,  Calvin  Howe,  was  a 
carpenter  and  farmer.  For  a  number  of  years  he  was  the  captain  of  an 
independent  military  company  in  Vermont.  He  was  born,  passed  his  life 
and  died  in  the  Green  Mountain  state,  his  death  occurring  about  1862. 
Politically  he  was  a  Democrat  until  the  organization  of  the  Republican 
party,  when  he  identified  himself  with  it.  Religiously  both  he  and  his  wife 
were  Universalists.    She  survived  him  about  two  years. 

The  Howes  are  of  EngHsh  origin.  Representatives  of  the  family  were 
among  the  early  settlers  of  New  England.  Grandfather  Howe  was,  it  is 
supposed,  born  either  in  Massachusetts  or  Connecticut.  For  many  years 
he  was  engaged  in  farming  in  Vermont,  and  he  died  on  his  farm  in  that 
state  W'hen  past  middle  life.  His  family  was  composed  of  five  sons  and 
four  daughters.  Of  the  maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  we  record 
that  his  name  was  John  ^^"allace,  that  he  was  of  Scotch  descent,  and  that 
he  lived  and  died  in  Vermont,  his  death  occurring  on  his  farm  in  Windsor 
county,  at  about  the  age  of  eighty  years.  He  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary war  and  drew  a  pension.    His  children  numbered  ten. 

George  W.  Howe  was  reared  in  his  native  county,  receiving  his 
education  in  its  district  schools,  and  he  remained  at  home  until  he  reached 
the  age  of  twenty-two  years,  when  he  started  out  to  make  his  own  way  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  759 

the  world,  beginning  as  a  farm  hand  and  working  by  the  month.  In  this 
way  he  was  employed  for  twelve  years.  He  came  west  in  1850,  landing  at 
LaSalle,  Illinois,  from  a  canalboat,  the  15th  of  September,  and  soon  took 
up  his  abode  in  Eden  township,  LaSalle  county.  The  first  winter  of  his  resi- 
dence here  misfortune  overtook  him  in  the  way  of  sickness  and  death,  his 
wife  dying,  and  that  winter  he  spent  a  considerable  portion  of  the  money 
he  had  saved  up  with  the  expectation  of  buying  land.  In  1861  he  secured 
warrant  to  a  tract  of  land  in  Allen  township,  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres, 
which  he  kept  till  after  the  war.  In  ]\Iarch,  1856,  he  bought  eighty  acres  of 
his  present  farm,  which  he  called  his  "first  love''  in  land  desire,  and  which 
he  paid  for  before  the  war  broke  out.  Then  he  gave  his  notes  for  another 
eighty  adjoining  it,  and  has  since  added  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  making 
in  all  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres.  This  is  all  prairie  land  and  has 
for  many  years  been  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  Also  he  owns  ten 
acres  of  timber  land. 

At  the  outbreak  of  civil  war  he  raised  a  company  in  a  few  days  and  was 
elected  its  captain,  and,  leaving  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  grain  in 
the  shock,  he  went  with  his  men  to  the  front.  In  four  weeks  from  the  date 
of  his  enlistment  he  was  facing  General  Bragg  in  Kentucky.  He  was  in 
the  service  a  little  over  a  year,  after  which,  on  account  of  failing  health,  he 
resigned  and  returned  home.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Hartsville,  Tennessee; 
the  Tullahoma  campaign,  and  in  many  skirmishes. 

Captain  Howe  has  been  twice  married.  In  Vermont,  in  1845,  ^'^^  mar- 
ried Miss  Eliza  Howard,  who  bore  him  two  children — Eleanor  and  Elwin. 
The  latter  died  at  the  age  of  two  and  a  half  years.  Eleanor  married  Collins 
Gunn,  who  is  now  deceased,  and  she  lives  in  Granville,  Putnam  county.  She 
has  six  children — JNIabel,  Ada,  Charles,  ]\[aud,  Edna  and  Blanche.  ]\Irs. 
Eliza  Howe  died  in  185 1,  as  above  recorded.  February  15,  1854,  Mr.  Howe 
married  Miss  Arminda  H.  Holdridge,  a  daughter  of  Asa  and  Polly  (Warren) 
Holdridge.  early  settlers  of  LaSalle  county.  The  fruits  of  this  union  have 
been  six  children — four  sons  and  two  daughters — Viola  Irene,  George  Ellis 
and  Norman,  and  three  that  died  in  infancy.  Mola  Irene  married  Lyle 
.Patton,  of  Vermilion  township,  and  they  have  two  children — \'era  and  Roy. 
George  E.  married  Miss  Ida  Utech.    They  live  on  the  home  place. 

Captain  Howe  has  long  been  identified  with  the  Masonic  order.  He 
received  the  blue  lodge  degrees  in  St.  John's  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.,  in  Peru, 
Illinois,  and  is  one  of  the  charter  members  of  Tonica  Lodge,  No.  264. 
Also  he  is  a  member  of  Peru  Chapter.  No.  63,  R.  A.  M.;  and  St.  John's 
Commandery,  No.  26,  K.  T.,  of  Peru,  in  all  of  which  he  has  served  ol^cially. 
He  was  the  first  Senior  Warden  of  Tonica  Lodge  and  is  a  Past  IMaster  of 
the  same.    Also  he  is  a  member  of  Randolph  Post,  No.  93,  G.  A.  R.,  of  which 


76o  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

he  is  a  Past  Commander.  He  has  affiHated  with  the  Repubhcan  party  since 
its  organization  and  has  served  officially  in  several  local  offices.  He  has 
been  a  jnstice  of  the  peace  for  fifteen  years  and  is  still  serving  in  that  office; 
was  a  township  assessor  one  term  and  school  director  two  or  three  terms. 


WILLIAM  NICHOLSON. 

William  Nicholson  is  one  of  the  sterling-  citizens  which  England  has 
furnished  to  the  United  States,  and  Lowell,  LaSalle  county,  boasts  of  no 
better,  worthier  inhabitant.  He  is  a  brother  of  John  and  son  of  John  and 
Elizabeth  (Moffatt)  Nicholson,  whose  history  appears  elsewhere  in  this 
work.  They  were  all  natives  of  England,  and  the  birth  of  William  Nicholson 
took  place  in  Westmoreland.  November  lo,  1833. 

In  his  native  land,  he  obtained  a  fair  education  and  for  several  years 
after  leaving  school  he  was  employed  at  various  occupations.  His  elder 
brother,  John,  having  come  to  America  and  reported  favorably  of  the  pros- 
pects for  a  young  man  of  enterprise  and  ability,  he  concluded  that  he  also 
would  seek  his  fortune  here.  Accordingly,  in  the  spring  of  1856  he  sailed 
across  the  ocean  and  upon  reaching  the  shores  of  the  western  continent,  he 
proceeded  direct  to  Lowell,  which,  with  the  exception  of  two  years  spent 
on  a  farm  in  Lee  county,  Illinois,  he  has  looked  upon  as  his  home  ever 
since.  For  about  two  years  after  he  came  to  this  country  he  worked  in  the 
coal  mines,  and  then,  for  several  years,  he  found  employment  with  his 
brother  in  the  mill.  Having  accumulated  a  little  capital  by  economy,  he 
invested  it  in  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Lee  county.  This  property  he  later 
sold,  and  in  partnership  with  his  brother  bought  several  tracts  of  land,  which 
they  did  not  divide  until  about  ten  years  ago.  Our  subject  now  owns  three 
hundred  acres  in  Vermilion  township,  and  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  near 
Iowa  Falls,  in  Hardin  county,  Iowa.  A  little  more  than  a  decade  ago  he 
retired  from  the  active  cares  of  agricultural  life  and  has  since  made  his 
abode  in  Lowell,  where  he  owns  and  occupies  a  pleasant  house. 

In  1861,  the  year  that  witnessed  the  outbreak  of  the  civil  war,  J\lr.. 
Nicholson  and  Miss  Sarah  Ann  Chester  w^ere  united  in  wedlock.  She  is 
a  daughter  of  David  and  Ann  (Gray)  Chester,  who  were  natives  of  Carlisle, 
and  Durham,  England,  respectively.  They  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1853,  and  for  two  years  resided  in  Zanesville,  Ohio.  Then,  removing  to 
Deer  Park,  LaSalle  county,  the  father  was  employed  in  a  sawmill  for  several 
years,  and  also  worked  in  the  coal  mines.  Of  the  thirteen  children  of  Mr. 
and  T^Irs.  Chester  only  four  are  now  living:  Mrs.  Nicholson,  George  W., 
David  and  Margaret  Ellen,  wife  of  Isaac  Farris.     The  father  departed  this 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  yOi 

life  in  May,  1873,  aged  sixty-four  years.  The  mother  survives,  and  now, 
at  four-score  years  of  age,  is  tenderly  cared  for  by  her  daughter,  Margaret 
E.,  at  their  home  in  LaSalle. 

Six  sons  and  two  daughters  blessed  the  union  of  our  subject  and  wife, 
namely:  John,  Thomas,  Robert,  Margaret,  George,  Mary,  William  and 
one  who  died  in  infancy.  John,  who  is  managing  the  old  homestead  in 
Vermilion  township,  belonging  to  his  father,  married  Lillie  Richey  and  has 
two  children,  Gladys  Viola  and  Ruth  Marie.  Thomas  married  Jennie  Gard- 
ner, by  whom  he  has  one  child,  Guy  William,  and  their  home  is  in  Hardin 
county,  Iowa.  Robert  married  the  widow  of  the  late  Mercer  Richey.  Mar- 
garet is  the  wife  of  John  Gardner,  of  Franklin  county,  Iowa,  and  her  children 
are  John  William,  Zola  Ann  and  Sarah  Fern.  George  died  at  the  age  of  two 
years  and  four  months.  Mary  and  William,  Jr.,  are  unmarried  and  living  at 
home. 

The  cause  of  education  finds  in  Mr.  Nicholson  a  sincere  friend,  and 
for  several  years  he  served  as  a  school  director.  He  is  a  stanch  Republican, 
and  in  religion  is  an  Episcopalian,  while  his  wife  is  identified  with  the 
Methodist  denomination.  They  are  widely  known,  owing  to  their  long 
residence  in  this  countv,  and  have  hosts  of  friends. 


WILLIAM  F.  ROCHELEAU. 

Professor  \\'illiam  F.  Rocheleau,  superintendent  of  public  instruction 
in  Streator.  is  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  successful  educators  in  this 
part  of  the  slate.  He  was  born  in  Danville.  Vermont,  forty-seven  years  ago, 
his  parents  being  Alexander  and  Clarissa  (Batchelder)  Rocheleau,  the  father 
of  French  descent.  His  vocation  was  that  of  agriculture,  to  which  he  de- 
voted the  greater  part  of  his  life. 

Professor  Rocheleau  passed  his  early  years  upon  his  father's  farm  and 
was  an  attendant  of  the  public  schools.  Later  he  entered  the  academy  and 
finished  with  a  course  in  jMontpelier  Seminary,  at  which  he  graduated.  The 
following  two  years  he  was  employed  in  teaching  school,  and  his  record 
clearly  shows  his  special  adaptation  for  the  work.  For  the  next  seven  years 
he  was  employed  in  the  State  Normal  School  at  Randolph,  Vermont,  whence 
he  went  to  Sauk  Center,  Minnesota,  and  for  three  years  was  the  superin- 
tendent of  schools  there.  He  then  accepted  a  position  as  instructor  in  the 
State  Normal  School  at  Moorhead,  Minnesota,  and  remained  in  that  position 
for  five  years,  leaving  it  to  take  the  chair  of  psychology  in  the  State  Normal 
at  Carbondale,  this  state.  After  remaining  in  that  position  for  three  years, 
where  he  showed  wonderful  efiicacv  in  his  methods  of  work,  he  came  to 


762  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

Streator,  in  1896,  where  his  teaching  has  been  successful  to  a  remarkable 
degree.  He  is  a  shrewd  observer  of  human  nature,  precise  and  logical  in  his 
reasoning,  and  does  not  hesitate  to  introduce  new  ideas'  in  his  work  when 
he  thinks  it  advisable  to  do  so.  He  is  also  a  good  disciplinarian,  and  man- 
ages the  different  elements  in  the  school  with  an  ease  that  redounds  to  his 
credit.  He  is  devoted  to  his  work  and  spares  no  pains  to  perfect  himself 
in  each  branch  and  keep  fully  abreast  of  the  times.  The  citizens  of  Streator 
are  proud  of  their  educational  advantages  and  at  no  time  have  the  schools 
appeared  to  better  advantage  or  attained  such  prominence  among  the  edu- 
cational institutions  of  the  state  as  they  have  under  the  management  of 
Professor  Rocheleau.  The  ten  school  buildings  of  the  city  are  in  charge 
of  a  corps  of  fifty  teachers,  with  an  enrollment  of  two  thousand  and  four 
hundred  pupils,  and  the  whole  guided  by  Professor  Rocheleau. 

In  1877  he  was  joined  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mattie  Sinney,  a  daughter 
of  Rev.  James  Sinney,  and  in  the  family  of  the  professor  there  is  now  one 
child,  named  George  A.  Professor  Rocheleau  and  his  wife  are  prominent 
in  the  social  life  of  the  city  and  are  held  in  high  esteem. 


THOMAS  DRACKLEY. 


Thomas  Drackley,  of  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  is  an  Englishman  by 
birth  and  early  training,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  America  since  he  reached 
his  majority  and  has  at  heart  the  best  interests  of  his  adopted  country.  Mr. 
Drackley  was  born  in  Leicestershire,  England,  September  17,  1830,  a  son 
of  Thomas  and  Charlotte  (Dowell)  Drackley,  he  being  the  third  of  their 
five  children,  the  others  being  as  follows:  Richard,  Charlotte,  Manlius  and 
Sarah.  Charlotte  is  deceased.  Manlius  and  Sarah  are  residents  of  Rutland 
township,  LaSalle  county,  the  latter  being  the  wife  of  Philander  Butterfield. 
In  1846  the  family  emigrated  from  their  native  land  to  the  United  States  and 
established  their  home  in  New  York  state,  near  LTtica.  Both  parents  lived 
to  a  ripe  old  age,  the  father  dying  at  the  age  of  eighty-five;  the  mother,  at 
eighty.  They  were  members  of  the  Episcopal  church,  or  what  is  known  as 
the  Church  of  England. 

Thomas  and  William  Drackley  preceded  their  parents  and  other  mem- 
bers of  the  family  to  Illinois,  their  landing  here  being-  in  1852,  shortly 
after  Thomas  reached  his  majority,  and  they  came  at  once  to  LaSalle  county, 
Illinois.  Thomas  engaged  in  farm  work,  by  the  month,  for  Mr.  William 
Pitzer,  in  whose  employ  he  remained  some  time.  In  1867  he  married  and 
that  same  year  he  and  his  bride  settled  on  their  present  farm,  a  fine  tract 
of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  which  under  Mr.  Drackley's  more  than 
thirty  years  of  cultivation   and   improvement  has   been   developed   into  a 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  y6^, 

valuable  farm.     Among  its  improvements  are  a  modern  residence,  large 
barns  and  a  fine  orchard, 

Mr.  Drackley  was  married  February  27,  1867,  to  Miss  Adelaide  Pierce, 
the  ceremony  being  performed  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Coleman,  of  Ottawa,  Illi- 
nois.    Mrs.  Drackley  is  one  of  the  family  of  two  children  of  Charles  Pierce 
and  wife,  Clarinda  Pierce,  nee  Browning,  natives  of  Massachusetts.     Her 
brother,  Edwin  L.,  died  in  Maysville,  Missouri,  in  1898.     ]\Irs.  Drackley 
previous  to  her  marriage  was  engaged  in  teaching  school.    With  the  passing 
years,  sons  and  daughters  to  the  number  of  six  have  come  to  brighten  the- 
home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Drackley.     Their  third  born,  Herbert  T.,  died  at 
the  age  of  eight  months.     The  others  are  living  and  are  as  follows:     Eliza- 
beth, the  wife  of  Charles  Howe,  of  Brookfield  township,  LaSalle  county,, 
has  two   children — Jessie   L.   and   Murial;   Clara  J.,   a   successful   teacher;. 
Lottie  E.,  formerly  a  teacher,  is  now  the  wife  of  I.  G.  Osgood,  of  Brookfield, 
LaSalle  county,  and  has  one  child,  Lenore;  and  Charles  W.  and  Thomas- 
P.  at  home. 

Mr.  Drackley  and  his  family  are  actively  identified  with  the  Methodist 
church,  and  he  gives  his  support,  pohtically,  to  the  Republican  party. 


FRANK  MASSATTE. 


The  prominent  farmer  and  stock-dealer  whose  name  heads  this  sketch- 
— Frank  Massatte,  of  Adams  township,  LaSalle  county — is  a  Frenchmani 
by  birth  and  early  association,  but  for  nearly  three  decades  has  been  an 
American  citizen,  residing  at  his  present  location  since  1872. 

Mr.  Massatte  was  born  in  France  April  24,  1841,  and  was  reared  in  his 
native  land,  remaining  there  until  1871,  when,  thinking  to  better  his  condi- 
tion, he  emigrated  to  the  United  States.  The  following  year  he  came  to- 
Adams  township,  LaSalle  county,  landing  here  a  poor  man  with  only  forty 
cents  in  his  pocket,  but  with  a  brave  heart,  a  strong  arm  and  a  willingness- 
to  work.  The  next  year,  1873,  he  took  to  himself  a  wife  and  settled  down 
to  farming.  His  present  success  as  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser  goes  to  show 
that  he  has  been  a  "hustler"  in  the  true  sense  of  that  word;  also  that  success- 
can  be  attained  and  property  acquired  here  without  capital  to  begin  with. 
Mr.  Massatte  now  has  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  land,  one  of  the  finest 
and  best  improved  farms  in  his  locality.  For  more  than  fifteen  years  he  has 
given  especial  attention  to  the  stock  business,  raising,  buying  and  selling, 
and  there  is  probably  not  another  man  in  the  vicinity  better  posted  on  stock 
than  he. 

Mr.  Massatte  on  coming  to  this  country  gave  his  support  to  the  Re- 


•764  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

publican  party  and  has  since  continued  to  affiliate  with  it,  taking  an  intelli- 
g-ent  interest  in  all  public  affairs. 

He  was  married  in  1873  to  Miss  Sophia  Morel,  a  native  of  Alsace- 
Lorraine,  France,  who  has  shared  with  him  the  toils  and  successes  of  life 
for  over  twenty-five  years.  They  are  the  parents  of  six  children,  namely: 
Mary,  Adaline,  Emma,  Frank,  George  and  William. 


W.  W.  TAYLOR. 


Upon  both  the  paternal  and  maternal  sides  of  the  family,  W.  W.  Taylor, 
proprietor  of  the  Clifton  Hotel,  in  Ottawa,  may  justly  lay  claim  to  be  of 
pioneer  Illinois  stock.  His  father,  E.  D.  Taylor,  was  born  in  1832,  at  Fort 
Dearborn,  where  the  great  metropolis,  Chicago,  now  stands.  He  in  turn 
was  a  son  of  William  Taylor,  a  native  of  Fairfax  county,  Virginia,  and  a 
representative  of  an  old  and  influential  Revolutionary  family  of  that  section. 
After  he  had  grown  to  manhood,  E.  D.  Taylor  was  for  many  years  the 
receiver  of  public  moneys  at  Fort  Dearborn,  and  was  more  or  less  identified 
with  the  early  history  of  the  wonderful  city  then  in  its  infancy.  He  was 
married,  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  to  ]Mary,  a  daughter  of  Giles  Taylor,  who 
had  emigrated  to  this  state  while  it  was  yet  a  territory  and  had  participated 
gallantly  in  the  Black  Hawk  and  other  Indian  wars  of  that  early  period.  Thus 
it  may  be  seen  that  the  ancestors  of  our  subject  were  among  those  who 
founded  and  gave  stability  to  this  state,  which  has  now  risen  to  the  proud 
distinction  of  being  one  of  the  wealthiest  and  most  progressive  in  the  Union. 

The  birthplace  of  W.  W.  Taylor  was  at  the  corner  of  Michigan  avenue 
and  Congress  street,  the  site  of  the  massive  and  beautiful  Auditorium  Hotel 
and  Opera  house  of  to-day.  He  was  born  October  31,  1853.  and  received 
much  of  his  education  in  the  University  of  Notre  Dame,  in  Indiana.  In 
1870  he  came  to  this  county  and  for  several  years  was  interested  in  the 
coal  business.  In  1878  he  began  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  Duncan 
O'Conner,  and  two  years  later  he  was  appointed  clerk  of  the  courts,  at 
Ottawa.  He  has  made  his  home  here  for  a  number  of  years,  and  no  more 
progressive,  patriotic  citizen  can  be  found.  At  length  he  became  the  owner 
of  the  Clifton  Hotel,  one  of  the  leading  and  popular  hotels  of  the  tow^n. 
Centrally  situated,  well  appointed  in  every  particular,  and  under  able  man- 
agement, it  commands  a  large  patronage,  and  is  a  paying  investment  to  the 
wide-awake,  methodical  proprietor,  who  has  made  a  genuine  success  of  the 
enterprise. 

In  1875  Mr.  Taylor  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Jennie  Mills,  a 
daughter  of  James   Mills,   now  deceased,  and  at  one  time  the  mayor  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  y6s~ 

LaSalle.  Illinois.  Mrs.  Taylor  is  a  lady  of  excellent  qualities  and  attain- 
ments, her  higher  education  having  been  obtained  at  a  seminary  near  Lake 
Geneva,  Wisconsin.  Bertha,  the  eldest  child  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Taylor,  is 
the  wife  of  Abraham  C.  Godfrey,  a  successful  merchant  of  Ottawa.  Louise 
M.,  the  next  daughter,  is  a  teacher  in  the  grammar  schools  of  this  place; 
and  Annie  M.,  is  a  high  school  student. 

Mr.  Taylor  is  a  great  worker  in  the  ranks  of  the  Democratic  party,  in 
whose  principles  he  heartily  believes.  In  1895  his  fellow-citizens  honored 
him  by  electing  him  as  an  alderman  from  the  second  ward,  and  at  present  he 
is  serving  the  people  in  the  capacity  of  town  supervisor.  His  record  as  a 
business  man  and  politician  is  above  question,  and  his  friends  and  admirers 
are  legion. 


WILLIAM  F.  BOGGS. 


William  Foster  Boggs  is  numbered  among  the  prosperous  and  pro- 
gressive men  whose  business  acumen  and  well-directed  efforts  have  tended 
to  strengthen  and  build  up  the  city  of  Streator,  LaSalle  county.  His 
success  has  resulted  from  his  own  efforts,  which  have  been  discerningly 
directed  along  well-defined  lines  of  labor,  and  he  is  now  a  well-known  mer- 
chant of  Streator,  who  is  carrying  on  a  very  extensive  and  profitable  hard- 
ware trade. 

Mr.  Boggs  was  born  in  Callensburg,  Clarion  county,  Pennsylvania, 
July  10,  1854,  and  is  a  son  of  Robert  M.  and  Isabella  May  (Baumgardner) 
Boggs.  Both  parents  were  of  German  lineage,  although  the  grandparents 
of  our  subject  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  The  father  was  a  son  of  John 
H.  and  Catherine  (Hoover)  Boggs,  and  the  mother  was  the  daughter  of 
Emmanuel  and  Polly  (Ebbs)  Baumgardner.  In  1857  Robert  M.  Boggs 
and  his  family  removed  to  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  and  in  1882  he  and  his 
wife  went  to  Pierce  county,  Nebraska,  where  they  have  since  made  their 
home.     In  their  family  were  eight  children — five  sons  and  three  daughters. 

The  subject  of  this  review  was  only  three  years  of  age  when  brought  by 
his  parents  to  LaSalle  county.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
of  Illinois  until  1873,  when  he  entered  the  high  school  at  Boonesboro,  Iowa, 
where  he  pursued  his  studies  for  two  years.  Subsequently  he  entered  upon 
his  business  career  as  a  salesman  in  the  hardware  store  and  was  thus  em- 
ployed for  some  time.  In  1889  he  entered  into  partnership  with  S.  McFeely, . 
of  Streator,  establishing  a  hardware  store  under  the  firm  name  of  W.  F. 
Boggs  &  Company.  This  connection  has  since  been  continued  and  success  ■ 
has  attended  their  enterprise,  their  trade  steadily  and  constantly  increasing. 
They  carry  a  large  and  well  selected  stock  of  hardware,  tinware,  stoves,. 


766  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

paints  and  mining  tools,  and  their  reliability  in  all  matters  of  trade  has  won 
to  them  the  public  confidence  and  in  consequence  the  public  regard. 

On  the  31st  of  July,  1884,  was  celebrated  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Boggs 
-and  Miss  Emma  May  Roberts,  of  Boone,  Iowa,  in  which  city  the  wedding 
took  place.  The  lady  is  the  youngest  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Elizabeth 
Roberts,  of  Boone  county,  Iowa,  in  which  locality  her  father  was  a  thrifty 
farmer.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Boggs  now  have  one  son,  Sidney  R.,  who  was  born 
January  30,  1895. 

For  five  years  Mr.  Boggs  served  as  a  member  of  the  state  militia  of 
Illinois.  He  gives  his  political  support  to  the  Republican  party  and  is  a 
stanch  advocate  of  the  organization  which  favors  the  gold  standard  and 
advocates  the  protection  of  American  industries,  and  also  believes  in 
the  policy  of  expansion.  He  is  in  sympathy  with  the  party  on  all  those 
questions  and  is  well  informed  on  the  issues  of  the  day,  but  has  never  been 
an  aspirant  for  office.  Socially  Mr.  Boggs  is  connected  with  several  organ- 
izations. He  joined  the  Odd  Fellows  society  in  1880,  the  Modern  Woodmen 
of  America  in  1888,  and  the  Knights  of  the  Globe  in  1900.  In  1896  he 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  board  of  education  of  Streator  and  is  yet  acting 
in  that  capacity,  the  public  schools  finding  in  him  a  w-arm  friend.  In  1884 
he  became  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church  of  Streator  and  in  1889 
joined  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  of  which  he  has  since  been 
the  treasurer.  His  life  has  ever  been  useful  and  honorable,  commending 
him  to  the  esteem  and  respect  of  all  those  with  whom  he  has  been  l^rought 
in  contact. 


PETER  M.  M'ARTHUR. 


Peter  M.  McArthur,  a  successful  attorney-at-law,  of  Marseilles,  is  of 
'Scotch  extraction,  and  possesses  the  clear,  logical  mind,  the  keenness  and 
foresight  and  the  ability  to  read  human  nature  which  are  among  the 
marked  characteristics  of  the  Celtic  race.  By  the  exercise  of  his  undoubted 
talent  he  has  risen  within  a  few  years,  to  a  place  of  prominence  and  influence 
in  his  profession  and  in  this  community,  and  a  short  history  of  his  career 
will  be  of  interest  to  his  numerous  friends,  here  and  elsewhere. 

The  parents  of  Peter  M.  McArthur.  Alexander  and  Mary  (Ralston) 
McArthur,  were  natives,  respectively,  of  Greenock  and  Aryshire,  Scotland. 
Peter  M.  was  born  in  the  town  of  Pictou,  Nova  Scotia,  June  21,  1855, 
and  received  his  elementary  education  in  his  native  town.  Later  he  at- 
tended the  high  school  at  Halifax,  in  the  same  province,  and  in  1872  he 
came  to  Marseilles,  where  he  was  a  student  in  the  high  school  for  some 
time.     He  was  then  given  a  position  as  a  clerk  in  the  postoffice  here  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  767 

continued  to  serve  as  such  for  about  four  years.  The  legal  profession  had 
always  been  the  goal  of  his  ambition,  and  he  now  took  up  the  study  of  law 
with  diligence  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1889.  Opening  an  office  he 
proceeded  to  devote  himself  assiduously  to  his  practice,  which  has  steadily 
increased  in  volume  and  importance  during  the  past  decade. 

In  1882  Mr.  JMcArthur  married  Miss  Mary  D.  Pancoast,  a  daughter 
of  Enoch  and  Mary  (Dunn)  Pancoast,  of  Marseilles.  They  have  a  pleasant 
home,  which  is  brightened  by  the  presence  of  their  little  son  and  daughter 
— Alexander  Wheaton  and  Jessie  P. 

In  his  political  afifiHations  Mr.  McArthur  is  an  uncompromising  Demo- 
crat. In  1894  he  was  honored  with  the  appointment  to  the  position  of 
postmaster  of  Marseilles,  by  President  Cleveland,  and  served  to  the  entire 
satisfaction  of  the  puljlic  and  citizens  in  general  until  his  successor  assumed 
the  duties  of  the  office.  Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Knights  of 
Pythias. 


OLE  T.  EASTEGORD. 


Ole  T.  Eastegord,  one  of  the  successful  farmers  of  Freedom,  is  a  native 
'Of  Norway,  born  near  Stavanger,  February  10,  1844.  His  father,  Thomas 
Eastegord,  was  a  farmer  who  died  in  his  native  land.  Ole  came  to  America 
with  his  uncle,  Peter  Jacobs,  in  1867.  In  a  short  time  his  mother  and 
brother  followed  him  to  the  New  World,  and  they  established  for  them- 
selves a  modest  home.  Mr.  Eastegord  became  a  farm  hand,  working  by  the 
month.  He  received  twenty-six  dollars  per  month  and  in  the  eight  years 
he  so  labored  that  he  accumulated  sufficient  money  to  purchase  a  team 
and  farming  tools,  with  which  he  engaged  in  farming.  He  rented  land 
for  four  years  and  then  bought  eighty  acres  of  land,  at  sixty  dollars  per 
acre.  By  carefully  tilling  this  land,  he  made  enough  money  to  buy  another 
tract  of  the  same  size,  at  the  same  time  maintain  his  family  and  educate 
his  child  in  a  fair  manner. 

Regarding  his  domestic  relations  let  it  be  said  that  he  was  married 
February  9,  1874,  to  Sarah,  a  daughter  of  Lewis  Jacobson,  but  her  own 
name  was  Sarah  Lewison.  Our  subject  and  his  wife  have  one  child,  Harvey, 
who  is  twenty-one  years  of  age  at  this  writing. 

In  township  matters  Mr.  Eastegord  is  active,  having  filled  the  office 
of  commissioner  for  Freedom  township,  which  position  he  resigned  before 
his  time  expired.     He  has  twice  been  elected  a  school  trustee. 

He  -for  whom  this  record  was  written  embarked  from  Stavanger  on  the 
steamship  Iowa,  of  the  White  Star  line  of  American  steamers,  and  was  fifteen 


768  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

days  out  from  Glasgow  to  New  York.  His  brother  Peter,  who  followed 
him  to  this  country,  died  without  heirs,  and  the  good  mother  passed  away 
in  1872, 


FREDERICK  W.  SMITH. 

Frederick  W.  Smith,  one  of  the  successful  farmers  of  Deer  Park  town- 
ship, LaSalle  county,  looks  back  to  New  England  as  the  place  of  his  birth 
and  home  of  his  early  childhood.     He  was  born  in  Litchfield  county,  Con- 
necticut, January  30,   1840,  and  is  descended  from  a  line  of  tillers  of  the 
soil  who  for  years  made  their  home  in  Connecticut.    His  father  was  William 
R.  Smith  and  his  grandfather  Gilbert  Smith.    The  latter  was  born  in  Massa- 
chusetts, ran  away  from  home  when  a  boy  and  went  to  Connecticut,  where 
he  lived  the  greater  part  of  his  life.     He  died  in  LaSalle  county,  Illinois, 
at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-four  years.     He  was  for  a  short  time  a  sol- 
dier in  the  war  of  1812.     William  R.  Smith,  his  son,  was  born  in   181 2; 
married  Elizabeth  Wooster;  in  1853  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  LaSalle 
county.     Here,  after  renting  land  for  some  time,  he  bought  a  farm,  but 
subsequently  sold  out  and  then  spent  a  few  years  in   Indiana,  acquiring 
property  there.     Disposing  of  his  Indiana  land,  he  went  to  Nebraska  and 
took  up  a  claim  in  Holt  county,  where  he  passed  the  rest  of  his  life  and  where 
he  died  in  1890.    His  children  are:    Mary,  of  Litchfield  county,  Connecticut, 
who  is  the  wife  of  Lorenzo  Warner;  Henry,  of  Deer  Park,  LaSalle  county, 
Illinois;  Emma,  deceased;  Frederick  W.,  whose  name  introduces  this  sketch; 
Sarah,   of  Streator,  who  is  the  wife  of  Jerome  Hornbeck;   Frank  A.,   of 
Elkhart,   Indiana;  Esther,  of  Holt  county,  Nebraska,  the  wife  of  George 
Wheatland;  Amelia,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  George  Bernhart;  and 
Augusta,  the  wife  of  James  Herrington,  of  Arkansas. 

Frederick  W.  Smith  was  just  entering  his  teens  when  he  came  to 
LaSalle  county,  and  his  time  from  then  until  he  reached  his  majority  was 
partly  given  to  getting  an  education  that  would  answer  in  waging  life's 
battle.  When  the  civil  war  came  on  he  was  not  slow  to  "show  his  colors." 
He  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Fifty-fifth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  under 
Captain  Joseph  Clay  and  Colonel  Stewart.  His  regiment  formed  a  part 
of  the  First  Brigade,  Second  Division  of  the  Fifteenth  Army  Corps,  Gen- 
eral Sherman  being  Brigade  Commander.  After  a  brief  and  unimportant 
service  in  southeastern  Missouri,  the  war  opened  up  in  real  earnest  with 
them  at  the  battle  of  Shiloh.  The  Fifty-fifth  was  a  participant  in  all  the 
engagements  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  the  chief  of  which  after  Shiloh 
being  as  follows:  Russell  House,  siege  of  Corinth,  Chickasaw  Bayou, 
Arkansas  Post,   Champion  Hills,  siege  of  Vicksburg.   Tuscumbia  in  Ala- 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  769 

bama,  Missionary  Ridge,  the  Georgia  campaign,  siege  and  capture  of 
Atlanta,  the  "march  to  the  sea,"  the  march  north  to  Washington  and  the 
capture  of  Johnston  en  route,  and  participation  in  the  Grand  Review  at 
Washington.  Mr.  Smith  veteranized  at  the  expiration  of  his  first  enlistment, 
served  a  little  less  than  four  years,  was  in  hospital  at  two  different  times, 
from  general  debility,  was  hit  twice  in  action  by  spent  balls,  was  in  thirty- 
one  battles,  and  marched  more  than  twelve  thousand  miles.  Thus  briefly 
is  outlined  the  service  Mr.  Smith  rendered  his  country  in  her  time  of  need, 
and  for  which  she  owes  him  a  debt  of  everlasting  gratitude. 

Mr.  Smith  returned  to  the  farm  upon  being  discharged  at  Little  Rock, 
Arkansas,  and  went  to  work  as  a  hand  for  John  S.  Clayton.  He  worked 
by  the  month  during  the  season  of  1866.  February  14,  1867,  he  married 
and  that  spring  began  farming  rented  land.  The  place  he  now  owns  and 
resides  upon  was  the  one  he  leased  at  that  time  and  which  he  purchased 
at  the  expiration  of  his  lease.  Thus  he  has  spent  thirty-two  years  of  his 
life  on  this  farm. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  have  one  child  living,  Giles  A.,  born  October  17, 
1875,  "^^■^''o  is  coming  naturally  into  the  cultivation  and  management  of  the 
farm  and  is  the  mainstay  of  his  aging  parents. 

Politically  Mr.  Smith  is  a  Republican  and  has  always  manifested  a 
commendable  interest  in  public  affairs.  He  has  served  one  term  as  the 
township  collector  and  is  now  completing  twenty-four  years  of  continuous 
service  as  a  school  director.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic. 


HENRY  THOMAS. 


Henry  Thomas,  an  extensive  farmer  and  the  largest  stock-feeder  in 
the  township  of  Deer  Park,  LaSalle  county,  was  born  in  Hessen,  Germany, 
in  January,  1855,  a  son  of  German  parents. 

Henry  Thomas,  Sr.,  his  father,  emigrated  with  his  family  to  the  United 
States  during  the  civil  war  in  this  country,  his  means  being  almost  ex- 
hausted in  paying  their  passage;  and  when  they  reached  their  destination, 
Peru,  Illinois,  he  found  himself  with  only  seven  dollars  in  his  pocket.  Pre- 
vious to  his  location  in  this  country  he  had  worked  at  the  tailor's  trade,  but 
on  his  arrival  here  he  turned  his  attention  to  farm  work,  and  with  the  wages 
he  earned  as  a  farm  hand  he  supported  his  family  and  saved  enough  with 
which  to  purchase  a  team.  He  then  began  farming  rented  land.  As  in  most 
cases,  his  continued  industry  and  economy  were  rewarded  with  success  and 
he  accumulated  a  large  estate.  He  bought  several  farms  in  LaSalle  county 
in  1885,  located  his  sons  about  him,  and  passed  the  remainder  of  his  years 


770  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

in  their  midst.  He  died  here  in  1890,  respected  by  all  who  knew  him.  His 
five  sons  are  among  the  prosperous  men  of  Deer  Park  township  and  inherit 
in  a  large  degree  the  estimable  traits  of  character  which  their  worthy  sire 
possessed. 

The  voung^er  Henrv  Thomas  remained  with  his  father  until  he  was 
twenty-five  years  old.  He  began  housekeeping  five  miles  south  of  Peru, 
and  lived  the  first  three  years  of  his  married  life  on  a  rented  farm.  His 
father  furnished  him  with  a  team  and  other  things  necessary  to  conduct 
a  farm,  and  he  saved  money  enough  in  those  three  years  to  make  a  large 
payment  on  his  first  land  purchase,  a  quarter-section  in  Deer  Park  town- 
ship, for  which  he  agreed  to  pay  nine  thousand  dollars  as  the  notes  fell 
due.  On  this  farm  he  put  up  a  large  barn,  and  with  the  passing  years  was 
moving  along  happily,  meeting  his  obligations  and  adding  to  his  self- 
confidence,  when  his  barn,  with  all  its  contents,  was  burned,  without  in- 
surance, causing  him  a  loss  of  at  least  four  thousand  dollars.  This  loss, 
in  his  financial  condition,  would  have  crushed  the  average  farmer,  but  he 
said  to  his  wife:  "We'll  have  to  hustle  now,"  and  began  the  battle  anew. 
Fortune  ao'ain  smiled  on  him.  Before  he  was  entirelv  free  from  his  first 
farm  contract  an  opportunity  came  to  him  to  buy  eighty  acres  joining  his 
farm,  at  what  seemed  a  bargain.  He  consulted  his  father  about  it  and  was 
advised  that  he  was  crazy.  "You  can  never  pay  for  it,"  said  the  old  gentle- 
man. But  he  bought  it  and  did  pay  for  it,  meeting  his  obligations  just  as 
he  agreed  to. 

Some  nine  years  ago  Mr.  Thomas  decided  to  engage  in  feeding  cattle, 
and  he  bought  a  few  to  complete  the  part  of  a  load  he  already  owned. 
This  venture  yielded  him  so  abundantly  that  the  next  year  he  fed  two  loads, 
the  next  year  a  still  larger  number,  and  so  on  until  he  became  the  heaviest 
feeder  in  the  township,  if  not  in  the  county.  He  turns  oft"  yearly  about  eight 
hundred  head,  much  of  which  is  export  beef,  and  this  industry  is  of  great 
advantage  to  the  farmers  for  miles  around  his  feed  yards.  He  uses  fifty 
thousand  bushels  of  corn  in  addition  to  what  he  raises,  and  hundreds  of 
tons  of  hay  and  straw,  this  all  being  draw'n  from  his  neighbors,  at  the  best 
market  prices. 

Mr.  Thomas  married,  January  16,  1881,  Miss  Annie  Weber,  a  daughter 
of  John  Weber,  and  a  native  of  Kirchentellingsfurt,  Wittenberg,  Germany, 
and  a  resident  of  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  for  a  number  of  years.  Mr. 
Weber  came  to  this  country  in  1857  and  settled  in  Deer  Park  township, 
LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  where  he  passed  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  in  1875, 
at  the  age  of  fifty-six  years,  and  leaving  a  large  estate.  His  wife,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Eva  C.  Lutz,  died  in  1897.  Their  children  were  as  follows: 
Margaret,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Fred  Cregger;  John,  who  resides  near 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  771 

Richfield,  Nebraska;  Christine,  wife  of  Jacob  Lutz,  of  Sarpy  county, 
Nebraska;  Mrs.  Thomas;  Fritz,  a  resident  of  Pawnee  county,  Nebraska; 
G.  F.,  of  Deer  Park,  LaSalle  county;  Lena,  also  of  Deer  Park;  and  Rosina, 
the  deceased  wife  of  Louis  Thomas.  ]Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Thomas  have  five  chil- 
dren: Louise,  born  in  1883;  Christina,  in  1885;  Mary,  in  1888;  Sarah,  in 
1890:  and  William  H.,  in  1896. 

]\Ir.  Thomas  is  a  strong  Republican,  believing  that  the  tenets  of  that 
party  have  given  the  greatest  benefits  when  applied  to  all  the  interests  and 
institutions  of  our  country. 


WILLIAM  SCHOENNESHOEFER,  M.  D 

A  native  of  the  village  of  Lostant,  LaSalle  county,  born  February  17, 
1868,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  has  passed  his  entire  life  here,  and,  as  the 
town  was  established  but  two  years  prior  to  his  birth,  it  might  be  said  that 
they  have  grown  to  maturity  together.  His  parents.  Dr.  Hilarius  and  Jo- 
hanna (Mylenbush)  Schoenneshoefer,  were  natives  of  Cologne,  Germany. 
They  crossed  the  Atlantic  in  1865,  and,  coming  to  Illinois,  located  near  the 
■present  site  of  Lostant,  and  eight  years  later  settled  permanently  within 
the  town.  The  father  has  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  the  medical  pro- 
fession during  all  of  these  years,  but  has  been  retired  since  the  fall  of  1898. 
The  mother  departed  this  life  in  July,  1898,  when  sixty-nine  years  and  six 
months  old.  Both  parents  have  been  identified  with  the  Lutheran  church 
from  their  youth.  The  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  regular  army  in  Germany, 
and  since  becoming  a  voter  in  the  United  States  he  has  used  his  right  of 
franchise  in  favor  of  the  Republican  party. 

Eight  children — three  sons  and  five  daughters — were  born  to  Dr.  Hi- 
larius Schoenneshoefer  and  wife.  Robert,  the  eldest,  is  a  resident  of  Lostant. 
Amelia  married  William  Kitzman,  and  died  in  1899.  Regina,  wife  of  William 
Roetzel,  lives  at  Roberts,  Illinois.  Julia,  who  married  Fred  Zilm,  lives  in 
this  place.  Anna,  Mrs.  Gus  Erbus,  makes  her  home  in  IMendota.  Augusta 
and  Hilarius  died  unmarried. 

In  his  boyhood  Dr.  William  Schoenneshoefer  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Lostant  and  later  was  a  student  in  the  German  college  at  Men- 
dota.  Having  determined  to  adopt  his  father's  profession,  he  entered  Rush 
Medical  College,  in  Chicago,  where  he  was  graduated  February  21,  1888. 
Since  that  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  practice  in  Lostant,  and  has  suc- 
ceeded in  building  up  a  large  and  remunerative  business.  He  is  popular 
with  the  members  of  his  profession,  and  is  looked  up  to  and  consulted  by 
them.     For  several  vears  he  has  been  connected  with  the  Northern  Illinois 


17^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 


Medical  Society,  and  by  constant  study,  perusal  of  the  leading  medical  jour- 
nals of  the  day,  and  association  with  representative  men  in  his  profession, 
he  keeps  well  posted  in  modern  methods  and  applications  of  science  in  his- 
chosen  work. 

Socially  the  Doctor  is  deservedly  popular.  He  is  a  member  of  Tonica 
Lodge,  No.  364,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Rutland  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.;  St.  John's  Com- 
mandery.  No.  26,  K.  T.,  of  Peru;  Knights  of  Pythias;  Hope  Camp,  No.  1873, 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America;  and  Lostant  Lodge,  No.  144,  Mystic  Work- 
ers of  the  World.  In  his  political  views  he  is  a  stanch  Republican.  He  is 
one  of  the  village  trustees  at  present,  and  is  deeply  interested  in  everything 
affecting  the  prosperity  of  the  town.  He  owns  a  beautiful  home  here,  and 
his  wife  and  two  little  daughters  are  the  center  of  his  world.  He  was  mar- 
ried, June  2"/,  1889,  to  Miss  Lizzie,  daughter  of  Gabriel  and  Elizabeth  (Erbes) 
Pohl,  of  Mendota,  and  their  two  children  are  named  respectively  Lucile  and' 
Bertha.  The  Doctor  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  are 
liberal  toward  religious  and  charitable  organizations. 


THEOPHILUS  MARSHALL. 

The  well  known  and  well-to-do  citizen  whose  name  introduces  this- 
review  has  long  been  identified  with  the  interests  of  Serena  township,  LaSalle 
county.  He  is  a  son  of  the  pioneer,  John  David  Marshall,  and  was  born 
in  the  French  province  of  Alsace  July  4,  1832,  where  his  early  boyhood  was 
passed.  The  Marshall  family  then  emigrated  to  America  and  their  home 
was  established  in  LaSalle  county,  Illinois. 

Theophilus  had  attended  school  a  little  in  Alsace  and  for  a  short  time 
after  coming  to  this  country  he  went  to  school,  but  his  educational  ad- 
vantages were  very  limited.  He  was  one  of  a  large  and  industrious  family  of 
sons,  and  when  he  came  of  age  his  father  gave  him  and  his  older  brother 
each  a  horse.  Joining  forces,  the  two  brothers  engaged  in  farming  on  land 
they  rented  from  their  father.  This  was  a  primitive  beginning,  but  the  vim 
and  determination  Theophilus  put  into  his  efforts  told  each  year  of  his  life 
and  found  him  accumulating  wealth  gradually.  During  the  years  which  have 
intervened  from  that  day  to  this  he  has  invested  his  accumulations  in  real 
estate  until  now  he  is  the  owner  of  more  than  one  thousand  acres  of  land. 

Mr.  Marshall  was  married  in  Ottawa,  Illinois,  March  13,  1854,  at  the 
age  of  twenty-two  years,  to  Louise  Retz,  a  daughter  of  Dominick  Retz, 
also  a  native  of  Alsace  and  an  early  settler  of  Serena  township.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Marshall  have  children  and  grandchildren,  as  follows:  Elizabeth,  wife 
of  Joseph  Antoine  of  Somonauk,  Illinois,  has  two  children — Lawrence  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  773 

May;  John  David,  a  merchant  of  Serena,  married  his  cousin,  Julia  Retz, 
and  they  have  five  children — Fannie  B.,  Frank  E.,  Edna  J.,  Walter  J.  and 
Clarence;  Isabel,  wife  of  David  Wolf,  of  Chicago,  has  three  children — 
Marshall,  Elmer  and  an  infant  daughter;  Adolphus,  a  prominent  young 
farmer  of  Serena  township,  married  Mary  Moujet,  and  their  children  are 
Rosa,  Arthur,  "Baby"  and  an  infant;  and  Henry,  unmarried,  who  resides 
-on  the  old  home  farm. 


EDWARD  F.  LAMBERT. 

From  the  farm  have  come  many  of  the  ablest  financiers  and  business 
men  of  this  country,  as  well  as  representative  men  in  every  walk  in  life.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch,  now  a  prosperous  lumber  merchant  of  Tonica,  LaSalle 
■county,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Putnam  county,  Illinois,  November  10,  1858, 
,and  has  spent  most  of  his  life  in  the  routine  of  farm  work,  at  the  same  time 
developing  powers  of  mind  and  body  which  are  now  serving  him  in  good 
«tead. 

He  is  a  son  of  John  R.  Lambert,  a  well  known  citizen  of  this  locality, 
who  is  represented  elsewhere  in  this  work.  Bgth  he  and  his  estimable  wife, 
Emily,  were  born  in  this  state,  where  their  respective  parents  were  pioneers. 
The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Joel  Lambert,  who  was  of  Scotch- 
English  descent,  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  whence  he  removed  to  Indiana, 
and  at  an  early  period  settled  near  Galesburg,  Knox  county,  Illinois,  where 
they  were  engaged  in  farming.  He  died  when  in  the  prime  of  life,  leaving 
two  sons  and  a  daughter.  The  maternal  grandfather,  George  Hiltabrand, 
was  of  the  sturdy  old  Pennsylvania-Dutch  stock.  In  1829  he  came  to  this 
state  and  took  up  his  abode  in  Putnam  county,  hauling  wheat  and  other 
produce  from  his  farm  there  to  Chicago,  for  years.  During  the  Black  Hawk 
war  he  was  active  as  a  home  guard,  and  was  a  sergeant  in  his  company. 
John  R.  Lambert  was  born  near  Galesburg,  and  grew  to  manhood  there  and 
in  Putnam  county.  Since  the  war  he  has  lived  in  Hope  township,  this 
county,  until  he  retired,  in  the  fall  of  1896,  to  become  a  citizen  of  Tonica. 
He  commenced  at  the  foot  of  the  ladder  leading  to  success  and  steadily 
worked  his  way  upward,  buying  land  when  good  opportunities  offered, 
and  now  he  is  the  fortunate  possessor  of  four  hundred  and  eighty  acres. 
He  was  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  one  place  in  Hope  township  for  twenty- 
•seven  years,  and  still  owns  the  property.  The  land  had  been  entered  by  his 
father-in-law,  and  under  his  own  judicious  management  it  has  become  one  of 
the  most  valuable  country  homes  in  this  section,  improved  as  it  is,  with  a 
modern  house,  substantial  barns  and  sheds,  shade  trees,  fences  and  orchard. 
Since  he  came  to  tlie  village,  he  has  purchased  a  pleasant  house  and  lives 


774  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

with  our  subject  and  family,  as  his  wife  died  in  1886.  He  has  borne  an 
important  part  in  the  affairs  of  his  community,  at  different  times  acting  in 
the  offices  of  township  clerk,  school  director  or  school  trustee,  and  for 
many  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  Democratic  county  central  committee. 
He  aided  his  sons  in  getting  started  in  their  independent  careers,  helping 
each  to  buy  farms,  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  extent,  one  located  in 
Hope  tow  nship  and  the  other  in  Eden  township. 

As  stated  at  the  beginning  of  this  article,  Edward  E.  Lambert  is  now 
in  the  prime  of  manhood,  forty  years  of  age.  Since  he  was  two  years  old 
he  has  lived  in  LaSalle  county,  where  he  obtained  his  education  in  the 
district  schools,  supplemented  wath  a  course  of  study  at  Eureka  College. 
He  early  became  thoroughly  acquainted  wdth  agriculture,  carried  on  the 
old  homestead  with  his  brother,  on  shares,  for  some  years,  and  gave  his  time 
and  attention  to  the  cultivation  of  his  farm  until  three  years  ago.  In  1896 
he  bought  the  Robinson  lumber-yard  in  Tonica,  and  now  deals  extensively 
in  all  kinds  of  lumber  and  building  material.  Prompt  and  business-like 
in  his  methods,  he  merits  the  patronage  which  he  receives,  and  his  trade 
is  steadily  increasing  from  year  to  year.  He  still  owns  the  quarter-section  of 
land  which  his  father  assisted  him  to  buy,  and  has  made  good  improvements 
upon  it.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 
Like  his  father,  he  uses  his  franchise  in  favor  of  the  nominees  of  the  Dem- 
ocratic party.  At  present  he  is  serving  as  one  of  the  trustees  of  this  town, 
and  formerly  he  was  one  of  the  district  school  trustees  in  Hope  township. 

On  the  2ist  of  December,  1887,  Mr.  Lambert  married  Aliss  Julia  B.,  a 
daughter  of  William  Borngasser,  and  four  children  bless  their  happy  home, 
namely:  Emily  V.,  Edward  R.,  Evelyn  Eern  and  Carl  Russell.  Mrs. 
Lambert's  mother  died  when  she  was  a  child,  and  she  was  reared  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  household  of  Simeon  Hiltabrand.  the  maternal  uncle  of  our 
subject. 


FELIX  J.  HUMBERT. 


The  agricultural  industry  of  Serena  towmship,  LaSalle  county,  has  a 
representative  in  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  Felix  J.  Humbert,  a  son  of  the 
retired  farmer,  John  Humbert.  The  latter  came  to  this  country  from  the 
French  province  of  Alsace  in  1844,  at  the  age  of  ten  years,  with  his  father, 
John  Humbert,  Sr.  The  latter  died  some  twenty-five  years  ago.  The 
former  is  a  resident  of  Ottawa,  Illinois,  retired  from  active  life  after  a  suc- 
cessful career  as  a  farmer.  He  began  life  as  a  hired  man  on  a  farm,  and  by 
industry  and  careful  economy  acquired  title  to  a  large  body  of  the  best  land 
in  LaSalle  county.     His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Catherine  Brignon, 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  775 

was  likewise  born  in  Alsace.  Their  children  were:  Felix  J. ;  Jane,  the  wife  of 
Lester  Retz;  Nellie,  the  wife  of  Bert  Zellers,  of  Ottawa;  Benjamin,  of  Hardin; 
and  Paul,  of  Fall  River,  Illinois. 

Felix  J.  Humbert  was  born  in  the  township  in  which  he  now  lives,  No- 
vember 25,  1858,  and  was  educated  in  the  country  schools  and  Notre  Dame 
College.  On  reaching  his  majority  he  engaged  in  farming  on  his  own  ac- 
count and  has  continued  the  same  ever  since,  with  fair  success. 

He  was  married  February  22,  1881,  to  Celestin  Retz,  daughter  of  Ed- 
ward Retz,  and  their  children  are:     Genie,  Belle,  Louella  and  Edna. 

The  Humberts  have  always  supported  the  Democratic  ticket. 


J.  F.  SAFEBLADE. 

Mr.  Safeblade,  a  general  merchant  of  Leland,  was  Ijorn  in  Sweden,  April 
16,  1859,  a  son  of  Andrew  P.  and  Carrie  E.  (Larson)  Safeblade.  J.  F., 
the  fourth  in  order  of  Ijirth  of  their  eight  children,  was  reared  and  educated 
in  Sweden  and  learned  to  read,  Avrite  and  speak  English  in  the  United 
States.  He  arrived  in  this  new  world  in  1876.  (His  father  had  previously 
spent  three  years  in  this  country  and  advised  him  to  come  here,  where  an- 
other son  was  already  living,  August  A.,  who  was  in  the  employ  of  A.  H. 
Barber  &  Company,  commission  merchants  in  creamery  supplies  in  Chicago.) 

On  his  arrival  here  Mr.  Safeblade  secured  employment  in  a  cheese 
factory  near  Elgin,  Illinois.  He  had  had  in  the  old  country  considerable 
training  in  milling  machinery,  as  his  father,  a  wealthy  land-owner,  was  also 
a  miller.  He  was  thus  employed  in  the  creamery  of  Duncan  &  Johnson 
for  about  two  years;  next  he  was  made  second  foreman  in  L.  C.  Ward's 
cheese  and  butter  factory  at  St.  Charles,  at  that  time  the  largest  in  Illinois; 
three  months  later  he  was  given  full  charge  of  the  factory,  and  he  continued 
to  discharge  the  multifarious  duties  of  that  position,  to  the  satisfaction 
of  his  employer,  imtil  1880.  The  next  year,  in  company  with  his  brother, 
August  A.  Safeblade,  he  bought  a  creamery  at  Wilmington,  Illinois,  but  a 
year  later  he  sold  out  to  his  brother. 

In  the  spring  of  1882  he  came  to  Leland,  where  he  rented  and  operated 
a  creamery  for  one  season.  In  1883,  in  company  with  \Y.  H.  Parks,  he 
built  a  creamery,  in  which  Mr.  Safeblade  sold  his  interest  to  Mr.  Parks  a 
year  afterward,  and  since  1885  he  has  been  successfully  engaged  in  general 
merchandising  in  Leland.  He  owns  the  store  building  which  he  occupies,  a 
two-story  brick  structure,  which  he  built  in  1888.  In  this  line  of  l:)usiness 
he  began  in  a  small  way,  in  a  frame  building,  and  little  by  little  has  he  built 
up  his  trade,  which  he  has  successfully  accomplished  b}-  his  innate  talents 


776  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

for  industry  and  economy,  and  by  his  natural  disposition  to  be  honest  and 
reliable.  In  1894  he  erected  a  nice  modern  residence,  which  he  happily 
occupies  with  his  family.  Fraternally  he  is  a  Master  Mason,  being-  now 
past  master  of  his  lodge,  and  he  is  also  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and 
Knights  of  the  Globe.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  but,  being  no  seeker 
of  office,  he  has  had  no  public  position  save  that  of  treasurer  of  the  city  of 
Leland,  which  position  he  faithfully  filled  during  his  term. 

In  1883  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Emma  Harkison,  of  Aurora, 
Illinois,  and  a  daughter  of  John  Harkison,  of  Scotch  descent;  and  the  chil- 
dren of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Safeblade  are  Freddie,  deceased,  Harry,  deceased,  Les- 
ter and  Gretta. 


ANDREW  A.  KLOVE. 


The  subject  of  this  article,  Andrew  A.  Klove,  a  merchant  and  for 
many  years  a  farmer,  was  born  in  Norway,  May  30,  1828,  a  son  of  Andrew 
Klove  and  Gunvor  (Ringheim)  Klove,  who  w^ere  born,  reared  and  mar- 
ried in  that  country.  In  1843  they  and  ten  children  started  from  their 
native  land  to  America,  and  three  of  the  children  died  on  the  way.  Arriving 
in  the  New  World,  they  located  in  Norway,  Wisconsin,  where  they  resided 
about  fifteen  years,  and  then  removed  to  Iowa,  where  they  passed  the  re- 
mainder of  their  lives.  In  this  country  they  had  two  more  children.  Six  of 
their  children  grew  up  to  years  of  maturity,  but  only  two  are  now  living — 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  and  Edwin — the  latter  residing  in  Iowa, 

Andrew  A.  is  the  third  of  the  family  of  thirteen  childr'^n.  The  first  died 
at  the  age  of  one  year,  in  Norway;  the  second,  a  girl,  died  in  New  York  city, 
when  the  family  were  on  their  way  to  Wisconsin ;  and  two  died  on  the  ocean, 
one  of  whom  was  about  eight  or  nine  years  old. 

Our  subject  was  fifteen  years  old  at  the  time  of  the  emigration  to  this 
country.  His  youth  w^as  spent  upon  the  farm,  and  in  1854  he  left  his  par- 
ental home  to  take  care  of  himself  on  the  stormy  sea  of  life.  Coming,  before 
his  marriage,  direct  from  Norway,  Wisconsin,  to  Leland,  he  opened  a  general 
store  here,  but  on  a  small  scale.  This  town  was  then  but  a  year  old.  He  fol- 
lowed mercantile  business  for  about  eleven  years,  with  fair  success.  Then  he 
purchased  a  farm  of  half  a  section  in  size  just  south  of  Leland,  which  he 
cultivated  while  continuing  his  residence  in  town.  In  1873  he  erected  his 
present  fine  brick  dwelling  on  the  farm  and  moved  into  it.  Thus  one 
can  read  plainly  between  the  lines  that  Mr.  Klove  has  been  very  successful 
in  life.  He  directed  his  energies  straightforward  to  a  noble  end  and  ac- 
complished his  purposes. 

His  character  has  been  such  as  to  inspire  his  fellow  citizens  with  con- 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  yyy 

fidence  in  his  business  ability  and  integrity,  and  they  elected  him  to  various 
offices,  as  town  collector,  to.wn  assessor  and  justice  of  the  peace;  and  he 
has  been  notary  public  ever  since  the  year  1859;  was  ten  years  supervisor 
of  the  township,  and  has  been  secretary  of  the  Adarns  Mutual  Fire  Insur- 
ance Company  ever  since  1874,  the  date  of  its  organization.  The  office 
of  justice  of  the  peace  he  has  held  for  the  last  twenty-seven  years.  Polit- 
ically he  was  at  first  a  "Free-soiler,"  then  became  a  Republican,  which  he 
has  been  ever  since.    He  and  his  family  belong  to  the  Lutheran  church. 

In  the  spring  of  1855  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Ranvai  Grover, 
who  also  was  born  in  Norway  and  came  to  this  country  with  her  parents 
in  1837;  her  parents  were  Ole  and  Ragnilda  Grover.  For  the  first  few 
years  they  were  in  this  country  they  remained  in  Chicago,  then  moved  to 
Kendall  county,  this  state,  and  in  1850  settled  in  LaSalle  county.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Klove's  children  are  Julia,  Andrew,  Clorie,  Martha  and  Noah, 
living;  seven  died  in  childhood,  and  two,  Lydia  and  Josephine,  died  in  1898, 
after  reaching  years  of  maturity. 


ISAAC  H.  POOL. 


Among  the  successful  famers  of  Serena  township,  LaSalle  countv,  Illi- 
nois, is  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  Isaac  H.  Pool,  who  owns  and  occupies  a 
fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres. 

Mr.  Pool  was  born  in  Essex  county.  New  York,  June  3,  1836,  and 
until  he  was  fourteen  spent  his  boyhood  days  in  his  native  state.  His 
father,  Isaac  Pool,  was  an  Englishman  who  in  early  life  came  with  his  young 
wife  to  America  and  made  a  settlement  in  the  Empire  state,  where  he  con- 
tinued his  residence  until  1850,  that  year  emigrating  with  his  family  to 
Illinois  and  establishing  his  home  in  Freedom  township,  LaSalle  county, 
where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  in  the  year  1877. 
In  his  family  were  thirteen  children,  Isaac  H.  being  the  sixth  in  order  of 
birth. 

Isaac  H.  Pool  accompanied  his  parents  to  the  state  of  Illinois  in  1850 
and  here  for  a  time  attended  the  public  schools  of  Freedom  township. 
His  educational  advantages,  however,  were  limited.  The  greater  part  of  his 
training  has  been  received  in  the  dear  school  of  experience.  At  the  age  of 
thirty  he  married  Miss  Mary  A.  Smith,  and  a  few  years  afterward  settled 
in  Serena  township,  where  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  he  has 
been  successfully  engaged  in  farming.  They  have  one  child,  Arminda  O., 
who  is  the  wife  of  Gus.  Malaise. 

Mr.  Pool  supports  the  Democratic  ticket.     He  served  eighteen  months 


778  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

as  a  township  committeeman,  at  the  end  of  that  time  resigning,  as  pubHc 
office  is  not  to  his  liking,  his  own  personal  affairs  requiring  the  whole  of  his 
time  and  attention. 


OMUN  SIMONSON, 


]Mr.  Simonson,  a  general  merchant  of  Leland,  was  born  near  Hauge- 
sund,  Norway,  May  20,  1837,  a  son  of  Simon  Amundson,  Oveivig  Sviens 
Prestegjeld  Bergenstift  Norge.  Mr.  Simonson  takes  his  name  from  his 
father's  first  name,  Simon;  and  Amundson  in  his  father's  name  is  derived 
from  our  subject's  grandfather's  first  name,  which  was  Amund.  Oveivig 
is  the  name  of  the  farm  or  homestead  of  the  family,  while  Prestegjeld  signifies 
the  name  of  the  county,  Bergenstift  the  province  and  Norge,  Norway.  Our 
subject's  mother  was  Guro  Hilgesdathe,  of  Westadt.  The  children  of  Simon 
Amundson  are  Omun  (our  subject),  Halge,  Bent,  Halver  (living  at  Leland), 
Mary  and  Lars.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  in  1879,  at  the  age  of 
sixty-four  years;  while  the  father  is  still  living,  at  the  age  of  ninety-two 
years,  having  been  born  in  the  year  1807.  He  was  a  farmer  during  his 
active  life. 

Omun  Simonson  was  reared  to  farming  and  in  his  native  land  received 
a  common-school  education.  He  learned  to  speak,  read  and  write  English 
after  coming  to  America.  It  was  in  1857  that  he  came  to  this  country,  as 
a  member  of  a  party  of  fifty  from  his  native  country.  June  12,  the  same 
year,  he  reached  Ottawa,  Illinois,  and  went  direct  to  Freedom  township, 
where  he  hired  himself  out  to  farm  work  during  the  summer  seasons  of 
1857-8-9. 

In  August  of  the  latter  year  he  came  to  Leland,  having  spent  the 
preceding  winter  in  Deerfield,  Wisconsin,  learning  the  shoemaker's  trade. 
Here  he  opened  a  shoe-shop,  in  partnership  with  George  Gunderson.  A 
little  less  than  a  year  later  this  partnership  was  dissolved  and  Mr.  Simon- 
son opened  a  shop  of  his  own  and  with  it  a  shoe  store  also,  where  he  sold 
ready-made  goods.  He  employed  about  four  manufacturers,  until  1865. 
In  1861  he  built  a  store,  where  J.  C.  Jacobson's  store  now  stands;  but  that 
building  he  sold  in  1863.  (Later  it  was  burned.)  During  the  war  he  had 
a  fine  business,  made  many  boots  and  shoes  for  the  soldiers,  realizing  a 
handsome  profit.  He  erected  his  present  store  in  1866  and  moved  into  it, 
engaging  in  the  general  mercliandise  business,  which  he  has  continued  to 
the  present,  with  signal  success,  for  he  is  a  man  of  enterprise  and  reliability. 
In  this  position  he  at  first  had  Peter  H.  Peterson  for  a  partner,  who  died 
about  1873.  and  Mr.  Simonson  has  since  conducted  the  business  alone.  In 
1879  he  built  his  residence  in  Leland,  which  is  a  good  home. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  779 

In  1862,  in  Leland,  he  married  Ragnild  Olson,  a  native  of  Norway, 
and  their  children  are  Anna,  Mary,  Amos,  Esther,  Lyda,  Ruth,  Bernard. 
The  first  born,  Simon  by  name,  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen  months.  Mr. 
Simonson  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Norwegian  Evangelical  Lu- 
theran church,  of  which  he  is  a  deacon.  In  politics  he  has  always  been  a 
Republican.  For  several  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  village  board  of 
trustees,  of  which  for  one  year  he  was  president;  and  for  the  last  twenty  or 
more  vears  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  school  board.  In  all  his  public 
offices  he  was  scrupulously  faithful,  giving  satisfaction  to  every  reasonable 
citizen. 

Mr.  Simonson  began  his  career  a  poor  man  and  as  a  farm  laborer, 
earning  his  first  dollar  in  America.  His  example  has  surely  been  one  of 
industrv  and  economy,  and  his  success  has  been  marked.  On  his 'arrival 
in  America  he  was  in  debt  to  the  extent  of  seventy-five  dollars,  and  tliis 
he  paid  the  very  next  day,  beginning  to  w-ork  on  a  farm  for  thirteen  dollars 
a  month. 


GEORGE  A.  HARTSHORN. 

George  A.  Hartshorn,  the  supervisor  of  the  township  of  Waltham, 
LaSalle  county,  is  a  native  of  this  county  and  dates  his  birth  in  LaSalle  in 
October,  1857.  The  Hartshorns  have  been  residents  of  America  for  many 
generations.  They  are  New  England  stock,  their  history  reaching  back 
to  Colonial  days,  and  they  have  been  represented  in  the  various  wars  of  this 
country.  Oliver  Hartshorn,  the  first  of  the  family  in  America  of  whom 
we  have  record,  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier.  He  was  born  November  i, 
1760,  and  his  w'ife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Pettengill,  was  born  May  2, 
1759.  They  were  farmers,  and  reared  sons  and  daughters,  named  Oliver, 
Royal.  Ira,  Asa,  Clarissa,  Miranda,  Sophronia  and  Eliza.  Clarissa  married 
a  Mr.  Armstrong,  and  Sophronia  became  the  wife  of  John  White.  Ira 
Hartshorn  was  born  June  13,  1793,  and  died  September  17,  1859.  He  served 
a  short  time  in  the  w-ar  of  18 12,  in  his  native  state.  Connecticut.  A  man 
of  general  affairs,  he  sold  goods,  kept  hotel  and  had  a  stage  route.  In 
1836,  thinking  to  better  his  condition  by  a  location  on  the  frontier,  he  left 
Lisbon,  Connecticut,  and  came  to  Illinois,  making  the  trip  by  water.  He 
stopped  first  at  Joliet.  where  he  secured  employment  in  a  sawmill.  In  1837 
he  took  claim  to  a  tract  of  government  land  in  LaSalle  county,  which  he 
developed  into  a  good  farm  and  on  which  he  made  his  home  for  more  than 
two  decades.  This  farm  is  now  owned  by  his  son  Albert  I.  Politically 
Ira  Hartshorn  was  a  Democrat  while  in  New  England,  but  after  coming 
to  Illinois  became  a  Eree-soiler.     He  married  Joanna  Burnham,  a  daughter 


78o  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

of  Benjamin  Burnham,  of  Lisbon,  Connecticut.  Her  death  occurred  Feb- 
ruary 14,  1875.  Of  the  children  of  Ira  and  Joanna  Hartshorn,  we  record 
that  Joshua  P.  was  born  in  181 8  and  is  now  a  resident  of  Cass  county,  Iowa; 
Erasmus  D.,  born  in  1821,  resides  in  CaHfornia;  Alfred  I.  was  born  in  June, 
1823;  Pliny,  August  26,  1825;  Calvert,  born  July  25,  1827,  resides  in  Onarga, 
Illinois;  Mary,  born  in  1830,  is  the  widow  of  Eli  Strawn  and  resides  in 
Chicago;  Lucy,  born  in  1832,  is  a  resident  of  Lincoln,  Nebraska,  and  is 
the  wife  of  N,  Niles;  Lydia,  born  in  1834,  is  the  wife  of  R.  Downing,  of 
Nebraska;  Charles  B.,  born  in  1838,  died  at  Shiloh,  Tennessee,  during  the 
■civil  war. 

Albert  I.  Hartshorn  began  life  as  a  farmer  and  some  years  later  turned 
his  attention  to  the  coal  business.  He  shipped  the  first  car-load  of  coal 
that  w'ent  north  over  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad.  He  did  a  prosperous  and 
■extensive  coal  business  for  a  number  of  years.  Recently,  however,  he  has  de- 
voted his  time  and  attention  to  farming  and  to  speculating  in  real  estate. 
He  married  Amelia  Dean,  a  daughter  of  Alfred  Dean;  and  George  A., 
Avhose  name  introduces  this  sketch,  was  their  first  child.  Their  other  chil- 
dren are  Fred  P.,  and  Teresa,  the  wife  of  Charles  Diesterweg. 

George  A.  Hartshorn  received  a  high-school  education  in  LaSalle 
.and  then  took  a  commercial  course  in  Bryant  &  Stratton's  Business  College 
in  Chicago,  and  on  reaching  his  majority  engaged  in  farming  at  the  Harts- 
horn homestead  farm  in  Waltham  township,  where  he  has  since  resided. 
He  was  married  June  5,  1885,  to  Miss  Minnie  Mitchell,  a  daughter  of 
AVilliam  Mitchell,  and  they  have  four  children — Amelia,  Ira,  Floyd  and 
Walter. 

Politically  the  subject  of  our  sketch  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  a  number 
■of  times  been  honored  with  local  positions  of  trust  and  responsibility.  His 
first  township  office  was  that  of  school  trustee,  which  he  held  for  fifteen 
years.  He  has  served  as  a  justice  of  the  peace  and  town  collector,  and  in  the 
spring  of  1896  was  elected  to  his  present  position,  that  of  supervisor,  to 
succeed  the  Hon.  John  Wylie.  Also  he  is  a  member  of  the  County  Asylum 
committee  and  is  its  chairman. 


WALTER  A.  PANNECK. 

Walter  A.  Panneck,  a  prominent  and  popular  young  lawyer  of  LaSalle, 
is  of  Polish  birth  and  ancestry.  He  was  born  in  Posen,  Germany,  August  i, 
1866,  and  is  the  eldest  child  and  only  son  in  the  family  of  three  children  of 
Joseph  and  Antonia  Panneck. 

In  1875,  when  he  was  nine  years  old,  his  parents  removed  with  their 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  781 

family  to  America  and  took  up  their  abode  in  Peru,  Illinois,  and  here  he 
was  reared  and  commenced  the  struggle  of  life.  He  attended  the  public 
schools  until  he  was  twelve  years  old,  when  he  left  school  in  order  to  go 
to  work  and  help  support  the  family,  and  from  that  time  on  he  had  to 
hustle  for  himself  and  at  times  provide  for  the  family  also.  His  father 
died  June  6,  1887,  at  the  age  of  fifty-five  years;  his  mother,  July  25,  1893, 
at  the  age  of  fifty-two  years. 

Young  Panneck's  first  employment  was  in  a  coal  mine,  and  for  seven 
or  eight  years  he  was  engaged  in  mining.  Then  he  spent  about  three  years 
as  clerk  in  a  store  in  Peru.  In  the  meantime  he  took  up  the  study  of  law 
and  privately  pursued  his  legal  studies  for  three  years,  beginning  while  yet  a 
miner,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  January  21,  1892.  Immediately  there- 
after he  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession,  and  has  been  engaged 
in  the  practice  ever  since,  since  1894  associated  with  Thomas  N.  Haskins. 
The  present  firm  style  is  Haskins,  Panneck  &  Haskins.  Recognizing  his 
ability  and  popularity,  Mr.  Panneck's  fellow  citizens  in  May,  1895,  elected 
him  to  the  office  of  city  attorney  of  LaSalle,  which  position  he  filled  effi- 
ciently and  to  which  he  was  re-elected  in  April,  1897. 

Politically  Mr.  Panneck  is  a  Democrat,  and  fraternally  he  is  identified 
with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  the  Foresters  and  the  Royal  Ar- 
canum. He  was  reared  in  the  Roman  Catholic  faith  and  is  a  consistent  mem- 
ber of  that  church. 

Mr.  Panneck  was  married  in  1892  to  Miss  Carrie  Seepe,  of  Peru,  Illinois,. 
who  presides  over  his  pleasant  home. 


EDWARD  KEATING. 


The  popular  alderman,  Edward  Keating,  representing  the  Fourth  ward 
of  Ottawa  in  the  city  council,  was  elected  to  this  office  in  the  spring  of  1897, 
his  majority  being  eighty-six  votes.  For  the  past  eighteen  years,  or  ever 
since  he  arrived  at  man's  estate,  he  has  taken  a  leading  part  in  campaigns, 
and  has  been  an  ardent  supporter  of  the  platform  and  nominees  of  the 
Democratic  party. 

One  of  the  native  sons  of  Ottawa,  Mr.  Keating  has  naturally  felt  great 
interest  in  her  development  and  improvement  along  all  lines  of  progress. 
His  birth  took  place  in  1857,  and  here,  with  his  three  brothers  and  sisters, 
he  attended  the  public  schools.  His  parents  were  Michael  and  Kate  (Lucas> 
Keating.  Upon  entering  into  the  business  world  Mr.  Keating  found  em- 
ployment with  the  Miller  Brewing  Company  and  continued  with  that  con- 
cern for  a  period  of  eight  years.     He  then  was  offered  a  situation  with  the 


782  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD. 

LaSalle  Brewing  Company,  and  has  been  with  this  firm  for  the  past  ten  years. 
His  fidelity  to  the  best  interests  of  his  employers  has  led  them  to  recognize 
his  merits  in  a  substantial  way  by  promoting  him  and  raising  his  salary 
from  time  to  time. 

On  the  5th  of  September,  1880,  the  marriage  of  Edward  Keating  and 
Miss  Margaret  Driscoll  was  solemnized.  ]\Irs.  Keating's  parents  are  Dow 
and  Bridget  Driscoll,  of  Ottawa,  and  in  this  place  her  girlhood  was  passed. 
She  received  good  educational  advantages  and  was  graduated  in  the  business 
college  of  this  town.  ]\Ir.  Keating  built  a  cozy,  comfortable  home,  which 
is  furnished  in  good  taste  and  it  is  the  abode  of  a  happy,  harmonious  family. 
Five  children  were  born  to  our  subject  and  his  estimable  wife,  but  the  eldest, 
Michael,  and  another  child,  died  in  infancy.  A  son  and  two  daughters  re- 
main, namely,  Ellen,  Edward  and  Margaret. 


HORACE  D.  HICKOK. 


Probably  few  residents  of  LaSalle  county  are  better  posted  in  its  history 
or  have  been  more  deeply  interested  in  its  development  than  has  Horace 
D.  Hickok,  now  making  his  home  in  the  village  of  Troy  Grove.  He  is 
a  gentleman  of  wide  information  on  general  topics  of  public  importance,  and 
is  an  especial  friend  to  education,  having  done  all  within  his  power  for 
years  to  further  the  cause.  He  is  a  self-made  man,  having  no  one  to  thank 
for  the  competence  which  he  and  his  family  now  enjoy  save  himself;  and 
though  his  pathway  in  life  has  not  been  an  easy  one  in  many  respects  he  has 
borne  his  burdens  manfully  and  is  thoroughly  deserving  of  the  high  regard 
in  which  he  is  held  by  all  of  his  acquaintances. 

In  the  conduct  of  his  paternal  grandfather.  Oliver  Otis  Hickok,  he 
had  an  example  of  the  true  patriot,  for  that  worthy  man  offered  himself 
to  his  country  in  the  war  of  18 12  and  lost  his  life  while  bravely  fighting 
at  the  battle  of  Plattsburg.  He  was  a  native  of  A'ermont  and  was  of  English 
and  French  descent,  his  forefathers  having  come  to  this  country  from 
England  at  an  early  day.  He  was  a  farmer  and  had  made  many  ambitious 
plans  for  the  future,  when  the  cruel  war  put  an  end  to  all  of  them,  and, 
in  the  prime  of  early  manhood,  death  came  to  him.  He  left  a  widow  and 
three  daughters  and  a  son  to  mourn  his  loss.  The  son,  WilHam  A.,  be- 
came the  father  of  our  subject.  He  was  born  in  Grand  Isle  county,  Vermont, 
and  learned  the  business  of  manufacturing  carriages.  In  1833  he  came  to  the 
west  and  for  a  short  time  lived  at  Union  Grove,  Putnam  county,  Illinois. 
He  then  settled  at  Bailey's  Point,  LaSalle  county;  thence  removed  to  Gran- 
ville, Putnam  county,  and  in  1836  started  the  first  store  in  the  town  of  Troy 


BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    RECORD.  783 

Grove.  After  the  panic  of  1837  he  was  occupied  in  farming  until  his  death  in 
1852,  when  he  was  fifty-two  years  of  age.  His  widow,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Polly  B.  Butler,  survived  him,  dying  in  1876,  when  in  her  seventy-third 
year.  Both  were  originally  Presbyterians,  but  later  united  with  the  Meth- 
odist denomination.  Mr.  Hickok  was  a  man  of  excellent  attainments, 
being  a  graduate  of  the  Middlebury  (Vermont)  College,  and  for  years  he 
acted  as  a  school  trusteee  and  director.  He  also  served  as  a  town  clerk 
and  was  a  justice  of  the  peace  for  several  terms,  acquitting  himself  honor- 
ably in  these  varied  offices.  His  wife  was  likewise  a  native  of  Grand  Isle 
county,  Vermont,  and  her  father,  James  Butler,  was  a  son  of  the  Green 
Mountain  state,  whence  his  parents,  who  were  of  Irish  extraction,  had  re- 
moved in  the  latter  part  of  last  century  from  Massachusetts.  He  died  when 
about  fifty  years  of  age  and  left  eight  children.  The  marriage  of  William 
A.  and  Polly  B.  Hickok  was  blessed  with  six  children,  namely:  Lorenzo 
B.,  of  Troy  Grove:  Horace  D.:  Selinda  D.,  wife  of  J.  E.  Smith,  of  this 
place;  Lydia  ]\I.,  the  widow  of  James  Barnes;  Oliver  C.,  who  died  in  Cali- 
fornia, in  1898;  and  James  B.,  who  was  known  in  many  portions  of  the  west 
as  "Wild  Bill"  and  is  now  deceased. 

The  birth  of  Horace  D.  Hickok  took  place  at  Bailey's  Point,  this  county, 
October  5,  1834,  and  his  entire  life  has  been  spent  in  Troy  Grove  township. 
He  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  remained  on  the  old  homestead,  assisting  in 
rearing  the  younger  children  after  his  father's  death,  and  doing  even  more 
than  his  dutv  by  the  family.  Neither  his  educational  advantages  nor  his 
financial  opportunities  were  of  the  best  in  his  young  manhood,  and  it  was 
not  until  he  was  in  his  thirty-second  year  that  he  felt  free  to  enter  upon 
an  independent  career.  Beginning  with  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  he 
soon  purchased  an  eighty-acre  farm  on  section  27,  Troy  Grove  township, 
and  this  property  he  still  owns.  He  industriously  set  about  its  improve- 
ment and  after  cultivating  the  place  for  about  thirty  years  he  removed  to 
the  town,  in  order  to  afford  his  children  better  educational  privileges. 

In  all  of  his  labors,  joys  and  sorrows  for  the  past  thirty-four  years,  Mr. 
Hickok  has  found  a  faithful  helpmate  in  his  wife,  formerly  Martha  Edwards, 
a  daughter  of  Robert  and  Ann  Edwards.  They  were  married  February  5, 
1865.  and  the  following  named  children  blessed  their  union,  namely:  William 
J.,  who  married  Myrtle  Fahler,  and  is  now  managing  the  home  farm;  Horace, 
who  is  a  student  at  Dixon,  Illinois;  and  Howard  and  three  daughters,  who 
are  attending  the  school  at  Troy  Grove. 

Since  the  organization  of  the  Republican  party  Mr.  Hickok  has  been 
one  of,  its  stanchest  supporters.  He  has  served  his  fellow  citizens  in  many 
positions  of  local  responsibility,  was  the  township  assessor  for  seven  years; 
was  a  school  trustee  for  sixteen  vears,  served  as  a  school  director  for  three 


784  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

years,  and  uninterruptedly  since  1862  has  been  a  justice  of  the  peace.  He- 
has  faithfully  performed  his  duties  as  a  citizen,  neighbor,  husband  and  father^ 
and  will  leave  to  his  children  the  record  of  a  blameless  life. 


PAUL  TEISSEDRE. 


One  of  the  strongest  and  most  active  workers  in  the  local  Democratic 
party  of  Ottawa  is  the  gentleman  whose  name  stands  at  the  head  of  this 
brief  tribute  to  him  as  a  citizen  and  business  man.  In  the  spring  of  1892 
he  was  first  elected  to  the  office  of  alderman  of  this  place,  a  position  which 
he  is  now  ably  filling  for  the  second  time.  In  1894  he  was  a  candidate  for  the 
office  but  in  the  general  defeat  of  his  party  he  suffered  the  same  fate.  In 
1898,  however,  he  was  re-elected  and  received  a  flattering  majority.  The 
people  of  Ottawa  have  committed  to  him  and  to  his  associates  in  the  coun- 
cil responsible  trusts,  and  feel  certain  that  they  are  justified  in  so  doing,  and 
that  he  will  prove  faithful  to  the  public  good  in  the  future  as  in  the  past. 

As  might  be  judged  by  his  surname,  Paul  Teissedre  is  French  in  lineage, 
and  in  fact,  he  is  a  native  of  France.  He  is  one  of  the  two  sons  of  August 
Teissedre  who  in  1857  determined  to  try  their  fortunes  in  the  United  States,, 
and  with  his  family  he  crossed  the  Atlantic.  The  father  departed  this  life 
in  1886.  Tlie  brother  of  our  subject,  Jules  Teissedre,  is  now  a  resident  of 
Kankakee,  Illinois.  Both  received  a  good  education  in  the  public  schools 
and  have  long  since  gained  responsible  places  in  the  business  world. 

After  leaving  the  school-room  Paul  Teissedre  obtained  a  clerkship  in 
the  employ  of  H.  J.  Gillen,  late  of  Ottawa  and  then  a  prominent  and  well- 
known  business  man  of  this  town.  The  firm  with  which  our  subject  is  now 
connected  is  that  of  A.  Lynch  &  Company,  general  merchants.  In  com- 
mercial affairs,  as  in  everything  else  to  which  he  gives  his  attention,  he  is 
thorough,  reliable  and  trustAvorthy.  As  long  ago  as  1874  he  joined  the 
Masonic  order  and  is  now  a  valued  member  of  Occidental  Lodge,  No.  40; 
of  Shabbona  Chapter,  No.  37,  Royal  Arch;  and  Mount  Olivet  Commandery, 
Knights  Templar.  From  time  to  time  he  has  been  honored  by  being  chosen 
to  occupy  official  positions  in  these  lodges,  and  has  been  sent  as  a  delegate 
to  the  grand  conclaves  at  Saint  Louis;  Denver,  Colorado;  and  Boston, 
Massachusetts.  The  kindliness  and  courtesy  of  manner,  and  the  genial, 
pleasing  affability  for  which  his  countrj-men  are  noted  the  world  over,  are 
marked  characteristics  of  his,  and  win  him  many  friends. 

Upon  reaching  his  majority  Mr.  Teissedre  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Sarah  Egan,  a  daughter  of  Richard  Egan.  Mrs.  Teissedre  is  a  lady 
of  refinement  and  education,  and  was  reared  to  v^'omanhood  in  Ottawa, 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD.  785 

where  the  greater  part  of  her  life  has  been  spent.  August  C,  Eliza,  Paul  and 
Carrie  are  the  four  children  of  our  subject  and  his  estimable  wife.  August 
C.  is  now  in  the  employ  of  the  Ottawa  Traction  Company,  as  a  motorman, 
and  Carrie  is  the  wife  of  F.  Hurley,  of  Alton,  Illinois. 


P.  CONERTON. 


P.  Conerton,  one  of  the  foremost  citizens  of  Utica,  LaSalle  county,  was 
born  in  the  town  of  LaSalle,  January  9,  1842,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and 
Hannah  (Brannon)  Conerton,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  1805,  in  the 
Emerald  Isle,  though  their  marriage  was  celebrated  in  this  country.  In  1851, 
after  residing  in  LaSalle  for  some  time,  the  worthy  couple  located  upon  a 
farm  in  Dimmick  township,  where  the  remainder  of  their  industrious,  happy 
lives  was  passed.  The  father,  who  cast  in  his  lot  with  the  early  settlers  of 
this  county  in  1838,  was  summoned  to  the  silent  land,  November  28,  1855. 
His  widow  survived  him  many  years,  her  death  occurring  in  Utica  in 
1896. 

The  subject  of  this  narrative  was  reared  to  the  life  of  an  agriculturist, 
and  received  a  district-school  education.  When  in  his  thirteenth  year,  he 
went  to  Missouri,  where  he  pursued  a  course  of  study  in  Perryville  College, 
for  two  years.  Then,  returning  to  the  old  home,  he  industriously  attended 
to  its  cultivation  and  management  until  the  year  1891,  when  he  removed 
to  Utica.  Here  he  embarked  in  the  business  of  selling  farm  machinery 
and  implements,  and  for  five  years  devoted  all  his  time  to  this  enterprise. 
Soon  after  the  organization  of  the  Utica  Exchange  Bank,  he  was  offered 
the  responsible  position  of  cashier,  and  has  since  held  that  office,  to  the  satis- 
faction of  everyone  interested  in  the  success  of  the  bank.  He  owns  and 
rents  at  present  a  finely  improved  homestead  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
of  land  in  Utica  township.  In  1893,  he  was  honored  by  being  elected  super- 
visor of  that  township,  and  has  acted  in  that  capacity  for  three  terms — some 
six  years.  In  his  political  convictions  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  in  the  fra- 
ternities, he  is  associated  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  Home  Forum,  a  local  organization  for  improvement  and 
self-culture. 

In  October,  1870,  Mr,  Conerton  married  Miss  Julia  Coleman,  who 
was  born  in  Troy  Grove.  Her  parents,  John  and  Catherine  Coleman,  of 
Dimmick  township,  were  pioneers  of  this  county,  and  were  prominently  iden- 
tified with  its  development.  The  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Conerton  has 
been  blessed  by  the  birth  of  two  children,  namely,  Genevieve  M.  and  Edmond 


786  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

P.  The  family  is  much  respected  in  this  community,  and  the  upright, 
straightforward  career  of  Mr.  Conerton  has  resuhed  in  placing  his  name 
high  in  the  regard  of  LaSalle  county's  representative  men. 


JAMES  W.  TRANSEAU. 


Since  1869  this  gentleman  has  been  a  resident  of  LaSalle  county,  and 
is  now  proprietor  of  a  drug  store  in  Ransom.  He  was  born  in  Monroe 
county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  8th  of  June,  1851,  and  is  a  representative  of 
one  of  the  old  families  connected  with  the  events  of  the  Revolutionary  war. 
His  grandfather,  Isaac  Transeau,  loyally  served  with  the  colonists  in  the 
struggle  for  independence,  and  then  took  up  his  abode  at  Stansbury  Park, 
Pennsylvania,  in  a  residence  which  is  still  standing — one  of  the  landmarks 
of  colonial  days.  William  Transeau,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania  and  w-as  married  in  the  Keystone  state  to  Miss  Sarah,  a 
daughter  of  Charles  Posten,  and  a  granddaughter  of  Jacob  Posten,  who 
also  was  a  valiant  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Transeau 
had  ten  children,  of  whom  four  are  yet  living,  namely:  James  W.,  whose 
name  introduces  this  review;  Anne,  wife  of  A.  Matson,  a  resident  of  Ne- 
braska; Elizabeth,  of  Monroe  county,  Pennsylvania;  and  Francis.  The  father 
of  these  children  gave  his  political  support  to  the  Republican  party,  and  both 
he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  church.  He  died  at  the 
age  of  seventy-four  years,  and  Mrs.  Transeau  was  sixty-three  years  of  age 
at  the  time  of  her  death. 

James  W.  Transeau,  whose  name  introduces  this  review,  is  indebted 
to  the  public-school  system  for  the  educational  privileges  he  received  in 
early  life.  For  some  time  he  successfully  engaged  in  teaching  school  and 
further  perfected  his  own  education  by  studying  under  the  direction  of  Dr. 
Amos  Jockin.  In  1872  he  became  a  registered  pharmacist  under  the  Illinois 
state  law,  and  as  proprietor  of  a  drug  store  became  connected  with  the 
business  interests  of  Ransom.  He  now  has  a  well  appointed  store,  supplied 
with  everything  found  in  a  first-class  establishment  of  the  time,  and  is  en- 
joying a  liberal  patronage;  for  the  public,  recognizing  his  honorable  busi- 
ness methods  and  earnest  desire  to  please  his  patrons,  has  given  to  him  a 
fair  support. 

On  the  29th  of  November,  1876,  Mr.  Transeau  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Bridget  Murphy,  a  native  of  Marseilles,  Illinois,  and  a  daughter 
of  John  and  Mary  Murphy,  both  of  whom  are  now  deceased.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Transeau  have  five  children,  namely:     Sada,  a  talented  and  success- 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  787 

ful  music  teacher;  Rosetta,  who  is  teaching  in  the  pubHc  schools  of  Ran- 
som; WilHam,  James  Arthur  and  George,  at  home. 

In  his  political  affiliations  Mr.  Transeau  is  a  Republican  and  ardently 
advocates  the  principles  of  his  party,  laboring  earnestly  to  secure  their  adop- 
tion through  the  medium  of  the  ballot.  He  has  acceptably  filled  several 
township  offices.  For  three  years  he  was  the  supervisor  and  is  now  serving 
on  the  school  board,  and  has  ever  discharged  his  public  duties  with  prompt- 
ness and  fidelity.  His  frank  and  pleasing  manner  and  his  many  excellent 
traits  of  character  combine  to  make  him  popular  not  only  as  a  business 
man  but  also  in  the  political  and  social  circles  in  which  he  mingles. 


HENRY  M.  KELLY. 


Henry  M.  Kelly,  a  rising  young  attorney  of  Ottawa,  was  born  in  this 
city.  May  22,  1865,  and  is  a  son  of  Martin  and  Ellen  (Maher)  Kelly.  His 
grandparents,  James  and  Margaret  (Redmond)  Kelly,  came  from  the  pic- 
turesque but  unhappy  island  of  Ireland  in  1830  to  seek  the  land  of  free- 
dom and  plenty  so  graphically  described  by  those  who  had  previously  braved 
an  ocean  voyage  and  settled  on  the  sun-kissed  shores  of  America.  Arriving 
in  New  York  city,  they  traveled  west  to  Buffalo,  where  they  made  their 
home  for  a  few  years,  and  then  moved  to  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  locating  in 
Ottawa  in  1837.  James  Kelly  was  a  stone  mason  and  found  plenty  of  work 
in  Ottawa  and  vicinity  putting  up  buildings  and  laying  cellar  walls  and 
foundations  for  dwellings,  stores,  churches  and  other  structures.  He  was 
a  hard-working,  honest  man,  who  did  his  work  conscientiously  and  well.  He 
moved  to  a  farm  upon  which  he  died  in  the  year  1855.  His  wife,  who  sur- 
vived him  until  1893,  was  the  mother  of  six  children  who  grew  to  mature 
years.  They  are  John  W.;  Martin;  Maria,  now  Mrs.  John  Bailey,  of  Chi- 
cago; James,  of  Ottawa;  Catherine,  Mrs.  Michael  J.  Fire,  of  Chicago;  and 
IMargaret,  Mrs.  De  Forest,  also  a  resident  of  Chicago. 

Martin  Kelly  was  born  in  this  city  when  it  was  but  little  more  than  a 
village,  fifty-nine  years  ago.  He  attended  school  here  until  he  was  sixteen 
years  of  age,  when  his  parents  moved  upon  a  farm  and  he  accompanied  them, 
finding  life  in  the  country  a  pleasure.  He  remained  at  home  until  he  was 
twenty-one  and  then  purchased  a  farm  in  Manlius  township,  this  county, 
where  he  was  engaged  in  agriculture  until  his  removal  to  this  city,  where  he 
still  lives.  He  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ellen  Maher,  a  daughter 
of  Michael  and  Catherine  (Peters)  Maher,  in  1861.  They  have  had  six 
children,  viz.:  Margaret,  the  wife  of  Richard  Halligan;  George  J.;  Henry 
M.,  our  subject;  Catherine,  Mrs.  Hackett,  of  Chicago;  ]\Iary,  the  wife  of 


788  BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

John  Gay,  a  prominent  attorney  of  Tolono,  this  state;  and  Flora,  who  re- 
sides at  liome.  ]\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Kelly  are  devout  members  of  the  St.  Colum- 
ba's  Catholic  church. 

Henry  M.  Kelly  graduated  at  the  Ottawa  high  school  when  he  was 
but  eighteen  years  old,  and  at  once  entered  the  employ  of  the  Chicago, 
Burlington  &  Ouincy  Railroad  Company.  He  remained  with  them  two 
years  and  resigned  at  the  expiration  of  that  time  to  accept  a  better  of^ce 
in  the  service  of  the  Chicago  &  Rock  Island  road.  He  was  here,  also,  two 
years,  and  during  that  period  spent  all  his  leisure  time  in  the  study  of  law, 
in  an  earnest  endeavor  to  fit  himself  for  the  ranks  of  that  profession.  He 
entered  the  ofBce  of  John  W.  Black,  where  he  studied  until  he  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  of  the  supreme  court  at  Ottawa  in  1891.  He  continued  with 
Mr.  Black  for  some  time  and  later  formed  a  partnership  with  that  gentle- 
man, under  the  style  of  Black  &  Kelly,  and  continued  in  that  relation  three 
years.  Since  dissolving  his  partnership  with  Mr.  Black,  Mr.  Kelly  has 
practiced  alone,  and  is  meeting  with  the  success  his  merits  deserve.  Keen, 
logical  and  quick  at  repartee,  he  has  prospered  from  the  start. 

In  1894  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Morrisy,  a  daughter  of  Laurence 
Morrisy,  ex-sherifif  of  LaSalle  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kelly  live  in  a  beautiful 
home  which  he  erected  in  1895,  and  have  three  interesting  children:  Harry 
and  Marie,  born  in  April,  1895;  and  Emmett,  born  August  19,  1897. 


MARTIN  H.  CRIDER. 


Among  the  residents  of  Otter  Creek  township,  LaSalle  county,  who 
take  pleasure  in  promoting  local  institutions  and  building  up  the  commu- 
nity, may  be  mentioned  M.  H.  Crider,  a  prominent  and  influential  farmer 
of  this  section.  He  first  opened  his  eyes  to  the  light  of  day  November 
17,  1836,  in  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  which  was  the  home  of  his  par- 
ents, Martin  and  Christine  (Kniler)  Crider.  They  were  kindly,  charitable, 
hard-working  people,  devout  members  of  the  German  Reformed  church 
and  supporters  of  the  Republican  party.  The  mother  died  in  1847,  but 
the  father  reached  the  age  of  seventy-five  years.  Six  children  were  born 
to  them,  namely:  Elizabeth  Weingart,  of  Cumberland  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania; Martin  H.,  our  subject;  Christine,  a  resident  of  Canton,  Ohio;  Solo- 
mon, who  died  at  the  age  of  fifty-four  years,  in  Franklin  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  the  family  still  reside;  John,  who  resides  in  Tampa,  Texas; 
and  Rebecca,  who  is  living  in  the  state  of  Pennsylvania. 

Martin  H.  Crider  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native  district  and 
there  grew  to  man's  estate,  occupying  his  time  with  such  work  as  usually 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  789 

falls  to  the  lot  of  the  farmer  boy.  In  1858  he  came  west  to  LaSalle  county 
and  engaged  in  teaching  school  for  several  years.  At  the  breaking  out 
of  the  Rebellion  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  One  Hundred  and  Fourth 
Illinois  Regiment,  in  the  month  of  August,  1862,  and  started  for  the  seat 
of  trouble,  leaving  a  young  bride  of  five  months  at  home  to  await  his  return. 
He  saw  fifteen  months'  active  service  and  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Mis- 
sionary Ridge,  Chattanooga,  and  Lookout  Mountain.  In  November,  1863, 
he  was  promoted  to  the  second  lieutenancy  in  Company  B,  and  the  follow- 
ing year  was  raised  to  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant.  In  July,  1865,  he  was  mus- 
tered out  with  his  company  at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  and  retired  to  private 
life. 

Returning  to  his  home,  he  occupied  his  farm  in  Otter  Creek  township 
and  has  since  applied  himself  to  its  cultivation  and  improvement.  This 
property  contains  five  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  fertile  farming  land,  and 
everything  connected  with  it  is  kept  in  first-class  condition.  The  improve- 
ments are  such  as  should  be  found  on  every  farm,  the  residence  commodi- 
ous and  substantial  and  the  outbuildings  suited  to  the  purpose  for  which 
they  were  intended. 

In  March,  1862,  was  consummated  the  marriage  of  Martin  Crider  and 
Miss  Susan  Kinner,  a  daughter  of  Jeremiah  and  Sarah  (Hopple)  Kinner. 
She  is  a  native  of  Clay  county.  Kansas,  and  is  a  most  estimal)le  lady,  who  has 
been  an  invalnal)le  helpmeet  to  her  husband.  They  have  two  children,  both 
of  whom  are  living  at  home.  Emma  is  a  young  lady  of  ability,  highly  ac- 
complished and  one  of  the  most  successful  teachers  of  this  county.  Edwin 
has  just  reached  his  majority  and  is  an  exemplary  young  man.  Mr.  Crider 
Avas  appointed  the  postmaster  of  Otter  in  1871  and  has  since  held  that 
position.  He  is  an  active  and  honored  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic  at  Ransom,  is  a  member  of  the  school  board,  and  for  five  years 
has  served  as  the  supervisor  of  this  township. 


EZRA  HAWLEY. 


The  sul^ject  of  this  sketch  was  born  Fe1)ruary  3.  iSii,  and  reared  on 
liis  father's  farm  in  West  Arlington,  Bennington  county,  Vermont.  His 
father,  Elisha  Hawley,  was,  in  the  seventh  generation,  a  descendant  of  Joseph 
Hawley,  one  of  three  brothers  who  emigrated  from  England  about  1629 
or  1630  and  settled  in  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts,  and  from  whom  the 
several  branches  of  the  Hawley  family  have  sprung.  As  given  in  a  "Record," 
published  by  Elias  S.   Hawley,   Buffalo,   New  York,  it  will   be  seen  that 


790  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

the  Hawleys  are  of  English  descent  and  that  the  family  was  represented  in 
New  England  at  an  early  day. 

Elisha  Hawley,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Vermont  and  there 
passed  his  life,  being  in  middle  age  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  the 
father  of  four  sons.  His  son  Ezra  was  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  who  came 
west  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  LaSalle  county  in  1835,  bringing  with  him 
his  family  and  making  their  long  and  tedious  journey  in  a  covered  wagon. 
They  were  from  April  until  July  making  the  trip.  His  family  then  consisted 
of  a  wife  and  two  little  children,  Anson  and  Truman.  Arriving  at  their 
destination,  they  found  the  country  full  of  malaria  and  the  people  shaking 
with  ague,  and  the  outlook  in  many  respects  not  the  most  favorable.  He, 
however,  was  imbued  with  the  true  pioneer  spirit  and  was  not  to  be  discour- 
aged. He  pre-empted  eighty  acres  of  prairie  land,  namely,  the  east  half  of 
the  southwest  quarter  of  section  20,  township  32  north,  range  2  east,  to 
which  he  subsequently  added  until  he  owned  about  four  hundred  acres. 
He  lived  on  this  farm  until  about  two  years  before  his  death,  w'hen  he 
removed  to  Tonica,  Illinois,  w-here  he  died,  in  1884.  in  his  seventy-third 
year. 

Of  Ezra  Hawley's  politics  we  record  that  he  w-as  a  Democrat  until  the 
fugitive-slave  law  was  passed  in  Illinois,  after  which  he  declared  if  that  was 
Democracy  he  w'as  not  a  Democrat  and  gave  his  support  to  the  Whig  and 
afterward  the  Republican  party.  He  was  a  member  of  the  state  militia 
in  Vermont,  and  was  an  energetic,  active  man  up  to  the  time  of  his  last 
illness,  which  was  pleuro-pneumonia.  His  sons  living  are:  Anson,  who 
was  born  April  12.  1833,  ^^^^  was  married  to  Cyntha  Buck,  December  11, 
1875;  she  died  September  20,  1876,  and  he  has  never  married  again;  Myron 
E.,  who  was  born  June  16,  1837,  was  married  February  18,  1861,  to  Emo- 
line  Hall.  She  died  January  20,  1882,  and  he  was  married  a  second  time, 
December  23,  1885,  to  Miss  Anna  C.  Ross,  a  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Anna 
(Bertram)  Ross,  and  to  them  have  been  born  two  sons  and  two  daughters, 
namely,  Laura  May,  Andrew  Ezra,  Myron  Arthur  and  Nelle  Ross  Hawley. 
Mrs.  Hawley's  parents  were  born  in  Scotland — her  father  in  Dumfrees 
county  and  her  mother  in  Alidlothian  county,  now  known  as  Edinboro.  The 
Ross  family  is  composed  of  five  daughters  and  one  son,  viz.:  Elizabeth  B., 
the  wife  of  Warren  Tooley,  of  Toronto,  Canada;  Mary,  the  wife  of  Everett 
Angell,  of  Vermilion  township,  LaSalle  county;  Anna  C,  the  wife  of  M.  E. 
Hawley;  Miss  Jessie,  of  Ottawa,  Illinois;  James  R.,  of  Utah;  and  Miss  Mable, 
also  of  Ottawa.  Mr.  Ross  is  a  horticulturist.  He  came  to  this  country  in 
1845  and  located  in  Ottawa,  where  he  has  lived  ever  since.  His  wife  died 
in  1 87 1,  at  the  age  of  forty-seven  years. 

Hiram  Hawley  was  born  February  7,  1844,  and  married  October  17, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  791 

1 87 1,  to  Miss  Mary  Goodwin,  a  daughter  of  Clement  and  Eliza  (Seely) 
Goodwin.  Their  children  who  are  living  are  Minne,  Mable,  Maud  and 
Ralph.  He  is  in  the  livery  business  in  Tonica.  Anson  and  Myron  are  on 
and  near  the  old  homestead,  and  have  been  more  or  less  prominent  in  affairs 
of  their  locality. 


JOSEPH  F.  KILDUFF. 


Joseph  F.  Kilduff  represents  a  class  of  citizens  to  whom  we  point  with 
pride  as  being  the  backbone  and  sinews  of  progress.  Alert  and  watch- 
ful in  business  and  in  whatever  tends  to  upbuild  the  community,  their  self- 
reliance  and  energy  foretell  the  success  of  whatever  plan  they  advocate. 
Working  his  way  from  boyhood  as  a  clerk  in  a  dry-goods  store,  he  is  now 
one  of  our  most  successful  grain  merchants  and  stands  at  the  head  of  the 
LaSalle  National  Bank,  as  president.  He  is,  moreover,  a  product  of  LaSalle 
county,  having  been  born  in  Peru,  Illinois,  August  13,  1855,  to  Patrick  M. 
and  Theresa  R.  (Kent)  Kilduff. 

Joseph  F.  Kilduff'  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  town  and  was  educated 
in  her  common  schools  until  he  reached  the  age  of  fourteen.  He  then 
secured  employment  as  a  clerk  in  a  dry  goods  store  in  Peru,  where  he 
remained  until  1881,  when  he  opened  a  dry  goods  store  of  his  own.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Kilduff  Brothers,  of  LaSalle,  for  many  years 
and  did  a  very  profitable  business.  This  firm  was  originally  Breuning, 
Kilduff  &  Company  until  September  8,  1883,  when  the  style  was  changed 
to  Breuning  &  Kilduff'.  This  was  continued  until  the  ist  of  March,  1886, 
w^ien  Mr.  Breuning  retired  from  the  company  and  it  was  afterward  known 
as  Kilduff'  Brothers.  In  March,  1898,  he  embarked  in  the  grain  business 
and  with  his  usual  shrewdness  has  proved  himself  master  of  the  business. 
He  has  an  elevator  in  LaSalle  and  another  in  Dimmick,  affording  the  best 
facilities  to  the  farmers  throughout  the  surrounding  country  to  dispose  of 
their  products  at  market  price. 

In  1885  Mr.  Kilduff'  led  to  the  marriage  altar  Miss  Margaret  T. 
Finkler,  a  native  of  LaSalle,  and  they  have  two  sons  and  one  daughter.  Mr. 
Kilduff'  is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  the  Ancient 
Order  of  United  Workmen,  and  the  Royal  Arcanum.  He  has  always  been 
an  ardent  advocate  of  liberal  education  and  has  held  a  place  on  the  board 
of  directors  of  the  township  high  school  since  its  organization,  advancing 
its  interests  in  every  way  in  his  power.  He  was  elected  to  his  present  office 
as  president  of  the  National  Bank  of  LaSalle  on  January  i,  1897,  and 
makes  a  most  acceptable  officer.    Although  he  is  just  touching  the  meridian 


792  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

of  life  he  occupies  a  place  in  the  business  and  social  world  that  might  well 
be  envied  by  older  men,  and  is  equaled  only  by  the  general  esteem  in  which 
he  is  held  as  the  result  of  his  uprightness  and  sterling  worth. 


DANIEL  ARENTSEN, 


Daniel  Arentsen  is  a  native  of  the  town  of  Freedom,  LaSalle  county, 
born  at  the  Arentsen  homestead,  which  he  now  owns  and  occupies,  the 
date  of  his  birth  being  July  31,  1854.  His  father,  one  of  the  early  pioneers 
of  this  vicinity,  was  Thorbjoren  Arentsen,  whose  first  residence  here  was  a 
log  cabin  by  the  roadside,  north  of  the  present  homestead;  the  mound  on 
which  it  stood  is  still  to  be  seen.  It  was  during  the  first  year  of  his  parents' 
residence  here  that  Daniel  was  born;  and  as  he  is  the  youngest  he  is  there- 
fore the  only  one  of  the  family  born  in  the  house  in  which  he  now  lives. 

During  those  early  days  deer,  wolves  and  other  wild  game  were 
plentiful.  Often  when  the  first  of  the  family  to  sally  forth  in  the  morning 
came  out,  a  herd  of  deer  would  be  witnessed  within  five  or  six  rods  of  the 
house,  some  standing  and  some  lying  down,  chewing  their  cud  as  con- 
tentedly as  a  flock  of  sheep!  They  were  not  afraid,  for  they  seemed  to  know 
that  no  harm  was  intended.  Although  a  good  shot  Mr.  Arentsen.  the 
father,  took  but  little  interest  in  hunting.  On  one  occasion  he  picked  up  a 
pair  of  deer's  horns  about  half  a  mile  distant  from  the  house  and  gave  it  to 
Daniel,  our  subject,  as  a  memento  of  the  by-gone  days,  and  these  horns 
are  still  in  the  possession  of  our  subject. 

On  the  day  that  Daniel  was  twenty-one  years  old  his  good  old  father 
and  mother  aeked  him  to  stay  with  them  as  long  as  they  lived  and  be  their 
support  in  their  old  age,  adding  that  when  they  had  passed  away  to  the  silent 
land  the  homestead  should  be  his.  As  he  loved  his  old  parents  and  thought 
more  of  them  than  everything  else  in  this  world,  he  prom.ised  to  stay  with 
them  throughout  the  remainder  of  their  lives  if  he  indeed  should  live  so  long; 
and  that  promise  was  never  broken.  On  the  13th  of  January,  1888.  his 
mother  died,  and  on  the  14th  of  August,  1889,  Daniel  bought  the  farm, 
and  also  a  timber  lot,  of  his  father — one  hundred  and  five  acres  in  all — at 
forty-five  dollars  an  acre,  amounting  to  four  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
twenty-five  dollars — on  the  condition  that  when  his  father  died  he  was  to 
pay  each  of  his  brothers  and  sisters  an  equal  share  of  the  amount  and  also 
have  an  equal  share  himself;  and  his  brothers  and  sisters  were  then  to  give 
him  (Daniel)  a  good  warranty  deed  of  the  same.  Including  Daniel  there 
were  still  five  brothers  and  sisters  living;  and  when  each  had  an  ec[ual  share 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  793 

of  the  amount  above  stated  said  share  was  nine  hundred  and  forty-five 
dollars.  Daniel  was  therefore  to  pay  the  other  four  three  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  eighty  dollars.  On  the  14th  of  September,  1889,  the  father 
died,  and  as  our  subject  had  no  deed  of  the  land  his  two  brothers  charged 
him  each  twelve  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  and  his  two  sisters  each  one  thou- 
sand and  twenty-five  dollars,  making  a  total  of  four  thousand  five  hundred 
and  fifty  dollars! 

Mr.  Arentsen  is  living  alone,  having  never  married.  Politically  he  is 
a  strong  Republican  and  an  earnest  believer  in  the  application  of  the  golden 
rule  to  all  the  details  of  practical  life. 


WILLIAM  T.  MASON. 


The  Mason  family  has  been  intimately  connected  with  the  growth  and 
progress  of  LaSalle  county  and  northern  Illinois  for  about  three-score 
years,  and  no  better,  more  patriotic  citizens  have  been  numbered  among  the 
inhabitants  of  this  region. 

William  T.  Mason,  the  subject  of  this  article,  for  years  a  leading  busi- 
ness man  of  LaSalle,  was  born  August  29,  1829,  in  New  York  state.  When 
a  child  of  four  years,  he  came  to  Illinois  in  company  with  his  parents,  Hale 
S.  and  Sabrina  (Codding)  Mason,  His  mother  was  a  sister  of  Ichabod 
Codding,  who  took  a  leading  and  influential  part  in  the  early  anti-slavery 
agitation  in  Illinois.  William  T.  was  reared  to  manhood  in  the  town  of 
Lockport,  and  in  1855  was  married,  in  this  state,  to  Miss  Mary  R.  Shead, 
whose  birth  had  occurred  in  Bristol,  New  York,  November  27,  1831.  Six 
children  were  born  to  this  worthy  couple,  namely:  Frank  S.,  a  resident 
of  Chicago;  Mary  Elizabeth;  Emma  F. ;  Jennie  A.;  William  S.,  a  resident 
of  LaSalle;  and  Cornelia. 

In  1854  Mr.  Mason  became  canal  inspector  and  manager  of  the  West- 
ern Union  Telegraph  ofifice  at  LaSalle,  where  he  thenceforth  made  his 
home  with  the  exception  of  the  few  years  during  the  civil  war  when  he 
was  in  the  service  of  the  government  at  Cairo,  where  he  occupied  the  im- 
portant position  of  manager  of  the  military  telegraph  office  at  that  point. 
He  became  successively  agent  of  the  Rock  Island  Railroad  Company,  canal 
collector,  and  manager  of  the  Great  Western  and  Atlantic  and  Pacific  Tele- 
graph Companies.  In  1879  ^^^  ^^'^s  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  which  office, 
together  with  his  real  estate  and  insurance  business,  comprised  the  scope 
of  his  business  up  to  the  time  of  his  death. 

A  man  of  broad  and  liljeral  education,   Mr.   Mason  was  progressive 


794  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

and  in  sympathy  with  the  spirit  of  the  times.     In  the  Masonic  order  he 
stood  deservedly  high,  being  a  Master  Mason,  a  representative  of  the  Royal 
Arch  chapter  and  for  a  number  of  years  a  district  deputy  grand  master. 
Politically  he  was  liberal  in  the  largest  sense.     His  belief  was  in  accord  with 
the  spirit  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  "that  all  men  are  created 
equal,   that   they   are   endowed   by   their   Creator   with   certain  inalienable 
rights,"  and  hence  in  his  early  manhood  he  sympathized  with  those  great 
agitators,  "William  Lloyd  Garrison,  Wendell  Phillips,  Gerrit  Smith,  Elijah 
and  Owen  Lovejoy  and  all  that  class  of  pure  patriots  and  philanthropists — 
called  by  their  opponents  Abolitionists — who  boldly  resolved  that  the  en- 
croachments of  the  slave  power  should  be  checked  and  the  institution  put 
"in  the  course  of  ultimate  extinction."      Upon    the    organization  of  the 
Republican  party  he  became  one  of  its  foremost  members.     He  was  one 
of  the  hardest  workers  in  its  ranks,  and  no  caucus  or  private  election  was 
allowed  to  go  by  default,  for  he  rallied  the  masses  to  attend  to  their  im- 
portant political  duties.    There  were  many  warm  controversies  and  exciting 
scenes  in  those  days,  and  Mr.  Mason  was  always  the  champion  of  fair-dealing 
and  honest  politics,  and  always  won.    He  was  often  selected  as  a  delegate  to 
the  Republican  county  and  state  conventions  and  wielded  great  influence 
therein.     He  was  a  natural-born  orator  and  wherever  his  voice  was  heard 
in  such  assemblages  he  was  listened  to  with  profound  respect.     He  did 
not  labor  with  the  expectation  of  personal  profit  or  advancement,  but  be- 
cause he  loved  his  country  and  desired  truth,  honor  and  purity  to  control  in 
politics,  and  believed  their  highest  development  was  to  be  found  in  the 
Republican  party  at  that  time.     He  was  never  an  office-seeker  or  sought 
any  reward  for  his  services.     He  was  eminently  qualified  to  fill  any  position 
within  the  gift  of  the  people  with  honor  to  himself  and  credit  to  his  country- 
men, but  he  sought  them  not  for  himself,  preferring  to  help  his  friends  to 
grasp  such  favors. 

In  religion  Mr.  Mason  was  a  philosopher.  He  was  in  favor  of  the 
largest  liberty — the  liberty  of  every  man  doing  as  he  pleased  so  long  as 
he  interferes  not  with  the  rights  and  privileges  of  other  men.  He  squared 
his  conduct  by  the  Golden  Rule.  Nothing  was  too  hard  or  difficult  for  him 
to  do  to  help  or  oblige  a  friend;  no  one  ever  applied  to  him  in  vain  for 
assistance  if  it  were  within  his  power  to  grant  it.  He  did  not  believe  in 
the  possibility  of  the  finite  mind  comprehending  the  infinite  and  therefore 
did  not  speculate  or  theorize  on  the  mysteries  of  the  universe — of  their  be- 
ginning or  the  ending  thereof.  The  book  of  nature  spread  out  before  him 
was  a  revelation  sufficient  to  convince  him  of  the  wisdom,  power  and  good- 
ness of  the  Most  High  as  exhibited  in  the  sublimity  of  creation,  and  at  the 
mention  of  the  Creator's  name  he  most  reverently  bowed.     Beloved  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  795 

mourned  by  a  large  circle  of  friends,  whom  he  had  attached  to  himself  by 
his  sterling  traits  of  character,  he  passed  to  his  reward  April  6,  1886,  and 
is  survived  bv  his  devoted  wife. 


CHARLES  E.  SOULE,  M.  D. 

The  true  western  spirit  of  progress  and  advancement  finds  exemplifica- 
tion in  Charles  E.  Soule,  who  is  one  of  the  leading  physicians  of  Morris. 
In  his  profession  he  keeps  thoroughly  abreast  of  the  times  and  is  familiar 
with  all  the  discoveries  made  in  connection  with  the  medical  science  and  the 
theories  advanced  as  to  its  use  in  administering  to  the  needs  of  suffering 
humanity.  He  is  a  very  able  practitioner  and  has  a  large  patronage,  wdiich 
indicates  his  position  in  the  front  rank  of  the  medical  fraternity. 

Dr.  Soule  is  a  native  of  Wisconsin,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  Roches- 
ter, Racine  county,  June  11,  1863.  His  parents  were  Elvirus  and  Mary  J. 
(Thomas)  Soule,  the  former  a  native  of  Schoharie  county,  New  York,  the 
latter  born  in  Wales.  The  paternal  grandfather,  George  Soule,  was  a  native 
of  the  Empire  state,  and  was  descended  from  French  ancestry.  When  four 
years  of  age  Mrs.  Soule  came  to  the  United  States  with  her  parents,  who 
located  in  Racine  county,  Wisconsin,  where  they  resided  until  1871,  at 
which  time  they  removed  to  Kansas,  where  their  last  days  were  spent. 
Elvirus  Soule  accompanied  his  parents  to  Racine  county  in  1845,  and  after 
attaining  his  majority,  was  married.  He  was  born  in  1830,  and  died  in  that 
county  in  1898.  However,  he  spent  considerable  time  in  the  west,  crossing 
the  plains  to  California  in  1849  and  remained  upon  the  Pacific  slope  until 
1861,  when  he  returned  to  the  Badger  state.  In  1864  he  responded  to  his 
country's  call  for  troops,  enlisting  in  the  Thirty-ninth  Wisconsin  Infantry, 
with  which  he  served  one  year.  Upon  his  return  from  the  south  he  resumed 
farming,  devoting  his  energies  to  that  occupation  until  his  death.  His 
widow  still  resides  on  the  old  homestead  in  Wisconsin.  There  were  three 
children  in  their  family,  Edith  A.,  Stella  A.  and  Charles  E. 

Under  the  paternal  roof  Dr.  Soule  was  reared  to  manhood.  He  early 
became  familiar  with  the  duties  and  labors  that  fall  to  the  lot  of  the  agricul- 
turist, and  having  acquired  his  preliminary  education  in  the  district  schools 
he  attended  the  Rochester  Seminary,  where  he  was  graduated,  in  1884. 
Subsequently  he  engaged  in  teaching  for  three  years  and  then  devoted  three 
years  to  the  study  of  medicine,  being  graduated  at  the  College  of  Physicians 
and  Surgeons  in  Chicago  on  the  26th  of  February,  1889.  He  then  located 
in  Mount  Vernon,  Wisconsin,  where  he  practiced  until  1892,  when  he  opened 
an  office  in  Sheridan,  Illinois.     In  May,  1899,  he  came  to  Morris,  where  he 


796  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND   GENEALOGICAL  RECORD. 

has  already  secured  a  liberal  patronage.  He  is  a  member  of  the  LaSalle 
County  Medical  Society,  the  North  Central  Illinois  Medical  Association, 
the  Illinois  State  Medical  Society  and  the  American  Medical  Association. 

In  1885  Dr.  Soule  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Hollister, 
a  native  of  Wisconsin,  and  their  union  has  been  blessed  with  two  children — 
Eula  E.  and  Edgar  M.  In  politics  Dr.  Soule  is  a  Republican,  and  socially 
a  Master  Mason.  He  seeks  no  public  office,  preferring  to  devote  his  energies 
to  his  profession,  in  which  he  has  attained  a  position  of  distinction. 


JOHN  F.  NOONAN. 


John  F.  Noonan,  contractor  and  builder,  is  one  of  the  reliable,  reputable 
citizens  who  assist  in  making  LaSalle.  Illinois,  a  prosperous,  thriving  city. 
He  was  born  to  John  and  Mary  (Shea)  Noonan,  in  this  city,  on  June  21, 
1866.  Both  parents  were  natives  of  Ireland,  w'ho  came  to  America  in  early 
youth.  The  father  landed  in  Brooklyn,  New  York,  and  drifted  west  until 
he  reached  this  state,  where  he  enlisted  in  the  Nintieth  Illinois  Regiment, 
Company  K,  serving  four  years  and  being  discharged  with  the  rank  of 
sergeant.  Returning  to  LaSalle  he  was  joined  in  wedlock  with  Miss  Mary 
Shea,  who  had  also  come  to  this  country  a  short  time  before  the  war,  accom- 
panied by  her  mother  and  two  brothers.  The  young  couple  located  in  this 
city,  where  the  young  husband  followed  his  trade,  that  of  whip-maker, 
conducting  the  business  alone,  until  his  death,  October  2,  1880.  His  family 
comprised  eight  children:  John  F.,  David,  Matthew,  Edward,  James,  Mary, 
Vincent  and  Julia.  The  family  were  members  of  St.  Patrick's  Catholic 
church,  of  LaSalle,  where  the  mother  is  still  an  attendant. 

Mr.  Noonan  was  reared  and  educated  in  this  city,  receiving  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  and  parochial  schools.  He  was  the  oldest  of  the  family, 
and  his  struggle  with  life  really  began  at  the  age  of  fourteen,  when  he  was 
deprived  of  his  father's  sheltering  arm.  He  was  industrious  and  quick  and 
a  great  aid  to  his  mother,  but  thought  it  advisable  to  learn  some  trade,  and 
thus  augment  his  chances  of  success.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  began 
learning  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  as  he  was  handy  with  his  tools  soon  be- 
came a  fine  mechanic.  In  1891  he  began  for  himself  as  a  contractor  and 
builder  and  has  prospered  beyond  his  expectations.  Many  of  the  buildings 
in  this  vicinity  were  constructed  by  him,  and  the  Seventh  ward  school  and 
the  township  high  school  buildings  are  both  lasting  monuments  of  his 
handiwork — silent  but  eloquent  witnesses  to  his  skill. 

In  1891  he  married  Miss  Annie  AA'ilson.  a  daughter  of  \\'illiam  Wilson, 
of  LaSalle.     They  own  a  pleasant,  cosy  home,  which  is  brightened  by  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  AND   GENEALOGICAL   RECORD.  797 

presence  of  two  children — Charlotte  and  Willie.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Noonan 
are  members  of  St.  Patrick's  church,  and  are  quiet,  unassuming  people  of 
worth.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum,  The  Court  of  Honor  and 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  As  to  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  but  has 
never  dabbled  in  public  affairs,  as  he  has  given  his  best  efforts  to  his  business 
and  has  reason  to  feel  proud  of  his  record. 


JOHN  L.  MARSHALL. 


John  Louie  Marshall,  of  Serena  township,  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  is 
a  member  of  one  of  the  earliest  French  families  of  this  township  and  is 
prominently  identified  with  the  farming  interests  of  the  county. 

Mr.  Marshall  was  born  in  the  town  of  Neviler,  province  of  Alsace, 
France,  November  18,  1830,  son  of  John  David  Marchal — as  it  was  in  the 
French — and  grandson  of  Fritz  Marchal.  The  last  named  had  four  sons, 
John  David,  Mitchell,  Henry  and  Theophilus.  John  David  learned  the 
turner's  trade  in  his  native  land,  was  there  married  and  there  his  six  sons 
were  born.  In  1844  he  came  to  America  with  his  family  and  brought  with 
him  a  small  sum  of  money  with  which  he  purchased  an  eighty-acre  tract  of 
land  in  LaSalle  county,  Illinois.  Here  he  at  once  engaged  in  farming,  was 
successful  to  a  marked  degree,  and  accumulated  land  to  the  amount  of 
live  hundred  acres,  among  the  best  the  township  affords.  He  died  in 
1865,  leaving  his  widow  and  seven  children.  She  survived  him  some  five 
years.  The  children  of  this  union  were  John  Louie.  Theophilus.  Charles, 
Constant,  Edward,  Adolph  and  Mary,  wife  of  Henry  K.  Parr,  of  Serena 
township. 

John  Louie  Marshall  in  his  youth  had  limited  educational  advantages, 
but  met  the  realities  of  life  with  the  same  determined  disposition  to  over- 
come all  obstacles  that  characterizes  the  best  equipped  man  upon  arriving 
at  his  majority.  The  scenes  of  his  embarkation  from  the  city  of  Havre  on 
the  old  sailing  vessel  Monument  and  of  the  trip  to  New  York  had  not 
begun  to  fade  from  his  memory  when  he  reached  his  majority  and  began 
that  career  that  is  now  ending  so  full  of  years  and  so  replete  with  successes. 
He  has  made  the  cultivation  of  the  soil  his  life  work,  and  the  harvest  he 
has  reaped  is  best  shown  by  the  fact  that  he  is  now  the  owner  of  seven 
hundred  acres  of  fine  land  near  the  village  of  Serena. 

Mr.  Marshall  was  married  November  18,  1854.  and  he  has  had  two 
children.  The  first  Mrs.  Marshall  having  died,  Mr.  Marshall  married  for 
his  second  wife  Angeline  Oulmann. 


798  BIOGRAPHICAL   AND    GENEALOGICAL   RECORD. 

Politically  Mr.  Marshall  has  divided  his  support  between  the  two  great 
parties,  voting  always  for  the  man  he  believes  best  fitted  for  the  office.  His 
last  presidential  vote  was  given  to  William  McKinley. 


SAMUEL  G.  MENGLE,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Samuel  G.  Alengie  represents  the  type  of  man  who  have  worked 
their  way  through  adverse  circumstances  to  the  pinnacle  of  success.  He 
was  born  in  Tuckertown,  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  19,  1850,  and 
is  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Henrietta  (Gerhart)  Mengle.  Both  of  his  parents 
were  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  whose  ancestors  were  Hessians,  coming  from 
Germany  to  escape  religious  persecution  and  settling  in  Pennsylvania  before 
the  Revolution.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  the  proprietor  of  the 
Cross  Keys  hotel  in  that  state,  now  owned  by  one  of  the  sons,  and  it  was 
here  our  subject  spent  his  early  years. 

The  latter  attended  the  Oakdale  Seminary  at  Pughtown,  that  state, 
and  then  entered  upon  the  study  of  medicine  in  the  office  of  Dr.  Stephen 
Mendenhall  IMeridith.  He  remained  with  him  four  years,  attending  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania  during  the  winter  months  and  graduating  in 
its  medical  department  in  1869,  before  he  had  reached  his  twenty-first 
vear.  He  remained  with  Dr.  Meridith  at  Pughtown  for  a  short  time  after 
this  and  then  went  to  Kutztown  for  three  months  to  take  charge  of  the 
patients  of  another  physician  during  the  latter's  temporary  absence.  He 
located  first  at  Shillington,  Pennsylvania,  remaining  there  four  years;  was 
in  Friedensburg  two  years  more;  moved  to  Ohio  and  was  for  a  short  time  in 
Findlay,  when  he  returned  to  his  native  state  and  opened  an  office  in  Gowan 
City,  Northumberland  county.  Here  he  took  charge  of  the  Benjamin 
Franklin  Colliery  and  was  there  seven  years  in  practice.  From  there  he 
moved  to  Shamokin,  remaining  four  years,  and  then  started  on  a  trip  west, 
stopping  six  weeks  at  Butte,  Montana.  Continuing  his  journey  he  at  last 
reached  Sprague,  Washington,  and  practiced  his  profession  there  for  six 
years,  when  he  once  more  turned  his  steps  toward  the  east,  stopping  eight 
months  in  Davenport,  Iowa.  In  ]\Iarch,  1893.  he  came  to  LaSalle  and  has 
since  been  actively  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession.  Here  he  has 
a  wide  and  lucrative  practice,  and  has  won  hosts  of  friends  since  coming 
here,  friends  who  appreciate  his  many  noble  qualities  and  estimate  him  at  his 
true  worth.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat  and  an  ardent  advocate  of  silver 
currency. 


*4r