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Genealogical a ^~
Biographical Record

WILL COUNTY

ILLINOIS

Containing Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the

Past and Present

BIOGRAPHICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY

CHICAGO

1900

% r : 15

PREFACE.

A MONG the counties of Illinois, Will County occupies a foremost rank. From the earliest
I \ period of its settlement to the present time, its citizens have been progressive, enterprising
and public spirited. They have not only developed the agricultural, commercial and manu-
facturing resources of the county, but have maintained a commendable interest in public affairs,
have been liberal contributors to movements of an educational, religious and philanthropic nature,
and have given to their commonwealth some of its ablest statesmen. In the lives of the citizens,
indeed, is the history of the county best narrated; and those who read the following pages will
become acquainted with men and movements inseparably associated with the county's progress.

In the preparation for the data of this work a number of writers have been engaged for many
months. They have visited leading citizens and have studied local history, using every endeavor
to produce a work accurate and trustworthy in even the smallest detail. Owing to the great care
taken in the compilation of the work and to the fact that every opportunity was given to those
represented to insure correctness in the biographies, the publishers believe that they are giving to
their readers a volume containing few errors of consequence. The biographies of some representa-
tive citizens will be missed from the work; this in some instances was caused by absence from home
when our writers called, and in other instances was caused by a failure on the part of the men
themselves to understand the scope of the work. The publishers, however, have done everything
within their power to make the volume a representative biographical work.

The value of the data herein presented will grow with the passing years. Posterity will pre-
serve the work with care, from the fact that it perpetuates biographical history which would
otherwise be wholly lost. In those now far-distant days will be realized, to a greater degree than
at the present time, the truth of Macauley's statement that "The history of a country is best told in

a record of the lives of its people."

BIOGRAPHICAL PUBLISHING CO.

1900. Chicago.

93 1 i 93

" Let the record be made of the men and things of to-day, lest they pass
out of memory to-morrow and are lost. Then perpetuate them not upon wood
or stone that crumble to dust, but upon paper, chronicled in picture and in
words that endure forever." — Kirkland.

'rA

"A true delineation of the smallest man and his scene of pilgrimage
through life is capable of interesting the greatest man. All men are to an
unspeakable degree brothers, each man's life a strange emblem of every man's;
and human portraits, faithfully drawn, are, of all pictures, the welcomest on
human walls." — Thomas Cariaxe.

INTRODUCTORY

n IOGRAPHY alone can justly represent the progress of local history and portray with accuracy
V^\ the relation of men to events. It is the only means of perpetuating the lives and deeds of
\^J those men to whom the advancement of a city or county and the enlightenment of its people
are due. The compilers of this work have striven to honor, not only men of present prominence,
but also, as far as possible, those who in years gone by labored to promote the welfare of their com-
munity. The following sketches have been prepared from the standpoint of no man's prejudice,
but with an impartial aim to render justice to progressive and public-spirited citizens and to collect
personal records that will be of value to generations yet to come.

To be forgotten has been the great dread of mankind from remotest ages. All will be forgotten
soon enough, in spite of their best works and the most earnest efforts of their friends to preserve the
memory of their lives. The means employed to prevent oblivion and to perpetuate their memory
have been in proportion to the amount of intelligence they possessed. The pyramids of Egypt were
built to perpetuate the names and deeds of their great rulers. The exhumations made by the
archaeologists of Egypt from buried Memphis indicate a desire of those people to perpetuate the
memory of their achievements. The erection of the great obelisks was for the same purpose.
Coming down to a later period, we find the Greeks and Romans erecting mausoleums and
monuments, and carving out statues to chronicle their great achievements and carry them down the
ages. It is also evident that the Mound-builders, in piling up their great mounds of earth, had but
this idea — to leave something to show that they had lived. All these works, though many of them
costly in the extreme, give but a faint idea of the lives and character of those whose memory they
were intended to perpetuate, and scarcely anything of the masses of the people that then lived. The
great pyramids and some of the obelisks remain objects only of curiosity; the mausoleums,
monuments and statues are crumbling into dust.

It was left to modern ages to establish an intelligent, undecaying, immutable method of
perpetuating a full history — immutable in that it is almost unlimited in extent and perpetual in its
action; and this is through the art of printing.

To the present generation, however, we are indebted for the introduction of the admirable
system of local biography. By this system every man, though he has not achieved what the world
calls greatness, has the means to perpetuate his life, his history, through the coming ages.

The scythe of Time cuts down all; nothing of the physical man is left. The monument which
his children or friends may erect to his memory in the cemetery will crumble into dust and pass
awav; but his life, his achievements, the work he has accomplished, which otherwise would be
forgotten, is perpetuated by a record of this kind.

To preserve the lineaments of our companions we engrave their portraits; for the same reason
we collect the attainable facts of their history. Nor do we think it necessary, as we speak only
truth of them, to wait until they are dead, or until those who know them are gone; to do this we
are ashamed only to publish to the world the history of those whose lives are unworthy of public
record.

lib;

OF IE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

HON. GEORGE H. MUNROE.

NON. GEORGE H. MUNROE. In a career
honorable alike to himself and the city long
his home, Mr. Munroe has displayed those
traits of character without which success is im-
possible. Few citizens have done more than he
toward the development of Jolietand particularly
toward the improvement of Chicago street, the
building up of which is largely due to his efforts.
From the time he reached his majority to the
present he has been an important factor in Joliet's
business enterprises, and his name is intimately
associated with a number of well-known con-
cerns, notable among these being the Western
Stone Company, of which he is vice-president
and a large stockholder; also the Joliet National
Bank, of which he is a director and one of the
largest stockholders. With his brother, Edwin
S., he conducts a real-estate and mortgage, bank-
ing and general trust company's business, and
has platted numerous additions and subdivisions,
probably twenty in all.

Near Watertown, N. Y., Mr. Munroe was born,
September 24, 1S44, being a son of George Mun-
roe, whose sketch appears on another page. He
was five years of age when the family settled on
a farm in this count}', and his education was ob-
tained mostly in the public schools of the town of
Florence and in private schools in Wilmington
and Joliet. From an early age he showed that
he possessed great energy and determination of
character, and while still a mere youth he filled
the position of deputy sheriff efficiently for a
period of two years. In the year 1865 he be-
came connected with his father, George Munroe,
in the establishment of the firm of G. Munroe &
Son, of which he was a member until the death
of his father in 1890 caused its dissolution. It is

said that he is the largest holder of real estate in
Joliet to-day, and certainly the firm of Munroe
Brothers is by far the largest teal-estate firm in
the city. In addition to his other interests he
has had the two most important receiverships in
the county. In 1868, when the state penitentiary
changed from the contract system to state ac-
counts, he was appointed receiver of the Illinois
Manufacturing Company, which had the lease
and all of the business there at the time. He
settled the affairs of the company, made the sale
to the state, and divided about $250,000 net
among the stockholders. He also acted as re-
ceiver of the Joliet Enterprise Company, his
management .of which and of other large trusts
added to his already high reputation as a
financier.

Fraternally Mr. Munroe is connected with
Matteson Lodge, A. F. & A. M. St. John's
Universalis: Church, of whose board of trustees
he was for many years the president, has received
the benefit of his practical business experience,
and he was the leading spirit in the erection of
the large auditorium on the corner of North Chi-
cago and Clinton streets. He assisted in organ-
izing the Joliet Business Men's Association and
was one of its presidents. He is a member
of the Union League and Marquette Clubs of
Chicago and the Stone City Club of Joliet. His
marriage, in this city, united him with Miss Eva
Weeks, only daughter of Judge Charles H.
Weeks. Mrs. Munroe was educated at Miss
Skinner's private school at Naperville, 111. She
is a lady of culture and refinement and is among
the leaders of society in this city, where her tact
as hostess and her rare qualities of head and
heart have secured her lifelong friends. The

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

home of Senator Munroe have been brightened
by the presence of two children: Esther, now
the wife of Jesse J. Shuman, of Cleveland, Ohio,
and George Fuller Munroe.

An}- review of the life of Mr. Munroe would be
incomplete without considerable mention of his
service in the state senate and his devotion to the
interests of his fellow-citizens. He has never
been an office-seeker nor a politician, in the or-
dinary acceptance of that word. At the same
time he is an ardent Republican, pronounced in
his support of party principles. In 1894 he
was elected to the state senate, succeeding a
Democrat and receiving a majority of more than
twent\--five hundred, the Democratic city of Joliet
giving him a majority of eleven hundred. In the
thirty-ninth general assembly he was chairman
of the committee on waterways and drainage,
and a member of the judiciary, appropriations,
canals and rivers, farm drainage, mines and min-
ing, fees and salaries, printing, state library, and
arts and sciences committees. On the convening
of the fortieth general assembly he was again
made chairman of the committee on waterways
and drainage, in which capacity he secured valu-
able concessions and improvements for the local
interests along the great waterway and through
the Illinois valley. In this assembly he was the
second member on the Republican steering com-
mittee, and a member of the committee appointed
to visit state educational institutions. He was
also a member of the committees on railroads,
finance, revenue, insurance, penal and reform-
atory institutions, canals and rivers, agriculture
and horticulture, labor and manufacture, county
and township organization, state librar}-, and
arts and sciences. Among the important meas-
ures which were secured through his efforts may
be mentioned the following: a bill for amending
rights of eminent domain, compelling corpora-
tions to pay expenses in condemnation cases,
where they failed to take the property; the parole
law; an amendment to the general banking laws
of the state, throwing greater safeguards around
the bank for the benefit of its depositors; the
amending of the school laws of Joliet, increasing

the number of school inspectors; the establish-
ment of the Woman's Relief Corps home at Wil-
mington, this county, now a fine and thriving
institution; and the establishment of a female
prison on separate grounds from those of the
Illinois state penitentiary. When the Humphrey
bills were brought before the senate he was largely
instrumental in creating that strong public senti-
ment against the bills which made their ultimate
success impossible. It was largely due to his
watchfulness that the sanitary drainage district
did not secure a single change in their interest
from the original bill; two tax bills only were
passed permitting the trustees to tax their dis-
trict for more funds and in both of these bills
suitable amendments in behalf of the valley peo-
ple were added, one for the necessary amount of
water and the other requiring swinging bridges,
thus making it a navigable channel. At the ex-
piration of his term as senator he was not a
candidate for re-election. There were man}- who
desired him to become a candidate for governor,
but, with characteristic unselfishness, he threw
his influence toward securing another Will Coun-
ty citizen, Hon. E. C. Akin, as nominee for at-
torney-general.

The life of Senator Munroe furnishes an
example worthy of emulation by the young men
of this generation, many of whom have occasion
to remember his fatherly interest in their per-
sonal or business affairs. To those who study
the history of Joliet in the years to come his
name will always stand out pre-eminently as its
most public-spirited citizen. It is to such men as
he that Joliet owes its present prosperity. When
the city was far smaller than now and few antici-
pated its steady growth and development, he al-
ways had the greatest faith in its future, and that
firm faith was never shaken by times of financial
depression. It has been a privilege to witness
the realization of many of his hopes, although in
his opinion the city has before it a future even
greater than its past. To promote its progress
and to advance the interests of its citizens have
formed no small part of his work in life, and
while he has labored quietly and unostentatiously,

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

he has labored none the less effectively in the
promotion of enterprises that will conserve the
permanent welfare of the city.

Few people realize the true value of a thor-
oughly honest and capable public-spirited citizen
of the Munroe type, of which this great republic
has none too many. Though able to fill any
office in the gift of the people, his modesty has
been a bar to the realization of ambitious hopes.
A future generation will fondly look on the por-
traits of such men and study their character in
the annals of local history. Then the unselfish
work of Senator Munroe in the Republican part} - ,
in his state and in Joliet, will be given greater
praise; his noble effort to secure a home for the
Woman's Relief Corps at Wilmington will be
better understood, and his conscientious work in
the affairs of the drainage canal more thoroughly
appreciated, and will then be given unstinted
praise.

^EORGE MUNROE. The genealogy of the

□ Munroe family is traced back to the year
1050, when it flourished in the extreme
north of Scotland. Later generations removed to
Lanarkshire, near the English border. During
the seventeenth century some of the name served
in the army of the ill-fated Charles I. The traits
of character for which the Scotch are noted were
noticeable in the life of the subject of this sketch
and were large factors in his business success.
He was born in Lanarkshire April 4, iS2i, a son
of Daniel and Jane (Richmond) Munroe. His
father, who was a woolen manufacturer, brought
the family to America in 1827 and settled in
Brownville, Jefferson County, N. Y. , where he
followed his chosen occupation. At an early
period in the history of Joliet he came to this city
and acted as manager of the woolen mill which
at that time stood near the Jefferson street bridge.
Later he improved a farm in Florence Township,
where he died in i860. He had long survived
his wife, who passed away in Brownville in 1829.
They were the parents of three children: George,
Angus and Barbara.

Having learned the moulder's trade, the sub-
ject of this sketch was made foreman of a foundry
in Brownville. In 1849 he settled in Florence
Township, this county, where he engaged in
farming. In 1862 he was elected sheriff, which
office he filled for one term. In 1865 he and his
son, George H., embarked in the grocery busi-
ness, and they continued as partners until his
death. For ten years they occupied a building
on the corner of Jefferson and Chicago streets,
after which for six years they conducted business
in the Opera House building. In 1884 they
erected the first large building on Chicago street,
and in it they carried on a very large and suc-
cessful wholesale business; this building, since
remodeled, is now the Munroe Hotel. The part-
nership continued until the death of the senior
member of the firm in 1890.

In the midst of his important business interests
Mr. Munroe nevertheless kept in touch with local
affairs and contributed his quota to the advance-
ment of his city. As alderman and school trustee
he was helpful in public and educational matters,
and for three years he served the county as its
treasurer, being first chosen to fill a vacancy in
the office and subsequently elected without oppo-
sition. Fraternally he was a Knight Templar
Mason. He aided in religious movements and
was identified with the Methodist Church, in
which he served as a trustee. In his character
he combined those qualities of heart and mind
that rendered him deservedly popular and secured
to him the warm friendship of his associates.
Beginning for himself with limited means he
steadily, by perseverance and good management,
won a prominent place in the business world,
where his talents were recognized and appre-
ciated. Methodical and exact in transactions,
conservative in judgment, and careful in his
decisions, he possessed the qualities which go to
make success in the world of commerce. As one
of the pioneers of the county, and a man whose
energies were devoted to the development of its
resources, his name is worthy of perpetuation on
the pages of local history.

December 22, 1842, Sarah M. Hentze became
the wife of Mr. Munroe. She was born in Brown-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ville, N. Y., a daughter of Henry and Charity
(Gould) Hentze. Her father, who was born in
Rutland, Vt., was a son of Henry Hentze, a
Hessian soldier brought by England to America
at the time of the Revolutionary war: who, later,
being in sympathy with the struggle for freedom,
deserted and joined the Americans; he was a
descendant of a large landed proprietor of Ger-
many. The father of Mrs. Munroe brought his
family via the lakes on the steamer "Mayflower"
to Chicago, where Mr. Munroe met them with
teams and brought them to Wilmington. In 1852
he and his son George went overland with ox-
teams to California, where he engaged in mining
until his death; many years afterward his son
came back to Joliet. Mrs. Munroe died in this
city in 1S95. Of her five children all but one
are still living. The eldest, George H., is rep-
resented 011 another page. Jennie A. is the wife
of Rev. G. R. Van Horn, of Rockford, 111., who
is a prominent minister in the Rock River con-
ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mary E. is the wife of Charles B. Hay ward, of
Joliet: and Edwin S. is a partner of his older
brother in the real-estate business.

NOX. JOEL A. MATTESON, governor of
Illinois 1853-56, was born in Jefferson
County, N. Y., August 8, 1808. When a
boy he was employed in Prescott, Canada. His
later years were filled with varied employments,
teaching school, improving a farm, working on
railroads in the south, visiting the gold diggings
of northern Georgia, etc. In 1833, with his wife
and one child, he came to Illinois and entered a
claim in what is now Kendall County. At that
time there were only three or four houses between
his place and Chicago. In 1835 he bought largely
at the government land sales, but the following
year sold his land and settled in Joliet. In 1838
he became a heavy contractor on the Illinois and

Michigan canal, which contract he completed in
1S41. One of his next ventures was the estab-
lishment of a woolen mill in Joliet, which, with
subsequent enlargements, became an enormous
factory.

His connection with public and political affairs
began in 1S42, when he was elected to the state
senate. His service was so satisfactory that he
was twice re-elected, and during the entire time
held the position of chairman of the committee on
finance. At the same time he superintended his
woolen mill and also again became a heavy con-
tractor on the canal. At the Democratic state
convention, April 20, 1S52, he was nominated for
governor. At the election he received a good
majority. During his term of office the most ex-
citing occurrence w T as the repeal of the Missouri
compromise by congress, under the leadership of
Stephen A. Douglas, in 1854, when the bill was
passed organizing the territory of Kansas and
Nebraska. Before his term expired the Repub-
licans were fully organized as a party and in 1856
put into the field a ticket, which carried the state,
but not the nation. The legislature of 1S55
passed two important bills, the present free-
school system and the submission of the Maine
liquor law to the vote of the people. The latter
was defeated by a small majority of the popular
vote. During his term the taxable wealth of the
state was trebled; the public debt reduced; tax-
ation reduced; railroads increased in mileage
from less than 400 to more than 3,000; and the
commerce of Chicago quadrupled. Upon his
retirement from office Governor Matteson re-
sumed the management of his extensive business
interests in Joliet. He did much toward the up-
building of this city and gave employment to
many workmen. Toward those in need he was
always generous, and many a poor man has
reason to remember him with deepest gratitude.
Toward the close of his life he relinquished, to
some extent, the management of his extensive in-
terests, but he continued to be, in old age, as in
early life, a very active, busy man. He died in
Chicago during the winter of 1872-73.

OF E
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

M!£/iM>idU

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

MARTIN C. BISSELL.

V A ARTIN C. BISSELL. Through a life that

Y was prolonged to an advanced age Mr.
(9 Bissell proved himself to be an active man

of affairs and a successful financier, managing
every enterprise that he undertook in such a way
as to bring it to a fortunate termination. Having
made his home in this city for many years and
owning valuable property interests in this locality ,
he became well known by the people of the town,
and was by them recognized as a man of unusual
force of character. At his death, which occurred
April 12, 1888, a portion of his estate was left to
relatives and the remainder was bequeathed to
the Swedenborgian Church, of whose teachings
he was an ardent supporter.

The Bissell family came from France to New
England in an early day. Noah Bissell, who
was a Vermonter, possessed the quality of divina-
tion to a remarkable degree and foretold the day
and hour when his spirit would leave its earthly
tenement house. Aaron, a son of Noah, served
in the war of 1812 and spent his early life near
Rutland, Vt. From there he moved to the
vicinity of Burlington, the same state, and after
the war of 18 12 settled in Oneida County, N. Y.
His son, the subject of this article, was born in
Huntington, Chittenden County, Vt., in June,
1802. When the family removed to New York
he worked on a farm for $4 a month. At four-
teen years of age he secured employment with a
farmer in Pompey, Cayuga County. This man,
who was a Presbyterian of the old school, became
convinced that the boy was one of the elect and
decided to educate him for missionary work, so
sent him to a Presbyterian school at Homer.
The officers of the school concluded to take the
boy, but said they must have absolute control of

him, but the parents refused to give their consent
to this, so Mr. Bissell's future was changed.

Learning the mason's trade at Lansing, N. Y.,
he afterward worked at Ithaca and on the Cham-
plain canal locks, and was foreman in the con-
struction of masonry at Rochester. While work-
ing on the canal at Elmira, N. Y. , he married
Miss Eliza Wells, in 1826. Later he had a con-
tract for masonry on the Allegheny canal at
Cuba, Pa. On the completion of that work he
moved to Cass County, Mich., and bought a farm,
where he lived for three years. However, agri-
cultural pursuits were not congenial, and he re-
turned to contracting. He constructed a section
of the Michigan Central Railroad, later had a
contract on the Illinois Central, meantime mak-
ing Blootnington, 111., his home. Later he had
contracts in Iowa and Missouri. The year 1854
found him a resident of Joliet, where he afterward
made his headquarters, although his business in-
terests required his almost constant presence in
other places. As a railroad contractor he was
successful. Possessing great energy and force of
will, he was fitted for the work of superintending
large contracts and overseeing a corps of men.
During all of the years in which he engaged in
railroad contracting he had many experiences in-
cident to life upon the frontier, in the midst of
primeval surroundings. He never forgot his ex-
periences during the cholera epidemic in 1854,
and particularly one trip that he made by canal
boat from Pekin to Chicago, when half of the men
on the boat died of that dread disease.

Aside from his contracting business Mr. Bissell
had other interests. At one time he owned a
store at Niles, Mich., which was managed by
Giles Heath with flattering success. His prop-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

erty interests were valuable, and included a farm
near Chicago, another near Cassopolis, Mich.,
and many tracts of land in Illinois and Iowa, be-
sides a large amount of real estate in and near
Joliet. He and his wife were childless, and on
the death of the latter, which occurred December
30, 1889, their valuable estate was inherited by
relatives and by the church to whose doctrines
they had long adhered. He was a man of
original ideas, very outspoken in the expression
of his opinion, and possessing the courage of his
convictions. At a time when the principle of
abolition was very unpopular he was known as a
"black Abolitionist," which in the minds of many
was next to being a "black man." He did not
flinch in the face of much opposition. He stood
beside Frederick Douglass in Young's (now
Werner's) hall in Joliet and introduced him to the
audience in the spirit of one who believes all
men to be brothers. Though skeptical in busi-
ness matters, requiring every proposition to be
submitted to the severest test, in religion he pre-
sented a phase of character directly opposite, and
accepted, fully and completely, the transcendental
teachings of the New Church, in which faith he
lived and died.

\A ISS FRANCES M. WEED. The family
V of which Miss Weed is a member was
(fj founded in America by three brothers from
England, who settled in Stamford, Conn. One
of these was her grandfather, Jonas, who served
as a member of Washington's body-guard during
the Revolutionary war, and was afterward acci-
dentally killed in Connecticut. His son, Mun-
son, a native of Stamford, was bound to a trade
in youth, but being of an adventurous disposition
the confinement of his work was irksome to him,
and he ran away to sea, shipping on a whaler
engaged in the whaling business on the Atlantic.
Later he was in the trans- Atlantic and West India
trade. After eleven years as a sailor he returned
to his home. Later he settled in Danby, near
Ithaca, N. V., where he engaged in farming and

died in 1867. In religion he was a Baptist. He
was a cousin of Thurlow Weed, whose father,
Hezekiah, came from England with Jonas Weed.
The mother of Munson Weed attained a great
age, lacking only a few days of one hundred
years at the time of her death. She was related
to the Wisners, of Orange County, N. Y. , one
of whom served as a commissioned officer in the
Revolutionary war and was killed in the battle
of Minisink. Her brother, Usal Knapp, was the
last survivor of the famous Washington life
guards. When he was sixteen years of age he
entered the service as water boy for General
Washington, and blacked his boots, cared for his
horses, etc. He served for seven years in the
Revolutionary war. For forty years he was a
member of the Presbyterian church, and attended
services regularly, even when he had rounded a
century of life. He was a man of hospitable na-
ture, and those who stayed beneath his roof
never forgot his large-hearted hospitality; his
guests always found their boots blacked in the
morning, and in many other ways he showed a
thoughtful courtesy and kindness toward every
visitor. He died at Little Britain, Orange
Count)-, when one hundred and four years of
age. His was the largest funeral ever known in
the county. He was buried with military hon-
ors, seven military companies being present, and
thirteen cannon were fired over his grave. His
body was interred at Washington's headquarters,
and his resting place is marked by a monument,
erected by the state, and bearing the inscription,
" The last of the bodyguard."

The marriage of Munson Weed united him
with Miss Polly Bissell, who was born in Rut-
land, Vt., September 25, 1796, and settled at
Danby in 1818. She was a daughter of Aaron
and Mary Bissell, and a sister of Martin C. Bis-
sell, whose sketch appears in this volume. Sur-
viving her husband for many years, she passed
away April 6, 1S91, at the age of ninety-four
years, six months and eleven days. She lived
under the administration of every president of
the United States up to her death. She distinctly
remembered having heard the guns at the battle
of Lake Champlaiu. Her memory remained un-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

impaired until death. Of her ten children six
are living, namely: William, of West Danby,
N. Y. ; Harriet, Mrs. H. N. Bement, of Pennsyl-
vania; Almira, who married Alfred Vose, of
Spencer, N. Y.; Mary E., who married D. T.
Fish, late of Newfield, N. Y. ; Edwin, a contrac-
tor in Ithaca, N. Y.; and Frances M. Not a lit-
tle of the success which the children have at-
tained is due to the influence of their mother,
who was a woman of remarkably strong charac-
ter and intelligence.

In the public schools of Danby, N. Y., and the
college at Naperville, 111., Miss Weed received
an excellent education, and after leaving college
she was engaged in educational work in this
county for a number of years. Of a benevolent
disposition, she is identified with the Dorcas So-
ciety and devotes much of her time to relieving
the wants of the worthy poor. In the Ladies
Order of Maccabees she holds office as keeper
of records. She is a believer in the teachings of
the Swedenborgian Church, of which her uncle,
M. C. Bissell, was one of the leading members,
and to which he contributed much of his fortune.
She maintains an intelligent interest in public
affairs and upholds Republican principles. The
management of her property interests requires
much of her time and thought, and in it she has
displayed business ability and good judgment.
She is the owner of four acres comprising her
homestead at No. 1502 Cass street, and also owns
two hundred and twenty acres near Chicago, on
the Wabash Railroad, and within a few rods of
the feeder for the canal.

HON. FREDERICK WILKE, chairman of
the board of supervisors, is one of Will
County's best known citizens. He has
been one of the property owners of this county
since 1857, when he visited Illinois and purchased
slightly improved land lying on section 17,
Washington Township. Three years later he
returned to the county and established his home

on the tract, building a frame house on the
eight-acre piece, and making other improvements
that added to its value. As he prospered he
added to his farm until he owned three hundred
and thirty-five acres on sections 17 and 18. Of
this he afterward gave his son a quarter section,
and the two now own, together, two hundred and
seventy acres (fifteen being in Indiana just across
the state line). They have brought the land un-
der first-class improvement, and have drained it
by means of one hundred thousand tile. He was
a pioneer in introducing tiling, and paid as much
as $38 for four-inch tiles that now sell for $12.
The idea of tiling at first seemed ludicrous to
his acquaintances, but after a time they saw the
utility of it and became interested themselves.
While he engaged in general farming, for some
years his specialty was the dairy business, and
he had on his place a number of full blooded
and high-grade Holsteins. In 1889 he left his
place in charge of his son and moved to Beecher,
where he carried on a grain business for a short
time, and where he has since made his home.

Of a family of eight, five of whom grew to
mature years, Mr. Wilke was third in order of
birth, and is the sole survivor. Four of the fam-
ily came to America, of whom one daughter died
in Indiana, another in Iroquois County, 111.,
and Christ, who came to America in 1850, died
at the home of his brother Fred. The father,
Herman Wilke, a native of Westphalia, Ger-
many, was pressed into the Napoleonic army at
the time of the march to Moscow, and was one
of the few who returned from that ill-fated expe-
dition. From that time he engaged in farming
until he died, at fifty-nine years. He married
Katherine Waltmau, who was born in West-
phalia and died there when thirty-nine years
old.

In Westphalia, where he was born March 17,
1829, our subject grew to ruanhood on his fath-
er's large farm, and received his education in
German schools and under private tutorship.
The death of his father put an end to his classi-
cal studies and forced him into the world of
commercial activity. After working for an uncle
for a time, in 1850 he entered the Fifteenth Reg-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

iment Infantry, where he served for two years
and became a non-commissioned officer. In
1854 he left Bremen on a sailing vessel that
reached New York City after a voyage of six
weeks, and from there he proceeded to Cincin-
nati, Ohio, joining his brother Christ. From
that time until i860 he was employed on an omni-
bus line in that city. He then came to Illinois,
and has since been identified with the history of
Will County, as farmer, business man and offi-
cial.

The first marriage of Mr. Wilke united him
with Miss Mary Nuenker, whom he had known
in childhood. She died at twenty-four years of
age. Two children were born of that union,
both now deceased, Henry having died in child-
hood in Cincinnati, while Lizzie, Mrs. Scheiwe,
died in 1890, leaving three children, two of
whom survive. The second wife of Mr. Wilke
was Christina Brutlag, who was born in West-
phalia. The only child of this union, Herman
F. , is a member of the firm of Bidefeldt &
Wilke, at Beecher, owners of a large lumber and
coal business, and an agricultural implement
store, and with their warehouses on the Chicago
& Eastern Illinois road. Twice married, by his
first wife he had a son, Frederick. His second
wife was Sophie Meier, by whom he has eight
children.

From 1862 to 1864 Mr. Wilke was assessor of
Washington Township. Later he was collector.
In 1870 he was elected supervisor without oppo-
sition and continued until 1884, when he re-
signed, but after a year and four months he was
again elected without solicitation on his part.

From that time to the present he has continued
in the office, which he has held for a longer pe-
riod than any other supervisor in the entire
state; and it may be added that, in all the time
since 1870, he has had opposition only two times.
He has been a member of various committees,
and has worked in the interest of all public build-
ings that have been erected, being a member of
the committees that built the court house, im-
proved the poor farm, put up the residence on
that farm, and remodeled the sheriff's residence
and jail. In 1899 he was elected chairman of the
board of supervisors, without opposition, and
by virtue of this office he is also chairman of the
board of review, the first board in the county un-
der the new law. In 1888, on the Republican
ticket, he was elected to the legislature, leading
the ticket by three hundred majority. He was
re-elected in 1890, and again in 1892 he received
a large majority. In the various bills that were
brought up before the legislature he took an ac-
tive interest, favoring movements in the interests
of his constituents and the public at large. As a
committee member, his record was unexcelled for
faithfulness and intelligence. After three terms
of service he retired, refusing further nomination
for the office. Since 1890 he has been school
treasurer of Washington Township, and he
handles and is responsible for the township's
school fund of $11,500. Religiously he is a
Lutheran. He took an active part in the build-
ing of the Eagle Lake Church, being chairman
of the building committee, and he still holds his
membership with this congregation, of which
for years he was the treasurer.

OF 1 IE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

^^ ^Wz^T^

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

GEORGE H. WOODRUFF.

(£J FORGE H. WOODRUFF. In the annals
I— of Will County no name is entitled to more
\Jl lasting remembrance than that of Mr. Wood-
ruff, who was one of its pioneers and is well
known as its historian. A fluent writer, he put
in permanent form, for the benefit of future gen-
erations, many incidents connected with the early
history of the county and its brave pioneers.
Among his works are "History of the Black
Hawk War;" "Patriotism of Will County," a
record of the men from here who took part in the
war with the south; "Will County on the Pacific
Slopes," which gave sketches of the men who
went to California during the gold excitement
of 1849-51; and "Woodruff's History of Will
County."

The first home of the Woodruff family in Amer-
ica was in Connecticut, and later generations
lived in New York. In the latter state Theor
Woodruff was born and spent much of his life,
engaging in business as a manufacturer of scythes
and edged tools, but at an advanced age he came
to this county, joining his son in Joliet, and re-
maining here until his death. His son, the sub-
ject of this sketch, was born in Clinton, N. Y.,
August 16, 1 8 14, and w r as one of three children,
of whom the other son died in boyhood, and the
daughter, Adele, wife of M. H. Demtnond, died
in New York. George H. was educated in Ham-
ilton College, at Clinton, from which he gradu-
ated at eighteen years. In the summer of 1S34
he came to Joliet with his brother-in-law, Mr.
Demmond, for whom he clerked in the general
mercantile business. Prior to 1840 he established
the Pioneer drug store on Bluff, between Ex-
change street and Western avenue, and afterward
2

for many years had his place of business at the
corner of Bluff and Exchange, continuing there
until his death. He was the first circuit clerk
and recorder of the county, and also held the
office of county judge at onetime. He assisted
in the organization of the First Presbyterian
Church and long held office as its treasurer. A
stanch believer in Republican principles, he voted
with that party after its organization. After
having been in poor health for three years he
died November 1, 1890, fifty-six years after his
arrival in the then frontier town of Joliet.

The first wife of Mr. Woodruff, Hannah
(Lucas) Woodruff, was born in New York and
died in Joliet, leaving a son, Henry Theor Wood-
ruff, and two daughters, Annie Mary, a teacher
in Marion, Ala., and Julia H., a teacher in the
Joliet high school. The sou graduated in medi-
cine in Chicago and is now practicing his profes-
sion in Harvard, 111. During the Civil war he
was surgeon of the One Hundredth Illinois In-
fantry and remained at the front until the close
of the war, with the exception of the time when
he was imprisoned in Libby. Mr. Woodruff's
last marriage united him, in Joliet, in 1857, with
Mrs. Achsah (Wheeler) Perkins, who was born
in Berkshire, Mass., and died in Joliet. Her
father, Harry Wheeler, a native of Massachu-
setts, served in the war of 1812. Late in life he
moved west to Illinois and established a lumber
and nursery business in Aurora, from which city
he came to Joliet, and died here at the age of
ninety-two. His father, Benjamin Wheeler, was
a soldier in the Revolutionary war and a member
of the Massachusetts legislature; the latter's wife
bore the maiden name of Achsah Johnson. The

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

mother of Mrs. Woodruff was Clarissa, daughter
of Elisha and Alice (Freeman) Harmau, the
former of whom was a native of Berkshire Coun-
ty, Mass., and a lifelong resident there. Mrs.
Woodruff was one of three children , having two
brothers: Henry, who died in Aurora; and Mark
H., who served in a Connecticut regiment during
the Civil war until he was killed in the storming
of Port Hudson. When a girl Mrs. Woodruff
was a student at Mount Holyoke Seminary, grad-
uating in 1S48. Soon afterward she became the
wife of Dr. John P. Perkins, a graduate of the
Albany Medical College. They came to Joliet
in 1856, and the doctor died in this city while
still a young man. Afterward Mrs. Perkins was
married to Mr. Woodruff, by whom she had two
sons, namely: George F., who is a chemist in
Chicago and makes his home in West Grossdale;
and Harry Wheeler, whose sketch follows this.

We cannot more appropriately close this mem-
oir thin with the presentation of "Israel's Pray-
er," by Mr. Woodruff, as it appears in "Bitter
Sweet:"

Our father's God! To Thee we come once more,

With united voice and heart, to offer

Thanks and prayer. Thanks for the past, whether

Of good, or seeming ill. Thanks that we meet

Once more beneath the old roof ! Our Father!

Forgive our sin, for sin is ours, we dare

Not lay it at Thy door! Our Father, give

Us humility! May we not presume

To comprehend Thee or Thy way so full

Of mystery! We only ask light enough

To guide us to Thee! We ask strength that

May overcome our weakness and resist

Temptation, and strong grow in virtue.

Give us faith! Faith in Thyself and in Thy

Wisdom, power and love and holiness,

And in Thy purposes of good to man.

Father, in Thy Son, and in His sacrifice;

Father in heaven and in joy eternal

In store for all who Thy dear Son accept.

Give us love! Love supreme and reverent

To Thyself ! — to each other tender and

Patient, and to the world, outside Thy fold,

Pitiful and helpful.

And now once more
We lie down to sleep, safe under Thy wing.
May we wake rested and with thankful heart!
And when we take our last deep sleep may we wake
In heaven! We ask all in Christ's dear name. Amen!

HARRY W. WOODRUFF, M. D. There is
no branch of the medical science requiring
greater skill or more thorough knowledge
of its intricacies than that which relates to dis-
eases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. In an
intimate knowledge of these specialties Dr. Wood-
ruff has few equals among physicians of his own
age and few superiors even among those of greater
experience than his own. He has confined his
practice exclusively to the treatment of these dis-
eases, believing that in the present development
of therapeutics he is most successful who devotes
himself exclusively to one of its departments.
Since 1893 ^ e ^ as engaged in practice in Joliet,
where he has his office in the Auditorium. Dur-
ing all of this time he has also acted as surgeon
to the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary in Chicago.
In 1897 he was appointed a professor in the Chi-
cago Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat College, and
has since filled one of the important chairs in that
institution, for this purpose making bi-weekly
trips to Chicago.

In Joliet, where he was born February iS.
1868, Dr. Woodruff grew to manhood, attending
the public schools and graduating from the high
school in 1886. His home was one of culture,
and from his earliest recollections he had the
advantage of refined surroundings, his father,
George H. Woodruff, being a man of literary
tastes, while his mother was also well educated
and cultured. At an early age he began to assist
his father in the drug business and in this way
first became interested in the medical profession.
Desiring to gain a complete knowledge both of
pharmacy and medicine, he studied both under
competent instructors, graduating from the Chi-
cago College of Pharmacy in 1S89, with the de-
gree of Ph. G. , and from the Chicago College of
Physicians and Surgeons in 1892, with the degree
of M. D. In a competitive examination he was
appointed resident surgeon to the Illinois Char-
itable Eye and Ear Infirmary, where he remained
for one year, but has continued to be connected
with the institution as a surgeon up to the pres-
ent time. Every matter of vital interest to his
profession receives his consideration. He has
been a contributor to medical journals, his arti-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

cles usually bearing upon some theme that is
connected with his specialties. He is a member
of the Chicago Ophthalmological Association, and
is also connected with the American, Illinois State
and Will County Medical Societies, the last-named
of which has honored him by election to its pres-
idency.

The marriage of Dr. Woodruff, in Deerfield,
N. Y., united him with Miss Jennie Coventry,
who was born in La Salle County, 111., and re-
ceived her education in Utica, N. Y., and the
Houghton Seminary at Clinton, N. Y. The two
sons born of their marriage are George H. and
Robert C, who are namesakes of their grand-
fathers. The family attend the First Presbyte-
rian Church, with which the doctor has been
identified from boyhood.

ROYAL E. BARBER, a resident of this coun-
ty since 1832, represents the seventh gener-
ation of his branch of the Barber family in
America, the first of his ancestors in this country
being Matthew, who in 1634 came from England
to Connecticut. From Connecticut Daniel Bar-
ber, with others, removed to Benson, Rutland
County, Vt., about 1780, and there followed farm
pursuits. His son, John, father of Royal E.,
was born in Benson in 1796, and during the war
of 18 1 2 was one of the volunteers who marched
to Plattsburg to defend that city against the Brit-
ish; however, his company did not reach the
place until after the battle had been fought.
Later he served as captain of the military com-
pany in his native town. He married Emma
Perry, who was born of English descent in Or-
well, Rutland County, Vt. , and was a cousin of
Commodore Oliver H. Perry. They became the
parents of six children who attained maturity,
three of whom are now living.

In 1831 a party of men from Rutland County
came west and the reports they sent back were so
encouraging that John Barber decided to seek a
home in Illinois. In the fall of 1S32, accom-
panied by his family and others, he started on the

long journey, traveling by packet from Whitehall
to Buffalo, which took a week. From there the
steamer "Henry Clay" took them in two days to
Detroit, where they boarded the schooner "Aus-
terlitz" for Chicago, arriving a week later. The
schooner anchored three miles from land, owing
to a sand bar that rendered further progress im-
possible. Passengers and freight were taken
ashore iu boats, which, being small, stuck to the
sand bars, but were pushed out by the sailors.
The passengers landed in the Chicago River, at
the foot of Wabash avenue. At that time Fort
Dearborn was enclosed by a few stockades. The
only frame building in the place had been built
by J. H. Kinzie, of lumber which he hauled from
Walker's Grove (now Plainfield, this county).
Mr. Barber was offered by a real estate agent a
lot on Lake street, 85x200, for $50, but ridiculed
the idea of "sinking $50 in a mud hole." Get-
ting a team, which forded the South branch of
the river a little south of the junction of the
branches, he proceeded to Naperville, where
some acquaintances had settled. He selected
farm land at what was later known as Barber's
Corners, this county, and in February, 1833,
moved his family into a log house. The sur-
roundings were primitive. For main- years oxen
were used iu ploughing. At that time the whole
country was an open stretch of prairie, with the
exception of a grove here and there and generally
skirting a water stream. The only building in
Joliet was a log house below what is now the
corner of Exchange and Bluff streets. Through
exposure in the cold winter, when engaged in
getting out rails for his fences, Mr. Barber con-
tracted rheumatism, from which he suffered al-
most constantly during his later years. His wife
died May 1, 1874, and three years later he passed
away.

Much of the work of developing and improving
this part of Illinois had been witnessed by Mr.
Barber. About three years after he came here
the canal was first begun by the state. It was
operated under contract for two years, when, the
funds being exhausted, the work stopped. In
1845 the state succeeded in making a loan of a
large sum in England and thereupon resumed

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

work, with some changes from the original
plaus. When the canal authorities were arrang-
ing the route of the canal they asked the proprie-
tor of West Joliet to give them a certain block of
land for their headquarters, and promised in re-
turn to give their influence to aid the then new
town, but the proprietor refused. Upon that,
they laid out what is now Lockport, which at
first was a rival to Joliet, the authorities doing
all in their power to foster their own town, which
indeed for a time seemed to have the advantage;
but when in 1852 the Rock Island Railroad en-
tered Joliet, the town took on new life and in two
years had left Lockport far in the rear. The ca-
nal was completed and opened in 1847.

Born in Benson, Vt., August 3, 1822, the sub-
ject of this sketch was ten years of age when he
accompanied his parents on the toilsome journey
to the west. In those days schools were few and
consequently his advantages were meager. In
the spring of 1833 he began to break prairie
land, using five yoke of oxen. From the time
he was sixteen he taught school in the winters
and farmed in the summer months. However,
he found farm work (which was then all done by
hand) too hard upon him, and the recurrence of
chills and fever at each harvest season led him to
determine to seek another occupation. When he
came to Joliet in 1S45 he was the owner of an
eighty-acre farm which his energy and industry
had secured for him. For several years he was
employed as deputy in the offices of the circuit
and county clerk, then known as the county com-
missioner's court. Meantime he studied law
aud in 1847 he was admitted to the bar and be-
gan to practice in this circuit, which included all
the territory from Iroquois to Winnebago Coun-
ties inclusive. Judge Henderson at that time
presided over the circuit court, and was one of
probably six or seven circuit judges in Illinois.
Later, with the increase of population, the size of
the circuits was lessened. He has continued in
practice from that time to this and is now the old-
est attorney of Joliet.

In 1848 a circuit clerk was elected who was a
farmer and unfamiliar with legal business. At
his request Mr. Barber took up the duties of dep-

uty, having practically the entire charge of the
office for three years. In 1852 he was elected
circuit clerk, filling the position for four years,
during which time he originated and compiled a
set of abstract books, giving the title to real es-
tate in the county. Upon his retirement from
the clerk's office he resumed practice and during
the time of his clerkship had charge of the coun-
ty records. More than ten years ago he became
interested in a case relating to the distribution of
property where one child remains at home during
the long life of the parents and the others leave
in earl}- life to make their way independently in
the world. It had been the practice that no dis-
tinction was made in the settlement of the prop-
erty, all heirs receiving the same; but an instance
of this kind came to practice, where a daughter
remained with her parents, the other children
leaving. When the father died at an advanced
age the other children wanted an equal share of
the property. All that saved the property to the
daughter was the fact that the father stated, in
the presence of neighbors, that he had given the
homestead to this daughter. Mr. Barber brought
a bill in equity, claiming the title to the home-
stead in return for the daughter's services; but,
although he proved all the details in the bill, the
judge followed established precedents and dis-
missed the bill. Mr. Barber then appealed to the
supreme court, by whom the decision of the lower
court was reversed, and the title given to the
daughter. In this way a precedent was estab-
lished that has since been followed.

Mr. Barber laid out several subdivisions of
Joliet, and in 1887-88 erected the Barber build-
ing, which is still one of the finest office buildings
in the city. It was the first structure that devi-
ated from the ordinary old-fashioned style of
architecture, with square buildings and plain
walls, and it has since been a pattern for other
private and public buildings. On the Citizens'
ticket he was elected mayor of Joliet in 1876.
For nine years he was a member of the school
board, of which he served as clerk. He is con-
nected with the State Bar Association. In Cen-
tral Presbyterian Church he is a ruling elder, has
served as a trustee and for many years was Sun-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

day-school superintendent. In 1849 ne al] d his
wife began housekeeping in an old frame house,
but later he erected a commodious stone residence
that has since afforded the family a comfortable
home. While he has been engrossed by profes-
sional work and his duties of citizenship, he has
found leisure for recreation and travel. In 1896,
accompanied by his wife and daughter Emma, he
made a tour of Europe, Egypt, the Holy Land
and Asia Minor, spending considerable time in
Turkey, Italy, Greece, Switzerland, France and
Great Britain, and after a trip of eight months re-
turned home on the "Paris."

In Joliet, in 1849, Mr. Barber married Ellen
Elizabeth Crowley, who died of cholera the next
year. In 1854, in Rome, N.Y., he married Miss
Frances Cornelia House, who was born in that
city. They are the parents of four children now
living. The eldest, Alice Stillman Barber, a
graduate of Houghton Seminary, New York, was
appointed a missionary of the Presbyterian board
at Beirut, Syria, in 1885, and has since been suc-
cessfully engaged in her chosen work in that
place. Edward M., the older son, graduated
from Hamilton College, in Clinton, N. Y., and is
now in Utica, that state William C. , also a grad-
uate of Hamilton College, has charge of the ab-
stract of titles and other lines of business in Joliet.
Emma F. , a graduate of Houghton Seminary, is
the wife of Dr. Beckwith, of Joliet.

IILLIAM C. BARBER, A. B. By reason
of his ability as a financier, Mr. Barber
has been brought into prominence among
the business men of Joliet. He is one of the na-
tive born citizens of Joliet, a son of Royal E.
Barber, who for so many years has been identi-
fied with the history of the city. Here he was
born February 25, 1863, and in the public schools
he.laid the foundation of his education. After
graduating from the high school in 18S0, he ma-
triculated in Hamilton College at Clinton, N. Y.,

and completed the course of study in that insti-
tution, from which he graduated in 1884, with
the degree of A. B.

Returning to Joliet, Mr. Barber became inter-
ested in the abstract business, in which he has
since engaged. On the 1st of January, 1889, he
succeeded to the business which had been estab-
lished by his father in June, 1857, an d which
antedates any similar enterprise by fourteen
years, being the oldest office in the county. In
the building erected by his father he has since
had his office. At the same time he acts as
agent for the Barber building. He superintended
the construction and has charge of the electric
light plant which furnishes light and power for
this building, as well as some adjoining.

Perhaps Mr. Barber is best known through his
connection with the liquidation of various loan
and building associations. He was appointed
liquidator of the Borrowers and Investors Build-
ing Association, the Second (formerly Peoria)
Building and Loan Association, and the Wauke-
gan Borrowers and Investors Building Associa-
tion, all of Joliet, with assets aggregating $300,-
000. This is the first instance on record where
such affairs have been closed up in this way, and
it is proving more economical for the sharehold-
ers than the method heretofore followed. The
quarterly statements issued by the liquidator are
models of accuracy, conciseness and clearness,
and the manner in which he is conducting affairs
is proving most satisfactory to those concerned.

Since 1887 Mr. Barber has been a member of
the board of directors of the Joliet public library.
From that time until 1896 he held the office of
clerk of the board, but resigned the clerical posi-
tion in the latter year. In the work of Central
Presbyterian Church he has taken an active in-
terest, and has served as trustee of the church
and treasurer of the Sunday-school. He is a
charter member of the Stone City Union Club,
in whose activities he has been a potent factor.
While he has never sought prominence in politics
nor positions of responsibility in the gift of the peo-
ple, he has always had strong opinions concerning
public questions, and has actively supported the
men and measures of the Republican party. He

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

was married in this city in 1889, his wife being
Margaret A. Spangler, daughter of Ezra L. and
Agnes M. (Love) Spangler. She was educated
in Joliet and is a graduate of the high school.
The two children born of their union are Ruth
and Ralph.

STEPHEN GLIDDEN was one of the best
?\ known men in Chaunahou Township. When
\yj he came here in 1S4S he was a young man
with all the eager determination and enthusiasm
of youth. The privations of pioneer life did not
discourage him nor its hardships daunt; he
worked his way steadily forward, leading a busy,
useful existence, and by industry and frugality
accumulating a valuable property. At the same
time he gained the esteem of all acquaintances.
He saw many changes during the long period of
his residence in the same locality. Almost all of
the heads of families who were his neighbors
fifty years ago (for in those daj-s people were
called neighbors even though they lived many
miles apart) have now passed to that land whence
no traveler returns. His farm stands in the
midst of a thriving and populous farming com-
munity that sprang into existence during the
years he made his home here, replacing surround-
ings that had all the aspect of a wilderness just
opening to civilization. On his farm of nine
hundred acres is one of the imposing country
dwellings of the township, a house built in 1S78
and conveniently arranged and tastefully fur-
nished. Here he spent the afternoon of his life
in the enjoyment of the comforts his earlier
labors made possible, and here he died January 4,
1900.

In Unity, Cheshire County, N. H., Mr. Glidden
was born September 15, 1820, a son of Levi and
Sarah (Glidden) Glidden. He and his sister,
Margaret, the widow of Ransler Jenkins, of Ma-
quoketa, Iowa, are the sole survivors of a family
of eleven. His father, who was born and reared
in Unity, removed from there to New York in 1821

and settled at Crown Point, Essex County, where
he engaged in farming during the remainder of
his life. His wife, who was a native of the same
place as himself, had a brother, Thomas, who
served in the war of 1S12 ; shortly after the
battle of Plattsburg, as the troops were returning
home, he and some comrades stopped at an
orchard to get some apples, for they had been on
scant rations for weeks and were almost starved.
The owner of the orchard, incensed at the act,
shot him and wounded him severely. Levi
Glidden's father was a Revolutionary soldier.

When fifteen years of age our subject went to
Vermont to live with a brother-in-law, with the
intention of remaining there until he attained his
majority, but he soon became dissatisfied and
made up his mind to settle in the west. It was,
however, impossible for him to come to Illinois
immediately. When he was nineteen he returned
to Crown Point, where he continued until his
father's death. September 3, 1848, he arrived in
Joliet, bringing with him $600 that he had saved.
His first work was with a brother-in-law, who
had a contract to rebuild a mill at Treat's Island,
in Chaunahou Township. While working here
he purchased the mill on which he was working,
and for five years he operated it. In 1849 he re-
turned to Crown Point for his betrothed wife.
There, on the 5th of July, he was united in
marriage to Miss Mary Barnett, who was born in
1826. a daughter of Asa W. and Hannah
(Lamson) Barnett. Her father was born in
Hoosick, N. Y., and in early manhood removed
to Crown Point, where he became a farmer.

After his marriage Mr. Glidden returned to
Illinois, where he continued milling until the in-
troduction of steam mills and the advent of the
railroad made the business unprofitable. In
1853 he turned his attention to farming, having
one hundred and eleven acres, which he had
bought with the mill. He was prospered as a
farmer and stock-raiser. He added to his pos-
sessions until he had fifteen hundred acres, but
afterward he disposed of six hundred acres.
From 1894 until his death he lived retired, the
management of his place being in the hands of
his son-in-law, Frank P. Bieth. In politics he

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

was a Republican, interested in party matters,
but not caring for official positions himself. A
man of earnest character, resolute in the support
of what he believed to be right, he won the good
will of his associates, and, as an honored pioneer,
deserves not a little credit for the effective work
he did in the advancement of the township. His
wife died September 12, 1887, and of their eleven
children only four are now living, one of whom,
Permelia S., has had charge of the home since
her mother's death. Sarah J. is the widow of
Henry Haviland, a farmer of Chaunahon Town-
ship; Melissa is the wife of Frank P. Bieth; and
Harvey O. lives in Kankakee, this state.

there. However, they finally left for Chicago,
which was deemed a safer refuge, and their
effects were mostly taken or destroyed before
they could with safety return to Will County.

In September, 1831, Mr. Beggs married Eliz-
abeth L. Heath, who was born in Muskingum
County, Ohio, and died in Will County, April
7, 1866. His second marriage, December 30,
186S, united him with Mrs. Sarah R. (Dibhle)
Frost, a native of New York state. He had
four children by his first marriage: Mary E.,
James W., George W. and Charles W.

[~)EV. STEPHEN R. BEGGS was born in
U*\ Rockingham County, Ya., in 1S01. His
r \ father removed to Kentucky when the son
was only four years of age, and two years later
settled on the Ohio River in Clark County, Ind.
His earliest recollections were therefore of fron-
tier scenes. He was seven years old before he
had a pair of shoes, and in after years he was
wont to recall the delight experienced in the
possession of his first shoes. In early manhood
he entered the ministry of the Methodist Church,
and afterward preached as an itinerant in Indi-
ana, Illinois and Missouri. No salary was at-
tached to his work. He was supported by the
gratuitous contributions of his hearers, who,
being poor in purse, could make but small con-
tributions to his support. His entire receipts in
cash one year amounted to only $23.

In the summer of 1831 Mr. Beggs came to
Plainfield, and was afterward connected with the
history of Will County. In 1836 he was ap-
pointed to the Joliet circuit, and commenced the
work of building the first Methodist church in
Joliet, which was, in fact, the first edifice built
by any denomination in the city. Upon the
breaking out of the Sac war his house was con-
sidered the best adapted for a fort. It was ac-
cordingly fortified and all the settlers gathered

3 AMES W. BEGGS, of Plainfield, was born
at Troy Grove, near Ottawa, 111., March 5,
1835. When he was a boy he attended the
district schools, but these being very poor, the
knowledge that he acquired was largely gained
through observation and experience. When he
became of age he embarked in the hotel business
at Naperville, where he remained for seven years.
He then returned to his father's farm one-half
mile south of Plainfield, where he assumed the
management of the place, devoting it to the
raising of stock and of farm products. He spent
three years on the farm but, preferring the hotel
business, he came to Plainfield, and purchased
the Central Hotel property, enlarging the build-
ing and conducting it in a manner that drew
considerable trade. A man of genial and ac-
commodating disposition, as a landlord he was
very popular, and the traveling public made his
place their headquarters. He also ran a stage
line to Joliet, carrying mail prior to the building
of the railroad. He continued to conduct the
hotel until 1894, when he sold out the business
and retired from active cares. His interests are
large, and include town property which he rents,
and a fine farm of one hundred and fifteen acres
one mile south of Plainfield.

In politics Mr. Beggs is a Democrat, and has
borne his share in the work for the party here.
Both to county and state conventions he has

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

served as a delegate. He has served as a mem-
ber of the board of aldermen, and in the spring
of 1899 was elected mayor, a position that he has
filled with signal ability and tact. Under Presi-
dent Cleveland he held the office of postmaster
for two terms. His marriage united him with
Etnerette, daughter of Hilton Clary, and formerly
of Palmyra, Wayne County, N. Y.

(J5JELAH KNAPP, who is engaged in farming
/\ in Homer Township, was born in Albany,
Q) N. Y., in 1836, a son of Rev. Solomon and
Maria (Lanfear) Knapp. His father, a native of
New York, became a member of the Baptist
Church in early life and afterward fitted himself
for its ministry. He was ordained a preacher in
the denomination and during the subsequent
years of his life worked earnestly in his chosen
field of labor. When he came west in 1840 he
settled in Will County and purchased the land
that forms our subject's present property. In
addition to the superintendence of this farm, he
gave considerable time to ministerial work and
served as pastor of the Baptist Church of Hadley.
His last days were passed in Joliet, where his
death occurred in 1890, after a busy life that cov-
ered eighty-seven years. In his family were seven
children, namely: Lanfear; Warren, who lives in
Nebraska; Solomon; Selah; Lizzie, who married

John Cameron and lives in Omaha, Neb. ; Josie,
deceased; and Florence, wife of H. T. Stevens.

When the family came to Illinois Mr. Knapp
was less than three years of age; hence practically
his entire life has been passed on the farm where
he now lives. He was given such advantages as
neighboring schools afforded, and to these he
added by self-culture, thus acquiring a good
practical education. He is the owner of the old
homestead of one hundred and twenty acres, on
which he engages in the dairy and stock business
and in the raising of cereals. The Republican
party has received his active support ever since
he attained his majority, and he is a firm believer
in its principles. For thirteen years he held of-
fice as commissioner of highways, during which
time he did much to promote the building and
maintaining of good roads in his township. As
a member of the county central committee of the
Republican party and as a worker on its execu-
tive committee he has done much to advance the
party's interests here. The cause of education
has a firm friend in him. For twenty-one years
he was a member of the school board, and during
part of the time he served as president, also as
secretary of the board.

The marriage of Mr. Knapp took place in
i860 and united him with Miss Emeline Frazier,
daughter of William Frazier, and a native of
Homer Township. They have an only daughter,
Hattie F. , who was educated in the Joliet high
school and is now teaching in the Joliet schools.
The family are connected with the Congregational
Church and aid in its support.

UrtlVtRSllY OF ILLINOIS

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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

HON. CHARLES EDWARD BOYER,

HON. CHARLES EDWARD BOYER. In
reflecting upon the advancement of the
county of Will, men of thoughtful minds
give due credit to the pioneers, among whom
were Mr. and Mrs. Boyer, of Lockport. Though
many years have passed since the death of Mr.
Boyer, his widow still survives, in the enjoyment
of the competence which his energy accumulated,
and surrounded by the evidences of an advancing
civilization. When, as a child of seven years,
she first saw the county where she has since re-
sided, its settlers were few and widely scattered,
its towns were mere hamlets and its farms wholly
unimproved. Looking back over the long vista
of years, she can narrate many an interesting
story of those early times when hardships were
many and the obstacles to success innumerable.
In the prosperity of the present no one rejoices
more than she. The finely improved farms of
the county; the clanking of machinery; the hum-
ming of the saw; the shrill whistle of the locomo-
tive and the long trains of freight and passenger
cars that pass in every direction; the well-built
schools; neat houses; handsome churches and
flue business blocks, all proclaim this region to
be the abode of peace and prosperity, in the se-
curing of which the early settlers were a potent
factor, and which, indeed, would not have been
possible without their self-sacrificing and constant
labors.

Mr. Boyer was born and reared in Reading,
Berks Count}*, Pa., and, as a young man, clerked
in a store in Philadelphia. Coming west in 1836,
he was employed in the Chicago office of the
company that had charge of the building of the

Illinois and Michigan canal. For a time he had
the supervision of their office work, but later took
a contract on the canal, and in this way, in 1838,
he was first induced to come to Will County.
In the filling of his contracts he displayed so
much efficiency and intelligence that his standing
as a contractor was assured from that time forth,
and he was thus enabled to gain a constantly in-
creasing success. When the canal was being
deepened he had a number of large contracts in
connection with the same, and at the time of the
building of the Chicago & Alton Railroad through
the county he was one of its heaviest contractors.
While his extensive business interests took much
of his time, he did not allow them to prevent him
from participating in public affairs. He was a
stanch believer in Democratic principles and
never lost an opportunity to promote the success
of his party. His fellow citizens, recognizing
his fitness for public office, offered him the high-
est gifts within their power. In 1864 he repre-
sented the district in the state legislature, and at
the time of his death, which occurred September
21, 1868, he was his party's candidate for the
state senate. Successful in business, he left his
family a large property, consisting principally of
city real estate and farm lands. At the time of
his death he had so much work planned for the
future that it required two years for his widow to
complete all of the contracts, and she successfully
managed the same until they were filled.

The lady who became the wife of Mr. Boyer,
at Lockport, April 14, 1840, bore the maiden
name of Elizabeth Runyon and was born in
Preble County, Ohio, February 22, 1823. Her

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

father, Armstead Runyoii, was a native of Lex-
ington, Ky., and at fourteen years of age accom-
panied his parents to Ohio, where he lived on a
farm for a number of years. In 1827 he brought
his family to Illinois and settled near Danville.
From there, in the fall of 1830, he came to what
was then Cook (now Will) County, and settled
on a farm one and one-half miles from the present
site of the city of Lockport, being one of the very
earliest settlers in this vicinity. During the
Black Hawk war he was obliged to take his
family for protection to old Fort Dearborn, where
they remained for several weeks; he and several
others then returned to Will County and built a
blockhouse on Mr. Sissou's farm, in which the
families of the neighborhood lived for some time.
While the men cultivated the land, the women
remained in the blockhouse. From the building
a good view could be had of the surrounding
country, and when any Indians came in sight,
the women would notify their husbands by rais-
ing a flag on a pole. During the building of the
canal Mr. Runyon left his farm and opened a
hotel in Lockport. In the fall of 1849 he went to
California and purchased a large ranch on the
Sacramento River, twenty miles from Sacramento,
where he remained for twenty years extensively
engaged in raising fruit. In 1869 he removed to
Santa Rosa, Cal. , but still continued to manage
his farm. He died in that town when seventy-
six years of age. Politically he was a Democrat,
and in religion a Uuiversalist. His father,
Michael Runyon, a native of Kentucky, settled in
Will County about 1834 and afterward made his
home on Hickory Creek, where he died in 1S57.
His wife was a cousin of Robert Black well, one
of the early and well-known Chicago attorneys.

Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Boyer, William
and Charles died in boyhood. The older daugh-
ter, Emma B. , became the wife of David E Cor-
neau, of Chicago, and they have one son, Perry
B. Corneau. The younger daughter, Florence
B., Mrs. Olaus Paulson, resides with Mrs. Boyer,
and has four children: Elizabeth B. , Louise,
Norman B. and Emma C. Paulson. The only
sou who attained manhood was Julius A., who
operated a quarry in this county and died in

Lockport, at thirty-six years of age. He married
Helen. Cook (daughter of Isaac Cook), now Mrs.
Robert Aull, of St. Louis, Mo. They had three
children: Julius A., Charles E. (deceased) and
Douglas C. Boyer. Since the death of her hus-
band Mrs. Boyer has superintended the property
and, in spite of her seventy-six years, she is quite
active and business-like. In the beautiful resi-
dence built by Mr. Boyer in 1856 she has con-
tinued to reside, hospitably entertaining her
friends and beloved by all who know her. As
one of the oldest living settlers of the vicinity of
Lockport she is entitled to the esteem in which
she is held.

HS. G. BLAKELY, editor and proprietor
of the Plainfield Enterprise, was born in
, Morristown, Vt., May 9, 1868. He mar-
ried Miss Linnwood Bartholomew, at Reading,
Mich., September 25, 1887. In company with
R. A. Marvin he established the Enterprise
August 10, 1887, and in 1888 bought his part-
ner's interest. He is a Republican in politics
and is a member of the Masonic and Modern
Woodmen fraternities.

q)EORGE B. MOSS, a farmer and stockman
_ of Plainfield Township, has spent his entire
^Jl life in the vicinity of his present home and
has not only witnessed, but also contributed to,
the advancement of local interests, especially to
the development of the farming resources. He
was born in this township on Christmas day of
1839. His father, William, a native of North-
amptonshire, England, grew to manhood in that
shire and learned the millwright's trade and the
milling business. When about twenty-one years
of age he came to the United States. After a
short time in a mill in Buffalo, N. Y., he came
west to Illinois, settling in Will County and se-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

curing work in the building of the old Walker
mill near Plainfield. On the completion of the
mill he was placed in charge of it. Later he re-
moved to Plainfield and helped to build a mill
there, taking charge of it upon its completion.
Failing health finally obliged him to seek an oc-
cupation affording outdoor exercise. In 1845 he
bought eighty acres of prairie land, upon which
he settled and to the improvement of which his
subsequent years were devoted. As he pros-
pered he added to his property until he owned
two hundred and eighty acres, all well improved
and cultivated. In politics he allied himself
with the Republican party on its organization
and afterward voted for its principles. For sev-
eral years he held the office of school director.
He was a very active member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. The doctrines of this denom-
ination he upheld by his life, which was that of
an honest, honorable man, and a good citizen,
whose word was as good a? his bond. Personally
he was of a quiet disposition, with domestic
tastes. He died on his home farm when seventy-
eight years of age. His wife, who bore the
maiden name of Sarah Baxter, was born in Nor-
folk, England, and came to America in girlhood,
settling in Rochester, N. Y., where she first met
Mr. Moss. Like him, she was a faithful member
of the Methodist Church. Her death occurred
on the homestead when she was fifty years old.
Of her six children George B. was the eldest;
William is a farmer in this township; Mary A.
is the wife of Emory D. Platts, of Plainfield; Mrs.
Martha O' Leary lives in this township; Mrs. Phi-
lenda Thompson, a widow, lives in Colorado; and
Oliver is engaged in railroading in Wyoming.

The subject of this sketch was educated in the
schools of Plainfield. When he was twenty-one
he started out for himself, renting a portion of
his father's farm and afterward, when his father
became too old to engage in manual labor, he-
succeeded to the management of the homestead.
On his father's death he purchased a part of the
farm and has since bought the interests of the
other heirs, being now the sole owner of the old
homestead. Under his management the place is
kept improved and its buildings in good repair.

The Republican party receives his vote and he
has been active in its rank. For a number of
years he has served as school director and trustee.
In 1862 he married Miss Harriet Platts, who was
born in New York state and died in this town-
ship in 1891. The children born of their union
are named as follows: Sherman, a farmer in this
township; Lillie J., deceased; Minnie, wife of
George Tower; Nellie, Mrs. Meyers, of Joliet;
George A. and Cora, who are on the old home-
stead with their father.

HOMAS F. DEMPSEY, who has made his
home in Troy Township since 1848, and
for years has been one of the township's
successful farmers and stock-raisers, was
in County Kildare, Ireland, August 19,
a son of John and Ellen (Shaughnassey)
Dempsey. During the latter part of 1848 the fam-
ily sailed from Ireland, in the good ship "Hot-
tinger," and after a voyage of five weeks and three
days, during which time they encountered two
severe storms and were wrecked, they arrived in
New York. From there they proceeded up the
Hudson River to Albany, then crossed the state
on the Erie canal to Buffalo, going from that city
via the lakes to Chicago. While on Lake Michi-
gan a heavy storm arose, in which theirshipwas
wrecked and then towed into port at Milwaukee.
From Chicago they came to Joliet on one of the
first canal boats that made the trip to this point.
Settling in this county the father took up a tract
of land in Troy Township, which he bought at
the land sale at Lockport in the spring of 1849.
No improvements had been made on the land,
and there was not a house between here and Jo-
liet Mound. The family moved into a log cabin,
in which openings had been made for doors and
windows; these apertures they closed with blan-
kets. All night the wolves howled near the little
cabin, their cries being the only sound that broke
the stillness of the lonely region. Growing bold,
they caught and killed a fine dog of which the

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

family were proud: but, fortunately, their en-
croachments stopped on the outside of the house.
Those early days were busy ones for the family,
all of whom helped the father in his work of get-
ting the land under cultivation and making
needed improvements. He continued to reside
on the same place until his death, in January,
1876, at the age of seventy eight years. The
mother died August 19, 1864, aged fifty-four
years. She was the mother of seven children,
viz.: Malachi, Thomas, John, Joseph, Mrs. Ann
Ivans, Mrs. Bridget Riley, and David, of Des-
Moines, Iowa.

Owing to the need of his assistance on the
home farm, it was not possible for our subject to
attend school regularly, and he studied mostly at
night, with the help of his father and mother.
When twenty-eight years of age he went to Chi-
cago, with only $3 in cash, but with energy, de-
termination and good health. He secured em-
ployment in butchering. Two months later he
married. Economical and industrious, he was
prospered and at the end of four years and seven
months he had $2,Soo in cash. He then re-
turned to the home farm, as his father, who was
growing old, needed his aid. The work was not
new to him, as from the age of thirteen years he
had been actively at work on the homestead,
mostly buying and selling cattle, although he
also cultivated the land. When he returned he
took hold as before and assumed the management
of the one hundred and thirty-five acres in the
place. Afterward he purchased other land and
now has about four hundred acres, which repre-
sents his energy and ambitious efforts. He has al-
ways been a man of great energy and perseverance.
Perhaps no term so well expresses his character as
the word ' 'hustler. ' ' He well deserves the prosper-
ity he has gained . He is known as a thrifty, indus-
trious and honest farmer, who manages his affairs
in a systematic manner. In farm products his
specialties are corn and oats, of which he annual-
ly sells three and four thousand bushels, respec-
tively. On his place, among other farm imple-
ments, is a corn sheller with a capacity of over
three thousand bushels daily, operated either by
horse or steam power. He does the hauling to

Troy and Channahon for the two creameries,
hauling from one to two thousand pounds a day.
Cattle, horses and hogs are to be found on his
place, his specialty being the breeding of Norman
horses and good roadsters.

As his father, Mr. Dempsey supports Demo-
cratic principles. For fourteen years he served
as justice of the peace, for two years held the of-
fice of supervisor, and was also school trustee for
many years. He is a member of St. Mary's
Roman Catholic Church in Minooka. In Octo-
ber, 1869, he married Nora Kenney, whose
father, Michael, was engaged in farming in Troy
Township and later removed to Joliet. Mrs.
Nora Dempsey died in 1884 and was interred in
St. Patrick's cemetery in Joliet. The second
marriage of Mr. Dempsey, in October, 1896,
united him with Josephine Burns, of Chicago.
By his first marriage he had ten children, of
whom Lennie and Josie are deceased. Ervin and
John reside in this county; Alice is the wife of
John Cudahy, of Manhattan; Thomas, Jerome,
Robert, Bernard and Edward assist their father
at home and relieve him of much of the work of
managing the farm.

30HN I. EVARTS, cashier and owner of the
Plainfield Bank, was born in Yorkville,
Kendall County, 111., February 18, 1866.
His father, Jeremiah, a native of Georgia, Vt.,
born in 1836, received his education in the acad-
emy of his home town. When twenty-one years
of age he came west, which he believed offered
greater opportunities for a young man than did
his own state. He secured a position as teacher
in Kendall County and his work was so satis-
factory that he was soon given a more important
place, becoming principal of the Piano school.
At the outbreak of the war he resigned as prin-
cipal and went to the front as lieutenant of a
company of volunteers, serving for two years,
when illness obliged him to resign his commis-
sion. His service was one that reflected credit

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

upon his loyalty to the country, as well as his
personal bravery. A year after his return he
was elected clerk of Kendall County, and this
office he held for twenty-four years, meantime
making Yorkville his home. He was so promi-
nent and influential that many desired him to be-
come a candidate for congress and he therefore
allowed his name to be presented before the Re-
publican convention, where he came within four
or five votes of receiving the nomination. In
188S he moved to Plaiufield and established the
Plainfield Bank, which he conducted until his

death, February 3, iJ

His success was en-

tirely the result of his own industry and wise
judgment. While his residence in Plainfield
covered only a few years, yet he became well
known, and took a leading part in enterprises
calculated to advance the welfare of the people.
Through his honorable methods of transacting
business he gained the confidence of the com-
munity. In Yorkville, where for so long a time
he made his home, he was a very influential citi-
zen. For a quarter of a century he was con-
nected with the Masonic blue lodge there and he
also held membership with the Grand Army
post there. His father, Tod Evarts, traced his
ancestry to one of two brothers, surveyors, who
assisted in surveying much of Vermont and in
return were given by the government a large
grant of land in that state. Hon. William M.
Evarts, United States senator from New York,
was a cousin of Jeremiah Evarts.

The marriage of Jeremiah Evarts united him
with Emma Custin, who was born in Unionville,
Ohio, and now makes her home with her only
child. In religion she is of the Congregational
belief. The subject of this sketch received his
education in the Yorkville schools and the Aurora
high school, supplemented by a course in the
Illinois University at Champaign, where he was
a student for two years. He was eighteen when
he received an appointment in the United States
railway mail service, and during the seven years
he retained the position he had a run from Chi-
cago to Burlington, on the Chicago, Burlington
& Quincy Railroad, being on the fast mail train.
He accompanied his father to Plainfield and en-

tered the bank in 1S92. On the death of his fa-
ther he and his mother were planning to sell the
bank, when a petition was brought to him, signed
by one hundred and fifty leading citizens of this
section, asking him to continue the business.
Feeling that, with so strong a support, he could
not but succeed, he decided to continue, and the
results have proved the decision was a wise one.
He is a bright, capable young business man, and
his business career, though yet but begun, is a
credit to him. He is trusted and honored, and
the confidence reposed in him has never been be-
trayed. Fraternally he is connected with the
Woodmen, the Sons of Veterans, and Plainfield
Lodge No. 536, A. F. & A. M., the chapter,
commandery and council of the Masonic order at
Joliet.

HOMAS WHITE. Those who best knew
Mr. White most fully appreciated his worth
of character and his breadth of intelligence.
His success in life indicates that he possessed
business qualifications of a high order. Though
he began without means, and had little to assist
him in getting a start, he nevertheless became
well-to-do, acquiring the ownership of valuable
property both in this county and in Nebraska.
At the time of his death he owned three hundred
and twent} - acres here and six hundred and forty
acres in Nebraska, and he also owned a good
home in Joliet.

Mr. White was born in Lincolnshire, England,
September 23, 1830, a son of Thomas and Eliza-
beth (Veasey) White, natives respectively of
England and Scotland. His father, who crossed
the ocean to Canada, settled in the United States
about 1850 and spent his last days with a son in
Ohio, but died in Lake County, 111., at sixty
years of age. Of his ten children only one sur-
vives. The subject of this article learned the
miller's trade in England and came to the United
States in 1852, settling near Cleveland, Ohio.
About 1855 he proceeded to Dupage Count}-,
111., where he began to till rented land. In 1S63

4 6

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

he came to Will County and soon bought a farm
in the town of Peotone, where he remained for
four years. After residing in Naperville one
year, he removed to a farm in Manhattan Town-
ship in 1S69, buying two hundred and forty
acres and at once beginning its improvement. A
few years later he bought an eighty- acre tract
adjoining. For seventeen years he made his
home on that place, but in 1886 rented the farm
and removed to Gage County, Neb., where he
purchased a section of land and carried on farm-
ing and stock-raising on an extensive scale. In
1889 he retired from active labors, returned to
this county and built a residence in Joliet, where
his last days were spent.

In England, in July, 1851, Mr. White married
Miss Kitty Reason, who survives him, making
her home in Joliet. They became the parents of
six children, but three are deceased. The older
of the surviving sons, William, was born in Du-
page County, 111., in 1859, and grew to manhood
in this county, but since 1882 he has resided in
Nebraska. He is now proprietor of a general
mercantile store at Table Rock, Neb., and is a
leading business man of his town. He married
Jennie, daughter of George Andrews, of Joliet,
and they have three children: Leroy, Earl and
Mildred. The other children of Mr. and Mrs.
White are Fannie, who resides with her mother,
and John Thomas, an attorney of Joliet.

30HN E- BUSH came to this county in i860
and has been engaged as a grain dealer in
Joliet since 1864. During the early days of
his experience in the grain business, the farmers
from a radius of twenty miles in this and sur-
rounding counties brought him their grain, and,
as he made his shipments by canal, he was able
to pay two cents more than could those who
shipped by railroad. His shipments, amounting
to almost one-half million bushels per annum,
were made in his own canal boats and in those
hired from other parties. After a time the rail-

road, in order to gain the trade, began cutting
rates and finally gave a better price that the
canals could give, so the latter ceased to be a
medium of transportation, and all shipments were
made by rail. In 187 1 Mr. Bush built an ele-
vator on the Michigan Central road, corner of
Washington street and Eastern avenue, at a cost
of $25,000, and containing good improvements,
including steam power. This building still
stands. In 1880 he built the River block, on
Exchange street, which was three stories in
height and 60x95 feet in dimensions. Water
power was furnished from the canal. It was in
this block that the Bates Machine Company
started in business, and it was also used by other
manufacturing companies. On Desplaines near
Jefferson street he had an elevator which he used
until it and the business block were condemned
and removed by the drainage board in 1897.

The Bush family originated in Scotland and
was later represented in the north of Ireland.
Early identified with American history, several
of its members took part in the Revolutionary
war. Stephen Bush, a native of Connecticut,
settled at Orwell, Vt. , where he engaged in farm-
ing. During the war of 18 12 he went to the
front and fought for American interests. His
sou, Stephen N., who was born at Orwell, re-
moved to Whitehall, Washington County, N. Y.,
where he owned and cultivated three hundred
acres of land and also carried on a meat market.
In 1862 he came to Illinois and bought a farm in
Will County across the Washington street bridge,
over Hickory Creek, a part of which land is now
in Brooklyn. In later years he sold seventeen
acres of his property for a fair ground, and after-
ward the remainder of the land was sold and sub-
divided into city lots. He then bought one hun-
dred and sixty acres west of the city. He died
in Joliet in 1885, when eighty-five years of age.

The wife of Stephen N. Bush bore the maiden
name of Salome Moise and was born at Cornish
Flats, N. H., being the daughter of a miller who
died at Whitehall, N. Y. She died in 1858.
Twice married, by her first husband she had two
sons who settled in Will County, 111., in 1856,
both of whom volunteered in the One Hundredth

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Illinois Infantry during the Civil war and served
until the close of the rebellion. One of them,
W. W. Bartlette, who was captain of his com-
pany, died in Salina, Kans., and the other,
R. F. , who was first lieutenant of the same com-
pany, is now living in Salina. To the marriage
of Stephen N. and Salome Bush four sons and
one daughter were born, two of whom are de-
ceased. John E. is the oldest now living and
the only one in Joliet. His brother, H. F. , who
served in the One Hundredth Illinois Infantry, is
now engaged in the hardware business in Hono-
lulu, .Sandwich Island.

At Whitehall, N. Y., our subject was born
November 5, 1835. He prepared for college in
Whitehall Academy, and in 1856 entered Will-
iams College at Williamstown, Mass., from which
he graduated in i860, with the degree of A. B.
During the same year he came to Illinois and se-
cured a clerkship in a Joliet grocery. Two years
later, on the organization of the First National
Bank, he became a stockholder and director and
entered the bank in a clerical capacity. In 1S64
he resigned his position in order to engage in the
grain business, but he still retains his stock in
the bank and has been one of its directors from
the first. He owns property in Joliet and a farm
in the county. In 1872 he laid out the Bush
addition to Joliet, on Richards and Hickory
streets, and in 1895 he made a subdivision of
property on Jasper street. Bush Park originally
belonged to him and is named in his honor.

The first wife of Mr. Bush was Cornelia,
daughter of George Woodruff, late president of
the First National Bank. She was born in Joliet
and died here in 1876, leaving two children. The
son, George Woodruff Bush, who was educated
in the University of Michigan, is a member of the
hardware firm of Bush & Handwerk, in Joliet.
The daughter, Jennie C, who was educated at
Vassar, has spent most of her time abroad since
leaving college. The present wife of Mr. Bush
was Bella G. Kenyon, who was born at Thorn p-
sonville, Conn., and accompanied her father,
John Kenyon, to Illinois, settling on a farm at
Tamarack, this county. For a time she was
principal of the East avenue high school of Joliet.

Three sons were born of this marriage, namely:
John K., who is a member of the class of 1900,
University of Illinois; Edward M., a member of
the high school class of 1900; and Ralph H.

At the time of the erection of the courthouse
Mr. Bush served as assistant supervisor for two
terms. He was also school inspector for two
terms, and filled the position with the greatest
efficiency. Atone time he was a member of the
board of trustees of the old Chicago University.
In politics he is a stanch Republican. He is
connected with the Williams College Alumni As-
sociation and the Delta Kappa Epsilon Society.
For many years he has been chairman of the
board of trustees in the Eastern Avenue Baptist
Church and was an active member of the building
committee at the time of the erection of the
church. He also served for years as Sunday-
school superintendent. In 1885 he was largely
instrumental in starting a Sunday-school at Three
Points mission in Joliet, and ever since then he
has acted as its superintendent. He possesses
qualities of a high order and is a gentleman of
kind heart, sanguine temperament, whole-souled
and liberal-minded, one who easily wins and re-
tains the confidence of associates, and whose in-
tegrity has won for him the respect of his ac-
quaintances.

|"}HILIP I. CROMWELL, M. D., of Wilming-
LS ton, one of the leading physicians and sur-
\3 geons of the county, was born at Lake
George, Warren County, N. Y., July 12, 1848, a
son of James and Sarah C. (Bradshaw) Crom-
well. He was named after his grandfather,
Philip I. Cromwell, who for years made his home
at Carlisle, N. Y. , where he was proprietor of a
hotel and a prominent man in public affairs.
For years James Cromwell, M. D., carried on a
general practice at Lake George, meantime gain-
ing recognition as the most skillful physician in
the town. In the latter town he died in 1874,
when he was sixty-four years of age. Wherever
he made his home it was his custom to identify
himself with movements tending toward the ad-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

vancement of local interests. In religious belief
he was an Episcopalian and for years served his
church as an elder and senior warden. His wife
survived him for 3-ears, dying at Lake George at
the age of eighty-one. Their six children were
as follows: Edward, who enlisted in the Civil
war and was killed at the second battle of Bull
Run; John B., of Denver, Colo.; Philip I.; James
J., who is the only representative of the farnily
now at Lake George; Mary E., wife of Jerome
M. Hubbell; and Ellen B., who married Thomas
N. Conant and lives at Dekalb, 111.

The education of our subject was received prin-
cipally at Glens Falls, N. Y. From an early age
he manifested an interest in medical pursuits and
as a boy determined that he would some day be
a physician. With this object in view, in 1867
he entered Albany Medical College at Albany,
N. Y., from which he graduated in 1870. Dur-
ing the following year he held a position as phy-
sician to the Albany city dispensary. Afterward
he joined his parents at Lake George. After
about one year he located at Cleveland, N. Y.,
where he established himself in practice. It was
his belief, however, that he could succeed better
in the west, and he therefore decided to come to
Illinois. In 1874 he opened an office at Dekalb,
111., where he remained for fourteen years, but
the demands of his constantly increasing practice
finally undermined his constitution and a com-
plete change of climate was rendered necessary.
In 1887 he went to Colorado, hoping that the
genial air of the mountain regions would prove

health-restoring. In this hope he was not dis-
appointed. During the two years he remained in
that state he engaged in practice at Sterling and
also served as coroner of Logan County. On his
return to Illinois in 1889 he settled at Wilming-
ton, where he has since built up a very large
practice. It has always been his aim to keep
abreast with the developments made in the sci-
ence of medicine, and to this end he reads. cur-
rent medical literature and keeps in touch with
various medical societies. He is a member of the
Desplaines Yalley Medical Association and the
Illinois State Medical Society.

Always believing in protection of home indus-
tries, Dr. Cromwell naturally found himself in
accord with Republican principles. However, in
1896, when his party declared for a gold stand-
ard, he, being in sympathy with the movement
looking to the free coinage of silver, allied him-
self with the silver forces. Both as mayor and as
alderman he has been active in advancing the
welfare of Wilmington and promoting its inter-
ests. He is interested in secret society work and
is connected with the Masons and Odd Fellows.
His first wife, who was Catherine Hallagan, and
whom he married in 1874, died in 1891, leaving
four children, namely: Edward G. , a physician
and surgeon at Henry, 111.; Harry D. : Clinton B.,
who is teaching school at Custer Park, this coun-
ty; and George B., who is in the United States
navy. The present wife of Dr. Cromwell bore
the maiden name of Adeline Hudson and was
united with him in marriage in 1898.

W-Aift <Ll-tL&-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

HON. DORRANCE DIBELL.

HON. DORRANCE DIBELL is directly de-
scended from the families of Baldwin, Lord,
King, Ward, Strong and Waite, who lived
in Connecticut and Massachusetts prior to 1800.
His Puritan descent is evident from the maiden
names of his grandmother and great-grandmother,
Patience Baldwin and Submit Lord, and is also
shown by the following given names found on his
family tree between the years 1 650 and 1750, viz.:
Desire, Unity, Relief, Prudence, Thankful, De-
liverance, Increase, Experience, Silence, Record,
Remember, Mercy, Hopestill and Mindwell.

On his father's side he is fifth in descent from
John Dibell, who was born in Connecticut in
1702, and who died at Mount Washington, Mass.,
August 1, 1773. The ancestors of John Dibell
are believed to have come to Massachusetts from
England in the year 1635. They afterwards re-
moved to Connecticut. In 1757 the family settled
at Mount Washington, in the southwest corner of
Massachusetts, and members of the family still
live upon and own part of the farm then bought.
The branch from which Dorrance Dibell de-
scended removed to Hudson, N. Y., and then to
New Durham, N. Y., about 1789, and from there
about 1 81 7 removed to Ashtabula County, Ohio,
where members of the family still reside.

On his mother's side he is the eighth in de-
scent from William Ward, who in 1639 (nineteen
years after the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth
Rock) was living with his family at Sudbury,
Mass. , when the proprietors of that plantation
made a first division of their lands in which he
shared. Tradition says he was born in Eng-
land. He afterwards removed to Marlborough.
He suffered great losses in King Phillip's war,
when his buildings were fired, his cattle destroyed

and one of his sons was killed. The dwelling
house of one of his sons was used as a garrison
in that war. The widow of William Ward
settled his estate at Boston before the tyrannical
colonial Governor Andros, who also acted as
judge of probate. Gen. Artemus Ward of Boston,
another distant relative, was commander-in-chief
of the forces of the colony of Massachusetts Bay,
and was the first person appointed a major-gen-
eral in the army of the Revolution; was appointed
a member of the continental congress, but did
not take his seat, and was twice a member of
congress under the Federal Constitution. Several
of Mr. Dibell's kinsmen of the Ward name were
members of the "General Court," and held other
places of trust in their primitive communities.
One uncle, William Ward, D. D., spent most of
his active life in Assam, India, as a missionary.
A great uncle, Elihu W. Baldwin, D. D., was
first president of Wabash (Ind.) College.

Dorrance Dibell was born February 16, 1844,
at Wooster, Wayne County, Ohio. He is a son
of Rev. Jonathan Baldwin Dibell, of Kingsville,
Ashtabula County, Ohio, and Louisa (Ward)
Dibell, of Ellington, Tolland County, Conn. His
father was a Baptist minister. In 1850 his par-
ents removed from Ohio to Will County, 111.,
where they lived almost continuously until his
father's death, September 10, 1881. His father
had unusual purity, sincerity and strength of
character, was greatly respected and had a wide
influence in Will County, especially in Homer,
New Lenox and Frankfort. After his death, the
mother, with her daughter, Julia Louisa, made
her home with her son Dorrance in Joliet, where
she resided until her death, October 17, 1885.
Julia met a sad and untimely death at a railroad

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

crossing in that city, September 20, 18S9, which
left the subject of this sketch the only remaining
member of his father's family. Mr. Dibell mar-
ried Sarah M., oldest child of Hon. Henry Snapp,
at Joliet, August 29, 1872, and they have one
child, Charles Dorrance Dibell, a graduate of the
University of Chicago, who was admitted to
practice law in June, IS99, and has entered upon
the practice of that profession at Joliet.

Judge Dibell, as he is now familiarly called,
was but six years old when his parents settled in
the Prairie state, and he grew to manhood on his
father's farm in New Lenox Township, attending
the public schools in boyhood, and subsequently
prosecuting his studies in the University of Chi-
cago for about four years. After beginning his
studies at the university he was a teacher in the
public schools, then returned to the university,
and afterward was employed as a telegraph oper-
ator at Racine, Wis., and at Wheatland and De
Witt, Iowa. During that time he studied law
without an instructor in Racine and on his fa-
ther's farm in Will Count}-. While still engaged
as a telegraph operator he studied law with
Hon. John C. Polley, at De Witt, Iowa, and
then, having determined to make that profession
his business in life, he abandoned telegraph oper-
ating, came to Joliet, and resumed the study of
law with Goodspeed, Snapp & Knox, of Joliet.
In 1869 he entered the law office of Parks & Hill
as a law student and clerk at a small salary,
barely sufficient, with rigid economy, to supply
the necessaries of life. The room on Bluff street,
at $3.00 a month, where he did his own house-
keeping, as well as the grocery and bakery which
supplied his frugal meals, are still remembered
by the judge and his friends with a feeling akin
to pride and pleasure. August 23, 1870, he was
admitted to the bar by the supreme court of this
state. During this brief period of his novitiate
as a student with the firm of Parks & Hill he
made himself so useful to the members of that
firm, and gave such promise of future usefulness
and ability as a lawyer, that he was at once
offered a partnership with the junior member of
the firm, which he accepted. Mr. Hill was then
state's attorney of the old seventh judicial cir-

cuit, comprising the counties of Will and Grundy.
The new firm of Hill & Dibell was organized
September 3, 1870, and continued without inter-
ruption, and with a constantly increasing busi-
ness and reputation, for a period of more than
fifteen years and until dissolved November 13,
1885, because of the election of Mr. Dibell No-
vember 3, 1885, to the bench as judge of the
ninth judicial circuit. During that time the firm
enjoyed a large practice, constanth- increasing in
character and importance as the years went by,
both members holding high positions at the bar.
During these years of active practice, the founda-
tions of Judge Dibell's career and usefulness as
a judge were laid. He was never content to
look at one side, his client's side, of a case or
question presented for his consideration, however
plausible or fair that side might at first appear;
his mind was eminently and normally judicial in
tone and character. Instinctively it turned to
the other side of the question or case in hand and
sought uurestingly to find the real facts of the
case and the law applicable to those facts. This
tone and bent of his mind was always manifest
in consultations with clients and in the discussion
of the case or question involved with his partner,
as well as in argument in courts. When sure he
was right, his conclusions of law and fact were
presented with convincing force and ability. He
always had a great faculty of generalizing a mass
of details and of seeing the real point involved in
a case. This was especially true, or seemed es-
pecially true, in chancery cases, involving many
questions of law and fact. His strong memory,
great reasoning powers and strength of mind,
seemed to guide him with apparent ease through
the most involved controversies. This character-
istic soon became known to bench and bar, as
well as to his friends and clients, and to some
extent to the public at large. During this time
Mr. Dibell was also for some years a member of
the city council of Joliet, carrying to that work
the same fidelity of trust and earnestness of pur-
pose that had characterized him as a lawyer. He
was in the council when the change was made
from the old special charter to incorporation
under the general incorporation law of the state,

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and was influential in making that and other
changes of importance in the city government,
and it is safe to say that from first to last during
his service in the council the public good was his
first consideration. No suggestion of corruption
or even of unfairness was ever made against him
either as a lawyer, a councilman, or as a judge.
This is high praise, but nevertheless strictly true.
A lifelong Republican, thoroughly schooled in
the platforms and principles of that party, he was
nevertheless first and always a patriot, command-
ing alike the respect of his opponents and the
admiration of his friends; and when, in 1885, the
death of Judge McRoberts created a vacancy on
the bench of the ninth judicial circuit, then com-
prising the counties of Will, Grundy, La Salle
and Bureau, many eyes were turned to Mr.
Dibell to fill the place. His partner, Mr. Hill,
realizing from long association his peculiar fit-
ness for the position, was among the first to sug-
gest it, and to urge it upon him, but Judge
Dibell is as modest as he is strong and judicial,
and being at that time comparatively a young
man, at first declined to consider it. A conven-
tion was called, and he was nominated for the
position and was elected.

In the Will County convention, upon being
nominated for circuit judge, he said, "I believe
in progress in the methods of legal procedure.
In fact, a reform in this direction has already
begun. When I came to Joliet to study law I
was told that the common law docket had not
been called through in twelve years, and there
were then upon the docket many cases which
had been pending twelve or fifteen years. Since
then much has been done to remedy this evil
and to facilitate the transaction of legal business,
but much remains to be done before our legal
tribunals fulfill all the people have a right to de-
mand of them. Courts are but public agencies
for the transaction of business; they are tribunals
appointed to settle business disputes; they ought
to be conducted in a business manner and so as
to secure his rights to the party who ought to
win before time has made even success unprofit-
able. If the selection you have made shall be
ratified by the convention at Morris, and at the

polls in November, I assure you I shall do all in
my power to increase the efficiency of the court
in which I may preside and to cause business to
be there prosecuted with celerity and dispatch
and in a business-like manner." This promise
has been faithfully kept. Promptly to the
minute court opens and business proceeds "with
celerity and dispatch." No unnecessary delays
or unseemly wranglings are tolerated. Attorneys
and litigants understand what is expected and the
wheels move unceasingly and almost without a
jar. The trials calendars, law, chancery and
criminal, are kept under constant control. Liti-
gated cases are tried and disposed of within a few
months after their commencement. Lawyers as
well as litigants have learned to appreciate this
kind of work and to feel even when beaten that
they have had their day in court. The court
room where Judge Dibell presides is a great
workship. The scenes are constantly shifting
and passing. Cases come and go until both mind
and body are weary with the work, but when
court closes the judge's work does not end.
Questions of law, cases submitted without a jury,
chancer}' cases and other pending matters occupy
his evening and morning hours. The judge is a
rapid writer as well as a great worker. As a
telegraph operator he learned to abbreviate words
so that his pen follows closely upon his rapidly
working mind. Cases submitted receive his care-
ful consideration and often, in disposing of them,
he sheds new light upon questions carefully
argued by able attorneys.

In 1 89 1 Judge Dibell was re-elected by a
largely increased majority. In the winter of 1897
the legislature re-arranged the circuits, and placed
Will, Kankakee and Iroquois Counties in the
twelfth judicial circuit. That spring Judge
Dibell was nominated as one of the judges of
that circuit by both political parties, and in June,
1897, he was elected by a practically unanimous
vote. A few days after that election he was as-
signed by the supreme court of the state to sit as
one of the justices of the appellate court, second
district, at Ottawa, 111., for a term of three years,
and is now serving upon that assignment. The
duties of that position occupy about eight months

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of each year. The rest of the time he gives to
the duties of circuit judge.

Socially the judge is one of the most com-
panionable of men. His extensive reading, great
memory, keen interest in current topics, coupled
with a rare gift of expression, combine to make
an hour spent in his company an occasion to be
remembered. His habits and tastes are,however,
retiring, and his every-day friends and acquaint-
ances best appreciate his social qualities. Rev.
A. H. Laing, of Joliet, who has known the Judge
intimately for over seventeen years, and who is
himself widely known as a critic and scholar,
writes of him: "Judge Dibell is a large brained,
broad minded, generous spirited man, who com-
mands the affectionate esteem and confidence of
all who know him. Like most students he is not
in any sense a society man, but his equable
temper and amiable disposition have made him a
prime favorite with his neighbors and friends.
The exacting demands and large requirements of
his profession have not dulled his taste for gen-
eral literature. He has gathered a large and
miscellaneous library not for ornament, but for
his own use and enjoyment. The great poets and
dramatists are represented there and the special-
ties of science, philosophy and political eeonomy
have not been neglected or overlooked. Even
theology is not neglected, as is too frequently the
case among lawyers. In short, to legal training
he adds a cultivated taste and a large store of
general information." But from this it must not
be gathered that the judge is in any sense a
recluse or indifferent to social duties or obliga-
tions. He is often seen in public, where his
warm-heartedness and great conversational
powers make him ever welcome. But it is at
home, among his friends and books, that he is
seen at his best.

V/| A J- JOHN M. THOMPSON, who re-

V sides in New Lenox Township, near the

(i) Joliet line, was born near St. Thomas,

twenty miles from London, Canada, in 1832.

His father, James, a native of Salem, Mass., born
in 1787, became a machinist in early life and at
the age of twenty-five was made superintendent
of a large cotton factory in Massachusetts. About
1820 he removed to Canada and settled on the
Twenty, a large stream, where he built and be-
gan the carding of wool and manufacturing of
woolen cloth. Ten years later he removed to the
vicinity of St. Thomas and bought a large tract
of land, where he engaged in farming, besides
building and operating a saw and grist mill and
also a woolen factory on Beaver Creek. After
the Canadian rebellion of 1 837 he left his family on
the homestead and went west to look up a new
location. He finally selected a site for water
power in Roscoe, Winnebago County, 111. There
he built a woolen factory and a few years later a
grist mill. On the completion of this work he
returned to Canada and brought his family to his
new western home. From 1840, the date of his
settlement in Illinois, until his death in 1853, at
the age of sixty-five years, he was engaged in the
manufacturing of woolen goods and in merchan-
dising. His wife, who bore the maiden name of
Sarah Snure, was born in Pennsylvania and died
in Illinois in 1886, aged eighty-three years. Of
their ten children seven are still living.

The eldest of the family, Clark, deceased, was
for several terms a member of the assembly and
for two terms a state senator in Minnesota, also
served as superintendent of Indian affairs during
the massacre of 1863-64. He was also president
of the Southern Minnesota Railroad. Edward,
who was also a senator in Minnesota, was a mer-
chant miller, owning mills at Hokah, Houston
County, Minn. He is now living, retired, in
California. Mary Catherine is the wife of J. \Y.
Abbott, a dry-goods merchant of Beloit, Wis.
Eliza died in 1871. John M. is the subject of
this article. Agnes died soon after her gradua-
tion from the Rockford Female College in 1855;
Anna is the wife of Major Wagner, of Tracy, 111.;
Marie married Seely Perry; James lives in Du-
luth, Minn.; Fannie is the wife of a physician
in Lyons, France; and Albert died when two
years old.

At the age of twenty-one our subject went to

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Hokah, Houston County, Minn., and acted as
superintendent of a saw and grist mill owned by
his brothers, Clark and Edward, who were at
that time giving their attention largely to public
affairs. At the same time he read law. In 1869
he returned to Roscoe, 111., to complete his law
studies. The day after Fort Sumter was fired
upon he started out to raise a company of volun-
teers and upon the completion of the work he
tendered the services of the company to Gov-
ernor Yates, but as several companies were ten-
dered from his county and only one could be
accepted, the choice fell upon a company raised
by Stephen A. Hurlbert (afterward a major-
general) .

Immediately afterward, Mr. Thompson went
to St. Paul, Minn., but his mind was so occupied
by the national struggle that he could not apply
himself to his law books nor could he concentrate
his mind on business affairs; so he went to Fort
Snelling and enlisted in Company K, Fourth
Minnesota Infantry. Two weeks after his en-
listment he was elected first lieutenant and later
was selected as adjutant on Col. John B. San-
born's staff. Late in 1862 he was unanimously
elected and commissioned captain of Company E,
Fourth Minnesota Infantry, and served at the
head of the company in many hard-fought bat-
tles, including the siege of Corinth, Iuka, battle
of Corinth and Champion Hills. On the battle-
field of Iuka he served as acting major, in the
absence of the major, and was favorably men-
tioned by his colonel for gallantry and recom-
mended for promotion. In that battle, though in
the thickest of the fight, he was not injured,
though having many narrow escapes; at one time
his hat band was shot off his hat. Shortly after-
ward Adjutant-General Thomas, of the United
States army, while on a tour of inspection in the
west, offered him the rank of colonel of a colored
regiment, which he accepted, but requested that
he might be permitted to remain with and com-
mand his company until after the siege of Vicks-
burg. The request was granted and he remained
with his company.

At Champion Hills, May 16, 1863, Major
Thompson was reported mortally wounded by a

gun shot through the left lung and was left on
the field to die, as was supposed. In a few days
all the wounded were removed for whose recov-
ery the slightest hope was entertained, but as he
had been given up, he with many others was left
to fall into the hands of the Confederates. He
was taken prisoner and the rebel surgeons also
reported him mortally wounded; but, ou account
of his strong constitution and good habits, his
wound did not prove fatal. After six months he
was exchanged and ordered to report at the St.
Louis barracks. From there he was sent to Fort
Snelling, on the way visiting his mother at Ros-
coe, 111. He remained at Fort Snelling and St.
Paul until his marriage, which took place at
Joliet, 111., January 14, 1864. On the day he
was made a Benedict he received a telegram an-
nouncing his promotion to be first major of the
Second Minnesota Cavalry. With his regiment
he took part in the Indian warfare of 1864, and
in the fall of the same year was ordered to report
to and take command of Fort Ripley, on the head
waters of the Mississippi. Later he was trans-
ferred to St. Paul as president of court martial,
where he remained until mustered out of service,
May 5, 1865.

Coming to this county the same month, Major
Thompson built what was at the time one of the
finest residences in the county and probably the
finest farm house in the state. In 1867, accom-
panied by his wife, he went to Europe and spent
eight months, visiting Italy, France, Germany,
Switzerland and the British Isles. On his return
he gave his attention to the raising of high-grade
horses and cattle. During the war he was a Re-
publican, afterward became independent and dur-
ing Cleveland's first term he supported the Dem-
ocratic party, believing it to be more favorable to
the farmer in its tariff platform. From 1887 to
1893 he was master of the state grange, during
which time he traveled over the entire state,
speaking in almost every county. He also trav-
eled in the interest of the Grange in the United
States, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. He was
a member of the thirty-ninth General Assembly.
At the close of his term the Chicago Herald
placed his name on a roll of honor with the

GKXEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

names of seventeen others, stating that even-
vote these gentlemen cast was in the interests of
agriculture and labor. In 1897 the Democratic
party nominated him to represent the twelfth dis-
trict in congress, but he declined the nomination
in the convention. However, in response to the
appeal of the district committee and leading mem-
bers of the party, he withdrew his resignation
and reluctantly consented to represent the party
during the fall campaign. Although he was not
elected, yet he reduced the majorities formerly
given his opponent, J. G. Cannon, of Danville,
who had represented his district for twenty
years.

The marriage of Major Thompson united him
with Miss Mary Jane Davidson, daughter of
Judge John J. Davidson, a pioneer of 1834. They
have had four daughters and one son, viz.: Jen-
nie Marie, John D., Helen E. (Mrs. Charles
Fish), Agnes (deceased) and Vera.

3OHX FEIL, member of the board of super-
visors, is a well-known merchant of Frank-
fort Station. He is a man of good business
ability, enterprising and persevering, and by his
well-directed efforts has won prosperity. Since
he began in business, in the fall of 18S0, he has
enjoyed a steady growth in his trade and now has
in his store a stock that, for size and quality, is
not surpassed by any establishment for miles
around. Three clerks assist him in attending to
the wants of customers. By his reliability,
courtesy and well-known integrity he has gained
and held the patronage of people throughout his
section of the county.

The entire life of Mr. Feil has been passed in
this county. He was born April 20, 1S54, in
Greengarden Township, to which his father,
John, had come two years before. The latter
was born in Codweilen, Prussia, Germany, in
1822, and in 1S47 accompanied his parents,
George and Elizabeth (Scheer) Feil, to America,
settling in Frankfort Township, this county, but

in 1852 removed to Greengarden Township, where
he bought sixty acres of land and made his home
for twelve years. In 1S64 he moved a mile west,
settling on section 8, where he devoted his re-
maining years to general farm pursuits. He was
a successful farmer and owned two hundred and
forty acres of land. Personally, he was quiet and
reserved, but those who knew him well found
him to be a man possessing many noble qualities
of heart. At the time of his death, October 6,
1871, he was forty-nine years of age. Hisfather,
George, spent his life, after 1847, in this county,
his closing years being passed in Mokena.

By the marriage of John Feil, Sr., to Catherine
Klose, a native of Germany, thirteen children
were born. The nine now living are as follows:
John, of this sketch; Louis, who makes his home
in Englewood, Chicago; Jacob, who occupies the
old homestead; Charles C, who lives in Charles
City, Iowa; Henry, of Joliet: Valentine, of Man-
hattan; Caroline, wife of Jacob Felton, of Hunt-
ington County, Ind. ; Lizzie, who married Arnold
Funstein, of Manhattan; and Lena, Mrs. Chris-
tian Hauck, of Joliet. The subject of this sketch
grew to manhood in Greengarden Township.
When he was twenty-five he moved to Frankfort
Township, and entered upon the life of a farmer
here. In 1880 he traded his farm for a stock of
merchandise, and, with Charles Deist as a part-
ner, began his present business. In the spring of
1893 ne bought his partner's interest and has
since carried on the business alone.

In politics Mr. Feil is a Republican. For four-
teen years he has served as police magistrate of
the village. During President McKinley's ad-
ministration, in 1897, he received the appoint-
ment of postmaster at Frankfort Station. In 1898
he was elected supervisor for a term of two years.
In this office, as in every position he has held,
it has been his aim to advance the interests of the
people and the welfare of the county. Xo laud-
able movement is allowed to fail for want of sup-
port on his part. Such citizens as he are a credit
to the community. He is a member of the Ger-
man Evangelical Church and in it served as a
trustee for several years. Fraternally he is con-
nected with the Court of Honor in his home

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

town. February 20, 1879, lie was united in
marriage with Miss Christina Deist, by whom he
has had four children. Only two are now living.
The son, Edward J., is a student in the Chicago
Business College; the daughter, Esther E., is at
home.

GILBERT PHELPS. Notwithstanding the
l_| many years that have elapsed since the death
/ I of Mr. Phelps, he still lives in the memory
of his acquaintances in this county and especially
in the hearts of his former associates in Dupage
Township. His life was not a long one as we
count time, for it covered little more than twenty-
six years; yet it was a busy and useful existence,
passed in the quiet routine of farm work and in
the faithful discharge of every duty, as citizen,
neighbor, friend, husband and father.

Mr. Phelps was born in Willsboro, Essex
County, N. Y., December 12, 1846. He was
reared upon a farm in that county and received
his education in its common schools. When a
young man, with the future stretching before
him, full of opportunities and openings, he de-
cided to come west, where the rewards of toil
were greater than in the more thickly settled east.
He had a sister living in Will County and joined
her here. From that time until his death he was
engaged in farm pursuits in Dupage Township.
In connection with the raising of farm products
he carried on a dairy business, which proved a
profitable source of revenue. His attention was
given closely to his chosen occupation. He did
not take an active part in politics, although he
never failed to vote the Democratic ticket. Fra-
ternally he was connected with the blue lodge of
Masonry in Naperville. He aided in the support
of the Presbyterian Church, with the work of
which he was in sympathy. When he died
March 6, 1873, he was followed to his last rest-
ing place by his neighbors and friends, all of
whom realized that in his death the township had
lost one of its most honorable men and substan-
tial farmers.

His wife and two sons survive Mr. Phelps.
He was married, November 5, 1869, to Miss
Harriet L-, daughter of Thomas J. Sprague,
whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work.
She was born in this township December 8, 1850,
and received her education in local schools and
at Lockport. Among the people in whose midst
her life has been passed she is honored and es-
teemed for her many worthy traits of character
and for her devotion to her family. She is justly
proud of her sons, both of whom are exceptional-
ly capable young men. The older, Herbert
Reuben, makes his home with his mother and
has charge of the farm, maintaining an intelligent
supervision of its interests. The younger, Al-
bert C, graduated from the Illinois State Uni-
versity and afterward took a special course of
study in Munich, Germany. He is now instruc-
tor in architecture at Cornell University, Ithaca,
N. Y.

"HE FRANCIS FAMILY. For years the
representatives of this family have been
inseparably associated with the growth of
Will County. The first of the name to settle
here was Abraham Francis, who was born in
County Cavan, Ireland, September 29, 1808.
He was a descendant of ancestors who, during
the religious persecution of 1696, fled from Scot-
land to Ireland, where subsequent generations
made their home. In 1816 William Francis, a
farmer, emigrated from County Cavan and settled
in Brown County, Ohio. He was a hardworking
man, whose life and surroundings offered few op-
portunities for education or advancement. At
the time of his death his son, Abraham, was
a youth of fifteen years, and he afterward con-
tinued in Brown County for some years. In the
spring of 183 1 he and a young German left Ohio
and rode on horseback to Shawnee Mound, Tip-
pecanoe County, Ind. From there they walked,
carrying knapsacks and axes, to Illinois, explor-
ing the region around the headquarters of the Kan-
kakee River. With canoes they had constructed,

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

they floated down the river to Wilmington, and
then followed the Indian trail to New Lenox
Township. Choosing a location, Mr. Francis
entered one hundred and sixty acres of govern-
ment land and "floated" another tract of similar
size, comprising the north half of the east half of
section nine, where his son, A. A. Francis, and
his family afterwards resided.

After building a log cabin Mr. Francis re-
turned' to Ohio. There he married Miss Mary
A. J. Davison, who was born in Adams County,
that state, March 17, 1815, a daughter of Will-
iam and Mary (Iugraham) Davison, both of
whom died in Tippecanoe County, Iud. Novem-
ber 16, 1 83 1, Mr. Francis and his bride arrived
at their new home in Illinois. On that day snow
began to fall and they did not see the bare ground
again that winter, which will be recalled as the
winter of the great snow so disastrous to pioneers.
At one time, when Mrs. Francis was attending to
her household duties, Rev. Stephen R. Beggs,
the minister of the community, drove up to the
cabin. When she met him at the door, he,
judging from her youthful face that she was the
daughter of the family, inquired where her father
was. She answered that he was on the home
farm back in Ohio. "Then," said he, "what
are you doing here?" "I am keeping house for
my husband and his brother Thomas," was her
answer. Both Mr. Francis and his wife were
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church;
and in early days the Sunday meetings of the
congregation were often held in his barn, which
is still standing. It is probable that the first
religious services in the borders of New Lenox
Township were held in this building.

When the Black Hawk war broke out, in June,
1832, Mr. Francis was one of six men appointed
to investigate the report of the Indian outrages
on Fox River. Finding that the reports of the
outrages were true, Mr. Francis removed his
family to Shawnee Mound, Ind. He then re-

turned and served as second lieutenant under
Captain Seissions. When hostilities ceased he
resumed the cultivation of his farm. At the time
of the cholera epidemic he was engaged in team-
ing for the government at Chicago. Prior to the
division of Cook County and the separation of
Will County, he served as deputy sheriff and
held other offices of honor and trust. In politics
he was for years a Democrat, but at the time of
the Civil war became an adherent of the Repub-
lican party.

The family of Abraham and Mary Francis con-
sisted of eleven children, eight of whom attained
mature years and married. The eldest, Margaret
L., wife of Needham P. Cooper, of New Lenox
Township, is believed to have been the first
white child born in this township. The eldest
son, William D., died at the age of twenty-two
years. Mary A. J. married J. S. Blackstone, of
Kankakee. A. Allen, the second son, is
represented in the following sketch. John, who
was born January 8, 1843, is a prominent stock-
raiser and dairyman of this township and for
years held the office of supervisor; his biography
is presented upon another page. Lydia E. is the
wife of William S. Nichols, of this township.
Charles is a farmer near the old homestead.
Clara M. died when sixteen mouths old.
Adalina A. married Jesse Meharry, of Tolono,
111. George L- is a machinery merchant in New
Lenox and also engages in agricultural pursuits
near the old homestead. Carrie D. died at the
age of thirteen years. One sister, two of the
brothers, and the widow of the second brother,
live nearly all on the same road, the sister occu-
pying the center farm, while the others have
places that adjoin. All are honored and respected
in the locality and are recognized as people of
superior worth and intelligence. The father of
the family died at the old homestead November
28, 1862, and his wife passed away January 15,
1884.

lib:

OF
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

J\ Qmu^, i

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

A. ALLEN FRANCIS.

Gl ALLEN FRANCIS. Intimately associated
LI with the history of New Lenox Township
/ I, throughout his entire life, Mr. Francis long
held a conspicuous position among its stock-
raisers and land-owners. For years before his
death he was the owner of one of the finest stock
farms in the county. Through the exercise of
his remarkable business ability he became the
owner of over one thousand acres of laud, be-
sides which he had other valuable interests. Nor
was his success merely that of gaining ample
means, but he was also successful in winning the
confidence of his associates and the affectionate
regard of his friends. As an instance of the es-
teem in which he was held, it may be mentioned
that when, after having served as president of the
Farmers' Institute since 1S88, he expressed a de-
sire to retire from the office in 1S9S, there was a
unanimous demand for his continuance. When
he finally consented, a demonstration was given
him that will not soon be forgotten by those who
were present. Perhaps greater enthusiasm was
never shown for a citizen of Will County than
was exhibited at that time.

On the farm where his entire life was spent
Mr. Francis was born September 7, 1840, the
oldest son of Abraham and Mary A. J. (Davison)
Francis, natives respectively of County Cavan,
Ireland, and Adams County, Ohio. He was ed-
ucated in country schools and the Joliet high
school. From an early age he was interested in
the raising of cattle, in which he was uniformly
successful. In New Lenox Township, Septem-
ber 15, 1870, he married Miss Lizzie J. Haven,
who was born here March 31, 1849, and received
her education in common schools and Dearborn
Seminary, Chicago. She was a daughter of

Hon. Dwight Haven (see sketch on another
page) and was the eldest of his family of five
daughters and one son. To the marriage of Mr.
and Mrs. Francis were born five children, of
whom two are living, namely: Mary L., wife of
W. Foster Burns, an attorney in Chicago; and
Daisy H. There was also an adopted daughter,
Anna H., Mrs. Willis I. Doig, of Joliet, who was
a member of the household from the age of four
j' ears.

When a young man Mr. Francis became a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of
New Lenox, of which he was a trustee; he also
served as treasurer of the building committee at
the time of the erection of the new church. For
years he was superintendent and treasurer of the
New Lenox Camp Meeting Association, the suc-
cess of which was in a large measure due to his
indefatigable efforts. Nor did his interest in this
movement wane. Up to the last he labored for
its welfare, and even after his fatal illness began
he was on the camp meeting grounds to see that
the work was progressing satisfactorily. He was
a stockholder in the Will County National Bank
and had moneyed interests in other local enter-
prises. In his business transactions he was sys-
tematic and exact; a man of the utmost probity,
whose integrity was never questioned and whose
character was above reproach. Ever guardful of
the best interests of his township, he was one of
its most progressive citizens, and as a Republican
he took an active part in the political life of the
community. At one time he was president and
a director of the Agricultural and Mechanical
Association of Will County and the New Lenox
Fire Insurance Company. He was a firm friend
of the public school system and served efficiently

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

as a school director of his district. All enter-
prises having for their object the good of the lo-
cality, or the increase of its material wealth, found
in him an advocate and friend, and his township
had no resident more closely identified with its
progress than was he.

His strength as a leading Republican was
shown at the Republican convention of 1898,
when his friends, against his wishes, nominated
him for state senator.

In addition to the many tributes of sympathy
received by the family upon the death of Mr.
Francis, the Will County Farmers' Institute
passed the following resolutions unanimously:

"Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God to
remove by death Hon. A. Allen Francis, our be-
loved friend and president, from our midst, and

"Whereas, In the various relations of life, as
husband, father, brother, friend, officer, neigh-
bor, citizen, he was devoted, affectionate, kind,
true, efficient, sympathetic and public-spirited,
each day living a noble and exemplary life;
Therefore be it

"Resolved, By the Will County Farmers' In-
stitute, in session assembled this eleventh day of
January, A. D., 1900, fully realizing his good in-
fluence and in his death our great loss, we desire
to bear testimony to his worth and offer this lov-
ing tribute of precious memory and respect. Be
it also further

''Resolved, That we extend to his wife and
family our heartfelt sympathy in their great be-
reavement, and would fain place by the side of
theirs the kindred feeling of sympathy and of
sorrow."

On every hand were heard expressions of re-
gret at the loss of a citizen so progressive and
noble. Such tributes as these were spoken by
those who appreciated the worth of such a char-
acter: "He was the best farmer in Will County.
He preached the necessity of keeping up the vir-
ginity of the soil. His whole life stood for better
methods in agriculture." "No man has had a
greater influence in Will County than A. Allen
Francis. ' ' "Never was I in his presence but I felt
the inspiration to do something good." "Men
are drawn nearer to God when a good man dies."

y /IERRITT O. CAGWIN. During the colo-
y nial period of American history the Cag-
(«J win family came from Scotland to this
country. Thomas Cagwin was the son of a Rev-
olutionary soldier, served as an officer in the
war of 1S12, and married Eunice Joslyn, who
was also of Scotch lineage. Born in Massachu-
setts, he removed from there to Oneida, N. Y. ,
and later settled near Brockport, Monroe County,
purchasing a farm of four hundred acres in and
adjoining the village. From his laud he platted
a portion of the town. He continued to reside
there until his death, which occurred at sixty
years.

While the family lived in Oneida County,
Abijah, son of Thomas Cagwin, was born, and
he was reared there and in Monroe County,
learning the trades of tanner and shoemaker. For
a time he conducted a tannery at Brockport, but
it burned down in 1834, entailing a total loss.
Having no longer any interests in the east, he
determined to seek a home in the new and grow-
ing west. Coming to Illinois in 1835, he bought
a large tract of land just east of Joliet, on Hick-
ory street, purchasing the same at the land sale
in Chicago. He then returned east and bought
the necessary equipments for a sawmill, which
he shipped to Chicago and thence conveyed by
wagon to Joliet. Building a sawmill, he began
the manufacture of hardwood lumber, and on the
4th of Jul}', 1S36, surrounded by a crowd of
patriotic citizens, who came more than twenty
miles, he sawed the first board used in the build-
ing of one of the first frame houses in Joliet. As
sawmills were scarce, he was successful in the
work, and continued to manufacture lumber there
for fifteen years.

Meantime Mr. Cagwin served eight years as
justice of the peace. At the same time he
bought real estate in Joliet, which he improved
with residences and then sold. At the expira-
tion of his term as justice he was elected county
judge, filling the office for many years. In both
cases he was endorsed and elected by both par-
ties. Later he embarked in the grain and mer-
cantile business on what is now North Chicago,
near Cass street, his being the first business place

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in that section of the city. For man}' years he
continued in the grain trade, at the same time
improving lands and farming. He laid out and
named Cagwin and Scribner streets, the latter
being named in honor of his wife. The property
is still in the family and is handled by Munroe
Brothers. He was an active factor in organizing
the Will County Bank, of which he served as
president until he disposed of his stock, Henry
D. Higinbotham being vice-president, and Ben-
jamin Richardson, cashier. Politically he was
a Democrat, and fraternally a Knight Templar
Mason. In the organization of the Universalist
Church of Joliet he took an active part and con-
tinued to be one of its leading members during
his remaining years. He died Octocer 2, 1890,
when eighty -two years of age.

The wife of Abijah Cagwin was Hannah
Scribner, who was born in Poultney, Vt., a
daughter of Deacon Peter Scribner, an English-
man by birth. On coming to America her father
settled in New Hampshire, but later went to
Vermont, where he engaged in farming and
sheep- raising. When he was ninety-four years
of age he was accidentally killed by a fall from a
tree. His brother, Samuel, settled in New York
City and founded Scribner's Magazine, long one
of the standard periodicals of the country. Mrs.
Cagwin died March 30, 1892, when eighty-four
years of age. Of her eight children we note
the following: Merritt O. is the eldest of the
family; Mrs. Helen Harwood lives in Atlanta,
Ga. ; Mrs. Sarah Barrett makes her home in
Joliet; Thomas P. lives in Milwaukee, Wis.;
Hamden A., a grain merchant, and Nancy, both
died in Joliet; Mrs. Rosa Briggs is living here;
and Abijah, the youngest, who was a member of
the Mississippi squadron, U. S. N., during the
Civil war, is now in California.

The subject of this article was born in Brock-
port, N. Y., May 14, 1828, and was eight years
of age when his father returned east, making the
trip on an Indian pony, and then, with a team
and wagon, brought the family to Illinois via
Canada and Michigan, arriving in Joliet May 8,
1836, after a trip of one month. From the age
often he assisted on the farm and in the mill.

When he was fifteen his father opened a store,
in which he clerked during the next three years.
He then went to Chicago, where he worked for
an uncle, who was an auctioneer, and later trav-
eled for two years. Meantime he purchased
eighty acres of state land at a canal sale, and on
this he began in the stock business. By the pur-
chase of additional property he became the owner
of about four hundred acres lying east of Joliet.
The discovery of gold in California awakened in
Mr. Cagwin's mind a determination to seek the
far west. In 1851 he went to San Francisco via
New York and the Nicaragua route, and taking
his course up the American River engaged in
mining. A year's experience, however, satisfied
him with the life of a miner, and he returned
home via Panama and New York. On arriving
in this county he started in the grain business,
which he followed for four years, and then traded
for twelve hundred acres in Wilton Township.
There he engaged in raising high-grade cattle.
During the war he was serving as township su-
pervisor. It was his desire to enlist in the army,
but could not pass the required medical examin-
ation. Nevertheless, he did all in his power to
advance the Union cause, and donated $10 to
each member of the first company organized in
his vicinity.

Returning to Joliet, Mr. Cagwin purchased a
grain elevator on the canal, which he conducted
with his father. Next he spent three years in
the grain business at Wilmington, after which
he built the White Cloud mill and manufactured
flour. Nine years were also spent in the grain
business in Elwood. Again coming to Joliet, he
bought an elevator on the west side, which was
known as the Jesse elevator. On selling out he
bought a farm on Spring Creek, in Lockport
Township, three miles from Joliet, and engaged in
superintending the management of its one hun-
dred and five acres until 1891, when he returned
to Joliet, leaving the estate in charge of his son,
Harlow. Since his return to the city he has re-
sided on Cass street, in the old home of the Hig-
inbotham family.

Until the first presidential campaign of Abra-
ham Lincoln, Mr. Cagwin was a Democrat, but

6 4

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

since then he has been stanch in his adherence
to Republican principles. He is a demitted mem-
ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
and in religion is a Universalist. During the
early days, while holding the office of highway
commissioner, he laid out Cass street as a road
and also opened up Washington street. He also
served as collector of Joliet Township and su-
pervisor of Wilton Township. During his term
of service as highway commissioner he made
twelve miles of hard gravel road in the township.
He has ever been active in measures for the bene-
fit of the people. The welfare of Joliet and Will
County is ever uppermost in his mind, and he has
favored every enterprise calculated to promote
their progress. No citizen has shown greater
public spirit than he. Having been so long and
intimately identified with the business interests
of the county, he has witnessed the development
of its commerce, the extension of its influence
and the enlargement of its resources.

On the Higinbotham farm, in January, 1851,
occurred the marriage of Mr. Cagwin and Miss
Ambrosia Higinbotham. They are the parents
of five children, namely: Albert, who is connec-
ted with a tobacco manufacturing business in
Chicago; Mrs. Almeda Pritz, of Pueblo, Colo.;
Nellie, at home; Fred, a business man in Michi-
gan City, Ind.; and Harlow T., who operates the
home farm. Mrs. Cagwin's father, Henry D.
Higinbotham, was born in Otsego Count}', N. Y.,
and, in 1834, when a young man, came to Illi-
nois and entered a large farm, becoming in time
one of the most successful farmers of this county.
In 1854 he established his home at No. ioogCass
street, where he died in 1865, aged fifty-nine
years. He was the only one of four brothers
who came to this county. In many respects his

success was remarkable, for in spite of hardships
and obstacles in earl}- days he accumulated what
was for that time a fortune. Of the Universalist
faith, he was one of the most generous contribu-
tors to the church of that denomination in Joliet.
He was a Knight Templar Mason and in politics
a stanch Democrat.

The marriage of Henry D. Higinbotham uni-
ted him with Miss Rebecca Wheeler, who was
born in New York state. Her father, Samuel
B., was born in New England and removed to
New York, where he worked as a wagon maker
until his death. In 1832, his son, Mansfield,
came to Illinois and settled on a farm in what is
now Will County. The children of Mr. and
Mrs. Higinbotham were seven in number, the
most prominent being Harlow Niles Higin-
botham, of the firm of Marshall Field & Co.,
Chicago. Years ago, on starting out in busi-
ness, he was employed by Potter Palmer and
continued with the latter's successors, Field &
Leiter, as a credit man. In time he purchased
L. Z. Leiter's interest in the business and be-
came a member of the firm. In public affairs he
has also been very active, and is one of Chicago's
best known citizens. At the time of the World's
Fair he held the office of president of the same,
and the remarkable success of his work attracted
world-wide attention. Politically he is a Re-
publican. The other sons and daughters of H.
D. Higinbotham are as follows: Albert, who
served in Scott's Chicago regiment during the
entire Civil war and died in Joliet; Mrs. Ambro-
sia Cagwin; Mrs. Ann Eliza Demmond, of
Joliet; Mrs. Gertrude Leddy, who died in Jo-
liet; Mrs. Ellen Darwin, who also passed away
in this city; and Charles, who is connected with
the Elgin postoffice.

OF iE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

> / r /?

^^frS^^f^

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ANDREW H. SHREFFLER.

G] NDREW H. SHREFFLER. Few lives of
LI Joliet citizens have borne a grander exem-
I I plification of integrity and stability of char-
acter than that of Mr. Shreffler. From the early
history of Will County his name stood out prom-
inently in each era of development and growth.
He was intimately associated with the rise of the
tide of commercial advancement from the cabin
and forest to busy and populous cities and pros-
perous farmers. In the financial world and in
the hearts of his fellow-men alike he held a proud
position. His was a career that knew no such
word as failure. Energy and vitality, coupled
with his innate conception and appreciation of all
that is true and noble, made of the struggling
youth a man fitted to fill a high place in the
world; and such a place he held throughout his
allotted years. When death came he was ready
for the summons, and thus quietly passed into
eternity's joys one of Joliet's most beloved pio-
neers.

The history of the Shreffler famil}' appears in
the sketch of John D. Shreffler. Andrew Hafer
Shreffler was born on a farm near Potter's Mills,
in Center County, Pa., June 9, 1826. He came
to Joliet with his father in May, 1846, and soon
afterward settled in Plain field, where he began to
carve out his dream of a successful career. June
7, 1849, he was married to Elizabeth, second
daughter of Michael Dillman. This estimable
lady died January 23, 1893; of their five children
only one is living, Mrs. Mary E. S. Witwer.

In the spring of 1849 Michael Dillman and his
sons started in Plainfield the first manufacturing
establishment in Will County. In the fall of
1851 Mr. Shreffler entered the employ of the firm

and became interested with them in the manu-
facture of stoves, plows, mowers and other imple-
ments. In the spring of 1863 the business was
transferred to Joliet. The firm name was Dili-
man & Co., the "Company" being Mr. Shreffler.
In 1867 the firm was incorporated under the laws
of the state as the Joliet Manufacturing Co., with
Mr. Shreffler as the first secretary. This office
he filled so creditably and with such foresight of
contingencies that in 1873 he was elected presi-
dent, which position he held from that time until
his death. In 1873 he bought out the interest of
Andrew Dillman and in 1890 that of L. E. Dili-
man, at which time he became the sole owner of
the valuable manufacturing plant.

Though reared in the Evangelical faith Mr.
Shreffler was identified with the Ottawa Street
Methodist Episcopal Church during almost the
entire period of his residence in Joliet. In every
sphere of activity he proved himself to be a man
of sincere and earnest Christian character. His
name was a synonym of integrity and honor. He
was also a man of great energy, to whose enthu-
siasm and determination the success of the manu-
facturing plant was largely due. As one who
contributed effectively to the progress of Joliet,
his name is entitled to a lasting place in the
annals of the city. He died December 28, 1896.

ELEM SENSENIG WITWER. The Joliet
Manufacturing Company, of which Mr.
Witwer is vice-president and manager, is
one of the old-established and successful concerns

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of Joliet. Some time during the '40s it was
started by Michael Dillman in Plainfield, where
agricultural implements were manufactured on a
very small scale. In March of the year 1S63
removal was made to the present site, comprising
four acres on Cass street and Youngs avenue, in
Joliet, where are now large buildings thoroughly
equipped for the various processes of manufac-
turing. In 1867 the company was incorporated.
During the long history of the company its fac-
tory has never been closed, except on the occa-
sion of the annual inventor}-. Employment is
furnished about one hundred skilled laborers.
For years reapers and mowers, plows and corn
shellers were manufactured, but for some time
the manufactures have been restricted to the
Eureka Ironsides corn sheller, the ShiefHer and
the Rural corn shellers, the Original Joliet Cylin-
der corn sheller and Joliet Dustless Cylinder corn
sheller No. 2; also the celebrated line of Pitts and
Cary patent horse power, the firm being now the
only exclusive manufacturers of shellers and
powers in the United States. In January, 1897,
Mrs. Witwer was elected president and treasurer
of the company, and Mr. Witwer vice-president
and manager, and thtse official relations have
continued since. The paid-up capital of the
company reaches $70,000. The business is car-
ried on through jobbers, principally the Kingman
Company, of St. Louis and Des Moines; Avery
Manufacturing Company, of Kansas City; Van
Zaut Hardware and Implement Company, of
Wichita and Hutchinson, Kans. ; Lininger &
Metcalf, of Omaha; Harber Bros., of Blooming-
ton, 111.; and the Shannahan-Wrightson Hard-
ware Company, of Eastou, Md. The products of
the plant are shipped to all parts of the country,
and the reputation gained by the company is un-
excelled for reliability of business transactions
and perfection of machinery.

Mr. Witwer was born in Ashland County,
Ohio, February 26, 1862, and was one of twelve
children, all but three of whom are still living.
There are seven brothers and two sisters, viz.:
John S., a dealer in agricultural implements in
Dallas, Tex., and postmaster there under Presi-
dent Harrison; T. W., who is cashier of the firm

of Studebaker Bros., of Chicago; George M., pri-
vate secretary to J. M. Studebaker; Clem S., of
this sketch; Edward C, superintendent of the
carriage department of Studebaker Bros.' factory
at South Bend, Ind. ; J. F., who represents Stude-
baker Bros, in Ohio, making Columbus his head-
quarters; H. E., secretary and manager of the
Studebaker and Lamb ranch at Kersey, Colo.;
Mrs. Joseph Kopcsay, of South Bend, Ird.; and
Mrs. J. H. Mohler, of Joliet.

The Witwer family originated in Germany,
where they were a sturdy race, inhabiting the two
provinces on the banks of the upper Rhine. On
account of religious and social persecutions they
left their native land and settled in Pennsylvania.
Members of this family were among the first set-
tlers of Earl Township, Lancaster County, Pa.,
whither they went as early as 1730, one year af-
ter the organization of the county. Among the
papers of Rev. George Witwer was found a deed
from William Penn to William Sensenig, bear-
ing date 1734, in which appears the name of
Michael Witwer, an ancestor of our subject.

The father of our subject, Rev. George Wit-
wer, was born in Earl Township, Lancaster
County, August 25, 1824, a son of Isaac Witwer.
During the '50s he removed to Ashland County,
Ohio, where he engaged in the general mercan-
tile business, served as postmaster at Ashland,
and also preached in the Dunkard Church. In
1863 he settled in LaPorte County, Ind., where
he carried on farm pursuits and also engaged in
ministerial work. In 1S67 he went to Missouri
as agent for Studebaker Bros, (his brother-in-
laws), and established an agricultural implement
store at Hamilton, Mo. While living in that
state he preached in his denomination. Return-
ing to Indiana in 188 1 he was connected with
the Studebaker factory in South Bend, and died
in that city in October, 1886, aged sixty-six
years. Until one month before his death he con-
tinued to preach. His wife, who was Elizabeth
Studebaker, was born in Lancaster, Pa., and
makes her home in South Bend. Her father,
John, a native of Pennsylvania, removed to Ash-
land, Ohio, where he followed the wagon-maker's
trade and would have been very successful had

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD

he not lost several thousand dollars by endorsing
a note for a friend. His two oldest sons, Henry
and Clement, started in business with a capital of
$68, and now give employment to more than two
thousand men, the output of their factories being
between seventy-five and eight}' thousand vehi-
cles annually.

Accompanying his parents in their various re-
movals, the subject of this sketch received com-
mon school advantages in the towns where he
lived in boyhood. While clerking in a store in
Hamilton he also herded cattle at odd times for
Dwight & Booth. When fifteen years of age he
was given $500 cash by his employers and was
sent twenty miles on horseback to buy cattle,
which he did, weighing them and paying for
them and then driving them to the nearest rail-
road at Kidder, Mo. From 1879 to 1881 he was
employed as assistant to Studebaker Bros., at
South Bend, Ind. While there he joined the
South Bend Light Guards and continued the
membership at the DePauw University, where he
was a student in 1881-82. On leaving the Uni-
versity he became inspector and buyer in the
lumber department of Studebaker Bros., also
gained some experience as traveling salesman.
In 1883 he went to Dallas, Tex., where he man-
aged the business of his brother, J. S. Two
years later he traveled for Studebaker Bros. , in
Indiana, continuing with the firm until he be-
came interested in the Joliet Manufacturing
Company. He is a member of the National Im-
plement and Vehicle Manufacturers' Association.
At one time he was active in the Business Men's
Association and was offered its presidency, but
declined. Frequently he has been selected to
serve as a delegate to Republican conventions and
as a member of committees; offices of trust have
been offered him, among them that of mayor of
Joliet, but he prefers to devote himself to his bus-
iness affairs, having little taste for official life.
He is connected with the Union Club of Joliet
and the Hamilton Club of Chicago.

The home of Mr. Witwer is an elegant resi-
dence on Cass street. He was married in Joliet,
October 5, 1887, to Miss Mary E. Shreffler,
daughter of Andrew Hafer Shreffler, whose large

financial interests were inherited at his death by
his only surviving child. Mr. and Mrs. Witwer
attend the Ottawa Street Methodist Episcopal
Church, in which Mr. Witwer is a member of the
board of trustees. They are liberal supporters
of all church and benevolent institutions. Their
home is the scene of many social functions, the
pleasure of which is heightened by their courte-
ous hospitality and refined surroundings. They
are the parents of one son, Andrew Hafer Shref-
fler Witwer, born February 21, 1894. Their
daughter, Irene, was born July 17, 1890, and
died September 30, 1891.

NON. EDWIN PORTER, president of the
E. Porter Brewing Company and the E.
Porter & Son's Stone Company, both of
Joliet, and sole proprietor of the Gold King mine
in Cripple Creek, Colo., was born in Granger,
Medina County, Ohio, April 19, 1828. He was
one of the three children forming the family of
Harvey and Harriet (Culbert) Porter, natives of
New York. He comes of patriotic lineage, for
his father was a soldier in the war of 181 2 and
his grandfather Porter served through the entire
seven years of the Revolutionary struggle. He
was educated in common schools and Brooklyn
Academy, and for a time was connected with a
coal business in 1856. The year 1856 found him
in Joliet, where he started in the malting and
brewing business on the Desplaines River. At
first his business was very small, but, being
energetic and judicious, he increased it constantly
though gradually, and it has now become the
largest brewery in the city and one of the largest
in the state. It has a capacity of one hundred
and fifty barrels a day, ninety-five per cent of the
output being beer. Mr. Porter is president of
the company and has a most efficient co-laborer
in Joseph Braun, Jr., secretary and treasurer, in
whose judgment and experience he reposes the
utmost confidence. In 1889 the brewery was re-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

modeled and made first-class in every respect.
The plant covers two blocks and is provided
with all modern improvements. Water is fur-
nished from two artesian wells and is declared by
chemists to be especially adapted for the brew-
ing of beer, the wells being in bed rock, where
no surface water can reach them. On the incor-
poration of the firm in 1893, the name was made
E. Porter Brewing Company, and continues as
such to the present. The work of brewing is in
charge of Henry Leser, who has had experience
with some of the largest breweries in the country
and who has held his present position since
1886.

It is not always that a man can successfully
conduct two enterprises, different in nature and
requiring the exercise of different talents. How-
ever, Mr. Porter has not only been successful as
the head of a large brewery, but he has also built
up an important stone business. In 1883 he be-
came interested in quarrying. Two years later
E. Porter & Son's Stone Company was incor-
porated, with him as its president They have
since operated quarries in the east part of the
city, adjoining the limits, from which shipments
are made to many points. This business is under
the management of Harry E. Porter. In 1895
Mr. Porter bought the Gold King mine on Gold

Hill, in the Cripple Creek district, and has since
been sole proprietor of the same, taking an active
interest in its development.

In Cleveland, Ohio, Mr. Porter married Miss
Almena A. Curtis, who was born in that city.
They became the parents of three sons, namely:
Charles and Joseph C, deceased; and Harry, who
is manager of the stone business.

The Democratic party usually receives Mr.
Porter's support. In 1864 he was elected mayor
of Joliet and was again elected in 1865 and 1871.
Under the new city charter he was twice elected
to the mayor's office for two years (in 1879 and
1881) and in 1883 was elected for a term of four
years, his entire service in this position covering
a longer period than that of any other mayor the
city has had. He is a member of the Business
Men's Association. Fraternally he is connected
with Matteson Lodge, A. F. & A. M., in which
he is a past officer. In personal characteristics
he is conservative, unassuming and reserved;
deliberate in forming his judgment, but not easily
changed when once a course of action is decided
upon; devoted to his business and finding his
keenest enjoyment in the management of large
financial enterprises; yet withal, to those who
know him well, a genial companion and warm
friend.

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

C, u^C^CU^

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

CHRISTOPHER C. ROBINSON.

EHRISTOPHER C. ROBINSON, deceased,
was during his active years one of Lockport's
most successful citizens. He was recognized
as a man of unusual ability as a financier. Quick
to see an opportunity for a:i advantageous invest-
ment, he was equally quick to avail himself of it.
He had many and varied interests, all of which,
with scarce^- an exception, proved a source of
profit to him. Coming to Lockport at the time
when everything was booming, he furnished the
contractors on the canal with beef and also dealt
in stock. At different times he bought property
in Chicago and Lockport, the rise in the value of
which greatly enhanced his wealth. With no
desire for personal display, he was economical
and even frugal in his life, but free from a spirit
of parsimony.

In Chelsea, Vt. , where he was born March 28,
1812, Mr. Robinson passed the years of his youth,
meantime learning the machinist's trade. In
1836 he came to Lockport, after which he worked
very little at his trade, finding other enterprises
that were more profitable. He made the first
drill that was used on the Illinois and Michigan
canal. In 1857, in partnership with A. S. An-
derson, he bought a farm just across the line in
Dupage County, and for seven years made his
home on that place, after which he returned to
Lockport and continued to reside here until his
death, February 22, 1872, at the age of about
sixty years. While he did not care for office, he
never failed to vote the Republican ticket at elec-
tions and was always interested in the success of
his party. Though not identified with any de-
nomination, he was a believer in the Christian
religion and aided in works of a charitable and
religious nature.

The marriage of Mr. Robinson, April 22, 1857,
united him with Miss Lydia A. Turner, who was
born in Ashtabula, Ohio, and came to Lockport
in girlhood, since which time she has made her
home in or near this place. No children were
born of her marriage to Mr. Robinson, but they
adopted a daughter, Hettie C, who married
Fred A. Bartlett, and resides in a house adjoin-
ing the one occupied by Mrs. Robinson in Lock-
port, and whose love and affection have bright-
ened the home life of Mrs. Robinson.

The home life of Mr. and Mrs. Robinson was
ideal, and much of the success of his life was due
to the wise counsels of his wife, who was a true
helpmeet. His Christianity was shown by help-
ing his fellow-men, regardless of their social posi-
tion or creed. The inner life is the real life of
any man, and those who knew Mr. Robinson best
admired and honored him most.

3OHN P. PATTERSON, secretary, treasurer
and manager of the Dupage Valley creamery
in Wheatland Township, was born in Eng-
land, March 12, 1855, a son of Thomas and Ag-
nes (Palmer) Patterson. His father, a native of
Scotland, moved to England when thirty years
of age and followed the carpenter's trade at Man-
chester. In 1858 he crossed the ocean to Amer-
ica, coming direct to Will County and buying
sixty acres in Wheatland Township, where his
sou's home now is. Here he followed farming
and carpentering. He built a number of bridges,
as well as several farm houses, including the large

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

residence of Thomas Clow. Politically he favored
Republican principles. For many years he held
office as a school director. He was reared in the
United Presbyterian faith and always held mem-
bership with that church. By prudence, econo-
my and good judgment he accumulated one hun-
dred and twenty acres, bearing excellent improve-
ments. He died October 24, 1878, when fifty-six
years of age. Of his five children two died in
infancy. Those living are John P., Agnes (Mrs.
McPherson) and Elizabeth.

Ever since he was three years of age our sub-
ject has lived in Illinois. He was reared in this
township and received his education in its
schools. Under his father's supervision he gained
a thorough knowledge of farm work. Unlike
many young men, he had no desire to leave
home and seek his fortune among strangers, but
was content to remain in the place familiar to
him from early childhood. On his father's death
he took charge of the homestead, engaging in
general farming and stock-raising. He was one
of the original stockholders of the creamery and
one of the commissioners who secured its charter.
The company was organized in Ma}', 1894, and
the creamery was started August 15 of the same
year, with a capital stock of $9,750. The enter-
prise has proved a most profitable one and has
paid its projectors large dividends. A large,
well-equipped building is utilized for a creamery.
For the year there is an average daily receipt of
eighteen thousand pounds of milk. The most of
the butter is sent to the Fox River Butter Com-
pany at Aurora. The quality of the dairy prod-
uct is exceptionally fine and has given invariable
satisfaction. This gratifying result is almost
wholly due to Mr. Patterson's judicious manage-
ment. Upon the formation of the company he
was chosen secretary and treasurer and one year
later was made manager, a position that he has
since filled to the satisfaction of all the stock-
holders.

Politically Mr. Patterson is a Republican. He
has served as a delegate to almost every county
Republican convention since he was twenty-one
years of age. For six years he held office as jus-
tice of the peace and for a similar period served as

highway commissioner. February 20, 1886, he
married Emma, daughter of Jacob Matter, and a
sister of Elton E. Matter, of Wheatland Town-
ship. To their marriage seven children were
born, namely: Ralph; Sterling: Bernice, deceased;
Rodger, deceased; Gladys; James and Homer.

ILLIAM GOUGAR, one of the old settlers
of New Lenox Township, was born in
Pickaway Count}-, Ohio, a son of William
and Catherine (Abel) Gougar. His paternal
grandfather was born in Germany and emigrated
from there to Pennsylvania, settling in Berks
County, where he developed a farm and remained
until his death. His two brothers came with
him; one settled in Virginia and the other in
Kentucky. From Berks County William Gou-
gar, Sr., and his wife removed to Pickaway
County, Ohio, in 1S18, the year of their son's
birth. They bought a farm which the father
began to develop, but after four years he sold out,
removing to Vermilion County, Ind. In 1831 he
brought his family to Will County, 111. (accom-
panied by his father) , and purchased a tract of
raw prairie on Hickory Creek. At once he began
the task of improving the property, and from time
to time he added to his holdings until, when he
died, he was the owner of three hundred and
twenty acres, where he engaged in farming and
stock-raising. For years his home was in a log
cabin destitute of the improvements and furnish-
ings of our modern residences, but in later days
he erected a more commodious house. For many
years Nicholas Gougar was postmaster at the old
Gougar homestead, which office has since been
transferred to Joliet.

On the Democratic ticket William Gougar, Sr. ,
was elected to various township offices, including
that of commissioner, which he held for several
years. He was also a member of the school
board of his district. In the division of Will
from Cook County he took an active part, as well
as in other important movements of early days.

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

He had been reared in the faith of the German
Lutheran Church, and often those of similar belief
met at his home for religious worship, there being
no organized church of the denomination in the
vicinity. He was spared to attain eighty years
of age, and passed away in i86r. His wife, who
was born in Pennsylvania, died at the Will
County homestead in 1854, at the age of fifty-six
years. They were the parents of eleven children,
seven of whom are living, namely: John, the
eldest, who lives in New Lenox Township and is
now almost ninety years of age; Jacob, of Kan-
kakee County; Daniel, whose home is in Joliet;
William; Lewis and Joseph E. (twins), the for-
mer of Denver, Colo., the latter of this county;
and Eliza, wife of William Wilson.

When it is remembered that the boyhood days
of our subject, William Gougar, were passed in
new and unsettled sections of the country, where
schools had not yet been introduced, it can be
readily understood that he had no advantages for
obtaining an education. When he was fourteen
yearsof age he accompanied numerous Will Coun-
ty men into the Black Hawk war, spending several
months on the field of warfare, enduring many
hardships and privations. His brothers, Daniel
and Nicholas, were members of the militia in the
Black Hawk war. On his return home he assisted
his father on the farm. In 1850 he made a trip
with four mule teams to the gold fields of Califor-
nia, where he remained for three years, meeting
with fair success as a miner. In 1853 he came
back to Will County. The following year he
purchased a farm one mile west of New Lenox
and there he resided until 1891, engaging in
stock-raising and general farming. In 1891 he
bought a home in New Lenox and retired from
active labors, having met with an accident that
disabled him for hard work. Though he began
with nothing he now owns five hundred and thirty
acres of good laud.

No citizen is more interested in the progress of
the township than is Mr. Gougar. He remem-
bers the days when settlers were few, and even
the most sanguine never hoped for a condition of
prosperity such as the present decade has wit-
nessed. When Indians were numerous and hos-

tile, on one occasion they drove the family from
home, and they remained in the Wabash country
until the fall of 1832, when they came back to
Will County. He was a charter member of the
Grange and aided in its organization. In politics
a Democrat, he served as supervisor for one term
and as school director for several terms, and has
aided in the erection of schoolhouses and other
public buildings. By his marriage, in 1859, to
Clarissa, daughter of Baldwin Hawkins, of Kan-
kakee County, 111., he has three children: Will-
iam Joel, who has successfully engaged in farm-
ing, Helen and Frank.

ROBERT MILNE, who was a pioneer of
Lockport, was one of the first to bring
thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle into this lo-
cality, and was a man of great energy of charac-
ter and kindness of heart. He was of Scotch
birth, born February 14, 1805, and grew to man-
hood in his native country, where he learned and
followed the stone-mason's trade. When thirty
years of age he crossed the ocean to Canada,
where he remained for a few months. About
1836 he went to Chicago, where he had contracts
for putting the locks on the Illinois and Michigan
canal. On completing the work he returned to
Canada, and formed a partnership with a con-
tractor, the two opening up work on the Wellaud
canal. Returning to Lockport he took the con-
tract for putting in the locks near here, and in
this way he was led to establish his home here.
For several years he operated and managed a
planing and saw mill, and upon selling out he
purchased a farm of two hundred and forty acres,
a part of which now lies in the city of Lockport.
Turning his attention to the improvement of
the property, he continued in agricultural pur-
suits until his death. He was a very progressive
man, and was a leader in introducing Shorthorn
cattle into this county, going to Scotland for the
purpose of purchasing a number of thorough-
breds.

7 6

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

December 31, 1846, Mr. Milne married Miss
Isabel Maitland, who was born and educated
in Aberdeen, Scotland. At the age of sixteen
years, accompanied by her two sisters, she
landed in America, proceeding at once to Chi-
cago, where she made her home until the time
of her marriage. To their marriage nine
children were born; of these we note the fol-
lowing: William, who was for twenty years a
clerk and collector in the canal office, is now en-
gaged in the manufacture of umbrellas and canes
in New York City; Jennie is the widow of John
M. Frowe, ofEvanston, 111.; Robert is extensive-
ly engaged in the hay business at Baxter Springs,
Kans. ; Isabel is the wife of John I. Rice, of Chi-
cago; Agnes M. is the wife of Henry D. Baker,
of Evanston; Margaret M. married Charles A.
Ewen and they reside with her mother; Georgia-
ua died at thirty years of age; James A. has
charge of the homestead; and Frank M. is en-
gaged in business in Chicago.

For many years Mr. Milne was a deacon in the
Congregational Church. His family also took
an interest in the work of that church, and his
wife is still one of its most faithful members.
For eight years he served as a commissioner on
the canal. While he never attained wealth, he
accumulated a competency, in spite of many ob-
stacles that beset him; and at the time of his
death he left an improved farm for his widow
and children. He passed from earth November
2, 1892, after a useful and successful life, and was
followed to his grave by the respect of the many
acquaintances he had made after coming to this
county.

C|OHN D. SHREFFLER. During the more
I than fifty years that Mr. Shreffler has made
Q) his home in this county he has gained a
wide acquaintance and a high standing among
its citizens. In former years his business inter-
ests required his presence in other counties and
states much of the time, yet he always kept in
touch with affairs in his home neighborhood, and

gave his influence in behalf of measures for the
benefit of the people. Though now in the twi-
light of his useful life, he is still remarkably
active and retains his interest in matters relating
to the welfare of the state and nation. He has
witnessed with pride the gradual growth of the
county, the introduction of railroads, telegraph
and telephone lines, the founding of villages and
the improvement of valuable farms from the
broad-stretching prairie, and in all of this work
of development he has borne no insignificant
part. He has not sought positions of an official
nature, preferring the part of a private citizen,
whose duties he has at all times striven to fill;
but, though not an office-seeker nor a politician,
he consented, at the request of the voters of his
section, to hold the office of assessor as well as a
number of village offices.

The Shreffler family has been identified with
American history for at least four generations,
having come from Germany in an early da}'.
Henry Slireffler, who was a native of Pennsyl-
vania, served in the Revolutionary war, and as a
result of the exposure and sufferings of those
memorable years, lost his eyesight. Among his
four sons and one daughter was a son, Daniel,
who was educated in subscription schools and
under his father, learned the weaver's trade, be-
sides which he engaged in farming. He was a
zealous worker in the Evangelical Association
and often officiated as a local preacher in that
denomination. Politically' he was a Democrat.
By his marriage to Catherine Daubermau he had
six children, of whom one son and three daugh-
ters are deceased, the survivors being John D.
and Mrs. Rebecca Hahn, both of this county.

In Center County, Pa., John D. Shreffler was
born in 18 17. Reared on a farm, he early be-
came familiar with that occupation. In the spring
of 1846 he came to Illinois and took up his resi-
dence in Will County, bringing with him his
bride, who was Sarah A. Touner, of Pennsyl-
vania. After a time he became connected with
C. Aultman & Co., of Akron, Ohio, as their
representative in Illinois, Wisconsin and the
states west, for the sale of the Buckeye reaper
and the Sweepstakes thresher. He was given

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

charge of the appointing and supervision of local
agents and also made all collections for the firm
in his district. Some years later the business
was divided, and he was given charge of the
reaper and mower department. He continued
with the company for ten years, meantime travel-
ing through every section of Illinois and also
visiting other states. Through his energy and
perseverance a large business was built up. Sup-
plies were distributed from Chicago to the vari-
ous points, as ordered. During the fall of each
year he visited count}' fairs, exhibiting the im-
plements for which he was agent. However,
the business required him to be away from home
so much of the time that he became dissatisfied
and determined to retire from it. Settling up his
accounts, he turned his attention to the manage-
ment of his landed interests in Will County.
His farm was located in the southern part of the
village of Plainfield, and all but ninety-one acres
of the quarter section was within the village
limits; a portion of the place has since been platted
in town lots and sold. Besides the buying and
selling of land, he erected a number of business
buildings and several residences, which he rents.
He was also contractor in the building of one of
the former Plainfield schoolhouses. He has in-
vested largely in both improved and unimproved
real estate, and has held the most of what he has
bought.

Since the time of John C. Fremont's presi-
dential campaign, Mr. ShrefHer has been a Re-
publican. Fraternally he is connected with Plain-
field Lodge, A. F. & A. M. When a young man
he united with the Methodist Church and he has
since been an active worker in the denomination,
being one of the leading supporters of the con-
gregation at Plainfield. He has aided in the
erection of two edifices in this place, the second
of which is the finest ever built here, being a
stone structure that was built at a cost of $18,000.
As chairman of the building committee, the re-
sponsibility of the work fell largely upon him,
and he gave not only of his time, but also very
liberally of his means. He has held the various of-
fices in the church and is now serving as a
steward and trustee. In former years he also

held the office of Sunday-school superintendent.
Not only religious, but all worth} 7 charitable
movements, have received his encouragement
and aid. No worthy object of charity ever ap-
pealed to him in vain for help; yet, while he has
been a constant giver, he has done it so quietly
and unostentatiously that it may be truly said of
him the right hand knew not what the left hand
did. Having no children of his own, it has been
one of his pleasures to help the children of
others, and he is exceedingly popular among the
little ones of his neighborhood. As one of the
early residents of the county, and a man whose
energies have been devoted to the development
of its agricultural resources, his name well de-
serves mention in this work.

EWIS F. GOUGAR, a prominent farmer of
It New Lenox Township, was born November
l_J 15, 1852, upon the farm where he still lives.
He is a son of John Gougar, who was born in
Montour County, Pa., March 20, 1810, a son of
William and Catherine (Abel) Gougar, reference
to whom is made in the sketch of William
Gougar on another page of this volume. The
family were pioneers of Ohio, where, in 18 18, the
grandfather in one day, beginning before sunrise
and finishing about four o'clock in the afternoon,
cut and shocked forty acres with a hand sickle.
The great-great-grandmother was killed by In-
dians in Pennsylvania and her two daughters
were taken prisoners. Several years later one of
the daughters returned home, but the other was
never heard of again.

At the time the family moved from Pennsyl-
vania to Ohio John Gougar was eight years of
age. September 10, 1830, he came to Illinois
and settled in what is now New Lenox Township,
Will County (then Cook County), where he pur-
chased one hundred and sixty acres of govern-
ment land at $1.25 an acre. Building a log
cabin, he began the task of clearing and im-
proving the land. In 1831 his parents joined

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

him here. Throughout his entire active life he
continued to manage the same property. During
the Black Hawk war he was a member of the
home guard, which was subject to call at any
time. He is still living on the old homestead,
but for years has been retired from active labors.
In spite of his advanced years he takes an intelli-
gent interest in public affairs and retains his
mental and physical faculties to a large degree.
All of his active life was passed on the frontier.
When he went to Ohio in 1818 that state was still
undeveloped and comparatively unsettled, and for
many years after he came to Illinois the sur-
roundings were those of the frontier. In an
early day, when he was cutting wheat with an
old-fashioned hand sickle, by some accident he
cut the little finger of his left hand, and the scar
may still be seen. On the site of the farm was
at one time an Indian cemetery, on which was to
be seen a pole bearing a white flag. His son,
Lewis F. , found many Indian relics on the farm,
and to these he has added by purchase till now
he has a fine collection. When the treaty was
made by which the Indians were removed from
this locality, before departing they came to the
cemetery for the last time and observed in due
form all of their ceremonies of mourning. In
1883, when a barn was built on the farm, several
Indian relics were found.

John Gougaris a Democrat in national political
issues, but in his township affairs he votes for the
best man, regardless of party. He is a pioneer
of the old type and will long be remembeied by
the descendants of the pioneers as a kind-hearted,
honest man. To-day he is one of the few sur-
viving members of the early pioneers who laid
the foundation for the great state of Illinois.

In 1849 John Gougar married Mary Ann
Miller, who was born in Pennsylvania and died
on the homestead January 29, 1896, at the age of
eighty-three years. Her sister, Mrs. Polly
Williams, who resided with her, died at the age
of eighty-eight. Lewis F. Gougar, who was the
only child of his parents, has been a lifelong resi-
dent of this county, and was educated in the
common schools here and in Englewood high
school. When his father, owing to advancing

years, retired from the active management of the
home place, he succeeded to it, and has since
made a number of important improvements. He
is the owner of three hundred and forty acres, on
which he engages in raising stock and farm pro-
duce. Politically he is a Democrat in national
issues and in local matters is independent. For
several years he has served as school director and
road master. In religion he is an Episcopalian.
His marriage, May 14, 1891, united him with Miss
Gertrude Richards, daughter of Daniel and Al-
mira (Cooley) Richards, now of Jackson Town-
ship, this county. They have two children,
Davis R. and Mary Almira, the latter named
after her two grandmothers.

@ELAH PERKINS NORTH was born at
?\ Monroe Falls, Ohio, August 21, 1842. He
\~/ was educated at Valparaiso College, at Val-
paraiso, Ind., and in early life learned the mill-
er's trade at that place, following the occupation
there for six years. While working as a miller
he enlisted in the Union army, in August, 1862,
becoming a member of the marine artillery at
Chicago, 111. It was the original plan to assign
the artillery to the Mississippi River marine gun-
boats, but a change was made and they were sent
to Roanoke Island, thence to Newbern, N. C,
and mustered out in 1863. After some months
in Valparaiso, the following year Mr. North was
drafted into service and entered the Seventeenth
Indiana Mounted Infantry, a part of General
Wilson's cavalry corps, and in this he served un-
til the close of the war. While he was serving in
the quartermaster's department at Macon, Ga.,
news of the close of the rebellion reached him.
He was mustered out of the service and honora-
bly discharged.

Returning to Valparaiso Mr. North resumed
work as a miller. In 1867 he moved to Madison,
Wis. , wmere he became a retail grocer. During
his residence there he married, at Lockport, 111.,
March 31, 1S6S, Miss Mary L. Hawley, daughter

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of Warren Hawley, who settled in Loekport
Township, this county, in 1835. While he was
in the Normal school at Valparaiso he made the
acquaintance of Miss Hawley, who was a student
in that institution. After their marriage they
settled in Madison. After the death of Mrs.
North's mother they came to Loekport Township
and settled on the old Hawley homestead, caring
for Warren Hawley until his death, July 1, 1898,
at the age of eighty-six years.

Since his removal to Loekport Township Mr.
North has been connected with its farm interests.
Being an industrious and capable farmer, and
ably assisted by his wife, he was prospered. In
1895 he was enabled to buy the old Hawley
homestead of eighty-eight acres, which is one of
the best in the township. Mrs. North was born
on this place, and its associations, extending back
to her earliest recollections, are dear to her. She
is a well-educated lady and for a number of years
before her marriage taught in Michigan and Illi-
nois, proving an efficient educator. She is one
of the highly esteemed ladies of the township.

Fraternally Mr. North is connected with the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has
taken a warm interest in the work of the Repub-
lican party. The good roads in his district and
township are largely due to his energy and per-
severance, during the nine years that he filled
the office of highway commissioner. In educa-
tional matters he has been actively interested.
For twenty- one years he was a member of the
board of school directors, during which time he
did much to advance the cause of education. The
main responsibility of managing the school fell
upon him while he was a director, and to his
credit it may be said that he discharged every
duty faithfully and well.

Mr. and Mrs. North became the parents of six
children. Those living are: John E., a physician
and surgeon, married and living at Rock Rapids,
Iowa; William W., attorney at Loekport, 111. ;
Frank E. and Selah H., at home on the farm.
Sarah L-, an only daughter, died at the age of
sixteen years, January 13, 1889, and an infant
son died when a few weeks old.

Tracing the history of the North family from

the time of its settlement in America, the follow-
ing is the genealogical record:

John North left England for America in 1635
at the age of twenty. In 165311c settled in Farm-
iugton, Conn., and purchased a lot near the
north end of Farmington street, on which he
lived. He was a member of the church in that
town. He died in 1690, leaving nine children,
viz.: John, Samuel, Mary, James, Thomas, Sarah,
Nathaniel, Lydia and Joseph.

Thomas North was born in 1649. He settled
in the town of Avon, Conn. He was a soldier
in the Indian war, for his services in which he
received a grant of land. He had ten children,
viz.: John, Thomas, Hannah, Nathaniel, Mary,
Joseph, Rebeckah, Lydia, Sarah and Ebenezer.
He died in 1712.

Thomas North, Jr., lived in Kensington, Conn.
He was one of the founders of the church and was
a man of wealth and influence. His eight chil-
dren were Martha, Isaac, Thomas, James, Sarah,
Samuel, Joseph and Hannah.

Isaac North was born in 1703. He was a dea-
con in the church at Kensington. He died in 17S8.
His children, numbering eight, were named Isaac,
Mary, Jedediah, Lydia, Samuel, Seth, Ruth and
Lethe.

Jedediah North was born in 1734, lived in Ber-
lin and was a member of the church at that place.
He married Sarah Wilcox and had eleven chil-
dren, viz.: Asa, Levi, David, Simeon, Stephen,
Sarah, Olive, Patience, Noah, Lydia and Hannah.
He died in 1816.

Simeon North was born July 13, 1765. He
lived first in Berlin, then in Middletown, Conn.
He was a manufacturer of arms for the United
States Government. In 1786 he married Lucy
Savage, who died in 181 1. He afterward mar-
ried Lydia Huntington (a daughter of Rev.
Enoch Huntington, of Middletown, Conn.), who
died in 1840. He had nine children, viz.:
Reuben, James, Alvin, Selah, Elizabeth, Lucetta,
Simeon, Nancy and Lydia. He died August 25,
1852.

Selah North was born at Berlin, Conn., in
1 79 1. He was killed by lightning in his own
farm house at Monroe Falls, Ohio, August 13,

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1850. He had thirteen children, viz. : Nancy,
Julia, Egbert, George, John, Phillip, Charles,
Sarah, Newell, Charlotte, Ellen, Bessie and
Selah P. (the subject of this sketch), the four last
mentioned by his second wife, whose maiden
name was Sarah Perkins, and who died March 2,
1872, aged seventy two years.

YMAN W. FARNAM, who owns and oc-
I C cupies a pleasant little homestead of ten
l J acres near the village of Crete, was born in
Franklin County, Mass., January 14, 1834. His
father, William, a native of Massachusetts, born
March 1, 1804, spent his entire life on a farm in
that state, and died there July 7, 1869. Politi-
cally he voted with the Democrats until the anti-
slavery agitation arose, when he sided with the
Republicans, and always after i860 voted the
Republican ticket. He was a son of Heman and
Mary (Field) Farnam, natives of Massachusetts.
The former, born on Christmas day of 1761, was
a fur trader and dealer, bringing his furs to Bos-
ton for sale. He died November 8, 1847. His
wife was born March 30, 1764, and died August
12, 1846. The mother of our subject was Orpha
Hartwell, born in Massachusetts, November 26,
1805, and there deceased, April 17, 1835, at less
than thirty years of age. In religion she was a
Baptist. She was a daughter of Ward Hartwell,
a New Englander.

The subject of this sketch was the only child
of his parents. He remained on the home farm
until he was twenty, when he left home and se-
cured work in a cutlery factory. After three
years in the factory he came west in 1858, and
secured work on a farm in Bureau County, 111.
Nine months later he went to Kane County, and
later worked on farms in Christian and Morgan
Counties, this state. In i860 he came to Crete

and rented a farm near the village. During the
Civil war he was an enthusiastic Union supporter.
September 26, 1S64, he enlisted in Company F,
Eighth Illinois Cavalry, with which he went to
the front and in which he served, mostly on
guard duty, in Maryland and Virginia. At the
close of the war he returned to this county and
for two years rented a farm in Richland Town-
ship. From there he came back to Crete Town-
ship and bought a part of his father-in-law's
farm, where he has since made his home.

August 20, 1 86 1, Mr. Farnam married Miss
Sarah M. Haner, who was born near Syracuse,
N. Y., May 10, 1835, a daughter of Henry and
Catherine (Mogg) Haner, natives of Schoharie
County, N. Y. Her father, who was born April
20, 1S11, farmed in the east until September,
1851, when he brought his family to this county,
settling on a farm near Crete. In 1S78 he moved
to Missouri and there died August 2, 1S79. His
wife was born October 31, 1815, and died Feb-
ruary 19,1885. They were the parents of eleven
children, seven of whom are still living. Mrs.
Farnam was sixteen years of age when the fam-
ily settled in Crete Township. Prior to this she
had received a fair education in New York. She
is an estimable lady, and has many friends among
the people of the township where from girlhood
she has made her home. Of her three children
one died in infancy; Lillian and Mary make their
home with their parents and are popular and active
in the work of the Congregational Church at
Crete. For some years Miss Lillian has been a
successful teacher in the Chicago schools, where
her ability has won for her recognition among
the teachers of that city.

Mr. Farnam has never forgotten his days of
active service in the army, and often calls those
times to mind when in the companionship of the
members of Chicago Heights Post No. 759,
G. A. R., to which he belongs; or when he meets
other veterans of that long and fierce struggle.

fU?0?~i'

07-uy?r] a-

WW*" « >^°' s

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

CHARLES CLAYBORN SMITH

EHARLES CLAYBORN SMITH. The life
of Mr. Smith was for years inseparably
associated with the history of this county,
where he made his home from June, 1835, until
his death, January 27, 1892. Through his en-
ergy of disposition and uprightness of character
he won a competency and gained a high name
among his associates. As a farmer, he was in-
dustrious and intelligent; as a citizen, public-
spirited; as a business man, keen and quick, and
in his home relations devoted and affectionate.
Coming to the county while it was still a part of
Cook County and contained few people, he wit-
nessed its remarkable growth and the develop-
ment of its resources, and, through his keen fore-
sight, accumulated a valuable property, which
has increased steadily in its worth. He was thus
able to leave his family in comfortable circum-
stances, besides giving each of his children a
good start in the world.

Mr. Smith was born in Jefferson County,
Tenn., May 2, iSrS, a son of Barton and Faithy
(Moore) Smith, who were the children of Revolu-
tionary soldiers and of English descent. Barton
Smith was the youngest of a family of six sons
and three daughters. All of his brothers were
present with General Jackson at the battle of
Horse Shoe Bend and he had started to join the
troops, but was taken back home by friends after
he had gone six hundred miles or more. From
Tennessee he removed to Fountain County, Ind.,
after his marriage, and in 1835 brought his
family to Illinois, buying a lot in Joliet. While
he carried on a farm, he continued to make his
home in Joliet until his death in 1862. He

served as police magistrate and deputy county
collector. His wife survived him thirteen years.
They had four children, all now deceased.

When the family came to this county Charles
C. Smith was seventeen years of age. He then
started out as a peddler, making regular trips
through Cook, Iroquois, Vermilion and Will
Counties, and trading his goods for butter, eggs,
ginseng root, hides, tallow, cattle, etc. After
nine years as a peddler he rented a farm, which
he cultivated in the ensuing years. In 1850 he
bought the place, which then consisted of one
hundred and forty acres. Afterward he added to
his property until he owned twenty-nine hundred
and fifty acres of land, some within the boundary
of Wilmington Township. For eight years he
had a contract to furnish the state penitentiary
with beef, and during one year of this time the
value of the meat furnished was $35,000.

About the time that he purchased his farm
Mr. Smith established -a home of his own. He
was married July 24, 1850, to Miss Coriuza
Burr, daughter of Wareham Bissell and Nancy
(Cummings) Burr. Her father, who was a direct
descendant of Aaron Burr, was born October 25,
1795, and died September 6, 1861. He was
reared near Jamestown, N. Y. , and for two years
engaged in teaching school there. September
12, 1822, he married Miss Cummings and re-
moved to Indiana, remaining near Shelbyville
until 1833. His next removal brought him to
Will County, where he settled eight miles up the
river from Wilmington. He came in the spring
just after the Sauk war and his family followed
him in the fall. Buying government land, he

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

settled down to farming and also taught for some
years in the district schools, having previously
been a prominent educator in Indiana. Later he
sold his place and removed to Wilmington, where
he made his home for five years. From there he
went to Jackson Grove and bought land, where
he spent the remaining years of his life. He was
a consistent member of the Baptist Church and a
man who stood high in his community. His
father, Bissell Burr, born December 14, 1771,
was a son of Nathaniel Burr, whose father, John,
(born in 1670) was a son of Samuel Burr. The
latter, a native of England, was made a freeman
in Hartford, Conn., in May, 165S. His father,
Benjamin Burr, was the founder of this branch of
the family in America. He was one of the
original settlers of Hartford, Conn., in 1635.
His name, in the land division of Hartford in
1639 as an original proprietor and settler, is the
first evidence we have of his presence in America,
but as the first settlers of Hartford were collected
from Watertown, Newton and other places near
Boston, it is supposed that he was in Massachu-
setts some time before removing to Hartford. He
may have been among the eight hundred who
came to America with the Winthrop fleet in
June, 1630. He died in Hartford March 30,
16S1. He had been made a freeman in 1658.

The mother of Mrs. Smith was a daughter of
William and Sarah (Hunt) Cummings, of North
Carolina families. Her parents came from the
south to Indiana and afterward settled in Mis-
souri, where they died. * Ten children were born
to the union of C. C. Smith and Miss Burr. Of
these Edgar Francis died in infancy and Emma
J., Mrs. Herman H. Uuland, is also deceased.
Barton, the oldest of the family, is a member of
the firm of Smith & Baker, corporation attorneys,
of Toledo, Ohio; he is one of the prominent
Masons of Ohio and has held the highest offices
in his lodge, chapter and conimandery. William
T. , the second son, is a coal mine operator in
Keumare, N. D. Ella May is the wife of W. B.
Douglas, of St. Paul, one of the most prominent
public men in Minnesota, for two terms a member
of the state legislature and now attorney-general
of the state. Charles W., of Joliet, is engaged

in the cattle business. Lucy M. is the wife of
Frank A. Miller, an expert machinist of Osh-
kosh, Wis. Cora A. is the wife of Dr. Henry F.
Hicks, a prominent dentist of Joliet; Eva S. is
the wife of Proman W. Smith, a farmer of Chan-
nahon Township; and Floyd H. resides with his
mother on the old homestead, the cultivation of
which he superintends. Of the large family who
once were sheltered by the old home, he alone re-
mains. He was born here June 6, 1874, and
acquired his education in the common schools and
Joliet high school. After the estate was settled
he began the supervision of six hundred and
thirty acres that fell to his lot. He is now 7 one
of the progressive farmers of Channahon Town-
ship and is very popular with the young people
of this section. Like his father he is a Demo-
crat politically. Like him, too, he takes an
interest in educational work and is a member of
the school board. Fraternally he is connected
with Channahon Lodge No. 162, A. F. & A. M.:
Kalon Camp No. 4282, Modern Woodmen of
America; and Channahon Lodge No. 713, Court
of Honor.

ETON E. MATTER is one of the prosper-
V) ous and popular farmers of Wheatland
__ Township, and owns one hundred and four
acres of highly cultivated land, bearing excellent
improvements. While he oversees his farm witli
a careful eye, his attention is not limited to farm-
ing. He was one of the original stockholders of
the Dupage Valley creamery, in which he served
as a director for three years. Since the organi-
zation of the Hoddam Threshing Company he
has held office as its secretary and treasurer. In
connection with general farming he carries on
dairying, and, though as yet this work is con-
ducted on a small scale, he has found it a profit-
able adjunct of farming. In local politics he is
an active Republican. In 1894 he was elected
collector of the township and in 1S99 was chosen
to act as commissioner, since which time he has
been treasurer of the board.

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Iu the township where he now lives Mr. Mat-
ter was born January 13, 1862. His father,
Jacob, a native of Pennsylvania, learned the shoe-
maker's trade in youth, and later, in connection
with that occupation, he engaged in lumbering
and rafting logs. In 1844 he came west to Illi-
nois. For a time he cultivated a rented farm
near Naperville. Later he took up eighty acres
of government land on section 4, Wheatland
Township, Will County, which he improved and
on which he made his home until 1869. He then
sold the place to his oldest son and went to Auro-
ra, 111., where he conducted a grocery business.
Soon, however, he returned to farming, purchas-
ing the farm now owned by our subject. In the
fall of 1886 he moved from this place to Naper-
ville, and there his last years were spent. Dur-
ing his early residence in this township he served
as collector. He was a Republican, but not ac-
tive in politics. The Evangelical Church num-
bered him among its earnest members and he
took a warm interest in its work. At one time
he owned one hundred and sixty acres, but dis-
posed of a part of this, so that at his death his
possessions had been reduced to one hundred
acres. His wife, who was Nancy Milliren, of
Pennsylvania, is living in Naperville and is now
eighty-two years of age. Of their eleven chil-
dren one died in infancy; Abraham is a farmer in
Dupage County, this state; Abbie is the wife of
D. B. Givler, of Naperville; Mary is the wife of
Rev. J. H. Yage, treasurer of Northwestern Col-
lege, an Evangelical institution in Naperville;
Isaac lives in Aurora; Ella married Prof. L. M.
Umbach, of Northwestern College; Henry J. is
engaged in railroading and makes Aurora his
home; Sarah is the wife of G. S. Bartholomew,
of Rockford, 111. ; Emma married John P. Patter-
son; Newton E. is editor of the Wheaton Illinois-
an, at Wheaton, 111.

The subject of this sketch was six years of age
when his parents moved to Aurora. His educa-
tion was obtained principally in the schools of
that city. He was fourteen when the family re-
turned to this township. Since then he has made
his home on his present farm. March 18, 1886,
he married Miss Emma Stark, a native of Wheat-

land Township, and daughter of Jacob Stark,
now living retired in Naperville. Mr. and Mrs.
Matter have one son, Robert Earl, who was born
July 20, 1 89 1. Fraternally our subject is con-
nected with the Modern Woodmen of America.
While he is not connected with any denomina-
tion, his sympathies are with the Evangelical
Church, to which his wife belongs and in which
faith he was reared.

KJjKHEMIAH H. CUTTER. For a period of
Y I sixty-three years the life of Mr. Cutter was
I U) associated with the growth and progress of
Joliet. Coming to this city in 1834 he found
little to encourage a belief that in future years a
large and thriving town would accupy the site
which then boasted of only a few houses. Deer
still roamed through the forests, unmolested as
yet by the ambitious sportsman, and wild game
furnished the few inhabitants with their supply
of meat. Himself a young, energetic and robust
man, he was well fitted for the pioneer's arduous
work. Entering with energy upon the task of
securing a homestead, he made an effort to take
up a claim near Joliet, but the condition of the
land grants rendered it impossible to do so.
About 1835 he built the house that is now occu-
pied by his widow, and two terms of schools were
taught in one of its rooms, which he tendered for
that purpose. He bought a tract of land in Joliet
Township, which he cleared and improved, and
afterward he engaged in its cultivation until ad-
vancing years rendered manual labor no longer
advisable. He also owned and used for garden-
ing purposes a block of ground surrounding his
city residence. In addition to his other work he
was interested in contracting and building, and
through his varied occupations he gained a com-
petency that enabled him to spend the twilight of
his useful life in quiet comfort.

At the foot of Mount Monadnock, in the vil-
lage of Jaffrey, N. H., there long stood a house
that was large and elegant for its day and was

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

known as The Ark. Opposite that residence
stood the birthplace of Nehemiah Hobart Cutter,
who was born March 12, 1805. The ancestry of
the family was traced back to Richard Cutter,
who came from Newcastle-on-the-Tyne, England,
and settled at Cambridge, Mass., in 1640, after-
ward engaging in copper manufacturing and be-
coming a large land owner. Joseph Cutter was
the first of the family to settle at Jaffrey. Capt.
Joseph Cutter, Jr., who was born in New Hamp-
shire, followed farm pursuits in that state and
built the property to which he gave the unique
name of The Ark. He married Phcebe, daughter
of Capt. James and Sarah (Lamson) Gage; she
attained an advanced age, being almost ninety-
two at the time of her death. One of her sons,
Samuel T., who came west in an early day and
settled in Chicago, is now living in Joliet.

The eldest of the children was our subject. He
was educated in the Jaffrey schools and Amherst
Academy. For some time he taught school,
during winters, in New Hampshire, Massachu-
setts and New York, devoting the intervening
summers to the carpenter's trade. On coming
west he established his home in Joliet, with the
early growth of which he was intimately identi-
fied. He was a man of robust constitution and
continued to work actively until he was more
than eighty years of age. Besides his private in-
terests, he took part in local affairs, and was
elected one of the first aldermen of Joliet, serving
for several terms. While serving as school in-
spector he labored to advance the welfare of the
public schools. He was very advanced in his
opinions as to what instruction should be given
in our free schools, and favored not only the ordi-
nary branches, but also singing, drawing, manual
training, etc. At the time of the building of the
Rock Island Railroad he served as a member of
the commission of appraisers and was much in-
terested in the success of the road. With his
mental and physical faculties preserved to a re-
markable degree, he retained his health and vigor
until two weeks before his death. He passed
away March 17, 1S97, at tlle a g e of ninety-two
years and five days.

The first marriage of Mr. Cutter united him

with Rebecca Bailey, a daughter of Submit and
Phoebe (Rugg) Bailey; she was born in East
Hampton, Mass., and died in Joliet February 15,
1884. Four years later Mr. Cutter married Miss
Eliza H. Gage, who was born in Jaffrey, N. H.,
a daughter of Jonathan and Hannah (Worcester)
Gage, also natives of that town. Her grand-
father, James Gage, was born in Amherst, Mass.,
in 1736, and in 1779 settled near Jaffrey, where
he improved a farm. He w-as a man of honor and
ability and filled many offices of trust. For some
time he was captain of the New Hampshire
militia. In religion he was a Congregationalist.
His wife was Sarah, daughter of Samuel and
Abigail (Briant) Lamson. He was a sou of
Thomas Gage, who was born in Bradford, Mass.,
and married Phoebe Fry. The founder of the
family in America was John Gage, who settled
near Boston in 1633.

The youngest of ten children, Jonathan Gage
spent many years of his life at the old Jaffrey
homestead, which being at the terminus of along
lane, was known as the End of the Road. On his
retirement from business cares he moved to Fitz-
william, where he died March iS, 1868. In
religious faith he was a Universalist. He mar-
ried a daughter of William and Hannah (Frost)
Worcester, the former of whom, a native of
Tewksbury, settled in Jaffrey in 1776. He was
a sou of Moses Worcester, who was born in
Tewksbury and spent his entire life there. Mrs.
Hannah (Worcester) Gage was next to the oldest
among seven children; she was born in Jaffrey
and died in Fitzwilliam, when seventy years of
age. The founder of the Worcester family in
America, Rev. William Worcester, from whom
Mrs. Cutter is the tenth generation in descent,
came from England and held the pastorate of the
Salisbury church between 1638 and 1640, later
being similarly engaged in other Massachusetts
towns until he died. The family of which Mrs.
Cutter is a member consisted originally of ten
children, namely: James, who died in Charles-
town, Mass.; Jonathan, who died at four yearsof
age; William, who died during a visit in New
York state; Mrs. Nancy Worcester, of Pittsfield,
Mass.; Abner, who died in Fitzwilliam; Joseph,

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

who died in Hartford, Conu.; Mary, who makes
her home with Mrs. Cutter; J. Alonzo, who died
in Bozeman, Mont., in 1897; Sarah, who resides
with Mrs. Cutter; and Eliza H., Mrs. Cutter.
The last named received an excellent education
in Melville Academy, after which she followed
educational work for many years, principally in
Jaffrey, Fitzwilliam (N. H.) and Pittsfield, Mass.
For a long time she was an active worker with
the Good Templars and she has also been deeply
interested in, and identified with, the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union. In political senti-
ment she is a stanch Prohibitionist, believing the
liquor traffic to be the greatest curse of our age
and country. In religion she is a member of
Central Presbyterian Church.

HON. JOHN W. ARNOLD, one of the coun-
ty's pioneers, was born in White Creek,
Washington County, N. Y., February 14,
1842. His father, John H. Arnold, was born in
Bennington, Vt., in 1808, and in young manhood
went to New York state, where he was engaged
as farmer, merchant and hotel-keeper. Under
President Pierce he served as postmaster of
Schaghticoke, an office near Troy, N. Y. In
1855 he came to Illinois and settled at Lockport,
where he opened a general store. He continued
in business until 1868, when he retired from active
cares. During the Civil war he assisted in raising
the One Hundredth Illinois Regiment. An influ-
ential Democrat, he served as supervisor and jus-
tice of the peace for several years, and was a
leader among the people of his day. His life was
prolonged to the age of eighty-nine years. He
was a son of John Arnold, who was born in Rhode
Island and served in the Revolutionary war. The
family history dates in this country back to the
early part of the seventeenth century, when the
first of the name came from England.

The mother of our subject was Lucretia (Vail)
Arnold, a native of Vermont, of Irish extraction,
her grandfather, Jonathan Vail, a Quaker, hav-

ing come from Ireland in an early day. She
lived to be about seventy-five years of age, and,
with her husband, was for years a faithful mem-
ber of the Congregational Church of Lockport.
Of their seven children, George, the eldest, came
to Lockport in 1854 and for twenty years engaged
in the mercantile business. For some years he
also served as sheriff of this county. At the time
the family settled in Lockport our subject was a
boy of thirteen years. In September, 1861, he
enlisted in Company D, Fourth Illinois Cavalry,
and served for a year in that regiment. Next he
joined the Chicago Mercantile Battery, in which
he served for three years. Among the battles in
which he took part were those of Forts Henry
and Donelson, Shiloh, Cedar, Oxford, Vicksburg,
Haines' Bluff, Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, Black
River Bridge, Champion Hills, the charge on
Vicksburg and the siege of that city. At the
battle of Sabine Cross Roads, La., April 8, 1864,
he was taken prisoner, and sent to Camp Ford,
Tex., where he remained for fourteen months.
During that time he once escaped from prison,
but was recaptured after thirty days and taken
back. In May, 1865, he was released from
prison, and the following month was mustered
out at New Orleans and honorably discharged.
The only injury that he received while in the
army was a gunshot wound in the right cheek,
the marks of which he will carry to the grave;
this was at the charge upon Vicksburg.

After returning home Mr. Arnold carried on a
mercantile business for several years. December
22, 1869, he married Miss Abbie L. Mathewson,
who was born in Chicago, June 14, 1845, a
daughter of Artemus J. and Julia A. (Miner)
Mathewson. Her father was born in Walworth,
Wayne County, N. Y., July 25, 1816, and spent
his boyhood days on a farm. After studying
civil engineering for some years, in 1837 he went
to Chicago and secured employment at his chosen
occupation. He was one of the engineers on the
Illinois and Michigan canal. Later he assisted
in surveying the railroad from Omaha to Salt
Lake. In 1844 he established his home in Lock-
port. During later years he acted as county sur-
veyor and was also connected with the canal

9°

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

until its completion, being auditor of the board
for some time. His marriage, in 1844, united
him with Julia A. Miner, who was born in Bris-
tol, Ontario Count)-, N. Y., July 6, 1823, a
daughter of Enoch W. and Lorinda (Guild)
Miner, whom she accompanied to Chicago in
1S37. Her father later was one of the contractors
on the Illinois and Michigan canal and after the
completion of his work on the canal he moved to
Burlington, Wis., where his wife died. After
her death he came toLockport to make his home
and here died at seventy-six years of age. His
father, Amos Miner, who was a member of a
pioneer New England family, served in the Revo-
lutionary war and was wounded in the shoulder,
which disabled him for further service. Mrs. Ar-
nold was one of three daughters, of whom the
second, Isabella, died in infancy; and the third,
Dora A., is the wife of William J. Gooding, of
Chicago, a member of an old Lockport family.

Of the three children of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold,
the twins, Julius and Julia, were born July 22,
1874; the daughter died July 13, 18S8, and the
son, March 4, 1895. The only living child,
John William, Jr., was born December 29, 1870,
and is engaged in the real- estate and insurance
business in Chicago. Mrs. Arnold has been con-
nected with the Congregational Church since
1S68 and has been warmly interested in religious
work.

From 1S65 to 1895 Mr. Arnold carried on a
mercantile business. During that time he held
the office of supervisor for one term, resigning as
postmaster (a position that he held from 1888 to
1890) in order to accept the office of supervisor.
Shortly afterward he was elected to the state sen-
ate, where, as in his other positions, he advocated
measures for the benefit of the people. Among
the measures he supported were the truck store
bill and gross weight coal bill for the miners of
Illinois. He was chairman of the military,
waterways and drainage committees, which ma-
terially aided the fruition of the Drainage canal.
February 20, 1894, during the second administra-
tion of President Cleveland, he was appointed
United States marshal of the northern district of
Illinois, and held that position at the time of the

Debs strike in Chicago. After four years of serv-
ice he retired from the office. At this writing
he is engaged in the real-estate and loan business
at No. 90 Washington street, Chicago, but still
makes his home in Lockport. He is a charter
member of the Grand Army post at this place,
and has been its commander.

(T OHN HIBNER. Jackson Township has won
I an enviable reputation as a prosperous farm -
\Zs ing community, and this reputation has been
established through the energy of such farmers as
Mr. Hibner. For years he has been prominently
connected with the development of the township
and with its advancement as a farming region.
Coming here in August, 1848, he purchased an
eighty-acre tract where he has since made his
home. During his first winter in this locality he
lived in a log shanty, about 10x12 feet, but in
the spring he built a comfortable house. After
he had paid for his land and for a cow he had but
fifty cents left. However, deer and other game
abounded, and thus the family were supplied
with all the meat necessary, while the other
necessaries were raised on the land. As the
years passed by Mr. Hibner prospered. He kept
adding to his farm until his place numbered some-
thing more than one thousand acres, but he has
given his children considerable property and has
in that way reduced his holdings to over seven
hundred acres. Although he had few advantages
other than those he made for himself, he met with
remarkable success, and is now one of the well-
to-do fanners of the county, while at the same
time he is one of the most highly respected as
well.

The sole survivor of the eight children of John
and Jane (Caldwell) Hibner, the subject of this
sketch was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, Sep-
tember 14, 1804. His father, who was born in
Peekskill, N. Y., about 1768, grew to manhood
there, then went to Ohio aud worked as a farm
hand in the Miami bottoms. Next, settling in
Guernsey County, he took up a claim of one hun-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

dred and sixty acres, and shortly after was mar-
ried. At the breaking out of the war of 18 12 he
enlisted in the service and took part in the famous
thirteen-days' siege of Forts Meigs, Defiance and
Wayne. When the troops marched away from
the fort he was ill with camp fever and was left
behind. Later, recovering somewhat, he started
for home; for days he wandered through the for-
ests and over the prairies without food; he asked
for something to eat at an Indian camp, but was
refused. However, at last he reached home in
safety.

In 18 14 our subject's father removed to Rich-
land Count}*, where he remained until 1847,
meantime acquiring about seven hundred acres of
laud. During the last-named year he removed
to St. Francis County, Mo. In the spring of
1848 he came to Illinois, and after spending the
summer on a farm ten miles up the river from
Wilmington, he bought three eighty-acre tracts
in Jackson Township and settled on one of these,
four miles southwest of Joliet. There he resided
until his death, September 23, 1865, at which
time he owned more than six hundred acres of
land. In some respects he was eccentric. One
of his peculiarities was his distrust of banks. He
always kept his money in a safe at home. At
one time he was robbed of $50,000 and was so
seriously wounded by the robbers that he died
from the effects of the shock and the wounds one
month afterward. His father, who was a native
of Germany, died in early manhood, and his
mother, who was Sarah Jones, afterward married
Abraham Williams, a brother of David Williams,
one of the men who captured Major Andre. Two
of her brothers, James and Ben Jones, enlisted in
the Revolutionary war and went to the front.
They were never afterward heard of, and it was
supposed that they fell in battle. Her father,
Philip Jones, was a wealthy man and owned one
hundred and sixty acres in what is now the heart
of New York City, besides numerous other pieces
of property. When the war with England broke
out a tory falsely reported that he was furnishing
supplies to the English army; for this reason his
farms were taken from him and never afterward
restored.

Our subject's mother was born in County Ty-
rone, Ireland, of Scotch ancestry. She grew to
womanhood in her native county and afterward
accompanied her mother and three other children
to America. Our subject was wholly without
educational advantages when he was young.
His entire attendance at school was limited to
eighteen evenings spent at a night school. From
his earliest recollections he was obliged to work
hard for his support, and his youth was one round
of toil, unlivened by the usual sports of boyhood.
He remained at home until his marriage, which
event united him, April 6, 1837, with Miss Nancy
A. Kurtz, a daughter of Christopher and Nancy
(Lowe) Kurtz, of Pennsylvania-Dutch ancestry,
and residents of York Count} 7 , Pa., where she
was born.

After his marriage Mr. Hibner bought eighty
acres in Richland County from his father. Upon
it he settled and there remained until 1847, when
he moved to St. Francis County, Mo. In the
spring of 1848 he started north with his family
and brother Francis, going as far as Winnebago
Lake, where he bought land. Two months later
his brother died. Our subject entered two quar-
ter-sections of land about midway between Green
Bay and Oshkosh. Later the county seat of
Appletou was located on his farm and he sold his
land, but was cheated out of his money. In
August, 1848, he came to Will County and pur-
chased an eighty-acre tract, which forms the
nucleus of the large possessions he has since ac-
quired. He has proved himself to be an excellent
manager, and although his life has been spared
far beyond the usual allotment of years, he still
preserves his interest in affairs and shows the
keen business traits that characterized him years
ago. He is remarkably well preserved, and a
stranger to whom his real age was unknown
would easily mistake him for a man not more
than seventy-five or eighty. In politics he is a
Democrat.

After a happy wedded life of sixty-two years
Mr. Hibner suffered a deep bereavement in the
death of his wife, who passed away October 13,
1899, aged eighty-two years, eleven months and
thirteen days. She was a faithful member of the

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

.Methodist Episcopal Church and a lady of sin-
cere Christian character. Fourteen children had
been born of their union, and all but two are still
living. Elizabeth is the wife of James Ralph, a
farmer of this county; George W. and Francis A.
are farmers, the former in Grundy County, the
latter in Will County; Jane is the wife of E.
Price, a machinist of Joliet; James C, David and
Martin E. are farmers in Grundy County; Nancy
A. is the widow of T. S. Shimmin and keeps
house for her father; Sarah A. married Peter
Christensen, a farmer of Will County; John W.
and William A. are farmers in this county: and
Lucinda A. is the wife of James A. Hemphill, a
farmer of this countv.

f"RANK W. SEARLES, M. D., a successful
r3 practicing physician and surgeon of New
| Lenox, was born in Homer Township, this
county, March 14, 1852. His father, Franklin
Searles, was born in New York, of German de-
scent, went from the east to California at the
time of the gold excitement in 1S49, and for one
and one-half years he remained on the Pacific
coast successfully engaged in mining. On his
return east in 1851 he invested the money he
had made by mining in the purchase of a farm in
New Lenox Township, Will County, 111., where
he devoted himself to farm pursuits and the man-
agement of an apiary. He was a practical man
in the raising and breeding of bees, and was so
successful that often he shipped as much as one
ton of honey in a single shipment. His death
occurred on his homestead May 12, 1S87, when
he was fifty-nine years of age. Two children,
our subject and Agnes, deceased, were born of

his marriage to Emily White, of Ohio, who is
still living and makes her home with her sou.
The history of her family is traced back to Pere-
grine White, the first white child born in Massa-
chusetts, and a member of good old Puritan
stock. In the possession of the family is a hand
loom that was brought over in the "Mayflower."
During the war of 18 12, when Indians were dan-
gerous and imperiled the lives of the white set-
tlers, her grandmother was hidden for safety in
a hollow tree, which was so large that she had
her spinning wheel put in it and spun yarn while
hiding.

The education of Dr. Searles was obtained in
the Englewood high school, Illinois State Uni-
versity and the Chicago Medical College (now
the Northwestern University Medical School).
In 1877 he graduated with the degree of M. D.
Returning to his native county, he opened an
office in New Lenox, where he has since engaged
in practice, with the exception of one year in
Wisconsin. In his profession he has been quite
successful, and is recognized as a skillful physi-
cian, who is accurate in the diagnosis of disease
and successful in its treatment. Politically he is
a believer in Republican principles. In 1878 he
was elected county coroner, and he has also
served as a member of the school board for several
years. While he is interested in local political mat-
ters, he does not desire office, preferring to give
his attention exclusiveh- to professional duties.
He is a member of the Will County Medical As-
sociation. Fraternallj' he is connected with the
Modern Woodmen of America and Lockport
Lodge No. 534, A. F. & A. M., in which he is
past master. By his marriage in 1878, to Etta
Morse, he has two children now living, Ella A.
and Howard W. , and has lost two sons, William
Lloyd, who died at the age of nine years, and
Frank, who died at six months.

Y
OF
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

Ahfyh**^*:

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

HORACE S. SMITH.

HORACE S. SMITH. The name of Mr.
Smith is indissolubly associated with the
pioneer history of the Bessemer steel process
in Joliet. Like many of our country's successful
men, he had no special advantages in youth, but
made his own way in the world from an early age;
like them, too, it was not until comparatively late
in life that he became identified with the business
in which his greatest success was achieved. The
high standii g which he reached in the steel in-
dustry was due to a combination of business
ability and mechanical ingenuity, together with
the courage to mark out new paths and introduce
radical changes where he deemed best. In fact,
the innovations that he made were so striking as
to attract the attention of the entire steel trade,
both in this country and abroad, and men who
were engaged in the business continually sought
Joliet in order to study the latest improvements
in the manipulation of Bessemer steel.

The life which this narrative sketches began in
Dunstable, N. H., December 28, 1826, and closed
in Chicago, 111., October 17, 1899. After years
of service in the operating and mechanical de-
partments of railroads in the east and west,
rising through various positions, Mr. Smith was
offered the position of master mechanic of the
Chicago & Alton Railroad at Bloomington, 111.,
a position, however, that he was destined not to
fill, owing to his success in the management of the
Joliet steel mills. In 1876 Alexander J. Forbes-
Leith, then receiver of the Joliet Iron & Steel
Company, offered him the management of the
works. Although he was without experience in
either rolling mills or steel works, he undertook
the difficult task of placing a bankrupt plant upon
a sound financial basis. The succeeding years

were filled with responsibilities and crowded with
hard work. Determined to thoroughly under-
stand the business, he gave every department the
closest attention and as late as midnight he was
often to be found studying the art of making
Bessemer steel. In spite of the fact that he
lacked money and his workmen lacked experience,
he made a success of the business. In 1878 a
reorganization was effected and the Joliet Steel
Company established, which continued until the
plant was merged into that of the Illinois Steel
Company in 1889.

While for a few years Mr. Smith was a student
of the business and followed in the steps of others,
yet after a time his originality began to assert
itself. He then became a leader and others fol-
lowed. Under his management his plant was the
first to roll steel direct without reheating from the
ingot, which practice is to-day common through-
out the world. His company was also the first
to roll rails without hook and tongs men, and
was among the first to introduce the rolling of
double length rails. In 1887 the plant produced
more steel rails than any other mill in the world,
over two hundred thousand tons being the out-
put; and, in recognition of this unparalleled
record, Mr. Smith was presented with a gold
medal by his officers and staff". His greatest
mechanical triumph was the development of in-
tricate automatic machinery for rolling rails and
billets, which greatly increased the capacity of a
train of rolls and dispensed with much high-
priced labor. The device that he constructed is,
with slight modifications in form, now in use in
the majority of the large rail mills.

Through the efforts of Mr. Smith the com-
pany became interested in the wire rod business.

■fl

-'-

22'

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

sisted of eight children, namely: Joseph, a me-
chanic, who died in 1859; Charles, who served
for four years each as treasurer and judge of Will
County, and died in Joliet June 5, 1899; Mary,
who died in Lockport; John, who served in the
Illinois regimental band during the Civil war
and is now living in Lockport; Jane, who mar-
ried G. A. Gooding, an attorney of Lockport,
where she died; George, of Joliet; Horace and
Ann.

In Homer Township, Will County, the subject
of this sketch was born September 20, 1837. In
1843 his father removed to Lockport, and he at-
tended the public schools of that place until four-
teen years of age, when he entered the printing
office of the Lockport Telegram. Two years later
he began to learn telegraphy and after a time was
put iu charge of the Rock Island Telegraph
office at Sheffield. His next employment was as
clerk in a drug store owned by his father in
Lockport, and after two years he bought out his
father and carried on the business alone. In two
years he entered the bank at Lockport as book
keeper, and afterward was employed in the La
Salle postoffice for a year, later was a (.inn]
officer, with headquarters in Chicago. In
he came to Joliet, where he was a clerk in thi
provost marshal's office until the close of tin- v,.,,.
three years he was telegraph operatoi and
ticket agent for the Chicago & Rock Island Rail-
road in Joliet, and at t time studied law.
In 1868 he entered the office of the - lerl ol courl
and records, where he remain'' puty, and
at the same time completed his law studies und< 1
E. C. 1 to the
bar. Under Pi Grant, in 1872, he received
an appointment a : of internal revenue
for the sixth district of Illi eluding Will,
Xankakee, Grundy an and
this position b ••., with bi
quarters in Joliet. In 1876 ■< consolidation of
office was

ed to Aurora. Rel to th< courthouse

during that yi aastet of chancel

the eight folic ears. Ii 1

of tl.' sot iation

from Dj:iI tin

until 1893, he served as secretary; also for years
was a director in the concern. He is now living
in retirement from business cares. In national
politics he adheres to Republican principles.
Aside from serving on the county committee, he
has not been active in politics in his home town.
Fraternally he is connected with Mount Joliet
Lodge No. 42, A. F. & A. M.

The marriage of Mr. Weeks, in Joliet, united
him with Miss Mary Munson, who was born in
Tazewell County, 111. They became the parents
of four children, their only daughter, Mrs. Fan-
nie Morse, being a resident of Sonoma County,
Cal. The oldest sou, Fred B., is manager of the
Western Stone Company in Joliet. Curtis, who
is an engineer with the same company, served as
quartermaster-sergeant of Company G, First
Florida Infantry, during the Spanish war. The
youngest son, Horace M., is a clerk in the office
of the Joliet Stove Works Company.

~~ KIRKPATRICK, M . D. While the dat(
t} ol the immigration ol the Kirkpatrick fam-

ily is unknown and its nationality un< 1 rtain,

then 1 rea on to believe that the family was
founded in Warren County, N. J., in the eigh
teenth century l>v a Scotchman, This original
emigrant ion, facob, settled in Northampton
County, Pa., in early manhood and then engaged
in farming and boating Hit son, who bore the
11. on' as himself, was boi 11 at Pi ei mansburg,
Northampton I ounty, in [825, and in boyhood
iva employed as dri er on a • anal , by slow di
,701 1- ing his way up to b( a boal ownei .

Ijiii in;; a period oi many years he l ished coal

foi 1 hi ( rlendon fron ' otnpany. 1 n 1 86 ; he
retired from boating and turned his attention to

farming in bi nati 1 1 ity. Prom 1876 to 1889

hi - ultivati d a farm ■•it I entn Valli y, but in the

hiti' 1 jreai r< tired from a< tivi caret 1 has sini 1

• d on his fai m, in 1 hi quiet 1 njoj men! "I 1 om
forts rendered po sibli by his earl) indu 1 1 •.
WImii :i boy in Kirkpatricl bad no advan

9 8

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tages except such as his own industry secured.
He and two brothers began to work on the canal
in childhood. They were fond of study and
usually carried their books with them on the boat,
so they were able to keep at the head of their
classes during the three months annually they
attended school. When he was seventeen our
subject stopped canal work and turned his atten-
tion to other occupations. His hope was to se-
cure sufficient money to complete his education.
When he was nineteen he attended the Bethlehem
boarding school for five months, after which he
was given a certificate to teach, and for ten years
taught in district schools. He was given a per-
manent state certificate after he had taught for
four years. During his vacations he took a
course in the United States Institute of Business
and Finance, where he completed the regular
course. About 1882 he entered the Hellertou
Collegiate Institute, intending to prepare himself
for a civil engineer's course in Lehigh University,
but after reflecting upon the matter and consult-
ing with his preceptor, he decided to devote his
life to medicine. While gaining his initial knowl-
edge of the science he also taught school. In the
fall of 1884 he entered the College of Physicians
and Surgeons at Baltimore, Md., from which he
graduated in 1886, standing third in a class of
one hundred and sixty- four. For this excellent
record as a student he was awarded compliment-
ary mention and a gold medal. After graduating
he was one of forty-four members of the class
who took an examination before the faculty of
the Medico-Chirurgical Post- Graduate College in
Philadelphia, and by them he was awarded the
second place in the class.

After having visited for a few months with his
parents, Dr. Kirkpatrick went to the frontier.
The Kaw reserve had been opened up a short
time before and he settled at Bushong, Lyon
County, Kaus., where he remained for eight
years. However, the town did not prosper and
he therefore moved to Americus, eight and one-
half miles distant, where he practiced for three
years. In October, 1897, he came to Illinois and
settled in Peotone, where he has since become
the leading physician of the village. Recently

he completed a very handsome and commodious
residence, and here he and his family have a
delightful home. In 1875 he married Emma M.
Bader, who was born in Hellertown, Pa., daugh-
ter of David Bader, a prosperous farmer of that
locality. Two children were born to the union
of Dr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick. One is now living,
Valeria, an accomplished young lady and a grad-
uate of Chicago Musical College in June, 1900.

HENRY EDWARD BUSS. The reputation
which Mr. Buss has gained during his life-
long residence in his present locality is that
of an energetic farmer and stock-raiser. Al-
though he stared out for himself with very lim-
ited means, he has been prospered and is now in
comfortable circumstances, his farm being among
the best in Florence Township. Five miles
south of his present home, and in the same town-
ship, he was bom October 29, 1S69, a son of Ed-
gar C. and Selina (Gurney) Buss. His grand-
father, John Buss, was one of the earliest settlers
at Jackson's Grove, where he spent his remaining
years engaged in farming.

The father of our subject was born in Ohio and
accompanied his parents to Illinois in boyhood.
The most of his life was spent in Will County,
and for years he was a well-known stock-raiser
and farmer of Florence Township, cultivating two
hundred acres of valuable laud. In politics he
was a Republican and during anti-slavery days
was a stanch Abolitionist. At the opening of the
Civil war he enlisted in Company C, One Hun-
dredth Illinois Infantry, and went to the front
with his regiment, remaining in active service for
three years. In the battle of Chickamauga he
was wounded and never fully recovered from the
effects of the wound. He died August 4, 1887,
when forty-nine years of age. His wife was a
sister of George F. Gurney, of Joliet. She is
still living on the old Buss homestead. Of the
six children comprising the family, Jessie is the
wife of August Carlsen; Henry Edward was sec-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ond iii order of birth ; Frances married Jesse Young ;
Leslie G., Elmer C. and Florence reside with
their mother.

The boyhood years of our subject were passed
in the locality where he now lives. The scenes
that now surround him have been familiar to him
from his earliest recollection. He began for him-
self at an early age. He had nothing but a team
and wagon, but with these, backed by his sturdy
determination, he began a career that has since
been prosperous. He superintends the old home-
stead of one hundred and sixty acres, having two
hundred and sixty acres altogether under his
control, and besides farming, is engaged in buy-
ing, feeding and selling cattle. He owns two
threshing machines which he operates during the
season. He does not concern himself about
politics. However, he believes in the Republican
platform and uniformly votes that ticket.

The marriage of Mr. Buss to Miss Alice,
daughter of Albert Coop, of Channahon, this
county, occurred January 12, 1890. They have
three living children: Lulu M., Edgar C. , Hattie,
and lost one son, Albert, by death.

EONARD GEORGE WILSON, manager of
It the business interests of Selz, Schwab & Co.,
U hi Joliet, has been a resident of this city
since 1868. He was born in London, England,
August 7, 1847, son of Leonard and Ann Ellen
(Weed) Wilson, lifelong residents of England.
His father, who before retiring from business
was the proprietor of a jewelry store in London,
died in 1899, when eighty-one years of age. Mr.
Wilson had four sisters, two of whom went to
New Zealand. The older, Ellen Selina, who was
the wife of Robert Greig, died in 1898. The
younger, Annie Elizabeth, is the wife of William
Handley. The other sisters, Matilda Caroline
and Sophia Louisa, together with their brother,
William Joseph, continue to reside at the old
home in London. The paternal grandfather and
one of his sons, both bearing the name of George

Wilson, served in the British navy; the former,
who held the rank of captain, fought at Trafalgar
under Admiral Nelson; the latter was killed in
the Crimean war.

After completing his education the subject of
this article took up office work until 1867, the
year of his coming to America. He spent one
year in Chicago and then came to Joliet, where
he was employed by the Michigan Central Rail-
road Company for seven years, and then worked
in a quarry business with W. A. Steel for a year.
January 1, 1876, he accepted a position with the
firm in whose employ he has since continued.
Starting in their office he worked his way up to
the responsible position of manager of their fac-
tory at the Illinois State Penitentiary. His long
service with the same firm is abundant proof of
his efficiency and faithfulness to their interests.
He is one of those genial, courteous gentlemen,
whom it is a pleasure to meet and the memory of
whom is not soon forgotten, even by casual ac-
quaintances. Since the organization of the Peo-
ple's Loan and Homestead Association he has
been among its stockholders. While he keeps in
touch with the questions of the day he has not
identified himself with any political party, but
has maintained independence of thought. Fra-
ternally he is a Past Regent of the Royal Arca-
num and a member of the Ancient Order of
Egyptians.

October 19, 1876, Mr. Wilson married Ella B.,
daughter of Edwin B. and Elizabeth Cornelia
(Olney) Mason. They became the parents of
four children, namely: Ralph Mason (deceased);
Edwin Leonard; Clara Ella (deceased); and
Percy William. On her mother's side Mrs. Wil-
son inherits the Puritan blood of those who land-
ed on Plymouth Rock. Her grandfather, Hale
S. Mason, a native of Massachusetts, descended
from ancestors who settled in New England prior
to the Revolutionary war. In childhood he was
taken to New York. During the early '30s he,
with his family, made the journey from the latter
place to Illinois, and settled near Lockport, where
he bought land. Indians were still to be seen
roaming over the prairies and skulking in the
forests of the state. Nor had wild animals yet re-

IOO

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ceded before the advancing march of civilization.
At once he became active among the pioneers of
this county. Among the positions he held were
those of collector for the Illinois and Michigan
Canal and justice of the peace. In 1S50 he joined
a part}' of Argonauts and crossed the plains to
California. For some years he engaged in min-
ing and trading in the far west, returning via the
Isthmus of Panama. An enthusiastic Abolition-
ist, as a member of the Underground Railroad he
aided that cause materially and helped many ne-
groes to escape from bondage, sending his sons to
take numbers of them in wagons to Chicago.
Two of his sous, George H. and John Q., served
in the Civil war. The elder was color bearer and
was killed during a skirmish near Cumberland
Gap. The father of Mrs. Wilson was quite
young when his parents came to Illinois. For
some time he was connected with his father in
business. Afterward he was located in different
parts of the state; coming to Joliet he organized
the People's Loan and Homestead Association, of
which he was the secretary until his death in
1884. He and his parents were forced out of the
Congregational Church before the war, owing to
their anti-slavery opinions.

In his business transactions Mr. Wilson is
methodical and exact. He has ever shown him-
self guardful of the best interests of his company
and in his decisions has been wise and business-
like. He is a man of decided and inflexible
traits of character, but with these is blended
a cordiality and geniality that render him de-
servedly popular.

0RVILL C. DICKINSON. Some men de-
vote their lives to the accumulation of
wealth, others to the mysteries of science;
some pursue Fame's ever-fleeting shadow and
some live for the enjoyment of the passing
moment. But comparatively few give their
lives, inconstant self-sacrifice, to Christian serv-
ice, seeking neither earthly fame nor financial
returns, but content to labor and to walk in the

footsteps of Him who said "Inasmuch as ye
have done it unto the least of these, my brethren,
ye have done it unto Me." It is in this spirit
and in this service that the busy life of Mr.
Dickinson has been spent, and now, in the after-
noon of life's brief day, he can look back upon
the past without remorse and forward to the
future with the Christian's hope of eternal hap-
piness.

Elder Dickinson (for by this title our subject
is best known) was born in St. Lawrence County ,
N. Y. , September 10, 1836, a son of Horatio N.
and Miranda (Titus) Dickinson. He was one of
ten children and the second of six now living.
Concerning the others we note the following:
Charles is a well-known resident of Otsego
County, Mich., and a deacon in a Baptist Church;
Julia M. is the widow of Richard S. Poole, of
Battle Creek, Mich.; Adeline E. is the wife of
Rev. Silas W. Brookins, a Baptist minister in
Dade County, Mo.; Albert P., a veteran of the
Civil war, is a deacon in the Baptist Church in
his home town in Dade County, Mo.; and
Sumner H. is Sunday-school superintendent
and a prominent church worker at Goodland,
Ind. It will thus be seen that the members of
the family are active in religious work in their
various places of residence.

Nathan Dickinson, our subject's grandfather,
was born in Hartford County, Conn., the son of
a Revolutionary soldier. He removed to Potts-
dam, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and about
twelve years later settled in Pitcairn, the same
count}-, where he engaged in farming. He re-
mained at Pitcairn until his death. In religion
he was a Methodist, while his wife was a Presby-
terian. Their son, Horatio N., was born in Rut-
land County, Vt., September 11, 18 10, and was
a year old when his parents settled in St. Law-
rence County, N. Y., where he grew to manhood
and married. In 1S44 he removed to Ottawa
County, Mich., and, after six years there, settled
in Battle Creek, the same state. The year 1859
found him in Kankakee County, 111., where he
settled one-half mile south of the county line and
near Manteno. Purchasing a farm, he continued
to make his home thereuntil his death. From

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

IOI

early life he officiated as a deacon in the Baptist
Church. He was a man of strictest integrity,
one whose life exemplified the truth of his
religious professions. His death occurred Jan-
uary 20, 1 88 1. He had two brothers, Nathan
and Justin, who served in the war of 1S12.

The mother of our subject, who is still living,
was born in Rhode Island September 27, 18 13,
and now makes her home with her daughter,
Julia, at Battle Creek, Mich. One of her sons,
Anson, enlisted in the Union army during the
Civil war and was shot before Atlanta July 22,
1864. Our subject was given good advantages
when he was a boy, it being the wish of his
parents that he might be well fitted for the
responsibilities of life. He attended the high
school at Battle Creek and his studies there, com-
bined with his thoughtful reading in later years,
gave him a broad education. His health was not
strong enough to permit a college education,
which his father wished to give him.

November 6, 1857, Mr. Dickinson married
Susan A. Beedle, a native of Ashtabula County,
Ohio, and a daughter of Emory Beedle. Her
father, who was a fanner, came to Illinois in
1865 and settled at Wilton Center, where he died
in July, 1871. While he was not a member of
the conference, he served as a local preacher in
the Methodist Church and was a very earnest
Christain worker. After his marriage our sub-
ject settled in Manteno, Kankakee County, 111.,
and engaged in farming on land owned by his
father. He was nineteen years old when he united
with the Baptist Church. On his arrival in Kan-
kakee County he found that the nearest congre-
gation was at Wilton Center. Accordingly he
put his membership in this church. As soon as
his ability as a preacher became known he was
pressed into service. In August, i860, he re-
moved to Wilton Center and gave his time en-
tirely to ministerial work. However, times were
so hard that his income was not sufficient to
maintain his family, so it became necessary for
him to engage in other occupations. However,
he never lost his interest in church work. Freely
he gave his time, his efforts, his influence, that
the cause might be strengthened in the com-

munity. With the exception of four years in
other places, for thirty-one years he gave his time
largely to his labor of love in this community.
He toiled that others might be blessed; he sowed
that others might reap, and while he has never
accumulated worldly possessions he has gained a
name for Christian work that few ever attain.
In 1895, upon the advice of physicians, he gave
up mental labor and retired to his farm, where he
and his wife are living quietly and happily,
blessed by the esteem of hosts of warm friends.
They have no children of their own, but reared
and carefully educated two adopted daughters,
Ruth Jenkins and Bardae Turner. The former
is now the wife of Rev. C. R. Betts, pastor of the
Englewood Baptist Church in Chicago. The
other is the wife of H. N. Dickinson, a merchant,
grain and coal dealer at New Lenox, this county.

HON. WILLIAM H. STEEN. Scotland has
contributed to Illinois many of the state's
best citizens, and she has contributed none
more worthy of respect than Mr. Steen, the post-
master of Braidwood and one of the pioneers of
the town. When he came here in 1S70 the place
was much smaller than at present, although its
bituminous coal interests were then, as now, of
recognized importance. In 1872 he was one of
the incorporators of the town, and he has since
been a factor in its advancement, holding numer-
ous important positions of a public nature, be-
sides taking an active part in the buying and
selling of real estate.

The father of our subject, James Steen, was a
native of Johnstone, Renfrewshire, Scotland. In
the spring of 1865 he settled in Schuylkill
County, Pa., and for a few years he engaged in
mining at Pottsville. The year 1868 found him
in the then new mining camp of Braidwood, 111.
Here, as a practical coal miner, he worked for
some time, and in this city he died in 1889, aged
sixty-eight years.

At the time he came to America our subject
was fifteen years of age. He spent five years in

102

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Pennsylvania, engaged in mining. Beginning in
the humble position of slate picker, he gradually
worked his way Up through all the grades until
he became a practical miner. For eighteen
months he worked a mine in Stark County, Ohio.
In 1870 he came to Braidwood, where he was em-
ployed in all of the best mines at different times.
Retiring from the work of a miner, in 1882 he
bought out the insurance and real estate business
of John James, and this he continued until he was
appointed postmaster in 189S. The Republican
parts- has always received his stanch allegiance
ever since he was of age. From 1873 to 1877 he
served as a member of the board of aldermen; in
1877-78 he was city clerk, and from 1885 to 1889
he was mayor of Braidwood. After retiring
from the mayoralty he was elected city attorney.
A few years later a higher honor was conferred
upon him by his election, in 1895, as a member
of the state legislature. At the expiration of his
term he was re elected to the office. During his
service in the house he was active in the interests
of labor and served as chairman of the committee
on mines and mining. Having himself risen
from poverty to influence, he was well qualified
to assist in legislation for the benefit of the work-
ingmeu, and they had in him a stanch friend.

During his second term he was chairman of the
committee on labor and industrial affairs and pre-
sented to the house what is now commonly
known as the child labor bill. Many other re-
forms were also championed by him and received
the impetus of his encouragement.

A number of fraternities have enlisted the
co-operation of Mr. Steen. He has been an
executive officer and royal chief of the order of
Scottish Clans, embracing the United States and
Canada, and has recently been elected for a third
term of two years. He is a member of Banner
Lodge, I. O. O. F., in which he has been past
grand and which he represented in the grand
lodge for four years; he also served as district
deputy. In St. Andrew's Lodge, K. of P., he is
past chancellor, and its representative in the
grand lodge of the state; for two years he was
district deputy grand chancellor. He is con-
nected with Braidwood Lodge, A. F. & A. M.,
in which he is past warden. For several years
he served as district secretary of the Miners'
Union, in which he has been very active. By his
marriage, in 1869, to Mary Robertson, he had
four children, viz.: Agnes H., now the wife of
John Kilpatrick; Elizabeth; Isabella; and Mary
A., who died, aged sixteen years.

OF
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

105

ISAAC W. RICHARDS.

*VSAAC W. RICHARDS, a general farmer of
Plainfield Township, and a resident of Illi-
X nois since 1866, was born in Huron County,
Ohio, October 14, 1844. His father, John M.
Richards, who was a native of New York state,
settled in Ohio at the age of twenty-three years
and bought a partially improved farm in Huron
County. Under his industrious supervision the
land was converted into a valuable farm, bearing
improvements that stamped its owner as a man
of thrift and judgment. On that place the re-
mainder of his days were busily passed. The
qualities that characterized him and contributed
to his success were inherited from a long line of
Scotch ancestors, his father having been the first
of the family to leave Scotland and seek a home
in the new world. In politics Mr. Richards was
a Republican, but had no desire to participate in
public affairs and never sought offices of any
kind. Prior to removing from New York he
married Miss Hannah E. Jones, and they became
the parents of eleven children. The fourth of
the children was Isaac W. The latter's educa-
tion was such as the common schools afforded.
At the opening of the Civil war his older brother,
Edgar, and Zetus entered the Union army and
our subject took up the work of the oldest broth-
er, Edgar, who was engaged in the meat business
at Havana, Ohio. He was thus only seventeen
when he started out for himself, and since then
he has made his way independently in the world.
From the opening of the war it was his desire to
serve his country, but he felt that he was too
young to render efficient service. However, in
February of the closing year of the war, 1865, a
good opportunity came to enlist and he at once
offered his services. At Sandusky, Ohio, he was

mustered into Company G, One Hundred and
Ninety-first Ohio Infantry, with which he re-
mained until the close of the war, his regiment
being one of the last to leave the Shenandoah
Valley. He was honorably discharged at Wash-
ington, D. C, and mustered out at Camp Chase,
Ohio.

Immediately after the close of the war Mr.
Richards closed out his business affairs in Ohio
and made arrangements to remove to Illinois.
He settled south of Joliet, where he began farm-
ing. After a few years he purchased eighty
acres in New Lenox Township, where he very
successfully conducted agricultural pursuits until
1882. He then sold the place and moved to
Lockport, where with two others he started the
first wire mill in the town. In 1885 he sold his
interest in the business and bought eighty acres
on section 25, Plainfield Township, where he has
since made his home. He is an intelligent man,
with a broad knowledge of current events, both
in our own country and foreign lands. This in-
formation he has gained by systematic reading of
current literature. He has not allowed himself
to be so engrossed by his daily labors as to ex-
clude a knowledge of what is going on in the
world. He is a great reader and is never hap-
pier than when, the day's work done, he can de-
vote himself to his papers in the comfort of his
home. In his political views he favors the Re-
publican party. He is a member of the Congre-
gational Church and contributes to its mainte-
nance. He is a member of Plainfield Lodge No.
536, A. F. & A. M., and Bartleson Post, G. A. R.,
in Joliet.

December 22, 1869, Mr. Richards married Miss
Venia Burger, of Joliet. They became the par-

io6

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

euts of four children, the eldest of whom, Charles,
died in infancy. The others are: AllieG., Roy C.
and Otis W.

Mrs. Richards was born June 5, 1849, in Co-
lumbia County, X. V., and in order of birth was
sixth among the eleven children, there being five
sons and six daughters. She was ten years old
when she came with her parents to Joliet, 111.,
and was a graduate of the school of that place,
where she lived until her marriage. While at
home she was always at her place and a worker
in the First Baptist Church among the young
people. After she married Mr. Richards she left
her home church to go with her husband to the
Congregational Church at Plainfield, of which
she is still a member. She is a member of Pansy
Chapter No. 239, O. E. S., of Plainfield. She
has taken part in the County Institute, and gave
an address before the State Institute, besides
speaking at other places.

Mrs. Richards is descended, through her fath-
er, from a Holland family that earl} - settled in
New York state. Her great-grandfather, An-
thony Burger, owned large tracts of land and
many slaves (for at that time New York was a
slave state). He was very wealthy, but gave all
of his fortune to assist in carrying on the Revolu-
tionary war, and received in return from the gov-
ernment a grant for a large tract of land in the
Mohawk Yalley. Upon the close of the war, in
which he had fought, he started on horseback for
the Valley, carrying the government papers with
him and intending to claim the land. When he
was half way to his destination he wrote to his
family, but after that they never heard from him.
Time passed and he did not return. Men were
sent in search of him and traced him to a certain
tavern on his route, at which he remained all
night, leaving early in the morning. There all
trace of him was lost, nor could the papers ever
be found. The opinion of some was that he had
been killed by British spies, as he was heard to
remark, when he gave his wealth to carry on the
war: "If the British win, I will lose my head,
and if the States win, I will lose my money."

Jeremiah Burger, grandfather of Mrs. Rich-
ards, when a boy of twelve or thirteen, drove an

ox-cart with a yoke of oxen, for the purpose of
conveying the sick and wounded to places where
they could be cared for. He married Maria
Howk, whose maternal ancestors, the Livingstons,
owned large tracts of land in Livingston County,
N. Y. Their son, Thomas L. Burger, father of
Mrs. Richards, was born in Dutchess County,
X. Y. When a young man he embarked in busi-
ness with his cousin, P. S. Burger, in the manu-
facture of fine carriages in Hudson, N. Y.
After a time he married Julia A. Fiukle, whose
father served in the war of 18 12 and whose ances-
tors settled in this country during colonial days.
As years passed Mr. Burger retired from manu-
facturing and chose agriculture, which he said
was the most independent occupation. He bought
a large farm in Columbia County, N. Y.
Some years later he sold the place and moved to
Illinois, settling in Joliet, Will County. Here he
bought a large tract of land and lived until his
death.

(JOHN O. PIEPENBRINK, a pioneer of 1849
I in Crete Township, was born in Hesse-Cas-
(2/ sel, Germany, April 24, 1S26, and died Jan-
uary 24, 1900, at Crete, 111. He was a son of
H. H. and Lottie (Meier) Piepen brink, who died
in Germany at the ages of fifty-five and forty-five
respectively. He was one of four children, all of
whom but himself remained in Germany. The
family being wealthy, he was given the best ad-
vantages his country afforded: however, with
that exception the family fortune availed him
naught, as the estate being entailed, it fell to the
eldest son on the death of the father. Believing
he could do better in America than in his native
country, he resolved to come hither, and with
his wife, Sophia (Wille) Piepenbrink, he sailed
from Bremerhaven April 3. 1S49, arriving in
New York City May 1. Thence they came by
canal and lake to Chicago, and from there to
Crete Township. This section was then sparsely
settled. The surroundings were of a most primi-
tive character. Of improvements there were al-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

107

most none. He established his home in a small
log house, which was illy protected from the snow
and the winds of winter. He borrowed money
with which to pay for his land and was obliged
to pay thirty-six per cent per annum for the use
of the same. However, notwithstanding this and
other discouragements, he steadily prospered,
and finally acquired the title to more than seven
hundred acres, a part of which is now owned by
his sons. A large part of his success was due to
the dairy industry. He kept more than one hun-
dred cows on his place and made large shipments
of butter and cheese to Chicago. For thirty
years he has made his home on section 1 1 , where
he had one of the comfortable homes of the town-
ship. Politically he was a Republican. In re-
ligion, like his ancestors, he adheres to the doc-
trines promulgated by Martin Luther.

Mrs. Piepenbrink was born January 2, 1826, a
daughter of Conrad and Sophia (Oldrag) Wille,
farmers near Hesse Cassel, active workers in the
Lutheran Church of their neighborhood, and the
parents of seven children. In the family of
Mr. and Mrs. Piepenbrink there are eight
children, viz: J. Otto and Henry F. , prominent
farmers of Crete Township; Conrad, William,
John and Philip, also farmers in this locality; El-
len, wife of Henry Sporleder; and Sophia, Mrs.
John Diersen.

EHARLES BLIM, M. D. It has been said
by those who have consulted Dr. Blim, pro-
fessionally, that he has few equals for skill
in the diagnosis of disease and the application of
appropriate remedial agencies. Since he came
to Crete in 1888 and established his office here,
he has built up a practice that is not limited to
the village, but extends throughout this part of
the county. The attaining of this result has
meant months and years of steady devotion to the
science of medicine. It his been his aim to keep
abreast of all discoveries made in the profession,
and this very fact has greatly promoted his stand-
ing as a physician.

Dr. Blim was born near Blue Island, 111., July
7, 1859. His father, Martin Blim, a native of
Germany, came to America when less than
twenty years of age, and for several years he
worked by the day or month in Syracuse and
Buffalo, N. Y. Early in the '40s he bought a
farm near Blue Island, 111., and in the midst of
the then frontier surroundings he established his
home. He lived to see the remarkable develop-
ment of northeastern Illinois. He owned a large
tract of land, which, owing to its fertility as well
as its proximity to Chicago, became very valu-
able. Politically he was an active Republican,
and in religion a member of the Lutheran Church.
In 1889 he retired from farm work and removed
to Englewood, where he died June 9, 1890, aged
seventy-eight years. His wife, Elizabeth (Schat-
zell) Blim, was born in Germany and accompa-
nied her father, Jacob, to America in childhood,
settling near Evanston, 111. She is still living,
and is now seventy-one years of age. In religion
she is connected with the Methodist Episcopal
Church. In her family were eight children, of
whom Charles was the fourth. He was given a
public school education, but, not feeling satisfied
with it, determined to earn the means for a
broader education. With a fixed resolve he
worked early and late, and carefully hoarded his
earnings. In 1879 he graduated from the Nor-
mal School at Normal Park, after which he
taught for five years, meantime being for a year
principal of the Lemont school. While carrying
on his school work he devoted every leisure mo-
ment to the study of medicine. In the fall of 18S5
he entered Rush Medical College, from which he
graduated in 1S8S, and then settled in Crete.

July 24, 1889, Dr. Blim married Miss Franc
E. Hewes, of Crete, who died September 27, 1897,
leaving three sons, Warren C, Charles H. and
Spencer P. Mrs. Blim was a daughter of Rev.
Samuel Hewes, whose sketch appears on another
page of this work. She was a lady of estimable
character and an active worker in the Methodist
Episcopal Church.

For seven years Dr. Blim has been a member
of the village board, and as such rendered valu-
able services to the village.. On the same ticket

io8

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

he was chosen to serve as a member of the school
board, which office he filled for a number of
years, until the demands of his practice caused
him to resign, but after about three years he was
again elected to that office.

HERMAN SCHWEPPE is a member of the
firm of J. H. Schweer & Co., of Crete,
dealers in wagons, buggies and farm imple-
ments, and agents for the Wood, Minneapolis
and McCormick binders and mowers, the John
Deere plows and corn planters, David Bradley's
goods and the Gorham and Hoosier seeders. In
addition to his connection with this thriving en-
terprise he has held office as secretary of the
Crete Farmers' Township Mutual Fire Insurance
Company since January, 1899, and is also one of
its directors. Since April, 1896, he has filled the
office of town clerk with ability.

Mr. Schweppe was born in Washington Town-
ship, near the village of Beecher, this county,
on the 4th of July, 1864. His father, Frederick,
a native of Prussia, Germany, came to the

United States when about thirty years of age, in
184S. For two years he was employed in Cin-
cinnati, Ohio, after which he came to Illinois and
settled at Eagle Lake, this count}-. Purchasing
one hundred and twenty acres of partly broken
land, he gave his attention to its further im-
provement and cultivation. While he had very
limited means on coming here, he was prospered
to such an extent that he owned one hundred
and seventy acres at the time of his death, when
sixty-nine years of age, in 1S90. On becoming
an American citizen he identified himself with
the Republican party. In religion he was con-
nected with the German Lutheran Church. In
his native land he married Ann Wilkie, who sur-
vives him and is how seventy-two years of age.
Until his father's death our subject remained
on the home farm. Afterward he came to Crete
and purchased an interest in his present business.
He is a representative of the energetic, capable
young business men of the village. His atten-
tion is very closely given to the management of
the business and to his duties as an officer in the
fire insurance company. Therefore he has not
had the leisure for participation in public affairs,
although it is his aim to keep posted concerning
public matters of political or commercial impor-
tance.

wW ms?t\ of iluhois

a7oxa ^6 i/cr

cr7~&^/

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

DAVID FORSYTHE.

HON. DAVID FORSYTHE, who is one of
the largest laud owners and cattle-buyers in
Florence Township, was born in Ballynure,
County Antrim, Ireland, April 25, 1850, a son of
Andrew and Jane (Ballentyne) Forsythe. He
was one of eleven children, all but four of whom
still survive, viz. : James, who is internal revenue
collector at Monroe, La. ; Jane, widow of Samuel
Fiuley, of Wilmington, 111.; Mary, widow of
Frederick Alex, of Lake Forest, 111.; Andrew;
Robert H. , a farmer of Onarga, 111.; Samuel, of
Peoria; and David. The grandfather, John For-
sythe, was a lifelong farmer of Ireland. Of him
it is said that ' 'his religious orthodox was equaled
only by the intense devotion he bore to the inter-
ests and fortunes of his country." He had a
brother, Andrew, Sr., a wheelwright in Count} -
Antrim, and a man of broad education, at the
same time intensely loyal to his country and his
church (the Presbyterian). He believed that the
people of a country have a natural right to its
soil, its air, its water; to make its laws; to till its
soil; and to receive such benefit as accrues there-
from. For his intense devotion to the Irish
cause, the animosity of the government pursued
him and all belonging to him. On every pretext
his property was injured, his peace was disturbed
and his family harassed. His nephew and name-
sake grew up with the same convictions and was
even more frank in their expression. He was the
tenant of a brutal landlord, who first subjected
him to every species of hardship and then evicted
him by chopping down the rafters of the house
during his absence, which, falling into the fire-
place, burned the house to the ground. In poverty
and suffering he was compelled to seek another

home for his family. It was in this way that he
was led to come to America, the land of the free.
Hither his eldest son, John, had preceded him
some years. This son later became one of the
most prominent Democrats in Illinois and was
chairman of the state central committee. He was
a co-laborer with Abraham Lincoln in the office
of secretary of state in Springfield, and after
Lincoln's election as president he tendered his
former associate an appointment as United States
consul to Belfast, but the offer was declined.
Later he organized a company to serve in the
Civil war, but on account of illness at home he
resigned his commission and took his family to
Florida. In the early history of Chicago he was
one of the fore'most figures, particularly among
the Irish residents of the city. His death oc-
curred there in 1885.

When fifty-one years of age Andrew Forsythe,
in 1849, crossed the ocean, accompanied by his
family. He came west via the great lakes, but
while sailing up the St. Lawrence River, the en-
gine of the boat exploded and one of his daugh-
ters was killed. Her body was taken to Fond du
Lac, Wis., and there buried. The sad accident
disheartened the others. After reaching Chicago
they proceeded to Sparta, 111., and at Christmas-
time took a vessel at New Orleans for their na-
tive country. In 1861 they again came to the
United States, arriving in Will County in Sep-
tember and settling on section 3, Florence Town-
ship, which land was owned by Hon. John For-
sythe, of Chicago. A few months later the fath-
er went to Chicago, where he remained until
May, 1863. He then returned to Florence
Township, and here spent the remainder of his

I 12

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

days, dying June 20, 1880. It has been said of
him that he preserved to his death the scrupulous
integrity which he had inherited with his Pres-
byterian creed, and that practical Irish patriotism
which was its twin legacy. When the last trib-
ute of respect was paid to his memory, people of
all denominations gathered to attend his funeral,
and the capacity of the largest church in the
place was taxed to its utmost to accommodate his
friends. His wife was a daughter of John Ballen-
tyue, a farmer and tanner; her grandfather was
one of the conspicuous figures in the revolution-
ary periods of his country, and at onetime, when
his life was in the greatest danger, he was con-
veyed out of the country in a barrel.

The education of our subject was completed in
an academy in Chicago. In 1866 he returned to
the Will County farm, of which he took com-
plete charge two years later. In 1S76 he mar-
ried Bessie, daughter of James and Rebecca
(Freeburn) Hamilton, natives of Londonderry,
Ireland. The family crossed the ocean aud set-
tled in Nithburg, Upper Canada, where she was
born. In 1857 they located in Jackson Town-
ship, this county. Some three years afterward
they removed to Florence Township, where Mr.
Hamilton died in 1886. His widow now makes
her home with a daughter in Chicago.

After his marriage Mr. Forsythe purchased
the live stock and appurtenances of the home-
stead, which he farmed as a renter. In 1877 he
bought one-half of section 4, a part of which
property his father had added to the homestead.
On this place he has since resided. During the
intervening years he has added to his original
purchase until he now has nine hundred and
sixty acres of land in one body, some of this be-
ing as good land as can be found in the county.
Since 1867 he has been a large cattle buyer and
feeder, and has shipped to the Chicago mar-
kets. It is almost exclusively through his live-
stock interests that he has gained his success in
life.

In 1 87 1 Mr. Forsythe was elected highway
commissioner and was chosen treasurer of the
board. The year following the bank in Wil-
mington failed and he was a loser to the extent

of $1,100. After filling various minor offices, in
1880 he was elected supervisor of the town of
Florence. His service was so acceptable to the
people that he was twice re-elected to the office,
the last time having no opposition. He refused
to serve a fourth term. In 1872 he was nomi-
nated for the legislature, but refused to accept the
nomination, withdrawing in favor of William
Mooney, who was elected. In 1890 he was
again nominated for the legislature and was
elected bj' a handsome majority. During his
term as a member of the thirty-seventh and
thirty-eighth general assemblies he worked on the
following committees: live-stock and dairying, of
which he was chairman; corporations, canal-river
improvements and commerce, mines and mining,
agriculture, sanitary affairs, retrenchment aud
miscellaneous subjects. He was oue of the fam-
ous one hundred and one who elected Senator
John M. Palmer to the United States senate. He
was the champion of the anti-truck bill and was
largely instrumental in securing its passage. He
also championed a bill to lower the rate of inter-
est from eight to six percent, but accepted a com-
promise at seven per cent.

Fraternally Mr. Forsythe is a member of Wil-
mington Lodge No. 208, A. F. & A. M., and
is a Scottish Rite Mason. He and his wife are
identified with the Presbyterian Church. They
have an only son, John, who is now attending
the high school at Wilmington.

I RED J. SCHOTT, who has spent his entire
fy life in Joliet and is engaged in business in
I this city, is the son of a pioneer, Jacob
Schott. The latter, who was a native of Ham-
burg, Germany, learned the trade of a painter
and decorator in his native country and from
there, a young man, came to America, securing
employment with a firm in New York City. The
firm, Jevne & Almini, secured the contract for
decorating the penitentiary at Joliet and sent Mr.
Schott to take charge of this work in 1854. The

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

contract for the decorating of the state peniten-
tiary secured the firm other large contracts that
were important and profitable. In 1855 Mr. Schott
started a paint shop at No. 415 Jefferson street,
where, in 1872, he erected a substantial business
building, and in this he continued in business
until the time of his death, September 27, 1SS4,
at the age of fifty-nine. He was made a Master
Mason in Mount Joliet Lodge. Before leaving
Germany he took part in the revolution of 1848
and it was largely on account of his connection
with it that he decided to leave his native land.
He married Rosa Helm, who was born near
Munich, Bavaria, Germany, a daughter of Anton
and Hannah Helm, by whom she was brought to
America in infancy. Her father settled on the
present site of Watertown, Wis., about 1835,
where he improved a farm from the wilderness.
Later he sold the place and removed to Baraboo,
the same state, where he engaged in farm pur-
suits. He died in 1883 and his wife in 1896.
Mrs. Schott is still living and makes her home in
Joliet. Of her children, Fred is the oldest; the
daughters are Mamie, Mrs. August Schoenshadt,
who died in Joliet; and Susie, who married John
Raible and now resides in Birmingham, Ala.

In Joliet, where he was born June 6, 1865, the
subject of this sketch received his education in
the city schools. Leaving the high school at the
end of the third year, he turned his attention to
business and learned painting and decorating
under his father. On the death of the latter he
took charge of the business, of which he has
been sole proprietor since 1896, continuing the
business in the building so long occupied by his
father. He is one of the leading Masons of
Mount Joliet Lodge No. 42, A. F. & A. M.; also
belongs to Joliet Chapter No. 27, R. A. M.,
Joliet Council, and Commandery No. 4, K.T.,of
this city, also Medinah Temple, N. M. S., of
Chicago. The Modern Woodmen of America is
another fraternal organization that receives his
support. Socially he is connected with the Union
Club. He is not a member of any denomina-
tion, but contributes to the Central Presbyterian
Church, with which his wife is identified.

The marriage of Mr. Schott took place in his

home town, November 24, 1896, and united him
with Miss May Louise Smith, who was born in
New York state and educated in Evanston, 111.,
and by whom he has a son, Fred J., Jr. The fa-
ther of Mrs. Schott, James Monroe Smith, re-
moved from New York to Evanston and after-
ward engaged in business in Chicago.

"DWARD FUCHS is one of the well-to-do
*t) retired farmers now living in Joliet. He
__ was born in Prussia, Germany, August 31,
1845, a son of Christian and Christiana (Engle-
hart) Fuchs, also natives of Prussia. His father,
who was born in 1809, grew to manhood in his
native land and there engaged in farming. In
the spring of 1852 he came to America, landing
in New York after a stormy voyage of nine
weeks. From New York he came directly west
to Chicago, and a day later proceeded to what is
now Tinley Park, Cook County, where he
bought eighty acres in Orland Township for $5
an acre, paying half in cash and giving a mort-
gage for the remainder. Three years later he
sold the place for $10 an acre and bought another
farm of forty acres in the same township, where
he remained for nine years. His next removal
brought him to Frankfort Township, this county,
where he purchased an eighty-acre tract, and to
this he added another eighty adjoining, across
the line in Cook County. Here the remaining
years of his life were spent. After coming to
this country he identified himself with the Re-
publican party. He was reared in the Evangeli-
cal Lutheran faith and always affiliated with that
church. Personally he was an upright, capable
and sagacious man, and was highly esteemed.
He died on his homestead September 16, 1874.
His wife, who was born in 1817, is still living.
Of their children, Julius occupies the home farm;
and Emma is the wife of Fernon Smith, a farmer
of Orland Township, Cook County.

At the time the family immigrated to this coun-
try our subject was a child of six years. He

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

grew to manhood in Cook and Will Counties and
early acquired a thorough knowledge of agricul-
ture. May 27, 1872, he married Miss Bertha
Dall, a native of Zinn Kotten, Sohlingen, Prus-
sia, born May 12, 1842, a daughter of Jonathan
and Amelia (Hartkopt) Dall. Her father was
born November25, 1S12, and her mother May 23,
181 8, both in the same place as herself. After
having followed the cutler's trade in German} 1
for some years, her father, in 1848, brought the
family to America, landing in New Orleans after
a voyage of seven weeks. He came direct to Ill-
inois and bought one hundred and twenty acres
in Kendall County for $Soo, which he sold three
years later for $1,000. He then worked at black-
smithing in Ottawa for a year, after which he
went back to Kendall County and bought an im-
proved farm of forty acres. Four years later he
came to Frankfort Township, this county, and
bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres,
where he remained for eight years. His next
purchase was one hundred and ninety-six acres
in New Lenox Township, and on that place he
died June 30, 1885. For some years he served
as path master and road commissioner in Frank-
fort Township. In religion he was a Lutheran.
His wife died December 30, 1SS9. They were
the parents of eight children, three of whom are
living, namely: Bertha, Mrs. Fuchs; Ida, wife
of Wilhelm Stoll, of Joliet; and Emma, who mar-
ried George Busche and lives on the old home-
stead in New Lenox Township.

After his marriage Mr. Fuchs settled on the
eighty acres of the homestead that was situated

across the line in Cook County. This he had
purchased prior to his marriage. After less than
a year he sold the farm and bought eighty seven
acres in Homer Township, where he remained
for three years. His next purchase was one hun-
dred and twenty-five acres near the village of
Spencer, in New Lenox Township. A short
time afterward he added forty acres to the farm.
He remained there for five years and then bought
a residence, with ten acres, in the outskirts of the
village of Frankfort, and retired from farm life.
From that time he engaged in buying, selling and
trading real estate, and his success in this was
even more marked than it had been in farming.
In all of his transactions he showed shrewd, keen
judgment. He owns the old homestead compris-
ing one hundred and fifty-six acres of well-im-
proved land. In 1891 he moved to Joliet, where
he owns and occupies a fine residence on Ex-
change street. He also has two other residence
properties in this city, the Union block on Cass
street, a business block of five stores, and various
lots in Joliet and Chicago. In politics he is a
Republican and in religion a Lutheran. He has
always favored public improvements. As a citi-
zen he is esteemed and respected. He and his
wife became the parents of six children, viz.:
Julia, at home; George E., who is connected with
the Beach dry-goods house; Mathilda, who was
born March 20, 1877, and died September 16 of
the same year; Annie K., who was born May 25,
1879, and died on the same day; Amelia E., who
was born November 25, 1884, and died May 22,
1888; and Clara E., born April 19, 18S7.

LIBF IV
OF 1 E
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

t/9^^2 o^V-c^e^Ky

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

117

THOMAS HERSCHBACH.

HO MAS HERSCHBACH, who is a dealer
in hardware, tinware, pumps, windmills,
etc., at Frankfort Station, was born in Joliet
in 1844. His father, Henry Hersehbach, a na-
tive of Prussia, came to the United States in
1841, and after a short sojourn in Chicago settled
in Joliet. During the construction of the canal
he was employed on it. In 1868 he removed to
Minnesota and settled at St. Cloud, where he fol-
lowed the carpenter's trade and the furniture
business. For some years he was connected with
his son, Henry, in business in that town. He
died there when eighty-two years of age. Per-
sonally he was a man of quiet disposition, re-
served and retiring, yet at the same time he
possessed energy, good judgment and determina-
tion of character. During the early days of Joliet
he was a resident of the famous "bloody" second
ward and he also did considerable building in this
city, being a contractor and builder. He mar-
ried Susan Assenmacher, of Prussia, who died in
St. Cloud at the age of eighty-two. They were
the parents of nine children, five of whom are
living, namely: Henry, of St. Cloud; Mary,
widow of Mathias Dresding; Elizabeth, Mrs.
Limprich; Thomas; and Barbara, wife of John
Schirer.

When twelve years of age our subject left
school. The education he subsequently received
was the result of his exercise of the powers of
observation and experience. From contact with
the world he acquired a broad knowledge of men
and things. For five and one-half years he
worked in the New York dry-goods store, mean-
time working his way up from a humble position
to a remunerative one. Afterward he learned
6

the tinner's trade with W. F. Barrett, father of
J. O. Barrett, and served his full time, three
years. In 1868 he came to Frankfort Station,
which was then a small hamlet, whose streets
during the spring months were almost impassa-
ble on account of mud. Here he opened a tin-
shop. At first he had but a small stock. In
time he added to it and now carries a full line of
hardware, tinware, stoves, etc. A few years ago
he bought a building which he remodeled and
enlarged, and which gives him a floor space of
100x26 feet, besides his large storerooms. He
also owns a farm in Hamilton County, Iowa,
which he rents. His success is worthy of com-
mendation, for he started out with only $100
and has attained, through his unaided efforts,
his present high position in business circles.

By his marriage, in 1870, to Alvina Mane, Mr.
Hersehbach has four children, viz.: Charles, now
in Chicago; Otto, at home; Emma and Mabel. In
politics our subject has always been a Republican,
believing firmly in the principles of his part)'. He
is interested in a number of fraternal organiza-
tions, his preference being for Masonry. He is
past master of Mount Joliet Lodge, A. F. &
A. M.; Joliet Chapter, R. A. M. ; Joliet Com-
mandery No. 4, K. T. ; and Oriental Consis-
tory of Chicago, taking his thirty-second degree
in 1877.

(lAMES RUMSEY BOWEN was born near

Ithaca, N. Y., June 2, 1842, the youngest

Q) of a family of two sons and two daughters,

all deceased except himself. His father, George,

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

was a native of Enfield, Tompkins County,
N.V., and by trade a carpenter and builder; and
his mother, Pernulla, was born in Enfield, Tomp-
kins County, where her father, James Rumsey,
engaged in farm pursuits. Mr. Bow-en died
when a young man, but his wife lived to be sev-
enty-two years of age. Their son, our subject,
was employed on farms from an early age, and
saved his earnings until he was able to buy ninety
acres of land.

August ii, 1862, Mr. Bowen enlisted in Com-
pany G, One Hundred and Ninth New York
Infantry, and from Binghamton, the point of
muster in, was sent south to Bladensburg, Md. ,
six miles from Washington, on the Baltimore &
Ohio Railroad, where his company engaged in
guard duty and captured more than three thou-
sand deserters. He won distinction by person-
ally capturing McCarthy, clerk to the paymas-
ter, who had stolen $40,000 from the paymaster
and absconded with the money. Later he was
detailed with six men to guard Beltsville, on the
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, where he remained
during the winter. During his last day at that
point, he and his comrades captured three
bounty jumpers, who tried to bribe them in order
to secure freedom, but all offers were refused by
their captors. When Burnside reorganized the
army at Annapolis, Md., to make the last cam-
paign against Petersburg, Mr. Bowen joined him
and took part in the battles of the Wilderness,
Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Gaines'
Farm, and the battles before Petersburg. En-
listing as a private, he was commissioned cor-
poral and sergeant, and in 1S64 was made second
lieutenant of Company G. After the battle of
Mine Explosion, in front of Petersburg, he com-
manded the company. In the engagement that
followed, so many of his men were killed or cap-
tured that only eight of the company responded
to roll call the next morning. After the grand
review in Washington he was honorably dis-
charged in Binghamton, X. V.

Returning to Ithaca, Mr. Bowen engaged in
the grocery business. Two years later he went
to Enfield, where he was proprietor of the
Falls hotel, a summer resort, for four years,

Two years were then spent in Ithaca, after which,
in 1879, he came to Joliet, where he carried on a
hotel business for three years. In 18S2 he be-
came superintendent for Jefferson Hodgkius, of
Chicago, but the following year started in the
gravel business for himself. After a short time
at Rowell's pit, he had charge of the Woodruff
pit for ten years, but in 1S97 removed to the
Mound, where the best gravel in the country is
secured. He owns one No. 3 crusher, of one
hundred yards per day capacity, and one No. 6
crusher, with a capacity of four hundred yards
per day. Since 1897 he has had contracts to
furnish gravel to the Rock Is'and Railroad, be-
sides which he makes shipments to Chicago and
neighboring towns. He has had the contract to
furnish macadam for many streets, both in Joliet
and elsewhere, and his work of this kind is as
fine as any in Joliet. To facilitate shipments, a
double switch is connected with the Chicago &
Rock Island Railroad, and power is furnished by
an engine of one hundred and ten horse-power.
During his residence in his native town, Mr.
Bowen married Miss Augusta Kellogg, daughter
of Joseph Kellogg, a tobacco manufacturer of
Ithaca, N. Y.

EAPT. ELLSWORTH G. BOWEN, the only
son of James R. and Augusta (Kellogg)
Bowen, is a member of the firm of James
R. Bowen & Son, well known contractors of
Joliet. He was born in Ithaca, N. Y., October
12, 1S68, and received his education in the pub-
lic schools of that city and Chicago. When four-
teen years of age he secured employment with a
wholesale paper house in Chicago, beginning in
the lowest position and working his way up-
ward gradually, until he was made cashier and
bookkeeper. Afterward, for five years, he held
a responsible position with the wholesale millin-
ery firm of D. B. Fisk & Co. He resigned to ac-
cept a more profitable position as clerk with the
Illinois Central Railroad Company. Two years
after coming with the company he was made

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

119

chief clerk of the bridge and building depart-
ment, and continued in that capacity until 1895,
when he resigned. After a trip through the south
he returned and embarked in business with his
father, furnishing material for street building.
They handle the Mound gravel, which is pro-
nounced by experts to be the finest gravel in the
United States. While his father has charge of the
work at the Mound, he superintends all of the
street work, managing it in an able manner and
proving that he is a man of fine business judg-
ment.

Fraternally Captain Bowen is connected with
Matteson Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; Joliet Chapter,
R. A. M.; Joliet Council; and Joliet Commaud-
ery No. 4, K. T., in all (except the Council) of
which he has been an officer; also a member of
the Knights of the Globe and the Eastern Star.
In politics he is a Republican, active in the party
and uncompromising in his adherence to its
principles.

The military history of Captain Bowen dates
from May 6, 1885, when he enlisted as a private
in Battery C, Illinois National Guard, which
served actively during the stone quarry strike
and riots between Joliet and Chicago. The bat-
tery was mustered out by special order July 13,
18S5. In the following year, on the 14th of
April, he enlisted in Chicago as a private in
Troop D, First Illinois Cavalry. March 14,
1887, he was transferred to Company L, Sec-
ond Infantry, I. N. G. He was made a corporal
June 10, 1888, and a sergeant August 6 of the
same year. May 15, 1889, he was appointed
first sergeant; September 15, 1S90, he was
elected second lieutenant; April 13, 1891, first
lieutenant; and July 6, 1891, captain. He was
re-elected captain July 6, 1894. On his re-
moval to Joliet he received from Col. Fred Ben-
nett an appointment as captain and adjutant of
the Third Infantry, I. N. G., and was commis-
sioned as such by the governor. At the opening
of the war with Spain he was commissioned ad-
jutant (with the rank of captain) of the Third
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which was mustered in
at Springfield, 111., May8, 1898. He accompanied
his regiment to Chickamauga Park and from

there to Newport News, thence on the cruiser
"St. Louis" to Porto Rico. He was the first mem-
ber of the Third to land in Porto Rico. While on
board the transport "St. Louis" he was ordered by
the colonel to go ashore with several convalescent
soldiers and report with them to General Miles,
who directed him to conduct them to their re-
spective regiments. This accomplished, he re-
turned to his own regiment, which landed thirty
miles from Ponce under cover- of the fire of the
opposing ships.

During the campaign that followed he was an
active participant, serving honorably and effi-
ciently until the regiment was summoned home
by the cessation of hostilities. On the organiza-
tion of the first regiments for service in the Phil-
ippines he received from President McKinley,
without solicitation on his part, an appointment
as first lieutenant, and was assigned to the Thir-
tieth Infantry, U. S. V.; but having joined his
father in a business that demanded his entire
personal attention, he was obliged, reluctantly,
to decline the commission. By natural gifts and
practical experience he is fitted for military
duties, and his service at the front was such as
to reflect credit upon his patriotic spirit and zeal,
giving him a high place in the ranks of the offi-
cers and soldiers, to whose energy the speedy ter-
mination of the war was due.

3ACOB ADLER. After having for years con-
ducted a large and successful meat business
in Joliet, Mr. Adler in 1897 turned the busi-
ness over to his sous, Jacob C, Jr., and Law-
rence, and his son-in law, Daniel Lenuon, who
continue it under the title of J. C. Adler &
Co. Since that time he has, with his youngest
son, Michael, been extensively engaged in rais-
ing and selling cattle, having a valuable farm of
two hundred and sixty acres in Troy Township,
three miles from Joliet, and a forty-acre tract at
Enterprise, where he has his slaughter house.
In addition to the management of these interests

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

he has been interested in the packing business
at intervals since 1861, and he has also dealt ex-
tensively in real-estate in Joliet and farm prop-
erty, including a farm in Missouri which he now
owns. Among the prominent business men of
the city he was one of the few who safely
weathered the financial storm of 1S73. He has
been helpful in promoting local enterprises by
assisting in making up the required bonus, and
was particularly interested in the starting of the
tinplate and rolling mills. While he is a Roman
Catholic he has contributed to every church, no
matter what its creed, that has been erected in
Joliet. He assisted in organizing both St.
Patrick's and St. John's churches, and is actively
connected with the latter. In the building up of
St. Francis Academy he took a prominent part,
and has since served as a member of the board of
directors. During war times he supported Abra-
ham Lincoln and the policy of the administration,
after which he joined the Democratic party and is
now a believer in the issuing of greenback cur-
rency and in the free coinage of silver. For four
years he served as alderman from the sixth ward,
during which time he was a participant in many
measures for the benefit of the city and the en-
largement of its business interests.

Mr. Adler was born at Bachen, Canton Trier,
kreis Mertzig, Prussia, March 17, 1S37, a son of
Michael and Margaret (Sebastian) Adler. In the
fall of 1837 the family left Havre on a sailing
vessel and after a voyage of almost four months
landed in New York, thence went via Albany
and the Erie canal to Buffalo, thence up the lakes
and to Chicago, where they secured an ox-team,
driving on to Indiana and buying a farm there.
However, in July, 1838, they came tothiscounty
and settled at Sagg's bridge. In the spring of
1S39 the father bought a farm on what is now the
site of New Lenox. Four years later he settled
two miles south of Joliet, where he improved a
valuable farm. After a bus>- and active life as a
farmer, in 1868 he retired to Joliet and made his
home on South Chicago street until he died, aged
eighty-six years and six months. His wife died
at the same place December 15, 1888, aged
eighty-three years. Of their eleven children

seven attained mature years, namely: Jacob;
Mrs. Margaret Rappal, of Chicago; Angeline,
now Sister Liguori of the Order of St. Francis;
Peter Paul, who died in 1S96; Veronica and
Mary, of Joliet; and Jasper, who died at twenty-
nine years of age.

Among the pupils in the first log school house
built in New Lenox Township was the subject of
this sketch. Afterward he attended school in
Joliet Township. In 1858 he began to cultivate
some of his father's property. He had already
acquired considerable experience in agriculture.
In fact, when he was only seven he had driven
the oxen that were attached to a breaking plow
and seven years later he began to push the
plow — no easy task, as all know who have en-
gaged in breaking prairie soil. When the Pike's
Peak gold excitement started in 1S59 he started
west with a part}- of five. Arriving at Leaven-
worth, Kans., they outfitted with three yoke of
oxen and three wagons. He and his partner,
Clemence Erhard, went in a wagon via the
Smoky Hill route direct to Denver. At one time,
while crossing the plains, they counted five hun-
dred buffaloes in one herd, and they saw as many
as fifty autelopes in a drove, while at night the
wolves howled on every side. The trip from
Leavenworth to Denver took from April 15 to
June 3.

Proceeding to Gregory's Diggings, in the Clear
Creek district, Mr. Adler en route had many
hazardous experiences, and afterward engaged in
mining there and at Russell's Gulch. In the
fall he returned to Denver, thence by mule team
to St. Joe, Mo., where he traded his team and
wagon for a farm in Missouri; the latter, how-
ever, he soon sold, never occupying it. Return-
ing to Joliet he started soon for the Michigan
pineries, but at Centreville, Ind., he bought
horses and cattle and came back home. In the
spring of 1S61 heopeneda meat market in Joliet,
having Joseph Richmond as a partner for three
years. He then bought Mr. Richmond's interest
and his brother-in-law, Frederick Rappal, be-
came his partner; the latter in turn was bought out
by Jasper Adler. They bought cattle in Iowa.
Kansas and Missouri, and shipped to the east.

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

121

Two years later he opened a meat market on
Chicago street and his brother, Peter, became his
partner, to whom he later sold the shop. In 1877
he bought the National Hotel block and started
a market at that location, also fitted up the
National hotel and four store buildings in the
block. He continued in the meat business until
1S97, when he transferred the business to mem-
bers of his family. His residence is at No. 113
South Eastern avenue.

January 11, 1866, in Joliet, Mr. Adler married
Miss Emily T. Erhard, who was born at the
family home on Bluff street November n, 1842.
She was one of seven children, the eldest of
whom, George Clemence, now of Joliet, was the
first male child born of German parents in Will
County. Joseph is a farmer in Manhattan Town-
ship. Lawrence is a Roman Catholic priest, and
Louisa makes her home with him. The father,
George Erhard, was born in Wertsburg, Bavaria,
May 7, 1807, ason of John Erhard. He came to
America in 1833 and worked in Detroit, Mich.,
but soon walked from there to Chicago, and in
April, 1836, came to Joliet, where he built and
for manj- years operated a brewery on North
Bluff street, the stone work of which is still
standing. Afterward he settled on a farm that
was then one mile from Joliet, but now adjoins
the constantly-growing city. The last two years
of his life were spent in Somonauk, 111., where he
died June 2S, 1890, at the age of eighty-three
years, two months and eleven days. His wife,
Louisa (Periolat) Erhard, was born in Alsace and
came to the United States in 1834; she died on
the home farm July 27, 1887, aged seventy-three
years. The seven children of Mr. and Mrs.
Adler who reached maturity are named as fol-
lows: Margaret Louise, wife of Daniel P. Lennon
and mother of two children, Jacob J. and Daniel;
Jacob C, Jr., who was educated in Niagara
University and Bryant &Stratton's Business Col-
lege, and is now connected with the firm of J. C.
Adler & Co. ; Lawrence, who attended Niagara
University, and is also a successor to his father in
the meat business; Emily V., who was educated
in Niagara Convent; Michael, who was a student
in Notre Dame University and is now engaged in

the cattle business; Patricia and Catherine, who
have been given good educational advantages in
St. Francis' Academy.

Of the above, Jacob C. married Elizabeth
Young, daughter of Henry Young, proprietor of
the Young building. They have one son, George
Henry. Michael married Angelia Murphy, a
native of Joliet and a daughter of David Murphy,
whose father, David Murphy, was a pioneer of
Will County. Daniel P. Lennon is a son of John
Lennon, a well-known early settler of Will Coun-
ty and a pioneer in the marble business in Joliet.

HOHN F. WALL, a successful business man
I of Joliet, is the proprietor of a large agri-
Q) cultural implement store on Joliet and Van
Buren streets. He occupies all of a three-story
building, 44x80 feet in dimensions, where he
keeps in stock a full line of steam threshing ma-
chines, Deere and Janesville plows, Bain wagons,
Columbia, Wisconsin and Henney and other
carriages, seeds of all kinds, and, in fact, every-
thing to be found in a model store of this kind.
He lives at No. 505 Wilcox street, in a residence
built by himself several years ago. He is con-
nected with the Modern Woodmen of America
and is an active member of St. Patrick's Church
of this city.

A resident of Joliet since the spring of 1881,
Mr. Wall was born at New Diggings, Wis., in
1852, a son of Robert and Katherine (Crowley)
Wall, natives of Canada. His father, who was
reared in New York, came to Joliet at an early
age and followed the blacksmith's trade in this
city during the building of the canal. Next he
engaged in lead mining in Wisconsin, where he
died in 1855. His wife survived him for many
years, dying at Highland, Wis., September 22,
1896. They were the parents of five sons and
four daughters, of whom three sons and three
daughters are living. One son, James, who was
a sergeant in the Tenth Wisconsin Infantry dur-
ing the Civil war, later became a member of the

122

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Forty-fourth Wisconsin, and for a time was held
a prisoner in Libby. He died in Wisconsin ten
years after his return from the war. Another
son, Richard, now living in Kansas City, was
also a member of the Forty-fourth Wisconsin
Infantry. Two sons, Peter and John F., make
their home in Joliet.

The education of our subject was obtained in
public and select schools and in Avoca Academy,
where he was a student for two years. After-
ward he taught school in Highland, Wis., and
later six months in South Dakota. In 1S81,
coming to Joliet, he became an employe of
G. C. Erhard. in the implement business, re-
maining with his successors, Watkins & Son. in
the same business until 18S7, when he bought out
his employers and continued the business on
Desplaines street. In 1892 he removed to his
present location, corner of Van Buren and Joliet
streets. After coming to Joliet he married Miss
Bessie O'Connor, daughter of James O'Connor,
an early settler of this count}-. They are the
parents of six children, William, Jessie, Gene-
vieve, John, Raymond and Helen.

(ILLIAM DAVIDSON, secretary and treas-
urer of the Joliet Pioneer Stone Company,
is identified with one of the leading enter-
prises of its kind in the county. In 1867 he and
W. A. Strong bought the Swalm quarry, which
was the first opened in this section for commercial
use and was also the first to make shipments by
canal. Later they bought the Wilson quarry, in
which Mr. Davidson afterward bought his part-
ner's interest and to which he has since added
until it includes nearly one hundred acres. At
the time of purchase it had only one derrick and
that a crude one; now its machinery is valued at
$60,000 and includes man}' derricks and a fine
crane with a capacity of twelve tons. A yard
was also established at Twenty-seventh street in
Chicago, where he had a twenty-ton crane, but
the elevation of the railroad tracks rendered the

continuance of the yard impracticable. In 1885
planers were put in and saws ten years later, and
there are four steam derricks with a capacity of
fifteen tons each. In 1872 he furnished $99,000
worth of stone flagging for Chicago streets, mean-
time furnishing employment to three hundred
and twenty-five men. He also furnished all of
the stone used in the plant of the steel company
at South Chicago, where he placed an average of
twelve to fourteen thousand per month. In
1S69 he sold a fourth interest in the quarry to his
brother. In 1SS2 he incorporated the Joliet
Pioneer Stone Company, of which he has been
manager from the first and in which he owns the
controlling interest. The capacity of the plant
is very large and by means of switches, giving
easy connection with railroads, shipments are
made to all parts of the United States, from New
Vork to the mountains. The remarkable suc-
cess of the business is almost wholly due to the
ability of the owner, although he has been fortu-
nate in having associated with him men of quick
insight and great energy. Nature endowed him
with superior talents. He was only eleven years
of age when he completed the higher arithmetic
and his knowledge of mathematics has always
proved of assistance to him, while his logical rea-
soning, clear discernment and indomitable pluck
have aided in securing his success.

The Davidsons are a very old English family
that originated in Denmark. Robert Davidson,
a farmer of Cumberlandshire, England, married
Esther Howe, member of a wealthy and ancient
family of Threcot. When advanced in years he
died in Liverpool; she was accidentally killed by
the running away of a horse in 1835. Of their
seven children who attained mature years four
came to America, three being brought to this
country by the fourth, William. The eldest,
John, who was with William in business, died in
Joliet in July, 1S95, a * seventy-two years of age;
Joseph, a partner in the business, died in this city
in March, 1S95; and a sister died in April of the
same year, aged eighty. The fourth in the
family, William, was born in Tallantire, Cumber-
land, England, October 2S, 1827. When seven
years of age he secured work herding cattle for

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

123

three pence a day. His school advantages were
very limited, his education being acquired by
self-culture. After working on farms for some
years he began railroading at Newcastle-on-the-
Tyne, and for four years was employed in track-
laying. Next he went to Liverpool, where he
worked on the police force for three months.
From the time he was eight years old it had been
his ambition to come to America and at last the
opportunity was offered. A Connecticut firm
sent a man to England to secure one hundred and
fifty quarry men, and under an engagement with
him William and Joseph Davidson crossed the
Atlantic ocean on a sailing vessel, which landed
in New York April 24, 1S50, after a voyage of
twenty-four days. Three days later he was at
work in the Middlesex (Conn.) quarry, where he
remained for ninety-nine days, paying for his
passage, but receiving no money from the firm.
Finding himself unable to secure his wages, he
went to Philadelphia, thence to Baltimore, and
from there to Little York, Pa., where he worked
in a quarry for six weeks. When the quarry
was closed he walked one hundred and fifty miles
and back again to within one mile of his first loca-
tion in Pennsylvania, and there he secured work
on the Erie canal. Six weeks later he walked to
Dalton, Ohio. During those long walks he
endured every privation and hardship. More
than once he lacked needed food and comforts.
The last day he walked thirty-two miles without
breakfast or dinner, then worked for a few hours,
earning seventy-five cents, after which he walked
three miles to a boarding house. For nine months
he was employed in track-laying on the Pitts-
burg & Fort Wayne Railroad. After he worked
six weeks it was found that he alone, of all the
men, could put in the switches and side tracks
satisfactorily, and he was therefore placed in
charge of this work, receiving $3 per day, after
which he was never without money.

Leaving the road at Massillon, he went to
Michigan City, Ind., and contracted to take tile
from there to Lafayette. In 1852 he went to Chi-
cago and from there, after an illness of ten days,
proceeded to Kankakee, where he began to work
setting; out stone for the railroad. He remained

there for three years and from the first acted as
foreman and opened the quarries. For two
months he quarried in the bottom of the Kanka-
kee River, but, the weather being cold, he turned
his attention to the opening of a quarry in the
bank. Through a flattering inducement held out
by Robert Cunningham, of Joliet, in 1S55, he
came to Joliet to work in his quarry. In July,
1856, he first became connected with the Wilson
quarry, of which he was superintendent for
eleven years, his work proving very profitable for
the owners, as he brought the quarry from a run-
down and unprofitable condition to a substantial
financial basis. He continued to work for his
original employers until he purchased thequar^-
in 1867.

From the formation of the Republican party
Mr. Davidson has voted that ticket. He has
allowed himself little recreation or relaxation
from business duties, but in the fall of 1872, with
his family, returned to England, where he re-
newed the associations of youth and enjoyed a
pleasant vacation. His first wife, Jane Sterling,
was born in Canada, of Scotch descent, and died
in Joliet; afterward he married Mrs. Ann
(Hudson) Finney, a widow with six children.
Two children were born of their union, one of
whom is living, Mrs. Esther J. Pierce, of Engle-
wood. After the death of Mrs. Ann Davidson
our subject married Mrs. Melissa (Van Anchan)
Dewey, who was born in Pennsylvania and died
in Joliet. The present wife of Mr. Davidson,
whom he married in Englewood, was Mrs.
Amelia Higbom, of Chicago, an estimable lady,
who shares with him the respect of acquaintances
and the regard of friends.

(lOHN CHARLES DOESCHER, who for
I years was one of Endor's most prominent
Q) men, is now making his home in Crete. He
was born in Brunswick, Lake County, Ind., April
5, 1848. His father, Herman Doescher, a native
of the kingdom of Hanover, there grew to man-
hood and married Johanna Margreta Steffens.

L AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

manufac-
turer

successfu". dness of that kind at

America in
ind became one of
It had been his ex-
pects' to this country, to es-

B 3 and he bought
real estate there, but fa change "

:ed in Indiana, where he became the

owner of about three hundred acres. When ad-

v red from farm pursuits and

came to Will County, where he made his home

J. C. Doescher, at Endor, dying

chty-three years of age. When a

young man he had served in the Hanover army,

in accordance with the laws of his country.

: was a Republican and in early days

held a number of public offices. His wife died

in Indiana, leaving six children, namely: Gesine,

the widow of Henry Anderman: Herman X., a

farmer in Crete Township: Johanna, the widow of

-t Batterman; Frederica. widow of Charles

.'.so residents of Crete j: Christine, wife

of Henry Meyer, of Brunswick, Ind., and John

Charles, of this sketch.

til fourteen years of age our subject remain-
ed on the Indiana homestead. His first work was
in a harness shop. Later he was employed in a
grocery store in Chicago. In October, 1864, when
only sixteen years of age, he enlisted in Company

G. Twelfth Indiana Cavalry. With his regiment
he went to Alabama and other southern states.
He took part in the battles of Murfreesboro,
Nashville and Mobile, and was mustered out at
iburg in November, 1S65.

Returning to Indiana, Mr. Doescher took
charge of the home farm, which he conducted for
eight years. In 1S74 he came to Endor, Will
County, and bought a store that his brother-in
law, Charles Horn, had established there. Later
he added windmills, pumps and steamfitting to
his business and in 1SS2 he started a sawmill,
which he still owns and operates. In October,
1S99, he sold his grocery and dry goods store and
came to Crete, where he expects to make his
home in the future. He has built a neat resi-
dence in the village and expects to continue his
windmill and pump business.

In the local affairs of the Republican party
Mr. Doescher has been active. For a long time
he held office as township treasurer. For almost
a quarter of a century he served as postmaster of
Endor. While living in Indiana he married
Miss Henrietta Weber, who was born in Sheboy-
gan, Wis. To their marriage four children were
born, namely: Otto H. H., February 7. 1S71:
Matilda L., June 11, 1S72; Ida A., who was born
September 12, 1S73, and who died April 17, 189S,
and Henry H.. April 6, 1876. The three first
named were born at Brunswick, Ind., and the
voungest at Endor, 111.

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

127

CHARLES CLAYES.

EHARLES CLAYES, deceased, still lives in
the hearts and memories of his friends and
neighbors in Frankfort Township. As one
of the men who by personal sacrifice and perse-
vering industry reclaimed a farm from the raw
prairie land, and who, at the same time, assisted
in the development of local industries, he will be
long remembered by those among whom he made
his home. He was a representative of the best
class of pioneers. Coming here in his youth,
when the county was unsettled, he bore his part
in the development of the laud and assisted in
all worthy enterprises. For many years he was
active in agricultural circles, but ill health forced
him to relinquish all active pursuits, and for fif-
teen years before his death he was an invalid,
suffering constantly and greatly from rheuma-
tism; in the midst of his sufferings, however, he
was always very patient, and no one ever heard
a complaint from his lips. When death finally
brought him release from pain, he entered the
great unknown eternity " as one who wraps the
drapery of his couch about him and lies down
to pleasant slumber."

The Clayes family originated in Wales, but was
represented in New Hampshire in a very early
day. Our subject's father, Peter, was a native
of New Hampshire, but about 18 15 removed to
Monroe County, N. Y., and twenty years later
came to Illinois, taking up a claim near Lockport.
After spending four years on that place, in 1839
he came to Frankfort Township, which had not
yet been surveyed. Here he bought school and
government land and settled down to farm life.
In earlier years he had followed the cabinet-
maker's trade, but after coming west devoted his
attention to farming. His last days were spent

with his son Charles. He died in May, 1S49,
when seventy- five years of age. He married
Louise Metcalf, a native of Massachusetts. She
died in December, 1849. They had ten chil-
dren, the eldest of whom, Caroline, was born on
the 4th of July, 1799, and the youngest, Charles,
was born on the 4th of July, 1819.

When almost fifteen years of age our subject
came with the family to this county, and he was
about twenty when they settled in Frankfort
Township. Afterward he took charge of the
homestead and cared for his parents as long
as the) r lived. As the years passed by he
met with increasing success and often added to
his possessions by the purchase of additional
farm land, becoming in time the owner of more
than three hundred acres, on which he engaged
in stock-raising and general farming. His spec-
ialty was the raising of cattle and sheep. At the
time of his death he owned two hundred and
seventy-two acres. In 1890 he rented his farm
and took up his residence in Frankfort Station,
where he died June 16, 1894, at the age of sev-
enty-five years. He was always deeply inter-
ested in local affairs and voted the Republican
ticket. He was the first town clerk of Frank-
fort, and for some years served on the school
board. Fraternal organizations did not appeal
to him, as he was a man of domestic tastes and
preferred to spend his leisure hours with his
family rather than in a lodge. While he did not
belong to any church, he attended and supported
the Methodist Episcopal Church.

March 26, 1846, Mr. Clayes married Eliza A.,
daughter of Luther Williams, who had settled in
Yankee Settlement in Homer Township in 1835.
Mr. and Mrs. Clayes became the parents of six

128

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

children, namely: Amelia L., who married W.
H. Mettler, and lives in Bureau Count}-, 111.;
Emma S., wife of J. S. Claus, of Englewood;
Mary J., who married L. M. Mettler, also of
Englewood; Charles W., a hardware merchant
in Minneapolis, Minn.; Mattie H., who died
July 5, 1894; and Adeline E., wife of Dr. R. H.
Henry, of Peotone, 111.

(ILLIAM H. WHITE, proprietor of the
Columbia laundry at No. 106 Jefferson
street, Joliet, was born at Braidwood, this
county, January 22, 1874, a son of George VV.
and Rebecca (Harris) White. Of ten children
comprising the family he and a brother are the
only ones in Joliet. His father, a native of Scot-
land, followed farming in his native land, but
while still a young man he came to America,
more than forty years ago. Settling in this
county he embarked in agricultural pursuits here.
For a short time he also experimented with farm
work in Kansas, but, not meeting with success,
returned to Illinois, purchasing land in Iroquois
County, near Kankakee, that was owned by the
Illinois Central Railroad Company. He now
makes his home in Braidwood and is living re-
tired from business cares. He is connected with
the Odd Fellows and in politics votes with the
Republicans.

The education of our subject was begun in
public schools and completed in Putnam's Busi-
ness College in Joliet. His first experience in
merchandising was with J. R. Hobbs, with whom
he remained for one and one-half years. Later
he spent fourteen months with Royston & Clark,
a grocery firm in Joliet, and afterward engaged
in business with Charles Pinneo. About one
year afterward he began to work for the Columbia
laundry, which was at that time operated as a
hand laundry. Since he purchased the business
he has made it the leading laundry in the city.
During the six years that he has had charge of
the business his success has been marked; this,

too, notwithstanding the fact that, when he be-
gan, he was the youngest business man in Joliet,
being less than twenty-one years of age. He
displays push, energy aud sagacity in his work,
and is making of it a notable success. He is a
member of the Illinois State and the National
Lauudrymen's Association.

In politics Mr. White is independent. His
fraternal relations are varied and important. He
is connected with Mount Joliet Lodge No. 42,
A. F. & A. M.; Paul Revere Lodge No. 371,
K. of P.; Sons of America; Knights of the Globe
( in which he is a charter member) ; Knights of Kor-
rahasseu, a social order of the Knights of Pythias
in Chicago; and Knights of the White Cross, of
which he is a charter member. On Christmas
day of 1S95 he was united in marriage with Amy,
daughter of Charles Pinneo, of Joliet. They
have had two children, one now living, Ardis
Marian.

0ELIVAN D. ODELL, Ph. D., S. T. B.,
pastor of the Eastern Avenue Baptist
Church of Joliet, and chaplain of the Third
Regiment of Infantry, I. N. G., with the rank of
captain, is a descendant of a colonial family of
New York, whose first representatives in that
state settled in the Hudson River valley, on the
present site of Peekskill. In all the great wars
of our country members of the family have partici-
pated, proving themselves loyal to our govern-
ment and also exhibiting great personal bravery
in the midst of hard-fought battles. Dr. Odell's
father, William, who was born in Peekskill, en-
listed in the war of 1812 when a mere boy, and
the grandfather, who was a Revolutionary war
veteran, also marched to the front in the second
war with England. By the marriage of William
Odell to Lucinda Brown, of Peekskill, fifteen
children were born (thirteen still living), and
during the Civil war four of the sons and four
sons-in-laws served in the One Hundred and
Fourteenth and the One Hundred and Fifty-
seventh New York Regiments.

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

129

Born in Erieville, Madison County, N. Y., May
10, 1853, Dr. Odell was a boy of eight years when
the Civil war began. Too young to enlist in the
service, he was, however, old enough to take a
most enthusiastic interest in the struggle, and,
being the best shot of any member of the family,
it was a source of great disappointment to him
that he could not show his skill on the battle-
field. He was given good educational advan-
tages, and of these he availed himself to the ut-
most, pursuing the classical course of study with
the diligence and ardor of one who loves his
work. In 1879 he received the degree of A. B.
upon graduating from Colgate University at
Hamilton, N. Y., and four years later the de-
gree of A. M. was conferred upon him by his
alma mater. Entering the ministry of the Bap-
tist Church, he was ordained at Springfield Cen-
ter, N. Y., in 1879, and immediately began to
preach to the congregation at that place, where
he continued for some years. In the midst of the
varied duties of a pastor he continued to be a
student. In 1882, with a desire to gain a
broader knowledge of theology, he matriculated
in the Chicago Theological Seminary, where he
took the regular course of study, graduating May
5, 1886, with the degree of B. D. Since then he
has been the recipient of two of the higher de-
grees; the degree of Ph. D. was conferred upon
him by Syracuse University June 8, 1890, and
that of Bachelor of Sacred Theology by Chicago
University in June, 1899.

On the completion of his theological studies in
Chicago, Dr. Odell accepted the pastorate of the
Aurora (111.) Baptist Church, where he remained
for four years, meantime having charge of the
erection of a house of worship for that congrega-
tion. In 1890 he became pastor of the First
Baptist Church of Peoria, where he superintended
the erection of an edifice costing $70,000. His
next pastorate, commenced in 1894, was that of
the Betheden Baptist Church of Omaha. His
pastorates in these various places were so re-
markably successful that he gained a widespread
reputation in his denomination, and was espe-
cially noted for his success in raising the neces-
sary money for removing mortgages from church

properties that were heavily incumbered. While
he was in Omaha, the First Baptist Church of
Lansing, Mich., was about to be sold for a mort-
gage of $40,000. The members sent an urgent
appeal to him, entreating him to come to their
rescue and save the building from foreclosure.
He did so, and within two years paid off $20,000
of the debt, thus saving the edifice to the congre-
gation. In 1897 he came to Joliet, accepting a
call as pastor of the Eastern Avenue Baptist
Church, which at that time had a membership
of two hundred and forty-two, but which, under
his earnest and able leadership, has increased to
more than five hundred members. He has been
honored by election as moderator of the Aurora
Baptist Association, in which responsible office
he has displayed signal ability, wisdom and tact.

Since coming to Joliet Dr. Odell has been a
conspicuous figure in matters affecting the hap-
piness and welfare of the people. Aggressive in
his opposition to evil, he has not weakly repined
when the religious or moral growth of the com-
munity has been threatened, but has been firm
and steadfast in his stand against wickedness and
corruption. It was a matter of open comment
that the law concerning the night and Sunday
closing of saloons was wilfully violated. With a
determination to secure an enforcement of the
law, he set himself to work, and the agitation re-
sulting from his efforts caused widespread inter-
est. The press throughout the country, in com-
menting concerning his efforts, espoused his
cause and applauded his zeal. In the end he
was rewarded with success and the enforcement
of the law was secured.

During the Spanish-American war Dr. Odell
served at the front as chaplain, with the rank of
captain, having received the appointment through
Col. John Lambert, through whose generosity he
was enabled to relieve much suffering among the
sick soldiers in Porto Rico. August 1, 1898, he
received from Governor Tanner a commission as
chaplain of the Third Regiment of Infantry Illi-
nois Volunteers, and accompanied the army to
the south and from there to Porto Rico. By his
devotion to the men he won their regard and re-
spect. Going from bed to bed in the hospital,

130

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

lie cheered, advised and comforted, while among
the soldiers on active duty he was constantly
present to encourage and inspire with new en-
thusiasm. He was mustered out with his regi-
ment in January, 1899. On the 24th of July of
the same year he was commissioned by Governor
Tanner as chaplain of the Third Infantry,
I. N. G., in which capacity he continues at this
writing. He maintains a deep interest in militia
matters, and holds a high place among the mem-
bers of the guard.

Politically Dr. Odell has always been a stanch
Republican, yet he has never shown a partisan
spirit, but has conceded to others the same
liberty of thought and opinion in political mat-
ters that he desires for himself. In Masonry he
has attained the thirty-second degree; his blue
lodge membership is in Matteson Lodge in Joliet.
Shortly after the completion of his course in Col-
gate University he was married, in Springfield
Center, N. Y., to Miss Matie Ely, who was born
at Richfield Springs, that state, and is a member
of a colonial New York family. The only child
of Dr. and Mrs. Odell is Lester E., who is a
member of the class of 1903, Dennison University
at Granville, Ohio.

lILLIAM DOUGLAS, who has been suc-
cessfully identified with the stone quarry
interests of Joliet, came to this city in
1 88 1 as agent for the Chicago & Alton Railroad.
He was born in Philadelphia, Pa., August 19,
1849. His railroad experience began in Detroit,
where he made his headquarters for a few years.
In 1873 he became an agent with the Chicago &
Alton Railroad, and two years later was assigned
to Dwight, 111., where he remained for six years.
The 1st of January, 1881, found Mr. Douglas
in Joliet, as agent of the Chicago & Alton Rail-
road in this city, a position that he filled until
1885. He was then promoted to be trainmaster.
In 1886 he severed his connection with the rail-
road and became secretary and manager of the
Joliet & Chicago Stone Company, with which
he continued until 1895, when the business was
sold out to the Joliet Limestone Company. With
the latter concern he continued as secretary and
manager for a short time, and he is still one of
the stockholders. In 1897 he became manager
of the Globe Stone Company, which employed
two hundred men at times. He is also interested
in farming. In politics he votes with the Re-
publican party.

(7% t /t*Ay

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

133

PATRICK C. HALEY.

QATRICK C. HALEY, attorney-at-law, of
L/' Joliet, was born atSaranac, Clinton County,
[3 N. Y., March 17, 1849. When he was two
years of age his parents, Thomas and Hannah
Haley, came to Illinois and settled in Joliet,
where his education was primarily conducted.
After graduating from the high school of this
city he took a course of study in the law depart-
ment of the Michigan State University, from
which he graduated in the class of 187 1. Dur-
ing the same year he was admitted to the bar
and commenced the practice of his profession in
Joliet. In April of 1S71 he formed a law part-
nership with J. R. Flanders, but this connection
continued only until December of that year.
While he had no means at the time of starting in
practice, his ability and intelligence made him a
conspicuous figure at the bar from the first. In
July, 1874, he entered into partnership with J.
L. O'Dounell, and the firm of Haley & O'Dou-
nell is to-day one of the most prominent and suc-
cessful in northern Illinois.

In corporation law, of which he has made a
specialty, Mr. Haley is considered an authority,
his long study and thorough knowledge of every
phase and technicality of that department of
the law giving him a reputation as a practitioner
second to none. For years he has been retained
as attorney for a number of corporations, includ-
ing the Michigan Central, Wabash, Santa Fe
and Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad companies.
He has filled the position of corporation attorney
for the sanitary district of Chicago for Will
County in matters which involved millions of
dollars. That his services have been appreciated

by the trustees of the board is evidenced by the
fact that, in addition to his salary, he was voted
$6,000 as a Christmas gift in 1898.

In Mr. Haley the Democratic party has found
a steadfast supporter. His advice has been freely
sought by party leaders. Having the welfare of
the party at heart, he has given to it much of
his time and contributed to the promotion of its
interests. For a number of years, as a member
of the Democratic state central committee, he
was active in the politics of the state. In 1S74
his party elected him city attorney, an office that
he held for one year, filling it in such a manner
as to win the commendation, not only of Demo-
crats, but also the warmest praise of Republicans
as well. For fourteen years he has been a mem-
ber of the Joliet city council. In April, 1891, he
was elected mayor of the city, and this position
he filled for two years, giving the city an ener-
getic and progressive administration. Ten days
before the congressional election of 1882 he was
nominated by his party for congress. Others
had declined to make the race against the Re-
publican candidate, Hon. William Cullen, of
Ottawa, for all believed that there was not the
smallest chance of victory. However, for the
sake of the party, he consented to enter the race.
During the few days before election he made ten
speeches. His reputation as a man was such
that, although the Republicans usually had a
majority of about seven thousand votes, he not
only received the Democratic votes, but many of
the Republican also. At the close of the elec-
tion he was declared the successful candidate, but
afterward the decision was reversed and it was

134

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

decided that he lost by seventy-seven votes.
This was such a remarkable showing that Re-
publicans, both of the district and state, were
alarmed concerning the tenure of their party in
this district.

To many Mr. Haley is known only through
his connection with law and public affairs. How-
ever, those who know him best find him to be a
man of genial social qualities, companionable,
affable and large-hearted. He is domestic in his
tastes and spends his leisure hours in the com-
panionship of his wife and children. He was
singularly fortunate in his marriage, as his wife
has been a true helpmate and devoted compan-
ion. Prior to their marriage December i, 1875,
she was Miss Mary A. D'Arcy. Her father,
John D'Arcy, settled in Joliet in 1851, and be-
came a successful cattle-buyer and real-estate
owner here.

Mr. and Mrs. Haley have nine children, viz.:
Margaret Caton, a graduate of St. Mary's con-
vent; Robert Emmet, who is a law student in
Michigan State University; Raymond Aubrey,
a student in St. Bede's College, at Peru, 111.;
Marion Columbia, Edna Madeline, Genevieve,
Paul Columbus, Mary Angela and John Patrick.
The family occupy a residence on South Center
street that was erected by Mr. Haley, and is the
most costly residence in the city. It is a fine
three-story and basement building, with six
rooms on each floor, and furnished in a manner
reflecting the refined tastes and high culture of the
inmates. In addition to this property, Mr. Haley
is the owner of several houses and a business
block in the city.

|£) ATHANIEL J. BROWN. A record of the
I / life of Nathaniel J. Brown is, to a large de-
\lD gree, a record of the development of the
middle western states. Few of his colaborers of
pioneer days are now living. He stands, a link
between the living, prosperous present and the
distant, frontier past, and in his declining years
may view, with just pride, the civilization and
advancement of Illinois, toward which he was so
important a contributor. Like the majority of

pioneers, he started out a poor boy, without
special advantages. Possessing a rugged frame
and extraordinary business ability, his early
youth foreshadowed his successful career. The
high position he attained and the influence he
wielded were the result of his sagacity, foresight
and his talent for marking out a new course in
the business world. His ability to grasp alike
great enterprises and minute details aided him
from -the first, while his perseverance and force
of character also proved potent factors in his
progress. While circumstances have entirely
changed from the conditions of seventy and
eighty years ago, and a young man could not
now make the start that he made in his youth,
yet there is much in his career to be emulated;
and the sequel of his success shows how, with in-
dustry, determination and an active mind, a man
may attain wealth and prominence in any com-
munity.

The life which this narrative sketches began
in Windsor, Vt., January 27, 1812. The family
was a large one, comprising twelve children, but
Governor Brown (for by his honorary title our
subject is best known) alone survives. His fa-
ther, Daniel B. Brown, a Vermonter by birth
and ancestry, removed to Oswego, N. Y. , thence
to Niagara County, the same state, and finally
settled in Ann Arbor, Mich., in a very early
day. At the time of his last removal Nathaniel
J. was a boy of fourteen years. He had received
a common-school education and after settling on
the frontier turned his attention to business pur-
suits, for which he showed decided talent. As
an agent he became connected with a stage line
projected by his older brother, Anson, from De-
troit to the mouth of the St. Joseph River. This
position afforded him an opportunity to gain in-
formation regarding the possible location of new
towns. One less quick-witted might not have
perceived this opportunity, but Mr. Brown was
far too keen and sagacious to permit an advan-
tage to pass by unheeded. It was in this way
that he was led to make investments in Kent,
Ionia and Clinton Counties, all of which invest-
ments brought him large returns. In Kent Coun-
ty he bought a large tract of timber land, and,

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

i35

although the lumber business had not yet been
developed, he saw in this land a chance to make
gratifying profits, so he built a mill on the prop-
erty and engaged in sawing lumber. In the
spring of 1835, as soon as the Grand River was
clear of ice, he and an assistant took six schooner
loads of lumber from Grandville to Grand Haven
— a perilous undertaking, and one that was never
made before or afterward. Arriving at Grand
Haven, he loaded the lumber on the "White
Pigeon," which he had chartered. With the
cargo he proceeded to Chicago, where he arrived
April 4. He sold the lumber there for $28 per
thousand feet. In one year he sold enough lum-
ber to pay for all of his land, together with the
mill and the expenses connected with its opera-
tion.

It was during this first visit to Chicago that
Governor Brown made the acquaintance of Au-
gustus Garrett, now best known as the founder
of Garrett Biblical Institute of Evanston, 111.
Mr. Garrett, who was engaged in selling dry-
goods and town lots, proposed to Mr. Brown
that they form a partnership, and an arrange-
ment was made that did not interfere with Mr.
Brown's speculations in Michigan. The firm
platted a town site at the geographical center of
Ionia County, Mich., and Mr. Brown went to the
new town of Ionia, where he remained for a time,
and, when he sold all of his holdings in the place,
he realized a small fortune therefrom. The money
was invested in Chicago property. He and his
partner purchased from John Bates, the first post-
master of Chicago, a lot on Dearborn street op-
posite the present site of the Trernout House.
On this lot was a large building, and in it they
started what soon became the most famous auc-
tion house in the west. Their store was filled
with goods of all kinds, sent from the east to be
sold at auction or traded for town lots. In time
the firm owned three large establishments, and
consignments of merchandise were received by
them every day. Their sales of real-estate,
however, were more important than those of dry
goods. Not only did they sell Chicago property,
but also land in other parts of Illinois and in
Wisconsin and Michigan. At one time they

owned nine thousand acres in and around Chi-
cago, and their holdings would now represent an
almost fabulous sum. After the decay of the
real-estate boom in 1837 their partnership dis-
solved.

When the first territorial legislature of Wiscon-
sin met at Belmont in 1836, they decided upon
the site of the capitol. No one knew what town
would be selected as the capital, but speculators
were alive to the importance of the occasion and
all wished to invest in property in the town se-
lected. In order that he might have first choice
in selecting land, Mr. Brown sent Jerry Ford to
Belmont to watch legislative proceedings, while
he himself remained in Milwaukee. Mr. Ford
took with him three of the fastest horses he could
find, stationing them on the road between Mil-
waukee and Belmont. When the act locating
the capital was passed, Ford conveyed the news
to him on horseback, reaching Milwaukee eight-
een hours in advance of any other official or mes-
senger. This gave Mr. Brown abundant oppor-
tunity to make a selection of such lands as he
desired in the neighborhood of Madison, and he
located for himself and friends fifty-six tracts of
eighty acres each, for which he paid $1.25 an
acre. In addition he sent a special messenger to
Buffalo and purchased from a man there more
than fourteen hundred acres of land, on a part of
which the State University of Wisconsin is now
located. Another profitable investment was the
purchase of a quarter section of land at the mouth
of the Milwaukee River, which he bought for
$4,000 and sold for $27,000.

When work on the Illinois and Michigan canal
commenced, Mr. Brown, at the solicitation of
the president of the board of canal commis-
sioners, accepted a contract to complete two sec-
tions of the canal, running through what is now
the village of Lemont. The sections embraced
one mile of a deep cut through solid rock, where
the famous limestone quarries have since been
developed. The work was rapidly and success-
fully carried forward by Mr. Brown. However,
through the removal of the government deposits
from the United States Bank, that institution and
allied interests were brought into serious finan-

136

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

cial difficulty. A panic was precipitated. The
state of Illinois was one of the greatest sufferers
and was unable to meet its obligations. Conse-
quently Mr. Brown suffered an enormous loss.
In compliance with an act of legislature, passed
some years later, his claim against the state was
placed on file with others at Springfield, for the
purpose of adjustment, but that adjustment has
never been effected. However, what seemed to
be a total loss for Mr. Brown was by his shrewd-
ness made the basis of a future profit; for during
his work as a contractor he had noticed the
splendid quality of the deposits of limestone and
recognized that it would become very valuable in
future days. He therefore acquired a large body
of stone land, erected a residence atLemont, and
turned his attention to the development of the
stone quarries that are now among the most
famous in the country. Some very substantial
and prominent buildings of the west were built of
stone from his quarries, among them the old court
house in Chicago, the Illinois state capitol at
Springfield and the Iowa state house at Des
Moines. For some years the quarries have been
leased, the owner being paid a liberal royalty on
all stone taken out.

During early life Mr. Brown was a Democrat,
but at the time of the Civil war became a sup-
porter of the Union and President Lincoln's ad-
ministration, since which time he has affiliated
with the Republicans. When he had in his em-
ploy hundreds of men he often found it difficult
to secure those who were sober and reliable.
Those employed on the canal in early days were,
as a class, turbulent and riotous. Drinking and
carousals frequently led to serious altercations
between the men. Believing that the men should
be taught the wisdom of temperance, Mr. Brown
called to his assistance a number of Roman
Catholic priests and had them organize a Father
Mathew Temperance Society, the first of the kind
in northern Illinois. About three hundred Irish-

men took the pledge and put on the badge of the
order, in consideration of which Mr. Brown paid
them $1 a month in addition to their regular
wages. For more than two years either Father
DuPoutavos, a French priest, or Father Plunkett,
an Irish priest, made his home with Mr. Brown,
and worked with him for the bettering of the
workmen's condition. The result was that, dur-
ing the five years of his canal work, not a saloon
was to be found on the section of which he had
control, nor could any intoxicating liquors be
obtained there. Drunken orgies were no longer
known. The men were said to be the most
orderly of any on the line of the canal. Nor
was a man injured at his work during all of this
time.

In looking back over the past, Mr. Brown can
justly reflect with pleasure upon his connection
with the growth of northeastern Illinois. From
the frontier days to the present time he has been
interested in every worthy movement in his lo-
cality. His life stretches almost through the en-
tire century at whose close we now stand. He
has seen railroads introduced, and now long
trains of cars sweep through lands over which the
lonely frontiersmen once roamed; the clanking of
machinery, the curling wreaths of smoke from
innumerable factories, the busy streets, magnif-
icent stores and offices, form a striking contrast
to the Chicago of his youth. He remembers the
beginning of the Illinois and Michigan canal and
the throwing of the first shovelful of earth in in-
augurating that enterprise; and he has lived to
see the opening of the new canal, with its re-
markable reversal of the laws of gravity and of
nature — an enterprise justly deserving of being
classed among the wonders of the world. For
sixt}'-five years intimately associated with the
history of Illinois, he has made an enviable
record as a business man and a citizen, and may
well be congratulated on the fruition of his early
hopes and efforts.

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

139

EDGAR E. HOWARD.

" DGAR E. HOWARD, who has resided in
'p Joliet since 1876, has been engaged in the
__ insurance business in this city since 1883.
The agency of which he is the head was estab-
lished in 1856 by W. C. Wood and is the oldest
and largest in Will County. After Mr. Howard be-
came connected with Mr. Wood the title became
Wood & Howard and continued as such until the
death of the senior member in 1S90, since which
time Mr. Howard has been alone. He repre-
sents the following large American and foreign
companies: -Etna, Philadelphia Underwriters,
Svea, Franklin, Hamburg-Bremen, Home,
North British & Mercantile, Manchester, Hart-
ford, Imperial, Lancashire, Liverpool & London
& Globe, North America, Niagara, National,
Pennsylvania, New York Underwriters, Palatine,
Queen, Royal, Springfield, Western Assurance,
Connecticut and Union Assurance Society. The
headquarters of the agency are in the Barber
building, Joliet. In April, 1899, Mr. Howard
and E. O. Wood, of Dekalb, were selected by the
American Steel & Wire Company to control all
of their insurance, amounting to $15,000,000,
extending from New York to San Francisco, and
at that time they opened an office in the Home
building, Chicago.

The original name of the Howard family was
Hayward, but by act of legislature the spelling
was changed to the present form. During the
war of 1812 Zuriel Howard, a farmer in Massa-
chusetts, served as a major of artillery. His son,
Samuel J., was born in Milford, Mass., where he
engaged in the mercantile business and, later,
in the manufacture of boots and shoes, continuing
there until he died, in 1863. He was a strong

Abolitionist and a faithful member of the Method-
ist Episcopal Church. He married Sarah Ward,
who died at Milford in 1884. Of their two sons
and three daughters all are dead but Edgar E. ,
who was born in Milford September 15, 1S45.
When thirteen years of age his father's health
failed and he was obliged to begin work, aiding
in the factory until his father died, when the busi-
ness was closed out.

In August, 1864, Mr. Howard volunteered in
the Boston Fusileers that were later consolidated
with the Fourth Massachusetts Heavy Artillery
and assisted in the defence of Washington, D. C,
until the close of the war. At the time of the
assassination of Lincoln the company was put
on duty to guard, day and night, and continued
at their post until Booth was shot. In July,
1865, they were discharged in Massachusetts.
On his return home Mr. Howard secured
work in a straw hat factory. In 1867 he went to
Sing Sing, N. Y., as an instructor in the shoe
department of the state penitentiary, and con-
tinued there until 1875. Afterward he was in
charge of the blocking department of a straw hat
factory in Brooklyn, N. Y. In July, 1876, he
came to Joliet, as an instructor for Selz, Schwab
& Co., shoe manufacturers in the state peniten-
tiary, and continued in that position until he re-
signed to engage in the insurance business.
While in New York he married Sarah J. Bow T en,
who was born in Leicester, Mass., and accom-
panied her father, H. F. Bowen, to Sing Sing,
N. Y., where she married.

During his residence in Sing Sing Mr. How-
ard was made a Mason. For many years he was
secretary of Mattesou Lodge, A. F. & A. M., in

140

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Joliet; also of the Joliet Chapter, R. A. M., and
recorder of Joliet Commandery No. 4, K. T. He
also belongs to the Oriental Consistory and Me-
dinah Temple, N. M. S., of Chicago. In politics
he is a Republican. He is interested in the work
of the Grand Army of the Republic and a worker
in the local post. At the time of the building of
the Eastern Avenue Baptist Church he was
treasurer of the building committee. He also
served as chairman of the finance committee,
church treasurer and member of the board of
trustees.

r~REDERICK WILLIAM WERNER, M. D.
M The twenty years of Dr. Werner's life that
I have been devoted to professional work in
Joliet have been sufficient to place him among the
most reliable and skillful physicians of his home
city. It was his intention in youth to study
architecture, but Dr. Heise, of Joliet, persuaded
him to change his plans and become a medical
student. So radical a change as this might in
many instances prove unfortunate, but the after-
years have shown that the old doctor was correct
in his judgment. He gave the young man the
benefit of his advice and experience, assisting
him in his studies for eighteen months, until he
was ready to enter the University of Michigan in
1878. After taking a course of lectures there, in
1879 he entered Bellevue Hospital Medical Col-
lege, of New York, from which he graduated the
following year with the degree of M. D. Mean-
time he took the special courses in the University
of Michigan and held a position as assistant
demonstrator of anatomy. After graduating he
engaged in practice with his former preceptor,
Dr. Heise, with whom he continued much of the
time until the latter's death, since which he has
been alone. While his medical education was
thorough, it is not his method to remain stagnant
in his profession ; he is ambitious to keep in touch
with every advancement made in the medical
science and so has remained a constant student,
striving by observation, experience, the read-

ing of medical journals and courses in the
Chicago Post-Graduate College under Dr. Byron
Robinson, also special stud}- in bacteriology un-
der Professor Klebs, of Chicago, to keep in touch
with every phase of professional work. He has
made a specialty of gynecology and abdominal
surgery, in which lines he has gained an enviable
reputation for skill. He has his office at the old
homestead where he was born, its central location
rendering it well suited for a physician's office.

William Werner, the doctor's father, was a son
of Charles Frederick Werner, and was born at
Frankfort-on-the-Main in 1S31, a member of a
very old family of that city. After learning the
trade of a stone mason and cutter he came to the
United States and settled in Joliet about 1850.
At the time of the building of the Rock Island
Railroad between Joliet and Chicago he was em-
ployed at bridge building, and later he engaged
in contracting on the Chicago & Alton Railroad.
With his brothers, Charles and Adam, he opened
stone quarries on the west side, within the city
limits, and these he assisted in carrying on, at the
same time taking contracts for the building of
stone structures. For years before his death he
made his home at No. 603 Jefferson street. A
Democrat in politics, he was several times elected
an alderman ou this ticket and also served as
supervisor for six years. For many years he
was a member of the fire department, of which he
was chief for several terms. During the early
days of his residence in Joliet he was an officer in
the state militia, known at the Matteson Guards.
He was one of the mainstays of the Lutheran
Church and always remained connected with its
membership and assisted in its support. He was
connected with the Joliet Sharpshooters' Society.
His death occurred at his home in May, 1SS7.

The wife of William Werner was Barbara
Goebel, who was born near Coblentz, Germany,
in 1833, and has made her home in Joliet since
1S46. Her father, John Goebel, who was a mer-
chant in Germany, came to America and in 1S46
settled in what is now Joliet. He continued to
reside here, following farm pursuits until he
died. Of the children of William and Barbara
Goebel four sons are living, viz. : Dr. Frederick

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

141

William; Frederick Charles, who is fire marshal
for the American Steel and Wire Company in
Joliet; George W., a graduate of the New York
College of Veterinary Surgeons, and now a resi-
dent of Kansas City, Mo.; and Edward H., who
is a graduate of the New York Dental College,
and practices dental surgery in Joliet.

In the family home at Joliet Dr. Werner was
born February 8, 1858. He was educated in
public and high schools. At fourteen years of
age he began to work at the trade of a stone
mason and cutter, and remained with his father
for four years, being for a time his foreman on
jobs. He left the trade in order to study medi-
cine, and has since engaged in practice in Joliet.
Besides his practice he is interested in other en-
terprises, and for some time has been secretary - of
the Joliet Sheet Rolling Mill Company. In this
city he married Miss Louise F. Staehle, daughter
of Charles W. and Marie Agnes (Bertch) Staehle,
old settlers here.

For two years Dr. Werner was city and town
physician and for ten years county physician.
He was appointed county coroner to fill a vacancy-
in the office, and at the expiration of the term he
was elected to the office, his name appearing on
both the Republican and Democratic tickets in the
election of 1880. He was a Republican and his
first nomination had been by the members of that
party, but he was renominated by the Democrats
and again elected to the office. During the Gar-
field-Arthur administration he was appointed a
member of the first board of United States ex-
aminers for pensions chosen by President Garfield,
and held the office until the first term of President
Cleveland, when political reasons caused his
resignation. He is a member of the American
Society of Microscopists, the Chicago Medical
Society, Will County Medical Society (of which
he has been president) , Mississippi Valley, Illi-
nois State and American Medical Associations.
Socially he is connected with the Germania Club.
For some time he was a private in a company
known as the Joliet Citizens' Corps, which, at
the beginning of the great railroad strikes, was
organized into Company B, Fourth Regiment,
I. N. G.; he was commissioned second sergeant

and was called with his company to assist in
quelling the Braidwood strike. He is engaged
as examining physician for the principal old line
insurance companies of Joliet, and is examining
physician for Mound City Lodge No. 112,
M. W. A., in which he was the first charter
member. He is connected with the Supreme
Court of Honor and Paul Revere Lodge, K. of P.
In Masonry he has risen to a high rank. Three
times he has been chosen master of Matteson
Lodge No. 175, A. F. & A. M. He is a member
of Joliet Chapter No. 27, R. A. M.; Joliet
Council of Royal and Select Masters No 82;
Joliet Commandery No. 4, in which he is senior
warden; Medinah Temple, N. M. S., with which
he has affiliated since 1892; and a member of the
Oriental Consistory of Chicago.

5JEORGE EIB, one of the earliest settlers of
_ Jackson Township, represents the fourth
^Ji generation of the Eib family in America.
The first of the name in this country came from
Germany and settled in Lancaster County, Pa.,
from which he went to the front as a soldier in
the Revolutionary war. His son, Jacob, was
reared in his native county of Lancaster, but in
middle life removed from Pennsylvania to the
western part of Virginia, where his remaining
years were spent. Peter, son of Jacob, and
father of our subject, was born in Little York,
Pa., March 12, 1779, and accompanied his father
to Harrison County, W. Va., afterward carrying
on a butcher business in Clarksburg. Later he
migrated to Ohio, where he spent one year in
Columbus and another year on a farm near the
city. Going from there to Fountain County,
Ind., for six years he carried on a meat business
and engaged in farming. In the spring of 1832
he came to Illinois and located a claim, selecting
a tract of land that forms a part of our subject's
farm. After making his selection of land he
went to his former home for his family and was
detained there for some time, but finally returned

142

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

to Will County. May 10, 1833, was the date of
his second arrival on his claim. At once he be-
gan to clear the land and place it under cultiva-
tion, and his remaining years were busily devoted
to agricultural pursuits on the same homestead.
For years he was foremost in the development and
upbuilding of his township. He was a loyal
patriot and served with courage and fidelity in
the war of 18 12. His death occurred August 4,
1858, when he was in his eightieth year. By his
marriage to Madeline Gilbert nine children were
born, five of whom are living, namely: George,
who was born in Harrison County, W. Va.,
March 17, 1816; Mathias, of Oakland, Cal.;
Augustus and Amos, both living in this county;
and Lemuel, of St. Joe, Mo.

At the time the family settled in Illinois our
subject was seventeen years of age. He aided
his father in the clearing of the land and prepar-
ing it for the raising of crops. When he was
twenty-one he began to work as a farm hand, but
after a year engaged in farming independently.
The land on which his father had settled was
canal land, and, it failing to come into the market
for sale as he expected, he purchased another
place known as the Jenkins farm, and George and
Levi (the latter now deceased) took the farm on
which the father had first settled. Two years
later, the land coming into market, they pur-
chased it, and some time afterward divided the
property, and our subject acquired another
eighty acres. In later years, as he prospered, he
added to his land until he now owns two hundred
and sixty-eight and one-half acres, forming his
homestead farm. He is a progressive man, ener-
getic, industrious, and deserves his present pros-
perity. The laud which he owns has increased
in value almost an hundred- fold since he pur-
chased it, and is now one of the valuable estates
in the county. He has devoted himself to its
cultivation and has never been active in local
affairs or politics.

May 2, 1844, Mr. Eib married Miss Mary A.
Zumwalt, who was born in Adams County, Ohio,
a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Ogle) Zumwalt.
Her father, who was born in Adams County,
Ohio, in 1800, engaged in farming for some years

in his native county, but in 1830 removed to
Hancock County, Iud., and four years later
settled in Illinois, taking up a claim in the
vicinity of Mr. Eib's home. In 1849 he went
overland to California and began mining near
Sacramento. After the mining excitement had
subsided he went to Colusa County, Cal., settling
at the Willows, where he lived for ten years.
Next he moved to Anderson, Shasta Count}', and
there made his home until he died, in 1893. His
wife, who was born in Adams County, Ohio, in
1804, died in 18S2. Her father, Enoch Ogle,
came to America from Wales and settled in
Maryland, where he married Anna Cressop;
from there he removed to Adams Count} - , Ohio,
which continued to be his home until his death.
Jacob Zumwalt, the father of Joseph, was a na-
tive of Little York, Pa., his parents having
settled there from Germany. Nine children were
born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Eib. Of these
seven are living, namely: Peter B., of Colusa
County, Cal.; Louisa, wife of William Ash, of
Colusa County; Alameda, Mrs. George Hibner,
of Grundy County, 111.; Catherine A, who is
the widow of Julius Johnston, of Joliet; Mary
O., wife of Samuel Owens, of Cambridge, Neb.;
George J. W., who manages the home farm; and
Jacob L-, who resides at Waukegan, 111., and
is an engineer on the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern
Railroad.

(3 FINLEY DUNCAN, D. D. S. In his cho-
?\ sen profession Dr. Duncan has a high stand-
C*y ing in Joliet. His constant study of the
science of dentistry (for he has ever been a stu-
dent), his extensive practice giving him a thor-
ough practical information, and his acknowl-
edged skill in the treatment of cases of an unusu-
ally intricate nature have given him a just prom-
inence among the people of his home city. Since
he opened his office in Joliet in 1888 he has es-
tablished an important and constantly increasing
practice, having retained his former patrons at
Wilmington as well as gained many new ones.

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

143

Every improvement in the science of dental sur-
gery (and there have been many of recent years)
receives his thoughtful consideration, and, if ap-
proved upon study, is adopted in his practice.
He is therefore thoroughly up-to-date in his
work. He has been a contributor to the litera-
ture of his profession, although the demands of
his practice are such that he has little time to
devote to the preparation of articles. Since 1881
he has been a member of the Illinois State Den-
tal Society, before which he has been a clinician
and has also read papers that attracted consider-
able attention. At one time he held office as
vice-president of the association.

The first member of this branch of the Duncan
family in America was James Duncan, who came
from Scotland and settled in Perry County, Pa.
His son, Samuel, was born in Pennsylvania,
where he followed the miller's trade in early life.
In 1854 he moved to Indiana, settling first in a
county adjoining Henry Count}-, to which he
subsequently removed. He rented a grist and
saw-mill which was operated by water power,
and after some years bought the property. In
politics he was a stanch Republican. A promi-
nent Methodist, he was an officer in both church
and Sunday-school. In the Odd Fellows' order
he took the highest degrees. At the time of his
death, in 1895, he was eighty-five years of age.
He was twice married, and by his first wife had
four daughters, one of whom, Hannah J. Dun-
can, survives; while by his second wife, Mar-
garet Duffy, of Ohio, he had five children, four
of whom attained mature years, viz.: Davidson
D., who is engaged in the milling business at the
old homestead; John Wesley, who died in infancy;
Beverly W., a business man of Markle, Ind.;
Joseph Trimble, a farmer and stock-raiser of
Henry County, Ind.; and S. Finley, of this
sketch.

In Knightstown, Ind., near where Dr. Dun-
can was born December 2, 1856, he received his
education and passed the years of youth. He
was eighteen when he took up the study of den-
tistry. After spending two years in practical
work in an office he entered the dental depart-
ment of the University of Michigan, class of

1877. He began practice at Lew^isville, Ind., but
in February, 1879, came to Will County and set-
tled in Wilmington, building up a good practice
in the ensuing years. For the purpose of taking
a special course of study, in 1887 he went to Chi-
cago, where he studied in the Chicago College of
Dental Surgery, from which he took the degree
of D. D. S. In September, 1888; he came to
Joliet, where he erected a residence in 1898, and
owns other real estate. From boyhood he has
been identified with the Presbyterian Church.
He was an elder of the congregation at Wilming-
ton, and for several years served as Sunday-
school superintendent. October 18, 188 1, he
married Louise, daughter of Bryan Fisher, of
Wilmington. They have two children, Mar-
garet Louise and Hubert Fisher.

^ EORGE J. ARBEITER. As a rising attor-

aney Mr. Arbeiter is well known to the
people of Joliet, where he has engaged in
practice since August, 1895. On the 1st of Janu-
ary, 1900, he associated himself with C. E.
Antram and G. Donald McKenzie, two promi-
nent lawyers, and the firm has established com-
modious and well-equipped offices at Nos. 203,
205 and 207 Barber building. To the success of
the newly-established firm he will undoubtedly be
a large contributor . He is an attorney cf more
than ordinary ability. It is not only that he is a
logical and eloquent speaker, whose ready com-
mand of language and keen reasoning faculties
give him, a power over a jury, but he is also a
man of strong convictions, earnest and tireless in
his advocacy of what he deems right and just.
The success that has hitherto rewarded his efforts
is without doubt but an index of what the future
years may hold for him.

The Arbeiters are a very ancient German
family. Heiurich Arbeiter, our subject's grand-
father, served in the Napoleonic wars of 1812-15.
He was a son of Heinrich, who owned a farm that
was the birthplace of his father and grandfather,

144

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the family having lived on the same spot for
many generations. Carl, son of Heinrich, Jr.,
\v;is born on the old homestead at Kappitski, near
Grottkau, in Upper Silesia, July 25, 1827. He
was one of five brothers, two of whom served in
the German army during the greater part of their
lives, both attaining the rank of captain. An-
other brother' for many years has been at the head
of the postal department in Grottkau. The
fourth brother, William, is proprietor of a tannery
in Santa Clara, Cal.

Carl Arbeiter married Katherina Sillar, who
was born at Beyreuth, Oberfranken, Bavaria, in
1828. In Bavaria the family name was spelled
Siillar. When she was a child she was orphaned
by the death of her father, John, who in early life
had been proprietor of a government hostelry, on
a government highway, designed for the accom-
modation of the government officials. Later,
when this was abandoned, he settled on his farm
and there remained until his death. He had four
sons, the youngest of whom, Heinrich, still lives
on the old home place, but one of his sons, John,
came to the United States and now makes his
home at Oswego, 111. Another of the four sons is
engaged in farming and stock raising at Medicine
Lodge, Kans. The two others, George and John,
served in the army, in which George attained the
rank of captain and the other, John, was killed in
the service during the Franco-Prussian war. In
1856 Miss Sillar accompanied friends to the
United States, settling in Joliet, where, in 1S60,
she became the wife of Carl Arbeiter. She died
in April, 1896. Of her eight children four are
living, namely: Joseph, a farmer at Corwith,
Iowa; Charles W., who lives on the old home-
stead at Plainfield; George J.; and Mary, wife of
K. C. Larsen, a liveryman at Crown Point, Ind.

When he was a boy Carl Arbeiter served for
four years as a brick and stone apprentice, after
which he worked as a journeyman. In 1854 he
crossed the ocean to Quebec, Canada. After
spending some months in or near that city, em-
ployed at various occupations, he secured work at
shipping on Lake Michigan, during which time
he was shipwrecked and lost all of his personal
belongings except the clothes he wore. In 1855

he came to Joliet and for five years worked as a
farm hand in this county. After his marriage he
purchased a farm of eighty acres in Plainfield
Township and settled down to agricultural work.
By subsequent purchase he became the owner of
two hundred and forty acres. In 1895 he re-
moved to the village of Plainfield, and there he
died January 24, 1898. He was an ardent sup-
porter of the Democratic party, but never an office
seeker, and refused all offices. In religion he
was a Roman Catholic and his wife a member of
the Lutheran Church. Personally he was a man
of sterling character, honest and upright, and
universally respected for his many worthy traits.

After completing the studies of the common
schools George J. Arbeiter, the subject of this
sketch, entered the Plainfield high school, where
he took the regular course. For two years he
taught in Plainfield Township, being in the vil-
lage one year aud in the country for a similar
period. Following this he entered the Northern
Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, Ind., where
he completed the course in bookkeeping and
fitted himself for college. In 1888 he went to
Chicago, where for a year he was employed in
the wholesale hardware establishment of Gilbert
& Bennett, his intention being to go on the road
later; but his desire for a collegiate course caused
a change in his plans. He resigned his position
and entered the University of Illinois at Cham-
paign. In 1893 he graduated from that institu-
tion, taking the degree of Bachelor of Letters.
In the fall of the same year he entered the law
department of the University of Michigan, from
which he graduated in June, 1895, with a high
standing. During the same month he was ad-
mitted to the bar of Michigan and that of Illi-
nois. Returning home, he soon afterward
opened an office in the Barber building, Joliet,
and has since built up a remunerative clientage.

February 1, 1898, Mr. Arbeiter married Miss
E. Kittie McBride, daughter of Henry McBride,
a prominent coal operator of Elgin, 111. Frater-
nally Mr. Arbeiter is identified with Plainfield
Lodge No. 536, A. F. & A. M., in which he
served as senior deacon. While living in Plain-
field he was keeper of records and seals in Du-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

i45

page Lodge No. 473, K. of P. He is connected
with Stevenson Camp No. 2892, Modern Wood-
men of America, in Joliet He is secretary of
the Joliet Council No. 59, N. A. U. He aided in
starting a fraternal insurance society, Order of
the White Cross, which was organized in Joliet
December 18, 1899, and in which he is su-
preme vice-commander. The Central Presby-
terian Church, of which he is a member, receives
his generous aid in its various enterprises.

The Democratic party has a firm friend in Mr.
Arbeiter. However, like his father, he has never
cared for office, though qualified to fill public
positions ably. In 1894 ne was tendered nomi-
nation for county superintendent of schools, but
refused to accept, preferring to devote his entire
attention to the study of his profession. In 1898
he was urged to become a candidate for town
clerk, but refused. Notwithstanding his refusal
of office, he is an active worker for his party,
and as a campaign orator has few superiors in the
county, his broad knowledge of public affairs
and his ability as a speaker combining to qualify
him admirably for work of this nature.

EONRAD C. BETTENHAUSEN, a retired
farmer residing in Frankfort Station, was
born in Koenigswald, Kurhessen, Germany,
June 14, 1834, a son of George and Martha
(Sangmeister) Bettenhausen. He was one of
five children, all of whom came to the United
States, but only two are living, his sister being
Martha, Mrs. Martin Stipple, of Charles City,
Iowa. His mother died in Germany when he was
an infant, and he was reared under the care of
others. When he was nineteen he came to the
United States and at once proceeded to Illinois,
settling in Will County. For the next three
years (1853-56) he worked one year on Horace
Messinger's farm and two years on George Til-
fer's farm. Next he went into Cook County and
settled on a farm in the town of Orland, where
he remained for a quarter of a century. Mean-

time, by the exercise of energy and good judg-
ment, he acquired a competence, which repre-
sented his persevering efforts through all these
years of labor. In the fall of 1882 he left a sou
in charge of the Cook County farm and returned
to Will County, settling in Greengarden Town-
ship, where he owns two farms. Nine years
were spent in that township. In 1S92 he retired
from the active duties of farm work and pur-
chased a home in Frankfort Station, where it is
his intention to spend his remaining years. His
life has been so successful that he is now the
owner of five hundred acres of land in Will and
Cook Counties, and, besides this, he has assisted
his children to get started in life and has also
contributed to the promotion of enterprises calcu-
lated to benefit the people.

The Republican party represents the political
views of Mr. Bettenhausen, and he has always
been stanch in his adherence to its principles.
While he has never sought political leadership,
yet he has to some extent been one of the party
leaders in his township, and has wielded a large
influence both here and in his former home in
Cook County. Among the offices he held in the
latter county were those of township assessor,
collector and supervisor. During the Civil war
he was a member of the home guard. He is
identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church,
in which for some years he was a trustee, and
also served as Sunday-school superintendent.

September 9, 1857, Mr. Bettenhausen married
Miss Elizabeth Horn, a native of the town in Ger-
many in which he was born. She, also, is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In
ever}' way she has been a worth}' helpmate to her
enterprising husband, and deserves credit for her
good influence in the home and in the neighbor-
hood. They became the parents often children,
of whom the following are living: John M., who
resides on a farm in Greengarden Township;
Christ C, who cultivates the old homestead in
Cook County; Mary, wife of Henry Deist; Mar-
tha E., who married Frank Folkers, and Emma,
who married Frank Kohlhagen, both of Frank-
fort Station. Mr. Bettenhausen and his wife
sustained a heavy loss in the death of their sou

146

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

William, a bright and promising youth of nine-
teen years. Had he lived he would have inher-
ited the homestead in Greengarden Township,
and would have been the staff of his parents in
their declining years; but his early death put an
end to all of their fond hopes for his future.

(I AMES W. PATTERSON is engaged in the
I furniture, undertaking and livery business
(*/ at Braidwood. Since he came to this town
in 1869 he has been identified with its mining
and business interests. Until his father's death
he was the junior member of the firm of A. & J.
W. Patterson, since which time he has been the
senior member, having his youngest brother as a
partner, under the same firm name as before. As
a business man he enjoys the reputation of being
clear-headed. He is deliberate in his judgment
as Scotchmen usually are, and is universally es-
teemed for his integrity. One of his marked
characteristics is the faculty of making the best
of everything. Being a man of even tempera-
ment, the annoyances of business do not depress
him, nor do its successes too greatly elate him.
In a business capacity he has showed a manli-
ness of character that has won him the confidence
of the people of his home town.

Mr. Patterson was born at Fifeshire, Scotland,
December 15, 1850. His father, Alexander,
came to the United States in 1852, and settled at
Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pa., but soon
afterward, leaving the family there, he went to
California via the Isthmus of Panama. He spent
two years in the gold fields and met with gratify-

ing success. Returning to Pennsylvania, he
brought his family to Illinois and engaged in
farming near Hinckley. In 1859 he moved to
Morris, Grundy County, where for seven years
he was interested in manufacturing brick. The
fall of 1869 found him in Braidwood, then a new
mining camp. Here he became interested in the
flour and feed business. He was the first to es-
tablish a furniture and undertaking establishment
in the town, and continued afterward as the head
of the firm of A. & J. W. Patterson, until he
died, in 1S91, at the age of sixty-six. He mar-
ried Jane McKiuley, who died in 1889, at the age
of sixty-six years. They were the parents of
five children, viz.: James W.; Margaret, wife of
Robert Mickeljohn, of Colorado; Christine, de-
ceased; Jane and Alexander.

When only twelve years of age our subject
began to work in mines. At first his wages were
exceedingly small, but as he became more famil-
iar with the work he was paid a larger sum. For
seven years he was employed in eastern mines.
At nineteen years of age he came to Braidwood,
where he has since risen to a prominent position
among the business men of the town. For two
years he held the office of city treasurer, for one
year served as town clerk, and for three years
was a member of the board of supervisors. He
is connected with the Modern Woodmen of Amer-
ica; Talmud Lodge No. 24, K.of P., in which he
is past chancellor; Braidwood Lodge No. 704,
A. F. & A. M., in which he is past master and
representative to the grand lodge; Wilmington
Chapter No. 142, R. A. M.; and Blaney Com-
mandery No. 5, K. T. In 1879 he married
Mary Stewart, by whom he has six children,
namely: Janet, deceased; Alexander J., Chris-
tina, John S. , Mary and Mildred M.

UNIVeRSlfY Of i>-"*OIS

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

149

john Mcdonald.

30HN McDONALD. There are probably
few in the county (and certainly none within
the immediate vicinity of Frankfort Station)
who are more familiar with the grain busi-
ness than the subject of this sketch. He came to
Frankfort Station when the place was just started
and has since been intimately associated with its
business interests, contributing to its growth and
aiding in its development. He owns an elevator on
the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad at this point
and makes shipments that aggregate thousands of
bushels. Besides his grain interests he owns a
farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Greengar-
den Township and has real estate in Frankfort
Station.

In the incorporation of the village Mr. McDon-
ald took an active part. He was elected its first
president and filled the office for two years, aid-
ing in placing the municipality upon a sound fi-
nancial basis. During his term of several years
as supervisor of the township he assisted in
work connected with the building of the court
house, and as chairman of the finance committee,
successfully engineered a loan of $22,000 to be
used in the building of the house. He has at-
tended many of the state, congressional and
county conventions of the Republican party, for
he is a stanch Republican and an active worker
for his party. In educational affairs, as in public
matters, his interest has continued over the long
period of his residence here, and for more than
twenty years he has efficiently filled the office of
school director.

As the name indicates, the McDonald family is
of Scotch origin. During the days of the Scotch
rebellion John McDonald, who was actively con-
nected therewith, was forced to flee from his na-

tive land. In common with many other Scotch-
men, he sought refuge in Ireland. His son, John,
was born in County Tipperary, and engaged in
farming there until his death. By his marriage
to Ellen Gleason he had five children: James,
Patrick, Mary, Elizabeth and John, of whom our
subject alone survives. He was born in County
Tipperary December 1 1, 1823. His educational
advantages were of a superior character. He not
only became familiar with common-school studies,
but also acquired a fair knowledge of Latin and
Greek. Mathematics was his hobby, and he was
without a rival in this study in the entire school.
When eighteen years of age our subject came
to America. In the summer of 1841 he sailed
from Liverpool and after five weeks landed in
New York. During the next few years he trav-
eled through various parts of the country. In
1850 he began to work for the Michigan Central
Railroad Company at New Buffalo, Mich., which
was then the terminus of the road. In 1852 he
removed to Chicago, the road having been ex-
tended to that point. He remained there for two
years, being employed in checking freight. In
1854 he came to Joliet, where he was employed
as checkman until the starting of Frankfort Sta-
tion. He came to this place in 1857 and held
the position of agent until 1875, when he re-
signed. For eighteen years he was also agent
for the American Express Company. Meantime
he became interested in the grain business. In
1859 he began to buy grain for J. L. Heard &
Co., of Michigan, and from that time until 1876
he was engaged in the commission business. For
a number of years afterward he carried on the
grain business, using the railroad company's ele-
vators. Later he built the second elevator in

GKXEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Frankfort, which was 35x50 on the ground, and
had a capacity of twenty-five thousand bushels.
In 1SS5 he bought out the other elevator in
Frankfort, and from that time operated both.
May 24, 1SS9, the first was burned to the ground,
but immediately afterward he built another ele-
vator on the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern road. This
has a capacity of forty thousand bushels, is run
by steam power and supplied with the clipper
and cyclone dust consumers. In 1S90 he bought
an elevator on the Michigan Central road, but it
burned down three years later. Besides his
grain interests, at one time he carried on the
largest lumber business in Frankfort, also dealt
in coal and built up a large business in selling
tile. His interests are varied audimportant, and
although widely divergent in character, he never-
theless manages all with gratifying success. His
thorough understanding of the grain business,
coming from long experience backed by sound
judgment, makes him a leader in his line of
work and insures for him a continuance of his
past success.

In 1S62 Mr. McDonald was made a Mason.
The following year he became identified with the
Knights Templar and in 1870 he took the thirty-
second degree. His interest in Masonry con-
tinues undiminished to the present. Two years
after he came to Frankfort Station he married
Miss Elizabeth Doty, a native of this county. Of
their four children, the youngest died when eight
months old. The others are: Herbert John, Ed-
ward Everett and Charles Howard, the last two
deceased. Herbert J. is connected with S. E.
Gross, the large real-estate dealer of Chicago.
Edward E. was educated in the Northwestern
University at Evanston, 111., as was also his
brother, Charles H., who was educated for the
ministry, and was an evangelist well known
throughout the Methodist Episcopal denomina-
tion.

(TjAMUEL ROSE, a leading citizen of Crete,
7\ was born in Ireland, October 1, 1S45, a sou
\~J of John and Mary (Ormsby) Rose, natives
of tht_- same county as himself. His father came

to America in 1850 and settled in Washington
Township, this county, where he bought a sol-
dier's warrant for one hundred and sixty acres,
paying $130 for the same. The country was new
and sparsely settled. Few roads had been opened
or improvements made. The following years he
gave to the cultivation of his land, but ere he had
brought it to the fine condition he hoped for,
death ended his labors, June 7, 1858, when he
was thirty-eight years of age. Had his life been
spared he would undoubtedly have attained suc-
cess. After coming to this country he affiliated
with the Republican party. For two terms he
served as highway commissioner. In religion he
was an Episcopalian. His wife, who accom-
panied him to the United States, died in Septem-
ter, 1877, when sixty-seven years of age. They
were the parents of four children, one of whom
died in infancy. The others are: Samuel, our
subject; Lottie M., who married E. P. Lyon and
at her death left three children; and John A., the
youngest of the family, who graduated from the
Chicago law school in 1S82 and is now attorney
for the Union Traction Company of Chicago.

When the family came to America our subject
was only five years of age. Hence he has prac-
tically known no other home than Will County.
He grew up amid pioneer surroundings. The
place was wholly unimproved when the family
settled on it. The lumber for a house his father
was obliged to haul, with ox-teams, from Chi-
cago, and the shingles he split by hand. When
the father died Samuel was thirteen. He re-
mained at home with his mother and was of the
greatest assistance in the conduct of the farm. In
March, 1874, he left home and went to Beecher,
where he carried on a general store. In August,
1880, he returned to the old homestead, having
bought the interests of the other heirs. In No-
vember, 1893, he sold the farm and came to Crete,
where he established a loan and collection busi-
ness. Having read law at home he has also had
considerable practice and has proved an excellent
counselor. He also buys and sells real estate.

January 11, 1877, Mr. Rose married Abbie,
daughter of Joseph White, of Crisman, Ind. She
died July 14, 1896, leaving a daughter, Blanche.

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

151

The second marriage of our subject took place
September 8, 1897, and united him with Mrs.
Annette J. (Dewey) Hewes, the widow of Ben-
jamin Hewes and a second cousin of Admiral
Dewey. In religion she is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. By her first hus-
band she had three children.

As a Republican, Mr. Rose has been active in
local affairs. For eight years he was justice of
the peace in Washington Township and for twen-
ty-five years served as school trustee. He is a
charter member of Crete Lodge No. 763, A. F. &
A. M.; before this he was a charter member of
Grant Park Lodge No. 640. After became to
Crete he was one of the charter members of the
Eastern Star and has since held his connection
with the same, and was its first worthy patron,
holding the office for two years.

(TAMES L. O'DONNELL. The family of
I which Mr. O'Donnell is a representative
(2/ has been identified with the history of Illi-
nois for more than one-half century. It was
established in Dayton Township, LaSalle County,
111., by his grandfather, James O'Donnell, a
farmer, who spent his later years in that part of
Illinois. The father, William, who settled in the
same county in 1S46, improved a tract of raw
land in Dayton Township, making of it a
valuable farm. Besides agricultural pursuits he
was extensively engaged in the breeding of draft
horses and roadsters and also owned a number of
fine cattle. From time to time he added to his
property until his possessions included several
farms. He took an active interest in local affairs
and held a number of township offices, in which,
as in his private business matters, he displayed
the possession of good judgment and wise dis-
crimination. His death occurred in 1889, when
he was almost seventy years of age. In early
manhood he had married Johanna Keating, who
removed from Quebec, Canada, to LaSalle
County, 111., in 1S46, and is still living at the old

homestead. Like her husband she has always
been a devoted member of the Catholic Church.
Of eleven children that attained mature years all
but two are still living, seven of whom are in
LaSalle County, and one engaged in the real-
estate business in Omaha.

On the home farm in LaSalle County James L.
O'Donnell was born August 10, 1849, being the
eldest of the entire family. After completing
public school studies he entered the University of
Niagara, N. Y. , where he spent the college year
of 1S68-69. After teaching school for a year he
returned to the university for another year and
then taught school one winter. He took up the
study of law with Glover, Cook & Campbell, of
Ottawa, in 1872, and later read with Mayo &
Widmer, of the same city. He was admitted to
practice in the supreme court at Springfield, 111.,
in January, 1874, and in April of the same year
opened an office at Braidwood, this county.
July 29, 1874, he formed a partnership with
P. C. Haley, in Joliet, and the firm of Haley &
O'Donnell has since built up a large and im-
portant practice in the various courts, and is now
the oldest firm of attorneys in the city. Since
the organization of the sanitary district in 1893
they have been its attorneys, and for years they
have acted as attorneys for the Santa Fe,
Wabash, Michigan Central and Elgin, Joliet &
Eastern Railroads.

Aside from his other interests Mr. O'Donnell
is a member of the board of directors of the Joliet
public library. For years he acted as attorney
for the Mutual Building and Loan Association,
of which he has been a stockholder from the first
and is now a director. While he has never
cared to identify himself closely with politics he is
nevertheless well posted concerning the issues of
the day. He devotes himself unreservedly to
professional work. Socially he is a member of
the Union Club. He was appointed assignee of
the Stone City Bank, of Joliet, upon its failure in
December, 1892, and for four years was con-
nected with the litigation growing out of the
failure.

The home of Mr. O'Donnell, at No. 103 Lin-
coln street, is presided over by his wife, whom he

I.S2

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

married in Joliet in 1877 and who bore the
maiden name of Costelle E. Edgerly. She was
born in Penobscot County, Me., and in 1876
came to Joliet with her parents, Lorain G. and
Sarah Edgerly. Her father, who was for a time
a farmer in Putnam Count}-, this state, served in
an Illinois regiment during the Civil war; he is
now living retired in Joliet. The family of Mr.
and Mrs. O'Donnell consists of three children,
Edith N., Louise and Francis, of whom the first-
named was a graduate of the Joliet high school,
class of 1897, and is now a student in the Chicago
Art Institute.

V A RS. CORNELIA M. SHERWOOD is the
V widow of Stephen Alanson Sherwood, of
(fj Utica, N. Y., and the daughter of Dan-
iel C. Mason, a pioneer of Joliet Township. Pos-
sessing a strong character, and a desire to do
good, she assisted many charitable movements,
and has been a factor in many enterprises for the
benefit of the people. It was in no small degree
due to her influence that the Silver Cross hospital
was established, and she served as a member of
its first board of directors, aiding in placing on a
solid basis an institution that has since been one
of the most successful charities of Joliet. The
project of building the hospital was first brought
forward by the King's Daughters and Sons, and

she was president of the society at the time,
therefore materially assisted in all of its plans.

Stephen Alanson Sherwood was born in Utica,
N. Y. , in 1848, and was next to the youngest of
five children, one of whom, Edwin, served in the
Civil war. His father, Stephen, a native of
Connecticut and descendant of one of the old
families near Hartford, removed to Utica in an
earl}' day and engaged in business there. He
died in New York City in 1892. His three sons
continued the business after his death under the
firm name of Sherwood & Hemmens, and his son,
Stephen A., was thus engaged until he died
April 23, 1876. Politically he affiliated with the
Republicans. He served as lieutenant of the
Utica Citizens' Corps, and exempt fireman of
New York. In 1871, in Joliet, 111., he married
Miss Cornelia M. Mason, whom he had known
in Utica, and who returned with him to re-
side there. She received a good education in
Houghton Seminary, at Clinton, N. Y. Both by
natural gifts and education she was fitted for the
responsibilities of life and for a prominent position
among men and women of culture and worth.
Two years after her husband's death she returned
to Joliet and has since made her home on the
Mason estate, in the suburbs of the city. Her
two sons are interested in Joliet enterprises, the
older, Arthur Mason, being in charge of the office
of the Joliet Rattan and Reed Company, while
.the younger, Louis Alanson, is a member of the
firm of Sherwood & Harper, proprietors of a pho-
tographic studio on Jefferson street.

OF
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

155

JOSEPH BRAUN, Jr.

30SEPH BRAUN, Jr., secretary, treasurer
and manager of the E. Porter Brewing Com-
pany, is a well-known citizen of Joliet and
takes an active part in enterprises calculated to
advance the city's welfare. In 188S he was
elected assistant supervisor of Joliet Township
and served in the office, by re-election, for four
years. Under Mayor P. C. Haley he held office
as city oil inspector for two years. In 1895 he
was chosen to represent the third ward in the city
council and in 1897 and 1899 was re-elected alder-
man, which office he has filled creditably to him-
self. In the council he serves as chairman of the
committees on claims and street lighting, and as
a member of the finance and printing committees.
Largely through his energy and activity the
movement was started looking toward the pur-
chase of the two parks, Bush and East Side, by
the city. The Democratic party represents his
political views and receives his vote, in both na-
tional and local elections. He has been a mem-
ber of the city and county central committees and
in 1892 served as secretary of the Jefferson Club.
He is a member of St. John's German Catholic
Church. Since the organization of St. Aloysius
Society No. 21, Western Catholic Union, in 1888,
he has served as its president, and it is largely
due to his wise leadership that the society now
has a membership of three hundred and eighty-
two. Fraternally he is connected with the
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. During
his leisure hours he finds recreation and enjoy-
ment in athletics and various sports. He is
president of the Joliet Sharpshooters' Association
and has won a record as a fine shot. At Indian-
apolis, in 1889, and at Davenport, Iowa, in 1S90,
he was king of the national tournaments of the

shooting society, this honor being conferred upon
him in recognition of his record, which was the
highest made. The society was organized by his
father and others in 1866 and he has been identi-
fied with it since 1S83. In his possession, as
prized souvenirs, are twenty-six gold medals,
which have been given him for successful compe-
titions in shooting contests.

Joseph Braun, Sr., a native of Bavaria, and a
brewmaster by trade, settled in Dupage County,
111., in 1852, establishing his home in Naperville.
In 1865 he came to Joliet, where he organized the
brewing firm of Joseph Braun & Co. , now the
F. Sebring Brewing Company. He engaged in
the brewing business until he died, in 1869, at
forty-two years of age. His wife, who was a
Miss Grath, of German descent, died in Joliet in
1882. Their only child who attained mature
years was Joseph Jr., who was born in Naper-
ville, 111., in i860, and has made his home in
Joliet since the age of five years. His education
was obtained in St. John's parochial school. In
1876 he began to clerk in a clothing store on Jef-
ferson street, where he was paid $3 a week. He
was so energetic and capable that in time he be-
came head clerk. In 1884 he bought out Charles
Brooks and started the firm of Braun & Raub at
No. 209 Jefferson street, where he engaged in
business until 1893. In selling out to his part-
ner in 1893 he assisted in organizing the
E. Porter Brewing Company, of which he has
since been secretary, treasurer and general man-
ager. Under his supervision the plant has been
enlarged, an addition built, modern improve-
ments introduced, and the quality of the products
brought to a high standard of excellence. The
location of the brewery covers two and one-half

I.S6

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

blocks on South Bluff. There is also a large
depot at Lemout, with an ice house and re-
frigerator.

The residence of Mr. Braun stands at No. 51 1
North Hickory street. He was married in Joliet
to Theresa, sister of A. J. Stoos, a leading mer-
chant of this city. They have six children: Ida,
who is a graduate of St. Francis' Convent at
Joliet, 111.; Julius, who is a student in St.
Francis' College, Ouincy, 111.; Alma, Henrietta,
Marguerite and Robert.

N()N. JERRY KENISTON. There is prob-
ably no citizen of Wilton Township who is
better known or who occupies a higher po-
sition in the confidence of associates than does
Mr. Keniston. During the Civil war he showed
his patriotism by his honorable service in the
Union army and since then he has proven him-
self equally active in civic affairs, giving his in-
fluence to aid measures for the benefit of his com-
munity and taking his part as a public-spirited
citizen in progressive movements. During the
three terms, beginning in 1S70, that he served as
supervisor of Wilton Township, he participated
personally in man} - important measures for the
benefit of the township; gaining, as a public offi-
cial, a name so creditable and a position so high
that in 1S78 he was chosen to represent his dis-
trict in the state legislature. In that body, as in
positions of lesser importance, he maintained a
reputation for integrity, energy and ability, and
his service was not only satisfactory to his own
party (the Republican), but to his political op-
ponents as well. He has frequently represented
his party as a delegate to conventions, and has
been a member of important committees.

Heredity having much to do with a mans suc-
cess in life, it will be of interest to review Mr.
KL-niston's ancestral history. His grandfather,
Isaac Keniston, a native of New Hampshire, im-
mediately after his marriage to Deborah Gray,
removed with his bride to what is now Sheffield,

Caledonia County. Yt., making the trip on horse-
back through the forests. He settled in a tim-
bered region and cleared a farm from the prime-
val wilds. During the Revolutionary war he did
his part to defend American interests and gain in-
dependence for our country. His brother, David,
who was born in the province of Maine, Novem-
ber 17, 1736, also served in the Revolution and
was a member of the famous Boston tea part} in
1773. In 1S45 ne came to Chicago, where he
died February 24, 1852, at the great age of one
hundred and fifteen years, three months and
seventeen days. He was buried with military
honors. June 14, 1S94, a Grecian cross was
erected in Lincoln Park on the site of his burial
place by a number of Chicago pioneers and there
has frequently been plans formed for the erection
of a monument to his memory by various societies.
He was the last surviving member of the Boston
tea party.

Joseph G. Keniston, our subject's father, was
born in Sheffield, Yt., October 17, 1798. After
his marriage to Sally Glidden, a native of Shef-
field, he engaged in fanning, in connection with
which he also owned and operated a sawmill. In
1854 he removed to Illinois and settled on the
site of our subject's farm, buying one-half section
of land. Here he remained for ten years. He
then removed to Aurora, 111., in order to give
his children the advantages of good schools. In
that city he died in June, 1S67. During the ex-
istence of the Whig party he voted for its candi-
dates, and after it disintegrated he became a Re-
publican. In religion he was of the Baptist faith.
In his family there were eleven children, only
three of whom are living, viz.: Emeline, widow
of William Urie, of Minneapolis, Minn. ; Hiram B.,
of Lents, Ore.; and Jerry.

At the old homestead in Sheffield, Yt., the sub-
ject of this article was born March 2, 1829. His
education was largely self- acquired, although he
had the advantage of study in common schools
and a term in St. Johnsbury Academy. After
teaching school for one term, in 185 1 he went to
Massachusetts, and for three years was employed
in the vicinity of Boston. He joined his parents
in Illinois shortly after their removal west and

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

i57

spent some months in this county, after which he
was employed by a dairy company in St. Louis
for a year. In the fall of 1858 he went to York
state and was married, in Pike, Wyoming Coun-
ty, November 30, to Miss Martha A. Tiffany,
who died January 24, 1862. In i860 he returned
to this county and settled on an eighty-acre tract,
which now forms a part of his farm of two hun-
dred and forty acres.

In the fall of 1862 Mr. Keniston enlisted in
Company H, One Hundredth Illinois Infantry,
and went to the front. Soon after his enlistment
he was made second lieutenant of his company
and at the close of the war held a captain's com-
mission. He took part in even- battle in which
his regiment was engaged until the engagement
at Chickamauga, where he was captured and
taken to Libby prison. He was held a prisoner
for seven months and was then removed farther
south. March 2, 1S65, he was released at Wil-
mington, N. C, and proceeded to Benton Bar-
racks, St. Louis, where he reported for duty. He
was honorably discharged May 15. Returning
home he resumed farm work. He is a member
of H. B. Godard Post No. 736, G. A. R., of
Manhattan, and since 1897 has served as com-
mander of the post. He is also a member of the
lodge of Patrons of Husbandry in Manhattan.

February 21, 1866, occurred the marriage of
Mr. Keniston to Miss Martha Lynde, who was
born in Williamstown, Vt., a daughter of John
and Dolly (Smith) Lynde. She is a descendant,
it is supposed, of Benjamin Lynde, mentioned by
Brancroft in history, who came with a number of
prominent men from England and settled in
Massachusetts about 1630. The name of Lynde
is inseparably associated with the business and
public affairs of Williamstown. Hon. John
Lynde, father of Mrs. Keniston, was born in
Williamstown in 18 10 and at the age of sixteen
began to teach, which occupation he followed in
the winter, working on the farm during summer
months. In 1832 he married Dolly Smith, who
died in 1881. They were the parents of twelve
children, nine of whom are living, viz. : Ellen,
Mrs. W. Bass, of Ottawa, Kans. ; John, Jr., of
Williamstown; Martha; Rebecca, Mrs. Nathaniel

Simons, of Princeton, 111. ; George W. ; James K. ;
Laura, Mrs. H. L. Cheney, of Williamstown;
Emma, wife of Dr. William B. Mayo, of North-
field; and Dr. Cornelius V., of Northfield, Minn.
Mr. Lynde was a farmer until 1S65, after which
he engaged in trade until 1S87 and then resumed
farming. He was often called upon to settle es-
tates and was a general counselor in business and
legal matters. For more than two generations
he was one of the directors of the Northfield, and
later of the Barre Bank. First a Whig, then a
Republican, he was active in each party in turn.
For forty-four consecutive years he served as jus-
tice of the peace. In 1876 he was elected state
senator, and for two terms he was assistant judge
of the county court. His name will long be re-
membered in Williamstown as that of a public-
spirited and benevolent citizen. His father,
Cornelius Lynde, left Harvard College at the op-
ening of the Revolutionary war and enlisted in
the Continental army, in which he rose to the
rank of major. In 1786 he moved from Williams-
town, Mass. , to the town of the same name in
Vermont, and was one of the original proprietors
of the new settlement. He assisted in the allot-
ment of land to his associates, was justice of the
peace, the first town clerk, and from 1791 to
1795 served as representative to the legislature,
later was a member of the state council and for
two years associate judge. In the first year of
the century, at a meeting in his house, a Univer-
salis! society was organized, believed to be the
earliest in the state. His wife was the eldest
daughter of Col. Jacob Davis, the pioneer of
Montpelier. Several of his sons became influen-
tial business men.

The head of the Lynde family, since the death
of Mrs. Keniston's father, who died in 1S96, is
John Lynde, Jr., who was born in 1835, came to
Will County in 1856, and there listened to one of
the joint debates between Lincoln and Douglass
during the memorable campaign of 1858. Dur-
ing the war he served as commissary sergeant,
regimental quartermaster with the rank of lieu-
tenant, and on staff duty. From 1870 to 1877
he was a clerk in the postoffice department in
Washington, since which time he has resided in

1 53

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Williamstown, his early home- One of his broth-
ers, Charles, also served for three years in the
Union army; he died in 1874. Another brother,
George W., born in 1848, owns a fine farm of
three hundred and seventy-five acres at Williams-
town, and has many other important interests.
He is vice-president of the Barre National Bank;
in 18S8 served in the house of representatives
and is at present state senator. He is a half-
owner of the grist, saw and polishing mill at
Mill Village, which is the most important indus-
try in that town. James K. Lynde, another
brother of Mrs. Keniston, was born in 1S42, and
is a wealthy business man of Williamstown, own-
ing a large store there. He is also a member of
the Williamstown Granite Company, a stock-
holder in the Construction Company, and a part
owner of the Monument House.

Just prior to the breaking out of the Civil war
Miss Lynde was a student in Barre Academy.
The faculty received a request to send a compe-
tent teacher to Alabama and asked her to accept
the position. In February, i860, she w T ent south
and began the work of an instructor. On the

breaking out of hostilities she was importuned to
remain, but feeling it was not safe for her there
she decided to come north. June 3, 1861, she
started for Illinois and joined a sister in Will
County. Soon afterward she was engaged to
teach in the Wilmington schools. Later she
taught the Wilton Center school. In 1864 she
went to Racine, Wis., where she taught for one
year, then returned to Vermont and was married
to Mr. Keniston at the old homestead. Of their
union ten children were born, seven now living.
The two oldest, Henry C. and John L. , are en-
gaged in business in Chicago as dealers in paints,
oils and wall paper, the former being in the sub-
urb of Englewood, while the latter is at No. 194
Twenty-second street. Laura A. from childhood
showed a decided musical talent and was given
excellent advantages, graduating from the musi-
cal conservatory at Pottsdam, N. Y. She is now
a teacher of vocal music and physical culture in
Olean, N. Y., public schools. The other mem-
bers of the family are Herbert, of Chicago;
Carroll, on the home farm; Raymond, in Okla-
homa; and Daisy, a student in the local schools.

OF
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

161

HENRY J. HOLM,

HENRY J. HOLM, who is manager of the
creamery at Goodings Grove, Homer Town-
ship, came to this count}- in 1881 and began
the cultivation of the one hundred and fort}- acres
comprising his present homestead. By good
management and energy he brought the place
under excellent cultivation. As necessity de-
manded, he erected farm buildings. In 1896 his
barn burned down and he built the one he now
uses, a substantial building with basement 32x60
feet in dimensions; also a corn crib 24x32. His
barn is so large that it will accommodate eighty
tons of hay at one time. The stock are given
stalls in the basement. He engages in the
raising of cattle and in the dairy business, milk-
ing eleven cows. Largely through his efforts a
creamery was started. He was the first to sub-
scribe for stock and furnish money for the enter-
prise, and he now has quite a sum invested in the
business. Besides being manager of the cream-
ery he is secretary and treasurer of the company.
All products are shipped to Chicago, where Elgin
prices are paid. It is due to his management and
good judgment that the business has been made
so profitable, returning to its stockholders divi-
dends that are larger than was first anticipated.
The quality of the butter is so excellent that
it always commands a high price. For instance,
in September, 1899, they turned out eight thou-
sand eight hundred and sixty-eight pounds of
butter, which sold at an average price of twenty-
two and one-half cents per pound, this making
the cash receipt from seven thousand seven hun-
dred and twenty-nine pounds sold outside of the
community $1,749, an estimate that gives an
idea of the dimensions of the business and ex-
plains the reason for the high rating of the stock.
8

Mr. Holm was born in Kensington, 111., Feb-
ruary 9, 1857. His father, John, a native of
Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Prussia, came to Amer-
ica at eighteen years of age, spending six weeks
on the water. He proceeded at once to this
county, where he was employed on farms. Later
he sawed wood for the Illinois Central Railroad,
making about $1,600. With this money he
bought land in Worth, Cook County. The place
was raw prairie and required considerable effort
to get under cultivation. Being industrious he
prospered. The property that he first purchased
is now worth many hundred times what he paid
for it. By adding to his holdings he became the
owner of three hundred and sixty-five acres,
comprising a valuable farm, on which he still re-
sides. He has served as commissioner and is a
Republican in politics. In religion he believes in
Lutheran doctrines. While living in Kensington
he married Carolina Hock, also from Prussia.
They have five children, viz. : Henry J. ; Mrs.
Mary Handorf, of Marley, this county; Dora,
wife of Dan Laufer, of Homer Township; Fred,
who superintends his father's farm; and Carrie,
wife of Paul Hampel, of Washington Heights.

The life of our subject has been passed in Cook
and Will Counties.. He remained at home until
his marriage, April n, 1881, which united him
with Louise, daughter of Henry Sahs, of Oak
Lawn. She died in 1896, leaving five children,
Henry, Louise, Alice, Cora and Carrie. Since
1 89 1 Mr. Holm has been a member of the board
of school directors. His political views are in
accord with the platform of the Republican party.
He is a director of the Homer Mutual Fire In-
surance Company, an organization which has
proved of great benefit to the farmers of this

162

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

township. Reared in the Lutheran faith, he has
always favored its doctrines and supported its
enterprises.

Gfl LFRED T. CORBIN, a leading business
J_J man of Plainfield, is the proprietor of an
/ I establishment in which he carries a com-
plete assortment of dry-goods, groceries, hats and
caps, etc. In addition to this business he has
other interests of varying degrees of importance
and value. He owns a half interest in a hard-
ware store in Phoenix, Ariz., of which his son-
in-law is the manager. He also has shares in
the Bankers' Mining & Milling Company, which
owns a mine on Bull Mountain, at Cripple Creek,
Colo., and also has mining interests at Leadville,
that state.

The father of our subject, Elihu Corbin, was
born in Rutland, Vt., and in boyhood accom-
panied his parents to Cleveland, Ohio, where he
grew to manhood. For a time he carried on a
boot and shoe business in Cleveland, after which,
with a partner, he operated a tannery. The
excitement caused by the discovery of gold in
California reached him and he determined to seek
in the far west a fortune. In 1850 he went to
the Pacific coast overland and remained a year,
when, his brother-in-law being taken sick, he
started east with him via Panama, but the sick
man died before home was reached. Resuming
the shoe business, Mr. Corbin manufactured
shoes of his own leather and built up a good
trade in Cleveland. However, desiring to seek
another location, he sold out in 1852 and came
to Plainfield, 111., November 5, where he pur-
chased one hundred and sixty acres, a portion
of which is now in the city limits. He platted
the land in town lots and sold it as opportunity
afforded. On the remainder he engaged in gen-
eral farm pursuits, and added to it from time to
time. Finally retiring, he established his home
in the town. On the Republican ticket he was
elected justice of the peace, which office he held
for more than a quarter of a century. During

the Civil war he held office as deputy United
States marshal. In religion he was an active
worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church. His
life was devoted to various pursuits, and in each
he seemed to meet with success. As a farmer
he was thorough and painstaking, as a business
man energetic and up-to-date. From i860 to
1862 he carried on a mercantile business in Plain-
field, but, preferring agricultural pursuits, he
sold out. When hediedini895 he was eight}- -
two years of age.

The mother of our subject was Elisa A. Fish,
a native of Groton, Conn., and now a resident
of Plainfield, 111. In spite of her eighty-three
years she is quite active. Of her nine children
four are deceased. Hannah is the widow of
Capt. D. Sullivan, who was a captain in the
Eighth Illinois Cavalry during the Civil war;
Emma M. is the widow of E. Holbrook, of
Batavia, 111.; and Mary E. resides with her
mother. The youngest of the family is Louis D.,
who clerks for his brother. Another son, Ed-
ward \\\, was a merchant in Colorado and died
there, but is buried in Plainfield. Mrs. Eliza A.
(Fish) Corbin is a granddaughter of Ebenezer
Fish, a soldier in the Revolutionary war and for
six months a prisoner-of-war. His son, Eben-
ezer, served during the second war with England.
He walked the entire distance from Connecticut
to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1S11, and settled in that
place, where he became a prominent citizen, and
one of the founders of Methodism, giving the site
for two churches. He died in 18S0, aged ninety-
three years. His wife was Johanna Stanton, of
Stonington, Conn.

In Cleveland, Ohio, our subject was born Jan-
uary 6, 1843. He was nine years of age when
the family settled in this county. Two years
later he secured work as a clerk in Plainfield.
He continued steadily in business, with the ex-
ception of the time spent in a commercial college
in Chicago. In 1870, with two partners, Mr.
Corbin engaged in the mercantile business in
Plainfield. His partners were G. N. and W. H.
Chittenden; the former sold his interest to his
partners in 1887. Three years later our subject
bought his partner's interest and has since man-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

l6 3

aged the store. During the mining excitement
in Montana he spent three years in that territory
(1864-67), and besides mining took up a ranch.
Fraternally he is a member of Plainfield Lodge
No. 536, A. F. & A. M. In politics he is
stanchly, though not actively, a Republican, and
has held various township and city offices, to
which he was elected on the party ticket. His
marriage united him with Miss Laura A. Pratt,
daughter of the late S. S. Pratt, who was a mer-
chant in Plainfield. They are the parents of one
daughter, Grace, who married Charles H. David-
son, a hardware merchant in Phoenix, Ariz.
They have one son, Harold Corbin Davidson.

V/lAJ. EDWIN S. MUNROE. The largest
Y real-estate firm in Joliet is that of Mun-
(f) roe Brothers, composed of ex-Senator
George H. and Maj. Edwin S. Munroe, who
since 1896 have conducted a mortgage, loans, in-
surance, real-estate and general trust company's
business, with offices in the Munroe hotel block.
Since 1S98 they have laid out the Munroe &
Kelly subdivision, west of Henderson avenue,
and the Munroe & Melchior and the Munroe &
Norton additions, while prior to this the senior
member of the firm platted many subdivisions
while doing business under the firm name of
G. Munroe & Sou, including the Ridgewood ad-
ditions to Joliet. It is doubtful if any individual
or organization has accomplished more than they
in the development of property interests and the
advancing of teal-estate values; hence their work
possesses permanent merit.

In Florence" Township, this county, the sub-
ject of this sketch was born September 29, 1857,
a son of George, and a brother of George H.
Munroe, to whose biographies the reader is re-
ferred for the family history. His education was
obtained in public schools primarily and was
completed in Northwestern University, which he
attended from 1874 to 1876, having applied to
this purpose his earnings while assisting his fath-

er in the grocery business in Joliet. While at-
tending the university he was very closely con-
nected with the work of building the gymnasium
and presenting it to the college; and as secretary
and treasurer he was one of the leading members
of the board of directors having the work in
charge.

Upon leaving the university Mr. Munroe be-
came salesman and bookkeeper for his father's
grocery, and later traveled for the house. In
January, 1SS1, he became traveling salesman for
the wholesale grocery house of John Roper & Co.
Four years later he severed his connection with
them in order to accept a position as commercial
traveler with Reid, Murdoch & Co., the largest
wholesale grocery house in Chicago, and he con-
tinued with them for eleven years, until 1896.
Meantime he had been extensively interested in
Joliet real estate. Purchasingthecorner of Chicago
and Clinton streets, where the Joliet National
Bank stands, he built the Ed S. Munroe block
in 1882, and from that time to this his real-estate
interests have constantly enlarged and broadened.
He occupies the homestead on East Cass street,
built in 1887 by his father. There, with his wife
and three children, George M., Edwine M.
and Stanley M., he has a pleasant home in
which his leisure hours are passed. He married
Marie, daughter of Gallus Muller, who came to
Joliet just before the Chicago fire and was chief
clerk for the Illinois penitentiary for over twenty
years.

In 1876 Mr. Munroe entered the Illinois Na-
tional Guard, becoming a private in Company B,
Tenth Battalion. At the formation of the
Twelfth Battalion, two years later, he was made
quartermaster, with the rank of lieutenant, and
continued in that capacity for eight years, the
battalion meantime becoming the Fourth Regi-
ment. In 1886 Governor Fifer commissioned
him major of the regiment, and he continued as
such until the reorganization of the guard and
the merging of the Fourth into the Third Regi-
ment. He was called into active service at the
time of the Braidwood strike of 1877, the LaSalle
trouble of 1878, the Joliet and Lemout strikes of
1885, and the Braidwood labor troubles of 1889.

i6 4

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

He is a member of the Veteran Roll of the Illinois
National Guard. Politically a Republican and
interested in the success of his party, he is never-
theless in no sense of the word a politician, his
time being fully occupied with the cares of his
constantly increasing business. Socially he is a
member of the Union Club of Joliet. In religion
he is connected with the Methodist Episcopal
Church, in which he is secretary of the board of
trustees, and is a delegate representing Rock
River Conference in the General Conference to
be held in Chicago in 1900, which is the supreme
organization of the entire Methodist Episcopal
Church throughout the world.

HENRY H. LICHTENWALTER. Since
his settlement in this county Mr. Lichten-
walter has been known not only as a sub-
stantial farmer, but also as a progressive citizen
and an earnest Christian. Although he started
for himself with very little means (having only
$68 at the time he came to Illinois), he has be-
come one of the large land owners of Jackson
Township, and his name is synonymous with
successful agriculture. He is the owner of six
farms, aggregating eleven hundred acres. This
large property represents the results of honest in-
dustry and frugality, traits that have always been
very noticeable in his character. Besides his
farming and stock interests he acts as local agent
for the Greengarden Mutual Insurance Company.
During the eighteenth century the Lichten-
walter family was founded in America by a
German, who settled in Adams County, Pa., and
remained there from that time until his death.
The descendants of one of his sons may now be
found in Lehigh County, Pa. Another of his
sons, Abraham, was a native of Adams County,
but spent his last years on a farm in Stark
County, Ohio, and was buried at Canton, that
state. His son, Solomon, was about twenty-one
when the family removed from Pennsylvania to
Ohio. He took up a tract of wild land, which he

cleared and improved, and there he spent his re-
maining years. He was one of the leading
farmers of Stark County. For many years he
was an elder in the Lutheran Church and the old
house of worship he helped to build is still stand-
ing, in good repair. The honor of being a dele-
gate to the Ohio conference was conferred upon
him. At the time of his death he was eighty-
eight years of age. His wife was Catherine
Hane, a native of Pennsylvania, who at four
years of age had been taken to Ohio by her
father, Charles Hane; afterward she resided in
Stark County until her death, at fifty-two years.
Of her twelve children seven are now living,
namely: Samuel, a farmer of Stark County;
Sarah, wife of Martin Metz, of El wood, 111.;
John, also of Elwood; William, whose home is
in Manhattan; Henry H.; Christian, a farmer
and stock-raiser in Thayer County, Neb.; and
Amanda, who married William Young and lives
in Stark County.

The education acquired by our subject was suf-
ficient to enable him to teach school, and in this
occupation he continued for two years. For five
years he followed the carpenter's trade. August
31, 1856, he bade farewell to his relatives and
started for the west, full of hope for the future,
and with all the determination that youth and
health and an earnest spirit can give. He arrived
in Joliet on the 1st of September. After two
months in the city he went to the country, where
he followed his trade for two years. In 1858 he
rented a farm six miles south of Joliet, and there
he tilled the soil for eleven years. In 1869 he
purchased a farm in Florence Township and at
once commenced the improvement of the prop-
erty, on which he made his home for the next
twenty-three years, meantime following the gen-
eral lines of farming and stock-raising. He
owned four hundred acres in partnership with his
brother-in-law, Hiram E. Guiss. With him he
also, for sixteen years, operated a threshing ma-
chine, having contracts for work of this kind in
Florence, Jackson, Manhattan and Wilton Town-
ships. Their machine was one of the first
threshers brought to the county. In 1886 he
bought a farm in Jackson Township and five

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD

165

years later he moved to it. He remained there
until March, 1900, when he removed with his wife
and daughter to Manhattan, his son remaining on
the farm.

Politically a Republican, Mr. Lichtenwalter
was on that ticket elected supervisor of Florence
Township, road commissioner, justice of the
peace, collector, school trustee, etc. In 1858 he
married Leah, daughter of John Guiss. They
have six children living, viz.: Orlando, Frank,
Albert (of Florence Township), Frances (wife of
R. F. Weibel), John and Addie. The family
are active workers in Grace Evangelical Church.
Mr. Lichtenwalter was converted at the age of
sixteen years and has since lived an exemplary
Christian life. Since 1890 he has been a mem-
ber of the Illinois conference and in 189S he was
a delegate to the general conference of the United
Evangelical Church at Johnstown, Pa. In 1894
he donated land for a church building and he
also contributed largely to the erection of the
same, since which time he has been a liberal con-
tributor to its maintenance. He has filled the
office of Sunday-school superintendent constantly
and for some years has been a trustee of the
church.

REV. MOTHER ALEXANDER MUNCH,
who is at the head of the community of Fran-
ciscan Sisters, located at Joliet, has for years
been a potent factor in the advancement of its
work and growth. St. Francis' convent, which
the Sisters have in charge, was founded in 1865,
its first location being on the corner of North
Broadway and Division street, Joliet, but in 1882
it was removed to the present location, in the most
elevated part of the city, away from the din of the
busy streets. The cornerstone of the large main-
building was laid in 1881, but the building was
not completed until 1882. From the time of its
establishment in 1865 this convent has been the
mother-house of this community. About 1874 St.
Francis' Academy was started, and it is now one
of the best schools of its kind in the county. The

building is provided with dormitories, class
rooms, music rooms, studio, a recreation hall, an
extensive library and scientific apparatus and
specimens for illustrating the various branches of
science. The course of study comprises three
departments, each consisting of four grades, and
each grade requires one year's time. Special
attention is given to the department of music,
which aims at thoroughness and adapts the most
improved methods to the cultivation of correct
taste and an appreciation of classical music.
Students are drilled in harmony, the technique
and theory of music. Attention is also given to
oil painting and water colors. The large studio
affords the students excellent facilities for the study
of drawing and painting; a special feature has been
made of china painting, and a kiln for firing is in
charge of one of the Sisters. As a stimulus to
effort, gold medals are awarded each year to those
attaining the highest standard of excellence. The
work of the academy has been thoroughly sys-
tematized, so that the best results may be obtained
from the pupils, and their progress in study is
judiciously promoted.

Upon the establishment of the convent in 1865,
Rev. Mother Alfreda Moes, a French lady, was
placed at its head. She was followed successively
by Rev. Mother Alberta Stockhof, Mother Mary
Frances Shanahan, Mother Mary Celestine Son-
tag, Mother Lucy Raub (a native of Joliet),
Mother Mary Angela Rosenberger and Mother
Alexander Munch. Mothers Sontag, Raub and
Rosenberger each held the position for six years.
In August, 1899, Rev. Mother Alexander Munch
was placed at the head of the convent. She was
born in Joliet, a daughter of Xavier Munch, and
received her education in Catholic schools, grad-
uating in 1870, since which time she has been
connected with the work of the Franciscan Sisters.

Under the supervision of the Franciscan Sisters
of this community are thirty mission houses in
various parts of this state, Ohio, Wisconsin, Mis-
souri and Pennsylvania, where they have charge
of the instruction of eight thousand children, in-
cluding St. John's, St. Joseph's and Holy Cross
parochial schools in Joliet. In 1898 they estab-
lished the Guardian Angels' Home for Children

1 66

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and erected a building on Buell avenue with
accommodations for sixty. Already fifty-five
orphans have been placed under their care in
this institution. In the rearing of the children
given to their charge they show a painstaking
thoroughness and the most earnest desire to im-
plant in their hearts pure and lofty purposes and
to cultivate good morals.

(IL.LIAM M. CLOW owns an improved
stock and dairy farm on section 14, Wheat-
land Township. Born on a farm, he se-
lected agriculture as his life occupation; the suc-
cess he has met proves he made no mistake.
Under his father he acquired some knowledge of
many details connected with cultivating the soil
and raising stock. At the time of his marriage
he started for himself, bought one hundred and
fifteen acres of unimproved land, which he has
since added to by the purchase of one hundred
and twenty acres. He assisted in incorporating
the creamery, which proved to be profitable. He
has held the offices of township clerk, road com-
missioner and school director, and in politics is
a Democrat.

The grandfather of our subject, Robert Clow,
a native of Dumfrieshire. Scotland, brought his
family to America in 1837. He and his family
(six sons and two daughters) rented the old
Shaker farm on Sodus Bay, N. Y., which they
worked six years. In 1843 they came west via
the Erie canal and the lakes to Chicago. Set-
tling in Will County, he and his sons pre-empted
and purchased some fourteen hundred and eighty
acres. He resided on the place until his death in
1877, aged eighty-five years. His wife died in
Scotland. They had six sons and four daughters.
At the time the family came to America, Rob-
ert Clow, Jr., father of our subject, was eighteen
years old. He accompanied his father to this
county in 1844 and was identified with its farm
and public interests all his life. In 1849, at tne
age of thirty-one, he married Miss Rosanna

McMickeu, who was born in Ayrshire, Scotland,
and came to Illinois with her parents in 1843.
Their home was the southeast quarter of section
15. He was a Republican in politics. He
served one term in the Illinois legislature, two
terms as circuit clerk of the county, and also
as justice of the peace, township clerk and super-
visor. He died September 15, 1888, and his wife
in 1895, at the home of her son, John B. They
had eight children, five of whom are living,
namely: William M.; Ellen J., wife of Charles
H. Farquhar, of Chicago; Adam S., who farms
his grandfather's homestead; John B., who has
succeeded to the ownership of his father's place;
and Rose, wife of H. H. Hyland, of Lamar, Mo.
The eldest child of his parents, our subject
was born December 18, 1850. His education
was obtained in local schools and four terms at
Aurora. In 1S74 he married Eliza Y. Cherry,
of Kendall County, an estimable woman and con-
sistent member of the Presbyterian Church.
The} - have five children, namely: Ida G., de-
ceased; Robert C, Annie L., Charles H. and
Lena. The. family stand high among the people
of the township, and are respected in the best
social circles, their intelligence and refinement
bringing them many friends.

0ANIEL C. MASON resided on his farm
adjoining Joliet from the fall of 1S69 until
his death in 1S96. During these years he
engaged in farming and built up a homestead
that won admiring notice from passers-by. His
original tract comprised seventy-one acres in the
home place, to which he added until he was the
owner of two hundred and fifty acres, improved
with all needful buildings, and bearing every evi-
dence of the owner's judicious oversight. He
was born January 12, 181 1, the seventh among
eleven children that attained mature years, whose
parents, Arnold and Mercy (Coman) Mason, re-
moved after marriage from Berkshire County,
Mass., to New Hartford, near Utica, N. Y.

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

167

There he remained until twenty-one years of age.
Upon leaving home he went to New Jersey and
worked under his father, who had a contract for
building a portion of the Delaware and Raritan
canal. After a year there he joined the firm of
Mason & Downing in a contract for excavating
through Bergen Hill for the old Jersey Central
Railroad, and also helped to dig the Morris canal
from there to Jersey City. The next contract
was for building two sections of the Croton water
works, in New York City. Later he engaged in
farming near his old home until 1869, when he
came to Illinois.

April 16, 1844, Mr. Mason married Miss Cor-
nelia H. Kellogg, the second in a family of two
sons and two daughters, whose parents were
Truman and Meliuda (Marsh) Kellogg, natives
of Oneida County, N. Y. Mrs. Mason was born
June 8, 1S24, and was reared on her father's
farm. She became the mother of two children,
Truman A. Mason, of Joliet, and Mrs. Sherwood,
who occupies the family homestead. Through-
out the entire period of his residence in this coun-
ty Mr. Mason proved himself to be a progressive
citizen, an enterprising farmer, warm friend and
accommodating neighbor, and his death was
mourned by the many to whom his sterling qual-
ities had endeared him.

"RUMAN A. MASON. The value in any
community of a citizen is not marked mere-
ly by the success that has attended his ef-
forts in business, but also by his character in pri-
vate life, his progressive spirit as a citizen, and
the interest he maintains in measures affecting
the public welfare. Judged by these standards,
• Mr. Mason may be classed among the most val-
ued citizens of Joliet. While various enterprises
have felt the impetus of his aid, he is most wide-
ly known as president of the Joliet National Bank,
which he organized March 2, 1891, and of which
he has since been the head. This institution has
enjoyed a remarkable growth. Within eight

years after its organization its deposits had
reached $750,000, and it ranks among the first in
the state in the extent of its transactions and in
reliability. The co-laborers of the president have
remained unchanged from the first, and are as fol-
lows: R. T. Kelly, cashier; H. O. Williams, tel-
ler; and Charles G. Pierce, bookkeeper; nor has
the board of directors been altered in any appre-
ciable degree.

Tracing the histor)' of the Mason family, we
find that the grandfather of our subject, Arnold
Mason, was born in Cheshire, Mass., September
10, 1777, and died March 9, 1862. His marriage,
December 29, 1796, united him with Mercy Co-
man, who was born October 20, 1776, and died
November 9, 1850. Her father, Daniel Coman,
a native of Swansea, R. I., was a captain in the
Revolutionary war, and married Hannah Angell,
whose birth occurred in Barrington, R. I., Decem-
ber 14, 1750. This entire Rhode Island colony
came from Suffolk, England, and settled in Swan-
sea and Rehoboth. Hannah Angell was a daugh-
ter of Nedabiah Angell, who was born April 29,
1712, and died April 19, 1786; her mother, Mary
Winsor, was born September 2, 17 18, and died
June 9, 1758. Nedabiah's father, Daniel Angell,
was born May 2, 1680, and died June 16, 1750;
he married Hannah Winsor. He was a son of
John Angell, born in Rhode Island in 1643, and
died July 27, 1720; he married Ruth Field, a
daughter of William Field.

The first member of the Angell family in
America was John's father, Thomas Angell, who
was born in Suffolk County, England, in 1618,
and died in September, 1694. He came to Amer-
ica with Roger Williams in the ship "Lion,"
Capt. A. Pearce, in 1631. His wife, Alice, died
in Rhode Island in Januar3', 1695. Mary Win-
sor, wife of Nedabiah Angell, was also his cousin,
he being a son of Hannah, daughter of Samuel
and Mercy (Williams) Winsor, the latter a daugh-
ter of the illustrious Roger Williams by his mar-
riage to Mary Wanton.

After his marriage Arnold Mason removed to
New Hartford, N. Y., where he was a large
farmer and also for many years proprietor of
Mason's inn, the old "half-way" house on the

1 68

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Albany turnpike. He was one of the contrac-
tors for the Harlem high bridge in New York City
and for a majority of the high rocky cuts out of
Jersey City and Bergen, N. J.; also had contracts
on the Erie canal, being one of the largest con-
tractors of his day. During the war of 1812 he
served as a captain and took part in the battle of
Sackett's Harbor. When he settled in New
Hartford he had only $100, but by his own ener-
gy and the aid of his wife he became very suc-
cessful. In religion he was an ardent Baptist.

Levi, father of Arnold Mason, was born in
Swansea, R. I., October 15, 1752, and was acci-
dentally killed August 20, 1S44. His wife. Amy
Gilsou, who was born June 30, 1751, died six
days after her husband, her death being the re-
sult of grief over his loss. He and six of his
brothers were in the thickest of the fight at Ben-
nington during the Revolutionary war. For some
years he lived in Cheshire, Mass., but his last
days were spent with his son, Arnold, in New
Hartford, N. Y. His father, Nathan, was born
May 10, 1705, and died in 1758; August 26, 1731,
he married Lillis Hale, daughter of John and
Hannah (Tillinghast) Hale. It was Nathan
Mason who established the family in Cheshire,
Mass., removing there from Swansea. He was a
son of Isaac Mason, born July 15, 1667, and died
January 25, 1742, who was a deacon in the Sec-
ond Baptist Church in Swansea from its organi-
zation in 1693 until his death. Isaac was a son
of Sampson Mason, who emigrated from Suffolk,
England, and settled in Dorsetshire, Mass., in
1649, thence in 1657 removed to Rehoboth, R. I.
From all the best authorities the statement is
made that he was a dragoon in Cromwell's arm\-.
He married Mary Butterworth, a sister of Deacon
John Butterworth, at whose home in Swansea the
Baptist congregation of the town was organized
in 1663.

The record of the son of Arnold and father of
Truman A. Mason appears on another page of
this volume. Daniel C. Mason had two children:
Mrs. Cornelia Sherwood and Truman A. Mason.
The latter was bom in New Hartford, N. Y.,
March 14, 1846, and was reared in Utica, attend-
ing public schools and Whitestown Academy.

At nineteen years of age he rented his father's
farm and for a year carried on a stock business.
In the spring of 1866 he came to Illinois, thence
went to Missouri, and returning to Chicago, be-
came assistant pilot on the Chicago & Alton Rail-
road. After eight months he accepted a position
with a wholesale house in Utica, where he re-
mained for six months as an employe. He then
became a member of the firm of Rawley Bros. &
Co., which continued in business for some years.
In the fall of 1869 he sold out and settled in Jo-
liet, where, in the spring of 1870, he engaged in
the lumber business with H. W. and F. B. Plant,
as Mason & Plant, this firm continuing to oper-
ate a planing mill and lumber yard until 1880,
when the partnership was dissolved. In 1SS0 he
opened a wholesale and retail lumber yard on the
Michigan Central Railroad, shipping lumber from
the Michigan pine woods in large quantities; he
was the first lumberman in Joliet who shipped
exclusively b\- rail, which he found to be more
rapid and satisfactory than by canal. His health
becoming impaired by the pressure of business,
he deemed it advisable to sell out, which he did
in 1887, and afterward recuperated until his
strength was regained.

As a Republican Mr. Mason is interested in
politics. He served for one term each as alder-
man from the third ward and assistant supervisor.
He is a member of the township board of educa-
tion and one of the city school inspectors, being
chairman of the committee on buildings, which
work takes much of his time. He is vice presi-
dent of the State Bankers' Association and one of
its leading members. Socially he is connected
with the Union Club. In Masonry he is a mem-
ber of Matteson Lodge No. 175, A. F. & A. M. :
Joliet Chapter No. 27, R. A. M.: and Joliet Coru-
mandery No. 4, K. T. His marriage, which
took place in Joliet, united him with Anna E.,
daughter of W. P. Caton, who settled in Chicago'
during the '30s. They are the parents of three
children: Cornelia Louise, who graduated from
Houghton Seminary in Clinton, N. Y., and is now
the wife of John H. Garnsey, of Joliet; William
C, of Mankato, Minn., who is a civil engineer
with the Northwestern Railroad; and Elizabeth C.

OF
UNIVERSITY Of ILLINOIS

/ 9^^UcU c ^o

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

171

CAPT. EDWARD McALLISTER.

gAPT. EDWARD McALLISTER. As the
name indicates, the McAllister family is of
Scotch origin. The first to seek a home in
America were three brothers, one of whom settled
in New York, another in Philadelphia, and the
third in Pelham, Mass. The latter, Hon. Hamil-
ton McAllister, moved to Salem, N. Y., in 1760,
when all of Washington County was a wilderness
and the surrounding country was sparsely settled.
The nearest mill was at Albany, forty-five miles
distant, and thither his wife, Sarah, rode on
horseback with a sack of wheat, returning home
with the flour. He was the first representative
ever elected from Washington County to the state
legislature. In those days the members were
obliged to pay their own expenses, and it was his
custom to take with him to Albany enough but-
ter to pay his board. He was one of the first
sheriffs of Washington County. In political
views he was a Whig.

The youngest son of Hamilton McAllister was
William, who was born in Salem in a house that
had been built on the home place in 1785.
While engaged in lumbering he accidentally
split his foot with an axe, inflicting an injury so
serious that he was unable to serve in the war of
1812. However, two of his brothers represented
the family in the army. He assisted in clearing
the home place, which was covered with pine; the
stumps of these he pulled and with them built
a fence that remains to this day. Buying the
interest of the other heirs in the homestead, he
spent his remaining years thereon, meantime
taking great pains to place the land under culti-
vation. In politics he voted with the Democrats.
He was a strict supporter of Scotch Presby-

terian doctrines and for many years served as
trustee of his church. When General Burgoyue
passed through on his way to Bennington he used
the church building as a barracks and afterward
burned it; on two other occasions the church was
burned to the ground, but each time the McAl-
listers assisted liberally in rebuilding.

One of the brothers of William McAllister was
John, who in young manhood started for the
west. Going down the Ohio River in a flatboat,
he proceeded up the Mississippi and the Illinois
and in 18 19 settled in Jersey County.

The marriage of William McAllister united him
with Hannah Shoudler, whose father, Andrew,
was a descendant of an old Holland family of
New York, while her mother was of English
lineage. Five children were born to their mar-
riage who attained mature years, namely: Archi-
bald, deceased, who was for years a successful
farmer of this county, but whose last days were
spent in Chicago; William K., who was a judge
on the supreme bench of Illinois from 1870 to
1873, later was judge of the circuit court of Cook
County, and at the time of his death held office
as judge of the appellate court; Mrs. Catherine
Walker, who resides in Salem, N. Y.; Edward;
and Jesse, who engaged in the wool and com-
mission business in Chicago, but was killed in a
collision on the Panhandle Railroad.

In the house built by his grandfather in 1785,
the subject of this article was born December 24,
1828. His education was largely acquired in
Washington Academy at Salem, an institution
his grandfather had helped to build and support.
His favorite recreation in boyhood was hunting,
and he became an expert shot. When twenty-

172

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

four years of age he came to Illinois and bought
one hundred and sixty acres in Plainfield Town-
ship, Will County, where he now resides. It
was raw prairie land, without any buildings or
fences. Borrowing the money to make the first
payment, he began to improve the place. He
has put in eleven miles of tiling, so that every
foot of ground is tillable. At one time he was
heavily engaged in raising hogs, but owing to
the cholera scourge he dropped the business.
One of his specialties has been dairying. For
about ten years twenty-five hundred pounds of
butter were made on his place each year, for
which he was paid twenty-five cents a pound.
Prior to 1899 he not only managed the place, but
did much of the active work himself, but recent-
ly, owing to heart trouble, he has confined his
attention to superintending the work of others.
Since the organization of the part}- he has been
a Republican, and for years has been the head of
the party delegation in his township, but has
held no office except that of supervisor in 1885.

June 4, i860, Captain McAllister married Fan-
nie Beebe, by whom he had two sons and three
daughters. The oldest son died when six years
of age. Carrie is the wife of Edward R. Mc-
Clelland, of Plainfield Township; Ada married
Dr. Evans, of Spring Valley ; Jessie was a teacher
in this county and is the wife of Fred Foss,
youngest son of L. T. Foss, an old settler of
Plainfield Township; and Clyde assists his father
in the management of the farm.

At the opening of the Civil war Captain Mc-
Allister was among the first to offer his services
to the Union. In 1856 he had assisted in organ-
izing the militia here which was known as the
Plainfield Artillery, and he was the first man in
this part of the country to enlist in the Civil
war. April 19, 1S61, his name was enrolled for
service. He was elected captain of artillery and
commanded the best battery of artillery in the
Army of the Tennessee. His company enlisted
for three months. At the end of that time he or-
ganized a company for three years' service. He
proceeded first to Cairo. In September he was
sent to Fort Holt, Ky., which at that time was
the lowest Union fort on the river. In February,

1S62, he joined the Army of the Tennessee. His
was the first battery to enter Fort Henry, and
Captain McAllister was put in command of the
fort. From there he was ordered to Fort Don-
elson, where his was the first shot fired by the
Arm}" of the Tennessee Saturday morning, Feb-
ruary 15, 1862. Finding that the enemy were
preparing to break through the lines he opened
on them with one of his guns without orders,
thus waking all the troops around him, and
this, the first gun fired in the battle, was the noti-
fication to the entire army of the opening of that
memorable engagement. His own guns being
disabled, he was ordered to select what he wanted
from the forty-eight captured from the enemy.
As his ammunition did not fit them he objected
to their use, and finally secured an order to go to
General Sherman at Paducah and get a new out-
fit of brass guns. At the battle of Shiloh he had
this new and superior outfit. Having erected his
battery at the edge of a clearing across which he
fought and silenced Stanford's Mississippi bat-
tery, he afterward noticed a column of infantry,
the Fourth Tennessee, in columns of fours, ap-
proaching along a road. He sent three cannon
to the rear and placed the fourth in the road,
then opened on the enemy with canister, killing
thirty-one and wounding one hundred and sixty
men according to the Confederate reports of the
war. The execution of this one gun, served by
nine good men, was probably the most severe on
record in the War of the Rebellion. Captain
M:Allister helped to train the gun and only beat
a hasty retreat when the enemy was within thirty
paces. The nine brave men escaped by the
enemy firing at the support of the battery, con-
sisting of the Fourteenth Illinois, Twenty-fifth
Indiana and Thirteenth Iowa Infantries, which
lost one hundred men by the one volley fired by
the enemy. Captain McAllister was for years
ignorant of the real facts of the fight, until re-
vealed to him by old comrades and Confederate
soldiers. His gallant service in that engagement
was the means of defeating a crack battery that
had never before met with defeat. On the last
day of the battle, Byrne's battery and two guns of
the Washington artillery of New Orleans (the

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

173

crack battery of the Confederacy) , were or-
dered to dislodge a battery on an eminence that
had stopped the advance of the entire army.
Captain McAllister and James A. Borland, of
Joliet, were riding at the front, preparing to fire
at the battery, when a shot killed their horses and
General Sherman's horse, which was tied to a
sapling. They secured good locations behind a
rise in the ground, and carefully biding their time,
were able soon to silence and dislodge the battery.
Soon after the battle, owing to sickness, the cap-
tain resigned his commission and returned home.
In 1S94, during a meeting of an association
formed to make a national park out of the Shiloh
battle ground, Captain McAllister met on a boat
one of the members of the Fourth Tennessee In-
fantry, Thomas M.Page, of St. Louis, who told him
that his one gun killed and wounded one hundred
and ninety-one men in seven minutes, and he gave
the captain great credit for the defense he had
made. He stated that he was willing to erect a
$2,000 monument on the battle ground. Later
the government planned to build one at a cost of
$750. The government has also appropriated
$225,000 for the purpose of making a national
park of the battlefield, and Captain McAllister
was asked to select four pieces to mark such spots
as he desired. He has made four trips to Shiloh
to attend meetings of Federals and Confederates.
He is a member of the Loyal Legion, and Bartle-
son Post, G. A. R., of Joliet, also the Society of
the Army of the Tennessee. Fraternally he is
connected with Plainfield Lodge No. 536, A. F.
& A. M.

(31 J- PERKINS, M. D., the oldest resident
LA physician of Plainfield, is a native of New
/ 1 York, born in Mount Upton, Chenango
County, March 20, 1834. His father, Luke, who
was also of New York birth, followed the miller's
trade during the greater part of his life. When
advanced in years he retired from business and
came west, his last days being spent in the home
of his son in Plainfield. He voted for General

Jackson when the latter was elected to the presi-
dency, and always adhered to the Democratic
party. In religion he was a Methodist. He
married Sarah Preston and became the father of
a large family.

When only fifteen years of age our subject be-
gan the study of medicine. In the spring of
1865 he graduated irom the Eclectic Medical In-
stitute in Cincinnati, Ohio, and came at once to
Plainfield, where he opened an office. Having
practiced previously in Vermont, he had consid-
erable helpful experience, and from the first he
met with success, building up a valuable prac-
tice. Both in his practice and from a financial
standpoint he has been prospered. Of those
who represented the fraternity at the time of his
arrival in Plainfield he alone survives. Not-
withstanding his long professional career, he still
retains his keenness of judgment, quick insight
into the causes of diseases and skill in their
treatment. About a quarter of a century ago
he was made a Mason, and since then he has been
active in the fraternity, being now a member of
Plainfield Lodge No. 536, A. F. & A. M.

In i860 Dr. Perkins married Eliza, daughter
of Rufus W. Bangs, of North Bennington, Vt.
The only daughter born of their union was Julia
E., who died in childhood. Their son, Harry
A. Perkins, is engaged in business in Plainfield.

Dr. Perkins has been an important factor in the
upbuilding of Plainfield. To his energy and
public spirit the attractive appearance of the
town is in no small measure due. For many
years he has been a member of the school board,
and during that time he spent a year in securing
the erection of a substantial building which was
built, jointly, by two districts. At first the
heavy tax necessitated by the work caused dissat-
isfaction and criticism, but the good results being
apparent to all, he is given the credit due him for
the praiseworthy enterprise. The two large
brick store and office buildings on the north side
of Lockport street were erected by him. For his
own convenience in 1897 ne built a gas plant,
and this was so appreciated that he afterward en-
larged it in order to furnish light to the entire
block. The Republican party receives his sup-

174

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

port and its candidates his vote. For many years
he served as a member of the town board, being
president of the same during a large part of the
time. In this capacity he maintained a deep in-
terest in the improvement of the town and the
widening of its interests. His term on the board
expired in 1895, when, deeming his long period
of public service entitled him to a rest from such
duties, he refused a continuance in office, retiring
with an honorable record for diligent discharge of
duties and for the zeal displayed in behalf of local
interests.

HENRY STELLWAGEN. In spite of the
lapse of years since his death, Mr. Stell-
wagen is well remembered by the people of
Frankfort Township, among whom he had
always made his home. He was a young man
possessing many worthy traits of character, and
his sudden death, at the very outset of his career,
was deplored by all of his acquaintances. Reared
on a farm and familiar with agriculture from his
earliest recollections, he had drifted easily into
the occupation of a farmer, for which he seemed
to have a natural aptitude. Thorough-going and
progressive, had his life been spared he would
undoubtedly have attained a place among the
wealthiest farmers of the township, and prob-
ably, too, would have been prominent in local
affairs. As it was, he left his family in com-
fortable circumstances, his property including a
farm in Frankfort Township and another in
Greengarden Township.

On a farm owned by his father, Philip, who
was a pioneer of this county, Henry Stellwagen
was born November 15, 1S50. His boyhood

years were passed in the schoolroom and on the
farm. Posses'sing an industrious disposition, he
earlj' took a place among the rising young farm-
ers of the township. As a tiller of the soil he
was energetic and thrifty. In the rotation of
crops he showed excellent judgment. It was his
aim to secure from each acre of ground the larg-
est possible results. He had good ideas in re-
gard to fanning. Agricultural machinery was
introduced whenever possible or expedient.
While the management of his farm kept him
very bus}-, he nevertheless found leisure for
other interests. He was very fond of music, and
for some time was a member of a band. In
politics he was not especially interested, although
he discharged his duty as a citizen and cast his
ballot for Democratic men and measures calcu-
lated to advance the public good.

In 1S71 Mr. Stellwagen married Miss Mary
Bechstein. Five children were born of their
union. The oldest daughter, Christina, is the
wife of Reinhold Eichenberg, a commission mer-
chant in Chicago. Annie, at home, is a teacher;
Philip died at the age of two years and six
months; Mar)- is assistant postmistress, and
Henry, who attended the Athenaeum College,
clerks in a wholesale jewelry store in Chicago.
August 15, 1S82, Mr. Stellwagen was struck by
lightning and instantly killed. He was then
thirty-two years of age, a strong and active
young man, with every prospect of a successful
future. Since his death his widow has superin-
tended the management of the farm property
and the education of her children. She pos-
sesses decided business talent, and has superin-
tended her affairs in an intelligent manner; at the
same time she has held a high position in social
circles and has won many warm friends among
the people of the village.

OF I ^
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

177

DANIEL HAYDEN.

0ANIEL HAYDEN, a large farmer and ex-
tensive cattle dealer of Florence Township,
was born in Kennebec County, Me., August
13, 1839, a son °f J onn a »d Hannah (Kinsella)
Hayden. He was one of seven children, five of
whom are living, namely: Mar}', who is married,
and resides on a farm in Maine; Daniel, of this
sketch; Thomas and John, farmers of Florence
Township; and Hannah, also of this county.
The paternal grandfather, Daniel Hayden, a
native of Ireland, was one of the active partici-
pants in the rebellion of 1798. When advanced
in years, in 1845, he came to America, and a few
months later died at the home of his son John.
His wife bore the maiden name of Catherine
Donahue, and died in Ireland in early woman-
hood.

John Hayden was born in Ireland in 1S15, and
when twenty years of age sought a home in the
new world. He purchased land in Lincoln
County, Me., and for some years cultivated that
place. In 1851 he came west to Illinois and set-
tled in Joliet, where he bought teams, hired men,
and engaged in teaming to the quarries and rail-
roads. After five years in that business he re-
sumed farming, buying fifty-three acres on section
12, Florence Township. He was prosperous to
such an extent that he became the owner of one
thousand and two hundred acres, and was rated
among the wealthy men of the township. Polit-
ically he was a Democrat, and in religion a Ro-
man Catholic. His death occurred on his farm,
April 5, 1889. His wife, who was born in Ireland
and died in this county, February 28, 1890, was

a daughter of Patrick and Bridget (Burns) Kin-
sella. Her father died in Ireland, after which
her mother, with a sister, came to America about
1850, and afterward made her home with a sou
until she died. The Kinsella family at one time
was very wealthy, and owned valuable landed
interests, but, on account of not affiliating with
the Established Church, in the seventeenth cen-
tury their property was confiscated.

When the family came to Illinois our subject
was twelve years of age. He grew to manhood
in this county, and attended the country and city
schools. January 26, 1862, he went to Wheeling,
W. Va., where he secured employment on a gov-
ernment commissary boat. In this work he con-
tinued until the 4th of July, 1864. His first trip
was the conveying of a load of bran from St.
Louis to Wheeling, and on the return trip the
boat was pressed into the government service.
On his return to this county he resumed work on
the home farm. At the death of his father the
homestead of four hundred acres and two hundred
and forty acres one mile east fell to his mother,
sister and himself, and when the mother died her
portion fell to him and his sister. He is one of
the leading cattle-feeders in the township, and has
been especially successful in this line of work.
In religion he is connected with the Roman
Catholic Church at Twelve-Mile Grove. Politic-
ally he votes with the Democrats. He has never
married, but with his sister continues to live at
the old homestead to which he came in his youth,
and in the improvement of which he has been
interested ever since.

178

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

VyiVRON P. HOLMES. During the long
y period of his residence in Spencer, extend-
(•) ing from the spring of 1866 to the present
time, Mr. Holmes has been proprietor of a gen-
eral store in this village and has gained a wide
circle of acquaintances among the people in the
northern part of this county. He has erected a
store building and residence and in other ways
has added to the development of the village.
Various local offices have been filled by him,
among them those of road commissioner (three
years), collector (four years) and assessor (one
year). For years he has been a member of the
school board, serving much of the time as its
treasurer. He has been active in the Republican
party ever since he cast his first vote for John C.
Fremont, and keeps posted concerning the prob-
lems that are of national importance.

In an early day three brothers by the name of
Holmes came from England to Connecticut and
from there removed to New York state many
years before the Revolutionary war. In the lat-
ter conflict Orsamus Holmes, our subject's grand-
father, bore an active part as a member of the
army of the frontier, serving with Ethan Allen
at Ticonderoga and being twice taken prisoner.
After the war he settled upon a farm in Chau-
tauqua County. He was proprietor of a hotel on
the stage line from Buffalo to Dunkirk, which
was also a changing post for the stages and mails.
His son, Asher, was born in Chautauqua County,
N. Y., and in 1835 came to what is now Will
(then Cook) County, 111., where he took up a
claim on the southeast quarter of section 22, New
Lenox Township, and secured the land at the
first laud sale in Chicago, in 1836. In the spring
of 1837 he bought one hundred and sixty acres,
upon which he began general farm pursuits. On
this place he died in 1853, at the age of fifty-six.
A man of mental activity, he took an interest in
early political affairs as a Jeffersonian Democrat
and served as judge of elections. At the time he
settled in this count)- Joliet contained only nine
houses. He lived to see the transformation
wrought in the ensuing years, but died before the
city reached a high state of prosperity. Chicago
being the only market for grain, he was ac-

customed to make frequent trips to that city.
During the war of 18 12 he took part in the serv-
ice as a member of a regiment from Dunkirk
that took seventeen prisoners; at the time he was
only seventeen years of age.

The lady whom Asher Holmes married was
Eliza Ann Elmore, who was born in New York
and died at the old homestead in Will County
when seventy-five years of age. Of their union
six children were born, namely:. James, deceased;
Myron P.; Eliza A., deceased; Orsamus, of New
Lenox; Lydia, wife of Henry Glacier; and Julius,
of Chicago. The subject of this sketch was born
in Chautauqua County, N. Y. , June 8, 1830. He
was about four years of age when his parents
came to Illinois, and he grew to manhood in the
county where he has since resided. His educa-
tion was received principally in Albion (Mich.)
College. In 1850 he joined a party of Argonauts
en route to California, and, reaching the Pacific
coast, spent five years engaged in mining, with
fair success. On his return to Illinois he spent
two years with his mother, then again went to
California, where he operated mines and carried
on a lumber business. In 1864 he returned to
this count)' and two years later opened the store
of which he has since been the proprietor. He
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church
of Mokena, in which he has been a trustee for
years. By his marriage, in 1864, to Lydia Fager,
who was born in Ohio and came to Illinois at an
early age, he has four children, namely: Ada,
wife of E. E. Swing; Mary, who married L. F.
Wilson; Myron H., who is in Michigan; and
Edith, at home.

IJJORMAN S. HAMLIN. Although begin-
I / ning his life in this county with very little
I fo money, Mr. Hamlin has long been known
as one of the substantial and prosperous farmers
and citizens of his locality. His life has been
characterized by industry and frugality, and in-
dividualized by sagacious management and strict
integrity. Farming has been his life work and

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

179

in it he has met with signal success; however,
years ago he retired from active cares incident to
the tilling of the soil and gathering in of the
crops, but he still superintends his various in-
terests, being of too energetic a nature to content
himself in idleness.

In Feuner Township, Madison Count)', N. Y.,
Mr. Hamlin was born May 27, 1824. His father,
Solomon, a native of Dutchess County, N. Y.,
removed to Madison Count} - , the same state, with
his parents, where he grew to manhood and
where he died at the age of forty -four. He was
a member of the Baptist Church and a stanch
Abolitionist in principle. His father, Louis
Hamblin (for in that way the name was spelled
originally), was born in Connecticut and settled
on a farm in New York in early manhood; he
was eighty-seven at the time of his death. The
family is of English extraction and was repre-
sented in New England at an early period.

The mother of our subject was Lucinda (Stan-
nardj Hamlin, a native of Bennington, Vt. , but
a resident of Madison County, N. Y., from child-
hood until some years after her marriage. Her
last days were spent in this county in the home
of her son, Norman S. , where her death occurred
at eighty 3'ears of age. As her husband, she
held membership in the Baptist Church. Of her
four sons and one daughter only two sons are
living, Norman S., and Reuben S., of Canada.
The subject of this sketch was educated in coun-
try schools. After the death of his father, which
occurred when he was a youth of sixteen, he was
taken into the home of an uncle, with whom he
remained for five years. Later he secured work
by the month. In the spring of 185 1 he came to
this county and bought one hundred and eighty-
four acres of raw prairie land in Lockport Town-
ship, for which he paid $5.50 per acre. Putting
up a small house he established his home there.
By diligent effort he made the necessary improve-
ments and placed the soil under cultivation.

In those early days the country was destitute
of improvements. While for a number of years
settlers had been coming to the county, they had
settled here in numbers too small to effect any
radical transformation in the appearance of the

prairie, on which one might still ride long dis-
tances without fences to impede his progress.
The land was not yet under first-class cultivation,
towns were small, and the work of progress
seemed scarcely begun. Mr. Hamlin bore his
share in the development and upbuilding of the
county, and as a result of his labors he became
known as one of the best farmers in the county.
For twenty years it was his custom to buy raw
land, improve it and then sell at an advance, and
at the same time he bought and sold stock. In
the spring of 1870 he sold his farm land and
bought a home in Plainfield, where he has since
resided.

The marriage of Mr. Hamlin, in 1849, united
him with Miss Parnel Keeler, who was born in
Madison County, N. Y., December 21, 1822, and
died in this county January 30, 1897. The only
child born of their marriage is also deceased.

In the matter of good roads Mr. Hamlin has
always been interested. Years ago, when the
question was agitated, he advocated the buying
of gravel pits and the putting of gravel on the
roads, a plan that proved successful. For twenty
years he served as road commissioner and his
work while filling the office was of permanent
value, its benefits being reaped at the present
time. In politics he is independent, voting for
the best men of either party. He is connected
with Plainfield Lodge No. 536, A. F. & A. M.

'HOMAS BURKE. The duration of Mr.
Burke's residence in Joliet covered a period
from his earliest recollection to the time of
his death. He was a man whose friends were
many and whose influence was great, not alone
among people of his own religious and political
views, but among all citizens who held in respect
a man of undoubted integrity and honor. Twice
he was elected alderman from the fifth ward and
he was recognized, during the period of his serv-
ice, as one of the prominent and progressive

i So

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

members of the board. While in national poli-
tics he voted with the Democrats, he was inclined
to be independent in local matters, voting for the
man rather than the party.

The father of our subject, Richard Burke, came
from County Tyrone, Ireland, to America and
settled in Lowell, Mass., from which city he
moved to Joliet, 111., in 1839, becoming a foreman
in Governor Mattesou's woolen factory. He was
one of the founders of St. Patrick's Roman
Catholic Church and when he died, October 9,
1858, the last rites over his body were said in
that church, and his body was laid to rest in the
cemetery adjoining. His wife, who bore the
maiden name of Bridget Ryan, died in Joliet in
1854. Their son, Thomas, was born in Lowell,
Mass., May 11, 1838, and grew to manhood at
the family homestead, No. 150 Comstock street,
Joliet, where his widow now lives. He grad-
uated from the old Broadway- school and afterward
became interested in the transfer business, which
he carried on for many years. He then bought a
livery business at No. 11 1 South Bluff street,
where he built a stone barn, 54x100 feet, that is
still the finest building of the kind in the city.
From that time he was actively interested in the
management of his business, which grew steadily
and brought him large returns. While still in
the full possession of his faculties, he died, Sep-
tember 12, 1898. His funeral, held at St. Pat-
rick's, was one of the largest ever held in Joliet,

and his body was laid to rest in the parochial
cemetery.

The church from which his body was carried to
its final resting place was also the scene of his
marriage more than forty years before. July 11,
1856, he was united with Miss Mary Hennessey,
who was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, a
daughter of John and Bridget (Collier) Hennes-
sey, natives of the same county. Her father, who
was a well-to-do farmer, came to America to join
his children and died at Camp Grove, Peoria
County, 111., at seventy years of age; his wife,
who was a daughter of Edward Collier, also died
in Peoria County. They were the parents often
children, all of whom came to America and six
are living. Mrs. Burke was a small child when
in 1852 she crossed the ocean in a sailing vessel
that consumed forty-two days in the voyage to
New York, from which city she went to Albany,
and thence came west. In religious faith she is
a- Roman Catholic, belonging to St. Patrick's
Church. Of her marriage eleven children were
born, namely: Mrs. Agnes Jacobs, of Joliet,
John, who is foreman for the Wylie Coal Com-
pany; Mrs. Nellie Sullivan; Bernard E., whose
sketch is presented in this work; Mrs. Katherine
Wallace: Thomas; William, who is employed by
A. Dinet; Annie, who is clerk in a dry-goods
store in this city; Sadie, principal of the Pleasant
street school; Hattie, at home; and Alice, who is
with her brother, B. E., in the grocery.

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

^VU^^/

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

183

JAMES H. FERRISS.

3 AMES H. FERRISS, Joliet, president of
the News Company, was born in Oswego
Township, Kendall County, 111., November
iS, 1849, a son of William H. and Eliza (Brown)
Ferriss, natives respectively of Clinton County,
N. V., and Erie County, Pa. His ancestors on
the father's side were Welsh Quakers. Zebulon
Ferriss, the head of the family, settled in
Providence, R. I., in 1630. The boyhood of
James H. Ferriss was passed in the village of
Bristol Station, Kendall County, where he early
became familiar with the business of a cattle
drover. From 1869 to 1872 he lived upon a farm
in Kansas. With one of his present partners,
Frank H. Hall, he leased the Yorkville (111.)
News during the campaign of 1876 and through
the columns of the paper supported Peter Cooper
for the presidency. Two years before this he
had gained a knowledge of reportorial work
through his connection with the Joliet Daily Sun,
Hayward & Radcliff, proprietors.

In January, 1877, Mr. Ferriss, Mr. Hall and
others established the Phoenix, an independent
weekly paper, at Joliet and other business centers
of Will County. In October of the same year,
with R. W. Nelson, now of New York, and
H. E. Baldwin, one of his present partners, Mr.
Ferriss purchased the Morning News, the name
of which was afterward changed to the Joliet
Daily News. From that time to the present he
has continued with the paper, excepting two
years (1881-82), when he edited the Morning
News, in Portland, Me. He was married at
Falls Village, Conn., June 30, 1880, to Miss
Olive E. Hunt, a former resident of Bristol
Station.

HORACE E. BALDWIN, Joliet, secretary
and treasurer of the News Company, was
born in Lacon, Marshall County, 111., Sep-
tember 25, 1853. His parents, John G. and
Adeline S. Baldwin, moved to La Salle County
in 1854 and remained there until 1870. He was
educated in the public schools of Ottawa, but
moved from that city two years before his high
school course was completed. Five years were
spent in Kansas. During the first half of that
time he engaged in farming in Woodson County,
and during the last half he made his home in
LaCygne, Linn Count}-, where he learned the
printer's trade under the firm of Kenea & Gore,
proprietors of the Journal ' .

In 1875 the grasshopper siege caused Mr.
Baldwin to return to Illinois. He finished his
apprenticeship in a job office in the old Times
building in Chicago, and in the following year
went to Kansas City, where he attended the
high school. February 4, 1877, Frank H. Hall,
present business manager of the News and one
of the partners in the News Company, induced
him to come to Joliet to work in the Phoenix of-
fice. In July of the same year he was given a
position on the Morning Neivs, and September 30
became associated with R. W. Nelson, now of
New York, and James H. Ferriss, one of his
present partners, in publishing that paper, which
in 1880 was changed to an evening publication.
He has been connected with the paper from the
day it started, April 9, 1877, to the present time,
excepting about nine months spent in a grain
office, in 1884.

Mr. Baldwin was married January 12, 1884,
to Miss Lillian M. Truby, of Bird's Bridge, III.,

lS 4

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

a daughter of the late Marshall Truby. Five
children were born of their union: Adda M.,
Marshall T. , H. Robert, Henry D. and Phil.

("RANK H. HALL, business manager of the
r^ News and member of the News Company
| of Joliet, was born in Dupage County, 111.,
November 14, 1857. His parents were among
the pioneers, having settled in Dupage and Ken-
dall Counties, 111., early in the '30s. He ob-
tained his education primarily in the "little red
schoolhouse," after which he studied in Jen-
nings' Seminar}' at Aurora. Leaving school
when fifteen years of age he began to learn the
printer's trade. Four years later, with one of
his present partners, J. H. Ferriss, he published
the YorkvilleA'hv'rin Yorkville, 111. In 1877 he
came to Joliet. Until 18S2 he engaged in news-
paper work here, after which for ten years he
was manager for the American Press Associa-
tion in Cincinnati and Chicago, and also held re-
sponsible positions with the Chicago Newspaper
Union, American Type Founders' Company and
Thorne Type Setting Machine Company. Few
men have a larger personal acquaintance with
the newspaper business throughout the United
States than he, as he has traveled extensively
through most of the states. In 1897 he returned
to Joliet, where he has an attractive and comforta-
ble residence on Sherman street. While he belongs
to a few fraternal organizations and press associa-
tions, he has never been especially interested in
lodge work nor is he much of a club man. He
was married in 1880 to Belle G. Moulton, of
Joliet, and they have a son, Harry H., nineteen
years old, and a daughter, Elsie Katherine,
twelve years of age.

pGJlLLIAM J. BRUCE, proprietor of the
\ A / James Bruce quarries at Joliet and a mem-
V Y ber of the Bruce Stone Company at Romeo,
is a native of this count}', born at Lockport, De-
cember 6, 1857. His father, James, who was

born at Aberdeen, Scotland, October 11, 1823,
came to America shortly before attaining his
majority, crossing the ocean in the sailing vessel
"St. Lawrence," in 1844. After a voyage of
seven weeks, via Montreal and the lakes, he ar-
rived in Chicago, from which point he proceeded
to Lockport. The trip had been an expensive
one, taking all of his money, so that when he
reached this county he had only one British
shilling left. He was fortunate in at once secur-
ing work. Hiram Norton employed him as a
millwright in the construction of the Norton mills.
Later he acted as purchasing agent for George
Barnett and made regular trips to Chicago, re-
turning with supplies. He also acted as superin-
tendent for Mr. Barnett. In time he became
himself a contractor and employer of men. He
built the Illinois Central bridge at Lasalle and
continued contracting and building until his wife
died, in the fall of 1865. He then took up quar-
rying, changing his occupation in order that he
might be at home to care for his children. In
company with others, he bought the old prison
quarries, but gradually he bought the interest of
his partners until he finally became the sole
owner. The remainder of his life was devoted to
the quarry business, and for many years he was
the largest shipper of stone from the county. His
success in the business induced others to enter it,
and thus he proved a great help in developing
one of the most important industries of this
locality. A Republican in politics, he was, how-
ever, not active in public affairs and never cared
to hold offices. While he was not connected
with any denomination he attended and con-
tributed to the maintenance of the Congregational
Church. His home was a substantial residence,
built by himself, on the road between Joliet and
Lockport. Few residents of the county have
been more respected than he, and none have stood
higher among their associates and friends. His
worth was recognized by all. His character was
above reproach. After a very active life he
passed from earth December 13, 1898, at the
age of seventy-five years, two months and two
days. He had been twice married. His first
wife was Jane, daughter of George Stephen, who

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

185

came to this county at the same time with James
Bruce. Five children were born of this union,
viz.: Georgiana, deceased; Belle, wife of George
P. Stephen, of Lake County, 111.; William J.;
Margaret, wife of J. A. Jamieson, of Marseilles;
and Jennie, deceased. By his second wife, Jane
Stephen, who was a cousin of his first wife, Mr.
Bruce had four sons, namely: Ebenezer S. , de-
ceased; James, who is engaged in the grain busi-
ness at Marseilles; Harry W., deceased; and
Robert.

The paternal grandfather of our subject came
to America when in middle life and settled in
Will County, where he followed the millwright's
trade. He had four sons, James, Samuel, Alex-
ander and George. He was a man of great
activity and energy. His death was sudden, re-
sulting from cholera. He worked until dark one
evening and was buried before daylight the next
morning.

While he had very few educational advantages
our subject, William J. Bruce, has become a well-
informed man, having availed himself of every
opportunity to increase his fund of knowledge.
When sixteen years of age he began to work in
quarries and this business he has since followed.
His knowledge of the occupation has therefore
been acquired by practical experience. For some
years he was in partnership with his father, until
the latter's death. The only serious accident
with which he has met was caused by the ex-
plosion of a keg of powder, which blew him
through the side of the house; in the midst of the
danger he did not lose his presence of mind, but
saved his life by throwing himself in the water at
the bottom of the quarry, thus putting out the
fire. While he escaped unhurt, his hearing was
injured by the accident. As a business man he
is quick and active. From his quarry at Romeo
he has taken as much as twenty thousand tons a
month, the most of which has been shipped to
Joliet and South Chicago.

In national politics Mr. Bruce is a Republican,
but in local matters is independent, voting for the
man rather than the party. He is connected with
the blue lodge of Masonry at Lock port. Decem-
ber 23, 1885, he married Jennie, daughter of

William Cameron, of Lockport; she was born in
Canada, but has spent her life principally in this
county. Her father and her husband's father
were born within four miles of each other in Scot-
land. Of the seven children born to her marriage
three are deceased, and the four living are Cam-
eron, Harry, James and Jane. The family oc-
cupy a comfortable residence, built in 1896 by
Mr. Bruce, and standing on the road between
Joliet and Lockport, next to the old Bruce home-
stead, where he was born.

PQlLLIAM RUHE, treasurer of the Crete
\ A / Farmers' Township Mutual Fire Insurance
VV Company, was born in Rumbeck, at
Schaumburg, Germany, November 30, 1839. His
father, Frederick, a native of the same town
as himself, engaged in contracting and build-
ing there. When he was forty-five years of
age he decided to come to America, and pur-
chased tickets for himself and wife and their
five children, but before the day of starting
arrived he was taken sick; after an illness
of two weeks he passed away. Immediately
after his burial the family proceeded on their
journey, shipping from Baden and lauding in
New York after a voyage of forty-two days.
Thence they journeyed to Chicago, but a month
later left that city and came to Will County,
settling six miles south of Crete. This was in
1855, and William was then a boy of almost six-
teen. For a year he worked on a farm, after
which he followed the carpenter's trade. Being
the eldest of the children, the responsibility
of caring for the family fell upon him after
his father's death This trust he nobly dis-
charged, caring for the others until they were
old enough to become self-supporting. In 1861 he
bought a farm in Washington Township, this
county, but three years later he sold the place
and, after spending two months in Chicago, set-
tled in Crete, where he has since resided. He
has engaged in contracting and building contin-

1 86

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

uously, with the exception of five years when he
was manager of the Crete Manufacturing Com-
pany, manufacturers of sash, doors and blinds.
His mother, who bore the maiden name of Louisa
Mathias, made her home in this county until her
death at seventy-two years of age. Of her chil-
dren, the second-born died at thirteen years;
Louis is living in Crete; Dora married Herman
Grote, and lives in Minnesota; and Mary is the
wife of Henry Homeyer, of Iroquois County, 111.

July 6, 1865, our subject married Sophia Rol-
ler, who was born near the same town as him-
self. She came to America when eighteen years
old and has made her home in Crete since her
marriage, having first come to this village in
i860. Seven children comprise their family,
viz.: Sophia, wife of John Lucke, of Crete;
William, a carpenter and builder; Emma, wife
of August Hartmann; Amelia, at home; Bertha,
who married Albert Frye, of Watseka, 111.;
Henry, a clerk; and Augusta, at home. The
family are connected with the Lutheran Church.

In political views Mr. Ruhe is independent.
In 1879 he served as township collector. For
eight years he was village trustee, and for four
years served as president of the village. The
Crete Farmers' Township Mutual Insurance
Company, of which he is treasurer, was organ-
ized in 1 86 1, and reorganized twenty years later.
It has since grown to be one of the most impor-
tant enterprises of the locality, a result that is
largely due to the energy of its officers. At this
writing Christ Scheiwe is president and Her-
man Schweppe secretary. There are over twelve
hundred policies, representing nearly two mil-
lion dollars, in force in six townships. Of all
the mutual companies in the entire state, this
company has the finest record. Its success has
indeed been remarkable. June 7, 1884, Mr.
Ruhe was appointed agent for the company, his
territory being Will, Monee, Washington and
Crete Townships. In 1897 Crete and Monee
Townships were given to his son-in-law, John
Lucke, and Will and Washington to H. F.
Wilke. In January, 1898, he was elected a
director of the company and its treasurer, which
positions he has since filled, giving a bond of

$56,000 in his official capacity. His attention is
closely given to the details of the company's
business. As treasurer, he is accurate in the
keeping of accounts, and his books are models of
neatness and accuracy.

EHARLES A. LARSON. At the time that
Mr. Larson settled in Joliet, in the spring
of 1 88 1, there were only five men of his
own nationality in the city, the large number of
Swedes now represented in the population hav-
ing settled here since that year. His early ex-
perience in his new home proved far less fortu-
nate than his imagination had anticipated. He
worked for a few weeks in the Davidson stone
quarries, and later was with the Joliet Stone
Company, until January 18, 1882, when a prema-
ture explosion of dynamite injured him so seri-
ously that for a time his life was despaired of,
and it was not until five months later that he was
able to leave his room. Being unable to engage
again in quarrying, it was necessary for him to
seek another occupation, and, in order to fit him-
self for business, he studied book-keeping for a
few months, at the same time acquiring a better
knowledge of the English language. In the
summer of 1882 he entered the store of Brooks
& Strong, with whom, and with their successors,
Strong, Bush & Handwerk, he has since contin-
ued, being now their head clerk. He is also a
director in the People's Loan and Homestead As-
sociation. In the spring of 1S99 he received the
Republican nomination for township collector
and was elected by a majority of two hundred
and seventy-four, taking the oath of office in
April for a term of one year.

Near Boros, Elfsborslaeu, Westrejutland, Swe-
den, Mr. Larson was born July 14, 1S62, a son
of Lars and Anna (Anderson) Johnson. His
father was a member of an old family that owned
the estate " Skattegarden," which property was
later divided, he receiving the part known as
" Aatolsgaardeu." In 1SS3 he came to Joliet,

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

187

where he is now living, retired from active
labors. His wife, who is also living, was a
daughter of Andreas Anderson, a farmer and
owner of "Stureryd." Both Mr. and Mrs.
Johnson are members of the Lutheran Church.
They were the parents of seven children, of
whom the following survive: Jolian A., who
is engaged in the insurance business in Joliet;
Charles A.; Johannes, in Colorado; Alfred, of
Peoria, 111. ; and Mrs. Minnie Sophia Eifler, of
Englewood, 111.

The first of the family to settle in America was
the subject of this sketch, who, in July, 1880,
left Gottenburg for Hull and Liverpool, and
thence crossed the ocean on the steamer " Etru-
ria," landing in New York after a voyage of
twelve days. On the 2d of August he arrived in
Chicago, where a farmer hired him to work on a
farm near Peotone, and he continued there for
seven months, then came to Joliet. He is one of
the best known Swedes in the city, and among
those of his own race wields a large influence.
A stanch Republican in politics, he has served as
a member of the congressional committee for
eight years, and has also worked on the county
committee. He is a member of the Swedish Re-
publican Club. He holds the office of vice-presi-
dent for Will County of the Swedish-American
Republican State League, and is also secretary
of the Swedish-American Republican Club of
Joliet. Since 1891 he has been collector for the
Fraternal Alliance. He is identified with the
North Star Association of Joliet and the North
Star Mutual Life Insurance Company of Illinois.
When he first came to Joliet there were so few
Swedes that it was of course deemed unnecessary
and impracticable to hold special religious serv-
ices of their own. However, he prevailed upon
three others to join with him in paying a preacher
to come from Rock Island once a month. From
that small beginning sprang the Swedish Luth-
eran Church of which he is treasurer and a mem-
ber of the board of trustees. In the building of
a house of worship he took a warm interest, as
he has in all measures for the benefit of the
church.

October 3, 1888, in Joliet, Mr. Larson married

Miss Wilhelmina Sophia Jonson, who was born
in Oskarshamn, Smoland, Sweden, a daughter of
Olaf and Maria Sophia Jonson. Her father, a
native of the laen of Kalmar, was left an orphan
at five years of age, and when still quite young
was obliged to be self-supporting. He became a
marine engineer and followed his trade in differ-
ent parts of Europe, but is now living retired, in
Oskarshamn. By his first marriage he had two
children, one of whom is living, Mrs. Nils Erik-
son, of Joliet. His second marriage united him
with a daughter of Johan Johnson, an inn keeper,
and by her he had one child, Mrs. Larson, who
has made her home in Joliet since 1886. Mr.
and Mrs. Larson have two sons, Harry Emelius
Levi and Ernst Oliver Milton.

gERNARD E. BURKE. In the list of en-
terprising business men of Joliet, mention
belongs to Mr. Burke, who since 1895 has
been engaged in the grocery business at No. 314
West Marion street. During that year he bought
his present site and opened a small grocery, after-
ward building up a good trade among the people
of the locality, whose confidence he won by his
honesty and reliability in business transactions.
In 1898 he erected a three-story brick building,
27x60 feet in dimensions, two floors of which are
occupied by his stock of groceries, produce and
meats.

At No. i5oComstock street, Joliet, in the ward
where he now resides, Mr. Burke was born June
30, 1863, a son of Thomas and Mary (Hennessey)
Burke, pioneers of this city. He was educated
in the local schools. When seventeen years of
age he embarked in the transfer business for him-
self, and continued until 1895, having his head-
quarters at Burke's barn, and running two teams.
In 1895 he sold the business in order to turn his
attention to the grocery trade. He is an energetic
and capable business man, and shows excellent
judgment in his enterprises.

All movements for the benefit of the city receive

iS8

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

his co-operation, and, as far as possible, his assist-
ance. He is a leader in the local ranks of the
Democratic part}-, and has served as a member of
the township and city central committee. As the
Democratic nominee in 1896 he was elected alder-
man from the Fifth ward by the largest majority
ever given any candidate in this ward, and two
years later he was re-elected to the office. At this
writing he is chairman of the committee on
schools and license and as a member of the ordi-
nance and west side streets committees. Frater-
nally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen
of America. He was married in Joliet to Mary,
daughter of Joseph Kavanaugh, and a native of
Troy Township, this county. They are the par-
ents of two daughters, Mary B. and Helen L.

APT. WILLIAM DOUGALL, M. D. While

Dr. Dougall has been successfully engaged

\J in the practice of medicine in Joliet since
1872 he is perhaps best known to the outside
world as the president of the Illinois Pure Alumi-
num Company, of Lemont, a comparatively recent
but very flourishing organization. The company
owns a plant in Lemont that is rapidly becoming
celebrated and is the largest of its kind in the
world. Started in 1892, two years later it came
into the charge of its present president, under
whose wise oversight the output has been greatly
increased. The products include everything in
aluminum, from a hairpin to cooking utensils as
large as three hundred gallon kettles. Shipments
are made to different parts of the United States
and to other countries.

Dr. Dougall is a graduate of Chicago Medical
School (now the Northwestern University medi-
cal department), from which he received the de-
gree of M. D., March 4, 1868. Afterward he
practiced at Lemont, Cook County, for four years,
and acted as chief surgeon of the Illinois and
Michigan canal when it was deepened. Since
1872 he has made his home in Joliet, where, un-
der President Harrison, he held the position of

pension surgeon. At one time he was president
and later secretary of the Will County Medical
Society, and he is also connected with the Illinois
State and American Medical Associations. In
1879 he was appointed postmaster of Joliet by
President Hayesand filled the position during the
administrations of Garfield and Arthur, retiring
in 1883. In 1875 he was elected chairman of the
count} - Republican central committee and con-
tinued in that capacity until 1879.

In Paisley, Scotland, March 1, 1S42, William
Dougall was born to John and Margaret (Hous-
toun) Dougall. The family descended from the
McDougalls, who were represented in the battle
of Baunockburn; they were not friendly to the
historical Robert Bruce, because one of their
family, Red Comyn, had been assassinated by
him. John Dougall was born December 10,
1799, and became a cotton spinner near Paisley.
In 1858 he brought his family to America and
settled near New Haven, Ind., where he died De-
cember 28, 1S74. His wife was born in Hous-
toun, Renfrewshire, January 1, 1S01, and de-
scended from Sir Patrick Houstoun, a Huguenot,
who settled in Scotland about 1585 and became
owner of Houstoun castle. Her father, John
Houstoun, was a farmer there. Of her twelve
children five are living, viz.: Mrs. John Hadden,
Allan H., William, Mrs. M. F. Williamson and
Mrs. J. F. Beuiet. One of her daughters,
Isabelle F., Mrs. Williamson, spent thirty years
in the mission field of China, and died there in
August, 1886.

June 14, 1861, the subject of this sketch was
one of the first who enlisted in a three years'
regiment, the Fifteenth Indiana Infantry, and
was appointed corporal. He took part in the
battles of Rich Mountain, Elk Water, Green-
brier (Va.)i Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Perry -
ville, Stone River (where he was wounded
by a canister shot), Tallahoma and Chattanooga.
October 1, 1863, he was commissioned a captain
in the Thirteenth United States Colored Infantry,
in which capacity he continued until the close of
the war. At the charge of Overton, where the
colored troops fought nobly, he lost seventeen
out of the forty-three men in his company and

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

189

also had thirteen wounded. In that charge he
was the only man who put his foot on the rebel
works, and when the line was formed again he
was once more at the front and captured a num-
ber of prisoners. His being the color company
suffered more than the others. At the close
of the war he refused a commission in the regular
army and resigned as an officer. Returning to
his home he took up the study of medicine, which
he has since followed. October 1, 1872, he mar-
ried Miss Cassie Walker, of Lemont, by whom
he has two children, Mary C. and William Hous-
toun.

At Maysville, Ind., August 18, 1865, Dr.
Dougall was made a Mason. Afterward he was
senior warden of Mt. Joliet Lodge No. 42, of
Joliet. He has also been an officer in Joliet
Chapter, R. A. M., and Joliet Council No. 82.
In 1872 he was made sir knight in Joliet Com-
mandery No. 4, K. T. ; in 1880-81 served as
eminent commander, and in 1882 was prelate.
He has been post commander of Bartleson Post
No. 6, G. A. R., and an active member of the
Illinois Commandery of the Loyal Legion.
Among the business enterprises with which he
has been identified is the Lake street elevated
railroad in Chicago. Local movements receive
his co-operation, and he is justly numbered
among the leading professional and business men
of his home city.

PJ)ILS PETER LINDSTRUM has followed the
P / merchant tailor's trade since he was nine
I ID years of age, gaining his rudimentary knowl-
edge of the business under the instruction of his
father, Swen Peter Johanson, a merchant tailor,
who died in Smaland, Sweden, at seventy-five
years of age. The latter had three sons (all in
America) and one daughter by his first marriage,
and by his second wife, Christine Miiller, had
only one child, Nils Peter, who was born in
Bjelbo, Christdaliasaken, Smaland, Sweden, Sep-
tember 23, 1850. The family being poor it was
impossible for him to attend school regularly; in

fact, his entire attendance at the common school
was limited to eleven weeks. However, being
ambitious to learn, he often devoted his evenings
to study and in that way gained a practical fund
of information that has proved very helpful to
him. As soon as he was old enough to be of
assistance he was taken into his father's shop,
where he served an apprenticeship to the tailor's
trade.

April 21, 1869, Mr. Lindstrum sailed from the
old country for America, and after a voyage of
fourteen days he landed in Quebec, May 21.
Thence he proceeded to Chicago and from there
went to Galesburg, 111., where he worked at his
trade for more than two years. On his return to
Chicago he secured employment in a tailor's
shop. In July, 1883, he came to Joliet, where,
in October, 1SS6, he opened a merchant tailor
shop at No. 913 South Joliet street. During the
forty years that he has worked at his trade he
has accpiired a thorough knowledge of all of its
details and is a reliable, efficient and skilled work-
man, whose reputation for honest}- and skill has
secured him the patronage of first-class custom-
ers. Being economical he has saved a fair pro-
portion of his earnings, and is therefore in com-
fortable circumstances.

The Swedisli Republican Club and the Swedish
Lutheran Church number Mr. Lindstrum among
their members. He is loyal in his devotion to
the government and true to his adopted country.
One of his half-brothers, S. J. Lindstrum, now
of Monmouth, 111., came to the United States in
1861 and enlisted in an Illinois regiment, where
he served until his term expired.

The first wife of Mr. Lindstrum was Mathilda
Nelson, who was born in Sweden and died in
Chicago. His second marriage took place in
Chicago October 20, 1881, and united him with
Miss Matilda Peterson, who was born at "Foug-
huld,'-' Jankopinglaen, Smaland, Sweden. Her
father, Peter, who in youth served in the Swedish
army, afterward cultivated the farm, ' 'Foughuld,"
until he came to America. Her mother, Sarah,
daughter of Andres Anderson, a farmer, came to
the United States and died in Chicago. All of her
eight children also came to this country , and all but

i go

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

one are still living, six of them being in Chicago.
Mrs. Lindstrutn was third in order of birth and
was reared in her native land, whence she accom-
panied the family to America in 1879, and two
years later she was married in Chicago. Mr. and
Mrs. Lindstrum have many friends among the
people of their nationality in Joliet, where they
are known and honored for their integrity of
character and kindness of heart. They are the
parents of two daughters, Matilda C. and Anna
W. Lindstrum.

EEORGE C. RAYNOR, M. D. With an ex-
perience as a physician extending over the
latter half of the nineteenth century, coupled
with a broad study of the medical science and
remedial agencies, Dr. Raynor readily occupies a
position among the leading physicians of Joliet,
where he has engaged in practice since March,
1870. It has been his privilege to live in the
greatest age of improvement and progress in the
world's history. He has seen and kept in touch
with the developments in the various fields of
science, and particularly those made in his own
profession, which has emerged from the realm of
charlatanism into its present standing as the most
humanitarian of all occupations. Interested in
every phase of the healing art, he has been a
thoughtful reader of medical literature and a
student of the profession through all these years.
His standing among the members of the pro-
fession here was shown by his repeated election
as president of the Will County Medical Society,
which organization has enjoyed the benefit of his
co-operation. In addition to his private practice
he was for twelve years surgeon to the Chicago &
Alton Railroad Company in this city.

Dr. Raynor was born in Fairfield, Herkimer

County, N. Y., in 1826, a son of David and
Melinda (Mather) Raynor. His grandfather,
Stephen Raynor, a native of Long Island, settled
upon a farm in Herkimer Count}-, and upon that
homestead David Raynor was born and reared.
The latter, with the exception of the time spent
in the war of 1812, devoted his entire active life
to farm pursuits, remaining in his native county
until he died at seventy-two years. A man of
strict religious life, he was an active worker in
the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife was
born near Utica, Oneida County, N. Y., a mem-
ber of an old Connecticut family that claimed
Puritan descent. Of their ten children all but
one attained mature 3'ears and four are living.
The doctor, who was fifth in order of birth, was
reared on the homestead and attended district
schools and the Fairfield Academy. In 1S49 he
entered the University of the City of New York,
from which he graduated in 1852, with the degree
of M. D. Opening an office in St. Johnsville,
Montgomery County, N. Y., he built up a large
practice and remained there until he removed to
Illinois. For nine years he served as coroner of
Montgomery County, N. Y.

For two years Dr. Raynor was master of Mat-
teson Lodge A. F. & A. M., in Joliet. He is
also connected with Joliet Commander} - No. 4,
K. T. For many years he has been a member of
the vestry of Christ Episcopal Church, in which
he has officiated as treasurer of the board. He is
an Abraham Lincoln Republican, but, after hav-
ing voted with the party for years, when in 1896 a
gold plank was put in the platform, he felt he
could not longer remain with it, for his sym-
pathies have been with the free silver movement,
and hence he supports the men and measures
pledged to promote the latter cause. In Mas-
sachusetts he married Miss Helen Cole, who was
born in Berkshire County, that state, and died in
Joliet in 1889. The only child of their union is
Lansing James Raynor, a business man of Joliet.

uhive ' ,alN01s

<jh»+i % ' js/^^MI

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

193

AMOS H. SCOFIELD.

Gl MOS H. SCOFIELD. Of the citizens whose
Ll presence in the county proved helpful to its
/ I interests none is more worthy of mention
than the late Amos H. Scofield, of Plainfield.
He was a man of excellent business capacity and
one whose dealings were always marked by in-
tegrity. During the more than thirty-seven
years of his residence in Plainfield he witnessed
the changes that transformed the barren prairies
of Will County into rich, fertile farms, replaced
the cabins by commodious residences, and
brought into the county a stream of immigration
that founded towns and villages and carried on
the work of civilization until Will County has
taken rank among the best counties of the state.

The first twenty-one years of Mr. Scofield's
life were spent in the state of New York (Genoa
Township, Cayuga County), where he was born
February 25, 18 13. From there he came west
and settled on a farm at North Branch, near Chi-
cago, where he tilled the soil for a period of ten
years. Next he followed farming in Newark,
111. In September, 1855, he settled in Plainfield,
where for one year he engaged in merchandising.
At an early day he purchased four and one-half
acres in the best residence portion of Plainfield;
of this two lots were sold for residences, and his
widow still owns three acres, which forms a valu-
able homestead.

When the slavery agitation filled the whole
land Mr. Scofield was firm in his adherence to
abolition principles. Late in life he became a
prohibitionist in politics. He was a leading
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
regular in his attendance at church services, Sun-
day-school and prayer-meeting, and for years

served as a class leader. Up to the last of his
long life he retained his deep interest in church
work and his declining days were cheered by the
hope which religion gives. He died very sud-
denly February 28, 1893, when eighty years of
of age, leaving to his friends the memory of an
honorable existence, filled with good deeds and
helpful acts.

September 18, 1855, Mr. Scofield married Miss
Elizabeth Rhodes, who was born in Rensselaer
County, N. Y., but in childhood accompanied
her parents to Jefferson County, the same state,
where she was reared and educated. In i85ishe
came to Illinois with a brother and settled near
Plainfield. She is a lady whose gentleness of dis-
position has won for her many friends during the
many years of her residence in this vicinity.
For sixty-six years she has been a faithful mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Though
she is now (1900) eighty-two years of age, she
is still in the possession of her physical and men-
tal faculties and retains her interest in the world
of activity. The twilight of her life is bright-
ened by the esteem of the neighbors and the re-
gard of the people of the town where for so many
years she has made her home. On the eighty-
second anniversary of her birth, January 27,
1900, she celebrated the occasion by inviting to
her home a number of friends, all members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Seven of those
assembled were over eighty years of age, and
three of these were widows whose husbands had
attained eighty years. At the close of the day it
was the verdict of all present that the occasion
had been one of the most enjoyable and memor-
able in their lives.

i 9 4

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

~ZRA R. LARNED, M. D. To be a descend-
'p ant of men who aided the colonies in their
_ struggle for liberty is to belong to the
proudest nobility of which America can boast.
Many of the best citizens of the present age are
those who trace their lineage to Revolutionary
forefathers. It is seldom, however, that we find
a family with so many representatives in the early
struggles as the one of which Dr. Earned, of Joliet,
is a member, for he has twenty-three different
claims to membership in the Society of Colonial
wars, having had twenty-three ancestors in those
wars. In addition to belonging to this organiza-
tion, he is also identified with the Illinois Chap-
ter, Sons of the Revolution.

About 1630 William Larned came to America
from the parish of Berrnondsey, County Surrey,
England, settling in Woburn, Mass. In later
years the family removed to Connecticut. His
son, Isaac, who was born in Surrey February 25,
1623, took part in the Indian "war in 1656; he
married Mary, daughter of Isaac Sterns. Their
son, Isaac, Jr., was a private in the Indian war
in 1675 and was wounded in the fight with the
Narragansetts during that year. By his mar-
riage to Sarah Bigelow, he had a son William,
who married Hannah Bryant, and made his
home at Thompson, Conn. Next in line of descent
was Simon, a farmer at Thompson. The latter's
sou, Thaddeus, was born and reared in that
place, where for years he was a prominent agri-
culturist and a justice of the peace. During the
Revolutionary war he served in defense of col-
onial interests and endured all the hardships in-
cident to those days of struggle, exposure and
conflict. One brother, Simon, was in the Revo-
lution and was the founder of the Society of
"Cincinnatus." Another brother, Jesse, died of
wounds received in campaigns in New York
state. George, son of Thaddeus, was for years
the owner of Larned' s mill at Thompson, where
he engaged in the manufacture of cotton. On
retiring from business he removed to Wickford,
R. I., where he died. He married Maria C.
Read, who was born in Thompson, and was a
daughter of William Read, of that place.

Albert, son of George and Maria C. (Read)

Earned, was born in Thompson, Conn., but came
to Illinois in early life and engaged in the manu-
facture of lumber in Chicago with W. E. Frost
& Co. He still lives in that city, but is now
retired from business. He married Elizabeth
Wharton, who was born in Powhatan, Ohio.
Her father, William Wharton, a native of Pow-
hatan, Baltimore County, Md., removed to Ohio,
where he platted and named the village of
Powhatan, and for years he was the leading man
of that town, being mayor, postmaster and justice
of the peace, as well as the proprietor of a gen-
eral store. His father, Thomas Wharton, was
born in Derbyshire, England, and there engaged
in the manufacture of cotton. Crossing the ocean
to Maryland he engaged in the same business at
Powhatan, and later settled in Powhatan, Ohio,
where his declining years were spent.

Dr. Larned was one of three children, of whom
one is deceased, and one, Mrs. Mary Malkoff,
resides in Chicago. One of his lineal ancestors,
Lieut. -Col. James Talcott, was commander-in-
chief of the colonial forces during King Phillip's
war. An uncle of the doctor, Col. Daniel Read
Larned, served during the early part of Civil
war as captain and assistant adjutant-general on
the staff of Major-General Burnside. In 1864 he
was breveted major, and the next year, in recog-
nition of his gallantry, was made lieutenant- col-
onel, being mustered out of the volunteer service
with that rank. In 1879 he was made paymaster
with the rank of major and later became chief
paymaster of the department of California and
Columbia. In 1890 he was promoted to be
deputy paymaster-general at Washington, D. C,
which responsible office he held until his retire-
ment in 1892.

The boyhood }'ears of Dr. Larned's life were
passed in Chicago, 111. , where he was born Jan-
uary 23, 1868. When twenty years of age he
graduated from the Chicago high school. After-
ward he traveled through the United States, and
in Mexico and British Columbia. In 1892 he
took up the study of medicine, which he carried
on under the preceptorship of Dr. Milton Jay for
one year. He then entered Rush Medical Col-
lege, from which, after four years Of study, he

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

'95

graduated in 1897. He came at once to Joliet,
where he located at No. 310 Eastern avenue and
where he has since engaged in the practice of
medicine and surgery. He is connected with the
Alumni of Rush Medical College, is past officer
in the Nu Signa Nu, an honorary member of the
Chicago Academy of Science, and belongs to the
Chicago, Will County and State Medical So-
cieties and the American Medical Association.
In politics he is a Republican and, in religious
connection a member of the Central Presby-
terian Church. In Rockford, 111., he married
Camilla, daughter of Henry Don Kersley, who
came from Marquette, Mich., to Illinois and
settled in Rockford, where his daughter was
born. Dr. and Mrs. Larned have one son, Al-
bert Dougall Larned.

EHARLES GRAY CHAMBERLIN, the lead-
ing undertaker of Lockport, is a desend-
ant of a colonial family of New England
that originated in Great Britain. His paternal
grandfather, Luther C. Chamberlin, a native of
Monroe County, N. Y., born in 1789, held a
captain's commission during the war of 18 12 and
at its close married Miss Thankful Talmadge, of
Litchfield, Conn. Some years he spent as a
farmer in Monroe County, N. Y., after which for
fifteen years he was proprietor of the Henrietta
house and also for a long time served as post-
master of Henrietta. In the fall of 1832 he came
west to seek a suitable location and found a de-
sirable site in what is now Will County. Re-
turning home for his family, in January, 1833, he
again traversed the long distance to the west. He
settled one and a-half miles east of Lockport on
a government claim. The land was a barren
prairie. Pottawatomie Indians still roamed over
the trackless plains, unmolested by white men.
He spent four years in improving his claim, but
in 1837 removed to Peoria, 111., and seven years
later went to Milton, Wayne County, Iud., where
he engaged in the grain and warehouse business.

During the existence of the Whig party he ad-
hered to its tenets, and after its disintegration
became a Republican. He died in Milton in
1878, having survived his wife for twenty-six
years. They had three children, Lewis L. ,
Sempronius S., and Ellen M., Mrs. Norton
Davis.

Sempronius Samuel Chamberlin was born in
Henrietta, N. Y., August 19, 1817. He came
with his parents to Illinois, riding an Indian
pony the entire distance. He graduated from
Jubilee College in Peoria. When his parents
moved to Indiana in 1844 he returned to Will
County and began taking contracts for the build-
ing of warehouses and other structures. One of
his contracts was for the erection of the large
warehouse of Norton & Co., of Lockport. In
1848 he built a store and opened an undertaking
establishment. During the cholera epidemic of
1854 he and his workmen were kept busy every
hour of the twenty-four, as the demands for their
services were imperative and needed prompt at-
tention. The coffins were made, by hand, of
walnut or whitewood, with walnut tops, and
trimmed inside with book-muslin headings. Mr.
Chamberlin went personally to the homes of the
dead to superintend the arrangements for the
burial, and sometimes made as many as eight such
calls in one day. In 1873 he opened an under-
taking establishment in Joliet. He continued in
business as a funeral director until his death,
which occurred December 4, 1897. His success
financially was due to strict attention to details
and fidelity to his business. He was a man of
good habits and exemplary life and, although not
a church member, was in sympathy with and a
contributor to religious work. He refused of-
ficial positions many times and, aside from vot-
ing the Republican ticket, took no part in local
affairs.

January 19, 1842, Mr. Chamberlin married
Miss Elizabeth S. Gray, who was born in New
York and accompanied her parents to this county
in girlhood. Her death occurred in Lockport
April 9, 1889, when she was seventy-five years
of age. In religion she was a member of the
Congregational Church. She left two sons,

196

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

George N. and Charles G. , both of whom are
engaged in the undertaking business, the former
having succeeded his father in the Joliet business.
The younger son, our subject, was born in Lock-
port, January 30, 1859. When only a small boy
he was able to help his father in many ways, and
frequently held the light for him nights when
he was working at the bench. From the age of
eighteen he was in partnership with his father
until the latter's death, when he bought the
Lockport branch of the business.

The marriage of our subject united him with
Miss Mary Emma Taylor, who was born at West
Creek, Ind., and from eleven years of age made
her home with her grandparents in Lockport.
They have three daughters, Eva L. , Mary Emma
and Josephine E. The famil}- are connected with
the Congregational Church of Lockport and Mr.
Chamberlin is a contributor to the same. He
has been an active Republican and in 1S99 was
elected collector of the township. Fraternally he
is connected with the Modern Woodmen of Amer-
ica, the Order of Red Men, the United Order of
Foresters, North American Union, Eastern Star
Lodge and Lockport Lodge No. 538, A. F. &
A. M., in which latter he has held various
offices.

(lOHN RANFT. Through an honorable
I career as a business man, Mr. Ranft laid the
Q) foundation of the large trade that is to-day
efficiently managed by his widow. He was born
in Oberverein, Waldeck, German}-, January 16,
1S43, a son of John and Elizabeth (Schneider)
Ranft, who lived upon a farm in that country.
At an early age he began to support himself,
working at any occupation that offered an honest
livelihood. In 1864 he crossed the ocean to the

United States, and for a time worked on a farm
in New Jerse\-, receiving $15 a month. On com-
ing west he spent a short time in Chicago and
then settled in Joliet, near which city he worked
on a farm for two years. Afterward, for five and
one-half years, he worked for the Sehring Brew-
ing Company. In 1S84 he bought out Mr. Paige
and remodeled the bottling works, after which he
engaged in the manufacture of ginger ale, soda
water and similar beverages. He was a member
of the Joliet Sharpshooters, the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows and the Joliet Saenger-
bund. In the latter society his fine baritone
voice made him especially prominent and popu-
lar. Politically he voted with the Republicans.
He continued to carry- on business in Joliet until
his death, which occurred July 10, 1892.

The first wife of Mr. Ranft, who was Cather-
ine Metzger, a native of Joliet, died in this city,
leaving one child, Annie, who is now living.
October 24, 1884, he was united in marriage
with Auguste Ernestina, daughter of Henry and
Annie (Eggers) Reimers, all natives of Lunden,
Holsteiu, Germany. Her father, who was a car-
penter and builder, died when she was twelve,
and her mother had passed away two years be-
fore. Of the family, three are living, her brother
John being" a farmer in Greengarden Township,
this county, while Gustav lives in Joliet. She
was reared in Lunden, and came to the United
States in 1S83, settling in Frankfort, this county,
where she remained until her marriage. In re-
ligion she was carefully reared in the Lutheran
faith, and has always adhered to its teachings. She
is the mother of five children, Bertha, Mamie,
Linda, Otto and Flora. Since her husband's
death she has continued the business so success-
fully that she has built up a large trade, not
only in the city, but throughout Will and Grundy
Counties, and has gained a reputation as an effi-
cient business woman .

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

199

JOB MEADE TOBIAS.

HOB MEADE TOBIAS, of Peotone, was
I born in Elmira, N. Y., October 17, 1841, a
Q) son of Lorenzo Dow and Lucy Bishop
(Fletcher) Tobias. He was one of five children,
and has a sister and brother now living, viz.:
Susan Avilla, wife of Andrew Watson, of Elmira,
N.Y., and JuddS., who is connected with an elec-
tric light business in Omaha, Neb. His father
was born about four miles north of Burdette.on the
east side of Seneca Lake, in New York, about 1807.
He grew to manhood on a farm, and after his
marriage settled on an unimproved tract of land
near Southport. Later he turned his attention
to lumbering. His business ability gained him
wealth, but through an endorsement of notes,
amounting to more than $100,000, which he was
obliged to pay, he lost all his property. In 1S57
he came west and settled four miles east of Peo-
tone, in Will Township, where he paid $12.50
an acre for one-half section of laud. After pay-
ing for this property he had only $1,000 left of
his once vast fortune. He turned his attention
to the stock business, and the heavy advance in
prices caused by the Civil war once more placed
him in affluence. A year before his death he sold
his farm and retired to a small place near town,
where he died in 1868. For years he was an
active worker in the Methodist Church and a
member of its board of trustees. Though not an
office-seeker, he held a number of local positions
of trust. One of his hobbies was his fondness
for a good horse. He knew a fine animal when
he saw it, and always liked to have several in
his barn. His wife was born near Waverly, N.Y.,
in 181 1, and died in this county in 1882.

The farm where Lorenzo Dow Tobias was born

was a part of a grant of twenty-three thousand
and forty acres made by the colony (now the state)
of New York to his grandfather, Henry Tobias,
who came to America as a captain of a company
of Hessians under the British flag during the
Revolutionary war. Some time after reaching
this country he decided he was fighting for an
unjust cause, and so joined Washington's army
and helped to free America. In recognition of
his services the state of New York granted him
a tract six miles square. There he settled and
reared his family. His son, Henry, Jr., our sub-
ject's grandfather, lived on the same place, but
after his death his widow abandoned the property
and allowed it to pass out of the family.

When a boy Mr. Tobias, of this sketch, was a
pupil of H. M. Aller, afterward a president in
the state university of Kansas; Allen C. Storey,
in later years a prominent criminal lawyer in
Chicago, and Judge Miller, afterward a justice of
the United States Supreme Court. He also took
a course in the academy at Elmira, N. Y., where
he studied civil engineering under Prof. Gillett.
When his father came west he was a youth of
seventeen. The three following years he aided
in the clearing of the new Illinois farm. At the
outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in the navy
and was assigned to the recruiting service, going
to New York. After the crew were enlisted they
spent some days on board the receiving-ship, and
later were sent to duty on the gunboat "Ranger,"
(now in the Philippine service). Their first
engagement was the capture of Roanoke Island.
Later they took part in the capture of Newberne
and Fort Beaufort. Following this they were on
other vessels ou short scouting expeditions. On

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

being mustered out of the navy, in 1S62, Mr.
Tobias joined the engineering corps of the United
States arm)-, and was engaged in the service in
North Carolina. During the winter of 1863-64
he visited his parents, after which he enlisted in
the Ninth Illinois Cavalry, and was sent to Ten-
nessee to do duty. However, the battle of Nash-
ville had been fought before he reached there,
and after pursuing the enemy down into Ala-
bama he and his regiment were mustered out of
the service at Selma, Ala.

After his discharge from the army Mr. Tobias
went to the frontier of Minnesota, where he
worked on government land survey and for other
engineering parties. Two years later the death
of his father called him home. Here he remained
for several years. February 17, 1S72, he mar-
ried Mrs. Sarah May, nee Davis, of Swansea,
South Wales, but from girlhood a resident of Illi-
nois. By her first husband, Benjamin G. H.
May, she had two children, namely, Harriet,
wife of W. C. McEweti, of Harvey, 111., and
Sarah Ellen, wife of James A. Cowing, of Home-
wood, 111.

To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Tobias four chil-
dren were born, viz.: Joseph P.; Harry, who is
engaged in the laundry business at Peotone;
Frank, a telegraph operator at New Haven, Mo.,
and Lucy, wife of Warren B. Mather, of Joliet.

Shortly after his marriage Mr. Tobias was sent
to Peru, South America, on a surveying expedi-
tion for railroad surveying. He spent over three
years in that country and crossed the Isthmus
twice, meantime learning much concerning Span-
ish rule and the- antiquities of South America.
On his return to Illinois he spent a year in Peo-
tone and then went to Wilmington, where he
carried on a coal business for two years. Later
he became connected with the engineering de-
partment of the Wabash Railroad, then building
into Chicago, and had charge of the construction
of a portion of the road. After the road was
completed he was connected with the engineering
department of the Tehauntepec & Inter-Ocean
Railroad in Mexico, where he was employed for
two and one-half years as assistant to the chief
engineer, having charge of the construction and

location of the route. His position was one of
great responsibility, and including the paying of
all the workmen. On his return to the States in
1883 he was employed by the Illinois Central
Railroad in the construction of some of its
branches in Mississippi, which work consumed
four years, with the exception of a few months
spent at home. On the completion of the work
he was for one year proprietor of a meat market,
which he had taken on a mortgage. In 1887 he
went to New Orleans and engaged in bridge con-
tracting. During his two years in that city he
was sent to Central America by a syndicate of
contractors to look over the Nicaragua canal.
While stationed at New Orleans he received a
commission from the Sanitary Commission,
backed by the merchants of New Orleans, to
look into the sanitary condition of those seaports
having direct trade with New Orleans, in order,
if possible, to have their vessels avoid the long
quarantine. In 1872, while on his way to South
America, he met an old friend and acquaintance,
the historic Captain Fry, who was then on his
way to take command of the "Virginius," and
who was later executed at Santiago de Cuba.

In 18S9 Mr. Tobias was sent to Cartagena,
Columbia, as chief engineer of the Cartagena &
Magdaleua Railroad, and laid out the route,
started the work of construction and continued
with the enterprise until 1893, returning to the
States in time to visit the Columbian Exposition.
His next enterprise was a coal and lumber busi-
ness at Peotone, and this he conducted until the
spring of 1899, when he retired from business.

Fraternally Mr. Tobias is a charter member of
Peotone Lodge No. 636, A. F. & A. M., is a
Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Eastern
Star Lodge No. 65. William A. Webb Post No.
657, G. A. R. , numbers him among its members,
as does also the John A. Smith Garrison, Knights
of the Globe. For many years he was a member
of the American Society of Civil Engineers, but
resigned after retiring from the business. In pol-
itics he is a Republican. He is connected with
the Methodist Church, and has served his con-
gregation as a trustee. His life has been an ex-
ceedingly active and busy one, replete with inci-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

201

dent and adventure. His business has taken him
into many countries, and perhaps no citizen of
Peotone has a more thorough and cosmopolitan
knowledge than he. After years of successful
effort, it is fitting that he should spend the after-
noon of his life in a pleasant and comfortable
home, surrounded by family and friends, and held
in the highest esteem by his acquaintances
throughout the country.

5JEORGE M. CAMPBELL. Of those who
_ are connected with the stone business in
^Ji Joliet, few have done more than Mr. Camp-
bell to aid its development and foster its success.
His name is inseparably associated with the his-
tory of the Joliet Stone Company, whose re-
markable success was largely due to his energy
and judgment. When this property was sold to
the Western Stone Company in 1891, he contin-
ued with the latter as Joliet manager and stock-
holder, but after two years sold his interest in the
business and resigned his position. About the
same time he formed a partnership with J. C.
Dennis as Campbell & Dennis, general contrac-
tors, which business he now continues alone. He
is interested in the supply house of A.W. Hays &
Co., which has an office on Cass street, and keeps
in stock a general stock of builders' and contrac-
tors' supplies. Upon the organization of the
Joliet National Bank he was made a director,
and two years later was elected vice-president, in
both of which positions he has since been retained.
He is also a director of the Joliet Republican Print-
ing Company; is treasurer of the Will County
Abstract Company, and is interested in the Pur-
ington Paving Brick Company, of Galesburg, 111.
The Campbell family was founded in America
by a Scotchman who settled in New Hampshire,
and whose son, Samuel, was the grandfather of
our subject. A native of New Hampshire, Sam-
uel Campbell removed to Maine and engaged in
farming there until his death, at sixty-five years.
His son, John B. , who was born in Waldo County,

Me. , went to sea in boyhood and remained for
years in the merchant marine trade, meantime
traveling all over Europe. On leaving the sea
he became a carpenter and joiner in Belfast,
Waldo County, Me., but two years after his mar-
riage removed to Massachusetts. In 1857 he
came west, first settling near Marion, Linn
County, Iowa, and engaging in the carpenter
business. In April, 1862, he came to Joliet,
where he became a contractor in the building of
canal boats. Subsequently he went to Iowa and
established a pleasant country home, " The
Pines," in Des Moines, two miles east of the
capitol. His last years were devoted to art and
literature, and he passed away at the home of his
son, George M., in Joliet, when seventy-five
years of age.

The marriage of John B. Campbell united him
with Margaret W. Norton, who was born at
Buck's Harbor, Me., January 16, 1827, and is
still living. Her father was born at the same old
homestead, though at the time of his birth Maine
was still a part of Massachusetts. The great-
grandfather Norton, an Englishman, settled at
Martha's Vineyard, and afterward built the home
at Buck's Harbor; later he took part in the Revo-
lutionary war. John B. and Margaret W. Camp-
bell had three children, two of whom are living,
George M., and Mrs. Susan E. Fox, of Denver,
Colo.

In Unity, Waldo County, Me., the subject of
this sketch was born January 5, 1848. He ac-
companied his parents in their various removals,
and did considerable pioneer farming. While at
a small village called Central City, twelve miles
north of Marion, Iowa, under his father he learned
the carpenter's trade. In 1862 he came to Joliet.
He attended the public schools of Joliet, and a
private in Springfield, Mass. After leaving
school he engaged with a Joliet contractor for a
year or more. For a short time he clerked for G.
Munroe & Son, after which he entered the stone
business, May 23, 1870, as bookkeeper and pay-
master for Sanger & Steel, and remained with
them until 1S75. With George H. Munroe
and Daniel C. Hays he started in the stone busi-
ness. The company was incorporated in 1877

202

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

with a capital of $30,000, under the name of the
Joliet Stone Company, Mr. Munroe being presi-
dent, and Mr. Campbell, secretary, treasurer and
manager. The main office of the company was
in Joliet, and there were five branch offices in
Chicago, to which was run a fleet of boats owned
by the company. Thirteen thousand cars of
Stone were shipped from this company's quarries
the last year before it sold out.

While business matters have required his
almost constant attention, Mr. Campbell has
never neglected his duties as a citizen, but has
aided in enterprises for the public good. He has
always been a staunch Republican, but has never
been an office seeker. For many years he has
been a member of the Universalist Church.

On Christmas day of 1873 Mr. Campbell mar-
ried Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Snapp, who
was a noted attorney of Joliet and represented
this district in congress. The two daughters of
Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are Jessie M. and Ida A.

(II.I.IAM JOSEPH LYONS, who is one of
the leading lumber merchants of Joliet, has
spent his life in this city-, and owns a fine
home at No. 616 Western avenue. His father,
John Lyons, a native of Ireland, learned the car-
penter's trade in youth, and on crossing the ocean
to America settled in Joliet in 1S49. For a long
time he engaged in the building business here,
having a number of important and profitable
contracts. In 1875 he opened a lumber business
on South Bluff street, adjoining the Porter brew-
ery. Six: years later he moved to the corner of
Desplaines and Clinton streets, and continued
actively engaged in business here until 1897, when
he transferred the business to his son, William
Joseph, and removed to Colorado Springs, his

present residence. For many years he was a
member of the board of supervisors of Will
County and a leader in the local Democracy.
Many of the buildings which he erected are still
standing, and their excellent condition testifies to
his skill and reliability as a contractor. He mar-
ried Susan Feeney, who was born in Channa-
hon, this county, and died in Joliet in 1885, at
thirty-eight years of age. She was a daughter
of Barney Feeney, a native of Ireland, and one
of the pioneer farmers of Channahon Township.

Three daughters and four sous comprised the
family of John and Susan Lyons. Of these all
are living but one daughter. William Joseph,
who was next to the eldest of the family, was
born at the family home in Joliet. January 1,
1866. After having studied in the public schools
for some years, in 1879 he left school in order to
learn the lumber business under his father. He
was soon made bookkeeper, and acquired a
thorough knowledge of the business, of which, in
1890, he took charge. In 1897 he purchased the
business, and now has entire charge of the large
yards on Clinton and Desplaines streets, where
he carries a full stock of lumber and building
material. He buys direct from mills in Wiscon-
sin and Michigan, and to some extent also from
Southern mills. His entire time is devoted to
the lumber business, and he is thoroughly ac-
quainted with all of its details.

In [892-93 Mr. Lyons held the office of secre-
tary of the city Democratic committee. He is a
member of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church
and the Western Catholic Union. Fraternally
he is connected with the Ancient Order of United
Workmen, Knights of Honor, Modern Woodmen
of America ami Knights of Columbus, and is a
member of the board of directors of the last-
named order. His marriage, in Harvard, 111.,
united him with Miss Hannah L. Sweeney, who
was born in that city. They have three child: en,
Horace R., Gladys Marie and William Joseph, Jr.

UWVERSITV OF ILLINOIS

<\^7^CL / ^n^elt^r^^.

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

205

DAVID CLARK BALDWIN.

0AVID CLARK BALDWIN. The life of
Mr. Baldwin was inseparably associated with
the history of Loekport. In fact the village
owed its existence in no small measure to his
efforts, for he was one of its incorporators as well
as one of its first officials. During the sixty-two
years of his residence here he witnessed the
transformation of the place from a small and iso-
lated frontier town to a populous and thriving
commercial and agricultural center, whose manu-
facturing interests make it one of the important
towns of northeastern Illinois. It was his privilege
to live to see what was during the '30s a region
of almost unsettled land transformed into a finely
improved country containing cities and villages
of commercial importance. In all of the arduous
and stirring scenes of pioneer life he was a prom-
inent figure. His was the hand that helped in
every forward movement, his the eye that dis-
cerned a favorable opportunity and his the mind
that planned, years ago, a prosperous future for
his home town. There was scarcely a business
measure projected in early days with which his
name was not associated. To illustrate his con-
nection with pioneer transactions it may be stated
that some wheat he purchased went into the first
flour manufactured in Loekport, and this flour
was sold in Chicago, entering into the shipment
of the fi r st hundred barrels of flour sent from that
market. At the time he came west Chicago was
an uukno vn region, whose site was occupied by
Fort Dearborn, with its officers' houses and bar-
racks and a scattering village on Lake Michigan.
As Chicago grew he kept in touch with its devel-
opment and made many friends amongthe leading
wholesale merchants of that city. For many years,
and until his retirement in 1888, he engaged in
10

various lines of merchandising, and in this way
had constant relations with wholesale dealers.
With them he held a high position, and many a
busy merchant left his desk on Mr. Baldwin's
entrance in order to enjoy a social talk with him.
His credit was the highest, and even the loss of
his business block (a calamity that twice over-
took him) failed to affect his credit in the least,
but only served to emphasize the high confidence
in which he was held, and brought him many
offers of financial assistance. In the credit book
of a commercial traveler, opposite Mr. Baldwin's
name, were the words, "Good as gold," and this
statement found echo with all of his associates in
business.

The Baldwins are an old eastern family. Ben-
jamin Baldwin, a native of Woburn, Mass., was
a highly educated man. His son, Timothy, our
subject's father, was born at Canterbury, Conn.,
April 15, 1775, and died in that state in 1840.
His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary
Lathrop, was born in Connecticut May 27, 1780,
and died there in 1852. Their son, David C,
was born at Canterbury April 23, 1810, and at
an early age began to teach school, which occu-
pation he followed in Connecticut, New York,
Ohio and Illinois. It was in 1834 that he came
to Loekport. For a time he engaged in teaching
and had charge of the first school in Homer
Township. Later he entered business. He
proved himself to be a man of unusual business
ability, keen, careful and conservative, yet ener-
getic and progressive. Being the soul of honor
and integrity, he retained the confidence of asso-
ciates. It is rare, indeed, that a man is met in
whom are combined so many noble traits as
appeared in Mr. Baldwin's character. Of all the

2o6

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

people in the town there was none but had a good
word for him. Young men venerated him and
children were always his friends, while those
more nearly his own age were bound to him by
ties of intimate and long association. During
the latter years of his life he became deeply inter-
ested in floriculture and devoted much time to the
raising of plants. His leisure hours were spent
with his flowers. He was a diligent botanical
student, and understood the entire growth of
plants, from the embryo leaves and roots to the
mature plants with their flowers. The contrast
afforded between the cares of business and the
supervision of his plants seemed restful to him
and afforded him one of his greatest pleasures.

May 18, 1865, occurred the marriage of Mr.
Baldwin to Miss Cornelia A., daughter of Elias
and Mary (Paine) Freer. Her father, a native
of New York, removed to Illinois in 1836 and
settled at Forked Creek, eight miles east of Wil-
mington. He had been a tanner in the east, but
here he engaged in farm pursuits. After a few
years he settled in Plainfield. In 1861 he came
to Lockport, where he died at the age of eighty
years. He was a stanch Whig and an anti-sla-
very man. During the latter part of the war of
1812 he enlisted in the American army, serving
until the close. His father, John, served in the
Revolutionary war. The family is of French-
Huguenot descent. The mother of Mrs. Bald-
win was born in Bennington, Vt., removed to
New York in girlhood and died in Lockport in
1879, when eighty-seven years of age. Both she
and her husband were active members of the
Christian Church. They were the parents of
nine children who reached maturity; of these
Mrs. Boylan, Mrs. Baldwin and Mrs. Hanford
are living.

At the time the family came west Mrs. Bald-
win was a child of eight years. She was educated
under private tutors at home and in the schools
of Miss Carr and the Misses Whiting, where she
met many young ladies who afterward became
prominent in the highest social circles of Chi-
cago. For years she has been identified with
the Baptist Church, and has maintained a deep
interest in religious work for half a century.

The only child born to her marriage, Alice
Louise, died when in her sixth year. Afterward
Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin adopted a daughter,
Edith, who is now the wife of O. F. Russell and
makes her home with her mother.

After an active and useful life Mr. Baldwin
entered into eternal rest, December 19, 1896.

HORATIO N. MARSH. Of the many thou-
sands of men now living in Joliet no one
has been a resident of the city for so long a
period as has Mr. Marsh. During the entire
period of his connection with local history he has
maintained a deep interest in the development of
the city's resources and has aided in its advance-
ment. No one is better posted than he concern-
ing incidents connected with the history of Joliet,
and many of these he has written up, thereby
giving them a permanent value. One of the
local matters in which he has been interested has
been the pronunciation of Joliet, and it was largely
through his influence that an ordinance was
passed by the city council, April 22, 1895, declar-
ing the proper pronunciation of the word to be
Jo-li-et. To stir public sentiment on the subject
he read a poem at one of the schools February
27, 1894, which was afterward published and
widely distributed, and which accomplished not
a little toward the end sought. We quote from
it the following lines:

If by some other name the fair rose that we greet,
Has a beauty as rare, and a fragrance as sweet,
Does it follow of course that its friends should not claim
For their favorite flower its own beautiful name?
So our city, misnamed, may appear just as fair,
And its crown of achievement as royally wear,
Yet who would not wish it might ever be known
By the name it was christened, and that name alone?

As one reaches our city, ere brakes can be set,
The brakemau officially cries: Jol-ly-yet!
And at the hotel, asked the name of the place,
Of the gem-bedecked clerk, with the rubicund face,
"Can I tell you the name sir," he answers: "You bet!
What else could you call it but straight Jo-li-ette."
But the clerk with the register does not agree;
Printed Jo-li-et plainly as any may see!

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

207

But pronouncing so badly, though only a fad,

Has led to a spelling as wretchedly bad.

In warehouse and store, and abroad on our streets,

And on missives by mail, what strange spelling one

meets.
We have Joliette and Joilet and quaint Jolleyette,
And scores of strange "spells" we would gladly forget!
But a truce to bad spelling; we sadly deplore,
As practiced too oft, its orthoepy more;
And marvel that people of culture proclaim,
Their own lack of taste, -nispronouncing the name;
And more, that such errors in usage abound
When a uniform standard is readily found!

If we turn to the library, kind Mrs. Mack,

To the goal we are seeking will show us the track;

And as lexicons modern and musty we turn

Our search to reward we this lesson shall learn:

— That in spelling and accent the standards agree;

And the name of our city must Jo-li-et be!

True, the Frenchman will sound the first syllable Zho,

While the Saxon, less musical, calls it plain Jo,

But he it was named for would never have known

His name as oft heird in this city of stone.

With the right and the wrong so distinctly in view,
What, as people of culture and taste, shall we do?
To the wrong tamely yield, or continue the fight
Till the wrong dies ignobly, and triumph the right!
With our schools may our pulpits and platforms unite,
To drive these misnomers from hearing and sight;
The speaker who slights such grammatical laws,
Should be greeted with hisses instead of applause;
The teacher who would not correctly pronounce
The name of his Patron deserves the grand bounce;
And the pupil so stupid, a vigorous whack
Of the pedagogue's rule on the end of his back!

And brakeman, oh! brakeman, in pity forbear
With uncouth Jolley-yet to encumber the air;
And far prettier Jo-li-et give to the ear
Of the traveler waiting your message to hear;
Do this and we'll honor you living, and dead
A Jo-liet marble will place at your head.

Genealogical records show that the Marsh fam-
ily accompanied William the Conqueror from
Normandy to England, settling in the Marsh
country, from which fact their name was derived.
The family in America descends from two broth-
ers and a cousin who came from England, two
settling in Massachusetts and one in Connecticut.
This branch descends from John Marsh, who
settled in Hartford, Conn., in 1635. In 171 1 his
descendants settled on a farm in the town of
Montagua, near Deerfield, Franklin County,

Mass., where were born Jonathan Marsh, his son
Quartus, and grandson, Horatio N. In 1835
Quartus Marsh came to Illinois and settled on a.
farm near Crete, where he died in 1850. He
married Sallie Holt, who was born near Deer-
field, of English descent, and died in this county.
Of their six children, Mary A. and Jonathan died
in this county and Francis in Piatt County;
Edwin lives in Chicago and Henry in Kansas.

The oldest son in the family, Horatio N. , was
born November 15, 1812. He distinctly remem-
bers the dedication of Bunker Hill monument
and Lafayette's visit to the United States. In
1827 he accompanied his parents to western New
York, settling near Rochester. Soon afterward
he was apprenticed to the cabinet-maker's trade,
which he followed for some years. In Novem-
ber, 1835, he came to Illinois, making the trip by
packet to Buffalo, thence by steamer to Detroit,
from there across Michigan by wagon and on to
Joliet. All of those whom he accompanied settled
in eastern Will County, then a part of Cook
County. In 1836 Will County was organized,
and the same year a bill was passed for the con-
struction of the canal. On account of lack of
funds the work was temporarily suspended, but
some years later the state obtained a loan from
England and work was resumed, the canal being
completed in 1849. Its completion enabled the
people of Will County to board a packet and be
in Chicago in ten or twelve hours, which they
considered very satisfactory. With the building
of the Rock Island road in 1852 the distance was
covered in less than two hours.

After working for a short time as a journeyman
cabinet-maker Mr. Marsh opened a shop of his
own on the east side, but later moved to Bluff
street. He continued in the business until hand
work was superseded by machinery products when
he quit. In 1852 he entered the employ of the
Rock Island Railroad, being the first agent ap-
pointed on the new road, and he continued to be
their agent, with the exception of three years
(1863-66), when he was postmaster, until 1883,
when he resigned on account of age. During
the last years of his connection with the railroad
its business here aggregated $500,000 annually,

208

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and his responsibilities as freight and passenger
agent constantly increased. After resigning as
agent he engaged in the insurance and real-estate
business, continuing ten years, when he retired
from business. Fifty years ago he built a resi-
dence on what is now Broadway and here he has
since made his home.

Possessing literary ability, Mr. Marsh has
always been interested in newspaper work and
has been a constant reader of local and general
history. From 1847 to 1852 he was editor of the
old Whig paper, which was called the Joliet
True Democrat and which had the largest circu-
lation of any paper for miles around. This paper
has since been merged into the Joliet Republican.
In 1848 Mr. Marsh advocated the nomination of
General Taylor. In 1850 he took the census of
Will County. He was interested in the effort to
build a road from Joliet to Valparaiso, Ind., to
connect with the Grand Trunk Railroad, but on
account of the building of the Michigan Central
road, the other road never materialized. During
his service as alderman he was chairman of the
committee on claims. For some years he was a
member of the school board and during that time,
with others, he began the building of the fine
schoolhouses in which Joliet now excels. He
was one of the organizers of the First Presbyte-
rian Church, and has since been an active mem-
ber and ruling elder, also a participant in Sunday-
school work. In 1836 he voted for William
Henry Harrison and afterward continued a Whig
until the dissolution of the party, since which he
has been a stanch Republican. For many years
he was a member of the Tippecanoe Club of
Chicago.

In Monroe County, N. Y., Mr. Marsh was
married, in 1S35, to Miss Mary Kile, who died
leaving an only child, William H. The latter
enlisted in the Third Illinois Infantry and was
fatally wounded at Vicksburg, where he died.
The second marriage of Mr. Marsh united him
with Miss Mary L. Pond, now deceased, of Mon-
roe County, N. Y. Their only child, Frank E.,
who is engaged in the grain business in Joliet,
married Miss Kate Richmond, of Joliet, and has
two sons, both graduates of the Illinois State

University, the older of whom is engaged in med-
ical missionary work in Point Barrow, Alaska,
and the younger is an electrician in Minneapolis.
Mr. Marsh was married again, February 9, 1870,
to Miss Jennie R. Foster, of Delavan, Wis. She
was born October 3, 1831, and died September 7,
1896.

As is commonly known, the city of Joliet is
named in honor of Monsieur Joliet, a man of
many remarkable qualities, whose self-sacrificing
labors left their impress upon the subsequent
history of the county. He was a companion of
Father Marquette. In 1672, when he and Mar-
quette were returning from an expedition on the
Mississippi, they traveled up the Illinois and
Desplaines rivers and discovered Mount Joliet,
which was named in his honor. When the town
of Joliet was laid out in 1834 it was recorded
Juliet by an ignorant man, who was unfamiliar
with the origin of the name; hence for some time
it was often called Juliet or Juliette, but by act of
legislature the name was changed to Joliet.

NENRY D. HIGINBOTHAM. The Higin-
botham family originated in England,
whence some of the name removed to the
Barbadoes during an early period of American
settlement. Later generations were actively
identified with the progress of New England,
where they prospered in the pursuit of such
occupations as were then in vogue. Charles
Higinbotham, who was the sou of a captain
of a whaling vessel, was born in Rhode Island
November 14, 1779, and in youth accompanied
his parents to Otsego, N. Y., where he mar-
ried Miss Gertrude Dumont, of Westford, the
daughter of a Revolutionary soldier. Some time
after his marriage he removed to Allegan County,
Mich. He died August 18, 1844. His wife sur-
vived him for fourteen years, dying July 17,
1858, when seventy-eight years of age.

The second of the four sons of Charles Higin-
botham, Henry D., was born in Worcester, Ot-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

209

sego Count)', N. Y. , January 10, 1806. He was
reared to manhood upon a farm and early acquired
a thorough knowledge of agriculture, at the
same time learned the trade of a blacksmith. In
1831 he married Miss Rebecca Wheeler, of
Westford, N. Y., but a native of Canaan, Co-
lumbia County, that state. Soon after their
marriage they settled in Oneida, N. Y., where
Mr. Higinbotham opened a blacksmith's shop
and worked energetically at his trade. How-
ever, he did not feel satisfied to remain in the
east, where opportunities were few in comparison
with those offered by the rich but unpopulated
west. Long before Horace Greeley had uttered
his immortal words: "Go west, young man,"
he had determined to follow that ' 'star of empire' '
which " westward takes it way."

While Will County was still a part of Cook,
Mr. Higinbotham settled on Hickory Creek, east
of what is now Joliet. It was in June, 1834, that
he arrived in the region with whose upward
growth he was to be so intimately identified. His
first step was to secure land. He entered one
hundred and sixty acres two and one-half
miles east of Joliet. With his wife he estab-
lished a little home in the midst of frontier sur-
roundings. There, working with stout hearts
and steady industry, they made their home for
many years. It was his task to clear the land,
cultivate the fields, build necessary buildings and
make desired improvements. With the flight of
the changing years he added to his property and
its value constantly increased. Soon he came to
be recognized as one of the foremost farmers in
the county. His knowledge of agriculture was
thorough and broad, covering every branch of
the occupation. He thoroughly demonstrated
the superiority of diversified farming, and through
his varied interests gained what was in those
days a large fortune. The three hundred and
twenty acres of land he owned were mostly un-
der cultivation. Besides the management of his
landed interests he owned a grist-mill, which for
years he conducted successfully. While he did
not live to be an old man, yet, after sharing in
the toils and privations of pioneer existence, he
was spared to witness and enjoy the comforts

rendered possible by the energy of the early set-
tlers. His earnest labor brought its own reward.
Nor was his success only in a financial sense; for,
in a larger degree, he was successful in winning
and retaining the respect of his acquaintances, the
esteem of his associates. He was regarded, not
only as a modern farmer, whose example could
be emulated with profit, but also as an upright
man and a good citizen, whose character was
"sans peur et sans reproache." Those who
knew him say that he was a man of quiet, unos-
tentatious disposition, and one whose words
were few, but every word was weighed before
uttered; no statement was ever made thought-
lessly or carelessly. In physique he was strong
and stalwart, possessing the muscles of an ath-
lete, with a soldier's powers of endurance. He
was a Knight Templar Mason, who lived up to
the lofty teachings of that illustrious order. In
religion he was of the Universalist faith.

In 1854 he sold his farm and mill and moved
to Joliet, establishing his home at No. 1009 Cass
street, which is still known in the city as the
Higinbotham homestead. On moving here he
became a director in the Will County Bank, and
was afterward interested in that institution as
long as he lived. The last eleven years of his
life were not the least active or fruitful of his busy
career. He aided in advancing the interests of
the city, where he exerted a wholesome and sal-
utary influence upon the people. He witnessed
the growth of the county from a poor and sparsely-
settled community to one of the foremost in the
state. He was known for his sound and careful
judgment as a business man; for his enterprise
that made him willing to identify himself with
any movement for the good of the people. After
eleven years in Joliet he passed away at his
home in this city, March 13, 1865.

The marriage of Mr. Higinbotham united him
with a daughter of Samuel B. Wheeler, a native
of New England, and a sister of Mansfield
Wheeler, who settled in Will County in 1832.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Higinbotham com-
prised the following sons and daughters : Har-
low Niles Higinbotham, member of the firm of
Marshall Field & Co., of Chicago ; Albert, who

2IO

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

served in Scott's Chicago regiment during the
entire Civil war and died in Joliet ; Ambrosia,
wife of Merritt O. Cagwin, and the present occu-
pant of the Higinbotham homestead; Mrs. Ann
Eliza Demmond, of Joliet ; Mrs. Gertrude Leddy,
and Mrs. Ellen Darwin, both of whom died in
this city ; and Charles, who is connected with
the Elgin postoffice.

HARLOW N. HIGINBOTHAM. None of
the native-born sons of Will Count}- surpass
Mr. Higinbotham in far-reaching influence.
For years he has been connected with one of the
largest mercantile establishments in the world,
the success of which has been promoted by his
able oversight. But his prominence is not lim-
ited to mercantile circles. In public affairs he
has been a leading figure. As president of the
World's Fair he gained an international distinc-
tion. It was his enthusiasm that did much to
start the movement for the exposition that
achieved greatness in its fulfillment, rendering
possible, in the midst of our busy workaday
world, the establishment of a "Dream City,"
more fair than artist's brush could reproduce,
and more beautiful than the imagination of the
beholder had ever conceived. Nor has he, in
the remarkable success of his later years, forgot-
ten the home of his boyhood. He still retains
his interest in Will County, among whose people
his name is often mentioned as a worthy candi-
date for United States senator. Near the old
home where he was born he has built a mansion
that is perhaps the most elegant of any country
home in Illinois. When possible for him to se-
cure a day's respite from his business cares he
may be found at the old homestead, superintend-
ing its many important interests, and giving
directions regarding the management of the
estate. The creation of this beautiful place is
itself the work of a master-hand; a "dream city''
with park and palace, a vision of enchanting
grace never to be forgotten by the passer-by.

Needless to say, the people of the city and count)-
are proud of this place, and prouder yet of the
career of the owner, and who is still alluded to as
" one of our boys." Harlow N. Higinbotham
is a prince among men, and a marvelous produc-
tion of our western civilization — a brain firm
and fine as adamant, a heart pure as gold and
tender as a woman, a knight of the twentieth
century, who hardly without self-realization, is
a true type of an humble follower of the " Naza-
rine. " The true story of the inner life of Har-
low N. Higinbotham will never be written ; he
must and will live in the hearts of those whom
he has benefited.

The various benevolent institutions which he
has helped to establish and put on a sound financial
basis will assist to keep alive the memory of a man
whose whole life can be an example to every
young man, not only in Will County, but in the
whole world. The result of his financial success
we can see and estimate, but the good deeds
done, the suffering relieved, the happiness and
sunshine entering at his command thousands of
hearts, we cannot see, except in occasional
glimpses, they are written in the Book of Life,
from whence the real reward will emanate. The
evening of his life will be spent in the old home-
stead, and as the shadows lengthen on the hill-
side, proclaiming the dawn of the real life, his
retrospections will be pleasant, his rest well
earned, and the old Will County friends dearer
than ever.

["REDERICK R. STRYKER. The Joliet
Ty Mound Drain Tile Company, of which Mr.
| Stryker is general manager and a director,
is one of the leading organizations of the kind in
Illinois. When he took a position with it as a
workman in the mechanical department, just
prior to the thirtieth anniversary of his birth.
the plant was small and the output meager. In
1 880 he was made manager of the works, on sec-
tion 19, Joliet Township, and afterward com-
pletely remodeled the plant, built new kilns and

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

211

made important additions, so that the works were
the most complete in the state. For years the
company controlled the price of tile in the state.
The capacity of the works is three million feet
per annum. Formerly the products were sold'
almost exclusively in this locality, but now ship-
ments are made throughout this state and into
Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and In-
diana. Employment is furnished to between
twenty and fort)- men, the number varying with
the amount of work to be turned out, and the
product is drain tile exclusively. The other di-
rectors and officers of the company being men
who have business interests of their own, Mr.
Stryker is responsible for the entire management,
and its prosperous condition is the result of his
able oversight. He is a stockholder in the
works, as well as manager and a director.

In Cook County, 111., our subject was born
May 8, 1S47, a sou of John Adam and Elizabeth
(Miller) Stryker. His father, who was born
December 1, 1804, in Wurtemberg, Germany,
came to America from German}' in 1828 and spent
two years in New York, thence migrated to Illi-
nois in 1830. He had previously worked as a
cabinet-maker, but on coming to Cook Count}'
took up a claim and engaged in farming, which
he followed until his death at sixty years. He
was a man of great physical strength and powers
of endurance. Up to the time of Fremont's can-
didacy he was a Democrat, but afterward voted
the Republican ticket. During the early days he
served in all of the township offices; and in the
deciding of disputes regarding claims he was
called upon to act as judge. By his marriage to
Elizabeth Miller he had eleven children. Of
these ten reached maturity and nine are now liv-
ing. Mrs. Elizabeth Stryker was a daughter of
George Miller, a native of Berlin, Germany.

When sixteen years of age our subject secured
a clerkship in Chicago, receiving $3 a week at
first. Afterward he became an agent for the sale
of farm machinery, in which he was employed
from nineteen to twenty-nine years of age: He
then came to his present location, and has since
engaged in the manufacture of drain tile. He
owns and occupies a farm of one hundred and

fifty-four acres on section 24, Troy Township,
but the place is cultivated by tenants, his time
being given wholly to his business. Politically
he was an enthusiastic Republican up to the time
of Cleveland's second election, when he favored
his candidacy and voted for him. Since then he
has been independent, preferring to support the
men whom he deems best qualified to represent
the people rather than follow strict party lines.
He is interested in the questions of the day, but
his business takes his time to the exclusion of
other things, and he is therefore not a politician
in the ordinary usage of that word. In 1873 he
was made a Mason and has since then joined the
chapter at Evanston, 111.

In April, 1875, Mr. Stryker married Carrie
Eloise, daughter of Ira Millard, who was a
pioneer of Cook County and a native of Con-
necticut, but a resident of New York state prior
to coming west. Her maternal grandfather was
Gen. Lewis Peet, who fought in the warof 1812,
and on the maternal side she was also connected
with the Seymours, of New York. Her father's
father and Millard Fillmore's mother were brother
and sister. Seven children were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Stryker, six of whom are living. The old-
est, Ira Millard Stryker, who is cashier in the
works here, married Alice M. Sammons, daugh-
ter of Duane Sammons, a pioneer farmer of this
county. The other children are: Gertrude
Frances; Elizabeth Bell; Clara Winifred; Mary
Seymour, whose middle name comes from Dr.
Seymour, of Troy, N. Y.; and Frederick Fill-
more.

"T PHRAIM BAYARD, superintendent of the
't) Bessemer department of the Illinois steel
__ works, is familiar with every detail of the
business, to which his attention is closely given.
By his efficient management he has proved him-
self "the right man in the right place." He un-
derstands thoroughly the manufacture of steel,
and his broad experience in every position,
from the lowest to that of superintendent, has
proved of inestimable value to him. In the con-

212

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

verting department, of which he has charge, four
hundred and ten men are employed, of whom two
hundred are skilled workmen. The capacity is
over one thousand tons in twelve hours.

In the converting department there are twenty-
eight boilers and three blowing engines, one of
five thousand, another of twenty-four hundred
and the third of eighteen hundred horse power;
with eight pressure pumps, which furnish pres-
sure throughout the mill of four hundred pounds
per square inch. The pig iron is graded to one
one-hundredth per cent. This iron, combined
with steel scrap, is charged with coke and lime-
stone. After melting it is tipped into a caldron
and conveyed by electric crane into the mixer,
which has a capacity of two hundred and eighty
tons. The furnace metal is also brought in a
molten state into this mixer by means of cranes,
and by means of hydraulic pressure the mixer is
tipped sufficiently to pour the metal from it into
another ladle, which conveys the metal, after
thorough mixing, into the converters. It is
poured in by hydraulic pressure, after which the
blast from the blowing engines is turned on, and
the converter b)^ hydraulic pressure is placed in a
vertical position until such time as the metal has
been converted into steel with the adding of dif-
ferent properties to bring it to the required grade
of steel. Afterward the converter is turned- and
the molten steel poured into a huge ladle, which
is conveyed by the hydraulic crane over the
moulds and then poured into the large moulds
and allowed to remain until chilled sufficiently to
permit the withdrawing of the moulds, leaving the
steel ingots still at white heat; this is also done
by hydraulic pressure. The ingots are then con-
veyed on cars to the furnaces, to be charged
for reheating, and in due time they are drawn and
rolled, thus completing the process.

Mr. Bayard was born in Toronto, Canada, July
18, 1868, a son of Robert and Ellen (Johnston)

Bayard, natives respectively of England and
Ireland. His grandfather, James Bayard, brought
the family to America and settled near Toronto
when Robert was a child of three years. The
latter spent all of his active life in Toronto, where
he was engaged as a contractor and builder. He
died in that city in February, 1889, when fifty-
nine years of age. His wife, who is still living in
Toronto, was a daughter of Matthew Johnston,
a native of County Sligo, Ireland, who settled
near Toronto and engaged in farm pursuits
there. Our subject was the fifth among eight
children, all of whom are living. He was reared
in Toronto, attending the grammar and high
schools there. In the fall of 1S84 he went to
Cheboygan, Mich., where he engaged in the
lumber business. For two winters he engaged in
scaling and measuring, and during the summers
was fireman on tug boats. In the third season .
he secured a position as an engineer. From that
time until he came to Joliet he was engineer of
the large tug "Duncan City," on the straits of
Mackinaw. In 18S7 he settled in Joliet, where
he secured employment in the steel works, be-
ginning as a laborer in the converting depart-
ment. A year later he received promotion, and
was given charge of the repairing and building of
the bottoms of the converters. In 1891 he was
given charge of the steel pouring, and in the fall
of 1892 was made foreman of the converting mill.
June 15, 1897, he was made superintendent of
the converting department, which responsible
position he has since filled, showing ability and
intelligence in the discharge of his duties.

Politically Mr. Bayard is a Republican, stanch
and loyal to the party, but not caring for political
positions for himself. He owns a residence that he
built at No. 407 Richards street, and here he and
his wife, who was Cora Belle Newton, a native of
New Jersey, have established a pleasant and at-
tractive home.

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

215

CHARLES ROST.

EHARLES ROST, superintendent of the
county poor farm in Troy Township, was
born in the Kagenow, Pomerania, Prussia,
December 11, 1841, a son of Carl and Mary
(Rosz) Rost. His father, who was a forester in
Germany, came to the United States in 1862,
and settled upon a farm near Macomb, McDon-
ough County, 111., remaining there until his
death in 1881. His wife" survived him for years,
dying in 1898. In religious belief both were
Lutherans. They were the parents of seven
sons, six of whom are living, three being in Ma-
comb, one in Des Moines, Iowa, and another in
Kokomo, Ind.

Of these sons our subject was the eldest.
When the family decided to come to America it
was deemed best to have him come first, alone,
in order that he might acquire a knowledge of
the language and customs of the people before
the others joined him. In 1859 he crossed the
ocean in an old sailing vessel, "Columbia,"
starting from Hamburg and arriving in the new
world after a voyage of sixty-two days. He se-
cured employment in a wire factory at Worcester,
Mass. During the Civil war, when the first call
was made for three-year men, he at once re-
sponded to the call, and enlisted at Boston in
Company B, Twentieth Massachusetts Infantry.
While in the army he took part in thirty-one bat-
tles, embracing all of the principal engagements.
Twice he was wounded in the battle of Gettys-
burg, after which he spent some time in the hos-
pital at Portsmouth Grove, R. I. He was
taken prisoner at Antietam, also in front of Pe-
tersburg in 1864, and was held in Libby and
Belle Isle prisons, and at Salisbury, N. C. From

the ranks he rose to be sergeant, and after the
battle of the wilderness was commissioned lieu-
tenant. He was honorably discharged in Boston,
July 14, 1S65.

The war ended, Mr. Rost went to Leaven-
worth, Kans. , and was appointed in the quarter-
master's department, to take twenty-four six-
mule teams across the plains, via the Arkansas
River and Smoky Hill route, conveying supplies
to forts. He continued in the government em-
ploy until 1867, when he joined a battalion raised
to suppress the Indians. He raised a company
in Leavenworth, of which he was first lieutenant,
under Oklahoma Payne as captain. The com-
pany took part in a number of hard fights along
the Arkansas and Smoky Hill rivers. In the
fall of 1867 he was mustered out at Fort Ells-
worth. Going south, he engaged in the con-
struction of bridges and trestles on the Louisville
& Nashville Railroad for six years. When work
was begun upon the extension from Cairo to
Jackson, Tenn., connecting with the Mississippi
Central, he took a contract for constructing a
portion of the line. While working in the
swamps below Cairo he was taken ill with mala-
rial fever and, acting upon the advice of his phy-
sician, returned north to Macomb. When Major
McClaughrey was appointed warden of tht state
penitentiary, Mr. Rost accompanied him to Joliet
as steward, which position he filled for fifteen
years, until the election of John P. Altgeld as
governor. He was then chosen superintendent of
the county poor farm, to which position he has
been re-elected for seven consecutive terms. The
county buildings as they now stand were erected
by him in 1892, the main building being a three-

2l6

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

story stone structure with a capacity for two hun-
dred inmates. There are now one hundred and
thirteen inmates, fifty-two of whom are incurably
insane. The farm is situated four miles west of
Joliet and comprises one hundred and sixty-
acres, which are cultivated with so much judg-
ment and energy that each year, over and above
all that is raised for use by the patients, there is
a profit of between $i ,000 and Si ,500.

Fraternally Mr. Rost is connected with the
Knights of Pythias, Burlington Post No. 6,
G. A. R. , the Military Order of Loyal Legion,
and Matteson Lodge No. 175, A. F. & A. M.
He is a Presbyterian in religion and a Republican
in politics. In Clarksville, Tenn. , November
13, 1S71, he married Margaret O'Connor. Four
children were born of their union, three of whom
are living, namely: Alpha, wife of Carl E.
Haffner, of New York City; Lulu, wife of J. F.
Frederick, M. D., of Joliet; and Carl, book-
keeper for the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad
Company.

HON. EVERETT J. MURPHY. The serv-
ices which in the past Mr. Murphy has
rendered the people of the twenty-first dis-
trict of Illinois as their representative in the
United States congress, and which he is now
rendering the people of the state in the office of
warden of the Illinois penitentiary, entitle him
to rank among the eminent men of the state. In
the councils of the nation he has won for himself
an enviable reputation for statesmanship. As a
member of congress he proved himself well able
to occupy a high rank among the many gifted
men of that body. By his keen judgment and
large mental endowments he has aided not a
little the progress of the Republican part}- in the
nation. Reared in that faith and early familiar
with its principles, he saw no reason, on arriving
at mature years, for changing his political belief;
in fact, the history of the nation during the past
decade has made him a stronger advocate than
before of Republican doctrines. Yet, though he
has lived in a time of partisan strife, his attach-

ment for his party has been broad and deep — the
attachment of a patriot, not that of a mere politi-
cian, and he has in his career exemplified the
old maxim that "He serves his party best
who serves his country best." In the office of
warden, to which he was chosen at a com-
paratively recent date, as the successor of Major
McClaughrey, he has already proved himself to
be the right man in the place. His attention is
very closely given to the duties of his office,
which leave him little leisure for recreation or for
society; yet, in the midst of many pressing re-
sponsibilities, he keeps in touch with the progress
of events in the country and in his party, and
formulates clear, definite opinions upon the topics
of the day. The enlargement of his sphere of
activity by his appointment as warden was a just
recognition of his service in public life. To the
position he has carried the same degree of energy
aud the same progressive spirit that character-
ized him in the halls of congress, and it ma}- with
safety be predicted that his record as warden will
equal or surpass his record as a congressman and
legislator.

His devotion to the Republican party is a trait
which he inherits from his father, Hon. William
P. Murphy, who came from Tennessee to Illinois
in 1830, and settled at Sparta, opening an office
for the practice of law and continuing in the pro-
fession for years. Both at the bar and ou the
bench he won an honorable name. He filled the
offices of county judge and judge of the court of
common pleas, in both of which he showed im-
partiality, broad knowledge of jurisprudence and
logical reasoning faculties. He gave to religious
work considerable time and effort, being active
in the Methodist Church, and for a quarter of a
century he was Sunday-school superintendent.
He remained active in professional and public
affairs until his death in 1884. Of the nine chil-
dren born to his marriage with Miss Mary J.
Fresh, Everett J. was third in order of birth.
He was born July 24, 1852. His education was
received in the grammar and high schools of
Sparta. From the age of twelve to twenty-three
he was employed in mercantile pursuits, mean-
time studying at night with the intention of en-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

217

tering upon the practice of law. His first public
office was that of deputy circuit clerk of Ran-
dolph Count}- and the first elective position he
held was that of sheriff of the same count}-, to
which he was chosen in 1882. Four years later
he was elected to the Illinois legislature, where
his service was creditable to himself and satis-
factory to his constituents. In 1889 he was made
warden of the southern penitentiar}- at Chester,
and during the four years he remained there he
gained a thorough knowledge of every detail con-
nected with the work, thus becoming thoroughly
qualified for the more responsible position he
now holds. The twenty-first district elected him
to congress in 1894, and there he was instru-
mental in the passing of various important bills.
His appointment as a member of the board of
pardons came to him from Governor Tanner in
1897, and the same governor, in July, 1899, ap-
pointed him warden at Joliet.

March 30, 1875, Mr. Murphy married Miss
E. C. Wilson, by whom he has two children,
Mary A. and William A. Mrs. Murphy is a
daughter of Capt. Andrew Wilson, of Sparta,
who was with A. D. Straight in the escape by
tunnel from Libby prison during the Civil war,
but was subsequently recaptured.

30HN KIRKHAM, the owner of a good farm
in Lockport Township, was born in Notting-
hamshire, England, August 12, 1832, a
member of an old and honored family of that
shire. When he was twelve years of age he went
to a hotel as first turn boy. He attended night
school, but is practically a self-educated man.
He was fond of music, and, under the guidance
of a competent instructor, he soon acquired a
thorough knowledge of the violin, which he still
plays and enjoys. At fifteen years of age he be-
gan to learn engine-building and was apprenticed
for six years to Clayton & Shuttle worth, of Lin-
coln, under whom he gained familiarity with the
business. It was his desire to seek a home and

fortune in the new world, but his parents strongly
opposed him in his wish. However, he deter-
mined to cross the ocean in spite of their protests,
and so he told his father to give his share in the
family estate to an invalid sister. From that day
he never asked his father for any aid, but was
able to make his way in the world for himself.
With a good letter of recommendation from the
firm he had been with several years and with just
enough money to pay his way to America, he set
sail from Liverpool August 12, 1856. After a
voyage of six weeks and two days he landed in
New York September 24 and debarked from the
four-masted sailing vessel "City of Mobile," in
which he had made the voyage. From New-
York he went to Dunkirk, in the same state, and
there was ill for several weeks. As soon as he
was able to travel he started for the west. No-
vember 7, of the same year, he landed in Lock-
port, with only three cents in his pockets. He
accepted the first work he could get, for which he
was paid $ 10 a month. In the spring he secured
employment which paid him $200 a year, without
board. His next work was the building of six
hundred rods of fence, and he also engaged in
haying during the season. Later he went into
the woods and cut cord wood, for which he was
paid fifty cents a cord. Going from Will to
Grundy County, he worked for $14 a month,
continuing there for two years. From 1861 to
1862 he was foreman of a farm of twelve hun-
dred acres. He then bought a team and rented a
farm in Dupage Township, Will County. After
a year he removed to another farm, which he
rented for three years, later buying it for $40 an
acre. The place comprised eighty-five acres and
was fairly well improved. After six years he
rented the laud and moved to Lockport, in order
that his children might attend the school there.
Meantime, for three years he ran an engine in the
Romeo warehouse. On selling his farm he
bought one hundred and twenty acres, which he
has since owned and cultivated, and which is said
to be one of the best farms in Lockport Township.
Before leaving England Mr. Kirkham was
married, in May, 1856, to Miss Mary Naylor, au
estimable lady and a consistent member of the

2l8

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Methodist Episcopal Church. She died April 3,
1S9S, leaving two children, namely: William
Henry, a farmer in this county; and Allie
Louisa, wife of Edson E. Harder, who rents his
father-in-law's farm.

In political views Mr. Kirkham is liberal and
independent, voting for the man rather than the
partj'. Interested in good roads and in good
schools, he has done excellent service for the dis-
trict while filling the offices of pathmaster and
school director. A believer in Christianity and in
sympathy with Christian work, he has assisted
religious enterprises as he has been able. Al-
though he started in this county wholly without
means, he has worked his way to a position of
independence which will permit him to spend his
declining years in retirement from active cares,
enjoying the rest he has so truly earned and
richlv deserved.

GJlLEXANDER GROSS, who resides in the
L| suburbs of Joliet, is engaged in business as
I I a contractor of stone sidewalks and curbing.
He was born in Kadelburg, Baden, Germany,
January 26, 1S34, and was the son of Casper and
Anna (Zuber) Gross, natives of the same place.
His father carried on a small farm and at the same
time operated a stone quarry, continuing the two
occupations until his death, at sixty-four years.
His wife, who was a daughter of Jacob Zuber, a
farmer, died when sixty-seven years old. They
were the parents of eight children, four of whom
survive, viz.: Alexander; Mrs. Mary Overman,
of Chicago; John, a stone-cutter in Joliet; and
Caroline, who lives in Pike County, 111.

In common with the German custom, our sub-
ject left school when fourteen years of age and
began to learn a trade. Having become inter-
ested in the stone business he decided to learn
the trade of a stone-cutter. This he learned
thoroughly and followed in his native land until
he came to America in 1854. He sailed from
Havre on the sailing vessel "Mammoth," which
anchored in New York after a voyage of fifty-four
days. From there he traveled to Chicago, where

he secured employment at his trade. In Septem-
ber, 1857, he came from Chicago to Joliet, and
worked at his trade in the building of the state
penitentiary, being one of the first stone-cutters
employed in that work. He was appointed fore-
man of the stone department in the prison in the
summer of 1858, a responsible position which he
held for twenty-three years. From the time
the first convicts were brought to the peni-
tentiary he taught them the trade, and he had
man\- interesting experiences in attempting to
transform lawyers, doctors, tailors, etc., into
stone-cutters; but with few exceptions they
were able to succeed at the trade. He found that
as a class the sailors made the best workmen.

Resigning the charge of the department in
1 88 1, Mr. Gross started a quarry of his own
with James Bruce & Co., and continued in that
until 1S87, when he sold out. The next year he
bought an interest with M. Krakar in the Krakar
Stone Company, of which he was secretary and
treasurer, at the same time acting as superin-
tendent of the company's quarries on North
Broadway and East Maple street. He was a
partner in the firm for six years, after which the
business was sold to the Joliet Limestone Com-
pany, and he continued with them for two years
as foreman. Since then he has contracted for
stone sidewalks and curbing, a business for which
his long experience in the stone trade admirably
qualifies him. He owns a neat residence on
North Broadway, surrounded by seventeen acres
of grounds, well laid out and rendered attractive
by the presence of shade trees. He is a member
of the Saengerbuud, the Joliet Sharpshooters'
Association, the Turner Society and Mount Joliet
Lodge No. 42, A. F. & A. M. In politics he
favors Republican principles.

The marriage of Mr. Gross took place in Joliet
and united him with Miss Margaret Uebel, who
was born in Prussia. They have four children
living, namely: Laura, who is the wife of John
Servis, of Joliet; Rosetta; Albertina, who is a
graduate of the Illinois State University at Cham-
paign; and Theodore, a graduate of the Joliet
high school, and now foreman for Bruce Bros.,
of this city.

UNIVERSITY 0* ILLINOIS

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

221

COL. JOHN BARNARD FITHIAN.

EOL. JOHN BARNARD FITHIAN. The
position which Colonel Fithian has held in
public and professional affairs since^he came
to Joliet in 1873 entitles him to rank among the
leading men of the city. He was born in Liv-
ingston County, N. Y., October 26, 1849, and
was third in a family of five, his brothers and
sisters being: W. W., who served in the Sixteenth
Kansas Cavalry during the Civil war, but is now
a resident of Joliet; Edward C, of Minnesota;
Frances C, who resides in California; and Mrs.
Lillian C. Lewis, of New York City. His father,
Rev. William Fithian, a native of New Jersey,
entered the ministry of the Presbyterian Church,
remaining in the east until 1857, when he settled
in northwestern Iowa. In the fall of i860 he
accepted a pastorate in Quincy, 111. During the
Civil war he entered the Union army and was as-
signed to the charge of the sanitary department,
afterward making his headquarters in St. Louis.
In later years he gave his time mostly to lectur-
ing, which work took him to the principal cities
of the United States. He died of cholera in
1874. His wife, who was a daughter of Dr.
Clark, of Dansville, N. Y., died in 1858.

The schooling of Colonel Fithian was limited
to a few years, as since he was twelve he has been
dependent upon his own efforts for the acquire-
ment of knowledge. In 1869 he secured em-
ployment in newspaper work in Carlinville, later
was reporter on the Jacksonville Journal staff,
next went to Belleville and from there to Litch-
field. In February, 1873, he came to Joliet,
where he was employed in connection with the
penitentiary, and at the same time studied law.

In 1875 he assisted in organizing the militia, in
which he was successively promoted from lower
to higher offices, and at the time of his resigna-
tion in 1883 held the office of colonel of the Fourth
Illinois Regiment. September 15, 1876, he was
admitted to the bar, at which time he discon-
tinued his other work and turned his attention to
the building up of a general practice. In this he
was successful, becoming known as a safe coun-
selor and able attorney. He has since devoted
himself to the law, from the practice of which he
has acquired a neat income as well as an excellent
reputation.

Politics engages Colonel Fithian's attention to
the extent that it deserves of every public-
spirited citizen. He is a stanch Republican, a
believer in all of the party principles, but not an
active politician. At this writing he is super-
visor of the sixth district of Illinois for the
census of 1900, his district comprising the coun-
ties of Will, Kankakee, Iroquois and Vermilion.
In January, 1878, he married Edna C, daughter
of Captain Whitaker, of Carlinville, 111.; they
have one child now living,. Lillian Clare.

The connection of Colonel Fithian with the
Masonic order dates from 1875, when he was
initiated into the blue lodge and took the first de-
gree of Masonry. He has since been an inter-
ested worker in the fraternity. On the organiza-
tion of the council at Joliet he was one of its
charter members. He has officiated as master
for six years. In October, 1893, he was ap-
pointed district deputy grand master, to which
position he has since been reappointed each year.
For three years he was commander of the Com-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

maudery and at this writing is the principal con-
ductor of the work of the Grand Council,
R. & S. M., of Illinois. He is connected with
the Masonic Veterans' Association of Illinois.

G] LBERT J. BATES. Not only in Joliet, but
LA throughout this and other states, Mr. Bates
/ I is known through the medium of his inven-
tions. There are few who possess greater inven-
tive ability than he. This talent was shown
even in his early boyhood. When twelve years
of age, although he had never seen a scroll saw,
he constructed one which was operated by foot
power; the steel of a hoop skirt was used for the
saw blades by filing teeth in it, and the machine
operated successfully. Three years later, long
before the days of bicycles in southwestern Mis-
souri, he made of wood a two-wheeled machine
with a front wheel of forty-four inches, which
did him service for some years; he had never
seen a wheel of any kind and was guided in his
work solely by the pictures in catalogues. The
greater number of the machines manufactured by
the Bates Machine Company, of which he is a
stockholder and director, were made and per-
fected by him, and, of varying uses and qualities,
illustrate the versatility of his inventive faculties.
The ancestry of the Bates family appears in the
sketch of William O. Bates, presented on another
page. The subject of this sketch was born, of
Canadian parentage, in Washington, Iowa, in
1863. When five years of age he accompanied
his parents to Carthage, Mo. , where he attended
school. Naturally gifted in mechanics, his ac-
tivities were early turned in that direction. For
a year he worked in a machine shop at Carthage
and for eight months in a shop at Springfield,
Mo. He then went to St. Louis, where he held
a position as scroll sawyer for three months and
later was an employe in a steam pump factory.
In 18S2 he went to Chicago, where he was em-
ployed for two years in machine shops. While
there he built machines for making check wire

for a Joliet firm, by whom he was offered a po-
sition as foreman of their machine department.
Coming to Joliet, in a few months he was also
made superintendent of their barb wire depart-
ment. Meantime he made several machines for
special uses. However, the remuneration not
being in proportion to his work, he resigned as
foreman, and engaged in designing and building
on contract machines for manufacturing wire.

With his brother organizing the firm of Bates
Brothers, Mr. Bates started a machine shop in
the fall of 18S5. The firm engaged in the manu-
facture of wire mill machinery and also carried
on general machine work. The plant burned
down and was rebuilt on a different site. In
1888 the Bates Machine Company, which has
since developed into one of the most important
industries of Joliet, was incorporated. Of this
Mr. Bates was secretary and treasurer from the
time of the incorporation until September, 1895,
but his outside business gradually took an in-
creasing amount of his time and thought, and
obliged him to resign as an officer of the com -
pan}-, although he still continues to hold stock
and is a member of the directorate. The com-
pany pays high wages and employs only skilled
labor. The plant runs during the entire year
and the products comprise all kinds of wire mill
machinery, including engines of two thousand
horse-power, some of which are shipped to the
gold mines of South Africa. There is scarcely
any part of the world to which the engines have
not gone, and in every place their value is im-
mediately recognized by those most competent
to judge.

As mechanical engineer and a large stock-
holder, Mr. Bates is now identified with the
American Steel and Wire Company. He is pres-
ident and the principal owner of the Joliet Pure
Ice Company, which carries on a large wholesale
and retail business, and owns a plant having a
daily capacity of forty tons; the most of the ma-
chinery used in connection with the plant was
manufactured by Mr. Bates. He holds stock in
the American Tin Plate Company, is extensively
interested in lead and zinc mines at Galena,
Kans., and is president and the principal owner

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

223

of the Bates-Cotter Company. His attention is
principally given to the designing of machinery
for wire mills. He is the inventor of the Bates
woven wire fence machine, which manufactures
two designs of fence, and which was the first ever
used in the mills of the American Steel and Wire
Company. Through his efforts the machinery
was simplified so that the manufacture can be
carried on at about one-tenth the cost of any
other machine. Over ninety per cent, of all the
barb wire made in the world is manufactured on
his machines, and his designs for the manufacture
of woven wire are the latest and best developed.
So deeply has Mr. Bates been engrossed in
the designing and manufacture of his various in-
ventions that he has had no leisure for public af-
fairs and politics, in which, aside from voting the
Republican ticket, he takes no part whatever. He
is a member of the Union Club of Joliet. His beau-
tiful home, at No. 600 Western avenue, is presided
over by his accomplished wife, formerly Ellen
Amos, a native of England, and in girlhood a
resident of Colorado. She is identified with the
Presbyterian Church and holds a prominent place
in the most select social circles of Joliet. Mr.
and Mrs. Bates have four children: Pearl, Walter,
Richard and Albert J., Jr.

WILLIAM O. BATES, treasurer and general
manager of the Bates Machine Company,
was actively connected with the organiza-
tion and incorporation of this concern in 188S,
and, as superintendent, had charge of the build-
ing of the foundry and shop. The gradual in-
crease of the business to the present large aggre-
gate of products is due, in no small extent, to his
ability and judicious oversight, in conjunction
with the work of the other officers of the com-
pany. Employment is given to two hundred
skilled laborers, who are engaged in the manu-
facture of the company's patents. The output
has increased from $35,000 to $250,000 at the
present writing, and the products are shipped

to every part of the globe. The works are located
in the east part of Joliet and cover six acres, con-
nected with the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific
Railroad, and through it with the Santa Fe,
Michigan Central, Alton, and Elgin, Joliet &
Eastern roads, by means of which facilities for
shipping are furnished that are unequaled in the
entire west.

Born in Hamilton, Canada, July 15, i860, the
subject of this article is a son of Joshua and Mary
(Oswald) Bates, natives respectively of Hamilton
and Brantford, Canada. His grandfather Bates
was of English descent, while the other grand-
father, James Oswald, a farmer in Canada, traced
his ancestry to Scotland. For some years Joshua
Bates was employed at pattern-making and rail-
road-building in Canada. In 1863 he removed
to Washington, Iowa, where he engaged in con-
tracting and building. Four years later he settled
in Carthage, Mo. , where he became well known
as a contractor. In 1886 he joined his sous in
Joliet and assisted them in their factory as a
pattern-maker. He died in this city February
10, 1899, when sixty-nine years of age. His
wife died in Carthage, Mo. They were the
parents of two daughters (both now in Los
Angeles, Cal.), and four sons, of whom three are
living, all in Joliet.

At the time the family settled in Iowa W. O.
Bates was three years of age, and four years later
he accompanied his parents to Carthage, Mo.,
where he studied in the public and high schools.
In 1875 he was apprenticed to the machinist's
trade in Carthage. For three years he continued
as an apprentice, after which he was made fore-
man in the same shop. Resigning in [882, he
sought a larger field for work, and for three years
he was connected with various large shops in
Chicago. Iu 1885 he came to Joliet and assisted
in forming the firm of Bates Brothers, which
equipped a shop near the center of town and be-
gan to manufacture wire-working machinery.
On the dissolution of the partnership he became
superintendent of the Bates Machine Company,
of which, since 1895, he has been treasurer and
general manager. His time has been so closely
given to business matters that he has never

224

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

mingled with others in the conduct of political
affairs, although he is well informed concerning
politics and adheres to Republican principles.
Socially he is connected with the Union Club.
While in Chicago he married Miss Mary Clarey,
who was born in Brantford, Canada, and by
whom he has three sons, Harry J., Elbert J. and
W. Oswald.

One of the most widely known products of the
Bates Machine Company's works is the Bates-
Corliss engine, which embraces in its construction
all that is superior in the original Corliss type,
together with many new and important features,
which give increased efficiency with a lesser de-
gree of complication. From the foundry to the
erecting room the best skill is used in its manu-
facture, so that the finished product is unexcelled
for accuracy of construction and perfect work-
manship. Its main attributes are strength,
utility, form and durability, all of which are pro-
moted by the original style of valve trips used.
In 1S95 the Franklin Institute recommended the
award of the John Scott legacy medal and premium
to Albert J. Bates for his invention of these valve
trips. Awards were also received from the judges
of engines in the World's Columbian Exposition.
The engines are used in every part of the world
and have given universal satisfaction wherever
introduced. A number of vertical condensing
engines have been purchased by the Pullman
Palace Car Company and other well-known con-
cerns in Chicago. While the bulk of the engines
remain in the United States, some have been
shipped to other countries. Three steam jacketed
cylinder pumping engines were built for the New

Heidelberg Roodeport Gold Mining Company at
Johannesburg, S. A. R.; two cross compound
condensing and one steam jacketed cylinder for
the Vesta Gold Mining Company, in the same
place, and one engine for the New Rand mines
there, while other companies in the same town
have purchased engines of various kinds. Ship-
ments have been made to Japan, Mexico and
other countries.

In the field of wire machinery the Bates
Machine Company are pioneers. It is due in no
small measure to their efforts that, during the
past fifteen years, from an output of five hundred
pounds of 8d nails per ten hours the production
has increased to three thousand pounds of 8d
nails in the same time. The Bates wire nail
machine is designed in such a manner as to make
it serviceable in the highest degree, and is con-
structed so as to make either one or two nails at
each revolution. The wire nail barbing machine
will barb all sizes of nail wire from No. 16 to No.
2 rod, and is equipped with steel shaftings, cut
gears and bearings bushed with bronze. Among
other machines manufactured are the wire nail
nimbler for tumbling and cleaning wire nails and
screws, a combination two and four point barbing
machine, a plain wire twisting machine, wire
staple machine, wire drawing frame and blocks,
power wire and hand wire pointing machines,
die plate hammering machines, wire baker, wire
muffle, wire mill buggy, wire annealing furnace
and steam crane, and galvanizing reel and wiper;
also the Cookson Improved feed water heater,
purifier, filter and oil separator, which is said to
be one of the finest heaters in the world.

UNIVERSITY Of ILLINOIS

/jr/P C ^~

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

227

HON. JACOB F. LOTZ.

HON. JACOB F. LOTZ. It is always a
proof of ability and faithfulness when a man
remains with the same firm for a long peri-
od of years, discharging responsible duties in an
intelligent and praiseworthy manner. Such is
the record of the subject of this sketch, who came
to Lockport July 20, 1858, as head miller for
Norton & Co., and continued in that capacity
and as superintendent Until January, 1899, a
period of more than forty years. Finally failing
health rendered it advisable for him to sever his
connection with the company and he retired to
private life. He has been active in local matters,
and was elected the first mayor of Lockport,
holding the office for two terms. At another
time he served as president of the board of trus-
tees of Lockport. For fifteen years he was a
member of the school board and during much of
that time served as its president; during his con-
nection with the board the high school and other
buildings were erected. In politics he has al-
ways been a Democrat. Fraternally he is iden-
tified with Lockport Lodge No. 538, A. F. &
A. M., of which he is chaplain; and is also a
member of Joliet Commandery No. 4, K. T.
With his family he attends the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, and at the time of the erection of
the house of worship he served on the building
committee.

Near Altooua, Blair County, Pa., our subject
was born May 18, 1824, a son of Jacob and Cath-
erine (Troxell) Lotz, natives respectively of Ger-
many and Cambria County, Pa. His father,
after having learned the miller's trade and served
in the German army, came to the United States
and settled in what is now Huntingdon County,
Pa. When his sou was eighteen months old he

was accidentally killed by a tree falling upon
him in a storm. His wife, who died in Blair
County, was the daughter of a Revolutionary
soldier, a member of Washington's body guard.
By her first husband, Mr. Robinson, she had two
children, both now deceased.- Of her second
marriage six children were born, two of whom
are living, John Lotz, of Huntingdon County,
Pa., and our subject.

When Mr. Lotz was nine years of age he was
orphaned by his mother's death. He was then
taken into a farmer's home, with the understand-
ing that he would be permitted to attend school
winters, but instead, he was obliged to work both
summer and winter. At eighteen years of age,
having determined to obtain an education, he
made arrangements for working for his board,
with the privilege of studying. This he did, and
in a measure made up for his lack of earlier op-
portunities. Afterward he worked in a mill at
$6 per month, remaining there for several years.
After his marriage, in 1848, he rented a mill,
which he operated for three years. In 1854 he
came west to Illinois; finding business dull in
Lockport, he went to Dixon, where he worked
for three years or more, but was unfortunate in
losing $1,000 that he had saved. From Dixon
he returned to Lockport, and has since made his
home here. During the Civil war he was drafted
in the army, but was rejected on a physician's
examination, owing to physical disability.

The first wife of Mr. Lotz was Elizabeth Ram-
sey, who died in Lockport, January 25, 1867,
leaving three daughters: Keturah, Mary and Ida.
His second marriage was to Miss Lucy Ramsey,
of Lockport, by whom he has four sons and one
daughter, namely: Henry, a graduate of the

228

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Philadelphia Dental College, and now engaged
in practice in Lockport; George, who is with the
Adams Express Company, in Chicago; Louis,
who is bookkeeper for a Lockport firm; John, a
student in the Illinois University; and Ella, at
home.

UjELSON D. ELWOOD, deceased, who was
\l one of this county's honored pioneers, was
| £> born in Otsego County, N. Y., in 1818, a
son of Daniel Elwood and a nephew of Isaac L.
Elwood, at one time secretary of the Western
Union Telegraph Company. He represented the
fourth generation in America, the family having
been founded in this country by a native of Essex
County, England, who settled on the Hudson
River. When eight years of age he was left an
orphan, and seven years later he secured a posi-
tion as clerk in Lockport, N. Y. In 1837 he
came to Lockport, 111., securing employment as
an engineer on the Illinois and Michigan canal,
at which he worked in the summers, while he
taught during the winters. On his election as
county clerk, in 1843, he came to Joliet, and
while filling that position he studied law and was
admitted to the bar. At the expiration of his
term as clerk he formed a partnership with his
wife's brother, Judge Parks, under the firm name
of Parks & Elwood, and afterwards he managed
the real-estate business of the firm, while his
partner had charge of law matters. At the or-
ganization of the Chicago & Rock Island Rail-
road Company he was made the company's sec-
retary, and also served as a director until the
road was completed into Iowa. Governor Joel
A. Matteson was the originator of the road, which
was opened to Joliet in 1852. Afterward Gover-
nor Matteson and Mr. Elwood built a part of the
Chicago & Mississippi Railroad from Joliet to
Alton, and this road, under its subsequent name
of Chicago & Alton, has since become one of the
most successful in the state. In 1856 Governor
Matteson and Mr. Elwood built the Joliet &
Northern Indiana Railroad, which connects Joliet

with the Michigan Central Railroad at Lake
Station, Ind., and in 1859 the latter road pur-
chased the branch. Until 1859 the Chicago &
Alton ran to Chicago 011 the Rock Island tracks,
but in that year its roadbed was extended, and
the road was known as the Joliet & Chicago
Railroad.

In 1848 Mr. Elwood was secretary of the state
senate. Although he was a strong Democrat, he
was in 186 1 re-appointed by Governor Yates, a Re-
publican, as one of the penitentiary commission-
ers chosen to locate the state penitentiary. He
retained the position until his death, which oc-
curred February 24, 1861. For years he was a
member of the vestry of Christ's Episcopal
Church. While he was identified with the Odd
Fellows his most active work, fraternally, was
with the Masons. He was grand high priest of
the grand chapter of Illinois, and at the time of
his death deputy grand commander of the grand
commandery of Illinois, an officer in the grand
lodge and a thirty-third degree Mason.

Mr. Elwood took an active interest in all edu-
cational work, and for many years was a member
of the board of school inspectors of Joliet. For
two terms he held the office of mayor, and for
three terms served as an alderman. He was,
beyond all question, one of the most active, pro-
gressive and public-spirited citizens of Joliet of
his day. *He filled positions of public and pri-
vate trust with exacting fidelity. His handiwork
may be found in and around Joliet to this day.
He erected the first business house on Jefferson
street, it being located where the present post-
office building stands. In that same frame
structure were for a time the offices of the Chica-
go, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company,
and there the building of that road was planned.

Although but forty-two years of age at the
time of his death, Mr. Elwood left behind him a
memory that will endure through future years.
The affectionate remembrance in which his name
is held by all the older members of the Masonic
fraternities is one of the rare evidences of deep
and lasting love.

The marriage of Mr. Elwood united him with
Miss Juliet L. Parks, of Lockport, N. Y. She

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

229

survived him almost forty years, passing away
May 6, 1900, in Chicago, and was buried in
Joliet. Her father, Joel M. Parks, was postmas-
ter and a merchant of Lockport, N. Y. , and in
1837 settled in Lockport, 111., where he also en-
gaged in the mercantile business and served as
postmaster. Later he removed to Joliet, where
he died. His wife was a sister of William Good-
ing, chief engineer of the Illinois and Michigan
canal.

The esteem in which Mrs. Juliet L. Elwood
was held in Joliet was shown by the following,
which is a portion of an article published in a
local paper at the time of her death:

"One of our noblest women passed away Sat-
urday night when the soul of Mrs. Juliet L.
Elwood winged its flight to its eternal home.
Everybody in Will County and Joliet knew and
loved her, and all alike mourn her death.

"Mrs. Elwood was born in Bristol, Ontario
County, N. Y., September 16, 1819. She was
married to Nelson D. Elwood in Lockport, N.Y. ,
February 13, 1837, and shortly after moved to
Lockport, Will County, 111. Some time after
the death of Mr. Elwood she moved to Chicago,
where she died on the 6th, at 2979 Prairie avenue.

"She was one of the grandest of wives and
mothers. All loved her for her high character,
loving ways and pure womanly traits.

"The funeral occurred from Christ Episcopal
Church this afternoon at three o'clock to Oak-
wood. The tears and flowers and heartfelt sighs
of the mourning relatives and friends and the
mute grief shown by the old-time friends and
neighbors told more eloquently than the grandest
sermon could of the deep and lasting love for the
deceased, whose memory will ever be cherished
and revered."

HON. JAMES G. ELWOOD, postmaster of
Joliet and one of the city's most influential
citizens, was brought to this place by his par-
ents in 1843, when four years of age. He was
born in Lockport, this county, and received his

education in public and private schools primarily,
after which he attended the Collegiate and Com-
mercial Military School in New Haven, Conn.,
remaining there until thecompletionofthecour.se
in 1857. While there he served as first sergeant
for three months and later held the rank of cap-
tain. The choice of a university course at Yale
or study abroad was given him, and he chose the
latter, going to Geneva, Switzerland, where he
was under a tutor for a year. Next he matricu-
lated in Frederick William University at Berlin,
where he completed the first year's studies.
While there his only living brother passed away
and left him the sole survivor of six sons. For
this reason his parents deemed it best for him to
return to them, and the following year he spent
in his father's office. After completing the course
in Bryant & Stratton's Business College he re-
turned to the office of Parks & Elwood, aud con-
tinued there until his mother gave her consent
for his enlistment in the volunteer army in July,
1862.

Organizing Company B, of the One Hundredth
Illinois Infantry, he was commissioned its cap-
tain by Governor Yates, and went at once to the
front. After the battle of Perryville he accom-
panied General Rosecrans and took part in the five
days' fight at Murfreesboro. During that battle
he was honored by being made acting assistant
adjutant-general of the First Brigade, First Divi-
sion, Twenty-first Corps, being appointed on the
field by Gen. George T. Buell. His brigade,
which was in Wood's division, received an order
to move by the left flank in the battle of Chicka-
mauga. It obeyed the order with fourteen hun-
dred and fifty men and lost six hundred and for-
ty-eight men in its heroic effort to hold its posi-
tion. While in Chattanooga, Mrs. Elwood wrote
so strong an appeal for her son's return home
that General Rosecrans decided her request
should be granted. The young officer therefore
resigned in November, 1863, and returned home.

In 1866 Mr. Elwood became a broker on the
Chicago board of trade. Soon afterward he en-
tered the milling business at Matteson, 111., but
in 1870 returned to Joliet, where he has since
carried on a real-estate business. With ex- Mayor

230

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Paige, in 1SS0, he built the Telephone Exchange,
the first telephone in Joliet, and this the two con-
ducted for three years, and then sold out to the
Chicago Telephone Company, Mr. Elwood re-
maining as manager for four more years. His
next business enterprise was as treasurer, general
manager and a director of the water works com-
pany, with which he continued for four years,
until the plant was purchased by the city. From
1S8S to 1896 he was manager of the Joliet Gas
Company, with which he was connected from
1 86 1 and of which he was secretary for twenty
years. With Judge Parks, in 1S77, ne erected
the First National Bank building. He is a direc-
tor in the Will County National Bank and has an
interest in many other local enterprises of impor-
tance. In 1862 he was made a director of Oak-
wood cemetery, of which he has been superinten-
dent since 1871.

When Mr. Elwood entered the army he was a
Douglas Democrat, but soon after the war he be-
came a Republican and has been stanch in his al-
legiance to this part)- ever since. From 1872 to
1S74 he was alderman from his ward. In 1S77
he was elected mayor, being the first to hold the
office under the present charter. As chairman of
the board of county supervisors for two years he
proved an efficient worker for the benefit of the
paople, not only devoting his salary to the bene-
fit of the public work, but making personal con-
tributions besides. From 1892 to 1S94 he was
superintendent of the poor, this being the time of
the panic, when work was scarce and many
worth}- people were in direst straits. During
that time he had charge of feeding. and helping
forty-four hundred and fifty persons, and much
of his time was given to this work. July 11,
1S98, he was appointed postmaster of Joliet,
and has since served with efficiency in the office.

In Chicago, in 1868, Mr. Elwood married Miss
Margaret Pearce, who was born in Seneca Coun-
ty, N. Y. Her father, William L. Pearce, came
to Chicago in 1852 and opened the Matteson
house, corner of Randolph and Dearborn streets.
He died in Chicago. His brother is now propri-
etor of the Sherman house in that city. Mr. and
Mrs. Klwood are the parents of four children.

Ward Pearce Elwood, the oldest, was educated in
Faribault, Minn., and Chicago Manual Training
school, and is now engaged in the plumbing
business in Joliet. William Nelson Elwood is
treasurer and secretary of the Nashville Chair
and Carriage Company, of Nashville, Tenn. ; this
company both father and son helped to organize
and it has the most complete and modern plant of
its kind in the United States. The older daugh-
ter, Louise Mayuette, was educated in Lasell Sem-
inary at Auburudale, Mass., and the younger,
Elsie Parks, graduated with honors from the
Joliet high and training schools. The family
spend the winters in Joliet and during the summer
occupy their country home, "Elwood Terrace,"
on the St. Clair River, in Michigan.

Fraternally Mr. Elwood is connected with Mat-
teson Lodge," A. F. & A. M. ; Joliet Chapter,
R. A. M., in which he is past high priest; Joliet
Council; Joliet Commandery No. 4, K. T. , in
which he has been commander five terms; and
in 1884 he was grand commander of the Grand
Commandery of Illinois. For twelve years he
was the representative of the grand comman-
dery of New York in the commandery of this
state. He is a member of the Illinois Comman-
dery of Loyal Legion and Bartleson Post No. 6,
G. A. R., of Joliet. For man)- years he w T as a
vestryman and warden in Christ's Episcopal
Church and took an active part in the man-
agement of the finances of the church, also
aided actively in the erection of the church
building-.

REY. SAMUEL HEWES. Far and near this
gentleman is known for his successful and
self-sacrificing labors in the cause of Christ.
Early entering the ministry, his entire active life
was devoted to the winning of souls for Christ
and the uplifting of humanity. Under his labors,
both in regular pastorates and in evangelistic
meetings, thousands have been converted, and
these sixty years have been very fruitful of re-
sults. Even now, though with him life's brief

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

day has reached its serene twilight, he still labors
as his strength permits, preaching occasionall}'
and in other ways promoting the welfare of the
church.

The record of the Hewes family is presented
in the sketch of our subject's brother, Daniel S.,
also of Crete. Samuel was born in Shaftsbury,
Vt., August iS, 1814, and was the eldest son of
twelve children. When he was quite young the
family removed to Chittenden County, Vt. He
was a mere boy when he. began to work, giving
his wages to his father to assist in the support of
the family. When the family started west in
1835 he had just been converted, and, feeling a
call to the ministry, he desired a better education
than he could secure in Illinois. Hence he re-
solved to remain in Vermont. Working during
vacations he obtained the means to pursue
academic studies in Bennington. Later he stud-
ied and also was a teacher for two years in West
Poultney Seminary. While teaching in Chitten-
den County in 1839 he received a license to
preach and filled the pulpit on the night the
license was given him. For two years he taught
week days and preached on Sundays. During
that time he held a very successful revival. After
his marriage he joiued the conference. In 1857
he moved to Troy, N. Y., which at that time was
noted for its wickedness. During the two years
he remained in that city he had more than three
hundred converts. Before this he made two hun-
dred conversions in the suburbs and preached at
three different places each Sunday.

In spite of the fact that he was offered the lead-
ing church in Troy if he would remain there,
Mr. Hewes determined to come to Illinois, where
he had purchased one hundred acres of govern-
ment land in 1846 and where his relatives resided.
In 1859 he settled in Will County. Immediately
joining the western conference, he was appointed
pastor of the Crete congregation. Besides preach-
ing here, on alternate Sundays he preached at
Mouee, seven miles from Crete, and Thornton, ten
miles distant, where he held Sunday afternoon ser-
vices and also had three appointments during the
week. For two years he continued in that man-
ner, after which he was stationed at Arlington

Heights, Palatine and other places for two years,
at Wheatou for a year and at Frankfort Station
for two years, at the same time supplying other pul-
pits. Failing health then obliged him to tempo-
rarily give up his ministerial work. He bought
the old homestead from his mother, and this,
with his own land, made him owner of three hun-
dred and sixty acres in Crete Township. Six
years of outdoor exercise and farm work restored
his health and he resumed his ministerial work.
His next appointments were as follows: McHen-
ry, 111., two years; Crystal Lake Crossing one
year; Downer's Grove, two years; Courtlaud,
two years; Kaneville, three years; and Erie, one
year. On reaching the age of seventy years he
retired from regular pastoral work, although he
was offered by the Erie congregation a large sal-
ary if he would remain. On retiring he estab-
lished his home in Crete Village, where he has
since resided.

It would be impossible to estimate the good
accomplished by such a life as that of Mr. Hewes,
for kind deeds and Christian service cannot be
tabulated in statistics. But, though unchronicled
on earth, He who said, "Inasmuch as ye did it
unto the least of these, my brethren, ye did it
unto me," will not pass them by unrewarded.
Now as he looks back over his eighty-six years
he can do so without regret or remorse, and can
look forward to the future with the Christian's
bright hope of eternal happiness.

At Grand Island, Vt., December 24, 1840, Mr.
Hewes married Miss Phoebe Phelps, who was
born in Vermont and is still living, at eighty-two
years. She has been an active worker in the
church and a faithful, efficient helpmate to her
husband, whose devoted wife she has been for
sixty years. Of their nine children two daugh-
ters alone survive. The eldest of these is a noted
evangelist, having inherited her father's gift of
preaching. She has been in evangelistic work
for twenty years, mainly in Illinois, Iowa, Wis-
consin and Indiana, and also spent four years in
Ireland, where she gained more converts to the
church than any evangelist had secured for years.
Besides this, she is an excellent writer on re-
ligious subjects. She is the wife of Rev. Joseph

232

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Caldwell, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal
Church in Frankfort, this county. The second
daughter, Mary H., deceased, married Rev. Sam-
uel Earngey, who has held pastorates at Dixon,
Plainfield, Elgin, Morris, Aurora and other
places, and is now one of the well-known Meth-
odist Episcopal ministers of Chicago. The third
daughter, Helen H. , is the wife of G. W. Willard,
M. D., of Chicago; and the youngest daughter,
Franc, now deceased, married Charles Blim,
M. D., of Crete.

Gl LBERT T. RANDALL, supervisor of Ckan-
| I nahou Township and a well-known merchant
| 1 of Channahon, was born in Cuyahoga Coun-
ty, Ohio, June 7, 1837, a son of John T. and
Beulah S. (Russell) Randall. He was one of a
family of six, four now living, those besides him-
self being Gersham A., who is with the Brewster
Manufacturing Company in Beatrice, Neb. ; Lau-
ra A., who is the wife of Albert Wilburn, a busi-
ness man of Blackford, Kans.; and Mary, who
married Charles A. Warren, an attorney of Chi-
cago. His father, who was a native of Orleans
County, Vt., born August 2, 1815, accompanied
his parents to Orleans County, N. Y., when he
was ten years of age, and there he grew to man-
hood. His school advantages were very limited,
but later, through broad reading, he became a
well-informed man. In early manhood he went
to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where he worked on
his uncle's farm. There he met and married
Miss Russell. After the birth of two children he
and his wife removed to Orleans County, N. Y.,
and there resided until 1849.

During the latter year John T. Randall brought
his family to Illinois. After a few months in
Joliet he settled in Troy Township, on the Du
Page River, where he purchased two hundred
and five acres of canal land. Some years were
spent on that place. However, in 1855, on ac-
count of the poor school facilities in that locality,
he disposed of his farm and removed to the village
of Cliannahon. Four years later he settled on a

farm two miles east of town and there he re-
mained until his death, November 30, 1882. In
early life he was an ardent Democrat, but later
became independent in politics. During the
years 1863, 1864 and 1865 he represented Chan-
nahon Township on the board of supervisors, and
in 1853 and 1854 ne represented Troy Township
on the board. He also served as assessor of
Channahon Township a number of times and
held the office of highway commissioner. He
was one of the county's most highly esteemed
men.

The grandfather of our subject, Nehemiah
Randall, was born at Northampton, Mass., in
17S4. When a young man he moved to Vermont
and there married. In 1825 he removed to Or-
leans County, N. Y., and there made his home
for twenty years, going in 1845 to Lorain Coun-
ty, Ohio, where he died one year later. He was
a type of the industrious pioneer farmers, to whom
the present generation owes so large a debt of
gratitude. His father, Gersham Randall, was a
native of Scituate, Mass., and served in the Rev-
olutionary War; one of his brothers was killed at
Braddock's defeat during the French and Indian
war in 1755. The first of the Randall family in
America came from England about 1640 and set-
tled in the town of Scituate. The wife of Nehemiah
Randall bore the maiden name of Sally St. Clair;
her father, James St. Clair, a native of Vermont,
served in the Revolutionary war and the war of
1812.

The mother of our subject was a daughter of
Joseph and Miriam (Morgan) Russell, natives of
Massachusetts. Two of the Morgan family
served in the Revolutionary war, one being in
the navy, the other in the army. Joseph Russell
was a teamster in the war of 18 12 and his father
rendered patriotic service to the colonial cause
during the first struggle with England. The
Russells descended from English forefathers, who
emigrated to America between 1640 and 1660.

When a young man of twenty years our sub-
ject went to Wisconsin, where he remained for a
time with an uncle on a farm, returning to Will
County in the latter part of 1858. In March,
1859, he joined a party of Argonauts seeking

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

233

gold in the Pike's Peak region, and, arriving in
Colorado, devoted some time to searching for
gold. While he was there the Civil war broke
out. September 9, 1861, he enlisted in Company
H, First Colorado Infantry, which was made a
cavalry regiment in November, 1862. He re-
mained with it until his honorable discharge,
December 14, 1865. Enlisting as a private he
was soon made a corporal and later a sergeant.
The important engagements in which he partici-
pated were those at Apache Canon, Pigeon ranch,
Peralto, Cedar Canon and Sand Creek.

After being mustered out from the service Mr.
Randall returned to Illinois and resumed farm
work. During the summers of 1866 and 1867 he
went to St. Joe, Mo. , and worked in a packing
house. From 1859 to 186 1 he engaged in farm
work in Will County, after which he spent three
years as salesman in a store in Wilmington. On
his return to Channahon he took charge of the
old homestead, which he farmed until 1882. He
then became a partner in a mercantile establish-
ment in Channahon, but sold out the next year
and returned to the homestead, where he re-
mained until 1890. During that year he removed
to the village, and here for three years he was
connected with a mercantile store. In 1893 he
established his present business, which he has
successfully and efficiently conducted.

During Mr. Randall's service in the army he
was a member of a party sent across the plains as
escort to a band of chiefs in February, 1863, for
the purpose of making a treaty between the In-
dians and the government. His company and
Company D comprised the escort. He remained
in camp at St. Joe, Mo., while the Indians went
on to Washington, D. C. It was while at St. Joe
that he was married, April 30, 1863, to Miss
Anna Tollard, daughter of James and Rachael
(Emery) Tollard, natives of England. She was
born in Newark, N. J., shortly after her parents
arrived in America. Later they removed to Co-
lumbiana County, Wis., and from that state to
St. Joe, Mo., where they died. Three children
were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Randall,
namely: Maud B., wife of Fred Weese, of Minoo-
ka, Grundy County, 111. ; John T. , who is with

the Chicago Telephone Company; and Laura A.,
wife of Charles B. Chase, a machinist and brick
manufacturer in Channahon.

In 1870 Mr. Randall was collector for Channa-
hon Township. Since 1876 he has served as
justice of the peace. In 1884 he was elected
assessor and continued in the office for eight
years. In April, 1899, he was chosen a member
of the board of supervisors, which position he now
ably fills. In politics he is of the Republican
faith. He is connected with Channahon Lodge
262, A. F. & A. M.; Kalon Camp No. 4282,
Modern Woodmen of America; and Burden Post
No. 494, G. A. R.

'HOMAS TAIT, who was long identified
with the farm interests of Jackson Town-
ship, though now passed from earth, yet
lives in the hearts and memories of his friends
and neighbors. His character as a man is well
known, but a brief recital of the incidents of his
life may still more firmly establish the record of
his honorable and useful career. He was born
on the Shetland Islands, September 23, 1830, a
sou of Michael and Margaret (Leisk) Tait, of
whose five children only two are living. The
older son, John, is a farmer in Lane County,
Ore., and the younger, Magnus, is living retired
in Santa Clara County, Cal.

During the time of the religious persecutions in
Scotland, the Leisk and Tait families fled from
that country and took refuge in the Shetland Is-
lands, where Michael Tait was born October 21,
1805, and Margaret Leisk January 16, 1803.
Four of their children were born on the same is-
lands. May 14, 1838, they started across the
ocean to America, arriving at New York on the
28th of June, and on the 19th of July they
reached Chicago. Ten years were spent in that
then insignificant village. March 28, 1848, they
arrived at Joliet. They settled on one hundred
and twenty acres of land in Joliet Township,

'34

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

three miles south of town. Mr. Tait was very
fond of flowers and had so many plants on his
place that it became known as Flower Hill. Sep-
tember 2S, 1848, he took out a patent for the
land. September 27, 185 1, he made his final
payment for the property, the purchase price for
the one hundred and twenty acres being $477.
By trade he was a stone mason, but his prefer-
ence was for farm pursuits. On first settling in
Chicago he spent a short time with a brother
there, and later became connected w T ith a Mr.
Barnett in stone contracting. For some years af-
terward he engaged in the building of the locks
on the canal at Wellington, Canada, and the
locks on this canal. After completing that w T ork
he settled down on the farm where he remained
until his death, October 6, 1S7S. His wife spent
the last eighteen mouths of her life with our sub-
ject and died in his home March 28, 1882. She
and her husband were members of the First
Baptist Church of Joliet and were active Christian
workers.

When a boy our subject had no extended op-
portunities for acquiring an education, but he
lost no chance to gain the knowledge he felt
would be necessary to him in life. Farming
duties early and late engrossed much of his time;
hours of work were long and the labor often
wearying, but books or newspapers that came in
his way were eagerly read in order to gain the
varied information and news from the outside
world. Being a young man of frugal habits, he
soon was in a position to buy a farm. He pur-
chased eighty-five acres in Jackson Township
from a Miss Cook, who later became the wife of
Elder Solomon Knapp. Here he devoted himself
to his chosen occupation, beginning in his new
home the life that brought him happiness, honor
and success. The laud upou which he settled
was almost unbroken prairie, but his energetic
management soon yielded him good crops; and
the improvements upon it were a monument to
his skillful labor. Upon this place he made his
home until his life work ended, May 3, 1896.
During the last twenty years of his life he suffered
from the effects of a sunstroke. On account of
his poor health he and his wife spent much time

in travel, and in 1895 extended their travels as
far as Alaska, visiting Sitka, Juneau and other
points of interest. For years he was a member of
the school board of his district, and his efforts
proved helpful in promoting the condition of the
school. At fourteen years of age he connected
himself with the First Baptist Church of Joliet,
with which he was afterward identified, and his
wife has been a member of the same church for
thirty years or more. In politics he was a Re-
publican. He served as supervisor and collector
of Jackson Township one term.

October 12, 185S, Mr. Tait married Miss Cath-
erine Shutts, a native of Columbia County, N.Y.,
born September 19, 1S40, and a daughter of John
and Catherine (Cole) Shutts. She was one of a
family of six sons and three daughters, of whom
the following besides herself now survive: Henry,
an attorney of Oregon City, Mo.: Samuel, of Jo-
liet; John, who lives in Chicago; Cassius, a grocer
in St. Joe, Mo.; Peter, an attorney in Joliet; and
Frank, a farmer in Rooks County, Kans. Mr.
Shutts came to Joliet September 13, 1S55. He
purchased one hundred acres of land on the pres-
ent site of the Swedish orphans' home, and there
he resided up to a few months before his death.
His last days were spent in the home of his
daughter, Mrs. Tait, where he died September 6,
1899. His wife had passed away December 21,
1878. Both were earnest members of the Central
Presbyterian Church. For a number of years
he served as supervisor of Joliet Township. He
was a man of considerable local prominence and
was recognized as one of Will County's represent-
ative citizens.

To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Tait six sons
and three daughters were born, all but one of
whom are still living. John and Magnus are en-
gaged in the fruit business and in cattle ranching
at Phoenix, Ariz. : Margaret is the wife of Oscar
Lara way, a farmer of Joliet Township; Thomas
is engaged in farming on Puget Sound, in Wash-
ington; Fred is a partner of Magnus in cattle-
raising: Cassius is on the home farm in Jackson
Township; Sarah and Robert reside with their
mother. Since November, 189S, the family home
has been at No. 706 Richards street, Joliet.

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

237

JOHN THEILER.

(JOHN THEILER, who was engaged inbusi-
I ness in Joliet since 1857, was born in Canton
G) Luzerne, Hassle Amt Entlebueh, Switzer-
land, December 8, 1829, a son of John and Bar-
bara ( Wicke) Theiler, also natives of that can-
ton. In 1847 his father brought the family to the
United States and settled in Chicago, where he
died seven years later, at fifty-four years of age.
His wife also died in that city. They were the
parents of six sons and four daughters, nine of
whom came to America and four are now living.
Two of the sons, John and Joseph, make their
home in Joliet, and another son, Anthony, is a
farmer near Troy, this state. An uncle ( Anthony)
is still living in Switzerland, and is now eighty-
five years of age. The grandfather, John
Theiler, was a farmer in Canton Luzerne, where
preceding generations also lived. So far as
known, all members of the family have been
Roman Catholics.

While still a mere boy, our subject began to
make his own way in the world. His first occu-
pation was as a farm hand. In 1847 he accom-
panied his parents on the sailing vessel "Boston,"
from Havre to New York, landing after a voyage
of thirty-five days. From New York he pro-
ceeded up the Hudson to Albany, thence by
canal to Buffalo, and from there by boat to Chi-
cago. Going out on the prairie, he helped to
put up hay. Later he worked in a packing-
house, then in a lime-kiln. The fall of 1850
found him in Joliet, and during the winter he
worked in George Woodruff's distillery at Three
Points. In the spring he went back to Chicago,

then returned to Joliet in the fall. In 1853 he
settled permanently in this county, buying
a farm on North Broadway, which later be-
came Saengerbund park. For three years he
made his home on that place, meantime improv-
ing and cultivating its fifty acres. He then sold,
and opened the store which he has since con-
ducted. Until 1S62 his location was on North
Hickory street, but he then bought a store at
No. no South Bluff street, and later built on
adjoining ground, so that now he has a frontage
of seventy-five feet and a depth of eighty feet,
with four floors. This large business has been
built up through his energy, perseverance and
determination.

In 1892 Mr. Theiler assisted in incorporating
the E. Porter Brewing Company, of which he has
since been a stockholder and director. He has a
number of valuable real-estate interests, among
these being fifteen acres of his old farm on North
Broadway, now known as Theiler park. He also
owns twenty-two acres adjoining City park, and
easy of access via the West park street cars and
the Rock Island Railroad. This property he
expects to plat and sell in lots. Until 1896 he
adhered to the regular Democratic organization,
but its adoption of a silver plank caused him to
join the ranks of the gold-standard Democrats.
For two terms he served as alderman from the
old Twenty-third (now the Third) ward. For
many years he has been treasurer of the Saenger-
bund. At onetime he served as president of the
Sharpshooters' Association, and he has taken a
number of prizes for his skill as a marksman.

238

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

His membership is in St. John's Roman Catholic
Church, but he also attends and supports St.
Patrick's.

The marriage of Mr. Theiler, in Joliet, united
him with Miss Lizzie Fender, who was born on
the Rhine in Alsace, and in 1846 came to Joliet
in company with her father, Michael Fender,
who was a gardener here. Mr. and Mrs. Theiler
had five children who attained mature years. Of
these, John, who was a prominent business man
of Joliet, died in Februarj', 1899, and Joseph is
now a merchant of this city. The daughters
are Mrs. Mary Scheit, Mrs. Louisa Wenner, and
Lizzie, also of this city.

(TAMES G. HEGGIE, a well-known business
I man of Joliet, where he has resided since
Q) 1S75, was born in Scone, Perthshire, Scot-
land, October 18, 1853. His birthplace was the
estate of Scone, now owned by the Earl of Mans-
field, and renowned in history as the place where
all the kings of Scotland were crowned. His
father was born in the county of Fife, and en-
tered the employ of the Earl of Mansfield when a
young man. He was engaged in contracting,
taking charge of the improvements on the place.
As leases on the estate were always made for a
term of nineteen years, at their renewal consider-
able work was necessary. In religion he was
connected with the Free Presbyterian Church.
At the time of his death he was eight}-- one years
of age.

The wife of John Heggie was Margaret Smith,
a devout woman, of great energy and firmness of
character, who died at eighty-four years of age.
She was a daughter of Sergeant Henry Smith, of
the English army, and was born on the Island of
Sicily (her father having been on military duty
there at the time of her birth). Her brothers
were also military men. One, John Smith, took
part in the Crimean war, and another, Henry,
died while on duty in India. The children of
John and Margaret Heggie were named, as fol-

lows: Jessie, who is the wife of James Simpson,
of Chicago; John, our subject's business partner;
Mary, deceased; Isabelle, Mrs. Dixon, of Scot-
land; and James G. The last-named was edu-
cated in schools connected with the free church
in Scotland, supplemented by attendance at an
academy. For four years he worked in a lawyer's
office. At the expiration of that time he entered
the office of the surveyor of taxes, where he re-
mained for a year, and until he came to America.

In 1873 Mr. Heggie crossed the ocean, going
to Dekalb County, 111., where he worked on a
farm. From there he came to Joliet, and, having
a taste for mechanics, he secured employment
with the Joliet Steel Company. After two years
in the boiler shop he was made foreman of that
department. He remained with the company for
seventeen years, during which time he retained
the fullest confidence of his employers.

Forming a partnership with his brother in
1892 Mr. Heggie opened a business of his own,
having the largest boiler-manufacturing plant
in the city. In 1899 they erected a still larger
plant, located on the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern
Railroad; this is one of the largest and best ap-
pointed plants of its kind in the entire state.
The success with which it has been conducted re-
flects the greatest credit upon its owners and
speaks volumes for their ability and perseverance.
The brothers have done a large amount of work
for the contractors on the drainage canal, as well
as the officers of the sanitary district, and their
relations with all have been the most agreeable.

In national affairs Mr. Heggie is a Republican.
He has never sought political preferment nor
been active in politics. For three terms he
served as alderman from the first ward, to which
he was twice elected on the Republican and once
on the Democratic ticket. Fraternally he is con-
nected with Mount Joliet Lodge, A. F. & A. M.;
in this he has held all the offices except that of
master. He is interested in some gold property
near Deadwood and is vice-president of the Her-
cules Gold Mining Company. His residence at
No. 906 Irving street was erected in 1SS1. and is
modern in all of its appointments. The residence
adjoining was built by him at the same time. He

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

239

owns several houses, most of which he built.
For six years he was director of the People's
Homestead & Loan Association.

December 31, 1878, in Chicago, Mr. Heggie
married Kate, daughter of William Fraser, a na-
tive of Inverness-shire, Scotland; she was born in
Hamilton, Ontario, but came to the States at
an early age. Mr. and Mrs. Heggie are the
parents of eight children, namely: John Fraser,
who is in his father's shop; Thomas Melbrun.
who has a taste for mechanical engineering and is
directing his studies toward that occupation;
James Moir, who is in the shop; William Ross,
Robert Bruce, Fred, Jeannette Marguerite and
Gordon Alexander.

(JOSEPH LABO is engaged in the florist's
I business in Joliet. In the spring of 1898 he
Q) bought two acres of land at Ray nor and
Mason avenues and built a greenhouse. Since
then he has built up a large business in cut
flowers, nursery and decorative plants. His
greenhouses contain twelve thousand square feet
of glass and are stocked with the choicest vari-
eties of plants. In addition to his regular work
as a florist he has had considerable demand for
his services as a landscape gardener, and has dis-
played taste and talent in this line of business.
Desiring to equip his greenhouses with the latest
improvements, he has bought a gasoline engine,
and uses steam and hot water for heating purposes.
Born in Cologne, Germany, May 21, 1S68, our
subject is a son of Theodore and Sophia (Mauch)
Labo, natives of the same city, where the pater-
nal grandfather was a stone mason and the
maternal grandfather, Dominicus Mauch, an ex-
pert mechanic and manufacturer of scientific
instruments. The father, who was a talented
pianist, organist and violinist, played the grand
organ in the Colonge Cathedral for years and
also taught private pupils. He died in his native
city when seventy-one years of age. His wife is
still living in that place. They had only two

children, of whom the daughter still remains in
Cologne. The son, our subject, spent six years
in the Cologne Gymnasium, where he studied
German, English, French and Latin. At the
age of sixteen he was apprenticed to the trade of
florist and landscape gardener in his native town,
and after two years he began travel as a journey-
man, working in various German towns. In
1887 he entered the Seventh Artillery of Cologne
Battery No. 8, in which he served for one year.
His knowledge of foreign languages led to his
promotion from the ranks to an official position.
After retiring from the army he went to England
and worked at his trade there, later was similar-
ly engaged in France and Ghent, Belgium.

Coming to America in 1892, Mr. Labo was
employed in a large nursery at Rochester, N. Y.
In the spring of 1893 he went to Chicago, and
for eighteen months worked in Lincoln Park
under Superintendent Pettigrew, who recommend-
ed him to Warden Allen at Joliet. In this way
he was appointed to the position of florist at the
state penitentiary. He continued there until
February 1, 1899, when he resigned in order to
devote his entire attention to private business
affairs. While at the penitentiary he laid out the
front lawn and made the lily pond, transforming
the grounds from their unattractive condition to
a beautiful spot. He is a member of the Society
of American Florists and takes a warm interest
in everything pertaining to his occupation. In
religion he is identified with St. John's Roman
Catholic Church. He is a member of the Joliet
Saengerbuud. By his marriage in New York
City to Miss Margaret Fisher, a native of
Cologne, he has one son, Theodore.

f - RANK L. BO WEN, president of the Star
Ty Publishing Company of Joliet, and editor of
I ' Joliet Sunday Star, is one of the well-known
newspaper men of his city. In connection with
George L. Erhard, in November, 1897, he estab-
lished the Joliet Sunday Star, the only Sunday
paper published in the city. From the first the

240

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

enterprise was popular and met with success.
The paper takes a strong stand for the enforce-
ment of law and order and for the election of men
who will enforce the laws. In fact, the first shot
that was fired in the campaign against the lawless
element in the city was fired by the Star, and,
while the paper has always been strictly non-
partisan, its independent and brave stand for the
right have caused both parties to seek to nomi-
nate only men with clean records. The circula-
tion is large and is not limited to the city. In
size the Star is a seven-column, eight-page paper,
containing forcible editorials as well as local and
general news of interest. The publication is
managed by a company, of which Mr. Bowen is
president, and treasurer and manager. He also
acts as agent for the Burnell Commercial Agency
of Marskalltown, Iowa, and publishes their daily
report for Will County.

Mr. Bowen was born in Greenwich, Huron
County, Ohio, January 16, 1870. When he was
a child his parents moved to Michigan. He was
educated in the high school and college at Hills-
dale, Mich., and the Grand Rapids high school,
from which he graduated in 1891. In the fall of
the latter year he entered the department of law,
University of Michigan, from which he graduated
in 1893 with the degree ofLL-B. During his
university course he was a member of the Jeffer-
souiau Society, and at the same time he took
special studies in the department of literature,
science and arts. In 1893 he was admitted to
the bar in Michigan. He continued special study
at the university, taking the post-graduate course
in law, and the next year was given the degree

ofLL.M. Going to Chicago in 1894 he spent a
year in the office of Col. Robert Rae, a prominent
practitioner at the federal bar in that citj-. From
the time he was seventeen he had been interested
in literary work, and in this way he had paid his
expenses while in college.

In 1S95 Mr. Bowen accepted a position with
the Joliet Morning Post. After three months he
was made city editor of the paper, and continued
in that capacity until the paper was discontinued
in 1896. From that time until the spring of
1897 he was connected with the Daily Republican
on the reportorial staff. He was then elected
justice of the peace on the Democratic ticket, re-
ceiving a good majority although the township
was Republican. He took the oath of office in
May, 1897, for a term of four years, and has
since served with efficiency and satisfaction to all.
Until the national "convention of 1896 he was a
Republican, but, being a believer in the free coin-
age of silver, he could not follow his party in its
gold standard platform, hence he joined the
Democratic ranks. He has been a delegate to
the city and county conventions of his party and
in 1898 he was a delegate to the state convention
at Springfield, where he was assigned to com-
mittee work. He was also secretary of the con-
gressional committee. He is identified with the
University of Michigan Alumni Association, the
Modern Woodmen of America and the North
American Union. In religious faith he is a be-
liever in Christian Science. His marriage, which
took place in Chicago in 1895, united him with
Miss Grace Bursmith, of that city, by whom he
has one sou, Frank L., Jr.

OF
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

243

JOHN THEILER, Jr.

(JOHN THEILER, Jr. In every life there is
I some trait of character that individualizes
Q) its possessor. In Mr. Theiler this was found
in his passionate devotion to music. With a
natural talent for the art, added to and increased
by study under the best teachers, he became him-
self a musician of rare ability and was said to be
the finest pianist in Illinois. Music was his soul,
and in its study he passed the happiest hours of
his life. For years he was organist at St. Mary's
Roman Catholic Church, after which for a time
he held a similar position at St. John's. When
only seventeen he was able to direct a saenger-
bund satisfactorily, and for twenty-five years he
held the position of director of the Joliet Saenger-
bund, but, on account of failing eyesight, re-
signed the year before he died, although he still
continued to be a prominent member. By the
members of the organization he was loved as a
friend, and his services, given without expecta-
tion of financial returns, were deeply appreciated.
He was director of the saengerfests held in Joliet
iu 1884 and 1893, which were the most success-
ful affairs of the kind ever held in the city, and
were participated in by members of singing so-
cieties from every part of the state. In each of
these organizations he served as state director.
He also took a prominent part in saengerfests
held in other states.

A son of John Theiler, Sr. , our subject was
born in this city August 3, 1858. He was edu-
cated in Teutopolis (111.) College and St. Vin-
cent's in Pennsylvania. When sixteen years of
age he began to learn the business in which his
father engaged, and about 18S4 he was made a
partner, the firm name being John Theiler &

Son. In 1892 his father retired and the name
was changed to Theiler Brothers. In 1897 John
sold to his brother and started for himself, on
the corner of Jefferson and Chicago streets,
where he built up a large trade. He was a
prominent official in the Benevolent Protective
Order of Elks and for many years was chief
ranger in the order of Foresters. From 1879
until his death he was connected with the Modern
Woodmen of America. At different times he
served as secretary and treasurer of the Sharp-
shooters Association, in which he won many
medals for fine marksmanship. A man of public
spirit, he aided local enterprises. Politically he
was a gold Democrat. When twenty-one years
of age he was elected assistant supervisor, which
office he held for four years. In religion he was
identified with St. John's Roman Catholic
Church, and after his death, which occurred
February 28, 1899, of la grippe, his body was
laid to rest in the cemetery of this church.

May 9, 1892, in Joliet, Mr. Theiler married
Miss Theresa Flick, who was born in this city, a
daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Seiter) Flick,
natives respectively of Alsace, Germany, and
Lancaster, Pa. Her father was two years old
when his mother died and eight at the time of
the death of his father, Xavier Flick, M. D.
Three years later he came alone to the United
States, settling in Pennsylvania, where he
learned the wagon-maker's trade. For a period
of four years he worked at his trade in the navy
yards at Brooklyn, N. Y. Then going to Sid-
ney, Ohio, he started a wagon shop of his own.
His next location was Freyburg, Allen (now
Auglaize) County, where he carried on a shop

244

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

until his removal to Joliet, in 1857. I' 1 this city
he started a boarding house. After a time he
bought property, built on it, and continued here
until his death, in March, 1872, at fifty-four
years.

The marriage of Mr. Flick, in Freyburg, Ohio,
in 1840, united him with Elizabeth Seiter, who
was born at Millerstown, Lancaster County, Pa.,
September 30, 1821. Her father, Jarvis Seiter,
a native of Baden, German}-, was a weaver of
woolens and linens in Millerstown, whence in
1831 he removed to Freyburg, Ohio, and settled
on land that he converted into a valuable farm.
He died there when fifty-two years of age. His
wife, Mary (Wise) Seiter, was born in Baden,
Germany, and came with her father to this coun-
try, settling in Lancaster County, Pa. Mrs.
Elizabeth Flick was one of seven children, of
whom three daughters survive, she being the
oldest and the only one in Joliet. From ten
years of age she was reared in Ohio. While she
lacked educational advantages she became a
good business woman, and successfully conducted
a boarding house in Joliet until 1S9S. She is
still interested in property in Freyburg, Ohio,
where she and her husband bought land and
platted an addition. She was the mother of five
children: Joseph, deceased; Mrs. Mary Adler;
Helen, wife of Louis Bellay; Mrs. Lizzie Lux,
and Mrs. Theresa Theiler. Joseph G. Flick was
the only son. He was educated in Freyburg,
Ohio. He came to Joliet with his parents and
resided here until his death. He married Cath-
arine Shey, now of Chicago. They were the
parents of two children now living: Theresa, and
Pius P. Flick, who is a businessman of Chicago,
and manager of the Granada Hotel in that city.
A notable fact in the history of the Flick family
is that for seven generations only one son reached
maturity, the last one being Pius P. Flick.
Mrs. Theresa Theiler was born at the family
home, No. 116 South Bluff street, received her
education in St. Francis' Academy, and from
early life was an active member of St. John's
Church, with which she is now connected. Her
only son, John F., died at the age of one year.
Upon the death of her husband she disposed of

the business in which he had engaged. She is
a lady of generous disposition, charitable and
kind-hearted, and willing to assist philanthropic
enterprises and worthy people in need of aid.

HENRY A. RATHJE, who is one of Peo-
tone's most influential men, was born in
Monee Township, this count}-, March 28,
1853, a son of Frederick and Lotta (Narges)
Rathje, natives of Rodewald, Hanover, Germany.
Of eight children born to their union only three
are now living, Henry A., Louis (president of
the Chicago City Bank), of Chicago, and Sophia,
Mrs. George A. Weimaun, of Frankfort, 111.
The father, who was born in 1824, grew to man-
hood on a farm and in 1843 came to America,
settling twenty-five miles west of Chicago in
Dupage County, where he worked as a farm
hand for about six years. Next he came to Peo-
tone Township and purchased two hundred acres
of laud three miles north of Monee, where he em-
barked in farm pursuits. Fifteen years later he
moved to Peotone and opened a mercantile store,
which was conducted under the title of Schroeder
& Rathje for eleven years. For six years he was
connected with the firm of Rogers Brothers &
Harkin. On retiring from business he managed
a forty-acre farm which he owned adjoining the
town. He spent his last years in quiet retirement
in Peotone. During his active business career he
and Benjamin M. Lewis bought extensive farm-
ing lands, which they improved and later sold.
At the time of his death, April 14, 1S91, he
owned three hundred and eighty acres. From
the establishment of the Lutheran Church in Peo-
tone he served as one of its trustees, and he was
also an active worker in the Sunday-school. Po-
litically he was a Democrat. Several times he
was elected town trustee and school director, and
while at Monee he also served as road commis-
sioner. His father, Frederick, a farmer, came to
America in 1845 and settled on a farm in Dupage
County, where he died in 1884.

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

245

The mother of our subject was a faithful mem-
ber of the Lutheran Church and will long be re-
membered for her excellent qualities of head and
heart. She died in 1864. Some time afterward
Frederick Rathje was again married, his second
wife being Miss Margaretha Fink, who survives
him. By their union were born two children,
now living, Lydia and Clara. Lydia is the
wife of Charles E. Jurz and resides in Frank-
fort, 111.

When our subject was fifteen years of age his
father moved to Peotone and here he acquired a
thorough knowledge of the mercantile business.
In 1874 he married Miss Wilhelmina Luhmann,
a native of Hanover. After his marriage he en-
gaged in the milling business, acquiring the grist
mill at Peotone, an old wind mill, which he oper-
ated for twelve years. However, the substitution
of modern methods in other mills rendered the
mill unprofitable to its owner and it was aban-
doned; but it still stands, a picturesque reminder
of other days. For fifteen years Mr. Rathje has
also engaged in farming. In 1S95, with a part-
ner, he built an elevator at Frankfort Station,
but two years later sold his interest in the busi-
ness. He now owns about four hundred acres in
and surrounding the village and the supervision
of this property takes much of his time. He is a
stockholder and director in the Peotone Electric
Light Company. For twelve years or more he
has served as school director and for two terms
has been town trustee. In any enterprise for the
benefit of the town he has always been interested,
and his aid could be relied upon. He is particu-
larly interested in the work of the Lutheran
Church, to which he belongs and in which he
has been treasurer and a trustee for several
years. The Sunday-school has enlisted his
sympathies and he has aided actively in its man-
agement. Though not active in politics, he
holds firm opinions and supports the Republican
party.

By the first marriage of Mr. Rathje five chil-
dren were born, four of whom are living: Ed-
ward, Anna, Walter and Herman. After the
death of his first wife he was again married,
April 6, 18S5, his wife being Miss Catherine

Koehnecke, who was born in Hanover, Germany,
and came to America in 1884, settling- in Peo-
tone. This union has resulted in the birth of
four children, Emma, Otto, Huldah and Paul.
Mrs. Rathje is an estimable lady and a member
of the same church as that to which her husband
belongs.

|ARD P. ELWOOD. After some years of
practical experience as an employe of
others, Mr. Elwood embarked in the
plumbing, heating, steam and gas-fitting business
in Joliet, where he has his shop at No. 638 Jef-
ferson street. Since he began in business, No-
vember 15, 1897, he has been given a number of
important contracts, among them being the resi-
dence of R. B. Clark, the Ahlvin & Johnson
building, Anderson Brothers' block, five resi-
dences for Edward S. White, and S. L. Mottin-
ger's residence in Plainfield. In addition to his
jobs in Joliet he has had considerable work in
other towns, principally in Plainfield, Lockport
and Morris, and wherever he has gone the qual-
ity of his work has been most satisfactory.

Born in Chicago in 1869, Mr. Elwood is a son
of Capt. James G. Elwood, whose sketch appears
elsewhere in this volume. He was reared in
Joliet and received his education in the city
schools. When sixteen years of age he became
a lineman for the Joliet telephone exchange, con-
tinuing in that capacity for eighteen months.
Afterward he was employed on outside work in
connection with the Joliet waterworks, of which
his father was then engineer. For two years he
was in the employ of the Illinois Steel Company.
In 1889 he accepted the position as superintend-
ent of the Joliet gas works, and this position he
held until January, 1S96, the plant being mean-
time reconstructed for the manufacture of water-
gas. On resigning as superintendent he became
engineer and pipe-fitter for the Fox Pressed-
Steel Company, with whom he remained until he
commenced business for himself. In the various
positions that he held he was recognized as an

246

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

intelligent and efficient employe, whose original-
ity of ideas and quickness of comprehension made
his services valuable. These same qualities have
been of assistance to "him in his present business,
and have aided him in establishing a reputation
in his chosen occupation.

For three years Mr. Elwood was a member of
the Fourth Illinois National Guard. He is con-
nected with the Columbia Knights and the Uni-
form Rank, K. of P. Without any desire for
political prominence, he nevertheless believes it
to be the duty of every citizen to keep posted con-
cerning public affairs and maintain an interest in
questions affecting the welfare of the people. In
his political views he favors the Republican party.
He was married in Joliet to Sylvia, daughter of
George Merrill, an early settler of this city. They
have one child, a son, James Merrill.

(STEPHEN FRANCIS HOGAN. There are
7\ few plants in Joliet more interesting to the
C*y visitor than the Scott-street mill, owned by
the American Steel and Wire Company. This is
not only the largest manufacturing plant of the
kind in the world, but is one of the most success-
ful as well, and its products, barb-wire nails and
woven-wire fence, are shipped to all parts of the
world. The success of the work is in a large
measure due to Mr. Hogan, who is in charge of
the mill, and who exercises a keen and judicious
supervision over the entire plant. He is a man
who thoroughly understands the wire business in
its every detail. Under his supervision the work
progresses rapidly; yet due care is also taken
with every product, in order that the high stand-
ard established may be maintained. The hun-
dreds of billets in the furnace in the morning are
in wire nails, packed in kegs, and ready for ship-
ment by evening.

In Richmond, Yorkshire, England, Mr. Hogan

was born December 6, 1858, a son of John and
Catherine (McCourt) Hogan, natives respectively
of County Tipperary, Ireland, and the Isle of
Man. His father, who was the son of a farmer,
went to England in young manhood and engaged
in the furniture business at Richmond. In 1873
became to America, settling in Cleveland, Ohio,
and carrying on business as a furniture dealer for
some years. He and his wife died on the same
day in November, 1894, and their bodies were the
first two buried in the new Catholic cemetery at
Cleveland. Their four sons and two daughters
are still living, three of the sons being mill men
in Ohio. Our subject, who was next to the old-
est of the children, was fourteen years of age at
the time the family crossed the ocean to the
United States. Previous to this he had attended a
parochial school in Richmond. In April, 1873, he
arrived in Cleveland, and immediately afterward
entered the employ of the Cleveland Rolling Mill
Company as a wire-drawer, continuing with the
company until 1878. He then went to Pittsburg,
Pa., and was wire-drawer with the Oliver & Rob-
erts Wire Company until the time of its removal
to Illinois, in November, 1888. His first position
was as a wire-drawer with Lambert & Bishop, of
Joliet, with whom he remained as such for two
years, and then became night superintendent of
the mill. Two years later he resigned and re-
turned to Pittsburg, where he was day foreman
of the mill owned by Oliver & Roberts for two
years. He then again came to Joliet, where he
was with Lambert & Bishop, then acted as super-
intendent of the mill of the Consolidated Steel &
Wire Company until the formation of the Amer-
ican Steel and Wire Company, with whom he
continued in the same capacity. The Scott-street
mill has been under his charge since 1S94, and
he has superintended its management in a man-
ner entirely satisfactory to the owners. He gives
little attention to politics, but is a stanch gold
Democrat. He was married in Pittsburg in 1S82
to Miss Hattie Graham, who was born in that
city, and by whom he has a son, Leo.

OF
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

£?&JUMtJ

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

249

DANIEL E. HEWES.

0ANIEL E. HEWES, a pioneer of Crete,
has long been one of its best- known men
and now has varied interests, as commercial
collector, notary public, counselor, conveyancer;
also in the adjustment of unsettled claims and the
drawing up of contracts, leases, wills and deposi-
tions. He is the originator and a prominent
grower of the Acme seedling, the earliest potato
in existence. In 1S83 he planted the seed from a
potato seed ball. From year to year he replanted ,
until a large early potato was developed. In
1887 he raised fifteen bushels, a part of which he
sold and the others he planted. The following
year he had seventy-five and one-half bushels,
and in 1889 one hundred and twenty bushels.
Some of these he sold to seed houses for $2 a
bushel and he has received as much as $6 per
bushel for some. They are commonly called
Squire Dan's early potatoes throughout this
locality, and are not only a fine potato, but much
earlier than any other variety.

Squire Heweswas born at Milton, Chittenden
County, Vt., March 22, 1830. His father,
Luman Hewes, also a Vermonter by birth, left
the southern part of the state in 1835 and jour-
neyed via team to Troy, N. Y., thence on the
New York and Erie canal to Buffalo, from there
on the lakes to Michigan, and then across the
country with teams to what is now known as Blue
Island, 111., where he arrived in November. The
family spent the winter in an uncompleted log
cabin they found on the land. In 1836 he took
up a claim in the same locality, built a log cabin,
and spent a short time there, but in the spring of

1S37 came to Will County and took up a claim
two and one-half miles south of Crete. At that
time there were only a few houses in the entire
township of Crete. He put up a log house and
improved his land, making of it a valuable farm.
Politically he was a believer in Democratic prin-
ciples. He was reared in the Baptist faith, but
later became a member of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church. His death occurred on his home-
stead in the fall of 1862, when he was seventy-
two years of age.

The grandfather of our subject, William
Hewes, was a native of Massachusetts and
settled in Vermont when a young man. He was
a teacher of vocal music, but earned his liveli-
hood principally as a farmer. About 1847 he
came west and afterward made his home with his
son, Luman Hewes, until he died in 1855, when
niuety-four years of age. He was tenderly cared
for by his grandson, Daniel E. Hewes, who felt
for him all the veneration due to the grandparent
and the soldier hero of Revolutionary fame.
When a mere boy he enlisted in the colonial army
as a private and served at the front until the
Revolutionary war ended. His father had a
brother, Joseph Hewes, who was one of the sign-
ers of the declaration of independence.

The mother of our subject was Lucy (Elwell)
Hewes, a native of New England. She survived
her husband, dying when eighty-one years of
age. Of her twelve children, Sallie, wife of John
W. Cole, died when twenty-four years of age;
Samuel is represented elsewhere in this work;
John E. died in June, 1 898 ; William died in 1 865 ;

250

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Joseph is deceased, and Luman died in 1863;
Austin E. died when young and Benjamin F. in
1S91; Daniel E. was next in order of birth; Nel-
son W. died October iS, 1894; Celesta L- mar-
ried George Dewey, a distant relative of Admiral
Dewey, and she is now living at Grant Park, 111. ;
Emily S. is the widow of J. F. Campbell, and
lives in Grant Park.

From an early age our subject has lived in this
county. He attended country schools and for
two terms the Joliet schools, after which he
taught a four-months' term in Tro}^ Township.
He then came to Crete and worked on a farm
near the village during the summer. His next
employment was as clerk in a store. The follow-
ing year he bought an ox-team and broke prairie
land for one season, also operated a threshing
machine for one season. In 1S53, with his
brother Benjamin F. as a partner, he bought a
store. This they carried on until 1879, meantime
buying stock and grain and also manufacturing
brick. On account of the Chicago fire he had a
heavy loss. In 1867 he was elected justice of the
peace, which office he held until 1S93, and after-
ward continued in the collecting business, the
making of abstracts, etc. At one time he and
his brother were among the leading business
men of this part of the county, doing a business
that amounted to between $50,000 and $100,000
per year; but reverses overtook them and they
lost everything they had.

October 9, 1862, Squire Hewes married Fidelia
L-, daughter of Willard Wood, the founder of
Crete village. She was born in a house occupy-
ing the present site of Wood's hotel, the date of
her birth being January 1 1 , 1838. Here she was
reared and educated and has always made her
home. Of her three daughters, theeldest, Minnie
E., is the widow of George F. Baker, who was a
graduate of Knox College and Lombard Univer-
sity, and a successful raiser of farm products and
Hereford cattle. Mr. Baker died April io, 1891,
leaving two children, George Willard and Alice
Jeanette. Since her husband's death Mrs. Baker
has had entire charge of the farm he left her.
The second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hewes is
Alice D., wife of William C. Northrop, a farmer

and stockman of Newtown, Conn. The young-
est daughter, Eva L., is at home with her
parents.

In politics Squire Hewes is a Democrat. When
a young man he was chosen township clerk. In
1874 he was nominated for the legislature, but,
on account of his temperance views, was defeated.
Four years later he was nominated for the state
senate and carried his township and the eastern
part of the count}' by a large majority, which was
remarkable, as this district was Republican.
Doubless he would have been elected if he had
consented to buy votes or associate with those
who did, but he has always been strictly temper-
ate as well as unwaveringly honest. In 1893 he
was appointed postmaster of Crete, but a short
time afterward, owing to illness, he was obliged
to resign the office.

pGJlLLARD WOOD, founder of Crete, was
\Al k° rn ' n Randolph, Yt., August 28, 1808,
V V a son of Thomas and Ruby (Newland)
Wood, and a grandson of Thomas Wood, Sr. , a
native of Vermont and of English descent. His
father served through the war of 18 12 and at its
close, while at the barracks in Colchester, Vt.,
he contracted a fever from which he died. He
was then forty-three years of age. Some time
after his death his widow became the wife of
John Moxley, and they settled at Morristown,
Vt., where Mr. Moxley followed the tailor's
trade until his death at sixty-seven years. After-
ward Mrs. Moxley came to Illinois and made her
home with her son Charles in Will County until
her death, when more than seventy years of age.
At Morristown, Vt. , May 4, 1835, 'Squire
Wood (for by this title our subject was always
best known) married Dyantha S. Boardman, who
was in girlhood a pupil in a school taught by
Mr. Wood. In the summer of 1S36 they came
to Will County, where he secured the southeast
eighty acres on section 8 and the southwest
eighty on section 9, Crete Township, now in-
cluded in the limits of the village of Crete. He
encouraged people to settle here by free dona-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

251

tions to private parties and to church organiza-
tions. He assisted in building the first school-
house in the towuship and in 1838 taught the
first school here. From 1838 until some time in
the '50s he served as justice of the peace. On
the incorporation of the town in 1884 he was
mads a police justice, in which capacity he served
for some years. While in Vermont he read law,
and after coming to this county he gave consid-
erable attention to practice, being consulted by
many of the people in his township in all matters
of a legal character. Through the influence of
"Long" John Wentworth he was appointed post-
master at Crete, an office that he held for some
time. In 1848 he built the Crete hotel, which
was the first frame building of its kind in the
town and the first public house in this part of the
county. Within it was a hall in which, at the
opening of the house, were entertained Henry B.
Clark and Colonel Fake, of Chicago; Dr. Allen
and Robert Duncan, of Joliet; and many other
well-known pioneers. The original hotel was
replaced by a more modern structure, and with
the exception of a few years the hotel was con-
ducted by 'Squire Wood until his death. When
he first came here he experienced all the hard-
ships that fall to the lot of pioneers. As he was
without means he borrowed money with which
to buy land, and was obliged to pay thirty-three
and one-third per cent, interest per annum for
three years. In spite of hardships and difficul-
ties, however, he steadily prospered and in time
became well-to-do.

The 'Squire's first wife died in 1865, leaving
seven children who attained maturity. Oneofthe
sons, William Irwyn, succeeded his father as pro-
prietor of the Wood hotel in Crete. The 'Squire's
second wife, whom he married in 1869, was Mrs.
Eliza (Selleck) Northrup, a native of Connecticut.
She died in Crete when about seventy-five years
of age. The 'Squire was spared to a good old
age, and in his declining years was surrounded
by the comforts his early toil had made possible.
He passed away November 27, 1899, al) d was
followed to his last resting place by a large con-
course of friends who had long known and hon-
ored him.

The children of Mr. Wood were born of his first
marriage. Of these, Sabina D. is the wife of
Robert B. Miller, a farmer of Crete Township;
Fidelia L. married Daniel E. Hewes; Lydia M.
is the wife of Hon. Charles A. Hill, of Joliet;
Marian married A. H. Smith, a farmer of Crete
Township; Willard S. married Molly Moore, and
is a fruit grower in California; William Irwyn is
the present proprietor of the Wood hotel; and
Marcus M., now deceased, was connected with a
manufacturing company in Chicago.

U)ILS L. DAHLBERG, who has made his
j7 home in Joliet since 1882, is a member of
1/^ an old family of Skane, Sweden. His
father, Lars Pearson, and his grandfather, Per
Larson, were natives of that part of the old coun-
try, and both engaged in farming there, the
former dying when sixty-three years of age. By
the marriage of Lars Pearson to Nella Olson,
who still lives in Sweden, four children were
born, of whom one sister remains at the old home,
and two sons and the other sister crossed the ocean
to America. One of the sons was accidentally
killed in 1890 in the blast furnace of the Illinois
Steel Company when No. 2 collapsed. The old-
est of the family, Nils L., was born in Broby,
Christianstad, Skane, December 7, 1856, and
received his education in local schools. When
a boy he entered a flour mill and learned the mill-
er's trade. After a time he was made foreman
of the mill in his native town.

In 1876 our subject enlisted in the Swedish
army under the name of Nils Dahlberg, by which
he has since been known. He was assigned to
the Royal Vendes artillery company in 1877, and
two years later was made a corporal, which rank
he held until he was mustered out in 1882. His
term of service was entirely in his native land, and
during that time he was a student in the military
school for four years. He was recognized as a
faithful soldier, who was always to be found at his
postofduty. After resigning he came to the United
States and settled in Joliet. However, in a very
short time he went to Republic, in the Lake Su-

252

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

perior iron mining region of Michigan, where he
remained until 1885. He then returned to Joliet
aud secured employment in the blast furnace of
the Illinois Steel Company, continuing there
about eight years. In 1S93 Mayor Stossen ap-
pointed him patrolman, which position he has
held ever since. He is a Republican in political
views, and takes an intelligent interest in local
matters, supporting measures for the benefit of the
people and the advancement of the city. Frater-
nally he is connected with the North Star and the
Modern Woodmen of America.

While in Republic, Mich., in 1884, Mr. Dahl-
berg married Miss Cecelia Benson, who was born
in the same province as himself, and came to Joliet
in 18S1. She is a sister of Nils Benson, of this
city. Mr. and Mrs. Dahlberg have one child
living, Amy L. They are faithful members of the
Swedish Lutheran Church, to the maintenance of
which he has been a regular contributor. In 1898
he rebuilt the residence at No. 910 Clay street,
corner of Youngs avenue, and here his family
have a comfortable home.

cJl'STAY Y. JOHNSON. The remark is
_ sometimes made that one of the most notice
^ able features of life in Joliet is the number
of Swedish-American citizens who are success-
fully engaged in business in this city. They
form an element of the citizenship that is recog-
nized as valuable, their integrity, intelligence
aud energy bringing to them the esteem of asso-
ciates. In this class belongs Mr. Johnson, who,
since June 1, 1895, has been engaged in the meat,
produce and green grocery' business at No. 419
Collius street, meantime building up a large trade
in his section of the town.

Mr. Johnson was born in the province of
Jonkbping, Sweden, November 1 1, 1872, a son of
John Peter and Eva (Pearson) Jonason, who were
born in the same vicinity. His father, a large
stock-raiser, owned an estate ("Soiegarn"),
where much of his life was passed. In 1889 he
was accidentally drowned while out on a pleasure
excursion. He was then sixty-four years of age.

His wife, who was a daughter of Jonas Pearson,
is now living in Joliet. They were the parents
of nine children, namely: Sarah Eliza, wife of
John Anderson; Emma Christine, Mrs. Charles
Anderson; Anna Louise; Hilda Marie; Joseph
August, a contracting mason: GustavY.; Isaac
M . , who is engaged in business with Joseph ;
Claus J., who is with his brother Gustav; and
Ida L. All of the children reside in Joliet.

When fourteen years of age our subject accom-
panied his brother, Joseph A., to America, set-
tling in Joliet, where he secured a clerkship with
Anderson Brothers. Desiring to acquire an Eng-
lish education, he attended night school for three
winters. In 1S91 he resigned his position with
Anderson Brothers and entered the employ of
L. D. Garlick. June 20, 1892, he became a
member of the firm of Johnson, Peterson & Co.,
engaging in business at No. 909 Collins street.
After a year the title of the firm was changed to
Johnson & Peterson, aud as such continues to the
present. The store is fitted up with the latest
improvements, including steam-power for the
manufacture of sausage, etc.

County conventions of the Republican party,
the county central committee, and the Swedish
Republican Club, in which Mr. Johnson has been
actively interested, attest his warm adherence to
the doctrines of this party. He is a member of
the North Star Association. Always active in
religious work, he is identified with the Swedish
Lutheran Church, in which he has been a trus-
tee. He was married in this city to Miss Hattie
Yahu, who was born here, of German descent.
They are the parents of one sou, Russell V.

EHARLES SUNDSTROM. In the responsi-
ble position which he holds as assistant
chief engineer of the Illinois state peniten-
tiary, Mr. Sundstrom has been proved to be
reliable aud efficient, and is recognized as a man
thoroughly qualified for his work. With con-
siderable mechanical ability, combined with
practical ideas, he unites common sense and wise

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

253

judgment. He is particularly well versed in the
line of plumbing and heating, of which he has
the supervison in the penitentiary.

In a family of twelve children (eight now
living) Mr. Sundstrom was third in order
of birth, and is the only one in America.
He was born in Norrland, Sweden, December 15,
1S63, a son of Peter and Clara (Ruth) Sund-
strom, the former a blacksmith still living in
Norrland, where the latter died some years ago.
In his native province our subject learned the
trade of a mason and brick-layer. The year
1883 found him in the United States, where his
first location was Sioux Falls, S. Dak. In that
town he became familiar with the plumbing and
heating business, after which he traveled through
different parts of the country, having charge of
the setting up of heaters of various kinds. In
1 S93 he settled in Kewanee, 111., after which he
traveled for the Kewanee Boiler Company, also
represented the American Boiler Company of
Chicago, traveling in various states. Later he
represented the Davenport Steam Heating Com-
pany in Iowa for some years. In 1898 he ac-
cepted his present position, which brought him
to Joliet.

During his residence in Sioux Falls Mr. Sund-
strom married Miss Emma Freiburg, who was
born in Skaraborg, West Gothland, Sweden,
and died in Kewanee, 111., leaving a daughter,
Alvina Theresa. His second marriage took
place in Joliet, and united with him Mrs. Emily
Olesou, who was born in Henry Count}', 111. , and
by whom he has a daughter, Grace. Politically
Mr. Sundstrom is a stanch believer in Republi-
can principles and always votes that ticket, also
takes a deep interest in the Swedish Republican
Club, of which he is a member.

(TOHN KLINT, who is engaged in the mer-
I chant tailoring business at No. 604 Collins
(2/ street, Joliet, was born in Klinta, Upsala
Preslijeld, Westeras, Sweden, May 5, 1851, be-
ing a son of Erik and Brigitta (Bjorsel) Klint,
natives of the same province. His father, who

was born in 1821, grew to manhood on a farm
owned by the grandfather, Erik Anderson, and,
in accordance with the usual national custom,
entered the Swedish army in early manhood.
However, his service was not limited to the usual
two years, but continued from the time he was
nineteen until he was fifty, when he received an
honorable discharge. On account of the fact
that his life as a soldier was spent in Klinta, he
took the family name of Klint. He continued
to make his home in Westmanland until his
death, which occurred in 1895. His wife, who
was a daughter of Andres Bjorsel, a soldier in
the Swedish arm}-, died in the same laen in 1898.
Both were supporters of the Lutheran religion.
They were the parents of eight children, all but
one of whom are living, John being the next to
the oldest, and the only member of the family in
the United States. He grew to manhood in
Klinta, wherein early boyhood he studied in the
public school. When he was eleven years of age
he was bound to the tailor's trade, and in the en-
suing years gained a thorough knowledge of the
occupation in all of its details. After his appren-
ticeship ended he worked as a journeyman in
Upsala. After a time he started in business for
himself in Heby, continuing in the same place
until his departure for America, where he be-
lieved greater success was possible than his na-
tive country offered.

In 1882 Mr. Klint went to Liverpool, England,
and from there came across the ocean in the
steamer "City of Paris." Landing in New
York, he proceeded to Chicago, where he worked
at his trade for two years. In December, 1S84,
he arrived in Joliet, which has since been his
home. For three years he worked at his trade
in the employ of others, when, having gained a
knowledge of the city and a familiarity with
American institutions, he determined to engage
in business for himself. Accordingly, in 1887, he
bought the property at No. 604 Collins street,
and embarked in business independently. Hav-
ing already made a number of friends, as well as
a reputation as an expert cutter, from the first he
had a fair trade, and this he has since increased.
He is known as a first-class tailor, whose atten-

254

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tion to business and efforts to do satisfactory work,
combined with his thorough knowledge of the
trade, have brought him a profitable patronage.
Though not active in politics he is a stanch Re-
publican. He is a charter member of the Swedish
Free Mission Church, which he has assisted in
building, and in which he has served efficiently
as president of the board of trustees. At this
writing he is superintendent of four Sunday-
schools of the Swedish Free Mission Church in
this city. While still living in Sweden he mar-
ried Miss Maria Tilmau, who was born in
Uplaen. They have four sons, John, in Chicago;
Peter and Henry, and Joseph, in Joliet.

QjlCTOR AHLVIN. Since coming to Joliet
\ / in 1SS4 Mr. Ahlvin has been identified with
V the building interests of this city, and he
is recognized as one of the leading Swedish-
American residents of the place. He was born
near Boras, in Elfsborg, Sweden, March 27,
1864, and was second in a family consisting of
four sons and three daughters, all of whom are
living but one daughter. Of. the sons, John is
connected with Victor in business, and Amandus
also assists them in their contracts, while Franz
remains on the old homestead. The father,
Efraem Ahlvin, was born on the family place,
"Aplakulla," on which his father had also lived.
He still makes his home there, and is about sixty
years of age. He married Christine, daughter of
John Johnson, a farmer, and, like himself, a
member of the Lutheran Church.

In attendance upon common schools and in work
upon the home farm our subject passed his boyhood
years. In February, 1884, he crossed the ocean,
being the first of the family to come to America.
At once he proceeded to Joliet, where for almost
two years he was employed in a quarry. In the
fall of 1885 he began to work at the carpenter's
trade with C. Hacker, and worked at the trade
until the fall of 1887, when he bought a lot and
built a house. This he sold, using the money in
the purchase of another lot and the building of
another house. In this way he became interested

in the building business. Since then he has built
many residences and business blocks, among
them the Anderson & Flint block, and he
also had the contract for the erection of the
Swedish Baptist Church in this city. He erected
the Ahlvin & Johnson block, a brick structure,
45x100, on the corner of Jackson and Collins
streets, in which he still owns one-half interest.
Besides his contracts in Joliet he has had many
in this and other counties. He also built the
residence that he occupies, at No. 1005 Irving
street.

In political belief Mr. Ahlvin is a true-blue
Republican, and an active worker in the Swedish
Republican Club. For two years, under Mayor
Lagger, he served as city oil inspector of Joliet.
He is connected with the Joliet Building Associa-
tion, and is interested in all matters pertaining to
his business. Reared in the Swedish Lutheran
faith, he has always adhered to that church and
is now a member of the board of trustees of the
congregation of Joliet. He was married in this
city to Miss Hilda Johnson, who was born in
Smaland, in the southeastern part of Sweden.
They are the parents of four children: Martin,
Ebba, Robert and Reno.

(JOHN E. BACKSTROM, superintendent of
I the quarries of E. Porter & Son's Stone
(*/ Company, and a resident of Joliet since 1881,
was born in Dalarne, Kopparberg, Sweden, No-
vember 22, 1848, a son of E. and Christina C.
(Nelson) Backstrom, natives respectively of
Bysoken and Husby. His father, who was the
son of a blacksmith, learned that trade in his
youth and for some time was employed with a
large company engaged in the manufacture of
iron, holding a position of responsibility as fore-
man of a department. Both he and his wife
passed away in their native land. Their four
daughters and one son are still living, John E.
being the youngest and the only one in America.
He resided in Dalarne until he was fourteen, and
afterward clerked in a store at Helsingland, re-
maining there for nine years.

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

255

Taking passage at Gothenburg in 187 1 Mr.
Backstrorn journeyed via Hull and Liverpool to
New York City-, thence proceeded to Chicago,
and from there went to Bishop Hill, in Henry
County, 111. For a short time he clerked in a
dry-goods store in Galva, after which he was em-
ployed on a farm during one season. Next he
became bookkeeper and clerk in a store at
Kewanee, Henry County, where he remained for
nine years. In 1881 he came to Joliet, where he
was clerk in the grocery of George Munroe &
Son, and later was with Riley Brothers, returning
finally to the Munroe store, where he was given
charge of the shipping department in the whole-
sale house. When the business was sold he ac-
cepted a position as bill clerk with the Chicago
& Alton Railroad Company, remaining in the
position for two and one-half years. Later he
was with the Joliet & Chicago Stone Company
for five and one-half years, resigning to accept
the position of bookkeeper in the brewery owned
by E. Porter, by whom, in 1899, he was trans-
ferred to the position of superintendent of the
quarries.

In religion Mr. Backstrorn adheres to the re-
ligious belief of Luther, in which he was reared.
Politically he is a Republican. While in Ke-
wanee, 111., he married Christine Larson, who
was born in Norway and came to America in
1872. They are the parents of seven children,
now living: Walter, Gertrude, Norman, Carl,
Ernest, Ro} r and Ina.

(JOHN E. CHALSTROM. A goodly number
I of the Swedish-American citizens of Joliet
G/ have successfully engaged in contracting
and building, and in this number is Mr. Chal-
strom, who has followed his chosen occupation
for some years in this city and has become known
as a reliable, honest and efficient workman.
Among the people of his. own nationality he is
well known, being a leader in movements for
their benefit. Since the organization of the First
Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church he has
served as president of its board of trustees. When

a house of worship was built he had charge of
the work as chairman of the building committee,
and when that building was destroyed by fire he
rebuilt on the same site. For many years he
was a class-leader and at this writing he is re-
cording secretary of the church. In the Swedish
Republican Club he has been an energetic
worker, being a stanch believer in Republican
principles. He was the first agent in Joliet for
the Minnesota Scandinavian Relief Association
of Red Wing and still represents that company.
In the North Star Benefit Association, of which
he is a member, he holds office as a deputy.

In the laen of Kalmar, Sweden, Mr. Chalstrom
was born March 21, 1864, a sou of Charles and
Johanna Gustava (Nelson) Johnson, natives of
the province of Smaland. His father, a son of
Jonas Johnson, became the owner of a farm at
Bronthult, and there spent his entire active life.
When he was sixty years of age he was killed
one day by a drunken man while returning home
from a fair. His wife, who was a daughter of
Nels Peter Sweuseu, a farmer, died at forty years
of age. They were the parents of twelve chil-
dren, ten of whom are living, of these, two (John
and Charles) being in America. John, who was
reared on the home farm, came to the United
States in 1884 and spent two months in a car-
penter shop in Chicago, after which he located
in Lockport. For five years he was employed
on Harmon Frazier's farm in Homer Township,
and meantime he acquired a good knowledge of
the English language.

Upon coming to Joliet in 1889, Mr. Chalstrom
began to deal in real estate in this city. He also
bought lots in Chicago, but these he soon sold
and invested in Joliet property. In 1890 he be-
gan to build on his lots and has erected six resi-
dences for sale, the larger number of which have
been sold. After working for a time upon his
own buildings he began to take contracts for
others, and has since been kept busy in carrying
out his contracts. He built the residence that he
occupies at No. 1410 Jackson street. In all of
his contracts it has been his aim to live up to
both the letter and the spirit of the agreement,
and his work has been universally recognized as

256

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

permanent in value. He is a man of honor,
whose life is above reproach and in whom every
confidence is placed. Since coming to Joliet he
has established domestic ties, his wife being Ida
M. Nelson, a native of Sweden. They have
three children living, Florence Amelia, Alice D.
and Myrtle Cornelia, and lost their only son,
Walter A., when he was fifteen months old.

GJ1 NDREW OLIN is one of the well-known
/l Swedish-American citizens of Joliet. As
/ 1 vice-president of the Swedish-American Re-
publican Club he is prominently connected with
one of the most popular political organizations in
the city. He is also a member of the State
League of Republican Clubs, and in 189S and
1899 served as delegate to the conventions of the
league. He holds the office of vice-president of
the Independent Order of Svethiod and is identi-
fied actively with the Knights of the Globe.

The birthplace of Mr. Olin was the ancient city
of Lund, Sweden, a town that is especially noted
for its university, founded in 1479, and containing
a library of one hundred thousand volumes and
valuable MSS. His father, Christian Olin, a
native of the same town, was the son of a farmer
and became a carpenter and builder, later taking
contracts for buildings. He died at sixty-four
years. His wife, Bessie (or Bengta) Oleson,
whose father served in the Swedish army for
thirty years, is still living in Lund, and is now
(1899) seventy-six years of age. Of her eight
children three sons and three daughters are liv-
ing, the only ones in America being Charles and
Andrew, both of Joliet. Andrew was born Feb-
ruary 17, 1863, and received his education in the
schools of Lund. When sixteen years of age he
was apprenticed to the steel turner's trade in a
machine shop, where he continued for four years.

July 26, 1885, was the date of Mr. Olin's ar-
rival in Joliet. He soon secured work with the
Joliet (now the Illinois) Steel Company, being
given a low position in the finishing department.
By degrees he worked his way to a position of
importance, being made help driller, then driller

and afterward rail inspector. In 1891 he was
promoted to be foreman of the finishing depart-
ment, a responsible position, and one that he has
since filled with intelligence and fidelity. In
Manhattan, 111., September 24, 1887, he married
Miss Bessie Hanson, who was born in Malmohus,
Sweden, and at thirteen years of age, in 188 1,
accompanied her mother to America, settling in
Jackson Township, this county, where she grew
to womanhood. She was the only child born to
the union of Peter Hanson and Carrie Pearson,
natives of Malmoslaen. Her father, who was a
builder, died in his native laen when fifty years
of age. Afterward her mother was married to
Peter Swanson, of Jackson Township, and by
that marriage two children were born, one now
living. Mr. and Mrs. Olin are the parents of
five children: Walter Leonard, Esther Henrietta,
Ethel Linea, Clarence Henning and Harlow
Howard. The family are connected with the
Swedish Lutheran Church in Joliet.

~ RNEST JOHNSON, late of Company G,
'#) Twenty-third United States Infantry, ren-
m ^ dered good service in the Spanish-American
war. Stirred by patriotism and a desire to serve
his adopted country he enlisted, May 12, 1898, in
Company G, Twelfth United States Infantry, and
was mustered into the service at Joliet. How-
ever, he was soon transferred to the Twenty -third
and sent to Fort McPherson. Two weeks later
his regiment was ordered to Camp Merritt, San
Francisco. June 27 of the same year they em-
barked for the Philippines on the transport
"Indiana," which cast anchor in the harbor of
Manila July 31. On the evening of that day the
Spanish tried to capture the American lines and
the regiment was given its initiation into active
warfare. They took part in the siege of Manila
and its final capture August 13, after which they
were assigned to guard duty at Fort Santiago.
They participated in the battle of Caloocan Feb-
ruary 10 and the riot of Manila, February 22-23,
when Aguinaldo attempted to burn the city. A
party of Americans, among them Mr. Johnson,

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

257

burned the Philippian stronghold, Tondo, Feb-
ruary 23. In this raid one of his comrades, Ed-
ward Reever, of Joliet, was killed. At the battle
of Marqiena two of the regiment's men were
killed. A number of skirmishes followed that
engagement. May 17, 1899, the regiment was
ordered to Jollo to do garrison duty, relieving the
Spanish garrison until June 30. The raising of
the American flag after the Spanish was hauled
down was one of the noblest spectacles of the war;
the Spanish warship " Leon XIII " saluted both
flags. Mr. Johnson was mustered out June 30 at
Jollo and honorably discharged by reason of
general order No. 40. He returned to the United
States via Manila and Japan with the California
troops on the "Sherman," coming from San
Francisco to Joliet, where he arrived September
17. Since his return from the war he has been
engaged in business at No. 606 Cass street, where,
as a member of the firm of Johnson & Larson, he
has acted as agent for Norton's flour, and has
sold hard and soft coal of all kinds, also feed, hay
and straw.

Mr. Johnson was born in Ostrejutland, Sweden,
December 28, 1875, a son of John and Anna
(Sagerberg) Nelson, natives respectively of
Ostrejutland and Westrejutland. He was one of
the youngest of eleven children, of whom eight
are living, all in Joliet. Augusta, Mrs. Carlson,
was the first member of the family to come to
America, crossing the ocean in 1883; John and
Charles, the oldest sons, are employed in the wire
mill; Mathilda, Mrs. Peterson, was the second
member of the family to leave Sweden for
America; Anna, who came later, is the wife of
Oscar Larson, our subject's partner, who came
to this city in 1S87. The others are Ernest,
Mrs. Amanda Johnson and Dinah Christina. In
1890 the parents planned to come to this country,
but the father died before they had started, and
afterward the mother came with some of the
children.

Since September, 1890, our subject has made
Joliet his home. He attended school here in
1890-91. Afterward he learned the baker's
trade, being under John Ryan, Edward Cary and
John Hedman successively. He is well known

among the Swedish- American residents of Joliet,
and is regarded among his countrymen as arising
young man. In religious faith he is of the
Lutheran belief and politically votes with the Re-
publicans. He is a member of the Order of
Svethiod. His record both in the army and in
business life is that of a faithful, energetic and
intelligent man, who may be relied upon in every
circumstance to act honorably and honestly in his
relations with his fellow-men.

EHARLES OLSON, proprietor of the Sunrise
Dairy, established a milk route in Joliet in
1 89 1 and soon built up a good business in
his line. After five years he started the Sunrise
Dairy, renting a farm of one hundred and twenty
acres near the city, where he keeps twenty-five
milch cows of a fine grade and has his land
divided into pastures of convenient size and fields
for the raising of grain. In 1899 he sold the
milk route and has since devoted himself to the
wholesale milk business. He is a man of excel-
lent judgment and has been quite successful in
his chosen occupation.

The next to the youngest among six children,
three of whom are in the United States, Mr.
Olson was born in Orebro, Sweden, March 16,
1873, a son of Olas Gustav and Johanna Ander-
son, the former a large farmer now living retired;
the mother died there in 1898. Both early united
with the Lutheran Church and afterward lived
faithful to its teachings. When fifteen years of
age, March 19, 1888, Mr. Olson came to the
United States, at once settling in this county,
where for a year he was employed on a dairy
farm near Mokena. In this way he obtained his
primary knowledge of the business in which he
has since successfully engaged. Later he spent
two years as an employe on a dairy farm in New
Lenox Township, after which he embarked in
the business for himself. He is an enterprising
young man, full of energy and enthusiasm, and
withal a tireless worker and a man of sound
judgment. In addition to his dairy interests, for
one year he was interested in a grocery and meat

2 5 8

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

business on the corner of Jackson street and Park
avenue, but sold out in order to give his atten-
tion wholly to dairying.

In common with many of his countrymen in
Joliet, Mr. Olson holds membership in the Swedish
Republican Club. He is connected with the
North Star Association, the Fraternal Alliance
and the Independent Order of Svethiod. He con-
tributes to the maintenance of the Lutheran
Church, to which his wife belongs. He was
married in this city to Emma, daughter of Philip
Drion, a native of France and an early settler of
Joliet, wheie she was born. One son blesses
their union, Clarence Philip Sylvester.

KEV. GUSTAV HOLMBERG. The reli-
gious life of Joliet has been fostered by the
efforts of Mr. Holmberg, who is not only
the oldest Swedish minister in the city, but one
of the most successful as well. In 1891 he was
called to the pastorate of the Swedish Baptist
Church, whose membership was at that timeless
than seventy and whose work was therefore
limited in scope and results. In this field of
labor he has since given his earnest, faithful ef-
forts to promote the spiritual welfare of his
parishioners and bring into active Christian
service those hitherto indifferent. The suc-
cess of his work in shown in the increased mem-
bership, which is now almost three times as
large as then. Through his efforts an interest
was aroused in the erection of a house of worship,
and in 1898 the building on Jackson and Herki-
mer streets (the largest Swedish church in the
city) was erected. In addition to the regular
church work, a mission Sunday-school and mis-
sionary service are conducted on South Richards
street.

The only child of Peter and Maria (Pollock)
Holmberg, the subject of this article was born
in Philipstad, Wermland, Sweden, July 23, 1856.
His father, who was a contractor and builder,
also a merchant, died in that country at sixty-
two years. Our subject was reared at the home-
stead, and when fourteen years of age began to

work in the iron mines near Philipstad, continu-
ing there for some time and later serving the al-
lotted drill time in the Swedish army. In the
spring of 1881 he arrived in Chicago, where he
worked in a foundry, but soon went to Menominee
County, Mich., and worked in the iron mines.
From the age of nineteen he was a student of the
classics and theology, and when he was twenty-
one he preached his first sermon. After coming
to this county he continued to preach, although
at first he did not devote his entire time to the
work. In 1882 he was ordained a minister in
the Swedish Baptist Church, and the following
year organized a church in Manistique, Mich.,
where he remained as pastor until 1886. The
next year was spent in a Swedish Baptist College,
in Nebraska, after which he continued his theo-
logical studies in Morgan Park and at the same
time was pastor of the Second Swedish Baptist
Church of Chicago. Later he was engaged in
missionary work in and near Chicago, continu-
ing to be occupied in that manner until he came
to Joliet to take charge of a church that had been
organized ten years before. In addition to his
ministerial work he has served efficiently as presi-
dent and secretary of the Swedish Baptist Minis-
terial Association of Illinois. In political views
he is a Republican.

The marriage of Mr. Holmberg, which took
place in Sweden, united him with Miss Maria
Christine Nystrom, whose father, Olaf, came to
America in 1S81 and afterward died at the home
of his daughter in Joliet. The two children of
Mr. and Mrs. Holmberg are David and Ellen.

(7) WAN ANDERSON, who is one of Joliet's
2\ reliable and experienced stone mason con-
Q) tractors, was born in Alingsaes, Elfsborg,
Sweden, July 27, 1859. His paternal grand-
father, Nels Swenson , who was a native of Bre-
veskagen, bought the homestead "Kjartare,"
and there successfully followed farm pursuits.
In his family were five daughters and three sons,
the youngest being a successful cabinet-maker in
Gottenburg. On the estate. ' ' Kjartare ' ' Andres

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

259

Nelson, our subject's father, passed the years of
youth, and from there after retiring from life'sbusy
cares he came to America in May, 1887, joining
his children in Joliet, where he has since resided.
He married Johanna, daughter of Peter Johnson,
who was a skilled cabinet-maker and resided at
Holsberg; he died in Sweden in 1874, when
seventy-one years of age. Of his seven children
all but one are still living, the eldest son being
Swente, or Swan, as he is commonly called.
August, the second son, is employed as a
shipping clerk in Minneapolis, Minn.; and Gus-
tav R. is a cabinet-maker in Little Falls, Minn.
Of the daughters, Anna S. is the wife of P. John-
son, of Joliet, and Ada M. married O. Anderson,
also of this city. Alma, who received a good
education and was granted a teacher's certificate
in Will County, afterward was employed in the
county treasurer's office in Minneapolis. She
graduated from the Minneapolis Training School
for Nurses and is now in charge of a hospital at
Seattle, Wash.

The first of the family to seek a home in the
United States was the subject of this sketch.
After having served for three years as an ap-
prentice to the stone-mason's trade, in March,
1S80, he went from Gottenburgto Liverpool and
from there crossed to New York, which he
reached after a voyage of twenty days. Two
days later he arrived in Chicago and on the 5th
of April landed in Joliet. On the 6th he secured
employment and began to work in the quarry of
the Joliet Stone Company. After one month he
began to work on a farm in Wilton Township,
where he remained for ten months. Returning
to Joliet in March, 1881, he was employed as a
mason until 18S5, since which time he has taken
contracts in brick and stone. Among his con-
tracts were those for the old street car buildings
on Second avenue and the present street car
buildings on St. Louis street, the Burke livery
stable on South Bluff street, etc. He is a mem-
ber of the Joliet Builders' Association.

In April, 1892, he was elected assistant super-
visor on the Democratic ticket and served for two
years, meantime being a member of several com-
mittees. At the expiration of his term he refused

the renomination. He is a member of the
Swedish Lutheran Church. Since coming to
Joliet he married Miss Hannah Nelson, who was
born in Houf, near Engelholm, Skane, Sweden,
where her parents still make their home. Mr.
and Mrs. Anderson have seven children, Anna
C, Ida C, Julia M., Gustav Henry, Elmer
Swente, Hilda F. and Ellen E.

EHARLES JACOB JOHNSON. The large
trade which Mr. Johnson has built up in his
chosen business proves him to be possessed
of excellent judgment and determination of char-
acter. When he came to the United States he
had limited means and was unfamiliar with the
customs and usages of our country; but, begin-
ning with a determination to succeed, he soon
gained the confidence of his associates and the
esteem of the general public. June 10, 1S82,
found him in Joliet, where he has since made his
home. Of recent years he has been engaged in
the grocery business, occupying a store on the
corner of Jackson and Collins streets, where, in
the spring of 1898, he built a two-story and base-
ment stone structure, known as the Johnson and
Ahlvin block.

Mr. Johnson was born in the province of
Westerbotten, Sweden, April 22, 1861, a son of
John and Mary Johnson, the former of whom
inherited and occupied the ancestral farm,
"Server." He is still living in his native land
and is now (1899) more than seventy-five years
of age. His wife died many years ago, when our
subject was five years of age. Of seven children
comprising the family four remain in Sweden,
Ned is a farmer in Minnesota, Erik and Charles
Jacob are in Joliet. The last-named was reared
on the home farm, where he continued to reside
until his emigration. His brother, Erik, who
crossed the ocean in 1880, settled in Burlington,
Iowa, but in a very short time came to Joliet;
two years later, in 1882, Ned and Charles Jacob
joined him in thiscountry, crossing on a steamer
from Hull and Liverpool to New York, thence to
Joliet, where our subject worked in a quarry for

26o

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

James Bruce. Three years later he entered the
employ of the Illinois Steel Company, and for five
years was in their converting department. His
next enterprise was embarking in the grocery
business on the corner of Jackson street and Park
avenue, as a member of the firm of Peterson &
Johnson. Two years later he bought his part-
ner's interest, continuing the business in the same
location until he erected his business block in
1898.

In the building of the Swedish Lutheran
Church Mr. Johnson took an active part and he
has served as a trustee for a number of years.
The Republican party has had his allegiance ever
since he became an American citizen, and he has
been a delegate to conventions at different times.
He holds membership in the Swedish Republican
Club. Since coming to Joliet he married Miss
Jennie Anderson, who was born in Skane, Swe-
den. They and their children, Carl Elmer,
Ethel Ingeborg and Clarence Siegfried, have a
neat and pleasant home at No. 1005 Ohio street.

r^ETER G. RULIEN, M. D., who has been
Lf engaged in practice in Joliet since 1890, was
t^ born in Vermland, Sweden, November 4,
i860, a son of P. M. and Stina (Damelson)
Rulien, natives of the same place. His father
who was the son of a Swedish soldier, was reared
upon a farm and followed that occupation in his
native land for some years. In 1868 he brought
his family to America and settled near New
Richmond, St. Croix County, Wis., where he has
since engaged in fanning. Of his eight children
all but one are living, the doctor being third in
order of birth; one of the sons, Frank, is a physi-
cian atWinthrop, Minn.

At the time the family settled in Wisconsin
the subject of this sketch was a boy of eight
years. His primary education was obtained in
district schools. Later he took a special course
of three years in the Northern Indiana Normal
School, where he studied English and classics.
Having selected medicine for his life occupation,
he entered the Chicago Medical College, which

was the medical department of the Northwestern
University, and from this institution he graduated
in the spring of 1890, with the degree of M. D.
Coming at once to Joliet, he has since engaged in
the practice of his profession. He has his office
at No. 1014 Cass street. Under Mayor E. C.
Akins he received the appointment of health
commissioner, which he also held under Mayor
Lagger, but resigned in 1897. For four years he
was physician for the town of Joliet, but resigned
upon being made health commissioner. He is
connected with the American Medical Associa-
tion and the Will County Medical Society, and
has served the latter as president, a responsible
office that he filled with ability. He is connected
with Matteson Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and also
with the Union Club. In religion he is of the
Lutheran faith, while his wife is an Episcopalian.
In Chicago Dr. Rulien married Miss May B.
Stevens, by whom he has four children living,
Minerva, Jessie, Elmer and Norman. The sec-
ond son, Gordon, died in Joliet at the age of one
year. Mrs. Rulien was born in Topeka, Kaus.,
the only child of E. B. and H. V. (Norton)
Stevens, natives respectively of Lake County, 111.,
and New York City. He father, who was a sol-
dier in an Illinois regiment during the Civil war,
spent some years in Topeka, Kans., where he en-
gaged in the real-estate business and also served
as a deputy count}' official. In 1872 he returned
to Chicago, where he died. His wife, who was
a daughter of Richard Norton, of New York,
died in Joliet.

REV. JOHN VIBELIUS, A. B., pastor of
the Bethlehem Swedish Lutheran Church of
Joliet, is one of the earnest and efficient
ministers of his denomination. While he has
not been long connected with his present charge
(having accepted the call in December, 1897),
he has already made many valuable improve-
ments in the church, and has greatly promoted
the welfare of the congregation. This church
was organized in 1882, and now numbers three

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

261

hundred and seventy-five members, being the
largest Swedish congregation in the city. Under
his supervision the church on Benton street has
been remodeled, and a lot was bought and a par-
sonage built on the corner of Benton street and
Cassidaj T avenue. In connection with the church
are various societies, including three ladies' sew-
ing societies, and a young people's organization.
During the two summer months, when the pub-
lic schools are not in session, a parochial school
is conducted, at which there is an average attend-
ance of one hundred and fifty-five children.
Besides his other duties he is secretary of the
board of trustees of the Swedish orphan home
and industrial school at Joliet, conducted under
the auspices of the Illinois conference of the
Evangelical Lutheran Augustana synod, and in-
corporated March 14, 189 1. This school has
fifty pupils, and the three-story building is
equipped with modern improvements. The work
that is accomplished is of a most beneficial na-
ture, the children being fitted for responsible
positions in life.

In the town of Hedemora, Sweden, Mr. Vibel-
ius was born February 1, 1856, the oldest child
of Andrew and Christine (Garell) Vibelius. His
father, who was a farmer on the family home-
stead, was a son of John Vibelius, also a farmer;
while the mother was a daughter of Lars Garell,
who was born in 1796, and for years was super-
intendent of steel works in his native land. All
of the family were of good old Lutheran stock.
Our subject is one of three children, of whom
himself and a sister are in the United States,
while his brother remains in Swedeu. He was
reared on the home farm, and after his confirm-
ation, at fourteen years of age, he entered Falun
College, where he remained until his graduation
in 1880, with the degree of A. B. Next he en-
tered the University of Upsala, in Upsala, forty-five
miles northwest of Stockholm. This institution,
which was founded in 1473, had seventeen hundred
students at the time he was there, and it has
since maintained its high place among old world
universities. With its library of one hundred
and fifty thousand volumes, it numerous ancient
manuscripts, its botanic garden, observatory and

museums, it offers exceptional advantages to its
students, and the year's stud}- in philosophy and
theology which Mr. Vibelius had there proved
of the greatest intellectual aid to him.

After a year as tutor in a private family, in
1882, Mr. Vibelius came to the United States
and entered Augustana Theological Seminary, at
Rock Island, 111., from which he graduated in
1884. He was ordained a few days after exam-
ination, June 24, 1884, in Andover, Henry
County, 111., and was appointed pastor of Bethany
Swedish Lutheran Church in South Chicago,
111., where he remained in charge until 1887.
During the latter year he resigned to accept a
position as editor of the Vort Land and Folk
(Our Country and People), a weekly paper pub-
lished in Chicago. At the same time he had
charge of Bethlehem Swedish Lutheran Church
in Englewood. In 1888 he accepted a call to the
Swedish Lutheran Church of South Bend, and
in that pastorate he continued until the latter
part of 1897, when he resigned in order to come
to Joliet. Several times he has been chosen sec-
retary of the Chicago district of the Illinois con-
ference, in which capacity his work has been
commented upon with praise. He is also the
editor of Budbararen (The Messenger), a Swedish
monthly, which he has made a success. In na-
tional politics he favors Republican principles.

In South Chicago, in 1885, Mr. Vibelius mar-
ried Miss Hulda Nordlund, whose father was a
sea captain and a member of a prominent old
family in the city of Gefle, on the Baltic, in Swe-
den. The three children born of their union are
Emanuel, Lillie and Sigfreid.

KEV. JAMES J. McGOVERN, D. D., pas-
tor of St. Dennis Roman Catholic Church at
Lockport, was born March 25, 1839, in Chi-
cago in a log house standing near where the court
house now stands. His father, a native of Ire-
land, was a large contractor on the canal and had
the contract for the Chicago water works. He
was at the head of a large immigration company
organized for the purpose of bringing Irish peo-

262

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

pie to this country and giving them a good start.
For about thirty-five years he was the principal
confidante and helper of the bishops in Chicago,
and he always held a very prominent place among
Roman Catholics there. He died in that city
when eighty-two years of age, having made his
home there from 1836 until his death. His wife
was also a native of Ireland and died in 1899,
when eighty-four years old. They were the
parents of eight daughters and four sons, who,
under their teaching, were reared for positions of
usefulness and honor and were early devoted to
the service of the church.

The subject of this sketch was one of the first
pupils in the public schools of Chicago. In Sep-
tember, 1844, he entered the old Mortimer school,
opposite McVicker's theatre on Madison street,
and occupying the first school building put up in
the city. In 1849 a Catholic school was estab-
lished in the city, which he attended. For two
years he was also a student at St. Mary's of the
Lake. In August, 1853, he was sent to the
Propaganda College, Rome, to spend ten years
in preparation for holy orders. He was ordained
June 14, 1862, and afterward remained in Rome
a short time as priest and acting private secretary
to Cardinal Barnabo, Prefect of the Propaganda.
On returning to the United States in 1863 he was
made vice-president of St. Mary's of the Lake and
rector of the collegiate seminary, which position
he held for five years. He then bought and im-
proved church property in the parishes of Fulton,
Rockland, Bloouiington and Lake Forest, 111.
In 1880 he cametoLockport, where he completed
the large church building, established the schools
and built the parsonage. This parish was founded
in 1849 by Father Dennis Ryan, who served it
until his death, October 21, 1853. In 1877 the
present large church building was started, which
was completed by Father McGovern, its total
cost being about $40,000. It has a membership
of about one hundred and twenty-five families.

In addition to his pastoral work, Father Mc-
Govern has also done considerable literary work.
For several years he was co-editor of a Roman
Catholic paper, the Catholic Home, and for a year
was its editor-in-chief. In 1S65 he published

The Monthly, a Catholic periodical, the first in the
west. He published, as the author, the "Life
of Bishop John McMullen," of Davenport, Iowa,
and a work entitled "The Souvenir of Archbish-
' op P. A. Feehau's Silver Jubilee," in which he
gave the only church history of the Catholic
Church in Chicago and the state of Illinois. Up
to the time of its publication he was a co-author
of the "Royal Scroll," an illustrated history of
the Bible, with a biblical catechism, and a most
extensive history of the Catholic Church in the
state of Illinois published in the new world A. D.
1900. In recognition of his successful course of
his theological studies, the degree of D. D. was
conferred upon him before he returned to this
countrv.

3 AMES K. McNEILL, president of the Steel
Works Club, the largest labor organization
in Joliet, is also a prominent member of the
board of aldermen. He was elected an alder-
man in the spring of 1899, on the Republican
ticket, receiving a majority of nine votes overthe
two other candidates. Since he began the duties
of his office he has been appointed chairman of
the police committee and a member of the com-
mittees on water, claims, east side streets and
license. His work as a councilman is proving
satisfactory, not only to the members of his own
party, to whom his election was due, but to the
general public as well.

AtBallymeua, near Belfast, in County Antrim,
Ireland, Mr. McNeill was born August 25, 1851,
a son of Hugh and Sarah (Kennedy) McNeill.
His grandfather, George McNeill, a Scotchman,
settled in Ireland, where he died at eighty-two
years; and the maternal grandfather, James Ken-
nedy, though of Irish birth, was also of Scotch
descent. After an honorable discharge from the
British army, in which he had served for some
years (mostly as anon-commissioned officer with
the Royal Artillery in Woolwich, England), Hugh
McNeill accompanied a surveying corps to the
province of Ulster, which he assisted in survey-
ing. He then became a freight agent for the
railroad at Ballymena. In 1S60 he came to

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

263

America, whither a brother, John, had preceded
him. He settled in Jackson Township, this
county, but soon removed to Kendall County,
and while there, in 1863, his family joined him.
In 1868 he returned to Jackson Township, where
his wife died the following year. He then re-
moved to Round Grove Township, Livingston
County, where he resided from the spring of
1870 until 1881. From there he went to Val-
paraiso, Neb. , where he bought and improved a
farm, and died July 16, 1893, aged sixty -six
years. In politics he voted with the Republicans,
and in religion was of the Presbyterian belief.
Of his six children four are living, James being
the oldest and the only one now in Will County.

On the 25th day of August, 1863, our subject
landed in New York City after a voyage of seven
weeks and two days from Liverpool on the sail-
ing vessel " Benjamin Adams. " With the other
members of the family he came west to join his
father in Illinois. He accompanied his father in
his various removals. While at Grand Prairie
he began to farm independently, remaining there
until 1884, when he was appointed keeper at the
Illinois state penitentiary. The latter position
he held until December 1, 1893, when a change
of administration caused him to resign. Next
he became foreman for the Illinois Steel Com-
pany, and in 1897 was Dv them appointed gen-
eral yardmaster of the entire steel plant, which
position he has since filled. He is now president
of the Steel Works Club, which has a member-
ship of twelve hundred. For seven years he was
secretary of the Royal Arcanum Council in Joliet,
and is still a member. He is past chancellor of
the Knights of Pythias and has been the repre-
sentative of the local lodge in the grand lodge.

The home of Mr. McNeill stands at No. 1003
Irving street. His first wife was Mary M. Kim-
ble, who was born in Kendall County, 111., and
died in Joliet February 19, 1894. Her father,
Henry, son of James Kimble, was born in Bed-
ford, England, in 1800, and from fourteen to
twenty-one years of age served at the mason's
trade. In 1823 he went to the island of Ascen-
sion, off the coast of Africa, where he superin-
tended the building of forts. Returning to Eng-

land in 1830, he soon went to Prince Ed-
ward's Island, where he spent fifteen years.
He then removed to Kendall County, 111. In
1849 he joined the gold-seekers in the westward
journey and engaged in mining in California.
After a time he returned to Illinois and took a
contract for building a part oftheOquawka Rail-
road to Peoria. He then returned to his Kendall
County farm. His last days were spent in South
Dakota, where he died at ninety-one years. By
his first marriage Mr. McNeill had four children,
viz.: Harry James, who is with the Illinois
Steel Company; Sadie Laura, a teacher in the
Kendall County schools; Hattie May and Mary
Priscilla. In Joliet June 5, 1896, Mr. McNeill
married Mrs. Grace (Webb) Thomas, who was
born in Cook County, 111., and by whom he has
two daughters, Grace Vivian and Muriel Una.
Mrs. McNeill's father, George Webb, was born
in England and came with his parents to New
York, thence removed west, settling in Cook
County and engaging in the mercantile business
at Mattison. Later he moved to Springfield,
this state, where he died, and where his widow
is still living.

30SEPH A. JOHNSON is one of the large
number of business men who came to Joliet
from Sweden, and have since become an in-
tegral part of the citizenship, joining in move-
ments for the benefit of the city and aiding in
the development of local commercial interests.
He was born in Rauqvella, Jonkoping, Sweden,
December 6, 1867, a sou of John Peter and Eva
Johnson, who spent their entire lives in the same
province, where the father engaged in farming.
Further mention of the family appears elsewhere,
in the sketch of Gustav V. Johnson.

Reared on the home farm, the educational ad-
vantages received by our subject were such as the
local schools afforded. As he studied in school
the geography of the world, he formed a resolu-
tion to seek a home in the land across the seas,
believing that the new world presented greater
opportunities for a young man than the old. In
1886 he came to the United States with his

264

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

brother, Gustav V., and settled in Joliet, where
he followed any occupation whereby he could
earn a livelihood. After three years, however,
he began to turn his attention to the bricklayer's
trade, which he learned in the works of the Illi-
nois Steel Company. He followed this occupa-
tion until 1896 in the employ of others, but
during that year he embarked in the stone and
brickmason's business for himself, and has since
taken contracts for work of this kind.

Since taking out his naturalization papers Mr.
Johnson has voted the Republican ticket. He is
a member of the North Star Association and the
Swedish Lutheran Church. A man of energy
and industry, he is working his way to a position
of influence among the people of his own race in
Joliet, and has also won the confidence of people
of other nationalities by his upright course in
life and the energy which he has shown in his
business. He was married, in this city, in 1897,
to Miss Amanda Abrahamson, who was born in
Sweden, and by whom he has a daughter, Sylvia
Benhat Margaret. The family residence is at
No. 309 Landau avenue.

HENRY W. MORGAN, proprietor of a pat-
tern shop at No. 108 South Desplaines
street, Joliet, is one of the expert mechanics
and pattern-makers in the city, where he has
made his home since 187 1. He was born in Tal-
garth, Breconshire, Wales, June 11, 1844, a son
of William and Mary Morgan, natives of the
same shire. His father, who was a son of Henry
Morgan, a farmer, engaged in contracting and
building in his native country, where he died in
1 88 1. In his family there were four children,
viz.: Mrs. Jane Price, who died in Wales; Henry
W. ; William, who is proprietor of a normal
school at Hereford, Wales; and Magdelene, Mrs.
W. D. Richards, who died in Joliet.

In the public schools of Bryn Mawr, Wales,
the subject of this sketch obtained his education.
When sixteen he was bound out to learn the pat-
tern-maker's trade and served an apprenticeship
of seven years, during which time he studied in
a drawing school, also spent six months in a
foundry and six in a machine shop. This is the

parent trade of all in a mechanical line, and one
who becomes an expert in it has acquired knowl-
edge that proves of inestimable value to him.
The seven years which Mr. Morgan spent as an .
apprentice were faithfully devoted to his work,
and as a result he became very proficient as a
mechanic. At the expiration of his time he
worked at his trade in Cardiff and Newport.

The year 1869 found Mr. Morgan in the United
States, a young man, with little money, but pos-
sessing an abundance of energy and determina-
tion. At first he was employed as pattern-
maker in the shops of the Delaware, Lackawanna
& Western Railroad in Scranton, Pa. From
there, in 187 1, he came to Joliet and entered the
employ of the Illinois Steel Company as pattern-
maker. Five years later he was promoted to be
foreman, and as such he continued for twenty
years, resigning in 1896 in order to embark in
business for himself. During the twenty- five
years of his connection with the company he won
and retained the confidence of the officers and the
respect of subordinates, and was recognized
as an expert at his trade. Since entering busi-
ness on his own account he has made patterns for
various mills of Joliet and other cities and has
also turned out work that has been shipped to
Belgium and France.

In the Welsh Presbyterian Church of Joliet
Mr. Morgan is a trustee and prominent worker.
Politically he gives his influence and ballot
toward Republican principles. He is connected
with Mount Joliet Lodge No. 42, A. F. & A. M.,
in which he is past senior warden. He was one
of the first to build in his section of the city, and
owns a neat home 011 Ohio street. Prior to
leaving Wales he was married, in Bryn Mawr, to
Miss Jane Davies, daughter of William Davies,
who came to America, settling in Pottsville, Pa.,
thence coming to Joliet; he was the second em-
ploye with the then Joliet Iron and Transportation
Company, with which he remained until his
death, in 1S79. The children of Mr. and Mrs.
Morgan who attained maturity are named as fol-
lows: Annie, who is married and lives in Joliet;
John, a machinist employed in Chicago; Clara,
Edith, Walter, Otis and Harry.

OF
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

/f y, pfu-7-t^^

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

267

CAPT. ROBERT J. MORRISON.

EAPT. ROBERT J. MORRISON. For his
heroism displayed during the Civil war,
Captain Morrison received the highest praise
ofhiscolonel, George \V. Kirk, and the commen-
dation of all patriotic citizens who appreciate self-
sacrifice in behalf of our country. At the close
of the war, in September, 1865, he came to this
county, bringing with him a wagon and also two
horses that had been with him in the army. For
a time he rented a farm on the edge of Kendall
County, after which he bought a place in Plain-
field Township and later bought and sold other
property. Coming to Joliet in 1879, he em-
barked in the lumber business and also from 1880
to 1883 was call man in the fire department, then
from 1883 to 1888 was driver of steamer No. 1, be-
ing transferred in 1S88 to East Side No. 3. In
1 89 1 he resigned and began to devote his attention
entirely to the real-estate business, in which he
had previously become interested. In 1S94 he
was appointed deputy city and township assessor.
The following year he was elected city and town-
ship assessor on the Republican ticket, by a ma-
jority of three hundred and sixty over his town
opponents. In 1896, 1897, 1898 and 1899 he was
re-elected, the last time without opposition, and
he now gives his whole time to the duties of the
office, superintending the work of his corps of as-
sistants.

William Morrison, a Scotchman, removed to
Manchester, England, and years later settled on
a farm near Belfast, Ireland, where he died. His
grandson, Robert Morrison, was born in Man-
chester, England, but grew to manhood in Ire-

laud, where he learned the painter's trade. In
1832 he married Elizabeth Bell, who was born
in Belfast, Ireland, her father, David, having re-
moved from his native place, near Glasgow, Scot-
land, to Belfast, Ireland, in order to establish a
shoe factory there. The year after his marriage
Mr. Morrison brought his wife to America and
settled in New York City, where he worked at
his trade. In 1842 he went to Toronto, Canada,
where he remained until 1845, and then settled
in Baltimore, Md., afterward went to Philadel-
phia, thence to New York City, and in 1847 re-
turned to Toronto, from there going back to Bal-
timore. October 26, 1856, he removed his fami-
ly to Carter County, Tenn., where he cultivated
a farm and also worked as a contracting painter.
A man of strong Union sympathies, he had on
his farm an underground railroad for escaping
Federal prisoners, and one of his sons, William,
was a pilot for the refugees. He himself was
several times taken prisoner by Confederates, but,
being a great favorite throughout that entire re-
gion on account of his fine business qualities, his
genial manners and his work as a Methodist
Episcopal local preacher, his life was spared.
Not so fortunate was his brother-in-law, James
Bell, who, falling into the hands of the rebels,
was shot twenty-six times, his brains being
beaten out. Two of his sons, William and David,
slept outdoors every night during the four years
of the war. When the war ended the family
moved to Carroll County, Mo., where the father
died at sixty-two years of age. His death was
caused by an attack of pneumonia brought on by

26S

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

fording a stream to keep an appointment for
preaching. After his death his wife went to
Canada, where she died. They had four sons
and four daughters, and all but one of the daugh-
ters still survive. William lives in Johnson City,
Tenn.; John, who was a prisoner for eighteen
months during the Civil war, served in the Thir-
teenth Tennessee Cavalry as orderly sergeant of
Company B, and is now living in Kendall Coun-
ty, 111. ; David lives in Nebraska, making his home
at Wood River; Mrs. Anna Hill lives at Norborne,
Mo.; Mrs. Sarah McKey is at Pinkerton, Canada;
and Mrs. Elizabeth Walker is in Kansas City, Mo.
Mrs Mary McDevitt died at Linton, Canada,
April 25, 1898.

The second of the sons, Robert J. , was born in
New York City May 1, 1840. His education
was received principally in Canada. With his
older brother he learned the painter's trade, and
afterward was with an uncle, Dr. David Bell, for
two years, then returned to assist his brother.
April 15, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Second
Tennessee Infantry, and was mustered in as a
private at Camp Dick Robinson, Ky. After the
battles of Wild Cat, Mills Springs and Cumber-
land Gap, he returned through the rebel lines to
Tennessee, in order to recruit for the Union army.
Securing eighty-nine men, he started back to the
Union army in the fall of 1861. During the fol-
lowing winter he camped in the mountains of
Tennessee, hiding from the Confederates, who
were in search of him and his recruits. Their
food was brought to them by his sister, who would
put a note in a biscuit telling where the next in-
stallment of provisions would be hid. Some-
times it would be impossible to get food to the
men, who would then be reduced to the necessity
of eating crow or such game as could be found.
In 1862 they started to go through the rebel lines,
traveling at night, wading rivers, and enduring
hardships of every kind. When within one mile
of the Kentucky line they were attacked by Con-
federates and eleven escaped out of eighty-nine.
Afterward these eleven were in hiding for four
days and nights without anything to eat. Grow-
ing desperate with hunger, several of the men
swam across Powell's River, then crossed the

Cumberland mountains, where their hunger was
partially appeased by some huckleberries they
fortunately found. About six o'clock one even-
ing they came within sight of a man chopping
wood and drew lots as to which of the men should
speak to him. The lot fell on our subject, who
went forward, scarcely knowing what fate might
befall him. However, the mountaineer was a
Union man and called to him, "Come on." The
meal they had of mush and milk and honey
seemed to them the best they had ever eaten.
They had been for four days and nights without
food and water, and were almost starved. A
little later they found five of their comrades,
which made their company number eleven, and
two others got through three weeks later, but the
other seventy-six were killed or lost.

Returning to his old regiment, our subject
fought at Deep Creek Gap. From Kentucky he
went to Ohio and took part in several battles with
Gen. John H. Morgan; later marched into West
Virginia. After the battle of Murfreesboro he
assisted in the taking of Rogersville, where after-
ward all of his regiment but seventy-five men
were captured. He was one of the number that
escaped. At the end of three years he was mus-
tered out and came to Illinois, spending a short
time at Canton, Fulton County, and then return-
ing to Tennessee, where he helped to mount
Gilham's brigade of cavalry, the Eighth, Ninth
and Thirteenth Tennessee. Next he went to
Kuoxville and organized Company C, Third
North Carolina Mounted Infantry, of which he
was commissioned first lieutenant in September,
1864, and which engaged in scouting. He led
his men three hundred miles into North Carolina,
where he captured three hundred and twenty-five
prisoners. In February, 1865, he organized
Company I, of the same regiment, and was com-
missioned its captain, serving under General
George Stoneman, being detached to command
twenty-five scouts. He took part in many des-
perate cavalry dashes, where death seemed immi-
nent at any moment, but he seemed to bear a
charmed life; and in all his service was only
wounded once, and that was a mere flesh wound.
He was constansly on the move. At one time

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

269

he was in the saddle for eighteen days and nights,
never making a stop longer than three hours.
More than once his friends were in doubt as to
his fate, and once his family were told that he
was dead. Nor did they know the report was
false until he appeared before them in person,
when a scene of rejoicing followed that could be
imagined, but not described. During an engage-
ment at Morristown, Tenn., he captured one of his
old schoolmates, who is now an attorney in that
state. After the war closed he was mustered out
at Knoxville, Tenn., August 8, 1865, and re-
turned to his old home, but a month later came
to Illinois, and has since made Will County his
home.

In politics Captain Morrison has always affili-
ated with the Republicans. For many years he
has been chaplain of Bartleson Post No. 6,
G. A. R., also of Mount Joliet Lodge, A. F. &
A. M., and is a member of the Independent Or-
der of Odd Fellows. With his wife, he belongs
to the Eastern Star and the Ottawa Street Method-
ist Episcopal Church. His marriage took place
in Elizabethtown, Carter County, Tenn., January
22, 1862, and united him with Miss Hester Sni-
der, daughter of William Snider, a native of Sul-
livan County, that state, and a farmer and black-
smith. Several times during the war he was
taken a prisoner. In February, 1865, he moved
to Troy Township, Will County, 111., where he
died at seventy-eight years. His father, William,
Sr., who was born near Philadelphia, Pa., served
in the war of 18 12 and afterward became the
owner of large tracts of land in Tennessee. The
mother of Mrs. Morrison was Mary, daughter of
William Jones, an early settler of Tennessee and
a soldier in the war of 18 12. She died in 1874.
Of her eleven children eight attained mature
years. A half-brother of Mrs. Morrison, Joseph
Snider, was with our subject and made his way
through the lines to Cumberland Gap; her own
brother was taken a prisoner at one time during
the war. Captain and Mrs. Morrison became the
parents of five children, namely: Lizzie, who has
charge of the millinery department of the Joliet
Dry Goods Company; Mary, who died in 1888;
Minnie H., deceased; William R., a graduate of

the University of Illinois, and now superinten-
dent at Wichita, Kans., of the city street rail-
road; and John H., who graduated from the medi-
cal department of the Northwestern University
in 1898, and is now engaged in practice at Plain-
field, this county. He married Catherine E.
Downey and they have one daughter, Martha
Hester.

Gl NDREW MURDIE, a well-known farmer of
I_l Wilton Township, was born in Melrose,
/ I Roxburyshire, Scotland, in November, 1838,
a son of Andrew and Helen (Culbertson) Murdie.
He was one of three children, his brother and sis-
ter being William, of Alloa, Scotland, and Jean-
nette, Mrs. Adam Fleming, of Galashiels, Scot-
land. His father died when in middle age, and
afterward the mother was married to William
Wright, a tailor, by whom she had three children,
Robert, James and Isabella. She is still living
in Scotland, and is now more than eighty years
of age.

When a very small child our subject began to
work, in order to assist in supporting himself.
At ten years of age he secured work in herding
cows and doing chores, for which he was paid
one pound for six months. As he grew older
and stronger his wages were increased, until he
was earning twelve poundsayear. June 5, 1857,
he and a cousin embarked on a sailing vessel at
Liverpool, and after a rough voyage of forty-two
days they landed in New York City, July 18.
Thence they went up the Hudson to Albany. It
was their intention to join an uncle at Chatham,
Canada, but the New York farmers, being great-
ly in need of help, they were induced to stop with
a farmer thirteen miles from Albany. With him
they remained for six weeks, and then resumed
their journey. Reaching Chatham, our subject
worked for a Mr. Smith on a farm for one year.
Next he worked for two months at railroad con-
structing on the Great Western Railroad. On
his return to Chatham he resumed work with Mr.
Smith. In the spring of 1861 he came to Illinois

270

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and secured work with Henry Aiken at Lock-
port, his special work being the running of a
ditching machine. The next year he bought a
corn-sheller, and, in company with a partner who
owned horses, he began shelling corn for the
farmers. His was the first corn-sheller operated
in this section, and he had the shelling of all the
corn between Spencer and Peotone.

In 1865 Mr. Murdie married Elizabeth Scott,
who was born in Yorkshire, England, a daughter
of Thomas and Harriet (Gluver) Scott. Her
father dying when she was a child, she was taken
into the home of Robert Holmes, whose family
she accompanied to America in 1856, settling
with them in Lockport. After his marriage Mr.
Murdie settled just east of his present home, he
and Mr. Holmes having bought one hundred and
twelve acres of land in partnership here. With
the exception of ten years spent in Greengarden
Township, where he owned eighty acres of land,
he has since made his home in Wilton Township,
and is counted among the most energetic and
capable farmers of this township. From his
original farm he moved to the farm of Mr. Holmes,
and by subsequent purchase increased it to one
hundred and thirty-seven acres. He is the oldest
surviving settler at this end of Twelve- Mile
Grove. Among the people of this locality he
bears the reputation of an efficient farmer and an
honorable man, one whose aim has been to live
uprightly and carry out in his actions the princi-
ples of the golden rule.

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Murdie comprises
six living children, namely: Robert S., a farmer
of Wilton Township; A. Janet, at home; Emma
J., wife of Brooks Broadrick, of Forsman, Ind. ;
Alfred C; James G. and Walter G. , at home.

For twenty-five years or more. Mr. Murdie has
been a member of the district school board.
Among his other offices were those of town clerk,
which he held for several years; assessor of Wil-
ton Township, which he held for a year; and su-
pervisor for two years. At this writing he is
president of the Horse Protective Association, an
organization that has proved very helpful to the
farmers here. He is also a director of the Man-
hattan Co-operative Creamery Company. While

he is not connected with any denomination, he
attends the Baptist Church and is a contributor
to its support. Fraternally he is a member of
Wilton Lodge No. 640, I. O. O. F., in which he
has filled all of the chairs, and for many years
was its treasurer. In political views he is a
stanch Republican.

REV. POLYCARP RHODE is superior of
the Franciscan Fathers and pastor of St.
John's Roman Catholic Church of Joliet,
which positions he has held since January 12,
1899. The church of which he is the head was
organized in 1852 and has a membership of about
six hundred families, being next to the oldest
and next to the largest church of the denomina-
tion in the city. From the time of its organiza-
tion until 1876 the church was under the super-
vision of secular priests, but in the latter year it
was taken in charge by the Franciscan Fathers,
who have since been responsible for its success.
To the congregation belong: a very large stone
church, on the corner of North Hickory and Di-
vision streets; a commodious stone structure used
as a monastery; St. John's school, which stands
opposite the church and has an attendance of al-
most five hundred; and a large society hall, used
for meetings of church and school organizations.
In the church are the various organizations for
the progress of the work and the uplifting of the
members, including sodalities for young ladies,
for boys and for men, also a ladies' society, St.
John's and St. Aloysius' Society for men, and
the Catholic Order of Foresters. To assist the
pastor in his many duties and great responsibil-
ities there are three priests, Fathers Dominic,
Angelus and Cyriac. St. Joseph's hospital on
Broadway, now in charge of the Franciscan Sis-
ters, and St. Francis' Academy, which is also
superintended by the sisters and has a large en-
rollment of girls, are also pastorated by the
Franciscan Fathers.

In the province of Saxony, Prussia, where he

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

271

was born, Father Rhode passed the first four-
teen years of his life on a farm. He then en-
tered the Seminary of Heiligenstadt, where he
completed the regular studies, with the exception
of the courses in philosophy and theology. Com-
ing to America to join the Franciscan Fathers, in
1 88 1 he became professor of languages in the
college at Teutopolis, 111., where he remained
for two years, meantime studying English. In
1883 he entered the Franciscan Order at Teutop-
olis and after the novitiate period had been passed
engaged in the study of philosophy at Quincy,
later studied theology in St. Louis. He was or-
dained in the latter city in 1890 by Archbishop
Kenrick. His first pastorate was of St. Mary's
Church, at Green Creek, Effingham County,
111. , where he remained for eighteen months, re-
signing to accept a position as professor of lan-
guages in Teutopolis College. Eighteen months
were spent in college work, and he then became
guardian and pastor of St. Francis' Church at
Teutopolis. He remained there until he was
transferred to Joliet in the early part of 1899.
He is very devoted to his church and his order
and would deem no personal sacrifice too great
if by it they might be benefited and their pros-
perity enhanced.

r~ERDINAND MUNCH, who is engaged in
r3 the coal business at No. 502 Jefferson street,
I f Joliet, is one of the leading Masons of the
city. He was made a Mason in Mount Joliet
Lodge No. 42, A. F. & A. M., in 1882, and has
since been identified with the same lodge, of
which he has been elected worshipful master
each year since 1891, and is the present incum-
bent of the office. For the same period he has
represented the lodge in the grand lodge of the
state. Through his influence and under his lead-
ership the lodge has been maintained in a pros-
perous condition, with a large and active mem-
bership.

Mr. Munch was born in Joliet Township, this
county, April 3, 185 1, a son of Xavier and Mary

Ann (Pflager) Munch, natives of Alsace, then a
part of France. The paternal grandfather, who
brought his family to America, went to California
in 1849 with a son, Sebastian, and a son-in-law,
making the trip across the plains with an ox-
team. On the journey overland Sebastian was
lost. He started back east by ship, but cholera
broke out on the vessel and his relatives never
heard of him afterward. Without doubt he per-
ished of the plague. Xavier Munch, who came
to this county about 1840, worked on the Illinois
and Michigan canal in early life. During the
Mexican war he enlisted from Illinois, went to
the front and served until peace was declared,
when he returned to his farm. He has since
made agriculture his occupation, and owns a
well-improved farm of one hundred and twenty-
two acres, adjoining Joliet, which is the old
homestead of his father. Since 1890 he has
made his home in Joliet. His wife, who was a
daughter of Martin Pflager, an early settler of
Joliet, died in this county many years ago. Both
were Catholics from childhood. They were the
parents of seven children, six of whom are still
living.

The next to the oldest of the family was Fer-
dinand. He was educated in a district school,
the Joliet night school and Professor Russell's
school. September 27, 1872, he came to Joliet,
and for two years was employed by J. Q. A. King
in the coal business. When Mr. King failed,
Mr. Munch and two other employes bought the
business, forming the firm of Frey & Co., and
continuing the Jefferson street business for a year.
Mr. Munch then sold his interest, in 1875 pur-
chased from E. L. Shaffner the building and
yards at No. 502 Jefferson street, where he keeps
all kinds of hard and soft coal. The yards are
connected by a siding with the Chicago & Alton
Railroad. To this business he is devoting his
attention with energy and success. He is a
member of the Retail Coal Dealers' Association
of Illinois and Wisconsin, and takes a warm in-
terest in everything pertaining to the coal busi-
ness. Politically he is a Republican.

The marriage of Mr. Munch, in Joliet, united
him with Miss Jennie Hurley, who was born in

272

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

England. Her father, William Hurley, settled
in Minooka, Grundy County, 111., where he was
employed by the Chicago & Rock Island Rail-
road Company. Later he removed to Ottawa,
but is now residing in Moliue, this state, and is
still connected with the Rock Island road. Mr.
and Mrs. Munch are the parents of three sons:
Louis Irving, who died in August, 1896, at the
age of eighteen years; Fred Elmer, a high school
graduate in 1899; and Archie Hiram, a member
of the high school class of 1902.

EHARLES G. TENGDIN, chief engineer at
the Illinois state penitentiary, is a man of
remarkable inventive and mechanical ability,
and hence is admirably qualified for his position,
which he has filled since 1897. At the close of
his first year in the institution his work was re-
viewed and inspected by a state expert, who
rendered a most favorable report and pronounced
every improvement he had made to be a move in
the right direction. As chief engineer he super-
intends the work of eighty-five men, and has en-
tire charge of the mechanical and architectural
department of the whole plant, which includes a
combined engine power corresponding to six
hundred horse-power. He invented and is now
applying for a patent on a steam trap that
economizes the condensation from steam-heating
plants; and other valuable improvements are the
result of his inventive genius.

In Linkoping, Ostergotland, Sweden, Mr.
Tengdin was born October 14, 1862, the young-
est of nine children, of whom he alone survives.
His father, Andrew, a shoemaker and an expert
in the manufacture of shoe lasts, died in Oster-
gotland at sixty years of age; afterward the
mother, Mary, joined our subject in Joliet, where
she died in 1897, aged seventy-five years. Both
were members of the Lutheran Church. When
our subject was three years of age his father died,
and when he was twelve he began to support
himself by working in a store. A year later he

started to learn the harness-maker's trade, but
three months at the work convinced him it would
never be congenial, so he returned to the store.
When fifteen he was apprenticed to the machin-
ist's trade, which he followed for five years, being
paid an amount equal to fourteen cents for twelve
hours' work. On the completion of his time his
wages were advanced to four times the original
sum, and he continued in the same shop until he
left for America, being paid at the last seventy-
two cents a day.

During the spring of 1882 Mr. Tengdin landed
in New York, whence he came to Joliet. At
first work was scarce. In 1883 he hired to James
Bruce as a blacksmith and tool-sharpener in the
quarries. Afterward for two years he worked in
the employ of I. D. Stevens as foreman, and
through his employer's recommendation he was
then given work as a machinist with the Illinois
Steel Company, remaining from 1886 to 1888,
Next, for a year, he engaged in the manufacture
of electrical sign cloth on Jefferson street, in the
River block. On leaving the factory he entered
the wire mill of Lambert & Bishop as a machin-
ist. There mouths later he accepted a position
as tool-maker for the bicycle works in Joliet,
where he remained for six months. For the two
following years he had charge of the machine
shop of the Joliet Reed & Rattan works, and
when that plant was sold he patented a wood-
working tool for the manufacture of head and
base blocks for doors; but after manufacturing
the invention for a few months hard times came
on and he was forced to seek other work. After
a short time with the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern
Railroad as machinist and repairer of engines he
returned to the steel mill, and later was a machin-
ist with Lambert & Bishop. In 1897 ^ e received
appointment to the position which he has since
so efficiently filled.

At No. 1012 Ohio street, Joliet, Mr. Tengdin
built the residence he now occupies. He married
Miss Anna Sophia Johnson, who was born in
Orebro, Narke, Sweden; and by their marriage
the following-named children were born: Viola,
Carl, Oscar, Florence, Hjalmer and Myrtle. Mr.
Tengdin is a director in the People's Loan and

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

273

Homestead Association. He is also a member
of the Fraternal Alliance and Mount Joliet Lodge
No. 42, A. F. & A. M. In the Swedish
Lutheran Church he has served on the board of
trustees, and was a member of the building com-
mittee of the Swedish Orphans' Home. In poli-
tics a Republican, he is connected with the
Swedish-American League of Republican Clubs
and is a charter member of the Swedish Repub-
lican Club.

Gl LBERT OCHSNER, chief engineer of the
LA Fred Sehring Brewing Company and agent
I I for the Joliet Pure Ice Company, was born
in Knonau, Bezirk, Affoltern, Canton Zurich,
Switzerland, August 5, 1861, a son of Jacob and
Elizabetha (Hauenstein) Ochsner. The family
of which he is a member took part in the early
Swiss wars and dates back to the nobility of that
country. His father, a son of Jacob Ochsner,
Sr., was born in Riiti, Canton Zurich, in 1829,
and grew to manhood upon a farm. Throughout
his active life he was engaged in the silk busi-
ness, but is now living retired from the cares
and anxieties of trade, upon a large estate in his
native canton. His wife died when thirty-seven
years of age, leaving two daughters and four
sons, all of whom remain in Switzerland except
Henry and Albert, both of Joliet.

In December, 1879, Albert Ochsner set sail
from Havre for New York, and on reaching this
country proceeded to St. Louis, where he arrived
in January, 1880. In that city he was employed
in a cheese commission house. Later he was
with a fire brick company at Cheltenham. Going
to Chicago in 1882 he was employed as burner
with the Northwestern Terra Cotta Company for
two years. Accepting a position next with the
Michael Brand Brewing Company he was first
fireman, then assistant engineer and finally night
engineer. Afterward he was assistant engineer
for Bartholomew & Lights, then was foreman in
the manufacture of ice machinery for James
Salem, and while in that position put in ice

plants at Green Bay, Sturgeon Bay and Oshkosh,
Wis., and the Union stockyards at Chicago.
Later he held a position as night engineer with
a brewing companj 7 in Chicago.

Since 1891 Mr. Ochsner has been chief en-
gineer for the Fred Sehring Brewing Company
of Joliet. In this capacity he has proved him-
self equal to every responsibility and has won the
confidence of the members of the company. He
has aided in putting in improvements, including
one Bates engine, by means of which the brew-
ing capacity has been increased. A bottling de-
partment has also been established and an addi-
tion built. The combined plant now has six
engines (with almost five hundred horse-power),
two ice engines and fourteen pumps. In addi-
tion to his work as engineer he has built up a
business in coal and wood, representing the Joliet
Pure Ice Company. In 1898 he built Ochsner's
hall, on the corner of Nicholson and Douglass
streets, a building of three stories, 40x65, with a
private hall and club room. Fraternally he is
connected with the Ancient Order of United
Workmen, the White Cross Fraternity and the
Engineers' Association, and in politics is a Re-
publican. Through his efforts the Alpine Swiss
Society was organized and he is now its president
and leading member.

In Chicago Mr. Ochsner married Miss Emilie
Jordan, who was born in that city. They be-
came the parents of seven children, of whom the
oldest daughter, Emma, when ten years of age,
was accidentally killed by coming in contact
with a guy wire from a live wire. The other
children are, William, Albert, Clara, Lizzie,
George and infant son.

GlLEXANDRE DARAS, one of the enter-
Ll prising business men of Joliet, was born in
/ 1 France June 9, 1863, a son of Joseph and
Eugenia Daras, and one of three children. His
father, who was born near Paris in 1834, was an
expert worker in a plate glass factory in the town

274

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of St. Jobin, and continued there until his death,
in 1S71, at thirty-six years of age. The lady
whom he married was born in Paris in 1840, and
in girlhood learned the dressmaker's trade. Dur-
ing the French revolution she had a position as
forelady in a large factory for the manufacturing
of clothing for charity, the factory being sup-
ported by a brother of the Czar of Russia (the
Czarovitch Dermadorf), and in it were manufac-
tured hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of
clothing, the dispensing of which was in charge
of Mrs. Daras. Her husband was an active
spirit in the revolution of 1871, and served as an
officer until he was killed in action. She sur-
vived him only three years. At the time of her
death her son, Alexandre, w T as onlj- eleven years
of age. He was bound out by friends to learn
the jeweler's trade. After an apprenticeship of
four years he became proficient at the trade.
For his skill he was awarded a bronze medal in
an annual exposition, in which graduated ap-
prentices were allowed to compete with a sample
of their work. Later he secured a position as
valet to Comte de Brigot, with whom he traveled
all over Europe; but after eighteen months he re-
signed the position and went to London, where
he was employed as valet to a nobleman. On
his return to Paris he secured a responsible po-
sition in the government theatre. While there
he formed the acquaintance of many persons
prominent throughout the nation and the world,
including Prince de Medoff, Baron Hausman, the

Prince of Orange, Alexandre Dumas, pere, and
Horteuse, the second wife of Napoleon III, from
whom he received a personal letter, enclosing a
picture of herself.

After resigning his position in the theatre Mr.
Daras went to Mouaca, thence to Italy, returning
to Bordeaux, France, next going to London,
and afterward returning to Paris. He then de-
termined to come to America, a plan which he at
once put into execution. On his arrival in New
York his trunk was stolen from him, and he thus
lost, not only his belongings, but his Parisian
references. In spite of this misfortune he was
successful in securing a position with Mr. Fren-
denthal, a wealthy gentleman, who owned a
summer Jiome at King's Bridge, N. Y. There
he remained for a year. He was then united in
marriage with Lena Christian, who was born in
Switzerland in 1862, and came to America in
1881. She was a daughter of John Christian,
who was a large landed proprietor and held a po-
sition as foreman in a dyeing establishment in
Berne. In the spring of 1883 Mr. Daras came
to Chicago and thence to Joliet, where he learned
the painter's trade with Frank Hebert, and re-
mained with the same employer for fourteen
years. He then opened a paint and wall-paper
store at No. 122 Jefferson street, where he has
since built up a large business. He and his wife
are the parents of three children: Henry A., at
home; Louise, deceased; and Joseph A., at
home.

OF
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

^y . . & .Qjd^L^yy

NT-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

277

JOSEPH C. SCROGGS.

(JOSEPH C. SCROGGS, who is recognized as
I a well-posted fire insurance man, is now in-
Q) spector for the Illinois Valley Inspection
Bureau, with headquarters in Joliet. He re-
ceived his appointment from the Western Insur-
ance Union July 1, 1S90, and still remains in
charge.

Mr. Scroggs, who is of Scotch- Irish ancestry,
was born and educated in western Pennsylvania
and removed to Rock Island, 111., in 185 1. He
has been a resident of Illinois continuously since
that date — in Rock Island, Macomb, Galesburg,
Quincy, Chicago and Joliet. He has been con-
nected with fire insurance interests continuously
except for two years (1861-62), when he was in
the army. He was for some ten years engaged
in the local fire insurance business at Galesburg
and Quincy; was for some time special agent in
Illinois for the ^Etna Insurance Company; was
afterward special agent for the Fireman's Fund
Insurance Company of California, and also for
the Germania Fire Insurance Company of New
York, in their western departments.

Mr. Scroggs lost his wife in 1872 and has re-
mained single since that date. He has a son and
a daughter. His son, C. L. Scroggs, of Chicago,
is connected with the Whitebreast Fuel Com-
pany, and is also secretary of the Coal Operators'
Association of Illinois. Hisdaughter, Nellie M.
Wilson, with her husband, resides in Mt. Ver-
non, 111.

(DQlLLIAM CONNOR. In the subject of

\ A/ ^is article Braidwood has one of its most

V V prosperous and successful men. The fact

that he commenced life with little money speaks

well for his subsequent course of perseverance,
industry and good management. It is always a
pleasure to record the success of a man who,
beginning with but small means, has received a
substantial position as the owner of a good busi-
ness, from which he derives an assured income.
Mr. Connor is an excellent manager, as all who
know him can testify. In addition to being the
owner of a large meat market in Braidwood, he
has accumulated more than one thousand acres of
land in Will and Kankakee Counties and in Iowa.
Mr. Connor was born in County Roscommon,
Ireland, April 11, 1838, a son of Thomas and
Bridget (Waldron) Connor, natives of the same
county as himself. Of the family of seven chil-
dren, two are living, Thomas and William, both
of this county. The father, who was born about
1785, was twice married and by his first wife had
one child, now deceased. Afterward he married
Miss Waldron, who was born in 1805. Some
three years after his death his widow, in 1845,
became the wife of Patrick Carroll, a farmer. In
1847 Mr. and Mrs. Carroll brought their family
to America, settling in Grafton County, N. H.
A short time later they removed to Norwich, Vt.,
but soon came west to Illinois, arriving in Joliet
October 1, 1848. Mr. Carroll had a sister, four
brothers and their father who accompanied him
to the United States and to Joliet. They re-
mained in the city only one month, and then
went to Wilmington Township, settling eleven
and one- half miles south of Wilmington and buy-
ing government land. Besides improving their
land, they engaged to work on the dam across the
Kankakee River. In May, 1849, they removed
to Kankakee, and there Mr. Carroll died in 1851.
The mother removed with the family in 1853 to

278

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Reed Township and bought a tract of land on sec-
tion 4, where she remained until her death in 1885.

In their various removals our subject accom-
panied his mother and stepfather. He received
a common school education and grew up familiar
with farm work. In 1869 he married Miss Mary
Callahan, who was born in Joliet, her parents,
Bernhard and Ann Callahan, having come here
from Ireland in early days. Her father engaged
in farming in Joliet Township for some years, but
finally removed to Kankakee Township. After
his marriage our subject remained for three years
on the home farm, after which he removed to
Braidwood and gave his attention to the meat
business established by himself and brother the
year previous. He has since made his home
in Braidwood, with the exception of eighteen
months spent on a farm at Reddick, Kankakee
County, in the early '80s. On his return to
Braidwood he again engaged in the meat busi-
ness, which he continues to the present. He has
been very successful in his ventures, and is rated
among the most prosperous men of the city. He
has been closely associated with the upbuilding
of Braidwood and has been a factor in its progress.

In political belief Mr. Connor is a Democrat.
In 1870, 187 1 and 1874 he held the office of super-
visor of Reed Township. He has always been in-
terested in educational matters and taught school
for four winters prior to his marriage. Later, for
many years, he served as school director in his
district, also as trustee and treasurer. In relig-
ious belief he is a Roman Catholic. He and his
wife are the parents of four children, and the
three sons, Thomas, William and Bernard, assist
their father in the meat business. The daughter,
Mary, is a graduate of St. Mary's Academy in
Joliet.

HON. JOHN O'CONNELL, of Joliet, mem-
ber of the Illinois state legislature in 188 1-
82, is owner of a coal and wood yard, with
office at No. 418 Washington street, and has
served as president of the Joliet Coal Exchange.

A leading Democrat, he has been a member of
the city central committee and is now connected
with the county committee. For three years he
was a member of the Joliet board of education.
Fraternally he is past master workman of Stone
City Lodge No. 26, A. O. U. W. ; ex-president
and ex-financial secretary of Division No. 2,
A. O. H., and for several years served as state
secretary of the order in Illinois. Under Mayor
Haley he was appointed city weigher, which
office he still holds, having been re-appointed by
Mayor Mount.

A descendant of Daniel O'Connell, the great
statesman, our subject represents the seventh
generation that was born in the same vicinity, in
County Cork, Ireland. His father, Michael, a
son of William O'Connell, a magistrate, was a
farmer in that county and for a long'time served
as supervisor of his town. He died when eighty-
seven years of age. He married Ellen McCarthy,
daughter of Charles McCarthy, who was owner
of a farm and a country inn in County Cork, and
whose son is now landlord of the old hotel. Mrs.
O'Connell died in Ireland when her children
were small. Of the family, comprising three
sons and one daughter, the sons still survive, one,
William, being a resident of the old home place.
John, who was born January 24, 1836, was reared
on the homestead and attended schools conducted
under the old system, where the itinerant school-
master boarded around among the people of the
neighborhood. Later he attended St. Coleman's
College, where he studied under the celebrated
Dr. Croke, now bishop of Limerick. Soon after
his graduation, in 1859, he came to America,
taking passage at Queenstown on the sailer "City
of Washington," Captain Hall, and landing in
New York after a voyage of three weeks. On
the very next trip the steamer was wrecked and
lost.

After a short stay in New York Mr. O'Connell
drifted to Pennsylvania, Ohio and the south.
During the war he took out his first papers of
naturalization and afterward entered the Union
army at Staten Island, but the war ended before
he had been sent to the front. The year 1866
found him in Chicago, employed in a north side

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

279

rolling mill. In 1868 he went to St. Louis and
in 1 87 1 came to Joliet, where he became one of
the first employes of the Illinois Steel Company
in the old rail mill, continuing there until the
mill was shut down in 1873. As times were then
very hard and the country suffering from a
financial depression, he found it almost impos-
sible to get work, although for nine months, in
different states, he endeavored to secure employ-
ment. Finally he was taken into the employ of
the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company, where
he remained until the mills resumed work. In
1881 he was elected to the thirty-third general
assembly on the Democratic, labor and greenback
tickets, receiving the largest vote of any candi-
date ever recorded in Will County. In the lower
house he served on five committees, and as a
member of the charitable and penal institutions
committee assisted in securing an appropriation
of about $170,000 for the state penitentiary. He
was also helpful in securing mining legislation.
At the expiration of his term he was not a candi-
date for re-election, but bought out a coal busi-
ness, to which he has since given his attention.
He and his wife, who was Mary Jennings, a na-
tive of England, are members of St. Mary's
Catholic Church and regular attendants at its
services and contributors to its support.

0IMON HAUSSER, deceased, was born in
/\ Rheinpfalz, Wachenheim, Germany, April
\~J 13, 1819, a son of George and Eva (Nied-
hammer) Hausser, the latter of whom died in
Joliet at sixty-eight years, and the former, a con-
tracting stonemason and builder, died in Rhein-
pfalz. He was next to the oldest of a family of
eight sons and two daughters, seven of whom
emigrated to the United States. After having
learned the trade of a mason in his native place,
he came to America in 1847 and spent two years
at Port Jervis, N. Y., also a short time in Lyons,
that state, and Batavia and Aurora, 111. August
19, 1849, he arrived in Joliet, where he secured

employment at his trade. In a short time he
went to New Orleans, but soon returned to Joliet
and began contracting. In the years that fol-
lowed he was given many important contracts,
all of which he filled in a satisfactory and pains-
taking manner. He built the county jail, the
roundhouse for the Chicago & Alton Railroad,
St. Joseph's hospital, St. Francis' convent, Jef-
ferson street bridge (which was a fine job for its
day), St. John's Church and parochial residence,
and various business blocks and residences in the
city. With his brother, Jacob, he opened a
quarry on North Broadway, and this they oper-
ated until it was worked out. During the last
years of his life he was, to some extent, retired,
although he continued to superintend jobs and
take contracts, and in these he exhibited the same
energy and ability noticeable in his younger
days.

On the Democratic ticket Mr. Hausser was
several times elected alderman from the third
ward during the earlier period of his residence in
Joliet. A man of sincere Christian belief, he was
a devoted Roman Catholic, and, to the close of
his life, maintained the deepest interest in re-
ligious work. He aided in organizing St. John's
Catholic Church, of which he was a trustee for
many years and to which his family still belong.
In the faith of this church he passed into eter-
nity, September 22, 1897.

The marriage of Mr. Hausser took place in
Chicago November 22, 1853, a "d united him with
Miss Frances Horn, a daughter August and Bal-
bina (Bundschu) Horn, natives of Neukirchen,
Bavaria, where she was born. She was one of a
family of four girls and two boys, of whom all
but one boy attained maturity, Mary, Balbina
and Gertrude being still in Germany, while
Charles is in New York. Mrs. Hausser was born
October 23, 1832, and in 1851 cameto the United
States, spending one year in Lebanon, Pa., and
in 1852 settling in Joliet. She resides at No.
702 North Broadway, in the comfortable resi-
dence built by Mr. Hausser in 1872. Their
family consists of ten children, namely: Mary,
widow of Henry Hagen, of Joliet; Mrs. Theresa
Steiuer; George, who is engaged in the restaurant

2SO

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

business; Auna, who resides with her mother;
Charles, who graduated from St. Joseph's College
iu Teutopolis, 111., and from St. Meinrad's (Ind.)
College, and is now pastor of St. Mary's of the
Woods, Princeville, 111. ; Joseph, who graduated
from St. Joseph's College in Teutopolis and from
St. Francis' College in Milwaukee, and was after-
ward pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Chicago
until his death in 1895; Carrie and Olive, at
home; Simon, a graduate of St. Francis' C*ollege,
and now a traveling salesman, with headquarters
in Milwaukee; and Henry, who graduated from
St. Francis' College in 1898 and is now assistant
pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Joliet.

Gl UGUST ERIKSSON. There is probably no
LA citizen of Joliet who has done more to pro-
/ I mote the prosperity of his countrymen in
this city than has Mr. Eriksson. The city, too,
has felt the impetus of his energy and individu-
ality. As a contractor, he has built some of the
largest business blocks here. His success has
been iu many respects remarkable and proves
him to be a man of superior ability and wise judg-
ment. With the exception of $2,000 inherited, he
has accumulated, unaided, all his possessions.
Nor has he been successful alone in a financial
sense, but in the larger meaning of the word, he
has been successful in winning the confidence of
his fellow-men and in gaining a reputation for
honor and probit}-.

The family of which Mr. Eriksson is a member
was for man}- generatious identified with the his-
tory of that part of Sweden lying near Gotten-
burg. His father, Erik Brugelson (born in 1823)
and his grandfather, Brugel Peterson, owned suc-
cessively the family estate, "Hokhult," a fine
farm of almost five hundred acres, five Swedish
miles from Gottenburg. In addition to superin-
tending that place, the father also followed the
stone mason and carpenter's trade, and did con-
siderable building in the neighborhood of his
home. He also possessed considerable legal in-

formation and was versed in the intricacies of com-
mon law. For a time he filled a position similar
to what in this country is township supervisor.
In religion he was of the Lutheran belief. He
died at forty-two years of age, when his son,
August, was ten years of age. His wife, who
was born in 1822, bore the maiden name of Maria
Christine and grew to womanhood on the family
estate, ' 'Sjogared, ' ' a fine old property. She died
in Sweden at sixty-four years of age. Of her
five children all but one attained maturity, but
August alone survives, Anna C, Johan F. and
Anton having died in Sweden.

On the old homestead where he was born Jan-
uary 7, 1854, the subject of this sketch passed
the first twenty-one years of life. Being the
oldest son, he was early made responsible for the
management of the farm. After having served
for a short time in the arm}', in 1876 he came to
the United States. For two and one-half years
he remained in Des Moines, Iowa, where he
worked with the stone cutters in the building of
the state capitol. October 7, 1878, he entered
Augustana College in Rock Island, 111., where
he remaiued until May 22, 1879. He then re-
turned to Sweden, where he was employed for
almost two years, again coming to America April
3, 1881, and settling in Joliet, 111. Here he
bought a hammer and trowel and began to work
at the mason's trade, his first employment being
in the construction of the high school building.
He then built a foundation for a paper mill.
July 5, of the same year, he began working as a
mason for what was then the Joliet Steel Com-
pany, but after one day was obliged to quit, as
the union men refused to allow him to work, he
being a non-union man. For this reason he was
forced into contracting. He took a contract for
the foundation of John Hallock's residence on
Third avenue and Sherman street. In the spring
of 1882 he built the Munroe block for George H.
Munroe and the foundation for the wire mill owned
by the then firm of Lambert & Bishop (now the
American Steel and Wire Company). In 1883
he built the Catholic school at Lemont, and had
other smaller contracts. The next year he built
the Barrett block, and in 1S85 had the contract

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

281

for the Woodland school, a fine building. In
1887 he erected the Masonic Temple. Later he
had the contracts for the library and office of the
Illinois Steel Company, the Fox steel plant of
the same company, the German Lutheran Church
at Lemont, the Universalist block on Clinton
and Chicago streets, and the Presbyterian chapel
on Jackson street. In 1S93 he built the Silver
Cross hospital, and in 1894 erected the Grover
street school, Bush block (corner of Van Buren
and Joliet streets) and completed the third ward
school and the Stephen carriage repository on
Cass street.

Meantime Mr. Eriksson also became interested
in quarrying. In the fall of 1S81 he started a
quarry at the foot of Grover street, which he op-
erated for a year. In the fall of 1883 he bought
four acres of ground at the foot of Bowen avenue
and opened a quarry which he operated until it
worked out ten years later. Next he rented from
M. Lehman a quarry, and for the privilege of
taking out the stone paid $4,300 per acre, or ten
cents a square foot. In 1897 he bought sixteen
acres which he proceeded to open and operate,
putting in a sixteen-hundred foot siding from
the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad, and is now
planning to put in additional derricks, saws, etc.
The stone shipped from his quarry is the finest
in the state for cutting and sawing purposes, and
lies in a block thirty feet deep, at the foot of Lo-
gan avenue. In 1S98 he built his residence and
moved to this place, where he has other buildings
suited to his needs. In the fall of 1898 he bought
what is known as the Grinton and Voss quarries
on South Chicago street, comprising thirteen
acres of quarry, with siding and derricks, and
this he also operates.

The lady who became the wife of Mr. Eriksson,
December 6, 1881, was Anna Christine Anderson,
who was born in Sweden and died there May 24,
1898, leaving six children, Frank Arthur, David
Alfred, Carl Antonus, Esther Sedalia, Laef Emil
and Grant Herman.

Mr. Eriksson was a charter member of the
Swedish Lutheran Church, in the building up of
which he has materially assisted. He was one of
the organizers of the Swedish Republican Club,

of which he served as vice-president for some
time. He has frequently made trips, for business
and pleasure, to the old country, his second trip
being in the winter of 18S2-83. In 1885 he re-
turned with his family to spend Christmas in the
old home, and in 1896-97 he again crossed the
ocean to the fatherland. After his return from
this trip, his wife being in poor health went to
Sweden in the hope that the change might be
beneficial, but she grew constantly worse and
died there in 1898.

'HOMAS H. PATTERSON has made his
home in this county since March of 1865.
For a few years he cultivated one hundred
and sixty acres which he had purchased in Joliet
Township near the city of the same name; but in
187 1 he closed out his farm interests and em-
barked in the lime business. He is now the
owner of kilns on South and North Bluff streets,
which have a capacity of six hundred bushels a
day. The manufactured product is of a fine
quality and commands therefore a good price.
The stone from which it is made is of a quality
especially suited for the manufacture of lime. In
addition to his large local trade he has built up
an important shipping trade to adjoining cities.
Besides the sale of lime, he does a good business
in fire brick, coal and wood.

Mr. Patterson's father, James, was of Scotch
parentage, descending from an old family of Scot-
land. He engaged in farming in Ireland, and
died at eighty-two years. By his marriage to
Jane Howard, who was born in Ireland, of Eng-
lish descent, he had five sons, three of whom set-
tled in Joliet. Of these James G. is now engaged
in the wholesale fruit and vegetable business in
this city; and David died here. Thomas H., who
was the oldest of the three, was born in County
Tyrone, Ireland, July 5, 1829. When seventeen
years of age he entered the Agricultural College
in Tyrone, where he took a thorough course of
study. In the spring of 1851 he left college and

2S2

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

came to America, crossing the Atlantic from Liv-
erpool to New York on the sailer "North At-
lantic," and spent four weeks on the voyage.
His first location was Haverstraw, N. Y., where
he superintended a large farm until he resigned
his position in order to settle in Illinois.

During his residence in Ireland Mr. Patterson
married Miss Margaret Harris, who was born in
that country, of Scotch descent. Eight children
w T ere born of their union, namely: Matilda A.;
James \V.; Andrew Sherman, who manages the
lime business; Thomas Howard, who was in
Alaska in 1898, and now has charge of the North
Bluff kiln; Harris Adair, who graduated from
Rush Medical College in 1S97 with the degree of
M. D., later visited the gold fields of Alaska,
and is now engaged in the practice of medicine
in Joliet, having his office in the Cutting build-
ing; Nellie K., Mrs. Hanson, of Tonica, 111.;
and Elizabeth C, principal of the Ridgewood
school.

While living in Rockland County, N. Y., Mr.
Patterson was made a Mason in Stony Point
Lodge No. 313, and still has his membership
there. Forty-five years ago he became a mem-
ber of the Presbyterian Church, and ever since
then has been identified with the work of that
denomination assisting in its progress and aid-
ing its various movements. For many years he
has been a ruling elder and trustee of Central
Presbyterian Church, among whose members he
is well known and highly esteemed.

(JOSEPH P. HORTON, foreman of the ma-
I chine shop of the Illinois Steel Company,
(2/ is a successful skilled machinist who fills his
responsible position with credit to himself and to
the satisfaction of the company. He was born
in Troy, N. Y., December 23, 1858, a son of John
and Jane (Reid) Horton. His father, who was
the sou of John Horton, Sr., a machinist, learned
the machinist's trade in his native city of Man-
chester, England. At twenty-six years of age

he came to America and settled in Troy, N. Y.,
where he was employed first as foreman, then as
master mechanic in the arsenal. For a time he
was in Burden's machine shop in South Troy.
After a short time as master mechanic in iron
works at Harrisburg, Pa., he returned to Troy,
and then removed to Wheatland, Pa., from there
to Youngstown, Ohio, next to Ashtabula, the
same state, and finally back to Youngstown. In
each of these places he was employed as master
mechanic. He died in Youngstown in 1876.
His wife, who was born in Edinburgh, Scotland,
and is now living in Cleveland, Ohio, was a
daughter of William Reid, a cabinet-maker, who
came to this country and settled in Trenton, N.J.
As far back as the Reid genealogy can be traced
the members of the family were strict Presbyte-
rians, identified with the Scotch Church.

In a family of six children, all but one of
whom are still living, the subject of this article
was the fourth in order of birth. He was reared
in the different cities where his father resided.
The year after his father died he accompanied
his mother to Cleveland. At the age of sixteen
he was apprenticed to the machinist's trade,
which he completed in the mills of the Cleveland
Rolling Mill Company. On the expiration of
his time he secured employment at his trade.
In 188 1 he went to Chicago, where for eighteen
months he was employed as a machinist in the
old Union plant. Next he spent a year with the
Minneapolis, St. Paul & Manitoba Railroad Com-
pany. Returning east, he was for eighteen
months with the Westinghouse firm in Pittsburg.
Next he resumed work with the Cleveland Roll-
ing Mill Company, and later was with the Buck-
eye Bridge Company in Cleveland, and for six
years held a position in the Cleveland City
forge. In 1S92 he came to Joliet as foreman of
the machine shop of the Illinois Steel Company,
a position that he has held ever since with the ex-
ception of a year as assistant master mechanic of"
the works. Under him, in his department, are
eighty-five skilled machinists, whose work he
superintends, with painstaking care, seeing that
each does his duty wisely and satisfactorily.

It has been impossible for Mr. Horton to give

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

283

much attention to public affairs or to politics,
but he is a believer in Republican principles, and
rejoices in any success which his party gains.
He was married in Cleveland, Ohio, to Miss
Emma Breyley, who was born in that city, and
by whom he has two children, Daisy and John.
The family reside at No. in Cagwin avenue.

30HN G. LONGSHORE, a pioneer of '49
in Wilton Township, was born in Bucks
County, Pa., June 9, 1820, a son of Thomas
and Jane (Gaina) Longshore, of whose four chil-
dren he alone survives. His paternal grand-
father was twice married, and had eleven children
by each wife. The youngest of these twenty-two
children, Thomas, was born in Pennsylvania, June
21, 1794. In youth he learned the wagonmaker's
trade. After his marriage he followed his trade and
also cultivated a small farm. In 1837 he removed
to Reynoldsburg, Franklin County, Ohio, where
he followed his trade and tilled some twenty-five
acres of land. With the exception of eight years
spent with our subject in Illinois he continued to
reside in Ohio until his death, which occurred
February 10, 1874, when he was in his eighty-
first year. His wife was born February 18, 1793,
probably in Ireland, but her parents emigrated
to this country when she was so small that she
knew no other home than Bucks County, Pa. ,
and her childhood years were passed on her
father's farm there.

When seventeen years of age our subject was
apprenticed to the trades of cabinet-maker and
carpenter in Newhope, Bucks County, Pa. After
his four years' apprenticeship he followed his
parents to Reynoldsburg, Ohio, and there opened
a carpenter and undertaking shop. In 1849 he
came to Illinois and entered a quarter-section
of land in Wilton Township, where he now re-
sides. Returning to Ohio, he spent the winter in
Reynoldsburg. In 1850 he removed his family
to their new home, making the trip via wagon.
In Chicago he saw the first railroad train he had

ever seen. Shortly after reaching Will County
they decided to visit some relatives of Mrs. Long-
shore in Piatt County. On journeying thither
they found their relatives desired a residence
built, and also wished some one to superintend
their farm; so they remained for three years, re-
turning to Will County in June, 1852. Here he
has since resided, with the exception of three
years spent in Clinton, De Witt County, in order
to give his children the benefit of the schools there.
While in Clinton he worked at cabinet-making.
As a farmer he has been very successful , and now
owns a farm of two hundred and forty acres,
bearing all the modern improvements. At the
same time he has also done considerable building,
and many of the houses in his vicinity were
erected by him.

In politics Mr. Longshore is a Republican.
Several times he has been elected commissioner
of highways. During his service in that position
he superintended the building of the great arch-
bridge at Wilton Center. For many years he
was a member of the school board. He is con-
nected with Wilton Lodge No. 640, I. O. O. F.,
and has filled all the offices of the lodge, which
for two terms he represented in the grand lodge.
His connection with the Odd Fellows dates from
July 12, 1847, when he was initiated into Colum-
bus Lodge No. 9, at Columbus, Ohio.

March 31, 1842, Mr. Longshore married Miss
Ann Van Camp, who died five months afterward.
In 1844 he married Miss Sidney Pugh, a native
of Lancaster County, Ohio, and a daughter of
Michael Pugh, a shoemaker. Nine children were
born of this marriage, but only three are living,
viz.: Jane, wife of Henry Houghton, a gardener
in Will Township; Charles, a farmer at Spirit
Lake, Iowa, and Edwin, who went to the Pacific
coast some years ago and makes his home in
Washington. Mrs. Sidney Longshore died on
Christmas day of i860, and our subject was again
married, January 20, 1862, his wife being Mathil-
da Hurting, a native of Stark County, Ohio, and
a daughter of Samuel Hurting. Her father was
born in Pennsylvania, but went to Ohio in early
manhood and settled in Stark County, where he
followed the tailor's trade. By his present wife

284

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Mr. Longshore had six children, four of whom
are living, namely: Samuel, a blacksmith in
Joliet; George, who married Flora Smith; Ida,
wife of Luke McFarland, a farmer of Jackson
Township, this county; and Julius. The two
sons, George and Julius, cultivate the home
place, their father being almost wholly retired
from farm cares. Samuel, George and Julius be-
long to Wilton Lodge No. 640, I. O. O. F., into
which Julius was initiated on the twenty-first an-
niversary of his birth, being at the time the
youngest member of the order in the state.
George and Julius are also connected with Rebeka
Lodge No. 106, I. O. O. F., in Wilton Center,
in which George has held the various chairs.

(JOHN HARTING has been a resident of
I Joliet since May 17, 1876, and is now pro-
(*/ prietor of a planing mill on the corner of
Cass and Joliet streets. He was born in Rock-
ville Township, Kankakee County, 111., Decem-
ber 26, 1855, a son and the only child of John and
Matilda (Harting) Harting, natives of Pennsyl-
vania. His maternal grandfather, Samuel Hart-
ing, who was born in Pennsylvania, of German
descent, removed west to Illinois, where he was
a pioneer farmer of Kankakee County. John
Harting was also a farmer of Kankakee County,
where he died in early manhood; his wife now
lives in Wilton Center, this county.

Until nineteen years of age our subject lived on

a farm, meantime attending district schools.
Coming to Joliet in 1876 he secured employment
in the planing mill of George E. Rockey & Son,
where he was first a teamster and afterward ran
the engine for sixteen years. In 1892 he bought
the business from his employers, and has since
conducted it successfully. The mill, a two-story
building, covers almost the entire property, con-
sisting of one hundred and fifty feet on Cass
street and sixty feet on Joliet street. An engine
of twenty-five horse-power operates the plant.
The mill is the oldest of its kind in the count}-,
having been built in 1855 in block 5, lot 10, of
the old town of Joliet. Connected with the mill
is a pattern shop, superintended by a foreman
who has the reputation of being the best pattern
maker in the entire state. The products include
everything in wood, such as sash, doors and
blinds, and mouldings of all kinds.

Reared in the faith of the German Evangelical
Association, Mr. Harting has always been in
sympathy with the work of that denomination.
In politics he votes with the Republicans. He is
a member of the Modern Woodmen of America,
the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and the
West Side Bowling Alley Club. His family oc-
cupy a residence which he built, on the corner of
Granite and Clement streets. He was married in
Joliet to Miss Martha Harting, who was born in
Naperville, 111., daughter of Joseph Harting, a
pioneer of Chicago and Naperville. Four chil-
dren were born of their union, namely: Meedie
and Eddie (twins); Archie; and Maudie, who
died at the age of two years and fourteen days.

LIB

u divers;

(J^(U^^744£J&t^?Z--

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

287

JOSEPH REICHMANN.

30SEPH REICHMANN, a retired business
man of Joliet, was born in Donaueshingen,
Baden, Germany, February 13, 1836, a son
of Joseph and Mary (Gasler) Reichmann. He
was one of nine children, three besides himself
now living, Agatha, Mary and Xavier, all of
Germany. His father, who was born and reared
on a farm, engaged in agricultural pursuits
throughout all his active life and became well-to-
do. He died at the age of eighty-two years.
His wife died when about forty years of age, in
1840. Their son, our subject, received a fair
education and served an apprenticeship to the
butcher's trade. When eighteen he came to
America, sailing on the " Isabella " from Havre
to New York, where he arrived in the spring of
1854, a ft er a voyage of twenty-one days. The
ship on which he sailed was the fastest of its day
and was the first sailing vessel to cross the ocean
in seventeen days.

From New York Mr. Reichmann went to Buf-
falo, where he found work at his trade. Through
the persuasion of friends he was induced to go
to Canada, to secure railroad construction work,
but after one day's work he quit. Two weeks
later he went to Cleveland, Ohio. In the fall of
the same year he went to Erie, Pa., where he
worked for a year. In the fall of 1855 he came
to Chicago, where he was at once given work at
his trade. The spring of 1857 found him in
Joliet, where he worked in another man's em-
ploy for six months, and then embarked in busi-
ness for himself, opening a shop on Jefferson
street near Scott, with Henry Biedermann as
partner. In i860 he sold out to his partner and

went to Memphis, Tenn., where he worked at his
trade for some months. Late in the fall of i860
he went to Pocahontas, Ark., where he spent
the winter, returning to Memphis in the spring
and opening a meat market outside the city lim-
its, which was customary at that time. How-
ever, the outbreak of the war obliged him to
discontinue business three months later. He was
pressed into the Confederate home guard service,
but after the taking of Memphis and the evacua-
tion of the Confederate army, he secured work
with a meat contractor who furnished meat to
the army at Vicksburg. He followed the army
as far as Grenada, Miss., from which point he
was sent back to Memphis for more cattle ; but
not desiring to return to the field, he came north
and returned to Joliet.

Meeting Jacob Adler, the latter persuaded Mr.
Reichmann to go in business with him. They
opened a store on Joliet street between Jefferson
and Washington. In 1866, two years later, he
built on the corner of Chicago and Jefferson
streets, and engaged in business alone. He was
successful and continued the business until 1893,
when he retired from active business and leased
his store. At one time he bought and sold con-
siderable real estate. In 1874 he built a sub-
stantial and handsome residence on South Rich-
ards street, and here he and his wife have a
pleasant home. He has done much for the up-
building of the city and is an excellent citizen.
Politically he is a Republican, and in religion a
Roman Catholic. He is a member of the Joliet
Sharpshooters and the Joliet Saengerbund.

In 1869 Mr. Reichmann married Miss Anna

28S

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Koch, who was born in Cologne, Germany, in
1843, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Dresler)
Koch, her father being a wealthy brewer and
distiller in Cologne. She came to America in
186S with a sister, and after visiting some friends
in New York City proceeded to Joliet, where she
has since made her home. Her sister, Lena,
became the wife of Hubert Odenthal, who is on
the staff of a daily paper in Los Angeles, Cal.
Five children were born to the union of Mr. and
Mrs. Reichmann, of whom three are living.
Anthony, the oldest, is with C. F. Pinneo, in
Joliet. Mollie is the wife of William Brown,
also of Joliet. Albert, a student in the Chicago
College of Pharmacy, has for four years been
employed in the drug business with A. W.
Flexer, of Joliet.

Mr. Reichmann has been a successful man in
the business world ot Joliet, and is recognized as
an honorable, upright citizen, whose life has
been an example to a younger generation.

(TAMES R. ASHLEY. The life of Mr. Ash-
ley is inseparably associated with the history
Q) of the wire business in Joliet, and an accu-
rate history of the one could not be written with-
out considerable mention of the other. He was
the originator of the wire business in Joliet, a
city that is now famous throughout the country
for its large wire factories. Being a man of me-
chanical genius, and having the ability to put in-
to form the inventive ideas of his mind, he was
fitted to be a leader and pioneer in the business
with which he was identified, and while later
workers have made main- improvements, the
principles which he embodied in his work are
still utilized.

The Ashley family descends from three broth-
ers who came from England and settled in Ver-
mont about seven generations past. From one of
these, Robert, descended Daniel, a soldier in the
war of 18 12. The latter's son, Rev. Riley B.
Ashley, was converted at the age of twenty and

soon entered the ministry of the Baptist Church,
preaching at various points in New York. In
1S37, la company with his family, his brother
Cyrus and the latter's family, and the families of
Messrs. Lane and Hubbard, he traveled by team
through Canada to Detroit, thence through
southern Michigan, into Indiana and to Joliet,
spending thirty days on the road, having left
Martinsburg, N. Y., May 10, and reaching Joliet
on the evening of June 9. With him he had two
teams and brought bedding and cooking utensils.
He spent the night in the Waving Banner hotel,
which was then the leading boarding house in
the town; it still stands on North Chicago street,
but is now known as the Bissell house. On the
10th of June he proceeded with his family to
Plainfield and bought a place owned by the Bap-
tist minister, whom he succeeded as pastor of the
church. For those days he was well-to-do, as he
had two teams and $1,500 in money. He bought
a farm and later bought and sold other farms, but
gave his time principally to religious work, being
appointed home missionary in Illinois, Wisconsin,
Kentucky and Tennessee, and establishing con-
gregations in various localities. Th'e first Bap-
tist Church in Joliet was organized through his
influence. He was a man of fine character, ge-
nial, kind-hearted and generous, and made warm
friends in every locality that he visited. It is
said that he was one of the best judges of
horses in the state, and he early taught his son
to be an expert horseman. He died in Plain-
field in August, 1SS0, when nearly eighty-one
years of age.

The first marriage of Rev. Riley B. Ashley
united him with Sally Searles, who was born in
Lewis County, N. Y., and died when her son,
James R., was two years old. The other child
born of their marriage died in infancy. After-
ward, Mr. Ashley married again and became the
father of three children, viz.: Cyrus, and Mrs.
Olive M. Smith, both deceased; and Marian E.,
wife of George Oliver, cashier of Sweet, Demp-
ster & Co., of Chicago, wholesale dealers in hats
and caps. The subject of this sketch was born in
Martinsburg, Lewis County, N. Y. , February 3,
1825, and was twelve years of age when he first

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

289

saw Joliet. He attended public and private
schools and Warrenville Seminary. When he
was sixteen he earned $5 and board per month
for his work in breaking prairie, and in this way
after a time he saved $150. With this, and $150
loaned him by his father, he started a small gro-
cery, and was so successful that he soon enlarged
the business and took his brother, Cyrus N., into
partnership, carrying on a large trade as a gener-
al merchant successfully until 1870, a period of
twenty years. During this time he was also in-
terested in buying and selling farms.

Coming to Joliet in 1874, Mr. Ashley became
connected with A. B. Sharpe & Co. In January,
1S76, he sold his interest in that company, and
he and his brother, Cyrus N., formed a partner-
ship with H. B. Scutt and William Watkins, for
the purpose of manufacturing barbed wire. The
company secured a patent on what was known as
Scutt wire, which they sold at sixteen cents a
pound. Mr. Ashley was the manager of the
company and owned almost all of the stock.
The venture proved successful, and Mr. Scutt,
who was $1,500 in debt at the time the company
was organized, became worth $150,000. In 1876
the Joliet Wire Fence Company was organized,
in which a number of the members of the Illinois
Steel Company were interested and of which Mr.
Ashley was general manager, having charge of
the making of machinery for the manufacture of
fence. The plant at Adams' dam was destroyed
by fire August 2, 1876, and a suitable location
could not be found elsewhere. At this time they
made a contract with an official from the state
penitentiary and carried on the business there for
five years, until the 1st of January, 1882. Pre-
vious to this, through the purchase of the interest
of the otheis by Mr. Scutt, D. Robertson and Mr.
Ashley, the firm of H. B. Scutt & Co. was
formed and they continued together until Sep-
tember, 1SS1, when Mr. Ashley disposed of his
interest to his partners. Meantime, as early as
1876, the Washburu-Moen Company began a
suit against them for infringement, and the case
was fought for two years, when a compromise was
effected, and a royalty of one and three-eighths
cents per pound was paid the company.

With his brother and Messrs. Scutt and Rob-
ertson, our subject bought out the Joliet Wire
Fence Company and completed a reorganization,
but after a time his brother retired and with Mr.
Watkins formed the second Watkins & Ashley
Wire Company, which later sold out to Lambert
& Bishop. H. B. Scutt & Co. continued busi-
ness in the penitentiary, and in time, through the
improvement of machinery, they had a surplus of
men, but were obliged to pay for them even
though they did not need their services; for this
reason Mr. Ashley originated a plan for teaching
the prisoners to draw wire, and organized a com-
pany to manufacture drawn wire. There was no
mill west of Cleveland, excepting a small plant in
St. Louis. Organizing the Joliet Wire Company
he began to manufacture drawn wire, although he
was cautioned by many business men against the
enterprise and told it would be a failure. In
spite of such predictions he made a complete suc-
cess of it. He originated the lead annealing proc-
ess for galvanizing. When his five years' con-
tract at the penitentiary had expired, in 1882 he
bought the machinery of the Joliet Wire Company
and sold it to the Ashley Wire Company. In
1882 he took a contract for one hundred and
twenty-five men at the penitentiary for eight
years and organized the Ashley Wire Company,
with a capital of $200,000. This company man-
ufactured barb wire, fence staples, wire nails and
market wire. After the contract of eight years
had expired, being unable to make satisfactory
arrangements under the new law, he located on
Railroad street, bought the old tile works and in
1890 built the Ashley mill, which he started the
following year and operated until 1893. At the
time of the panic of 1893 he was ill with nervous
prostration, and it was necessary for him, if he
wished to live, to give up all active business at
least temporarily. In this crisis, the mill having
no strong hand at its helm, under pressure of the
financial depression, went into the receiver's
hands. Undoubtedly had Mr. Ashley's health
been as good as in former years he could have
safely steered the business over the treacherous
shoals and preserved it intact. As it was, how-
ever, he was obliged to spend some time in travel

290

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

before his health was even partially restored, and
he has never since been as vigorous as when in
his prime.

During his residence in Plainfield Mr. Ashley
married Miss Julia F. Tyler, who was born in
Bridgewater, Mass., educated in Troy, N. Y.,
and about 1S42 came to Plainfield. Four children
were born of their marriage, but only one, Ella,
attained mature years. She is a talented young
lady, graduated from the Joliet high school and
later studied music and German at Vassar College.
She became the wife of George W. Bush, a hard-
ware merchant and a director in the First Na-
tional Bank, whose president, George Woodruff,
is his grandfather.

Always a Republican in national politics, the
large business interests of Mr. Ashley never pre-
vented him from keeping informed concerning
public affairs. For fifteen years he was township
clerk in Plainfield, and at the same time he served
for eight years as justice of the peace and notary
public. His store was headquarters for promi-
nent men of the township, who met there for the
purpose of discussing important matters, drawing
up papers, etc. From 1S62 to 1S70 he was reve-
nue inspector for the government, and had charge
of collecting the duty on liquors in this district.
He still holds membership in the Plainfield Bap-
tist Church, with which he has been identified
for many years, and in which, in former days, he
served as treasurer and as chairman of the build-
ing committee.

HON. DWIGHT HAVEN, an early settler
of New Lenox Township, was born in
Chautauqua County, N. Y., in 182 1, being
a sou of Samuel Haven, a native of Chesterfield,
X. H., born July 14, 1799. The latter, when a
young man, settled in Chautauqua County, N.Y.,
and from there in 1834 removed to Illinois, set-
tling in what is now New Lenox Township, and
buying land at the first land sale in 1836. Though
a tanner by trade, his life in Illinois was spent as
a farmer. He was a believer in the freedom of

the slaves, and his place was a station on the
underground railroad by which slaves were as-
sisted in their flight to the borders. The Con-
gregational Church had in him one of its most
earnest members. He died March 12, 1866,
aged sixty-seven years. His father, Elias Haven,
was the son of a Revolutionary hero who fell in
the battle of Bunker Hill. The family was
founded in America by two brothers, who came
from England, one going south, the other settling
in New England. The mother of our subject
was born Ma}- 29, 1802, and was the daughter
of a Revolutionary soldier. She died in this
county August 11, i860, aged fifty-eight years.
Of her eight children one son, D wight, and two
daughters survive. One daughter, Amanda C,
is the widow of James Goodspeed; the other,
Helen, is the wife of W. P. Kimball, of San
Francisco.

From the age of thirteen years our subject has
made Will County his home. When his educa-
tion was completed he took up farm pursuits,
which he followed until 1884, and still owns his
farm. On the death of his brother, Dr. Haven,
of Chicago, he took charge of his estate, having
an office in the Reaper block in Chicago. In
18S4 he built a residence in New Lenox village,
where he now lives in ease and comfort. Con-
tinuously since 1854 he has held the office of
justice of the peace. From 1S65 to 1869 he
held office as county superintendent of schools.
In 1886 he was elected to the general assembly
on the Republican ticket. For several years he
served as supervisor and has also held the other
local offices.

November 3, 1847, Mr. Haven married Helen
L. Savage, who died July 2S, 1859, leaving four
daughters: Lizzie J., widow of A. A. Francis;
Mary E., wife of Charles Francis; Helen L.,
who married Thomas D. Ferguson, of Normal
Park, Chicago; and Emma J., wife of Gilbert
Van Duser, ofFredouia, Kans. The second mar-
riage of Mr. Haven took place December 26,
1861, and united him with Elizabeth, daughter
of James Craig, who was an early settler of Chi-
cago. This marriage resulted in the birth of
four children who attained mature years, and

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

291

one son, Edward, who died November 8, 1S80,
at the age of eleven years and four months. The
surviving sons and daughters are Dwight C,
member of the law firm of Hill, Haven & Hill,
of Joliet; Samuel R., of Englewood, 111.; Edith
A., wife of Rev. A. B. Whitcomb, of Jackson-
ville, Fla. ; and Bertha A., at home.

(lOHN LARSON, proprietor of the West
I Side dairy, on section 8, Joliet Township,
C/ "'as born in Sweden, November 18, 1861,
and was reared on a farm occupied by his father,
Lars, meantime receiving a public school educa-
tion. Believing that America offered greater op-
portunities for a young man than his own coun-
try, he decided to seek a home in the new world.
Accordingly, in 1883, he crossed the ocean,
landing in New York and thence coming to
Joliet. For five years he was in the employ of a
dairy farmer in New Lenox Township, and in
this way gained a thorough knowledge of the
dairy business, to which he has since given his
attention. His first independent venture was the
purchase of a dairy business in Joliet. A year
later he rented forty acres west of the city and
embarked in the business on a larger scale. In
1892 he leased the Reed estate of two hundred
and eighty acres, besides which he had adjoining
pasture-land and a farm of his own in Troy
Township, keeping upon the latter his young
stock and the cows that were not used in his
dairy work. Upon the expiration of his five
years' lease he renewed it for a similar period,
and here he has since remained, gradually in-
creasing the business and, in return, receiving
greater returns.

Having a large tract of laud, Mr. Larson not
only conducts a dairy farm , but also gives some
attention to general farming, and has two hun-
dred acres under the plow. However, he makes
no effort to sell his farm products, but keeps
them for winter feed for his stock. Four teams
are used steadily on the farm, and from two to

four men are employed in the cultivation of the
place. In the raising of oats and corn he has
been particularly successful, and has one hun-
dren and ten acres in the latter. On his place
are a number of horses, these being raised to
sell; also Poland-China hogs and about one hun-
dred head of cattle. The milk he sells at whole-
sale, supplying dealers in the city, and he there-
fore is not under the necessity of overseeing the
detail work of delivery.

Fraternally Mr. Larson is connected with the
Modern Woodmen of America, and the Turn
Verein. Since becoming a citizen of the United
States he has given allegiance to the Republican
party. He was reared in the Lutheran faith,
and has always been in hearty sympathy with
the work of the church. He was united in
marriage June 13, 1891, with Miss Beta Sand-
berg, of Chicago.

HON. JOHN CORLETT. During the long
period of his residence in this county Mr.
Corlett has been identified with the agri-
cultural interests of Wesley Township; and,
while he has made Joliet his home since 1895, he
still maintains a general supervision of his farm
of six hundred and seventy acres in the town-
ship named, not only overseeing the cultivation
of the land, but also feeding each year about one
hundred head of cattle and two hundred head of
hogs. In addition to this property he is the
owner of a section of land in Hamilton Count}',
Kans. While he has given close attention to his
private business affairs, he has never neglected
his duty as a citizen, but has kept posted con-
cerning the problems that confront our nation
and has intelligently studied the issues of the
age. He is a firm believer in Republican prin-
ciples and always supports the party platform by
his ballot. Frequently he has been chosen to
serve in official positions of trust, and in these he
has invariably proved himself efficient and faith-
ful. During the twelve years he served as high-
way commissioner he greatly improved the roads

292

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of the township and was instrumental in securing
the building of the dry run. For two terms he
held the office of supervisor and for some years
served as a school director. His party, in 1890,
nominated him to represent the district in the
state legislature and he received a good majority
at election. During his term of service occurred
the memorable John M. Palmer battle, when for
three months he voted every day. As a member
of the committees on schools and live stock he
was able to render able service to the state. His
influence was always cast in favor of measures
for the benefit of the people and the advancement
of those interests that would contribute to the
greatest good of the greatest number. In spite
of the fact that the house was Democratic and he
therefore belonged to the minority side, his in-
fluence was nevertheless felt for good among the
legislators, and his service was most satisfactory
to his constituents.

The Corlett family has been identified with the
history of the Isle of Man as far back as records
can be traced. Hugh and Jane (Kane) Corlett,
lived upon a farm on that, their native island.
Their son, John, became a farmer in the same
place, but first spent some years in the British
army, serving under Wellington in the battle of
Waterloo and other noted engagements. He re-
mained in the service from the age of fourteen
until twenty-three, when, having lost an arm in
the Holland campaign, he was honorably dis-
charged and given a life pension of sixpence a
day. He served in the command of Colonel
Isaac, with whom he was a great favorite and
who, at his death, bequeathed his property to the
surviving members of the regiment. Mr. Cor-
lett was one of the three surviving comrades who
inherited the bequest. He lived to be eighty-
three years of age, and died in 1870. His wife,
Ann (McGregor) Corlett, was born near Gallo-
way, Scotland, and accompanied her mother to
the Isle of Man at twelve years of age. There
she spent the remainder of her life, dying when
ninety-six years of age. She was a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, while her hus-
band was identified with the Church of England.
They were the parents of six sons and two daugh-

ters, viz.: Isaac, who was named for Colonel
Isaac and is now living in Leavenworth, Kans.;
William, a farmer of Leavenworth, Kans. ; John;
Christopher, a farmer in Bates County, Mo. ;
Philip, who is also living on "a farm in Bates
County; Edward, who died at the home place
when twenty-one years of age; Becky, deceased;
and Ann, who resides in Wilmington, 111.

On the Isle of Man occurred the birth of John,
son of John, Sr. , August 4, 1832. When he was
nine years of age he began to herd cattle, receiv-
ing twenty-four cents per week. Afterward his
wages were increased. May 20, 1855, he left
Liverpool on the sailing vessel "Manhattan,"
which after twenty-three days lauded in New
York City. He proceeded by railroad to Cleve-
land, Ohio, thence to Chicago and from there to
Kankakee and Rockville, 111., having a brother,
William, in the latter place. For some years he
had charge of seven sections of land owned by
a widow. After his marriage, in 1859, he moved
to this county and settled on the farm that he still
owns. During the forty years that have since
elapsed he has been prospered in his undertakings
and has accumulated a valuable property, at the
same time gaining the respect of his acquaintances.
He has sometimes been called upon to settle es-
tates and his work has always been satisfactory.
He has come to be known as a whole-souled,
large-hearted man, one whose character is irre-
proachable and whose reputation is the highest.
While living on the farm he was for years Sun-
day-school superintendent and a steward of the
Methodist Episcopal Church there, and since
coming to the city he has been a member of the
official board in the Ottawa Street Methodist
Episcopal Church.

January 4, 1859, Mr. Corlett married Mrs.
Betsey (Franklin) McGilivrey, who was born in
Wayne County, N. Y., and died in this county,
July 1, 1892, at sixty-three years of age. Her
father, Samuel Franklin, who was a native of
Vermont, settled in 1830 in what is now Will
County and in 1849 started across the plains to
California, but died en route and was buried at
Fort Kearney. At her death Mrs. Betsey Cor-
lett left four children, viz.: William, a farmer in

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

293

this county; Maxy, who married E. L. McKim-
rney and died August 24, 1899; Minnie, wife of
R. E. Babcock, of Wheaton, 111.; and Ella, who
married George Lancaster, of this county. After
the death of his first wife Mr. Corlett married
Mrs. Emma Harbaugh, who was born in West
Salem, Wayne County, Ohio, and in 1863 settled
in Will County, accompanying her parents,
Joseph and Elizabeth (Jacobs) Neiswender. Her
father, a native of Germany, was a child when he
crossed the ocean with his parents, and he sub-
sequently became a farmer, continuing in that
occupation until he died at sixty-five years. He
was a Republican and a member of the German
Methodist Episcopal Church. Her mother, who
was born in New York, went to Ohio in girlhood
and married there. She survived her husband,
dying when seventy-six years of age.

HON. SAMUEL J. DREW. Wboever labors
for the development of his country, striving
to bring out its latent resources; who is de-
voted to the general welfare of the people; who
seeks to promote the cause of justice and to ad-
vance our civilization, becomes a public bene-
factor, and is worthy of mention on the pages of
history. Such is the character and such the
record of Mr. Drew, member of the forty-first
general assembly of Illinois, and an honored citi-
zen of Joliet. In the fall of 1898 he was elected
to represent Will County in the lower house of
the Illinois legislature, the nomination having
been tendered him, unsolicited, by the Republi-
cans, who regarded him as a representative of the
working men of the county. His majority in
Joliet was almost two thousand and in the county
nearly three thousand. Since entering upon his
duties he has served as chairman of the commit-
tee on labor and industrial affairs, and as a mem-
ber of the committees on elections, mines and
mining, judicial department and practice, judi-
ciary, and canal, river improvement and com-

merce. Doubtless his most important work in
the house has been in connection with the in-
dustrial interests of the state and his most im-
portant bill was one forbidding the importation
of workmen under false pretenses, an act pro-
hibiting the use of deceptive representation,
false advertisements and unlawful force in the
procuring of employes to work in any department
of labor in the state, and fixing penalties for any
violation of this law. To this bill he gave his at-
tention during the entire session, endeavoring to
win friends to the policy therein contained and
fighting the underhanded policy of its enemies.
During the last week of the session he was so
engrossed with the bill that he did not get more
than seven hours' sleep in the entire time. Among
his other bills was one revising the mining laws
of the state, which resulted in Illinois having the
best mining laws of any commonwealth in the
United States, one to protect men in case of ac-
cident, and another to enforce the placing of
labels on cigars and other articles of manufacture.
He was deeply interested in creating free employ-
ment bureaus, which was brought before his
committee for action and so changed and modified
that it will be a lasting benefit to the cause of
labor. Constantly, throughout the session, he
labored for the welfare of the working people,
and it was said of him that he kept every prom-
ise he had made to the laboring classes. The
revision of the arbitration law was another im-
portant step toward uniting labor and capital and
its good results will be an inheritage to future
generations who will hold in loving remembrance
the men who so faithfully labored for their wel-
fare. The praise bestowed upon him for his
active, honorable and successful service in the
legislature was richly deserved. While he never
antagonized capital, yet his preference has always
been given to the side of labor, for he realizes
that of the two, the working people most need
help and counsel. Believing that prison labor is
injurious to working people, as it brings the two
into an unjust competition, he introduced a bill
to abandon the competition of prison with free
labor; and, while the bill was held in abeyence
by agreement during that session, yet it accom-

294

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

plished much good, for, asa result, a resolution was
passed asking the governor to appoint a commis-
sion to investigate the matter and recommend to
the next legislature a bill to do away with prison
labor. A measure to repeal the butterine bill
was introduced into the legislature, but through
his own vigilance and that of his colleague, Hon.
John Kohlstedt, and a few other members, and
also that of Charles Y. Knight, secretary of the
Illinois Dairy Union, the bill was defeated, to the
entire satisfaction of the farmers of the state and
the people in general. On retiring from the
legislature he resumed the practice of law in
Joliet, and is attorney for the board of highway
commissioners.

Born in Tipton, Staffordshire, England, April
22, 1863, our subject is a son of Joseph and
Sarah (Allen) Drew, natives of the same shire.
His grandfather, Joseph Drew, was a member of
a very old family of the shire and was a miner by
occupation, while the other grandfather, Edward
Allen, was foreman of the Tipton iron works.
For years Joseph Drew, Jr. , was a coal operator
in Staffordshire, and while thus engaged his mine
was flooded with water and he was ruined finan-
cial^. For this reason he sought a home in
America, crossing the ocean in 1881 and settling
at Braid wood, 111., where his family joined him
the next year. For two years he was mining in-
spector for this county. He is still interested in
coal mining at Braidwood. His wife died there
in 1897. They were the parents of five children,
one of whom, Mrs. Mary Edwards, resides in
Tipton, England. The others are Samuel J.,
Joseph, Mrs. Louisa Cox and Jennie, all but our
subject living in Braidwood.

When a boy our subject attended the national
school at Tipton. At thirteen years of age he
began to assist his father in the mine. In 1882
he began to work in a mine at Braidwood, his
first work being the pushing of cars to the foot of
the shaft. After three months he began to dig
coal. In the spring of 18S4 he and his father and
brother were given a room and worked together.

With the exception of six months in the Alle-
gheny region of Pennsylvania he continued at
Braidwood for some years. Meantime, he began
to study the primary branches in the evenings,
hoping to finally fit himself for the profession of
law. Not feeling satisfied with the knowledge
gained at night, he began to take books into the
mine with him, and during lulls in the work he
studied by the light of a miner's lamp. In 1886
he entered a school of shorthand and telegraphy
at Janesville, Wis. Six months later his father
was injured and he returned home to care for the
family by taking his father's place in the shaft
until his father was able to resume work. He then
entered the Northern Indiana Normal College,
graduating in August, 1887. Coming to Joliet
he became a court reporter and stenographer,
but soon entered the office of Haley & O'Donnell,
attorneys, and under the preceptorship of Mr.
Haley studied for the bar. In 1S92 he was ad-
mitted to the bar. Meantime, he had accepted a
position as stenographer for the Illinois Steel
Company, and had applied himself to the posi-
tion with such diligence, gaining so compre-
hensive a knowledge of the company's business,
that he was given the position of chief clerk. He
continued with the company until the spring of
1896, when he resigned in order to engage in
professional work. About the same time he was
elected township clerk, which office he held, by
two re-elections, until the spring of 1899, when
he refused further nomination. While filling this
position he engaged in general law practice, es-
tablishing an office in the Barber building. .Since
his retirement from the legislature he has resumed
his practice, much of which is with working
men. Fraternally is connected with the Order
of Foresters of America, Royal Arcanum and the
Paul Revere Lodge, K. of P., also Mount Joliet
Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He was married in
Braidwood to Miss Lizzie C. Parsons, a daughter
of Henry and Elizabeth Parsons, of that city.
Mr. and Mrs. Drew have one child, Alberta L.
Drew.

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

297

JUDGE CHARLES H. WEEKS.

(JUDGE CHARLES H. WEEKS. For sixty-
I six years a resident of this count}', closely
Qy identified with the development of its re-
sources and intimately connected with its public
affairs, the life of Judge Weeks was an eminently
useful one and his reputation that of an honora-
ble and public-spirited citizen. He was a boy at
the time his father, Nathaniel Weeks, migrated
from the east, making the long journey to Illinois
with team and wagon, and settling in Homer
Township, this county. On every hand the sur-
roundings were indicative of the frontier. Will
County was at that time a part of Cook, and both
were sparsely settled and unimproved. He
therefore became familiar with the experiences
and hardships of pioneer existence and assisted
in bringing the count}- to its. present high stand-
ing among the counties of the state.

The ancestry of the family appears in the
sketch of Horace Weeks, of Joliet, a brother of
the judge. The latter was born in New Hamp-
shire June 7, 1821, and accompanied his father
to the west in 1833, settling with him in Homer
Township, where he helped to break a tract of
prairie land and also learned the trade of a har-
ness-maker in Joliet. After a time he turned his
attention to the study of law, in which he had
the advantage of the preceptorship of prominent
pioneer lawyers of St. Charles and Lockport. For
years he was one of the prominent public men of
the county and a leader in the Whig party. On
the organization of the Republican party he be-
came identified with it and afterward supported
its principles. For two terms he served as coun-
ty treasurer, for one term as deputy county treas-
urer, and later held the office of county judge for

one term. He was known for his sturdy cham-
pionship of every measure calculated to benefit
the county, and was always progressive, fearless
and honest. To such as he the early advance-
ment of the community was due. A genuine
pioneer, aiding in the development of his locality,
and a citizen of strict integrity, ever lending a
helping hand in matters affecting the common
weal, he was held in high respect and was num-
bered among the county's leading men. Upon
his retirement from office he established his home
upon his farm in New Lenox Township and there
resided for seven years. He then withdrew from
active labors and afterward lived retired in Joliet,
where he died June 5, 1899, at the age of seventy-
eight years.

The marriage of Judge Weeks was solemnized
in New Lenox Township, May 6, 1846, and
united him with Miss Jane C. McDonald, who
was born in Syracuse, N. Y. Her father, Asa
McDonald, was a native of Connecticut and of
Scotch descent. He settled in Onondaga County,
N. Y. , and engaged in the manufacture of salt
for some time, but later became interested in
farming. In 1836 he brought his family to this
county, the trip being made almost entirely in
wagons and consuming six weeks. At first he
settled in Joliet, but soon removed to a farm in
Manhattan Township, at Five Mile Grove, where
he carried on a dairy farm. Two years later he
purchased a farm in New Lenox Township, three
and one-half miles east of Joliet, and there made
his home until he died, at fifty-six years. He
married Olive Rudd, who was born in Rutland,
Vt., of an old established New England family;
she died on the home farm in New Lenox Town-

298

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ship. Judge and Mrs. Weeks celebrated their
golden wedding May 6, 1896, when a large num-
ber of relatives and friends assembled to enjoy
the occasion and tender them the congratulations
of the day. The}- were the parents of an only
child, Eva, Mrs. George H. Munroe.

(pAMUEL B. FRASER, who resides on section
?\ 28, Wheatland Township, has made his
\~J home in this county since 1847. During all
these years he has been a witness of the wonder-
ful transformation that has taken place. He has
seen cabins replaced by commodious residences
of frame and stone, villages and cities spring into
populous life, and raw prairies transformed into
fertile farms. In all possible ways he has aided
in the development of its agricultural interests,
instituting a system of tilling the soil, draining
the laud and harvesting the crops that proves him
to be a man of excellent ideas. He has made
farming his life work, and by his enterprise and
industry has become one of the substantial men
of the township. Always public spirited, he
has aided in the establishment of schools and
churches, the building of roads, and the carrying
forward of other worthy movements. An hon-
ored pioneer, he is highly respected and esteemed.
When a young man Robert Fraser, our sub-
ject's father, came to America from Ireland. He
enlisted in the war of 18 12 and at its close began
to farm in Sullivan County, N. Y. , clearing a
tract of heavily timbered land. In 1S47 he
brought his family to Illinois via Buffalo and the
lakes to Chicago, thence by wagon to this county.
At that early period all travel between Chicago
and Joliet was conducted by wagons, as rail-
roads had not yet been built, and the canal was
not opened until the spring of 1848. His wife
was taken sick while on the lake and died in
Chicago. In religion he was connected with the
Associate Reformed (now the United Presby-
terian) Church. Politically he favored the Dem-
ocratic party. He married Elizabeth Brown, of

Sullivan County, daughter of William Brown, a
hotel keeper, and also an engineer of local promi-
nence. Eleven children were born to the union
of Mr. and Mrs. Fraser, five of whom are living,
viz.: Thomas, whose home is in Manitoba; Mrs.
Elizabeth Smiley, of Plainfield; Samuel B., Har-
vey R. , of Denver, Colo., and Louisa.

Born in Sullivan County, N. Y., in September,
1832, our subject was seventeen years of age
when he came west with his parents. Three
years later he started out for himself, renting a
farm in Plainfield Township. Later he moved to
Lockport Township. Saving his earnings each
year he was enabled to buy eighty acres in Iowa,
but later had an opportunity to get a farm in
Lockport Township, so remained in Will County,
cultivating one hundred acres. In 1865 he
bought eight}' acres forming the nucleus of his
present property. As he prospered he added to
his land until he now has two hundred and forty
acres, devoted to the raising of cereals and stock.
He has a number of Durham cattle on his place,
usually milking from fifteen to eighteen cows.
He assisted in the organization of the creamery
company, of which he was the first president and
in which he is still a stockholder. Having the
welfare of the Prohibition party at heart he sup-
ports its principles in the national elections, and
in township and county affairs supports the man
rather than any special party. In 1878 he was
elected road commissioner, and continued in the
position until the spring of 1899, when he re-
signed. He is a stockholder in the Normantowu
elevator, which is owned by the farmers of his
locality. In religion he is connected with the
United Presbyterian Church and has for main-
years served as an elder in the same. In 1891 he
erected the handsome residence now occupied by
his family; all of the other improvements, other
than a part of the old residence (now occupied
by his son), were made by him.

In 1859 Mr. Fraser married Ann A., daughter
of James Brown, a farmer in Sullivan County,
N. V., who settled in Will County in 1853. Six
sons were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs.
Fraser, two of whom are living, Herbert A., who
teaches in Joliet, and Ernest J., who conducts

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

299

the home farm. The heaviest sorrow of their
married lives was the loss of four of their sons,
Frank having died at nine years, Gillian at
seven years old, and Harry at the age of four
months; while another son, Thornton, a young
man of intelligence and ability, and at the time a
teacher in Golconda, 111., was drowned in 1S86,
while trying to rescue one of his lady pupils.

HON. ISAAC C. NORTON. A lifelong resi-
dent of this county, Mr. Norton is one of
the experienced steel-mill men of Joliet,
having been actively identified with this business
since the days when the Bessemer process was in
its infancy. He has been prominent in public
affairs and has wielded an influence in the Re-
publican party, of whose principles he is a stanch
advocate. As a member of committees and
delegate to conventions he has borne his part in
party matters, and at onetime he represented the
first ward on the board of aldermen. In 18S8 he
* was elected to serve as a state elector and was
one of the twenty-two electors who cast their
votes for Benjamin Harrison for president.

Almond Norton, a native of New York and a
merchant of Lewis County, was an intimate
friend of DeWitt Clinton and other men promi-
nent in public affairs. When his son, whom he
named in honor of his statesman- friend, was a
youth of sixteen years, he brought the family to
Illinois, settling in Lockport in 1842 and en-
gaging in the mercantile business there, where he
died at seventy-two years. His son, who was
born in Lewis County, N. Y., in 1826, became
a merchant and grain-dealer and operated one of
the first stone quarries in Lockport. He was
superintendent of the Singer & Talcott Stone
Company at Lemont until this company sold out
to the Western Stone Company, and he remained
with the latter as superintendent. He died in
Lemont in 1892 and was buried in Lockport. In
early life he was a Douglas Democrat, but voted
for Abraham Lincoln's re-election and ever after

affiliated with the Republicans. He held the
office of school director in Lockport and was also
mayor of Lemont for ten or more years.

The marriage of DeWitt Clinton Norton united
him with Maria L. Singer, who was born in Con-
neaut, Ohio, and is now living in Englewood,
111. Her mother was a Miss Collins, daughter of
a Revolutionary soldier. Mr. and Mrs. Norton
had four sons and two daughters, namely: Isaac
Cook, the subject of this article; Fred D., who
is engaged in the stone business in Bedford, Ind. ;
Clinton S., who is also in the stone business in
Indiana; Mrs. Elizabeth Knight, of Kankakee,
111.; Mrs. Mamie Clealand, of Englewood; and
Horace S., who is with the Illinois Steel Com-
pany in Joliet.

The subject of this notice was born in Lock-
port, 111., December 15, 1850, and was educated
in his home town and Chicago. His first em-
ployment was as a clerk in Lemont. In 1870 he
bought out a mercantile business in Lemont and
with a partner, under the title of Kipp & Norton,
carried on a profitable business. In 1872 the
firm was consolidated with Teedeiis & Co., and
as such the business was continued until 1874.
He then spent six months in Garnett, Kans. ,
after which he became bookkeeper for R.
Mathews in Joliet. In 1878 he accepted a
position as time- keeper with the Joliet (now the
Illinois) Steel Company. Two years later he
was made superintendent of the making of rails
in B mill. In 1882 he became night superin-
tendent in A mill, and continued as such
for seven years, when he was made super-
intendent of the Billet and Bar mill. In
1897 he was also made superintendent of
the rod mill, in which capacity he has since
continued, having the oversight of between eight
hundred and one thousand men. He has wit-
nessed the growth of this plant from insignificant
proportions to its present size, and has himself
been an important factor in its development.
The company has had no employe more faithful
to its interests than he, and his good judgment
and intelligence have materially aided the ad-
vancement of its interests.

The residence of Mr. Norton is at No. 302

300

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

North Eastern avenue. He was married, in
Lemont, to Miss Alvira S. Niccolls, who was
born in Cadiz, Ohio, and received her education
in Bloomington, 111. Her father, Eben S. Nic-
colls, an early settler of Bloomington, went from
there to Kansas, where he engaged in railroad
contracting and in the real-estate business; he
now makes his home in Joliet. Three children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Norton. The eldest,
Charles C, died at twelve years of age. The
second, DeWitt Clinton, a graduate of the Joliet
high school, served in Company A, Third Illi-
nois Infantry, during the Spanish- American war,
and is now connected with the quartermaster's
department of the gulf, located at Atlanta, Ga.
The youngest child, Maria Louisa, is a graduate
of the Joliet high school. Mrs. Norton is a
member of the Baptist Church and a contributor
to its work.

I - RANK A. JOHNSON. The family repre-
Yy sented by this gentleman is one of the oldest
| in Westrejutland, Sweden. As far back as
the genealogy can be traced its members have
been identified with the history of that region and
have contributed to its development. His father,
Johannes Anderson, has spent his entire life as a
merchant in Boras and is still living there, active
in spite of his seventy years. He married Cath-
erine Anderson, whose father, Andrew, was a
farmer, and who died many years ago, leaving
three sons: Edwin, who remains in Sweden;
Frank A.; and Adolph, a machinist, who has
made his home in Joliet since 1882.

In the village of Boras, Frank A. Johnson was
born March 19, 1857, and there he received a
public-school education and gained his early
knowledge of business by clerking in his father's
store. After his marriage, in 1883, he left home
and settled upon a farm, where he and his wife
began housekeeping. The money which he saved
enabled him to purchase a home of his own, but
in 1886 he sold out and came to America, arriving
in Joliet on the 23d of May. Soon he secured
employment in the wire mill, where he remained
as a fence maker, in the wire fence department
for twelve years. Finally he resigned and em-
barked in a business of his own, becoming a mem-
ber of thefirm of Johnson & Larson, in February
1899. The firm established headquarters at No.
606 Cass Street, and built up a good trade in
coal, flour and feed. He sold his interest in this
business in October, 1899, and then bought a
half interest in an undertaking establishment at
No. 503 Cass Street. The name of the firm is
Wunderlich & Johnson.

Stanchly Republican in his views, Mr. John-
son is a member of the Swedish- American League
of Republican Clubs and has also been active
in the Swedish Republican Club, serving on
various prominent committees. In the Swedish
Lutheran Church he is a member of the board
of trustees. He carries insurance in the Fraternal
Aid of Milwaukee, and is a member ofthe Knights
of the Globe. The residence which he built
at No. 318 Harris avenue makes a neat and
pleasant home for himself and his wife, who was
Emma Johnson, a native of Sweden. The}* had
but one child, Erik Arthur, and were bereaved
by his death when but three years and seven
months old.

U N»VERS?TY T OF E ILLINOIS

■^>>-u ^-^f

z^t^zLJ^e

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

303

HON. AMOS SAVAGE.

HON. AMOS SAVAGE. Both through his
honorable service in the army during the
Civil war and through his efficient work as
a public official, Mr. Savage is entitled to a high
place in the esteem of his fellow-citizens. His
army career covered a period of more than three
years, beginning Augusts, 1861, when he en-
listed in Company G, Thirty-ninth Illinois In-
fantry. His first commission was that of second
lieutenant, which was succeeded, July 20, 1862,
by his promotion to first lieutenant. He assisted
in repelling the raid of "Stonewall" Jackson up-
on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, where one
hundred men of his regiment defeated a night at-
tack of the Third Arkansas and the Thirty-sev-
enth Virginia regiments, who attempted to de-
stroy a railroad bridge on the Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad. Shortly afterward, in the battle of
Winchester, March 23, 1862, he helped to drive
the Confederates from the field and secure some
of their guns and a number of prisoners. With
his command he was sent to join the Army of the
Potomac and aid in the seven days' fight. From
April to December, 1863, he took part in the
siege of Charlestown, during which time he led
his company over the parapet of Fort Wagner.
In 1864 he participated in the campaign against
Richmond, with the Army of the James, and on
the nth of July of that year he was given a cap-
tain's commission, in which office he remained
until the close of his service. On account of dis-
ability he was honorably discharged, October 31,
1864. At that time his regiment had been re-
duced, from the casualties of battle and from dis-
ease, from seven hundred and fifty to one hundred
and fifty men in the short space of two months,

which fact alone attests to the valor of the men
and their active participation in the war.

As in war, so also in peace Captain Savage has
proved himself a public-spirited citizen. His in-
terest in civic affairs has continued thoughout his
entire active life. In politics a believer in the
Republican party, he was on that ticket elected
supervisor of Homer Township when he was
twenty-four years of age, being the youngest man
ever elected a member of the Will County board.
He served for a few months, resigning when he
enlisted in the army. In 1867 he was again
chosen to be supervisor and accepted the office,
filling it five years, being chairman during two
years of the time. He resigned his position on
the board in 1S72, in order to accept a seat in the
state legislature. In that body he was known
for his championship of measures for the benefit
of the people. He was a member of the commit-
tee that drafted the present railroad law of Illi-
nois. In other ways he rendered acceptable serv-
ice to the people and ably represented his con-
stituents, retiring with the good will of all. From
1876 to 1S84 he was a member of the state board
of equalization. In November, 1864, he was ap-
pointed township school treasurer, which office
he filled continuously for thirty-one and one-half
years. His first connection with a presidential
campaign was in i860, when he took the stump
for Abraham Lincoln, and he has been active in
every campaign since that time.

For sixty-one years Captain Savage made his
home on the farm in Homer Township where he
was born June 18, 1836. He is one of the oldest
native-born citizens of this county and has wit-
nessed its growth and the development of its re-

304

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

sources. When a young man he taught school
for six successive winters, but with that excep-
tion and the public offices he filled, his attention
has been given to stock-raising and farming. For
fifteen years he made a specialty of feeding and
shipping hogs and cattle, in which work he met
with success. Having accumulated a competency
he determined to retire from active labors, and in
1897 removed to the village of Marley, where he
now makes his home. Besides his residence here
he owns three hundred and seventy acres of farm
land in Homer Township, the rental of which
brings him a good income. He has been a prom-
inent member of the Old Settlers' Association of
this county and served as its president many
times. He is active in the E. A. Gooding Post
Xo. 401, G. A. R., in which he has served as
chaplain. He was appointed president of the
Will County Farmers' Institute to succeed the
late honored A. A. Frances, but declined the of-
fice. He is president of the New Lenox County
Fire Insurance Company.

The Savage family originated in England, but
seven generations ago it was founded in Connec-
ticut. The first of the family concerning whom
there is a record was John Savage, of Middle-
town, Conn., who was married at Hartford to
Elizabeth Dubin, February 10, 1652. The old
Connecticut homestead is still in the family. The
captain's great-grandfather, Amos Savage, was
born and died near Middletowu, Conn. He
served in the French war and the Revolution, and
in the latter was commissioned an ensign, a posi-
tion similar to that of lieutenant. His son, Amos,
was born in Middletown, in 1765, and soon after
the Revolution migrated to New York, where he
became the owner of a large farm and also en-
gaged in tanning. For his day he was a well-to-
do man. In politics he was an old-line Whig.
He died in 1839.

Levi Savage, the captain's father, was born in
Washington County, N. Y., January 2S, 1799.
At Granville, January 27, 1822, he married
Milenda Streator, who was born February 20,
1799. Soon after his marriage he settled in
Clinton County. X. Y., but three years later re-
turned to Washington County. In June, 1833,

he brought his family to this county, settling
near Joliet, but in the spring of 1834 took upland
on section 28, Homer Township. There he im-
proved a valuable farm. For years he was a
deacon in the Congregational Church. He was
an Abolitionist and a Republican. He died Feb-
ruary 14, 18S5, at the age of eighty-six. His
wife passed away October 13, 1893, aged ninety-
four. They had eight children, but only three
are now living, viz.: Emily, wife of William H.
Lanfear, of Homer Township; Edward, of Sioux
Falls, S. Dak.; and Amos, our subject.

During a furlough while in the army Captain
Savage married Mary L. , daughter of Asahel
and Catherine (Geddes) Slate, and a native of
Georgetown, S. C, but at the time of her mar-
riage a resident of Lemont, Cook County, 111.
Five children comprise the family of Captain and
Mrs. Savage. The eldest, Helen E., is the wife
of Frank A. Rowley, of Homer Township.
Frank M. resides in Homer Township. John H.
is an attorney of Chicago. Wilfard holds an
office as meat inspector for the government at
Omaha, Neb. Mary A., the youngest of the
family, is the wife of Dr. Walter Paddock, of
Orland, 111. The mother of the children deserves
much credit for the rearing of an intelligent fam-
ily. She has labored self-sacrificingly to have
her children a credit to the community and an
honor to the family name.

The property which Captain Savage owns and
the advantages which he has given his family in-
dicate the energetic nature of the man, assisted
by his wife, and to their determination and in-
dustry they are due. In his labors as a fanner
and stock-dealer he displayed good judgment
and an ability to work to the best advantage.
Reared in this county during its pioneer days,
when the schools were few and their instruction
limited, he nevertheless acquired a broad fund of
practical information, and by self-culture and ap-
plication has become a well-informed man, con-
stantly adding to his early stock of knowledge
acquired in the primitive schools. No one ap-
preciates more than he the value of a good edu-
cation, hence he gave his children every advan-
tage in his power and also helped to promote the

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

305

interests of the schools of the township. While
he is now retired from active labors, he still su-
perintends the management of his property, and
this affords an outlet for his energy and an op-
portunity for the continued exercise of the judg-
ment that brought his success in the past.

EHARLES A. NOBLE, county recorder, is
one of the popular men of Joliet. He rep-
resents an old eastern family, whose mem-
bers have always displayed the greatest loyalty
to our government. His father, R. S. , was a son
of Hugh Noble, who removed in early life from
eastern New York to Dorset, Bennington Coun-
ty, Vt. , where the former was born and reared,
and whence he removed to Illinois about 1840,
settling in St. Charles. In a short time he came
to Wilmington, this county, and here engaged in
the marble business until his death, in 1862. He
married Ellen N. Richards, who was born in
Claremont, N. H., and died in this county in
1878. They were the parents of eight children,
all but three of whom are still living.

The oldest son, W. S., enlisted in Company A,
One Hundredth Illinois Infantry, and served un-
til he was captured at Chickamauga, after which
he was imprisoned for eighteen months at Dan-
ville, Andersonville, Florence and Libby. He is
now an engineer in Joliet. The second sou,
Henry, enlisted in Company I, One Hundredth
Illinois Infantry, and was captured at the same
time with his brother, enduring eighteen months
of prison life. He was finally released on a sick
parole, but did not long survive, dyiug in the
Union hospital at Wilmington, N. C, early in
1865. The third son, James R., served in the
Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry until the close of
the war; he is now living in Leavenworth, Kans.
The fourth son, Edward H., is a locomotive en-
gineer, in Leadville, Colo., and the only daugh-
ter, Mrs. Mary Slouson, lives in Denver, Colo.

The youngest of the family was Charles A.,
who was born at Wilmington, in this county.
When he had finished his schooling he came to

Joliet and secured a position as bookkeeper and
conveyancer in the real-estate office of L. E. In-
galls. He soon established a reputation for skill
and accuracy with a pen, and ability as an office
man which made him available for a better place.
This advancement came in 1884 by his selection
to fill the position of chief deputy in the office of
circuit clerk and recorder of the county. This
appointment was for four years and was renewed
in 1888 for another term of four years. He was
a courteous and capable official and acquired a
large acquaintance and popularity throughout
the county, so that at the expiration of his depu-
tyship, in 1892, he was looked to as the proper
man to organize the newly created office of re-
corder of deeds. The Republicans nominated
him and he was elected by a nice majority in the
close election of that year, running ahead of the
state and national ticket. He was re-elected in
1896 by a majority of over two thousand. His
term will expire December 3, 1900.

With over twenty years' experience in a real-
estate office, as clerk of the court and as recorder,
he has gained a fund of practical knowledge about
real-estate matters which not only makes him a
very useful official, but a safe and conservative
adviser, whose counsel is often sought. He buys
and sells considerable real estate and is the pro-
prietor of one of the principal subdivisions ad-
joining Joliet.

In St. Paul, Minn., in 1887, Mr. Noble mar-
ried Miss Lillian Reid, who was born in Wauke-
gan, 111., and died in Joliet in 188S. His second
marriage took place in Crete, this county, in June,
1899, his wife being Miss Florence Smith, daugh-
ter of A. H. Smith.

Prominent in Masonry, Mr. Noble is past master
of Mount Joliet Lodge No. 42, A. F. & A. M. ; past
high priest of Joliet Chapter, R. A. M. ; past Thrice
Illustrious master of Joliet Council; member of
Joliet Commandery No. 4, K. T., and Medinah
Temple, N. M. S. He was the first secretary of
the Union Club and later was its president for
several years. During the building of the Silver
Cross hospital he was president of the board of
trustees, and afterward continued in that capacity
for some years, assisting in placing upon a firm

306

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

basis an institution that has been an active agent
in philanthropic work in Joliet. In 1891 he or-
ganized the Noble Masonic Relief Society, of
which he has been president from the first and
which, through a system of his own, is organized
so as to furnish relief promptly and systematically
to the worthy poor. The Joliet Relief Associa-
tion has the benefit of his assistance as one of its
directors. He is also active in the Joliet Business
Men's Association, and is serving upon its di-
rectorate.

■gEORGE B. COOK. A resident of this
_ county for many years before his death,
^Ji Mr. Cook became well known among the
people of this part of the state, and his manly
qualities made him popular with all classes. In-
dustrious, persevering and energetic, he was
eminently worthy of large financial success; but
unfortunate enterprises deprived him of much of
his capital, and this, combined with his gen-
erosity, which was a dominant trait in his char-
acter, prevented him from becoming the possessor
of a fortune. However, he won that which is of
more value than money — the respect of his
associates, the regard of his acquaintances and
the affection of his friends, and it is doubtless
true that few men have been more deeply mourned
at death than was he.

A sou of Lewis and Mary (Hartwick') Cook,
the subject of this article was born in Watertown,
N. Y., in August, 1840, and was one of a family
of five sons and two daughters, of whom only two
sons survive. When he was a boy his father
brought the family to Illinois, settling in Cook
County, where he died. The wife and mother
died in Lockport in 1891. On coming to this
county in early manhood, our subject for some
years was employed in the office of the canal com-
missioner at Lockport, after which he was lock-
keeper and then a clerk in a dry-goods store in
Lockport. From there he went to Channahon as
lock-keeper. Two years later he accepted a
position as superintendent in the widening of the
feeder near Wilmington, a work that required
several years in its completion. Next he became

a member of the firm of Cook & Fowler, mer-
chants at Shermanville, this county, but after a
few years returned to Chicago and clerked there
for some time. In 1885 he returned to this
county, accepting a position as clerk for Mr.
Dyer in Joliet, later clerking for Neighbor &
Nicholas, and afterward engaging in the dry-
goods business on Washington street, thence
moving to Jefferson street. On selling out he
took a clerkship with the Joliet Dry-Goods Com-
pany and continued in charge of their dry-goods
department until his death.

Politically Mr. Cook believed in the wisdom of
Republican principles and gave his vote to that
party. Though not a member of any denomi-
nation he was a man of firm religious belief and
lived the life of a Christian. For some time he
held membership in Matteson Lodge No. 175,
A. F. & A. M.,in which he was past master. He
also was a member of Joliet Chapter, R. A. M.,
and Joliet Commandery No. 4, K. T. On the
6th day of June, 1897, while out riding upon his
wheel, he suddenly fell from the bicycle and in a
moment was dead, the victim of heart disease.
His sudden death was a shock to his friends and
a source of deepest sorrow to his family.

March 25, i860, in Davenport, Iowa, Mr.
Cook married Miss Eliza Killeen, who was born
near Dublin, Ireland, the youngest of a family of
five sons and four daughters, of whom one son
and three daughters are now living, the son,
John, being a prominent citizen of New Liberty,
Iowa. When a child she was brought to America
by her mother and later received her education in
a convent in Louisville, Ky. Her father, Theo-
dore Killeen, a native of Ireland, engaged in the
mercantile business there until his death. Her
mother, Ann, was born in England, being the
daughter of Frederick Potts, an officer in the
English army. After the death of her husband
she brought the family to the United States and
settled in Providence, R. I. Her death occurred
in Davenport, Iowa, in 1885. Mr. and Mrs.
Cook became the parents of two sons, James and
George, both of whom make their home in Joliet,
but are traveling much of the time as advance
agents for Ringling Brothers' circus.

GF
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

KEOKUK B BOOTH

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

309

KEOKUK B. BOOTH.

REOKUK B. BOOTH. As an enterprising
business man, Mr. Booth was well known
to the people of Joliet. The record of his
life affords an illustration of the fact that he who
is quick to see opportunities and equally quick to
grasp them 11133' attain success, in spite of early
disadvantages and many obstacles that confront
him. His was a life of diligence. When only
fourteen years of age he left home, and from that
time he made his own way in the world, suc-
ceeding so well that, although he was only in the
prime of life when he died, he had accumulated
a competency and built up a substantial business.
Meantime he had also made many friends, and it
is said that his funeral was one of the largest ever
held in Joliet, this fact affording in itself an in-
dication of his popularity as a man.

Mr. Booth was born in Libertyville, Ohio,
May 11, 1857, a son of T. C. Booth, a descendant
of English ancestors who first settled in New
Jersey and thence removed to Ohio. When he
was fourteen he and his brother, Harry O., came
west, and he secured a clerkship in a Chicago
clothing store. He was a self-made and a self-
educated man in every sense. His evenings
were spent in the school room, where he laid the
foundation for a store of knowledge that aided
him in his business and made his society valuable
to his numerous'friends. After his marriage, in
1884, he removed to Lake Geneva, Wis., and
entered the hardware business as a member of
the firm of T. C. Smith & Co. After the death
of Mr. Smith Mr. Booth came to Joliet, in 1887,
and founded the business in which he afterward
engaged, and which he enlarged from time to
time. He had a three-story laundry operated by

steam and furnished with modern appliances, it
being the largest and best" laundry in the city.
He was active in the National Laundrymen's
Association, and assisted in organizing the Illi-
nois State Laundrymen's Association, of which
he was elected the second president. In politics
he was a Republican, and in religion a Univer-
salis!. He was a charter member and stock-
holder in the Union Club. Fraternally he be-
longed to Matteson Lodge No. 175, A. F. &
A. M., Joliet Chapter No. 27, R. A. M., Joliet
Commandery No. 4, K. T., and Medinah Tem-
ple, N. M. S., of Chicago.

The marriage of Mr. Booth took place in
Chicago, September 10, 1S84, and united him
with Miss Susan F. Smith, who was born in
Ottawa, 111., a daughter of Nohr R. and Anna
(Brush) Smith, natives of Homer, N. Y., and
Amityville, Long Island, N. Y. Her grand-
father, Nohr R. Smith, Sr., was born in Bridge-
port, Conn., and became a large miller in Homer,
N. Y. He was one of the organizers of Cort-
land Academy, and served as a member of the
original board of twelve trustees, continuing on
the board until his death, at seventy-four years.
His father was a captain in the coasting trade
and was a native of Connecticut, of English an-
cestry. Nohr R. Smith, Jr., graduated from
the academy which had been founded largely
through his father's efforts. When a young
man he settled in Ottawa, 111., where he built
up a large and profitable grain business. His
death occurred in Secor, 111., in 1877. Politi-
cally he voted with the Democrats. His wife,
who was a member of an old Long Island family,
died in Ottawa. They were the parents of three

3 l °

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

children, but Mrs. Booth is the sole survivor.
She was educated in Cortland Academy and Mon-
ticello Seminar)- at Godfrey, 111., and is now an
educated and accomplished woman, possessing
not only social charms, but also business ability,
and is successfully managing the business estab-
lished by her husband. Like him, she is a be-
liever in the doctrines of the Universalist Church.
As he was active in Masonry, she, too, has been
prominent in the allied organization, the Eastern
Star, and is past matron in Chapter No. 187 in
Joliet. Mr. Booth died June 24, 1899, and three
days later his remains were buried, with Masonic
honors, in Oakwood cemetery. He is remem-
bered as a reliable, industrious business man,
who abundantly deserved the prosperity that his
efforts had gained.

|"~ RANK E. MARSH, a resident of Joliet, is
f^ engaged in the grain and coal business at
I Plainfield as a member of the firm of Marsh
& Wood. He was born in Joliet June 27, 1849,
a son ofH. N. Marsh, elsewhere represented in
this work. His education was obtained in local
public schools and Chicago Academy. His first
business was in connection with railroading.
After two months of work as a substitute he was
given the position of ticket agent and operator in
the Joliet office of the Rock Island Railroad, his
father at the time being freight agent for the
same road. The position was one of responsibil-
ity, but, although he was quite young, he proved
himself fully equal to the demands made upon
him. He remained with the company for six
years, leaving in 1S74 in order to embark in the
grain business with Mr. Carpenter as a partner.
In 1879 another partner was taken into the firm,
the title of which then became Carpenter, Marsh
& Speer. By the retirement of Mr. Carpenter in
1 88 1 the name was changed to Marsh & Speer,
and as such continued until 1886.

Forming a partnership with Milton R. Wood
in 1886, the subject of this sketch engaged in the

grain business in Plainfield, where he built the
elevator and has since had charge of the same,
his partner living in Chicago. In 1888 the firm
built an elevator at Normantown, three miles
northwest of Plainfield, and this they operated
until the summer of 1899, when they sold it.
They have built an elevator at Wolfs Crossing,
six miles northwest of Plainfield, which they
operate.

In national politics Mr. Marsh is a Republican,
but is inclined to be independent in local matters.
For four terms of two years each he was alder-
man from the fourth ward of Joliet, and for three
3^ears he held the office of school inspector. In
1873 he married Miss Kate Richmond, of Joliet,
who died in 1879. Of the three children born to
this union, one, Kate, died in infancy. The older
son, H. Richmond Marsh, M. D., a graduate of
the New York Homeopathic College, has since
1896 been employed as a government teacher and
medical missionary at Point Barrow, Alaska.
The second sou, Loren W., represents the Lux-
fer Prism Company in Boston, Mass. In 1882
Mr. Marsh married Miss Ida Pierce, of Green-
field, Mass., and one son survives her, Ralph L.
The present wife of our subject bore the maiden
name of Jessie Gaskell and was born in Seward
Township, Kendall County.

As a business man Mr. Marsh is careful and
active, full of life and energy, and by good man-
agement and perseverance he has placed himself
in the front ranks of the successful business men
of the county.

(]OHN D. KOBLISKA, deceased, formerly
I of Homer Township, was born in Lockport,
(2/ this county, June 8, 1856, and was a son of
Francis and Mary E. Kobliska, natives of Bohe-
mia. His parents came to America in 1853 and
settled in Homer Township, where his father
commenced to farm on a small scale, but in time
he was prospered, and when he died, in 1879, he
left considerable property to his children. His
wife survived him twenty years, dying in 1899.

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

3ii

On the home farm our subject grew to manhood,
receiving his education in district schools. In
1870 he bought the eighty-acre farm where his
family still lives, and here he engaged in truck
gardening, finding a market for his produce in
Joliet and along the canal. He was an honest,
hard-working, persevering man, who toiled tire-
lessly in order to surround his family with the
comforts of life. Had his life been prolonged he
would undoubtedly have enjoyed an increasing
success, as he had established his business on a
substantial basis and had built up an excellent
trade; but, while still in the prime of his useful-
ness, he passed from earth. With the thought-
fulness of one who is devoted to his family he
had carried a life insurance, and this, together
with his farm, left his family comfortably pro-
vided for. He had erected a number of build-
ings on the place; in 1890 fire entailed a heavy
loss, but he rebuilt the same year. In his polit-
ical relations he was a Democrat. However, he
was not active in politics and never aspired to
office, finding sufficient to occupy his time in the
management of his farm and the discharge of his
duties toward his family and his friends. His
death occurred September 3, 1896, when he was
forty years of age.

Mr. Kobliska is survived by his wife, whom
he married December 3, 1881, and who was Mary
E. Mende, daughter of Anton Mende, of Chica-
go. Their five children are: Charles A., Ella,
George W., Paul F. and Ruth Marie, all of
whom are students in the Lockport school. The
eldest son, who is a bright and intelligent youth
of sixteen years, carries on the home place with
the assistance of his mother.

. LIEL S. BRUNSON, a well-known farmer

'S of Dupage Township, is one of the oldest

_ native-born citizens of the county, his birth

having occurred in Lockport Township April 22,

1835. His father, Cyrus, a native of Roxbury,

Conn., born in 1789, was reared in York state, and

there married Susanna Maxwell, February 14,
1815. She died September 2, 1825, and afterward
he married Harriet E. Scudder, the date of their
union being February 17, 1828. In 1833 he
started with his family for the west, traveling by
canal to Buffalo, thence by team to Ohio, where
he spent the winter. In 1834 he completed the
journey to Illinois via wagon, arriving in Will
County in April. All the surroundings were
those of the frontier. There were but three
houses between the land where he settled and
Chicago, and in the entire county there was only
one frame house. He took up two hundred and
forty acres of government land and eighty acres of
canal land. Almost his sole neighbor was his
brother-in-law, who had settled here in 1833, ar >d
through whose solicitations he had been induced
to come. On his land he raised wheat, averaging
forty bushels to the acre, and this he hauled to
Chicago. He built the stone house on the road
to Joliet which was long known as the old Brun-
son place. As time passed by and he prospered
he added other land to his place, and gave to
each of his sons one hundred and sixty acres.
Though interested in political affairs he took no
part in them, preferring to devote himself to the
improvement of his place. While in the east he
held a number of local offices, and after coming
west he was often urged to accept the nomination
for township and county offices, but always re-
fused. During the war of 181 2 he was a captain
in the volunteer service, and afterward was con-
nected with the state militia. After Buffalo was
burned by the British his company was ordered
there, and stationed at Twelve-Mile Creek. In
politics he upheld Whig principles. His only
brother, Harvey, who removed from New York
to Ohio, enlisted in the war of 1812, and died
from the effects of hardships and exposure of army
service. His father, Thomas, was one of six
brothers who served in the Revolutionary war,
from which it will be seen that the family is in-
tensely patriotic. The first of the name in Amer-
ica crossed the ocean shortly after the arrival of
the "Mayflower" in New England, and several
succeeding generations remained in the east.
By his first wife Cyrus Brunson had five chil-

312

GENEALOGICAL, AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

dren, viz.: Montreville, born July 16, 1817;
PhcebeL., April i, 1819; Cyrus M., April 12,
1821; David H., December 25, 1822; and Susan
E., August 16, 1S25. By his second wife four
children were born, namely: Eliel S. ; Marshall
N., who was born April 18, 1838, aud died in
infancy; Clarissa, born November 23, 1840; and
Harriet A., who was born July 25, 1845, and
died i'n childhood. The father of this family was
killed by lightning in 1857, an d n ' s widow died
in November, 1892, when eighty-two years of
age.

When a boy the subject of this sketch had no
educational advantages whatever, as schools were
few, aud even had they been numerous, the work
on the home farm would have prevented him
from attending. After his father's death he took
up the management of the homestead, remaining
there until 1863, when he bought a quarter sec-
tion in Dupage Township. This land had orig-
inally been taken up by his uncle, who sold it to
John Frink, and the latter used it as a stopping-
place for stages. Our subject bought it from Mr.
Frink. About forty acres had been broken, a
log-house and a small barn had been built, but
no other attempt at improvement had been made.
He built a new house and made other valuable
improvements, but on the morning of August 26,
1893, a fi re occurred that destroyed six buildings
on his farm, every tool that he had aud $1,000
worth of grain. By dint of hard work he was
able to save the residence from destruction. This
house was built in 1876, aud he still occupies it.
The farm is a fine place, and its neat appearance
bespeaks the thrift of the owner. He bought
fifty acres adjoining his original purchase, and
cultivated the whole until 1893, when he retired.
Iu stock-raising his specialty was Shropshire
sheep. In 1884 he became a member of the
Masonic lodge at Lemont. Politically a Repub-
lican, he has taken an active interest in public
affairs,' and has served as justice of the peace
for twelve years, as township school treasurer
for eight years, and township trustee for many
years.

In 1859 Mr. Bruuson married Elizabeth Alden,
member of one of the oldest families of America,

being of the eighth generation in direct descent
from John Alden and Priscilla Mullins, of Puritan
fame. The Alden family is now, asiu early days,
noted for the unassuming demeanor of its mem-
bers, their honesty and integrity. As a rule,
they have followed the profession of teaching,
although Mrs. Bruuson's father, Simeon Alden,
learned a trade when a young man, and after
settling in this county engaged in farming. He
was born in Stafford, Conn., and in early man-
hood removed to New York state, where his
daughter was born. In 1S46 he settled in Chi-
cago, and in 1853 established his home iu Dupage
County. At the time that he came west Chicago
was a small hamlet, containing only one school,
although two more were built during the year of
his arrival. The Sherman house was the largest
building iu the city, and it was raised in 1846 and
made five stories in height. No attempt had
been made to pave the streets, and teams often
stuck in the mud in what is now the heart of the
city. Though Mrs. Bruuson was but a child at
the time, all these things made an indelible im-
presssion on her mind, and often now she takes
pleasure in contrasting the great city of to-day
with the muddy, dingy hamlet of fifty- years ago.

("JULIUS W. FOLK, M. D m who is living re-
I tired in Joliet, is a member of a German
G/ family. His father, Henry, was born in the
kingdom of Brunswick, Germany, June 12, 1806,
and, being the only son of wealthy parents, was
given the best advantages which ample means
rendered possible. He graduated in medicine
from the University of Heidelberg. In 1S33 he
came to America and settled iu York, Pa., but
afterward removed to Abbottstown, Adams
County, Pa., and later went to Holmesburg, the
same state. In the spring of 1849 he settled in
Illinois, remaining for a short time in Blue Is-
land. The year 1851 found him iu Mokena, this
county, and in 1854 ne settled in Greengarden
Township, where he bought a farm of three huu-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

3i3

dred and sixty acres and superintended its culti-
vation while also practicing medicine. He was
the first physician to settle in Peotone, where he
continued to make his home until he died, Jan-
uary 31, 1888. He was a man well versed in the
classics and general history, as well as in the
science of medicine, and his broad knowledge
upon every subject of importance gave value to
his opinion. In politics he was a Republican.

Twice married, the first wife of Dr. Henry
Folk was Christine Kinsman, who died April 19,
1S43, when the subject of this sketch was less
than one year old. Afterward the doctor mar-
ried Louisa Kinsman, a half-sister of his first
wife, and who now makes her home with a
daughter in Houston, Tex. The sisters, Chris-
tine and Louisa, were born in Germany. When
they were children the family decided to come to
America. However, on their arrival at the sea-
port they found the ship had sailed which they
intended to take; and, as another would not leave
for a long time for the United States, they deter-
mined to take a sailing vessel about to leave for
Jamaica, hoping later to get to this country.
While they were on the vessel ship fever broke
out and the father fell a victim to the disease,
dying at sea. Soon after landing the mother
died and later two of the oldest sons passed away,
leaving the other children alone and helpless in
a foreign country. An aunt living in York, Pa.,
was corresponded with and sent for them to join
her, which they did, reaching York in 1837,
three years after they had started on the ill-fated
voyage. The family had possessed large means,
but the illness of the parents and sons, with ex-
orbitant bills for physicians and nurses and high
hotel rates, together with the fact that grasping
strangers had imposed upon the little children,
rendered them poor.

Dr. Folk was the second child and only son
among seven children who attained maturity.
He was born in Holmesburg, Pa., July 5, 1842,
and came west when a child with his father. In
August, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, One
Hundredth Illinois Infantry, and was mustered
into the service as a corporal at Springfield.
Soon he was assigned to hospital duty under

Dr. A. W. Heise, of Joliet, with whom he re-
mained for some time. Later he went to the south
and took part in the battles of Laverne, Stone
River and Chickamauga. In February, 1864, he
was honorably discharged on account of physical
disability. The year after his return home he
began the study of medicine under Dr. Heise.
In 1866 he entered Chicago Medical College,
from which he graduated in 1869, and afterward
he practiced with his former preceptor for two
years in Joliet.

Turning his attention from medicine to rail-
roading, Dr. Folk became a contractor with J. A.
Henry in 1871. He built a switch on the Chi-
cago & Alton from Joliet to the gravel pit, and
then was connected with the Dwight & Wash-
ington branch of the Chicago & Alton road. His
next contract was for the building of a road from
Roodhouse to the Mississippi River. Next he
went into Texas as a contractor on the Houston
& Great Northern, built by Shepherd & Henry,
and spent three years in that state, where he had
charge of the construction of the road. Later he
was employed on the Houston, Arkansas &
Northern Railroad and on the government works
at Mussel Shoals, Ala. His last contract was on
the Mississippi levee in Missouri. In 1895 he
retired from the railroad and contracting busi-
ness, since which time he has given his attention
to the supervision of his farm of one hundred and
twenty acres three miles southwest of Joliet and to
the oversight of his other interests. He is a stock-
holder in the Will County Bank, and at one time
served on its board of directors.

In the blue lodge at Manteno, 111., Dr. Folk
was made a Mason, and he is now a member of
Joliet Commandery No. 4, K. T. He has always
supported the platform of the Republican part}',
although he has not been active in politics. His
marriage took place in Joliet and united him with
Miss Helen J. Henry, who was born in Berlin,
Hartford County, Conn., a daughter of Jacob A.
and Nancy E. (Briggs) Henry. When she was
about three years old she was brought to Illinois
by her parents and has since made her home in
Will Count)-. She is a member of the Univer-
salist Church, in the work of which she has

3'4

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

maintained an interest and to which she has been
a generous contributor. Dr. and Mrs. Folk have
two children: J. Albert, who is a member of the
class of 1902, Culver (Ind.) Military Academy;
and Ethel Louise.

'HOMAS SWINBANK, deceased, who was
for some years connected with the rolling
mills of Joliet, was born at Swinbank, Ken-
dall, England, February 8, 1849, a son of Joseph
Swinbank, a farmer and freeholder in that locali-
ty, and later a part owner of a rolling mill at
Elsecor, where he died. Through his mother he
descended from the noble families of Bath and
Birketts. He married Ann Megean, whose
mother was a member of the noble house of Bath.
Both Joseph Swinbank and his wife have long
been dead. Of their six children, two sisters re-
main in England. Joseph, who was an engineer,
died in Cleveland, Ohio; John is with the Oliver
steel works in Pittsburg; and William died in
Seattle, Wash., while on a trip west with the Sir
Knights.

When seventeen years of age our subject en-
tered the rolling mill at Elsecor, England, where
his brothers, John and William, also learned the
trade. In 1870 he came to America, settling in
Cleveland, Ohio, and securing employment as a
heater in the Cleveland mills. In 1883 he went
to Pittsburg, Pa. , as a heater in mills. Two
years later he traveled in the west, north and
south. In 1889 he came to Joliet, where he was
employed by the Illinois Steel Company as a
heater in their mills, and also became interested
in real estate and farm property in the county.
His brother, William, who had put down a mill
near Pittsburg and later was a boss roller in
Cleveland, removed to Joliet and engaged as a
boss roller here until the time of his death.

On retiring from the mill Mr. Swinbank set-
tled on one of his farms near Braceville, Grundy
County, but the location was not suited to his
health, and he went to Atlantic City. Finally
he returned to Pittsburg, Pa., where he died

April 27, 1898, and was buried in the Allegheny
cemetery in that city. He had served as treas-
urer of the Amalgamated Association of Steel
and Iron Workers, and was chairman of the com-
mittee that, at the time of the Cleveland strike,
met with the employers for arbitration. His
brother, John, was vice-president for the district
at the time of the great Pittsburg strike. In
politics he was a Republican, in religion an
Episcopalian, and fraternally belonged to Matte-
son Lodge, A. F. & A. M. , and Joliet Chapter,
R. A. M.

In Pittsburg, February 2, 1886, Mr. Swinbank
married Miss Margaret Robeson, who was born
in Washington Count}-, Pa., a daughter of
James L. and Jane (Lower) Robeson, natives re-
spectively of Philadelphia and of Indiana Coun-
ty, Pa. Her grandfather, Dr. James Robeson,
graduated in medicine in London and while in
his native land married Margaret Johnson,
daughter of a shipbuilder on the Clyde. With
his wife he came to the United States. Three
days after they landed in Philadelphia, their son,
James L-, was born. The latter became a con-
tracting decorator and artist, and engaged in
business in Pittsburg until his death. During
the Civil war two of his brothers served in the
Union army and he raised a company of which
he was elected captain, but at Washington he was
discharged on account of ill health. His wife
was a daughter of a lieutenant in the war of 1812
and a granddaughter of one of Washington's
aides in the Revolutionary and French and In-
dian wars. The Lower family was of Holland-
Dutch descent. Three brothers of Mrs. Robeson
took part in the Civil war. She is still living and
makes her home in Dunkirk, Ind. Of her family
of four daughters and two sons, two daughters
and one son are living. Franklin is connected
with the National Biscuit Company in Pittsburg,
Pa. William J., an artist, died in Pittsburg;
Martha is the widow of James Faulkner, of
Dunkirk, Ind. Belle and Agnes are deceased.

Mrs. Swinbank graduated from Burt's Normal
School and the Pittsburg Academy. After the
death of her husband she returned to Joliet. In
Jackson Institute, Chicago, she learned dress-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

3i5

making and tailoring, and in April, 1899, started
in business at No. 413 Cass street, Joliet. Hav-
ing excellent taste, she has been successful in her
work and is building up a valuable business. She
owns eighty acres in Grundy County and proper-
ty in the Dakotas. In religion she is a Uuiversal-
ist. Both she and her husband were charter
members of the Union Club of Joliet, with which
they were connected until their removal to Grun-
dy County. She has two children, Edith Marga-
ret and Eugene Franklin.

(lOHN A. GRANT, who has spent his entire
I life in this county, was in June, 1898, ap-
(~) pointed deputy internal revenue collector
for the twelfth division of the first district of Illi-
nois, embracing Lee, Dekalb, Kendall, Dupage
and that part of La Salle, Grundy and Will
Counties lying north of the Illinois River. For
some years he has been an active factor in the
politics of his county, and a local Republican
leader. While residing in Jackson Township he
served as collector, and also held the office of
police magistrate of Elwood for one term. In
1886 and again in 1890 he served as secretary of
the county central committee, and in other po-
sitions he has assisted in promoting the welfare
of his party.

Mr. Grant was born in Jackson Township,
this county, July 21, 1850, a son of John and
Adeline (Frazer) Grant, and a grandson of
John Grant, Sr., a farmer of Scotland, and
Thomas Frazer, a lifelong resident of West Vir-
ginia. His father, who was born at Banfshire,
Scotland, in 18 16, a member of an old Scotch
Presbyterian family, crossed the ocean in 1834,
being the first of his family to seek a home in
America, although about 1850 three of his
brothers joined him in Will County. After
traveling in search of a location for a few months
he came to Illinois, where he was employed as a
sub-contractor on the Illinois and Michigan
canal. In 1838 he bought property at Reed's

Grove, which was the first farm opened in Jack-
son Township, its original owner having been
Charles Reed. There he began farming and
stock-raising. In later years he became the
owner of several farms, and at the time of his
death was in very comfortable circumstances. In
politics he was a Whig and an Abolitionist, and
among the offices which he held was that of jus-
tice of the peace. In religion he was identified
with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died
of the cholera in 1854, at the age of thirty-eight
years and six months.

Twice married, John Grant had by his first
wife a son, William C, who is engaged in the
implement business at Elwood. His second
wife, Adeline, was born in Greenbrier Count}',
W. Va. , and after the death of her father, in
1834, accompanied her mother and the other
children to Illinois, settling at Forked Creek,
Wesley Township, this county, where her
mother died in 1880. Four children were born
to Mr. Grant's second marriage, namely: Mary
A., who died of cholera in 1854, aged nine
years; Mrs. Margaret R. Bush, of Elwood; John
A.; and James M., of Joliet. The boyhood days
of our subject were passed on the home farm,
and his education was secured in district schools.
He remained with his mother until he was
twenty-one years of age, when he settled one
mile south of Elwood and improved a farm of
ninety acres, making this place his home from
1871 to 1883. His next business was as propri-
etor of a meat market in Elwood. In 1891 he
entered the employ of the Lambert & Bishop
Wire Fence Company, becoming foreman in the
plain wire department, where he remained for
six years. In January, 1897, he accepted a po-
sition as keeper in the state penitentiary, where
he remained for eighteen months. He resigned
that position to accept the appointment of deputy
internal revenue collector, which he has since
filled with efficiency.

Fraternally Mr. Grant is connected with the
Royal Arcanum and the Court of Honor. In
religious faith he is a Methodist. He was mar-
ried in Wilmington, this county, to Miss C. A.
Fishburn, who was born in that place, daughter

316

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of John Fishburn, a pioneer farmer there. Four
children have blessed the home life of Mr. and
Mrs. Grant, namely: Cynthia, who died at the
age of two and one-half years; Charles, who is a
baggageman on the Chicago & Alton Railroad;
Lena E. and Edna, who reside at home.

$J EORGE MASSEY, president of the Massey
— Stone Company, has been prominently iden-
>_J tified of recent years with the development
of the quarry interests in this county. His con-
nection with the quarry of which he is now the
proprietor began in 1892, when the Kirkpatrick,
Howk & Massey Stone Company was organized,
with himself as president and owner of one-half
interest. The company opened a quarry on Mill
road, near Richards street, at once beginning to
operate the same. After three years Mr. Massey
purchased the interest of his partners, since which
time he has been alone. He is the owner of
eighteen acres of quarry, which is connected by a
switch with the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad,
and is provided with a complete equipment of
derricks, steam drills, etc. The products of the
quarry are shipped to various parts of the coun-
try, and, the quality being very desirable, bring
a fair return to the owner.

A son of William and Ellen (Cleary) Massey,
the subject of this sketch was born on the home
farm in County Limerick, Ireland, and descended
from one of the oldest families of Ballylander. Of
seven children, he and three other sons survive,
John being in Chicago, William at Lake Geneva,
Wis., and Charles in South Chicago. When a
boy he studied in the national schools of Ireland.
In 1861, accompanied by his mother, he crossed
the ocean from Liverpool to New York, the jour-
ney on a sailing vessel, the "North America,"
taking forty days. He at once joined his three
brothers and two sisters at Lake Geneva, Wis.,

and for two years worked on a farm near that
place. Next he went to Racine, Wis., and for a
year was employed in J. I. Case's machine shop.
Going from there to Chicago he worked in the
Northwestern Railroad shops. In 1S71 he en-
gaged in general contracting in the same city,
but two years later established his home in Joliet,
where he has since resided. He carried on con-
tracting and a real-estate business in this city
until 1892, since which time he has been identi-
fied with the stone industry. He has bought
and sold considerable property, and built the
house which he now occupies on Collins street.
Here he owns six fine buildings that pay a good
rental and are among the best investments on the
street. He also owns five acres of quarryland
two miles west of his old quarry, which is also
a good investment and will prove a heritage to
his descendants.

In his political views Mr. Massey is independ-
ent, never having mingled in public affairs to any
extent, but preferring to devote himself ex-
clusively to his business interests. He was
reared in the Roman Catholic faith and is now
a member of St. Mary's Church. In this city he
married Miss Lizzie Kelley, who was born in
County Limerick, Ireland, a daughter of Will-
iam Kelley, at one time a resident of Joliet, but
who died in Chicago at eighty-four years of age.
Mr. and Mrs. Massey are the parents of five chil-
dren: Nella T. and Catherine Y. , who are grad-
uates of St. Mary's Academy; William E., who is
taking a business course; Lizzie G. and George,

Jr.

Mr. Masse}' deserves much credit for his suc-
cess in life. Starting almost without a dollar,
but being endowed with a great amount of energy
and perseverance, he was determined to succeed.
His life is a study to the historian of this country
and an example to the younger generation. His
reputation for honest dealing is proverbial and
his jolly greetings and hearty ways will long be
remembered by the citizens of Joliet.

UNIVERSITY 0^ |!_"*OIS

(nnt

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

3i9

HORACE HUMPHREY.

HORACE HUMPHREY, senior member of
the firm of Humphrey & Sons, is proprietor
of the oldest manufacturing establishment
in Joliet and enjoys the distinction of being one
of the pioneer foundry men in Illinois. In 1861
he began the foundry business on a small
scale, building a foundry on land that he
first rented but later purchased. Gradually
the business grew to Targe proportions, a
machine shop was erected with a capacity of
forty tons, and other improvements were made
from time to time. At this writing the business
place has a frontage of three hundred and twenty
feet on Ottawa street. Machinery and castings
of all kinds are manufactured and the quality of
the products is such as to insure a steady demand
for them.

Mr. Humphrey represents the fourth genera-
tion in descent from a native of Holland, who, on
account of persecution, went to Germany; he
married a lady in Holland who was related to the
Van Zandts, Bogardners and Anneka Jans family.
The grandfather, John Humphrey, St., a black-
smith by trade, devoted himself mainly to farm-
ing in Canada. Owing to his connection with
political affairs in that country his farm was con-
fiscated and he was forced to leave. He removed
to Johnstown, N. Y., and later to Baldwinsville,
the same state, where he died. His son, John,
Jr., was born six miles from Montreal, and be-
came a moulder and foundryman in Baldwins-
ville, N. Y., but removed to the west in later
years and settled near Adrian, Mich. , where he
died. He married Phidelia Darrow, who was
born, of English parentage, in what is now
Oneida County, N. Y., and died in Michigan.

Of their six children only three are living, our
subject and two sisters.

The oldest of the family, Horace, was born at
Baldwinsville, N. Y., April 6, 1828. From early
boyhood he was familiar with work in a foundry,
and when very young was accustomed to make
and sell castings for people in his neighborhood.
He was made a partner in the business and re-
mained there for some years. In 1850 his father
went to California, via the Isthmus of Panama,
where he waited three months for transportation.
During his father's absence he conducted the
business. On the former's return, in 1851, he
went to Cleveland, working there until the
spring of 1852, when he returned to New York.
Two years later, having been offered a position
in Joliet, he came to this city and entered the
foundry of Jones & Cogwin as foreman. He
continued with the firm until they sold out two
years later, after which he was employed at
carriage-making. In 1861 he embarked in the
foundry business for himself and during the
almost forty years that have since elapsed he has
been connected with the manufacturing interests
of Joliet. He has given his time very closely to
business matters, with no desire to enter politics
and no wish to hold public office, his participation
in public affairs being confined to the casting of a
Republican vote. While in Baldwinsville, N. Y.,
he married Miss Lucinda Howe, daughter of
Cyrel Howe, a farmer of that town. They be-
came the parents of six children, four of whom
are living, namely: Mrs. Ida Payne, of Joliet;
Cora, widow of W. J. Evans, deceased; H. Fred
and Harry B. , who are connected with their
father in business.

320

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

(JOSEPH LADD HURD, deceased, formerly
I one of the successful grain dealers of Joliet,
Q) was born in Acton, Mass., May 18, 1821, of
English descent, and a son of Isaac and Mary
Ann (Heald) Hurd. His father, a native of
Massachusetts, born July 27, 1756, was a son of
Benjamin and Grace (Estabrook) Hurd, and a
grandson of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Barlow)
Hurd. The preceding generation was represented
by Jacob Hurd, who came from England in an
early day and founded the family at Charlestown,
Mass. The genealogy of the Healds is traced
back to John Heald, a native of Bunwick-on-
Tweed, and a member of a family noted for the
physical stature and mental attributes of its male
members. He settled in Massachusetts in 1641,
and his descendant, our subject's mother, was
born in that state, February 7, 1786.

The education of our subject was obtained in
the east. About 1858 he came to Joliet and at
once became interested in the grain business, op-
erating the Michigan Central elevator and own-
ing other elevators on the same road. For some
years he owned the village of Bloon, a small grain
town, that is now a part of Chicago Heights. In
his business he had abundant opportunities for
the exercise of the sterling qualities of manhood
and the exhibition of those habits which are wor-
thy of emulation. By his integrity he won the
confidence of his associates and was classed
among the best citizens of his home town. In
politics he was in sympathy with the Republican
party and took great interest in supporting all
political matters that tended to the improvement
of the city or county. Fraternally he was a
Chapter Mason, and in religion a Unitarian.
Ere yet old age had come to him, his busy
life ended and he passed from earth, June 12,
1876.

The lady whom Mr. Hurd married in Joliet,
January 1, 187 1, and who is still living in this
city, bore the maiden name of Jannett A. Tullock,
and is a daughter of Alexander and Ruth Eliza
(Winters) Tullock. Her father, who was born
in Argyleshire, Scotland, in 1812, and was the
younger son in a family consisting of two sons
and two daughters. As his father, James Tul-

lock, was a farmer of some means, he was given
good educational advantages in his native land.
After coming to the United States he traveled
some, especially in New York and Michigan.
Having learned the stone mason's trade, he gave
his attention to it in different towns. On Christ-
mas day of 1845, in Lucas County, Ohio, he
married Miss Winters, who was born in Delaware
County, N. Y., and who now owns the home
where Mrs. Hurd resides in Joliet. Immediately
after his marriage he came to Joliet, where he en-
gaged in contracting. He helped to build the
Jackson street dam that was used for almost fifty-
five years, and he built the Hyde dam mill, also
many residences, a few of which still stand. He
witnessed and contributed to the early growth of
Joliet and was one of its enterprising pioneers.
Both he and his wife early identified themselves
with the Presbyterian Church, and he was a con-
tributor to church work as long as he lived.
Fraternally he was connected with the Masons.
From the time of his arrival in this city, in Jan-
uary, 1846, until his death, in 1857, ne aided in
local movements and gave his support to all plans
for the benefit of the town. For his family resi-
dence he built a house on the corner of Scott and
Jefferson streets, which was then in the suburbs
of the city. Of the three children comprising his
family, Mrs. Hurd was the eldest. The other
daughter, Avelena D., married Llewellyn Baker
and resides in Oakland, Cal.; the son, George A.
Tullock, is engaged in the hardware business in
Joliet. Mrs. Tullock is the only survivor of ten
children forming the family of James and
Electa (Eggleston) Winters. Her father, who
served in the war of 1812, removed from New
York to Lucas County, Ohio, where he cleared a
farm and remained until his death. His wife,
who was a daughter of Samuel Eggleston, was
born in New York, of English descent, and died
in Michigan.

Mrs. and Mrs. Hurd were the parents of two
sons, viz.: Charles H., who graduated from the
Joliet high school, and now owns a rice planta-
tion in Louisiana; and William Ladd, a photog-
rapher in Joliet. Having spent her life in Joliet,
Mrs. Hurd is well acquainted in the city and has

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

321

many warm friends among the best people here.
She is connected with the Universalist Society.
Various charitable enterprises have received her
assistance and her philanthropic spirit leads her
into active participation in movements of a benev-
olent nature.

©GIlLLIAM H. SHIFFER, one of the lead-
\ A / ing farmers of Manhattan Township, was
V V born in Clarion County, Pa., in 1845, and
descends from German ancestors, who settled in
Pennsylvania in an early day. His father, Will-
iam, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 181 1,
learned the miller's trade in his native county,
and this occupation he followed there, at the
same time owning and cultivating a farm. In 1S57
he came to Illinois and settled on a farm near
Plainfield, this county, but after a few years
bought a farm near Lockport. In 1866 he dis-
posed of his Illinois property and moved to Polk
County, Iowa, but five years later he went to
Rooks County, Kans. , and entered a claim to
one hundred and sixty acres of land. Clearing
the ground, he put up farm buildings, placed
the land under cultivation, built fences, erected
a house, and in time made the farm a valuable
place. He continued to reside there until his
death at eight}' years. During the existence of
the Know-Nothing party he advocated its prin-
ciples, and afterward became a Republican.

The marriage of William Shiffer united him
with Elizabeth Near, who was born in Germany
and was brought to the United States at eight years
of age, growing to womanhood in Pennsylvania.
They became the parents of twelve children,
namely: John, of Joliet; Lewis, who lives near
Plainfield, in Kendall County; Mary, the widow
of Francis Delong, of Joliet; Sarah, wife of Syl-
vester Hannes, of Des Moines, Iowa; Solomon,
whose home is in Joliet; Robert, of Des Moines,
Iowa; William H.; Rebecca, the widow of
William Haines, of Rooks County, Kans.; Pris-
cilla, wife of Nelson Bellward; Simon, of Polk
County, Iowa; Charles, residing in Colorado;

and Lavinia, who is the wife of John Rollins, of
South Dakota. The mother of these children
died in Will County when eighty-one years of
age. Four of the sons were soldiers in the Civil
war, and took part in its leading battles. John
was a member of the One Hundred and Forty-
second Pennsylvania Regiment. Lewis, Solo-
mon and Robert belonged to the Forty-sixth Illi-
nois Volunteers.

At the time the family settled in this county
our subject was a boy of twelve years. He was
educated in common schools and Plainfield Col-
lege. In 1869 he came to Manhattan Township
and purchased eighty acres on section 24. Four
years later he sold that place, after which he
spent three years in Manteno. In 1881 he set-
tled on the old Young homestead on section 22,
where he owns one hundred and sixty acres, and
carries on a general farm and stock business.
The most of the improvements on the farm have
been made under his supervision. He is inter-
ested in the Manhattan Center Threshing Com-
pany, and for four years acted as manager of
the machine. A Republican in politics, he has
served his party as delegate to the county con-
vention. For four years he held the office of
justice of the peace, for one year served as town-
ship treasurer, for three years was commissioner
of highways of the town of Manhattan, and for
seventeen successive years was school director,
during a part of the time serving as clerk of the
board. In the United Evangelical Church at
Manhattan he is steward, trustee, secretary and
treasurer, and has also been assistant superin-
tendent and a teacher of the Sunday-school. All
movements for the benefit of the church have re-
ceived his encouragement and assistance, as have
also those enterprises calculated to advance the
general welfare of the people.

March 17, 1873, Mr. Shiffer married Elizabeth,
daughter of William and Elizabeth (Gardner)
Karr. She was one of twelve children, six of
whom are living, namely: Philip, a farmer in
Nebraska; George, a farmer in Indiana; Martin
and John, also residents of Indiana; Elizabeth
and Kate, the latter being the wife of Mahlan
Stroop. One of her brothers, Henry Karr, served

322

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

under General Grant in the Civil war, and died
while in the army. In 1S47 William Karr came
from Germany and settled in Summit County,
Ohio. In i860 he established his home on a
farm in Jackson Township, Will County, where
he resided for six years. Later he made his
home in Greengarden Township for three years.
In 1870 he bought the farm where Mr. Shiffer
now lives, and here he died at eighty years of
age, and his wife when eighty- six. Mr. and
Mrs. Shiffer have only one child living, Nettie,
wife of Henr}' Eberhart, who is engaged in the
lumber business in Manhattan.

r~RANK STOWE VANDER BOGART, one
r^ of the most popular officials of the county,
I has made Joliet his home since November,
1889, and for some time served as deputy clerk
under Henry R. Pohl. In 1892 the Republican
convention nominated him by acclamation to the
office of clerk of the circuit court, and he was
elected by a majority of little less than four hun-
dred. Four years later he was again nominated
by acclamation and was elected by a majority of
two thousand three hundred and eight, which
was much the highest majority given any candi-
date of his ticket. His first term began in
December, 1892, and the second will expire in
December, 1900.

The famity represented by our subject was
founded in America by Dr. Hermine Myndert
Vauder Bogart, who came from Holland as ship
surgeon of the sailer " Eeudracht," in 1632, and
settled in Manhattan Island. From him de-
scended William Henry Vauder Bogart, Sr. , who
was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., and about
1842 brought his family to Illinois, settling in
Florence Township, Will County, where he was
a pioneer farmer. He died at his homstead four
miles south of Wilmington. His son, William
Henry, Jr., was born in Jefferson County, N. Y.,
and was eight years of age when the family came
west. A farmer and stock dealer, he also gave

some attention to the meat business, having a
market in Wilmington for many years. During
the Civil war he enlisted in the Twentieth Illi-
nois Infantry and served until he was taken ill
and sent to the hospital at Cape Girardeau, Mo.,
where he was honorably discharged. His
brothers, Walter and James, enlisted in the
Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry, in which the latter
served as a sharpshooter until the close of the
war; Walter was killed during the early part of
the war while acting as a picket upon Morris Is-
land. He, like his brothers, served with fidelity
to the Union and proved his loyalty to his coun-
try in the hour of need. He is now connected
with the Grand Army of the Republic and
fraternally is a Mason. At sixty-five years of
age he is now living retired from business. His
wife was Laura J. Stowe, daughter of Cyrus
Stowe, who removed from Vermont to New York,
thence to the vicinity of Niles, Mich., Irom
there to St. Joe, the same state, and finally set-
tled in Wilmington Township, this county, in an
early day.

In a family of six sons and three daughters, all
still living, our subject was next to the oldest.
He was born in Wilmington, this county, March
15, 1868, and was educated in the public high
school of his home town. In 1886 he went to
Chicago, where he was employed as bookkeeper
for John G. Miller & Co., wholesale clothiers.
Later he went back to Wilmington and from there
came to Joliet. In addition to his duties as cir-
cuit clerk he is treasurer and a stockholder and
director of the Hercules Gold Mining Company,
which owns three hundred and eighty-five acres
of land two and one-half miles from Deadwood.
With his father-in-law, Wilbur L. Keeney, he
bought the Naperville electric light plant soon
after it had been established, and this they built
up, he acting as president of the company and his
father-in-law as secretary, treasurer and manager.
In politics he has always been an ardent Repub-
lican, and takes an intense interest in the success
of his party. Until the Joliet camp of Sons of
Veterans disbanded he was one of its active
members.

The marriage of Mr. Vauder Bogart took place

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

323

in Naperville, 111., and united him with Miss
Nellie M. Keeney, who was born in East Glas-
tonbury, Conn., and in 1874 came to Wilming-
ton, 111., with her parents, who in 1892 removed
to Naperville, and now reside in Joliet. To their
union one child has been born, a daughter, Ruth
Helen.

(ILLIAM SIMPSON, deputy assessor of
Joliet, has for some years been an active
participant in the public life of the city.
He is a firm believer in Republican principles and
a stanch supporter of the men and measures put
forward by the party. With the enthusiasm that
is one of his attributes he has entered heartily
into the field of politics. During his period of
service as a member of the county committee he
was for a time its assistant secretary. Formerly
he held the chairmanship of the city central com-
mittee of the party, and is still one of its mem-
bers, besides being identified with the work of
the township committee. He is also a member of
the executive committee of the Illinois State
League of Republican Clubs.

The Simpson family is of English ancestry.
Mr. Simpson's father, Butler, was born in Lon-
don, England, and in early life came to the United
States with his father, settling on a farm in Joliet
Township, this county. In 1862 he came to
Joliet. During a portion of the Civil war he was
employed by the government in the repairing of
wagons. On returning to Joliet he secured em-
ployment in Davidson's quarry. In 1865 he
bought property on South Chicago street, where
he carried on the business of wagon-making.
Later he was interested in a grocery with his
sons. He married Mary Jane Coates, who was
born in Scarborough, England. They still re-
side in Joliet, as do also their five living sons,
viz.: William, Frederick, Walter, George and
Harry.

In this city our subject was born June 28, 1863,
and here his education was obtained in the public
schools and Prof. Russell's Business College.

For five years he served as an apprentice to the
carpenter's trade under Dan Winters, after which
he followed this occupation for six years, during
the last two of which he engaged in contracting
and building. In 1889 he bought an interest in a
grocery at No. 303 South Chicago street, but
after nine months sold to his partner, Mr. Mur-
phy, and then established the grocery house of
Simpson Brothers in his father's store building,
continuing there for three years, when he sold
out.

When Robert J. Morrison was elected town-
ship assessor in 1894 Mr. Simpson received the
appointment of deputy, which he has held ever
since, with the exception of the year spent as
keeper at the Illinois state penitentiary under
Major McClaughrey. The latter position he
resigned after thirteen months on account of ill
health. In 1896 he was deputy collector under
T. N. Williamson and two years later held the
same position with William Winckler. In 1898
he received the appointment of city sealer, which
he held for one year until a change was made in
the mayor's office. He is connected with the
Modern Woodmen of America. Possessing a
genial, companionable disposition he has won
many friends amoug the people of the city, and
is popular both in public affairs and social circles.

The marriage of Mr. Simpson took place in
Joliet October 20, 1885, and united him with
Miss Josephine D. Wheeler, who was born in
Frankfort Township. The only child of their
union, Lawrence F., died September 20, 1897, at
the age of nine years and nine months. Mrs.
Simpson is a daughter of Beuajah and Elizabeth
(Sanders) Wheeler, natives respectively of New
York and Vermont. She was one of eight chil-
dren, all but one of whom are living; of the sur-
vivors she is the oldest and the only one in Joliet.
Her paternal grandfather, D. N. Wheeler, re-
moved from New York during the latter part of
the '30s and settled in Frankfort Township, this
county, remaining there until 1897. He then
went to Virginia, Neb., where he has since lived
retired from active labors. Benajah Wheeler re-
moved to Missouri in 1871 and is now engaged in
farming in Grundy County, that state. His wife

324

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

was a daughter of Frank and Sarah Sanders, the
former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania, but
settled in this count}- prior to the '40s, and has
since made his home in Greengarden Township,
Will Count}-, where he owns a section of land.

3OHN F. SKEEL, clerk of the board of
school inspectors and clerk of the board of
education of Joliet Township, is a descendant
of a Welsh family, whose first representatives in
this country were two brothers that settled in
Connecticut. His grandfather, Nathan Skeel,
a native of Connecticut, removed to Salt Point,
near Syracuse, N. Y., and engaged in the manu-
facture of pumps. During the war of 18 12 he
served in the defense of Sackett's Harbor. At
an early date he brought his family to Cincinnati,
Ohio, and in 1830 settled in Hennepin, 111.,
where he manufactured pumps. At the time of
the Black Hawk war his son, Linus B., enlisted
in the army, where he showed himself to be a man
of courage and hardihood. The active life of
Linus Skeel was passed in farm pursuits near
Hennepin, and he was successful in his under-
takings. On retiring from active labors and busi-
ness cares he removed to Gibson City, Ford
County, 111., and there his death occurred in
1897, when he was eighty-six years of age.
During the Cu-il war his farm was a station on
the underground railroad and more than one run-
away slave was helped by him on his way to free-
dom. He was a devout and leading member of
the Congregational Church and one of the prin-
cipal workers in the congregation in his locality.
Twice married, Linus B. Skeel had five chil-
dren by his first wife, and two of these are living.
One, Oliver, was a soldier under Sherman during
the Civil war. The second wife was Flora Mor-
rison, who was born in Argyleshire, Scotland,
near the mouth of the Clyde, and who is now
seventy-four years of age. She was a daughter
of Donald Morrison, a seafaring man, who served
in the British navy during the naval war between
England and Russia in 1799 and lost an arm in
an actiou; afterward he was retired on a pension.
Our subject was one of the seven children born

to Linus B. and Flora Skeel, and, of these, four
are now living, he being the youngest son. He
was born near Hennepin, Putnam County, 111.,
December 24, i860, and was educated in Gran-
ville high school and Wheaton College, graduat-
ing from the latter in 1883 with the degree of
A. B. Afterward he engaged in the newspaper
business at Highmore, S. Dak., being editor of
the Dakota Capital 'for one year. Later he taught
in the city schools at Tama, Iowa, for one year.
While there he married, in 1885, Miss Flora
Birdsell, daughter of William H. Birdsell, then
of South Dakota, but now of Lockport, 111.

In 1885 Mr. Skeel returned to Granville as
principal of the high school in which he had
studied some years before. The next year the
county board of supervisors appointed him to fill
a vacancy in the office of superintendent of
schools of Putnam County. After the expiration
of the term he came to Joliet in 1887, where for a
year he was cashier and bookkeeper for the Locey
coal mines. For eighteen months he held a simi-
lar position with the Barrett Hardware Company.
For a year he was bookkeeper with the Illinois
Steel Company, after which he was bookkeeper
and cashier with Bishop & Lambert for two years,
continuing with them until January, 1893. After
the consolidation he was employed in the Chicago
office during the World's Fair. In the fall of
1893 he went west, intending to settle in Idaho
or Washington, but, after an attack of mountain
fever, he decided that Illinois was preferable for
a place of residence. He was still quite ill when
he came back to this state. On regaining his
health, in 1894 he became principal of the Broad-
way school, Joliet, continuing there until he was
appointed clerk of the board of school inspectors
in July, 1896. In the spring of 1899 the estab-
lishment of the township high school was voted
almost unanimously by the people and the school
board appointed him their clerk. These two
positions take his entire time, and their duties he
discharges in a manner satisfactory to all con-
cerned. He is identified with the First Presby-
terian Church, in which he is a ruling elder. He
and his wife reside in a house that he built at No.
120 Dewev avenue.

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

325

pC)ILLIAM MORGAN, who is one of the
1 A / l ar S e farmers and stock-raisers of Jack-
y Y son Township, was born in St. Lawrence
County, N. Y. , June 24, 1844, a son of Moses
and Eliza A. (Storrs) Morgan. He was one of
five children, of whom, besides himself, two sur-
vive, viz.: Sidney and Emily, wife of Cornelius
McClure, of Manhattan Township, this county.
His father, who was born in Vermont August 15,
18 15, settled in New York state when a young
man and engaged in farming in St. Lawrence
County, but in 1849 he came west to Illinois,
settling in Kendall County twelve miles west of
Joliet. His means were small; in fact, he had
but $68 at the time of his arrival in Kendall
County. Not having sufficient means to buy a
farm he operated rented land for four years.
Next he settled in Joliet Township, this county,
three and one-half miles southeast of Joliet,
where he remained for a year. In March, 1855,
he came to the place where his son, our subject,
still resides. Here he purchased one hundred
and twenty-eight acres of land and devoted his
energies to stock-raising and farming. More
than usual success rewarded his exertions. Con-
stantly he added to his possessions, investing the
products of one farm in the purchase of another.
He was so successful that at the time of his death
he owned thirteen farms. Personally he was a
man of fine qualities, possessing the hospitality
of the typical pioneer and showing in every act
that his code of honor was the highest. His per-
sonal friends were many, and he won the regard
of every associate. Politically he was an ardent
Republican, but always refused to accept nom-
ination for any office. While he was not identi-
fied with any denomination he attended and sup-
ported the Methodist Episcopal Church. On the
homestead where he had so successfully labored
for more than thirty years he died, August 20,
1878. His name well deserves perpetuation in
the list of pioneers of the county; for while he
was not one of the earliest settlers, there were com-
paratively few here at the time of his arrival, and
he experienced all the hardships of life in a new
country. It is but justice to him to say that his
success was not due to outside help, nor was it

the result of what we call " luck." It came to
him through the exercise of determination, good
judgment, perseverance and energy. He never
entered the alluring field of speculation, but
worked only in his chosen occupation of agricul-
ture, and the result proved that he made no mis-
take in his life-work. His wife, who was a
daughter of William and Catherine (Thew)
Storrs, was born in Clinton County, N. Y., July
13, 181 7, and died in Will County, 111., Decem-
ber 5, 1885.

Since he was eleven years of age our subject
has made his home in Jackson Township. Grow-
ing up on a farm he acquired a thorough knowl-
edge of agriculture and, as the occupation suited
his tastes, he has always continued farm pursuits.
He and his brother Sidney, whose farming and
stock interests are in conjunction, pay taxes on
fifteen hundred acres of land, and are among the
most prosperous men in their section of the
county. In political views he is a stanch Repub-
lican but not a partisan. He is not connected
with any denomination, but contributes to the
support of the Methodist Church, toward the doc-
trines of which he inclines. In 1877 Mr. Morgan
married Maria E. Ellenwood, who was born in
St. Lawrence County, N. Y. In 1870 she came
to this county with her parents, Alfred and
Lydia (Morgan) Ellenwood, and settled in
Florence Township, where her father died eleven
years afterward. Her mother now makes her
home with her son George. The family of Mr.
and Mrs. Morgan consists of seven children,
namely: Eliza A., Oscar, Lydia, Lloyd L.,
Ernest A., Amber L-, and infant daughter.

(31 CKER RULAND. Homer Township is
J I greatly indebted for its present wealth
I I and high standing to the intelligent and
capable farmers who have been instrumental in
developing its agricultural resources. As a mem-
ber of the farming community, who has con-
tributed to its material advancement and who has
been especially active in the promotion of its

326

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

live-stock interests, mention belongs to Mr.
Ruland, who owns the family homestead of one
hundred and fourteen acres. Here he was born
in 1856, and here his life thus far has been spent.
He is one of the largest raisers of thoroughbred
sheep and cattle in the county and owns some
valuable registered stock, having made several
importations from England of Shropshire sheep.
Besides his other interests, at this writing he
holds the office of deputy sheriff. For six years
he was highway commissioner of Homer Town-
ship, to which office he was elected on the Repub-
lican ticket. For sixteen years he served as a
member of the school board of his district. He
is a director of the Homer Mutual Fire Insurance
Company and secretary and treasurer of the Will
Count}* Highway Commissioners' Association.

Our subject's grandfather, Acker Ruland, was
born in Rhode Island, and in an early day
migrated to Ohio, where he conducted a large
paper mill near Cincinnati for several years.
From there he moved to Tippecanoe County,
Ind., and purchased six hundred acres of land,
which he operated success full}-. He remained
there until his death, when sixty-five years of age.
He had a brother, John, who served in the con-
tinental army during the Revolutionary war. His
ancestors were French and were early settlers of
Rhode Island. He married Charlotte Bolster, a
native of Rhode Island, and they had seven chil-
dren, but all are dead excepting Manley. In
1848 three of their sons, Charles, Manley and
Acker, came from Indiana to Will County, 111.,
and took up adjoining farms in Homer Township,
where they energetically began work as agricul-

turists. Soon after their arrival Charles met his
death by accident. Manley continued to make
his home in this locality until 1870, when he
removed to Butler Count}', Kans., and there he
has since resided. Acker, our subject's father
and the third of the brothers who came together
to Will County, was born near Cincinnati, Ohio.
In time he became a prosperous farmer of the
township. He was also a physician of the old
school and had a large practice in this neighbor-
hood. At the time of his death, when forty-two
years of age, he was well to-do. He married
Maria, daughter of Henry Glassford, and a native
of Pennsylvania, her father having come to that
state from Ireland when seven years of age. By
her marriage to Mr. Ruland five children were
born, namely: Sarah, who is the wife of James
Meek, of Chicago; Eliza, who married G. H.
Page; Helen, who married G. H. Paddock;
Maria, wife of Dr. S. R. Cowger; and Acker, the
subject of this sketch.

Having passed his life in this township, our
subject is well acquainted with the people here;
and, as he is a man of the utmost integrity and
the highest principles of honor, he is respected
by all to whom he is known. In fraternal rela-
tions he is connected with the Modern Woodmen
of America. He has a high reputation as a man
of intelligence, and the township is fortunate to
number among its citizens a man of his char-
acter and ability. In 1S78 he was united in mar-
riage to Miss Susan Harris, who was born in
Lockport, this county, a daughter of Benjamin
Harris. They have four daughters, Mabel,
Ethel and Edna (twins), and Mildred.

lib:

OF
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

7^0

i/t^l^jZ^-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

329

GEORGE F. GURNEY.

^JEORGE F. GURNEY. It is solely through
his determination and perseverance of char-
1 acter that Mr. Gurney has become known as
one of the wealthy land owners of this county.
When he came here, in the spring of 1845, he
was a boy of thirteen, the oldest of a family of
three sons and three daughters, whose father had
been defrauded of his money, and who were
therefore early obliged to begin the battle of life
for themselves. He found Joliet a small hamlet,
whose few inhabitants eked out a precarious sub-
sistence, but with the sturdy resolution char-
acteristic of pioneers remained hopeful and with
the far-seeing eye of faith worked for the benefit
of future generations. Owing to his father's ill
fortune he was early obliged to become self-sup-
porting and to contribute to the maintenance of
the family. During 1847 and 1848 he worked at
canal construction. When the canal was com-
pleted, on the 4th of July, 1848, he towed the
first canal boat out of Joliet, going to Chicago for
Henry Fish and returning with a load of lumber
for Otis Hardy. During the summer of the same
year he went to Grundy County and, with seven
yoke of oxen, worked at breaking prairie soil, but
in the fall returned to this county. Buying teams
of his own, in the spring of the next year he
began to break prairie and followed that occupa-
tion for a few years, after which he herded cattle
for Smith, Hatton & Rogers. Turning his at-
tention to agricultural pursuits, he became the
owner of one of the finest farms in the county,
the value of which was due entirely to his care-
ful cultivation and judicious oversight. He is
still the owner of large tracts of farm land, but
16

since 1894 has been living retired in Joliet, where
he built and occupies a residence at No. 505
Union street.

Mr. Gurney was born in Gloucestershire, Eng-
land, July 2, 1832, a son of William and Ruth
(Hooper) Gurney. His father, who was the son
of a ship chandler and vessel owner, brought his
family to the United States in 1844, and after a
short sojourn in Cook County, 111., in the spring
of 1845 canie to Joliet. A few years later he died
in Kankakeetown, this county. His wife died
in Channahon. Of their children Edward E. and
Henry H. died in Wilmington; Louise is married
and lives in Kankakee County; Matilda, Mrs.
Hyde, is in Canon City, Colo.; and Selina, Mrs.
Buss, makes her home in Florence Township.
The family crossed the ocean from Bristol to New
York on a sailing vessel, spending seven weeks
on the voyage, and from New York proceeded up
the Hudson, thence via the Erie canal to Buffalo,
and from that city by the lakes to Chicago.

In 1859 the subject of this sketch bought two
hundred acres in Wilton Township, thirteen miles
southeast of Joliet, purchasing from the Illinois
Central road. Two years later he settled on the
land and began its improvement. He remained
there until 1867, when he removed to a farm of
four hundred and eighty-six acres, of which two
hundred and twenty-six and two-thirds acres are
in Manhattan Township and the remainder in
Jackson Township. This continued to be his home
until 1 894. He gave his attention to its cultivation.
Every improvement of a first-class farm was to be
found on his place, and through his supervision
and wise management the estate was made profit-

33°

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

able. He is still the owner of nine hundred acres,
the larger part of which is under cultivation. He
recently sold one hundred and forty-six acres,
prior to which he owned ten hundred and forty-
six acres, including, besides his place before
named, three hundred and twenty acres on sec-
tions 34 and 27, one hundred and sixty acres
one-half mile west, and eighty acres adjoining
the last-named place. Besides this he owns one-
half section of land in Wright Count}', Iowa.
During the years of his active farm life he made
a specialty of the stock business, and bought
and raised high-grade and full-blooded Durham
cattle, imported Norman and also standard-bred
horses, having as many as sixty head of horses
on his place at one time. His son drives what
is said to be the finest pair of English shire
horses in Manhattan Township, and these were
raised by our subject.

In Wilmington, this county, Mr. Gurney mar-
ried Miss Eliza Brydon, who was born in Liver-
pool, England, a daughter of George and Eliza
(Ballentine) Brydon, all natives of Scotland.
Her paternal grandfather, James Brydon, was a
farmer, as was also her maternal grandfather,
George Ballentine, and both lived in Roxbury-
shire. Mrs. Gurney was one of two children, the
other being James, who was a soldier in the
Forty-second Illinois Infantry and was wounded
in battle; he is now living in Chatsworth, 111.

Concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Gur-
ney we note the following: Frances Ruth, who
was educated in Will County, married Franklin
P. Losh, a native of Center County, Pa., and of
German descent; they moved to Iowa in 1893 and
settled in Wright County, where they and their
children, Clarence A., Edgar J., Elsie E. and
Harry G., now live. The second daughter of
Mr. Gurney was Emma, now deceased. The
third, Elsie Augusta, married Charles F. Pohl-
man, a native of Will County, 111., and son of
William and Amelia Pohlman, natives of Ger-
many and old settlers of this county ; they have had
three children, Arno George (deceased), Alma
Ray and Florence. The oldest son of Mr. Gur-
ney is Elmer George, who married Mary F. Nor-
ton, daughter of William and Eliza (Good-

enough) Norton, natives respectively of New
York and Indiana, but for years residents of
Will County, where their daughter was born.
The second son, Arno James, married Alice
Voorhees, daughter of Ralph -and Adeline
(Young) Voorhees, natives of Ohio; they have
one daughter, Maude Esther. The sixth child
of our subject is Eliza M., who married Albert
Lichten waiter, a native of Will County, and a
son of Henry H. and Leah (Geiss) Lich ten-
waiter, natives respectively of Ohio and Penn-
sylvania; they have two children, Gladys Eva
and Clayton Gurney Lichtenwalter. The young-
est daughter of our subject, Nellie Josephine,
married Oscar Rhodes Myers, a native of Wheat-
land, this county, and a son of Jacob and Elmira
(Rhodes) Myers, natives respectively of Penn-
sylvania and Cleveland, Ohio. Our subject's
youngest child, Otto Henry, married Clara E.
Geiss, daughter of Hiram and Malinda (Whit-
son) Geiss, natives of Pennsylvania. The young-
est son and his wife live on the Gurney home-
stead. The family are connected with the Pres-
byterian Church.

During the earl}- years of his residence in this
county Mr. Gurney was quite active in educa-
tional and public affairs. Formerly a Democrat,
at the time of Fremont's campaign he transferred
his allegiance to the Republican part}-, which he
assisted in organizing in his count}-. Frequently
he was elected to serve as delegate to conventions
and as member of important political committees,
and in other ways, his service to his party was
helpful to its interests. For six years he was a
school director in Jackson Township and his in-
fluence was apparent in the building up of the
schools of his township.

IMOTHY GORMAN, who is a well-known
general merchant of Channahon, has made
his home in this county since 1858. He
was born in County Mayo, Ireland, in 1829, a
son of Patrick and Margaret (Kelly) Gorman.

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

33i

lifelong residents of County Mayo, where his fa-
ther followed the occupation of a brick and stone-
mason. When a boy our subject had few ad-
vantages. His life was one of constant toil from
an early age. At fifteen years he was bound out
to the tailor's trade, the plan being for him to
serve five years, but at the expiration of two and
one-half years, owing to a panic in the money
market and a consequent depression in business,
he was released from his engagement. Having
a brother who was a tailor in Birmingham, Eng-
land, he went to that city, but found that there,
as in Ireland, times were hard and work scarce.
He spent three years in England, working at
various occupations in different parts of the coun-
try.

In May, 1849, Mr. Gorman took passage on
the sailing vessel "James H. Shepherd" for
America and landed in New York on the 12th of
June, after a voyage of five weeks. In New
York he finished his apprenticeship to the tailor's
trade and for nine years remained in that city
and in Yonkers and Williamsburg, working at
the occupation. The year 1858 found him in
Will County, 111., where he worked for three
years at tailoring in Joliet. Next he removed to
Channahon, where for a time he worked at his
trade. In 187 1 he established the mercantile
business which he has since conducted. Being a
man of good business ability he has met with
considerable success and is one of the substantial
men of the village.

The marriage of Mr. Gorman, in 1854, united
him with Miss Mary Lennon, who was a native
of County Armagh, Ireland, and a daughter of
John and Judith (Corwin) Lennon. After the
death of her father in Ireland, her mother
brought the family to America. To the mar-
riage of Mr. and Mrs. Gorman twelve children
were born, of whom ten are living, viz.: Peter,
a blacksmith in Denver, Colo., who is married
and has three daughters; Martin T., of Chicago,
who is married and has two children, Timothy
and Mary Edna; Francis, a merchant of Wolcott,
Colo., whose family consists of five children,
Harry, Anna, Francis L. , Marguerite C. and
Helen W. ; Patrick H., a steam-fitter living in

Chicago; John, also a steam-fitter in that city;
Anthony, who is connected with his brother,
Francis, in merchandising; Margaret, a teacher
in the public schools of Will County; Timothy
J., who is in Pullman, 111. ; Jeremiah, who is with
his older brothers in Wolcott, Colo. ; and Mathew,
who is with the American Insurance Company
of Newark, N. J., Rockford, 111., being the head-
cpuarters for the western department.

In politics Mr. Gorman is a stanch Democrat.
Under the two administrations of President Cleve-
land he served as postmaster of Channahon and
for ten years, altogether, he filled the office of
town clerk. During the existence of the Odd
Fellows' Lodge at Minooka he held membership
in it, but upon its disbandment did not transfer
his membership to Joliet, the distance being too
great for him to attend the meetings regularly.
He is a well-known citizen of Channahon. As
village trustee, which office he now fills, he
favors plans for the benefit of the town and the
promotion of its interests.

E HESTER S. ALLEN. On the western
bluff of the Desplaines valley, in Lockport
Township, is the home of Mr. and Mrs.
Allen. Their brick residence, erected by Mr.
Allen in 1879, not only affords them a comfort-
able dwelling place, but also gives a fine view of
the valley stretching beyond. On the farm will
be noticed a large number of sheep, the Oxford
Downs leading numerically. There are also
several full blooded English horses, among them
a colt two years and five months old, weighing
sixteen hundred and thirty pounds. For several
years after 1870 Mr. Allen was a heavy dealer,
wholesale and retail, in ice, cutting the product
from an artificial pond on his place, and continu-
ing in the business until that part of the farm
was condemned by the drainage board.

The father of Mr. Allen, Martin, a native and
lifelong resident of Vermont, served in many
local offices, and in politics was first a Whig

332

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and later a Free-Soiler. His occupation was that
of a farmer. He and his brother, Reuben, were
the principal members of the Goshen Methodist
Episcopal Church, in Addison County, and
helped to build its house of worship. However,
owing to his views on the slavery question, in
1846 he identified himself with the Wesleyan
Methodists and built for them a church that is
still standing and in constant use. His son,
Wilson, aided in re-shingling the building in
1895. By his marriage to Hannah Smith he
had five children, namely: Eliza, deceased;
Wilson, a farmer at Ripon, Wis.; Andre M., de-
ceased; Chester S. ; and Luther, of Kansas. The
grandfather, Noah Allen, settled in Goshen in an
early day, removing there from another part of
the same state.

The subject of this sketch was born in the town
of Goshen, Vt., February 20, 1830. He re-
mained on the home farm until he was twenty-
four. For some years he was in very poor
health, the result of an attack of measles when
he was eighteen. As soon as he recovered suffi-
ciently to start out for himself he began farm-
ing, and this occupation he has followed ever
since. In 1864 he came to Illinois and settled
on the place he still owns. Since then he has
bought and sold considerable land. In politics
he was formerly a Republican, but now votes
with the Prohibitionists. For the past thirtj--
four years he has been an officer in the Methodist
Episcopal Church of Lockport, and until 1897
was also connected with the Sunday-school
work.

A remarkable evidence of the over-ruling Prov-
idence that saves a life when God has further
need of it in the world, is shown in Mr. Allen's
career. His life was preserved in a moment of
greatest peril. May 11, 1882, he drove two
teams to Joliet, for the purpose of securing drain
tile. When he arrived there he found the tile
he had previously selected was gone, so he started
through the tile factory, looking at the kilns on
each side. The place where the elevator worked
was six or eight inches lower than the path where
he was walking. This fact he did not notice,
and when he stepped into it he was thrown for-

ward into the elevator pit. At that instant the
elevator (weighing twelve hundred pounds)
dropped with two men in it. They jumped from
the elevator just before it struck. The foreman
saw the falling elevator and a man under it. He
gathered his men, lifted the elevator and pulled
Mr. Allen out. When the latter came to his
senses he saw ten or twelve men looking at him,
as if a dead man had come to life. Not a bone or a
blood-vessel was broken. After a little time the
men loaded up his tile for him and he returned
home. He did not get out again for two weeks,
and was lame and bruised for three months, but
the fact that he escaped uninjured is certainly re-
markable. The reason for the falling of the ele-
vator was the breaking of a bolt connected with
the main shaft, so that the elevator could not be
controlled. Had Mr. Allen fallen a second later
he would have been completely crushed.

The maiden name of our subject's wife was
Prudence S. Baker. Her father, Anthony, son
of Anthony, Sr., of English extraction, was born
in Rhode Island, October 9, 1788. He married
Prudence Gaines, who was born in Massachu-
setts, August 15, 1786. Both had moved to Sud-
bury, Vt. , and they were married there in 1809.
From that place the}' moved to a farm in Goshen,
Addison County, Vt. , where they lived for many
years. He was prominent in local affairs and
held numerous offices until failing eye-sight com-
pelled him to withdraw from such work. He was
active in the Democratic party, and later was an
Abolitionist. Both he and his wife were connected
with the Christian Church. Of their ten children
two died in infancy. Eight attained mature years,
married and had families. Their names and
dates of birth are as follows: Almon G., No-
vember 27, 1810; Anthony S., July 9, 1813;
Polly M., April 25, 1815; Oliver H. P., Decem-
ber 11, 1816; Olive S., April 23, 1818; Loren
H., March 26, 1821 (a soldier in the Civil war);
Harry H., December 3, 1826; and Prudence S.,
April 13, 1829. In 1850 the parents sold their
farm and moved to Forestdale, Vt., where they
spent their remaining years. The father died
July 25, 1873, and the mother November 29,
1874. Mrs. Prudence]* Allen was born in the

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

333

town of Goshen, Addison County, Vt., received
a good education, and began to teach school at
the age of fifteen years. She was married to
Andrew M. Allen in her home town April 23,
1850, but her husband died of consumption, July
14, 1851, at the age of twenty-three years, nine
months and nineteen days. Afterward for two
years she taught school, making her home with
her parents when not engaged in teaching Her
second marriage took place October 24, 1854,
and united her to Chester S. Allen, a brother of
her first husband. They lived in Goshen for
nine years after their marriage and then moved
to Illinois, settling 011 their present homestead,
March 10, 1864. They are the parents of two
children. Their son, Delbert C, who was born
in Goshen, Vt. , May 19, 1858, in now a farmer at
Tecumseh, Neb. Their daughter, Etta P., who
was born in Lockport, September 13, 1868, is the
wife of Allen T. Dille, and resides in Mitchell,
Iowa.

The lives of Mr. and Mrs. Allen have been full
of useful lessons of devotion to the cause of the
church and humanity. They can look back on the
past years and be satisfied with the view. As the
shadows lengthen in life's evening, and the
rough places become smoothed, the thought may
dwell with them that a new generation will re-
vere their memory, and their names will live in
the historical records of Will County.

IJjATHANIEL PAGE. The record of a use-
I / ful life is worthy of being perpetuated in the
I IS annals of biography. In writing this me-
morial of a good man, long since passed to his
eternal reward, we are doing an act of simple jus-
tice to one whose active life was inseparably asso-
ciated with the pioneer history of our county, and
one whose influence for good was felt in his home
neighborhood even after he had passed from it.
As an earl}' settler he participated in the work of
clearing and cultivating a portion of the county's
fine farming region.

In an early day Nathaniel Page, Sr., migrated
from Massachusetts to Vermont and settled in
Windsor County, where he died at an advanced
age. Nathaniel, Jr., was born in the latter
county in 1788 and remained on a farm near his
birthplace for many years, but in 1838 he removed
to Will County, 111. His first location was in
Lockport, where he followed the carpenter's trade
for a year. In 1839 he moved to New Lenox
Township, settled upon a farm and began the
clearing of land. Upon the farm which he im-
proved the remainder of his life was passed, and
there he died, February 4, 1866, at the age of
seventy-eight years.

During his residence in Vermont Mr. Page
married Nancy Gifford, a native of that state,
born in the same year as himself; she died in
1865, at the age of nearly seventy-seven years.
Their oldest son, Harvey, who was born in Ver-
mont, came to this county in 1858 and engaged
in farming here for twelve years. About 1870
he moved to Indiana, where he cultivated farm
land. He died in that state in 1886, at the age of
seventy-two years, leaving a widow and two
children, Archie, and Catherine, who is the wid-
ow of Benjamin Thomas. The second son,
Seneca, who was born in Windsor County, Vt.,
came to Will County, 111., in 1837, being the
first of the family to remove west. Much of his
after life was passed in New Lenox Township,
where he cultivated a farm and was also active
in local affairs. He died in 1876, at the age of
sixty years, leaving a widow and three children
who now reside in Joliet. The third son, Austin,
was born in Vermont in 1819 and migrated to
Illinois in 1839; here he spent the remaining
years of his life, following the carpenter's trade
and general farming until his death in 1890, at
seventy-one years of age. Two daughters, Mary
and Nancy, died in girlhood, and a son, Charles,
born in 1826, came to Will County, 111., in 1839,
and died here in 1856, at twenty-eight years of
age. The only surviving member of the family
is Miss Orauda Page, who has made her home in
this county since 1839; she took care of her par-
ents during their declining years, and has since
continued to reside on her place of thirty acres in

334

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

New Lenox. During her young womanhood she
taught two terms of school, and she has continued
to the present to be deeply interested in educa-
tional and literary work. As one of the pioneers
of the comity she has shown great interest in
its development and is justly proud of its high
standing among the galaxy of the counties of the
state.

^JEORGE B - DAVIS, one of the earliest set-
— tiers of Channahon Township, was born in
Ji Montgomery County, N. Y., May 7, 1821,
a son of Joseph and Martha (Burlingame) Davis,
of whose nine children he and his brother, Van
Dyke, of Kankakee County, 111., are the sole
survivors. His father, a native of Long Island,
born in 1787, removed with his parents to Albany
County, N. Y. , and after his marriage settled on
a farm in Montgomery County. In 1824 he re-
moved to Rensselaer County, and from there, in
1836, turned his face westward to Illinois. In
the fall of that year he came to Channahon
Township, Will County, and in the spring of the
next year his family joined him here. A short
time later he purchased a tract of land. How-
ever, before he had moved to his new home he
was taken ill and died September 30, 1838. His
parents, Ezekiel and Lois (Tripp) Davis, were
probably natives of Long Island, but there are
no records concerning their birth. They moved
to Albany County, N. Y., and lived upon a farm
there until they passed away, in advanced years.
The maternal grandparents of our subject were
Roger and Elizabeth (Sweet) Burlingame, the
latter a native of Rhode Island. The former
was a sea captain in early life, but after his mar-
riage he settled down to farming in Albany
County, N. Y., where he died of yellow fever
a few years later.

At the time our subject came to this county he
was sixteen years of age. After his father's
death in 1838, he and his brothers carried on the
farm. January 12, 1843, he married Miss Olive
Comstock, a native of Tompkins County, N. Y.,

and the daughter of Alexander McGregor and
Esther (Saltmarsh) Comstock. To their mar-
riage eight children were born, four of whom are
now living, namely: G. Henry, who for ten
years has been storekeeper in the street car de-
partment at Pullman, 111.; Sadie, at home;
Oliver, a practicing physician and surgeon of
Joliet; and Wilbur B., a farmer of Channahon
Township.

Two years after his marriage Mr. Davis pur-
chased eighty acres of his present farm and set-
tled thereon. He has been a progressive and
energetic farmer. From time to time he added to
his farm until it numbered two hundred and
forty acres, but in recent years he has sold his
son ninety-five acres, which leaves in his farm
one hundred and forty-five acres. For years he
was school director and also trustee of the school
fund. He is an ardent Republican in politics.
Not caring for elective offices, he has always re-
fused to allow his name to be used as a candidate
for any but minor offices. For forty years he has
served as a trustee of the Methodist Church. He
is one of the best known and most highly es-
teemed men of Channahon Township, where his
hospitality, genial disposition, upright life and
generous nature have won him hosts of friends
during the more than sixty years of his residence
here.

Mrs. Davis traces her lineage to the von Kom-
stohk (or Comstock) family, of Frankfort-on-
the-Main in Germany. Tradition states that the
family was founded in America by three brothers
from Wales or England, where the family had
gone from Germany owing to their connection
with some political strife that rendered further
residence in their native land perilous. The lin-
eage is traced back to a noble ancestry prior to
1547. William, who founded this branch of the
family in America, settled in Wethersfield, and
thence went to New London, Conn. His son,
Samuel, had a son, Samuel, who was the father
of Hezediah Comstock. The latter's son, Gid-
eon, moved from Rhode Island to Connecticut.
Adam, son of Gideon, was born in Rhode Island.
He was a man of stalwart physique,, six feet in
height, well proportioned and dignified, in de-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

335

porttnent grave and gentlemanly, well calculated
to command the respect of all who approached
him. Before the Revolution he was one of the
king's justices of the peace and a major in his
army. On the breaking out of the war, how-
ever, he entered the American army, with the
determination to use all his energies in the de-
fense of his country. In the language of his
biographer, " He was a soldier by nature, pow-
erful in body, of undaunted courage, an enthusi-
astic patriot, and a good disciplinarian. He had
the confidence of Washington, who raised him
to the rank of colonel in the continental line. At
the brilliant victory of Red Bank he was the
officer of the day; alternately with General Smith
of Maryland, he commanded at the successful
defense of Mud Fort (now Fort Mifflin). He
also shared the various sufferings of his brave
companioiis-in-armsat Valley Forge. After this,
from a domestic affliction, he resigned his com-
mission, which General Washington reluctantly
accepted, giving him an honorable discharge
from the army."

Soon after the close of the war Colonel Corn-
stock was elected to the legislature of his native
state. In 1785 he moved to Schenectady, N. Y.
One year later he purchased and moved to a farm
in Greenfield (now Corinth) Township, Sara-
toga County, where he made his home up to the
time of his death. While a citizen of New York
he was for many years a member of the New
York assembly and senate, in which bodies he
exercised a controlling influence by reason of his
recognized ability. For many years he was a
judge of the court of common pleas in and for
the county of Saratoga, to which office he was
peculiarly adapted. He was not bred to the pro-
fession of law, but his strong mind and investi-
gating habits, his sound judgment and compe-
tent knowledge of science, were abundantly mani-
fest in his judicial opinions. He died April 10,
1819.

Rev. Alexander McGregor Comstock, M. D.,
was born in Greenfield Township, Saratoga
County, N. Y., September 9, 1788, and was one
of the seventeen children of Adam and Margaret
(McGregor) Comstock. He was a Methodist

Episcopal minister, a graduate in medicine, and
a farmer. During the war of 18 12 he served as
a surgeon. He was a man of unusual intellec-
tual powers and industrious habits. His life
seemed to be squared by the proverb, " Whatso-
ever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy
might." In each of his three vocations he met
with success. In 1835 he made his first trip to
Illinois. The next year he brought his family
to Joliet, where he practiced medicine and acted
as a local minister. In 1837 he settled on a farm
in Troy Township, but in 1841 returned to Joliet,
where he died July 9, 1854. In politics he was
a Whig. He married Esther Saltmarsh, who
was born of Holland descent, in Columbia
County, N. Y. , and died in Joliet in 1874. They
had six children, five of whom came to Joliet,
and four attained maturity: Mrs. Olive Davis;
Adam; Mary, who lives in Joliet; and Grover,
who died in this city. The only surviving son,
Adam Comstock, is a well-known civil engineer
and surveyor of Joliet. A. M. Comstock, M. D.,
had a brother, Rev. O. C. Comstock, M. D.,
who was a man of remarkable gifts and attain-
ments. Besides being a minister in the Baptist
Church and a practicing physician, he was a
member of the New York legislature, a judge, a
member of congress and the chaplain of that
body for some years.

©GJlLLIAM F. HUTCHINSON, of Joliet,
I A/ came to tn ' s c ^y * a the fall of 1886 as
V V deputy county clerk under H. H. Stossen,
continuing in that capacity for two terms. In the
fall of 1894, on the Republican ticket, he was
elected to the office by a majority of twenty-two
hundred and eighty-five. Four years later he
was re-elected by a majority of over three thou-
sand, which was the largest vote ever polled for
a county clerk in Will County. As clerk he has
been systematic in his work, energetic, and at-
tentive to every detail, and has won the con-
fidence of the voters of the county. He is also
serving as clerk of the board of supervisors, and,

336

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

under the new law, is a member of the board of
review. During his residence in Monee he was
for fourteen years treasurer of Monee Township,
and, on the incorporation of the village of Monee,
served for one term as clerk of the village board.

The Hutchinson family originated in England,
but has been represented in America since Puri-
tan times, and one of its most distinguished
members w T as Governor Hutchinson, a colonial
governor of Massachusetts. Rev. William Hutch-
inson, our subject's father, was a son of Ebenezer
Hutchinson and was born in New Hampshire,
where his active life was spent in the Congrega-
tional ministry. He died at Plainfield, that
state, in 1842, when he was forty-eight years of
age. His wife, who had died in the fall of 1835,
bore the maiden name of Mary Ann Abbott and
was born in New Hampshire of an old family of
New England. They were the parents of three
sons and one daughter, of whom the latter,
Martha, died at sixteen years. Joseph, who re-
sides in Waterbury, Vt., served in a Vermont
cavalry during the Civil war, and was taken
prisoner and confined in Libby prison until
exchanged. Merrill, who was a protege of one
of the early governors of Ohio, enlisted from that
state in the Civil war and served as a lieutenant;
he died in Burlington, Vt.

William F. was born at Dalton, Coos County,
N. H., April 1, 1833. From an early age he
was self-supporting, earning the money necessary
for his education in the St. Johnsbury (Vt.)
Academy, where he completed the regular course
of study. He then taught for a year in

Columbus, Ohio. In 1855 he came to Illinois,
where he first taught in Greengarden, Will
County, and then at Monee, being principal of
the latter school for seven years. For two years
he was connected with Fairbanks & Co., as com-
mercial traveler, aad then entered the store as a
bookkeeper, where he remained until 1879.
Afterward he was principal of the school until
1886, the time of his removal to Joliet. Frater-
nally he is a member of the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows and Mount Joliet Lodge, A. F. &
A. M. During the Civil war he was chairman of
the local division of the Union League. Reared
in the Whig faith, he became a free soiler and, in
1856, affiliated with the Republican party upon
its organization in Illinois. He is chairman of
the board of deacons of the Central Presbyterian
Church. While in Monee he was for fourteen
years superintendent of the Union Sunday-school.
In Batavia, Ohio, Mr. Hutchinson married
Miss Virginia Bryan, who was born in that city
and died in Joliet in 1897. They were the
parents of six children, namely: Bryan, who is a
deputy county clerk; Gertrude, who died in this
county; Merrill, of Chicago; Maud, who acts as
one of the deputy county clerks; Edwin, who
died at twenty years of age; and Bertram, who
is a coal and feed merchant in Joliet. The sec-
ond marriage of Mr. Hutchinson took place in
Kankakee on the last day of 1898 and united him
with Miss Mary L. Easterbrooks, who was born
in Rhode Island, of an old New England family,
and was for some years successfully engaged in
educational work in this county.

wwosffv of «awo«

cc ! ~h^^. I 6^LLJ—

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

339

ALFRED VAN FLEET.

61 LFRED VAN FLEET, president of the Van
LA Fleet Manufacturing Company of Joliet,
J ) was born near Fairview, Fulton Count}',
111., January 14, 1843. He is a descendant of a
family that emigrated from Holland in an early
day and settled in New York and New Jersey.
His grandfather, Henry Van Fleet, was born in
the latter state, near Flemington, in 1763, and
followed agricultural pursuits in his native lo-
cality. David Van Fleet, who was born on the
family homestead in 1813, came west about 1834
and settled in Fulton County, 111., of which he
was among the earliest settlers. Later he re-
moved to the vicinity of Aurora, where he was a
pioneer farmer. For many years he served as
township supervisor. Besides his farm he also
had a blacksmith's shop. His last years were
spent near Sandwich, 111., where he died.

The wife of David Van Fleet was Maria,
daughter of Capt. Henry Dolliver, and a sister of
Rev. James Dolliver, whose son, Hon. Prentice
Dolliver, is a congressman from Iowa. She was
born in New Jersey and died in Kansas. Her
father, who always followed the sea, during the
war of 18 1 2 tendered the cotton on his vessels to
General Jackson at the time of the battle of New
Orleans. Later, while on his way to New York,
he was captured by the British and held a prisoner
in Dartmore prison, England, until the close of the
war, his papers meantime having been taken
from him so that he could not prove his property.
The family of David and Maria Van Fleet con-
sisted of five children, of whom three sons and
one daughter survive, namely: W. H., a ma-
chinist, connected with the Van Fleet Manu-

facturing Company; V. D., who is also a ma-
chinist in Joliet; Alfred; and Mrs. Cornelia
Gruder, of Kansas.

Reared upon a farm in Dekalb County, the
subject of this sketch received public-school ad-
vantages. In July, 1 86 1, he enlisted in Com-
pany K, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, and was mus-
tered in at St. Charles, 111., and assigned to the
army of the Potomac. He took part in all the
engagements of his regiment during the penin-
sular campaign, including Antietam, Fredericks-
burg, Wilderness, Gettysburg, Spottsylvania and
the siege of Petersburg. During the battle of
Frederick City he was struck by a shell and
slightly wounded, and at the same time his horse
was killed. For bravery in the service he was
commissioned sergeant. After the grand review,
in which he took part, he was ordered to Mexico,
but when on the frontier the trouble subsided,
and his regiment was mustered out in St. Louis
August 22, 1865. On returning home he bought
a farm in Dekalb County and continued to cul-
tivate the place until 1868. He then removed
to Ames, Story Count}', Iowa, and bought one
hundred and sixty acres, which he farmed for
six years. Afterward he worked at the car-
penter's trade in Kelley, the same county, and
also carried on a wagon and blacksmith's shop,
and operated a threshing machine.

During the winter of 1876-77 Mr. Van Fleet
became interested in the barb wire business. A
man in Ames made barb wire by twisting the
wire and putting on the barbs by hand. Con-
cluding it could be done by machine, our subject
began to work, and succeeded in devising a ma-

34°

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

chine that answered the purpose, and by which
eight to ten spools could be made a day. This
was the first machine ever made by which the
wire could be manufactured. He patented the
invention, but did not develop it. In 1S7S he
came to Joliet to engage in the manufacture of
barb wire, and for several years had charge of
the Lock Stitch Company. Later he was super-
intendent under Paul Smith and also was super-
intendent of the Joliet Manufacturing Company.
While in the latter position he formed the firm of
Van Fleet & Shreffler. He improved a machine,
which he patented about 1880', and then sold the
patent to Washburn & Moen. In 1S85 he re-
signed as superintendent of the Joliet Manu-
facturing Company and started a machine shop
on Desplaines street. When the drainage canal
came through in 1898, he bought his present lo-
cation, 50x130 feet, and put in a forty horse-
power eugiue. At this place, No. 513-515 Second
avenue, he has since engaged in the manufacture
of wire machinery and wire goods of all kinds.
The products of the factory are shipped to all
parts of the woild. The plant is owned by him
and his son, Elon J., jointly, he being president
and his son secretary and treasurer of the com-
pany.

In political views Mr. Van Fleet is a Republi-
can, and in religion is connected with Central
Presbyterian Church. The local post of the
Grand Army has his name enrolled among its
members. While living in Aurora he married
Miss Emma Bullock, who was born in New
York state and died in Joliet in 1885. Of the
five children born to their union, three are living,
a son, Elon J., and two daughters, Grace, and
Mrs. Mary Hunt, of South Dakota.

EHRISTOPHER J. SMITH, township com-
missioner of highways, and a resident of
Joliet since 1867, was born in Fallsburg,
Sullivan County, N. Y., September 23, 1847, a
sou of James and Mary (Flood) Smith, natives

of Ireland. His parents, after the birth of one son,
emigrated to the United States and settled in New
York state, where the mother died in Ellensville.
Of their eleven children, all but two attained ma-
ture years. The oldest son, John, now living in
Warren, Pa., enlisted in the Union army as a
member of a New York regiment of cavalry and
served until its close. Three sons, Christopher
J., Philip and Michael, are residents of Joliet,
and William is at home.

The earl}' years of our subject's life were
passed in Fallsburg, where he was educated in
the public schools. He was engaged as a team-
ster connected with a tannery. After his mar-
riage he came to the west, arriving in Joliet in
1867, and securing employment with the Joliet
Gas Company. Later he was employed in the
building of the first rolling-mill in this city, and
after its completion he secured work in the mill,
continuing there for twelve years. On the erec-
tion of the steel mill he became a hooker in it,
and so helped to roll the first iron and first steel
rails. He assisted in organizing the Roll Hands'
Union, which became connected with the Amal-
gamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers,
and he continued an active member of the same
until he quit the business.

The next enterprise with which Mr. Smith was
connected was the bottling business, which he
conducted on Collins street for six years, mean-
time building up a good trade. He then turned
the business over to his son, who has since car-
ried it on. During the last term of Mayor Kelly
he received the appointment of superintendent of
streets, which position he held for two years. He
then turned his attention to general contracting,
and built a number of sewers on Stone, Ruby,
Jackson and Marion streets, having the contract
for four and one-half miles of water-mains; also
for man) r streets, grading, etc.

The Democratic party has always received the
allegiance of Mr. Smith, who is a thorough be-
liever in the principles which it represents. On
the party ticket, in the spring of 1S98, he was
elected township highway commissioner for a
term of three years, and is now president of the
board. The position consumes his time and at-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

34i

tention, to the exclusion of outside interests. He
is filling the office in a manner highly satisfactory
to all concerned, and is proving a reliable, trust-
worthy public official. Twice he was elected
alderman from the First ward, filling the office
for four years, and he also served as assistant su-
pervisor for one term. For many years he has
been treasurer of the Ancieut Order of Hiber-
nians, and he is also receiver in the Ancient
Order of United Workmen. He is connected
with St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, in the
building of which he took an active part, and he
also aided generously in the erection of the
academy.

Mr. Smith was one of the first to build on Col-
lins street, and still resides at No. 801, where he
has a neat and comfortable home. He was mar
ried in Ellensville, N. Y. , to Miss Bridget Moran,
who came from Ireland to America with her
father, Conner Moran, and settled at Neversink,
N. Y. Four children were born of their mar-
riage, namely: John C, who has charge of the
bottling business established by his father;
Thomas V., who is connected with the Elgin,
Joliet & Eastern Railroad; Ellen M.,a graduate
of St. Mary's Academy and Normal School; and
now a teacher in the Chicago public schools; and
George P., a plumber employed with the Federal
Steel Company.

(] OSEPH PEART. Those who are reared in
I mining districts almost invariably follow the
Q) occupation of the people around them. Mr.
Peart has been no exception to this rule. A min-
er's son, and born in the mining regions of Coun-
ty Durham, England, April 15, 1830, he was
employed in boyhood as a digger in the coal
mines of his native place. September 25, 1854,
he landed in Boston, and from there proceeded to
Zanesville, Ohio, where he was employed in mines
for eighteen months. The year 1856 found him
in Illinois. For two years he worked in the lead-
ing mines of La Salle County. He then went to
Felix Township, Grundy County, and secured

work in the mines there. When he came to Will
County, in 1868, he decided to enter a different
occupation, and so purchased one hundred and
twenty acres in Wilmington Township and em-
barked in farming and stock-raising. However,
after eight years of farm life he sold his place
and came to Braid wood, which was then a new
and small mining camp. From that time until
1887 he was connected with the mines of the Chi-
cago & Wilmington Coal Company, a part of the
time acting as foreman of the gang. After fifty
years, that were almost wholly devoted to mining
pursuits, he retired from active labors in 1887.
He had entered the mines of England, a child of
seven years, in a very humble position. He left
the mines of Braidwood, a man of fifty-seven
years, after having worked his way to a respon-
sible and remunerative position. He had early
in life showed a determination to make his way
in the world; and, although his education was
limited and his advantages few, he acquired val-
uable information in the school of experience and
became a well-informed man. During these long
years of labor he gained a competency, and in
1883 he built a two-story residence on Round
house avenue, where he is now enjoying a rest
from his former cares.

Those who are acquainted with Mr. Peart
thoroughly understand his political views. He
is known to be a decided Republican, stanch in
his allegiance to party. For four years he was
an alderman, and for three terms, of two years
each, held office as mayor of Braidwood. Dur-
ing his service as mayor many improvements
were introduced, and he was one of the first to
champion the cinder sidewalks. For six years
he served as a school director. Fraternally he is
connected with the Ancient Order of United
Workmen; Braidwood Lodge No. 704, A. F. &
A. M. ; Wilmington Chapter, R. A. M., and
Joliet Commandery, K. T.

In 1859 Mr. Peart married Ellen Baxter, who
was born in this county. They have one daugh-
ter, Mary Ada, now the wife of Henry A. Fos-
ter, of Pontiac, 111. Mrs. Peart is a member of
the Eastern Star, and takes an active part in its
work. Her father, William Baxter, a native of

342

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Scotland, immigrated to America about 1830 and
settled at Mount Savage, Allegany County, Md.
He was a practical miner and civil engineer, and
surveyed many an acre of coal land in Allegany
County. In 1848 he came west, settling in Will
County, and afterward engaging in surveying on
the Illinois and Michigan canal. He made an
estimate of the cost of building the entire canal,
and it later developed that his estimate was very
close to the actual cost. On completing his sur-
veying he settled on a farm in Florence Township,
and in 1852 he died on that place. His wife,
like himself, a native of Scotland, bore the
maiden name of Ellen Somerville. She died in
Florence Township in 1866, at sixty-three years
of age. The} f were the parents of six children,
five of whom are living, namely: William, Mrs.
Peart, Andrew, John C, and Mary, wife of Dr.
Cook, of Hastings, Neb.

(TAMES DUCKER. For many years one of
I the county's most influential citizens, Mr.
(2/ Ducker was a pioneer dry-goods merchant
and long held a prominent place among the busi-
ness men of northeastern Illinois. When he
started in business on the corner of Clinton and
Chicago streets, in 1874, his was the first dry-
goods house on Chicago street; he continued to
occupy Ducker's block, erected by himself, until
his death, and meantime built up a very large
trade in dry-goods, clothing and carpets. While
he was in some respects conservative, yet in busi-
ness matters he was progressive, and he al-
ways led in matters bearing favorably upon the
welfare of the people or the development of local
interests. With Hon. George H. Munroe he
took an active part in the building of the Joliet
theatre, and for a time was president of the com-
pany that erected the building. He also bought
the old Exchange hotel site, adjoining Barrett's
hardware store, on Chicago street, where he had
a frontage of sixty-six feet. So high was the
opinion in which others held him as a merchant

that after the Chicago fire he was offered a part-
nership in the firm of Marshall Field & Co. , with
the position of foreign buyer, but he had left
England on account of its unhealthful climate and
felt it inadvisable to return to that country, so
declined the tempting offer. During early days
his opinion in regard to goods and purchases was
often sought by western merchants, notably
Marshall Field & Co.

The life which this narrative sketches began in
Epworth, England, October 27, 1823, and closed
in Joliet December 16, 1885. The Ducker family
in a remote period migrated from Holland to
England, where subsequent generations became
prominent. James and Maria Ducker lived upon
a farm at Epworth and were members of the So-
ciety of Friends. Their son, James, Jr., who
forms the subject of this article, was apprenticed
to the dry-goods business in Hull at fifteen years
of age and served for five years, after which he
worked for wages. In 1852 became to America,
hoping that the change would benefit his health.
After a short time in Chicago he settled upon a
farm in Frankfort Township, this county. One
year on a farm convinced him that agriculture
was not his forte in life. His crops were de-
stroyed by hail and he gained nothing except ex-
perience. In 1853 he started one of the first
stores in Mokena and during the twenty-one
years of his residence there he became a prosper-
ous merchant and large grain dealer. After he
had been in America for a time two of his brothers
crossed the ocean to seek homes here. One of
them, George, is now engaged in ranching near
Red Cloud, Neb., and the other, William B.,
died in Nebraska. In 1874 Mr. Ducker removed
from Mokena to Joliet and began business in the
block he had erected the preceding year. It had
been his intentien to rent the building and settle
in Chicago, but, owing to the block being remote
from the business center, it was impossible to se-
cure a tenant, and he therefore decided to engage
in business himself. His success was steady and
encouraging, and continued without a break until
his death. He was never active in politics, al-
though he kept posted concerning national issues
and voted with the Republicans. In religious

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

343

belief he was a member of the Episcopal Church.
His wife is a member of the Universalist Church.
In Chicago, in 1854, Mr. Ducker married Jen-
nette Allison, who was born in Glasgow, Scot-
land, a daughter of John and Jane (Mason) Alli-
son, natives of Paisley, Scotland. She was third
among six children, five of whom are living, all
but herself living in Sterling, Whiteside Count y,
111. She was reared in Scotland and was twenty
years of age when, in 1853, she came to Illinois.
Her father, and grandfathers, James Allison and
George Mason, were all manufacturers of shawls
in Paisley, and the last-named was a prominent
Presbyterian elder. She built the residence
which she occupies, at No. 507 Union street. In
her family there are five children living: James
W., a merchant in Mokena; Maria J., wife of
Dr. Lewis Beck, a physician in Red Cloud, Neb.;
George A., who is represented on another page;
John J., a merchant of Joliet; and Jessie M., wife
of John S. Luthy, of Chicago, a trusted man in
Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co. 's wholesale house.

EAPT. GEORGE O. CLINTON. The life
which this narrative sketches began in Wau-
kesha, Wis., August 21, 1839, in the home
of Edmund and Amanda (Conkey) Clinton.
There were seven sous in this family, namely:
Albert T. , who is agent for the United States Ex-
press Company in LaCrosse, Wis. ;" Henry P.,
who served as quartermaster in the "Iron"
Brigade, the Seventh Wisconsin Infantry, dur-
ing the Civil war, and died while in the service;
Edson C, deceased, who was a well-known lum-
berman at Brodhead, Wis.; Charles W., who was
lieutenant of the First Wisconsin Cavalry in the
Civil war, and died in a hospital at Nashville;
George O.; Edmund D., Jr., deceased; and De-
Witt C, a commercial salesman, representing the
Ryan Mercantile Company of St. Paul.

Edmund D. Clinton, Sr., a native of Vermont,
accompanied his parents to St. Lawrence County,
N. Y. , in childhood, and there learned the black-

smith's trade. In 1831 he removed to Ohio and
in 1836 to Milwaukee, Wis., thence to Wauke-
sha a year later. In 1856 he located the town
site of Brodhead, where he afterward made his
home. During his residence in Waukesha he
was one of the contractors who built the Mil-
waukee & Mississippi Railroad, the first railroad
built in Wisconsin. After its construction he was
made a director of the company, and continued to
be closely associated with the construction of the
entire system up to the time of the absorption of
the road by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul
corporation, when he retired from the directorate.
His last years were spent in retirement from busi-
ness, although he had a number of important in-
terests and continued to be a busy man to the
last. He and his wife were earnest Christians.
They founded the first Presbyterian Church in
Milwaukee, subsequently organized the first Con-
gregational Church in Waukesha, and, on
removing to Brodhead, they were two of the
twenty-nine charter members of the First Con-
gregational Church of that place. For years he
officiated as a deacon in the church. His father,
Henry, a native of Connecticut, was a descendant
of Puritan stock, as was also his mother, who was
a Miss Darrow; the latter lived to be ninety-seven
years of age.

Prior to eighteen years of age our subject at-
tended the academy and Carroll College in Wau-
kesha. He then became brakeman with the
Milwaukee & Prairie du Chien Railroad, and a
year later was made conductor. At the outbreak
of the Civil war he enlisted as a private in Com-
pany E, Thirteenth Wisconsin Infantry, his name
being enrolled in the ranks August 15, 1861, and
he was mustered in September 14. He remained
on duty at Janesville, Wis., until December,
where he was commissioned first lieutenant and
adjutant of the Third Battalion, First Wisconsin
Cavalry; he was made regimental adjutant March
24, 1862, and captain of Company B September
26, 1862. The regiment was organized at Ripon
and Kenosha, Wis., and mustered into service
March 10, 1862, reporting at Benton Barracks,
Mo., March 17, and remaining there until April
28, when they were attached to Vandervere's

344

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

corps, department of Missouri, and operated in
southeastern Missouri from April to October of
that year. From May, 1S63, to October, 1864,
they were in the army of the Cumberland. Or-
dered to Cape Girardeau, Mo., April 28, 1862,
they assisted in scout and patrol duty in that dis-
trict until the expedition to Bloomfield in Octo-
ber. May 14-15 they took part in the action at
Chalk's Bluff, then accompanied an expedition to
Madison, Ark.; July 9-22 were in action at Scat-
terville, Ark.; July 10, at Arkansas Bluff; July
11, at Madison; July 22, at West Prairie, Mo.;
July 23, with the compaign against Porter's and
Poiutdexter's guerillas; July 25, September io, at
Bloomfield as headquarters; July 29, at Jones-
boro, Ark.; August 2-3, Jackson and Seatterville;
August 3, in camp at Cape Girardeau, Mo.; Oc-
tober 4, Bloomfield; thence to Greenville and
Patterson, Mo.: on duty at West Plains, Pilot
Knob and Ste. Genevieve, Mo.; in April, 1863, at
White Water River; April 24, Cape Girardeau;
April 5-27, Castor River; April 29, Bloomfield;
April 30, ordered to join army of the Cumberland
at Nashville, Tenn.: May 1, in action at Triune;
June 19, in the Tullahoma -campaign; at Rover
June 23; Middletown, June 24; Guy's Gap,
June 27; occupation of Tullahoma, July 1; at
Huntsville and Fayetteville until August 15;
and at Larkinsville, Ala., until August 31 ; in the
Chattanooga campaign from September to
November; at Graysville, September 10; Craw-
fish, September iS; took part in the following en-
gagements: Chickamauga, September 19-20;
Rossville Gap, September 21 ; pursuit of Wheeler,
October 10; Anderson's Cross Roads, October 2;
Maysville, Ala., October 13; after which he was
at camp in Winchester until November 20, and
then was detached on recruiting service at Madi-
son, Wis., from December, 1863, to February,
1864. Returning south, he was at Cleveland,
Tenn., April 2-13; took part in the Atlanta cam-
paign; was at Red Clay, Ga., May 3: Tunnel
Hill, May 7; Buzzard's Roost Gap, May 8; Var-
nell's Station, May 9; and was captured near
Dalton, Ga., May 9, and made a prisoner of
war, being confined at Atlanta and Macon, Ga.,
and Charleston, S. C. He was one of three hun-

dred officers, the first Union men to be placed
under fire of their own guns. He was exchanged
at Rough and Ready, Ga., September 26, 1864,
and was mustered out October 28 of the same
year, and honorably discharged from the service.

Although the highest title our subject won in
war was that of captain, he is always addressed
as "colonel," although, disliking to " sail under
false colors," he has disclaimed all right to that
title; but, one day shortly after his return from
the front, he was met by a newspaper man, who
addressed him as " colonel," and on being told he
was not entitled to that rank, the man replied that
he would at once commission him colonel. From
that day to this he has been known by his hon-
orary title.

On his return home he was for two years en-
gaged in buying stock and grain. In 1S66 he
built a portion of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St.
Paul road in Iowa. In 1867 he went to Kansas
and contracted to build fourteen miles of the
Union Pacific Railroad near Fort Hays. While
there eight of his men were killed and fourteen
head of stock were captured by the Indians. His
next work was lumbering in Wisconsin, after
which, with his father-in-law and others, he built
the Madison & Portage Railroad, now a part of
the St. Paul system. On the completion of the
road he took a position in the operating depart-
ment of the same, and for three years made his
headquarters in Milwaukee. He then went to
Chicago and had charge of the terminal of the
Wabash system, also was local freight agent for
the road for one year. Later, for ten months, he
was superintendent of the St. Louis bridge and
union depot. For fifteen months he was super-
intendent of the Rio Grande division of the Texas
Pacific Railroad. During this time he had charge
of building the roundhouse and eighteen sub-
stantial buildings (eating houses and stations).
In 1884 he returned to Chicago as superintend-
ent of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail-
road. He was in charge of the Chicago & Mil-
waukee division, the Chicago & Council Bluffs
division and the Chicago & Evanston division.
After five years he resigned to accept the general
superiutendency of the construction of the Elgin,

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

345

Joliet & Eastern Railroad, with which he re-
mained for five years. Since then he has been
interested in a railroad contract in the Indian
Territory, and the Mineral Point & Northern
Railroad in southwest Wisconsin. By other rail-
road officials he is quoted as one of the most
efficient transportation men in the United States.
There is not a detail of the business with which
he is unfamiliar. The many important positions
he has held have been filled with a sagacity, en-
ergy and intelligence that gave him a high place
with company officials.

November 6, i860, Captain Clinton married
Miss Charlotte Campbell, who was born in
Albany, N. Y., a daughter of James and Lorinda
(Hill) Campbell. Her father was for some years
a farmer, but later engaged in railroad building
with his son-in-law. A native of Pennsylvania,
born February 19, 18 14, he moved to Albany in
1S37, and in later years came west to Wisconsin.
He died in Madison, that state, in 1883. His wife
was born February 2, 18 18, and died February
4, 1900. He was a descendant of Robert Camp-
bell, who came to the United States in 17 19 and
died in Connecticut six years later. Captain and
Mrs. Clinton are the parents of three children:
Charles Arba, who is the Chicago representative
of the Blanke Coffee Company of St. Louis; Edith
L. , wifeof John Tuttle, a jeweler in Chicago; and
James Campbell, who is cashier in the Morgan &
Wright Tire Company, of Chicago. Captain
Clinton is a member of Bicknell Lodge No. 94,
A. F. & A. M., at Brodhead; Wisconsin Com-
maudery No. 1, at Milwaukee; and is also con-
nected with the Loyal Legion of Milwaukee, and
George H. Thomas Post, G. A. R.

5) EORGE W. FLAGG, a well-known farmer
_ and stockman residing in Plainfield, is a
>_J member of one of the earliest pioneer fami-
lies in this village and was himself born here Jul}'
2 5> 1 %37- His father, Reuben, a native of Ver-
mont, grew to manhood on a farm and learned

the stone mason's trade in his youth. In that
state he married Betsey Kendall, a woman of un-
usual business capacity and one well fitted to cope
with the hardships of pioneer existence. After
the birth of two children they sought a home in
the then far west. When they arrived in Plain-
field, in 1830, they found three white families
here. The surroundings were those of primeval
nature. Little effort had been made to reclaim
the land from its original wildness. Mr. Flagg
took up a claim one mile south of Plainfield and
settled on that place. At the land sale in 1S36
he purchased one hundred and sixty acres one
mile east of Plainfield; this property he improved
and placed under cultivation, making of it a
valuable farm. During the winter of 1831 he
hauled the first hog ever taken to Chicago; it
was during the progress of the first Methodist
convention held in that city and the pork was
presented to an old preacher, Mr. Biggs, who
lived there at the time. In 1833 ne hauled from
Plainfield to Chicago the lumber that was used in
the construction of the first frame house in the
latter city. During the Black Hawk war he en-
listed under General Scott and served until the
Indians were conquered. During the progress of
the war his family remained for a time in the log
fort at Plainfield, but subsequently went to Fort
Dearborn, which afforded greater protection to
the whites. When the war ended they returned
to their cabin home. They were gratified to find,
on their return, that, although there was an In-
dian village near by, the red men had shown a
friendly spirit and had not stolen anything from
them. During the existence of the Whig party
Mr. Flagg upheld its principles. Upon its disin-
tegration he identified himself with the Repub-
lican part}'. He held various local offices, and
the county records show that he was the first jus-
tice of the peace in Plainfield, holding the office
several years. He was fairly successful in life,
and at his death, in 1S71, left a good farm of one
hundred and sixty acres. More than half of his
life of sixty-nine years was spent in this county,
and it was his privilege to witness the remarkable
growth of the county and the development of its
resources. His wife, who, like himself, was a

346

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Universalist in religious belief, died in Plainfield
in 1876. Of their children the two born in Ver-
mont, Kendall and Sarah, died in this county.
Samautha, who was born in September, 1830,
was the first white child born in what was then
Cook Count}', including all the land between Lake
Michigan and Ottawa; she died when fort}- years
of age. Prudence married David Holden and
both are now deceased. Benjamin Franklin and
Henry C. are deceased. William H. resides in
Plainfield, N. Y.; Loraine, Mrs. James Radney,
died in Iowa. Mary is deceased, and Lucy is the
wife of Henry Howe, of Portland, Ore.

The sixth member of the family was George
W., the subject of this sketch. He was reared
amid the pioneer influences of this locality. At
the breaking out of the Civil war he was deter-
mined to enlist in the Union army, and Septem-
ber, 1 86 1, found his name enrolled as first lieu-
tenant of Company K, Eighth Illinois Cavalry,
in which he served until the spring of 1862. The
hardships of army life and its attending exposures
brought on hemorrhage of the lungs and he was
obliged to resign his commission, after having
done some good service as guard in the vicinity
of Alexandria. Realizing that the state of his
health necessitated a change of climate, he went

to Greeley, Colo., where he secured employment
with Governor Eaton in herding cattle on the
range between Denver and Cheyenne. For more
than four years he remained in the west. The
outdoor exercise in the pure, invigorating air of
Colorado restored him to health. On his return
home he engaged in farming on a place he had
purchased near Plainfield. From time to time he
added to his place until he is now the owner of
six hundred acres, comprising one of the finest
farms in the county. Since 1872 he has made his
home in the village, carrying on the farm with
the aid of his son. Much of his attention is given
to the buying and feeding of cattle, in which
work he has been quite successful.

November 17,1861, Mr. Flagg married Miss
M. A. Colgrove, daughter of Lester Colgrove, a
farmer of this township. They have two sons,
the older, George K., being a farmer, and the
younger, Jerome F., a grocer in Plainfield. Both
in principle and in politics Mr. Flagg is a stanch
Prohibitionist and gives his influence toward the
progress of that party. He is connected with the
Grand Army Post in his home town. Mr. Flagg
owes his prosperity to industry and frugality,
and the lessons of his life are worth emulating by
the younger generation.

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

/hd^LyAp^ ftfsJv*"^

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

347

MARK W. HUNT.

V/lARK W. HUNT, one of the earliest set-
Y tiers of Frankfort Township, was born in
(f$ Somersetshire, England, March 7, 1830.
When eighteen years old he immigrated to Amer-
ica, sailing on the good ship "Isaac Wright" and
arriving in New York after a voyage of six weeks.
He had but $5 in his possession, but he was young
and strong and had no fear for the future. Pro-
ceeding via the lakes to Chicago, he came from
there by team to this county, landing on Hickory
Creek July 3, 1848. He at once secured employ-
ment on a farm, being first in this township and
afterward in New Lenox. When the excitement
caused by the discovery of gold in California
reached him he determined to seek his fortune in
the far west. In 1852 he returned to New York,
where he boarded a vessel bound for California.
Reaching the Pacific coast he remained there for
almost three years, being engaged in mining and
teaming in the Sacramento Valley. The year 1855
found him back in Will County, he having re-
turned via Panama, and soon afterward, with
the earnings of his western trip, he bought a
tract of timber land on section 12, New Lenox
Township. Here he began the life of a farmer.
In 1857 he bought a farm in Frankfort Town-
ship and took up his residence on this property.
The original size was eighty acres. Subsequently
he bought one hundred acres in New Lenox
Township on the town line, and for almost thirty
years he resided on this place, following general
fanning and stock-raising. He made a specialty
of raising Norman horses and Poland-China hogs.
With both of these he was more than ordinarily
successful. Frequently he placed his stock on
exhibition at fairs and received premiums on the
same. From all over the county men came to

him to buy stock for breeding purposes. As a
stock-raiser no one in the township was more suc-
cessful than he. His reputation was that of a
progressive stockman, whose experience in the
business made his opinion very valuable. In
1878 he bought an eighty-acre farm in Joliet
Township. In 1889 he moved from his farm
into Frankfort Station, where he owns a ten- acre
tract of land. His landed possessions aggregate
three hundred and twenty-five acres, all of which
bears good improvements and represents the fruits
of a lifetime of toil. The success he has attained
is the more remarkable when it is remembered
that he landed in this country with only $5, a
stranger in a strange laud, and without friends or
relatives to assist him in getting a start.

While he is not a partisan and does not care to
identify himself with public affairs, Mr. Hunt is
well posted concerning politics and affiliates with
the Republican party. He is interested in edu-
cational affairs and for a number of years served
on the school board. In religion his sympathies
are toward the doctrines of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church, with which his wife is connected and
toward which he contributes. In 1856 he was
united in marriage with Martha B., daughter of
Rev. Francis Owen, an early settler of Frankfort
Township and for many years a local preacher in
the Methodist Episcopal Church. This marriage
was blessed with five children, named as follows:
Addie, a well-known teacher in Will County
schools; Neva, who is teaching school in Mis-
souri; Lottie, wife of Peter Folkers; Wilber A.,
who is in Joliet; and Francis J., a farmer in
South Dakota.

Rev. Francis Owen was born in Kentucky Sep-
tember 19, 1797, a son of James Owen, of Welsh

34S

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

parentage. He was one of a large family of chil-
dren, all of whom were born and reared in Ken-
tucky. He was a good farmer and came to Will
County, 111., in 1S34, settling in what is now
Frankfort Township, where he owned a farm of
over one hundred acres of good land. His wife
was Kezia Wright, a daughter of Rev. William
Wright, a native of Virginia and a local Method-
ist Episcopal preacher. He had fifteen children
who reached maturity. In 1S05 he moved his
family to Kentucky. The progenitor of this
family, William Wright, was born in London,
England. Rev. Francis Owen was a preacher
of considerable local fame and his exemplary life
was a blessing to Frankfort Township, where he
is held in loving remembrance. He died when
over seventy years of age. His wife died Decem-
ber 16, 1846, aged fifty- two years. They had
nine children, and of these seven reached matur-
ity.

30SEPH FERRIS PERRY was for some years
connected with the educational interests of
this county, first as a teacher and after-
ward as county superintendent of schools, in
both of which capacities he gave efficient service
and general satisfaction. Having been fitted by
a thorough education for the responsible work of
training the young, he devoted himself to his
duties with zeal, introducing methods of instruc-
tion that proved advantageous to the schools and
keeping constantly in touch with ever}- advance
made in pedagogy. The schools of the county
are still reaping the benefit of his faithful and in-
telligent labors.

In the early days of our country's history the
Perry family lived in Connecticut, and were known
through their connection with the coasting trade.
In the French and Indian and the Revolutionary
wars they were well represented. Joseph Perry,
our subject's grandfather, was a seafaring man,
and rose to be shipmaster of a vessel engaged in
the West India trade. During his last voyage
his ship was wrecked and he received injuries

from which he died. His son, Dr. Joseph Perry,
was a native of Connecticut and a graduate of the
old New York Medical College. He was a col-
onel of a Fairfield County militia regiment, and
one of the progressive men in the company. In
1854 he came to Illinois and settled in Crete, this
county, where he engaged in practice until his
death in 1887. Fraternally he was a Master Mason.
He married Caroline, daughter of Hon. Robert
Wilson, both natives of Fairfield, Conn. Her
father, who was a farmer, was elected selectman
in earl}- life and served until he was too old to
continue in the office longer. For several years
he was also a member of the Connecticut legisla-
ture. He was the son of Robert Wilson, a Revo-
lutionary soldier. Mrs. Caroline Perry is still
living and makes her home with her only daugh-
ter, Mrs. Mary Browne, in Englewood, 111. Her
other children are as follows: Joseph F. ; David B. ,
of Ouincy, 111., who served in the One Hundred
and Forty-first Illinois Infantry during the Civil
war; Robert W. , who died in Montana; George E. ,
who graduated from the Annapolis naval academy
and is now professor of military tactics and math-
ematics at College Hill, Ohio; and Henry H., who
lives near Minneapolis, Minn.

The subject of this article was born in Fairfield,
Conn., June 21, 1S46. He was eight years of age
when the family settled in Crete, and his educa-
tion was For some years carried on in the public
schools of that village. He prepared for college
at Bridgeport, Conn., and in 1866 matriculated
in Yale College, from which he graduated in 1870
with the degree of A. B., the higher degree of
A. M. being conferred upon him at a subsequent
date. In 1S70-71 he engaged in teaching at Fair-
field, Conn. A year later he accepted a position
in the schools of Madison, 111., and from 1872 to
1874 was engaged in school work at Dolton. In
1874 he received an appointment as superinten-
dent of the east side school in Joliet, and this
position he held for three and one-half years,
resigning in 1877 to accept the office of county
superintendent of schools, to which he was elected
on the Democratic ticket in a county that had be-
fore given a Republican majority of more than a
thousand. He continued in the office until De-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

349

cember, 1882, when he retired to private life, and
the following month he accepted a position as
bookkeeper with the Joliet Manufacturing Com-
pany, in whose employ he has since remained,
having been secretary of the company since 1893.
In former years he served for several years as
township trustee of schools for Joliet Township.
He is connected with local lodges of Masons and
Odd Fellows.

The marriage of Mr. Perry, in Joliet, united
him with Miss Elizabeth Bond, who was born in
Wilmington, this county. She is a daughter of
Samuel Bond, who was a native of England and
served in the British arm}- when a young man,
coming to Canada with his regiment and serving
during the Rebellion there. Mr. and Mrs. Perry
have four children, Joseph B., Howard S., Ralph
G. and Margaret C.

3 AMES HALEY. One of the well-known
livery establishments of Joliet is situated at
Nos. 526-528 South Chicago street, and is
owned and conducted by Mr. Haley. He has
been engaged in business at his present location
since March, 1S99, when he bought the lot and
erected a large brick barn, using for the purpose
money he had saved while in the real-estate busi-
ness. Besides the horses he owns he gives
especial attention to the care of the horses that he
boards. His vehicles are modern and substan-
tial, including rubber-tire buggies and a rubber-
tire hack. Besides his livery business he owns
five acres of land two miles southeast of Joliet.

Our subject's father, John Haley, a native of
County Kilkenny, Ireland, was married there in
June, 1852, to Miss Ann O'Mara, of the same
county. The day after their marriage they
started for America. They sailed in the "John
Bell," which consumed five weeks and three
days in the voyage to Quebec. After spending
three months in the latter city they came to Joliet.
For a time Mr. Haley worked as brakeman on
the railroad. Afterward he had charge of a work

train. While filling that position he was acci-
dentally run over by a train, receiving injuries
that resulted in his death May 14 1874. His
widow still resides in Joliet. They were the
parents of eight children, but only two are living,
James and Frank, the latter a dairyman in this
city. The former was born in Joliet June 3, 1862,
and received his education principally in paro-
chial schools. When he was eleven years of age
he began to support himself. His first work was
carrying water for a gang of workmen on the
Rock Island Railroad. Such other work as he
could secure he was glad to accept. Of evenings
he attended school, thus gaining a fair education.
From fifteen until nineteen years of age he was
employed as a section hand on the Rock Island
road. For a similar period he was brakeman on
a gravel train, after which, for sixteen years, he
was foreman of a switch engine in Joliet. On
retiring from the railroad business he engaged in
the livery business, which he has since con-
ducted.

In 18S7 Mr. Haley married Elizabeth, daugh-
ter of John and Ann (Furlong) O'Brien. Her
parents were natives of Ireland and emigrated to
America, settling in LaSalle, 111., where she
was born; they are now deceased. By his mar-
riage Mr. Haley has two children, Elizabeth and
James F. The family are connected with the
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and Mr. Haley is
a regular contributor to its work. He has never
been active politically, although he is a pro-
nounced Democrat and always supports with his
ballot the principles of his party.

0ANIEL ROBERTSON, a pioneer of this
county, residing at No. 206 North Broad-
way, Joliet, was born six miles from Cazeno-
via, Madison County, N. Y., May 11, 1821. He
was one of four children who attained mature
years, and of whom he and his brother, Robert,
of San Bernardino, Cal., are the survivors. His
father, Robert, was a son of John Robertson, a

35°

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

farmer near Aberdeen, Scotland, who brought
the family to America in 1802 and settled six
miles from Cazenovia, N. Y., where he cleared a
farm from the timber land. Upon his death the
estate passed into the hands of his son Robert,
• who was born in Scotland in 1787, served in the
war of 1812, and died on the homestead at sixty-
seven years of age. A man of energy he added
to his possessions and became the owner of two
hundred and fifty well-improved acres, which was
a large farm for that section and day. He mar-
ried Margaret, daughter of Daniel Robertson, a
farmer near Aberdeen, Scotland, who brought the
family to Madison County, N. Y., in 1803.
Though bearing the same name the two Robert-
son families were not related. Mrs. Robertson
died in Madison County when forty-seven years
of age.

The boyhood years of our subject were passed
on the home farm. In 1S53 he made his first
trip to Illinois and bought land in the town of
Plainfield, this county. The next year he re-
turned, settling here permanently, and buying
two hundred acres of land, on which he began to
raise grain. He bought the first reaper in Plain-
field that would throw the grain off in bundles,
and it was one of the first of the kind in the
eounty. Disposing of his farm in 1869 he settled
in Plainfield and started in the grocer}- and hard-
ware business, continuing there for several 3-ears.
In 1878, leaving his two sons in business in that
place, he settled in Joliet, and, in partnership
with J. R. Ashley and H. B. Scutt, began to
manufacture barb wire, the firm title being
H. B. Scutt & Co. For five years the firm manu-
factured barb and plain wire in the state peni-
tentiary, and he was its superintendent part of
the time. On the dissolution of the firm Mr.
Robertson became a stockholder in the Ashley
Wire Company. Since then he has superin-
tended his private interests.

In politics Mr. Robertson is independent. He
was made a Mason in Plainfield Lodge, A. F. &
A. M. His marriage took place in New York
state and united him with Miss Helen Morrison,
who was born there of Scotch descent. They
became the parents of two sons, the older of

whom, Albert L., died in 1897; the younger,
Eugene R., is engaged in the beet raising busi-
ness at Chino, Cal. The older son married
Sallie A. McCloskey, a native of Plainfield, and
they had one daughter, Helen Marie, who, with
her mother, resides with Daniel Robertson.

HORATIO COLLINS. The name of Mr.
Collins is closely linked with that of Homer
Township. Here he was born in 1840 and
here his life has been passed. Parti y by his in-
fluence and efforts the township has attained a
place among the leading agricultural regions of
the count}-. He has been active in extending its
agricultural interests. The residence that he
now occupies is situated within a quarter of a
mile of the site of the log cabin where he was
born. On the old family homestead he conducts
general farm pursuits and stock-raising, and the
two hundred and five acres of improved land pay
an annual tribute to his careful oversight. The
place has been subdivided into fields of convenient
size for the raising of grain and the pasturage
of stock, and buildings have been erected as
needed.

The Collins family has been represented in this
county since 1S33, when our subject's father,
Frederick (who was born in Tioga County,
N. Y. , in 18 1 2), came west with his brother, Ad-
dison Collins, Sr., and bought a large tract in
what is now Homer Township, entering the land
at the first land sale in Chicago in 1835. A por-
tion of the eight hundred acres then entered by
himself and brother is still in the possession of
the family. He cleared his land and placed it un-
der cultivation, afterward residing on it until his
death, in 1897, at eighty-five years of age. Dur-
ing the war he was a stanch supporter of the
Union. In religion he was connected with the
Congregational Church. He married Nancy
White, who was born near Syracuse, N. Y., and
is now living at Austin, 111., at eighty-five years
of age. She is also a member of the Congrega-

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

35i

tional Church. They were the parents of three
children, now living, Horatio, Mrs. Henry
Hatch and Henry Bird. The paternal grand-
father of our subject was Samuel Collins, a native
of Connecticut, who about 1800 moved from
Guilford, that state, to Tioga County, N. Y.,
and settled in a wilderness where the Indians and
wild animals still roamed.

The life of the subject of this article has been
comparatively uneventful. Having always lived
on the same farm, content to till the soil, with no
desire to travel over the country or seek another
home, his life has moved along quietly and hap-
pily, its calm content unmarredby misfortune and
vicissitude. Among the people in whose neigh-
borhood his life has been passed he is highly
esteemed as an upright man. In former years he
worked with the Republican party, but his in-
terest in the cause of prohibition led him to ally
himself with the party pledged to the support of
these principles. Both by example and precept
he has given his influence toward the advance-
ment of temperance principles. He is a Congre-
gationalist, and, with his family, worships with
the congregation at Homer. In 1874 he married
Annie, daughter of Alexander Johnson, a native
of Scotland. Mrs. Collins was born near Mont-
real, Canada. She came to Will County with
her parents in 1856 and was educated in the Will
County schools. They have an only daughter,
Clara.

GlLFRED S. CALKINS, superintendent of
Lj streets, and a well-known civil engineer of
/ I Joliet, is a member of an old eastern family,
and a son of Almeron E. and Abigail J. (Stone)
Calkins. His paternal grandfather, Chauncey W.
Calkins, a native of New York state, became a
pioneer on Gull Prairie, in Barry County, Mich.,
and was for a time engaged as an Indian trader
and government agent. Later he removed to Al-
legan, Mich., and carried on a dry-goods busi-
ness in that city, where he is still living, though
now retired from business cares. Born on Gull

Prairie and reared in Allegan, Almeron E.
Calkins has been a lifelong resident of Michigan.
At the opening of the Civil war he enlisted in the
Union army, and was chosen captain of Company
K, Eighth Michigan Cavalry, in which he served
until 1865. For two terms he held the office of
clerk of Allegan County, and he has held all of
the city offices, having been the incumbent of
some local office during almost his entire active
life. A leading Democrat, he has been a mem-
ber of the state Democratic central committee.
He is also active in the Grand Army of the Re-
public. He has been engaged in the milling
business much of the time and has operated the
Valley mills. His marriage united him with
Abigail J. Stone, daughter of George W. Stone,
whose sister was the mother of President Arthur.
Mr. Stone was born in Vermont and in an early
day settled in Allegan County, Mich., where he
carried on a hardware business.

The older of the two sons (of whom the
younger, Dwight, is a practicing physician of
Allegan), the subject of this sketch was born in
Allegan, Mich., March 10, 1868. In 1884 he
graduated from the high school of his native
town, after which he spent a year in graduate
work in the same school. In 1887 he matricu-
lated in the University of Michigan, from which
he graduated in civil engineering in 1891 with
the degree of B. S. Returning to Allegan, he
worked as a civil engineer there until February,
1892, when he came to Joliet, accepting a position
with the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad, and
continuing in construction work with that com-
pany until August, 1893. At the latter date he ac-
cepted the position of assistant engineer of Joliet,
under O. R. Rauchfuss, continuing under the lat-
ter's successor, George W. Brown, until 1899.
In May of the latter year he was appointed super-
intendent of streets by Mayor Mount, which office
he has filled with efficiency. He also acted as as-
sistant city engineer until September, 1899, when
a new appointment was made. As superintendent
he has been able, though with only a small force of
men, to keep the streets of the city in excellent
condition, and has received much praise for his
efficient work. He takes an interest in fraternal

35 2

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

organizations and belongs to the Modern Wood-
men of America, Knights of Khorissan and
Knights of Pythias. In religion he is identified
with the Episcopal Church. Since coming to
Joliet he married Jessie G., daughter of Fred M.
Howk, a justice of the peace and alderman from
the seventh ward. They are the parents of one
son, Robert Grant Calkins.

EWIS J. HAMMOND, of Joliet, was born
|C in Clear Creek, Cattaraugus County, N. Y.,
\ J December 22, 1826, a son of James and
Ruby (King) Hammond. He was one of six
sons and daughters, the others being John, of
McGregor, Iowa; Ruby A., who married
Alonzo Grover, and occupies the old homestead
in New York; Caroline, Mrs. Freeman Towne,
deceased; William, deceased, who was a soldier
in the Civil war; and King J. The last-named,
who was a highly educated man, came to Joliet
early in the '40s and taught school here for some
years. Afterward he was in charge of the Lock-
port school, then taught in Wilmington, and later
was the first teacher in the Plainfield Academy.
For several years he was county superintendent
of schools. His next enterprise was general
merchandising at Plainfield, where he did a large
business. Coming from that place to Joliet he
was prominent in mercantile circles here for
sometime. He died May 5, 1895. Twice mar-
ried, his first wife was Rosamond W. Randall, a
half-sister of Judge Randall, who was a lawyer of
prominence in the early days of Joliet. She was
a niece of Chancellor Walworth, who was an at-
torney of national reputation, and whose law-
books are regarded as an authority throughout
the entire country. His second wife was Julia
Briggs. Two children survive him by his first
wife, Mrs. Rose Pilcherand Mrs. Carrie Rulifson,
and four children by his second wife, Mrs. Lida
B. Shaw, wife of Dr. John Bliss Shaw; Willard
K., of Joliet; Mrs. Alice Flinn, of St. Paul; and
Dr. Charles L. Hammond. Mrs. Julia (Briggs)

Hammond was a native of Ohio. She became a
teacher in early life, and was a Christian woman
of rare excellence of character, honored and be-
loved by all who knew her.

The Hammond family was founded in America
by three brothers who came from England to
America in an early day and settled in Rhode
Island. The daughter of one of the brothers
was afterward married to William Penn. Our
subject's grandfather, Joseph Hammond, was
born at Cramson, Providence County, R. I.,
March 9, 1767. He was married January 20,
1793, to Anna Talbot, a Scotch lady. Early in
the '20s he moved to York state. The last four-
teen years of his life were spent in the home of
his son James, and there he died when eighty
years of age. He was a man of temperate hab-
its, never using tobacco or stimulants in any
form. His Testament was his constant compan-
ion, and his life was moulded in accordance with
its teachings. In his family there were six chil-
dren, James, John, Nancy, Daniel, Joseph
and Eliza, all deceased except Eliza, Mrs. Amos
Sage.

James Hammond was born in Foster, Provi-
dence County, R. I., January 14, 1794. When
he was fifteen his parents removed to Norwich,
Chenango County, N. Y. He received a good
education and became an expert mathematician.
For forty years he taught in public schools.
While living in Norwich he married Miss King,
who was born in Sheffield, Berkshire County,
Mass., September 29, 1797. Early, in the '20s
he moved to Cattaraugus County, N. Y., where
he acquired one hundred and sixty acres one- half
mile from Clear Creek. Afterward he followed
farming in addition to teaching, but, owing to his
being crippled in one knee, he was unable per-
sonally to cultivate his place, but relied upon
hired help. As justice of the peace his counsel
for years was sought by the people of his locality.
He was long a trustee in the Baptist Church.
His death occurred October 24, 1862.

The education of Lewis J. Hammond was
obtained in common schools and at Fredonia and
Randolph academies. When he was twenty-one he
began to teach, an occupation that he followed for

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

353

four years in Cattaraugus County, at Fredouia,
Leon Center and Randolph. In the spring of 1852
he came to Joliet, and during the summer clerked
in his brother's store. November 28 of the same
year he married Louisa C. Ashley, who was born
in Martinsburg, Lewis County, N. Y. Her
father, Cyrus Ashley, was a deacon in the Baptist
Church for sixty years, and was known as the
"peacemaker." She was for seventeen years a
teacher, and is a lady of talent, Christian influ-
ence, and practical and energetic disposition.

After his marriage Mr. Hammond taught in
the Oswego schools, then took the principalship
of Plainfield academy, his wife being his assist-
ant. In the fall of 1855 he went to Iowa, and,
with Deacon Ashley, bought an extensive tract of
land near Cedar Falls. The financial panic of
1857 pressed him closely for funds, and, to hold
his land, he returned to teaching. For five years
he and his wife taught in the Cedar Falls schools,
and, meantime, he also superintended his farm.
In 1861 he sold his land and turned his attention
to the buying and shipping of live-stock to Chi-
cago and New York, in which he continued suc-
cessfully for twenty years. During the last ten
years of this time he was a heavy dealer in and
shipper of dressed pork, shipping to Boston and
New York. In 1865 he removed to Joliet, and
continued buying through Minnesota, Iowa,
Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska, being one of the
most extensive shippers in the west. Finally, in
1881, he retired from the business, since which
time he has given his attention to the manage-
ment of his property holdings. Having accumu-
lated a competency, he is able to travel as incli-
nation directs. He has made frequent visits to
Florida, has also visited Mexico and southern Cali-
fornia, as well as other points of climatic attrac-
tions or historical interest.

The only son of Mr. and Mrs. Hammond is
Ashley King Hammond, who has been remarka-
bly successful in his chosen work. He is adver-
tising manager of the St. Louis Republic, a very
responsible position, and one that he fills most
creditably. By his marriage to Miss Jessie R.
Robinson he has two sons, Ashley K. and Lewis
J. The only daughter of Mr. Hammond is Flor-

ence May, wife of Albert Grinton, confidential
clerk of Samuel Cupples' Woodenware Company,
in St. Louis, which is the largest of its kind in the
world.

Mr. Hammond attends the Baptist church and
his wife is a member of the same. Fraternally
he is a Master Mason, connected with the blue
lodge of the order. Although very active in the
support of the Republican party, he has always
refused any nomination for office, preferring to
devote himself wholly to his private interests.

3OHN J. DEMPSEY, who is engaged in the
grocery business at No. 321 Collins street,
Joliet, was born near Minooka, Grundy
County, 111., June 24, 1861, a son of Michael and
Julia (Donovan) Dempsey. His father, who was
one of the pioneers of Grundy County, carried on
a farm near Minooka and was active in local
affairs. Among the offices he held were those of
pathmaster and commissioner. His death oc-
curred in 1889, six years after the demise of his
wife. They were the parents of five sons and
five daughters. When our subject was five years
of age the family removed to Clifton, Iroquois
County, and he grew to manhood on a farm there,
receiving his education in country schools and
the Chebanse high school. After leaving school
- he assisted his father on the home farm. When
he was twenty-four he went to Chicago, where
he clerked in a mercantile house for a year.
During the next five years he was engaged in
railroading on the Illinois Central road. Re-
signing that position, he became an engineer on
the South Side street railroad of Chicago, where
he remained for a year.

Coming to Joliet, in October, 1889, Mr. Demp-
sey started in business for himself, and has since
continued at his present site on Collins street.
Although he was an entire stranger to the peo-
ple, it was not long before his reliable methods of
doing business won their confidence and he was
thus enabled to build up a good trade. The

354

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Democratic party has in him a very active and
stanch adherent. For seven years he has been a
delegate to the party conventions, and at this
writing he is a precinct committeeman. More
than once his name has been mentioned as a can-
didate for the city council; and it is certain,
should he be chosen for the office, every duty per-
taining thereto would be honestly and efficiently
discharged. In religion he is a Roman Catholic,
belonging to St. Mary's Church.

In 1 89 1 Mr. Dempsey built a two-story frame
residence at No. 105 Henry avenue, Ridgewood.
Here he and his family have a comfortable home.
He was married, October 1, 1887, to Miss Susie
Conroy, who was born at Channahon, this
county, her father, Patrick Conroy, being a
farmer and merchant there. Mr. and Mrs. Demp-
sey have three children, Raymond, Marguerite
and Florentine.

ROBERT PILCHER. In the course of his
active business career Mr. Pilcher has estab-
lished a reputation for reliability and for
honorable dealings with all. Since 1892 he has
occupied Pilcher's block, a three-story and base-
ment building, 50x100, at Nos. 203-205 Wash-
ington street, where he has elevator service, elec-
tricity and other conveniences. He has built up
a large wholesale business in express and wrap-
ping paper, wood and willow ware, twines, etc.,
and sells mainly in Illinois, where four traveling
salesmen are constantly on the road. It is to
such men as he that Joliet owes its high standing
as a commercial center, and he deservedly ranks
among the progressive men of the city.

The Pilcher family has been identified with
County Kent, England, as far back as the records
can be traced. Bayly Pilcher, a native and
farmer of that county, was the first to seek a
home in another land. In 1852 he brought his
family to the United States and settled in Wheat-
land Township, this county, two and one-half

miles from Plainfield. The voyage was made on
a sailing vessel, and occupied five weeks to New
York, whence the family proceeded via the Hud-
son, the canal and lakes to Illinois, joining a
relative who had come to Illinois the preceding
)-ear. In 1854 Mr. Pilcher died on his home
place, leaving five children, of whom four are
now living. One of the sons, Frederick R., a
resident of Plainfield, was a soldier in the One
Hundredth Illinois Infantry during the Civil war.

Near Folkstone, County Kent, England, Rob-
ert Pilcher was born June 7, 1849, the fourth
child of Bayly and Keziah (Austin) Pilcher. He
was reared on the home farm until eight years of
age, when he accompanied his mother to Plain-
field, and attended the common schools and
Northwestern College in that place. In 186S he
came to Joliet and secured a clerkship with K. J.
Hammond, remaining in the same position for
three years. In 1871 he went to Sumner County,
Kans. , and with his brother Bayly took as a pre-
emption three hundred and twenty acres, his half
of which he improved, remaining there for three
years. On his return to Joliet in 1874 he re-
sumed work as a salesman, but soon went to
Marseilles, where he was interested in a paper-
mill for a year. Returning to Joliet, he was with
Young & Riebling for two years, having charge
of their mill, after which he accepted a position
as superintendent of the mill at Marseilles.
Three years later, in 1882, he came back to Joliet,
and accepted a position as superintendent of F.
Riebling's mill. When Mr. Riebling failed, in
1886, Mr. Pilcher leased the mill and engaged in
the manufacture of wrapping and express paper.
In 1893 he sold the mill and removed to his pres-
ent quarters, in order to secure larger accommo-
dations for his steadily-growing business.

In politics Mr. Pilcher is a Republican, and
socially he is conuected with the Union Club.
He was married iu Ottawa, 111., to Miss N. M.
Anson, who was born in New York state, and by
whom he has one son, Ray, now an assistant to
his father in the office.

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

355

GEORGE LIVERMORE VANCE.

G) HORGE LIVERMORE VANCE. As early
I— as 1700 the Vance family was established
\Ji in Connecticut from the north of Ireland.
John Vance removed from Connecticut to Cale-
donia County, Vt., of which he was a pioneer
farmer. His son, David, was born in Connecti-
cut in 1778, and for many years served as a cap-
tain of Vermont militia, also for fourteen success-
ive years represented his district in the state
legislature. He died in Caledonia County at
seventy-five j - ears of age. Next in line of de-
scent was Aaron, a native of Groton, Caledonia
County, Vt., born in 18 12, and by occupation a
farmer. It was he who founded the family in
the west. In 1S66 he settled at Money Creek,
Houston County, Minn., where for years he cul-
tivated a farm, but is now living retired in
Houston. His marriage united him with Lu-
cinda Tucker (a second cousin to Whitelaw
Reid), who was born in Newbury, Vt., and is
now eighty-one years of age. She was a daugh-
ter of Jonas Tucker, who was a farmer, justice
of the peace and prominent business man of his
community, and who married Miss Ann John-
ston, a daughter of Gen. Joseph Johnston, of
Revolutionary fame. The Johnstons originated
in England.

In the family of Aaron and Lucinda Vance
there are two daughters and six sons. David
E., an attorney of Winona, Minn., served in the
Ninth Vermont Infantry during the Civil war,
was captured at Harper's Ferry, and afterward
paroled; William A. is a farmer at Houston,
Minn.; Albert N. carries on a store at Decorah,

Iowa; Mrs. Nancy J. Dyer lives in Houston,
Minn. ; Nicholas W. is a partner of Albert N. at
Decorah; Abbie J., Mrs. Vance, lives at Money
Creek, Minn.; and Aaron E. is in Joliet. The
oldest of the family forms the subject of this
sketch. He was born at Groton, Vt., March
13, 1S40. When twelve years of age he began
to work for wages, after which he worked in
summers and attended school during the winter
months. From eighteen to twenty-two years of
age he taught school, after which he studied in
Newbury Academy.

Going to Rutland, Vt. , in 1862, Mr. Vance
engaged in the boot and shoe business for two
years. In the spring of 1864 he went to Wash-
ington, D. C. , where he was given a clerkship in
the war department. He was in that city at the
time Early made his raid. In 1867 he was made
corresponding clerk in the law department of
internal revenue. While filling this position he
devoted his leisure hours to the study of law in
Columbia College law school, from which he
graduated and was admitted to the bar. In 1870
he resigned from the department and came west,
with a view to practicing law. However, his
plans were changed and he engaged in business
with an uncle at Money Creek, Minn. Two
years later he came to Joliet and opened a furni-
ture store, as a member of the firm of Woods &
Vance. The panic coming on before he had
been fairly started in business and before his
credit had been established, he lost all. Undis-
mayed by this catastrophe, he took up the work
with renewed energy and afterward met with

03 c

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

constant success. Selling out the business after
years of successful effort, in 1895 he started on a
tour of the continent, and visited points of inter-
est in Europe, Asia and Africa, going up the
Nile and all through the Holy Laud. The vaca-
tion of four mouths, with all of its novel incidents
and its freedom from business cares, he recalls as
the happiest time of his life, and its memory is
cherished iu his heart. On his return to Joliet
he was obliged to take the business back and has
since conducted it, occupying the Vance block,
a three-story and basement building, 60x66,
which he built in 18S9. For uiany years he was
vice-president and a director of the Will County
National Bank and is still one of its stock-
holders.

Politically Mr. Vance is a free-silver Republi-
can. In 1S96 he was the Democratic and Popu-
list candidate for congress, and, while failing of
election, he ran ahead of his ticket. For a long
time he was a school inspector and for three years
served as vice-president of the board. Frater-
nally he is connected with the Knights Templar
and Medinah Temple, N. M. S., of Chicago.
Since 1S65 he has been identified with the Bap-
tist Church as clerk, deacon and trustee, and for
years he held the position of Sunday-school
superintendent. He is a member of the Baptist
Social Union of Chicago and the Board of Mana-
gers of the Baptist Young People's Union of
America. Formerly president of the Will Count3 T
Sunday-school Association, he now holds the
office of vice-president. His activity in Sunday-
school work is great. He is an ardent believer
in the good accomplished by these organizations
and has not only given them his financial sup-
port, but liberally of his time as well. At this
writing he teaches each Sunday in the Sunday-
schools at his church, the mission and the state
penitentiary, and he is said to be one of the most
successful teachers in the city.

The first wife of Mr. Vance, who was Eliza-
beth K. Fowler, of Washington, D. C, died in
Joliet iu 1873, leaving two children: George A.,
who is teller in the Will County National Bank;
and Grace F., a graduate o