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Gc  M.  L. 

977.301 
G92ba 
v. 2 
1523637 


GENEALOGY   COLLECTION 


e* 


ALLEN  COUNTY  PUBLIC  LIBRA 


3  1833  00828  2763 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2010  with  funding  from 

Allen  County  Public  Library  Genealogy  Center 


http://www.archive.org/details/historicalencycl02selb 


HISTORICAL 


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EDITED    BY 


Newton   Bateman,   LL.  Y). 


Paul   Selby,   A.   M 


•P 


AND   HISTORY   OF 

\7 


i  ;.: 


(HISTORICAL   AXD  BIOGRAPHICAL) 
BY 

Special  Authors   and  Contributors 
VOLUME   II. 


ILLUSTRATE D 


CHIC  A  G  O 
M  V  N  S  E  LL     PL  B  1.  1  S  H  I  N  G    C-C 
PUBLIS  H  E  R  S 

1914 


1523637 


Copyright  191-4 

By 

Munsell  Publishing  Company 


.y  jhtittm   IV  PfllTNTY  > 

!    ?H9S»)    /wwrow.  ;;- 


FOREWORD 


One  of  the  conspicuous  evidences  of  modern  progress  is  manifested  in  the 
increased  interest  in  local  and  personal  history.  In  a  general  sense,  real  history 
is  the  record  of  past  events,  while  biography  is  the  history  of  individual  life. 
The  close  relationship  of  these  two  branches  of  history  is  recognized  by  the 
brilliant  essayist  and  historian,  Carlyle,  in  the  statement  that  "History  is  the 
essence  of  innumerable  biographies,"  and  that,  "in  a  certain  sense,  all  men  are 
historians,"  in  the  fact  that  they  furnish  the  material  facts  which  constitute 
true  history. 

In  the  formative  period  of  each  new  community  the  attention  of  its  members 
is  largely  absorbed  by  the  present — the  necessity  of  securing  means  for  personal 
and  family  support — the  study  of  natural  resources  and  planning  for  future 
development.  But  as  time  advances  and  conditions  change,  there  conies  a 
change  in  the  popular  mind  and  an  increased  interest  in  the  past.  That  such 
has  been  the  condition  within  the  last  century  in  Grundy  county,  as  well  as  in 
the  Middle  West  generally,  is  apparent  to  the  general  observer. 

These  evidences  of  change  and  development  are  taken  note  of  in  the  portions 
devoted  to  the  local  history  of  Grundy  county.  In  the  preparation  of  the  forty 
chapters,  composing  this  portion  of  the  work,  it  has  been  the  object  to  present, 
in  compact  form  and  under  appropriate  topical  headings,  the  main  facts  of 
county  history  from  the  earlier  settlements  and  political  organization  to  the 
present  time.  Various  topics  and  localities  have  been  treated  with  reasonable 
fullness  under  their  appropriate  chapter  headings  by  local  contributors  especially 
selected  for  that  purpose.  Of  the  large  number  of  contributors  to  these  and 
other  departments,  it  is  not  necessary  here  to  make  special  mention,  as  their 
names  are  attached  to  their  respective  contributions  in  the  body  of  the  work. 
For  the  aid  thus  rendered  thanks  are  hereby  cordially  expressed. 


With  the  feeling  tlnit  the  work,  as  a  whole,  has  heen  prepared  with  special 

care  and  with  full  appreciation  of  the  interest  already  manifested  and  patronage 

pledged  by  the  citizens  of  Grundy  county  in  iis  success,  it  is  submitted  to  its 

many  patrons  and  the  general  public  in  the  hope  that  it  will  prove  of  permanent 

and  personal  value  to  a  large  class  of  readers,  not  only  in  Grundy  county,  but 

throughout  the  state  at  large. 

THE  PUBLISHERS. 


NDEX 


CHAPTER  I 

GENERAL  INTRODUCTION 

Before  History  was  Written  in  Illinois — A  Favorite  Indian  Hunting 
Ground — Shabbona  Beloved  in  Grundy  County — Indian  Trails — 
The  Coming  of  the  Pioneers — Stories  Told  of  Their  .Struggles  and 
Achievements — Life  Modern  Along  Every  Line 617-618 

CHAPTER  II 

INDIAN  HISTORY 

The  Indian  the  Original  American — First  White  Invasion — Indian  Char- 
acteristics— Many  Tribal  Divisions — The  Illinois  Confederation  in 
Grundy  County — The  "  Illini" — Welcome  Extended  Joliet  and  Mar- 
quette— Indian  Distrust  Aroused — First  Cession  of  Territory  by 
Indians  in  Illinois— Treaties  of  1795,  1803,  1816,  1818— Chief 
Wauponsee — Chief  Shabbona- — Portrait  of  Shabbona  at  Morris — 
Indian  Relics  in  Local  Fields — Passing  of  the  Indian 618-624 

CHAPTER  III 

LANDS,   EARLY   TITLES,   DEVELOPMENT,   ETC. 

Old  Indian  Territory — Ceded  to  the  Government  by  Treaty — Grundy 
County  Indians  Were  Pottawatomies — First  Lots  of  Land  Offered 
in  1830 — Public  Auction  of  Improved  Land — Speculators  a  Menace 
1o  Permanent  Settlers — First  Land  Entries  in  the  County — Remark- 
able Increase  in  Values — List  of  Surveyors  from   1841  to  1!)14 624-626 

CHAPTER  IV 
PIONEER  LIFE 
Early  Days  in  Grundy  County — Pioneer  Cabins — Homemade  Furniture 


CHAPTER  V 

PIONEER  WOMEN 

Scant  Mention  in  History — Busy  and  Useful  Lives — Their  Many  Activi- 
ties—Their Noble  Virtues — Their  "Work  for  Church  and  School 
— Their  Influence  in  the  Cause  of  Temperance— -Worthy  Descendants 
in  Grundy  County '. G29-G30 


CHAPTER  VI 

RECOLLECTIONS  OF  FIFTY  YEARS 

Scope  of  Half  a  Century's  Memories — Shabbona — Monument  at  Morris 
— Canal  Traffic — Packet  Boats — Ferries — The  Drainage  Canal — The 
Old  Courthouse — The  Old  Log  Bastile — Newspaper  Amenities — A 
Fist.  Fight-— The  Rough  Wit  of  the  Times— Practical  Jokes— First 
Railroad  Train — The  Professions — Justice  Courts— A  Few  Serious 
Crimes — Religious  Interest — Earnest  Ministers— A  Simple  Marriage 
Ceremony— A  Noted  Preacher  of  Morris — Honor  to  Lincoln — First 
Newspaper — Political  Strife — Campaign  Barnstormers — Civil  War 
Veterans — Shrewd  Merchants — Recreations — Social  Amusements  — 
Old  Prairie  Times  Pleasurably  Recalled — Many  Automobiles  Owned 
— Many  Outward  Changes  but  the  Core  of  the  Apple  is  the  Same.  .  .631-635 


CHAPTER  VII 

COUNTY  ORGANIZATION  AND  GOVERNMENT 

Early  Conditions — Chicago  Settlement — The  First  Settler— Grundy  and 
Kendall  Pool — Location  of  County  Seat — Board  of  Commissioners 
— First  Election — Grundy  County  Organized — Board  of  Supervisors 
— Selection  of  County  Seat — First  Courthouse— Second  Court 
house — Present  Courthouse — First  Jail — Second  Jail — Third  Jail — 
First  Poor  Farm — Second  Poor  Farm — Third  Poor  Farm — Members 
of  Lower  and  Upper  Houses — Circuit  Judges — County  Judges — 
Circuit  Clerks — County  Clerks — County  Recorders — Sheriffs — Cor- 
oners— State's  Attorneys — Surveyors — County  Superintendents  of 
Schools — Supervisors  of  .Morris,  Aux  Sable,  Mazon,  Wauponsee, 
Greenfield,  Braceville,  Felix,  Saratoga,  Nettle  Creek,  Erienna,  Nor- 
man, Vienna,  Highland,  Good   Farm,  Goose  Lake  and  Garfield. ..  .636-647 


CHAPTER  VIII 

POLITICAL  REPRESENTATION  AND  HISTORY 

Intelligent  Political  Interest— Whole  County  Patriotic  and  Loyal- 
Interested  in  Public  Reforms — Many  Temperance  Workers — Finest 
Type  of  Citizen  of  Country  Bred — Member  of  Congress — State 
Senator— State   Representatives 647-643 


CHAPTER  IX 

THE  BENCH  AND  BAR  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 

Early  Impressions— Old  Records  Consulted — Tribute  to  Judge  .John  D. 
Caton — Indelible  Names — Judge  Josiab  MeRoborts  -Judge  William 
T.  Hopkins — Judge  S.  W.  Harris — Judge  A.  R.  Jordan — Grundy's 
Loss  Other  Sections'  Gain — Judge  R.  M.  Wing- — Judge  Orrin  N. 
Carter- — Judge  Samuel  C.  S tough — Judge  Charles  Blanchard — 
Judge  George  W.  Stipp — Judge  Dorrance  Dibell — Grundy  County 
Bar  ' '. 648-650 

CHAPTER  X 

.  SCHOOLS  AND  EDUCATION 

Fine  Schools  in  Grundy  County — Help  to  Keep  Youths  on  the  Farm — 
Earnest  and  Well  Equipped  Teachers — Excellent  Libraries  Pro- 
vided—  Schools  of  Morris — First  Teacher  and  First  Seboolhouse — 
Sale  of  Congressional  Allotment  in  1854 — Building  of  More  School- 
houses — Names  of  School  Principals — Teachers  in  the  Morris 
Schools  in  1870 -Superintendents  from  1875  Until  1014 — Present 
Faculty  of  the  Morris  High  School — Early  High  School  Advance- 
ment Due  to  Superintendent  Cross — High  School  Extension  —Many 
Advantages  Offered — High  School  Enrollment-  Morris  Old  Classic 
Institute — Morris'  Old  Normal  and  Scientific  School — Uniform 
Excellence  of  the  Country  Schools — Mazon  High  School — Gardner 
High  School — Coal  City  High  School — Influence  and  Assistance  of 
the  High  School ' 651-654 


CHAPTER  XI 

THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION 

Pioneer  Physicians — Close  to  the  Hearts  of  the  People — No  Trained 
Nurses — No  Proper  Appliances — Many  Still  Held  in  Affectionate 
Remembrance — First  Doctor  in  Grundy — Other  Early  Physicians 
at  Morris — Gardner — Mazon — First  Surgical  Operation — Dr.  Aus- 
tin Elisha  Palmer — Present  Members  of  the  Profession — List  of 
Count  v  Coroners 654-656 


CHAPTER  XII 

MILITARY  HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR,  SPANISH- 
AMERICAN  WAR,  ETC. 

The  Civil  War— An  Epoch  in  History — The  Situation — Unprepared  for 
AVar — The  Grundy  Tigers — Eleventh  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry- 
Transfer  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Ninth  to  the  Eleventh — Twenty- 
third  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry — Thirty-sixth  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry — Fifty-lift  h  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry — Fifty-eighth 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry— Seventy-second  Illinois  Volunteer  In- 


f  ant  ry — Seventy-sixth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry— Eighty-eighth 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry — Ninety-first  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry 
•— One  Hundred  Twenty-seventh  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry  -Fourth 
Illinois  Volunteer  Cavalry — Loyalty  and  Devotion  of  Women — 
Spanish-American  War — Shabbona  Gf)G-666 

CHAPTER  XIII 

THE  GRAND  ARMY  OP  THE  REPUBLIC 

The  Patriots  of  1S6] — Their  Courage,  Loyalty  and  Enduranci — Organi- 
zation of  the  G.  A.  R. — The  Little  Bronze  Button — Two  Posts  in 
Grundy  County — Post,  at  Morris  a  Memorial  of  a  Young  Hero — 
Post  at  Gardner— Woman's  Relief  Corps — Time  Thins  Ranks  of 
the  Veterans 66G-667 

CHAPTER  XIV 

RANKS  AND  OTHER  FINANCIAL  INSTITUTIONS 

Early  Finances — A  Change  in  Affairs — Private  Ranks — State  and 
National  Banks — First  Banks — Present  Banking  Institutions  in 
Grundy  County — Banks  of  Morris— Of  Gardner — Of  Minooka — Of 
Verona — Of  Mazon — Of  Kinsman — Of  Coal  City 667-672 

CHAPTER  XV 

MANUFACTURING 

Prosperity  Built  on  Manufacturing — Numerous  Plants  in  Grundy  County 
— Early  Concerns — Morris  Plow  Company — Anderson  Car  Wheel 
Company — Morris  Cutlery  Company — Hall  Furniture  Company- — 
Morris  Iron  Works — Sherwood  School  Furniture  Company — Ohio 
Butt  Company— Coleman  Hardware  Company — Woelfel  Leather 
Company — Morris  Lumber  Company — The  I.  N.  R.  Realty  Lumber 
Company — Morris  Grain  Company — Square  Deal  Grain  Company— 
Gebhard's  Brewery— Morris  Oatmeal  Company— The  Morris  Indus- 
trial Association — Sinclair  Laundry  and  Machinery  Company — 
Johnson  &  Carlson  Cut  Glass  Company — Northwestern  Novelty 
Company — Railroad  Promotion — Morris  Fiber  Board  Company — 
Other  Interests 672-678 

CHAPTER  XVI 

SCANDINAVIAN  AMERICAN  CITIZENS  IN  GRUNDY  COUNTY 

Pride  of  Ancestry — Rugged  Country,  Rugged  People — The  Viking — A 
Cruel  Warrior  But  Honorable  Victor — Norwegians  Settle  in  the 
United  States  in  1624 — Swedes  Came  in  1638 — Norwegians  Settled 
in  New  York  in  1825 — In  Illinois  in  1S27 — First  Scandinavian  Set- 
tlers Here — Remarkable  Longevity — Surprising  Growth  in  Numbers 
and  Wealth — Characteristics  of  the  Scandinavian — Tribute  to 
Mothers  and  Grandmothers — A  Perfected  Inheritance 679-681 


CHAPTER  XVII 

AGRICULTURE 

Products— Increasing  Land  Values — Raising  of  Ginseng  a  Possibility— 

Ciival  Corn  Land — County  Fair  Association — A  Promising  Future.  .681-682 


CHAPTER  XVIII 

THE  ILLINOIS  AND  .MICHIGAN  CANAL 

An  Interesting  Speculation — Realized  Lack  of  Transportation— Plans  for 
a  Greal  Waterway — Estimated  Cost — Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal 
Association — Charter  Secured — Charter  Surrendered — Grant  of 
Land — Work  Delayed — Failure  of  State' Lank — Activity  of  Jacob 
Claypool — Morris  Situated  on  the  Canal 682-683 


CHAPTER  XIX 

THE  MASONIC  FRATERNITY 

"Well  Represented  in  Grundy  County — Morris — Cedar  Lodge  A.  F.  & 
A.  M. — Orient  Loyal  Arch  Chapter- — Blaney  Commandery — List  of 
Eminent  Commanders — Fine  Quarters — Gardnei  —  Minooka — Ver- 
ona— Mazon „. . G83-6S5 


CHAPTER  XX 

THE  MORRIS  HOSPITAL 

Prevalent  Idea  of  a  Hospital — A  Great  Humanitarian  Institution — 
Founding  of  the  Morris  Hospital — At  First  a  Private  Enterprise 
— First  Hoard  of  Directors — First  Location — Present  Modern  Struc- 
ture— Fine  Equipments — Hospital  Officials — Constitution  and  By- 
Laws — Further  Usefulness 685-6SS 


CHAPTER  XXI 

WOMAN'S  CLUBS 

Woman  in  the  Twentieth  Century — Power  in  Union — Much  Interest 
Shown — Monday  Club  of  Morris — Affiliated  with  the  General  Fed- 
eration of  Woman's  Cluhs — Wide  Field  of  Study  Covered — New 
Century  Club  of  Morris — Largely  Devoted  to  Civics,  Manual  Train- 
ing and  Domestic  Science — Study  Club  of  Mazon— General  Subjects 
Continued — About  One  Hundred  and  Twenty  Women  of  Grundy 
Count v  are  Club  Members 688-690 


CHAPTER  XXII 

COAT;  DEPOSITS 

Discovery  of  Coal  in  Grundy  County — Thousands  Cam..'  to  Work  in 
Her  Mines — Valuable  Deposits  1",  the  Present  Day — Some  Veins  Very 
Near  the  Surface— Besl  Steam  and  Household  Coal  in  the  State — 
Gardner-Gardner  Coal  Company — Chicago,  Wilmington  and  Ver- 
milion Coal  Company- — Joint  Stock  Coal  Mining  Company — Brace- 
ville — The  Cotton  Shaft — Bruce  Company — Mines  Once  Operated 
by  the  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Railroad— Coal  City— Wilmington  Star 
Mining  Company — Diamond — Wilmington  Coal  Mining  and  Manu- 
facturing Company— Carbon  Hill — Big  Pom'  Wilmington  Coal 
Company — South  Wilmington — Chicago.  Wilmington  and  Vermilion 
Coal  Company 600-692 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

AUX  SABLE  TOWNSHIP  AND  VILLAGES 

Beauty  of  Scenery— Soil— Stock  Raising  a  Profitable  Industry— A 
Favorite  Hunting  Ground  of  the  Indians— Visited  by  White  Hunters 
and  Trappers — First  Permanenl  Settlers— First  Stage  Line— More 
Early  Settlers — First  Physicians— Wild  Bees  Sought  and  Domes- 
ticated—Dresden, Pasl  and  Present — Dam  at  Dresden  Heigh  ts- 
Minooka — Early  Business  Enterprises — Incorporation — Loss  by  Eire 
— Present  Business  Men  and  Firms — Population — Churches — Ceme- 
teries— First  Schoolhouse — Fraternities — A  Virtuous  and  Contented 
People — Board  of  Supervisors 


, 692-60: 


CHAPTER  XXIV 

BRACEVJLLE  TOWNSHIP  AND  VILLAGES 

Original  Boundaries— Discovery  of  Coal— First  Settlers— West  Colony 
— Other  Early  Arrivals — Naming  the  Township — First  Frame  House 
—Coal  City— Laid  Out  in  187/)— Two  Coal  Companies  Operating- 
Population'— Leading  Citizens— A  Prospering  Enterprise— Public 
Improvements— Hotels— Railroads— Churches— Fraternal  Organiza- 
tions—Braceville— Other  Once  Flourishing  Villages— Board  of 
Supervisors  


605-607 


CHAPTER  XXV 

ERIENNA  TOWNSHIP 

Well  Watered— Boundaries— Coal  Deposits— Com  Heaviest  Crop— Stock 
—Dairying— Earliest  Settlers— Castle  Danger— Stage  Line  Station 
—Other  Early  Settlers— Permanent  Land  Owners— Horrom  City—      ^ 
Clarkson— Stockdale— Cemeteries— Schools— Supervisors 698-699 


CHAPTER  XX  VI 

FELTX  TOWNSHIP  AK\)  VILLAGES 

Name — Situation- — Surf  act — Drainage— Soil — Floods — First  Discoverer 
of  Coal— Earliest  Settlers— Oldest  Resident— First  Death  —  Kind 
Offices  of  Shabbona — Old  Settlements — lugtown — Kankakee  City — 
An  Agricultural  Section — The  Coal  Industry — Tin'  Diamond  Mine 
Disaster-  Severe  Hailstorm— Destructive  Cyclone — Supervisors.  . .  .699-701 

CHAPTER  XXV II 

GARFIELD  TOWNSHIP  AND  VILLAGE 

Youngest  Township — Boundaries— Fine  Agricultural  Seel  ion — Gardner 
an  Important  Business  Center— Town  Named  for  Its  Surveyor  in 
1854 — Incorporated  Under  Special  Act  in  18G7— Under  Stale  Law 
in  1933— First  House  Built— The.  "Barracks"— Hotels— First  Gen- 
eral Store— Firsl  Warehouse— First  Sidewalk-  Laid — First  Flower 
Bed — Increased  Growth  in  1864 — Fire  Loss  and  Protection — Oilier 
Enterprises — Reliable  Business  Houses — Concrete  Sidewalks  and 
Electricity — The  Press — School  Development  —Fraternal  Organiza- 
tions— Churches— An  Important  Manufacturing  Industry — Rail- 
roads— Supervisor  701-70G 

CHAPTER  XXVIII 

GOOD  FARM  TOWNSHIP 

Situation — Pail  road  Line — Many  Streams— Rolling  Frairk — Fonnerly 
Well  Timbered — Earliest  Settlers — Advent  of  the  Germans  in  1850 
— Sturdy  People — First.  Sehoolhouse — Scarcity  of  Money — First 
Teacher — Second  Sehoolhouse — Church  Organizations — Owners  of 
Land — Supervisors   700-707 

CHAPTER  XXIX 

GOOSE  LAKE  TOWNSHIP 

Goose,  Lake — Petition  to  Supervisors — Description  of  New  Township — 
Judges  and  Clerks  of  Election — Earliest  Settler — First  Land  Pur- 
chase— Other  Settlers — No  Indian  Troubles — An  Agricultural 
Section — Pottery  Manufacturing  a  Possibility — No  Large  Villages 
—Supervisors  from  1897  to  1912 " 707-708 

CHAPTER  XXX 

GREENFIELD   TOWNSHIP   AND   VILLAGES 

Name — Boundaries  and  Soil — Timber  nn^  Si  reams — Earliest  Pioneers — 
First.  While  Child  Born— Pioneers  of  1849— Other  Early  Settlers- 
First  Mowing  Machine  Bought — First  Death — First  Marriage — Pub- 


lie  Movements — First  Town  Meeting— An  Amalgamated  Population 
— Reclaiming  of  Swamp  Lands  South  Wilmington— Schools  of 
South  Wilmington— South  Wilmington  Baptist  Church — Leading 
Residents — East  Brooklyn — Seci'et  Societies — Supervisors .709-712 


CHAPTER  XXXI 

HIGHLAND  TOWNSHIP 

Highest  Land  in  County — Well  Watered— Prairie  Bandits— First  Settler 
Few  Pioneers  Prior  to  1S56 — Many  Additions  in  1857  and  1858 — 
The  Ottawa.  Settlers— Change  in  Political  Sentiment  First  Mar- 
riage, Birth  and  Death— Few  Churches— Mail  by  Free  Rural  De- 
livery from  Kinsman— Rich  Agricultural  District— Supervisors 
from  1 850  1  o  1914 7]  2-714 


CHAPTER  XXXII 

MAIXE  TOWNSHIP 

Location — Well  Cultivated  Farms — Corn  Principal  Crop — Has  One 
Shipping  Station — Railroad  Facilities— Owners  of  Land — Wilming- 
ton Star  Coal  Company—Supervisors 714 


CHAPTER  XXXIII 

MAZON  TOWNSHIP  AXD  VILLAGE 

Central  Location — Important  Place  in  County  History — Mazon  the  Indian 
Name  for  Nettle — General  Surface  Level — Six  Water-Courses— 
Early  Prospectors  and  Settlers — First  Wedding — Additional  Set- 
tlers—-Inadequate  Transportation  Facilities — The  Half  Way  House 
— A  Deplorable  Accident — Many  Tragic  Occurrences  in  Pioneer 
Times — Gradual  Shifting  of  Business  to  Centerville,  Now  Mazon — 
Original  Site  Still  Occupied — Tile  Factory — Creamery — Mazon 
Village — Incorporated  Under  State  Law  in  1895 — Much  Public 
Spirit  Shown — Grundy  County  Agricultural  Association — Masonic 
Hall — Opera  House — Modern  Improvements — Large  Industries — 
Fraternal  Organizations — Postmasters  Since  1871 — Newspaper  His- 
tovy — Cemeteries — Religious  Activities — First  Schoolhouse  Excited 
Public  Admiration — Township  High  School — Supervisors 714-719 


CHAPTER  XXXIV 

MORRIS  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY 

County  Seat — Navigable  Streams — Transportation-  Facilities — Organiza- 
tion of  Township — Site  of  Old  Indian  Village — -The  Mound  Builders 
—Morris  Selected  as  Seat  of  Justice — Name  Adopted — First  Build- 
ing and  First  Resident — Other  Early  Settlers — First  Courthouse — 


Early  Business  Enterprises — First.  Physician — Business  and  Philan- 
thropy— Arrival  of  More  Business  Men — Morris  Incorporated — 
Early  Meetings  of  Village  Council — Ferry  Charters — Work  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees — Morris  Made  a  City — Special  Charter  Abandoned 
—Morris  Today— Parks — Recreations  Plentiful — Public  Improve- 
ments— Waterworks— Small  Police  Force — Fine  Fire  Department — 
Hotels  Excellent — Morris  Public  Library — Representative  Men  — 
Taxi-cab  Service — Newspapers — Herald — Gazette — Former  Publica- 
tions— Cemeteries — Morris  Cemetery  Association  —  Grave  of  Shab- 
bona — Fraternities — Odd  Fellows — Knights  of  ( lolumbus — Catholic 
Order  of  Foresters — Knights  of  Pythias— Eastern  Star — Modern 
Woodmen  of  America — The  Lincoln  Club — Postoffice — Churches — ■ 
Baptist — Catholic — Christian  Science— Congregational— Methodist 
Episcopal — 1  [ouge's  Lutheran — Bethlehem  Lutheran—  Presbyterian 
— Free  Methodist — Swedish  Baptist — In  Conclusion — Supervisors.  .710-730 


CHAPTER  XXXV 

CHURCHES 

Baptist — Catholic — Christian  Science — Congregational — Methodist  Epis- 
copal— ITouge's  Lutheran— Bethlehem  Lutheran — Presbyterian — 
Free  Methodist— Swedish  Baptist '. 730-740 


CHAPTER  XXXVI 

NETTLE  CREEK   TOWNSHIP 

Name — Location— First  Settler— Early  Families — Events  of  Interest — 
First  White  Child  Born — Schools — Church  History — Supervisors 
from  1850  to  1914 740  742 


CHAPTER  XXXVII 

NORMAN  TOWNSHIP 

Location — Devil's  Mound— Streams— Trees— Soil— Corn  Chief  Product 
— Dairying — First  Settle)- — Castle  Danger — Township  Named  from 
First  Supervisor — Other  Early  Settlers— Lumber  Speculators — 
Religious  Bodies — Schools — Early  Sports — List  of  Supervisors  from 
1850  to  1912 742-743 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII 

SARATOGA  TOWNSHIP 

Location— Streams— First  Settlers— An  English  Cemetery— Early  Teach- 
ers— Norwegian  Settlers — Norwegian  Lutheran  Church — Early  Resi- 
dents—Railroad—Fertile Land— Prosperous  Up-to-date  Farmers- 
Supervisors 743-745 


CHAPTER  XXXIX 

VIENNA  TOWNSHIP  AND  VILLAGES 

Surface  and  Drainage — Soil — Hard  Work  Faced  Early  Settlers — First, 
Pioneers — Came  by  Way  of  Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal — A  List  of 
Early  Settlers — Earliest  Schools — Religious  Organizations — Corn  is 
King  Fine.  Showing  of  Stock— Little  Fruit  Grown— Villages — 
Verona — Supervisors-  -Present  Township  Officials 745-74S 

CHAPTER  XL 

WAUPONSEE  TO  WNSH 1.  P 

Location  and  Name — Rich  Soil — Natural  Timber  Growth — Corn  the 
Staple  Crop— First  Settler— Other  Settlers — First  .Mill  and  Store- 
Prairie  Fires  a  Menace — First  Death — Religious  Efforts — Schools — 
Supervisors  from  1 850  to  1913 748-750 

CHAPTER  XLI 

BIOGRAPHICAL 

The  Part  of  Biography  in  General  History — Citizens  of  Grundy  County 
and  Outlines  of  Personal  History — Personal  Sketches  Arranged  in 
Encyclopedic  Order ' 751-920 


PORTRAITS 


Aarrestad,    Torleif    632       Ifoge,    Edgar   S 732 

Aker,  .James  and    Family 634       Hoge,    Edward   1 73S 

Allison,    Charles    D ' 642       Hog,.,    Isaac    736 

Ashton,   James    E.,   Jr.,   and    Family....  646       Hoge,    Laura    E 73S 

Hynds,   Patrick    62X 

Barschdorf,  Charles  and  Familv 648 

Ba'um,    Elizabeth    ' 654       .lain.-,  Elisha   P, 742 

Baum,    Henrj     6.14       James,    Moses    F.  .  .  .'. 744 

Benson,    William    11 656       James,  Mis.  Moses  F 744 

Benson,    Mis.    William    H 656 

Bentson,  Lewis  and   Family 65S       Kauzlaiie,    Anion    74S 

Blair,   Margaret  G 662       Krug,  Christie  G 752 

Blair,    Robert    G 662       King,    Riea     M 752 

Boggio,   Charles,    Jr 664       Krug,  Wilhelm  C.  and  Family 754 

Boggio,    Mrs.    Charles,   Jr 664 

Bovvker,    Frank    C 66S       Lloyd,  Julia    760 

Briscoe,    Margaret   A 670       Lloyd,   William   ]) 758 

Briscoe,    Peter    II 670 

Buck,   Edward  and    Family 674        Mahon,   Elizabeth    764 

Buck,  John    '. 676       Mahon,    William    '..    764 

Buck,   Mary  E 67S       Major,   J, la   M 766 

Buck,  Susan    676       Major,  John  C 766 

Bind;,   Thomas    :....  07s        Major,    Rex    C 766 

Burkhardt,  William  and  Familv 6S2       Merriam,    William    R 770 

Merriam,  Mis.  William  R 77(1 

Calalian,    Robert     0^4       Moran,    James    02^ 

Calahnn,  Mis.  Robert 'is  I       Mufller,    Fmma    772 

Carlson,    Elmer    W 68S       Mufller,     Henry    772 

Clennon,  James  P 690       Mufller,  Thomas 774 

CJeniion,  Jennie    690        Muffler,    Mis.    Thomas    77  1 

Collins.    Frank    W 694        Mulvanie,    Fannie    M 780 

Collins,    Jeremiah    09s!       Mulvanie,  James    77S 

Collins,  Joshua   R 696 

Collins,    Oscar   E 700       Nelson,    Thorvald    7S4 

Cumming,    Clarence    E 704        Nelson.  Mis.  Thorvald 784 

dimming,   Ethel   C 700 

Onson,  Mrs.  Peter  786 

Darby,    Silas    C 710       Osiunn,    Margaret    892 

Davidson,    Mary    714       Osman,   Soran    S 892 

Davidson,  Robert  M.  J 714 

Peacock,    Emma    D 792 

Elerding,  Conrad  and  Family 718       Peacock,  Leander  A 790 

Peterson,  Annie   796 

Fisher,  Volncv  II . ' 722       Peterson,  Wier 796 

Phillips,   Walter  and   Family 800 

Gettler,  Elizabeth    ■? 774       Pickles,    Robert    802 

Gettler,  Frank 774       Pickles,    Mrs.    Robert 802 

Goss,  Julius  C.  A 724 

Goss,    Mary    F 720       Ray,    Lvman    B 806 

Goss,    Maryett    11 724       Rcardon,  Charlotte    812 

Goss,    Perry    726       Reunion,   Cornelius    80S 

Gunderson,    Julia    730       Reardon,   William    S12 

Guiiderson,  Olie   730       Rich,    George    II 814 

Hoge,   Anna    734       Rich,  Mrs.  George  II 814 


Ridgway,   Emanuel 818       Tabler,  David  C.  and  Family SCO 

Ridgwav,    Samuel    628      Tappen,    Andrew    I) 8(3-1 

Bid"wav,    Mrs.   Samuel    »i-s       Tappen,    Clam    I; 864 

Ridfngs;    William    A S20       Jo^  ey,    George    E 866 

.,.   e      ,,        ,„.„.          »                                mo        rowsley,   Olive   M sis 

Ridmgs,   Mrs    William   A -          Trotter,  John    870 

Robinson,    Lllen    L •  ■•  ■       Trotter,  Mrs.  John 872 

Robinson,  [sabelle >>■■-       Trotter,   Madeline    874 

Robinson,   Noble    83-        Trotter,   Robert    874 

Robinson,    Robert    83  i 

Walker,    Albert     D S78 

Saekett,    William    L v-^       Walker.   Mrs.   Albert   D 87S 

Sample,  John    840       Walsh,  William  E 8S0 

Sample,    Matilda    M 828       White,  Agnes   884 


Sample,  Mary 


S40       White,  Kate   884 


Sample,    William    82G       White,   Samuel   11 884 

Shabbona,  Chief  and  Wife 622       }.>""•    &™«d    R *M 

„.;,.,  T,  Cll        \\  u-ks,    Emilv    son 

Smith,   Alanson,   1).  S44       ^.^  ^^   R gQQ 

Spiller,   Clarence   and    r-amdy 846       Wiekg    Lpwig  R    ai|(j    Fami]    gS8 

Stallwitz,   George    848       winsor,    Frances    A ' 900 

Stocker,   Eli    852       Winsor,  James  P 896 

Stoeker,  Rebecca    S54       Winsor,  Mrs.  .lames  P S96 

Sturtevant,   Myron   C S53       Winsor,    Thehna    89(1 

Sturtevant,    Pearlie    E 858     Winsor.    William    H 5..    000 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


First    Selioolhouse     .' 650 

Grundy  County  Courthouse 640 

High    School,    Mazon 652 

High    School,    Morris 652 

Map   of  Crundy   County 611 

Nettle   Creek   Bridge 650 

Original  Home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Perry  Goss 720 

Oldest   House   in   Grundy   County 626 

Old    Presbyterian    Church 626 

Old  Skakey  Bridge 636 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


CHAPTER  1 


GENERAL  INTRODUCTION 


!.!><>;:■:  HISTORY  WAS  WRITTEN  JN  ILLINOIS — A 
FAVORITE  INDIAN  HUNTING  GROUND — SHABBONA 
Ul  LOVED  IN  GRUNDY  COUNTY — INDIAN  TRAILS — 
HIE  COMING  OF  THE  PIONEERS — STORIES  TOED  OF 
•mill!  STRUGGLES  AND  ACHIEVEMENTS — LIFE 
MODERN    ALONG    EVERY    LINE. 

BEFORE    HISTORY    WAS    WRITTEN    IN    ILLINOIS 

More  than  eighty  years  ago,  when  Illinois 
was  not  much  more  than  entering  her  second 
decade  as  a  Slate;  when  the  United  States  was 
still  on  the  sunny  side  of  her  half  century  of 
individual  history,  the  sun  smiled  down  and  the 
rain-  shed  their  grateful  moisture  upon  that 
hwtion  of  land  later  to  he  known  as  Grundy 
County,  just  as  today.  Then,  however,  there 
was  hut  little  to  differentiate  it  from  other 
hunting  lands  of  the  Indians,  except,  that 
within  the  warm  bosom  of  Dame  Nature  lay 
potent  riches  to  he  acq  n'red  in  later  years  by 
those  venturesome  enough  to  first  brave  the 
dangers  of  the  wilderness,  and  in  modern  times 
to  apply  science  and  machinery  to  their  work. 
Here,  in  this  section  roamed  the  Indians,  one  of 
whom  will  ever  he  held  in  affectionate  remem- 
brance in  Grundy  County  because  of  ins  hu- 
manity and  generosity,  the  deeply  wronged,  and 
yet  much  beloved  Shabbona. 

INDIAN    TRAILS 

These  Indians  left  their  mark  on  the  land 
once  their  own,  now  passed  into  white  hands. 


in  the  trails  which  for  years  were  the  only 
roads  the  "pale  faces"  bad  after  coming  to 
Grundy  County,  '.these  trails  were  clearly  de- 
fined paths  about  12  to  IS  inches  wide,  cut  into 
the  sod  of  the  prairie.  One  of  these  was  found 
on  the  property  that  came  into  the  possession 
of  Jacob  Claypool.  These  trails  were  found  fol- 
lowing the  general  course  of  the  county,  ter- 
minating at  what  is  now  Chicago,  whore  the  In- 
dians loved  to  congregate.  One  was  along  the 
north  side  of  the  Illinois  river,  between  it  and 
what  later  became  ,the  Illinois  &  Michigan 
Canal,  as  far  as  the  five-mile  bridge,  where  it 
passed  north  of  the  line  of  the  canal,  but  south 
of  the  Catholic  cemetery,  crossing  the  branches 
of  Nettle  Creek  near  the  stone  bridge,  thence 
recrossing  the  canal  line  near  the  Peacock 
bridge,  and.  passing  on  the  ridge  through  to  the 
Protestant  cemetery,  it  crossed  the  Aux  Sable 
below  and  thence  through  Dresden,  and  took 
its  course  over  Ihe  bluffs  towards  Channahon. 
Another  of  these  trails  was  in  the  bottoms, 
south  of  the  river,  crossing  the  Waupocan  creek 
at  the  quarter  corner  of  the  east  line  of  section 
IS,  in  Wauponsee  Township,  thence  running 
nearly  in  a  straight  line,  passing  20  rods  north 
of  the  center  of  section  17,  continuing  to  Spring 
Creek,  crossing  it  at  its  mouth,  and  thence 
across  the  Mazon,  on  section  10,  and  up  the 
river  to  Kankakee,  where  it  crossed  that  river 
one  half  mile  above  its  mouth.  There  was  a 
trail  that  skirted  the  timber  on  the  south  side 
of  the  Illinois  river,  passing  north  of  sections 
4,  32  and  G,  entering  Wauponsee  Township 
al»out  the  center  of  the  west  line  of  the  south- 
east quarter  of  section  20.  continuing  thence  in 
a  direct  line  and  intersecting  the  first  trail  at 
the  crossing  of  the  Mazon  river.  A  "high 
prairie  trail"  passed  through  Ilolderman's 
Grove,  north  of  Grundy  County,  that  developed 
into  a  very  important  line  of  travel. 

As  the  hour  hand  advanced,  however,  the  des- 


617 


618 


HISTORY  OF  GRI'XDY  COUNTY. 


tiny  that  propelled  it,  brought  into  this  favored 
section  men  and  women  who  were  to  be  the 
formers  of  the  Grundy  County  of  today.  Their 
work  and  achievements,  their  hardships  and  en- 
joyments, and  the  intimate  particulars  of  the 
lives  of  many,  follow  in  the  pages  to  come. 
The  descendants  of  some  of  those  pioneers  have 
endeavored  t<>  give  here  a  true,  although  neces- 
sarily somewhat  brief,  history  of  Grundy  County 
from  tin.'  day  when  the  first  pioneer  felled  Die 
trees  for  his  cabin,  until  today,  in  the  Hush  of 
twentieth  century  advancement,  when  the  resi- 
dents of  the  county  vie  with  those  of  every  other 
neighborhood  in  rendering  the  world  better  for 
their  stay  in  it;  their  associates  happier  and 
their  business  connections   mure   valuable. 

LIFE   MODERN   ALONG   EVERY   LINE 

The  primitive  ox-cart  of  the  pioneer  has  given 
way  to  the  high-power  1915  automobile.  Sci- 
entific methods  make  agriculture  profitable,  and 
the  farmers  the  must  important  class  of  men 
in  the  country.  Xo  longer  is  it  necessary  to 
stumble  about  with  a  homemade  candle,  or  even 
its  later  substitutes,  for  Grundy  County  is 
lighted  by  electricity.  Steam  and  electric  power 
carry  the  products  of  the  fertile  fields  to  the 
markets  of  the  world,  and  natural  resources  are 
being  transmuted  into  the  gold  of  the  realm. 

It  is  not  necessary  to  say  much  in  an  opening 
chapter  where  those  following  have  been  han- 
dled so  thoroughly  and  accurately.  The  editors 
have  all  labored  with  patriotic  love  to  produce 
a  hook  that  would  reflect  credit  upon  their  coun- 
ty, and  if  some  have  differed  in  their  ideas 
relative  to  earlier  events,  it  is  because  much 
of  the  pioneer  records  of  any  locality  are  writ- 
ten only  in  the  hearts  and  memories  of  those 
taking  part  in  the  events  from  day  to  day.  and 
handed  down  by  "word  of  mouth,"  to  their  de- 
scendants. 


CHAPTER   II 


INDIAN  HISTORY 


THE  INDIAN  THE  ORIGINAL  AMERICAN — FIRST 
WHITE  INVASION — INDIAN  CHARACTERISTICS — 
MANY   TR1RAL   DIVISIONS — THE    ILLINOIS    CONFED- 


ERATION     IN     GRUNDY     COUNTY— THE     "ILLINI" — 
WELCOME     EXTENDED    JOLIET     AND     MARQUETTE 
INDIAN     DISTRUST     AROUSED  —  KIRS']      CESSION      OF 
TERRITORY     IiV      INDIANS     IN     ILLINOIS— TREATIES 

of  1795,  ISOrs,  1S1G,  ISIS— chief  waupo.nsee— 

CHIEF  SHADRONA — PORTRAIT  OF  SHAiaioNA  AT 
MORRIS  —  INDIAN  RELICS  IN  LOCAL  FIELDS— PASS- 
ING   OF    THE    INDIAN. 

ORIGINAL   AMERICAN 

The  American  Indian  is  the  original  Ameri- 
can. His  name  was  bestowed  by  Columbus  upon 
the  copper-colored  natives  who  eagerly  greeted 
him  upon  his  arrival  on  the  shores  of  the  new 
world.  Of  what  momentous  importance  was 
this  first  invasion.  For  countless  years  the  In- 
dian had  roamed  the  great  country  upon  which 
as  far  as  is  known  no  white  foot  had  been  set. 
His  kind  possessed  the  land  from  the  Arctic 
Ocean  on  the  North  to  Terra  del  Fuogo  on  the 
South,  and  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific. 
Xo  other  race  ever  possessed  so  mighty  an  em- 
pire, undisturbed  by  conflicting  contestants. 
Many  tribes  fought  among  themselves,  but  until 
1J92  they  were  not  disturbed  by  the  invasion 
of   the  dominant   race. 

In  that  fateful  year,  three  small  vessels  bore 
to  the  shores  of  the  new  world  the  white  men, 
and  from  then  on  until  today,  the  Indian  has 
been  under  subjection.  From  time  to  time-  sav- 
age tribes  and  nations  have  taken  cruel  and 
effective  revenge  for  what,  they  have  considered 
their  wrongs,  but  where  once  there  were  hun- 
dreds of  thousands  of  them  in  the  United 
States  of  America  now  there  are  probably  not 
more  than  a  quarter  of  a  million.  The  annual 
cost  of  their  maintenance  in  the  United  States 
averages  about  $9,000,000.  There  have  been 
some  eight  or  nine  regular  wars  with  the  In- 
dians in  addition  to  countless  local  uprisings 
which  have  cost  heavily  in  human  life  and 
money,  but  now  the  Indian  seems  doomed.  A 
century  more  of  civilization  and  he  will,  per- 
haps, have  passed  from  the  face  of  the  globe, 
living  only  on  the  pages  of  history  as  a  much 
wronged  and  misunderstood  race. 

INDIAN    CH  AH  SCI  ERISTICS 

The  physical  characteristics  of  the  Indian  are 
the  same  wherever  he  is  found.  All  of  them 
have  the  same  long,  lank  hair,  black  as  to  color 
and  coarse  as  to   texture.     The  skin   is  brown 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


019 


or  copper-colored  shading  in  some  caws  t<>  al- 
most white.  The  brows  are  heavy,  while  the 
eyes  are  dull  and  sleepy,  seldom  expressing  any 
emotion.  The  lips  are  full,  but  (.-(impressed,  with 
a  salienl  ami  dilated  nose  above.  Tlie  head  is 
square  or  rounded,  flat-boned  with  high  cheek 
bones.  Tin-  Indian  is  haughty,  taciturn  and 
stoical,  but  cunning  and  brave,  as  well  as  fero- 
cious in  war  aud  the  most  dreaded  of  all 
enemies,  [n  temperament  he  i~  poetic  aud  imag- 
I,  nti  e,  rind  main  of  the  chiefs  liave  been  noted 
f,,r  flu-ir  eloquence  and  the  beauty  of  their 
df<  I  •  i 

I II  I  \01  S    COXFEDERAl  ION 

'.'  ii  more  could  be  given  about  the  general 
}     •  ir.i    of  this  interesting  and    fast  dying  peo- 

.•  but  Grundy  Countj  is  only  immediately  con- 
■  vi. •;•-,!  with  the  tribes  of  the  Illinois  Confedera- 
tion. Belonging  to  it  were  the  Tamaroas,  Mich- 
ijsunies,  Kaskaskias.  Cahokias  and  Peoria  s. 
Tlie  name.  Illinois,  with  its  French  termination, 
was  taken  from  the  Indian  one  meaning  supe- 
rior men,  and  was  written — "Leni"  and  "Illini." 
This  tribe  met  Marquette,  the  Jesuit  explorer, 
with  the  cry:  "'We  are  Illini,  we  are  men,"  iu 
contradistinction  to  their  estimate  of  their 
enemy,  the  Iroquois,  whom  they  regarded  as 
savage  beasts.  Thus  came  the  name  of  the  great 
Commonwealth  in  which  Grundy  County  is 
found. 

The  Indians  forming  this  strong  confederation 
nil  belonged  to  the  Algonquins,  who,  while  not 
so  ferocious  in  warfare,  were  brave  and  skill- 
ful, and  were  often  victors  when  the  conditions 
were  in  any  way  equal.  They  made  a  courageous 
resistance  and  showed  remarkable  savage 
strategy  and  diplomacy  during  the  various  In- 
dian wars.  Those  of  the  Algonquins  composing 
the  Illinois  Confederation  were  forced  from 
their  earlier  location  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Lake  .Michigan,  and  settled  west  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi River  and  from  there,  about  1G70-73, 
they  came  to  the  valley  of  the  Illinois  River. 
Their  worst  enemies  of  their  own  race  were  the 
terrible  Iroquois  from  whom  they  fled  in  dismay 
for  they  had  proven  by  many  conflicts  that  the 
bitter  could  defeat  them. 

A.s  long  as  the  whites  were  friendly,  the  Illi- 
nois Confederation  showed  a  like  spirit,  and  as 
I'.irly  as  KI70  the  Jesuit  missionaries  were  re- 
ceived kindly,  and. when  Joliet  and  Marquette 
"  turned  from  exploring  the  Mississippi  in  1073, 


they  were  hailed  with  joy  by  the  Indians  who 
from  that  day  were  firm  allies  of  the  French. 
In  K.;7o  Marquette  established  the  mission  of 
the  immaculate  Conception  near  the  present  site 
of  I'tica,  and  in  December,  1G79,  La  Salic  found 
a  town  of  nearly  500  lodges,  and  on  the  present 
site  of  Peoria,  one  of  about  eighty  lodges.  In 
that  vicinity,  La  Salle  built  Fort  Crevecoeur. 
As  time  went  on,  however,  the  hitherto  friendly 
Indians  found  that  the  white  men  were  not  to 
he  entirely  trusted.  While  many  of  the  leaders 
were  men  of  high  principles,  those  under  them 
were  willing  to  resort  to  any  means  to  defraud 
the  simple  red  men  of  their  furs,  and  many 
uprisings  occurred  that  leave  horrible  shadows 
of  fire  and  blood  upon  the  pages  of  those  times. 
With  the  driving  out  of  the  French,  came  Eng- 
lish rule,  and  in  turn,  American,  and  all  (he 
while  the  Indian  was  used  as  a  cat's-paw  in 
the   strife   between   the  whit"  nations. 


With  the  American  Revolution  came  many 
changes.  Tlie  Americans  began  to  come  into 
contact  with  the  Indians  of  what  was  then 
termed  the  "far  west."  and  the  Indians,  quick 
to  sense  infringement  upon  their  territory, 
viewed  with  alarm  the  advent  of  the  whites 
into  what  is  now  Ohio,  and  the  tribes  united 
to  endeavor  to  prevent  further  encroachments. 
In  the  meanwhile  Fort  S't.  Louis  was  aban- 
doned, the  Kaskaskias  were  removed  and  Fort 
Chartres  was  erected,  so  that  the  Illinois  Con- 
federation was  drawn  to  tlie  southern  part  of 
the  state,  and  the  Sacs,  Foxes  and  Potta- 
wattomies  flocked  in  to  occupy  their  deserted 
lands.  In  1795,  the  tribes  made  their  first  ces- 
sion of  territory  in  Illinois,  by  the  Treaty  of 
Greenville,  Ohio,  of  "one  piece  of  land,  six  miles 
square,  at  the  mouth  of  Chicago  River,  empty- 
ing into  the  southwest  end  of  Lake  Michigan, 
where  a  fort  formerly  stood  ;  one  piece  twelve 
miles  square  near  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois 
River;  and  one  piece  six  miles  square,  at  the 
old  Peoria  fort  and  village,  near  the  south  end 
of  the  Illinois  Lake  on  the  said  Illinois  River." 
The  Government  later  erected  forts  at  all  the 
points  to  defend  them  and  preserve  the  rights 
secured  by  this  treaty. 

In  1803,  the  Illinois  Confederation  ceded  by 
the  Vincennes  treaty,  nearly  all  of  southern  Illi- 
nois to  the  Government,  and  a  year  later  the 
Sacs  and  Foxes  by  the  St.  Louis  treaty  ceded 


G20 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


a  vast  tract  of  land  lying  on  both  sides  uf  the 
Mississippi  River,  extending  on  the  east  side 
from  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois  River  to  the  head 
of  that  river  and  thence  to  the  Wisconsin  Paver. 
During  the  year  1S1G  a  treaty  was  signed  with 
the  "united  tribes  of  Ottawas,  Chipyewas  and 
Pottawatomies"  at  St.  Louis,  in  which  the  fol- 
lowing appears: — 

"Whereas,  a  serious  dispute  has  for  some  time 
existed  between  the  contracting  parties  relative 
to  the  right  to  a  part  of  the  lands  ceded  to  the 
United  States  by  the  tribes  of  Sacs  and  Foxes, 
on  the  third  of  November,  1S04,  and  both  parties 
being  desirous  of  preserving  a  harmonious  and 
friendly  intercourse,  and  of  establishing  per- 
manent peace  and  friendship,  have  for  the  pur- 
pose of  removing  all  difficulties,  agreed  to  the 
following  terms,  etc." 

The  boundaries  which  were  established  by 
these  important  treaties  are  the  only  ones  that 
have  found  a  place  upon  the  published  county 
maps  of  the  State.  This  territory  thus  ceded  is 
marked  by  lines  which  are  drawn  from  a  point 
on  Lake  Michigan  ten  miles  both  north  and 
south  of  the  mouth  of  the  Chicago  Liver,  and 
follow  the  general  direction  of  the  Desplaines 
River  to  a  point  on  Fox  River,  teu  miles  from 
its  mouth,  and  north  of  1  lie  Illinois  River,  and 
in  a  similar  manner  on  the  Kankakee  Liver  to 
the  south.  It  will  be  easily  seen  from  the 
above  that  only  that  part  of  Grundy  County  that 
lies  north  of  the  Illinois  Liver  is  included  in 
this  treaty.  The  remaining  portion  was  ob- 
tained from  the  Pottawatomies  by  a  treaty 
made  in  ISIS  in  which  they  ceded  the  greater 
portion  of  their  remaining  possessions  in  Illi- 
nois. Although  this  territory  passed  into  the 
hands  of  the  Government  the  same  year  that 
Illinois  was  made  a  State,  the  Indians  did  not 
leave  at  once,  but  remained  for  some  years, 
peacefully  fishing  and  hunting,  and  being  on 
frieudly  terms  with  the  incoming  whites. 

CHIEF  WAUPONSEE 

The  pioneers  who  came  to  Grundy  County 
found  members  of  the  Pottawatomie  tribe  under 
the  supervision  of  their  chiefs,  Wauponsee  and 
Shabbona.  Quoting  from  a  contemporary  his- 
torian, a  description  of  these  warriors  is  ob- 
tained. 

"Wauponsee  and  his  band  made  their  home  at 
one  time  on  the  Illinois  Liver  near  the  mouth 
of  Mazon  Creek,  in  Grundv  County,  but  in  1824 


they  moved  to  Paw  Paw  Grove.  Wauponsee  is 
represented  as  a  large,  muscular  man,  fully  six 
fret  and  three  indies  iu  height.  His  head  pre- 
sented an  unusual  feature  for  an  Indian,  being 
entirely  bald  save  a  small  scalp  lock  at  the 
crown.  In  manner  he  was  markedly  reserved 
and  gave  frequenl  evidences  of  an  untamed  sav- 
age disposition  that  needed  only  an  opportunity 
to  lapse  into  the  cruel  barbarity  of  earlier  years. 
He  was  a  war-chief  and  claimed  to  be  one  hun- 
dred years  old,  though  this  statement  was  but 
little  credited  by  the  whites.  With  the  rest  of 
his  nation  he  was  engaged  in  the  battle  of 
Tippecanoe  and  other  Indian  demonstrations  in 
the  following  years,  lb-  is  credited  by  some  as 
being  the  Waubansee  who  befriended  the  family 
of  John  Kinzie  alter  the  massacre  at  Fort 
Dearborn,  but  while  such  action,  inconsistent  as 
it  is  with  the  part  he  would  naturally  take  ill 
the  attack  upon  the  retrea  ing  garrison,  it  is  not 
without  parallel  in  Indian  history.  However, 
the  strong  impression  is  that  these  are  two  indi- 
viduals, lie  moved  with  his  band  to  the  govern- 
ment reservations  in  the  'far  west'  in  1S39,  sig 
nalizing  his  departure  with  a  deed  of  barbarous 
cruelty  that,  characterizes  his  memory  here. 
This  occurred  in  Octobi  r,  1S39,  and  is  descril  I 
by  L.  W.  Claypool  who  had  ample  facilities  for 
learning  the  truth  as  1 

"'James  McKeen,  r  aiding  on  the  north  bank 
of  the  Kankakee  Liver,  a  mile  above  the  mouth, 
with  a  hired  man,  John  Dyers,  had  been  burning 
leys  in  the  afternoon.  Some  Indians  asked  the 
privilege  of  camping  there  for  the  night,  which 
was  readily  granted.  In  the  evening  tiny  gath- 
ered into  the  camp  to  the  number  of  some  fifty. 
bringing  a  supply  of  whiskey.  Soon  Wauponsee 
and  his  family  came,  having  camped  the  night 
before  near  our  place  (S.  W.  y2  See.  20,  33,  7). 
My  father  and  I  visited  his  camp  as  he  was  leav- 
ing in  the  morning,  and  curiously  observed  their 
preparations  for  moving.  His  family  consisted 
of  one  wife,  of  middle  age,  very  attentive  to  his 
wants,  adjusting  pillows  on  his  pack-saddle  and 
assisting  him  on  a  stump  to  mount  his  pony; 
an  old  squaw,  a  wife  evidently  not  in  favor; 
a  son,  sixteen  or  eighteen  years  old;  a  son-in- 
law  with  wife  and  two  or  three  children  ;  and 
two  slave  squaws,  poor,  miserable,  forlorn- 
looking  wretches  in  every  respect.  After  supper 
McKeen  and  Byers  went  out  to  the  fires  whore 
the  Indians- were  having  a  drunken  frolic.  On 
approaching  the  Indians,  they  found  a  crowd  of 
savages    about   a    log    heap,    with    one    of    the 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


62] 


slave  squaws  lying  on  the  ground  near  the  fire, 
W'iiu ponsee  stooping  over  her  and  talking  in  a 
low  voice.  Immediately  after,  he  gave  a  signal, 
when  the  other  slave  came  up,  and  buried  a 
s'Hia\v-n\-  in  the  brains  of  the  unfortunate  vic- 
tim. Tin-  body  was  removed  to  a  pile  of  rails 
lying  near.  Being  joined  by  other  Indians 
the  orgle  was  continued  far  into  the  night.  In 
the  morning  the  Indians  broke  camp  and  went 
on  their  way,  when  McKeen  and  Byers  buried 
the  unfortunate  squaw  on  the  banks  of  the 
I         .  kw. 

Thi»  prevailing  opinion  here  as  to  the  reason 

t  :   the  deed  was  that  Wauponsee  realized   the 

..■   the  old  adage  'dead  men  tell  no  tales,' 

and  thai  as  their  new  reservation  in  the  West 

...,|  :hat  of  the  Winnebagos,  to  which  tribe 
ipjaw  originally  belonged,  retired  that  her 
relatives  mighl  be  moved  to  avenge  her  ill  treat- 
ment received  at  his  hands,  so  ordered 
her  execution,  and  thus  took  a  'bond  of 
fate.'  Wauponsee  is  said  to  have  been  killed  by 
a  party  of  the  Sacs  and  Foxes  for  opposing 
them  in  the  Black  Hawk  War.  His  scalp  was 
taken  off.  the  body  mutilated,  and  left  on  the 
prairie  to  be  devoured  by  wolves." 

CHIEF     SHABBOXA 

The   same   historian    gives   the   following    de- 
scription of  Shabboua,  which  is  worthy  of  quot- 

il".\ 

"Slial.bona.  who  shares  with  Shakespeare  (he 
d  ;t  taction  of  having  his  named  spelled  in  an 
Hess  number  of  ways,  was  born  of  Ottawa 
I  :«n  tits,  on  the  Kankakee  River  in  Will  County, 
about  177.'..  In  his  youth  he  married  the  daugh- 
ter of  a  Pottawatomie  chief,  who  had  his  vil- 
lage on  the  Illinois  River,  a  short  distance  above 
the  mouth  of  the  Fox  River.  Here,  at  the  death 
of  Spotka,  his  father-in-law,  be  succeeded  to  the 
chieftainship  of  the  band,  which  soon  sought  a 
more  salubrious  spot,  and  settled  in  Do  Kalb 
County,  where  he  was  found  by  the  early  set- 
tlers. Shabhona  seems  to  have  lacked  none  of 
those  qualities  which  were  required  to  com- 
mand the  respect  and  confidence  of  his  band 
and  yet  he  was  possessed  of  rare  discernment 
and  decision  of  character,  -which  led  him  early 
to  see  that  war  with  the  whites  was  hopeless, 
and  that  the  only  hope  of  the  savage  was  to 
make  the  host  terms  possible  with  the  in- 
evitable. To  this  policy,  he  was  one  of  the  first 
of  his  people  to  give  earnest  support,  and  once 


committed  to  this  line  of  action,  he  allowed  no 
inlluen.ee,  however  strong,  to  swerve  him  from  it 
for   a   moment. 

"He  was  easily  influenced  by  the  eloquence  of 
Tecumseh,   and   became  an  ardent   admirer  and 
devoted    personal   attendant,  of  that   celebrated 
warrior.      He    was   absent    from    the    battle   of 
Tippecanoe  with   Tecumseh,  and   returned  only 
to  hear  of  the  massacre  at  Fort  Dearborn,  and 
to  assist  in  the  defense  of  Kinx.ie  the  following 
night.    Believing  that  his  nation  would  join  the 
British  in  the  War  of  1S12  he  joined  his  hero 
warrior  and  acted  as  aid  to  Tecumseh  until  the 
latter  was  killed.     In  the  general  pacification  of 
the  tribes  after  this  war,  Shabhona  seems  to  have 
imbibed  his  peace  policy,  to  which  he  ever  after- 
ward  adhered.     While  not  gifted  as  an  orator, 
bis  reputation  for  honesty,  fidelity  to  his  nation 
and  good  judgment,  gave  him  a   wide  influence 
among  the  more  warlike  of  his  people,   and   in 
3S27,  be  rendered  valuable  service  to  the  whites 
in    dissuading    the    Pottawatomie   nation    from 
joining  the  Winnebago  war.   In  3S32,  when  Black 
Hawk   strove   to   unite  the  Indian   nations   in   a 
combined    attack    upon    the    whites,    be    met    a 
fatal  obstacle  in  the  influence  of  Shabhona   for 
peace.     Notwithstanding  every  influence  and  in- 
ducement  brought   to  bear  upon  him,  the  'white 
man's  friend'  stood  firm,  and  was  largely  influ- 
ential in  bringing  the  aid  of  the  Pottawatomies 
to  the  white  forces.     Subsequently,  when  Black 
Hawk    was    betrayed    into   hostilities,    and    the 
news    of    the    Indians'    first    blow    and    success 
reached  him,  be  sent  his  son  and  nephew  in  dif- 
ferent,   directions,    while    he    went    in    still    an- 
other,   to    warn    the    settlers    of    the    impending 
danger,    thus   saving   the   lives  of   many   in   the 
isolated  settlements,  a  service  for  which  he  suf- 
fered   the  loss  of  bis   son   and    nephew   at  the 
bands    of    the    enraged    Sacs    and    Foxes    years 
afterwards.      In    the   military   operations   which 
followed,  with  Wau|>onsee,  'Billy  Caldwell'  and 
a  considerable  number  of  warriors,  he  enlisted 
with  the  army  under  General  Atkinson,  who  at 
once  placed  him  in  command  of  the.  Indian  con- 
tingent.    After   performing,  valued   service,   he 
retired  with  his  band  at  the  close  of  the  war, 
to  his  village  in  De  Kalb  County,   where  they 
remained   to  the  date  of  their  removal   to  the 
West  in  lc3fi. 

"In  consideration  of  his  services  the  National 
Government,  beside  many  other  tokens  of  esteem, 
reserved  a  tract  of  land  for  his  use  at  Shabhona 
Grove,  and  granted  him  a  pension  of  $200  per 


622 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


annum.  In  (he  summer  of  1S3G,  however,  the 
Indian  agent  notified  him  that  his  hand  must 
go  to  the  lands  assigned  them  in  the  West,  as 
none  but  himself  and  family  could  remain  on 
the  reservation.  Much  as  he  regretted  to  leave 
the  scenes  of  his  manhood,  ahout  which  gathered 
his  dearest  memories,  he  could  not  consent  to 
a  separation  from  his  band,  so  in  September,  the 
Whole  band  eaine  to  Main  Bureau  Creek,  and 
camping  at  the  crossing  of  the  Peoria  and  Ga- 
lena road,  they  remained  here  ahout  six  weeks 
hunting  and  fishing.  The  Government  proposed 
to  bear  the  expense  of  their  removal  as  in  tin' 
case  of  other  tribes,  but  Shabona,  rejecting  the 
offer,  set  out  one  October  day  with  his  band 
of  about  1)2  souls  and  l<in  ponies  for  their  lands 
in  western  Kansas.  Not  long  after  this  the. 
Government  moved  the  Sacs  and  foxes  from 
the  reservations  in  Iowa  to  lands  adjoining  the 
Pottawatomies.  These  tribes  entertained  the 
bitterest  hostility  against  Shnbbona  for  the  pan 
he  took  in  (lie  Black  Hawk  War.  ami  Xeopope, 
a  chief  of  these  tribes,  had  sworn  to  accomplish 
the  destruction  of  the  'white  man's  friend'  to- 
gether with  Ids  son  and  nephew. 

"In  the  fall  of  1S37,  Shahhona.  with  his  son 
and  nephew  and  a  few  hunters,  went  out  on  the 
plains  to  hunt  buffalo,  when,  without  the  slight- 
est apprehension  of  danger  they  found  them- 
selves attached  by  a  band  of  the  Sacs.  Shabona, 
with  his  son  Smoke  and  four  hunters  escaped, 
but  knowing  that  a  relentless  Nemesis  was  on 
his  track.  Ik-  left  his  band  and  returned  with  his 
family  to  his  reservation  in  De  Kalb  County: 
this  consisted  of  1,2S0  acres,  most  of  which  was 
fine  timherland.  A  clause  of  the  treaty  conveyed 
this,  and  other  reservations  granted  them  in  fee 
simple,  but  the  U.  S.  Senate  struck  out  this 
clause  making  the  property  only  a  reservation. 
This  fact  escaped  the  notice  of  Shahbona,  and  in 
1S45  he  sold  the  larger  part  of  his  land  and  re- 
turned to  Kansas  to  visit  his  band.  It  was  soon 
discovered  by  designing  persons  that  this  trans- 
fer was  illegal,  and  on  the  strength  of  repre- 
sentations made  at  Washington,  the  authorities 
declared  the  reservation  vacant  and  the  transfer 
void.  On  his  return  in  1S51,  he  found  his  whole 
property  sequestered  and  himself  homeless.  This 
grove  had  been  his  home  for  nearly  fifty  years; 
here  he  had  made  the  grave  of  his  first  squaw 
and  two  panoses,  and  here  he  had  expected  to 
lay  his  own  bones.  It  was  natural  that  he 
should  feel  a  deep  sense  of  injury  at  this  un- 
grateful requital  of  devotion  to  the  white  race; 


but  this  was  a  new  generation,  the  reservation 
had  been  technically  abandoned,  and  none  were 
greatly  wronged  save  the  Indian,  who  had  not 
yet  excited  the  romantic  or  humanitarian  inter- 
est of  a  later  day,  and  broken-hearted  he  went 
out  to  a  retired  place  to  implore  the  Great 
Spirit,  after   I  he   fashion  of  Ids   tribe. 

"The  case  excited  the  interest  of  bis  early 
friends,  who  purchased  a  small  tract  of  im- 
proved land,  with  house,  outbuildings  and  fenc- 
ing, situated  on  the  bank  of  the  Illinois  near 
Seneca  in  Grundy  County.  Here  he  lived  in  a 
wigwam,  hi--  family  occupying  the  house  until 
his  death  at  (he  age  <>f  eighty-four,  on  July  17, 
1859.  His  remains  wcr^  laid  to  rest  in  lot  29, 
block  7.  in  tin-  Morris  Cemetery  with  elaborate 
ceremony  and  grateful  regard  of  the  whole 
couuty.  Mere  rest  also  eight  of  his  family,  live 
of  whom  were  his  children  or  grand-children. 
Shortly  after  his  death  his  family  removed  to 
their  nation  in  the  West,  and  while  his  land  is 
held  by  the  County  Court  in  (nisi  for  the  benefit 
of  his  heirs  there  is  no  monument  to  marl;  the 
memory  of  one  whom  General  Cass  once  intro- 
duced to  a  distinguished  audience  at  Washing- 
ton as,  'Shahhona,  the  greatest  rod  man  of  the 
West.'  His  grandson  Smoke  is  supposed  to  be 
acting  chief  of  his  nation." 

PORTRAIT    OF    SHAHHONA 

Although  no  monument  had  yet  been  raised  to 
the  memory  of  this  Indian  chief,  there  is  a  fine, 
life  size  portrait  of  him  in  the  Court  House 
at  Morris,  111.,  representing  him  standing,  ar- 
rayed in  ;i  dress  coat  which  was  presented  him 
at  Washington.  With  it  he  wears  character- 
istic Indian  finery,  which  adds  to  his  imposing 
appearance. 

INDIAN    RELICS 

In  relation  to  Indian  relics,  this  same  his- 
torian has  to  say : 

"An  Indian  relic  which  has  given  rise  to 
many  conjectures,  is  a  cedar  pole  about  six 
inches  in  diameter  at  the  base,  and  from  twenty 
to  twenty-five  feet  in  height  standing  in  the  cen- 
ter of  the  largest  of  the  ancient  mounds  found  in 
Morris.  Tie>  iK)le  stands  at  (he  lower  end  of 
Wauponsee  Sheet,  its  base  protected  by  a  close 
fitting' piece  of  flagging,  and  surrounded  by  an 
iron  fence.  The  universal  respect,  on  (he  part  of 
the  citizens  for  this  monument  of  the  past   is, 


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HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY.  G2:J 

however,  its  surest  protection.     None  of  the  In-  that  the  fight  began  at  Blue  Island.     The  Illi- 

tlians    with  whom  the  early  settlers  came  in  cop-  uois  tribe  retreated,  and  again  had  a  fight  three 

tact  could  give  satisfactory  accounts  of  its  eree-  miles  east  of  .Toliet,  at  a  village  on   the  north 

tion   (indeed  they  did  not  claim  to  know),  until  hank  of  Hickory  Creek,  where  Oakwood  Ceme- 

tlie  engineers  who  surveyed  the  line  of  the  canal  tcry  now  is,  a  retreat  and  a  hard  fight  at  Nettle 

made  some  investigations  in  this  mound.     Some  Creek    (Morris),    the    Indian    name    for    which 

members  of  the  party   made  some  unauthorized  has  escaped   me:  then  a   retreat   and   pursuit  as 

explorations,    am     were    rewarded    by    the    dis-  far  as  Starved    Rock,   where  Clark   save  a    de- 

covery  of  soir        teresting  Indian  remains.    The  scription  of  tlie  siege  ami  the  daring  conduct  of 

engineering   party    was   subsequently   joined   by  the  devoted  band,  rusliing  up  to  the  very  edge  of 

aii  Indian  named  Clark,  who  evidently  belonged  the  cliff   to   challenge   the   foe   to   combat.     Of 

(o  the  extinct   Illinois  nation,  and  of  him  Mi-.  A.  course,  these   were  the  acts  of  a   few   men  in  a 

.1.  Matthewson,  the  engineer  in  charge,  obtained  desperate    situation,    but     when    relating    these 

much  valuable  information,  which  lie  embodied  things,  the  eyes  of  Clark,  usually  mild  enough, 

in    a    letter   to   I,.   YV.   Claypool.   of   Morris.      By  would    assume    a     ferocious    appearance    quite 

permission,  the  portion  bearing  upon  matters  of      si kim_r.      He    was   evidently    a    friend    of   (lie 

interest  to  (his  county  is  given  as  follows:  weaker  parly.     He  gave  also   (lie  exploits  of  a 

■••Yes,  the  hones  dug  up  a(  (he  cedar  pole  he-  very  few  who  escaped   down  the   Illinois  River 

longed  to  Xucquette,  a  celebrated  chief  who  was  in  a   skiff  and   were  pursued   for  days,   though 

killed  upon  the  ground  and  buried  in  a  dug  out  finally  escaping.    Those  left  upon  Starved  Rock 

—a  kind  of  rude  trough  which  our  hoys  found  generally  perished.     In  regard  to  the  cedar  pole, 

in  1Q37,  and  from  which  they  took-  the  bones,  a  (lark  (old  me  the  tribe  or  some  of  them  came  a) 

bit    of    red    rust    which    had    once   been    a    knife  times,  as  hue  as  1S37-S,  to  replace  the  white  (he.: 

blade,    and    circular    ornaments    in    silver.      His  upon    the    pole,    when    the   winds    had    blown    it 

squaw,    who    died    years    afterward,    lay    beside  away.     Our  men   went  on  (he  sly   to  dig  about 

him,  her  blanket  intact,  with  a  profusion  of  sil  (he   cedar    pole    in    the   mound,    and    upon    their 

ver  brooches  and   silver  rings   with   green   u'lass  return  to  camp  were  told  decidedly  to  go   back 

sels.   upon   the   hones  of  two   or   three    lingers   of  and    fix    the    mound    and    (he   pole,    and    to   leave 

each  hand.     The  threads  of  (he  blanket   would  everything  as  they  found  it,  or  there  would  be 

crumble  upon  touch,  and  yet  the  teeth  and  hair  trouble:  that   the  savages  were  then  about,  ami 

seemed  nearly  perfect.     The  pole,   a    red   cedar,  that  they  would   miss  (heir  top-knots  by  delay. 

was   very   old.   full   of  curious   cuts  and   marks,  J    went    hack    with    them    to   see   (he  order   exe- 

giving  in  a  rude  way.  as  Chirk  said,  the  exploits  cuted.  ami  it  was.     We  had  no  trouble  with  the 

of    Xuc.piette.      This   brute   had   a    story   of   his  Indians  on  account  of  the  act:" 

cruellies  noted  upmi  that  pole,  but  the  poor  slave  The  exact  time  of  the  death  of  Nur-quette   is 

<>f  a  squaw  lay  there  without  a  word  being  said  net  known,  hut  it   is  generally  conceded  to  have 

of  her.     Sin-   was  laid   in   her   blanket — nothing  taken  place  between  1G70  and  1700,  so  thai   the 

more.  pole  is  over  200  years  old.     It  is  possible  that 

"'I  had  found  a  curious  mound  at   the  west  (he  Indian  Clark  confused  tin-  history  of  Nue- 

side  of  a   small   grove,   north  of   the  old    river  quette  with  (he  campaign  of  the  Pottawatomies 

stage    road    and    a    little    west    of    south    from  against    tin'    Illinois    to    avenge    the    death    of 

Seneca,  and  upon  asking  chirk  about  the  stones  Pontiac.     At  any  rate  the  cedar  pole  is  so  old 

carelessly   thrown   about    if   he  said:      "Oh   yes,  that  there  is  no  authentic   record  of   it.   and   it 

that    was   a    very   bad    Indian!        Steal    horses.  is   consequently   one   of   the   most    interesting  of 

They  killed  him;  put  him  in  this  old  mound  by  the    relics    the    Indians    have  -left    of    the    days 

himself,"  and  then  when  any  Indian  passed  the  when   they   were  all   powerful. 

mound  be  fell   bound  to  show  his  contempt  for  Nineteen   Indian   mounds  have  been  found  at 

(be    outcast    who    would    not,    or    did    not    take  Morris,  circular  in  form,  and  varying  in  height 

scalps   but   horses    (be   was   a    horse   fancier),  from  2  and  4 feet  to  17  and  30  in  diameter  at  the 

and  before  reaching  the  place  they  would  pick  base.     Those   of   (he    mounds    explored    yielded 

up  linger  stones  and  cast  them  upon  the  mound  traces  of  Indian  burial,  hut  many  of  them  have 

ami  spit  upon  it,  showing  their  utter  contempt  been  leveled  to  make  way  for  encroaching  civili- 

for  his  want  of  good  taste  while  living."  zation.     Other   mounds    were    found    along   the 

"'Clark  said  Nucquette  was  killed  in  battle—  southern  bank  of  the  river,  and  some  of  them 


624 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


yielded  implements  of  stone,  metal  and  pottery, 
and  evidently  wen-  raised  by  that  mysterious 
people  known  as  the  Mound  Builders.  As  to 
who  these  people  were,  and  from  whence  they 
came,  or  where  they  have  .cone,  no  really  satis- 
factory answers  have  boon  given,  athough  anti- 
quarians have  advanced  many  plausible  the- 
ories. 

PASSING    OF   THi:   INDIAN      ' 

By  the  time  the  pioneers  were  fairly  locate'] 
in  Grundy  County,  however,  the  Indians  had 
ceased  to  he  a  serious  menace.  Many  lingered 
for  some  years  and  became  annoying  because 
of  their  insistence  upon  being  fed.  Some  amus- 
ing stories  are  told  of  demands  made  by  the 
Red  Men  upon  food  stores,  especially  those 
cooked  by  the  "white  squaws,"  and  more  than 
one  settler  was  amazed  and  indignant  at  receiv- 
ing an  offer  of  a  string  of  jinnies  for  his  "squaw" 
who  could  prepare  particularly  toothsome 
dainties.  The  Indian  has  passed  from  Grundy 
County.  Finis  has  been  written  at  the  close 
of  his  history,  as  soon  it  will  appear  to  the  page 
given  over  to  his  race.  His  influence  remains  hi 
the  many  musical  and  expressive  names  to  be 
found  all  oxer  the  county,  as  elsewhere  in  the 
country,  and  the  treaties  he  and  his  people 
made  with  the  whites  appear  on  all  land  trans- 
fers. 

The  passing  of  the  Indian  in  the  United  States 
is  nearly  accomplished.  But  a  little  more  than 
three  centuries  have  passed  since  the  Red  Men 
bowed  before  his  white  invader,  and  yet  in  that 
interval,  a  mighty  people  have  been  practically 
wiped  out,  and  their  lands  turned  over  to  the 
conqueror.  It  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable  in- 
stances of  the  survival  of  the  Attest,  the  world 
has  ever,  known.  Brave  to  a  fault,  proud  and 
autocratic,  men  impatient  of  restraint,  the  In- 
dians have  not  been  able  to  live  when  deprived 
of  their  natural  surroundings.  Their  best  char- 
arteristics  have  been  lost  in  their  years  of  de- 
pendency, and  they  are  no  longer  capable  of  di- 
recting their  own  affairs. 

The  Indians  belong  to  a  different  class  from 
some  other  wards  of  the  Government.  Many 
of  the  proudest  families  of  the  country  boast 
of  Indian  blood  in  their  veins.  Intermarriages 
between  the  whites  and  Indians  have  not  been 
infrequent,  and  the  results  are  often  satisfactory. 
Thus  it  is  that  while  as  a  race  the  Indians  have 
almost  entirely  disappeared,  the  spirit  of  the  old 


warriors  still  lives  in  descendants  whose  skins 
are  as  white  as  those  who  drove  out  the  Bed 
Men  from  their  ancestral  hunting  grounds,  and 
who  are  accepted  as  members  of  the  dominant 
race.  Time  works  wonders,  and  softens  all 
prejudices.  Looking  back  upon  the  records  of 
those  bloody  times  indicated  by  Indian  warfare, 
the  liberal-minded  reader  can  comprehend  that 
there  was  blame  on  each  side,  although  not  al- 
ways in  individual  cases,  and  that  even  if  the 
Indian  was  bloodthirsty,  he  was  actiug  accord- 
ing to  a  deep-rooted  belief  in  his  right  to  resist 
"paleface"  invasion,  and  support  his  rights  as 
he  understood  them.  Peace  to  the  ashes  of  these 
Indian  warriors,  whether  they  rest  in  pleasant 
cemeteries  like  those  of  Shabbona,  or  have  been 
given  bark-  to  the  earth  from  which  they  sprung 
by  the  wild  winds  of  heaven;  forgiveness  of  the 
wrongs  of  both  sides,  and  a  better  understanding 
of  the  principles  that  actuated  these  old  time 
enemies;  and  above  all,  knowledge  and  power  to 
resist  the  temptation  to  repeat  history  by  op- 
pressing the  down  trodden,  in  the  twentieth  cen- 
tury, or  to  treat  unworthily  those-  who  resist 
wrongs  which  grind   into  the  soul. 


CHAPTER  III 


LANDS.    EARLY    TITLES,    DEVELOPMENT, 

ETC, 


OLD  INDIAN  TERRITORY — CEDED  TO  THE  GOVERNMENT 
BY  TREATY — GRUNDY  COUNTY  INDIANS  WERE 
POTTAW ATOMIES — FIRST  LOTS  OF  1  AND  OFFERED  IN 
1S30 — PUBLIC  AUCTION  OF  IMPROVED  LAND- 
SPECULATORS  A  MENACE  TO  PERMANENT  SETTLERS 
— FIRST  LAM)  ENTRIES  IN  THE  COUNTY — RE- 
MARKABLE INCREASE  IN  VALUES — LIST  OF  SUR- 
VEYORS   FROM    1S11    TO    J  91-1.    '  ' 

(By  Fred  S.  Johnson) 

OLD    INDIAN    TERRITORY 

Grundy  County  lands  were  a  portion  of  the 
tract  bought  by  the  Government  from  the  In- 
dians. The  first  cession  of  lands  from  the  Red 
Man  included  a  section,  six  miles  square,  at  the 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY  625 

mouth  of  the  Chicago  River;  one,  twelve  miles  to    which    they    were   entitled    under   the   laws 

square,   near  the  mouth  of  the   Illinois   River;  governing  this  form  <>f  land  occupation.     These 

and  one,  six  miles  square,  at  the  old  Peoria  fort  early  settlers  worked  hard  to  improve  their  prop- 

anil  village.    This  abandonment  was  ratified  by  erty,   and   when,   in   1-S33,  they  found   that   the 

the    treaty    of    Greenville,    Ohio,    in    1795.      In  land   they    had    been   laboring   to   reclaim   from 

ISO;;,  the  Vineennes  treaty  secured  the  Govern-  the  wilderness  was  to  be  sold  at  public  auction 

ment   nearly   all    of  southern    Illinois,   and    the  without  regard  to  their  rights,  they  were  aroused 

next  year  the  Foxes  and   Sacs  ceded  the  terri-  to  action.    Grundy  County,  however,  was  not  the 

tory  on  both  sides  of  the  Mississippi  River,  on  only  sufferer.     Other  sections,  then  included  in 

the  east  from  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois  River  to  what    was  known   as   La    Salle  County   were  in 

the    head    of   that    stream,    and    thence    to    the  the  same  predicament.     A  way  out  was  finally 

Wisconsin   River.  discovered,  the  plan  being  that  each  section  ap- 
point a  man  to  hid  in  the  property  for  the  actual 

treaties  settlers,  with  the  agreement  that  after  tin1  sale 

was  made,  proper  division  would  he  made. 
In  ISlfi,  owing  to  some  dispute,  a  new  treaty 

was  signed  with  the  united  tribes  of  Ottawas,  public  auction  oi-  TMraovEn  land 
Chippewas    and    Pottawatomies    at    St.    Louis, 

which  ceded  territory  marked  by  lines  drawn  The  sale  of  land  took  place  at  Chicago,  and 
from. a  point  on  Pake  Michigan  ten  miles  north  for  the  first  couple  of  days  the  sales  were  con- 
and  south  of  the  mouth  of  the  Chicago  River,  ducted  from  the  steps  leading  into  a  store  on 
and  following  the  Desplaines  to  a  point  ten  Lake  Street.  As  the  mud  was  deep  around  this 
miles  north  of  the  Illinois  on  the  Fox  River,  and  point,  the  auction  was  later  moved  to  Garrett's 
the  same  distance  on  the  south  to  the  Kankakee  new  auction  rooms,  near  South  Water  Street. 
River.  By  this  treaty  only  the  northern  half  So  many  attended  that  the  above  structure  broke 
of  Grundy  County  was  ceded  to  the  Govern-  down,  and  the  sale  was  completed  on  South 
ment.  the  remaining  portion  remaining  the  prop-  Water  Street.  The  reason  for  trouble  arose 
erty  of  the  Pottawatomies,  who,  however,  ceded  from  the  fact  that  outside  speculators  had 
thai  also  in  3 SIS.  Although  the  Indians  had  flocked  to  Chicago,  intending  to  bid  in  the  par- 
ibus parted  with  their  land,  they  continued  to  tially  improved  lands  and  hold  them  for  high 
live  in  Grundy  County,  hunting  and  fishing,  for  prices.  The  acumen  and  activity  of  the  actual 
years  afterward.  Those  found  in  Grundy  Conn-  owners  largely  frustrated  this  nefarious  scheme, 
i  1  eh  tilled  to  the  Pottawatomie  tribe,  and  their  hut  it  is  stated  that  as  much  as  s.",oo,ooo  was 
uritativo  representatives  were  Shahbona  and  taken  out  of  the  city,  an  immense  amount  in 
■usee.    With  the  coming  of  the  white  men,  those  days.     In   August,   lS3o,   the   books   were 

I t,  the  old  Indian  mode  of  life  was  broken  opened    for    entry,    and    the    land    speculators 

up,  us  civilization  followed  close  on  the  footsteps  found    their   opportunity,   and   bought    up  every 

of  Hie  dominant  race.  available  piece  of  timberland  in  the  northeastern 

'tie  early  settlers  of  Grundy  County  labored  part  of  Illinois. 
under    many    disadvantages   one   of   these   being 

the  unsatisfactory  condition  of  the  lands  for  a  first  land  entries 
long  time  and  the  difficulty  attending  securing 

their  titles.     In  1S27  Congress  had  granted   to  Among    the    first    to    enter    land    in    Grundy 

Illinois    aid    for    the    proposed    Illinois    Canal.  County  may  be  mentioned  the  following :     James 

the  alternate  sections  lying  within  the  space  of  MeWilliams,     Stephen     II.     Randall,     Benjamin 

five  miles  on  each  side  of  the  intended   route.  Waite.    Simon    Waite,   John   Weldon,    1*.   Lamb, 

In   1S29,  Illinois  selected   the  odd  sections,   and  John    Weir.    Michael    Lamb,    James    M.    Adsit, 

in  ls::n  some  lots  wore  brought  into  the  market,  Richard  Lamb,  William  Scully,  Lewis  T.  Jami- 

but    William    Hodge   was   the   only   one   to   pur-  son.  M.  G.  and  J.  W.  Ilaymond.  John  McNellis, 

chase  j,i   Grundy  County.     His  properly  lay  in  Justin  Renne.  John  Walsh.  James  Glenn.  Jacob 

what  is  now  Nettle  Creek  Township.     I'i.i il  1  sr; t  Griggs,   Abraham   Holderman,  C.  II.  and  II.  C. 

tic  congressional   lands  were  open   to  pre-emp-  Goold,  Jeremiah  Crotty,  Samuel  C.  Collins.  Thom- 

"">),  and  the  pioneers  who  located    in  Grundy  as    R.    Greene,   Isaac  Beebe,   Horace  and   John 

County  prior  to  that. date  secured  all   the  land  Moore,  Perry  A.  Armstrong,  Edmund  D.  Taylor, 


C26 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


John  Lewis,  George  Schrotberger,  Gardner  T. 
Gorharn,  Rees  Ridgeway,  Samuel  Pickering, 
Pbilo  Carpenter,  John  1'.  Chapin,  Horatio  G. 
Loomis,  John  Peacock,  Thomas  Peacock,  J.  L. 
and  W.  White,  L.  W.  Claypool,  Jacob  Claypool, 
Perry  A.  Claypool,  Win.  Gay,  Augustus  Garrett, 
Horatio  <;.  Loomis,  Phillip  Collins,  William  Iloge, 
Mahlon  P.  Wilson,  .lames  Leech,  John  B.  F. 
Russell.  Joshua  Hoge,  Solomon  Iloge,  Samuel 
Iloge,  Fred  Burkhardt,  M.  Thomas  Huff,  John 
O.  Baker,  Albert  L.  Vincd,  John  and  S.  Holder- 
man,  Eliza  R.  Chamberlain,  R.  Gardner,  Samuel 
S.  Randall,  Bartholmew  McGrath,  William  II. 
Perkins,  Joshua  Collins.  Jerry  Collins,  Nial  N. 
Oshorn. 

REMARKABLE    INCREASE    IX    VALUES 

The  first  lands  were  sold  for  $1.25  per  acre. 
This  was  the  usual  price  for  government  lands 
in  early  days,  and  while  it  now  seems  to  have 
been  low,  it  must  lie  remembered  that  the 
property  was  entirely  unimproved,  was  gen- 
erally remote  from  highways  and  was  thus  diffi- 
cult to  reach  from  the  outside  world.  The  ma- 
jority <if  the  settlers  commenced  at  once  to 
develop  the  property  thus  secured  and  their 
sons  continued  the  work  when  the  fathers  re- 
tired, and  at  present  much  of  the  Grundy  County 
farm  land  is  held  at  $200  per  acre,  while  that 
situated  in  the  towns  and  cities  has  reached  an 
almost  prohibitive  price. 

county  surveyors 

The  Surveyors  of  Grundy  County  have  been: 
Leander  Newi>ort.  1S41-1S44;  Thomas  A.  Henry, 
1S45-1S4S;  Charles  Huston,  1840-1851:  Thomas 
A.  Henry,  1 852-1 855 ;  Samuel  Ewer,  1S5G-185S; 
Nathaniel  MeBride,  1S59-1S60;  Thomas  A. 
Henry,  1S61-1SG2;  Nathaniel  MeBride,  1803- 
1S70;  George  II.  Kiersted,  1871-1874;  Na- 
thaniel MeBride,  1875;  Edward  Sufferin, 
1S7G;  Charles  Huston,  1877-188.°. :  Nath- 
aniel MeBride,  1SS4-1S99;  Arthur  Parker.  1900- 
1005;  Eugene  G.  Cryder,  190G-1907;  William 
Harkes,  190S-1911 ;  John  Rosendahl,  1912-1914. 


CHAPTER  IV 


PIONEER  LIFE 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GRUNDY  C  Ol  N*TY'— PIONEER  CABINS 
— HOMEMADE  FURNITURE — FIREPLACE  COOKING 
—  MANY  EXPEDIENTS  SHOWING  RESOURCE]  UL- 
NESS — 1  \CK  OF  PIIY'SICIANS— DIFFICULT  LAND 
(II  VRING  —PRACTICALLY  NO  ROADS — LOW  PRICES 
FOR  PRODUCE— SCARCITY  OF  MONEY — BARTER  AND 
EXCIIANG1  —PIONEER  HONESTY — EARLY  SCHOOLS 
AND     CHURCHES. 

EARLY    DAYS    IN    GRUNDY    COUNTY 

So  much  has  been  written  of  pioneer  life,  of 
its  healthful  effects,  its  simple  demands,  ils  sin- 
cere hospitality  and  ils  commendable  lack  of  so- 
ciety conventions  until  (here  are  doubtless  those 
of  a  later  generation  beginning  to  wonder  if 
they  have  not  been  defrauded  of  much  that 
ought  to  he  their  birthright.  If  those  who  thus 
lament,  however,  should  be  brought  into  direct 
contact  with  pioneer  life  as  their  forefathers  and 
mothers  experienced  it.  it  is  doubtful  if  they 
would  find  much  enjoyment,  or  be  able  to  long 
endure  the  frightful  dangers  and  constant  priva- 
tions which  daily  met  the  frontiersman  and  his 
family. 

Even  those  who  now  go  forward  to  the  out- 
posts of  civilization  confront  no  such  conditions 
as  prevailed  when  Grundy  Countj  was  being  set- 
tled. Modern  inventions  and  manufactures  make 
it  possible  for  the  pioneer  to  enjoy  a  fair  amount 
of  comfort.  Even  the  explorers  of  the  Arctic 
and  Antarctic  regions,  or  of  other  remote  parts 
of  the  eartth,  can  now  have  in  their  stores 
canned  goods  which  will  provide  a  pleasant  va- 
rient  in  food,  while  they  include  as  nece  sary 
equipments,  scientific  instruments  and  modern 
tools.  The  pioneer  of  Crundy 'County  had  noth- 
ing of  this  kind  upon  which  be  could  depend.  If 
his  little  store  of  home  cured  meats,  meal  and 
dried  fruit  and  vegetables  gave  out  before  he 
had  his  tields  planted,  he  had  to  depend  upon  his 
skill  as  a  hunter  or  fisherman  to  keep  the  wolf 
of  hunger  from  his  door.  Unfortunately  in  the 
early  days  there  was  a  real  wolf  which  was  not 
backward  about  making  his  presence  known,  the 
gray  timber  wolf,  which,  during  the  long  winters 


•7 
/ 


>.  1/  /      ■     t 


' 


1  ■  '  ~*  U     -  V 

•    \ 


■• 


THK  OLD  PRESBYTERIAN  ('IHIU'lI.   MORRIS,  ILL. 


rv  V"i 

_ 


? 


■ 


. 


£--■«.-.,.  .  -     ......  -  ■ 

OLDEST  HOUSE  IX  GRUNDY  COUNTY,  LOCATED  IN  MAIN  TOWNSHIP,  IilTL' 
KY  JOHN  CRAGG  IN  1833.  IT  WAS  ONE  OF  THK  STATIONS  OF  THE  "UNDEH 
G HOUND  RAILWAY"  IN  SLAVERY  DAYS.  AND  WAS.  FOR  SEVERAL  YEARft 
'111:  POLLING  PLACE  (JF  THE  SECOND  DISTRICT  OF  THE  COUNTY. 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


G27 


(,■  aim-  fierce  with  hunger  and  did  not  hesitate 
,,.  slav  even  the  settler,  while  his  slock  was 
never  safe  from  attack. 

PIONEEE   CABINS 

Nevertheless  pioneering  had  many  interesting 
f,.,iui.'<  together  with  its  hardships,  and  lino 
chii meters  were  developed.  The  pioneer  and  bis 
fitnilly  lived  during  their  first  years  in  the  new 
-  inty,  in  a  log  cabin,  crudely  put  together  from 
!...:•;  felled  in  the  nearby  forest.  Oftentimes 
these  lo-s  came  from  trees  which  were  hewn 
down  to  make  a  place  for  the  cabin.  There,  in 
deep  woods,  with  the  lonesome  soughing  of 
I  ..  •,.  Ind  through  the  wide  spaces  to  remind  them 
if  their  isolated  situation,  the  wife  and  her 
children  anxiously  waited  the  coming  back  of 
»:.••  husband  and  father  when  he  ventured  fur- 
ther into  the  forest  in  search  of  game  with 
which  to  make  more  nourishing  their  scanty 
store  "f  meal.  More  often  than  not,  especially 
.:  :  (  at  first,  the  floors  of  these  cabins  were  made 
of  dirt,  and  practically  all  of  the  furniture  was 
of  home  manufacture.  Railroads  were  not  then 
built,  and  transportation  at'ross  the  country  in 
wawns,  or  by  menus  of  the  natural  waterways, 
v  a<  tiresome  and  expensive.  Therefore  as  lit- 
l  ,.  i .  possible  w:is  brought  from  the  old  home 
t"  I  ■••  new,  and  consequently  all  that  was  needed, 

from  what  had  formed  the  household  goods 
■•!  t  by  such  labor  and  expense,  had  to  be 
the  premises.  Few  of  the  pioneers  had 
iltude  for  cabinetmaking,  so  that  their 

.■'.•<  at  furniture  were  of  necessity  rude 
—  \.  I'll  they  were  thankfully  accepted,  and 
»:-.<•  g»«x1  housewives  did  the  best  they  could 
witJi  i ho  chairs,  made  from  tree  trunks,  tables, 
of  hewn  logs,  and  beds  constructed  in  the  follow- 
ing primitive  fashion.  Two  Iocs  were  driven  in 
Ihe  ground  six  feet  apart  and  six  feet  from 
•  h.-  wall.  From  them  to  the  opposite  wall  a 
Web  was  woven  of  grasses,  or  in  rare  instances, 
roj-o.  upon  which  the  straw  "ticks"  were  spread, 
and  on  top  of  them  the  feather  bed.  Oftentimes 
a  second  bed  was  made  above  the  first,  both 
belli-  curtained  off,  or  a  trundle  bed  for  the 
children  was  made  to  shove  in  beneath  the  larger 
one  during  the  day  time.  Some  families  not  so 
thrifty  or  resourceful,  contented  themselves  with 
lying  wrapped  in  a  blanket  before  the  lire,  but 
they  were  not  considered  by  the  better  class  as 
Ing.  proper  care  of  their  households,   when, 


'.- 


lakl 


with  a  little  exertion  a  satisfactory,  even  luxuri- 
ous bed  could  be  provided. 

FIliEPLACE    COOKING 

Dishes  and  crockery  wore  often  lacking,  and 
the  housewife  of  those  days  was  pretty  sure  to 
utilize  everything  she  could  put  her  hands  on  in 
order  to  have  sufficient  articles  with  which  to 
set  her  table,  she  it.  was  who  originated  the 
first  planked  dishes,  the  same  that  are  now- 
considered  a  luxury  in  the  most  fashionable 
restaurants  in  I  he  bind.  Needing  her  few  ket- 
tles for  baking  bread,  as  she  oftentimees  was 
without  an  oven,  she  learned  to  put  her  meat 
and  fish  as  well  as  her  johnny-cake  upon  slabs 
of  wood  and  bake  in  the  ashes  or  before  the 
flames  in  her  fireplace.  When  she  started  to 
bake  bread,  and  what  quantities  those  hardy 
pioneers  could  consume,  she  could  not  run  to 
the  grocer,  ami  there  buying  a  cake  of  yeast,  be- 
gin her  operations.  Her  bread  making  had  com- 
menced way  back  in  the  old  homo  when  she  had 
carefully  dried  for  future  consumption  some 
of  the  airy,  beautiful  green  hop  blooms.  After 
her  arrival  in  the  new  place,  her  first,  thought 
was  to  commence  making  her  yeast,  a  little  or 
which  when  properly  fermented  sufficed  t<>  make 
a  light  sponge  with  either  rye,  barley  or  corn- 
meal,  rarely  at  first  of  wheal  flour.  When  her 
loaves  were  ready  for  baking  she  had  to  place 
them  in  open  kettles  and  set  them  by  the  tire, 
piling  on  the  lids  glowing  coals  of  wood  which 
had  to  be  replaced  every  few  moments.  Some 
very  fortunate  women  had  what  was  called  a 
Dutch  oven,  a  sheet-iron  affair,  which  could  be 
set  in  the  fireplace  and  thus  heated.  Still  others 
acquired  in  time  brick  ovens,  which  were  heated 
thoroughly  and  (he  loaves  of  bread  baked  on 
this  hof  surface  cannot  he  excelled  by  the 
latest  baking  devices  of  today.  The  modern 
housewife  with  all  her  many  culinary  improve- 
ments should  pause  a  moment  and  think  of  all 
the  back-breaking  stooping  that  was  involved  in 
every  household  operation.  No  wonder  that  wo- 
men of  thirty  looked  old.  or  that  those  of  forty 
were  ready  to  retire  to  the  chimney  corner. 

LACK  OF  PHYSICIANS- 

When  sickness  fell  upon  the  pioneer  family, 
which  it  did  with  terrifying  frequency,  it  was 
almost  impossible  to  secure  a  physician,  unless 
one  possibly  had  become  a  pioneer  neighbor  him- 


628 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


self,  and  even  then  his  remedial  agent?  an'- 
appliances  were  wholly  inadequate  to  grapple 
with  disease.  We  are  told  that  the  pioneer  was 
healthy  ami  lived  through  somehow,  but  did  he? 
Co  into  any  country  churchyard  where  Ho 
those  who  wore  the  pioneers  and  read  their 
simple  headstones.  How  many  of  the  little 
baud  of  brave. men  and  women  lived  to  good 
old  age?  How  many  of  their  children  passed 
through  infancy  to  eliildlio.nl  and  (hen  on  into 
middle  age?  True  more  children  were  born  in 
those  days,  hut  there  was  terrible  mortality 
among  infants.  Epidemics  swept  through  all 
(hose  pioneer  communities,  often  wiping  out 
whole  families.  Cholera,  smallpox  and  the  va- 
rious diseases  (o  which  children  are  particularly 
prone,  were  all  too  frequent  visitors.  And  the 
Great  White  Plague!  What  family  was  without 
one  or  other  of  its  victims?  With  no  real  under- 
standing of  sanitary  requirements,  net  knowing 
even  of  the  dangers  that  lurked  in  their  streams 
or  their  surface  wells,  although  in  that  they 
were  no  more  ignorant  than  the  rest  of  the 
world,  the  pioneer  was  not  able  to  protect  him- 
self or  his  loved  ones  from  the  ravages  of  dis- 
ease, while  the  exposed  conditions  of  their  lives 
led  to  the  contraction  of  colds  which  oftentimes 
resulted  fatally.  There  were  other  misfortunes 
they  had  to  endure,  largely  from  lack  of 
knowledge.  When  Grundy  County  was  a  pioneer 
region,  people  in  general  had  not  learned  how  to 
care  for  and  preserve  their  teeth,  and  spectacles 
for  failing  sight  were  but  poor  affairs,  and  costly 
at  that.  It  can  he  recalled  that  comparatively 
few  people  retained  either  their  teeth  or  good 
eyesight  after  forty,  and  many  failed  to  retain 
them  after  they  had  passed  the  quarter  of  a 
century  milestone. 

Thus  these  pioneers  of  ours  had  much  to 
contend  with  in  addition  to  clearing  oil  the  land 
and  making  it  valuable.  Too  much  honor  can- 
not be  paid  them  and  their  heroic  struggles,  all 
the  more  because  the  majority  of  them  went 
about  their  tasks  cheerfully  and  happily,  and 
were  glad  to  sacrifice  as  they  did  that  their  chil- 
dren might  profit. 

DIFFICULT   LAND  CLEARING 

However,  it  was  no  light  task  they  assumed. 
this  clearing  of  the  land.  The  present  genera- 
tion knows  nothing  of  this  back-breaking,  heart- 
wearing  work.  In  the  first  place  none  of  the 
pioneers  had  proper  tools  or  sufficient  stock,  and 


from  the  beginning  were  thus  hampered.  They 
were  anxious  to  get  enough  seed  in  as  soon  as 
possible  so  as  to  provide  food,  and  in  order  to  do 
this,  oftentimes  plowed  about  the  stumps  of 
the  trees  they  had  felled,  not  waiting  to  grub 
out  the  stumps.  Sometimes  these  stumps  re- 
mained in  until  they  rotted  away,  owing  to  the 
farmer's  lack  of  time  and  strength  to  get  them 
tint.  While  the  decaying  wood  eventually  en- 
riched the  land,  no  satisfactory  cultivating  could 
hi>  done  as  long  as  the  plow  was  continually 
blocked  by  the  stumps,  yet  crops  were  put  in 
and  harvested,  because  these  pioneers  had  to 
get  along  somehow  so  as  (o  live  and  provide  for 
their  children. 

All  of  the  land  was  not  timberland,  however; 
much,  especially  in  Grundy  County  was  prairie, 
and  one  who  knows  nothing  of  conditions  in 
those  days  wonders  why  the  prairie  land  was 
not  always  chosen.  There  were  a  number  of 
reasons.  In  the  first  place  the  pioneer  had  to 
secure  a  place  that  would  give  him  timber  not 
only  for  his  house,  barn  and  fences,  hut  Cor  fuel 
as  well,  and  (hen.  too,  the  timber  usually  bor- 
dered the  streams  and  water  was  another  neces- 
sity. However  there  was  another  cogent  rea- 
son. Difficult  as  it  was  to  put  timberland  under 
cultivation,  it  was  even  more  so  to  plow  up  tin- 
prairie  sod.  It  has  been  proven  by  scientists 
who  have  studied  these  matters  carefully  that 
the  prairies  are  great  forest  spaces  whose  upper 
growth  has  been  destroyed  by  (ire  or  other 
causes  so  that  only  the  roots  remain,  but  these 
are  very  old,  antedating  sometimes  the  mighty 
forest  trees  in  point  of  age.  Beneath  the  tough 
prairie  grass  of  these  level  spaces  is  a  growth 
that  makes  it  necessary  to  use  plows  specially 
designed  for  (hat  purpose.  Few  of  the  pioneers 
had  such  plows,  ami  for  this  and  other  reasons 
the  prairies  were  developed  at.  a  later  date  than 
the  timberland.  When,  after  countless  setback-, 
and  constant  work,  the  pioneer  managed  to  get 
enough  of  his  land  under  cultivation  to  he  able 
to  sell  some  of  his  produce,  he  was  confronted 
by  two  difficulties:  he  had  no  local  market,  and 
practically  no  transportation  to  that  of  the 
larger  communities.  Of  course  he  could  haul 
his  grain  or  drive  bis  stock,  but  when  the  state 
of  the  roads  in  those  early  days  is  remembered 
some  comprehension  may  he  had  of  what  it 
meant,  to  sell  at  Peoria  or  Chicago. 

Prices  even  in  one  of  the  larger  places  were 
extremely  low.  During  the  latter  part  of  the 
forties    and    early     fifties,    pork    was    sold    so 


' 


- 


' 


! 


' 


JAMES  MORAN 

••KING  OF  THE  WAUPECAN" 

BORN    JULY    23,    1S03,    DIED    NOVEMBER  7,   I'll  1 


■     ■  - 


>m7 


:{ 


f. 


; 


*  3 


1 

\ 

. .. 


MR.  AND  MRS.  SAMUEL  C.  R1DGWAY 


PATRICK  HYNDS 
SECOND  COUNTY  JUDGE,  ELECT 
1851—  RE-ELECTED  IN  1853 
DIED  IN   1S00 


ED  IN 


4 HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


629 


low  :is  to  scarcely  pay  for  the*  hauling,  let  alone 
the  raisin?-.  Grains  were  all  low  and  vegetables 
brought  no  prices,  for  everyone  had  a  garden 
and  there  could  be  no  export  on  perishable  goods 
bec.inso  this  was  long  before  the  refrigerator 
car.  Chickens  and  olt^s  were  sold  for  any  price 
offered,  no  matter  how  low.  Butter  was  traded 
for  groceries  at  the  coiner  store,  as  were  eggs, 
no  money  changing  hands.  Fortunately  the  pio- 
neer could  raise  much  that  lie  required,  and 
went  without  about  all  else.  The  housewife 
made  candles  from  tallow,  cured  her  own  meats, 
rendered  her  lard  and  made  her  butter.  The 
men  folks  in  spare  times  hunted  for  came  and 
honey,  the  latter  furnishing  sweetening  at  a 
time  when  sugar  was  almost  priceless.  Soap 
was  made  at  home,  as  were  all  the  clothing, 
stockings  and  caps.  Traveling  shoemakers  went 
through  the  country,  remaining  at  a  cabin  a 
week  to  outfit  the  family  with  shoes,  but  often- 
times the  pioneer,  in  the  earliest  days,  man- 
aged with  moccasins  made  by  deft  hands.  Money 
was  something  so  scarce  that  it  was  not  in  gen- 
eral circulation  during  pioneer  days.  Barter 
and  exchange  prevailed.  One  pioneer  traded  his 
surplus  of  honey  for  his  neighbor's  abundance 
of  "garden  sass."  A  housewife  who  had  turned 
out  more  soap  than  she  required,  exchanged 
with  her  neighbor  for  candles,  of  which  she 
had  a  scanty  store.  Cheating  was  unknown,  al- 
though some  were  "better  hands  at  a  trade" 
than  others.  Even  in  those  days  when  each 
man  ought  to  have  had  an  equal  chance,  there 
we're  those  who  knew  how  to  get  along,  while 
others  who  appeared  to  work  as  hard  fell  be- 
hind, and  oftentimes  lost  all  they  had.  It  has 
always  been  this  way,  and  probably  will  con- 
tinue to  be  as  long  as  human  nature  remains  as 
it  is. 

EARLY    SCHOOLS    AND    CHURCHES 

As  soon  as  possible  the  typical  pioneer  sought 
to  provide  better  conditions  for  his  children. 
He  was  willing  to  work,  do  without  and  make 
his  own  way  without  educational  advantages, 
hut  he  would  not  permit  his  children  to  do  the 
same.  In  every  community  throughout  Grundy 
County  long  before  the  county  was  organized, 
when  everything  was  still  in  an  unsettled  state, 
there  were  to  he  found  certain  persons  a  little 
•'iter  educated  than  their  neighbors,  Leathering 
•'>o  children  about  them  and  imparting  what 
knowledge  they  possessed.     These  were  usually 


the  people  who  managed  to  have  a  religious 
service  held  in  their  cabins  at  odd  intervals  and 
from  them  sprung  up  the  two  mighty  factors  in 
the  development  of  Grundy  County — school  and 
church.  In  time  the  fireside  schools  gave  way 
to  one  held  in  a  tiny  cabin,  presided  over  prob- 
ably by  a  young  man  struggling  to  secure  better 
educational  advantages  himself,  and  in  this  way 
eking  out  existence  until  he  had  completed  his 
studies,  or  by  a  girl,  who.  coming  from  a  more 
settled  community  to  join  a  relative,  taught 
until  some  enterprising  unmarried  pioneer  bore 
her  ..if  us  his  bride.  These  primitive  schools 
have  all  passed  away.  So  have  the  people  who 
once  were  nobly  responsible  for  them.  Many 
who  attended  them  have  also  left  this  world, 
but  out  from  their  simple  teachings  many  a 
great  man  developed  whose  country  had  to  lean 
upon  his  wisdom  in  time  of  dire  peril. 

The  pioneers  of  Grundy  County  suffered  much, 
endured  long  and  prospered  in  no  proportion  to 
their  merits,  but  they  laid  the  foundation  of  a 
mighty  superstructure  that  will  endure  through 
the  ages,  from  them  have  sprung  those  now 
living  who,  in  turn,  will  transmit  the  virtues 
inculcated  by  their  forebears,  and  will)  this  all 
in  view,  who  dare  say  that  the  pioneers  lived 
in  vain,  or  that  pioneer  life  was  not  productive 
of  much  that  was  good  and  noble  although  it 
tried  men's  souls  as  by  fire. 


OHAPTEB  V 


PIONEEB    WOMEN 


SCANT  MENTION  IN  HISTORY — BUSY  AND  USEFUL 
LIVES — THEIR  MANY  ACTIVITIES — THEIR  NOBLE 
VIRTUES — THEIR  WORK  FOR  CHURCH  AND  SCHOOL 
—THEIR  INFLUENCE  IN  THE  CAUSE  OF  TEMPER- 
ANCE  WORTHY         DESCENDANTS         IN         GRUNDY 

COUNTY. 


SCANT     MENTION    IN    HISTORY 

History  teems  with  the  names  and  exploits  of 
the  men  who  braved  the  dangers  of  (he  wil- 
derness and  battled  with  the  hostile  and   wily 


630 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDTf   COUNTY. 


Indian  to  make  secure  the  right  to  the  land  they 
had  chosen  as  a  home,  but  much  less  is  said  of 
the  struggles  of  (heir  women,  and  yet  it  was 
the  women  who  suffered  most.  Many  of  those 
who  became  pioneers  in  Grundy  County  were 
of  gentle  blood  and  had  left  homes  where  they 
had  been  tenderly  cherished  and  surrounded  by 
comforts  and  luxuries  and  thus  were  but  illy 
prepared  for  the  stem  realities  which  con- 
fronted them  on  the  frontier.  Although  rugged 
toil  and  wearying  daily  routine,  aside  from  pos- 
itive danger,  was  their  portion,  after  accom- 
panying their  men  to  the  "far  west"'  they  were 
singularly  uncomplaining.  Their  housekeeping 
was  done  well  although  with  the  most  primitive 
of  appliances;  they  were  often  hard  put  to  find 
a  variety  for  their  table;  they  here  their  many 
children  without  proper  medical  attention  and 
brought  them  up  wisely  and  well  even  when 
neither  school  nor  church  were-  near  enough  to 
lend  influence.  Where  stands  a  monument  of 
stone  to  call  attention   to  Pioneer  Women? 

Although  very  many  of  these  women  paid 
heavily  for  their  sacrifices,  in  broken  health 
and  in  shortened  lives,  bow  cheerfully  and 
bravely  were  these  sacrifices  made.  Not  lack- 
ing in  any  of  the  qualities  or  talents  that  make 
the  noble  women  of  Grundy  County  noticeable 
today,  they  gaveTso  lavishly  and  unselfishly  of 
themselves  that  their  descendants  can  never 
rise  to  greater  heights  of  womanhood,  for  they 
were  actuated  by  the  spirit  of  helpfulness  that 
made  ministering  to  others  a  chosen  duty  in 
which  there  was  no  thought  of  any  earthly  re- 
ward. In  many  almost  forgotten  burial  places 
stand  simple  stones  on  which  the  inscriptions 
tell  the  story  of  the  brief  span  of  life  of  young 
wife  and  mother  and  the  stranger  reads  of  these 
long  ago  domestic  tragedies  with  a  haunting 
feeling  of  injustice  done  and  of  pity  that  pio- 
neering had  to  claim  so  many  innocent  victims. 
Fortunately  there  were  those  of  stronger  mold 
who  were  able  to  live  through  the  struggles  of 
those  early  days  even  into  old  age.  All  sol- 
diers of  a  war  do  not  jterisb  on  the  battlefield, 
but  enough  are  stricken  to  make  the  sacrifice 
pitiable. 

BUSY    AND    USEFUL    I.IVES 

We  know  that  these  pioneer  women  were  not 
idle  a  moment  of  their  lives.  Here  indeed  were 
they  true  helpmeets,  and  no  one  was  more  to  be 
pitied  in  those  early  days  than  the  man  who 


did    not    have   either    mother,    wife    or   sister   to 
assist  him  in  his  work  and  with  helpfulness  un- 
failing  give   him   strength.     Industries   tor   the 
comfort   and  health  of  the  family  were  entirely 
in    her   hands.      She   not    only    attended    to    her 
household   duties,   hut   she  spun   and    wove   both 
flax  and  wool,   made  the  cloth   thus   manufac- 
tured into  clothes.     Stockings,  "comforters"  and 
mittens    were    knit    by    the   busy    fingers   of    the 
women  during  the  long  evenings,  their  onlyjight 
oftentimes   the   flickering    lire,   or   at   best    that 
given  forth  by  a  home-made  tallow  "dip."     When 
sickness  came  into  the  home  circle,   it   was  the 
housewife    who    ministered     her    home-brewed 
medicines  and  sat  up  until   cither  death   or   re- 
turning  health    made  such  service   unnecessary. 
The  pioneer  woman  not   only  ministered   to  her 
own.  but   to  neighbors,  and  her  hands  prepared 
the  body  of  the  dead  for  burial,  or  that  of  the 
new-born   for  living.     Had  it  not  been   for  the 
energy  and  devotional  zeal  of  the  pioneer  women 
churches   would    not  have   been    established   as 
early  hy  a  number  of  years.     In  the  beginning, 
services  were  held  in  the  cabins  of  the  pioneers 
and    the    women    made    welcome,    not    only    the 
neighbors  who,  for  miles  around,  came  to  attend 
the    religious    exercises,    but    the    preachers    as 
well,    taking   pride    in    entertaining    them    with 
toothsome  meals,  the  preparation  of  which,  with 
their   tew    utensils,    was   a    task    that    would    be 
almost   beyond  the  ordinary  present   day  house- 
wives.     When    the   pioneer    women    <>f   Grundy 
County   likewise   felt   that   it   was   necessary   for 
their   children   to   have   schools   they   saw   that 
they    were    established,    working    through    their 
less  observant  men  folks  for  this  purpose.    With 
tin?   beginning    of    agitation    against    the    liquor 
tratlie,  these  women  came  solidly  to  the  front, 
and  have  ever  since  been  mighty  forces  against 
this  evil. 

WORTHY     DESCENDANTS 

In  the  successors  and  descendants  of  these 
heroic  women  of  Grundy  County  are  found 
those  self  reliant,  purposeful  and  effective 
women  of  the  present  day,  who  are  so  ably 
working  along  progressive  lines  for  the  better- 
ment of  humanity.  Changing  conditions  have 
made  it  unnecessary  for  them  to  labor  just  as 
their  forebears  did.  but  the  same  uplifting  spirit 
actuates  them,  and  they  are  fighting  the  good 
fight,  and  will  triumph  eventually,  for  they  have 
right  on  their  side,  and  morality  as  their  watch- 
word. 


1523637 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


G31 


CHAPTER   VI 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    FIFTY    YEARS 


than  to  cloud  the  sunlight  of  the  present.  There 
is  a  touch  of  sadness  in  such  a  retrosi>ect,  in 
the  rcmombrance  that  so  few  of  the  early  set- 
tlers remain  and  that  even  once  prominent  old 
family  names  have  no  present  representatives; 
but  they  are  not  forgotten,  and  it  is  a  part  of 
a  history  like  the  present  to  perpetuate  them. 


SCOPE  OF  HALF  A  CENTURY'S  MEMORIES— SHAB- 
BONA— MONUMENT  AT  MORRIS — CANAL  TRAFFIC 
— PACKET  BOATS-  -FERRIES — THE  DR  UNAGE 

CANAL — THE  OLD  COURTHOUSE — THE  OLD  LOG 
BASTILE — NEWSPAPER  AMENITIES — A  FIST  FIGHT 
— THE  ROUGH  WIT  OF  THE  TIMES— PRACTICAL 
JOKES— FIRST  RAILROAD  TRAIN— THE  PROFES- 
SIONS— JUSTICE  COURTS— A  FEW  SERIOUS  CRIMES 
— RELIGIOUS  INTEREST— EARNEST  MINISTERS-  -A 
SIMPLE  MARRIAGE  CEREMONY  —  A  NOTED 

PREACHER  OF  MORRIS — HONOR  TO  LINCOLN — 
FIRS!  NEWSPAPER — POJ  [TICAL         STRIFE — CAM- 

PAIGN BARNSTORMERS— CIVIL  WAT!  VETERANS — 
SHREWD  MERCHANTS  —  RECREA1  IONS  —  SOCIAL 
AMUSEMENTS — OLD  PRAIRIE  TIMES  PLEASURAELY 
RECALLED — MANY  AUTOMOBILES  OWNED  —MANY 
OUTWARD  CHANGES  BUT  THE  CORE  OF  THE  APPLE 
IS  THE  SAME. 


SHABBONA 

The  writer  finds  names  and  events  swarming 
to  memory  as  personal  recollections  during  a 
somewhat  busy  and  varied  life,  and  perhaps  his 
earliest  memories  concern  themselves  with  sto- 
ries of  the  famous  Indian  chief,  Shabhona,  who 
was  justly  known  as  "the  white  man's  friend." 
This  old  chieftain  was  oue  of  the  aids  of  chief 
Tecumseh  during  the  battle  of  the  Thames,  and 
certain  incidents  of  that  engagement  made  him 
a  lib  Ion-  friend  of  bis  white  brothers,  whom 
he  frequently  saved  from  death  in  after  years. 
Probably  every  resident  of  the  comity  is  fa- 
miliar with  his  famous  ride,  and  the  Shabhona 
Memorial  Association  erected  a  handsome  and 
massive  monument  at  Morris,  that  the  memory 
of  the  famous  Indian  might  not  die. 


(The  following  article  is  largely  a  compila- 
tion secured  through  interviews  with  many  of 
the  older  residents  of  Grundy  County,  and  aims, 
through  comment,  jest  and  story,  to  tell  of  for- 
mer days  and  to  tincture  the  present  with  a 
little  of  the  life  of  the  past.) 

To  recall  events  covering  a  period  of  fifty 
years — a  half  century  in  the  life  of  Grundy 
County,  and  to  make  the  narrative  true  as  well 
as  interesting;  is  no  easy  nor  inconsequent  task. 
It  must  touch  the  days  of  our  pioneer  grand- 
fathers, as  sound  and  stanch  a  body  of  men  as 
ever  crossed  the  border  line  of  Illinois;  it  must 
recall  the  days  of  the  fading  Indian  race  here; 
it  will  bring  sad  recollections  of  the  war  cloud 
of  1SG1,  and  then  will  lead  into  the  present 
paths  of  peace  and  plenteousness.  There  has 
been  much  in  the  unwritten  history  of  old 
Grundy  that,  if  told,  would  stir  the  heart  and 
arouse  the  enthusiasm  of  the  people  in  admira- 
'i"ii  for  her  quiet  hemes,  but  many  of  these 
lives  have  been  so  entwined  with  others  that 
'"11  justice  may  never  be  done  and  it  were  best 
l"  leave  undrawn  the  curtain  of  the  past  rather 


CANAL    TRAFFIC 

During  the  days  of  passenger  traffic  on  th^ 
Illinois  &  Michigan  Canal,  by  packet  boats,  the 
coming  and  going  of  these  vessels  always  excited 
much  interest,  and  were  attended  by  the  blow- 
ing of  an  old  tin  horn,  whose  raucous  voice 
offended  the  ears  of  every  one  within  a  mile, 
or  the  shooting  off  of  the  historic  cannon.  There 
was  also  the  old  ferry,  although,  as  has  been 
said  before,  "it  didn't  always  ferry,"  depending 
upon  the  state  of  the  river  and  of  the  ferry- 
man. At  that  time  the  people  had  no  idea  that 
the  Illinois  liner  would  become  the  outlet  for 
the  drainage  canal,  and  it.  is  possible,  and  highly 
probable,  that  if  they  had  been  asked  their 
opinion  they  would  have  objected  strenuously 
to  it.  That  the  people  of  this  vicinity  now  take 
the  great  enterprise  good-naturedly  is  shown 
in  the  following  story,  as  related  by  O.  .1.  Nel- 
son. According  to  Mr.  Nelson,  during  the  meet- 
ing held  by  the  State  Board  of  Supervisors  at 
Morris,  in  1913,  Charles  F.  Hanson,  who  for 
twelve  years  was  states  attorney  for  Grundy 
County,  in  speaking  of  Morris. and  its  surround- 
ings, said:  "And  to  the  west  of  you  is  the 
historic  Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal,  and    west 


632  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

of    that    is    the    Illinois    River,    both    of   which  store,   were   all   kept    in   the  little  old    building 

carry  between  their  banks  the  crystal  waters  of  now  occupied  by  Mrs.  Hitter,  on  the  west  side 

Lake  Michigan,  together  with  the  compliments  of  the  approach  of  the  canal  bridge,  and  all  of 

of  the  people  of  our  good  sister  city,  Chicago!"  these  ollices  were  conducted  by  the  In-other  of 

A  sight  of  our  present  magnificent  courthouse  J.    IT.    Pattison,   then    (in   lSf>2)    a    red-headed 

brings  vividly   back    to   mind   the   old,   wooden,  stripling  of  eighteen  years. 
one-room  structure  where  justice  was  dispensed 

in  the  early  days,  and  the  old  log  jail  where-  practical  jokes 
the  sheriff  was  compelled  to  barricade  the  en- 
trance by  piling  rails  and  other  obstacles  against  Numerous  incidents  might  be  related  to  show 
the  door  to  keep  westward  movers  from  break-  how  high  local  feeling  ran.  The  uncertainty 
in"  in  and  using  the  jail  for  a  camping  place  of  the  times  made  men  frequently  behave  like 
during  cool  nights!  Although  the  jail  was  not  the  veriest  boys,  and  practical  joking  was  often 
often  used,  newspaper  controversy  and  bad  indulged  in.  In  the  spring  of  1S33,  one  Samuel 
whisky  often  combined  to  arouse  the  fighting  1'.  Burgess,  who  was  then  head  clerk  in  (he 
blond  of  some  of  the  more  turbulent  spirits.  II-  Bishop  store,  was  elected  town  clerk  on  the 
lustrative  of  this  I  may  relate  the  following:  democratic  ticket  after  a  very  close  contest. 
The  late  T.  W.  Hopkins  is  said  to  have  com-  Tie'  Yeoman  at  that  time  was  published  by  one 
posed  many  of  the  caustic  articles  printed  m  Walters,  locally  known  as  "The  Singed  Cat." 
th  old  Yeoman,  while  Doctor  LcRoy  was  sup-  Burgess  and  his  friends  celebrated  in  a  manner 
posed  to  he  (lie  chief  editorial  writer  of  the  fitting  the  occasion,  and  ended  Up  by  carrying  a 
Gazette.  Mr.  Hopkins  conducted  a  department  disgraceful  old  outbuilding  from  the  rear  of 
store  at  Morris,  on  the  lot  just  west  of  the  the  <>ld  courthouse  and  placing  it  snug  up 
Commercial  Hotel,  and,  like  other  merchants  "f  against  the  only  outside  door  of  (he  Yeoman 
the  time,  sold  whisky  by  the  gallon.  It  may  be  office,  which  was  also  Walters'  bona'.  The 
said,  in  passing,  that  they  were  credited  with  "Singed  Cat"  happened  to  be  awake,  as  he  gen- 
selling  the  twenty-five  cent,  fifty  cent,  and  orally  was.  and  peeping  out  through  the  little 
one  dollar  liquor  out  of  the  same  barrel.  Mr.  dingy  window  saw  (he  whole  performance  and 
Hopkins  had  some  local  reputation  as  a  sports-  those  connected  with  it.  When  the  midnight 
man,  and  had  the  finest  shotgun  in  (own.  said  marauders  had  gone,  he  crawled  out  of  the 
to  have  cost  $l(in,  which,  in  those  days,  was  window,  summoned  his  friends,  and  carried  (he 
considered  a  vast  sum.  Serious  trouble  started  building  into  the  middle  of  the  sire,  t.  Then 
when  some  verses  were  printed  in  the  Gazette.  he  go!  busy  at  his  hide  old  press,  and  got  out 
They  ran  in  some  such  style  as  this:  some  bills  about  a  foot  square,  which  he  posted 

on  all  sides  of  the  little  building  in  (he  middle 

"There's  old  Hop.  with  his  whisky  shop,  of  the  street,   as  well   as   in  other  conspicuous 

And  hundred  dollar  gun.  sir;  places  about  (own.     The  bills  read  as  follows: 

He's  going  to  shoot  LeKoy,  he  says.  "Removal.      Samuel     1'.     Burgess,     (he     newly- 

Wouldn't  you  like  to  see  the  fun.  sir?"  elected   (own  clerk,   has  moved   his   office   from 

the  rear  of  the  courthouse  to  Washington  street, 

Feeling  ran  high,  and  the  trouble  culminated  in  front  of  the  Yeoman  office." 
in  a   fist" fight  between   Hopkins  and  LcRoy,   in  Great  excitement   was   caused   by   the  arrival 

front  of  what  is  now  the  "White  Corner,"   and  of  the  first  railroad   (rain,  a  construction   (ram 

A    F    Mallorv    who  was  Hopkins'   nephew   and  over  the  Rock  Island,   at  Morris.     It  pulled   in 

printer's  devil  at  the  Yeoman,  sat  crying  in  the  at   the   little   plank   station,   where   a    platform 

office    believing  that  his  uncle  was  going  to  die  had  been  erected  to  receive  it,  and  this  station 

and  thus  be  unable  to  take  Jiim  on  a  cherished  stood    lor    many    years,    until    replaced    by    the 

Wp  l0  Malne.  present  one.     Until  1S57  the  people  continued    o 

The   publisher    of    the    Gazette,    Mr.    Ashton,  cross  the  river  by  ferry,  but  then  a  large  sub- 
sprang  into  prominence  at  the  time  of  the  Brady  stantial    toll    bridge   was   completed,    this 
row    and   show,  d   himself  an   excellent    sprinter  created  a   free  bridge  April  J.  ISM),  and  was  re- 
whe'n    he    captured    the    man    Finlin,    who    was  placed  by  the  present  modem  steel  structure. 
running  for  his  life.    At  that  time  the  telegraph  The  professions,  during  the  early  days 


and   post  office   at   Morris,    as    well   as   a    book-      well    represented,    but   the   just: 


courts   were 


I ' 


lAiT    o/    ^yv-aA/utd/fccutt^ 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


633 


/..;  more  for  the  assumed  dignity  that  hedged 

:  them,  than  the  legal  acquirements  or  the 

n    [ding  ollicers.     Grundy,  throughout  the  term 

ot  irv  life,  has  been  a  law-abiding  community, 

yc\   it  has  had  several  notorious  crimes. 

A     FEW    SERIOUS    CRIMES 

On  July  27,  3S07,  Alonzo  Tihbetts  was  lynched. 

On  January  1.  ISGG,  Thomas  Le  Paige  was  mur- 

.:  -roil  by  Joe  Tibbetts,  brother  of  Alonzo,  and  .Toe 

vsa<  arrested  for  the  crime  and  proved  an  alibi 

mid   was  set    free   and   he  was  never  captured, 

■  :  c|    the   people  ostracized   the   family   for   the 

e.  and  at  a  dance  at  Highland  two  of  Tib- 

i'tr-'   sisters   were   ignored.     This   so  incensed 

Alonzo  thai  that  night  he  cut  the  harness  from 

c  ,    farmers'  horses  and  sawed  the  timbers  of  a 

road    bridge,    so   that    any   one   passing    over    it 

•..  mid    l)e   precipitated    into   the   waters   below. 

\VI  lie  no  one  was  hurt,  the  people  determined 

in   -unuuary  justice,  and  a  short  lime  later  a 

:    .  'I    of    citizens    was    organized.      The    sheriff 

••     -    ••  iii  to  the  south  i  art  of  the  county,  on  a 

'    •  clue  as  t"  Joe  Tibbetts,  and  the  jail  was 

!  -  >ken    open,    Alonzo    being    taken    across    the 

r'.-<:    bridge  and   hanged  to  a   tree.     This  tree 

-  • 'i:  thereafter,  and  for  many  years  stood 

'  •  i  '  spectre,  but   is  now  obliterated.     Enoch 

•  it'*.  <  Sty   marshal   of  Morris,   was  shot    t<> 

in    l^'ii  by   Charles  Miller,   who  escaped 

never  captured.     James  Maxwell  and 

I  •'      '  -a.  the  latter  a  negro,  foully  nmr- 

■  '■  -s    Iii  -:.,-r,    on    the   west   side,    and 

-  :.:n|    mother.     The  deed  was 

.    IstO.  the  motive  being  rob- 

;     ■    •     -  crime  Maxwell  was  hanged  Oc- 

)-•••    while  Fitzhugh  was  sent  to  the 

for   life,    and    is    still    there.      On 

li  r.    March    13,    1W>.    a    Rock 

I    ;       •._'•:■   train   stopped   at    the   Morris 

•;     -•:  and  when  il xpress  car  was  opened  it 

t  ■:.<]  that  Kellogg  Nichols,  the  express 
.••■••-  ;.^-.r.  had  been  beaten  and  shot  to  death 
BMl  rite  safe  rubbed  of  thousands  of  dollars. 
The  r.bU-rs  made  good  their  escape  and  $10,000 
reward  was  offered  for  their  capture.  A  year 
!i*d  utmost  gone  by  when  the  police  arrested 
«:•  Henry  Schwartz,  a  brakeman  on  that  train, 
-■■-•I  h-  was  brought  to  Morris  January  20,  1SS7. 
'  ■  ■•■  uext  month  Watts,  the  baggageman,  was 
*'••  nrrested.  These  two  men  were  charged 
:'  i1"'  crime  and  after  a  trial  of  nearly  two 
were  convicted  and  sent  to  the  peniten- 


tiary for  life.  After  a  year's  confinement  Watts 
died,  and  Schwartz  was  pardoned  by  Governor 
Altgeld. 

But  to  offset  any  tendency  toward  crime, 
Grundy  County  has  cvr  had  a  force  for  educa- 
tion, religion,  morality  and  good  citizenship  of 
which  it  may  well  be  proud.  The  history  of 
the  churches  and  schools  here  has  been  one  of 
steady  and  consistent  advancement.  During  the 
early  years  the  gathering  together  of  families 
to  form  a  religious  association  was  a  difficult 
matter,  as  the  settlements  were  so  widely  scat- 
tered, but  with  the  growth  of  population  re- 
ligious denominations  began  to  be  well  repre- 
sented. The  pioneer  ministers,  bravely  treading 
the  unknown  frails,  were  for  the  greater  part 
men  of  homely  education  and  address,  but  their 
lack  in  this  way  was  more  than  offset  by  their 
self-denying  labor  and  intense  earnestness.  Fa- 
miliar names  among  these  worthy  ministers  of 
God  are  Adam  and  Aaron  Payne,  William  Royal, 
Stephen  Beggs  and  rsaac  Scarrett,  of  whom 
the  last  named,  a  Methodist  divine  like  fho 
others,  was  the  one  to  solemnize  the  first  mar- 
riage ceremony  ever  conducted  in  Grundy 
County — that  of  James  Galloway  with  Martha 
Matilda  Stype.  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Isaac  Iloge. 
We  have  here  an  incident  fo  relate  which  the 
reader  may  find  illustrative  of  the  simple  and 
confident  faith  in  which  these  strong  men  la- 
bored. It  was  upon  the  occasion  of  the  first 
marriage  in  Greenfield  Township,  this  in  June 
or  July.  ISol.  The  worker  in  the  vineyard 
asked:  ••Henry,  do  you  love  Amanda?"  The 
answer  was  readily  and  surely  given  :  "Yes, 
sir!"  Came  the  next  question:  "Amanda,  do 
you  love  Henry?"  And  the  answer  came  no  less 
steadily  and  securely:  "Yes!"  "Then,"  said 
this  sincere  apostle  of  his  Master,  "I  pronounce 
yon  man  and  wife  by  God."  Which,  we  feel  con- 
fident   in    suiting,    made    that    contract    binding. 

A     NOTED    PREACHER    OF    MORRIS 

Brought  face  to  face  with  difficulties,  obsta- 
cles and  perils,  these  men  .proved  time  and 
again  their  judgment,  capability  and  courage. 
Witness  the  success  gained  (as  well  as  converts 
to  the  faith)  by  the  Rev.  W.  S.  Strong,  who 
came  to  the  then  scoffing  and  practically  law- 
less village  of  Morris  and  through  the  sheer 
force  of  his  own  personality  and  logic  brought 
his  audience1  to  a  slate  of  piety  and  reverence. 
As  related  by  the  Hon.  P.  A.  Armstrong:     "A 


C34 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


man  of  gianl  size,  middle  a  ged,  : 
full    voice,   read    I  I 

grcgal ion    to    help    lii in    sing, 
hushed,   and    a    profoun  1    stillness, 

I  over  the  audience.     Ind< 
were  (and  doul 

were  man' 

this  time  to  in- 

terrupt 

It   i-    lot  within  the  province  of  the  writer  to 
Grundy  (  :;..     That 

is   trea 

within  his  a  to  refer  :• 

should  be  of  int<  i     t  i     everj   Grundy  countian. 
The    Hon.    Lyman   B.    Ray,   ex-L 
eruor  of  Illinois,   wh  . 

county  dee]  the 

following,   in  six  f  the  Re- 

publican party  "back  in  '56":  "■  .  .  Abra- 
ham Lincoln,  one  of  tl  ■  greatest  •  i  d  grandest 
c-harai  ters  i  I  whom 

Providence  placed  at  the  head  of  our  nation  in 
the   supn  me   !  -   the 

Moses  of  a  new  dispensation— i 
lead,   and  well  did  1  I  en- 

couraged by  the  pioneer  Morris  paper,  and  other 
early  papers  of  the  day  in  Illinois.     Like  M 
of  old,  Abrahau    I  f  the 

-   ■  ke  his 

gnat    prototype,   he   was   not    pi  I 

the  land  of  proi  led  th 

through,  but  he  was  not  allowei  them 

across   the  Jordan,  and  while  a 
remains  in   our   banner — while  a   sins 
blazoned  on  the  field  of  blue — so  long  will  the 
deeds,    the   heroism,    and    the   loyalty    of   Abra- 
ham Lincoln  be  told  to  generations  yet  to  come!" 

FIRST    NEWSPAPER 

The  first  newspaper  published  in  Grundy 
County.  The  Grundy  Yeoman,  dated  Morris,  111., 
Saturday.  August  14.  1^52.  contains  among  its 
first  page  articles  a  facetious  reference  to  the 
nomination  of  Gen.  Franklin  Tierce,  and  also 
mentions  the  names  of  such  prominent  political 
notables  as  John  Van  P.uren.  James  K.  Polk, 
Gen.  Winfield  Scott  and  others.  Brilliant  writ- 
ers were  not  wanting  in  that  day.  but  their  work 
would  probably  be  s     ■  II 

of  the  present  craft,  who.  whatever  their  |  ':- 
tics,  would  undoubtedly  take  exception  to  such 
an  article  as  appeared  under  the  title  of  "Loco- 
Foco  Candy-date,-'   in   the  same  number,   which 


the    no 

shiru   ;  The  5  re- 

ferred   pr<  viously  I  ;tant  strift  d 

papers  during  1 

1 

over    the  I   3 . 

1 1    v. .  -  . 

iii    the  1 

predicted,  in  a  genera]   way,  the 

was  i  '  ur  if  the  southern   > 

While  •   '  :    the 

ys  and  the  daj  3  which  h 
lowed,   it    may  be  ■ 

•   n    by    E.    I:.    Fl 

it  Grundy  and  surrouud- 
- 

S    parties,    1     ring    I 
campaigns,  with   Ole  N     ton,  Will   Viner,   Louie 
:    O.    J.   Lnnd   as  a   q 

and  1       cd  for 
half  to  Uncle  John  Coyne,  wh     > 
( irrin    J.    Carter)  -    waiting,    I      I 

where  pat 

I    .    ' 
. . .  '. 

I  of  Carl 
lies." 

CIVIL    WAR    VE] 

the  Ci'  il  Wi       '     gged  il     - 
along  and  left  woe  des  - 

Grand  T  with  the   resl 

memory  comes  to  the  writer  fra 
genuine    emotion    than    that    evoked    \  - 
watched    the   return   or   the   torn   : 
'    and   main  is  to  t 

The  military  history  tells  of  their  v  •      ■ 

less  sympathetic  than  the  writer  must  I 
upon   to   tell   of   their   subsequent 

pos ing    interest,    humor  and    pathos.      Each 

community  has  yet  its  Jittle  band 
may  they  ever  be  honored  as  is  t: 

While  Grundy  County's  commerei       u    0 
turing   and    industrial    interests,    like    tl 
other  flourishing  sections,  have  grown  to 

their  munity,   they  1 

:     "      2    extent,  bi  • 

needs.      Here    from    the    earliest   days    we    find 
men    wl    .    c  with    littli 

native  talent,  have  built  atout  them,  above  them 


■ 


] 


■ 


• 


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< 


• 


v- 


i 


•■ 


i 


■. 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY.  635 

and,  so  to  speak,  uuder  them  -for  a  foundation.  been     frequently     commented     upon — they     are 

perhaps— structures   which   bare   withstood   the  proverbial.     The  reason   for   their  existence   is 

force  of  competition  and  bare  made  stable  the  ,„,<  f;u.  to  S(i(,k_     t|r,  ei(rly  days  foun(]  ^^ 

reputation  of  the  county   in   business  circles  of  . ,  , 

..  .  ,  „  ,-,...  widely  scattered  Naturally,  visitors  were  in- 
tbe    state.      However,    wink'    talent    was    never 

lacking,  resources  were  frequently— in  fact,  fl^«ent  and  were  a  welcome  addition  to  such 
more  than  frequently,  and  the  wit  and  capa-  social  affairs  as  the  pioneers  were  able  to  de- 
bility of  the  early  business  ventures  here  were  ate.  This  tended  to  establish  a  custom  among 
largely  the  mediums  through  which  they  worked  the  people  which  has  been  ingrained  in  their 
out  their  success.  During  the  fall  of  1S45 — the  descendants.  Hunting  and  fishing,  of  course, 
same  year  that  Col.  William  L.  Perce  and  Adam  were  anion-  the  chief  recreations  of  the  early 
Lamb  had  each  located  a  small  stock  of  mer-  days,  and  those  fortunate  in  securing  the  prize 
chandise  for  the  needs  of  their  canal  hands— a  trophies    wen.'    liberally    rewarded.      Log    cabin 


general  store  was  located  in  what  had  been  the 
bar-room  of  the  old  Grundy  Hotel,  which  then 
stood  on  the  site  biter  occupied  by  the  Hopkins 
House,  at  Morris.  The  proprietor  was  P.  A. 
Armstrong,  who  purchased  his  goods  from  Colo- 
nel Perce  and  Mr.  Lamb,  and,  finding  himself 
cramped  for  room,  built  a  small  store,  in  which 
he   also   conducted    the    postoffice.      Succeedin 


raisings  always  attracted  a  goodly  concourse, 
the  Saturday  afternoon  "scrub''  horse  race  and 
wrestling  match  brought  its  devotees,  and  the 
pioneer  women  indulged  in  carpet  rag,  quilting 
and  spinning  bees,  which  generally  ended  in  a 
dance,  and  there  were  some  famous  "fiddlers." 
With  the  growt I:  and  development  of  the  county 


Mr.  Armstrong  have  come  men   who  have,  per-  these   homely   amusements   were   superseded   b> 

haps,    bettered   him   in   achievements,    but    if   is  more   modern    social    activities,   but    among    the 

doubtful  if  any   of  them   have  shown   more  in-  older  residents  of  the  county  there  are  few  who 

genuity.     The  stories  told  of  this  pioneer  mer-  do   not   look   back   to   the   "prairie   times"   with 

chant  are  many,   but  we  may  content   ourselves  pleasure  and  fond  regret. 

with    relating   one.      Like    those    hardy    commer-  Chicago  furnished  a  market   for  the  early  set- 

cial  ventures  in   other  sections.   Mr.   Armstrong  tiers,   but    transportation   facilities    were   decid- 

took  the  greater  part  of  his  pay  in  produce,  and.  ed]y  ]ilnp;t.(1-  aml  the  men  of  early  Grundy  were 

therefore,  was  compelled  to  possess  more  than  not*  lncllned   ,,„„.  are  thnsc  of  today)   to  devote 

ordinary   ability    as    a    "trader."      It    is    related  ^  ^^  ^  of  (|i(>ii.  nm.   (o  jdlo  pleilsure.geek. 


that  one  of  his  customers  was  possessed  of  a 
team,  which  Mr.  Armstrong  coveted  greatly. 
On  one  of  this  customer's  trips  to  the  merchant's 
store,  Mr.  Armstrong  succeeded  in  making  him 
so  interested  in  some  goods  that  he  had  lately 
received  that  the  purchaser  finally  agreed  to 
trade  his  livestock  and  wagon  for  a  large 
amount  of  merchandise,  and  after  the  deal  had 
been  consummated,  found  out  that  he  had  noth- 
ing with  which  to  haul  them  back  to  his  home- 


in-.  With  the  acquisition  of  wealth  and  more 
leisure,  however,  Chicago  very  frequently  sees 
and  welcomes  Grunrij  people  and  probably  sells 
more  automobiles  to  them  than  to  any  other 
section  in  the  state. 

The  passing  years!  They  have  wrought  great 
changes  and  have  brought  great  accomplish- 
ments. They  have  obliterated  old  landmarks 
and  in  their  stead  have  furnished  the  creations 
of    modern    ingenuity.     They    have    taken    away 


stead,  and.  therefore,  was  compelled  to  rent  the 

,.,,,,,.  ,  ,    ,-  the  pioneers,  but  to  succeed  them  have  brought 

team  which   he  had  but  several   minutes  before  ' 


owned,  from  Mr.  Armstrong.  We  are  informed, 
however,  that  Mr.  Armstrong  was  lenient  in 
this  matter,  thus  displaying  himself  possessed 
of  the  traits  of  sterling  fellowship  which  were 


men  of  strength,  force  and  capability  to  meet 
the  conditions  which  confront  the  world's  work- 
ers of  today.  Cue  thing,  however,  they  have 
not    changed,    nor    is    it    reasonable    to    supjwse 


,  .   '      .,  that   they  ever  will:   the  stanch   and   loyal   citi- 

part  and  parcel  of  the  pioneers.  *  , 

zeiiship  which  has  made  the  men  and  women  of 


01.11    PRAIKIL    TIMES 


the  county   proud   of   the   region   in   which   their 
forebears   lived   their   lives,  and   to   the  best    in- 
The  hospitality,  generosity  and  general,  good-       terests  of  whirl,   they  continue  to  devote  them- 
fellowship    exhibited    by    Grundy    people    have       selves. 


036  HISTORY  OF  GRUXDY  COUNTY. 

CHAPTER   VII  then  a  waste,  | pled  only  by  Indians.-  Ii   then 

seemed  almost  impossible  that   this  la  ml  should 
ever  become  the  productive  section  of  the  pres- 
ent day. 
COUNT!      ORGANIZATION     AND     GOVERN- 
MENT CHICAGO     SETTLEMENT 

Chicago  was  then  but  a  cluster  of  huts  about 

Fort  Dearborn,  and  the  hostility  of  the  Indians 

early     conditions     chicagu     settlement — the       made  it   seem  as  though  no  permanent   settlers 

FIRST     SETTLER GRUNDY     AND     KENDALL     POO)  (Ollld     be     IlKlUCCd     tO    risk     the    (langels    of    that 

location  of  county  seat— board  o!  (ommis-  then  frontier  station.  .Many  failed  to  recognize 
sionehs— first  election— grundy  county  or-  the  advantages  ottered  at  this  point,  and  pa- 
ganized— hoard  of  SUPERVISORS— selection  of  neers  coming  west  at  that  time,  as  well  as  later 
county       ska  i  -  -first       courthouse — second  on,   passed  through   and    went   beyond,    locating 

COURTHOUSE —  PRESENT         COURTHOUSE  —  FIRST         in  other  districts  which   Were  destined   l.i   remain 

jail — second  ,iAiii — third  jail — i  i r.st  poor  only  villages,  while  the  rejected  settlement  by 
farm — second  poor  farm — third  poor  farm —  Lake  Michigan  grew  to  a  vast  city  of  wealth, 
mkmi:u;s   of   lower   and   uppics    houses — cm-       |i<i\ver  and  opportunity. 

Cl'IT   JUDGES — COUNTY    JUDGES —  CIRCUIT    CLERKS 

COUNTY      CLERKS— COUNTY      RECORDERS — 5IIU1-  THE    FIRST    SETTLER 

1FFS — CORONERS — STATE'S  ATTORNEY'S— SURVEY- 
ORS— county  superintendents  of  schools —  The  first  settler  of  what  is  n. iw  Grundy 
supervisors  of  morris,  afx  sable,  mazon.  ( 'ouuty  was  William  Marquis,  and  with  his 
wauponsee.  Greenfield,  nR.vcEVii.LE.  felix.  coming  began  the  history  of  tins  section  treated 
Saratoga,  XKiTi.K  creek,  ERiENNA,  nor.max,  of  at  length  individually  in  this  work.  He  was 
vienna.  highland,  good  farm,  goose  lake  and  followed  by  others  until,  by  18.°>9,  there  were  a 
garfield.  •                '  sufficient    number    nf   settlers    to    make    it    seem 

desirable  that   a    new   county  lie   tunned. 

GRUNDY    AND    KENDALL    COUNTIES    POOL 

(By  A.  .1.  Smith ) 

At   (lie  same  time  Kendall   County   was   fight- 

early   conditions  ing    for    recognition,    and    the    leaders    in    both 

Grundy    and     Kendall     pooled     their    interests, 

AVben   the  State  of  Illinois  was  added   to  the  finally  effecting  the  passage  of  bills  creating  the 

Union,  this  mighty  commonwealth  included  but  two    counties    in    the   general    assembly    of    the 

fifteen  counties,  and  the  portion  containing  set-  state    during    the    winter    of    1S40-41.      The    hill 

tiers   was   all    south   of    Alton.    fr< 'arlisle   to  creating    Grundy   County    was   approved    by    the 

Palestine.      Within    this    area,    however,    there  Governor   on    February    17.    1S41,   and    that    for 

was  a   large  amount    of   hind    not   yet    occupied.  creating  Kendall  County  two  days  later. 
.In    the   tifteen    counties    there    were   only    40,0<)0 

people,  a   portion   of  whom   had  descended   from  location   of  county   seat 
the    early    French    colonists,    while    at    present 

Grundy    claims    nearly    25,000.      By    1S20,    two  Immediately    following    the-  creation    of    the 

years  after  Illinois  had  become  a  state,  the  nuni-  county    came    those    discussions    which    always 

her  of   counties    bad    increased    to    fifty-six    and  arise    over    the    location    of    the    county    seat. 

the  population   to   1.~,7.447.   bul    ;is  yet   hut    little  Owing  to  the  fact  th.it  the  general  interest  was 

settlement    hail    been    effected    in    the    northern  centered    upon    the    building    of    what    was    be- 

pnrt.      •  lieved  would  be  one  of  the  big  highways  of  <-om- 

That    part    of    Illinois    lying    between    Galena  merce,  the   Illinois  and  Michigan   Canal,   it    was 

and   Chicago,  southward   M   the   Kaskaskia,  the  embodied    in    the   act    erecting   Grundy    County. 

headwaters    of    the    Vermilion,    along    the    Rock  thai   some  point   along  the  proposed    line  of  the 

River,  and  down  into  the  "Military  Tract,"  was  canal  must  be  chosen  for  the  county  seat. 


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HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


G37 


AN    ACT   TO    CKEATE   GRUNDY   FROM    THE   COUNTT    OF 
I. A  SALLE. 

Sec.  1.     Be  it  enacted  by  Tin:  people  or  -iiif. 

STATE    OK   ILLINOIS,    REPRESENTED    IN    THE    GENERAL 

assembly.  That  nil  that  tract  of  country,  lying 
and  being  in  the  county  of  La  Salle,  in  Township 
31,  32,  33  and  3!.  north  of  Ranges  <i.  7  and  S, 
oast  of  the  third  principal  meridian,  shall  con- 
stitute and  form  a  new  county,  to  be  called 
Grundy. 

Sec.  2.  An  election  shall  be  held  at  the  home 
of  Columbus  Pinney  on  the  fourth  Monday  of 
May,  1841,  for  the  purpose  of  electing  one  sher- 
iff, one  recorder,  'me  county  surveyor,  one  pro- 
bate justice,  one  county  treasurer,  and  three 
county  commissioners,  and  one  county  commis- 
sioners' cleric,  whn  shall  hold  their  offices  until 
the  next  general  election  or  until  their  success- 
ors in  ollice  shall  be  elected  and  qualified;  said 
election  shall  be  conducted  according  to  the  laws 
regulating  elections  in  this  stale.  Perry  A.  ('lay- 
pool.  Robert  Walker,  and  John  Beard,  Si\,  shall 
be  the  judges  of  said  election,  and  shall  make 
the  returns  within  five  days  after  such  election 
to  the  county  commissioners'  clerk  of  La  Salle 
County,  and  the  said  clerk  of  said  county  shall 
give  certificates  of  election,  as  in  other  cases 
•for  county  officers,  and  the  said  county  of 
Grundy  shall  be  organized  so  soon  as  the  said 
officers  shall  be  elected  and  qualified. 

Sec.  3.  Ward  P..  Burnett,  Rulief  S.  Duryea 
and  William  E.  Armstrong  he  appointed  in  con- 
junction with  the  Commissi  oners  of  the  Illinois 
and  Michigan  Canal  to  locate  the  seat  of  jus- 
tice of  the  said  County  of  Grundy. 

Sec.  4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  said  com- 
missioners to  locate  the  said  seat  of  justice  on 
the  line  of  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal, 
on  canal  lands,  and  they  shall  set  apart  for  this 
purpose  any-quantity  of  the  canal  lands  not  ex- 
ceeding ten  acres,  and  after  doing  so  shall  pro- 
ceed to  lay  off  the  said  land  as  a  town  site,  em- 
bracing lots,  streets,  alleys  and  a  public  square, 
in  such  manner  as  they  shall  deem  proper. 

Sec.  5.  They  shall  divide  the  said  lots  in 
equal  numbers  between  the  state  and  the  said 
county,  and  shall  allot  to  the  state  and  the 
county  alternate  lots  of  equal  value,  or  as 
nearly  so  as  may  be  practicable. 

Sec.  (5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Canal 
Commissioners  to  require  that  the  said  county, 
and  the  inhabitants  thereof,  in  their  corporate 
capacity,  shall  be  liable  to  them  for  the  pay- 
ment of  a  sum  equal  to  ten  dollars  per  acre  for 


one  half  of  the  whole  quantity  of  land  to  be 
located  as  aforesaid,  upon  the  payment  of  which 
sum  the  Canal  Commissioners  shall  certify  the 
fact  to  the  Governor,  who  shall  thereupon  issue 
a  patent  to  the  county  commissioners  of  said 
county  and  their  successors  in  ollice,  for  the 
use  of  the  said  county,  for  that  port  ion  of  the 
lots,  by  number,  which  shall  he  allotted  to  the 
county:  Provided  always,  That  the  monies  to 
be  received  by  the  Canal  Commissioners  by  vir- 
tue cf  this  section  of  this  act,  shall  he  applied 
in  aid  of  the  construction  of  the  Illinois  and 
Michigan  Canal. 

Sec  7.  The  county  commissioners  shall  meet 
on  tiie  second  Monday  of  June  next,  and  ap- 
point one  assessor  and  one  collector,  and  such 
assessor  and  collector  shall  proceed  to  levy  and 
collect  said  tax  from  the  taxable  inhabitants  of 
said  county  according  to  the  laws  of  this  state, 
and  said  assessment  shall  be  as  legal  as  if  (he 
County  of  Grundy  had  been  organized  previous 
to  (he  first  Monday  of  March,  one  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  forty-one. 

Sec.  S.  The  county  commissioners  shall  pre- 
pare a  place  for  holding  courts  in  said  county 
until  there  shall  be  public  buildings  erected.  The 
County  of  Grundy  shall  be  attached  to  the  Ninth 
Judicial  Circuit,  and  the  different  times  of  hold- 
ing courts  shall  be  appointed  by  the  judge  on 
the  above  named  circuit,  so  as  to  bold  two  terms 
in  each  year;  all  suits  commenced  in  La  Salle 
Circuit  Court  shall  he  determined  there,  al- 
though the  parties  may  reside  in  Grundy  County 
until  after  the  passage  of  this  act,  and  the  elec- 
tion of  officers  takes  place  as  provided  for  in 
this  act. 

Sec.  0.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  school  com- 
missioners of  La  Salle  County  to  pay  over  and 
cause  to  be  paid  over  to  the  school  com- 
missioners of  Grundy  County,  as  soon  as  there 
may  be  one  appointed,  all  monies,  papers,  vouch- 
ers, etc.,  that  be  or  they  may  have  belonging  to 
the  said  County  of  Grundy. 

Approved  February  17,  IS 41. 


board  of  commissioners 

A  Board  of  Commissioners  was  appointed, 
comprising  lion.  Newton  Cloud  and  Generals 
Thorton  and  Cry,  and  William  E.  Armstrong, 
It.  S.  Duryea  and  Gen.  W.  15.  Burnett.  As  the 
central  point  was  objectionable  to  the  canal 
commissioners,  and  as  the  only  other  site  at  all 


63S 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


practicable  was  in  the  bottom  land,  a  deadlock 
was  reached. 

FIRST    ELECTION 

In  accordance  to  the  act  creating  Grundy 
County,  an  election  was  held  in  the  cabin  owned 
by  Columbus  Pinney  on  May  24,  1841,  and  the 
returns  of  the  election  judges  to  the  clerk  of 
La  Salle  County  show  that  Henry  Cryder,  Jacob 
Claypool  and  James  McKeen  were  elected  county 
commissioners;  .Tamos  Neagle,  clerk  of  the 
county  commissioners  court;  L.  W.  Claypool,  re- 
corder; Joshua  Collins,  probate  justice  of  the 
peace. 

On  J_une  IT,  1S41,  the  county  commissioners- 
elect  met,  and  to  quote  from  the  record  of  that 
meeting  : 

'•This  day  Jacob  Claypool.  Henry  Cryder  and 
James  McKeen,  who  were  elected  to  the  office  of 
county  commissioners  in  and  for  said  county,  on 
the  24th  da>  of  May,  A.  D.  1841,  and  appeared 
and  produced  their  certificates  of  election,  where- 
upon the  said,  lacob  Claypool  and  James  Mc- 
Keen took  each  an  oath,  and  the  said  Henry 
Cryder  made  an  affirmation  to  support  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  United  States  and  of  the  State 
of  Illinois  according  to  law  and  took  their 
seats." 

Whereupon  the  clerk  prepared  three  tickets 
and  presented  the  same  to  the  county  commis- 
sioners, according  to  the  provisions  of  the  act 
of  legislature  entitled  "An  Act  to  Amend  an 
Act  Entitled  an  Act  Establishing  Courts  of 
County  Commissioners,"  approved  March  22, 
1S19,  and  Henry  Cryder  drew  the  ticket  on 
which  was  written  the  words,  three  years, 
and  was  to  continue  in  office  three  years;  and 
James  McKeen  drew  the  ticket  on  which  was 
written  the  words  two  years,  and  was  to  con- 
tinue in  office  two  years,  and  Jacob  Claypool 
drew  the  ticket  on  which  was  written  the  words 
one  year,  and  was  to  continue  in  office  one  year. 
The  other  county  officials  then  each  took  the 
oath  of  office  and  Grundy  County  was  duly 
organized. 

The  County  Commissioners'  Court  then  pro- 
ceeded to  divide  the  county  into  precincts.  What 
is  now  Aux  Sable  Township  was  made  Dresden 
Precinct;  all  the  rest  of  the  territory  north  of 
the  Illinois  River  which  now  constitutes  the 
townships  of  Saratoga,  Nettle  Creek,  Erienna 
and  Morris  \va<  called  Jefferson  Precinct;  and 
that  now  included  in  the  townships  of  Xorman, 


Vienna,  Highland  and  the  west  half  of  Good 
Farm,  Mazon  and  Wauponsee  was  called  Wau- 
ponsee  Precinct,  and  that  now  in  the  townships 
of  Goose  Lake,  Felix,  Braceville,  Maine.  Green- 
Geld.  Garfield  and  the  east  half  of  Good  Farm, 
Mazon  and  Wauponsee  was  called  Kankakee 
Precinct.  The  polling  places  in  the  various  pre- 
cincts were  fixed  at  the  homes  of  men  living 
near  the  center  of  population  of  each  precinct. 
The  entire  cost  of  this  meeting  of  the  Commis- 
sioners' Court,  including  clerk,  was  $24,  $5  each 
for  the  commissioners,  and  ?D  for  the  clerk. 

On  Wednesday.  July  21,  following,  the  County 
Commissioners'  Court  held  a  special  term  and 
divided  the  county  into  five  road  districts  and 
appointed  a  man  in  each  district  as  a  road  su- 
pervisor. The  grand  jury  was  named  at  this 
term  and  trustees  for  the  school  lands  were 
appointed  in  the  several  townships. 

The  judges  and  clerks  of  election  who  had 
served  at  the  first  county  election  were  ordered 
paid,  and  the  allowance  was  as  follows: 

Perry  A.  Claypool,  as  judge  of  election $1 

John  P>eard.  as  judge  of  election 1 

Solomon  Rutherford,  as  judge  of  election...  1 

James  Xeagle,  as  clerk  of  said  election 1 

Leander  Newport,  as  cleric  of  said  election..  1 

Carrying  poll  books  to  Ottawa 3 

Total    $S 

Thus  the  first  election  held  in  Grundy  County 
was  at  the  cost  of  $8  for  judges,  clerks  and  re- 
turn of  poll  books  to  the  county  clerk  at  Ottawa. 

The  meetings  of  the  County  Commissioners' 
Court  from  the  time  of  its  organization  up  to 
and  including  that  of  June.  T^TL'.  were  held  at 
the  house  of  William  E.  Armstrong,  where  the 
circuit  court  had  also  been  held,  and  in  the 
record  of  a  meeting  of  the  County  Commission- 
ers' Court  held  June  11,  1S42,  the  following 
order  is  entered  : 

"And  it  is  ordered  that  the  next  term  of  the 
circuit  court  lie  held  in  the  court  house  in  said 
county." 

The  next  meeting  of  the  County  Commission- 
ers' Court,  opening  on  September  5,  1S42,  was 
held  in  the  courthouse. 

On  Wednesday,  October  17,  1S49,  the  hist 
meeting  of  the  Commissioners'  Court  of  Grundy 
County  was  held  and  the  form  of  government 
was  changed  to  that  under  township  organiza- 
tion.    The  records  are  silent  in  regard  to  the 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


639 


election  by  which  the  township  organization  was 
adopted,  or  as  to  the  supervisors  who  were 
elected  from  the  several  townships,  but  this 
form  of  government  has  continued,  the  county 
board  now  being  comprised  of  nineteen  mem- 
bers, one  from  each  of  the  seventeen  townships, 
and  an  assistant  supervisor  from  each  of  the 
townships  of  Morris  and  Braceville.  On  June 
12,  1S50,  the  first  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Su- 
pervisors was  held  and  it  was  found  from  the 
state  auditor  that  the  names  of  Addison,  Fair- 
view  and  Dover  Townships  must  lie  changed, 
and  by  action  of  the  board  Addison  became 
Braceville,  Dover  became  Good  Farm,  and  Fair- 
view,  Arianna,  now  called  Erienna.  Since  then, 
by  division,  there  have  been  added  the  town- 
Ships  of  Felix,  Goose  Lake.  Maine  and  Garfield. 
making  seventeen  in  all. 


SELECTION   OF   COUNTY    SEAT 

Grundy  County,  named  for  Felix  Grundy,  the 
greatest  criminal  lawyer  Tennessee  had  then 
known,  whose  ardent  admirer,  William  E.  Arm- 
strong, was  father  of  the  bill  creating  Grundy 
County,  was  without  a  capital  until  April  12, 
1S42,  when  Morris  was  acknowledged  by  Isaac 
N.  Morris.  Newton  Cloud,  E.  S.  Duryea  and 
William  E.  Armstrong,  although  at  that  time  it 
was  kimwn  as  Grundytown,  and  Gruudyville. 
The  name  of  Morris  was  bestowed  upon  it  in 
honor  of  Isaac  X.  Morris,  who  cast  the  deciding 
vote  in  favor  of  Gruudyville  as  against  Clark- 
sou,  situated  on  section  9,  which  had  never  met 
with  great  approval  on  account  of  its  position 
with  relation  to  the  canal.  It  was  at  first 
proposed  to  call  the  place  Morristown,  but  as 
there  was  already  a  pos;cTice  by  that  name, 
the  present  name  was  chosen. 

THE  FIRST  COURTHOUSE 

As  is  so  often  the  case,  there  was  found  no 
suitable  building  at  Morris  for  the  transaction 
of  county  business,  and  so  the  private  house  of 
William  E.  Armstrong  was  ordered  used  as  a 
public  building  until  May,  1S42.  when  Mr.  Arm- 
strong erected  a  two-story  frame  building  20x40 
feet  on  the  northwest  corner  of  the  Courthouse 
Square.  The  commissioners  later  purchased 
this  building,  improved  it,  expending  in  all 
$485.30,  and  it  was  used  for  a  public  meeting 
place  as  well  as  for  a  courthouse. 


THE    SECOND    COURTHOUSE 

On  April  26,  1S5S,  the  second  courthouse  of 
Grundy  County  was  accepted  at  a  cost  of  £22.700. 
While  it  was  considered  a  line  building  at  that 
time,  increasing  business  made  necessary  a  new 
structure.  It  was  at  first  proposed  to  erect  it 
of  brie!-.,  hut  owing  to  the  fact  that  no  good 
brick  was  manufactured  at  Morris,  action  was 
taken  to  substitute  stone,  and  while  the  cost  was 
increased,  the  results  were  satisfactory.  With 
the  growth  of  the  county  business,  however,  even 
this  new  structure  was  found  too  small  for 
proper  and  dignified  work  and  although  con- 
siderable remodeling  was  done  in  (he  hope  of 
acquiring  sufficient  space,  it  was  decided  as  early 
as  TPlo,  that  a  larger  courthouse  would  have 
to  be  erected.  At  the  meeting  of  the  hoard, 
June  25,  1912,  a  resolution  was  presented  by  S. 
D.  Ilolderman  thai  the  courthouse  he  remodeled 
and  the  contract  was  given  to  the  Falls  River 
Construction  Company,  for  $G7,4So,  hut  when 
the  plumbing  contract  was  included,  the  hid  was 
?72,3So.  On  August  19,  1912,  the  old  courthouse 
began  to  fall  beneath  the  hands  of  the  wreckers, 
ami  as  nothing  was  retained  hut  the  two  outer 
walls  of  the  old  building  which  were  made  the 
inner  walls  of  the  present  structure,  it  must  be 
termed  a  new  courthouse.  On  Thanksgiving 
Day.  1912,  the  cornerstone  was  laid,  and  on 
December  9,  1913,  the  new  courthouse  was  dedi- 
cated with  imposing  ceremonies,  it  is  recog- 
nized as  the  most  artistically  beautiful  and  im- 
posing building  of  its  kind  in  the  Illinois  valley, 
and  reflects  lasting  credit  upon  the  architect,  J. 
W.  Rohrer  of  Urbana,  111.  The  new  edifice  is 
absolutely  fireproof,  and  the  rooms  have  been 
constructed  with  definite  reference  to  the  uses 
to  which  they  were  to  be  put.  It  is  built  of 
Bedford  stone,  concrete,  marble  and  steel,  with 
tiled  floors,  and  thus  there  is  no  danger  of  fire 
or   other   loss. 

Entering  the  stately  portals,  the  visitor  finds 
himself  in  a  large  circular  corridor,  beautifully 
tiled,  witli  immense  marble  pillars  and  lighted 
with  superb  bowl  electric  lights.  On  the  left 
are  the  public  and  private  offices  of  the  circuit 
clerk  and  the  vaults.  .  Adjoining  are  the  toilet 
rooms,  and  the  quarters  of  the  board  of  super- 
visors, and  the  private  room  of  the  county  jud^re. 
On  the  right  are  offices  of  the  county  clerk,  both 
public  and  private,  and  the  vaults  pertaining  to 
his  work,  and  next  to  them  are  the  offices  of  the 
sheriff  and  the  treasurer.     The  second  floor  is 


G-iO 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


taken  up  with  the  private  office  of  the  superin- 
tendent of  schools,  the  examination  room  for 
touchers,  the  offices  of  the  state's  attorney,  a 
consultation  room,  the  private  office  of  the  cir- 
cuit judge,  the  law  library,  tlie  ladies'  rest  room, 
the  grand  jury  room,  chambers  for  the  master- 
in-ebaneery,  two  rooms  for  the  petit  jury,  and  in 
the  center  is  the  beautiful  circuit  court  room. 
The  adornments  and  equipments  of  these  apart- 
ments are  the  best  obtainable,  and  the  furniture 
is  of  heavy  mission  style,  while  the  floors  are 
all  tiled,  it  would  be  difficult  to  suggest  any- 
thing additional  in  this  model  courthouse  or  its 
furnishings,  and  the  board  that  carried  through 
its  erection  has  every  cause  to  be  proud  of  the 
work  which  may  well  be  the  monument  to  the 
life  endeavor  of  its  members. 

The  following  committees  wore  appointed  at 
a  meeting  held  November  2S,  lf)l.->,  and  presided 
over  by  Eugene  Cryder,  to  celebrate  the  opening 
of  the  new  building: 

Arrangements— -Fred  Blasingham,  II.  Ik 
.Smith,  G.  W.  Anderson,  Milton  Meyer,  William 
Sparr,  C.  F.  Hanson,  and  C.  Reardon. 

Finance — C.  Reardon,  Fred  Blasingham,  Mil- 
ton Meyer,  F.  L.  Stephens,  O.  J.  Nelson,  II.  B. 
Smith,  and  J.  A.  Wilson. 

Speakers — C.  Reardon,  C.  F.  Hanson,  and 
Israel  Dudgeon. 

Lunch — Milton  Meyers,  William  Robinson, 
and  William  Allen,  Jr. 

Music — Fred  Blasingham,  G.  W.  Anderson, 
and  Milton  Meyer. 

Decorations — .1.  II.  Francis,  James  Murphy, 
D.  A.  Mathews.  Fred  Hoge,  Harry  Brown. 

Program— Mayor  W.  E.  Walsh,  William  Scho- 
ber,  W.  E.  Yiner,  F.  II.  Hayes,  and  Fred  John- 
son. 

Escort  to  Speakers — Israel  Dudgeon,  C.  F. 
Hanson,  C.  Reardon,  J.  W.  Rausch,  W.  E.  Sackett, 
A.  J.- Smith,  S.  C.  Stough,  Dan  O'Connell,  and 
W.   E.  Walsh. 

The  Reception  Committee  was  composed  of 
the  following  gentlemen  from  the  townships  as 
notatcd : 

Wauponsee — Charles  Elyea,  C.  II.  Moon,  Fred 
Stine  and  Andrew  Johnson. 

Mazon — I.  N.  Misener,  George  Wheeler,  W.  E. 
Davies  and  F.  II.  Clapp. 

Goodfarm — John  Schrotberger,  Andrew  Burk- 
bardt,  Charles  Rogers  and  Thomas  Neville. 

Highland — D.  O'Connell,  Thomas  Ryan,  M. 
A.   Stitt,  Dennis  Ryan. 


D.    R. 


C.    G. 
Hugh 


Vienna— E.  O.  Fellingham,  D.  s.  Real,  Fred 
Harford,  and  Dennis  Welch. 

Greenfield— A.  J.  Cully,  Robert  McXulty,  Jo- 
seph  Torandon. 

.Maine — E.  J.  Dujaric,  George  Bridel,  Frank 
Adams  and  .lames  Wills. 

Norman— T.  F.  Downey,  James  Winsor,  Fre- 
mont James,  and  William  Dcmpsey. 

Ericnua — S.  D.  Holderman,  Andrew  Johnson, 
M.   T.   Anderson   and    Martin    CJauson. 

Garfield — C.    Anderson,    Wade    Allison 
Keepers,    Frank    Mulvey. 

Braceville — John    Red,    Adam    Brook 
Johnson,    John    Willis,    James    McGabey, 
Bennett,  George  Barton  and  Frank  Corny. 

Felix  -William  Eewins,  William  Ilarkes,  An- 
ton Veronda,  John  Sambrook  and  Joseph  Clark. 

Goose  Lake — F.  Collins,  Russell  Winterbot- 
tom,  Charles  Anderson,  and  Waller  Phillips. 

Aux  Sable— II.  1'.  Dwyer,  D.  A.  Henneberry, 
Dan  Hall,  and  Frank  Clerk. 

Saratoga — E.  G.  Cryder,  Joseph  Osmonsen, 
Arthur  Goi'e,  and  Thomas  Peterson,  A.  N.  An- 
derson, C.  Collins  and  John  Craig. 

Morris— J.  P..  Dawson,  Edgar  Woelfel,  C.  0. 
Donahue.  Thomas  Owens,  I'.  K.  Cross,  James 
.Mack,  J.  A.  Wilson,  William  Gebhard,  George 
Bedford,  Fred  Johnson,  George  W.  Anderson, 
Joseph  II.  Francis,  S.  C.  Stough,  Ole  Erickson, 
H.  IT.  Baum,  Charles  Hynds,  J.  R.  Collins,  C, 
11.  Root,  Frank  Hayes,  J.  C.  Carr,  A.  H.  Gleg- 
horn,  Thomas  Hynds,  William  Sparr,  M.  N. 
Hull,  II.  B.  Smith,  O.  T.  Wilson,  Fred  Stephens 
and  II.  P..  Wagner. 

The  Morris  and  Coal  City  bands  and  the  Joliet 
orchestra  furnished  music,  and  the  committee 
on  lunch  provided  bountifully  a  generous  colla- 
tion of  roast  beef  sandwiches,  coffee  and  pickles, 
while  several  barrels  of  candy  were  distributed 
to  the  children. 

The  reception  committee  met  the  Hon.  Joseph 
G.  Cannon  at  the  10:42  train  from  Chicago,  and 
escorted  the  distinguished  speaker  of  the  day  to 
the  High  school  assembly  room,  where  Mr.  O.  J. 
Nelson,  chairman  of  the  committee,  introduced 
Mr.  'Cannon  with  a  few  appropriate  words.  The 
latter  gave  the  students  a  characteristic  talk 
which  none  will  soon  forget,  when  the  commit- 
tee escorted  him  to  (he  Commercial  Hotel,  where 
he  mingled  with  the  leading  people  of  Grundy 
and  surrounding  counties,  until  the  dedicatory 
exercises  opened  in  (he  Circuit  Court  room  of 
the  new  courthouse,  at  two  o'clock-.  Chairman 
O.  J.  Nelson  called   the  meeting  to  order,  and 


o 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


64] 


the  Hev.  'J'.  Aarrestad  delivered  the  invocation. 
Mr.  Nelson  then  spoke  briefly  as  follows: 

"Fellow  citizens  and  friends  of  Grundy 
County. 

"We  meet  today  to  celebrate  the  dedication  of 
this  ('•■;  pic  of  justice  and  as  i  rise  to  cuter  upon 
(he  duties  r i r  your  chairman,  my  whole  being  is 

li  I  with  genuine  pride  because  of  being  a  citi- 
zen (•(  little  Grundy.     And,  as  1  loolc  about  me 

•  ;  -  splendid  audience,  and  noting  in  your 
i  . .  <  t>io  re  tie  tb'ii  of  the  same  feeling,  the  pride 
.<..,-.  not  diminish.     This  day  will  be  called  the 

0  \  i»l  days,  fur  many  years  to  come,  and  though 

i  rose  tills  morning  the  same  as  on  other 

,<    ,  .  | .fist,  and  goes  when  it  sets  In  the  western 

:  tonight,  il  will  close  a  day  in  which  his- 

1  ;.    ..  is  written  in  Grundy  County,  and  a  rues- 

•  will  lie  whispered  to  every  patriotic  home, 
.  '  .  'i  I  verily  believe  will  rend  nearly  like  the 
rn<  --..■-'('  many  hundred  years  ago: 

"  'Peace  within  the  confines  of  Grundy  County, 
:md  good  will  to  all  the  inhabitants  thereof.' 

"Having  been  your  representative  on  the  coun- 
ty hoard  in  the  past,  J  naturally  watched  every 
move  that  was  made  from  the  beginning  in  the 
efforts  which  have  culminated  in  the  reconstruc- 
tion of  this  beautiful  building  on  the  spot  where 
the  old  one  stood  for  nearly  sixty  years.  Meta- 
phorically speaking,  it  was  not  a  ease  of  love  at 
tirst  siu'ht,  but  by  persistent  courtship  we  won 
our  bride,  and,  the  contest  over,  our  people 
were  wedded  in  brotherly  love.  From  that  mo- 
ment, the  word  jealousy,  which  is  defined  by  the 
latest  authority  as  being  a  suspicion  of  one's 
own  inferiority,  has  become  a  hated  word  in 
this  community,  and  has  been  discarded  from 
our  vocabulary.  During  the  reconstruction  of 
this  building,  I  presume  I  made  as  many  trips 
over  here  as  anyone,  watching  the  familiar 
landmarks  disappear.  I  was  here  so  often  that 
if  1  did  not  show  up  for  a  day  or  two,  the 
superintendent  would  ask  my  friends  whether 
Nelson  was  sick  or  really  attending  to  his  own 
business.  "While  watching,  one  day,  I  was  ap- 
proached by  a  friend  who  asked  me  what  I  was 
looking  at  so  intently  and  I  answered  by  saying 
that  I  was  watching  to  see  the  last  landmark 
disappear — that  crack  In  the  wall  yonder.  That 
instant  it  disappeared;  and  I  have  wondered 
many  times  since  where  it  went  to. 

"'Do  you  not  sigh  for  the  good  old  times  you 
bad  in  the  old  building  now  in  ruins?'  he  asked. 
My  answer  was  to  him  the  same  as  it  would 
be  to  you   if  you  asked  me  the  same  question 


now;  that  I  shall  always  look  back  with  intense 
pleasure  upon  the  time  spent  there  during  my 
official  life,  but,  we  are  living  in  the  present, 
and  the  verdict  is  'away  with  the  old  and  on 
with   the  new.' 

"I  do  not  believe  in  the  old  saying:  'There 
is  no  times  like  the  old  time.'    Therefore: 

"We'll    laugh   and   sing,   as  the  moments  bring 

Their  measure  of  joy  and  praise, 
And  the  sunlight  sheen  and  the  fields  of  green 

.Sti\tch  hack  to  the  good  eld  days. 
There  is  many  a  song  if  the  heart  he  strong 

And  the  love  be  warm  and  true, 
There  is  many  a  rift  in  the  clouds  that  drift, 

Where  the  sun  comes  smiling  through. 

"Then  n  truce  to  care  and  blank  despair, 

And  regret  for  the  days  long  dead. 
Give  me  the  chimes  of  the  present  time 

And  a  bright  blue  sky  o'erhead. 
Give  me  the  clasp  of  a  friendly  grasp 

And  a  welcome  at  the  door. 
And  I  will  not  sigh  as  the  hours  go  by 

For  the  days  that   are  no  more. 

"After  looking  the  field  over  I  have  come  to 
the  conclusion  that  the  supervisors  who  had  this 
work  in  charge  used  nearly  the  same  business 
sagacity  as  a  certain  widow  did  in  remodeling 
her  house.  She  had  her  old  house  made  into  a 
modern  dwelling  as  good  as  new  for  a  pittance, 
by  becoming  engaged  to  the  carpenter,  but  as 
soon  as  the  woodwork  was  done,  she  broke  the 
engagement  and  married  the  plumber.  While 
you  were  not  in  a  position  to  employ  the  same 
tactics  as  the  widow,  you  have  done  the  next 
best  thing.  T.y  being  alert  from  the  beginning 
and  using  good  practical  business  sense,  you 
have  given  Grundy  County  the  best  and  most 
substantial  public  building  that  ever  was  erected 
in  the  state  of  Illinois  for  the  money  expended. 
I  speak  advisedly  when  f  make  this  assertion, 
for  I  can  produce  several  insurance  men,  who 
will  back, me  up  in  it  from  the  viewpoint  of 
scientific  insurance  underwriting. 

"My  friends. — the  work  is  finished,  and  here  I 
am  reminded  of  the  historic  words  uttered  by 
General  Washington  at  the  close  of  the  battle  of 
York  town  when  the  work  of  the  Revolution  was 
finished.  I  see  him  standing  near  the  trenches, 
his  face  illuminated  with  a  smile  and  the 
cannon's  last  glare  as  he  is  watching  the  preacher 
—colonel  of  Virginia  planting  the  banner  of  the 


642 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


stars  on  the  last  of  the  defenses  of  the  British. 
The  music  of  the  implements  of  war  had  ceased, 
and  in  its  stead  we  hear  the  music  of  the  huzzas 
of  victory  :  The  work  is  finished  and  then  we 
hear  him  utter  these  words:  'The  work  is  done 
and  it  is  well  done.'  And  so  say  we  to  you  to- 
day:    'The  work  is  done  and  it  is  well  done.' 

••May  the  gentlemen  of  the  har  who  shall 
practice  before  this  court  ever  remember  the 
definition  of  a  gentleman.  May  the  jurors 
called  for  duty  in  this  building  always  possess 
sufficient  courage  to  uphold  a  righteous  verdict ; 
and  may  the  sword  of  justice  ever  be  swayed 
and  tempered  by  mercy,  is  the  prayer  of  your 
humble  servant." 

Mr.  Nelson  then  introduced  the  Hon.  Joseph 
G.  Cannon,  who  gave  an  appropriate  and  impas- 
sioned address  of  about  an  hour's  duration, 
touching  upon  many  subjects  of  moment  but 
avoiding  partisanship  and  devoting  himself  to 
those  themes  which  would  interest  all  and  arouse 
no  political  strife.  Finley  Bell,  of  Chicago,  de- 
livered the  dedicatory  address,  and  the  1013 
courthouse  of  Grundy  County  passed  into  the 
hands  of  its  people  to  be  used  by  aud  for  them. 

THE    FIRST    JAIL    OF    GRUNDY    COUNTY 

A  hewed-log  structure  that  stood  south  of  the 
courthouse  served  as  the  lirsl  jail  of  Grundy 
County,  but  very  little  is  remembered  of  it. 
Doubtless  it  was  a  two-story  building  with 
a  square  excavation  in  the  ground  into  which 
the  prisoners  were  dropped  and  confined  by  an 
iron  grating.  It  was  so  poor  a  place  that  the 
earlier  sheriffs  preferred  to  guard  their  prison- 
ers than  to  consign  them  to  this  inhuman  hole. 
Eventually  the  jail  was  sold  for  fourteen  dol- 
lars. 

THE    SECOND    J  AH. 

Whether  criminals  increased,  or  the  humanity 
of  the  people  of  Grundy  County  suggested  the 
erection  of  a  suitable  place  to  house  the  unfor- 
tunates, may  be  left  to  the  imagination  of  the 
reader.  At  any  rate  a  brick  structure  was  put 
up  at  a  cost  of  $3,237.13,  and  accepted  April  17, 
1S55.  This,  too,  was  found  lacking  in  many  re- 
spects, and  another  jail  was  found  to  be  neces- 
sary. 

THE    PRESENT    JAIL 

This  building  was  accepted  on  September  14, 
1S7G.     It  is  built  of  stone  and  cost  ?1G,190.G0,  ■, 


but  it  has  become  inadequate,  and  in  the  near 
future  there  is  no  doubt  but  that  Grundy  County 
will  build  a  jail  that  will  equal  its  magnificent 
courthouse.  The  jail  is  located  in  the  rear  of 
the  residence  of  the  sheriff  on  Court  House 
Square. 

THE  SOLDIERS  AND  SAILORS   MONUMENT 

Grundy  County  was  not  slow  to  respond  to  the 
popular  feeling  regarding  (he  brave  boys  who 
laid  down  their  lives  in  defense  of  the  Union, 
and  the  Court  House  Square  contains  a  monu- 
ment which  compares  favorably  with  any  of  its 
kind  in  any  community  of  this  size  in  the  coun- 
try. It  is  a  massive  shaft  surmounted  with  the 
figure  of  a  private  soldier,  bearing  the  inscrip- 
tion : 

"Erected  and  dedicated  to  the  memory  of  the 
so'diers  and  sailors  of  Grundy  County.  1S61- 
65."  On  one  side  is  the  name  of  Missionary 
Ridge,  on  another,  that  of  Chickamauga,  on  a 
third  that  of  Vicksburg,  and  on  the  fourth 
Shiloh,  and  yet  another  great  battle  claimed  a 
number  of  the  Grundy  County  boys,  that  of 
Gettysburg,  while  more  fell  in  lesser  engage- 
ments. This  monument,  was  erected  in  1S00  at:  a 
cost  of  $.",000.  this  amount  having  been  appro- 
priated at  the  December  meeting  of  the  Board 
of  Supervisors  in  1SS9,  and  is  a  source  of  pride 
not  only  to  those  who  were  instrumental  in 
placing  it.  where  it  stands,  and  those  who  lived 
at  the  time  the  amount  was  set  aside,  but  all 
who  walk  past  it  and  recall  what  it  commemo- 
rates, and  also  the  fact  that  were  a  like  neces- 
sity to  arise  today,  Grundy  County  would  be 
able  and  willing  to  contribute  its  share  of  de- 
fenders of  the  flag,  just  as  it  was  in  those  ter- 
rible years  between  1SG1  and  1865. 

THE    FIRST    POOR    FARM 

The  records  of  Grundy  County  show  that  the 
first  pauper  bill  allowed  was  ordered  paid  March 
7,  1S42.  It  was  for  the  sum  of  $10  for  medicine 
and  attendance  to  one  "Joseph  Brown,  pauper." 
Unfortunately  with  the  development  of  any 
community  comes  poverty,  and  the  tax  payers 
are  always  forced  to  make  provision  for  those 
whom  the  chances  of  life  leave  destitute.  Grundy 
County  has  net  been  exempt,  and  its  people 
have.nobly  risen  to  the  occasion,  and  now  have 
one  of  the  best  equipped  poor  farms  in  the 
State.     The  first  farm  of  3G0  acres  was  in  Nor- 


F 


" 


C^X^  &  tfMC^  L^- 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


64: 


man  Township.     The  county  paid  $2,400  for  it 
but   found   it  was  too   large  and   portions   of  it 

were  sold  to  outsiders. 

SECOND  l'OOK  FARM 

On  October  27,  1S79,  eighty  acres  of  land  was 
bought  for  $45  per  aire,  in  Waupoiisoe  Town- 
ship. An  old  brick  building  standing  upon  the 
property  was  torn  down  and  a  large  frame  build- 
ing was  built.  This  was  used  for  about  twenty 
years,  and  when  it  was  decided  to  build  new 
quarters,  it  was  partially  wrecked,  and  the  rub- 
bish was  sold  to  a  party  who  removed  it. 

In  the  December  meeting  of  the  county  board, 
in  1903,  the  committee  to  which  was  referred  the 
county  almshouse  on  the  county  farm,  tiled  the 
follow  in™  report: 

State   of   Illinois 
Grundy  County 

Board  of  Supervisors,  December  term 
December  10.  1003 
Mr.  Chairman  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Board  of 

Supervisors. 

A  majority  of  your  committee  to  whom  was 
referred  the  matter  of  rebuilding  the  almshouse 
according  to  plans  drawn  by  E.  E.  Roberts  of 
Oak  Park.  111.,  would  beg  leave  to  submit  the 
following  report  on  the  matter  before  them : 
that  on  the  12th  day  of  March.  1002,  we  let  the 
contract  to  E.  E.  Roberts  of  Oak  Park,  111.,  Tor 
the  sum  of  $1-1,202  for  labor  and  materials 
known  as  carpenter  work,  plastering,  kith,  heat- 
ing, plumbing,  painting  and  glazing,  and  your 
committee  was  to  furnish  all  the 'material  used 
in  the  construction  of  said  building,  known  as 
brick,  stone  and  necessary  hardware.  And  your 
committee  has  herewith  attached  our  itemized 
account  not  .only  of  all  labor,  material,  etc.,  for 
the  rebuilding  of  almshouse,  hut  also  all  other 
improvements  made  at  the  Poor  Farm  since 
March  12,  1002. 

And  your  committee  believes  that  Grundy 
County  has  a  substantial,  modern  and  up-to-date 
building  that  they  can  well  be  proud  of. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

Israel    Dudgeon, 

Chairman. 
D.  W.  Cornets. 

Here  followed  a  long  list  of  items  entering 
into  the  construction,  aggregating  a  total  of  $21,- 
242,  of  which  $2,030.83  was  used  for  other  im- 


provements, making  the  net  cost  of  the  house 
proper  $19,203.17. 

After  the  reading  of  the  report,  Supervisor 
Ryan  (the  oldest  member  of  the  board)  intro- 
duced the  following  resolution  which  was  unani- 
mously adopted  by  an  aye  and  nay  vote  of  the 
board,  the  members  of  the  committee  being  ex- 
cused from  voting.  The  resolution  reads  as  fol- 
lows : 

"Whereas,  by  the  report  of  the  committee  on 
Pour  Farm,  the  new  almshouse  and  other  im- 
provements there  ordered  by  this  board,  have 
been  completed  at  a  cost  of  $19,203.17,  and 
whereas  this  board  did  on  the  9th  day  of  De- 
cember, 1903,  go  out  to  the  almshouse  and  in  a 
body  inspect  the  work  done  by  said  committee 
and  found  it  most  satisfactorily  done  and  at  a 
cost  of  several  thousand  dollar's  less  than  the 
mosi  sanguine  members  hoped  lor, 

'•Therefore,  he  it  resolved:  that  the  thanks 
of  this  board  lie  tendered  to  the  building  com- 
mittee for  the  efficient  and  economical  manner 
in  which  said  committee  has  performed  its  duties 
in  the  premises." 

This  is  the  official  record,  but,  to  appreciate 
the  quarters  which  Grundy  County  now  fur- 
nishes its  unfortunates,  one  should  see  the  fine 
brick  building  with  its  broad  porches,  set  on  a 
beautiful  lawn  dotted  with  line  forest  trees. 
Hanked  by  gardens,  and  beyond  them  the  broad 
acres  of  the  farm  which  are  in  a  fine  state  of 
cultivation. 

GRUNDY  COUNTY   OFFICIALS 

Grundy  County  has  been  particularly  fortu- 
nate in  the  choice  of  its  officials.  Without  ex- 
ception they  have  been  men  of  probity,  and 
in  some  instances  have  also  risen  to  positions 
of  trust  and  responsibility  in  the  outside  world. 

CIRCUIT    JUDGF. 

The  only  Circuit  Judge  that  Grundy  County 
has  produced  is  Judge  Samuel  P.  Stough,  who 
was  elected  in  189S,  and  has  served  continuously 
until  the  present,  a  period  of  sixteen  years. 

COUNTY   JUDGES 

The  county  judges  of  Grundy  County  have 
been  as  follows:  Joshua  Collins,  1S41 ;  Jacob 
Claypool,  TS42;  Luther  S.  Robins,  1843-1844; 
Henry  Norman,  1S15-1S4G;  M.  D.   Prendagrast, 


614 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


1847-1S4S;  Henry  Starr.  1S49-1S51 ;  Patrick  II. 
Hynds,  1852-185G;  Colquhoun  Grant,  1S57-1SG0; 
Win.  T.  Hopkins,  1SC1-1SG4;  Jas.  N.  Reading, 
1SG5-1S76;  Samuel  B.  Thomas,  1877-1881;  A.  R. 
Jordan,  1SS2-1SS5;  It.  M.  Wing,  1S8G-1S89;  A. 
R.  Jordan,  1S90-1901  ;  Geo.  W.  Huston,  1902- 
1909;  George  Bedford,  1910-1914. 

CIRC  111    CLERKS 

The  circuit  clerks  of  Grundy  County  have 
been  as  follows:  I,.  W.  Claypool,  1841-1S4G; 
Patrick  Kelley,  1S47-1S4S;  Geo.  II.  Kiersted, 
1S49-1S55;  John  Galloway,  1S50;  Win.  A.  Kier- 
sted, 1857-1859;  John  R.  Davidson.  1SG0-1SG7; 
Jas.R.  Coombs.  18GS-1S77;  J.  H.  Pettit,  1S78 ; 
G.  R.  Taxis,  1S79-1SS7;  J.  II.  Pettit,  1SSS-1S95; 
-  F.  S.  Johnson,  1S9G-1914. 

COUNTY    CEERKS 

The  county  clerks  of  Grundy  County  have 
been  as  follows:  Jas  Nagel,  1S41-1S42;  P.  P. 
Chapin,  1S43;  Geo.  II.  Kiersted.  1S44-1S49 ;  E. 
W.  Hulburt,  1850-1852;  P.  A.  Armstrong,  1853- 
18C0;  S.  B.  Thomas,  1SG1-1S7G ;  II.  D.  Hitchcock, 
1S77-1SS1;  C.  II.  Overocker,  1SS2-1SS5;  Newman 
Perkins,  18SG-1SS9 ;  Jas.  McNaniara,  1890-1893; 
W.  Scott  Pierce,  1S94-1901  ;  A.  J.  Smith,  1902- 
1909;  Geo.  W.  Anderson.  1910-1914. 

COUNTY  TREASURERS 

The  county  treasurers  of  Grundy  County  have 
been  as  follows:  Sidney  Dunton,  1S41-1S42; 
Henry  Norman,  1^43;  Perry  A.  Claypool,  1844- 
1847;'  Thos.  Reynolds,  1S4S-1S49;  Frederick  S. 
Watkins,  1850-1855;  Robert  Longworth,  1S5G- 
1SC0;  John  Parr,  1SG1-1SG2;  Edward  R.  Booth, 
1SG3-1S6S;  Daniel  Ferguson,  1SG9-1S70;  John 
Anderto'n,  1871-1S74;  John  Barr,  1S75-1S7G;  J. 
II.  Pattison,  1877-1885;  Samuel  Holderman,  1SSG; 
Thos.  Phillips,  1SS7-1SS9;  Daniel  O'Connell, 
1S90-1S93;  Olen  O.  Johnson,  1S94-1S97;  Samuel 
Hoenshell,  1898-1901 ;  Harlan  Preston,  1902- 
1905;  J.  H.  Francis,  1900-1909;  A.  H.  Cleghorn, 
1910-1014. 


The  sheriffs  of  Grundy  County  have  been  as 
follows:  Isaac  Ilogo,  1.S41 ;  W.  E.  Armstrong, 
1S42-184S;  Orville  Cone,  1849-1850;  Elijah 
Walker,   1851;   Jas.   B.   Jones,   1S52-1S53 ;   John 


Galloway,  1S54-1855;  A.  C.  D.  Wallace,  1S56- 
1857;  Jonathan  R.  Webber,  1S5S-1859;  Seneca 
Tupper,  1SC0-1SG1  ;  Clias.  R.  Gardner,  1SG2-1SG3; 
Timothy  Slattery,  1S04-1S65;  John  Schroeder, 
18GG-1867;  Wm.  Galloway,  1SGS-18C9;  John 
Schroeder,  1S70-1S79 ;  C.  D.  Ferguson.  1880-1885; 
John  Schroeder.  188G-IS89;  L.  E.  Daniels.  1890- 
1893;  John  Schroeder,  1S94-1S97;  ('.  W.  John- 
son, 189S-1901;  J.  IT.  Francis,  1902-1905;  Thos. 
Steele,  190G-1909;  J.  II.  Francis,  1910-1914. 


CORONERS 

The  coroners  of  Grundy  County  have  been  as 
follows:  Leander  Leclere,  1S41-1843;  Samuel 
Avers,  1S44-1S4S;  Henry  Beebe,  1840 ;  Jas.  H. 
O'Brian,  1S50-1S53;  Jas.  B.  Jones.  1S54-1S58; 
E.  Ridgway,  1S59-1SC0;  Norman  R.  Griswold, 
1SG1-1SG2;  J.  B.  Jones,  1S63-18G4;  Levi  Hills, 
Sr.,  1SG5-1S6G;  John  N.  Freeman,  1ni;7;  George 
E.  Parmlee,  1S6S ;  E.  Ridgway,  18G9-1S84;  Tru- 
man A.  Hand,  1SS5-1SSS;  E.  T.  Abell,  1SS9-1S92; 
II.  M.  Ferguson,  1893-1896;  J.  E.  Brock,  1897- 
1903';  II.  II.  Ferguson,  1904-1911;  W.  G.  Sachse, 
1912-1914. 

state's  attorneys 

The  state's  attorneys  of  Grundy  County  have 
been  as  follows  :  Jas.  Curtis,  1844  :  W.  A.  Board- 
man,  1S45-1S4G;  Burton  P.  Cook,  1S47-1S49; 
S.  W.  Bowen,  1850-1853;  F.  A.  Bartleson,  1854- 
1S59;  Henry  Logan,  ISG0-1SG3;  S.  W.  Munn, 
1SG4-1SGS;  Chas.  A.  Hill,  18C9-1S71  :  A.  It.  Jor- 
dan. 1S72-1S79;  A.  Lee  Doud,  1SS0-1SS3 ;  O.  N. 
Carter,  1SS4-1SS7 ;  Samuel  P.  Stough,  18SS-1S95; 
Geo.  W.  Huston,  1S96-1S99 ;  Chas.  F.  Hanson, 
1900-1911 ;  F.  II.  Hayes,  1912-1914. 

SURVEYORS 

The  county  surveyors  of  Grundy  County  have 
been  as  follows:  Leander  Newport,  1S41-1S44; 
Thos.  A.  Henry,  1845-184S ;  Chas.  Huston,  1S49- 
1S51;  Thos.  A.  Henry,  1S52-1S55;  Samuel  Ewer, 
1S5G-1S5S;  Nathaniel  McBride,  1859-1SG0;  Thos. 
A.  Henry,  1SG1-1802;  Nathaniel  McBride,  1SG3- 
1S70;  Geo.  II.  Kiersted,  1S71-1S7I ;  Nathaniel 
McBride,  1875;  Edward  Sufl'erin,  1876;  Chas. 
Huston,  1S77-1SS3;  Xathaniel  McBride,  1SS4- 
1899;  Arthur  Parker,  1900-1905;  Eugene  G.  Cry- 
der,  190G-1907;  Wm.  Harkes,  190S-1911;  John 
Rosendahl,  1912-1914. 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


645 


COUXTY  SUPEBtSTEXDEXT   Oi    SCHOOLS 

The  county  superintendents  of  schools  of 
Gnindy  County  bare  i.een  as  folium's:  J 
Claypool,  1-41-1-12:  Jas.  Hart,  1S43;  L.  S.  Rob- 
liius.  1-44:  Thos.  O.  Sullivan.  1S43-1S46;  Chas. 
Huston,  1S47-1S4S;  Win.  II.  Perkins,  1S49-1S50; 
Oolquhoun  Grant.  1S51-1S52;  Geo.  Fisher,  1S53- 
1S54;   V*".   T.   Hopkins,   1S55-1S56;    Geo.   Fisher, 

1S57-1S5S;  Rnfus  K.  SI :..  1S09-1SGO;  Edward 

Sanford,  1S61-1S02;  Hiram  P.  Goold,  1S63-1S74; 
John  Higby,  1S75-1SS0;  0.  X.  C  .  1SS1-1    : 

S.  E.  Massey,  1SS4-1SSS;  1».  R.  Anderson,  1SS9- 
1S97;  Mary  E.  Holdennan,  1S9S-1901;  Chas. 
II.  Root,  1002-1014. 

corxrr  stttebvisobs 

The  county  supervisors  of  Morris  Township 
have  been  as  follows:  P.  A.  Armstrong,  1S50; 
C.  L.  R.  Hogan,  1S5T;  Eug  y,lS52; 

P.  A.  Armstrong,  1S53;  Elijah  Walker.  1S54- 
1855;  L.  P.  Lott.  1S5G-1S5S;  John  Barr,  1S59- 
1861;  Abel  F.  Bulkley,  1S02-1SG4 ;  John  Barr. 
1S65-1S66;  John  Antis.  1SG7-1SGS;  Geo.  F. 
Brown.  1S69-1S70;  John  Barr.  1S71-1S75;  J.  W. 
Lawrence.  1570:  Chas.  Sparr,  1S77-1S79;  John 
Barr,  1SS0;  J.  W.  Lawrence,  1*51  :  L.  W.  Clay- 
pool,  1S-S2:  O.  J.  Nelson.  1SS3-1S92;  O.  J.  Xi  Is- 
J.  H.  Pattison  asst,  1S93-1S9G;  O.  J.  Nelson. 
M.  B.  Wilson,  asst..  1S97-190S;  W.  R.  Allan,  M. 
B.  Wilson  asst..  190S-1909;  J.  A.  Wilson,  M.  B. 
Wilson,  asst..  1910-1912;  J.  A.  Wilson.  J 
Mack.  asst..  1012-1013:  D.  A.  Mathews,  John 
Mack,  asst..  1014. 

The  county  supervisors  of  Aux  Sable  Town- 
ship have  been  as  follows:  Jas.  Kinsley,  1S50- 
1S57;  Win.  Walters.  1S5S;  Samuel  Randall, 
1S59;  Jas.  Kin-ley.  ISfiO;  John  Brow,  1S61: 
Michael  Kinsley.  1S62-1SG6;  Leander  Smith, 
1SG7-1SC-S:  Geo.  Collins.  1SC0:  A.  R.  Knapp, 
1S70-1S71:  Michael  II.  Cryder.  1-72:  Win.  Wal- 
ters, 1S73:  Fletcher  First.  1S74HSS1;  Peter  H. 
Briscoe.  1SS2-1S95;  Fletcher  First.  1SDG-1901; 
Daniel  R.  Hall.  1902-1007:  D.  A.  Henneberry, 
190S-1909;  H.  P.  Dwyer,  1010-1014. 

The  county  supervisors  of  Mazon  Township 
have  been  as  follows:  Chas.  Huston.  1S50; 
Henry  Cassingham.  1S51-1S53;  Edwin  Lesslie. 
lSol-lST.r. :  Abraham.  Carter.  1S5G;  A.  P.  Fell- 
iushain.  1-7.7:  Amos  Clover,  1S5S-1S59;  Win.  B. 
Marsh.  1SG0;  A.  P.  Fellingham,  1SG1 :  Geo.  Car- 
pouter.  1S62;  J.  F.  Burleigh,  1SG3-1SG6;  S.  H. 
Dewey,    1867-1S69;    Volney    Parker,    1S70-1S74; 


Geo.  Kiddie.  1-7"  Parker,  1876-1S77;  S. 

H.  Dewey.  1S7S-1SS0;   Oren  Gibson.  1SS1-1SS4; 
1SS5-1SSG;  J  hn  K.  Ely.  1SS7- 
1SSS;  Geo.  E.  Wheeler.  1SSD1S0S:  -  mon  I 
1S99-1900;  W.  II.  Carl   r,   1  01-190S;   I.  N.  Mis- 
■:.    1!    -    '  ill. 

"j  I        ■  su]    rvisors  of  W  -       Town- 

ship  have    7   en    :>s    follows:      Jacob    Clay] 
1S50-1S51;     L.    W.    Claypool.    1S55  ;    John 

Hanab,    1SC0;   Wm.   F.    Hopkins.   1SG1 ;    J 
Hioks,  1SG2;  L.  W.  Claypool,  1S63-1S64;  Joseph 
R.    Opdyke.   1?^-1SG7;    L.    II.    "  1S6S; 

Benjamin  Sanipl  IS  9-1S70;  J.  H.  Pattison, 
l>71-l-73:    L.    W.    CI  ~~74:    Jas.    Stine, 

1S75-1S77:  .]  LS7S  -7-7.  :  H.  C. 

1S-S0  1SS1  :  J  hn  '.'1  y;  i\  1SS2-1SS5;  J. 
H.  Pattis  1SSG-1S00:  At  s  Diuc  .  1S91- 
1S92;  J  s.  Stine.  1S93-1S9S;  E.  I  i  sley,  1S99- 
1902 :  II.  H.   •■  1  -  -    H. 

1909-1912:  Chas.  Elyea.  1013-1014. 

T  sors  of  Green!      1 

ship  have  I  s  follows:    Fr:  :  1  iin  X.  M   rg 

-  --     -    ■        Jas.  M  1S52;  Jas.  Craig,   1S53 : 

•    -     h  C.  R         -         1S53; 
C.  A.  Whitl  B.  P,        !.  1S57- 

C.  E.  Gardi  '.  -  '  -IS  L;  Ru  n  H.  Rose,  1S02- 
1SG3;  Wm.  Ilart  1SG4:  S.  D.  Fnder  '  IS  5; 
The  »d  ' '    7  :  1 

1S6S-1S  ?  C   ■  or.   1S70-1S76;    Isaac  Mc- 

Ginn,   1-77-7-7-  :    W.    H.    MeClun,    1-70:    1 
Germain.  1SS0-1SSS;  Henry  1  1SS9:  Lewis 

;  H.  E     -      der,  1501-1-02:  J.  A. 
Gowey.    1S93-1S9G:    II.    11.    Snyder.    1-07-1-:-: 
Geo.   W.   B     ••  .   1-00-1001  :  Jol       -     Her.  1      - 
J.   C.    Wilson.   1903-1904:    A.    K.   Walker.    ] 
1012:  A.  J.  Cnlley.  1013-1014. 

The   county   supervisors  of  Brace.  1"       7 
ship  have  been  as  follows:     D.  R.  Doud,  IS."    ; 
John   Craigg.  1S51-1S53:   John  Angustine,  1S34- 
1-57:   He.:;    •     --     -  1S5S-1S59:  John  Au- 

gustine.   ISGO-lSGl;    E  ssingham,    1SG2; 

F.  R.  Booth,  1S63;  He:  ry  Cassingham,  1S64; 
Theodore  Hyatt.  1S05:  R.  J.  Cunningham,  1-  '•'■: 
Henry  Cassingham.  1SG7-1SGS:  I.  F.  Augustine, 
1S69;  Geo.  W.  Booth.  1S70-1S77;  G.  R.  Evans. 
1-7- :  S.  F.  Dunleavy,  1S79;  David  Dunleavy. 
1SSO;  John  T.  Dunleavy.  1SS1;  Elijah  Cotl 
1SS2;  John  Mathias.  1SS3-1SS4;  Wm.  J.  Mal- 
comb,  I--:,-]-— :  Eli  Stocker,  Wm.  Malcomb. 
asst..  and  John  McKinley,  asst,  1SS9; 
Eli  St  ker,  Win.  Malcomb,  asst,  and  A. 
Constantino.  -  asst.  1-00:  Fli  Stocker,  Wm. 
Malcomb,  asst..  1-01:  Eli  Stocker.  Ben 
Peterson,    asst..  l-'.<2-l>03 ;    Eii    Stocker.    John 


646 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


Mathias,  asst,  1804-1895;  Eli  Stocker,  Coo. 
Rodgers,  asst,  189G-1 897 ;  Eli  Stocker,  Wm. 
J.  Malcomb,  asst,  1S9S-1S99;  F.  W.  Fran- 
cis, Arthur  Green,  asst.,  1900-1901;  Geo.  A. 
Trotter,  Arthur  Green,  asst..  1902-1903;  Mont- 
gomery Sharp,  Arthur  Green,  asst.,  1904-1905; 
Pereival  Clark,  Gustav  Swan,  asst.,  1900-1907; 
Bert  Waters,  .1.  II.  Green,  asst..  190S-1909;  C.  G. 
Anderson,  .1.  Willis,  asst..  1910-1911  ;  John  A. 
Red,  Adam  Brook,  asst..  1912-1913;  John  A.  Red, 
Thus.  Peed,  asst..  1914. 

The  comity  supervisors  of  Felix  Township 
have  been  as  follows:  F.  S.  Watkins,  1S55- 
1S5S;  Wm.  F.  Robinson,  1S59-1SG0;  Samuel  Rob- 
inson, 1SG1-1SG7;  Samuel  Sufferin,  1SCS-1S09; 
Samuel  Holderman,  1S70-1S71  ;  Samuel  Short. 
1S72-1S73;  Samuel  Sufferin,  1S74 ;  Samuel 
Holderman,  1S75 ;  Jacob  Williams,  LS7G-1S77 ; 
Samuel  Holderman.  1S7S ;  Jacob  Williams,  1S79; 
John  Holderman,  1SS0-1SS5;  Thos.  Pattison, 
1SS6;  J.  It.  Collins,  1SS7-1SSS;  Wm.  Phalen, 
1SS9;  John  Anderson,  1S90-1S90;  Israel  Dud- 
geon, 1897;  Frank  Enrietto,  1S9S-1904;  Anton 
Verondo,  1905-1910;  W.  Levvins,  1911-1914. 

The  county  supervisors  of  Saratoga  Township 
have  been  as  follows:  Phillip  Collins,  1850; 
Oolquhoun  Grant,  1S51-1S56;  C.  G.  Conklin, 
1857;  Phillip  Collins.  185S-1S70;  Michael  II. 
Cryder,  1S71-1S72;  Phillip  Collins.  1873;  Hiram 
Thayer,  1S74  ;  Gersham  Hunt.  1S75-1S7G;  Town- 
send  Core,  1S77-1S7S;  L.  L.  Gardner,  1879; 
Townsend  Gore,  1SS0 ;  Fred  Avers,  1SS1 ;  Jerry 
Collins,  1S82-1S91  :  ('has.  M.  Stephen,  1S92-1903; 
E.  C.  Cryder,  1904-1914. 

The  county  supervisors  of  Nettle  Creek  Town- 
ship have  been  as  follows:  Wm.  Hoge,  1850; 
A.  J.  Foord,  1851;  I.  N.  Brown,  1S52-1S53 ; 
Win.  Hoge,  1854-1S55 ;  Wm.  McFarline,  1S5G; 
Wm.  Hoge,  1S57-1SG7;  Andrew  F.  Ford,  1S6S; 
Wm.  Hoge,  1SG9;  John  K.  Ely,  1S70;  Wm.  Hoge, 
1871;  Samuel  Hoge,  1S72-1S77;  Hendly  Hoge, 
1S7S-18S0;  II.  A.  Gregory,  1SS1;  Wm.  Hoge,  Jr., 
1SS2;  Isaac  Hoge,  Jr.,  1SS3-1S92;  O.  O.  Johnson, 
1893;  S.  S.  Marvick,  1894-1902;  J.  II.  Osmon, 
1903-1904;  Ami  Markeson,  1905-1910;  E.  S.  Hoge, 
1911-1914. 

The  county  supervisors  of  Erienna  Township 
have  been  as  follows:  John  O'Brian,  1850  1852; 
Abe  Holderman,  1S53-1S54 ;  A.  McMillan,  1855; 
Daniel  O'Connell,  1S5G;  Win.  West.  1S57;  A.  .Mc- 
Millan, 1S5S-18G0;  Daniel  O'Connell,  18G1-18G5; 
Win.  Birney,  18GG;  Daniel  O'Connell,  1SG7; 
Isaac  Hoge,  18GS-1S70;  Daniel  O'Connell.  1S71 ; 
Isaac  Hoge,  1S72-1S73;  Daniel  O'Connell,  1S74- 


1890;  Edwin  Hartley,  1S91-1S92 ;  M.  T.  Ander- 
son, 1S93-1S94;  Joseph  Dawson,  1895-1S9G;  S.  D. 
Holderman,  1S97-1914. 

The  county  supervisors  of  Vienna  Township 
have  been  as  follows:  Justin  Reune,  1S50;  A. 
McMillan,  1S51-1S52;  Justin  Renne,  1853-1S55; 
Rufus  K.  Slosson,  185G-1S57;  John  Weldon,  1S5S; 
Rufus  K.  Slosson.  1S59-18G0;  John  Weldon, 
1SG1  ;  Rufus  K.  Slosson,  1SG2-1SG5 ;  E.  Wormley, 
1SGG-1SGS;  John  Weldon,  1SG9;  A.  F.  Porter, 
ls7d;  Michael  B.  Maley,  1S71-1S7G;  Rufus  K. 
Slosson,  1S77-1S7S;  Joseph  Wilson,  1879;  Henry 
Hyslop,  1SS0;  Thos.  S.  Colman,  1SS1  ;  Henry 
Hyslop,  1SS2;  T.  B.  Granby,  1S83;  1  >.  R.  Renne, 
1SS4-1SS7;  A.  Ilollenlieck,  1SSS-1S89 ;  D.  S. 
Peinie.  1890-1893;  .las.  Mulvanie,  1S94-1S95  ;  F. 
E.  Curtis,  1S9G-1897;  M.  G.  Haymond,  1S9S-1S99; 
T.  P..  Granby,  1900-1905;  E.  O.  Fellingham,  190G- 
1913;   Dennis  Welsh,  1914. 

The  county  supervisors  of  Norman  Township 
have  been  as  follows:  Thus.  J.  Xornian.  1850; 
Elijah  Misner.  1S51-1S53 ;  Marion  Lloyd.  1S54- 
1855;  Amos  Dewey.  1S5G-1S57;  Elijah  Misner, 
1S5S;  Chas.  M.  Pierce.  1  s.v. i-l si S2  ■  Wm.  Bullis, 
18G3;  Seneca  Tnpper,  18G4-18GG;  Chas.  Burrows, 
1SG7;  S.  II.  Raymond,  1SGS-1S70;  Ceo.  W.  Ray- 
mond, 1S71;  John  Reilley,  1S72;  P.  II.  Raymond, 
1S73;  John  Reilley,  1S74-1875;  A.  G.  Woodbury, 
3S7<; ;  E.  B.  James.  1S77;  Chas.  M.  Pierce,  1s7S; 
E.  P..  James.  1S79-18S1;  Chas.  M.  Pierce,  1SS2; 
E.  R.  Dewey.  1SS3-1SS4  :  John  Peilley,  1SS5-1SSS ; 
T.  Kelley,  1SS9-1S93;  C.  W.  Burroughs,  1894- 
1S95;  Dan  Comegys,  1S9G-1905 ;  M.  I''.  James, 
190G-1909;  Thos.  Downey.  1910-1914. 

The  county  supervisors  of  Highland  Township 
have  been  as  follows:  L.  Putnam,  1S50-1S51; 
Wm.  Pierce,  1S52-1S59;  Phillip  Waite.  1SG0- 
1S64;  Wm.  Pierce,  1S65 ;  John  S.  Maxwell, 
1SGG-1SG7;  Henry  Adams.  1S6S-1SG9 ;  Wm. 
Pierce,  1*70-1872:  Benj.  Waite,  1873;  Geo.  L. 
Gilbert,  1874-1875;  Thos.  Ryan,  1S7G-1SS0 ;  M. 
II.  Lamb,  1SS1-1SS4;  W.  E.  Couness,  1S85;  W.  T. 
Daniher,  1SS6-1S90;  J.  II.  Kane.  1891-1S92;  W. 
T.  Daniher,  1893;  Thos.  Ryan,  ls94;  J.  H.  Kane, 
1S95-189G;  Geo.  Gilbert,  1897-1S9S;  W.  E.  Con- 
fess, 1899-1900;  Thos.  Ryan,  1901-1901;  D.  F. 
Meagher,  1905-1900;  Rich  Corey,  1907-100S; 
Daniel  O'Connell.  1909-1914. 

The  county  supervisors  of  Good  Farm  Town- 
ship have  been  as  follows:  J.  M.  Clover.  1850- 
1851  ;  E.  Lewis.  1852-1853;  David  Gleason,  1S54 ; 
Samuel  Cutler,  1855-1S5G;  Wm.  Mason.  1857; 
E.  P..  Stevens.  185S-18G0;  J.  S.  Austin.  1861; 
Jas.  M.  Austin,  1862;  P.  H.  Goodrich,  1SG3-1S6S; 


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Ue-t^CC<    Id    /{ZiJ~'&-r^^^-<7h-rrii^- 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


647 


Mathew  Johnson,  1SG9 ;  David  Barton,  1S70; 
E.  R.  l'.-.irr.  1S71-1SS0;  J.  M.  Perkins,  1SS1; 
Mathew  Johnson,  1SS2-1SS4;  Win.  Constantine, 
1SS5-1S05;  Alex  Preston,  1S9G-1909;  John  Shot- 
lesberger,   1910-1014. 

Garfield  Township  was  created  in  1902  and 
Chris  Anderson  was  elected  the  first  supervisor 
and  has  served  ever  since. 

The  county  supervisors  of  Goose  Lake  Town- 
ship, created  in  1S97,  have  been  as  follows: 
Israel  Dudgeon,  1S97-1907;  F.  J.  Holdernian, 
190S-1009;  Walter  Phillips.  1910-1911;  Frank 
Collins,  1912-1913;  C.  E.  Anderson.  1914. 

The  supervisors  of  Maine  Township,  created  in 
189.S,  have  been  as  follows:  E.  11.  Robinson, 
1S9S-1S99;  Milton  Button,  1900-1905;  Leon  J. 
Duyaric,  1906-1914. 


CHAPTER  VII  r 


POLITICAL     REPRESENTATION 
HISTORY. 


AND 


INTELLIGENT   POLITICAL   INTEREST — WHOLE  COUNTY 
PATRIOTIC     AiS'l)     LOYAL — INTERESTED     IN     PUBLIC 

REFORMS   MANY        TEMPERANCE       WORKERS  

FINEST  TYPE  OF  CITIZEN  OF  COUNTRY  BRED — MEM- 
BER 01'  CONGRESS — STATE  SENATOR — STATE  REP- 
RESENTATIVES. 

INTELLIGENT  POLITICAL  INTEREST 

Grundy  County  lias  always  taken  an  active 
part  in  politics,  for  its  people  are  men  of  de- 
termination and  intelligence  who  appreciate  the 
privileges  of  suffrage,  and  have  always  en- 
deavored to  vote  according  to  the  dictates  of 
conscience.  From  the  time  of  the  first  election 
here,  on  May  24,  1S41,  held  in  the  cabin  owned 
by  Columbus  Piney,  with  Perry  A.  Claypool, 
Robert  Walker  and  John  Beard.  Sr..  as  judges 
of  election,  to  the  present,  the  interest  dis- 
played by  Grundy  County  people  lias  been  in- 
tense, and  the  votes  have  been  polled  honestly 
and  in  strict  conformance  with  existing  stat- 
utes. As  the  county  grew  in  population  and  im- 
portance,   adherents    of    the    national    ]>olitical 


parties  were  found  within  its  boundaries,  and 
candidates  of  both  here  received  support.  When 
the  great  issues  that  finally  led  to  the  Civil  War 
came  before  the  country,  Grundy  County,  truly 
patriotic,  was  found  to  be  on  the  side  of  the 
Union,  and  loyal  to  the  core,  and  the  prevailing 
sentiment  was  voiced  in  the  quota  sent  into  the 
field  when  there  was  need  of  soldiers. 

During  the  years  that  have  succeeded  that 
great  struggle,  the  people  of  Grundy  County 
have  kept  fully  abreast  of  the  times  both  at 
home  and  abroad,  and  while  they  have  been 
concerned  in  many  local  issues,  they  have  never 
allowed  this  home  interest  to  interfere  with 
their  consideration  of  national  problems.  Each 
great  moral  reform  that  has  been  made  a  na- 
tional issue  has  received  generous  support  In 
Grundy,  particularly  that  dealing  with  the  tem- 
perance question.  This  county  has  some  very 
effective  workers  and  enthusiasts  in  the  cause 
During  the  exciting  campaign  of  1912  which 
was  probably  one  of  the  hardest  fought  of  any 
presidential  combats  in  the  history  of  the  United 
States,  Grundy  County  made  an  excellent  show- 
ing and  some  of  her  political  orators  gained  a 
national  reputation. 

While  Grundy  County  is  not  the  home  of  any 
large  cities,  its  people  being  chiefly  interested 
in  agricultural  matters  and  those  pertaining  to 
farming  and  its  requirements,  it  has  citizens 
who  possess  every  requisite  for  both  national 
and  local  public  service.  Some  of  the  questions 
which  affect  congested  districts  have  never  come 
before  the  people  here,  but  when  they  do,  these 
thoughtful,  foresighted  men  will  be  able  to  meet 
them  promptly  and  effectively.  The  history  of 
this  country  proves  that  the  best  and  noblest 
characters  have  been  developed  from  the  rural 
regions.  The  healthy  surroundings  of  farm  life 
seem  to  promote  those  characteristics  so  neces- 
sary to  ennobling  public  life,  and  Grundy 
County  has  furnished  these  in  abundance.  How- 
ever there  have  been  comparatively  few  citi- 
zens of  Grundy  who  have  been  willing  to  accept 
the  responsibilities  attached  to  high  public  of- 
fice, the  records  showing  but  one  member  of 
Congress  from  the  district  of  which  Grundy  is  a 
part  ;  but  one  State  Senator,  and  but  ten  Rep- 
resentatives to  the  General   Assembly. 


Hon.  P.   C.  Hayes. 


C48 


HISTORY  OP"  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


STATE    SENATE 

L.  B.  Ray,  1SS0-188G. 

REPRESENTATIVES 

Phillip  Collins,  1S70-1S72;  L.  B.  Kay,  P.  A. 
Armstrong,  1S72-1S74;  Phillip  Collins,  1S74- 
1S70;  Amos  Clover,  1S7G-1S7S;  Win,  G.  Daw- 
kins,  Win.  Scaife,  1S90-1S92;  John  K.  Ely,  1S94- 
1S9S;  O.  P.  Bennett,  1900-1002;  Israel  Dudgeon, 
1904-1914;  Daniel  O'Conuell,  1912-3914. 


CHAPTER  IX 


THE   BENCH   AND   BAR 
COUNTY 


OF 


GRUNDY 


EARLY  IMPRESSIONS — OLD  RECORDS  CONSULTED — 
TRIBUTE  TO  JUDGE  JOHN  I).  CATON — INDELIBLE 
XAMtS — JUDGE  JOSIAI1  MCROBERTS — JUDGE  WIL- 
LIAM T.  HOPKINS — JUDGE  S.  W.  HARRIS — JUDGE 
A.  I!.  JORDAN — GRUNDY'S  LOSS  OTHER  SECTIONS' 
GAIN — JUDGE      R.       it.       WING — JUDGE      OERIN       X. 

CARTER JUDGE        SAMUEL       C.        STOUGH — JUDGE 

CHARLES   BLANCIIARD — JUDGE  GEORGE    W.    STII'l' — 
JUDGE  DORRANCE  DIBELL — GRUNDY  COUNTY  BAR. 

(By  Cornelius  Reardon) 

EARLY     IMPRESSIONS 

The  events  chronicled  herein  subsequent  to 
the  year  1SGS  are  gathered  from  the  memory 
and  observation  of  the  writer  who  was  then 
ten  years  of  age.  The  members  of  the  bench 
and' bar  of  Morris  then  and  later  so  attracted 
the  attention  of  the  writer  that  he  looked  upon 
the  profession  of  the  law  as  the  most  exalted 
calling  to  which  anyone  might  aspire. 

The  murder  of  Thomas  Le  Paige  in  the  winter 
of  1SGG,  followed  as  it  was  with  the  indictment 
and  trial  of  Joseph  Tibbetts  for  that  murder, 
and  his  acquittal  in  March,  1SG7,  followed  by 
the  lynching  of  Alonzo  Tibbetts,  brought  promi- 
nently before  the  public  the  names  and  the  per- 
sonages who  participated  in  the  conduct  of  that 
trial  and  the  other  litigation  that  involved  the 
two  Tibbetts  It.  titers,  and  from  that  tiiae  for- 
ward the   writer  had  observed  the   members  of 


the  bench  and  bar  more  acutely  than  any  other 
.set  of  men  he  has  known.  Possibly  the  desire 
formed  at  that  early  period  in  life  to  become  a 
member  of  th  bar  added  to  the  interest  of  the 
writer  in  the  local  members. 

Before  chronicling  any  of  the  events  coming 
under  the  observation  of  the  writer  I  have  seen 
lit  to  consult  the  records  relative  to  the  earliest 
members  of  the  bench  and  bar  in  the  county. 

HON.    JOHN    D.    CATON 

If  the  members  of  the  bench  and  bar  of  this 
county  arose  to  greater  distinction  in  their 
profession  than  falls  to  the  lot  of  the  members 
of  another  community,  perhaps  their  ambition 
and  industry  were  inspired  by  the  rare  learning 
and  natural  ability  of  one  of  the  very  first 
judges  to  hold  Circuit  Court  in  this  county,  the 
Hon.  John  D.  Caton.  The  first  term  of  court 
presided  over  here  by  that  able  jurist  was  con- 
vened on  the  second  Monday,  being  the  eighth 
day  of  May.  LS43.  At  that  time  under  the 
laws,  as  they  then  existed,  the  Supreme  Court 
of  the  state  was  made  up  of  nine  judges,  and, 
in  addition  to  their  duties  collectively  as  the 
court  of  last  resort,  they  were,  individually, 
each,  the  trial  judge  of  one  of  the  nine  Circuits 
into  which  the  State  was  then  divided,  so  that 
in  any  case  tried  in  the  Circuit  Court  here  at 
that  time,  Judge  Caton  was  the  sole  presiding 
judge  at  the  trial  court  and  one  of  the-  nine 
judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  that  reviewed  a 
case  that  was  appealed  or  taken  by  writ  of  error 
to  that  court.  At  that  time  there  was  no  inter- 
vening court  between  the  trial  court  and  the 
Supreme  Court  as  the  Appellate  Court  was  cre- 
ated in  the  year  1^77. 

Judge  Caton  first  became  a  judge  of  the  Su- 
preme Court,  and,  by  virtue  of  his  olfiee,  a 
judge  of  the  Ninth  Judicial  Circuit,  by  appoint- 
ment of  the  Governor,  August  20,  1S42.  lie  was 
later  elected  by  the  Legislature  and  then,  when 
the  change  of  laws  provided  that  the  judges 
should  be  elected  by  the  people.  Judge  Caton 
was  re-elected  time  and  again  and  remained 
upon  the  bench  until  his  resignation  on  .bin- 
ary 9,  1SG4.  The  lawyer  and  student  of  the 
present  day  reads  with  admiration  the  opinions 
of  the  Supreme  Court  prepared  and  written  by 
Judge  Caton.  One  is  not  long  a  student  of  (he 
law  until  he  observes  that  the  law,  as  laid  down 
in  the  decisions  written  by  Judge  Caton,  is  there 
pointed   out  clearly,   briefly  and   concisely.     He 


i 


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.  --,*    - 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


649 


never  left  anything  unsaid  that  was  necessary 
to  understand  the  questions  involved  in  the  case 
and  instead  of  bis  decisions  being  lengthy  they 
were  the  personification  of  brevity.  With  such 
a  leader  as  Judge  Caton  it  is  not  to  be  won- 
dered at  that  this  county  has  produced  the 
more  than  ordinary  judges  and  lawyers  that 
have  graced  the  bench  and  bar  at  home  and 
abroad. 

INDELIBLE    NAMES 

The  other  officers  of  the  court  at  that  time 
we're  men  whose  names  are  written  in  our  his- 
tory as  indelibly  as  the  poet  has  said  of  the 
Indian  names  that  were  "Written  on  our  waters, 
and  we  cannot  wash  them  out."  There  was 
Armstrong.  Sheriff;  Chapin,  Clerk,  and  Pad- 
dock,  State's  Attorney. 

On  the  Grand  Jury  were  Zachariah  Walley, 
William  Hoge,  Orville  Cone,  S.  S.  Randall,  Na- 
thaniel Tabler,  Leander  Newport,  Peter  Griggs, 
John  P..  Moore,  and  many  others  whose  descend- 
ants are  stili  the  pride  of  the  community.  On 
the  Petit  Jury  in  the  trial  of  the  first  case, 
were  Joshua  Collins,  Samuel  Hoge  and  Philip 
Collins.  There  was  only  the  paltry  sum  of  $79 
involved  in  that  suit,  yet  those  who  are  still 
living,  and  knew  in  their  lifetime,  the  members 
of  this  jury  or  any  of  them,  know  well  that  the 
greatest  care  and  precision  was  exercised  by  the 
members  of  that  jury,  and  one  would  only  wish, 
thai  had  he  a  case  of  his  own,  that  he  might 
have  as  fair  and  honest  men  as  these  jurors 
were.  At  that  first  term  of  court  among  those 
who  renounced  their  allegiance  to  their  native 
Countries  and  swore  loyalty  to  the  Government 
of  the  United  States  were  such  men  as:  Pobert 
Peacock,  Patrick  Kenrick,  James  Berry  and 
Henry  Carlin,  and  others  whose  names  also 
will  be  with  us  to  the  end  of  time. 

JUDGE    JOSIAH    MCRODERTS 

Turning  over  the  pages  of  history  for  a  quar- 
ter of  a  century  from  that  time  and  getting 
down  to  the  time  when  the  Tibbetts  litigation 
was  before  the  courts,  we  find  hat  Josiah  Mc- 
Koberts  was  the  presiding  Judge,  S.  W.  Munn 
was  the  State's  Attorney,  and  among  the  coun- 
sel engaged  in  the  different  branches  of  that 
litigation  including  a  civil  action  for  trespass 
brought  by  Alonzo  Tibbetts  against  Thomas  Le 
Paige,    and    the   other    active   members    of    the 


bar  at  that  time,  were:  Judge  P..  F.  Olin,  P.  A. 
Armstrong,  C.  E.  Fellows,  John  P.  Soufhworth, 
Judge  J.  X.  Redding  and  Judge  William  T. 
Hopkins. 

Colonel  Munn,  besides  honoring  the  bench  in 
the  practice  of  his  profession  had  answered  his 
country's  cull  to  arms  and  had  risen  to  the  rank 
of  Colonel.  Judge  Hopkins,  likewise  was  made 
captain  of  a  company  of  volunteers  and  the 
achievements  of  all  of  these  legal  men  were  a 
credit  to  the  profession  and  the  pride  of  the 
community.  They  have  all  passed  on  to  their 
reward  and  each  left  a  noble  heritage  to  those 
who  follow. 

In  a  short  interim  following  those  there  ap- 
peared on  the  scene  such  men  as  Judge  S.  W. 
Harris,  who  had  few  equals  as  a  pleader  and 
whose  hand-written  pleadings  ^till  on  file  are 
frequently  turned  to  at  present  as  examples 
of  great,  skill.  Also  there  appears  the  name  of 
E.  Sanford.  whose  thorough  knowledge  of  (he 
law  is  seldom  equaled  by  a  member  of  this  pro- 
fession. Also  appeared  the  name  of  Judge  A. 
11.  Jordan,  whom  Nature  gifted  richly  with  a 
keen  intellect,  and  a  heart  to  whose  goodness 
the  writer  is  indebted  for  the  care  with  which 
he'  directed  his  reading  and  training  in  prepara- 
tion for  admission  to  the  bar. 

gkundy's  loss  other  sections'  gain 

Of  those  still  living  who  have  gone  to  olher 
fields  of  usefulness  after  demonstrating  their 
ability  at  home,  are  A.  L.  Ootid,  uow  of  Den- 
ver, who,  alter  his  admission  to  this  bar.  was 
elected  and  ably  filled  the  office  of  State's  At- 
torney. At  Denver  also  E.  L.  Clover,  who  was 
engaged  in  the  trial  of  many  of  the  largest  cases 
tried  in  Grundy  County.  Judge  U.  M.  Wing 
went  from  this  field  to  Chicago  and  is  there 
ranked  among  the  city's  greatest  trial  lawyers. 
If  there  are  any  traits  that  predominate  over  all 
others  in  Judge  Wing's  practice  they  are  the 
persistency  and  unceasing  industry  with  which 
he  always  applied  himself  to  the  cases  entrusted 
to  him.  At  the  Morris  bar  Judge  Orrin  X.  Carter 
first  began  the  practice  of  his  profession.  The 
caliber  of  the  man  and  lawyer  was  recognized 
in  the  great  city  of  Chicago  and  to  that  field 
he  was  called  to  engage  in  the  practice  of  his 
profession  to  be  there  later  elected,  and  twice 
re-elected,  without  opposition,  to  the  County 
bench,  and  ceased  his  labors  in  that  court  when 
he   was   elected    to   the   Supreme   Court   of   the 


650 


HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


State  nver  which  he  has  been  the  presiding  Jus- 
tice and  whose  work  on  that  bench  is  not  ex- 
celled by  any  of  his  colleagues.  Many  others 
have  gone  to  other  fields  and  there  distinguished 
themselves. 

JUDGE    SAMUEL    C.     STOUGH 

Of  those  remaining  at  home,  Judge  Samuel  C. 
Stough  began  his  career  as  a  practitioner  at 
this  bar  in  ls?7.  Twenty  years  later  he  was 
elected  to  the  Circuit  bench  and  twice  re-elected, 
where  he  still  presides.  Although  Judge  Stough, 
prior  lo  his  election  to  the  bench,  was  a  strong 
partisan  he  was  so  gifted  by  Nature  that  he 
could,  and  did.  divorce  his  individuality  from 
all  political  and  religious  affiliations,  and  no 
practitioner  ever  entered  into  a  trial  in  .Indue 
Stough's  court  without  feeling  and  knowing 
Dial  in  Judge  Stough's  eyes  all  are  equal  before 
the  law.  regardless  of  political  affiliation,  creed, 
color  oi-  station  in  lit'.',  lie  is  a  worthy  suc- 
cessor of  Judge  Caton  and  like  Judge  Caton  his 
enunciation  of  the  law  is  as  thorough  and  clear 
as  Mas  that  of  his  worthy  predecessor.  His 
fame  as  an  able  jurist  is  nearly  as  well  known 
and  understood  in  the  great  city  of  Chicago 
where  he  has  frequently  held  court,  as  it  Is 
known  and  understood  throughout  his  own  cir- 
cuit. 

This  article  would  fall  far  short  of  serving  its 
propel-  office  if  it  failed  to  mention  without  ex- 
tended comment  the  names  of  three  judges  who 
presided  with  credit  upon  the  Circuit  bench  of 
this  County. 

JUDGE  CHARLES  BLANCHARD 

lion.  Charles  Blanchard  of  Ottawa,  Illinois, 
presided  at  a  greater  number  of  the  sessions  of 
'  the  Circuit  Court  prior  to  the  election  of  Judge 
Stough  than  did  any  of  his  associate  judges. 
Judge  Blanchard  although  physically  not  a 
strong  man  was  a  well  informed  and  strictly 
conscientious  judge,  lie  spared  not  the  fatigue 
upon  his  weak  physical  condition  nor  his  great, 
ability  as  a  learned  disciple  of  the  law  to  de- 
cide al!  causes  coining  before  him  upon  the 
side  of  justice  and  equity.  He  too  has  gone  to 
his  reward. 

JUDGE  GEORGE   W.   STIPP 

Judge  George  W.  Stipp  was  one  of  the  asso- 
ciate judges  with  Jud^e  Blanchard  in  this  Cir- 


cuit and  was  upon  the  bench  three  terms  prior 
to  his  demise,  which  occurred  in  lS'JS  at  the  age 
of  eighty  years.  In  the  early  days  of  his  practice 
lie  was  both  an  associate  with  and  an  opponent 
to  the  immortal  Lincoln,  and  Judge  Stipp  had 
as  striking  an  individuality  as  the  Great  Eman- 
cipator. While  many  judges  adhered  strictly 
to  the  precise  rules  of  practice  and  thereby 
caused  an  advantage  to  be  had  by  the  old  prac- 
titioner over  the  novice,  Judge  Stipp  always  took 
it  upon  himself  to  aid  and  encourage  the  young 
lawyer  in  bringing  out  the  Jaw  and  the  evidence 
in  a  trial  and  at  the  conclusion  of  a  hard  fought 
trial  where  the  young  attorney,  with  justice  on 
his  side,  won  the  verdict  from  the  jury,  Judge 
Stipp  has  been  known  to  remark  to  the  young 
lawyer,  "Well,  we  heat  them,  didn't  we?"  lie 
was  as  fearless  while  presiding  on  the  bench 
as  he  was  on  the  battlefields  in  the  .Mexican 
War,  wherein  he  was  a  first  lieutenant  through 
nearly  all  of  that  warfare. 

JUDGE    DORJ'.ANCi:    DIBELL 

Before  the  re-districting  of  the  state,  in  ispt, 
Will  County  was  in  the  same  Circuit  as  Grundy 
and  after  the  death  of  Judge  McRoberts.  Judge 
Dorrance  Dibell  was  one  of  the  .indue-  of  this 
Circuit  who  did  his  full  share  of  the  court 
work.  Judge  Dibell  has  been  upon  the  bench 
longer  than  any  judge  since  the  State  of  Illinois 
was  organized,  lie  is  at  present,  and  has  been 
for  a  great  many  years  past,  one  of  the  Judges 
of  tin'  Appellate  Court  of  the  Second  District, 
and,  besides  presiding  occasionally  in  the  trial 
of  eases  in  the  Circuit  four!  he  has  done  more 
and  better  Appellate  Court  work  than  if  would 
seem  possible  for  any  one  judge  to  be  capable  of 
doing. 

GRUNDY     COUNTY     BAR 

The  present  members  of  the  county  bar  are: 
George  Bedford,  Frank  L.  Flood.  Frank  IT. 
Hayes,  C.  F.  Hanson,  G.  W.  Huston.  Kay  11. 
Murray,  E.  W.  Pike,  J.  G.  Petteys,  Cornelius 
Reardon,  J.  W.  Rausch,  A.  J.  Smith,  Sr.,  Miss 
Edith  M.  Smith,  II.  B.  Smith,  C.  G.  Sachse,  L. 
E.  Siinrall,  W.  E.  Viner  and  C.  D.  Young. 

While  the  local  bar  lias  contributed  so  richly 
to  the  great  men  of  the  past  and  has  at  the 
present  time  so  many  shining  fights  in  foreign 
-fields,  yet,  may  it  not  be  said,  without  im- 
modesty, of  the  present  members  of  the  bar. 
that  "The  greatest  of  all  are  these." 


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H, by  Carlson. 


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NETTLE  CREEK   BRIDGE,   MORRIS,   ILL 


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I'liolo  by  Bedford. 


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( 'curtesy  of  Cai  Isou. 


FIRST  SCHOOL  HOUSE  IN  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 
Seven  Miles  Northwest  of  Morris. 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 

CHAPTER  X 


G51 


SCHOOLS  AND  EDUCATION 


FINE  SCHOOLS  IN  GRUNDY  COUNTY — HELP  TO  KEEP 
YOUTHS  ON  THE  FARM — EARNEST  AND  WELL 
EQUIPPED  TEACHERS — EXCELLENT  LIBRARIES  PRO- 
VIDED  SCHOOLS       OF       MORRIS — FIRST       TEACHER 

AND  FIRST  SCHOOLHOUSE— SALE  OF  CONGRES- 
SIONAL  ALLOTMENT   IN    1S54 BUILDING   OF    MOKE 

SCHOOLHOUSES — NAMES  OF  SCHOOL  PRINCIPALS 
— TEACHERS  IN  THE  MORRIS  SCHOOLS  IN  1870 — 
SUPERINTENDENTS  FROM  1875  UNTIL  1914  — 
PRESENT  FACULTY  OF  THE  MOLLIS  HIGH  SCHOOL 
- — EARLY  HIGH  SCHOOL  ADVANCEMENT  DLTE  TO 
SUPERINTENDENT  CROSS — HIGH  SCHOOL  EXTEN- 
SION—  MANY  ADVANTAGES  OFFERED — HIGH 
SCHOOL  ENROLLMENT — MORRTS  OLD  CLASSIC  IN- 
STITUTE—  MORRIS'  OLD  NORMAL  AND  SCIENTIFIC 
SCHOOL — UNIFORM   EXCEL!)  N(  K   OF  THE  COUNTRY 

SCHOOLS — MAZON   HIGH    SCHOOL GARDNER   HIGH 

SCHOOL—COAL  CITY  HIGH  SCHOOL — INFLUENCE 
AND  ASSISTANCE  OF  THE   HIGH    SCHOOL. 

(By  P.  A.  Cross) 

FINE  SCHOOLS  IN  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


pointments,  to  which  almost-  all  school  districts 
aspire." 

In  Grundy  County,  every  improvement  sug- 
gested by  the  slate  officials  has  been  effected  by 
the  public-spirited  local  educational  ollicials 
wilh  the  gratifying  results  recorded  above.  Ex- 
cellent libraries  are  to  he  found  in  nearly  all 
of  the  schools  and  the  teachers  aim  through 
them  to  encourage  and  direct  a  love  of  reading 
among  the  pupils.  Habits  thus  early  formed 
are  likely  to  continue  through  life  and  not  only 
add  lo  the  knowledge  and  pleasure  of  those 
who  come  under  this  elevating  influence,  but 
many  times  keep  them  from  forming  undesirable 
connections  to  pass  away  time  which,  were  it  not. 
for  reading,  would  often  hang  heavily  upon  idle, 
hands. 

The  character  and  scholastic  attainments  of 
the  educators  of  Grundy  County  are  beyond 
question.  As  a  whole  they  are  a  body  of  earn- 
est, skilled,  learned  men  and  women  laboring 
to  impart  knowledge  and  teach  right  living  and 
the  proper  moral  outlook  upon  life. 

The  history  of  education  in  Grundy  County  is 
very  interesting  in  thai  if  shows  such  a  steady 
and  definite  development  from  the  primitive  log 
cabin  schools  of  pioneer  days  to  the  almost  per- 
fect system  of  today.  This  record  will  he 
taken  up  by  (he  townships,  and  special  men- 
tion will  he  made  of  the  present  schools. 


No  community  can  rise  higher  than  the  grade 
of  its  public  schools  for  in  them  are  trained  the 
minds  and  characters  of  the  rising  generation, 
upon  whom  the  older  one  depends  for  the  carry- 
ing out  of  its  ideas  and  the  advancement  of  the, 
locality.  Judging  by  this  standard  Grundy 
County  occupies  a  particularly  high  position, 
for  its  public  schools  are  included  in  a  list  of 
eight  in  the  State  that  come  up  to  standard  ac- 
cording to  the  Daily  News,  of  April  30,  1913, 
published  at  Chicago.  The  article  referred  to 
says  in  part : 

"Since  good  schools  are  an  incentive  for  keep- 
ing hoys  and  girls  on  the  farms,  the  improve- 
ment that  has  been  wrought  in  Illinois  in  this 
respect  is  important  and  encouraging.  It  is 
largely  due  to  the  efforts  of  the  State  Supervisor 
of  Rural  Schools  who  has  now  been  at  work 
for  four  years  under  the  supervision  of  the 
State  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction.  A 
standard  is  set,  including  surroundings  and  ap- 


The  first  teacher  of  Morris  was  Mrs.  Ann 
Nagle,  widow  of  James  Nagle,  the  first  clerk 
of  Grundy  County.  She  opened  her  school  in 
1S43,  in  a  double  log  cabin,  southeast  of  the 
depot  of  the  Chicago,  Rock  Island  &  Pacific 
Railroad. 

The  second  school  was  taught  by  Miss  Ade- 
laide Wilkes,  who  later  married  E.  P.  Seeley. 
Following  her  was  Miss  Mary  Hyslap,  who  later 
became  Mrs.  J.  BJanding.  The  first  male  teacher 
was  Charles  R.  Starr,  who  became  circuit  judge 
of  Kankakee  County.  Following  Judge  Starr 
came  Mrs'.  W.  S.  Woolsey,  Oliver  E.  Parmelee, 
B.  M.  Atherlon,  the  latter  being  the  first  public 
school  teacher. 

The  first  school  board  met  on  December  21, 
1S43,  being  composed  of  Peter  Griggs,  Perry  A. 
Claypool  and  William  Brown,  and  divided  the 
township  into  school  districts.  The  foundation 
of  the  magnificent  schools  of  Morris  was  when, 
in  1854,  the  Congressional  allotment  of  a  suhdi- 


652 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


vision  of  section  10.  T.  33,  R.  7,  divided  into 
fourteen  lots  containing  in  the  aggregate  G42 
and  21-100  acres,  was  sold  by  George  Fisher, 
then  school  commissioner,  for  $9,470.08.  In 
1S55,  a  law  was  passed  governing  the  division  of 
moneys  according  to  school  attendance. 

In  1S53  the  school  hoard  erected  what  later 
became  known  as  the  old  Center  schoolhouse. 
A  schoolhouse  was  erected  in  Chapin's  addition 
to  Morris  and  a  Mr.  Brooks  engaged  to  teach 
It  during  1S53-4.  One  of  his  assistants  was  Miss 
Sarah  Parmelee. 

The  lirst  principal  of  the  Morris  schools  was 
Edward  Sanford,  A.  B.,  a  graduate  of  Yale,  but 
he  resigned  at  the  end  of  two  years,  and  was 
succeeded  by  a  Mr.  Smith. 

In  1S59  IL  K.  Trask,  A.  I'..,  was  appointed 
principal  and  had  as  assistants:  John  Trask, 
Anna  Trask,  Eliza  Baldwin,  Sarah  Parmelee 
and  Kate  Grant  John  Trask  succeeded  Prof. 
H.  K.  Trask  in  1S61.  Some  of  his  assistants 
were:  Kate  Frame,  Anna  Trask,  Sarah  Parme- 
lee, Kate  Grant,  Fannie  A.  Hale.  Gelia  Frary, 
B.  H.  Streeter,  B.  E.  Matteson,  Robert  Long- 
worth,  O.  G.  Conklin,  G.  Vanvalkenburgh,  S. 
Wright,  K.  Morley,  A.  A.  Hennessey.  In  1SC3 
Andrew  Kirkland  became  principal  and  was 
succeeded  by  a  Mr.  Fisher  in  1S65.  In  the 
meanwhile  the  schoolhouse  became  too  small 
and  a  Mrs.  Bailey,  wife  of  (lie  Rev.  G.  S. 
Bailey,  was  engaged  to  teach  a  primary  class  at 
her   residence   in   1SGG. 

Mr.  Stillman  E.  Massey  was  engaged  as  prin- 
cipal in  1SG6,  at  $1,000  per  annum,  and  the  fol- 
lowing year  it  was  voted  to  erect  a  brict 
schoolhouse. 

In  1S70  Prof.  II.  II.  C.  Miller  was  secured  as 
principal  of  the  Morris  schools  at  a  salary  of 
$1,300,  and  under  him  were  the  following  teach- 
ers, assigned  as  follows : 

Centek  School — Room  2,  Miss  Emma  Green ; 
Room  3,  Miss  Carrie  Barstow ;  Room  4,  Miss 
Dora  Schoonmaker ;  Room  5,  Miss  Jennie  A.- 
Rross;  Room  G,  Miss  Jennie  Wing;  Room  7, 
Miss  Myra  Massey. 

Third  Ward — Room  1,  Miss  Mary  Hubbard; 
Room  2,  Miss  Lizzie  Hennessey,  principal. 

Fourth  Ward — Room  1,  Miss  Carrie  Bullis; 
Room  2,  Miss  M.  A.  Rippan,  principal. 

Fifth  Ward — Room  1,  Miss  Alida  Bliss;  Room 
2,  Miss  Minnie  Barstow,  principal. 

In  1S75  Prof.  Miller,  who  had  been  principal 
all  these  years,  resigned,  and  Prof.  MalheW 
Waters  was  made  his  successor.    In  1S7S,  S.  E. 


Massey  succeeded  Mr.  Waters,  and  that  same 
year,  Prof.  L.  T.  Regan  succeeded  him.  Other 
changes  were  made  from  time  to  time,  Morris 
advancing  along  scholastic  lines,  but  it  was  not 
until  the  incumbency  of  P.  K.  Cross  that  the 
High  school  took  its  present  place  among  the  in- 
stitutions of  its  land  in  the  Stale.  Prof.  Cross 
was  elected  principal  in  lt>L>8,  and  continued  in 
thai  office  until  P.n.H.  In  the  latter  year  A.  M. 
Healer  was  elected,  hut  did  not  teach,  as  he  ac- 
cepted (he  superintendency  of  the  schools  of  St. 
Paul,  Minn.,  later  going  to  Pittsburgh.  To  fill 
the  vacancy,  W.  G.  Wuthrich  was  appointed  and 
held  the  office  until  1005,  when  he  was  succeeded 
by  T.  Rupert  Siinpkins.  This  gentleman  served 
until  P>07,  when  T.  M.  Birney  was  elected  to  the 
ollice  and  held  it  until  lull,  when  Prof.  Edwin 
I).  Martin  was  elected,  and  he  is  still  superin- 
tendent of  the  city  schools,  comprising  the 
Center,  Garfield,  McKinley  and  Lincoln  grade 
schools,  and  the  High  school. 

FACULTY   01''   THE    MOEKIS    HIGH    SCHOOL 

Edwin  D.  Martin,  Superintendent,  Pedagogy; 
Lewis  C.  Roby,  Principal,  Mathematics;  George 
G.  Friedrieh,  Science  and  Athletics;  Alice  W. 
Cornelius,  Latin  and  German;  Margaret  Bow- 
mothan,  English;  Helen  Hicks,  English  and 
Mathematics;  Ada  L.  Codington,  Commercial; 
Grace  Challand,  History;  Cora  E.  Liudlow, 
Music  and  Drawing:  Edith  Frame,  Domestic 
Science;    Harold    Olds,  Manual   Training. 

limn  school  extension 

During  the  administration  of  P.  K.  Cross,  the 
present  High  school  building  was  lirst  occupied, 
and  under  his  administration  steps  were  taken 
to  establish  an  accredited  High  school,  which 
resulted  in  the  Morris  High  school  being  ac- 
credited first  by  the  University  of  Illinois  in 
1901.  It  now  is  included  in  the  North  Central 
Association  of  Schools  and  Colleges,  which 
means  that  a  graduate  of  this  school  will  he 
admitted,  without  examination  to  all  the  col- 
leges of  the  Middle  West,  and  to  many  of  the 
eastern  colleges.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that 
the  instructors  and  board  of  education  have  pre- 
pared a  course  which  includes  required  and  elec- 
tive studies,  so  that  any  pupil  can  have  the 
.privilege  of  selecting  his  studies  and  preparing 
for  future  work.  In  the  Freshman  year,  the 
required    studies    are:      English,    algebra    and 


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HICiH  SCHOOL,   MORRIS 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


G53 


Greek  and  Roman  history,  while  the  elective 
ones  are:  physiography,  business  correspond- 
ence, Latin,  botany,  and  commercial  geography. 
During  the  Sophmore  year  the  required  studies 
are:  English  and  plane  geometry,  and  the  elec- 
tive ones  are:  Latin,  physiology,  zoology,  com- 
mercial arithmetic,  and  bookkeeping.  In  the 
Junior  year,  the  required  studies  are;  English 
and  physics,  while  Hie  elective  ones  are:  Latin, 
German,  English  history,  bookkeeping  and  ste- 
nography. In  the  Senior  year  the  required 
studies  are  English  and  American  history  and 
civics,  while  the  elective  ones  are:  Latin,  Ger- 
man, pedagogy,  solid  geometry,  advanced  alge- 
bra, typewriting  and  stenography.  In  addition 
manual  training  and  domestic  science  ore  taught 
to  all  High  school  pupils,  while  music  is  re- 
quired of  all  first  and  second  year  pupils  not  ex- 
cused, and  is  open  to  all.  The  commercial  course 
is  so  thorough  that  graduates  in  it  are  well  fitted 
to  take  positions  in  the  business  world.  Addi- 
tionally a  teacher's  course  has  been  established, 
open  only  to  senior  girls  who  expect  to  adopt 
teaching  as  a  profession. 

The  school  maintains  football,  baseball,  track 
and  basketball  teams,  and  the  enjoyment  pupils 
find  in  athletics,  together  with  their  gain  in 
physical  development  and  the  cementing  of 
school  loyalty,  form  incentives  for  a  continu- 
ance of  these  branches.  Each  pupil  of  the  High 
school  is  expected  to  take  an  interest  in  literary 
work,  and  belongs  to  the  Philomathian  or  the 
Lowell  Literary  Society,  each  club  giving  sev- 
eral entertainments  each  year.  It  is  antici- 
pated that  these  two  clubs  will  be  consolidated, 
which  will  give  added  strength  to  the  work  in 
this  line. 

It  will  be  noticed  that  none  but  college  grad- 
uates do  departmental  work  in  this  High  school, 
and  this  very  commendable  rule  was  passed 
during  the  administration  of  Mr.  Cross,  and 
continues   in   force   at   the   present   writing. 

The  High  school  enrollment  averages  212 
pupils  annually,  while  the  attendance  on  the 
grade  schools  is  (537.  There  are  nine  instructors 
in  the  High  school,  and  eighteen  grade  teachers. 
One  of  the  most  beneficent  measures  ever  passed 
relative  to  educational  matters  is  one  which 
now  prevails  in  the  State  of  Illinois,  and  that 
is  that  those  students  who  come  from  districts 
which  do  not  support  a  high  school  are  entitled 
to  attend  the  nearest  high  school  free  of 
charge.  The  tuition  will  be  collected  from  the 
district   in   which  the  student  lives. 


In  connection  with  the  educational  life  of 
Morris  must  be  mentioned  a  school,  now  de- 
funct, which  once  afforded  advantages  to  the 
pupils  of  Morris,  known  as  the  Morris  Normal 
and  .Scientific  School.  In  1S69,  N.  C.  Dougherty, 
A.  M.,  opened  a  private  school  in  a  single  room 
over  the  office  of  Mr.  Sanford,  and  from  this 
grew  the  Morris  Classic  Institute,  which  later 
was  incorporated  as  a  normal  school.  After 
many  changes  in  its  management,  A.  W.  Bulk- 
ley.  A.  B.,  took  charge,  and  then  Prof.  Eeatie 
conducted  it.  In  1S7S,  Messrs.  Cook  &  Stevens 
bought  the  property,  adopted  the  caption  of  the 
Morris  Normal  and  Scientific  School,  and  devel- 
oped it.  into  an  admirable  preparatory  institu- 
tion. With  the  establishment  rind  improve- 
ment of  the  High  school,  however,  the  need  for 
this  school  no  longer  existed,  and  it  was  dis- 
continued. St.  Angela's  Academy,  which  is  re- 
garded as  one  of  the  important  educational 
features  of  Grundy  County,  is  treated  at  length 
elsewhere  in  this  work. 

There  are  ninety-eight  country  schools  in 
Grundy  County,  so  arranged  as  to  afford  one 
for  every  four  Congressional  sections,  and  lo- 
cated  at  the  cross  roads,  so  that  the  pupils 
may  attend  from  a  territory  extending  one  mile 
in  each  direction.  Some  excellent  work  1ms  been 
done  in  bringing  these  country  schools  up  to 
standard;  many  of  them,  perhaps  one-half,  are 
standard  according  to  the  State  laws,  and  the 
remainder  are  working  towards  that  end.  The 
present  incumbent  of  the  oliice  of  County  Su- 
perintendent, has  introduced  a  novel  feature, 
one  which  promises  to  bring  excellent  results, 
that  of  teaching  scientific  and  practical  agri- 
culture. This  study  has  awakened  interest 
in  agricultural  matters  in  the  rural  regions, 
and  has  induced  the  pupils  to  take  pride  in  the 
appearance  of  their  school  grounds,  some  having 
been  made  very  beautiful.  A  graduate  from  a 
country  school  can  enter  any  accredited  high 
school,  because  of  the  efficiency  of  the  methods 
employed.  The  ages  of  the  graduates  vary  from 
fourteen  to  sixteen  years. 

It  is  estimated  in  round  numbers  that  the  at- 
tendance on  the  country  schools  aggregates 
2.1  5G  pupils,  while  the  cost  of  maintenance  is 
in  the  neighborhood  of  $35,302.50  annually. 
There  are  ninety-eight  county  school  teachers. 
As  before  remarked,  these  teachers  average  as 
earnest  and  progressive,  eagerly  seconding  those 
in  authority  in  endeavoring  to  secure  better 
equipments   and    surroundings.     It   is   the   am- 


654 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


bition  of  each  one  to  bring  all  the  country 
schools  up  to  standard,  and  there  is  no  doubt 
but  that  the  time  is  not  far  distant  when  all 
the  country  schools  of  Grundy  County,  instead 
of  only  a  good  proportion  of  them,  will  belong  to 
this  desirable  class. 

MAZON 

Mazon  has  always  been  interested  in  educa- 
tional matters,  and  for  its  size  has  provided  lib- 
erally for  its  pupils.  Its  High  school  was  estab- 
lished  in  1909,  but  tbe  handsome  new  building, 
which  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  £10,000,  was  not 
occupied  until  the  fall  of  1913.  The  present  prin- 
cipal is  Prof.  Shields,  ami  his  assistants,  live  in 
number,  are  efficient  instructors.  Mazon's  High 
school,  although  considerably  younger  than  that 
at  Morris,  is  keeping  pace  with  it,  and  its  pupils 
are  sent  forth  into  the  world  well  equipped  for 
a  professional  or  business  career. 


/ 
Gardner  lias  recently  resumed  the  fourth  year 
of  its  High  school  course.  While  the  history  of 
Its  High  school  is  a  little  different  from  that  of 
some  of  the  other  villages,  it  is  interesting  and 
demonstrates  the  fact  that  the  influence  for 
higher  education  is  manifested  here  as  else- 
where. 

COAL    CITY 

Still  another  High  school  is  at  Coal  City, 
being  conducted  as  a  township  High  school,  and 
is  open  to  students  of  that  village  and  Suffern- 
ville,  and  Felix  Township.  It  was  opened  in  the 
fall  of  1914,  with  Sherman  Littler  as  principal. 

INFLUENCE  AND  ASSISTANCE  OF  THE   HIGH    SCHOOL 

The  remarkable  impetus  given  educational 
matters  within  recent  years  must  largely  be  ac- 
credited to  the  influence  of  the  High  school. 
With  its  advancement  has  come  the  demand  on 
the  part  of  the  pupils  of  the  country  schools  for 
better  instruction  and  teachers,  so  that  when 
they  are  graduated  from  them,  they  are  pre- 
pared to  enter  upon  the  work  of  the  High 
school  without  any  further  training.  Their 
minds  are  broadened,  their  intellects  stimulated, 
and  their  ambition  fired,  and  they  work  with  a 
definite  object  in  view,  that  of  equipping  them- 


selves so  that  they  can  continue  their  studies 
in  one  or  other  of  the  High  schools  in  their 
county.  When  it  is  remembered  how  important 
it  is  that  those  who  propn.se  entering  the  out- 
side world  to  struggle  with  its  problems  should 
be  fitted  through  careful  and  practical  training, 
some  appreciation  will  be  gained  of  the  neces- 
sity of  the  maintenance  of  present  high  educa- 
tional standards  and  a  further  expansion,  as 
the  need  arises,  of  the  work  in  hand. 


CHAPTER    XI 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION 

riONEER  PHYSICIANS — CLOSE  TO  THE  HEARTS  OF 
•Jill';  PEOPLE  -NO  TRAINED  NURSES — NO  PROPER 
APPLIANCES — MANY  STILL  HELD  IN  AFFECTION- 
ATE   ItEMEMI'.IS ANCE — FIRST    DOCTOR    IN    GRUNDY — 

OTHER    EARLY    PHYSICIANS    AT    MORRIS GARDNER 

—MAZON  —  FIRST  SURGICAL  OPERATION — DR.  AUS- 
TIN ELISIIA  PALMER — PRESENT  MEMBERS  OF  THE 
PROFESSION — LIST    OF    COUNTY     CORONERS. 

(By  Frank  Austin  Palmer,  M.  D.) 

(When  the  editors  of  the  History  of  Grundy 
County  first  prepared  their  prospectus  of  the 
proposed  work,  the  late  Dr.  A.  E.  Palmer  was 
asked  to  write  of  his  recollections  of  the  med- 
ical men  of  earlier  Morris,  the  county  seat,  and 
of  the  profession  in  the  county.  This  he  most 
kindly  consented  to  do,  and  had  the  article  well 
planned  when  death  claimed  him.  Unfortu- 
nately he  had  committed  but  little  to  paper,  and 
therefore  much  of  interest  that  would  have 
been  forthcoming  had  he  been  spared  is  lost. 
His  son,  Dr.  F.  A.  Palmer,  however,  generously 
assumed  his  father's  work  along  this  line, 
and  prepared  as  far  as  lay  in  his  power  the 
following  article  relative  to  the  men  of  his  pro- 
fession in  Grundy  County,  although  much  of  the 
information  is  necessarily  meager,  owing  to  lack 
of  sufficient  documentary  records.) 

PIONEER     PHYSICIANS 

While  modern  physicians  and  surgeons  are 
penetrating  into  the  very  center  of  life  itself, 
daily    discovering    facts    and    remedial    agents 


- 


■ 


. 


. 


- 


■ 


' 


> 
/, 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


655 


which  revolutionize  former  accepted  theories,  it 
is  doubtful  if  any  of  them  come  as  close  to  the 
hearts  of  the  people  as  did  the  men  who  carried 
on  a  general  practice  in  the  pioneer  days  of  any 
community.  These  good,  kindly  men  of  medi- 
cine, whoso  hearts  often  were  bigger  than  their 
I>ocketbooks,  ministered  to  the  sick  and  dying, 
and  brought  into  the  world  children  destined  to 
lead  their  people  t<>  great  things. 

These  old  time  physicians  minded  not 
weather:  heat  nor  cold  had  no  deterrent  effect 
upon  them.  A  physician  thought  nothing  of 
rising  from  his  bed  in  the  middle  of  the  night 
and  going  out  into  a  terrible  blizzard,  some- 
times on  horseback,  or  driving  the  horse  he  had 
hitched  to  his  buggy  or  sleigh,  through  the 
storm  many  miles  to  reach  the  bedside  of  the 
sufferer.  In  those  days  there  were  no  trained 
nurses  to  follow  implicitly  the  directions  of 
their  chief.  Then  the  doctor  had  to  administer 
his  medicines  himself  and  carry  out  his  own 
prescriptions  or  probably  see  them  bungled  and 
the  patient  injured. 

True,  the  pioneers  lived  an  outdoor  existence. 
but  it  did  not  protect  them  from  all  the  ills 
that  flesh  is  heir  to.  They  were  not  troubled  by 
overheated  apartments,  or  made  sick  by  a  con- 
sumption of  imported  luxuries,  but,  on  the 
other  hand,  they  were  exposed  to  the  rigors  of 
the  climate,  had  but  little  idea  of  protecting 
themselves  from  the  dangers  of  swamp  or  for- 
est, and  knew  practically  nothing  of  guarding 
against  infection.  When  some  dire  epidemic 
swept  the  country  the  physicians  were  almost 
powerless  against  it.  not  always  because  of  lack 
<>f  knowledge,  hut  because  of  the  want  of  suit- 
able means  with  which  to  tight  it.  For  these 
and  many  other  reasons  the  early  physicians 
of  any  pioneer  community  worked  hard  and 
unceasingly,  and  as  the  people  were  poor,  re- 
ceived but  scant  remuneration  tor  their  efforts. 
Grundy  County  was  no  exception  to  this  rule. 
and  its  people  hold  in  tender  remembrance  the 
names  of  those  medical  men  who  were  their 
pioneer  physicians. 

FIRST     DOCTOR     IN     GRUNDY 

The  first  doctor  of  Grundy  County  was  Dr. 
Luther  S.  Robbins,  who  came  to  Morris  from 
Sulphur  Spring,  eight  miles  south  of  -Morris,  in 
the  fall  of  1S42,  but  died  several  years  later,  so 
he  was  not  long  in  active  practice  here. 

The  next  physician  was  Dr.  Silas  Miller,  who 


located  in  Morris  in  1S43,  but  as  there  was 
little  need  for  his  ministrations  at  that:  time,  he 
left  soon  thereafter. 

Dr.  John  Antis  came  to  Morris  in  May,  1S15, 
and  he  was  followed  by  Dr.  Thomas  M.  Reed, 
who,  in  1S47,  was  elected  Sheriff  of  Grundy 
County,  but  died  before  entering  upon  the 
duties  of  his  office. 

Dr.  A.  F.  Hand,  Dr.  David  Edwards  and  Oliver 
S.  Xewell  arrived  about  the  same  time,  although 
Dr.  Edwards  was  practically  retired,  as  he  was 
then  an  old  man.  and  when  he  left  Morris  in 
ISoG,  Dr.  Luke  Hale  bought  what  practice  he 
had  and  continued  there  until  Ins  death  in 
1SG5.  The  son  of  Dr.  Luke  Hale.  Dr.  Roscoe  L. 
Hale,  came  to  Morris  in  1SDS,  but  after  the 
Civil   War  went   to  Missouri. 

In  1S50  Dr.  B.  10.  Dodson  came  to  Morris,  but 
several  years  later  removed   to  Elgin. 

Dr.  II.  II.  De  Hart  arrived  about  1So2  but 
soon  left,  as  he  thought  the  place  was  too  small 
to  support  a  physician. 

Dr.  David  LeRoy  was  another  early  physi- 
cian, who  came  to  Morris  about.  1S55,  but  later 
became  a  merchant. 

Dr.  John  X.  freeman  was  a  physician  here 
from  1S57  to  1SG7,  and  Dr.  S.  D.  Ferguson  was 
another  early  physician  of  Morris. 

Dr.  John  II.  freeman  was  at  Morris  in  lSn5 
and  lSoU,  but  later  located  at  Brooklyn,  X.  Y. 
He  was  the  son  of  a  Baptist  minister  and  a 
highly  educated  man  and  very  successful  in  his 
profession. 

Dr.  Lmanuel  Ridgwaj  was  another  of  the 
physicians  of  Morris  who  was  prominent  in  its 
earlier  history.  He  served  as  Coroner  of  the 
county,  was  Chief  of  the  Eire  Department,  and 
a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education,  and  was 
always  to  he  relied  upon  whenever  occasion 
demanded.  In  1S70  Dr.  A.  D.  Smith  came  to 
Morris,  and  in  1S72  Dr.  M.  C.  Sturtevant. 

Dr.  J.  P..  Taxis  came  to  Gardner  in  lSHf) ;  Dr. 
YV.  W.  McMann  in  1S()3,  and  Drs.  J.  Undcrhill 
and  C.  M.  Easton  a  little  later. 

The  first  physician  of  Mazon  was  Dr.  L.  S. 
Robbins,  who  located  there  in  1S33.  The  next 
record  is  of  Dr.  S.  Lodgers,  who  located  at 
Mazon  in  1S50,  having  come  from  Indiana.  He 
made  no  pretensions  to  being  a  surgeon,  but 
when  necessity  arose  was  equal  to  demands 
made  upon  him.  One  of  tin-  earlier  physicians 
of  Morris  recollects  distinctly  an  operation  per- 
formed by  Dr.  Lodgers  that  is  worthy  of  men- 
tion.    A  man  was  injured  while  threshing,  and 


65C 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


the  physician  when  summoned  saw  that  in 
order  to  .save  his  life,  his  arm  would  have  to  be 
amputated  without  delay.  The  young  physician 
had  no  instruments  suitable,  so  borrowed  a  saw 
from  one  of  the  neighbors,  either  a  wood  or  a 
cross-cut  saw,  and  took  off  the  arm  without  any 
further  delay.  There  is  no  data  at  hand  to  tell 
whether  the  man  survived  or  not.  Another 
physician  of  Mazon  during  the  latter  sixties  was 
Dr.  Thomas.  Dr.  Wakefield,  another  Mazon 
physician  of  that  date,  was  assisted  by  his  wife. 

One  of  the  host  known  of  the  older  physi- 
cians of  Morris,  whose  activities  extended  over 
many  years,  was  the  late  Dr.  Austin  Elisha 
Palmer,  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Palmer  & 
Palmer,  who  had  associated  with  him  his  son, 
Dr.  Frank  Austin  Palmer,  and  Dr.  Roscoe  Whit- 
man. The  late  Dr.  Palmer  was  born  at  Wyo- 
ming, N.  Y.,  November  0,  1S4G,  and  was  grad- 
uated from  the  Bellevue  Hospital  Medical  Col- 
lege in  18G9.  During  the  early  part  of  that 
same  year  he  entered  upon  a  general  practice 
at  Braceville,  Grundy  County,  Illinois,  but 
within  a  few  months  moved  to  Old  Mazon,  and 
in  1S7G  settled  at  Morris,  where  he  continued 
until  his  death.  In  addition  to  carrying  on  an 
extensive  private  practice,  he  served  as  surgeon 
of  the  Rock  Island  road  for  over  twenty  years. 
He  was  also  one  of  Grundy  County's  Coroners, 
was  President  of  the  School  Board,  an  Alder- 
man from  his  ward,  ami  was  twice  elected 
Mayor  of  Morris,  the  present  system  of  water 
supply  being  installed  during  his  incumbency  of 
the  office.  His  death,  on  J  cine  10,  3012,  left  a 
vacancy  difficult  to  fill. 

The  above  is  too  limited  a  list  of  the  medical 
men  who  have  served  Grundy  County  and  of 
their  achievements.  Further  record  should  be 
made  of  them,  hut  unfortunately  those  who 
could  have  written  of  them  as  associates  have 
either  moved  away  or  have  been  called  into  an- 
other life,  and  definite  knowledge  seems  sadly 
lacking. 


Dr.  Frank  Austin  Palmer  was  born  at  Old 
Mazon,  Illinois,  November  10,  1S73.  After  being 
graduated  from  the  Morris  High  school  in  1890, 
he  attended  St.  John's  Military  Academy  of 
Delafield,  Wis.,  during  1S91,  and  in  is'JT  was 
graduated  from  the  medical  department  of  the 
Northwestern  University  of  Chicago,  receiving 
in  that,  year  his  degree  of  M.  D.  The  following 
year  was  spent  as  interne  at  the  Passavant 
Memorial  Hospital,  Chicago,  in  association  with 
(he  late  Dr.  Christian  Fenger.  and  in  1S9S  and 
1S99,  he  was  an  assistant  to  his  father.  From 
1S99  to  1902,  he  was  in  practice  at  Gardner, 
Illinois,  and  he  (hen  became  an  assistant  in 
surgery  to  Prof.  Emil  Pies  of  Chicago,  and  In 
1904  he  was  made  surgical  assistant  to  Prof. 
Alexander  Hugh  Ferguson  in  charge  of  his  pri- 
vate institution  (the  Chicago  Hospital).  In 
1900  Dr.  Palmer  returned  to  Morris  and  entered 
into  partnership  with  his  father,  the  late  Dr. 
A.  E.  Palmer.  He  now  takes  care  of  a  large 
private  practice  and  is  on  the  staff  of  the  Mor- 
ris Hospital. 


The  Coroners  of  Grundy  County  have  been' as 
follows:  Leander  Lecloro,  1S41-1S43;  Samuel 
Ayers,  1S44-1S4S;  Henry  Beehe,  1S49  ;  James  II. 
O'Brian,  1S50-1S53;  James  P.  Jones,  1S54-1S5S; 
E.  Ridgway,  1S59-1S60;  Norman  P.  Griswold, 
1S61-1S62;  J.  P..  Jones.  1SG3-1SG4 ;  Levi  Hills, 
Sr.,  1S65-1SGG;  John  N.  Freeman,  1SG7 ;  George 
E.  Parmlee,  1SGS;  E.  Ridgway,  1SG9-1SS4;  Tru- 
man A.  Hand,  1SS5-1SSS;  E.  T.  Aboil,  1SS9-1S92; 
H.  M.  Ferguson,  1S93-1S9G;  J.  E.  Brock,  1S97- 
1903;  II.  M.  Ferguson,  1904-1911;  W.  G.  Sachse, 
1912-1914. 


CHAPTER  XII 


PRESENT    MEMBERS    OF    THE    PROFESSION 

Some  of  the  leading  physicians  of  Grundy 
County  at  present  may  be  found  in  the  follow- 
ing list:  Drs.  A.  V.  Allen,  F.  M.  Allison,  J.  W. 
Allison,  F.  C.  Bowker,  J.  C.  Bucher,  J.  F.  Carey, 
H.  M.  Ferguson,  H.  B.  Gilbourne,  W.  E.  Hart, 
G.  A.  Leach,  F.  A.  Palmer.  William  G.  Sachse, 
Sam  Smith,  F.  A.  Stockdale,  M.  C.  Sturtevant, 
G.  P..  Terrands,  W.  E.  Walsh  and  Roscoe  Whit- 
man. 


MILITARY  HISTORY   OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR, 
•     SPANISH-AMERICAN  WAR,  ETC. 


THE  CIVIL  WAR — AN  EPOCH  IN  HISTORY — THE  SITU- 
ATION  UNPREPARED      FOP.      WAR — THE      GRUNDY 

TIGERS — ELEVENTH  ILLINOIS  VOLUNTEER  INFAN- 
TRY— TRANSFER  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  NINTH 
TO      THE      ELEVENTH TWENTY-THIRD      ILLINOIS 


/ 


i  ■  -_'..- 


!j 
I 


• 


i 


( 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


C57 


VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY — THIRTY-SIXTH  ILLINOIS 
VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY  —  FIFTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS 
VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY — II 11  Y-EIGIITH  ILLINOIS 
VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY— SEVENTY-SECOND  ILLINOIS 
VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY — SEVENTY-SIXTH  ILLINOIS 
VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY — EIGHTY-EIGHTH  ILLINOIS 
VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY — NINETY-FIRST  ILLINOIS 
VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY ONE  HUNDRED  TWENTY- 
SEVENTH  ILLINOIS  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY' — 
FOURTH  ILLINOIS  VOLUNTEER  CAVALRY — LOYALTY 
AND  DEVOTION  OF  WOMEN — SPANISH-AMERICAN 
WAR — SHABBONA. 

(By  William  Reardon) 

THE    CIVIL    WAR 

The  years  between  1SG1  and  1SG5  marked  an 
epoch  in  the  history  of  the  United  States  and 
had  a  mighty  influence  on  Die  lives  and  fortunes 
of  every  portion  of  the  country,  the  writer  being 
especially  concerned  as  a  citizen  of  Grundy 
County,  Illinois.  To  him  it  appeared  that  noth- 
ing short  of  utter  extermination  of  the  inhabi- 
tants would  settle  the  stupendous  question  con- 
fronting us.  The  belligerents  on  both  sides. 
North  and  South,  were  American  and  blue  blood 
coursed  in  the  veins  of  both.  Each  side  was 
ready  to  fight  to  uphold  and  protect  what  had 
been  handed  down  by  their  forefathers,  and 
each  contesting  party  hoped  until  the  last  that 
tin-  other  would  sue  for  peace  after  reconsidering 
Ihc  steps  toward  war  already  taken.  However  it 
wis  not  to  be  and  four  long  years  of  war  fol- 
lowed. 

THE    SITUATION 

On  the  evening  of  April  15,  1863,  the  following 
dispatch  was  received  : 

Washington,  April   15,   1SG1. 
His  Excellency  Richard  Yates — 

Call    made  on  you   by  tonight's  mail   for  six 
regiments  of  militia  for  immediate  service. 
Simon  Cameron, 
Secretary  of  War. 

The  great  but  humiliating  event  which  pre- 
ceded the  sending  of  this  dispatch  was  the  fall 
of  Fort  Sumter,  at  noon,  two  days  previously. 
on  which  day,  for  the  first  time  since  the  or- 
ganization of  the  United  States  Government,  our 
national  emblem  was  struck  down  by  traitorous 
hands. 


UNPREPARED  FOR  WAR 

The  event  and  dispatch  found  Illinois  unpre- 
pared for  war.  Although  secession  ordinances 
had  been  passed  by  southern  states;  although 
public  property  had  been  seized  in  violation  of 
law  and  strange  Hags  were  Hying  over  southern 
forts;  and  although  food  and  reinforcements  for 
the  bcleagured  garrison  at  Sumter  had  been 
driven  back  to  sua  in  January— yet  our  people 
could  not  realize  that  we  were,  indeed,  in  a 
state  of  civil  war.  When  the  people  of  Grundy 
County  finally  realized  the  deplorable  condition 
of  the  State,  almost  with  one  accord  they  rose 
and  asked  "what  can  we  do  to  be  saved  and  to 
save  others  yet  unborn."  Subsequent  events 
demonstrated  the  patriotism  of  Grundy  County 
was  equal  to  the  emergency. 

THE   GRUNDY   TIGERS 

Attention  is  called  to  the  fact  that  the  call  for 
volunteers  for  three  months  was  made  April  15, 
1861,  and  on  April  30,  1S61,  a  company  was  or- 
ganized and  mustered  into  the  United  States 
service  as  tin1  Grundy  Tigers. 

When  the  term  of  this  company's  enlistment 
had  expired,  many  reenlisted  and  became  mem- 
bers of  the  Eleventh  Illinois,  the  Twenty-third 
Illinois  and  the  Seventy-sixth  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry. 

ELEVENTH    ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY 

The  Eleventh  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry  was 
called  into  service  under  the  Proclamation  of 
President  Lincoln,  April  Id,  1801.  It  was  or- 
ganized at  Springfield  and  was  mustered  into 
service  April  30,  1801,  by  Captain  Pope.  Upon 
the  remuster,  on  July  13,  1801,  the  aggregate 
membership  was  28S ;  during  August,  September, 
October  and  November,  the  regiment  was  re- 
cruited to  SOU  In  the  meantime  it  was  doing 
garrison  and  field  duty  and  its  movements  may 
be  catalogued  as  follows:  September  9th  to 
11th,  expedition  to  New  Madrid;  October  0th  to 
10th,  to  Charleston,  Missouri;  November  3rd  to 
12th,  to  Blooinfield,  Missouri,  returning  to 
Girardeau  ;  January  7th  to  Sth,  1S02,  expedition 
to  Charleston,  Missouri;  January  13th  to  20th, 
reconnoisance  of  Columbus,  Kentucky,  under 
General  Grant;  February  nth  moved  toward 
Fort  Donelson;  February  12th,  13th  and  14th, 
occupied  investing  that  place;  February  15th, 
heavily  engaged  with  the  enemy  about  five  hours, 


658  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

losing  329  killed,   wounded  and  missing  out   of  total  number  of  men  and  officers  engaged  aggre- 

500  engaged;  March  4th  to  5lh,  moved  to  Fort  gating  2,SG5. 
Henry;  5tb  to  1 ; '. 1 1 j  to  Savannah  in  transports; 

23rd  to  25th  to  Pittsburg  Lauding;  April  Cth  to  general  officers 
7th  engaged  in  battle  of  Shiloh,  losing  27  killed 

and  wounded  out  of  150  engaged;  April  2-lth  to  Gen.  W.  II.  L,  Wallace,  Gen.  T.  E.  B.  Kan- 
June  4th,  participated  in  siege  of  Corinth.  The  som,  Gen.  Smith  D.  Atkins. 
regiment  then  marched  to  Jackson,  Tennessee,  The  following  field  officers  of  other  regiments 
where  it  made  headquarters  until  August  2,  were  members  of  this  regiment:  Major  Widner, 
1862.  II.  participated  in  two  engagements  en  Major  Dean,  Lieutenant-Colonel  McCaleh,  Colonel 
July  1st  ami  2nd,  in  march  toward  Trenton,  Hotchkin,  Colonel  Kaufman,  Colonel  Dean,  Col- 
Tennessee;  July  23rd  to  2Sth  moved  to  hexing-  onel  Fort.  'Phis  regiment  supplied  thirty-three 
ton;  August  2nd  moved  to  Cairo,  Illinois,  for  line  officers  to  other  regiments. 
purpose  of  recruiting  and  remained  at  thai  point 

until  August  2-'!,   1SG2 ;  moved  then  to  Paducah,  twenty-third  Illinois  volunteer  infantry 
Kentucky,    remaining   there   until    August    24th, 

moving  then  to  Clarksville,  Tennessee,  via   Fort  The  organization  of  the  Twenty-third   Infan- 

Henry  and  Donelson;   October  21st  to  24th,   to  try  commenced  tinder  the  popular  name  of  the 

La    Grange,    Tennessee.      From    this   time   until  "Irish  Brigade"'  at  Chicago,  immediately  upon  the 

Januarj    12,  1SG3,  it  tool;  part  in  the  campaign  opening  of  hostilities  at  Sumter,  and  served  until 

in  northern  Mississippi ;   moved  to  Ashvilie  he-  the  closing  of  the  war.    Among  the  officers  whom 

low  Oxford,  then  to  holly  Springs  and  Memphis;  it  was  compelled  to  mourn  as  lost:  in  battle  was 

on  17th  embarked  on  transport  to  Young's  Point.  its  illustrious  commander.  Col.  James  A.  Mulli- 

On  April  23, 1SC3,  the  One  Hundred  and  Ninth  gan,  of  Chicago,  who  fell  while  commanding  a 

Illinois  Infantry  was  transferred  to  the  Eleventh,       divisii f  the  Army  of  West  Virginia,  in   the 

589  being  hie  aggregate  gained  by  the  transfer.  Shenandoah  Valley,  July  21,  1SG4,  ami  perished 
On  April  2t>,  1S63,  tins  regiment  was  a  part  of  while  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  two  days  later. 
the  command  moved  to  the  rear  of  Vicksburg,  of  three  wounds  while  at  the  head  of  bis  own 
by  way  of  Raymond,  Perkins'  Landing.  Grand  regiment.  So  confident  was  lie  of  the  valor  of 
Gulf.  Raymond  and  Black  Rivers,  arriving  be-  bis  men  that  lie  galloped  to  their  head  in  order 
fore  the  works  May  18;  May  1!»  to  22  engaged  to  lead  them  out  as  a  steadying  rear  guard  of 
in  assault  of  the  enemy's  works;  then  in  the  ad-  tin-  other  regiments  who  were  fleeing  from  the 
vance  siege  work  until  July  1,  time  of  surrender,  whole  force  of  Early's  army, 
losing  one  held  officer,  Col.  Garrett  Xevins.  The  formal  muster  of  the  Twenty-third  took 
killed.  Three  line  officers  were  wounded  and  place  June  15,  1SG1,  Chicago,  the  barracks  being 
forty  men  were  killed  and  wounded.  The  regi-  near  the  river  on  West  Polk  Street.  On  July 
ment  was  with  the  expedition  from  Vicksburg  to  hi.  1SG1,  it  moved  to  Quincy,  Illinois,  thou  to 
Jackson  under  General  Slocuni  and  engaged  with  St.  Louis.  Brigadier-General  Grant  superceded 
the  enemy  three  times;  July  29  moved  to  Mor-  Colonel  Davis  as  commander  at  Jefferson  City, 
ganzia;  November  S  moved  to  Duval's  Bluff,  and  on  September  IS  the  regiment  commenced 
-Arkansas.  This  regiment  was  also  engaged  in  a  march  of  120  miles  to  Lexington,  Kentucky, 
the  operations  against  Mobile,  marching  from  where  the  first  notable  siege  began.  The  Ton- 
Fort  Morgan  and  participating  in  the  invest-  federates  advanced  with  a  battery  of  six  guns 
ment.  siege  and  final  capture  of  Spanish  Fort  and  on  the  12th  were  repulsed,  hut  the  post  was 
and  Fort  Blakelev  and  the  assault  on  the  latter  ;  lllt'»  surrounded  by  an  army  of  2S.000  men  with 
.,  „ „  ,  *  .  ,  A  ,  •  £  t,  13  pieces  of  artillerv.  For  nine  days  the 
April  12  marched  in  and  took  possession  of  the  .  *                 . 

garrison  sustained  the  unequal  conflict,  not  alone 

city  of  Mobile  and  remained  until  May  2,  ;  em-  ^.^    ^   ^^   ^^.^   fQvcQ   )m(    ^.^ 

barked  on  transports  and  moved  to  New  Orleans  ^^  ;n|(1  thj].st  f)n  (li(i  2mh  the  )1|(i  ,  de_ 
and  from  there  to  Alexandria,  Louisiana,  thence  termiued  assault  was  made  and  surrender  be- 
to  Baton  Rouge  and  was  there  mustered  out  of  came  nec-essary.  The  killed  and  wounded  of  the 
the  service,  July  14,  1SG5,  and  left  for  Spring-  Twenty  third  numbered  107.  while  General  Price 
field.  Illinois,  for  payment  and  final  discharge,  reported  his  losses  at  800.  The  officers,  with  the 
The  record  of  this  regiment  shows  that  149  exception  of  Colonel  Mulligan,  and  the  men, 
members  died  on  the  field   or  of  wounds;   the  were   paroled.     On    the   Sib   the   regiment    was 


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HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COTNTY. 


G59 


mustered  out  by  order  of  General  Fremont,  hut 
on  the  personal  application  of  Colonel  Mulligan, 
who  Lad  boon  exchanged  for  General  Frost,  it 
was  directed  that  its  organization  be  retained. 
Reassembling  at  Gamp  Douglas,  under  command 
of  Colonel  Mulligan,  it  was  engaged  in  guarding 
prisoners  until  June  14,  1S(>2,  when  it  was  or- 
dered to  Harper's  Ferry,  Virginia.  In  1863  this 
regiment  attacked  the  flank  of  Lee's  army  on 
his  retreat  from  Gettysburg  and  also  had  an  en- 
gagement with  Gen.  Wade  Hampton's  command 
at  Hydeville.  After  reenlisting  as  veterans  in 
April,  1864,  the  regiment  was  reorganized  at 
Chicago  and  then  returned  to  Virginia  and  from 
August,  1S64,  to  December  25,  1S64,  was  actively 
engaged  under  General  Sheridan  in  the  Shenan- 
doah Valley  and  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Cedar  Creole.  Winchester,  Charlestown.  Hall- 
town,  Berryville  and  others.  In  January  and 
February,  1SG4,  was  stationed  at  Greenland 
Gap,  West  Virginia,  and  there  Lieut.  John  s. 
Ilealy  reeulistcd  about  three  hundred  of  the  men 
as  veterans  and  when  they  returned  to  Chicago 
on  a  furlough  of  thirty  days  the  regiment  was 
known  as  the  Twenty-third  Regiment  Illinois 
Veterans.  This  regiment  was  thanked  by  Con- 
gress for  its  gallantry  at  Lexington  and  was 
authorized  to  inscribe  Lexington  on   its  colors. 

THIRTY-SIXTH    ILLINOIS   VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 

The  Thirty-sixth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry 
was  organized  at  Camp  Hammond,  near  Aurora, 
Illinois,  by  Col.  Nicholas  Grensel  and  was  mus- 
tered into  the  service  by  Colonel  Brackett,  United 
States  recruiting  officer.  September  2.°.,  1861,  for 
a  term  of  three  years  or  during  the  war.  The 
regiment  numbered  965  officers  and  enlisted  men, 
with  cavalry,  Companies  A  and  B.  with  ISO 
officers  and  men.  On  September  24.  18G1,  the 
regiment  reached  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  the  cavalry 
companies  being  armed  with  minie  and  Enfield 
rifles  and  the  other  companies  with  remodeled 
Springfield  muskets.  The  regiment  left  the  cav- 
alry at  Benton  Barracks  on  the  28th  and  moved 
to  Rolla,  whore  it  remained  in  camp  until  Janu- 
ary 14,  1SG2,  when  it  went  to  Springfield.  Mis- 
souri. The  brigade  commanded  by  Colonel  Os- 
terham  was  made  up  of  the  Thirty-fifth,  the 
Thirty-sixth  and  the  Forty-fourth  Illinois  and 
the  Twentieth  Missouri  Infantry  and  partici- 
pated in  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge  on  March  S, 
1S62,  afterward  going  into  camp.  On  the  evacu- 
ation of  Corinth,  moved  to  Booneville,  then  to 
Rienzi,  then  to  Cincinnati  and  went  into  camp 


at  Covington.  Kentucky.  On  September  19,  LSG2, 
the  Thirty-sixth  was  assigned  to  General  Sheri- 
dan's division  and  started  on  the  Kentucky  cam- 
paign in  pursuit  of  General  Bragg,  afterward 
retiring  to  Nashville  and  in  that  vicinity  re- 
mained until  December  2tj,  1S02,  when  it  broke 
camp  and  started  on  the  Murfreesboro  campaign. 
On  the  last  day  of  December  it  took  pari  in  the 
battle  of  Stone  River,  alter  which  it.  went  into 
camp  on  the  Shelby ville  turnpike,  on  the  ban!; 
of  Stone  Liver.  This  regiment  took  an  active 
part  in  the  battle  of  Missionary  Ridge,  Novem- 
ber 25,  ISO,:;,  its  colors  being  among  the  first 
planted  on  the  ridge.  On  November  28,  1S63, 
under  General  Sheridan,  the  regiment  started 
for  Knoxville,  Tennessee,  to  the  relief  of  Gen- 
eral Burnside,  reaching  that  point  December  0, 
on  the  12th  leaving  for  points  outside  the  city 
and  went  inio  camp  at  Blaine  Cross  Loads. 

On  January  I,  1SG4,  the  regiment  reeulistcd 
and  then  started  for  Chattanooga  to  arrange 
details  of  muster  for  a  new  term  of  service  pre- 
paratory to  a  veteran  furlough.  On  May  .'!  the 
regiment  started  on  the  Atlanta  campaign,  dur- 
ing which  it  was  almost  daily  under  lire  and 
fought  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  Resaca,  New  Hope 
Church.  Kenosaw  Mountain,  Leach  Tree  Creek 
and  marched  into  Atlanta  September  S;  on  the 
25th  was  ordered  back  to  Chattanooga  and  left 
that  place  on  the  2nd  of  October  in  pursuit  <»f 
Hood,  being  the  roar  guard  and  under  lire  al- 
most continually  from  Springhill  to  Franklin. 
where  it  participated  in  that  memorable  battle 
and  General  Thomas  personally  thanked  tin.' 
regiment,  for  its  display  of  bravery.  The  First. 
Brigade,  to  which  if  belonged,  Colonel  Opdyke 
commanding,  charged  the  Confederate  lines  dur- 
ing different  periods  in  the  action  and  captured 
thirty-three  stands  of  colors  and  on  the  uight  of 
November  30  was  the  last  to  cross  the  bridge 
over  the  Carpeth  Liver  on  returning  from  the 
field  to  Nashville,  which  place  it  reached  on  the 
afternoon  of  December  1st.  On  December  15- 
16  it  was  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Nashville  and 
captured  a  battery  and  over  one  hundred  prison- 
ers. The  regiment  went  into  camp  at  Lino 
Springs  and  while  there  received  the  news  of 
General  Lee's  surrender  and  also  the  news  of 
the  assassination  of  President  Lincoln.  It  was 
then  ordered  back  to  Nashville  and  remained 
there  until  June  when  it.  went  by  rail  to  John- 
sonvilleon  (lie  Tennessee  Liver,  was  there  placed 
on  transports 'and  reached  Now  Orleans  on  June 
23  following.  It  was  at  the  special  request  of 
General    Sheridan    that    the    Thirty-sixth    was 


6G0 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


detailed  for  headquarters  and  other  special 
guard  duty  and  thereby  received  the  name,  from 
other  troops,  of  "Sheridan's  Pets."  This  regi- 
ment did  special  duty  quelliug  disturbances, 
guarding  paymasters  and  conveying  captured 
archives  to  Washington,  District  of  Columbia. 
On  October  S,  18G5,  it  was  mustered  out  of  the 
service  and  proceeded  to  Springfield,  received 
its  pay  and  discharge.  In  general  engagements 
alone  the  Thirty-sixth  lost  in  killed  and  wounded 
over  seven  hundred  men;  inarched  and  was 
transported  by  rail  and  boat  over  ten  thousand 
miles,  and  changed  commanding  officers  ten 
times. 

Ilendly  G.  Hoge  volunteered  and  went  to  Kan- 
kakee to  be  mustered  into  the  service  with  the 
writer,  in  Company  C,  Seventy-sixth  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry,  on  August  '2'-';  1SG2.  lie  had 
lost  his  front  teeth,  hence  was  rejected  as  a 
volunteer,  front  teeth  being  necessary  equip- 
ments of  a  soldier  then  as  cartridges  when  load- 
ing muskets,  were  torn  open  by  the  teeth.  This 
explains  why  he  was  dialled.  He  was  patriotic 
and  went  into  the  service  himself,  sending  no 
substitute.  The  writer  wishes  to  pay  tribute  to 
his  memory  as  he  was  a  man  of  noble  character 
both  in  war  and  peace.  Two  of  his  children  sur- 
vive, a  son,  Albert  Hoge,  and  a  daughter,  Mrs. 
George  Towsley,  both  being  residents  of  Grundy 
County. 

FIFTY-FIFTH     ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 

The  Fifty-fifth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry 
was  organized  at  Camp  Douglas,  Chicago,  and 
mustered  into  the  service,  October  31,  I  SGI. 
It  was  one  of  two  regiments  raised  by  David 
Stuart,  its  subsequent  colonel  and  was  called  the 
"Douglas  Brigade."  It  was  principally  made  up 
from  bodies  of  recruits  from  Fulton,  McDonough, 
LaSalle,  Grundy,  DeKalb,  Kane  and  Winnebago 
counties  and  its  members  were  mainly  farmer 
boys.     Its  condensed  record  is  as  follows. 

On  November  9,  1861,  left  Camp  Douglas  for 
St.  Louis  and  remained  at  Benton  barracks 
under  the  command  of  Gen.  W.  T.  Sherman 
until  July  12,  1SC2,  learning  something  of  the 
art  of  war;  then  departed  for  Paducah,  Ken- 
tucky, on  a  steamer  frozen  and  aground  for 
several  days  on  account  of  ice  in  the  river;  on 
March  S,  1SG2,  embarked  on  steamer  to  take 
part  in  the  movement  up  the  Tennessee  River 
which  resulted  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh  and  move- 
ment on  Corinth  ;  on  March  15  landed  with  other 
troops  several  miles  above  Pittsburg  Landing; 


from  that  point  dropped  down  and  went  into 
cainp  at  Pittsburg  Landing.  On  the  morning  of 
the  battle  of  Shiloh,  like  all  other  troops  on  the 
field,  it  had  no  premonition  of  the  fearful  con- 
flict to  follow,  in  which  it  lost  the  heaviest  of 
any  Union  regiment  in  the  battle  except  the 
Ninth  Illinois  Infantry.  The  loss  sustained  by 
the  Fifty-fifth  was  one  officer  and  Til  enlisted 
men  killed,  nine  officers  and  100  men  wounded 
and  20  men  captured.  In  the  advance  on  Cor- 
inth which  it  entered  May  30,  the  regiment  lost 
one  killed  ami  eight  wounded.  On  April  30, 
1863,  the  regiment  went  on  the  expedition  to 
Haines  Bluff;  was  under  fire  at  Champion's  Hill 
but  lost  nn  men  ;  participated  in  the  assault  and 
bore  its  full  share  during  the  siege  of  Vicks- 
hurg,  losing  four  in  killed  and  "2  wounded  ; 
September  27,  1S63,  encamped  in  vicinity  of  Big 
Black  River;  during  night  of  November  23 
manned  fleet  of  pontoon  boats  in  North  Chieka- 
mauga  Creek  and  in  intense  darkness  descended 
and  crossed  the  Tennessee  and  captured  the 
enemy's  pickets.  This  was  one  of  the  most  dar- 
ing operations  of  the  war  and  added  laurels  to 
the  fame  of  (lie  regiment.  It  participated  in 
the  battle  of  Missionary  Ridge  which  followed. 
Its  heaviest  loss  was  at  the  assault  upon  Kene- 
saw  Mountain,  .lime  27.  1SG4,  14  being  killed 
including  the  gallant  Captain  Augustine,  with 
38  wounded.  After  the  surrender  of  General 
Johnston  the  regiment  marched  to  Washington 
and  took  part,  in  the  grand  review.  It  was  then 
ordered  to  Louisville,  Kentucky,  where  it  re- 
mained in  camp  a  few  weeks  then  moved  to 
Little  Bock,  where  it  was  mustered  out  August 
14,  1865;  arrived  in  Chicago  on  the  22nd,  where 
it  received  final  payment  and  discharge.  This 
regiment  was  engaged  in  31  battles  and  was 
under  fire  12s  days,  and  traveled  a  total  of  11,- 
9G5  miles.  After  its  reorganization  at  the  clost 
of  the  three-year  term,  it  was  commanded  until 
nearly  the  close  of  its  career  by  its  senior  cap- 
tain, when  Capt.  A.  A.  Andress  became  lieu- 
tenant-colonel. Tts  dead  now  rest  in  burial  in 
nine  different  states. 

FIFTY-EIGHTH    ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 

The  Fifty-eighth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry 
was  recruited  at  Camp  Douglas,  Chicago,  and 
on  February  11,  1S<i2,  was  furnished  with  arms 
and  started  for  Cairo,  Illinois.  The  condensed 
account  of  its  subsequent  movements  is  herewith 
given.  From  Cairo  it  moved  up  the  Cumberland 
River  to  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Donelson ;  was  at- 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


661 


tacked  by  a  masked  battery  but  drove  the  enemy 
backward,  these  raw  troop!;,  with  but  poor  equip- 
ments showing  the  bravery  of  trained  soldiers; 
the  arms  that  had  been  given  them  being  those 
condemned  and  thrown  aside  by  other  regiments. 
Heavy  firing  from  the  front  aroused  the  regi- 
ment early  ou  April  G,  1SG2,  and  the  regiment 
was  moved  forward  a  mile  and  a  half,  when 
General  Grant,  in  person,  ordered  this  command 
to  take  a  position  across  the  road.  In  holding 
this  position  the  Fifty-eighth  was  constantly 
under  fire  and  the  hiss  and  suffering  caused 
confusion  and  later  the  surrender  of  the  regi- 
ment, a  few  minutes  before  six  o'clock,  after  a 
disastrous  day.  The  loss  in  this  engagement 
was  frightful,  amounting  in  killed,  wounded  and 
prisoners  to  -150  brave  men.  The  Fifty-eighth 
was  mustered  out  at  Montgomery,  Alabama, 
April  1,  1SGG,  was  ordered  to  .Springfield  and 
there  was  paid  and  discharged. 

SEVENTY-SECOND    ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 

The  Seventy-second  Illinois  Volunteer  Infan- 
try was  organized  at  Chicago  as  the  First  Regi- 
ment  of  the  Board  of  Trade  of  Chicago.  Its 
first  bills  were  put  out  for  one  company  calling 
itself  the  Hancock  Guards,  on  July  23,  1SG3, 
and  in  exactly  one  month.  August  23,  the  entire 
regiment  was  complete  ami  was  mustered  into 
the  service  of  the  United  Stales  for  three  years 
or  during  the  war.  On  September  »J  following 
the  Seventy-second  was  ordered  to  l'aducah, 
Kentucky;  on  the  17th  the  troops  were  sent  to 
Columbus,  Kentucky;  in  October  they  dispersed 
a  Confederate  camp  and  captured  a  number  of 
prisoners;  on  October  21  moved  to  New  Madrid, 
and  on  November  21  were  ordered  to  join  Gen- 
eral Quimby's  command.  Owing  to  supplies  be- 
ing cut  off  Grant's  army  was  forced  to  return 
at  Holly  Springs,  and  the  Seventy-second  was 
sent  as  wagon  guard  to  the  train  to  Memphis. 
Tennessee.  On  April  23  they  went  to  Milliken's 
Bend,  Louisiana,  and  from  there  marched  up 
with  Grant's  army  to  Yicksburg;  on  May  1G  ar- 
rived at  Champion's  Hill  and  at  that  place  took 
part  in  its  first  pitched  battle.  From  that  time 
on  until  July  4.  when  the  enemy  capitulated,  the 
Seventy-second  did  its  duty  among  the  foremost 
in  the  siege  of  Yicksburg  and  when  the  city 
capitulated  were  among  the  first  to  march  into 
the  proud  old  city.  On  October  30,  1SG4.  these 
troops  were  ordered  to  report  to  General  Howard 
then  with  General  Sherman's  army.  On  Novem- 
ber 29  they  evacuated  Columbia  and  the  Seventy- 


second  was  in  the  sharp  skirmish  with  the  enemy 
at  .Spring  Hill,  ou  the  road  to  Franklin,  arriv- 
ing there  on  the  next  day  and  throwing  up 
earthworks  which  General  Hood  attacked  and 
a  terrific  battle  followed  which  lasted  from  -1 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon  until  midnight.  In  that 
fight  the  Seventy-second  lost  nine  officers  out  of 
the  sixteen  engaged  and  1.7>2  men  in  killed  and 
wounded.  On  December  15  the  whole  army 
was  moved  outside  to  give  battle  to  Hood  and 
on  that  and  the  succeeding  day  the  battle  of 
Nashville  was  fought,  resulting  in  the  complete 
routing  of  the  Confederates.  On  February  9, 
lSGo,  the  regiment  started  for  New  Oilcans, 
where  the  troops  arrived  on  the  21st,  late  in  the 
followng  month  moving  with  their  army  corps 
and  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Spanish  Fort. 
They  remained  at  Montgomery  until  May  23, 
when  they  were  ordered  to  Union  Springs,  Ala- 
bama ;  on  July  19  started  on  their  homeward 
journey;  on  August  G  were  mustered  out  of  the 
service  at  Yicksburg  and  then  marched  directly 
to  Chicago.  Since  entering  the  service  this  regi- 
ment had  traveled  9,280  miles  and  were  under 
fire  for  14o  days. 

SEVENTY-SIXTH    ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEEB    INFANTRY 

The  Seventy-sixth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry 
was  organized  at  Kankakee,  Illinois,  in  August. 
1SG2,  by  Col.  A.  W.  Mark,  and  was  mustered  in 
August  22,  1SG2,  immediately  being  ordered  to 
Columbus,  Kentucky,  at  which  place  it  arrived 
August  2:)  and  was  soon  armed  with  Enfield 
rifles.  In  October  it  moved  to  Bolivar,  Tennes- 
see, leaving  November  3  with  other  bodies  of 
troops  for  La  Grange,  Tennessee,  on  the  2Sth 
accompanying  General  Grant  on  his  campaign 
along  the  Mississippi  River.  It  was  at  Holly 
Springs  on  the  20th  and  on  the  30th  at  Water- 
ford,  doing  its  part  in  driving  Price's  army 
southwest.  The  Fourth  Division  of  the  Thir- 
teenth Army  Corps,  to  which  the  Seventy-sixth 
belonged,  remained  near  YVaterford  contending 
with  fierce  storms  and  seemingly  fathomless  mud 
until  December  11,  when  it  continued  its  march 
southwest.  It  crossed  the  Tallahatchie  River, 
passed  through  Abbeyville  and  Oxford  and 
halted  near  Spriugdale.  On  December  22.  when 
information  was  received  that  the  Confederates 
had  captured  Holly  Springs,  had  cut  off  com- 
munication with  the  North  and  destroyed  quan- 
tities of  supplies,  the  entire  Union  command  was 
faced  about  and  proceeded  north,  living  off  the 
country  and  at  times  on  extremely  short  rations. 


662 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


Holly  Springs  was  reached  and  entered  on  Janu- 
arj    5,    1SG3,    and    there    the    Seventy-sixtb    re- 
mained  until    January   10,   and   was   the   last    to 
march  out   of  the  city,  arriving  at   Moscow   on 
the  11th  and  remaining  there  until  February   5. 
There  the  soldiers  learned   of  the  absence  and 
resignation    of    their    colonel,    after    which    the 
lieutenant-colonel    was   promoted   to   he  colonel. 
On  February  5,    1st;;!,   the  camp  was   moved 
through    mud    and    snow    to    Lafayette    and    re- 
mained  there   until    March   10,   then   marched   to 
Memphis,  on  May  10  embarking  from  there  with 
other    troops   on    a    licet   of    steamers,    the   Fort 
Wagener    carrying    the    .Seventy-sixth.      It    was 
fired  on  in  the  night  from  the  Arkansas  shore  by 
a  hand  of  guerillas  and  two  men  were  wounded 
and  the  boat  disabled.    The  Seventy-sixth  landed 
in  the  morning  and  burned  the  buildings  on  the 
plantation,    while    the    boat    was    towed    down 
stream   with   the  fleet    to   Young's   Point,    Louis- 
iana,  landing   May   17.     On    the   following   day 
the  regiment  marched    across  the  point    to   the 
river  below  Vicksburg  and  embarked  for  Grand 
Gulf,  returned  to  the  point  on  the  29th  and  im- 
mediately  embarked   for   Chickasaw   Bayou,   on 
the  Yazoo  River,  at  which  place  it  debarked  and 
was  engaged  in  closing  the  river  in  the  rear  of 
Vicksburg  until  after  the  charge,  when  it  was 
placed    on    the    left    of    the    besieging    line    and 
bravely  held  its  situation  under  the  enemy's  fire 
until   the   final    surrender   on   July  4,   1S63.     On 
the  5th  the  regiment  moved  with  General  Sher- 
man's army  against  Iuka.  Mississippi,  skirmish- 
ing  with    the   enemy   at   Big   Black    River   and 
Champkn's  Hill.     At  Iuka,  under  Johnston,  the 
Confeder  tes    made    a    stand    and    engaged    our 
forces  from  the  12th   to  the   10th.  the  .Seventy- 
sixth    occupying    the    extreme    right.      On    the 
morning  of  the  17th  the  city  was  vacated  by  the 
Confederates  and  the  Union  troops  immediately 
marched  in.    The  regiment  left  Jackson  July  L'l 
and  arrived  at  Vicksburg  on  the  23rd.    On  July 
1,  1SG4,  the  regiment  started  on  an  expedition 
to  Jackson,  Mississippi,  commanded  by  General 
Slocum  and  on  its  return  was  met  by  the  enemy 
between  Iuka   and   Clinton  and  a   sharp  battle 
was  fought  on  the  Cth  and  renewed  on  the  7th 
when    the   Seventy-sixth   was   cut   off  from    the 
balance  of  the  brigade  and  had  to  cut  its  way 
out  with  a  loss  of  102  men,  sixteen  of  whom  were 
reported  killed  and  left  on  the  field  and  eighty- 
six    were    wounded    or   missing.      The    regiment 
thus  depleted  returned  to  Vicksburg  July  0.  1SC4. 
On  September  3  the  regiment  embarked  on  the 
steamer  Nebraska  and  moved  up  White  River. 


landed  and  camped  on  the  Arkansas  shore  and 
remained  until  October  IS,  on  November  7  reach- 
ing Duval's  Bluff,  where  it  built  cabins  with  the 
expectation  of  spending   the   winter.     In    obedi- 
ence to  orders,  however,  it   broke  camp  on   the 
28th  and  on   the  30th  landed  at  Memphis,   Ten- 
nessee,  where  it   remained   until   December   Ml, 
1SG4,   when  ordered   to  embark  on   the  steamer 
Niagara,  for  New  Orleans  at   which  place  it  ar- 
rived   on    January   -1,    1S05.      It    remained    near 
there  in   camp  until   February  12,   when   it   was 
leemharked    and    proceeded    across    the    Gulf    of 
Mexico    to    Mobile    Point.      The    regiment    was 
divided  and  carried  on  three  different  craft.     A 
terrible  storm  was  encountered  and  the  George 
Peabody,  on  which  the  Seventy-sixth  and  parts 
of  other  regiments  were,  was  nearly  wrecked,  in 
which    all    the   wagons,    horses   and    mules    were 
consigned  to  the  deep,  the  vessel  barely  reaching 
land   with   its  human  freight.     On  March  20  ac- 
companied  the  expedition  to  Spanish  Fort  and 
Fort    Blakely,   near  Mobile,   and  on   April    1   the 
army  approached  Fort  Blakely  ami  on  the  next 
day    drove   the   enemy    inside   its   fortifications. 
With   united   forces,    on   April   S,    Spanish    Fort 
was    captured    and    on    the    following    day    the 
Seventy-sixth    participated    in     the    charge    on 
Fort  Blakely,  capturing  the  entire  garrison.   The 
colors  of  this  regiment  were  the  first  planted  on 
the   enemy's    works.      The   Seventy-sixth    lost    in 
this  last   battle  of  the  war,   1.7   in  killed  and  Si 
wounded  and   among  the  latter  was  the  colonel 
of    the    regiment,    who    was    seriously    injured 
while  gallantly   leading  his  men   in   the  assault. 
In  the  latter  part  of  June  the  regiment  was  or- 
dered  to   Galveston,   Texas,   thence  to   Chicago, 
where  it  was  paid  off  and  disbanded  August  -1. 
lSGo,  having  traveled  over  ten   thousand   miles. 
Among  the  many  incidents  worthy  of  note  con- 
cerning this   regiment   and   which   lack  of  space 
prevents  giving,  the  following  may  he  recorded. 
In  the  battle  near  Jackson,  Mississippi,  in  July, 
1S04,  the  color  bearer,  Silas  Parker,  a  member 
of  Company  C,  fell  upon  his  staff.     Two  of  his 
comrades  rolled  him  off  and  brought  the  colors 
from    the    field,    leaving   Parker,    whom    one    re- 
ported to  be  dead.     On  the  exchange  of  prison- 
ers, however,  Silas  Parker  was  one  of  the  num- 
ber  restored    and   told   that   when   he  recovered 
from    being   stunned    he    fell    something   hurting 
his  side  and   felt   a   bullet   under  his  skin,     lie 
took  bis  own  knife,  with  the  intention  of  cutting 
it  out.  when   a   Confederate  surgeon   found   him 
and  ordered    that    he   he  taken   to   Iuka   and   be 
cared  for.     The  bullet  passed  around  under  his 


: 

i 


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: 


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: 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


663 


skin  to  tlio  opposite  side,  as  he  had  been  shot, 
but  did  not  injure  any  organ  permanently  and 
Mr.  Parker  is  yet  alive  but  has  ever  since  suf- 
fered from  the  catastrophe. 

EIGHTY-EIGHTH  -ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 

This  regiment  was  organized  at  Chicago  in 
September,  1S02,  by  Col.  T.  T.  Sherman,  and 
was  known  as  the  Second  Board  of  Trade  Regi- 
ment. After  mustering  in  it  was  ordered  to 
Louisville,  Kentucky;  on  September  4  went  into 
camp  below  Jeffersonville ;  received  arms  on  the 
11th  mid  on  the  loth  was  brigaded  with  the 
Twenty-fourth  Wisconsin  and  the  Second  and 
Fifteenth  .Missouri.  On  the  21st  it  moved  to 
Louisville  and  was  brigaded  with  the  Twenty- 
first  Michigan,  the  Twenty-fourth  Wisconsin  and 
the  Thirty-sixth  Illinois.  Colonel  Greusel  com- 
manding under  General  Philip  Sheridan.  This 
regiment  saw  hard  service  and  acquitted  itself 
honorably  whenever  called  on  for  duty.  It  was 
mustered  out  at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  June  9, 
1SG5,  and  discharged  at  Chicago,  June  13,  1SG5. 
No  company  in  this  regiment  was  organized  at 
Morris,  but  one  officer  was  a  Morris  man  and 
four  privates  were  from  Grundy  County. 

NINETY-FIRST    ILLINOIS     VOLUNTEER    INFANTRY 

This  regiment  was  organized  at  Camp  Butler, 
Illinois,  in  August,  1SG2,  by  Col.  Henry  M.  Day. 
and  was  mustered  in  September  S.  1SG2;  left 
Camp  Butler  October  1,  ISC2.  for  the  front; 
arrived  at  Shepherdsville,  Kentucky,  October  7; 
from  then  to  December  27,  1SG2,  was  engaged 
in  scouting  through  Kentucky  after  Morgan  and 
in  guarding  railroads.  On  the  morning  of  De- 
cember 27,  General  Morgan  appeared  with  his 
force  at  Elizabethtown,  where  the  Ninety-first 
was  then  stationed,  under  comma  nil  of  Lieut. - 
Col.  IIan"',->.  Smith,  three  companies  being  de- 
tached at  the  time  to  guard  railroads  elsewhere. 
Each  commander  demanded  the  surrender  of  the 
other  and  at  1  p.  m.  the  Confederates  opened 
fire.  At  that  time  the  Union  men  were  still 
using  the  old  altered  flint-lock  musket  and  as 
ammunition  had  given  out,  after  a  loss  of  seven 
men  killed  and  many  wounded,  the  Ninety-first 
was  forced  to  surrender  and  was  then  paroled 
and  on  June  5,  1SG3,  was  exchanged  and  newly 
equipped.  The  Ninety-first  reached  Vicksburg  at 
7  P.  m.  July  15,  1SG3,  and  was  assigned  to  a 
position  formerly  occupied  by  Grant's  right  wing 
and   lost  heavily   on   account   of   the   poisonous 


character  of  the  water,  no  sanitation  as  at  pres- 
ent being  then  in  use.  Early  in  August  the 
regiment  went  to  New  Oilcans  and  remained 
until  sent  up  the  river  on  September  6,  and  on 
the  morning  of  the  7th  the  Ninety-first  and  the 
Ninety-fourth  Illinois  with  the  Twentieth  Wis- 
consin and  a  battalion  of  cavalry  with  two  12- 
pound  cannon,  started  for  the  Appalachian 
River;  engaged  unsuccessfully  with  the  enemy 
and  then  fell  bark  for  six  miles.  On  the  Stb 
of  September  the  Union  force  again  advanced 
and  drove  the  enemy  across  the  river  with  loss 
to  them  in  killed  and  200  prisoners  were  taken, 
the  same  being  kindly  cared  for  by  the  Second 
Illinois  Cavalry.  On  November  G,  1SG3,  the 
Ninety-first  started  for  Brownsville,  Texas,  and 
remained  in  winter  quarters  at  Fort  Brown  until 
December  31,  when  it  made  its  famous  raid  on 
Salt  Lake,  capturing  a  lake  of  salt,  two  miles 
square,  which  was  promptly  confiscated.  Its 
further  movements,  necessarily  condensed,  were: 
left  Brownsville  July  2S;  arrived  at  Brazos  July 
30;  broke  cam])  December  24,  1SG4;  took  steamer 
for  New  Orleans;  March  17,  1SG5,  marched 
through  swamps  and  swam  creeks;  March  27 
met  the  enemy  in  force.  The  Ninety-first  ad- 
vanced in  double  column  in  doublequick  and 
drove  the  enemy  into  its  stronghold,  Spanish 
Fort  and  Blakely,  the  key  to  Mobile.  Here  the 
enemy  was  at  home  and  it  was  only  after  a 
siege  of  fourteen  days  thai  (lie  fort  surrendered. 
April  0,  1SG5.  Throughout  the  whole  siege  the 
Ninety-first  took  very  active  part  and  the  fall 
of  Spanish  Fort  resulted  in  the  surrender  of 
Mobile  to  the  Federal  troops  on  April  12,  1S65. 
General  Ilardee,  in  command  of  the  read  guard 
of  the  enemy's  forces,  lingered  behind  attempt- 
ing to  get.  away  with  the  stores,  hut  the  Second 
Brigade,  under  command  of  Col.  II.  M.  Day  of 
the  Ninety-first  Illinois,  prevented  this  move 
after  a  fight  which  was  the  last  engagement 
east  of  the  Mississippi.  On  July  12  the  regi- 
ment was  mustered  out  at  Mobile  and  on  the 
same  day  started  for  home  and  on  July  28,  1865, 
was  discharged  and  these  brave  men  became 
private  citizens  once  more  and  proved  as 
worthy  in  peace  as  they  had  been  valorous  in 
war. 

ONE    HUNDRED    AND    TWENTY-SEVENTH    ILLINOIS 
VOLUNTFU:  INFANTRY 

This  regiment  was  raised  under  the  call  of 
President  Lincoln  for  500,000  volunteers  in  the 
summer  of  1SG2,  and  Company  A  was  recruited 


664 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


in  Kendall  County  and  Company  D  in  Grundy 
County.  Tlie  regiment  was;  mustered  into  tin- 
service  at  Camp  Douglas,  September  G,  1S02: 
drew  a  full  complement  of  English  Enfield  rifles 
in  Hie  beginning  of  November  and  on  the  9th  de- 
parted for  Cairo,  Illinois,  where  it  embarked  on 
the  steamer  Emerald,  which  landed  it  at  Mem- 
phis on  the  loth.  On  November  20,  iS02,  it  de- 
parted on  an  expedition  under  General  Sherman 
and  marched  to  the  neighborhood  of  Oxford, 
Mississippi;  under  orders  from  General  Grant 
returned  to  Memphis;  was  a  part  of  the  expedi- 
tion which  captured  Arkansas  Post,  January  11, 
1SG3,  and  was  one  of  the  first  regiments  to  plant 
colors  on  tbe  enemy's  works.  This  regiment 
assisted  in  the  constructing  of  the  famous  canal 
at  Young's  Point,  in  front  of  Vicksburg  and  dur- 
ing the  three  months  that  followed  had  much 
sickness  in  its  ranks  and  at  one  time,  on  account 
of  malaria  in  all  probability,  could  report  only 
100  men  fit  for  duty.  This  made  the  actual 
achievements  of  the  regiment  eminently  notable. 
On  the  first  day  of  the  assaults  on  Vicksburg  it 
planted  its  colors  farthest  on  the  enemy's  works. 
During  the  siege  the  regiment  was  placed  on 
detached  duty  at  Chickasaw  Bayou  until  within 
a  few  days  of  the  surrender,  when  it  returned 
to  the  trenches  and  took  part  in  the  victory  on 
July  4,  1SG3. 

On  the  night  following  the  surrender  of  Vicks- 
burg, all  the  men  tit  for  duty,  less  than  fifty  in 
number,  under  Major  Curtiss.  marched  under 
command  of  General  Sherman  and  became  a 
part  of  the  force  that,  a  few  days  later,  drove 
Gen.  Joe  Johnston  from  Jackson.  "When  the 
regiment  went  into  camp  at  Black  River  Bridge 
it  had  less  than  one  hundred  men  fit  for  duty, 
about  four  hundred  being  in  hospitals  on  Walnut 
Hills  in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg.  The  corps  to 
which  this  regiment  was  attached  took  part  in 
the  battle  of  Lookout  Mountain  and  its  activity 
at  .--Missionary  Ridge  assisted  in  the  great  loss 
sustained  there  by  the  enemy.  The  One  Hun- 
dred and  Twenty-seventh  took  part  in  the  series 
of  battles  around  Resaca,  notably  being  engaged 
on  May  14,  when  the  brigade  to  which  it  was 
attached  carried  the  line  of  fortification  along 
the  slope  of  the  creek  by  a  desperate  assault 
with  the  bayonet  and  captured  a  number  of 
prisoners.  Immediately  following  this  assault 
followed  the  charge  of  General  Cleburn's  Con- 
federates, which  made  three  furious  attacks  on 
the  Union  lines  only  to  be  bloodily  repulsed.  Ou 
the  27th  of  June  occurred  the  most  desperate 
battle  and  assault  of  the  Fifteenth  Army  Corps 


upon  Kenesaw  Mountain,   which   frowned  1,000 

feet  above  the  soldiers'  heads  and  Covered  with 
rifle  pits,  strong  parapets  and  death-dealing  bat- 
teries, in  this  momentous  action  the  One  Hun- 
dred and  Twenty-seventh  stood  up  grandly  un- 
der that  actual  baptism  of  lire  and  on  July  2, 
1SG4,  the  enemy  abandoned  the  defense  of  Kene- 
saw and  fell  back  to  the  Chattahoochee  River. 
On  July  20,  PSil-l,  Gen.  John  P..  Hood  was  placed 
in  command  of  the  Confederate  army  in  place 
of  Gen.  Joseph  E.  Johnston  and  desperate  efforts 
followed  this  change  in  commanders.  In  the 
fierce  engagement  of  July  22,  in  which  the  be- 
loved McPherson  fell,  the  regiment  was  in  the 
thickest  of  the  fight  and  the  brigade  to  which 
it  belonged  was  led  into  the  fray  by  General 
Logan  in  person.  A  few  days  later  the  Fifteenth 
Corps  was  transferred  to  the  extreme  right  of 
the  army,  where,  on  July  2S  it  was  furiously 
assaulted  by  a  corps  of  Hood's  army,  which  was 
repulsed  with  terrible  loss,  leaving  no  less  than 
eight  hundred  and  twenty-eight  dead  in  front  of 
our  lines.  The  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-seventh 
accompanied  Sherman's  army  in  its  march 
through  Georgia  and  the  Carolinas.  After  the 
surrender  of  General  Johnson  on  April  9,  PSGri, 
this  regiment  started  for  Petersburg,  Virginia, 
on  May  .13  passed  through  Richmond  and  on 
May  21  reached  the  vicinity  of  Waslmgton, 
D.  C,  and  went  into  camp  on  the  hills  west 
of  Alexandria.  After  an  arduous  service  of 
almost  three  years  the  regiment  reached  Chi- 
cago and  was  there  mustered  out  June  17,  18G5. 
'i'he  actual  number  of  men  finally  discharged 
was  2-10.  all  thai  remained  of  the  000  with 
which  the  regiment  left  Camp  Douglas  in  psr.2. 

FOUBTH     ILLINOIS    VOLUNTI.Ki:    CAVALRY 

In  August,  1SG1,  Judge  T.  Lyle  Dickey,  of 
Ottawa,  LaSalle  County,  was  authorized  by  the 
Secretary  of  War  to  raise  and  organize  a  regi- 
ment of  cavalry.  Some  time  afterward,  but  be- 
fore the  regiment  was  complete,  a  controversy 
arose  between  the  Secretary  of  War  and  Gover- 
nor Yates,  in  the  settlement  of  which  it  was  con- 
ceded that  the  Governor  should  commission  (he 
officers  selected  by  Judge  Dickey  and  the  organ- 
ization went  upon  the  records  as  the  Fourth  Illi- 
nois Cavalry.  On  September  20.  1861,  the  regi- 
ment was  mustered  info  the  military  service  of 
the  United  States  and  soon  after  took  up  its 
line  of  niarch  for  Springfield,  where  it  received 
its  arms,  which  were  not  removed  from  their  . 
cases,   however,  until    tbe  command  arrived  at 


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HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


665 


Cairo.  It.  served  as  escort  to  General  Grant  in 
which  service  it  continued  until  August,  1SG3. 
With  a  part  of  his  regiment  Colonel  Dickey  made 
a  reconnaissance  of  Fort  Donelson,  in  which  he 
captured  a  picket  line  of  about  a  dozen  men. 
This  regiment  marched  in  advance  of  General 
Grant's  army  upon  Fort  Donelson  and  General 
McClernand's  command  engaged  in  that  affair 
through  snow,  sunshine,  rain  and  sleet.  Imme- 
diately after  the  surrender  it  moved  to  Ran- 
dolph Forge  and  encamped  on  the  property  of 
Hem.  John  Bell  &  Co.,  one  of  the  largest  iron 
companies  of  Tennessee,  the  farm  being  occu- 
pied by  Major  Grey,  a  veteran  who  had  fought 
under  Jackson  at  New  Orleans.  At  Pittsburg 
Landing  this  regiment  was  assigned  to  a  brigade 
commanded  partly  by  Brigadier-General  I. oil- 
man and  partly  by  General  Hurlburt,  alter  which 
all  were  assigned  to  General  Sherman's  com- 
mand. After  the  battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing, 
or,  more  properly,  Shiloh,  the  Fourth  was  kept 
constantly  scouting,  a  large  part  of  its  duty 
being  the  destroying  of  railroads  ami  bridges. 
In  the  latter  pail  of  October,  1801,  orders  were 
received  for  this  regiment  to  return  to  Spring- 
field to  be  mustered  out.  When  leaving  Chicago 
the  roster  was  about  one  thousand  one  hundred 
men  and  when  mustered  out  there  were  '540  win) 
rceived  discharge  in  November,  1SG4. 

t  LOYALTY   AND   DKV0T10X    OF    WOMEN 

An  attempt  to  write  fully  the  military  history 
of-  Grundy  County,  leaving  out  mention  of  the 
efforts  of  the  women,  would  be  like  playing  Ham- 
let without  the  melancholy  Dane.  Noble  women 
all  over  the  land  hastened  to  oiler  help  and 
succor  and  every  community  had  its  aid  socie- 
ties, some  of  these  independent  and  others  work- 
ing with  organizations  in  larger  places  where 
transportation  was  easy.  The  Soldiers'  Aid  So- 
ciety of  Morris,  Grundy  County,  was  auxiliary 
to  the  Chicago  -Aid  Society.  Wonderful  were 
the  expedients  tried  by  these  earnest  women  by 
which  an  honest  dollar  might  be  earned  and  no 
extra  task  or  peiS  nal  sacrifice  was  overlooked 
.to  add  to  the  fund  which  at  stated  intervals  was 
sent  to  Chicago  where  as  faithful  a  body  of 
women  expended  the  same  for  the  needs  of  the 
soldier  that  were  so  pressing.  Committees  were 
organized  and  the  public  called  on  to  promise  a 
regular  weekly  or  monthly  sum  for  the  cause; 
clothing  was  solicited;  many  willingly  brought 
out  their  hoarded  old  linen  of  a  former  day  and 
tore  it  up  for  bandages  or  scraped  it  for  lint; 


parties  and  entertainments  were  given,  which 
everybody  attended  for  the  cause,  and,  in  fact, 
such  a  wave  of  self-denial  and  sweet  charity 
spread  over  (he  country  through  its  tender 
women,  that  it  does  the  later  generation  good 
to  hear  of.  One  of  the  interesting  celebrations 
in  Grundy  was  the  "Sanitary  Fair"  which  was 
held  on  the  grounds  of  the  Grundy  Agricultural 
Society.  In  a  spacious  dining  hall.  100  feet  long, 
people  were  served  every  day  of  the  fair  witli 
food  contributed  and  cooked  and  served  by  the 
women  of  the  county,  and  few  indeed  regretted 
the  expenditure  for  so  excellent  a  meal,  when 
all  the  money  was  for  the  "soldier  boys."  Fruit, 
carefully  canned  and  preserved,  vegetables,  hay, 
coal  and  cattle,  all  had  been  contributed,  and 
from  Minooka  alone  came  twelve  half  barrels  of 
pickles.  It  was  a  never  to  be  forgotten  occa- 
sion and  large  sums  of  money  resulted  through 
this  great  undertaking.  The  fathers,  brothers, 
sons  and  husbands  lighting  on  distant  battle- 
fields had  this  strong  supporting  army  behind 
them  and  without  tins  cheering  remembrance 
many  would  have  fallen  from  other  cause  than 
a  bullet.  The  women  at  home,  in  every  war, 
how  tragically  noble  they  are. 

THE   SPANISH-ASIEKICAN    WAK 

We  cannot  give  any  definite  account  of  the 
part  Grundy  County  took-  in  the  Spanish- Ameri- 
can war.  Xo  data  that  would  lie  of  value  to  the 
reader  seems  available  and  it  is  probable  that 
less  than  a  dozen  men  of  this  section  took  part 
and  they  were  not  in  organizations  sent  from 
Grundy  County,  State  of  Illinois,  but  were  in 
the  regular  army, 

SHABBONA 

In  attempting  to  write  the  military  or  any 
history  of  Grundy  and  leaving  out  the  name  of 
Shabbona,  would  lie  little  short  of  sacrilege,  as 
he  and  his  name  were  familiar  in  every  home  of 
the  earlier  settlers  of  Grundy  County  and  was 
as  much  a  citizen  as  any  one  who  enlisted  in  the 
United  States  service. 

This  celebrated  Indian,  Chief  Shabbona  C vari- 
ously spelled),  deserves  more  than  a  passing 
notice.  Although  he  was  not  so  conspicuous  as 
Tecumseh  or  Black  Hawk,  yet.  in  point  of  merit, 
he  was  superior  to  either  of  them.  Shablxma 
was  born  at  an  Indian  village  on  the  Kankakee 
River,  now  in  Will  County,  about  the  year  1 77.".. 
While  young  he  was  made  chief  of  the  band 


COG 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


and  went  to  Shabbona  Grove,  now  DeKalb 
County.  In  the  War  of  1S12  with  his  warriors 
be  joined  Tecumseh  and  was  aid  to  that  great 
chief,  and  stood  by  his  side  when  he  fell  at  die 
battle  of  the  Thames  in  1S13.  In  the  Winnebago 
war,  in  IS-!),  he  visited  almost  every  village 
among  the  Pottowattomies  and  by  his  persuasive 
arguments  prevented  them  from  taking  part  in 
the  war.  By  request  of  the  citizens  of  Chicago 
Shabbona,  accompanied  by  Billy  Caldwell 
(Sanayanash),  visited  Big  Coot's  village,  at 
Geneva  Lake,  in  order  to  pacify  the  warriors, 
as  fears  were  entertained  that  they  were  about 
to  raise  the  tomahawk  against,  the  whites. 

Here  Shabbona  was  taken  prisoner  by  ]'Aj: 
Foot  and  his  life  was  threatened,  hut  on  the 
following  day  lie  was  set  at  liberty.  From  that 
time  on  the  Indians  (through  reproach)  styled 
him  "the  white  man's  friend"  and  many  times 
his  life  was  endangered. 

Before  the  Black  Hawk  war  Shabbona  met.  in 
council  at  two  different  times  and  by  his  in- 
fluence prevented  his  people  from  taking  part 
with  the  Sacs  and  Foxes. 

After  the  death  of  Black  Partridge  and  Sen- 
achwine  no  chief  among  the  Pottawatomies  ex- 
erted so  much  influence  as  Shabbona.  Black 
Hawk,  aware  of  this,  visited  him  at  two  differ- 
ent times  in  order  to  enlist  him  in  his  cause, 
bat  was  unsuccessful.  While  Black  Hawk  was  a 
prisoner  at  Jefferson  Barracks  he  said,  had  it 
not  been  for  Shabbona,  the  whole  Pottawatamie 
nation  would  have  joined  his  standard  and  he 
could  have  continued  the  war  for  years.  To 
Shabbona  many  of  the  early  settlers  of  Illinois 
owe  the  preservation  of  their  lives  for  it  is  a 
well  known  fact  that  had  he  not  notified  the 
people  of  their  danger  a  large  portion  of  them 
would  have  fallen  victims  to  the  tomahawks  of 
the  savages.  By  saving  the  lives  of  the  whites 
he  endangered  his  own,  for  the  Sacs  and  Foxes 
threatened  to  kill  him  and  made  two  attempts 
to  execute  their  threats.  They  killed  Pypeogee, 
his  son,  and  Pyps  his  nephew,  and  hunted  him 
down  as  if  he  was  a  wild  beast. 

Shabbona  had  a  reservation  of  two  sections 
of  land  at  his  grove,  but,  by  leaving  it  and  go- 
ing west  for  a  short  time,  it  was  declared  for- 
feited and  it  was  held  the  same  as  other  vacant 
land.  On  Shabbona's  return  and  finding  his  pos- 
session gone  he  was  very  sad  and  broken  down 
in  spirits  and  left  the  grove  forever.  The 
citizens  of  Ottawa  raised  money  and  bought 
him  a  tract  of  land  on  the  Illinois  River  above 
Seneca,   but  in   Grundy  County  on  which   they 


built  a  home  and  supplied  him  with  means  to 
live  on.  He  lived  here  until  his  death  which 
occurred  on  July  i7,  1850,  when  he  was  in  the 
eighty-fourth  year  of  his  age.  He  wa.s  buried 
witli  great  pomp,  in  the  cemetery  at  .Morris, 
Illinois.  His  Squaw,  Pokanoka,  was  drowned 
in  Mazon  Creek.  Grundy  County,  on  the  3oth 
of  November,  16GM,  and  was  buried  by  his  side. 
In  1SG1,  subscriptions  were  taken  up  in  many 
01'  the  river  towns  for  funds  to  erect  a  monu- 
ment over  the  remains  of  Shabbona,  hut  the 
Civil  War  breaking  out  al  that  time  caused  the 
enterprise  to  he  abandoned.  Only  a  plain  slab 
marks  the  resting  place  of  this  friend  of  the 
white  man.  The  above  is  no  fairy  tale.  The 
writer  has  sold  Shabbona  woolen  blankets  for 
himself  and  family  in  Grundy  county,  and  his 
wife's  grandfather  was  notified  by  Shabbona 
of  Black  Hawk's  outbreak  and  was  told  to  flee 
with  his  family  for  their  lives,  to  the  old  log 
fort  in  Ottawa,  LaSalle  County,  which  they 
did.  Some  who  did  not  heed  (he  warning  suf- 
fered the  consequences  and  lost  their  lives. 


CHAPTER   XI 11 


T1IF  GRAND  ARMY  OF  TIIF  REPUBLIC 


TXIE  TATRIOTS  OF  1801 — THEIR  COURAGE,  LOYALTY 
AM)  ENDURANCE — ORGANIZATION  OF  Till:  G.  A.  R. 
— THK  LITTLE  BRONZE  BUTTON — TWO  POSTS  IN1 
GRUNDY  COUNTY — POST  AT  MORRIS  A  MEMORIAL 
OF  A  YOUNG  HERO — POST  AT  GARDNER — WOMAN'S 
RELIEF  CORPS — TIME  THINS  RANKS  OF  THE  VET- 
ERANS. 

THK    PATRIOTS    OF    1S01 

Half  a  century  ago  hundreds  of  thousands  of 
the  very  best  men  this  country  ever  produced 
sprung  to  the  defense  of  their  flag.  They  left 
business  interests  and  families  to  face  possible 
death,  and  many  never  lived  to  return.  Thou- 
sands of  those  who  did.  came  back  broken  in 
health,  crippled  in  body,  but  cheerful  of  spirit, 
for  theirs  had  been  a  just  cause  and  they  had 
fought  the  good  fight  and  come  out  conquerors. 
Their  subsequent  history  forms  one  of  the  most 
important    records   of   the   country.     Their   suf- 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


6G7 


ferings  will  never  be  appropriately  rewarded  or 
appreciated,  for  none  but  those  who  had  endured 
as  tbey,  can  know  that  there  was  more  bravery 
shown  after  the  war  by  those  who  had  to  con- 
tinue through  life  bowed  down  by  the  burdens 
their  military    experiences  superimposed. 

ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  G.   A.   R. 

Appreciating  the  fact  that  the  veterans  of  the 
Oivil  War  needed  an  organization  of  their  hind. 
The  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  was  organized, 
and  its  local  and  national  reunions  have,  in  a 
slight  measure,  compensated  these  brave  men  fur 
the  indifference  many  have  shown  them.  Fore- 
gathered with  their  comrades  they  can  live  over 
again  those  stirring  days  when  they  were  the 
most  important  men  in  the  hearts  of  the  pub- 
lic; when  upon  their  endurance  and  bravery 
hung  the  fate  of  a  nation. 

Every  section  of  the  country  has  its  local  post, 
although  the  members  are  gradually  dying. 
Many  years  have  elapsed  since  these  men  fought 
for  their  cause,  and  their  experiences,  the  ex- 
posures, the  rigors  of  army  life  and  the  fright- 
ful hardships  of  southern  prisons,  to  say  noth- 
ing of  actual  wounds  received  in  the  line  of  bat- 
tle, have  not  made  for  a  long  life.  Each  year 
the  little  procession  of  veterans  inarching  on 
Memorial  Day.  shows  inure  vacant  places  until 
the  time  will  come  when  all  will  have  answered 
to  the  last  roll  call  and  be  enrolled  in  the  Army 
of  the  Infinite. 

THE    LITTLE    B1IONZE   BUTTON 


had  already  participated  in  the  engagements  of 
Warrington  Junctiou,  Fair  Oaks  from  June  1 
to  2S,  ISG2,  Peach  Orchard,  White  Oak  Swamp, 
Malvern  Hill,  Centerville,  Charleston,  Smieker's 
Gap,  Fredericksburg,  and  others  leading  up  to 
the  one  upon  which  lie  fell  mortally  wounded 
after  a  gallant  act  in  repelling  Longstreet's 
awful  charge  on  July  2.  Darveau  Post  Xo.  329, 
G.  A.  It.,  was  organized  in  1SS3,  by  Gen.  I'.  C. 
Hayes.  The  present  commander  is  John  Thor- 
son,  and  Henry  Fey  is  quartermaster.  There 
is  another  post  at  Gardner,  known  as  Sedgwick, 
and  the  ladies  of  both  cities  give  valued  aid 
in  their  Relief  Corps. 

These  two  jKjsts  hold  the  membership  of  vet- 
erans from  all  over  Grundy  County,  and  upon 
the  day  set  aside  for  them,  they  attend  to  pay 
respi  ct  and  show  honor  to  their  comrades  who 
lie  beneath  the  grassy  mounds  as  far  as  their 
earthy  habiliments  go,  but  whose  spirits  have 
ascended  into  a  life  where  their  virtues  are  ap- 
preciated and  their  faults  forgotten  because  of 
their  heroism,  for  to  pharaphrase  a  sacred 
Quotation  : 

"What  greater  love  or  virtue  hath  any  man 
than  that  he  lay  down  his  life  for  his  country?" 


CHAPTER   XIV 


BANKS  AXD  OTHER  FINANCIAL 
INSTITUTIONS 


The  "little  bronze  button"  not  only  signifies 
that  its  owner  risked  his  life  and  limb  in  de- 
fense of  the  country  we  all  love  so  dearly  if  we 
have  a  spark  of  patriotism  in  our  bosoms,  hut 
it  also  opens  the  hearts  of  those  whose  years 
are  too  few  to  have  participated  in  the  Civil 
War,  or  whose  sex  decreed  that  they  were  to  re- 
main behind,  helping  the  cause  with  loving 
thought,  brave-hearted  singleness  of  sacrifice  and 
endless  prayers. 

The  G.  A.  R.  post  at  Morris  was  named  for  a 
youth  who  laid  down  his  life  on  the  bloody 
field  of  Gettysburg,  perhaps  the  most  important 
of  all  the  engagements  of  the  entire  war  as  it 
forever  put  an  end  to  "northern  invasion,"  and 
sounded  the  knell  of  the  Confederacy.  This  lad 
from  Morris  was  named  Lewis  Dimeras  Dar- 
veau, but  his  comrades  knew  him  as  "Dim."    He 


EARLY  FINANCES — A  CHAJ  GF.  IN  AFFAIRS — PRIVATE 
HANKS — STATE  AND  NATIONAL  HANKS  —FIRST 
HANKS  —  rRESFNT  HANKING  INSTITUTIONS  IN 
GRUNDY  COUNTY — HANKS  OF  MORRIS — OF  GARD- 
NER  OF    MINOOKA — OF    VERONA OF    MAZON OF 

KINSMAN OF  COAL  CITY. 

(By  J.  C.  Carr) 

EARLY  FINANCE 

When  the  pioneers  reached  Grundy  County, 
they  had  hut  little  money  left  of  the  usually 
scanty  amount,  with  Which  they  left  their  civil- 
ized homes  in  the  more  eastern  States,  so  that 
they  were  not  troubled   by  the  fact  that   in  the 


668 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


new  territory  there  were  no  banking  institu- 
tions. They  bad  left  home  rich  in  hope  and 
faith,  willing  to  labor  earnestly  and  diligently, 
but  with  little  of  tin's  world's  goods.  The  major- 
ity of  these  pioneers  traveled  across  the  coun- 
try in  a  wagon  drawn  either  by  horses  or  oxen. 
Money  was  not  needed  for  the  trip.  The  wagon 
carried  supplies  and  if  they  ran  out,  any  settler 
by  the  way  was  ready  and  willing  to  share 
what  he  bad  with  the  wayfarers,  for  hospitality 
was  a  marked  pioneers'  virtue. 

After  making  the  required  payment  on  his 
land,  which  in  the  early  days  was  $1.25  per  acre, 
it  oftentimes  was  some  years  before  money  to 
any  amount  came  into  possession  of  the  pioneer. 
He  struggled  to  clear  his  land  and  put  in  the 
seed  he  had  brought  with  him,  and  the  scanty 
necessities  required  were  obtained  of  the  nearest 
trader  in  exchange  for  produce. 

A  CHANGE  IN  AFFAIRS 

However,  as  the  county  began  to  be  settled, 
a  change  came  about,  many  improvements  were 
made,  and  the  roads  were  better  constructed  so 
that  the  farmers  found  it.  expedient  and  profit- 
able to  raise  more  and  haul  their  products  to 
the  nearest  market,  receiving  in  payment  money 
instead  of  bartering  to  supply  their  wants. 

In  each  community  there  always  was,  and 
doubtless  will  he  as  long  as  human  nature  re- 
mains unchanged,  one  man  who  was  a  little  more 
prosperous  than  his  fellows.  Perhaps  he  was 
more  thrifty,  at  any  rate  he  was  a  better  busi- 
ness man,  and  to  him  the  farmers  began  com- 
ing for  accommodations.  At  first  it  was  but  a 
few  dollars  lent  in  a  friendly  way.  Later  larger 
amounts  were  involved,  and  thus  the  private 
banker  was  evolved. 

•    PRIVATE  HANKS 

In  earlier  days,  the  banks  of  Grundy  County 
were  all  private  institutions,  and  some  still  so 
remain.  The  business  transacted  was  too  small 
to  justify  any  large  investments  and  much  of 
it  was  carried  on  in  a  neighborly  manner,  a 
simple  promise  being  accepted.  As  more  peo- 
ple came  into  the  neighborhood,  however,  these 
friendly  methods  bad  to  be  abandoned  and  strict 
business  rules  enforced  and  in  time  the  private 
banks  developed  into  state  or  national  institu- 
tions. The  present  financial  institutions  of 
Grundy    County    have    been    built    upon    sound 


foundations  and  are  in  the  bands  of  men  of 
unusual  strength  of  character  and  business  ex- 
perience. An  immense  amount  of  business  is 
transacted  annually  and  the  rating  of  these 
banics  is  second  to  none  of  their  size  in  the 
country. 

FIRST    BANKS 

The  first  bank  of  which  there  is  any  mention 
in  Grundy  County  was  founded  in  1S53  by  0. 
IT.  and  11.  C.  Goold,  and  was  located  on  the 
corner  of  Washington  and  Liberty  Streets,  Mor- 
ris, where  the  Claypool  building  now  stands. 
The  firm  continued  to  operate  the  haul;  for 
some  years,  when,  finding  the  business  un- 
profitable, closed  out,  and  the  partners  then 
devoted  their  time  and  energy  to  the  real  estate 
business. 

In  1S54  George  Selleck  opened  up  an  ex- 
change bank  near  the  present  site  of  Fraternity 
Hall,  but,  meeting  with  reverses,  he  failed  in 
1S60. 

E.  W.  &  F.  K.  Hulburd  opened  a  private 
bank  in  1S57,  in  the  Lott  block,  operating  under 
the  name  of  E.  W.  Hulburd  &  Co.,  and  for  a 
time  did  a  large  business,  but  failed  in  1S61. 

The  next  bank  was  founded  in  1S58  by  F.  S. 
Gardner  and  C.  R.  Crumb  as  a  private  institu- 
tion, but  as  they  had  neither  capital  nor  ex- 
perience,  their  venture  proved  a  failure. 

The  year  18G0  saw  the  opening  of  another 
bank,  by  T.  Hatton  and  bis  son,  of  Joliet,  in 
the  office  of  the  late  C.  II.  Goold,  but  it  only 
continued  two  years,  when  its  doors  were 
closed.  Following  this,  D.  D.  Spencer  came  to 
Morris  from  Elkhorn,  Wis.,  and  in  conjunction 
with  the  late  \Y.  C.  llammill,  established  an 
exchange  and  diposit  bank,  which  was  operated 
until  the  summer  of  1SG4,  when  it  was  merged 
with  the  Grundy  County  National  Bank,  then 
in  process  of  organization. 

BANKS  "OF    MORRIS 

The  Gkundy  County  National  Rank. — The 
first  national  bank  to  be  organized  in  Grundy 
County  was  established  September  1G,  1SG4, 
under  the  title  of  The  Grundy  County  National 
Bank  of  Morris,  HI.,  with  a  capital  stock  of 
$50,000,  by  Abel  1'.  Bulkley,  C.  II.  Goold,  D.  D. 
Spencer,  John  Holderman,  Samuel  Ilolderman, 
John  Barr,  Aaron  Sears,  John  B.  Davidson, 
William  M.  Ilanna,  Dayton  Kingman,  and  John 


! 

1- 

X 

• 

- 

■ 

* 

J4^^^^t    C?  /j^c/7c^ 


Ct^y-y 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


669 


Hill,  all  of  whom  have  passed  away  except  Dr. 
William  M.  Hanna,  now  residing  at  Aurora,  111. 
At  the  first  meeting  of  the  stockholders  the  fol- 
lowing   persons    were    elected    directors   of    the 
bank  for  the  ensuing  year:    C.  II.  Goold.  U.  D. 
.Spencer,  A.  P.  Bulkley,  Aaron  Sears,  and  Samuel 
Holderman.     The  Hoard  of  Directors  then  held 
a   meeting   and   elected   C.    II.    Goold,   president, 
and  D.  D.  Spencer,  cashier.     The  above  named 
officials   continued    to    serve    until    January    14, 
18GS,  when  D.  1).  Spencer  was  elected  president 
and  Charles  G.  Bulkley,  cashier.    On  October  3, 
•'  1SGS,   Mr.   Bulkley   resigned   as  cashier,   and   on 
January  10,  1S71,  J.  II.  Pettit  was  elected  to  fill 
the    vacancy.      D.    D.    Spencer   sold   his   interest 
in   the   hank   October  5,    1ST!,   to   C.   G.   Goold, 
who  then  succeeded  him  as  president.     On  Sep- 
tember   30,     1ST3,    J.     II.     Pettit     resigned     as 
cashier,  and  on  October  5,  1S71,  J.  C.  Carr  was 
elected  to  fill  (he  vacancy.     With  the  death  of 
Mr.  Goold  on  June  22,  1S02,  occurred  a  vacancy 
which    was   tilled    by    the   election   of   Jeremiah 
Collins,  who  served  as  president  until  June  20. 
1899,  when   he  resigned  and  J.  R.  Collins  was 
elected  to  fill  his  place.     On  July  20.  1001,  J.  It. 
Collins   resigned    the   presidency,   and   was   suc- 
ceeded by  O.   E.   Collins.     The   latter  held  the 
office  until  January  15,  1903,  when  he  was  suc- 
ceeded   by    J.    C.    Carr,    and    at    the    same   time 
J.    W.    McKindly    was    elected    cashier,    and    E. 
G.   Carr,   assistant   cashier.     On   September   10, 
3902,    by    vote   of    the   stockholders,    the   capital 
of    the    bank    was    increased    from    $73,000    to 
$100,000.      The    present    Board    of    Directors    of 
the   bank   are:     J.    A.    Wilson,    Cryder    Collins, 
E.  II.  Wol  ee,  J.  R.  Collins  and  J.  C.  Carr.    The 
officers  are:    J.  C.  Carr,  president;  Cryder  Col- 
lins,  vice  president ;   J.   W.   McKindly,   cashier, 
and  E.  G.  Carr,  assistant  cashier. 

From  the  Last  published  statement  the  con- 
dition of  the  bank  is  as  follows : 

Capital  slock,  $100,000;  surplus,  $100,000; 
undivided  profits,  $115,S0O,  and  individual  de- 
posits of  $734,000. 

The  First  National  Bank  of  Morris. — The 
First  National  Bank  of  Morris  was  organized 
in  1870  as  the  First  National  Bank  of  Seneca. 
Samuel  Holderman  was  the  first  president,  and 
the  capital  stock  at  incorporation  was  $."",0,000. 
In  1872  the  bank  was  removed  to  Morris,  and 
in  1874  the  present  name  of  The  First  National 
Bank  of  Morris  was  adopted.  The  capital 
stock  was  raised  to  $100,000.   Later  this  amount 


was  increased  to  $200,000,  while  the  surplus 
is  now  $100,000.  James  Cunnea,  Sr.,  succeeded 
Samuel  Holderman  as  president,  in  1872,  re- 
taining the  presidency  until  his  death  in  1884, 
when  John  Cunnea,  his  son,  was  elected  to  fill 
his  place.  He  is  the  present  incumbent,  hav- 
ing served  the  hank  as  president  for  over 
twenty-eight  years.  The  present  officers  of  the 
hank  are:  John  Cunnea.  president;  George  A. 
Cunnea,  vice  president;  It.  S.  Cunnea,  cashier, 
and  Thomas  J.  Nolan,  assistant  cashier.  The 
hoard  of  directors  is  composed  of  the  follow- 
ing: John  Cunnea,  J.  A.  Cunnea.  George  A. 
Cunnea,  M.  A.  Cunnea,  and  Ralph  S.  Cunnea. 

The  present  condition  of  the  hank  is  as  fol- 
lows: Capital  stock,  $200,000;  surplus,  $100,- 
000;  undivided  profits,  $11,800,  and  deposits, 
$2S2,373. 

Farmers  &  Merchants  National  Bank. — 
The  Farmers  &  Merchants  National  Bank  was 
organized  February  20,  1000,  with  a  capital 
stock  of  $100,000  and  a  surplus  of  $10,000. 
The  first  officials  were:  J.  R.  Collins,  presi- 
dent; E.  J.  Matteson,  vice  president;  Henry 
Stocker,  cashier,  and  It.  J.  McGrath,  assistant 
cashier.  The  first  hoard  of  directors  was  com- 
posed of  the  following:  J.  R.  Collins,  E.  J. 
Matteson,  M.  B.  Wilson.  S.  H.  Matteson,  and 
William  Gebhard.  The  present  officers  are:  J. 
R.  Collins,  president;  E.  J.  Matteson.  vice  presi- 
dent; Henry  Stocker,  cashier,  and  R.  J.  Mc- 
Grath, assistant  cashier.  The  present  hoard 
of  directors  is  composed  of  the  following:  J. 
R.  Collins,  E.  J.  .Matteson,  William  Gebhard,  S. 
II.  Matteson,  and  M.  II.  Wilcox. 

According  to  the  last,  statement  of  the  bank, 
its  condition  is  as  follows: 

resources 

Loans  and  discount $270,1 92.S7 

Overdrafts  secured   and   unsecured..  1.305.C1 

U.   S.  bonds  to  secure  circulation...  100,000.00 

Premiums  on  U.  S.  bonds 1,500.00 

Bonds,  securities,  etc 9,700.00 

Banking  house  furniture  and  fixtures  2,-110.75 

Due  from  approved  reserve  agents. . .  120,835.41 

Checks  and  other  cash  items 4,354.04 

Notes  of  other  national  hanks 9,390.00 

Fractional  paper  currency,  etc 519.04 

Lawful  money,  reserve  in  bank — 

Specie    $  8,827.50 

Legal   tender  notes 10,800.00  19.CS7.50 


670 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


Redemption  fund  with  U.  S.  treasurer 

(five  per  cent  of  circulation) 4,995.00 


Total    $550,S96.S2 

LIABILITIES 

Capital  stock  paid  in $100,000.00 

Surplus  fund   00,000.00 

Undivided  profits,  less  expenses  and 

taxes    10,822.97 

National  bank  notes  outstanding.....  99,995.00 

Individual  deposits  subject  to  check.  241,571.92 

Demand  certificates  of  deposit 38,252.93 

Certified    cheeks 254.00 

$550,S9G.S2 

GARDNER 

Exchange  Bank. — The  Exchange  Hank  of 
Gardner  was  established  in  1S71  by  Isaac  Me- 
Clun  and  John  Allison  who  continued  in  busi- 
ness as  partners  until  1S76,  when  Mr.  McClun 
sold  his  interest  to  Mr.  Allison.  The  latter 
continued  the  business  alone  until  his  death  in 
1SS9.  At  that  time  his  son,  Winfield  S.  Allison, 
succeeded  him.  The  bank  is  operated  as  the 
Exchange  Bank  by  W.  S.  Allison  &  Sons,  the 
partners  being  Winfield  S.  Allison.  Wade  S. 
Allison,   and   John    B.   Allison. 

Tin:  First  National  Bank  oe  Gardner. — 
About  18S0,  J.  C.  Lutz  opened  a  private  bank 
under  the  name  of  the  Peoples  Bank  of  Gardner. 
which  he  continued  to  operate  until  his  death 
which  occurred  March  3,  1009.  The  bank  was 
then  closed  and  the  account  settled,  the  Lutz 
estate  paying  the  depositors  in  full.  On  May 
10,  1909,  The  First  National  Bank  was  organ- 
ized with  a  capital  stock  of  $25,000,  with  A.  G. 
Perry,  president;  J.  C.  Lutz,  vice  president, 
and  F.  L.  Root,  cashier,  who  continue  in  office. 
The  Board  of  Directors  is  composed  of  the  fol- 
lowing: A.  G.  Perry,  J.  C.  Lutz,  Jesse  Ball,  J. 
F.  Scroggin,  Frank  Speller,  C.  C.  Underwood, 
W.  D.  Ilowland. 

The  present  condition  of  the  bank  is  as 
follows : 

RESOURCES 

Loans   and    discounts $  99,308.44 

Overdrafts,  secured  and  unsecured..  720.54 

U.  S.  bonds  to  secure  circulation...     25,000.00 


Other  bonds  to  secure  postal  savings      3,000.00 

Premium  on  U.  S.  lwmds 250.00 

Bonds,  securities,  etc 70,674.38 


Banking  house  furniture  and  fixtures 

Due  from  approved  reserve  agents... 

Cheeks  and  other  cash  items 

Notes  of  other   national    bank's 

Fractional  paper  currency,  etc 

Specie    $11,800.S5 

Legal    tender  notes....        210.00 

Redemption  fund  with  U.  S.  treasurer 
(live  per  cent  of  circulation) 

Total 


5,200.00 

32.202.01 

2,399.07 

10.00 
-12.90 


.#252,128.25 


LIABILITIES 


Capital  stock  paid  in $  25.000.00 

Surplus  fund   5,000.00 

Undivided   profits,   less  expenses  and 

taxes   paid 3,534.40 

National  bank  notes  outstanding....  25,000.00 
Due   to  slate  and  private   banks   and 

bankers   7,38427 

Individual  deposits  subject  to  check.  43.245.91 

Demand  deposit  certificates 8.0r,9.43 

Time  certificates  of  deposit 133,071.20 

U.  S.  deposits  postal  savings 1,732.93 


Total 


IORO  inoor 


12S.25 


MINOOKA 


Exchange  Bank  of  Minooka. — This  financial 
institution  grew  out  of  the  need,  on  the  part 
of  the  late  A.  K.  Knapp,  a  capitalist  of  Minooka, 
for  a  banking  institution  through  which  he 
could  transact  hi-,  various  business  deals,  for 
he  was  extensively  engaged  along  many  lines. 
Not  only  was  he  a  dty  goods  merchant,  but  lie 
bought  and  sold  grain,  lumber,  coal  and  build- 
ing supplies  at.  Minooka  and  the  canal  near 
Ohannahon.  The  beginnings  of  this  bank  date 
back  as  far  as  1805.  and  while  Mr.  Knapp  had 
partners  in  his  various  other  enterprises,  he 
conducted  his  bank  alone.  After  the  death  of 
Mr.  Knapp  in  1904,  his  widow  continued  the 
business  alone,  and  remains  its  executive  head. 
The  cashier.  George  Colleps,  manages  the  af- 
fairs of  the  bank,  with  the  assistance  of  M.  G. 
Fluent,  assistant  cashier. 

The  Farmers  First  National  Bank  of 
Minooka. — This    institution    was    organized    in 


0 


% 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


G71 


1908,  with  the  following  officers:  J.  P.  Clennon, 
president;  J.  W.  Dwyer,  vice  president,  and  I). 
A.  ITenueberry,  cashier.  The  original  Board  of 
Directors  was  as  follows:  ,T.  P.  Clennon,  I.  V. 
Cryder,  M.  K.  Wix.  George  S.  Baker,  J.  W. 
Dwyer.  E.  W.  Matteson,  and  D.  A.  I-Ienneberry. 
According  to  a  recent  statement  the  condition 
of  the  hank  is  as  follows:  Capital  stock,  $25,- 
000;  surplus,  $10,000;  undivided  profits,  $2,500, 
and  deposits  of  $180,000. 


Peoples  Bank  of  Mazon. — This  hank  was 
organized  in  1SS9  by  Clapp  &  Rankin,  who  con- 
tinued together  until  1S95,  when  Mr.  Clapp  as- 
sumed sole  charge.  In  May,  1911.  the  bank  was 
re-organized  as  the  First  National  Bank  with 
the  following  officers:  F.  II.  Clapp,  president; 
G.  E.  Clapp.  cashier:  A.  J.  Campbell,  vice 
president,  and  the  Board  of  Directors  as  fol- 
lows: A.  .7.  Campbell,  I.  N.  Misener,  W.  E. 
Davies.  Fred  Keith,  F.  A.  Murray.  H.  Preston, 
F.  II.  Clapp.  The  capital  stock  at  the  outset 
was  $35,000.00,  and  the  surplus  was  $3,500.00. 
From  a  late  statement  the  condition  of  the  hank 
is  as  follows : 


National  bank  notes  outstanding...  25,000.00 
Individual  deposits  subject  to  cheek.  124,709.32 
Demand  certificates  of  deposit 07,758.31 


Total    $250,709.28 

VERONA 

Verona  Exchange  Bank. — The  Exchange 
Bank  of  Verona  grew  out  of  a  hardware  busi- 
ness owned  hy  Ileal  &  Renne,  who  in  1S9S 
branched  out  into  an  exclusive  banking  busi- 
ness. They  commenced  with  a  capital  stock  of 
$25,000,  and  a  surplus  of  $2,000,  which  latter 
they  have  increased  to  $10,000.  From  initial 
deposits  of  $30,000,  the  business  has  grown  until 
the  average  deposits  aggregate  over  $100,000, 
with  loans  and  discounts  of  $52,000. 

KINSMAN 

Bank  of  Kinsman. — This  hank  was  estab- 
lished in  1907  by  .7.  E.  McGuire,  the  present 
proprietors,  Cosgrove,  O'Connell  &  Cosgrove, 
taking  charge  May  1,  1911.  A  late  statement 
shows    the    following   condition : 

RESOURCES 


RESOURCES 


Loans   and   discounts $130 

Overdrafts,  secured  and   unseen  red. . 

U.  S.  bonds  to  .secure  circulation....     2.1 

Premiums  on  U.  S.  bonds 

Bonds,  securities,   etc 8 

Banking  house  furniture  and  fixtures       2 
Due  from  approved  reserve  agents. . .     72 

Notes  of  other  national  banks 1 

Fractional  paper  currency,  etc 

Lawful  money  reserved  in  bank 

Specie    $13,205.00 

Legal   tender   notes 1,200.00         14 

Redemption  fund   1 


52S.40 
000.00 
231. 0G 
705.00 
100.00 
777.34 
030.00 
1S5.G1 


405.00 
250.00 


Total    $256,709.28 


LIABILITIES 


Capital    stock   paid    in $  35,000.00 

Surplus    fund    3,500.00 

Undivided  profits,  less  expenses  and 

taxes  paid    741.65 


Loans    and    discounts $  53,203.11 

Overdrafts    1S1.85 

Banking  premises,  furniture  and  fix- 
tures           2,010.59 

Cash  due  from  banks 38,54S.01 

Total    $  94,903.66 

LIAIilLITIES 

Capital    stock    $  15,000.00 

Deposits    7S,24G.G0 

Profits    1,656.96 

Totals    .- $  94,003.50 

COAL    C1TT 

The  First  National  Bank  or  Coal  Citt.— 
This  bank  was  organized  February  1,  1912, 
with  William  Campbell,  president;  Warham  B. 
Short,  vice  president,  and  L.  K.  Young, 
cashier.  The  directors  were:  William  Camp- 
bell, Warham  B.  Short,  Henman  B.  Smith,  John 
Trotter  and  William  G.  Suffem.     During  June 


672 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


of  the  same  year,  Mr.  Short  died,  and  John 
Trotter  was  appointed  vice  president,  and  Dr. 
F.  A.  Stoekdale  was  elected  to  fill  his  place  on 
the  Board  of  Directors.  Prior  to  the  organiza- 
tion of  this  hank,  E.  D.  Scott  carried  on  the 
Bank  of  Coal  City,  which  he  had  opened  in 
1805.    He  died  November  4.  1011. 

According  to  a  recent  report  the  condition  of 
the  First  National  Bank  of  Coal  City  is  as 
follows : 

RESOURCES 

Loans   and   discounts $  50,093.30 

Overdrafts,  secured  and  unsecured..  2. OS 

U.  S.  bonds  to  secure  circulation G,250.00 

Premiums  on  U.  S.  bonds 19.0S 

Bonds,  securities,  etc 70,745.00 

Banking  house  furniture  and  fixtures  1.S32.40 

Due  from  approved  reserve  agents...  13,340.00 

Notes  of  other  national  hanks 4G5.00 

Fractional  paper  currency,  etc 07.71 

Lawful   money  reserve 18.213.'J7 

Redemption  fund 312.50 


Total 


.  ,$156,3GS.24 


LIABILITIES 


Capital  stock  paid  in $  25,000.00 

Surplus  fund    

Undivided  profits,  less  expenses  and 

taxes  paid    

National  bank  notes  outstanding.... 
Individual  deposits  subject  to  check. 

Demand   certificates  of  deposit 

Time  certificates  of  deposit 


12.500.00 

1 .232.00 

0.250.00 

92.S50.10 

20S.00 

18,318.50 


Total    $156,308.24 


CHAPTER    XV 


HALL  FURNITURE  COMPANY — MORRIS  IKON  WORKS 
t— SHERWOOD  SCHOOL  FURNITURE  COMPANY — 
OHIO  BUTT  COMPANY — COLEMAN  HARDWARE  COM- 
PANY— WOELFEL  LEATHER  COMPANY — MORRIS 
LUMBER  COMPANY— Till;  I.  N.  IS.  BEATTY  LUMBER 
COMPANY — MORRIS  CHAIN  COMPANY — SQUARE 
DEAL  GRAIN  COMPANY — GEBHARD'S  BREWERY — 
MORRIS  OATMEAL  COMPANY — THE  MORRIS  IN- 
DUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION — SINCLAIR  LAUNDRY  AND 
MACHINERY  COMPANY — JOHNSON  &  CARLSON 
CL'T  CLASS  COMPANY — NORTHWESTERN  NOVELTY 
COM  PAS  Y — RAILROAD  PROMOTION — M  OR  HIS  FIBER 
BOARD  COMPANY — OTHER   INTERESTS. 

(By  Morris  K.  Magner) 

PROSPERITY    BUILT    ON    MANUFACTURING 

Fortunate,  indeed,  may  that  community  con- 
sider itself  which  embraces  within  its  borders 
manufacturing  interests  of  diversified  scope  and 
substantial  character.  The  well-managed  fac- 
tory is  a  business  stimulus;  it  is  the  prompting 
influence  for  commercial  and  industrial  activity, 
inciting  by  its  own  prosperity  achievements  in 
other  spheres  of  human  endeavor.  H  may  be 
said  that  the  development  of  a  locality's  manu- 
factories is  a  summary  of  the  growth  of  the 
locality  itself,  for  around  these  great  indus- 
tries arc  gathered  an  army  of  men  and  their 
families,  all  connected  in  seme  way  with  the 
community's  development.  Grundy  County  by 
no  means  occupies  an  inconspicuous  place 
among  her  sister  counties  in  the  field  of  manu- 
facture. Here,  and  particularly  at  Morris,  owing 
to  its  desirable  location  and  excellent  railroad 
facilities,  are  gathered  a  number  of  manufactur- 
ing concerns,  which  supply  not  only  the  needs 
of  the  circumjacent,  territory,  but  send  their 
products  to  the  people  of  far-distant  states. 
These  include  a  wide  range  of  commodities, 
worthy  of  comparison  with  those  of  any  section 
of  the  country  and  produced  by  the  highest 
.skilled  mechanical  power,  under  1  lie  direction 
of  trained   and  fertile  business  brains. 


MANUFACTURING 


EARLY"    CONCERNS 


PROSPERITY'  BUILT  ON  MANUFACTURING — NUMER- 
OUS PLANTS  IN  GRUNDY  COUNTY" — EARLY'  CON- 
CERNS—  MORRIS  PLOW  COMPANY' — ANDERSON  CAR 
WHEEL  COMPANY — MORRIS    CUTLERY   COMPANY' — 


In  most  communities,  and  particularly  in  the 
agricultural  regions,  factories  are  among  the 
last  of  the  business  industries  to  put  in  an  ap- 
pearance, (heir  promoters  delaying  their  estab- 
lishment until  the  population  has  assumed  pro- 
portions  that   warrant  the  expenditure  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


673 


money  necessary  for  their  undertaking.  Hence, 
the  early  history  of  the  greater  number  of  locali- 
ties, as-connected  with  manufacture,  lies  in  the 
memories  of  those  who  lived  at  a  time  when 
the  skilled  housewife  and  the  sturdy  husband- 
man created  their  own  necessities,  the  limit  of 
their  comforts  being  set  by  their  fertility  of 
resource  and  the  materials  at  hand.  It  would 
seem,  however,  that  the  people  of  Grundy 
County  were  somewhat  more  progressive  than 
those  of  neighboring  localities,  although  tin's 
may  be  explained  by  the  inducements  offered 
by  a  section  fortunate  in  its  location. 

As  early  as  1S57  Grundy  County  became  the 
home  of  a  large  manufacturing  enterprise,  and 
from  that  time  to  the  present  has  rapidly  grown 
and  developed.  In  the  year  mentioned  there 
was  located  here  the  plant  of  the  Morris  Plow 
Company,  at  Morris,  but.  although  its  product 
was  good,  the  demand  for  it  was  small,  and  the 
company  went  out  of  existence  after  a  brief  life. 
In  is?.".,  the  enterprising  business  men  of  Mor- 
ris, realizing  the  benefit  that  would  accrue  from 
the  influx  of  outside  capital,  offered  a  sub- 
stantia] bonus  to  manufacturers  who  would 
locate  their  plants  here,  and  during  the  several 
years  that  followed  S19.000  were  spent  by  the 
city,  with  the  result  that  the  Sherwood  School 
Furniture  Company  established  its  works  near 
the  canal  on  the  west  side  of  the  city,  this  con- 
cern later  becoming  the  Ohio  Butt  Company. 
and  later  the  Coleman   Hardware  Company. 

In  the  line  of  grain,  the  late  Thomas  Phillips 
was  one  of  the  earliest  of  Morris"  business  men, 
and  for  nearly  forty  years  carried  on  large 
operations  on  the  Illinois  &  Michigan  Canal,  at 
all  times  commanding  the  respect  and  confidence 
of  the  many  Grundy  County  farmers  with  whom 
he  had  transactions.  A  pioneer  concern  in  this 
line  and  locality  was  the  Anderson  Car  Wheel 
Company,  which  for  many  years  furnished  a 
profitable  market  for  all  the  oats  and  rye  straw 
in  the  county  and  had  its  plant  and  offices  at 
Morris.  Another  company,  which  for  a  long 
period  enjoyed  a  prosperous  business  life,  was 
the  Morris  Cutlery  Company,  which  manufac- 
tured eighty-four  varieties  of  pocket  knives.  It 
was  incorporated  with  a  capita]  of  $15,000,  by 
M.  W.  Steiner,  George  Riddle,  L.  F.  Beach.  Drs. 
Palmer  and  Ferguson,  M.  K.  Keller.  J.  II.  Pettit, 
A.  YY.  Crawford,  and  Albert  and  William  Smith, 
the  last  two  named  being  cutters  who  came 
from  Sheffield,  England. 


COLEMAN     HARDWARE    COMPANY 

To  the  Coleman  Hardware  Company  must  be 
given  the  credit  of  being  one  of  the  oldest  manu- 
facturing industries  of  Morris.  Hacked  by  men 
of  substantial  worth,  brains  and  business  ex- 
perience, it  lias  steadily  grown  and  developed 
until  it  now  plays  a  most  important  part  in  the 
city's  industrial  life.  Few  concerns  enjoy  a 
higher  reputation  in  business  circles  and  much 
of  the  prestige  which  Morris  has  gained  as  a 
center  of  manufacture  must  be  accredited  to  this 
company's  activities.  That  the  people  of  Morris 
appreciate  this  fact  is  evidenced  by  the  prece- 
dence the  company  is  given  when  the  city's 
interests  are  named.  The  plant  of  this  concern 
Mas  first  established  in  1S67,  under  the  name 
of  the  Hall  Furniture  Company,  this  being  suc- 
ceeded by  the  Morris  Iron  Works,  and  the  latter 
by  the  Sherwood  School  Furniture  Company. 
A  conflagration  destroyed  the  plant,  following 
which  the  Ohio  Butt  Company  secured  the 
business,  and  under  this  style  the  enterprise 
was  conducted  for  several  years.  At  the  end  of 
tins  time,  J.  G.  Coleman,  progressive  and  ex- 
perienced business  man  who  had  been  connected 
with  a  number  of  Chicago  ventures,  purchased 
the  stock  of  the  Ohio  Butt  Company,  and  from 
that  time  to  the  present  its  growth  has  been 
constant  and  healthy,  and  it  is  now  numbered 
among  the  largesl  institutions  of  its  kind  in 
the  country.  The  Coleman  Hardware  Company 
manufactures  all  kinds  of  hardware  specialties, 
but  its  chief  products  are  furniture  casters  and 
sash  pulleys,  and  more  of  these  articles  are 
manufactured  here  than  in  any  other  plant  in 
the  United  States,  while  the  excellence  of  its 
work  has  giveu  the  concern  a  national  retal- 
iation. The  entire  output  of  several  firms  is 
manufactured  here,  and  the  products  of  the 
company  are  known  to  practically  every  civi- 
lized country  in  the  world.  The  handsome  and 
substantial  plant,  occupying  more  than  an  en- 
tire block  and  including  the  most  highly  im- 
proved machinery  and  equipment,  at  once  at- 
tracts the  attention  of  the  visitor.  It  is  under 
the  capable  management  of  Edward  Wain- 
wright,  who  has  been  connected  with  the  com- 
pany for  many  years  in  various  capacities  and 
for  three  years  has  been  superintendent,  while 
Mr.  Coleman  maintains  his  office  in  Chicago, 
from  whence  he  directs  the  company's  activi- 
ties. At  different  times  of  the  year  the  plant 
employs  from  150  to  250  men,  including  a  num- 


674 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


bcr  of  skilled  moulders  and  ma       nists, 
capably  is  the  '  inaged  tbat  a 

tion  of  its  activities  is  practically  uj 

THE   WOELFEL  LEATHEB   COMPANY 

While    tlii1    fi  i    ;        »    company    divides 
honor  of  being   the 
cern  of  Morris,  with  the 
pany.  tlie  |  must         -  latl 

the  number  of  men  ime   of 

ss  trans  i .  .... 

exemplifies  in  the  highest   degree  the   n  - 
and    enterprise    of    the  11 

severance,  industry  and  ability  of  1 
ants.      From    a    small   and    inc 
man   plant,   with   primitive  machinery  and   un- 

z  own    and 
nourished  and  nurtured  b;    the  ties 

of  the  meu  cod  til  it  rears 

its  lioad  proudly  as  one  of  1  ing  enter- 

prises of  the  Pi    :   .     St   te  and  a  ; 
in  the  life  of  tb  inity  in  which   it 

<  lived    and    prospered    for    so    many    years.      In 
18G1    there   wa;      -"  -  t   for 

the  manufacture   of  -.on  the  site 

of  the  pr<  -  .     '    •  tory. 

The  owners  George 

fel.  Sr..  and  another  early  pioneer.  • 
and  aside   fr        I      ir  labors  the  work  required 
the   employment   of    only    two   ■  r    three  hands. 
From  the  :  -unwinding       untry- 

side  hides  were  obtained  for  all  tl  t her  -  ' 

plies  for  which  I  -         "  ;.  and  soon 

Mr.  Caspari  1  of  his  interests  and  sought 

another  field  of  activity.  Mr.  Woelfel.  however. 
had  faith  in  his  enterprise,  in  himself  and  in 
the  community  in  which  he  w  -  lo  I.  and 
soon  formed  a  partnership  with  Charles  Sparr. 
father  of  William  Sparr,  the  well-known  Morris 
dealer  in  shoes  and  harness.  At  that  time 
Charles  S;«rr  was  the  proprietor  of  the  harness 
and  shoe  shop,  and  the  partnership  with  Mr. 
Woelfel  was  formed  with  the  belief  that  the 
product  of  the  tannery  could  l>e  profitably  at 
ized  in  the  home  consumption  of  the  leather 
necessary  for  the  retail  trade  in  shoes  and  har- 
ness at  Mr.  Sparr*s  stere.  This  arran? 
was  shown  to  be  a  wise  one  for  the  time,  as 
evidenced  by  a   sn       ssful 

the  years  that  followed  the  plant  -  ad  pros- 

pered   and    from    ten    to    fifteen    hands 
needed  to  produce  the  goods  to  n 
growing  demand.    In  1SS0  Mr.  Woelfel  and  Mr. 


:  -   ' 
Mr.  V>  lis  (  i    to  the 

t  to        .  .  praet       L  k  .        £  the 

out    on    a 
larger  • 
tiie  signs 
According!;  .   b  •  made  quite  an  exten 

•  and  the  working  force  -.-■■ 
crease  I  to  thii 

ing 

That 
.  -    -  tb 

IS05  t 

:    rm   an   in- 
. 
Sr..  be  •       .-     .      " 

■    -  -  ecret    .         i   I    ti      <urer.      In 

:     '        f  the  foi 
--     ..      ..  -  . 
<  of  Morris.     H 

had  devel 
t  . 

tb 

When  ssed    away,    hi   "-" 

terprise   vhich 
he  had  founded  riven  t 

fe. 
who  had  been  praet; 

-    I 
Edg 
-     dvanced  fr  i  .   tl 
of  vice  ...  [ency.  and  ass 

responsibilities  '.  -  tinu  -d    to 

crown  the  efforts  of  the  m  • 

when  :  I         the  pi 

the    utm   st 

plant  was  1  by  the  flames.  1  flagra- 

tion   being  one  of  the  i 
Morris  srest  in  1 

ts    were    off  :-rs    of    the 

company  to  build  their  ] 

ined  loyal  -     tl         ty        which  the  fat 
founded  -       --    and   the  plan* 

rebuilt  with  all  poss  '        - 

resumed.    While  the  -  *  Ian  was  fol- 

lowed   in   the  "  th  _•-     tl 

were  made  _ 

with    -••      ter  floor  si  '    fi 

■■■ 
it  was    '  -       -  -  •  . 

z  just  south  of  <        main  strn  - 

-  ?  and        -  snent.  and 

contains   the  offices,   shipping   room,   storer 


*>WW: •■»' 


■     . 


■    ■ 


•; 


. ._ ... . 


HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


675 


finishing  room  and  a  coat  and  robe  department. 
The  firm  manufactures  what  is  known  as  the 
Galloway  robe,  a  very  superior  article,  for  which 
there  is  a  great  demand,  and  a  specialty  is 
made  of  russet  and  colored  leathers  for  the 
trunk,  bap-  and  leather  specialty  trade,  and  spe- 
cial leathers  for  the  harness  and  saddlery  trade. 
The  company  manufactures  Goodyear  welting. 
Kangaroo  side  leathers  and  viscolized  leathers 
in  all  colors  and  blacks,  and  poods  are  sold  in 
Japan,  Cuba.  England,  Germany  and  other 
European  countries,  while  special  representa- 
tives are  located  in  London,  England,  and 
Frankfort,  Germany,  and  distributing  and  sales 
stores  are  maintained  at  Chicago,  Boston  and 
New  York.  The  plant  lias  a  capacity  of  1.000 
sides  of  leathers  a  day.  The  buildings  are  of 
brick,  mill  construction,  equipped  with  auto- 
matic sprinklers,  and  the  plant  is  protected  with 
two  elevated  tanks  containing  40.000  gallons 
of  water  and  an  automatic  fire  pump  with  a 
capacity  of  1,000  gallons  per  minute.  The  latest 
and  most  approved  machinery  has  been  pro- 
cured, a  22f>  horsepower  Bullock  electric  engine 
having  been  recently  installed,  this  doing  away 
with  shafting,  belts  and  pulleys.  In  every  re- 
spect the  business  of  the  Woelfel  Leather  Com- 
pany is  one  of  which  the  citizens  of  Morris 
may  well  be  proud,  and  the  large  interests 
which  it  represents  are  constantly  contributing 
to  the  city's  prosperity. 

MORRIS    LUMBER   COMPANY 

One  of  the  most  important  industries  which 
may  be  contributing  factors  in  the  upbuilding 
and  development  of  a  community  is  that  which 
deals  with  its  lumber  interests.  Few  business 
enterprises  have  such  a  direct  bearing  upon  its 
growth.  In,  this  line,  as  in  others.  Grundy 
County  is  well  represented  and  has  been  since 
the  early  '70s  when  a  lumber  yard  was  estab- 
lished on  Canal  Street,  near  the  present  location 
of  the  Morris  Lumber  Company.  The  founder 
continued  in  business  for  a  few  years  and  then 
disposed  of  bis  interests  to  Raymond  &  Wertz, 
who  later  sold  out  to  Pattison  &  Goold,  With 
the  retirement  of  Mr.  Goold  of  this  firm,  the 
company  adopted  the  style  of  the  Pattison  Lum- 
ber Company,  and  as  such  it  continued  until 
1S07,  when  F.  L.  Stephen  and  C.  B.  Moure 
secured  control  of  the  enterprise  and  changed 
the  name  to  the  Morris  Lumber  Company.  L. 
S.  lloge  purchased  Mr.  Moore's  interest  in  1001, 


but  since  that  time  has  left  the  concern,  and  the 
sole  proprietor  is  1".  L.  Stephen,  a  man  of 
excellent  business  talents,  acumen  and  energy, 
a  strong  "booster'  in  behalf  of  his  city's  inter- 
ests, and  a  man  who  stands  high  in  the  esteem 
of  his  associates.  He  has  continued  to  main 
tain  a  high  standard  of  business  integrity  in 
bis  operations,  and  the  yard  has  enjoyed  a  con- 
stantly increasing  business,  adding  year  by  year 
to  the  stock,  which  now  includes  mere  than 
seven  hundred  thousand  feet  of  lumber,  covered 
by  largo  and  substantia]  shelter  sheds,  and 
equipped  with  the  mosl  modern  appliances  for 
(he  convenient  handling  of  large  orders.'  The 
concern  deals  also  in  hard  coal,  sewer  pipe  and 
miscellaneous  builders'  supplies.  Its  growth  is 
indicative  of  the  spirit  of  progress  that  has 
characterized  Moore's  most  successful  indus- 
t  ries. 

I.    N.   It.    BEATTY   LUMBK1J   COMPANY 

Holding  prestige  as  one  of  tin;  oldest  con- 
cerns of  Grundy  County,  the  1.  X.  It.  Beatty 
Lumber  Company  has  enjoyed  a  steady  growth 
and  development  since  its  inception  in  1SS4, 
when  it  was  founded  by  Thomas  II.  Ross,  who 
located  its  yards  in  a  convenient  situation  along 
the  right  of  way  of  the  Chicago,  Hock  Island  & 
Pacific  Railroad.  Some  years  later  1.  N.  R. 
Beatty  was  taken  into  the  firm,  which  was  in- 
corporated in  1901,  and  after  Mr.  Uoss'  death 
Mr.  Beatty  and  George  Colthurst  conducted  the 
business  under  its  present  style,  but  later  Mr. 
Colthurst  retired  from  the  business.  A  spe- 
cialty is  made  of  putting  up  houses  on  monthly 
payments,  and  in  addition  to  a  full  stock  of 
lumber  the  firm  handles  Portland  and  natural 
cement,  and  makes  a  specialty  of  high  grade 
shingles.  The  yards  and  sheds  cover  two 
blocks,  and  there  may  be  seen  one  of  the  largest 
lumber  sheds  in  the  state,  measuring  SO  by  250 
feet,  and  having  a  capacity  of  over  a  million 
feet  of  lumber.  The  policy  of  the  company  has 
always  been  the  maintaining  of  a  hjgh  standard 
of  business  ethics,  and  its  substantial  reputa- 
tion in  the  business  world  has  had  a  favorable 
influence  upon  the  industrial  prosperity  of  the 
city.  Mr.  Beatty,  president  of  the  firm,  is  an 
astute  business  man.  thoroughly  alive  to  every 
opportunity  and  possessed  of  a  comprehensive 
knowledge  of  every  detail  of  the  business.  He 
is  popular  with  the  members  of  the  trade,  and 
is  eminently  competent  to  handle  the  reins  of 


676  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

management   of  oik-  of  liis  city's  most   promi-  management  have  brought   it    to  a   proud  posi- 

nent  and  constantly  growing  concerns.  tion    among   the   city's   business   firms,   and    its 

trade    is    continuing    to    grow    and    develop    in 

moebis  chain  COMPANY  scope.     The  first  elevator  on  this  site  was  built 

in  1ST.",  by  the  founder  of  the  business,  Mr.  Me- 
Located  in  the  center  of  a  great  grain  .crow-  Kwen,  and  in  1SS0  M.  X.  Hull  purchased  an 
ing  country,  and  with  excellent  transportation  interest.  Later  Nels  Nelson  succeeded  Mr.  Me 
facilities,  it  is  not  unnatural  that  the  City  of  Ewen,  and  the  firm  operated  under  the  style 
Morris  should  maintain  a  thriving  grain  market.  of  Hull  &  Nelson  until  Mr.  Nelson's  death  in 
Yet  its  prestige  in  this  field  of  activity  rests  1901.  Two  years  later  (he  firm  of  M.  N.  Hull 
not  alone  upon  the  market  itself,  but  among  &  Son  was  formed,  when  Mr.  Hull's  son,  M. 
the  strong,  capable  and  forceful  men  who  have  Bert  Hull,  became  a  partner,  and  this  style  con- 
contributed  to  the  development  of  this,  one  of  tinned  until  the  business  was  taken  over  bv  the 
its  greatest  industries.  One  of  the  foremost  of  Square  Deal  Grain  Company,  the  present  owner, 
the  firms  which  have  maintained  this  market  is  a  concern  formed  of  capable  and  progressive 
the  Morris  Grain  Company,  which  was  orig-  Grundy  County  farmers.  The  original  elevator 
inally  organized  in  1S95,  and  started  in  what  was  destroyed  by  fire,  in  May,  1901,  hut  before 
was  known  as  the  "old  Lane  elevator."  on  West  the  ashes  had  cooled  work  on  the  new  structure 
Canal  Street.  Lacked  by  men  of  sterling  ability,  had  commenced,  and  within  a  period  of  ten 
it  rapidly  extended  the  scope  of  its  operations  weeks  the  house  was  ready  for  receiving  grain, 
throughout  Grundy  County,  and  within  the  pass-  Once  more  tire  claimed  it.  several  years  atto, 
ing  of  a  year's  time  it  was  found  Unit  the  and  the  present  cement  elevator  was  built  in 
original  quarters  were  not  adequate  to  accommo-  1913.  This  elevator  is  a  thoroughly  modern  one 
date  the  machinery  necessary  to  carry  on  the  in  every  respect,  with  an  immense  capacity,  and 
growing  business.  Accordingly,  the  new  eleva-  the  business  is  typically  representative  of 
tor  was  erected,  on  the  canal,  at  Canal  and  Grundy  County  energy  and  enterprise. 
Franklin  streets,  at  that  time  one  of  the  largest 

in  the  state.     The  business  of  the  concern  was  gebhard's  brewery 
transacted    from    this    house   for    several    years, 

the  grain   being  shipped   to  market  on   the  Till-  In  1SCG,  Gebhard's  Brewery   was  founded   by 

nois    &    Michigan    Canal,    by    a    licet    of    boats  Louis  Gebhard,  the  father  of  the  present  owner. 

owned  by  the  company,  hut     business  increased  In  common  with  other  pioneer  business  men  of 

so  rapidly  that  in  1901   a  still  lamer  and  more  Morris,   he  at   first   conducted    his  operations  in 

modernly  equipped  elevator  was  erected  on  the  a   small    way,    but    the  demand   for   the   product 

Chicago,  Lock   Island  &  Pacific  Railroad.     This  of  the  company  soon  assumed  large  proportions, 

is   now   one   of  the   best   equipped   elevators   in  and  when  he  sold  out  to  his  son.  in  1SSG,  the 

the  United    States,   including   oat   clipping    and  lmsiness  was  a  flourishing  one.    From  that  time 

drying  machinery,  corn  dryer,  dump  scales,  and  to  the  present  improvements  and  enlargements 

everything    for    the    rapi  1    handling    of    grain.  have    been    constantly    made.      The   main    build- 

The  business  is  conducted  by  men  of  worth  and  ing,  or  brew  house,  is  a  handsome  red  brick  and 

substantiality    and   its   position    in   the   business  p(eol  structure,  seven  stories  high,  with,  a  thor- 

world  of  Morris  is  firmly  established.  oughly    fire-proof   boiler   room    in    the   rear.     To 

the  north  is  a   large  addition  used  as  a  stock 

SQUARE    DEAL    GRAIN     COMPANY  j^^     Qf     gtee]     coust  niction     throughout,     with 

asphalt  doors,   three  stories  in   height.     Across 

Those   who   today    visit    the   modern    elevator  . 

.  ,,                    ^     ,   _     .     „                   .   ,r  (lie  driveway   to    the   south   are   the    malt   and 

of  the  Square  Deal  Gram  Company,  at  Morris,  .           .,,,,,. 

,   _    ,   ..              „  ,.      .                .        ,       ,.,,.,  bottling   houses.      '1  he   business   in    the   bottling 
and  find  it  one  of  the  best  equipped  establish- 

ments  of  its  kind  in  this  part  of  the  state,  find  Apartment  has  increased  to  such  an  extent  that 
it  hard  to  believe  that  comparatively  a  few  lt  has  been  found  necessary  to  make  numerous 
years  ago  this  was  a  modest,  unassuming  ven-  additions.  Nothing  but  the  purest  material  is 
Lire,  its  operations  confined  to  supplying  the  »scc1  '"  the.  manufacture  of  this  brewery's  prod- 
needs  of  the  immediate  community.  Business  net,  and  as  a  result  it  has  attained  a  wide  repu- 
enterprise,    progressive    methods    and    capable  tation  which  has  redounded  to  Morris'  credit. 


. 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


677 


MOBRIS    OATMEAL    COMPANY 

It  would  be  difficult  to  discover  in  (his  or 
any  other  section  of  the  country  an  enterprise 
which  lias  enjoyed  more  rapid  or  satisfactory 
growth  than  that  which  lias  attended  the  .Morris 
Oatmeal  Company.  Handled  with  rare  ability 
by  men  of  recognized  business  and  administra- 
tive powers,  within  the  short  space  of  twelve 
years  its  trade  has  assumed  astounding  propor- 
tions and  probably  none  of  the  city's  industries 
have  proved  more  beneficial  to  its  material  wel- 
fare. In  July,  1012,  ground  was  broken  for  the 
erection  of  the  plant  of  this  concern,  and  so 
rapidly  were  the  buildings  erected  that  by  No- 
vember of  the  same  year  the  plant  was  in  opera- 
tion. This  consists  of  a  mill  and  packing  build- 
ing of  brick,  four  stories  high,  TO  by  SO,  brick, 
engine,  boiler  and  kiln  drying  rooms,  frame  crib 
construction,  steel-covered  elevator  of  100,000 
bushels  capacity,  warehouse.  100  by  100,  frame 
cooper  shops  and  stock  sheds,  and  brick  office 
building.  The  Chicago,  Rock  Island  &  Pacific 
Railway  runs  double  tracks  into  the  property, 
and  side-tracks,  grounds  and  buildings  are  all 
enclosed  with  a  tight,  high  board  fence  The 
power  plant  includes  high  pressure  tubular 
boilers  and  a  compound  condensing  Buckeye 
engine  of  250  horsepower,  the  buildings  are 
equipped  with,  a  thorough  automatic  sprinkler 
system,  and  every  precaution  is  taken  against 
fire.  At  the  time  of  its  inception  the  mill 
produced  M00  barrels  of  rolled  oats,  but  its  pro- 
duction at  this  time  is  many  times  that  amount, 
and  includes  rolled  cats,  pearl  barley  and  mill 
feed.  Marketed  under  the  company's  own 
brands,  the  products  of  this  industry  have  a 
large  sale  in  every  state  of  the  Union  and  in 
most  European  countries.  The  plant  was 
founded  here  by  W.  G.  Norton,  who  had  a  wide 
experience  in  milling,  and  who  carefully  looked 
over  the  country  before  deciding  to  make  Morris 
the  home  of  his  enterprise.  In  1001  the  Morris 
Oatmeal  Company  was  formed  by  Mr.  Norton 
and  Conrad  Elerding,  and  in  the  following  year 
the  construction  of  the  plant  was  under  way, 
as  above  noted.  This  company  has  always  paid 
the  highest  market  price  to  farmers  for  oats. 
barley,  corn  and  wheat,  a  policy  which  has 
greatly  enlarged  the  grain  market  of  Morris, 
farmers  frequently  hauling  grain  a  distance  of 
twenty  miles  in  order  to  secure  the  favorable 
returns.  It  probably  has  been,  however,  the 
extensive    free   advertising   given    by    this    com- 


pany to  the  city  that  has  so  greatly  benefitted 
Morris.  The  packages  of  rolled  oats  and  barley, 
bearing  the  name  of  the  city,  are  on  thousands 
of  grocers'  shelves  all  over  the  country,  and  the 
name,  "Morris,  111..''  has  become  familiar  to 
consumers  of  cereals  all  over  the  United  .States 
and  foreign  countries. 

THE    MORRIS   IXnUSTRIAT.  ASSOCIATION 

In  the  Morris  Industrial  Association,  the  City 
of  Morris  has  an  organization  which  has  been 
of  the  utmost  value  in  the  development  of  its 
manufacturing  interests,  the  encouragement  of 
trade  and  the  advancement  of  industries.  Its 
members  are  men  of  public  spirit,  who  have 
taken  a  pride  in  their  city  and  its  achievements 
and  who  have  labored  faithfully  and  disinter- 
estedly towards  the  betterment  of  business  con- 
ditions. The  associatiou  was  formed  and  in- 
corporated in  the  fall  of  1000  by  one  hundred  of 
the  leading  business  and  professional  men  of 
Morris,  with  the  avowed  purpose  of  promoting 
manufacturing  enterprises  and  inducing  outside 
capital  to  come  to  the  city.  The  first  officers 
were:  Henry  II.  l'.aum,  president;  I.  N.  R. 
Realty,  secretary  ;  Fred  L.  Stephen,  vice  presi- 
dent ;  and  Henry  Stocker,  treasurer,  the  above 
officials  forming  the  board  of  directors  with 
William  Sparr,  Edgar  Woelfel  and  Orville  T. 
Wilson.  The  association  purchased  thirty  acres 
of  land  from  Joseph  Fells,  of  Philadelphia,  for 
$12,500,  and  thirty  acres  from  J.  D.  Owens,  for 
$7,500,  located  in  East  Morris,  and  a  portion 
of  this  they  platted  into  '211  lots  and  sold  to 
citizens  of  Morris  tor  $5G.00O,  in  order  to  raise 
a  fund  for  operating  expenses.  Immediately 
after  securing  this  amount,  the  association  en- 
tered into  contracts  with  11k-  Sinclair  Laundry 
and  Machinery  Company,  of  Chicago,  to  move 
its  factory  to  Morris,  the  former  agreeing  to 
construct  for  the  latter  a  modern  factory  build- 
ing and  to  deed  it  to  the  company  at  the  ter- 
mination of  five  years,  provided  the  company 
paid  in  wages  an  amount  aggregating  $400,000 
for  the  five  years.  The  building  was  completed 
and  the  company  look  possession  in  the  summer 
of  1010.  but  the  venture  proved  unsuccessful 
and  in  the  spring  of  1011  the  company  went 
into  bankruptcy.  This  business  was  purchased 
from  the  trustee  in  bankruptcy  by  John  T. 
Berge,  vice  president  of  the  Adams  Laundry 
and  Machinery  Company,  of  Troy,  N.  Y.,  and 
Walter    Luke,    president    of    the   Luke    Laundry 


678  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

and  Machinery  Company,  of  Chicago,  who  pro-  who  have  made  Grundy  County's  ruanufactur- 
posed  to  carry  it  on.  Still  later  one-half  of  ing  history-  Obstacles  have  not  deterred  them, 
this  building  was  leased  to  the  Johnson  &  Carl-  misfortunes  have  not  discouraged  them.  Stead- 
son  Cut  Glass  Company,  which  moved  its  plants  lastly  they  have  maintained  their  faith  in  the 
from  Chicago  and  a  point  in  Indiana,  and  is  community,  and  loyally  have  they  supported  its 
now  operating  very  successfully.  The  other  interests.  Their  reward  comes  uot  only  in  ma- 
half  of  the  building  was  sold  to  the  Northwest-  terial  accumulations,  but  in  the  satisfying 
era  Novelty  Company,  and  this  concern  is  also  knowledge  that  they  belong  to  a  class  which 
doing  a  large  business.  has  nu  superior  in  the  upbuilding  of  a  manufac- 
turing center  known  around  the  world- -that 
railroad  promotion  they   iiave   builded    and   builded    well,  and   that 

their  creation,   founded   upon   business  stability, 

The  association  in  1011   arranged  with  a  Mr.  will  grow  and  develop  and  enlarge,  a  monument 

Zimmerman,  representing  the  Hon.  II.  II.  Evans  to  sterling  American  energy  and  prowess. 
of  Aurora  ami  promoter  of  the  proposed  line  of 
the  Fox,  Illinois  &  Union  Electric  Railroad,  to 
secure  the  rights  of  way  between  Morris  and 
Yorkville,  an  undertaking  accomplished  in  the 
course  of  three  months  during  the  summer  of 
1911.  This  is  a  northern  outlet  and  it  is  pro- 
posed  to   build    a   southern    one   through    Mason 

to    Dwight.      For    this    purpose    the    association 

,     ,       .   J.,,,,,,,,    .,  ,    .,  .,        ,  tured    and    it    was    thought    bv    the    more    opti- 

mised about  $11,000.  tin  ouch  the  railroad  coin- 


0T1IKR     INTERESTS 

Considerable  tile  is  manufactured  in  differ- 
ent parts  of  Grundy  County  which  are  men- 
tioned in  the  articles  pertaining  to  their  special 
localities.      At    one   time   pottery    was    manufac- 


mistic    that     this    product     would    prove    very 
profitable,  but  the  industry  is  now  dead. 

Discovery  of  coal  in  Grundy  County  brought 
many  miners  from  all  mining  countries  and 
considerable  money  was  invested  in  developing 
the  mines.  About  them  sprung  up  villages  that, 
gave  promise  of  developing  into  cities,  but  these 
dreams  were  never  to  be  realized,  as  the  mine 
owners    soon    discovered    that    the    veins,    while 


mittee,  of  which  J.  \Y.  McKindly  of  the  Grundy 
County  Bank  was  chairman.  The  association 
still  owns  about  seven  acres  of  the  original  pur- 
chase, which  il  is  holding  for  factory  sites.  The 
dominant  figure  in  the  association  has  been  its 
president.  Henry  II.  Baum,  who  has  remained 
loyal  to  its  interests  and  steadfast  in  his  en- 
deavors to  maintain  the  high  and   worthy  aims 

which  actuated  its  organization. 

plentiful,  and  of  good  quality  of  coal,  were  too 

morris   fiber   board   companv  shallow  to  make   the  installation    of   machinery 

profitable.  Mining  by  hand  was  discovered  to 
A  paper  mill- bad  been  started  some  years  tie  too  expensive  for  competition  with  machine- 
ago.  This  concern  met  with  many  reverses,  operated  mines.  Therefore,  all  hough  the  coal 
until,  through  the  efforts  of  the  association,  the  remains,  but  few  mines  are  new  in  operation 
Morris  Fiber  Board  Company  was  brought  to  and  they  only  to  supply  a  local  demand.  A 
this  old  site.  The  company,  which  manufac-  more  complete  history  of  the  coal  industry  will 
tures  box   boards,   was  organized   February   15,  he  found  in  another  article. 

1D13.    and    on    taking    possession    remodeled    the  Several    factories    have    been    established    at 

original   paper  mill   building,   making   it   one  of  different  pojnts  in  Grundy  County,  notably  that 

the  most  desirable  of  its  kind  in  the  state.     As  Qf  th(i  SeaPS.Rocbuck  clothing  factory,  at  Coal 

the  factory  has  not  long  been  opened,   business  mentioned  at   some  length    in   the  chapter 
has  not  vet  been  much  more  than  inaugurated 


but  employment  is  given  to  a  fair  number  of 
employes,  and  it  is  the  intention  of  the  man- 
agement to  enlarge  upon  the  production  capac- 
ity  of  the   plant    within    a    short    time.      II.    I>. 


devoted  to  that  place.  All  along  the  line  of  the 
railroads  bisecting  Grundy  County  are  to  he 
seen  elevators  and  stock  pens,  from  which  are 
shipped    the    agricultural    products    of    Grundy 


Eddy   is  the  president   of   this  company;   Oscar  County.      Small    communities    have    grown    up 

Cumbimsgy,    secretary   and    treasurer,    while    A.  about  these  shipping  points,  but  changes  in  man- 

C.  Van  Kirk  is  the  general  superintendent.  agement    of   the  business   connected   with    them 

Too  much  cannot  be  said  in  praise  of  the  men  have  been  frequent. 


1 


<u 


* 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY.  679 

CHAPTER  XVI  '"The  bellowing  of  the  thunder  hurt  us  not. 

The  blast  and  tempest  aid  our  oars. 

■  The  hurricane  is  our  servant. 

11  drives  us  thither  we  wish  to  go." 
SCANDINAVIAN    AMERICAN    CITIZENS    IN 

GRUNDY    COUNTY  Tims  the   Saga. 

He   took    particular   pains    to   instill    bravery 

into   the   youth    of    his    country,    and    even    his 

enemies  have  written  that  they  were  trust- 
pride  of  ancestry — rugged  country,  rugged  worthy  ;  and  that  their  promises  could  be  relied 
PEOPLE — THE  VIKING — a  cruel  WARRIOR  BUT  upon.  If  they  said  "Yes,"  they  meant  "Yes;" 
honorable  victor — Norwegians  settle  in  if  they  said  "No,"  they  meant  "No."  lie  was  a 
the  united  states  i.\  1G24— SWEDES  came  IN  cruel  warrior,  but  an  honorable  victor. 
163S— Norwegians   settleu  in    new    yoKK    in  Thus    says    the    historian,    and    whether    we 

1825— in    Illinois    in    1S27 — first    scandina-       have  inherited   those  virtues  indicated,   namely, 
VIA-n    settlers    here — remarkable    i.oxgevity       bravery,  tumor  and  honesty,  and  displayed  them 
— surprising      growth      in      numbers      and      in  ;1  practical  way  in  the  battle  of  life  thus  far, 
wealth — characteristics   of   the   scandina-      the  reader  is  selected  to  be  the  judge. 
Vian — tribute  to  mothers  and  granumothers  The     Scandinavia ns     came    in     their     Viking 

■ — a  perfected  inheritance.  boats  to  this  country  the  lirst  time  in  the  year 

1000,  and   made  a   settlement   on   the  shores  of 
(By    O.    J.    Nelson)  Now    England.      Voyages    were    made    by    them 

irregularly   to  those  settlements  np  to  the  time 
pride  of  ancestry  of   the   "Black    Death"    in    13D0,    which   put   an 

end    to    the    intercourse    between    Scandinavia, 
I    am    reminded    at    this    moment    of    the    old       Iceland    and    this    country,    and    the    people    in 
saying. — If  a  man  boasts  of  his  ancestry.  "Steer       those  settlements  who  did  not   die,   mixed   will) 
shy  of  him."     "There  is  a  screw  loose   in   him."       the  Indians. 

While  I   am  vain  enough  to  say.  that  from   the  As   the  Puritans  came  in   their   Mayflower   in 

knowledge  I  have  of  our  Scandinavian  an-  1G20;  the  Swedes  in  their  Hjelmar  Nyckel,  in 
cestors"  history,  I  could  say  a  great  deal  in  their  103$.  so  the  Norwegians  came  in  their  little 
praise,  I  .am  too  modest  to  say  they  average  sloop  called  Restorationen  (the  Restoration),  in 
better  than  most  foreigners  who  have  come  to  1S2">.  The  Swedes  settled  along  the  Delaware 
this  country  and  by  their  frugality  and  industry  River  in  Pennsylvania  permanently,  and  do  not 
have  their  homes.  figure  in  this  short  history,  neither  does  a  party 

Tlie  reason  is,  I    am  one  of  them.  of  Norwegians  who  came  over  in   1024  and  set- 

We  are  not  "shy  on  ancestors,"  like  "Torchy ;"  tied  in  New  Jersey  permanently.  Those  who 
neither  have  we  mislaid  our  family  history;  came  over  in  the  Sloop,  which  sailed  from 
and  I  am  of  the  opinion,  that  while  good  ances-  Stavanger,  Norway,  on  (lie  4th  of  July,  1825, 
try  may  not  us  a  rule,  be  considered  real  work-  settled  around  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  hut  a  few  of 
ing  capital,  it  can  safely  he  counted  among  our  them  drifted  to  Mission  Township.  La  Salle 
gilt-edged  assets.  It  has  been  said  by  some  County,  111.,  in  1S37.  I  mention  this,  because 
one,  "Rugged  country,  rugged  people."  and  be-  La  Salle  County  included  the  present  territory 
lieving  that  the  author  of  that  sentiment  of  Grundy  and  Kendall  counties  at  that  time; 
meant  physically  only.  I  think  I  dare  say  in  and  Grundy  County  was  not  organized  till 
connection    with    the    matter    in    hand,    that    it       four  years  later,  in  1841. 

should    read,    "Rugged    country,    nigged    people,  It    appears    that    Kleng    Peerson,    from    near 

both  morally  and  physically."  Stavanger.  Norway,   was  the  first   Scandinavian 

to   locate  a    farm   west   of  the  great  lakes.      Ho 
THE   viking  locabd  it   lor  his  sister.  Mrs.  Carrie  Nelson,  one 

of  tie-  Sloop  party   in   1830,  and  she  came  west 

Our  ancestor,   "The   Viking"   of  old,  possessed       soon   after   and    took    possession.      She   was   the 

defiant  courage,  and  vital  power,  and  exercised       first    landholder    in    the    territory    above    nien- 

both.  tioned,  and  built  the  first  log  house  in  Mission 


680  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

Township    La  Salle  County.     This  farm  is  still       real   estate    in    Morris    ami    Gardner,    $710  000- 
occupied  by  one  of  her  descendants  (she. having      personal    property    over    $2,500,000-    total"  SS - 


died    in    IS4S)     and    is    described    as    follow; 


flO.000.      ]    am    iuclined    to    believe    that     tin 


South  West   Quarter  Section  No.  33,  Town  3,,       total  value  of  property  held  and  owned  bv  the 
a    '''  "u      '  M'  American  citizens  of  Grundy  County  of  Scandi- 

navian   birth,    including   the   investments    made 
first  Scandinavian  settlers  by  them  in  the  Northwest  the  past  few  years, 

,  .  ,  would  amount   to  over  $11,000,000.     This  nroo- 

.     '      !:.. T  ,lea!'  St*™ng«r'  XonVay'  a!>      ei^  h™  been  accumulated  in  the  average  time 


pears   to   have   been    the   first    Scandinavian    t 
settle  in   the  present    Grundy   County,   in   1S30, 


f  thirty-five  years,  as  near  as  I  can  judge  the 
situation,  and  knowing  that  our  pioneer  lather: 


n  —  * —    ..I....   iLiutiuis    lu.iL   oui    pioneer    lai  url> 

and   a   few   others   followed    in   the   early   '40s.  came  over  here  with  no  surplus  cash,  hut  manj 

Thor  Thorson  and  Ole  Thor*on,  his  brother,  and  in    fact,    actually   owed    some   friend    for    thei, 

my  grandparents  on  my  father's  side,   and  my  mssn„e  ov,,,  we  are  constrailled  to  say,_..Wel] 
uncle,    Severt    Nelson,   were   anion-   the    first   to 


dune. 


CHARACTERISTICS    OF    THE    SCANDINAVIAN 


settlo  in  the  county  after  its  organization  (in 
1S41).  They  came  from  Skonevik,  Bergens 
Stift,  Norway.  Immigration  from  Scandinavia 
to  Grundy  County  from  1S57  to  the  close  of  the  The  hard  struggle  for  existence  in  the  land 
Civil  war  was  nearly,  if  no,  quite,  at  a  stand-  0f  their  birth  had  taught  then,  habits  of  in- 
still, hut  it  soon  increased,  and  reached  its  dustr.v  and  rigid  economy,  and  this  has  been  of 
high-water  mark  between  lS72.and  1SS3.  immense  benefit  to  them  in  their  new  home, 
Although  1  intended  to  mention  only  the  and  while  the  Scandinavian  American  citizens 
names  ot  the  very  first  Scandinavian  settlers  of  0f  Grundy  County  and  elsewhere  have  adapted 
Grundy  County  by  name,  I  am  persuaded  to  themselves  to  their  new  surrounding,  and  have 
mention  a  family  of  four  brothers  who  came  become  as  lmK.,,  Americanized  as  anv  of  . In- 
to Grundy  County  in  1S37,  and  who  are  still  country's  foreign  population,  they  all  look  with 
hung   and    comparatively    active.      They    came  peculiar  fondness  on  the  land  of  their  birth 

from  near  Stavanger,  Norway,  and  their  names  -rlle  typk.al  Scandinavian"  is  a  born  pi, r 

are:     Guilder    Hendrickson,     now    of    DeKalb  With  his  inherited  passion  for  ownership  of 

County.    111.,    aged    eighty-five    years;    Hendrick  land    and    a    home,    and   his   decided   liking    for 

Hendrickson,  now  of  Kendall  County.  111.,  aged  adventure     combined     with     phvsical     stamina 

eighty-eight  years;  Goodmon   Hendrickson,  now  courage   and    endurance,    he    is    the    stuff    that 

of  Iowa,  aged  ninety-three  years,  and  Lars  Hen-  pioneei.s  are  made  of>  and  ,)f  tWs  he  hag     lyen 

drickson,   aged  ninety  years,   who  still   lives  on  abundant  proof. 

his  first  home  made  in  Grundy  County.  From  They  have  not  been  camp-followers  in  the 
the  fact  that  their  father  lived  to  the  ripe  old  civilization  of  this  county  or  in  the  great 
age  of  one  hundred  and  three  years,  and  taking  Northwest,  but  have  marched  in  the  forefront 
their  present  condition  of  health  and  activity  and  borne  their  full  share  of  toil  hardship  and 
into  consideration,  they  seem  to  have  several  danger.  And  the  women,  our  mothers  and 
years  to  stay  with  us  yet.  grandmothers.  God  bless  them,  were  worthy  con- 
In  1S6G,  when  the  writer,  in  September  of  sorts  of  the  men  who  laid  the  giants  of  the 
that  year,  settled  in  the  City  of  Morris,  the  forests  low.  and  made  the  wilderness  blossom 
county-seat  of  Grundy  County,  there  were  only  as  the  rose.  Theh.  loi]|s  were  girded  wi(h 
a  total  of  twenty  persons  of  Scandinavian  birth  strength,  and  they  knew  nothing  of  that  tired 
m  the  city.     At   this  writing    (1012)    they   con-  feeling. 

stitute  over  one-fourth  of  its  population,   or  in  They  ooukl  nof  pajnt  ou  (.h]u.^  Qv           6  ' 

round   numbers    1-100.      The    Scandinavian    born  time  on   the  piano,    but  thev   could  spin     weave 

population  of  Grundy  County  at  this  time  con-  and  j^nit. 

stitutes  nearly  one-fifth  of  its  total  population  They   perhaps,   could   not    drive  a   nail    better 

of  24,000   (as  per  census  of  1910),   or  in  round  ,,l;m   thelr  ^anddamrhters  can,   but   they  could 

numbers  4,400.     They  are  owners  of  over  25,000  drive  ft  yoke  of  ,m,11,  and   h,lu]le  fl   pitch£ork 

acres  of  the  best  farming  lands  in  the  county,  and    the    x,,kfl    a]l]|n<t    as    W(1„    ag    tbey    ^^ 

which  can  safely  be  valued  at  over  $5,500,000;  hand]e  the  broom  or  mop.     They  did  not  ruin 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


681 


our  digestion  with  mince  pie  and  rich  salad, 
but  gave  us  wholesome  and  toothsome  coarse 
food,  the  kind  of  food  on  which  a  hundred  gen- 
eral ions  of  Scandinavian  seamen  and  moun- 
taineers have  heen  raised.  If  the  story  of  their 
pioneer  life  could  he  told,  it  would  be  of  in- 
tense interest,  but  it  would  require  a  master 
to  draw  the  correct  picture  which  would  show 
the  different  scenes  in  detail,  and  I  am  of  the 
opinion  that  personal  experience  only  could 
fully  tell  the  tale. 

A  great  majority  of  the  old  settlers  have  laid 
down  the  weapons  of  their  warfare,  and  the 
weather-stained  marble  marks  their  resting 
place  in  the  valley  or  hillside.  Their  grandsons 
have  gray  hair  now,  and  one  by  one,  the  grand- 
son's family  are  leaving  him,  and  he,  soon  must 
give  away  to  his  children.  Our  fathers  who 
weathered  the  storm  are  gone.  The  claims  they 
staked  are  cultivated  and  beautiful  farms. 
The  fields  they  fenced  crudely  with  rails  are 
now  enclosed  with  the  modern  wire  fence.  The 
cabins  they  erected  hare  given  place  to  proud 
modern  residences,  and  the  slab  schoolhouse  and 
log  church  have  shrunk  out  of  sight,  and  two- 
story  academy  buildings  and  spired  temples 
have  risen  in  their  stead. 

A    PERFECTED    INHERITANCE 

All  this  is  right.  Our  inheritance  is  per- 
fected: but,  let  us  not  stop  here,  and  let  us  not 
create  new  necessities  out  of  our  pride.  It  is 
our  favored  lot  to  be  pioneers  in  a  wider  life: 
to  lay  the  foundations  for  a  noble  future,  and 
happy  is  the  man  of  the  observing  mind,  who 
labors  for  intelligence,  as  his  forefathers  la- 
bored for  lands,  and  helps  to  make  truth  and 
character  as  prominent  in  generations  to  come. 
as  the  claim  fence,  and  the  log  cabin  were,  in 
the  generations  that  are  past. 


CHAPTEB  XVII 


AGRICULTURE 


PRODUCTS— INCREASING        LAND       VALUES — RAISING 

OF    GINSENG     A     POSSIBILITY GREAT    CORN     LAND 

—  COUNTY      FAIR      ASSOCIATION A      PROMISING 

FUTURE. 


(The  following  article  has  been  compiled 
from  statements  made  by  various  agricultural- 
ists of  Grundy  County.) 

The  soil  of  Grundy  County  is  peculiarly 
adapted  to  agricultural  purposes,  and  some  of 
the  finest  and  most  productive  farms  of  the 
state  are  to  be  found  within  its  borders.  In 
addition  to  grains,  hay  and  fruits,  grazing  is 
carrier;  on  extensively,  many  of  the  farmers 
specializing  in  high-grade  stock,  that  frequently 
receives  ribbons  at  different  stock  exhibits. 
The  live  stock  of  Grundy  County  is  according 
to  the  latest  obtainable  estimates  as  follows: 
horses, •  10.099,  value  $77G.GS5;  cattle.  11,345, 
value  $345,795;  mules,  5S4,  value  $41,040;  sheep. 
1,454,  value  $4,500;  and  hogs.  7,020,  value 
$51,075.  The  transportation  facilities  are  such 
that  the  produce  is  easily  marketed,  and  there 
is  a  constant  demand  for  larger  shipments. 

When  the  pioneers  came  to  Grundy  County, 
land  could  be  obtained  from  the  government 
for  $1.25  an  acre.  Much  of  it  was  almost  worth- 
less at  the  time,  owing  to  the  swampy  condi- 
tion of  the  county,  but  modern  methods  of  drain- 
age and  cultivation  have  resulted  in  a  wonder- 
ful increase  in  values,  for  the  same  property 
that  was  obtained  at  so  low  a  price  is  now  held 
at  from  $200  to  $250  per  acre. 

Perhaps  no  county  in  the  state  has  more  pro- 
gressive farmers  than  those  of  Grundy,  and 
the  machinery  and  appliances  bought  and  put 
into  constant  use  are  of  the  mos<  improved 
character.  It  is  the  rule  rather  than  the  ex- 
ception for  the  farmers  to  have  automobiles, 
and  telephones  are  a  necessity,  having  long  ago 
ceased  to  be  a  luxury  in  this  county. 

Some  of  the  agriculturalists  are  experiment- 
ing with  crops,  and  there  is  no  doubt  but  that 
the  results  of  this  line  of  endeavor  will  prove 
profitable  to  the  county  at  large.  There  is  a 
small  plot  of  ginseng  at  Mazon  which  is  worth 
more  than  many  an  aere  of  corn  or  oats,  and  if 
it  can  be  demonstrated  that  this  Chinese  plant 
can  be  successfully  raised  in  Grundy  County,  a 
new  avenue  will  be  opened  for  the  farmer. 

Owing  to  tin.'  moisture  of  the  soil,  wheat  is 
not  produced  in  large  quantities,  but  oats  are 
profitable,  and  "Corn  is  King."  From  the  fer- 
tile land  of  Grundy  County  come  bumper  crops 
of  the  staple  product  of  the  Middle  West.  The 
towQring  elevators  along  the  railroads  are  a 
feature   of    Grundy    County    scenery,    and    their 


682 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY.  COUNTY. 


bins  are  filled  with  the  golden  grain  until  it  is 
shipped  t<>  the  Chicago  <>r  other  markets. 

Considerable  impetus  lias  been  given  scientific 
agriculture  by  the  County  Fair  Association. 
Several  unsuccessful  attempts  had  been  made  to 
establish  such  an  association  upon  a  firm 
foundation,  and  to  awaken  the  interest  in  tliis 
most  important  matter,  but  it  was  not  until 
1903  that  any  real  encouragement  was  given 
those  who  had  the  affairs  of  the  county  truly 
at  heart.  In  that  year  some  of  the  public- 
spirited  men  of  .Ma/on  succeeded  in  holding  a 
colt  show,  on  the  streets  of  the  village,  and 
were  successful  to  such  a  degree,  that  the  fol- 
lowing year  they  branched  out  and  held  a 
horse  show  for  all  breeds.  In  1000  the  Grundy 
County  Agricultural  Association  held  iis  first 
fair,  ami  from  then  on  these  fail's  have  been 
an  annual  event.  The  association  which  is 
composed  of  forty-eight  stockholders  has  its 
own  grounds,  which  are  particularly  well 
adapted  for  the  -purpose  for  which  they  are 
used.  These  comprise  ten  acres  of  land,  con- 
taining exhibition  grounds,  stationary  buildings, 
including  the  grand  stand,  and  stock  sheds,  and 
a  fine  diamond  upon  which  the  mettle  of  various 
baseball  teams  is  tried  out.  The  grandstand 
which  cost  .$.1,000  holds  2.000  people,  is  one 
of  the  best  in  several  counties.  The  other  build- 
ings are  kept  in  excellent  condition,  and  the 
exhibitors  of  stock  are  afforded  generous  accom- 
modations. 

It  would  he  difficult  to  over  estimate  the 
effect  that  this  movement  has  upon  tin-  advance- 
ment of  agricultural  interests  in  this  section. 
The  fanners  are  encouraged  to  produce  the  fin- 
est specimens  of  stock  and  grains,  while  their 
meeting,  as  they  do  each  year,  gives  them  all 
new  ideas  which  when  developed  individually, 
result  in  many  remarkable  changes  in  methods 
and  processes,  all  of  which  eventually  work 
out  to  the  betterment  of  the  county  as  a  whole. 
The  social  features  of  the  fair  are  strong  factors 
as  well,  and  it  would  be  difficult  to  imagine  a 
time  when  the  people  of  Grundy  County  would 
permit  the  venture  of  the  Ma/.on  residents  to 
languish  or  fail. 

Taking  them  all  in  all,  the  agriculturalists 
of  Grundy  County  must  he  numbered  among 
-  the  most  progressive  of  the  state.  They  conduct 
their  properties  so  as  to  make  them  yield  im- 
mense crops,  ami  yet  so  conserve  their  soil  as 
to  prevent  its  being  impoverished,  through  rota- 
tion of  crops  and  proper  fertilization. 


The  installation  of  the  telephone,  the  bisect- 
ing of  the  county  by  interurban  railway  lines, 
and  the  circulation  of  papers  and  magazines,  to- 
gether with  the  rural  free  delivery  am!  parcel 
post  service,  have  all  contributed  to  (he  ad- 
vancement of  the  farmer  here,  as  elsewhere  in 
Illinois  and  other  states.  With  the  automobile, 
has  come  rapid  transit  between  the  farms  and 
nearby  towns  as  well  as  with  Joliet  and  Chi- 
cago, and  the  agriculturalists  and  their  families 

have  not  1 n  unwilling  to  take  full  advantage 

of  these  opportunities,  but  have  been  developed 
accordingly  until  they  stand  in  the  foremost 
ranks  of  the  successful  and  wealthy  people  of 
the  Prairie  State. 


CHAPTER  XVIII 


Till:    ILLINOIS    AND    MICHIGAN    CANAL 


AN  INTERESTING  SPECULATION — REALIZED  LACK  OF 
TRANSPORTATION — PLANS  FOR  A  GREAT  WATER- 
WAY— ESTIMATED  COST — ILLINOIS  AND  MICHI- 
GAN    CANAL     ASSOCIATION—  CHARTER     SECURED 

CHARTER    SURRENDERED GRANT    OF    LAND — WORK 

DELAYED — FAILURE  OF  STATE  DANK — ACTIVITY 
OF  JACOB  CLAYPOOL — MORRIS  SITUATED  ON  THE 
CANAL. 

AN     INTERESTING     SPECULATION 

111  reviewing  the  fundamental  causes  which 
bring  about  far-reaching  results,  it  is  often  in- 
teresting to  speculate  upon  what  might  have 
happened  if  those  causes  had  never  come  into 
being.  Had  it  not  been  the  aim  and  ambition 
of  public-spirited  men  to  connect  Lake  Michigan 
and  the  Illinois  River  by  an  artificial  channel, 
and  if  others  had  not  insisted  that  the  county 
seat  of  the  then  proposed  Grundy  County  be 
located  at  some  point  upon  the  canal,  Morris 
might  not  have  come  into  being,  or  if  it  had 
been  located  at  another  place,  its  history  would 
probably  have  been  different.  Deprived  of  the 
transportation  facilities  afforded  by  the  canal 
and  the  Illinois  River,  it  would  never  have  de- 
veloped into  the  shipping  center  it  has,  nor 
would  as  many  manufacturing  plants  have  been 


1 


<zy<..  >-■  •      ■  v- 


*•  .  j 


• 


• 


• 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


G83 


located  hero  were  it  not  fur  the  fact  that 
water  power  was  plentiful,  and  the  products 
of  the  factories  could  be  easily  and  cheaply 
marketed. 

However  as  it  may  lie,  long  before  any  settle- 
ment, was  made  in  what  later  became  Grundy 
County,  some  years  before  Illinois  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  Union,  and  Chicago  was  but  an 
Indian  trading  post,  far-sighted  men  realized 
that  in  the  coming  years  there  would  arise  a 
demand  for  a  highway  by  means  of  which 
freight  and  human  beings  could  be  transported 
from  the  harbor  at  Fort  Dearborn  to  the  Father 
of  Waters.  They  did  not  then  know  that  the 
future  held  wonderful  inventions  which  would 
connect  the  oceans,  and  that  the  land  could  be 
utilized  for  transportation  purposes  much  better 
than  the  water,  and,  not  knowing,  they  built 
according  to  their  knowledge,  and  the  result 
was  a  powerful  factor  in  the  development  and 
advancement  of  the  territory  through  which  it 
passed. 

PLANS    FOR    A    CHEAT    WATERWAY 

As  early  as  1812  the  project  of  connecting 
the  waters  of  Lake  Michigan  with  those  of  the 
Illinois  River  had  engrossed  the  progressive 
men  of  not  only  the  military  service,  but  those 
of  private  life  as  well.  From  time  to  time  the 
importance  of  this  work  was  urged,  and  on 
July  1,  ISoG,  ground  was  broken,  the  original 
survey  connecting  with  the  eastern  arm  of  the 
south  branch  of  the  Chicago  River,  following 
the  general  line  of  the  Desplaines  and  Illinois 
rivers  to  Peru,  where  it  was  to  pass  by  locks 
into  the  river.  The  original  cost  was  estimated 
at  a  sum  varying  from  six  hundred  and  forty 
thousand  to  ten  million  dollars,  the  latter  fig- 
ures more  nearly  approximating  the  actual  cost 
than  the  former. 

ILLINOIS    AND    MICHIGAN    CANAL    ASSOCIATION 

The  Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal  Association 
was  formed  in  lS2o,  with  a  capital  of  :?1, 000,000, 
and  its  members  secured  a  charter  that  allowed 
extraordinary  privileges.  Daniel  I'.  Cook,  who 
was  the  only  representative  of  Illinois  in  the 
Lower  House,  was  then  endeavoring  to  secure 
a  grant  of  the  land  for  canal  purposes,  and  he 
realized  that  this  charter  would  defeat  his 
aims,  as  Congress  would  naturally  be  indis- 
posed to  aid  a   scheme   which  already   had  sc-      demonstrate. 


cured  so  much.  By  LS27,  the  association  had 
surrendered  this  charter,  and  that  same  year 
a  grant  was  made  of  public  lands. 

GRANT   OF   LAND 

While  this  grant  was  generous,  no  money 
could  be  obtained  from  it,  and  matters  dragged, 
although  by  January  1,  1S39,  $1,400,000  hud 
been  spent  upon  the  canal  without  appre- 
ciable results.  With  the  exception  of  about 
twenty-three  miles  which  lay  between  Dresden 
and  Marsailles,  the  whole  canal  was  let  out  to 
contractors,  but  values  had  become  inflated, 
ami  the  state  was  so  embarrassed  financially 
that  work  had  to  lie  abandoned  for  a  time. 
When  the  state  bank  failed  in  1S12,  further 
trouble  was  experienced  in  continuing  work  on 
the  canal.  About  this  time,  Jacob  Claypool,  of 
Grundy  County,  took  the  contract  for  the  unlet 
portion  of  the  canal,  where  the  aqueduct  was 
later  built,  actively  resuming  operations  in  1845, 
and  completed  the  work  in  is  is. 

Morris  is  the  only  town  in  Grundy  County 
that  is  located  upon  the  canal,  and  much  dis- 
cussion took  place  before  the  matter  was  finally 
settled.  It  lies  along  the  canal,  the  Illinois 
River  being  beyond,  and  in  the  early  days,  a 
large  amount  of  freight  was  carried  upon  it. 
With  the  development  of  the  railroad  service, 
some  of  this  commerce  was  diverted  from  the 
canal,  but  it  is  still  in  active  use. 


CHAPTER  XIX 


THE  MASONIC   FRATERNITY 


WELL    REPRESENTED     IN     GRUNDY     COUNTY MOKRIS 

CEDAR    LODGE     A.     F.     A     A.     M. ORIENT     ROYAL 

ARCH  CHAPTER — BLANEY  COMMANDERY — LIST  OF 
EMINENT  COMMANDERS — FINE,  QUARTERS GARD- 
NER— MINOOKA- — VERONA — MAZON. 

(By  Joseph  H.  Pettit) 

The  Masonic  fraternity  is  well  represented  in 
Grundy   County,    as    the   following    article   will 


684 


HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


Cedar  Lodge  No.  124,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  was  in- 
stituted on  February  20.  1S52,  with  B.  M.  Ather- 
ton,  W.  M. ;  C.  L.  Starbuck,  S.  W. ;  John  Gib- 
son, J.  W. ;  George  Fisher,  T. ;  James  Gibson, 
secretary;  Leonard,  s.  D. ;  and  Lawrence 
Wilkes,  J.  D.  Its  charter  was  granted  October 
3,  1S5M,  and  L.  P.  Lott  was  one  of  the  first 
initiates,  later  serving  as  Master  for  a  dozen 
years. 

Orient  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  No.  31,  was  con- 
stituted October  2",  1S56,  with  Franklin  K. 
Hulburd,  L.  P.  Lott,  P.  M.  Atherton,  Nathan 
B.  Dodson,  E.  W.  Lusk,  C.  p.  Pannelee,  Leonard 
Ashton,  George  Piddle  and  George  Fisher  as 
charter  members. 

P.laney  Connnandery  No.  5,  Knights  Templar, 
was  chartered  October  20,  1858.  Until  185S 
Apollo  Connnandery  No.  1,  of  Chicago,  Belvi- 
dere  Connnandery  No.  2.  at  Alton,  and  Peoria 
Connnandery  were  the  only  commanderies  in 
Illinois.  E.  W.  Lusk  and  F.  K.  Hulburd  were 
both  Knight  Templars  and  desired  after  locat- 
ing at  Morris  to  found  a  connnandery  there. 
In  order  to  comply  with  the  requirements  they 
secured  the  co-operation  of  Rt.  Eminent  Sir 
Hosmer  A.  Johnson,  who  later  became  P.  E. 
Grand  Commander  of  the  Grand  Connnandery 
of  Illinois,  and  after  some  difficulty  occasioned 
by  the  desire  of  the  Masons  of  Joliet  to  estab- 
lish a  commander}'  at  that  point.  Grand  Com- 
mander Sir  Knight  P.laney  granted  a  dispen- 
sation so  that  Joliet  Connnandery  No.  4  of 
Joliet  and  P.laney  Connnandery  No.  5  of  Morris, 
were  born  on  the  same  day,  the  former  being 
constituted  by  Grand  Commander  Blaney  on 
March  IS,  1S5S,  and  the  latter  on  the  follow- 
ing day,  with  these  Sir  Knights:  N.  D.  Elwood, 
T.  Hatton,  Jr.,  W.  W.  Mitchell,  E.  W.  Lusk,  E. 
Wilcox,  C.  E.  Munger,  F.  K.  Hulburd,  E.  Bean, 
James  IT.  Miles,  T.  Hatton,  Sr.,  and  E.  J.  Hig- 
gins. 

On  the  day  of  the  constitution  of  Blaney  Com- 
mandery  the  following  Companions  of  Orient 
Royal  Arch  Chapter  No.  31  received  the  orders 
of  Christian  Knighthood  conferred  in  said 
Commandery:  George  Fisher,  E.  W.  Hulburd, 
L.-P.  Lott,  P.  A.  Armstrong,  William  B.  Grcnell, 
J.  W.  Massey,  Charles  II.  Goold,  Uriah  B. 
Couch,  George  Dimon,  Charles  P.  Pannelee, 
John  Gibson,  Jr.,  and  B.  M.  Atherton.  The 
first  Eminent  Commander  was  Sir  Knight 
Franklin   K.   Hulburd,   who  served  during  1S5S, 


1S59,  1860  and  1SG1.  He  was  succeeded  by  Sir 
Knight.  Arnold  M.  Cleveland,  who  was  in  office 
until  1870.  The  third  Eminent  Commander  was 
Sir  Knight  Perry  Austin  Armstrong,  who  was 
succeeded  in  1872  by  Sir  Knight  Charles  H. 
Goold.  In  1879,  Sir  Knight  Lafayette  Beach 
succeeded  Sir  Knight  Goold,  and  continued  in 
office  until  1SS4.  In  1885,  Sir  Knight  Leander 
Irons  was  made  Eminent  Commander  and  he 
served  until  1S8S,  and  in  that  year  Sir  Knight 
Joseph  II.  Pettit  came  into  the  office.  The  fol- 
lowing year  Sir  Knight  Lorenzo  E.  Daniels  was 
made  Eminent  Commander,  and  he  served  until 
1S93,  when  Sir  Knight  David  Nickel  succeeded 
him.  In  1895,  Sir  Knight  Henry  Stocker  was 
made  Eminent  Commander  and  his  term  of  office 
embraced  the  years  1S95  and  1S9G,  when  Sir 
Knight  William  Sparr  succeeded  him  and 
served  during  1S97  and  1S9S.  During  1800, 
Sir  Knight  Claude  S.  Magner  was  Eminent 
Commander,  in  1900  Sir  Knight  J.  Arthur  Pool 
succeeded  him  and  served  until  June  30,  1901, 
when  Sir  Knight  Morris  Magner  became 
Eminent  Commander  and  held  the  office  until 
June  30,  1902.  On  that  date,  Sir  Knight  Henry 
Clay  Claypool  was  elected,  and  held  the  office 
for  a  year.  Sir  Knight  John  Pay  was  Eminent 
Commander  during  Phi::.  1904  and  1905,  while 
Sir  Knight  George  L.  Woelfel  held  the  office 
during  1905,  lOOG  and  1907,  and  in  1907  Sir 
Knight  Austin  J.  Smith  was  made  Eminent 
Commander.  Commander  Smith  was  succeeded 
by  Sir  Knight  Henry  c.  Claypool,  but  the 
latter  died  while  conducting  his  first  services 
in  that  office.  This  sudden  ending  of  the  life  of 
one  of  Morris'  admired  and  leading  men.  who 
at  that  time  was  also  serving  as  postmaster, 
plunged  all  of  Grundy  County  into  mourning, 
and  although  many  years  have  elapsed  since 
then,  it  is  almost  impossible  to  talk  at  any 
length  with  one  of  those  who  bad  the  honor  of 
association  with  Mr.  Claypool.  without  hearing 
mention  of  his  death.  Sir  Knight  George  Bed- 
ford succeeded  him.  and  in  1910,  Sir  Knight 
Fred  S.  Johnson  held  that  office.  The  Eminent 
Commander  in  PHI  was  Sir  Knight  Harry  N. 
Ferguson,  while  in  1012,  Sir  Knight  George  II. 
Weitz  was  elected,  and  be  in  turn  was  succeeded 
by  Sir  Knight  Herman  Bressee.  In  1914,  Sir 
Knight  II.  P.  Smith  became  Eminent  Com- 
mander. 

In  December,  1SS5,  P.laney  Connnandery,  to- 
gether with  the  other  Masonic  bodies  of  Morris, 
removed    from    their    quarters   in    the    Streeter 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


GS5 


block  to  the  Gebhard  block,  a  new  building  com- 
pleted that  season.  A  third  story  was  added  by 
the  builder  at  the  suggestion  of  members  of  the 
Masonc  fraternities  of  Morris,  and  at  the  time 
of  completion,  a  lease  was  executed  to  Cedar 
Lodge  No.  124  for  the  entire  third  floor  and 
a  portion  of  the  second  floor  for  a  long  term 
of  years,  the  Commandery  being  a  sub-tenant 
of  the  lodge.  The  division  of  the  space  of  the 
third  floor  was  made  under  the  supervision  of 
committees  from  the  lodge,  chapter  and  com- 
mandery, providing  a  large  audience  room, 
three  commodious  parlors  each  opening  into  the 
other  and  in  connection  with  the  armory,  mak- 
ing a  corridor  surrounding  the  audience  hall. 
There  are  also  reception,  preparation,  wardrobe 
and  smoking  rooms  Which,  together  with  a 
large  dining  room  and  kitchen  on  the  second 
floor,  provide  the  fraternities  with  very  com- 
fortable, convenient  and  pleasant  apartments 
which  are  suitably  furnished.  From  time  to 
time  as  needed,  the  rooms  have  been  renovated, 
refurnished  and  modernized,  and  are  in  fine 
condition. 

The  Masonic  representation  of  Gardner  is 
as  follows:  Gardner  Lodge,  No.  573,  A.  F.  & 
A.  If.,  was  organized  May  24,  1SG6,  and  received 
its  charter  October  <:.  ISGS.  The  charter  mem- 
bers were:  1.  P.  Benson,  W.  II.  Shooinaker,  Ed. 
Crane,  J.  \\\  Hull,  Amos  Clover.  W.  \Y.  Mc- 
Mann,  "William  Hart,  A.  DeXormandie,  Henry 
Elliott  and  II.  V.  Whalen. 

Minooka  Lodge  No.  D2S,  A.  F.  &  A.  M..  was 
organized  dining  1SG7,  and  received  its  charter 
the  following  year  with  these  charter  members: 
C.  Dahlem,  A.  K.  Knapp,  G.  C.  Griswold,  John 
T.  Van  Dolfson,  G.  S.  Correll,  Samuel  Adams, 
W.  II.  Smith,  .E.  \Y.  Weese,  Jacob  Gebelman, 
John  Colleps.  Phaley  Gedleman,  J.  E.  MeClure, 
C.  V.  Hamilton  and  W.  A.  Jordon. 

Verona  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  at  Verona,  was 
organized  in  ISflS.  The  Masonic  Hall  of  that 
village  is  the  most  substantial  building  of  the 
place.  The  present  Worshipful  Master  is  Wal- 
ter Kilmer. 

Mazon  Lodge  Xo.  S20  was  organized  Nbvem- 
ber  7,  1893,  with  ninety-five  members. 


CHAPTER  XX 


THE  MOLLIS    HOSPITAL 


PREVALENT  IDEA   OF  A    HOSPITAL — A  GREAT   1IUMAN- 
1TARIAN  INSTITUTION — FOUNDING  OF  THE  MOKKIS 

HOSPITAL — AT     FIKST     A     PRIVATE     ENTEKPKISE 

FIRST     BOARD     OF     DIRECTORS — FIRST     LOCATION 

PRESENT  MODERN  STHUCTCRE — FINE  EQUIPMENTS 
HOSPITAL  OFFICIALS — CONSTITUTION  AND  BY- 
LA  WS — FURTHER   USEFULNESS. 

(By  F.  A.  Palmer,  M.  U.) 

PREVALENT    IDEA    OF    A    HOSPITAL 

.  It  is  an  all  too  prevalent  and  injurious  belief 
that  the  modern  hospital  is  an  indulgence  and 
luxury  of  the  wealthy  ;  that  institutions  of  this 
nature  are  callous  and  soulless,  and  that  the 
only  interest  taken  in  the  patients  is  a  purely 
professional  or  case-hardened  scientific  one. 
Far  from  these  erroneous  and  prejudicial  the- 
ories being  the  fact,  the  modern  hospital,  aside 
from  being  the  highest  possible  development  of 
science  for  the  mitigation  and  cure  of  the  hosts 
of  bodily  ills  to  which  mankind  is  heir,  is  a 
great  philanthropic,  utilitarian  and  public-spir- 
ited organization,  into  the  development  of 
which  the  best  thought,  the  greatest  achieve- 
ments and  the  worthiest  and  most  unselfish 
efforts  of  experts  from  every  corner  of  the 
world    have   entered. 

The  problems  of  health  are  really  the  prob- 
lems of  life  and  must  pertain  to  all  questions 
of  human  interest  ;  and  of  recent  years  this 
interest  has  spread  far  beyond  the  ranks  of  the 
merely  professional  men,  so  that  today  the 
right-thinking  leaders  in  any  of  the  activities 
of  life  recognize  that  the  attainment  of  the 
greatest  degree  of  efficiency  has  its  foundation 
upon  the  attainment  of  the  greatest  degree  of 
bodily  soundness,  haleness  and  vigor.  It  is  for 
this  reason  that  the  modern  hospital  plays  such 
an  important  part  in  the  scheme  of  things. 
Upon  it  rests  the  responsibility  for  the  physical 
and  mental  welfare  of  the  community,  and  in 
as  great  a  degree  as  this  welfare  is  maintained, 
in  just  such  'degree  will  the  community  pros- 
per and  flourish  in  the  activities  to  which  the 
lives  of  its  people  are  devoted. 


686 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


Hacked  by  men  of  substantial  business  worth 
and  standing,  in  charge  of  the  best  medical 
and  surgical  talent  to  be  procured,  and  equipped 
with  the  most  modern  appliances  and  conve- 
niences which  science  has  discovered  and  me- 
chanical ingenuity  has  devised,  the  Morris  Hos- 
pital, at  Morris.  Illinois,  is  representative  of  all 
that  is  highest  and  best  in  an  institution  whose 
Object  is  the  alleviation  of  humanity's  swarm- 
ing bodily  ailments.  Its  growth  and  develop- 
ment has  been  rapid  and  sure  and  its  benefi- 
cent influence  upon  the  city  and  surrounding 
country   cannot   be  over  estimated. 

FOUNDING    OF    THE    MOKR1S    HOSPITAL 

The  Morris  Hospital  was  founded  in  Sep- 
tember, 190G,  on  the  third  floor  of  the  Collins 
Building,  above  the  fanners  &  Merchants  Na- 
tional Hank,  as  a  private  hospital  by  Mis.  Eliza- 
beth Macketanz,  at  the  request  of  Dr.  F.  A. 
Palmer.  When  she  found  thai  the  people  of 
Morris  were  responding  to  the  call  of  humanity 
by  making  donations  to  the  hospital,  she  asked 
Doctor  Palmer  to  appoint  a  Board  of  Directors 
to  take  charge  of  them,  and  the  following  gentle- 
men were  selected:  I  >.  A.  Mathews.  T.  II.  Hall, 
L.  S.  Huge,  E.  G.  Cryder  and  James  Hansen, 
practical  business  men  whose  substantiality 
guaranteed  the  financial  stability  of  the  enter- 
prise. About  three  months  later,  the  failure  of 
Mrs.  Macketanz's  health,  forced  her  to  abandon 
her  plan,  and  she  turned  all  her  equipment  over 
to  the  trustees  to  be  used  as  a   public  hospital. 

As  the  scope  of  the  hospital's  usefulness 
grew  and  the  people  began  to  realize  the  signal 
benefits  of  its  service,  the  first  quarters  were 
found  to  be  inadequate  to  the  demands  placed 
upon  them,  .and  in  190S,  after  approximately 
fifteen  thousand  bad  been  raised  by  popular  sub- 
scription, the  trustees  gave  their  personal  notes 
for  the  remainder  of  the  amount  needed,  and 
since  then  Mr.  Mathews,  president  of  the  institu- 
tion and  one  of  the  principal  donators  has  made 
some  very  substantial  presents.  There  is  still  a 
debt  upon  the  hospital  which  will  be  cleared 
off  in  due  time.  Work  on  the  present  hand- 
some and  well-equipped  structure,  on  High 
•  Street,  between  Lisbon  and  Liberty  streets,  was 
Commenced,  and  was  occupied  in  the  fall  of 
1010.  This  is  the  only  one-story  hospital  in 
the  United  States,  and  has  twenty-five  beds, 
with  private  rooms  and  operating  rooms,  and 
every  appliance  and  comfort  of  which  an  insti- 


tution of  this  kind  can  boast.  The  Morris 
Hospital  is  under  the  capable  superintendency 
of  Amy  Holtorf,  whose  wide  experience  and 
broad  sympathies  find  an  excellent  field  for  ex- 
pression. Associated  with  Mr.  Mathews  in  the 
direction  of  the  institution  are  T.  II.  Hall.  L. 
S.  Hoge,  E.  G.  Cryder  and  James  Hansen,  prac- 
tical business  men' whose  substantiality  guaran- 
tees the  financial  stability  of  the  enterprise. 
The  original  medical  and  surgical  staff  was  com- 
posed of  Mrs.  A.  E.  Palmer  and  G.  F.  Nelson, 
both  now  deceased,  and  Drs.  F.  A.  Palmer,  H. 
M.  Ferguson.  W.  F.  Walsh  and  F.  C.  Bowker, 
men  of  high  professional  standing  and  wide, 
practical  experience.  The  last  four  named  con- 
stitute the  present  staff,  the  vacancies  left  by 
death  not  having  been  filled.  The  Morris  Hos- 
pital maintains  a  training  school,  composed  of 
six   nurses,   the  course  being  two  years. 

CONSTITUTION    AND   BY-LAWS 

A  copy  of  the  constitution  and  by-laws  of  the 
Morris  Hospital  is  appended: 

"Article  I.  Name.  Section  1.  The  name  of 
this  institution  shall  be  the  Morris  Hospital. 
Section  •_'.  The  institution  shall  be  owned  and 
supported  by  the  general  public  of  Morris  and 
vicinity.  Section  :;.  The  object  of  this  institu- 
tion shall  be  the  care  of  the  sick,  according  to 
the  principles  of  Christian  charity,  and  the 
training  of  Christian   nurses. 

"Property.  Section  4.  The  property  of  this 
institution  shall  be  held  in  trust  by  a  board  of 
trustees  in  accordance  with  the  articles  of  in- 
corporation and  said  board  shall  manage  the 
institution.  This  board  of  trustees  shall  consist 
of  five  members,  one  of  which  shall  be  elected 
annually  at  the  annual  meeting  of  the  society 
to  be  held  on  the  first  Monday  in  October,  by 
ballot  of  the  members  of  the  society,  and  by  a 
majority  of  those  so  present  in  person  voting. 
Every  person  paving  twenty-five  dollars  or  more 
in  advance  shall  be  a  life  member  and  be  en- 
titled to  vote.  Any  society  paying  twenty-five 
dollars  or 'more  shall  be  entitled  to  one  per- 
petual vote  by  its  official  representative,  The 
ministers'  of  all  the  churches  of  Morris.  Illinois, 
and  all  physicians  of  Morris,  Illinois,  shall  be 
entitled  to  membership  and  a  vote  without  fee. 
Each  trustee  shall  be  elected  for  a  term  of  five 
years.  A  majority  of  said  trustees  shall  be  resi- 
dents of  Morris.  Illinois. 

"Management.     Section  5.    The  board  of  trus- 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY.  G87 

tecs  shall  hold  its  meeting  following  the  annual  require,  shall  have  the  custody  of  such  deeds, 
meeting  of  the  society,  at  which  time  they  shall  papers  and  documents  relating  to  the  property 
elect  from  their  number  a  president,  vice  presi-  of  the  society,  ajid  of  all  moneys  belonging- 
dent,  secretary  and  treasurer,  each  to  serve  one  thereto.  At  each  stated  meeting  he  shall  sub- 
year  or  until  their  successors  are  elected.  init  an  account,  or  abstract  thereof,  showing 
Three  members  of  the  board  shall  constitute  a  the  financial  state  of  the  treasury,  and  shall 
quorum   for  any  purpose.  pay  all   orders  properly  drawn   upon   him.     He 

"Duties  of  Board  of  Trustees.  Section  G.  The  shall  prepare  and  lay  before  the  members  of 
hoard  of  trustees  shall  at  all  times  he  fully  the  society  at  their  annual  meeting  a  statement 
authorized  to  execute  all  powers  of  the  society  of  receipts  and  expenditures  of  the  preceding 
over  the  estate  and  property  of  the  society.  To  year,  of  the  funds  of  the  society, 
it  shall  be  committed  the  authority  to  make  by-  •'Article  in.  Section  1.  The  medical  staff 
laws,  rules  and  regulations,  and  to  alter  and  shall  consist  of  not  more  than  six  (0)  physicians 
amend  the  same,  to  fill  vacancies,  choose  the  resident  of  -Morris.  Illinois,  of  moral  and  pro- 
officers  of  the  society,  appoint  agents  and  at-  fessional  repute,  as  were  originally  the  six  phy- 
temlants,  and  generally  transact  the  entire  busi-  sicians  upon  whose  initiative  the  hospital  was 
ness  of  the  society.  started.     Section  2.     The  staff  shall  at  an  annual 

"Annual  Statement.     Section  7.     Within  thirty  meeting  on  the  first  Monday  in  September  elect 

days   of   the   date   of   their   annual    meeting   the  a    president    and    a    secretary,    the   president    to 

board  shall  issue  to  the  public  of  Morris  a  yearly  preside    at    all    meetings    and    the   secretary    to 

statement    showing  the  donations   received   dur-  keep  a   record   thereof,   ami   perform  such  other 

ing  the  year,  and  so  far  as  practical  specifying  duties  as  may  pertain  to  that  office.     Section  :;. 

the  uses  to  which  they  have  been  devoted.  Whenever   any   vacancy   occurs   in   the   staff  on 

"Article    II.      Duties    of    Officers — Of    1'resi-  account   of  death,   removal,  incapacity   to  serve 

dent.      Section    1.     The   president    shall    preside  or  any   other   cause,    (lie   president    of  the   staff 

at    all    meetings,      lie   shall    sign    all    orders   on  shall  call  a  meeting  of  the  staff  for  the  purpose 

the  treasurer  and   audit    the  treasurer's   report.  of  recommending  a  candidate  or  candidates,  as 

and    shall    call    special    meetings    of    the    hoard  the  case  may  he,  to  the  hoard  of  trustees.     Upon 

whenever,    in    his   opinion,    the    business   of    the  a  majority   vote  in  favor  of  a  candidate  he  shall 

society  requires  it.  or  whenever  requested  to  do  he    recommended    to    the    hoard.     The   hoard    of 

so  on  application  of  three  members  of  the  hoard  trustees  shall  then  meet  and  act  upon  the  candi- 

of  trustees.  dates  thus  recommended.     Section  4.    The  mem- 

"Of  Vice   President.      Section   2.      In   case  of  tiers  of  the  medical  staff,  or  a  representative  of 

absence  of  the  president  the  vice  president  shall  the  same,  shall  have  the  privilege  of  attending 

possess  all  his  powers  and  perform  his  duties.  any  meeting  of  the  board  of  trustees,  but  not  of 

"Of  Secretary.  Section  :!.  The  secretary  shall  voting.  On  complaint  of  a  majority  of  the  med- 
keep  the  minutes  of  the  meetings  of  the  hoard  ical  staff  the  trustees  may  remove  any  member  of 
of  trustees  and  of  the  society.  He  shall  pre-  the  .same,  or  on  their  own  motion,  if.  in  their 
serve  all  papers  and  records  which  do  not  belong  judgment,  (he  good  of  the  hospital  demands  it. 
to  the  office  of  the  treasurer.  He  shall  notify  The  medical  staff  shall  have  charge  of  the  sani- 
the  members  'of  stated  meetings  of  the  hoard  of  tary  and  medical  regulations  of  the  hospital,  sub- 
trustees  by  notice  directed  to  them  through  the  ject  to  the  approval  of  the  board  of  trustees.  See- 
postoffice  at  least  two  days  before  the  meeting.  tion  5.  No  doctor  shall  have  a  right  to  take 
and  shall  give  a  similar  notice  of  the  meeting  possession  of  the  record  sheets  or  history  of 
of  the  society,  by  a  notice  addressed  to  the  any  patient,  which  must  remain  the  property  of 
members  at  their  last  known  place  of  residence,    ,  the  hospitah 

or    by    publication    in    daily   city   paper   for    at  "Article  IV.     Section   1.     The  superintendent 

least   two  days  preceding  such   meeting,   which  of  the  hospital  shall   have  the  privilege  of  ap- 

publication    shall    be    deemed    a    proper    notice.  pearing  before  the  staff  at   any  of  their  annual 

He  shall   have  charge  of  all   correspondence  of  or    special    meetings    to    make    reports    or    sug- 

the   hoard    and    make    such    communications    in  gestions    for    the   welfare    of    the   hospital,    hut 

relation   to  it  as  may  he  necessary.  shall    have   no    vote   in    the   matter,   and   during 

"Of    Treasurer.      Section    4.      The    treasurer  the  vote   thereon  shall   absent   herself  from   the 

shall   give  such  bond  as   the  board  of  trustees  meeting. 


688 


HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


"Article  V.  Hospital  Regulations.  Section  1. 
Patients  suffering  from  contagious  or  infectious 
diseases,  insanity  or  delirium  tremens  shall  not 
be  admitted  to  tlie  hospital.  Patients  shall  not 
use  profane  or  indecent  language  in  the  hospital 
nor  procure  for  themselves  or  for  others  any 
intoxicating  liquors.  All  fees  to  the  Morris 
Hospital  are  payable  in  advance.  No  patient 
shall  leave  the  hospital  grounds  without  the 
permission  of  the  physician  in  charge  or  the 
superintendent.  Articles  of  food  or  drink  must 
not  be  carried  into  the  rooms  or  wards  without 
express  permission  of  the  superintendent.  Visi- 
tors must  observe  perfect  order  and  propriety 
and  confine  their  visits  to  those  for  whom 
specific  permission  has  been  obtained.  The 
superintendent  of  this  institution  shall  be  the 
official  representative  of  the  board  of  trustees, 
shall  direct  the  business  management  of  the 
hospital,  under  the  guidance  of  the  board,  and 
the  medical  management  of  the  hospital  under 
the  direction  of  the  staff.  She  shall  keep  or 
have  kept  books  of  the  hospital,  showing  ac- 
curately all  receipts  and  expenditures,  and 
present  them  to  the  board  upon  demand.  These 
regulations  are  subject  to  change  at  the  discre- 
tion of  (lie  board  of  trustees." 

FURTHEK    USEFULNESS 

In  its  field  the  Morris  Hospital  is  accomplish- 
ing a  great  and  good  work.  The  extent  of  its 
usefulness  has  Increased  steadily  and  consecu- 
tively, and  no  institution  in  the  state  bears  a 
higher  reputation  for  professional  achievements. 
Born  of  the  needs  of  its  locality,  promoted  by 
individuals  for  the  good  of"  humanity  and  the 
betterment  of  conditions,  it  is  proving  not  only 
a  force  for  the  advancement  of  public  health, 
but  of  the  moral  welfare  of  Morris  and  the 
adjacent  locality,  and.  as  conducted  under  its 
present,  management,  promises  to  have  a  Ion;:. 
bright   and   prosperous  future. 


CHAPTER  XXI 
WOMAN'S  CLUBS 


WOMAN    IN    THE    TWENTIETH    CENTURY — POWER    IN 
UNION — MUCH   INTEREST  SHOWN — MONDAY  CLUB 


OF      MORRIS — AFFILLVTED      WITH      TiiE      GENERAL 
FEDERATION    OF   WOMAN'S    CLUBS — WIDE   FIELD   OF 

STUDY    COVERED NEW    CENTURY    CLUB   OF    MORRIS 

— LARGELY    DEVOTED    TO    CIVICS,    MANUAL    TRAIN- 
ING    AND     DOMESTIC     SCIENCE — STUDY     CUD     OF 

MAZON — GENERAL    SUBJECTS    CONTINUED ABOUT 

ONE    HUNDRED   AND   TWENTY    WOMEN    OF   GRUNDY 
COUNTY    ARE   CLUB    MEMBERS. 

tlJy  Ella  Davis  Hull) 

WOMAN    IX   THE   TWENTIETH    CENTURY 

One  of  the  most  distinctive  features  of  the 
twentieth  century  is  the  prominence  given  to 
the  opinions  and  work  of  woman.  Through 
sheer  ability  and  constant  persistence  she  has 
forced  her  way  to  the  front,  and  it  has  been 
due  to  her  direct  efforts  that  many  of  the  most 
important  reforms  have  not  only  been  inaugu- 
rated, but  carried  to  successful  completion.  This 
is  an  age  of  development  and  achievement. 
Progress  is  too  rapid  to  admit  of  the  old,  labo- 
rious and  hidden  means  through  which  woman 
formerly  worked  to  attain  the  ends  she  knew 
were  best.  It  has  been  necessary  for  her  to 
come  out  into  the  open,  and  the  results  prove 
beyond  any  cavil  that  she  has  been  wise  in  so 
doing.  As  she  has  entered  more  and  more 
largely  into  the  work  of  the  world,  so  has  she 
taken  up  its  reform,  and  her  field  is  constantly 
widening. 

POWER    IN    UNION 

As  a  natural  result  of  her  desire  to  keep  in 
close  touch  with  the  needs  of  humanity,  the 
accomplishments  of  the  past  and  the  hopes  for 
the  future,  she  has  consulted  with  others  of 
her  sex,  and  they  have  discovered  that  if  banded 
together,  they  could  accomplish  much  more  (ban 
if  working  independently.  From  small  begin- 
nings have  grown  the  mighty  organizations 
known  the  world  over  as  (he  Woman's  Clubs. 
There  is  scarcely  a  hamlet  throughout  this  land 
that  does  not  boast  some  affiliation  with  a  cen- 
tral branch,  and  through  one  or  other  of  these 
clubs  women  are  revolutionizing   the  world. 

While  they  take  a  hearty  and  effective  in- 
terest in  all  current  topics,  these  women  of 
culture  and  high  intellectual  development  study 
conditions  in  .all  climes  and  of  all  a^'es  and  keep 
on  improving  themselves  and  incidentally  every- 
one with  whom  they  come  into  contact.     Need 


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HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY.  6S9 

less  to  say  that  in  a  section  as  progressive  as  the  opera,  and  during  1914-15  it  is  proposed  to 
Grundy  County  the  women  have  taken  a  live  pay  special  attention  to  political  science  ami 
interest  in  affairs  of  the  day.  Morris  has  two  devote  some  attention  to  the  drama.  It  is  need- 
clubs  of  this  nature,  the  Monday  Club  and  the  less  to  say  that  the  Monday  Club  declared  for 
New  Century  Club,  while  at  Mazon  the  organ-  suffrage  and  thai  its  members  have  given  serious 
ization  is  known  as  the  Mazon  Study  Club.  attention  to  studying  the  vital  questions  pertain- 
ing to  their  citizenship.  The  club  is  affiliated 
Monday  club  with  the  District,  State  and  General  Federation 

of  Woman  Clubs,  and  at  the  biennial  congress, 

Both  of  tlie  clubs  at  Morris  were  founded  in  held  at  Chicago  in   1914,   Mis.   Ella  Davis   Hull 

1S9G,    the   latter  growing   out.   of   the   Methodist  and    Gladys    Moore    were    the    delegates.      That 

Church   Reading  Circle.     The  first  president  of  the  men  have  long  recognized  the  power  and  in- 

the  Monday  Club  was  Mrs.  Sarah   Jordan,  wife  fluence  of  the  work  of  the  women,  is  shown  by 

of  Judge  Jordan;  the  second  was  the  late  Mrs.  the  fact  that  they  have  been  earnestly  solicited 

Myra    Pettit;    the  third.   Mrs.    Ella    Davis   Hull,  to   co-operate    with    the   men    in    all    movements 

who    served    four    years,    and    the    fourth    was  started  in  either  Morn's  or  Grundy  County  at 

Mrs.  M.  K.  Magner.     From  the  inception  of  the  large    by    the    belter    element,    and    success    in 

Monday  Club,  it  has  been  the  desire  of  the  mem-  these    uplift     workings    has    very     often     been 

hers  to  co-operate  with   other  organizations  to  secured  through  the  efforts  of  the  members  of 

secure  improvements,  and  during  the  presidency  one  or  both  of  the  woman's  clubs  here. 
of  Mrs.  Hull,  special  attention  was  given  to  the 

musical  features.  The  club  has  been  very  active  the  new  century  club 
in  securing  proper  school  buildings',  and  beauti- 
fying the  grounds.  The  members  worked  for  In  all  of  the  above  advanced  work,  the  two 
and  advocated  the  introduction  and  mainten-  clubs  labor  in  conjunction.  The  New  Century 
ance  with  remarkable  success,  of  manual  train-  Club  has  perhaps  specialized  a  little  more  on 
ing  and  domestic  science  in  the  schools,  am]  temperance  work,  and  for  a  number  of  years 
endeavored  to  secure  medical  inspection  for  the  was  simply  a  study  club,  mainly  composed  of 
schools,  but  in  this  found  that  popular  seuti-  the  ladies  of  the  Methodist  Church.  With  the 
inent  had  not  be, .a  sufficiently  educated  to  gain  realization  of  the  necessity  for  united  and 
general  approval  of  such  a  movement,  much  as  strenuous  effort  on  the  part  of  the  women,  the 
the  ladies  felt  it  was  needed.  The  Monday  Club  New  Century  Club  branched  out  and  is  now 
has  provided,  during  the  years  of  its  existence.  enthusiastic  relative  to  civic  matters,  manual 
many  intellectual  treats  for  the  people  of  Morris.  training  and  domestic  science.  The  first  presi- 
bringing  to  this  city  noted  lecturers  and  mu-  dent  was  Miss  Mary  Ilolderman,  and  another 
sicians.  Morris  is  proud  of  the  fact  that  the  early  worker  and  earnest  member  was  the  late 
late  lamented  Jessie  Bartlett  Davis,  and  her  Mrs.  Sarah  Harrison.  There  are  forty  mem- 
sister,  Josephine  Bartlett.  were  born  and  reared  hers,  including  those  who  are  on  the  honorary 
here,  and  that  some  of  their  relatives  are  still  list  in  the  New  Century  Club,  while  the  Monday 
to  be  found  in  the  city.  It  is  possible  that  the  Club  has  thirty  members,  with  provision  for 
celebrity  of  these  two  ladies  and  their  position  associate  members  who  can  participate  in  the 
in  the  musical  world  stimulated  other  Morris-  good  work  by  the  payment  of  double  dues.  As 
ites,  for  this  city  has  produced  many  whose  yet  none  have  availed  themselves  of  this 
talents  have  given  them  more  than  local  fame.  opportunity. 
Through   all   of  the  work  of  the   Monday   Club. 

the  study  of  art  has  been  carried  on,  and  some  'Tin:  mazon  study  club 
exceedingly  interesting  as  well  as  beautiful  art 

exhibits  have  been   held   here,   the   first    one   at  The    Mazon    Study    Club    was    started    as    a 

the    home   of    Mrs.    Ella    Davis    Hull.      Various  missionary  society  of  the  Congregational  Church 

subjects  have  been  taken  up  by  the  club  from  by  Mrs.  Siehert,  wife  of  the  pastor  of  the  chunh 

time  to  time.     Among  other  subjects  aside  from  at  that  time,  1008.     The  first   meeting  was  held 

the  usual   ones  relative  to  poesy,  art,  literature  in  December  of  that  year  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  D. 

and   the  drama,    the   Monday   Club   has   studied  S.  Small,  and  the  following  officers  were  elected  : 

Illinois   history,   musical   composers,   history   of  Mrs.  Mable  Shields,  president;  Mrs.  Vallie  Ely, 


690  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

vice  president,  and  Mrs.  Allie  Sinclair,  secretary.  discovery  of  coal  i.\  giundy  county 

The    second    meeting    was    at     the    borne    of 

Mrs.  Grace  McXamara,  and  during  it   the  club  A  strong  factor  in  the  development  of  Grundy 

organized  and  adopted  by-laws.  During  the  first  County  was  the  discovery  of  ricb  coal  beds,  the 
year  the  club  studied  "The  Men  Who  Made  the  mining  of  which  lias  given  employment  to  thou- 
Nation.''  With  the  second  year  the  same  officers  sands,  and  developed  towns  ('if  considerable  size. 
were  elected,  with  the  exception  of  the  president,  News  of  this  important  feature  of  industrial 
who  was  Mrs.  Uallie  Jewett.  The  course  of  life  in  Grundy  County  readied  foreign  shores, 
study  was  '"Geographical  Influence  in  American  and  some  of  the  must  prosperous  residents  at 
History/'  The  course  of  study  for  the  third  present,  of  one  or  other  of  the  towns  in  the 
year  was  "American  Literature;"  for  the  fourth.  counts',  came  to  Grundy  for  the  purpose  of  ob- 
"The  Chautauqua  Course:"  for  the  fifth  year,  taining  employment  in  the  newly  opened  mines. 
"Races  and   Immigrants   in   America,"  and   dur-  There  is  an  outcrop  od  the  Waupecan  in  See- 

ing 1914,  "Elements  of  the  Theory  and  Practice  tion  20,  Township  ."•'!  north,  Range  7  east, 
of  Cookery."  In  101.",  this  club  joined  the  known  as  Wauponsee,  for  a  mile  upstream.  An- 
Pederation  of  Woman's  Clubs.  The  present  other  outcrop  occurs  on  Mazon  Creek  in  Brace- 
oflicials  are :  Mrs.  Genevieve  Murray,  president,  ville  Township,  still  further  up  the  creek  coal 
succeeding  Mrs.  Mable  Shields,  who  resigned;  has  been  <\wj;,  but  the  beds  are  now  abandoned. 
Mrs.  Marie  I  sham,  vice  president;  Mrs.  William  On  the  north  side  of  the  Illinois  River,  near 
Strong,  treasurer,  and  Mrs.  Mable  Shields.  Morris,  the  coal  outcrop  is  heavy.  There  is 
secretary.  At  present  there  is  a  membership  of  some  coal  on  Aux  Sable  Creek  and  along  the 
fifty.  Yearly  programs  are  printed.  The  Kankakee  River,  and  also  in  Saratoga  Town- 
hostesses    with    assistants    serve    refreshments       ship. 

after  the  study  hours,  and  a  social  hour  is  en-  Very   nearly  the  whole  of  Grundy  County  is 

joyed.  In  the  second  year's  work,  all  women  underlaid  with  the  coal  measures  which  occupy 
were  invited  to  participate.  a   position  immediately  under  the  drift   or  sur- 

face clays,  and  attain  a  thickness  of  about  two 
hundred  and  fifty  feet  in  the  southwest  part  of 
the  county.  There  are  only  two  workable  seams 
in    the    county,    namely:      No.   2    of   the    Illinois 

valley 'section,  and  one,  the  number  of  which  is 

not    definitely    known.      It    may    be    No.    "7"    as 
COAL  DEPOSITS  fossils  of  shells  found  in  the  black  slate  covering 

of  No.  7  at  Kangley,  La  Salle  County,  and  those 

found  in  the  black  slate  covering  over  the  upper 

seam   at    where   the   seam    has   been    mined,   are 

discovery    or    coal    in    grundy    county — thou-       the  same.     The  lirst  of  the  two  seams  is  by  far 

saxds    came    to    work    in    her    mines — val-       the  more  important,  both  in  extent  or  area,  and 

UABLE     DEPOSITS     TO     THE     PRESENT     DAY SOME  ill    quality.       No.   2    lllldellios   the    whole   county   to 

veins    very    near   the    surface— best    steam  a  large  extent,  and  is  generally  of  a   workable 

ami  household  coal  ix  the  state — GARDNEE-  thickness,  a   little  under  three  feet,  but   running 

gakdxek    coal    company — Chicago,    wh.ming-  to  three  feel   eight  inches.     The  upper  or  No.  7 

ton     axd     vermilion     coal    company — joint  as  we  will  call  it.  is  quite  limited  in  its  extent, 

stock    coal    mining    company — braceville —  not  over  two  miles  wide  east  and  wot,  and  from 

the  , cotton    shaft — bruce    company' — mines  the  Aux  Sable  on  the  north,  south  to  and  extend- 

once   operated   by    tiie    Milwaukee   and   st.  ing  over,  the  county  line  into  Livingston  County. 

paul  railroad — coal  city — Wilmington   stak  If  is  best    developed   on   Sections   1:1,  2-1   and  23 

mining  comtany  —  iiiamond  —  Wilmington  in   Greenfield  Township,  from   where  it   extends 

coal  mining  and  manufacturing  company —  into    Kankakee    County.      The   quality    is    much 

carlon     hill — rig     four     Wilmington     coal  inferior  to  No.  2  seam,  and  was  mined   in   the 

company  —  south    wiemixgton  —  CHICAGO,  Clark    City,    Shaft    No.    2.    and    on    the    Savage 

Wilmington  and  vermilion  coal  company-.  farm  known  ;is  the  Clark  shaft,  and  also  at  the 

Wilson  shaft  just   north  of  the  Clark  shaft. 

(By  T.  S.  Cumming)  The   No.   2   seam   has   been    worked   very   cx- 


CHAPTER    XXII 


"     '       ■  •      ■ " 


L  t.-.    - 


■   . 


. 


:jg*e**m****a —  -»~ — -. 


■ *-~r   t»     ...  -  — - 


t 


X' 


. 


-    ■ 

1 

L.^*1\X.     ... 


i! 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY.  691 

tensively  at  Braceville,  Coal  City.  Carbon  Hill.  net  obtained   water  from   that  shaft,  as  when 

Godly,    Gardner.    Smith    Wilmington    and    Dia-  the    water   sank    in    the   shaft,    it   also   sank    in 

mond,  and  at  Morris  for  the  local  trade  by  gin  the  wells.     Without  doubt  the  gravel  bed  of  the 

shafts.      The    first    mining    of    coal    in    Grundy  shaft  was  at  one  time  the  channel  of  an  under- 

County  was  done  at    Morris   in   the  early  '50s,  ground   lake. 

or  perhaps  still  earlier,  where  No.  _  coal  lies  Brack ville. — The  first  shaft  sunk  at  Brace- 
very  near  the  surface,  si.  near,  in  fact,  that  ville  was  known  as  the  Cotton  Shaft,  but  it  was 
quite  a  little  was  obtained  by  stripping  the  only  operated  a  short  time.  About  1SG4,  a 
surface  off  the  coal.  Xo.  2  coal  is  the  best  steam  Mr.  Augustine  of  Braceville  Township  opened 
and  household  coal  in  the  state  and  possesses  a  shaft,  hut  as  his  means  were  limited,  his 
from  eleven  thousand  five  hundred  to  twelve  operations  were  not  long  lived,  and  he  sold  to 
thousand  P..  T.  U.  pei  pound.  the    Bruce   Company,    and    the   shaft    was   then 

Gardner. — As  early  as  ]st;-j  the  people  of  known  as  Old  Xo.  1.  The  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul 
Gardner  awakened  to  the  fact  that  there  was  Railroad  bought  this  old  Bruce  or  No.  1  mine 
untold  wealth  in  the  coal  deposits  of  their  land,  and  extensive  coal  lands,  and  produced  a  good 
and  on  December  1,  1SG3,  James  Congson  and  grade  of  coal.  This  old  mine  is  now  closed. 
William  II.  Odell  leased  from  II.  A.  Gardner,  J.  Barney  fliggins  opened  a  shaft  at  Braceville, 
C.  Spencer,  .T.  R.  Reese,  T.  C.  Meyer  and  C.  II.  hut  did  little  work,  and  it  is  now  closed.  Fred 
Could,  Blocks  1,  2,  :;.  4.  5,  G,  7,  S.  9,  10,  11.  12  Schultz  stmk  and  operated  for  a  short  time 
and  25,  and  also  Lots  1.  2.  '.),  I,  5,  G,  7.  s  and  '.»,  Shaft  Xo.  2  of  Braceville.  This  mine  made  a 
in  Block  2G.  for  mining  purposes.  These  part-  record  for  producing  the  greatest  amount  of  coal 
ners,  according  to  the  terms  of  the  lease,  were  of  any  shaft  in  the  county,  its  output  being 
to  have  what  coal  they  could  mine  during  the  over  two  million  tons,  or  over  five  thousand  tons 
first  seven  years  free,  alter  which  a  royalty  of  to  the  acre.  The  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  road 
(i  cents  per  ton  was  to  be  paid.  The  sum  of  gained  possession  of  this  mine,  and  owned  four 
$2,000  was  raised  by  the  people  of  Gardner  to  others.  None  of  these  are  now  in  operation, 
induce  work  on  the  beds.  During  the  early  part  Coal  City. — The  activities  at  Coai  City  were 
of  January,  1SG4,  work  was  begun  on  sinking  once  very  important,  and  at  one  time  nine  mines 
a  shaft,  but  after  a  depth  of  sixly  feet  was  were  in  operation.  The  Wilmington  Star  Min- 
reached,  it  was  abandoned  as  the  sides  caved  in,  ing  Company,  formerly  the  Wilmington  Coal 
and  another  shaft  was  begun.  Mr.  Congdon  be-  Company,  and  the  Big  Four  Wilmington  Coal 
came  discouraged  and  sold  to  his  partner  prior  Company  are  the  only  ones  now  doing  any  work. 
to  reaching  coal  in  the  fall  of  1SG4.  On  July  The  Wilmington  Star  Mining  Company  at  one 
1.  of  the  following  year,  Mr.  Odell  sold  to  time  owned  and  operated  seven  shafts,  the  last 
William  A.  Steel  and  Thomas  Kerr,  and  in  a  named  now  being  the  only  one  tbat  is  not  closed, 
few  months  the  former  disposed  of  half  of  his  When  these  shafts  were  all  being  worked,  em- 
interest  to  D.  G.  Wells.  The  three  partners  sold  ployment  was  given  to  from  six  hundred  to 
to  Aaron  K.  .Stiles  in  January.  18G7,  and  he  in  seven  hundred  men.  This  company's  Shaft  Xo. 
turn  sold  to  the  Gardner  Coal  Company.  April  -I  had  the  record  of  producing  more  coal  per 
17,  1S72.  Not  long  thereafter  the  Chicago,  Wil-  day  than  any  other  in  the  Illinois  coal  field,  or 
mington  and  Vermilion  Coal  Company  obtained  of  any  other  three-foot  vein  mine  that  I  know 
possession  of  the  mine  and  operated  it  until  anything  about.  Its  daily  Output  for  a  long 
1S74,  when  they  leased  it  to  a  co-operative  com-  time  was  2,151  tons  of  lump  coal,  slack  and 
pany.  This  concern  only  operated  it  for  n  short  screenings, 
time,  when  the  mine  was  closed.  Diamond. — At  one  time  t lie  Wilmington  Coal 

In  1865  the  Joint  Stock  Coal  Mining  Company  Mining  and  Manufacturing  Company  owned  and 

was  organized  at  Gardner  and  in  June  of  that  operated  at   Diamond,   but    the  terrible  accident 

year  work  was  begun  on  sinking  a  shaft  a  little  there  in  1SG0  or  1S70,  when  the  mine  was  flooded, 

southwest   of   the   town,    but    when    a    depth    of  put  an  end   to  their  work   in  that   field. 

from  forty  to  fifty  feet  was  reached,  water  was  Carbon    Hill. — The    mining    at    Carbon    j 1 1 1 1 

encountered,    and    the    mine    abandoned.      Pater  was    done    by    the    Big    Four    Wilmington    Coal 

this  mine  was  used  as  a  well  to  supply  railroad  Company,  but-the  field  is  now  abandoned. 

engines  with  water  for  a  number  of  years.     It  South  Wilmington. — The  Chicago,  Wilining- 

is  believed  that  a  number  of  the  wells  at  Gard-  ton  and  Vermilion   Coal   Company   began   work 


692  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

on  their  Shaft  No.  1  about  1899.  Two  more  the  state.  The  prairie  rolls  gently  and  originally 
shafts  vyere  sunk,  but  t'.ioir  No.  '.',  is  the  only  was  fringed  with  tine  timber  along  the  Aux 
one  now  operated.  Sable  Creek  and  the  Illinois  River,  but,  unfortu- 

The  reason  for  the  closing  of  so  many  of  the  nately,  the  greater  portion  of  these  mighty 
mines  lies  in  the  fact  that  it  is  impossible  for  forest  trees  fell  before  the  energy  of  the  early 
the  companies  to  compete  with  mine  owners  settlers,  who  then  appreciated  but  little  the 
elsewhere.  The  seam  is  not  of  sufficient  thick-  value  of  their  timber,  and  did  not  understand 
ness  to' justify  the  installation  of  mining  ma-  conservation  of  natural  resources.  On  the  east 
chinery,  and  the  production  of  the  coal  by  hand  there  is  a  natural  watershed,  as  the  ground 
is  too  expensive  an  operation  to  permit  of  its  rises  to  a  considerable  height,  and  the  drainage 
being  marketed  at  the  figures  quoted  by  coal  is  consequently  in  an  easterly  and  westerly 
operators  elsewhere.  The  coal  still  remains,  but  direction  from  this  line.  This  eminence  con- 
witli  the  exception  of  the  few  shafts  mentioned  tinues  to  the  river,  and  from  its  hank  a  mag- 
above,  all  that  remains  to  remind  the  traveler  nifk'cnt  view  is  obtained  of  the  .surrounding 
in  Grundy  County  of  one  of  this  section's  most       country   for   many   miles. 

important  industries,  are  the  unsightly  piles  of  The  soil  is  mixed  with  sand,  with  a  clay  sub- 

shale,  and  the  depressions  in  the  surrounding  stratum,  while  the  swamp  land  had  a  black  soil, 
fields  which  mark  the  position  of  the  funnels.  which  now  that  it  is  drained  cannot  be  excelled 
These  mounds  will  doubtless  soon  disappear,  for  for  fertility.  As  the  land  is  well  adapted  for 
experiments  have  proven  that  this  shale  when  grazing  purposes,  many  of  the  agriculturalists 
mixed  with  other  substances  makes  excellent  devote  their  attention  to  stock  raising,  and  some 
tire  tile,  and  thus  a  new  industry  may  spring  up.       of   the   finest    specimens   of   high   grade  animals 

are  produced   on   Aux    Sable  farms. 
Owing   to    its   many    advantages,    Aux    Sable 

Township  was  a  favorite  hunting  ground  of  the 
CHAPTER  XXIII  Pottawatomies,  who  annually  camped  here,  while 

while    hunters    did    not    pass    this    section    over 
carelessly.     For  many  years,  before  the  idea   of 

settlement  was  seriously  considered,  both  white 
AUX  SABLE  TOWNSHIP  AND  VILLAGES  and  red  men  pursued  the  wild  game  with  profit, 

and  one  who  gained  considerable  renown  as  a 
■ ■  woodsman    in    this    region    was    a    man    named 

Marquis,    who   lived   at    times    at    the   month    of 
beauty     of    scenery — son, — stock     raising     a  ■    the  Mazon,  and  again  camped  during  the  sum- 
pkofitable    INDUSTRY — a    favorite     hunting       mer  at  the  mouth  of  the  Aux  Sable  Creek. 

GROUND     OF     TIIK     INDIANS — VISITED     BY     WHITE 

HUNTERS  AND  TRAPPERS — FIIiST  PERMANENT  SET-  FIRST  PERMANENT  SETTLERS 

TLEKS — FIRST  STAGE  LINE — MORE  EARLY  SET- 
TLERS— first  physicians — wiLD  bees  sought  Aux  Sable  Township  found  favor  with  the 
and  domesticated — Dresden  past  and  present  early  settlers  who  were  looking  for  a  locality 
— dam  at  Dresden  heights — minooka — early  whore  good  land  carried  with  it  the  two  neoes- 
business  enterprises  —  incorporation  —  loss  sary  requisites  of  that  early  day,  wood  and 
by  fire — rRESE.NT  business  men  and  FIRMS —  water.  Perhaps  the  first  actual  settler  of  this 
population  —  churches  —  cemeteries — first  locality  was  Salmon  Rutherford,  who  came  here 
rchoolhouse — fratehnities — a  viktuous  and  in  May,  1833,  taking  up  a  farm  mi  Section  20. 
contented  people — ROARD  OF  surERVisop.s.                 Owing  to  his  energy   and  progressive  spirit,  he 

later  became  a   leader  in  township  affairs,     lie 
(By  D.  A.  Henneberry)  built  the  first   inn,   naming  his  settlement  Dres- 

den, and  from  it  a  stai'e  line  was  run,  but  when 
reauty  of  scenery  the  railroads  made  the  use  of  the  stage  line  un- 

necessary,  the   importance  of   the  hotel   dimin- 
Of  all  the  townships  of  Grundy  County,  Aux       ished.      Shortly    after    Mr.    Rutherford    located 
Sable  possesses  the  most  natural  beauty,  for  its       here,    Henry    Cryder,    Zach    Walley    and    X.    II. 
scenery  is  unsurpassed  by  any  in  this  portion  of      Tabler    arrived    from    Delaware    County,    Ohio. 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY.  693 

The   three   families   wintered   in   a    rude  shack  but  in  1S35  or  183G,  a  log  mill  was  erected  on 

tlie   men   erected    from   logs   they   hewed    them-  the  Desplaiues  River,  near  Chaunahon. 

selves,    but    later    separate   cabins    were    built. 

John   Beard   was   another   settler  of   1S33,   and  Dresden 

he  took  up  land  in  Section  30. 

Another  early  settle]-  was  W.  II.  Perkins,  who  A  little  village  grew  up  about  the  inn,  before 
first  came  merely  to  view  the  land,  later  return-  mentioned,  established  by  Salmon  Rutherford, 
ing  to  Chicago,  accompanied  by  Levi  Hills,  The  first  stage  line  from  there  was  one  that  was 
arriving  there  September  23,  1S33.  When  they  operated  in  opposition  to  the  established  Frink 
reached  Chicago  they  discovered  that  5,000  In-  &  Walker's  line.  Dresden  flourished  for  a  time 
dians  were  camped  there.  It  might  he  sup-  and  became  important  enough  to  he  made  a 
posed  that  this  fact  would  have  discouraged  the  postoflice.  However,  with  the  building  of  the 
would-be  settlers,  but  it  does  not  seem  to  have  Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal  began  the  deprecia- 
bad  any  material  effect  upon  their  plans.  These  tion  of  Dresden,  and  the  construction  of  the  rail- 
men,  joined  by  James  H.  Collins  and  a  Mr.  Snell,  roads  completed  its  abandonment.  A  bright 
later  went  to  Kendall  County,  but  in  1S35,  hav-  future,  however,  is  in  store  for  this  one  time 
ing  married  in  the  meanwhile.  Mr.  Perkins  re-  center  of  activity.  For  many  years  a  movement 
turned  to  Grundy  County  and  secured  a  quarter  has  been  on  foot  to  erect  a  dam  at  Dresden 
section  of  Section  S,  Anx  Sable  Township,  on  Heights,  the  old  site  of  Dresden,  which  lies  at 
which  he  settled.  the  confluence  of  the  Desplaiues  and  Kankakee 
Rodney  House  arrived  in  the  spring  of  1S34,  rivers,  the  beginning  of  the  Illinois  River.  This 
locating  on  Section  !».  and  slill  survives  and  dam,  according  to  the  proposed  plans  and  speci- 
makes  his  home  at  Joliet.  The  year  1S34  also  fications,  is  to  be  four  miles  wide,  twenty-three 
brought  three  brothers  by  the  name  of  McElroy,  feet  deep,  with  a  system  of  looks  that  will  be 
who  located  on  Section  30,  and  in  the  same  year  sufficient  to  supply  the  channel  of  the  deep 
D.  M.  Thomas  and  Leander  Goss  came.  William  waterway  if  it  is  erected.  To  provide  sufficient 
Lewis  and  a  brother  arrived  soon  after  Mr.  funds  to  carry  out  this  project,  an  amendment 
Thomas,  the  former  being  a  physician,  the  to  the  Constitution  of  Illinois  was  submitted 
first  to  locate  in  the  township.  Another  by  the  General  Assembly  by  unanimous  vote  in 
physician.  Dr.  I.  W.  Rutherford,  came  here  in  each  house,  to  the  voters  of  the  state,  on 
1835,  settling  on  Section  L'li.  Samuel  Randall  October  10,  1907,  and  was  accepted  by  the  people 
was  still  another  early  settler  and  married  after  at  the  general  election  in  November  of  the  fol- 
his  arrival.  Thomas  Carroll  arrived  about  1S36,  lowing  year.  This  project  included  a  waterway 
attracted,  as  were  many  others,  by  the  prospect  from  the  end  of  the  present  drainage  canal  at 
of  securing  the  rich  lands  along  the  Anx  Sable  Lockport,  Illinois,  to  Utica,  Illinois,  which  is 
and  other  streams.  located  on  the  Illinois  River.  It  provided  for 
The  pioneers  of  Aux  Sable  Township  found  an  issue  of  $20,000,000  in  bonds.  This  project 
that  it  was  easy  to  domesticate  the  wild  bees  was  passed  by  the  General  Assembly  under  an 
which  were  found  in  countless  numbers,  and  Act  of  June  10,  PHI.  Immediate  work  on  the 
one  of  the  sports  of  those  early  days  was  bee  dam  is  rendered  impossible  owing  to  complica- 
hunting,  and  dogs  were  trained  to  aid  in  the  tion  arising  from  the  fact  that  a  private  eorpo- 
sport.  A  man  who  could  successfully  locate  the  ration,  known  as  (he  Economy  Light  and  Power 
bee  trees  was  supposed  to  possess  a  kind  of  Company,  has  already  done  considerable  con- 
mystic  influence,  and  one  who  gained  local  dis-  struction  work  in  throwing  a  dam  across  the 
tinction  here  was  David  Bunch.  The  wild  honey  stmuu  at  the  point  selected  by  the  state,  and 
furnished  the  pioneer's  table  with  a  sweet,  and  the  C,laims  of  tMs  conce™  wiU  havo  to  ,,e  settled 

the  bees  were  afterward  confined  in  homemade  ^  tt?  C°Ul'tS  ,,"!u,v  auy  l)r°Srcss  ^.madc  by 
.  .  ,  ,  .  ,  the  state.  With  the  construction  of  this  pro- 
hives,  and  encouraged   to  produce  honev  under  ,    ,            .,,                 ,n    , 

■     .  .                                                            •  posed  dam  will  come  added  prosperity  and   im- 

supervision.      Honey   was   also   used    to   make   a  I>ortalK.e   t„   Aux    &lb]e    Townshil,    aud    f;nmdv 

fermented    drink    called    metbeglin,    which    was  County     Dlu.ing  the  summer  of  1014,  the  Rivers 

thought    by   many,   better   than   cider.     The   pio-  and    Fakes   Commission,   with    Governor   Dunne, 

neers  of  Aux   Sable  were,  at  first,   forced  to  go  lnade   ;l    trlp  '0V<H.   lll(.    ,,„,,„,.„]    waterway,    hy 

to  Reed's  Grove  for  the  grinding  of  their  grain,  way    of    the    Illinois   and    Michigan    Canal!    anil 


694  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

were  favorably  impressed  with  the  possibilities  moving  picture  theater,  known  as  the  Electric 

of  such  a  route.  Theater;   L.   A.   Ward,  confectioner,   and   C.  E. 

Davis,  dealer  in  coal  and  wood.    The  population 

minooka  is  COO.     The  better  (lass  of  people  in   Minooka 

are  very   proud  of  the  fact    that   in   the  spring 

Another  early  village  in  Aux  Sable  Township,  election  of  1914,  the  village  wen!  dry  by  a  hand- 
Miuouka,  was  laid  out  in  1SD12  by  Ransom  some  majority,  and  the  former  saloons  now  dis- 
Gardner,  for  whom  Gardner,  in  Garfield  Town-  pense  nothing  but  "soft"  drinks.  In  190G  the 
ship,  is  named.  Mr.  Gardner  owned  D00  acres  of  waterworks  were  built  at  a  cost  of  $11,000.  and 
land,  and  platted  part  of  il  as  the  Village  of  an  equipment  for  the  lire  department,  costing 
Minooka,  1ml  there  was  but  small  growth  until  about  five  hundred  dollars,  was  provided.  This 
1S5S,  although  as  early  as  lSoo,  Christopher  is  manned  by  a  volunteer  company  of  twenty- 
Tucker  had  established  a  general  store,  lie  left,  men.  The  postmaster  at  Minooka  is  C.  A.  Trow- 
however,  in  the  following  year,  having  failed  in  bridge,  and  he  has  four  rural  rentes  from  his 
bis  enterprise.  As  the  people  at  this  time  in  office.  While  il  is  essentially  an  agricultural 
Aux  Sable  bad  to  go  to  Channahon  for  their  region,  Aux  Sable  Township  furnishes  Mi- 
necessaries,  they  were  glad  to  join  in  and  help  nooka  an  excellent  trade,  and  ships  from  it 
-Joseph  Lewis  when  he  rented  the  store  of  over  the  C.,  II.  I.  .V  I'.  Railroad.  ]•;.  .1.  &  K. 
Tucker  in  1S5G.  In  the  spring  of  the  following  Railroad  and  the  interurban  road.  The  farm- 
year  Leander  Smith  came  to  Minooka  and  ers  recognize  the  lad  that  they  can  have  at 
started  bis  general  store,  in  1S5S  C.  V.  llamil-  Minooka  transportation  and  elevator  facilities 
ton  built  a  number  of  business  houses  and  a  that  make  it  profitable  for  (hem  to  bring  in 
hotel,  naming  it  for  himself,  but  later  Jt  was  their  produce, 
called  the  Shiek  Hotel. 

In  1S58,  also,  Gardner  &  Ileiner  built  a  grist-  churches 
mill.     This  much  needed  mill  was  destroyed  by 

fire  in  1SGG,  ami  was  replaced  later  on  by  an  The  Catholic  Church  of  St.  Mary's,  which  is 
elevator.  The  first  elevator,  however,  was  built  very  strong  in  numbers  and  influence,  was  or- 
in  1808  by  Knapp  &  Griswold,  but  it  was  burned.  ganized  at  Dresden  at  an  early  day  to  accom- 
It  was  rebuilt  upon  a  much  larger  scale,  only  modate  the  people  of  the  surrounding  district, 
to  be  again  destroyed  by  lire.  In  190S  a  now  many  of  whom  were  of  Irish  birth  or  extrac- 
elevator  was  built.  Mrs.  Knapp  survived  her  Hon.  In  1SG2  the  church  was  moved  to  Mi- 
husband,  living  to  an  advanced  age.  dying  within  nooka.  The  Comerfords,  Kinsellars  and  George 
recent  years.  A  lumber  yard  was  established  T.  Smith  were  among  Hie  early  leaders  in  the 
about  1S68,  and  in  connection  with  it.  a  planing  parish.  This  church  is  written  up  at  length 
mill  was  built,  and  a  hay  press  was  also  put  up.  under    the    chapter    on     Catholic    Churches     of 

Grundy  County. 

incorporation  The  First  Methodist  Church  came  into  being 

in   1856,   when   nineteen    members  organized   it. 

On    December    14.    1SG9,    the    village    was    in-  Among  these  early  members  were :     .I.C.Smith, 

corporated,  and  in  the  following  year  it  suffered  Henry     Pendleton,     S.     and     A.     C.     Worthing, 

severely  from   fire,   but    when   rebuilt,   presented  Michael    Ketcham    and    their    wives.     The    Rev. 

a    much    better   appearance   and    lias   continued  t.    L.   Olmsted    preached    to   them   in    the   store 

to   progress   in    every    way.      In    1014    the    busi-  owned   by   a   Mr.   Ferguson.     Rater  on   meetings 

ness   houses   of    Minooka    were:      The   Farmers  were  held   in   the  schoolhouse,   until   the  church 

First  National  Bank,  the  only  institution  of  its  edifice  was  erected.    A  Sunday  school  was  estab- 

kiml  in  the  state,   if  not  in  the  county,  to  bear  lished   early  in  the  history  of  the  church.     The 

this  name;  the  Minooka  Lumber  &  Shingle  Co. ;  present    pastor    is    ll.    A.    Snyder,    and    sixty 

Kaffer  Bros,  hardware  store,   established   many  families     attend     service.       Another     Methodist 

years  ago  by  the  father,  Martin  Kaffer;  Henne-  Church,    known    as    the    Aux    Sable    Methodist 

berry    Bros.,    general    store    and    stock;    J.    J.  Church    was    organized    under    Hie    Rev.    John 

Brickeroff,  druggist;  W.  A.  Clerk,  general  store;  Devore  at  Hie  home  of  Henry  Cry  dor.     In  1S7S 

Dr.  .1.  J.  Cody,   physician;  J.   A.   Soergel,   hard-  a  wooden  church   edifice  was  built   through   the 

ware  merchant;  G.  A.  Jacobs,  proprietor  of  the  action  of  the  early  members,  among  whom  were 


(&<&**/<       "^7  j£<riZ&>^*<> 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


G95 


Henry  Cryder,  Z.  Walley  and  wives,  John  Craig 
and  1  >.  M.  Thomas.  The  members  of  this 
organization  now  are  under  the  ministrations  of 
the  Reverend  Snyder. 

There  are  two  cemeteries  in  An.\  Sable,  in 
addition  to  early  private  burial  grounds,  namely: 
The  Catholic  Cemetery,  which  is  treated  of  in 
another  chapter,  and  the  Aux  Sable  Cemetery. 

In  1837  the  first  sehoolhouse  was  built  on 
Section  8,  through  the  instrumentality  of  Henry 
Cryder,  with  Miss  Ashley  as  the  first  teacher. 
About  ten  years  later,  a  second  building  was 
erected,  and  also  served  as  a  church  as  well. 
The  present  school  has  ten  grades,  and  .Miss 
Leone  Brown  is  in  charge. 

The  Masonic  order  was  established  at  Minoolca 
in  1SC7  when  Minooka  Lodge,  No.  52S,  was 
organized,  it  receiving  its  charter  in  1SGS.  The 
charier  members  were:  G.  Dahlem,  A.  K. 
Knapp,  G.  C.  Griswold,  John  T.  Van  Dolfson,  G. 
S.  Correll,  Samuel  Adams.  \V.  H.  Smith,  E.  YV. 
Weeso,  Jacob  Gedleman,  .1.  E.  Met  Mure.  C.  V. 
Hamilton.  John  Colleps,  1'haley  Gedleman  and 
W.  A.  Jordon.  Other  fraternal  organizations 
are:  The  Modern  Woodmen  of  America, 
Knights  ol'  Pythias,  and  Eastern  Star. 

No  notorious  crimes  stain  the  records  of  Aux 
Sable  Township,  for  its  people  are  quiet,  in- 
dustrious and  temperate,  going  along  their  way, 
content  to  earn  honestly  what  they  possess,  and 
as  nearly  all  are  connected  with  one  or  other 
of  the  churches,  their  religion  has  taught  them 
to  subdue  any  evil  tendencies  they  may  have 
ever  had  with  very  noticeable  results.  The  Vil- 
lage of  Minooka  is  normally  strongly  republican 
in  national  and  state  matters,  although  the  elec- 
tion of  1914  put  democrats  in  office. 


SUPERVISORS 

The  men  who  have  represented  Aux  Sable 
on  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Grundy  County 
have  been:  Jas.  Kinsley,  1S50-1S57 ;  William 
Walters,  ISoS;  Samuel  Randall.  1859;  James 
Kinsley,  18G0;  John  Brow,  18G1  ;  Michael 
Kinsley,  1SG2-18GG ;  Leander  Smith.  1SG7-1SGS; 
George  Collins,  1SG9 ;  A.  R.  Knapp,  1S70-1S71; 
Michael  II.  Cryder,  1872;  William  Walters, 
1873;  Fletcher  Hirst,  1S74-1SS1;  Peter  II.  Bris- 
coe, 18S2-1S95;  Fletcher  Dirst.  1S9G-1901  ;  Daniel 
R.  Hall,  1902-1007;  D.  A.  Henneberry,  190S-1909; 
II.  P.  Dwyer,  1910-1  OIL 


CHAPTER   XXIV 


BRAOEVILLE  TOWNSHIP  AND  VILLAGES 


ORIGINAL  BOUNDARIES — DISCOVERY  OF  COAL — FIRST 
SETTLERS — WEST  COLONY — OTHER  EARLY  ARRIV- 
ALS — NAMING  TIIF.  TOWNSHIP — FIISST  FRAME 
HOUSE— COAL      CITY — LAID     OUT     IN      1S75 — TWO 

COAL       COMPANIES       OPERATING  —  POPULATION 

LEADING  CITIZENS — A  PROSPERING  ENTERPRISE — 
PUBLIC  IMPROVEMENTS — HOTELS — RAILROADS — 
CHURCHES — FRATERNAL    ORGANIZATIONS — BRACE- 

VILLE OTHER      ONCE      FLOURISHING      YILLACES — 

BOARD  OF  SUPERVISORS. 

(By  Dr.  C.  E.  Gumming) 

ORICINAL   BOUNDARIES 

Braceville  Township  originally  included  the 
land  lying  east  of  Mazon  Township  to  the  county 
boundary  line,  and  north  to  Goose  Lake  Town- 
ship, but  in  a  later  day.  the  western  portion  of 
it  was  formed  into  what  is  now  Maine  Town- 
ship. The  discovery  of  coal  and  the  subsequent 
opening  up  of  some  veins  formed  an  important 
feature  of  the  early  history  of  this  locality. 

FIRST  SETTLER 

The  first  settler  of  Braceville  Township  was 
Rev.  L.  S.  Robbins,  a  Methodist  preacher,  who 
settled  at  Sulphur  Springs  in  1S34,  although  he 
had  obtained  his  land  in  1833.  He  had  a  large 
family  of  sons  who  also  remained  in  the  town- 
ship for  a  time,  then  left,  establishing  them- 
selves in  other  sections.  In  1S:'><>,  West  Colony 
was  formed  and  some  land  developed,  hut  why 
it  was  so  named,  or  what  was  the  reason  for 
these  settlers  thus  styling  themselves,  remained 
a  secret  from  the  beginning. 

OTHER  EARLY  ARRIVALS       - 

John  Cragg  came  to  Braceville  in  1S34-5,  and 
continued  to  make  this  his  home  until  his  death. 
In  the  little  log  cabin  he  erected,  he  kept  the 
first,  tavern  .of  this  pioneer  district,  although 
those  stopping  with  him  were  treated  as  mem- 
bers of  the  family,  and   not  as  paying  guests. 


696  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

John  Kerns  arrived  in  1S4C,  as  did  E.  R.  Booth.  those  in  localities  where  mechanical  means  could 

The  year  1848  brought    r..   R.  Dowd,   who  was  be  used. 

the  first  supervisor  from  the  township,  and  had  Coal  City  lias  among  its  2, 500  population  the 
the  honor  of  naming  it.  Having  lived  at  Brace-  following  business  houses  and  professional  men: 
ville,  Ohio,  he  called  his  new  home  after  the  old  The  Anderson  Lumber  Company,  Peter  Baudino, 
one.  This  has  often  occurred  in  the  history  of  buffet;  Charles  Boggio,  general  store;  F.  L. 
new  regions.  The  homesick  pioneer  yearns  for  Boner,  livery  and  undertaking;  Martin  Borello, 
the  old  associations  and  connections,  and  feels  buffet;  Anton  Bruno,  groceries;  William  Camp- 
so  tenderly  towards  them  that  he  naturally  bell,  banker;  Thomas  Campbell,  coal  dealer; 
wants  to  call  the  new  home  after  what  has  he-  Anton  Carosotti,  buffet;  Joseph  Chvatal,  meat 
come  so  dear  in  recollection.  Thomas  Martin  market;  Coal  City  Clothing  Company;  Coal 
and  Robert  Huston  arrived  in  1SJ9.  The  latter  City  Printing  Office;  Coalfield  Company  of  Coal 
had  a  soldier's  warrant  and  bought  land  on  the  City,  general  store;  Dr.  C.  Earl  dimming, 
prairie,  bringing  lumber  for  the  purpose  from  dentist;  John  Davito,  grocery;  Charles  Gioa- 
Chicago.  His  was  the  first  frame  house  erected  netti,  Italian  bakery;  Haeger  Brick  &  Tile  Co.: 
in  the  township.  Several  other  early  settlers  \Y.  E.  Hart,  physician;  /.  Kaplan,  dry  goods; 
were  B.  A.  Crisler  and  II.  Cassingham  and  their  Ant  Kauzlaric,  blacksmith;  Peter  Maddaleno, 
families.  -  general  merchandise;  Dr.  J.  C.  Major,  phy- 
sician; B.  ft.  Mill,  hardware  and  implements; 
COAL  city  O.  A.  Miller,  druggist  ;  John  Smith,  confection- 
ery and  ice  cream;  John  i'alvis.  buffet;   Anton 

Coal  City  is  the  leading  village  of  Braceville  Pastore,  buffet;  .loin,  Pavlis,  buffet;  Peter 
Township  and  at  one  time  had  what  was  thought  Piagno,  general  merchandise;  Giacomo  Savant, 
to  be  a  brilliant  future  before  it.  when  large  buffet;  Frank  Schmandle,  pianos  and  sewing 
coal  interests  centered  here,  and  thousands  of  machines;  James  Smolik,  buffet;  Dr.  F.  A. 
tons  of  coal  were  shipped  to  distant  markets.  Stockdale,  physician;  .lames  Swart!!,  buffet; 
Even  now,  with  but  two  coal  companies  work-  Thorn  Hardware  Company;  Benjamin  Trotter, 
ing,  the  village  is  a  nourishing  one.  with  some  general  merchandise;  John  Trotter,  meat  mar- 
live,  progressive  men  forwarding  its  interests,  ket ;  John  Trotter  &  Sons,  elevator;  Robert 
and  through  their  efforts  there  is  every  prospect  Trotter,  general  merchandise;  Anton  Turhliatto, 
of  the  place  eventually  being  developed  into  one  general  merchandise;  Joseph  Turgliatto,  gro- 
of  the  manufacturing  centers  of  the  county.  ceries;  Charles  Valerie,  representative  Pabst 
With  the  magnificent  transportation  facilities  Brewing  Company ;  Louis  Veronda,  buffet;  John 
here  offered,  the  place  is  an  ideal  one  for  nianu-  Vidano,  general  merchandise;  Wilmington 
facturing  plants,  and  negotiations  are  being  Foundry  and  Machinery  Co.,  and  Wilmington 
carried  on  with  several  concerns  by  the  Com-  Star  Mining  Co. 
mereial  Club  of  Coal   City,  with  the  purpose  of 

coming  to  a  satisfactory  arrangement  that  will  a  prospering  enterprise 
bring    outside    capital    and    machinery    into    the 

village.      ■                                                                 '  It  was  through    the   efforts   of  the  Coal    City 

Coal   City   was  laid   out   in    ISTu   by   the   Wil-  Commercial   Club,   which   has   been   in  existence 

mington  Coal   Company,  which,  under  the  pros-  about    foui"  J'ears-    tll:,t    tlle   <;,,:'1    citJ"   Clothing 

cut  name  of  the  Wilmington  Star  Mining  Com-  Factory  was  established  at  Coal  City  by  Sears, 

pany,  G.   W.   Buchanan,   president,  continues  to  Roebuck   &   Co..   of  Chicago.     This   factory   has 

operate  at  this  point.     The  other  company  still  given    euH'loymeut    to    350    of    the    Coal    City 

operating    is    the    Rig    Four    Wilmington    Coal  ^ople'   &ml   is   ''"   :l    ver>"    n","'i^li"~  condition. 

The  original  number  employed  was  100.  so  that 


the  increase  indicates  sound  business  conditions. 


Pri'.l.H     IMl'KOVKMI.NT.S 


Company,  of  which  II.  X.  Taylor  is  president. 
In  1905  nine  mines  were  being  worked,  but  it 
was  discovered  that  while  the  coal  here  was 
of  excellent  quality,  the  vein  was  not  of  suf- 
ficient thickness  to  pay  for  the  installation  of  T)l0  fil-0  department  owns  an  equipment 
machinery,  and  hand  work  was  too  costly  for  valued  at  $2,500,  and  the  water  supply  is  ob- 
tlie  mine  owners  to  enter  into  opposition   with       tained  from  a  well  dug  about  twenty-two  years 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


007 


■Ago.  There  are  about  five  miles  of  concrete 
walks  in  the  city,  and  further  improvements  are 
in  contemplation.  Electric  light  is  obtained 
from  the  Public  Service  Company,  according  to 
the  same  plan  followed  by  Morris,  Mazon,  Gard- 
ner and  other  villages  in  the  county. 

For  sixteen  years  Hugh  Bennett  served  Coal 
City  as  postmaster,  but  with  the  change  in  ad- 
ministration, a  Democrat  was  appointed,  and 
William  Baskerville  is  the  present  incumbent 
of  the  office.  There  is  one  rural  route  from  the 
Coal  City  office.  Coal  City  has  two  hotels,  the 
Coalfield  Hotel,  which  is  operated  by  the  Coal- 
field Company,  and  the  McKinley  House,  of 
which  Frederick  Hintze  is  proprietor. 

The  Atchison,  Topeka  &  Santa  Fe  Railroad, 
the  Chicago  &  Alton,  the  Elgin,  and  Joliet  & 
Eastern  Railroad  all  center  here,  making  it, 
as  before  stated,  one  of  the  best  centers  with 
regard  to  transportation  facilities  iu  the  county. 

The  Roman  Catholic,  the  Presbyterian,  the 
Methodist,  and  the  German  Lutheran  churches, 
and  the  German  Brethren  congregation,  and 
several  other  religious  denominations,  arc  rep- 
resented at  Coal  City.  The  population  is  largely 
Italian  and  Bohemian,  although  there  are  also 
a  number  of  English  and  Scotch  residents. 
When  the  mines  promised  continuous  work, 
miners  were  attracted  here  from  all  over  the 
world.  With  the  closing  of  the  mines,  many  left, 
but  those  who  remained  have  developed  into  ex- 
cellent workmen  along  other  lines,  and  arc  re- 
liable citizens. 

There  are  a  number  of  fraternities  repre- 
sented at  Coal  City,  including  Odd  Follows,  No. 
519;  Knights  of  Pythias.  Pythian  Sisters,  Mod- 
ern Woodmen,  Eastern  Star,  Owls,  Knights  of 
Columbus,  and  several  Italian  benefit  orders. 
A  number  of  these  societies  have  been  depleted 
in  membership  with  the  departure  from  Coal 
City  of  so  many  of  its  people,  but  interest  is 
manifested   by  those  who  remain. 

BRACEVILLE 

The  Village  of  Braceville  was  laid  out  by  X. 
Cotton  in  1SG1.  Those  residing  in  it  were  at 
one  time  largely  interested  in  the  coal  industry, 
but  in  later  years  they  have  turned  their  at- 
tention to  developing  of  enterprises  in  other 
directions.  Some  of  the  business  and  profes- 
sional men  of  Braceville  are:  Peoples  Bank  of 
Braceville;  D.  J.  F.  Carey,  physician;  Main- 
waring  &  Alexander,  general  merchandise;  Fred 


Malsky,  livery  and  feed  stable;  James  Mellisb, 
public  telephone;  John  A.  Protlit,  grocery.  The 
city  ball,  a  substantial  brick  building,  was 
erected   in  190S. 

The  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad  runs  through 
Braceville.  giving  it  an  excellent  market  for  its 
farm  products.  Many  of  the  best  residences, 
however,  have  been  moved  to  South  Wilmington 
and  other  points  since  the  closing  of  the  mines. 
With  the  opening  of  the  coal  mines,  a  number 
of  coal  villages  spmng  up,  among  them,  Dia- 
mond, situated  in  Braceville  Township,  which 
is  now  largely  utilized  for  farming  purposes. 
Central  City  was  another  one  of  these  settle- 
ments clustered  about  the  mines,  which  in 
popular  belief  were  to  bring  so  much  prosperity 
to  the  community.  At  present  there  are  but 
three  families  residing  at  Central  City. 

SUPERVISORS 

Those  who  have  served  Braceville  Township 
on  the  Board  of  Supervisors  have  been  as 
follows:  I).  It.  Daud.  1850 ;  John  Craig,  1S51- 
S3 ;  John  Augustine.  1S54-57;  Henry  Cassing- 
luiin,  1858-59;  John  Augustine,  1SG0-G1 ;  Henry 
Cassingham,  18C2;  E.  R.  Booth,  1SG3;  Henry 
Cassiugham.  1SG4;  Theodore  Hyatt,  1SG5;  r.  j. 
Cunningham.  1SGG-G7;  Henry  Cassiugham,  1SGS ; 
J.  F.  Augustine,  1SG9;  George  W.  Booth,  1870-77; 
G.  R.  Evans.  1S7S:  S.  F.  Dunleavy,  1879;  David 
Dunleavy,  1SS0 ;  John  T.  Dunleavy,  1SS1 ;  Elijah 
Cotton,  1S82;  John  Mathias,  1SS3-S4 ;  William 
J.  Malcomb,  1SS5-SS;  Eli  Stocker,  William  Mal- 
comb,  and  John  McKinley,  assistants,  1SS9 ;  Eli 
Stocker,  William  Malcomb,  and  A.  Constantine, 
assistants,  1S90;  Eli  Stocker  and  William  Mal- 
comb, assistants,  1S91  ;  Eli  Stocker  and  Ben 
Peterson,  assistants,  1S92-1S93 ;  Eli  Stocker  and 
John  Mathias-.  assistants.  1S04-1S05 ;  Eli  Stocker 
and  George  Bodgers.  assistants,  1S9G-1S97;  Eli 
Stocker  and  William  J.  Malcomb,  assistants, 
1S9S-1S09;  F.  W.  Francis  and  Arthur  Green, 
assistants,  1900-1901  ;  George  A.  Trotter  and 
Arthur  Green,  assistants,  1902-190.1;  Montgom- 
ery Sharp  and  Arthur  Green,  1901-1905;  Perci- 
val  Clark  and  Gustav  Swan,  assistants,  190G- 
1907;  Bert  Waters  and  J.  II.  Green,  assistants, 
190S-1909;  C.  G.  Anderson  and  J.  Willis,  assist- 
ants, 1910-1911;  John  A.  Bed  ami  Adam  Brook, 
assistants,  1912-191o;  John  A.  Red  and  Thomas 
Reed,  assistants,  1914. 


698 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


CHAPTEII    XXV 


ER I E  X  X  A   TO  \VX  SHIP 


WELL    WATERED  —  BOUNDARIES  —  COAL    DEPOSITS 

COKN    HEAVIEST   CHOP — STOCK — DAIRYING — EARLI- 
EST      .SETTLERS CASTLE       DANGER — STAGE       LINE 

STATION OTHER     E  VKLY     SETTLERS — PERMANENT 

LAND     OWNERS  —  HORROM      CITY  —  CLAKKSON 

STOCKDALE —  CEMETERIES  —  SCHOOLS  —  SUPER- 
VISORS. 


township,  iii  the  spring  of  1836,  and  founded 
what  was  known  as  Castle  Danger,  one  of  the 
very  firs!  hotels  of  this  region,  lie  also  kept, 
the  stage  line  station,  ami  the  stable  in  which 
he  housed  the  horses  stood  for  many  years,  al- 
though the  hotel  did  not  outlive  the  period  of 
its  usefulness.  Considerable  interest  has  been 
shown  in  trying  to  discover  the  reason  for  giv- 
ing the  hotel  that  name.  Some  hold  to  the 
theory  that  it  was  so  called  because  sonic  of 
the  prairie  bandits,  who  infested  the  region  in 
the  early  days,  found  here  a  safe  refuge,  but 
no  authentic  confirmation  of  this  can  be  gained. 

OTHER    EARLY     SETTLERS 


(By  S.  D.  Holderman) 

WELL    WATERED 

The  Illinois;  River  divides  Erienna  Township 
into  two  almost  equal  portions,  entering  some- 
what north  of  the  middle  point  of  the  eastern 
boundary,  and  flowing  to  the  southwest.  The 
township  is  Congressional  Township  •"..'!  North, 
Range  G  East  of  the  P.  M.  It  is  bounded  on 
the  north  by  Nettle  Creek  and  Saratoga  Town- 
ships, on  the  east  by  Morris  Township,  and  on 
the  south  by  Wauponsee  and  Norman  Town- 
ships. In  addition  to  the  Illinois  River,  Long 
Creek.  Xcttle  Creek  and  other  smaller  streams 
drain  it.  The  remainder  of  the  township,  aside 
from  the  high  plateau  in  the  northwest  which 
descends  abruptly  to  a  rich  alluvial  bottom,  is 
flat  with  sandy  soil,  underlaid  with  valuable 
coal  deposits.  "Walnut  and  other  natural  growth 
trees  are  still  to  be  found,  although  what  was 
once  heavy  timber  has  been  practically  cleared 
away.  Corn  is  the  heaviest  crop  raised,  al- 
though stock  is  also  produced,  and  some  of  the 
farmers  are  engaged  in  dairying. 

EARLIEST     SETTLERS 

One  of  the  earliqpt  settlers  in  Grundy  County 
was  Isaac  Iloge,  who  came  to  Erienna  Town- 
ship and  took  up  land  along  Nettle  Creek.  Prob- 
ably the  only  other  one  was  William  Marquis, 
who  preceded  him  by  a  short  time.  Finding  it 
possible  to  make  a  comfortable  home  here, 
Mr.  Iloge  married,  settled  on  his  first  selection 
of  land  and  later  bought  extensively,  becoming 
one  of  the  very  large  landowners  of  this  section. 

Columbus  Pinney  located  on  Section  12,  this 


O.  Cone  came  here  in  1S40,  making  the  trip 
by  wagon,  and  rented  land  from  Isaac  Iloge, 
but  later  bought  property  of  his  own  on  Section 
2.  The  year  ls-12  brought  Messrs.  Kennedy  and 
Hendricks,  who  came  with  the  idea  of  working 
on  the  canal,  but  they  were  so  pleased  with  the 
locality  that  they  settled  on  Section  7.  Abraham 
Holderman  arrived  in  ]<S4r>  or  1S46.  Charles 
Moody  came  in  184S,  becoming  one  of  the  early 
developers  of  the  township. 

PERMANENT  'LAND    OWNERS 

Among  those  who  have  owned  land  in  Erienna 
Township  at  a  later  dale,  the  families  of  many 
of  whom  still  retain  their  holdings,  were:  John 
Rooney,  Mrs.  Cecelia  Boyd,  Simon  O'Donnell, 
A.  II.  Holderman.  S.  1  >.  Holderman.  P.  McNeills, 
Dan  O'Connelly,  Jr.,  Nellie  Brady,  M.  E.  Holder- 
man,  Robert  Callaghan,  M.  Parry,  Aug.  Perrett, 
Joseph  Dawson,  M.  P..  Wilson,  William  llerlihy, 
M.  P.  Wilson,  E.  M.  Mulligan.  C.  E.  Hatcher. 
John  Connea.  J.  F.  Hatcher,  Joshua  Iloge.  Jr.. 
Mrs.  Patrick  Moran,  <i.  II.  Weitz.  Jr.,  James 
Reardon,  E.  A.  Peacock,  William  Reardon, 
George  Iloge,  Joshua  Iloge.  Jr..  James  Reardon, 
Ben  Jacobson,  John  TJnderhill,  Halver  Johnson. 
Nels  Nelson,  Hans  Sampon,  A.  D.  Walper,  C. 
E.  Munson,  Ole  N.  Xelson.  Albert  Iloge.  Alciuda 
Ridgeway,  Clara  Gore,  Knnte  Rasmunson,  Hal- 
ver Johnson,  O.  M.  Johnson,  John  More,  Morton 
Osmundson,  Pen  Benson,  J.  A.  Johnson.  Joseph 
Oswood,  Nels  Nelson,  Halver  Salverson,  James 
Ashtoii,  Lars  Thomson,  P.  S.  Stephen,  P.  Cakes, 
Thomas  Puck,  Ed  F.  Peterson,  Weir  Peterson, 
John  A.  Taylor,  Sampson  Everson,  M.  J.  Grar- 
ville,  J.  P.  McEvilly. 

Horrom  City  was  staked  out  in  1S3G  by  Doctor 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


G99 


Ilorrom,  for  whom  it  was  named.  It  existed 
chiefly  on  pai>ei'.  A  stage  line  which  lived  but 
a  short  time  pastil  near  it,  but  as  this  did  not 
pay,  the  place  was  really  nothing  but  a  name, 
and  except  in  records  of  this  name,  it  is  for- 
gotten. 

Clarkson  grew  up  about  Castle  Danger,  and 
it  was  hoped  by  its  projectors  that  it  might 
become  the  county  seat,  but  they  were  disap- 
pointed. During  the  time  that  work  was  done 
on  the  canal,  a  few  little  cabins  were  built 
here,  but  with  the  completion  of  that  work,  the 
people  drifted  away,  and  Clark  son  is  another 
village  that  lives  but  in  memory. 

STOCK  DALE 

Stockdale  is  a  station  in  Erieuna  Township 
on  thi'  Chicago.  Rock  Island  &  Pacific  Railroad. 
Although  it  practically  consists  of  nothing  but 
the  railroad  station  and  stock  sheds,  it  is  a 
place  of  great  importance.  Here  immense  con- 
signments of  cattle  and  sheep  from  western 
shippers  are  unloaded  and  Kept  until  sufficiently 
recovered  from  the  hardship  of  the  long  trip 
across  country,  and  restored  to  their  original 
weight  by  careful  feeding  and  watering.  From 
Stoekuale  these  consignments,  when  in  proper 
coudi.ion,  are  forwarded  to  the  Chicago  stock 
yard?. 

Two  cemeteries  are  found  in  this  township, 
one  on  Section  5,  known  as  Hatcher's  Cemetery, 
anci  the  other  known  as  lloge  Cemetery  which 
is  located  on  Section  7. 

The  schools  of  Erienua  are  conducted  under 
the  magnificent  system  that  prevails  throughout 
Grundy  County,  and  pupils  and  teachers  are 
united  in  their  efforts  to  bring  the  work  of  the 
township  up  to  standard  and  maintain  it  at  that 
high  point. 

SUPERVISORS 

The  men  who  have  served  as  supervisors  have 
been:  John  O'Briau,  IS.jO-2;  Abe  Holderman, 
1853-4;  A.  McMillan,  1855;  Daniel  O'Connell. 
185G;  William  West,  18." ;  A.  McMillan.  1%^- 
60;  Daniel  O'Connell.  1801-.".;  William  Riney, 
1SGC;  Daniel  O'Connell.  18(17;  Isaac  lloge,  1SGS- 
T0;  Daniel  O'Connell,  1871;  Isaac  lloge,  1872-3; 
Daniel  O'Connell,  LS74-0O;  Edwin  Hartley,  1S91- 
2;  M.  T.  Anderson.  1N!>:!-J  ;  Joseph  Dawson, 
1895-G;  S.  D.  Holderman.  1807-1014. 


CHAPTER  XXVI 


FELIX    TOWXSHIP    AND    VILLAGES 


NAME   SITUATION    —    SURFACE    DRAINAGE   — 

SOU. FLOODS — FIRST  DISCOVERER  OF  COAL — EAR- 
LIEST SETTLERS — OLDEST  RESIDENT — FIRST  DEATH 
— KIND  OFFICES  OF  SHABBONA OLD  SETTLE- 
MENTS— JUGTOWN — KANKAKEE  CITY — AN  AGRI- 
CULTURAL SECTION — THE  COAL  INDUSTRY — THE 
DIAMOND  MINE  DISASTER — SEVERE  HAILSTORM- 
DESTRUCTIVE  CYCLONE — SUPERVISORS. 


(By  George  P.  Miller) 


Felix  Township  was  given  the  Christian  name 
of  Felix  Grundy,  for  whom  the  county  was 
named.  This  township  lies  south  of  the  Illinois 
River,  with  Will  County  on  the  east,  Braceville 
Township  on  the  south,  and  the  Mazon  River 
and  Wauponsec  Township  on  the  west.  The 
surface  of  Felix  Township  is  generally  low. 
although  in  the  northeastern  part  there  is  some 
high  land  along  the  river.  Goose  Lake  is 
drained  by  Claypool  Pun  into  the  Mazon  River, 
and  by  other  streams  into  the  Kankakee  River. 
The  soil  is  a  low,  wet  clay,  a  deposit  of  which 
near  the  western  end  of  Goose  Lake  is  suit- 
able for  pottery  purposes,  hut  the  grade  is  of 
common  quality.  Felix  Township  is  particu- 
larly adapted  for  grazing  purposes,  and  some 
excellent    stool;    is    raised    within    its    confines. 

Felix  Township  has  always  been  subject  to 
Hoods,  and  some  of  them  have  been  very  de- 
structive, that  of  1837  having  been  the  worst. 
The  pioneers  were  ill  prepared  to  stand  the  loss 
entailed,  and  much   suffering  ensued. 

FIRST   DISCOVERER   OF   COAL  - 

Peter  Lamsett  was  one  of  the  men  whose 
name  is  associated  with  the  early  history  of  this 
township.  As  early  as  1S20  he  went  through 
this  locality  on  foot,  and  was  known  among  his 
associates  as  "Specie"  because  he  refused  the 
paper  money  of  the  day.  This  name  clung  to 
him  until  his  real  name  was  forgotten,  and 
Specie  Grove,   in   De  Kalb   County,   was  called 


f 


JEREMIAH  COLLINS 


700  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

after  him.    While  he  lived  on  the  banks  of  the  kind  offices  of  shabbona 
Mazon  River,  he  did  not  own  land,  but  was  the 

first  to   discover   coal   in   Grundy   County,   and  The    Indians    were    frequent    visitors    of    the 

was  particularly  successful  in  locating  coal  beds.  early   settlers,   and    Shabbona,   the   Indian  chief 

who    was    the    friend    of    the    white    man,    was 

earliest  SETTLERS  welcomed    in    many    homes    in    the    northwest 

portion   of    the    township.      During    1831-3,    the 

The  first  settler  of  the  township  was  W.   A.  settlers   were   alarmed    by   reports  of   threaten- 

Holloway,  who  bought  land  on  Section  12,  in  1S35,  hug    hostilities,    and    Shabbona    was    frequently 

but   left   in   1S40,   as  he   was   not    satisfied   with  consulted    with    regard    to    their   safety    if    they 

existing    conditions.      For    years    much    trouble  remained    in    the   county,    and    he   promised    the 

was    experienced    by    would-be    farmers,    on    ac-  settlers  his  protection.     It  was  seldom  that  his 

count  of  the  preponderance  of  swamp  land,  but  advice  was  disregarded.     His  genuine  friendship 

now  that  tiling  is  so  generally  adopted,  the  land  for  the  whites,  ;is  shown  by  his  persistent  labors 

that  once  was  useless,  is  the  most  valuable.  in  their  interest,  and  the  frequency  with  which 

Abram  llolderman  bought  much  land  in  1S35,  ho  personally  warned   them  of  danger,  have  en- 

but  soon  turned  his  claim  over  to  his  son  Henry,  deared   his   memory   to  Grundy   County   people, 

who,    in    turn    relinquished    it    to    another    son,  Shabbona   died   July   17,   1S39,   and   is   buried  in 

Barton.       Finally     Samuel     Ilolderinan     gained  the  Evergreen  Cemetery  at  Morris,  where  other 

possession    and    cultivated    the    large    property  members  of  his  family  rest. 
until    1SS0,    when    he   sold    it    to    Jerry    Collins. 

In    IS.n.S,   William   White,   with   his   two   sons  J.  old  shtlemems 
L.   and   William,  came  from   Marietta,   Ohio,   to 

Felix  Township.  Jugtown  once  existed  as  a  settlement   about 

Abram   White   came   here   in   1839,   and   about  the    potter's   clay    fields    found    on    Goose    Lake. 

the  same  time  a  Mr.  Kelso  and  Martin  Luther  In  is.").';  William  White,  of  Chicago,  established 

also  settled  in  Felix.     John   Beard  located  first  potteries  to  make  use  of  this  natural  source  of 

in   Aux   Sable   Township,    but    in   1S39,   with   his  income.     Had  transportation  facilities  tin  a  been 

son-in-law,  James  McKean,  settled  on  the  Kan-  what  they  are  today  in  Grundy  County,  the  his- 

kakee,  and  they  put  up  a   large  sawmill.  tory  of  this  industry  might  have  been  dift  'tent, 

Other    early    settlers    were:     Charles    Cooke,  but  as  it  is,  the  potteries  have  long  been  cosed, 

William    F.    Robinson,    Frederick    S.    Watkins,  and  where  they  once  stood,  are  beautiful   fields 

George     Holt,     Hiram     Warner,     Abe     White.  of  waving  corn. 

Lemuel   Short.   Orville   S.   Miller,  Charles  Noble  Kankakee  City  was  another  settlement   that 

Cameron     Brothers.     Jacob     Williams,     Lorrin  no  longer  exists.     It  grew  out  of  the  speculative 

Clark,    Thomas    Singleton,    Thomas    Melbourne,  mania    relative    lo   the   building   of   the    Illim  is 

Silas   Lattimer,    Frederick   Wilneuw,    Alexander  and    Michigan    ('anal.      Overnight,    land    values 

Simpson,   James  Preston,    Samuel    Suffern,   Joel  advanced  to  prohibitive  prices,  and  they  subsi  • 
Campbell,     Henry     F.     Robison,     Jacob     Hoyer.    '   quently    fell    equally    fast.      The    proposed    citj 

Joseph  Thomas,  Robert  Young,  Robert  S.  Dud-  was    beautifully    laid    out    on    paper,    with    ten 

geon,  Patrick  Howard,  Alexander  Trotter,  Har-  public  squares,  parks  and   broad  streets.     Many 

vey  Hunt,  Nate  Greene,  q'homas  Peart.  of  the  lots  were  sold  at  auction  in  Chicago  and 

New  York  City  a(   fabulous  prices,  but  after  the 

oldest  resident  panic  of  LS.'!7,  the  days  of  its  future  were  num- 
bered,  and   where   it  once  was  planned,   is  now 

Mrs.    Sarah    Ann    Miller,    widow    of    the   late  farm  land. 
Orville   S.    Miller,    has    the   distinction   of   being 

the  oldest  resident  of  what  is  now  Goose  Lake  an   agricultural  section 
Township,  but  was  formerly  a  portion  of  Felix 

Township.      She   has    lived    here   since   she  was  Agricultural    pursuits  engage  the   majority   of 

eleven   years   old,   and   was   born   in    1837.     The  the   people.     Much   corn    is   grown   and   stock   is 

first  death   in   Felix  Township  was  that  of  the  bred  and- raised.     The  farmers  here  agree  in  the 

son  of  William  Marquis.    The  infant  was  buried  contention     that     high-grade     stock     pays     the 

in  Iloldermau's  Cemetery.  largest  returns  on  the  investment,  and.  some  of 


I 


"n 


. 


s 


■JtGS&k^K 


■ 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


701 


t He  stockraisers  have  won  many  medals  at  the 
Grundy  County  Agricultural  Fair,  and  other 
stock  shows.  Dairying  is  also  carried  on  con 
siderahly,   and    those   engaged    in    tins    lino   of 

endeavor,  have  splendidly  equipped  barns  and 
milkhouses,  and  their  cattle  stand  every  test 
now  required  by  law. 

.  A  strictly  nival  community,  Felix  K  today, 
one  of  the  most  prosperous  ol  Grundy  divi- 
sions. In  its  early  history,  as  mentioned  he- 
fore,  the  people  suffered  much  from  the  disad- 
rantages  arising  from  the  low  lands,  and  dur- 
ing the  late  summers  and  early  falls  nearly  a'.! 
were  sick  from  malaria,  although  fairly  healthy 
during  the  winters.  Much  of  (he  land  could  not 
be  tilled,  and  that  which  was  fertile,  was  sub- 
ject to  overflow.  This  is,  of  course,  now 
changed,  and  Felix  Township  is  ns  desiral  ••  a 
section  as  can  be  found  in  this  part  of  the  state. 

THE   COAL  INDUSTRY 

After  1875,  the  coal  industry  was  devcloj>cd 
very  rapidly.  Mines  were  sunk  in  large  num- 
bers in  the  southeastern  portion  of  (':.•  town- 
ship, and  villages  sprung  up  and  tin-re  are  now 
four  located  in  the  vicinity  of  these  mines, 
namely:  Diamond,  Eileen,  Suffernville  and  Car- 
bon Hill.  Good  schools  and  churches  arc  still 
to  he  found  at  Suffernville  and  Carbon  Hill. 
The  former  has  united  with  Coal  City  an. I  Felix 
Township  in' establishing  a  high  school,  whh-h 
was  opened  in  the  fall  of  1914.  It  whs  mainly 
through  the  largely  increasing  population  of  the 
southeast  portion  of  the  township,  that  (he  lnrja; 
landowners  of  the  northwest  portion  1 iitno  dis- 
satisfied because  they  had  not  the  controlling 
vote.  They  circulated  a  petition  and  in  Sep- 
tember, 1S97,  were  set  off  twelve  sections  of  laud. 

DIAMOND     MINK     DISASTKR 

With  the  terrible  Diamond  disaster,  when 
the  water  from  the  top  broke  thrmisrh  and  Hood- 
ed the  mine,  causing  the  loss  of  100  men,  then 
at  work,  came  the  practical  end  of  Diamond  a* 
a  village.  In  memory  of  this  disaster  and  the 
miners  who  lost  their  lives  on  this  occasion,  a 
very  handsome  monument  has  been  erected  near 
the  shaft. 

On  July  27,  1904,  a  very  severe  halNtonn   \l 
ited    Felix    Township,    demolishing    nil    ol    tie- 
growing  crops,  and  on  April  L'l,   191-'.  a  ey<!< 
swept    through     a     portion    of     the    lowmdiip, 


th  -troviiig  buildings  all  along  its  path,  and  up- 
rooting trees  ami  tearing  away   fences. 


Fr 


1^7 
1^-7 
Wi 

Tie 
Wi! 

is'. 

vac 
1S9 

I>\ 


SUPEK  VISORS 

'elix  Township  was  laid  out  November  11, 
"..  am!  it  was  represented  on  the  County 
ird  of  Supervisors  in  1S55,  when  Frederick 
Wat  kins  was  the  first  supervisor  elected. 
•in  then  on.  the  supervisors  have  been  as  fol- 
s:  Frederick  S.  Watkins,  1S55-185S;  Wil- 
li F.  kol.insoii.  1S59-1SG0;  Samuel  Robinson, 
!  1SC7;  Samuel  SulTen'n,  1SGS-1SG9;  Samuel 
derman,  1S70-1S71  ;  Samuel  Short.  1S72- 
'■',;  Samuel  SnlVerin.  1S74;  Jacob  Williams, 
"•-1S77 ;  Samuel  Ilolderman,  1S78;  Jacob 
Mams,  1S79;  John  Ilolderman,  1S80-1SS5; 
•mas  Pattison,  1SSG;  J.  R.  Collins,  1SS7-1SSS ; 
liam  I'halan,  18S9 ;  John  Anderson,  Sr., 
►-1SJK5;  Frank  Enrietto,  appointed  to  fill 
nicy  occasioned  by  death  of  Mr.  Anderson, 
M904;  Anton  Verondo,  1905-1909;  William 
.ins.   1910-1914. 


CHAPTER  XX VII 


GARFIELD   TOWNSHIP  AND   VILLAGE 


V  (LWCEST    TOWNSHIP BOUNDARIES FINE    AGRI- 

CULTURAL      SECTION GARDNER      AN       IMPORTANT 

BUSINESS  CENTER — TOWN  NAMED  FOB  ITS  SUR- 
VEYOR IN  ISM—  INCORPORATED  UNDER  SPECIAL 
AC1    IN    1SC7— UNDER  STATE  LAW   IN    1913 — FIRST 

HOUSE         lU'JI.l— TIE;         "BARRACKS" — HOTELS 

nii.ST       GENERAL       STORE— FIRST       WAREHOUSE 

riBST  SIDEWALK  LAID— FIRST  FLOWER  BED— IN- 
(Kl  VSED  GROWTH  IN  1864— FIRE  LOSS  AND  PRO- 
rECl  ION— OTHER  ENTERPRISES— RELIABLE  BUSI- 
NESS    HOUSES— CONCRETE    SIDEWALKS    AND   ELEC- 

1KIC1TY— THE     i-iiE.ss— SCHOOL     DEVELOPMENT 

I  RATI  UNA  I.  ORGANIZATIONS— CHURCHES— AN  IM- 
i  •••::!  AM  MANUFACTUBING  INDUSTRY— RAILROADS 
—  hi  PERVIbOR, 

O'y   W.   S.   Allison) 

YOUNG!  ST    TOWNSHIP 

While  Garfield  Township  contains  within  its 
fvidm.-u  one  of  the  most  important  villages  of 


702 


HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


Grundy  County,  it  is  itself  the  youngest  town- 
ship of  the  seventeen  which  form  the  county 
organization,  having  been  created  in  1902.  It 
is  hounded  on  the  north  by  Maine  Township,  on 
the  east  by  Greenfield  Township,  on  the  south 
by  Livingston  County  and  on  the  west  by  Good 
Farm  Township.  Xo  important  stream  waters 
this  township,  although  a  draw,  which  runs  to 
the  Mazon  Creek,  flows  through  the  southeastern 
part  and  small  creeks  are  found  in  other  por- 
tions of  it.  With  the  exception  of  the  Village 
of  Gardner,  Garfield  Township  is  a  strictly 
farming  district.  The  Chicago  &  Alton  Kail- 
road,  which  passes  almost  through  its  center 
from  a  northeasterly  to  a  southwesterly  direc- 
tion, and  the  K.  &  D.,  owned  by  the  Big  Four 
System,  passing  through  the  northwestern  part, 
carry  its  products  to  Chicago.  The  early  his- 
tory  of  Garfield  Township  is  so  interwoven 
with  that  of  Greenfield  that  it  is  almost  impos- 
sible to  separate  one  from  the  other,  although 
many  names  mentioned  in  pioneer  times  of 
Greenfield  Township  belong  equally  to  Garfield, 
for  the  latter  was  a  part  of  the  older  township. 

GARDNER 

The  history  of  Gardner  begins  with  the  build- 
ing of  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad  through 
the  site  on  which  it  was  later  to  stand,  in  1854. 
This  land  was  the  property  of  Henry  A.  Gard- 
ner, J.  C.  Spencer  and  C.  IT.  Goold,  the  first- 
named  of  whom  was  the  chief  engineer  of  the 
newly  completed  road  and  did  the  surveying 
of  the  primal  town,  which  was  named  after 
him.  The  original  town  was  divided  into 
twenty-seven  blocks,  hut  later  additions  were 
added,  known  as  Price's  First  and  Second  addi- 
tion, Peck's  addition,  Hyatt's  addition,  Finley's 
addition,  Augustine  addition.  Clover  addition, 
Spiller  addition,  and  Willis  addition,  Shotwell 
subdivision    and    Lovejoy's    subdivision. 

Gardner  was  incorporated  in  February,  18fi7, 
under  special  act  of  Legislature,  when  it  had 
a  jxtpulation  of  about  four  hundred,  the  first 
trustees  being :  John  II.  Coles,  Amos  Clover,  W. 
W.  McMann,  F.  Lathrop  and  Louis  Germain.  This 
form  of  government  continued  until  1013  when 
a  general  election  was  called  to  vote  on  its 
incorporation  under  the  general  law  of  the  state, 
and  upon  the  measure  being  carried,  it  was 
immediately  incorporated.  The  present  popu- 
lation is  about  one  thousand,  while  that  of 
the  township  is  about  twelve  hundred. 


FIRST    HOUSES 

The  first  house  of  Gardner  was  that  of  the 
section  boss,  east  of  the  tracks,  and  the  second 
one  was  known  as  "the  barracks"  Inning  been 
built  by  the  first  postmaster,  Absalom  Gleason. 
This  building  held  the  first  posfollice,  the  first 
store,  was  the  dwelling  of  the  family,  and 
also  a  paint  shop,  and  was  one  of  the  most  use- 
ful buildings  over  put  up  at  Gardner. 

HOTELS 

The  first  hotel  bearing  the  imposing  name  of 
"The  Eagle,"  was  on  a  lot  18  by  30  feet,  was 
one  story  and  one-half  in  height,  and  was  built 
by  G.  R.  Taxis  and  Scott  Armitage  in  1855.  It 
sheltered  the  traveling  public  and  was  first 
conducted  by  George  Allen,  who  was  succeeded 
by  J.  W.  Hull,  who  was  bought  out  by  Charles 
Royal,  and  later  S.  X.  Underwood  assumed 
charge.  With  all  these  changes  in  ownership 
the  hotel  changed,  too.  being  practically  rebuilt, 
enlarged  and  the  name  of  the  "Gardner  House" 
given    it.      It    burned    down    January    15.    1909. 

The  Commercial  House  was  built  in  1ST0, 
and  R.  I!.  Stone  was  its  first  proprietor,  being 
followed  by  William  Smith,  John  Southcomb, 
A.  K.  Stiles.  Roland  Price,  James  Wilson,  J.  C. 
Lut/„  Ralph  Richards,  William  Gebhard,  and 
Battista  Vignochi,  and  it  is  now  conducted  by 
Mrs.  Frances  B.  Plumley.  It  is  a  substantial 
building,  well  equipped  for  hotel  purposes,  and 
the  hostess  not  only  understands  her  business, 
but  takes  pride  in  catering  liberally  and  appe- 
tizingly  to  the  requirements  of  her  guests. 
This  hotel  is  the  only  one  at  Gardner,  but  no 
other  is  needed,  owing  to  the  fact  that  nearly 
all  of  the  residents  of  the  village  have  their 
own  homes.  The  traveling  public  is  well  cared 
for  at  the  Commercial  House. 

EARLY    IMPROVEMENTS 

Charles  and  William  Royal  opened  a  store 
in  1855,  and  were  succeeded  by  Charles  E.  Gard- 
ner. The  first  warehouse  was  built  in  1S57,  but 
later  was  converted  into  a  grist  mill,  and  still 
later  changed  into  an  elevator.  Later  it  was 
sold  and  converted  into  a   barn. 

To  Charles  Johnson,  a  tinner,  must  he  given 
the  credit  for  laying  the  first  sidewalk  in  Gard- 
ner, which  was  located  on  the  north  end  of 
Liberty  Street.     The  first  garden  fence  in  the 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


703 


village  was  put  up  by  Joseph  Hall.  Virginia 
M.  Hawley  planted  the  first  flowers  among  the 
many  which  now  help  to  beautify  the  place. 
She  married  Dr.  J.  B.  Taxis  and  still  survives, 
living  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Lindhohu,  at 
Joliet. 

In  spite  of  the  location  along  the  Chicago  & 
Alton  Railroad,  Gardner  did  not  show  much  ma- 
terial growth  until  18G4,  when  the  Gardner  coal 
shaft,  was  sunk,  and  from  that  time  on  its 
growth  was  rapid.  The  first  brick  building 
was  constructed  in  I860,  for  the  purpose  of 
housing  Doctor  McMann's  drug  store.  A  build- 
ing called  the  City  Hall,  which  had  a  store 
below  and  a  dance  hall  above,  was  built  in 
1SGS,  by  A.  S.  Martin  and  Louis  Germain. 
Later  it  was  removed,  and  a  one-story  brick 
building  was  erected  in  its  place.  The  present 
village  hall  is  a  one-story  building. 

FIRE    LOSS    AND    PROTECTION 

A  very  destructive  fire  occurred  on  Christmas 
night.  1S7S,  and  almost  wiped  out  the  business 
portion  of  Gardner,  but  the  buildings  destroyed 
were  subsequently  replaced  by  better  and  more 
modern  ones.  While  Gardner  has  no  water 
works,  it  has  a  competent  volunteer  fire  depart- 
ment which  works  as  a  bucket  brigade,  and  it 
has  rendered  efficient  service  when  occasion 
demanded. 

OTHER    ENTERPRISES 

A  fine  grain  elevator  was  built  in  front  of 
the  Commercial  House  in  1S69,  by  E.  W.  Cole 
of  Chicago,  and  it  is  still  standing,  now  being 
owned  by  J.  W.  Thornton  &  Son.  Another  grain 
elevator  was  built  in  1894  by  the  Fuller  Grain 
Co.,  and   is  now  owned  by   Hargraves  &  Drew. 

In  1S05,  the  Joliet  Coal  Mining  Company  of 
•Gardner  was  organized,  and  commenced  sinking 
a  shaft,  but  only  reached  a  depth  of  forty  feet, 
when  water  was  found  in  such  quantity  that 
the  hole  was  abandoned.  The  coal  history  of 
Gardner,  at  one  time  very  important,  is  taken 
up  at  great  length  by  an  expert  upon  the  sub- 
ject in  another  chapter. 

RELIABLE   BUSINESS    HOUSES 

Gardner  is  the  home  of  some  reliable  busi- 
ness men  and  houses,  while  its  professional 
men  rank  with  the  best  in  the  county.     A  par- 


tial list  of  these  is  as  follows  :   Dr.  F.  M.  Allison, 
physician;  YV.  S.  Allison,  proprietor  or  the  Ex- 
change   Bank    and    dealer    in    insurance ;    II.   A. 
Eversole,  harnessmaker ;  A.  J.  Perry,  president 
First    National    Bank;    Dr.    E.    G.    Fuller,    phy- 
sician;   A.    Gordon,    dealer    in    dry    goods    and 
clothing;   T.    S.   Green,   dealer  in   farm   machin- 
ery; M.  A.  Hansen  &  Sons,  dealers  in  furniture 
and    undertakers;    Peter   C.    Hansen,    proprietor 
of  an  automobile  livery;    Hargreaves  &  Drew, 
proprietors  of   an   elevator;    Dr.   A.   J.   Harper, 
dentist;  John  Hayes,  confectioner;  Jesse  Holm, 
dealer  in  poultry,  butler,  eggs  and  veal;  J.  M. 
Holmes  &  Co.,  dealer  in  building  materials  and 
coal;  C.  S.  Kaldem,  proprietor  of  a  draying  and 
coal   business;   J.   P.   Kennedy,   proprietor  of  a 
garage;    Fay   LaCoro,   an    automobile    repairer; 
Lars  II.  Larson,  dealer  in  furniture  and  under- 
taker;  10.   J.   Lockren,  grocer;   Dr.   W.    W.  Mc- 
Maun,    retired   physician;   .1.   1'.   Nelson   &   Son, 
grocer  and  butcher;  Mrs.  Francis  l'lumley,  man- 
ager    the     Commercial     Hotel;     W.     S.     Park, 
proprietor    of    the    Chronicle;     Harry    Spiller, 
dealer    in    confectionery    and    ice   cream;    B.    C. 
Strout,    dealer   in   hardware   and   paints;    J.   W. 
Thornton    &    Son,    proprietor    of    an    elevator; 
Wagner   &    Boot,    dealers    in    confectionery   and 
groceries;   Weber  &   Bezold,   grocers;   Daisy   E. 
Wilson,  milliner;  Wagner  &  Boot,  proprietors  of 
a  garage;  C.  C.  Underwood,  proprietor  general 
store;  Max  Goodman,  dry  goods  merchant;  Louis 
Martin,  proprietor  of  pool  room;  Christiansen  & 
Jensen,  proprietors  buffet;  Mike  Marrietti,  pro- 
prietor buffet;  William  Malek,  proprietor  buffet; 
E.    J.    Jeffers,    barber;    T.    E.    Horrie,    barber; 
George  Ilader,   baker;   C.  W.   Barr,  grocer;   L. 
Madson,  tailor;  F.  II.  Spiller,  druggist;  J.  Scrog- 
gin,    dealer    in    farm    implements;    Isaac    Bull, 
dealer    in    meats   and    groceries;    John    Barton, 
dealer  in    insurance  and  justice  of  the  peace; 
Edward  Robertson,  blacksmith ;  Dr.  L.  E.  Booth, 
veterinary  surgeon. 


CONCRETE    SIDEWALKS    AND    EI.ECTRICITT 

The  Village  of  Gardner  has  laid  about  ten 
miles  of  concrete  sidewalks,  and  these  add  much 
to  the  good  looks  of  the  village.  It  is  lighted 
by  electricity,  furnished  by  the  Public  Service 
Company.  Other  improvements  are  contem- 
plated, and  the'  people  take  pride  in  the  place 
and  in  maintaining  its  prestige. 


704 


HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


THE    THESS 

The  press  of  Gardner  is  represented  by  the 
Chronicle,  a  weekly  organ,  which  was  pur- 
chased about  thirty  years  ago  by  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Parks,  the  present  owners.  Tliix  journal  was 
founded  September  20,  1SS1,  under  the  name  of 
the  Gardner  Weekly  .News,  by  C,  M.  Kins  at  a 
time  when  the  people  were  excited  over  (he  coal 
prospects  which  appeared  to  promise  a  remark- 
able "boom"  to  this  part  of  the  county.  Mr.  King 
published  editions  of  his  paper  also  for  Essex, 
Reddick  and  Braceville.  With  the  changing 
fortunes  of  the  coal  interests,  the  Gardner 
Weekly  News  declined  somewhat,  until  new 
blood  was  infused  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Parks,  and 
the  name  was  changed  to  the  Chronicle.  The 
latter  is  issued  as  an  independent  paper,  and 
has  an  excellent  circulation. 

SCHOOL    DEVELOPMENT 

Like  so  many  of  the  villages  of  Grundy 
County,  Gardner  has  given  especial  attention 
to  its  school  system.  The  first  schoolhouse  at 
Gardner  was  built  in  1S57,  and  J.  II.  Armitage 
was  its  tirst  teacher,  but  prior  to  that  Lizzie 
Russel  taught  school  in  a  shanty  east  of  the 
section  house,  and  another  little  school  was 
kept  by  a  Mrs.  Brown  in  her  residence.  Several 
other  early  teachers  of  the  public  school  in  addi- 
tion to  Mr.  Armitage  were:  David  Bookwalter 
and  Virginia  M.  Hawley,  who  later  became  Mrs. 
Dr.  J.  15.  Taxis,  and  has  already  been  mentioned 
in  this  article.  In  l.stj",  a  new  schoolhouse  was 
built,  and  this  was  enlarged  in  1871',  but  was 
destroyed  in  1S75,  to  lie  replaced,  in  1S76,  by  a 
more  substantial  one  which  still  stands.  The 
present  high  school  faculty  comprises  Prof.  E. 
F.  Booth  and  two  assistants.  In  the  grade 
schools,  there  are  six  teachers.  For  some  years, 
the  high  school  course  comprised  three  years, 
about  1S07  a  fourth  year  was  added,  but  was 
later  dropped,  but  in  1913,  this  additional  year 
was  again  added  to  the  course,  so  that  the  high 
school  now  has  the  full  four  years.  The  board 
of  directors  of  the  Gardner  schools  is  comprised 
of  the  following  representative  men  :  Wade  O. 
Allison,  president:  T.  S.  Green,  James  A.  Smale, 
Dr.  A.  J.  Harper,  R.  II.  Woodward.  Mrs.  Sadie 
II.  Spiller  and  Mrs.  .Matilda  Cobb. 

FRATERNAL    ORGANIZATIONS 

With   the  growth  of  Gardner  came  a  natural 


desire  for  fraternal  organizations,  and  on  May 
24,  1SGG,  Gardner  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M..  \0.  573, 
was  organized,  receiving  its  charter  October  G, 
1SGS,  the  first  members  being:  l.  F.  Benson, 
W.  II.  Schoomaker,  Ed  Crane,  J.  W.  Hart.  A. 
DeXormandia,  Henry  Elliott,  and  II.  Y.  Whalen. 
The  present  officials  of  this  lodge  are:  William 
R.  Ferguson,  \V.  M. ;  Daniel  Green,  S.  W. ;  .1.  B. 
Allison.  J.  W.  ;  D.  R.  Keepers,  treasurer,  and 
Harry  J.  Hansen,  secretary. 

On  October  15,  1st:;,  the  Odd  Fellows  organ- 
ized Gardner  Lodge.  Xo.  515,  but  later  it  was 
disbanded,  the  members  associating  themselves 
with  lodges  more  convenient  to  their  place  of 
residence,  as  the  majority  of  the  Gardner  lodge 
moved  from  the  village  with  the  passage  of 
t  ime. 

Kellogg  Chapter,  Xo.  210,  O.  E.  S.,  was  organ- 
ized at  Gardner,  April  30,  1S92.  Its  present 
officials  are:  Mis.  C.  B.  Booth,  W.  M. ;  T.  S. 
Green,  W.  P.,  and  Mrs.  Grace  Booth,  secretary. 

The  Knights  of  Pythias  organized  Colfax 
Chapter  at  Gardner,  but  eventually  moved  the 
lodge  |(,  South  Wilmington,  as  it  was  found 
that  the  majority  of  the  members  had  located 
at    the   latter  village. 

The  Modem  Woodmen  of  America  organized 
a  camp  at  Gardner,  known  as  Sycamore  Camp, 
Xo.  154G,  and  this  order,  together  with  the 
Royal  Neighbors,  known  at  Gardner  as  Holly 
Camp,  Xo.  232,  lease  the  old  Gardner  Opera 
House  as  a   lodge  hall. 

Some  other  fraternal  organizations  at  Gard- 
ner are:  Gardner  Council,  Xo.  50,  of  the  Yeo- 
men, which  is  now  inactive,  with  Mrs.  Elma 
Wheeler  as  secretary  and  treasurer;  the 
Gleaners,  an  agricultural  organization,  which 
has  representation  in  almost  all  of  the  town- 
ships of  the  county,  and  exerts  considerable 
influence,  considers  topics  interesting  to  the 
farmers  and  their  wives,  and  the  Danish 
Brotherhood,  an  order  formed  by  the  Danes  of 
the  community. 

CHURCHES 

The  Methodist  Church  held  service  in  what 
is  now  Garfield  Township,  coining  here  prior 
to  any  other  denomination,  the  first  clergyman 
being  Rev.  Charles  line.  He  conducted  meet- 
ings at  his  own  house  and  also  at  those  of  his 
neighbors.  Another  early  Methodist  preacher 
was  the  Rev."  Daniel  Abbott.  Aside  from  these 
early  gatherings,   there   were  no   religious  serv- 


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HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


705 


ices  of  tlii>  denomination  until  1SJ3S,  when  the 
Gardner  .Methodist  Episcopal  society  was  or- 
ganized and  attached  to  the  Mazon  Circuit. 
with  the  Rev.  Thomas  Watson  in  charge.  The 
Gardner  Circuit  was  organized  in  1SG7.  The 
first  members  of  the  little  society  of  1S5S  were: 
William  B.  Royal  and  wife,  J.  11.  Coles  and 
wile,  William  Hart  and  wile,  Robert  <ilass  and 
wife,  Joseph  Hall  and  wife,  and  .Mrs.  Cynthia 
W.  Hastings.  The  first  church  building  was 
erected  in  IS513,  at  the  corner  of  Jackson  Street 
and  Washington  Avenue.  A  new  one  was  built 
in  1870',  which  still  stands.  Some  of  the 
pastors  of  tliis  church  have  been  :  Revs.  John 
Grundy,  .1.  P.  Dillie,  A.  E.  Days,  John  Cosier, 
Samuel  Hart,  II.  Tiffany,  William  II.  Collins, 
1).  II.  Cridlcr,  A.  C.  Trice,  Matthew  Evans,  P.. 
F.  Wonder.  .1.  W.  Denning,  A.  D.  Moore,  M.  C. 
Eignus,  A.  Bower,  D.  W.  Brown,  T.  R.  McNair, 
S.  S.  Langdoc,  C.  W.  Green.  I,  0.  Mallory,  A. 
R.  Morgan,  .1.  F.  James.  W.  W.  Howard.'  The 
present   incumbent  is  Rev.   John   Rogers. 

The  church  next  organized  in  what  is  now 
Garfield  Township,  was  the  Presbyterian,  its' 
birth  taking  place  in  1S5S.  with  the  Hevs.  L. 
II.  Loss  and  S.  II.  Waldo  in  charge.  The 
church  was  started  by  six  women  :  Mrs.  Ahhie 
LaForce,  Mrs.  Phebe  Ann  Wheeler.  Mrs.  Sarah 
M.  Wright,  Mrs.  Susan  Sawyer,  Mrs.  E.  C. 
Benson,  and  Miss  Virginia  M.  Haw  ley.  At 
first  service's  were  held  in  the  schoolhouse,  but 
later  the  society  used  the  Methodist  Church. 
anil  in  1S71  put  up  an  edifice  of  its  own.  Some 
of  the  pastors  of  this  church  have  been : 
Revs.  Walso,  Alvah  Hay.  E.  G.  Moore,  Sextus 
E.  Smith,  F.  P..  Margraves,  J.  G.  Lyle,  Joel 
Kennedy,  S.  II.  Stevenson,  Robert  Watt,  II.  W. 
Berger,  Rolla  G.  Sbafer.  Gamble,  Chrisman, 
William  Vance.  The  present  pastor  is  the 
Rev.  B.  P.  Holt.  The  membership  is  about 
eighty-nine. 

Under  Rev.  W.  II.  Card,  seven  persons.  W. 
II.  Card,  Philip  Spaulding,  Albert  W.  Willard, 
David  M.  Griswold,  Mrs.  L.  E.  Taxis,  Robert 
Huston  and  II.  J.  Edmunds,  organized  the 
Baptist  Church  of  what  is  now  Garfield  Town- 
ship, in  1S04.  The  first  structure  of  this  de- 
nomination was  erected  in  1S71,  and  in  the 
following  year  a  new  brick  one  was  built,  but 
for  a  number  of  years  it  has  been  closed,  al- 
though the  organization  still  holds,  and  the 
Ladies'  Aid  Society  carries  on  its  charitable 
work,  but  no  services  are  held.  Seune  of  the 
pastors   in   charge   of   this  church    in   the  past 


have     been:       Revs.     W.     II.    Card,     Colby,     J. 
Groden,    John    Iligby,    E.    G.    Sage,    and    E.    M. 

Mitchell. 

Between  forty  and  fifty  years  ago  the  Nor- 
wegian Lutherans  started  a  society  at  Garden 
Prairie,  in  what  is  now  Garfield  Township, 
and  services  are  still  held  in  the  little  church 
of  that  organization,  upon  alternate  Sundays. 
Within  the  past  thirty  years,  the  Norwegians 
id'  the  Lutheran  faith  at  Gardner  decided  to 
organize  a  society  of  their  own,  and  had  as 
their  first  pastors  substitutes  from  other 
churches.  Some  twenty-live  years  ago,  under 
the  Lev.  Remertsen,  the  society  built  its 
present  church,  and  it  has  grown  until  it  now 
numbers  100  members.  The  present  pastor  is 
the  Lev.  K.  J.  Wang,  who  officiates  on  alter- 
nate Sundays  at  Gardner,  and  at  Garden 
Prairie.  The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  for  the  older 
members,  and  the  Sunshine  Circle  for  the 
young  ladies,  are  doing  excellent  work  along 
charitable  and  social  lines  in  connection  with 
the  church. 

AN    IMPORTANT    MANUFACTURING    INDUSTRY 

At  one  time  in  its  history,  as  mentioned  be- 
fore, Gardner  looked  forward  to  a  long  and 
prosperous  history  as  the  center  of  vast  coal 
mining  industries.  When  those  hopes  died,  its 
men  turned  their  attention  in  other  directions. 
Some  have  devoted  themselves  to  banking  and 
insurance;  others  attend  to  the  large  shipping 
interests  here.  Still  others  find  excellent  busi- 
ness opportunities  in  meeting  the  demands  of 
local  and  contiguous  trade.  The  attending  to 
the  requirements  of  automobilists  is  an  im- 
portant feature  of  the  business  life  of  Gardner. 
One  business  house  of  the  village  that  is  des- 
tined to  play  an  important  part  in  its  growth 
and  prosperity  is  that  of  J.  11.  Holmes,  manu- 
facturer, seller  and  builder  of  the  Playford 
Cement  Stave  Silo.  By  means  of  the  silo,  the 
agriculturist  is  able  to  preserve  the  green 
fodder  for  his  stock,  and  feed  it  to  them  dur- 
ing the  winter  months  when  otherwise  he 
would  have  to  depend  entirely  upon  dried 
foods,  thus  increasing  very  materially  the  value 
of  his  product,  and  increasing  the  price  he  can 
demand.  The  intelligent  fanner  of  today  i^ 
looking  for  the  best  silo  made,  and  according  to 
the  claims  of  the  people  of  Gardner,  one  of  their 
residents  is  putting  just  that  kind  of  a  silo  on 
the    market.      Demonstrations    of    silos    at    the 


706 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


Grundy    County    Fair    have    been    made   in    the 
past,  with  satisfactory  results. 

RAILROADS 

The  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad,  which  passes 
through  Gardner,  was  built  in  1853-4,  the 
people  of  Gardner  and  the  vicinity,  contribut- 
ing $3,000  for  right  of  way.  The  first  ticket 
agent  at  Gardner  was  (\  K.  Snyder,  and  it  is 
interesting  to  know  that  as  he  had  no  station 
house  at  the  time,  he  carried  all  his  papers  in 
a  tin  trunk.  The  "Big  Four"  railroad  trains 
also  stop  at  Gardner,  although  its  station  is 
not  in  the  center  of  the  village  as  is  that  of 
the  Chicago  &  Alton.  Gardner's  business 
houses  are  centered  in  a  compact  area  so  that 
it  is  not  difficult  to  attend  to  very  important 
affairs,  for  a  few  blocks  hold  the  concerns 
mentioned  above.  There  are  some  very  com- 
fortable homes  at  Gardner,  and  the  people 
themselves  are  alive,  wide  awake  and  progres- 
sive, eager  to  take  advantage  of  improvements, 
and  utilize  advantages  offered. 

SUPERVISOR 

Ever  since  its  creation,  in  1002,  Garfield 
Township  has  been  represented  on  the  County 
Board  of  Supervisors  by  Chris  Anderson,  the 
present    incumbent. 


CHAPTER    XXV111 


GOOD   FARM   TOWNSHIP 


SITUATION*  —  RAILROAD     LINE — -MANY     STREAMS 

ROLLING     PRAIRIE — FORMERLY     WELL    TIMBERED 

EARLIEST     SETTLERS — ADVENT    OF    THE    GERMAN'S 
IN     18o0 — STURDY    PEOPLE — FIRST     SCHOOLHOUSE 

SCARCITY    OF     MONEY    —    FIRST    TEACHER    — 

SECOND     SCHOOLHOUSE     CHURCH      ORGANIZA- 
TIONS— OWNERS     OF    LAND SUPERVISORS. 

(By  Chas.  E.  Rogers) 

SITUATION 

Located    on    the    southern    boundary    line    of 
Grundy  County,  Good  Farm  Township  has  Ma- 


zon on  the  north.  Garfield  on  the  east,  Livings- 
ton County  on  the  south,  and  Highland  Town- 
ship on  the  west.  The  Chicago  &  Alton  Kail- 
road  runs  through  the  southeastern  portion,  and 
it  is  watered  by  Murray  Sluice,  Mazon  Creek, 
Brewster  Sluice  and  Wood  Sluice,  the  last  two 
joining  to  form  the  west  fork  of  the  Mazon 
River.  The  township.  comprising  rolling 
prairie  land,  was  formerly  well  supplied  with 
timber,  the  greater  portion  of  which  has  been 
sacrificed   in    the  advance  of   civilization. 

EARLIEST    SETTLERS 

The  first  settler  to  locate  in  Good  Farm 
Township  was  James  McKean,  who  came  here 
in  1841,  and  probably  enjoyed  the  distinction 
of  being  its  only  pioneer  for  several  years,  for 
the  next  recorded  settlement  was  that  of  .1.  M. 
Clover,  who  came  in  18-11,  from  Indiana,  buy- 
ing land  on  Section  2.  Later  Elijah  Saltmarsh 
located  on  Section  5,  but  afterward  went  to 
Oregon.  Elnathan  Lewis  was  the  next  settler, 
and  Elijah  Lewis.  David  Gleason  and  E.  F. 
Brewster  arrived  near  the  same  time.  In  1S49, 
3'".  B.  Steven  bought  the  claim  owned  by  Henry 
Brown,  who  had  located  here,  but  was  dis- 
satisfied. However,  there  was  no  actual  growth 
in  the  township,  aside  from  these  scattering 
settlements  until  IS.jO,  when  the  Germans  be- 
gan to  come  in.  and  with  the  sturdy  fortitude 
of  their  nationality  began  to  make  valuable 
farms  out  of  the  land  they  secured.  Their 
practical  ideas  found  outward  expression  in 
public  improvements  as  the  time  went  on,  and 
the  names  of  Leonard  Fisher,  John  L.  Meier. 
Hoffman  Iloag,  Pfeiffer  and  Buchard  are  re- 
membered as  being  those  of  the  German  pio- 
neers. 

FIRST    SCHOOLHOUSE 

The  first  schoolhouse  erected  in  Good  Farm 
Township  was  put  up  in  1S50  by  the  farmers, 
who  all  subscribed  something,  some  contribut- 
ing lumber,  others  labor,  while  six  of  them 
each  gave  81.  which  in  those  days  meant  much 
more  than  that  amount  would  today.  Not  only 
was  the  purchasing  power  of  a  dollar  more, 
but  actual  money  was  very  scarce,  the  greater 
portion  of  business  transactions  being  carried 
on  by.  trading.  The  lumber  for  this  primitive 
schoolhouse  had  to  be  hauled  from  Horse  Creek 
in  Will   County.     It  is  a  remarkable  thing  that 


-.     --    ...    .,<x*.^*c — a^fi-a,-  ■  ■■^w-.^.^,.   .       -   -., €Mt*jaj$ 


tUL  &  $ 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


707 


everything  needed  for  the  schoolhouse  outside 
of  the  lumber  and  labor  was  bought  for  that 
$(.!.  Such  facts  are  interesting  today,  when 
contrasted  with  the  vast  sums  of  money  ex- 
pended to  educate  the  young  of  the  rising 
generation.  The  first  teacher  of  this  first 
school  was  Elvira  Lewis.  In  1S3G  a  second 
schoolhouse  was  erected  and  was  taught  by 
Philip  Gauzert.  Today  the  schools  of  Good 
Farm  Township  are  in  a  condition  to  challenge 
competition,  and  the  people  take  pride  in  them 
and  the  teachers. 


Township  on  the  Hoard  of  Supervisors  from 
,  1S50    to    the    present    day,    have    been:      .T.    M. 

Clover,   1SD0-1S51;    E.    Lewis.    1S52-1S53 ;    David 

Gleason,  ls.jj;  Samuel  Cutter,  1855-1SDG;  Wil- 
.  liam    -Mason,    1S57 ;    E.    B.    Stevens,    1S5S-1SG0; 

J.  S.  Austin,  1SG1  ;  .las.  M.  Austin,  1SG2 ;   L.   H. 

Goodrich,    1S03-JSGS;    Mathew    Johnson,    1SG9; 

David    Barton,    1S70;    E.    R.    Barr,    1S71-1SS0; 

J.    M.    Perkins.    1SS1  ;    Mathew    Johnson,    1SS2- 

1SS4;     William     Constantine,     18S5-1SU5 ;     Alex 

Preston,    1S9G-1909 ;    John    Shortlesbergcr,    1910- 

1914. 


CHURCH     ORGANIZATIONS 

The  Free  Will  Baptists  were  the  first  to  or- 
ganize a  church,  the  society  first  meeting  at 
the  home  of  David  Gleason,  February  5,  1S50, 
when  the  host  and  his  wife,  and  Elnathan 
Lewis  and  his  wife,  formed  the  congregation. 
Later  meetings  of  these  earnest  people  were 
held  in  the  schoolhouse.  but  in  1SGS  the  mem- 
bership died  out.  The  Methodists  probably  ab- 
sorbed some  of  them,  and  other  denominations 
the  rest. 

The  Lutheran  Church  was  built  in  1S59  and 
erected  a  parsonage  in  conjunct  ion  witli  it. 
Salem  Evangelical  Church  was  founded  about 
1S57,  the  members  being  Messrs.  Buckart,  iIoaur. 
Pfeiffer  and  Hoffman.  In  1877.  another  place 
of  worship   was  built  on   Section  22. 

An  organization  called  The  Church  of  God 
also  had  members,  the  people  of  this  township 
being  generally  upright,  godly  and  religious, 
desirous  of  spiritual  instruction. 

Among  the  people  who  in  more  recent  years 
have  held  property  in  Good  Farm  Township, 
many  of  whom  are  still  owners  of  farms  hero 
are:  John  Neville.  Amos  Parker,  Alpha  Baker, 
James  Kruse,  J.  F.  Thorpe.  John  Crocker,  E.  B. 
Stevens,  John  Rein,  William  Scully,  M.  Iluisey, 
A.  Burkhardt,  Sr.,  John  Both.  Cris  Klingahardt, 
Martin  Hoffman,  John  M.  Racher,  D.  M.  Mc- 
Williams,  George  Paxton,  Charles  Fillman, 
John  llahn,  John  Fox,  Thomas  Burkhardt, 
Walter  Boeder,  R.  L.  Frost.  Gust  Zebel,  O.  O. 
Thompson,  Jerry  Haskins,  James  Small.  John 
Johnson,  George  Bush,  Leonard  Burger,  Paul 
Kime,  Leonard  Hoffman.  George  L.  Buffer,  Xels 
Knudtson,   and  Ezra   Grosh. 

SUPERVISORS 

The    men   who  have   represented    Good   Farm 


CHAPTER  XXIX 


GOOSE    LAKE    TOWNSHIP 


GOOSE  LAKE — PETITION  TO  SUPERVISORS — DESCRIP- 
TION 01'  Xl.W  TOWNSHIP — JUDGES  AND  CLERKS 
OF      ELECTION — EARLIEST      SETTLER — FIRST      LAND 

PURCHASE    OTHER     SETTLERS    NO     INDIAN 

TROUB1  ES — AX  AGRICULTURAL  SECTION — POTTERY 
MANUFACTURING  A  POSSIBILITY — NO  LARGE  VIL- 
LAGES— SUPERVISORS    FROM    1S97    TO    1912. 

(By   Waller  Phillips) 

GOOSE    LAKE 

One  of  the  newer  divisions  of  Grundy  County 
is  Goose  Lake  Township,  which  was  taken  from 
Felix  Township,  and  its  history,  consequently, 
is  similar  to  that  of  the  territory  from  which 
it  was  carved,  but  has  interesting  features  of 
its  own.  In  pioneer  days  a  large  body  of  water 
here  was  the  home  of  countless  wild  seese,  hence 
Goose  Lake  was  an  appropriate  name.  The 
lake  now  is  comparatively  insignificant,  but  the 
wild  goose  still  nests  here  and  the  name  of  the 
township  perpetuates  the  pioneer  name. 

In  1897,  Ooise  Lake  Township  was  cut  off 
from  Felix,  and  since  then  has  had  its  inde- 
pendent history.  A  pel il  ion  signed  by  the  legal 
voters  and  freeholders  or  Felix  Township,  was 
presented  to  the  honorable  Board  of  Supervisors 
of  Grundy  County,  Illinois,  at  their  July  meet- 
ing in  1S97,  praying  for  a  division  of  the  Town- 
ship of  Felix  as  follows:  All  that  part  of  said 
township  outside  of  a    territory  measuring  four 


708  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

(4)  miles  from  east  to  west,  and  three  (3)  miles  Holdorman.     The  latter  remained  on  it  a  year, 

from  north  to  south,  in  the  southeast  corner  of  and  then  it  came  into  the  hands  of  his  brother, 

said   township   (which  was  to  remain  and  con-  Barton,    who    also    left,    and    in    1S-17    or    1818,' 

stitute  the  Town  of  Felix),  prayed  to  be  sepa-  Samuel  Holderman  became  the  owner.     To  the 

rated  from  the  Town  of  Felix,  and  erected  into  original  farm,  he  added  until  he  was  the  owner 

a  new  town  to  be  known  as  Jugtown.     The  said  of  r,>(l00  .im,s  ;lU(1   one  Qf  fchfi  wealthiest   men 

petition   was  favorably   received   by   the   Board  in    Ulis   part   of  the   county<     1q   ^    Abram 
of  Supervisors  and  the  usual   posting  of  notice 


White,    Mr.   Kelso  and    Martin   Luther   took   up 
claims,   and    became   pioneers   of   the   township. 


and  other  legal  requirements  ordered  and  com- 
plied with.     The  said  petition  then  came  up  for 

final    action    at   the   September   meeting   of   the  J°h"  Beard  W:,S  anolher  ",a"  who  W:,s  an  ™v]* 

Board   of    Supervisors    and    was    -ranted.  Sett]e1"'  :l"(l  was  oue  who  left   his  i»'l-ress  upon 

his   times.     William   White  came   in   1S3S,   and 

name  livecl    W1,11    iuto   tl,e   'il,ls-     During  the   War   of 

1S12,  he  served  his  country  as  a  gallant  soldier, 

The   name   of   Jugtown    not    proving   satisfae-  iU1,l  drew  a  pension   to  the  day  of  bis  death. 

tory,  the  name  of  Goose  Fake  was  suggested  to.  The-  pioneers  of  this  locality  experienced  hut 

and  confirmed   by,   the  auditor  of  the  Stale  of  little  difficulty  with   the   Indians,   finding  them 

Illinois,    and    ratified    by    the    supervisors,    April  when  well  treated,  kindly  of  nature,  and  helpful 

11,   1S9S.     Orders    were   also   issued   calling   the  in  putting  up  the  log  cabins,  and  hunting  game, 

caucus  and  election  provided  tor  by  law  in  such  '  TJiere  was  plenty  of  the  latter  in  the  early  davs, 

cases,  ami  the  election  was  held  in  the  Jugtown  dvi.v_  squi1TelSj  oHri%   raecoons,   muskrats.  quail 

sehoolhouse  on  the  12th   day   of  October,   1807.  .,,,,i    ,,,..,;,.,•.      i,; .,.  ,,..    ,    ;,       •        ,       ,             ,, 

anu    piairie   chickens    being   m   abundance,    the 

The  judges  of  said  election  were:     Israel  Dud-  f]     ,,      ,.       ,,,     ..        ...         "     ,          ,   .,       ,. 

•'     .   ,.        „,  .„.             .    .       .0    TT         ,  flesh  ot   some  furnishing  food,  and  the  lurs  of 

treon.    Walter   Phillips   and    David    Heuneherrv,  ,,           ,  ,,  . 

,      ,     ,          .        ..      ,      ..                     ,-,          _  others  clothing.     1  here  were  also  many  wolves. 

and  clerks   of  said   election    were   Geo.    Brooks  „.,      , 

and  S    C    Miller  prevailing,  made  the  early  and 

profitable  cultivation  of  the  soil  difficult,  and  it 

first    settles  was  not   l!Iltii   mocleru   drainage  methods  came 

into  general  use  that  Goose  Fake  Township  land 

Peter  Lamsett  was  probably  the  earliest  set-  was  made  to  yield  :ls  jt  has  Proved  capable  of 

tier  of  this  locality,  haying  hunted  game  through  doing. 

here  as  early  as  1820.  and.  being  attracted  by  As  yet.  Goose  Fake  Township  is  entirely  agri- 
its  many  possibilities,  made  it  his  permanent  cultural,  but  much  of  the  soil  is  a  wet  clay, 
home,  although  not  the  owner  of  any  property.  suitable  tor  the  manufacture  of  pottery,  and  it 
To  him  belongs  the  honor  of  having  discovered  is  believed  by  those  who  have  the  future  of  the 
the  first  coal  in  the  neighborhood,  but  lie  never  township  at  heart,  that  the  manufacture  of 
profited  by  his  pioneer  experiences  to  any  eon-  earthenware  is  destined  to  become  a  very  im- 
siderable  extent,  for  be  was  a  nomad,  and  was  portant  interest  of  this  part  of  the  county. 
never  so  happy  as  when  roaming  about,  care-  As  in  the  CJlse  in  everv  uew  community,  a  few 
free.       Thus     his     name     alone     preserves  '  his  ,10UseSj  &    ^rem,   a    blacksmith    shop,   and   per- 


haps a  church,  gradually  were  erected  about 
the  cross-roads  store,  in  different  places  in 
the    township,    but    no    large    villages    resulted, 


memory. 

W.  A.  Ilalloway  was  the  first  to  purchase  land 

here,  buying  on  Section  12.  in  1S35,  at  the  point 

where  afterwards   a    wooden    bridge    was    built 

..,,-.<.  (l, ,  \r„.,  .,  i.;,        .    t  •     ioM  \  owing  to   the  -proximity  of  larger   communities 

across  the  Mazon  River,  hut  in  1840  he  went  to 

Bloomington.    Wis.     Many   of   the  earliest   pio-  that    f,11"ish   al]    the   necessities   and    many    of 

neers  followed  this  course.     While  they  invested  ,lle  luxuries  of  life- 
in  land  they  were  not  all  willing  to  settle  down 

permanently  until  the  conditions  came  up  with  supervisors 
their   expectations,    many    looking   to   others    to 

bring  these  favorable  conditions  about.  Israel  Dudgeon,  1S97-1907;  Frank  J.  Holder- 

A'bram  Holderman  also  bought  land  in  5835,  mau<    1908-1909;     Walter    Phillips,     1910-1911; 

and  turned  the  property  over  to  his  son,  Henry  Frank  Collins,  3912-1913;  C.  E.  Anderson,  1914. 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


700 


CHAPTER  XXX 


GREENFIELD    TOWNSHIP    AND    VILLAGES 


NAME    —    BOUNDARIES    AND    SOIL    TIMBER    AND 

STREAMS  —  EARLIEST  PIONEERS   FIRST   WHITE 

CHILD  BORN — PIONEERS  OF  1S-J9 — OTHER  EARLY 
SETTLERS — FIRST  MOWING  MACHINE  BOUGHT— 
FIRST  DEATH — FIRST  MARRIAGE — PUBLIC  MOVE- 
MENTS  FIRST  TOWN  MEETING AN  AMALGA- 
MATED     POPULATION  —  RECLAIMING      OF      SWAMP 

LANDS    SOUTH     WILMINGTON    —    SCHOOLS    OF 

SOUTH  WILMINGTON — SOUTH  WILMINGTON  BAP- 
TIST   CHURCH     —    LEADING     RESIDENTS    EAST 

BROOKLYN— SECRET    SOCIETIES — SUPERVISORS. 


(By  R.  McNulty) 


Greenfield  Township  owes  its  name  to  Thomas 
L.  Green  of  Chicago,  who  owned  and  operated 
in  its  lands  to  an  extensive  degree  prior  to  its 
formation  into  a  township.  Because  of  the 
activity  and  poularity  of  Mr,  Green  this  section 
was  named  after  him  by  the  enthusiastic  men 
who  had  the  matter  in  hand,  the  committee 
being  composed  of  Rohert  Wood,  Robert  Finley 
and   Milo  Wilcox. 

BOUNDARIES    AND   SOIL 

The  township  had  at  this  time  the  following 
boundaries:  Braceville  Township  on  the  north, 
Good  Farm  Township  on  the  west.  Round  Grove, 
Livingston  County,  on  the  south,  and  Essex, 
Kankakee  County,  on  the  east,  and  it  had  an 
area  of  six   miles. 

The  soil  is  black  loam,  ranging  from  one  to 
two  feet  .deep  and  is  capable  of  high  cultivation. 
It  rolls  gently  downward  from  the  southern 
portion,  but  as  the  streams  are  all  supplied  with 
high  banks,  considerable  drainage  is  necessary. 

TIMBER   AND-  STREAMS 

Unfortunately  much  of  the  original  timber 
has  been  cleared  away,  although  Greenfield 
Township  was  never  very  heavily  wooded,  the 
timber  being  along  the  Mazon   Creek.     One  of 


the  best  known  groves  in  the  township  was 
Currier's  Grove.  The  varieties  of  timber  found 
embraced  oak,  hickory,  walnut,  elm,  basswood, 
and  similar  species  found  in  Illinois.  The 
largest  stream,  Mazon  Creek,  originates  at 
Broughton,  Livingston  County,  running  north 
through  Greenfield  Township.  Cramery  Creek, 
the  next,  important,  comes  into  the  township 
from  Essex  Township.  Kankakee  County,  and 
unites  with  Mazon  Creek'.  Two  other  creeks, 
which  rise  in  Round  Grove  Township,  unite 
with  Mazon  Creek  within  the  boundaries  of 
Greenfield    Township. 

EARLIEST     PIONEERS 

While  Greenfield  Township  was  still  unor- 
ganized, belonging  then  to  the  Mazon  precinct, 
about  LSis,  Dr.  .lames  Miller  and  Nelson  La- 
Force  became  the  pioneers  of  the  township. 
They  located  on  the  northwest  part  of  Section 
.".,  where  they  built  a  house  which  was  the  first 
to  be  put  up  within  a  radius  of  thirty-six 
square  miles.  In  it  was  born  the  son  of  Doctor 
Miller,  George  Miller,  the  first  white  child  to 
be  born  in  the  township.  For  many  years  Doc- 
tor Miller  ministered  to  the  sick  and  suffering  of 
his  neighborhood,  although  crippled  to  such  an 
extent  that  he  was  forced  to  go  on  two  crutches. 
Later  he  went  to  Gardner  where  lie  owned  and 
conducted  a  drug  store  and  still  later  removed 
to  Florida  where  he  rounded  out  his  useful  life. 
His  associate,  Mr.  LaForce,  also  moved  to  Gard- 
ner later  in  life.  The  second  home  in  the  town- 
ship was  built  by  Taylor  hredfield  in  1S49,  near 
the  northeast  corner  of  Section  10. 

pioneers  of  1810 

Robert  Class  came  here  in  1S49  and  under  the 
farm  he  secured  on  Section  10,  coal  was  dis- 
covered in  the  early  'SOs,  which  increased  the 
value  of  his  property  many  times  over.  This 
pioneer  has  long  passed  to  his  last  reward. 
Robert  Finley  was  another  of  the  pioneers  of 
1S49,  and  the  Village  of  Gardner  now  occupies 
a  portion  of  his  original  holdings.  He  bought 
a  quarter  of  Section  0  for  $134,  and  later  an- 
other quarter  section  for  $173,  and  had  the  sat- 
isfaction of  selling  a  large  portion  of  it  in  town 
lots,  receiving  for  a  quarter  of  an  acre  much 
more  than  either  of  the  original  tracts  cost  him. 
Samuel  Miller  came  here  in  1S49,  but  sold  his 
land  in  1S54  to  go  to  Iowa.     Mr.  Fuller  is  iiuiii- 


710 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


bored  among:  the  early  hunters  of  this  region, 
and  stories  of  his  prowess  with  his  gun  are 
slili  related.  Robert  Wood's  arrival  was  either 
in  the  latter  part  of  1S49,  or  the  early  part  of 
1850.  Later  he  sold  and  went  to  Missouri,  but 
being  convinced  that  Grundy  County  offered 
more  advantages,  came  back  and  bought  a  new 
farm,  spending  the  remainder  of  his  life  on  the 
east   bank  of  Mazon  ('reek. 

Franklin  Morgan  was  another  pioneer  of  1S49, 
but  later  he  went  to  Indiana,  lie  is  remembered 
for  his  genial  spirit  and  love  of  fun.  Joseph 
Elliott  also  came  here  in  1S49,  having  spent 
a  short  time  in  Du  Page  County.  His  first 
winter  was  spent  in  a  mere  shanty,  though  the 
terrible  snow  storms,  made  it  utterly  impossible 
for  him  and  his  family  to  keep  warm,  despite 
the  fact  that  they  had  a  roaring  fire  all  the 
while! 

Another  of  the  pioneers  of  Greenfield  Town- 
ship was  John  Kelso,  who  arrived  here  in  1849, 
but  later  went  to  Kansas.  Milo  Wilcox  put  up 
a  little  house  on  the  hanks  of  Mazon  Creel;  in 
1S49,  hot  sold  it  t"  Charles  lice,  a  Methodist 
preacher,  and  secured  another  farm.  George 
F.  Spencer  developed  a  magnificent,  farm  from 
his  prairie  holdings,  lie  planted  a  fine  orchard 
and  became  one  of  the  leading  men  of  Green- 
field Township.  Nelson  Clapp  came  here  in 
1841),  hut  soon  sold  to  move  to  Grand  Prairie. 
Benjamin  Banister  arrived  the  same  year  as 
Mr.  Clapp,  hut  his  property  has  passed  into 
different  hands. 

OTHER    EARLY     SKTTI.ERS 

On  May  10,  1S50,  George  Willis  came  here 
from  Guernsey  County,  Ohio,  building  a  split 
log  cabin.  With  him  came  S.  V.  Hartley  who 
develo[>ed  into  a  wealthy  farmer.  His  original 
farm   was  divided  into  town  lots,   to  his  profit. 

Thomas  McCartney  was  another  of  the  pio- 
neers and  among  those  who  came  after  1850 
may  he  mentioned :  Alexander  and  Kennedy 
Brown,  J.  W.  Hall  and  Robert  Atkinson.  After 
this,  settlement  was  rapid,  for  it  was  recog- 
nized that  the  soil  was  fertile  and  farming 
profitable. 

The  first  mowing  machine  used  in  Greenfield 
Township  was  bought  by  Alexander  and  Ken- 
nedy  Brown   in   1852. 

FIRST  DEATH 

The  tii'st  to  die  in   Greenfield   Township  was 


George  Beak  who  passed  away  in  the  spring  of 
1850.  No  clergyman  could  he  secured  for  the 
last  rites,  hut  a  pious  neighbor  offered  a  heart- 
felt prayer.  Others  joined  in  with  a  hymn,  and 
all  who  could  followed  the  rude  coffin  to  what 
is  now  Wheeler  Burying  Grounds. 

FIRST    MARRIAGE 

In  either  June  or  July  of  1S51,  occurred  the 
first  marriage  which  was  celebrated  between 
Henry  Brown  and  a  young  lady  whose  first 
name  was  Amanda,  a  sister-in-law  of  Daniel 
Fuller.  The  following  is  declared  to  he  a  true 
transcript  of  the  marriage  service  which  hound 
them   together: 

"llenry.  do  you  love  Amanda?" 

"Yes." 

"Amanda,  do  you  love  Henry?" 

"Yes." 

"Then  I  pronounce  you  man  and  wife,  by 
God." 

FlTiLIC    MOVEMENTS 

The  first  bridge  was  built  over  the  Mazon 
Creek  at  Mason's  three-mile  house,  during  the 
winter  of  1SG7-GS,  by  John  F.  Peek  of  Gardner. 
It  was  of  wood,  200  feet  in  length,  hut  was  later 
replaced  by  one  of  sdme  and  iron.  Still  later, 
after  the  second  one  was  destroyed  by  a  cyclone, 
an  iron  bridge  was  constructed.  Other  bridges- 
were  built  on  Snyder's  Lane,  prior  to  that  over 
the  Mazon,  and  were  replaced  by  more  sub- 
stantial ones  later  on.  The  commissioners  are 
constantly  making  improvements  on  the  bridges 
and  take  pride  in  keeping  them  up  to  a  standard 
in  every  respect. 

The  first  town  meeting  of  Greenfield  Town- 
ship was  held  in  April,  1850.  Those  present 
at  the  meeting  were  seventeen  in  number,  and 
the  following  were  elected  :  Franklin  Morgan, 
supervisor:  Nelson  LaForce,  town  clerk;  Robert 
Glass,  assessor;  Taylor  Bradfield,  overseer  of 
the  poor;  Nelson  LaForce.  collector;  B.  Finley, 
R.  Woods  and  John  Kelso,  highway  commis- 
sioners; Thomas  McCartney  and  Jachin  Banis- 
ter, constables;  Daniel  Fuller,  justice  of  tho 
peace,  and  Taylor  Bradfield,  pathmaster. 

AN    AMALGAMATED    POPULATION 

Various  countries  are  repiesented  among  the 
people  of  Greenfield  Township.     There  is  a  large 


■ 
• 

• 

' 

F~*„££.ltf0~- 


■■.^I.-W  .-■*.■: 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY   COUNTY. 


711 


settlement  of  Danes,  Norwegians,  Scandinavians, 
Scotch,  Irish  and  Germans  here,  while  the  New 
England  states  sent  generously  some  of  their 
best  citizens  to  help  to  develop  this  portion  of 
Grundy  County.  The  descendants  of  the  early 
settlers  have  intermarried  until  they  are  now 
fused  in  the  great  melting  pot  of  Americanism, 
and  are  proud  of  this  country  and  the  one  from 
which    they   sprung. 

Greenfield  Township  is  fortunate  in  not  hav- 
ing a  record  of  cruel  Indian  history,  owing  in 
'  large  part  to  the  friendship  of  the  chief  Shab- 
bona.  However,  wolves  remained  to  scare  the 
pioneer.  There  were  plenty  of  deer  and  other 
wild  game,  and  so  with  iish  from  the  streams, 
the  early  settlers  did  not  have  to  kill  their  stork 
to  secure  meat. 

RECLAIMING    Or    SWAMP    LANDS 

In  the  early  'SOs  the  people  of  Greenfield 
Township  began  to  appreciate  the  value  of  tile 
draining,  and  after  the  first  experiments  in  this 
method  of  reclaiming  the  swamp  lands  proved 
so  satisfactory,  the  agriculturalists  here,  always 
progressive,  undertook'  the  drainage  of  thou- 
sands of  acres  hitherto  worthless,  and  upon 
them  banner  crops  are   now   being   raised. 

Until  Garfield  Township  was  formed  from 
Greenfield,  Gardner  was  within  the  latter  town- 
ship, and  its  first  village  to  lie  incorporated,  but 
it  now  belongs  to  the  former,  and  is  written 
up  at  length  in  the  history  of  that  section. 

SOUTH    WILMINGTON 

The  second  village  to  be  incorporated  in 
Greenfield  Township  was  South  Wilmington, 
which  came  into  existence  August  L'-">,  1S99.  An 
election  was  held  by  the  qualified  voters  residing 
within  the  territory,  to-wit  :  The  southwest 
quarter  of  Section  11  in  Township  31,  North 
Range  8,  east  of  the  Third  1'.  M..  in  the  County 
of  Grundy.  The  returns  which  were  canvassed 
by  A.  R.  Jordan,  county  judge,  resulted  for  in- 
corporation. The  first  election  for  village  of- 
ficers was  held  September  10,  1899,  and  the  first 
set  of  officers  elected  were:  Robert  McXulty, 
St.,  president;  Mike  Finn,  clerk;  "Walter  Fer- 
guson, treasurer;  Charles  McLean,  constable; 
William  Walker,  street  commissioner;  Levi 
Sinims,  police  magistrate,  and  William  Purdy, 
Martin  Ferrero.  Patrick-  Corrigan,  Hugh  Young 
and  John  Hammer,  trustees. 


The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gibson  Simpson 
was  the  first  to  locate  at  South  Wilmington, 
moving  into  a  house  taken  there  from  Braid- 
wood,  that  had  belonged  to  Ed  Blandey.  The 
second  family  was  that  of  Patrick  Corrigan, 
who  came  to  take  charge  of  the  hotel  which 
was  built  by  the  C.  W.  and  ('.  Coal  Company,  it 
being  the  first  to  be  put  here.  In  1S90  the  coal 
company  commenced  to  build  new  houses  and 
sell  them  to  their  employes,  and  a  great  many 
were  moved  in  from  the  surrounding  towns  of 
Braceville,  Braidwood,  Coal  City,  and  Clarke 
City.  The  present  population  of  South  Wilming- 
ton is  about  three  thousand. 

A  meeting  of  the  citizens  was  held  in  the  fall 
of  1S99  and  donations  were  asked  for  the  com- 
mencement of  a  school  for  the  benefit  of  the  few 
children  here.  School  commenced  that  same 
fall,  being  held  in  an  old  store  building  which 
had  been  moved  in  on  Third  Avenue.  Miss 
Carrie  Peart  was  employed  as  the  first  teacher. 
The  people  responded  so  generously  to  the  re- 
quest for  funds  that  by  flic  fall  of  1000.  ;i  four- 
rooin  schoolhouse  was  ready  in  District  74,  and 
in  .May.  1902,  four  rooms  more  were  added.  It 
now  has  STO  pupils  enrolled,  41'J  boys  and  441 
girls.  A  two-room  schoolhouse  was  built  in 
District  6S  in  the  spring  of  1905.  This  latter 
school  has  107  pupils  enrolled,  fifty-one  boys 
and    fifty-six    girls. 

The  first  religious  services  held  in  South  Wil- 
mington were  by  the  Baptist  Sunday  School  in 
the  fall  of  19<ki.  They  were  conducted  in  what 
was  known  as  the  Prophet  Building,  which  was 
moved  here  from  Gardner.  Rev.  J.  Blodgett 
and  J.  C.  Wilson  organized  it.  and  F.  E.  Floyd 
was  the  first  superintendent.  The  church  build- 
ing where  the  Baptists  now  hold  services  was 
moved  from  Braceville  in  1901.  Rev.  .7.  Blod- 
gett was  the  first  pastor.  The  church  was  or- 
ganized the  same  year,  but  only  remained  by 
itself  a  short  time,  becoming  a  mission  of 
Gardner,  until  February  0.  1910,  when  it  became 
once  more  a  separate  church. 

A  complete  history  of  the  coal  industry  of 
Grundy  County  'will  be  found  elsewhere-  in  this 
work.  Written  by  an  expert,  the  conditions  are 
fully  given. 

Among  the  leading  business  houses  and  pro- 
fessional and  business  men  of  South  Wilmington 
are:  Dr.  C.  D.  Allison,  physician;  Arthur  G. 
Perry,  president  -Rank  of  South  Wilmington; 
Frank  Blanchetto,  buffet;  Felix  Garda,  buffet, 
Joe  Girot,  buffet;   Max  Goodman,  general  mer- 


712  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

chandise;    Hector   Jerbl,    general    merchandise;  McClun,     1S79;     Lewis     Germain,      18S0-1S88; 

McAllister  &    Co.,   garage;    William   McGovern,  Henry   Leach,   1SS9;   Lewis  Germain,    LSOO;    II. 

Robert  McXulty,  public  telephone  station ;  Mrs.  K.    Snyder.    1S91-1S92;    Jerry    A.    Gowey,    1S93- 

Veronica    Pa  store,    groceries    and     ice    cream;  1S0G;  II.  L.  Snyder,  1897-1S9S;  Geo.  W.  Booth, 

Peter  Piagno,   grocer;   Albino   Residori,  buffet;  1S99-1 901 ;  John  Spiller,  1002;  J.  C.  Wilson,  1903- 

Domiuick  Rolla,  grocer ;  Ronchetti  &  Co.,  meats  1904;    Alexander   K.    Walker,    1905-1912;   A.    J. 

and     general     merchandise;     Frank     Scavardo,  Cnlley.   1913-1914. 
agent   Morris   Brewery;    Skinner  Bros.,  general 

nierehaiidi.se;     Testa    Bros.,    bakery:    Domenio  • 

Valerngo,    buffet;    Wilmington    Coal    Mining    & 

Manufacturing  Co.;   A.   C.   Wilson,    livery;   and                                 CHAPTER  XXXI 
others   interested   in    farm    lands   who   have    re- 
tired to  this  village  to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  their  ■ 

labors. 


HIGHLAND  TOWNSHIP 


•EAST    BROOKLYN 


On  June  15,  1903,  a  petition  was  presented  to 

the  County  Court  of  Grundy  County  asking  thai  highest     land     in     county — well     watered — ■ 

the  question  of  incorporation  of  a   village  to  be  prairie  dandits — first  settler — few  pioneers 

called  Last  Brooklyn,  be  submitted  to  the  people.  prior  to  ISoO — many  additions  in  1S57  and 

In  accordance  with  the  petition,  an  election  was  1S5S  —  the  Ottawa  settlers  —  change  in 

afterwards    held.      The   result    of    this   election  political   sentiment — first   marriage,   rirtii 

was  in   favor   of   incorporation,   and    thereupon  and    death— few    churches — mail    j;y    free 

the  Village  of  Last    Brooklyn  came  into  exist-  rural    delivery    from    kinsman — rich    agrt- 

enee.     Its  territory  is  as  follows:     Commencing  cultural  district — supervisors  from  1S50  to 

at  a  point  943-S-10  cast  of  the  southeast  corner  1914. 
of  the  southwest   one-quarter  of  the  southeast 

one-quarter  of  Section  11  in  Township  31,  North  (By  Thomas  ISyan) 
Range  — .  Last  of  the  Third  P.  M.,  and  running 

north  GS3  feet,  west  1,590  feet,  south  6S3  feet,  highest   land 
and  east  1,590  feet.     On  July  21,  1903,  an  elec- 
tion was  held  and  the  lirst  to  hold  office  in  East  Highland  Township  contains  the  highest   ele- 
Brooklyn  were  as  follows:     Levi   Green,  presi-  vation    in    Grundy    County,     hence    its    name, 
den),   and   George   Hackney,   Joe   Black,    Anton  Johnny  Run  and  .Murray  Sluice  are  the  princi- 
Rolando,  Fred  Bollatto,  Joe  Ferrero  and  John  pal    streams,    although    the   Waupecan   and    the 
Ronchetti,  trustees.     East  Brooklyn  has  a  popu-  Mazon  Livers  cross  the  corners. 
lation  of  525,  and  it  is  growing.  The  very  early  history  of  Highland  Township 

A  number  of  secret  societies  are  represented  is  regret  ably  associated   with   the  criminal   his- 

in  Greenfield  Township,  among  them  being:  The  tory  of  Grundy  County,  for  the  people  who  took 

Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Eagles,  and  the  .Marco  forcible  possession  of  this  locality  wen-  members 

Polo.    Solo  Resplendente,  and   the   Minatori   I  >i  of  the  Prairie  Bandit   Gang.     During  1S3G  and 

Italia,  the  last  three  being  Italian  societies.  ]S-'!7    these    desperadoes    ravaged    the    country, 

Those  who  have  served  Greenfield  Township  stealing  horses  so  openly  that  none  were  safe, 
on  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Grundy  County  and  as  is  the  ease  with  men  who  have  no  re- 
have  been  as  follows:  Franklin  N.  Morgan,  spect  for  property,  these  bandits  had  but  little 
1850-1851;  .las.  Miller,  1852;  Jas.  Craig,  1S53;  for  human  life,  and  whenever  it  was  necessary 
Robert  Wood,  ls."">4 ;  Joseph  C.  Robinson,  1S55;  to  protect    themselves,   killed   ruthlessly.     Trav- 

C.  A.  Whitbeck,  1S56;  William  B.  Royal.  1S57-  elers  lost  not  only  their  horses,  but  money  and 
185S;  Charles  E.  Gardner,  1S59-1SG1  ;  Reuben  other  valuables,  and  were  fortunate  to  escape 
H.   Rose.   1S62-1SG3;    Win.    Hart.   1SG4;    Stephen  with     their     lives.       Eventually,     however,     the 

D.  Underwood,  1SG5;  Theodore  Hyatt,  1SGG-  permanent  settlers  in  Grundy  County  and  other 
18G7;  Kennedy  Brown,  1SGS-1SG9;  Amos  Clover.  localities  drove  these  bandits  out  of  the  state, 
1870-187(1 ;    Isaac    McClun,    1877-1S78;    Win.    II.  but    not    before   they    had    terrorized    hundreds, 


. 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


71: 


and  killed  many.  Highland  Township  had  many 
other  difficulties  growing  out  of  the  lawlessness 
of  these  bandits,  for  the  stories  of  their  crimes 
kept  reliable  men  from  settling  here,  and  en- 
couraged law  breaking  of  all  kinds. 

The  real  settlement  of  the  township  began 
in  lS4f>  or  3840.  with  the  location  here  of  James 
Martin,  who  came  here  from  Indiana.  Soon 
John  and  William  Scott,  his  brothers-in-law, 
followed,  but  only  remained  a  short  period. 
James  Funk  and  William  Pierce  both  settled 
here  before  1S50.  Alvin  and  Cushman  Small 
came  here  about  1851,  as  did  John  Empie  and 
a  Mr.  Kline.  Paddy  Lamb  arrived  before  1S55, 
and  was  joined  by  a  number  of  other  Irishmen. 
John  Weldon,  although  a  resident  of  Vienna, 
influenced  many  to  come  to  Highland  Township. 

THi:    OTTAWA    SETTLERS 

The  settlement  was  small  up  to  1S5G,  for  at 
the  presidential  election  in  that  year,  but  fifteen 
votes  were  oast.  Paddy  Lamb  cast  the  only 
vote  for  Buchanan  despite  the  efforts  of  the 
fourteen  others  to  make  him  change  his  politics. 
William  Slattarey,  a  resident  of  Ottawa.  Illi- 
nois, moved  ro  Highland  in  1S57  as  one  of  the 
first  that  came  from  there  and  forty-six  families 
followed,  among  them  being  William  Meagher, 
John  Ryan,  Tom  Ryan,  Jerry  Donavan,  Owen 
Driner,  Pat  C.iry.  Will  Kieff,  Tom  Donohue, 
Dennis  Ryan.  Mike  Ahem  and  Tom  Marty. 
This  influx  turned  a  strong  republican  town  to 
a  democratic,  and  it  was  called  Ireland  by 
some.  John  Coveny,  Isaac  Marlet,  John  Xoo- 
uan,  Vera  Hill.  Randolf  Hill.  William  Colby, 
John  Daniher,  Mike  Dunn,  and  Dave  Silk  were 
the  old  settlers  from  1S56  to  18G6.  Land  was 
bought  for  from  $6  to  $10  per  acre  that  sells  for 
$2K>  per  acre  and  some  has  been  pushed  to 
$300  per  acre.  A  great  many  of  those  settlers 
wore  renters  and  after  a  few  years  moved  to 
other  parts,  some  to  eastern  Illinois  and  more 
to  Iowa.  All  are  well-to-do  today  who  re- 
mained and  attended   to  business. 

The  first  marriage  in  the  township  was  that 
of  the  parents  of  John  Flanigan.  who  was  born 
on  Section  15,  the  first  white  child  born  here. 
He  was  married  to  John  Sullivan's  daughter, 
who  died  and  then  he  married  James  Broderick's 
daughter,  and  now  resides  in  Iowa.  In  later 
days  many  a  young  man  came  to  Highland 
Township  to  select  a  wife.  On  one  occasion, 
John  Shroder,  then  county  sheriff  for  eighteen 


years,  announced  to  the  writer  that  Highland 
raised  the  must  perfect  girls  in  the  county,  so 
it  was  no  wonder  the  young  men  crowded  to 
Highland  Township  to  get  their  wives. 

The  first  death  was  that  of  Mr.  Beningham. 
Out  of  the  forty-six  families  that  moved  from 
Ottawa  only  five  now  remain,  all  the  others 
having  gone  to  their  eternal  reward. 

FEW    CHURCHES 

In  1S6S  a  Catholic  church  was  built  on  Sec- 
tion 4.  The  old  Catholic  church  was  moved  to 
Kinsman  in  1SS5  and  in  1SST  was  replaced  by  a 
$3,000  church.  Only  one  church  was  outside  the 
Catholic  and  that  was  the  Swedish  Lutheran, 
in  1003. 

Xo  postofilces  were  ever  established  in  High- 
land Township  outside  of  Kinsman,  the  people 
now  getting  their  mail  by  rural  free  delivery 
from   that   point. 

RICH  AGRICULTURAL  DISTRICT 

This  is  entirely  an  agricultural  district.  From 
being  the  center  of  lawlessness  in  the  '30s,  it 
has  become,  in  1014.  one  of  the  must  law  abid- 
ing of  all  the  sections  of  Grundy  County.  The 
farmers  are  well-to-do,  and  market  their  produce 
at  Kinsman  and  Verona.  While  the  farms 
here  are  not  as  largo  as  those  in  some  of  the 
other  townships,  they  are  so  well  cared  fur,  that 
they  yield  handsomely,  and  the  valuation  per 
acre  is  higher  in  consequence.  In  addition  (o 
general  fanning,  stock  raising  is  carried  on,  also 
some  dairying,  all  of  which  prove  profitable  to 
those  thus  engaged. 

KINSMaI." 

The  only  railroad  station  in  Highland  Town- 
ship is  Kinsman,  which  is  located  on  the  Atchi- 
son. Tupeka  &  Santa  Fe  Railroad.  It  is  a  little 
settlement  about  the  railroad  station  and  the 
Catholic  Church,  and  the  residents  are  prin- 
cipally retired  farmers  of  the  Catholic  faith. 
A  small  hotel  offers  accommodation  to  those  de- 
siring it.  not  only  from  the  village,  but  tran- 
sients as  well.  Stock  and  grain  from  the  sur- 
rounding territory  are  shipped  from  Kinsman, 
and  from  it  mail  is  delivered  over  the  regular 
rural  route  the  postoffice  there  controls.  Sev- 
eral stores  deal  in  the  commodities  required  by 
the  people  of  Kinsman  and  the  outlying  farming 


714 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


community,  and  it  ranks  in  importance  with 
other  villages  of  its  size  in  Grundy  County. 
There  is  also  a  hank  at   this  point. 

SUPERVISORS 

Highland  Township  has  been  represented  on 
the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Grundy  County  by 
the  following  men:  L.  Putnam,  1S50-51;  Wil- 
liam Pierce,  1S52-1S59;  Philip  Waite,  1S00- 
1S(J4;  William  Pierce,  1SG5;  John  S.  Maxwell. 
1SGG-1SG7;  Henry  Adams.  1SGS-.1  SOU ;  William 
Pierce,  1S70-1S72;  Benjamin  Waite,  1ST.'!; 
George  L.  Gilbert,  1S74-1S75 ;  Thomas  Ryan, 
1S76-1S80;  M.  II.  Lamb,  1S81-1SS-1;  W.  E.  Con- 
ness,  1SS5;  W.  T.  Dauiher,  1SSG-1S00;  J.  II. 
Kane,  1S91-1S92 ;  W.  T.  Dauiher.  1S93;  Thomas 
Ryan,  IS'.M  ;  J.  II.  Kane,  1S93-1S00;  George 
Gilbert,  1S97-1S9S;  W.  E.  Conness,  1S99-1900; 
Thomas  Ryan,  1901-1904;  D.  F.  Measlier,  1905- 
1906;  Richard  Carey,  1907-190S;  Daniel  O'Con- 
nell,  1909-3914. 


CHAPTER  XXXII 


MAINE  TOWNSHIP 


LOCATION" — WELL  CULTIVATED  FARMS CORN'  PRIN- 
CIPAL CROP — HAS  ONE  SHIPPING  STATION — RAIL- 
ROAD FACILITIES — OWNERS  OF  LAND — WILMING- 
TON  STAR  COAL  COMPANY — SUPERVISORS. 

(By   George  II.  Cragg) 


tivated,  although  smaller  than  some  in  adjoin- 
ing townships.  Pike  Mazon  Township,  the  soil 
here  is  exceedingly  fertile,  and  corn  and  oats 
an-  grown,  the  former  being  the  principal  crop. 
There  is  one  shipping  station  for  grain  and 
stock  in  Maine  Township,  on  the  Atchison,  To- 
peka  &  Santa  Fe  Railroad,  which  runs  through 
it  a   little  north  of  its  center. 

OWNERS    OK   LAND 

Among  those  who  have  in  recent  years  been 
landowners  in  Maine  Township,  many  of  whom 
still  retain  their  holdings,  are:  Winlield  Rogers, 
II-  M.  Mill,  D.  Gilchrist,  Margaret  McKinley, 
Charles  Barsdorf,  James  Wills.  George  Bridel, 
Benjamin  Crisler,  Milton  Button,  Henry  Cas- 
siugham,  Jonas  Walters,  August  Knehnel,  C.  C. 
Easton,  Fred  Vdams.  C.  .1.  Wing,  George  Bar- 
rett, s.  C.  Stough,  L.  II.  Halmyer,  Frank  Pickle, 
E.  L.  Allison,  W.  P.  Jenkins,  M.  J.  Adams.' 
E.  C.  McGill,  Alfred  Wallen.  Henry  Pull.  Emit 
Bosnian,  George  Stewart,  W.  G.  Sanford,  Chris 
Thompson,  M.  Anderson,  Thomas  Reay,  Robert 
Keay,  Fritz  Wallin,  A.  Jackman.  Robert  < ; l.-is- 
gow. 

The  Wilmington  Star  Coal  Company  also 
owns  property  in  tin's  township.  It  is  one  of  the 
few  coal  companies  still  operating  Grundy  coal 
land,  although  a)  one  time  it  was  believed  that 
this  section  would  rival  some  of  (he  most  pro- 
ductive regions  of  the  country  in  the  mining 
of  coal. 

SUPERVISORS 

The  men  who  have  served  Maine  Township 
as  supervisors  since  the  organization  of  the 
township  have  been:  J-;.  II.  Robinson,  189S-1S99; 
Milton  Button,  1900-1905;  Leon  J.  Dujaric, 
1906-1914. 


Maine  Township  is  one  of  the  comparatively 
new  sections  of  Grundy  County,  having  been 
laid  off  March  7.  1898,  and  as  il  lies  between 
Braceville  Township  and  Mazon  Township,  its 
early  history  is  the  same  as  that  of  the  two 
from  which  it  was  taken.  It  is  hounded  on  the 
north  by  Goose  Lake  Township,  on  the  east  by 
Braceville  Township,  on  the  smith  by  Garfield 
Township,  and  on  the  west  by  Mazon  Township, 
and  is  a  part  of  Congressional  Township  32 
north,  Range  S,  east  of  the  Third  P.  M. 

The  farms  in  this  djstrict  are  very  well  cul- 


CHAPTER   XXXIII 


MAZON  TOWNSHIP  AND  VILLAGE 


CENTRAL   LOCATION  —  IMPORTANT    Pl^ACE    IN    COUNTY 
HISTORY — MAZON  THE  INDIAN   NAME  FOR  NETTLE 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


715 


GENERAL   SURFACE    LEVEL — SIX    WATEB-COURSES 

EARLY       PROSPECTORS       AND       SETTLERS — FIRST 

WEDDING  —  ADDITIONAL  SETTLERS  —  INADEQUATE 
TRANSPORTATION  FACILITIES — THE  HALF  WAY 
HOUSE — A  DEPLORABLE  ACCIDENT — MANY  TRAGIC 
OCCURRENCES  IN  PIONEER  TIMES — GRADUAL 
SHIFTING  OF  BUSINESS  TO  Cl.NTKRYlI.I.E.  NOW 
MAZON — ORIGINAL  SITE  STILL  OCCUPIED — TIIJD 
FACTORY — CREAMERY MAZON  VILLAGE  —  INCOR- 
PORATED UNDER  STATE  LAW  IN  l.S'.I.J — MUCH 
PUBLIC  SPIRIT  SHOWN GRUNDY  COUNTY  AGRI- 
CULTURAL  ASSOCIATION — MASONIC    HALE OPERA 

HOUSE — MODERN  IMPROVEMENTS — LARCE  INDUS- 
TRIES —  FRATERNAL  ORGANIZATIONS  — POSTMAS- 
TERS SINCE  1871  —  NEWSPAPER  HISTORY" — CEME- 
TERIES  RELIGIOUS  ACTIVITIES — FIRST  SCHOOL- 
HOUSE  EXCITED  PUBLIC  ADMIRATION" — TOWNSHIP 
HIGH    SCHOOL — SUPERVISORS. 

(By  Jenuie  M.  Wheeler) 

CENTRAL  I.OCATION 


this  obstacle,  as  it  lias  so  many  others,  and  the 
good,  strong  black  muck  of  the  soil  has  made  as 
good  land  as  there  i~.  to  he  found  in  the  county. 
Six  water-courses,  running  about  a  mile  apart, 
in  a  genera)  parallel  course,  mark  the  town- 
ship, Waupecan  Creek,  Johnny  Run,  Murray 
Sluice  and  the  west  fork  of  the  Mazon,  Brews- 
ter's Sluice  ten  or  twelve  miles,  long,  and  Wood's 
Bun.  all  now  insignificant  streams,  although 
during  the  early  days,  when  augmented  by  the 
spring  rains  and  freshets,  they  often  overflowed 
their  banks  and  united,  forming  a  broad  lake 
from  six  inches  to  two  feet  deep. 

The  principal  bodies  of  timber,  which  were  to 
be  found  along  these  streams,  were  known  as 
Wauponsee  Grove,  Johnny  Grove  and  Owen's 
Spring,  on  Section  24,  but  these  tracts  have 
been  largely  cleared.  The  agriculturists  devote 
the  major  portion  of  their  attention  to  the 
raising  of  corn,  although  stock-raising  is  also 
carried  on  extensively,  and  a  part  of  the  grain 
grown  is  fed  to  the  cattle. 


Located  practically  in  the  center  of  Grundy 
County,  Mazon  Township  and  the  city  bearing 
the  same  name  have  also  combined  to  form  a 
center  of  commercial  and  agricultural  activity. 
From  earliest  times  this  section  has  had  an 
Important  part  in  the  history  of  the  county; 
here  have  occurred  incidents  which  furnish  all 
the  elements  of  romance;  here  is  to  lie  found 
material  for  a  work  of  fiction  and  adventure. 
From  the  days  when  the  sturdy  pioneers  for 
weeks  at  a  time  subsisted  largely  upon  a  diet 
of  fried  slippery  elm  bark,  to  the  present,  when 
Mazonites  enjoy  every  attainable  luxury,  the 
progress  and  development  of  this  locality  has 
been  consistent  and  sure. 

MAZON     THE     INDIAN     NAME     FOR     NETTLE 

During  the  early  days  the  plant  known  as  the 
nettle  was  to  be  found  in  great  numbers  on 
the  rich  timber  bottoms  of  this  section,  and 
the  early  settlers  and  Indians  used  its  tough 
fibre  for  twine  and  coarse  thread.  Accordingly 
the  stream,  a  branch  of  which  crosses  a  corner 
of  the  township,  was  named  the  Mazon,  this 
being  the  Indian  name  for  nettle,  and  from 
this  the  township  and  city  were  named.  The 
general  surface  of  Mazon  Township  is  exceed- 
ingly level,  there  being  at  first  hardly  enough 
variation  to  afford  drainage  for  the  surplus 
water,  but   the  ingenuity  of  man  has  overcome 


EARLY'  PROSPECTORS  AND  SETTLERS 

A.  K.  Owen,  who  began  the  first  settlement  of 
the  Township  of  Mazon  in  1S33,  came  into  the 
present  locality  of  Grundy  County  in  company 
with  John  Hogoboom,  Dr.  L.  S.  Bobbins,  and 
others,  on  a  prospecting  expedition,  and  to  them 
the  county  is  indebted  largely  for  its  early  de- 
velopment, lie  chose  a  site  on  the  west  fork 
of  the  Mazon  Creek,  a  little  below  old  Mazon 
Village,  in  the  spring  and  summer  of  1S33,  and 
in  the  following  year  came  James  McCarty, 
who  took  up  his  residence  upon  Wauponsee's 
small  corn  patch  consisting  of  three  or  four 
acres,  located  on  section  5.  Jesse  Newport  came 
next,  from  Belmont  County,  Ohio,  and  secured 
a  tract  on  the  southwest  corner  of  section  6, 
and  during  the  same  fall  James  C.  Spores  built 
a  cabin  on  the  east  half  of  the  southeast  quarter 
of  Section  o.  In  the  spring  of  1S35  James  B. 
Ewing  came  to  Mazon  and  built  his  cabin  on 
the  northeast  quarter  of  section  6,  but  the  land 
was  too  swampy,  his  crops  did  not  flourish,  and, 
becoming  discouraged,  after  two  or  three  years 
(during  which  time  he  also  followed  at  times 
the  trade  of  shoemaker)  he  sold  his  land  to 
Jesse  Newport.  John  B.  Pickering,  who  bought 
out  Spores,  was  a  Quaker  from  Belmont  County, 
was  one  of  the  early  office  holders  of  the  county, 
where  he  lived  for  many  years,  and  the  mar- 
riage of   his  daughter   Sarah   to   Gales  Austin, 


71G 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


by  Justice  Jacob  Claypool,  is  said  to  have  been 
tbe  first  wedding  celebrated  in  Mazon  Town- 
ship. 

About  the  same  time  that  Mr.  Ewing  arrived 
came  John  Ridgway,  purchasing  land  on  the 
northwest  quarter  of  Section  5,  where  he  erected 
a  log  cabin.  He  was  followed  by  David  Spen- 
cer, and  in  the  fall  of  1S35  came  a  lawyer, 
Augustus  IT.  Owen,  from  New  York,  the  first 
of  his  profession,  in  the  county.  Finding  no 
demand  for  his  services,  the  latter  removed  to 
Ottawa,  and  subsequently  met  an  accidental 
death  by  drowning  in  Rock  River. 

During  the  summer  of  1835,  there  arrived  in 
Mazou  Township,  J.  C.  Murray,  of  Oswego 
County,  N.  Y.,  who  subsequently  became  the 
grandfather  of  L.  R.  Murray,  the  substantial 
merchant  and  talented  editor  and  poet  of  Mazon. 
J.  G.  Murray  was  a  brother-in-law  of  A.  K. 
Owen,  upon  whose  representations  he  came  to 
Mazon,  in  order  to  secure  opportunities  for 
home-making  for  his  growing  children.  After 
forty-nine  days  on  the  water  he  reached  Chi- 
cago, with  his  two  new  wagons  filled  with 
household  effects,  but  with  no  teams,  and  ac- 
cordingly left  his  family  at  that  point  and  con- 
tinued on  alone  to  Owen's  home.  The  brothers- 
in-law,  with  Mr.  Owen's  team  brought  the  fam- 
ily in  from  Chicago,  and  when  Mr.  Owen  went 
to  Hennepin,  Mr.  Murray  rented  the  farm  for  a 
while,  but  later  went  to  the  old  Chicago  and 
Bloomington  trail,  near  the  Murray  Sluice,  on 
Section  33,  his  cabin  being  known  as  the  "Half 
Way  House,"  as  it  was  situated  about  an  equal 
distance  from  either  end  of  the  road,  sixty- 
eight  miles.  One  of  the  early  houses  to  be  built 
out  on  the  prairie  in  Mazon  Township,  it  had 
no  floor  save  the  bare  earth,  and  a  blanket  was 
used  for  a  door  until  a  board  could  be  found 
which  was  sawed  and  spliced. 

As  affording  an  illustration  of  the  accidents 
that  were  all  too  frequent  during  the  pioneer 
days  the  death  of  Mr.  Murray  by  drowning  in 
Johnny  Run.  in  June,  1S44,  is  recorded.  Having 
been  impaneled  for  the  Grand  Jury,  in  session  at 
Morris,  Mr.  Murray  was  the  guest  of  Mr.  Arm- 
strong, the  well  known  pioneer  boniface,  and 
when  the  latter  found  himself  without  meat 
for  the  morning  meal,  Mr.  Murray  volunteered  to 
go  to  his  home  and  get  several  pieces  of  smoked 
meat.  He  returned  to  his  borne  in  safety,  but 
on  his  return  missed  tbe  ford,  probably  because 
of  a  freshet,  and  was  drowned.  This  was  but 
one  of  the  accidents  which  so  frequently  oc- 
curred at  an  early  day.  but  they  were  not  con- 


fined to  Mazon  Township.  Each  locality  experi- 
enced such  occurrences.  Xor  in  other  ways  was 
Mazon  greatly  different  from  its  sister  town- 
ships. The  nearest  postoffice  was  first  at  Ot- 
tawa, then  Dresden,  and  later  at  Morris;  while 
the  nearest  mills  were  those  at  Dayton,  Wil- 
mington and  Milford,  or  Millington,  and  these 
were  often  inaccessible  mi  account  of  the  fre- 
quent overflowing  of  the  streams.  Numerous 
incidents  regarding  these  days  have  come  down 
to  us  through  the  pioneers,  and  while  many  of 
these  have  to  do  with  experiences  that  bordered 
on  and  often  iuvaded  the  tragic,  still  there  is 
to  be  found  a  strain  of  humor  in  all. 

It  was  thought  during  the  early  days  that 
the  advent  of  the  canal  would  have  no  appreci- 
able effect  upon  the  traffic  of  the  Bloomington 
and  Chicago  road,  but  this  traffic  gradually 
died  out.  Charles  Huston,  who  had  come  from 
Syracuse,  X.  Y.,  in  1S45,  in  1S4S  purchased  land 
of  McKeeii,  and  laid  out  forty  acres  in  streets, 
squares  and  lots.  A  .store  was  started  by  a 
Mr.  Hall,  of  Ottawa,  was  subsequently  sold  to 
William  B.  Royal,  and  when  business  became 
poor  a  co-operative  company  was  formed,  but 
this  also  failed,  passed  into  private  hands,  and 
went  out  of  existence  in  a  fire  in  1S.">4.  A  build- 
ing was  later  erected  by  a  temperance  society, 
which  rented  the  under  part  for  a  store,  but 
this  met  with  little  success,  as  the  industrial 
activity  was  moved  to  the  "center,"  or  Center- 
ville  as  was  the  old  name.  The  coming  of  the 
Pekin.  St.  Louis  &  Chicago  Railroad  stimulated 
business,  but  moved  it  to  the  vicinity  of  the 
depot,  at  Mazon.  which  was  for  a  time  prefixed 
by  '"New"  to  distinguish  it  from  the  original 
Mazon.  The  new  village  was  originally  platted 
as  Mazonville,  but  is  now  known  as  Mazon. 
The  old  site  is  still  tlu  home  of  seven  residences, 
the  schoolhouse,  and  what  was  known  as  the 
"common."  Near  it  is  Condon's  Tile  Factory, 
built  since  the  removal  of  the  business  life  to 
the  site  of  the  depot. 

A  venture  which  is  worthy  of  mention,  as  it 
did  much  to  assist  in  the  growth  of  the  village, 
was  the  creamery  which  was  established  ;it  the 
Miller  cheese  factory  in  1SS0  and  in  the  follow- 
ing winter  was  brought  to  the  village  and  lo- 
cated in  a  building  of  its  own.  This  business 
was  built  up  to  a  considerable  extent,  until  it 
had  a  capacity  of  1,100  pounds  of  butter  per 
day,  and  in  the  neighborhood  of  thirty  thousand 
dollars  was  expended  annually  for  milk  alone. 
However  changing  conditions  made  it  unprof- 
itable, and  it  has  passed  out  of  existence. 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


717 


Today  the  visitor  to  Mazon  leaving  either  a 
Santa  Fo  or  Big  Four  train  sees  spread  before 
him  a  de  ln.ro  edition  of  an  Illinois  village. 
Every  one  of  the  323  houses  of  the  village  is 
neat  appearing,  while  many  are  artistic  and 
several  pretentious.  If  there  is  poverty  in  Ma- 
zon  it  is  cleverly  hidden,  for  its  people  look 
happy  and  prosperous,  its  buildings  are  sub- 
stantial, its  streets  well  kept  and  its  affairs  in 
an  ideal  condition.  Surrounding  the  village  are 
many  acres  of  as  rich  land  as  can  be  found  not 
only  in  Grundy  County,  but  any  other  section  of 
the  state,  and  its  corn  and  stock  shipments 
are  exceedingly  heavy,  but  are  taken  up  under 
a  separate  chapter. 


PUBLIC    SPIRIT    SHOWN 

Mazon  was  organized  as  a  village  in  187G  and 
now  has  a  population  of  about  five  hundred.    It 
was  incorporated  under  the  general  state  law  in 
1895.     The  aim  of  the  village  is  not  to  unduly 
inflate  its  population,  or  to  bring  to  it  residents 
who  might  prove  undesirable,  but  to  develop  in- 
side resources  and  maintain  a  high  standard  in 
every    respect.     It    possesses   a    number   of   men 
of    more    than    ordinary    public    spirit,    among 
whom  are:  William  Carter,  .7.  F.  Burleigh,  now 
deceased.   F.   A.   Murray,   L.   Ii.   Murray,   Isham 
Brothers,    Walker    Brothers.    Misner    Brothers, 
F.    II.   C'lapp,    A.   J.   Campbell.    Mr.    Sproul,   and 
others.     These  men  were  instrumental  in  organ- 
izing the  Grundy  County  Agricultural  Associa- 
tion and  in  building  and  maintaining  the  pres- 
ent Fair  Grounds  and  buildings  which  arc  ad- 
mittedly the  best  in  this  part  of  the  state.    These 
men    have   given    aid   and    loyal    support    to   the 
home  bank,  organizing  it  into  a   national   insti- 
tution when  occasion  demanded.    An  opera  house 
provides  a  place  of  entertainment,  a  moving  pic- 
ture performance  being  given  there  every   Sat- 
urday   night,    while    theatrical    companies    are 
brought    to    it     from    time    to    time.       Lecture 
courses  are  also  held  in  this  house  and  it  has  an 
auditorium  of  which  a  much  larger  place  than 
Mazon    might    be    proud.       Masonic    Hall    was 
erected  in  ISfto  by  A.  J.  Campbell,  and  in  con- 
junction   with    him,    O.    II.    Fuller,    Z.    Isham. 
George    Preston,    now    deceased,    and    Matthew 
Johnson,   called    in   a    friendly   way,    "The    Big 
Four,"    built   the   Mazon    Opera    House. 


BUSINESS  AND  PROFESSIONAL  MEN 

Tlie    leading    business    and    professional    men 
of  Mazon  are  as  follows:  A.  J.  Bundy,  grocer; 
A.  J.   Campbell,   druggist;  J.   II.  Campbell,  den- 
tist;   F.    II.    Claiiii,    secretary    Grundy    County 
Fair  Association   and   president   First  National 
Bank:   Charley   Clements,    butcher;   James  Con- 
don,    tile    and     brick     manufacturer;     William 
Drake,   proprietor  Cottage   Hotel;   John   Miller, 
manager  Public  Telephone ;  Dr.  IT.  B.  Gilhourne, 
physician;    W.    .7.    Grinnell,    liveryman;    T.    F. 
Kelly,  proprietor  of  elevator;  Joseph  H.  Massie, 
restaurant;  L.  R.  Murray,  general  merchandise; 
D.   S.   Small,  postmaster;   S.  E.  Strickland,  gen- 
eral    merchandise;     Frank     E.     Davis,     baker; 
George  O.  Wheeler,   retired  farmer;  L.  F.  Wor- 
ley,  physician;.  George  Phillips,  cigars  and  soft 
drinks;  Mazon  Hardware  Co.,  Stevens  &  Jewett, 
proprietors;   James  Bray,  restaurant;  Dr.  Dale 
Costello,      dentist  ;      Economy      Implement     Co., 
Isham    &    Strong,    proprietors;    C.    J.    Larson, 
tailor;   O.   W.   Weston,  agricultural   implements 
and    repairing;    Chris    Hansen,    blacksmith;    F. 
Ilaag.  harness  making;  Manning  Jewell,  barber, 
and   T.   F.   Kelley  and   Son   handle  grain,   feed 
and   seeds. 

The  Cottage  Hotel,  surrounded  by  beautiful 
forest  trees,  is  one  of  the  striking  features  of 
Mazon.  and  although  it  is  the  only  hotel  there, 
its  accommodations  are  such  that,  none  other  is 
needed.  The  history  of  this  hotel  is  as  follows: 
A  hotel  conducted  by  Charles  w.  Huston  at  the 
original  Mazon,  was  moved  to  the  new  village 
about  1875,  but  it  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1SSS. 
It  was  rebuilt  by  Mitchell  Isham  at  a  cost  of 
$4,500,  and  after  several  changes  during  which 
it  was  leased  by  Viner  Bros.,  the  present  pro- 
prietor, William  Drake,  became  the  proprietor 
nine  years  ago.  It  is  a  very  comfortable  hos- 
telry, well  equipped,  and  its  genial  host  and 
estimable  wife  are  important  factors  in  the  life 
of  Mazon.  Mrs.  Drake  is  a  member  of  the  old 
Isham  family  which  has  been  such  an  important 
one  in  this  part  of  the  county. 

MODERN    IMPROVEMENTS 

Mazon  is  lighted  by  both  gas  and  electricity 
supplied  by  the  Public  Service  Company,  the 
municipality  having  found  it  more  economical 
to  contract  with  this  concern  than  to  manufac- 
ture its  own  product.  This  method  is  followed 
by  all  the  villages  of  Grundy  County  and  many 


718 


HISTOKY   OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


of  the  surrounding  counties.  Some  of  the 
streets  are  paved  and  concrete  .sidewalks  have 
been  laid,  both  of  which  add  to  the  beauty  of 
Mazpn  and  the  comfort  of  its  people.  It.  is 
claimed  that  over  one  halt'  of  the  householders 
of  Mazon  own  pianos  and  that  there  are  over 
fifty  automobiles  in   the  township. 


LARGE    INDUSTRIES 

Mazon  is  not  a  manufacturing  center,  but 
owing  to  its  shipping  facilities  there  are  two 
large  elevators  and  a  lumber  yard  locate. 1  here, 
all  of  which  do  a  large  business.  The  Mazon 
Farmers  Elevator  Company  handles  grain, 
seeds,  lumber,  coal  and  building  materials.  It 
is  an  incorporated  company,  with  a  capital 
stock  of  .$22,(100.  and  operates  additional  plants 
at  Booth  Station  in  .Mazon  Township,  and  at, 
Gorman,  just  outside  the  township.  The  lum- 
ber company  is  now  owned  by  the  Mazon  Farm- 
ers Elevator  Company,  hut  for  some  years  was 
operated  under  the  name  of  I.  X.  R.  Beatty 
Lumber  Company.  The  beginning  of  this  busi- 
ness lay  in  the  formation  of  two  separate  con- 
cerns, one  by  Murray  &  Fuller,  the  Mr.  Murray 
being  the  lather  of  Mr.  L.  It.  Murray  of  Morris, 
and  the  other  by  M.  S.  Dewey.  These  two  con- 
cerns were  absorbed  by  the  Alexander  Lumber 
Company,  and  it  in  turn  became  the  property 
of  the  T.  X.  R.  Beatty  Lumber  Company  of 
Morris. 

FRATERNAL    OliCANIZATIONS 

The  Masonic  Lodge  of  Mazon  was  organized 
November  7,  1S93,  with  ninety-five  members,  as 
the  Mazon  Lodge  Xo.  82G,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. 

The  Knights  of  Pythias  of  Mazon  were  organ- 
ized in  1893  with  thirty-eight  charter  members 
and  continued  to  hold  meetings  until  the  lodge 
had  eighty  or  more  members,  but  finally  it  was 
disbanded. 

The  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  was  organ- 
ized at  Mazon,  May  2.  1S91,  as  Woodbine  Camp 
No.  7S9,  and  now  is  in  a  flourishing  condition, 
having  150  members. 

The  Royal  Neighbors  of  Mazon  were  organ- 
ized as  St.  Valentine  Camp  Xo.  526  with  twenty- 
seven  charter  members,  February  22,  1S9G.  The 
camp  now  contains  seventy  members. 

The  Eastern  Star  was  organized  at  Mazon 
ns  Kittie  McKindley  Order,  on  April   10,  1909, 


with  twenty-five  charter  members.  At  present 
there  are  100  members. 

The  Knights  of  the  Globe  was  an  order  organ- 
ized at  Mazon  with  thirty-live  members,  but  dis- 
banded in   1SS9,   with   a   membership  of  thirty. 

The  Odd  Fellows  were  organized  in  1SS3  with 
a  fair  membership,  but  disbanded  in  1S90.  A 
social  organization  Known  as  The  Cousins  Club, 
grew  out  of  meetings  of  members  of  the  old 
Ishain  family.  Because  of  intermarriage  some 
of  the  forty-five  present  members  are  not  direct 
descendants  of  the  founder,  but  all  are  in  some 
way   connected    with   the   family. 

The  postoffice  at  Mazon  was  established  at 
Mazon  in  1S71,  with  a  Mr.  McAfl'ee  as  post- 
master. This  was  when  it  was  still  called 
Centerville.  O.  W.  Weston  held  the  office  for 
a  number  of  years,  and  he  was  Pillowed  by  M. 
Isham,  Charles  Isham,  Charles  Huston,  A.  J. 
Campbell,  Frank  Randall,  II.  E.  Pomeroy.  The 
present  incumbent  of  the  office  is  D.  S.  Small, 
and  be  has  two  rural  routes  from  bis  office. 

NEWSPAPER    HISTORY 

The  history  of  the  press  of  Mazon  is  interest- 
ing. The  Ma/on  Register  was  founded  in  1892 
by  Walter  Dunlap,  (he  present  proprietor  and 
editor.  This  journal  i-;  an  independent  weekly 
with  a  circulation  of  about  one  thousand.  Al- 
vah  Weston  and  ];.  D.  Fuller,  two  bright  young 
journalists  assist  Editor  Dunlap  in  making  the 
paper  a  newsy  organ  that  is  in  great  demand 
in  this  neighborhood.  Mazon  also  has  a  weekly 
trade  journal,  the  Mercantile  Co-Operator, 
established  by  L.  R.  Murray  in  March,  191.'!.  It 
is  designed  for  the  retail  merchants  operating 
on  the  co-operative  plan,  and  is  endorsed  by 
twelve  wholesale  houses,  representing  -1,000 
merchants  in  a  dozen  states. 

CEMETERIES 

The  dead  of  Mazon  Township  have  been  well 
cared  for  from  the  beLrinnim:  of  the  history  of 
this  locality.  The  first  cemetery  was  the  old 
Murray  cemetery  which  was  begun  in  1836, 
near  the  old  Mover  homestead.  Following  this 
a  cemetery  was  opened  at  the  original  Mazon 
in  1S-10.  The  Wheeler  cemetery,  a  little  beyond 
the  last  mentioned,  had  its  sod  turned  for  the 
first  grave  in  .about  1S45.  This  cemetery  is  on 
the  present  homestead  of  George  Wheeler,  and 
is  admittedly  one  of  the  best  cared  for  country 


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graveyards  in  the  state,  and  the  best  in  Grundy 
County.  A  sum  amounting  to  $3,000  was  raised 
through  Ihe  efforts  of  a  number  interested  in 
thus  honoring  the  dead,  am!  the  revenue  from 
it  is  used  to  save  from  neglect  the  place  where 
lie  some  of  the  pioneers  of  Mazon  Township. 
As  early  as  1865,  burin  Is  took  place  in  what  is 
now  the  Mazou  cemetery,  but  it  was  not  opened 
for  public  use  until  1S70.  About  1SS5  it  was 
incorporated  as  the  Mazon  Cemetery  Associa- 
tion, and  at  this  writing  there  are  contracts  let 
for  the  erection  of  a  substantial  mausoleum  by 
the  same  company  which  built  the  one  at  Mor- 
ris. Aboul  one  hundred  have  been  buried  in 
the  Mazon  cemetery,  and  the  grounds  are  beau- 
tifully kept,  showing  that  the  dead  are  not  for- 
gotten. 

RELIGIOUS  ACTIVITIES 

The  first  Methodist  religious  meeting  in 
Mazon  Township  was  held  in  1S44,  and  in  1S47, 
the  society  was  moved  to  the  original  Mazon. 
The  little  house  in  which  services  were  held 
was  destroyed  by  fire  somewhat  later  than 
1850.  A  church  edifice  was  built,  and  dedicated 
in  the  fall  of  1855.  In  1X70.  a  hoard  of  trustees 
was  appointed  to  build  a  church  at  Mazon.  hut 
it  was  not  completed  until  the  latter  part  of 
187S.  It  cost  $3,500.  The  Rev.  R.  J.  Vander- 
voort  is  the  present  pastor,  and  the  church  lias 
115  members.  The  church  building  was  moved 
to  its  present  site  in  1S95. 

The  Congregational  Grove  Society  was  organ- 
ized with  seventeen  members  on  May  6,  1SG4. 
After  holding  service  at  different  residences. 
the  society  bought  a  lot  in  1X70.  upon  which  a 
church  was  built  in  1871.  In  the  meanwhile, 
during  1SS8,  the  Congregationalists  at  Mazon 
had  organized,  and  in  October.  1801,  the  two 
congregations  united  as  the  1'ark  street  Congre- 
gational Church  with  forty-two  members.  The 
present  edifice  cost  .$4,000.  and  there  are  12-". 
members  of  this  church. 

The  Primitive  Methodists  organized  a  society 
in  1877,  and  held  services  until  1888.  when  they 
disbanded.  The  building  was  used  as  a  school- 
house  and  for  other  purposes,  now  being  a 
cabinetmaker's   establishment. 

There  is  no  doubt  hut  that  the  first  school- 
house  of  Mazon  Township  was  built  in  1837  on 
Section  24.  At  that  time  it  was  regarded  as 
the  finest  schoolhouse  in  the  surrounding 
country  and  the  best  cabin  in  the  settlement. 
Square   in   structure,    it  was   built   of   logs,   and 


its  windows  contained  six  panes  of  glass,  an 
unusual  luxury  during  those  days.  In  spite  of 
these  windows  the  light  was  dim.  and  so  close 
beneath,  supported  by  pegs,  were  rough  pun- 
cheons used  as  desks.  The  slab  benches  in  front 
of  these  elude  desks  had  no  hacks  and  so  the 
pupils  could  sit  on  them  either  facing  the  desk 
or  the  teacher  as  the  occasion  might  demand. 
The  floor  of  this  first  schoolhouse  was  made  of 
riven  planks  and  as  it  lay  reasonably  still  when 
the  bare  feet  of  the  little  children  trod  upon  it, 
it  was  regarded  with  great  admiration  by  the 
community.  The  teacher  of  this  first  school 
was  a   Mr.  Axtell. 

Naturally,  this  first  school  was  succeeded  by 
others,  and  today  Mazon  is  proud  of  the  fact 
of  having  as  fine  country  and  grammar  schools 
as  can  he  found  in  the  county,  while  the  Mazou 
High  School  ranks  with  that  at  Morris.  The 
schools  of  Mazon  are  treated  of  at  length  in 
another  chapter.  The  Mazon  Township  High 
School  was  organized  in  1004.  and  the  present 
substantial  building  was  erected  in  1013,  at  a 
cost  of  $10,000.  Prof.  C.  C.  Shields  is  at  its 
head,  and  has  three  teachers  under  him,  while 
there  are  four  grade  teachers  in  the  grammar 
schools. 

SUPERVISORS 

The  supervisors  who  have  served  Mazon 
Township,  on  the  county  hoard,  since  1S50  have 
been:  Charles  Huston.  1S50;  Henry  Cassing- 
ham.  1S51-1S53;  Edwin  Lesslie,  1S54-1S55; 
Abraham  Carter.  1S50;  A.  P.  Fellingham,  ls.">7: 
Amos  Clover.  1S58-1S39;  William  P..  Marsh, 
1S00;  A.  P.  Fellingham,  1SG1;  George  Carpenter, 
1SG2;  J.  F.  Burleigh,  1SG3-1SG6;  S.  If.  Dewey. 
1SG7-1SG9;  Volney  Parker.  1870-1871:  George 
Riddle.  1S75 ;  Volney  Parker.  1870-1X77;  S.  II. 
Dewey.  1S78-1S80 ;  Oren  Gibson.  1SS1-1&84; 
George  E.  Wheeler,  1SS5-1SSG;  John  K.  Ely, 
1XX7-1xs.n:  George  E.  Wheeler.  1SS0-1S9S;  Simon 
Davies,  1S99-1900;  W.  II.  Carter.  1901-1008; 
I.   X.'  Misnor.   1900-191  1. 


CHAPTER   XXXIV 


MORRIS  TOWNSHIP   AND   CITY 


COUNT  Y       SEAT— NAVIGABLE,     STREAMS — TRANSPOR- 
TATION"      FACILITIES OROAXIZATION       OF      TOWN- 


720 


HISTOKY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


SHIP SITK       OF        OLD       INDIAN        VILLAGE- — Till: 

MOUND   BUILDEKS — MORRIS    SELECTED  AS    SEAT  OF 

JUSTICE — NAME    ADOPTED FIRST    BUILDINQ    AND 

FIRST   RESIDENT OTHER    EARLY    SETTLERS — FIRST 

COURTHOUSE — EARLY      BUSINESS      ENTERPRISES 

FIRST  PHYSICIAN  —  BUSINESS  AND  PHILAN- 
THROPY— ARRIVAL     OF      MORE     BUSINESS      MEN 

MORRIS  INCORPORATED — EARLY  MEETINGS  OF  VIL- 
LAGE COUNCIL — FERRY   CHARTERS — WORK   OF  THE 

BOARD     OF     TRUSTEES — -MORRIS      MADF.     A     CITY' 

SPECIAL  CHARTER  ABANDONED — MORRIS  TO-DAY 
— PARKS — RECREATIONS  PLENTIFUL — PUBLIC  IM- 
PROVEMENTS  WATER        WORKS SMALL        POLICE 

FORCE FINE  FIRE  DEPARTMENT — HOTELS  EXCEL- 
LENT  MORRIS  PUBLIC  LIBRARY — REPRESENTA- 
TIVE      MEN — TAXI-CAB       SERVICE NEWSPAPERS — 

HERALD  GAZETTE  —  FORMER    PUBLICATIONS  

CEMETERIES — MORRIS     CEMETERY     ASSOCIATION 

CRAVE  OF  SHABBONA — FRATERNITIES ODD  FEL- 
LOWS —  KNIGHTS  OF  COLUMBUS  —  CATHOLIC 
ORDER     OF     FORESTERS — KNIGHTS     OF     PYTHIAS — • 

EASTERN  STAR    MODERN  WOODMEN  OF 

AMERICA — THE  LINCOLN  CLUB — POSTOFFICE— 
CHURCHES  ■ —  BAPTIST  —  CATHOLIC  —  CHRIS- 
TIAN     SCIENCE  —  CONGREGATIONAL  —  METHODIST 

EPISCOPAL IIOUCF.'S     LUTHERAN BF/I  HIEHEM 

LUTHERAN — PRESBYTERIAN — FREE  METHODIST — 
SWEDISH  BAPTIST  —  )N  CONCLUSION  SUPER- 
VISORS. 


ory  and  many  plum  trees,  while  hazelnut  bushes, 
with  their  wealth  of  brown  nuts  in  season  were 
found  in  profusion.  A  number  of  boulders  indi- 
cate that  the  site  of  Morris  dates  back  to  the 
glacial  period. 

Located  just  half  way  between  Joliet  and 
Ottawa,  and  sixty-one  miles  southwest  of  Chi- 
cago, Morris  commands  a  wide  territory  both 
as  a  source  of  supply  for  its  shipping  interests, 
and  also  as  a  field  of  operation  for  its  mer- 
chants and  manufacturers,  and  consequently 
a  number  of  important  business  concerns  are  to 
be  found  within  the  city.  The  Chicago,  Rock 
Island  &  Pacific  Railroad,  and  two  interurban 
roads  propelled  by  electric  power,  one  of  which 
is  in  process  of  construction  offer  unsurpassed 
transportation  facilities,  and  the  shipping  is 
very  heavy  from  the  country  regions.  Not  only 
is  the  railroad  utilized  for  freighting,  but  the 
urban  roads  and  the  river  and  canal  are  called 
into  service  as  well. 

The  township  of  Morris  was  organized  in 
ISJ9,  it  being  one  of  the  original  number,  in 
Grundy  County'  and  it  and  Braccville  both 
have  a  supervisor  and  assistant  supervisor  on 
the  County  Board,  while  all  the  other  town- 
ships have  but  a  supervisor. 

THE    MOUND    BUILDERS 


(By   O.    J.    Nelson) 


COUNTY    SEAT 


Morris,  situated  in  the  township  of  that 
name,  is  the  county  seat  of  Grundy  County,  as 
well  as  the  metropolis  of  that  section.  Aside 
from  the  record  of  the  incorporation  of  the 
township,  the  history  of  this  division  is  that 
of  the  city  itself.  The  latter  is  on  the  northern 
bank  of  the  Illinois  River,  twelve  miles  from 
the  junction  of  the  Kankakee  and  Desplaines 
ri.ers  which  form  the  Illinois.  Nettle  Creek 
passes  through  the  city,  while  the  Mazon  emp- 
ties into  the  Illinois  River  south  of  the  public 
square.  In  addition  to  all  these  natural  bodies 
o£  water,  the  Illinois  &  Michigan  Canal  runs 
between  the  city  and  the  river,  so  that  it  is 
easy  to  see  why  pioneers  early  located  in  this 
section,  so  well  supplied  with  navigable  streams. 
While  Morris  itself  is  flat,  just  back  of  the  city 
is  considerable  elevation  that  adds  to  the  beauty 
of  the  scenery.  At  one  time  on  the  present  site 
of  Morris  were  mightv  forests  of  oak  and  hiek- 


With  its  location  on  the  site  of  the  old 
Indian  village  and  cemetery,  there  have  been 
found  many  traces  of  the  Mound  Builders  in 
Morris  and  vicinity.  There  were  found  nine- 
teen separate  mounds,  which,  without  doubt, 
date  back  to  the  time  of  those  prehistoric  peo- 
ple. The  largest  of  these  mounds  is  now  leveled, 
but  was  located  near  the  present  Court  House 
Square,  and  was  10  feet  high,  and  50  feet  in 
diameter.  Thousands  of  relics  have  been  ex- 
humed from  these  mounds  and  the  surrounding 
prairies,  including  skeletons,  and  much  surmise 
has  been  entertained  over  the  origin  of  these 
ancient  people.  Some  contend  that  they  were 
the  lost  tribes  of  Israel  whose  fate  has  heen  the 
subject  of  conjecture  for  centuries.  From 
whence  they  came,  however,  they  have  passed 
away,  and  only  the  crumbling  relics  of  this  by- 
gone age  attest  to  their  former  existence. 
Where  once  these  ancient  people  laid  away 
their  dead,  stand  business  houses  and  the  beau- 
tifully artistic  courthouse,  and  the  feet  of  the 
present  alert  generation  press  the  soil  once  held 
sacred  to  their  religious  rites. 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


7121 


MORRIS    SELECTED    AS    SEAT    OF    JUSTICE 


FIRST    BUILDING    AMI    FIRST    RESIDENT 


Co-incident  with  the  movement  for  the  or- 
ganization of  the  county,  to  leave  the  Mound 
Builders  and  come  down  to  more  recent  times, 
was  that  for  locating  the  seat  of  justice  at 
Morris.  George  W.  and  William  E.  Armstrong 
were  the  men  who  took  the  most  active  part 
in  securing  this  distinction  for  Morris.  The 
latter,  recognizing  the  advantages  the  situation 
of  the  city  on  a  site  commanding  such  water 
facilities,  secured  the  passage  of  an  Act  of 
Legislature  which  appointed  Ward  B.  Burnett, 
Rulief  S.  Duryea  and  William  E.  Armstrong,  a 
committee  to  act  in  conjunction  with  the 
canal  commissioners  to  select  a  seat  of  justice 
for  Grundy  County.  -Much  discussion  arose, 
but  finally  Section  9  was  chosen,  and  April  12, 
1S42,  the  plat  of  Morris  was  acknowledged  by 
Isaac  X.  Morris,  Xewton  Cloud,  r;.  S.  Duryea 
and  William  E.  Armstrong.  Having  faith  in 
the  future  of  Morris.  Mr.  Armstrong  moved  his 
family  from  Ottawa  to  a  cabin  built  by  Cryder 
and  McKeen  for  John  P.  Cbapin  in  1S.34.  This 
was  constructed  of  logs  and  contained  only  one 
room,  1G  x  20  feet,  and  yet  in  it  Circuit  Court 
was  held,  while  it  served  as  the  meeting  place 
for  the  people  of  the  neighborhood.  In  1S41, 
Mr.  Armstrong  and  Mr.  Chapiu  laid  out  what. 
was  called  Chapin's  addition  to  Morris,  and 
it  was  also  known  as  Grundyville  or  Grundy. 
In  it  Mr.  Armstrong  built  and  opened  what 
was  known  as  the  Grundy  Hotel.  This  same 
year,  a  petition  was  sent  to  the  postoffice  de- 
partment asking  for  a  postoffice,  but  the  request 
was  refused. 

NAME    ADOPTED 

In  1842,  the  matter  of  having  Morris  selected 
for  the  permanent  county  seat  was  again  taken 
up,  but  dissention  was  had  over  the  exact  loca- 
tion. At  last,  in  this  year,  as  before  stated, 
Section  0,  was  agreed  upon,  and  after  several 
names  were  suggested,  that  of  Morris  was 
adopted,  in  honor  of  Hon.  Isaac  X.  Morris. 
Later,  the  county  commissioners  tried  to  change 
the  name  to  Xenia,  but  as  they  could  not  agree 
upon  bow  it  should  be  spelled,  did  not  effect 
their  purpose. 

The  final  survey  was  made  March  7.  1S42,  by 
Leander  Newport,  surveyor,  with  Perry  A.  Clay- 
pool    and   George  W.   Armstrong,    chairmen. 


The  little  cabin  occupied  by  Mr.  Armstrong 
upon  his  settlement  in  Morris,  was  the  first 
building  in  this  city.  John  Cryder.  for  whom 
this  cabin  was  originally  built,  was  the  first 
resident  here.  He  was  followed  by  John  and 
Thomas  Peacock,  Englishmen,  who  built  on  Sec- 
tion 2,  which  is  west  of  the  present  city,  during 
tli.-  latter  part  of  1S34.  They  bought  the  land 
in  1S35,  married  and  reared  families.  Early 
in  the  spring  of  183S,  Peter  (Iri^s  built  a  log 
cabin  on  the  present  site  of  the  aqueduct. 

OTHER    EARLY    SETTLERS 

In  1S41,  James  Xagle  built  a  large  log  cabin 
on  Section  3,  and  in  it  lie  kept  the  archives  of 
the  county,  until  suitable  housing  was  provided, 
for  he  was  Clerk  of  the  Hoard  of  County  Com- 
missioners. James  Hart  conducted  the  first 
saloon  in  Morris,  having  it  in  his  house.  An- 
drew Kinchella  was  another  early  settler  of 
Morris,  who  developed  a   fine  farm. 

Anthony  Horan,  an  Irishman,  built,  one  of 
the  first  log  cabins  of  the  place.  It  was  con- 
sumed by  tire,  and  Mr.  Horan  was  arrested, 
being  accused  of  setting  fire  to  it.  Deputy 
Sheriff  P.  Kelly  started  with  him  for  Ottawa, 
as  there  was  then  no  jail  at  Morris,  but.  the 
prisoner  escaped,  and  later  fearlessly  returned 
to  Morris,  but  subsequently  went  to  Pennsyl- 
vania. Perry  A.  Claypool  built  a  cabin  in  1S42, 
but  after  a  year,  Samuel  Ayres  dime  into  pos- 
session of  it  and  kept  a  boarding  house  in  it. 
Mr.  Ayres  was  deputy  sheriff  and  coroner  at 
one  time,  but  left  Morris  for  Texas  about.  184S. 

FIRST    COURTIIOl'SE 

To  the  pubic  spirit  of  Mr.  Armstrong,  Morris 
owed  its  first  courthouse,  for  he  had  built  at 
his  own  expense,  a  frame  building,  in  the  win- 
ter of  1X11-2.  This  was  put  up  on  the  north- 
west corner  of  the  present  Court  House  Square, 
and  was  20  x  40  feet  in  dimensions  and  two 
stories  in  height.  It  was  constructed  of  hard- 
wood lumber,  as  there  was  no  pine  in  the  neigh- 
borhood, with  oaken  floors  and  siding.  For  this 
Mr.  Armstrong  received  in  all  $350.06.  Later, 
the  building  was  lathed  and  plastered,  making 
a  total  cost  of  $525.36,  and  this  somewhat  primi- 
tive building  served  every  purpose  until  a  sub- 
stantial  stone   one  was   erected   in   1856.     The 


722  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

second   courthouse   was   later   replaced    by    the  #  He  built  the  first  grain  elevator  of  Morris,  and 

present  one.  but  a  full  history  of  these  buildings,  was  one  of  its  heaviest  grain  dealers  for  many 

and   n   description  of  the  artistic  structure  now  years.      Jn    addition,    being    truly    religious,    he 

standing   on   Court    House   Square,    is  given   in  ereeted  a  four-story  brick  building  on  ten  acres 

another  chapter.  of    land,    which    he   donated    to    be    used    as    a 

Catholic  school,  and  it  was  the  beginning  of  St. 

early  business  enterprises  Angela's   Convent,      lie  also   donated   two   acres 

of   land    for   a    church    building    and    parsonage. 

The  second  hotel  of  Morris  was  known  as  the  and  $3,000  in   money.     Not  confining  his  contri- 

I'low  Inn,  and  was  built  during  the  winter  and  buttons   to   the   Catholic   Church,   he  gave  $250 

spring  of  1S42,  by  Robert  Peacock.  to   the   Congregationalists,   $100   to   the   Presby- 

P.   P.   Chapin  established  a   brick  yard,  near  terians,   $100   to   the   Baptists   and  $250   to   the 

the    present    gas    plant,    about    1S42,    and    eon-  Methodists,   all    of   Morris.     Another   enterprise 

dueled   it    for   many   years.      It    was   William    E.  in    which   he  was   interested  was  a   distillery  at 

Armstrong  and  .lames  Mart  who  built  that   por-  Aux  Sable,  near  Morris,  hut  he  tailed  in  operat- 

tion  of  the  Illinois  &  Michigan  Canal  that  runs  ing  il   successfully, 

through    Morris.  Judge  Patrick   Ilynds  was  another  arrival  of 

James    Hart    came    to    Morris   in    the    fall    of  ls-ll,  a    blacksmith   by   trade,   and   he   built    and 

1S41,  and  was  much  occupied  with  his  contract  operated   a   shop.     Later,    he   was   made  justice 

for  work  on  the  canal.     He.   with  his  partner,  of  I  be  peace,  and  still  later  county  judge,  first 

Mr.   Armstrong,  suffered  a  heavy  loss  owing  to  by   appointment   in   1S51,   and    later  by   election, 

the  fact  that  the  state  paid  them  in  script  which  in    1S53.      Mahlon    I'.    Wilson    arrived    in    May, 

was   worth    only    one-third    the   par    value   of   a  1S44.    and    from    then    on    was   one   of    the    best 

dollar.                                                           ■  coopers  Morris  has  ever  had. 

Hon.    P.    A.    Armstrong,    who    became    one   of  Adam  Lamb  came  here  as  a  canal  contractor 

the   leading   attorneys  of   Morris,    as   well   as   a  in  1*14,  and  built   one  of  the  first  stores  in  the 

man    well   known    in    its   political    history,   came  place.     The  honor  of  being  the  first  storekeeper 

to  the  city  in  1S42.  is  divided  between   Mr.   Lamb  and  Col.  William 

Michael   DePrcndegast   arrived   in   the   winter  L.  Perce.     Both  stores  were  opened  for  business 

of%lS4o-4,    building   a    double  log   cabin   on    the  in    1S45,    so    the    first    had    only   a    month    or   so 

present   site  of   the   first   National    Bank,    ami  advantage  over  the  other. 

was   an    early   justice  of   the   peace.     Later,    he  Col.    William    L.    Perce   held    the  contract    for 

built  a  fine,  brick  business  block,  known  as  the  the    erection     of    the    aqueduct     across     Nettle 

Bank  Block,  and  proved  a  man  of  substance.  Creek,   and  came   here   in   1S45.     Colonel   Perce 

opened   his  store   in  the  American    House,   plac- 

Fiiisr   physician  ing   < '.    H.    Goold   as   manager.      Elijah    Walker 

carried  on  a   boot   and  shoe  business  from  1S41 

Without    doubt    Dr.    Luther    S.    Robbins    was  until  1S56,  when  he  left  Morris  for  Iowa.   There 

the    first    physician    of   Grundy    County,    coming  were  other  early  settlers  of  Morris  who  had  an 

to  Morris  in  1S42,   but   he  died   in   1S45,  having  important    part    to   play    in    the   development    of 

been   probate  justice   of  the   peace   for   several  the  place,   but  having  later  moved  away,   their 

years  prior  to  his  demise.  names  are   not   obtainable. 

Bartholomew  McGrath  was  also  an  early  set- 
tler of  Morris,  and   built   a  number  of  the  first  morris  incorporated 
buildings    of    the    place,    although    he    died    in 

1S4G.  Morris  was  not  incorporated  until  August  15. 

1S50.   when  an   election   was   held   to  determine 

businkss   and   philanthropy  whether    or    not    it    was    to    become    a    village. 

There   were  forty-nine    votes   east    in    its   favor, 

James   MeXellis  came   here   in    is  11.    building  and  none  against  it.  so  August  22,  1S."0,  an  elec- 

one  of  the  first    frame  houses  of  Morris,  which  tion    was    held    for    village    trustees,    and    those 

he  used  as  a  boarding  house  and  saloon.     When  elected    were:     Orville    Cane.    Eza    P.    Seeley, 

the    canal    was    opened    in    1S4.S,    he    bought    a  William   S.  Woolsey,   Jacob  Jacoby  and  Robert 

canal  boat,  and  made  money  transporting  grain.  Kelley.      At    the    meeting    of    the    first    village 


fycrl^M  c£L^. 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY.  723 

council,  September  2,  1S50,  E.  P.  Seeley  was  under  their"  charter.  Those  who  had  paid  this 
elected  president,  and  Henry  Storr,  clerk.  The  excessive  amount  to  be  ferried  over,  now  threat- 
entire  business  of  the  first  meeting  was  coin-  ened  suit  for  extortion.  Willi  all  this  against 
prised  in  the  following  order:  them,  the  three  partners  abandoned  the  project, 

"Ordered    that    the    jurisdiction    be    extended  and    the   hoard    of   trustees   of    Morris    did    not 
over  and  embrace  the  following  territory,  viz. :  attempt  again   to  interfere. 
The    southwest    quarter    of    Section    3;    south- 
east   \'i    of    Section    4;    north    fr.    of    northeast  work  of  the  board  of  trustees 
V±  Section  !>:  north  fr.  northwest  Vi  Section  10, 

in  Town  33,  Range  7  east  third  P.  XI.,  and  also  When    the    hoard    of    trustees    met    in    April, 

that  portion  of  the  Illinois  River  lying  opposite  1S51,   they   granted  licenses   to  four  saloons,   at 

to   the   north    fr.    northeast    \'4    Section    9,    and  $2.")  each,   with   a   bond  of  $500.     The  hoard  of 

the  north  fr.  northwest   y±   Section  lit  as  afore-  trustees    were    paid     for    their     first    year    of 

said,    and   extending    four    rods   on    the    margin  service,    i?.-'.    each.      Those    were    the    days    of 

of  the  south  hank  of  said  river,  to  lie  measured  civic      economy,      and      sincere      public      spirit, 

from  the  top  of  the  hank."  The   first   sidewalk  ordinance   was  passed   April 

The  second   meeting  of  the  board  of  trustees  IT,    1S52.      The    entire    municipal    expenses    for 

was   held   in   the   courthouse.   January    13,   1S51,  the    Town    of    Morris    during    its    first,   year    of 

when   the   regular   meetings  were  arranged  for,  existence  were  just   $30. 

and  the  following  officers  received  appointment:  A  special  charter  was  adopted  May  2,  3So3, 
a  constable,  poundmaster,  street  commissioner,  although  no  change  was  made  in  the  name  or 
fire  warden,  clerk  and  treasurer.  Those  to  hold  style,  although  the  number  of  trustees  became 
these  otlices  in  order  of  their  giving  were:  six.  and  the  town  was  divided  into  three  wards. 
George  Gillett.  Charles  I..  1'.  Hogau,  A.  W.  The  First  Ward  comprised  all  south  of  Wash- 
Newel]  and  Robert  Peacock,  while  Henry  Storr.  ington  Street;  the  Second,  north  of  Washing- 
clerk,  resigned,  and  Cap.  Charles  L.  Star-  ton  Street,  and  west  of  Liberty;  while  the 
buck  was  appointed  in  his  place  at  the  third  Third  Ward  was  that  portion  lying  north  of 
meeting.  Washington,  and  east  of  Liberty.    The  treasurer 

and  constable  were  made  elective  offices,  as  was 

ferry  charters  that    of    president    of    the    hoard.      The    early 

hoards  which   have  succeeded   the  first  seem  to 

The  Legislature  had  granted  a  charter  to  have  been  very  economical,  for  the  entire  cost 
William  E.  Armstrong  to  establish  a  ferry  of  operating  the  municipality  for  the  first  three 
across  the  Illinois  River,  on  February  27,  1 S41 .  years  of  its  existence  seems  to  he  covered  by 
Mr.  Armstrong  died,  and  the  board  of  trustees,  $100.  Morris  did  not  possess  a  seal  until  the 
being  of  the  opinion  thai  with  his  death  also  spring  of  lSfi-4,  and  no  finance  committee  was 
died  the  charter,  passed  a  long  ordinance  rela-  needed  or  appointed  until  January,  1S54. 
five  to  the  license  and  running  of  a  ferry.  The  existing  charter  of  Morris  was  amended 
Col.  Eugene  Stanberry,  P.ryon  Stanherry  and  March  1.  1S54,  by  the  General  Assembly,  and 
George  II.  Kiersted  secured  a  charter  permit-  the  first  Monday  in  April  was  set  apart  as  elec- 
ting them  to  run  a  ferry  from  Morris  across  tion  day.  At  the  first  meeting  of  the  hoard 
the  Illinois  River  for  a  period  of  three  years,  elected  at  the  election  following  this  provision. 
for  which  they  were  to  pay  $100  the  first  year;  the  following  standing  committees  were  ap- 
$101,  the  second  year,  and  $104  the  third  year.  pointed,  the  first  to  he  given  to  Morris:  Fi- 
A  ferry  rope  was  manufactured,  and  a  flat-  nance  and  claims,  L.  P.  Lott  :  fire  department. 
boat  was  bought,  hut  the  ferry  was  in  opera-  G.  W.  Lane;  streets  and  alleys.  George  Rurner; 
tion  hut  three  days,  when  one  lawsuit  was  health.  David  LeRoy ;  judiciary,  C.  II.  Goold ; 
started  by  George  W.  Armstrong,  administrator  and  license.  John  Antis.  By  the  time  of  the 
of  the  estate  of  William  E.  Armstrong.  Mr.  April  election,  lSuo,  Morris  had  still  another 
Armstrong  received  judgment.  The  receipt  of  charter,  creating  a  Fourth  Ward. 
this   judgment   opened   up   a    new   phase  of   the 

case.      Under  the   original    charter.    William    E.  morris    made    a    city 
Armstrong  was  allowed  to  charge  just  one-fifth 

what   the   new   company   was  permitted   to   ask  During    1S56,   Morris   secured   a    charter   ere- 


724 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


siting  it  a  city,  with  a  mayor,  council,  jx>lice 
magistrate  and  other  city  officials,  and  F.  S. 
Gardner  was  the  first  major.  In  the  spring 
of  1SG1,  Morris  received  another  charter,  which 
was  really  a  copy  of  the  one  in  force  at  Chi- 
cago, but  when  it  was  submitted  to  the  people, 
it  was  rejected  by  a  large  vote.  In  this  elec- 
tion -140  votes  were  polled,  tbe  largest  cast  that 
far  in  the  history. of  the  city.  In  1SG7,  the 
number  of  aldermen  was  increased  to  ten  to 
meet  tbe  requirements  of  a  newly  created  Fifth 
Ward. 

SPECIAL    CHASTER    ABANDONED 

In  1S77,  the  special  charter  under  which  Mor- 
ris was  operating  was  abandoned,  and  the  city 
was  organized  under  Chapter  24,  of  the  statute 
entitled  "Cities,   Villages  and  Towns." 

In  accordance  with  this  charter.  Morris  was 
divided  into  four  wards,  as  follows: 

"All  that  part  of  the  said  city  which  lies 
south  of  the  south  line  of  Main  Street,  and  east 
of  Nettle  Creek,  shall  constitute  the  First  Ward. 

"All  that  part  of  the  said  city  which  lies 
west  of  Liberty  Street,  south  of  the  Chicago, 
Rock  Island  and  Pacific  Railroad,  not  included 
in  (lie  First.  Ward,  shall  constitute  the  Second 
Ward. 

"All  that  part  of  the  said  city  which  lies 
east  of  Liberty  Street,  and  between  tbe  south 
line  of  Main  Street  and  the  Chicago,  Rock  Is- 
land and  Pacific  Railroad,  shall  constitute  the 
Third  Ward. 

"All  that  part  of  tbe  said  city  which  lies 
north  of  tbe  Chicago,  Rock  Island  and  Pacific 
Railroad,  shall  constitute  the  Fourth  Ward." 

Tbe  above  conditions  and  divisions  still  pre- 
vail. 

MORRIS    TODAY 

The  Morris  of  today  is  entirely  different  from 
the  group  of  houses  clustered  along  the  Illinois 
&  Michigan  Canal  in  the  days  when  the  fore- 
fathers of  tbe  present  residents  were  laying  the 
foundations  for  a  solid  structure  that  would 
endure,  and  bold  tbe  seat  of  county  government 
as  long  as  Grundy  County  maintains  its  present 
outlines.  The  center  of  business  activity  has 
receded  from  the  hank--  of  the  canal  to  Liberty 
Street,  and  portions  of  Washington  and  Main 
streets  that  are  adjacent,  although  the  manu- 
facturing industries  have  remained   nearer  tbe 


original  site  of  the  settlement.  Stately  trees 
line  the  residence  streets,  and  give  a  grateful 
shade  in  heated  periods,  and  a  picturesque  ap- 
pearance at  all  times,  even  when  their  bare 
brandies  are  outlined  against  the  winter  skies. 
Well  built  sidewalks  and  paved  streets  have 
taken  the  place  of  dusty  mads  and  make-shift 
paths,  and  electricity  illuminates  the  night 
hours,  as  well  as  furnishes  power  for  a  number 
of  the  manufacturing  concerns. 

Placed  where  it  commands  instant  notice  and 
admiration  is  the  stately  courthouse,  one  of  the 
most  artistic  in  the  state,  if  not  the  country, 
surrounded  by  a  well  kept  lawn,  and  dominated 
by  the  towering  monument  erected  in  commemo- 
ration of  the  "Boys  in  Blue"  who  fought,  aud 
many  died  for  the  flag  that  still  floats  over  the 
city.  The  entire  plan  of  Morris  is  artistic,  the 
shaded  streets,  the  green  of  the  lawns,  the  soft 
shadings  of  the  hous<  colorings,  while  the  hand- 
some stability  of  the  business  blocks  and  public 
buildings  is  noticeable.  The  slogan  of  the  peo- 
ple bore  appears  to  have  been,  not  bow  cheap, 
but  "how  beautifully  effective."  and  in  their 
construction  they  have  proven  that  ugliness  is 
not  necessary  for  usefulness,  nor  economy  prac- 
ticed by  a  choice  of  interior  materials. 


In  addition  to  the  courthouse  square,  Morris 
has  an  exquisite  little  park  given  to  Morris 
when  Mr.  Chapin  made  his  second  addition  to 
the  city,  with  the  understanding  it  was  always 
to  be  used  for  park  purposes.  It  is  265  feet 
square,  and  is  kept  in  the  condition  so  char- 
acteristic of  the  city,  which  is  perfect  in  every 
detail. 

RECREATION'S    PLENTIFUL 

Amusements  are  furnished  the  people  of  Mor- 
ris through  the  church  entertainments;  a  most 
excellent  moving  picture  management ;  various 
companies  which  play  at  the  Empire  Theatre, 
a  well  arranged  bouse,  capable  of  seating  S00 
people,  and  numerous  social  affairs  given  by 
home  people.  An  enjoyable  feature  of  the  sum- 
mer is  the  location  in  the  city  of  some  stock 
company  which  gives  excellent  entertainments 
in  tents,  presenting  many  of  the  new  popular 
plays  as  well  as  old  favorites.  Tbe  lodges  also 
are  not  backward  in  catering  to  the  entertain- 
ment of  their  members,   while  lecture   bureaus 


c^ 


4 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


725 


send  representatives  during  the  winter  sea- 
sons. Religious  services  are  well  attended,  for 
the  people  of  Morris  are  not  content  with  en- 
joying merely  material  advantages,  but  seek 
to  cultivate  their  spiritual  development  as  well, 
and  charitable  movements  receive  generous  sup- 
,  port  whenever  started. 

rursLic     IMPROVEMENTS 

The  city  hall  of  Morris  is  a  brick  structure 
adjoining  the  waterworks,  and  contains  the  city 
oflices  and  the  police  and  fire  departments. 
The  older  portion,  now  the  homo  of  the  fire 
equipment,  was  erected  in  1M',8,  while  the  newer 
addition  was  built  in  1910,  to  meet  the  neces- 
sity for  larger  quarters.  During  the  period 
of  reconstruction  of  the  courthouse,  some  of 
the  records  and  officials  found  temporary  .shel- 
ter in   this   building. 

When  the  i>eople  of  Morris  were  ready  for 
cement  sidewalks  and  streets,  the  administra- 
tion gave  them  to  them,  there  now  being  about 
six  miles  of  the  latter.  With  regard  to  the 
former,  an  ordinance  was  passed  providing  that 
the  city  would  pay  one-half  of  the  cost  of 
laying  of  the  cement  walks,  the  property  own- 
ers to  bear  the  other  half  of  the  expense. 
Many  of  the  more  progressive  citizens  have 
taken  advantage  of  this,  and  in  due  time  the 
brick  tiling  sidewalks  still  found  in  some  places, 
will  all  be  replaced  by  the  more  desirable 
cement  ones,  giving  a  uniform  appearance  to 
the  city,  which  will  add  to  its  many  other  ad- 
vantages. 

WATER     WORKS 

In  lSOn,  Morris  secured  city  officials  who  fav- 
ored the  construction  of  an  adequate  water- 
works system,  and  under  the  aide  management 
of  Mayor  Dr.  A.  E.  Palmer,  and  Aldermen  U. 
C.  Davis,  Edgar  Woefel,  .T.  X.  Bunnell,  .lames 
Derenzy,  .7.  W.  Miller.  James  Cryder,  William 
Wood  and  Marion  Sharpe,  experimental  wells 
were  sunk.  In  vindication  of  the  policy  of  these 
gentlemen  and  their  supporters,  who  were 
among  the  leading  men  of  the  city,  the  wa- 
ter was  discovered  to  be  of  excellent  quality. 
The  city  was  consequently  bonded  to  secure  the 
necessary  funds  and  in  the  fall  of  ivi...  the 
water  works  constructed,  and  Hie  mains  laid, 
The  original  cost  was  about  thirty-live  thousand 
dollars,   but  additional    machinery   has   been   in- 


stalled, and  improvements  made,  so  that  a  con- 
servative valuation  of  the  present  plant  would 
be  $50,000. 

SMALL     POLICE     FORCE 

That  the  citizens  of  Morris  are  law  abiding 
is  proven  by  (he  fact  that  only  four  police- 
men are  required  to  maintain  order.  Chief 
Fred  Armstrong  is  the  day  man,  and  in  charge 
of  the  three  men  who  are  on  night  duty. 

FINE     FIRE     DF.PARTMLNT 

The  volunteer  lire  department  is  presided 
over  by  Fire  Chief  T.  II.  Hall,  who  has  twenty- 
five  men,  carefully  trained,  ready  to  respond 
to  his  call.  The  equipment  which  is  one  of 
the  finest  in  this  section  of  the  state,  and  far 
surpassing  any  other  in  Grundy  County,  is  val- 
ued at  £20,000. 

HOTELS     EXCELLENT 

It  is  unusual  to  find  so  many  excellent  hotels 
and  restaurants  in  a  city  of  the  size  of  Morris 
where  so  many  of  the  people  own  their  homes. 
One  explanation  lies  in  the  fact  that  .Morris 
is  not  only  frequently  visited  by  those  having 
business  at  the  courthouse  and  with  commer- 
cial concerns  located  here,  but  also  by  those 
who  desire  to  benefit  by  the  famous  Shabbona 
mud  baths,  or  to  enjoy  the  pleasures  of  rural 
life,  amid  distinctly  urban  surroundings.  How- 
ever, as  it  may  be,  the  Commercial  Hotel,  the 
Washington  Hotel  (familiarly  known  as  the 
Wagner  House),  the  Carson  House  and  the  Kay 
House,  all  afford  board  and  lodging,  while  the 
Saratoga  Cafe,  the  Manhattan  Cafe,  Zimmer- 
man restaurants,  and  others,  furnish  substan- 
tial  meals. 

The  Carson  House  was  founded  by  a  con- 
nection of  the  Allen  family,  named  Thomas 
Carson,  and  he  was  succeeded  by  two  genera- 
tions of  his  family.  Several  changes  have 
taken  place  during  later  years.  This  hostelry- 
is  located  just  across  from  the  Chicago,  Rock 
Island  &  pacific  Railroad  Depot,  and  contains 
forty  rooms,  the  proprietors  thus  being  able 
lo  accommodate  a  number  of  guests,  especially 
tiiose  who  want  to  keep  near  the  depot.  The 
depot  of  the  Chicago.  Ottawa  &  Peoria  Rail- 
road, familiarly  termed  the  Interurban,  is 
within    a    block    of    it.     Just    across   the   street 


726 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


from  the  Carson  House,  is  the  Kay  House, 
which  is  conducted  by  a  Sir.  Ferguson,  but  is 
owned  by  William  Henry  Kay. 

The  Commercial  House,  the  largest  hotel  in 
the  city,  contains  fifty  rooms,  and  has  ample 
lobby  and  parlor  space.  It  is  located  on  the 
corner  of  Washington  and  Fulton  streets,  and 
is  conducted  by  Allen  F.  Mallory.  This  hotel 
was  built  in  IS57  for  store  purposes,  but  in 
it  was  later  held  a  Normal  school.  In  1SS0 
Mr.  Mallory  bought  the  property,  remodeled 
it,  and  since  then  has  conducted  it  with  the 
exception  of  a  few  years  when  it  was  in  charge 
of  his  son-in-law,   J.   B.   Hinds. 

In  1S75  Conrad  Wagner  founded  the  Wag- 
ner House,  which  is  still  in  the  hands  o^  his 
descendants,  it  now  being  conducted  by  his 
granddaughter  and  her  husband,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Jacob  Harder.  When  Mr.  Wagner  died,  his 
widow  assumed  charge,  and  carried  on  the  busi- 
ness very  efficiently  until  about  1910,  when  the 
Harders  and  Mrs.  Hardens  brother  became  the 
proprietors.  A  year  later,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harder 
purchased  Mr.  Wagner's  interest,  and  have 
since  been  the  owners.  There  is  a  homelike 
atmosphere  about  this  hotel  which  appeals  to 
the  traveler,  and  the  cuisine  is  excellent.  .Mrs. 
Harder  being  famed  for  her  cooking  and  effi- 
cient management.  This  hotel  is  now  called  the 
Washington  Hotel. 

MORRIS    PUBLIC     LIBRARY 

For  many  years  the  people  of  Morris  dis- 
cussed the  desirability  of  securing  a  fund  with 
which  to  found  a  library.  A  number  of  the 
residents  had  fine  private  collections  of  books 
and  were  very  generous  about  lending  them, 
and  several  attempts  were  made  to  start  and 
maintain  a  circulating  library  by  private  in- 
dividuals. A  library  was  started  in  connec- 
tion with  the  schools,  but  it  did  not  meet  the 
needs  of  the  community.  Finally  enterprising 
citizens  appealed  to  Mr.  Andrew  Carnegie,  who, 
after  the  usual  investigations  and  negotiations, 
donated  $1,250,  in  1012,  and  this  amount  was 
used  to  erect  a  substantial  library  building, 
artistically  designed  and  furnished,  which  was 
opened  December  5.  191.°),  with  a  collection  of 
2,000  books.  Under  the  law  governing  libraries 
of  this  class,  the  library  board  will  have  at  its 
disposal  a  sum  amounting  to  $l.S0O  annually, 
so  that  the  shelves  will  soon  be  filled  with 
much   wanted  books  upon  various  subjects.     A 


well  selected  line  of  magazines  are  on  the 
tables,  and  the  librarian,  .Miss  Ethel  Thayer, 
reports  encouragingly  regarding  the  growing 
demand  for  new  books,  and  the  development  of 
literary  tastes,  especially  among  the  young 
people. 

REPRESENTATIVE    BUSINESS     MEN 

Among  the  representative  business  houses  and 
professional   and    business   men    at   Morris   may 
he  mentioned  as  a    partial   list  :    Alio  Abraham- 
son,    buffet;    William    R.    Allen,    grocer;    Angus 
&    Son,   grocers;   T.    R,    Maimer,    meat    market; 
It.  E.  Bannon.  music  store;   Dr.  O.  M.  Barker, 
dentist;    E.     Bartoli,    fruit    dealer;    I.     N.    R. 
Beatty.    lumber;    Henry    II.    Baum,    dry    goods; 
Berg  &  Dee.   meat   market;    Frank  Black,  buf- 
fet;  Blasingham  &  Caisley,   real  estate;   A.   c. 
Bliss,    .Secretary    Morris   Cemetery    Association; 
John   L.   Bonar,  jeweler;   E.   C.   Bowker,  physi- 
cian;   R.   R.    Buck,   proprietor   of  tile  yard;   W. 
]•:.      Bullard.     dentist;     Campbell     &      Fhalen, 
clothiers;    C.    <'.    Carlon,    milliner;    Elmer    W. 
Carlson,      photographer;      Coleman      Hardware 
Company;    E.    D.    Condon,    cigar    factory;    Con- 
nor   Brothers,    meat    market;    Cronin    Brothers, 
hardware;   P.   K.   Cross,   real   estate  broker;   TJ. 
C.  Davis,  furniture  dealer;  J.  B.  Dawson,  drug- 
gist;   George    It.    Dix,    proprietor    feed    store; 
W.   E.  Dix.   lively  and  feed  stables;  W.  O.  Dix, 
books  and  stationery;   E.   W.  Pike,  of  the  Elite 
Millinery  Store;  O.  Erickson  &  Son,  dry  goods; 
Erickson    &     Strong,    grocers;     Leonhard     Eri- 
dacher,    tailor;     Farmers    Square    Deal     Grain 
Company;      Farmers     &      Merchants     National 
Bank;   II.  M.  Ferguson,  physician ;  II.  W.  Fes- 
sler,  plumber ;  Fey  Shoe  Store;  Frank  L.  Flood, 
attorney;      Farmers      National      Bank;      Flynn 
Brothers,   cigar   factory;    First   National   Bank; 
William  Gebhard,  of  Morris  Brewery;  John  T. 
George,    proprietor    of    Manhattan    Cafe;    Rev.. 
A.    C.    Geyer;    Walter   Goode,   garage;   Gorham 
&  Newport,  general  merchants;  F.  W.  Graham, 
osteopath;    Grundy    County    National    Bank;    J. 

C.  Carr;  Philip  Haitz,  cigars  and  tobacco; 
Charles  E.  Hanson,  attorney;  Jacob  Harder, 
proprietor  of  Washington  House;  A.  G.  Har- 
rison, dentist;  II.  II.  Harrod,  grocer;  A.  II. 
Ililliker.  insurance  and  real  estate:  Hills  & 
Baker,  druggists;  B.  C.  Hitchcock-,  plumber;  P. 

D.  Hobson,  laundry;  W.  I!.  Ilolderman,  grocer; 
John  C.  Horri'e,  jeweler;  W.  J.  Ilorrie,  grocer; 
W.  B.  Hull,  clothier;  Hynds  Brothers,  dry  goods 


ORIGINAL  HOME  OF  MR.  AND  MRS.   PERRY  GOSS 


! 


Si 


c^CUs      e^**^  <£  -§^ 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY.  727 

and  shoes;  Thomas  Hyiids  ami   Brother,  cigar  travelers  accustomed  to  the  greedy  demands  of 
factory:    Illinois    Foundry   and    Specialty    Com-  similar  companies  in   less  well   governed  cities. 
pany;  D.  O.  Johnson,  feed  yard;  Merman  John- 
son, tailor;  \V.  J.  Jones,  grocer;  It.  L.  R.  Kay,  newspapers 
buffet;    Frank    J.    Kelbel.     horseshoer;    Frank 

Kindlestire,  ice  cream  parlor;  Phil  II.  Kohl.  X<>  history  of  Morris  would  tie  complete  with- 
novelty  store;  II.  E.  Kut/..  buffet;  S.  C.  Lam-  our  a  mention  of  its  newspapers,  for  through 
son.  sheet  metal  work;  G.  A.  Leach,  physician;  them  and  the  influence  they  have  exerted,  its 
n.  W.  LeRette,  jeweler;  .1.  O.  LeRette,  buffet;  improvements  have  been  inaugurated  and  car- 
Louis  Lowitz,  cloaks  and  suits;  Harry  S.  .Mack,  riod  through  to  successful  completion, 
news  depot;  Essie  Machey.  grocer;  C.  Magner,  Morris  Herald— Although  it  has  been  issued 
Jr.,  grocery  and  market:  .Morris  K.  Magner;  under  several  names  and  has  absorbed  more 
Herman  Manns,  clothier:  Fred  Martin,  baker;  than  one  competitor,  the  Morris  Herald  is  justly 
S.  S.  Marvick.  real  estate;  The  M.itteson  admitted  to  be  the  oldest  paper  of  Grundy 
Hardware  Company;  Israel  Mayer  &  Sons.  County.  In  1S32,  the  cornerstone  of  this  reli- 
clothing;  Alex  \Y.  Miller.  The  Model;  Edward  able  organ  was  laid  when  .1.  ('.  Walters  founded 
Moloney  &  Company,  confectionery ;  C.  S.  the  Morris  Yeoman  and  published  it  on  a 
Moore,  furniture  and  pianos;  A.  J.  Neff.  stoves  Franklin  press  in  an  old  adobe  hut  on  Wash- 
and  furniture;  Carl  J.  Nelson,  nickel  plating;  ington  street,  near  the  present  Commercial 
Ole  J.  Nelson,  insurance;  A.  R.  Newport,  hard-  Hotel.  Two  years  later  the  paper  passed  out 
ware;  Northwestern  Novelty  Company,  factory;  of  ids  control,  and  the  firm  of  Buffington  and 
M.  J.  Olson,  bakery;  Gustaf  Osbrink,  bakery;  Southard  not  only  took-  charge,  but  changed 
William  T.  Ostrem.  jeweler;  Page  &  Young,  its  name,  issuing  on  July  29,  1S35,  the  first 
jewelry;  A.  E.  and  F.  A.  Palmer,  physicians;  copy  of  the  Herald.  Within  a  year.  Mr.  South- 
John  0.  Petteys,  law  and  real  estate;  I'helan  ard  purchased  his  partner's  interest,  and  with 
&  Hoganson,  furniture  and  undertaking;  J.  A.  the  exception  of  a  short  period  when  Turner 
Ragan,  veterinary  surgeon;  J.  AY.  Rausebi,  at-  &  Perry  had  charge,  issued  the  Herald  until 
torney ;  J.  A.  Ray,  livery;  Cornelius  Reardon,  1S74.  In  that  year  lie  disposed  of  the  paper 
attorney;  W.  II.  Reardon,  sales  barn;  Reardon  to  the  Hon.  I'.  C.  Hayes,  who  soon  thereafter 
&  Cameron,  meat  market;  Bernard  Roth,  baker.  associated  with  him  E.  1'..  Fletcher,  a  practical 
Charles  G.  Sachse,  attorney:  W.  G.  Sachse,  printer.  In  the  meanwhile  changes  were  made 
physician;  L.  F.  Simrall,  attorney;  A.  J.  Smith,  in  (he  place  of  location,  the  adobe  hut  giving 
attorney;  II.  B.  Smith,  attorney;  Sam  Smith,  way  to  quarters  in  a  drug  store  conducted  by 
physician;  J.  Wallace  Steare,  conservatory  of  a  Doctor  Gihson.  Other  changes  were  effected, 
music;  Strawn  Drug  Company;  F.  II.  Rwartz,  until  the  present  location  was  taken,  but  it  is 
dentist;  Frank  Sykes.  livery;  O.  J.  Tasdall.  singular  that  in  all  the  years  of  its  history  the 
buffet;  Thomas  Teller,  buffet;  Bert  Thorsen,  Herald  never  moved  from  Washington  Street. 
garage;  C.  C.  Underwood,  general  merchandise;  Governor  Ray  feels  that  the  part  played  by  the 
Wagener  &  Pool,  druggists;  P.  T.  Walsh,  gro-  Herald  in  the  birth  of  (he  Republican  party. 
cer;  R.  E.  Watkins,  pool  room;  Weston  &  Sut-  should  not  be  overlooked  or  forgotten.  With 
cliffe,  implements;  P.  T.  Whalen,  buffet;  Ros-  other  newspapers  all  over  the  country,  it  ad- 
coe  Whitman.  .  physician  ;  Woelfeld  Leather  vocated  the  principles  that  formed  the  first 
Company;  James  Wood,  livery;  William  Wood.  platform  of  that  organization,  and  gave  the 
coai  dealer;  X.  II.  Woolsey,  milliner;  Lizzie  candidates  of  that  party  its  earnest  support. 
Zimmerman,  restaurant;  Dr.  F.  A.  Palmer,  In  the  meanwhile,  Mi-.  Southard  could  not  for- 
physician;  William  Reardon;  Rev.  Aarrestad:  get  his  love  for  Morris  and  its  people. -and  re- 
Rev.  G.  W.  James:  Rev.  A.  G.  Harrison;  Rev.  turned  within  a  year,  prepared. to  buy  back  his 
A.  W.  Carlson;  Rev.  W.  C.  Magner,  D.  A.  beloved  organ.  Negotiations  falling  through, 
Matthews,  capitalist,  and  a  number  of  others  ho  founded  the  Advocate,  with  an  entirely  new 
who  have  retired  from  active  life  plant,  and  conducted  it  successfully  until  he 
While  Morris  has  no  street  car  system,  the  finally  regained  possession  of  the  Herald,  when 
place  being  too  compact  for  its  successful  opera-  he  merged  the  two.  In  the  meanwhile  a  daily 
tion.  it  does  have  an  excellent  taxi-cab  serv-  paper  had  been 'started,  known  as  the  News, 
ice,   the  charges   of  which   are  a   revelation   to  but  it  was  purchased  by  Hayes  &  Fletcher,  and 


728  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

issued    as    the    Daily    Herald.      W.    L.    Sackett  to  private  uses,   and  only  opened   (o   the  public 

bought  the  Herald  about  July  1,  1S01,  and  took  upon  rare  occasions. 

possession  of  it  in  October  of  that  same  year.  The  first  cemetery  of  Morris  was  probably 
Since  then,  he  has  continued  "its  editor  and  a  little  plot  in  the  vicinity  of  the  residence  of 
proprietor.  For  years  the  Morris  Herald  has  R.  M.  Wing.  Later  another  graveyard  was 
been  the  organ  of  the  Republican  party,  and  opened  on  Nettle  Creek,  near  the  home  of  Judge 
the  leader  in  politics  in  this  locality.  Hopkins.  A  third  one  was  that  on  the  farm 
Morris  Gazette — On  March  1.  1S78,  a  semi-  of  A.  \Y.  Teller  on  the  west  of  the  canal,  east 
weekly  journal,  named  The  Independent,  was  of  Morris.  Still  another  cemetery  was  on  the 
founded  at  Morris  by  Perry,  Crawford  and  site  of  the  old  Catholic  cemetery.  The  history 
Kutz,  and  continued  to  be  issued  for  some  nine-  of  the  Catholic  cemeteries  will  be  found  in  con- 
teen  years,  when  it  was  taken  over  by  Buck-  nection  with  that  of  the  Catholic  church,  fur- 
lin  &  Co.  of  Kankakee,  and  named  the  Senti-  ther  on  in  this  article. 
nel.     The    Gazette    was    founded    at    Morris    six 

years    ago.     It    was    absorbed    by    the    Grundy  morris  cemetery  association 
County  Publishing  Company  in  February,  1011, 

Olaf  Huseby  being  the  editor  and  publisher.  On  February  12,  1S53,  the  Morris  Cemetery 
This  newsy  journal  espouses  the  cause  of  the  Association  was  chartered  by  the  Legislature 
progressives,  and  under  the  capable  manage-  with  George  Fisher,  George  W.  Land,  Charles 
ment  of  Mr.  Huseby  is  making  rapid  strides  II.  Goold,  L  P.  Lolf  and  Eugene  Fisher  as  in- 
forward,  corporators.  On  August  2."i  of  that  year,  the 
There  were  several  other  early  papers  of  association  bought  five  acres  two  miles  east- 
Morris,  now  long  since  dead,  one  being  the  of  Morris,  from  Thomas  Peacock,  and  later 
Reformer,  founded  in  1ST2,  by  Joe  Simpson,  five  acres  from  John  Peacock,  the  two  plots 
and  conducted  as  a  combined  democratic  and  being  joined  by  the  St.  George  Cemetery,  a  plat 
greenback  sheet  until  1S7G,  when  it  passed  into  given  by  a  Mr.  Peacock,  an  Englishman,  for  the 
the  hands  of  A.  R.  Barlow.  Later  Mr.  Simpson  use  of  Englishmen  only.  The  two  five-acre 
regained  the  property,  and  in  March.  1SS0,  the  plats,  to  which  a  small  addition  was  made  quite 
Morris  Democrat  was  founded  by  Colonel  recently,  is  known  as  Evergreen  Cemetery,  and 
Blackmore.  This  latter  was  a  campaign  pa-  it  would  be  difficult  to  find  one  that  is  a  more 
per,  and  died  during  the  thickest,  of  the  political  beautiful  embodiment  of  that  which  is  most 
fight.  sacred    and    touching    in    the    esteem    in    which 

tile  dead  are  held,   than  this  lovely  spot.    About 

cemeteries  three   thousand   six   hundred  persons   have  been 

interred    in    Evergreen    Cemetery,    among    them 

The    "Silent   Cities   of  the  Dead"    are   to   be  being  some  of  Grundy  County's  soldiers,  whose 

found    all    over    the    country.      In    some    locali-  dust   occupies   what    is   known    as   the   Soldiers' 

ties   it   has  been   the  custom    to   inter   the   dead  Circle,    in    the    older    portion    of    t lie    cemetery. 

in  some  central  cemetery,  while  in  others,  those  near    the    last    resting    place    of    the    old    Chief 

who  passed  away,  are  laid  to  rest   close  to  the  Shabbona.     The  grave  of  the  latter  is  marked 

place  where  living  they  had   placed  their  inter-  by  a  huge  arrow  head  carved  from  native  stone. 

ests.     Grundy  County  has  some  very  beautiful  upon    which     appears    the    name    "Shabbona." 

little  graveyards  which   show   the  effect  of  ten-  There    is    a    dignity    in    this    simple    monument 

dor   thoughts   and   efficient   work.     Beneath    the  that  appears  appropriate  in  relation  to  the  Red 

green  sod  of  these  little  plots  rest  the  dust  of  Man  who  sought   friendship  with  the  race  that 

the    pioneers    as    well    as    that    of   others    more  despoiled    him    and    his,    and    lived    and    died    a 

lately    called    to    a    last    reward.      Appropriate  lonely    figure.      A    handsome    mausoleum    here, 

sentiments    are    carved    on    the    marble    shafts  which   has   ISO   crypts   and    four   separate    fam- 

above    these    departed    ones    who    have    become  ily  rooms,  adds  to  the  beauty  of  the  cemetery, 

members    of    the    "Unknown    Country."      These  and    lies  to   the   right   of   the  entrance  into  the 

burial  places  are  spoken  of  at  some  length    in  new   part.      It    was    built   by   the    International 

the  articles  concerning  tie-  townships  in   which  Mausoleum    Company    of    Chicago,    and    is    ex- 

they    are    found.      The   records    regarding   some  quisitely  designed  and  decorated.     A  number  of 

are  difficult  to  reach,  as  many  were  dedicated  the  crypts  have  already  been  bought,  and  some 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


729 


are  filled.  Tn  the  cemetery  aside  from  this 
general  mausoleum,  there  are  three  family 
vaults,  belonging  to  the  Woefel,  Goold  and  Hill 
families. 

Aside  from  the  Masonic  order,  which  is 
treated  of  at  length  elsewhere  in  this  work, 
Morris  is  the  home  of  a  number  of  organiza- 
tions, some  of  which  are  mentioned  below. 

,  ODD     FELLOWS 

.Star  Lodge,  No.  75,  I.  0.  O.  F.,  was  insti- 
tuted at  Morris,  by  James  T.  McDougal,  who 
is  now  deceased,  lie  was  of  Juliet  and  received 
a  dispensation  from  the  R.  W.  grand  master 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Illinois,  on  October  IT, 
1S51.  With  him  were  associated  I..  I'.  Lett, 
E.  M.  Ross,  O.  S.  Newell,  and  T.  and  A.  II. 
Bishop.  Some  of  the  early  members  were: 
George  W.  Lane.  Henry  Benjamin.  AY.  S.  Wool- 
sey,  Miles  Gordon,  and  P.  A.  Armstrong.  The 
present  membership  comprises  2-".."i  active  work- 
ers, and  (he  officials  are:  W.  II.  Brown,  X.  G. ; 
J.  C.  A.  (loss,  V.  G. ;  F.  A  Fay,  secretary,  and 
O.  X.  Barker  treasurer.  The  order  owns  ils  own 
building  and  the  one  adjoining  it  on  Washington 
Street,  in  conjunction  with  the  Knights  of 
Pythias. 

KNIGHTS    OK    COLUMBUS 

Du  Pontaris  Council.  No.  845,  was  organized 
February  26,  1904,  with  seventy-nine  members, 
and  was  named  for  Father  Du  Pontaris,  who 
was  the  first  priest  to  read  mass  within  the 
present  Grundy  County.  The  first  chaplain  of 
the  order  was  the  Rev.  W.  G.  J.  Mecham,  and 
this  office  is  always  held  by  a  priest  of  the 
Catholic  Church.  The  first  officers  were:  J.  B. 
McCann.  G.  K. :  Cornelius  Reardon.  D.  G.  K. ; 
J.  \Y.  llines.  treasurer;  P.  T.  Murray,  record- 
ing secretary;  J.  E.  Connor,  financial  secre- 
tary; E.  Z.  Sattler,  chancellor;  P.  S.  Carolan, 
advocate.  This  order  has  a  present  member- 
ship of  1-10.  and  its  present  officers  are:  P.  T. 
Murray,  G.  K. ;  Rev.  J.  J.  Darcy,  chaplin ; 
Arthur  Griffin,  treasurer:  Louis  Schorsch,  re- 
cording secretary;  Fred  Gabel,  financial  secre- 
tary; Cornelius  Reardon,  chancellor,  and 
Thomas  Fitzgerald,  advocate.  Meetings  are  held 
on  the  first  and  third  Tuesdays  of  each  month. 

CATHOLIC    ORDER    OF   FORESTERS 

This  organization  has  a   membership  of  for- 


ty-five members,  and  is  an  older  order  with 
regard  to  date  of  establishment  at  Morris,  than 
the  Knights  of  Columbus.  Both  these  orders, 
with  others  pertaining  to  the  Catholic  Church 
are  taken  up  under  another  chapter. 

KNIGHTS    OF    PYTHIAS 

The  order  of  Knights  of  Pythias  founded 
their  Morris  lodge,  known  as  Castle  Hall,  No. 
ITS,  in  18S7,  with  marked  success.  The  pres- 
ent officials  are:  Charles  Maunders,  S.  C. ;  O. 
I.  Meyer.  V.  C. :  A.  D.  Martin.  Prelate;  II.  D. 
Hitchcock,  master  of  work;  F.  AY.  Washburn, 
master  of  arms;  C.  G.  Bonar,  master  of  finance; 
Horace  D.  Herrod,  keeper  of  records  and  seals; 
A.  A.  Braun,  master  of  exchequer;  George 
Corke,  inner  guard;  and  W.  A.  Petteys,  outer 
guard. 

EASTEKN     STAR 

Laurel  Chapter  of  Morris  was  organized  in 
1SS9,  Miss  Jennie  Bross  being  the  first,  worthy 
matron.  Mrs.  Mary  Massey,  first  secretary,  and 
John  N.  Burnell,  first  worthy  patron.  There 
were  fourteen  charter  members  at  tint  time. 
The  present  worthy  matron  is  Mrs.  Belle  Root; 
Miss  A.  C.  Bliss  lias  been  its  secretary  since 
December  11.  1900,  and  John  Pay  is  the  worthy 
patron. 

MODERN      WOODMEN     OF    AMERICA 

The  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  at  Morris 
received  its  charter  in  1SS4,  as  Canokee  Camp. 
No.  2S1,  and  its  present  membership  is  200 
members.  The  officers  now  in  charge  are  as 
follows:  II.  J.  Linden.  V.  C. ;  James  Jeffries, 
W.  A.;  H.  B.  Foster,  clerk;  and  Cornelius  Rear- 
don. hanker. 

THE    LINCOLN'    CLUB 

On  February  12,  1889,  the  Lincoln  Club  of 
Morris  was  organized,  and  incorporated  March 
IS,  1904,  originally  as  a  political  club  espousing 
the  principles  of  the  republican  party,  but  on 
February  5,  1912.  the  object  was  changed  and 
the  by-laws  revised,  so  as  to  make  it  into  a 
purely  social  organization  with  the  following 
object:  "This  club  is  organized  for  the  pur- 
pose of  promoting  good  government,  to  develop 
the  growth  and  spirit  of  patriotism,  and  to  cul- 


730 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


tivatc  friendly  and  social  relations  among  the 
members,  and  to  aid  in  any  movement  that 
means  industrial  and  commercial  progress  and 
advancement  of  our  city  and  the  betterment 
of  its  citizens."  The  present  officials  are:  M. 
N.  Hull,  president :  Horace  Herrod,  secretary, 
and  A.  W.  Buck,  treasurer.  The  headquarters 
of  the  club  are  at  No.  120  E.  Washington  Street. 
The  club  is  under  the  direct  control  of  the 
board  of  directors,  now  composed  of  the  fol- 
lowing members:  E.  E.  Hume.  W.  E.  Packed, 
H.  E.  Sparr,  C.  E.  Hanson,  C.  E.  Godfrey,  G. 
W.  Anderson,  E.  S.  Hoge,  F.  T.  Stephen,  and 
F.  G.  Blassingham. 

MORRIS    POSTOFFICE 

The  Morris  postoffice  is  a  second  class  office 
and  does  a  business  aggregating  $14,000  an- 
nually. The  present  postmaster  is  J.  II.  Me- 
Grath,  who  was  appointed  September  24,  1013. 
One  of  the  men  connected  with  the  Morris 
office,  who  died  while  in  office,  was  Henry  C. 
Claypool,  who,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  had 
heen  in  office  for  nine  years.  The  postmaster 
who  preceded  Mr.  McGrath,  was  Mr.  W.  C. 
Magner.  There  are  six  rural  free  delivery 
routes  out.  of  Morris,  and  they  and  the  business 
of  the  office  are  conducted  admirably. 

IN    CONCLUSION 

Many  features  of  Morris  are  taken  up  under 
special  chapters,  written  by  men  thoroughly 
conversant  with  conditions,  and  interested  in 
the  proper  exploitation  of  facts.  In  closing  it 
is  safe  to  slate  that  it  would  be  difficult  to  find 
a  city  of  its  size  in  the  country  which  offers 
so  much  that  is  agreeable  and  desirable  as 
Morris.  Delightfully  located,  adjacent  to  one  of 
the  finest  agricultural  regions  in  the  United 
States,  possessed  of  natural  scenery  and  re- 
sources, it  is  yet  within  a  few  miles'  ride  of  the 
metropolis  of  the  West.  Train  schedules  have 
been  so  arranged  that  it  is  possible  for  any 
one  residing  at  Morris  to  go  to  either  Joliet  or 
Chicago  for  his  daily  business  and  return  at 
night,  or  pleasure  seekers  can  attend  the  the- 
atre or  social  events  in  either  city,  and  return 
home  the  same  night.  The  air  of  Morris  is 
delightful,  its  people  gracious,  courteous  and 
hospitable,  its  manufacturing  plants  are  flour- 
ishing, and  its  financial  condition  beyond  cavil. 
To  its .  residents  and  visitors,  alike,  it  seems 
like  the  "garden   spot"  of  the  world  in   which 


the  serpent  of  evil  has  no  place,  and  from 
which  its  present  inhabitants  have  no  idea  of 
going,  and  to  which  new  comers  are  arriving, 
brought  here  by  accounts  of  others  who  have 
fared  well  at  the  hands  of  Morrisites. 

SUPERVISORS 

Those  who  have  served  Morris  Township  as 
members  of  the  County  Board  of  Supervisors 
have  been:  P.  A.  Armstrong,  1S50;  C.  L.  R. 
Ilogan.  1S51;  Eugene  Stansbury,  1852;  P.  A. 
Armstrong.  1853;  Elijah  Walker,  1So4-1s,V,  ; 
E.  1*.  Lott,  1S56-1S5S;  John  Barr,  1S59-1SG1  ; 
Abel  1'.  Bulkley,  1S62-1S64;  John  Barr,  1SG5- 
1SGG;  John  Antis,  1SG7-186S;  George  F.  Brown, 
1SG9-1S70;  John  Barr,  1S71-1875;  J.  W.  Law- 
rence, 1870;  Charles  Sparr,  1877-1879;  John 
Barr.  1SS0;  J.  \V.  Lawrence,  18S1 ;  L.  W.  Clay- 
pool,  1882;  O.  J.  Nelson,  1SS3-1S92;  O.  J.  Nel- 
son, 1S93-1S9G,  J.  H.  Pattison.  Ass't;  O.  J. 
Xelson.  is:i7-19<)7.  M.  B.  Wilson,  Ass't;  W.  B. 
Allan,  190S-1909,  M.  B.  Wilson,  Ass't;  .1.  A. 
Wilson,  1910-1912,  M.  B.  Wilson,  Ass't;  J.  A. 
Wilson,  1913,  John  Mack,  Ass't;  D.  A.  Mathews, 
1914,  John  Mack,  Ass't. 


CHAPTER  XXXV 


CHURCHES 


BAPTIST — CATHOLIC — CHRISTIAN    SCIENCE — CONGRE- 
GATIONAL     METHODIST      EPISCOPAL  —   HOUGE'S 

LUTHERAN  —  BETHLEHEM    LUTHERAN  —  PRHS1SY- 
TERIAK — FREE    METHODIST — SWEDISH    BAPTIST. 

The  religious  spirit  at  Morris  is  manifested 
in  the  maintenance  of  a  number  of  religious 
bodies,  some  of  these  having  substantial  church 
and  parish  edifices.  A  history  of  a  number  of 
them  is  given  in  the  attached  articles,  writ- 
ten by  clergymen  or  prominent  laymen  connected 
with   these   organizations. 

BAPTIST   CHURCHES 

(By   Mrs.   George  M.   Bucklin) 

In  the  month  of  July,  1854,  Elder  F.  B.  Free- 
man commenced  his  latxjrs  in  Morris  as  a  mis- 


' 


.... 


• 


. 


' 


n 

c 
o 

I— I 

o 


..  —  .»'.-•• 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


731 


sionary  in  the  employ  of  the  Fox  River  Asso- 
ciation. After  two  mouths  of  Elder  Freeman's 
work,  the  conference  agreed  to  call  a  council 
of  brethren  from  other  churches  to  meet  with 
them  on  October  4,  1S54.  Twelve  members  of 
the  conference  appeared  at  the  appointed  time 
and  presented  their  letters,  choosing  Elder 
Freeman,  moderator  and  John  N.  Freeman 
clerk,  and  passed  a  vote  to  organize  them- 
selves into  a  church,  adopting  the  articles  of 
faith  published  in  the  Encylopedia  of  Relig- 
ious  Knowledge,  also  the  covenant  in  the  same. 
The  council  met  in  the  Methodist  Church  to 
take  into  consideration  the  propriety  of  or- 
ganizing a  Baptist  Church.  Resolutions  were 
adopted  that  this  council  so  extend  the  ordi- 
nary tokens  of  recognition  and  fellowship  to  the 
First  Baptist  Church  of  Morris,  and  the  pub- 
lic exercises  connected  with  the  occasion  were 
held  in  the  Methodist  Church.  John  N.  Free- 
man was  appointed  church  clerk,  and  Elder 
F.  It.  Freeman,  pastor.  Meetings  were  held 
every  Sunday  in  the  ballroom  on  the  third  floor 
of  the  old  Prindle  House,  which  had  been  fitted 
up  as  a  private  school.  However,  the  little 
church  lost  its  meeting  place,  for  on  Thanks- 
giving Day.  November  30,  1854,  the  house  was 
burned.  This  old  hotel  stood  on  the  present 
site  of  the  Commercial  Hotel.  At  a  covenant 
meeting  held  in  the  Methodist  Church  on  De- 
cember 2  of  that  year,  a  deep  concern  was  mani- 
fested for  the  prosperity  of  the  church,  and  the 
salvation  of  souls.  The  clerk,  John  Freeman, 
resigned  and  Joshua  Lane  was  appointed  to 
fill  his  place.  From  December  to  February, 
1855,  things  remained  at  a  standstill,  there 
being  only  occasional  preaching  by  Revs.  Free- 
man and  Childs.  On  February  5,  1S55,  however, 
Elder  W.  O.  Johnson  of  Michigan,  received  a 
call  as  pastor,  and  the  church  held  meetings  in 
the  schoolhouse,  afterwards  known  as  the  old 
Normal  Ruilding.  On  June  3  the  church  sent  a 
letter  to  the  Fox  River  Association  asking  for 
admission  into  that  body.  At  the  annual  busi- 
ness meeting  January  4,  1809,  the  clerk  reported 
that  fifty  members  had  been  added  to  the 
church  in  the  year  just  closed,  making  the  num- 
ber seventy-three,  which  was  regarded  as  a 
cause  for  encouragement  At  that  time  the 
pastor  received  a  salary  of  $100. 


BAPTISTS    111'ILD    A    CHUItClI 

In  1S00,  the  Baptists  secured  permission  to 
hold  meetings  in  the  courthouse.  At  a  special 
meeting  held  August  25,  1SG1,  it  was  decided 
to  build  a  house  of  worship,  which  was  com- 
pleted and  dedicated  to  the  Eord  on  Sunday, 
February  0,  1SG2,  the  cost  of  the  building  and 
furniture  being  $2,932.40.  The  dedication  ser- 
mon was  delivered  by  the  pastor,  Rev.  G.  S. 
Bailey.  On  June  2S,  18GS,  a  pipe  organ  was 
put  into  the  church  at  a  cost  of  $72.n>,00. 

In  June,  1SSG,  the  Fox  River  Association 
changed  its  name  to  the  Aurora  Baptist  Asso- 
ciation, and  was  for  the  third  time  entertained 
by  the  Morris  church. 

During  the  summer  of  1S99  the  church  was 
remodeled  at  a  cost  of  .$4,500,  making  a  beau- 
tiful edifice  with  all  modern  improvements,  the 
work  being  done  under  the  pastorate  of  Rev. 
B.  L.  Prescott,  who  not  only  did  much  to  in- 
spire the  people,  but  also  a  larger  portion  of 
the  practical  work  of  rebuilding.  The  old  pipe 
organ  was  replaced  by  a  new  one  worth  $1,500, 
$500  of  which  was  donated  by  Mrs.  John  Hill. 
The  church  received  a  gift  in  190G  from  the  late 
William  Urich,  who  left  it  $500  as  a  bequest  in 
his  will.  The  church  has  had  in  the  history 
of  its  membership  many  true  Christian  peo- 
ple who  have  gone  into  other  portions  of  the 
world  and  accomplished  much  good  for  the 
Master,  among  whom  may  be  mentioned  1'rof. 
and  Mrs.  L.  T.  Regan  and  family,  who  went 
to  Chicago  in  1889;  Mrs.  Jessie  Bartlett  Davis, 
the  noted  singer,  who  was  once  a  member  of 
our  choir. 

In  1900,  the  parsonage  was  remodeled  so  that 
it  is  now  a  fine  modern  home  worth  $4,500, 
located  on  the  corner  of  Jackson  and  Division 
streets.  The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  has  always 
been  an  active  and  helpful  branch  of  the  church, 
our  able  president.  Mrs.  Belle  D.  Jones,  hav- 
ing held  the  office  for  seventeen  years.  We  have 
at  present  one  of  the  best  ministers,  both  as 
to  mental  and  spiritual  endowments  in  the  his- 
tory of.  the  church,  Rev.  J.  C.  Richardson,  who 
was  a  missionary  and  teacher  in  Burmah  for 
six  years,  returning  on  account  of  the  failure 
in  health  of  both  him  and  Mrs.  Richardson,  in 
August,  1010. 


732 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


CATHOLIC    CHUECHES 

(By  Cornelius  Rcardon) 

EARLY  PRIESTS  IN  GKUNDY  COUNTY 

The  members  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church, 
so  predominate  in  number  as  to  constitute  near- 
ly one-half  of  Christendom,  so  that  t  lie  estab- 
lishment of  a  parish  in  any  community  is  a 
notable  event.  Since  its  beginning,  the  Catho- 
lic Church  has  exerted  a  strong  and  elevating 
influence  over  its  children,  and  their  adherence 
to  the  teachings  and  authority  of  the  church  is 
steadfast.  The  priests  in  charge  of  these 
churches  are  men  of  unquestioned  scholarly 
attainments  and  strong  religious  personality, 
and  as  their  aim  is  to  uplift  their  people,  their 
position  in  any  locality  is  one  of  strong  influ- 
ence along  moral  lines. 

With  the  construction  work  of  the  Illinois 
and  Michigan  Canal  through  the  county  came 
many  Roman  Catholics,  and,  at  the  foot  of 
Dresden  Hill,  near  the  canal,  on  Section  Twenty- 
six  (20)  in  Aux  Sable  Township  was  erected 
the  first  Catholic  house  of  worship  in  the 
county.  At  the  site  of  that  church  there  re- 
mains a  fairly  well  cared  for  Catholic  cemetery 
even  at  the  present  day,  although  the  church 
edifice  was  never  used  later  than  about  the  year 
1864,  and  the  building,  being  a  flimsy  structure, 
soon  thereafter  went  to  decay.  To  this  church 
first  came  Father  Du  Pontaris  and  he  minis- 
tered to  the  wants  of  his  people  at  regular  in- 
tervals until  about  the  year  1850  when  he  was 
succeeded  by  Father  O'Donnell.  Each  of  these 
two  priests  in  his  turn  had  charge  of  the 
Catholic  people  from  Joliet  to  Ottawa,  and. 
regardless  of  weather  or  road  conditions,  they 
made  their  regular  trips  on  horse-back,  meeting 
their  congregations  at  the  appointed  times.  The 
population  increased  to  the  westward  of  Dres- 
den with  the  progress  of  the  canal  work.  Those 
priests,  together  with  other  missionary  priests, 
read  mass  in  die  homes  of  some  of  the  Catholic 
people  and  later  in  the  old  wooden  courthouse 
until  the  establishment  of  the  Morris  parish, 
which  was  established  in  the  year  1852,  with 
Rev.  Patrick  Terry  the  first  pastor  of  the  parish. 

On  September  23,  1ST)2.  Father  Terry  received 
deeds  from  John  McNellis  and  wife  to  the  prop- 
erty at  the  corners  of  Jackson,  Pine  and  Xorth 
Streets  and  erected  on  that  property  a  frame 
building,  which,  with  additions  thereto,  served 
the  people  of  this  parish  as  a  church  until  the 


completion  of  the  present  brick  edifice  on  the 
same  property  in  the  year  1867.  Father  Terry 
was  succeeded  in  his  pastorate  by  the  Rev.  M. 
Lyons,  on  July  24,  1S59,  and  Father  Lyons  was 
the  parish  priest  until  September,  1SG4.  On 
this  last  named  date  Father  Lyons  was  followed 
by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Ryan,  and  it  was  during 
Father  Ryan's  pastorate,  which  ended  in  1SG9, 
that  the  present  brick  church  was  erected.  The 
first  mass  was  celebrated  in  this  church  (before 
completion)  Christmas  morning,  1S66.  ,  Father 
Ryan  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  J.  P.  Devine, 
whose  pastorate  ended  May  30,  1S70.  Then 
came  the  Rev.  Hugh  O'Cara  McShane,  and  no 
pastor  was  more  universally  loved  and  admired 
by  his  parishioners,  than  was  this  then  young 
priest.  In  IS74  the  Rev.  F.  W.  Smyth  was 
assigned  to  the  parish  and  he  was  followed  by 
the  Rev.  Dennis  Hayes  in  1SS1,  and  he.  by  the 
Rev.  John  A.  Hemlock  from  1S83  to  1SS9. 

Father  L.  M.  Median  was  appointed  pastor  of 
the  parish  in  1SS0.  The  parochial  school,  which 
prior  to  that  time  had  been  conducted  in  the 
old  frame  building  that  once  served  as  a  church, 
was  sadly  in  need  of  new  quarters.  In  his  en- 
deavor to  have  erected  a  new  parochial  school 
building  Father  Median  received  a  magnificent 
gift  of  money  from  Patrick  Kenrick,  an  aged 
bachelor  and  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  this 
county.  With  this  gift  from  Patrick  Kenrick 
and  •  the  contributions  of  the  parishioners, 
Father  Median  caused  to  be  erected  a  magnifi- 
cent two-story  and  basement  brick  building,  at 
a  cost  of  about  fifteen  thousand  dollars.  The 
first  floor  of  the  buildiug  is  devoted  to  school 
purposes  and  is  known  as  the  Immaculate  Con- 
ception Parochial  School.  The  second  floor  of 
the  building  was  finished  up  as  a  ball,  with  a 
stage  in  the  north  end  of  it,  and  bears  the 
name  of  Kenrick  Hall.  The  building  is  of 
Gothic  architecture,  patterned  after  a  Roman 
castle,  and  is  an  ornament  to  the  city.  While 
Father  L.  M.  Median  was  pastor  of  the  parish 
his  younger  brother,  William  G.  J.  Median,  was 
pursuing  his  theological  course  and  was  or- 
dained a  priest,  and  after  a  short  pastorate  at 
Sycamore.  111.,  was  transferred  to  Morris.  111., 
and  Father  L.  M.  Median  went  to  Sycamore. 
On  January  7,  1907,  the  pastorate  of  Father 
William  G.  J.  Median  at  Morris  ended,  and 
Father  J.  .1.  Darcy  was  appointed  pastor  of 
this  church  ami  continues  to  the  present  time. 

The  parochial  school  at  the  close  of  the  last 
school  year  had  an  enrollment  of  127  pupils  and 


: 


I 


iv 


! 


-    ■-  -  .  ...  


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


733 


the  teachers   were  Sisters  of   the   St.   Angela's 
Academy. 

During  the  pastorates  of  Fathers  Terry, 
Lyons  and  Ryan,  the  Morris  parish  had  as  out 
posts  the  Dresden  Church,  and  after  that  the 
Minooka  Church  and  the  Highland  Church,  now 
Kinsman.  To  these  outposts  the  pastors  and 
their  assistants  went  on  alternate  Sundays. 
The  writer  of  this  article  was  an  "altar  hoy" 
from  ISO"?  to  1S75,  and  as  he  was  a  better  driver 
than  other  hoys  lie  was  frequently  called  upon 
to  accompany  the  priests  on  those  weekly  trips 
to  Minooka   and  Highland. 

CATHOLIC    SOCIETIES 

The  Knights  of  Columbus  is.  in  numbers,  the 
largest  society  in  the  Mori  is  church.  Their 
council  was  named  after  Father  Du  Pontaris, 
the  first  priest  who  road  mass  within  the  pres- 
ent limits  of  the  county.  It  has  a  membership 
of  about,  one  hundred  and  forty  members  and 
takes  an  active  part  in  all  the  work  of  the 
parish. 

The  Catholic  Order  of  Foresters,  consisting 
now  of  forty-five  members,  was  established  be- 
fore the  Knights  of  Columbus.  There  is  a  pleas- 
ant rivalry  between  these  two  societies  in  the 
doing  of  the  good  work  of  the  parish.  There 
is  a  court  of  the  Women's  Catholic  Order  of 
Foresters  that  can  always  he  relied  ujxjn  to  do 
its  portion  of  the  social  work  of  the  parish. 
Columbia  Club,  an  organization  of  young  ladies, 
makes  a  strong  showing.  The  ladies  of  the 
Altar  and  Rosary  Society  vie  with  one  another 
in  their  work  of  adorning  the  church  and  altars, 
and  their  efforts  result  in  one  of  the  neatest 
churches  in  the  diocese. 

A  TRIBUTE  AT  JOHN    MC  NEIilS 

No  history  of  the  Catholic  Church  in  Grundy 
County,  111.,  would  be  complete  without  special 
mention  being  made  of  the  name  and  good 
works  of  John  MeXellis.  He  was  a  man  of 
coarse  exterior,  who,  in  pioneer  days  accumu- 
lated a  vast  fortune,  hut  in  the  later  years 
of  his  life  met  with  severe  reverses.  In  the 
days  of  his  affluence  he  gave  unsparingly  to  the 
church  and  religion  of  which  he  was  a  devout 
worshiper.  The  ground  whereon  is  situated  the 
church,  parochial  school  and  the  parochial  resi- 
dence was  a  gift  from  him  to  the  parish,  and  his 
cash  contributions  to  the  building  and  support 
of  the  church  were  in  full  proportion  to  his 
means.     His  gift  of  the  beautiful   square  with 


the  then  large  building  on  it  to  the  Sisters  of 
the  Holy  Cross,  was  prompted  by  the  motive 
that  all  worthy  children  might  receive  an  edu- 
cation thai  would  lit  them  for  life  and  eternity, 
lie  had  no  education  himself  and  this  fact  no 
doubt  had  much  to  do  with  the  generosity  of 
his  gift.  Though  of  a  rough  nature  he  had  a 
warm  heart,  and  in  his  daily  life  and  conduct 
set  an  example  that  might  well  he  patterned 
after.  He  died  October  24,  lSs:>,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-nine  years,  four  months,  twenty-three 
days. 

ST.  anceea's  academy 

On  the  first  day  of  March,  1S5S,  John  Mc- 
Xellis and  his  good  wife  deeded  the  block  be- 
tween North  and  Denton  streets  and  Spruce  and 
Fast  streets  to  the  Order  of  the  Holy  Cross, 
with  the  condition  that  there  should  he  forever 
maintained  on  the  premises  a  Roman  Catholic 
school.  The  Sisters  of  this  order  thereupon 
went  into  possession  of  the  property  and  have, 
to  the  present  time,  maintained  a  Catholic 
school  for  girls,  and  from  this  have  graduated 
some  of  the  noblest  women  that  this  part  of  the 
world  has  known.  By  their  industry,  the  Sis- 
ters have  added  to  the  brick  building  that  was 
on  the  property  when  they  received  it,  until, 
today  there  stands  a  magnificent  four-story 
structure  where  twenty-one  Sisters  are  devoting 
their  lives  to  the  cause  of  religion  and  educa- 
tion, and  there  are  regularly  enrolled  from  (10 
to  100  pupils.  In  1908  the  Sisters  of  this  order 
celebrated  the  golden  anniversary  of  the  estab- 
lishment of  their  convent.  The  present  Catholic 
population  of  the  Morris  parish  number  about 
eleven  hundred. 

MINOOKA 

The  second  parish  to  be  established  in  the 
county  was  that  at  Minooka,  and  its  first  pastor 
was  the  Rev.  Sheedy.  Its  present  pastor  is 
the  Rev.  Joseph  McMabon.  whose  pastorate  has 
extended  back  over  twenty  years.  A  few  years 
ago  this  congregation  erected  a. fine  brick  edifice 
that  they  are  now  using.  The  parish  includes, 
besides  the  village  of  Minooka,  a  large  Catholic 
population  in  the  surrounding  country. 

KINSMAN 

The  third  parish  established  in  Grundy 
County  was  that  of  the  old  Highland  Township 


734 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


Church  and  Rev.  P.  J.  Gormerly  was  its  first 
pastor.  After  the  Village  of  Kinsman  was  laid 
out  and  incorporated  the  church  building  was 
moved  about  two  miles  southwest  into  the  new 
village,  but  it  soon  proved  too  small  for  the 
needs  of  the  people  and  they  erected  a  brick 
structure  which  was  later  destroyed  by  lightning 
but  was  rebuilt  and  forms  the  present  Catholic 
Church  in  that  village.  Rev.  J.  P.  Greene  has 
been  the  parish  priest  for  many  years  past,  and 
besides  the  Kinsman  Church  has  Verona  as  an 
out-mission  where  the  people  of  that  vicinity 
purchased  a  frame  church  building  about  ten 
years  ago,  and  to  the  Verona  church  Father 
Greene  comes  every  second  Sunday. 

COAL   CITY 

The  fourth  parish  established  in  Grundy 
County  is  that  of  Coal  City  and  one  of  its  first 
pastors  was  the  Rev.  Father  De  Paradis,  a 
man  of  great  musical  talent  and  fine  education. 
He  was  greatly  beloved  by  his  ixxiple  and  ad- 
mired by  all  his  acquaintances  outside  of  the 
church.  The  present  pastor  is  the  Rev.  J.  A. 
Reuland. 

.  SOUTH    WILMINGTON 

The  last  parish  organized  in  Grundy  County 
was  that  at  South  Wilmington  which  was  estab- 
lished shortly  after  the  laying  out  of  the  vil- 
lage in  189S.  The  present  pastor  is  the  Rev.  L. 
Donna.  His  congregation  is  largely  made  up  of 
poor  working  men  and  their  families,  but  their 
devotion  to  their  church  and  God  is  not  sur- 
passed anywhere. 

THE     CHRISTIAN     SCTENCE    SOCIETY 

The  Christian  Science  Society  at  Morris 
originated  as  a  church,  being  known  as  First 
Church  of  Christ,  Morris,  on  August  24,  1904, 
with  seven  members.  Later  the  number  in- 
creased to  nineteen,  but  in  190S,  it  was  changed 
to  The  Christian  Science  Society,  Morris.  Hav- 
ing the  requisite  sixteen  members,  this  society 
is  entitled  to  a  regular  practitioner,  who  is  Mrs. 
Annie  M.  Claypool,  widow  of  the  late  lamented 
Henry  C.  Claypool,  who,  in  her  life,  demon- 
strates beautiful  traits  of  character  which  aside 
from  her  religious  belief,  exert  a  strong  influ- 
ence for  good  upon  the  community.  The  pres- 
ent first  reader  is  Miss  Emily  Bingham,  and  the 
second  reader  is  Mrs.  Clara  L.  Gorham. 


CONGREGATIONAL   CHURCHES 

(By  Rev.  G.  YV.  James) 

MISSIONARY    WORK    AT    MORRIS    IN    1S4.6 

The  first  Protestant  Church  work  done  in 
Morris,  began  in  1S40,  under  Rev.  James  Long- 
head, a  Congregational  minister,  who  was  sent 
to  the  community  as  a  missionary  of  the  Amer- 
ican Home  Missionary  Society.  A  Sunday 
school  was  at  once  organized,  and  Mr.  Loug- 
head,  who  was  doing  missionary  work  in  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  county,  preached  once  every 
four  weeks  to  a  small  company  in  the  village 
of  Morris.  The  school  continued  as  a  Union 
Sunday  school  for  about,  two  years,  and  while 
there  was  no  church  organization,  it  was  known 
as  the  Associated  Congregational  Church  of 
Morris. 

FIRST    CONGREGATIONAL    CHURCH    ORGANIZED 

In  May.  184S,  steps  were  taken  toward  organ- 
izing a  regular  Congregational  Church,  and  sev- 
eral meetings  were  held  in  order  to  complete 
the  organization,  and  on  Sunday,  July  2.  1848, 
the  church  was  fully  organized  with  twelve 
members,  representing  four  denominations: 
Congregational,  Presbyterian,  Methodist  and 
Episcopalian.  Meetings  were  held  in  the  old 
courthouse,  which  stood  in  what  is  now  the 
front  yard  of  the  present  courthouse.  Reverend 
Longhead  continued  as  pastor  until  April,  1S49. 
In  January,  IS-jO,  Rev.  A.  W.  Henderson  was 
elected  pastor,  and  served  the  church  three 
years,  bringing  the  membership  from  twenty  to 
sixty-two. 

During  1S51  the  first  church  building  was 
erected,  on  the  corner  lot  where  the  present 
building  now  stands.  It  was  a  small,  wooden 
structure,  45  by  24  feet.  During  the  time  the 
building  was  in  course  of  construction,  services 
were  held  in  a  small  hall  on  the  second  floor  of 
a  two-story  building  on  the  southwest  corner  of 
Washington  and  Wauponsee  streets.  During 
1854,  while  Rev.  W.  A.  Baldwin  was  supplying 
the  pulpit,  the  building  was  enlarged  and  the 
church  became  self  supporting.  Toward  the 
close  of  1854,  Rev.  E.  B.  Turner  commenced  his 
ministry  to  the  church,  which  continued  ten 
years.  Four  seasons  of  special  religious  inter- 
est were  enjoyed  during  Mr.  Turner's  lalwrs, 
occurring  severally  in  1S55,  1S5G,  1S5S  and  1SC1. 


"- '- — ' —     .-...-    . 


-  * 


• 


i/Krt,^ 


o^c^^ 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


735 


The  building  was  again  enlarged  in  l$r>7.  In 
the  early  part  of  1S65,  Rev.  William  Lloyd  way 
chosen  pastor  and  under  his  ministry  the  pres- 
ent magnificent  structure  was  built,  at  a  cost 
of  $25,000.00. 

MART  FAITH  FOX  PASTORS 

In  1S69,  Rev.  AV.  A.  Smith  was  called  to  the 
pastorate,  and  remained  three  years,  and  after 
his  departure,  Rev.  J.  A.  Montgomery  was 
called  to  the  field  and  served  the  church  eleven 
years,  being  the  longest  pastorate  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  church.  From  18S4  to  18SG,  Rev. 
C.  L.  Corwin  was  pastor,  and  was  followed  by 
Mr.  R.  W.  Farquher,  a  student,  who  was  or- 
dained soon  alter  entering  upon  the  work  as 
pastor.  Following  the  three  years'  service  by 
Mr.  Farquher.  Rev.  C.  EL  Bissell  was  called  and 
remained  three  years.  In  April,  1S91,  Rev.  C. 
C.  Warner  was  called,  and  preached  until  1S05. 
After  six  months  supply  by  Dr.  Anderson,  Mr. 
P.  D.  Tucker,  a  young  man  engaged  in  mission 
work  in  St.  Louis,  was  invited  to  take  charge 
of  the  church,  wheh  he  accepted.  Mr.  Tucker 
was  ordained  during  his  first  year  in  Morris, 
and  continued  with  the  church  three  years. 

In  the  fall  of  1900,  Rev.  T.  S.  Oadams  was 
called,  and  occupied  the  pulpit  two  years  and 
six  months.  Rev.  George  A.  Swertfager  was 
pastor  from  October  1,  1003.  to  May  22,  1905. 
and  Rev.  J.  A.  Smith  supplied  the  pulpit  during 
190G. 

Rev.  G.  W.  .Tames,  the  present  pastor,  has 
been  with  the  church  since  the  first  of  April, 
1907.  In  1907,  the  church  came  into  possession 
of  a  fine  parsonage,  the  gift  of  Mrs.  Louise 
Keller,  who  left  her  spacious  home  to  the 
church  of  her  choice.  The  church  has  one  of 
the  finest  pipe  organs  in  the  county,  and  many 
improvements  on  the  church  property,  made  in 
recent  years,  have  increased  its  value. 

METHODIST    EPISCOPAL    CHURCH 

(By  A.  G.  Harrison) 

The  first  protectant  preacher  to  lift  his  voice 
for  the  Kingdom  of  Christ  at  Morris,  was  a 
Methodist.  His  name  was  John  F.  Devore,  of 
the  South  Ottawa  Circuit,  and  his  first  appear- 
ance here  was  in  the  winter  of  1S42-3.  He 
was  a  tall,  slender,  somewhat  awkward  young 
man,  with  a  heart  burning  with  hive  of  the 
work    of    God.      It   was   his    first   year    in    the 


ministry  and  what  a  charge  lie  had.  It  extended 
from  the  other  side  of  Ottawa  to  what  is  now 
Sam  Holderman's  farm,  west  of  Morris.  Mr. 
Devore  opened  his  work  by  holding  meetings 
in  the  courthouse,  preaching  every  four  weeks. 
He  found  Morris  a  hard  field  and  made  but 
little  or  no  headway,  and  so,  becoming  discour- 
aged, resigned,  lie  also  introduced  Methodism 
into  W'auponsee  and  Aux  Sable  townships,  that 
same  winter  of  1842-3. 

The  next  effort  to  found  a  church  was  made 
at  Morris  by  a  Mr.  Humphrey,  who,  like  his 
predecessor,  was  a  preacher  in  charge  of  the 
South  Ottawa  Circuit.  He  made  his  appear- 
ance  in  January.  1S4G,  hut  there  were  few  to 
respond,  and  he  also  left  after  finding  things 
in  a  discouraging  condition. 

Some  time  after  this  followed  a  man  by  the 
name  of  Alonzo  Kenyon,  also  of  the  South  Ot- 
tawa Circuit,  and  he  fared  somewhat  bettor, 
succeeding  in  organizing  the  first  Methodist 
Class  at  Morris,  and  preached  in  the  courthouse 
once  a  month.  Then  came  Rev.  J.  W.  Flowers, 
in  1S49,  at  a  time  when  Morris  was  attached  to 
Lisbon,  the  two  places  becoming  a  circuit,  and 
Mr.  Flowers  was  its  first  regular  preacher.  He 
was  a  successful  organizer,  and  under  his  able 
leadership,  the  society  grew  so  rapidly  that  in 
1S50  steps  were  taken  to  erect  a  church  build- 
ing. Within  a  short  period,  a  structure  was 
erected  at  the  corner  of  Kiersted  and  Jefferson 
streets,  and  was  then  considered  the  finest 
church  in  town.  In  August  of  1S50,  Morris  be- 
came a  station  with  a  settled  pastor,  and  has 
so  continued  ever  since. 

Thus  what  seemed  at  first  a  difficult  and  un- 
promising field  for  the  growth  of  Methodism, 
turned  out  to  be  one  of  the  most  fruitful.  In- 
deed, so  fast  did  the  society  grow,  that  after 
eighteen  years  spent  in  the  original  church,  it 
was  decided  to  erect  a  larger  one.  and  in  1869, 
plans  were  made  for  a  new  structure  on  West 
Jackson  Street.  This  new  building  was  com- 
pleted in  1871,  the  members  of  the  official  board 
of  the  church  at  that  time  having  been:  A 
Kirkland,  L..  Rockwell.  J.  W.  Fatham,  W.  Stage. 
H.  C.  Longacre.  S.  Noble,  Joseph  Hicks,  Wil- 
liam Stephen,  and  the  pastor  then  in  charge. 
R.  R.  Bibbins.  The  cost  of  the  new  church  was 
$12,000.  On  the  night  of  August  13.  JS78,  this 
building  was  struck  by  lightning  and  entirely 
destroyed  by  fire  with  the  exception  of  the 
brick  walls.  Immediate  action  was  taken  to  re- 
build, the  following  trustees  having  the  matter 


736  HISTORY  OF  GKUNDY  0OUNTY. 

in    charge:     William    Stephen,    Phincas   Davis.  house   was   erected   at   a   cost   of   $4,000      The 

H.  C.  Gifford,   Henry   Longacre,  Andrew   Kirk-  church  has  a   very  advantageous   location    five 

land,  J.  W.  Tatham.  A.  L.  Doud,  C.  W.  Williams,  miles    north    of    Morris,    the    county    scat    of 

C.  J.  Murray  and  John  Cryder.     The  building  Grundy   County.     Mr.   Halvor   Osmonsen   Rvgh 

then  erected  is  the  one  now  i„  use,  to  which  an  d.-nalc,]   the   building   ground,   and    he   and  the 

addition   was   built    in   1911.      In   1S9S   the   old  men  above  named   were  the  most  prominent  in 

parsonage  which  stood  on  the  church  lot  when  the  construction  of  the  church.     The  dedication 

purchased,   was   removed   and    the   present   fine  of  the  church  took  place  on   the  third   Sunday 

and     commodious     building     was    erected,     this  after   Easter.   1S77.     Prof.   S.   Oi'tedal    of    Vm-s 

being  done  during   the  pastorate   of   Rev.   C.   C.  burg    Seminary.    Minneapolis.    Minn.,'   preached 

Lovejoy.  the  dedicatory  sermon.     M.   F.   Gjer'tseu,   T.   J. 

Solbcrg  and  other   ministers  were  also  present 

HOUGE'S   LUTHERAN   CHURCH  ,  and  assisted. 

From  ils  very  inception  the  congregation  was 

(J.y  l.  Aarrestad)  connected   with    the   Conference   of  the   Xorwe- 

gian-Danish    Evangelical    Lutheran    Church    of 

Tins  was  organized  on  the  8th   day  of  July,  America.      Since    1S90,    when    the    Conference 

1STG,  in  Saratoga,  Grundy  County.     Leaders  in  was  n)erged  iu  (he  United  Xo  ,an  Lntheran 

this  movement    were:     Halvor  Osmonsen    Rygh,  cinir.h    ,.r    \, ,„>,-:,.,     n.      , 

<-nuuii  oi    Aineiica.   the  congregation  has  been 

O.  H.  Osmonsen.   Knut  M.  J.  Granville,  Halvor  connected  with  this  body. 
Grunstad.  Ole  Thompsen  Saren,  Wier  Pedersen,  0,         ,        .    .  . 

Tolleff    Hon,,..    Ole    Charles.    Erich    Grunstad,  -J,  °  '!      ™mste«»    "sited    the    congregation 

John     Fatland    and     John    J.     Enger.       A    few  *    "  " ,  °"   U^/^-     Among   these   were :     S. 

Oltedal.  M.   F.   Giertsen    R    O    TTiii    i"    t    ^,.i 

months  later.   Erick  Johnsen,   Tobias  Helgesen.  ,  .    ,„,.      J"    ,    '  '      •  Jl  S' 1_ 

.     ,        c,  -,    .     i        ,.    t  •  •    '  -.  o  bei=    and    Elhug    Eielsen.      Rev.    N     C     l'.run 

Anders  Saren  and  Anders  C.  Iversen  joined  the  ,  „   ,  „    .,        "    .,,  ,  '  '"■ 

,        ,       mi  -     -,.       ,-  i-i  -n    4.1    •  Pastor  of    the   I.ellilehem    Norwegian    Lutheran 

church.     The  majority  ol    these  men  with   their  ,-,,         .        .  „.  .  =  '     u,ul 

r      ...  •',',,         ■,    ,       4,        t-  i  thuivh,  ot  Chicago,  was  the  first  regularly  an- 

famihes    previously     belonged     to     the     Lisbon  ,,;„+    ,  ,.    A,       T,  6      1J      ' 

,        ,       T,  T>     \      r.  4  I*-  l,(,I»(ed    pastor    ,,)     the    Houge's    Church        He 

church,    Rev.     P.     A.    Rasmussen,    pastor,     but  „,   ...  b  "'       11L 

,        ^     4.  T,     ■  ■  -   .        ,1    1    ,  „  served  this  congregation  in  connection  with  his 

when  East  Prairie,  as  it  is  called,  became  more         ,        ,     .      ,„  .  l"  '" 

thickly    settled     the    people    who    lived    there  ^lcbin  Chicago  for  tvvo  years.     On  October 

wanted  a  chunb  of  their  own.    This,  in  connec-  "'        "\}*V\   B\P\   Strand   w:ls    "Called   as 


lie  served  the  congregation  about  two 
years  and  six  months  and  preached  his  farewell 
sermon  on  the  lGth  day  of  April.  1S82. 


tion  with  some  disagreement,  caused  these  peo- 
ple to  leave  the  Lisbon  Church  and  organize  a 
congregation     on     East     Prairie.       Rev.     Lars 

Oftedal,    of    Stavanger,    Norway,    visited    East  ..™Ins   :l    yeai'"s   racanci'   different    ministers 

Prairie  in  1875.  and  it  may  be  that  this  visit  V***   the  congregation.     On   the   first  day   of 

had  a  little  to  do  with  the  organization  of  this  -v>  *SS3>  Rev"  V  G-  XilseD  W;,s  installed,    lie 

congregation  later  on.  Sen'ed    the    congregation    for    nine    years    and 

The  original  membership  was  sixty-two,  and  |)reacJed  >»*  farewell  sermon  May  29,  1802,  he- 
at the  end  of  the  year  1S7G,  ninety-seven  souls  ing  the  sixth  Suuday  after  Easter, 
belonged  to  the  church.  The  present  member-  Aftci*  a  vacancy  of  eighteen  months  Rev.  T. 
ship  is:  souls  290,  confirmed  205,  voters  65.  Aarrestad,  the  present  pastor,  was  called  and 
The  average  attendance  of  worship  is  about  one  accepted.  He  was  installed  by  Rev.  N.  J. 
hundred  and  twenty-five.  The  enrollment  of  the  Lockrem  on  the  2Cth  day  of  November,  1S93. 
Sunday  school  is  thirty-five,  with  a  teachers'  Rev-  Lockrem  had  charge  of  the  work  during 
force  of  six.  tlle    vacancy.      Occasionally    representatives    of 

Both  Norwegian  and  English  have  been  used.  other    denominations    have    visited    the    settle- 

For    many    years   the    Ladies'    Aid    Society    has  ment,    but    without    exerting   any   marked    influ- 

been  a  great  help  to  the  home  church,  but  espe-  ence. 

dally  to  the  different  missions.  Very  few  of  the  older  original  members  are 

When  the  congregation  was  organized  it  was  still  with  us.  Among  these  we  may  mention 
found  necessary  to  get  a  house  of  worship  as  Wier  Pedersen  and  John  J.  Enger.  The  major- 
soon  as  possible.  The  work  of  building  a  church  ity  of  the  older  settlers  were  born  in  Etne  and 
was  started  in  1S70,  and  a  neat  and  spacious  Skoanevek,   Norway. 


".<••■- 


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U%J?^€?ArjZ^ 


HISTORY*  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY.  737 

secure    it    mure    advantageous    location.      This 

bethijsiieii  Lutheran  church  was  wisely  done.    A  very  desirable  location  was 

secured;  in  fact  (Ik?  very  best  in  the  town,  and 

(By  T.  Aarrestad)  ;i  (wo  story  structure  was  put  up.     Prominent 

laymen  in  the  construction  of  the  church  were: 
On  the  6th  day  of  July.  1SS0,  a  very  small  Austin  Osmon,  F.  Melby,  S.  P.  Carlson,  S. 
Norwegian  Lutheran  congregation  was  organ-  Bakke,  Henry  Hansen,  John  Thorson,  A.  C. 
ized  in  Morris.  111.  The  original  members  were:  Johnson,  S.  Marvick -and  Thomas  Ostrein.  The 
Mrs.  Anna  Kndresen  and  her  sister,  Mrs.  Susan  church  was  dedicated  on  April  12,  lsoo.  Rev. 
Arinbruster,  both  of  Tjeldberg,  Norway;  Miss  <;.  floyme,  president  of  The  United  Norwegian 
Anna  Samuelsen  was  also  one  of  the  original  Lutheran  Church  of  America,  preached  the  dedi- 
memhers:  and  Mrs.  Armbruster  had  three  ehil-  catory  sermon.  Other  ministers  present  were: 
dren.  The  original  membership  there  were  six  !'•  J-  Reinertsen,  Gardner;  J.  H.  Stenberg,  Le- 
souls,  all  told.  The  name  of  the  congregation  hind;  X.  J.  Lockrem,  Norway;  L.  A.  Vigness, 
was  "Skandinavin  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  Ottawa,  111.;  L.  S.  .Marvick,  Ilolton,  X.  J.,  and 
of  Morris,  Illinois."  "Skandinavia"  was  changed  T.  Aarrestad.  Morris,  in.  in  the  evening 
to  "Bethlehem"  in  1902.  At  the  time  of  organ-  Revs.  L.  S.  Marvick  and  A.  C.  Anderson  of 
ization  very  few  Norwegian  families  had  set-  Bethel  Church.  Chicago,  preached.  The  lot  and 
tied  in  Morris.  Some  of  them  had  already  building  cost  about  seven  thousand  live  hundred 
identified  themselves  with  other  churches,  dollars.  There  was  a  heavy  debt  on  the  prop- 
others  did  not  care  to  belong  to  any  church.  A  erty  until  January.  1!!02,  when  owvy  cent  was 
number  of  Swedish  families  lived  in  Morris  at  paid  and  the  church  improved.  It  was  rathe* 
that  time,  and  Swedish  preachers  began  to  visit  hard  work  to  keep  it  going  with  a  heavy  debt 
the  town.  These  were  not  Lutherans.  When  besides  'current  expenses,  but  the  Ladhis'  Aid 
the  Norwegians  who  went  to  hear  them  found  Society  was  a  great  help  in  those  days.  At  that 
that  they  were  baptists  they  severed  their  con-  time  it  was  almost  impossible  to  help  in  general 
neetion  with  them.  Being  very  few,  it  was  a  missionary  work;  but  since  the  debt  was  paid 
brave  deed.  They  were  not  afraid  to  show  the  congregation  and  the  different  societies  have 
their  colors.  riven  money  to  missions  and  charitable  institu- 
Sonie  time  later  these  women  started  a  small  tions  amounting  to  many  hundred  dollars  every 
Sunday  school.  The  services  were  held  in  pri-  year.  The  church  property  is  now  worth  about 
vale    houses.       In    1SS1    F.    Melby    and    family  eleven  thousand  dollars. 

joined  the  church,  and   in   1SS3  Jacob  Olsen,   S.  The   present   membership   is:     Souls  31G,   con- 

P.    Carlson,    K.    Karlsen.    J.    F.    Nelson.    P..    M.  firmed  20(1,  voting  members  (12.  average  attond- 

Jonasen  and   Henry  Hansen  with  their  families  ance    at    worship    160.      Both    Norwegian    and 

and  others  became  members.     As  the  congrega-  English    have   been    used.      A    parochial    school 

tion  commenced  to  grow  the  question  of  getting  has  been  taught  for  several  years.     The  enroll- 

a  church  home  was  mooted.    An  old  church  was  ment    of    the    Sunday    School    is    about    eighty 

bought    in    1SS4.      The    price   was   about    twelve  with  a  teacher's  force  of  twelve.     Money  raised 

hundred    dollars.      This   church    bad    been    built  by    the   Sunday    School    is   sent   to   the   different 

by    the    Methodists   and    afterward    sold    to    the  children's  homes. 

German     Lutherans.       On    account     of    a     split  A  young  people's  society  that  is  literary,   de- 

among  the  Germans  they  terminated  their  serv-  votional    and    social,    has    been    a    good    help    to 

ices  and  for  a   while  rented,   and   later  on   sold  church  attendance  and  work.     Money  raised  by 

their  church  property  to  the  Noi'wegians.     This  this  society  has  been  used  in  various  ways,  but 

church    was   used    for   a    number   of   years,    but  esj>ecially    for-  the    benefit    of   the    local    church. 

when  the  congregation  grew  stronger  and  more  This    society    presented    the    congregation    with 

Norwegian    Lutherans   moved    into    Morris,    they  (he  pipe  organ. 

began  to  plan  for  a  new  church.  The  old  one  The  first  pastor  of  this  church  was  P..  P. 
becoming  almost  unfit  for  use,  it  was  deemed  Strand.  Reverend  Strand  preached  his  fare- 
wiser  to  erect  a  new  building  than  to  patch  well  sermon  on  April  0,  1SS2.  After  a  vacancy 
the  old  one.  The  congregation,  although  not  of  fifteen  months  Rev.  \.  (;.  Nilsen  became  the 
strong,  thought  of  the  future  and  decided  not  pastor.  He  served  the  congregation  for  nine 
only  to  build  a  new  church  edifice,  but  also  to  years.     Several  ministers  served   the  congrega- 


738 


H1ST0KY  OF  GKUXDY  COUNTY. 


tion  during  the  vacancy  and  anions;  them  was 
Rev.  N.  J.  Lockrein.  who  also  installed  the 
present  pastor.  Rev.  T.  Aarrestad,  on  the  26tb 
day  of  November.   1S93. 

This  congregation  was  connected  with  the 
Conference  of  The  Norwegian-Danish  Evangel- 
ical Lutheran  Church  of  America,  until  the 
Conference  in  1S90,  when  it  was  merged  into 
The  United  Norwegian  Lutheran  Church  of 
America.  Since  that  time  Bethlehem  Evangel- 
ical Lutheran  Church  of  .Morris.  111.,  has  been 
connected   with   this  body. 

l'HKSIIYTERJAX    CHURCHES 

(By  Wm.  C.  Magner) 

As  a  preface  to  this  sketch  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  a  few  words  about  the  general 
history  of  this  denomination  in  the  United 
States  is  necessary.  The  Presbyterian  Church 
in  America  sprung  from  three  sources,  viz. : 
from  Holland  by  the  Dutch  in  Now  York  ;  from 
Scotland  in  Virginia,  and  from  the  Huguenots 
who  settled  in  Carolina,  all  as  immigrants.  It 
owes  its  origin  and  character  principally  to 
Scotland.  The  Dutch  of  New  York  organized 
the  first  church  in  New  Amsterdam,  now  New 
York,  in  1010,  and  it  is  now  known  all  over  the 
United  States  as  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church. 
Scotch  Presbyterians  settled  on  the  Elizabeth 
River  in  Virginia  between  the  years  1070  and 
1CS0.  It  is  uncertain  when  the  first  Presby- 
terian Church  was  formed,  though  it  is  known 
that  a  church  was  organized  at  Snow  Hill,  Md., 
in  1684,  by  Rev.  Francis  Makinzie.  The  Hugue- 
nots were  banished  from  France  by  the  Revo- 
cation of  the  Edict  of  Nantes  in  16S5,  and 
established  their  churches  in  this  country  very 
soon  after  this  period.  From  these  three  col- 
onies of  immigrants,  as  said  before,  have  sprung 
the  Presbyterian  churches  in  the  United  States 
which  now  number  according  to  the  latest 
official  reports,  lO.Ono,  with  0.274  ministers. 
and  these  are  to  be  found  in  every  state  and 
territory  of  the  United  States.  The  total  con- 
tributions of  all  the  Presbyterian  churches  in 
the  country  for  1912  as  published  in  the  min- 
utes of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  church, 
amount   to  $25,798,615. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  is  governed  almost  identically  as  is  the 
national  government.'  The  local  church  is  truly 
organized    when    a    number    of    members    band 


themselves  together  and  vote  to  become  a 
church  by  electing  any  number  of  male  mem- 
bers as  Ruling  Elders,  and  other  members  as 
trustees  of  that  particular  church.  The  Ruling 
Elders  have  to  do  with  the  spiritual  affairs  of 
the  church  and  serve  as  representatives  to  the 
higher  courts  of  the  church.  The  trustees  have 
to  attend  to  the  business  part  of  the  church 
government.  Loth  of  these  bodies  are  elected 
by  the  congregation,  in  which  male  and  female 
members  have  equal  rights.  These  officers  cor- 
respond somewhat  to  the  board  of  supervisors 
in  each  county  of  the  state,  and  are  elected  for 
a  definite  number  of  years.  Several  churches 
grouped  together  geographically,  with  the  min- 
isters of  these  several  churches,  form  the  next 
higher  court,  called  a  Presbytery,  and  corre- 
sponds to  the  State  Congressional  Districts. 
The  Presbytery  consists  of  all  the  ministers 
within  its  bounds  and  one  Ruling  Elder  as  a 
representative  of  each  individual  church.  This 
meets  semi-annually  and  to  it  the  churches 
make  their  annual  reports.  It  alone  has  the 
power  to  license  candidates  for  the  ministry, 
and  ordain  them.  It  alone  elects  commissioners 
to  the  next  higher  courts  of  the  church.  All 
the  presbyteries  of  a  state  constitute  the  Synod 
and  meet  annually  with  an  equal  number  of 
ministers  and  ruling  elders.  The  Presbyteries 
choose  the  commissioners  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly, the  highest  court  of  the  church  which  meets 
and  receives  annually  the  reports  of  all  the 
churches  which  are  published.  The  General 
Assembly  corresponds  to  the  national  congress. 
The  doctrines  peculiar  to  the  Presbyterian 
Church  are  set  forth  in  the  Westminster  Con- 
fession of  Faith  and  Catechism  which  were 
formulated,  adopted  and  published,  from  the 
system  of  theology  promulgated  by  John  Cal- 
vin, of  Geneva,  Switzerland,  with  those  of  John 
Knox,  of  Scotland,  by  the  Assembly  of  Divines 
which  convened  in  Jerusalem  Chamber,  'West- 
minster Abbey,  England,  in  104.ri,  by  order  of 
the  British  Parliament. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  at  Morris  was  un- 
doubtedly the  first  of  that  faith  organized  in 
Grundy  County.  The  following  extract  is  found 
in  the  church  records: 

•'According  to  the  appointment  of  Presbytery 
a  meeting  was  held  on  the  seventh  day  of 
November,  1S30,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing 
a  church.  After  service  which  was  conducted 
by  Rev.  John  Fleming,  all  who  designed  to 
enter   into    the   organization    were   requested    to 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


739 


come  forward  to  be  into  the  proposed  church. 

The  following  presented  themselves,  namely: 
B.  W.  Brice  and  his  wife,  Catherine  E.  Brice 
and  their  daughter.  Miss  Elizabeth  E.  Brice; 
J.  P.  Atwater  and  his  wife,  Mrs.  Ahigal  At- 
water; Miss  Anna  Hull;  Mr.  John  Rainey  and 
his  wile,  Elizabeth  Rainey."  Accordingly 
these  eight  persons  were  constituted  a  church 
to  be  known  as  the  First  Presbyterian  Church 
Of  Morris.  J.  R.  Atwater  was  chosen  and 
installed  as  a  Ruling  Elder  and  John  R.  David- 
son was  appointed  clerk  of  the  congregation. 
The  Rev.  \V.  Porterfield  was  the  stated  supply 
as  minister  of  the  new  church.  Soon  thereafter 
the  following  persons  were  received  by  letters 
from  other  churches,  namely  :  William  Mason 
and  his  wife,  Elizabeth  Mason;  Miss  Jane 
Mason;  John  Hannah  and  his  wife;  Miss  Isa- 
bella McGuistin;  Magnes  Hurrie  and  his  wife. 
Mary  P.. :  John  B.  Davidson.  This  is  the  record 
of  the  organization. 

Rev.  Porterfield  supplied  the  church  for  three 
years  and  it  grew,  the  Rev.  Reuben  Fraine  suc- 
ceeding Rev.  Porterfield,  serving  the  church  as 
pastor  for  four  years.  He  was  born  June  IS, 
1S04,  of  Quaker  parentage,  was  graduated  from 
Jefferson  College.  Pa.,  in  1S26,  and  ordained  in 
1S43.  After  holding  different  pastorates  for 
thirty  years,  lie  retired  on  account  of  loss  of 
sight.  His  oldest  son,  John,  one  of  two  in  the 
ministry,  succeeded  him  in  the  Morris  Church. 
Father  Fraine  lived  to  be  an  old  man,  being 
eighty-seven  years  old  at  the  time  of  his  death. 
John  Fraine  was  pastor  of  the  Morris  Church 
for  eight  years,  being  very  successful  in  his 
work  here,  and  then  was  called  to  the  church 
at  Champaign,  111.,  where  he  died  in  the  prime 
of  life,  much  beloved  by  his  people.  He  was 
followed  in  the  Morris  Church  by  Rev.  James 
B.  McCIoud.  who  served  for  two  years,  and 
then  Rev.  J.  M.  Laubach  was  the  pastor  for 
two  years.  Rev.  A.  Marshall  was  his  successor, 
and  after  three  years  was  followed  by  Rev.  J.  T. 
Killen,  who  was  pastor  for  two  years.  Rev. 
T.  W.  Adams  for  the  following  year  was 
pastor,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  R.  Dobson. 
when  after  a  year.  Rev.  W.  C.  Magner  was 
called  to  the  church,  in  February,  1887,  and 
served  until  May,  189S,  over  eleven  years.  He 
was  followed  by  Rev.  O.  C.  Johnson.  After 
seven  years,  the  Rev.  Henry  Abraham  served 
four  years,  and  was  followed  by  Rev.  C.  H. 
Bruce,  D.  D. 

The  first  church  building  was  erected  on  East 


Jackson  .Street,  and  was  of  brick,  finished  and 
dedicated  February,  1S5S,  during  the  ministry 
of  Rev.  Reuben  Fraine.  The  present  beautiful 
church  edifice  was  built  during  the  pastorate  of 
Rev.  O.  ('.  Johnson,  and  dedicated  June  5,  1904, 
and  stands  on  the  same  lot  as  the  old  church. 
It  is  built  of  granite  and  is  modern  in  every 
respect,  containing  about  a  dozen  rooms  in  addi- 
tion to  the  auditorium  and  chapel,  and  cost  be- 
tween twenty-five  thousand  and  thirty  thou- 
sand dollars.  Adoining  is  a  modern  manse, 
which,  with  the  lot.  cost  about  five  thousand 
dollars.  The  manse  was  built  during  the  pas- 
torate of  Rev.  Henry  Abraham.  The  church 
has  a  line  pipe  organ,  operated  by  electricity. 

FREE    METHOWSTS 

Morris  has  a  branch  of  Methodism  known  as 
the  Free  Methodists,  boused  in  a  neat  church 
edifice  on  Liberty  Street.  For  some  time  it  was 
in  charge  of  Miss  Viola  Mariott,  evangelist,  but 
now  has  a  regular  pastor.  Rev.  F.  S.  Parks. 

SWEDISH    BAPTIST   CHURCH 

(By  A.  W.  Carlson) 

With  the  coming  to  any  community  of  foreign 
born  people,  arises  a  desire  for  religious  homes 
conducted  by  pastors  from  the  land  from 
whence  the  strangers  hail,  and  Morris  is  no 
exception  to  this  rule.  The  Swedish  Baptist 
Church  is  the  place  of  worship  for  the  Baptists 
here  of  Swedish  extraction.  It  began  in  revival 
meetings  held  under  the  leadership  of  Rev.  A. 
P.  Hanson,  Rev.  E.  Sandell  and  Miss  Anna  R. 
Nelson,  in  the  summer  of  18*3.  Seven  were 
baptized  as  a  result  of  these  meetings  and 
joined  the  local  American  Baptist  Church,  no 
Swedish  Church  then  existing  at  Morris.  These 
seven  were:  Amanda  Peterson,  A.  W.  Carlson. 
Alfred  Carlson,  Ida,  Mary  and  Viola  Johnson. 
and  John  Johnson.  The  church  was  organized 
in  the  summer  of  1SS7  and  meetings  were  held 
in  the  Normal  school  building  at  the  corner  of 
Franklin  and  Jackson  streets.  The  Rev.  A.  P. 
Hanson  was  the  first  pastor  and  he  organized 
the  Sunday  school  that  same  year.  From  1SS8 
to  INS!).  S.  J.  Peterson  served  the  church  as 
pastor,  and  was  succeeded  by  Oust  Johnson  in 
the  latter  year,- and  he,  in  1S90,  by  Eaurity 
Hanson,  who  was  pastor  until  1892.  and  during 
his  pastorate,  the  present  church  was  erected. 


740 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


on  the  corner  of  Division  and  North  streets. 
During  1S02  and  1803,  Rev.  .1.  M.  Sellenvold 
was  pastor,  to  be  succeeded  by  Anton  Nelson. 
who  served  until  1S'.)7.  During  this  period  six- 
teen members  were  added,  making  the  congre- 
gation .forty-eight,  and  the  Young  People's  So- 
ciety was  organized.  During  the  period  be- 
tween 1S97  and  1901,  Rev.  J.  D.  Nylin  was  pas- 
tor, and  the  choir  was  organized.  Mr.  Nylin 
was  succeeded  by  Rev.  J.  O.  Baeklund  and 
under  him  the  church  prospered  spiritually  and 
materially,  the  total  membership  being  sixty- 
six.  In  1004,  Rev.  John  Under  became  pastor, 
and  during  the  two  years  he  had  charge  the 
pipe  organ  was  installed.  Rev.  V.  E.  Peterson 
followed,  and  remained  until  190S,  and  the 
church  was  remodeled.  About  this  time  a  num- 
ber of  the  members  moved  to  other  parts  o!'  the 
state,  and  the  membership  decreased  until  it 
now  numbers  thirty-two.  The  pulpit  is  supplied 
with  students  from  the  Theological  Seminary 
at  Morgan   Park,  HI. 


CHAPTER   XXXVI 


NETTLE   CREEK    TOWNSHIP 


NAME — LOCATION — FIRST  SETTLE!! EAISLY  FAMI- 
LIES— EVENTS  OF  INTEREST — FIRST  WHITE  CHILD 
CORN — SCHOOLS CHUHCH  HISTORY SUPERVIS- 
ORS  FROM    1S30   TO    1914. 

(By  Isaac  Hoge) 


Nettle  Creek  Township  gains  its  name  from 
its  principal  tributary,  which  is  also  known  as 
Little  Mazon,  which  means  nettles,  this  hardly 
desirable  form  of  vegetation  once  being  found 
in  immense  quantities  along  the  rich  bottom 
lands.  No  longer  do  they  disfigure  the  land- 
scape, for  the  present  system  of  drainage  has 
redeemed  the  land  that  once  was  thought  of 
no  more  use  than  to  grow  unproductive  nettles, 
and   the  home  of  what  gave  the   township  its 


name,  is  now  producing  great  crops  of  golden 
grain,  or  is  the  rich  pasture  fields  of  sleek 
cattle. 

This  township,  in  the  northwest  corner  of 
Grundy,  is  almost  level  prairie,  except  along 
the  creek,  along  which  oak  and  black  walnut 
trees  were  found.  Quite  a  number  of  little 
streams  run  iuto  Nettle  Creek,  but  many  are 
almost  dry  in  the  summer  months.  Scotland, 
England,  Ireland  and  Norway  all  sent  of  their 
sons  and  daughters  to  represent  them  in  Nettle 
Creek  Township,  and  sturdy  people  came  Irom 
various  more  eastern  states  to  find  new  homes 
on  the  prairie.  Their  descendants  are  thrifty, 
industrious,   honorable  and   law-abiding  people. 

FIRST    SETTLER 

Without  doubt  the  first,  white  settler  of  what 
afterwards  became  Nettle  Creek  Township,  was 
William  Hoge,  of  Loudoun  County,  Va.,  of 
Scotch  descent,  who  arrived  here  in  1831,  put- 
ting mi  a  tiny  log  cabin  that  for  years  shel- 
tered the  family.  In  1S45,  however,  a  much 
more  comfortable  residence  was  erected.  He 
was  one  of  the  two  settlers  of  Grundy  County 
for  years.  The  nearest  trading  point  was  the 
village  of  Ottawa.  When  the  Black  Hawk 
war  shed  its  shadow  of  dread  over  the  rest 
of  the  state,  Mr.  Hoge  took  his  little  brood  to 
Pleasant  Grove,  just  across  from  the  present 
town  of  I'ekin.  As  soon  as  he  felt  it  was  safe, 
however,  he  returned,  for  he  was  too  anxious 
about  his  crops  to  remain  away  longer  than 
absolutely  necessary.  In  those  days  when 
transportation  was  so  difficult,  and  food  and 
money  scarce,  the  very  lives  of  the  family  de- 
pended upon  the  outcome  of  the  crops,  scanty 
as  they  might  he.  In  IS.",:1,,  Samuel  Hoge  joined 
his  brother  in  Nettle  Creek  Township,  and  both 
became  heavy  landowners  in  this  and  adjoin- 
ing townships. 

John  Cray,  a  Scotchman,  and  George  Brouse, 
an  Englishman,  arrived  here  in  1837,  locating 
on  Sections  20  and  17,  respectively,  their  prop- 
erties joining.  That  same  year,  William 
Stephen,  a  fellow  countryman,  joined  Mr.  Gray, 
but  only  remained  about  a  year,  when  he  went 
to  Kendall  County,  eventually  coining  back', 
however,  and  identifying  himself  with  Grundy 
County.  George  Bullis  was  another  of  the 
pioneer-'  of  1S37  or  183S.  but  moved  from  Grundy 
County  in  1870.  A  Mr.  Coup  came  here  about 
18-10,  but  had  some  serious  financial  difficulties, 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


741 


that  forced  him  to  sell  much  of  the  land  he  ac- 
quired. 

Thomas  Loughhead  came  here  in  1S41  or  1S42, 
with  his  two  sons  and  lour  daughters,  having 
lost  his  wife.  He  was  a  veteran  of  the  War  of 
1812,  and  died  in  1S55.  James  P.  Thompson, 
son-in-law  of  Mr.  Loughhead,  followed  the  latter 
in  a  year  or  two,  settling  on  a  part  of  Section 
19.  Oliver  Dix  arrived  in  I s  1 1 .  locating  on 
Section  S.  In  the  same  year.  Minard  Water- 
man settled  on  Section  20.  William  and  Hugh 
Mossman  came  here  in  1S45,  and  about  the  same 
time  Samuel  Fry  arrived.  Thomas  and  John 
Agan  were  arrivals  of  1S4S,  and  in  1849,  Isaac 
N.  Brown  became  a  resident  of  the  township. 

The  Norwegian  pioneers  began  to  arrive 
about  1S45,  among  the  earliest  being:  John 
Peterson,  Ben  Thornton,  Ben  Hall,  Bars  and 
Erasmus  Sheldall,  John  Wing,  G.  E.  Grun- 
stead  and  others. 

In  1840  the  following  were  numbered  among 
the  inhabitants  of  Nettle  Creek  Township:  H. 
A.  Ford.  Baker  Knox.  R.  Carpenter,  Isaac  X. 
Brown,  Lars  and  Erasmus  Sheldall.  John  Win;:, 
G.  E.  Grunstead,  John  Peterson,  Ben  Thornton, 
Simon  Fry.  Lars  Likeness.  Ben  Hall.  Fdson 
Gifford,  George  Bullis,  Hugh  .Mossman.  Mor- 
gan Lloyd,  S.  (;.  Rider,  John  Gibson,  Alexander 
Busline!!,  Ben  Scars.  Daniel  David,  Charles  Mc- 
Cann,  John  and  Thomas  Loughhead,  Oliver 
Dix,  William  Mossman,  David  Jamison.  James 
P.  Thompson,  John  Cray,  Minard  Waterman, 
Samue  lloge,  William  Hoge,  Thomas  Agan  and 
John  Agan.  The  remarkable  growth  of  t  lie 
township  is  shown  by  contrasting  these  few 
names  with  the  total  number  of  inhabitants  as 
shown   by   the  last   census. 

EVENTS    OF    INTEREST 

The  first  mill  for  sawing  lumber  was  built  of 
logs  by  William  Hoge,  but  after  ten  years,  the 
dam  was  destroyed.  A  steam  mill  was  later 
constructed,  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  the 
contractors  building  the  canal  with  necessary 
material,  but  has  been  abandoned.  In  1S7G, 
Zach  Severson  dealt  for  a  short  time  in  boots, 
shoes  and  groceries. 

FIUST  WHITE  CHILD  liOKX 

James  Hoge,  son  of  William  Hoge,  was  the 
first  white  child  born  in  the  township,  and  per- 
ha)H  the  first  born  in  Grundy  County. 


The  child  of  Warren  Chapiu  was  the  first 
person  to  die  in  Nettle  Creek  Township,  and 
the  body  was  buried  on  his  father's  farm,  as 
there  was  no  cemetery. 


William  Hoge  with  his  brother  built  the  first 
sehoolhouse,  on  land  belonging  to  the  former. 
Like  the  majority  of  the  little  log  sehoolbouses 
of  the  time,  it  was  meagerly  furnished  with 
home-made  benches  and  desks,  and  was  heated 
by  a  fireplace.  Miss  Maria  Southworth  was  the 
first  teacher,  and  for  her  services  received  $2.50 
per  week,  the  money  being  furnished  by  Wil- 
liam Hoge.  The  second  sehoolhouse  was  built 
on  Section  S,  but,  was  very  inconveniently  lo- 
cated, so  that  another  was  put  up  near  the  home 
of  Mr.  Brown,  and  finally,  there  was  only  one 
school  in  Nettle  Creek,  and  it  was  taught  by 
Oliver  Dix.  In  1S49  Nettle  Creek  Township 
was  divided  into  four  school  districts,  and  later 
the  number  was  increased  to  seven,  and  since 
then  further  progress  has  been  made. 

CHURCH     HISTORY 

The  Cougi'egationalisis  were  the  first  to  hold 
religious  service  with  an  idea  of  church  organ- 
ization in  Nettle  Creek  Township.  This  was  in 
1S49,  when  the  organization  was  completed 
through  the  efforts  of  the  Lev.  James  Lough- 
head. The  sehoolhouse  was  used  for  the  serv- 
ices, and  the  society  existed  until  1SCS,  when 
it  became  extinct. 

In  1S30,  the  Methodists  organized,  with  three 
families  of  the  name  of  Mossman,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
J.  P.  Thompson,  Mrs.  Fry,  and  Reuben  Ayles- 
wortb  as  charter  member;.  The  home  of  Oliver 
Dix  was  used  for  the  initial  services,  later  the 
sehoolhouse  was  utilized.  The  churches  of 
Morris  claim  quite  a  large  membership  and 
attendance  over  the  township,  while  in  this  sec- 
tion there  are  numerous  Norwegian  churches. 

SUPERVISORS 

Nettle  Creek  Township  has  been  represented 
on  the  County  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Grundy 
County  by  the  following  men:  William  Hoge, 
1S50;  A.  J.  Ford,  1SD1 ;  I.  N.  Brown,  1S52-1S53; 
William  Hoge,  1S54-1855 ;  Win.  McFarline, 
1S5G;  William "  Hoge,  1S57-1S67;  Andrew  F. 
Ford,  18GS;  William  Hoge,  1S69;  John  K.  Ely, 


742 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


1S70;  William  Hoge,  1S71 ;  Samuel  Hoge,  1872- 
1S77;  Hendley  Hoge,  1S7S-1SS0;  II.  A.  Gregory, 
1SS1;  William  Hoge,  18S2;  Isaac  Hoge,  1SS3- 
1892;  Olen  O.  Johnson,  1S03;  S.  S.  Marvick, 
1894-1902;  Joseph  II.  Osman,  1903-1904;  Ami 
Markeson,  1905-1909;  E.  S.  Hoge,  1910-1914. 


CHAPTER   XXX  VI I 


NORMAN  TOWNSHIP 


LOCATION — DEVIL'S  MOUND  —  STKEAMS  —  TREES — 
SOIL — CORN  CHIEF  PRODUCT — DAIRYING — FIRST 
SETTLER — CASTLE  DANGER — TOWNSHIP  NAMED 
FROM  FIRST  SUPERVISOR — OTHER  EARLY  SETTLERS 
— LUMBER  SPECULATORS — RELIGIOUS  BODIES — 
SCHOOLS — EARLY  SPORTS — LIST  OF  SUPERVISORS 
.FROM  1850  TO  1912. 


inclined  to  be  wet.  In  the  high  lauds,  a  clay 
soil  is  found.  Corn  is  the  principal  product. 
Hogs  art-  raised  in  large  numbers,  as  well  as 
cattle,  while  dairying  is  found  profitable.  Some 
high-grade  breeds  of  horses  are  raised  here, 
one  of  the  earlier  breeders  having  been  E.  B. 
James. 

FIRST    SETTLER 

David  Bunch  was  the  first  settler,  as  he  came 
to  Section  21  in  the  winter  of  1S34-5.  The  at- 
traction of  this  locality  for  him,  was  the  fine 
timber,  for  there  was  a  good  market  for  it  at 
Ottawa  and  other  river  points.  For  years.  Mr. 
Bunch  cut  and  rafted  timber  from  Norman,  but 
did  not  make  it  his  home  until  much  later  on, 
when  he  developed  a  fine  farm.  In  1835  Datus 
Kent  joined  Mr.  Bunch,  and  they  carried  on  the 
lumber  business  together.  Mr.  Kent  had  a 
cabin  on  Section  15,  and  he  also  built  a  hotel 
of  logs  across  the  river,  known  as  Castle 
Danger.  In  1S37,  he  left  Norman  Township 
and  went  to  Arkansas. 


(By  M.  F.  Ja s) 


Norman  Township  lies  across  the  Illinois 
River  from  Erienna  Township.  One  of  the  dis- 
tinguishing formations  of  Norman  Township  is 
what  is  called  Devil's  Mound,  a  peculiar  eleva- 
tion, believed  to  be  a  survival  of  the  Mound 
Builders'  period.  This  is  a  circular  mound, 
75  feet  in  height  and  200  feet  in  diameter. 
Located  as  it  is  at  the  head  of  a  small 
bayou,  it  is  a  noticeable  feature  of  the  land- 
scai>e,  and  people  come  from  far  distances  to 
visit  it.  As  far  as  known  there  have  been 
no  excavations  made  in  it,  so  there  is  nothing 
definite  known  about  its  origin.  No  trees  grow 
upon  it,  and  it  possibly  will  always  remain  as 
something  about  which  the  eternal  question  can 
be  asked. 

Bills'  Run,  Hog  Run,  Armstrong  Run  are  all 
streams  of  considerable  size  which  empty  into 
the  Illinois  River  and  drain  Norman  Township. 
Oak,  hackberry,  walnut  and  maple  trees  are 
all  yet  found  here,  although  now  much  fewer 
in  number  than  when  the  first  settlers  came  to 
the  region  and  found  miles  of  unbroken  wood- 
land. The  soil  is  principally  the  black,  prairie 
mold,   free  from  stones,   and   in  the  low   lands 


TOWNSHIP    NAMED 

Henry  Norman  arrived  here  about  1S39,  hav- 
ing been  in  Braeeville  for  several  years.  He 
located  on  Section  25.  and  this  coutinued  to  be 
his  home  until  1S42,  when  he  went  to  Morris,  his 
son.  Thomas  J.  Norman,  remaining  on  the 
homestead  he  had  secured.  The  latter  was  the 
first  supervisor  from  Norman  Township,  and  it 
was  after  him  that  the  township  was  named. 
Dr.  Timothy  Horrom  was  also  an  early  set- 
tler, who  located  on  Section  20,  and  he  it  was 
who  founded  Horrom  City  across  the  river, 
which  existed  only  on  paper.  Eater,  he  moved 
to  Erienna  Township.  John  Sullivan,  like  many 
others  of  his  countrymen,  came  here  from  Ire- 
land to  work  on  the  canal,  arriving  about  1841. 
He  settled  on  Section  13,  and  developed  a  fine 
farm.  E.  B.  James  came  to  Norman  Township 
in  July,  1847.  locating  on  Section  25,  where  he 
lived   until    1000. 

OTHER    EARLY    SETTLERS 

Other  early  settlers  of  Norman  Township 
were  as  follows:  Isaac  Nelson.  Elisha  Misner, 
John  Riley.  Amos  Dewey,  Timothy  Kelley, 
Thomas  Winsor,  Abe  Lloyd,  C.  W.  Burows  and 
D.  W.  Coinage.    Chief  Shabbona  made  his  home 


) 

- 


i 


ELISIIA  B.  JAMES 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


743 


iu  Norman  Township  on  Section  20.  where  the 
people  gave  him  forty  acres  of  land. 

Later  the  canal  commissioners  got  the  land 
and  settlers  bought  it.  Gruudy  County  was 
not  developed  as  rnpidlj  as  some  other  divi- 
sions of  Illinois,  owing  to  the  fact  that  lumber 
speculators  early  took  up  the  land  and  held  it 
for  the  timber,  making  no  permanent  settle- 
ments on  it.  Not  until  they  were  forced  to 
abandon  their  claims,  did  the  real  settlers  have 
a  fair  chance  to  secure  it  for  homes. 

RELIGIOUS     BODIES 

The  Methodists  were  the  first  to  gain  a  hold 
in  both  Norman  and  Erienna  townships,  sending 
out  their  itinerant  preachers  from  the  Fox 
River  settlement  and  the  first  religious  organi- 
zation in  Norman  Township  was  of  this  faith 
and  was  established  by  the  Rev.  Fowler.  John 
Piatt  and  E.  B.  James  were  among  the  first 
members.  Services  were  held  in  the  different 
cabins,  and  then  in  the  schoolhouse,  until  it 
was  possible  to  secure  the  use  of  the  Baptist 
Church.  In  1S70  the  .Methodists  built  a 
church  of  their  own  on  Section  35,  which  is 
still  the  only  country  church  anywhere  this  side 
of  the  river  within  fourteen 'miles. 

The  Baptist  Church  had  its  beginning  about 
1S54,  and  the  families  of  Messrs.  Ilaymond, 
Winters  and  Mauley  were  among  its  first  mem- 
bers. At  first  the  schoolhouse  was  used  for  a 
meeting  place,  but  in  1802,  a  neat  edifice  was 
erected  on  Section  23,  and  ii  was  used  until 
1SST  as  a  church,  and  in  1S95  it  was  burned. 
Not  one  of  its  members  is  left  in  this  part  of 
the  country. 

SCHOOLS 

The  first  schoolhouse  was  built  of  logs,  in 
1S53,  at  Bills'  Point,  and  was  taught  by  Miss 
Reniff,  and  later  by  Mrs.  Stoutemyer.  At  pres- 
ent Norman  Township  has  the  following 
schools:  the  Ilaymond,  in  District  19;  the 
Woodbury,  in  District  18;  the  Hull,  in  District 
20;  and  the  Ilaymond.  in  District  17. 

All  the  old  pioneer  conditions  which  once  pre- 
vailed, have  passed  away,  and  Norman  Town- 
ship compares  favorably  with  any  division  of 
its  size  in  the  entire  state.  Its  people  are  proud 
of  their  agricultural  supremacy,  and  keep  up 
with  the  high  standards  in  every  direction  they 
believe  necessary.  There  are  those  yet  living 
who  remember  some  of  the  interesting  pioneer 
social   enjoyments  from   which   they   had   much 


entertainment.  Often  the  scattered  families 
would  gather  at  different  neighbors  for  the 
evening  where  they  would  spent  the  time  in 
dancing  to  Justice  Hollenback's  music.  Horse 
racing  was  quite  a  sport  with  the  young  men 
who  would  sometimes  gather  on  Sundays  at 
church  and  then  see  which  horse  was  the  fast- 
est. It  happened  thai,  they  even  took  the 
preacher's  horse  while  he  was  conducting  the 
services  in  the  church,  to  see  how  many  others 
he  could  outrun.  It  was  all  innocent  sport, 
no  betting  or  other  objectionable  features,  all 
being  merely  a  playtime  for  those  whose  daily 
tasks  left  them  little  opportunity  for  enjoyment, 
and  whose  surroundings  offered  no  chance  for 
recreation. 

SUPERVISORS 

The  men  who  have  served  Norman  Township 
as  members  of  the  County  Board  of  Super- 
visors from  lSciO  to  1912.  have  been  as  follows: 
Thomas  J.  Norman.  1S50 ;  Elisha  Mizner,  1S5T- 
1S54;  Marion  Lloyd,  1S55-1S5G;  Amos  Dewey, 
Isr.7-1N.JS;  Elisha  Mizner.  1S59 ;  Charles  M. 
Pierce.  1SG0-1S63;  Win,  Bullis,  1S64;  Seneca 
Tupper,  1S05-1S67;  Charles  Burrows.  1SGS;  S. 
II.  Raymond,  1SG9-1S71  ;  Ceo.  W.  Raymond, 
1^72;  John  Reilly,  1873;  E.  H.  Ilaymond,  1S74; 
John  Reilly,  1S75-1S76;  A.  G.  Woodbury.  1877; 
E.  B.  James,  1878;  Chas.  M.  Pierce,  1879;  E. 
B.  James.  1ssh-Pss2;  C.  M.  Pierce,  18S3;  E.  R. 
Dewey,  1SS4-1SS5;  John  Reilly,  18SG-1SS9;  Tim- 
othy Kelley,  1890-1894;  C.  W.  Burroughs,  1S95- 
1S96;  Daniel  Coinage,  1S97-190G;  M.  P.  James, 
1907-1910;    Thomas    Downey,    1911-1912. 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII 


SARATOGA  TOWNSHIP 


LOCATION — STREAMS — FIRST  SETTLERS — AN  ENG- 
LISH CEMETERY — EARLY  TEACHERS— NORWEGIAN 
SETTLERS — NORWEGIAN        LUTHERAN       CHURCH — 

EARLY      RESIDENTS — RAILROAD — FERTILE      LAND 

PROSPEROUS    UP-TO-DATE    FARMERS — SUPERVISORS. 


(By    E.    G.    Cryder 

LOCATION 


Saratoga  cannot  boast  of  as  early  settlement 


744 


HISTOKY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


as  some  of  the  other  sections  of  Grundy  County, 
owing-  to  the  fact  that  out  little  timber  was  to 
he  found  here.  It  was  the  usual  rule  with  the 
pioneers  that  those  lands  which  would  furnish 
material  for  houses,  fences,  barns  and  fuel, 
would  lie  selected  first.  An  idea  prevailed 
among  some  that  the  prairie  lands  were  not 
as  fertile  as  those  which  nature  hail  covered 
with  dense  growth,  and  it  was  not  until  the 
thick  sod  of  the  prairie  was  turned,  that  some 
appreciation  of  its  fertility  was  rained.  Those 
who  came  into  a  section  a  little  later  on,  often- 
times obtained  the  most  valuable  land,  as  the 
prairies  fell  to  their  share.  Saratoga  Town- 
ship is  in  the  northern  portion  of  the  county, 
lying  on  its  northern  boundary  adjacent  to 
Kendall  County.  On  the  east  is  Aux  Sable 
Township;  on  the  south  is  Morris  Township 
and  Erieuna  Township;  while  on  the  west,  is 
Nettle  Creek  Township.  Aux  Sahle  Creek 
crosses  the  township  in  the  eastern  part,  while 
Nettle  Creek  is  in  the  southwestern  corner. 
Saratoga  Creek  Hows  through  the  centra]  por- 
tion, and  the  east  fork  of  Nettle  Creek  drains 
the  southeastern,  and  joins  the  main  stream  at 
Morris. 

FIRST     SETTLEKS 

The  first  settlement  made  in  Saratoga  Town- 
ship was  by  Joshua  Collins,  of  Oneida  County. 
N.  Y.,  who  arrived  here  in  1844,  and  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  life  in  the  township.  That 
same  year  saw  the  arrival  of  Phillip  Collins 
and  Alexander  Peacock.  The  latter  was  an 
Englishman,  who  perpetuated  his  name  in 
Grundy  County,  by  his  donation  in  Morris 
Township,  of  a  plot  of  ground  between  the  two 
portions  of  Evergreen  Cemetery,  to  lie  known 
as  St.  George  Cemetery.  According  to  the 
terms  of  his  donation,  none  but  those  of  Eng- 
lish birth  were  to  lie  buried  in  this  cemetery. 
His  original  holdings  also  included  the  old  fair 
grounds  in  Morris  Township,  so  that  his  name 
is  not  likely  to  he  forgotten.  Another  English- 
man, II.  M.  Davidson,  came  in  1S:!4.  In  1842, 
the  records  show  that  John  15.  More  obtained 
considerable  land  in  the  northeastern  part  of 
Saratoga  Township,  although  he  did  not  live  in 
Grundy  County,  but  across  the  line  in  Kendall 
County. 

EARLY    TEACHERS 

Two  years  later,  in  1S44,  Carpenter  Conklin 


took  up  land  on  Section  0,  and  Elias  Bartlett,  a 
friend,  followed  him  at  no  great  interval.  Al- 
though he  was  then  a  very  young  man,  he 
began  teaching  school,  and  so  prospered  and 
gained  in  favor  with  his  neighbors  that  he  felt 
justified  in  returning  to  New  York  State  for 
bis  bride,  a  daughter  of  Mr.  Conklin,  who  had 
not*  accompanied  her  father  on  his  western 
trek.  The  tastes  of  this  young  couple  led  them 
to  continue  teaching,  and  in  time  they  conducted 
the  well  remembered  seminary  at  Ottawa. 

Still  another  early  settler  was  James  Cronin, 
who  came  to  this  region  in  connection  with  the 
canal  weak,  and  associated  himself  to  a  con- 
siderable extent  with  Mr.  Peacock,  above  men- 
tioned. Daniel  Johnson  and  Gersham  Hunt  also 
came  prior  to  IS  IT. 

NORWEGIAN    SETTLERS 

The  actual  growth  of  the  township  did  not 
perceptibly  commence,  however,  until  1817,  or 
184S,  when  the  Norwegians  began  flocking  to 
Saratoga.  Although  they  soon  outnumbered  the 
others  who  had  heated  here,  they  retained  the 
name,  Saratoga,  given  to  it  by  the  New  York- 
ers, in  remembrance  of  their  old  home,  and 
it  lias  since  continued  to  he  known  as  such. 

The  Norwegian  Lutheran  Church,  known  as 
the  Hange's  Menighed,  was  organized  in  18TG, 
and  a  church  edifice  was  erected  on  land  owned 
by  II.  Osmonson. 

Some  of  the  earlier  residents  of  Saratoga 
Township  were:  William  If.  Ayres,  Jerry  Col- 
lins, Cryder  Collins,  Joshua  E.  Collins,  Henry 
It.  Conklin.  M.  II.  Cryder,  K.  M.  J.  Granville. 
Peleg  T.  Hunt,  Gersham  Hunt,  James  A.  Hunt, 
Frank  Hunt.  John  Johnson,  Edmond  Johnson, 
Erik  Johnson,  Gunner  Johnson,  Story  Matte- 
son,  Halver  Osmonson,  Oliver  II.  Osmonson, 
Olie  Osmonson,  YVier  Peterson,  Andrew  Sorem, 
Mons  N.  Sorem,  Walter  S.  Smith,  John  Steel, 
Nathaniel  II.  Tabler,  Seneca  Tupper,  Alexander 
Telfer,  John  Bredcnnick,  and  A.  F.  Watson. 
There  were  many  others,  who  also  did  their 
part,  in  developing  the  natural  resources  of 
this    fertile   agricultural    region. 

The  Chicago,  Kock  Island  &  Pacific  Rail- 
road runs  through  a  portion  of  this  section, 
passing  on  to  the  city  of  Morris,  the  county 
seat. 


^ 


BP  ---.-Mifjwjfi    "■ utwuiijiwjWv  >    -   - 


-.  .^ 


h 


^ 


- 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


745 


FERTILE     LAM) 

Today,  anyone  traveling  through  Saratoga 
Township  finds  it  difficult  to  believe  that  this 
fertile  farming  district  was  ever  other  than 
it  is,  for  the  farmers  have  so  developed  the 
locality  that  in  the  well-improved  farms,  with 
their  comfortable  houses,  commodious  barns, 
well-kept  fences,  and  multiplicity  of  agricul- 
tural implements,  are  shown  signs  of  a  pros- 
perity that  is  convincing  proof  of  the  sub- 
stantiality of  the  property  owners.  As  a  rule 
they  are  men  .  of  superior  intelligence,  whose 
exhibits  at  the  annual  stock  shows  prove  that 
they  believe  in  high  grade  produce,  and  know 
how  to  raise  it.  This  is  all  hut  the  natural 
result  of  well-directed  effort,  intelligently  car- 
ried out  to  a  definite  end. 

The  American  principles  of  fair  play  and 
love  of  justice  have  prevailed  here,  and  no 
matter  how  poor  a  man  mighl  be  upon  arrival, 
and  no  matter  how  little  he  knew  of  the  cus- 
toms of  his  new  country,  if  he  were  willing 
to  work  and  live  honestly,  he  was  given  a 
chance,  so  that  many  of  the  men  who  have  made 
Saratoga  Township  what  it  is  today,  started 
out  without  a  cent.  While  there  are  no  vil- 
lages I;  >re,  the  region  being  strictly  agricultural, 
the  people  are  in  touch  with  the  larger  cen- 
ters. They  patronize  the  leading  stores  at 
nearby  towns,  and  attend  places  of  worship 
there.  The  schools  of  Saratoga  are  uniformly 
good,  keeping  pace  with  those  in  other  town- 
ships, and  many  of  the  pupils  graduated  from 
them  continue  their  studies  at  the  Morris  High 
School.  Many  of  the  fanners  not  only  own 
costly  machinery  for  farm  work,  but:  automo- 
biles as  well,  and  a  number  of  them  belong 
to  secret  organizations  tor  the  promotion  of 
fraternal  relations.  Taking  Saratoga  Town- 
ship all  in  all,  it  would  be  difficult  to  find  a 
community  that  was  more  prosj>crous,  contented 
or  loyal  to  township,  county,   slate  and   nation. 

SUPERVISORS 

The  men  who  have  served  Saratoga  faithfully 
as  members  of  the  County  Board  of  Supervisors, 
have  been  as  follows:  Philip  Collins,  1S50; 
Colquhoun  Grant.  1S51-1S50 ;  C.  G.  Conklin, 
1S">7;  Philip  Collins.  1S5S-1ST0 ;  Michael  II. 
Cryder.  1S71-1S72 ;  Philip  Collins,  is?:);  Hiram 
Thayer.  1874;  Gersham  Hunt,  1S75-187G ; 
Townsend     Gore,     1S77-1S7S;     L.     L.     Gardner, 


1879;  Townsend  Gore,  1SS0;  Fred  Ayers,  1881; 
Jerry  Collins,  ISS2-1S91  ;  Charles  M.  Stephen, 
1S92-1903;  E.  G.  Cryder,  1904-1914. 


CHAPTER   XXXIX 


VIENNA   TOWNSHIP  AND   VILLAGES 


SURFACE  AND  DRAINAGE — SOIL — HARD  WORK 
FACED  EARLY  SETTLERS — FIRST  PIONEERS — CAME 
BY  WAY  OF  ILLINOIS  AND  MICHIGAN  CANAL — A 
LIST  OF  EARLY  SETTLERS — EARLIEST  SCHOOLS — 
RFLIGIO'-S  ORGANIZATIONS — CORN  IS  KINO — FINE 
SHOWING  OF  STOCK — LITTLE  FRUIT  GROWN — 
VILLAGES  —  VERONA  —  SUPERVISORS  —  PRESENT 
TOWNSHIP    OFFICIALS. 

(By  E.  O.   Fellingham) 

SURFACE   AND    DRAINAGE 

Vienna  Township  is  west  of  Mazon  Township, 
and  the  history  of  the  two  is  closely  con- 
nected, many  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  both 
taking  up  claims  in  one  and  then  the  other. 
The  surface  of  Vienna  Township  is  level  and 
is  drained  by  Hog  and  Bill's  runs,  the  Waupe- 
can  and  Thunder  creeks,  a  portion  of  Johnnie 
Pun  and  some  other  streams  to  which  no  defi- 
nite name  is  given.  The  soil  is  rich,  black 
prairie  loam,  which  before  tiling  was  intro- 
duced, was  very  wet.  but  now  is  exceedingly 
fertile,  and  owing  to  the  close  proximity  of 
markets,  the  land  is  very  valuable  for  farm- 
ing purposes,  selling  from  $200  to  $250  per  acre. 
Very  little  of  the  timber  that  skirted  Hog  Pun 
and  the  Waupecan,  is  left. 

There  was  no  royal  road  to  fortune  for  those 
who  settled  here  in  the  early  days.  What  they 
accomplished  came  about  through  hard  work, 
thrift  and  a  never  dying  faith  in  the  future 
of  this  locality.  Those  who  followed  the  brave 
pioneers,  found  plenty  left  for  them  to  do,  and 
their  children  are  still  ke,  t  busy  in  furthering 
the  advancement  of  the  township,  and  main- 
taining the  high  standards  raised  by  those  who 
were    not    willing    to    barter    any    independence 


746  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

for  worldly  gain,  and  looked  toward  the  moral  supervisor    of    Vienna    under    township    organi- 

as  well  as  the  material  good  of  the  people.  zation. 

Jeremiah  Aker  and  family  were  early  settlers 

first  pioneers  "'"    vi('nna    Township,    coming   from    Xew    York 

State    iii    lsr,o.      James    and    Alexander    of    the 

The    first    settlers   of    Vienna    Township    were  *keP    fa,""-v'    survIve-    the    lrttter    °™*«S    the 

Edwin    Shaw    and    Shelton    Bartholomew,    who  »omes>te"1-    ;l1111    "'«?    former    lives    on    another 

u         •      ic-oo      o  «i  i  t-,  tarni  in   \  lenna   Township.     James  Granhv  and 

came   here    in    1S33.      Soon    afterwards   an   Eng-  ....  t.nuij    .mo 

,.,,••,  ,    --,  ,  ,    •  family    came    from    Xew    York    Slate    and    set- 

lish    family   named   Green,   took   np   a   claim   on  ..    ,    .      ,..  •"'    s  ' 

Section    4.    at    Ho?    Point.      The    claim    of    the  ",Ml    '','  .A  ,ei,lin    al,out    1S32'   a,u1    "l"  olt'   1|""1" 

lafter   was    bought    in    183(5,    bv    Jonah   C.    Xew-  *   Stl"    l"    "K'   K0I!"S   >"^'^'i"»-     Theodore   and 

port.      About    183J    Geonre    W.    Armstrong   set-  !"*"»!   Grs,,,,,y    rallIed    '"    their    ™»»try's   call 

,,    ,  ....        .  ,,"■,*  ,  ■  ,  ■  ,    ,  '"    1Slil.   and   the   latter   was   killed    by   a   bullet 

tied  on   Section   a,   and   built   a  cabin,   winch   he  .  ,  •     ,l         ' 

,   .  ,-,-,-,<•  • -,  from  the  enemv  while  carrying  the  starry  fla" 

later    replaced    with    a    fine    modern    residence.  ,  '  J     °  '    "'■- 

,,      .   t,  t-         ,.,      ,       t,  ,  '"    hattle.      Patrick    Ilanlcv    and    fainilv    came 

About  the  same  time  Charles  Parer  came  here.  ■  ■       *ni" 

,    <_       ,v       t   <•  i         i  mi  .   <  about    lsli;,    (hen    moved   awav.   hut    later    a    re- 

but suffered  from  a   loss  bv  fire.     J  he  next   to  •  •'    " 

,       .      ,  t   i       iv     *  i  •      t    •  ""'"    was    made    and    Vienna    Township    chosen 

locate   here   was   John    Dewev,    who   arrived    in  ' 

,„,,  ..  ,        ,       '  T  ,       ,,  as  a   permanent   home.     A  son  of  Patrick    Ed- 

18-11,    renting    from    Jonah    Newport.      John    B.  ,     ,,  '    ''" 

u  .      ,.,.-,  .  ,.   .,       ...    .  ward    llanley,    still    lives    here.      Other    names 

Moor   came    in    1M1.    and    was  one   of   the   first  .  ".mica 

,■    ■  .,  ,       i    ■  ,  ..I.   *  worthy    of    mention    are:      Anthony    Mallanev 

grand   mrors   m   the  counlv,  beimr  chosen   that  ,,.  ,      ,  •  •' 

,,  ,  ..    ;,„,_       T      1D,_  Michael     (ashen.    .Michael      Wright,    Peter    XIc- 

samo  vear.     lie  moved  awav  m    LSOo.     In  lSlo  ,,  ,, 

rr  TT  .      ,,.  "         ,.,  .  .  -i  (  ollough,   .lames   Rennie,   Abraham    llollonbeck 

Henry    llvsop   came   to    \  lenna     township,    ami  ,..  . 

,.       '    '•  •'        ,-  ,,      ..     (   t     ,      ,     .,.  Richard    Curk,    Patrick.    John.    .Michael,    James 

his  prairie  cabin  was  the  first  to  he  built  awav 

,  i-i      4-    i  •  rr>i      ■.,-•>,       a\-    tt        'i  :""1    Owen    YVeis.    William    Ilinchinan.    William 

from  the  timber  region.     The  Milks.  X\ .  II.  and  ,  ""'' 

,,    ,-    ,-,     ,.  ,,         4,      T,         i  i    .    *•  Dave    and    Roberf      Lindsay,    Acv     Porter.    M 

E.  Is..  Cnitis.  us  well  as  the  Parants  and  Antis  ,,       ,    .,         ,,..,  .  ■" 

...  „,  ,  Cambridge,   Villiam    1  liomson,  James  and   Rob- 

families,  came  soon  afterwards.  .    _,, 

erf  Glenn,  Y\ .  .1.  and  George  Fellinghmn,  ().  W. 

Strong,  Patrick  Walsh.  Amos  Barber,  Aaron 
came  BY  way  OF  THE  ILLINOIS  and  MICHIGAN  Harford.  Chauneey  Harford,  John  Alison,  R.  K. 
CANAL  Slosson,  E.  Slosson,  T.  A.  Walsh,  William  Peter- 
son. C.  Crozier,  A.  Kinley,  J.  Weldon.  T.  s. 
Other  early  settlers  of  this  locality  were  Coleman,  Joe  Hutchins,  C.  A.  Hill,  II.  Gorham, 
Justin  Rennie,  with  his  wife  and  six  children,  j.  Greer,  M.  Esgar,  Mat  Hammond  J.  Reardon 
who  migrated  from  Greene  County,  X.  Y..  com-  Allen,  Isaac  and  Lucius  Tilden,  W.  Cooper,  J. 
ing  by  the  way  of  the  Great  Lakes  to  Chicago.  and  C.  St  oner,  J.  Sheardain,  E.  and  P.  Dona- 
thence  to  .Morris,  Grundy  County,  on  one  of  hue.  C.  Whittemore,  G.  D.  Smith,  Martin  Finch, 
the  first  jacket  boats  that  were  run  on  the  A.  II.  Bruce,  R.  Siflett,  James  Lemark,  Wil- 
llliuois  and  Michigan  Canal,  arriving  at  Mor-  lumi  Ransley,  S.  Cockram,  George  Finch.  XI. 
ris,  June  7,  1S48.  Mrs.  Rennie  died  in  1S74,  XI.  Dix,  and  Charles  Knihhs.  Nearly  all  of 
but  her  husband  lived  until  1901,  when  he  died  the  above  mentioned  early  settlers  have 
at  the  age  of  ninety-one  years,  lacking  about  descendents  in  Vienna  Township,  the  majority 
four  months.  Four  of  their  children  are  still  of  whom  are  farmers  and  model  husbandmen, 
•living,  Ferdinand.  George.  Isabelle  and  Doug-  Mrs.  Dewey  taught  the  first  school,  which 
las,  the  last  named  having  been  a  resident  of  was  a  hoarding  school,  held  in  her  own  cabin. 
Vienna  Township  since  1S48.  George  and  Jer-  The  first  log  schoolhouse  was  built  near  Hog 
ome  Rennie  rallied  to  the  call  of  President  j;mi.  and  the  school  was  taught  by  A.  War- 
Lincoln  in  1SC0  and  1SG1,  to  protect  our  na-  nock, 
tional    emblem,   the   Stars  and    Stripes.    Jerome 

Rennie  survived  until   1SS1,  but    died   from  the  bemgiocs  organizations 
effects  of  ills  contracted   through  exposure  dur- 
ing   the    Civil     War.        The    family    underwent            The    Methodists    were    the    first    to    hold    re- 
hardships    incident    to    the    early    settlers,    but  ligious     services    in     Vienna    Township.       The 
in   spite   of   these   the   goal    they    were   working  Methodist    Episcopal    Church    was   organized    in 
for   was   reached.    Justin    Rennie   was   the    first  1S7G,  and  in  1877  a  church  was  built  at  Verona. 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


747 


Among  the  early  members  were:  I.  ('.  Tilden, 
M.  M.  Dix'and  J.  Kendall.  At  present  this 
church  has  a  large  membership. 

The  first  regular  church  organization  was 
that  effected  by  the  Baptists  in  1S50.  W.  J. 
Fellingham  was  a  minister  who  served  the  lit- 
tle society  known  "by  the  name  of  Ebenezer, 
until  1SU2,  tlu-  schoolhouse  being  used  as  a 
meeting  place.  In  that  year  a  neat  church  edi- 
fice was  creeled,  and  until  death  claimed  the 
good  pastor,  in  1SG7,  the  society  was  in  a  pros- 
perous condition.  .Members  began  .to  lease, 
some  died,  and  with  the  influence  of  the  foun- 
der removed,  there  were  not  enough  members 
left  to  keep  up  the  organization,  and  the  church 
was  sold. 

The  Presbyterians  organized  on  February 
27,  1S."iS,  under  Rev.  S.  II.  Loss,  with  fourteen 
members.  Like  the  Baptists  they  used  the 
schoolhouse,  but  in  1870,  built  a  nice  church 
edifice  which  they  moved  to  Verona  in  1N77. 
For  a  number  of  years  following,  they  kept  up 
their  organization,  but  the  building  was  finally 
sold  to  the  Unman  Catholic  Church,  which  has 
a  large  and  growing  membership. 

The  Universalists  once  had  an  organization 
at  Verona,  but  abandoned  their  property,  and 
the  building  is  now  owned  by  the  Eastern  Star 
order,  and  used  for  a  banquet  hall. 

CORN     IS     KING 

Corn,  oats  and  hay  are  raised  extensively, 
the  first  named  predominating.  The  farms  of 
Vienna  Township  are  excellent,  and  the  agri- 
culturists know  how  to  operate  them,  and  are 
justly  proud  of  the  fact  that  they  belong  to 
the  class  that  is  developing  this  important 
division  of  Grundy  County.  They  are  becom- 
ing affluent  and  enjoy  much  in  the  way  of  com- 
fort as  well  as  many  luxuries.  The  majority 
own  automobiles,  and  their  premises  arc  fitted 
with  modern  appliances.  It  is  from  the  corn 
that  the  farmers  of  Vienna  Township  gain  most 
of  their  wealth,  for  it  grows  more  luxuriantly, 
and  to  the  stockman  this  grain  equals  in  value 
that  of  all  other  farm  crops  combined.  Oats 
comes  next  to  corn  and  on  good,  improved 
soil,  yields  from  sixty  to  ninety  bushels  per 
acre.  Hay  comes  third,  yielding  as  heavily  as 
from  one  to  two  tons  per  acre  when  cultivated. 
The  value  of  live  stock  on  every  farm  is  some- 
thing every  farmer  should  realize.  It  has  been 
shown  time  and  again  to  the  agriculturists  that 


as  the  raising  of  live  stock  diminishes,  the 
fertility  of  the  soil  lessens  and  the  crop  out- 
put decreases.  That  this  is  becoming  acknowl- 
edged, the  present  output  of  stock  shows. 
Some  of  the  farmers  specialize  on  high  grade 
horses  such  as  the  heavy  draught  horses  and 
others  handle  the  White  Face  cattle.  Finch 
Bros.,  of  Verona,  and  Finch  &  Dix,  are  two 
firms  of  Vienna  Township  whose  names  are 
associated  with    high   grade  slock. 

Until  1So4  fruit  was  cultivated  largely,  but 
the  tine  peach  orchards  were  destroyed  that 
winter  and  after  that  the  farmers  preferred 
not  to  risk  losing  valuable  trees. 
■  In  1S3G  there  came  into  existence  upon  pa- 
per, and  in  the  hearts  of  the  visionary  pro- 
jectors, a  city,  which  bore  the  name  of  Illinois 
City.  It  was  founded  and  laid  out  by  a  Mr. 
Bullock,  but   had  no  actual  existence. 

VERONA 

Verona,  the  one  village  of  Vienna. Township, 

is  situated  on  the  A.  T.  &  S.  F.  Railroad,  and 
was  laid  out  and  plaited  in  February,  1S77, 
by  Martin  Finch  and  Ambrose  Kinley.  It  was 
named  by  G.  D.  Smith  after  his  birthplace,  Ver- 
ona. X.  Y.  At  present  it  has  about  three  hun- 
dred population.  The  following  business  men 
and  houses  are  located  within  its  confines: 
Verona  Exchange  Bank;  Beal  &  Renne;  Dr. 
J.  C.  Bucher,  physician  and  surgeon ;  .T.  F. 
Cody,  proprietor  of  the  Star  Hotel  and  dealer 
in  meats  and  groceries;  John  Card,  dealer  in 
ice  cream,  ice  cold  drinks,  cigars  and  tobacco; 
Hough  Bros.,  dealers  in  hardware  and  imple- 
ments; Charles  Leach,  barber;  MeCormick 
Bros.,  dry  goods,  groceries,  crockery,  glassware, 
notions,  etc.;  Overley  Bros.,  meat  market; 
J.  C.  Petery,  The  Motto  Grocer;  Small  and 
Son,  blacksmith  and  repair  shop;  John  F.  Stitt, 
postmaster,  dealer  in  school  hooks,  stationery, 
periodicals,  patent  medicines,  and  toilet  arti- 
cles; C.  II.  Van  Deusen,  manufacturer  of 
wagon  dump  holsters  and  elevators;-  W.  S. 
Walsh,  dealer  in  grain,  lumber  and  coal;  and 
Whittemore  Bros.,  undertakers  and  dealers  in 
furniture  and  hoots  and  shoos. 

The  postoffice  at  Verona  belongs  to  the  fourth 
class  and  has  two  rural  mail  carriers.  The 
concrete  sidewalks  have  been  laid  since  the 
village  was  incorporated,  and  the  more  pro- 
gressive spirits  are  working  to  have  the  streets 
paved    in    the    same    manner.      At    present    the 


748 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


fire  department  is  a  bucket  brigade,  and  the 
willing  members  of  it  ha\e  proven  their  bravery 
and  efficiency  upon  several  occasions  when 
departments  with  a  regular  equipment  might 
well  have  faltered.  The  Masonic  fraternity  is 
represented  at  Verona,  the  order  owning  its 
•own  hall.  There  are  also  lodges  of  the  orders 
•of  the  Eastern  Star,  Modern  Woodmen  and 
Royal  Neighbors. 


SETTLER — OTHEJi  SETTLERS — FIRST  MILL  AND 
STORE — PRAIRIE  FIRES  A  MENACE — FIRST  HEATH 
— RELIGIOUS  EFFORTS  —  SCHOOLS  — ■  SUPERVISORS 
FROM    1S50    TO    1913. 

(By  W.  A.  Ridings) 

LOCATION    AND    NAME 


SUPERVISORS 

Those  who  have  served  Vienna  Township  as 
members  of  the  Hoard  of  Supervisors  of  Grundy 
County  have  been  as  follows:  Justin  Rennie, 
1S50;  A.  McMillan.  1S51-1S52;  Justin  Rennie. 
1S53-1S55;  R.  K.  Slosson.  1S56-1S57;  John  Wel- 
don,  185S;  R.  K.  Slosson,  1S59-1SG0;  John  Wel- 
don,  1S61;  R.  K.  Slosson,  1862-1SG5;  E.  Worm- 
ley,  1SGG-1S08;  John  Weldon.  1SG9;  A.  P.  Por- 
ter, 1S70;  Michael  R.  Waley,  1S71-1S7G;  R.  K. 
'Slosson,  1S77-187S:  Joseph  Wilson.  Rs79; 
Henry  Hyslop,  1SS0 ;  Thos.  S.  Colman,  1SS1; 
Henry  Hyslop.  1SS2 ;  T.  R.  Granby,  ISS-'I :  D. 
S.  Rennie,  1S84-1SS7;  A.  Hollenbeek,  1SSS-1SS9; 
D.  S.  Rennie,  1S0O-1S93;  James  Mulvanie,  1894- 
1895;  F.  E.  Curtis,  1S96-1S97;  M.  G.  Hay- 
mond,  1S98-1S99;  T.  B.  Granby,  1900-1905;  E. 
O.   Fellingham,  1906-1913;   Dennis  Welsh,   191-1. 

TOWNSHIP    OFFICIALS,     1912-1913 

Supervisor,  E.  O.  Fellingham. 
Town   Clerk,   H.   II.  McCormiek. 

Assessor,  F.  S.  Ransley. 

Collector,  G.  S.  Real. 

Highway  Commissioners.  Reuben  Hollenbeck, 
James  Mulvanie,  C.  A.  Finch. 

Justice  of  the  Peace,  C.   H    Van  Deusen. 

Constable,   S.  O.  Whitteniore. 

School   Trustees,   J.   P.    Harford,    S.   G.   Mar- 
lett,    Fred   Troxel. 
..    School  Treasurer,  D.  S.  Real. 


CHAPTER  XL 


WAUPONSEE  TOWNSHIP 


LOCATION    AND    NAME — RICH     SOIL — NATURAL    TIM- 
KER     GROWTH — CORN     THE     STAPLE     CROP FIRST 


Wauponsee  Township  is  located  almost  in 
the  center  of  Grundy  County  along  the  southern 
bank  of  the  Illinois  River.  It  embraces 
much  of  Township  33,  Range  7.  as  lies  south 
of  the  Illinois  River,  with  all  that  part  of 
Township  33.  Range  S,  lying  west  of  the  Mazon 
River.  If.  was  named  in  honor  of  a  Potta- 
watomie war  chief,  "Wauponsie,"  which  means 
"a  little  light  in  the  sky."  This  old  chief's 
home  and  principal  corn  land  was  at  a  little 
grove  called  Wauponsee  Grove.  He  lived  there 
till  October,  1S35,  when  he  went  West  with  his 
tribe  and  was  killed  by  his  runaway  horse 
throwing  him  against  a  tree  in  Kansas,  in  18GS. 

Wauponsee  Township  is  broken  in  the  north- 
western part,  but  otherwise  is  a  rolling  prairie. 
sloping  gradually  towards  the  northwest.  The 
Mazon  River  and  Waupeean  Creek  afford  a 
good  natural  drainage,  although  in  the  bottom 
lands,  where  the  soil  is  a  rich  alluvial,  there 
is  often  an  overflow  during  the  spring  floods. 
Higher,  the  soil  is  loamy,  owing  to  the  sand 
deposits,  and  the  highest  land  is  a  clay  suit- 
able for  grass  and  corn.  The  natural  timber 
is  oak,  black  and  white,  walnut,  blue  ash,  hack- 
berry  and  maple. 

The  principal  v\ild  game  in  early  days  were 
hogs,  some  deer,  squirrels,  woodchucks  and 
prairie  chickens,  and  wolves  were  in  the  timber 
tracts. 

Small  fruits  and  vegetables  are  grown  in  great 
abundance,  as  the  soil  is  well  adapted  for  such 
products.  The  soil  is  so  fertile  that  almost  any 
kind  of  farming  can  be  earned  on  with  profit, 
but.  corn  is  the  staple  crop.  Many  of  the  agri- 
culturists successfully  devote  themselves  to 
stock    raising    and    dairying. 

FIRST    SETTLER 

The  first  settler  in  what  is  now  Wauponsee 
Township  was  William  Marquis,  who  came  here 
as  early  as  1828,  from  the  country  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  the  Wabash  River,  making  the  trip 


' 


/  i 

\ 


'    1/ 


. 


y 


8 


-  -■'  A:  ■■'"■  -"  •    ■..••.-■  v  .-.; 


^bl/7/tcnX    K^CLAAyy&xSvi^ 


o 


HISTORY  OF  URUXDY  COUNTY. 


749 


by  wagon.  Settling  on  a  portion  of  Section 
2.  he  built  a  cabin,  but  only  cultivated  enough 
land  to  feed  his  family,  apparently  devoting 
the  greater  part  of  his  attention  to  trading. 
However,  owing  to  a  suspected  tendency  to  take 
advantage  of  others,  he  was  not  popular,  and 
in  time  dwelt  isolated.  In  iv;r,  he  sold  liis 
land  to  A.  Holderman,  and  wont  to  Aux  Sable 
Township,  buying  land  and  living  there  until 
1S50,    when    he    went    to   Texas. 

OTHER    SI1T1.I  UN 

The  next  settlor  was  Colonel  Sayers.  who 
came  here  in  1S33,  settling  on  a  portion  of 
Section  14.  lie  did  not  live  here,  however,  but 
sold  liis  claim  to  YV.  A.  Holloway,  and  the 
latter  sold,  in  is.'!."i,  to  S.  Crook,  a  merchant 
of  New  York.  Mr.  Crook  had  hoped  to  es- 
tablish himself  as  a  merchant,  bringing  along 
a  small  stock  of  goods,  but  never  opened  a 
store,  although  be  did  some  trading  during 
the  year  lie  lived  in  the  township.  In  ls.",c.  be 
left,  and  became  a  merchant  at  Ottawa.  Jacob 
Claypool  located  on  Section  2i>.  and  went  back 
to  Ohio  for  bis  family,  bringing  them  here  in 
the  fall  of  1S35.  With  the  Claypools  came 
James  Robb  and  his  familj  :  William  Brown 
and  family,  and  John  Snowhill  ami  William 
Eubanks.  In  1S35,  Richard  Griggs  built  a 
cabin  on  bis  claim  on  Section  33.  Perry  A. 
Claypool  married  and  put  up  a  cabin  in  1S35, 
on   Section   2S. 

FIRST    SAW    MILL    AMI    STOKL 

George  W.  Armstrong  located  here  in  1S3G, 
on  Section  18,  and  soon  thereafter  buUt  a  saw 
mill  on  Waupecan  Creek.  He  also  opened  a 
general  store,  the  first  in  the  township,  and 
perhaps  in  the  county,  but  he  did  not  remain 
long  in  this  locality,  moving  to  another  county 
several  years  later.  The  mill  passed  through 
several  hands,  and  was  finally  destroyed,  there 
remaining  not  the  slightest  trace  to  show  where 
it  stood.  Ezekiel  Warren  came  from  La  Salle 
County,  in  1(339,  and  bought  the  Armstrong 
cabin,  but  within  a  couple  of  years,  moved  on 
Section  17. 

James  Thompson,  an  Irishman,  came  here 
about  1841.  In  the  same  year,  James  Berry, 
a  fellow  countryman,  also  arrived,  both  being 
led  to  this  section  because  of  the  building  of 
the    canal.       That    enterprise     attracted    many 


young  men  to  this  part  of  Illinois  and  a  large 
number  married  and  established  permanent 
homes,  developing  into  valuable  and  substantial 
citizens.  The  pioneers  of  Wauponsee  Township 
had  to  depend  upon  Ottawa  for  their  mail,  while 
the  only  grist-mill  for  many  years  was  that 
owned  by  a  Mr.  Green,  at  Dayton. 

one  of  the  dangers  with  which  the  pioneers 
of  this  locality  had  to  cope  was  prairie  fires. 
Many  of  the  more  thrifty  protected  their  cabins 
and  stock  by  plowing  a  furrow  wide  enough 
to  check  the  flames  should  the  dry  grass  catch 
on  fire,  but  many  neglected  this,  and  saw  their 
little  homes  swept  away  while  they  stood  by 
helpless. 

The  first  death,  in  the  township  was  that 
of  the  twelve-year-old  son  of  William  Marquis. 
in  the  winter  of  1S34-5. 

Wauponsee  Township  lias  always  been  a  much 
traveled  section,  although  no  towns  or  cities 
have  sprung  up  in  its  midst,  owing  largely 
to  the  lack  of  railroad  facilities,  and  the  prox- 
imitj  of  the  county  seat.  The  old  hotel  on 
the  -Al.r/.on  River,  was  a  tavern  noted  for  its 
entertainment  in  olden  days,  although  not  much 
frequented  now. 

RELIGIOUS    ACTIVITIES 

While  traveling  preachers  held  services  from 
1S34  on,  as  they  happened  to  pass  through  the 
township,  the  first  regular  church  was  estab- 
lished in  1S37  or  1S3S,  at  Wauponsee  Grove, 
by  the  Reverend  Mr.  Rogers  of  the  South  Ot- 
tawa Circuit.  Rev.  Harvey  Iladley  officiated 
in  1S39.  and  Rev.  John  F.  Devore  held  a  great 
revival  in  1842  or  1S43.  Wauponsee  Township 
was  the  scene  of  considerable  work  on  the  part 
of  the  Mormons,  who  held  regular  services  until 
is  1-1.  The  Methodists  built  a  little  church  in 
1S72-3,  hut  it  was  later  abandoned.  There  have 
been  other  religious  movements.  The  Union 
Sunday  School,  at  the  Thumb  Schoolhouse.  was 
organized  in  1S9G  and  continues  to  the  present, 
with   preaching  every   Sunday  all   the  year. 

schools 

The  first  school  was  opened  in  1843  by 
Amanda  Pickering  on  Section  20,  and  had  the 
distinction  of  being  one  of  the  first  in  the  coun- 
ty. The  Slatterly  Schoolhouse  on  Section  15, 
was  built  about   IMS,  and  was  also  used  as  a 


750  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

town  hall  and  church,  but  was  later  torn  down  1S52-1S59;  John  Hannah,  18G0;  Win.  T.  Hop- 
to  give  place  for  a   more  modern  structure.  kins,    18C1;    Joseph    Wicks,    1S62;    L.    W.   Clay- 

The   present    schoolhouses    are    five    in    mini-  pool,    1SG3-18G4;    Joseph    Opdyke,    1S65 ;    J.    R. 

ber:    The  Gay  and   Conely,   in   the   west   part;  Opdyke,  1SGG-1SG7 ;  L.  II.  Raymond,  1S68;  Ben- 

the  Stine  School  in  the  north  part;  the  Thumb  janiin   Sample,   1S09-1S70;   J.   II.   I'attison,   1871- 

Scliool  in  the  southeastern  part,  and  the  Ilume  1S73 ;  L.  W.  Claypool,  1S74;  James  Sline,  1S75- 

School    in   the  southwestern   part   of   the  town-  187S;  John  Claypool,  1S78-1S79 ;  11.  C.  Claypool, 

ship,  all  of  them  being  standard  schools.  1SS0-1SS1;  John  Claypool,  1SS2-1SS5;  J.  II.  Pat- 

The    men    who    have    represented    Wauponsee  tison,     1SSG-1800;     Amos    Dingmon,    1891-1892; 

Township  on   tlie  County   Hoard  of   Supervisors  James    Stine.    1S93-189S;    E.    G.    Carsley,    1899- 

from    1850     to    1012    have     been    as     follows:  1902;  II.  II.  Sevcrns,  1903-190S ;  Charles  Moon, 

Jacob    Claypool,     1S50-1851;     L.    W.    Claypool,  1909-1912;  Chas.  Klyea,  1913. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


CHAPTER  XLI 

THK    PART    OF    BIOGRAPHY     IX    GENERAL    HISTORY 

CITIZENS  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY  AND  OUTLINES  OF 
PERSONAL  HISTORY — PT.liSOXAI.  SKETCHES  AR- 
RAGF.U   IN    ENCYCLOPEDIC    ORDER. 

The  verdict  of  mankind  lias  awarded  to  the 
Muse  of  History  the  highest  place  among  the 
Classic  Nine.  The  extent  of  her  office,  however, 
appears  to  be,  by  many  minds,  but  imperfectly 
understood.  The  task  of  the  historian  is  com- 
prehensive ami  exacting.  True  history  reaches 
beyond  the  doings  of  court  or  ramp,  beyond  the 
issue  of  battles  or  the  effects  of  treaties,  and  re- 
cords the  trials  ami  the  triumphs,  the  failures 
and  the  successes  of  the  men  who  make  history. 
It  is  but  an  imperfect  conception  of  the  philoso- 
phy of  events  that  fails  to  accord  i<>  portraiture 
and  biography  its  rightful  position  as  a  part — 
and  no  unimportant  part  -of  historic  narrative. 
Behind  ami  beneath  the  activities  of  outward 
life  the  motive  power  lies  out  of  siirht.  just  as 
the  furnace  tires  that  work  the  piston  and  keep 
the  ponderous  screw  revolving  down  in  the 
darkness  of  the  hold.  So.  the  impulsive  power 
which  shapes  the  course  of  communities  may  be 
found  in  the  moulding  influences  which  form  its 
citizens. 

It  is  no  mere  idle  curiosity  that  prompts  men 
to  wish  to  learn  the  private,  as  well  as  the 
public,  lives  of  their  fellows.  Rather  is  it  true 
that  such  desire  tends  to  prove  universal  broth- 
erhood; and  the  interest  in  personality  and 
biography  is  not  confined  to  men  of  any  par- 
ticular caste  or  vocation. 

The  list  of  those,  to  whose  lot  it  falls  to  play 
a  conspicuous  part  in  the  great  drama  of  life,  is 
comparatively  short;  yet  communities  are  made 
up  of  individuals,  and  the  aggregate  of  achieve- 
ments— no  less  than  the  sum  total  of  human 
happiness — is  made  up  of  the  deeds  of  those 
men  and  women  whose  primary  aim.  through 
life,  is  faithfully  to  perform  the  duty  that  comes 
nearest  to  hand.  Individual  influences  upon 
human  affairs  will  he  considered  potent  or  in- 
significant, according  to  the  standpoint  from 
which  it  is  viewed.  To  him  who,  standing  upon 
the  seashore,  notes  the  ebb  and  flow  of  the  tides 
and  listens  to  the  sullen  roar  of  the  waves,  as 
they  break  upon  the  beach  in  seething  foam. 
seemingly  chafing  at  their  limitations,  the  ocean 
appears  so  vast  as  to  need  no  tributaries,  Yet, 
without  the  smallest  rill  that  helps  to  swell  the 


"Father  of  Waters,"  the  mighty  torrent  of  the 
Mississippi  would  he  lessened,  ami  the  beneficent 
influence  of  the  Gulf  Stream  diminished.  Count- 
less streams,  currents  and  counter  currents — 
sometimes  mingling,  sometimes  counteracting 
each  other  -collectively  combine  to  give  motion 
to  the  accumulated  mass  of  waters.  So  is  it — 
and  so  must  it  ever  he — in  the  ocean  of  human 
action,  which  is  formed  by  the  blending  and 
repulsion  of  currents  of  thought,  of  influence 
and  of  life,  yet  mi. re  numerous  and  more  tortu- 
ous than  those  which  form  the  "fountains  of  the 
deep."  'Phe  acts  ami  characters  of  men,  like  the 
several  faces  that  compose  a  composite  picture, 
are  wrought  together  into  a  compact  or  hetero- 
geneous whole  History  is  condensed  biog- 
raphy; "Biography  is  History  teaching  by 
example." 

It  is  both  interesting  and  instructive  to  rise 
above  the  generalization  of  history  and  trace,  in 
the  personality  and  careers  of  the  men  from 
whom  it  sprang,  the  principles  and  influences, 
the  impulses  and  ambitions,  the  labors,  struggles 
and  triumphs  that  engross  their  lives. 

Here  are  recorded  the  careers  and  achieve- 
ments of  pioneers  who.  "when  the  fullness  of 
time  had  come,"  came  from  widely  separated 
sources,  some  from  beyond  the  sea.  impelled  by 
divers  motives,  little  conscious  of  the  import;  of 
their  acts,  and  hut  dimly  anticipating  the  har- 
vest which  would  spring  from  the  sowing.  They 
built  their  primitive  homes,  toiling  for  a  pres- 
ent subsistence  while  laying  the  foundations  of 
private  fortunes  and  future  advancement. 

Most  of  these  have  passed  away,  but  not  be- 
fore they  beheld  a  development  of  business  and 
population  surpassing  the  wildest  dreams  of 
fancy  or  expectation.  A  few  yet  remain  whose 
year's  have  passed  the  allotted  three-score  and 
ten.  and  who  love  to  recount,  amons  the  cher- 
ished memories  of  their  lives,  their  remin- 
iscences of  early  days. 


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Miry.] 

AARRESTAD,  Rev.  Torleif.— To  those  who 
come  to  this  land  from  Norway,  it  is  a  gratifying 
fact  that  it  is  possible  for  them  to  listen  to 
religious  teachings  in  their  own  tongue.  How- 
ever strange  the  new  home  may  be,  if  on  Sun- 
day they  can  gather  in  a  church  and  he  min- 
istered to  by  one  of  their  faith  and  nationality. 
they  are  content  with  their  lot  in  life.     Cue  of 


751 


752  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

tbc  men  whose  life  has  been  spent  in  providing  .Morris,  111.,  later  settlim:  on  a  farm  of  eighty 
religious  instruction  for  those  of  his  own  people  acres  in  Vienna  Township,  which  the  father 
is  the  Rev.  Torleif  Aarrestad  of  Morris,  lie  developed  from  raw  prairie  into  valuable  hind. 
was  born  at  Thime,  Jederen,  Norway,  April  12,  His  death  occurred  January  "1.  1SG0,  hut  the 
1SG0,  a  son  of  forger  and  Serina  (Undein)  mother  survived  him  until  December  2f>,  1900. 
Aarrested.  From  the  time  he  was  seven  years  .lames  Aker  attended  the  schools  of  Vienna 
old,  until  lie  was  fourteen.  Mr.  Aarrestad  at-  Township,  ami  lived  with  his  mother  until  bis 
tended  the  public  schools  of  his  country  dis-  marriage,  following  which  he  located  on  his 
trict.  In  October,  1S74,  he  was  continued  in  present  farm.  This  was  partly  improved,  hut 
the  Lutheran  faith,  and  in  1^~1  entered  the  he  made  many  changes,  including  the  eree- 
high  school  at  Sandnes.  where  he  spent  the  tion  of  a  comfortable  residence  and  other  mod- 
winter  of  1S77-S.  In  August  of  the  latter  year  em  buildings.  On  July  G.  1SS2,  Mr.  Aker  was 
he  was  admitted  to  the  teachers'  seminary  at  married  by  the  Rev.  W.  A.  dimming,  of  Zion 
Christ iansand.  and  was  graduated  therefrom  in  Methodist  Church,  to  Cora  A.  Passage,  horn 
July,  1SS0.  From  January.  1SS1,  until  July,  in  Columbia  County,  Wis..  April  30,  1SG3,  a 
1SS4,  he  taught  school  at  Eide  and  then  came  daughter  of  Joseph  L.  and  Sarah  L.  (Seward) 
to  America,  where  he  entered  Augsburg  Sem-  Passage.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Aker  have  children  as 
inaiy  at  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  and  was  graduated  follows:  Julia  Alice,  who  is  Mrs.  Clarence  E. 
therefrom  in  May,  1SSS.  Following  this,  he  Dewey,  of  Fort  Morgan,  Colo.;  George  B..  who 
took  a  theological  course,  and  passed  his  final  is  -Mrs.  ( '.  R.  Winsor,  of  Norman  Township, 
examination,  receiving  his  degree  in  May,  1S91.  who  has  two  children,  Gordon  A.  and  Alice 
In  June  of  that  year  he  was  ordained  a  min-  II.;  Mabel  II..  who  is  Mrs.  O.  T.  Winsor  of 
ister  during  the  convention  of  the  United  Nor-  Norman  Township,  has  one  daughter,  Dorothy; 
wegian  Lutheran  Church  of  America  at  Kenyon,  Edna  May.  who  is  the  wife  of  Will  J.  Trotter 
Minn.  In  July  of  that  same  year  he  went  to  of  Coal  City:  Alta  II.,  who  is  a  trained  nurse. 
Chicago,  where  he  spent  two  years,  and  then  of  Morris.  111.;  Ruby  E.,  who  is  at  home,  and 
came  to  Morris,  lie  serves  two  congregations,  Pearl  E„  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Aker  lie- 
Bethlehem  and  Hange's.  Since  coming  to  Mor-  longs  to  the  Zion  Methodist  Church  of  Norman 
ris,  Mr.  Aarrestad  attended  the  Lutheran  The-  Township,  of  which  he  has  been  a  trustee  sinee- 
ological  Seminary  at  Lake  View  for  two  years.  1904,  He  has  held  several  public  offices,  hav- 
For  the  last  two  years  he  has  also  served  the  ing  been  road  overseer  and  school  director  for 
church  at  Seneca  and  Marseilles,  the  former  a  quarter  of  a  century,  and  town  clerk  I'm  two 
being  known  as  the  Enmians  Church,  and  the  terms.  Logan  Cam])  No.  1212.  M.  W.  A.,  of 
latter,  as  the  Emanuel  Church.  Mr.  Aarrestad  Seneca.  III.,  holds  his  fraternal  membership, 
is  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  men  of  his  and  lie  is  popular  with  his  fellow  lodge  mem- 
denomination,  and  lias  been  president  of  the  tiers  as  he  is  with  all  with  whom  he  is  brought 
Chicago  Circuit  since  190G.  and  president  of  the  in  contact.  On  October  2:;.  1913,  Mr.  Aker 
Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Pleasant  View  Luther  moved  to  Mazon,  III.,  where  he  is  living  re- 
College  of  Ottawa  since  190G.-  From  1900  to  tired. 
1900  he  served  this  body  as  secretary.     He  has 

also  held  the  offices  of  visitator  and  president  of  ALLAN,  William  Robert,  St.,  one  of  the  sub- 
file. Chicago  Circuit  of  the  United  Norwegian  stantial  men  of  Grundy  County  who  is  now  re- 
Lutheran  Church  since  1000.  siding  at  Morris,  hut  still  looking  after  his  agri- 
On  June  24,  1S9G,  Mr.  Aarrestad  was  mar-  cultural  interests  in  various  localities,  was  born 
ried  at  Morris  to  Barbara  Olsen,  horn  in  Nor-  in  New  Battle  Parish,  Edinburg,  Scotland,  June 
way.  Their  children  are:  Thorvald,  Olga  and  16,  1S4S.  a  son  of  David  and  Elizabeth  (Tel- 
Karl  Jorhan,  living,  and  Vilhelm.  horn  in  1903,  ford)  Allan.  These  parents  came  to  Morris, 
who  died  in  190.".  A  scholarly  man.  Mi'.  Aar-  from  Scotland,  in  1SS0,  and  here  both  died. 
restad  combines  with  his  learning,  executive  William  Roberi  Allan  received  but  a  limited 
ability  that  has  enabled  him  to  build  up  his  educational  training  for  he  began  working  in 
churches,  and  put  them  in  a  prosperous  con-  a  brickyard  at  seven  years  of  age,  and  in  the 
dition.  His  people  love  him.  and  his  influence  eoal  mines  of  his  native  land  when  only  eight 
for  good  is  very  powerful  in  Grundy  County.  years  old.     In  1S70  he  came  to  the  United  States. 

and  to  Morris,  and  worked  in  the  coal  mines 
AKER,  James. — That  prosperity  has  come  to  until  1ST.'!,  when  he.  with  Noble  Robinson,  went 
many  of  the  Grundy  County  agriculturalists  is  into  a  liquor  business  in  this  same  city,  con- 
not  due  to  luck  but  to  a  fortunate  selection  of  tinuing  in  it  until  18SG,  when  he  sold  to  his 
location  and  insistent  and  intelligent  working  partner.  In  the  meanwhile  the  partners  built 
of  the  land.  One  of  the  retired  farmers  of  a  tine  brick  block,  in  1S77.  and  became  pros 
this  locality  who  developed  his  property  into  porous.  In  1SSG  Mr.  Allan  began  farming  in 
a  very  valuable  place  is  James  Aker  of  Vienna  Iroquois  County,  111.,  but  sold  his  farm  in  1SS8, 
Township.  He  was  born  in  Schoharie  County.  and  conducted  a  restaurant  at  Ottawa,  111.  for 
N.  V.,  February  !).  1S44.  a  son  of  Jeremiah  eighteen  months.  Once  more  he  disposed  of 
and  Julia  Ann  (Granny)  Aker,  natives  of  Cairo,  his  interests  at  a  good  figure,  and  bought  the 
Greene  Coui.ty.  N.  Y.,  where  they  were  mar-  Carson  House,'  at  Morris,  from  his  father-in- 
ried.  hut  later  went  to  Schoharie  County  that  law,  who  proposed  retiring.  Until  1903  Mr.  Al- 
same  ■  state.      Iii    1S50    these    parents    came    to  Ian  conducted  this  popular  hostelry  with  credit 


I 


i 


.     . .     _  ...  ^—  ..<,..: 


: 


' 


■ 


■ 


.  ^.  . 


. .. 


HISTORY  OF  GKrXDY  COUNTY. 


753 


to  himself  ami  lus  city,  but  then  sold  il  to 
confine  his  attention  to  his  farming  interests 
in  Saratoga  Township  and  in  Emmet  County. 
Iowa,  having  these  properties  rented  to  ten- 
ants. 

On  September  '-'.  1S75.  Mr.  Allan  was  married 
to  Janet  Banks  Patrick,  born  at  Frostburg, 
Maryland,  a  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Jean 
(Sharp)  Patrick,  horn  in  Scotland.  Mr.  Pat- 
rick died  in  1SG2,  and  later  his  widow  married 
Thomas  Carson,  a  hotel  man  of  Morris,  and  she 
died  September  4,  1010.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Allan 
had  the  following  children:  Thomas  Andrew 
Noble,  of  Joliet.  ill.,  married  Minnie  Emerson, 
and  they  have  two  sons.  William  J-:,  and  Kenneth 
T. ;  David  Alexander,  of  Independence.  Iowa, 
married  Helen  Hupper.  and  they  have  two  chil- 
dren, Verne  ('.  and  Russell  II.;  William  Ray- 
mond, a  grocer  of  Morris,  married  Anna  Ik 
Hall,  and  they  have  two  sons.  Francis  II.  and 
Thomas  C. ;  Lillian  .lane,  now  Mrs.  William 
DeLane  Sapp  of  Richmond.  Va..  has  one  son. 
William  DeLane;  ami  Roy  Carson,  of  Morris, 
111.,  who  married  Clara   M.  Kertz. 

Mr.  Allan  attends  the  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Morris.  He  was  elected  supervisor  from 
Morris  Township  in  l'JOS  and  has  served  con- 
tinuously for  lour  years.  He  belongs  to  the 
Blue  Lodge,  Chapter,  and  Commandery  in  the 
Masonic  fraternity,  is  also  a  thirty-second  de- 
gree Mason,  and  belongs  to  the  Mystic  Shrine. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  Lodge, 
Xo.  75,  of  Morris.  lie  has  many  personal 
friends  in  these  organizations,  all  recognizing 
his  sterling  qualities.  He  is  stockholder  in  the 
Grundy   County   Bank. 

ALLISON,  Charles  David,  M.  D.— There  is  no 
doubt  but  that  the  medical  profession  is  keep- 
ing pace  with  the  wonderful  twentieth  century 
advancement,  for  there  has  been  more  progress 
in  it  during  the  past  halt  a  century  than  in 
all  the  ages  of  the  world's  history  prior  to  this 
period.  The  modern  physician  and  surgeon  is  a 
skilled  man  of  science,  who  not  only  ministers 
to  the  diseased,  but  labors  to  prevent  sickness 
and  aids  in  bringing  about  sanitary  conditions. 
One  of  the  leading  member;'  .\f  the  medical  fra- 
ternity of  Grundy  County  is  Dr.  Charles  David 
Allison  of  South  Wilmington,  who  has  been  in 
this  community  since  15)00.  He  was  born  at 
St.  Paul,  Ind.,  August  10.  1S71,  a  son  of  Frank 
and  Mary  (Garrett)  Allison,  both  natives  of  the 
same  place  as  their  son.  The  father,  who  spent 
his  active  life  as  a  farmer,  is  now  living  retired 
at  St.  Paul,  Ind..  but  the  mother  died  in  De- 
cember, 190S. 

Dr.  Allison  grew  up  in  Decatur  County,  upon 
his  father's  farm,  and  went  to  the  district  schools 
of  his  neighborhood.  For  five  years  following 
the  completion  of  bis  courses  there,  he  taught 
school  in  Decatur  County,  thereby  earning  sulli- 
cient  money  to  justify  his  entering  a  medical 
college  at  Indianapolis.  Ind..  from  whence  he 
was  graduated  in  1S9G.  Following  that  event 
he  located  at  Clark  City.  111.,  where  he  remained 
until  1900,  at  which  time  be  came  to  South  Wil- 


mington, where  he  has  built  up  a  large  and 
nourishing  practice,  and  received  municipal  rec- 
ognition in  being  appointed  health  official  of 
the  place,  which  office  he  still  holds. 

In  1900  Or.  Allison  was  married  to  Mina 
Apple,  who  was  also  horn  in  Decatur  County, 
Ind.,  December  '.»,  1S7-4.  Six  children  have  been 
born  of  this  union,  namely:  twins,  who  died 
in  infancy:  Nina;  Mary:  Charles  ami  Caroline, 
all  of  whom  are  at  home.  Or.  Allison  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Church.  Fraternally  he  is 
a  Mason  and  a  Knight  of  Pythias.  In  politics 
be  is  a  Demo  rat.  and  takes  great  interest  in 
the  success  of  his  party.  A  man  of  learning, 
public-spirited  and  enterprising,  Dr.  Allison  is 
a  strong  factor  in  the  life  of  the  community 
where    he    has    spent    the    past    fourteen    years. 

ANDERSON,  Andrew  J.- -It  is  remarkable  how 
readily  Grundy  County  land  responds  to  care 
bestowed  upon  it,  and  as  nearly  all  of  the  agri- 
culturalists here  are  men  of  progressive  ideas 
who  are  eager  to  improve  their  property  accord- 
ing to  the  latest  scientific  methods,  there  are 
few  farms  within  the  confines  of  the  county 
which  do  not  c-ome  up  to  standard.  One  of 
these  prosperous,  modern  farmers  is  Andrew  .1. 
Anderson  of  Garfield  Township.  He  was  bom 
in  Denmark  in  1S53,  a  son  of  Jens  and  Anna 
(Hanson)  Anderson.  Jens  Anderson  was  a 
laborer  who  died  in  18s7  in  his  native  land  of 
Denmark'. 

Andrew  .1.  Anderson  attended  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  place,  and  until  he  left  it 
he  was  a  laborer.  In  1S73  he  came  to  the  United 
States  and  first  located  in  the  vicinity  of  Dwight, 
Ilk.  where  he  obtained  employment  on  a  farm. 
In  1902  he  came  to  Grundy  County,  buying  152 
acres  in  Garfield  Township,  and  ever  since  has 
been  improving  the  property,  until  he  now  has 
one  of  the  best  farms  in  this  locality.  On  it 
he  carries  on  general  farming,  ami  his  crops 
indicate  that  he  thoroughly  understands  his 
business  and  knows  how  to  make  it  pay  him 
well    for   hi---    labor. 

In  1SS4  Andrew  J.  Anderson  married  Carrie 
M.  Hansen,  also  a  native  of  Denmark,  who  in 
young  womanhood  came  alone  to  the  United 
States.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Anderson  are  the  par- 
ents of  the  following  children  :  one  who  died 
in  infancy;  John,  who  died  at  the  aue  of  four- 
teen years;  one  who  died  at  the  age  of  two 
years;  Hans,  who  is  at  home:  Carl,  and  Anna. 
Mr.  Anderson  is  a  Lutheran  in  religious  faith, 
and  in  his  political  views  is  a  Republican. 
Hardworking  and  thrifty,  lie  has  steadily  forged 
ahead  and  is  now  deservedly  numbered  among 
the  leading  fanners  of  his  township. 

ANDERSON,  Axel,  junior  member  of  the  firm 
of  brothers  operating  under  the  name  of  The 
Anderson  Lumber  Company,  has  been  an  im- 
portant factor  in  the  business  of  Coal  City 
for  some  years.  He  was  born  at  Braceville. 
Ilk.  February  5.  1ST!),  a  son  of  Frederick  and 
Johanna  Anderson,  who  came  from  their  native 
land  of  Sweden,  to  Braceville.  Ilk.  in  1SGG.    The 


751  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

father  was  a  mine  contractor,,  and  met  his  ANDERSON,  Christ,  Supervisor  of  Garfield 
death  March  7,  1SST  in  an  accident  which  <><•-  Township,  has  hold  his  present  responsible  posi- 
curred  in  the  mines.  His  widow  survives  him  tion  tor  the  past  dorado,  during  which  period 
and  lives  at  Garden  City,  Kan.  Axel  Ander-  he  has  exerted  himself  to  bring  about  a  -'ori- 
son was  the  youngest  of  their  three  children,  oral  betterment  of  existing  conditions  with- 
tlie  others  being:  Charles  G.,  his  partner,  and  out  entailing  too  heavy  an  advance  in  taxes. 
an  older  In-other.  John.  His  home  is  in  Gardner,  and  he  is  highly  re- 
After  attending  school  in  Rraceville  Town-  spected  in  that  city  as  he  is  throughout  Grundy 
ship,  Axel  Anderson  was  engaged  in  a  house  County.  Mr.  Anderson  was  born  in  Denmark 
moving  business,  until  lie  joined  bis  brother,  in  1S53,  a  sun  of  Andrew  and  .Alary  (Christian- 
Oharles  G..  in  their  present  undertaking,  which  son)  Anderson,  both  of  whom  died  in  Denmark, 
is  succeeding  admirably,  both  men  bringing  to  The  father  was  a  bricklayer  and  cooper, 
it  valuable  experience  and  sound  knowledge.  In  1^s;'>  Christ  Anderson  came  to  the  Tinted 
On  June  30,  1004.  Mr.  Anderson  married  .les-  States,  and  first  located  in  Wisconsin,  where 
sie  Trotter,  who  was  bom  October  25.  1S70,  of  a  number  of  his  countrymen  were  to  be  found. 
Coal  City,  and  they  have  two  children:  Audrey  but  later  traveled  about  to  find  a  place  bet- 
and  Ramona.  Mr.  Anderson  is  a  Methodist.  tor  suited  to  his  requirements.  In  1SSH  he  lo- 
Like  his   brother  he   is   faithful   in   his  support  cated    at    Gardner,   which   has   continued   to   be 

of  the  fraternal  organization,  the  Modern  Wood-       his  1 ie.     Coming   here  as   he  did   with   little 

men  of  America.     Mrs.  Anderson   is  a   member  money  and  with  but   a  slight   knowledge  of  the 

of  the  Eastern  Star.     A   Republican,  he  is  now  English    language,   although    be   had    been    well 

serving  as   fire  marshal  of  Coal   City.     Mr.   An-  schooled    in    his    native    land.    Mr.    Anderson's 

dersoii    owns   a    ranch    of    320   acres    in    Kinney  progress  has  been  remarkable.     lie  had  learned 

County.  Ivans.  the    shoemaker's    trade,    had    served      eighteen 

months    in    the    army,    and    had    been    a    grocer 

ANDERSON.   Charles   G.,   member  of   the   firm  prior   to   locating   at    Gardner,    so   that    he   had 

known    as    the    Anderson    Lumber    Company    of  had  considerable  experience  along  several  lines, 

Coal  City,  is  rightly  numbered  among  the  most  which    no   doubt,    was   of  assistance   to   him    in 

aggressive    business    men    of    Grundy    County.  his   new    venture.      With    only   $100   with    which 

lie    was    bom    at    Braceville,    111..    January    2(5,  to    stock    his    store.    Mr.    Anderson    began    his 

1872.   a    son   of  Frederick  and   Johanna    Ander-  business  career  at  Gardner  as  a  shoe  merchant, 

son,    natives    of    Sweden    who    came    to    Brace-  and  as  he  could,  added  other  lines  and  in    1001. 

ville.    111.    in    I860.      There    the    father    became  when    he   sold,    he    had   a    large   and    flourishing 

a  successful   mining  contractor,   thus  continuing  general  store.     In  1000  he  built  the  first  electric 

until    be   was   accidentally    killed    in    the   mines,  light    plant    in    Gardner,    which    he    sold    to    the 

March  7.  1SS7.     His  widow  survives,  making  her  Public  Service  Company  of  Chicago,  in  1010,  and 

home    in    Kansas.      Thev    had    three    children:  then    retired,    although    he   still    owns    consider- 

John.  Charles  (i.  and  Axel.  able  property  at    Gardner  and  a   valuable  20G- 

Charles  Gordon  Anderson  attended  the  aero  farm  in  Monroe  County.  Mo. 
schools  of  Braceville,  and  worked  as  a  driver  In  1SS4  Mr.  Anderson  married  Mary  Larson, 
in  the  mines  at  that  point.  Later  he  was  also  a  native  of  Denmark,  and  they  had  five 
placed  in  control  of  a  butchering  business  at  children:  Adolph,  who  is  deceased,  and  Louis. 
Central  City,  111.  He  then  became  a  general  Mary.  Adolph  (III  and  .lames.  Mrs.  Ander- 
contractor  being  engaged  along  these  lines  until  son  died  in  1012.  bavin-  been  a  true  and  faith- 
he  founded  his  present  business  in  partership  ful  wife,  and  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  at 
with  his  brother.  Axel,  the  firm  being  dealers  Braceville.  111.  A  Republican.  Mr.  Anderson 
in  lumber  and  builders'  supplies,  and  doing  an  has  not  only  boon  elected  on  his  party's  ticket 
extensive  business  all  over  the  county.  to  the  office  of  supervisor  for  ten  years,  but 
'On  October  22.  1002.  Charles  (i.  Anderson  for  three  years  has  been  on  the  school  board. 
married  Sarah  Willis,  born  October  21.  1S72.  was  constable  for  four  years,  and  on  the  town 
in  England,  and  thev  have  had  four  children:  board  for  two  years.  A  Mason,  he  belongs  to 
Fred,  born  August  31.  1003;  Sarah,  born  August  Gardner  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M..  and  has  been 
14,  1001.  died  May  27.  1007;  Gordon,  born  Oc-  one  of  its  officials  for  three  years.  A  man 
toher  10.  1000;  anil  Charlie,  born  April  20  1010.  who  has  never  spared  himself  in  working  ahead. 
The  Methodist  Church  holds  bis  membership.  keen  to  embrace  every  opportunity,  and  able 
Fraternallv  he  is  a  Mason  and  belongs  also  to  to  plan  good  business  combinations,  ho  stands 
the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  and  his  wife  as  one  of  the  foremost  men  of  his  locality  and 
is  a  member  of  the  Fraternal  Reserves  and  the  enjoys  the  full  confidence  of  his  associates.  The 
Eastern  Star.    Mr.  Anderson  is  a  staunch  Demo-  Presbyterian    Church    has    h,    him    a    consistent 


crat.      lie  has   been   tax   collector  of   Braceville 


and  generous  member. 


Township  for  two  years,  and   supervisor  of  the  ANDERSON,  Jensen.-The   progressive  agrieul- 

same  township  for  one  term.    An  energetic  man,  turalist   of  today  is   recognizing  the   profits   to 

be    gives    to    the    administration    of    public    of-  be  reaijze(i  fr0ln'  intelligent  specialization  along 

fiees   the   same  conscientious  care   that   he   does  some  particular  line,  and  as  there  is  such  heavy 

to    his    private    affairs,    and    consequently    has  demand  for  first  class  poultry,  a  number  of  the 

rendered   very  valuable  service  to  his  township.  Grundy  County   farmers  are  devoting  consider- 


I 


•   . 


A' 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


1^0 


able  attention  to  producing  chickens  and  eggs 
for  the  market,  and  one  who  has  attained  more 
than  ordinary  success  as  a  poultryman  is  Jen- 
sen Anderson,  manager  of  the  Evergreen  Farm 
of  Greenfield  Township.  II**  is  operating  eight 
acres  of  land,  and  specializing  with  Barred 
Plymouth  Rock  chickens. 

Mr.  Anderson  was  born  in  Good  Farm  Town- 
ship in  1SSS,  a  son  of  Andrew  and  Anna  (Bran- 
druf)  Anderson,  both  natives  of  Denmark.  In 
1874  the  father  came  !<>  the  United  stales. 
and  worked  for  a  time  as  a  laborer  in  different 
sections  of  Grundy  County,  in  1880  lie  bought 
the  farm  his  son  is  now  operating,  and  spent 
the  remainder  of  his  lite  upon  it.  dying  in  1004. 
His  widow  survives,  making  her  home  upon  this 
same  farm.  There  were  live  children  in  the 
Anderson  family:  Mint  ;  Martin,  who  is  de- 
ceased;  Anna   Sorsen :  Jensen:  and  Andrew. 

Growing  up  in  the  rural  regions  of  Grundy 
County,  Jensen  Anderson  had  the  advantages 
offered  by  the  district  schools,  ami  those  by  his 
home,  for  lie*  never  left  it.  Having  good  par- 
ents, lie  was  brought  up  properly,  taughi  to 
work  and  respect  the  laws,  and  has  developed 
into  a  very  desirable  citizen.  Believing  in  mod- 
ern methods.  Mr.  Anderson  does  his  marketing 
by  automobile,  and  has  introduced  other  im- 
provements in  his  farm  work.  While  he  is  a 
Republican,  lie  reserves  the  right  to  act  liberally 
when  he  believes  the  occasion  demands  a  depart- 
ure from  party  lines.  Possessed  of  mote  than 
ordinary  intelligence,  with  a  broad  outlook  upon 
life  and  a  clear  comprehension  of  public  issues. 
Mr.  Anderson  is  very  popular  among  his  neigh- 
bors, and  a  leader  in  ids  township.  The  Lu- 
theran Church  holds  his  membership  and  profits 
from  his  generosity. 

ANDERSON,  Martin.— The  farmer  of  today 
faces  many  problems.  While  the  price  paid  for 
farm  products  lias  increased,  the  cost  of  labor 
litis  risen,  and  the  difficulty  of  marketing  mul- 
tiplied. The  agriculturalist  is  not  now  content 
to  trust  to  luck  in  his  operations,  for  they  cost 
too  much,  and  upon  them  depend  not  only  his 
own  welfare,  but  the  prosperity  of  the  country, 
for  as  are  the  crops,  mi  is  national  advance- 
ment. One  of  the  men  who  have  spent  the  hot- 
ter portion  of  their  lives  in  making  Grundy 
County  one  of  the  leading  agricultural  sections 
of  the  State  is  Martin  Anderson,  owner  of 
'  eighty  acres  of  rich  farming  land  in  Maine 
Township.  On  it  he  carries  on  general  farming 
with  well  merited  success.  Mr.  Anderson  is  a 
native  of  Denmark,  born  in  thai  country  in 
1857,  a  son  of  Simon  and  Johanna  M.  (Grader) 
Anderson.  The  father  spent  his  life  in  Hen- 
mark,  dying  after  a  useful  life  as  farmer  and 
butcher,  in  1007.  The  mother  survives  him.  mak- 
ing her  homo  in  her  native  place.  There  were 
fifteen  children  born  these  parents,  and  eight  of 
them  survive. 

Mr.  Anderson  attended  school  in  Denmark 
when  he  had  an  opportunity.  In  the  summer 
months,  as  soon  as  he  was  old  enough,  he 
herded  cattle.     In  1881  he  came  to  the   United 


States,  locating  first  at  Racine,  Wis.,  where 
he  worked  as  a  laborer.  In  18S7  he  returned 
to  Denmark,  married,  and  coming  back  went 
to  Gardner,  11)..  where  hi?  worked  as  a  farm 
hand  until  1S99,  when  he  bought  his  present 
property. 

In  1887  Mr.  Anderson  married  Mary  Peter- 
son, and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  six 
children:  Emma  Holm.  Clara  Sorensen,  Anna, 
Julia.  Martha  and  Bertha,  the  latter  being  de- 
ceased.  His  religious  affiliations  are  with  the 
Danish  Lutheran  Church.  Politically  he  is  a 
Republican,  having  served  as  School  Director 
three  years  and  Justice  of  the  Peace  four  years. 
A  hard-working  man,  lie  is  proud  of  his  county 
and  township,  and  can  he  depended  upon  to  do 
all  he  can  to  advance  their  interests. 

ANTIS,  John,  M.  D.  (deceased),  one  of  the  pio- 
neer physicians  of  Grundy  County,  was  horn  in 
Montgomery  County,  X.  V..  March  17.  1S17,  and 
came  to  Morris  in  lS4o,  continuing  in  practice 
for  many  years.  He  also  became  interested  in 
farm  lands  in  Mazon  Township,  and  after  the 
close  of  the  Civil  War  moved  upon  his  farm. 
He  was  one  of  the  courageous  men  who  traveled 
across  the  plains  to  California  in  1S49,  and 
for  two  years  mined  for  gold  at  Trinity.  Polit- 
ically lie  was  a  Democrat.  While  residing  at 
Morris,  he  served  the  city  upon  two  occasions 
as  Mayor,  and  was  a  man  of  great  probity  and 
uprightness.  Dr.  Antis  married  Xancy  A.  Sweet, 
and  they  bad  two  children  :  Eudora  A.  and  Mary. 

ARMSTRONG,  Perry  A.  (deceased).— No  his- 
tory of  Grundy  County  would  be  complete  with- 
out a  skebh  of  Perry  A.  Armstrong,  statesman, 
lawyer,  author,  historian  and  dependable  citi- 
zen, who  loved  his  county  and  never  ceased 
in  his  efforts  to  advance  its  interests,  or  those 
of  .Morris,  lie  was  born  on  the  family  home- 
stead, in  McCain  Township.  Licking  County. 
Ohio,  April  -1,  1823,  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Elsie 
Armstrong,  who  came  to  Illinois  in  1831,  locat- 
ing first  at  Sand  Prairie,  near  I. aeon.  They 
were  driven  out  by  the  (roubles  of  (lie  Black 
Hawk  War  to  the  fort  in  Putnam  County.  HI., 
but  returned  to  their  home  when  hostilities 
were  over.  Perry  A.  Armstrong  began  his  busi- 
ness career  in  1830,  but  later  resumed  his 
studies,  and  in  1S42  arrived  at  Morris,  on  foot, 
his  object  being  to  assume  the  duties  of  book- 
keeper for  William  Armstrong  and  to  study  law. 
Still  later  he  returned  to  the  farm,  but  in  Octo- 
ber. 1S44,  came  back  to  Morris,  which  place 
continued  to  be  his  home  the  remainder  of  his 
life.  Here  he  opened  a  store,  and  in  fsp;  built 
a  structure  designed  for  mercantile  purposes, 
and  in  it  carried  a  stock  of  goods  and  kept 
the  tiost  office,  he  being  appointed  postmaster 
by  President  Polk.  When  the  Mexican  War 
was  declared,  Mr.  Armstrong  raised  a  company, 
of  which  lie  was  made  captain,  but  its  services 
were  not  needed,  peace  having  been  declared. 
He  held  many  offices,  among  them  being  justice 
of  the  peace  ami  supervisor,  and  as  one  of  the 
State    Auditor's   staff    in    ls.~,2,    he    selected    the 


756 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


lands  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad;  with 
others  drew  the  charter  of  that  road,  and  also 
that  of  the  Chicago,  Hock  Island  &  Paeilic  Kail- 
road;  and  as  assistant  engineer  ran  (Ik-  transit 
road  from  Juliet  to  Ottawa,  and  also  the  level 
from  Tiskihva  to  Geneseo.  Following  this  he 
was  engaged  in  surveying  for  the  Chicago,  Bur- 
lington &  Quincy  Railroad.  Mr.  Armstrong  then 
was  general  manager -for  Judge  Hopkins  until 
he  was  appointed  to  survey  and  select  the  swamp 
lands  of  Grundy  County  according  to  Act  of 
Congress  of  September  2S,  lSf>0,  but  made  no 
money  at  the  work.  Having  completed  the 
survey,  Mr.  Armstrong  procured  the  passage 
through  the  Legislature  of  an  act  he  prepared 
authorizing  the  sale  of  the  swamp  lands,  and 
sold  them  in  IStiu  for  $23,724.02.  Mr.  Arm- 
strong also  served  as  County  Clerk  of  Grundy 
County,  and  in  lSCil  was  elected  a  member  of 
the  State  Constitutional  Convention.  The  fol- 
lowing year  he  was  elected  to  the  Legislature, 
and  in  1S72  was  re-elected  to  the  same  office, 
during  that  session  serving  en  the  Judiciary. 
Railroad  and  Judicial  Department  committees. 
In  the  meanwhile,  in  1SG5,  he  had  been  ad- 
mitted to  the  har,  and  had  become  the  author 
of  some  important  laws,  including  the  jury 
law,  county  court  law  and  escheat  law.  and 
had  materially  revised  the  criminal  code  and 
road  and  bridge  laws.  In  ISO'S  he  formed  a 
five-year  partnership  with  Judge  R.  Olin,  and 
in  1S7G  was  appointed  Master-in-Chanccry.  In 
IS77  he  was  made  a  trustee'  of  the  Illinois 
Charitable  Eye  and  Ear  Infirmary,  and  at  the 
same  time  was  a  school  director,  remaining  on 
the  board  for  seven  years.  While  on  the  board 
he  served  it  as  clerk,  and  assisted  in  negotiat- 
ing the  school  bonds.  Mr.  Armstrong  was  a 
man  of  varied  lastes  ami  talents,  and  did  much 
to  develop  the  geology  of  Grundy  County,  and 
was  a  recognized  authority  on  the  history  of 
his  part  of  the  State.  Twice  married,  his  first 
wife  was  Mary  J.  Borbidge  of  Pittsburg,  Pa., 
whom  he  married  December  22,  lS-Ri.  She 
died  in  1802  leaving  three  sons:  Charles  D.. 
Elwood  and  William  F.  In  1SG3  he  married 
Malina  J.  Eldredge  of  Piano.  111.,  and  they  had 
two  sons,  Frank  and  Perry. 

ARMSTRONG,  William  Elder,  third  son  of 
Joseph  and  Elsie  (Strawn)  Armstrong,  was 
born  in  Licking  County,  Ohio,  October  25-,  1S14, 
and  died  while  visiting  bis  mother  at  Deer  Park, 
La  Salle  County,  111.,  November  2,  1SF>0.  In 
ISol  he  came  to  Illinois,  and  to  Grundy  County 
in  1837,  being  attracted  here  by  the  letting 
of  contracts  for  tin1  erection  of  the  canal, 
securing  contracts  for  two  sections  near  the 
present  site  of  Morris,  as  well  as  others  out- 
side Orundy  County.  Mr.,  or  as  he  was  famil- 
iarly known.  Captain,  Armstrong  served  Grundy 
County  as  its  first  Sheriff,  and  also  collected 
the  taxes  of  the  county.  When  the  county 
was  created,  Captain  Armstrong  was  made  one 
of  the  commissioners  to  select  the  county  seat, 
and  while  this  question  was  being  settled,  court 
was    held    in    his    cabin.      Captain    Armstrong 


also  owned  and  operated  a  ferry  across  the 
rive]-.  He  erected  at  his  own  expense  a  wooden 
building  to  serve  as  a  court  house,  and  a  hotel 
which  he  named  the  Grundy  Hotel.  In  it  he 
entertained  such  men  as  Lincoln,  Douglas,  Ford, 
Reynolds,  Wentworth  and  Judges  Young, 
Smith.  Henderson,  Cuton  and  David  Davis. 
In  spite  of  all  he  did  for  Morris  and  Grundy 
County,  he  lost  nil  that  he-  had  on  account  of 
(he  depreciation  in  value  of  canal  script,  which 
he  was  compelled  to  lake  in  payment  for  the 
work  he  did  on  the  canal.  He  hail  paid  his 
men  in  real  money  for  their  work,  and  the 
State  not  meeting  its  obligation  to  him.  as  it 
had  no  funds  tor  that  purpose,  he  died  a  poor 
man.  On  February  ('.  1S3G,  he  married  .Miss 
Sarah  Ann  Strawn,  and  they  had  two  daugh- 
ters, namely:    Jemima  K..  and  Emma  D. 

ASHTON,  Jacob  (deceased),  was  for  many  years 
a  resident  of  Grundy  County,  and  was  horn  in 
Delaware  County,  Pa.,  in  1^2'J,  but  he  came 
to  Grundy  County  in  l.S'ol,  and  for  three  years 
thereafter  carried  on  farming  in  Nettle  Creek 
Township.  He  then  went  to  Wauponsce  Town- 
ship and  there  rounded  out  his  life,  dying  Feb- 
ruary -7.  fs'aT.  lie  married  Rachel  Ilager, 
and  they  had  three  children,  namelv  :  William 
Ashton,  John  A.  Ashton,  and  Sarah  Levina,  the 
latter   heing  deceased. 

ASHTON,  James,  Jr.— Grundy  County  is  largely 
agricultural,  but  its  prosperous  towns,  its  many 
manufactories,  its  schools  and  its  churches 
prove  that  a  vigorous  life  underlies  every 
activity,  although  here,  as  in  every  section  of 
the  earth,  dependence  is  naturally  placed  on 
the  products  of  the  laud  and  the  labor  of  those 
who  develop  it.  It  makes  no  difference  in  what 
way  men  toil,  or  how  much  they  achieve  in 
any  direction,  they  must  all  he  fed.  and  it  is 
the  farmer,  in  the  background,  who  furnishes 
the  food  products.  In  Grundy  County  there 
are  found  numerous  contented  owners  of  land, 
who  intelligently  and  willingly  carry  on  the 
peaceful  pursuits  of  agriculture,  and  although 
they  may  not  seek  such  a  term  of  approbation, 
are,  nevertheless,  benefactors  (.if  mankind.  They 
are  usually  men  of  strong  intellect  and  sturdy 
body,  qualified  lor  public  service,  for  the  proper 
cultivation  of  the  soil  and  a  realization  of  its 
utmost,  yield,  require  knowledge  on  many  sub- 
jects. One  of  the  younger  generation  of  agri- 
culturists in  Grundy  County,  who  is  meeting 
with  success  as  a  grain  grower  is  James  Ash- 
ton, Jr.,  of  Saratoga  Township.  He  was  born 
at  Morris,  111..  May  10.  1879,  and  is  a  sou 
of  James  and   Harriett    (McKenzie)    Ashton. 

Mr.  Ashton  received  ordinary  educational  ad- 
vantages in  the  schools  of  Grundy  County,  and 
was  brought  up  a  farmer,  residing  with  his  par- 
ents until  1-S00,  when  be  embarked  upon  a 
career  of  his  own  on  his  father's  farm.  He 
and  his  wife  specialize  on  raising  White  Leg- 
horn chickens,  having  more  than  S00  all  the 
time.  He  boarded  at  the  home  of  his  brother 
until    his    marriage,    March    5,    1907,    to    Miss 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY   COUNTY.  757 

Luella  Hurt,  who  was  bora  at  Morris,  111.,  Oeto-  the    fact    that    exceptional    educational    advan- 

ber  12,   1SS6,  a  daughter   of  Daniel   and   Mary  tages,  tiuaucial  assistance  or  influential  friends 

(Sargant)     lloyt.      To    this    union    there    have  are  not   necessarily  essential   to  the  youh  who 

been  born  two  sons,  namely:    Raymond  Irving,  is    seeking   fortune   and    position,    but    that    in- 

ou  March  S,  1908,  and  Dorothy  M.,  on  May  21,  dustry  and   energy,  properly  directed  and   com- 

1013.     Mr.  Ashton  is  known  as  a  skilled  farmer  bined  with   honesty  and   integrity,  will  not   fail 

and  a   steady,   reliable  citizen.     He  lias   at   all  to  reward   the  persevering  youth   with  success. 

times  shown  a  commendable  willingness  to  aid  Mr.    Bahuer  is  a   native  of  the   Hoosier   State, 

in  the  advancement  of  his  county,  and  through  having  been  born  in  the  city  of  Logansport,  De- 

houorable  dealing  has  gained  a   reputation    for  eember    10",    180*1,    a    son    of    Christopher    and 

integrity.     He  votes  with  the  Republican  party  Elizabeth     (Heileman)     Hahuer.      His    parents, 

and    his    religious    faith    is    that    of   the    Metli-  natives  of  Wurttemberg,  Germauy,  emigrated  to 

odist  Episcopal  Church.  the    fnited    States   as   young   people,   and    soon 

met  and  married  in  Pittsburgh,  l'a.     Later  they 

ASHTON,    James.— Grundy    County    land    has  removed   to    Hannibal,   Mo.,    where   Mr.    "Calmer 

proven    an    excellent    investment    of    both    time  was  engaged  in  the  banking  business  for  some 

and    money,    and    those    foresighted    enough    to  years,   hut    finally   settled    in    Logansport,    Ind., 

secure  farms  before   the  price  increased   to  its  and    there    his    death    occurred    in    September, 

present   quotations,    have   been   able   to   acquire  1872,   the   mother   passing  away   the   year   pre- 

a    desirable   competency.      One    of    the    success-  viously. 

ful  agriculturalists  of  Grundy  County,  now  Theodore  R.  Banner  received  but  slight  edu- 
living  retired  at  Morris,  is  James  Ashton.  He  cational  advantages,  as  be  was  but  eleven  years 
was  born  in  Delaware  County.  Pa.,  in  Septeni-  of  age  when  his  father  died,  and  he  at  once 
ber.  1S31,  a  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Shaw)  went  to  work  in  the  baking  business  of  his 
Ashton.  John  Ashton  was  bom  in  England  guardian,  lie  continued  therein  for  nine  years 
and  in  1S27  came  to  Pennsylvania  where  he  in  Logansport,  and  then  went  to  Kenton.  Ind., 
worked  in  a  factory  until  1851.  In  the  lat-  for  two  years,  and  in  1883  came  to  Morris,  III., 
ter  year  he  moved  to  Lisbon,  Kendall  County.  where  he  worked  for  one  year  for  Mr.  South- 
Ill.,  and  there  bought  a  farm.  He  died  on  comb  in  the  livery  business.  Succeeding  this  he 
that  place  in  1S72,  being  at  that  time  the  old-  was  employed  by  II.  II.  Hamilton  in  his  meat 
est  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows"  lodge  in  Mor-  market,  and  in  l^s7  went  to  work  for  Wagner 
ris.  vV  Loraman.  On  July  1.  1890,  with  Mr.  Dor- 
James  Ashton  was  brought  up  on  a  farm  and  aman  he  bought  the  business,  but  in  the  fol- 
received  a  common  school  education.  T'ntil  his  lowing  March  disposed  of  his  interest  to  his 
marriage,  he  lived  with  his  parents,  but  fol-  partner  and  went  to  Omaha,  Neb.,  where  he 
lowing  that  event  went  to  Nettle  Creek  Town-  worked  in  a  meat  market  until  November,  1892, 
ship  and  rented  a  farm  for  a  few  years.  He  when  he  returned  to  Morris  and  again  engaged 
then  bought  two  farms  comprising  320  acres.  in  business  with  Mr.  Loraman,  this  partnership 
in  Wauponsee  Township,  and,  moving  upon  one,  continuing  until  Mr.  Loraman's  death.  Since 
operated  it.  and  rented  the  other.  In  1SS9  he  that  time  Mi'.  Hahner  has  continued  the  busi- 
nioved  to  Morris,  building  his  handsome  resi-  ness  alone,  and  in  the  haudling  of  meats  and 
deuce  which  has  all  modern  improvements,  and  provisions  has  met  with  a  decided  success, 
is  one  of  the  best  in  the  city.  Later,  he  sold  His  industry  has  been  constant,  Ills  integrity 
his  two  farms,  and  in  1 S! »T  bought  3-JH  acres  unquestioned  and  his  good  management  has 
in  Saratoga  Township,  renting  a  portion  of  the  served  to  make  the  business  one  of  the  leading 
farm  to  a  son  and  the  balance  to  an  outside  enterprises  of  Morris.  lie  has  not  failed  in 
party,  as  be  has  lived  retired  since  coming  to  his  duties  as  a  citizen  and  since  18*9  has 
Morris.  been  a  member  of  the  Mcrris  Fire  Department. 
On  March  25.  IsdO.  Mr.  Ashton  was  married  In  May.  1*91,  Mr.  Rahner  was  married  to 
to  Harri<d  McKiuzie.  horn  in  Shelby  County,  Miss  Agnes  Robinson,  daughter  of  Noble  and 
Ind..  daughter  of  William  and  Sophia  (Speel-  Isabelle  (Lindsey)  Robinson,  of  Morris,  and 
man)  McKiuzie  of  Indiana.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ash-  to  this  union  there  have  come  two  children: 
ton  have  hail  the  following  children:  Wil-  Arthur  Raymond  and  Isabelle  Robinson.  Mr. 
linm  J.,  residing  on  N.  Liberty  street.  Morris:  and  Mrs.  Banner  are  consistent  members  and 
Bert,  residing  on  X.  Wauponsee  street.  Morris.  liberal  supporters  of  the  German  Lutheran 
has  one  son.  Harold:  James,  living  on  a  farm.  Church.  In  political  matters  he  is  a  Repnb- 
bas  two  children  Raymond  and  Dorothy;  and  lican.  and  his  fraternal  affiliation  is  with  the 
Fred,  of  Morris.  Mr.  Ashton  is  a  Methodist  in  Knights  of  the  Maccabees.  Lodge  No.  20.") ;  Mod- 
church  connection,  ami  politically  is  a  Repuh-  ern  Woodmen  of  America.  Lodge  No.  281,  and 
lican.  Ever  since  moving  to  Morris.  Mr.  Ash-  star  Lodge  No.  75,  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
ton  has  been  interested  in  the  development  of  Fellows. 
the   city,   and    is   justly   regarded    as  one   of   its 

most    representative   men.   while   i„.   js  a    recog-  BAKER,  Henry  L,  has  been  identified  with  the 

nized  authority    upon    agricultural    matters.  interests   of   Vienna  Township   for  more  than   a 

quarter  of  a  century  and  has  contributed  to  its 

BAHNER,  Theodore  R— In  the  career  of  Then-  material    progress    and    prosperity    to   an    extent 

dore  R.  Banner,  of  Morris,  here  is  exemplified  surpassed    by    but    few    of    bis   "contemporaries. 


75S  HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

One  of  the  large  lam]  owners  of  the  township,  toga  Township.  His  birtli  took  place  Julv  11. 
he  has  also  advanced  the  general  welfare  by  1S5S,  a  son  of  Henrv  and  Sarah  (Ilalkyard) 
his  connection  with  pulilie  interests,  and  his  Baker,  natives  of  England.  The  maternal 
life  furnishes  a  striking  example  of  the  wise  grandparents.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ilalkyard,  settled 
application  of  sound  principles  and  safe  con-  on  land  in  the  vicinity  of  Morris* at  an  early 
servatism.  Mr.  Baker  is  a  native  of  La  Salle  day.  being  farming  people.  Henry  Baker  came 
County,  111.,  and  was  horn  October  14,  1N(>4.  a  to  New  York  stale  about  1S40.  a  few  years 
son  of  Henry  T.  and  Lena  (Gebeke)  Baker,  of  afterward  coming  to  rilinois.  was  married  in 
Hanover.  Germany.  In  1S50  Henry  T.  Baker  Aux  Sable  Township,  Grundy  County,  to  Sarah 
took  a  sailing  vessel  to  New  Orleans.  La.,  and  Ilalkyard.  They  located  on' the  farm  in  Sara- 
after  a  few  mouths  in  that  city  came  up  the  toga  Township  'now  owned  by  William  Baker, 
Mississippi  river,  and  located  in  Illinois,  start-  their  son.  The  father  farmed  this  property  until 
ing  to  work  by  the  month.  In  LSG3.  having  1NS7,  when  he  moved  to  Aurora.  111.,  and'  there 
accumulated  enough  money,  lie  sent  for  his  died  in  ISOo,  his  wife  having  passed  away  in 
sweetheart,  who  was  awaiting  his  summons,  in  1S90. 

Germany,  and  upon  her  arrival  they  were  mar-  William    Baker   attended    the   district    schools 

ried  at  Ottawa,  111.     Succeeding  this  Mr.  Baker  and  grew  up  on  the  farm,  assisting  his  father 

rented   land    for  two  years   and- then    moved   to  until    his    marriage.      He    then    rented    a    farm 

a    farm    in    Vienna    Township,    Grundy    County.  in    Aux    Sable   Township    for    two    years,    when 

which    was    then    but    poorly    improved.      Here  he    returned    to    the    homestead,    and    when    his 

the  remainder  of  his  life  was  passed,  and  when  parents    moved    to    Aurora,    he    purchased    the 

he  died,  in  1905,  he  was  the  owner  of  300  acres  property,    on     which    lie    has    made     many    im 

of  highly-improved   land  on  the  home  place,  in  provemonts.    and    carries    on    general,    farming 

addition   to  eighty  acres  in  Livingston   County.  and    raises    horses.      On    March    28,    INS::,    Mr! 

111.      The    mother    passed    away    in    the    fall    of  Baker  was  married  to  Sarah  Lord,  born  in  Eng- 

1011'.      Mr.    and    Mrs.    Baker    were   the    parents  land.    June   21,    lSr>2.    daughter    of    Robert    and 

of  these  children:    Henry  J.;  Sophia,  who  mar-  Alice   (Cool)    Lord.     In   March.  1SS3,  Mrs.   Lord 

ried  Herman  Smith,  of  Livingston  County.  111.;  came    to    live   with    Mr.    and    Mrs.    Bake]-,    and 

William     V..     residing     in     Vienna     Township;  here  died.  August   10.   IML.'.     she  owned  eighty 

George,  of  Whiteside  County.    111.:  and   Emma,  acres    of    land    in    Kendall    County    which    Mr. 

who  died  at  the  age  of  nine  years.  Baker    operated.      Mr.    and    Mrs.'  Baker    have 

Henry  J.   Baker  was  given   good  educational  no  children.     While  living  in  Aux   Sable  Town-' 

advantages,    attending    the     German    school    at  ship.   Mr.    Baker  joined    the   Methodist   Church, 

Ottawa   for  one  year  and   the  Vienna   Township  and  has  been  a  trustee  of  it  since  ism).     Boliti- 

public    schools.      He    resided    with    his    parents  cally    he    is   a    Republican   and   has    been    path- 

until    his   marriage.    March    17.    1SS9.    to   Adella  master   and    held    other   offices,      lie    is    a    man 

Bush,  who  was  born  in  this  township,  a   daugh-  widely  and   favorably  known  and  is  universally 

ter   of   George    Bush,    of    Germany.      After    his  respected    because    of    his    high    character    and 

marriage,  Mr.  Baker  moved  to  his  lather's  north  good  business   ability. 
farm,   on    which   he   resided    for   two  years,    at 

the  end  of  which  time  his  parents  removed  to  BALMA,  Joseph. — In  seeking  the  reason  for 
Streator  and  he  took-  up  his  residence  on  the  personal  success,  one  invariably  finds  thai  the 
home  farm.  At  his  father's  death  he  inherited  men  who  rise  to  positions  above  their  fellows 
160. acres  of  this  land,  and  to  it  he  has  since  are  those  who  have  kept  at  what  they  started 
added  eighty  acres,  he  and  his  sons  working  out  to  accomplish,  and  through  sheer  perse- 
all  of  this  land,  in  addition  to  eighty  acres  verance  have  finally  reached  their  goal,  and 
which  he  rents.  He  is  a  skilled,  progressive  one  whose  name  may  be  mentioned  in  this  con- 
farmer,  modern  in  his  ideas  and  methods,  and  nection  is  Joseph  Balma,  miner  and  pit  boss  at 
is  an  excellent  judge  of  stock.  Mr.  Baker's  Eileen,  who  was  born  in  Northern  Italy  in 
high  position  in  the  esteem  of  his  fellows  evi-  1SS1,  a  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Cenitto) 
deuces  the  fact  that  he  has  led  a  life  of  integ-  Balma.  His  father,  a  farmer  by  occupation, 
rity  and  honorable  dealing.  He  is  a  faithful  came  to  America  in  3S92.  settling  in  Coal  City, 
member  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  has  shown  Ilk.  where  he  entered  the  mines,  there  con- 
independent  tendencies  in  politics.  He  has  not  tinning  until  his  retirement.  He  is  the  father 
cared  for  public  office,  but  for  twelve  years  of  eleven  children:  John.  Joseph,  Louis.  Mike, 
discharged  the  duties  of  citizenship  by  serving  Peter.  Pattista,  Angeleno,  Laura,  Anna,  and 
as  a   member  of  the   board   of  school    directors.  two  who  died  in   infancy. 

Six   children    have   been    born   to   Mr.   and    Mrs.  Joseph    Balma    attended    school    and    assisted 

Baker:      Frederick    W..    Clara    Anna    M..    Lena  on    a    farm    in    his    native    country    until    1S92, 

C, "Jesse  G..  Louis  E.  and  A.  Irene  M.  when,    at    the    age    of    eleven,    the    family    em- 
barked for"  America.     T'pon  his  arrival  in  Coal 

BAKER,  William.— Many  of  the  most  substan-  City  he  entered  the  mines  with  his  father  and 

tial  agriculturalists  of  Grundy  County  are  sue-  lias  been  engaged  in  mining  ever  since.  On  April 

cessfnllv  operating  the  old  homesteads  of  their  2.  1010.  Mr.  Balma  was  united  in  marriage  with 

.parents,   of   which    they    have   become   the   own-  Julia    Rissardo.  -a    native   of   Italy,   and   to   this 

ers.   and    one   of   those   who  owns    the   farm    on  union    have    been    born    two    children,    namely: 

which  he  was  born,  is  William  Baker  of  Sara-  Mary  and  James.     Mr.  Balma   is  affiliated  with 


' 


- 


9f?&ffm     C/.    rJ/,yr/ 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


759 


the  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Knights  <>f  Pythias. 
His  political  convictions  are  Republican,  and 
since  his  election  in  1009  he  h;is  been  Mayor 
of  Eileen,  and  is  considered  one  of  the  leading 
young  men  of  the  village. 

BARGO,  Elmer.— The  fundamental  industry  of 
farming  is  becoming  generally  recognized  as 
being  so  important  as  to  loom  up  large  among 
other  callings  of  the  world.  Xot  only  are  all 
the  leading  colleges  and  universities  including 
agricultural  departments  in  their  courses  of 
study,  but  there  are  a  number  of  educational 
institutions  which  are  devoted  to  the  science  of 
agriculture.  The  government  ol  each  state,  fol- 
lowing the  example  of  the  national  government, 
is  giving  attention  to  the  encouragement  of 
farmers,  and  the  men  who  till  the  soil  are  feel- 
ing the  effect  of  this  universal  impetus,  and 
working  accordingly.  One  of  the  substantial 
agriculturalists  ol  Grundy  County  whose  fer- 
tile farm  shows  the  effect  of  his  adoption  of 
modern  methods  is  Elmer  Bargo  of  Goose  Lake 
Township.  Mr.  Bargo  was  horn  in  Wauponsee 
Township,  in  January.  ]s?0,  a  son  of  Joseph 
and  Sarah  (Carpenter)  Bargo,  natives  of  Can- 
ada and  Indiana,  respectively.  The  father 
came  to  Morris.  11!.,  with  an  aunt  after  the 
death  of  his  mother.  The  maternal  grandpar- 
ents, Reese  and  Emily  (Smith)  Carpenter  of 
Ohio,  came  to  Goose  Lake  Township  during 
the  Civil  War.  and  lived  on  forty  acres  of 
land  there.  Joseph  Bargo  and  Sarah  Car- 
penter met  in  Goose  Lake  Township,  where 
they  married,  ami  then  settled  in  Wauponsee 
Township,  living  there  until  Isv.i,  when  they 
moved  to  Goose  Lake  Township,  which  con- 
tinues  to  be   their   hoaie. 

Elmer  Bargo  grew  up  in  Wauponsee  Town- 
ship, where  he  attended  the  district  schools,  and 
learned  to  farm.  On  August  29,  1S99,  he  was 
married  to  Maggie  I'erry,  born  in  Goose  Lake 
Township,  daughter  of  George  and  Mary  (Wat- 
son) I'erry.  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in 
Ohio.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bargo  are  the  parents  of 
three  children:  Kollin,  Mildred  and  Alice.  Prior 
to  his  marriage.  Mr.  Largo  had  lived  with  his 
parents,  but  immediately  thereafter  bought  a 
farm  of  lit')  acres  in  Goose  Lake  Township, 
where  lie-  has  since  resided,  carrying  on  gen- 
eral farming  in  a  very  successful  manner.  In 
polities  he  is  a  Republican,  and  served  three 
years  as  road  commissioner,  and  lias  been 
township  collector  since  1007.  A  man  of  enter- 
prise, he  has  forged  ahead,  and  now  stands 
high  among  his  fellow  agriculturalists  of  Grundy 
County. 

BARROWS,  Lewis  S.  (deceased).— Xo  man  can 
live  out  his  life  without  having  a  strong  influ- 
ence over  his  associates,  and  fortunate  indeed 
for  the  community  is  it  when  this  power  over 
the  destinies  of  others  is  a  good  one.  The 
late  Lewis  S.  Barrows  was  a  man  who  sought 
to  better  his  associates,  although  he  never 
tried  to  force  his  opinions  upon  them.  Fie 
was  born  at  Newark,  Kendall  County,  111..  April 


21,  1S4S,  son  of  Hiram  and  Maria  (Sears)  Bar- 
rows. Until  he  was  eighteen  years  old  he 
remained  in  his  native  place,  and  was  educated 
in  the  local  schools.  At  that  time  he  came  to 
Morris  and  followed  the  trade  of  a  tinner  until 
1$7G.  A  year  later, -on  March  1,  isTT,  he 
passed  away,  firm  in  the  faith  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church. 

On  December  25,  IST2.  Mr.  Barrows  was 
married  to  Anna  Hamilton,  daughter  of  Samuel 
and  Ami  (McXown)  Hamilton.  Mrs.  Barrows 
was  born  in  Orustown,  Canada,  April  I'M,  1850, 
and  came  to  Grundy  County  when  fifteen  years 
Old.  The  parents  died  in  Canada,  but  of  their 
fifteen  children,  tour  died  in  Canada,  and  eleven 
(ante  to  Grundy  County,  and  eight  are  still 
living.  One  sister,  Mrs.  Thomas  Hischliffe, 
lives  near  the  Centre  School,  on  Sahin  street, 
Morris.  Mrs.  Barrows  has  one  son,  Lewis  S., 
horn  at  Morris,  July  29,  LSTO.  He  is  bookkeeper 
for  the  Morris  Grain  Company.  His  wife,  who 
bore  the  maiden  name  of  Mary  Pattison,  died 
August  Is,  1005,  aged  twenty-nine  years.  She 
was  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Pattison.  Her  re- 
mains are  laid  to  rest  in  Evergreen  Cemetery. 
Mrs.  Barrows  is  survived  by  her  husband  and 
their  one  child.  Josephine,  horn  June  Uo,  1905, 
now  a  student  in  the  public  schools.  She  and 
her  father  live  with  his  mother.  At  the  time 
of  his  death  Mr.  Barrows  was  a  member  of 
the  Morris  Volunteer  Lire  Company,  and  at 
that  period  they  still  bad  the  old  hand  pump 
engine.  He  belonged  to  the  odd  Fellows,  and 
had  passed  all  the  chairs.  An  earnest,  hard- 
working man,  he  made  and  retained  his  friends, 
and  his  loss  was  deeply  felt  in  the  community 
that   had  been   his  home. 

BARSCHD0RF,  Charles.— Maine  Township  is 
fortunate  in  numbering  so  many  native-born 
Germans  among  its  population,  for  there  are  no 
better  citizens  to  be  found  anywhere  than  those 
who  come  from  the  Fatherland.  C'has.  Bar- 
schdorf,  native  of  Schlesien,  Germany,  born  July 
11,  1S44,  is  representative  of  this  type,  and 
is  a  son  of  Charles  and  Anistina  (Th'tel)  Bar- 
schdorf,  natives  of  Germany,  who  lived  and 
died  there,  the  former  about  1SS7,  and  the  lat- 
ter in  1S93.  The  father  followed  the  trade  of 
plasterer  contractor.  He  and  his  wife  were 
the  parents  of  ten  children,  namely:  August, 
who  is  deceased;  Bertha,  who  is  a  resident 
of  Maine  Township:  Charles;  Ernest,  who  is 
deceased:  Herman;  William;  and  Henry,  Fred, 
Anna   and   Agnes,   who  are  deceased. 

Charles  Barschdorf  worked  on  the  farm  and 
attended  school  in  bis  native  country,  later 
being  employed  in  the  mines  there.  ■  In  1S(!S 
he  married  Anistina  Eraser,  native  of  Schlesien. 
and  to  this  union  were  born  fifteen  children, 
tive  of  whom  survive:  Bertha,  who  married 
Henry  Facnicla,  has  ten  children:  Charley; 
Anna,  who  is  a  resident  of  Coal  City,  married 
William  Lohmar,  and  has  four  children  :  Ida. 
who  is  living  in  Iowa,  married  Henry  Maash. 
and  has  ten  children  :  and  lien  rich,  who  is  a 
farmer    of    Maine     Township,    married    Laura 


760  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

Boles  and  lias  two  children.  Mr.  Barsehdorf  has  not  connected  himself  with  any  organiza- 
c-aine  to  this  country  in  1S70,  settling  in  Coal  tion  of  a  religious  nature.  In  addition  to  organ- 
City,  where  ho  worked  in  the  mines  until  1901,  izing  the  first  telephone  exchange  of  Grundy 
at  which  time  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  County,  he  also  organized  one  of  the  host 
land  in  Maine  Township,  where  he  resides  and  hands  Morris  ever  possessed,  and  kept  it  to- 
carries  on  general  farming.  The  Lutheran  gether  lor  three  years.  He  also  organized  the 
Church  holds  Mr.  Barsehdorf's  membership.  Grundy  County  Club  of  Chicago,  and  from  it 
Politically  he  is  a  Republican.  Live  and  ener-  organized  a  Home  Coming  day  at  Morris,  when 
getie,  understanding  thoroughly  the  work  he  many  residents  of  Chicago,  formerly  of  Grundy, 
has  so  well  in  hand.  Mr.  Barsehdorf  is  one  of  returned  to  the  County  Seat. 
the  best  examples  of  a  modern  Illinois  farmer  In  September,  1SS1,  he  married  Fannie  Zim- 
as  can   be  found   in   the  entire   Slate.  merman,    horn    in    Grundy    County.    111.,    where 

her   people,   both    deceased,   were   residents   for 

BARTLETT,   George   W.— It   is   an    observable  many    years.      Mr.    and    Mrs.    Bartlett    have    a 

faet     that     many     of     those     who     are     native  daughter,  Carrie  May.  who  is  the  wife  of  Alfred 

sous  of  "Little  Grundy,"  as  Grundy  County   is  M.  Bourgo,  assistant  postmaster  of  Joliet.     She 

affectionately  called,  retain  their  old  love  for  it  is    an   active    church    member   and    worker   and 

even     after    leaving     for     larger    communities.  belongs  to  the  Eastern  Star.     Her  husband  is  a 

George  W.  Bartlett.  who  is  now  a    resident   of  member  ol'  the  Masonic  and  Knights  of  Pythias 

Chicago,    belongs    to    this    class,    and    still    con-  lodges. 
tinues   to    work    foi    the    welfare    of    his    native 

county.  He  has  a  list  of  fifteen  hundred  people  BARTLETT,  Herman  S.— Grundy  County  is  ad- 
now  residing  at  Chicago  who  once  lived  in  mirably  suited  for  farming  and'  slock  'raisin-, 
Morris,  or  other  parts  of  Grundy  County,  and  not  only  on  account  of  climatic  conditions  and 
among  them  are  school  teachers,  dentists,  the  fertility  of  the  soil,  but  also  because  of  its 
physicians,  lawyers,  a  judge  and  members  of  location  with  regard  to  the  second  largest  city 
the  police  force,  and  it  is  his  contention  that  all  in  the  country.  Farmers  can  find  a  readv  mar- 
are  still  interested  in  the  growth  and  develop-  ]<et  for  their  produce,  and  this  is  a  very  im- 
inent  of  the  place  from  which  tlie,\  came.  portant  raptor  in  determining  the  selection  of 
George  W.  Bartlett  was  born  at  Morris,  111.,  agriculture  as  a  lit.-  work.  One  of  the  'sub- 
December  20,  1S50,  a  son  of  Nathaniel  and  stantial  men  of  Grundy  County  who  has 
Emily  Bartlett,  both  of  whom  are  deceased.  achieved  desirable  results  from  his  farm  is 
Nathaniel  Bartlett  was  a  member  of  the  lire  Herman  s.  Bartlett  of  Wauponsee  Township, 
department  when  hand  power  was  used  and  ]\v  was  born  at  Ox  Bow,  this  same  township, 
was  the  lirsl  man  to  turn  on  steam  to  the  engine  December  15.  1*72,  a  son  of  Jonas  and  Luna 
"Shabbona."      One    of    his    sons    is    an    expert  (Wilkins)  Bartlett. 

watchmaker  at  Chicago,  and  another  is  a  Growing  up  on  the  homestead  of  his  father. 
farmer  of  Will  County.  Tin-  Bartlett  family  Herman  S.  Bartlett  attended  the  schools  of  his 
was  one  of  the  first  to  locate  in  Grundy  County,  neighborhood,  and  learned  farming  from  the 
its  representatives  settling  first  on  a  farm  north  bottom  up.  Having  a  natural  inclination  for 
of  Morris.  the  work  it  was  natural  that  he  should  de- 
George  W.  Bartlett  attended  (he  public  vore  himself  to  it,  and  he  now  owns  a  line 
schools  of  Morris,  and  was  a  newsboy.  During  farm  in  Wauponsee  Township,  just  west  of  the 
the  time  of  the  Chicago  tire  in  1S71  he  sold  old  homestead,  on  which  he  lives  at  present, 
papers  when  they  had  to  come  from  St.  Louis,  ami  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  rais- 
for  twenty-five  cents  each,  lie  also  worked  in  inu  on  all  the  land.  His  property  is  a  desirable 
the  first  factory  at  Morris  to  manufacture  one  and  he  takes  a  pride  in  keeping  everything 
soda  water.  Later  he  learned  telegraphy,  but  up  to  standard.  On  December  28,  ISOo  Mr.  Bart- 
did  not  work  at  his  calling.  Mr.  Bartlett  was  left  was  married  to  Flora  Ayrsman,  horn  in 
superintendent  of  the  gas  plant,  and  was  the  McLean  County.  111..  September  LI.  1^77.  a 
organizer  of  the  telephone  system  in  Grundy  daughter  of  Christian  and  Barbara  Ayrsman.' 
County;  be  not  only  bad  the  first  telephone,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bartlett  have  three  children: 
but  was  manager  of  the  exchange  at  Morris.  Clarence,  born  June  14,  1S97 ;  Myron,  born  March 
On  November  2o.  1SS9,  he  left  Morris  for  Joliet,  in,  1M»M;  and  Gladys,  horn  July  15,  1004.  He 
111.,  and  from  there  came  to  Chicago,  Novem-  is  a  Baptist  in  religious  faith,  and  contributes 
her  15.  1S02,  where  be  still  resides,  his  home  generously  towards  the  support  of  his  church. 
being  at  No.  221  W.  Seventy-second  street,  and  A  Republican  in  polities,  he  has  served  capably 
his  ollices  at  1010-17-1S  Marquette  Buildiug,  ami  conscientiously  as  highway  commissioner 
Chicago,  where  be  is  carrying  on  a  real  estate  for  two  terms,  and  as  township  collector  for 
and  insurance  brokerage  business.  Mr.  Bartlett  the  same  period.  -V  man  of  energy,  he  is  rec- 
has  centered  bis  interests  on  business  affairs,  ognized  as  one  of  the  leading  factors  in  the 
not  taking  any  part  in  politics,  for  he  would  development  of  his  community, 
not  accept   an  office   of  any   kind.     Formerly   a 

Republican,   he   is   now   a    Progressive.      Frater-  BARTLETT,  Jonas  (deceased).— With  the  pass- 

nally   he   is   a    Mason    and    KnLht    of   Pythias.  ing    of    some    of    the    representative    men    of 

In  boyhood   he  attended  the  Methodist   Church  Grundy  County  comes  the  realization  that  there 

Sunday    school    regularly,    but    in    later    years  are  hut    few  of   its   early   settlers   left,   the  ma- 


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. . 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


761 


jority  bavins  been  gathered  lo  their  fathers  in 
the  land  which  needs  no  pioneers.  The  late 
Jonas  Bartlett,  who  passed  away  in  Wauponsee 
Township  on  October  9.  J'.ili',  was  a  man  who 
for  years  commanded  universal  respect,  and  in 
earlier  days  was  associated  with  many  of  the 
leading  men  <>t'  Grundy  County.  lie  was  born 
at  Chesterfield,  X.  II.',  September  4.  1S32,  so 
was  eighty  years  old  at  the  time  of  his  demise. 
Until  the  early  titties  lie  was  content  with  life 
as  he  found  it  in  his  native  place,  bul  then 
sought  his  fortune  in  Illinois.  In  1S37  he  came 
to  Morris,  ill.,  but  soon  thereafter  went  to  Sara- 
toga Township  and  ten  years  later  settled  on 
the  farm  which  was  to  continue  to  be  his  home 
the  remainder  of  his  life,  located  in  Wauponsee 
Township.  Not  alone,  however,  was  .Mr.  Bart- 
lett connected  with  agricultural  matters  for  he 
was  possessed  of  more  than  average  ability,  and 
was  carefully  educated,  so  that  if  "'as  but  nat- 
ural that  he  should  spend  the  winter  months 
instructing  the  young  people  of  his  neighbor- 
hood, ami  is  affectionately  remembered  by  many 
who  went  out  into  the  world  and  achieved  dis- 
tinction, as  their  beloved  teacher.  He  was  an 
efficient  assessor  of  the  township  ami  census 
enumerator  of  the  government.  Before  the  Civil 
War.  he  had  charge  of  the  Gen.  James  A.  Wads- 
worth  estate,  at  Rochester.  X.  Y..  who  was  an 
officer  in  the  Civil  War. 

On  Apill  0.  1S54,  Mr.  Bartletl  married 
Amanda  Crydeiy  who  died  the  following  year. 
leaving  a  sun.  Rufus,  win  developed  into  a  phy- 
sician of  note,  hut,  died  some  five  years  ago 
in  Chicago.  On  March  ti.  ISoT.  Mr.  Bartlett  was 
married  to  Miss  I. una  YVilkins  at  Rloomington. 
111.  She  survived  him  three  months.  Their 
four  sons  were:  William,  who  lives  in  Wau- 
ponsee  Township;  Walter  1'.,  who  is  the  editor 
of  a  paper  in  Fond  du  Lac,  Wis. ;  Burton  .1..  who 
resides  at  Rockford  ;  and  Herman,  who  is  also 
of  Wauponsee  Township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bartlett 
celebrated  their  golden  wedding  anniversary  in 
1007.  which  enjoyable  event  is  remembered  with 
pleasure  by  those  who  attended.  Mr.  Bartlett 
was  the  uncle  of  the  late  .Jessie  Bartlett  Davis, 
the  world-famous  singer,  to  whom  he  was  ten- 
derly attached.  Living  during  tue  epoch-mak- 
ing tiiaes  of  the  Civil  War  and  the  days  preced- 
ing it,  he  was  personally  acquainted  with  Mr. 
Lincoln  and  never  tired  of  relating  events  rela- 
tive to  him.  The  funeral  services  of  Mr.  Bart- 
lett wore  conducted  on  October  10.  1912,  and  in- 
terment was  made  in  the  Sample  cemetery. 

BARTLETT,  William  F. --A  number  of  Grundy 
county  men,  after  engaging  in  various  lines  of 
endeavor,  come  to  the  conclusion  that  there  is 
more  profit  in  tilling  the  soil  in  this  vicinity,  and 
so  devote  their  attention  to  -several  kinds  of 
agricultural  activity.  One  of  the  men  now  en- 
gaged in  farming  and  also  in  growing  fruit 
and  raising  chickens  is  William  F.  Bartlett.  of 
Wauponsee  Township.  Mr.  Bartlett  was  born  in 
Saratoga  Township,  .Inly  10.  1S5S,  a  son  of 
Jonas  and  Luna  (Wilkins)  Bartlett.  early  set- 
tlers of  Grundv  County,   who  resided   in  Wau- 


ponsee Township  for  many  years.  There  the 
father  died   October  0.   1912. 

After  completing  his  course  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  district.  Mr.  Bartlett  attended 
tlte  Morris  Norma]  school,  and  then  studied 
dentistry,  and  afterward  practiced  his  profes- 
sion at  Sheridan.  HI.,  for  a  year,  and  for  two 
years  at  South  Bend.  Ind.  He  then  went  to 
Coal  City,  Grundy  County  and  while  practic- 
ing there,  embarked  in  a  job  printing  business. 
This  grew  so  rapidly  that  he  felt  encouraged  to 
found  the  Coal  City  Xrics,  the  first  newspaper 
in  that  locality.  In  1S9S  lie  sold  his  paper  and 
printing  office,  and  went  to  Chicago,  where  he 
was  a  conductor  on  one  of  the  electric  street 
railroads  for  seven  and  one-half  years.  While 
living  in  Chicago,  he  was  appointed  deputy  as- 
sessor of  Cook  County,  and  faithfully  dis- 
charged the  duties  of  that  important  office.  In 
the  meantime,  however,  he  felt  a  desire  to  uret 
bach  to  the  soil,  and  moved  to  a  farm  of  twenty 
acres  in  Wauponsee  Township,  where  he  is  now 
raising  fruit  and  Plymouth  Rock  chickens,  and 
is  meeting  with  a  well-merited  success. 

Mr.  Bartlett  was  married  March  1.  1SSG.  to 
Sarah  Marshall,  born  in  Goose  Lake  Township, 
daughter  of  William  Marshall.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Bartlett  became  the  parents  of  the  foil. .wing 
children:  Eva,  who  is  .Mrs.  Melvin  T.  Canfield 
of  Antigo,  Wis.;  Alice,  who  is  Mrs.  E.  E.  Fro  ley 
of  Carbon  Hill,  Ilk:  William,  who  died  in  lour,, 
aged  fifteen  years;  and  Ethel,  at  home.  Mr. 
Bartlett  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias  of 
Coal  City.  A  man  broadened  by  experiences 
along  different  business  lines.  Mr.  Bartlett  is 
well  fitted  to  bring  out  of  any  work  in  which  he 
is  engaged,  all  that  there  is  in  it,  and  he  is 
forging  ahead  very  rapidly. 

BARTON,  Hon.  George. — An  alert,  progressive 
and  enterprising  citizen,  alive  to  the  wants  and 
needs  of  his  community.  Mayor  George  Barton, 
of  Braceville,  is  but  vindicating  the  confidence 
placed  in  him  when  he  was  elected  to  the  high- 
est municipal  office  by  his  fellow  townsmen. 
For  the  past  decade  he  has  been  a  resident  of 
this  city,  and  has  become  widely  and  favorably 
known  in  financial  circles  of  Grundy  County  as 
cashier  of  the  People's  Bank.  Like  many  of  the 
successful  men  of  the  county.  Mr.  Barton  is  a 
product  of  the  farm,  having  been  born  on  his 
father's  homestead  in  the  vicinity  of  Keiths- 
burg.  Mercer  County.  Ilk.  in  1S73. 

George  Barton  commenced  his  educational 
training  in  the  country  schools  of  Grundy 
County,  and  was  nine  years  of  age  when 
taken  to  Gardner,  Grundy  County,  and  after 
this  he  attended  the  Gardner  schools  and 
was  graduated  in  LSfH  from  the  Gardner 
High  school.  Succeeding  this  he  adopted 
the  vocal  ion  of  educator,  but  after  live  months 
of  teaching  in  the"  country  schools  gave  up 
that  calling,  and.  in  LSDU  became  bookkeeper 
for  the  Gardner  Wilmington  Coal  Company,  at 
Clark  City.  Ilk.  a  firm  with  which  he  was  con- 
nected   for    the    succeeding    twelve    years.      Mr. 


762 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


Barton  came  to  Braceville  in  1904,  and  at  once 
became  cashier  for  the  People's  Bank,  an  office 
which  he  hold  t<»  the  presenl  time.  This  is  one 
of  the  old  and  substantial  institutions  of 
Grundy  County,  its  proprietors  being  .1.  C.  Lutz 
and  F.  L.  Loot,  well-known  business  men  of 
Gardner,  111.  Mr.  Barton  lias  done  much  to 
popularize  the  coffers  of  this  institution  and  to 
Inspire  confidence  in  its  depositors,  thus  adding 
to  its  prestige  in  the  financial  world.  Always 
a  stalwart  Republican,  he  served  some  time  as 
villa.ee  clerk,  and  in  May.  1013.  was  selected  by 
his  fellow  citizens  to  represent  them  in  the 
mayoralty  chair,  lie  is  giving  them  a  clean, 
sane  and  business-like  administration,  in  which 
there  have  occurred  a  number  of  greatly  needed 
municipal  improvements.  During  his  residence 
in  the  city  he  has  made  numerous  friend-,  in 
business,  financial,  public  and  social  circles,  and 
it  is  doubtful  if  Braceville  has  had  a  inure  popu- 
lar ollicial.  lie  has  been  a  stanch  friend  of  the 
schools,  and  fur  some  time  has  been  a  member 
of  the  Board  of  Education,  -lust  before  coin- 
ing to  Braceville,  in  1904,  .Air.  Barton  was  mar- 
ried in  Gardner,  111.,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Blake, 
who  was  bom  in  Wales  and  reared  and  edu- 
cated in  Gardner.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barton  arc  con- 
sistent  members  of  the  Methodist   Church. 

BARTON,  John,  now  a  justice  of  the  peace  at. 
Gardner,  111.,  and  one  of  the  most  able  men 
holding  this  office  in  Grundy  County,  has  dis- 
charged its  duties  continuously  for  the  past 
nineteen  years.  Iml  otherwise  is  living  retired 
after  years  of  earnest  and  steadfast  endeavor. 
Mr.  Barton  was  horn  November  2G,  1844.  in 
England,  as  were  his  parents  Samuel  and  Ann 
(Bagley)  Barton,  both  of  whom  passed  away  in 
their  native  land,  the  lather  dying  in  the  early 
seventies,  at  Newcastle,  where  he  was  buried. 
The  mother  removed  to  Lincolnshire  where  she 
died  and  is  buried.  These  parents  had  the  fol- 
lowing children:  Sarah:  Francis,  who  married 
Elizabeth  Briggs,  resides  at  Wheaton,  111.; 
John;  Elizabeth,  who  died  at  the  age  of  seven- 
teen years  in  England;  Mary  Ann,  who  died  in 
England;  Henry,  who  died  when  sixty  years 
old,  in  England  ;  Susan,  who  is  married  and  re- 
sides in  England;  Lizzie,  who  is  Mrs.  T.  Bu- 
chanan, lives  in  England,  and  Thomas,  who  died 
in  military  service  in  England. 

In  1ST1  John  Barton  came  to  the  United 
States,  first  living  at  Koithsburg,  Mercer 
County.  111.,  where  for  five  years  he  rented  a 
farm,  but  in  1S7S  he  moved  to  Grundy  County 
and'  continued  to  rent  land  in  the  vicinity  of 
Gardner.  Later  he  disposed  of  his  agricultural 
interests  and  moving  to  Gardner  was  employed 
to  operate  the  machinery  in  the  elevator  at  that 
place.  At  the  expiration  of  some  six  years  Mr. 
Barton  found  himself  impoverished  in  health 
and  pocket,  so  decided  to  rest  until  he  recov- 
ered his  strength.  In  1S01  he  was  elected  as- 
sessor of  Greenfield  Township,  and  in  is'.).'!  he 
was  elected  a  justice  *of  the  peace  which  office 
he  lias  since  held,. 

Mr.   Barton   was   married   in   Mercer   County, 


June  IS.  1S72.  to  Emma  Ball,  a  native  of  Eng- 
land, horn  in  1842,  and  was  brought  to  America 
by  her  parents.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barton  have  had 
live  children  :  George,  who  is  living  at  Brace- 
ville. is  cashier  of  the  People's  Bank  there; 
Mary  Ann  is  the  wife  of  Adam  Xntt.  and  they 
are  living  on  a  farm  near  Braceville;  Lizzie 
and  Lottie,  both  of  whom  are  living  at  home: 
and  Lulu,  who  married  Don  II.  Rogers  and  live 
in  Webster  County,  Iowa.  These  children  were 
all  graduated  from  the  Gardner  High  school, 
and  all.  except  Mrs.  Rogers  have  taught  in  the 
county  schools.  Mr.  Barton  owns  his  comfort- 
able home  al  Gardner.  Politically  he  is  a  Re- 
publican, bul  has  always  given  a  strong  support 
to  the  temperance  cause,  being  a  total  abstainer 
himself.  Lor  many  years  he  was  clerk  of  the 
old  township,  being  its  last  in  fact,  and  the  first 
the  new  township  was  given.  Lis  religious 
affiliations  are  with  the  Methodist  church.  He 
and  his  wife  are  highly  regarded  throughout 
the  neighborhood. 

BAUM,  George  (deceased).-- -A  pioneer  of  Morris 
whose  business  career  was  a  long  and  honored 
one.  George  Baum  was  a  son  of  George  Bamn, 
and  was  born  in  Germany,  January  20,  1S2S. 
He  came  to  Morris  in  1850,  and  worked  for 
others  until  he  established  himself  in  busi- 
ness in  IS03  or  1804.  In  1S77  he  founded  the 
clothing  house  which  bore  his  name  and  de- 
veloped it  into  one  of  the  leading  establish- 
ments of  the  village.  For  a  number  of  years 
he  served  as  an  Alderman,  being  elected  on  the 
Democratic  ticket,  and  for  some  years  was  a 
director  of  the  Cemetery  Association.  In  June, 
1853,  he-  married  Elizabeth  Keiser,  and  their 
children  to  grow  to  maturity  were:  Henry, 
Mrs.  John  Schobert,  and  Annie.  He  belonged 
to  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  in  fraternal  mat- 
ters was  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows. 

BAUM,  Henry  (deceased). — Grundy  County 
never  had  a  more  public-spirited  man  than  the 
late  Henry  Baum  of  Morris,  lie  was  born  in 
Saxony.  Germany,  October  20,  1S34,  a  son  of 
John  Baum,  who  married  a  Miss  Kirclmer. 
After  serving  in  the  German  army,  Henry  Baum 
came  to  America,  being  at  that  time  twenty- 
five  years  old.  He  made  the  trip  in  a  sailing 
vessel  to  Xew  Orleans,  from  whence  he  came 
direct  to  Grundy  County.  A  musician,  he  en- 
listed as  such  in  a  Grundy  County  company, 
when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  having  just 
returned  from  a  short  trip  to  the  South  and 
realizing  therefrom  how  great  was  the  need  of 
the  North  triumphing  in. the  struggle.  After 
serving  and  being  mustered  out,  he  returned  to 
Grundy  County  and  for  years  conducted  a  first 
class  buffet  in  Morris,  but  retired  later.  Dur- 
ing his  long  and  busy  life  he  accumulated  con- 
siderable realty  and  other  property,  and  when 
he  died.  January  12,  189G,  he  was  a  well  to  do 
man.  He  was  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  post, 
and  was  also  prominent  as  an  Oddfellow.  Mr. 
Baum  was  also  a  director  of  the  Cemetery 
association  of  Morris. 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


7G3 


On  January  14,  1SG4,  Mr.  Baum  was  married 
at  .Morris  to  Elizabeth  /.orniinun.  daughter  of 
Jacob  and  Saloma  (Eatel)  Zorrinann,  who  was 
born  in  Bavaria,  <>n  the  Rhine  River.  May  LC, 
1844.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baum  became  the  parents 
of  four  children:  Henry  ami  Louise,  both  de- 
ceased; William  I...  who  is  a  leading  physician 
of  Chicago;  and  Bertha,  who  is  Mis.  A.  IF. 
Hilliker  of  .Morris.  In  1S74  Mr.  Baum  built  his 
beautiful  residence  at  Xo.  -".11  E.  Washington 
street,  Morris,  where  Mrs.  Baum  now  resides. 
A  man  of  sympathetic  impulses,  Mr.  Baum  was 
exceedingly  generous,  anil  many  benefited  from 
his  charity.  Mho  joined  with  his  family  and 
other  friends  in  mourning  his  loss. 

BAUM,  Henry,  one  of  the  leading  merchants  of 
Morris,  and  a  man  whose  public  spirit  has  made 
him  an  important  factor  in  bringing  to  the  city 
some  of  its  leading  industries,  was  born  in  New 
Jersey,  April  4,  1SV>.  a  son  of  George  Baum. 
His  educational  advantages  were  supplied  by 
the  schools  of  Morris,  and  Bryant  ..V:  Stratton's 
Business  College  of  Chicago.  His  business 
career  had  its  beginning  when  he  became  a 
clerk  for  L.  F.  Beach  &  Co.  of  Morris,  but 
within  two  years,  in  1S74,  he,  in  partnership 
with  Mr.  Schobert,  established  a  similar  store 
under  the  name  of  Baum  &  Schobert.  In  1S-S1 
the  partners  separated,  each  continuing  to  do 
business  alone.  Mr.  Baum  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  order,  and  is  an  important  factor  in 
Blaney  Commandery. 

BEALLIS,  Charles. — Within  recent  years  a  new 
feature  in  the  business  world  has  been  the  pnt- 
viding  of  wholesome  amusement  at  reasonable 
prices,  and  some  of  the  most  progressive  men 
in  the  country  have  engaged  in  it.  developing  it 
to  mammoth  proportions.  One  of  these  is 
Charles  Beallis,  owner  of  the  picture  show  of 
South  Wilmington,  this  county,  the  only  one  in 
the  place.  It  has  been  in  operation  for  five 
years  and  the  steady  patronage  given  it  demon- 
strates that  the  people  appreciate  the  oppor- 
tunities offered  them.  Mr.  Beallis  was  horn 
at  Mokena.  111.,  in  1SG9,  a  son  of  Charles  and 
Helen  (Easel)  Beallis.  natives  of  Germany. 
The  father  was  a  sailor  who  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1SGG,  where  he  joined  his  brother  and 
afterward  followed  carpenter  work,  lb'  died 
at  Joliet.  111.,  in  1900,  the  mother  surviving 
him  until  1911.  and  both  are  buried  at  Joliet. 
They  had  six  children:  Bertha,  who  is  de- 
ceased; Mrs.  Anna  Huffman :  Mrs.  Gertrude 
Rearly;  Joe,  who  is  of  Joliet;  August  and 
Charles. 

Charles  Beallis  was  only  three  years  old  when 
the  family  moved  to  Joliet  from  bis  birthplace 
and  he  was  brought  up  in  the  former  city,  and 
there  attended  the  public  schools.  When  he 
was  sixteen  years  old  he  began  working  as  a 
fireman  on  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad  and 
at  twenty  was  an  engineer  on  the  same  road. 
He  served  as  such  for  eleven  years,  and  then, 
coming  to  South  Wilmington,  was  a  stationary 
engineer   and   electrician.      In    1!X)T    he   opened 


the  picture  show  here,  and  has  made  it  a  good 
investment,  and  now  is  the  owner  of  the  build- 
ing in  which  it  is  located. 

In  1S9T  Mr.  Beallis  married  Helen  Cult/.,  born 
in  Germany,  August  24,  1N77.  but  was  brought 
to  this  country  when  seven  years  old.  Mr. -Beal- 
lis belongs  to  the  German  Lutheran  Church. 
Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  but  has  not 
sought  ofliee,  his  time  being  taken  up  fully  with 
business  affairs. 

BEATTY,  I.  N.  R.,  one  of  the  leading  business 
men  and  lumber  leaders  of  .Morris  owns  a  con- 
cern that  was  established  in  1SS5  by  Thomas 
Ross,  who  conducted  it  until  1S9S,  when  Mr. 
Beatty  became  his  partner,  the  association  con- 
tinuing until  1902,  when  Mr.  Ross  died.  For  a 
short  period,  Geoi'ge  Cotthurst  was  a  partner 
with  Mi-.  Beatty.  but  in  1907,  Mr.  Beatty  be- 
came the  sole  owner.  The  following  year.  Mr. 
Beatty  took  Harvey  R.  Realty,  a  cousin,  into 
partnership,  which  connection  still  exists. 
That  same  year,  the  partners  bought  the  lumber 
yard  owned  by  the  Alexander  Lumber  Com- 
pany, at  Mazon,  111.,  and  added  that  busi- 
ness to  what  they  already  possessed.  Their 
premises  are  on  Liberty  Street,  the  business  be- 
ing conducted  under  the  name  of  1.  X.  R.  Beatty 
Lumber  Co.  The  yards  adjoin  the  railroad  and 
are  most  conveniently  located  for  transporta- 
tion. Employment  is  given  to  from  three  to  live 
men,  and  three  teams  are  kept  busy  making 
deliveries.   . 

I.  X.  R.  Beatty  was  born  at  Waynesburg, 
Ohio.  April  10,  1*72.  where  he  was  reared  and 
educated,  attending  the  public  schools  until  he 
entered  the  Iron  City  Commercial  college  of 
Pittsburgh.  After  completing  his  business 
course  in- the  latter  institution,  he  came  to  Mor- 
ris and  secured  employment  as  bookkeeper  with 
the  man  whose  business  he  later  purchased. 
All  of  his  business  experience  has  therefore  been 
secured  in  connection  with  the  lumber  trade, 
and  he  has  thoroughly  mastered  it.  The  par- 
ents of  Mr.  Beatty.  George  and  Margaret 
(Ross)  Realty  are  still  residents  of  Ohio,  where 
the  father  is  engaged  in  agricultural  occupa- 
tions. Mi-.  Beatty  was  the  only  child  of  his  par- 
ents, and  attributes  much  of  his  success  in  life 
to  the  careful,  healthy  1  raining  they  gave  him 
on  their  farm.  The  father  was  a  soldier  dur- 
ing the  Civil  War,  and  Mr.  Beatty  is  proud  of 
the  fact  that  he  is  a  son  of  a   veteran. 

On  June  2~>.  1002.  Mr.  Realty  married  at 
Morris.  Cordelia  Widney,  daughter  of  George 
Widney.  They,  have  one  child.  Ross  Widney, 
born  October  S.  1001,  now  attending  the  public 
schools.  Mr.  Beatty  is  secretary  of  the  Morris 
Industrial  Association.  He  belongs  to  the  Ma- 
sonic fraternity  and  has  passed  through  all  the 
subordinate  lodges,  now  being  a  thirty-second 
degree  Mason  and  a  Mystic  Sbriner.  his  mem- 
bership in  the  latter  having  been  given  to  Me- 
dinah  Temple.  Chicago.  He  attends  the  Con- 
gregational Church  and  has  served  the  congre- 
gation as  trustee.  Having  been  kept  very  busy 
with   his  private  affairs,  he  has  never  dabbled 


764  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

in  politics.  He  is  justly  recognized  as  one  of  N.  Y.,  and  was  a  son  of  Billdad  Benson,  who  was 
the  solid  young  business  men  of  Morris,  and  a  son  of  Joseph  Benson,  who  served  in  the  Revo- 
enjoys  universal  esteem.  lutionary  War  in  1775.  being  a  private  in  Cap- 
tain Ronswell's  company,  under  the  command  of 
BENNETT,  Hugh.— Fifteen  years  of  consecutive  Geu-  Nathaniel  Green.  Seneca  Benson  was 
service  in  the  capacity  of  postmaster  is  the  rec-  geared  in  his  native  State  and  there  married 
ord  of  Hugh  Bennett',  of  Coal  City,  111.,  a  citi-  |aral>  M'lks.  who  was  a  native  of  Cattaraugus 
zen  who  has  gained  the  confidence  and  esteem  County.  In  1S30  they  came  to  Illinois  ami  set- 
of  his  fellow-townsmen  no  less  through  his  con-  tled  U1  Grundy  County,  Seneca  Benson  buying 
scientious  devotion  to  the  duties  of  his  official  a  tannin  the  Oxbow  bottoms,  m^  Wauponsee 
po 

of  the  responsibilities  of  good  citizenship.     Mr 
Bennett,   as  his  name   would    indicate 


sition  than  through  his  recognized  high  ideals      Tow"*hip  on   winch   he  lived  until  the  close  of 


his   life,    his   death    taking    place    in    IStli; 
widow  subsequently  married    Richard   Harring- 


tive  of  Scotland,  and  has  exemplified   his   pos-  ,"n-  w1'."  Wl,s  a  ™tcvan  ."'     '"'  war  .of  1j>12'  aV 

session   of  the   sterling   traits   of   his   race— in-  after  his  death  she  received  a  pension  from  the 

dustrv.    honesty    and   thrift.      He   was   born    in  Government    during   the   rest   of  her  lite,      .she 

1851,  and  fs  a  son  of  James  and  Janet    (Allen)  ^ed    March    1,.    1SS4,      1  he    children    bun,    to 

Bennett,  his  father  being  a  miner  both  in  Scot-  Seneca  ;"mI  .Salah  (Milks)  Benson  were :    Mary 

land  ami  America.     Both  parents  died  in  I'enn-  Ja"e,  who  died  December  1 «.  3  Sufi  .was  the  wife 

svlvania  °    Orcu  Satterly,  also  deceased;  Lydia,  who  is 

Hugh 'Bennett    was    brought    to    the   United  J?e    w,ilV    °.''    William    White,    of    Goose    Lake 

States  as  an  infant,   and   was   reared    n   Penn-  Township,   is   aged   seventy-eight    years;    Loth, 

svlvania,    where  he  was   given    the   advantages  wh"  ,,'("1  Jim''.,-'-  ^SS ,  was  the  wife  of  Law- 

of   a    common    school    education,      lie    came    to  rence  James  >Mnte ;  Rial    who  died  August  19, 

Illinois  when  eighteen  years  of  age  and  entered  }^'{''-  Pa™hne    who  died  January  0,  1903.  was 

the  mines  at  Braidwood,   subsequently   opening  "?e   wife    oi     William    Marshall;    Charles,    who 

a   shoe  and  dry  goods  store.     His  industry  was  ^    Jaimnry    1 1     1!  0...    aged    sixty    years;    Ar- 


rewarded  by  a   full  measure  of  success,   and 


villa,  who  dieil  in  1013,  was  the  wife  of  William 


1883,    seeking   a    wider    field,    he   came   to   Coal  Cobbler    oi    Wauponsee,    111.;   and   John   Milks, 

Citv,    here    becoming    the   proprietor   of   a    hard-  a  '  '''         '""•  P*5?*  'I-''  lmn%est>  were  bonl   "' 

ware  store.     He  was  successful  also  in  this  ven-  Cattarau^  ' --'"""J'-  V   *•     ,                     .      „  _  . 

tare,  in  which  he  continued  until  appointed  post-  John  Milks  Benson  was  the  youngest  of  his 

master,   a   position   he  has  continued   to   till    to  Pai'?1llt,s.    children    and    lived    with    his    mother 

the  satisfaction  of  his  fellow-citizens  and  with  «»  l!,    us   ™'n    mar"nSe-    «'hl<$L  *??£,  »}a™at 

a  record  for  faithfulness  to  duty  that  is  worthy  ^akdale    Nobr..  on  November  17, 1SSE  to  Miss 


of  emulation  by  any  entering  the  postal  service. 


Olivia    Shaffer,    who    was    born    in    Wauponsee 


In  1873  Mr.'  Bennett  was  married  to  Miss  lownship.  Grundy  County,  111.  August  i  1SG3, 
Margaret  I'aden,  who  was  born  at  Morris.  III.,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Samuel  Elijah  and  Mar- 
aud to  this  union  there  have  been  born  six-  chil-  8*"*  OAise)  Shatter,  who  came  to  Wauponsee 
dren:  Janet.  Clarence  A..  George  J.,  Blanche  Township  m  early  days  lie  was  a  native  of 
E.,  William  P.  and  Lorena  R.  In  his  political  Maryland  and  she  of  Licking  County.  Ohio, 
faith,  Mr.  Bennett  is  a  Republican,  and  has  Later  "'  llU'  tho-v  moved  to  *Ior'1S'  "  , 
served  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  ^  served  many  years  as  constable  and  also  was 
of  Coal  City  for  three  terms.  He  is  a  popular  street  sprinkler.  To  Mr  and  Mrs  Benson  the 
member  of  the  Masons,  the  Scottish  Clans,  the  following  children  were  born  .  John  R.  ein 
Knights  of  Pythias,  in  which  he  has  passed  January  4,_1SS3;  Grace  May,  bom  December  o0 
through  the  chairs,  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  1885,  married  Charles  ETIihly  of  Chicago,  II 
of  America,  in  which  he  is  serving  as  treasurer.  Hoy  E  born  March  22  11  MyrUe  Olivia, 
With  his  family,  he  attends  the  Presbyterian  born  February  2<  1894;  Evelyn  Elsie  lorn 
ri        ,  October  2.  1S9G;  Clarence  Eugene,  born  January 

S,  1900;  Effie  Adella,  born   November  24.  1904; 

,     r,       ,    ,  Fred  Ernest,  born  February  14,  1907;  and  Adel- 

BENSON,  John  Milks,  one  of  Grundy  County's  ^     (  T     (      n  3jarcjj  07    ]rj10 

substantial  and  representative  men,*  is  owner  Following  bis  marriage  Mr.  Benson  settled 
and  proprietor  of  a  somewhat  famous  tract  of  m  0  oldf,ome  farm  tl,.lt  he  had  inherited,  in 
land  in  Wauponsee  Township,  known  as  the  Wauponsee  Township,  and  operated  it  for  two 
Fossil  Bed  farm,  this  name  being  applied  on  t  ;)]|(1  thon  moved  to  Antelope  County, 
account  of  a  fossil  bed  found  here  that  has  {  M  r.irin  of  3o0  acres  and 
nterested  scientists  for  years.  He  was  born  for  two  vears  and  then  returned  to 
here  .Tulv  13,  1849,  and  is  a  son  ot  Seneca  and  "'  '  •  „.i,«„v.  w,  u., 
Sarah  (Milks)  Benson  the  ol(1  Gl'«"dy  County  farm  on  which  he  has 
The  ancestors  of  this  branch  of  the  Benson  resided  ever  since.  He  obtained  his  education 
familv  came  to  America  from  Southampton,  in  the  public  schools  and  bus  always  bee,,  niter- 
England,  in  the  good  ship  Confidence,  in  the  ested  in  the  cause  of  education  and  has  served 
year  li',;js,  and  their  descendants  have  been  continuously  since  1SS7  as  a  school  director.  In 
people  of  worth.  Seneca  Benson,  father  of  John  politics  he  lias  always  been  identified  with  the 
Milks   Benson,  was  born   in   Onondago  County,  Republican  party. 


•    ■  • 


. 


1 


;,  e £*a  . 


.^^•J 


■ 


■■■?■■ 

■J 


HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


765 


BENSON,  William  H.  (deceased). —Life  at  most 
is  but  a  brief  span  between  birth  and  death. 
Some  men  are  able  to  till  their  years  with  deeds 
that  redound  to  their  credit  and  live  alter  them. 
Their  efforts  along  any  direction  seem  to  bring 
about  results  that  cannot  fail  to  be  gratifying 
to  their  family  and  useful  to  their  community. 
Such  a  man  was  the  late  William  II.  Benson, 
formerly  of  Norman  Township.  Mr.  Benson, 
during  life,  was  one  of  the  successful  agricul- 
turalists of  Grundy  County  who  specialized  in 
the  raising  of  grain.  Me  was  born  at  Athens. 
Maine.  February  2."i,  1S41.  a  son  of  Samuel  and 
Almira  (Smith)  Benson,  of  Maine,  both  of 
whom   died   in   that   State. 

In  1SGT,  William  II.  Benson  came  with  a  sis- 
ter to  Grundy  County,  and  worked  for  various 
farmers  in  this  section  until  his  marriage  in 
1809.  In  that  year  he  rented  land  in  Norman 
Township,  but  after  two  years  bought  eighty 
acres  in  that  same  township  to  which  he  added 
until  he  owned,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  22.j 
acres,  all  in  Norman  and  Wauponsee  Townships. 
All  of  his  agricultural  efforts  were  directed 
towards  the  raising  of  grain.  Mr.  Benson  had 
an  excellent  war  record,  having  enlisted  in  the 
Seventh  Maine  Volunteer  Infantry  and  served 
in  the  Civil  War  for  one  year,  when  he  was  dis- 
charged on  account  of  disability.  For  years 
Mr.  Benson  belonged  to  the  local  G.  A.  K.  post, 
The  death  of  this  good  man  occurred  July  29, 
1901,  and  all  who  knew  him  sorrowed  to  learn 
of  his  demise. 

In  January.  18G0.  Mr.  Benson  was  married 
to  Emma  E..  James,  born  in  Norman  Township. 
June  G,  1850,  daughter  of  Elisha  B.  and  Mar- 
garet (Pyatt)  James,  natives  of  Indiana  and. 
Ohio,  respectively.  Mr.  .lames  came  with  his 
mother  and  two  brothers  to  Kendall  County, 
111.,  later  moving  to  Norman  Township,  Grundy 
County.  The  maternal  grandparents  moved  to 
Kendall  County  in  its  pioneer  days.  The  par- 
ents of  Mrs.  Benson  married  and  settled  on  a 
farm  Mr.  .lames  owned  in  Norman  Township, 
where  both  died.  Mrs.  James  about  18G2,  and 
Mr.  James  on  January  12.  190G. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Benson  became  the  parents  of 
the  following  children:  Anna  E..  who  was  born 
October  11).  1SG9.  now  Mrs.  Frank  Do  Lamartre 
of  Joliet.  111.;  George  W..  who  was  born  Novem- 
ber 4,  1871,  of  Richmond.  Ind„  has  one  son. 
Chester,  who  married  Pear]  McMahon  of  Indi- 
ana ;  Charles  It.,  who  was  born  January  2.". 
1874.  died  March.  190?..  having  two  sons.  Donald 
and  Russell;  E.  B.,  who  was  born  December  31. 
1S79.  of  Vienna  Township,  has  one  daughter. 
Margery,  who  married  Jesse  Mulvanie;  Nellie 
M„  who  was  born  May  14,  1SS2.  now  Mis.  John 
Davis  of  Norman  Township,  has  two  sons. 
Robert  J.  and  Parker  P..;  Lottie  E..  who  was 
born  November  12,  1SS4,  lives  with  her  mother; 
and  Frank  II..  who  was  born  February  1(J.  1S92. 
resides  at  home.  Since  the  death  of  Mr.  Pen- 
son,  Mrs.  Benson  has  continued  the  farm  indus- 
tries ably  assisted  by  her  children.  Mr.  Benson 
served  as  school  director  of  his  district,  and 
was  interested  in  educational  matters  although 


his  own  educational  training  was  limited  to 
attendance  upon  the  local  public  schools  of  his 
native  place.  lie  attended  the  Methodist 
Church.  A  man  of  high  principles,  conscien- 
tious in  his  dealings  with  his  fellowinen,  and 
possessed  of  thrifty  habits,  Mr.  Benson  not  only 
accumulated  a  good  competency,  but  earned  and 
retained  the  confidence  of  all  who  knew  him. 

BENTSON,  Lewis.— It  can  never  be  justly  said 
that  the  sons  of  Norway  who  have  come  to  the 
Cnited  States  have  not  made  excellent  use  of 
the  opportunities  here  afforded  them,  for  they 
have  to  a  remarkable  degree,  and  this  is  espe- 
cially true  in  Grundy  County,  where  there  are 
a  number  of  Norsemen,  attracted  here  by  the 
farm  lands  and  mines.  One  of  those  proud  to 
acknowledge  Norway  as  his  place  of  birth  is 
Lewis  Beutson  of  Saratoga  Township,  born  at 
Bergen,  Norway.  May  ,*)0.  ls-Js,  ;,  son  of  Pernio 
and  Tena  (Larson)  Bentsou.  The  father  died 
in  Norway  in  1S6G,  but  his  widow  with  four 
children  came  to  the  United  Stares  locating 
in  La  Salle  County,  111.,  where  she  later  mar- 
ried Seward  Anderson  of  that  place. 

Lewis  Bentson  began  working  on  a  farm  soon 
after  his  arrival  in  this  country,  ami  eventually 
was  able  to  buy  a  farm  in  Kendall  County,  but 
after  operating  it  for  a  period,  came  to  Grundy 
County,  settling  in  Saratoga  Township.  In  1S9G 
he  bought  1G0  acres  of  land,  eighty  acres  of 
which  although  just  across  the  road  from  the 
remainder,  are  in  Kendall  County.  A  few  years 
later  he  added  eighty  acres  more  to  the  Ken- 
dall County  portion.  On  February  22,  1S77, 
Mr.  Bentson  married  Helen  Grunsfad,  born  hi 
Saratoga  Township,  March  S,  1S54,  a  daughter 
of  Oliver  and  chelly  (Enger)  Grunstad,  natives 
of  Norway,  who  came  to  Saratoga  Township  in 
1.S4G.  Mr.  ami  Mrs.  Bentson  became  the  par- 
ents of  the  following  children:  Tena,  who  was 
horn  December  5,  1S7S,  is  the  widow  of  Olio 
Hagen,  and  has  two  children,  Tilyar.  born  No- 
vember 2G,  1S9S,  and  Olie.  born  February  10, 
1900;  Dennis,  who  was  born  April  80,  1SSS,  is 
at  home;  Henry,  who  was  born  August  11,  1SS5, 
died  in  1891;  Henry  (II),  who  was  born  May 
IS,  1S92,  is,  also  at  home.  .Mrs.  Bentson  died 
February  7,  1912,  having  been  a  most  excellent 
wife  and  mother  and  good  Christian  woman. 
Mr.  Bentson  belongs  to  the  Norwegian  Lutheran 
Church  of  Lisbon.  In  politics  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican, and  has  held  the  office  of  school  director. 
A  steady,  hard-working,  earnest  man.  he  has 
faithfully  carried  out  his  ideas  relative  to  good 
citizenship,  and  his  friends,  who  are  many,  hold 
him  in  high  esteem. 

BERGESON,  Arthur  L.,  a  furniture  dealer  and 
undertaker  of  Morris,  is  one  of  the  men  who 
has  won  confidence  and  respect  by  his  reliable 
and  conscientious  methods  and  sympathetic  per- 
sonality. Mr.  Bergeson  was  bom  in  Brookfield 
Township.  La  Salle.  County,  111.,  May  22,  ISSu, 
a  son  of  Berge  and  Ellen  (Govig)  Bergeson, 
natives  of  Norway.  These  excellent  people 
came    to   La    Salle   County    when    young,    later 


76G 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


marrying  and  settling  on  a  farm.  In  1899  they 
moved  to  Ransom,  111.,  where  he  died  about 
1907,  she  surviving  him  until  February  11,  1910. 
There  were  twelve  children  in  the  family,  eight 
of  whom  are  living:  Benjamin  Oscar,  who  is 
of  South  Dakota;  Ida.  who  is  .Mrs.  Anson  Mini- 
sou  of  Armstrong,  la. ;  George  W.,  who  is  of 
Armstrong,  la.;  Samuel  'J'.,  who  is  of  Fletcher, 
S.  D. ;  Maggie,  who  is  Mrs.  O.  O.  Johnson  of 
Seneca,  III.;  Edward  S.,  who  is  of  Ringstadt, 
la.;  Arthur  L. ;  and  Eliza,  who  is  of  Seneca,  111. 

Arthur  L.  Bergeson  resided  with  his  parents, 
giving  them  a  loving  service  until  lie  was  twenty- 
three  years  old,  when  he  married  and  for  the 
next  year  conducted  a  cattle  ranch  in  North 
Dakota.  In  the  spring  of  1910  he  returned  to 
Morris  and  established  himself  in  a  furniture 
and  undertaking  business  in  partnership  with 
Thomas  .7.  Slattery,  this  association  continuing 
until  the  spring  of  1912,  when  Mr.  Bergeson 
bought  out  his  partner,  hi  July,  1912,  he  took 
Hugh  li.  Thelan  into  partnership  with  him,  and 
the  two  are  still  together. 

On  May  5,  1909,  Mr.  Bergeson  married  Minnie 
Eva  Anderson,  horn  at  Devil's  Lake,  N.  D.,  a 
daughter  of  Andrew  Anderson,  born  in  Grundy 
County,  111.  Mr.  Bergeson  not  only  had  local 
educational  advantages,  but  attended  the  Otta- 
wa Business  College  and  is  a  young  man  of 
more  than  average  ability.  Bethlehem  Luther- 
an Norwegian  Church  of  Morris  holds  his  mem- 
bership, and  enjoys  his  liberal  contributions. 
Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  while  fraternally 
he  is  a  Mason.  Professionally  Mr.  Bergeson 
is  often  called  upon  in  the  hour  of  saddest  be- 
reavement, and  he  thus  meets  people  at  a  time 
when  it  is  necessary  for  him  to  display  kindly 
sympathy  and  helpful  tact,  and  his  experiences 
and  the  frequent  calls  made  upon  him  prove 
that  he  is  equal  to  any  emergency,  and  friend- 
ships thus  formed  are  continued,  for  they  are 
sincere  aud  heartfelt. 

BERTA,  Peter.— The  business  of  supplying 
South  Wilmington  with  bakery  goods  is  one 
that  engages  the  attention  of  several  of  the 
most  progressive  meu  of  this  locality.  Very  few 
people  now  feel  that  they  can  afford  to  make 
bread  when  it  is  furnished  them  at  a  price 
within  the  reach  of  the  majority.  The  same 
is  true  of  other  bakery  products,  and  one  of 
the  men  who  is  meeting  the  demand  for  pure 
goods  in  this  line  is  Peter  Berta.  He  was 
born  in  Northern  Italy  in  1854,  a  son  of  Vin- 
cent and  Lena  (Boffo)  Berta.  natives  of  Italy, 
who  died  in  that  country  in  1S71  and  1S69,  re- 
spectively. They  had  eight  children,  six  of 
whom  are  living,  as  follows:  Peter,  Frank, 
Mike,  Joe,  Dominic,  who  are  in  America,  and 
one  who  is  still  in  Italy. 

Feter  Berta  assisted  Ins  father  on  the  home- 
stead and  attended  school  until  he  left  home 
to  learn  the  trade  of  a  baker,  lie  also  gave  his 
country  a  three  year  military  service,  and  in 
187!)  came  to  the  United .  States,  settling  first 
at  Braldwood.  111.,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
mining.     In  1901  he  came  to  South  Wilmington, 


where  he  continued  mining  until  1903,  when  he 
established  his  present  bakery,  and  now  enjoys 
a  fine  trade,  especially  among  the  Italians.  Mr. 
Berta  delivers  his  goods  all  over  the  village,  aud 
his  products  meet  with  instant  approval,  be- 
cause of  their  excellence. 

In  1SS1  Mr.  Berta  married  Mary  Perona  of 
Braidwood,  1)1.,  and  they  have  had  seven  chil- 
dren, as  follows:"  Vincent,  who  is  deceased; 
Edmond;  Fred;  Rudolph;  Julia;  Pete  and  Bena, 
the  latter  being  married  to  C.  Muzzarti.  .Mr. 
Berta  is  a  Republican,  and  for  the  past  six 
years  has  been  a  trustee  of  the  village.  He 
belongs  to  the  Order  of  Foresters.  Few  men 
stand  any  higher  in  the  community  than  he, 
and  he  deserves  his  popularity,  for  he  has 
earned  it  by  the  practice  of  honorable  methods. 

BLACK,  Charles  H. — The  realization  of  the  many 
uses  to  which  cement  can  be  put,  has  worked 
a  revolution  in  building  operations,  and  the  con- 
tractors who  are  forging  to  the  foremost  places, 
are  those  who  have  engaged  in  this  line  of  con- 
struction work.  One  of  the  leading  cement 
contractors  of  Grundy  County  is  Charles  II. 
Black  of  Morris.  Mr,  Black  was  born  at  Oska- 
loosa.  Iowa.  May  30,  1S70,  sou  of  Rev.  James 
K.  and  Kate  W.  (Wright)  Black,  natives  of 
Ohio.  They  were  married  in  Iowa  to  which 
state  they  went  in  childhood.  James  K.  Black 
was  a  Presb.vterian  clergyman,  who  was  sta- 
tioned at  different  points  throughout  Ohio.  In- 
diana, Iowa  and  Michigan,  and  died  at  IIoop- 
ston.  III.,  in  July.  1902,  where  his  widow  still 
resides. 

Charles  II.  Black  attended  school  at  (he  dif- 
ferent towns  to  which  his  father's  ministerial 
duties  look  him,  and  while  at  Bloorningdale, 
Ind.,  he  had  the  advantage  of  an  academic 
course.  When  he  was  twenty-one  years  old,  he 
learned  the  trade  of  a  printer  in  Chicago,  and 
remained  in  that  city  until  1902,  when  lie  went 
to  Aurora.  His  arrival  in  the  latter  city  was 
coincident  with  his  association  with  the  cement 
firm  of  R.  F.  Safford  &  Son.  with  whom  Mr. 
Black  remained  until  October.  1007,  when  he 
located  at  Morris,  and  embarked  in  a  general 
cement  business  of  his  own.  Since  then,  his 
efforts  have  been  rewarded  with  a  number  of 
important  contracts,  and  his  affairs  are  in  a 
very  prosperous  condition.  In  1913  he  com- 
pleted four  bridges  in  Grundy  County,  and  many 
other  contracts  equally  as  large  and  important. 
On  May  23.  1007.  Mr.  Black  was  married  at 
St.  Joseph,  Mich.,  to  Addie  O.  Hampton,  born 
at  Batavia.  111.  They  have  one  daughter.  Addie 
Louise,  born  July  ."'A  11)12.  Mr.  Black  is  an 
independent  voter.  lie  belongs  to  Lodire  No. 
49S,  Odd  Fellows  of  Hoopstown,  111.  A  man  of 
progress.  Mr.  Black  has  never  neglected  an  op- 
portunity or  failed  to  advance  his  interests 
whenever  ho  could  do  so  honestly.  His  stand- 
ing in  the  community  is  a  hiurh  one,  and  has 
been  won  by  good  work  and  honorable  methods. 

BLAIR,  George  R. — The  reputation  Scotchmen 
have    gained    of    being    frugal    and    thrifty    is 


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HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY.  767 

maintained  by  those  who  come  to  the  United  daughter  of  William  and  Agnes  (Telfer)  Gray 
States.  1 1  is  very  seldom  indeed  that  a  Scot  The  grandfather  oi*  Airs.  Blair,  James  Telfer 
is  found  in  nerd  or  asks  help  of  others,  lie  is  came  to  the  United  States  in  1SS3,  and  was  the 
much  more  likely  to  give  it  than  to  require  first  man  to  operate  a  coal  mine  in  Grundv 
such  assistance,  for  he  knows  how  to  earn  and  County,  and  also  conducted  boats  on  the  canal 
then  save  his  money,  and  does  not  waste  it  fool-  for  many  years,  lie  took  an  overland  trip  to 
ishly.  One  of  the  honored  residents  of  Sara-  California  in  1S49.  .Mrs.  Blair  came  to  America 
toga  Township,  who  was  horn  in  Scotland,  is  with  her  mother,  the  late  Mrs.  William  Gray 
George  It.  Blair,  now  living  retired  from  active  and  grandmother,  Margaret  Telfer,  when  five 
labor.  He  was  horn  in  Fifeshire,  February  IT,  years  old.  Previous  to  her  marriage,' Mrs.  Blair 
lS3b\  and  losing  his  parents  in  lSGtl,  on  Feb-  who  had  been  graduated  from  the 'high' school 
ruary  H  of  that  year  came  to  the  United  and  attended  the  Normal  school  at  Morris,  en- 
States,  landing  at  Morris.  For  some  years  he  gaged  in  teaching  school  for  eight  years, 
mined,  and  then  in  February,  1S75,  he  bought  After  his  marriage,  Mr.  Blair  rented  a  farm 
twenty  acres  of  land  in  Saratoga  Township,  in  Saratoga  Township,  which  he  conducted  un- 
to which  he  later  added  ten  acres  more.  He  til  1S91,  and  at  that  time  purchased  a  tract 
sunk  a  shaft  and  kept  on  opening  up  shafts  ol  forty-two  acres  of  improved  land,  on  which 
until  he  had  lour  of  them  in  operation,  and  was  lie  has  since  made  many  more  improvements 
actively  engaged  in  this  manner  until  1S99,  which  have  greatly  enhanced  the  property's 
when  he  retired.  value.  He  operated  a  coal  mine  of  his  own  for 
Mr.  Blair  was  married  in  Scotland  in  1S5S  to  three  years,  but  in  April,  190G,  received  the  ap- 
Euphemia  Spowart  of  Fifeshire,  Scotland,  and  pointment  as  Rural  Free  Delivery  carrier,  a 
they  had  four  children  born  to  them  there,  and  position  which  he  has  continued  to  elliciently'till 
six  after  they  arrived  in  the  United  States:  to  the  present  time.  His  fraternal  connections 
Robert  G.,  who  is  of  Saratoga  Township;  Ellen,  include  membership  in  the  Masonic  Lodge,  Cliap- 
who  is  Mrs.  George  Barton  of  Chicago;  Mary.  ter  and  Cominandery,  while  his  wife  is  a  valued 
who  died  in  1S90;  Euphemie,  who  is  Mrs.  Segal  member  of  the  Eastern  Star,  filling  the  office  of 
Gregg  of  Saratoga  Township;  William,  who  Worthy  Matron  in  1910.  Mrs.  Blair  has  gone 
is  of  Morris;  Catherine,  who  is  Mrs.  M.  X.  through  all  of  the  chairs  of  the  O.  E.  S.  Chapter, 
Hull  of  Morris;  Annie,  who  is  Mrs.  11.  A.  Tay-  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Bethany  White 
lor  of  Morris;  Elizabeth,  who  is  Mis.  William  Shrine  of  Jerusalem  of  Joliet.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Ferguson  of  Saratoga  Township;  Margaret,  who  Blair,  with  their  children  belong  to  the  Presbv- 
is  Mrs.  Ed  Hickhock  of  De  Kalb.  111.:  and  terian  Church.  The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
George  G.,  who  is  of  Saratoga  Township.  Mr.  Blair  are  as  follows:  Agnes  T.,  who  resided  at 
Blair  is  a  Presbyterian  and  devoted  to  his  home  filling  the  office  of  chief  operator  of  the 
church.  A  Republican,  be  has  given  his  town-  Morris  Telephone  Company  for  ten  years.  She 
ship  valued  service  as  road  commissioner.  A  took  up  the  work,  beginning  at  the  bottom,  and 
man  of  many  excellent  characteristics,  he  has  was  successively  promoted  until  she  stood  at  the 
set  an  example  that  all  may  well  follow  for  head  of  her  department,  and  her  former  em- 
upright,  honorable  living,  and  at  the  same  time  plovers  feel  that  no  one  has  ever  excelled  her  in 
accumulated  a  fair  amount  of  this  world's  this  capacity.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
goods.  terian  Church.     Fraternally  she  belongs  to  the 

Eastern  Star  and  the  White  Shrine  of  .Terns- 
BLAIR,  Robert  George,  who  since  1906  has  been  alem  of  Joliet.  On  October  7,  1!)14,  she  was 
the  mail  carrier  on  Rural  Free  Delivery  Route  married  to  Ronald  Newton  Martin  of  Ottawa, 
No.  3,  from  Morris,  is  the  type  of  reliable,  con-  HI.,  where  they  now  reside.  Mr.  Martin  was 
scientious  and  painstaking  men  that  the  Gov-  reared  and  educated  at  Ottawa,  and  is  now  in 
eminent  generally  endeavors  to  choose  for  the  employ  of  the  Chicago.  Ottawa  &  Peoria 
this  responsible  position.  Of  Scotch  birth,  Railway  Company,  being  regarded  as  a  young 
he  inherits  the  qualities  of  thrift,  steadiness  man  of  sterling  qualities.  At  present  he  is 
and  honesty  which  have  made  that  race  known  among  the  senior  employes  of  this  road.  He  is 
the  world  'over,  and  the  faithful  and  efficient  a  member  of  the  Ottawa  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. 
manner  in  which  he  has  performed  the  duties  The  second  child  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Blair  is 
of  his  position  has  gained  for  him  the  con-  George  Wilson,  formerly  assisting  his  father, 
fidence  and  esteem  of  his  fellow-citizens  in  married  Maude  Inez  Diblee  on  February  25, 
Grundv  County.  Mr.  Blair  was  born  at  Oak-  1914,  and  is  engaged  in  farming,  he  being  a 
ley,  Fifeshire,"  Scotland.  September  21,  1S59,  prosperous  and  intelligent  young  man,  while  his 
and  is  the  eldest  son  of  George  and  Euphemia  wife  is  a  graduate  of  the  Morris  high  school  and 
(Spowart)  Blair.  taught  school  for  four  years  prior  to  her  mar- 
Robert  G.  Bin ir  was  seven  years  of  age  when  "age,  and  cultivated  her  musical  talent:  and 
he  accompanied  bis  parents  to' the  United  States.  Euphemia  MacKinzie  Spowart,  who  is  now  Mrs. 
the  father  securing  employment  in  the  coal  Frank  Carr  of  White  Willow,  Ilk.  was  graduated 
mines  of  Grundv  County,  and  here  the  lad  so-  froni  tne  Morris  high  school  with  high  honors 
cured  his  schooling.  lie  remained  at  home  and  taught  school  for  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Blair 
with  his  parents  until  his  marriage,  April  2,  and  their  family  take  a  deep  interest  in  all  edu- 
18S5,  to  Miss  Margaret  T.  W.  Gray,  who  was  cational  matters  and  always  are  awake  to  the 
born  September  2G,  1861,  in  Edinboro,  Scotland,  advancement  and  progression  in  matters  pertain- 


768 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


ing  to  the  "Golden  Rule''  of  doing  unto  others 
as  they  would  be  done  by. 

BLAKE,  William  Lawrence. — The  world  has 
awakened  to  the  necessity  of  sanitary  regula- 
tions regarding  the  handling  ami  sale  of  food 
stuffs,  and  the  people  are  showing  a  decided 
preference  for  those  establishments  which  have 
a  proper  regard  to  these  rules.  One  of  the  men 
who  has  built  up  a  large  trade  and  attained 
to  considerable  prosperity  along  modern  lines 
is  William  Lawrence  Blake,  owner  of  a  meat 
market  at  Gardner.  111.,  and  dealer  in  canned 
goods.  His  establishment  is  one  of  the  best  in 
Grundy  County,  and  be  takes  a  pride  in  keep- 
ing it  up  to  tlie  highest  standards.  That  his 
customers  appreciate  his  care  for  them,  his 
sales  show  conclusively. 

William  L.  Blake  was  born  in  Gardner  in 
1S90,  a  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Sandwick) 
Blake.  The  father  was  a  native  of  "Wales  and 
came  to  this  country  from  there,  locating  first 
at  Braceville,  111.,  where  be  became  a  miner 
and  digger  of  coal.  Later  he  came  to  Gardner 
where  he  continued  this  kind  of  work  until  his 
death  in  1903.  His  widow  survives  him  and  is 
making  her  home  at  Gardner.  These  parents 
had  seven  children:  Tonis  John,  who  is  de- 
ceased; William  Lawrence;  twins,  who  died  in 
infancy;  William,  who  is  a  schoolteacher;  and 
Eva  aud  Joe. 

Growing  up  at  Gardner,  Mr.  Blake  attended 
its  public  schools,  and  worked  at  different  kinds 
of  employment  until  1009  when  he  opened  bis 
present  business,  which  he  has  developed  to 
satisfactory  proportions.  in  1909  he  married 
Stella  Sininis  of  South  Wilmington.  111.,  and 
they  have  two  children:  Lois  Janetta.  and  Wil- 
liam Lawrence.  Mr.  Blake  is  very  liberal  in  his 
political  views,  not  caring  to  attach  himself 
definitely  to  any  one  party.  Although  one  of 
the  youngest  business  men  of  Gardner,  he  is  one 
of  the  best,  and  his  live,  progressive  methods 
have  been  productive  of  many  improvements  in 
the  town,  his  example  leading  others  to  change 
their  mode  of  operation.  It  is  such  men  as  Mr. 
Blake  who  develop  a  community  and  lead  capi- 
talists to  invest  their  money  in  it. 

BOGGIO,  Charles.  -  Owing  to  the  former  mining 
industries  centered  at  Coal  City,  this  community 
carries  on  considerable  business  and  its  mer- 
chants have  to  be  prepared  to  meet  the  demands 
of  representatives  from  numerous  nationalities 
attracted  to  this  point  by  the  mines.  One  of 
the  leading  business  men  and  merchants  who 
has  proven  himself  able  to  cope  with  all  the 
conditions  here  is  Charles  Boggio,  dealer  in 
general  merchandise.  Mr.  Boggio  was  horn  in 
Italy,  and  is  one  of  the  best  examples  of  the 
live,  progressive  men  of  his  country.  His  birth 
occurred  October  '21,  iss.~.  and  be  is  a  son  of 
Charles  and  Angeline  Boggio.  In  1SSS  the  fam- 
ily came  to  the  United  States,  settling  at  Braid- 
wood  where  the  father  found  employment  in 
the  coal  mines,  working  there  for  some  years. 
although  he  is  now  living  retired  at  Coal  City. 
He  and  his  excellent   wife  had  sight  children. 


four  of  whom  died  in  Italy,  the  others  being: 
Mary  China,  Charles,  John  and  Joseph.  The 
members  of  the  family  are  all  Catholics.  Mr. 
Boggio  belongs  to  the  Foresters.  Politically 
he  is  a  Republican  but  has  never  sought  otfice, 
his  time  being  fully  occupied  with  the  cares  of 
bis  business.  It  was  in  TOUT  that  Mr.  Boggio, 
recognizing  the  opening  at  Coal  City  for  a  good 
mercantile  store,  resolved  to  establish  himself 
there.  This  he  did  in  a  small  way  at  first,  acld- 
ing  to  hi.s  stock  as  trade  increased,  and  now  he 
has  one  of  the  leading  stores  of  his  kind  at 
Coal  City.  Mr.  Boggio  handles  a  full  and  varied 
line  of  dry  goods,  groceries,  boots  and  shoes  and 
other  commodities  to  be  found  in  a  first  class 
establishment,  and  his  success  is  fully  justified 
for  he  is  honorable  in  bis  methods  and  accom- 
modating in  his  service.  He  owns  his  store 
building. 

June  ::.  1914,  Mr.  B.oggio  was  married  to  Mar- 
garet Juliet  I'.orella.  at  Coal  City,   III. 

BOLLINI,  William.— Without  doubt  this  is  the 
age  of  the  young  man.  Conditions  are  such 
that  men  are  developed  rapidly  and  the  demand 
for  the  enthusiasm  and  energy  of  youth  is  in- 
sistent and  steady.  Xo  longer  is  it  necessary 
for  a  man  to  wait  until  time  has  silvered  his 
hair  and  lined  his  face  before  be  can  command 
the  confidence  of  his  fellow  men.  Leal  worth 
is  recognized  without  thought  of  age.  Thus  it 
is  that  many  of  the  most  important  offices  of 
every  community  are  in  the  capable  hands  of 
the  younger  generation,  and  these  progressive 
men  are  proving  the  wisdom  of  electing  them 
while  they  are  in  the  full  vigor  of  young  man- 
hood. One  of  the  striking  examples  of  what 
can  be  accomplished  by  the  younger  men  of  to- 
day is  shown  in  the  career  of  William  Bollini, 
city  clerk  or  Coal  City,  to  which  office  he  was 
elected  April    1.  1912. 

Mr.  Bollini  was  born  in  this  city  in  1SSG.  a 
son  of  Domini.-  and  Mary  (Marron)  Bollini. 
The  father  was  horn  in  Northern  Italy,  while 
the  mother  is  a  native  of  Switzerland.  She 
went  to  Italy  where  she  met  Mr.  Bollini  and 
they  were  there  married,  coming  to  (he  Tinted 
Stntes  in  1SRM.  They  settled  at  Coal  City.  111., 
where  he  entered  the  mines,  and  worked  in 
them  until  a  few  years  since,  when  he  retired, 
but  both  he  and  his  wife  are  still  living  at  Coal 
City.  They  had  four  children:  Minnie,  Wil- 
liam. Julius  and  Dominic. 

William  Bollini  attended  the  schools  of  Coal 
City,  and  after  finishing  bis  courses  he  began 
working  as  a  clerk  in  a  store,  thus  continuing 
until  1904.  when  he  entered  the  employ  of  the 
Public  Service  Company  of  Chicago,  with  which 
he  is  still  connected.  Taking  an  enthusiastic 
interest  in  Coal  City  he  has  great  faith  in  its 
future  and  is  doing  nil  in  his  power  to  advance 
its  material  prosperity.  The  Republican  party 
has  always  had  in  him  one  of  its  niosl  effective 
supporters. 

In  1007  Mr.  Bollini  married  Katherine 
Borella  of  Coal  City.  They  have  two  children: 
William  Antone  and  Maria  Frances.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Bollini  are  Roman  Catholics. 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY.  769 

BOOKWALTER,  Abraham  Lincoln.— There  are  of  the  most  successful  of  the  agriculturalists 
far-seeing  agriculturalists  who  now  specialize  of  today  arc  those  who  after  trying  ether'  lines 
along  certain  lines,  in  this  way  securing  exeep-  of  endeavor,  have  returned  to  the  farm,  and  are 
tionally  line  results  and  one  of  the  men  who  now  contentedly  engaged  in  cultivating  their 
has  made  Ins  products  stand  for  the  highest  property.  A  notable  example  of  this  in  Grundy 
standard  of  excellence  of  their  kind  is  Ahra-  County  is  Benjamin  Boyd  Bookwalter,  of  Gar- 
ham  Lincoln  Bookwalter,  of  Garfield  Township,  held  Township,  a  son  of  A.  L.  Bookwalter 
who  specializes  on  raising  blooded  cattle  and  whose  sketch  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work' 
horses,  lie  was  horn  on  his  present  farm  on  Benjamin  B.  Bookwalter  was  horn  in  Gar- 
March  2S,  1S62,  a  son  of  Benjamin  and  Susan  field  Township  and  here  educated  in  the  district 
(Barkey)  Bookwalter,  the  former  of  whom  was  schools,  lie  worked  with  his  father  upon  the 
horn  July  31,  1S31,  and  the  latter  October  12,  homestead  until  joining  his  six  brothers  and 
IS:1.!,  both  in  Pennsylvania.  These  parents  sisters  in  what  was  known  as  the  Bookwalter 
came  to  Grundy  County  in  Is:,  (.  and  became  orchestra.  For  some  time  these  talented  y'oitn- 
pioneers  in  what  is  now  Garfield  Township,  musicians  had  remarkable  success  with  their 
and  bought  land  for  $10.00  per  a. -re.  The  organization,  and  then  Mr.  Bookwalter  returned 
father  (lied  September  PL  line,  and  the  mother.  to  an  agricultural  life,  although  his  associates 
September  10,  1000,  and  their  burial  was  in  the  still  devote  themselves  (,,  musical  careers  Mr 
Wheeler  cemetery.  They  had  four  children:  Bookwalter  owns  1G0  acres  of  fine  land  hi  Gar- 
Abraham  Lincoln:  Emma,  who  married  W.  S.  field  Township,  upon  which  he  is  carrying  on 
Allison,  a  hanker  of  Gardner,  111.;  one  who  died  general  farming.  Having  grown  up  on  a  farm 
in  infancy,  and  Elmer,  who  died  aged  one  and  and  having  a  natural  inclination  towards  work 
one-half  years.  of  this  kind.  Mr.  Bookwalter  is  interested  in  it 

Abraham    Lincoln    Bookwalter    attended    the  and  is  able  to  make  a  success  of  his  undertak- 

schools  of  his  district  and  at  the  same  time  as-  jngs.     On    February  2,    1010.    he   married    Miss 

sisted   his   father   on   the   farm.      When   he   was  Mayme  Barrett  of  Gardner,  111.    where  her'par- 

sixteen  years  old.  he  went    to  Gardner,  111.,  and  ents  still  reside.     Mr.  and  -Airs    Bookwalter  are 

for  the  following  two  years  attended  the  schools  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church     Mr   Book- 

of  that  city,  and   after  that,   for  a   short  time,  waiter    belongs    to    the    Modern    Woodmen    of 

was    a     student     in     the     Bloomington     Normal  America.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican 
school.     Following  this  he  returned  to  the  farm. 

learning  here  the  details  of  his  present  business  BOOTH,  Louis  Edward,  D.  V.  S ,  veterinary  phy- 

from  his  father,  who  was  a  heavy  stock  raiser  sician  and  surgeon,  of  Gardner.  Grundy  County 

and    handler    of    fancy    cattle    and    horses.      He  m..  demonstrates  in   his  daily  work  the  impor- 

has    developed    into   one    of    the    leaders    in    his  tance  of  his   profession.     The   lives  of  valuable 

line    in    this    part    of    the    State    and    owns    -Ml  registered    stuck     frequentlv    depend     upon     the 

acres  of  very   valuable  land,   and   has  the   most  skill  of  the   man   who  is  called  to  attend   them 

beautiful  home  in  the  township.  and    such    advances    have    been    made    in    this 

On    December     11.     issi,     Abraham     Lincoln  branch   of  medical   science  that   the  course  the 

Bookwalter  was  married  by  Lev.  C.  AV.  Greene,  veterinary  physician  and  surgeon  takes  is  quite 

of  Gardner.   111.,   to    Ilattie  .1.    Huss,    horn    Feb-  as  exacting   as   that    in    an  v  "other    professional 

ruary  10,  1802,  a  daughter  of  Richard  B.  IIuss,  field.      Although    the    youngest    of    his    callim- 

who  came  to  Gardner,    111.,    in   ISC'],  where  he  Doctor    Booth    is    the   possessor   of   the   largest 

embarked  in  a  harness  business,  ami  was  one  of  practice    in    Grundy    Comity,"  and    his    hospital 

the   pioneer    merchants   of   that    city.      .Air.    and  for  animals  is  one  of  the  best-equipped   in   (his 

Mrs.  Bookwalter  have  had  children  as  follows:  part    of    the    state.      lie    was    bom    in    Gardner 

Benjamin   B.,  who  was  horn   November  2,  1SS5.  Grundy   County.    111.,   in   ISSN,    and    is   a    son   of 

lives  on  one  of  his  father's  farms,  and  married  Abraham  and  Captolia   (Allison)  Booth 

Mamie  L.   Barrett;   Richard   A.,  who  was  born  Tin-  early   education  of  Louis  E    Booth   was 

February  27.  ISSN:  John  William,  who  was  born  secured    in    the    public   schools   of  Gardner    and 

March  1.",,  1S00;  Florence,  who  was  horn  March  j,,    ]fj07   he   graduated    from    the   Gardner  Ili^h 

2.1,    1802;   Charles   Edward,    who   was. horn    He-  school.      Following    this    he    clerked    in    variou 


-tores  and  in  the  postoffice,  and  alter  some  pre- 


comber   22.    1895;    and    Ira    J.,    who    was 

May  31,  IS'.is.    On  January  22,  19CG.  Mrs.  Book-  paratory  studv  entered "the  Chicago" Veterinary 

waiter    died    and    was    buried    in    the    Wheeler  College,   where  he  was   graduated  in   1011.     On 

cemetery,  her  parents  being  buried  in  the  Brace-  May  10  of  that  year,  Doctor  Booth's  preceptor. 

ville   and    Gardner   cemetery.      Air.    Bookwalter  Dr.N.  P.  AA'hitmore,  of  Gardner,  one  of  the  best 

belongs   to   the   Modern    Woodmen   of   America.  known    veterinarians    in    the    State,    died,    and 

He  is  a   Republican   and   has   been   a   school   di-  Doctor  Booth  succeeded  to  his  practice  to  which 

rector  for  the  past  twenty-live  years.     A  man  of  he  has  since  given  his  entire  attention.     He  is 

prominence    in    bis   community,    he    is   a    strong  the  proprietor  of  a   large  veterinary  hospital  at 

factor  in   its  development,   and   stands   high   in  Gardner,    which    is   equipped    for  the    treatment 

the    esteem    of    all    with    whom    he    comes    into  of    all    kinds    of    ailing    domestic    animals,    and 

contact.  his  success    iir  a    number  of  complicated   cases 

has   gained    him  a    wide   reputation    in    bis   pro- 

BOOK WALTER,   Benjamin   Boyd.— The   slogan,  fession.      He    prepares    his   own    medicines,    and 

"back  to  the  land"  is  having  its  effect,  for  many  has    a    large    and    valuable    library,    and    keeps 


770 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


fully  abreast  of  the  discoveries  in  veterinary 
science,  subscribing  for  the  leading  journals  and 
belonging  to  various  medical  organizations. 

Doctor  Booth  was  married  November  !>.  1912, 
to  Grace  Holmes,  daughter  of  .1.  II.  Holmes.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  local  lodges  of  the  .Masons 
and  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  in  both  of 
which  he  lias  numerous  friends.  Politically  a 
Republican,  he  has  stanchly  supported  his  party's 
policies  and  candidates,  but  has  never  sought 
otiice  and  takes  hut  a  good  citizen's  interest  in 
public  affairs. 

BORELLA,  Martin. — In  every  community  there 
are  certain  men  who.  by  reason  of  their  apti- 
tude for  business  detail,  thoroughness  of  pur- 
pose and  broad-guaged  policy,  take  a  foremost 
part  in  all  progressive  movements.  Such  a  man 
is  found  in  the  person  of  -Martin  Borella,  native 
of  Coal  City,  111.,  born  September  S,  18S2,  a 
son  of  Anthony  and  Mary  ■  Cerutti  Borella. 
They  are  the  parents  of  seven  children:  Henry, 
a  traveling  man:  Martin;  Pete,  a  farmer:  Kate 
Bollini;  Maggie  and  .Tames,  deceased;  and  Mar- 
guerite, living  in  Coal  City.  Anthony  Borella 
worked  on  a  farm  and  in  a  bakery  in  his  native 
country  until  he  was  twelve  years  of  age,  when 
he  left  for  Pari.-.  Prance,  to  learn  the  baker's 
trade.  Eight  years  later  he  visited  Italy,  and 
from  there  he  embarked  for  Africa,  where  he 
was  engaged  in  tin'  building  of  tunnels.  Subse- 
quently he  went  back  to  Italy  where  he  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Mary  Cerutti.  In  1S79 
they  embarked  for  America  and  after  reaching 
Illinois  hi'  worked  in  the  mines,  and  later  ran 
a  boarding  house  and  store,  his  being  the  first 
Italian  store  in  Coal  City,  it  was  destroyed  by 
fire  in  PS'.H  ;  however  another  took  its  place  in 
1908.  He  is  now  retired.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Borella 
made  a  tour  of  Europe  in  1911,  having  also 
made  live  trips  previous  to  this  one. 

Martin  Borella  attended  school  in  Coal  City, 
and  at  the  age  of  twelve  years  became  a  driver 
of  a  grocery  wagon  for  his  father.  Upon  the 
retirement  of  his  father,  he  took  charge  of  the 
store  which  he  managed  until  1912,  when  he 
gave  it  up  in  order  to  visit  Italy.  After  return- 
ing to  the  United  States  he  embarked  in  another 
line  of  business,  and  also  oversees  his  father's 
affairs. 

On  June  21,  1903.  Mr.  Borella  was  united  in 
marriage,  at  Joiiet,  111.,  with  Fronie  Moarn, 
a  native  of  Coal  City,  and  one  child.  Marie 
Louise,  born  January  29,  1900,  has  blessed  this 
union.  He  belongs  to  the  Catholic  Church  and 
is  affiliated  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and 
Foresters  of  America,  of  which  latter  he  is  a 
social  member  and  acts  as  secretary.  Mr.  Bo- 
rella belongs  to-the  Fire  Department  of  Coal 
City:  and  is  a  member  of  the  Coal  City  Marino 
Band  and  Musician's  Union,  which  he  served  as 
secretary  for  three  years.  Politically  he  is  a 
Republican,  but  is  very  liberal  in  county  poli- 
tics. In  1910  he  was  on  the  ballot  for  super- 
visor of  Felix  Township,  the  result  being  a  tie. 
from  which  lie  withdrew  by  agreement.  He 
is  a  man  of  good  principles  and  is  considered  a 


public-spirited,  useful  citizen,  one  who  has  the 
best  interests  of  the  city  and  community  at 
hear!. 

BOTTINO,  Angelo.— A  resident  of  the  town  of 
South  Wilmington  since  its  organization,  Angelo 
P.ottino  is  the  loader  anion-  flic  Italian-born 
citizens  of  his  community,  and  although  now- 
living  retired  from  active  business  pursuits, 
still  takes  an  alert  interest  in  the  affairs  of 
his  section,  and  for  the  past  eight  years  has 
served  as  city  clerk.  He  has  also  been  a  no- 
tary public  for  seven  years,  and  devotes  some 
lime  to  acting  as  a  fire  insurance  agent  and  as 
agent  for  steamship  lines.  He  was  born  in 
Northern  Italy.  July  5,  isr,7,  a  son  of  Carlo  and 
Domenica  (Oberto)  Bottino.  His  father,  a 
teamster  by  vocation,  died  in  bis  native  land  in 
1905.  while  the  mother  still  survives  and  makes 
her  home  in  Italy.  Ten  children  were  born  to 
them:  Baptista  and  Frank,  who  came  to  the 
United  Stales  and  still  live  here;  Domenica  (I). 
who  is  deceased;  Dominic ;  Angelina,  who  is  de- 
ceased: Victor,  who  lives  in  Prance;  Quinto. 
who  came  to  the  United  states  and  now  resides 
in  Texas;  Angelo;  Angelina  til),  and  Domen- 
ica   (in. 

The  education  of  Angelo  Bottino  was  secured 
in  the  public  schools  of  Northern  Italy,  which 
he  attended  until  reaching  the  age  of  twelve 
years,  and  after  (hat  time  worked  in  a  shop  at 
a  salary  of  fen  cents  per  day  for  three  years. 
Desiring  to  better  himself,  he  then  went  to 
France  and  secured  employment  in  the  coal 
mines,  but  when  twenty  years  of  age  returned 
to  Italy  and  for  two  years  served  in  the  Italian 
army.  Subsequently  he  went  to  Portugal  for  a 
short  time  and  then  returned  to  France,  and 
when  twenty-four  years  of  age  emigrated  to  the 
United  States  locating  at  once  at  Braidwood, 
111.,  where  he  beanie  a  worker  in  Pie  mines. 
In  1S99  Mr.  Bottino  came  to  South  Wilmington 
at  the  time  the  town  started,  and  this  has  been 
his  home  to  the  present  time.  He  was  for  some 
years  engaged  in  the  saloon  business,  but  has 
disposed  of  his  interests  therein,  and  is  living 
practically  retired.  He  has  shown  his  public 
spirit  on  numerous  occasions  when  he  was  iden- 
tified with  movements  making  for  progress  and 
the  betterment  of  conditions  here,  and  is  worthy 
of  being  numbered  among  the  town's  representa- 
tive men. 

Mr.  Bottino  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
Haakey,  and  three  children  have  been  born  to 
them:  Angelina.  Mabel  and  Louis,  all  of  whom 
reside  at  home.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bottino  are 
members  of  the  Catholic  Church.  He  is  prom- 
inent fraternally  as  a  member  of  the  Eagles 
Lodge.  South  Wilmington,  the  Italian  society 
of  the  White  Neck  Tie.  at  Spring  Valley;  the 
Odd  Fellows,  at  Braceville;  and  the  Knights  of 
Pythias,  at  Cedarville.  In  the  capacity  of  city 
clerk',  he  is  -ably  handling  the  affairs  of  his 
adopted  place,  and  his  conscientious  public  serv- 
ice has  won  him  (lie  respect  and  esteem  of  his 
fellow-citizens. 


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HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


771 


BOTTINO,  Clem,  a  member  of  the  firm  of  C.  Bot-  BOTTINO,  Dominic— Examples  are  numerous 
tino  &  Brother,  proprietors  of  the  leading  store  of  men  who  have  come  to  this  country  from 
of  South  Wilmington.  111.,  is  one  of  the  prom-  foreign  lands  without  financial  resources  or  in- 
iuont  and  enterprising  young  business  men  of  lluential  friends  and  have  risen  to  places  of  im- 
Grundy  County.  I  lis  career  lias  been  one  of  portance  in  commercial  life,  and  no  better  in- 
constant industry  and  courageous  perseverance,  stance  u\'  this  type  may  he  found  than  Dominie 
and  in  spite  of  discouragements  and  misfor-  Bottino,  prominent  business  man  and  highly 
tunes  he  lias  kept  steadily  progressing  until  respected  citizen  of  South  Wilmington,  111.  Mr. 
now  he  is  recognized  as  an  important  factor  in  Bottino  was  born  .Tune  9,  1800,  in  Forino 
the  business  life  of  his  adopted  place.  Mr.  Uivara,  Northern  Italy,  and  is  a  son  of  Carlo 
Bottino  was  born  August  2.  lss<>-.  in  Compiegue,  and  Domenica  (Oberto)  Bottino.  His  lather. 
France,  and  is  a  son  of  Frank  and  .Mary  who  followed  the  occupation  of  teamster,  died 
(Campo)    Bottino.  in    his    native    Italy,    in    1905,    and    the   mother 

The    parents    of    Mr.    Bottino    were    horn    in  Mill    makes    her   home    there.      There    were    ten 

Northern    Italy,   and    in    lSS<i  emigrated   to   the  children   of   the  Bottino   family:     Baptista   and 

United  States,  by  way  of  France.     Locating  in  Frank,   who  both   came   to   America;    Domenica 

Braidwood.    111.,    Frank    Bottino    secured    work  (I),  who  is  deceased;   Dominic;   Angelina,   who 

in  the  mines  .of  the  ( '.  W.  &  V.  Coal  Company.  is    deceased;    Victor,    who    makes   his    home    in 

and  later  accumulated  enough  capital  to  engage  France:   Quinto.   living 'in   Texas;   Ansel  o.   who 

in    the    fruit     and    confectionery    business,    in  came  to  America;    Angelina    (11).  and   Donien- 

which'he  continued  for  about  six  years.     In  the  i<-a    (II). 

spring  of  1900  the  family   moved  to  South  Wil-  Dominic   Bottino   secured   all  of  his  schooling 

mington.    where    they    started    the    first    store.  in   his  native   land,   but    has   taught    himself  to 

prior  to  the  incorporation  of  the  town.     Frank  converse,     read     and     write     English     fluently. 

Bottino  was  identified   with   numerous  business  Upon  bis  arrival  in  the  United  States,  in  1SS7, 

enterprises,  made  a  success  oi   his  ventures,  and  be   came    direct    to   Coal    City,    Grundy    County, 

is  now  known  as  one  of  the  substantial  men  of  111.,    where   for   seven   years   he   worked    in    the 

South  Wilmington.  mines,  and  then  secured  employment   in  a  gro- 

Clern    Bottino   received    his   education   in    the  eery  store.     In  1N9G  he  removed  to  Braidwood, 

public    schools    of    Braidwood    and    South    Wil-  111.,   where  he  established  himself  in  a   general 

mington.  and  upon  the  completion  of  his  studies  merchandise   business,   but    in    1S00  disposed  of 

began   to   work    in    his   father's   -tore.      He   was  his  interests  there  and  came  to  South   Wilming- 

subsequently  engaged  in  teaming  for  some  time,  ton.   111.     I-Iere  he  was  engaged  in  the  grocery 

and  then  conducted  the  saloon  owned  in  the  vfl-  business  until   1901,  when  he  purchased  property 

lage  by  his  father  and   his   uncle,   but  in    1D0.S,  and    erected    a    large    business    block    in    East 

with  his  brother  Charlie,  he  established  the  firm  Brooklyn,  a  village  adjoining  South  Wilmington, 

of  ('.Bottino  &  Brother,  which  has  become  the  and    there    conducted    a     general     merchandise 

leading    store    in    South    Wilmington,    handling  business  until    1D07.     In   that  year  he  sold  out 

dry     goods,     groceries,     fruits     and     vegetables,  and  returned  to  Italy  on  a  visit,  and  four  years 

fresh  and  salt    meats  and    miners"   supplies,   and  later   returned    to    Smith    Wilmington,    where   he 

attract  Jul:   a    trade    from    all    over   this   part    of  lived  retired  until    1909,  then  engaging  in   busi- 

the   county.      Chan    Bottino    lias    charge   of    the  ness  again  at   his  present    location. 

meat   department    and   of   the   financial   end  of  In  1SS3,  while  still  residing  in  Italy.  Mr.  Bot- 

the  business,  keeping  the  books.     He  has  been  tino  was  married  to  Katherina  Campo.  daughter 

very  industrious  and  continues  to  he  active  and  of   Joseph    and    Katherina    Campo.    and    to   this 

enterprising  despite  the  fact  that  he  has  been  lmion  there  wre  l,01'n  eleven  children:    Carlo. 

vers-  unfortunate  in  having  several  severe  acci-  whose  home  is  In  Chicago ;  Fannie,  who  is  now 

dents,  the  worst   misfortune  occurring  whet,  he  ^rs.  M.  Berta.  of  .South  Wilmington;  John,  who 

,,               ,           .  .      ,  ..                              tt      i  died    and     is    buried     in     Braidwood;     .loe    and 

was  thrown  from   his  delivery  wagon      He  has  H           a]su  deceased  aRfl  ,lU1.k>|]  in  r>1,lidxvood . 

at  all  times  manifested  a  commendable  interest  Maggle  aud  Katie,  who  are  living  at  home; 
in  the  welfare  of  his  community  and  its  people,  LuCv  am,  Peter  txvhiS  nt  home;  DorainiC)  Jr 
and  by  his  courteous  and  pleasing  manner  has  w|1()  aiso  nH.s  at  home .  and  Frank,  who  died 
gained  a  wide  circle  of  friends.  ;,t  the  age  of  eight  years  and  is  buried  at  Braid- 
On  May  30.  190G,  Mr.  Bottino  was  married  to  wood.  Mr.  and  .Mrs.  Bottino  are  members  of 
Miss  Mary  Bruno,  a  native  of  Northern  Italy.  the  Catholic  Church.  He  is  widely 'known  in 
Two  children  have  been  born  to  this  union:  fraternal  circles,  belonging,  to.  the  Catholic 
Frank  and  John,  both  residing  at  home.  Mr.  Order  of  Foresters,  at  Coal  City;  Minatore 
Bottino  is  well  known  in  fraternal  circles  as  a  ^'Italia,  and  Sola  Resplendente,  at  South  Wil- 
member  of  the  Foresters  of  America,  the  Sola  "iington;  Pretro-Micea,  at  Braceville;  Fraternal 
Resplendente  and  the  Minitore  D'ltalia.     With  0rder    of    ":a-'"s-    ^    s",l(h    Wilmington,    and 


his    family,    he    attends    the    Catholic    Church. 


Mat  no    Soear: 


at    Braidwood.      In    politics    a 


Republican.  Mr.  Bottino  was  elected  cifv  tresis- 
He  is  a  Republican  u  national  matters,  but  in  „,,.,.  „,-  s,,ntl]  Wllmlnpt011  in  ]903,  ;md  heId 
county   , .olit.es    ,s    liberal,    exercising   his    right       that   officc   for    two  ^     IU.   ,|as   wis(,h.   ,n. 

to  vote  for  the  man  he  considers  best  qualified       vested    his    means    in*  real    estate,   and   in   addi- 
for  the  oflice,   regardless  of  party  lines.  jj,,„  to  owning  a  number  of  residences  and  store 


772 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


buildings  in  South  Wilmington  still  retains  his 
large  business  in  East  Brooklyn. 

BOWER,  Leonard,  owner  of  100  acres  of  fertile 
land  in  Good  Farm  Township,  has  demonstrated 
in  his  actual  everyday  operations  the  value  of 
intelligent  methods  as  applied  to  farming.  In 
addition  to  his  home  farm,  he  owns  ICO  acres 
which  he  rents,  so  that  he  is  our  of  the  heavy 
landowners  of  Grundy  County.  He  was  born  in 
Kendall  County.  111.,  in  1S59,  a  son  of  George 
and  Kate  (Krug)  Bower,  both  of  whom  were 
born  in  Bavaria,  Germany.  While  in  his  native 
land  the  father  worked  as  a  farm  laborer,  for  a 
small  sum,  but  after  coming  to  Kendall  County 
he  was  paid  better  wages,  both  at  farm  work, 
and  in  other  employment  at  Aurora.  He  pur- 
chased his  first  land,  amounting  to  eighty  acres, 
in  Kendall  County  for  $1.25  per  acre,  and  de- 
veloped it  into  valuable  property  so  that  he  was 
able  to  retire  in  his  declining  years,  and  lives 
at  Oswego,  111.,  where  his  wife  died  in  1913. 
They  had  nine  children:  Christina,  who  died 
in  infancy;  John;  Henry;  Leonard;  George; 
Fred;  Charley;  Louise,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
two  years;  and  Minnie  Hoffenrickter. 

Leonard  Bower  attended  the  district  schools 
of  Kendall  County,  and  when  nineteen  years 
old  began  operating  his  lather's  homestead. 
After  bis  marriage  he  and  his  wife  went  to 
Oswego,  111.,  l.ut  in  1SS9  came  to  Grnndy  County 
where  Mr.  Bower  has  made  such  a  success  of 
bis  agricultural  ventures.  In  1SS5,  Mr.  Bower 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Barbara  Burk- 
bardt.  a  daughter  of  Frederick  and  Mary 
(Freworth)  Burkhardt,  who  located  in  Good 
Farm  Township  in  1S52,  and  are  still  living 
on  their  homestead  on  Section  15,  that  same 
township.  A  full  history  of  this  pioneer  family 
will  be  found  in  the  sketch  of  Andrew  Burk- 
hardt. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bower  have  had  three 
children:  Lora  Schroeder.  and  .Mice  and  Fran- 
cis, both  of  whom  are  at  home.  The  Methodist 
Church  holds  Mi-.  Bower's  membership,  and  be 
Kives  bis  support  to  the  Republican  party. 
For  the  past  ten  years  he  has  been  on  the  school 
board  of  bis  district,  and  is  a  man  highly  re- 
spected by  all  with  whom  he  is  brought  into 
contact. 

BOWKER,  Frank  C,  M.  D.— The  younger  gen- 
eration of  medical  men  are  fully  sustaining  the 
high  standard  raised  by  those  who  have  gone 
before  them,  and  are  bringing  into  their  work 
a  fruitful  experience.  Matured  by  years  of 
careful  study  and  influenced  by  continual  scien- 
tific discoveries,  they  are  safeguarding  the 
health  of  the  people.  One  of  the  eminent  phy- 
sicians and  surgeons  of  Morris,  111.,  is  Dr.  Frank 
C.  Bowker.  He  was  born  at  Indianapolis,  Ind., 
August  3.  1872.  son  of  Clarence  1'..  and  Edna 
(Miller)  Bowker.  the  former  horn  in  Thoinp- 
kins  County,  X.  Y..  and  the  latter  at  Crnwfords- 
ville.  Ind.  The  parental  grandparents.  Harri- 
son and  Helen  (Scofield)  Bowker,  were  natives 
of  New  York,  while  the  maternal  grandparents, 


Isaac  and  Mary  (Cannine)  Miller,  were  natives 
of  Indiana   and    Kentucky   respectively. 

Clarence  B.  Bowker  went  from  New  York  to 
Crawfordsville.  Ind.,  where  he  entered  Wabash 
college  and  was  graduated  in  the  classical 
course  in  1S71.  There  he  met  the  lady  whom  he 
afterwards  married  and  they  went  to  Indian- 
apolis, where  Mr.  Bowker  studied  law  for  two 
years.  He  then  went  to  McFherson,  Kas..  where 
he  practiced  his  profession,  being  the  first  law- 
yer of  that  place.  His  death  occurred  in  1891. 
His  widow  has  since  lived  with  her  son,  Dr. 
Bowker. 

Frank  ('.  Bowker  received  his  degree  of  A.  B. 
from  the  State  University  of  Kansas,  from 
which  lie  was  graduated  in  1S95.  During  1S9G 
and  181)7.  he  studied  medicine  at  Kansas  Stale 
University,  entering  Hahnemann  Medical  Col- 
lege of  Chicago  in  the  latter  year,  from  which 
be  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of  M.  D.  in 
18:>9.  Immediately  thereafter,  he  came  to  Mor- 
ris where  he  bewail  his  practice,  and  has  built 
up  a  tine  clientele.  Dr.  Bowker  has  become 
quite  prominent  in  his  profession,  being  Presi- 
dent of  the  Grundy  County  .Medical  Society,  and 
is  a  memher  of  'the  Illinois  State  Medical 
Society,  of  the  Homeopathic  .Medical  Society 
and  of  the  American  Medical  Society.  He  is 
medical  examiner  for  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America,  the  Mystic  Workers  and  for  the  Loyal 
Arcanum;  the  Pacific  Mutual  American  Assur- 
ance Company;  the  Bankers'  Life  Association; 
Merchants  Life  Association  ;  Illinois  Life  Asso- 
ciation :  Central  Life  of  Illinois  Association; 
Loyal  Neighbors  and  the  National  Life  of  the 
L.  S.  of  America;  and  is  on  (he  staff  of  the 
Morris  Hospital,  and  on  that  of  the  Chicago, 
Ottawa  and  Peoria  Railroad  company. 

On  .Tune  G.  1900.  Dr.  Bowker  was  married  to 
Flora  Belle  Boynton.  born  in  Janesville,  Wis., 
a  daughter  of  Jerome  and  Kate  (Scott)  Boyn- 
ton. who  were  natives  of  New  York  Slate.  Mrs. 
Bowker  was  educated  in  the  Hi^h  school  of 
Janesville,  Wis.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Bowker  have 
bad  two  children:  Ruth  and  Helen.  He  is  a 
Congregationalist  in  religious  faith.  The  Re- 
publican party  holds  his  allegiance  and  since 
190S  be  has  been  an  alderman  of  bis  -ward.  In 
1907  he  was  elected  a  memher  of  the  school 
board  and  still  holds  that  office,  and  is  also 
president  of  the  library  association.  He  is  a 
Mason  and  has  risen  through  all  the  degrees 
to  that  of  a  Mystic  Shriner.  being  connected 
with  Medinah  Temple  of  Chicago.  Dr.  Bowker 
also  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  Not  only  is  he 
a  skilled  physician,  but  he  is  a  public-spirited 
man  who  has  the  best  interests  of  his  com- 
munity at  heart,  and  is  doing  all  be  can  to 
bring  about  a  betterment  of  existing  conditions. 

BRANNICK,  John.— There  arc  many  very  in- 
teresting things  to  see  and  pleasant  people  to 
meet  when  one  travels  through  Grundy  County. 
111.,  and  as  fine,  well  improved  farms  as  any  in 
the  State  are  situated  in  Aux  Sable  Township, 
one  of  these  being  owned  by  John  Brannock,  a 


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HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY.  773 

well   known   and   representative  citizen   of  this  family    are    members   of    St.    Mary's    Catholic 

section.     He  was  born  in  Aux  Sable  Township,  Church  at  Minooka.     In  politics  he  is  a  Deuio- 

Gnuidy  County,  111.,  November  12,  1S52,  and  is  crat  and  since  1S97  has  served  in  the  office  of 

a    son'  of    Michael    and    Mary    Ann     (Sterling)  road    commissioner,     lie   belongs  to   and    takes 

Brannick.  much  interest   in  the  fraternal  order  of  M.  W. 

Michael  Brannick  was  born  in  County  Mayo,  A.      Mr.    Brannick    has   some    excellent    invest- 

Ireland,  and  came  to  Grundy  County,  111.,  local-  inents,    being    a    stockholder    in    the    Miuooka 

ing   in    Aux    Sable   Township,    about    1S40.      In  Grain,  Lumber  and  Supply  Company,  and  also 

1S40  he  joined  the  great   army  of  .cold  seekers,  in  the  Farmers  Bank  of  Minooka,  111. 
who  crossed  the  plains  to  California.     However 

successful  he  may  have  been  he  remained  but  BRAUN,  August  A.— The  pioneers  in  any  line 
one  year  in  the  California  mining  regions  and  of  endeavor,  the  men  who  arc  fearless  enough 
then  started  homeward,  taking  the  old  Panama  to  forge  ahead  along  new  avenues,  are  those 
route  and.  by  way  of  New  York  Anally  reached  who  deserve  to  succeed.  They  cannot:  be  gov- 
Aux  Sable  'Township  once  more.  There  he  erned  by  what  others  have  accomplished,  but 
bought  land  and  improved  the  same  and  for  must  take  the  risk  and  not  only  establish  a 
many  years  lived  on  that  farm,  and  then,  some  business,  but  create  a  demand  for  their  class  of 
twenty  years  before  death  retired  to  Minooka,  work.  Such  a  man  is  August  A.  Braun,  man- 
where  he  died  in  1902,  when  aged  seventy-six  ufacturer  of  cement  blocks,  and  contractor  for 
years.  At  Joliet.  111.,  he  was  married  to  Mary  cement  work,  who  was  the  first  to  engage  in 
Ann  Sterling,  who  was  born  at  Providence.  R.  this  class  of  construction  at  Morris  is  now  a 
I.,  and  died  in  June,  11)07.  She  was  a  daughter  leader  in  it.  He  was  lorn  at  Chicago,  Septem- 
of  John  and  Mary  Sterling,  who  came  to  1 1 II-  ber  23,  1-Soli,  son  of  John  Adam  and  Susanna 
nois  and  settled  on  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  (Braun)  Braun,  not  relatives,  natives  of  Helm- 
canal,  was  toll  keeper  and  also  kept  a  store.  stadl  Baden,  Germany.  They  married  in  their 
The  following  children  were  born  to  Michael  native  laud,  hut  came  to  the  I  nited  States  about 
Brannick  and  wife:  John:  Ambrose,  who  is  a  1S52,  stopping  first  at  Buffalo,  X.  Y.,  from 
farmer  in  Aux  Sable  Town-hip:  William,  who  whence  they  came  to  Cleveland,  Ohio,  the  father 
lives  at  Troy,  111.;  Man-  Ellen,  who  is  the  wife  working  their  way  along  the  canal.  In  1855, 
of  Alexander  Coulehan*  of  Joliet.  111.:  Michael  they  located  at  Chicago,  remaining  there  for 
and  Thomas,  both  of  whom  live  at  Goldtield.  two  years,  when  another  change  was  made  to 
New ;  Jennie,  who  is  Mrs.  'fie. mas  Brady,  of  Mokena,  Will  County,  111.  There  the  father 
Joliet,- 111.;  Katharine,  who  is  the  wife  of  Ed-  worked  until  1S70  for  the  Chicago,  Rock  Island 
ward  Duffy,  of  Joliet.  III.:  Henry  who  lives  &  Pacific  Railroad.  In  that  year  he  was  pro- 
in  Minooka",  III.;  and  Margaret,  who  is  the  wife  moted  to  be  foreman  and  went  to  Morris  where 
of  D.  A.  Henueberry,  of  Minooka.  111.  he   discharged    the   duties   of    his   new    position 

John    Brannick    attended    the   district    schools  until  1S80.     Mr.  Braun  then  went  to  a  farm  hi' 

when  a  boy  and  helped  bis  father  on  the  home  bought  in  Saratoga  Township,  and  there  he  was 

farm   until    his   marriage,   after   which    he   went  accidentally  killed  by  a  kick  id'  a  horse  in  1S9S. 

to  Will  County  and  bought  a  farm  in   Shanahan  The    mother    moved    to    Morris    where    she    died 

Township    which    he    operated    for    eight    years  in  March,  Tali). 

and  then  sold  and  returned  to  Aux  Sable  Town-  August    A.    Braun    grew    up    in    Will    County 

ship.     In  1010  be  bought   his  father's  old   farm  where  he  attended  the  local  schools.     His  first 

of  320  acres  which  he  operates  with  the  assist        employment    was    as    se.\t< f    the    Evergreen 

ance  of  his  sons.     General    farming   is  carried  Cemetery  at.  Morris,  ami  he  held  this  position 

on  and   he  pays   considerable  attention    to   rais-  for  six  years.     At  the  expiration  of  that  period. 

ing  horses,   cattle  and   hogs.     He  has  improved  he  moved   to  Morris  and  for  several  years  con- 

the  property  greatly  and  has  erected  line  mod-  ducted  a  general  teaming  business.     From  1S90 

era   buildings   and   a    general    air   of   thrift   and  to  1902,   he   was  superintendent   of  city_  streets, 

comfort   prevails.  and  during  that   period  became  so  convinced  of 

In  January.  1ST  I.   Mi'.  Brannick   was  married  the   superiority  of  cement,  and   the  opportunity 

to    Miss    Mary    Ann    Coulahan.    who    was    born  here    offered     for    a     manufacturer    of    cement 

in  Aux  Sable  Township,  a  daughter  of  Lawrence  blocks,    that    he    founded    his    present    business 

and    Margaret     (Welch)     Coulahan.    natives    of  in  the  latter  year.     Since  then  he  has  branched 

Ireland.     To   this   marriage   the   following   chil-  out    into   cement    construction    work,    and    takes 

dren  were  born:    Michael   and   Mary,   both   live  a  great  number  of  contracts  for  the  work.     In 

in  this  township;   Francis  died   in   infancy   and  1914   Mr.   Braun   built  a   new  plant,  30x00  feet, 

Alexander  when  aged  two  years;  Margaret  and  two  stories  in  height,  and   has  now  one  of  the 

Charles  live  at  home;   Francis  died  when  aged  best  equipped  cement  plants  in  Grundy  County. 

two  years,  and  Loretta,  the  youngest,  lived  but  In  addition   to  owning  his  plant  and  two  resi- 

one   year.     The   mother   of   the  above   children  dences,  lie  also  owns  one  of  the  largest  gravel 

died'july   1,   1SSS.     On   January   2.".,    1S93,    Mr.  pits    in    Grundy    County,    1<:0   acres   of   land    in 

Brannick  was  married    (second)    to  Miss  Oath-  Adair   County.    Iowa,  and   100  acres  of  land   in 

erine  Reynolds,  a  daughter  of  Patrick  and  Ann  Canada. 

(Smith)    Reynolds.     They   were   natives  of   Ire-  In   September,  1SS2,   Mi'.   Braun   was   married 

land,  the  father  born  in'County  Mayo,  and  the  to  Elizabeth  Gorieh,  born  at  Morris,  daughter  of 

mother  in  County  Wexford.     Mr.  Brannick  and  Jacob  and  Catherine    (Werner)    Gorieh,  natives 


774  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

of  Germany.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Braun  became  the  tics,  although   very  liberal   in   his  Ideas.     Very 

parents  of  the  following  children:   Henry  Wil-  successful  as  an  auctioneer,  his  services  are  iii 

Hani,   who  lives   at   Denver,   Colo.;    Bertha    B.,  Kreat    demand    all    over    the    county.      Genial, 

Mrs.  George  Corke,  whose  husband  is  manager  whole-souled  and  kind-hearted,  he  makes  friends 

of  the  Chicago  Telephone  Company  at   Morris;  wherever  he  goes,  and  receives  a  warm  welcome, 

ami  Lmiis  J.,  who  lives  at  Morris.     Mrs.  Braun  for  he   knows  how  to  make  himself  agreeable 

died  May   10,  1807.     (in   December  '■'•.    1902,   Mr.  to  all  classes  of  men. 
Braun  was  married    (second  i    to  Mary    (Steele) 

Aird,  widow  of  .lames  Aird,  and  mother  of  Bus-  BRISCOE,  Peter  H.,  who  successfully  carries  on 

sell  Aird  of  Morris.    By  his  second  marriage,  Mr.  general  farming  and  slock  raising  on  his  valu- 

Braun  has  had  two  children:  Donald,  who  died  -ible   farm    of   200  acres,    which    is    situated    in 

at    the   age   of   one   year;   and    Philip   A.     Mr.  Section     24.     Aux     Sable     Township,     Grundv 

Braun    is  a    Presbyterian.      Politically,    he   is   a  County.   111.,  was  horn  in  this  township  May  23. 

Republican  and  lias  served  as  Commissioner  of  iS53.  and   is  a   son  of  Nicholas  and   Mary 'Ann 

Highways  of  Morris  Township  since  1802.     Fra-  (Bvrnes)    Briscoe. 

ternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Morris  lodge  of  the  Nicholas    Briscoe    and     his    wife    were    both 

Knights  of   Pythias  No.  ITS,   and   is  popular  in  i„,rn     j»    King's    County.     Ireland,    where    they 

it  as  he  is  in  business  circles,  for  he  is  a  man  grew  „,,  ;nid   married  and   in  1840  took  passage 

who  makes  and  retains  friends.  ,„,    ;l    sailing    vessel    for   the   United    Slates.      In 

the  fall  of   1840  they  were  safolv  landed  al   the 

BRAY,  Charles  George.— Some  of  the  most  port  of  New  Orleans.  La.  Their  objective  point 
progressive  agriculturalists  of  Grundy  County  vvas  Illinois.'  so  they  came  up  the  Mississippi 
have  found  it  profitable  to  combine  farming  with  ,-iver  and  in  April,  lsr.fi.  came  to  Dresden. 
other  lines  of  endeavor,  being  thus  enabled  to  Grand  v  Count  v.  Mr.  Briscoe  had  secured  a 
bring  into  play  all  their  ability,  and  one  of  tract  of  land  to  rent,  in  Aux  Sable  Township, 
these  is  Charles  George  Pray  win.  is  living  on  Gmndy  County,  on  which  the  family  lived  until 
the  John  Hamilton  farm  in  Mazon  Township.  i.sr.r,.  and  then  moved  to  Minnesota.  In  that 
In  addition  to  conducting  its  lh'O  acres,  he  is  an  stale  thev  lived  until  August.  1S5T,  and  then 
auctioneer  of  live  stock  and  real  estate,  lie  was  came  ,,,.,, .jc  ,,,  Aux  s.il.Ie  Township  and  again 
horn  in  Will  County.  111.,  in  1*75  and  is  a  son  settled  on  rented  land.  In  1802  Nicholas  P.ris- 
of  Michael  and  Ann  (Dorin)  Bray.  Michael  coe  moved  to  a  tract  of  SCO  acres,  which  he 
Pray  was  horn  in  Ireland,  in  the  county  of  bought  in  ISfiO.  and  this  continued  to  he  the 
Dublin,  as  was  his  wife,  and  in  1800  they  came  Vamilv  homo.  He  improved  this  land  and  con- 
to  the  United  stales,  landing  at  New  York  City  tinned  to  reside  here  until  his  death  which  oc- 
where  they  remained  until  1S72  when  they  came  cm-red  August  1.  Iss2.  his  widow  surviving  him 
to  Will  County,  III.,  settling  on  a  farm.  Ten  uutj]  September  S.  1SS3.  Of  their  children  there 
years  later  they  left  that  county  for  Grundy  .,,.,,  foiu.  vct  Hvinsr :  Maria,  who  is  the  wife 
County,  where  the  father  engaged  in  farming  of  jalnes  Mead  of  Aux  Sable  township:  Eliza, 
until  his  death  in  190S,  his  remains  being  laid  wlm  is  th(,  „-jfe  0f  William  Harrison,  of  Wash- 
to  rest  at  .Morris.  The  mother  survived  him  jngton :  and  Peter,  the  youngest  of  the  family: 
until  .Inly  IS,  1012.  These  parents  had  fourteen  Patrick,  of  Channahon,  111.,  is  now  deceased. 
children,  ten  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely:  1V((T  Rriscoe  attended  the  local  schools  in 
Mary  Mover,  Lizzie  Jackson,  Pose  Nicholson,  bovhood  and  gave  his  father  assistance  until 
Margaret  Carter.  John.  James,  Andrew.  Charles,  ]lis  0W]1  marriage  and  then  settled  on  200  acres 
George,  Christopher  and  Daniel.  Those  do-  of  the  home  farm,  which  his  father  had  given 
ceased  were  as  follows:  Patrick.  William  and  bin,.' and  on  which  he  erected  a  fine  residence. 
Michael,  who  died  in  infancy,  and  Sadie  Parkin.  ITis  entire  attention  is  given  to  his  farm  indus- 
who  died  later  on  in  life.  tries   alia-    ]|f.    js   numbered   with    the   township's 

Charles  George  Pray  attended  the  district  substantial  and  representative  men. 
schools  of  his  township,  and  since  finishing  his  i)n  xovember  ::.  1S7!>.  Mr.  Briscoe  was  mar- 
education  lias  been  engaged  in  farming.  On  ,.],,,]  to  MPs  Margaret  A.  Burke,  who  was  born 
August  7,  1005.  he  married  Mary  Gauthier,  who  ;,,  Aux  sable  Township,  October  .".  1S50.  and  is 
was  horn  in  Belgium,  but  was  brought  to  Coal  ;1  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Welsh) 
City,  111.,  by  her  parents.  Benjamin  and  Jennie  Rm-ke.  The  father  of  Mrs.  "Briscoe  was  born 
(Charles)  Gauthier.  The  father  was  a  coal  ;„  County  Clare.  Ireland,  in  1824  'and  the 
miner  who  worked  in  the  mines  of  Coal  City  mother  in'  King's  County,  Ireland.  The  father 
until  his  death  in  1S04.  The  mother  survives  came  1(,  xew  York  in  1*47  and  later  became 
him.  There  were  ten  children  in  the  Gauthier  n  resident  of  Grundv  County,  111.  The  following 
family,  namely  :  Matilda  Chillario;  Fred  ;  Jennie  children  were  born'  to  Mi-,  and  Mrs.  Briscoe: 
Binotte:  Katie,  who  is  deceased;  Mrs.  Bray;  John  Nicholas,  living  at  home,  was  born  August 
Sabine  Gotthier;  Augustine  Pray:  two  win.  ,;.  JSSO;  Elizabeth  Marv.  born  Mav  .".1.  1SS1,  is 
died  in  infancy;  and  Joseph,  who  is  also  t]l(,  Nvit-(1  ,„•  p.,trick  vVhnlon.  of '  Morris.  111.: 
deceased.  'I'll, anas  A.,  born  October  in.  1SS2.  married  Mar- 
^  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bray  have  two  childern.  namely:  Karet  Feenev  and  thev  live  at  Channahon.  111.: 
Edward  Andrew  and  Daniel  James.  Mr.  Pray  Frances  P..  born  March  10.  ISM.  died  October 
belongs  to  the  Mazon  Lodge  of  the  Modem  ofj.  1SS4 :  Esther  M..  born  April  4.  1SS5.  is  the 
Woodmen  of  America.    He  is  a  Democrat  in  poli-  wjfe  0f  henry  Talbot,  of  Troy  Township,  Will 


.-  ■ 


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MR.  AND  MRS.  FRANK  GETTLER 


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THOMAS  MUFFLER 


MRS.  THOMAS  MUFFLER 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY.  775 

County.  III.;  William  E..  born  October  13,  ISSfi,  Morris,  which  has  already  attained  a   well  de- 
lives  at  home :  Francis  J.,  born  August  2G,  1SSS,  served  popularity.     She  receives  and  cares  for 
died  December  21.  181>2 ;  Henry  P.,  botn  Decern-  women    wlio    are    invalids,   and    her   skill    and 
her    1,   1SS9;    Mad. .line    E.,    born    February    IS,  kindly    sympathy    receive    full    appreciation. 
1891;    Loretta    A.,    horn    March    1.    1802;    Irene 

C.  horn  May  lo.  1893;  Andrew  I...  born  July  BRODERICK,  La\vrence.--The  preservation  of 
'_'.~p.  1S94;  Katherino  E..  hern  February  S,  1S9G ;  law  and  order,  and  handling  of  such  criminals 
Richard  1*,..  horn  February  11.  1S97;  George  L.,  who  will  come  into  the  best  of  communities, 
horn  January  21.  lVt!*.  'died  April  Id,  1890;  especially  those  which  are  the  seat  of  justice, 
Monica  E.,  horn  November  2(5,  1900;  and  Anna  constitute  a  heavy  task  which  only  competent 
L..  horn  June  1.  I'.'o).  There  are  eleven  grand-  men  can  work  out  successfully.  Experience, 
children.  knowledge  of  men,  and  strict  integrity  are  char- 
In  politics  .Mr.  Briscoe  is  a  Democrat  and  his  aeten'sties  which  arc  necessary  to  those  who 
party  has  frequenth  elected  him  to  important  are  at  the  head  of  the  police  forces  of  centers 
township  offices,  lie  served  as  collector  from  of  civilization,  and  among  those  thus  qualified, 
1S7S  until  isT't,  as  supervisor  from  1SS1  until  is  Lawrence  Broderick  of  Morris,  the  efficient 
189C,  and  since  i.vix  has  been  serving  in  the  Chief  of  Police.  Chief  Broderick  was  horn  at 
office  of  assessor.  He  belongs  to  the  Modern  Morris,  111.,  August  12.  1S57,  a  son  of  Michael 
Woodmen  of  America  order  nt  Minooka.  Ilk.  tlI"-l  Kate  (Shcriden)  Broderick,  early  settlers 
and  he  and  family  are  members  of  St.  Mary's  of  Morris.  The  father,  a  section  boss,  and  ex- 
Catholic  Chunh  at  Minooka.  cellent  man,  died  in  1S70,  but  his  widow  sur- 
vived him  until  1S9S,  when  she.  too,  passed 
BRITT,  Cornelius  D.  (deceased).— Some  men  are  away.  During  her  long  widowhood,  Mr.  P.rod- 
destined  never  to  leave  the  ordinary  paths  of  erick  took  care  of  her  and  gave  her  every  com- 
life.  hut.  in  pursuing  homely  duties  along  foi't  within  his  power.  After  twelve  years' 
them  perhaps  accomplish  as  much  as  those  efficient  service  as  a  member  of  the  police  force, 
whose  responsibilities  carry  them  into  wider  he  was,  in  1900,  placed  at  its  head,  and  since 
fields.  One  of  the  men  who  for  years  worked  then  has  continued  to  justify  his  elevation  to 
faithfully  and  well  as  a  farmer  ami  did  much  to  that  important  office.  His  men  work  effectively 
raise  the  standard  of  agriculture  in  Grundy  under  him,  and  the  citizens  are  given  protection, 
County,  was  the  kite  Cornelius  D.   Britt,  a   mail  as  never  before. 

cf  highest  character  and  sterling  integrity.  He  In  April,  lsOO,  Mr.  Broderick  was  united  in 
was  horn  in  Xettle  Creek  Township.  November  marriage  with  Ella  McElliott,  horn  at  Morris, 
it.  is;,7.  sou  of  Moses  and  Jane  (Starr)  Britt.  daughter  of  Daniel  McElliott.  who  was  horn  in 
the  former  of  whom  was  horn  in  England.  Ireland.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Broderick  became  the 
June  1-1.  1812.  Leaving  his  native  land  in  1840,  parents  of  the  following  children:  Ellen,  Mar- 
Moses  Britt  came  to  Buffalo,  X.  Y.,  April  1.  1S40,  garet.  Katie.  John,  Thomas,  and  Clement,  lie 
where  he  worked  as  a  teamster  until  1S.T4.  and  is  a  consistent  member  of  the  Catholic  Church, 
then  came  to  Xettle  Creek  Township,  where  he  In  political  faith,  he  is  an  independent,  pre- 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  ferriug  to  vote  for  the  man  he  deems  best 
■When  his  father  died.  Cornelius  I).  Britt  titled  for  the  office  in  question,  rather  than  to 
bought  out  the  other  heir-  to  the  IGOacre  farm,  hind  himself  down  to  any  one  party.  Frater- 
and  conducted  it  until  his  death.  January  S,  nally,  he  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
1890.  lie  was  reared  on  this  property  ami  at-  America  and  the  Knights  of  Columbus.  Efli- 
tended  the  local  schools.  A  member  of  the  cient,  conscientious  and  hard-working,  Mr.  Brod- 
Episcopal  Church,  he  lived  according  to  its  erick  is  an  ideal  official,  and  has  laid  the  city  of 
creed  and  was  a  worthy  and  good  man.  A  Re-  Morris  under  obligation  to  him  for  what  he  has 
publican,  he  was  honored  by  his  party  by  elec-  accomplished, 
tion    to    different    township   offices. 

On    December   U7.    1SS1.    Mr.    Britt    was    mar-  BROOK,  Adam. — The  various  services  rendered 

ried  to  Eliza   Mitting.  horn   November  22,   1S03.  to    his    township   and    county   by   Adam    Brook, 

in    Sussex.    England,    daughter    of    1\     K.    and  who    is    now     living    somewhat    retired    at    his 

Lydia    (Piper)    Mitting.      The    mother    died    in  home    in    Braceville.    111.,  .have    made    him    rec- 

England    in    November.    1904,    hut    Mr.    Mitting  ognized    by    his    fellow-citizens    as   one   of   those 

survives,  making  his  borne  in   Sussex.  England.  who   have   contributed    materially    to   the   prog- 

On    May    in.    1870.    Mrs.    Britt    arrived    in    Net-  ress    and    prosperity    of    Grundy    County.      He 

tie  Creek  Township,  where  she  afterwards  met  was   horn    in   Yorkshire.    England.   December  24. 

and   married   Mr.   Britt     They  had  the  follow-  1848.  and  is  a  son  of  Richard  and  Leah  (France) 

ing    children:      Lydia    J.,    who    is    Mrs.    Harry  Brook,  natives  of  England,  the  former  of  whom 

Miller,    resides    with     her    mother:    Ilattie    M..  was   for   sixty-six    years   a    coal    miner   in    Eng- 

who  is  Mrs.  John  Mitchell  of  Morris,  and  Clara  land   and   the    United    States. 

B.  and  Charrie  II..  both  of  whom  are  at  home.  Adam   Brook  received  but   limited  educational 

After  the  death  of  .Mr.  Britt.  Mrs.  Britt  brought  advantages,    as    at    the    age    of    eiirhf    years    he 

her  family  to   Morris,  and   for  the  past  twelve  began   to  work   in   the  mines  of   England,  at  a 

years  she  has   been   a   trained   nurse.      In   Octo-  salary    of    twenty    cents    per    day.      In    1877    he 

her,   1911.  she  founded   an   invalids'   home  in  a  joined    the   police  force   of   his   native   locality, 

large  brick  building,  at   No.  222  E.  Main  street.  and    was    so     employed    until    coming     to    the 


776 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


zens.     lie  has  long  ... 

the   local    lodge    of    the   Foresters   ol"    America, 

and  for  fifteen  years  has  been  a   trustee  of  that 

order. 

Three  children  have  been  horn  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Brook,  namely:  Joseph,  who  died  as  a 
child  in  England;  John  Charles,  who  died  in 
lSOjs    of    injuries    received    while    employed    in 

fl,^.     Di-.i/invillfl      lit  111  AC!  .      .iikI      fiilli-      GriM'nC 


IS! 

the  Braccville  inn 


uid  Gilly   Spin 


BROWN,  John  (deceased).— Although  others 
now  conduct  the  drug  store  he  founded,  the 
name  of  Brown's  drug  store  clings  to  the  store 
at  the  corner  of  Liberty  and  Main  streets,  and 
John  Brown  is  not  forgotten  in  Morris.  He 
was  born  in  England  September  1,  1>--~>,  a  son 
of  William  Brown,  a  soldier  in  the  English 
army.  John  Brown  came  to  Morris  about  1S05, 
although  he  had  been  living  in  Grundy  County 
for  some  fifteen  years  prior  to  that  date.  He 
served  Grundy  County  as  Supervisor  from  Aux 
Sable  Township,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Mor- 
ris School  Board.  In  1S75,  he  bought  what  was 
known  as  the  Hopkins  House  and  conducted  it 
for  live  years,  but  after  that  devoted  himself 
to  his  drug  business  which  he  had  established 
upon  locating  at  Morris.  In  1S50  Mr.  Brown 
married  Ann  Brown,  born  in  1*20,  and  they  hail 
nine  children.  In  politics  Mr.  Brown  was  a 
Republican. 

BUCK,  Archie  Edward. — Mazon  Township  is  the 
home  of  some  of  the  most  substantial  farmers 
of  Grundy  County  and  their  well-cultivated 
acres  reflect  credit  upon  them  ami  their  section. 
One  of  the  men  who  has  found  it  profitable  to 
engage  in  agricultural  pursuits  is  Archie  Edward 
Buck,  owner  of  100  acres  of  valuable  land  in 
Mazon  Township.  He  was  born  in  Saratoga 
Township,  in  1S70,  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Eliza- 
beth (Predaux)  Buck.  Thomas  Buck  was  born 
in  Canada,  and  his  wife  was  born  in  England, 
and  they  were  brought  to  Grundy  County  in 
childhood.  After  their  marriage,  they  located  in 
Saratoga  Township,  but  are  now  living  retired 
at  Morris.  Their  ten  children  were  as  follows: 
Eliza;  Albert;  Nellie:  Archie  Edward;  Alex  and 
Andrew,  who  are  twins;  John;  Josephine,  who 


is  deceased;  Jessie;  and  Robert,  who  is  also 
deceased. 

Archie  Edward  Buck  attended  the  district 
schools  for  one  year,  and  then  completed  his 
educational  training  in  the  excellent  schools  of 
Morris.  When  he  was  twenty-oue  years  old, 
he  began  working  on  his  own  account,  and  in  the 
years  which  have  followed  has  given  convincing 
proof  of  his  ability.  His  activities  have  been 
varied  as  for  a  period  lie  was  with  a  threshing 
outfit  during  the  summer  months  and  a  corn 
sheller  outfit  in  the  winter,  but  in  1S93  settled 
on  his  present  property,  where  he  raises  corn 
and  oats  feeding  his  grain  to  hogs  and  cattle 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Buck  occurred  in  1S95, 
when  he  was  united  with  Emma  Scholicld.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and 
gives  it  a  generous  support.  Fraternally  he  is 
a  Mason  and  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias 
of  Morris.  His  vote  has  been  cast  for  Repub- 
lican candidates  since  he  atained  his  majority. 
In  addition  to  his  farming  interests,  Mr.  Buck 
is  a  stockholder  in  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Mazon  and  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  of 
the  same  place.  A  man  of  affairs,  he  has  known 
how  to  make  bis  work  count,  and  is  regarded  as 
a   substantial   farmer  of  the  county. 

BUCK,  Charles  E  —  Grundy  County  farm  land 
repays  well  those  who  spent  their  days  culti- 
vating it.  for  it  is  fertile,  well  watered  and 
conveniently  located  with  regard  to  transpor- 
tation facilities.  Therefore  some  of  the  most 
level-headed  men  of  this  locality  are  agricul- 
turalists, and  one  of  those  who  lias  devoted  his 
life  to  farming  is  Charles  E.  Buck  of  Nettle 
Creek  Township.  He  was  born  in  this  town- 
ship, June  t.  isi;7.  a  son  of  Edward  and  .lane 
(Mason)  Buck.  When  he  was  twenty-four 
years  old  he  began  working  for  himself  and 
spent  a  season  in  Saratoga  Township,  but  in 
1  s!t  t  began  renting  the  homestead  in  Nettle 
Creek  Township,  and  has  developed  into  one 
of  the  most  practical  farmers  of  his  town 
ship. 

(>n  January  •_'_.  bSOo,  Mr.  Buck  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Carrie  Belle  Brake,  born  in 
Goodland,  link,  a  daughter  of  Eli  Drake.  Mr. 
and  Mis.  Buck  have  had  the  following  chil- 
dren: Edward,  Ella.  Laura.  Hazel.  Thelma, 
Adeline.  Winaford  and  Henry  V.  Winaford 
died  when  eighteen  months  old.  Politically  Mr. 
Buck  is  a  Republican,  but  has  never  sought  pub- 
lic office,  and  fraternally  he  belongs  t<.  the 
Mystic  Workers.  In  his  neighborhood  he  lias  a 
wide    circle    of    warm    personal    friends. 

BUCK,  Edward,  was.  for  many  years,  one  of  the 
leading  agriculturalists  of  Grundy  County.  He 
was  born  in  County  Cork,  Ireland.  January 
1,  1S30,  a  son  of  John  and  Catherine  (Roach) 
Buclc.  In  May.  1s-<>.  these  parents  came  to 
America,  and.  locating  at  Brockville,  Canada, 
the  father  embarked  in  a  butchering  business. 
This  he  continued  until  June.  isr,0.  when  he 
came  to  Morris,  III.,  and  continued  butcher- 
ing   until    his   death.    November   20,    IS.jT.      His 


HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


777 


widow  survived  him  until  187S,  when  she  passed 
away,  eighty  years  of  age. 

Edward  Buck  was  educated  iu  the  common 
schools  of  his  Ideality,  and  was  taught  useful, 
thrifty  habits  of  living.  A  week  after  his  ar- 
rival in  Morris,  in  1S50.  lie  engaged  himself 
to  work  for  fanners  ami  kept  at  it  until  he 
earned  enough  money  to  buy  a  team  of  horses, 
lie  then  took  contracts  from  the  Chicago,  Rock 
Island  &  Pacific  Railroad  for  timber,  for  use 
on  their  engines,  for  those  were  the  days  when 
engines  were  tired  with  weed.  Later,  ho  worked 
land  on  shares  for  George  Collins,  continuing 
thus  until  1SG1.  In  that  year,  lie  bought  eighty 
acres  of  unimproved  prairie  land  in  Nettle 
Creek  Township,  and  began  developing  it.  La- 
ter, he  added  forty  acres,  but  sold  this  farm 
in  1S75,  and  bought  a  quarter  section  in  the 
same  township.  Although  it  was  improved,  he 
kept  on  developing  it,  and  carried  on  general 
farming  until  1S05.  In  that  year  he  bought 
a  handsome  residence  at  Morris,  on  North  Lib- 
erty  street,   where  lie  now   lives  retired. 

(In  October  7,  ISoT,  Mr.  Buck  was  married  to 
Jane  Mason,  born  in  Ontario.  Canada.  April  27, 
1S35,  daughter  of  'William  and  Elizabeth  i  Fen- 
ton)  Mason,  natives  of  Ireland.  She  died  Octo- 
ber 15,  1900,  and  is  buried  in  Evergreen  ceme- 
tery. .Morris,  111.  The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Buck  were:  Lydia,  deceased,  wife  of  \Y.  V. 
Jacobs  of  Monroe  County,  Mo.:  Anna,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  four  years:  Hattie  and  Carrie, 
both  of  whom  died  in  infancy;  Charles,  on  his 
father's  farm:  Nellie,  wife  of  Halber  Walker 
of  Wauponsee  Township;  Sarah,  wile  of  J.  W. 
Tackabery  of  Canada:  and  Edna  and  John,  who 
remain  with  their  father.  There  are  fourteen 
grandchildren  in  the  family.  Mr.  Buck  is  a 
Presbyterian  in  religious  faith.  In  politics  be 
is  a  Republican.  A  quiet,  unassuming  man.  he 
has  made  many  friends  and  retained  them  and 
holds  the  confidence  and  respect  of  his  com- 
munity, lie  was  school  director  for  twenty-five 
years  and  road  commissioner  for  many  years. 

BUCK,  Richard  R. — As  new  capital  is  being 
brought  into  Morris  through  the  encouragement 
to  industrial  concerns  given  by  the  Morris  In- 
dustrial Association,  the  demand  for  building 
brick  and  tile  has  grown  steadily,  but  as  yet 
only  one  man  is  encased  in  meeting  it  in  this 
locality,  be  being  Richard  R.  Buck.  He  was 
born  at  Morris,  April  2'.).  1^73,  a  son  of  John 
and  Susan  (Hutchings)  Buck,  natives  of  Ire- 
land and  Canada,  respectively.  John  Buck  came 
with  his  father,  also  John  Buck,  to  Morris  in 
childhood,  while  the  mother  came  in  childhood 
with  her  mother  to  Morris.  Mrs.  Buck-  was  a 
daughter  of  George  and  Sarah  I  Peacock ) 
Hutchings,  natives  of  England,  but  the  former, 
was  killed  in  Canada  by  a  falling  tree  so  his 
widow  and  daughter  were  forced  to  make  the 
trip  here  by  themselves. 

Richard   R.   Buck  now   resides  on   the  family 

homestead    of    thirty    acres,    that    bis    paternal 

grandfather  secured,   in  the  northwestern   part 

of   Morris   Township.     Both    the   grandparents 

n 


died  on  this  farm,  and  it  descended  to  their  son, 
John.  The  latter  established  a  brick  yard,  later 
adding  the  manufacture  of  drainage  tile  to  the 
business,  and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life 
producing  these  two  lines  of  building  material. 
His  death  occurred  in  December,  1900,  but  his 
widow  survives  and  makes  her  home  at  No.  603 
Liberty  street,  Morris,  having  her  two  daugh- 
ters, Mary  (Mrs.  B.  R.  Goold,  a  widow)  and 
Martha  with  her.  The  other  children  were: 
George,  of  Audubon,  la.:  Herbert,  of  Lake 
Charles,  La.:  William,  of  Morris;  ami  Richard 
R.  Prior  to  his  marriage  with  the  mother  of 
Richard  R.  Buck,  Jehu  Puck  had  been  married 
to  a  Miss  MeMahoii,  and  they  had  one  son, 
Thomas,  now  of  Morris. 

When  he  was  twenty-one  years  old,  Piehard 
R.  Buck,  who  had  been  reared  at  Morris,  where 
he  was  given  a  public  school  training,  went  to 
Lake  Charles,  La.,  where  be  engaged  in  manu- 
facturing building  brick.  After  three  years  of 
successful  operation,  he  sold  his  business  and 
began  rice  farming,  carrying  it  on  for  eight 
years,  In  July,  1905,  however,  he  returned  to 
Morris  and  bought  a  half  interest  in  the  tile 
and  brick  business  which  his  father  had 
founded,  bis  partner  being  his  brother  William, 
and  they  continued  together  until  1910,  when 
Mr.  Buck  purchased  William's  interest,  and 
since  then  has  continued  alone. 

On  January  2,  1S9S,  Mr,  Puck  was  married  to 
Emma  Siling,  born  at  Greensburg,  Ind.,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Francis  and  Helen  (Wilkinson)  Siling, 
natives  of  Ohio  and  Indiana,  respectively.  The 
ceremony  took  place  at  Lake  Charles,  La.,  where 
Mr.  Siling  died  in  September,  1903,  and  where 
his  widow  and  two  other  daughters  still  reside. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Buck  have  had  two  children  :  John 
Francis  and  Dorothy  Belle.  Since  100.1,  Mr. 
Puck  has  been  a  steward  in  the  Morris  Method- 
ist Church  of  which  he  has  Ions  been  a  faithful 
member.  His  views  with  regard  to  the  liquor 
question  make  him  a  Prohibitionist,  and  he  is 
willing  to  uphold  his  principles  upon  any  and 
all  occasions,  lie  is  a  man  of  strong  convic- 
tions as  to  right  and  wrong  and  exerts  a  power- 
ful influence  for  good  anion;.'  his  associates. 

BUCK,  Thomas.— It  is  an  admitted  fact  that 
mere  men  are  able  to  retire,  before  old  age, 
from  farming,  than  those  engaged  iu  any  other 
line  of  work.  Land,  if  properly  cultivated. 
produces  results  which  justify  a  period  of  ease 
and  comfort  during  declining  years.  Other 
occupations  do  not  offer  this  in  nearly  so  great 
a  degree,  but.  on  the  other  hand,  agricultural 
occupations  take  more  from  a  man  than  do 
those  less  strenuous,  so  that  he  earns  fairly 
whatever  he  secures.  One  of  the  prosperous 
retired  farmers  of  Morris  is  Thomas  Buck,  for 
many  years  ,-i  leading  farmer  of  Grundy  County, 
who  still  retains  his  land,  although  now  rent- 
ing it.  Mr.  Buck  was  born  in  Brockville,  Can- 
ada. November  23.  1S3S,  son  of  John  and  Cath- 
erine Buck,  natives  of  Ireland.  Until  his  mar- 
riage. Mr.  Puck  remained  at  home,  attending 
school,    and    helping    on    the    farm,    his    father 


778  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

having  come  to  Grundy  Comity  during  his  boy-  ol"  his  in-other  Richard,  in  which  lie  still  resides, 

hood.     In  addition  to  his  district  school  train-  He  and  his  wife  have  hud  two  children:  Anna 

ing,  Mr.  Buck  had  the  additional  advantage  of  Louisa   and    Elenor   Elizabeth.     Mr.   Buck   is   a 

a  short  period  in  the  Morris  schools.  Baptist    and    has    been    superintendent    of    the 

Following  his  marriage,  in  1S04,  Mr.  Buck  Sunday  school  for  some  years.  Like  his  brother 
rented  a  farm  in  Saratoga  Township,  and  throe  Richard,  lie  is  a  strong  Prohibitionist,  and  sup- 
years  later  bought  forty  acres  of  land,  which  ports  the  candidates  of  his  party,  looking  eagerly 
he  began  operating,  lie  has  added  to  his  orig-  forward  to  the  time  when  it  will  he  the  suceess- 
inal  farm  until  lie  now  owns  i_'so  acres  of  line  l'ul  one.  for  he  believes  that  people  will  become 
land.  In  189S  he  moved  to  Morris,  and  is  living  educated  up  to  a  moral  standard  that  will 
retired  on  East  Jackson  street,  renting  out  Ins  demand  total  abstinence. 
property.  On  April  12.  ls<54.  Mr.  Buck  was  mar- 
ried to  Elizabeth  .Mary  I'rideaux,  born  in  BUCKLIN,  George  M. — Many  changes  have  been 
Somersetshire,  England,  daughter  of  Josiah  and  effected  in  business  methods  during  the  past 
Susanna  (Titcher)  I'rideaux,  natives  of  Eng-  hair  century.  Formerly 'merchants  of  Morris 
land.  Jn  1855  Mr.  I'rideaux  and  a  son  conic  to  and  other  similar  cities  throughout  the  conn- 
Morris,  where  he  was  later  joined  by  Ids  wife.  try.  had  i<>  send  direct  to  factories  for  their 
and  bis  daughter  and  another  son.  In  isi;;;.  goods,  while  it  was  almost  impossible  for  the 
the  I'rideaux  family  came  to  Morris,  111.,  where  customer  to  gel  good  service.  Now  the  commer- 
the  father  was  engaged  in  the  practice  of  modi-  cial  traveler  has  changed  all  that.  Today  he  is 
cine.  Mrs.  Buck  was  educated  in  the  common  a  very  important  factor  in  the  business  life  of 
schools  of  her  native  place.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ruck  the  country.  Through  his  energy,  foresight  and 
became  the  parents  ,.f  the  following  children:  selling  sense,  the  products  of  great  concerns 
Eliza  .1..  Mrs.  A.  V.  Saw  bluer  of  Lacine.  Kas. :  are  introduced  into  every  part  of  the  civilized 
Albert  T.  of  Persia.  S.  D. ;  Xellie.  Mrs.  Levi  world,  and  American  industrial  supremacy  is 
Rumble  of  Atmore,  Ala.;  Orchard  E..  of  Mazon  maintained,  one  of  the  men  who  was  a  mem- 
Township;  Andrew  B.  and  Alexander  V..  twins.  her  of  this  important  commercial  fraternity  is 
of  Emmet  County.  Iowa:  John  \Y.  E.,  of  Morris:  George  M.  Buckliu  of  Morris,  at.  present  editor 
Josephine,  deceased;  Jessie  at  home,  married  and  manager  of  the  Grundy  County  Gazette. 
Emma  Chrisman  ;  and  Robert,  who  died  in  Paul.  Mr.  Bucklin  was  born  October  S.  is.vj,  in  ^w ill 
aged  seventeen  years.  They  have  nine  grand-  County,  111.,  son  of  Mahlon  and  Sarah  A.  (Han- 
children  in  the  family.  Mr.  Buck  is  a  Mel  hod-  son)  Bucklin.  natives  of  Ohio.  When  they  were 
ist.  He  is  a  Republican  in  political  faith  and  children  their  parents  moved  to  Schoolcraft, 
served  many  years  as  school  director.  Mr.  Mich.,  where  they  grew  up  and  were  married. 
Buck  is  numbered  among  the  responsible  men  of  Tin-  father  became  a  farmer  of  that  region, 
Grundy  County,  and  in  him  Morris  has  a  most  but  afterward  moved  to  Will  County.  HI.,  and  a 
excellent  citizen.  few    years     later     moved     to     Kankakee     where 

he   lived    until    1S70,    when    he    moved    with    his 

BUCK,  William  Franklin.- -One  of  the  old  farn-  family  back  to  Michigan,  settling  near  Mar- 
ines of  Grundy  County,  and  one  that  has  played  cellus.  where  he  died  in  1890.  His  widow  sur- 
an  important  part  in  the  development  of  a  Hour-  vived   him  until  June.    1000. 

ishing  industry,  is  that  bearing  the  name  of  George  M.  Bucklin  lived  with  Ids  parents 
Buck.  One  of  the  representatives  of  the  name  until  his  marriage,  in  1SS1.  having  been  reared 
is  William  Franklin  Buck,  who  was  for  many  on  the  home  farm  and  sent  to  the  local  schools. 
years  connected  with  the  manufacture  of  tile  and  a  graded  school  at  Schoolcraft,  Mich.  Pol- 
and brick,  but  is  now  living  retired.  Mr.  Buck  lowing  bis  marriage,  he  operated  the  homestead 
was  born  at  Morris,  November  10,  ISfiO,  a  son  lor  eight  years,  .vlien  be  went  to  Marcellus, 
of  John  and  Susan  (Hurdlings)  Buck,  a  sketch  Mich.,  and  combined  farming  with  carpenter 
of  whom  is  given  elsewhere  in  this  work.  Grow-  work  until  the  death  id'  his  first  wife.  After 
ing  up  at  home  and  learning  how  to  manu-  that  In-  went  to  Nebraska,  where  for  four 
faeture  brick.  William  Franklin  Buck  attended  years  he  was  in  a  real  estate  and  abstract  husi- 
the  public  schools  and  later  took  a  commercial  ness.  In  1S9C>  he  returned  to  Morris  to  take 
course  at  Bryant  &  Stratton's  Business  College  charge  of  the  Morris  Daily  Sentinel.  After  a 
of  Chicago.  In  1895,  he  and  his  brother  George  year  he  boughl  the  paper  and  conducted  it  until 
succeeded  to  the  business  established  by  their  January  <;.  1909.  when  be  sold  it.  The  name 
father  and  continued  to  operate  the  large  brick  was  then  changed  to  the  Morris  Gazette.  After 
and  tile  yards.  In  1905,  another  brother,  Rich-  leaving  newspaper  work'.  Mr.  Bucklin  became 
ard.  Imught  out  the  interest  of  George  and  he  associated  with  the  Independent  Harvester 
and  William  Buck  remained  in  partnership  Company  of  Piano  as  traveling  salesman  repre- 
until  1910,  when  the  latter  sold  to  the  former.  .-out  in_-  that  corporation  upon  the  road  for  four 
and  since  then   has  lived   retired.  years.       He    then    entered    the    employ    of    the 

(in  October  10,  1S94,  William  Franklin   Buck  Grundy  Daily  and  Weekly  Gazette  as  editor  and 

was  married  to  Minnie  A.  Petty,  a  daughter  of  manager  which  position  lie  still  holds. 

Richard  and  Martha  (Locke)  Petty.    For  a  year  On   March  27,   1881,  Mr.   Bucklin   was  married 

after  his  marriage.  Mr.  Buck  lived  in  the  same  to    Anna    I..    Hoover    of    Marcellus,    Mich.,    and 

house  with  his  parents,  and  then  built  a  modern  they   had  three  children:    Ora    E.,   who  died   at 

residence  on  seven  acres  of  land  adjoining  that  the    age    of    twenty-two    years;    Clyde    M..    who 


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HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


77!» 


died  at  the  age  of  four  years';  ami  Anna  Grace, 
who  married  Dr.  John  Carlton  Gable  of  Coin, 
Iowa,  where  they  reside.  Mrs.  Bueklin  died 
January  2,  1892.  On  Juno  21,  1S99,  Mr.  Buck- 
liu was  married  (second)  t<i  Alice  K.  Turner, 
a  native  of  .Morris,  daughter  of  George  and 
Frances  E.  (Cone)  Turner,  natives  of  England 
and  I'tica.  X.  V..  respectively.  Mrs.  Bueklin 
is  a  granddaughter  of  George  Turner  and  of 
Orville  and  L'ermelia  (Kiniliall)  Cone.  Mr. 
Cone  was  a  native  of  New  l'orfc  Stale,  who 
came  to  Grundy  Count}  and  later  became  its 
first  sheriff.  He  was  mIso  the  first  baker  of 
Morris,  conducting  a  bakery  on  Washington 
street  for  many  years.  By  hi.-*  second  marriage, 
Mr.  Bueklin  bus  two  daughters:  Mildred  A.  and 
Evelyn  Frances.  Mrs.  Bueklin  is  a  very  ac- 
complished lady,  possessed  of  musical  talent. 
and  she  lias  charge  of  the  primary  musical  work 
of  the  Baptist  church  and  is  considered  an  au- 
thority on  all  musical  matters.  She  is  also  sec- 
retary of  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  and  is  inter- 
ested in  everything  pertaining  to  the  chilrch. 
Mr,  Bueklin  is  independent  in  politics,  while 
the  K.  O.  T.  M.  of  Morris.  No.  205,  holds  his 
membership.  Both  he  and  Ins  charming  wife 
are  popular  in  Morris,  where  they  have  won 
the  esteem  of  all   who  know   them. 

BULL,  Isaac-  There  is  always  a  demand  for 
first-class  food  stuffs  in  every  community  and  the 
man  who  knows  how  to  meet  that  demand  with 
an  adequate  supply,  within  reasonable  prices, 
is  bound  to  succeed.  One  of  the  men  of  Grundy 
County  who  is  intelligently  carrying  on  a  pros- 
perous meat  market  and  grocery  at  Gar'dner,  111., 
lias  proven  his  ability  to  live  up  to  the  above 
mentioned  conditions.  He  lakes  a  pride  in 
keeping  up  the  high  standard  he  has  raised,  hav- 
ing his  own  cooling  plant,  the  only  one  in  this 
region,  and  carrying  on  all  of  his  operations 
under  thoroughly  sanitary  conditions  He  was 
born  at  Gardner.  III.,  in  18GU,  a  son  of  Isaac 
and  Betsy  (Xewell)  Bull,  natives  of  England 
where  they  married.  Prior  to  coming  here,  the 
father  was  a  farmer,  but  when  he  arrived  at 
Gardner  in  the  early  fifties,  he  entered  the 
mines  near  Gardner,'  thus  continuing  until  lie 
died  in  1872,  leaving  a  widow  and  eight  children, 
live  of  whom  still  survive. 

Isaac  Bull,  the  son,  attended  the  Gardner 
schools,  and  worked  for  farmers  until  he  at- 
tained his  majority,  when  he  engaged  with  the 
coal  company  at  Brgtiflwood,  111.  In  ivt]  he 
established  himself  in  business  with  a  brother, 
but  in  1911  invested  in  his  present  business. 
immediately  installing  improvements,  and  now 
has  one  of  the  best  establishments  of  his  kind 
in  the  county.  In  1S95  Mr.  Bull  married  Annie 
Gilniore  who  was  born  in  Scotland,  but  came 
to  Braidwood.  111.,  when  twelve  years  old.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Bull  are  the  parents  of  three  sons; 
Russell  W.,  Harold  A.,  and  Lodger  I'.,  all  of 
whom  are  at  home.  Mr.  Bull  is  a  Methodist, 
while  his  fraternal  affiliations  are  with  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America.     Politically  lie  is 


a   Republican,  but  as  yet  has  had  no  time  for 
office,  bis  private  affairs  engrossing  him. 

BURKHA'RDT,  Andrew  John—One  of  the  oldest 
and  most  honored  families  of  Good  Farm  Town- 
ship. Grundy  County,  111.,  is  that  of  Burkhardt, 
a  worthy  representative  of  which  is  found  in 
the  person  of  Andrew  John  Burkhardt,  a 
successful  farmer  and  public-spirited  citizen. 
His  grandparents,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leonard  Burk- 
hardt, never  left  their  native  Bavaria,  Germany, 
nor  did  five  of  their  children,  but  the  other 
eight  emigrated  to  this  country,  among  them 
being  Frederick  Burkhardt,  the  father  of  An- 
drew John  of  this  review.  The  others  were: 
Margaret.  Mrs.  M.  Schoefler,  who  came  to  this 
country  in  18-18,  first  located  in  Oswego,  Kendall 
County,  ill.,  remove. 1  to  Good  Farm  Township  in 
1850.  located  on  the  farm  subsequently  known 
as  the  Balshar  Rhoeder  farm,  and  died  in 
1S52;  Barbara.  Mrs.  John  Hemii.  who  came  to 
Kendall  County.  Ilk.  in  1S-15,  and  is  now  a  resi- 
dent of  Aurora,  [11. ;  Michael,  deceased;  and 
Leonard,  deceased,  both  came  to  Kendall 
County,  III.,  and  are  there  buried;  George 
Christian,  who  came  as  one  of  the  first  settlers 
of  Good  Farm  Township,  in  1S-15,  purchased  a 
farm  two  years  later,  and  died  in  1S57;  Andrew, 
who  came  to  Kendall  County,  later  to  Grundy, 
then  moved  to  Dwight,  Ilk.  where  he  died:  and 
Sophia,  who  came  to  Kendall  County,  but  later 
moved  to  Du  Page  County,  where  she  now  re- 
sides. 

Frederick  Burkhardt.  who  was  horn  March  5. 
1S30,  and  died  November  12,  1912,  came  to 
Oswego,  111.,  in  1S50.  and  three  years  later  lo- 
cated on  Section  15,  Good  Farm  Township, 
Grundy  County,  where  be  resided  the  rest  of 
his  life.  On  first  arriving  in  Oswego,  as  a  young 
man  of  twenty  years,  he  secured  employment  in 
a  tavern,  and  in  three  years,  out  of  a  salary  of 
$6  a  month,  managed  to  save  enough  to  invest 
in  his  first  eighty-acre  purchase  id'  land.  From 
this  modest  beginning  he  worked  his  way  up- 
ward until  at  one  time  he  was  the  owner  of 
9G0  acres  of  land,  all  located  in  Good  Farm 
Township,  and  gave  all  of  his  children  a  com- 
fortable start  in  life.  In  1S53  he  was  married 
to  Mary  Freewert,  daughter  of  Leonard  and 
Barbara  Freewert.  natives  of  Bavaria.  Ger- 
many, and  she  survives,  and  as  her  late  hus- 
band, has  the  respect  and  esteem  of  a  wide 
circle  of  acquaintances.  Ten  children  were  horn 
to  Mr.  and  Airs.  Burkhardt:  Barbara,  who  is 
deceased:  Andrew  John;  Frederick  John  and 
Thomas  John,  farmers  of  Good  Farm  Township; 
Barbara,  who  married  Leonard  Bower,  a 
farmer  here:  Amos,  deceased:  Caroline,  who 
married  Fred  llaag.  of  Plainfield,  111.;  William. 
of  Good  Farm  Township;  Sophia,  who  married 
William  Pfeiffer;  and  Minnie,  who  married 
Frank   Gantzert,  a    farmer  of  this  township. 

Andrew  John  Burkhardt  was  horn  August  20, 
1855,  in  Good  Farm  Township,  and  here  attend- 
ed the  district  schools  and  was  reared  to  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  remaining  on  the  home  farm 
and  assisting  j,;s  father  until  his  marriage,  Dc- 


780 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


cember  12,  1876,  to  Miss  Emma  Zingrebe,  who 
was  lioni  in  Will  County.  111.,  April  30,  1S58. 
She  is  a  daughter  of  George  and  Johanna 
(Ellsessor)  Zingrebe,  the  mother  of  Wurtein- 
berg,  and  the  father  of  Genuei'ode,  Electorate 
of  Llesse,  Germany*  After  his  marriage  Mr. 
Burkhardt  began  farming  on  a  tract  of  eighty 
acres,  and  to  tins  he  has  added  from  time  to 
time  until  he  is  now  the  owner  of  240  acres. 
For  the  past  thirty-eight  years  he  has  operated 
a  threshing  machine  and  corn  sheller  in  con- 
junction with  working  his  farm,  and  in  both 
lines  has  met  with  well-deserved  success.  lie 
has  been  the  architect  of  his  own  fortunes  and 
has  builded  wisely  and  well.  Through  the  care- 
ful direction  of  his  business  interests  and  by 
indefatigable  industry  he  has  acquired  a  band- 
some  property  and  at  the  same  time  has  so  cm- 
formed  to  the  ethics  of  business  life  that  lie 
has  the  unqualified  confidence  of  all  with  whom 
he  has  had  trade  transactions.  His  politics 
are  those  of  the  Republican  party,  and  his  re- 
ligious faith  that  of  the  Church  of  God. 

Mi-,  and  Mrs.  Burkhardt  have  had  four  chil- 
dren: Clara,  who  is  the  wife  of  Charles  Rogers, 
a  farmer  of  Good  Farm  Township,  and  a  con- 
tributor to  this  work,  and  they  have  two  daugh- 
ters. Oliie  and  Florence;  Edward,  who  married 
Grace  Jones,  and  they  have  two  sons.  Ellis  and 
Merwyn ;  Charles  married  Lillian  Nelson;  one 
daughter.  Given,  at  home:  and  Oliie,  the  wife 
of  A.  Clinef elder,  a  farmer  of  Good  Farm  Town- 
ship, and  they  have  one  daughter,  Fern. 

BURKHARDT,  Frederick  John— It  is  a  delight- 
ful surprise  to  those  who  feel  that  old-time  hos- 
pitality is  dying  out.  to  chance  upon  a  host  like 
Frederick  John  Burkhardt  of  Good  Farm  Town- 
ship, who  takes  a  pride  in  welcoming  everyone 
who  enters  his  gales  no  matter  what  his  station 
in  life  or  state  of  pocketbook.  Genial,  big- 
hearted  and  loyal  to  the  principles  he  espouses, 
Mr.  Burkhardt  owns  more  friends  than  half 
'a  dozen  ordinary  men.  and  richly  deserves  the 
high  esteem  in  which  he  is  held.  He  was  born 
in  his  present  township,  April  12,  1S57,  a  son  of 
Frederick  and  Mary  (Freewert)  Burkhardt, 
pioneers  of  Grundy   County. 

Mr.  Burkhardt  attended  the  district  schools 
of  his  neighborhood,  and  worked  for  his  father 
until  he  attained  his  majority,  when  he  began 
farming  for  himself,  ami  now  owns  2S0  acres 
of  fine  land  on  Sections  11  and  10,  Good  Farm 
Township.  On  this  property  lie  carries  on  gen- 
eral farming,  specializing  on  breeding  Belgian 
draft  horses  and  German  coach  driving  hoi-ses. 
In  all  his  undertakings  he  has  been  eminently 
successful,  but  being  a  public-spirited  man,  be 
feels  that  some  of  his  prosperity  must  be  trans- 
ferred to  his  community,  and  so  is  ever  ready 
and  willing  to  join  any  movement  looking 
towards  an  advancement  along  progressive  lines. 
Politically  lie  is  a  Republican,  but  does  not  care 
for  public  life.  Mr.  Burkhardt  has  never  mar- 
ried, but  resides  alone  on  his  farm. 


'  BURKHARDT,  William,  whose  ownership  of 
2i>0  acres  of  fertile  land  in  Good  Farm  Town- 
ship, is  a  source  of  pride  to  him  and  produces 
for  him  a  good  income  each  year,  is  one  of  the 
most  progressive  agriculturalists  in  his  county, 
carrying  on  general  farming  and  conducting 
his  operations  by  means  of  improved  machin- 
ery and  appliances,  including  an  automobile. 
Mr.  Burkhardt  was  born  September  14,  lSGb*,  in 
Good  Farm  Township,  a  son  of  Frederick  and 
Mary  (Freewert)  Burkhardt,  a  sketch  of  whom 
appeal's  elsewhere  in  this  work.  William  Burk- 
hardt grew  up  on  his  father's  homestead,  and 
was  sent  to  the  local  schools.  Until  he  attained 
his  majority,  he  worked  for  his  father,  and  then 
branched  out  for  himself.  In  1901,  he  married 
Euphemia  Mitchell,  born  in  Saratoga  Township, 
a  daughter  of  John  and  Anna  (Spowart)  Mitch- 
ell, natives  of  Scotland  who  came  to  Grundy 
County  in  1S43,  locating  in  Saratoga  Township. 
Later  they  went  to  Morris  where  Mrs.  Mitchell 
died  in  1SS3  and  was  interred  in  Evergreen 
cemetery.  Mr.  Mitchell  is  also  deceased.  They 
had  children  as  follows:  William,  who  is  living 
at  Morris;  Elinor,  who  is  Mrs.  J.  Hanley  of 
Peoria,  111.;  James,  who  is  deceased;  Katherine, 
who  is  Mrs.  J.  Glen  of  Ottawa,  111.;  Christina, 
who  is  Mrs.  Tattersol  of  Seneca,  111.;  Anna, 
who  is  Mrs.  William  Tallfer  of  Joliet,  Hi.;  Eu- 
phemia ;  John,  who  is  deceased,  is  buried  in 
Evergreen  cemetery  of  Morris;  Jennie,  who  is 
Mrs.  J.  Bell  of  Saratoga  Township;  and  John 
and  George,  who  are  living  at  Morris. 

Mr.  and  Mis.  Burkhardt  have  had  three  chil- 
dren :  Orval  William.  Ialeen  M.  and  Frederick 
Glen.  Mr.  Burkhardt  is  a  .Methodist.  A  Re- 
publican in  politics,  he  is  now  serving  his  first 
term  as  a  school  director.  Fraternally  he 
belongs  to  the  Cleaners,  of  which  be  is  Chief 
Gleaner,  and  in-  is  as  popular  in  this  organiza- 
tion as  he  is  outside,  for  he  is  a  man  who  wins 
and  retains  friends.  A  reliable  business  man 
and  thoroughgoing  farmer,  lie  has  succeeded 
in  his  undertakings  and  has  one  of  the  best 
farms  in  his  township  which  is  noted  for  valu- 
able homesteads. 

BURNHAM,  Charles  H.— One  of  the  highly 
esteemed  retired  fanners  and  business  men  of 
Morris,  who  is  now  enjoying  well-earned  ease 
in  his  declining  years,  was  born  at  Charlotte. 
Crittenden  County,  Yt..  August  2,  1S39,  a  son  of 
Charles  and  Amanda  (Beldind)  Burnham,  na- 
tives of  Connecticut  and.  Charlotte.  Yt.,  respect- 
ively. They  were  married  in  Vermont,  and 
began  their  married  life  as  farmers.  In  Octo- 
ber, 1S52,  following  westward  the  tide  of  emi- 
gration, they  came  to  .Morn's.  Grundy  County, 
and  in  partnership  with  their  son-in-law,  Alan- 
son  Keith,  bought  100  acres  in  Mazon  Township, 
On  this  property  the  father  died  in  1871.  the 
mother  surviving  him  until   1  s7.~. 

Charles  II.  Burnham  attended  (lie  common 
schools  of  his  native  place,  and  grew  up  to  farm 
work.  Cntil  be  responded  to  his  country's  call, 
when  civil  war  was  devastating  the  country, 
he  resided  with  his  parents,  but  on  August  13, 


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HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


781 


1S'i2.  lie  enlisted  in  Company  A.  One  Hundred 
and  Twenty-seventh  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry, 
at  Mazon,  and  was  assigned  to  the  Second  Divi- 
sion,  Second  Brigade,  fifteenth  Army  Corps, 
lie  served  until  his  honorable  discharge  May 
31,  IStio.  ;il  Washington.  1>.  ( '.  Returning  home, 
he  resumed  farming,  taking  care  of  his  mother 
until  the  homestead  was  sold,  when  he  received 
his  sliaii'  of  the  proceeds.  With  this  money 
he  was  ahle  to  arrange  to  begin  fanning  for 
himself,  and  thus  continued  for  a  few  years,  and 
then  went  to  Braidwnod,  and  alter  two  years 
to  Men-is.  Here  he  worked  at  carpentry,  and 
was  engaged  in  a  tannery  for  nineteen  years, 
hut  in  1007,  lie  retired,  and  lias  a  pleasant  home 
on  North  Liberty  street. 

On  April  29,  1N77.  Mr.  IJurnham  married 
Mary  Ann  Granger,  horn  at  Chicago,  a  daughter 
of  Rohert  and  Eliza  (Edmund)  Granger,  natives 
of  London.  England.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burnham 
have  had  two  children:  Eddie  N'elson,  who  is  of 
Nettle  Creek  Township;  and  Charles  Clifford, 
who  is  of  Morris,  111.,  the  latter  heing  written 
up  at  length  elsewhere  in  this  work.  In  politics, 
Mr.  Burnham  is  a  Republican.  For  years  be 
has  been  a  member  of  Darveau  Post,  Xo.  320, 
G.  A.  R..  and  is  well  liked  in  it.  as  he  is  in  the 
community  in  which  be  has  resided  lor  so  long. 

BURNHAM,  Edward  Nelson.— One  of  the  pro- 
gressive agriculturalists  nl  Grundy  County  is 
Edward  Nelson  Burnham  of  Nettle  Creek 
Township,  who  was  born  in  Mazon  Township, 
January  20.  1SS0,  a  son  of  Charles  and  Mary 
(Granger)  Burnham,  natives  of  Vermont  and 
Chicago.  1'ntil  be  attained  to  bis  majority,  Mr. 
Burnham  resided  with  bis  parents,  and  then 
worked  in  a  tannery  at  Morris  until  March, 
190G,  when  lie  began  conducting  a  milk  route 
to  Morris.  Later  he  sold  this  and  moving  to 
Nettle  Creel.  Township,  began  operating  the  300- 
acre  farm  of  bis  father-in-law,  and  has  been  so 
engaged  ever  since,  taking  much  interest  in 
work  that   he  learned   in   bis  youth. 

On  September  24.  10UL  Mr.  Burnham  was 
married  to  Edna  M.  Huge,  horn  April  29,  18S2, 
a  daughter  of  Isaac  and  .Mary  (Peacock  I  llogo. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burnham  have  one  child,  Edwin, 
born  .May  1G.  1004.  Mr.  Burnham  is  better  edu- 
cated than  many  as  be  not  only  attended  the 
schools  of  his  district,  but  the  High  school  at 
Morris.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Odd  Fel- 
lows, and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America, 
both  of  Morris.  The  Methodist  Church  holds 
his  membership  and  receives  his  generous  sup- 
port. Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  but  has 
not  sought  office,  his  time  being  occupied  with 
his  agricultural  industries.  Roth  he  and  his 
wife  are  very  popular  and  are  justly  regarded 
as  social  leaders   in   their  neighborhood. 

BUTTERFILLD,  Mrs.  Matilda  (Allen).— This  is 
the  age  when  women  arc  coming  to  the  front 
and  demonstrating  that  they  are  fully  compe- 
tent to  mauage  large  affairs  for  themselves. 
Possessing  habits  of  thrift  and  industry  as 
many  of  them  do.   they  make  their  work  count 


for  something  and  as  the  heads  of  business  con- 
cerns prosper  in  a  remarkable  degree.  One  of 
the  leading  factors  in  the  business  life  of  Mor- 
ris, III.,  is  Mrs.  Matilda  (Allen)  (Humble) 
Butterfleld,  a  woman  of  more  than  ordinary 
strength  of  character,  who  is  spite  of  many  ad- 
verses  has  steadily  risen  and  is  now  owner  of 
valuable  property  and  a  large  and  flourishing 
grocery  stoic. 

Mrs.  I'.uttt  ,-iield  was  horn  in  Berkshire,  Eng- 
land. September  10.  1S33.  and  in  1S55  started 
for  the  Tinted  States  with  Grundy  County  as 
her  objective  point.  On  the  trip  over  she  met 
on  board  ship  and  later  married  William  Hum- 
ble. Her  second  marriage  was  to  Dr.  E.  T. 
Maunders,  and  a  few  years  after  his  death  she 
married  Joseph  I).  Butterfleld.  Mrs.  Butter- 
field  has  never  spared  herself  but  has  labored 
long  and  earnestly  to  acquire  property.  Her 
savings  have  been  carefully  invested  and  when 
she  had  enough,  put  into  real  estate.  She  pur- 
chased the  business  block  on  Liberty  street, 
Morris,  where  she  conducts  a  general  grocery 
store.  Although  a  woman  of  advanced  years 
she  is  as  capable  as  ever,  and  looks  after  her 
own  affairs.  Her  prosperity  is  all  the  more 
remarkable  as  when  she  came  to  Morris  she 
bad  nothing  and  all  she  has  she  earned  herself. 
There  is  no  one  more  highly  respected  in  Grundy 
County  than  this  capable,  reliable  and  honest 
woman,  who  has  made  her  own  way  in  the 
world. 

BUTTON,  George  A.— Some  of  the  most  Sub- 
stantial citizens  of  Grundy  County  are  those 
who  were  born  and  reared  on  farms,  and  there 
taught  from  earliest  childhood  lessons  incul- 
cating industry  and  thrift.  One  of  these  men  is 
George  A.  Button  of  Morris,  who  has  found  his 
early  training  of  great  benefit  to  him  during 
his  after  life.  He  was  born  in  Wauponsee 
Township,  December  22,  1S5S,  son  of  Morgan 
and  Lucinda  (Foster)  Button,  natives  of  Ohio 
and  New  York,  respectively.  They  were  early 
settlers  of  Grundy  County,  and  the  father  was 
a  successful  agriculturist  of  Wauponsee  Town- 
ship until  his  death  in  1001.  The  mother  died 
many  years  before  him.  passing  away  in  1SS0. 
Later,  he  married  (second)  Saretta  Wilson,  who 
is  also  deceased. 

After  attending  the  local. schools,  during  which 
period  he  helped  his  father  on  the  farm.  George 
A.  Button  began  earning  his  own  living  work- 
ing in  a  coal  shaft  at  Carbondale,  Fas.  After 
eighteen  months,  he  returned  home  and  within 
two  month's,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  his 
brother  Milton  Z.,  for  the  purpose  of  farming. 
They  rented  the  R.  M.  Davis  agricultural  prop- 
erty and  operated  it  for  five  years.  Mr.  Button 
then  began  farming  in  Wau|>onsee  Township, 
where  he  married,  and  following  this  event, 
took  charge  of  his  father's  homestead,  and  con- 
ducted it  for  live  years.  He  then  bought  twen- 
ty-seven acres  in  Mazon  Township,  to  which 
he  later  added  several  acres  more,  and  operated 
it  for  five  years,  and  within  six  years  sold  it, 
and  came  to  Morris.     Here  for  the  next   four 


782  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

years,  ho  conducted  a  first-class  buffet,  but  sell-  Hume,  of  Wauponsee  Township,   died   January 

ing   bis   business    became   a    machinist    for    the  19.  1894,  leaving  a  sun  and  daughter,  Clinton,  of 

Coleman    Hardware   Company,   thus   continuing  Wauponsee    Township,    and    Florence    E.,    who 

for  seven  years.     For  the  next  six  months,  lie  was    adopted    hy    her    grandparents.      She    was 

was  with  the  St.  Clair  Laundry  Machine  Com-  born  January  2,  1SU4,  and  lives  with  Mrs.  Cais- 

pany,  when  in  November,  1911,  he  was  appointed  ley.     Mr.   Caisley   was  a    Presbyterian   in    reli- 

inspector  for  the  Public  Light  and  Service  Com-  gious   faith.     Politically,   he   was   a    Republican 

pauy    and    the    Service    Company    of    the    Bell  and   was   school    director  for   many   years.      He 

Telephone  Company   of   Chicago.  was  a  good  man  in  every  respect,  and  was  held 

In    1SS6,    Mr.    Button    was    married    to    Alii"  in    the    highest    esteem    by    his    associates    and 

Braugham,    horn    in    Grundy   County,    daughter  friends, 
of  Jacob  and  Luciuda   (Cotton)  Braugham.    Mr. 

and  Mrs.  Button  became  the  parents  of  children  CALLEGARO,    Loienzo,    dealer    in    staple    and 

as    follows:    Blanche,    Mrs.    Otto    Stevens,    who  fancy  groceries,  dry  goods  and   other  commodi- 

lives  in  Wauponsee  Township :  Violet.  Mrs.  Tru-  ties  at  Smith   Wilmington,  is  one  <>i  the  leading 

man  Davidson,  who  lives  at  Morris :  Floyd,  who  merchants   of    Grundy    County.      He    was    hern 

lives  at   Morris;  and   Claire.  George  and    Earl,  in  1802  in  northern   Italy,  as  were  his  parents, 

who  are  all  at  home.  Mr.  Button  is  an  iudepend-  Baptista  and  Osvalda    (Demeio)   Callegaro,  who 

eni  in  his  political  views,  preferring  to  vote  for  died  in  their  native  land.     In  1883  Loren/.o  Cal- 

the    man.    rather    than    to    he    tied    down    hy  legaro  came  to  the   United   Slates,  first    locating 

party  lines.     His  fraternal  connections  are  with  ■'!'    Aramont,    Midi.,    where    he    worked    in    the 

the  'Domestic  Orders  of  the  World.     A   man  of  coal    mines    until    1900,    but    in    that    year   came 

integrity,   Mr.   Button    has  always   been   willing  to    South    Wilmington    where   he    was   employed 

to   work   steadily   towards   some   desired   object  by  the  Chicago.  Wilmington  and  Vermilion  Coal 

and  stands  very' high  in  his  community.  Company   in   their   mines  for  about  six    months. 

During  this  time  he  looked  into  existing  condi- 

CAISLEY,  Thomas   (deceased).— The  records  of  tions  very  carefully,  and  seeing  an  opening  for 

Grundy  County  are  full  of  accounts  of  the  life  a   store  of  the  kind  he  proposed  conducting,  he 

and  wink  of  those  men  who  developed  its  agri-  opened    it.    and    1ms    since    conducted    it    with 

cultural    lands,    and    rightly    so.    for    upon    the  marked    success,      lie   not    only    owns    his   resi- 

fariuers  of  the  country   depend   the   welfare  of  denee  in   South   Wilmington,  but    also   his  busi- 

the    nation.      Among    those    who    became    pros-  ness  property  and  is  now  one  of  the  substantial 

perous  during  years  of  strenuous  toil  mi  a  farm,  men  of  the  village. 

is  Thomas  Caisley.  for  many  years  a  resident  On  February  2,  1S9S,  Mr.  Callegaro  was  mar- 
of  Nettle  Creek  Township.  Mr.  Caisley  was  ried  to  Flora  Baldovin,  a  daughter  of  Corine 
born  in  Yorkshire.  England.  November  2'.  1833.  and  Mary  (Vecelia)  Baldovin,  natives  of  north- 
a  son  of  English  horn  parents,  who  passed  em  Italy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Callegaro  have  had  six 
away  in  their  native  laud,  the  father  when  our  children:  Lena:  John,  who  died  in  infancy,  is 
subject  was  an  infant.  In  ISoo.  Thomas  Caisley  buried  in  Braidwood  cemetery;  and  Mary,  John, 
and  his  brother.  William  Caisley.  came  to  Anna  and  Louis,  all  of  the  living  children  be- 
Grundy  County  and  rented  land  in  Nettle  Creek  ing  at  home.  Mrs.  Callegaro  ably  assists  her 
Township,  for  several  years,  then  they  bought  husband  in  the  store  and  both  have  made  many- 
eighty  acres  in  the  same  township,  biit  sold  it  friends  hy  their  pleasing,  genial  manners  and 
in  1S7!>,  and  bought  160  acres  in  Wauponsee  accommodating  spirit.  They  are  members  of  the 
Township.  Mr.  Caisley  subsequently  became  Catholic  Church.  Mr.  Callegaro  belongs  to  the 
sole  owner  of  the  farm,  to  which  he  added  White  Tie.  the  Italian  Lodge  of  Eagles,  the 
eighty  acres  mote,  and  carried  on  general  farm-  Marco  Polo  Italian  Lodge  and  the  Christopher 
ing  upon  it  until  the  fall  of  1.002.  when  he  re-  Columbus  Italian  Lodge.  In  politics  he  is  a 
tired  ami  moved  to  Morris,  where  he  died  Republican  having  taken  out  his  naturalization 
August   11.  1907.  papers  at   Aramont,  Mich,     lie  is  a  good  citizen, 

Mr.  Caisley  married  December  23.  1S04.  Miss  highly  respected  by  all  who  knew  him,  and  he- 
Ellen  Leaeh. 'born  October  o.  1S-17.  in  Lancashire,  loved  by  his  family  to  whom  he  is  a  kind  and 
.England,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Mary  il.iv-  loving  husband  and  father. 
sey)  Leach,  who  came  to  Nettle  Creek  Town- 
ship in  ISP).  Mr.  Leach  rented  land  for  some  CARLIN,  John  W.— The  native  son-  of  Grundy 
years,  but  later  bought  160  acres  in  tin-  same  County  retain  a  love  for  it  although  their  inter- 
township,  and  died  upon  his  property.  May  12,  ests  may  call  them  away  from  its  confines.  One 
1802.  His  widow  lived  on  the  farm  until  1870,  of  (lie  men  who  lias  proven  this  in  the  way  he 
when  she  moved  to  Morris,  ami  there  she  died  has  ever  borne  a  part  of  its  public-spirited  move- 
January  31.  1.S03.  After  the  death  of  Mr.  Cais-  ments.  although  new  living  across  the  line  in 
ley.  the"  widow  rented  property  until  November,  Kendall  County,  is  John  W.  Carlin  of  Newark, 
lf)"07.  when  she  bouihl  her  present  residence  at  who  for  many  years  was  a  successful  agricul- 
No.  in::  East  Washington  street,  where  she  and  turalist  of  Aux  Sable  Township,  Grundy  County. 
a  granddaughter  now  live.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cais-  Mr.  Carlin  was  horn  in  Aux  Sable  Township. 
ley  had  children  as  follows:  Elmer  G..  of  September  22.  1sr,r,,  a  son  of  Henry  and  Cath- 
Wauponsee  Township,  living  on  the  old  farm;  erine  (Kinsella)  Carlin.  Henry  Carlin  came 
Leslie    C,   of    Monis;    Mary    E.,    Mrs.    Edward  from  Ireland  to  New  York  City  in  1S33,  and  was 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY.  783 

employed  in  a  hotel  and  also  as  a  teamster  may  locate.  For  this  and  other  cogent  reasons, 
unlil  1S37,  when  lie  came  west  to  Grundy  Swedes  are  welcomed  to  any  locality,  and  one 
County,  locating  in  Aux  Sable  Township.  The  who  has  proven  himself  worthy  of  his  native 
following  year,  he  went  to  Juliet,  111.,  and  there  and  adopted  laud  is  August  Wilhelm  Carlson, 
married  Catherine  Kinsella,  born  in  Wexford,  lie  was  horn  in  Sweden,  December  13,  1S55, 
Ireland,  in  1S21.  The  Kinsella  family  had  come  and  his  parents  passed  away  in  that  country, 
from  Ireland  to  Montreal,  Canada,  in  1S37,  from  The  lad  grew  up  to  a  useful  manhood,  attending 
whence  they  traveled  to  Chicago  by  way  of  the  public  school,  but  not  being  contented  with  his 
lakes,  but  later  moved  to  Juliet,  when-  they  future  prospects,  in  18*0  came  to  the  United 
resided  for  two  years.  Removal  was  then  made  States.  Ho  made  Morris  his  objective  point. 
to  Morris,  where  Mr.  Kinsella  lived,  the  eon-  but  left  soon  alter  his  arrival  for  Joliet,  where 
struction  of  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  ('anal  he  began  working  in  the  rolling  mills,  thus  con- 
giving  him  employment  on  two  sections  of  the  tinning  during  the  summer  and  into  the 
canal  between  the  Morris  and  Aux  Sable  locks.  fall  of  that  year.  Returning  to  Morris,  October 
Mr.  Carlin  and  Mr.  Kinsella  joined  forces  in  a  7.  1SS0,  he  engaged  with  what  is  now  Cole- 
partnership  about  1S39,  and  worked  together  man's  factory.  His  rise  was  steady  on  account 
on  the  canal  and  operated  a  boarding  house  of  his  value  as  a  skilled  workman,  and  in  1904, 
until  the  canal  was  completed.  Mr.  Kinsella  he  was  made  foreman  of  the  moulding  depart- 
then  bought  G40  acres  in  Aux  Sable  Township.  meiit.  and  now  has  from  40  to  <i<)  men  under 
and  Henry  Carlin -bought  120  acres,  and  both  his  charge.  Having  worked  from  the  bottom  up, 
developed  their  land.  In  addition  to  working  he  understands  the  business  in  every  detail, 
on  his  own  property,  Mr.  Carlin  broke  the  prairie  and  knows  just  how  much  to  justly  require  of 
for  the  neighbors  with  several  yoke  of  oxen.  his  men.  so  that  he  not  only  gets  good  results 
He  continued  to  work  his  farm  until  his  death  for  his  employers,  but  is  a  favorite  with  the  men, 
in  November,  1S57.  His  remains  were  laid  because  they  know  he  is  their  friend, 
to  rest  in  the  Dresden  cemetery.  He  and  his  On  October  1:;,  inn:;.  Mr.  Carlson  was  married 
wife  had  eight  children,  but  John  W.  Carlin  is  to  Amanda  Matilda  Peterson,  horn  in  Sweden. 
the  only  survivor,  the  others  being:  Henry  (I).  who  came  to  Morris  in  1S74.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
who  died  in  infancy;  Henry  (II),  who  died  at  Carlson  have  the  following  children:  Elmer 
the  age  of  twenty-six  years  having  been  a  bar-  of  Morris:  Luella,  a  court  stenographer,  of  Mor- 
nessmaker  and  street  commissioner  at  the  time  ids;  Artie  and  Earle  of  Chicago,  and  Sigrid  at 
of  his  demise;  Mary  A.,  who  died  at  the  aLre  of  home.  Mr.  Carlson  belongs  to  the  Swedish 
thirteen  years;  James  1'...  who  died  at  the  age  Baptist  Church,  in  which  he  is  an  elder.  The 
of  eight  years;  Mrs.  James  Cantwell.  who  died  Prohibition  party  has  in  him  a  strong  supporter. 
September  25,  190S;  Andrew  (I),  who  died  in  and  he  served  tor  two  years  as  city  treasurer, 
infancy:  and  Andrew  ill),  who  died  at  the  giving  the  city  an  able  and  conscientious  ad- 
age of  four  years.  In  lSofJ  Mrs.  Carlin  mar-  ministration.  Sound  and  reliable,  a  man  who 
ried  (second)  Thomas  Dempsey,  who  was  meat  is  able  to  command  others  because  he  can  con- 
inspector  of  the  Illinois  State  Penitentiary  at  trol  himself.  Mi'.  Carlson  is  one  of  the  responsi- 
Joliet  for  a  quarter  of  a  century  prior  to  his  hie  citizens  of  Morris,  and  stands  high  in  public 
death.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dempsey  had  two  chil-  estimation, 
dren :   Anna    L.   and    Catherine   J.      Amanda    I.. 

Dempsey   married   Thomas   Coughlin,   who   is   a  CARLSON,  Elmer  W. — The  art   and   science  of 

shipping  clerk  in  the  Air  Motor  Company.    They  photography    are    closely   allied,    and    combined 

reside  at   No.  1000  Cyprus  street.  Chicago,  and  they   are   responsible   for   some   magnificent   ef- 

have  four  sons:  Thomas  J..  John  E.  W.,  James  feets.      The    modern    photographer    is    an    artist 

E.  and   Henry  A.,  all  of  Chicago.     Catherine  J.  as  well  as  a  man  of  science  and  not  only  knows 

Dempsey  married  Edmond  J.  Sweeney  of  I'latt-  how  to  develop  his  plates  after  the  picture  is 

ville,   Kendall   County.    111.,   a    heavy   landowner  taken,   but    to   pose  his   subjects   so  as   to   bring 

and  stock  dealer.     They  have  had  the  following  out  their  best  points,   while  retaining  a   natural 

children:  an  unnamed   infant   who  is  deceased;  expression.      One   of   the  best    photographers   of 

Catherine  J.,  who  is  attending  a  convent  school  Grundy  County  and  the  leading  one  of  Morris 

at  Ottawa.  111.;  Mary  A.  and  William  J.     Until  is  Elmer  W.   Carlson.     He  was  born  at   Morris 

1902,    John    W.    Carlin    assisted    his    mother    in  February  14.  lssn.  a  son  of  A.  W.  and  Amanda 

operating  the  homestead  farm,  but  in  that  year  (Peterson)   Carlson,  natives  of  Sweden. 
the  two  moved  to  Miuooka,  111.,  where  they  lived  Elmer  W.  Carlson  was  brought   up  at   Morris 

with    Mrs.   James   Cantwell    until    the    mother's  and  here  educated  in  the  public  schools.     After 

death,  August   7,  1907.      Since   then    Mr.   Carlin  completing  his  course   in   them,   lie  tool:   up   the 

has  resided  at  Newark,  111.  study  of  photography  in  the  Effingham  school  of 

photography,  from  which  he  was  graduated   in 

CARLSON,    August    Wilhelm. — Wherever    in    a  November.    1909.      Following   this    for   one   year 

neighborhood,    a    native-born    son    of   Sweden    is  lie    worked    at     Springfield,    111.,    there    gaining 

found,  there   is  apt    to  he  prosperity  for   those  a   valuable  experience  which  he  found  to  be  of 

'which  come  from  this  land  of  the  North,  know  inestimable   worth    to   him    when    in    September. 

how  to  work,  save  and  make  the  most  of  their  1910,  he  embarked  in  business  as  a  photographer 

money,   and   consequently,    in    time,   take   a    re-  at  Morris.     From  the  start  his  work  was  found 

sponsible  place  in  any  community  in  which  they  to   be   entirely    satisfactory,    and    he   lias   devel- 


784  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

oped  into  the  lending  man  in  his  line  in  the  city.  April,  1SG1,  to  Miss  Rebecca  .7.  Wynn,  and  they 

Mr.  Carlson  does  all  kinds  of  photographic  work,  have   three   children:    Frank    L.,    a    resident    of 

and  is  noted  for  his  skill  and  courtesy.  White  Willow.   111.;  Hattie  (Mrs.  Washburn)   of 

On  April  19,  100G,  Mr.  Carlson  was  married  Lisbon,  III.;  and  Edwin  G.,  who  is  a  citizen  of 
to  Ellen  Lundburg,  born  at  Saliua,  Kas.,  daugh-  Morris.  Mr.  (.'air's  family  are  members  of  the 
ter  of  Svon  Lundhurg,  who  was  born  in  Sweden.  Presbyterian  Church.  Politically  he  is  a  Re- 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carlson  became  the  parents  of  publican,  but  has  never  been  willing  to  accept 
the  following  children:  Elna  Marie,  who  was  public  office,  prefering  to  exert  his  influence  in 
born  July  2S,  1907  ;  and  William  Lundburg.  who  the  direction  of  law  and  order  in  the  capacity  of 
was  born  November  14,  1908.  Although  he  be-  private  citizen,  lie  is  a  valued  member  of  the 
longs  to  the  Swedish  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Carl-  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  Post  at  Morris, 
son  attends  services  at  the  Methodist  Church  as 

his  wife  belongs  to  that  denomination.     In  poli-  CARSON,  Thomas,  founder  of  the  Carson  House, 

tics  Mr.  Carlson  is  a  Republican,  hut  has  had  no  and  one  of  the  early  residents  of  Morris,   was 

time    to   go   into   public    life.      No    man    stands  horn    in    Scotland    February   9,   1S27,    a    son    of 

higher   in    public   opinion   than    lie   and    he   has  William  and  Grace   (Maxwell)   Carson.     In  1S57 

earned   his   position    by   honorable  dealing   and  he    located    permanently    at    Morris,    where    he 

marked  ability.  opened  and  conducted  the  Carson  House  which 

still    hears    his    name.      After    thirty    years,    he 

CARR,  Joseph  C. — President  of  the  Grundy  turned  the  management  over  to  his  wife's  son- 
county  National  Bank  at  Morris.  111.,  is  an  oner-  in-law,  William  1!.  Allen.  Mrs.  Carson  was  a 
getic  business  man.  well  qualified  to  conduct  widow,  Mrs.  Jane  (Sharp)  Patrick  by  name 
the  affairs  of  a  hanking  institution.  The  hank-  when  she  and  Mr.  Carson  were  married.  Her 
ing  interests  of  a  community  are  necessarily  only  daughter,  Janet  IS.  Patrick  married  Wil- 
among  the  most  important  for  financial  stability  liam  R.  Allen.  Mr.  Carson  was  a  staunch  Re- 
is  the  foundation  stone  upon  which  are  erected  publican  and  could  have  held  important  offices 
enterprises  which  prove  of  worth.  The  men  had  he  so  desired.  His  wife  was  a  Presby- 
who  control  and  conserve  the  money  of  individ-  terian,  and  he  attended  the  services  of  that  de- 
uals.  corporations  or  country,  must  possess  nomination  with  her. 
many  qualities  not  required  in  the  ordinary  citi- 
zen, although  it  will  generally  he  found  that  in  CARTER,  Frank  Burdette.— While  agriculture 
a  successful  banker  is  displayed  the  character-  has  given  employment  to  the  energies  and 
istics  which  mark  an  upright  man  and  far-see-  brains  of  men  since  the  beginning  of  the  world, 
ing  one  in  any  other  calling.  A  hanker  must  it  is  only  within  recent  years  that  the  farmer 
have  commercial  integrity,  exceptional  financial  has  been  accorded  his  proper  place  among  the 
foresight,  unbiased  judgment  and  a  wide  workers  of  importance,  and  science  and  govcrn- 
knowledge  of  human  nature.  A  hanker  must  he  mental  power  have  been  employed  to  give  him 
able  to  command  public  confidence,  and.  it  may  assistance.  The  modern  farmer  conducts  his 
he  added,  must  deserve  it.  In  many  instances  business  much  more  expeditiously  and  profitably 
Grundy  County  has  been  very  fortunate  in  its  than  did  his  forefathers  and  in  consequence  is 
financial  leaders  and  particularly  is  Morris  able  to  enjoy  many  comforts  that  were  utterly 
to  he  congratulated  for  the  stability  and  pros-  out  of  the  reach  of  people  in  the  rural  districts 
perity  of  the  Grundy  County  National  hank,  a  few  years  ago.  One  of  the  representatives 
with  Joseph  C.  Carr  at  its  head.  of   this  great   and   important   class   of   workers 

The  subject   of  this  sketch   was  horn  in  Alio-  in    Grundy    County    is    Frank    Rurdette    Carter, 

gheny    County,    Pa.,    January    2,    1S3C.      At    an  who  belongs   to   the   well    known   Carter   family 

early  age  lie  removed  with  his  father's  family  to  written  up  at  length  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

Jefferson  County,  Pa.,  where  they  resided   until  Mr.  Carter  is  the  owner  of  eighty  acres  of  valu- 

the  fall  of  1^o2.  when  the  family  left  for  Jack-  able  farming  land  in  Mazon  Township,  on  which 

son    County.    Iowa,    where    they    arrived    in    the  he  raises  corn  and  oats.     lie  was  born   in  this 

early  spring  of  1S53.     Here  he  remained  for  five  township   where  his  people  have  played  an   ini- 

years,      four     of     which      were      spent      on      a  portant    part,    ju    is<17,    and    here    received    his 

farm,     and     one     year     in     the     Postoffice     at  educational  training  in  the  public  schools,     llav- 

Bellevue.    In  the  spring  of  1S5S  he  came  to  Mor-  ing    been    reared    to    farm    life,    he    naturally 

ris.     In   ISG2  he  returned  to   Iowa   and  enlisted  adopted   agriculture  as  bis  vocation,  and  has  a 

in    the    Thirty-first    Regiment,    Iowa    Infantry,  very   well    improved   farm   in   which   he  takes  a 

as  a  private,  and  during  his  service  he  received  justifiable   pride. 

three  promotions,   the  last  one  that  of  lieuten-  In  1S91  Mr.  Carter  married  Mary  A.  Shields, 

ant  and  adjutant  of  the  regiment.     At  the  close  born  in  England,   who  was  brought  to  Grundy 

of  the  war   he   returned   to  Morris  and  entered  County,  HI.,  by  her  parents  when  she  was  twelve 

the    real    estate   office   of    the    late   Charles    H.  years  old.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carter  are  the  parents 

Goold,  where  he  remained  until  October  5,  1S71,  of  four  children:  Dora  Frances  Reader;  Maud: 

when    he    was    made    cashier    of    the    Grundy  Willie,  who  died  at  the  age  of  three  years;  and 

County   National    Bank,  which   position   he  held  Russel.      Mr.    Carter    with    his    family    belongs 

until   January   15,    100:',,    when   he   was   elected  to   the  Methodist   Church,  and  is  active  in  its 

president   of  the   hank.  good  work.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 

Mr.  Carr   was   married  at  P.ellevue,   Iowa,  in  Pythias  and  Court  of  Honor,  both  of  Mazon.     A 


'    ' 


r  ■■■-■  ■  ~*v 


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\    / 


\. 


I 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


785 


Democrat  in  politic*,  for  the  past  twelve  years 
he  has  served  as  a  school  director  and  is  a 
man  of  importance  in  his  community  where  he 
is  so  well  and  favorably  known. 

CARTER,  Melvin.— The  agriculturists  of 
Grundy  County  have  not  been  content  to  rest 
satisfied  with  ordinary  progress,  but  are  con- 
stantly adding  to  their  improvements,  thus  in- 
creasing the  value  of  their  property  and  the 
efficiency  of  their  working  plant.  The  farmer 
of  today  is  a  business  man  and  understands 
thoroughly  the  value  of  systematic  management 
nnd  good  equipment.  One  of  those  belonging  to 
this  class  is  Melvin  Carter,  owner  of  100  acres 
of  fertile  land  in  Mazon  Township,  which  he 
devotes  principally  to  corn  and  oats.  His  prop- 
erty is  known  as  Meadow  Brook,  and  is  one  of 
the  fine  farms  of  the  township.  Mr.  Carter  was 
born  in  Guernsey  County.  Ohio.  November  37, 
1845,  a  son  of  Abraham  and  Margaret  ( Preston) 
Carter.  Abraham  Carter  was  born  in  Harrison 
County,  Ohio,  where  lie  learned  the  trade  of  a 
glass-blower  and  so  continued  until  he  moved  to 
Guernsey  County,  whore  he  followed  farming. 
In  1852  lie  brought  his  family  to  Grundy 
County,  Illinois,  settling  in  Mazon  Township. 
farming  hero  until  bis  death,  which  occurred  in 
1S7G.  His  wife  passed  away  in  11*02,  and  both 
are  buried  in  Wheeler  cemetery.  Mazon  Town- 
ship. They  bad  ten  children,  eight  of  whom  sur- 
vive. 

Melvin  Carter  was  brought  up  on  a  farm  and 
attended  the  local  schools  of  his  neighborhood. 
His  life  has  been  spent  in  agricultural  pursuits 
and  that  is  one  reason  why  be  understands 
farming  so  well.  On  November  11,  1SS7,  he 
married  Frances  Ella  Wilson,  born  in  New  York 
City,  February  11.  18-">3.  a  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Sarah  (Gallagher)  Wilson,  natives  of  Ire- 
land and  London,  respectively.  Mrs.  Carter  was 
the  widow-  of  a  Mr.  Wilson,  by  whom  she  bad 
two  daughters.  Daisey  E.  Wilson  and  Uose  Ad- 
die  Wilson,  when  she  married  Mr.  Cai'ter.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Carter  have  had  the  following  family: 
Paul  Abraham  Melvin,  who  is  in  British  Colum- 
bia ;  Wayne  Francis,  who  is  at  home,  and  one 
who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Cart  t  is  a  Democrat 
and  served  as  school  director  for  twenty  years 
and  as  road  commissioner  for  many  years,  prov- 
ing himself  a  wise  and  conscientious  official.  He 
has  just  completed  the  construction  of  a  barn 
which  is  one  of  the  finest  of  this  section. 

CARTER,  William  Henry.— Tf  it  were  not  for 
the  capability  and  energy  of  the  agricultural 
class,  the  country  would  go  hungry.  It  is  the 
farmers  who  keep  the  world  fed.  and  all  honor 
should  he  given  to  the  men  who  are  willing  to 
work  as  they  have  to  in  order  to  bring  forth 
crops  from  the  soil.  One  of  the  men  who  is 
conducting  his  line  220-acre  farm  in  Mazon 
Township,  successfully  ami  scientifically,  is 
William  Henry  Carter.  He  raises  horses  and 
cattle,  feeding  in  large  lots,  and  shipping  to  the 
nearest  market.  He  was  born  on  this  farm 
February  0,  1SG.3,  and  received  his  educational 


training  in  the  district  schools  of  his  neighbor- 
hood. 

On  February  0.  1901,  Mr.  Carter  married 
Luella  Menaugh,  who  was  born  September  1, 
1SG9,  and  died  August  22,  1913,  and  was  buried 
in  the  Wheeler  cemetery  in  Mazon  Township. 
Mr.  Carter  has  been  very  active  in  politics  as 
a  Democrat,  and  was  assessor  for  three  years; 
was  on  the  school  board  for  some  years,  and  for 
eight  years  represented  .Mazon  Township  on  the 
County  Board  of  Supervisors.  At  present  he  is 
President  of  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company 
and  a  stockholder  of  the  Mutual  Insurance  Com- 
pany of  Mazon.  He  was  one  of  the  first  sup- 
porters of  the  Grundy  County  Fair  Association, 
and  the  success  of  that  organization  is  largely 
due  to  him.  His  farming  has  always  been  car- 
ried on  with  sensible  regard  to  expediting  the 
work,  and  for  this  purpose  be  has  added  to  his 
equipment  until  he  now  has  one  of  the  best  in 
the  county.  An  advocate  of  modern  methods, 
he  has  set  an  example  many  are  glad  to  follow, 
and  he  is  recognized  as  an  authority  upon  all 
matters  pertaining  to-  agricultural  affairs  and 
the  proper  conduct  of  farming  operations. 

CASSEM,  Christopher  E.— The  agriculturists  of 
Grundj  County  are  continuing  to  exert  them- 
selves in  maintaining  a  high  standard  of  excel- 
lence not  only  of  their  products,  but  of  their 
farms  and  premises  as  well.  New  buildings  are 
being  erected,  improvements  installed  and  mod- 
ern methods  adopted  so  that  the  farming  proper- 
ties in  this  region  compare  favorably  with  any 
in  tlie  country.  One  of  these  progressive  farm- 
ers of  Grundy  County  is  Christopher  E.  Cassem, 
of  Nettle  Creek  Township.  He  was  born  at 
Miller.  Fa  Salle  County.  Illinois.  March  10.  1SG4, 
a  son  of  Peter  and  Anna  (Heggem)  Cassem,  na- 
tives of  Norway.  They  came  to  Nettle  Creek 
Township  in  1V~4.  buying  first  land,  however, 
in  Kendall  County  in  1SGD,  which  they  sold  nine 
years  later  to  buy  200  acres  in  Nettle  Creek 
Township,  from  John  K.  Ely.  and  moved  upon 
this  property  in  1S7G.  There  the  father  died 
July  o.  lSjST.  and  the  mother  in  February.  1903. 
Beside  Christopher  C.  there  were  two  other  chil- 
dren:, a  brother  and  sister:  Thomas  P..  who 
was  born  May  14.  1S55.  resides  at  Odin.  Minn., 
and  Christianna.  who  was  born  April  19,  1SG9, 
married  Thors  Lesdal  of  Nettle  Creek  Town- 
ship. 

All  the  children  attended  the  local  schools. 
Christopher  remaining  at  home  with  his  parents. 
At  his  father's  death  he  received  a  third  of  the 
estate  as  his  share,  and  now  owns  120  acres  of 
land.  On  this  farm  he  has  erected  new  build- 
ings and  made  other  desirable  improvements 
which  add  to  its  value,  lie  finds  it  profitable 
to  concentrate  his  efforts  on  grain  farming.  On 
June  24.  1800.  Mr.  Cassem  married  Ingred  Neste. 
horn  February  11.  1  stl>.  near  Decorah,  Iowa,  and 
died  October  lo.  1!K)3,  and  is  buried  in  Lisbon 
cemetery.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Kmite  K.  and 
Groe  Neste.  natives  of  Norway.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Cassem  had  two  children.  Clara,  bom  March 
27,   lS'.iT,  and   Myrtle,   born   February   11.    1002, 


786 


HISTOKY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


l>otli  nt  home.  Mr.  Casscm  belongs  to  the  Nor- 
wegian Lutheran  Church.  lie  served  as  town 
cleric  and  collector  for  terms  of  one  year  each, 
and  is  now  serving  in  his  second  term  as  town- 
ship committeeman  ami  is  one  of  the  foremost 
men  of  his  township.  He  is  a  strong  prohibi- 
tionist. 

CHADA,  Matcheus.—  Owing  to  the  location  here 
of  large  mining  interests  which  give  em- 
ployment to  hundreds  of  men,  the  demand  for 
food  stuffs  is  heavy  and  the  supplying  of  it 
forms  an  important  part  of  the  business  of  the 
place.  One  of  the  men  who  is  a  general  mer- 
chant of  the  city  and  controls  a  heavy  trade  is 
Matcheus  Chada,  dealer  in  dry  goods,  grocer- 
ies, shoes,  flour  and  feed,  and  proprietor  of  the 
leading  hotel  here.  He  was  born  in  Bohemia 
March  25,  ls.jT.  a  son  of  Martin  and  Josefa 
(Loukota)  Chada.  who  were  both  horn  in  Bo- 
hemia, where  the  father  was  engaged  in  mining 
until  his  death  in  18S5.  His  widow  survived 
him  until  1U02,  when  she  passed  away,  having 
borne  her  husband  the  following  children:  Hat- 
tie,  who  is  deceased;  .lames,  Joseph  and  Frank, 
who  reside  in  Bohemia;  Matcheus.  whose  name 
beads  this  review;  Anna,  who  lives  in  Coal 
City;  Fred,  who  is  deceased;  John,  who  still  re- 
sides in  Bohemia;  and  Martin,  who  is  deceased. 

Matcheus  Chada  was  employed  in  a  brick 
yard  prior  to  his  coming  to  the  United  states. 
and  also  learned  the  tinner's  trade.  He  had 
some  experience  working  in  coal  mines,  so  that 
when  he  arrived  in  Coal  City  in  1SST  it  was 
hul  natural  that  he  should  seek  employment  ill 
the  mines  here,  and  until  190G  he  continued  to 
work  in  the  mines,  luit  in  that  year  embarked  in 
his  present  undertakings  ami  has  developed 
into  one  of  the  leading  business  men  of  Hie  city. 
While  living  in  Bohemia  he  married  Katherine 
Opati'ing,  who  died  three  months  alter  their 
arrival  at  Coal  City,  the  mother  of  three  chil- 
dren: Mary  Koshuvisky;  Josie  Houghton,  who 
lives  in  .Montana,  and  Fanny,  who  died  in  in- 
fancy. Mr.  Chada  was  married  (second)  to 
Mary  Krai,  also  horn  in  Bohemia,  and  they  have 
had  the  following  children:  Charles;  James; 
Alhie,  who  is  deceased  :  Anna,  who  lives  in  Chi- 
cago; Albie  (II).  who  is  at  home:  Fred,  who  is 
deceased,  and  Bessie,  Katie,  Mildred  and  ''red.. 
and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Chada  is  a 
Socialist  in  his  political  views.  He  is  a  man 
whose  industry  is  proverbial,  and  who  has  at- 
tained to  his  present  prosperous  condition 
through  his  own  unaided  efforts  and  thrifty 
habits. 

CHERRIE,  Albert  S.,  for  years  manager  of  the 
I.  N.  R.  Beatty  Lumber  Company  of  Ma/.on.  is 
one  of  the  leading  young  business  men  of  Grundy 
County  whose  rise  has  been  rapid,  hut  steady. 
His  success  lias  come  through  his  application 
and  sound  principles,  and  he  deserves  his  pros- 
perity for  he  has  fairly  earned  it.  Mi'.  Cherrie 
was  horn  in  1SS7,  on  the  farm  owned  by  his 
father  in  Braceville  Township.  His  parents, 
William  and  Isabella  (Stevenson)  Cherrie,  were 


horn  in  Scotland,  hut  came  to  the  United  States 
in  Is  r>,  and  first  lived  at  Braidwood,  111.,  where 
the  father  worked  in  the  mines.  Later  they 
moved  to  Grundy  County,  becoming  farmers, 
and  he  is  still  living  tin  his  property,  hut  the 
mother  died  in  l'JOU.  These  parents  had  ten 
children:  Mary  Brown;  Margaret  Brown; 
Thomas,  who  is  deceased:  James;  Allen;  Wil- 
liam, Jr.;  John,  who  is  deceased;  John  (II); 
Isabel    Davidson    and    Albert. 

Albert  S.  Cherrie  remained  at  home  assisting 
his  father  in  conducting  his  110  acre  farm,  and 
attending  the  schools  of  his  district,  until  he 
was  twenty  years  old.  At  that  time  he  went 
to  .loliei.  111.,  hut  after  working  there  for  a 
time  look  a  course  in  Crown's  Business  College 
at  Ottawa,  III.,  following  which  he  entered  husi- 
ness  life.  He  is  a  Mason,  belonging  to  Wilming- 
ton Chapter  No.  142,  P.  A.  M.  and  to  the 
Knights  of  Pythias  of  Braidwood,  111.  The 
Presbyterian  Church  holds  his  membership  and 
profits  from  his  generosity.  In  politics  he  is 
a  Republican,  but  as  yet  his  inclinations  have 
not  led  him  to  adopt  a   public  career. 

CHRISTENSEN,  Hans  Einer.—  Today  the  pho- 
tographer holds  a  distinct  position  in  the  husi- 
ness  world  for  through  him  the  people  are  being 
educated.  His  skill  and  artistic  perceptions 
are  combined  to  give  to  the  world  views  of  scenes 
that  otherwise  would  never  come  to  the  notice 
of  many,  while  he  preserves  the  features  of 
those  who  must  in  the  course  of  nature  pass 
away.  One  of  the  men  who  is  a  credit  to  his 
community  and  his  art  is  Hans  Liner  Christen- 
sen  of  Morris,  the  oldest  photographer  of  the 
county.  lie  was  horn  in  Grundy  County.  Decem- 
ber I.  1S.S9,  a  son  of  Hans  and  Christina  (John- 
son) Christeiisen.  horn  in  Denmark,  who  came 
to  Grundy  "County  about  1SS7,  here  settling  on  a 
farm.  Later  they  moved  to  Morris  where  the 
father  became  a  teamsler,  so  continuing  until 
1900",  when  he  engaged  in  a  genera]  contracting 
business.  The  children  horn  to  this  worthy 
couple  were  as  follows:  Hans  Einer,  lugman. 
Axel.  James,  Leo,  Marie  and  Genevieve.  Of 
the  above.  Axel  lives  at   Dwight,  111. 

Hans  Einer  Christeiisen  resided  with  his  par- 
ents, attending  the  loci]  public  schools  until 
he  was  fourteen  years  old.  At  that  time  he 
began  working  as  a  cigarmaker,  thus  continuing 
for  four  years,  lie  then  went  to  Winfield.  Kas., 
and  was  employed  by  P.  J.  Brask,  with  whom 
he  learned  the  photographic  business.  After 
two  and  one-half  years  (here,  he  went  to  Wichita 
and  Hutchinson,  both  in  Kansas,  where  he  was 
engaged  in  tin1  photographif  business.  Coming 
back  to  Morris,  he  entered  the  employ  of  G.  \Y. 
Ere'rding,  and  six  months  later  bought  his  busi- 
ness. This  studio  was  established  in  1S9S,  and 
is  Hie  oldest  in  Grundy  County.  Mr.  Christeiisen 
lakes  all  kinds  of  photographs  and  views,  en- 
larges them  and  specializes  on  views  of  points 
of  interests  in  this  vicinity.  His  magnificent 
work  and  courteous  beiiriug  have  assured  him 
a  large  patronage  from  the  start. 

On  December  25,  11)11,  Mr.  Christensen  was, 


■ 
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J 


- 


• 


MRS.  PETER  OXSOX 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY.  787 

married    to    Margaret    Broderick,    daughter    of  he  farmed,  thus  continuing  until  190G,  when  he 

Larry  and  Nellie   (McGalliget)   Broderick.     .Mr.  went  back  to  Bracevillc  and  is  now  engaged  in 

Christensen  is  a  Presbyterian.     He  has  always  a  draying  business  at  that   point.     He  and  his 

been  a  Republican,  but  has  never  entered  public  wife  had  eleven  children,   seven   of  whom   sur- 

life.     Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  K.  O.  T.  M.,  vive,    namely:    Joseph,    who    is    of    Braceville: 

and    is    interested    in    his    associations    in    this  Louis,  who  is  of  Mazon  Township:  Mary  Odiele; 

order.     A  splendid  type  of  the  energetic  young  Anton;  John;  Kale,  who  is  now  Mrs.  Perino  of 

business  man  of  today.  Mr.  Christensen  is  rap-  Braceville;  and  Will,  who  lives  at  Dwight,   Hi. 

idly  forging  ahead,  and  to  judge  by  present  fen-  Growing  up  on  the  farm  upon  which  he  came 

ditions,  has  a  prosperous  future  before  him.  into    the    world,    Anton    Cinotto    attended    the 

schools    of    his    neighborhood,    and    early    began 

CHVATAL,  Frank  J.,  who  is  known  as  one  of  supporting  himself,  first  in  the  employ  of  the 
Coal  City's  most  progressive  ami  enterprising  railroad  at  Minooka,  and  then  at  a  coal  chute 
business  men.  has  worked  his  way  into  public  where  he  remained  for  three  years.  However, 
confidence  by  the  exercise  of  industry,  integrity  he  was  too  ambitious,  and  possessed  too  keen 
and  well-applied  effort.  A  native  of  Grundy  an  artistic  sense  to  be  contented  at  this  kind 
County,  he  has  spent  his  entire  life  here,  and  of  work,  so  learned  photography  in  190U  and 
at  no  time  has  failed  in  his  duties  as  a  good  established  his  studio  at  Coal  City  where  he 
citizen.  Mr.  Chvatal  was  born  at  Braidwood,  has  since  remained,  lie  carries  on  a  general 
Illinois.  October  •".,  lSSU,  and  is  a  son  of  Joseph  photographic  business  and  finishes  all  kinds  of 
and  Barbara  (Black)  Chvatal.  Ilis  parents  photographs  and  kodak  films,  enlarges  portraits 
were  natives  of  Prague.  Bohemia,  where  his  in  ei'ayon,  sepia  and  pastel  and  furnishes  picture 
father  learned  the  trade  of  butcher.  At  the  age  frames  and  mouldings  of  every  description.  The 
of  sixteen  years.  Joseph  Chvatal  came  to  the  Catholic  Church  holds  his  membership  and  has 
United  States  and  located  in  Chicago.  Illinois,  bis  valued  support.  Although  in  national  mat- 
where  for  something  over  three  years  he  worked  ters  he  is  a  Republican,  locally  he  prefers  to 
at  his  trade,  then  moved  to  Braidwood,  where  vote  for  the  man  he  deems  will  best  (ill  the  office, 
he  entered  business  on  his  own  account.  .Mr.  A  young  man  of  pleasing  manner  and  thoroughly 
Chvatal  came  to  Coal  City  in  lS'.H.  and  during  versed  in  his  work,  he  has  a  wide  circle  of 
the  next  eighteen  years  was  known  as  one  el'  his  friends  with  whom  be  is  deservedly  popular, 
community's  foremost  and  most  reliable  busi- 
ness men.  His  death,  in  1009,  lost  to  Coal  City  CLAUSON,  Martin.— It  has  been  proved  that 
a  man  who  in  many  ways  had  assisted  in  pro-  practical  industry,  wisely  and  vigorously  ap- 
.moting' the  city's  interests.  His  widow  still  sur-  plied,  seldom  fails  of  success.  It  carries  the 
vives  and  makes  her  home  in  Coal  City.  They  individual  onward  and  upward,  brings  out  his 
were  the  parents  of  eight  children:  Crank;  individual  character,  and  acts  as  a  powerful 
Joseph;  James;  Eddie  and  Emma,  who  are  de-  stimulus  to  the  efforts  of  others.  The 
ceased;  Bessie;  Louis,  and  one  who  died  in  most  effective  results  in  life  are  generally 
infancy.  obtained  through  simple  means  and  the  exercise 

Frank   J.   Chvatal    received    his  education    in  of  common  sense,  perseverance  and  well-directed 

the   public   schools   of    Braidwood,    Illinois,    and  effort.      In   the   field    of  daily   activity,  one  who 

early   applied   himself   to  securing   a    knowledge  has  won  ;ui  enviable  success  is  Martin  Clauson, 

of  the  butchering  business.     At   the  time  of  his  of   Erianna   Township,  an  agriculturist  of  ahil- 

father's  death,   he  ami   his   brother  Joseph   took  ity  and   a   citizen   whose  public  spirit    has  never 

over   the  business,   which    they    have  continued  been    Questioned.      Mr.    Clauson    was    born    in 

to  conduct   to  the  present   time,   with    well-mer-  Miller  Township.   LaSalle  County.   Illinois.   Scp- 

ited  success.     Mr.  Chvatal  is  essentially  a   busi-  teinber  IT.   1S50.  and  is  a  son  of  Lars  and   Mar- 

ness  man,  and  has  found   little  lime  to  engage  tha   Clauson,   natives  of  Norway.     The  parents 

in  public  affairs.     Nevertheless,   he   has   shown  of   Mr.   Clauson   came   to   the   fnited    Stales  in 

his    good    citizenship    by    supporting    all     move-  1S54    ami    settled     in    what     was    then    Mission 

meats  of  a  progressive  nature,  and  can  be  relied  Township.  LaSalle  County,   Illinois,  where  they 

upon  to  give  his  aid  and  influence  to  good  men  owned  eighty  acres  of  land.     There  the  father 

and  proper  principles.     On  October  ."..  1910.  Mr.  continued    to    follow    tillim:    the    soil    until    his 

Chvatal   was   married   to   Miss   Maud   MoKinloy.  death    in    1S89.    while    the    mother   still    survives 

born  July  19.  1S!>0.  an  estimable  young  lady  of  and  makes  her  home  on  the  old  place. 

Coal    City.      He    is    a    member    of    the    Masons,  After  completing  his  schooling  in  the  district 

Knights  of  Pythias  and  White  Cross  orders.  institutions  of  I  .a  Salle  County.  Martin  Clauson, 

at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years,  embarked  upon 

CINOTTO,  Anton,  a  photographer  of  Coal  City,  a  career  in  farming  on  his  own  account,  for  fif- 

is  a  man  whose  love  for  his  art  is  well  blended  teen    years    being    a    renter    of    land    in    Miller 

with  his  technical  knowledge  of  all  its  details.  Township.     Subsequently  he  moved  to  Erienna 

He  was  born  in  Braceville  Township  in  188(1.  a  Township.  Grundj    County,  where  he  purchased 

son   of    Anton    and    Jessie    (Pistocco)    Cinotto.  140  acres  of  land  on  Section  fi.  and  here  he  has 

These  parents  were  both  born  in  northern  Italy,  erected    large,    substantial    buildings    and    made 

.  from  whence  the  father  came  to  the  coal  fields  of  numerous  other  improvements  of  a  modern  char- 

Grundy    County    thirty    years   ago.    locating   at  acter.      He    does    general    farming    and    raises 

Braceville,  where  he  engaged  in  mining.     Later  Poland-China   hou's  and   Shorthorn   Durham  cat- 


788 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


tie.  lie  has  had  worked  as  high  as  1G0  acres  in 
corn  and  eighty  acres  in  cats,  with  land  lie 
rents  adjoining  his,  and  in  11)12  had  115  acres 
in  corn  and  sixty  acres  in  oats.  The  fore- 
thought, sound  judgment  and  enterprise  which 
form  the  elemental  strength  <it'  Mr.  Clanson's 
character  have  Drought  him  to  a  well-earned 
prosperity,  lie  exercises  his  right  of  franchise 
in  the  support  of  men  and  measures  of  repub- 
licanism, hut  d<»'s  not  take  an  active  part  in 
political  matters,  having  preferred  to  give  his 
time  and  attention  to  his  farming  ventures. 
However,  he  lias  served  very  acceptably  for 
six  years  as  a  member  of  the  hoard  of  school 
directors,  and  also  as  a  truster.  His  religious 
connection  is  with  the  Stavenger  Lutheran 
Church,  of  which  lie  has  been  a  trustee  for  six 
years. 

On  .March  5.  1SS4,  Mr.  Glauson  was  married 
to  Miss  Lillie  Breve,  who  was  horn  December 
24.  1803,  at  Mission,  LaSalle  County,  Illinois, 
daughter  of  Severt  and  Anna  (Thorson)  Brewe, 
of  Norway,  who  came  to  this  country  in  1S5S, 
and  passed  the  rest  of  their  lives  here,  the 
father  dying  in  1S97,  while  the  mother  still 
makes  her  home  in  LaSalle  County  with  a 
daughter.  The  children  horn  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Clausen  have  been  as  follows:  Alice  May,  who 
married  Thomas  Olson  of  Nettle  Creek  Town- 
ship; Lenora,  who  married  Martin  Larson,  of 
the  same  township;  Silas  Theodore,  who  died  at 
the  age  of  eleven  years;  and  Amanda,  Edward 
Arthur,  Lettie  Mildred,  Elva  Grace,  Simon  The- 
odore, and  Yerna  Marie,  all  residing  with  their 
parents.  There  are  six  grandchildren  in  the 
family. 

CLAYI'OOL,  Henry  C.  (deceased),  whose  tragic 
death  plunged  Morris  into  mourning  when  he 
passed  away  in  1905,  was  one  of  the  leading 
men  of  Grundy  County.  He  was  horn  in  Grundy 
County,  March  31,  18.r>2,  a  son  of  L.  YV.  and 
Caroline  B.  (Palmer)  Claypool.  Beared  upon 
a  farm  in  Grundy  County,  Mr.  Claypool  was  an 
agriculturalist  until  thirty  years  old.  but  at 
that  time  came  to  Morris  to  assume  the  duties 
of  the  office  of  Deputy  County  Clerk",  and  after 
four  years  in  that  office  became  manager  for 
the  Chicago  Lire-proofing  Company.  He  was 
also  for  eight  years  cashier  for  the  Coleman 
Hardware  Company,  and  in  March.  1S9S,  was 
appointed  postmaster  of  Morris,  being  in  office 
at  the  time  of  his  demise.  In  1S73,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Annie  M.  Brown,  and  they  had 
one  daughter,  Carrie  M.  Mr.  Claypool  was  a 
strong  Republican  and  a  leader  in  his  party. 
For  many  years  he  was  extremely  prominent  in 
Masonic  circles,  serving  as  Commander  of 
Blaney  Comma ndery  for  one  term  several  years 
prior  to  his  second  election  to  that  same  exalted 
office.  It  was  upon  the  first  initiation  after 
his  accession  to  office  that  he  was  stricken  down 
in  the  lodge  rooms,  and  there  died  in  spite  of  all 
tb^t  could  be  done  for  him  by  the  best  medical 
authorities.  Lew  men  stood  as  high  in  public 
esteem  as  he,  and  although  some  years  have 
elapsed  since  his  death,  it  is  impossible  to  con- 


verse for  any  length  of  time  with  one  of  his  old 
associates,  without  his  name  coming  into  tin 
conversation. 

CLAYPOOL,  L.  W.  (deceased).--Thc  name  of 
Claypool  is  closely  associated  with  the  history 
of  Grundy  County,  and  no  one  man  did  more 
tor  it  and  Morris  than  L.  W.  Claypool,  horn  in 
Brown  County.  Ohio.  June  4,  1S19,  a  son  of 
Jacob  C.  and  Nancy  (Ballard)  Claypool.  The 
Claypool  family  came  to  Grundy  County,  HI., 
in  1S34,  and  settled  in  Waupousee  Township. 
Mr.  Claypool  immediately  became  an  important 
factor  in  the  history  of  his  period  and  in  1S41 
was  elected  County  Recorder,  and  was  made  the 
first  postmaster  of  Morris.  In  1S4S,  he  was  ap- 
pointed by  the  canal  trustees,  assistant  agent 
of  the  canal  lands  located  in  La  Salle  and 
Grundy  Comities,  and  assisted  in  laying  out 
that  part  of  Chicago  in  and  around  Bridgeport. 
For  years  he  represented  Waupousee  Township 
on  the  County  Board  of  Supervisors  and  later 
was  supervisor  from  Morris.  On  November  lu, 
]s]!i,  he  married  Caroline  P..  Palmer,  a  daughter 
of  John  Palmer  of  Ottawa,  and  two  sons  horn 
to  them  lived  to  maturity,  namely:  II.  ('.,  who 
was  born  March  31,  1S52 ;  and  L.  Y\\,  Jr.,  who 
was  horn  October  13,  Iscat. 

CLENNON,  James  Patrick,  one  of  the  heaviest 
landowners  of  Aux  Sable  Township.  Grundy 
County,  and  a  man  widely  known  and  univer- 
sally respected,  was  bom  in  Layette  County, 
Ohio,  at  Washington  Courthouse.  November  S. 
Is  lit.  a  son  of  Patrick  and  Margaret  (Whalen) 
Clennon.  natives  of  Queens  County.  Ireland. 
Until  bis  marriage.  James  Patrick  Clennon  re- 
mained at  home,  but  then  took  up  his  residence 
on  his  father's  land  in  Aux  Sable  Township. 
After  the  death  of  his  father,  he  erected  a  large 
modern  frame  residence  on  the  property.  As 
lie  was  the  only  son.  he  inherited  the  040  acres 
of  his  father's'  estate  in  Aux  Sable  Township, 
to  which  he  has  added,  until  be  now  owns  1,420 
acres,  all  in  this  same  township,  of  which  ho 
farms  420  acres,  renting  the  balance.  In  addi- 
tion to  this  Grundy  County  property,  he  owns 
120  acres  in  Seward  Township.  Kendall  County. 

On  May  3.  1SS2,  Mr.  Clennon  was  married  to 
Jennie  Kinsella.  horn  in  Aux  Sable  Township, 
a  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Eliza  (Smith)  Kin- 
sella. natives  of  County  Wexford,  Ireland.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Clennon  are  the  parents  of  these  chil- 
dren: Andrew  G..  who  was  born  June  7.  1SS3; 
Cornelius  J.,  who  was  horn  May  2S,  1SS5; 
Mary  L..  who  was  born  May  14,  1*87 :  John  F., 
who' was  horn  March  28.  1880;  Catherine  H.. 
who  was  horn  May  28,  1S91  ;  Leo  P.,  who  was 
born  July  31,  1893:  Margaret  M.,  who  was  born 
July  4.  1895;  and  Gerald,  who  was  born  October 
4.  iooo. 

Mr.  Clennon  is  a  well  educated  man.  as  he  at- 
tended the  Christian  Brothers  Catholic  acad- 
eme of  LaSalle.  Illinois,  and  SI.  Mary's  school 
of  Minooka.  and  he  belongs  to  St.  Mary's  Church 
of  the  latter  city.  He  has  served  as  highway 
commissioner,  having  been  elected  on  the  Dem- 


HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


789 


ocratic  ticket.  At  present  lie  is  president  of  the 
Farmers  First  National  Bank  of  Minooka,  hav- 
ing held  that  oflice  since  the  organization  of 
the  hank.  lie  also  holds  stock  in  the  Minooka 
Grain  and  Lunther  &  Supply  Company  of  Min- 
ooka, and  is  one  of  the  substantia]  men  of  ins 
part  of  the  county. 

COLLEPS,  George.— Financial  stability  must  be 
the  foundation  stone  upon  which  all  great  en- 
terprises are  erected,  and  for  this  reason  the 
banking  interests  of  a  community  are  neces- 
sarily among  the  most  important.  Tin-  men  who 
control  and  conserve  the  money  of  individual 
or  corporation  must  possess  numerous  qualities 
not  required  of  the-  ordinary  citizen,  among 
which  may  he  mentioned  high  commercial  integ- 
rity, judgment  and  foresight,  and  exceptional 
financial  ability.  A  citizen  who  has  been  prom- 
inently connected  with  the  financial  interests 
of  Grundy  County,  during  nearly  forty  years 
is  George  Colleps,  proprietor  of  the  Exchange 
Bank,  at  Minooka.  and  a  business  man  of  high 
standing.  lie  was  born  in  the  city  of  Buffalo, 
N.  Y..  March  10,  1S49,  a  son  of  John  and  Mar- 
garet (Schroder)  Colleps,  natives  of  Frankfort- 
ou-tho-Rhine,  Germany.  The  parents  came  to 
the  United  States  in  1S49,  and  after  a  short  stay 
in  New  York  State  moved  to  Hillsboro  County, 
Mich.,  the  father  being  there  engaged  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits.  In  1S54  the  family  came  to 
Minooka,  111.,  where  Mr.  Colleps  was  overseer 
for  the  farm  of  R.  Gardner  &  Company  until 
1S77,  and  at  that  time  he  retired  from  active  pur- 
suits. He  died  August  IS,  1905,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-six  years,  the  mother  passing  away  in 
April,  1902,  when  eighty-two  years  of  age. 

George  Colleps  was  reared  to  agricultural 
pursuits  and  remained  tinder  the  parental  roof 
until  his  enlistment,  March  23,  1S64,  when  a  lad 
of  only  fifteen  years,  in  Company  G,  Sixty-fourth 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  for  service  during 
the  Civil  War.  lie  participated  in  a  number  of 
battles  and  was  almost  constantly  under  fire 
until  his  capture  in  front  of  Atlanta.  .Inly  22, 
1SG4,  at  which  time  he  also  lost  his  left  eye  by 
the  bursting  of  a  shell,  lie  was  taken  to  An- 
dersouville  Prison,  where  he  suffered  untold 
agonies  until  March  Hi.  1S05,  being  then  taken 
to  Black  River  Bridge,  Miss.,  for  exchange, 
when  he  was  sent  to  the  hospital  at  Jefferson 
Barracks,  Mo.,  and  received  his  honorable  dis- 
charge in  May.  ISO-!.  At  the  close  of  his  career 
as  a  soldier,  Mr.  Colleps  returned  to  his  par- 
ents' home  at  Minooka,  where  he  remained  three 
years,  and  then  became  a  salesman  in  a  general 
dry  goods  store,  and  was  thus  employed  until 
the  spring  of  ls72.  At  that  time,  in  partnership 
with  YV.  A.  Worthing,  he  embarked  in  the  hard- 
ware business,  under  the  firm  style  of  Worthing 
&  Colleps,  and  this  association  continued  for 
three  years.  Mr.  Colleps  then  disposed  of  his  in- 
terests to  his  partner,  and  returned  to  the  groc- 
ery and  general  dry  goods  business.  In  the 
summer  of  1^77  he  entered  the  grocery  business 
in  partnership  with  Leauder  Smith,  and  was  so 
engaged  until  1SS1,  when  he  sold  his  interest  to 


his  partner,  and  subsequently  accepted  a  posi- 
tion as  bookkeeper  for  A.  K.  Knapp,  a  grain, 
coal  and  lumber  merchant  at  Minooka.  In  Feb- 
ruary, 1905,  Mr.  Knap;,  died  and  Mr.  Collep* 
took  charge  of  the  business  which  he  managed 
until  August  1.  T.ios.  when  he  sold  out  to  the 
Minooka  Grain,  Lumber  and  Supply  Company. 
In  the  meantime,  in  1S75,  Mr.  Colleps  had  estab- 
lished a  private  bank  at  Minooka,  and  of  this 
he  has  continued  the  head  through  all  these 
years.  The  confidence  in  which  he  is  held  has 
been  demonstrated  by  the  large  business  which 
he  is  doing  as  a  banker,  and  the  Exchange  Bank 
is  widely  known  and  has  a  justly  merited  repu- 
tation  for  stability  and   firmness. 

In  September.  1S92,  Mr.  Colleps  was  married 
to  Miss  Jennie  V.  V;m  Horn,  who  was  born  in 
New  Jersey,  daughter  of  John  and  Martha  (Ter- 
bium) Van  Horn,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
to  this  union  there  have  been  born  three  chil- 
dren: Martha,  win.  married  C.  W.  Brown.  Jr., 
of  Joliet,  111.;  George  W.,  a  resident  of  Eagle, 
Colo.;  and  Bessie  N..  who  resides  al  home.  A 
Republican  in  his  political  views,  Mr.  Colleps 
has  screed  as  Village  Treasurer  and  Village 
Trustee  and  in  these  capacities  has  rendered  his 
community  signal  service.  He  is  prominent  in 
Masonry,  belonging  to  Lodge  No.  52s,  ]•'.  &  A.  M.. 
Blancy  Commandery  of  Morris,  and  Medinah 
Temple.  <>r  Chicago.  He  also  holds  membership 
in  Lodge  No.  290,  B.  P.  O.  E.,  of  Joliet.  Mr. 
Colleps  has  taken  an  active  part  in  the  devel- 
opment and  progress  of  Minooka,  and  his  con- 
nection with  its  rising  business  and  financial 
interests  entitles  him  to  a  place  among  the 
representative  men  of  Grundy  County. 

COLLINS,  Cryder. — The  opportunities  given 
Grundy  County  farmers  to  acquire  more  than 
a  competence  are  many,  for  not  only  is  the  soil 
fertile,  but  the  transportation  facilities  are  ex- 
cellent and  the  agriculturists  can  market  their 
produce  rapidly  and  profitably.  One  of  those 
who  have  taken  advantage  of  these  opportuni- 
ties is  Cryder  Collins  of  Saratoga  Township. 
who  is  operating  the  homestead  of  his  uncle. 
He  was  horn  in  this  township,  April  I.",.  IS55. 
a  Son  of  Joshua  and  Harriet  I  Cryder)  Collins, 
natives  of  X«v  York  State  ami  Ohio,  respect- 
ively. They  were  brought  to  Saratoga  Town- 
ship, Grundy  County,  in  childhood,  married 
here,  and  afterward  settled  on  the  farm  now 
operated  by  their  grandchildren.  Clifford.  Mabel 
and  Jessie.  The  father  erected  a  log  house  on 
his  farm,  and  they  lived  there  until  his  death, 
which  was  occasioned  by  a  stroke  of  lightning 
on  June  14.  1S79.  Following  this,  his  widow 
moved  to  Morris,  where  she  lived  until  her 
death.  January  1  S,  1003.  The  children  born  to 
them  were:  Virginia,  who  is  Mrs.  Story  Matti- 
sou.  of  Morris;  Mar.\  M..  who  died  in  infancy; 
Sarah,  who  is  deceased;  Cryder;  llattie,  who 
is  Mrs.  J.  A.  Wilson,  of  Morris:  and  Joshua, 
who   is   deceased.     . 

Growing  up  on  the  homestead.  Crvder  Collins 
learned  how  to  operate  it.  and  at  the  same  time 
attended    the    district    schools    and    the    Morris 


790  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

Normal  school.  After  leaving  school,  Mr.  Col-  decided  to  try  their  fortunes  in  the  West  and 
lins  went  to  live  with  Story  Mnttison  on  a  part  '    came  to  Illinois,  landing  in  Chicago  on  Septem- 

ol'  the  Collins  estate,  and   remained  there  over  ber  10,  1S34.    The  trip  from  Chicago  to  what  is 

since,    carrying   on    general    farming    and   stock  now    Any    Sable    Township    was    made    by    the 

raising,   feeding  his  grain  to  his  stock.  mother    and    children    in    a    wagon    driven    by 

On  February  1.  1SS0.  Mr.  Collins  was  married  Charles  Smith.     Alter  arriving  and   settling  iii 

to  Lilly  Nelson,  born  in  Norway,  but  was  brought  Anx     Sable    Township    they    met    with    all    the 

by  her  parents  to  this  locality  in  childhood.   Mr.  hardships  of  pioneer   life,   which   they  endured 

and  Mrs.  Collins  became  the  parents  of  two  ehil-  with    fortitude   until    they    had    founded    a    per- 

dreii :  Isaac,  who  is  ,m  home,  and  Jennie,  who  is  manent    home.      Joshua    and    Margaret    Collins 

Mrs.    Webster    Thayer,    of    Saratoga    Township.  were    the    parents    of    nine    children:     Theron. 

Mrs.  Collins  died   September  7.   1801.     On  Feb-  Phillip,    Margaret,    George,    Joshua    and    Jere- 

ruary    11,    1S07,    Mr.    Collins    married    (second)  miah,   twins;   Catherine,   Edward   and   Franklin. 

Emma   Walstrom.  born   in   Kendall   County.  Illi-  With    the   death    of    Jeremiah    all    the    children 

nois.  daughter  of  Eric  Walstrom.     By   his  see-  have  passed  away. 

ond  marriage  Mr.  Collins  has  two  children  :  Elva  Jeremiah  Collins  was  fourteen  years  old  when 
and  Philip.  A  staunch  Uepublicau,  Mr.  Collins  he  came  to  Illinois  with  his  parents  and  lived 
served  as  justice  of  the  peace  since  1S90.  A  in  Grundy  County  all  the  rest  of  his  life,  set- 
Mason,  he  belongs  to  the  local  Chapter  and  tling  in  Saratoga  Township  when  he  was' twenty 
Conunaiidry  at  Morris  and  Medinah  Temple,  years  old.  He  hauled  the  first  load  of  wheat 
Mystic  Shrine,  Chicago.  An  excellent  farmer  from  his  township  to  Chicago  in  1S41,  his  father 
and  good  business  man.  Mr.  Collins  has  made  being  in  poor  health  at  the  time  the  trip  was 
a  success  of  his  work  and  is  highly  esteemed  made,  in  order  to  procure  medicine  and  sup- 
by  all  who  know  him.  plies,  previous  preparation  being  the  trampling 

out  of  "2  bushels  of  wheat,  spread  on   the  barn 

COLLINS,    Frank    W.— Conditions     in    Grundy  floor,    by    himself    and    his    brother   Joshua    and 

County    have    improved    very    materially    during  the     horses.       After     the     purchases     had    been 

the  past  few  years,  owing  to  the  energetic  en-  made  in  Chicago,  he  learned,  on  the  return  trip, 

(leavers   ot    the   County    Board    of    Supervisors,  that    his    father    had    died    during    his   absence, 

which  is  now  composed  of  men  of  modern  spirit  Mr.  Collins  cut  and  hauled  the  first  load  of  logs 

who  realize  the  responsibilities  resting  on  their  used    to   erect    the    first    house   in   the   village   of 

shoulders  and  are  seeking  to  give  their  localities  Morris.    This  was  the  home  of  John  Cryder  and 

a    lair   and    impartial    administration    that    will  was  built  on  the  hill  just  south  of  where  the  gas 

work  out  for  the  general  good  of  all.    One  of  the  house  now  stands. 

supervisors  who  has  home  well  his  part  in  this  Mr.  Collins'  first  enterprise  was  the  purchas- 
advancement  is  Frank  W.  Collins,  one  of  the  ing  of  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Saratoga  Town- 
progressive  agriculturists  of  (loose  Lake  Town-  ship.  By  continued  industry  he  prospered  and 
ship.  He  was  horn  on  his  present  farm  Febru-  came  into  possession  of  several  thousand  acres 
ary  2G,  1SS2,  son  of  Joshua  R.  and  Anna  (Hoi-  of  the  best  farm  laud  in  Illinois.  He  was  mar- 
royd)  Collins,  natives  of  Grundy  and  Kendall  ried  in  1S43  to  Miss  Hannah  Cryder.  daughter 
Counties,    respectively.  of    Michael    and    Eva    Cryder.    of    Pennsylvania. 

Frank    W.    Collins   attended    the   local    schools  Two  years  later  Mrs.  Collins  died,  also  their  in- 

and  the  High  school  and  Brown's  Business  col-  fant  son.  Phillip  Henry.     On  November  Hi.  is:,::, 

lege  of  Ottawa.  Illinois.     In  1904  he  took  charge  Mr.   Collins  was   wedded   to  Margaret   W.   Wid- 

of  the  homestead  in  Goose  Lake  Township,  and.  ney,    daughter    of    John    and    Mary    Widney,    of 

with  his  father,  raises  cattle  and  hogs,  in  addi-  Kendall    County.    Illinois.     Three  children    were 

tion  to  carrying  on  general   farming.     In  April,  horn  to  them:  Joshva   Lowe.  Hannah  Mary  and 

1012,    he    was    elected    supervisor    from    Goose  Oscar    Eugene.      The    daughter    died    May    13, 

Lake  Township  by  a  good  majority  and  has  al-  1881.     The  sons  reside  at    Morris,  Joshua    being 

ready    proven    himself    worthy    of    the    honor.  the    president    of    the    Farmers   and    Merchants 

Fraternally,    he    belongs    to    the    Elks    of   Joliet  National  Bank. 

and  the  Knights  of  Pythias  of  Morris.  Mrs.  Collins,   who  survives  her  husband,   was 

On  September  1M.  V.Hi  1.  Mr.  Collins  was  united  the    fourth    horn    in    her   parents'    family,    the 

in    marriage   with    Margaret    Donahue,    horn   at  others    being:    Rachel.    Mrs.    John   Van    Dolsen, 

Morris,    daughter    of    Cornelius    and    Catherine  deceased,  October  11.   1S5S;  Thomas   Henderson 

Donahue,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  native  of  Widney,  deceased.  .March  S,  1904  ;  Joseph  Cald- 

Ireland       Mr.   and   Mrs.   Collins   have   two   chil-  well;  George  Newcome,  now  residing  in  Battles. 

dren :   Alice  Mae  and  Genevieve  Ann.     He  is  a  Ala.:    John   Johnson    Widney.   deceased.    August 

man  widely  and   favorably  known  and   his  sue-  .".1.  1SSG;  Mary  Elizabeth,  now  Mrs.  II.  C.   Ilen- 

cess  in  life  is  well  merited.  derson,  now  residing  in  Chicago,   111.:  and   Lou- 
anna    M..    who   died    in    infancy.      Mr.    and    Mrs. 

COLLINS,    Jeremiah     (deceased),    was    born    in  Jeremiah    Collins'    son.    Joshua     Lowe,    married 

Coeymuis.  twelve  miles  south  of  Albany,  N.  Y.,  Annie  Holroyd,  and   they  have  one  son,  Frank 

September  19.  1S20,  and  died   Felmary  12.   1010.  Wilbur    Collins    of    Morris.      Their    second    son. 

His  parents  were  Joshua  and  Margaret   (Rowe)  Oscar  Eugene,  married  Alice  Ilolroid.  of  Morris. 

C'illins.   who   were  of   New   England   stock    and  Frank  Wilbur  Collins,  the  grandson  of  the  late 

natives  of  Rhode   Island.      In    1834   the  parents  Jeremiah    Collins,    married    Margaret    Donahue 


LEAXPER  A.  PEACOCK 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY.  791 

and  they  have  two  children,  Alice  Mae  and  Gen-  were:   Joshua   It.;   Mary,   deceased,   and   Oscar 

evieve  Anna.  E.,   of   Morris. 

Jerciuiah  Collins  was  elected  supervisor  of  Joshua  R.  Collins  was  brought  up  on  his 
Saratoga  Township  in  1Ss2.  and  served  in  that  father's  farm,  remaining  at  lumie  until  twenty 
capacity  for  ten  years.  At  the  time  of  his  years  of  age.  At  that  time  he  began  working 
death  he  was  the  only  surviving  voter  of  the  in  the  L'niou  Stock  Yards  at  Chicago  and  con- 
county  election  of  LS41.  Tims  passed  away  one  tinned  there  for  four  years,  when  he  returned 
of  the  oldest  pioneers  of  Grundy  County,  who  to  Gruudj  County,  and  invested  in  a  farm  in 
had  watched  the  city  of  Morris  grow  from  a  Goose  Lake  Township.  .This  lie  operated,  car- 
single  house  to  its  present  proportions,  and  had  rying  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising  and 
observed  the  farms  in  the  surrounding  country-  feeding  for  the  Chicago  market,  until  l!«>2, 
produce  wealth  and  thrive  under  the  industrious  when  he  moved  to  Morris,  and,  with  his  brother, 
hands  of  the  sturdy  pioneers.  The  famih  tree  (Near  K.,  looked  after  their  combined  acreage, 
of  the  Collins  family  consists  of  four  genera-  which  amounts  to  10,000  acres,  all  in  the  vicin- 
tions,  and  the  relatives  are  numerous  through-  ity  of  .Morris.  This  property  is  worked  by  a 
out  this  section  of  Illinois.  Mr.  Collins  was  a  number  of  tenants.  In  1003  Mr.  Collins  bought 
man  of  indomitable  courage,  thrifty  and  indus-  a  lot  04x132  feet,  on  the  corner  of  Liberty  and 
trioiif?.  yet  open-handed:  wherever  there  was  West  Jackson  streets.  Morris,  whicb  he  later 
need,  lie  was  financially  interested  to  a  great  sold  to  his  father.  The  latter  erected  on  it  a 
extent  in  the  Grundy  County  National  l'.ank  of  fine  three-story  building  covering  the  entire  lot, 
Morris  for  many  years.  At  time  of  death  he  and  in  it.  on  the  ground  floor,  Mr.  Collins  estab- 
was  probably  the  oldest  settler  in  Grundy  lished  the  Farmers  &  Merchants  National  Hank. 
County.  with  himself  as  president  :  E.  a".  Matteson,  Vice- 
president;  Henry  Stocker.  Cashier,  and  William 

COLLINS,  Joshua  R. — Every  community  has  one  Gehhard.    Barney    Wilcox,    Story    Matteson    and 

or  more  men   who  take  the  lead  in  every  enter-  K.  .1.  Matteson  as  directors.     Mr.  Collins  has  an 

prise,  being  fitted  by  natural  ability  and  oxperi-  office  at  1<>7  West  Jackson  street,  where  all  busi- 

ence   to  make   a    success  of   their   undertakings.  ness  connected  with  the  farms  is  transacted,  in- 

Withont  the  public  spirit  and  enterprise  of  these  eluding  that  of  a  grain  elevator  on  one  of  the 

men,   there  would  be  very   little  advance   made  farms,  on  the  E.  J.  iV-  E.  Railroad.     Mi-.  Collins 

by  the  people.     Morris  owes  much  to  several  of  loans  mil   a  large  amount  of  money  as  a  private 

its   citizens   who   have   inaugurated   ami   carried  individual    and    is   one   of   the    most    substantial 

out   to   successful    completion    many   enterprises,  men  of  Grundy  County. 

organized  companies  and  instituted  reforms  On  November  .".(>,  LS7S,  Mr.  Collins  was  mar- 
which  all  have  tended  to  increase  the  prestige  ried  to  Anna  Holroyd,  born  in  Livingston 
of  the  county  seat.  One  of  these  represeuta-  County,  Illinois,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Ann 
tive  business  men  is  J.  R.  Collins.  President  of  Holroyd.  natives  of  England.  One  son,  Frank 
the  Farmers  &  Merchants  National  Rank  of  W..  was  horn  of  this  marriage,  lie  conducts 
Morris.  Mr.  Collins  was  horn  in  Saratoga  the  home  farm  for  his  father.  Mr.  Collins  is  a 
Township,  November  13.  1^34.  a  son  of  Jeremiah  Progressive  and  served  as  supervisor  of  Goose 
and  Margaret  (Widney)  Collins,  natives  of  Lake  Township  for  one  term,  as  well  as  in  all 
Coeynians,  N.  Y..  and  1'iqua,  Ohio.  Jeremiah  the  township  offices,  and  since  coming  to  Morris 
Collins  was  a  son  of  Joshua  and  Margaret  was  an  alderman  for  one  term.  A  Mason,  he 
(Rowe)  Collins,  natives  of  New  England.  The  belongs  to  the  Blue  Lodge.  Orient  Chapter, 
maternal  grandparents  were  Jonathan  and  Commandery  and  Medinah  Shrine,  the  latter  of 
Mary  (Henderson)  Widney,  natives  of  Pennsyl-  Chicago.  The  educational  advantages  of  Mr. 
vania.  Joshua  Collins  came  with  his  family  Collins  were  superior  to  many  farmer  hoys,  for 
to  Grundy  County  in  1s:;4.  making  the  trip  he  not  only  attended  a  select  high  school  at 
by  way  of  (he  Great  Lakes  to  Chicago,  and  Morris,  but  was  graduated  from  Onarga  seni- 
thence  by  wagon.  Tliey  entered  land  in  iuary.  A  man  of  sterling  worth,  Mr.  Collins  has 
Aux  Sable  Township,  hut  a  few  years  later  always  been  ready  and  aide  to  go  ahead  with 
moved  to  Saratoga  Township,  where  they  any  project  ami  bring  it  favorably  before  the 
bought  more  land.  These  grandparents  both  public.  His  standing  in  financial  circles  is  tin- 
died  on  the  latter  farm  in  the  early  forties.  The  impeachable,  and  his  high  position  is  well  sus- 
maternal  grandparents  came  to  Kendall  County  fained. 
in  1840,  and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  their 
useful   lives.  COLMAN,  John   N.— The  Hickory   Grove  Farm, 

Jeremiah  Collins  and  his  wife  were  married  of  Mazon  Township,  is  known  far  and  wide  for 
in  Kendall  County,  but  moved  immediately  the  excellence  of  its  product,  its  horses  and 
thereafter  to  a  farm  he  owned  in  Saratoga  other  stock  commanding  the  highest  prices.  Its 
Township.  Here  they  resided,  improving  their  owner.  John  Column,  understands  farming  in  all 
property  and  raising  stock  upon  an  extensive  of  its  details  and  has  developed  into  one  of  the 
scale.  Mr.  Collins  held  all  of  the  county  offices.  leading  agriculturists  of  Grundy  County.  He 
nnd  was  a  well  known  man  at  the  time  of  his  was  born  in  Vienna  Township  October  1.  ISO'o. 
death.  February  12,  1010.  His  widow  resided  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Catherine  (Nelson)  Col- 
in Morris  until  her  death.  March  22,  1014.  The  man  of  Vienna  Township. 
children    born    to    Jeremiah    Collins    and    wife  John   Column   was  reared  in   bis  native  town- 


792  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

ship,  where  he  attended  the  district  schools  arid  schools  of  LaSalle  County,  but  study  and  obser- 
gave  Ins  father  a  sen's  service  on  the  farm  until  vation  have  since  made  him  a  well-informed 
he  was  twenty  years  old,  with  the  exception  of  man.  In  1S5G  he  came  to  Xonnan  Township, 
two  winters  spent  at  the  Dixon  school.  At  that  Grundj  County,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  of 
age  he  commenced  working  for  Dr.  Elliott  in  his  1G0  acres  of  wild  prairie  land,  paying  $10  per 
drug  store  at  Verona,  and  for  a  year  received  acre,  and  in  1SG1  became  tin-  owner  of  eighty 
$10  per  month  for  his  labor.  Realizing  that  acres  of  improved  land.  .Mr.  Column  was  mar- 
there  was  much  more  to  lie  made  at  farming,  he  ried  in  18(10  t<>  .Miss  Emily  Sharp,  who  was  horn 
sensibly  left  the  drug  store  and  engaged  in  agri-  in  New  York,  daughter  of  Joseph  Sharp,  an 
cultural  pursuits  until  1S95,  when  he  was  able  early  settler  of  Grundy  County.  Mrs.  Colman 
to  buy  his  present  L'Pi  acre  farm  in  Ma/.on  died  in  1SG2,  and  in  1SGJ  Mr.  Colman  married 
Township,  on   which   lie  raises  horses,  lions  and  Catherine    Nelson,    who    was    horn    in    lVnnsyl- 

cattle.      lie    is    a    stockholder    in    the    Farmers       vania,  daughter  of  Solon ami  Adeline  Nelson, 

Elevator  at  Mazon  and  also  the  Grundy  County  also  early  settlers  of  Grundy  County.  After 
Fair  Association.  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Colman  resided  on  the 
On  September  12.  1SSS,  Mr.  Colman  married  Norman  Township  farm  until  1S73.  when  they 
Mary  C.  Stoner  of  Vienna  Township,  who  was  disposed  of  it  and  bought  another  tract  of  1G0 
born  December  14,  1SG7,  ami  they  have  had  two  acres,  to  which  Mr.  Colman  lias  since  added, 
children:  Howard,  born  September  IS,  1S01,  and  until  lie  now  has  300  acres,  all  in  Vienna  Town- 
Clarence,  horn  June-  19,  1S93,  both  of  whom  ate  ship,  in  a  fine  state  of  cultivation.  For  years 
at  home.  Mrs.  Colman  is  a  daughter  of  Jacob  he  was  engaged  in  general  grain  farming,  in 
and  Caroline  i  Nance  i  Stoner,  the  former  of  which  he  was  successful,  as  he  was 'also  in  the 
whom  was  from  Pennsylvania,  but  became  a  raising  of  stock,  and  lie  was  considered  one  of 
fanner  in  Vienna  Township,  where  bis  death  the  best  judges  of  cattle  in  the  township.  Since 
occurred  in  1SS3.  and  was  survived  by  his  widow  1900  lie  has  been  practically  retired,  although 
until  LS93.  They  had  seven  children:  Dealton,  ne  supervises  the  operations  on  his  property. 
who  is  deceased;  Charles,  who  lives  in  Iowa;  On  it  he  has  made  improvemnts  of  a  modern  and 
Ervin,  who  lives  in  Minnesota:  Luella  Satterly,  valuable  nature,  and  his  operations  have  always 
who  lives  in  Missouri;  Clysses  S.,  who  lives  in  been  conducted  along  the  most  advanced  linos. 
Iowa;  Mrs.  Colman,  and  Sadie,  who  is  living  at  In  his  religious  belief  Mr.  Colman  is  a  Univer- 
Streator.  111.  Mr.  Colman  is  a  Knight  Templar.  salist.  lie  served  as  road  commissioner,  super- 
Mason,  and  a  Republican,  politically :  has  served  visor  for  two  years,  and  school  trustee.  Fra- 
on  the  school  board  for  fourteen  years,  and  is  ternally  he  is  connected  with  the  Masons.  No. 
a  representative  man  in  every  respect.  Mrs.  7~-7  A.  F.  iV:  A.  M.,  of  Verona,  III.  Mrs.  Colman 
Column's  grandfather.  Eaton  Nance,  was  in  passed  away  in  January.  1901,  having  been  the 
the  War  of  1S12.  He  ami  his  wile  died  in  Mis-  mother  of  live  children,  two  of  whom  died  in 
souri  at  the  age  of  eighty-six  years.  infancy.  The  survivors  are:  John  N..  who  mar- 
ried .Alary  Stoner.  and  they  have  two  sons,  IIow- 
COLMAN,  Thomas  S. — One  of  the  old  and  ard  and  Clarence,  of  M.izon  Township;  Guy, 
honored  residents  of  Grundy  County,  who  has  «liu  married  Nellie  Bowman,  resides  at  home 
been  a  witness  to  and  a  participant  in  the  won-  with  his  father,  and  Willin in.  who  is  also  on  the 
derful  progress  which  has  made  this  section  one  home  farm,  and  married  Nettie  Whittou,  and 
of  the  most  prosperous  fanning  communities  in  they  have  two  children.  Pearl  and  Verne, 
the  State,  is  Thomas  S.  Colman,  whose  home  is 

located  in  Vienna  Township.  Although  now  re-  COMERFORD,  George,  who  was  one  of  the  pio- 
tired  somewhat  from  active  pursuits,  he  still  neers  of  Aux  Sable  Township,  was  born  in 
takes  an  active  interest  in  all  that  effects  his  County  Wexford,  Ireland,  August  3,  1S20,  a  son 
adopted  locality,  and  is  known  as  one  of  the  of  William  and  Ilonora  (Nolan)  Comerford. 
township's  substantial  and  public-spirited  men.  The  family  came  to  the  T'nited  States  in  1S50, 
Mr.  Colman  was  born  in  Putnam  County,  Illi-  and  bought  500  acres  of  land  in  Aux:  Sable 
nois,  August  2.  1S3S,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Township.  After  coining  to  Grundy  County. 
Mary  A.  (Chitenden)  Column.  George  Comerford  engaged  in  railroad  survey- 
John  Colman  was  bom  in  17t>7  in  the  State  ing  and  later  in  the  railroad  construction  of 
of  Vermont  and  was  there  married  to  Mary  A.  the  Chicago,  Rock  rsland  &  Pacific  Railroad.  He 
Chitenden.  who  was  born  in  isos.  in  New  llamp-  was  the  first  railroad  agent  and  postmaster  of 
shire.  In  1S35  they  traveled  by  wagon  to  llli-  Minooka,  serving  in  the  latter  office  for  nine 
nois.  stopping  in  Grundy  County  one  night  at  years,  and  he  built  some  of  the  first  business 
the  home  of  Joshua  Collins,  and  then  continuing  houses  of  the  village,  including  the  Comerford 
on  their  way  to  Florida,  Putnam  County.  Mr.  block,  and  still  later  became  a  merchant.  In 
Colman  entered  government  land  just  over  the  addition  he  owned  1C0  acres  of  land  near  Mi- 
county  line  in  LaSalle  County,  and  there  died  nooka  which  he  improved  to  a  considerable 
May  2.  ISP).  extent.  Mr.  Comerford  was  elected  to  all  the 
Thomas  S.  Colman  was  then  not  eleven  years  major  offices  within  the  gift  of  his  fellow-tow  ns- 
of  age,  but  was  the  oldest  son  and  the  duties  men  and  was  a  man  of  importance  in  his  day. 
of  the  farm  fell  upon  his  shoulders.  His  edu-  With  a  liberal  broad-mindedness  he  gave  cren- 
eational  advantages  were  of  the  slightest,  erously  towards  the  support  of  both  the  t'ath- 
being    confined    to    two    terms    in    the    district  olic  and   Methodist  churches,   the  two   religious 


HISTORY  OF  (JRUNDY  COUNTY. 


793 


bodies  whicb  have  founded  churches  in  Aux 
Sable  Township,  and  was  very  charitable.  For 
sonic  years  he  was  president  of  the  Hoard  of 
Education,  and  was  associated  with  the  edu- 
cational development  of  his  township.  On  Sep- 
tember 10,  1S55,  he  married  Catherine  Smith, 
and  their  three  children  to  attain  to  maturity 
were:  Thomas  S-,  Nicholas  J.,  and  Mary  C. 

CONDON,  Frank  D.— Real  worth  and  true  merit 
are  often  recognized  in  this  great  republic  of 
ours,  and  some  of  the  men  who  have  attained 
to  political  distinction  arc  from  the  ranks  of 
the  younger  generation  of  business  men.  One 
who  has  received  mure  than  ordinary  recogni- 
tion at  the  hands  of  his  fellow-citizens  is  Frank 
]>.  Condon  of  Morris,  the  present  capable  city 
clerk,  who  is  proprietor  of  a  large  cigar  factory 
at  No.  2  lie.  Liberty  street.  Mr.  Condon  was 
born  November  15,  1S70.  at  Morris.  111.,  sun  of 
Cornelius  and  Eveline  (Davidson)  Condon,  na- 
tives of  Ireland,  and  of  New  York  State.  The 
father  came  to  this  country  when  a  buy.  first 
living  in  Kentucky,  but  later  located  at  Morris, 
111.,  where  be  was  a  coal  miner.  Here  he  mar- 
ried., brought  up  his  family  of  eight  children. 
Frank  D.  Condon  being  the  fifth  in  order  or 
birth. 

Growing  up  in  Morris.  Frank  1>.  Condon  early 
learned  the  value  of  hard  work  intelligently 
directed,  and  received  a  good,  public  school 
training.  In  1900  Mr.  Condon  learned  the 
trade  of  a  cigarmaker.  and  in  1001  went  into 
business  for  himself,  buying  out  T.  B.  Hinds  at 
No.  l'I-JVj  Liberty  street,  where  lie  has  since 
continued.  Mr.  Condon  gives  employment  to 
four  men.  and  his  brand--  are:  The  Del  Marca, 
a  ten-cent  cigar,  and  the  "White  Crow,  a  five-cent 
variety,  both  good  sellers,  in  large  demand  be- 
cause of  their  superior  flavor  and  blend.  Ii  is 
as  a  Republican  that  Mr.  Condon  has  been  called 
upon  to  fill  more  than  one  office  within  the  gill 
of  the  people  of  Morris,  in  1907  being  elected 
city  treasurer,  and  after  two  years  of  efficient 
service  was  elected  city  clerk,  to  which  impor- 
tant office  he  was  re-elected  in  1911,  and  is  the 
present  incumbent.  In  every  respect  he  has 
justified  his  selection,  and  givo.i  the  city  an  hon- 
est, businesslike  administration  of  the  affairs 
of  the  several  offices  under  his  charge. 

In  1903  Mr.  Condon  married  Martha  Emerson, 
daughter  of  Elias  Emerson,  ami  they  have  one 
child,  Frank.  Mr.  Condon  belongs  to  the  Ma- 
sonic fraternity,  is  an  Odd  Fellow,  having 
passed  all  the  chairs  in  the  subordinate  lodge, 
and  for  two  years  was  secretary  of  the  Encamp- 
ment, and  he  also  belongs  to  the  Eagles,  all  of 
Morris.  Straightforward,  energetic,  a  man  of 
action.  Mr.  Condon  has  won  and  retains  the  con- 
fidence and  friendship  of  the  leading  people  of 
the  capital  city  of  Grundy  County. 

CONDON,  James,  dealer  in  and  manufacturer  of 
drain  tile  and  brick,  at  Mazon,  111.,  lias  been  in 
this  line  of  business  for  some  time,  operating 
under  the  name  of  James  Condon,  and  has 
proven  his   ability   and   business   reliability,   as 


well  as  his  worth  as  a  citizen.  His  plant  com- 
prises three  kilns  and  employment  is  given  to 
fourteen  men.  Mr.  Condon  was  born  in  Ireland 
in  1S73,  and  is  a  son  of  Patrick  and  Nellie 
(O'Neil  i  Condon,  who  came  to  (he  United  States 
in  ISM,  locating  at  Morris,  Ilk,  near  where  the 
father  farmed  until  he  went  to  Joliet,  Ilk.  in 
1904,  where  he  is  now  living  in  retirement.  lie 
and  wife  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  of 
whom  the  following  are  living:  Mrs.  Johanna 
Mahouey.  Mrs.  Lizzie  Worrell,  .lames,  Patrick, 
of  Morris,  and  John  and  Thomas,  of  Joliet. 

Growing  up  in  Grundj  County,  .lames  Condon 
was  given  the  advantages  of  the  schools  here, 
and  from  the  time  he  was  ten  years  old  was  self- 
supporting,  working  by  the  month.  In  l.x!is  he 
proved  his  patriotism  by  enlisting  for  service 
in  the  Spanish- American  War,  and  was  honor- 
ably discharged  in  isini.  Coming  back  to 
Grundy  County,  he  resumed  his  agricultural 
operations  which  his  career  as  a  soldier  had  in- 
terrupted, ami  in  1900  he  began  farming  for 
himself,  thus  continuing  until  1905,  when  lie 
moved  to  Kansas.  Two  years  later,  uowever, 
he  traded  his  farm  there  for  the  tile  facto-y, 
and  has  seen  no  reason  to  be  sorry  for  such 
action.  In  1900  Mr.  Condon  married  Bell  Jacob- 
son  of  Lis',. on.  111.  Mr.  Condon  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  fraternity  and  is  a  Knight  Templar, 
being  connected  with  the  Commandery  at  Mor- 
ris, and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Eastern  star. 
In  politics  lie  is  a  Republican.  A  young  man 
of  exceptional  business  ability  he  has  steadily 
advanced  and  is  rightly  numbered  anion-  the 
leading   manufacturers  of  Mazon. 

COOP,  Fred. — No  one  but  a  farmer  appreciates 

the  .- tint    of  work    required   to  cultivate  210 

acres  of  land  even  if  it  is  located  in  so  desirable 
a  section  as  Grundy  County.  If  the  land  is 
properly  operated  it  will  yield  handsomely,  but 
constant  effort  and  intelligent  care  are  neces- 
sary requisites.  One  of  the  men  who  is  prov- 
ing this,  ami  that  he  is  able  to  meet  all  the  re- 
quirements of  a  good  farmer  is  Fred  Coop,  owner 
of  1'lit  acres  of  as  line  land  as  can  be  found  in 
Saratoga  Township,  if  not  in  Grundy  County, 
lie  was  born  in  Lancashire,  England,  May  8. 
1.952,  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Saudi ford)  Coop, 
who  came  to  Grundy  County  when  their  son 
Fred  was  an  infant.  Settling  on  a  farm  in  Aux 
Sable  Township  they  developed  into  substan- 
tial  people. 

Until  he  was  sixteen  years  old  Fred  Coop  re- 
mained at  home,  receiving  his  educational  train- 
ing in  the  district  schools.  He  then  began  work- 
ing for  his  brother-in-law,  Ralph  Heap,  of  Sew- 
ard Township,  Kendall  County,  111.,  thus  con- 
tinuing for  three  years  and  then  rented  land 
which  he  farmed  for  three  years  more.  At  this 
time  he  married  and  spent  the  following  four 
years  on  the  farm  owned  by  his  mother-in-law, 
in  Lisbon  Township,  but  al  the  expiration  of 
that  period  went  to  Mrs.  Cryder's  farm  in  Aux 
Sable  Township,  this  county,  and  later  bought 
eighty  acres  of  land  in  Saratoga  Township. 
There   was   an   old   house   on    the'   place   which 


TfiAA    &>. 


'/T^Zr^sV^YCiS 


W^e^^U 


794 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


served  as  a  homo  until  1S96,  when  he  replaced 
it  with  a  handsome  modern  frame  dwelling.  At 
the  same  time  he  has  kept  on  adding  to  his  hold- 
ings until  he  now  owns  240  acres  of  fine  land 
which  is  a  match  for  any  in  the  county.  On 
this  property  Mr.  Coop  raises  fine  stock,  cattle 
and  hogs,  specializing  on  registered  Norman 
horses,  and  1  is  stallion  is  a  magnificent  animal. 
On  March  is.  lsTo.  Mr.  Coop  married  -Sarah 
Ripley,  horn  in  Lisbon  Township,  Kendall 
County,  111..  November  ti,  1852;  a  daughter  of 
William  and  Elizabeth  (Stanford)  Ripley,  na- 
tives of  England.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Coop  are  the 
parents  of  the  following  children:  Erwin,  who 
is  of  Aux  Sable  Township,  was  horn  Octolior  2S, 
187(1,  and  married  Irene  Bushiiell,  and  they 
have  one  daughter.  Sila  10. :  Wilbur,  who  is  also 
of  Aux  Sable  Township,  born  April  Is.  isjs. 
married  Stella  1.  George,  and  they  have  one 
daughter.  Marjorie  A.:  Frank,  born  November 
.2G,  1SS1,  lives  at  home;  and  Kay.  horn  August 
29,  ISM',,  at  home,  married  Nettie  Hove.  Mr. 
Coop  has  served  as  a  school  director  since  1S97, 
being  elected  on  the  Republican  ticket.  He  is 
an  excellent  tanner  and  good  business  man.  and 
has  honestly  earned   his  prosperity. 

CRAGG,  George  H.—  It  is  difficult  to  believe  that 
within  active  years  of  residents  of  Grundy 
County  the  wonderful  agricultural  development, 
so  apparent  on  every  side,  has  been  accom- 
plished, hut  George  II.  Cragg.  one  of  the  sub- 
stantial farmers  and  foremost  citizens  of  Maine 
Township,  can  recall  when  his  fertile  and  highly 
cultivated  acres  were  nothing  hut  raw.  swamp 
prairie  land.  He  was  horn  in  his  father's  log 
house  on  Section  19,  Maine  Township.  Grundy 
County.  111..  April  5,  1sp>.  in  which  year  his 
father  was  largely  instrumental  in  having 
Grundy  County  organized.  His  parents  were 
John  and  Agnes    (Litchult)    Cragg. 

John  Cragg  was  horn  in  1s<>;;,  in  Cheshire, 
England.  In  1S23  he  crossed  the  Atlantic  Ocean 
to  the  United  States  and  located  at  Paterson, 
N.  J.  Shortly  alter  his  arrival  he  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Agnes  Litchult.  who  was  a  na- 
tive of  Paterson,  and  an  admirable  woman  in 
every  relation  of  life.  To  this  marriage  there 
were  lxirn  four  sous  and  one  daughter:  Edward. 
Joseph,  Martin.  George  II.  and  Louisa,  the  only 
survivor  being  George  II.  Cragg,  of  Grundy 
County.  Sometime  in  the  "twenties'"  John 
Cragg' settled  at  Ottawa.  111.,  where  he  followed 
his  trade  of  machinist,  several  years  later  mov- 
ing to  St.  Louis.  Mo.,  but  returning  to  Ottawa 
in  a  few' years  and  continuing  to  live  in  the  vil- 
lage for  one  year  longer  before  settling  perma- 
nently in  what  was  then  the  eastern  part  of  La- 
Salle  County,  the  same  now  forming  Grundy 
County.  John  Cragg  was  a  man  of  sterling 
character  and  became  a  man  of  prominence  in 
the  new  county,  serving  many  years  in  the  office 
of  supervisor  and  repeatedly  as  justice  of  the 
peace. 

George  H.  Cragg  attended  the  country  schools 
near  his  father's  farm  and  received  additional 
instruction   from    teachers  who  boarded   around 


as  was  the  custom,  native  intelligence  and  a  de- 
sire to  learn  assisting  more  than  any  educa- 
tional opportunities  ever  afforded  him.  He  as- 
sisted on  the  farm  as  soon  as  old  enough  and 
began  the  reclamation  and  development  which 
has  completely  changed  the  landscape,  in  the 
last  fifty  years,  in  Grundy  County.  On  Febru- 
ary 17,  ISCm,  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Civil 
War,  which  was  continuing  its  ravage's,  enter- 
ing the  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-sixth  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry,  in  which  he  served  until 
the  close  of  strife,  and  was  stationed  for  some 
months  near  Nashville  and  Chattanooga,  Tenn. 
His  patriotic  duty  done.  Mr.  Cragg  returned  to 
Grundy  County  and  resumed  farming  operations 
and  ever  since  has  devoted  himself  largely  to 
agricultural  pursuits,  intelligently  adopting  sci- 
entific methods  and  proving  their  efficacy,  lie 
owns  ISO  acres  of  tine  land'  situated  in  Maine 
and   Mazon    Townships. 

On  February  17.  1SG1.  Mr.  Cragg  was  married 
at  Chicago.  111.,  to  Miss  Rachel  Bridel,  who  was 
hem  in  England,  April  30,  1S40,  and  was  brought 
to  the  United  states  in  1S44,  her  parents  being 
pioneers  in  Grundy  and  Kendall  Counties.  Illi- 
nois. The  following  children  were  born  to  Mr. 
and  .Mrs.  Crag-:  Alice,  who  is  the  wife  of  Joseph 
II.  Franc-is,  who  is  the  present  Sheriff  of  Grundy 
County;  Robert  N.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Grand 
Island.  Nebraska;  Cora,  who  is  the  wife  of 
James  Bray,  and  Emma,  who  is  the  wife  of 
George  Marsh.  Mr.  Cragg  and  family  are  mem- 
bers of  the   Methodist    Episcopal    Church. 

Mr.  Cragg  started  his  political  career  as  an 
Abraham  Lincoln  Republican,  voting  for  him  in 
lSOO.  and  for  every  succeeding  candidate  of  the 
Republican  party  for  the  Presidency  until  1912, 
when  he  became  a  Progressive  and  worked  and 
voted  for  Theodore  Roosevelt.  He  has  never  been 
an  office  seeker,  but  when  elected  has  served 
faithfully  as  School  Director.  School  Trustee 
and  Highway  Commissioner.  He  has  always 
taken  a  deep  interest  in  the  public  schools,  is  an 
advocate  of  good  roads  and  of  all  those  things 
which  promote  good  government,  good  feeling. 
neighborly  interest  and  social  comfort  ami  con- 
tentment. 

CRANE,  Harry  V.— Classed  among  the  energetic 
and  progressive  agriculturists  of  Grundy  County 
is  found  Harry  V.  Crane  of  Section  4,  Good  Farm 
Township,  the  owner  of  a  property  comprising 
1G0  acres,  and  a  citizen  who  lias  always  been 
identified  with  the  best  interests  of  his  com- 
munity. He  is  a  native  of  Grundy  County, 
born  June  21,  1S73.  a  son  of  Thaddeus  and 
Phoebe  (Thompson)  Crane,  the  former  a  native 
of  Vermont  and  the  latter  of  New  York.  The 
parents  were  married  at  Elmira,  N.  Y..  and  came 
to  Grundy  County.  Illinois,  in  1SC.2.  here  pass- 
im: the  remainder  of  their  lives,  the  father 
dying  March  23,  1908.  and  the  mother  AiiL-nst 
13,  1911.  Both  are  buried  in  Braceville  ceme- 
tery. They  were  the  parents  of  five  children: 
Charles  and  Frank,  who  died  on  the  same  day 
of  cholera,  and  are  buried  in  Essies  cemetery,  in 
Kankakee  Comity,   Illinois;  Fred,  a  resident  of 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


795 


Juliet,  III.;  Nellie,  wliu  also  lives  in  that  city; 
and   Harry    V. 

Harr.\  V.  Crane  obtained  a  district  school  edu- 
cation and  was  brought  up  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits, lie  remained  on  the  home  place  until 
nineteen  years  of  age,  at  which  time  he  went 
to  Chicago  and  secured  employment  in  the 
freight  house  of  the  Pennsylvania  &  Fort 
Wayne  Railroad,  hut  one  year  later  returned 
to  Greenfield  Township  and  rented  his  lather's 
farm.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  120  acres  of  his 
father's  estate,  to  which  he  has  added  an  addi- 
tional forty  acres,  and  120  acres  of  this  prop- 
erty are  located  in  Good  Farm  Township,  his 
residence  being  on  Section  4.  Mr.  Crane  has 
been  successful  as  a  farmer  and  stock-  raiser, 
and  as  an  honorable  and  upright  citizen  has 
bad  no  difficulty  in  winning  and  retaining  the 
respect  and  esteem  of  all  with  whom  he  has 
had  dealings  either  in  business  or  social  life. 
He  is  a  Democrat,  and  at  this  time  is  serving 
his  second  term  as  school  director,  and  has 
been  for  a  like  period  roar!  commissioner.  His 
fraternal  connection  is  with  t lie  Ancient  Order 
of  Gleaners.  With  his  family  he  attends  the 
Church  of  God. 

Mr.  Crane  was  married  Xovemljer  30.  1809. 
to  .Miss  .Myrtle  Provance,  who  was  born  in  La- 
Salle  County,  Illinois,  daughter  of  George  X. 
and  Susanna  (Balsinger)  Provance,  natives  of 
Pennsylvania.  Six  children  have  been  born  to 
this  union:  Hazel  Belle,  horn  .March  17.  1001: 
Olive  May.  hern  December  2.  1903:  Nellie  Marie, 
born  August  20,  100."};  Pearl  Margaret,  horn 
March  13,  1907;  Marion  Frances,  horn  January 
22,  1010,  and   Frank  Harry,  born  July  11,  1912. 

CRONIN,  Daniel  G.— A  substantia]  hardware 
merchant,  located  at  Morris,  II].,  has  risen  to 
the  forefront  among  business  men  of  this  city 
by  reason  of  bis  reliability,  industry  and  perse- 
verance, lie  is  a  native  of  Grundy  County, 
111.,  bom  on  a  farm  in  Saratoga  Township, 
March  31,  1ST.",  and  is  a  son  of  James  D.  and 
Mary  (Redmond)  Cronin.  The  paternal  grand- 
parents of  Mr.  Cronin.  James  anid  Ellen 
(Brown)  Cronin.  were  horn  in  Dublin,  Ireland, 
and  were  there  married.  Some  time  thereafter 
they  came  to  the  United  States  and  located  at 
Morris.  111.,  Mr.  Cronin  receiving  a  contract 
for  the  building  of  a  certain  section1  of  the  Illi- 
nois and  Michigan  Canal,  for  completing  which 
he  was  deeded  1C0  acres  of  land.  This  ho  sub- 
sequently improved,  spent  the  remaining  years 
of  bis  life  in  farming,  and  became  one  of  his 
community's  substantial  and  highly  esteemed 
citizens.  James  D.  Cronin  was  horn  in  Morris. 
111.,  and  was  there  married  to  Miss  Mary  Red- 
mond, a  native  of  Aux  Sable  Township.  Grundy 
County.  111.  Not  long  thereafter  they  moved 
to  the  old  homestead  farm,  which  Mr.  Cronin 
continued  to  operate  until  selling  out  to  his 
twin  brothers,  and  then  moved  to  Watertown, 
S.  D.,  where  he  is  still  making  his  home  at 
the  age  of  seventy-one  years.  His  wife  passed 
away  in  1905. 


Daniel  G.  Cronin  was  given  good  educational 
advantages,  attending  the  Morris  academy,  the 
parochial  schools  and  Watertown  (,S.  D.)*IIigh 
school,  where  he  was  a  student  for  four  years. 
lie  resided  with  his  parents  until  ten  years 
alter  they  made  removal  to  South  Dakota, 
where  lie  was  engaged  in  farming,  and  then 
returned  to  -Morris  and  engaged  in  business 
for  his  uncles,  Thomas  and  Daniel  Cronin,  who 
had  established  a  hardware  store  in  1S85,  and 
had  purchased  an  implement  business  in  1900, 
both  at  Morris,  the  two  establishments  being 
conducted  together.  Mr.  ('renin  remained  with 
his  uncles  until  both  died,  caring  for  them  ten- 
derly during  their  declining  years.  Thomas 
Cronin  passed  away  July  -I.  W7.  and  Daniel, 
June  :>,  1903.  Since  his  uncles'  death,  Mr. 
Cronin  has  conducted  the  business  and  has 
made  a  decided  success  of  the  enterprise.  lie 
now  carries  an  up-to-date  and  complete  line  of 
heavy  and  shelf  hardware,  a  full  line  of  farm 
implements,  firearms  and  ammunition,  furnaces 
and  stoves,  and  conducts  a  tinshop  in  connec- 
tion, lie  has  always  been  noted  for  his  good 
business  judgment  and  strict  integrity  and  to 
these  may  bo  attributed  a  large  part  of  his  suc- 
cess. 

Mr.  Cronin  was  married  August  21.  1900.  to 
Miss  Mary  I'yrnes.  who  was  horn  at  Morris, 
III.,  daughter  of  Peter  Byrnes,  a  native  of  Can- 
ada. To  this  union  there  have  been  horn  chil- 
dren as  ('(■Hows:  Gladys  May,  Eileen.  Anna, 
Daniel,  Thomas  and  Frank.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Cronin  are  members  of  the  Catholic  Church 
of  the  Immaculate  Conception,  and  Mr. 
Cronin  belongs  to  the  Catholic  Order  of  For- 
esters Xo.  210,  of  the  Immaculate  Conception, 
and  Dupoul  Terrace  Xo.  M.".  Knights  of  Colum- 
bus. In  political  matters  he  is  independent,  pre- 
ferring to  vote  for  the  man  he  deems  best  fitted 
for  the  office  rather  than  support  the  choice  of 
any  particular  political  organization.  His  good 
citizenship  has  never  been  questioned. 

CRYDER,  Edwin  T.,  a  son  of  Michael  and 
Rachacl  (Thomas)  Cryder,  of  Delaware  County, 
Ohio,  was  horn  in  Aux  Sable  Township.  Grundy 
County.  June  29,  1.8~»y.  His  grandfather,  Henry 
('ryder.  of  Pennsylvania,  came  to  Aux  'Sable 
Township  in  ls::.'i  and  secured  some  government 
land  and  soon  brought  it  under  what  then  was 
considered  a  very  high  state  of  cultivation. 
This  farm  was  his  home  until  his  death.  The 
maternal  grandfather  died  in "  Ohio,  and  his 
widow  came  to  Aux  Sable  Township  in  183(1 
to  make  her  home.  Our  subject's  father  and 
mother,  soon  after  their  marriage,  commenced 
life  together  on  a  farm  in  Aux  Sable  Township, 
but  in  1S.7T.  having  bought  a  tract  of  land  in 
Saratoga  Township,  they  removed  to  that  place 
and  remained  for  many  years.  On  leaving  this 
home  they  went  to  Kansas  for  a  time,  but 
returned  to  Illinois  to  make  their  permanent 
abode  on  a  farm.  Here  both  parents  passed 
away. 

Edwin  T.  Cryder  lived  with  his  parents  until 
his    marriage   which    occurred    October   4,    1SS2, 


796 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


when  he  was  united  with  Miss  Elizabeth  Boyer, 
born  in  Bates  County.  Mo.,  June  11,  1SG0,  a 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Alinira  (Walley) 
Boyer.  Her  father  was  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, while  her  mother  had  been  horn  in 
Grundy  County.  111.-  Their  respective  parents 
were:  John  and  Elizabeth  (Krouse)  Boyer,  and 
George  and  Elizabeth  (Thomas)  Walley,  George 
Waller  -being  born  in  Maryland,  and  his  wife 
in  Ohio.  Mrs.  Cryder's  parents  were  married 
in  Missouri,  where  her  father  died.  August  11. 
1SS6.  The  mother  still  lives  on  the  old  home- 
stead. 

Directly  after  his  marriage,  Mr.  Cryder  took 
possession  of  a  splendid  farm  of  320  acres,  which 
had  been  given  him  by  his  father,  and  to  thi> 
he  has  added  until  it  now  aggregates  some  J r.  1 
acres  of  productive  land,  which  lies  partly  in 
Aux  Sable  Township  and  partly  in  Saratoga 
Township.  On  this  farm  he  devotes  his  chief 
attention  to  the  raising  of  blooded  horses  and 
cattle",  producing  the  grain  used  in  feeding,  al- 
most entirely  at  home.  His  property  is  widely 
known  as  the  Grand  View  Farm  and  the  stock 
that  are  marketed  from  this  place  always  com- 
mand a  relatively  high  price.  To  Mr.  Cryder 
and  his  wife  the  following  children  have  been 
born :  Dema  i.uetta.  Alvin  Boyer.  Morris 
Henry.  Edwin  Collins.  Arthur  Francis,  Ethel 
Irene,  and  Charles  Blaney.  All  the  family  be- 
long to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.'  In 
politics  Mr.  Cryder  is  a  Republican.  lie  has 
served  for  ten  years  as  township  clerk,  giving 
the  utmost  satisfaction  to  all  concerned,  and  in 
1910  he  was  elected  to  till  the  office  of  justice 
of  the  peace,  and  in  this  office  is  serving  at  the 
present  time,  lie  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic- 
fraternity. 

CRYDER,  Eugene  G. — Among  the  representative 
agriculturists  and  stork  raisers  of  Grundy 
County,  who  has  long  been  connected  with  ex- 
tensive operations  in  land  and  stock,  and  is 
well  known  in  public  life,  is  Eugene  G.  Cryder, 
owner  of  a  handsome  property  in  Saratoga 
Township.  Mr.  Cryder  is  a  native  of  this  town- 
ship, having  been  born  on  the  farm  he  now 
occupies.  February  22,  1SC0,  a  son  of  Michael 
and  Rachel  (Thomas)  Cryder,  natives  of  Ross 
County,  Ohio. 

The  paternal  grandparents  of  Mr.  Cryder. 
Henry  ami  Mary  Ann  tlless)  Cryder.  of  Phila- 
delphia, Pa.,  came  in  l^-'Y.)  to  Aux  Sable  Town- 
ship, Grundy  County,  traveling  across  the  coun- 
try in  a  prairie  schooner  and  here  preempted 
land.  Michel  Henry  Cryder.  the  father  of 
Eugene  C...  was  born  March  21.  1S20.  and  died 
January  .'11.  1894.  He  was  married  in  Morris. 
111..  March  T.  1S41.  to  Rachel  Thomas,  who 
was  born  May  Hi.  lslT.  and  died  January  2d. 
190S.  After  their  marriage  they  settled  down 
first  in  Aux  Sable  Township  where  he  farmed 
some  years,  hut  subsequently  came  to  Saratoga 
Township,  where  he  purchased  land  in  the 
prairie,  from  his  father-in-law,  John  Thomas, 
and  this  he  improved  and  kept  adding  to  until 
he  owned  about  900  acres  in  one  body.     He  was 


a  general  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  and  his  busi- 
ness ventures  proved  uniformly  successful.  He 
and  his  wife  had  the  following  children  :  Eliza, 
born  January  3,  184S,  who  died  August  27,  1854; 
Francis  M.,  born  November  IS,  1S49,  who  died 
September  •">.  l^ol :  Lewis  II.,  born  June  25,  1S53, 
who  died  August  21,  1854 ;  Edwin  T.,  born  June 
20,  1855,  living  in  Saratoga  Township;  Eugene 
C. ;  and  Maryette,  born  October  25.  ls~>7.  who  is 
now  Mrs.  W.  L.  Wainwright.  of  Morris. 

Eugene  C.  Cryder  was  educated  in  the  dis- 
trict schools  and  the  Normal  school  at  Morris, 
and  until  his  marriage  resided  with  his  par- 
ents. <  )n  December  2:1.  LSS4,  he  was  united 
with  Jennie  Elizabeth  Smith,  who  was  born 
November  29.  1803,  at  Plattville,  Kendall 
County,  111.,  daughter  of  Gideon  Smith,  born 
April  2.  1825,  in  Howard  Township,  Center 
County.  Pa.,  and  Mary  E.  (Boyer)  Smith,  born 
in  Center  County.  July  IS,  1S32.  Mr.  and  .Mrs. 
Smith  were  married  in  Plattville,  111.,  in  Janu- 
ary, 1854,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  all  his 
subsequent  life.  Mr.  Smith  died  July  0.  1009, 
and  his  wife.  June  19,  1S93.  After  his  mar- 
riage. Mr.  Cryder  took  up  his  residence  on  a 
part  of  his  father's  land  in  Saratoga  Township, 
and  in  lyjj  located  on  the  old  homestead,  which 
lie  has  since  conducted  with  well  deserved  suc- 
cess. A  man  of  honoral  le  business  principles, 
his  reputation  for  integrity  and  probity  is  far- 
reaching,  and  lie  has  many  friends  throughout 
this  part  of  the  State.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cryder 
have  had  the  following  children:  Sida  May, 
born  September  29,  1SS5.  who  died  August  17, 
]ss7;  Ethel  .Maud,  born  Augusl  9,  1887,  who 
is  now  Mrs.  Donald  Pyatt.  of  Fortville,  End., 
has  one  daughter,  Jean,  born  September  20, 
1913;  Mildred  Harriet,  born  October  20,  1S92, 
who  died  May  3.  190G ;  anil  Ray  Eugene,  born 
November  is.  1S97,  at  home.  Mr.  Cryder  and 
his  family  are  connected  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  A  Republican  in  politics,  he 
has  served  ten  years  as  town  cleric,  was  super- 
visor for  a  long  period,  county  surveyor  for 
two  years  and  chairman  of  the  board  of  super- 
visors for  a  lengthy  period.  In  his  official 
capacities  he  devoted  himself  faithfully  to  the 
dischar.ee  of  his  duties,  and  no  citizen  has  ren- 
dered his  community  more  signal  service. 

CULHAN,  Robert.— Within  the  limits  of 
Grundy  County  it  would  be  difficult  to  discover 
a  citizen  who  has  been  of  more  general  worth 
to  his  community  than  is  Robert  Culhan.  whose 
activities  have  served  to  materially  aid  the  de- 
velopment of  Erienna  Township.  Belonging  to 
that  self-made  class  of  men  of  whom  the  Prairie 
State  has  such  excellent  reason  to  be  proud, 
he  has  steadily  forged  his  way  to  the  front, 
and  is  today  justly  considered  one  of  his  lo- 
cality's most  substantial  men.  Mr.  Culhan.  as 
his  name  would  indicate,  is  of  Irish  descent. 
He  was  born  April  12.  1\.H,  at  Hillsboro,  Ilk-b- 
land County. 'O..  and  is  a  son  of  Michael  and 
Jane  (Harvey)  Culhan,  born  in  Ireland.  They 
were    married    in    their   native    Erin   and    soon 


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HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


797 


emigrated  to  the  United  States,  settling  in  Hills- 
boro,  O.,  where  Mr.  Culhan  died  in  about  ISCiO. 

Robert  Culhan  was  still  an  infant  when  his 
father  died,  and  the  greater  part  of  his  educa- 
tion was  secured  in  the  schools  of  hard  work 
and  experience.  He  remained  with  his  mother 
until  reaching  the  age  of  six  years,  when  he 
went  to  live  with  a  family  named  Hughes,  and 
when  but  fourteen  years  of  aye  began  working 
among  the  farmers  of  Highland  County.  He 
so  continued  until  reaching  his  seventeenth 
year,  when  lie  went  to  Decatur,  111.,  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  which  city  he  worked  for  farmers  until 
attaining  his  majority.  At  that  time  he  turned 
his  attention  to  railroading  and  went  to  Kan- 
kakee, 111.,  where  lie  secured  employment  with 
the  Big  Four  Railroad,  and  for  the  next  four 
years  was  engaged  in  construction  work.  Suc- 
ceeding, this  experience.  Mr.  Culhan  came  to 
Seneca,  111.,  and  soon-  rented  a  tract  of  laud  in 
Erienna  Township,  and  at'  the  end  of  nine 
years  had  been  so  successful  in  his  ventures 
that  he  was  able  to  purchase  107  acres  of  unim- 
proved land.  On  this  he  erected  a  small  house 
and  began  operations  on  his  own  account,  im- 
proved and  tiled  the  land,  erected  new  build- 
ings, and  made  a  valuable  and  productive  farm. 
In  I00r>  he  purchased  the  210  acres  of  land  ad- 
joining the  home  place,  this  tract  being  partly 
improved  at  the  time,  and  he  has  since  improved 
it  all  and  put  it  under  a  high  state  of  cultiva- 
tion.    Mr.  Culhan  lias  always  1 n  engaged  in 

raising  grain,  and  also  breeds  Belgian  horses,  a 
fine  grade  of  cattle  and  Poland-China  hogs.  He 
built  and  added  to  his  house,  ami  in  100s  built 
a  hay  and  horse  barn.  -10x00  feet.  IS  feet  to 
the  eaves.  His  operations  have  been  carried 
on  along  strictly  legitimate  lines,  and  no  citi- 
zen is  more  worthy  of  the  esteem  and  con- 
fidence of  his  fellows. 

On  February  5,  1SS4,  Mr.  Culhan  was  married 
to  Miss  Ellen  Barry,  who  was  born  in  Grundy 
County,  111.,  February  2S,  1SG0.  daughter  of 
Richard  and  Bridget  (Barrett)  Barry,  natives 
of  Ireland.  To  this  union  there  have  been  burn 
the  following  children  :  Cora  Jane,  born  Novem- 
ber 2G,  1SS4:  Edward  Francis,  born  March  is, 
1886,  who  died  at  the  age  of  seven  years;  James, 
born  September  20,  IvsT.  who  died  in  1SP0; 
George  William,  born  September  !).  1SS9 :  Rich- 
ard, born  July  20,  1S92,  who  died  in  February, 
1002;  Robert  John,  born  October  12,  1S03:  Ber- 
nard Leroy,  born  January  0,  1S9G ;  Michael 
Valerion,  born  August  2S,  1S07,  who  died  aged 
three  years  and  six  months:  and  Leo  Vincent, 
born  February  2S,  1S99,  who  died  when  six  and 
one-half  year's  old.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Culhan  are 
consistent  members  of  the  Catholic  Church  at 
Seneca.  He  is  independent  in  his  political  views, 
has  served  as  a  School  Director  for  nine  years, 
and  since  1000  has  been  a  School  Trustee.  His 
fraternal  connections  are  with  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America  and  the  Knights  of  Colum- 
bus, both  of  Seneca. 

CULLEY,  Anthony  Joseph.— In  these  days  ol 
specialized  endeavor  a  man  has  to  know  thor- 


oughly some  particular  line  in  order  to  achieve 
any  measure  of  success.  One  of  those  who  has 
perfected  himself  as  a  mason  until  he  has 
developed  into  a  contractor  of  masonry,  is  An- 
thony Joseph  Culley,  of  South  Wilmington,  111., 
one  of  the  substantial  men  of  Grundy  County. 
Mr.  Culley  was  born  in  Belgium,  in  1S66,  a  son 
of  Nicholas  and  Mary  (Doyen)  Culley.  These 
parents  came  to  the  United  States  iu  1SG9, 
locating  at  Braidwood,  where  the  father  carried 
on  mining  as  he  bad  previously  done  in  his 
native  land.  There  he  died  in  1S93,  being 
buried  in  the  place  of  his  adoption,  but  his 
widow  survives,  still  making  her  home  at  Braid- 
wood.  There  were  eight  children  born  to 
Nicholas  Culley  and  wife:  Seymour,  Cath- 
erine, Anthony  Joseph,  Lydia,  Charles,  John, 
Abel  and  Anna,  several  being  deceased. 

Anthony  Joseph  Culley  was  two  and  one-half 
years  old  when  he  was  brought  to  Braidwood 
where  he  grew  up  and  attended  the  public 
schools  until  eleven  years  old  when  he  began 
working  for  coal  companies.  In  1SS9,  having 
learned  to  largely  depend  upon  himself,  he  came 
to  South  Wilmington,  when  the  town  was  in 
its  infancy,  and  has  lived  here  ever  since,  grow- 
ing up  with  it  as  it  were.  He  found  opportun- 
ity for  mason  work,  and  has  been  engaged  in 
all  kinds  of  this  class  of  construction  work,  and 
has  labored  to  some  purpose  as  he  now  owns  his 
residence,  and  120  acres  in  the  vicinity  of  South 
Wilmington. 

In  IS'.i.",  Mr.  Culley  was  married  to  Elizabeth 
M.  White  of  Braidwood,  111.,  and  they  have 
three  children:  Charles  N.,  William  C.  and 
Agnes.  They  belong  to  the  Baptist  Church. 
Fraternally  he  is  a  Mason  and  a  Knight  of 
Pythias.  A  Republican  in  politics,  he  served 
three  years  on  the  school  board  from  Green- 
field Township,  five  years  as  assessor  and  for 
the  past  two  years  be  has  been  supervisor,  which 
office  he  still  holds.  In  every  way  he  has 
proven  himself  a  worthy,  efficient  man,  and 
his  standing  in  his  community  is  undisputed, 
as  is  his  reputation  for  honest  dealing  and  faith- 
fulness  in   carrying  ■  out  his   contracts. 

CUMMING,  Clarence  Earl,  D.  D.  S.— The  dontal 
profession  of  Grundy  County,  Ilk,  is  worthily 
and  ably  represented  at  Coal  City  by  Dr.  Clar- 
ence Far!  dimming,  who.  through  inclination, 
training  and  inherent  skill  has  brought  himself 
to  the  forefront  in  his  profession.  Doctor  Gum- 
ming is  now  recognized  as -the  leading  repre- 
sentative of  his  vocation  in  Coal  City,  and  main- 
tains well  appointed  offices  over  the  City  Drug 
Store.  He  is  a  native  of  Grundy  County,  hav- 
ing been  born  at  Gardner.  HI.,  October  10.  1SS2, 
and  is  a  son  of  Thomas  S.  and  .Mary  (Blaney) 
( 'unimitig. 

Clarence  Earl  Camming  received  his  early 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  Gardner,  and 
also  attended  the  High  school  there  for  one 
year.  When  he  was  twelve  years  of  age.  the 
family  removed  to  Belleville,  111.,  and  there  he 
also  attended  the  High  school.  When  he  was 
fourteen  years  of  age  he  started  his  own  battle 


798 


HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


with  the  world  as  an  employe  of  the  bottling 
factory  at  Belleville,  and  when  the  family  re- 
moved to  Staunton,  III.,  in  1S9S,  he  became  top 
man  for  the  coal  company  there,  his  father  be- 
ing manager  of  the  mine.  About  one  year  later 
the  family  returned  to  Gardner,  and  Doctor 
dimming  worked  with  his  father  in  prospecting 
for  coal  until  the  tall  of  1905,  at  which  time 
he  took  up  the  study  of  dentistry  at  the  Lincoln 
Dental  College,  connected  with  the  University 
of  Nebraska.  lie  was  graduated  therefrom 
May  27.  190S,  and  was  licensed  to  practice  in 
'  Nebraska,  hut  shortly  thereafter  returned  to 
Illinois,  where  he  passed  the  examination  of 
the  State  Board  of  Examiners.  lie  opened 
oflices  in  Coal  City,  June  21,  190S,  and  here 
has  continued  in  practice  to  the  present  time. 
He  is  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  large  and  repre- 
sentative professional  business,  and  among  his 
brethren  in  the  calling  is  recognized  as  a  man 
who  has  thoroughly  mastered  his  science  and 
who  at  all  times  respects  its  ethics. 

On  June  7,  1911,  at  Wheaton,  111..  Doctor 
dimming  was  married  by  Hew  Thompson  of 
the  Methodist  Church  to  Miss  Ethel  C.  Rodgers, 
born  .April  5,  1S90,  near  Coal  City,  daughter  of 
Winfield  Scott  and  Clara  (Hill)  Rodgers,  and 
granddaughter  of  Delmar  and  Maria  (Stall- 
man)  Hill.  Mrs.  Cumming's  father  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation  and  belonged  to  one  of 
the  early  families  of  Grundy  County. 

Politically  Doctor  Camming  is  a  single-tax 
Democrat,  having  always  been  a  follower  of  the 
Henry  George  doctrine.  lie  was  one  of  the 
directors  of  the  Illinois  Aero  Construction 
Company,  located  in  Coal  City,  and  is  progres- 
sive in  all  matters,  being  ever  ready  to  give  his 
aid  to  whatever  he  considers  beneficial  to  the 
interests  of  the  village  or  its  people.  He  is 
a  member  of  I'si  chapter  of  the  Xi  I'si  Pin.  a 
dental  fraternity,  of  which  he  was  the  first 
treasurer.  He  was  a  charter  member  in  Lin- 
coln, Neb.,  having  joined  while  attending  the 
university  there,  and  retained  his  office  as 
treasurer  until  he  graduated  in  190S.  He  is 
also  alliliated  with  the  Blue  Lodge  of  Masonry 
at  Braidwood,  111.,  and  Royal  Arch  Chapter 
No.  701,  at  Wilmington,  III.,  also  Eastern  Star 
and  Woodmen. 

CUMMING,  Thomas  S— Thomas  Stewart  Gum- 
ming was  born  at  Whitehall,  Edinburgh  County, 
Scotland,  a  son  of  Robert  and  Barbara  (Proc- 
tor) Gumming,  both  natives  of  Edinburgh. 
His  parents  were  married  at  Clay  Barnes, 
Edinburgh  County,  Scotland,  in  1S2S,  where 
they  lived  for  some  time,  and  there  their  first 
son,  James  P.,  was  born.  Subsequently  these 
three  came  to  America,  taking  up  their  resi- 
dence in  Pottsville,  Pa.,  and  here  it  was  that 
a  daughter,  Janet,  was  horn  to  them.  After 
scarcely  more  than  a  year  in  this  country,  the 
family  returned  to  Scotland,  where  Janet  died, 
aged  two  years,  and  where  the  remaining  eleven 
children  were  born.  Of  the  thirteen  children 
which  constituted  their  family,  but  nine  were 
spared  to  reach  maturity.     Their  names  are,  in 


order  of  their  birth:  James  1'.,  John  P.,  David, 
George  A.  I'..  Patrick  M..  Elizabeth  R.,  Thomas 
S.,  Marion,  and  Robert.  All  of  these  sons  and 
daughters  came,  in  later  years,  to  America,  to 
establish  their  permanent   homes. 

Thomas  S.  Gumming  started  his  schooling  at 
a  very  early  age,  attending  the  infant  class  at 
Cowdenfoot,  and,  finishing  this  at  the  age  of 
five,  was  entered  in  the  schools  of  Whitehill, 
studying  history,  geography,  and  arithmetic. 
This  last  named  study  -was  the  one  toward 
which  he  seemed  most  naturally  inclined,  and 
he  had  just  entered  the  class  in  plain  geometry 
when  he  was  forced  to  commence  regular  work 
at  the  mines  in  which  Ins  father  worked,  al- 
though he  was  not  yet  ten  years  old.  His 
first  ,iub  was  that  of  trapper,  or  door-tender,  in 
the  old  Cowden  Mine,  and  later  was  a  helper 
to  the  eager;  then  a  driver;  and.  when  about 
fourteen  years  old.  he  went  to  pushing  and 
loading,  which  is  a  direct  apprenticeship  to  coal 
digging.  For  five  years  lie  continued  at  mining 
in  Scotland;  but,  in  1m;i;,  he  came  to  America, 
in  company  witli  his  parents,  two  sisters  and 
his  brother  Robert,  after  landing  coming  di- 
rectly to  Gardner,  HI.  They  reached  their  ulti- 
mate destination  September  1,  1S6G,  and  have 
ever  since  that  time  considered  Gardner  their 
home  town  in  this  country.  Some  time  after 
Gardner  had  become  their  home,  Thomas  left 
to  take  up  a  homestead  in  Smith  County,  Kan- 
sas, and  here  his  father  and  mother  came,  in 
1S7S,  to  live  with  him.  Two  years  later  the 
father  died  quite  suddenly,  and  the  mother  was 
left  ti.i  survive  him  until  she  reached  the  age 
of  eighty- live. 

After  coming  to  the  Lnited  States,  Thomas 
G.  Gumming  divided  the  earlier  decade  of  his 
residence  between  milling  and  farming;  but 
his  time  was  never  so  completely  monopolized 
as  to  exclude  his  desire  for  a  more  specific 
and  comprehensive  education.  In  accordance 
with  his  views  on  this  subject  he  took  up  the 
study  of  Geology  and  of  mining  problems,  re- 
ceiving much  benefit  from  his  perusal  of  The 
Colliery  Engineer,  published  in  Scranton,  Ra. 
He  also  attended  night  school,  with  some  en- 
forced irregularity,  but  he  worked  with  a  pur- 
pose that  more  than  made  amends  for  dillicien- 
cies  in  time.  In  1SS3,  he  and  his  brother 
James,  both  qualified  at  the  first  examination 
held  in  the  State,  for  Mining  Inspectors,  James 
receiving  one  of  the  appointments  given  by 
Governor  Oglesby.  Thomas  then  took  a  full 
course  in  the  Scranton  school;  and.  in  IN!).'!, 
was  appointed  Inspector  for  the  First  District, 
two  years  later  being  transferred  to  the  Sixth 
District,  his  appointment  coming  from  Gov- 
ernor Altgeld.  Subsequently  Mr.  Cumming 
taught  mining  classes  in  Braidwood,  Braceville, 
Coal  city.  Carbon  Hill,  and  Gardner,  with 
splendid  results  to  shew  for  his  labor. 

It  was  in  1SS0  that  he  returned  to  Illinois, 
after  farming  his  homestead  in  Kansas,  where 
the  locust  pest  and  the  low  prices  on  the  prod- 
ucts of  bis  farm,  detracted  somewhat  from  the 
expectatio  is  he  had  had.     At  that  time  it   was 


HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


799 


not  the  high  cost  of  living  that  caused  dis- 
comfort ;  but  rather  the  excessive  labor  or 
products  of  labor  that  were  necessary  in  order 
to  get  the  dollar.  He  recalls  hauling  dressed 
pork  a  distance  of  Go  miles,  and  selling  it  at 
two  and  one-half  cents  a  pound.  On  his  return 
to  Gardner,  he  and  his  brother,  John  Cumining, 
contracted  to  sink  a  shaft,  southeast  of  Gard- 
ner, for  Taylor  Williams,  and  when  this  shaft 
was  completed,  John  became  the  nunc  manager, 
while  Thomas  continued  prospecting  for  coal. 
This  engaged  his  time  for  a  year  or  so,  until 
he  became  County  Mine  Inspector,  for  a  term 
of  four  years:  later  being  state  Inspector  in 
the  First  and  Sixth  Districts.  In  1895  he 
moved  his  headquarters  to  Bellville,  and  during 
the  four  years  of  his  residence  there  was  man- 
ager of  the  mines,  near  O'Fallon,  111.,  owned 
by  the  Consolidated  Coal  Co.,  of  Alma.  Minn. 
lie  then  undertook  the  management  of  .Mine 
Xo.   G,  at  Stanton,   111.,  for  the  same  company. 

The  family  to  which  Mr.  Camming  belongs 
.relate  an  interesting  hit  of  tradition  pertaining 
to  their  early  predecessors,  the  Cnmmings,  of 
Cammernade,  Bauiff shire,  in  the  north  of  Scot- 
land. The  great-great-grandfather  of  our  sub- 
ject was  the  only  son  and  heir  to  the  large 
family  estate.  His  father  was  dead  and  his 
mother  had  married  again.  One  day.  when  he 
was  but  a  mere  boy,  he  came  home  from  herd- 
ing the  flocks  and  found  his  stepfather  beating 
his  dearly  beloved  mother.  The  lad  knocked 
her  assailant  down,  with  the  shepherd's  staff 
that  he  had  in  his  hand,  and  then  alarmed  at 
what  he  had  done,  fled  from  home  and  wandered 
to  Edinburgh  County  where  he  remained  and  be- 
came the  progenitor  of  a  great  number  of  de- 
scendants. 

From  his  early  youth,  Mr.  Cumming  has  been 
fond  of  literature.  He  joined  the  Y.  M.  <'.  A., 
at  Dal  Keith,  and  especially  enjoyed  the  essays 
that  were  read  and  the  debates  and  discussions 
that  were  held  there.  lie  was  but  fourteen 
when  he  became  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Brethren  Church  at  Dal  Keith.  These  things, 
which  contributed  to  his  pleasure  in  his  youth, 
still  hold  for  him  their  old-time  enjoyment, 
for  the  hard  knocks  of  the  world  have  not 
changed  him  essentially.  His  interest  in  youth 
did  not  fade,  as  he  himself  grew  to  maturity, 
and  he  recounts,  to  his  very  young  friends,  the 
excitement  of  the  games  that  were  played  in  his 
boyhood,  among  which  "Rounders  and  Prison- 
ers" and  "Smuggle  the  Geg"  were  the  chief. 

Politically.  Mr..  Cummiug  is  what  he  would 
call  a  democratic  Democrat.  In  the  matter  of 
taxation,  he  believes  with  Prof.  T.  II.  Huxley 
that  "even  the  best  modern  civilization  ap- 
pears to  exhibit  a  condition  of  mankind  which 
neither  embodies  any  worthy  ideal  nor  even 
possesses  the  merit  of  stability."  Huxley  says: 
"I  do  not  hesitate  to  express  the  opinion  that 
if  there  is  no  hope  of  a  larger  improvement  of 
the  condition  of  the  greater  part  of  the  human 
family;  if  it  is  true  that  the  increase  of  knowl- 
edge, the  winning  of  a  greater  dominion  over 
Nature    which    is    its    consequence;    and     the 


wealth  which  follows  on  that  dominion,  are  to 
make  no  difference  in  the  extent  and  the  in- 
tensity of  Want  with  its  concomitant  moral 
and  physical  degradation  among  the  masses  of 
the  people,  I  should  hail  the  advent  of  some 
Kindly  Comet,  which  would  sweep  the  whole 
affair  away." 

On  August  lfl,  1870,  .Mr.  Cumming  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Mary  E.  Blaney,  horn  in  Licking 
County,  Ohio.  August  10,  1846.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Cumming  were  born  six  children:  Charles 
Stewart,  born  May  2(1.  1871  ;  William  Henry, 
born  July  10,  Js?."'. ;  Orin  Kimpton,  horn  Decem- 
ber 18,  1S75;  Maud  Elizabeth,  horn  March  24. 
1s7s:  Ernest  Proctor,  horn  May  10,  1S80;  and 
Clarence  Carl,  horn  October  19,  1882.  Mrs. 
Cumming  passed  away  October  3,  1S85.  On 
December  29,  1SS0,  Mr.  Cumming  was  united 
with  Miss  Mary  C.   BartilsOu. 

CUNNEA,  James  (deceased),  who  was  asso- 
ciated with  the  earlier  banking  history  of  Mor- 
ris, was  born  in  Ireland,  January  G,  1810,  a  son 
of  Patrick-  and  Isabella  (Brown)  Cunnea.  Al- 
though the  family  came  to  the  United  States 
in  184G,  it  was  not  until  18GG  that  they  located 
at  Morris.  Here  James  Cunnea  with  his  father 
conducted  a  loan  office,  and  in  1S72  bought  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Seneca,  111.,  and  remov- 
ing it  to  .Morris  changed  the  name  to  that  of  the 
First  National  Paid,  of  Morris.  Mr.  Cunnea 
was  a  Democrat  in  political  faith.  He  married 
in  Ireland.  March  -I.  1834,  Ann  Glackin,  and 
they  had  twelve  children,  eight  of  whom  grew 
to  maturity,  namely:  Thomas,  John,  James, 
George  A.,  Isabella,  Maria,  Catherine  and  Anna. 

CURTIN,  John  Thomas.— The  owner  of  a  farm 
of  120  acres  of  land  in  Greenfield  Township. 
which  has  been  brought  to  a  high  state  of  cul- 
tivation through  his  skill,  industry  and  good 
management.  John  Thomas  Curtin  is  recognized 
as  one  of  the  substantial  farmer-citizens  of 
Grundy  County,  and  as  a  man  whose  interest 
in  the  welfare  of  his  community  entitles  him 
to  the  respect  and  esteem  of  his  fellow-citizens. 
He  is  a  native  of  the  Prairie  State,  having 
been  horn  in  LaSalle  County,  in  1S50.  a  son  of 
John  and  Catherine  (Maloney)  Curtin.  natives 
of  Limerick,  Ireland.  His  father,  who  was  a 
farmer  in  his  native  Erin,  emigrated  to  the 
United  States  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years, 
and  almost  immediately  settled  in  LaSalle 
County,  where  he  commenced  farming.  In  1809 
the  family  transferred  to  Grundy  County,  and 
there  the  father  took'  up  land  in  Highland  Town- 
ship, that  locality  being  the  scene  of  his  sub- 
sequent activities.  Shortly  prior  to  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1S99.  be  retired  from  active 
pursuits  and  moved  to  Kinsman,  111.  Mrs. 
Curtin  died  in  1905,  and  was  laid  to  rest  be- 
side her  husband  in  the  family  cemetery  at 
Ottawa.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine  chil- 
dren: John  Thomas;  Mary,  Timothy  and 
Thomas,  all  three  deceased  and  buried  at  Ot- 
tawa; Mrs.  Katherine  O.  Levi;  Margaret;  Jere- 
miah, deceased;  Mrs.  Mary  Leahy;  and  Thomas 


800  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

(II),  a  resident  of  Heed  Township,  Will  County,  on  this  farm  for  fourteen  years.     At   this  time 

111.  his   father  transferred    his   real   estate   and    all 

John    Thomas    Curtin    attended    the    district  other  property  to  him,  and  in  1S05,  Mr.  dishing 

school  in  LaSalle  County  until  eleven  years  old  moved    to    his    adjoining    farm    in    Goose    Lake 

and    later    the    school    in    Highland    Township,  Township,    on    which    he    and    his    father    had 

Grundy  County,   his   attendance   being  confined  erected  a  handsome  residence  and  large  modern 

to  the  short   winter  terms  as  his  services  were  barns.     At  present  Mr.  Cushing  owns  2m  i  acres 

needed   on    the   home   farm   during   the   summer  in    his   home  place,    of   which    he   tills    10o,    the 

months.     He  was  brought  up  to  the  honest  and  balance  being  in  pasture  land,     lie  raises  Dur- 

healthy  work  of  tilling   the   soil,  and  continued  ham  and  Galloway  cattle  and  Percheron  horses 

with  his  father  until   his  marriage,  at  the  age  and    Duroc-Jersey    swine.      In    addition    to    his 

of  twenty-six  years,   to   Miss  .Martlm    Lamping,  agricultural  interests.  Mr.  Cushing  has  been  an 

a  native  of  Wilmington,   111.     Following  this  he  auctioneer   since    1S84,   and    his    services    are    in 

embarked   upon   his  own   career  as  a   farmer  on  demand   by   those   who  desire   faithful   attention 

rented  land,  and   by   ISNj  was  able  to  purchase  to  their  interests. 

a  tract  of  land  in  Garfield  Township.     This  he  .Mr.  and   Mrs.  Cushing  became  the  parents  of 

continued  to  operate  for  nine  years,  but   in  1S94  the    following    children:     Frank,    who    lives    at 

disposed  of  it  and  bought   his  present   property.  Mazon,   111.,   has  three  children,   Francis,  .lames 

During  the  past  twenty  years  he  has  made  this  and   Cassie ;    May,    who   is   the   wife  of   Michael 

one  of  the  best   farms  of  its  si/.e   in   the  town-  Terrell,    of    Wilmington,     111.,    and    they    have 

ship,     and     its     numerous     improvements     and  Michael,     .Tames.     John,     Frank     and      Agnes; 

buildings   make   it   very   valuable.      He   is   a    be-  James,  who  is  at  home,  married  Mary  Phillips, 

liever  in   the   use   of   modern    methods   and   ma-  and  they   have  one  daughter,   Anna    A".:      Anna. 

chiuery.  keeps  fully  abreast  of  the  various  ad-  who  is  the  wife  of  T.   I.  Naughton,  of  Aurora, 

vancements    made    in    his    adopted    calling,    and  111.,  and   they  have  Loretta,  Edward  and  Timo- 

has  won  his  way  to  affluence  solely  through  the  thy  J.:  Elvah,  who  is  the  wife  of  John  MeCabe, 

force  of  individual   effort  and   merit.     With   his  of   Gardner,   and    they    have  one   son.   John    F. : 

family,  he  attends  the  Catholic  Church  at  South  Robert,    Mathew,    Ella,    Thomas.    George    and 

Wilmington.     His  political  belief  is  that  of  the  William,   the   hist    six   children    being   at    home. 

Democratic  party,   and    for   nine   years   he   has  Their  are  thirteen  grandchildren.     Mr.  Cushing 

served    efficiently    as    a    member   of    the    school  belongs  to  the  Catholic  Church  of  Wilmington, 

board    of   Greenfield    Township.      Mr.    ami    Mrs.  111.,   and    to   the   Modern    Woodmen    of   America 

Curtin   have  been   the  parents   of  ten   children:  of  the  same  place,     lie  has  served  as  school  di- 

Julia,    Covney,    John.    Katherine,    Maud,   Nellie,  rector  and  trustee,  and  is  a  man  of  public  spirit, 

Mary,  Loretta.  William  and  Terrence,  of  whom  who  is  interested   in  securing  good 

the  two  last   named   are   now   deceased.  in    every    department    of   the    townshi 

state  and   nation. 

CUSHING,  James  S.,  one  of  the  substantial  agri- 
culturalists of  Grundy  County,  whose  efforts  DAGGETT,  Henry  C,  manager  of 
intelligently  directed  have  resulted  in  the  accu-  elevators  at  Mazon,  P.ooth  Station  and 
mulation  of  large  realty  holdings,  from  which  III.,  is  a  man  eminently  fitted  for 
he  reaps  gratifying  returns,  is  a  man  who  has  responsibilities  of  such  a  position,  In 
long  resided  in  Goose  Lake  Township,  but  was  ural  ability  and  business  training.  He  was  born 
born  at  Lemont,  111..  November  4,  IsTiT.  a  son  and  reared  at  Ottawa.  111.,  and  when  five  years 
of  James  and  Mary  (Handerhan)  Cushing,  na-  old  accompanied  his  parents,  Charles  and  Mary 
fives  of  Tippcrary,  Ireland.  These  parents  (Byrnes)  Daggett,  to  Marseilles,  III.  Both  par- 
came  to  Chicago  when  single,  and  were  there  outs  had  been  born  at  Ottawa,  111.,  and  lived 
married.  During  the  early  forties,  the  father  through  some  of  the  thrilling  early  history  of 
worked  on  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  canal,  but  that  section,  hut  now  are  residents  of  Mar- 
later  bought  forty  acres  in  the  vicinity  of  Le-  seilles.  The  children  born  to  these  parents 
mont,  paying  £200  for  it.  Four  years  later,  he  were:  one  who  died  in  infancy;  Delia  Danish; 
sold  it  for  $s00.  and  came  to  what  is  now  (loose  Henry  C. :  Charles  and  Fred  I'...  both  of  whom 
Lake  Township,  Grundy  County.  Here  he  are  railway  mail  clerks;  and  Susie,  who  is 
bought  120  acres,  where  lie  died.  April  2.",  "1000.  bookkeeper  in  the  First  National  Hank  at  Mar- 
HIs  first  wife  died   when   their  son   James  was  seilles. 

born,    and    later   lie    married    (second)    Bridget  Henry    C.    Daggett     grew    up    at    Marseilles, 

McGraw,   born   at  Kingston,    Ireland,    who   died  and  was  graduated   from  the  common  ami  high 

December  22.  1000.  schools   of    that    city,    following    which    he    pre- 

James  S.  Cushing  was  the  only  child  of  his  pared    himself    for    further    work    by    taking    a 

father.     He  grew   up   amid   rural   surroundings,  full    business   course   in    an    Ottawa   commercial 

receiving  his  educational  training  in  the  district  college.     He  then   returned   to   Grundy   County, 

schools.     He  remained   at   home   until   his   mar-  and.   locating  at   Morris,   worked  as  bookkeeper 

riage.  on   May   27.   1^70,   to   Nellie   Ilogan,   born  fur    the    Beatty     Lumber    Company    for    three 

at  Chicago,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Ann    (Mc-  years,   when   he   was   sent   to   Mazon   to   assume 

Graw)    Ilogan,  of  Tipperary,    Ireland.      Follow-  charge  of  the  lumber  yards  of  the  company  at 

ing   his    marriage,    James    Cushing    bought    100  that   place.     This  position  he  filled  very  accept- 

aeres  in  Felix  Township,  Grundy  County,  living  ably  for  three  years,  and  on  August  7,  1011.  as- 


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HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


801 


suniort  his  present  responsibilities,  and  is  carry- 
ing tliein  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  .-ill  par- 
ties concerned.  The  success  which  lias  attended 
Mr.  Daggett's  efforts  is  largely  due  to  his  faith- 
fulness and  capable  and  effective  work.  He  is 
never  satisfied  until  lie  has  carried  out  his  plans 
to  render  his  company  etlicient  service  and  his 
aim  has  been  to  place  the  name  of  the  Mazon 
Farmers  Elevator  Company  at  the  head  of  the 
list  of  similar  concerns.  Such  enterprise  and 
progressiveness  combine  for  big  business  ami  the 
patrons  of  these  elevator.-,  recognize  the  fact 
that  with  such  a  competent  manager  of  this 
company  they  are  sure  of  receiving  fair  and 
honorable  treatment  and  the  very  best  of 
service. 

DALY,  Michael  M.  (deceased),  was  (lie  founder 
of  one  of  the  substantial  and  representative 
families  of  Grundy  County,  an!  during  a  long 
and  useful  life  continued  to  enjoy  the  respect 
which  he  had  secured  when  he  came  first  to 
this  section  of  Illinois,  lie  was  bom  in  County 
Cork,  Ireland,  in  lS2fj,  and  when  he  emigrated 
to  the  1'nited  State-,  located  in  the  state  of 
New  York  and  went  into  the  nursery  business 
at  Fishkill  Landing.  In  1S51  he  came  to  111- 
nois  and  for  about  seven  years  worked  in  the 
nursery  business  at  Joliet,  but,  after  purchas- 
ing a  farm  in  1S5S,  in  Wauponsee  Township,  he 
devoted  himself  to  general  farming  there  all 
his  active  life  and  died  on  thai  place.  lie  was 
a  man  of  peaceful  temperament  and  not  only 
lived  amicably  with  his  neighbors,  many  of 
whom  were  of  the  adventurous  type  of  pioneer 
that  brings  trouble  wherever  settlement  is 
made,  but  also  with  the  Indians  who  stil! 
roamed  over  the  country.  He  became  very 
friendly  with  Chief  Shabbona  and  on  one  occa- 
sion entertained  him  as  his  guest  over  night, 
with  good  feeling  offering  the  best  that  his 
cabin  afforded,  but  the  Indian  asked  only  for 
a  place  on  the  floor  to  rest  through  the  night. 
Michael  M.  Daly  married  Mary  MeArdle.  who 
was  born  in  County  Down,  Ireland.  November 
26,  JS27.  She  came  to  New  York  in  is.'ll  and 
was  married   in  1S47. 

William  Lambert  Daly,  son  of  Michael  M.  and 
Mary  Daly,  was  born  in  Dutchess  County,  X. 
Y.,  January  7.  1S51.  For  four  years  before 
bis  marriage  he  was  employed  in  the  city  of 
Chicago,  but  after  marriage  be  settled  on  his 
farm  in  Wauponsee  Township,  where  he  con- 
tinued in  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death. 
September  s,  1S97.  He  was  a  Republican  in 
politics  and,  as  a  man  of  excellent  judgment, 
was  elected  to  public  office  and  served  very 
acceptably  as  township  clerk  and  as  school 
teacher  before  he  was  married.  On  December 
28,  1S75.  he  was  married  to  Margaret  Marie 
Shea,  who  was  born  in  Hamilton  County,  On- 
tario. Can..  .Tmie  s».  is-js.  and  they  had  seven 
children:  William  L,,  who  was  horn  February 
13,  1^70;  Edward  F.,  who  was  born  July  17. 
1SS3;  John  F.,  who  was  born  March  12.  1SSS; 
Walter,  who  was  born  April  :;.  ]s;n.  being  the 
survivors.      Three    are    deceased :     Robert,    who 


died  August  14,  1SS2,  was  horn  in  October, 
1SS1  ;  Nellie,  who  was  the  wife  of  II.  S.  Hume 
born  Oct,, her  lo,  1SS7,  and  died  in  l'.iol.  aged 
twenty-six  years,  leaving  two  children,  Ralph 
and  Kay;  and  Cora,  who  was  born  in  1SS0,  died 
Sept.  27,  1900.  Nellie  and  Cora  are  buried  in 
Evergreen  Cemetery,  and  Robert  in  Mt.  Carmel 
Cemetery. 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  Daly,  Mrs.  Daly  and 
her  children,  in  1S9S,  moved  to  .Morris  and  lived 
there  until  11)09,  when  a  return  was  made  to 
the  farm,  and  the  sons  now  successfully  oper- 
ate 300  acres  and  carry  on  general  farming  and 
stock  raisin-  At  Morris  they  had  public  school 
advantages.  Like  their  late  father  they  are  in- 
terested in  the  principles  of  the  Republican 
party.  The  family  belongs  to  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  John  F.  is  a  member  of  the 
Woodmen  of  the  World,  and  William  L..  Walter 
and  Edward  are  members  of  the  K.  P.  Lodge 
at  Morris. 

DARBY,  Silas  C. — Located  in  Vienna  Township, 
is  the  valuable  farm  belonging  to  Silas  C.  Darby, 
'a  property  containing  135  acres,  devoted  to  gen- 
eral operations,  productive  orchards  and  the 
breeding  of  blooded  cattle.  One  of  his  locality's 
most  substantial  citizens,  Mr.  Darby  has  been 
the  architect  of  his  own  fortunes,  for  whatever 
he  has  accomplished  in  life  has  come  as  a  result 
of  his  own  untiring  efforts.  He  is  a  native  of 
Worcestershire,  England,  and  was  born  March 
2S,  1S57,  in  the  village  of  niey-,  parish  of  Hales- 
owen, a  son  of  Thomas  and  Ann  (Hadley) 
(Coley)  Darby.  The  family  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1S71,  locating  first  at  Marseilles,  Ilk, 
where  the  elder  Darby  commenced  farminsr.  a 
vocation  which  he  followed  until  his  death  in 
1S95,  his  widow  following  him  to  the  grave  in 
1903.  Silas  C.  Darby  received  his  education  in 
the  schools  of  bis  native  land,  and  was  fourteen 
years  of  age  when  he  accompanied  his  father 
and  mother  to  this  country.  An  industrious, 
enterprising  and  ambitious  youth,  when  still 
under  his  majority  he  began  to  care  for  his  par- 
ents, and  continued  to  reside  with  them  until 
he  bought  his  present  property  in  1SS4.  This 
land  at  that  time  could  boast  of  no  improve- 
ments, but  Mr.  Darby  at  once  began  to  remedy 
this  fault,  and  today  the  property  is  one  of  the 
finest  and  best  improved  in  Grundy  County.  All 
of  the  buildings  have  been  erected  by  him.  mod- 
ern machinery  has  been  installed',  and  with 
infinite  patience  and  care  he  has  succeeded  in 
growing  an  orchard  that  is  the  pride  of  the  resi- 
dents of  this  section.  His  life  has  been  indeed 
an  active  and  useful  one,  for  he  has  not  alone 
gained  personal  advancement,  but  through  his 
work  has  succeeded  in  assisting  materially  in 
the  development  of  his  community.  He  is  en- 
gaged in  raising  Belgian  and  Percheron  horses, 
and  at  thi<  time  is  the  owner  of  a  valuable 
Belgian  stallion.  He  is  known  as  an  excellent 
business  man,  but  has  never  taken  an  unfair 
advantage  nor  used  another's  misfortune  as  the 
means  of  making  a  personal  gain.  Mr.  Darby 
owned    a    threshing   outfit   and    operated    it    for 


802 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


thirty-six  years,  but  September  15,  1012.  the  en- 
gine exploded,  and  although  fortunately  no  one 
was  seriously  injured,  the  machinery  was  de- 
stroyed, and  considerable  inconvenience  was  ex- 
-  perien<cd  for  several  months 'by  Mr.  Darby  as 
he  was  knocked  unconscious  by  the  force  of 
the  concussion. 

In  political  matters  n  Republican,  Mr.  Darby 
has  been  honored  by  his  fellow-citizens  with 
election  to  public  office,  having  served  as  a 
School  Director  for  nine  years  and  as  Road 
Commissioner  for  throe  years.  His  fraternal 
connections  are  with  the  Seneca  lodges  of  the 
Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  Modern  Woodmen 
of  America. 

DAVIDSON,  Robert  M.  J— A  citizen  of  Grundy 
County  wlin  has  returned  t  >  agricultural  pur- 
suits alter  a  number  of  years  spent  in  other 
lines  of  endeavor  and  who  lias  made  a  -access 
of  his  ventures  is  Robert  M.  .7.  Davidson,  whose 
well-cultivated  properly  is  located  in  Saratoga 
Township.  Mr.  Davidson  was  born  in  the  town- 
ship in  which  he  now  resides.  April  12,  lsr>5, 
and  is  a  son  of  Robert  J.  and  Harriet  M.  (Tay- 
lor) Davidson.  Robert  J.  Davidson  was  born 
in  1S00  in  the  north  of  Ireland,  and  when 
twenty-two  years  of  age  emigrated  to  the 
United  states,  locating  at  Xewburgh,  X.  Y.. 
where  he  was  married  to  Harriet  M.  Taylor,  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania.  lie  was  engaged  in 
the  livery  business  in  Xew  York  until  1S4S, 
when  he  came  to  Morris.  111.,  by  water,  and  here 
for  some  years  was  employed  as  a  coal  miner. 
Subsequently  he  moved  to  a  farm  of  112  acres, 
adjoining  the  city,  in  Morris  Township,  and 
there  continued  to  be  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits  nn  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
occurred  November  2S.  1S6S.  His  widow  passed 
away  in  1.004.  They  were  the  parents  of  these 
children  :  Evelyn,  who  married  Cornelius  Con- 
don, of  Morris;  Sarah,  who  married  .Tames 
Cummings  of  Seattle.  Wash.;  Robert  M.  J.,  and 
Belle,  who  married  Thomas  Lindsey,  of  Seattle. 
Wash. 

Robert  M.  .1.  Davidson  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  Saratoga  Township, 
and  at  the  age  of  twenty  years  began  to  divide 
bis  time  between  the  mines  in  the  winter 
months  and  the  home  farm  in  the  summer. 
He  continued  to  be  so  engaged  until  November, 
1S97,  when  he  went  to  Sandcoulee,  Mont., 
with  his  eldest  son.  and  in  May  of  the  follow- 
ing year  the  rest  of  the  family  joined  him. 
After  four  years  spent  in  mining,  he  returned 
to  Grundy  County,  and  settled  on  the  home 
place,  where  he  owned  forty-one  acres,  and 
subsequently  added  to  this  by  purchase  thirty 
acres.  He  also  rents  considerable  property,  and 
now  has  300  acres  under  cultivation.  His  ven- 
tures -have  proven  successful  because  of  his 
Industry  and  well-directed  effort,  and  he  is  ac- 
counted one  of  the  most  substantial  men  of  his 
township. 

Mr.  Davidson  was  married  August  20.  1*77. 
to  .Miss  Mary  A.  King,  who  was  born  in  Eng- 
land,    daughter     of     William     and     Elizabeth 


(Hardy)  King.  Mr.  King  was  a  miner  by  occu- 
pation and  at  various  times  worked  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. Illinois  and  Montana.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Davidson  have  had  the  following  children: 
William,  a  resident  of  Stockett,  Mont.;  Samuel, 
residing  at  Joliet.  111.;  Max  J.,  of  Morris- 
Thomas  and  Truman,  both  of  Morris;  Eliza 
and  Louisa,  both  of  whom  died  in  infancy;  and 
Elmer,  Leslie,  .Morris  and  .Mary  all  at' home. 
Mr.  and  Mi'-'.  Davidson  are  consistent  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  In  his  political 
views  be  is  a  Democrat.  A  useful  and  public- 
spirited  citizen,  lie  has  ever  been  ready  to  give 
bis  lime  or  means  in  promoting  movements 
for  the  general  welfare,  and  few  citizens  of 
Saratoga  Township  arc  held  in  greater  esteem. 

DAVIS,  Frank  Thomas. — There  was  a  time, 
and  not  so  far  distant  when  few  thought  of 
sanitation,  or  required  of  their  dealers  and 
producers  of  commodities  the  same  cleanliness 
to  be  found  in  the  household  circle.  That  period 
lias  passed  and  today  the  baker,  confectioner, 
grower,  meatman,  or  anyone  who  successfully 
handles  food-stuffs  must  take  as  much  care 
as  t,,  Hie  purity  Of  his  goods  as  he  does  in  their 
other  qualities.  Frank  Thomas  Davis,  of  Mazon, 
is  one  of  the  most  progressive  men  in  bis  line 
in  Grundy  County,  and  his  bake  shop  and  ice 
cream  and  confectionery  parlors  are  models  of 
cleanliness.  He  was  born  in  Ma/on  Township, 
in  FSS3,  a  son  of  Oscar  F.  and  Addie  (Clapp) 
Davis. 

Frank  T.  Davis  grew  up  on  the  farm  where 
he  came  into  the  world,  and  attended  school 
at  Mazon.  supplementing  the  knowledge  gained 
there  with  a  year  at  Wheatou  college.  For  a 
year  following,  lie  worked  in  the  Mazon  bank 
and  then  invested  bis  capital  in  his  shop,  coming 
into  possession  in  1012.  Mr.  Davis  has  the  ad- 
vantage of  being  the  pioneer  in  his  line  at 
'Mazon.  but  as  he  takes  care  that  the  public  are 
well  supplied  they  need  no  other,  and  he  under- 
stands his  business  thoroughly  as  well  as  the 
requirements  of  his  patrons.  On  August  15, 
1010.  Mr.  Davis  married  Pearl  Jackson,  born 
at  Mineral  Point,  Wis.  Although  a  Republican, 
Mr.  Davis  is  very  liberal,  believing  that  everyone 
must  decide  for  himself  the  best  political  road 
to  travel.  Fraternally  he  is  a  Mason.  Earnest. 
steadfast,  a  hard  worker  and  honorable  busi- 
ness man.  Mi'.  Davis  has  firmly  established 
himself  in  the  confidence  of  his  community. 

DAVITO,  John. — The  business  instincts  of  some 
men  are  such  as  to  insure  their  success  in 
whatever  line  they  undertake.  They  appear 
to  know  what  is  wanted  by  their  'customers  and 
how  to  supply  them  with  the  best  goods  at  satis- 
factory prices.  Coal  City  is  the  home  of  a 
number  of  such  men.  among  whom  none  is  more 
worthy  of  special  mention  than  John  Davito, 
proprietor  of  a  store,  carrying  dry  goods, 
clothing  and  groceries,  lie  was  born  in  Italy 
in  1S02,  son  of  Frank"  and  Anna  (Rettasa) 
Davito,  natives  of  Italy.  The  father  was  en- 
gaged   in    farming    until    his    death    which    oc- 


-----  -        -  -    - . 


• 


I 

i 


g 


- 


_ 


HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


803 


curred  in  1S07.  The  mother  died  in  1003.  They 
were  the  parents  of  (wo  children:  John,  of 
Coal  City,  and  Joe.  still  living  in  Italy. 

John  Davito  attended  school  in  his  native 
country,  and  worked  on  hi*-  father's  farm  until 
1802  when  lie  came  to  the  United  States,  set- 
tling in  Coal  City.  11!.  Fpon  liis  arrival,  he 
obtained  work  in  the  mines,  which  vocation 
he  followed  until  1004,  when  he  launched  out 
into  the  business  world  and  became  a  merchant. 

In  1S01,  he  married  Anna  Bettosa,  and  these 
children  have  blessed  this  union:  Frank,  who 
married  Ada  Adams  of  Coal  City.  April  s,  1913; 
Domiriee,  Joe,  Anna.  John  and  Mary,  (he 
last  named  deceased.  The  family  belongs  to 
the  Catholic  Church.  Tie  is  affiliated  with  the 
White  Hose  Lodge  and  the  Catholic  Foresters. 
His  political  convictions  are  Republican.  He  is 
considered  a  man  of  business  honor  and  integ- 
rity, and  has  a  large  number  of  friends  in  (his 
part  of  the  county  where  he  is  well  known. 

DELBRIDGE,  Robert  J.— While  many  of  the 
agriculturalists  of  Grundy  County  find  it  prof- 
itable to  carry  on  general  farming,  there  are 
others  who  prefer  t<>  specialize,  particularly  on 
stock  raising.  One  of  the  men  who  has  attained 
to  more  than  usual  success  in  raising  horses. 
cattle  and  boas  upon  an  extensive  scale  is 
Robert  J.  Delbridge  of  Saratoga  Township,  one 
of  the  leading  men  of  the  county.  He  was  born 
at  Ottawa.  111..  March  is.  1st:,.  a  son  of  John 
and  Nancy  (Diehl)  Delbridge,  natives  of  Eng- 
land and  of  Dayton.  Ohio,  respectively.  The 
father  came  with  his  parents  to  New  York 
where  he  lived  from  1850  to  1850.  In  the  latter 
year  he  moved  to  Ottawa.  111.,  where  he  bought 
land,  owning  at  one  time  £00  acres.  The  ma- 
ternal grandparents.  Jacob  and  Nancy  Diehl. 
came  from  Pennsylvania  to  Ohio,  where  Mr. 
Diehl  was  a  brewer,  hut  later  moved  to  Illinois. 
John  and  Nancy  (Diehl)  Delbridge  were  mar- 
ried at  Ottawa,  and  he  engaged  in  farming  for 
some  years  At  present  they  are  living  with 
their  son.  Robert  J.  The  father  was  horn  in 
1844,  and  the  mother  in  1s4."i.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Delbridge  have  had  the  following  children: 
George,  who  is  of  Traer,  Iowa  :  Jennie,  who 
is  Mrs.  C.  M.  Ames  of  Glenn.  Mich.;  Nana,  who 
is  Mrs.  James  Bogle  of  Marseilles.  111.:  Robert 
J.,  and  May  Bell,  who  is  the  widow  of  Joseph 
Bell  of  Glenn.  Mich. 

■  Robert  J.  Delbridge  attended  the  schools  of 
his  neighborhood,  and  a  commercial  college  of 
Valparaiso.  Ind..  and  is  a  well  qualified  young 
business  man.  He  handles  from  200  to  250  head 
of  horses  annually,  the  same  amount  of  cattle 
and  raises  and  feeds  300  head  of  hogs.  Politic- 
ally he  is  a  Republican,  but  aside  from  casting 
his'  vote  for  the  candidates  of  his  party,  has 
not  taken  any  part  in  public  life.  His  mother 
is  a  Methodist,  but  he  is  not  connected  with 
any  religious  organization.  A  young  man  of 
ability  and  force  of  character,  he  is  fast  becom- 
ing a'leader  in  the  stock  business  of  his  county 
and  richly  deserves  all  the  success  which  has 
come  to  him. 


DEMELCH10RRE,  Michele.— There  is  no  truer 
saying  than  that  to  the  effect  that  those  of  for- 
eign birth  who  come  to  the  Cnited  States  suc- 
ceed where  native  Americans  fail.  The  men  and 
women  who  come  here  from  lands  across  the 
seas,  bring  with  them  a  determination  to  win 
at  any  cost  and  they  go  about  their  work  ear- 
nestly and  thriftily  with  the  result  that  some 
of  the  most  prosperous  residents  of  almost  any 
community  are  numbered  among  this  class. 
One  of  the  men  of  Grundy  County  who  belongs 
among  these  successful  foreign  horn  citizens, 
is  Michele  Demelchiorre,  manager  of  a  thriving 
mercantile  business  at  South  Wilmington,  111. 
.Mr.  Demelchiorre  was  born  in  Northern  Italy 
adjacent  to  the  French  frontier,  March  3,  1857, 
a  son  of  Joseph  and  .Margaret  Demelchiorre, 
wdio  died  in  their  native  land.  They  bad  twelve 
children,  all  of  whom  are  deceased  with  the 
exception  of  four. 

Michele  Demelchiorre  worked  on  the  farm 
with  his  father  until  hi'  was  twenty  years  old. 
and  then  traveled  in  Europe,  working  as  a 
laborer.  In  lss2  he  came  to  the  Cnited  States. 
and  lived  for  a  time  at  Coal  City,  Grundy 
County,  where  be  had  employment  as  a  coal 
digger,  but  in  ISS4,  he  began  working  for  dif- 
ferent railroads.  Following  that  he  was  a  de- 
livery-man for  Mrs.  Piagnor  of  Coal  City,  and 
in  1901  took  charge  of  her  store  in  Smith  Wil- 
mington, where  he  has  since  remained,  building 
it  up  to  its  present  proportions.  This  estab- 
lishment is  one  of  (he  largest  in  the  city,  and 
he  is  one  of  the  popular  business  men  of  the 
county.  In  addition  to  his  other  interests,  he 
is  a  stockholder  in  the  Illinois  Aero  Construc- 
tion Company  of  Coal  City,  lie  has  never  mar- 
ried, lie  belongs  to  the  Catholic  Church  and 
has  voted  the  Republican  ticket  since  taking 
out  his  naturalization  papers. 

DEMPSEY,  Lawrence  (deceased). — Farming  and 
stock  raising  are  two  kindred  lines  of  endeavor, 
and  many  of  the  substantial  men  of  Grundy 
County  gained  their  wealth  through  following 
them.  One  of  those  who  attained  to  a  well  mer- 
ited prominence  as  an  agriculturalist,  who  car- 
ried on  general  farming  and  stock  raising  in  Nor- 
man Township,  was  the  late  Lawrence  Demp- 
sey.  He  was  born  in  County  Wexford.  Ireland, 
in"  the  spring  of  1S32.  He  came  with  his  sister 
to  Wisconsin  at  an  early  day.  and  found  em- 
ployment on  a  farm  near  Madison.  In  1S71 
he  married  Anna  Larkin.  born  in  Kings 
County.  Ireland,  May  10,  1834,  daughter  of 
Andrew  and  Elizabeth  (Looman)  Larkin,  also 
of  Kings  County,  Ireland.  Mrs.  Dempsey  came 
with  her  brother  to  the  United  States,  the  voy- 
age consuming  seven  weeks,  and  stopped  first 
at  Chicago,  and  thence  by  way  of  the  Illinois 
and  Michigan  canal  came  to  Minooka.  There 
she    lived    until    her    marriage. 

Following  marriage.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dempsey 
went  to  Aux  Sable  Township  and  live'd  on  a 
rented  farm  ,foi'  two  years,  then  to  another 
farm  two  miles  from  Mazon,  which  continued 
to   he  their  home  for  seven   years  and  it   is   in 


S04 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


Mazon  Township.  Mr.  Deinpsey  died  July  17. 
1S79.  In  February,  1883,  .Mis.  Deinpsey  and 
sons  settled  on  the  property  which  is  now  the 
home  of  -Mrs.  Deinpsey,  in  Xorinau  Township, 
where  they  bought  382">4  acres  about  eighty 
acres  of  which  was  timberland,  and  the  bal- 
ance was  prairie.  They  have  recently  bought 
another  140  acres  in  Wauponsee  Township. 
Mrs.  Deinpsey  and  her  sons  carry  on  general 
fanning,  and  specialize  on  raising  Belgian 
horses.  Mr.  and  .Mrs.  Deinpsey  had  children 
as  follows:  William,  who  lives  with  his  mother; 
John,  who  died  June  24,  1007,  aged  forty-four 
years;  Elizabeth,  Mary  and  Lawrence,  who  are 
all  with  their  mother;  Thomas,  who  lives  at 
Fort  Cobb,  Okla. ;  and  Anna,  who  lives  in  Chi- 
cago. Mrs.  Dempsey  is  a  Catholic  and  belongs 
to  the  Church  of  the  Immaculate  Conception  at 
Morris.  Mr.  Dempsey  was  a  Democrat,  but  he 
never  aspired  to  public  office,  lie  was  an  ex- 
cellent man  and  is  tenderly  remembered  by  his 
wife  and  children. 

DEWEY,  Sylvester  Harvey,  who  came  to 
Grundy  County  in  1855,  was  born  at  Leyden, 
N.  Y.,  August  14,  1821.  Upon  his  arrival  in  this 
county,  he  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  on  the 
present  site  of  Verona  for  §450,  but  sold  this 
property  four  years  later  to  move  to  Mazon 
Township  where  he  bought  2-i)  acres,  adding 
to  bis  holdings  until  he  owned  540  acres.  In 
1873  he  went  to  Morris,  but  returned  to  Mazon 
several  years  later  to  embark  in  an  agricultural 
implement  and  grain  business.  On  December 
30,  18)7,  Mr.  Dewey  married  Melissa  Porter  and 
they  had  the  following  children:  Ellen  Melissa, 
who  married  Horace  G.  Overrocker;  Alice  Eliza, 
who  married  Daniel  Webster  Francis;  Milton 
Sylvester,  who  married  Margaret  Dewey;  Mary 
Jerusha ;  Lester  Scott,  who  married  Asenath 
Eudora ;  Flora  Angelina  and  two  who  died 
young.  Mr.  Dewey  was  an  Abolitionist  prior  to 
the  Civil  War,  later  becoming  a  Prohibitionist 
and  still  later  a  Silver  Democrat.  In  early  life 
he  joined  the  Baptist  Church,  and  his  wife 
was  of  the  same  religious  creed,  but  when  the 
family  located  at  Mazon,  they  afiiliated  with  the 
Methodist  Church,  there  being  no  church  of 
their  denomination  in  the  village. 

DIX,  Matthew,  one  of  the  representative  resi- 
dents of  Verona,  is  a  man  who  has  won  and  re- 
tained the  confidence  and  respect  of  his  asso- 
ciates throughout  Grundy  County.  He  was  born 
at  Chilton,  Berkshire,  England.  May  4.  1831,  a 
son  of  Charles  Stephen  and  Martha  (Pounds) 
Dix,  both  of  whom  died  in  England.  Matthew 
Dix,  with  his  brother.  William,  crossed  the 
ocean  in  a  sailing  vessel  to  the  United  States, 
six  weeks  being  consumed  in  the  voyage.  They 
landed  in  New  York  City,  from  whence  they 
came  on  to  Chicago,  ami  from  there  made  their 
way  to  Morris.  The  youths  were  anxious  to 
work  and  the  first  employment  secured  by  Mr. 
Dix  was  that  of  watching  cattle  which  were 
being  driven  to  La  Salle  County.  Following 
this  he  worked  for  a  year  on  a  Kendall  County 


farm,  for  $12.50.  With  his  brother  he  then 
bought  ;i  horse  and  a  corn  sheller,  and  went 
about  the  country  shelling  corn  for  the  farm- 
ers, thus  continuing  for  about  seventeen  years. 
Times  were  so  hard  that  money  was  scarce 
and  although  they  received  inadequate  com- 
pensation for  their  labor,  they  saved  what 
money  they  did  get,  and  in  1801  bought  eighty- 
acres  of  land  apiece  in  Vienna  Township.  Mr. 
Dix  developed  his  property,  later  buying  out 
his  brother,  and  has  since  added  eighty  "acres 
more,  which  his  son  operates.  Until  19*00,  Mr. 
Dix  was  actively  engaged  in  farming,  but  then 
bought  a  home  at  Verona,  where  he  has  since 
lived   in  retirement. 

On  September  17.  1803,  Mr.  Dix  married 
Emoline  Gertrude  Cody,  born  in  Oneida  County, 
X.  Y..  July  s.  1S43.  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Jef- 
ferson and  Harriet  (Lenard)  Cody,  both  of 
Xew  York  State.  In  June.  1844,  the' Cody  fam- 
ily came  west  to  Lisbon.  Kendall  County,  111. 
Mr.  Cody  was  a  bunt  and  shoemaker,  and* after 
savin-  enough,  bought  a  farm  west  of  Lisbon, 
where  he  lived  some  years,  then  moved  to 
Lisbon,  where  he  resumed  work  at  his  trade. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dix  became  the  parents  of  the 
following  children:  George,  who  died  in  in- 
fancy; Fred  Leonard,  who  is  on  the  home 
farm;  Lew-is.  who  died  at  the  age  of  ten  years; 
Clara  Amelia,  who  married  William  Finch  of 
Vienna  Township;  Mina  Gertrude,  who  died  in 
infancy;  Sadie  Emoline,  who  married  Robert 
J.  Glenn  of  Mazon  Township;  Effie  Josephine, 
who  married  A.  s.  Small  of  Highland  Town- 
ship; Warren  M.  of  Stanford.  Mont.,  who  mar- 
ried Alia  May  Hough;  .May  Eloise,  who  is  of 
Stanford.  Mont.:  and  Hattie  Mabel,  who  mar- 
ried I..  A.  Whittimore  of  Verona,  111.  Mr.  Dix 
is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church  and  has 
served  as  steward  and  held  other  church  of- 
fices. A  Republican,  he  has  held  a  number  of 
the  township  offices,  and  is  a  man  whose  in- 
tegrity has  never  been  questioned  and  whose 
standing  in  his  neighborhood  has  been  honor- 
ally  gained. 

DIX,  Oliver,  one  of  the  older  residents  of 
Grundy  County,  was  bo  n  in  Oneida  County, 
X.  Y..  January  5,  1822,  and  died  on  his  home 
farm  February  1(1,  1000.  lie  was  a  son  of  Ara 
and  Lydia  (Richards)  Dix.  When  he  was  fif- 
teen years  old.  the  family  came  to  Kendall 
County.  II]..  and  a  little  later  he  located  in 
Grundy  County.  As  the  years  went  on.  he  added 
to  his  original  holdings  until  he  owned  S00  acres. 
In  1890,  he  retired  from  active  work.  In  1S-1S, 
he  married  Lydia  Wing,  a  daughter  of  Thomas 
Win-  of  Illinois.  They  had  the  following  chil- 
dren; Ara  W.  and  Orville  E.  After  the  death 
of  the  first  Mrs.  Dix  in  1S5S,  Mr.  Dix  married 
(second)  Louisa  S.  McKinzie,  a  daughter  of 
William  and  Sophia  (Spillman)  McKinzie,  and 
they  had  the  following  family;  Lydia  P.,  Wil- 
liam O.,  Etta  M.-.  Susan  L..  and  George  R.  Mr. 
Dix  was  a  Republican  in  political  views,  while 
religiously  he  was  a  Methodist. 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


805 


DOHERTY,  Robert  Russell.— One  of  the  char- 
acteristics of  the  Scotch  people  has  always  been 
intense  religious  zeal,  and  the  majority  of 
those  who  come  from  Scotland  take  an  active 
part  in  carrying  on  the  work  of  the  churches 
in  whatever  community  they  happen  to  locate, 
at  the  same  time,  these  earnest,  hardworking 
people  know  how  to  make  their  efforts  count 
for  something  in  all  directions  and  develop  into 
valuable  citizens.  One  of  the  representatives 
of  his  native  land  in  Grundy  County,  is  Robert 
Russell  Doherty  of  Morris,  born  in  Scotland, 
in  April,  18U4,  son  of  Philip  and  Christina  (Rus- 
sell) Doherty,  both  of  whom  died  in  Scotland. 
Robert  Russell  Doherty  is  a  fine  type  of  the 
self-made  man,  for  not  only  has  he  developed 
his  own  material  fortunes,  but  educated  him- 
self, and  has  every  reason  to  be  proud  id'  what 
he  has  accomplished.  In  1SS1  he  came  to  Mor- 
ris, where  he  worked  in  a  brick  and  tile  yard 
for  two  seasons.  He  then  worked  for  the  Cole- 
man Hardware  Company  as  moulder  for  eleven 
years.  His  worth  being  recognized,  for  three 
years  he  was  foreman,  and  for  six.  assistant 
superintendent.  Mr.  Doherty  then  became  as- 
sociated with  what  was  then  the  Nickel  Manu- 
facturing Company,  which  in  May,  1910,  sold 
to  another  company,  which  manufactures  light 
gray  castings  ami  all  kinds  of  light  hardware, 
such  as  sash  pulleys,  sash  hooks  and  similar 
articles,  while  a  specialty  is  made  of  all  kinds 
of  piano  work.  Employment  is  given  steadily 
to  about  seventy-four  men.  On  December  31, 
.1884,  Mr.  Doherty  was  married  to  Mary  Kerr, 
daughter  of  Robert  and  Janet  (Ferguson)  Kerr, 
who  now  reside  at  Morris.  The  following  chil- 
dren have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Doherty: 
Philip  of  Morris:  Robert,  at  home:  John,  of 
Chicago,  and  Russell,  at  home. 

Mr.  Doherty  has  always  been  very  active  in 
the  Presbyterian  Church  of  which  he  is  a  mem- 
ber, and  since  1892,  has  been  a  trustee.  In 
1900,  he  was  made  an  elder,  and  still  has  that 
distinction.  For  nine  years,  he  was  superin- 
tendent of  the  Sunday  school,  and  is  now  assist- 
ant superintendent,  and  teaches  a  class.  lie  has 
also  served  as  president  of  the  Grundy  County 
Pdble  Society,  and  been  eager  to  promote  the 
good  work  of  his  church  in  every  way.  The  Re- 
publican party  has  always  bad  his  support,  and 
he  served  one  term  as  alderman  from  the  Sec- 
ond Ward,  and  since  1002,  has  been  on  the 
school  board,  two  terms  of  that  period,  being 
its  president.  An  enthusiastic  Mason,  he  is 
now  Past  Master  of  Orient  Chapter.  R.  A.  M. 
The  Knights  of  Pythias  also  hold  his  member- 
ship, and  he  is  Past  Chancellor  of  that  order. 
A  man  of  strong  convictions,  able  and  ready 
to  support  them,  Mr.  Doherty  exerts  a  power- 
ful influence  for  good  in  his  community,  and 
commands  the  respect  of  all   who   know  him. 

DREW,  Charles  E. — A  citizen  whose  activities 
In  business  life  have  added  materially  to  the 
commercial  prestige  of  Grundy  County.  111.,  is 
Charles  F.  Drew,  of  the  firm  of  Ilargreaves  & 
Drew,    who    are    proprietors     of     elevators     at 


South  Wilmington  and  Gardner,  and  deal  ex- 
tensively in  grain  and  livestock.  His  career 
has  been  one  of  persevering  effort,  and  the  suc- 
cess which  he  has  attained  has  come  through 
the  medium  of  his  own  industry,  integrity  and 
inherent  business  ability,  lie  was  born  at  Xap- 
erville,  Du  Page  County,  Ilk,  May  o,  1859,  and 
is  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Chilners) 
Drew,  natives  of  England.  Thomas  Drew  was 
born  in  1S33,  and  as  a  youth  of  nineteen  years 
emigrated  to  the  United  States,  settling  in  Du 
1'age  County,  111.,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
fanning  until  his  retirement,  in  189(5.  At  that 
time  he  located  in  Emiugton,  111.,  and  has  since 
remained  at  that  place,  with  the  exception 
of  a  short  period  of  1912,  when  with  his  son, 
Charles  E.,  he  visited  the  scenes  of  his  boy- 
hood days  in  bis  native  land.  Mi's.  Drew  died 
in  Phis,  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  Emiugton 
cemetery.  She  and  her  husband  were  the  par- 
ents of  six  children:  Charles  E. ;  Wesley  It. ; 
Harry;  Caroline,  who  is  the  wife  of  George 
E.  Ilargreaves;  Mrs.  Alice  Robinson,  and  one 
child  who  died  in  infancy. 

Charles  E.  Drew  was  reared  to  agricultural 
pursuits,  spending  the  summer  months  in  as- 
sisting his  father  on  the  home  farm,  while  the 
winter  terms  were  passed  in  acquiring  an  edu- 
cation in  the  district  schools.  When  be  reached 
the  age  of  nineteen  years,  he  began  to  learn  the 
butcher  business,  in  which  he  was  engaged  for 
many  years,  gaining  therein  an  enviable  reputa- 
tion as  a  business  man.  On  October  15,  190(1, 
Mr.  Drew  came  to  Gardner,  and  here,  in  part- 
nership with  George  F.  Harureaves,  he  formed 
the  firm  of  Hargreaves  &  Drew.  This  venture 
has  proven  very  satisfactory  to. both  partners, 
and  the  business  has  grown  to  such  an  extent 
that  it  now  operates  a  branch  at  South  Wil- 
mington. Mr.  Drew  is  a  man  of  great  quick- 
ness of  perception,  business  capacity  and  judg- 
ment, and  is  thoroughly  relied  upon  by  those 
who  have  had  business  transact  ions  with  him. 
He  has  cared  little  for  the  struggles  of  the  po- 
litical arena  aside  from  taking  a  good  citizen's 
interest  in  bis  community's  welfare,  but  sup- 
ports Republican  candidates  and  principles. 
Fraternally,  he  has  numerous  friends  in  the  lo- 
cal lodges  of  the  Masons  and  the  Modem  Wood- 
men of  America. 

While  a  resident  of  Livingston  County,  111., 
Mr.  Drew  was  married  to  his  former  school- 
teacher. Miss  Emily  Judson  Clark,  born  in  Janu- 
ary. 1S59.  of  RaSalle  County.  Ilk.  December  13, 
1SS2.  Six  children  have  been  born  to  this 
union:  Mabel  Rosella  ITulva.  who  is  now  de- 
ceased: Cvrns.  who  is  in  business  with  bis 
father;  Mildred,  at  home;  Hazel,  who  is  de- 
ceased; Ellsworth,  and  one  who  died  in  in- 
fancy. With  his  family,  Mr.  Drew  attends  the 
Presbyterian   <  Ihurch. 

DUNN,  Clyde  E.,  member  of  the  well  known 
firm  of  Hunter,  Dunn  &  Co.,  of  South  Wilming- 
ton, as  well  as  manager  of  the  business,  is  one 
of  the  progressive  young  business  men  of  Grundy 
County,  and  well  worthy  the  appreciation  shown 


806  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

his  efforts.   He   was   horn    at    Greensburg.    hid..  1S71    they    came    to    Saratoga    Township,    this 

in   1SS1,   a    sou  .of   William     II.    and    Olcssa    J.  county,    and    Edward    Edmondson    worked    for 

(Glass)    liimii.   both   natives  of   Indiana    where  others   for   some   years,   but    in   1SS5,   bought    a 

the  father  became  a   farmer.     Later  these  par-  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  Saratoga  Township,  to 

cuts  went   to  Clark  City,    111.,   where  the  father  which    he    later    added    eighty    acres    and    lived 

became  boss  foreman   of   the   Garduer-Wilming-  ou  the  property   until   190S,   when   he  retired   to 

ton  Coal  Co.,  but  now  is  in  the  grain  business  Gleu    Ellyn,    111.,    where    he   still    resides.      The 

and  also  operates  a   lumber  yard  at    Essex,   111.  maternal   grandfather,   1'eter   Phillips,  a   native 

He  is  interested  in  public  affairs  and  is  serving  of  New    York,   was  an   early   settler  of  Kendall 

as  a   member  of  the  lower  house  of  the  State  County,  111.     The  children  bom  to  Edward  and 

General    Assembly.      The    mother   died    in    May,  Tressa    Edmondson    were    as    follows:      Mattie, 

T.ilii.  and  is  buried  in  the  graveyard  at   Essex.  who  is  Mrs.  Fred  Foster  of  Glen  Ellyn;  Bertha, 

Their  children   were:    William   L. ;   Vivian,   who  who  is   Mrs.    Ed.    Schock   of  Glen   Ellyn;   Mary, 

is  the  wife  of  A.  C.   Sliimman;   Clyde  and   four  who    is    Mrs.    Clarence    Murley    of    Aux     Sable 

wlio   are   deceased.  Township:    Edwin    Kay.   who   is  of  Glen   Ellyn: 

Clyde  E.  Dunn  attended  school  at  Clark  City  and    Man  in    James, 

until    he    began    working    for    his    father    thus  Martin    James    Edmondson    -row    up    on    the 

continuing   for    live   years.      Realizing   the   need  homestead    of   his   parents    ami.    while    learning 

of   a    commercial    training,    lie    took    a    business  how   to   farm,    was  sent    to   the   district    schools, 

course   at    Dixon,    III.,    being   graduated    from    a  Lntil    his   parents   retired    he    worked   for   them 

similar   institution    at    Kankakee.    111.,    in    1002.  and    (hen    took    charge   of    the    farm,    which    he 

In    1904    be   came   to    South    Wilmington,    where  rents    from    his    father.      On    ii    he    carries    on 

he  became  bookkeeper  for  the  Hunter  Lumber  general    farming    and    stock    raising,    and    has 

Company.     When   this  concern  was  reorganized  been   very   successful   in   all    his  operations.     On 

into  the  Hunter,  Dunn  &  Co..  he  became  a  mem-  December   IS,   1907,    Mr.    Edmondson    was   mar- 

ber   of    the   new    company.      The    firm    deals    in  ried    to    May    Dean,    who    was    born    in    Lisbon 

lumber,  lime,  cement,  sash,  doers  and  all   kinds  Township,    Kendall    County.   December   1-1.   ISNy, 

of  building  material,  with  yards  at  the  follow-  daughter    of    George    and    Frances     (Ilammet) 

ing  places:  under  the  management  of  II.  &   E.  Dean.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edmondson  have  had  the 

F.  Hunter,  at  Henry,  Chill ieothe.  Sparland  and  following     children:      Frances.     Tressa.     Allen 

Edelstein.   111.:   under  the  management   of  Hun-  Dean  and   Helen  May.     Mrs.  Edmondson  belongs 

ter,  Allen  &  Co.,  at   Winchester.  Chapin,  Mere-  to   the  Methodist    Church   of  Aux   Sable  Town- 

dosia,    Varna.    Griggsville,    Lacon,    Bluffs,    Mar-  ship.      He   has   always   been    a    Republican,    but 

seilles.    Magnolia    and    Lostant,    111.;    under   the  has   not    sought   public   oflice.      A    hard-working, 

management  of  Hunter.   Dunn  &   Co.,   at    South  thrifty    man,    he    has    succeeded    in    bis    chosen 

Wilmington,    111.;    under    the    management,    of  work  and  has  gained  the  respect  and  confidence 

Hunter.    Stevens    &    Co.,    at     Oglesby    and    La  of  bis  neighbors. 
Salle.    III.;    under   the   management   of    Hunter. 

Rourke  &  Co.,  at   Crbana  and   Ogden,   111.,  and  EFFTING,  Frank  J.  (deceased),  whose  long  and 

under   the    management    of   Hunter,    Doherty    &  useful    career    was    terminated    by    death    April 

Co..   at   Spring   Valley,   111-  L   "D'-)(;.   was   for  years   one   of   the   best    known 

On    March   24,    1908.    Mr.    Dunn    was    married  of    Morris'    citizens.      His    connection    with    the 

to    Ida   Marvin   of   Joliet.     Mr.   and   Mrs.    Dunn  tanning    industry    and    with     farming    brought 

have   one   child,    Dorothy,   born    in    1913.     They  him   into  contact   with   a    large   number   of   peo- 

are  Methodists,  and  fraternally  be  is  connected  pie.  anion-    whom    he   always    bore    the    highest 

with    the    Modern    W lmen.    at    Gardner.      In  reputation,    maintaining    throughout    his    life    a 

politics,  he  is  a  Republican.     A  young  man  with  high    regard    for    probity,    industry    and    clean 

more  than  average  ability,  be 'is  fast  develop-  living.     Mr.  Effting  was  born  at    I»ckport,   III.. 

ing   into   a    leader  at   South    Wilmington    where  July  2S,  isr>7.  and  is  a  son  of  Frank  and  Mary 

he  has  made  many  friends  in  both  business  and  (Fleck)    Effting.    natives    of   Germany, 

social  circles.  Frank  J.  Effting  received  bis  education  in  the 

parochial    school    at    Lockport.   and   at    the   age 

EDMONDSON,  Martin  James.— There  are  many  of  nineteen  years  came  to  Morris  to  accept  a 
-  instances  in  Grundy  County  where  sons  are  op-  position  in  the  tannery,  where  he  became  thor- 
.  erating  the  homesteads  of  their  fathers,  which  oughly  conversant  with  all  the  details  of  the 
state  of  affairs  contributes  to  the  general  pros-  business.  He  learned  leather  coloring  and 
perity  of  the  locality,  for  these  men.  bavins  worked  in  the  tannery  until  bis  marriage,  Janu- 
grow'n  up  on  the  property,  understand  the  needs  ary  9.  1SS3.  to  Philomena  K.  Sattler.  who  was 
of  their  land'  and  can  intelligently  use  methods  born  in  Hubbells,  hid..  May  21.  1S50.  daughter 
to  make  it  produce  profitably.  One  of  these  of  Dennis  and  Catherine  (Haines)  Effting.  the 
men,  who  is  a  modern  agriculturist  with  ad-  former  of  Laden,  Germany,  and  the  latter  of 
vanced'  views  with  regard  to  farming,  is  Mar-  near  Basel,  Switzerland.  Mr.  Sattler  came  to 
tin  James  Edmondson.  of  Saratoga  Township.  the  United  states  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years 
He  was  born  in  Lisbon  Township,  Kendall  and  worked  at  different  places  at  the  black- 
County.  111..  March  IS,  1SS2.  a  son  of  Edward  smith  trade,  eventually  buying  a  home  at  New 
and  Tressa  (Phillips)  Edmondson.  natives  of  Alsace.  Ind..  where  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Effting  met 
Norway  and  Lisbon  Townships  respectively.     In  and    were    married.      Mr.    Sattler    subsequently 


; 


-     ... 


1 


. 


'         1 


■ 


- 


'  ' 


^^^_       ......  ...        _'.  ,J.^^._ 


<^X-yryo^a^x  /u  r /&X 


23 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY.  807 

moved  to  Kentucky,  where  lie  worked  as  a  me-  kindly  offices.     She  lived   to  the  advanced  age 

ehanic  until  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil    War,  at  of  ninety  years,  and  was  beloved  by  a  wide  cir- 

whi.-h    time    he    entered    the    Union    service    as  cle    of    friends.      Mr.    Elerding    died    at    South 

a   blacksmith.     On  the  close  of  his  military  ca-  Haven,  Mich.,  in  1900,  as  after  the  death  of  his 

reer   lie   came   to    Illinois,   and    here    he    worked  wife  at  Morris,  in  1SS3,  he  lived  about   with  his 

at    the    blacksmith    trade    until    his    death.    No-  children.     They   were  as  follows :  Malissa,  Wil- 

veuilier  2.   1003,  at  the  age  of  eighty-two  years.  liam   and    Sarah,    who   are   deceased:    Conrad; 

His   widow,   who  survives   him    and    lives   witli  Louise,    who    is   Mrs.    Joseph    Trout,    of    Grand 

her  children,   is   eighty-three  years  old.     After  Rapids,  Mich. ;  Annie,  who  was  Mrs.  Frank  Bart- 

his  marriage,  -Mr.  Effting  removed  to  a  farm  in  let.  died  in  1S7S,  leaving  two  children,  Guy  and 

Coffey   County,    Kansas,    where    he   had    eighty  Aribel ;  George  B.,  who  is  of  Bellingham,  Wash. ; 

acres    of    laud,    hut    about    eight    months    later  Charles,   of   Maxville,    Kans.;    Edward,   who   is 

returned  to  Morris  and  again  took  up  tanning.  of  Charleston,    111.;   and   Westley,  who  died  in 

In    1S95    he    again    went     to    Kansas,    where    he  infancy. 

wenl  to  work  fur  a  brother,  and  while  there,  Conrad  Elerding  attended  the  common  schools 
moving  his  household  goods,  he  met  with  an  of  his  district,  and  remained  with  his  father 
accident,  in  which  he  received  injuries  that  until  his  marriage,  when  he  bought  the  old 
eventually  caused  his  death.  His  remains  were  grist-mill  from  his  father,  and  in  1SSS  changed 
brought  hack  to  Morris  and  were  here  buried.  a  into  an  oat  mill,  and  conducted  it  as  such 
His  widow  still  survives  him  and  conducts  a.  very  successfully  until  1900,  Avhen  it  was  burned, 
grocery,  confectionery  and  notion  store  at  No.  [,,  p.m]  he  replaced  his  plant,  erecting  it  at 
52fi  East  Jackson  street.  Mr.  Effting  was  a  Morris,  and  conducted  it  as  the  Morris  Oat- 
Catholic,  and  his  widow  also  is  a  member  of  mea]  factory  until  1905,  when  he  rented  it  to 
that  church.  Politically  he  was  a  Democrat.  the  Quaker  Oatmeal  Company,  since  which  time 
while    his    fraternal    connection    was    with    the  ne   has   lived    retired. 

Odd   Fellow's.     Four  children  were  lorn  to  Mr.  <,n  December  21.  1^7*;.  Mr.  Elerding  married 

and  Mrs.  EfL'ting.  namely:     Marie  ('.,  at  home;  Mrs.    Eliza    J.    (Ridings)    Elerding,    widow    of 

Helena  A.,  who  died  in  infancy ;  and  Ilildegarde  his    brother    William,    hv    whom    she    had    one 

and    Gertrude,    twins,    both    schoolteachers    in  soll)    q.    William    who    resides    at    Bitter    Root, 

Grundy  County.           .  Mont.      He    married    Elva    A.    Lloyd,    and    they 

have  three  children:  Frank,  born  Julv  2S.  1S97  ; 
ELERDING,  Conrad,  cue  of  the  retired  business  Adelaide,  bom  April  12:;.  1902;  an  I  Wayne, 
men  of  Morris,  was  born  at  Northville,  La  Salle  horn  Apri]  jq,  ]:m)|.  Mrs.  Conrad  Elerding  was 
County.  111..  December  15.  Ml,  a  sen  of  Henry  ,,ori)  ,lt  Hillsboro,  <>..  October  15,  3S45.  a  daugh- 
and  Mary  Ann  (Hollenback)  Elerding.  natives  ter  ,,,-  Johll  p.  nml  rjebecca  (Stone)  Ridings, 
of  Westphalia.  Germany,  and  Muskingum  j,orn  at  Winchester,  Va.,  in  1S03,  and  Middle- 
County.  Ohio,  respectively.  The  father  came  to  tmvll>  Va  in  lsi0j  respectively.  The  grand- 
tbe  United  States  in  1S30,  bringing  with  him  parents,  Peter  and  Marv  (Brotherington)  Rid- 
a  vivid  recollection  of  the  Napoleonic  wars,  and  }ngS)  were  horn  at  Liverpool,  England,  while 
for  some  time  worked  as  a  millwright  until  he  the  maternal  grandparents,  Philip  and  Christina 
built  a  saw  and  grist  mill  at  Sheridan.  111.  lie  (Crum)  Stone  were  natives  of  Virginia.  Mr. 
also  constructed  the  bridge  across  the  Fox  umi  Mrs.  Ridings  married  in  Virginia,  and  in 
river  that  was  later  taken  away  by  the  Hoods.  ls;.o  emigrated  to  Ohio,  where  he  first  worked 
In  1S5S,  he  came  to  Morris,  and  built  the  Grundy  f01.  gfty  cents  per  day.  but  owing  to  the  cheap- 
County  grist-mill.  He  and  his  wife  were  mar-  ness  0f  foodstuffs,  lived  comfortably.  In  1S5S, 
ried  near  Newark.  111..  Mrs.  Elerding  being  a  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ridings  moved  to  Wauponsee 
daughter  of  Clark  and  Anne  (Blizzard)  Hollen-  Township,  Grundy  County,  where  they  lived 
back,  who  were  born  on  the  south  fork  of  the  imti]  death  claimed  them,  the  father  dying 
Potomac  river  in  Virginia.  They  were  early  March  4,  1SS5,  and  the  mother  on  March  12. 
settlers  of  Kendall  County,  locating  on  the  pres-  -|S'.>2.  Mrs.  Elerding  attended  the  public  schools 
ent  site  of  Newark  during  1S32.  Owing  to  the  an,i  Hillsboro  Female  College.  She  has  been  a 
disturbances  occasioned  by  the  Black  Hawk  pfe  long  Methodist.  In  politics  Mr.  Elerding 
W"r,  these  hardy  pioneers  walked  to  Port  Ot-  js  a  Republican,  but  has  not  sought  office. 
tawa    for    protection.      Becoming    anxious    with 

regard  to  conditions  at  his  little  homestead.  Mr.  ELTERV00G,  Helge,  of  Nettle  Creek  Township. 

Hollenback  decided  to  return.     As  he  neared  his  js  another  example  of  the  thrifty,  hard  working 

farm,   two   Indians   on    horseback   pursued   him,  Norseman  to  he  found  in  Grundy  County,  whose 

but  with  a  cunning  equal  to  their  own.  he  made  efforts   have  contributed    so   materially   towards 

them  think  by  calling  upon  an  imaginary  party,  the  development  of  what  was  once  wild  prairie 

that  he  was  not  alone,  and  finally  they  turned  off  laud    into   one   of   the   most    flourishing   agricul- 

and  rode  in  another  direction,  much  to  the  ex-  jural   centers  of  the  state.      Mi-.   Eltervoog   was 

eollent  man's   relief.     As  soon   as   it   was  safe.  horn  near  Rergen,  Norway.  November  25,  1SS3, 

Mr.  Hollenback  brought  his  family  back  to  their  a  son  of  Christian  Erickson  and  Elizabeth   (Hel- 

home,  and  there  they  lived  until  he  died.     Mrs.  geson)   Eltervoog,  both  natives  of  Norway  where 

Hollenback    was    a    large    woman    of    powerful  they   died. 

build,  and  her  heart  was  in  proportion,  many  of  Helge  Eltervoog  attended  the  common  schools 

the  early   settlers   owing   much    to   her   for   her  of  bis  native  land,  and  early  developed  an  am- 


•80S 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


bitlon  to  see  something  "f  the  world,  so  in 
1902  he  came  to  the  United  States  and  began 
working  on  a  farm  in  Nettle  Creek  Township. 
In  11)10,  having  married,  he  t«j<>!;  charge  of  the 
farm  of  ICO  acres  belonging  to  his  father-in- 
law,  the  latter  moving  to  Seneca.  La  Salle 
County,  111.  On  this  farm  Mr.  Eltervoog  raises 
registered  Duroe-Jersey  hogs,  and  carries  on 
general    farming. 

On  February  12,  1910,  Mr.  Eltervoog  married 
Dena  Lillian  Johnson,  a  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Lorenza  Johnson,  natives  of  Norway.  Mrs. 
Eltervoog  was  born  in  Nettle  Creek  Township, 
April  12,  1SSC.  A  brother  of  hers,  Thomas 
T.  Johnson  was  drowned  on  November  i. 
his  body  not  being  found  until  February  12, 
1911.  Mr.  ami  Mrs.  Eltervoog  have  two  chil- 
dren :  Alene  Lorenza,  who  was  born  August  2, 
1911,  and  Helen  Dorothy,  lorn  March  2.  1913. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eltervoog  belong  to  the  Staven- 
ger  Lutheran   Church   of   La    S  county,    111. 

Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  hut  Ins  held  nu 
public  office.  lie  is  a  man  who  stands  v.-ry 
hi'-'h  in  his  township,  and  is  a  man  who  is 
worthy,  of  all  confidence. 

ERICKSON,    Ole.— The   citizens   of   Morris,   111., 
need    no    ii  .    to    Ole    Eriekson,    whose 

sterling  integrity,  upright  character  and  high 
ideals  of  citizenship  .have  made  hiiu  one  of  the 
most  useful  members  of  his  community  for 
nearly  forty-five  years.  During  this  time  he 
lias  been  intimately  connected  with  the  busi- 
ness interests  of  Morris,  his  versatility  permit- 
ting him  to  win  success  in  several  lines  of  en- 
deavor. He  is  a  native  of  Norway,  and  was 
horn  in  l-SHO,  a  sou  of  Erik  Eriekson.  also  of 
Norway,  who  was  horn  in  1S03.  The  latter 
to  the  United  States.  July  20,  1*S0.  and  settled 
in  Minnesota  as  a  farmer  and  was  so  engaged 
up  to  the  time  of  his  death.  His  wife.  Marit 
(Svarthaugen)  Eriekson,  was  horn  in  Norway 
in  1^12.  and  died  there  November  29.  lv7'.'. 
Three  children  were  born  to  them:  One  son. 
Ole.  and   two  daughters.   Mari   and   Marit. 

Ole  Eriekson  received  his  education  in  the 
common  schools  of  his  native  land,  and  as  a 
youth  was  reared  to  agricultural  pursuits,  hut 
subsequently  secured  employment  as  a  clerk 
in  a  store.  In  1SG6  he  came  to  America  and 
first  became  a  clerk  in  a  Chicago  grocery  store. 
but  on  May  17.  1^70.  came  to  Morris,  which 
city  has  been  his  home  to  the  present  time. 
He  established  himself  in  the  dry  goods  busi- 
ness with  a  partner,  hut  three  years  later  sold 
his  interests,  and  again  became  a  clerk,  being 
so  occupied  about  eight  years.  On  November 
12.  1SS0,  in  partnership  with  W.  B.  Hull,  he 
opened  a  full  store  of  dry  goods,  hoots  and 
shoes.  This  association  continued  until  Mr. 
Hull  sold  his  interests  to  P..  W.  Zens,  who  was 
a  shoe  dealer,  and  on  March  5.  1^99,  Mr.  Eric-k- 
'son  bought  Mr.  Zens'  interest.. taking  into  part- 
nership his  son.  Albert  E.,  an  association  which 
still  continues  in  force.  In  1S94,  with  Mr. 
Strong,  Mr.  Eriekson  started  a  grocery  busii  ess, 
and  the  two  stores  adjoin,  both  doing  a  large 


business.  The  dry  goods  business  may  be  said 
to  be  the  most  up-to-date  in  this  section,  in- 
cluding  a  full  line  of  carpets,  rugs  and  ladies' 
ready-to-wear  go  >ds. 

•  in  September  10,  1*71.  Mr.  Eriekson  was 
married  in  Mi  rris  to  Miss  Mary  M.  l'rey,  daugh- 
ter of  William  l'n-y.  she  havii  _  m  in 
Pennsylvania.  November  23.  I^.'A.  To  this  union 
there  have  been  born  the  following  children: 
Anna  XL.  born  November  1.  iv72:  Albert  E., 
horn  March  19.  ISTo.  and  still  in  business  with 
his  father:  P.laney  V.'..  horn  June  20.  1SS5.  and 

-  <iness   with  his   fatiier:   Edna   Louisa. 

l>orn  .Tune  11.  1*90.  who  is  now  Mrs.  George  C. 
Clement,  of  Chicago,  111.:  and  Mildred  Ruth. 
lorn  March  19.  1S93.  Mr.  Eriekson  is  a  Pres- 
byterian in  his  religious  belief,  e  lSSfi 
has  been  pi  lent  of  the  hoard,  of  trustei  -  ' 
that  church.  Ho  i-  a  Republican  in  polities  and 
has  satisfactorily  tilled  a  number  of  town  and 
township  offices. 

ESGAR,  Mark. — Among  the  old  and  honored 
residents  of  Grundy  County.  111.,  one  who  holds 
the  esteem  ami  respect  of  his  fellow-citizens  by 
reason  of  the  capable  and  faithful  manner  in 
which  ho  has  i  formed  the  duties  as 

to   him.  wl    '  war  or  in   ;•■  ace.   is   Mark 

Esgar.  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  sub- 
stantial farmer  of  Vienna  Town-hip.  Mr.  Es- 
gar is  a  native  of  Somersetshire.  England. 
win-re  he  was  born  January  20.  1*40.  a  son  of 
John  F.  and  Louisa    ( Stevens)    Esgar. 

Tlie  early  edui  iti  >n  of  Mr.  Esgar  was    - 
what    limited,    as    when    he    was    a   la< 
nine  years  he  entered  the  coal  mini's  of  Wales. 
He  was   -  •  en  |  loved  until  he  rea  •) 

uteen  years,  at  which  time  he-  accompanied 
his  parents  to  the  United  States,  the  parents 
settling  first  in  New  Jersey.  Later  Mr.  Esgar 
went  to  the  coal  mines  of  Pennsylvania,  where 
he   was   en  r  one  and  £   years, 

but  then  returned  to  New  Jersey.  In  1S57.  Mr. 
Ess  r  and  a  sister  joined  their  parents  in  Kan- 
kakee County.  111.,  where  he  became  a  farm 
hand,  and  was  engaged  in  tilling  the  soil  at  the 
time  of  his  enlistment,  in  August.  Is' "'2.  in  Com- 
pany F.  Eighty-eighth  Illinois  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, his  reciment  being  assigned  to  the 
Army  of  the  Ohio.  Later  it  was  transferred 
to  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  and  with 
this  command  Mr.  Esgar  fought  until  receiv- 
ing his  honorable  discharge  at  the  close  of 
hostilities.  June  12.  1S65,  at  Nashville.  Tenn. 
A  cheerful,  gallant  and  reliable  soldier,  he 
won  the  admiration  of  his  comrades  and  the 
respect  of  his  officers,  and  left  the  service 
of  his  country  with  an  excellent  record. 
Returning  to  his  parent's  home  in  Kankakee 
Countv.  he  remained  but  a  short  time,  then 
moving  to  Braceville  Town-hip.  Grundy 
Countv.  There  he  was  married.  January  c. 
1  SOS.    to    Miss    1  tl     Ra;  was    born 

in  Germany,  daughter  of  William  and  Johan- 
etta  (Stine)  Ray.  who  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1S51.  After  his  marriage.  Mr.  Esgar 
rented   a   farm   in   Braceville  Township,   but   in 


^w^e^^  AM 


t    O-T^- 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


809 


1s71  disposed  of  his  interests  there  and  moved 
(o  Vienna  Township,  where  he  lias  since  inside 
bis  home.  He  was  industrious,  energetic  and 
persevering,  and  through  good  management  ac- 
cumulated -00  acres  of  land,  which  he  developed 
into  as  fine  a  property  as  was  to  he  found  in 
this  part  of  the  state.  During  recent  years, 
however,  he  has  lived  somewhat  retired,  having 
given  his  sen.  William  J.,  120  acres  of  his  prop- 
erty, although  he  still  superintends  the  opera- 
tions on  eighty  acres,  and  is  Keenly  interested 
in  all  that  affects  his  community.  .Mrs.  Esgar 
passed  away  October  12,  11)00,  having  been  the 
mother  of  these  children:  Anetta  Louisa,  who 
married  G.  \V.  Johnson  of  Wanponsee  Town- 
ship; Fannie  Lillian,  who  married  Lyman 
Iiough  of  Verona,  III.;  and  William  .John,  a 
fanner  of  Vienna  Township.  Mr.  Ksgar  is  a 
Republican.  Me  has  shown  an  interest  in  Grand 
Army  work,  and  at  the  present  lime  is  a  valued 
member  of  Darveau  Post  Xo.  329. 

FEELAND,  Jacob  B.— A  farmer  and  reliable 
citizen  of  Nettle  (.'reek  Township,  comes  of 
good  Norse  stock  and  was  born  in  Greenfield 
Township,  Grundy  County,  in  December,  1^7-"., 
a  son  of  John  and  Bertha  Feeland  who  were  na- 
tives of  Norway.  They  came  to  the  United 
States  from  Norway  after  their  marriage,  and 
located  in  Grundy  County  in  1S71,  buying  a 
farm  in  Greenfield  Township,  on  which  the 
mother  died  when  Jacob  R.  Feeland  was  a  week 
old.  The  father  later  married  (second)  Anna 
Likness,  horn  in  Norway,  and  lived  until  190S, 
when   he  passed  away. 

Jacob  I'..  Feeland  was  taken  by  an  uncle, 
Arent  Thompson,  when  his  mother  died.  In 
LS77  Mi'.  Thompson  went  to  Nebraska,  where 
he  spent  ten  years,  and  then  moved  to  Center 
County,  that  same  State,  where  he  died  in  1005. 
Mr.  Leelaml  remained  with  this  uncle  until 
he  attained  his  majority,  receiving  his  edu- 
tional  training  in  the  common  schools  of  Ne- 
braska. When  he  was  twenty-one  years  old 
he  returned  to  Grundy  County,  and  worked  by 
the  month  in  Nettle  Creek  Township  for  four 
or  five  years,  and  then  began  farming  for  him- 
self. He  now  owns  a  two-thirds  interest  in  his 
present  farm,  upon  which  he  has  lived  since 
1002,  and  he  generally  operates  a  good  deal 
of  additional  land.  In  February.  1S97,  Mr. 
Feeland  married  Mary  L.  Likness.  born  in  Net- 
tle Creek  Township,  a  daughter  of  Austin  and 
Anna  Likness,  the  former  of  whom  is  deceased, 
but  the  latter  is  residing  with  Mr.  Feeland.  Mi-, 
and  Mrs.  Feeland  are  the  parents  of  the  fol- 
lowing children:  Birdie,  Lillie.  Lulu,  and  Wil- 
lie. Mr.  Feeland  is  a  Lutheran,  and  politi- 
cally is  a  Republican,  but  he  has  never  eared 
for  public  office. 

FERGUSON,  Charles  D.,  formerly  sheriff  of 
Grundy  County,  was  horn  near  Rochester,  N.  V., 
May  31.  lsnn,  a  son  of  Daniel  Ferguson.  The 
family  came  to  Grundy  County  in  ls54.  In  1SS0, 
Mr.  Ferguson  was  elected  Sheriff  of  the  county, 
and  he  also  had  charge  of  the  steam  lire  engine 


for  sonic  years.  On  April  0,  1SG1,  he  married 
(first)  Louisa  Hall,  who  died  November  24, 
1SG1.  on  March  2.".,  1SG5,  Mr.  Ferguson  married 
I. second)  Elizabeth  A.  Ent,  and  they  had  the 
following  children:  Fred  C,  Harry  II.,  and 
Eugene  Ray. 

FILLMAN,  Charles,  owner  of  160  acres  of 
fertile  land  in  Good  Farm  Township,  is  one  of 
the  substantial  agriculturists  of  his  section.  On 
this  property  he  carries  on  general  farming  and 
has  developed  his  property  into  one  of  the  most 
valuable  to  be  found  in  Grundy  County.  He 
was  born  at  Dwight,  ill..  August  28,  1SG0,  a 
son  of  Jacob  M.  and  Mary  (Burger)  Fillman, 
both  bom  in  Germany,  the  latter  in  Bavaria. 
Jacob  M.  Fillman  was  a  blacksmith,  am]  was 
accounted  one  of  the  best  in  the  Slate  and  wide- 
ly known  as  he  worked  at  his  trade  all  along  the 
Mississippi  River,  eventually  making  a  perma- 
nent location  in  the  vicinity  of  Dwiglit.  lie  had 
a  helpful  wife  and  in  order  that  he  might  give 
all  of  bis  attention  to  the  work  of  the  shop, 
she  dug  his  coal  for  the  forge.  He  helped  to 
build  the  first  wagon  ever  made  at.  Marseilles. 
111.,  and  was  connected  with  the  best  class  of 
work  in  his  line  throughout  a  wide  territory. 
In  ls<;7  he  moved  to  Good  Farm  Township,  and 
secured  land.  II  was  then  in  a  state  of  wild- 
ness  not  easy  to  understand  at  this  day,  and 
that  most  estimable  wife  and  mother  not  only 
ilid  more  than  her  part  in  the  house,  but 
helped  her  husband  develop  his  land  and  even 
assisted  in  digging  the  wells.  Jacob  M.  Fill- 
man  died  in  1910,  but  his  wife,  in  spite  of  all 
her  hard  work,  survives,  and  is  living  in  Minne- 
sota. She  and  her  husband  had  seven  children: 
George,  William,  deceased,  Charles.  Louis 
Kate.    Jacob   ami    .Mary. 

Charles  Fillman  went  to  school  at  Dwiglit 
and  until  he  attained  his  majority,  remained  at 
home  with  his  father  and  assisted  in  operating 
the  7(111  acre  farm  of  the  latter.  He  Ins  made 
all  the  improvements  upon  his  own  farm,  in- 
cluding the  erection  of  a  beautiful  brick  resi- 
dence that  is  modern  in  every  respect.  He  be- 
longs to  the  Lutheran  Church  and  shows  his 
interest  in  its  good  work.  A  Democrat,  he  is 
serving  on  the  school  hoard,  ami  as  an  oflieial 
endeavors  to  get  for  the  children  of  his  dis- 
trict the  best  possible  educational  advantages. 
(in  April  11.  ISS-L  Mr.  Fillman  married  Eliza- 
beth Klughardt.  born  in  this  township.  Their 
children  have  been:  Frederika  King:  Lucy, 
who  is  deceased;  Ella;  Anna;  Eddie,  who  is 
deceased:  Lilly;  Reuben,  who  is  deceased; 
Franklin;   Leslie;.  Warner  and    Erna. 

FINCH,  George  (deceased"),  who  for  many 
years  was  a  substantial  agriculturalist  of 
Grundy  County,  was  born  in  Kent.  Finland,  in 
January,  1S23,  a  son  of  Gabriel  and  Susanna 
(Goldin)  Finch,  both  of  whom  died  in  England. 
In  1S52  George  Finch  came  to  the  Fnited  States, 
and  after  a  few  years  spent  in  New  York  State, 
went  to  La  Salle  County.  111.,  where  he  bought  a 
farm  and  lived  for  five  years,  but  then  sold  it 


810  HISTORY  OF  GEUNDY  COUNTY. 

and  purchased  200  acres  of  land  one  and  one-half  Republican  ticket.     Fraternally  he  is  ;i   Knight 

miles  northeast  of   Verona.     The  farm   was  all  of  l'ythias. 

prairie  land,  but  he  improved  it  and  made  it  a  In'  September,    1S92,    Mr.    Finch    was    united 

valuable  property.    In  1891  he  moved  to  Verona,  in    marriage    with    Clara    Fix.    born    in    Vienna 

where  lie  died  June  9,  1S94,  his  widow  surviving  Township,  a  daughter  of  Matthew  and  Gertrude 

him,  makes  her  home  at  Verona.  (Cody)    Dix,  the   former   a   native  of   England. 

On  -May  25,  1859,  Mr.  Finch  was  married  in  Mr.  and  .Mrs.  Finch  have  had  the  following  chil- 
La  Salle  County  to  Martha  Rumney,  born  in  dren :  Eriua,  Edmund.  George,  Ernest,  .Matthew 
Kent,  England,  a  daughter  of  James  and  Mary  and  Howard.  Mr.  Finch  is  an  excellent  fanner, 
(Winch)  Rumney,  who  in  is,;,o  came  to  Xew  a  pood  citizen  and  a  man  who  enjoys  the  con- 
York  State,  when  Mrs.  Finch  was  about  fourteen  fidence  and  respect  of  a  wide  circle*  of  friends 
years  old.  Later  they  moved  to  La  Salle  County  in  his  neighborhood  and  elsewhere  where  he 
where  lie  died  about  1854,  the  mother  surviving  is  known. 
him    until    18S5,   when   she   passed   away   at    the 

home  of  Mr.  Finch.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Finch  had  FISHER,  Volney  H.— It  often  happens  that  a 
the  following  children  ;  Mary,  who  is  Mrs.  man  learns  a  trade,  is  successful  at  it,  and  yet 
George  Ward  of  Woodson  County,  Kas. ;  Louisa,  finds  that  his  true  life  work  lies  in  another 
who  is  Mrs.  Samuel  Ward  of  Vienna  Township;  direction.  The  sensible  man  when  he  discovers 
Ellen,  who  is  Mrs.  George  Bettie  of  Sumner,  sm-h  a  condition,  enters  into  his  new  work,  and 
Neb.;  George,  who  died  in  1897,  leaving  a  wife  develops  its  proportions  until  he  is  satisfied  with 
and  two  children,— Pearl  and  Iva  ;  William,  who  his  progress.  This  has  been  the  ease  with 
is  at  home;  Frederick,  who  is  also  on  the  home  Volney  11.  Fisher  of  Morris,  111.,  who  has  not 
farm;  Martha,  who  married  John  Petrie  of  only  achieved  profitable  results  as  a  carpenter 
Verona,  died  in  1907,  leaving  two  children,  and  builder,  but  made  his  name  known  through- 
Bertha  and  Martha;  Esther,  who  is  the  widow  out  the  state  as  manufacturer  of  bee  keepers' 
of  John  McCormick  of  Verona;  Clara,  who  re-  supplies,  as  well  as  a  grower  of  bees.  Mr.  Fisher 
sides  with  her  widowed  mother:  and  John,  who  was  born  at  Morris.  March  JO.  1875,  a  son  of 
is  of  Vienna  Township.  Mrs.  Finch  is  a  member  Lyman  A.  and  Margaret  II.  (Hazeltou)  Fisher. 
of  the  Baptist  Church  and  takes  a  great  pleas-  natives  of  New  Hampshire,  and  Brooklyn.  X. 
ure  in  her  religious  connections.  Mr.  Finch  Y.,  respectively.  They  were  married  at  Brook- 
was  a  Republican  and  served  as  a  school  di-  lyn,  where  he  was  engaged  as  a  carpenter  and 
rector.  He  was  a  man  of  high  principles  and  ship  builder.  In  1858,  the  family  came  to  Chi- 
lived  up  to  what  he  believed  was  right  upon  all  cago,  where  .Air.  Fisher  worked  as  a  carpenter, 
occasions.                  .  later  going  to  Sterling  and  other  Illinois  points] 

until    January    1,    1.S71,    he    settled    at    Morris! 

FINCH,  William  J. — The  substantial  results  where  lie  continued  at  his  trade  until  his  death, 
attained  by  the  progressive  agriculturists  of  in  February,  1801.  His  widow  survives,  making* 
Grundy  County  prove  that  there  is  money  in  her  home  at  Xo.  .842  E.  Benton  street.  Morris, 
farming  if  it  is  carried  on  properly.  The  po-  where  she  has  six  acres  of  land.  Mrs.  Fisher 
sition  of  the  twentieth  century  farmer  is  an  is  seventy  years  old  at  time  of  writing.  The 
important  one.  and  upon  his  industry  and  busi-  children  horn  to  Mr.  and  .Mrs.  Fisher  were: 
ness  ability  depend  the  prosperity  of  the  conn-  Solon  11..  horn  in  1SG4,  died  in  August,  1902; 
try.  One  of  the  farmers  who  is  proving  the  Horace  n..  of  Eos  Angeles.  Cab.  and  Volney  II.', 
truth  of  the  above  in_  his  everyday  life  is  who  resides  with  his  mother. 
William  J.  Finch,  who  is  a  native  of  Grundy  Volney  II.  Fisher  was  educated  in  the  coin- 
County,  born  in  Vienna  Township,  May  7.  1S70.  mon  schools  and  the  .Morris  high  school  and 
He  is  a  son  of  George  and  Martha  (Rumley)  learned  the  trade  of  a  carpenter  with  his  father. 
Finch,  natives  of  England,  who  came  to  La  while  still  attending  school.  In  the  years  that 
Salle  County.  111.  in  youth,  there  married  and  followed,  he  built  a  number  of  handsome  resi- 
spent  a  few  years  before  coming  to  Vienna  deuces  both  in  Morris  and  the  surrounding 
Township  in  INC.;.  buying  120  acres  of  raw  country,  and  still  takes  contracts  for  building! 
land  which  they  improved,  adding  to  their  In  1S90.  his  attention  was  attracted  to  bee  cul- 
boldings  until  there  were  200  acres  in  the  ture.  and  ho-gradually  came  to  devote  more  and 
homestead  at  the  time  of  the  father's  death  in  more  of  his  time  to  this  work,  until  he  now 
1894.  The  mother  now  lives  at  Verona.  They  keeps  from  fifteen  to  fifty  hives  of  bees.  This 
had  ten  children,  of  whom  William  J.  was  the  calling  led  him  into  the  manufacture  of  bee 
fifth  in  order  of  birth.  A  full  history  of  this  keepers'  supplies,  which  he  sells  all  over  the 
interesting  family  is  found  elsewhere  in  this  State,  and  he  also  sells  bees.  His  various  lines 
work.  of  endeavor  keep  him  busy  so  that  he  has  little 
'  William  J.  Finch  has  spent  his  life  on  the  time  for  outside  matters,  but  votes  the  Repub- 
homestead.  and  with  his  brother,  Fred  Finch.  lican  ticket.  Mr.  Fisher  is  not  married.  He  is 
has  carried  on  farming  and  stock  raising. -spo-  a  Presbyterian  in  religious  faith.  For  some 
eializing  in  White  Face  cattle  and  Percheron  years,  he  has  been  a  valued  member  of  the  Bee 
horses.  lie  was  given  tin1  advantages  of  the  Keepers'  Association.  A  man  who  pays  strict 
public  schools  of  his  neighborhood  and  since  attention  to'his  own  affairs,  and  tries  to  do  his 
attaining  to  man's  estate,  has  been  school  di-  full  duty  in  discharging  the  obligations  of  a 
rector    for    two    terms,    being    elected     on    the  citizen,   he  has  won  enviable  distinction   among 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


811 


his  fellow  citizens  as  an  honorable,  upright 
man,  whose  efforts  have  been  rewarded  with  a 
success  that   is  deserved. 

FOLI,  Max.— A  resident  of  South  Wilmington, 
111.,  since  V.hv2.  in  which  year  he  established 
himself  in  the  liquor  business  ar  this  place, 
Max  Foli  lias  played  a  prominent  part  in  the 
'  civic  affairs  of  the  community,  ami  since  the 
spring  of  1912  lias  served  as  a  member  oi'  the 
village  hoard  of  trustees.  lie  is  a  native  of 
Northern  Italy,  and  was  hern  in  INTO.  I  lis 
father,  who  was  a  stone  mason  by  trade,  passed 
his  entire  life  in  Italy,  where  he  died  in  1SS2, 
and  his  mother  is  si  ill  a  resident  of  thai  coun- 
try. There  were  seven  children  in  the  family: 
Evistice,  Max,  Cardo.  Telespo,  Dominic.  Mida 
and  Antonio,  of  whom  Cardo,  Mida  and  An- 
tonio are  deceased. 

Max  Foli  secured  his  only  educational  advan- 
tages in  the  public  s>  hools  of  his  native  land. 
but  when  twelve  years  of  age  gave  up  his 
studies  on  account  of  the  death  of  his  father, 
and  commenced  working  at  the  trade  of  stone 
mason.  Seeing  no  future  for  himself  in  his  na- 
tive land,  he  decided  to  try  his  fortune  in 
America,  and  accordingly,  in  January,  1S90, 
emigrated  to  this  country  and  settled  at  Clark 
City.  111.  There  he  soon  secured  employment 
in  the  mines,  and  after  ten  years  made  re- 
moval to  Gardner,  111.,  where  he  was  similarly 
engaged  for  two  years.  In  the  meantime,  be- 
ing thrifty  and  industrious,  he  carefully  saved 
his  earnings  with  the  idea  of  becoming  the 
owner  of  an  establishment  of  his  own.  an  am- 
bition which  was  realized  in  1902  when  he  came 
to  South  Wilmington  and  opened  his  present 
place  of  business.  Through  good  management, 
energetic  effort  and  enterprise,  he  has  built  up 
a  paying  trade,  and  is  now  considered  one  of 
the  substantial  men  of  the  village,  being  the 
owner  of  his  own  property  and  wielding  a  dis- 
tinct influence  among  his  countrymen.  In  the 
spring  of"  1012  he  became  a  candidate  on  the 
Republican  ticket  for  the  office  of  village  trustee, 
anil  was  elected  to  this  office  by  <i  handsome 
majority.  lie  has  served  his  fellow-citizens 
faithfully  and  well,  .and  deserve  the  respect 
in  which  he  is  held.  His  religious  connection 
is  with  the  Catholic  Church,  and  he  belongs 
fraternally  to  the  Foresters  anil  the  Italian  or-- 
der  of  the  White  Necktie.   South   Wilmington. 

Mr.  Foli  was  married  in  1S9G  to  Miss  Rosa 
Corsinne,  who  died  January  2(5,  1909,  and  is 
buried  in  Italy.  Six  children  were  horn  to  this 
union :  Linda,  Mida.  Clama,  deceased,  Cardi 
Melinda,  deceased,  and  Frank. 

FOX,  Henry  (deceased). — In  the  death  of  Henry 
Fox,  Dwiarht,  111.,  lost  a  substantial  and  well- 
known  citizen,  one  who  had  spent  thirty-two 
years  of  his  life  there.  Mr.  Fox  was  horn  in 
Rentlirigen,  Germany.  October  -4.  Is.",:;,  and  came 
to  America  in  1SJi4,  landing  in  New  York  City 
October  4.  and  going  direct  to  Milwaukee.  Wis. 
There  he  remained  for  a  few  years,  after  which, 
he   went  to    St.   Louis,    Mo„   where  he   was   en- 


gaged as  a  clerk  in  a  dry  goods  store.  He  then 
removed  to  Mt.  l'ulaski.  111.,  where  he  clerked 
for  some  time.  later  becoming  owner  of  a  dry 
goods  store  and  continued  a  mercantile  life  un- 
til the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War  in  April, 
lSOl.  lie  enlisted  for  three  months  with  the 
Seventh  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  Later  he 
re-enlisted  in  Company  II.  One  Hundred  and 
Sixth  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  with  that 
regiment  until  the  fall  of  1NG3,  when  he  be- 
came captain  of  the  Fifty-ninth  Colored  In- 
fantry, remaining  until  January  31,  LSGG,  when 
he  was  honorably  discharged,  bavin-  met  with 
the  misfortune  of  having  his  horse  shot  un- 
der him,  the  tall  crushing  his  ankle  and  mak- 
ing 111 lii  a  cripple  for  life.  During  his  years 
of  army  life  he  was  wounded  three  times.  After 
his  military  service  lie  located  at  Lincoln,  Ilk. 
where  he  was  employed  in  a  lumber  office 
until  1.S74,  moving  from  there  to  Dwight,  111., 
where  he  took  charge  of  the  William  Scully 
land,  which  embraced  about  12,000  acres  iii 
Grundy  and  Livingston  Counties,  which  posi- 
tion he  held  until  his  death,  September  .">.  190G. 
His  burial  was  in  Oak  Lawn  cemetery, 
Dwight.   III. 

Mr.  Fox's  first  wife  was  Magdalene  Mayer, 
a  native  of  Mf.  l'ulaski.  Ilk,  who  died  in  1S79. 
To  them  were  horn  the  following  children:  Wil- 
liam, who  died  in  1S0S ;  Henry,  of  Nelson,  Neb.; 
Anna:  Mi's.  Benjamin  Showalter,  of  Davenport, 
Neb. :  Lydia,  who  lives  with  Mrs.  Fox:  Lewis, 
of  Kansas  City.  Mo.;  Susan,  a  teacher  of  paint- 
ing in  Chicago:  Pauline;  Mrs.  Alonzo  Emans, 
of  Florida:  and  Daniel,  of  Hall  City.  Fla.  Mr. 
Fox's  second  marriage  occurred  October  28. 
1SS0,  with  Miss  Harriet  Chamberlain,  who  was 
horn  in  Western  New  York,  a  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam and  Nancy  (Jackson)  Chamberlain,  the 
former  horn  in  Vermont,  and  the  hitler  in  New 
York,  both  dying  in   New  York    State. 

Mr.  Fox  was  highly  educated,  having  at- 
tended educational  institutions  in  Stuttgart, 
Germany.  He  was  at  one  time  a  German  Lu- 
theran, hut.  after  coming  to  Dwight,  became 
associated  with  the  Presbyterian  Church.  In 
political  views,  he  was  a  Republican  and  served 
Dwight  as  mayor  several  terms  and  was  also 
a  member  of  the  Town  Hoard.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  A.  F.  A-  A.  M.,  of  Dwight;  Wilming- 
ton Chapter  No.  .VI?,.  R.  A.  M. ;  Rlaney  Com- 
mandery  of  Morris:  Council  of  Streator.  He 
belonged  to  Dwight  Encampment  No.  126,  I.  O. 
O.  F..  of  which  organization  he  was  a  member 
for  forty-eight  years.  He  belonged  also  to  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  No.  020,  Dwight 
Post,  and  was  a  member  of  the  military  order 
of  the  Loyal  Legion  of  Illinois.  Enterprising 
and  progressive,  he  was  looked  upon  as  one  of 
his  city's  representative  men,  and  was  highly 
esteemed   by  all. 

FRANCIS,  Joseph  II.— Whatever  may  be  the 
real  cause,  about  which  political  economists, 
philanthropists  and  social  service  workers  wide- 
ly differ,  it  remains  true  that  in  every  com- 
munity  there   exists   certain    individuals   so  de- 


812  HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

terniined  on  lawlessness  that  restraint  is  neees-  elected  sheriff,  in  1010.  As  an  officer  he  has 
sary  in  order  to  protect  the  innocent.  Hence  gained  a  reputation  all  through  the  Middle 
laws  have  been  formulated  and  officers  elected  West.  In  the  Gardner  hank  robbery  case,  lie 
to  carry  them  out  and  in  the  choice  of  these  broke  up  probably  the  worst  gang  of  yeggmen 
officers  lies  in  great  part,  the  efficacy  of  the  that  ever  operated  in  Northern  Illinois.'  In  his 
laws.  This  is  particularly  true  in  the  selec-  clever  work  in  the  silk  robbery  case,  in  which 
tion  of  men  to  till  the  dangerous  and  responsi-  he,  lone-handed,  captured  the  robbers  in  o. 
ble  office  of  sheriff  of  a  county,  and  compara-  Erickson  &  Son's  dry  goods  store,  he  put  an 
lively  few  men  possess  every  desirable  require-  end  to  a  band  of  criminals  that,  for  a  number 
inent  for  such  a  position.  Physical  strength  of  years,  had  covered  three  States  and  had 
and  endurance  must  be  combined  with  calm  cleaned  up  hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars 
judgment,  a  high  order  of  personal  courage,  a  in  silk  robberies.  His  recent  capture  of  two 
keen  intellect,  and  dexterity  and  adroitness  that  different  sets  of  Chicago  auto  bandits,  but  add- 
will  enable  him  to  meet  any  possible  ad  van-  cd  to  laurels  well  won  in  an  eventful  career 
tage  taken  by  the  lawless,  with  which  class  as  Sheriff.  At  St.  Louis,  in  1004  he  was  elected 
much  of  his  duty  is  concerned.  Thus  endowed  Vice  President  of  the  International  Sheriffs' 
is  Joseph  II.  Francis,  who  is  serving  in  his  Association,  and  at  St.  Paul,  in  1905,  was  re- 
second   term  as   Sheriff  of  Grundy  County.  elected   to   the  same  office. 

Joseph  II.  Francis  was  born  at  Francis,  File  Sheriff    Francis    was    married    at    Braceville, 

County,    Pa..    June   23,    1m;u.    and    is   a    son   of  Grundy  County.    III..   January   1,    1SS2,   p,   Miss 

Luther    and    Henrietta     (Cole)     Francis.      Both  Alice  M.  Cragg,  a  daughter  of  George  II.  Cragg. 

parents  were  horn  in  Erie  County,  Pa.,  to  which  she    was    born    on    the    home    farm    in    Maine 

section    his    grandparents    had    moved    in    Mid.  Township,  where  her  parents  still    reside,   April 

from  Vermont.     They  were  of  old  Quaker  and  r>.   ispi.     Her  father   was   born   in   a    log  house 

Puritan  stock,  very  religious  people,  frugal   and  now   standing  within   SO   rods  of  where  be  now 

thrifty.      They    left    a    family    of    nine    children,  lives,    which    was    built    in    ls;rj,    and    was.    dur- 

si.v  sons  and  three  daughters.     Luther  Francis,  ing   the  Civil    War  and   in  slavery  days,   one  of 

father  of  Joseph    II.    Francis,   was  a    farmer   in  the  stations  of  the  underground 'railway.   Sher- 

Franklin  Township.   Erie  County,  and  also   was  iff  Francis  and  wife  have  live  children:     Elmer 

engaged   in  a   real   estate  business.     During  the  L.,  who  enlisted  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years,  in 

Civil    War.    when    Erie   County    was    threatened  the    Spanish-American    War.    during    two    years 

with    invasion    by    the    Confederates,    he    served  of   service   in   the   Philippines   saw   hard   service 

as  a  minute  man.  under  Governor  Curtin.  Penn-  and    was   standing   within    100   feet    of  General 

sylvanin's  great   War  Governor,  and  was  one  of  Lawton    when    the    latter    was   killed,    and    was 

the  last    three   men    to   leave   the   neighborhood  one  of  the  officer's  escorts;  Maude  Ethel,  who  is 

and   was  badly    injured.      He   never  fully   recov-  the    wife   of    William    Campbell,    who    is    in    the 

ered  and  his  death  occurred  July  15,  ISSl.     One  clothing    business    at    Morris;    Claude    Eugene, 

son,    A.    W.    Francis,    served    during    three    and  Oscar  George,   and    F.   L.   Francis,   all   of  whom 

one-half    years    in    that    struggle.  are  acting  as  deputy  sheriffs  in  Grundy  County ; 

Joseph     II.    Francis     attended      the     district  and    Robert    James.      Mr.    Francis   is   a    member 

schools  of  Franklin  Township.  Erie  County,  and  of   the    Methodist    Episcopal    Church    at    Morris. 

passed   his   boyhood    on    his    father's    farm.      At  Up  is  a   Chapter  Mason  and  belongs  also  to  the 

the   age   of    eighteen    years    he    came    to    Brace-  Odd  Fellows,  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  White 

ville,  Grundy  County.    Ilk.  and   for  about    three  Cross    and    other    organizations    and    is    exceod- 

years   worked   on    farms    in    that    neighborhood,  ingly  popular  in  all. 

did  some  mining  also  in  Braceville.  and  after-  Sheriff  Francis  is  a  man  of  sterling  quali- 
ward,  for  aboul  eight  years  conducted  a  dairy  ties,  and  his  uprightness  of  character,  his 
farm.  Intelligently  interested  in  public  matters  splendid  fellowship  and  his  devotion  to  duty, 
he  soon  identified  himself  with  the  Republican  have  greatly  endeared  him  to  the  people  of 
party  and  has  never  changed  his  political  prin-  Grundy  County.  He  has  two  possessions  which 
ciplos.  His  first  preparation  for  the  office  he  he  treasures  highly,  one  being  his  handsomely 
has  so  ably  tilled  was  during  the  three  and  one-  enameled  and  engraved  star,  which  was  pre- 
half  years  when  he  acted  as  deputy  sheriff  tin-  sonted  to  him  immediately  after  his  election 
der  Sheriff  Johu  Schroder.  In  January.  1S9S,  to  office,  on  December  1.  1002,  by  his  many 
he  moved  to  Morris  and  was  appointed  deputy  friends,  and  the  other  is  a  gold  medal  bestowed 
sheriff  under  Sheriff  ('.  W.  Johnson,  and  served  upon  him  by  O.  Erickson  &  Son,  after  his  cap- 
in  that  capacity  for  three  and  one-half  years,  ture  of  the  silk  thieves.  September  2:i.  1000.  It 
during  which  period  he  made  sonic  very  im-  bears  an  inscription  setting  forth  his  bravery 
portant  captures,  one  of  these  in  1001,  (he  first  and  giving  the  date.  This  is  something  Mr. 
Black  Hand  criminal  in  Morris.  In  1002  he  Francis  feels  is  worth  while  handing  down  to 
was  elected  Sheriff  of  Grundy  County  by  the  his  descendants. 
largest    majority    ever    given    a    candidate    for 

that   office   and    served    four   years.      Fnder    the  FULLER,    Owen    Hiram. — Hone    arc    flic    days 

Illinois  law  a   man  cannot  serve  two  successive  when  pioneer  conditions  prevailed,  and  yet  they 

terms    either    as    sheriff    or    county    treasurer,  are    not -so    far    distant    that    they    are    not    re- 

hence.   Sheriff  Francis  was  then  elected   treas-  membered  by  those  still  living  who  participated 

nrer  and  served  four  years,  when  be  was  again  in    their    incidents.      One    of   those   justly    num- 


! 


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-     -*.  -.•..•-.i-.-.-.v.',:.- 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


813 


bered  among  the  pioneers  of  Grundy  County 
is  Owen  Hiram  Fuller,  who  delights  to  dwell 
upon  many  features  of  the  early  days,  while 
now  living  in  case  and  conifor!  at  Mazon,  after 
years  spent  in  useful  and  successful  endeavor 
as  a  fanner.  He  was  horn  in  New  York  State. 
January  10,  1S34,  a  son  of  Hiram  and  .May  Ann 
(Owen)  Fuller,  natives  of  Connecticut  and  .New- 
York  State,  respectively.  After  her  death  in 
-lS4d  in  Mazon  Township,  the  lather  married 
Eliza  Bowers,  who  died  in  lStiO.  lie  was  a 
fanner  in  the  latter  State  and  (luring  his  de- 
clining years  operated  a  grocery  store.  J  lis 
death  occurred  at  Old  -Mazon.  at  the  home  of 
his  son,  in  1.S72. 

In  1S39  the  Fuller  family  came  to  Grundy 
County,  although  at  that  time  it  was  included 
in  the  large  territory  known  as  La  Salle  Coun- 
ty. It  then  comprised  the  parents,  Hiram  and 
Mary  Ann  Fuller,  and  Owen  Hiram,  his  elder 
sister.  Elizabeth,  and  younger  -brother,  Velasco 
L.,  who  died  in  1S73.  The  parents  purchased 
land  in  Mazon  Township,  and  for  a  long  time 
alternated  fighting  wolves  with  combating  ague, 
the  scourge  of  the  pioneers  in  this  community. 

On  .Inly  30.  1S>3,  Owen  Hiram  Fuller  mar- 
ried YVealtha  [sham,  horn  October  23,  1N3G,  then 
only  seventeen  years  old.  for  the  pioneers  mar- 
ried early.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Gursham 
and  Eliza  A.  (Sanford)  Isham.  Eight  children 
were  horn  of  lliis  marriage:  Mary,  Lorrie  E., 
and  Yestie,  all  of  whom  are  dec-eased;  Olney, 
who  lives  at  Joliet,  married  Josie  Wright  and 
they  have  three  children.  Marl.  Kay  and  Rose; 
Altie.  who  married  < ».  s.  Yiner,  and  they  have 
two  children,  Flossie  and  Wayne,  and  three 
deceased,  Mary.  Clifford  and  Fred:  K.  Dale,  who 
lives  at  Centralia.  III.,  married  I.ulu  Kclfner, 
and  they  have  three  children.  Ethel,  Hazel  and 
Eulalia  ;  (din.  who  is  dec-eased;  and  Erlen,  who 
is  a  physician  of  Gardner.  HI.,  married  Cora 
Schrefler,  and  they  have  two  children,  olin  and 
Hiram. 

In  I.m.'O.  Mr.  Fuller  opened  a  wagon  shop 
at  Old  Mazon,  which  he  conducted  until  lS7.r>, 
lie  then  paying  $1.50  per  hundred  for  lumber. 
Selling  bis  business  after  fifteen  years'  opera- 
tion of  it,  Mr.  Fuller  came  to  M.  zon  and  en- 
gaged in  a  grain  and  lumber  business  in  part- 
nership with  0.  A.  Murray,  until  1S95,  when 
he  again  sold,  and  has  been  living  retired  ever 
since.  Casting  his  first  vote  for  .lames  Buchanan, 
he  has  continued  in  the  ranks  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  and  has  not  only  been  a  notary 
public,  but  for  a  quarter  of  a  century  has  been 
a  justice  of  the  peace  at  Mazon.  For  three 
terms  he  served  as  mayor  of  Mazon.  and  has 
been  on  the  school  board  for  many  years.  The 
Congregational  Church  holds  his  membership. 
and  benefits  from  his  liberality.  Mr.  Fuller  has 
seen  many  changes  take  place,  among  thorn  the 
wage  increase.  For  instance,  his  first  work 
for  outsiders  was  done  in  1st.",,  when  he  drove 
an  ox  team  to  break  the  tough  prairie  sod. 
For  this  back-breaking  work,  he  received  fifty 
cents  a  day.  and  was  very  glad  to  get  it,  for 
money  was   scarce.     Comparison    may   be   made 


for  any  kind  of  labor  today.  While  bis  educa- 
tional   training    was    confined    to    the    pioneer 

schools.  Mr.  Fuller  has  added  to  his  store  of 
information  by  observation,  and  is  a  very  well 
informed  men,  one  whose  opinion  is  asked  and 
taken  upon  many  occasions. 

GAMORA,  Joseph. — One  of  (he  substantial  men 
and  worthy  citizens  of  whom  Coal  City  is  justly 
proud,  is  Joseph  Gainora,  who  has  been  fortu- 
nate enough  to  so  succeed  in  his  life  work  that 
he  has  been  able  to  retire  before  old  age  has 
overtaken  him.  was  horn  in  Northern  Italy,  Sep- 
tember !»,  IMP,  ;i  son  of  Ralph  and  Gudemicka 
(Amosa)  Gamora,  natives  of  Italy.  His  parents 
were  farming  people  who  lived  and  died  in  their 
native  land,  the  former  in  Isc:;  and  latter  in 
1S04.  To  them  were  horn  six  children:  John, 
deceased;  Dominie,  Joseph,  Katrina,  Margue- 
rite and  ( 'hesalita. 

Joseph  Gamora  received  but  meager  school- 
ing in  Italy,  and  at  the  age  of  fifteen  was  em- 
ployed on  the  railroad  and  continued  until  he 
came  to  America  in  ISSl,  coming  direct  to  Coal 
City,  his  wife  remaining  temporarily  in  France. 
He  was  engaged  in  the  mining  industry  for 
fifteen  years,  and  later  became  one  of  the  fore- 
most business  men  of  the  place,  although,  for 
the  past  ton  years,  he  has  lived  retired.  He 
is  the  owner  of  one  of  tlK>  best  business  build- 
ings in  Coal  City  and  also  owns  a  tine  resi- 
dence. In  LS.S2.  Mrs.  Gamora  joined  her  bus- 
band  at  Coal  City.  They  are  the  parents  of 
the  following  children:  Ralph,  John,  Dominie, 
Felix.  Joe.  Tony.  Anna  and  Rosa.  Tony  Gamora 
attended  school  in  Coal  City,  ami  worked  in 
the  mines  until  entering  his  father's  business,  of 
which  he  is  now  manager.  On  June  12,  IDTts, 
he  married  Ellen  Stuart,  of  Coal  City,  and 
they  have  two  children.  Joseph  and  Agnes-  He 
is  affiliated  with  the  Eagles  of  Morris  and  the 
Foresters  of  Coal  City. 

Joseph  Gamora  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic 
Church,  and  belongs  to  an  Italian  lodge.  In 
politics,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  was  city 
treasurer  for  one  year.  Mr.  Gamora  has  been 
a  resident  of  Coal  City  for  thirty-two  years, 
and  it  is  his  intention  to  make  it  his  home  for 
the  remainder  of  his  life. 

GANTZERT,  Frank.— The  agricultural  activities 
of  Grundy  County  are  tempered  by  an  intelli- 
gent acceptance  of  existing  conditions  and  a  ' 
comprehension  of  the  requirements  of  farm  life. 
yet.  at  the  same  time,  due  consideration  is 
given  to  the  exceptional  advantages  here  of- 
fered, with  the  result  that  this  section  of  the 
State  commands  a  well  merited  supremacy 
along  many  lines.  One  of  the  men  now*  suc- 
cessfully engaged  in  fanning  is  Frank  Gantzert 
of  Section  In.  Good  Farm  Township.  He  was 
born  December  7.  1S74,  a  seen  of  John  Henry 
Gantzert  and  bis  wife,  Mary  (Heifer)  Gant- 
zert, the  former  born  in  New  York  State,  a  son 
of  John    Philip  Gantzert,  a   native  of  Germany. 

John  Henry  Canfzert  came  to  Illinois  in  1850 
with  his  parents,  settling  in  Good   Farm  Town- 


814  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

ship,  this  county.  On  February  24,  1S74,  he  ship  for  two  years,  thou  bought  eighty  acres 
married  and  settled  down  to  fanning,  becom-  in  that  same  township.  A  year  later  he  sold 
ing  the  owner  of  5110  acres  of  land.  '270  in  this  land  and  then  rented  for  one  year  more, 
Grundy  County,  and  the  balance  in  Livingston  when  he  purchased  his  present  farm  of  eighty 
and  Lee  Counties,  all  of  which  he  acquired  acres,  still  continuing  in  Nettle  Creek  Town- 
through  his  own  efforts  after  coming  to  this  ship.  His  property  is  a  valuable  one  and  he 
locality,  lie  and  his  wife  had  five  chillren :  conducts  it  according  to  modern  methods. 
Frank;  Clara,  who  is  .Mrs.  William  Huffman  of  On  January  s,  1S72,  Mr.  Gardner  was  married 
Good  Farm  Township;  Edward,  who  is  living  to  Mary  Jane  Riggs,  born  in  Marshall  County, 
in  Good  Farm  Township,  married  Anna  Bruner ;  YV.  Ya.,  daughter  of  Simeon  and  Hannah 
Fred,  who  is  living  on  his  father's  homestead,  (Bowen)  Riggs,  both  of  Marshall  County,  and 
married  Julia  Schrotberger ;  and  Elmer,  who  is  two  children  were  horn  of  this  marriage:  Elmer 
also  living  on  the  old  homestead.  The  father  >>".,  who  lives  in  Wisconsin,  and  William  L. 
and  mother  of  this  family  are  now  living  re-  Mrs.  Gardner  died  July  IS,  ls70.  On  January 
tired  at  Dwight,  ill.,  to  which  place  they  moved  2,  1SS1,  Mr.  Gardner  was  married  (second)  to 
in  1012.  Lucy  It.  Penlield,  horn  in  Oneida  County, "N.  Y., 

Frank    Gantzert    remained   at    home    with    his  daughter  of  Charles  and  Roweuna  M.    (Brown) 

parents,   attending   the  district    schools,   and   as-  I'entield  of  New    York  State.     Mr.  Gardner  is  a 

sisting  with  the  farm  work.     He  completed   his  Democrat,    and    has    served    as    school    director 

educational  training  ar  the  Dwight  high  school,  and    road   commissioner,    being   a    faithful    and 

and    in    the    Metropolitan    Business    college    of  conscientious    official.       He    is    a    good    fanner, 

Chicago,    attending   the    latter    institution    for   a  fine    business    man    and    excellent    citizen,    and 

year.      Following    that    lie    returned    home    and  commands  the  confidence  and  respect  of  all  who 

fanned    on    rented    land    until     1902,     hut     later  know   him. 
bought  KiO  acres  in  Mazon  Township.     His  wife 

owns  eighty  acres  in  Good   Farm  Township.     A  GARRITY,  Frank  I. — The  commercial  interests 

Republican   in   politics,   he  served  as  supervisor  of  Morris,  111.,  are  heing  ably  and  worthily  rep- 

for  one  year,  and   is  serving  in   his  third   year  resented  by   Frank    1.  Garrity,  a   citizen   whose 

as  a   justice  of  the  peace,   was  town  clerk   for  long  experience,   progressive  nature,  keen  judg- 

three   years,    and- school    trustee    for    the    same  incut   and    thorough    knowledge   of   trade   condi- 

length   of  time.  lions    make   him    well    known    in    the   marts   of 

On  March  9,  1S9S.  Mr.  Gantzert  was  married  commerce,  and  are  responsible  for  the  success 
to  Miss  Minnie  Burkhardt,  a  daughter  of  which  has  attended  the  Morris  branch  of  the 
Frederick  and  Mary  (Freewert)  Rurkhardt.  great  Chicago  wholesale  grocery  house  of  Henry 
and  they  have  had  four  children  :  Harold,  who  Horner  &  Company.  Mr.  Garrity  is  a  native 
died  when  one  week  old,  was  buried  in  Good  of  Chicago,  horn  March  'J.  1S71,  a  son  of  Fat- 
Farm  cemetery:  and  Everett,  Hazel  Alice  and  rick  L.  and  Nellie  (McNellis)  Garrity. 
Gilbert  Frank."  all  three  attending  school.  The  Patrick  L.  Garrity  was  horn  in  County  Mayo, 
family   belongs   to   the  Evangelical    Church.  Ireland,   February   22,  LS43,  and   was  six  years 

of  age  when  he  came  to  the  Fnited  States  with 

GARDNER,  James  M. — Grundy  County  lias  at-  his  mother.  Catherine  (Lally)  Garrity,  to  join 
traded  men  from  all  over  the  country,  as  well  his  father.  John  Garrity.  in  Chicago,  whence 
as  from  foreign  lands.  The  soil  here  is  so  he  had  preceded  them  two  years.  An  auibi- 
fertile  that  those  whose  work  is  the  cultivation  tious,  determined  lad.  at  the  ago  of  eight  years 
of  land,  know  that  they  can  make  good  profits  Patrick  L.  Garrity  received  Ins  introduction 
and  realize  heavily  upon  an  investment  in  to  business  life  in  selling  fruit  at  steamlniat 
farms,  One  of  the  men  who  has  developed  landings,  soon  thereafter  securing  a  position 
into  a  prosperous  agriculturists  within  the  con-  with  Stevens  &  French,  one  of  the  largest  fruit 
flues  of  the  county,  is  James  M.  Gardner  of  Net-  houses  of  Chicago,  in  1S53  he  became  a  car- 
tie  Creek  Township,  lie  was  born  in  Marshall  rier  for  the  Chicago  Journal,  and  two  years 
County.  W.  Ya..  March  10.  1S49,  a  son  of  Lemuel  later  was  employed  in  a  like  capacity  by  the 
L.  and  Emily  (Woods*  Gardner,  natives  of  Chicago  Dispatch.  He  became  a  mailing  clerk 
Trenton.  N.  J.',  and  Marshall  County.  W.  Ya..  re-  in  1S55,  but  in  1S5S  resigned  to.  take  a  course 
spectively.  After  attaining  his  majority,  the  at  Notre  Dame  University,  feeling  the  need  of 
father  went  to  West  Virginia,  and  later  moved  further  education.  He  spent  one  year  in  that 
to  Grundy  County.  111.  Although  a  carpenter,  institution,  and  then  reentered  the  employ  of 
he  bought  a  farm  in  Saratoga  Township  and  the  newspaper,  and  subsequently  took  a  coin- 
worked  it  until  lS9fi.  when  lie  retired,  moving  mercial  course  in  St.  Mary's  of  the  Lake  Col- 
then 4o  Morris,  where  he  died  in  1S0S.  his  widow  lege.  In  IS59  he  became  an  organizer  and 
surviving  him  until  June  29,  1012.  when  she  stockholder  in  the  company  which  purchased 
too  passed  away.  Roth  are  buried  in  Ever-  the  first  Chicago  Hotel  Reporter,  but  left  his 
green   cemetery   at   Morris.  position  with  that  periodical  to  become  cashier. 

James  M.   Gardner   was   brought    up   in    West  paymaster  and   ticket    seller   for  the  North   Chi- 

Virginia    and    there    educated    in    the    common  cago    Railroad    Company.      Again    entering    the 

schools.      He    remained    with    his    parents    until  employ  of  the  newspapers,  he  was  mailing  clerk 

his"  marriage,  when  he  rented  land  first  in  Sara-  for  the  Chicago  Herald.     He  was  but  eighteen 

toga  Township,  and  later  in  Nettle  Creek  Town-  years  of  age.   May   1.   1SG1,   when   he  embarked 


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HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


815 


in  the  confectionery,  business  in  partnership 
with  Edward  Scanlan,  and  shortly  thereafter 
became  sutler  in  the  Fifty-eighth  Illinois  Volun- 
teer Infantry  under  Col.  \V.  Lynch.  Alter  two 
years  at  Camp  Butler  he  returned  to  the  firm 
of  Scanlan  &  Garrity,  Mr.  Scanlan  retiring 
therefrom  in  September,  IMI5.  Following  this 
Mr.  Garrity  conducted  the  business  alone  until 
1S71.  when'  he  lost  $100,000  worth  of  goods  in 
the  great  Chicago  the.  in  addition  to  the  sav- 
ings of  a  lifetime.  In  the  following  May,  in 
the  burning  of  a  large  distillery  in  which  he 
was  interested,  he  again  sustained  a  heavy 
loss,  and  in  IsTU  he  accepted  a  position  in  the 
wholesale  house  of  Towle  &  Roper.  Two  and 
one-half  years  later  he  engaged  in  the  cigar 
and  tobacco  business,  in  which  he  was  inter- 
ested until  May  1.  1S&4,  and  then  joined  Ham- 
burger Brothers  in  forming  a  corporation  with 
$250,000  capital,  of  which  he  was  president  un- 
til 1SS7.  He  was  then  made  general  agent  of 
the  firm  <>f  Heymen  Brothers  &  Lowenstein, 
manufacturers  of  cigars  of  New  York  City  and 
had  charge  of  all  outside  business,  at  the  same 
time  being  president  of  the  National  Cereal 
Company,  of  St.  Louis,  in  which  he  owned  the 
majority  of  the  stock. 

Mr.  Garrity  was  married  June  21,  1SG4,  to 
Miss  .Nellie  A.  McNellis,  daughter  of  John  Mc- 
Nellis,  of  Morris,  and  to  this  union  there  were 
born  the  following  children:  Mary,  who  mar- 
ried T.  A.  Noonau,  and  is  now  deceased,  hav- 
ing bad  two  daughters.  Carmelita  and  Helen: 
Blanche,  residing  in  Chicago;  Joseph.  M.  I>.. 
of  Wisconsin:  Frank  I.;  .Maud,  deceased,  who 
married  Thomas  Knickerbocker,  and  had  two 
children,  Thomas  and  Helen  II.,  both  of  Chi- 
cago; Amelia,  who  married  Frank  K.  Venn-,  of 
Chicago:  Angela,  who  married  T.  1'.  Tivy.  of 
St.  Louis.  Mo.;  Lawrence  McN.,  of  Chicago;  and 
Leo,  or  New  York  City.  The  father  of  these 
children  died  September  23,  1S9S,  while  the 
mother  passed  away  February  22,  1S09. 

John  McNellis,  the  maternal  grandfather  of 
Frank  I.  Garrity,  was  horn  in  County  Donegal. 
Ireland.  June  1.  1S10.  and  in  1S35  hoarded  a 
ship  for  New  York  City.  After  arriving  in 
this  country  he  worked  around  New  York  and 
Pennsylvania,  accepting  whatever  honorable 
employment  presented  itself,  and  subsequently 
came  to  Ohio,  Kentucky  and  on  to  Illinois,  ar- 
riving in  this  State  March  17.  1S42,  and  com- 
ing to  Morris,  111.,  April  Lo,  1S44.  Here  he  pur- 
chased two  lots  on  the  corner  of  Washington 
and  Liberty  streets,  paying  therefor  $30.  He 
kept  store  in  the  first  building  in  the  city,  with 
a  stock  of  tea,  sugar,  tobacco  and  liquors,  and 
in  1S4S  commenced  to  buy  grain,  a  business  in 
which  he  was  engaged  for  twenty  years,  han- 
dling more  grain  than  any  other  man  between 
Chicago  and  St.  Louis,  and  in  four  months'  time, 
on  one  occasion,  clearing  $80,000.  He  was  phil- 
anthropic and  generous,  and  among  his  bene- 
factions were  ten  acres  of  land  and  the  west 
Wing  of  St.  Angelus  Academy,  Holy  Cross  So- 
ciety, which  alone  cost  $15,000;  $2,000  cash  and 
two  acres  to  the  Catholic  Church;  $100  to  the 


Presbyterian  Church  ;  $200  to  the  Congrega- 
tional Church;  $250  to  the  Episcopal  Church, 
and  a  sum  to  the  Baptist  Church.  His  death 
occurred  January  o,  187S. 

Frank  I.  Canity  received  his  education  in 
Chicago  at  St.  Ignatius  College,  and  at  Notre 
Dame.  Ind..  and  remained  with  his  parents  until 
he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  in  the  meantime 
receiving  a  short  business  training  in  his 
father's  cigar  store.  He  then  became  remit- 
tance clerk  in  the  Chemical  Trust,  and  Savings 
Bank,  and  one  year  later  went  to  St.  Louis, 
where  he  became  manager  and  treasurer  of  the 
National  Cereal  Company.  He  spent  four  years 
in  this  capacity  and  then  again  engaged  in  the 
cigar  business  with  his  father  in  Chicago,  but 
three  years  later  engaged  with  the  Fair  store, 
spending  one  and  one  half  years  in  the  receiv- 
ing department.  Mr.  Canity  next  entered  the 
employ  of  Swift  &  Company,  at  the  Union  Stock 
Yards,  and  as  an  employe  of  that  firm  went  to 
Joliet,  in  the  branch  house,  where  he  remained 
five  years.  He  next  became  Morris  representa- 
tive of  E.  C.  Ilarley  Company,  wholesale  grocers 
of  Dayton.  Ohio,  and  two  years  later  accepted 
a  like  position  with  the  Chicago  firm  of  Henry 
Horner  &  Company.  He  has  been  successful  in 
conducting  the  firm's  business  here,  ami  is 
known  as  one  of  the  progressive  and  reliable 
business  men  of  the  city. 

<  >n  December  27.  LS93,  Mr.  Canity  was  mar- 
ried in  Chicago.  111.,  to  Agnes  Clara  Frown,  who 
was  bom  at  Ottawa.  Ilk.  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Elizabeth  (Doherty)  Frown,  of  Tipperary. 
Ireland.  Mr.  Frown,  a  merchant  of  Ottawa, 
and  organizer  of  the  Ottawa  Volunteer  Fire  De- 
partment, died  in  that  city  about  1S7S,  his 
wlilow  passing  away  in  the  spring  of  1S09.  Mrs. 
Garrity  was  educated  in  the  Catholic  Convent 
at  Ottawa,  and  she  and  her  husband  are  mem- 
bers of  that  faith.  He  belongs  to  the  Knights 
of  Columbus,  at  Morris,  and  is  a  Democrat  in  his 
political  views.  In  1S9S  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Canity 
moved  into  their  present  residence,  which  was 
the  first  bricl;  house  in  Morris,  and  was  erected 
by  Mr.  Carritv's  maternal  grandfather.  John 
.McNellis. 

GAY,  William  (deceased),  one  of  the  early  set- 
tlers of  Wauponsee  Township,  was  born  in  Con- 
necticut. April  20,  ls20,  a  son  of  Robert  and 
Julia  Ann  (Crowell)  Cay.  William  Cay  came 
to  Grundy  County  in  1S54,  and  bought  a  fine 
farm  in  Wauponsee  Township,  operating  it  until 
isfif.  when  he  retired.  He  also  bought  consider- 
able realty  at  Morris.  In  1S50,  Mr.  Gay  married 
Marv  Matilda  Gulick  and  they  had  one  child, — 
Willis  Russell. 

GERMAIN,  Louis.— One  of  the  old  and  honored 
residents  of  Grundy  County,  Ilk,  who  in  spite 
of  the  lack  of  eariy  advantages  has  gained  a 
place  for  himself  among  the  substantial  men 
of  his  community,  is  Louis  Germain,  a  veteran 
of  the  Civil  War  and  a  citizen  who  in  every 
way  has  fulfilled  the  best  duties  of  citizenship. 
He    was    born    in    1S40,    at    Plattsburg,    Clinton 


816  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

County,   X.   Y..  at   tho  foot  of  the   Adirondack  able  movements  and  his  benevolences  have  been 

Mountains,  on  Lake  Champlain,  and  is  a  son  of  many.     For  the  past  twenty-five  years  ho  lias 

Peter  ami   Julia    (Christian)    Germain,   natives,  been  commander  of  tho  local  post  of  tho  Grand 

respectively,  of  France  and    Xew   York.  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  is  very  popular  with 

Ixniis  Germain's  father  was  employed  in  the  his  old  comrades,  as  he  is.  in  fact,  will)  all  who 
ore  mines  of  Now  York,  and  tile  family  was  in  know  him,  whether  in  business,  olflcial  or  social 
modest  financial  circumstances,  so  that  the  lad's  life.  In  politics  a  Republican,  during  the  early 
educational  advantages  wore  limited  to  short  sixties  he  entered  public  life  as  constable,  was 
attendance  in  a  little  log  cabin  schoolhouse.  later  deputy  sheriff  of  Grundy  County  for  four 
At  the  age  of  fifteen  years  ho  left  home  to  years,  was  twelve  years  a  member  of  tho  hoard 
make  his  own  way  in  the  world,  and  went  to  of  township  supervisors,  for  eleven  years  town- 
Sandy  Hill,  on  the  Hudson  River,  where  he  lived  ship  assessor,  and  I'm-  nine  years  was  a  member 
with  a  cousin  and  worked  on  the  river.  Suhso-  of  tho  township  hoard  of  trustees,  of  which  he 
quently,  he  came  west  with  a  railroad  con-  was  the  first  dork.  His  entire  official  life  was 
tractor  and  helped  in  tho  construction  of  an  devoted  to  the  host  interests  of  his  community 
extension  of  the  Michigan  Southern  Railroad  and  ho  won  the  universal  respeel  of  lis  fellow- 
to   Ligonier,    Ind.      There    ho    mot    and    married  townsmen. 

Miss  Mary  A.   Stone,   daughter  of   Richard   and  Six  children   were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ger- 

Mary    Ann    (Higgins)     Stone,    natives    of    Penn-  main:     Eva    G.,    now   Mrs.    Wilkinson,    living  at 

sylvania.     They   were  married   March   11.   1S.">9.  Beloit.  Wis.:  Mabel,  who  married  II.  1'..  Gould, 

by  Rev.  1).  I\  Hartman  of  Logan  County,   Ind.,  of   Morris,    111.:    Grace   E.,   who   married    II.    I'., 

and    in    that    year    came    west    with    tho    Stone  Holmes,    id'    i'.eloit,    Wis.;    Guy    L.,    residing    at 

family  and  located  in  Grundy  County.   111.     .Mr.  Jackson,    Wyo. :    and    Carrie    and    Lottie,    who 

Germain's  father-in-law  was  a  farmer  by  occu-  both  died  as  children  and  are  buried  in  Gardner 

pation,    and    Mr.    Germain    remained    with    Mi-.  Cemetery.       There     are     eight     grandchildren. 

Stone    for    throe    years.      He    then    accepted    a  Mrs.    Germain    is    a    member    id'    the    Woman's 

position  as  clerk   in  a   grocery  in  Gardner,  and  Relief  Corps, 
in   isTd   became   dork    for   tho   late   J.    C.    Lutz. 

who  was  engaged  in  the  grocery  and  dry  goods  GILCHRIST,  William.— The  various  business, 
business.  His  first  business  venture  of  his  own  financial  and  public  interests  of  Coal  City  are 
was  in  the  firm  of  Germain  &  Hastings,  under-  in  the  hands  of  men  who  can  lie  relied  upon 
takers  and  dealers  in  furniture,  the  partners  to  keep  them  up  to  standard,  and  we  find  an 
having,  all  told,  about  $."00  in  stock.  Mr.  Hast-  able  representative  in  William  Gilchrist,  an 
injrs  was  the  carpenter  of  the  linn,  made  al!  the  enterprising  and  progressive  business  man  who 
coffins,  and  did  the  greater  part  of  the  under-  is  engaged  in  the  coal,  ice  and  drayiug  busi- 
taking  work.  This  business,  however,  did  not  ness.  Mr.  Gilchrist  was  horn  in  Maine  Town- 
satisfy  Mr.  Germain,  and  in  1S72  hi'  formed  a  ship.' June  !>.  1S7S,  a  son  of  Dugald  and  Mar- 
partnership  with  R.  B.  lluss.  under  tho  firm  garet  (Anderson)  Gilchrist,  natives  of  Scot- 
style  of  Germain  ..V:  lluss.  in  a  general  merchan-  land,  who  came  to  America  in  1S72  and  settled 
disc  business  and  also  buying  ami  selling  prod-  in  Braidwood,  Ilk.  where  Dugald  Gilchrist  was 
uce.  This  venture  proved  successful,  hut  in  engaged  in  coal  mining  until  moving  to  Grundy 
I.S74  the  partnership  was  dissolved,  Mr.  Cor-  County  in  1S7.S.  when  ho  changed  his  occupation 
main  disposing  of  his  interests  to  Mr.  lluss.  to  farming,  which  he  followed  until  his  death 
He  then  became  a  professional  salesman,  which  in  l!)0(i.  To  him  and  wife  were  horn  seven  ehil- 
calling  he  had  followed  before,  and  for  many  dren.  live  of  whom  are  living,  namely:  Jane 
years  was  widely  known  for  his  activities  along  Robinson.  John.  William.  Anna  Rankin  and 
this  line,  he  being  one  of  tho   most   successful  Ronald. 

"wielders  of  the   hammer"    in    this   part    of   the  William    Gilchrist    was    horn    and    reared    in 

State.  the    country,    and    attended    the    country    school 

In    1SG4    Mr.    Germain    enlisted    in    the    One  until    ho   was    fourteen    years   of   age.    when    he 

Hundred     and     Forty-sixth     Illinois     Volunteer  started  in  business  for  himself  as  a   farm  hand, 

Infantry,    and    served    until    the    close    of    the  at    the    same    time    taking    contracts    for    tilling 

Civil   War.     He   was  commissioned   second   lieu-  farms.     Later  ho  operated  the  elevator  at   Gor- 

tenant   and    later   promoted    to    first    lieutenant,  man.  111.  which  position  he  held  for  eight  years. 

and  was  one  of  the  officers  detailed  to  guard  the  locating  in  Coal  City.  Illinois,  in  1911.     On  De- 

body  of  Abraham   Lincoln    when    the   martyred  eember  2s,  1910,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 

president  lay  in   state   at    Springfield,   and    was  Alice  Crellin.  a  native  of  Waupousee  Township. 

an  escort  to  the  burial  grounds.     Mr.  Germain  and  daughter  of  Thomas  II.  and  Angela    ( Wel- 

has   been    successful    in    his    business    ventures.  don  I     Crellin.    residents    of    Waupousee    Town- 

and  owns  500  acres  of  farming  land  in  Grundy  ship.     They  have  one  daughter,  Anita  Muriel. 

County,  a  beautiful   home  in  Gardner,  and  sev-  Mr.  Gilchrist  is  a  loyal  and  liberal  member  of 

era]  other  town   properties.     Although  deprived  the   Methodist    church,   ami    is  associated    with 

of  advantages  in  his  youth,  he  has  been  a  dose  the  Masons  at  Braidwood,   111.     He  is  a  strong 

student    and    observer,    and    is    a    self-educated  Republican,    and    for   four   years    served    as    as- 

man,    alive    to   all    the    real    topics    of    the   day.  sessor    and    collector    of    Maine    Township.      In 

While  not    affiliated    with    any    church,   he   is   a  addition  to  his  business  interests.  Mr.  Gilchrist 

liberal   contributor   to  all    religious   and   charit-  is  the  owner  of  an  eighty-acre  farm   in   Maine 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


817 


Township.     lie  is  n   inaii  <>f  good  business  abil- 
ity, and   has   met    with   gratifying  success.      He 

lias  a   reputation   for   h st    business  methods, 

fair  and  straightforward  dealings,  and  is  highly 
esteemed  b\    his  many  friends. 

GIOANETTI,  Charles.— There  is  no  doubt  but 
that  Italy  has  given  the  I'nited  States  some 
very  responsible,  hard-working  citizens  who  are 
steadily  forging  ahead  in  whatever  lines  they 
have  entered.  There  are  a  number  of  Italians 
at  Coal  City  and  among  them  Charles  Oioanetti 
occupies  a  deservedly  prominent  place,  as  his 
bakery  is  one  of  the  leading  business  houses 
of  its  kind  in  the  city.  He  was  horn  in  north- 
ern Italy.  January  21,  Is?:!,  a  son  of  Joe  and 
Gretta  (Donieuioh)  Gioanetti,  both  of  whom 
died  in  Italy.  The  father  was  a  baker.  They 
had  thirteen  children,  of  whom  four  survive, 
Charles  being  the  youngest. 

Charles  Gioanetti  attended  school  in  his  na- 
tive land,  where  he  was  taught  the  trade  of 
a  baker.  In  11)01  he  came  to  the  United  States, 
locating  at  Chicago,  where  he  lived  until  1!)0T, 
when  he  came  to  Coal  City  and  opened  his  pres- 
ent establishment  in  partnership  with  G. 
Zcano,  hut  is  now  alone.  His  is  the  only  Italian 
bakery  in  the  city,  and  consequently  receives 
a  large  patronage  from  his  fellow  countrymen, 
although  he  does  a  substantial  amount  of  busi- 
ness with  ethers  who  appreciate  the  quality  of 
his  product.  Mr.  Gioanetti  owns  his  own  build- 
ing which  is  conveniently  located  on  the  main 
street  of  Coal  City. 

In  lflO.I  Mr.  Gioanetti  married  Theresa  Ma- 
rango.  and  they  have  three  children:  Joe.  Lucy 
and  Mary.  The  Catholic  Church  holds  the  fam- 
ily membership,  while  Mr.  Gioanetti  is  a  Repub- 
lican, politically.  Energy  and  hard  work  have 
placed  him  where  he  is  now.  and  undoubtedly 
will  still   further  advance  his  fortunes.- 

GLENN,  Robert  James.  -Xo  man  who  owns 
Grundy  County  property  need  fear  the  future 
for  he  has  that  which  will  always  give  him  a 
fair  income,  and  will  increase  in  value  with 
each  succeeding  year.  One  of  the  farmers  of 
Grundy  County  who  has  attained  to  more  than 
ordinary  success  along  agricultural  lines  is  Rob- 
ert James  Glenn,  owner  of  eighty  acres  of  land 
in  Vienna  Township.  He  was  born  on  his  pres- 
ent property  in  1S75,  a  son  of  Robert  ami  Cather- 
ine (Thomas)  Clean,  the  former  born  in  Ire- 
land, and  the  latter  in  Wales.  When  he  attaiued 
his  majority,  Robert  Glenn  came  to  Grundy 
County,  and  farmed  until  he  retired  to  Verona, 
where  he  now  resides.  lie  and  his  wife  had 
three  children  :  Mary  Telliiigham,  Anna  Knibbs 
and  Robert  James. 

Robert  James  was  brought  up  on  his  present 
farm  and  sent  to  the  district  schools.  He  not 
only  operates  his  own  farm,  but  202  acres  be- 
longing to  his  father,  and  specializes  on  hog 
raising  upon  an  extensive  scale.  In  addition 
to  raising  hogs,  he  buys  in  large  quantities  and 
is  a  heavy  shipper  to  the  market.  In  1S05,  Mr. 
Glenn    was    married    to    Sadie    I>ix    of    Grundy 


County,  and  they  have  had  six  children  :  Robert, 
Melvin,  Catherine.  Lloyd,  Erwin  and  an  unnamed 
infant  who  with  Catherine  is  deceased.  Mr. 
Glenn  is  a  Mason,  belonging  to  the  Verona  lodge 
of  that  order,  lie  is  very  liberal  in  politics,  be- 
lieving that  it  is  preferable  to  vote  for  the  man 
rather  than  to  be  bound  by  party  ties.  Owing 
to  his  ]-.\[^  agricultural  interests,  Mr.  Glenu 
has  not  had  the  time  or  desire  to  go  into  public 
life,  but  if  he  did  there  is  no  doubt  but  that  he 
would  give  to  official  matters  the  same  conscien- 
tious attention  that  he  docs  to  his  private  affairs. 

G00LD,  Hiram  C,  was  a  member  of  a  prom- 
inent Grundy  County  family.  He  was  born  in 
Orleans  County,  N.Y.,  October  2'.i,  1821,  and 
located  at  Morris,  in  1S48,  and  several  years 
after  coming  to  this  city,  he  established  himself 
as  a  druggist.  In  1852,  he  was  elected  County 
Superintendent  of  Schools  and  held  that  oflice 
for  ten  consecutive  years.  In  the  fall  of  1S53, 
he  married  Clementine  L.  Baker,  born  in  Genesee 
County,  X.  Y.  in  IslM.  and  they  had  one  son, — 
Hiram  1'..  A  Congregationalist,  Mr.  Goold  not 
only  took  an  active  part  in  church  work,  but  was 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  connected 
with  that  denomination  at  Morris,  and  was  also 
active  in  temperance  movements. 

GORHAM,  Henry  G.,  general  merchant  at 
Wauponsee  station.  III.,  belongs  to  one  of  the 
early  settled  families  of  Grundy  County  and 
one  that  has  always  been  held  in  esteem.  He 
was  born  in  November,  1S-1.S.  at  Hennepin,  in 
Putnam  County.  111.,  mid  is  a  son  of  Gardener 
T.  and  Elizabeth  A.  (Newport)  Gorham.  Gar- 
dener T.  Gorham  was  born  in  New  York  and 
his  wife  in  Ohio  and  they  were  married  in 
Illinois.  In  his  early  life  he  was  a  trader 
with  the  Indians  and  a  merchant  at  Hennepin, 
and  at  one  time  he  operated  boats  on  the  water- 
ways. In  ls-JI)  he  moved  to  Grundy  County 
and  bought  a  farm  in  Vienna  Township  and 
here  carried  on  agricultural  pursuits  until  his 
death  in  1S74.  His  widow  survived  until  1SD2, 
residing  with  her  son  until  her  death.  The 
family  consisted  of  three  children:  Mary,  who 
is  deceased;  Henry  G.  ;  and  Jessie,  who  is  a 
resident   of  Chicago. 

Henry  G.  Gorman  attended  the  district 
schools  in  his  boyhood  ami  later  Lombard  Col- 
lege, at  Galesburg,  and  also  took  a  commer- 
cial course  in  a  business  college  at  Pough- 
keepsie.  X.  Y.  Following  the  death  of  his 
father  he  conducted  the  home  farm  until  1887, 
ami  then  embarked  in  the  mercantile-  business 
at  Wauponsee  Station,  where  he  built  a  grain 
elevator  at  the  same  time  and  has  continued  in 
business  here  ever  since,  lie  is  known  all  over 
Grundy  County  and  his  reputation  is  that  of  a 
stable,  reliable  business  man  and  a  useful  and 
worthy  citizen. 

In  November.  187fi,  Mr.  Gorham  was  married 
to  Miss  Clara  Lord,  who  was  born  in  Kendall 
County.  111.,  a  daughter  id"  Lucius  and  Catherine 
(Mcl'arlin)  Lord.  They  have  two  children: 
Mabel,    who   is   the   wife   id'   Aaron   Harford,   of 


818  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

Chicago,  ami  they  have  one  daughter.  Cather-  GRANBY,  Theodore  Barron,  a  veteran  of  the 
ine;  and  Hairy,  who  conducts  the  old  home  Civil  War,  and  a  valued  citizen  of  Vienna  Town- 
farm.  Ho  married  -Miss  Genevieve  Duer,  of  ship,  was  born  September  10,  1S40,  at  Cairo, 
Kansas  City,  M<>.,  and  they  have  two  sons,  Greene  County,  New  York,  and  is  a  son  of 
Charles  and  Lucius.  In  politics  Mr.  Gorham  James  A.  and  Eliza  Ann  (Carter)  Granby, 
has  given  his  political  support  in  the  past  to  both  natives  of  that  county.  He  attended  the 
the  Republican  party  but  has  been  no  seeker  for  district  schools  in  Ids  native  place,  ami  was 
office,  lie  is  identified  with  the  Masonic  fra-  fourteen  years  of  age  when  the  family  came 
ternity  and  belongs  to  Blaney  Oommaudery,  at  to  Grundy  County.  111.,  locating  on  canal  land 
Morris.  in    Vienna    Township,    which    then    was    almost 

entirely    unimproved,    only    a    small    house    had 

GOSS,  Julius  C.  A.,  a  progressive  agriculturalist  been    built.     This  land   was   on    Section   5,   and 

of    Xorman    Township,    has    developed    his    line  here  .lames  A.  Granby  spent   the  remainder  of 

farm    until    it    is   one  of   the   most    valuable    in  his  life  in  cultivating  the  soil,  dying  December 

Grundy  County,     lie  was  horn  in  this  township,  'S.\,   ImI'.i,   his   wife   having   passed   away  Novein- 

December   19,    1S70,   a    sou   of    Perry   and   Mary  ber  4.    1S67.      Their   children    were   as   follows: 

Frames    (Spilman)     (Joss,    natives    of    I'ortage  Theodore    Barron;    George    W.,    who    met     his 

County,    Ohio,    and    Allen    County.    Ky..    respec-  death   as   a    soldier   in   the   Union   army,   at    At- 

tively.     They    were    married    at    Crawfordville,  lanta.  Ga.,  July  21,  1SGJ  ;  James  M..  who  died 

Ind.,  in   1S50,   ami  lived   there  until    1854,   when  at   Cheyenne,  WyO.,  April  23.  M:'.i:   William  A., 

they  came  to  Xorman  Township,  Grundy  Coun-  a    resident    of    Catskill,    X.    V.;    Mary    A.,    the 

ty,  and  in  lSuo  liought  a   farm  of  120  acres,  to  widow    of     James     Jones,    of     Kankakee,     111.; 

which    they    later    added    eighty    acres.      The  Henry   A.,   who  died   May   s,   1009;    Frances  C. 

father    was    a    schoolteacher    and    farmer,    and  who   married  Jeremiah   Tinsman,   of   Kankakee. 

taught    school    for    about    seven    years    prior    to  Ilk:    ami    Harriet    M..    the    widow    of    Michael 

coming    to    Illinois.      In    IS99    he   died,    but    the  Burns,  of  Kankakee. 

mother  survives  and  makes  her  home  on  the  Theodore  1'..  Granby  was  reared  to  agricul- 
farm.  They  had  the  following  children :  Albert  tural  pursuits,  and  early  in  the  war  between 
B.,  who  is*  deceased;  William  E.,  who  is  of  the  states  enlisted  firs)  in  the  Mechanical  En- 
Troutdale.  Oregon;  Charles  B.  S.,  who  is  of  gineers.  under  Captain  James  Miller,  a  mili- 
Xew  Rockford.  X.  I  >. :  Mary  F.  who  is  a  tary  organization  which  was  never  mustered 
teacher  in  the  Chicago  schools;  George  I'.,  who  into  the  service.  On  August  1<>.  1S02.  he  en- 
is  deceased;  John  F.,  who  is  of  New  Rockford,  listed  in  the  Seventy-second  Illinois  Volunteer 
X.  D. ;  Edwin  I...  who  is  of  Carrington,  X.  !>.;  Infantry,  in  Chicago,  under  the  auspices  of  the 
Eva  J.,  who  lives  with  her  mother ;  Julius  C.  A.,  Foard  of  Trade,  this  being  the  first  Board  of 
who  is  the  youngest.  Trade   regiment   to  mi  to  the   front,     first    sent 

Julius    C.    A.    Coss    has    always    lived    on    the  to  Cairo,  111.,  it  went  on  to  Baducah.  Ky..  where 

farm    which    he    now    conducts,    doing    general  it  did  guard  duly,  then  L'oiii^  to  Columbus.  Ky.. 

fanning  and  raising  horses  ami   Ilolstein  cattle.  where    General    Grant    assembled    his    men    for 

He  received  his  educational  training  in  the  local  the    Vicksburg    campaign    in    the    fall    of    1SC2. 

schools.      In  politics  he   has   been   a    Republican  The    Seventy-second    was    in    the    Army    of    the 

since    first    voting,    and    has    served    as   assessor  Tennessee,    doing    duty    all    about    that    section 

for    three   years;    as    school    trustee    for    three  in  the  Seventeenth  Army  Corps.     In  the  follow- 

years;   as  a    school    director   since    1900   and   as  ing   spring    it    was   in    the   baffles   of  Raymond, 

justice  of  the  peace  since  1S99.     Fraternally  he  Champion's   Hill   and    Flack    Fiver   Bridge,   and 

'belongs  to  the  odd  fellows.   Star  Lodge  Xo.  7~>  from    May    10   to   May   22   fought   at    Vicksburg, 

of  Morris:  the  Rebeccas  and  Encampment;  the  losing  many   men.     The   regiment   occupied   the 

Knights  of  Pythias.  Xo.  17S  of  Morris,  and.  the  city  from  July  -!.  until  September,  when  it  was 

A.   O.   O.  G.  of  Xorman   Township.     Since   1907  sent    to    Natchez,    at    which    place    Mr.    Granhy 

he   has  been   a   director   of   the  Grundy   County  was    taken    seriously    ill    and    was    sent    to    his 

Fair  association.  home  on  a   furlough.     After  two  months,   he  re- 

On  March  7,  1001,  Mr.  Coss  was  married  to  gained  his  health  and  rejoined  his  regiment  at 
Maryett  Hodge,  born  in  Saratoga  Township,  Vicksburg.  in  the  winter  of  1SG3.  and  soon 
daughter  of  William  H.  and  Clara  J.  (Ridge-  thereafter  was  on  special  detail  with  General 
way)  Hodu'C.  natives  of  England  and  Indiana  Butterfield  on  boat  to  New  Orleans.  After  re- 
spectively. The  maternal  grandfather.  Sam-  turn  to  Vicksburg  he  was  detailed  to  post  head- 
uel  Ridgewav,  was  a  very  early  settler  of  quarters,  then  joined  his  regiment  and  in  Xo- 
Grundv  County.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Goss  have  had  vemher,  1mm.  it  went  to  Nashville  and  from 
the    following    children:     George    Perrv,    Clara  *ere   to   Columbia,   Tenn     where  two  days  of 

battle  ensued.     On  November  .JO,  lsdl,  the  regi- 


Franees,  Willard  Henry.  Ada  Lucile,  Harold 
Robert  and  Helen  Madeline  (twins),  and  Anna 
May.       Helen     Madeline     died     when     thirteen 


ment  went  to  Franklin,  Tenn..  and  worked  all 
day  throwing  up  rifle  pits,  the  men  working  for 
twenty-four   hours   without    stopping.      This   was 


months  old.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Goss  stand  very  high  oup  0"f  the  bloodiest  battles  of  the  entire  war, 

in     public    opinion,     and     have     many     friends  there    being    an    awful     slaughter    of    soldiers, 

throughout    the  county   whom   they   welcome   at  Eighty-four    Union    men    of    his    regiment    were 

their  pleasant   home  with   cordial   hospitality.  captured  by  the  Confederates,  among  them   Mr. 


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9 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY.  819 

Granby.  They  were  transferred  around  until  who  died  December  20,  1S91;  Mrs.  J.  J.  Bred- 
placed  in  a  stockade  at  Meriden,  Miss.,  where  shall,  of  Chicago;  Isabel,  of  Chicago;  Andrew 
they  remained  ten  days.  They  then  went  to  T.,  of  Saratoga  Township ;  Franklin  L,  of  Sara- 
Montgomery  and  when  transportation  was  se-  toga  Township;  and  Edward  M.,  Albert  O.,  Anna 
cured  were  sent  to  Andersonville  prison,  where  Malinda  and  Martha,  all  at  home. 
they  remained  from  January  until  March  L0.  After  coming  to  Illinois,  Mr.  Granville  settled 
At  that  time  they  secured  their  parole  and  were  in  Kendall  County,  where  he  resided  until  LS73, 
sent  to  Vicksburg  by  the  Tinted  States  Govern-  in  that  year  making  removal  to  Saratoga  Town- 
mentv  where  they  remained  unil  May.  then  go-  ship.  Grundy  county.  To  his  original  purchase 
ing  up  to  St.  Louis  and  Fort  Henton,  and  on  to  of  eighty  acres.  Mr.  Granville  kept  adding  from 
Springfield,  111.,  where  they  secured  their  lion-  time  to  time  until  he  had  320  acres,  on  which 
orable  discharge.  August  7,  1SU5.  Mr.  Granby  he  continued  to  farm  and  raise  stock  until  his 
returned  to  his  home  at  the  close  of  his  service.  death.  An  able  farmer  and  excellent  judge  of 
and  took  up  the  duties  of  peace,  working  by  stock,  he  was  often  consulted  as  to  agricul- 
the  month  until  the  fall  of  of  IXIfi.  At  that  tural  matters  and  was  ever  ready  to  assist 
time  he  purchased  an  eighty-acre  farm  in  Sec-  others.  For  nine  and  one-half  years  he  served 
tion  10,  Vienna  Township,  on  which  he  has  as  treasurer  of  Saratoga  Township,  holding  that 
since   made   his   home.  office  at  the  time  of  his  demise.     lie  also  served 

On  November  10,   1V72.  Mr.  Granby  was  mar-  six    years    as    assessor    and    was    active    in    the 

ried    to    Mary    Eveline    Cooper,    who    was    born  rank--  of  the   Republican   party.     For  a   number 

at  Rockville,  Parke  County,  Fnd..  July  12.  1S40.  of    years    he    taught     school     in     Kendall    and 

daughter   of   William    and    Francos    A.    (Garri-  Grundy  Counties,   and    furthered    the   cause    of 

son  i    Cooper.     She  died  October   1,  1S02,  having  religion  by  helping  to  build  Lutheran  Churches 

been    the    mother    of    one    son.    Edgar    A.,    born  in  these  two  counties. 
August  Id.  Is?.'!,  who  has  always  lived  at  home. 

lie  married  Janet    Archibald.     Mr.   Granby   is  a  GREEN,   Daniel    Thomas,    who    has    served    as 

Republican    in    his     political     views,     and    has  President  of  the  P>oard  of  Education  of  South 

served  as  supervisor,  collector  and  in  numerous  Wilmington,    is    a    man    of    more    than    average 

other  public  capacities.     He  is  widely  known   in  ability  and  standing  in  his  community.     lie  is  a 

Vienna    Township,    and    has    gained    numerous  sou  of  William  and   Eliza    (Whormsby)    Green, 

friends   through    his   upright    life,    his   integrity  natives   of    England    who    came    to    the    United 

and   his  geniality.  States  in  1SG1,  locating  at  Woodville,  Mich.,  but 

they  after  seven  years,  in  ISO'S,  moved  to  Grundy 

GRANVILLE,  K.  M.  J.  (deceased).— Among  the  County,   and    selecting    Braid  wood,    lived    there, 

old    and    honored    residents   of    Grundy    County  the  father  working  in  the  mines  until  his  death 

who  claim   Norway   as  the   place  of  their   birth  in  1NS1.     lie  was  laid  to  rest  in  Oakwood  Cenie- 

was  K.  M.  J.  Granville,  of  Saratoga    Township,  tery.      The    mother    is    still    living,    making    her 

whose    long    and    useful    career    was    ended    by  home  at  Braidwood.     Of  their  twelve  children, 

death.    October    1.    IsPfi.      Lor    many    years    he  five    are    deceased,     the    living    being:     Daniel 

bad   been   connected    with    the   fanning  industry  Thomas,    who    was    bom    in    England,    May    10, 

and   for   a.    hum   period    he   had   also  been   prom-  1S."jC>;  Mary  11..  who  is  Mrs.  Thomas  M.  Thomas 

inent  in  political  mailers,  and  in  every  relation  of  Joliet,  HI.:  Joseph  W..  who  is  superintendent 

of  life   held   the  high    regard   and   confidence   of  of  the  Bunker  Hill  Military  Academy  located  in 

his    fellow    citizens.      Mr.    Granville    was    born  the  vicinity  of  St.  Louis;  Drucilla,  who  is  living 

May    17.    1V27.    in    Norway,    and    was    a    son    of  with  her  mother  :  Lilly,  who  is  Mrs.  Charles  Van 

John    and    Belle     (Mulstcr)     Granville.      John  Dorn  of  Joliet,  111. ;  Alice,  who  is  superintendent 

Granville  was  born  in   Norway  in  ISOS,  and  for  of  the  Lincoln  school  of  Joliet,  111.;  and  Walter, 

a  number  of  years  was  eount'j    clerk    in   his  na-  who    is    of    Marseilles.    HI.,    is    an    examiner    of 

five  hind,  and  died  in   1N57.  while  his  wife,  born  mines. 

in  1S00.  passed  away  in  1SS1.  Daniel  Thomas  Green  received  his  educational 

K.  M.  J.  Granville  received  good  educational  training  in  the  public  schools  of  England  and  the 

advantages   in   his   native   land,    and    was    there  United    States,  as   he  was  only  eight    years  old 

married  to  Carrie  Kylhe.  by  whom   he  had   two  when  the  family  came  here.     When  he  was  ten 

children:    John,    who   is   deceased,    and   another  years   old.    he   stalled    work    in   the   coal    mines 

son,    who    died    in    infancy.      His    wile    died    in  with    his   father,    thus   continuing   until    he    was 

ISofi.and  in  that  same  year  Mr.  Granville  came  fifteen  years  old.  when  he  began  studying  eugi- 

to  the  United   States,   settling   first    in   Chicago  neering,  and  his  persistent  efforts  were' rewarded 

and     subsequently     removing     to     Lisbon,     ill.  hy  the  bestowal  of  his  certificate  by  the  Illinois 

There  he  was   married    (second)    in   September.  State  Board   at   Peoria   in   1S95.     For  the   past 

1S5S,   to   Martha    Anderson,    who   was   born    He-  twenty-two  years   he  has  been  an   engineer  for 

cember  16,  1S40.  daughter  of  Ole  and  Christina  the    Chicago,     Wilmington     &    Vermilion    Coal 

(Balstadt)     Anderson.       Mrs.     Granville's     par-  Company,   and    is   now    running   their  engine   at 

cuts  came  to  LaSalle  County.    Ilk.   in   1S44.  and  No.  ;;  mine  at  South  Wilmington, 

there    followed    farming    six    months,    hut    sub-  On  April  22,  1S>79,  Mr.  Green  married  Zillah 

sequently    moved    to    Newark.    Kendall    County.  Holdworth,    a    daughter    of    John    and    Harriet 

where  both   died.     Mr.   and   Mrs.   Granville   had  Holdworth.    natives    of    England.      Mrs.    Green 

the     following     children:      Caroline     Josephine,  was    horn    in    Ohio   May    IS,   1S.>S,   and   died   at 


820 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


Braidwood,  III.  She  \v;is  l.i id  in  rest  iii  Oak- 
wood  Cemetery.  Ten  children  were  bom  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Green,  namely  :  Ernest  Adolphus,  born 
November  25.  l.ssO,  died  March  1.  1800,  and  is 
bui'ied  in  Oakwood  Cemetery;  Royal  Daniel, 
born  June  13,  1882,  is  an  engineer  and  lives 
at  South  Wilmington;   Harriet   Eliza,  burn  .Inly 

1,  1884,  is  now  Mrs.  John  10.  Lewis  and  lives 
at  Herron,  111.;  Stanley,  died  in  infancy;  Robert 
Allen,  born  January  12,  l.xs.7,  is  an  engineer  and 
lives  at   Ziegler,   111.;   Howard  1'ere.v,  born  May 

2,  1889,  is  living  at  South  Wilmington;  Chester 
William,  horn  May  12,  1802,  is  living  at  South 
Wilmington;  Daniel  Herbert,  horn  June  1.'!.  1894, 
is  attending  college  at  Decatur  and  studying 
electrical  engineering;  Lillian  Zillah,  horn  Feb- 
ruary 20,  IV.it;,  is  attending  school ;  and  Clarence 
John,  horn  July  !>.  1898,  is  attending  school  at 
South  Wilmington.  Mr.  Green  is  a  Methodist, 
while  politically  he  is  a  Republican  and  served 
as  an  Alderman  of  Braidwood  tor  two  years, 
and  for  four  years  has  been  President  of  the 
Hoard  of  Education  of  South  Wilmington,  being 
placed  in  that  otliee  upon  his  election  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  hoard.  Mr.  Green  owns  his  resi- 
dence and  is  a  man  of  independent  means. 

GREER,  James. — Ireland  has  given  America 
some  of  its  most  reliable  and  substantial  men. 
and  a  number  of  them  have  located  in  Grundy 
County  where  they  have  prospered,  being  en- 
gaged in  various  lines  of  work.  .Many  have 
become  farmers,  and  developed  good  agricul- 
tural properties,  among  them  being  James 
Greer  of  Vienna  Township.  lie  was  horn  in 
County  Mayo.  Ireland.  May  24,  l^.'JT.  a  son  of 
Patrick  and   N'ancy    (Kelly)    Greer. 

In  1854  .Mr.  Greer  left  his  native  laud  for  the 
United  States,  and  settling  in  La  Salle  County, 
111.,  uiH.n  his  arrival,  engaged  in  farming  there 
until  1SC7,  when  he  moved  to  Norman  Town- 
ship, Grundy  County.  Soon  afterward  he 
bought  a  farm,  and  kept  on  adding  to  his 
holdings  until  he  now  owns  coo  acres  of  land 
located  in  Ma/.on.  Vienna  and  Norman  Town- 
ships. Until  his  retirement  in  1805,  he  car- 
ried on  general  farming,  hut  since  that  date 
has  not  taken  an  active  part  in  the  cultivation 
of  his  land.  On  May  24.  18(11.  he  enlisted  for 
service  in  the  Civil  War.  in  Company  1'.  Six- 
teenth Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served 
until  June,  18C4,  when'  he  was  honorably  dis- 
charged, and  returned  to  Grundy  County. 

On  May  31,  1SC9,  Mr.  Greer  was  married  to 
Mary  Duffy,  lorn  at  Ottawa.  La  Salle  County. 
111.,  March  27.  1840,  a  daughter  of  Patrick  and 
Ellen  (Martin)  Duffy,  natives  of  County  Gal- 
way,  Iceland.  They  came  to  La  Salle  County, 
111.,  in  183S,  and  both  died  there.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Greer  have  had  the  following  children: 
Henry,  who  is  of  Vienna  Township;  Mary,  who 
is  Mrs.  William  Hal  ton  of  Vienna  Township; 
and  Gertrude  G.  at  home,  Mr.  Greer  belongs 
to  the  Catholic  Church  at  Verona.  The  Morris 
Post,  G.  A.  It.  holds  bis  membership,  and  he 
finds  pleasure  in  meeting  his  old  comrades. 
Mr.  Greer   is  one  of  the  best  examples  of  the 


retired  agriculturalist  of  Grundy  County,  ami 
his  prosperity  has  been  earned  through  his  own 
industry,  economy  and  keen  business  ability, 
intelligently    directed. 

GRIGGS,  Siegle  A.— One  of  the  old  and  honored 
families  of  Grundy  County,  is  that  hearing  the 
name  of  Griggs,  members  of  which  have-occu- 
pied important  positions  in  various  walks  of  life 
in  this  section  for  many  years.  A  worthy  repre- 
sentative of  the  name  is  found  in  the  person  of 
Siegle  A.  Griggs,  whose  pleasant  country  home 
is  situated  on  Morris  Rural  Route  No.  2.  and  who 
is  extensively  engaged  in  general  farming  oper- 
ations in  Saratoga  Township.  He  was  horn 
al  Morris.  January  25,  1st'.'!,  and  is  a  son  of 
Jacob  M.  and  Emma  (Cocherant)  Oriururs.  the 
former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  latter 
of  New  York,  anil  both  of  whom  came  to  Illinois 
as  young  people.  The  paternal  grandparents 
of  Mr.  Griggs,  Peter  and  Catherine  (Page) 
Griggs,  natives  of  the  Keystone  Slate,  migrated 
to  Illinois  in  1830  and  located  in  Grundy  County. 
Mr.  Griggs  securing  land  from  the  Government 
in  Morris  and  Nettle  Creel;  townships,  there 
spending  the  balance  of  his  life  in  tilling  the 
soil.  The  maternal  grandparents  were  Samuel 
and  Hannah  Cocheram,  who  came  to  Morris  in 
1S56,  Mr.  Cocheram  taking  up  the  vocation  of 
shoemaker  and  being  the  proprietor  of  a  shoe 
store  in  that  city  for  many  years.  Jacob  M. 
Griggs,  the  father  of  Siegle  A.  Griggs,  passed 
the  greater  part  of  his  life  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits, being  the  owner  of  a  valuable  farm  at 
the  city  limits  of  Morris,  although  he  was  also 
engaged  extensively  with  his  son  in  excavating 
cellars,  ami  in  furnishing  brick  for  various  build- 
ings, including  the  Central  High  school,  and  sand 
from  his  sand  and  gravel  pit.  lie  was  suceess- 
I  ul  in  his  ventures,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death, 
April  o.  1004,  was  known  as  one  of  his  com- 
munity's substantial  men.  The  mother  survives 
him  and  lives  in  Morris,  having  had  eight  chil- 
dren,— namely:  Siegle  A.;  Henry,  who  resides 
with  his  mother;  Ellen,  who  is  now  Mrs.  Al 
Mittinsr,  of  Holland,  Mich.:  Mary,  who  married 
John  Wendell,  of  Des  Moines.  la.;  Burt,  who  is 
also  of  that  city:  Ray,  of  Muscatine.  la.;  Grace. 
who  is  now  Mi's.  Melvin  Mattison,  of  Morris;  and 
Mabel,  who  is  Mrs.  Cliff  Burnham,  of  Morris. 

The  early  education  of  Siegle  A.  Griggs  was 
secured  in  the  public  schools,  following  which 
he  spent  two  years  in  the  Morris  Normal  school. 
Until  bis  marriage  he  remained  with  his  father, 
whose  partner  he  was  in  a  number  of  ventures, 
including  the  furnishing  of  the  brick",  sand  and 
stone  for  the  Central  High  School,  which  he 
served  in  the  capacity  of  janitor  for  eight  years. 
After  his  marriage  be  became  proprietor  of  the 
tile  yard  at  Morris,  which  he  conducted  for  ten 
years,  and  then  sold  to  Mr.  Ruck  and  engaged  in 
a  grocery  business,  which  occupied  his  attention 
for  four  years.  Following  this,  he  began  operat- 
ing the  old  homestead,  which  he  and  his  brother 
bought  in  March,  190r»,  and  since  this  time  Mr. 
Griggs  has  been  engaged  in  general  farming  oper- 
ations, renting  200  acres  in  Saratoga  Township 


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^r*   L^.    sfutc&U^  ta^f 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY.  821 

from  J.  A.  Wilson.  He  is  an  excellent  man  of  behind  him  an  estate  that  proved  his  astute 
business,  and  in  his  various  transactions  has  business  judgment, 
met  with  well-deserved  success  through  the  prac- 
tice of  industry,  good  management,  and  in  tnk-  HAHN,  George  Leonard,  owner  of  212%  acres 
ing  advantage  of  legitimate  opportunities.  He  of  tine  land  in  Good  Farm  Township,  Is  "one  of 
is  the  owner  of  a  large  brick  building  of  two  the  most  successful  farmers  of  Grundy  County, 
stories,  located  on  Liberty  Street,  .Morris,  and  and  one  who  has  proven  bis  right  to  the  title 
has  evidenced  bis  faith  in  the  future  develop-  through  years  of  persistent  endeavor.  He  was 
ment  of  the  city  by  making  various  other  realty  horn  at  Galesburg,  111.,  a  son  of  Leonard  and 
investments  there.  Barbara    (Missinburger)   llabn,  both  natives  of 

On  February  22,  lssf),  Mr.  Griggs  was  mar-  Germany,  who  located  at  Galesburg,  111.,  later 
ried  to  Miss  Euphemia  Blair,  who  was  horn  in  coming  to  Good  Farm  Township,  where  they 
Scotland,  a  daughter  of  George  R.  Blair.  Two  died  and  were  buried.  They  had  live  children, 
children  have  been  horn  to  this  union,  namely:  George  Leonard  Halm  was  educated  in  Good 
Mohr,  who  is  of  Morris,  111.:  and  George,  who  is  Farm  Township  where  he  grew  to  manhood  amid 
residing  at  home.  With  his  family,  Mr.  Griggs  rural  surroundings.  When  he  began  farming 
attends  the  Methodist  F.piscopal  Church.  He  for  himself,  he  rented  land,  hut  eventually  was 
has  always  been  a  Republican,  and  has  served  able  lo  purchase  his  present  property  which  has 
as  a  member  of  the  Board  of  School  Directors  become  very  valuable.  On  it  Lie  carries  on  gen- 
for  six  years.  His  fraternal  connection  is  with  oral  farming  with  profit  to  himself  and  benetit 
the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  he  numbers  many  to  his  community.  In  1SS1  Mr.  Halm  mar- 
friends  among  its  members.  ried  Anna.  Bush,  and  they   became  the  parents 

of   seven    children:    Laura.    Edna,    Lena,    Lillio. 

GUNDERSON,  Olie  (deceased).— Norway  is  well  Sophia.    Walter    and    Arnold.       The     Lutheran 

represented  in  Grundy  County,  for  those  of  this  Church   holds  his  membership  and   has  his  ef- 

far  northern  country  Mere  attracted  here  both  fective    support    of   both    time    and    money.      A 

by  the  mines  and  the  agricultural   possibilities.  Democrat    he   has   served  as   a    school   director 

They  prospered,  too.  for  being  willing  to  work  of  Good  Farm  Township  for  some  time,  and  is 

and  save,  they  forged  ahead  of  those  who  looked  interested  in  educational  matters.     An  excellent 

for  a  royal  road  to  fortune.     One  of  the  men  who  farmer  ami  good  citizen,  he  is  highly  esteemed 

has  made  the  name  of  his  native  country  stand  by   his   associates. 
for  honesty   and   uprightness,   was  the  late  Olie 

Gunderson  of  Nettle  Creek  Township,     lie  was  HALE,  Luke,  M.  D.  (deceased),  a  pioneer  physi- 

born  in  Norway.  March  2.">.  is  to,  a  sen  of  Guilder  cian  of  Grundy  County  and  one  of  its  most  lion- 

and    Asjer    (Oswood)    Gunderson.      The    father  orcd  men.  was  born  in  A'ermont.  October  S.  17f)ti, 

died   in   Norway,   where  he   had   been   horn  and  and  came  to  Illinois  in  ISoli,  locating  first  in  Mr- 

spent  his  useful  life.  Henry  County,  later  going  to  Kane  County,  and 

In  1X07,  Mr.  Gunderson  left  Norway,  and  came  arriving  at.   Morris   in   1S5S.     He   continued    in 

to  Nettle  Creek  Township.  Grundy  County,   ill..  active    practice    until    his    death.      He    married 

where   in   1*74,  he   married   Julia   John-en.   aKo  Sarah  Amelia   Clifford,  and  their  children   were 

born   in   Norway,  a   daughter  of  John  Johnson.  as  follows  :  Aima  E.  IL,  I  H\  Roscoe  L.,  Minnie  A., 

After  marriage,  lie  rented   an   eiirhty-acre  farm  William  ('..  Martin  B..  and  Fannie  A. 
for  two  years  in   Saratoga  Township  and  then 

rented  for  a  year  in  Nettle  Creek  Township.     By  IIALKYARD,   Orlando. — Conscientious  endeavor 

this  time  he  was  able  to  buy  eighty  acres  in  the  along   any   one   specified    line    will    I  ring   about 

latter  township,  to  which  he  later  added  forty  desirable    results    provided    the    work    is    done 

acres.    This  he  improved  and   made  into  a    line       intelligently,    and    thrift    is    practiced.      < of 

farm,  raising  grain  upon  it  until  his  death  which  the  men  who  lias  attained  to  considerable  prom- 

occurred  January  22.  1012.     His  wife  died  May  inence  as  a  successful  agriculturalist  of  Grundy 

18.    1007.      They    had    the    following    children:  County     is    Orlando    Ilalkyard    of    Anx     Sable 

Gerhard,   who    is   on    the   home  farm;    Ellen    J.,  Township.      He    was    born    in    Lancashire.   Eng- 

who  died   in   infancy;  Emma   J.,  who  was  Mis.  land.     October    2S,     1S40,    son     of    James    and 

Ed.  Thorsoii,  of  Saratoga  Township,  is  deceased  :  Lydia       ((Hover)       Ilalkyard.         Although      the 

Eflie.  who   is   Mrs.   Lewis  Thorson.   of  Saratoga  father    was    a    silk    weaver    in     England,     when 

Township;    Jane,    who    is    Mrs.    Ed.    Wicks,    of  he  came  to  Morris,  Grundy  County,  111.,  in  is~»(i, 

Erienna    Township;    Mary,    who    is    Mrs.    Peter  he    became   a    farmer.      At    first    he    bought    ten 

Cassem,   of  Lisbon   Township.    Kendall    County.  acres    in    Anx    Sable   Township,    which    was    all 

III.:   Joseph    and   Thor,   who   are  on    the   home  covered    with    timber   except    a    small    spa.ee   on 

farm:    I.uella.    who    is    Mrs.    Bert    Thorson.    of  winch    he    put    up    a    house.     James   Ilalkyard 

Saratoga   Township;   Lilly,  who  is  on   the  home  kept    on   adding   to   his  holdings   until   he  owned 

place;  Lillian  10..  who  is  Mrs.  Knrl  Lynes;  Julia.  eighty  acres  at  the  time  of  his  demise,  on  Jan- 

who  died  in  infancy;  and  Lenora.  who  is  on  I  he  nary  S.  1KS5,   when   he  was  seventy-seven  years 

home    place.      Mr.    Gunderson    was    a    Lutheran  old.       His    widow    died     April     21,     1v?s,    aired 

in   religions  faith,  and  enjoyed   his  church   con-  seventy-two  years.     Their  children  Were:    John, 

nections.     Politically  he  was  a   Republican   but  who  was  born.  October  2.    1V32.   of  Joliet.    111.: 

never  sought  or  desired  office.     A  hard-working.  James,    who    was    horn    in    May.    1S.34.    died    at 

thrifty  man  he  provided  for  his  family  and  left  Aurora  in  May,  lflll  ;  Sarah.  Mis.  Henry  Baker. 


822 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


who  is  deceased;  Aim.  Mrs.  James  Baker,  who 
lives  in  Kendal]  County,  111.;  Lucy,  Mrs.  Wil- 
liam I  >ix,  who  died  about  1S90;  and  Orlando, 
who  is  the  youngest. 

Orlando  Ilalkyard  grew  up  mi  his  father's 
farm  and  attended  the  local  schools,  learning 
in  the  meanwhile  how  to  til!  the  soil.  In  Feb- 
ruary, I.SSS,  Orlando  Ilalkyard  married  Marcel- 
ino  Degerld,  born  at  Aurora.  III.,  daughter  of 
John  and  Matilda  Degerld,  natives  of  Canada. 
Mrs.  Halkyard's  father  is  dead,  her  mother  is 
living  at  Aurora.  In  order  to  provide  for  his 
old  age,  James  Ilalkyard  had  made  an  arrange- 
ment with  his  son  Orlando  to  give  Iiim  one- 
half  of  the  homestead  for' taking  care  of  him 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  After  the  death  of 
the  father.  Orlando  Ilalkyard  bought  the  other 
half  from  the  heirs,  and  since  that  time  pur- 
chased another  farm,  one  of  K'!7  acres  in  Aux 
Sable  Township,  which  is  operated  by  his  son, 
John.  This  property,  like  the  homestead  is  de- 
voted to  grain  farming  and  stock  raising.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Ilalkyard  have  three  sons:  George, 
who  is  with  his  parents:  John,  who  operates 
the  second  farm:  and  William,  who  is  also  at 
home.  All  his  life.  Mr.  Ilalkyard  has  keen  a 
Republican,  hut  he  has  never  sought  public 
office.  A  good  farmer  and  excellent  business 
man.  Mr.  Ilalkyard  has  succeeded  in  his  work, 
and  is  a  highly  respected  citizen. 

HALL,  Henry  J. — No  better  investment  can  be 
found  than  Grundy  County  farm  lauds,  and 
many  of  the  leading  men  of  this  locality  have 
proven  this.  One  of  the  heavy  landowners  who 
has  expressed  his  faith  in  the  future  of  this 
section  by  buying  land  in  rural  localities  is 
Henry  .7.  Hall  of  Nettle  Creek  Township.  He 
was  loin  in  Stavanger,  Norway.  December  27, 
1n.">7.  His  mother  died  in  that  place  in  1SGS), 
but  the  father  survives,  living  on  his  homestead. 
In  1S73  Henry  J.  Hall  left  his  native  land  for 
the  Cnited  States,  and  coming  to  Ottawa.  111.. 
joined  his  uncle  Martin  Johnson,  with  whom 
he  lived  a  year.  He  then  went  to  a  brother 
in  Miller  Township,  La  Salle  County.  111.,  where 
he  married.  Following  this  event,  Mr.  Hall 
farmed  on  his  brother-in-law's  property  for  four 
years,  when  he  went  to  Big  Grove  Township, 
Kendall  County.  111.  After  about  four  years 
he  went  to  another  farm  in  the  same  township, 
and  eventually  came  to  Nettle  Creek  Township 
which  has  since  continued  to  be  his  home.  Here 
he  rents  240  acres  of  land,  which  belongs  to 
Albert  Hoge,  as  well  as  eighty-six  and  one-half 
acres  in  Mission  Township.  La  Salle  County, 
winch  he  owns. 

Henry  ,T.  Hall  was  married  (first)  to  Anna 
Frulaud.  horn  in  Miller  Township,  La  Salle 
County.  Ilk.  a  daughter  of  Lars  and  Levina 
Frulaud.  By  this  marriage  he  had  two  chil- 
dren: Lial.  who  is  at  home:  and  Anna  Henri- 
etta, who  lives  at  Newark.  III.  In  1S9-J  Mr. 
Hall  was  married  (second)  to  Christina  Sig- 
mond.  bom  in  Mission  Township,  La  Salle 
County,  111.,  a  daughter  of  Rasmus  and  Mary 
Sigmond.    natives    of    Norway.      Mr.    and    Mrs. 


Hall  have  two  children,  Joseph  and  Chester. 
Mr.  Hall  belongs  to  the  Lisbon  Lutheran  Church 
towards  which  he  gives  a  generous  support. 
Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  but  not  an  otlice 
seeker.  A  good  farmer,  he  has  utilized  his 
knowledge  and  ability  to  excellent  purpose  and 
is  a   man  of  standing  in  his  community. 

HAMILTON,  John  Francis,  who  for  years  lias 
been  catering  to  a  high-class  trade  as  a  grocer 
and  meat  man.  understands  how  to  meet  ade- 
quately the  demands  of  his  patrons,  and  is  able 
to  give  excellent  goods  at  the  lowest  possible 
market  prices.  He  is  recognized  as  one  of  the 
leading  business  men  of  .Morris,  and  his  reputa- 
tion for  square  dealing  and  straightforward 
methods  is  fully  sustained.  lie  was  born  at 
Ormstown,  Quebec  Canada.  June  9,  Is.'t,  a  sun 
of  William  and  Jane  (Sadler)  Hamilton,  na- 
tives of  Canada,  of  Irish  ancestry.  They  mar- 
ried in  Canada  and  became  farming  people. 
Their  eight  children  were:  John  Francis;  Rob- 
ert, who  is  of  Denver.  Colo.;  Anna.  Mrs.  Rem- 
ington of  Morris;  Eliza,  Mrs.  James  Davidson 
of  Denver.  Colo.;  Margaret,  Mrs.  William  Richel 
of  Gaylord,  X.  D. ;  Frances,  Mrs.  Allen  Richel 
of  Los  Angeles,  Cal. :  and  William  T.  and  Bis- 
mark  are  of  Kansas  City,  Mo. 

John  Francis  Hamilton  worked  on  farms 
for  .others  until  he  was  seventeen  years  old, 
after  which,  until  ISTfi,  he  engaged  in  that  line 
of  business  for  himself.  In  that  year  he  began 
handling  meats,  with  his  cousin.  Henry  F. 
Hamilton,  at  Morris,  continuing  there  instil 
INS'4,  when  he  sold  his  interest  to  his  partner, 
and  went  to  Breckenridge.  Colo.,  and  opened  up 
a  meat  market.  This  he  sold  a  year  later  to 
his  brother,  and  started  a  grocery  and  meat 
business  at  Omaha,  Neb.,  which  lie  conducted, 
for  some  years,  in  conjunction  with  partners. 
but  in  UiOl  sold  and  returned  to  Morris,  where, 
in  partnership  with  his  brother-in-law,  he  has 
conducted  his  present  business. 

On  January  8,  1S7G.  Mr.  Hamilton  married 
Isabel]  Todd,  horn  at  Orangetown.  Quebec,  Can- 
ada, a  daughter  of  James  and  Mary  Todd,  also 
natives  of  Canada.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hamilton 
have  had  children:  William  IL.  who  is  of 
Denver.  Colo.;  Karl  R. ;  and  Mabel  B.,  and 
Melvin  J.,  both  of  whom  are  at  home.  .Air. 
and  Mrs.  Todd  had  these  children:  Mary  .7.. 
who  married  a  Mr.  Chase,  is  now  deceased: 
Sarah  J.,  who  is  Mrs.  Charles  Hopper  of  Cor- 
tex, Colo.;  Annie  G.,  who  is  Mrs.  James  Arthur 
of  Canada,  and  Mrs.  Hamilton.  The  family  be- 
longs to  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

HANSEL,  Jacob. — There  are  no  more  substan- 
tial or  reliable  men  in  the  Knifed  States  than 
those  who  have  come  from  Germany  and  have 
developed  into  American  citizens.  Bringing 
with  them  the  sturdy  characteristics  of  their 
Fatherland,  they  have  appreciated  and  benefited 
by  the  advantages  her"  offered  and  become 
prosperous  and  representative.  One  of  the  men 
of  this  type.  who.  after  years  of  honorable  toil, 
is  now  enjoying  the  fruits  of  bis  labor,  is  Jacob 


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HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


823 


Hansel  of  Aux  Sable  Township.  He  was  born 
at  Baden,   Germany,   May   17.   1S31,   and   after 

losing  his  parents  in  1S52,  with  his  sister 
Sarah,  came  to  tbe  United  States.  Passing 
through  Chicago,  be  went  on  into  Du  Page 
County,  111.,  and  began  working  for  fanners  and 
on  railroads,  never  refusing  honest  work  of  any 
kind  no  matter  how  hard.  Five  years  later 
be  came  to  Minooka,  Grundy  Comity,  and  be- 
gan hauling  wood.  This  work  lasted  during 
the  first  winter,  and  in  the  summer  be  found 
employment  at  farm  labor.  In  18(17.  having 
carefully  saved  his  money,  he  was  able  to  pur- 
chase sixty  acres  in  Aux  Sable  Township.  It 
was  wild  land,  but  he  immediately  began  clear- 
ing and  as  able,  added  t<>  hi-  holdings  until  be 
now  owns  334  acres  all  in  one  body.  200  acres 
of  which  are  under  cultivation,  the  balance 
being  given  over  to  hay.  timber  and  pasture. 
Having  worked  very  bard  until  1!)10,  in  that 
year  he  partially  retired,  leaving  the  active 
management  of  the  property  to  his  sons. 

In  July.  1S5G.  Mr.  Hansel  married  Rosa  . 
Holt/.,  horn  in  Germany,  who  died  in  May.  1SG9. 
Their  daughter.  Mary,  died  at  the  age  of  eight 
years.  In  June.  1S70.  Mr.  Hansel  married  (sec- 
ond) Sarah  McGraw,  horn  in  Ireland.  By  his 
second  marriage,  lie  has  had  three  children: 
Edwaid.  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-six 
years:  Jacob,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
four  years:  and  Thomas,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  twenty-eight  years.  The  second  Mrs.  Hansel 
died  in  the  fall  of  1S77.  In  1SS0  Mr.  Hansel 
married  (third)  Minnie  Creiger.  horn  in  Prus- 
sia, Germany,  and  they  have  had  eight  chil- 
dren: Mary,  who  is  Mrs.  Thomas  Kiuslcr  of 
Aux  Sable  Township;  Frank,  who  is  at  home; 
William,  who  i<  of  Aux  Sable  Township : 
Charles,  who  is  at  home:  Louise,  who  is  Mrs. 
Brooks  of  Aux  Sable  Township;  Anna,  who  is 
Mrs.  John  Sneider  of  South  Minnesota:  Hattie. 
who  is  a  school  teacher:  and  Carrie,  who  is 
at  home.  Mr.  Hansel  is  a  member  of  the  Ger- 
man Lutheran  Church.  For  many  years  be  has 
been  a  school  director  and  has  held  other  local 
oflires.  for  he  is  a  man  whose  capability  is 
recognized  and  appreciated  by  his  neighbors. 

HANSEN,  Soren  Christian.- -The  religious  life 
of  Grundy  County  is  deep  and  full  of  con- 
scientious efforts  which  have  resulted  in  the 
establishment  and  maintenance  of  some  of  tbe 
most  flourishing  churches  outside  of  large  cities, 
in  the  State.  One  of  the  men  who  lias  never 
been  too  busy  to  give  his  denomination  tbe  bene- 
fit of  his  time  and  experience  is  Soren  Christian 
Hansen,  a  prosperous  farmer  of  Garfield  Town- 
ship. He  was  born  in  Germany  in  1S66,  a  son 
of  Soren  and  Ellen  Hansen,  natives  of  Denmark. 
who  located  in  Germany  after  marriage.  There 
tbe  father  became  a  cattle  buyer  and  restaurant 
keeper,  so  continuing  until  his  death  which  oc- 
curred in  180S.  the  mother  passing  away  in 
1SS0,  neither  having  "come  to  this  country.  The 
father  served  his  allotted  time  in  the  Danish 
army,  and  was  a  most  excellent  man.  Six  chil- 
.  dren  were  born  to  him :  Marie  Epperson  ;  Mattie, 


who  died  in  Denmark;  Hans;  Jerry  P.;  Anna, 
who  is  deceased;  and  Soren  C. 

Soren  Christian  Hansen  attended  school  in 
Germany,  and  worked  as  a  farmer  until  he  came 
to  the  United  States  in  1SS5.  He  traveled  direct 
to  Gardqer,  111.,  where  he  obtained  work  as  a 
section  baud  on  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad. 
In  addition  be  worked  in  the  mines,  and  then 
rented  land  which  he  operated  until  1S99,  when 
he  bought  his  present  form  of  eighty  acres  in 
Garfield  Township,  on  which  he  raises  corn, 
oats,  horses  and  cattle.  Mr.  Hansen  has  made 
all  the  improvements  on  this  property,  includ- 
ing tbe  erection  of  a  •dwelling  and  a  large  barn 
and  oat  house.  Tn  lss~>  he  married  Christina 
Storm,  and  they  had  a  son.  Soren.  Mrs.  Han- 
sen died  in  1900.  In  I'.Hiu.  Mr.  Hansen  married 
(second)  Hannah  Jensen.  Mr.  Hansen  belongs 
to  the  Danish  Lutheran  Church  and  has  served 
it  as  treasurer  and  clerk  since  its  organization, 
being  recognized  as  one  of  its  most  useful  mem- 
bers. A  Republican,  he  has  served  as  a  school 
director  in  Garfield  Township  for  two  terms, 
and  he  always  does  what  he  considers  his  duty, 
regardless  of  the  trouble  or  work  it  may  entail 
for  him. 

HARFORD,  Fred,  who  is  one  of  the  prosperous 
farmers  and  large  land  owners  of  Grundy  ( lounty, 
owns  4 si)  acres,  all  in  one  body,  lying  in  Vienna 
Township,  and  here  may  be  found,  perhaps,' 
some  of  the  finest  Durham  cattle  in  Illinois. 
He  was  born  in  Vienna  Township.  September 
27.  1854,  and  is  a  son  of  Aaron  and  Frances 
(Dewey)  Harford.  Aaron  Harford  was  horn 
in  South  Salem.  Westchester  County.  Xew  York, 
July  1',  1S22,  and  from  there  came  to  Illinois 
and  settled  at  White  Willow,  in  Kendall 
County.  He  married  Frances  Dewey,  who  was 
horn  in  England  and  accompanied  her  mother 
to  Deer  Park  Township,  La  Salle  County.  111., 
and  later  the  family  moved  to  Vienna  Town- 
ship. Grundy  County,  whore  they  acquired 
much  property  and  died  there.  They  hail  the 
following  children:  Cornelia  D.,  who  is  the 
wife  of  Edwin  C,  Slosson,  of  Alabama:  Mary, 
who  died  in  infamy:  Fannie  May,  who  is  the 
wife  of  James  Mulvanie.  of  Vienna  Township; 
Fred;  Addison,  who  died  aged  about  eighteen 
years:  Olive,  who  died  aged  about  nine  years; 
and  Ellen,  who  is  the  wife  of  Frank  Malniquist, 
of  Vienna  Township. 

Fred  Harford  obtained  his  education  in  tbe 
district  schools  and  lived  at  home  until  his 
marriage  when  he  moved  to  his  present  home 
tract  of  1C!0  acres.  At  that  time  there  were 
old  structures  .nil  the  land,  which  he  removed 
and  subsequently  made  many  improvements. 
Mr.  Harford  devotes  his  large  extent  of  rich 
land  to  the  raising  of  grain  and  the  growing  of 
tine  stock,  particularly  Durham  cattle.  On 
April  4.  1*70.  Mr.  Harford  married  Miss  Clara 
A.  Pomeroy,  who  was  born  in  Ohio  and  was 
left  an  orphan  in  childhood,  being  reared  by  an 
older  sister.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harford  have  had 
three  children  :  Leland  F..  who  died  in  in- 
fancy;  Aaron  Clyde,   who  is  an  attorney  living 


824  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

in  Chicago;  and  Jay  Pomeroy.  who  conducts  the  HART,  Phillip,  formerly  a  grocer  of  Morris,  was 
homo  farm.  Mr.  Harford  has  never  been  very  born  in  Hesse-Darmstadt,  Germany,  December 
active  in  ]>olili<s  and  the  only  office  lie  ever  ac-  17,  1S27,  but  located  at  Morris  in  isr>4,  becom- 
cepted  was  that  of  town  clerk,  in  which  he  ing  the  proprietor  of  what  was  then  known  as 
served  for  three  years.  He  is  well  known  in  the  American  House.  Later  he  opened  a  gro- 
Masonic  circles  and  belongs  t<>  Verona  Lodge  eery  store  in  Hart's  block,  on  Liberty  Street. 
A.  V.  &  A.  M.  at  Verona,  the  Chapter  and  Com-  and  developed  into  one  of  the  sound' business 
inandery  at  Morris,  and  Medinah  Temple,  (.'hi-  men  of  Morris.  He  married  in  May.  1S4S,  Eliza- 
«*go.  beth  Goering,  and  they  had  the  following  chil- 
dren: Catherine,  Lena".  Mary,  Eliza,  Frederick 
HARKES,  William,  whose  abilities  and  achieve-  H.,  George  and  William. 
ments  as  a  mining  expert  have  caused  his  serv- 
ices to  bo  eagerly  sought  by  companies  all  over  HASKINS,  William  G.,  for  n  number  of  years 
Grundy  County,  is  now  acting  in  the  capacity  of  one  of  the  agriculturalists  of  Good  Farm  Town- 
general  superintendent  or  the  Northern  Central  ship,  was  born  in  Delaware  County,  Ohio.  April 
Coal  Company  of  Missouri,  and  of  the  Big  Lour  2(i,  ISIS,  and  came  to  Grundy  County  in  1SG5, 
Wilmington  Coal  Company,  at  Coal  City,  111.,  be-  first  living  near  Gardner.  In  INTO  j|(.  bought 
ing  president  of  loth  companies,  lie  is  a  native  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Good  Farm  Township, 
of  England,  and  was  horn  in  1SU1.  a  son  of  Wil-  and  greatly  improved  it.  On  December  :;,  IMo' 
D:iin  and  Barbara  (Softleigh)  llarkes.  the  ho  married  Martha  W.  Baton  and  they  had  the 
former  of  whom  was  a  captain  in  the  Indian  following  children:  Jeremiah  and  Eliza  Jane. 
Army  and  spent  the  latter  years  of  his  life  as  Mr.  [In skins  was  a  Republican  and  served  as 
a  farmer  in  England,  lie  passed  away  in  his  Assessor  of  Good  farm  Township  ami  also  as  a 
native  land  in  1011,  when  eighty-three  years  of  School  Director. 
age.   his  wife  having  died   there   in    1NS4.     They 

were  the  parents  of  two  children:  Jane,  who  HENNEBERRY,  David  A.,  cashier  of  the  Farm- 
is  the  wife  of  John  Alderton,  living  in  England;  crs  First  National  Bank  id'  Miuooka,  is  a  man 
and  William.  whose  career  presents  results  of  earnest  en- 
After  attending  the  public  schools  of  his  native  cleavor  which  resolve  themselves  into  a  success- 
county.  William  Harkes  became  a  student  in  fu]  progress  and  a  development  towards  honor- 
the  English  School  of  Mining  Engineers,  and  able  citizenship  which  is  the  goal  in  life  to 
upon  graduating  from  that  institution  served  which  all  should  work,  lb'  was  born  Mav  12 
an  apprenticeship  of  seven  years  in  mining  en-  iS73,  at  Lorenzo,  in  Wilmington  Township," Will 
gineering.  Thus  thoroughly  prepared  to  fol-  County,  111.,  a  son  of  John  and  Catherine 
low  bis  chosen  vocation,  he  worked  for  various  (O'Brien,  Henneberrv,  the  former  horn  in 
English  (inns  for  five  years,  and  in  1SS7  came  County  Limerick.  Ireland,  and  the  latter  at 
to  the  Lnited  states,  first  locating  in  Chicago  Boston,  Mass.  After  finishiiv  his  course  in  the 
as  a   mining  expert.     He  came  to  Coal  City  in  local  schools  David  A.  Heuneberry  tod;  a  course 

1S91    as    general    superintendent    for    the    Big       ;1,    p,ryant   &   Stratton's  Commercial   Colic of 

Four  Wilmington  Coal  Company  and  the  North-  Chicago,  and  when  only  eighteen  years  old  began 

em  Central  Coal  Com] -any.  of  Missouri,  and  was  teaching  school    in  his  native  township,      mtil 

made  the  first  president  of  the  adjoining  village  the  spring  of  ISfHi,  he  alternated  teaching  school 

of  Eileen,     lie   is  also  president   of  the   Harkes  during   the   winter,    with    working   on  -  farms   in 

Coal    Company    of    Jerome.    Iowa,    and    is    part  the  summer,  hut   at   that  time  bought  1°0  acres 

owner   of   the   Wilmington    Foundry   &    Machine  (ll    ):m(]    jn   Ooose   bake   Township    then   known 

Co.     He  has   been   county   surveyor  of  Grundy  ;ls  the  old    Phelan   farm.     Within   three   years 

County.     Aside   from   his  offices   he  carries   on  he  rented  his  property,  and  went   to  Chicago  to 

a  business  as  a   general    inning  engineer.     Mr.  jPani    the  details  of  the  grocery   business      In 

Harkes  has  shown  an  active  and  public-spirited  the  following   spring  he  went   to  Minooka     and 

interest    in    all    that    has    affected    his    adopted  interested    himself   in   a   grain    elevator   at'  that 

community,   and    is   known   as   one  of  the   sub-  pointi  conducting  the  business  until  June    1003 

stantial,    reliable    men    of    Coal    City.      lie    is    a  when  he  lost  his  property  by  fire     lie  then  went 

friend    of   progress    and    development    along    all  ((,  vvork  ,-,„.  A    K    Knapp  i'n  the  grain  business 

lines    and    can    he    depended    upon    to    favor    all  and   August   1.   1D0S,   he  with    II.    P.    Dwyer   or- 

movoinents  making  for  the  welfare  of  Coal  City  ganized    the    Farmers    First    Natical    Bank    of 

or  its  people.     Fraternally,  he  is  connected  with  Minooka,  with   a   capital   stock  of  jj>'2ni.0P0.     The 

the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  in  which  he  officers   were:   J.   P.   Clennon,   president;   II.    P. 

has   numerous   warm    friends.      He   is   a    Repub-  Dwyer,   vice-president;   ami    D.    A.    Heuneberry, 

lican   in  his  political  views,  and  in  his  religious  cashier.      This    has   developed    into    one    of    the 

faith  is  Anglican  Episcopalian.  leading  financial  institutions  of  the  county,  and 

On  July  1,  1SP2.  Mr.   Harkes  was   married   in  i,s  conservative   policies  have   gained    it   a    rea- 

Chicago.   to   Miss   Isabelle   Bladders    born    Feb-  fonable  amount  of  business.     It  is  now  the  only 

rnarv   23.   1*7.   a    native  of   England    and   they  ':'"";    '"    1  '"  ,vill;lu'"-    i(,    hilvin~    absorbed    the 

have  had  four  children  :     Marie  Ruth.   B  rhara  ^n^udl   r'pim    Mr'n    V'V  f™"™  \  ™12- 

m„  i ,     Tjriiu    .             i     it              .>  ( 'ii  An  il    r.  lNil  1.  .Mr.  He    nel  crrv  ma  rried  Mar- 

Tesla    William    and    Harry    C.,    of   whom    Wil-  garet  Brannir-k.  who  was  born  at  Minooka  in  the 

,mm  diL'(1  ,n  infau0y-  spring  of  1st:;,  a  daughter  of  Michael  and  Mary 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


825 


il.  Mr. 
Jlowiug 
a.  John 
ueberry 
in  very 
has,  he 
iself  ii]i 
nterests 

for  the 
liolic  in 
nections 
Knights 

Itepub- 
is  t< 'wil- 
fully. 


(Sterling)-   Brannick,   natives  of  I relan 
and    Mrs.   Henueberry   have   had    the    f< 
children:  Mary  Eileen,  Catherine  Patriei 
Sterling,  and  Joseph  Donald.     Mr.   lien 
is    a    man    whose    connections    make    hi 
prominent  in  every   respect.     What   he 
earned  himself,  and  he  has  worked  bin 
until   he  now   controls   large   property    i 
and  handles  important  financial  matters 
people  of  his  community,     lie  is  a  Cat 
religious   faith,    while  his   fraternal   con 
are   with   the  Modern   Woodmen.   Elks, 
of  Columbus  and   Knights  of   Pythias. 
lican  in  his  sentiments,  he  has  served  h 
ship  as  Supervisor  acceptably  and  faith 

HEROLD,  George,  formerly  of  Mazon  Township, 
was  horn  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  April  2*\  fs-j:;.  a 
son  of  Leonard  and  Amelia  (Behaker)  llerold. 
In  IJ'iS  George  llerold  came  to  Grundj  County 
and  locating  at  Morris  conducted  a  butchering 
business  there  until  lS(i<>,  when  he  went  to 
Braceville  Township.  This  continued  his  home 
until  about  1S95.  when  he  settled  permanently 
in  Mazon  Township  on  eighty  acres  of  valuable 
land.  lie  was  married  January  U7 .  1S57,  to 
Babeta  Beinlasoeder,  and  they  had  the  following 
children:  Jacobina  and  Amelia. 

HILL,  Lewis  Fransen,  who  is  earn  ing  on  agri- 
cultural operations  on  his  well-cultivated  farm 
of  12u  acres  located  in  Garfield  Township,  is  one 
of  the  substantial  farmers  of  this  section  of 
Grundy  County,  and  in  addition  to  his  farming 
work  has  been  engaged  for  some  years  as  a  con- 
tractor and  builder,  in  which  capacity  he  has 
erected  a  number  of  substantial  residences. 
churches  and  schools  in  the  vicinity  of  Gardner. 
Mr.  Hill  is  a  native  of  Norway,  having  been  horn 
at  Bergen  Stiff,  in  1S50,  and  is  a  son  of  Fran- 
sen  and  Gussie  (Johansen)  Hill,  who  were  also 
born  in  that  country.  Fransen  Hill  was  a  wood 
turner  by  occupation,  and  followed  that  trade 
in  his  native  land  until  his  death  in  ISfiS.  In 
1S72  Mrs.  Ilill  came  to  America,  whence  three 
of  her  children.  Alice.  Illena  and  Volger,  had 
preceded  her.  With  her  she  brought  tour  chil- 
dren: Lewis  Fransen:  John,  who  is  now  living 
,  in  Garfield  Township;  Margaret  and  Gussie,  who 
are  both  now  deceased.  Mrs.  Hill  died  in  Gar- 
field Township  at  the  home  of  her  son.  Lewis  F., 
in  1908. 

As  a  boy.  Lewis  F.  Hill  attended  the  public 
school  of  his  native  Norway,  and.  being  pos- 
sessed of  energy  and  ambition,  then  hired  out 
to  a  farmer,  for  whom  he  worked  three  years 
and  during  this  time  lost  only  three  days.  The 
next  four  years  were  spent  in  work  on  the  ship 
wharf,  where  he  learned  the  trade  of  a  carpenter 
and  builder,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years 
accompanied  his  mother,  sisters  ami  brother  to 
the  United  States,  the  trip  being  made  on  a 
sailing  vessel.  Locating  first  at  Chicago,  he 
soon  thereafter  came  to  Braceville,  111.,  where 
he  commenced  work  as  a  contractor  and  builder, 
and  subsequently" started  farming  on  the  Scully 
land  in  Garfield  Township.     There  he  continued 


until  1SS3,  in  which  year  he  purchased  the  prop- 
erty on  which  he  now  resides,  and  where  he  has 
made  numerous  improvements.  Mr.  Hill  has 
been  successful  both  as  a  farmer  and  as  a  con- 
tractor, and  in  business  circles  bears  a  reputa- 
tion of  the  highest  character,  lie  has  the  utmost 
confidence  of  his  associates,  whom  years  of  ex- 
perience have  taught  to  thoroughly  rely  on  his 
integrity. 

In  1S75  Mr.  Hill  was  married  to  Miss  Carrie' 
Larsen  T.jilli,  who  was  horn  in  Norway,  and 
thev  became  the  parents  of  eight  children: 
Lewis;  Anna,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
two  years;  Mrs.  Serena  Torsen  ;  Mrs.  Lena  Ryan, 
and  Carrie,  Frank,  Bertha  and  John,  all  residing 
at  home.  The  familj  is  connected  with  the 
Norwegian  Lutheran  Church  of  Garfield  Town- 
ship, of  which  Mr.  Hill  has  been  treasurer  for 
the  past  twenty  years.  In  political  matters  a 
Republican,  he  has  been  somewhat  prominent  in 
public  affairs,  serving  for  twelve  years  as  a 
member  of  the  school  board  and  as  road  com- 
missioner for  nine  years.  Whether  in  public, 
business  or  private  life,  he  has  shown  himself 
possessed  of  high  ideals  of  citizenship,  and 
through  a  career  of  integrity,  industry  and  pub- 
lic-spirit has  won  and  retained  many  friends. 

HILLIKER,  Albion  H. — The  members  of  the 
city  council  of  Morris,  or  of  any  large  com- 
munity, have  a  heavy  task  to  perform,  for  they 
must  not  only  secure  for  the  people  of  their 
special  section  those  improvements  and  con- 
cessions necessary  for  proper  development,  but 
at  the  same  time  conserve  the  interests  of  the 
city  as  a  whole.  For  this  reason,  a  man  who, 
is  returned  to  his  seat  in  the  council  upon  sev- 
eral occasions,  has  reason  to  congratulate  him- 
self upon  his  popularity,  and  the  appreciation 
his  people  show  him.  Such  a  man  is  Alderman 
Albion  H.  Ilillikor.  who  is  also  prominent  for 
his  operations  in  realty  and  insurance.  Mr. 
Hilliker  was  horn  in  Kankakee.  111.,  January  14. 
1s7i>.  son  of  Charles  M.  and  Martha  <Shaw) 
Hilliker. 

Having  been  well  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  place,  Mr.  Hilliker  grew 
up  well  informed  and  was  recognized  as  a 
valuable  acquisition  to  Morris  when  he  came  to 
this  city,  in  December.  1S95,  to  engage  with 
the  Morris  Sentinel,  with  which  publication  he 
remained  until  March  1.  1901,  when  he  sold  his 
interests,  to  invest  his  money  in  an  insurance 
and  real  estate  business,  buying  oaf  the  firm 
of  Coles  Bros.  Fntil  lOOo.  he  was  in  partner- 
ship with  J.  C.  l'etteys.  hut  on  April  1  of  that 
year,  this  association  was  discontinued. '  and 
Mr.  Hilliker  came  to  his  present,  location  on 
Liberty  street,  where  he  has  since  continued. 
Since  1001,  he  has  keen  a  justice  of  the  peace, 
and  has  been  alderman  of  his  ward  for  throe 
consecutive  terms. 

On  October  2."..  LS09,  Mr.  Hilliker  was  mar- 
rid  to  Bertha  M.  Baurn,  daughter  of  Henry  and 
Elizabeth  (Zorrman)  Raum.  Two  children  have 
been  born  of  this  marriage:  Frederick  W.  and 
Henry  B.     Mr.   Hilliker  is  a    Mason,   Odd   Fel- 


826 


HISTORY  OF  GKUNDT  COUNTY. 


low  and  Knight  of  Pythias,  all  of  Morris,  and 
is  popular  in  all  these  fraternities.  A  man  of 
action,  he  has  forced  ahead  and  made  a  repu- 
tation for  himself  that  extends  all  over  Grundy 
County,  where  he  is  universally  liked,  for  lie  is 
one  always  willing  to  give  to  others  the  square 
deal  he  requires  for  himself. 

HITCHCOCK,  W-.  D.,  formerly  County  Clerk  of 
Grundy  County,  and  a  prominent  resident  of 
Morris,  was  horn  in  Champlain,  X.  Y..  August 
1G,  1857,  a  sou  of  H.  D.  Hitchcock.  The  fam- 
ily came  to  Morris  in  1S57,  and  here  W.  D. 
Hitchcock  was  educated.  His  father  being 
elected  County  Clerk,  Mr.  Hitchcock  became  his 
deputy,  and  when  his  father  died  in  1SS0,  the 
son  was  elected  to  fill  the  unexpired  term  on  the 
Republican  ticket.  He  joined  the  Masons  a 
number  of  years  ago. 

HNETKOVSEY,  Frank.— Coal  City  has  made 
considerable  progress  commensurate  with  the 
growth  of  its  population  and  the  energetic  spirit 
of  its  leading  husiness  men.  and  one  of  the  im- 
provements which  adds  to  the  attractiveness  of 
the  city  and  provides  healthy  amusement  as 
well,  is  the  new  opera  house,  of  which  Frank 
llnotkovsky  is  stage  manager.  In  addition  to 
this,  he  is  the  owner  of  Tl'o  acres  of  land  in 
Braceville  Township.  He  was  born  in  Bohemia 
in  1809,  a  son  of  Frank  and  Johanna  Hnetkov- 
sky.  hut  in  lss4  came  to  the  dated  States,  lo- 
cating at  Coal  City,  where  he  entered  the  mines 
and  is  still  connected  with  them.  An  ambi- 
tious man.  he  supplemented  his  educational 
training  obtained  in  his  native  land,  with  at- 
tendance upon  the  night  schools  of  Coal  city, 
and  is  now  very  well  informed.  Liberal  in  poli- 
tics, he  believes  in  electing  the  man  host  fitted 
for  the  office.  For  thirteen  years  he  served 
as  a  school  director  in  Braceville  Township, 
and  for  five  years  was  highway  commissioner. 
Having  had  to  work  hard  himself  and  practice 
strict  economy  in  order  to  get  ahead,  he  can 
sympathize  with  the  common  people  and  has 
always  exerted  his  influence  in  their  favor.  On 
January  17.  1S90,  Mr.  Hnetkovsky  married  Mis-; 
Anne  Mokovsky.  who  was  horn  at  Chicago, 
Juno  2G,  ls7i\  They  have  thirteen  children: 
Anna  Rhoback,  Joseph.  Frank,  Mamie,  Rosa, 
James,  Agnes,  Anton.  Louis.  Josie,  George  who 
are  living,  and  Frankie  and  George  who  died  in 
Infancy.  Mr.  Hnetkovsky  belongs  to  the  For- 
esters," the  C.  S.  P.  S..  the  C.  S.  P.  C,  and  the 
Turners,  and  is  one  of  the  leaders  among  the 
Bohemians  in  Grundy  County.  His  success  in 
life  has  been  earned  by  hard  work  and  good 
management  and  he  deserves  his  present  pros- 
perity. 

HOFFMAN,  Robert  F.— Grundy  County,  111.,  is 
admirably  located  for  the  successful  prosecu- 
tion of  farming,  for  the  soil  is  exceedingly  fer- 
tile, the  climatic  conditions  are  almost  ideal  and 
transportation  facilities  are  almost  unsurpassed. 
However,  although  the  agriculturist  here  has 
these  advantages,  he  cannot  compete  successful- 


ly with  others  unless  he  carries  on  his  opera- 
tions according  to  modern  ideas,  and  uses  im- 
proved machinery  in  his  work.  That  the  ma- 
jority of  farmers  are  progressive  here  is  proven 
by  tlie  number  of  finely  developed  farms  to  be 
found  all  over  the  county,  a  fact  that  has  very 
materially  raised  the  standard  of  excellence  and 
placed  Grundy  County  among  the  leaders  in 
agriculture  in  Illinois.  One  of  the  men  who 
has  assisted  in  bringing  about  this  desirable 
state  of  affairs  is  Robert  F.  Hoffman,  of  Sara- 
toga Township,  who  is  meeting  with  success  in 
both  farming  and  stockraising  operations.  Mr. 
Hoffman  was  horn  in  Kanawha  County,  \Y.  Ya., 
November  9,  1^74.  and  is  a  son  of  Robert  II.  and 
Virginia  (Younger)  Hoffman,  natives  of  Mason 
County.  AY.  Ya.,  where  both  reside. 

Robert  F.  Hoffman  came  to  Wauponsee  Town- 
ship, Grundy  County.  May  12,  1902.  and  for 
three  months  worked  as  a  farm  hand  for  wages. 
He  then  rented  the  farm  of  William  McKinley, 
in  Saratoga  Township,  where  he  spent  four 
years,  then  going  to  Kansas  lor  one  year,  and 
subsequently  returning  to  Saratoga  Township. 
where  he  rented  the  Smith  farm  for  two  years. 
At  the  end  of  that  period  he  located  on  bis  pres- 
ent ICO-acre  property,  known  as  the  Hoge  farm, 
where  he  has  continued  to  fellow  general  farm- 
ing and  to  raise  Xorman  and  Belgian  horses  for 
the  market.  He  has  met  with  success  because 
of  his  energy  and  enterprise,  and  his  well-di- 
rected efforts  have  placed  him  in  the  front  rank 
among  his  fellow-agriculturists.  He  has  a  wide 
acquaintance  here,  and  has  gathered  many 
friends  about  him  as  a  result  of  his  honorable 
manner  of  doiim  business,  and  his  pleasant  per- 
sonality. His  political  belief  is  that  of  the 
Republican  party,  although  he  has  not  been  an 
office  seeker.  Religiously,  he  is  connected  with 
the  Methodist   Episcopal   church. 

On  December  15,  ls;t7.  Mr.  Hoffman  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Mary  E.  Boston,  who  was  horn  at 
Athens.  Ohio,  of  Swiss  descent,  daughter  of  W. 
G.  and  Louise  (Oberholzer)  Poston.  To  this 
union  there  have  come  four  children.  Cloyd 
Clifford,  born  May  21.  1S99 ;  Granville  Garland, 
horn  September  S,  1900;  Willard  Russell,  born 
November  1.5.  1905.  deceased:  and  Wilfred 
Waldo,  horn   September  \   1910. 

HOGE,  Albert  Earl.— A  decade  or  so  ago  the 
young  men  (locked  to  the  cities  feeling  that 
there  were  not  enough  opportunities  on  the  farm. 
Now  the  tide  has  turned  and  people  are  coming 
to  realize  that  the  agriculturalist  is  the  most 
independent  man  in  the  world.  With  food  stuffs 
soaring  it]  price,  and  commission  merchants  seek- 
ing supplies,  the  farmer  can  well  afford  to  invest 
time  and  money  in  his  work.  Some  of  the  most 
intelligent  men  of  Grundy  County,  as  elsewhere. 
are  appreciating  this,  and  turning  from  other 
occupations  to  cultivate  the  land.  One  of  the 
progressive  farmers  of  this  county  who  has  re- 
turned to  the  farm  is  Albert  Earl  Hoge  of  Nettle 
Creek  Township,  who  has  the  good  fortune  to  be 
living  on  the  farm  which  gave  him  birth  on 
December  14,  1SS0.  He  is  a  son  of  George  D.  and 


c,    . 


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HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


827 


Ella    (Quigley)    Hoge,   natives  of   Xettle   Creek 
Township  and  Ohio,  respectively. 

Growing  up  in  Nettle  Creek  Township,  Mr. 
Hoge  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  district 
and  developed  into  an  efficient  farmer,  working 

•  first,  with  his  father  and  later  on  a  prop.erty  in 
Nettle  Creek  Township  which  he  rented  from  his 

•  father  and  operated  foj  five  years.  Tiring  of 
farm  life,  he  moved  to  Morris  and  for  three 
years  conducted  a  garage,  Iml  feeling  the  call  of 
the  soil,  moved  hack  to  the  200  acre  farm  on 
which  he  was  horn,  and  is  now  carrying  on 
grain  farming  with  creditable  success. 

On  February  is,  1903,  Mr.  Hoge  was  married 
to  Ada  Luella  Peacock,  who  was  born  in  Erienna 
Township  January  7,  1S79,  a  daughter  of  Alex- 
ander and  Emma  (Towslej  i  Peacock,  natives  of 
Canada  and  New  York  State,  respectively.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Hoge  have  had  children  as  follows: 
Gordon  Gerald,  who  was  born  December  15, 
1901:  and  Chester  Deliner,  who  was  horn  Janu- 
ary 22,  1007.  Mr.  Hoge  is  a  Methodist.  He  has 
served  as  a  School  Director  and  is  a  very  respon- 
sible, reliable  man  and  first-class  citizen. 

HOGE,  Albert  E.,  was  bom  in  Nettle  Creek 
Township,  Grundy  County.  February  2,  1*40, 
a  son  of  William  and  Rachel  (Bowls)  Hoge. 
His  father  was  horn  in  Fauquier  County.  Va.. 
and  his  mother  in  Loudoun  County,  same  State. 
Their  marriage  took  place  October  20.  1N20,  and 
they  immediately  removed  to  Illinois,  coming 
overland  in  a  carriage  and  a  prairie  schooner 
drawn  by  horses.  They  made  their  home  in 
Nettle  Creel;  Township  and  preempted  land  there 
that  he  had  previously  located.  Here  they  lived 
at  first  in  a  dug-out.  but  later  a  spacious  log 
cabin  was  erected,  being  one  of  the  very  first 
houses  to  he  built  in  Grundy  County.  William 
Hoge  continued  adding  to  his  property  until  he 
owned  over  3.000  aires  of  Illinois  land,  both 
timber  and  prairie.  In  1S43  his  wife  died  and 
he  never  married  again,  his  daughter  keeping 
house  for  him.  In  1.S45  he  constructed  a  fine 
frame  house  to  he  used  in  place  of  the  log  cabin, 
and  this  residence  is  still  standing.  Many  of 
the  local  offices  of  public  trust  were  tilled  by 
him,  and  though  he  was  not  a  member  of  any 
church,  he  was  a  sincere,  honest,  and  upright 
man.  In  business  he  was  capable  and.  for  those 
pioneer  days  when  a  two  days'  drive  was  neces- 
sary to  reach  Chicago,  the  nearest  market,  his 
success  was  remarkable.  He  died  June  22.  ]NS4, 
and  when  he  was  taken  from  them  the  com- 
munity lost  an  estimable  man.  To  him  and  his 
Wife  nine  children  were  born  :  Mary  E.,  born  in 
Virginia,  widow  of  Abraham  Holderman  of 
Morris,  111.;  Emily  E.,  Mrs.  George  Bishop,  of 
Chicago;  Anna  G.,  widow  of  Joshua  Greeg,  of 
Council  Bluffs,  Iowa;  Joshua,  deceased;  James 
R.,  deceased;  Hendly,  killed  in  the  Union  army 
at  the  battle  of  Franklin.  Tenn. ;  William,  living 
at  Morris;  Albert  E. :  and  Alcinda  Ik.  of  Mor- 
ris, widow  of  Dr.  E.  liidgeway. 

Albert  E.  Hoge,  after  the  death  of  his  father, 
came  into  possession  of  the  old  homestead,  to 
Which  he  has  added  so  materially  that  he  now 


owns  over  1,000  acres  in  Nettle  Creek  Town- 
ship. In  is::  I  the  first  schoolhouse  in  the  county 
was  built  on  his  property.  This  old  building 
i<  still  standing  and.  though  decaying  fast,  is 
an  interesting  relic  of  former  days.  Up  to  the 
time  when  he  became  twenty. years  of  age,  lie 
attended  school  in  this  building.  From  that 
time  on  he  was  engaged  in  active  farming  and 
stock  raising,  to  very  good  advantage.  Since 
3002  he  has  not  done  much  actual  farm  work 
himself,  has  rented  practically  all  of  his  land 
but  keeps  a  strict,  personal  supervision  over  it. 

HOGE,  Edgar  S—  The  fertile  farms  of  Grundy 
County  bear  ample  testimony  to  the  progressive 
spirit  and  industry  of  the  agriculturalists  of  this 
region,  and  their  prosperity  has  come  to  them  as 
a  result  of  this  recognition  on  their  part  of  the 
dignity  and  importance  of  farming.  One  of 
the  representative  agriculturalists  of  this  sec- 
tion is  Edgar  S.  Hoge.  a  general  farmer  of  Net- 
tle Creek  Township.  lie  was  born  in  the  town- 
ship, now  his  home,  January  10,  1S00,  a  son  of 
Hendley  and  Virginia  (Silcott)  Hoge.  Mr.  Hoge 
received  an  ample  public  school  training,  finish- 
ing it  with  a  course  at  a  business  college  at 
Davenport,  la.,  remaining  on  the  home  farm  un- 
til ISO::,  when  he  married,  and  moved  to  a  farm 
he  owned  in  Champaign  County,  111.  Seven 
years  later,  he  returned  to  the  homestead. 
While  residing  in  Champaign  County,  he  was 
Supervisor  of  Stanton  Township  from  1S9S  to 
1000,  and  after  returning  to  Nettle  Creek  Town- 
ship, he  was  elected,  in  1010,  to  the  same  otlice 
here,  giving  efficient  service  in  both  instances. 
He  belongs  to  the  Blue  Lodge.  A.  F.  &  A.  M., 
No.  532  Seneca,  111.,  and  the  Chapter  and  Com- 
mandery  of  Morris,  and  is  prominent  in  Ma- 
sonic circles. 

On  December  14,  1S93,  .Mr.  Hoge  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Anna  Anderson,  born  in  Sweden, 
December  2<».  1S70.  In  1SS5,  she  came  to  Morris, 
with  a  brother,  and  there  met  and  married  Mr. 
Hoge.  They  have  the  following  children  :  .Mil- 
dred. Irene,  Hendley,  Sybil,  Less  and  Leslie. 
Mr.  Hoge  is  a  Republican,  and  his  ability,  keen 
judgment  and  conservative  action  were  recog- 
nized and  he  was  made  a  Jus) ice  of  the  Peace, 
which  office  he  held  eight  years.  In  every  ca- 
pacity, he  has  proven  himself  a  worthy  citizen, 
and  his  farm  testifies  to  the  fact  that  he  is  an 
intelligent  business  man.  as  well  as  a  good  pro- 
vider for  his  family  of  which  he  is  justly  proud. 

HOGE,  Isaac,  who  is  a  member  of  one  of  the 
representative  families  of  Grundy  County,  has 
spent  his  life  on  the  farm  on  which  he  yet  lives 
and  which  he  devotes  to  general  agriculture. 
He  was  born  in  Nettle  Creek  Township,  Grundy 
County,  111..  July  25,  1S50,  and  is  a  son  of  Samuel 
and  Matilda  Cllolderman'i  Hoge.  From  Fau- 
quier County.  Va.,  where  he  was  born  October  2S, 
1S05,  Samuel  lloge  came  to  Grundy  County  and 
settled  in  Nettle  Creek  Township  in  1S34,  and  in 
1S35  acquired  G40  acres  of  prairie  and  timber 
lands  called  canal  lands,  lie  died  March  13, 
1881,  a  man  very  highly  respected  all  over  the 


828 


HISTOKY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


county.  He  married,  May  23,  1S39,  Matilda  Ilol- 
derman, a  daughter  of  Abraham  Ilolderman, 
and  she  survived  unlil  February  1-1,  1S9S.  Tliey 
had  a  large  family,  live  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 
Of  those  who  reached  maturity.  Hendley,  lives 
at  Morris,  111.;  Charlotte,  now  deceased,  mar- 
ried William  Rcnrdon;  Abraham,  died  during 
the  Civil  war;  .lane,  married  John  Cunnea,  of 
Chicago;  Joshua  ami  Isaac,  twins,  both  live  in 
Grundy  County:  George,  lives  at  Morris; 
Charles,  lives  in  Kendall  County;  Lina  is  the 
wife  of  David  Milligan  and  lives  at  Los  Gatos, 
Cal. ;  and  Landy  S..  lives  at  Morris. 

Isaac  Hoge  attended  the  district  schools  and 
had  other  educational  advantages,  llis  natural 
inclination  was  toward  farming  and  his  suc- 
cess as  an  agriculturist  lias  brought  him  comfort 
and  independence.  From  choice  he  has  remained 
on  the  farm,  adjacent  to  tin/  old  homestead, 
finding  here  everything  that  any  section  could 
offer  in  the  way  of  agricultural  opportunities, 
and  through  industry  and  good  judgment  he  has 
developed  his  land  to  a  high  degree  of  remunera- 
tive cultivation. 

Mr.  Jloge  was  married  (first)  December  9, 
1S74,  to  Miss  Mary  R.  reacock,  horn  December 
20,  1S54,  in  Frienna  Township,  Grundy  County, 
111.,  a  daughter  of  James  and  Mary  I  Savers) 
Peacock,  who  came  from  New  York  to  Grundy 
County.  To  this  marriage  the  following  chil- 
dren were  horn  :  Alma,  horn  April  -';;,  1S70,  mar- 
ried Charles  llynds  of  Morris,  111.,  and  they 
have  one  daughter,  Helen,  horn  January  2s. 
190S;  Mary,  horn  November  "-'I.  1878,  is  the  wife 
of  John  llynds,  of  Morris,  and  they  have  one 
son,  William  I.:  Margaret,  horn  August  29,  lSSO, 
is  the  wife  of  J.  C.  Williams,  of  Chicago,  and 
they  have  one  child.  Evelyn;  Edna  M..  horn 
April  29,  1882.  is  the  wife  of  Edwin  X.  Burn- 
ham,  of  Nettle  Creek  Township,  and  they  have 
one  son,  Edwin:  Charles  S.,  horn  September  2:!, 
18^4,  died  August  22,  1900;  Candy  S..  born  Au- 
gust 20.  1SSS,  died  August  16,  1S9G;  and  Edith. 
bora  April  29,  ls^3,  died  in  April.  1SS4.  Mr. 
lloge  was  married  (second)  to  Miss  Laura  10. 
Waters,  who  was  born  in  Saratoga  Township, 
Grundy  County,  February  28,  1803,  a  daughter 
of  Hiram  and  Harriet  (Kelley)  Thayer,  natives 
of  Hillsboro,  O.  They  came  early  to  Grundy 
County  and  here  Mrs.  Thayer  died  September  13, 
1879,  Mr.  Thayer  dying  at  Abilene,  Kas..  March 
10,  1901.  Three  children  were  born  to  this  mar- 
riage: Mildred  I.,  born  September  5,  1S91  :  Mina 
L.,  born  June  7.  1893,  married,  October  23,  1913, 
Arthur  II.  DeRov.  and  they  now  reside  in  Atkin- 
son, 111.;  and  Isaac.  Jr..  horn  July  10,  1S95.  In 
politics  Mr.  Hoge  is  a  Republican  but  takes  no 
very  deep  interest  in  affairs  outside  his  own 
-  neighborhood,  in  which  he  is  known  to  be  an 
upright   and   useful    citizen. 

HOGE,  Harry  S. — The  business  of  farming  is 
one  that  is  very  successfully  carried  on  in 
Saratoga  Township.  Grundy  County,  where  there 
are  people  who  love  their  land  and  treasure  it 
as  a  heritage.  Such  is  the  case  in  the  present 
instance,  Harry  S.  Hoge  owning  eighty  acres  of 


the  old  lloge  homestead,  to  which  he  has  added 
100  acres,  all  of  which  is  cultivated  according 
to  the  latest  methods  of  modern  farming.  Harry 
S.  Hoge  was  born  in  Saratoga  Township,  Grundy 
County.  111.,  October  S.  1870,  and  is  a  son  of 
James  P..  and  Eliza    (Hatcher)    Hoge. 

James  B.  lloge  was  the  first  white  child  born 
In  Nettle  Creek  Township,  Grundy  County,  a 
son  of  William  and  Haehel  (Bowls)  lloge.  They 
were  natives  of  Virginia  and  come  to  this  sec- 
tion in  1832,  buying  government  land  in  Nettle 
Creek  Township,  where  they  lived  until  death. 
James  B.  Hoge  grew  up  on  his  father's  farm 
and  married  Eliza  Hatcher,  a  daughter  of  Eli- 
jah Hatcher,  who  had  come  with  his  family 
to  Nettle  Creek  Township  from  Belmont  county, 
Ohio.  After  marriage,  James  B.  Hoge  and  wife 
settled  in  Saratoga  Township,  where  he  became 
a  grain  farmer.  His  wife  died  there  in  1903 
and  his  death  occurred  October  S,  1903.  They 
had  the  following  children:  William,  of  Grand 
Haven.  Mich.;  Fred,  of  Morris.  111.;  Florence, 
Mrs.  Charles  I.nuiburg.  of  Chicago;  Minnie, 
Mrs.  Christ  Lobe,  of  Dwight,  111.;  and  Harry  S. 
Harry  S.  Hoge  attended  the  public  schools 
near  his  home  and  is  the  only  one  of  his  class 
yet  living  in  this  neighborhood.  Until  May  2, 
1893,  when  he  married  Miss  Mary  E.  Kaye.  he 
assisted  his  father  but  then  purchased  eighty 
acres  of  the  homestead,  as  mentioned  above,  and 
carries  on  farming  on  this  land  and  also  on 
hi<  no  acres  in  Nettle  < 'reek  Township,  addi- 
tionally raising  hogs  and  feeding  cattle  for 
market.  His  stock  operations  are  important 
enough  to  warrant  the  name  he  has  given  his 
place,  the  Saratoga  stock  Farm.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hoge  have  four  children:  Crank  T,  Walter  T., 
Jessie  B.  and  E.  Kaye,  all  at  home. 

HOGE,  Hendley. — The  most  substantial  men  in 
any  community  are  those  who  have  retired  from 
the  activities  of  an  agricultural  life,  and  are 
now  enjoying  the  fruits  of  their  strenuous 
labors.  Morris  is  no  exception  to  this  rule,  and 
its  different  townships  have  sent  some  of  their 
richest  agriculturists  to  swell  the  ranks  of  well- 
to-do  citizens  in  the  county  seal.  One  of  these 
thus  representative  of  our  leisure  class,  is  Hend- 
ley lloge.  He  was  born  in  Nettle  Creek  Town- 
ship. July  14.  1N40,  son  of  Samuel  and  Matilda 
i  Ilolderman)  Hoge.  he  born  in  Virginia  in  lSOu, 
and  she  in  Koss  County.  Ohio,  in  1^20.  The 
paternal  grandfather  was  John  Hoge,  of  Vir- 
ginia, while  the  maternal  grandparents  were 
Abraham  and  Charlotte  Ilolderman.  The  lloge 
family  came  to  Grundy  County  in  the  early  thir- 
ties, preempted  land,  securing  valuable  timber 
and  prairie  sites.  The  Holdermans  settled  in 
Kendall  County,  and  were  pioneers  of  that  sec- 
tion. Samuel  Hoge  married  Matilda  Holder- 
man,  at  Morris,  and  they  began  housekeeping 
(tn  his  farm  in  Nettle  Creek  Township.  In 
lime.  Samuel  lloge  became  a  heavy  landowner. 
He  died  oil  his  farm  March  1."..  1SS1.  His  widow, 
in  bssc,  moved  to  Morris,  where  she  died  Feb- 
ruary 14,  1S9S. 


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$04^-^- 


HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY.  829 

Ilendley  Hoge  was  the  eldest  of  the  ten  chil-  farming,   settling  in   Erienna   Township,   where 

dren  born  to  his  parents,  and  remained  at  home  he  continued  until  March  1,  1S9S,  when  lie  came 

until    his  marriage,   Decemher   1(5,   1804,   to  Vir-  to   Morris  and   since   then   has   lieeu    mainly   en- 

ginia    Silcott,     born    in     Adams    County,    Ohio,  gaged  in  looking  after  his  large  property  inter- 

daughter   of   Craven    and    Elizabeth    (Tavener)  esfs.      Enterprise   and   good   judgment   have   al- 

Silcott,    (if   Loudoun   County.     Va.      Alter     mar-  ways  marked  his  undertakings  and  success  has 

riage,  Mr.  Hoge  moved   (<>  a   farm   lie  owned   in  crowned  his  efforts.     On  Xovcmher  10,  lS7(i,  Mr. 

Nettle    ("reek    Township,    and    in    time    acquired  Hoge    was   married    to   .Miss    Laura    R.    Quigley, 

640  acres  of  magnificent  farm  land,  on  which  he  who  was  horn  in    Pennsylvania,  a   daughter  of 

carried   on    general    farming   and    stock    raising.  Henry    and    Matilda     (Close)     Quigley.      Henry 

In  January,  1S99,  he  took  possession  of  a   line  Quigley  was  horn  in  Crawford  County,  l'a..  and 

residence  lie  had  built  at   Morris,  where  he  has  died    in    May.   1S03.     Mrs.   Quigley    was  born  in 

since  lived   retired,   renting   his  farm.     He  and  Chester  County.  I'a.     In  lMi'l  she  came  with  her 

his  wife  have  had  two  children:     Edgar  S.,  on  children  to  Morris.   III.,  and  the  family  has  be- 

the  home  farm,  married   Annie  Anderson,  a  na-  longed  ever  since  to  (his  state.     Three' sons  are 

tive  of  Sweden,  and  they  have  six  children,  four  deceased.    Myron,    Merritt    and    Earl,    and    one 

girls    and    two    hoys;    and    Laura    M.,    wife    of  daughter,  Laura    E.,   died    April   L">,   1S00.     Two 

Fred    Stephens   of   Morris;   and    they    have    t wo  daughters   survive:      Ella,    who   is   Mrs.    George 

daughters.     A  Republican,   Mr.  Hoge  has  served  Hoge,   of   Morris,    111.,   and   Carrie,   who   is   Mrs. 

as  assessor,  road  commissioner,  and  supervisor,  Charles  Hoge,  of  Big  Grove  Township,  Kendall 

and  is  a  man  of  prominence  in  the  county.     Al-  County.     Mrs.  Joshua    Hoge  is  survived   by  one 

though  his  education   was  acquired   only    in   the  son,  Samuel.    One  daughter,  Eva,  who  was  born 

schools    of   the    country    districts,    he    is   a    well  August  2X,  1SS2,  died  October  G,  ISO!).     The  son, 

read   and   thoroughly   informed   man.  and    much  Samuel   Hoge,   is  a    resident  of  Morris,   111.     lie 

interested    in   current    events.     The   family    is  a  married    May    Bennett,    and    they    have    a    son, 

fine  one  and  comes  of  old  Quaker  stock.  Frank,  and  daughter,  Eva.     Although  Mr.   Hoge 

has   been   affiliated    with    the   Republican    party 

HOGE,  Joshua,  who   is   one  of  the  substantial  for  many  years  he  has  more  or  less  confined  his 

men   of   Grundy   County,   has   large   interests   of  political  activity  to  the  duty  of  casting  his  vote. 
an  agricultural  nature  in  this  and  also  in  other 

sections,  and  was  horn  in  Xettle  Creek  Town-  HOGE,  Landy  S. — The  lumber  and  coal  business 
ship,  Grundy  County.  111.,  July  °.."i.  lSfiO,  and  is  of  Morris  is  heavy,  as  the  city  supplies  Grundy 
a  son  of  Samuel  and  Matilda  (Ilolderman)  County  with  the  greater  quantity  of  both  eom- 
Hoge.  modities  used  in  its  consumption,  and  the  hand- 
Samuel  Hoge  was  horn  October  28,  1S0H,  in  ling  of  them  has  been  developed  into  a  very 
Fauquier  County,  Ya.,  and  in  the  fall  of  1834  valuable  interest.  One  of  the  men  who,  for 
came  to  Grundy  County  and  settled  in  Xettle  some  years,  hole  his  part  in  the  material  de- 
Creek  Township.  In  1S35  he  went  to  the  village  velopinent  of  these  kindred  lines  of  cominer- 
of  Chicago  and  there  bid  in  what  was  called  cialism.  is  Landy  S.  Hoge,  now  living  retired  at 
the  canal  lands,  the  tract  including  040  acres  Morris.  He  was  horn  in  Xettle  Creek  Township, 
of  timber  and  prairie.  In  1S40  he  settled  on  February  2,  1804,  son  of  Samuel  and  Matilda 
the  farm  on  which  bodied.  March  LI.  1SS1.  On  (Ilolderman)  Hoge.  The  father  was  born  in 
May  23,  1839,  he  married  Matilda  Ilolderman,  a  Virginia,  and  the  mother  in  Ohio.  In  1S33 
daughter  of  Abraham  Ilolderman.  and  they  Samuel  Hoge  came  to  Grundy  County,  married 
started  housekeeping  in  a  log  cabin  that  stood  here  and  settled  on  his  farm  west  of  Morris, 
near  Morris,  in  section  ti.  range  0,  township  33,  His  wife  came  here  with  her  parents,  Abraham 
but  one  year  afterward  put  up  a  rather  preten-  Ilolderman  and  wife,  in  183.1. 
tious  frame  house  on  Xettle  Creek,  the  siding  Landy  S.  Hoge  grew  up  on  the  farm,  receiving 
being  of  black  walnut,  the  same  being  sawed  his  educational  training  in  the  public  schools, 
in  William  Hoge's  saw  mill  from  trees  cut  on  the  Morris  Xormal  school  and  Bryant  and  Strat- 
the  farm.  The  following  children  were  horn  to  tan's  Business  college,  lie  lived  with  his  par- 
Samuel  and  Matilda  Hoge:  Hendley,  who  is  ents  on  the  farm  until  his  marriage,  which  oc- 
a  resident  of  Morris.  Ilk;  Charlotte,  who  mar-  curred  in  September,  18SS,  when  he  was  united 
ried  William  Reardon,  deceased ;  Abraham,  who  with  Margaret  McCamhridge,  horn  in  Orundy- 
died  during  the  Civil  War;  Jane,  who  is  the  County,  daughter  of  John  anil  Maria  (Cunnea) 
wife  of  John  Cunnea.  of  Chicago;  Joshua  and  .McCamhridge,  natives  of  Ireland.  After  mar- 
Isaac,  twins,  both  of  whom  live  in  Grundy  Conn-  riage  Mr.  Hoge  moved  to  a  farm  in  Xettle  Creek 
ty;  George,  who  is  a  resident  of  Morris;  Charles.  Township,  which  he  owned,  and  carried  on  gen- 
who  lives  in  Kendall  County:  Lina.  who  mar-  oral  farming  until  1000.  when  he  rented  his 
ried  David  Milligan.  of  Los  Oatos,  Cal.;  Landy,  property,  and  moved  to  Morris,  which  has  since 
who  lives  at  Morris,  111.;  and  live  who  died  in  continued  his  home.  lie  had  an  interest  in  a 
infancy.  The  mother  of  the  above  family  died  grain  elevator  at  Stockdale  for  two  years,  and  a 
February  14.  1S9S.  few  months  after  his  arrival  at  Morris  bought 
Joshua  Hoge  attended  the  district  schools,  a  one  half  interest  in  a  lumber  and  hard  coal 
Lombard  University  at  Galesburg,  111.,  and  Bry-  business  from  a  Mi-.  Moore,  and,  witli  F.  S.  Ste- 
ant  and  Strattou's  Business  college.  Chicago.  At  phens,  conducted  it  until  January  1.  1913,  when 
the   age    of    twenty-one    years    he    embarked    in  be  sold  his  interests  to  Mr.  Stephens  and  is  now 


830 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


retired.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  fra- 
ternally belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  ;it 
Morris.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hoge  are  the  parents 
of  three  children:  Hildegarde,  wife  of  Roseoe 
Buzzard,  and  they  have  one  child,  Margaret, 
and  now  live  in  Hitter  Root  Valley,  Montana; 
Zita  ;  and  Eunice,  who  married  Clifford  Collins 
of  Morris.  Mr.  Hoge,  a  sound,  reliable,  sensi- 
ble man,  is  justly  regarded  as  one  of  the  city's 
representative  citizens. 

HOHENSHELL,  Daniel  (deceased).— Although 
past  seventy-eight  years  of  age,  and  somewhat 
retired  from  agricultural  pursuits  as  an  active 
worker,  Daniel  Hohenshell  still  took  a  keen  in- 
terest in  the  affairs  of  Nettle  ('reek  Township, 
Grundy  County,  111.,  and  with  clear  mind  and 
unimpaired  intellect  superintended  the  opera- 
tions on  his  handsome,  well-cultivated  proper- 
ty, on  which  be  resided  from  1875,  until  his 
death,  Juue  2,  1913.  Mr.  HoliensheU's  partici- 
pation in  the  affairs  of  his  adopted  community 
had  been  of  a  nature  materially  beneficial,  and 
among  his  fellow-townsmeu  he  had  long  been  ac- 
counted one  to  whom  to  look  for  guidance  and 
leadership  in  matters  of  general  public  im- 
portance. He  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
was  born  June  21,  1633,  a  son  of  George  and 
Charlotte  (Chebonda)  Hohenshell,  who  were 
born  in  Westmoreland  County.  Pa. 

During  the  early  years  of  his  life,  George 
Hohenshell  followed  the  occupation  of  a  carder. 
The  son  of  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  he  was 
reared  to  habits  of  sturdy  honesty  and  self- 
reliance,  and  early  gave  up  carding  to  engage 
in  the  more  remunerative  occupation  of  farm- 
ing. In  the  fall  of  1S54  he  turned  his  face  to- 
ward the  West,  and  with  his  wife,  his  son,  Hen- 
ry, the  latter's  wife  and  two  children,  his  son, 
Daniel  and  his  wife  and  one  child,  and  eight 
other  children,  started  overland  by  ox  teams, 
and  alter  a  journey  of  one  month  arrived  at 
Holdennan's  Grove,  Kendall  County,  111.  In 
1857  George  Hohenshell  came  to  Grundy  County, 
where  he  resided  until  1861,  and  in  that  year 
moved  to  La  Salle  County,  buying  a  farm  near 
Streator,  on  which  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
life.  After  his  death  the  mother  removed  to 
Missouri  and  there  she  passed  away  some  years 
later.  They  were  the  parents  of  eleven  chil- 
dren, Daniel  being  the  seventh  in  order  of 
birth. 

Daniel  Hohenshell  obtained  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  Pennsylvania,  and  grew 
up  on  his  father's  farm.  In  1S53,  between 
Christinas  and  New  Year,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Catherine  Walt/.,  who  was  born  in  Wurt- 
temberg,  Germany,  in  April.  1830,  daughter  of 
John  and  Margaret  (March)  Waltz,  who  came 
to  Pennsylvania  in  1S44.  In  the  spring  of  lNr>5 
Mr.  Hohenshell  started  farmins  on  Abe  Holder- 
man's  farm,  in  Erienna  Township,  and  eight 
years  later  became  the  owner  of  another  prop- 
erty in  the  same  township,  which  he  cultivated 
twelve  years.  In  1875  he  came  to  Nettle  Creek 
Township,  and  purchased  a  tract  of  1G0  acres, 
on  which  there  had  already  been  several  build- 


ings erected.  These  structures  were  afterward 
rebuilt  by  Mr.  Hohenshell.  who  also  erected  oth- 
er buildings  and  made  numerous  improvements 
of  a  modern  nature.  He  confined  his  attention 
to  grain  farming  and  stock  raising,  and  his  op- 
erations were  successful  because  of  his  earnest 
and  well  directed  effort.  Modern  methods  al- 
ways appealed  to  him,  and  innovations  were  in- 
variably given  a  trial.  As  a  citizen  he  was 
foremost  in  matters  of  public  interest,  and  at 
various  times  was  honored  by  elections  to  town- 
ship oliice,  at  all  times  giving  evidence  of  a  high 
regard  for  the  duties  and  responsibilities  of 
good  citizenship. 

.Mr.  and  .Mrs.  Hohenshell  became  the  parents 
of  the  following  children:  George,  living  in 
Wright  County,  Iowa;  Mary,  who  married 
Jerome  Miller,  of  Adair  County,  Iowa;  Frank- 
lin and  Phyat,  of  Norman.  111.;  Martha  J.,  who 
married  Otis  Chapman,  of  I.a  Salle  County,  111.; 
Frederick,  of  St.  Louis,  Mo.;  Sarah,  who  is  now 
Mrs.  Wilbur  Wildey,  of  Nettle  Creek  Town- 
ship; Cora,  the  widow  of  Newt  Johnson,  re- 
sided with  her  father;  charlotte,  who  is  Mrs. 
Henry  Torkelson,  of  Norman  Township;  Roxey, 
Mrs.  Herberl  Wildey,  of  Nettle  Creek  Town- 
ship; Daniel,  of  Erienna  Township,  and  Laura 
and  Lizzie,  twins,  resided  with  their  father. 
The  mother  of  these  children  died  May  2,  1910. 
There  are  thirty-eight  grandchildren  and  twen- 
ty-four great-grandchildren.  Both  parents  are 
buried   in  Evergreen  cemetery,   Morris,  111. 

HOLDERMAN,  Abraham,  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
Grundy  County,  was  born  in  Ross  County,  Ohio, 
January  22.  1822,  a  son  of  Abraham  anil  Char- 
lotte (O'Neal)  Holderman.  The  family  came 
to  what  is  known  as  Holdennan's  Grove,  in  the 
fall  of  1831,  and  there  Abraham  the  younger 
lived  until  he  was  twenty-three  years  old.  At 
that  time  he  came  to  Felix  Township,  Grundy 
County,  but  in  1S49,  he  moved  to  Erienna  Town- 
ship, locating  upon  a  quarter  section  of  land 
and  developed  it  into  a  very  valuable  property, 
devoting  it  to  stock-  and  grain  raising,  becom- 
ing one  of  the  substantial  and  wealthy  men  of 
Grundy  County.  Ili.i  death  occurred  November 
27,  1S67,  as  the  result  of  an  accident.  He  was 
thrown  from  a  buggy,  and  died  from  the  effects 
of  the  injuries  thus  incurred.  On  May  4.  ls47, 
he  married  Mary  E.  Hoge,  a  daughter  of  William 
and  Rachel  Hoge,  and  they  became  the  parents 
of  five  children ;  A.  J.,  Albert  II.,  Martha  J., 
Landy  S.  and  Samuel  D.  Mr.  Holderman  was  a 
Republican  and  served  his  township  as 
Supervisor. 

HOLDERMAN,  Samuel  (deceased),  was  a  pio- 
neer of  Grundy  County,  who  was  born  at  Marion, 
Ohio,  October  9,  1S2<\  hut  was  brought  to  Grundy 
County.  111.,  in  1S31,  by  his  parents,  Holder- 
man's  Grove  being  named  in  their  honor.  For 
many  years  he  was  associated  with  the  agri- 
cultural interests  of  Felix  Township,  but  later 
retired  to  Morris,  where  he  resided  on  Fremont 
street,  lie  and  his  sons  became  largely  inter- 
ested in  mining  interests  in  Wyoming  and  Utah. 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


831 


In  July,  1S."2,  Mr.  Holdernian  married  (first) 
Martha  II.  Coke,  who  died  in  1S6G,  having  boon 
the  mother  of  six  children,  namely:  Charles  II., 
Mary  E.,  Charlotte  M.,  William  E.,  Caroline  M. 
and  Orville  S.  In  January,  1S72,  he  married 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  King.  In  politics  he  was  a 
Republican. 

HOLMES,  Edward.— The  leading  meat  market 
of  Braceville,  111.,  is  conducted  by  Edward 
Holmes,  who  lias  not  alone  occupied  a  promi- 
nent place  in  the  business  life  of  the  city,  but 
lias  also  been  a  leader  in  public  affairs,  and  is 
now  serving  efficiently  as  a  member  of  the  board 
of  commissioners.  Mr.  Holmes  was  born  in 
England,  in  1S04,  and  is  a  son  of  Charles  and 
Susan  i  Young)  Holmes,  both  natives  of  that 
country.  There  were  eight  children  in  the  fam- 
ily.: Charles.  Edward.  Alfred,  Wallace.  Lilly, 
deceased,  and  Jessie  and  two  died  in  infancy. 
The  family  came  to  the  United  states  in  ls72. 
and  first  settled  in  Braceville,  where  the  father 
secured  employment  in  the  mines  as  weighmas- 
ter,  a  position  which  he  continued  to  hold  un- 
til his  death.  After  coming  to  America  he  and 
his  wife  had  the  four  children:  Wallace,  Mrs. 
Jessie  Gleghorn,  and  the  two  who  died  in 
infancy. 

The  early  education  of  Edward  Holmes  was 
secured  in  his  native  place  in  England,  and  in 
Kankakee  County,  111.,  for  he  accompanied  his 
parents  to  the  United  States  when  about  eight 
years  of  age,  and  went  to  live  with  his  grand- 
parents at  Essex,  111.,  where  he  attended  school 
during  the  winter  terms  and  assisted  in  the 
work  of  the  farm  during  the  summer  months. 
At  the  age  of  eighteen  years  he  returned  to 
Rraceville  and  secured  work  in  the  mines,  but 
after  three  years  turned  his  attention  to  the 
butcher  trade,  in  which  he  has  been  engaged  to 
the  present  time.  -Air.  Holmes  lias  been  proprie- 
tor of  his  present  establishment  since  lSflG,  and 
through  straightforward  and  honorable  methods 
has  built  up  an  excellent  trade.  He  is  known 
as  a  business  man  of  the  strictest  integrity,  and 
has  the  full  confidence  of  his  fellow-townsmen. 
Mi'.  Holmes  was  married  in  1S91  to  Miss 
Louisa  Rothlisberger,  and  to  this  union  there 
have  been  born  two  children:  William  Henry 
and  Edna  Louise.  Witli  his  family  Mr.  Holmes 
attends  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and 
has  been  liberal  in  bis  support  of  its  charities. 
He  is  a  Democrat,  but  inclined  to  be  liberal 
in  county  politics,  believing  it  his  prerogative 
to  vote  for  the  man  he  deems  best  fitted  for 
the  office,  without  regard  to  party  ties.  As  one 
of  the  first  of  Braceville's  city  commissioners, 
he  is  showing  himself  possessed  of  much  execu- 
tive ability  and  high  ideals  as  to  the  responsi- 
bilities of  public  service.  He  is  fraternally  con- 
nected with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America, 
in  which  be  is  advisor,  and  with  the  Knights 
of  Pythias. 

HOLMES,  Joshua  C. — There  is  no  better  evidence 
of  the  prosperity  of  a  community  than  the  suc- 
cess of  its  building  contractors,  for  when   they 


are  kept  busy,  the  city  is  growing  to  accommo- 
date increase  of  wealth  on  the  part  of  the  older 
residents,  and  the  influx  of  outside  capital.  One 
of  the  men  who  certainly  belongs  to  the  class 
referred  to  above  in  the  city  of  Morris  is  Joshua 
('.  Holmes.  wil(,  was  born  in  Saratoga  Town- 
ship, this  county,  April  30,  1SG6,  a  son  of  John 
H.  and  Rebecca  (Winnie)  Holmes  of  Albany 
County,  X.  Y.  The  father  was  a  carpenter  who 
left  his  native  place  in  1SG0.  for  Morris.  111., 
where  he  carried  on  his  line  of  work,  being  en- 
gaged in  the  construction  work  on  the  first 
bridge  across  the  Illinois  River.  Finding  things 
in  a  prosperous  condition,  he  returned  for  his 
family,  ami  coming  back  with  them,  located  on 
a  farm  in  Saratoga  Township  where  he  lived 
until  his  death  on  April  2.°,.  1910,  aged  eighty- 
two  years.  His  widow,  born  November  20,  IS35, 
survives,  making  her  home  at  Morris.  '  They 
had  the  following  children:  William,  who  is 
deceased;  Erazier.  who  is  of  Chicago;  Charles, 
who  is  of  Morris;  Joshua  C. :  Leonard,  who  is 
Of  Chicago;  Jennie,  who  is  Mrs.  William  Ashton 
of  Morris;  and  Noble,  who  is  of  Morris. 

Joshua  C.  Holmes  went  to  the  neighboring 
school,  and  grew  up  on  the  homestead  amid 
healthy,  normal  surroundings,  where  he  re- 
mained until  his  marriage  in  1S01.  After  that 
event  he  was  employed  as  a  cooper  in  the  oat- 
meal factory,  and  also  worked  as  a  carpenter 
during  the  summers  until  1S9S,  when  he  em- 
barked in  a  general  contracting  business,  and 
now  gives  employment  to  from  four  to  live  men 
in  season.  On  August  16,  1S91.  Mr.  Holmes 
was  married  to  Lena  Mae  Read,  born  at  Genoa, 
111.,  a  daughter  of  Walter  Van  Buren  and  Caro- 
line V.  (Thompson)  Read,  natives  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, who  came  to  Illinois,  where  Mr.  Read 
was  a  fanner  for  some  years,  later  goins;  to 
.Missouri,  and  still  later  to  North  Dakota.  At 
present  he  is  living  retired  at  .Morris.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Holmes  have  two  children,  Pearl  and 
Zelma.  both  of  whom  are  at  home.  Politically 
Mr.  Holmes  is  a  Republican.  In  fraternal  mat- 
ters he  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America  and  the  odd  Fellows,  both  of  Morris. 
and  is  popular  with  his  fellow-members  for  he 
is  a  man  to  command  respect. 

HOLROYD,  Benjamin  (deceased).— The  late 
Benjamin  Holroyd  was  one  of  the  best  types  of 
honorable  manhood  Grundy  County  has  ever 
known.  Not  only  was  he  successful  in  a  ma- 
terial sense,  but  he  accomplished  that  which 
was  far  more  important,  for  he  established  a 
reputation  for  fair  and  honorable  dealing,  and 
became  known  far  and  wide  as  a  man.  of  high 
principles.  Mr.  Holroyd  was  horn  at  Hallham 
Yorkshire.  England,  where  in  1S45;  ho  married 
Susie  Law.  In  1S53  he  came  to  Essex,  111.,  and 
worked  at  any  employment  that  he  could  se- 
cure that  was  honest.  A" little  later  be  sent  for 
his  wife  and  family,  and  upon  their  arrival, 
settled  on  a  farm  at  Essex,  but  later  moved  to 
a  farm  at  Lisbon.  111.  Selling  th's  property 
some  years  later,  he  bought  one  in  Wauponsee 
Township,    where    he    resided    until    his    retire- 


832 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


incut,  at  which  time  he  came  to  Morris.  His 
first  wife  died  on  the  farm  in  Wauponsee  Town- 
ship, in  1S00.  By  her  he  had  eleven  children: 
Libbie,  who  is  of  Morris;  Sarah,  Mrs.  Thomas, 
who  lives  with  her  sister,  Libbie;  Mary,  who  is 
Mrs.  Thomas  Thirl  by ;  Annie,  who  is  Mrs. 
Joshua  H.  Collins,  of  Morris;  Phoebe,  who  was 
Mrs.  Philip  Collins;  William,  who  is  of  Mar- 
shaltown,  Iowa;  Martha,  who  is  Mrs.  Dawson, 
of  Morris;  Alice,  who  is  Mrs.  Oscar  Collins,  of 
Morris;  and  Prank  P..,  who  is  of  Waupousee 
Township.  The  second  wife  of  Mr.  Holroyd  was 
a  Mrs.  Schofield,  who  died  in  lsOS.  On  May 
?,,  1899,  Mr.  Holroyd  married  Ann.  widow  of 
George  A.  Aeton,  there  being  no  issue  to  tins 
marriage.  George  A.  Acton  was  horn  in  Not- 
tingham, England,  as  was  Mrs.  Holroyd,  and 
he  came  to  Morris  in  1S53.  By  his  first  mar- 
riage. Mr.  Aeton  had  two  children:  Martha, 
who  is  Mrs.  John  Myers  of  Red  Bluff,  Cal. ;  and 
George,  who  is  of  Tucson,  Ariz.  Mrs.  Holroyd 
never  had  anv  children. 

On  .May  11.'  1!><H.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Holroyd  left 
Morris  for  a  trip  to  England,  lauding  on  May 
,"'.1  at  Liverpool,  where  they  visited  with  a  sis- 
ter. .Mrs.  John  Lister,  ami  there  Mi'.  Holroyd 
died  June  •'!.  1001.  his  remains  being  interred  in 
the  family  burial  ground  there.  Mrs.  Holroyd 
returned  to  Morris  where  she  si  ill  resides  with 
her  adopted  daughter.  Mrs.  Harry  Gipes.  Mrs. 
Holroyd  is  a  lady  of  considerable  means,  own- 
ing ten  good  residences  in  Morris  which  she 
rents,  in  addition  to  her  own  home.  Mr,  Hol- 
royd was  a  Baptist  and  a  man  of  high  standing 
in  his  church  as  well  as  in  the  community. 

HOPKINS,  William  T.  (deceased). -One  of  the 
early  attorneys  of  Grundy  County  was  William 
T.  Hopkins  of  Morris,  horn  in  Maine.  October  5, 
1810,  a  son  of  David  Hopkins.  Mr.  Hopkins 
was  educated  in  his  native  State,  and  there 
studied  law.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at 
Morris,  111.,  in  1S50,  and  began  practicing  im- 
mediately thereafter.  In  the  period  embraced 
between  1853  and  1S55,  he  was  also  interested 
in  a  mercantile  venture  at  the  County  Seat.  A 
man  of  prominence  he  was  Superintendent  of 
Public  Instruction  for  one  term;  was  Judge  of 
the  Grundy  County  Court  for  one  term  ;  served 
in  the  State  Legislature  for  two  years;  and  had 
the  distinction  of  being  one  of  the  Presidential 
Electors  in  1S04  who  cast  the  vote  of  Illinois 
for  Abraham  Lincoln.  In  1SG5  and  1S66,  he 
was  a  general  agent  of  the  Internal  Revenue 
Department  of  the  United  States,  and  in  1SG3- 
G4-G5  he  was  president  of  the  Sanitary  and 
Christian  Commission  for  this  district.  In  addi- 
tion he  served  a  three-months  term  in  the  army 
during  the  Civil  War.  In  1840,  Mr.  Hopkins 
married  Clara  II.  Present t.  A  Mason,  he  was 
Master  of  his  lodge  in  1SS2.  In  politics  a  Re- 
publican, lie  remained  steadfast  to  his  party, 
and  was  very  proud  of  the  fact  that  he  and 
Mr.  Lincoln  were  warm,  personal  friends.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  were  Baptists. 


HORRIE,  James,  a  pioneer  of  Morris,  came  to 
this  city  in  1848  and  became  a  carriage  manu- 
facturer. He  was  born  in  the  Orkney  Islands, 
Scotland,  September  27,  1827,  and  learned  there 
the  trade  of  a  blacksmith.  On  August  20,  1850, 
he  married  Catherine  Anderson  of  Scotland  and 
they  had  eight  children,  namely;  .lane,  .lames 
A.,  Robert  O,  Joseph  W.,  Catherine  A..  William 
J.,  John  C,  and  Minnie.  Mr.  I  Ionic  was  a 
Republican,  and  served  as  Alderman  for  one 
year.  He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church. 

HOUSKEN,  John— It  is  remarkable  what  suc- 
cess many  foreign-born  citizens  of  the  L'nited 
States  attain  when  they  find  opportunities  to 
follow  their  natural  inclinations.  There  are  no 
better  farmers  the  world  over  than  the  men 
who  have  come  here  from  alien  shores,  possessed 
with  the  earnest  hope  of  securing  land  upon 
which  to  make  a  home  for  themselves  and 
those  who  will  come  after  them.  Grundy  County 
is  fortunate  in  having  so  many  of  these  sturdy, 
reliable  men  in  its  midst,  and  one  who  has 
made  good  use  of  his  opportunities  to  his  own 
benefit  and  the  general  advancement  of  his  com- 
munity, is  John  llousken  of  .Nettle  (reek  Town- 
ship. 

John  llousken  was  born  at  Stavanger.  Nor- 
way. August  '-''■>,  1NS5.  His  mother  died  in  11)10 
in  the  old  home,  hut  the  father  still  lives  then'. 
In  1003  John  llousken,  who  had  grown  up  in 
his  native  place  and  attended  the  public  schools, 
left  Norway  for  the  l'nited  States.  Coming  to 
Morris.  111.,  be  found  employment  among  the 
farmers  in  neighboring  townships,  and  in  100S 
began  farming  ICO  acres  of  land  in  Nettle  Creek 
Township.  Of  this  property  133  acres  are  un- 
der cultivation,  and  the  balance  is  in  pasture 
land  and  timber.  Mr.  llousken  is  specializing 
in  grain  farming  and  has  been  very  successful 
in  his  work,  fur  he  is  earnest  and  painstaking 
and  knows  how  to  make  his  efforts  count  for 
something.  On  February  •'!,  1000,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  with  1011a  Olson,  horn  in  Erieuna 
Township,  this  county,  January  18,  1SS9,  a 
daughter  of  Theodore  and  Bertha  (Thorson) 
Olson  of  Stavanger  Norway.  Mr.  Olson  died 
in  April.  1010.  but  his  widow  survives  him  and 
makes  her  home  at  Morris.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  llous- 
ken have  two  children:  Teressa  Bernice,  horn 
June  17.  1010,  and  Erwin  J.,  horn  November  17. 
-1012.  Mr.  llousken  is  a  member  of  the  Nor- 
wegian Lutheran  Church.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Republican. 

HOWARD,  Patrick  H,  one  of  the  substantial  and 
aggressive  agriculturists  of  Felix  Township, 
owns  and  operates  100  acres  of  tine  farming 
land  on  Section  2S.  He  was  horn  in  Boston. 
Mass..  November  15,  1850,  a  son  of  Patrick  and 
Katherine  (Daly)  Howard.  The  parents  were 
natives  of  County  Cork.  Ireland,  who  came  to 
Boston  in  youth.  The  father  was  but  eighteen 
years  old  'when  he  landed  in  that  city  where 
he  worked  as  a  laborer.  He  lived  in  Lisbon,  in 
Kendall    County,    at   the   old    Stage   Tavern,    for 


* 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY.  833 

some  years  in  boyhood  days.  In  lS3(i  he  came  cured  this  position,  Mr.  Howe  worked  as  a 
to  Monis  where  lie  obtained  employment  on  marine  engineer  on  the  Great  Lakes,  the  llli- 
the  railroads  and  the  Michigan  Caual,  thus  con-  nois  River  and  the  Mississippi  River,  thirteen 
tinuing  until  1853,  when  he  bought  hi-'  first  years  in  all.  Not  satisfied  with  his  progress, 
land  which  was  located  in  Felix  Township.  He  however,  he  entered  into  boiler  making  at  Mor- 
reniained  on  the  farm  until  his  death  which  ris.  and  lor  a  number  of  years  did  a  very  big 
occurred  in  1.893,  his  remains  being  interred  business  in  this  line  as  well  as  in  repair  work. 
in  Mt.  Carmel  cemetery  of  Morris.  111.  The  Seeing  a  line  opening  that  lie  could  take  ad- 
mother  died  in  1898  and  rests  by  the  side  of  vantage  of  in  brick  construction  work  and  Con- 
ner husband.  The  parents  had  nine  children.  crete,  he  branched  out  and  now  takes  large  con- 
four  of  whom  are  liviiiir :  Jeremiah,  who  is  tracts  for  all  classes  of  buildings  in  his  line, 
living  in  Will  County.  III.;  Catherine  Malady.  specializing  on  architectural  concrete.  His  of- 
and  John  and  1'atrick  II.  rice  is  conveniently  located  at  Xo.  COO  West  ave- 

Patrick  II.  Howard  was  one  year  old  when  nue,  Morris,  where  he  also  resides.  He  has 
he  was  brought  to  Grundy  County  and  crew  the  distinction  of  being  the  only  contractor  able 
to  manhood  in  this  vicinity.  Owing  to  the  lack  to  turn  out  artistic  concrete  work  in  this  local- 
of  school  facilities  in  his  boyhood  days,  bis  edit-  ity.  On  July  :;,  1s7.">,  Mr.  Howe  was  married  to 
cational  training  was  limited,  but  he  made  the  Anna  Cryer.  born  in  England,  daughter  of  lien- 
most  of  his  opportunities.  I'ntil  he  was  thirty-  jamin  and  Hannah  (Rriarley)  Cryer,  who  came 
four  years  old.  he  remained  with  his  parents.  to  the  United  States  at  an  early  day.  the  father 
and  then  began  farming  for  himself  in  Goose  being  a  coal  miner.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Howe  have 
Lake  Township.  In  1895,  he  inherited  his  pres-  the  following  family:  Milo  and  Robert,  both  of 
cut  farm,  and  lias  made  many  improvements  whom  reside  at  Morris:  Annie,  widow  of  W'il- 
uiion  ii.  having  now  a  valuable  property.  liam    Youngren,    who    lives     with     her     father; 

On  September  28,  In^T.  Mr.  Howard  was  mar-  Emma,  Mrs.   Frank   Sanford,  who  lives  at  Mor- 

ried   to   Mary  Lyons,   who  was   born    in   Grundy  ris:  Benjamin,  who  is  of  Bureau,  111.;  and  Lena 

County,  October  21.  1SG4.     Their  children   have  L..    a    trained    nurse,    who    is    at    home.      By    a 

been    as    follows:     Mary    Marck,    who    lives    in  former  marriage,  consummated  on  July  .*!,  1860, 

Coal  City:  Elizabeth  Viola,  who  married   Anton  with  Mary  McKinney,  a  native  of  Virginia,  who 

Randina   of   Felix    Township;   and   John    !•'.,   Es-  died  in  June.   1871.     Mr.   Howe  had  one  daugh- 

tella   I'..  Gertrude  E.,   Lydia    M..  and  Charles  1'.  ter :     Laura,    now    Mrs.    Xoah    Delay. 

Mr.    Howard   belongs  to  the  Catholic  Church   at  Although    Mr.    Howe   was  given   hut  few   edu- 

Coal  City.     Politically  he  is  an  independent  al-  rational   advantages,   he  created  them  for  him- 

though  he  leans  towards   Democratic  doctrines.  self,   studying  at   night    school,   and   taking   ad- 

At   present    he   is   serving  as   highway   commis-  vantages  of  every  opportunity  when  it   was  of- 

sioner  of   Felix   Township   and    as   a    school    di-  fered.     As  a    result   he   has   steadily   risen   until 

rector.     He  is  a  man  of  ability  and  high  stand-  today    he   occupies   an   enviable   position    anion'; 

ing,  who  has  earned  all   he  lias  by   his  own  ef-  the    leading    contractors   of   Grundy   County, 
forts,    aided    thereto    by    his    habits    of   economy 

and  industry.  HUME,  Eber  F. — Morris  lias  a  number  of  sub- 
stantial    retired    farmers    in    its    midst,    all    of 

HOWE,  Milo  E.,  is  an  excellent  example  of  the  whom  have  honorably  earned  their  present  pros- 
self-made  man.  one  who  lias  developed  his  nat-  perity  by  years  of  earnest  and  steady  work.  One 
ural  talents  and  increased  his  earning  capacity  of  these  representative  men  of  Grundy  County, 
by  night  study.  Mr.  Howe  is  now  one  of  the  who  is  serving  as  a  Rural  Route  mail  carrier. 
leading  cement  contractors  of  Morris,  specializ-  is  Eber  F.  Hume,  who  was  born  in  Wauponsoe 
ing  in  architectural  work  in  this  line  He  was  Township.  January  12.  1802,  a  son  of  Hampden 
horn  in  Ashtabula  County.  Ohio.  October  18,  and  Rosetta  illulse)  Hume,  natives  of  Ohio. 
1S50,  son  of  Almiran  ami  Ziprah  (Peck)  Howe,  They  came  to  Wauponsee  Township  in  the  early 
natives  of  Vermont  and  Lou-  Island.  X.  V..  re-  forties  from  New  York  State,  where  Hampden 
spectively.  The  father  went  to  New  Lyme.  Hume  had  previously  lived  for  some  years,  and 
Ohio,  with  his  parents  at  an  early  day.  and  he  still  makes  his  home  in  that  township,  living 
there  married  and  settled,  being  a  machinist  upon  his  farm  of  300  acres.  The  children- of 
and  blacksmith.  In  1850  he  came  to  Kankakee  this  couple  were:  Edward,  who  lives  at  Piano, 
City.  Ilk.  ami  bought  a  soldier's  claim  of  1C0  HI.;  Eber  F. :  Nettie,  who  accidentally  died  in 
acres  of  land,  which  he  operated  until  his  death,  a  fire  when  three  years  old:  Frederick,  who 
in  September,  1858,  his  widow  surviving  him  lives  at  Leon.  Iowa:  Albert,  who  lives'in  Wau- 
until  1899,  when  she  passed  away  in  Kankakee  ponsee  Township;  Hampden,  who  lives  in  the 
City,  in  the  meanwhile  having  married  a  second  same  township;  and  Altha.  who  is  Mrs.  Charles 
time.  Moon,  of  Wauponsee  Township. 

When  the  father  died,  the  family   went   back  Eber  F.  Hume  was  brought  up  on  his  father's 

to    Ohio,    but    after    two    years    there.    Milo    F.  farm    and    attended    the   district    schools   of   his 

Howe   returned    to   the   farm    in    Illinois,   and    in  neighborhood.       He    lived    at     home    until     Issy, 

1SG1    came  to   Morris,    where    he   was  joined    by  when    he    rented    his     father-in-law's     farm      in 

the   family.      He   remained   at    home   two   years.  Wauponsee  Township,  and  conducted   it    for  five 

and    then    began    working   on    the   canal,    hecom-  years,    when    he    moved    to    a    ICO-acre    farm    in 

ing   eventually   a    marine   engineer.      Having   se-  the  same  township  upon  which   he  resided  until 


834 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


1904,  when  he  moved  to  Morris,  where  he  built 
his  modern  residence  and  Ins  since  occupied 
it.  lie  owns  two  properties  in  Morris,  and  owns 
100  acres,  and  his  wife  ICO  acres  in  Grundy 
County. 

On  January  7o,  1SS7,  Mr.  Hume  married  Net- 
tie M.  Cook,  lxnii  at  Morris,  a  daughter  of 
David  and  Jane  (Claypool)  Cook,  natives  of 
-  Pennsylvania  and  Wauponsee  Township,  respec- 
tively. Mr.  ami  Mrs.  Hume  are  the  parents  of 
three  children:  Jennie  Cook,  and  Etta  Mae. 
both  of  whom  are  living,  and  Millard  Eber,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  three  and  one-half  years. 
Mr.  Hume  is  a  Presbyterian.  His  fraternal  af- 
filiations are  with  the  Masons  in  which  he  is  a 
Knight  Templar,  and  with  the  .Modern  Wood- 
men of  America,  both  of  Morris.  For  two  years 
he  served  as  collector  of  Wauponsee  Township, 
being  elected  on  the  Republican  ticket,  and  was 
as  conscientious  in  the  performance  of  his  pub- 
lic duties  as  h"  was  efficient  as  a  farmer,  win- 
ning  for  himself  many   warm   personal   friends. 

HUSTON,  William.— Among  the  successful 
farmers  of  Grundy  County  may  be  mentioned 
William  Huston,  who  has  spent  most  of  his  life 
within  its  limits  and  is  now  living  retired  in 
Joliet,  111.  He  was  born  in  New  York  City.  July 
4,  1S50,  son  of  Robert  and  Elizabeth  (Shaw) 
Huston,  the  former  a  native  of  Liverpool,  Eng- 
land, and  the  latter  of  Scottish  descent.  Rob- 
ert Huston  came  to  America  at  the  age  of  seven- 
teen, settling  in  Xew  York  City,  where  he  was 
engaged  as  a  weaver.  After  retiring  from  ac- 
tive business,  lie  removed  to  Gardner,  111.,  where 
he  lived  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1S91. 
His  nine  children  were:  Elizabeths  deceased; 
John;  who  was  killed  in  the  Civil  War  in  1S64; 
Anna  La  Cone  Hartley,  who  was  twice  mar- 
ried and  is  now  deceased  ;  Robert,  who  served 
throughout  the  Civil  War,  now  deceased; 
Thomas,  who  served  in  Company  I  of  the 
Fifty-eighth  Illinois  Infantry  during  the  entire 
Civil  War.  and  died  in  1900;  Mary  Edmunds; 
William  ;  Ellen  Hamilton  and  Martha  Allison, 
all  having  been  born  in  Xew  York  City  except 
Ellen  and  Martha  who  were  born  in  Braceville 
Township.  Gruudy  County. 

William  Huston,  who  came  to  this  country 
with  ins  parents  in  1S51,  now  resides  at  '211 
Hunter  avenue.  Joliet.  He  attended  the  district 
schools  of  Gruudy  County,  and  remained  with 
his  father  for  twenty-four  years.  In  1.^74  Mr. 
Huston  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Miller,  a  na- 
tive of  Ireland,  they  having  met  in  Gardner, 
Hi.  Seven  children  have  blessed  this  union: 
Mabell  1'owell;  Ann  Glasgow;  Robert,  who  mar- 
ried Anne  Burglen ;  Russell.  wlh>  married  Rose 
Powell,  is  now  managing  his  father's  farm; 
Chester,  who  is  a  student  at  Joliet,  111.;  Wil- 
liam, who  died  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years: 
and  Irene,  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Huston 
is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  of  which 
his  fattier  was  an  active  member  and  assisted 
in  the  building  of  two  churches  in  Gardner. 

Politically  he  is  a  Republican.  He  served  on 
the   school   board    of   Braceville    for   years,   and 


was  also  road  commissioner  several  times.  lie 
is  a  large  land  holder  of  Braceville  Township, 
being  the  owner  of  160  acres.  Progressive  and 
energetic,  he  always  has  a  deep  interest  in  ins 
community's  welfare  and  advancement,  and  is 
highly  respected   by  all   who  know  him. 

HUTCHINGS,  Joseph  (deceased).— Among  the 
early  agriculturists  and  well  known  citizens 
•  of  Grundy  County  was  the  late  Joseph  Hutch- 
ings,  who  for  more  than  half  a  century  was  a 
potent  factor  in  the  development  and  upbuild- 
ing of  this  part  of  the  State,  lie  dated  his 
residence  her,,  from  lSoo  and  continued  to  make 
this  locality  bis  home  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  on  his  farm  in  Vienna  Township,  June 
2s.  1907.  Mr.  Hutchings  was  born  at  Roxby, 
England,  in  October,  1S27.  and  as  a  young  man 
emigrated  to  the  United  states,  settling  at  Buf- 
falo. X.  Y.  There  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Bridget  Clarke.  November  4,  is.Vt,  she  being 
a  native  of  County  Sligo.  Ireland,  where  she 
had  been  born  December  2.3,  Is:;:;,  and  who  had 
come  to  the  United  States  as  a  girl  of  sixteen 
years. 

After  their  marriage,  .Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hutchings 
came  t<>  Norma n  Township.  Grundy  Comity.  111., 
where  for  a  I'vw  months  he  worked  as  a  laborer 
at  a  monthly  wage.  He  was  not  one  to  be  sat- 
isfied to  nurk  long  for  others,  however,  and 
after  a  short  time  gathered  together  his  little 
capital  and  began  operations  on  his  own  ac- 
count, renting  land  for  ahoul  six  years,  and 
then  buying  eighty  acres  in  Vienna'  Township 
from  Aanm  Harford.  To  this  original  purchase 
lie  added  from  time  to  time  as  the  years  passed, 
made  numerous  improvements,  erected  substan- 
tial buildings  and  in  various  ways  added  to  the 
value  of  his  land,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death 
was  the  owner  of  100  acres  of  some  of  the  best 
soil  in  the  county,  lie  devoted  the  greater  part 
of  his  attention  to  grain  farming  and  stock 
raising,  and  his  ventures  proved  successful  be- 
cause of  his  continued  and  well-directed  ef- 
fort, his  absolute  reliability  and  bis  strict  ad- 
herence to  rules  of  integrity  and  personal  honor. 
His  friends  were  numerous,  drawn  about  him 
by  the  many  excellen  ies  of  his  mind  and  heart, 
and  when  he  passed  away  there  were  many  to 
mourn  his  loss.  He  was  a  faithful  member  of 
the  Catholic  church,  and  gave  bis  political  alle- 
giance to  the  Democratic  party.  Since  his  death, 
his  widow  has  resided  on  the  old  homestead. 
lake  her  husband,  she  lias  a  wide  acquaintance, 
in  which  she  numbers  many  admiring  and  ap- 
preciative friends. 

The  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hutchings 
were  as  follows:  Francis  M.,  who  died  in  1906. 
married  Nellie  Higgins,  and  had  seven  children: 
Joseph  M..  Arthur,  Margaret,  who  married 
Dan  Crowley  and  they  have  one  daugh- 
ter, Elinor  M..  Florence,  Marcella,  Paul 
and  Fred  :  Mary,  who  married  Michael 
Casben.  of  Vienna  Township,  and  has  four 
children.  Margaret,  Francis,  John  and  Emmet; 
John,  of  Morris.  III.,  who  married  May  Ander- 
son, and  has  three  children,   Margaret,   Thelma 


HISTORY  OF  G1UJNDY  COUNTY. 


835 


anil  Gertrude;  and  James,  of  Joliet,  111.,  who 
married  Cora  Miller,  and  who  Ikis  one  child, 
Irene. 

HUTCHINGS,  Thomas.— Not  all  of  the  satisfied 
residents  of  Grundy  County  were  horn  within 
its  confines  for  many  are  proud  to  claim  other 
countries  as  their  native  land.  One  of  the  men 
who  was  horn  outside  the  United  states,  hut 
has  lived  in  Grundy  County  many  years  and  de- 
veloped into  one  of  its  most  prosperous  agri- 
culturists, is  Thomas  Hutchings.  lie  was  horn 
at  Quebec,  Canada.  July  22,  1841.  a  son  of 
George  and  Susan  (Peacock)  Hutchings,  he 
horn  in  Suimnersetshire,  England,  ami  she  in 
Scotland,  and  married  at  Montreal.  Until  1SC0 
the  father  was  engaged  in  farming  in  Canada. 
but  in  that  year  came  to  Morris.  ML.  where  he 
bought  land  and  lived  upon  it  until  death 
claimed  him.  lie  and  his  wife  had  fourteen 
children.  Thomas  being  the  ninth  in  order  of 
birth.     - 

Thomas  Hutchings  attended  the  common 
schools  of  Canada,  and  resided  with  his  par- 
ents until  his  marriage,  at  which  time  he  bought 
153  acres  of  land  on  Section  30,  Saratoga  Town- 
ship. This  was  an  improved  property,  hut  lie 
has  made  it  still  more  valuable  and  carries  on 
grain  farming  ami  gardening.  On  October  11. 
1SC6,  Mr.  Hutchings  married  Helen  Winn,  born 
in  Ireland,  a  daughter  of  J.  Delocrey  Winn.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Hutchings  have  had  the  following  chil- 
dren: Thomas  Henry,  who  is  deceased:  Wil- 
liam 11.,  who  is  of  Chicago;  Edward  A.,  who  is 
of  Aux  Salle  Township;  Mary  V...  who  is  Mrs. 
Leslie  Caisley.  of  Morris;  ami  George  S..  who 
conducts  the  home  farm.  He  married  Anna 
Weber  and  they  have  five  children  :  Harry,  Le- 
roy,  William.  Amy  and  Orville.  Mr.  Hutchings 
is  a  Presbyterian.  He  has  served  as  assessor 
of  the  township,  as  well  as  road  commissioner, 
being  elected  on  the  Republican  ticket.  A  man 
of  careful  habits,  and  conscientious  principles, 
lie  has  firmly  established  himself  in  the  confi- 
dence of  his  neighborhood. 

HUTCHISON,  James  C— Although  the  auto- 
mobile has  in  part  taken  the  place  of  the  horse, 
lovers  of  that  animal  are  anxious  to  secure  fine 
specimens  bred  from  blooded  stock  so  that  the 
business  of  raising  and  handling  them  is  still 
a  very  profitable  and  important  one.  James  C. 
Hutchison,  of  Morris,  is  one  of  the  men  who 
recognizes  the  above  facts,  and  is  profiting  from 
this  appreciation.  He  was  born  at  Quebec.  Can- 
ada, June  22,  1S64,  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Jane 
(Whital)  Hutchison,  natives  of  Ireland  and 
Canada,  respectively.  Early  in  the  sixties, 
Thomas  Hutchison  came  to  Canada,  where  he 
married  and  settled  on  a  farm,  dying  in  PI04. 
His  widow  survives,  making  her  home  on  this 
same  property. 

James  C.  Hutchison  attended  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  place,  and  remained  at 
home  until  attaining  his  majority,  at  which 
time  he  came  to  Grundy  County,  hut  after  a 
summer    here,    traveled    throughout    the    north- 


west for  four  years.  Having  gained  a  fair 
comprehension  of  conditions  lie  returned  to 
Grundy  County,  and  established  himself  in  a 
milk  business  at  Morris.  At  first  he  bought  his 
milk,  but  in  .lime,  lvsj,  rented  Die  Goold  farm 
of  21 1  acres,  and  had  his  own  cows,  and  de- 
livered the  milk  from  them.  In  1010,  he  sold 
his  milk  route,  ami  has  since  devoted  himself 
to  farming  and  specializing  on  raising  Percheron 
horses  of  registered  stock.  He  keeps  one  stal- 
lion, and  raises  from  five  to  six  horses  per  year. 
In  addition  he  carries  on  quite  an  extensive  busi- 
ness in  buying  and  selling  horses. 

In  June,  LSSo,  Mr.  Hutchison  married  Bar- 
bara Cavers,  horn  in  Quebec,  Canada,  a  daugh- 
ter of  James  and  Euphemia  (Smith)  Cavers, 
horn  in  Scotland.  They  came  lo  Canada  and 
lived  there  until  their  death,  he  passing  away 
in  Isiis,  and  she  in  January,  1012.  The  latter 
attained  to  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-one  years. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hutchison  have  had  the  following 
children:  James  \\\,  who  is  of  Alberta,  Canada; 
Jennie,  who  is  Mrs.  Russel  Washburn  of  Morris; 
and  Lilly  May,  who  is  at  home.  Mrs.  Hutchi- 
son is  a  Presbyterian  in  religious  faith.  Mr. 
Hutchison  is  a  Republican,  hut  has  never 
sought  office.  He  belongs  to  the  Knights  of 
Pythias  and  the  (Hid  Fellows,  and  is  one  of  the 
representative  men  of  these  orders,  as  well  as 
in  his  neighborhood  where  he  is  universally 
esteemed. 

HUTTON,  William,  sub-district  president  of  the 
Wilmington  fields  of  the  United  .Aline  Workers 
of  America,  has  held  his  present  important  office 
for  the  past  live  years  and  is  widely  known 
among  miners  throughout  Grundy  County. 
Coming  of  a  family  whose  members  have  always 
followed  mining,  his  entire  career  has  been 
spent  therein  and  has  been  marked  by  constant 
advancement  in  his  chosen  vocation.  Mr.  Hut- 
ton  is  a  native  of  Scotland,  where  he  was  horn 
in  1S74,  a  son  of  Andrew  and  Martha  (Moore) 
Hutton.  Andrew  Ilutton  was  born  in  Scotland 
and  there  grew  up  to  he  a  miner.  He  was  there 
married  to  .Martha  Moore,  who  was  horn  in 
Ireland  and  was  taken  by  her  parents  to  Scot- 
land as  a  child,  and  they  became  the  parents 
of  six  children,  of  whom  four  died  in  Scotland. 
After  their  death,  deciding  to  try  his  fortune  in 
America.  Mr.  Hutton  brought  his  wife  and  two 
remaining  children,  John  and  William,  to  this 
country,  and  located  in  the  coal  fields  of  Penn- 
sylvania. The  family  came  to  Illinois  in  1SSG 
and  located  at  Coal  City,  and  here  Andrew 
Hutton  spent  the  remainder  of  his  active  career 
as  a  worker  in  the  mines,  becoming  known  as  a 
reliable  and  substantial  citizen.  Both  he  and 
his  wife  are  now  deceased,  and  are  buried  in 
the  P.raceville  Cemetery. 

William  Hutton  was  given  ordinary  educa- 
tional advantages,  but  was  ambitions  and  indus- 
trious and  made  the  most  of  his  opportunities. 
Brought  up  as  a  miner,  he  early  encased  at 
that  vocation,  ami  won  promotion  through  his 
close  application  and  faithful  performance  of 
duty.      He    was    elected    to    his    present    office 


836  .  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

in  190S,  and  since  that  time  lias  been  con-  in  1!,07.  and  he  is  buried  in  the  Mazon  eeme 
seientious  in  his  can'  of  his  duties.  He  has  tery,  while  his  widow  still  survives  and  makes 
been  associated  with  important  cases  in  confer-  her  residence  on  the  old  homestead.  They  were 
rin-  with  miners  and  operators,  and  his  judg-  the  parents  of  live  children,  as  follows:  Charles, 
ineiit,  foresight  and  ability  as  an  arbitrator  have  Freddie.  Vernon.  George  and  Lizzie,  all  of  whom' 
brought  him  to  the  forefront  in  his  calling.  Since  died  in  infancy;  Mrs.  Sadie  Clark.  Elmer  Bur- 
accepting  his  present  ollice  he  has  been  a  resi-  nette,  and  Wilbur  V.  Sadie  (Isham)  Clark 
dent  of  Carbon  Hill,  ami  has  done  much  to  was  given  a  good  education,  and  after  her 
forward  the  interests  of  this  place.  graduation  from  the  .Morris  Normal  school  was 
Mr.  Hutton  was  married  in  1000  to  Miss  engaged  in  teaching  music-  in  Mazon.  where  she 
Elizabeth  .Jackson,  of  Clark  City.  Ilk,  and  they  was  very  popular.  Iler  husband,  who  was  en- 
have  had  seven  children:  Andrew.  Joseph,  Mar-  gaged  in  grain  dealing  in  Mazon  for  live  years, 
tha,  I sn belle,  Elizabeth,  Alvin  and  Albert,  the  is  now  in  the  automobile  business  in  Chicago! 
last-named  being  deceased.  Mrs.  Huttou  is  a  where  for  four  years  he  was  a  member  of  the 
member  of  the  Methodist  Church.  Mr.  Hutton  Board  of  Trade.  They  have  two  children,  name- 
is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  served  one  ly :  Marguerite  and  Lucille, 
term  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  School  Wilbur  V.  Isham  was  horn  in  lsyi  in  Mazon 
Trustees.  Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  the  Township,  was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  and 
Knighte  of  I'ythias.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hutton  secured  his  education  in  the  district  schools 
reside  in  their  modern  home  in  Carbon  Hil1,  and  the  Slate  Normal  school.  Subsequently  lie 
and  have  numerous  warm  friends  in  this  attended  the  University  of  Chicago  for  one  year 
community.  and  the  Chicago  Business  college  for  six  months, 

and  after  graduating  from  the  latter  became 
HYDE,  Ebcnezer  (deceased),  formerly  a  mer-  a  bookkeeper  in  the  Illinois  metropolis.  In 
chant  of  Morris,  was  born  in  Berkshire  County,  1012  he  returned  to  Mazon  and  became  a  mem- 
Mass.,  February  21.  1S11,  and  in  lsijo,  he  came  her  of  the  firm  of  Economy  Implement  and 
to  Morris  where  lie  embarked  in  the  lumber  Hardware  Company,  in  partnership  with  II. 
business.  Ho  bought  a  farm  ten  mile-  south  I'reston  and  E.  s.  Strong.  Mr.  Isham  has  va- 
of  Morris,  and  was  a  man  of  independent  for-  rious  large  interests,  being  engaged  in  Hie  real 
tune.  For  a  number  of  years  lie  resided  on  the  estate  business  and  also  having  the  Mazon 
corner  of  Main  and  Calhoun  streets,  Morris.  agency  for  the  Krit  automobile,  while  he  is 
Mr.  Hyde  was  a  Republican  in  bis  political  known  as  one  of  the  best  auctioneers  in  Grundy 
views.  County,  and  an  excellent  business  man  gener- 
ally. He  owns  J 2ri  acres  of  land  included  in 
IRONS,  Salem,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  Isham  estate,  has  disposed  of  thousands  of 
Mazon  Township,  was  horn  in  Massachusetts,  acres  of  Texas  land,  and  has  sold  inon  auto- 
October  is,  1S23,  and  came  to  Mazon  Township,  mobiles  than  any  other  dealer  in  this  locality. 
Grundy  County,  in  1SH4.  Here  he  bought  U">  He  is  a  Democrat  in  his  political  view>  and 
acres  of  land  and  became  a  successful  agri-  has  served  as  assessor  of  Mazon  Township,  as 
culturalist  of  this  locality.  He  married  liar-  collector  thereof  and  as  a  member  of  the  town 
1-iet  Yaw  and  they  bad  three  children,  namely :  board  for  four  years.  In  ISO.j  Mr.  Isham  was 
Henry  A.,  Maria,  ami  Clara   I.  married  to  Eydia    R.  Jones,   and   they  have  one 

child,  Eeita.  who  is  attending  school. 
ISHAM,  Elmer  Burnette  —  There  is  something  Elmer  Burnette  Isham  was  reared  on  the 
exceedingly  attractive  in  the  voluntary  retire-  home  farm,  and  attended  the  district  schools 
moot  of  a  man  who.  for  a  number  of  rears,  has  and  the  Morris  Normal  school.  Reared  to  ag- 
taken  an  active  part  in  the  agricultural  ad-  ricultural  pursuits,  he  followed  tanning  on  the 
vancement  of  his  community,  lie  leaves  active  home  place  until  1007,  in  winch  year  he  re- 
life  in  the  fullness  of  his  strength,  exchanging  tired  from  active  lite  to  give  his  whole  at- 
the  scenes  of  agricultural  toil  for  the  quiet  that  tention  to  the  management  of  the  estate.  I'rn- 
oomes  as  a  reward  to  those  win,  have  spent  gressive  in  all  matters.  Mr.  Isham  gave  Ins 
their  early  years  in  industrious  labor.  In  this  support  to  the  new  Progressive  party  in  1011, 
category  'stands  Elmer  Burnette  Isham.  of  assisting  in  the  birth  of  that  organization.  V\  ith 
Mazon,  lib.  but  it  must  not  be  supposed  that  his  family,  he  attends  the  Methodist  Church 
he  has  entirely  put  behind  him  the  useful  ac-  On  November  22.  1S92,  Mr.  Isham  was  married 
tivities  of  life,  for  his  is  a  nature  energetic  1<>  Miss  Mary  Allen,  who  was  horn  m  Decatur, 
and  progressive  to  a  degree,  and  in  bis  man-  111-  and  they  have  two  children:  Jeauette  and 
agement  of  the  Isham  estate  he  finds  an  excel-  Eucille,  both  of  whom  are  attending  the  Mazon 
lent  field- for  the  display  of  his  abilities.  Mr.  High  school. 
Isham    was   horn    in    Mazon   Township,    in    ISO", 

and  is  a   son  of  Zaeharias  and   Susan    (Viner)  ISHAM,  Gursham   (deceased),  who  was  one  nt 

Isham.    natives,    respectively,    of    Vermont    and  the  pioneers  of  Mazon  Township  and  the  father 

Xew   York  of  a   large   family,   was   born   at    A\  llbston,    \1., 

The   parents  of  Mr.   Isham   came   to   Grundy  March   31.   isfjl.   and   came   to   Grundy   County 

Countv  in  ISTiO.  Zaeharias  Isham  being  a  promi-  in  1S4G.     He  located  one  mile  east  of  the  village 

nent   farmer    and    the    founder    of    the    town    of  of   Mazon   and   there  bought    IfO  acres  of  land. 

Mazon,   which   he  platted.     His   death   occurred  This    property,    he    developed    into    a    valuable 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


837 


farm,  residing  u|k»i  il  until  he  sold  it  and  bought 
120  acres  in  the  center  of  Mazon  Township. 
Later  on,  he  retired  and  made  his  home  there- 
after in  tlic  village  of  Mazon  where  he  died 
October  S,  1S77.  On  September  9.  1S22,  he  mar- 
ried Eliza  Stanford,  and  they  had  the  following 
children:  Cornelia,  Albert.  Edward.  Michael. 
Zachariah,  Lydia,  Weltha,  .Tehiel,  Clarinda. 

ISHAM,  Michael,  formerly  a  merchant  of 
Mazon.  was  born  at  Chittenden,  XL.  June  7. 
1829,  a  sen  of  Gersham  and  Annie  Ishani.  The 
family  came  to  Mazon  Township,  Grundy  County 
in  1S44,  and  there  Michael  Ishani  became  the 
owner  of  eighty  acres  of  land.  After  operating 
it  for  some  years,  he  located  in  the  village  of 
Mazon  and  embarked  in  a  mercantile  business. 
On  March  -1.  lSof>,  he  married  Ellen  Jenkins's, 
and  they  had  six  children,  namely:  Rosa,  who 
married  George  W.  Clow:  Alice  J.,  who  mar- 
ried Frank  Myers:  Nellie  A'.,  who  married  John 
Wilkinson;  Alinyra  ;  Laura  M. ;  and  Katie  V. 

ISHAM,  Zachariah,  a  son  of  Gersham  Ishani. 
and  formerly  an  agriculturalist  of  Mazon  Town- 
ship, was  born  in  Vermont,  February  11,  1N31. 
Coining  to  Grundy  County  in  1S44,  when  the 
family  migration  occurred.  Zachariah  Ishani 
grew  np  iu  Ibis  neighborhood,  and  became  the 
owner  of  2-10  acres  of  land  in  Mazon  Township. 
On  November  30,  1.S54.  he  married  Susan  S. 
Viner  of  Mazon  Township  and  they  had  eighl 
children. 

JACKSON,  John  W.— Among  the  prosperous 
agriculturalists  of  Grundy  County,  who  have 
achieved  more  than  ordinary  success,  is  John 
W.  Jackson  of  Wauponsee  Township,  who  i< 
cultivating  his  father's  old  homestead  which 
he  now  owns.  He  was  born  in  Mazon  Township. 
Grundy  County,  September  13,  1KH9,  a  son  of 
William  and  Amelia  (Lane)  Jackson,  natives  of 
England  and  Canada,  respectively.  The  father 
came  to  Grundy  County  in  young  manhood, 
where  he  married.  Since  1S97.  he  has  lived  in 
Morris  retired  from  active  life.  The  children 
born  to  him  and  his  wife  were:  George,  who 
died  in  infancy:  John  W. ;  Charles,  who  died  in 
childhood:  Walter,  who  lives  in  Wau]>onsee 
Township:  Fred,  who  lives  at  Holland,  Mich.; 
and  a  daughter  who  died  in  infancy. 

John  W.  Jackson  attended  the  district  schools, 
and  lived  with  his  parents  until  his  marriage, 
when  he  assumed  the  responsibilities  of  the 
farm.  He  now  cultivates  120  acres,  devoting  a 
portion  to  grain,  and  the  remainder  to  pasturage 
and  hay,  raising  Duroc-Jersey  hogs,  cattle,  and 
Belgian  horses.  His  success  has  been  steady. 
for  he  understands  his  work-  thoroughly,  lie 
owns  stock  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company 
at  Mazon.  also  in  the  Independent  Harvester 
Company  of  Piano.  111. 

On  December  22.  1S97,  by  Rev.  Lovejoy.  of 
Morris,  Ilk,  Mr.  Jackson  was  married  to  Lillie 
E.  Bridel,  who  was  born  August  11.  1S7G,  in 
Maine  Township,  daughter  of  William  D.  and 
Caroline   R.    (Towns)    Bridel,   natives   of   Eng- 


land and  Grundy  County,  respectively.  The  ma- 
ternal grandparents,  Aaron  and  Mary  Towns, 
were  born  in  Canada,  lint  died  in  Grundy  County. 
Mr.  and  Mis.  Jackson  became  the  parents  of 
children  as  follows:  Ethel  A.,  born  April  (.i 
1S99;  Maude  A.,  bom  April  G,  1901;  Reva  I'., 
burn  September  21),  1902;  John  William,  born 
February  4,  1905;  and  Fredie,  who  was  born 
April  20,  190S,  died  August  2'.>,  190S,  and  was 
buried  in  the  Sample  cemetery.  Mr.  Jackson  is 
a  member  of  the  White  Cross  order,  and  both 
he  and  wife  belong  to  the  Sulphur  Spring  Arbor 
of  Gleaners.  They  belong  to  the  Methodist 
Church.  In  politics  he  has  always  been  a  Re- 
publican, bin  has  not  sought  office,  preferring 
to  devote  his  energies  to  bis  private  affairs. 
lie  is  a  man  who  stands  high  in  his  community, 
and  is  worthy  of  all  esteem. 

JAC0BS0N,  Benjamin,  senior  member  of  the 
reliable  linn  of  Jacobson  &  Condon,  manufac- 
turers of  and  dealers  in  drain  tile  and  brick,  is 
one  of  the  enterprising  business  men  of  Mazon, 
whose  connection  with  his  concern  adds  to  its 
standing  in  the  commercial  world.  The  plant 
comprises  three  kilns  and  the  output  is  large 
enough  to  justify  the  employment  of  fourteen 
workmen.  Mr.  Jacobson  was  born  at  Lisbon. 
Ilk,  a  son  of  Eric  Jacobson  a  native  of  Norway, 
who  came  to  the  United  States  in  1S71,  locating 
at  Lisbon,  111.,  where  he  is  a  merchant.  lie  and 
bis  wife  have  bad  the  following  family:  Ben- 
jamin, who  was  born  in  1S73 ;  Kmma  Birkland; 
Fell  Condon:  and  Crank,  who  lives  in  Montana. 

In  1910,  Benjamin  Jacobson  married  Emma 
Reinlasoder,  horn  in  Good  Farm  Township.  The 
Gorman  Lutheran  Church  holds  his  member- 
ship and  benefits  by  bis  generosity,  for  he  be- 
lieves in  encouraging  religious  work.  Politically 
he  is  a  Republican,  hut  like  bis  partner,  he  has 
bad  no  time  for  public  life. 

Both  partners  are  energetic,  thorouglhy 
abreast  of  the  times  in  their  undertaking,  and 
capable  of  meeting  the  demands  made  upon 
them.  As  their  plant  is  now  working  at  its  full 
capacity,  it  looks  as  though  the  firm  would 
have  to  enlarge  in  the  near  future.  Their  suc- 
cess has  come  through  .he  excellence  of  their 
product  and  their  honorable  business  methods, 
and  those  who  know  them  predict  continued 
prosperity  and  increasing  sales  for  them  in  the 
future. 

JAMES,  Moses. — The  self-made  man  wins  ap- 
proval from  his  associates,  especially  when  he 
proves  in  his  everyday  life  that  he  has  developed 
his  talents  and  made  a  success  of  his  endeavors. 
It  is  difficult  for  the  present  generation  to  ap- 
preciate how  difficult  it  used  to  be  for  a  boy.  es- 
pecially in  the  rural  districts,  to  obtain  the 
requisite  amount  of  schooling,  for  today  the 
magnificent  public  school  system  provides  ample 
opportunity  for  all.  Moses  James  appreciates 
the  advantages  given  the  children  of  these 
times,  and  realizes  just  how  much  harder  his 
life  work  was  because  he  lacked  them.  Mr. 
James    was    bom    in    Hamilton,    Ohio,    May    2. 


838 


HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


1KV-'>.  When  still  u  lad  in  1S42,  he  came  with 
bis  mother  to  Kendall  County  from  Indiana. 
where  he  remained  until  1M7.  In  that  year,  he 
left  Kendall  County  for  Wauponsee  Township, 
Grundy  County,  where  he  spent  a  year  working 
for  a  brother.  In  184s.  he  came  to  Norman 
Township  and  for  a  short  time  worked  for 
this  same  brother,  and  then  became  his  part- 
ner, the  two  buying  land  and  operating  it  to- 
gether. In  18fi2,  they  divided  the  property, 
Moses  James  receiving  ill  1  acres  as  his  share, 
which  land  is  now  included  in  his  homestead. 
This  property  was  unimproved  and  thirty-five 
acres  was  under  heavy  timber.  Since  1S02,  Mr. 
James  has  developed  this  farm  in  a  remarkable 
degree,  and  erected  all  of  the  buildings  which 
are  modern  in  character.  In  the  spring  of 
l!iO.->>.  feeling  that  he  deserved  a  rest,  he  re- 
tired, ami  now  rents  his  farm  to  his  grandson. 
Edwin  Reeves. 

On  October  5,  is<i2.  Mr.  James  was  married 
to  .Martha  1'yatt,  horn  in  Kendall  County,  111.. 
daughter  of  John  and  Cynthia  (Misner)  Pyatt. 
natives  of  Ohio  and  Indiana,  who  were  early 
settler  of  Kendall  County.  Later  they  moved 
to  Grundy  County,  and  subsequently  went  to 
Bates  County.  Mo.,  but  returned  to  Grundy 
County  in  1SG1.  There  Mr.  Pyatt  died  in  Au- 
gust. 1SG1.  his  widow  surviving  him  until  1^74, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  had  one  daugter.  Eveline, 
who  married  I  >.  A.  Reeves,  and  died  October  2, 
lsss.  She  had  three  sous:  George  1.,  who  lives 
at  Salt  Lake  City.  Utah,  married  I.  O.  Wells, 
no  issue;  Edwin,  who  conducts  his  grandfather's 
farm,  married  Eeda  Edna  Winsor,  daughter  of 
John  and  Sarah  Winsor.  and  they  have  four 
children:  Edna  Adeline.  Glenn,  Lois  and  Ruth 
1!.,  and  Alfred  .lames,  youngest  son  of  Eveline, 
who  lives  at  Moline,  III.,  married  Anna  Oper- 
nmn.  Mrs.  James  is  a  consistent  member  of 
the  Methodist  Church,  and  is  an  active  worker 
in  it.  Politically  Mr.  .lames  is  a  Republican. 
His  succe<s  is  all  the  more  remarkable  as  he 
never  attended  school  for  more  than  forty  days 
all  told,  so  that  what  he  knows  he  taught  him- 
self. 

JAMES,  Moses  Freemont. — The  agricultural 
activities  of  Grundy  County  have  assumed 
large  proportions  owing  to  the  energy  and  fore- 
sight of  the  farmers  of  this  locality,  so  that 
the  State  looks  to  the  people  here  for  heavy 
supplies  of  food.  Among  those  who  have  aided 
in  bringing  about  this  desirable  condition,  and 
are  now  engaged  in  maintaining  this  prestige 
is  Moses  Freemont  James  of  Norman  Township. 
Mr.  James  was  born  in  Xorman  Township.  Octo- 
ber 27,  1S56,  son  of  Elisha  1'..  and  Margaret 
(Pyatt)  James,  the  former  of  whom  was  horn 
in  Hamilton  County.  O.  In  1S42,  he  crossed 
the  country  to  Kendall  County,  111.,  driving  a 
team  of  oxen.  Until  IS  17,  he  remained  in  that 
county,  but  in  that  year  came  to  Xorman  Town- 
ship, Grundy  County,  and  with  his  brother, 
Moses  James,  began  farming.  In  1SG1,  they 
divided  their  land,  and  Elisha  B.  James  re- 
ceived   320    acres    as    his    share,    continuing    to 


operate  his  farm  until  his  retirement  in  1S01. 
devoting  it  to  general  farming  and  stock  rais- 
ing. The  death  of  this  excellent  man  occurred 
January  11'.  1900,  his  wife  having  passed  away 
February  2G,  1S63,  having  been  horn  April  Id. 
1K24,  while  her  husband  was  born  November  ]!•. 
1S24.  The  children  born  to  Elisha  B.  James 
and  wife  were:  John  Wesley,  wdio  died  in  the 
service  of  the  Union  army  in  1SG5;  Emily  E., 
who  is  Mrs.  W.  II.  Benson  of  Xorman  Town- 
ship; Sarah  F..  who  is  Mrs.  Jiles  Whitteu, 
widow  of  Jiles  Whitteu  of  Norman  Township; 
Moses  Freemont;  Frank  M..  who  died  in  the 
spring  of  1012  at  Beattie,  Marshall  County.  Kan. ; 
and  Mary  Alice.  Mrs.  Charles  Flanders,  t who 
died  at  liarvey,  11!. 

Moses  Freemont  James  lived  with  his  parents 
until  he  attained  his  majority,  when  he  com- 
menced operating  the  farm  for  his  father.  Mi-. 
James"  educational  training  was  limited  to  the 
local  schools,  although  he  is  a  well  informed 
man.  having  supplemented  his  schooling  with 
close  observation.  In  1SS3,  lie  went  to  a  farm 
in  Livingston  County,  111.,  owned  by  his  father, 
and  remained  there  until  1S91,  when  he  came 
hack  to  the  homestead.  This  his  father  deeded 
to  him,  ami  in  addition  to  it.  he  bought  eighty 
acres  additional,  which  adjoins  his  farm  on  the 
north.  Having  devoted  his  energies  and  ability 
to  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  he  has  be- 
come an  authority  upon  agricultural  matters, 
and  stands  very  high  in  his  community  both  as 
a  farmer  and  business  man. 

In  March,  ISSij,  Mr.  James  was  married  (  first  t 
to  Jennie  Weiriek,  horn  in  Pennsylvania,  a  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Sarah  A.  Weiriek  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  became  the  parents 
of  a  daughter,  Anna  May,  who  is  now  Mrs.  G. 
A.  Median  of  Xorman  Township.  Mrs.  James 
died  on  June  1.  1S93.  On  April  V>,  1S95,  Mr. 
James  was  married  (second)  to  Mrs.  Ida 
(Miner)  Green,  widow  of  George  Green,  and 
daughter  id'  John  A.  and  Caroline  (Rice) 
Miner.  Mrs.  James  was  born  in  Dearborn 
County.  Ind..  while  her  parents  were  natives  of 
Sullivan  County,  N.  Y.  By  her  first  marriage, 
Mrs.  James  had  a  son, — Fred  Green,  who  is  now 
of  Chicago.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  have  had  two 
children:  Emily  Margaret  and  Russell  Free- 
mont, both  of  whom  are  at  home.  Mrs.  James 
is  a  Methodist,  and  active  in  the  work  of  her 
church.  Mr.  James  has  served  as  a  School 
Director  and  Assessor  one  term,  was  Road  Com- 
missioner for  six  years,  and  Supervisor  for 
three  years,  being  elected  to  all  these  oftices 
on  the  Republican  ticket.  Fraternally,  he  be- 
longs to  the  Odd  Fellows,  Star  Lodge  Xo.  75, 
and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  of  Wau- 
ponsee  Township.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James 
are  very  popular  in  their  neighborhood,  where 
their  many  excellent  characteristics  are  known 
and  appreciated. 

JERBI,  Hector,  who  holds  prestige  among 
Grundy  County  business  men  as  proprietor  of 
the  leading  general  merchandise  store  of  East 
Brooklyn.    111.,    is    still    a    young    man,    but    has 


■ 


XUAdmjjute- 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


js:;!i 


already  won  a  measure  <>!'  success  in  commercial 
circles  that  many  have  not  attained  even  after 
a  lifetime  of  business  effort.  He  was  horn  in 
Northern  Italy.  December  20.  1SS1,  and  is  a 
son  of  Joseph  and  Johanna    (Rivara)    Jerbi. 

Joseph  Jerbi  was  a  coal  miner  by  occupation 
and  emigrated  to  the  1'nited  Slates  in  1SS1, 
locating  at  Braidwood.  111.,  where  he  secured 
employment  with  the  Chicago,  Wilmington  and 
Vermilion  Coal  Company,  and  continued  in  the 
employ  of  this  concern  for  eight  years.  In  the 
meantime,  through  thrift,  economy  and  tireless 
industry,  he  succeeded  in  accumulating  a  sulli- 
cient  amount  of  money  to  send  for  his  wife  and 
two  sons,  who  joined  him  in  1SS0  at  Clark  City. 
111.,  to  which  city  he  had  removed.  The  fam- 
ily consisted  of  the  father  and  mother  and  three 
sons,  the  latter  being:  John  and  Hector,  born 
in  Italy,  who  accompanied  their  mother  to 
America  in  1Vv'.i:  and  James,  born  in  this  coun- 
try. The  father  was  killed  March  11,  1014,  by 
being  kicked  by  a  horse  belonging  t<>  his  sun. 
and   the  mother  died   March    10.   100G. 

Hector  Jerbi  was  about  eight  years  of  age 
when  he  came  to  the  1'nited  States,  and  his 
education  was  secured  in  the  public  schools 
of  Suffernville.  111.  Following  the  completion 
of  his  studies  lie  went  P>  work  in  the  mines 
for  eight  years,  ami  then  secured  a  position 
as  clerk  in  the  general  store,  at  that  lime  op- 
erated by  Bottino  Brothers.  By  close  applica- 
tion, after  three  years  he  found  himself  compe- 
tent tn  carry  on  the  business  en  his  own  ac- 
count, and  in  1D0S  purchased  the  stock  of  goods 
owned  by  his  employers,  and  lias  since  become 
the  leading  merchant  of  East  Brooklyn,  [11.. 
handling  a  full  and  up-to-date  line  of  groceries, 
dry  goods,  hardware,  crockery  and  miners'  sup- 
plies, lie  is  an  exceptionally  intelligent  and 
well-informed  man.  thoroughly  awake  to  mod- 
ern business  methods,  and  his  honorable  dealings 
and  strict  integrity  have  won  the  confidence  and 
liberal  patronage  of  the  people  of  his  local- 
ity. He  is  a  self-made  man  in  the  truest  sense, 
for  whatever  he  has  accomplished  has  been  as  a 
result  of  his  own  efforts.  Mr.  Jerbi  was  mar- 
ried March  21.  100S.  to  Miss  Mary  Bottino,  at 
South  Wilmington,  111.,  at  which  place  she  was 
born,  a  daughter  of  Frank  and  Mary  Bottino. 
To  this  union  there  have  come  two  daughters: 
Jennie,  who  was  born  October  17.  Pans;  and 
Mary,  born  November  17.  1!)10.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Jerbi  are  faithful  members  of  the  Catholic 
Church.  He  is  a  Republican,  but  has  found  no 
time  to  enter  actively  into  the  affairs  of  the 
political  arena,  no  has  many  friends  in  fra- 
ternal circles,  being  a  popular  member  of  the 
Foresters  of  America,  at  Coal  City:  the  Fra- 
ternal Order  of  Eagles,  at  South  Wilmington; 
Victor  Emanuel  III.  at  Coal  Citv ;  and  Minatore 
D'ltalia,  at  East  Brooklyn. 

JOHNSON,  Barton  S—  To  the  efforts  of  such 
men  as  Barton  S.  Johnson,  a  resident  on  Morris 
Rural  Mail  Route  No.  -1.  are  due  the  progress 
and  development  which  have  given  Grundy 
County    agricultural    supremacy    during    recent 


years.  A  native  of  Illinois,  he  has  spout  his 
entire  life  within  the  borders  of  this  state, 
and  is  now  engaged  in  cultivating  300  acres  of 
land  lying  in  Nettle  (reek  Township.  He  is  a 
man  of  progressive  ideas,  and  his  public  spirit 
lias  done  much  to  improve  conditions  in  the 
community  in  which  he  makes  his  home.  Mr. 
Johnson  was  born  November  10.  1SG3.  on  his 
father's  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Ottawa.  111., 
and  is  a  son  of  Samuel  O.  and  Caroline  John- 
son, natives  of  Stavauger.  Norway. 

In  1S50,  the  family  emigrated  to  the  United 
States,  and  in  July  of  that  year  Mr.  Jolmsou's 
parents  located  at  Ottawa.  111.,  the  father  se- 
curing land  in  the  locality.  There  he  continued 
to  be  engaged  in  farming  until  ]s7o,  when  be 
purchased  1C0  acres  of  land  in  Nettle  Creek 
Township,  which  he  improved  from  the  raw 
prairie,  and  subsequently  added  thereto  until 
he  has  now  .Vi)  acre-,  a'l  in  a  high  state  of  cul- 
tivation. Mr.  Johnson  is  now  retired  from  ac- 
tive pursuits.  Inning  reached  the  age  of  eighty- 
seven  years,  and  rents  the  greater  part  of  his 
land  to  others.  IIi>  wife  passed  away  in  IMC. 
Inning  been  the  mother  of  these  children:  Ole 
S..  of  Nettle  Creek  Township;  Anna,  who  mar- 
ried Christ  Ilendrickson  0f  Nettle  Creek  Town- 
ship: John  1'..  wlio  died  aged  twenty  years,  four 
months:  Barton  S. ;  and  Emma,  who  married 
Orvillc  Fry,  of  Livingston  County,   Ilk 

Barton  S.  Johnson  received  his  education  in 
the  district  schools,  and  was  reared  to  agricul- 
tural pursuits,  in  which  he  has  always  been 
engaged.  lie  i-^  now  a  thorough  master  of  his 
vocation,  and  in  addition  to  being  an  excellent 
farmer  is  known  as  a  good  judge  of  cattle  and 
stock,  raising  I'ercheron  horses.  Berkshire  hogs 
and  Durham  cattle.  The  present  modern  build- 
ings on  the  property  have  been  erected  by  him. 
and  the  house,  located  on  a  natural  building  site. 
is  beautifully  situated.  Mr.  Johnson  now-  has  200 
acres  in  grain,  while  Ion  acres  are  used  for  hay 
and  pasture  land.  He  has  succeeded  in  his  ef- 
forts because  of  untiring  energy,  perseverance 
and  well-directed  effort  and  has  won  the  esteem 
and  confidence  of  his  fellows  by  reason  of  bis 
fair  and  honorable  dealing.  On  February  5, 
1800.  Mr.  Johnson  was  married  to  Miss  Martha 
Elifson,  who  was  born  in  Miller  Township,  La 
Salle  County.  111.,  daughter  of  Elof  and  Ann 
Elifson.  of  Norway.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  are 
members  of  the  Stavauger  Lutheran  Church,  lie 
is  a  Republican  in  his  political  views,  and  has. 
on  several  occasions,  served  his  township  effi- 
ciently in  the  capacity  of  school  trustee. 

JOHNSON,  Charles  E.— Although  now  a  Tesident 
of  I.a  Salle  County.  Charles  E.  Johnson  was  so 
prominently  identified  with  the  agricultural  in- 
terests of  Grundy  County  for  a  long  period  of 
years  that  no  history  of  the  latter  would  be 
complete  did  it  not  give  a  review  of  his  ca- 
reer. A  native  of  Sweden,  he  was  born  October 
17,  lfcnu,  a  son  of  Solomon  and  Bertha  (John-. 
son)  Johnson.  The  family  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1S0O,  and  first  located  in  La  Salle 
County,    but    in    Is7(l   came   to   Grundy    County. 


840  HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

where  the  father  purchased  21U  a. -res  of  land  and  Bryant  &  Stratton's  Business  College  of  Chi- 

in  Nettle  Creek  Township,  and  there  spent   the  cage.     Always  prominent  as  a  Republican,  when 

remainder  of  his  life  in  tilling  the  soil,  passing  he  was  twenty-two  years  old,  he  became  deputy 

away   in   1901,   while   the   mother  still   survives  county  clerk,  serving   for  four  years,  when   he 

him  and  makes  her  home  with  a  daughter  in  La  went  with  the  music  house  of  I. yon  &  llealy,  of 

Salle  County.  Chicago,  for  a   year.     Returning  to  Morris,   lie 

The  educational  advantages  of  Charles  E.  went  into  a  store  owned  by  his  father,  and 
Johnson  were  secured  in  the  public  schools  of  spent  tun  years  more,  and  in  1S0G  lie  was 
his  native  land  and  l.a  Salle  County,  III.  lie  elected  circuit  clerk  and  recorder  of  deeds, 
had  just  uached  his  majority  when  he  came  to  which  ollice  he  has  held  ever  since. 
Grundy  County,  and  continued  to  reside  with  In  November,  LS92,  Mr.  Johnson  was  married 
his  parents  until  1SS1,  when  he  entered  upon  to  Carrie  J,  Gorich.  born  at  Morris,  111.,  daugh- 
operations  of  his  own  in  Erienna  Township,  ter  of  Jacob  and  Catherine  (Werner)  Gorich, 
which  was  his  home  during  the  next  twenty-  horn  at  Frankfort-on-the-Main,  Germany.  Mr. 
four  years.  In  the  meantime,  however,  lie  had  and  Mrs.  Johnson  have  a  daughter,  Freda 
purchased  120  acres  of  laud  in  Nettle  Creek  Louisa.  The  Presbyterian  Church  hold-;  his 
Township,  Grundy  County,  and  to  this  he  sub-  membership.  Fraternally,  he  is  a  Mason,  be- 
sequeutly  added  fifty  acres  from  his  father's  longing  to  the  Blue  Lodge,  Chapter,  Command- 
farm,  and  on  the  latter  property  lived  from  fry,  and  Mystic  Shrine.  Medinah  Temple  of 
1903  until  1910.  then  moved  to  Morris.  In  May,  Chicago.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Knights  of 
1911,  he  retired  from  activities,  rented  his  prop-  Pythias.  The  faithful,  conscientious  work  of 
erty  to  his  son.  Albert,  and  moved  to  Seneca,  Mr.  Johnson  as  a  county  official  has  met  with 
111.,  where  he  now  makes  his  home.  Mr.  John-  sincere  appreciation  from  the  people  ho  serves, 
son's  ambition  has  ever  keen  to  acquit  himself  and  bo  has  keen  returned  to  office  many  times. 
of  life's  duties  honorably  before  all  men.  to  hn-  He  is  worthy  of  their  approval,  and  is  a  man 
prove  his  capabilities  and  opportunities  and  to  who  stands  well  all  over  the  county. 
lie  of  use  in  the  world,  and  with   this  ambition 

he  has  won  success.  He  is  a  Republican  in  ]h>-  JOHNSON,  Halver,  a  prosperous  and  progres- 
litical  faith,  and  has  served  efficiently  as  a  mem-  sive  general  farmer  of  Saratoga  Township,  is  a 
her  oi  the  hoard  of  school  directors.  With  his  man  who  is  setting  a  high  standard  for  agri- 
family,  be  attends  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  culturalists  throughout  Grundy  County,  and 
Church.  takes   a    deep   interest    in    everything   pertaining 

On   .March  fi,   1SS5,   Mr.   .Johnson   was   married  to    his    vocation.       lie    was    horn    in    Saratoga 

to  Miss  Edla  Rosendahl,  of  Sweden,  daughter  of  Township.    October   30.    l.vn.    a    son    of    Edwin 

Patrick  and  Ingrid  Lena   Rosendahl,  who  came  and    Sarah     (Helgisson)     Johnson,    natives    of 

to   Erienm    Township    in    LM    and    made   their  Norway.       Edwin     Johnson     came     to     Grundy 

home  with  Mr.  Johuso'i  during  the  remainder  of  County   in   the   latter   part   of   the  fifties,   and   a 

their  lives.     Two  children  were  adopted  by  Mr.  few  years  later  married  and  located  on  a   farm 

and    Mrs.  Johnson:     Albert,    who    is   conducting  in    Saratoga     Township,    where    his    death    oc- 

operations  on  his  father's  farm  in  Nettle  Creek  curred  November  15,  1S97.     His  widow  survives 

Township;    and   Dorothea,   living   with    her   par-  him.   making   her  home  with   her   son   Halver. 

cuts.  Halver    Johnson    remained    with    his    parents 

until   his  marriage,  attending  the  schools  of  his 

JOHNSON,  Frederick  S.,  Circuit  Clerk  and  Re-  district    during   his   boyhood.     On    February   15, 

corder  of  Deeds  of  Grundy  County,  is  one  of  the  1S93.  lie  married   Emnia   Johnson,  born  duly  30, 

influential  men  of  this  locality,  and  an  excellent  1S74,    in    Kendall    County,    111.,    a    daughter    of 

citizen    of    Morris,    where   his    family    is   a    well  John   and   Anna    (Johnson)    Johnson,   natives  of 

known  and  honored  one.     Mr.  Johnson  was  born  Norway.     John  Join-on  died  December  Li.  1902, 

in   Wauponsee  Township,   this   county.   July   19,  Put   bis  widow  survives  and   makes  her  home  at 

1867,  a  son  of  Peter  A.  and  Elizabeth  (Claypool)  Lisbon.    III.      After    marriage    Halver    Johnson 

Johnson,  be  born  in  Sweden  and  she  in  Grundy  and   wife   rented   land   in    Kendall  County   for  a 

County.     The    father   started    with   his   parents  year,   but    then   returned   to   Saratoga   Township. 

for   the   United    States,    but   his    father   died   on  where,    for   a    few    years,    he    rented    land,    also 

the    way.    and    the    mother    alone    brought    her  rented    land    in    Nettle    Creek    Township,    for    a 

little  brood  to  Grundy  County,  settling  in  Mor-  time,   but   in  1904  moved   to  the  old   home  farm 

ris.     Here  Peter  A.   Johnson   grew   up,   being  a  of  his   wife's  parents,   comprising  200   acres   on 

school  teacher  and  farmer,  until  1SS2,  when  he  the  northern  line  of  Saratoga  Township.     Here 

moved    to    Morris   and   engaged    in    the   agricul-  lie   carries   on    general    fanning.      Mr.   and    Mrs. 

tural  implement  business.     The  business  started  Johnson     have     had     the     following     children: 

by  him  was  sold  out  to  Cronin  Brothers  in  1901.  Elvin.    lorn    December    ."i.    '\s<r.\;    Esther,    born 

He  is  now-  living  in  Orange,  Cal.     The  children  May    25.    1S05;    Herman,    born    July    1'7.    1S90; 

born  to  him  and   his  wife  were:      Perry  A.,  of  Ha'/el,    born    December    13.     LSflS;    Irene,    born 

Santiago,    Cal. ;    Frederick    S..    of    Morris,    111.;  December    7.    1991;    Grace,    born    February    2, 

Francis  A.,   of   Audubon,    Iowa:   and   Nellie   M.,  1904;  William,  born  May  27.  1900;  Glenn,  born 

now  Mrs.  II.  L.  Haynes  of  Abington,  HI.  March    7.    190R;    and    Arnold,    born    October    9, 

Frederick     S.     Johnson    attended     the    public  1911.       Mr.    and    Mrs.    Johnson    belong    to    the 

schools    of   Morris,    including    the    High    school,  Norwegian     Lutheran     Church    of    Lisbon.     111. 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


841 


They  are  popular  people  in  their  neighborhood 
and  have  many  warm,  personal  friends. 

JOHNSON,  Henry.— On  Section  32,  Garfield 
Township,  is  located  the  IGO-acre  farm  belong- 
ing to  Henry  Johnson,  one  of  the  must  progres- 
sive and  enterprising  of  Grundy  County's  agri- 
culturists, and  a  citizen  who  has  ever  had  the 
welfare  of  his  community  at  heart.  He  is  a 
native  of  Norway,  and  was  born  November  2-1, 
18(15,  a  son  of  John  and  Annie  (Tjeransen) 
Johnson,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  fisherman, 
carpenter  and  laborer  in  Norway,  where  he 
died  in  December,  1SS0.  His  widow  passed 
away  there  in  December,  1907,  and  all  of  their 
nine  children,  save  one,  came  to  the  United 
States. 

Henry  Johnson  received  his  education  in  the 
common  schools  of  his  native  country,  and  as 
a  lad  and  youth  began  his  career  by  working 
out  for  farmers  in  his  home  neighborhood.  He 
was  nineteen  years  of  a^re  when  he  decided  to 
try  his  fortune  in  America,  and  immediately 
upon  landing  in  this  country  came  to  Morris. 
111.,  where  lie  secured  employment  on  a  farm. 
He  subsequently  continued  to  he  engaged  in 
farm  labor  until  his  industry,  thrift  and  per- 
severance enabled  him  to  make  a  start  on  his 
own  account  on  rented  land,  and  by  1902.  he 
was  able  to  purchase  his  present  land,  which 
he  has  brought  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation. 
His  career  lias  been  one  of  constant  endeavor, 
and  the  success  which  he  has  made  of  his  ven- 
tures shows  the  benefits  to  be  gained  through 
steady  and  well  directed  effort.  Among  his 
neighbors  and  associates,  he  is  known  as  a  man 
of  the  highest  integrity,  whose  business  trans- 
actions have  ever  been  of  a  legitimate  nature 
and  whose  word  is  considered  as  good  as  his 
bond.  He  is  well  satisfied  with  his  present  loca- 
tion, and  intends  to  pass  the  rest  of  his  life 
within  the  limits  of  Grundy  County.  On  Octo- 
ber 7,  1S9S,  Mr.  Johnson  was  married  to  Mrs. 
Augusta  (Larsen)  Enersen,  the  widow  of  John 
Enersen,  who  died  in  1SS7.  By  her  first  mar- 
riage, Mrs.  Johnson  had  four  children :  Rosa 
Johnson;  Lawrence,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
ten  years;  Elmer  and  John.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Johnson  have  had  seven  children  :  Herman. 
Lawrence.  Anna,  Alice.  Lloyd  Cornelius.  LeRoy 
and  May  Elvira.  "With  his  family,  Mr.  Johnson 
attends  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  Church.  In 
political  matters  he  is  a  Republican,  hut  is  lib- 
eral in  bis  views,  and  frequently  exercises  his 
right  to  vote  for  the  man  he  deems  best  fitted 
for  the  office,  irrespective  of  party  lines. 

JOHNSON,  Henry  R. — There  are  many  level- 
headed farmers  of  Illinois  who  are  now  en- 
gaged in  profitable  agriculture,  devoting  their 
land  to  the  growing  of  grain  and  stock,  finding 
a  ready  market  for  these  necessities  of  life. 
Among  those  so  engaged  in  Grundy  County  is 
Henry  R.  Johnson,  who  owns  and  operates  the 
old  Johnson  homestead  farm  of  Hid  acres,  in 
Saratoga  Township,  and  also  owns  eighty  acres 
in    Lisbon    Township    in    Kendall    County,    on 


which  he  has  a  tenant.  He  was  born  in  Big 
Grove  Township,  Kendall  County,  111.,  March 
2G,  lsi',7,  a  son  of  oh'  II.  and  Caroline  (Rier- 
sonl   Johnson. 

The  parents  of  Mi-.  Johnson  were  born  in 
Norway  and  the  father  came  to  Kendall  County, 
III.,  when  fifteen  years  old  and  went  to  work 
on  a  farm  and  owned  land  when  he  married, 
'flic  mother  was  brought  to  the  United  States 
by  her  parents,  who  were  three  months  on  the 
ocean  when  making  the  voyage,  and  they  set- 
tled also  in  Kendall  County,  where  she  married 
(He  II.  Johnson.  In  ls?o  they  came  to  Sara- 
toga Township.  Grundy  County  and  bought  the 
farm  on  which  their  son  Henry  II.  now  lives. 
Hero  the  mother  died  in  1SS4.  The  father  left 
the  farm  in  1907,  and  now  lives  retired  at  New- 
ark'. 111.  They  had  three  children :  Henry  R. ; 
Sidney  and  Lydia.  both  of  Chicago,  111",  the 
latter  being  the  wife  of  John  Jefferson.  By  a 
second  marriage.  Mr.  Johnson  had  one  child. 
now  deceased,  and  no  children  have  been  born 
to  his  present  marriage  with  Christina  William- 
son. 

Henry  It.  Johnson  remained  at  home  until  he 
married  and  then  rented  land  in  Saratoga  and 
other  townships  in  Grundy  County  until  1S9S. 
when  he  moved  to  Lisbon  Township  in  Kendall 
County,  where  lie  continued  until  1909,  when 
he  moved  on  the  old  homestead,  which  he  now 
owns.  Live  stork  and  grain,  as  mentioned 
above,  claim  his  attention  and  his  time  is  fully 
occupied.  On  .March  25,  1S90.  \rr.  Johnson 
was  married  to  Miss  Olivia  Thompson,  who  was 
born  in  Lisbon  Township,  Kendall  County,  a 
daughter  of  laic  and  Kmgar  (Hollar)  Thomp- 
son, natives  of  Norway.  They  have  had  the 
following  children:  Edith,  who  is  the  wife  of 
Charles  Terry,  of  Nettle  Creek  Township: 
Esther;  Orrin,  who  was  accidentally  drowned 
at  the  age  of  two  and  one-half  years;  and 
Alta.  Mr.  Johnson  and  family  attend  the 
Lutheran  Church.  In  politics  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican. 

JOHNSON,  Jens.—  Earnest  effort  along  any 
one  line  entitles  a  man  to  a  life  of  ease  once 
he  has  accomplished  the  end  for  which  he  has 
worked.  Many  of  the  most  reliable  and  repre- 
sentative citizens  of  Morris  are  those  who  after 
years  spent  in  agricultural  labor,  have  retired 
to  the  county  seat,  to  enjoy  the  rest  they  have 
honestly  earned.  One  of  these  substantial  re- 
tired farmers  of  Morris  is  Jens  Johnson.  Mr. 
Johnson  was  born  in  southern  Norway,  Decem- 
ber 13,  1S39,  where  his  parents  died.  In  1S60 
Mr.  Johnson  came  to  America,  and  after' reach- 
ing Grundy  County,  began  working  on  farms, 
thus  continuing  for  three  years.  He  then  went 
to  Kendall  County  where  he  bought  eighty  acres 
in  Big  Grove  Township,  and  operated  it  for 
five  years.  Receiving  then  a  good  offer  for  that 
property,  he  sold  and  bought  1G0  acres  in  Net- 
tle Creek  Township.  Grundy  County,  on  which 
he  lived  from  1s7.'>  to  1SS2.'  In  the  latter  year 
he  sold  that  land  and  moved  to  Lisbon.  Ken- 
dall   County,    where   he   bought   247   acres,   and 


842 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


this  farm  was  his  home  until  1S9G,  when  he 
rented  it  to  others  and  retired  to  Morris.  After 
three  years,  however,  his  active  spirit  sought 
further  work,  and  he  moved  on  a  200-aere  farm 
in  Seward  Township,  on  which  he  lived  until 
November,  1910.  He  then  purchased  his  pres- 
ent handsome  residence  on  Vine  street.  .Morris, 
where  he  has  since  lived  retired.  Mr.  Johnson 
still  owns  550  acres  of  line  farm  land  which  he 
rents  to  tenants. 

On  March  19,  ls<;7,  Mr.  Johnson  was  married 
to  Erikka  Hanson,  horn  in  northern  Norway. 
daughter  of  Christian  and  Kirsten  Hanson. 
who  came  to  Kendall  County  in  1SG2,  settling 
on  a  farm.  Later  they  moved  to  Grundy  Co  un- 
ity, and  there  Mr.  Hanson  died  in  1S.S1.  His 
widow  made  her  home  until  her  demise  in  1S91 
with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson.  The  latter  became 
the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Henry 
F.,  of  Kendall  County;  Louisa.  Mrs.  John  John- 
son of  Kendall  County;  Hannah,  wife  of 
Thomas  Granville  of  Saratoga  Township,  and 
they  have  three  children,  Carl  .1.,  Ruth  L.  and 
Alice  M. ;  Joseph;  Alice,  at  home;  Lillian,  wife 
of  Edward  Overland.  Mr.  Johnson  belongs  to 
the  Norwegian  Lutheran  Church.  His  opinions 
have  made  him  a  Republican,  and  he  has  served 
as  road  commissioner  and  school  director.  The 
success  which  has  attended  Mr.  Johnson's  efforts 
has  been  the  result  of  hard  work  and  thrifty 
saving,  and  lie  lias  always  been  able  to  win 
and  retain  the  confidence  of  those  with  whom 
he  has  come  in  contact. 

JOHNSON,  Ole  S.™ For  nearly  sixty  years  the 
name  of  Johnson  has  been  prominently  con- 
nected with  the  progress  and  development  of 
Grundy  County,  111.,  and  the  record  of  the  fam- 
ily is  one  which  reflects  credit  upon  the  locality. 
It  is  a  well-attested  maxim  that  the  greatness 
of  a  State  or  of  a  community  lies  not  in  the 
machinery  of  government,  nor  even  in  its  in- 
stitutions, but  in  the  sterling  quality  of  its  in- 
dividual citizens,  in  their  capacity  for  high  and 
unselfish  effort  and  their  devotion  to  the  public 
good.  In  these  particulars  those  who  have 
borne  the  name  of  Johnson  have  conferred  honor 
and  dignity  upon  their  section,  and  one  who  has 
proven  himself  a  worthy  representative  of  the 
name  is  Ole  S.  Johnson,  a  well-known  and  suc- 
cessful farmer  of  Nettle  Creek  Township.  Mr. 
Johnson  was  born  in  Miller  Township,  LaSalle 
County,  111.,  December  21,  185G,  and  is  a  son  of 
Samuel  O.  and  Ann  Caroline  Johnson,  natives 
of  Norway.  The  parents  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1S54  and  located  at  Ottawa,  111.,  where 
the  father  worked  as  a  farm  hand  for  several 
years,  and  then  purchased  land  in  Nettle  Creek 
Township,  where  he  still  survives,  the  mother 
having  passed  away  in  1S04. 

Ole  S.  Johnson  received  an  ordinary  educa- 
tion, and  remained  on  the  home  farm  until  after 
his  first  marriage,  at  which  time  he  moved- to 
William  Reardon's  farm  in  Nettle  Creek  Town- 
ship. Four  years  later  he  bought  a  farm  of 
160  acres,  which  was  partly  improved,  and  this 
he  has  brought  to  a  high  degree  of  cultivation. 


He  has  been  successful  in  his  operations,  and  in 
addition  to  general  farming  carries  on  the  rais- 
ing of  Durham  cattle,  Norman  horses  and  Po- 
land-China hogs.  He  is  a  man  of  superior 
business  capacity  and  resourceful  ability,  his 
resolute  purpose  and  keen  discrimination  en- 
abling him  to  earn  forward  to  successful  com- 
pletion whatever  he  undertakes.  He  has  long 
been  an  active  member  and  liberal  supporter  of 
the  Stavanger  Lutheran  Church.  In  political 
matters  a  stanch  Republican,  he  has  served  two 
terms  each  as  Assessor  and  Justice  of  the  Peace 
and  in  both  offices  has  given  evidence  of  superior 
executive  ability. 

On  October  30,  1SS2,  Mr.  Johnson  was  mar- 
ried (first)  to  -Miss  Josephine  Anderson,  of  La 
Salle  County,  111.,  who  died  January  12,  lss.7, 
having  been  the  mother  of  three'  children: 
Cora,  who  married  Joseph  Yoga,  of  Mission 
Township,  LaSalle  County;  Agnes,  who  married 
Albert  Knutson,  of  Nettle  Creek  Township, 
Grundy  County;  and  Stanley,  who  is  residing 
with  his  father.  Mr.  Johnson  was  married 
(second)  February  11,  1S92,  to  Mrs.  Malinda 
(Rathumson)  Jacobson,  widow  of  Jacob  Jacob- 
son,  and  four  children  have  been  born  to  this 
union, — namely:  Jasper,  Milton,  Silas  and 
Irvin.  By  her  former  marriage,  Mrs.  Johnson 
bad  two  children:  Oscar,  who  is  residing  at 
Yorkville,  111.;  and  Addie,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  twenty-six  years. 

JOHNSON,  Stene.— There  are  no  better  fanners 
in  Illinois  than  those  who  are  cultivating  their 
fertile  farms  in  Grundy  County.  These  men 
rank  among  the  very  best  and  their  banner 
crops  prove  that  they  understand  their  work 
and  know  how  to  make  their  fields  yield  them 
a  good  profit  on  their  investment.  One  of  these 
progressive  agriculturalists  is  Stene  Johnson, 
of  Saratoga  Township,  horn  on  bis  present 
farm.  September  S,  1S74,  a  son  of  ole  N.  and 
Carrie  (Stevenson)  Johnson.  These  parents 
were  horn  in  Norway,  but  married  in  Illinois, 
and  settled  on  eighty  acres  in  Saratoga  Town- 
ship, Grundy  County  and  kept  adding  to  their 
holdings  until  they  owned  240  acres  all  in  one 
body.  She  died  in  1S9G.  while  he  survived  her 
until  Ifins  Their  children  were:  John,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years;  Stene:  Ole, 
who  is  of  Morris,  111.:  and  Henry  Ludwig,  who 
lives  with  Stene. 

Stene  Johnson  attended  the  public  schools 
and  grew  to  useful  manhood  on  the  home  farm. 
After  the  death  of  the  father,  he  and  his  brother 
Ludwig  bought  out  the  other  heirs,  and  they 
operate  the  farm  together,  carrying  on  grain 
farming  and  cattle  raising.  They  are  very  en- 
terprising young  men  and  their  property  is 
exceedingly  valuable.  On  March  2s,  1002.  Mr. 
Johnson  married  Enger  Kutson,  born  in  Nor- 
way, where  her  parents  died.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Johnson  have  the  following  children:  Caroline. 
Hilda.  Clifford  and  Edna.  Mr.  Johnson  belongs 
to  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  Church,  and  is  ac- 
tive in  the  work  of  that  organization.  Politic- 
ally  he   is  a    Republican,   and   at  present    is  a 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


843 


school  director.  A  man  of  enterprise,  willing 
to  exert  himself,  he  lias  forced  ahead  and  easily 
is  in  the  lead  among  the  fanners  of  his  locality. 

JOHNSON,  William  K.  (deceased).— In  the  death 
of  William  K.  Johnson,  which  occurred  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1911,  Grundy  County  lust  a  citizen  who 
had  added  materially  to  the  growth,  develop- 
ment and  importance  of  its  best  interests.  For 
many  years  he  was  engaged  in  farming  here, 
and  while  he  was  never  a  politician  in  the  gen- 
eral acceptance  of  the  term,  took  an  interest  in 
all  that  made  for  his  section's  welfare,  and 
could  always  be  found  allied  with  other  earnest 
and  hard-working  citizens  in  the  movements 
that  spelled  morality,  education,  religion  and 
good  citizenship.  Mr.  Johnson  was  horn  April 
1,  1S27,  and  was  a  son  of  John  and  Charlotta 
(Hart)  Johnson,  the  former  a  native  of  Ken- 
tucky and  the  latter  of  North  Carolina. 

When  still  a  child,  long  before  the  outbreak 
of  the  Civil  War.  Mr.  Johnson  was  brought  to 
Illinois  from  his  native  State  of  Kentucky  by 
his  father,  who  was  an  Abolitionist  and  could 
not  countenance  the  practice  of  slavery.  The 
family  settled  in  Iroquois  County,  where  Mr. 
Johnson  secured  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  and  started  to  work  at  farm  labor,  lie 
was  married  in  IMC  to -Harriet  Dean,  who  was 
born  in  England,  September  19,  J.S39,  daughter 
of  John  and  Maria  (Roberts)  Dean.  The 
Deans  came  to  America  in  1S40,  settling  in 
Quebec.  Canada,  where  Mr.  Dean  secured  em- 
ployment as  a  wood  chopper.  Subsequently  the 
family  moved  to  Vermont,  where  he  was  en- 
gaged in  farming  for  some  time,  and  later, 
during  the  winter  time,  moved  across  Lake 
Champlain  on  the  ice  to  New  York.  There  Mr. 
Dean  took  up  state  land,  but  some  time  after 
improving  it  moved  to  Kendall  County,  III., 
and  six  months  later  to  Grundy  County.  Here 
he  purchased  a  farm  in  Wauponsee  Township, 
on  which  he  spent  many  years,  but  finally  went 
to  Missouri,  where  his  death  occurred.  After  his 
marriage,  Mr.  Johnson  bought  a  farm  in  Wau- 
ponsee Township,  on  which  he  lived  for  twenty 
years,  and  then  purchased  1G0  acres  in  Norman 
and  Wauponsee  Townships,  where  he  passed  a 
like  period  of  time.  He  then  went  to  Morris, 
and  bought  a  residence  and  two  lots  on  Illi- 
nois avenue,  and  there  he  died,  having  been  an 
invalid  for  two  years.  His  widow  still  makes 
her  home  in  Morris.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson 
had  the  following  children:  John  W.,  of  Wau- 
ponsee ;  Maria,  who  married  the  late  Melvin 
Bennett,  and  now  resides  in  Morris  :  Scott  and 
Elerick  D..  living  in  Norman  Township;  and 
William,  who  died  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years. 
Mr.  Johnson  was  a  Republican  in  his  political 
views,  and  served  as  county  commissioner  for 
twenty  years.  At  the  time  of  the  nomination 
of  Abraham  Lincoln  to  the  Presidency,  Mr. 
Johnson  belonged  to  the  famous  Lincoln 
Rangers.  He  took  a  keen  interest  in  all  that 
was  calculated  to  benefit  his  community,  and 
at  all  times  was  noted  for  his  sturdy  integrity, 
honestv    and    fair   dealing.      Mr.    Johnson,    with 


Mrs.  Johnson's  father,  John  Dean,  broke  the 
first  ground  for  the  turnpike  road  south  from 
Morris,  some  sixty  years  ago. 

JOHNSTON,  Eli  Frank  (deceased).— A  life 
of  honest  endeavor,  one  in  which  every  deed 
was  actuated  by  the  best  of  motives  and  was 
productive  of  far-reaching  and  beneficial  re- 
sults, must  have  left  a  strong  influence  behind 
when  it  came  to  a  close.  The  late  Eli  Frank 
Johnston  was  a  man  who  was  not  only  beloved 
in  his  family  and  among  his  intimate  friends, 
but  honored  and  respected  in  the  community 
in  which  he  resided  for  many  years.  Never 
afraid  of  hard  work,  he  gave  the  best  of  him- 
self to  any  line  he  followed,  and  when  he  died, 
left  a  record  for  integrity  behind  him  of  which 
his  family  may  well  feel  proud.  Mr.  Johnston 
was  born  in  Newcastle  County,  Pa.,  August 
2S,  1S30,  son  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (Rigby) 
Johnston  of   Pennsylvania. 

In  Is.m  Mr.  Johnston  came  to  Morris,  111., 
and  for  eighteen  months  worked  as  a  plasterer. 
He  then  bought  a  restaurant  on  Liberty  street, 
and  for  seventeen  years,  operated  it  very  suc- 
cessfully, when  he  sold,  and  started  a  news 
stand.  After  three  years  at  this,  he  sold,  and 
lived  retired  from  active  business  until  his 
death.  November  15.  1S99.  In  December,  1S5S, 
Mr.  Johnston  married  Jennie  Wallace,  born 
near  Newcastle,  Pa.,  February  27,  1838.  daugh- 
ter of  William  and  Alethea  (Gundy)  Wallace, 
natives  of  Pennsylvania.  Mrs.  Wallace  died 
March  9,  1S52,  and  Mr.  Wallace  came  to  Morris 
in  1S5S,  thereafter  following  his  trade  of  mill- 
wright in  Morris  and  other  places.  He  married 
Mrs.  Jane  Johnston  in  Mahoning  County,  Ohio, 
and  came  back  to  Grundy  County,  but  later 
went  to  Indiana,  and  thence  to  Texas,  where  he 
died,  January  1 1.  1S7G. 

Mrs.  Johnston  has  resided  at  her  present 
home,  on  the  corner  of  Fulton  and  Jackson 
streets  in  Morris,  since  1872.  She  and  Mr. 
Johnston  had  two  children  :  Etta  F.,  of  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  for  2.1  years  employed  in  the 
Patent  office;  Carrie  W.,  also  of  Washington, 
for  2<i  years  employed  in  the  Pension  office. 
Mrs.  Johnston  is  a  believer  in  the  doctri-nes  of 
Christian  Science,  and  the  comforting  faith  of 
her  creed  offers  her  consolation  in  all  her  be- 
reavements. Mr.  Johnston  was  a  Republican, 
and  for  two  years  served  his  ward  as  alder- 
man. Fraternally,  he  was  an  Odd  Fellow,  and 
was  popular  in  his  lodge.  It  is  a  beautiful  faith 
that  sees  those  gone  before  as  but  exchanging 
one  phase  of  existence  for  another,  and  the 
rounding  out  of  character  in  a  better  world. 

JORDAN,  Hon.  A.  R.  (deceased),  who  for  many 
years  served  Grundy  County  as  one  of  its 
judges,  was  a  man  of  highest  standing  and 
clearest  judgment.  lie  was  born  in  Kennebec 
County,  Maine,  December  1.°..  IS  13,  a  son  of 
Samuel  and  1'hilena  (Dow)  Jordan.  In  185-1 
the  family  migrated"  to  Morris.  111.,  where  the 
father  died  in  ISS5,  and  the  mother  in  1884. 
Judge  Jordan  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 


844 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


of  Morris,  under  the  private  tuition  of  Prof.  II. 
K.  Trask,  and  in  1SG0,  he  entered  Union  College, 

from  whence  he  went  forth  to  fight  for  his  coun- 
try as  a  member  of  Company  G,  Thirty-sixth 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  as  a  private  during 
the  Civil  War.  After  being  discharged  on  ac- 
count of  disability  in  November,  1SG1,  he  again 
enlisted  in  the  spring  of  1SG2,  ami  was  commis- 
sioned Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  I,  Sixty- 
ninth  Illinois  Infantry,  and  received  his  dis- 
charge at  the  expiration  of  the  three  months' 
service  for  which  it  was  formed.  He  then  went 
to  Central  City,  Colo.,  and  worked  in  the  mines, 
and  taught  school,  and  there  became  a  member 
of  the  Third  Colorado  Cavalry,  being  a  partici- 
pant in  the  Sand  Creek  massacre,  in  1SG5,  he 
returned  to  Morris,  111.;  later  went  to  Council 
Bluffs,  la.,  but  within  two  years,  he  returned 
to  Morris,  and  entered  upon  the  practice  of  law, 
attaining  to  a  high  position  in  his  profession. 
A"  Republican,  his  party  honored  him  upon  nu- 
merous occasions,  and  he  served  as  States 
Attorney  and  County  Judge  with  dignified  capa- 
bility. In  1SG9,  Judge  Jordan  married  Miss 
Sarah  D.  Parmelee,  a  daughter  of  Charles  D. 
Parmelee  of  Morris.  His  death  occurred  in 
1905. 

JORDAN,  William  A.,  who  served  as  postmas- 
ter of  Morris  in  the  eighties,  was  a  dealer  in 
agricultural  implements  and  one  of  the  sound 
business  men  of  tho  County  Seat.  Tie  was  born 
at  Hudson,  X.  V.,  July  IT,  1S29,  a  son  of  Allen 
Jordan,  but  came  to  Grundy  County  in  1.S155, 
locating  at  Minooka,  where  he  established  him- 
self in  an  agricultural  implement  business,  but 
removed  it  to  Morris  in  1S70.  A  strong  Repub- 
lican, he  became  a  leading  figure  in  his  party, 
served  as  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education, 
and  was  the  logical  candidate  for  the  office  of 
postmaster,  to  which  he  was  appointed  in  lss2, 
by  President  Arthur.  His  fraternal  relations 
were  with  the  Masonic  order.  On  November  1. 
1S53,  he  married  Annie  E.  Wing,  and  they  had 
seven  children,  only  four  of  whom  lived  to  ma- 
turity, namely :  Clifton,  Frank,  Kate  and 
Annie. 

KANGLEY,  Owen. — A  man  who  understands 
bow  to  farm  properly  can  always  make  money, 
especially  in  days  like  the  present,  when  the 
demand  for  farm  produce  is  so  stupendous. 
Many  of  the  substantial  men  of  Grundy  County 
realize  this  and  are  devoting  themselves  more 
or  less  exclusively  to  agricultural  pursuits  with 
results  that  must  be  gratifying  to  them,  and 
certainly  serve  to  advance  the  general  pros- 
perity of  the  country.  One  of  these  progres- 
sive farmers  of  Anx  Sable  Township  is  Owen 
Kangley,  who  is  operating  120  acres  of  land. 
He  was  horn  in  Shanahan  Township.  Will 
County.  111.,  October  7.  1m;:;.  son  of  Peter  and 
Mary  Ann  (Kindelain)  Kangley.  The  father 
was' horn  June  20,  1830.  and  his  wife  January 
9,  1S3S,  lK>th  being  natives  of  Ireland.  They 
came  to  Shanahan  Township,  Will  County,  in 
the  winter  of  1SC0-1,  and  Mr.  Kangley  worked 


in  the  warehouse  on  the  canal  about  three 
years,  before  he  began  farming.  When  he  was 
able  to  buy  two  lots,  he  erected  a  house  upon 
them,  continuing  his  farming  in  that  vicinity 
until  1SSG.  He  then  moved  to  Fayette  County, 
there  buying  200  acres  of  land  for  which  he 
paid  $25  per  acre.  This  he  farmed  until  March, 
1012.  when  he  sold  his  personal  property,  rented 
his  farm,  and  bought  a  tine  residence  at 
Ilawkeye,  Iowa,  and  there  he  and  his  wife  are 
living  retired.  Their  children  were:  Bernard, 
who  lived  at  Wilmington,  III.,  died  Decem- 
ber 15,  1913;  Owen;  Patrick,  who  lives  at 
Ilawkeye.  Iowa  ;  Julia,  who  lives  at  Sioux  City, 
Iowa  ;  Anna,  who  is  Mrs.  Martin  Boomer,  of 
Brown  County,  Kan.;  Margaret,  Mrs.  Sampson, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  "thirty-four  years;  John, 
who  lives  at  Kansas  City,  Mo.;  Terrence,  who 
lives  at  Oklahoma  City.  Okla. ;  Rose,  who  lives 
at  Cedar  Rapids;  and  Mamie,  who  is  Mrs.  Judd 
Fish,  of  Ilawkeye.   Iowa. 

Owen  Kangley  was  educated  in  the  rural 
schools  and  grow  up  on  the  farm,  where  he 
remained  until  he  became  of  age,  at  which  time 
he  left  home  to  work  for  neighboring  farmers. 
In  1SS6  lie  rented  1G0  acres  of  land  in  Aux 
Sable  Township,  and  spent  ten  years  on  this 
farm.  Owing  to  the  illness  of  his  father,  he 
was  then  forced  to  leave  and  go  to  the  home- 
stead where  he  remained  for  three  years  as- 
sisting in  operating  it.  In  1910  he  moved  on  the 
Tabler  homestead  and  is  now  operating  120 
acres  of  this  property,  devoting  it  to  general 
farming  and  stock  raising.  On  February  2S, 
1910,  Mr.  Kangley  was  married  to  Elizabeth 
Tabler.  born  in  Aux  Sable  Township,  daughter 
of  Ezra  and  Helen  (Randall)  Tabler.  natives 
of  Virginia.  Xo  children  have  been  born  of 
this  marriage.  Mr.  Kangley  belongs  to  St. 
Mary's  Catholic  Church  of  Minooka.  Politic- 
ally, he  is  a  Democrat,  lie  is  recognized  as 
an    excellent    fanner    and    good    business    man. 

KAUZLARIC,  Anton,  general  blacksmith  of 
Coal  City,  and  dealer  in  buggies,  wagons,  har- 
ness, farm  implements  and  general  hardware, 
has  been  one  of  the  important  factors  in  the 
business  life  of  this  community  since  ISO.",  dur- 
ing which  period  he  has  proven  himself  worthy 
of  the  confidence  now  reposed  in  him.  lie  was 
born  in  Austria-Hungary,  June  10.  1SGS,  a  son 
of  Simon  and  Mary  Kauzlaric.  The  father,  a 
carpenter,  died  in  his  native  land  in  1000.  the 
mother  having  passed  away  in  1SS9,  they  hav- 
ing had  six  children :  Mary,  who  is  deceased ; 
Veronica,  who  is  deceased;  Anton:  Romania, 
who  is  deceased ;  Petra  Galbreath,  who  lives  at 
Coal  City:  and  Blaze,  who  resides  at  Coal  City. 

Anton  Kauzlaric  had  no  educational  advan- 
tages in  his  native  land,  but  being  bright  ind 
industrious,  he  picked  up  a  good  working  knowl- 
edge of  conditions  and  learned  the  hlacksmith- 
iug  trade.  Coining  to  the  United  States  in 
1S02,  he  was  at  Streator  and  Seneca,  111.,  for  a 
few  months.  In  ISO:;  he  came  to  Grundy  County, 
working  at  his  trade  at  Gardner  until  1S05, 
when  he  located  at  Coal  City,  and  established 


' 


/ 


7 

■ 


■ 


• 


c^^L^-^  Q.  J7^^/^.^^. 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY   COUNTY. 


845 


himself  in  his  present  business.  In  1002  he  re- 
turned to  his  native  land  for  a  visit  of  seven 
months,  but  was  glad  to  return  where  condi- 
tions are  so  much  better.  His  present  building 
was  erected  by  him  in  1905,  at  which  time  he 
put  in  a  stock  of  hardware  and  harness.  Mr. 
Kauzlaric's  experiences  have  been  varied,  for  in 
1890,  prior  to  coming  to  the  United  States  ho 
worked  on  a  railroad  in  Asia  as  a  blacksmith. 
The  Catholic  Church  holds  his  membership, 
and  he  belongs  to  the  Catholic  order  of  For- 
esters, the  Bohemian  Lodge  of  the  White  Cross, 
and  is  now  treasurer  of  the  former'  organiza- 
tion. A  Democrat,  he  has  been  a  member  of  the 
City  Council  of  Coal  City  for  one  term,  and 
proved  his  worth  in  that  connection.  Honest, 
energetic  and  aggressive,  he  lias  built  up  a  good 
business  and  made  his  influence  felt  in  the  city 
he  has  adopted  as  his  own.  Mr.  Kauzlarie  is 
unmarried. 

KAY,  Abraham  Lincoln. — England  lias  con- 
tributed of  her  sturdy,  reliable  sons  some  of 
our  best  citizens,  men  who  climb  high  in  civic 
affairs,  and  attain  to  prosperity  in  business  cir- 
cles. One  of  these  residing  at  .Morris,  is  Abra- 
ham Lincoln  Kay.  who  is  proprietor  of  a  large 
teaming  and  transfer  business,  and  is  alder- 
man of  the  Fourth  Ward.  He  was  horn  in 
Lancashire,  England,  October  29,  1S(J5,  a  son 
of  Robert  and  Mary  fCryer)  Kay.  The 
father  died  in  1^7V.  and  Abraham  Lincoln  Kay, 
with  his  mother  came  to  Morris,  in  October, 
1S79.  After  arrival  in  this  city,  Mrs.  Kay  mar- 
ried George  Worth,  and  died  in  1S92. 

Educated  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
land.  Mr.  Kay  is  a  well-informed  man.  After 
arrival  in  Morris,  he  mined  for  two  years,  and 
then  established  a  general  teaming  and  trans- 
fer business,  which  he  has  since  continued,  now- 
operating  six  teams.  In  October.  1801,  Mr. 
Kay  married  Hirst)  Jennie  May  Leach,  born  in 
Kendall  County.  III.  The  children  of  this  mar- 
riage were:  Vivian,  Harold.  Mary  Ruth,  and 
Irvin  Lincoln,  all  at  home.  Mrs.  Kay  died  in 
September,  1901.  In  October,  1902.  Mr.  Kay 
married  (second)  Delia  Adams,  born  at  Green- 
ville, 111.  Xo  issue.  Mrs.  Kay  died  in  March, 
1901.  On  January  10.  1907,  Mr.  Kay  married 
Lida  Howe,  born  at  Ober,  Ind..  and  married 
at  Medaryville.  Ind.  Two  sons  were  horn  of 
this  marriage:  Earle  Edward  and  Howard 
Glenn.  Mr.  Kay  belongs  to  the  Free  Metho- 
dists, of  which  he  has  been  trustee  since  1909. 
In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  is  serving 
his  second  term  as  alderman  of  the  Fourth 
Ward.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America  and  the  K.  O.  T.  M.  both 
of  Morris.  A  man  of  energy  and  keen  foresight. 
he  has  forged  his  way  to  the  front,  and  is  uni- 
versally respected  by  his  wide  circle  of  ac- 
quaintances and  friends. 

KARNS,  Thomas. — Too  much  cannot  be  said 
in  praise  of  the  enterprising  Grundy  County 
farmers  who  have  brought  their  calling  up  to 
its  present  higli  standing  and  developed  to  an 


almost  perfect  condition,  the  property  they  own. 
One  of  these  progressive  agriculturists  is  Thomas 
Kearns  of  Highland  Township,  born  in  County 
Wexford,  Ireland.  August  20,  1S05,  a  son  of 
Michael  and  Mary  (Dugan)  Karns,  both  of 
whom  passed  away  in  Ireland  where  they  had 
been  horn  and  reared. 

In  1SSS  Thomas  Karns  came  to  Grundy 
County  and  began  working  as  a  farm  hand, 
thus  continuing  for  three  years.  For  the  next 
twelve  years  he  rented  land,  but  in  190  1  was 
able  to  buy  120  acres  in  Highland  Township,  to 
which  he  lias  since  added  eighty  acres  so  that 
he  now  has  2imi  acres  all  of  which  he  operates 
with  very  desirable  results.  Mr.  Karns  mar- 
ried Bridget  Kelley,  born  in  County  Wexford, 
Ireland,  wdio  came  to  the  United  States  in  girl- 
hood. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Karns  became  the  parents 
of  three  children:  George,  who  is  at  home; 
Leo,  who  is  of  Bloomington,  111.,  and  Ella.  Mrs. 
Karns  died  January  7.  1904,  having  been  a 
faithful  wife  and  mother.  Mr.  Karns  is  a 
Catholic.  Politically  lie  is  a  Democrat,  but  has 
never  sought  office,  being  too  much  occupied 
with  his  own  affairs. 

KEITH,  Fred.— Not  only  do  many  of  the  most 
progressive  of  the  Grundy  County  men  carry  on 
agricultural  pursuits  successfully,  hut  they  are 
also  interested  in  other  lines  "of  endeavor,  and 
bring  to  bear  upon  all  their  affairs  a  broad  and 
determined  policy  that  works  out  for  the  better- 
ment of  their  community  generally.  One  of 
these  farmers  and  business  men  of  this  locality 
is  Fred  Keith,  of  Mazon  Township,  who  owns 
and  operates  is.(j  acres  of  fertile  land,  and  is 
treasurer  of  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company. 
He  was  born  in  his  present  township,  August 
2d.  ls."il.  a  son  of  Henry  and  Lucy  (Daniels) 
Keith.  The  parents  were  natives  of  Vermont 
and  New  York,  respectively,  who  came  first  to 
Grundy  County,  but  later  went  to  Minnesota, 
where  the  father  died  when  Fred  Keith  was 
nine  years  old.  The  mother  survived  him  and 
afterward  married  Albert  Tshem,  and  died  later 
in  Indiana.  They  had  four  children:  William, 
who  is  deceased  ;  Fred :  .May  and  Frank,  both 
of  whom  are  deceased. 

Fred  Keith  was  educated  in  the  country 
schools,  and  well  trained  in  farm  work-.  When 
he  was  twenty-four  years  old.  be  began  farming 
on  rented  land,  later  buying  his  present  farm 
on  which  he  carries  on  general  farming.  When 
the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  was  organized, 
he  was  made  its  treasurer  and  has  held  that 
position  ever  since.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Grundy  County  Fair  Association,  and  is  a  recog- 
nized authority  on  agricultural  matters.  The 
Masonic  lodge  affords  him  fraternal  diversion, 
while  politically  he  is  a  Republican,  and  lias 
been  school  director  for  two  terms,  assessor  for 
three  terms,  and  school  treasurer  for  two  terms. 

On  February  21.  1S7S.  by  Rev.  Ferner  of 
Mazon  Township,  Mr.  Keith  was  married  to 
Clara  Irons,  born  October  20.  1SR8,  in  Mazon 
Township,  and  they  have  one  child,  now  Mrs. 
Ilaltie  I.  Robinson.     She  was  married  April  10, 


846 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


1007,  by  Rev.  Seibert.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robinson 
have  two  children  :  Dorothy  K.  and  Donald  F. ; 
and  they  reside  in  Mazon. 

KELBEL,  Frank  J.— The  dignity  of  labor  in- 
telligently performed  and  well  executed  is  some- 
thing men  are  beginning  to  properly  ree- 
ognize  and  appreciate.  Due  of  the  men  who 
has  developed  a  wide-spread  reputation  for 
high-elass  shoeing  of  horses  throughout  Grundy 
County,  is  Frank  J.  Kelbel  of  Morris,  lie  was 
born  at  Chicago,  in  July,  1^7."..  a  son  of  Frank 
and  Catherine  (Becker)  Kelbel,  born  in  Ger- 
many, who  came  to  the  United  States  in  their 
childhood,  and  married  when  they  grew  to  ma- 
turity. The  father  was  a  blacksmith  for  many 
years,  and  for  a  quarter  of  a  century,  had  his 
own  shop  in  Chicago.  His  death  occurred  in 
1SS9,   and   bis   wife  died    in   Ism;. 

Living  at  home  until  bis  father  died.  Frank 
J.  Kelbel  received  a  public  school  education. 
He  started  to  learn  bis  trade  with  bis  father, 
but  when  the  latter  died,  in  1889,  ]\v  engaged 
in  bottling  soda  water  and  thus  continued  for 
two  and  one-half  years  in  Chicago.  Then  ho 
resinned  working  at  bis  trade,  and  completed 
it  and  came  to  Morris  in  iv.ts,  where  he  started 
to  work  for  Charles  Weese.  In  1005,  he  bought 
the  business,  and  is  currying  it  on,  specializing 
on  horseshoeing. 

Mr.  Kelbel  is  a  member  of  Trii.'ty  German 
Lutheran  Church  of  Chicago.  He  belongs  to 
Richard  Cole  Lodge  No.  c.17.  of  Chicago,  and 
Morris  Lodge  No.  10S,  Knights  of  Pythias,  and 
twice  has  represented  them  at  the  Grand  Lodge. 
Mr.  Kelbel  was  also  Deputy  Grand  Chancellor 
of  this  district.  F.  O.  E.  No.  1024,  of  Morris, 
and  held  the  office  of  president  from  1909  to 
1012.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Fraternal  Life 
Reserve  Association  Xo.  42.  and  the  K.  ().  T.  M. 
of  Morris. 

A  strong  Republican,  Mr.  Kelbel  was  elected 
Mayor  of  Morris,  his  term  expiring  in  the 
spring  of  1911.  During  the  period  he  was  ex- 
ecutive head  of  the  city,  Morris  enjoyed  an  era 
of  prosperity  and  civic  development  that  re- 
flected credit,  on  him  and  his  methods.  During 
the  Spanish-American  War,  be  enlisted  for 
service  in  the  First  Illinois  Cavalry  at  Chi- 
cago, April  28,  1898,  and  was  honorably  dis- 
charged October  12.  1S9S.  Mr.  Kelbel  has  never 
married.  A  man  of  sterling  characteristics,  he 
has  proven  himself  a  very  desirable  citizen, 
and  either  in  war  or  peace  can  be  depended 
uikhi  to  do  his  full  duty  as  he  sees  it. 

KENNEDY,  Joseph  P.— With  the  almost  uni- 
versal adoption  of  the  automobile  as  a  means 
of  locomotion,  has  come  an  insistent  and  in- 
creasing demand  for  first  class  repair  work,  and 
Grundy  County  men  have  not.  been  slow  to 
enter  into  this  line  of  endeavor.  One  of  those 
whose  name  is  a  synonym  for  honest  and  efficient 
work  is  Joseph  1'.  Kennedy  of  Gardner,  111., 
who  does  all  kinds  of  boiler,  engine  and  auto- 
mobile repairing.  He  was  born  in  Marion 
County,  111.,  in  1S7G,  a  son  of  James  and  Melinda 


(Jones)  Kennedy.  The  father  was  born  in  Ala- 
bama and  the  mother  in  Indiana.  Growing  up 
in  his  native  State,  James  Kennedy  was  engaged 
in  agricultural  work  there  until  bis  coming  to 
Illinois  in  1S04.  He  located  in  Marion  County 
and  continued  his  farming,  there  married,  and 
he  and  his  wife  became  the  parents  of  eleven 
children,  six  of  whom  survive.  Both  parents 
died  in  Illinois,  the  father  in  1008,  and  the 
mother  in  1010. 

Joseph  P.  Kennedy  was  brought  up  on  a  farm 
and  there  taught  lessons  of  industry  and  thrift 
which  have  never  been, forgotten.  He  attended 
the  local  schools  and  assisted  bis  father  until 
he  was  nineteen  years  old  at  which  time  he  en- 
tered the  machine  shops  at  Decatur,  Ala.,  where 
be  remained  for  four  years.  This  line  of  work 
so  suited  him  that  be  has  continued  in  it,  and 
in  1907,  seeing  an  opening  at  Gardner,  be  came 
here  and  worked  as  an  engineer  until  190!>,  when 
be  opened  up  his  business,  and  now  is  agent  for 
the  Ford  and  Overland  cars,  both  excellent 
makes.  In  addition,  he  conducts  a  first  class 
garage  and  controls  the  greater  part  of  the 
business  in  bis  several  lines  for  this  section. 

On  March  22.  1910,  Mr.  Kennedy  married  Mil- 
dred Colstock,  born  at  Gardner,  III.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Republican,  but  has  not  gone  into  public 
life.  Fraternally  be  is  a  Mason.  His  sterling 
characteristics  and  business  honesty  entitle  him 
to  the  confidence  and  respect  of  his  fellow 
citizens. 

KETCHAM,  William.— A  number  of  the  more 
advanced  of  Grundy  County  agriculturists  have 
satisfied  themselves  by  long  experiment  that  it 
pays  to  feed  their  grain  to  high  grade  stock 
which  they  breed  and  raise  for  the  market.  One 
of  the  men  who  is  making  a  success  of  grain 
farming  and  stock  raisins;,  and  gaining  a  well- 
earned  prestige  among  his  associates  as  a  good 
business  man.  is  William  Ketcham  of  -Aux  Sable 
Township.  Mr.  Ketcham  was  born  at  Cheyenne, 
Wyo.,  August  IS,  1S7G,  son  of  Frank  and  Zelda 
A.  (Haight)  Ketcham.  The  father  was  born 
at  Chesterville,  Ohio,  and  his  wife  at  Burling- 
ton, Iowa.  The  families  on  both  sides  went  out. 
to  Wyoming  before  any  railroad  was  built 
through  the  west,  and  the  parents  were  mar- 
ried at  Cheyenne.  They  were  stock  raisers,  and 
the  father  died  on  his  farm  in  190S,  the  mother 
surviving  him  and  operating  the  ranch. 

William  Ketcham  was  brought  up  in  Wyoming, 
where  he  received  a  good  public  school  educa- 
tion, and  training  in  agricultural  matters.  When 
be  was  thirty-one  years  old,  he  came  as  far 
east  as  Grundy  County,  111.,  and  located  in 
Aux  Sable  Township.  Here  he  was  married  in 
1900,  and  began  operating  a  portion  of  the  New- 
man homestead  of  112  acres  in  this  same  town- 
ship. Until  the  fall  of  1011,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Ketcham  resided  with  Mrs.  Newman,  but  at  that 
time  moved  into  their  own  house  built  on  their 
part  of  the  farm.  Mr.  Ketcham  has  been  very 
successful  in  bis  operations  and  is  now  largely 
devoting  himself  to  the  raising  of  grain  for  his 
stock. 


'; 


' 


■ 

sz 

I 


. 


*/<S-^3U^^-^ 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


847 


On  September  3.  100G,  Mr.  Ketcham  was  mar- 
ried to  Carrie  Newman,  born  in  Aux  Sable  Town- 
ship, daughter  of  Henry  and  Magdalena  New- 
man. There  have  been  no  children  of  this  mar- 
riage. Politically,  Mr.  Ketcham  is  a  Socialist 
and  looks  forward  to  the  time  when  some  of  the 
problems  which  confront  the  intelligent  man  of 
today,  are  solved  by  the  application  of  the  reme- 
dies advocated  by  the  adherents  of  his  party. 

KIME,  Samuel  M. — The  agricultural  interests 
of  Good  Farm  Township,  Grundy  County,  are 
ably  represented  by  Samuel  M.  Kime.  a  sub- 
stantial farmer  and  a  citizen  of  worth  and 
standing.  Mr.  Kime  was  born  in  La  Salle 
County.  111.,  January  2,  1S67,  the  fifth  child  of 
Paul  and  Margaret  (Eshenbacher)  Kime. 
They  were  natives  of  Neuremhurg.  Germany, 
from  whence  they  came  to  the  United  states 
in  1S56  and  both  located  in  Kendall  County, 
HI.  After  their  marriage,  they  removed  to  La 
Salle  County,  where  Mi-.  Kime  plied  his  trade 
of  shoemaker  until  he  was  able  to  purchase  a 
tract  of  land  near  Grand  Ridge.  III.  After  a 
few  years  there  he  sold  out  and  in  ls74  came 
to  Good  Farm  Township,  Grundy  County,  and 
bought  eighty  aires  of  land.  Later,  he  pur- 
chased 210  acres  in  Good  Farm  Township  and 
eighty  acres  in  Livingston  County ',  and  con- 
tinued to  successfully  cultivate  these  farms 
until  his  retirement  from  active  pursuits.  His 
wife  passed  away  about  1002,  and  Mr.  Kime 
died  while  on  a  trip  to  his  old  home  in  Ger- 
many, in  September.  1000.  Of  their  fourteen 
children,  ten  are  still   living. 

Samuel  Kime  received  a  district  school  edu- 
cation, and  was  reared  to  agricultural  pursuits, 
thus  growing  to  manhood.  At  the  time  of  his 
marriage,  he  rented  eighty  acres  of  land  from 
his  father,  and  to  this  he  has  added  from  time 
to  time  until  today  he  is  the  owner  of  240  acres 
of  some  of  the  best  land  to  lie  found  in  the 
State.  lie  has  erected  good  buildings,  uses 
modern  methods  and  machinery,  and  is  justly 
accounted  one  of  his  community's  most  sub- 
stantial farmer-citizens.  General  grain  farm- 
ing has  received  the  greater  pari  of  his  atten- 
tion and  the  success  which  has  rewarded  his 
efforts  testifies  eloquently  to  his  ability.  Mr. 
Kime  is  now  building  a  tine  modern  house  and 
substantial  outbuildings,  including  a  large  silo. 
For  many  years  Mr.  Kime  has  served  in  town- 
ship offices*  including  those  of  school  director, 
road  commissioner  and  tax  collector.  His  sup- 
port is  given  to  the  Republican  party  in  political 
matters,  while  his  fraternal  connection  is  with 
the  Gleaners,  among  whom  he  has  numerous 
friends. 

On  October  12,  1S94,  Mr.  Kime  was  married 
to  Miss  Emma  McBain,  who  was  born  at  Cool- 
idge,  Kas..  a  daughter  of  George  and  Emma 
(Harris)  McBain.  the  former  a  native  of  Ens- 
land  and  the  latter  of  Scotland.  Seven  chil- 
dren have  been  born  to  this  union:  Kfiie,  Ran- 
dall, Harvey,  Esther,  Oliver.  Mattie  and  Willis, 
and  of  these  Effie  died  in  infancy. 


KIRKENDALL,  Lorenzo  C— Many  of  the  most 
prosperous  farmers  of  Grundy  County  combine 
operation  of  their  land  with  buying  fine  stock 
for  the  market  with  profitable  results.  One  of 
the  men  who  has  made  his  name  well  known 
in  connection  with  his  stock  operations  is 
Lorenzo  G.  Kirkendall  of  Rraceville  Township. 
He  owns  a  fine  farm  of  240  acres  in  Braceville 
Township,  which  he  devotes  to  general  farm- 
ing, and  at  the  same  time  he  carries  on  a 
large  stock  business.  He  was  born  in  Living- 
ston County.  111.,  Dec-ember  20.  ISfiO,  being  a 
son  of  William  and  Margaret  (Clover)  Kirken- 
dall. both  of  whom  were  born  in  Indiana,  but 
came  to  Grundy  County  in  1S?>4,  where  the 
father  farmed  until  he  moved  to  Dwight,  111., 
where  he  died  .Line  11,  1!>0s.  i|js  widow  still 
lives  at  Dwight.  Thej  were  the  parents  of  live 
children:  George  Edwin,  Lorenzo  ('..  Belle 
Harvey.  Ella,  who  is  deceased,  and  Everett  E. 
Lorenzo  C.  Kirkendall  attended  school  in 
Livingston  County  and  remained  on  the  home- 
stead until  he  was  thirty-one  years  old.  In 
1S92  he  rented  IJ20  acres  of  land  in  Grundy 
County,  and  operated  it  until  he  bought  his 
present  farm  in  1S07,  on  which  he  has  made  all 
the  improvements.  He  has  developed  his  stock" 
business  from  small  beginnings,  until  now  he 
is  one  of  the  leading  buyers  in  this  anil  sur- 
rounding counties.  On  February  Hi,  1S00.  .Mr. 
Kirkendall  married  Nellie  Parment'er  and  they 
have  live  children:  Clinton,  Delmer,  Cecil. 
Fayre  and  Merle,  all  at  home.  The  family  all 
belong  to  the  Congregational  Church.  Mrs. 
Kirkendall  began  teaching  school  in  Grundy 
County  when  eighteen  years  of  age  and  taught 
until  she  was  twenty-three  years  old.  She  is 
a  member  of  the  W.  R.  C.  and  the  Gleaners. 
A  Democrat.  Mr.  Kirkendall  has  served  as  a 
school  director  for  six  years,  and  secretary  of 
the  Adams  school.  Mrs.  Kirkendall  has  served 
as  a  school  director  for  two  terms  in  Braceville 
Township,  and  has  been  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday  school.  They  are  both  influential  in 
the  social  and  educational  life  of  their  neigh- 
borhood, and  their  home  is  a  pleasant  gather- 
ing place  for  their  hosts  of  friends  who  are 
entertained  with  sincere  hospitality. 

KNAPP,  Almeron  K.,  whose  name  is  closely 
associated  with  the  development  of  Minooka, 
was  born  in  Chenango  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1S36,  a 
son  of  Simeon  Knapp.  Recognizing  the  impor- 
tance of  Minooka  as  a  distributing  point,  soon 
after  locating  in  Illinois  in  1S05,  he  established 
himself  in  a  lumber  and  grain  business  there, 
and  also  gave  his  -support  to  other  enterprises 
of  the  community.  He  married  Miss  Pamelia 
Griswold.  In  politics  he  espoused  the  principles 
of  the  Republican  party,  although  he  cast  his 
first  vote  for  Stephen  A.  Douglas.  Early  in  life 
he  became  a  Mason  and  passed  through  all  the 
degrees. 

KNUDSEN,  Nels  P.— Of  the  Grundy  County  men 
who  have  followed  agricultural  pursuits  and 
have  so  prospered  that  in  the  evening  of  life. 


848 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


they  an.-  able  to  live  retired  and  enjoy  the 
competence  brought  to  them  by  their  years  of 
labor,  Nets  P.  Knudsen,  of  Good  Farm  Town- 
ship, is  an  example.  He  was  born  in  Schleswig- 
Holstein,  Denmark  (now  a  pari  of  Germany), 
January  9,  1\'!\  and  there  attended  school 
until  the  age  of  eleven  years.  At  that  time  lie 
commenced  to  learn  the  trade  of  tailor,  at 
which  he  worked  until  1SG0,  and  in  that  year 
had   several   months'   military   experience. 

Reing  ambitious  to  better  his  condition.  Mr. 
Knudsen  came,  in  1S07,  to  the  L'nited  states. 
and  almost  immediately  settled  in  Grundy 
County,  111,  For  a  short  time  he  worked  at  his 
trade,  that  of  tailoring,  in  Dwight,  then  spent 
one  season  as  a  farm  hand,  and  then  rented 
land  and  farmed  for  himself  until  1S72.  In 
that  year  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  in 
Good  Farm  Township,  but  thirty  acres  of  which 
had  been  broken,  and  at  once  settled  down  to 
develop  his  farm,  lie  succeeded  in  making  it 
a  handsome  and  valuable  tract,  received  good 
returns  for  his  ventures,  and  through  industry 
and  well-directed  effort  accumulated  a  com- 
petence. In  100G  he  retired  from  business,  and 
since  that  time  has  rented  out  his  land.  Mr. 
Knudsen  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  the 
religious  connection  of  the  family  is  with  the 
Danish  Lutheran  Church  of  Dwight,  the  move- 
ments of  which  Mr.  Knudsen  supports  liberally. 

In  the  fall  of  1SG7,  Mr.  Knudsen  was  married 
(first)  to  Kern  Lauritsen,  who  was  also  born 
in  Denmark,  and  she  died  in  1907,  without 
issue.  On  September  .".  1!sn7.  .Air.  Knudsen  mar- 
ried Mattie  II.  Buskof.  who  was  born  in  La 
.Salle  County,  HI.,  and  one  daughter  has  been 
born  to  them:  Kern  Christina,  born  August 
23,  1910. 

KRUG.  Christie  G  —  Within  recent  years  the 
young  men  of  the  agricultural  districts  have  no 
doubt  come  to  realize  more  than  before,  that 
there  is  no  better  line  of  business  for  them  to 
follow  than  that  of  fanning.  Various  success- 
ful experiments  in  adding  to  the  fertility  of 
the  soil,  the  advance  in  prices  for  farm  prod- 
ucts, the  betterment  of  transportation  facili- 
ties, and  the  invention  of  la  or  saving  machin- 
ery, have  all  tended  towards  raising  agricul- 
tural standards,  and  the  farming  communities 
are  holding  their  best  young  men  as  never  be- 
fore. One  of  those  who  has  been  devoting  him- 
self to  fanning  in  Grundy  County  is  Christie 
G.  Krug,  manager  of  his  mother's  IGO-acre  farm 
in  Good   Farm  Township. 

Christie  G.  Krug  was  born  in  Grundy  County, 
in  the  township  now  his  home,  March  24, 
1883,  a  son  of  Leonard  and  Christianna 
(Perchincke)  Krug,  both  natives  of  Germany. 
The  father  came  to  the  l'nited  States  in  young 
manhood,  and  during  the  Civil  War,  served  as 
a  guard  at  Morris.  111.,  for  a  period  of  three 
months.  His  death  occurred  in  189S,  on  the 
farm  now  operated  by  his  son.  and  he  is  buried 
in  the  German  Lutheran  Church  cemetery  in 
the  neighborhood.  The  mother  is  living  at 
Dwight,    III.      These  parents  had   thirteen   chil- 


dren, eleven  of  whom  survive,  Christie  G.  Krug 
having  been  one  of  the  youngest  of  the  family. 
He  grew  up  on  the  homestead  and  attended  the 
schools  of  his  district. 

On  December  23,  1903,  Mr.  Krug  married 
Rica  Fillmau,  the  ceremony  being  performed  by 
the  Lev.  Griefe,  of  Good  Farm  Township. 
She  was  born  October  20,  1SS3,  in  Good  Farm 
Township.  Mr.  Krug  belongs  to  the  German 
Lutheran  Church.  In  political  faith  he  is  very 
liberal,  believing  better  ends  are  attained  by 
not  holding  too  close  to  party  lines,  lie  is  now 
serving  in  his  second  term  as  a  school  director 
of  his  township,  also  tax  collector,  and  during 
1913,  was  one  of  the  judges  of  election.  Fra- 
ternally he  belongs  to  the  A.  O.  of  G 
of  which  he  was  a   charter  niembe 


mors 

..  and    he  has 

been  on  the  drill   team.     Owning  an   automobile 

modern    improvements  on   his 

it' 


ami  having  many 

farm.  .Mr.  Krug  not  only  is  making  a  succe 
his  work,  but  he  is  enjoying  it,  and  keeps  him- 
""hly  abreast  of  the  times  in  every 
:  one  of  the  best  examples  Grundy 
of  the  live,  modern  agriculturai- 
Mr.   Krug   raises 


If  tin 

way.      lie 

County   si i 

ist    of   the   twentieth   century, 

Ilolstein      cattle.      full-blooded      Silver      Laced 

Wyandotte  chickens,  Mammoth  Bronze  turkeys, 

and    massive    Toulouse    geese,    all    of    which    he 

shows  at  agricultural  fairs  and  has  taken  many 

prizes. 

KRUG,  William  Conrad. — Those  who  know 
nothing  about  farming  possess  the  idea  that  an 
agriculturalist  leads  an  easy  life,  reaping  with- 
out toil,  banner  crops  which  yield  him  a  steady 
and  large  income.  They  have  no  appreciation 
of  the  hard  labor  necessary,  which  continues 
from  the  enriching  of  the  soil  in  the  fall  to  the 
garnering  in  of  the  harvest  the  following  year. 
They  do  not  comprehend  that  farming  is  a 
business,  a  profession,  that  requires  careful 
training  and  constant  care.  The  men  engaged 
in  this  line  of  work  know  just  what  it  means 
when  one  of  their  number  achieves  success,  they 
realize  that  it  has  come  about  through  indi- 
vidual effort  and  good  management.  One  of 
the  men  who  has  attained  to  prosperity  as  a 
farmer  is  William  Conrad  Krug.  owner  of  212 
acres  of  land  in  Mazon  Township,  on  which  he 
raises  corn,  oats  and  wheat.  lie  also  buys  and 
feeds    cattle    and    horses    and    hogs. 

William  Conrad  Krug  was  born  in  Good 
Farm  Township  May  7.  1S75,  a  son  of  Leonard 
G.  and  Christianna  (Perchincke)  Krug,  a  sketch 
of  whom  will  be  found  elsewhere  in  this  work. 
Mr.  Krug  was  reared  on  his  father's  home- 
stead, and  attended  the  schools  of  his  district, 
and  one  term  at  Dixon  College.  When  he  was 
twenty-two  years  old  he  rented  a  farm  and  con- 
ducted it  until  1904,  when  he  bought  his  pres- 
ent place,  which  he  keeps  up  to  the  highest 
standard,  lie  has  tine  bams,  also  a  silo,  and 
bis  property  is  conceded  to  he  one  of  the  finest 
farms   in   the  county. 

On  November  2S,  1900,  Mr.  Krug  married 
Emma  K.  Roeder.  The  ceremony  was  per- 
formed by  the  Rev.  Voght  of  Good  Farm  Town- 


GEORGE  STALLWITZ 


HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


849 


.ship.  Mrs.  Krug  was  born  February  !>.  LS79. 
and  reared  in  Good  Farm  Township.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Krug  have  had  eight  children:  .Marion, 
who  died  in  infancy;  Leonard;  Martha,  who 
died  in  infancy:  and  Walter;  Frank;  Erna ; 
Victor  and  Clarence.  The  German  Lutheran 
Church  holds  Ids  membership  and  receives  his 
support.  While  lie  is  a  Democrat  on  national 
matters,  lie  believes  in  supporting  locally  the 
man  best  fitted  for  the  office,  lie  is  interested 
in  the  Farmers'  Elevator  Co.  of  Mazon;  lias 
stock  in  the  County  Fair  Association;  and  is 
school  director,  lie  lias  pronounced  musical  tal- 
ent and  has  played  the  cornet  in  bands  at 
Mazon,  Gardner  and  Dwight,  and  he  also  plays 
the  violin  and  the  piano. 

LAASE,  Frederick  Ernest. — Ownership  of  land 
is  in  itself  a  good  thing  but  unless  the  pro- 
prietor knows  how  to  cultivate  bis  soil,  the 
profits  will  not  be  much.  The  agriculturalists 
of  Grundy  County  are.  however,  in  the  main, 
men  of  experience  and  practical  knowledge  and 
their  results  are  eminently  satisfactory.  One 
of  these  modern  farmers  is  Frederick  Ernest 
Laase.  owner  of  240  acres  of  fertile  land  in 
Mazon  Township,  on  which  he  carries  on  gen- 
eral farming.  He  was  born  in  Germany  in 
1SC0,  son  of  Joseph  and  Frederick;!  (Klufpien) 
Eaase.  The  family  came  to  the  Fluted  States 
in  1SG4,  locating  in  l.a  Salle,  111.,  from  whence 
they  went  to  Livingston  County  where  the 
father  died  on  his  farm  in  1S9S,  and  the  mother 
passed  away  that   same  year. 

Frederick  Ernest  Laase  attended  school  in 
Livingston  County  and  helped  his  father,  re- 
maining at  home  until  lie  was  twenty-five  years 
old.  When  be  attained  that  age  he  bought  his 
first  land  and  remained  on  it  for  five  years,  and 
then  wenl  to  Chicago  where  he  became  a  gen- 
eral contractor  of  street  improvements  and 
sidewalks.  After  three  years,  however,  he  re- 
turned to  Livingston  County  and  farmed  until 
1900  when  he  bought  his  present  farm.  In  1SSG 
Mr.  Laase  married  Anna  Roth,  a  native  of  Ger- 
many, and  they  have  six  children  ;  Walter, 
Emma,  Caroline.  Anna.  Freddie  and  Victor. 
Mr.  Laase  belongs  to  the  Lut  teran  church. 
Politically  he  is  a  Republican  and  has  served 
as  a  school  director  of  Mazon  Township.  His 
years  in  business  at  Chicago  save  him  valuable 
experience  and  he  has  applied  his  knowledge 
to  his  farm  work  and  has  prospered  accordingly. 

LAASE,  Walter  Adolph.— The  Grundy  County 
agriculturalist  operates  under  particularly 
favorable  conditions  and  for  this  reason  the 
holding  of  farming  land  is  considered  a  good 
investment.  One  of  the  leading  men  engaged 
in  farming  here  is  Walter  Adolph  Laase. 
owner  of  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Good  Farm 
Township,  upon  which  be  raises  corn.  oats, 
horses,  cattle  and  hogs  with  desirable  results. 
He  was  born  at  Chicago  February  1.';.  1SN4, 
a  son  of  William  and  Bertha  (Groth)  Laase. 
Growing  up  in  the  metropolis  of  his  birth,  he 
was  given  the  educational  advantages  afforded 


by  the  public  schools  there,  and  after  finishing 
his  course  in  them,  he  learned  to  make  sash, 
doors  and  blinds.  In  1909,  however,  lie  decided 
to  turn  bis  attention  in  a  different  direction, 
and  moved  on  his  present  farm,  upon  which 
he  has  made  all  his  improvements,  developing 
a  valuable  property  that  is  yielding  returns  on 
his  investment. 

On  May  20,  190$.  Mr.  Laase  was  married 
by  Bev.  Miller,  of  Chicago,  111.,  to  .Minnie 
Boeder  of  Good  Farm  Township,  a  daughter 
of  Balzer  and  Maria  (Truwest)  Boeder.  Mis. 
Boeder  is  deceased.     Mr.  Boeder  is  a   farmer  in 

G 1    Farm    Township.      One    child,    Raymond 

William,  was  horn  to  .Mr.  and  Mrs.  Laase. 
August  10,  1910.  Mr.  Laase  is  a  Republican  in 
bis  political  opinions,  hut  has  never  sought 
public  office.  lie  holds  membership  in  the 
Lutheran  Church,  and  is  generous  in  his  dona- 
tions to  it.  Although  for  some  years  be  de- 
voted himself  lo  a  business  that  kept  him  in- 
doors. Mr.  Laase  has  proven  his  fitness  for 
the  outdoor  life  of  a  farmer.  His  neighbors  hold 
him  in  high  esteem  because  of  his  many  good 
Qualities. 

LAMS0N,  S.  Clifford.— The  substantiality  of 
the  business  interests  of  Morris  is  evinced  by 
the  individuals  who  are  conserving  them.  There 
are  here  gathered  as  tine  a  class  of  business  men 
as  can  be  found  in  any  community  of  similar 
size  in  the  country,  and  one  of  them  is  S.  Clif- 
ford Lamson,  who  is  in  the  tin  and  sheet  metal 
line.  Mr.  Lamson  was  horn  at  Xeoga,  Cumber- 
laud  County.  111.,  .Inly  30,  1SG9,  a  sun  of  Thomas 
1  >.  and  Caroline  (Hildreth)  Lamson,  natives  of 
Switzerland  County,  Ind.  Thomas  1).  Lamson 
was  a  carpenter  by  trade.  During  the  Civil 
War  he  served  his  country  in  the  Third  Indiana 
Cavalry,  and  was  a  brave  and  efficient  soldier. 
After  the  close  of  the  war,  lie  moved  to  Illinois 
where  he  engaged  in  a  wagonmaking  business, 
and  later  on  in  life  was  a  hardware  merchant 
at  Cowden.  111.  lie  died  in  the  spring  of  1008, 
bis  wife  having  passed  away  in  Js?7. 

After  the  deatli  of  bis  mother  the  home  was 
broken  up,  and  S.  Clifford  Lamson  lived  with 
his  paternal  grandmother  until  he  was  fourteen 
years  old.  At  that  age  be  returned  to  his 
father,  and  attended  school  until  he  was  sixteen 
years  old,  when  he  began  working  for  himself 
on  farms,  thus  continuing  for  two  years.  At 
that  time  he  began  learning  the  tinsmithing 
trade  at  Serena.  111.,  there  remaining  until  1S92. 
Following  that  date  he  worked  at  Ids  trade  at 
different  points  throughout  Illinois,  and. in  Jan- 
uary, 1903,  located  at  Morris,  to  engage  with 
Cronin  Bros.,  as  tinner,  having' charge  of  their 
tin  shop.  On  Nov.  1,  1911,  he  embarked  in  a  tin 
and  sheet  metal  business  for,  himself,  and  has 
built  up  a  very  fine  business,  gives  employment 
to  two  men  and  his  contracts  are  increasing,  as 
bis  work  is  entirely  satisfactory  in  every  respect. 

On  June  15,  1S92,  Mr.  Lamson  was  married 
to  Ida  B.  Mclnturf  of  Serena,  111.,  a  daughter 
of  Adolph  Mclnturf.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lamson  are 
the  parents  of  two  children:    Gail  Clifford,  who 


850 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


was  born  November  S,  1S9G;  and  Leila  Mildred. 
who  was  born  May  28,  1900.  Politically  Mr. 
Lainson  is  a  Republican,  but  as  yet  he  has  not 
been  active  in  public  matters  as  he  has  centered 
his  efforts  on  his  private  affairs. 

LANDPHERE,  Allen  De  Witt.— The  most  in- 
telligent men  of  the  country  realize  the  dignity 
and  importance  of  agricultural  pursuits  and 
many  of  them  not  only  give  their  time  and  at- 
tention to  cultivating  the  soil,  hut  are  investing 
heavily  in  farm  lands  in  different  parts  of  tin.' 
United  States.  One  of  the  progressive  men  of 
Grundy  County  who  has  secured  very  satisfac- 
tory results  as  a  farmer  and  stockman,  is  Allen 
De  Witt  Landphere,  proprietor  of  Pleasant  View 
farm,  and  owner  of  320  acres  of  valuable  land 
in  Mazon  Township,  this  county,  and  4S0  acres 
of  land  in  Oklahoma.  Mr.  Landphere  was  horn 
in  Mazon  Township,  Grundy  County,  in  1SS2,  a 
son  of  Perry  and  Rhoda  (Jackson)  Landphere. 
both  natives  of  New  York  State.  The  father 
came  to  Grundy  County  in  childhood,  his  peo- 
ple being  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  Mazon 
/Township.  Here  he  died  in  1911,  the  mother 
having  passed  away  in  1S9S.  They  had  two 
children:  fine  who  died  unnamed  in  infancy; 
and  Allen  De  Witt. 

Allen  De  Witt  Landphere  was  reared  on  his 
father's  homestead  and  sent  to  the  local  schools. 
His  life  has  been  spent  in  agricultural  work,  and 
he  has  every  reason  to  be  proud  of  what  he  has 
accomplished,  (hi  his  Mazon  farm  he  raises 
corn,  feeds  cattle,  raises  mules  for  sale,  and 
is  a  breeder  of  pure  bred  Holstein  Friesian 
cattle.  His  property  is  known  as  the  Pleasant 
View  farm,  which  name  is  very  appropriate  as 
from  the  residence  a  beautiful  landscape  is  en- 
rolled to  view.  In  1903  Mr.  Landphere  was 
married  to  Bess  S.  Randall,  anil  they  have  two 
children:  Majorie  Randall  and  Maxwell  Jack- 
son. Mr.  Landphere  belongs  to  the  Masons, 
while  politically  he  is  a  Republican.  He  is  as 
highly  regarded  throughout  Grundy  County 
where  his  ability  and  business  acumen  are  ap- 
preciated and  respected. 

LARSON,  Henry  M. — Morris  affords  opportuni- 
ties for  progressive  men  in  many  varied  lines, 
and  attracts  to  it  some  of  the  best  business 
'minds  in  the  county.  One  of  the  men  of  the 
County  Seat  who  has  done  exceptionally  well 
both  in  a  real  estate  business  and  as  an  auc- 
tioneer is  Henry  M.  Larson.  lie  was  born  in 
Fox  Township,  Kendall  County,  111..  December 
25,  1S5S,  a  son  of  L.  and  Mary  (Henderson) 
Larson  of  Bergen,  Norway.  They  went  to 
Kendall  County  about  1S50,  there  securing  gov- 
ernment land  to  the  extent  of  1C0  acres  for 
which  they  paid  $1.25  per  acre.  At  the  time 
they  located  upon  it,  the  farm  was  raw  prairie 
land,  but  the  father  improved  it.  erecting  the 
necessary  buildings  and  farmed  it  for  many 
years.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  still  living, 
and  are  very  active  in  spite  of  their  advanced 
years.  Their  children  were:  L.  X.,  who  is  on 
the  old   homestead;   Sarah,  who  died   in  1SS1 ; 


Henry  M. ;  Lewis,  who  is  of  Dallas,  Tex.,  where 
he  is  a  horse  trainer;  Lyna,  who  is  Mrs.  L.  S. 
Shurson  of  Lisbon,  Kendall  County ;.  Mary,  who 
is  with  her  parents  and  Rachel,  who  is  Mrs. 
Olie  Surson  of  Driscoll,  X.  D. 

Henry  M.  Larson  resided  with  his  parents 
until  1SS3,  when  he  and  a  comrade  drove  with 
a  team  and  buggy  to  Iowa,  then  on  to  Wiscon- 
sin, Minnesota  and  the  Black  Hills  of  Dakota. 
After  a  trip  of  two  years,  Mr.  Larson  returned 
to  his  home,  and  soon  thereafter  began  auction- 
eering, and  handling  real  estate.  In  order  to 
better  carry  on  these  two  lines  he  moved  to 
Morris  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  has 
cried  sales  all  over  this  part  of  Illinois  and  in 
Iowa.  Mr.  Larson  handles  real  estate,  special- 
izing on  western  lands,  and  farming  property 
in  Iowa  and  Illinois,  and  has  succeeded  very 
well  in  all  he  has  undertaken. 

On  November  22,  1SSS,  Mr.  Larson  was  mar- 
ried to  Annie  Olson,  born  in  Big  Grove  Town- 
ship, Kendall  County,  111.,  a  daughter  of  Gunner 
and  Mary  Olson,  natives  of  Norway.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Larson  have  had  the  following  family: 
Silas  ,L.  who  is  a  veterinary  surgeon  of  Living- 
ston. Mont.;  Ida  Mae.  who  is  at  home;  and 
Arthur,  who  died  in  19015,  aged  eight  and  one- 
half  years.  Mr.  Larson  belongs  to  the  Nor- 
wegian Lutheran  Bethlehem  Chureh.  A  Re- 
publican, he  has  been  County  Constable,  and  is 
a  man  upon  whom  every  dependence  can  be 
placed. 

LARSON,  Lars  H.,  proprietor  of  one  of  the 
leading  furniture  houses  of  Grundy  County,  and 
a  first  class  undertaker,  is  one  of  the  responsible 
residents  and  business  men  of  Gardner.  He 
was  born  in  Grundy  County,  111.,  in  1  SCO,  a  son 
of  Henry  Larson,  a  native  of  Norway,  who  came 
to  Morris,  111.,  in  1S66.  Henry  Larson  was  a 
carpenter  in  his  native  land,  and  continued  to 
work  at  his  trade  after  coining  to  Morris,  until 
he  began  farming,  and  then  alternated,  giving 
his  farm  attention  during  the  summer  months, 
and  working  as  a  carpenter  in  the  winter.  He 
is  now  living  retired  at  Gardner,  111.,  his  wife 
also  surviving,  as  is  his  mother,  a  venerable 
lady  of  ninety-six  years.  Henry  Larson  had 
eight  children,  five  of  whom  survive:  Lars  II.. 
Helen.  Ole.  Katie,  Michael.  Elizabeth  (I)  and 
Elizabeth  (II).  who  are  both  deceased;  and 
Johan,  who  died  at  the  age  of  eight  years. 

Lars  II.  Larson  was  born  on  the  homestead 
and  attended  the  neighboring  schools  in  Green- 
field Township.  He  remained  with  his  parents 
until  twenty-two  years  old  when  he  began  work- 
ing at  the  carpenter  trade,  thus  continuing  until 
1902,  when  he  established  himself  in  his  present 
business  with  a  partner  whom  he  bought  out 
in  1909.  since  which  time  he  has  continued 
alone.  Mr.  Larson  carries  a  full  and  assorted 
line  of  wall  paper,  window  shades,  curtain  fix- 
tures, carpets,  oil  cloths,  linoleums,  sewing  and 
washing  machines,  paints  and  oils,  in  addition 
to  furniture  of  all  kinds,  while  in  his  undertak- 
ing establishment  he  is  fully  prepared  to  render 
professional  service  whenever  called  on. 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


851 


In  1S94  Mr.  Lar.son  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Mary  Christianson.  who  was  bona  in  Nor- 
way and  came  to  the  United  States  by  herself. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Larson  Lav.-  had  three  children  : 
Henry,  Alice  and  Leonard.  The  eldest  son  is 
a  graduate  of  Worsham  Eniba]  g  -  ool  of 
Chicago.  111.,  and  has  charge  of  the  undertakii  g 
department  of  his  fathers  establishment.  Mr. 
Larson  belongs  to  the  Norwegian  Lutheran 
Church  of  Gardner,  of  which  he  has  been  a 
trustee  for  three  years,  and  treasurer  for  ten 
years,  still  retaining  these  positions.  Politically 
he  is  a  Republican,  hut  L  >i       -red  public 

office.  A  man  of  ski!'  in  is  ;  •  fession,  and 
carrying  on  his  business  upon  broad  and  honor- 
able lines,  he  has  won  and  retains  the  full  con- 
fidence of  his  fellow  townsmen. 

LARSEN,  Tollef.— Morris  is  not  only  the 
county  seat  of  Grundy  County  but  it  is  also  the 
home  of  some  of  the  niost  substantial  of  its 
retired  farmers  who  seek  here  urban  advant- 
ages and  rest  from  their  former  arduous 
labors.  These  men  have  the  time  and  leisure 
to  dev..u-  t  civic  matters,  and  are  therefore 
a  desirable  addition  to  any  community.  One 
of  these  i<  Tolief  Lars  i  rese   native 

of  the  Xorse- Americans  of  th<  untry.  He 
was  born  near  Nord.  Norway,  in  1S5S.  His 
parents  died  in  that  locality,  having  never 
left  it. 

When  Tollef  Larsen  was  twenty-five  years 
old  he  left  Norway  and  coming  :<■  the  United 
States,  located  at  Morris.  111.,  from  whei 
went  out  into  the  adjoining  rural  regions  to 
work  fur  the  farmers,  thus  continuing  for  about 
six  years.  He  then  worked  various  far..  - 
shares  for  Hendley  Hoge  of  Nettle  Creek 
Township,  remaining  with  him  for  nine  years, 
when  he  went  to  work  under  the  same  terms 
for  James  Johnson.  In  190.1  he  bought  a  lot 
on  East  .1.  •  -  Street.  Morris,  and  built  a 
residence  which  has  since  continued  to  be  his 
home,  he  now  living  here  in  retirement. 

On  July  20.  1S91,  Mr.  Larsen  married  Anna 
Margaret  Hanson,  born  at  Stavanger.  Norway. 
October  10.  1S61.  Her  parents  died  in  Nor- 
way and  she  came  to  the  I"n:ted  States,  first 
settling  in  Fillmore  county.  Minn.,  i-emaininc 
there  from  1SS5  to  1SS0.  when  she  came  to 
Morris  and  worked  for  families  here  until  her 
marriage.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Larsen  have  had  no 
children.  He  1  elongs  to  the  Norwegian  Luth- 
eran Church  towards  which  he  contributes.  Po- 
litically he  is  a  Republican  but  he  ha>  not 
desired  office.  A  gc*>d.  reliable,  industrious  man 
he  has  honestly  earned  all  he  has  and  com- 
mands the  confidence  and  respect  of  those  who 
know  him. 

LEACH,  John  H.— It  perhaps  might  be  kind  if 
instead  of  waiting  until  a  veteran  of  the  Civil 
War  has  answered  to  t:  e  •  ten  ;'.  roll  cal  . 
lar  opinion  re^ardin^  the  value  of  his  services 
were  expressed  during  his  lifetime.  Such  ap- 
preciation is  clue  the  heroes  of  the  greatest 
conflict  history  had  then  known,  and  ought  to  be 


accorded  every  man  who  belonged  to  the  "Boys 
in  Blue.''  One  of  the  honored  veterans  of 
Grundy  County  is  John  H.  Leach,  now  living 
retired  at  Morris,  He  was  born  in  Marshall 
1  oty,  TV.  Va..  December  12.  l'<it,  a  son  of 
bury  and  Mary  (Spaun)  Lea  eh.  native- 
of   West    v     _  The  father   was  a   farmer 

•  ltIj  -  tt  er  in  West  Virginia,  where  be 
died  in  1S41.  His  widow  married  (second) 
Robert  Murry,  also  a  farmer,  and  died  in  West 
A'irginia   it.   1  : 

After  his  father's  death  John  H.  Leach  was 
taken  by  a  cousin,  John  Harvey,  of  West  Vir- 
ginia, and  lived  with  him  until  1S50,  when  he 
came  to  Morris.  He  learned  the  carpenter 
trade  and  followed  it  for  thirty-six  years.  On 
June  10.  1S01,  Mr.  Leach  enlisted  in  Com] 
K.  Twentieth  1  is  Volunteer  Infantry.  1:: 

as  the  Joliet  Company,  and  served  in  ma;.;    . 
portai  t   engag        ate,    including    iit-nera!    .Sher- 
man's fa;.       -   ;     ire]     t<     thi     sea.     On  July  2'<. 
1SG5,  his  1  discharge,  Ink- 

ing   been    a    brave    and    g  t    soldier.      On 

November  ".  1^77.  Mr.  Leach  was  man.. 
Caroline       -  n)    Bassett,  born  in  Pen    - 

vania.    daughter    of    William    G.    and    Mary    J. 
(Crandall)    '.     dinan,    natives    of   Canada    and 
.    -  nty,  N.  V..  and  widow  of  Peter 

Bassetl      1  Brst  -      Mrs.  Leach  had 

four  children  :  William,  or  J  i  ud  Thomas. 
Maud  and  Clara,  all  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mr.-. 
Leach  have  had  the  : 

L..  of  Morris:  Benjamin  II..  of  Joliet;  Ada.  Mrs. 
A.  C.  Frick.  of  Morris,  who  has  one  child. 
....  who  died  in  infancy.  In 
gious  faith  Mr.  Leach  is  a  M  I  I  -:.  and 
politically,  I.-  a  Republican.  He  belongs  t  t! 
Carjieni     -  on,   and    the    G.    A.    It.    Post   of 

Morris.     Upright,  ho:.'  :  al,  true  as  si 

to  his  friends!  Mr.  Leach  is  highly  respected  by 
a  wide  circle. 

LEACH,  Samuel  J.,  one  of  the  substantial  re- 
tired business  men  and  farmers  of  Morris,  is 
rounding  or/   an  active  life  by  -  ?      -    1  - 

clining  years  in  the  ease  and  comfort  his 
industry  have  provided.  He  was  born  in  US 
Creek  Township,  Grundy  County.  July  12.  1550. 

iel    and    Mary    (Livsey)    1 
natives  of  Lancashire,    England,  who  came   to 
Morris.    HI.,    in    the   early    forties.      The   father 
was  a  farmer  and  came  to  the  United  States  to 
seek    better   opportunities,    which    he   found   in 
the  new  home,  and  was  able  to  buy  1G0 
of  land  in  Nettle  Creek  Township  several  ;  • 
after  his  arrival.     He  died  on  his  homestead  in 
1862.      The    mother    added    forty    acres    to    I 
original  holdings,  and  remained  upon  the  farm 
until    1^70.    when    she    moved    to    Morris,    and 
there  died  in  January.  1SS3.     She  and  her  hus- 
band had  the  following  children:     Martha 
is  deceased  :  Hel< 

Caislev  of  Morris:  Mary  II..  who  is  Mrs.  1  >.  A. 
Matthews,  of  M-rris:  John  E.,  who  is  of  Ver- 
milion County,  111-:  and  Samuel  J. 

Samuel  J.  Leach  was  brought  up  on  the  farm 
and  sent  to  the  district  school.    He  resided  \>  it  . 


852   •  HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 

his  mother  after  the  others  had  left  home,  but  the   office   of   supervisor    from    the    township   in 

when  he  married  he  went  on  the  farm  owned  1911. 

by  his  father-in-law,  and  there  lived  until  1003,  On  Decemher  .'11,  1S9G,  Mr.  Lewins  was  mar- 
when  lie  removed  to  Morris,  where  lie  has  since  ried  to  Martha  Betts,  born  in  England,  who 
lived  retired.  In  addition  to  his  farming  opera-  came  to  Coal  city  in  1884  with  her  mother  to 
tioiis,  covering  many  years,  with  a  partner,  E.  C.  join  her  father  who  had  come  here  in  1SS1. 
Thompson,  lie  established  a  flourishing  agri-  Mrs.  Lewins  is  a  daughter  of  Andrew  Letts, 
cultural  implement  business  at  Lisbon,  111.,  but  who  is  now  a  guard  in  the  Joliet  penitentiary, 
seven  years  later  sold  his  interest  to  Mr.  Mrs.  Letts  is  living  in  Coal  City.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Thompson.  Lewins  have   had    four   children:     Myrtle,    Rus- 

On   December   20,   1SS2,   Mr.   Leach   was   mar-  sell.  William  L.  and  Hazel,  of  whom  William  L. 

ried   to   Mary    E.    lloyle,    born    in    Nettle   Creek  is    deceased.      The     family    are     Episcopalians. 

Township,    May    19,   1S55,   daughter   of   Thomas  Fraternally.  Mr.   Lewins  belongs  to  the  Knights 

and  Margaret    (Ashton)    lloyle,  natives  of  Eng-  of   Pythias  and    the   odd    1'ellows.      In   political 

land.     Mrs.  Leach  attended  the  Lisbon  academy.  faith,  lie  is  a  Republican  and  has  dune  yeoman 

A    member    of    the    Presbyterian    Church,    Mr.  service   for   his   party.      He  is   one   of  the   live 

Leach    has    served    it    as   a    trustee    since    1904.  men  of  this  locality. 
A    Republican,    on    that    ticket    he    was    elected 

road  commissioner  and  served  six  years.  His  LINDSAY,  William  D. — The  gradual  advance 
fraternal  affiliations  are  with  the  Modern  Wood-  of  the  present  prosperous  Grundy  County  agri- 
men  of-  America  and  the  Royal  Neighbors.  culturalists,  tells  the  story  of  earnest  effort 
Having  now  the  time  and  opportunity,  he  is  in-  along  progressive  lines  which  have  given  them 
teresting  himself  in  civic  matters,  and  is  lend-  the  ownership  of  fertile  farms  and  a  high 
ing  his  influence  as  a  private  citizen,  to  secure  standing  in  their  communities.  <>ne  of  the  men 
a  betterment  of  existing  conditions.  who  deservedly  belongs  to  this  class  is  William 

1).  Lindsay  of  Vienna  Township.      He  was  horn 

LEWINvS,  William,  one  of  the  substantial  men  in  this  township,  December  13,  18Cf>,  a  son  of 
and  successful  miners  of  Coal  City,  who  has  Robert  S.  and  Elizabeth  J.  (Lindsay)  Lindsay, 
filled  the  office  of  supervisor  of  Felix  Township  natives  of  Glasgow,  Scotland,  and  Ftica,  X.  Y., 
since  April,  1911,  is  a  man  who  knows  how  respectively.  Robert  S.  Lindsay  came  to  Canada 
to  represent  his  fellow  workmen  because  he  with  his  parents  in  1842,  but  in  18.">0,  left  Can- 
is  one  of  them.  His  influence  among  the  min-  ada  for  Morris,  111.  Later  he  spent  several 
ei's  is  strong,  and  he  wields  it  for  a  good  pur-  years  in  Kendall  County,  II!..  from  whence  he 
jMise  and  for  the  bettering  of  existing  condi-  came  to  Vienna  Township,  Grundy  County,  pur- 
lions.  Mr.  Lewins  was  born  in  Durham  Conn-  chasing  eighty  a 'res  on  section  30,  which  lie 
ty.  England,  in  1870,  a  son  of  Martin  and  Eliza-  immediately  began  to  improve.  As  he  became 
beth  (Mills')  Lewins.  Loth  parents  were  born  able  he  added  land  until  he  owned  U40  acres, 
in  the  same  county  as  their  son.  The  father  of  which  ICO  acres  were  on  section  30,  and 
was  engaged  in  operating  some  newly  opened  eighty  acres  on  section  .">.">.  His  death  occurred 
mines  in  England,  prior  to  1SS7,  when  he  came  April  2,  1S99,  his  widow  surviving  him  until 
to  the  United  States.  He  located  in  Alabama.  September  y.  1902.  The  children  of  these  par- 
where  he  worked  as  a  stone  mason  and  his  eiits  were  as  follows:  Mary  E.,  who  is  Mrs. 
family  joined  him  in  1SSS.  Alabama  continued  W.  W.  Baehlor  of  Vienna  Township;  Ella  R., 
to  be  their  home  until  1S92,  when  the  father  who  is  Mrs.  P.  G.  Gingerich  of  Vienna  Town- 
went  to  Joliet  to  work  in   the  wire  mills  there.  ship,  and  William   I». 

lie  is  now  living  at  Hot  Springs,  Ark.,   where  In   addition   to   attending   the   schools  of  his 

he  is  working  as  a  stone  mason.     The  children  neighborhood,  William  D,  Lindsay  took  a  course 

in    his    family    were:      Samuel:    Mary    Lewis,  at  the  Geneseo  Normal,  and  is  a   well  informed 

who    is   deceased:    William:    Martha    Harding;  man.      He    resided    with    his   parents,    operating 

John     Thomas,     who     is     deceased;     Elizabeth  the    homestead    for    them    until    1893    when    he 

Heiman;    Thomas    M. ;    Gertrude;    and    James,  bought  the  100  acre  farm  on  Section  33,  jointly 

who  is  deceased.  with  his  father,   and   in  addition  to   conducting 

William  Lewins  attended  the  public  schools  it,  operated  the  remainder  of  the  original  home 
of  his  native  place  until  he  was  twelve  years  farm.  In  PHI.  he  bought  eighty  acres  more  of 
old,  and  then  entered  the  mines,  where  he  the  homestead  from  his  sister,  who  had  in- 
worked  as  shipping  clerk  for  the  company,  herited  it.  and  now  has  as  fine  a  property  as 
and  was  employed  also  in  a  stone  quarry.  In  can  be  found  in  the  State.  On  it.  lie  carries  on 
1S93  he  came  to  Coal  City  and  here  entered  the  general  farming,  specializing  on  raising  Duroc- 
mines  where  he  has  been  employed  ever  since.  *e™?  J"®*-  aud  hn«  bee"  more  thfln  oldmaul> 
He  is  an  important  factor  in  the  Mine  Workers  "oJ^ntember  !>  1890,  Mr.  Lindsay  married 
Union,  of  which  he  has  been  secretary  for  eight  Sophie  j  Weber  born  in  Jackson  County.  Ohio. 
years.  While  he  works  at  Coal  City,  his  place  a  (1aiiu'hter  of  Peter  and  Catherine  (Dixon) 
of  residence  is  at  Eileen,  where  he  has  held  the  Weber,  natives  of  Ohio,  who  came  to  Living- 
office  of  village  clerk  for  ten  years.  For  live  ston  County.  III.,  about  1873.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
years  he  has  been  on  the  school  board  of  Felix  Lindsay  have  a  daughter,  Ada  P.,  who  was  born 
Township,  and  was  the  successful  candidate  for  March  8,  11)00.     Mr.   Lindsay   has  always  been 


-•    ■ 


i 


:»-__  ...  ...  _  - -  — 


~CJ[   ^U«6^VL. 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


853 


a  standi  Republican,  and  has  served  as  road 
commissioner,  assessor  and  in  other  township 
offices.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Knights 
of  Pythias,  and  is  favorably  known  not  only  in 
this  order,  but  to  the  people  at  large  through- 
out Grundy  County. 

LINN,  Clarissa  (Pangborn).-  Of  old  and  dis- 
tinguished family  and  of  Ion-  residence  in 
Grundy  Coui.iy,  Mrs.  Clarissa  Linn  is  highly  de- 
serving of  place  in  this  connection.  She  was 
born  in  Syracuse,  X.  Y..  December  13.  1S35,  a 
daughter  of  Moses  and  Catherine  I  Sitterley) 
Pangborn,  both  of  Albany  County.  X.  V.  Prior  to 
her  marriage  to  Peter  Bradt.  she  lived  with  her 
parents,  but  later  went  to  Waupousee  Township, 
Grundy  County,  where  her  husband,  though  a 
contractor  and  builder  by  trade,  commenced 
farming.  The  history  of  the  llradt  family  in 
America  dates  back  to  1650,  when  Andrew  Bradt 
left  Holland  to  make  his  home  in  the  wilderness 
of  tlie  newly  organized  New  York  Colony.  After 
some  forty  years  of  successful  struggle  against 
the  adversities  of  pioneering,  he  lost  his  life  in 
the  great  Schenectady  massacre,  and  his  infant 
son,  wlio  was  saved  by  his  mother's  forethought 
in  wrapping  him  in  a  shawl  and  hiding  him 
under  a  hedge  fence,  was  left  as  the  sole  sur- 
vivor of  the  family.  He  later  grew  to  manhood, 
and  from  him  the  name  lias  been  handed  down. 
Peter  Bradt  added  materially  to  the  stock  of 
family  history  and  traditions,  when,  during  the 
Civil  War,  he  fought,  first  witli  Company  C, 
Eleventh  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  later  with 
Company  G,  Thirty-sixth  Illinois  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, and  was  wounded,  twice  made  prisoner, 
the  last  time  in  Libby  Prison,  and  was  finally 
honorably  discharged  after  rendering  most  use- 
ful service  for  the  cause.  Peter  Bradt  died  in 
December,  1S73,  leaving  behind  him  two  sons, 
Benjamin  and  .lames,  who  died  at  the  acre  of 
seventeen  and  four  respectively.  His  widow 
was  subsequently  married  on  the  1.1th  of  Decem- 
ber, 1^74,  to  Alexander  Linn,  horn  in  Washing- 
ton County,  Penn.,  a  son  of  Moses  and  Nancy 
(Spear)  Linn,  likewise  natives  of  Washington 
County.  His  mother  was  an  own  cousin  of 
President  James  Buchanan.  His  father  was 
extensively  engaged  in  farming  in  Pennsylvania. 
Alexander  Linn  came  to  Illinois  in  1S6S,  and 
secured  a  splendid  farming  property  in  Wau- 
pousee Township,  where  he  engaged  in  stock 
r:  isms  very  profitably.  In  September,  1SS1, 
he  died,  and.  as  his  only  son,  Alexander,  Jr., 
had  not  lived  beyond  his  fourth  year,  his  wife 
was  left  alone,  owning  the  handsome  estate. 

Mrs.  Linn  still  lives  on  the  old  homestead, 
hor  nephews  operating  the  farm,  and  the  pro- 
ceeds provide  for  her  more  than  an  amide  sus- 
tenance. She  is  indeed  a  very  admirable 
woman,  and  her  friends,  who  are  many  in  num- 
ber, unite  in  wishing  for  her  the  very  ripest  of 
silver  years.  Martin  Bradt  has  now  in  his 
I>osscssion  the  family  Coat  of  Arms,  which  was 
brought  to  this  country  by  Andrew  Bradt,  and 
which  is  a   very  highly  treasured  heirloom. 


LIPPOLD,  Herman  Frederick. — Were  it  not  for 
the  intelligent,  capable,  progressive  agricul- 
turalists of  the  rural  regions  the  people  of  this 
and  other  countries  that  look  to  us  as  a  source 
of  supply,  would  fare  badly.  As  the  fanner 
prospers,  so  does  the  -rest  of  the"  world.  He 
feeds  the  rest  of  the  people.  From  his  acres 
come  the  cotton,  the  flax,  the  wool  and  the 
tobacco.  His  farms  once  yielded  perhaps  vast 
outputs  of  timber.  Keeping  all  this  in  view 
thoie  is  every  reason  why  the  intelligent  men 
of  Grundy  County  should  give  so  much  atten- 
tion to  agricultural  matters.  This  part  of  the 
State  is  admirably  adapted  to  farming  purposes, 
particularly  is, Good  Farm  Township,  and  one 
of  tile  men  who  owns  a  desirable  property  here 
is  Herman  Frederick  Lippold.  He  is  carrying 
on  general  farming  on  Sections  14  and  15 
where  he  lias  eighty-three  acres  id*  fertile  land, 
and  is  enjoying  a  well  earned  prosperity.  Mr. 
Lippold  was  horn  in  Germany,  September  11. 
1S59,  a  son  of  Christian  and  Minnie  (Lose) 
Lippold.  The  father  was  a  weaver  in  his  native 
land,  but  alter  he  brought  his  family  to  this 
country  in  1870,  settling  at  Aurora,  he  worked 
in  a  foundry  for  two  years.  At  the  expiration 
of  that  period  lie  went  to  Kendall  County,  111., 
and  conducted  a  farm  until  his  death  in  1S55. 
He  is  buried  in  Kendall  County,  where  the 
mother,  who  survived  him  until  1S93,  is  also 
interred.  They  had  nine  children,  six  of  whom 
survive. 

Herman  Frederick  Lippold  went  to  school 
in  Germany  until  he  was  eleven  years  old.  and 
then  worked  as  a  weaver.  After  coming  to 
Kendall  County,  he  gave  his  father  valuable 
assistance  on  the  farm,  remaining  at  home  until 
be  was  twenty-two  years  old.  In  1000  be  came 
to  Grundy  County  which  has  since  continued 
to  be  bis  home,  where  lie  has  developed  into 
one  (if  its  substantial  men.  When  be  was 
twenty-four  years  old  he  married  Louise 
Bretthauer  of  Kendall  County,  and  they  had 
three  children:  Albert,  Fred  and  Lydia.  The 
first  Mrs.  lippold  died  twenty-five  years  age 
while  they  were  living  in  Kendall  County.  In 
INST,  Mr.  Lippold  married  Catherine  Krug,  who 
was  born  in  Grundy  County,  111.,  and  died  in 
September,  1909,  and  they  hail  four  chil- 
dren: Edna,  Alma,  Amanda  and  Margaret,  the 
last  named  dying  in  infancy.  Mr.  Lippold  be- 
longs to  the  German  Lutheran  Church.  Politic- 
ally he  is  a  Republican  and  lias  been  road  com- 
missioner for  two  years. 

LLOYD,  William  Deland  (deceased).— Not  only 
do  men's  deeds  live  after  them,  but  tbe'material 
evidences  of  their  industry  and  thrift  which 
have  resulted  in  prosperity.  Many  of  the  sub- 
stantial residents  of  Morris  owe  their  present 
comfort  to  the  efforts  of  those  who  have  passed 
out  of  this  life.  The  late  William  Deland  Lloyd 
not  only  was  an  efficient  farmer  and  business 
man,  but  while  living  made  provision  for  his 
widow  and  children,  and  this  thoughtfulness  is 
remembered  by  bis  loved  ones,  who  deeply  honor 
his  memory,  and  deplore  his  loss.     Mr.   Lloyd 


854 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


was  born  in  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  March  2S, 
1S25,  a  son  of  William  Riley  and  Lucy  (De- 
land)  Lloyd,  natives  of"  Massachusetts  and  New 
York  State  respectively.  When  Mr.  Lloyd  was 
one  year  old.  the  family  migrated  to  Chautauqua 
County,  X.  Y.,  where  his  boyhood  was  spent. 
He  worked  with  his  father  until  fifteen  years 
old,  when  he  began  to  support  himself.  In  1S53, 
the  family  came  to  Morris,  where  the  parents 
bought  land,  living  upon  it  until   they  died. 

For  four  years  following  his  marriage,  Wil- 
liam Deland  Lloyd  lived  in  Chautauqua  County. 
X.  Y.,  and  then  came  west  to  Kendall  County, 
111.,  where  ho  bought  a  farm,  and  operated  it 
until  1SSS,  when  he  moved  to  Morris,  and  lived 
retired  until  his  demise.  November  24,  1910. 
His  widow  lias  lived  at  their  home  in  Morris 
ever  since.  On  January  ."">,  1\V1,  Mr.  Lloyd  was 
married  to  Julia  Atwater  Abbott,  born  at  Clin- 
ton, Oneida  County,  X.  Y..  November  4,  1S30,  a 
daughter  of  Samuel  W.  and  Ursula  (Bryan) 
Abbott,  natives  of  Massachusetts  and  New  York 
State,  respectively.  Mr.  Abbott  died  in  Clinton, 
X.  Y.,  and  his  widow  lived  with  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Lloyd  until  her  death  at  Morris,  111.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Lloyd  had  children  as  follows:  Herbert, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  four  years:  Maynord, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  one  year;  Lucy,  who  is 
Mrs.  June  Hubbard  of  Kendall  County.  111.,  and 
Klva,  who  is  Mrs.  William  Elerdiug  of  Mon- 
tana. Mr.  Lloyd  belonged  to  the  Congregational 
Church.  In  iiolitics  he  was  a  Republican.  His 
life  was  an  upright  one.  and  he  always  en- 
deavored to  give  to  all  a  square  deal.  His 
record  as  a  farmer  and  citizen  was  a  fine  one, 
and  he  was  always  highly  respected  in  any 
community  in  which  he  lived. 

LORD,  Lucius  N. — While  a  number  of  the  sub- 
stantial farmers  of  Grundy  County  have  re- 
tired either  to  the  County  Seat  or  one  or  other 
of  the  towns  adjacent  to  their  property,  many 
of  them  still  retain  the  land  from  which  they 
made  their  money,  believing  the  investment  is 
about  as  good  as  any  they  could  make.  One  of 
the  men  who  is  thus  displaying  his  faith  in  the 
future  of  Grundy  County  farm  land  is  Lucius 
N.  Lord  of  Morris.  He  was  born  in  Oswego 
County,  X.  Y.,  February  7.  1S31,  a  son  of  Davis 
and  Clarissa  (Lake)  Lord,  natives  of  England 
and  Vermont,  resjtectively.  Mrs.  Lord  witnessed 
the  battle  of  New  Orleans  which  was  the  last 
engagement  of  the  War  of  1S12.  When  Davis 
Lord  was  a  lad,  he  was  brought  from  England 
to  New  York  State  by  his  parents,  and  there 
he  was  married.  Until  1S42,  he  was  engaged  in 
farming  in  that  State,  but  then  came  on  west 
to  Grundy  County.  111.,  by  way  of  the  great 
lakes  to  Chicago,  and  thence  by  wagon  to  Ken- 
dall County,  where  he  had  obtained  land  by 
trading  New  York  State  property  for  it. 

Lucius  N.  Lord  was  educated  in  the  district 
schools  of  his  native  place,  and  was  taught 
farming  from  his  childhood.  On  August  4,  1S52, 
he  married  Catherine  E.  McFarlan,  born  in  East- 
brook.  Pa.,  daughter  of  James  and  Rosanna 
(Davidson)   McFarlan,  who  came  to  Illinois  in 


l^oO.  After  his  marriage,  Mr.  Lord  bought  a 
farm  of  130  acres  in  Big  Grove  Township,  Ken- 
dall County,  111.,  and  one  of  140  acres  in  Nettle 
Creek  Township,  Grundy  County,  and  resided 
on  both  at  different  times,  but  later  disposed  of 
them  and  bought  another  farm  in  Mazon  Town- 
ship, consisting  of  ITU  acres  which  he  still  owns, 
and  one  of  ISO  acres  in  Saratoga  Township, 
renting  his  land  to  others.  In  1SG7  he  came  to 
Morris,  and  has  since  lived  retired.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Lord  became  the  parents  of  one  daughter, — 
Clara,  win.  married  II.  G.  Gorliam  an  important 
farmer  and  merchant  of  Wauponsee  Township. 
Mrs.  Lord  is  a  Christian  Scientist,  and  takes  a 
great  deal  of  comfort  in  her  religious  belief. 
Politically  Mr.  Lord  is  a  Republican,  but  al- 
though hi'  has  always  done  a  man's  duty  in 
casting  his  vote,  he  has  not  cared  to  enter 
public  life  as  an  official.  Widely  known,  and 
universally  respected,  Mr.  Lord  is  an  excellent 
type  of  the  older  resident  of  this  locality  who 
can  remember  when  conditions  were  radically 
different.  He  owns  his  residence  at  Morris, 
where  he  welcomes  his  many  friends,  his  hos- 
pitable views  being  shared   by  his  wife. 

LOTT,  Edward  Lloyd. — Some  men  are  specially 
lifted  fur  a  business  life,  their  ability  and  in- 
clination aiding  them  in  the  transaction  of 
various  deals  by  means  of  which  they  advance 
their  interests.  In  so  doing  they  also  assist  in 
the  increasing  of  the  commercial  importance  of 
their  communities  and  the  general  advancement 
of  material  prosperity.  One  of  the  men  who 
for  many  years  has  been  largely  interested  in 
various  enterprise,  but  is  now  living  retired 
from  business  life  at  Morris,  is  Edward  Lloyd 
Ix>tt.  Mr.  Lott  was  born  at  Warren.  Ohio.  July 
10,  1S4H.  son  of  Lewis  P.  and  Delia  L.  (Clark) 
Lott.  the  former  born  at  Trumansburg,  X.  I„ 
and  the  latter  at  Philadelphia.  The  father  was 
in  a  general  wool  business  in  Warren,  Ohio, 
from  whence  he  went  to  Cleveland  and  became 
the  proprietor  of  a  newspaper  in  partnership 
with  a  Mr.  Sanford.  Some  years  later,  he 
moved  to  Racine,  Wis.,  and  still  later  to  Morris, 
where  he  opened  a  general  store  and  conducted 
it  many  years.  He  became  circuit  clerk  and 
held  that  office  for  four  years.  In  time,  he 
bought  land  in  the  southern  part  of  Grundy 
County  and  rented  it.  For  some  years  prior 
to  his  death,  he  lived  retired  at  Morris,  where 
he  passed  away  April  22.  1SS5.  His  widow  died 
in  November,  190G,  aged  eighty-five  years  and 
three  months.  Lewis  I'.  Lott  was  a  man  of 
honorable  principles. 

Edward  Lloyd  Lott  embarked  in  a  drug  busi- 
ness at  Grand  Tower.  111.,  but  in  1SS3  sold  his 
interests,  having  in  the  meanwhile  acquired 
considerable  property.  He  then  bought  a  stock 
of  drugs  and  conducted  a  store  at  Morris  for 
five  years.  In  1^00  he  traded  this  property  for 
a  half  section  of  land  in  Lyon  County.  Iowa. 
Since  that  lime,  he  has  disposed  of  this  land 
at  a  large  profit,  and  is  now  living  retired  at 
Morris.  In  addition  to  210  acres  of  land  in 
Wauponsee  Township,  Mr.  Lott  owns  consider- 


-jjcww     -     —  ~ 

■ 

' 

- 


V CjuOlJULXlCU   UZ^yfi^A 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


855 


able  property  in  Morris,  and  is  a  man  of  large 
moans.  He  has  never  married.  Fraternally, 
Mr.  Lott  is  a  Mason,  having  served  the  local 
Blue  Lodge  as  secretary  for  twenty  years,  and 
Orient  Chapter  in  the  same  office  for  an  equal 
length  of  time.  For  many  years  he  has  been  a 
Knight  Templar,  belonging  to  Blaney  Coin- 
mamlery.  He  attends  the  Congregational  Church. 
Politically  lie  is  a  Republican,  ami  has  served 
as  city  treasurer  of  Grand  Tower  for  four  years. 
Since  corning  to  Morris,  he  has  held  many  minor 
ottiees,  ami  for  twenty  years  has  been  treasurer 
of  Evergreen  Cemetery. 

An  uncle  of  Mr.  Lott.  Dr.  A.  F.  Hand,  was 
a  very  prominent  physician  of  Morris,  and  one 
of  the  first  of  his  profession  to  locate  here.  He 
was  born  at  Barrabees  Point.  Vt.,  July  11.  1S16, 
and  in  1S47  came  to  Morris.  Dr.  Hand  was  a 
graduate  of  the  Jacksonville  (Illinois)  Medical 
College  and  a  man  eminent  in  bis  calling. 

LOTT,  Lewis  P.  (deceased),  for  a  number  of 
years  a  merchant  of  Morris,  was  born  at  Covert, 
X.  V.,  in  1cS13,  a  son  of  Zephaniah  and  1'ermilla 
(Phelps)  Lott.  and  in  1S4S,  located  at  Morris 
which  continued  to  be  his  home,  and  the  scene 
of  his  business  successes,  in  addition  to  ex- 
tensive operations  as  a  merchant,  Mr.  Lott  was 
connected  with  the  agricultural  interests  of  the 
county,  owning  at  one  t inn  200  acres  of  im- 
proved land,  and  he  also  invested  in  Morris 
realty.  He  served  as  Deputy  Clerk  lor  eight 
years,  and  was  Alderman.  Superintendent  of 
Public  Schools,  School  Treasurer,  Supervisor, 
serving  as  chairman  of  the  board  for  many 
years,  and  Justice  of  the  Peace,  being  elected 
on  the  Republican  ticket  to  all  these  offices.  He 
iwas  a  Baptist  in  religious  faith,  and  fraternally 
belonged  to  the  Masons  and  Odd  Fellows.  Mr. 
Lott  was  married  at  Cleveland.  Ohio.  February 
22,  LS44,  to  Delia  Lloyd,  and  they  had  four 
children,  but  only  one,  Edward  L.,  lived  to 
maturity. 

LOUIS,  Joseph. — Xo  man  is  promoted  to  a  re- 
sponsible position  in  which  he  has  to  take  charge 
of  a  large  body  of  men.  unless  he  jmssesses 
more  than  ordinary  ability  along  many  lines, 
including  the  power  to  control  others  through 
his  personality.  The  superintendent  of  the  Chi- 
cago. Wilmington  and  Vermilion  mines,  Joseph 
Louis,  is  one  of  the  most  efficient,  practical 
miners  of  Grundy  County,  and  has  held  his 
present  important  position  since  July,  100G,  hav- 
ing been  assistant  superintendent  for  the  two 
preceding  years,  his  promotion  being  due  en- 
tirely to  merit.  Prior  to  1904,  he  held  the  posi- 
tion of  weighmaster  and  top  foreman,  for  four- 
teen years.  His  connection  with  this  company, 
however,  dates  further  back  than  that,  for  it 
was  in  18SM  when  he  first  became  associated 
with  it  at  Braidwood,  as  a  laborer. 

Joseph  Louis  was  horn  in  Germany,  in  1SG4, 
a  son  of  Joseph  and  Victoria  (Duffner)  Louis, 
the  latter  of  whom  died  in  1S77,  and  the  for- 
mer in  iss:1,.  both  passim:  away  in  Germany, 
where   the   father  was   a   successful   merchant. 


When  thirteen  years  old,  Joseph  Louis  was 
placed  at  college,  from  which  he  was  graduated, 
and  began  teaching  school.  In  1SS1  he  left  his 
native  land  for  the  United  States,  and  came  to 
Chicago,  ill.,  where,  in  spite  of  his  educational 
advantages,  he  bad  to  work  as  a  gardener,  six 
months  afterward  coming  to  Wilmington,  111., 
where,  for  three  years  he  was  variously  en- 
gaged. He  then  entered  the  employ  of  his 
present  company  at  Braidwood,  since  which 
time  his  progress  has  been  steady,  and  always 
well  deserved. 

In  1SSG  Mr.  Louis  married  Anna  Jelinek,  born 
in  Germany,  who  came  to  this  country  at  the 
age  of  thirteen  years.  Nine  children  have  been 
born  of  this  marriage,  six  of  whom  survive: 
Susie  J.,  who  is  the  wife  of  Peter  Borella; 
and  Maggie,  Emma  A..  Victoria,  and  Carrie  and 
Lilly.  The  other  three  all  died  in  infancy.  Mr. 
Louis  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America.  Xo.  G4S  of  Braidwood,  and  the  Knights 
of  Pythias  Xo.  S5,  of  Braidwood.  while  he  is 
also  a  member  of  Braidwood  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A. 
M.  Xo.  701,  Wilmington  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.,  Xo. 
42,  and  the  Blaney  Commandery.  K.  T.,  Xo.  5, 
Morris.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican  and  has 
been  president  and  clerk  of  the  school  hoard  for 
nine  years  at  South  Wilmington.  In  addition 
to  other  interests.  Mr.  Louis  owns  his  home  at 
South  Wilmington.  He  is  an  efficient  man  and 
good  citizen  and  stands  high   in  public  favor. 

MAGNER,  Morris  Knight.— Some  men  are  fitted 
to  rise  in  one  direction,  and  others  in  a  dif- 
ferent line.  Each  avenue  of  endeavor  requires 
certain  requisites,  and  any  man  who  mounts 
ahead  of  others,  deserves  commendation.  One 
of  the  men  whose  activities  in  the  Masonic 
order  have  made  him  known  all  over  the  State, 
is  Morris  Knijrht  Maimer,  of  Morris.  111.,  who  is 
also  a  good  business  man.  and  has  held  political 
office  with  creditable  capability.  Mr.  Magner 
was  bom  at,  Woodhull,  HI..  July  1,  1SG7,  a  son 
of  William  ('.  and  Maria  E.  (Stevenson) 
Magner.  When  he  was  nineteen  years  old,  Mi-. 
Magner's  parents  moved  to  Morris,  while  he 
was  attending  Wabash  College,  at  Crawfords- 
villo.  Ind..  from  which  institution  of  learning, 
he  was  graduated  in  1SSS.  On  coming  to  Mor- 
ris he  was  appointed  deputy  Circuit  clerk  of 
Grundy  County,  and  after  four  years  of  useful 
service,  went  to  Joliet,  where  he  was  employed 
in  a  banking  capacity,  and  was  also  at  the 
Illinois  Steel  Company's  mills,  while  in  that 
city  two  years.  Coming  back  to  Morris,  he  asso- 
ciated himself  with  the  Woelfel  Leather. Com- 
pany, which  concern  was  founded  by  his  father- 
in-law,  in  1S02. 

On  May  10.  is<i2  yu.  Magner  was  married  to 
Anna  L.  Woelfel.  horn  at  Morris,  daughter  of 
George  and  Marsaret  (Flack)  Woelfel.  natives 
of  Germany.  The  children  born  of  this  union 
have  been:  Philip  G.,  Marsraret  S..  Dorothy  L.. 
Helen  M..  Elsa  M.,  and  Morris  K..  Jr.  '  Mr. 
Magner  is  a  Presbyterian  and  served  as  super- 
intendent of  the  Sunday  school  from  1002  to 
190G,  and  an  efficient  teacher  in  it  at   present. 


85G 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY, 


He  was  president  of  the  school  board  for  five 
years,  and  prior  to  his  elevation  to  this  office, 
had  been  a  member  of  the  board  for  one  term. 
Mr.  Magner  is  a  .Mason,  belonging  to  Cedar 
Lodge,  A.F.  &  A.  SI..  No.  124;  Orient  Chapter 
>>'o.  31  ;  Blaney  Commander.v  No.  5,  and  the  East- 
ern Star,  and  is  Past  -Master  of  the  Blue  Lodge, 
and  Past  High  Priest  and  Past  Commander  of 
the  Connnandery.  A  man  of  much  ability,  he 
possesses  a  pleasing  personality  that  makes 
friends  wherever  he  goes,  ami  has  contributed 
largely  towards  the  success  of  his  order  in 
Grundy  <  'ounty. 

MAGNER,  William  Campbell.— Although  many 
of  the  stirring  events  preceding  the  outbreak 
of  the  Civil  War  seem  far  away  in  the  dim 
past  to  the  rising  generation,  there  are  many 
men  still  living  who  distinctly  remember  when 
they  occurred,  and  the  powerful  effect  they  had 
upon  the  country.  One  of  these  representative 
citizens  of  Grundy  County  whose  recollections 
are  valuable  to  the  student  of  history,  is  Wil- 
liam Campbell  Magner  of  Morris.  He  was  born 
in  Orleans.  Ind..  October  21,  1837,  a  son  of  John 
A.  and  Sarah  (Campbell)  Magner.  natives  of 
Bourbon  and  Clark-  Counties.  Ky.  The  paternal 
grandparents.  William  ami  Mary  (Hopkins) 
Magner,  were  natives  of  Indiana;  while  the 
maternal  grandparents,  Robert  and  Mary  (Key) 
Campbell,  were  born  in  Scotland  and  Maryland, 
respectively.  All  were  among  the  pioneers  of 
Kentucky.  Mr.  Campbell  was  a  slaveholder, 
but  freed  his  slaves  long  before  the  Civil  War, 
as  he  believed  it  contrary  to  his  religious  prin- 
ciples to  hold  them.  He  was  a  Presbyterian,  as 
were  all  the  other  members  of  his  family,  and 
those  of  the  Magner  family  as  well. 

John  A.  Magner  and  Sarah  Campbell  were 
married  at  Orleans,  1ml..  where  Mr.  Magner 
was  a  farmer,  owning  considerable  land.  In 
March.  1S52,  however,  he  moved  to  Paris,  III., 
and  two  years  later  entered  land  in  what  is 
now  Douglas  County,  which,  at  that  time  was 
undeveloped  prairie.  After  five  years  on  this 
new  farm,  he  moved  to  Areola,  where  he  bought 
ten  acres  and  lived  until  his  death,  in  1871. 
His  wife  had  passed  away  in  1S50,  bavin? 
borne  her  husband  five  sons  and  four  daughters, 
of  whom  William  C.  was  the  eldest  son  and 
second  child. 

William  C.  Magner  was  given  more  liberal 
educational  advantages  than  come  to  some,  for 
after  he  bad  attended  the  common  schools,  he 
was  sent  to  the  Paris  Academy  in  1S5G,  and 
later  to  Washington  College,  Pa.,  from  which 
he  was  graduated  in  1S00.  Following  this,  be 
taught  school  in  Mississippi,  being  there  during 
the'  disturbing  period  preceding  the  Civil  War. 
and  was  forced  to  serve  for  three  months  in  a 
Mississippi  company  of  infantry,  but  at  the  ex- 
piration of  that  time,  he  was  able  to  get 
through  the  lines  to  Paris,  111.,  where  he  en- 
listed in  Company  E.  Twelfth  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry.  Although  he  enlisted  as  a  private, 
be  was  promoted  in  October,  18(51,  to  be  second 
lieutenant,  and   in  April  of  the  following  year 


was  advanced  to  be  first  lieutenant.  At  this 
time  he  was  detailed  into  the  United  States 
Signal  Service.  Mr.  Magner  had  the  misfortune 
to  be  wounded  by  a  gun  shot  in  the  right  foot 
during  the  battle  of  Shiloh.  He  received  his 
honorable  discharge  August  G,  1864,  and  re- 
turned to  Paris,  III.  For  the  two  years  follow- 
in-  his  return.  Mr.  Magner  was  principal  of 
Edgar  Academy,  at  Paris,  and  during  this  time 
he  was  preparing  himself  for  the  ministry,  and 
was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  Presbytery  of 
Palestine  in  April,  1SGG.  His  first  charge  was 
at  Woodhull,  111.,  where  he  remained  six  years, 
and  for  the  following  four  years  he  was  in' 
charge  of  the  church  at  Carthage.  For  the 
next  four  years,  he  was  in  charge  of  the  church 
at  Onar.ua,  when  he  was  called  to  Rossville,  111., 
where  he  spent  six  useful  years  in  pastoral 
work-.  For  the  next  twelve  years  he  was  pastor 
of  the  church  at  Morris,  when  he  retired,  being 
installed   as  pastor  emeritus. 

After  the  siege  and  surrender  of  Vicksburg, 
Mr.  Magner  was  granted  a  furlough  home,  and 
on  August  13,  1SG3,  he  was  married  to  Maria 
E.  Stevenson,  bom  April  :;,  1843,  at  Philadel- 
phia, Pa.,  daughter  of  John  ami  Susan  (.Meyer) 
Stevenson,  natives  of  Ireland  and  Pennsyl- 
vania. The  children  of  .Mr.  and  Mrs.  Magiier 
have  been:  Claude  S.,  who  lives  in  Chicago; 
Morris  K.,  who  lives  in  Morris:  Sue  S.,  who  is 
at  home;  Sarah  J.,  who  is  now  Mrs.  Dr.  Frank 
A.  Palmer  of  Morris:  Willard  C.  who  is  post- 
master of  Morris;  Harold,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  nineteen  years;  Joseph  C.  who  lives  at  Mor- 
ris; and  Paid  E.,  who  is  an  inspector  in  the 
navy  yard  at  Bremerton,  Wash.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Magner  celebrated  their  golden  wedding  Aug! 
13.   1013. 

Mr.  Magner  once  served  as  collector  of  Morris 
on  the  Republican  ticket.  He  is  a  P.Iue  Lodge, 
Chapter  and  Comma ndery  Mason.  Many  of  the 
experiences  of  Mr.  Magner  are  very  interesting 
to  hear  related,  for  he  had  the '  pleasure  of 
listening  to  the  famous  Lincoln  and  Douglas 
debate,  at  Charleston,  111.,  and  has  mot  eight 
Presidents  of  the  United  States,  having  known 
Grant  and  Harrison  personally.  He  saw  and 
heard  the  famous-  Kentuckian,  Ilenrv  Clay,  and 
remembers  well  the  election  of  William  Henry 
Harrison.  In  1S74  Mr.  Magner  took  a  trip  to 
Europe,  and  lie  has  been  in  twenty-eight  Stales 
of  the  Union,  so  his  travels  have  been  many 
and  spread  over  a  wide  territory.  In  ISOo  his 
book,  entitled  "Better  Bible  Study,-'  was  pub- 
lished and  met  with  a  gratifving  reception. 
In  his  declining  years  Mr.  Magner's  life  is 
made  happy  by  his  family,  which  consists  of 
his  wife,  children  and  fourteen  grandchildren. 
His  life  has  been  a  very  useful  one.  and  he  can 
look  back  with  satisfaction  upon  it  for  he  has 
never  neglected  a  duty  or  failed  to  carry  out 
any  task  imposed  upon  him.  although  at  times 
his  responsibilities  have  been  heavy.  A  learned 
man.  he  yet  knew  how  to  get  to  the  hearts  of 
the  simplest  of  his  congregations,  and  was  one 
of  the  most  beloved  pastors  his  churches  ever 
knew. 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


857 


MAHON,  William. — Perhaps  no  calling  permits 
of  so  early  a  retirement  as  that  of  farming,  but 
then  few  exact  so  much  from  those  who  labor. 
The  fanner  exposed  as  he  is  to  all  the  changes 
of  weather  ami  forced  to  overwork  in  season, 
wears  out  sooner  than  one  who  can  regulate 
his  hours  and  protect  himself  from  the  elements. 
However  as  it  may  be,  it  is  certain  that  there 
are  more  men  of  substance  who  have  earned 
their  wealth  from  agricultural  pursuits  in 
Grundy  County,  than  in  any  other  way,  and  one 
who  is  specially  deserving  of  mention  in  this 
connection  is  William  Mahon  of  Wauponsee 
Township,  now  living  retired  upon  his  farm 
which  he  rents  to  his  sons.  Mr.  .Mahon  was 
born  in  Ontario,  Canada.  June  4.  1S3S,  a  son  of 
Thomas  and  .Maria  (Towriss)  .Mahon.  natives 
of  Ireland  and  England  respectively.  At  ma- 
turity they  came  to  Canada,  where  both  died. 
the  mother  in  1^41 ,  and  the  father  some  years 
later. 

When  he  was  seventeen  years  old.  William 
Mahon  began  working  in  Canada  among  neigh- 
boring farmers,  thus  continuing  until  lsilO, 
when  he  came  to  Grundy  County.  111.,  and 
renting  land,  operated  it  a  few  years  until  about 
187(1,  he  bought  eighty  acres  in  Wauponsee 
Township.  This  property  was  unimproved  and 
he  erected  the  necessary  buildings  upon  it  and 
conducted  the  farm  until  his  retirement  in 
190.",  which  was  co-incident  with  his  renting  of 
it  to  his  sons. 

On  September  24,  ism,  Mr.  Mahon  was  mar- 
ried by  the  PiOv.  McClaren  <>f  Ontario,  to  Eliza- 
beth Lane,  who  was  born  in  Ontario,  Canada. 
a  daughter  of  George  and  Julia  (Bead)  Lane, 
natives  of  Canada.  Mrs.  Mahon  died  June  12, 
1010,  and  is  buried  in  the  Sample  Cemetery. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mahon  became  the  parents  of 
children  as  follows:  George,  born  January  26, 
1S03,  died  August  IS,  1S64;  James  1'..  born  in 
Canada,  June  0,  lSf>5,  lives  in  Wauponsee  Town- 
ship, and  married  Minnie  Williams,  born  in 
Mason  County,  111.,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and 
Naomie  (Anderson)  Williams,  natives  of  Can- 
ada and  Ohio,  respectively,  they  having  the  fol- 
lowing children. — Myrtle  Mahon,  born  Febru- 
ary 13,  1S93.  and  Mildred  Mahon.  born  Septem- 
ber 15,  1001.  who  are  both  at  home;  Elenor, 
who  was  bom  March  IS.  1ST0.  died  October  7, 
1S75 ;  and  Freeman  I/.,  born  in  Ma/.on  Town- 
ship, August  25,  1S77.  is  on  the  homestead,  and 
married  Amy  L.  Hunt,  born  September  2,  1S7S. 
in  Felix  Township,  a  daughter  of  Sheldon  and 
Catherine  (Patterson)  Hunt,  they  having  one 
daughter, — Blanche  I.  Mahon,  horn  November 
29,  1903.  Politically  Mr.  Mahon  is  a  Republi- 
can, hut  has  never  desired  office.  He  belongs 
to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  A  man  of 
unblemished  honor,  be  has  gained  and  retained 
the  confidence  and  respect  of  all  with  whom  he 
has  been  brought   into  contact. 

MAIER,  Jacob.  -Although  now  living  in  quiet 
retirement  at  Seneca,  enjoying  the  ease  that  his 
loii£  years  of  toil  has  brought  him,  Jacob  Maier 
still  takes  a   keen  and  active  interest  in  agri- 

16 


cultural  affairs,  although  he  now  rents  out  his 
large  tracts  of  land  in  Grundy  and  I.aSalle 
Counties,  and  is  accounted  one  of  the  substan- 
tial citizens  of  his  part  of  (lie  state.  He  has 
spent  his  entire  life  in  this  locality,  having  been 
born  at  Ottawa.  111.,  August  31,  1S5S,  a  son  of 
Lazarus  and  Catherine  (Becht)  Maier,  natives 
of  Germany.  Lazarus  Maier  came  to  the  T'nited 
States  when  twenty-live  years  of  age,  and  on 
the  same  ship  came  Catherine  Becht,  whom  he 
soon  made  his  bride,  and  they  commenced 
housekeeping  in  Ottawa,  where  Mr.  Maier  ac- 
cepted such  employment  as  opportunity  pre- 
sented, being  willing  to  work  at  anything  that 
was  honorable.  Several  years  later  he  began 
renting  land,  and  at  the  end  of  six  years  was 
able  to  purchase  a  farm  located  north  of  Seneca, 
residing  thereon  until  1903,  when  he  retired 
and  moved  with  his  wife  to  Seneca,  and  they 
still  reside  in  that  place.  lie- is  aged  eighty- 
three  years,  and  his  wife  is  eighty-one  years  old. 
They  have  twelve  children. 

Jacob  Maier  was  the  next  to  the  oldest  of 
his  parents'  children,  and  was  reared  to  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  in  the  meantime  securing  Lis 
education  in  the  German  Catholic  school  at 
Ottawa.  lie  remained  with  his  parents  until 
reaching  the  age  of  twenty-three  years,  at  which 
time  he  became  a  renter  in  Erienna  Township, 
Grundy  County,  where  he  remained  two  years. 
lie  nfxt  spent  three  years  as  a  renter  in  Vienna 
Township,  and  then  purchased  137  acres  of 
land  in  Section  10.  On  this  property  there 
were  located  a  number  of  old  buildings,  which 
he  soon  replaced  with  new  ones,  and  from  1.SS7 
until  100s  he  continued  to  carry  on  general 
farming  and  stork  raising  with  marked  success, 
and  made  numerous  modern  improvements.  In 
100s  he  rented  his  farm  and  moved  to  Seneca, 
where  he  has  since  lived  in  retirement.  lie 
also  owns  fifty-three  acres  in  Brookfield  Town- 
ship. LaSalle  County,  and  154  acres  in  High- 
land Township,  Grundy  County,  and  these  farms 
be  also  rents  to  good  tenants.  His  land  brings 
him  a  handsome  revenue  and  he  is  justly  con- 
sidered one  of  the  affluent  men  of  his  com- 
munity. He  takes  a  keen  interest  in  matters  of 
public  importance,  and  acts  with  the  Democratic 
party.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church 
at  Seneca,  and  belongs  also  to  the  German 
Benevolent  Society  at  Ottawa.  At  all  times  he 
may  be  relied  upon  to  use  judgment  and  dis- 
cretion in  matters  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of 
his  county,  the  interests  of  which  he  has  always 
sought  to  advance. 

Mr.  Maier  was  married  February  3,  lSSO,  to 
Miss  Nora  Donovan,  who  was  born  at  Seneca. 
111.,  daughter  of  Patrick  and  Anna  (Stahla) 
Donovan,  of  Ireland.  Four  children  have  been 
born  to  this  union  :  Anna,  who  married  Wil- 
liam Devaney  ami  resides  at  Seneca:  Charles 
Edward  and  Jerome,,  who  are  working  on  one 
of  their  father's  farms:  and  George,  who  is 
married  and  works  the  farm  in  Highland 
Township. 


858 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


MAJOR,  John  Chastine,  M.  D.,  who  has  been 
engaged  in  the  successful  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession since  1900,  was  burn  in  McLean  County, 
111.,  December  31,  l!>7ii.  a  son  of  Chastine  and 
Mary  (Maurice)  Major.  Chastine  Major  was 
born  in  Mi-Lean  County  and  ids  wife  is  also 
an  Illinoisian.  lie  was  engaged  in  fanning  in 
that  county  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
1004  at  Arrowsmith,  Mrs.  Major  dying  in  LS90 
at  the  same  place  and  she  and  her  husband  are 
buried  in  McLean  County.  They  were  the  par- 
ents Of  two  children:  John  Chastine  and 
Thomas  W. 

The  boyhood  of  Dr.  Major  was  spent  on  a 
farm.  He  attended  the  district  school  of  his 
locality,  then  entered  the  Illinois  Wesleyan  Uni- 
versity, studying  there  three  years,  and  subse- 
quently entered  Rush  Medical  College  of  Chi- 
cago, where  he  was  graduated  in  1900.  He 
then  located  in  Braidwood,  111.,  where  he  re- 
mained until  1900,  when  he  came  to  Coal  City, 
at  which  phue  he  has  built  up  a  good  prac- 
tice and  has  established  an  excellent  reputa- 
tion for  skill  in  his  profession. 

Dr.  Major  was  married.  January  1,  1901,  to 
Ida  Jack  of  Braidwood,  who  was  born  in 
Braidwood.  April  2,  1SS1,  and  to  this  union  two 
children  were  horn:  Lex  Chastine,  born  Decem- 
ber 24,  1902,  and  Bessie  Bell,  horn  July  10, 
1906,  who  died  November  2.  190S. 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  Major  are  Methodists,  lie  is  a 
member  of  the  following  lodges:  Masonic. 
Knights  of  Pythias.  Foresters.  Eastern  Star  and 
the  White  Cross.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 
He  is  now  deputy  coroner  of  Grundy  County. 
having  served  on  the  Board  of  Health  of  Coal 
City  for  two  years.  lie  is  modest  and  unassum- 
ing in  demeanor,  pleasant  and  courteous  to  all, 
and  has  a  multitude  of  close  personal  friends  in 
all  stations  of  life.  He  owns  170  acres  of  land 
in  Maine  Township. 

MALADY,  John. — The  farmers  of  Grundy 
County  are.  as  a  rule,  men  who  work  their  land 
according  to  intelligent,  scientific,  profit-produc- 
ing methods,  and  their  results  are  satisfying  not 
only  in  relation  to  their  own  individual  pros- 
perity, but  as  a  whole  affecting  the  financial 
standing  of  their  community.  One  of  the  men 
who  has  always  taken  a  sane,  sound  view  of 
agricultural  matters,  with  definite  results,  is 
John  Malady  of  Mazon  Township,  owner  of  200 
acres  of  fine  farming  land.  BIO  acres  of  which 
are  located  in  Mazon  and  forty  in  Wauponsee 
Township.  He  was  horn  at  Morris,  June  IS, 
18f<7,  a  son  of  Michael  and  Hannah  (Walsh) 
Malady.  Both  parents  were  horn  in  Ireland. 
Michael  Malady  left  his  native  land  when 
young,  and  came  direct  to  Grundy  County.   111. 

John  Malady  grew  up  in  Grundy  County,  and 
attended  public  school  in  the  vicinity  of  his 
homo.  Having  decided  to  become  a  farmer,  he 
concentrated  his  efforts  along  agricultural  lines, 
was  always  a  hard  worker,  and  has  made 
a  success  of  his  undertakings.  On  Novem- 
ber 7,  18S2,  Mr.  Malady  was  united  in  mar- 
riage   by    Father    Fitzsiininons    of    Morris    Im- 


maculate Conception  Church,  with  Margaret 
J.  McCartney,  who  was  born  in  Hie  home  where 
they  are  now  living,  March  12,  1S.j7.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  John  W.  and  Ellen  (Calwell)  Mc- 
Cartney, natives  of  Ireland.  Four  children 
were  horn  to  Mr.  ami  Mrs.  Malady:  John  1'., 
horn  March  9,  1SS5,  died  February  13,  1905; 
Ellen  L.,  horn  March  17.  lss7.  died  October  1-1. 
ls'.»7.  buried  in  Mt.  Carmel  cemetery;  and  two 
who  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Malady  now  live  on  Mrs. 
Malady's  old  homestead  where  she  has  lived 
all  her  life  excepting  a  few  years  spent  near 
by  in  Ma/on  Township,  and  one  year  in  Liv- 
ingston County.  They  are  members  of  the 
Roman  Catholic  Church  at  Morris.  In  national 
affairs  Mr.  Malady  votes  with  the  Democratic 
party,  but  in  local  matters  uses  his  own  judg- 
ment. 

MALECEK,  Cyril  M.—  With  the  development  of 
any  community  comes  the  need  for  good  con- 
struction work,  and  the  men  who  continue  to 
hold  the  patronage  of  the  public  are  those  who 
have  proven  their  worth  and  stability.  One  of 
the  men  whose  connections  as  a  general  con- 
tractor are  firmly  formed,  is  Cyril  Malocek  of 
South  Wilmington,  one  of  the  leading  men  in 
his  line  in  Grundy  County.  Mr.  Malecek  was 
horn  in  Bohemia,  in  1SU4,  and  there  attended 
school  and  was  taught  the  trade  of  cabinetmak- 
ing.  In  1SS0  he  came  to  the  United  States  with 
his  father  and  the  rest  of  the  family,  and  for  a 
time  they  lived  at  Chicago  where  the  father 
was  a  laborer.  He  retired  some  time  prior  to 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  that  city,  in  Decem- 
ber, 1909.  The  mother  passed  away  in  the 
same  city  in  1890.  There  were  nine  children 
in  the  family:  Joseph,  Cyril,  Veronika,  Anna, 
Mary,  Albyna,  Fannie.  Bessie  and  Josephine. 

Cyril  M.  .Malecek  left  Chicago  in  1S91  for 
Braidwood,  111.,  where  he  began  contracting, 
later  moving  to  South  Wilmington,  where  he  has 
since  continued.  Mr.  Malecek  has  practically 
built  this  town,  as  he-  had  the  contract  for  the 
construction  of  every  church  and  hall  and  the 
majority  of  the  residences  in  the  place,  and  his 
work  is  the  best  advertisement  he  could  have. 
In  1SS9  Mr.  Malecek  married  Annie  Sniolick. 
who  was  born  at  Chicago.  Nine  children  have 
been  born  of  this  marriage:  Cyril,  Emma, 
Josephine,  Rosa,  Joseph,  Lillian,  Frank,  Clara 
and  Bessie,  the  last  two  being  deceased,  the 
former  dying  in  infancy,  and  the  latter  when 
twelve  years  old.  Mr.  Malecek  belongs  to  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  the  C.  S."  P.  S.  and  the  C. 
S.  B.  P.  S.,  all  of  Chicago.  Although  a  Demo- 
crat, he  is  very  liberal  in  his  political  views. 
Not  only  is  he  a  man  of  capability  in  business, 
but  also  stands  very  well  personally  in  the 
community  that  has  been  his  home  for  so  many 
useful  years. 

MALL0RY,  Allen  F.,  proprietor  of  the  Com- 
mercial Hotel  at  Morris,  belongs  to  one  of  the 
old  families  of"  Grundy  County.  He  was  horn 
in  Ohio  City,  now  West  Cleveland,. Ohio,  Novem- 


i 
I 


■ 

■ 


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ft* 


vs 

J 


-        "-        •    '"»TP»*7.H  ■— •-  '    -  —  ■-•-•, 


■  ■ 


■ 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


859 


ber  G,  1840.  a  sun  of  Hiram  and  Phoebe  (Hall) 
Mallory,  and  grandsou  of  Isaac  Mallory.  The 
family  came  to  Morris  in  1S52,  and  tin-re  Hiram 
Mallory  became  a  farmer  and  grain  dealer  and 
was  interested  in  canal  boats  on  the  Illinois 
and  Michigan  Canal.  His  death  occurred  at 
Morris  in  1S72.  Allen  F.  Mallory  was  in  the 
employ  of  the  Yoeman  Printing  Co.  in  boyhood, 
worked  in  a  machine  shop,  was  a  grocer's  clerk, 
and  then  in  1SG1,  enlisted  in  the  Union  service 
as  a  member  of  Battery  1'.,  First  Regiment  Light 
Artillery,  New  York  *  Volunteers,  and  was  a 
bugler.  On  February  22,  1S64,  he  veteranized, 
was  enrolled  in  the  same  battery,  and  was  dis- 
charged June  IS,  lStio.  While  in  the  service, 
he  sent  money  home  to  his  father,  and  the  lat- 
ter bought  a  canal  boat  of. which  Mr.  Mallory 
assumed  charge  upon  bis  return  from  the  army. 
Selling  it  he  later  went  to  Chicago  and  was  in 
a  grocery  business.  A  year  later  he  returned 
to  the  canal,  and  then  in  November,  1SG7,  estab- 
lished himself  as  a  grocer  at  Morris,  and  con- 
ducted this  business  for  eighteen  years.  lie 
then  went  to  Kankakee.  111.,  and  bought  a 
hotel;  which  also  bears  the  name  of  the  Com- 
mercial. In  18S9.  he  bought  the  old  llamia  & 
LeRoy  business  block  at  Morris  and  converted 
it  into  the  present  Commercial  Hotel  of  Morris, 
which  was  opened  December  31,  1SS9.  Mr. 
Mallory  has  been  twice  married.  lie  is  a  Mason, 
and  is  a  member  of  Blaney  Commandery. 

MALMQUIST,  Frank.— The  history  of  the  suc- 
cessful men  of  foreign  birth  in  many  sections 
of  the  United  States  shows  a  record  of  hard 
work  and  persistent  effort  that  eventually  ends 
in  prosperity.  It  appears  that  many  of  those 
who  come  here  from  other  countries  and  take 
up  different  kinds  of  work  are  so  earnest  and 
industrious  and  so  naturally  frugal  that  their 
success  is  certain.  Cue  of  the  men  of  Grundy 
Comity  who  has  thus  prospered  is  Frank  Malni- 
quist.  a  farmer  of  Vienna  Township,  who  was 
born  at  Tida.  Rytterns.  Westmanland,  Sweden. 
October  21.  1S72,  the  youngest  of  a  family  of 
seven  children  of  Andrew  Gustav  and  Lovisa 
(Carlson)  Malmquist.  In  1SSS  he  came  to  his 
present  township  from  Sweden  and  began  work- 
ing for  his  brother,  who  had  already  established 
himself  here  as  a  farmer,  having  come  to  Grundy 
County  in  1S7S. 

On  January  14.  1908,  at  .Toliet,  111.,  by  Rev. 
A.  H.  Laing,  Mr.  Malmquist  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Fllen  Harford,  daughter  of  Aaron 
and  Frances  (Dewey)  Harford.  Their  home  is 
one  of  the  old  landmarks,  Mrs.  Malmquisfs 
maternal  grandfather.  John  Dewey,  having  set- 
tled here  in  1844.  Their  son,  Aaron  Frank, 
born  October  10,  190!).  represents  the  fourth 
generation  of  the  family  to  call  it  home.  Mr. 
Malmquist  puts  his  best  efforts  into  stock  rais- 
ing along  with  his  farming  operations,  being  one 
of  the  first  in  the  county  to  establish  a  herd  of 
Aberdeen  Angus  cattle,  those  "Bonnie  Black 
Skins."  He  cultivates  320  acres  of  land,  200 
being  devoted  to  grain  culture,  and  the  remain- 
der to  pasture  and  timherland. 


In  politics  Mr.  Malmquist  is  a  Republican, 
and  he  has  proven  himself  a  loyal  citizen  as 
well  as  a  thoroughgoing  agriculturalist,  and 
has  reason  to  be  contented  with  his  lot  in  life. 
The  following  quotation  from  Joaquin  Miller 
is  a  fitting  tribute : 

"And  1  have  said,  and  1  say  it  ever, 

As  the  years  go  on  and  the  world  goes  over, 

'Twere  better  to  be  content  and  clever 

In  the  tending  of  cattle  and  the  tossing  of  clover, 

In  the  grazing  of  cattle  and  the  growing  of  grain, 

Than  a  strong  man  striving  for  fame  and  gain." 

MARKESON,  Ammi  Manuel.— One  of  the  large 
land  owners  and  enterprising  business  men  of 
Seneca,  111.,  is  Ammi  Manuel  Markcson,  presi- 
dent of  the  Seneca  Grain.  Lumber  and  Supply 
Company,  and  a  citizen  whose  career  has  been 
tilled  with  noteworthy  achievements.  He  has 
spent  his  entire  life  in  this  locality,  aud  has 
won  success  and  position  through  the  medium  of 
his  own  unaided  efforts.  Mr.  Markeson  was 
born  in  Miller  Township,  LaSalle  County,  111., 
November  19,  1SG5,  and  is  a  son  of  Andrew  and 
Sarah  (Larson)  Markeson.  Andrew  Markeson 
and  his  wife  were  both  born  at  Stavanger,  Nor- 
way, he  coming  to  Ottawa,  111.,  in  1N">4,  and  she 
two  years  earlier.  He  started  to  work  as  a 
farm  hand,  and  after  marriage  the  young  couple 
settled  on  a  farm  in  Miller  Township,  LaSalle 
County,  which  they  rented  until  1SG2.  In  that 
year  Mr.  Markeson  purchased  a  farm  of  eighty 
acres,  cleared  and  developed  it.  erected  sub- 
stantial buildings  and  made  numerous  improve- 
ments. A  man  of  industry,  enterprise  and  high 
ability,  he  invested  his  capital  in  hind,  and  at 
the  time  of  his  death,  in  1908,  when  eighty-one 
years  of  age,  was  the  owner  of  37o  acres,  all 
in  Grundy  County  with  the  exception  of  eighty 
acres,  located  just  across  the  line  in  LaSalle 
County.  The  mother,  who  was  born  in  1S23, 
still  survives,  and  makes  her  home  with  her 
son.  The  children  born  to  Andrew  and  Sarah 
(Larson)  Markeson  were  as  follows:  Bessie, 
Mrs.  Daniel  Danielson,  of  Miller  Township, 
LaSalle  County;  and  Ammi   Manuel. 

Ammi  M.  Markeson  reeeheJ  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  Morris  and  the  normal 
college  at  Geneseo,  and  was  reared  a  farmer, 
remaining  at  home  and  assisting  his  father  until 
his  marriage  in  1SSS,  at  which  time  he  removed 
to  one  of  his  father's  farms,  located  in  Nettle 
Creek  Township,  and  there  he  carried  on  opera- 
tions as  a  renter  until  he  purchased  130  acres 
of  land.  There,  in  addition  to  general  farming, 
he  made  a  specialty  of  raising  roland-China 
hogs  and  Percheron  horses,  as  well  as  doing  a 
large  business  in  grain.  He  resided  on  this 
farm  until  the  death  of  his  wife,  September  9, 
1909.  at  which  time  he  moved  to  the  old  home- 
stead farm,  which  was  left  him  by  his  father's 
will.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  415  acres  of  valu- 
able land  located  in  Grundy  and  LaSalle  coun- 
ties, which  he  rents  out.  his  attention  now  be- 
ing confined  to  the  raising  of  Percheron  horses 
and  to  the  duties  devolving  upon  him  as  presi- 


860 


HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


dent  and  member  of  the  hoard  of  directors  of 
the  Seneca  Grain,  Lumber  and  Supply  Com- 
pany. He  is  accounted  one  of  the  substantial 
men  of  his  community,  where  his  long  connec- 
tion with  affairs  of  importance  have  made  him 
a  well  known  figure  in  agricultural  and  com- 
mercial circles.  A  Republican  in  his  political 
views,  he  has  served  eisht  years  as  Township 
Clerk,  has  also  acted  as  Load  Commissioner, 
and  for  five  years  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Supervisors  of  Grundy  County,  of 
which  he  has  been  chairman  for  two  years  of 
this  period.  With  his  family,  he  attends  the 
Lutheran  Stavanger  Church. 

On  February  22,  1SSS,  Mr.  Markeson  was 
married  to  Miss  Hannah  Johnson,  who  was 
born  at  Stavanger,  Norway,  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Dora  Johnson,  who  on  emigrating  to  the 
United  States  first,  located  in  Fillmore  County, 
Minn.,  and  later  moved  to  South  Dakota,  where 
they  now  reside.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Markeson  met 
in  LaSalle  County,  where  she  was  making  a 
visit  to  her  sisters.  They  became  the  parents 
of  three  children:  SeDell,  Lillian  and  Bernice, 
all  living  with  their  father. 

MARSH,  George  Washington. — The  operation 
of  farm  land  in  Grundy  County  is  a  business 
that  pays  handsome  dividends,  as  the  soil  is 
fertile  and  productive  of  banner  crops.  These 
facts  account  for  the  location  here  of  some  of 
the  most  intelligent  and  shrewd  men  of  the 
county  on  lands  in  the  rural  districts.  One 
of  the  men  who  is  thus  engaged  is  George 
Washington  Marsh,  renter  of  252  acres  of  land 
in  Mazon  Township,  and  J (10  acres  in  Maine 
Township,  all  of  which  he  plants  in  oats  and 
corn.  In  addition  lie  buys  and  sells  horses  for 
the  market  and  does  a  large  and  profitable 
business  annually. 

Mr.  Marsh  was  born  on  his  homestead,  a 
son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Mover)  Marsh, 
natives  of  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania.  William 
Marsh  came  to  Grundy  County  about  sixty 
years  ago,  homesteading  in  Mazon  Township. 
and  he  lived  upon  his  farm  until  death  claimed 
him  in  1802.  His  widow  survived  him  until 
1000.  They  had  three  children:  Timothy,  who 
is  deceased:  Mina.  Stephena.  and  George.  Both 
parents  had  been  married  before. 

George  W.  Marsh  remained  at  home,  attend- 
ing the  district  schools,  until  his  marriage. 
In  1SSS,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Emma 
Cragg  of  Maine  Township,  a  daughter  of  George 
Crag?  of  Maine  Township.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Marsh  have  had  the  following  family:  Hazel 
May,  who  is  deceased:  Guy  Festus;  and  Elsie 
Elizabeth.  Mr.  Marsh  is  a  Republican  but 
has  never  sought  office,  being  too  much  occu- 
pied with  his  private  affairs.  He  is  a  man 
of  exceptional  ability  and  his  success  is  but 
the  just  reward  for  his  endeavors. 

MARSHALL,  George  W. — There  is  no  section  of 
Illinois  where  modern  methods  in  agriculture 
more  generally  prevail  than  in  Grundy  County. 
and  the  farms  of  this  section  show  the  results  of 


advanced  agricultural  ideas  intelligently  applied, 
One  of  the  men  who  owns  one  of  the  best 
equipped  properties  in  the  county,  is  George  W. 
Marshall  of  <b>ose  Lake  Township,  a  progres- 
sive farmer  and  good  business  man.  He  is  a 
son  of  William  and  Caroline  (Benson)  Mar- 
shall, natives  of  Indiana  and  Ohio.  After  mar- 
riage they  settled  in  what  is  now  Goose  Lake 
Township,  ami  bought  a  farm  along  the  Mazon 
Liver  where  Mr.  Marshall  still  lives,  owning 
ninety-six  acres.  His  wife  died  January  8, 
1903. 

George  W.  Marshall  grew  up  on  the. home- 
stead and  was  sent  to  the  local  schools  while 
being  taught  farming.  "When  he  attained  his 
majority,  he  first  rented  a  farm  in  Goose  Lake 
Township,  but  in  1002  bought  eighty  acres  of 
improved  land.  Since  taking  possession  of  this 
property,  he  has  tiled  it.  erected  new  buildings 
and  made  other  improvements.  On  it  he  car- 
ries on  general  farming,  specializing  in  grain 
raising.  On  January  1.  1  s< •:.,  he  married  Angie 
Winzenburg,  born  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  daughter 
of  Andrew  Philip  and  Margaret  (Staub)  Win- 
zenburg,  natives  of  Wurttemberg,  Germany. 
The  parents  were  married  in  Germany,  but  be- 
came early  settlers  of  Missouri.  The  father 
was  a  bookbinder  of  Sedalia,  Mo.,  for  many 
years,  dying  there  November  11.  1007.  since 
which  time  his  widow  has  resided  in  Morris. 
Their  children  were:  Robert  William,  who  is 
of  St.  Louis;  Agnes  B.,  who  is  Mrs.  J.  Leauard 
Joos  of  Morris;  Katie,  who  was  Mrs.  Samuel 
White  of  Goose  Lake  Township,  died  November 
17.  190(5;  and  Angie,  who  is  Mrs.  Marshall. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marshall  became  the  parents  of 
one  daughter,  Jeanette  Catherine,  who  was 
born  July  1<>.  3001.  Mrs.  Marshall  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  of  Sedalia,  Mo.  Both 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marshall  belong  to  the  Baptist 
Church  in  which  they  are  deservedly  popular. 
Mr.  Marshall  is  a  Republican  and  served  one 
term  as  township  collector,  and  also  was  road 
commissioner  and  school  director.  He  has  de- 
veloped into  a  leading  agriculturalist  of  his 
locality  and  is  universally  respected. 

MARSHALL,  William.— No  man  who  has  spent 
years  of  earnest  endeavor  as  an  agriculturalist 
ought  to  deny  himself  rest  and  comfort  in  his 
declining  years,  for  he  has  certainly  earned  all 
he  iMissesses.  There  is  no  class' of  work  that  is 
so  difficult  or  restricted  as  that  of  cultivating 
a  farm,  and  one  who  has  successfully  carried 
out  his  plans,  and  is  now  living  retired,  en- 
joying .a  comfortable  fortune,  is  William  Mar- 
shall of  Goose  Lake  Township.  Mr.  Marshall 
was  born  at  Toledo,  O.,  October  2.",  1S3G,  son 
of  Noyes  and  Zilpha  (Richardson)  Marshall, 
natives  of  New  Hampshire  and  Vermont. 
About  1S34,  these  parents  went  to  Toledo,  ()., 
from  whence  they  moved  to  Clay  County.  Ind. 
In  1S5G,  another  change  was  made  when  they 
came  to  .Grundy  County.  111.,  and  bought  land 
in  Felix  Township.  Aften  ten  years  in  that 
section,  they  went  to  Sedalia,  Mo.,  where  both 
died. 


• 


■       V    .-. 


■ 


■ 


I 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


861 


William  Marshall  grew  up  a  healthy  farmer 
boy,  and  attended  tiie  schools  of  his  district. 
After  his  marriage  he  bought  a  tract  of  laud 
and  lived  ou  it  for  three  years,  when  he 
bought  ninety-six  acres  of  timber  land  in  Goose 
Lake  Township,  clearing  off  forty-five  acres 
of  this.  Until  1904,  he  operated  the  farm  him- 
self, but  now  rents  it,  although  he  still  lives 
upon  it,  being  retired  from  its  activities. 

In  1SG4,  Mr.  Marshall  was  married  to  Caroline 
Benson,  born  in  New  York  State,  daughter  of 
Seneca  and  .Sarah  (Miles)  Benson,  natives  of 
Cattaraugus  County,  X.  Y.,  early  settlers  of 
Wauponsee  Township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marshall 
became  the  parents  of  the  following  children  : 
Sarah,  who  was  horn  in  Felix  Township,  mar- 
ried William  Bartlett  of  Wauponsee  Township; 
Esther,  Mrs.  Solomon  Pose,  who  died  July  15, 
3900;  George,  who  lives  in  Goose  Lake  Town- 
ship; and  John,  who  is  also  of  Goose  Lake  Town- 
ship. Mrs.  Marshall  died  January  S,  1903, 
after  a  useful  life,  having  been  a  devoted  wife 
and  mother,  and  a  good,  Christian  woman.  Mr. 
Marshall  is  a  Universalis!.  Politically,  he  is 
a  Republican,  but  has  never  desired  office.  A 
man  of  unflinching  principle,  he  has  endeavored 
to  live  up  to  his  ideals,  and  enjoys  the  esteem 
of  his  neighbors. 

MARVICK,  Sam  S.— Some  of  the  most  active 
operators  in  real  estate  are  the  men  who  have 
learned  the  value  of  land  by  working  upon  it. 
The  rich  farm  land  of  Grundy  County  affords 
excellent  investment  for  funds,  while  city 
property  is  always  valuable.  One  of  the  men 
who  is  carrying  on  extensive  operations  in 
both  farm  and  city  property  at  Morris  is  Sam 
S.  Marvick.  He  was  born  in  Nettle  Creek  Town- 
ship, this  county,  March  11.  1S<13,  a  son  of 
Sivert  and  Lorenzo  (Norland)  Marvick,  born 
in  Norway,  who  came  to  this  country  in  1S57, 
settling  in  LaSalle  County,  111.  There  they 
lived  for  a  few  years,  but  then  moved  to  Nettle 
Creek  Township,  Grundy  County,  buying  land. 
In  time,  they  became  extensive  land  owners, 
and  lived  upon  their  property  until  they  sold 
in  1900,  and  bought  a  farm  in  Story  County, 
Iowa,  where  they  reside.  The  father  has  at- 
tained to  the  venerable  age  of  eighty-five  years, 
while  his  wife  is  eighty  years  old.  Their  chil- 
dren are :  M.  O.,  of  Story  City,  Iowa  ;  Joseph,  also 
of  Story  City.  Iowa;  Mary,  Mrs.  Olie  Hansen, 
of  Story  City,  Towa  ;  Sam  S.;  Rev.  L.  S.,  of 
Black  River  Falls,  Wis. ;  Celia,  Mrs.  Joseph  II. 
Ansmore,  of  Morris:  Andrew,  of  SIstou,  S.  D. ; 
and  Margaret,  at  home  with  her  parents. 

Sam  S.  Marvick  attended  the  local  country 
school  and  the  Morris  Normal  school  for  two 
terms.  When  he  was  of  aire,  he  left  home, 
and  later  bought  and  operated  a  farm  in  Nettle 
Creek  Township,  until  1903.  In  that  year  he 
rented  his  farm,  which  then  comprised  2-10 
acres,  and  moved  to  Morris,  where  lie  em- 
barked in  the  real  estate  business,  handling  city 
and  farm  realty,  and  making  loans  on  real 
estate. 

In  February,  1SS7,  Mr.  Marvick  was  married 


to  Maggie  Bjelland.  born  in  DeKalb  County,  111. 
The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marvick*  are: 
Ruby  Grace,  Mrs.  Walter  T.  Uarland  of  LaSalle 
County,  111.;  then  Spencer,  of  Mollis;  Edith 
Myrtle,  Mrs.  William  l'age,  of  Morris;  F.  Leslie, 
attending  college  at  NorthSeld,  Minn.;  and 
Olive  B.,  Silas  c;.  and  Byron  Grant,  all  at 
home.  Mr.  Marvick  belongs  to  the  Bethlehem 
Lutheran  Church.  While  living  in  Nettle  Creek 
Township,  Mr.  Marvick  served  as  supervisor 
from  1S93  to"  1903,  being  elected  ou  the  Repub- 
lican ticket.  Since  embarking  in  his  present 
undertaking,  Mr.  .Marvick  lias  proven  himself 
to  he  a  reliable,  substantia]  man  of  business, 
ami  one  who  deserves  the  respect  and  confidence 
of  his  associates. 

MATHEWS,  David  Alfred.— In  every  community 
there  are  certain  men  who  develop  into  leaders 
of  their  kind.  Some  attain  local  distinction  as 
business  men.  others  as  politicians,  while  some 
combine  both  claims  to  leadership.  Morris  is 
fortunate  in  having  so  many  men  of  more  than 
average  ability,  and  one  of  them  worthy  of  spe- 
cial mention  is  David  Alfred  Mathews,  whose 
services  in  political  office  have  been  valuable, 
while  he  lias  added  to  the  general  prosperity 
of  the  community  by  locating  here  so  many  of 
his  business  interests.  Mr.  Mathews  was  born 
in  Delaware  County,  Pa.,  August  Is,  1S47,  son 
of  John  McIIenry  and  -Margaret  (Ashton) 
Mathews,  natives  of  Maryland  and  England,  re- 
spectively. The  parents  were  married  in  Penn- 
sylvania, and  the  father  died  before  his  son, 
David  A.,  was  a  year  old.  The  mother  came  to 
Kendall  County  in  1850,  and  there  married 
Thomas  lloyle,  and  survived  him. 

David  Alfred  Mathews  made  his  home  with 
his  mother  and  step-father,  and  attended  the 
local  public  schools.  After  his  marriage  in 
1SG9,  he  began  farming  in  Kendall  County,  con- 
tinuing his  agricultural  operations  until  1S92, 
when  he  came  to  Morris  and  invested  very 
heavily  in  city  property,  now  owning  a  beauti- 
ful residence,  a  business  block  and  a  number  of 
houses  which  lie  rents.  When  the  Morris  Hos- 
pital was  organized.  December  5,  1900,  and  in- 
corporated under  the  State  laws,  Mr.  Mathews 
was  made  president;  M.  U.  Hull,  secretary,  and 
James  Hanson,  treasurer.  Later  the  organiza- 
tion consisted  of  live  trustees:  D.  A.  Mathews, 
president,  and  L.  S.  Hogue,  J.  Leach,  Thomas 
Hall  and  Eugene  Cryder.  The  original  medi- 
cal staff  was  A.  E.  Palmer,  deceased ;  Frank 
Palmer,  G.  T.  Nelson,  deceased ;  T.  C.  Bowber, 
II.  M.  Ferguson  and  W.  E.  Walsh.  This -in- 
stitution is  a  tine  one  and  has  accommodations 
for  twenty-five  patients. 

On  December  23,  1S09,  when  he  was  twenty- 
two  years  old,  Mr.  Mathews  was  married  to 
Mary  Ilephzibah  Leach,  born  in  Nettle  Creek 
Township,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Mary  ( Liv- 
sey)  Leach,  natives  of  England.  .Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Mathews  had  one  son,  Arthur  E.,  who  was 
killed  by  the  kick  of  a  horse  when  aged  twenty- 
four  years.     He  married  Mary  E.  Cobleigh,  and 


862 


HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


their  daughter,  Fern,  died  at  the  ago  of  seven- 
teen months. 

Mr.  Mathews  has  taken  a  very  active  part 
in  politics,  being  a  staunch  Republican,  and  lias 
served  as  alderman  of  his  ward  for  live  years. 
While  living  in  Kendall  County,  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  school  board  for  nine  years,  and  was 
elected  supervisor  of  Morris  Township  April  7, 
1914.  He  is  a  Chapter  and  Knight  Templar 
Mason,  being  connected  with  the  local  lodge  at 
Morris  and  Medinah  Temple,  Mystic  Shrine,  at 
Chicago;  belongs  also  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias 
and  the  Pythian  Sisters,  and  the  Eastern  Star. 
He  is  vice-president  of  the  Lincoln  Club  of 
Morris,  and  is  in  every  way  a  man  of  worth. 

MATHISEN,  Knudt,  one  of  the  substantial  and 
progressive  agriculturists  of  Grundy  County, 
who  is  carrying  on  general  farming  operations 
on  an  excellent  tract  of  ISO  acres,  located  in 
Section  33,  Garfield  Township,  is  a  native  of 
a  country  to  which  America  is  indebted  for 
some  of  its  best  citizenship,  as  he  was  born  in 
Norway,  in  1S3G,  a  son  of  Math  Mathisen,  who 
died  in  Norway  at  the  age  of  forty  years,  fol- 
lowing which  the  mother  and  four  children, 
Knudt,  Anna,  Mary  and  Susan,  came  to  the 
United  States  to  join  the  three  children,  Matt, 
Peter  and  Maggie,  who  had  preceded  them,  and 
whom  they  reached  at  Morris,  TIL,  in  1S70. 

In  his  native  land.  Knudt  Mathisen  received 
his  education  in  the  public  schools,  in  the 
meantime  assisting  his  father  with  the  work 
of  the  home  place,  lie  was  also  for  some  years 
engaged  in  fishing,  but  on  coming  to  America 
again  applied  himself  to  tilling  the  soil,  in 
which  he  has  continued  to  bo  occupied  to  the 
present  time.  In  1S92  he  purchased  his  present 
property,  on  which  he  has  made  all  the  im- 
provements, and  although  he  is  now  living 
somewhat  retired,  with  his  sou  doing  the  ac- 
tive work  of  the  place,  he  still  takes  a  great 
interest  in  the  work,  and  keeps  himself  fully 
abreast  of  the  various  changes  and  advance- 
ments of  agriculture.  He  has  succeeded  be- 
cause he  has  possessed  industry,  ability  and 
perseverance,  and  because  he  has  over  main- 
tained a  reputation  for  tne  strictest  integrity 
in  matters  of  business.  Essentially  a  farmer. 
he  has  never  been  an  aspirant  for  political 
honors,  but  served  one  term  as  a  member  of 
the  School  Board,  and  has  always  supported 
Republican  candidates  and  principles. 

In  lSfi2  Mr.  Mathisen  was  married  to  Miss 
Sarah  Munson,  who  was  born,  reared  and  edu- 
cated in  the  same  place  as  her  husband  and 
there  married.  They  became  the  parents  of 
eight  children,  as  follows :  Sarah  Munson,  Matt, 
Gertie,  Muns,  Annie  Siegel,  Sadie  Edmunds. 
Myrtie  Onsen  and  Knudt.  Jr.  The  last  named 
is  managing  his  lather's  property,  and  is  known 
as  one  of  the  practical  farmers  of  Garfield 
Township.  The  family  has  long  been  con- 
nected with  the  Congregational  Church,  and 
its  members  are  known  as  honest,  industrious 
and  God-fearing  people. 


MATTESON,  Beriah  H.— Those  who  know  and 
appreciate  the  value  of  the  business  interests 
at  Morris,  understand  that  they  must  of  neces- 
sity be  guarded  by  men  of  more  than  usual 
acumen,  and  one  who  has  contributed  bis  share 
towards  developing  his  locality  is  Beriah  II. 
Matteson.  He  was  born  in  Lapeer  County, 
Mich.,  August  3,  1S56,  a  son  of  Beriah  H.  and 
Susan  (Jones)  Matteson,  he  born  in  1811  in 
Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  and  she  in  1S12,  at  Buffalo, 
N.  Y.  They  were  married  in  the  latter  city, 
and  soon  thereafter  moved  to  Lapeer  County, 
Mich.,  settling  in  the  wild  timber,  in  which 
he  had  to  clear  a  space  for  his  log  house.  Fol- 
lowing this  he  cleared  off  the  remainder  of  his 
land  and  developed  a  valuable  farm,  operating 
it  until  1^73,  when  he  sold  and  moved  to  Morris 
and  lived  retired  until  his  death  on  July  2S, 
18S5.  His  widow  survived  him  until  December 
10,  1SSG.  They  had  nine  children,  five  of  whom 
are  living,  namely  :  Storey,  who  is  of  Morris, 
111.;  Rosy,  who  is  Mrs.  Frank  Dwyer  of  Spo- 
kane, Wash.;  Arella,  who  is  Mrs.  O.  C.  Dwyer 
of  Chicago,  111.:  flattie,  who  is  Mrs.  James 
Stevens  of  Washington ;  and  Beriah  II.,  who 
was  the  youngest  of  the  family. 

Beriah  II.  Matteson  remained  with  his  par- 
ents, attending  school  and  making  himself  use- 
ful about  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty  years 
old,  when  he  began  farming  in  Saratoga  Town- 
ship, Grundy  County.  After  four  years  in  that 
township,  he  went  to  Nettle  Creek  Township 
and  remained  seven  years,  and  then  in  Janu- 
ary, 190fi,  he  moved  to  Morris,  purchased  a 
handsome  residence,  and  the  outfit  for  sprink- 
ling the  streets,  and  since  then  has  held  the 
contract  for  this  work. 

Mr.  Matteson  was  married  at  Morris,  De- 
cember 2~>,  1S70.  to  Lizzie  Coop,  who  was  born 
in  Aux  Sable  Township,  a  daughter  of  John 
and  Nancy  (Sandiford)  Coop  of  Lancashire, 
England.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Coop  were  married  in 
England,  but  later  came  to  Aux  Sable  Town- 
ship. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Matteson  have  had  the  fol- 
lowing children:  Melvin,  who  is  of  Morris;  Lee, 
who  is  of  Nettle  Creek  Township ;  Nettie,  who 
is  Mrs.  Ed.  Hall  of  Morris;  Howard,  who  is  of 
Morris;  Jessie,  who  is  Mrs.  Bay  Thayer  of 
Odell,  111.;  Olive,  who  is  at  home;  and  Myrtle 
and  Pearl,  who  are  at  home.  Mr.  Matteson  is  a 
Republican  and  served  as  Alderman  from  the 
Fourth  ward  of  Morris  for  two  years.  Fra- 
ternally he.  is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Wood- 
men of  the  World  and  the  Royal  Neighbors. 
His  religious  connections  are  with  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  An  earnest,  reliable,  steadfast 
man,  Mr.  Matteson  can  be  relied  upon  to  do 
his  full  duty  and  his  excellent  qualities  are  ap- 
preciated  by  his   wide  circle  of  friends. 

MATTESON,  Elwin  J.— The  Matteson  family  is 
one  of  the  old  ones  of  Grundy  County  and'  its 
representatives  are  to  be  found  engaged  in  va- 
rious lines  of  endeavor,  but,  they  are  specially 
well  known  as  agriculturalists,  and  as  such 
are  rendering  valuable  aid  in  providing  food 
stuffs  for  the  country.     One  of  these  men,  who 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


863 


is  a  successful  farmer  of  Saratoga  Township, 
is  Elvvin  J.  Matteson,  bom  near  Geneva  Lake. 
Wis.,  December  7,  1S47,  son  of  Thoinpkins  and 
Cythera  (Wilson)  Matteson.  These  parents 
were  born  in  Genesee  County,  X.  Y.,  and  were 
married  in  their  native  State,  but  early  in 
their  wedded  life  moved  to  Wisconsin  where 
they  took  up  land  and  engaged  in  farming.  In 
ISSo  they  came  to  Aux  Sable  Township,  Grundy 
County,    111.,    where    both    died. 

Growing  up  in  Wisconsin,  Ehvin  J.  Matteson 
attended  the  district  schools  of  his  native  lo- 
cality and  also  learned  how  to  farm,  from 
the  beginning  on  up.  In  1SS3  he  came  to 
Grundy  County  and  for  eight  years  lived  in  Aux 
Sable  Township,  then  bought  fifty  acres  of 
land  in  Saratoga  Township,  one  and  one-half 
miles  from  Morris,  on  the  north  of  the  city. 
■  Here  he  has  developed  a  fine  property  and 
his  work  is  yielding  him   excellent  results. 

In  September,  1ST.",  Mr.  Matteson  was  mar- 
ried to  Anna  B.  Collins,  born  in  Saratoga  Town- 
ship, who  died  in  April,  1SSG.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  Joshua  and  Harriet  (Cryder)  Col- 
lins, natives  of  New  York  State  ond  Ohio,  re- 
spectively. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Matteson  had  two 
children:  Eugene  W.,  who  lives  in  Saratoga 
Township;  and  Price  C,  who  lives  at  Morris. 
On  January  22,  ISsf).  Mr.  Matteson  married 
(second)  Mary  Walstrom,  born  in  Sweden, 
daughter  of  Eric  and  Keziah  (Larson)  Wal- 
strom. Mr.  Walstrom  came  to  Morris  in  lS<i'.>, 
the  family  following  in  1S70.  Later,  they  set- 
tled on  a  farm  in  Kendall  County,  111.,  where 
he  died  February  21,  1012.  His  widow  lives 
with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Matteson.  One  daughter, 
Anna  Bell,  was  born  of  this  second  marriage 
of  Mr.  Matteson,  on  November  2.  1897.  Mr. 
Matteson  is  a  Republican.  Fraternally  he  be- 
longs to  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  to  the 
Masonic  order,  being  now  a  Knight  Templar 
and  a  member  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  Medinah 
Temple,  Chicago.  A  man  of  practical  ideas, 
he  has  never  failed  to  make  the  most  of  oppor- 
tunities as  presented,  and  his  present  success 
is  well  merited. 

MATTESON,  Eugene  W.— Advanced  agriculture 
has  many  followers  in  Grundy  County,  for  the 
farmers  here  are  men  of  intelligence  who  appre- 
ciate the  necessity  for  using  the  latest  methods 
in  working  their  land  so  that  they  may  force 
it  to  produce  to  its  full  capacity.  One  of  the 
prosperous  general  farmers  of  this  locality 
who  is  conducting  a  farm  of  320  acres  of  land, 
is  Eugene  W.  Matteson  of  Saratoga  Township. 
He  was  born  in  this  township,  September  15, 
1S75,  son  of  E.  J.  and  Anna  (Collins)  Matte- 
son, natives  of  Wisconsin  and  Saratoga  Town- 
ship, respectively. 

While  growing  up  on  his  father's  farm,  Eu- 
gene W.  Matteson  learned  much  about  agricul- 
ture. He  attended  the  common  schools  and  the 
Morris  High  school.  Until  1S9S  he  resided  with 
his  parents,  and  then  moved  to  a  magnificent 
farm   left  to  him  by  his  mother,  on  which  he 


carries  on  diversified  farming  with  profitable 
results. 

On  March  15,  1S9S,  Mr.  Matteson  was  married 
to  Julia  Walstrom,  born  in  Grundy  County, 
November  9,  1S7G,  daughter  of  Eric  Walstrom, 
a  native  of  Sweden.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Matteson 
have  four  children:  Earl,  Ralph,  Florence  and 
Evelin.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  but 
has  never  cared  for  public  olliee,  his  time  and 
attention  being  too  fully  occupied  with  his 
business  of  farming  for  him  to  engage  in  out- 
side matters.  He  stands  high  in  Masonic  circles, 
belonging  to  the  Blue  Lodge  of  Minooka,  the 
Chapter  and  Commandery  of  Morris,  and  the 
Mystic  Shrine  of  Chicago.  A  man  of  energy, 
he  has  forged  ahead,  and  is  now  justly  num- 
bered among  the  leading  agriculturalists  of 
Saratoga  Township.  Although  he  was  not  com- 
pelled to  earn  his  land,  he  has  developed  and 
improved  it  to  such  an  extent  that  he  has 
proven  his  worth  and  capability. 

MATTESON,    Story    Hibbard     (deceased).— In 

the  life  and  achievements  of  the  late  Story  Hib- 
bard Matteson,  whose  death  occurred  at  bis 
home  in  Morris,  April  S,  1913,  there  is  found 
something  worthy  of  emulation  by  every  aspir- 
ing youth — something  of  a  nature  encouraging 
to  those  who  are  struggling,  without  means  or 
influence,  to  gain  a  position  and  fortune  among 
their  fellows.  From  a  penniless  farm  laborer  he 
worked  his  way  steadily  to  the  position  of  being 
one  of  the  larger  land  holders  of  Grundy 
County  and  to  the  directing  head  of  a  number 
of  his  community's  most  important  enterprises, 
at  all  times  holding  the  respect  and  esteem  of 
those  about  him.  Although  living  retired  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  having  reactied  the  age  of 
seventy-four  years,  he  still  took  an  active  inter- 
est in  all  that  affected  the  welfare  of  Morris, 
and  could  be  depended  upon  to  support  both 
with  his  means  and  influence  any  movement 
making  for  the  general  good  of  its  people. 

Story  Hibbard  Matteson  was  born  at  Lapeer, 
Lapeer  County,  Mich.,  February  15.  1*39,  a 
son  of  P.eriah  II.  and  Susan  (Jones)  Matteson, 
natives,  respectively,  of  Canada  and  Xew  York 
State.  The  parents  were  married  in  the  latter 
locality,  and  settled  in  Michigan  during  early 
wedded  life,  remaining  there  on  a  farm  until 
1S66,  when  they  disposed  of  their  property  and 
went  to  Wisconsin.  There  they  continued  seven 
years,  when  once  more  they  sold  out  and  moved 
to  Morris,  where  they  passed  the  remainder 
of  their  lives.  Story  II.  Matteson  received  an 
ordinary  education  in  the  district  schools  of 
Lapeer  County,  Mich.,  and  when  twenty-two 
years  of  age  left  home  and  came  to  Morris.  111. 
He  was  practically  penniless  and  with  no  in- 
fluential friends,  but  soon  obtained  work  on  a 
farm  and  continued  at  the  same  occupation 
for  three  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he 
was  allowed  to  work  on  shares,  and  by  industry 
and  frugal  living  he  was  able  to  accumulate 
something  over  $1,000,  with  which  he  made  a 
payment  on  100  acres  of  land,  at  $40  an  acre. 
After  his  marriage,  he  rented  land  for  one  year 


864 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


and  then  operated  some  property  owned  by  his 
father-in-law.  At  the  time  of  the  hitter's  death, 
Mrs.  Matteson  inherited  <.i40  acres  of  land  in 
Saratoga  Township,  and  to  this  Mr.  Matteson 
subsequently  added  until  there  were  1,000  acres 
in  this  farm,  all  lying  in  Grundy  County.  He 
was  also  the  owner  of  several  hundred  acres 
of  land  in  Johnson  County,  Mo.  In  IS'JS  he 
retired  from  Ins  agricultural  operations  and 
moved  to  Morris,  where  he  maintained  his  home 
up  to  the  time  of  his  death.  His  connection 
with  large  business  and  financial  enterprises 
was  extended.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers 
of  the  Morris  Grain  Company,  of  winch  he  was 
the  president  from  the  time  of  ils  inception, 
and  associated  with  him  in  this  enterprise  as 
the  directors  of  the  company  wore  .1.  A.  Wilson, 
O.  T.  Wilson,  J.  M.  .Pattison,  J.  It.  Collins,  O.  E.- 
Collins and  Cryder  Collins.  The  company 
owned  and  operated  two  elevators  and  handled 
immense  amounts  of  grain  annually.  He  was 
one  of  the  directing  officers  of  the  Grundy 
County  Bank  and  of  the  Farmers  ami  Mer- 
chants Bank,  at  Morris,  and  was  the  owner  of 
the  largest  amount  of  stock  and  outstanding 
securities  of  the  Gazette,  published  here.  A 
man  of  peculiarities  and  pronounced  feeling  in 
many  ways,  those  who  knew  him  best  found  him 
a  man  of  large  heart  and  deep  sympathy,  ready 
to  give  a  helping  hand  upon  occasion  when  he 
was,  perhaps,  the  only  one.  During  the  week 
prior  to  his  death  lie  was  one  of  the  committee 
soliciting  funds  for  the  Hood  sufferers.  He  con- 
tributed to  the  successful  growth  of  the  city 
in  many  ways.  Politically  he  was  always  a 
Democrat,  and  at  one  time  was  a  member  of 
the  Morris  city  council,  although  office  holding 
did  not  appeal  strongly  to  him.  A  high  Mason, 
he  attained  to  the  thirty-second  degree,  be- 
longed to  Medinah  Temple  of  the  .Mystic  Shrine 
of  Chicago,  held  membership  in  the  Eastern 
Star  of  Morris,  and  his  funeral  was  in  charge 
of  the  Knights  Templar  Commandery. 

While  he  had  been  attending  to  his  ordinary 
affairs  and  had  been  about  the  streets  right 
along,  members  of  the  family  knew  lie  was  in 
ill  health  and  had  been  worried  about  him. 
On  the  morning  of  April  S,  1013,  while  seated 
at    the    breakfast    table,    he    was    stricken,    and 

/  not  long  thereafter  he  passed  away,  after  sev- 
eral minutes  of  peaceful  sleep.  His  death 
caused  universal  sorrow  in  Morris.  The 
Gazette,      speaking    editorially,     said    in    part: 

-  "Three-quarters  of  a  century  ago  Story  H.  Mat- 
teson came  into  this  world.  Yesterday  his  soul 
passed  hack  again  into  that  great  unknown. 
The  seventy-four  intervening  years,  which  saw 
his  rise  from  a  poor  boy  to  a  man  of  influence 
iTi  the  community,  marked  him  as  an  exceptional 
character,  one  in  whom  the  good  predominated 
to  a  marked  degree  and  one  who  made  the  world 
better  because  of  his  having  lived  in  it.  .  . 
The  hook  of  life  contains  few  pages  as  spotless 
as  that  on  which  is  chronicled  the  earthly  career 
of  Story  II.  Matteson  and  as  we  stand  beside 
his  bier  for  a  last  look  upon  that  which  was 
mortal,  we  know  that  He  who  doeth  all  things 


well,  recognizes  better  than  it  is  possible  for 
mortal  man,  the  beauty  of  his  character,  and 
the  angels  in  heaven  are  rejoicing  over  another 
spirit  come  home." 

On  December  25,  1SG5,  Mr.  Matteson  was 
married  to  Miss  Virginia  Collins,  who  was  born 
in  Saratoga  Township,  Grundy  County,  111., 
daughter  of  Joshua  and  Harriet  (Cryder)  Col- 
lins, pioneers  of  this  county.  Mr.  and  .Mrs. 
.Matteson  became  the  parents  of  the  following 
children  :  William  E.,  who  is  a  resident  of 
Saratoga  Township;  Grace,  who  is  Mi's.  John 
Craig,  of  that  township;  Story  .1.,  Jr.,  also  re- 
siding there;  Cora,  who  is  Mrs.  J.  D.  McKeen, 
of  Morris;  Hattie.  residing  at  home;  Jennie, 
now  Mrs.  K.  E.  Quigley,  of  ltegina.  Canada;  and 
Cryder,  a  resident   of  Saratoga  Township. 

MATTESON,  William  Edward.— The  develop- 
ment in  the  stock  interests  of  Grundy  County, 
in  recent  years,  has  been  remarkable.  The 
farmers  of  this  locality  are  producing  as  fine  a 
quality  of  registered  stock  as  can  be  found  in 
any  part  of  the  country,  and  the  produce  is 
exhibited  at  all  of  the  stock  shows  annually,  a 
gratifying  number  of  the  blue  ribbons  going  to 
tile  growers  here.  One  of  the  men  who  is  giving 
special  attention  to  this  branch  of  agricultural 
life  is  William  Edward  Matteson.  who  belongs 
to  tin'  well-known  family  of  that  name  which 
has  been  associated  with  the  growth  of  Grundy 
County  for  many  years.  He  was  born  January 
5,  1m;s.  a  son  of  Story  and  Virginia  (Collins) 
Matteson.  well  known  people  of  this  locality, 
and  he  is  a  native  of  Saratoga  Township  where 
he  still  resides.  Growing  up  at  home,  he  at- 
tended the  local  schools,  and  then  spent  two 
years  at  the  Morris  High  school.  When  he 
attained  bis  majority,  he  began  farming  on  his 
father's  homestead,  and  now  has  100  acres  of 
as  line  land  as  can  be  found  in  the  entire  town- 
ship. 

On  February  22,  1S92,  Mr.  Matteson  married 
May  Widney,  born  in  Kendall  Comity,  daughter 
of  John  and  Einilv  (Van  Duzer)  Widney,  na- 
tives of  Will  County,  111.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Matte- 
son had  two  children:  Russell  and  Virginia, 
who  are  at  home.  The  mother  of  these  children 
died  April  <i,  190G.  Mr.  Matteson  is  independent 
in  his  political  views.  Fraternally,  he  belongs 
to  the  Knights  of  Pythias  of  Morris.  For  some 
years  Mr.  Matteson  has  been  specializing  on 
raising  Pereheron  horses  and  Duroc-Jersey 
hogs,  and  has  been  very  successful  along  this 
line,  being  a  recognized  authority  upon  these 
two  strains,  as  well  as  a  prosperous  farmer  of 
Saratoga  Township. 

M'ALLISTER,  William  J.,  Mayor  of  South 
Wilmington,  and  one  of  the  leading  men  of 
Grundy  County  has  held  this  important  oflice 
since  Pill,  and  has  been  responsible  for  the 
progressive  movement  in  civic  affairs  which  has 
placed  this  community  in  the  vanguard  of  those 
seeking  to  reach  a  high  standard,  lie  was  born 
at  Streator.  Ilk.  in  lsTo,  a  son  of  Hector  and 
Hannah    (Elwood)    McAllister,   natives   of   Eng- 


:  y^m 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


8G5 


land.  Hector  McAllister  was  a  miner  in  his 
native  land  prim-  to  coming  to  this  county  at 
•  the  age  of  eighteen  years.  lie  located  at 
Streator,  111.,  where  he  continued  his  mining 
operations  and  was  state  inspector  of  mines, 
having,  held  (his  imiwrtant  office  for  sixteen 
years.  lie  and  his  wife  still  reside  at  Streator. 
They  have  had  the  following  children:  Mar- 
garet Beard;  one  who  died  in  infancy:  Eliza- 
beth Morrison;  James:  one  who  died  in  in- 
fancy; William  J.;  Mattie  Hall;  and  Bertha 
Ramsey. 

William  J.  .McAllister  was  reared  at  Streator, 
where  lie  attended  the  public  schools,  spending 
four  years  in  the  High  school.  He  then  entered 
the  machine  shop  of  the  c.  W.  &  Coal  Co.,  at 
Streator.  111.,  continuing  there  until  15.103  when 
he  was  transferred  t < >  the  South  Wilmington 
plant  of  the  same  company,  now  being  one  of 
their  master  mechanics.  On  December  11.  ISOo, 
Mi'.  McAllister  married  Florence  Bro'oker,  who 
was  born- in  England,  hut  was  reared  at  Streat- 
or. 111.  They  have  the  following  children: 
Chester,  who  is  working  under  his  father;  Mar- 
jorie,  who  is  at  home;  and  Elwood.  Mr.  Mc- 
Allister is  a  Republican,  and  has  been  honored 
by  his  party  by  election  to  his  present  office. 
to  which  he  was  elected  in  1913.  The  Baptist 
Church  holds  his  membership.  Fraternally  he 
is  a  Mason  and  belongs  also  to  the  Loyal  Amer- 
icans of  Streator.  111.  A  conscientious  official 
and  skilled  workman  Mr.  McAllister  i--  a  man 
of  whom  his  community  may  well  he  proud  for 
he  stands  fur  good  citizenship  and  moral  uplift 
and  is  a  ]X)werlul  factor  in  the  county. 

McBRIDE,  N.,  who  came  to  Morris  in  1855, 
was  one  of  its  earlier  business  men  whose  ef- 
forts were  directed  towards  the  successful 
carrying  on  of  an  insurance  and  surveying 
business.  He  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  .Tune 
13,  1S24,  a  son  of  James  McBride.  After  locat- 
ing at  Morris,  Mr.  McBride  developed  into  one 
of  the  leading  men  of  the  city,  and  was  made 
Police  Magistrate  and  later  County  Surveyor, 
and  held  both  offices  many  years.  He  was  first 
married  April  20,  1846,  to  Lydia  Davidson,  who 
died  at  Morris  in  1S76.  On  May  2,  ]s77,  Mr. 
McBride  was  married  (second)  to  A.  F.  Eng- 
lish. By  his  first  marriage  he  had  five  chil- 
dren.    In  polities  he  was  a   Republican. 

M'CAMBRIDGE,  Patrick.— Many  of  the  farmers 
of  Grundy  County  have  so  prospered  in  their 
operations  that  they  are  able  to  retire  com- 
paratively early  from  active  labor  and  live  in 
ease  and  comfort.  Patrick  McCamhridge,  of 
Kinsman,  111.,  is  one  of  the  men  who  has  gained 
a' comfortable  competence  from  his  farm  land. 
which  embraces  iw'n  aires  of  land  in  Grundy 
County,  400  of  which  are  in  Highland  Town- 
ship. He  was  born  in  the  northern  part  of 
Ireland  in  January.  1S30,  a  son  of  John  and 
Mary  (McAllister)  McCamhridge.  The  family 
came  to  America  in  1H40  and  settled  in  Kendall 
County,  removing  to  Grundy  County  in  ls,"i4, 
where  his  father  died  on   the  farm  in    Vienna 


Township,  his  mother  having  died  in  IS74.  To 
this  union  were  born  the  following  children: 
Margaret  and  Bridget,  deceased;  Mrs.  Mary 
Ann  O'Malley  of  Seneca,  111.;  John,  deceased; 
and  Patrick. 

Patrick  McCambridge  was  bom  and  reared  on 
a  farm,  and  received  his  schooling  in  the  dis- 
trict schools  of  Kendall  and  Grundy  Counties. 
His  first  position  was  on  a  farm  where  oxen 
were  used,  and  for  his  work"  he  received  $.s  a 
month.  Mr.  McCamhridge  was  well  acquainted 
with  the  old  Indian  chief  Shabbona.  On 
March  4,  1SS9,  Mr.  McCamhridge  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Catherine  Weir,  a  native  of 
Grundy  County,  and  daughter  of  John  and 
Catherine  (Ferall)  Weir.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Weir, 
who  are  deceased,  came  to  this  country  in  1S54, 
and  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children : 
Owen,  deceased;  Thomas,  Mrs.  Patrick  McCam- 
hridge, .Mary.  James.  Patrick,  deceased;  Sarah 
Connor,  and  Michael.  .Mi-,  and  Mrs.  Patrick 
McCambridge  had  three  children:  Mable,  de- 
ceased, and  John  and  James,  living  at  home. 
In  religious  belief,  Mr.  McCamhridge  is  a  Cath- 
olic in  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  his  policy 
being  to  vote  for  the  best  man.  He  has  been 
on  the  village  hoard  for  several  years,  and  is  a 
highly  respected  citizen. 

McCLOUD,  Jonathan  R.— It  is  no.  slight  task 
to  improve  land  which  has  never  been  under 
cultivation  and  yet  the  majority  of  the  older  ag- 
riculturalists have  developed  magnificent  farms 
from  raw  land.  One  of  the  men  who  has  a 
property  of  which  he  may  well  feel  proud,  as 
it  is  practically  the  work  of  his  own  hands,  is 
Jonathan  R.  McCloud  of  Aux  Sable  Township, 
born  in  Clinton  County.  X.  Y..  June  G,  1S35,  a 
son  of  John  and  Polina  (Rickerson)  McCloud. 
John  McCloud  was  born  in  Vermont,  and  his 
wife  in  Clinton  County,  X.  Y.  In  1N37  they 
came  westward  with  a  horse  team  to  Platt- 
ville,  Ilk,  to  join  Mrs.  McCloud's  parents,  Jona- 
than and  Esther  Rickerson,  who  had  previously 
come  to  Illinois.  John  McCloud  entered  gov- 
ernment land  in  Kendall  County,  hut  a  few 
years  later  moved  to  Livingston  County,  III.. 
where  he  again  entered  lat  d,  and  both  he  and 
his  wife  died  upon  it.  They  had  eight  chil- 
dren: Jonathan  P.;  Julia,  who  is  Mrs.  David 
Tabler  of  Aux  Sable  Township;  Piatt,  who  is 
of  Will  County,  Ilk:  Simeon,  who  is  of  Liv- 
ingston County ;  James,  who  died  in  California  ; 
Jemima,  twin  of  James,  is  deceased:  John,  who 
is  of  Southern  Illinois;  and  Martin,  living  on 
the  old  homestead. 

When  he  was  twenty-five  years  old,  Jonathan 
R.  McCloud  came  to  Grundy  County  and  bought 
fifty-seven  acres  of  unimproved  land  in  Aux 
Sable  Township.  He  imediately  began  devel- 
oping it,  erecting  all  the  buildings  and  putting 
in  many  desirable  improvements  until  now  it  is 
very  valuable.  lie  has  always  carried  on  grain 
farming.  In  February,  LSS7,  Mr.  McCloud  was 
married  to  Marsaret  Kerr,  born  in  Scotland. 
They  have  no  children.  Politically  Mr.  McCloud 
is  a  Republican.     He  is  a  man  of  action  rather 


866 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


than  words  and  stands  well  In  his  neighborhood 
where  he  has  spent  so  large  a  part  of  his  life. 

M'NULTY,  Robert  W.,  who  lias  served  capably 
and  conscientiously  in  the  capacity  of  post- 
master since  1000,  at  Smith  Wilmington,  111.,  is 
one  of  his  community's  foremost  citizens,  and 
his  signal  services  in  various  official  positions 
have  won  him  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his 
fellow-townsmen.  Mr.  McXulty  was  born  in  the 
town  of  Braidwood,  Will  County,  111.,  in  August 
15,  1S70,  and  is  a  son  of  William  and  Margaret 
(Walker)  McXulty.  William  McXulty  was 
horn,  educated,  reared  and  married  in  Scotland, 
and  there  was  engaged  in  working  in  the  coal 
mines  until  1807,  in  which  year  lie  emigrated 
to  the  United  States,  coming  at  once  to  Braid- 
wood,  111.,  where  he  secured  employment  in 
the  mines.  His  wife  joined  him  at  that  place 
in  1S09,  and  they  made  their  residence  there 
until  1902,  when  the  family  came  to  South  Wil- 
mington. Here  William  McXulty  died  in  Jan- 
uary, 1004.  while  his  widow  survived  him  until 
June.  1011.  and  both  were  laid  to  rest  in  the 
cemetery  at  Braidwood.  They  were  the  parents 
of  seven  children:  William,  who  is  a  resident 
of  Pennsylvania;  Daniel,  whose  home  is  in 
Colorado:  Robert;  James,  who  died  August-  5, 
1013.  at  South  Wilmington,  III.:  Thomas,  who 
lives  in  Kansas;  Margaret,  of  Braidwood.  111.; 
Mary,  who  is  the  wife  of  Anton  Kaiser,  of 
Braidwood:  and  Janet,  who  married  Carl 
Kruise,  of  Chicago. 

The  early  educational  advantages  of  Robert 
McXulty  were  somewhat  limited,  as  at  the  age 
of  ten  years  he  left  the  public  schools  of  Braid- 
wood to  take  up  the  work  of  a  printer's  "devil." 
and  was  so  engaged  until  entering  the  mines 
with  his  father  at  the  age  of  twelve.  In  1000, 
when  appointed  postmaster  of  South  Wilming- 
ton, Mr.  McXulty  left  the  mines,  and  since  that 
time  has  devoted  himself  to  his  official  duties, 
in  addition  to  which  he  handles  an  up-to-date 
line  of  school  supplies  and  stationery.  He  has 
proved  to  he  an  efficient,  courteous  and  faithful 
public  servant,  and  in  his  business  affairs  is 
known  to  be  strictly  reliable  and  honorable  in 
his  dealings.  He  has  long  been  prominent  in 
Republican  politics,  for  as  early  as  1SS9  he  was 
elected  the  first  mayor  of  South  Wilmington,  in 
which  capacity  he  served  one  year.  Subsequent- 
ly he  was  made  the  first  fire  marshal  here, 
and  still  continues  to  occupy  that  office.  Before 
coining  to  this  place,  he  served  two  years  as 
alderman  of  Braidwood.  His  entire  public  serv- 
ice will  stand  the  closest  examination  and  no 
stain  or  blemish  mars  his  record. 

On  Xovember  3,  1S95,  by  Rev.  Win.  E.  Cra- 
ven, of  Joliet.  Ilk.  Mr.  McXulty  was  married 
to  Miss  Jennie  Palmer,  who  was  horn  in  Eng- 
land, April  29,  1S7S,  and  came  to  the  I'nited 
States  with  her  parents  when  two  years  of  age. 
Two  children  have  been  horn  to  this  union: 
Robert,  born  June  IS.  1S97,  now  attending 
college  at  Hanover,  Ind..  and  Wilbur,  January 
12,  lsoo,  attending  High  school  at  Gardner, 
111.      Mr.    McXulty    is    well    known    among    the 


miners  of  South  Wilmington  and  served  as  first 
president  of  the  union  here.  He  is  fraternally 
connected  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias  at  Braid- 
woo,!,  and  the  Odd  Fellows  at  Braceville,  and 
has  attained  to  high  position  in  Masonry,  being 
a  member  of  Braidwood  Blue  Lodge,  Wilming- 
ton Chapter,  Morris  Knights  Templar  am] 
Gardner  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star,  and  Shrine 
at  Peoria,  111.,  in  all  of  which  he  has  numerous 
friends. 

MEIER,  Authur  J.,  a  prosperous  agriculturalist 
of  Good  Farm  Township,  has  the  distinction 
of  being  a  grandson  of  John  Meier,  one  of  the 
first  .set  tiers  of  this  township,  who  emigrated 
from  Bavaria,  Germany,  in  the  latter  forties. 
and  located  in  Good  Farm  Township.  Grundy 
County.  With  his  wife  he  took  a  prominent  part 
in  the  beginning  of  what  is  now  one  of  the  best 
fanning  communities  of  the  county.  They  were 
the  parents  Of  four  sons  and  three  daughters: 
Augusta,  Carrie.  Maggie.  John,  Leonard,  George 
and  Henry.  Henry  Meier,  father  of  Arthur  J. 
Meier,  was  born  in  Good  Farm  Township,  where 
he  was  reared  on  the  homestead  of  his  lather, 
and  sent  to  the  neighborhood  schools.  He  was 
married  to  .Minnie  Schrotherger,  and  they  had 
nine  children,  six  Of  whom  are  deceased. 
Laura,  who  died  June  10,  1014,  lived  with  her 
parents.  Mable,  who  was  Mrs.  F.  Dransfel.lt. 
died  in  Good  Farm  Township,  February  12.  1014. 
Arthur  J.  and  Jesse,  who  lives  in  Good  Farm 
Township;  and  Pearl,  who  is  living  at  Dwight, 
111.,   with   her  parents,  the  father  being  retired. 

Authur  J.  Meier  was  born  in  Good  Farm 
Township,  Xovember  14.  1SS2,  and  while  as- 
sisting his  father  in  the  work  of  the  farm,  went 
to  school.  He  remained  with  his  father  until 
he  was  twenty-six  years  old  at  which  time  he 
married  and  settled  on  120  acres  of  the  old 
homestead.  On  this  property  he  is  carrying  on 
general  farming,  making  a  specialty  of*  breed- 
ing Chester  White  hogs  and  thoroughbred  Rhode 
Island  chickens. 

On  June  22.  1000,  Mr.  Meier  was  married  to 
Nellie  Patmore  of  Gardner,  TIL,  a  daughter  of 
Orlando  and  Anna  (Gough)  Patmore,  natives 
of  Pennsylvania  and  of  Xova  Scotia,  respect- 
ively. They  came  to  Gardner,  111.,  where  the 
father  died  in  1S9G,  his  burial  being  in  the 
Braceville  Cemetery.  The  mother  survives,  hav- 
ing married  (second)  George  Beverly,  of  Gard- 
ner, HI.  There  were  three  children  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Patmore:  Lucinda,  who  is  now 
Mrs.  George  Myers  of  Joliet,  Til. ;  Xellie,  who 
is  Mrs.  Authur  Meier;  and  Erwin,  who  is  living 
at  Joliet,  111.  There  were  two  children  born 
to  the  second  marriage  of  Mrs.  Meier's  mother: 
Edward  Beverly,  who  is  living  at  Gardner,  111.; 
and  Mayona.  who  is  deceased,  and  is  buried  in 
the  Braceville  Cemetery.  Mr.  Meier  is  one  of 
the  progressive  farmers  of  the  county  and  lie 
and  his  wife  take  an  important  part  in  the 
social  affairs  of  this  locality,  their  hospitable 
home  being  the  scene  of  many  pleasant 
gatherings. 


(£?  ■  \J <rpi< 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


SG7 


MENOZZI,  Isodoro,  one  of  the  business  men  of 
South  Wilmington,  is  another  of  the  sons  of 
Italy  who  have  succeeded  in  the  new  world 
which  he  chose  as  his  home.  He  was  born  in 
northern  Italy  in  1S75,  a  son  of  Cfeser  ami 
Clotilda  (Ferrari)  Menozzi,  both  natives  of 
Italy.  The  father  was  a  merchant  and  farmer 
in  his  native  land,  continuing  in  business  until 
his  death.  The  mother  is  also  deceased,  both 
passing  away  in  Italy.  They  had  the  following 
children:  Artimeo,  who  resides  in  Italy;  Rita, 
who  resides  at  Clark  City.  111.;  Pete,  who  re- 
sides at  Cardiff,  111.;  .Massimo,  who  lives  in 
Italy;  Isodoro;  and  .Marie,  who  lives  in  Italy, 
living,  and  Angelo,  who  died  in  Italy;  Joseph, 
who  was  killed  at  Clark  City,  111.,  in  a  mine 
accident;  four  who  died  when  very  young;  and 
Cleinenta,  who  died  in  Italy. 

Isodoro  Menozzi  assisted  his  father  while 
attending  school,  thus  continuing  until  he  was 
thirteen  years  old.  at  which  time  he  began 
working  as  a  laborer.  Within  three  years  he 
went  to  France  and  was  employed  in  excavating 
a  tunnel.  Desiring  to  enter  broader  fields,  he 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1006,  and  for  a 
year  worked  in  the  mines  at  Coal  Gate,  Okla., 
but  returned  to  Italy  in  1007  and  gave  his 
country  a  military  service  of  one  year.  In  1000 
he  returned  to  Oklahoma,  but  after  a  short  stay, 
came  to  South  Wilmington,  Ilk.  and  embarked 
in  his  present  business.  lie  is  also  treasurer 
of  East  Brooklyn.  111.,  and  is  highly  regarded 
by  his  associates. 

In  1002  Mr.  Menozzi  was  married  to  Gilda 
Monari.  the  ceremony  taking  place  in  Italy. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Menozzi  have  had  four  children: 
C.Tsar,  JIattio,  Xora  and  Frederico,  all  at  home. 
Ho  belongs  to  the  Cables,  the  Marco  Polo  Lodge 
of  the  Solar  Risplendente.  The  Catholic  Church 
holds  his  membership.  Politically  he  is  a  Re- 
publican, and  a   leader  in  his  party. 

MERRIAM,  William  Richardson  (deceased). — 
The  records  of  Grundy  County  show  that  many 
of  its  substantial  citizens  gained  their  com- 
petence from  fanning.  Pater  on  in  life  many  of 
these  men  retired  from  the  farm,  and  coming 
to  the  County  Seat,  passed  their  declining  years 
in  peace  and  comfort.  The  late  William  Rich- 
ardson Merriam,  after  a  somewhat  eventful  life, 
located  on  a  farm  in  Wauponsee  Township  and 
lived  there  until  his  retirement.  He  was  horn 
in  Jefferson  County.  X.  Y..  November  29,  1S29, 
a  son  of  Archibald  and  Polly  (Bowhall)  Mer- 
riam. natives  of  New  York.  The  father  died 
in  1S35. 

When  he  was  nineteen  years  old.  William 
Richardson  Merriam  learned  the  trade  of  eabi- 
netmaking  and  painting,  and  in  1*1^,  came  west 
to  Somonauk.  111.  Pater  he  obtained  employ- 
ment on  a  farm  by  the  month,  and  after  a  year, 
went  to  Joliet.  Ilk.  where  he  worked  on  the  Illi- 
nois and  Michigan  Canal  as  bowsman.  Within 
eighteen  months  he  was  made  steersman  of  a 
freight  boat  which  was  consigned  to  John  P.. 
Chapin  &  Co..  of  Chicago.  Mr.  Merriam  entered 
the  employ  of  this  firm,  and  after  seven  years 


became  owner  of  a  boat  called  William  Merriam. 
Two  years  later,  he  sold  a  half  interest,  and  two 
years  after  that,  disposed  of  his  other  half. 
In  1SG1,  he  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Wau- 
ponsee Township,  and  operated  it  until  1SS4, 
when  he  retired.  In  the  meanwhile,  he  had 
added  to  his  holdings  until  he  owned  2S0  acres. 
Retiring  from  the  farm  in  ls^-4,  he  came  to 
Morris  ami  bought  a  handsome  residence  on 
East  Washington  street,  where  he  died,  Sep- 
tember 3,  P.  H  n. 

On  March  26,  1S54,  Mi-.  Merriam  was  married 
at  Saratoga.  Ilk,  to  Rubie  S.  Lyons,  born  in 
Jefferson  County,  X.  Y..  October  30.  1S30.  a 
daughter  of  Vernon  and  Maria  (Taylor)  Lyons, 
natives  of  New  York  State.  The  family  moved 
to  Kendall  County,  Ilk.  in  1S47,  locating  six 
miles  east  of  Lisbon,  and  in  1S57,  came  to 
Morris,  where  Mr.  Lyons  died  August  27.  Ps;^', 
aged  sixty-three  years.  His  wife  died  Decem- 
ber 1,  1SS5.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Merriam  had  no  issue. 
Mr.  Merriam  was  a  Methodist,  and  in  politics, 
was  a  Republican,  although  he  never  cared  for 
public  office.  Since  the  death  of  her  husband, 
Mrs.  Merriam  has  lived  at  her  residence,  gen- 
erally alone,  she  is  a  most  estimable  lady,  and 
enjoys  universal  respect,  as  did  her  husband 
during   his   life. 

MILL,  Albert  Osmond  Thomas,  better  known, 
perhaps,  as  p..  ( ).  Mill,  is  one  of  the  energetic, 
enterprising  business  men  of  Coal  City.  Ilk. 
where  he  is  also  a  partner  in  the  Thorn  Hard- 
ware Company  and   has  various  other  interests. 


He    has    lived 
having    been    I 
1S73,    and    is 
(Penny)    Mill. 
dore.  England. 


in    this    county    all    of    his    life. 

urn    at    1  trace villo.    November    '.',. 

i    son    of    Jesse    and    Ivatherine 
.lesse   Mill    was   born   at   Apple- 

and  there  followed  the  vocation 
of  lawyer,  but  in  lsc,7  emigrated  with  his  wile 
and  one  son,  William,  to  the  United  States  and 
settled  in  what  was  then  Grand  Prairie,  but 
which  subsequently  became  known  as  Brace- 
ville.  Ilk  He  followed  mining  for  about  eight 
years,  and  upon  giving  up  that  occupation  was 
elected  to  the  various  offices  within  the  '-'iff  of 
the  people  of  his  township.  His  wife  died 
March  1.  1011.  and  was  buried  at  Braceville. 
They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  all  of 
whom  are  still  living,  as  follows:  William,  now 
a  resident  of  Pdackstone.  Ilk;  Jerome,  who  is 
a  barber  of  Coal  City.  Ilk;  Augustus,  in  the 
bottling  business  at  Braceville;  Jessie,  who  is 
now  Mrs.  E.  B.  Leepy,  of  Denver.  Col.;  P..  O. ; 
Charlie,  manager  of  a  mining  company  store  at 
Rathbun,  Iowa:  Sealy,  a  clerk  in  the  store  at 
Rathbun;  and  Frank,  who  is  engaged  as  clerk 
in  an   electrical   store  at   Houston,  Texas. 

B.  O.  Mill  was  three  years  of  age  when 
brought  to  Coal  City  by  his  parents,  and  here 
secured  his  educational  training  in  the  public 
schools.  His  first  employment  was  in  a  print- 
ing establishment,  where  he  remained  for  three 
years,  ami  then  became  bookkeeper  in  the  office 
of  the  Big  Four  Wilmington  Coal  Company, 
where  be  remained  eight  years.  On  August  1. 
1900,   he   embarked    in    business   on    his  own   ac- 


868 


HISTORY  OF  C4RUNDY  COUNTY. 


count  when  he  bought  the  hardware  and  fur- 
niture store  formerly  owned  by  Hugh  Burnett, 
an  establishment  which  he  conducted  as  sole 
proprietor  until  1907.  In  that  year  he  opened 
a  branch  store  and  conducted  it  in  connection 
with  his  main  business  tor  about  one  year,  then 
discontinuing  the  branch.  On  January  <;,  1909, 
willi  Alexander  Thorn,  Jr..  he  formed  a  copart- 
nership and  bought  out  Bert  Waters'  hardware 
and  furniture  store,  which  is  now  conducted 
under  the  linn  style  of  the  Thorn  Hardware 
Company,  which  carries  a  full  line  of  hardware, 
furniture  and  agricultural  implements  and  has 
grown  to  he  the  leading  business  of  its  kind  in 
the  city.  .Mr.  Mill  still  continues  to  conduct 
his  original  business,  has  stock  in  the  Illinois 
Aero  Construction  Company,  and  is  recognized 
as  one  of  the  substantial  and  thoroughly  reli- 
able business  men  of  Coal  City,  lie  is  a  Repub- 
lican in  national  affairs,  hut  in  local  matters  is 
liable  to  exercise  his  prerogative  by  voting  for 
the  man  or  movement  which  he  considers  will 
best  forward  the  interests  of  the  community. 

On  June  22,  1903,  Mr.  Mill  was  married  to 
Miss  Kittie  Brennan,  daughter  of  Patrick  l'.ren- 
nan,  a  native  of  New  York  State,  who  came  to 
Braidwood.  Ilk.  about  the  time  of  the  organi- 
zation of  that  town,  where  Mrs.  Mill  was  horn. 
One  child  has  come  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mill  :  Mary, 
born  May  1(1,  1900,  who  is  attending  school. 
Mr.  Mill  is  a  Mason,  and  a  member  of  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  the  Knights 
of  Pythias,  and  in  the  last  named  order  was 
master  of  finance  for  four  years.  He  is  widely 
known  throughout  Grundy  County,  where  he 
has  numerous  warm  friends. 

MILL,  Augustus  Josiah. — The  increase  in  the 
use  of  bottled  goods  has  given  birth  to  a  num- 
ber of  concerns  of  merit  which  engage  in  the 
production  of  beverages  to  meet  the  growing 
demand.  One  of  the  men  whose  product  has 
met  witli  a  deserved  appreciation  from  the  pub- 
lic is  Augustus  Josiah  Mill  of  Braceville,  111. 
Mr.  Mill  was  horn  at  Braceville,  Ilk,  June  S, 
1871,  a  son  of  Jesse  and  Catherine  (Penny) 
Mill,  natives  of  England. 

Augustus  Josiah  Mill  was  educated  in  the 
schools  of  Braceville  and  those  of  Coal  City. 
After  completing  his  educational  training.  Mr. 
Mill  learned  the  butchering  trade  at  Coal  City 
and  worked  at  it  for  a  time.  He  then  spent 
twelve  years  in  the  coal  mines,  when  in  1905 
he  came  to  Braceville  and  established  his  pres- 
ent business,  now  being  the  leading  bottler  of 
Grundy  County,  his  principal  product  being 
soda,  "in  1S9G  Mr.  Mill  married  Elizabeth  Rob- 
inson, who  was  born  in  England.  They  have 
four  children  :  Arthur.  Clifford,  Leona  and 
LeRoy.  The  Methodist  Church  holds  his  mem- 
bership and  benefits  from  his  earnest,  liberal 
support.  A  Republican,  be  has  served  as  a 
trustee  of  Coal  City  for  four  years  and  was  a 
most  efficient  man  in  that  office.  Fraternally 
he  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America 
of  Braceville.  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias  of 
Coal    City.      The    progress    made    by    Mr.    .Mill 


proves  that  nothing  is  impossible  to  the  ener- 
getic, ambitious  American  who  knows  how  to 
work  and  save.  Not  only  has  he  achieved  ma- 
terial prosperity,  but  he  has  gained  the  confi- 
dence and  good  will  of  his  fellow  townsmen  and 
is  a  man  highly  respected  by  all  who  know 
him. 

MILLER,  George  Parker,  owner  of  the  "Elms" 
farm,  situated  in  Felix  Township,  is  one  of  the 
progressive  farmers  and  enterprising  business 
men  of  this  section  and  enjoys  the  respect  and 
confidence  of  his  fellow  citizens.  Mr.  Miller 
was  horn  at  St.  Charles,  111.,  August  7,  1852, 
and  is  a  sou  of  Norman  and  Harriet  (Parker) 
Miller,  the  former  a  native  of  Peiin  Yan  and 
the  latter  of  Erie  County,  N.  Y.  They  were 
pioneers  and  traveled  1200  miles  with  ox-teams 
and  when  they  reached  Fort  Dearborn,  now  Chi- 
cago, they  could  have  bought  land  there  for 
$1.25  per  acre.  Norman  Miller  died  in  1895,  in 
Iowa,  and  his  wife  in  1910,  at  Morris,  ill.  They 
were  parents  of  the  following  children:  Mrs. 
Augusta  Winterstein,  Calista  Trotter.  George 
Parker,"  Martha  Humphrey,  Alice  Napier  Albert 
L.,  Orvil,  Harriet  Mitchell,  Dora  Primrose.  Nor- 
man, Nelson  and  Lottie,  and  one  who  died  in 
infancy. 

George  Parker  Miller  attended  a  country 
school  in  Linn  County,  Iowa,  and  when  he  lo- 
cated in  Grundy  County,  in  INTO,  obtained  em- 
ployment on  a  farm  and  continued  so  engaged 
until  1880,  in  which  year  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Jennie  Trotter,  who  was  horn  in  the  house 
they  now  occupy.  Many  years  ago  the  father 
of  Mrs.  Miller  bought  forty  acres  of  the  pres- 
ent farm,  the  old  Trotter  homestead.  Mr. 
Miller  has  ICO  acres  of  land,  120  of  which  be- 
longed to  Mrs.  Trotter  as  her  portion  of  the 
estate.  He  makes  the  breeding  of  cattle  and 
raising  Berkshire  bogs  an  important  feature 
of  his  work  and  keeps  fully  abreast  of  the 
times  in  all  his  industries,  being  a  member  of 
the  Farmers  Soil  and  Crop  Improvement  Asso- 
ciation  of  Grundy   County. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller  have  two  children  :  Cora 
May,  who  is  the  widow  of  Harry  Winder:  and 
George  10.,  both  of  whom  live  at  home.  Mrs. 
Winder  has  one  daughter,  Ruth  I...  who  was 
born  September  24.  1903.  Mr.  Miller  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Church  and  is  now 
serving  as  a  trustee  of  the  same.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Republican  and  has  served  as  school 
trustee  of  Felix  Township  for  three  terms,  two 
terms  as  school  director  and  thrice  has  been 
elected  to  the  office  of  tax  collector.  He  be- 
longs to  the  order  of  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America  and  has  been  through  all  the  chairs. 
He  has  thoroughly  demonstrated  the  fact  that 
he  is  one  of  the  solid  and  reliable  men  of  his 
section  and  as  one  who  can  always  lie  depended 
upon  to  support  any  measure  which  in  his 
judgment  will  he  productive  of  good  to  his 
neighborhood. 

MISENER,  Isaac  Newton. — Unless  a  man 
possesses  characteristics  which  set  him  a  little 


HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


8C9 


apart  from  the  ordinary  run  of  people,  he  is 
not  likely  to  be  elected  to  represent  large  in- 
terests in  any  body.  The  supervisors  of  Grundy 
County  are  carefully  seleeted  for  the  people 
understand  that  upon  their  county  board  de- 
volves much  that  is  of  interest  to  the  county 
at  large,  and  so  try  and  get  representatives 
who  will  not  only  protect  them,  but  sec  that 
the  tuxes  are  expended  wisely  and  intelligently. 
One  of  the  ablest  men  upon  the  county  board 
today  is  Isaac  Newton  Misener.  of  Mazon  Town- 
ship, now  serving  in  his  second  term.  He  owns 
160  acres  of  fertile  land  in  Mazon  Township. 
and  another  farm  of  240  acres  which  he  rents. 
Mr.  Misener  specializes  on  breeding  Belgian 
horses,  and  raises  considerable  stock  which  he 
feeds  and   ships. 

Isaac  Newton  Misener  was  horn  in  this  town- 
ship, August  4.  ]si;:;.  a  son  of  Henry  F.  anil 
Margaret  (Layman)  Misener.  lie  was  reared 
to  farming,  and  sent  to  the  district  schools. 
When  he  was  twenty-one  years  old  lie  married 
Anna  E.  Jackson,  horn  in  Mazon  Township,  and 
they  have  two  children:  Flsie  M.  Wilkinson 
and  Gardis  C.  A  Democrat  in  politics.  Mr. 
Misener  has  been  called  upon  to  till  other  offices 
aside  from  that  of  supervisor,  as  he  was  asses- 
sor for  three  years  ami  a  member  of  the  school 
board  for  many  years.  lie  is  one  of  the  most 
progressive  farmers  of  his  township,  and  oper- 
ates upon  an  extensive  scale.  For  years  he  has 
been  treasurer  of  the  Grundy  County  fair  As- 
sociation, lie  was  also  one  of  the  organizers  of 
the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  at  Mazon.  111., 
and  in  1012  he.  with  others,  organized  the  First 
National  Bank  at  Mazon.  with  a  capital  of 
$35,000,  of  which  he  is  a  director.  A  man  of 
energy  and  foresight,  he  utilizes  his  natural 
faculties  and  successfully  develops  whatever  he 
undertakes. 

MISENER,  John  H.,  whose  services  during  the 
Civil  War  entitled  him  to  the  consideration  of 
his  government,  long  was  an  important  factor 
in  the  life  of  Maine  Township.  He  was  bom  in 
Hamilton  County,  O.,  December  22,  lSo4.  a  son 
of  Ransom  Misener.  In  1S51  he  came  to  Grundy 
County,  ami  worked  among  the  farmers  until 
he  enlisted,  April  27.  1S62,  at  Ottawa.  111.,  for 
service  during  the  Civil  War.  in  Company  G. 
One  Hundred  and  Fourth  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  was  honorably  discharged  June  <*>, 
1865.  After  the  war  he  returned  home  and 
lived  in  Braceville  Township  until  his  marriage, 
when  he  located  in  what  is  now  Maine  Town- 
ship, there  becoming  the  owner  of  considerable 
property.  On  December  12,  18U7,  he  married 
Esther  C.  Hill,  and  they  had  two  children: 
Emma    S.    and    Arthur   II. 

MUFFLER,  Henry.— Grundy  County,  Til.,  lias 
no  more  progressive  and  enterprising  farmer 
and  stockraiser  than  Henry  Muffler,  whose  mod- 
ern ideas  and  methods  have  brought  him  note- 
worthy success  in  the  line  of  his  calling.  He 
is  a  native  of  the  Prairie  State,  having  been 
born   at   Ottawa,   September  5,   1S(>1,   and    is   a 


son  of  Thomas  and  Kreszentz  (Hess)  Muffler, 
natives,  respectively,  of  Baden  and  Wurttem- 
berg.  Germany,  the  former  of  whom  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1858.  and  the  latter  three  years 
later.  After  his  marriage  Thomas  Muffler  fol- 
lowed various  lines  of  employment  until  1805, 
when  he  began  farming  in  La  Salle  County,  on 
rented  land,  but  in  ls77  came  to  Vienna  Town- 
ship, Grundy  County,  and  purchased  160  acres 
of  land,  partly  improved,  which  he  put  under  a 
high  state  of  cultivation.  He  continued  to  fol- 
low farming  until  his  death  in  1S9C,  and  in  the 
following  year  the  mother  moved  to  Seneca, 
Til.,  where  she  still  resides,  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
two  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas  Muffler  had 
seven  children,  the  two  living  being:  Joseph,  of 
Norman  Township;  and  Henry,  of  Vienna 
Township. 

Henry  Muffler  secured  good  educational  ad- 
vantages in  bis  youth,  attending  both  the  com- 
mon schools  of  La  Salle  County  and  the  Sisters 
and  Brothers  Catholic  school  at  Ottawa.  At 
the  time  of  his  father's  death  his  brother  Jo- 
seph inherited  200  acres  of  land  in  Norman 
Township,  while  Henry  was  given  the  old  home 
place,  now  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  the  county, 
and  known  as  the  Fairview  Grain  and  Stock 
Farm.  He  has  always  been  engaged  in  general 
farming,  and  successfully  breeds  Belgian  horses, 
Shorthorn  cattle  and  Poland-China  hou:s.  The 
many  improvements  on  his  place  and  the  highly 
cultivated  fields  indicate  great  thrift  and  in- 
dustry on  the  part  of  the  owner,  and  bis  success 
has  not  been  gained  at  the  expense  of  his  fel- 
low-men. He  owns  also  ICO  acres  in  Manitoba, 
Canada. 

In  the  year  of  189S.  Mr.  Muffler  was  married 
to  Miss  Emma  J.  Gettler,  who  was  born  at 
Seneca.  HI..  May  4.  1S78.  a  daughter  of  Frank 
and  Elizabeth  (Moser)  Gettler,  natives  of  Ger- 
many, who  accompanied  their  parents  to  the 
United  States  as  children,  and  were  reared  and 
married  in  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Gettler  died  in 
1800  while  the  mother  survived  until  1001.  Five 
children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Muffler, 
as  follows:  Henry  Howard,  June  8,  1*00; 
Velma  Marie,  July  20,  1001  ;  Celia  Emma.  March 
1G,  1003:  Mabel  Elizabeth,  June  17.  1005;  and 
Loretta  Kreszentz.  August  18.  1908.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Muffler  are  consistent  members  of  the 
Catholic  Church  at  Kinsman.  He  is  a  Repub- 
lican, but  has  never  cared  for  public  office. 

MULVANIE,  James. — There  are  no  more  rep- 
resentative men  in  Grundy  County  than  those 
who  utilize  the  natural  advantages  of  their 
locality  for  agricultural  purposes,  and  found 
amom:  them  is  James  Mulvanie.  of  Vienna 
Township.  He  was  born  September  24.  1*51, 
in  Onnstown,  Canada,  a  son  of  Patrick  and 
Mary  (Moore)  Mulvanie.  The  father  died  at 
the  old  home  in  Canada  in  1*54  and  the  mother 
in  Illinois  in  Is7.~>. 

James  Mulvanie  came  to  Grundy  County.  111., 
in  1871.  where  be  rented  land  for  ten  years, 
and  then  bought  a  farm  in  the  southern  part  of 
Vienna  Township.     This  he  improved,  and   four 


870 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


years  later  sold,  and  purchased  hi*  present  prop- 
erty, one-half  mile  south  of  Wauponsee  Station. 
Tho  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mulvanie  is  a  tine 
farm  (if  240  acres  and  the  improvements  are 
evidence  of  earnest  effort,  intelligently  directed. 
Chi  March  2S,  1*77,  James  .Mulvanie  was  mar- 
ried to  Fannie  May  Harford,  horn  in  Vienna 
Township,  a  daughter  <>f  Aaron  and  Frances 
(Dewey)  Harford,  natives  id'  Connecticut  and 
England,  respectively.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mulvanie 
have  one  child,  Jessie,  born  May  S,  1SS0,  now 
the  wife  of  E.  B.  Benson  of  Vienna  Township. 
Mr.  Mulvanie  lias  served  his  school  district  as 
director  and  the  township  as  assessor,  road 
commissioner  and  supervisor,  at  all  times  prov- 
ing himself  efficient  and  conscientious.  Frater- 
nally ho  belongs  to  Verona  Lodge  No.  7o7.  A.  F. 
&  A.  M.,  and  Verona  Lodge,  K.  1'.  In  these 
fraternal  relations  as  in  the  outside  world,  Mr. 
Mulvanie  is  popular  and  well  deserves  the  pros- 
perity which  has  attended  him. 

MUNSON,  Joel  S.  (deceased).— It  is  hut  fitting 
that  a  lasting  tribute  be  paid  the  memory  of  so 
good  a  man  as  the  late  Joel  S.  Munsou,  for- 
merly of  Saratoga  Township  and  later  of  Mor- 
ris, 111.  lie  was  horn  in  Manchester,  Vt.,  Au- 
gust 26,  1S3S,  a  son  of  Benjamin  and  Maritta 
(Pratt)  Munson,  both  natives  of  Manchester, 
Vt.,  where  they  were  farming  people.  Mr. 
Munson  remained  at  home  with  his  parents 
until  his  marriage,  December  28,  1S65,  witli 
Alida  Ellen  Walker,  born  at  Ft.  Edward.  X.  Y.. 
September  21,  1S46,  daughter  of  Daniel  F.  and 
Flora  Sophia  (Bandall)  Walker,  natives  of 
Manchester  and  of  Sandgate,  Vt.  The  Walkers 
came  in  1871  to  Saratoga  Township.  Grundy 
County,  and  located  on  a  farm  that  Mr.  Walker 
had  previously  bought  and  until  18*7  he  lived 
on  this  farm,  and  then  moved  to  Morris,  where 
he  lived  retired  until  his  death  in  1901,  bis 
wife  having  passed  away  in  1000. 

In  1878  Joel  S.  Munson  moved  to  Saratoga 
Township  from  Manchester,  Vt..  and  lived  on 
Mr.  Walker's  farm  until  January.  1905,  when 
he  came  to  Morris,  and  here  he  died  February 
11,  1011,  his  remains  being  laid  to  rest  in 
beautiful  Evergreen  Cemetery.  Since  his  de- 
mise, his  widow  has  lived  in  her  modem  resi- 
dence on  Vine  street.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Munson 
were  the  parents  of  the  following  children : 
Herbert  A.,  who  married  Myrtle  Pettet,  lives 
at  Tacoma,  Wash.;  Bertha,  who  married  Wil- 
liam M.  Hoge,  lives  at  Morris;  Murray  It.,  who 
married  Gi'ace  L.  Sprunt,  lives  at  Morris;  Tracy, 
who  married  Mrs.  Anna  Arnold,  resides  in  Jop- 
lin,  Mo. ;  Flora  M.,  who  lives  with  her  mother ; 
Loveland  C,  who  married  Nina  Sleazer,  lives 
at  Deerfield,  Hi.;  Grace  C,  who  lives  with  her 
mother;  and  Chester  W.,  who  lives  at  Granite 
City,  111.  Mrs.  Munson  is  a  highly  educated 
lady,  being  a  graduate  of  the  Manchester  semi- 
nary, which  institution  also  graduated  her  hus- 
band. Both  of  them  early  attended  the  Con- 
gregational Church.  Mr.  Munson  was  a  Re- 
publican and  served  as  justice  of  the  peace 
during    his    residence    in    Saratoga    Township. 


He  was  a  man  of  sterling  character,  because  of 
which  he  wen  and  retained  friends,  and  in  his 
death,  Morris  lost  one  of  its  substantial  citizens 
and  his  family  a  kind  and  loving  husband  and 
father. 

MURPHEY,  Jacob  H.,  now  living  retired  at 
Minooka.  after  a  long  and  useful  career  both 
as  fanner  and  hardware  merchant,  is  an  excel- 
lent example  of  the  substantial  Grundy  County 
citizen.  Ho  was  horn  in  Belmont  County,  Ohio, 
September  IS,  1830,  son  of  Horatio  and  Hannah 
(Beam)  Murphey.  The  father  came  of  Scotch- 
Irish  descent  while  the  mother  was  horn  in 
Ohio  of  German  descent.  The  parents  mar- 
ried and  settled  at  St.  Clairsville,  Ohio,  where 
the  father  was  a  jeweler  for  many  years.  In 
1854,  Jacob  II.  Murphey  and  a  brother,  John 
Murphey.  drove  horses  from  Ohio  to  Morris.  111., 
arriving  there  in  March  of  that  year,  and  Jacob 
II.  Murphey  was  so  pleased  with  the  locality 
that  he  began  working  for  a  Mr.  Bradshaw  on 
his  farm.  lie  intended  to  thus  continue,  but 
sickness  interfered  with  his  plans.  Afterward, 
by  borrowing  money,  he  began  to  handle  horses, 
and  was  so  engaged  for  three  years,  at  which 
time  he  married  and  then  rented  land  in  Erienna 
Township.  The  owner  of  the  land  was  glad 
to  remit  tile  amount  of  the  rent  for  the  work 
Mr.  Murphey  did  in  developing  the  farm,  and 
thus  he  was  able  to  save  money  and  to  buy 
a  farm  of  his  own  in  1S02.  This  Contained  210 
acres,  and  was  the  one  on  which  he  had  worked 
upon  first  coming-  to  Grundy  County.  Of  this 
place  1G0  acres  were  on  Section  8  and  10  acres 
on  Section  5,  and  as  the  land  was  improved  he 
moved  cm  the  property  immediately  and  soon  be- 
gan to  add  to  the  buildings.  He  erected  a  nice 
frame  residence  and  commodious  outbuildings 
replacing  the  original  ones  of  lou's,  and  for 
years  he  did  a  big  business  in  raising  horses, 
cattle  and  ho.^s.  In  the  meanwhile,  he  had 
rented  other  land,  and  on  it  he  carried  on  gen- 
eral grain  farming  and  stock  raisincr,  and  still 
owns  bis  farming  land.  In  1SSS  he  rented  his 
property  and  moved  to  Minooka,  where  he  has 
a  comfortable  residence  and  for  eight  years 
was   in   the  hardware  business. 

On  October  18,  1850.  Mr.  Murphey  was  mar- 
ried to  Mary  V.  Pumphrey.  born  in  Belmont 
County,  Ohio,  December  30.  1S3S,  and  died 
April  0,  1875.  They  had  the  following  chil- 
dren: Laura  who  was  born  October  15.  1SG0; 
Mrs.  Charles  Perkins  of  Kendall  County,  has 
three  children,  Harriett.  Alvin  and  Serena  :  Wil- 
liam II.,  who  was  born  September  3.  18(12,  of 
Joliet,  111. ;  and  Nettie,  who  was  born  January  2, 
1874,  died  July  22,  1877.  On  January  27,  1S7G, 
Mr.  Murphey  was  married  (second)  to  Mrs. 
Francelia  (Curtis)  Whittington,  born  in  White- 
hall, X.  Y..  September  23.  1837.  widow  of  Uich- 
ard  Whittington,  daughter  of  Thaddeus  and 
Eunice  Maria  (Reynolds)  Curtis,  born  in  Rut- 
land, Vt.  By  her  first  marriage  Mrs.  Murphey 
bad  four  children  :  Charles  II.,  who  is  deceased  ; 
Cyrus  H.,  who  was  killed  while  working  on  a 
street   car  line  out   of  Joliet,   was   married' to 


-Jjsi^^    o/^^^y&C 


HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


871 


Ida  Thayer,  and  they  had  one  son,  Cyrus  Earl ; 
Arthur  W..  who  is  of  Detroit,  Mich,  married 
Ora  Smith,  and  they  have  four  children,  Carl- 
ton, Velnia  F.,  Jerry,  and  Arthur:  and  Mary  M.. 
who  lives  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Murphey.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Murphey  became  the  parents  of  two  chil- 
dren: Fred  C,  who  was  born  December  27,  1S7G, 
now  of  Klamath  Falls.  Ore.,  married  Myrta 
Leach,  of  1'ana.  111.;  and  Jessie  May,  who  was 
born  May  10.  ism,  died  October  27,  1SS1.  Mrs. 
Murphey  came  with  her  mother  to  Will  County. 
111.,  the  latter  bringing  her  five  children  by 
way  of  the  Erie  canal  to  Buffalo,  and  thence 
on  a  steamer  to  Chicago.  From  that  city  the 
little  party  went  to  Plaintield  by  team.  Mrs. 
Curtis    died    about   1S71. 

Mr.  Murphey  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Church  and  is  active  in  church  work.  A  Re- 
publican, he  has  held  all  the  township  offices, 
with  the  exception  of  supervisor  and  assessor, 
and  was  appointed  deputy  sheriff  at  one  time. 
He  is  a  man  who  has  always  held  the  confidence 
and  esteem  of  his  associates,  and  his  standing 
in  the  community  is  undisputed. 

MURRAY,  Augustus  0.,  whose  associations 
with  Mazon  Township  were  of  an  important 
nature,  was  horn  in  Oswego,  County,  N.  Y., 
February  'J.  1S32,  a  son  of  Jonathan  C.  Murray. 
one  of  the  pioneers  of  Grundy  County.  'Die 
latter  met  his  death  by  drowning  in  June.  1S44. 
Augustus  O.  Murray  married  on  October  18, 
LSfi2,  Lydia  A.  Ishan'i.  and  they  had  the  follow- 
ing children:  Louis  K..  Ella  I..  H'ettie  'I'.. 
Frank  A.,  Gertie  E..  Eva  W.  and  Maud  May. 
Not  only  was  he  a  heavy  landowner  in  Mazon 
Township,  hut  he  was  interested  in  the  grain 
and  lumber  trade  at  the  village  of  Mazon.  For 
years  he  took  an  active  part  in  temperance 
movements,  and  was  an  influence  for  moral  up- 
lift in  his  community. 

MURRAY,  Frank  Augustus,  proprietor  of  the 
"Brookside  Farm  of  330  acres,  situated  in  Mazon 
Township,  has  exemplified  in  his  agricultural 
operations  and  his  life  that  nothing  is  impos- 
sible to  the  man  who  is  willing  to  work  hard 
and  devote  himself  to  his  business  in  hand. 
On  his  property  Mr.  Murray  is  carrying  on  gen- 
eral farming  and  the  raising  of  registered 
Polled  Durham  cattle.  Mr.  Murray  was  horn 
July  10,  1S64,  and  has  spent  his  life,  more  or 
less,  in  agricultural  pursuits  although  during 
the  winter  months,  for  some  years,  he  taught 
school,  and  thus  rendered  valuable  service  to 
his  community.  In  addition  to  raising  regis- 
tered cattle,  Mr.  Murray  buys  and  sells  them 
quite  extensively,  and  is  a  heavy  exhibitor  of 
his  stock  and  advertises  in  all  the  stock 
journals. 

On  May  3,  1SS8.  Mr.  Murray  married  Cene- 
vievo  MeKeen,  born  on  the  farm  now  owned 
by  Mr.  Murray,  a  daughter  of  I.  II.  and  Louisa 
(Hupp)  MeKeen.  who  arc  now  living  retired 
at  Morris,  111.  prior  to  her  marriage,  Mrs.  Mur- 
ray was  also  a  school  teacher.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Murray  have  three  children  :  Lyle  G.,  Arden  O. 


and  Geraldine  Grace,  all  at  home.  Mr.  Murray 
la-longs  to  the  Congregational  Church,  and  gives 
it  a  generous  support. 

As  chairman  of  the  committee  that  organized 
the  Grundy  County  Fair,  in  190G,  Mr.  Murray 
has  always  been  interested  and  is  now  gen- 
eral superintendent  of  the  association.  In  ad- 
dition to  his  other  interests.  Mr.  Murray  is 
treasurer  of  the  Mazon  Mutual  County  Fire  In- 
surance Company,  as  well  as  one  of  its  directors. 
This  company  was  organized  in  1SSS,  and  is  in 
a  flourishing  condition.  lie  is  also  secretary 
of  the  Farmers  Levator  Company,  and  a  direc- 
tor of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Mazon.  Lor 
some  years  he  has  been  on  the  hoard  of  edu- 
cation of  the  Township  High  School  and  is  now 
serving  it  as  clerk,  his  experiences  as  a  teacher 
proving  of  great  benefit  to  his  fellow  members. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  lodge,  the  Mod- 
ern "Woodmen,  the  Fraternal  Reserves  and  the 
Eastern  Star.  Mrs.  Murray  belongs  to  the 
Eastern  Star,  and  the  Loyal  Neighbors,  and 
is  president  of  the  Woman's  Study  Club  of 
Mazon,  111.  Enterprising,  energetic  and  capable. 
Mr.  Murray  succeeds  in  what  he  undertakes  and 
is  today  one  of  the  most  representative  men 
of  his  township,  as  well  as  of  the  county  at 
large. 

MURRAY,  Kay  Hiram.-  -The  legal  profession 
has  some  sound  exponents  in  Grundy  County, 
these  men  being  well  versed  in  their  calling  and 
connected  with  some  of  the  important  litiga- 
tion of  the  State.  One  of  the  men  who  still  in 
the  very  prime  of  young  manhood,  has  already 
built  up  a  valuable  patronage,  is  Kay  Hiram 
Murray  of  Morris,  an  attorney  of  worth,  widely 
and  favorably  known  not  only  all  over  Grundy 
County,  but  in  the  outside  territory  as  well. 
He  was  horn  in  Mazon  Township.  April  20,  1.SS4, 
a  son  of  Lewis  Loss  and  Catherine  (Riggall) 
Murray,  both  of  Mazon  Township.  The  paternal 
grandparents,  Augustus  Owen  and  Lydia  (Is- 
ham)  Murray,  were  very  early  settlers  of  Ma- 
zon Township,  the  former  being  a  general  mer- 
chant of  Mazon.  aud  the  latter  deceased. 

Kay  Hiram  Murray  was  the  only  child  of 
his  father's  first  marriage,  and  remained  at 
home  until  he  was  eighteen  years  old,  when 
he  entered  the  university  at  Bloomington,  LI., 
and  later  attended  the  law  school  of  the  same 
place.  After  being  graduated  from  the  latter 
institution  in  lf)07,  he  perfected  himself  in 
his  profession,  and  in  190S  with  a  Mr.  Hayes, 
opened  a  law  office  at  Morris. 

In  August,  1900,  Mr.  Murray  was  united  in 
marriage  with  C.  Lucille  Crews,  born  at  Abing- 
ton,  111.,  a  daughter  of  Richard  and  Florence 
(Skelly)  Crews,  natives  of  England  and  Mc- 
Lean County.  111.,  respectively.  Mr.  Crews,  now 
deceased,  was  a  Presiding  Elder  of  the  Metho- 
dist Church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Murray  are  the 
parents  of  the  following  children:  Louis  Crews 
and  Mary  Frances  Crews.  Mrs.  Murray  is  a 
consistent  member'  of  the  Methodist  Church. 
Politically  Mr.  Murray  is  a  Republican,  and  was 
on  bis  party's  ticket  for  State's  Attorney  in  the 


872 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


fall  of  1013.  His  fraternal  affiliations  are  with 
the  Mazon  Lodge  No.  826,  A.  V.  &  A.  M.,  while 
socially  he  belongs  to  the  Phi  Gamma  Delta  and 
Phi  Delta  Phi,  college  organizations.  A  young 
man  of  boundless  ambition,  carefully  trained 
in  his  profession,  he  is*  steadily  advancing  and 
is  destined  to  become  one  of  the  leaders  in 
his  part  of  the  State. 

MURRAY,  Louis  Ross,  third  son  of  Augustus 
Owen  ;md  Lydia  (Isharn)  Murray,  was  born  on 
the  Murray  homestead,  March  <;.  1839.  He  in- 
herited good  nature  and  an  opportunity  to  tackle 
the  many  things  a  farmer  lad  could  do.  A 
district  school  in  winter  and  a  term  at  the 
Morris  Normal  fitted  him  fur  a  few  turns  at 
fanning,  while  a  desire  to  sec  more  territory 
led  the  young  man  to  canvass  as  agent  and 
salesman  for  various  lines.  At  a  proper  age 
our  subject  begun  married  life  with  Kittie  E. 
Riggall,  of  Mazon.  111.,  her  presence  making  the 
farm  a  happy  home.  This  union  was  crowned 
with  the  birth  of  a  son.  Kay  II.  Murray,  of 
Morris.  111.,  fur  whom  the  mother  gave  her  life. 
After  some  years,  Mr.  -Murray  shared  liis  name 
and  fortunes  with  Lillie  Hamilton,  the  second 
daughter  of  John  and  Maria  i  Sadler)  Hamil- 
ton, of  Mazon  Township.  Three  sons.  Norris 
F..  Forrest  II.  and  Sprague  K..  are  in  manhood's 
estate,  and  a  daughter,  Resda  Clare,  share  the 
comforts  id'  a   favored  home. 

In  the  winter  of  Inns,  "L.  R.,"  as  he  is  gen- 
erally known,  succeeded  X.  Balchowsky  in  gen- 
eral merchandising  and  has  been  proprietor  of 
Murray's  Store,  and  quite  widely  known  in 
business  and  social  circles,  for  the  past  twenty- 
seven  years.  He  never  had  a  taste  for  politics, 
hut  is  ever  ready  to  champion  a  cause  for  the 
betterment  of  society,  and  is  recognized  as  a 
"booster"  for  all  worthy  objects  in  his  com- 
munity. As  editor  and  owner  of  the  Mercantile 
Co-Operator,  a  trade  journal  for  the  merchants, 
Mr.  Murray  is  building  up  a  friendship  and 
business  interest  that  invites  attention  in  sev- 
eral states. 

The  family  an-  patrons  of  some  leading  col- 
leges and  it  may  he  predicted  that  the  family 
name  will  lie  long  remembered  for  ambition  and 
accomplishment. 

MURRAY,  Patrick  T.,  city  editor  of  the 
Grundy  County  Gazette,  first  saw  the  light  of 
day  in  Liverpool,  England,  March  20,  1S6S.  He 
was  the  youngest  son  of  Thomas  J.  and  Cath- 
erine (Mulheir)  Murray,  who  were  born  in 
County  Galway,  Ireland,  and  passed  away  at 
the  ages  of  sixty-five  and  seventy-five  years  re- 
spectively. He  came  with  his  parents  to  Morris, 
111.,  when  six  years  of  age,  and  has  lived  here 
continuously  ever  since.  A  sister  and  two  broth- 
ers emigrated  here  before  the  parents  came. 

Mr.  Murray  was  educated  in  the  Morris 
schools,  leaving  the  high  school  at  the  age  of 
fifteen  years,  when  he  was  about  to  graduate. 
At  that  age  he  entered  upon  the  stormy  career 
of  a  printer's  "devil,"  accepting  employment 
with    the    Morris    Independent,    and    has    been 


identified    with    the   printing  profession    in    the 
different  departments  from  "devil"  to  proprietor, 

since   that   time. 

In  July,  1880,  iie  joined  with  F.  N.  Hull  and 
.T.  A.  Kutz  in  the  establishment  of  the  Morris 
Daily  Post.  Perhaps  no  newspaper  was  ever 
started  under  more  inauspicious  circumstances. 
Five  printers  were  idle  in  Morris  at  that  time, 
and  the  Daily  News  was  being  published  by 
Rev.  C.  R.  Morrison.  The  News'  subscription 
list  bad  been  dwindling  for  some  time,  and 
Messrs  Kutz,  Hull  and  Murray  were  urged  to 
launch  a  daily  in  opposition.  The  principal  dif- 
ficulty was  the  lack  of  funds.  Finally  the  father 
of  Mr.  Hull  offered  to  furnish  the  office  for  the 
paper  in  the  Hull  block  as  his  son's  share,  until 
the  firm  could  pay  rent.  Mr.  Kutz  possessed  an 
antiquated  jobbing-press  and  a  few  fonts  of 
type,  which  he  tendered  as  his  share.  It  was 
up  to  Murray  to  furnish  the  cash  capital;  an 
inventory  of  his  assets  showed  a  "lead  quarter" 
and  no  real  estate.  At  last,  when  hope  had  al- 
most departed,  he  was  furnished  $50  by  the  late 
Truman  A.  Hand,  with  nothing  hut  his  personal 
note  for  security.  Thus  was  the  Daily  Post 
started  on  a  cash  capital  of  $50.  It  made 
money  and  existed  for  twenty  years.  In  1S91 
Mr.  Kutz  relinquished  his  holdings  and  in  1S04, 
Mr.  Murray  retired,  leaving  Mr.  Hull  as  the  sole 
owner. 

On  January  31,  ISO".  Mr.  Murray  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Celia  Malady,  daughter  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Patrick  Malady,  early  pioneers  of  Grundy 
County.  They  have  two  children,  a  son  and  a 
daughter.  Mr.  Murray  is  a  member  of  the 
Catholic  Church  and  was  for  a  time  leader  of 
its  choir.  He  is  Grand  Knight  of  the  Knights 
of  Columbus  and  Recording  Secretary  of  the 
Catholic  Order  of  Foresters,  and  has  held  other 
offices  of  trust  in  both  societies,  since  they  were 
chartered.  He  has  been  a  staunch  Democrat 
since  he  attained  his  majority,  but  has  never 
sought  or  held  any  political  office.  He  has  been 
identified  in  some  manner  with  most  of  the 
newspapers  in  Morris  and  is  well  acquainted 
with  the  upward  and  downward  careers  of  all 
of  them.  He  and  bis  family  reside  at  014  East 
North  Street.  Morris.  111. 

MUSSATT0,  Tohn.— Tt  is  a  self-evident  fact  that 
many  of  the  leading  men  of  Grundy  County  are 
those  of  foreign  birth,  who  have  shown  appre- 
ciation of  the  advantages  and  opportunities 
offered  them  here,  and  have  made  good  use  of 
their  chances.  Not  only  are  these  naturalized 
citizens  of  the  United  States  proving  their  busi- 
ness ability,  but  they  are  being  entrusted  with 
the  duties  of  some  of  the  most  important  offices 
of  their  communities  and  discharging  their  re- 
sponsibilities conscientiously  and  capably.  One 
of  those  who  belong  to  this  class  is  John  Mus- 
satto.  marshal  and  street  commissioner  of  South 
Wilmington,  111.  lie  was  born  in  Northern  Italy 
in  iscr..  a  son  of  Baptistn  and  Theresa  (P.er- 
rano)    Mussatto.   farming  people  of  Italy. 

In  1SS2,  realizing  that  he  needed  a  broader 
field  in  which  to  work  than  that  afforded  in  his 


fJw""93»as*S»'SS '  -...,..-•-■•• 


. 


- 


:*2!&4^ii.:. 


m 


MRS.  JOHN  TROTTER 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


873 


own  land,  John  Mussatto  came  to  the  United 
States  and  located  at  Braidwood,  111.,  where  he 
worked  in  the  mines  until  1902,  in  which  year 
he  came  to  South  Wilmington,  where  he  con- 
tinued his  connection  with  mine  work,  and  also 
conducted  a  butchering  business  for  a  lew  years. 
For  the  past  six  years  he  has  been  on  the 
village  board  and  has  rendered  very  efficient 
service  in  this  connection  as  well  as  in  the 
offices  of  marshal  and  street  commissioner.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Republican.  Mr.  Mussatto  owns 
his  residence  at  South  Wilmington,  and  has  the 
best  interests  of  the  place  at  heart.  In  LSSS 
Mr.  Mussatto  married  Bertha  Jack,  who  was 
born  in  France,  hut  came  to  the  United  States 
with  her  parents  who  located  at  Braidwood, 
111.  Mi',  and  Mrs.  Mussatto  are  the  parents  of 
the  following  children  :  Joseph,  who  resides  at 
Joliet,  111.;  Maggie  Lawlis ;  John;  Lillie;  Mary, 
wlio  is  deceased;  and  Mary  (II).  In  religious 
faith  Mr.  Mussatto  is  a  Catholic,  lie  belongs 
to  tin  Foresters  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias, 
and  the  Italian  lodges  of  Braidwood.  111.  A 
man  cf  ability  and  strong  character.  Mr.  Mus- 
satto has  honestly  won  his  present  position, 
and  stands  high   in  public  estimation. 

NELSON,  Gunner  (deceased). — Norway  lias  con- 
tributed some  of  its  most  representative  men 
and  women  to  this  country.  They  have  brought 
with  them  sturdy  characteristics  which  have 
enabled  them  to  succeed  and  bring  up  their 
children  in  ways  of  right  living.  One  of  the 
men  of  Grundy  County  who  was  born  in  this 
country  of  the  far  north,  and  whose  parents 
gave  him  a  thorough  training,  was  Gunner  Nel- 
son, formerly  a  substantial  business  man  of 
Morris,  111.  Mr.  Nelson  was  born  in  Norway, 
January  20,  ]s02,  a  son  of  Ever  and  Julia 
Nelson,  who  came  to  the  United  States  when 
their  son  was  an  infant,  and  settled  at  Gardner, 
this  county.     They  became  farming  people. 

Gunner  Nelson  remained  at  home  with  his 
parents  until  his  marriage  which  occurred  Feb- 
ruary 22,  ISbT,  when  he  was  united  with  Hattie 
McConnell  born  at  Wilmington,  111.,  a  daughter 
of  James  and  Matilda  McConnell,  natives  of 
Ireland,  who  were  married  in  New  York.  Mr. 
McConnell  was  a  stone  mason  during  his  active 
life  and  now  lives  retired  with  a  daughter  at 
Clark  City.  111.  His  wife  died  in  ](><i2.  After 
marriage  Mr.  Nelson  oi>erated  a  farm  in  the 
vicinity  of  Gardner  for  a  year,  when  he  moved 
to  that  city  and  for  another  year  was  engaged 
in  teaming  and  land  tiling.  He  then  went,  to 
Clark  City,  Ilk,  hut  within  another  year  came 
to  Morris  where  he  conducted  a  butcher  shop 
for  a  year.  He  was  engaged  in  the  same  line 
of  business  at  Seneca,  111.,  but  returning  to 
Morris  was  in  a  liquor  business  until  his  death 
which  occurred  November  2.  1907.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Nelson  had  children  as  follows:  Julia;  Ella, 
who  is  Mrs.  Wm.  Hodson  of  Joliet,  Ilk;  How- 
ard, who  married  Henrietta  Bisland.  lives  at 
Morris;  George,  who  is  of  Morris;  Boy,  who  is 
at  home;  Willie,  who  is  at  home;  Charles, 
who  is  at  home;  John;  and  Valma.     Mrs.  Nel- 


son   is   living   in   her   residence,   No.   S14    Price 
street,   Morris. 

NELSON,  John,  the  owner  of  100  acres  of  land 
located  in  Garfield  Township,  on  which  he  is 
carrying  on  general  farming  operations,  was 
born  in  Norway,  January  27.  1S61,  and  came  to 
this  country  as  a  lad  of  rive  years,  in  1S66. 
The  father  of  Mr.  Nelson  was  a  farmer  in  Nor- 
way, and  on  coming  to  America  in  IStiG  took  up 
that  occupation  in  Kendall  County.  111.,  where 
the  mother  died  in  1S72.  In  1SS7  the  father 
came  to  Grundy  County,  and  for  a  number  of 
years  carried  on  agricultural  pursuits,  but 
.moved  to  Gardner  and  lived  retired  for  ten 
years  prior  to  his  death,  which  occurred  March 
23,  1012.  lie  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  near 
Braceville.  III.  Mr.  Nelson  married  (first) 
Julia  Gundersen,  and  to  this  union  there  were 
born  four  children:  John,  Mrs.  Carrie  Raymer, 
Gunner  and  Mrs.  Anna  Milburn.  He  was' mar- 
ried the  second  time  to  Carrie  Olsen.  of  Kendall 
County,  Ilk.  and  to  this  union  there  were  born 
six  sons:  Nels,  who  is  deceased;  and  Thor, 
Gerhardt,  Martin,  Iver  and  Ben. 

John    Nelson    received    his    education    in    the 
district   schools  of  Kendall    County,   and  at   the 
age  of  eighteen  years  began  to  work  among  the 
farmers   for   monthly    wages.      By    the    time    he 
reached  the  age  of  twenty  years'  he  had  saved 
enough  from  his  earnings  to  purchase  his   tirst 
team    and    tools,    and    had    enough    left    to    rent 
land.      From    that    time   on    his    rise   was   rapid 
and  continued,  and   in    1900  he  bought  his  pres- 
ent   handsome    farm,    a    property   consisting    of 
ICO  acres,  all  in  a  high  slate  of  cultivation.     On 
this  land  he  has  made  many  tine  improvements, 
and  his  house  and   bams  are  among  the   finest 
farm    structures   to    be    found    in    the   township. 
In  1.SS9  Mr.  Nelson  was  married  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth  Perry,   who  was  born  in   Wales  and  came 
to  this  country  alone.     Six  children   have  been 
born    to    this    union:      Mrs.    Lillian    Burkhardt. 
Eva,    Mrs.    Mabel    Barrett,    Guy,    Beatrice    and 
Delia.     Mi-,  and  Mrs.  Nelson  and  their  children 
are    consistent    members    of    the    Presbyterian 
Church,   and    have    taken    an    active    interest    in 
its  work.     He  is  a  Republican   in  politics,   and 
has  served  five  years  as  a  member  of  the  board 
of  school    directors.      His   fraternal    connections 
include  membership  in  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America,   the    Royal    Neighbors   and    the   Glean- 
ers.    During  his  long;   residence  he  has   formed 
a  wide  acquaintance  in  Garfield  Township,  and 
in  this  he  numbers  many  friends. 

NELSON,  0.  J.— It  would  he  difficult  to  discover 
any  of  the  various  activities  of  Morris  which 
have  not  enlisted  the  attention  of  O.  J.  Nelson. 
Primarily  a  business  man,  handling  large  in- 
surance interests,  lie  possesses  those  peculiar 
talents  so  necessary  to  the  successful  salesman 
of  policies;  but  it  is  probable  that  he  has  a  still 
wider  reputation  as  a  public  speaker,  for  no 
event  of  importance  is  complete  unless  he  is 
called  upon  for  one  of  his  characteristic 
speeches.     Withal,   he   is  a   sturdy  and  helpful 


•   .  • 


874 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


citizen,   and   an  influence   for   the  greatest    ad- 
vancenient  and   progress  in  civic  affairs. 

Mr.  Nelson  was  born  in  Norway,  in  1N47,  and 
is   a    son    of   John    and    Annie    (Olson)    Nelson, 
who    left    their    native    land    and    came    to    the 
United  States  in  lSr>S,  first  settling  on  a  farm 
in  Kendall  County.  111.     The  country  schools  of 
that    rural    community    furnished    Mr.    Nelson 
with   his  educational    training,   but    when  a    lad 
of  seventeen  years  lie  laid  aside  his  school  books 
and    shouldered    a    musket    in    defense    of    his 
adopted  country's  flag,  enlisting  at  Lisbon,  111., 
in  Company  11.  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-eighth 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.   May  24,  1S(J4.     The 
greater    part    of    his    exciting    military    service 
was   passed    in    the    "bushwhacker"    country    of 
Missouri,  and  October  14,  lS(j4,  Mr.   Nelson  re- 
ceived his  honorable  discharge  with  an  excellent 
war  record.     Returning  to   his   Kendall   County 
home,    he   resided    there   until    September,    18(30, 
when  he  came  to  Morris  and  obtained  employ- 
ment in   a    store.     Following  an   experience  of 
five  years  as  bookkeeper  for  a  grain  house,  he 
became  a   member  of  the  firm  of  William   Mc- 
Kwen  &  Company  and  continued  to  be  identified 
with   that   concern   for  a   like  period.     At   that 
time  he  formed  a   partnership  with  his  brother, 
Nels  J.  Nelson,  the  firm  continuing  in  business 
until  1SS4,  when  it  met  with  financial  reverses 
that  caused  it   to  close  its  doors,  and  settlement 
was  made  with  creditors  at    fifty  cents  on  the 
dollar  by  O.  ,7.  Nelson,  who  continued  the  busi- 
ness alone.      It  was  while  thus  engaged  that   he 
became  interested   in   the   subject   of  insurance, 
in   which  he  was  to  achieve  a   remarkable  suc- 
cess.     The    building    in    which    bis    stock    was 
stored,    and    which    cost    $15,000,    burned    to   the 
ground,   with    insurance  of  only   $4,000.      While 
his   own    loss    was    being   adjusted.    Mr.    Nelson 
made    a    study    of    insurance,    which    impressed 
him    as   a    favorable    field    in    which    to    resume 
business  life.     He  accordingly  became  a  general 
insurance  agent,   and   has   never  had    reason    to 
regret  the  step  he  made,  as  at  this  time  he  has 
many    of    the    largest    and    most    representative 
interests  of  the  county  on  his  books,  and  repre- 
sents twenty  fire   insurance  companies,    includ- 
ing all   the  old   line   concerns.     His   career   has 
been  a  particularly  successful   one,   although   it 
has  been  characterized  by  the  vicissitudes  which 
are  to  be  met  in  the  lives  of  all  men  who  have 
the  courage  to  embark   in  new  fields  and  trust 
to    their    own    ability    to    carry    them    through. 
His  offices  are  located  at  .the  corner  of  Liberty 
and  Washington  streets. 

In  1S72  Mr.  Nelson  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Elizabeth  Erickson,  born  at  Morris, 
a  daughter  of  E.  and  Esther  (Olson)  Nelson, 
natives  of  Norway.  Two  children  have  been 
born  to  this  union  :  Esther,  who  is  the  wife  of 
W.  H.  House,  of  Chicago;  and  Olive  Josephine, 
one  of  the  most  popular  young  ladies  in  social 
circles  of  Morris,  who  is  residing  with  her 
parents.  Politically  a  stalwart  Republican.  Mr. 
Nelson  has  frequently  mounted  the  rostrum  in 
campaign  work",  and  through  his  eloquence  and 
logic    has   rendered    his    party   yeoman    service. 


He  served  his  township  for  twenty-five  con- 
secutive years  as  supervisor,  and  for' a  number 
of  years  was  alderman  of  his  ward  at  Morris, 
and  in  both  capacities  capably  and  conscien- 
tiously discharged  the  duties  of  his  position  and 
fully  vindicated  the  confidence  and  faith  that 
had  been  reposed  in  him  by  his  fellow  townsmen. 
A  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church  from  boy- 
hood, be  has  given  its  movements  bis  generous 
support.  Mr.  Nelson  is  an  active  and  prominent 
Mason,  belonging  to  the  Blue  Lodge.  Chapter 
and  Commandery,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  the  Lincoln 
Club.  Huring  his  long  residence  at  Morris  he 
has  formed  a  wide  acquaintance,  and  through 
his  geniality  and  fidelity  has  attracted  to  him- 
self a  number  of  warm  friends,  whom  his  loy- 
alty and  continued  integrity  have  allowed  him 
to  retain. 

NELSON,  Thorvald.— It  is  a  generally  recog- 
nized fact  that  in  order  to  succeed  in  the  grow- 
ing of  plants,  one  must  have  a  love  for  them, 
and  an  understanding  of  their  needs.  Some 
men  are  born  with  this  comprehension  of  the 
requirements  of  plants,  and  if  they  engage  in 
raising  them,  this  instinct  comes  into  good  play. 
One  of  the  successful  florists  and  gardeners  of 
Grundy  County  is  Thorvald  Nelson,  who  from 
childhood  cherished  a  desire  to  sometime  en- 
gage in  the  very  line  of  work  he  is  now  pursu- 
ing. He  was  born  in  Norway,  September  22 
1S5S.  In  1SS0,  Mr.  Nelson  left  his  native  land 
for  the  United  States,  arriving  here  in  the  spring 
of  that  year.  For  some  time,  he  was  engaged 
in  iron  mining  at  different  points,  and  then 
came  to  Morris,  where  for  eleven  years  he  was 
in  the  employ  of  the  Coleman  Hardware  Com- 
pany. For  the  next  six  and  one-half  years,  he 
was  sexton  of  Evergreen  Cemetery.  *  Having 
been  thrifty  and  saved  his  money,  lie  found  him- 
self in  a  position  where  he  could  go  into  the  line 
of  business  that  had  always  attracted  him,  and 
so  he  bought  his  home  at  No.  S33  E.  North 
street,  where  he  has  three  acres  of  land.  He 
built  greenhouses,  and  embarked  in  a  general 
florist  business,  handling  garden  and  bedding 
plants,  ornamental  shrubs  and  taking  contracts 
for   general    gardening. 

In  May,  1SS2,  Mr.  Nelson  was  married  to 
Hannah  Nelson,  born  in  Sweden  in  1SG0,  who 
came  to  Morris  in  1SS1.  She  died  September 
12,  1912.  They  had  no  children  of  their  own. 
but  reared  a  niece  of  Mrs.  Nelson's,  Helda  Nel- 
son, whom  he  married  October  '.).  1913.  Mr. 
Nelson  belongs  to  the  Swedish  Baptist  Church 
of  Morris.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  for  two 
years  was  an  efficient  Collector  of  his  township. 
Always  hardworking  and  savin-.  Mr.  Nelson 
has  been  able  to  make  a  success  of  the  business 
he  is  interested  in,  and  deserves  full  credit  for 
what  he  has  accomplished. 

NEWMAN,  Henry,  Jr.  (deceased).— Grundy 
County  is  one  of  the  leading  agricultural  cen- 
ters of  Illinois,  and  this  prestige  has  been 
gained  through  the  public  spirited  efforts  of  its 


IIISTOkY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


875 


fanners.  One  who  boi'e  his  part  in  this  noble 
work,  although  he  has  now  passed  to  his  last 
reward,  was  the  late  Henry  Newman.  Jr..  for 
many  years  a  fanner  of  Aux  Sable  Township. 
Mr.  Newman  was  born  in  Saratoga  Township, 
December  4.  1S62,  a  son  of  the  late  Henry  and 
Magdeline  Newman,  natives  of  Germany,  the 
former  of  whom  came  in  young  manhood,  and 
the  latter  was  brought  U>  this  country  in  child- 
hood.  They  married  and  settled  on  what  be- 
came their  homestead  in  Aux  Sable  Township. 
where  the  widow  still   lives. 

Henry  Newman.  Jr..  attended  the  local 
schools,  and  was  brought  up  to  a  farming  life, 
remaining  with  his  parents  until  his  marriage, 
which  occurred  December  31.  1S90,  when  he- 
was  united  by  Rev.  Hitchcock  with  Fannie 
Paul,  born  at  Troy.  Will  County.  111..  Novem- 
ber 22.  1S09,  daughter  of  Oliver  and  Elizabeth 
(Shepley)  Paul.  Mr.  Paul  was  horn  in  Penn- 
sylvania, hut  his  wife  was  a  native  of  Laneas- 
tershire,  England.  The  grandparents  were 
James  and  .Mary  (Mowery)  Paul  and  William 
and  Fannie  (Kay)  Shepley.  the  latter  being 
natives  of  Lancashire.  England.  The  Shep- 
ley family  came  to  Plaiutield,  Kendall  County. 
111.,  at  an  early  day.  They  later  moved  to 
Minooka.  111.,  where  they  both  died.  Oliver 
Paul  died  December  IT.  ivrr>,  and  his  widow- 
was  married  June  2.  1SS4,  to  Joseph  Eaton,  and 
they  now  live  at  Joliet,  111. 

After  his  marriage,  Henry  Newman.  Jr.. 
moved  to  a  portion  of  his  father's  400-aere  farm, 
on  which  his  father  had  built  a  house  and  other 
necessary  buildings.  He  owned  227  acres  of 
fine  land,  and  cultivated  200  acres  of  it.  While 
living  on  this  property,  he  made  improvements. 
and  took  pride  in  keeping  things  in  excellent 
order.  He  raised  corn  and  oats  on  the  land 
under  the  plow,  devoting  the  remainder  to  hay 
and  pasturage,  as  he  fed  and  raised  cattle  on 
an  extensive  scale,  and  handled  a  large  number 
of  hogs. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Newman  became  the  parents 
of  the  following  children:  Henry  Oliver,  who 
was  born  January  7.  1S95;  Arthur  William,  who 
was  born  August  12,  1897 ;  and  Gladys  Olive, 
who  was  born  February   14,   is'.)!),  all  at  home. 

Mr.  Newman  became  so  seriously  ill  that  he 
was  operated  upon,  on  December  <i,  1909,  at  the 
Presbyterian  hospital  at  Chicago,  and  for  a 
year  was  relieved  of  the  suffering  he  had  been 
enduring,  but  his  disease  then  made  such  prog- 
ress that  he  was  taken  hack  to  the  hospital, 
but  the  skill  of  the  surgeons  availed  nothing, 
and  he  passed  away  March  14.  1011.  Since  his 
demise,  Mrs.  Newman  has  continued  to  operate 
the  farm  with  the  assistance  of  her  son  and 
hired  help.  Mrs.  Newman  is  an  accomplished 
lady,  was  a  pupil  in  the  Minooka  High  school, 
and  secured  a  teacher's  certificate,  and  prior  to 
her  marriage  taught  music.  Mr.  Newman  was 
a  Republican  and  held  the  office  of  school  trus- 
tee for  three  successive  terms.  He  belonged  to 
the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  both  of  Minooka,  and  was 
as  popular  in  these  organizations  as  he  was  in 


his    neighborhood,    where    he    was    held    in    the 

highest   esteem. 

NEWMAN,  Henry,  Sr.  (deceased).— From  Ger- 
many came  to  the  United  States  some  of  her 
most  substantial  men  who  bore  an  important 
part  in  the  development  and  advancement  of 
their  adopted  land.  Hard  workers,  these  men 
bent  their  intelligent  minds  to  the  task  of 
directing  their  bodies,  and  never  spared  them- 
selves. Especially  did  their  work  count  in  the 
rural  regions,  and  many  broad  acres  today  pro- 
ducing heavy  crops,  were  redeemed  from  the 
wilderness  through  the  industry  of  the  German- 
American  settlers.  This  i^  certainly  true  in 
Grundy  County,  and  one  of  the  men  who  bore 
his  part  in  securing  the  present  agricultural 
supremacy  of  this  part  of  the  state  was  the 
late  Henry  Newman.  Sr.,  for  many  years  a 
prominent  farmer  of  Aux  Sable  Township.  Mr. 
Newman  was  horn  in  Hesse  Darmstadt,  Ger- 
many. January  G,  1S25,  and  came  to  New  York 
in  1S50,  a  sou  of  Casper  and  Margaret  New- 
man, who  lived  and  died  in  Germany.  Upon 
his  arrival  in  New  York  City,  Mr.  Newman 
tried  to  secure  work-,  and  found  employment  at 
Buffalo  and  other  New  York  State  points  for 
three  years.  In  1853,  however,  he  came  west 
as  far  as  Grundy  County,  and  for  several  years 
worked  in  and  about  Morris.  All  the  while  he 
was  saving  his  money,  fur  he  had  in  view  the 
purchase  of  land,  and  in  1SG1  was  able  to  buy 
1P<>  acres  in  Aux  Sable  Township,  for  which 
he  paid  $14.50  per  acre.  He  located  on  this 
land,  and  lived  there  until  his  death  which 
occurred  December  17.  1002.  Having  added  to 
bis  original  purchase,  at  the  time  of  his  demise, 
he  owned  over  400  acres  of  productive  land. 

In  March.  1S53,  Mr.  Newman  was  married  to 
Magdeline  Hirsch,  bom  November  IS,  1*27, 
daughter  of  Christian  and  Christina  (Myers) 
Hirsch.  the  former  of  whom  died  in  Germany. 
After  he  passed  away,  Mrs.  Hirsch  brought  her 
two  daughters  to  Grundy  County.  Mrs.  New- 
man obtained  employment  at  fifty  cents  per 
week,  and  thus  continued  until  her  marriage, 
being  advanced  to  one  dollar  per  week,  and 
then  to  one  dollar  and  one-half  i>er  week.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Newman  became  the  parents  of  the 
following  children  :  Adelaide,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  six  years;  Mary,  who  is  Mrs,  Albert 
Patton  of  Lake  City,  Iowa;  George,  who  lives 
at  Huron,  S.  D. ;  Henry,  who  is  deceased;  John, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  four  years;  Elizabeth, 
who  is  Mrs.  James  Kay  of  the  homestead;  and 
Carrie,  who  is  Mrs.  William  Ketcham  of  Aux 
Sable  Township.  Mr.  Newman  was  a  Demo- 
crat, but  never  desired  office.  His  religious 
connections  were  with  the  Methodist  Church. 
In  his  death,  Grundy  County  lost  an  honorable 
citizen  and  most  worthy  man.  and  his  family  a 
kind  and   loving  husband  and  father. 

NICHOLSON,  Bert  C.—A  progressive,  enter- 
prising citizen,  who  has  won  his  way  to  the 
forefront  solely  through  the  medium  of  his  own 
well-dire*  ted  efforts,  Bert  C.  Nicholson  has  at- 


876 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


tained  not  alone  financial  independence,  but  the 
esteem  and  respect  and  confidence  of  his  fellow- 
citizens  in  Coal  City,  111.,  and  is  universally 
recognized  as  one  of  his  community's  rising 
young  men.  lie  is  a  native  of  Grundy  County, 
born  in  Mazon  Township,  on  the  farm  where 
his  parents,  George  and  Rose  (Bray)  Nichol- 
son, lived.  His  father,  a  native  of  Canada, 
came  to  Grundy  County  when  twenty-one  years 
of  ape,  and  here  passed  his  life  in  agricultural 
pursuits,  dying  in  1907.  Mrs.  Nicholson,  a 
native  of  Ireland,  survives  her  husband,  and 
makes  her  home  in  Oklahoma  City,  Okia.  There 
were  six  children  in  their  family:  Bert  C, 
Maud  M..  Mrs.  Alice  Brooks,  Etiic,  Margaret 
and  Lucille. 

Bert  C.  Nicholson  received  his  early  educa- 
tion in  the  district  schools,  while  assisting  his 
father  in  the  work  of  the  home  farm,  and  sub- 
sequently attended  a  business  college  at  Ottawa 
for  one  year.  A  young  man  of  versatile  talents, 
he  has  at  various  times  been  engaged  in  the 
livery,  butcher  and  draying  business,  and  in 
1909,  upon  coming  to  Coal  City,  established  him- 
self as  the  proprietor  of  a  railroad  tie  and 
cord-wood  business,  in  which  he  is  still  en- 
gaged. He  is  the  owner  of  the  John  Corlett 
farm,  a  well-developed  tract  of  eighty  acres 
located  in  section  14.  Mazon  Township.  He  is 
progressive  in  his  methods  and  his  ideas,  and 
his  willingness  to  co-operate  with  his  fellow- 
citizens  in  promoting  movements  of  a  beneficial 
nature  has  made  him  known  as  one  of  his  com- 
munity's useful  men.  In  1904  Mr.  Nicholson 
was  married  to  Miss  Belle  Archihold,  of  Braid- 
wood,  Til.,  daughter  of  David  and  Jessie  (Mont- 
gomery) Archihold,  natives  of  Scotland,  who 
came  to  America  in  1S76  and  settled  in  Braid- 
wood  as  pioneers  of  that  place.  Two  children 
have  been  born  to  this  union:  Dale  George  and 
Paul  Archihold.  Mr.  Nicholson  is  a  popular 
member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America, 
the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  Masons.  His 
political  connection  is  with  the  Republican 
party,  but  he  takes  only  a  good  citizen's  inter- 
est in  public  matters. 

OLROYD,  Walter  P.— It  is  a  remarkable  fact 
that  many  of  the  most  successful  and  responsi- 
ble men  of  Grundy  County  have  come  here 
from  some  foreign  land,  developing  into  good 
citizens  and  loyal  boosters  for  their  special  sec- 
tion. One  of  the  leading  agriculturalists  of 
Grundy  County  is  Walter  I".  Olroyd  of  Green- 
field Township.  He  was  born  in  Yorkshire. 
England,  in  1S66,  the  son  of  James  and  Mary 
(King)  Olroyd.  As  the  family  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1888.  the  Olroyds  have  been 
associated  with  Grundy  County  for  over  a 
quarter  of  a  century.  They  located  at  Brace- 
ville,  where  the  father  engaged  in  mining  in  the 
coal  mines,  and  there  died  in  1S93  from  in- 
juries received  in  the  mines.  His  widow  lived 
until  190!).  These  parents  had  eleven  children, 
all  of  whom  survive. 

Walter  P.  Olroyd  attended  school  in  England 
and  was  engaged  in  farming  and  mining  prior 


to  the  family  exodus.  After  coming  to  Braee- 
ville,  he  worked  in  the  mines  until  1S94,  when 
he  resumed  his  agricultural  operations.  At 
present  he  owns  160  acres  of  fertile  land  on 
Section  33,  where  he  carries  on  general  farm- 
ing. His  success  has  come  from  persistent  ef- 
forts, intelligently  directed,  and  a  natural 
ability  and  willingness  to  work.  In  1910  Mr. 
Olroyd  married  Loretta  Camden,  a  native  of 
Ohio.  They  have  had  no  children.  Mr.  Olroyd 
belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and 
the  Knights  of  Pythias.  A  Republican,  he  has 
served  as  collector  for  two  years,  and  as  high- 
way commissioner  for  eleven  years,  still  retain- 
ing that  otlice.  Mrs.  Olroyd  is  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church.  He  is  a  man  of  purposeful 
character,  and  has  directed  his  efforts  towards 
advancing  himself,  and  at  the  same  time  he 
has  won  and  retained  the  respect  and  confi- 
dence of  those  with  whom  he  has  been  brought 
into  contact. 

OLSON,  Martin. — Every  branch  of  industrial 
endeavor  is  represented  at  Morris,  for  the 
whole  county  looks  to  it  as  a  source  of  supply, 
and  depends  upon  its  business  men  to  provide 
for  it  needs.  One  of  the  prosperous  business 
men  of  Morris,  who  is  known  throughout 
Grundy  County  as  an  expert  in  his  line,  is  Mar- 
tin Olson,  proprietor  of  a  first-class  blacksmith 
and  general  repairing  shop.  He  was  horn  in 
Kendall  County,  Ilk.  December  2">.  1880,  a  son 
of  Albert  and  Isabell  (Soram)  Olson,  natives  of 
Norway,  who  were  married  in  Illinois.  They 
were  farming  people  who  operated  a  largo 
property  in  Kendall  County  but  since  coming 
to  Morris,  in  1898.  Albert  Olson  has  lived  re- 
tired. Twice  married,  he  lost  his  first  wile  in 
1897.     Later  he  married  Sarah  Eng. 

Until  his  mother's  death,  Martin  Olson  re- 
mained at  home,  but  following  that,  rented 
land  in  Kendall  County,  and  operated  it.  Com- 
ing to  Grundy  County,  be  farmed  in  Wauponsee 
Township  for  six  years,  when  he  moved  to 
Morris,  and  was  engaged  for  a  time  in  clearing 
off  stumps  on  wild  land.  In  1!)11  Mr.  Olson 
opened  a  blacksmith  shop,  and  since  then  has 
done  all  kinds  of  expert  blacksmithing  and  gen- 
eral repair  work.  Owing  to  his  thoroughness 
and  his  knowledge  of  his  trade.  Mr.  Olson 
commands  a  large  patronage  and  his  volume 
of  business  shows  a  constant  and  healthy  in- 
crease. 

In  February,  1902,  Mr.  Olson  was  married 
to  Josie  Thompson,  born  in  Grundy  County. 
They,  have  two  children:  Agnes  and  Lawrence. 
Mr.  Olson  is  a  member  of  the  Norwegian  Lu- 
theran Church,  and  gives  liberally  toward  its 
support.  Ever  since  casting  his  first  vote,  Mr. 
Olson  has  supported  the  candidates  of  the  Re- 
publican party.  He  is  a  hard-working,  indus- 
trious young  man,  and  his  progress  has  been 
earned  through  perseverance  and  thrift. 

OLSON,  Olans. — Among  the  younger  generation 
of  farmers  of  Grundy  County,  TIL,  who  through 
their  extensive  operations  have^been  important 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


877 


factors  in  promoting  the  agricultural  welfare 
of  tliis  section,  none  stands  higher  in  the  esteem 
of  his  fellow-citizens  than  Olans  Olson,  of  Net- 
tle  Creek.  Township.  Mr.  Olson  is  a  native  <if 
Grundy  County.  111.,  having  been  born  in  Eri- 
enna  Township,  December  IS.  lssO,  and  is  a 
son  of  Theodore  and  Bertha  (Thorson)  Olson. 
The  parents  of  Mr.  Olson,  natives  of  Stav- 
auger,  Norway,  came  to  the  I'nited  States  in 
1SU7,  and  settled  lirst  on  a  farm  in  Kendall 
County.  111.,  but  later  moved  to  Xettle  Creek 
Township,  and  subsequently  lived  for  different 
periods  in  other  townships,  but  finally  bought 
a  home  in  Morris.  111.,  where  the  father  died 
March  27.  1910,  while  the  widow  is  still  a 
resident  of  that  city,  living  at  No.  s.">u  East 
Washington  street. 

Olans  Olson  received  educational  advantages 
in  the  district  schools  of  Grundy  county,  and 
resided  with  his  parents  until  the  age  of 
twenty-two  years,  being  thoroughly  trained  in 
the  vocation  of  agriculture.  At  that  time  he 
embarked  in  agricultural  operations  on  his  own 
account,  with  one  of  his  sisters  as  housekeeper, 
and  after  her  death  another  sister  and  an  aunt 
controlled  the  household  duties  until  Mr. 
Olson's  marriage,  June  7.  1005.  to  Miss  Caro- 
line Thorson.  She  was  born  March  lit.  18S6,  in 
Xettle  Creek  Township,  daughter  of  Aauen  and 
Serena  (Itasmussen)  Thorson,  natives  of  Nor- 
way. Three  years  after  his  marriage,  Mr. 
Olson  moved  to  the  farm  of  Sam  Marvick,  in 
Nettle  Creek  Township,  and  in  11)13  came  to 
his  present  property,  the  240  acres  of  William 
Hoge,  located  in  the  southern  part  of  the  town- 
ship. He  has  shown  himself  to  be  a  good  and 
energetic  farmer,  bringing  his  land  under  a 
high  state  of  cultivation  and  proving  his  ability 
to  cope  with  conditions  and  achieve  success  in 
the  keen  competition  of  trade.  He  has  been 
prominent  in  Republican  politics  for  some 
years,  and  has  served  as  township  collector 
for  two  terms  and  as  a  member  of  the  school 
board  for  a  like  period.  With  his  family  he 
attends  the  Lisbon  Lutheran  Church.  His  ac- 
quaintance is  wide  and  his  friends  numerous. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Olson  there  have  come  four 
children:  Tillir  Bernhardt,  born  .Tune  12.  1000; 
Sedell  Arlian,  horn  November  ::.  100S ;  Spencer 
Alvin.  born  March  0.  li)ll ;  and  Charlotte  Olyda, 
born  July  8,  1912,  who  died  September  10,  L>12. 

OLSON,  Thomas  B. — Not  only  have  the  agricul- 
turalists of  Grundy  County  proven  themselves 
men  of  expediency,  as  farmers,  but  they  are 
making  a  record  for  themselves  as  breeders  of 
fine  stock.  One  of  the  men  who  has  found  it 
profitable  to  breed  and  raise  Belgian  and  Nor- 
man horses  is  Thomas  B.  Olson,  of  Nettle 
Creek  Township.  He  was  horn  in  Erienna 
Township,  this  county.  September  15,  1SS3,  a 
son  of  Theodore  and  Bertha  (Thorson)  Olson, 
born  at  Stavanger,  Norway.  After  their  mar* 
riage  they  came  to  Morris,  111.,  and  the  father 
farmed  for  the  following  twenty-six  years  on 
the  same  farm  in   Erienna  Township,  in  1000, 


he  returned  to  Morris,  where  he  died  in  1010. 
His  widow  survives  and  lives  at  Morris. 

Thomas  B.  Olson  attended  the  schools  of 
his  borne  neighborhood  and  remained  with  his 
parents  until  bis  marriage  when  he  rented  110 
acres  of  land  in  Erienna  Township,  later  rent- 
ing fifty  acres  more.  For  three  years  he  oper- 
ated this  property,  and  then  moved  to  his  pres- 
ent farm  of  201  acres  in  Nettle  Creek  Town- 
ship. He  devotes  190  acres  to  grain  and  the 
balance  is  hay   land  and  pasture  for  his  stock. 

On  December  Is,  1905,  Mr.  Olson  married 
Alice  Clauson,  born  in  Miller  Township,  La 
Salle  County,  111.,  a  daughter  of  Martin  and 
Littie  (I'.rue)  Clauson.  the  former  horn  in  La 
Salle  County,  and  the  latter  in  Nettle  Creek 
Township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Olson  have  the  follow- 
ing children  :  Truman,  Milan.  Florence,  and 
Lyday  E.  Mr.  Olson  is  a  member  of  the 
Stavanger  Church.  Politically  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican, but  his  time  and  attention  are  so  taken 
up  with  his  farm  industries  that  he  has  little 
time  for  outside  matters,  so  has  made  no  effort 
to  enter  into  public  life. 

0NDESC0,  George. — A  number  of  the  progressive 
farmers  of  Grundy  County  are  dividing  their 
attention  between  farming  and  stock  raising, 
realizing  the  immense  profits  to  be  obtained 
through  the  latter  line  of  business,  and  recog- 
nizing the  fact  that  the  land  here  is  specially 
adapted  to  feeding  purposes.  One  of  the  men 
who  has  made  a  success  of  this,  as  well  as  kin- 
dred lines,  is  George  Ondosco,  a  native  of  Aus- 
tria Hungary,  born  in  1SG2.  son  of  John  and 
Mary  (Ketch)  Ondesco,  natives  of  Austria, 
who' lived  and  died  there.  They  were  the  par- 
ents of  five  children:  John,  a  resident  of  Aus- 
tria Hungary:  Andrew,  deceased:  Mike,  a  resi- 
dent of  Central  City.  Ilk;  George;  and  Anna, 
deceased. 

George  Ondesco  received  but  six  weeks' 
schooling  in  his  native  land,  and  was  employed 
on  a  farm  until  the  death  of  his  parents  which 
occurred  when  he  was  but  a  child.  He  then  be- 
came a  herder  of  sheep  and  cattle,  which  voca- 
tion he  followed  until  1SS1.  when  he  embarked 
for  America,  locating-in  Ohio.  Here  he  was  em- 
ployed by  a  railroad  company,  and  received  only 
one'  penny  for  his  lirst  month's  service,  the  com- 
pany  deducting  his  cost  of  transportation.  He 
remained  in  the  East  until  1SS4,  then  went 
to  Braidwood.  111.,  subsequently  to  Braceville, 
where  he  secured  work  in  the  mines  as  coal 
digger,  fireman  and  engineer.  He  followed  this 
line  of  work  until  1007.  when  he  purchased  1(10 
acres  of  land  in  Maine  Township,  which  he  has 
since  improved  and  upon  which  he  does  gen- 
eral farming.  He  is  the  owner  of  cattle  and 
hogs,  and  his  specialty  is  the  raising  of  sood 
work  horses.  In  1SSS,  his  marriage  to  Susie 
Dancisak,  native  of  Austria,  was  solemnized, 
and  to  this  union  have  been  born  six  children: 
a  babe,  who  died  in  infancy;  John;  Mary,  a 
school  teacher; '  and  Anna,  Andy  and  Emma. 
The  Greek  Catholic  Church  holds  Mr.  Ondesoo's 
membership.      His    political    views    are    Bepub- 


' 


878 


HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


lican.  Mr.  Ondesco  is  in  every  sense  of  the 
word  a  self-made  man,  and  there  are  few  who 
stand  higher  in  hi*  community  than  he.  His 
success  is  merited,  for  it  has  been  earned 
through  hard  work. 

ONSON,  Peter.— The  land  of  Grundy  County  is 
admirably  adapted  for  farming  purposes  and 
the  men  who  have  invested  in  it  have  no  rea- 
son to  regret  their  action.  One  of  the  pros- 
perous retired  agriculturalists  of  Goose  Lake 
Township  who  takes  a  pride  in  what  he  accom- 
plished on  his  farm  and  the  improvements  he 
made  upon  it  is  Peter  Onson.  He  was  horn 
at  Stavanger,  Norway,  in  January.  1841,  a  son 
of  Osen  and  Mary  (Olson)  Onson.  who  came 
to  the  Province  of  Quebec,  Canada,  in  1S66. 
From  there  they  made  their  way  to  Chicago, 
and  thence  to  Morris,  111.,  where  the  father  died 
in  18TG,  and  the  mother  in   1904. 

Peter  Onson  was  brought  up  at  home,  and 
remained  with  his  parents  until  his  arrival 
in  Grundy  County.  He  engaged  with  farmers 
for  ten  years,  and  then  having  gained  a  valu- 
able experience  and  saved  some  money,  in  1S74 
bought  eighty-five  acres  of  bind  in  Goose  Lake 
Township;  but  the  farm  was  in  bad  condition, 
necessitating  some  very  bard  work  and  man- 
agement to  bring  it  into  its  present  excellent 
condition.  He  improved  the  buildings  and  land, 
and  had  one  of  the  best  places  I'm-  its  size  in 
the  township.  He  sold  this  farm  in  1013,  but 
still  resides  on  it  with  his  daughter,  Mrs.  John 
Philips,  who  was  the  purchaser. 

In  1SG7  Mr.  Onson  was  married  to  Annie 
Knutson,  born  in  Norway,  who  died  in  1S.S2. 
having  borne  him  the  following  children: 
Onie,  who  is  with  his  father;  Andrew,  who  is 
a  farmer  of  Goose  Lake  Township;  Carl,  who 
is  of  Wauponsee  Township;  Bertha,  Mrs.  John 
Philips,  who  is  the  owner  of  the  homestead  in 
Goose  Lake  Township;  and  Martha,  Mrs.  Get 
Olson,  who  is  of  Livingston  County,  111.  Mr. 
Onsan  belongs  to  the  Norwegian  Lutheran 
Church.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  but 
has  never  taken  any  active  part  in  public  af- 
fairs, as  his  farming  duties  have  claimed  him 
too  closely.  A  hardworker.  and  very  thrifty 
in  his  habits,  Mr.  Onson  has  steadily  advanced, 
and  his  success  is  well  merited. 

OSBORNE,  Robert.— Among  the  men  whose 
activities  in  the  mining  fields  of  Grundy  County 
have  brought  them  into  prominence,  few,  per- 
haps, are  better  known  than  Robert  Osborne, 
serving  his  fifth  term  as  a  member  of  the  State 
Executive  Board  of  the  United  Mine  Workers 
of  America.  From  earliest  boyhood  he  has 
been  connected  with  mining  operations,  and  has 
risen,  stop  by  step,  from  the  humblest  position 
to  one  that  makes  him  an  important  factor  in 
settling  controversies  between  operator  and 
miner.  Mr.  Osborne  is  a  native  of  Ayreshire. 
Scotland,  born  in  1ST?.,  a  son  of  William  and 
.Teanette  (Mitchell)  Osborne.  William  Osborne 
was  employed  as  a  miner  in  'his  native 
Scotland  until  the  year  1SS1,  when  he  emigrated 


to  the  United  States  and  entered  the  mines  in 
Illinois.  There,  during  the  same  year,  he 
was  joined  by  bis  wife  and  six  children,  the 
latter  being:  Robert,  William,  Hugh,  James, 
Jeanette,  who  is  now  Mrs.  Stuart :  and  Mary, 
who  also  married  a  Mr.  Stuart.  The  parents 
still  survive  and  make  their  home  at  Gillespie, 
111.,  where  Mr.  Osborne  is  employed  in  the 
mines. 

At  an  early  age,  Robert  Osborne  began  to 
assist  in  the  family  support,  working  one  day 
in  the  thread  mill  of  his  native  place,  while  the 
following  day  would  lie  spent  in  attendance  at 
the  public  school.  Thus  he  continued  until  com- 
ing to  America,  when,  at  the  age  of  eleven  years, 
he  became  a  trapper  in  the  mines  in  Illinois. 
When  he  came  to  Diamond,  he  worked  first 
as  a  mule-driver  anil  was  subsequently  pro- 
moted to  coal  digger,  and  was  so  employed  in 
1902,  when  he  was  appointed  deputy  sheriff 
under  Sheriff  Joseph  Frances,  an  office  which 
he  held  nearly  four  years.  In  1905  Mr.  Os- 
borne was  elected  sub-district  president  of  the 
Wilmington  field,  and  in  190S  became  a  member 
of  the  State  Executive  Board,  in  which  capacity 
he  has  continued  to  act  to  the  present  time.  A 
man  of  the  utmost  integrity,  he  has  won  the 
confidence"  of  those  with  whom  he' has  been  as- 
sociated, and  lias  been  an  important  factor  in 
settling  disputes  among  the  miners  and  operators. 
He  maintains  offices  at  Coal  City,  ami  at  all 
times  has  been  active  in  promoting  the  best 
interests  of  his  community  and  its  people. 

Mr.  Osborne  was  married  (first)  in  1S9G  to 
Miss  Allie  Morrison,  and  they  became  the 
parents  of  three  children,  namely:  Esther; 
Isabel,  who  died  at  the  age  of  four  years;  and 
a  child  who  died  in  infancy.  Mrs.  Osborne  died 
at  the  time  of  her  last  child's  birth.  On  Sep- 
tember 15,  190S,  Mr.  Osborne  was  married 
(second)  to  Catherine  Miller,  who  was  born  in 
Scotland,  and  came  to  America  as  a  child,  and 
for  eight  years  acted  as  assistant  postmaster 
at  Coal  City  under  Postmaster  Bennett.  One 
child,  Margaret,  has  been  born  to  this  union. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Osborne  are  consistent  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  belongs  to  the 
Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  Order  of  Scottish 
Clans.  A  Republican  in  politics,  he  has  been 
active  in  the  ranks  of  his  party,  and  at  the 
present  time  is  acting  in  the  capacity  of  pre- 
cinct committeeman. 

0SMANS0N,  Joseph.— A  visit  to  Grundy  County 
will  disclose  excellent  conditions  among  the 
farmers.  The  land  not  only  is  fertile,  but  ad- 
vanced and  intensive  fanning  has  made  it  pro- 
duce to  its  fullest  extent  and  crops  raised 
here  are  banner  ones.  The  buildings  are  mod- 
ern and  the  premises  kept  neat  and  orderly. 
Many  of  the  agriculturalists  are  specializing  on 
raising  blooded  slock,  and  nearly  all  of  them 
are  prosperous.  One  of  the  men  who  has 
proven  by  his  success  that  it  pays  to  devote 
time  and  attention  to  farming  is  Joseph  Osman- 
son  of  Saratoga  Township.  He  was  born  in  this 
township,   August   S,   1SS1,   a   son  of  Oliver  II. 


wy,aw?..MPi>y^' 


-      .....      L  _.„■ 


.      


■^MJlWi-i  » ...  .JU 


HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


879 


and  Susan  (Johnson)  Osmanson,.  natives  of 
Kendall  County,  111.,  and  Norway,  respectively. 
Like  most  farmers'  sons,  Joseph  Osmanson 
grew  up  on  the  homestead,  helping  with  the 
general  work,  and  attending  the  district  schools. 
Until  his  marriage,  he  remained  at  home  with 
his  parents,  but  after  that  went  on  a  farm  of 
his  own  and  now  operates  about  300  acres  of 
land,  carrying  ou  general  farming  and  stuck 
raising,  lie  belongs  to  the  Norwegian  Church. 
In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican  and  for  two 
years  served  very  acceptably  as  a  school  di- 
rector. On  December  17,  11.102,  Mr.  Osmanson 
married  Emma  L.  Severson,  burn  in  Greenfield 
Township,  daughter  of  Lars  and  Anna  (Sever- 
son) Severson,  natives  of  Norway.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Osmanson  are  (lie  parents  of  three  chil- 
dren: Gladys  Susan,  Vivian  Loretta,  and 
Ernest  It.  Mr.  Osmanson  is  a  man  who  has 
already  accomplished  much  although  he  is 
numbered  among  the  younger  farmers  of  his 
neighborhood.  Industrious  and  thrifty  in  his 
habits,  he  has  known  how  to  invest  his  money, 
and  is  a  substantial  man  with  a  bright  future 
before  him. 

OSMANSON,  Ole,  Jr.— Farming  and  stock  rais- 
ing are  two  kindred  occupations  which  are  often- 
times carried  on  together  by  the  more  progress- 
ive of  tlie  agriculturalists  of  every  farming 
community,  and  Grundy  County  is  no  exception 
to  this  rule.  One  of  those  who  is  making  a 
success  of  these  lines  of  endeavor  is  Ole  Os- 
manson, Jr..  of  Saratoga  Township,  lie  was 
born  in  this  same  township,  July  14.  18S3,  a 
son  of  Oliver  H.  and  Susan  (Johnson)  Os- 
manson, natives  of  Lisbon,  111.,  and  Stavanger. 
Norway,  respectively. 

Ole  Osmanson  attended  the  schools  of  his  dis- 
trict and  grew  up  amid  healthy,  wholesome 
country  surroundings.  After  marrying  in  1S05, 
he  began  farming  on  his  own  account  on  the 
homestead  of  bis  parents,  thus  continuing  until 
1012  when  be  bought  his  present  property  in 
Saratoga  Township,  on  which  he  raises  grain 
and  standard  Belgian  horses.  On  January  22, 
1S95,  Mr.  Osmanson  was  married  to  Grace 
Pyle,  born  at  Morris,  a  daughter  of  James  II. 
and  Josephine  (Waters)  Pyle,  of  English 
descent.  They  have  two  children  :  Willis  Enis 
and  Clarence  Ole.  Mr.  Osmanson  is  a  Lutheran, 
but  his  wife  is  a  Methodist.  Politically  he  is  a 
Republican,  and  served  three  years  as  a  school 
director.  Hard  working,  energetic  and  con- 
scientious in  his  work,  he  has  prospered  and 
enjoys  the  full  confidence  of  all  who  know  him. 

OSMON,  Austin  (deceased).— Something  more 
than  a  simple  notice  is  due  to  the  memory  of  a 
citizen  who  has  spent  his  life  in  assisting  in 
the  development  of  the  industrial  interests  of 
his  community.  In  this  class  was  the  late 
Austin  Osmon,  for  many  years  one  of  the  lead- 
ing agriculturists  of  Grundy  County,  who  was 
widely  known  and  highly  respected  not  only 
for  his  own  worth  of  character,  but  as  a 
veteran  of  the  Civil   War.     Mr.  Osmon  was  a 


native  of  Norway,  born  June  24,  1841,  and  a 
son  of  Osmon  and  Isabelle  E.  Osmon.  The 
family  emigrated  to  the  United  States  when 
Austin  was  a  lad  of  eight  years,  settling  in 
Lisbon  Township,  Kendall  County,  111.,  and  a 
few  years  later  removing  to  LaSalle  County. 
The  elder  Osmou  became  the  owner  of  large 
tracts  of  land  in  various  parts  of  Illinois,  and 
died  in   Ford   County. 

Austin  Osmon  left  home  when  he  was  but 
eleven  years  of  age  and  began  working  on  the 
farms  of  neighboring  agriculturists,  being  thus 
employed  at  the  time  of  the  outbreak  of  the 
Civil  'War.  In  the  fall  of  1SG1  he  enlisted  in 
the  Fifty-third  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  later  vet- 
eranized in  the  Fifteenth  Regiment,  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry.  While  in  the  former  regi- 
ment, be  bad  his  horse  shot  under  him  in  an 
engagement,  but  secured  auother  which  had  lost 
its  rider,  and  continued  in  the  battle.  Receiv- 
ing his  discharge  January  '.•.  1SG5,  after  a  brave 
and  meritorious  service,  Mr.  Osmon  returned 
to  Illinois,  and  was  engaged  in  farming  until 
his  retirement,  in  the  fall  of  1M>2,  at  which 
time  he  moved  to  Morris.  There  his  death  oc- 
curred July  3.  11903,  when  his  community  lost 
one  of  its  best  Citizens.  In  March,  1SGG,  Mr. 
Osmon  was  married  to  Miss  Helen  Hill,  who 
was  born  in  Kendall  County,  111.,  daughter  of 
John  and  Susan  (Anderson)  Hill,  natives  of 
Norway.  Mrs.  Hill  came  to  the  United  States 
in  1S34.  when  she  was  fourteen  years  of  age, 
and  her  husband  emigrated  to  this  country  live 
years  later.  They  were  married  at  Ottawa, 
111.,  and  settled  on  a  farm  which  Mr.  Hill  had 
purchased  from  the  Government  some  time  be- 
fore bis  marriage.  To  this  he  kept  adding  from 
time  to  time,  and  when  he  died.  December  30, 
1S92.  be  was  the  owner  of  a  tine  tract  of  320 
acres  in  LaSalle  County.  Mr.  Osmon  was  a 
member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  in 
which  be  numbered  numerous  friends.  A  Re- 
publican in  politics,  he  served  one  term  as 
alderman,  while  his  religious  views  were  those 
of  the  Bethlehem  Lutheran  Church.  After  his 
death  his  wife  went  to  live  with  her  daughter, 
at  whose  home  she  passed  away  May  IS,  11)10, 
at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-eight  years. 

OSMON,  Joseph  H.— When  Grundy  County 
land  is  worked  properly  it  yields  large  profits  to 
the  owner  and  enables  him  in  time  to  retire 
from  the  activities  of  life.  One  of  the  men 
who  early  appreciated  this  fact  and  conducted 
his  farming  operations  intelligently  and  suc- 
cessfully is  .Joseph  II.  Osmon  of  Morris.  He 
was  born  in  Big  Grove  Township,  Kendall 
county.  111..  March  30,  1SG9.  a  son  of  Osmon 
and  llelen  (Hill)  Osmon,  natives  of  Norway 
and  Kendall  County,  111.,  respectively.  When 
the  father  was  six  years  old.  he  was  brought 
to  this  country  by  his  parents,  who  settled 
near  Streator,  but  later  moved  to  Kendall 
County.  The. mother's  people,  John  and  Susan 
(Anderson)  Hill,  were  also  natives  of  Norway, 
who  came  to  Kendall  County,  being  aiming  the 
first    of    their    nationality    to    locate    in     that 


880 


HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY   COUNTY. 


locality  and  enter  land.  The  parents  of  Jo- 
seph H.  Osmon  married  in  LaSalle  County, 
and  settling  in  Big  Grove  Township,  Kendall 
County,  lived  there  until  1S90.  In  that  year, 
they  came  to  Morris,  where  the  father  died 
iu  July,  1902,  but  the  mother  survives,  making 
her  home  in  Morris. 

Joseph  II.  Osmon  had  more  educational  ad- 
vantages than  many  farmer  boys,  for  after 
going  to  the  district  schools,  he  attended  the 
public  schools  of  Lisbon  and  the  Normal  school 
of  Morris.  Until  his  marriage,  be  lived  with 
his  parents,  but  at  that  time  farmed  for  him- 
self for  a  year  in  Kendall  County,  and  then 
moved  to  Nettle  (reek  Township,  Grundy 
County.  In  1902,  he  went  to  Saratoga  Town- 
ship, on  a  farm  owned  by  his  mother,  where 
he  remained  until  1907,  and  then  came  to 
Morris.  He  still  owns  land  and  has  farming 
interests  in  Illinois,  as  well  as  property  in 
Roberts  County,  S.  D.,  where  he  spends  his 
summers,  living  during  the  winter  at  Morris. 
He  rents  his  farming  land,  having  retired  from 
active  participation  in  the  work  of  operation. 
On  September  17,  lsflO,  Mr.  Osmon  married 
Colia  Marvick.  born  in  Nettle  Creek  Township, 
daughter  of  Cevick  and  Lorenzo  (Noadland) 
Marvick,  natives  of  Norway,  who  were  mar- 
ried in  La  Salle  County.  111.  Three  years 
later,  they  came  to  Nettle  Creek  Township,  but 
since  19CM5,  they  have  Jived  at  Story  City,  Iowa. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Osmon  became  the  parents  of 
the  following  children  :  Viola,  who  was  born 
December  13,  1892,  married  Kay  Bannon  and 
they  live  at  Morris.  111.;  Karl,  who  was  born 
May  16,  1S97,  ami  Russell,  who  was  born 
March  12,  1900,  are  both  at  homo.  The  family 
belongs  to  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  Church. 
A  Republican,  Mr.  Osmon  served  as  supervisor 
of  Nettle  Creek  Township  for  two  terms,  and 
was  a  good  official,  lie  has  also  been  school 
director,  and  displays  in  his  conduct  of  public 
affairs  the  same  wise  judgment  and  conscien- 
tious action  which  characterize  his  conduct 
of  his  private  business. 

PEACOCK,  George  A.— A  number  of  the  most 
substantial  of  Grundy  County  agriculturalists 
have  gained  their  practical  knowledge  of 
farming  while  conducting  operations  on  differ- 
ent properties,  so  that  when  they  bought  land 
for  themselves  they  were  able  to  bring  to  bear 
valuable  experience  thus  gained.  One  of  the 
men  who  has  in  this  way  attained  to  prosperity 
and  is  now  numbered  among  the  excellent  farm- 
ers of  Nettle  Creek  Township  is  George  A.  Pea- 
cock. He  was  born  in  Nettle  Creek  Township 
March  23,  1*N3.  a  son  of  Alexander  and  Emma 
(Towsley )   Peacock. 

Until  he  was  twenty-two  years  old,  George 
A.  Peacock  remained  at  home  and  then  began 
farming  for  himself  on  the  home  farm.  After 
two  years  there,  he  spent  a  year  on  the  Wilson 
farm,  in  Erienna  Township,  then  moved  on 
the  Hatcbert  farm  in  that  same  township, 
where  he  spent  two  years.  lie  then  returned 
to   Nettle    Creek   Township    to   take   charge   of 


1C0  acres  of  land  belonging  to  the  Peacock 
estate.  On  it  be  successfully  carries  on  grain 
growing,  study  ami  experience  having  taught 
him  that  this  land  is  best  suited  for  grain.  He 
is  a  man  of  more  education  than  the  fanners' 
sons  sometimes  secure,  as  he  not  only  attended 
the  excellent  schools  of  Morris,  but  also  took 
a  course  in  Brown's  Business  college  at  Ottawa, 
111.,  and  the  knowledge  thus  gained  has  served 
him  well  in  his  agricultural  actiritics,  for  the 
day  has  gone  by  when  a  man  can  operate  laud 
uuintelligently  and  succeed. 

On  February  -L  1909,  Mr.  Peacock  married 
Grace  Morrall,  born  at  Morris,  111..  January  15, 
1SSS,  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Killey  (Henry) 
Morrall.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peacock  have  two 
children:  Hazel,  born  November  3,  1909,  and 
Alberta,  born  March  1.  1911.  Mr.  Peacock  is  a 
Republican  and  served  his  township  in  the  office 
of  collector  while  living  in  Erienna  Township. 
He  is  an   experienced   man  and  good  farmer. 

PEACOCK,  Irvin  David. — The  life  of  the  modern 
farmer  is  lull  of  interest,  for  he  has  to  be 
ever  on  the  alert  in  order  to  make  bis  land 
yield  its  full  value  and  pay  a  good  percentage 
on  bis  investment  of  time  and  money.  The 
time  has  long  passed  when  the  farmer  was 
willing  to  labor  long  and  late  just  to  secure  a 
living.  Agriculturalists  now  conduct  their 
farms  as  any  other  business  is  carried  on  for 
fair  and  reasonable  profit,  and  that  they  are 
succeeding  the  number  of  wealthy  farmers 
proves  conclusively.  One  of  the  men  of  Grundy 
County,  who  has  shown  wisdom  in  selecting 
farming  as  bis  life  work,  is  Irvin  David  Pea- 
cock of  Nettle  Creek  Township.  He  was  born 
in  Erienna  Township,  September  2G,  1SS7,  a 
son  of  Leander  A.  and  Emma  D.  (Towsley) 
Peacock. 

Crowing  up  on  bis  father's  homestead.  Mr. 
Peacock  not  only  attended  the  district  schools 
of  his  township",  but  the  .Morris  High  school, 
and  later  took  a  business  course  at  the  Metro- 
politan Commercial  college  at  Joliet.  Mr.  Pea- 
cock remained  with  his  parents  until  bis  mar- 
riage which  occurred  February  22.  1910.  when 
ho  was  united  by  Rev.  Schneider  with  Ella  M. 
Caldwell,  born  in  Nettle  Creek  Township,  Feb- 
ruary 27,  1SS7,  a  daughter  of  William  I.,  and 
Mary  A.  (Charlton)  Caldwell.  Mrs.  Peacock 
attended  the  Morris  High  school.  Following 
marriage,  Mr.  Peacock  moved  to  Nettle  Creek 
Township,  settling  on  a  farm  of  160  acres,  on 
which  he  carries  on  general  farming,  with  ex- 
cellent results.  He  and  his  wife  attend  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  contribute 
towards  its  support.  A  Republican,  Mr.  Pea- 
cock has  given  his  party  a  loyal  support  and 
served  his  township  as  road  commissioner.  A 
good  farmer  and  excellent  business  man,  Mr. 
Peacock  is  rapidly  forging  to  the  front  and  is 
justly  numbered  among  the  efficient  men  of  his 
township.  • 

PEACOCK,  Leander  Alexander  (deceased).— One 
of    the    well-cultivated    and    valuable    farms    of 


HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


881 


Grundy  County.  111.,  is  that  known  as  Pleasant 
View,  located,  in  Erienna  Township,  on  Mor- 
ris Rural  Route  Xo.  3.  which  for  many  years 
has  been  the  home  of  the  Peacock  family.  Here 
resided  for  a  long  period  the  late  Leander  Alex- 
ander Peacock,  whose  skill  as  an  agricultural- 
ist and  activities  as  a  citizen  made  him  a 
valuable  and  valued  man  in  his  community, 
and  whose  death,  which  occurred  February  27. 
1002,  was  widely  mourned.  Mr.  Peacock  was 
born  in  Erienna  township.  Grundy  County,  111., 
June  17.  ISol,  and  was  a  son  of  Alexander  R. 
and    Mary    (Stewart)    Peacock. 

Alexander  R.  Peacock  was  born  in  England, 
and  as  a  young  man  emigrated  to  Canada, 
where,  at  Leperara,  he  was  married  to  Mary 
Stewart,  a  native  of  the  Dominion.  In  1S37, 
after  the  birth  of  their  first  child,  they  came 
by  wagon  to  the  United  States,  locating  first  at 
Morris,  111.,  but  subsequently  moving  to  a  farm 
in  Saratoga  Township.  Later  they  bought  a 
property  of  240  acres,  located  in  Erienna 
Township,  and  another  tract  of  100  acres  in 
Nettle  Creek  Township.  Mr.  Peacock  died  on 
the  Erienna  Township  farm,  January  IS,  1S55, 
while  his  widow  survived  many  years,  pass- 
ing away  at  the  home  of  a  daughter  in  Iowa, 
April  13,  1S09. 

Leander  A.  Peacock  received  a  public  school 
education,  and  was  reared  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits, the  early  death  of  his  father  making  it 
necessary  that  he  start  to  aid  in  the  family 
support  when  he  was  still  hut  a  lad.  He  was 
married  November  1.  1^70.  to  Mi<s  Emma  D. 
Towsloy,  who  was  horn  July  S,  185$,  a  daugh- 
ter of  George  and  Sophia  (Shipman)  Towsley, 
of  Ontario,  Canada,  and  granddaughter  of  Har- 
mon Towsley,  of"  Vermont,  and  Ezra  and  Mary 
Ann  (Gallop)  Shipman.  of  Canada.  The  mar- 
riage ceremony  was  performed  by  Rev.  Ailing 
of  Morris,  111.  After  their  marriage,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Peacock  resided  with  the  former's  mother 
until  the  following  spring,  when  they  moved  to 
a  farm  owned  by  Mr.  Peacock  in  Nettle  Creek 
Township,  a  tract  of  ICO  acres,  where  they 
remained  and  farmed  until  January,  1SS5.  At 
that  time  they  moved  to  Mr.  Peacock's  father's 
old  place.  Pleasant  View  Farm,  which  he  had 
purchased  from  the  heirs  ami  here  he  owned  in 
all  400  acres.  He  was  known  as  a  skilled  and 
progressive  farmer,  alert  to  the  progress  made 
in  his  calling,  and  as  a  public-spirited  citizen 
and  desirable  neighbor.  A  stalwart  Republi- 
can, he  took  a  deep  interest  in  public  affairs, 
and  at  various  times  served  as  road  commis- 
sioner, supervisor,  township  treasurer,  school 
director  and  justice  of  the  peace.  His  fra- 
ternal connection  was  with  the  Knights  of 
Pythias  of  Morris.  111. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peacock  were  the  parents  of 
the  following  children:  Iva  E.,  horn  August 
11,  1S77,  now  Mrs.  Daniel  Hohenshell.  who  has 
three  children,  Russell.  Ethel  and  Alta;  Al- 
fred A.,  horn  September  25.  1S7S,  who  married 
May  Clark,  and  lives  in  Morris.  111.,  has  one 
daughter,  Ix)is:  Ada  I,..  horn  January  7,  1880, 
now  Mrs.   Albert   Hoge,  of  Nettle  Creek   Town- 


ship, who  has  three  sons.  Gordon.  Chester  and 
Earnest:  l.ila  A.,  horn  August  IS,  1SS1,  now 
Mrs.  Fred  Dix,  of  Morris,  111.:  George  Adel- 
hert.  horn  March  23,  1SS3,  a  resident  of  Nettle 
Creek  Township,  married  Grace  Morrall,  to 
whom  were  horn  two  daughters.  Hazel  and 
Alberta;  Chester  D..  horn  October  24.  Issr,,  who 
died  October  11.  190G;  Irvin  D.,  horn  Septem- 
ber 20,  1SS7,  a  resident  of  Nettle  Creek  Town- 
ship, married  Ella  Caldwell;  Herman  Ray, 
born  April  3,  1SS9,  living  at  home  with  his 
mother;  Charles  A.,  horn  September  2S,  1891, 
at  home;  Clifford  II..  born  February  2.  1S03, 
also  at  home;  and  Gladys  Grace,  born  Septem- 
ber 2:!.  ISO-),  also  living  at  Pleasant  View  Farm. 
Since  the  death  of  her  husband,  Mrs.  Peacock 
has  managed  the  operation  of  the  home  place, 
and  has  made  a  decided  success  both  in  gen- 
eral farming  and  in  the  raising  of  thorough- 
bred Duroe-Jersey  boss.  She  is  a  consistent 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  is  widely  known  and  highly  esteemed  in 
the  township  in  which  she  has  made  her  home 
for  so  many  years. 

PEACOCK,  Robert  W. — The  man  who  earnestly 
endeavors  to  improve  his  land  and  raise  the 
standard  in  his  special  line  of  work,  is  a  public 
benefactor,  for  true  progress  is  measured  by 
the  practical  accomplishments  of  the  residents 
of  any  community.  No  locality  can  advance 
faster  than  its  people,  and  one  reason  for  the 
desirable  conditions  prevailing  in  Grundy  Coun- 
ty is  that  its  men  and  women  are  progressive 
in  spirit  and  effective  in  action.  <  >ne  of  the 
farmers  who  has  accomplished  much  during  his 
fifty-eight  years  of  life  is  Robert  Peacock  of 
Morris  Township.  He  is  a  native  of  the  town- 
ship, born  here  June  23,  1S5G,  a  son  of  John 
and  Rebecca  (Anderson)  Peacock,  natives  of 
England  and  Ohio.  These  parents  came  to 
Morris  Township  about  1841,  and  eventually 
became  the  owners  of  7S0  acres  of  land,  upon 
which  both  died. 

Growing  up  in  his  native  township,  Robert 
Peacock  attended  both  public  and  select  schools, 
and  learned  farming  in  all  its  details.  Ho  re- 
sided with  his  parents  as  Ion-  as  they  lived, 
and  then  the  children  kept  together  until  the 
youngest  in  the  family  attained  his  majority. 
At  that  time  the  estate  was  divided,  and  Mr. 
Peacock  received  his  portion,  located  on  sec- 
tions 1  and  2.  and  now  owns  160  acres.  Since 
coming  into  possession  of  his  farm,  ho  has  made 
many  improvements,  including  the  erection  oi 
new'  buildings.-  On  it  he  carried  on  general 
farming  and  raises  horses,  and  is  one  of  the 
substantial  farmers  of  bis  township.  _ 

On  March  18,  18S5,  Mr.  Peacock  married 
Lvdia  White,  who  was  horn  in  Felix  Town- 
ship, December  IS,  1SGG,  a  daughter  of  William 
and  Lvdia  (Benton)  Peacock,  natives  of  Ohio. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peacock  have  had  the  following 
children:  Edward,  who  is  of  Morris  Town- 
ship, married  Minnie  May  Reardon;  Florence, 
Ruth,  and  Leslie,  who  are  at  home;  and 
Maggie  B.  and  Austin,  who  are  deceased.     Mr. 


882 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


Peacock  is  ;i  Baptist  in  religions  faith,  and 
his  wife  is  a  Presbyterian.  Politically  be  is 
a  Republican.  His  standing  in  his  community, 
which  is  a  high  one.  lias  been  attained  through 
honorable  endeavor  and  faithful  adherence  to 
high  standards.  Mrs.  Peacock  is  a  member  of 
the  Royal  Neighbors. 

PEART,  James  P.— Many  of  the  substantial 
agriculturists  of  Grundy  County  are  carrying 
on  operations  on  land  cultivated  for  years  by 
their  fathers.  Born  on  their  farms,  and  spend- 
ing their  whole  lives  thereon,  they  are  familiar 
with  soil  and  climatic  conditions,  and  can  bring 
to  their  labors  that  intelligence  and  knowledge 
that  insures  success.  In  this  class  may  be  men- 
tioned James  P.  Peart,  the  owner  of  1G0  acres 
of  land,  which  has  been  in  the  family  posses- 
sion for  nearly  a  half  a  century.  Mr.  Peart  was 
born  on  his  present  property,  in  Goose  Lake 
Township,  in  March,  1877,  and  he  is  a  son  of 
Cuthbert  and  Mary  Ann  i  Walker)  Peart,  na- 
tives of  England.  The  parents  of  James  1'. 
Peart  both  came  to  the  United  States  as  chil- 
dren, their  families  locating  first  in  Ohio,  where 
Mr.  anil  Mrs.  peart  were  married.  About  the 
year 18G4  they  migrated  from  the  Buckeye  State 
to  Grundy  County,  111.,  where  the  father  pur- 
chased a  tract  of  eighty  acres  in  Goose  Lake 
Township.  To  this  lie  added  from  time  to  time, 
increasing  his  earnings  by  working  in  the  mines 
during  the  winter  months,  and  he  was  thus 
occupied  until  his  death.  October  1-"..  1010,  when 
he  was  the  owner  of  1G0  acres  of  land  and  one 
of  his  section's  substantial  men.  The  mother. 
who  survives  him,  resides  at  Carbon  Hill,  111. 
They  had  the  following  children:  John,  who 
is  deceased:  Jeremiah,  who  resides  in  Goose 
Lake  Township:  Joseph,  of  Carbon  Hill;  Mary, 
who  is  the  widow  of  Roscoe  Brown,  of  Carbon 
Hill;  Emerson,  who  is  of  Springfield,  111.:  James 
P.;  and  Jessie,  who  married  Thomas  Nicholson. 
lives  at  Divernon.  111. 

James  P.  Peart  received  a  common  school  edu- 
cation in  the  schools  of  Grundy  County,  and 
was  reared  to  agricultural  pursuits.  On  Feb- 
ruary 19,  1001,  he  was  married  to  Anna  Wilson. 
who  was  born  at  Braidwood,  111.,  daughter  of 
William  and  Margaret  Wilson,  and  two  children 
have  been  born  to  this  union:  William  and  Mil- 
ford.  After  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peart 
settled  on  the  farm  of  his  father,  in  Goose  Lake 
Township,  of  which  he  has  been  the  owner  since 
the  older  man's  death.  He  is  thoroughly  skilled 
in  farm  work,  and  the  general  air  of  prosperity 
noticeable  on  his  property  gives  ample  evidence 
of  good  management  and  industrious  effort.  In 
all  matters  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  his  com- 
munity he  shows  an  active  and  intelligent  inter- 
est, but  has  never  been  a  politician,  and  supports 
Republican  principles  only  as  a  good  citizen. 
Fraternally  he  holds  membership  in  the  A.  O. 
O.  G.  and' the  1.  O.  O.   F.   of  Coal   City. 

PEART,  Jeremiah. — One  of  the  substantial  gen- 
eral farmers  and  constable  of  Goose  Lake  Town- 
ship, who  stands  high  among  the  leading  agri- 


culturalists of  Grundy  County,  was  horn  in 
Ohio,  October  11.  1864,  a  son  of  Cuthbert  and 
Mary  Ann  (Walker)  Peart,  natives  of  England. 
The  father  was  taken  to  Ohio  by  his  parents, 
but.  the  mother  came  there  alone.  The  parents 
met  and  married  in  Ohio,  where  they  resided 
until  1SGG,  but  in  that  year  moved  to  Felix 
Township,  Grundy  County,  111.,  where  the  father 
bought  1G0  acres  of  land,  on  which  he  died 
October  13,  1910,  having  retired  from  active 
work  in  1903.  His  widow  lives  at  Carlton 
Hill,  111. 

Jeremiah  Peart  grew  up  on  the  homestead  and 
attended  the  schools  of  his  neighborhood.  In 
1804  he  rented  hind  in  Goose  Lake  Township, 
and  continued  to  do  so  for  three  years,  but  then 
bought  eighty  acres  in  the  same  township.  This 
property  is  still  his  home,  and  he  has  developed 
it  into  a  valuable  farm,  erecting  all  the  build- 
ings and  making  other  important  improvements. 
Mr.  Peart  devotes  bis  land  to  general  farming, 
and  bis  results  justify  his  course.  On  Novem- 
ber 20,  1804.  Mr.  Peart  was  married  to  Anna 
Swenson,  born,  reared  and  educated  in  Denmark, 
which  she  left  when  twenty  years  of  age  to  come 
to  the  United  States.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peart  are 
the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Mabel, 
Ethel  and  Cuthbert.  The  family  are  Methodists 
in  religious  faith.  In  1!)or.  Mr.  Peart  was  elected 
Constable  of  his  township  and  still  holds  that 
office,  while  for  twelve  years  he  was  Judge  of 
Elections  and  for  eighteen  years  was  a  School 
Director.  Some  years  ago  he  joined  the  Mo- 
hawk Harbor  of  A.  O.  O.  Gleaners,  and  is  inter- 
ested in  the  work  of  that  organization.  A  man 
of  action,  steadfast  in  his  allegiance  to  church 
and  party,  be  is  one  of  the  reliable  men  of  his 
locality,  and  is  properly  esteemed  by  those  who 
know  him. 

PETERSON,  Edwin  F—  One  of  the  prosperous 
farmers  of  Saratoga  Township  is  Edwin  F. 
Peterson,  who  belongs  to  that  practical  class 
of  agriculturalists  who  keep  fully  abreast  of 
the  times  and  conduct  their  farms  with  the 
same  care  as  a  merchant  buys  and  sells  goods. 
Farming  is  no  longer  a  haphazard  proposition. 
He  was  horn  in  his  present  township.  Septem- 
ber Ki.  1870.  a  son  of  Wier  and  Anna  (Thomp- 
son) Peterson.  After  going  through  school  in 
his  own  district.  Mr.  Peterson  took  a  year's 
course  at  Northwestern  college,  at  Napervillo. 
and  coming  home  assisted  his  parents  on  the 
farm  until  his  marriage.  January  25,  1804.  at 
which  time  be  rented  land  and  operated  it  for 
a  year  in  Saratoga  Township.  He  then  went 
to  Mazon  Township  and  continued  to  rent  land 
for  two  years,  then  moved  back  to  Saratoga 
Township  and  rented  for  seven  years  more. 
In  1004  he  bought  120  acres  of  land  in  Sara- 
toga Township,  upon  which  he  still  resides. 
His  is  a  line  property  and  be  devotes  it  to  grain 
growing. 

On  January  2.1.  Is04.  Mr.  Peterson  married 
Bertha  Nelson,  born  in  Norway,  a  daughter  of 
Ole  and  Sarah  (Thompson)  Nelson,  who  came 
to  Grundy  County  in  1801.     Mr.  Nelson  is  now 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


883 


deceased.      Mr.    and    Mrs.    Peterson    have   had 

children  as  follows :  Sadie,  born  March  13, 
1895;  Ralph,  horn  July  5,  1S97 ;  Winnie,  born 
December  21,  1S9S;  Nora,  born  September  13, 
1900;  Fern,  born  November  15,  1003;  Howard., 
born  May  23,  1905,  and  Darwin,  born  April 
10,  1907,  all  of  whom  are  at  home.  The  Lu- 
theran Church  holds  Mr.  Peterson's  membership, 
ami  benefits  from  his  generosity,  lie  is  a  Re- 
publican and  has  served  as  school  director  and 
road  commissioner,  giving  entire  satisfaction 
in  both  offices,  for  he  is  as  competent  a  public 
official,  as  he  is  a  farmer,  ami  considering  his 
success,  that  is  saying  a  good  deal. 

PETERSON,  Wier.— The  Norwegian  element  is 
a  very  important  one  in  Grundy  County,  for 
the  sturdy  sons  of  the  Northland  make  desir- 
able citizens  wherever  they  elect  to  live,  and 
where  they  are  found  there  is  sure  to  he  thrift 
and  industry.  One  of  the  good  examples  of 
what  a  Norwegian  can  accomplish  in  this  coun- 
try, provided  he  is  willing  to  work  hard  and 
save  money,  is  Wier  Peterson,  a  retired  farmer 
of  Morris.  Mr.  Peterson  was  born  in  Norway. 
May  15,  1S2S,  where  his  parents  both  died. 
In  185S  Mr.  Peterson  came  to  the  United 
States,  and  at  first  came  to  Morris,  hut  later 
moved  to  Lisbon,  where  he  worked  out  for 
farmers.  After  his  marriage  in  1S61,  Mr.  Peter- 
son rented  land  for  two  years  until  he  was 
able  to  buy  forty  acres  of  prairie  land  in 
Saratoga  Township.  This  he  improved,  and 
built  a  house  on  it  and  when  he  sold  it.  he 
made  a  good  profit.  The  money  he  received 
for  his  first  farm  was  invested  in  eighty  acres 
in  the  same  township,  and  he  added  to  this 
from  time  to  time,  in  Grundy,  and  just  across 
the  road,  in  Kendall  County,  until  he  became 
the  owner  of  520  acres.  He  lived  on  his  farm 
until  he  retired  to  Morris,  when  he  disposed 
of  his  land  to  his  sons. 

On  July  4.  1SG1,  Mr.  Peterson  was  married 
to  Annie  Thompson,  a  native  of  Norway,  who 
came  to  Morris  just  before  her  marriage.  The 
children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peterson  were : 
William,  of  Morris:  Julia,  Mrs.  Ed.  Erickson; 
Sarah.  Mrs.  Ever  Sampson,  of  Morris;  Mary 
E.,  Mrs.  Lars  Orstrom.  of  Iowa;  and  Thomas 
O.,  Edwin  F.  and  Eli  F.,  all  of  Saratoga  Town- 
ship; John,  of  Kendall  County,  and  Anna  M., 
who  keeps  house  for  her  father.  Mrs.  Peter- 
son died  May  24,  1000,  and  is  still  deeply 
mourned  by  her  sorrowing  family.  Mr.  Peter- 
son is  a  Lutheran.  He  is  an  independent  Re- 
publican, and  served  as  school  director  for 
many  years.  His  interest  for  many  years 
was  centered  in  farming,  and  he  was  recog- 
nized as  one  of  the  leading  agriculturalists  of 
Grundy  County.  Few  men  stand  any  higher  in 
public  estimation  than  he.  and  the  Norwegians 
in  this  locality  are  especially  proud  of  him, 
feeling  that  he  has  set  a  high  standard  for  them 
to  emulate. 

PETTEYS,  John  G—  It- is  an  unquestioned  fact 
that  the  men  who  have  accomplished  the  most 


in  tin'  world's  history  are  those  who  have  won 
their  own  way.  The  stimulus  of  necessity  acts 
as  a  spur,  urging  men  onward  and  upward. 
The  self-made  man  is  not  new  to  this  country. 
This  type  existed  from  the  beginning  of  civiliza- 
tion and  will  continue  to  he  in  evidence  as 
long  as  civilization  continues,  for  when  this 
kind  of  citizen  dies  out,  advancement  will 
cease.  One  of  the  men  who  deserves  more  than 
passing  mention  because  of  what  he  has  made 
of  himself,  is  John  Gordon  Petteys,  a  leading 
attorney  of  Grundy  County,  residing  at.  Morris. 
Mr.  Petteys  was  born  in  Wayne  County,  N.  Y., 
July  25,  1871.  a  son  of  Freeman  David  and 
Almary  (Jenkins)  Petteys,  natives  of  New 
York.  They  married  and  settled  in  Wayne 
County,  N.  V.,  where  they  lived  until  L879, 
when  they  moved  to  Detroit,  Mich.  After  two 
years  in  that  city,  they  moved  to  Bureau 
County.  111.,  and  fanned  until  ls02,  when  they 
left  the  farm,  going  to  Tiskilwa,  111.,  where 
they  are  now  living  retired.  Their  children 
were:  Jesse  Aubrey  of  Wyoming.  III.;  John 
Gordon;  Wayne  A.,  a  letter  carrier  at  Morris; 
William  Lloyd  G.,  who  was  drowned  when 
three  and  one-half  years  old  at  Tiskilwa  ;  and 
Hazel,  a  schoolteacher  in  the  Evanston,  111., 
public  schools. 

John  G.  Petteys  graduated  from  the  Tiskilwa 
High  school  in  June.  1889.  Entering  the  serv- 
ice of  the  United  Slates  Government  as  a 
railway  postal  clerk  in  1800,  he  thus  continued 
until  1901,  when  he  resigned  to  take  up  the 
practice  of  law  at  Morris.  111.  In  1S9G  he  en- 
tered the  Northwestern  University  Law  school 
from  which  he  graduated  in  June,  1899,  hav- 
ing completed  the  course  while  in  the  employ 
of  the  government,  as  a  postal  clerk.  Mr.  Pet- 
teys is  possessed  of  the  true  legal  mind,  that 
is  acquired  from  practical  experience  while  be- 
ing carefully  trained   in  his  profession. 

A  Republican  in  politics,  he  was  Public  Ad- 
ministrator of  Grundy  County  for  four  years. 
He  is  a  prominent.  Mason,  being  a  member  of 
the  Blue  Lodge  of  Tiskilwa,  111.;  Orient  Chap- 
ter No,  31  of  Morris,  111.,  which  he  served  as 
High  Priest  for  two  years;  and  the  Royal  and 
Select  Masters  and  Council  of  Joliet.  III.,  ami 
received  the  thirty-second  degree  in  Oriental 
Consistory,  at  Chicago,  III.  He  also  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  of  Morris,  111. 
Mr.  Petteys  has  one  child,  Dorothy,  born  in 
January,  1901. 

PETTIT,  Joseph  Higgins.— Since  earliest  boy- 
hood the  life,  of  Joseph  Higgins  Petti t  has  been 
one  of  tireless  industry,  strict  integrity  and 
eventual  notable  accomplishment.  Losing  his 
father  when  he  was  still  a  child,  he  was  handi- 
capped in  youth  by  the  lack  of  extended  educa- 
tional advantages!  hut  his  subsequent  career 
furnished  him  with  experience  that  not  only 
made  up  for  this  early  loss,  hut  gave  him  a 
broad  outlook  .on  lite  ami  its  complexities.  To- 
day, while  retired  from  the  cares  and  struggles 
of  the  business  arena,  he  is  known  as  one  of  his 
city's    most   highly   esteemed   citizens,    and    the 


884 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


reputation  lie  gained  during  his  long  and  useful 
career  still  makes  his  name  much  respected 
in  commercial  circles.  Joseph  Higgins  I'ettit 
was  born  February  G,  1S42,  in  Hunterdon 
County,  N.  J.,  and  is  a  son  of  Mahlon  and 
Amanda  (Higgins)  I'ettit.  Mahlon  I'ettit  died 
in  1849,  and  in  185(3  his  widow  brought  her 
only  son  to  Illinois,  where,  in  1858.  she  was 
married  to  Henry  T.  Mallory. 

Joseph  II.  I'ettit  seemed  his  education  in 
private  schools  in  New  Jersey,  and  on  coining 
to  Illinois  started  work  at  an  early  age  as  a 
clerk  in  a  store  of  general  merchandise.  In 
1859  he  returned  to  his  native  State,  and  while 
there,  in  April,  1861,  enlisted  in  Company  II. 
Third  Regiment,  New  Jersey  Volunteer  Infan- 
try. Three  months  later  he  was  discharged  at 
the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service,  and  re- 
turned to  Morris,  111.,  entered  employment  with 
a  former  employer,  remained  with  him  until  in 
December,  1804.  when  he  again  became  con- 
nected witli  the  Union  forces  as  a  clerk  in  the 
Quartermaster's  department,  with  Gen.  Slier- 
man's  army,  in  August,  18(15,  when  the  Quar- 
termaster received  his  discharge,  -Mr.  I'ettit  re- 
turned to  the  occupations  of  peace,  and  came 
to  Morris,  111.,  where  he  re-entered  the  employ 
of  I,.  P..  Kay.  witli  whom  he  continued  until 
1SG9.  At  that  time  Mr.  I'd  tit  entered  the 
Grundy  County  National  Bank,  where  his  enter- 
prise and  faithful  service  won  tor  him  the  posi- 
tion of  cashier,  hut  on  October  1.  1ST!,  he  re- 
signed his  position  and  went  to  Chicago,  there 
becoming  receiving  teller  of  the  Cook  County 
National  Bank,  and  was  connected  with  thai  in- 
stitution until  March  1.  1S72.  Mr.  I'ettit  then 
decided  to  enter  active  commercial  life,  and  in 
Company  with  Leander  Irons  purchased  the 
hardware  stock  of  E.  R.  Field  and  Company,  at 
Morris,  this  association  being  continued  for  four 
years.  He  then  sold  his  interest  to  George  Rid- 
dle, and  for  the  following  two  years  was  em- 
ployed in  an  attorney's  office,  then  securing  a 
position  in  the  county  clerk's  office,  where  he 
remained  until  being  appointed  clerk  of  the 
Circuit  Court.  December  5,  1S7S.  Mr.  I'ettit  was 
subsequently  succeeded  by  Gideon  R.  Taxis,  and 
for  nine  years  acted  as  deputy  circuit  clerk, 
and  in  188s  was  elected  to  the  office  of  circuit 
clerk,  acting  in  that  capacity  for  two  years. 
He  was  then  succeeded  by  Fred  S.  Johnson,  the 
present  incumbent  of  the  office,  and  acted  as  his 
deputy  until  1807,  when  he  again  entered  the 
business  arena  as  the  proprietor  of  an  abstract 
and  real  estate  business.  This  was  successfully 
continued  until  100S,  since  which  time  he  has 
lived  retired. 

On  January  30,  187.'}.  Mr.  Pettit  was  married 
to  Mvra  S.  Massey,  who  was  born  in  LaSallo 
County.  111.,  daughter  of  Jonathan  W.  and 
Nancy  B.  (Dow)  Massey,  natives  of  New  Hamp- 
shire. Mrs.  Pettit  died  January  15.  1911.  hav- 
ing been  the  mother  of  two  children  :  Muriel, 
who  is  now  the  wife  of  Herbert  A.  Munson,  of 
Tacoma,  Wash.;  and  Raymond  J.,  who  died  at 
the  age  of  six  years. 

Mr.  Pettit  is  a  popular  comrade  of  Darveau 
Post  No.  329,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and 


holds  membership  in  Cedar  Lodge  No.  121,  A.  F. 
&  A.  M.,  Orient  Chapter  No.  31,  R.  A.  M.,  and 
Blaney  Conimandery  No.  5.  at  Morris.  Politi- 
cally he  is  a  Republican  and  is  known  as  one 
of  the  strong  party  men  of  his  community.  I  lis 
religious  connection  is  with  the  Congregational 
Church. 

PETTY,  Richard,  who,  after  many  years  of  in- 
dustrial endeavor  during  which  lie  has  achieved 
a  well-earned  prosperity,  is  now  living  retired 
at  Morris  where  he  stands  very  high  in  the 
estimation  of  his  fellow  citizens.  He  was  born 
in  Limestone  County.  Ala..  August  10,  l^pj, 
son  of  Abner  and  Kittle  (Carrington)  Petty, 
the  former  born  in  England,  and  the  Jailer  in 
Virginia.  The  father  died  when  his  son  Rich- 
ard was  a  child,  but  prior  to  bis  death  made 
a  number  of  changes,  moving  from  Alabama  to 
Mississippi  when  Uichard  was  eighteen  months 
old.  and  later  to  Arkansas  where  he  bought  a 
farm,  but  within  a  year  returned  to  Mississippi. 

Richard  Petty  grew  up  in  the  rural  districts 
of  Mississippi,  and  in  the  spring  of  18(51  en- 
listed in  the  Fiftieth  Mississippi  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, but  after  a  year  of  service  was  de- 
tailed to  take  hack  home  a  number  of  sick. 
lie  then  enlisted  in  Battery  F,  First  Illinois 
Artillery,  and  was  assigned  to  the  Army  of  the 
Tennessee  under  General  Logan  and  General 
Sherman.  Two  years  later,  lie  was  transferred 
to  Battery  E.  Although  he  was  very  sick  at 
Bridgeport,  Ala.,  be  was  never  wounded  and 
remained  with  his  company  during  all  of  his 
service.  On  July  15,  18C5,  he  received  his 
honorable  discharge  at  Chicago,  and  went  from 
there  to  Ogle  Station,  where  he  worked  on  a 
farm.  Having  never  bad  any  educational  ad- 
vantages, during  the  wilder  of  1SG5-6,  he  at- 
tended school  and  studied  hard.  In  the  spring 
of  1SGG,  Mr.  Petty  went  to  Dixon.  111.,  and  ap- 
prenticed himself  to  learn  the  blacksmith  trade. 
Later,  he  was  employed  in  a  plow  factory  as 
blacksmith.  Going  to  Philadelphia,  in  the 
spring  of  1SG9,  he  was  married,  and  then  com- 
ing hack  west  as  far  as  Chicago,  he  worked  in 
that  city  at  his  trade  until  June  10,  1809.  when 
he  came  to  Morris  to  work  on  the  river  bridge, 
and  later,  for  eighteen  months,  on  the  Ottawa 
canal.  Afterward  he  worked  at  his  trade  at 
Morris,  both  independently  and  in  the  plow- 
factory,  and  then  began  buying  and  selling 
poultry,  meeting  with  considerable  success.  In 
connection  with  this  business,  he  became  inter- 
ested in  the  grocery  trade  and  later  established 
himself  in  a  grocery  business,  which  he  con- 
ducted until  1S92,  when  he  sold  at  a  profit. 
For  a  year  he  worked  in  a  grocery  as  a  clerk, 
and  then  opened  up  a  dry  goods  store  at  Mor- 
ris, which  held  bis  interest  until  1904,  when 
he  sold  and  since  then  has  lived  retired,  own- 
ing one  of  the  finest  residences  in  the  city. 

On  April  27,'18G9,  Mr.  Petty  was  married  at 
Philadelphia,  to  Martha  Locke,  born  in  Eng- 
land, daughter  of  William  and  Ann  Locke.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Petty  became  the  parents  of  the  fol- 
lowing   children:     Harry,    who    lives    at    Pitts- 


i 

•.  . . . 

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HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


885 


burgh ;  Minnie,  who  is  .Mrs.  William  F.  Buck, 
of  Morris,  and  Cora  E.,  who  is  a  high  school 
teacher  at  Lincoln.  111.  Mr.  Petty  is  a  prom- 
inent Baptist,  serving  his  church  as  deacon  and 
trustee,  lie  is  a  Prohibitionist  and  served  four 
years  as  constable.  The  .Modem  Woodmen  of 
America  and  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic 
hold  his  membership.  A  man  of  strong  con- 
victions, he  lives  up  to  his  principles  and  gains 
the  confidence  and  respect  of  all  with  whom  he 
conies  into  contact. 

PFEIFER,  George  Allen.— One  of  the  best  in- 
vestments of  both  time  and  money  a  man  can 
make  in  these  days,  when  the  raising  of  food 
supplies  is  so  important  an  industry,  is  in  agri- 
cultural land,  and  judging  by  the  character  of 
those  who  own  the  farming  properties  in 
Grundy  County,  the  very  best  class  of  its  citi- 
zens have  recognized  tins  fact.  One  of  the 
men  who  have  made  a  success  of  their  farm- 
ing is  George  Allen  Pfeifer  of  Good  Farm 
Township,  owner  of  177  acres  of  as  fertile  land 
as  there  is  in  this  section.  lie  is  devoting  this 
property  to  General  farming,  and  is  specializ- 
ing on  raising  draft  horses.  His  property  bears 
the  appropriate  name  of  Maple  Grove  Farm, 
which  is  taken  from  the  beautiful  maple  trees 
on  the  place.  Mr.  Pfeifer  was  born  on  this 
same  property  June  12,  1SS0,  a  son  of  Fred 
and  Margaret  (Schrott)  Pfeifer.  both  natives  of 
Good  Farm  Township.  They  are  now  living 
retired   at    Dwight,   111. 

George  Allen  Pfeifer  attended  the  local 
schools  of  his  district  and  at  the  same  time 
rendered  his  father  capable  service  on  the 
farm,  in  this  way  laying  the  foundation  for  his 
present  prosperity.  He  is  a  good  farmer,  under- 
standing his  work  thoroughly,  and  is  anxious 
to  adopt  new  methods  when  he  is  convinced 
they  will  work  out  successfully.  His  position 
as  one  of  the  leading  agriculturalists  of  his 
township  has  been  won  through  actual  achieve- 
ment, and  he  holds  the  confidence  of  his  neigh- 
bors who  appreciate  his  ability.  On  July  3, 
1901',  Mr.  Pfeifer  married  Edith  Schock.  born 
in  Kansas,  and  they  have  had  two  children: 
Freddie  Elwood  and  Charles  Wallace.  Mr. 
Pfeifer  belongs  to  the  German  Church.  He  is 
a  Republican  but  as  yet  he  has  not  taken  time 
to  go  into  politics  actively,  although  his  per- 
sonal popularity  would  probably  elect  him  if 
he  did  allow  his  name  to  appear  on  his  party 
ticket. 

PHELAN,  John  (deceased).— The  late  John 
Phelan,  the  eldest  son  of  Edward  and  Mar- 
garet (Long)  Phelan.  was  born  at  Troy,  N.  Y„ 
and  had  but  one  brother,  Edward.  Mr.  Phelan 
came  at  an  early  age  with  his  parents  to  Illinois, 
where  he  grew  to  manhood,  being  engaged  in 
farming. 

On  October  ]0.  1S7G,  John  Phelan  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Sarah  Mc-Clintoek,  eldest  daugh- 
ter of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  McClintoek.  and  to 
their    union    was    born    eight    children:      Mar- 


garet.  Edward,  John,   Hugh,    Sade,   Will,   Mary 
and  Catherine. 

In  15)02  Mr.  Phelan  purchased  a  farm  in 
Grundy  County,  which  he  cultivated  until  bis 
death,  which  occurred  December  1.'!.  1010.  At 
the  time  of  his  death  he  owned  520  acres  of 
land  in  the  southwestern  part  of  Grundy  County. 
In  his  religious  belief  Mr.  Phelan  was  a  staunch 
Catholic.  He  belonged  to  the  Republican  party, 
but  tool;  no  active  part  in  politics,  although 
always  interested  in  the  general  welfare  of  the 
community.  His  estate  is  now  managed  by  his 
widow  and  children. 

PHILLIPS,  Walter.— Nearly  all  of  the  more 
progressive  agriculturalists  of  Grundy  County 
specialize  mi  some  one  product,  finding  it  more 
profitable  to  concentrate  their  efforts  in  this 
way.  One  of  these  men,  who  is  becoming 
wealthy  as  a  result  of  his  intelligent  foresight 
and  good  management  is  Walter  Phillips,  of 
Goose  Lake  Township,  who  specializes  in  grain 
raising.  lie  was  born  in  Washington  County, 
Ohio,  May  fi,  ls-47.  a  son  of  John  and  Czarina 
Buchanan  Phillips,  natives  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  Vermont.  They  were  married  in  Ohio  and 
settled  on  a  farm,  where  he  died  in  1S57.  His 
widow  later  came  to  Grundy  County,  where 
she  died  in  lfiOO. 

When  he  was  fourteen  years  old.  Walter 
Phillips  left  school,  having  been  attending  those 
of  his  vicinity,  and  learned  the  harnessmak- 
ing  trade,  at  which  he  worked  in  Ohio  until 
Inc.".  From  then  until  1SG9,  he  worked  at 
different  things,  and  in  that  year  came  to 
Grundy  County,  where,  for  two  years,  he 
worked  by  the  month.  He  then  began  farming, 
at  first  renting  land  in  Goose  Lake  Township, 
but  after  fourteen  years  was  able  to  buy 
eighty  acres  of  land  which  he  improved,  erect- 
ing all  the  buildings  and  putting  up  good  fences. 
In  11)00  he  bought  1G0  acres  opposite  his  home- 
stead on  the  east,  in  Felix  Township,  and  oper- 
ates this  as  well.  On  December  I'M.  LS73,  Mr. 
Phillips  was  married  to  Sarah  J.  Conklin,  born 
in  Indiana,  daughter  of  Orin  and  Ruth  (Con- 
rey)  Conklin.  They  have  had  children  as  fol- 
lows: George,  who  resides  in  Goose  Lake 
Township,  married  Agnes  Pari-  and  they  had 
three  children.  Walter.  Edna  and  George,  and 
married  (second)  Edith  Gabb;  John,  who  is 
of  Goose  Lake  Township,  married  Bertha  On- 
san,  and  they  have  one  son  living,  Raymond, 
and  one  deceased,  Arthur;  Orin,  who  is  of 
Saratoga  Township,  married  Lizzie  Perry,  and 
they  had  one  child,  who  died  in  infancy; 
Charles,  who  is  of  South  Dakota,  married  Susie 
Wren  and  they  have  two  children  living,  Ir- 
win and  Martha,  and  two  deceased,  Muriel 
and  one  in  infancy;  Jasper  and  Jesse,  twins, 
are  of  Anx  Sable  Township:  Jasper  married 
Christine  Olson  and  they  have  two  children. 
Viola  and  Elsie;  Jesse  married  Mary  P.ols ; 
Otis,  who  is  at  home,  married  Josephine  Rib- 
blard ;  William,  -who  is  of  Wauponsee  Town- 
ship, married  Lena  Peterson  and  they  had  two 
children,  Carl  and  Clarence;  Lydia,  who  is  Mrs. 


88G 


HISTOKY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


Hubert  Hols,  of  Goose  Lake  Township,  and 
she  had  two  daughters,  Harriet  and  .Marion; 
and  Mary,  who  is  at  home. 

Mr.  Phillips  is  a  Republican  and  served  as 
read  commissioner  of  Goose  Lake  Township 
many  years.  In  Hum  lu-  was  elected  supervisor 
of  tin-  township,  and  served  I'm-  two  years,  giv- 
ing his  section  a  line  administration  and  yet, 
at  tin'  same  time,  conserving  the  county's  in- 
terests. He  is  one  of  the  most  valued  men  of 
the  county,  and  his  services  as  a  fanner  and 
public  official  cannot  lie  loo  highly  commended. 

PIAGNO,  Mrs.  Peter.— A  striking  example 
of  what  may  be  accomplished  through  industry, 
perseverance  and  good  management  is  found 
in  tlie  career  of  Mrs.  Peter  Piagno,  who  is  the 
directing  head  of  the  largest  general  merchan- 
dise business  at  Coal  City,  111.  This  estab- 
lishment was  started  in  1SS9  as  a  modest  candy 
store  by  Mrs.  Piagno  and  her  late  husband,  and 
from  its  inception  its  growth  has  been  steady 
and  continuous.  Mrs.  Piagno  was  horn  as  Con- 
stant Galliger,  in  Switzerland,  January  1,  1SG4, 
and  was  there  married  to  Peter  Piagno,  a  native 
of  Northern  Italy,  who  was  born  March  10, 
1858,  a  son  of  Peter  Piagno.  Not  long  after 
their  marriage,  which  occurred  May  17.  1S79, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Piagno  emigrated  to  the  United 
States,  where  they  had  learned  there  were 
excellent  opportunities  for  business  advance- 
ment and  independence.  In  1SS1  they  tool;  up 
their  residence  in  Coal  City,  111.,  bringing  with 
them  their  daughter,  Bertha,  who  had  been  born 
in  Switzerland,  January  25,  1SS0,  and  who  is 
now  the  wife  of  William  Somerville.  of  Coal 
City.  Mr.  Piagno  secured  employment  in  the 
shaft  at  Coal  City,  and  there  worked  faithfully 
eight  years.  Being  of  an  industrious  and  am- 
bitious nature,  he  carefully  saved  his  earnings, 
and  in  1S89  had  accumulated  enough  to  estab- 
lish himscf  in  business  as  the  proprietor  of  a 
small  candy  store.  This  be  continued  to  con- 
duct, adding  to  his  stock  and  equipment  from 
time  to  time  as  his  finances  permitted,  and 
through  his  good  maangement  and  the  able  as- 
sistance of  his  wife  built  up  the  largest  business 
in  Coal  City.  In  September,  1906,  he  decided  to 
visit  his  native  country,  and  while  there  his 
death  occurred  on  October  IS.  lie  was  an  ex- 
cellent business  man,  a  good  and  public-spirited 
citizen,  and  had  the  warm  regard  and  esteem 
of  a  wide  circle  of  friends  in  Coal  City.  Mr. 
Piagno  belonged  to  the  Foresters  and  Odd  Fel- 
lows. After  his  death  his  widow  took  up  the 
reins  of  business,  and  has  continued  to  carry  on 
the  business,  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Somer- 
ville, as  manager.  They  enjoy  the  respect  of 
the  people  of  their  community  and  because  of 
their  activities  are  considered  decided  factors 
in  the  business  life  of  the  city.  Mrs.  Somerville 
is  the  mother  of  three  children  :  Constance.  Lil- 
lian and  Peter,  all  residing  at  home. 

PICKLES,  Benjamin.— Good  Farm  Township 
has  justified  its  name,  for  there  are  within 
its  confines  some  of  the  finest  agricultural  prop- 


erties in  Grundy  County  if  not'  in  the  state. 
The  owners  of  these  farms  are  very  proud  of 
them  and  vie  with  each  other  in  sustaining  the 
high  standard  which  has  been  raised  for  this 
region.  One  of  the  men,  who,  with  other  mem- 
bers of  his  family,  has  borne  his  part  in  this 
progressiveness  is  Benjamin  Pickles,  owner  of 
100  acres  of  as  good  land  as  can  be  found  in 
Good  Farm  Township.  He  was  born  on  his 
present  farm.  April  1G,  lsTT.  A  full  sketch 
iof  the  Pickles  family  is  given  elsewhere  in 
this   volume. 

After  spending  the  necessary  time  in  the 
local  schools,  during  which  period  he  also  as- 
sisted his  father  and  brothers  in  operating  the 
homestead.  Mr.  Pickles  began  devoting  all  his 
time  to  agricultural  pursuits,  and  when  his 
father's  estate  was  divided  his  present  prop- 
erty fell  to  his  share.  Although  it  was  already 
a  desirable  farm.  Mr.  Pickles  was  not  content 
with  it,  but  ever  since  coming  into  possession 
of  it  has  been  adding  to  its  improvements,  erect- 
ing various  buildings  for  sheltering  his  stock 
and  machinery,  ami  has  just"  completed  a  tine 
sanitary  hog  house.  In  addition  to  carrying 
on  general  farming,  Mr.  Pickles  specializes  on 
raising  Belgian  horses  and  Jersey  cattle,  and 
his  product  is  sold  at  big  prices/  The  Repub- 
lican party  has  always  hail  his  support,  but  be 
has  been  too  occupied  with  his  own  affairs  to 
seek  public  office.  Mr.  Pickles  has  not  mar- 
ried. He  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading 
young  farmers  of  bis  township,  and  is  one  of 
its  most  progressive  citizens.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  M.  \V.  A.  of  Gardner  and  the  Gleaners 
of  Good  Farm   Township. 

PICKLES,  Frank  C.  (deceased).— The  Tickles 
family  have  identified  themselves  with  much 
of  the  progressiveness  shown  in  agricultural 
work  in  Grundy  County.  The  representatives 
of  this  family  have  all  been  good  farmers,  who 
have  advanced  with  their  work,  always 
eagerly  embracing  new  methods  and  installing 
improved  machinery,  tine  of  the  members  of 
the  family  who  was  a  heavy  landowner  and 
a  widely  known  man.  was  Frank  Pickles, 
formerly  of  Maine  Township.  He  was  pro- 
prietor of  200  acres  of  tine  land,  on  which  he 
carried  on  general  farming 'and  the  raising  of 
Belgian  horses  and  it  was  his  intention  to  turn 
his  property  into  a  stock  farm,  which  enter- 
prise, had  he  lived,  would,  without  doubt  have 
been  successful,  as  it  is  admirably  suited  for 
such  a  purpose. 

Frank  C,  Pickles  was  born  on  the  Pickles 
homestead  in  Good  Farm  Township,  August  24, 
1ST".,  and  died  October  27,  1011.  burial  being 
in  the  Wheeler  cemetery.  His  family  history 
is  given  elsewhere  in  this  work.  His  boyhood 
was  spent  in  alternating  farming  with  attend- 
ance at  the  district  schools,  and  he  remained 
on  the  homestead  until  100:;.  when  he  took  pos- 
session of  his  present  farm.  in  1002,  Mr. 
Pickles  married  Ada  Meaden,  who  died  in  1906, 
leaving  one  son.  Robert  Ray,  who  is  at  home. 
On    November    20,    190S,    Mr.    Pickles    married 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


887 


Alice  Treasure.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pickles  had 
two  sons:  Charles  and  Treasure  Mr.  l'ickles 
was  a  member  of  the -Methodist  Church  which 
benefited  from  his  generosity.  He  belonged  to 
the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  His  vote 
was  always  cast  for  the  candidates  of  the 
Republican  party,  but  he  felt  he  bad  no  time 
for  public  life  himself.  He  was  a  man  of  enter- 
prise, bad  worked  hard,  and  his  position  in  his 
township  was  fairly  won  and  honorably  sus- 
tained. 

PICKLES,  Robert  George,  one  of  the  mark- 
edly progressive  agriculturists  of  Grundy  has 
made  a  record  for  himself  as  a  fanner  and 
stockman,  and  at  the  same  time  has  not  neg- 
lected bis  duties  as  a  citizen.  He  was  born  in 
Good  Farm  Township  in  1S72,  a  son  of  Robert 
and  Mary  (Deffenbaugh)  l'ickles,  natives  of 
England  and  Germany,  respectively.  The  former 
was  a  miner  who  came  to  America  in  hopes  of 
securing  hotter  opportunities.  At  tirst  he  lived 
in  Pennsylvania,  but  later  came  to  lira  id  wood, 
111.,  where  be  was  employed  in  the  mines  at  that 
point.  Still  later  he  moved  to  Braeeville,  111., 
and  continued  as  a  miner  until  he  bought  land 
in  Good  Farm  Township.  That  farm  continued 
to  be  his  home  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1912,  his  wife  having  died  in  1903.  and  both 
are  buried  in  the  Wheeler  Cemetery,  near  Ma/.on. 
They  had  seven  children  :  Louis,  who  is  living 
in  Good  Farm  Township;  Margaret,  who  is  Mrs. 
Hornberger;  Robert  George;  Frank;  Benjamin; 
Emma,  and  Lucy. 

.Robert  George  l'ickles  attended  the  neighbor- 
hood schools  and  worked  on  the  farm  with  his 
father  until  1S07,  when  he  married  and  located 
on  his  present  ICO  acres  of  tortile  land  in  Gar- 
field Township.  Here  he  carries  on  general 
fanning,  paying  considerable  attention  to  stock 
raising,  handling  cattle,  hogs  and  Belgian  draft 
horses.  His  property  is  in  excellent  condition 
and  bis  premises  reflect  his  good  .management 
and  business  acumen.  In  LSi>7  Mr.  l'ickles  was 
married  to  Alta  Hornberger,  of  Good  Farm 
Township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  l'ickles  have  had  one 
daughter.  Lolla.  who  was  horn  in  1904.  Mr. 
Pickles  is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen 
of  America.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  and 
served  on  the  School  Board  of  Garfield  Town- 
ship for  three  years,  and  as  a  School  Director 
for  twelve  years.  A  man  of  advanced  ideas  he 
is  recognized  as  one  of  the  progressive  residents 
of  Garfield  Township. 

PLANETA,  Stanley,  marshal  of  Coal  City  has 
held  bis  present  responsible  position  since  1910, 
having  been  elected  as  such  twice  in  succession, 
and  is  one  of  the  most  efficient  officials  this  city 
has  ever  had.  for  he  is  a  man  of  unswerving  in- 
tegrity and  ability.  He  was  born  in  Austria  in 
1SS3,  a  son  of  Frank  and  Barbara  (Wesley) 
Planeta.  natives  of  Austria.  The  father  was  a 
fanner  iu  his  native  land,  but  not  being  satisfied 
with  conditions  there,  came  to  the  United  States 
in  1SS4,  and  located  at  Coal  City.  111.,  where  he 


found  employment  in  the  mines.  For  a  year  he 
worked  in  them,  and  then  retired,  both  he  and 
his  wife  living  comfortably  in  Coal  City.  In 
1912,  Mrs.  Planeta  made  an  enjoyable  trip  to 
her  old  home  in  Austria,  returning  in  September 
of  that  same  year.  There  were  thirteen  chil- 
dren in  the  family,  of  whom  Frank,  Joe  and 
Barbara  died  in  early  childhood.  The  others 
are:  Josephine  Dolansby,  Anna  Schiinango,  Stan- 
ley, Fred.  James,  Mary,  Frank,  Joe,  (II),  Bar- 
bara and  Willie. 

Stanley  Planeta  was  reared  in  Coal  City  and 
educated  in  the  local  schools.  He  worked  in  the 
mines  at  Coal  City  until  DP),  when  be  was 
elected  to  bis  present  office,  and  was  forced  to 
give  up  other  employment  to  discharge  the 
duties  pertaining  to  it.  In  1907,  Marshal 
Planeta  was  married  to  Albcna  Smith  of  Coal 
City  and  they  have  two  children  namely: 
George  and  Irene.  Politically  Mr.  Planeta  "is 
a  Democrat,  while  his  religious  affiliations  are 
with  the  Catholic  Church,  lie  is  a  leader  in 
the  Bohemian  lodge  of  Coal  City  and  extremely 
popular  in  it  as  he  is  on  the  outside.  Recently, 
la>  built  himself  a  new  residence  in  Coal  City 
and  feels  permanently  located  here.  Fearless  in 
the  prosecution  of  his  duties.  Marshal  Pianola 
is  a  man  whom  wrong  doers  respect  for  they 
know  he  will  not  tolerate  any  infringement  of 
the  laws,  and  the  law-abiding  people  trust  him 
implicitly  for  they  appreciate  the  fact  that  he 
will  maintain   their  rights  and  keep  order. 

PRESTON,  Ben  Lee.— No  move  striking  example 
of  what  a  man  can  accomplish  through  the 
force  of  his  own  ability  and  perseverance, 
through  the  sheer  strength  of  his  determination 
to  succeed,  can  he  found  in  Grundy  County 
than  that  furnished  by  the  career  of  Ben  Lee 
Preston,  of  Coal  City,  111.,  who.  in  a  few  short 
years,  has  raised  himself  to  a  place  among  the 
substantial  men  of  bis  section,  as  the  pro- 
prietor of  "The  Five  and  Ten  Cent  Store." 
located  in  that  city.  He  was  horn  on  a  farm 
in  Mazon  Township,  April  14.  1S70,  a  son  of 
Albert  and  F.liza  (Hart)  Preston,  natives  of 
Ohio.  His  father  was  engaged  in  the  grain 
business  in  Streator.  111.,  where  be  died  about 
twenty-six  years  ago,  since  which  time  Mrs. 
Preston  has  lived  with  her  only  child,  Ben  Lee. 

Ben  Lee  Preston  attended  the  public  schools 
of  Streator.  Diamond  and  Morris,  111.,  and  sub- 
sequently worked  as  a  clerk  for  a  coal  com- 
pany at  Diamond,  eventually  attaining  to  the 
position  of  manager  of  the  concern.  This  po- 
sition he  held  for  four  years,  until  1906,  when 
he  launched  out  into  business  for  himself,  and 
is  now  one  of  the  prominent  merchants  of  Coal 
City.  In  religious  faith.  Mr.  Preston  is  a 
Methodist.  He  is  affiliated  with  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America  and  the  Foresters.  In 
politics,  be  is  a  Republican.  Mr.  Preston  has 
a  host  of  friends,  and  his  business  associates 
esteem  him  highly  because  of  bis  honorable 
dealings  and'  strict  adherence  to  the  letter  of 
any  agreement  into  which  he  may  enter. 


888 


HISTORY  OF  GKUNDY  COUNTY. 


RANSLEY,  Frank  S.— Grundy  County  farm  land 
responds  generously  to  work  put  upon  it  and 
for  that  reason  many  of  the  agriculturalists 
here  are  able  to  rent  their  properties  and  live 
comfortably  without  over  exertion  when  they 
feel  that  they  have  given  up  enough  of  their 
lives  to  the  exacting  demands  of  a  farmer's 
existence.  One  of  the  prosperous  business 
men  of  Grundy  County,  who  has  done  well  with 
his  agricultural  investments,  is  Frank  S.  Fans- 
ley,  born  in  Vienna  Township,  March  10,  1^7.~i, 
a  son  of  William  and  Dinah  (Susans)  Ransley, 
natives  of  England,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears 
elsewhere  In  (his  work. 

Frank  S.  Ransley  resided  with  his  mother 
until  his  marriage,  when  he  moved  to  his  new 
residence  on  a  100-acre  farm  one-half  mile  north 
of  Verona.  Until  1912  he  operated  this  prop- 
erty, then  rented  it.  and  since  lias  resided  at 
Verona.  During  his  boyhood  days  he  attended 
the  schools  of  his  neighborhood,  and  afterward 
spent  two  years  at  the  Northwestern  college, 
Kvanston.   111. 

On  June  22,  1902.  Mr.  Ransley  married  Jessie 
Walsh,  born  in  Vienna  Township,  a  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Priscilla  (Ward)  Walsh,  natives 
of  Canada  and  New  York  State.  Mrs.  Ransley 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  her  town- 
ship. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ransley  have  no  children. 
He  has  been  assessor  of  Vienna  Township,  and 
was  one  of  the  census  enumerators  in  11)00.  A 
Mason,  be  belongs  to  Verona  Lodge,  No.  7.77. 
A.  F.  &  A.  M.  and  the  Eastern  Star,  and  is 
also  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America,   also  of  Verona. 

RANSLEY,  William  (deceased).— The  history 
of  no  county  would  be  complete  if  the  record 
were  confined  to  the  deeds  of  those  still  living, 
for  it  is  to  those  who  have  gone  before  that 
the  present  generation  owes  most.  This  is 
especially  true  of  Grundy  County  which  has 
been  so  "developed  through  the  efforts  of  those 
who  were  among  its  pioneers  and  early  set- 
tlers. One  of  the  men  whose  name  is  held  in 
honored  remembrance  was  the  late  William 
Ransley,  who  was  born  February  22,  1S17, 
in  the  parish  of  Frendsbury.  County  Kent.  Eng- 
land, a  son  of  William  and  Sarah  Ransley.  lie 
spent  over  three  decades  of  bis  life  in  his  na- 
tive land,  and  then  came  to  the  Fnited  States 
on  September  17.  1S54,  reaching  New  York 
City.  After  a  stay  there  that  extended  until 
January.  1S55,  he  came  on  to  Grundy  County. 
locating  in  Vienna  Township.  February  7.  1S55, 
where  he  remained  until  his  death  on  Decem- 
ber 27,  1SS2,  at  which  time  he  owned  293  acres 
of  land. 

On  November  17,  1*70,  Mr.  Ransley  married 
Dinah  Susans,  at  Milton.  Ulster  County.  N.  Y., 
lorn  at  Gravesend,  County  Kent.  England,  Sep- 
tember Hi.  ]s44,  a  daughter  of  William  and 
Dinah  ( Stri.'htfield )  Susans.  Ho  died  in  Eng- 
land, but  she  came  to  New  York,  and  later  to 
Illinois,  where  she  died.  The  children  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Ransley  were:  William  J.,  who  was 
born    August    2S,    1871,    of    Vienna    Township ; 


Reatrice  F.,  who  was  born  June  2,  1S73,  now 
Mrs.  George  B.  Kilmer  of  Marengo;  and  Frank 
S.,  who  was  born  March  10.  1S75.  Mr.  Ransley 
served  his  township  as  collector  and  held  other 
offices  for  he  was  a  man  in  whom  all  bad  im- 
plicit confidence,  and  when  he  died  his  locality 
lost  a  good  citizen,  and  his  family  a  beloved 
husband  and  father. 

RANSLEY,  William  J.,  a  successful  farmer  and 
stockman  of  Vienna  Township,  is  one  of  the 
prosperous  men  of  Grundy  County  who  lias 
found  time  in  the  midst  of  other  duties  to 
assume  and  ably  discharge  public  obligations. 
Mr.  Ransley  was  born  in  his  present  township. 
August  2S,  1871,  a  son  of  William  and  Dinah 
(Susans)  Ransley.  The  parents  were  born  at 
Gravesend,  near  London.  England,  but  came 
in  their  youth  to  the  Fnited  States.  They 
married  in  New  York  City  from  whence  they 
came  to  Grundy  County,  settling  on  a  farm 
near  Verona,  where  the  father  died  in  Decem- 
ber, 1SS2,  the  mother  surviving  him  and  mak- 
ing her  home  on  the  homestead.  The  children 
bom  to  these  parents  were:  William  J.:  Beat- 
rice, who  is  now  Mrs.  George  B.  Kilmer  of 
Marengo,  111.:  and  Frank  S.,  who  is  on  the 
home  farm. 

William  J.  Ransley  grow  to  manhood  in  his 
native  township,  after  bis  father's  death  as- 
sisting his  mother,  and  attending  the  schools 
of  his  district.  On  March  7.  1&95,  he  married 
Lulu  Small,  born  December  7.  1>73,  at  High- 
land, a  daughter  of  Nathan  and  Sarah  C. 
(Hart)  Small,  natives  of  Bath.  Me.,  and  Ches- 
ter, Fa.  The  grandparents  of  Mrs.  Ransley 
were  Alvin  and  Ann  Small,  and  William  and 
Jane  (McCullough)  Hart,  the  latter  natives  of 
Pennsylvania,  Alvin  Small  beins;  a  native  of 
Scotland.  After  marriage  Mr.  Ransley  moved 
to  a  portion  of  an  estate  of  100  acres  just  south 
of  Verona,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in 
farming  and  raising  horses,  cattle  and  hogs. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ransley  have  become  the  parents 
of  the  following  children:  William  Nathan,  who 
was  born  January  27,  1900,  died  January  2, 
1901;  Frank  F.urdett,  who  was  born  April  5, 
1902;  and  Loretta  Reatrice,  who  was  born  Octo- 
ber 1.  1903.  Mr.  Ransley  attends  the  Methodist 
Church  A  Republican,  he  served  for  two 
rerms  as  assessor  of  bis  township,  and  since 
1903  has  been  on  the  school  board.  A  man  of 
more  than  usual  ability,  he  his  directed  his 
affairs  wisely,  and  has  earned  not  only  his 
material  prosperity,  but  high  standing  among 
his  fellow  citizens. 

RAY,  Hon.  Lyman  B. — More  than  half  a  century 
ago,  the  country  was  agitated,  as  later,  over  the 
formation  of  a  new  party.  Then  there  was  the 
impending  conflict  between  the  North  and 
South,  to  consider.  The  old  organizations 
seemed  unequal  to  the  task  of  handling  the 
issues  before  the  people,  and  the  leading  men 
throughout  the  North,  organized  what  was  to 
become  the  mightiest  party  of  the  Fnited 
States,  the  Republican  party.     Few  of  the  orig- 


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HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


880 


Inal  founders  of  this  organization  are  new  liv- 
ing, but  one  of  them,  who  was  honored  upon 
many  occasions  by  this  same  party,  is  Lyinuu 
B.  Kay,  formerly  of  Morris,  now  living  retired 
at  Joliet,  111.,  after  an  honorable  career  as  a 
merchant  extending  over  a  long  period. 

Lyman  B.  Hay  was  born  at  Hinesburg.  Vt.. 
August  17,  1831,  a  sun  of  John  and  Annis 
(Beecher)  Kay.  both  natives  of  Vermont,  the 
former  a  son  of  William  Kay,  and  the  latter, 
a  daughter  of  Lyman  Beecher,  both  of  New 
England  birth.  The  parents  of  Mr.  Kay  were 
farming  people,  who  lived  and  died  in  Vermont. 
Although  he  grew  up  on  the  farm,  from  boy- 
hood Mr.  Kay  had  an  ambition  to  become  a 
merchant.  After  finishing  his  educational 
training  in  the  common  schools  of  Vermont, 
and  the  New  England  academy,  he  began  tu 
realize  his  hopes  as  a  clerk  in  a  store  in  his 
native  place.  In  1S52,  he  came  west  to  St. 
Charles,  Kane  County,  111.,  where  he  continued 
clerking  in  a  general  store  until  lSOo,  thus 
gaining  a  valuable  experience  that  served  him 
well  when  in  that  year  ho  came  to  Morris,  and 
embarked  in  a  mercantile  business  for  him- 
self. From  then  on  to  lvss,  be  conducted  one 
of  the  leading  stores  of  the  county  seat,  and 
was  known  all  over  Grundy  County  as  a  reli- 
able and  honorable  merchant. 

After  locating  here,  and  becoming  interested 
in  public  matters,  Mr.  Kay  recognized  the  ne- 
cessity of  a  new  political  party,  and  in  1.S5G 
assisted  in  the  organization  of  the  Republican 
party  of  Grundy  County,  his  associates  on  this 
memorable  occasion  all  now  deceased,  in  1S72 
he  was  honored  by  election  to  the  lower  house 
of  the  Illinois  Legislature,  and  re-elected  to  the 
same  office,  and  so  well  did  he  acquit  himself. 
that  in  1SS2,  he  was  sent  to  represent  his  dis- 
trict in  the  upper  house.  In  isss  he  was 
elected  to  the  office  of  Lieutenant-Governor, 
and  always  gave  of  his  best  to  the  performance 
of  the  duties  of  his  office. 

On  December  20,  ISoS.  Mr.  Kay  was  mar- 
ried at  Morris,  to  Julia  X.  Reading,  born  in 
Hunterdon  County,  N.  J.,  died  December  16, 
1912,  her  burial  being  in  the  mausoleum  in 
Evergreen  cemetery,  Morris,  Hi.  Thej  had 
one  daughter.  Julia  E.,  now  Mrs.  Clifton  W. 
Jordan  of  Joliet,  111.  -Mr.  Kay  is  a  consistent 
member  of  the  Congregational  Church.  He 
gave  liberal  support  to  all  local  enterprises  of 
merit  while  living  at  Morris,  and  his  beautiful 
home. at  No.  437  Vino  street  was  one  of  the 
finest  of  the  city.  He  took  a  prominent  part 
in  some  of  the  most  stirring  history  of  Illi- 
nois and  claimed  as  friends  and  associates  many 
of  the  illustrious  men  of  the  time. 

REARDON,  Cornelius.— A  thorough  and  pro- 
found lawyer,  whose  connection  with  much  im- 
portant law  business  has  made  him  more  or  less 
a  familiar  figure  in  the  courts  of  Grundy  County 
and  the  State,  Cornelius  Reardon  typifies  the 
best  type  of  legal  mind,  and  his  high  standing 
at  the  bar  is  the  more  creditable,  in  that  it  has 
been    entirely    self    gained.      Further,    he    is    a 


stirring  and  stalwart  citi/en.  a  friend  of  prog- 
ress and  advancement,  and.  although  Mr.  Rear- 
don would  he  the  last  to  admit  it.  is  a  leader 
of  the  Democratic  party  in  his  part  of  the  state. 

Mr.  Reardon  is  one  of  Morris"  favorite  native 
sons.  Here  he  was  born  February  27.  1S58,  a 
son  of  James  and  Mary  L.  (Bagley)  Reardon, 
natives  of  Ireland.  The  father  came  to  the 
United  States  with  an  uncle.  Patrick  Ryan,  and 
from  the  auro  of  nine  until  he  was  fifteen  years 
old  made  his  home  with  Mr.  Ryan  at  Chicago. 
He  faced  the  world  on  his  own  account  at  that 
time,  becoming  a  driver  of  canal  boats  on  the 
Illinois  and  Michigan  (■anal,  an  employment  in 
which  he  was  engaged  for  two  years,  and  in 
October,  18o2.  came  to  Morris,  where  he  took  up 
the  trade  of  a  blacksmith  and  continued  to  fol- 
low that  vocation  until  his  death,  June  11,  1007. 
The  mother  came  to  .Morris  when  eleven  years 
of  age,  to  join  an  elder  sister,  with  whom  she 
lived  until  her  marriage,  and  passed  away  many 
years  prior  to  her  husband's  demise,  dying  in 
1872.  Six  children  were  born  to  James  and 
Mary  L.  Reardon:  Cornelius,  the  eldest;  Mar- 
garet, who  is  now  Mrs.  Redmond  and  resides  at 
Kansas  City.  Mo.:  Edward  I'.,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  thirty-three  years;  .Mary,  who  is  Mrs. 
Ludwig,  of  Morris;  Elizabeth,  who  is  .Mrs.  Bray, 
of  El  Paso,  Tex.;  and  .lames  \V.,  who  died  in 
infancy.  After  the  death  of  his  first  wife. 
James  Reardon  married  (second)  Mary  Ken- 
rick,  who  was  born  in  Grundy  County,  and  they 
became  the  parents  of  two  children:  Edna, 
who  became  the  wife  of  Thomas  Connors;  and 
Nettie,  who  lives  at  the  old  home. 

While  Cornelius  Reardon  was  given  the  ad- 
vantages of  attendance  at  the  graded  and  high 
schools  of  .Morris,  the  greater  part  of  his  early 
education  was  acquired  in  the  schools  of  hard 
work  and  experience.  He  was  taught  the  black- 
smith trade  by  his  father,  hut  had  aspirations 
for  greater  things,  and.  having  set  his  heart 
upon  a  career  in  the  law.  displayed  his  charac- 
teristic assiduity  in  the  gaining  of  an  education 
in  jurisprudence.  A  long,  hard  day  in  his 
father's  shop  would  be  followed  by  hours  of  the 
utmost  diligence  in  perfecfina-  his  knowledge  of 
law,  under  the  capable  preceptorship  of  judge 
Jordan,  one  of  the  early  legists  and  jurists  of 
Morris.  When  he  was  twenty  years  of  age  he 
gave  up  the  blacksmith  trade  to  work  upon  a 
farm,  but  during  the  next  ten  years  he  continued 
to  apply  himself  to  his  legal  studies,  and  his 
hard  work  and  close  application  were  eventually 
rewarded  when  be  was  admitted  to  the  bar. 
From  that  time  to  the  present  his  rise  has"  been 
constant  and  steady,  giving  him  prominence  in 
his  profession  and  the  material  rewards  that 
such  a  position  insures.  While  a  general  prac- 
titioner, he  has  made  somewhat  of  a  specialty 
of  probate  law.  and  in  this  difficult  field  has  be- 
come known  far  and  wide  for  the  success  be 
has  attained  in  some  important  legal  business. 
He  has  not  ceased  to  be  a  scholar  and  his  com- 
mand of  the  law  is  comprehensive  and  in  some 
Sense  remarkable.  Among  bis  fellow-practi- 
tioners  he   is    recognized   as   an   attorney   who 


890 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


strictly  adheres  to  the  best  ethics  of  an  honored 

calling. 

Mr.  Reardon  was  married  February  5,  1S79, 
to  Miss  Kittie  Higgins,  who  was  born  in  La 
Salle  County,  111.,  and  she  died  in  April.  1NX4. 
On  April  2,  1SSS,  Mr.  Reardon  was  married 
(second)  to  Miss  Maggie  Eagan,  who  was  born 
in  Grundy  County,  111.,  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Mary  Eagan,  natives  of  Ireland  and  early  set- 
tlers of  Grundy  County.  Three  children  have 
been  born  to  Mr.  Reardon,.  namely:  May,  who 
became  Mrs.  Edward  Peacock,  of  Morris; 
Thomas  J.,  who  has  taken  up  farming  for  his 
lifework;  and  Edward  C,  who  died  in  190S,  at 
the  age  of  fourteen  years.  On  January  30.  1013, 
Thomas  .7.  married  Helen  Noonan,  and  one 
daughter,  Helen  Margaret,  was  horn  to  them, 
November  S.  1913.  This  little  granddaughter  is 
the  pride  and  joy  of  her  grandfather's   heart. 

Mr.  Reardon  has  been  long  and  prominently 
connected  with  Democratic  politics,  although 
more  as  a  directing  power  than  as  a  seeker  after 
personal  preferment.  He  stands  for  the  best 
that  may  be  found  in  Democracy,  and  at  all 
times  supports  those  men  and  measures  whom 
he  believes  will  best  favor  the  interests  of  his 
community.  A  Roman  Catholic  in  his  religious 
belief.  Mr.  Reardon  belongs  to  the  congregation 
of  the  Church  of  the  Immaculate  Conception. 
His  fraternal  connections  are  with  IvOdcce  No. 
845,  Knights  of  Columbus;  and  Lodge  No.  281, 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  both  of  Morris. 
Both  as  a  professional  man  and  as  a  citizen. 
Mr.  Reardon  has  won  a  high  place  in  the  esteem 
of  the  community,  and  is  eminently  qualified  to 
be  accounted  one  of  Grundy  County's  repre- 
sentative men. 

REARDON,  James  (deceased).— The  influence 
of  a  good  man  does  not  cease  with  his  passing 
from  this  earth,  for  it  lives  on  in  the  lives  of 
his  children  and  the  power  of  his  works  while 
alive.  To  those  left  behind,  the  loss  is  always 
a  heavy  one,  but  even  in  dying  a  man  may  set 
such  an  example  as  to  influence  others  for 
everlasting  good.  The  late  .Tames  Reardon, 
formerly  of  Morris.  111.,  was  one  of  the  sub- 
stantial men  of  Grundy  County.  He  was  born 
in  Tipperary,  Ireland,  May  27,  1S35,  and  came 
to  the  United  States  with  an  uncle  in  young 
manhood.  At  first  he  was  in  the  State  of 
Indiana  for  a  short  period,  then  came  to 
Grundy  County  which  continued  to  be  his  home 
until  death  claimed  him.  June  11,  1907.  For 
some  years  he  conducted  a  blaeksmithing  and 
wagon  making  establishment,  but  his  health 
failing  he  disposed  of  his  interests  and  lived 
retired  during  his  latter  years. 

By  his  first  marriage,  James  Reardon  had 
the  following  children :  Cornelius,  who  is  of 
Morris;  Maggie,  who  is  Mrs.  James  Redmond 
of  Kansas  City,  Mo.;  Mary,  who  is  Mrs.  Otto 
Ludwig  of  Morris;  Lizzie,  who  is  Mrs.  Dr.  T. 
A.  Bray  of  El  Paso,  Tex.;  and  one  who  died 
in  infancy.  After  the  death  of  his  first  wife. 
Mr.  Reardon  married  (second)  on  November 
20,  1885,  Mary  Kenrick,  born  in  Erienna  Town- 


ship, a  daughter  of  Patrick  and  Ellen  (O'Brien) 
Kenrick,  natives  of  Ireland,  but  early  settlers 
of  Erienna  Township.  Patrick  Kenrick  died 
many  years  ago,  but  his  widow  survived  until 
1SS4.  By  his  second  marriage.  James  Reardon 
had  two  children:  Edna,  who  is  Mrs.  Thomas 
G.  Connor,  of  Morris;  and  Nettie,  who  is  at 
home.  The  Catholic  Church  held  Mr.  Reardon'a 
membership,  he  being  connected  with  Immacu- 
late Conception  parish.  Politically  he  was  a 
Democrat,  but  he  never  sought  public  office. 
At  one  time  he  was  very  prominent  in  the  A. 
O.  II.,  and  at  all  times  enjoyed  the  full  confi- 
dence of  all   with   whom   he   was   associated. 

REARDON,  William.— Grundy  County  has  al- 
ways been  proud  of  its  veterans  and  anxious 
to  show  them  distinguished  honors  when  oppor- 
tunity offered.  This  section  sent  its  full  quota 
to  help  in  the  defense  of  the  Union  in  its  time 
of  dire  distress  and  now  it  recognizes  the  fact 
that  its  prestige  in  this  regard  was  given  it  by 
the  bravery  and  patriotism  of  the  '"Boys  in 
Blue"  who  left  their  homes  and  went  to  the 
dangerous  front  in  the  early  sixties.  One  of 
these  old  soldiers  of  Grundy  County,  now  re- 
siding in  Morris,  is  Captain  William  Reardon. 
He  was  born  near  Malone,  Franklin  County, 
N.  Y..  August  -1th,  1S37,  a  son  of  William  and 
Catherine  (Curtin)  Reardon,  natives  of  County 
Cork,  Ireland.  The  parents  came  to  these 
shores  in  early  youth  and  were  married  here. 
The  father  was  a  farmer,  living  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Malone.  and  he  continued  there 
until  1S50.  when  he  started  West,  making  the 
trip  by  rail  to  Ogdensburg,  from  there  by  loat 
on  the  St.  Lawrence  river  to  Lewiston.  and 
continuing  on  to  Buffalo.  He  then  journeyed, 
by  rail,  and  on  the  Great  Lakes,  to  Chicago; 
and.  on  reaching  this  western  city,  he  left  al- 
most immediately  and  walked  the  entire  dis- 
tance to  Grundy  County.  The  following  spring, 
in  1851,  he  sent  for  his  family,  and  met  them  on 
their  arrival  in  Chicago.  They  had  brought 
with  them  a  team  of  horses  (French  brood 
mares),  and  the  family  proceeded  by  wagon  to 
Morris  and  finally  settled  in  the  Collins  neigh- 
borhood. In  July  of  the  ensuing  year.  Mrs. 
Reardon  died.  Mr.  Reardon.  Sr.,  bought  a 
small  farm  in  the  northern  pari  of  the  county, 
and  continued  to  make  it  his  home  until  his 
death   in  1873. 

William  Reardon.  Jr.,  not  only  attended  the 
rural  public  school,  but  enjoyed  the  further 
advantages  of  a  commercial  course  in  Bryant 
and  Stratton's  Business  College,  in  Chicago, 
and  graduated  there  1S5S.  Prior  to  taking  this 
course  of  instruction,  he  had  worked  on  the 
home  farm  continuously.  On  finishing  school, 
he  entered  the  employ  of  J.  and  II.  Benjamin 
as  salesman  and  bookkeeper  in  their  mercantile 
house  and  here  he  was  until  July.  1SC>2,  when, 
on  the  nation's  call  for  volunteers,  he  enlisted 
for  service  in  the  defense  of  the  Union.  He 
was  among  those  who  went  directly  to  Kanka- 
kee, 111.,  where  a  regiment  was  being  organized. 
It  was  found   in   Kankakee  that  the  men   who 


" 


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yx 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


891 


had  come  with  Mr.  Reardon  were  not  sufficient 
In  number  to  form  an  entire  company,  so  Mr. 
Reardon  went  back  home  and  soon  returned 
with  the  required  number  of  new  men.  When 
the  officers  for  the  company  were  elected.  Mr. 
Reardon  was  chosen  the  first  lieutenant.  ('.  C. 
Jones,  who  had  been  with  Sherman's  men  in 
the  Pioneer  Corps,  until  it  was  disbanded,  was 
given  the  rank  of  captain  and,  when  the  regi- 
ment was  assigned  its  proper  place  he  was 
placed  in  command  of  Company  C.  Seventy- 
sixth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  which  was 
the  company  to  which  Mr.  Reardon  belonged. 
The  regiment  was  sent  to  Cairo  and  from 
thence  to  Columbus,  Ky.,  where  they  were 
under  the  command  of  General  Grant.  Mr. 
Reardon  was  at  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  and 
after  sixty-one  days  of  hardship  there  was 
sent  to  Jackson.  Miss.,  where  the  regiment  par- 
ticipated in  a  big  fight.  Mr.  Reardon  was  pro- 
moted to  the  rank  of  captain  after  the  siege 
of  Vicksburg.  succeeding  Captain  Jones  who 
was  promoted  to  lieutenant  colonel.  On  ac- 
count of  sickness  he  was  sent  home  on  a  fur- 
lough and  was  honorably  discharged  December 
4,  1SG4.  for  disability. 

Mr.  Reardon  then  embarked  in  a  grocery 
business  with  his  brothers,  James  and  John 
Collins,  the  connection  continuing  until  ISliO, 
when  Mr.  Reardon  moved  to  a  farm  in  Nettle 
Creek  Township,  and  began  specializing  in 
raising  registered  Shorthorn  cattle,  becoming 
so  successful  in  this  line  of  endeavor  that  he 
was  made  vice-president  of  the  Shorthorn  Cat- 
tle Dealers  Association.  He  also  raised  all 
kinds  of  high  grade  stock,  and  was  one  of  the 
leading  stockmen  of  Grundy  County. 

On  September  20.  ISfio,  Mr.  Reardon  married 
Charlotte  Hoge.  born  in  Nettle  Creek  Town- 
ship, October  S.  fs-il.  daughter  of  Samuel  and 
Matilda  (Hohlerman)  Hoge.  natives  of  Vir- 
ginia and  Ohio.  The  family  came  to  Grundy 
County  at  an  early  day.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hoge 
were  married  in  this  county,  and  settled  along 
the  present  route  of  the  canal.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Reardon  became  the  parents  of  children  as 
follows:  Elmer,  who  died  at  the  age  of  two 
years  and  seven  mouths;  Abbie  M..  who  died 
at  the  age  of  eleven  and  one-half  years;  Clar- 
ence II.,  who  lives  in  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  and 
\  married  May  Thomas  and  they  have  one  child. 
Grace;  William  11.,  who  is  on  the  home  farm, 
married  Miss  Clara  Heacox,  a  native  of  Grundy 
County;  and  Dora  Virginia,  who  is  Mrs.  II.  II. 
Quigley  of  Chicago,  and  they  have  three  chil- 
dren, Elizabeth,  Catherine  and  Donald.  Mrs. 
Reardon  died  October  30,  1012.  He  is  one  of 
the  most  enthusiastic  comrades  of  Darveau  Post 
No.  320,  G.  A.  R. 

REARDON,  William  Hendly.—  Concentration  of 
effort  upon  any  one  line  generally  results  in 
ultimate  success,  and  William  Hendly  Reardon 
of  Morris  lias  proven  this  in  his  life  work. 
He  was  born  in  Nettle  Creek  Township,  July 
12,  1873,  a  son  of  William  and  Charlotte  (Hoge) 
Reardon.    During  his  younger  days  he  attended 


the  public  and  Normal  school  of  Morris,  later 
going  to  the  Dixon,  111.,  Normal  school  in  isOti, 
and  then  returning  home  took  up  the  business 
of  life.  From  the  time  he  was  eighteen  years 
old  he  conducted  the  homestead,  and  began 
giving  special  attention  to  raising  horses  and 
mules,  and  was  so  successful  that  he  and  his 
father  entered  into  partnership  in  tins  line  of 
business.  In  order  to  branch  out,  Mr.  Reardon, 
Sr..  bought  320  acres  of  land  in  Missouri,  and 
until  January  2,  1912,  they  carried  on  an  ex- 
tensive business  in  horse  and  mule  breeding  in 
Johnson  County,  Mo.,  when  they  closed  that 
industry,  but  retain  the  land.  During  1007  and 
100S  Mr.  Reardon  conducted  a  butcher  shop  at 
Morris,  continuing  to  operate' the  farm  as  well. 
Since  February,  1012,  he  has  been  conducting  a 
sale  barn  of  horses  and  mules  at  Morris.  In 
addition  to  his  Missouri  land,  he  controls  240 
acres  of  his  father's  homestead  in  Nettle  Creek- 
Township,  on  which  he  raises  many  draft 
horses,  and   stand-;   three  stallions. 

On  March  10,  1£99,  Mr.  Reardon  was  married 
to  Clara  Heacox,  born  in  Nettle  Creek  Town- 
ship, a  daughter  of  Charles  and  Harriet  Adeline 
(David)  Heacox.  natives  of  New  York  and  Net- 
tle Creek  Township,  respectively.  Mrs.  Reardon 
was  one  of  the  following  family  :  Edward,  who 
lives  at  Huron.  S.  I  >. ;  Lilly,  who  is  Mrs.  Edward 
Strong  of  Mazon,  111.;  Frank,  who  is  a  dentist 
of  Brett,  Iowa;  Mrs.  Reardon;  Fred,  who  is 
of  Morris;  and  Rose,  who  is  Mrs.  T.  L.  Robin- 
son of  Chicago.  Mr.  Reardon  has  been  a  trustee 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  some 
years.  A  Republican,  he  has  been  road  com- 
missioner and  school  director,  holding  the  latter 
office  for  four  years.  A  man  of  great  energy 
and  keen  foresight,  he  has  developed  large  in- 
terests, and  made  many  warm  friends  all  over 
the  country. 

RED,  John,  is  not  only  one  of  the  representative 
Bohemian  citizens  of  Grundy  County,  but  is  an 
influential  and  potent  factor  in  municipal  af- 
fairs, and  is  now  serving  in  the  office  of  super- 
visor of  Braceville  Township,  to  which  he  was 
elected  in  April.  1012.  He  was  born  in  Bo- 
hemia, June  <;.  LSfiS,  and  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and 
Josephine  (Petros)  Red.  natives  of  Bohemia. 
In  the  place  of  his  nativity,  Joseph  Red  was 
engaged  extensively  in  tilling  the  soil  until 
bringing  his  family  to  the  1'nited  States  in  1871. 
In  that  year  they  located  in  Chicago,  and  were 
in  that  city  at  the  time  the  great  fire  practically 
wiped  that  city  from  the  earth,  and  in  the  year 
following  moved  to  Braceville.  There  Joseph 
Red  was  engaged  in  mining  until  going  to 
Braidwood,  111.,  and  subsequently,  in  1877,  he 
came  to  Coal  City,  where  he  worked  in  the 
mines  until  his  death  in  1902.  He  was  buried 
at  Braidwood.  His  widow  still  survives  him 
and  makes  her  home  with  her  son  John.  There 
were  six  children  in  the  family  of  Joseph  and 
Josephine  Red,  namely:  Joseph,  who  died  at 
Coal  City;  John;  Josephine,  who  died  in  Chi- 
cago; Frank,  who  died  at  Braidwood;  Mrs. 
Mary  Rainion.   who  resides  at  Coal  City;  and 


892 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


Josephine,  deceased,  who  was  buried  in  Braid- 
wood. 

Jolm  Bed  was  a  child  of  tliree  years  when 
brought  to  the  United  Stales  by  his  parents,  and 
his  education  was  secured  in  the  public  schools 
of  Braidwood,  which  he  attended  until  twelve 
years  of  age.  At  thai  time  lie  commenced  work- 
ing in  the  coal  mines  for  a  salary  of  seventy- 
five  cents  per  day.  but  alter  the  family  came  to 
Coal  City  he  again  entered  school  for  one  year. 
He  theii  returned  to  the  mines,  and  worked 
therein  until  twenty  years  of  age,  when  he  be- 
came clerk  in  the  company  store  at  Coal  City. 
He  entered  public  life  in  1S90,  when  lie  was 
elected  to  the  office  of  city  clerk,  a  position 
which  he  retained  for  three  years  and  then 
again  entered  the  mines.  From  1010  until  1012 
he  acted  in  the  capacity  of  township  cleric,  and 
in  the  latter  year  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
board  of  supervisors  of  Braceville  Township. 
He  is  proving  an  able  and  conscientious  public 
official  and  is  rendering  his  fellow-citizens  sig- 
nal services. 

Mr.  Bed  was  married  in  1S9S  to  Miss  Jo- 
sephine Vavrik.  who  was  born  at  Crawfords- 
ville.  Ind.,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Mary  (Chan- 
dler) Vavrik,  the  former  a  native  of  Bohemia 
and  the  latter  of  Kentucky.  The  Vavrik  family 
came  to  the  coal  fields  of  Illinois  in  1S8C,  and 
the  father  passed  away  here  April  12.  1909, 
while  the  mother  still  survives  and  resides  at 
Coal  City.  There  were  five  children  in  the 
family:  Josephine,  who  is  now  Mrs.  Bed;  An- 
drew"; Joseph,  who  is  deceased;  Mrs.  Mamie 
Stuart,  and  Mrs.  Catherine  Dent.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Bed  have  three  children,  all  attending  school  : 
Lola  May.  Jolm  Henry  and  Clarence  Joseph. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bed  and  their  children  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Catholic  Church.  lie  is  secretary  of 
the  Musicians'  Union,  has  been  secretary  of  the 
Miners"  Union  at  Coal  City  for  seven  years,  and 
is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows,  the  Knights  of 
Pythias,  the  Turners  and  the  C.  S.  I'.  S.,  of 
which  last-named  organization  he  is  a  trustee. 
His  political  belief  is  that  of  the  Democratic- 
party. 

RICH,  George  Henry,  one  of  the  men  who  has 
proven  that  the  advantages  do  not  always  lie 
with  the  highly  educated,  but  can  be  acquired 
by  anyone  who  is  willing  to  work  and  save,  now 
owns  a  fine  farm  in  Saratoga  Township  and 
holds  the  confidence  and  respect  of  his  neigh- 
bors. He  was  born  in  Washington  County.  X.  Y., 
May  21.  1S02,  a  son  of  Charles  II.  and  Sarah 
(McClelland)  Bich.  These  parents,  who  were 
natives  of  Washington  County.  X.  Y.,  came  west 
as  far  as  La  Salle  County.  111.,  in  1S7S.  The 
father  became  a  farmer  in  the  vicinity  of  Sheri- 
dan, and  there  died  in  1SS4,  the  mother  surviv- 
ing him  until  1010.  After  the  death  of  her  first 
husband.  Mrs.  Bich  married  Gersham  Hunt. 
By  her  first  marriage  she  had  two  children: 
Arthur  C,  who  died  in  1S83;  and  George  Henry. 
There  were  no  children  of  her  second  marriage. 

When  not  much  more  than  a  child,  George 
Henry  Bich  began  earning  his  own  living,  and 


has  never  ceased  to  do  so.  His  educational 
training  was  limited  to  a  couple  of  months' 
schooling  during  the  winter  months  for  a  few 
years,  so  what  he  knows  lie  has  taught  himself. 
After  coming  to  Illinois  he  remained  with  his 
mother,  assisting  her  until  his  marriage,  when 
he  rented  a  farm  in  Nettle  Creek  Township, 
this  count}'.  Later  he  moved  to  Saratoga  Town- 
ship, and  in  1S92  bought  his  present  farm  of 
eighty-three  acres  on  which  be  carries  on  grain 
farming  ami  stock  raising.  This  farm  is  very 
valuable  on  account  of  the  many  improvements 
he  litis  made  upon  it. 

On  December  2.~>.  1SS3,  Mr.  Bich  was  married 
(first)  to  Carrie  Johnson,  born  in  Norway,  a 
daughter  of  John  K.  and  Malinda  Johnson.  By 
this  marriage  Mr.  Bich  had  the  following  chil- 
dren: May.  who  is  Mrs.  Thomas  Griffith,  of 
Chicago;  and  Myrtle,  who  is  at  home.  Mrs. 
Bich  died  in  February,  10OS.  On  January  10, 
1911.  Mr.  Bich  was  married  (second)  to  Mi's. 
Martha  (MeKelvcy)  Kimhell.  horn  May  2d.  1S02, 
widow  of  Jerome  Kimhell.  By  her  first  mar- 
riage Mrs.  Bich  had  live  children:  Emma  and 
Bay,  who  are  of  Chicago;  Ethel  and  Grace,  who 
are  of  Clay  County,  111.;  and  William,  who  lives 
with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bich.  Mr.  Bich  is  a  Repub- 
lican and  served  for  twelve  years  very  accept- 
ably as  a  School  Director  and  for  six  years  was 
Highway  Commissioner.  Both  as  a  public  offi- 
cial and  private  citizen,  Mr.  Bich  has  met  his 
responsibilities  honestly  and  capably,  and  is  one 
of  the  leading  men  in  his  township. 

RIDGWAY,  Emanuel,  M.  D.  (deceased).— Dur- 
ing the  Civil  War  many  of  the  physicians  and 
surgeons  then  in  active  practice  felt  called  uiion 
to  offer  their  services  to  the  government,  and, 
while  needed,  rendered  valued  aid  to  the  suffer- 
ing and  dying.  Some  of  these  self-sacrificing 
men  have  passed  to  another  world,  their  lives 
in  many  instances  shortened  by  the  hardships 
they  endured  while  at  the  front.  One  of  these 
veteran  surgeons  of  Grundy  County  was  the 
late  Emanuel  Bidgway,  for  many  years  a  resi- 
dent  of   Morris,   111. 

Emanuel  Bidgway  was  born  in  Boss  County, 
Ohio.  October  22.  1831,  son  of  Joshua  and  Sarah 
Bidgway.  natives  of  Ohio.  About  1S30,  the 
family  came  to  Grundy  County,  settling  in  Aux 
Sable  Township,  where  the  parents  died  during 
the  childhood  of  Dr.  Bidgway.  The  latter  was 
reared  by  an  aunt  in  Ohio.  There  he  pursued 
his  medical  studies,  being  graduated  from  an 
eastern  medical  college,  and  following  that 
he  came  to  Morris  and  entered  upon  an  active 
practice.  In  August,  1SG2,  he  enlisted  as  sur- 
geon of  the  Seventy-sixth  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
After  being  mustered  out  of  the  service.  Dr. 
Bidgway  returned  to  Morris  and  resumed  his 
practice,  and  in  1SS1  lie  opened  a  pharmacy. 
This  he  operated  until  1S0S,  when  he  retired 
from  business,  living  in  ease  and  comfort  until 
his  demise,  October  17,  1003.  He  was  a  man 
of  broad  sympathies,  with  a  love  of  his  calling, 


... 


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HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


893 


and  made   and    retained   many   warm    personal 
friends:  all  over  the  county. 

On  August  -1,  1m:i,  Dr.  Ridgway  married 
Aleinda  B.  Iloge,  Itoni  in  Nettle  (reek  Town- 
ship, May  11.  1S42.  daughter  of  William  and 
Rachel"  (Bowbt)  Hose,  Iwm  in  Virginia,  who, 
in  1S31,  eanie  to  Nettle  Creek  Township  and 
there  entered  land,  at  a  time  when  the  Indians 
still  held  possession.  They  were  the  first  white 
settlers  of  the  county.  Since  the  death  of  Dr. 
Ridgway.  Mrs.  Ridgway  has  lived  at  her  home 
in  Morris.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Ridgway  were  the 
parents  of  the  following  children  :  Fred  AY.,  of 
Frecport;  Henry  A.,  of  Nettle  Creek  Township: 
George  M..  living  with  his  mother;  Mary.  Mrs. 
Frank  Fey.  of  Morris;  Frank  S..  of  Freeport. 
111.,  and  Rachel,  who  died  August  17,  1910, 
aged  twenty-eight  years.  Dr.  Ridgway  was  a 
Presbyterian.  A  strong  Republican  he  served 
as  county  coroner  for  twenty  years.  During 
his  life  in  Morris  he  always  served  his  city 
in  every  possible  way  and  was  a  public-spirited 
citizen  and  one  who  had  its  best  interests  at 
heart.  He  was  a  school  director  for  twenty- 
two  years,  and  also  was  connected  with  the  lire 
department  for  many  years,  in  which  he  took 
great  pride.  From  the  formation  of  the  local 
G.  A.  R.  ]Kist.  to  his  death.  Dr.  Ridgway  was 
an  honored  member,  and  in  it.  as  in  every  other 
connection  of  life,  rendered  a  service  that  was 
highly  valued. 

RIDINGS,  William  Arthur.— It  will  be  found 
that  the  most  successful  farmers  of  Grundy 
County  are  those  who  operate  their  property 
according  to  modern  methods  and  with  labor- 
saving  machinery.  Farming  is  like  any  other 
branch  of  endeavor,  it  is  impossible  to  secure 
the  best  results  with  restricted  appliances.  One 
of  the  men  who  is  reaping  heavily  from  his 
land  because  of  his  progressive  ideas  is  William 
Arthur  Ridings  of  Wauponsee  Township.  He 
was  l>om  at  Morris,  111.,  September  2G,  1S56, 
son  of  John  W.  and  Annie  (Mather)  Ridings, 
natives  of  Virginia  and  England,  respectively. 
The  maternal  grandparents.  Joseph  and  Martha 
Mather,  were  natives  of  England,  who.  upon 
-coining  to  this  country,  located  at  Hillsboro, 
Ohio.  The  paternal  grandparents,  John  P.  and 
Eliza  (Stone)  Ridings,  were  natives  of  Virginia. 
John  W.  Ridings  married  Annie  Mather  in 
Ohio,  and  they  later  moved  to  Morris  where 
they  lived  a  year,  and  then  bought  a  farm  in 
Wauponsee  Township.  This  was  then  all 
prairie  land,  but  they  moved  upon  it  and  com- 
menced to  improve  their  property.  There  he 
lived  until  his  death  in  March,  1902,  but  bis 
widow,  who  survived  him,  moved  to  Morris, 
where  she  passed  away  in  March.  1!»10. 

William  Arthur  Ridings  lived  with  his  par- 
ents, during  his  boyhood  attending  the  local 
schools,  and  after  marrying,  moved  to  a  farm 
of  ICO  acres  that  he  had  already  purchased, 
adjoining  the  homestead  on  the  west.  This 
has  continued  to  bo  his  place  of  residence,  and 
he  has  made  many  improvements,  erecting  all 
the  buildings,  putting  up  good  fences  and  doing 


everything  to  enhance  its  value  and  aid  in 
carrying  on  the  work.  As  a  result  be  has  one 
of  the  best  improved  farms  in  Grundy  County. 
In  addition  to  his  original  holdings,  he  has  140 
acres.  In  .March.  1S91,  Mr.  Ridings  was  mar- 
ried to  Mary  Margaret  Sample,  horn  in  Wau- 
ponsee Township,  daughter  of  William  and 
Matilda  (Martin)  Sample  of  Illinois.  No  issue. 
Mr.  Ridings  belongs  to  the  Congregational 
Church,  and  is  a  worker  in  all  church  activi- 
ties; was  Sunday  school  superintendent  for 
many  years  and  also  teacher  of  the  men's  class, 
lie  is  one  of  the  faithful  laborers  who,  by  pre- 
cept and  example  help  to  hold  all  such  workers 
together.  For  twelve  years  he  has  been  justice 
of  the  peace  and  for  the  same  period  has  been 
a  school  director.  In  every  respect  he  has 
proven  himself  an  excellent  farmer,  good 
business  man  and  loyal  citizen,  and  his  high 
standing  has  keen  deservedly  bestowed  upon 
one  who  is  worthy  of  the  honor. 

ROBINSON,  E.  Robert.  -Farmers  arc  begin- 
ning to  awaken  to  the  value  of  intensive  farming 
and  to  the  fact  that  there  is  more  profit  in  a 
small  tract  highly  cultivated  than  in  a  larger 
property  but  indifferently  managed.  One  of  the 
men  who  is  making  a  big  success  as  a  market 
gardener  is  E.  Robert  Robinson  of  Wauponsee 
Township.  He  was  horn  in  Morris  Township 
May  3.  1SG2,  a  son  of  Noble  and  Isahell  (Land- 
sey)  Robinson.  Until  he  was  married,  E.  Robert 
Robinson  lived  with  his  parents,  having  grown 
tip  on  the  fa  I'm  and  received  a  public  school 
education.  Following  his  marriage  he  worked 
in  the  Morris  tile  and  brick  factory  until  Inst, 
when  he  moved  on  an  eighty-acre  farm  which 
he  rents  from  his  father.  He  raises  all  kind  of 
garden  truck,  including  melons  and  sweet  corn, 
which  he  ships  to  the  Chicago  market.  In  addi- 
tion to  this  land,  he  has  bought  a  forty-acre 
tract  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  and  he 
owns  another  forty-acre  tract  by  himself.  Mr. 
Robinson  also  owns  two  properties  at  Morris. 
On  August  20.  1885,  Mr.  Robinson  was  mar- 
ried to  Ellen  Moxham.  born  at  Clarence  Center, 
N.  V.,  November  20.  185S,  a  daughter  of  Fred 
and  Mary  (Robinson)  Moxham.  both  natives  of 
England.  Mis.  Moxham  is  not  living  and  Mr. 
Moxham  resides  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Robinson  have  had  no  children  of  their  own, 
but  adopted  a  daughter,  Lillian,  who  was  born 
in  May.  1S93,  whom  they  have  reared  with  tender 
parental  care  and  love.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robinson 
belong  to  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  are  gen- 
erous supporters  of  its  good  work.  Politically 
he  is  a  Democrat.  His  fraternal  affiliations  are 
with  the  Masons  of  Morris  and  the  Odd  Fellows 
of  the  same  city.  A  hard-working  man.  pos- 
sessed of  unusual  energy  and  foresight,  he  has 
been  successful  and  is  making  plans  to  further 
extend  his  field  of  operation. 

ROBINSON,  Noble.— A  citizen  who  has  shown 
his  versatility  by  engaging  in  several  lines  of 
business,  and  who  has  displayed  his  ability  by 
making  a    success   of  each   of   his   venture's,    is 


894 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


Noble  Robinson,  of  Wauponsee  Township,  one 
of  Grundy's  representative  men.  Mr.  Robinson 
is  an  Englishman,  his  birth  taking  place  in 
Huntingdonshire,  August  14,  1S40.  He  was 
eleven  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  the  United 
States  on  the  sailing  vessel.  American  Eagle, 
with  his  parents,  Robert  and  Elizabeth  Robin- 
son, the  family  locating  at  Lockport,  Niagara 
County,  X.  Y.  Robert  Robinson  secured  em- 
ployment on  the  Erie  Canal,  and  at  different 
points  acted  in  the  capacity  of  superintendent, 
and  eventually,  after  several  years  spent  in 
Erie  County,  X.  Y..  brought  his  family  to 
Grundy  County,  111.  Several  years  later  he 
removed  to  Bureau  County,  111.,  and  there  was 
the  proprietor  of  a  hotel  up  to  the  time  of  his 
.  death. 

Noble  Robinson  was  nineteen  years  of  age 
when  he  came  to  Grundy  County,  and  here 
secured  employment  in  the  coal  mines,  under 
Robert  Davidson,  In  the  spring  of  1S59  he  re- 
turned to  New  York  on  a  visit,  but  several 
months  later  came  back  to  Illinois,  and  again 
became  a  coal  miner,  and  afterward  became  an 
operator,  but  disposed  of  his  interests  and  again 
worked  in  the  coal  mines  until  he  was  severely 
injured  in  an  accident.  In  1S72  he  located  in 
Morris,  111.,  where  he  first  engaged  in  the  liquor 
business,  and  soon  thereafter  took  William 
Allen  as  a  partner.  This  association  continued 
for  eleven  years,  when  Mr.  Robinson  bought 
Mr.  Allen's  interest  and  continued  to  carry  it 
on  in  tbe  business  block  which  he  had  built  on 
Liberty  street.  In  1901  he  sold  out  to  Thomas 
Pattison,  who  conducted  it  for  three  years; 
then  Mr,  Robinson  took  the  building  and  started 
in  the  grocery  business  which  he  conducted  for 
three  years  and  finally  rented  the  building 
again  to  Mr.  Pattison  for  same  purpose  as  Mr. 
Pattison  had  previously  used  it  for.  Mr. 
'  Robinson  is  now  devoting  his  attention  to  the 
cultivation  of  his  farm,  and  is  at  this  time  the 
owner  of  Ktf)  acres  of  land,  all  in  a  high  state 
of  cultivation.  He  has  developed  his  property 
until  it  is  one  of  the  finest  in  Wauponsee  Town- 
1  ship,  and  substantial  buildings  add  much  to  its 
value.  Mr.  Robinson  is  an  able  farmer  and  is 
capable  of  taking  advantage  of  the  various 
modern  improvements.  As  a  citizen  he  is  ac- 
counted one  of  his  locality's  upright  and  public- 
spirited  men,  and  his  general  popularity  is  at- 
tested by  his  many  friends. 

On  April  22,  1861,  Mr.  Robinson  was  married 
to  Miss  Isabelle  Lindsey,  who  was  born  near 
Montreal.  Canada,  whose  parents  were  natives 
of  the  North  of  Ireland.  Air.  and  Mrs.  Robinson 
have  had  these  children :  Ephraim  Robert,  of 
Wauponsee  Township;  William,  of  Morris, 
deputy  county  clerk ;  Agnes,  who  became  Mrs. 
Richard  I'.ahner,  of  Morris;  Elizabeth,  who 
married  Frank  Spees,  of  Morris ;  Thomas  J.,  of 
this  city;  and  Henry  Rutherford,  who  is  as- 
sisting his  father  in  the  conduct  of  the  home 
farm.  lie  had  four  children:  one  child  who 
died  in  infancy;  Noble,  Frederick  and  Arthur. 
Mr.  Robinson  has  lent  a  hand  in  the  manage- 
ment   of   the   public   affairs   of   Morris,    having 


served  efficiently  as  alderman  of  the  Tbird 
Ward  for  three  terms.  His  religious  connection 
is  with  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  his  fraternal 
affiliations  with  the  Odd  Fellows  and  Masons. 

RONCHETTI,  Joseph.— In  the  thriving  village 
of  South  Wilmington,  111.,  few  men  are  better 
known  than  Joseph  Ronchetti,  head  of  the  linn 
of  Ronchetti  &  Company,  dealers  in  meats,  gro- 
ceries and  crockery.  For  more  than  ten  years 
he  has  been  identified  with  the  business  inter- 
ests of  this  place,  and  through  ability  and 
straightforward  dealing  has  become  one  of  the 
substantial  men  of  his  community.  Mr.  Ron- 
chetti was  born  in  Austria.  January  -1,  1S09, 
and  is  a  son  of  Peter  and  Mary  (Tonelli)  Ron- 
chetti, natives  of  Yezzano,  Austria. 

Joseph  Ronchetti  received  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  bis  native  land,  and  as  a 
young  man  came  to  the  United  States,  arriving 
in  this  country  December  27.  1SS9.  He  at  once 
made  bis  way  to  Elmore,  Colo.,  where  he  se- 
cured employment  at  tbe  coke  ovens,  subse- 
quently went  to  Texas,  where  he  worked  as  a 
machinist  for  seven  years,  and  then  opened  a 
general  merchandise  store,  which  he  conducted 
for  two  years  at  Mingus,  Tex.  In  1901  he  dis- 
posed of  his  interests  in  the  Southwest  and 
took  his  family  back  to  Austria  for  a  visit  of 
one  year.  Upon  his  return  to  America,  he  lo- 
cated at  South  Wilmington,  111.,  and  since  1902 
has  conducted  his  present  business,  which  has 
gradually  developed  into  one  of  the  leading 
enterprises  of  its  kind  in  this  part  of  Grundy 
County.  He  has  made  a  success  of  his  venture 
because  of  his  excellent  business  ability  and 
his  sterling  integrity,  and  by  winning  the  con- 
fidence of  his  fellow-citizens  has  built  up  a 
profitable  business. 

On  December  5,  ls94,  Mr.  Ronchetti  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Mary  Cha,  born  March  7,  1S73,  a 
native  of  Piazzo,  Italy,  and  a  daughter  of 
Giovanni  and  Angela  (Basso)  Cha,  natives  of 
Piazzo,  Italy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ronchetti  have 
five  children :  Pete,  born  October  5.  1S95,  a 
student  in  the  Joliet  (111.)  High  school,  and  his 
father's  able  assistant  in  business;  Angelo,  born 
September  2,  1S97;  Mario,  born  June  3.  1S99; 
Irma.  born  October  19,  lOOo;  and  Inez,  born 
June  2:;,  1909. 

Mr.  Ronchetti  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic 
Church.  His  fraternal  connections  are  with  the 
Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles,  of  which  he  is  secre- 
tary;  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  Ancient 
Order  of  Druids.  A  Republican  in  his  political 
views,  he  has  served  for  six  years  as  a  member 
of  the  Board  of  Education  of  South  Wilming- 
ton, and  at  this  time  is  treasurer  of  the  Fire 
Department.  Every  movement  making  for 
progress  and  development  has  his  hearty  sup- 
port, and  he  is  justly  conceded  to  be  one  of  his 
community's  representative  men. 

ROTHLISBERGER,  William,  a  general  farmer 
of  Felix  Township,  owns  160  acres  of  well- 
developed  land,  and  carries  on  a  general  line 
of  agriculture,   meeting   with   very  satisfactory 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


895 


results.  He  was  born  at  Wilmington,  Will 
County,  HI.,  August  31.  1866,  a  son  of  John  Roth- 
lisberger.  The  father  was  horn  May  30.  1S3S,  in 
the  beautiful  city  of  Berne,  .Switzerland,  and 
many  times  told  his  children  of  the  wonderful 
clocks  that  yearly  attract  tourists  to  that  city, 
which  were  familiar  to  him  in  his  boyhood. 
During  his  mature  years  he  was  a  bookkeeper 
for  different  business  houses.  lie  married 
Bertha  Sporri,  who  was  horn  in  Zurich,  Switzer- 
land, June  1G,  1839. 

William  Rothlisberger  attended  a  country 
school  in  Kankakee  County.  111.,  his  home  being 
on  a  farm  until  the  family  moved  to  town  when 
he  was  fifteen  years  of  age,  alter  which  he  took 
a  commercial  course  in  the  Northwestern  Busi- 
ness College,  at  Napcrville,  111.  He  has  always 
led  a  busy  and  useful  life  and,  after  working 
for  some  years  in  a  general  store,  became  a  hank 
clerk  and  bookkeeper.  Since  his  marriage  Mr. 
Rothlisberger  has  given  his  attention  to  farming 
and  stock  raising. 

On  December  11.  1S90,  in  the  township  of 
Felix.  Mr.  Rothlisberger  was  married  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Trotter,  born  in  Felix  Township,  Oc- 
tober 1.  1SG4,  a  daughter  of  Alexander  and  Jane 
(Bogue)  Trotter,  natives  of  Berwickshire,  Scot- 
land, where  he  was  horn  February  15.  1825  and 
she  was  horn  January  I.  1S25.  In  politics  Mr. 
Rothlisherger  is  a  Republican.  Fraternally  he 
is  identified  with  Braklwood  Lodge  No.  7o4.  A. 
F.  &  A.  M. :  Wilmington  Chapter  No.  142,  R.  A. 
M. ;  and  Blaney  Commandery  No.  5,  Morris,  111. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  Ivanhoe  Camp  No.  1359, 
M.  W.  A.,  of  Coal  City.  Ilk.  of  which  he  was 
clerk  for  about  nine  years,  and  to  White  Star 
Chapter  No.  4~i2.  O.  F.  S..  Coal  City,  of  which 
be  has  been  Worthy  Patron  for  the  last  three 
years.  For  more  than  twenty  years  he  has  been 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
In  his  various  relations  and  association  with 
others  be  has  exhibited  those  qualities  which 
have  won  confidence,  respect  and  warm  friend- 
ship. 

RYAN,  Stephen  E. — The  modern  farmer  needs 
to  know  how  to  work  his  land,  what  crops  to 
plant,  how  to  cultivate  them,  and  where  to  mar- 
ket what  he  grows.  No  longer  docs  he  conduct 
his  business  in  a  hit  or  miss  way.  hut  according 
to  methods  he  has  learned  by  experience  are 
the  best.  One  of  the  men  of  Grundy  County 
who  is  engaged  in  maintaining  its  high  agricul- 
tural standard  is  Stephen  Ryan,  of  Vienna 
Township.  He  was  born  in  Vienna  Township, 
January  I.  ls.11.  a  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth 
(Golden)  Ryan,  the  former  a  native  of  Tipi>er- 
ary.  Ireland,  and  the  latter  of  County  Roscom- 
mon. Ireland.  The  father  came  to  the  I'nited 
States  and  located  at  Ftica.  TIL.  in  184s.,  bis 
wife  having  come  in  ls47.  She  was  the  widow 
of  Christopher  Weldon,  and  had  a  son,  James 
Weldon.  who  is  now  a  resident  of  Vienna 
Township.  After  marriage,  William  Ryan  and 
wife  settled  on  a  farm  in  Vienna  Township, 
Grundy  County  that  the  wife  owned,  and  here 
he  died,  July  24,  1SS5.  and  she  died  November 


6,  lf)0s.  They  had  the  following  children: 
Mary,  who  is  Mrs.  Mary  Renne;  Stephen  E. ; 
Eliza,  who  is  Mrs.  Hugh  Newman,  of  Vienna 
Township;  John,  who  died  in  infancy;  William, 
who  lives  at  Highmore,  S.  1).,  and  Catherine, 
who  died  in  infancy. 

When  he  was  twenty-one  years  old,  Stephen 
F.  Ryan,  who  had  attended  the  local  schools, 
began  farming  in  Good  Farm  Township  with  his 
half-brother,  James  Weldon,  remaining  with 
him  for  three  years.  Later  they  dissolved  part- 
nership, and  Mr.  Ryan  rented  a  Brookfield 
Township  farm  for  a  year,  when  he  moved  to 
Highland  Township  and  rented  a  farm  tor  five 
years.  lie  (hen  returned  to  the  home  place, 
and  lived  with  his  mother  and  sister,  and  at  the 
death  of  (he  former,  be  inherited  the  land  in 
partnership  with  his  sisters.  He  has  operated 
this  property  ever  since,  and  also  works  forty 
acres  more.  He  hoards  with  his  sister,  Mrs. 
Mary  Renne.  Mr.  Ryan  belongs  to  the  Catholic 
Church.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican  and  has 
served  as  post  master.  He  is  a  respected  man 
in  his  community. 

RYAN,  Thomas,  one  of  the  substantial  business 
men  of  Kinsman,  Grundy  County,  ill.,  was  horn 
in  Ireland,  November  11,  1830,  a  son  of  Dennis 
and  Jane  (Crough)  Ryan,  the  former  of  whom 
was  born  in  Ireland  in  179D.  and  the  latter  in 
the  same  country,  in  1798.  They  were  farming 
people,  who  immigrated  to  the  I'nited  States, 
locating  at  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  on  January  1.  1S51, 
and  lived  in  that  city  until  October  1.  1S53, 
when  removal  was  made  to  Ottawa,  III.  On 
March  2,  1SGG,  the  family  located  at  High- 
land,  111. 

Brought  up  by  conscientious  parents,  Thomas 
Ryan  lived  a  temperate  life  from  boyhood,  and 
has  never  changed  his  principles  or  ideas  along 
these  lines.  While  his  educational  training 
was  confined  to  the  public  schools,  he  gained 
an  excellent  practical  knowledge  of  men  and 
affairs,  and  developed  into  a  farmer  and  grain 
buyer.  At  present  he  is  the  owner  of  280  acres 
of  land  in  Highland  Township,  and  640  acres 
of  land  in  Montana.  His  substantial  standing 
and  reliable  habits  brought  him  just  rewards, 
and  his  value  as  a  citizen  was  recognized  by 
his  election  to  the  office  of  town  treasurer, 
which  he  held  for  twenty  years,  and  he  was 
also  supervisor  of  his  township  for  several 
years.  During  his  incumbency  in  office  he  justi- 
fied the  confidence  reposed  in  him.  and  was  an 
excellent  official  and  public-spirited  in  every 
way. 

On  September  20,  1865,  Mr.  Ryan  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Mary  Landergan  and  six 
daughters  and  two  sons  have  been  born  of  this 
union,  namely:  Jenny,  Katie,  Nelly,  Maggie, 
Dodie,  Dennis,  Willie  and  Loretta.  In  religious 
faith,  Mr.  Ryan  is  a  Catholic  and  fraternally 
he  is  a  Knight  of  Columbus. 

SACKETT,'  William  L.,  of  Morris,  was  born  at 
Holyoke.  Mass.,  in  1SG6.  When  three  years  old. 
his  parents  took  up  their  residence  at  Spring- 


896 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


field,  Mass.  He  lived  there  until  eight  years 
old.  As  the  result  of  death  and  sickness,  the 
family  was  scattered.  Mr.  Sackett  came  west  to 
live  with  an  elder  brother  who  was  a  resident 
of  Amboy,  111.  Through  the  winter  months  Mr. 
Sackett,  in  common  with  all  boys  of  the  farm, 
attended  school,  doing  in  summer  farm  work  or 
anything  that  would  bring  a  livelihood.  Later 
he  went  to  Hartford,  Conn.,  living  with  a  sister, 
and  had  the  advantage  of  grade  schools  and  two 
terms  in  the  High  school  of  that  city.  Family 
circumstances  prevented  his  taking  the  full 
course  of  the  school  and  graduating.  He  se- 
cured a  place  in  a  small  printing  office  where 
he  earned  enough  to  provide  board  and  clothes. 
In  ISSl  he  had  a  long  and  nearly  fatal  illness. 
Following  partial  recovery  he  went  to  Dakota, 
spending  a  year  or  more  on  a  ranch  and  recov- 
ered his  health. 

In  iss.-]  Mr.  Sackett  did  his  first  newspaper 
work  as  a  reporter  upon  the  Illinois  .state 
Journal  at  Springfield.  He  advanced  through 
the  various  departments  to  the  desk  of  night 
editor  of  that  paper,  and  continued  until  a  re- 
organization and  sale  brought  changes.  While 
devoting  time  to  newspaper  work  Mr.  Sackett. 
became  one  of  the  most  proficient  stenographic 
writers  in  the  State.  lie  became  confidential 
secretary  for  John  It.  'rainier,  who  was  then 
state  treasurer,  but  later  became  governor.  Mr. 
Sackett  later  became  the  private  secretory  of 
Chief  Justice  Simeon  P.  Shope,  of  the  Illinois 
State  Supreme  Court,  and  served  in  like  ca- 
pacity for  seven  years  for  Attorney-General 
George  Hunt.  While  thus  engaged  In1  was  hon- 
ored by  Governor  Richard  J.  Oglesby,  who 
selected  Mr.  Sackett  as  his  confidential  assistant 
in  the  disposition  of  the  trying  appeals  for 
clemency  made  in  behalf  of  the  condemned  Chi- 
cago anarchists  in  lSST,  and  was  highly  compli- 
mented by  Governor  Oglesby  in  an  autograph 
letter  upon  his  success  in  outwitting  the  hun- 
dreds of  newspaper  correspondents  and  getting 
news  of  the  denial  of  the  plea  for  pardon  to  the 
officials  in  Chicago  ten  hours  before  it  became 
known  in  Springfield,  that  proper  protection 
might  be  made  to  frustrate  any  plans  for  as- 
sailing the  county  jail  and  rescuing  the  anarch- 
ists. Mr.  Sackett  later  aided  Attorney-General 
Hunt  in  the  preparation  and  bearing  of  this 
case  on  its  appeal  to  the  United  States  supreme 
court  at  Washington. 

In  1S91  Mr.  Sackett  came  to  Morris  and  pur- 
chased the  newspaper  plant  of  The  Morris 
Herald.  He  has  applied  the  methods  of  his 
metropolitan  newspaper  training  to  the  paper; 
its  growth  has  been  steady  and  it  is  admitted 
on  every  hand  to  be  a  newspaper  that  reflects 
great  credit  upon  the  city  of  its  publication. 
Taking  an  active  interest  in  political  affairs, 
Mr.  Sackett  has  always  been  identified  with  the 
Republican  party  in  Illinois.  In  1S9G,  in  the 
McKinley  campaign  he  was  named  by  acclama- 
tion as  the  presidential  elector  for  the  Eighth 
Illinois  Congressional  District,  which  always 
had  a  Republican  majority  of  20,000.  He  cast 
the  vote  of  the  Twelfth  District  for  Roosevelt 


when  elected  after  McKinley's  death.  He  has 
been  the  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Grundy 
County  Republican  Central  Committee  for  years, 
and  for  the  last  ten  years  its  chairman,  resign- 
ing the  position  in  September,  1914.  In  1S97  he 
was  appointed  as  secretary  of  the  (/anal  Com- 
missioners of  the  State,  by  Governor  John  R. 
Tanner.  Later  Governor  Richard  Yates  ap- 
pointed him  a  member  of  the  commission.  lie 
served  continuously  in  this  work  until  Septem- 
ber, 1913,  when  Governor  Dunne  named  a 
Democrat  to  succeed  him.  Mr.  Sackett  is  con- 
sidered one  of  the.  authorities  of  the  State  on 
the  waterway  development  problem  now  being 
discussed  in  behalf  of  commercial  waterway 
transportation. 

In  1SS7,  while  in  Springfield,  Mr.  Sackett  was 
married  to  Miss  Ida  Irene  Brown.  As  a  result 
of  this  marriage  two  children  have  been  born, 
namely:  Loren  B.,  now  engaged  in  the  publica- 
tion of  The  Herald  with  bis  father,  and  Edwin, 
a  student  in  the  high  school.  Mr.  Sackett  is 
distinctively  American,  and  so  are  his  ancestors 
for  generations.  His  father.  Loren  Sackett.  is  a 
direct  descendant  of  the  Sackvilles.  the  English 
branch  of  the  family,  which  has  been  prominent 
in  the  history  of  that  nation.  His  mother,  Sarah 
(Downey)  Sackett  is  a  lineal  descendant  of  a 
prominent  Irish  family.  Representatives  of 
both  the  paternal  and  maternal  ancestry  played 
a  prominent  part  in  the  early  history  of  Amer- 
ica. They  were  members  of  the  Pilgrim  band 
and  lovers  of  religious  liberty  and  independence. 
The  ancestors  are  found  among  the  few  that 
embarked  on  the  Mayflower  when  it  made  its 
famous  voyage  to  the  New  World  to  cany  the 
little  band  of  settlers  who  were  to  lay  the  found- 
ation for  the  development  of  New  England.  Mr. 
Sackett  is  a  great-grandson  of  Lieutenant 
Adnali  Sackett.  who  was  a  volunteer  soldier  in 
tiie  Revolutionary  War.  The  name  of  Sackett 
figures  prominently  in  the  records  of  the  Revolu- 
tionary War.  Several  of  the  family  were  en- 
gaged with  Washington  in  his  campaigns,  two 
being  ujion  the  immediate  staff  of  the  Father  of 
His  Country.  In  the  Civil  War.  one  brother  of 
Mr.  Sackett.  Captain  William  II.  Sackett.  of  the 
Eleventh  Connecticut  Volunteer  Infantry,  met 
his  death:  while  another  brother,  Joseph  T. 
Sackett.  had  especial  mention  for  heroic  conduct 
on  the  field  of  battle  at  Ringgold  Gap  with  Com- 
pany C  of  the  Thirteenth  Illinois  Infantry. 

SADLER,  John. — More  than  forty  years  have 
passed  since  John  Sadler  first  came  to  Grundy 
County.  111.,  and  during  all  that  period  he  has 
been  known  as  one  of  this  section's  most  reli- 
able and  successful  agriculturists.  At  this  time 
he  is  living  a  somewhat  retired  life,  having 
turned  over  the  burden  of  activities  to  younger 
hands  and  shoulders,  hut  he  still  maintains  an 
interest  in  all  that  affects  the  welfare  of  the 
community  in  which  he  has  resided  so  long  and 
to  which  he  gave  the  best  years  of  his  life.  .Mr. 
Sadler  is  a  native  of  Eastern  Canada,  and  was 
born  in  October,  1S.'!7.  a  son  of  John  and  Ann 
(Mason)    Sadler,   natives  of  the  North  of  Ire- 


' 


^ 


*i 


^ 
4 


s 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


897 


land.  They  moved  to  Canada  about  the  year 
1820,  and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  their 
lives  in  agricultural  pursuits.  Of  their  six  chil- 
dren,  John  was  the  youngest. 

John  Sadler  was  given  ordinary  educational 
advantages  and  continued  to  reside  with  his 
parents  in  their  Canadian  home  until  he  reached 
the  age  of  sixteen  years,  at  which  time  he  went 
to  Vermont,  one  year  later  lie  came  West  and 
settled  in  Grundy  County,  where  he  rented  land 
until  lML'.  and  in  that  year  purchased  an  un- 
improved trad  of  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Vienna 
Township.  To  the  developing  and  cultivation 
of  this  property  he  gave  the  rest  of  his  active 
years,  and  through  industry,  perseverance  and 
well-directed  effort  was  successful  in  making. 
one  of  the  finest  farms  of  its  size  in  this  pari  of 
the  State.  Since  15)10  he  lias  lived  somewhat 
retired,  the  land  now  being  under  the  capable 
management  of  his  son.  Harry,  who  has  in- 
herited many  of  his  father's  sterling  traits  of 
character. 

In  the  spring  of  ISfil,  John  Sadler  was  united 
in  marriage  with  .Miss  Matilda  Hamilton,  also 
a  native  of  Canada,  and  they  have  had  chil- 
dren as  follows:  Anna,  who  married  Robert 
Hamilton,  and  is  now  deceased;  Susan,  also  de- 
ceased, who  was  the  wife  of  George  Baker; 
Cora,  who  married  William  Bradford,  and  re- 
sides in  Mazon,  111.-.  George,  a  resident  of  Colo- 
rado; Thomas,  who  is  deceased;  and  Harry,  the 
manager  of  the  home  place,  who  married  Miss 
Bowman.  The  mother  of  these  children  died 
In  August,  1D0S.  in  the  faith  of  the  Episcopal 
Church,  to  which  Mr.  Sadler  also  belongs.  He 
is  prominent  in  Masonry,  having  numerous 
friends  in  the  Verona  Lodge,  and  in  his  political 
views  is  independent. 

SAMPLE,  John  (deceased). — In  reviewing  the 
history  of  Grundy  County  the  thoughtful  ob- 
server is  struck  by  the  patience  and  fortitude 
displayed  by  the  pioneers  of  this  section,  who. 
coming  here  at  a  time  when  hardships  were  to 
be  encountered  on  every  side,  and  success  was 
entirely  problematical,  worked  quietly  and  un- 
ceasingly, laboring  better  than  they  knew,  and 
producing  the  Grundy  County  of  today.  One  of 
these  men  who  earned  the  right  to  be  honored 
as  a  Grundy  County  pioneer  of  the  best  class 
was  the  late  John  Sample.  He  was  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania,  as  was  his  wife.  Mary  Mc- 
Kenzie, she  being  born  in  Washington  County  of 
that  State.  He  was  a  son  of  William  Sample, 
born  in  the  North  of  Ireland.  Mrs.  Sample  was 
a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Isabelle  (Grant)  Mc- 
Kenzie.  natives  of  Scotland.  John  Sample  and 
Mary  McKenzie  were  married  in  Ross  County. 
Ohio,  and  commenced  farming  near  South  Salem 
in  that  county.  He  was  one  of  the  founders 
of  an  academy  and  seminary  at  that  place,  and 
was  a  man  of  prominence  in  his  community. 

Attracted  by  reports  of  the  fertility  of  land 
in  Grundy  County,  111..  John  Sample  joined  a 
company  in  September.  lSt»2,  which  reached 
there  in  October  of  the  same  year,  and  he  and 
his    wife    decided    upon    Wauponsee    Township 


as  a  desirable  section,  and  settled  on  a  farm 
there.  There  was  a  little  frame  house  on  the 
place,  in  the  midst  of  a  prairie,  and  in  it  they 
began  housekeeping.  At  that  time  there  were 
hut  few  neighbors,  but  they  were  too  busy  to 
get  lonely,  for  their  farm  of  from  TOO  to'  S00 
acres  was  entirely  unimproved,  and  they  were 
constantly  at  work.  As  time  went  on  Mr. 
Sample  brought  more  and  more  of  his  land 
under  cultivation,  and  became  an  extensive 
raiser  of  horses,  and  also  carried  on  general 
farming.  Soon  after  his  arrival  in  the  summer 
of  1S53,  he  started  a  Sunday  school  in  a  small 
log  schoolhouse  in  the  neighborhood,  which  was 
the  first  Sunday  school  ever  held  in  that  town. 
Although  a  Presbyterian,  as  there  was  no 
church  of  his  denomination  there,  he  became 
affiliated  with  the  Congregational  Church  of 
Morris.  While  much  interested  in  polities,  he 
was  not  an  office  seeker.  His  death  occurred  in 
1S04,  after  a  long  and  useful  life.  His  widow 
survived  him  until  1SS3,  when  she  passed  away 
at  the  age  of  eighty-nine  years.  There  were  ten 
children  in  the  family,  three  of  whom  died  in 
Ohio.  Five  children  and  the  parents  died  on 
the  farm  in  Grundy  County.  Two  daughters, 
Narcissa  and  Ruth,  removed  to  Morris  in  1901, 
and  spent  their  remaining  years  there. 

SAMPLE,  William  (deceased).— Perhaps  no 
resident  of  Grundy  County  was  a  more  honor- 
able man  than  the  late  William  Sample,  of 
Morris,  whose  life  was  filled  with  good  deeds, 
and  whose  memory  is  tenderly  cherished  by 
those  who  knew  him  and  thus  appreciated  his 
many  virtues.  He  was  born  at  South  Salem, 
Ohio.  October  10,  1S2S,  a  son  of  John  and  Mary 
(McKenzie)  Sample,  of  Irish  decent,  who  were 
farming  people.  In  the  spring  of  isr,2  William 
Sample  joined  his  father.  John  Sample,  and 
came  west  from  South  Salem.  Ohio,  to  look  for 
a  home  in  Illinois.  Through  the  late  William 
Hopkins,  who  was  agent  for  the  property,  John 
Sample  bought  between  TOO  and  S00  acres  of 
land,  four  miles  south  of  Morris,  111.,  and  in 
the  following  fall  the  entire  family,  and  an- 
other one  by  the  name  of  Stonebaek,  came  to 
this  new  home,  making  the  trip  by  wagon. 
From  then  on.  William  Sample  made  Grundy 
County  his  home,  and  became  the  owner  of 
266  acres  of"  land  in  Wauponsee  Township. 

Having  received  a  better  educational  train- 
ing than  some  of  his  associates,  as  he  attended 
the  South  Salem  academy,  he  was  naturally  a 
leader  in  his  community,  and  as  he  was  honest 
and  a  thorough  believer  in  doing  what  was 
right  at  no  matter  what  sacrifice,  Mr.  Sample's 
influence  for  good  was  strong,  although  he 
never  connected  himself  with  any  particular 
religious  organization.  However,  he  contributed 
generously  towards  religious  work,  and  was 
recognized  as  one  of  the  strong  moral  forces 
of  his  day  and  locality.  A  man  of  kindly  im- 
pulses and  genial  manner,  he  was  a  welcome 
addition  to  any  gathering.  Until  he  married, 
he  assisted  his  father,  but  after  that,  was  en- 
gaged in  conducting  his  own  affairs.     Mr.  Sam- 


80S 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


pie  was  married  at  La  Salle,  111.,  to  Matilda 
Martin,  a  daughter  of  Zachariah  and  Rebecca 
(Sutherland)  Martin,  the  former  born  Febru- 
ary 25,  17S9,  and  the  latter  October  IS,  1799. 
These  parents  died  from  scarlet  fever  when  Mrs. 
Sample  was  twelve  years  old,  leaving  a  family 
of  six  children.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sample  had  two 
daughters:  Mary  Margaret,  who  was  Lorn  No- 
vember 22,  1863;  and  Anna  Rebecca,  who  was 
born  May  15,  18G5. 

SCHRODER,  John  B.— The  earnest,  steadfast, 
reliable  German-Americans  are  numbered  among 
the  very  best  citizens  of  this  county,  and  are 
ever  to  be  found  in  the  ranks  of  the  substan- 
tial people  of  any  community  in  which  they 
may  elect  to  reside,  for  they  are  hard-working 
and  thrifty,  and  know  how  to  invest  their  money 
profitably.  One  of  those  excellent  types  of 
what  can  be  accomplished  by  a  blending  of 
Germany  and  America  is  John  B.  .Schroder  of 
Morris,  at  preseut  a  police  magistrate.  Mr. 
Schroder  was  born  in  Baden,  Germany,  March 
23,  1831,  son  of  Adam  and  Eva  (Masinger) 
Schroder,  both  of  whom  died  in  Germany,  the 
mother  when  John  B.  was  only  two  years  of 
age.  When  twenty  years  old,  Mr.  Schroder 
went  into  the  German  army,  and  served  in  a 
cavalry  regiment  for  six  years,  a  portion  of  the 
time  as  riding  master. 

In  1S54  at  Havre,  Mr.  Schroder  married  Eliza 
Chnlett.  of  Baden,  Germany,  and  embarked  from 
that  port  for  America.  During  the  voyage  his 
young  wife  died,  and  he  landed  in  New  York 
City  alone.  From  there  he  went  to  Chicago, 
where  he  was  met  by  a  brother,  who  resided 
at  Elgin,  111.  Having  learned  the  harnessmak- 
iug  trade  in  his  native  land,  Mr.  Schroder  was 
able  to  bpen  a  harness  shop  at  Elgin,  and  con- 
ducted it  for  five  years,  when  he  sold,  and  after- 
ward traveled  throughout  the  West  for  a  time 
and  then  located  at  Minooka,  where  he  opened 
a  harness  and  saddlery  shop,  and  became  an 
important  man  in  the  place.  He  served  as  con- 
stable and  as  town  clerk,  and  in  1SCG  was  elected 
sheriff  of  Grundy  County,  and  held  that  im- 
portant office  continuously  until  1S90.  Dur- 
ing this  period  he  brought  many  offenders  to 
justice,  and  participated  in  one  execution.  Mr. 
Schroder  was  in  Atchison  County,  Kas.,  for  a 
year,  buying  and  operating  a  farm  during  that 
time,  and  lie  also  served  as  grain  inspector  at 
Chicago  for  another  year.  Finally  disposing  of 
his  other  interests,  he  came  to  Morris,  and 
opened  a  harness  shop.  Almost  immediately 
he  was  made  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  in  1S92 
was  elected  police  magistrate,  and  still  holds 
that  office.  In  addition  to  his  other  interests,  he 
owns  four  residences. 

In  1S5E5,  Mr.  Schroder  was  married  (second), 
at  Elgin,  111.,  to  Josephine  Fessler.  born  in 
Alsace.  France,  daughter  of  Ehlbon  Fessler. 
The  children  born  of  this  marriage  were:  John 
B.,  of  San  Francisco;  Josephine.  Mrs.  John 
Francis  of  Peoria,  111.;  and  Adelaide  X.,  Mrs. 
William  Gibbart  of  Morris.  Politically  he  is  a 
Republican.    Mr.  Schroder  is  a  Knight  Templar, 


Mason,  and  tAkes  a  deep  interest  in  his  fra- 
ternal connection.  He  is  a  man  of  strict  integ- 
rity, and  his  wise,  conservative  rulings  are 
usually  sustained  by  the  higher  courts,  for, 
although  not  a  lawyer,  he  has  good  knowledge  of 
the  law  and  assisted  by  keen  insight  into 
human  nature  and  long  experience,  he  is  able 
to  decide  correctly  with  regard  to  the  cases 
brought  before  him. 

SENDENO,  Torros  T.,  who  now  lives  retired  at 
Gardner,  owns  120  acres  of  fertile  land  in  Gar- 
field Township,  and  is  one  of  the  best  examples 
Grundy  County  has  of  the  intelligent  Norwegian 
agriculturist  who  has  attained  to  prosperity 
in  this  section,  not  because  of  inherited  wealth 
or  public  favor,  but  through  unaided  labor  and 
strength  of  purpose.  Mr.  Sendeno  was  born  in 
Norway,  in  May.  1S44,  a  son  of  Thomas  and 
Bertha  Sendeno,  farming  people  of  Norway. 
The  father  died  in  his  native  land  in  1S70,  fol- 
lowing which  tlte  oldest  son.  Guilder  T.,  who 
was  a  sergeant  in  the  Norwegian  army,  took 
charge  of  the  farm  and  still  lives  on  it.  The 
mother  died  there  in  1S92.  There  were  the 
following  children  in  the  family:  Guilder  T. ; 
Torros  T. ;  Sarah,  who  is  deceased;  Nels,  who 
is  deceased:  Ingero ;  Serena;  Thomas;  and 
Osman,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Torros  T.  Sendeno  was  educated  in  his  native 
land  and  brought  up  as  a  fanner.  When  he 
was  twenty-two  years  old  he  entered  upon  his 
military  service,  but  within  two  weeks  was  so 
badly  injured  that  he  was  honorably  discharged. 
In  spite  of  this  he  managed  to  put  in  the  follow- 
ing two  years  at  farm  work',  when  he  secured 
employment  on  the  ship  wharf  at  Vikedal.  In 
1S70  he  came  to  Kendall  County,  111.,  and 
worked  as  a  farm  laborer  there  for  four 
years.  Having  saved  a  little  money  therefrom 
he  began  renting  land  and  continued  until  1803. 
when  he  bought  his  present  farm,  which  he 
materially  improved.  During  the  past  few  years 
he  has  lived  retired,  his  sons  conducting  the 
property  for  him. 

In  1S70  Mr.  Sendeno  married  Susan  Johnson, 
who  came  to  America  on  the  same  ship  as  he. 
They  had  four  children  :  Thomas,  who  married 
Gertie  Chally  ;  Anna,  who  is  deceased;  William, 
who  married  Anna  Tofte;  and  Torros,  who  mar- 
ried Carrie  Roe.  His  second  marriage  was  on 
November  0,  1913.  to  Mrs.  Bertha  fHangland) 
Thompson,  a  resident  of  Grundy  County.  She 
had  two  children,  Elizabeth;  and  Oliver,  who 
married  Berdie  Kenyon.  The  Norwegian  Luth- 
eran Church  holds  Mr.  Sendeno's  membership, 
and  he  has  belonged  to  it  for  twenty  years, 
now  serving  it  as  a  deacon.  Politically  he  is  a 
Republican,  but  has  never  cared  for  office. 
Staunch  in  his  friendships,  honorable  in  his 
dealings.  Mr.  Sendeno  has  proved  a  very  de- 
sirable citizen  of  the  land  he  adopted  so  many 
years  ago.     He  made  a  trip  in  1913  to  Norway. 

SEVERNS,  Horace  H.— Morris  is  the  home  of 
a  number  of  retired  farmers  who  have  selected 
the  County  Seat  as  a  place  of  residence  because 


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900 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


is  a   responsible  man   who   is  able  to  perform 
any  duties  placed  upon  his  willing  shoulders. 

SHORT,  Lemuel  (deceased),  formerly  a  lead- 
ing agriculturalist  of  Goose  Lake  Township,  was 
born  in  Allegheny  County,  Pa.,  August  15,  1S19, 
a  son  of  James  and  Ellen  (MeFarhind)  Short. 
In  1S56  he  came  to  Grundy  County  and  began 
buying  land  in  what  is  now  Goose  Lake  Town- 
ship, continuing  his  purchases  until  at  the  time 
of  his  death  he  owned  more  than  2,500  acres 
of  farm  land  in  that  township,  and  .'IT.'i  acres 
in  Lake  County.  His  death  occurred  January 
13,  1S95.  On  December  31,  TS45.  -Air.  Short  mar- 
ried Sarah  Burr,  and  their  children  were  as 
follows:  James.  Worhain  I'..,  Alvina,  Lemuel, 
Jr.,  and  William. 

SMITH,  Alanson  D.,  M.  D.,  for  many  years  a 
leading  physician  of  Grundy  and  other  Illinois 
counties,  but  now  living  retired  at  Morris,  is 
proud  of  the  fact  that  be  conies  of  pure  Ameri- 
can stock,  his  ancestors  having  been  passengers 
on  the  famous  Mayflower,  later  developing  into 
Colonists  of  note  during  the  early  history  of 
the  country.  His  grandparents  on  both  sides 
of  the  house  were  soldiers  of  the  Revolutionary 
struggle  and  men  of  distinction  in  New  Eng- 
land, and  in  the  family  of  his  grandfather, 
Nathan  Smith,  was  one  son,  Eleazer  Smith,  the 
father  of  Dr.  Smith.  Eleazer  Smith  married 
Maria  Derby,  and  both  were  born  in  Vermont. 
They  married  in  Jefferson  County,  X.  Y..  where 
their  son.  Dr.  Smith,  was  born  August  -.  1S43. 
The  family  lived  there  until  1S54.  when  removal 
was  made  to  Marseilles.  111.,  where  the  father 
continued  his  farming  operations  until  January 
1,  1856,  when  he  went  to  Morris.  Once  more 
he  invested  in  farm  land,  buying  in  Saratoga 
Township,  but  sold  this  property  in  1SS1  and 
returned  to  Morris,  where  be  died  in  1SSC,  the 
mother  surviving  him  until  1902.  They  were 
the  parents  of  ten  children,  of  whom  Dr.  Smith 
was  the  sixth  in  order  of  birth. 

Dr.  Smith  was  given  the  usual  educational 
training  accorded  the  farmer  boy,  and  when 
only  seventeen  years  old  he  began  working  in 
a  telegraph  office  at  Morris,  lie  was  very  am- 
bitious, and  while  working  in  the  day.  studied 
at  night  to  fit  himself  for  the  profession  of 
medicine,  thus  continuing  for  four  years.  He 
then  devoted  himself  to  his  medical  studies  un- 
der Dr.  Freeman  until  18G9,  when  be  entered 
the  Long  Island  Hospital  Medical  College  at 
Brooklyn,  X.  Y..  and  after  one  term  there,  en- 
tered the  medical  department  of  the  University 
of  Xew  York,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
February.  1S70.  Following  this.  Dr.  Smith  went 
to  Dwight,  111.,  where  he  was  associated  with 
Dr.  Keeley.  and  then  came  to  Morris  to  take 
up  the  practice  of  Dr.  F.  C.  White.  Until  1910 
Dr.  Smith  continued  in  active  practice  and  then 
retired.  He  built  himself  a  residence  at  Morris, 
which  lie  has  disposed  of.  as  well  as  a  line  brick 
business  block  of  two  stores,  with  a  brick  barn 
in  the  rear.  This  building  is  G2xl20  feet  and  is 
a  valuable  piece  of  property.    The  political  con- 


victions of  Dr.  Smith  make  him  a  Republican. 
During  his  many  years  of  practice  he  won  the 
confidence  and  friendship  of  all  with  whom  he 
came  in  contact,  and  his  ability  was  always  un- 
questioned. 

SMITH,  Austin  J.— A  practical  knowledge  of 
conditions  governing  working  men  aids  ma- 
terially in  the  practice  of  any  profession,  and 
in  none  more  than  that  of  law.  One  of  the 
attorneys  of  Morris,  a  man  who  has  labored 
with  his  hands  among  farmers,  railroad  men 
and  coal  miners,  is  Austin  J.  Smith,  who  has 
discharged  the  duties  of  one  of  its  important 
offices  with  distinction.  Mr.  Smith  was  born  in 
Addison  County,  Vermont,  November  14,  ls-)9, 
son  of  William  Green  and  Isabelle  (I'.resse) 
Smith,  natives  of  Vermont.  The  family  on  both 
sides  traces  back'  to  early  colonial  days.  In 
LSf,r;,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  moved  to  Kendall 
County.  111.,  and  there  rented  land  for  some 
time.  Later  they  bought  land  in  Will  County, 
where  both  passed  away. 

Austin  J.  Smith  resided  with  his  parents 
until  his  mother  died  in  the  spring  of  1S73. 
In  young  manhood,  Mr.  Smith  worked  on  the 
farm,  but  his  ambitions  led  him  to  take  up 
railroading,  and  later  oflice  work  for  coal  com- 
panies. His  knowledge  of  men  led  his  em- 
ployers to  advance  him  to  the  position  of  super- 
intendent and  distributing  agent,  and  he  carried 
out  his  duties  well.  In  1902  Mr.  Smith  was 
elected  county  clerk  of  Grundy  County,  and 
served  for  two  consecutive  terms,  his  daughter 
Edith  M.,  acting  as  chief  deputy.  While  in 
oflice  they  devoted  their  spare  time  to  the  study 
of  law,  reading  and  taking  examinations  to- 
gether and,  after  being  admitted  to  the  bar, 
entered  into  partnership  with  Henman  B.  Smith, 
an  attorney  of  Morris  and  son  of  Austin  J., 
thus  forming  a  law  firm  of  father,  son  and 
daughter,  the  firm  being  Smith.  Smith  and 
Smith.  Mr.  Smith  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  and  St.  raid's  Academy  of  Kankakee, 
111. 

On  Xovember  14,  1S72,  Mr.  Smith  married 
Lucy  Vining,  born  at  Kankakee.  III.,  daughter 
of  Samuel  and  Jane  (Smith)  Vining.  natives  of 
Illinois.  The  father  was  one  of  the  early  set- 
tlers of  Kankakee,  and  a  son  of  Abijah  Vin- 
ing. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  have  had  two  chil- 
dren: Henman  P.resse  and  Edith  Maud.  Mr. 
Smith  is  a  Republican.  A  prominent  Mason, 
he  is  a  Past  Commander  of  Blaney  Commandery 
No.  5,  Knights  Templar,  and  also  belongs  to 
Medinah'  Temple,  order  of  the  Mystic  Shrine. 
In  addition  he  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen 
of  America  of  Coal  City. 

SOMERVILLE,  William  E.,  who  lias  served  as 
Mayor  of  Coal  City,  is  known  not  alone  as  a 
prominent  figure  in  public  affairs  in  Grundy 
County,  hut  as  an  inventor  in  the  held  of  aero- 
nautics and  as  president  of  the  Illinois  Aero 
Construction  Company.  The  high  esteem  in 
which  he  is  held  by  his  fellow-citizens  is  evi- 
denced in  the  fact  that  he  acted  in  an  official 


. 


I-IISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


901 


heath,    where    .Mr.    Somerville    was    lor    a    long 
period    engaged    in    mechanical    engineering. 

William  E.  Somerville  attended  the  public 
schools  in  his  native  land,  and  continued  his 
.-.f  .1. i;....    ;,.     .1     ..^a»,..a     ..<■    .,...ri.i,.,.v-:i1.r  i  f  f  uv    .-, 


engineering.      After 
mie  a  marine  engi- 


school 

studies    in    a    school    oi 
thorough  preparation  lie 

neer,  a  vocation  which  he  followed  for  live  years, 
and  in  1S92  shipped  from  Glasgow  on  an  Anchor 
Line  vessel  as  chief  engineer,  and.  arriving  in 
the  United  States,  decided  to  remain  here.  Ac- 
cordingly, he  entered  the  employ  of  the  General 
Electric  Company,  with  which  lie  continued  for 
three  years,  and  during  this  time  I  raveled  ex- 
tensively in  the  company's  service  as  an  elec- 
trician. In  1895  he  came  to  Coal  City,  and  for 
five  years  followed  electrical  work,  and  in  1000 
became  superintendent  of  the  new  factory  of 
the  McComber  Wire  Rope  Company.  Having 
always  been  of  an  inventive  turn  of  mind,  and 
deeply  interested  in  aeronautics,  he  conceived 
the  idea  of  an  airship  which  should  have  as  its 
chief  points  stability  and  absolute  safety.     Ac- 


chief  points  stability  and  absolut 
cordingly,  in  1910  he  resigned  his 
went  to  work  to  carry  out  his  idea 
suited    in    the    Illinois    Aer 


i  let; 
position 


and 


by  Mr. 
..,_  .-  .....,,  and  enter  the  exhibi- 
tion business.  The  Somerville  invention  relates 
to  the  upturned  wins  tips,  also  to  a  system  of 
opening   the  surface,  both   ideas  being  original 

i —     l-*.*- .,.*.... f  at..       ci, ~ :n„ 


the  aviator.     A  mechanical  system  oi  maintain 

ing  lateral  stability  is  also  the  inventh f  Mr. 

Somerville.  which  makes  the  machine  safer  than 
if  only  one  system  is  installed.  Although,  as 
claimed  above,  the  upturned  wing  will  maintain 
the  lateral  stability  while  in  the  air.  in  landing 
in  bad  weather  a  gust  of  wind  may  tilt  the 
machine  and  make  a  bad  landing.     To  prevent 


just  such  a  case,  the  mechanical  stabilizing  ar- 
rangement, which  consists  of  two  shutters  on  the 
high  side,  will  be  opened,  which  win  cut  the 
lift  and  also  break  I  he  high  side,  the  result 
being  that  the  low  side  will  speed  up  and  the 
machine  will  right  itself.  This  is  the  safest, 
simplest  and  most  economical  system  in  exist- 
ence. The  company  has  a  lease  of  100  acres  of 
land  ideally  located   for  a   flying  held. 

In  1S9S  Mr.  Somerville  was  married  to  Miss 
Bertha  Piagno,  of  Coal  City,  111.,  and  three  chil- 
dren have  been  born  to  this  union:  Constance, 
Lillian  and  Peter,  all  living  at  home.  Mi-. 
Somerville  has  always  been  an  active  anil  stal- 
wart Republican,  ami  in  1905  was  elected  mayor 
of  Coal  City. 

SPILLER,  Clarence. — Grundy  County  farms 
have  long  been  a  source  of  pride,  not  only  to 
the  owners  of  these  valuable  pieces  of  property, 
but  all  the  people  of  this  locality,  for  il  is  a 
recognized  fact  that  the  standing  of  any  agri- 
cultural section  is  measured  by  the  prosperity 
of  its  farmers.  One  of  the  men  who  has 
achieved  more  than  the  usual  amount  of  success 
as  a  farmer  here  is  Clarence  Spiller,  owner  of 
a  line  eighty-acre  farm  in  Mazon  Township,  lie 
was  born  in  Gardner.  111.,  March  21,  1STT.  a 
son  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Allen)  Spiller. 
Thomas  Spiller  was  burn  in  England,  but  came 
to  this  country  in  young  manhood,  and  died  at 
Gardner  in  1S92.  for  some  years  he  had  been 
successfully  engaged  in  business  there  as  a 
harnessmaker.  His  widow  survives  and  makes 
her  home  at  Gardner.  She  and  her  husband 
had  four  children:  Walter  B.,  Frank  II.,  Clar- 
ence and   Harry. 

Clarence  Spiller  attended  the  public  schools 
at  Gardner,  and  after  finishing  his  educational 
training,  went  into  the  restaurant  business  in 
that  village.  Later  he  worked  at  the  mines,  but 
in  1905  he  bought  his  present  property,  when'  he 
carries  on  general  farming  and  feeds  cattle  for 
the  market.  Mr.  Spiller  purposes  entering  the 
dairy  business  in  the  near  future  with  a  line 
herd'  of  Jersey  cattle. 

In  1S99  Mr.  Spiller  was  married  to  Laura 
Savage,  born  in  Grundy  County.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Spiller  have  had  two  children:  Delia  May  and 
Raymond  Thomas,  but  the  latter  died  January  1, 
190S.  Mr.  Spiller  belongs  to  the  Methodist 
Church.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America.  While. he  has  always  cast 
his  vote  for  the  candidates  of  the  Republican 
party  in  national  events,  in  local  matters  he 
believes  in  supporting  the  best  man.  A  good 
worker,  and  thrifty  in  his  habits.  Mr.  Spiller 
has  steadily  forged  to  the  front  and  is  justly 
regarded  as  one  of  the  substantial  and  reliable 
men  of  Grundy  County. 

SPROULL,  Chailes  Hamilton,  who  is  profitably 
engaged  in  operating  100  acres  of  land  in  Mazon 
Township,  raises  upon  his  farm  fine  crops  of 
corn  and  oats,  and  at  the  same  time  conducts  a 
flourishing  live  stock  business,  buying  and  sell- 
ing horses.     Mr.   Sproull   was  born  at    Sheldon. 


902 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


111.,  in  1887,  a  sun  of  Jerry  and  Maria  (  Hamil- 
ton) Sproull,  the  former  of  whom  survives, 
making  liis  home  in  Mazon  Township,  being  a 
man  of  substance  in  his  community. 

Charles  Hamilton  Sproull  attended  school  in 
Ma/.on  Township,  ami  later  in  Indiana,  and  as- 
sisted his  lather  until  he  was  twenty-two  years 
old.  At  (hat  time  he  commenced  working  as  a 
fanner  on  his  own  account,  with  gratifying  re- 
sults, and  he  has  heen  on  his  present  farm  since 
1909.  In  the  conduct  of  this  farm  Mr.  Sproull 
shows  that  he  has  gone  into  the  matter  of 
farming  scientifically  and  his  experiments  are 
resulting  so  favorably  that  he  is  fast  taking  a 
front  rank  among  the  leading  agriculturalists 
of  the  county.  In  political  affairs  he  lias  ranged 
himself  with  the  Progressives,  and  will  doubt- 
less be  heard  from  in  the  future  in  local  affairs. 

STALKER,  John.— The  coal  deposits  in  Grundy 
County  arc  valuable  and  the  operation  of  the 
different  mines  by  those  who  own  them  has 
brought  wealth  in  many  cases.  While  the  qual- 
ity of  the  coal  here  is  not  of  the  highest,  il 
commands  a  ready  sale  and  is  not  as  difficult 
to  mine  as  dejtosits  in  some  other  sections  which 
are  deeper  down.  One  of  the  mine  owners  who 
is  now  operating  upon  a  small  scale  is  John 
Stalker,  of  Morris.  lie  was  horn  in  Sterling- 
shire,  Scotland.  February  12,  1SGS,  son  of 
William  and  Charlotte  (Blair)  Stalker.  The 
father  was  a  coal  miner  who  brought  his  fam- 
ily to  Morris  in  1SS1,  attracted  hither  by  the 
mines  in  this  locality.  Finding  ready  employ- 
ment at  mining,  he  worked  industriously  and 
later  became  a  coal  operator.  His  death  oc- 
curred in  1SS4,  and  the  mother  survived  until 
January,  1900. 

John  Stalker  worked  with  his  father  until 
the  hitter's  death,  when  John  and  a  brother, 
William,  took  charge  of  the  shaft  and  operated 
it  together  for  one  year.  John  Stalker  then 
went  to  the  mines  at  La  Salle,  but  returned  after 
a  year  to  Morris  and  reentered  the  mines  here. 
On  December  7,  1908,  he  bought  a  shaft,  two 
miles  north  of  Morris,  which  has  a  3-foot  vein 
of  coal.  During  the  winter  he  employs  from 
eight  to  ten  men  and  in  the  summer  from  three 
to  four  men.  The  product  of  his  shaft  is  read- 
ily sold  at  the  mines. 

On  August  3,  1891,  Mr.  Stalker  was  married 
to  Jennie  Drysdle,  born  in  Sterlingshire,  Scot- 
land, where  her  parents  both  died.  She  came 
to  this  country  with  her  brother,  James,  and 
spent  six  months  at  Washingtonville,  Ohio, 
after  which  she  went  to  North  Dakota.  Two 
years  later,  she  came  to  Coal  City,  Grundy 
County,  where  she  met  and  married  Mr.  Stalker. 
The  following  children  have  been  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Stalker:  William,  who  married  Anna 
Fissler;  Emily  May,  who  is  at  homeland  Lilly 
F„  Stella,  and  John  James.  Mr.  Stalker  be- 
longs to  the  Baptist  Church,  and  is  earnest  in 
promoting  its  good  work.  lie  is  a  member  of 
the  Knights  of  Pythias.  A  man  who  has  always 
worked  hard  and  known  how  to  save,  his  pres- 


ent success  has  been  achieved  through  his  own 
individual  efforts. 

STALLW1TZ,  George  (deceased).— In  the  life 
of  the  late  George  Stallwitz.  formerly  of  Morris, 
a  lesson  was  taught  of  self-sacrificing  labor  and 
devotion  to  home  and  family,  which  ought  to 
influence  others  to  act  accordingly,  lie  was  one 
of  the  substantial  German-Americans  of  Grundy 
County,  as  he  was  born  in  Germany  in  April. 
1829.  Brought  up  on  a  farm  in  his  native  land, 
he  sought  advancement  there,  but  did  not  find 
it.  and  so  came  to  the  United  States,  and.  arriv- 
ing at  Aurora,  111.,  sought  employment  among 
the  agriculturalists  .if  thai  region.  Later  he 
came  to  Grundy  County,  walking  to  Good  Farm 
■Township,  as  he  had  no  money,  and  there  found 
work-.  Prudent  and  thrifty,  he  saved  his  money, 
and  in  time  bought  a  farm  of  his  own,  upon 
which  lii'  lived  until  1S90,  when  he  retired  and 
moved  to  Morris,  where  he  died  May  28,  1901'. 
at  the  old  homestead  at  No.  933  E.  Jackson 
street.   Morris,   where  his  widow   still   resides. 

Mr.  Stallwit/.  was  married  (first)  to  Magda- 
lina  Echinbacher,  of  Morris,  a  native  of  Ger- 
many, and  by  her  he  had  tour  children:  Eliza- 
beth, who  is  Mrs.  Christ  Simantel,  of  Good  Farm 
Township:  Mary,  who  is  of  Morris:  Barbara. 
who  is  Mrs.  James  Weiner.  of  St.  Benedict,  la.; 
and  John,  of  Peabody,  Kas.  The  first  Mrs.  Stall- 
wit/,  died  October  111.  1  s?S.  On  October  12.  1ST!). 
Mr.  Stallwitz  was  married  (second)  to  Anna 
Kummer  Ebrler,  the  widow  of  Fred  Ehrler.  Mrs. 
Stallwitz  was  born  in  Holstein.  Germany,  in  De- 
cember, 1Mb.  but  in  May.  18GG,  came  to  Ottawa. 
111.,  where  she  lived  until  her  first  marriage. 
By  it  she  had  one  child.  Fred,  who  is  now 
of  Morris.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stallwitz  had  one 
child,  August,  also  of  Morris.  Mr.  Stallwitz  was 
a  Lutheran  in  his  religious  belief,  while  his 
widow  is  a  Catholic.  Politically  he  was  a  Demo- 
crat, but  held  no  ollices,  preferring  to  devote 
himself  to  his  family  and  many  friends. 

.  STAMM,  Abraham,  one  of  the  highly  esteemed 
residents  of  Gardner,  111.,  and  the  owner  of  410 
acres  of  valuable  land,  although  now  somewhat 
retired  from  active  pursuits,  still  takes  an  in- 
terest in  the  affairs  of  Grundy  County,  where 
for  many  years  he  was  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits.  He  was  born  June  5,  1S3S,  in  Butler 
County,  Pa.,  and  is  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Susan 
(Ziegler)  Stamm.  The  father  of  Mr.  Stanirn 
was  born  in  Beaver  County,  Pa.,  in  1811,  and 
the  mother  in  Bucks  County,  Pa.,  in  1810,  and 
they  were  the  parents  of  eight  children:  De- 
borah, Abraham,  Kezia,  Solomon,  Elizabeth, 
Mary,  Susanna  and  Jacob. 

Like  other  Pennsylvania  farmers'  son  of  his 
day,  Abraham  Stamm  divided  his  boyhood  and 
yduth  between  attendance  at  the  log  school- 
house  and  working  on  his  father's  farm.  In 
ISfiO  he  came  to  Illinois  and  bought  a  farm  of 
1C0  acres,  in  Good  Farm  Township,  Grundy 
County,  hut  this  he  soon  disposed  of  and  pur- 
chased a  quarter-section  of  land  south  of 
Gardner.     This  he  also  sold,  and  purchased  100 


HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


903 


acres  on  section  G,  and  this  lie  increased  to  400 
acres,  made  many  improvements,  ami  continued 
operations  thereon  until  his  retirement,  since 
which  time  he  has  been  living  a  quiet  life  on  a 
3-acre  tract  in  Gardner.  He  is  widely  known 
as  an  honorable  man  of  business,  and  his  integ- 
rity and  honesty  of  purpose  have  never  been 
questioned. 

Mr.  stainui  was  married  (first)  in  Grundy 
County.  111.,  to  Miss  Ellen  Ilalteinan,  who  was 
born  in  Miami  County,  ().,  in  1S45,  and  they 
became  the  parents  of  six  children :  Jacob. 
Charles,  Pliny.  Clifford,  Ida  and  Chloe.  of  whom 
Clifford  died  in  infancy.  Mrs.  Stamm  passed 
away  September  23,  1897,  in  the  faith  of  the 
Methodist  Church.  In  August,  1900,  Mr.  Stamm 
was  married  (second)  to  .Miss  Lucy  M.  Banks, 
who  was  born  in  Westchester  County,  X.  Y., 
and  there  received  her  early  education.  When 
fourteen  years  of  age  she  accompanied  her  par- 
ents to  Illinois,  here  attended  the  Illinois  State 
Normal  School,  and  for  thirty-three  years  was  a 
teacher  in  the  schools  of  Grundy  and  Livingston 
counties.  Her  parents,  John  and  Mary  (Barker) 
Banks,  were  natives  of  Westchester  County. 
N.  Y..  and  came  to  Grundy  County,  III.,  in  1S57, 
Mr.  Banks  being  here  engaged  in  farming  up 
to  the  time  of  his  death  in  1S74.  hjs  widow 
survived  him  many  years,  passing  away  in  1S9S. 
They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  as  fol- 
lows: Rocilia,  who  is  deceased;  Joseph;  Elias, 
who  died  in  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil 
War;  Lucy  M. :  Mary:  Sarah,  who  is  defeased  ; 
Margaret;  Madora ;  Emma,  who  is  deceased; 
and   Antoinette. 

Mr.  Stamm  was  for  a  loner  period  a  supporter 
of  Republican  principles,  hut  of  late  years  lias 
voted  with  the  Prohibition  party.  For  a  num- 
ber of  years  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  school 
board  in  Garfield  Township.  In  his  religious 
belief  he  is  a  Methodist,  while  his  wife  adheres 
to  the  Presbyterian  faith.  Both  are  people  of 
education  and  refinement,  are  much  interested 
in  historical  data,  and  as  a  hobby  have  taken 
up  the  collection  of  relics.  Mr.  Stamm  has  in 
his  possession  a  gun,  with  the  Stamm  coat  of 
arms  on  it  that  was  brought  to  this  country  by 
his  great-grandfather.  Conrad  Stamm.  who  lived 
in  Beaver  County.  Pa.,  where  he  died.  They 
are  highly  esteemed  in  their  community  and  in 
a  wide  acquaintance  number  many  warm  friends. 

STARR,  Edgar  Leroy. — Among  the  old  and 
honored  families  of  Morris,  that  bearing  the 
name  of  Starr  is  well  known,  its  members  hav- 
ing been  prominent  in  business,  social  and  pub- 
lie  life,  and  a  worthy  representative  of  the  fam- 
ily is  found  in  Edcar  Leroy  Starr,  a  successful 
business  man  of  this  city.  Mr.  Starr  was  born 
at  Morris,  August  20.  ISIS,  a  son  of  Christopher 
and  Mary  Jane  (Eaton)  Starr,  natives  of  Corn- 
wallis  County.  Nova  Scotia.  Christopher  Starr 
was  born  in  June,  1S22.  a  son  of  Charles  Starr, 
and  Mary  Jane  Eaton  was  born  October  '■'•.  1825. 
daughter  of  James  Eaton,  all  of  Nova  Scotia. 
In  1844  Mr.  Starr  and  his  wife  came  to  Morris 
by   way   of  boat   to   Chicago,    thence    to    Starr's 


Grove.  Will  County,  from  whence  they  came  on 
to  Morris  in  the  following  spring.  Mr.  Starr 
was  a  contractor  and  builder  and  conducted  a 
large  machine  shop,  but  in  1S49  gave  up  Ids  busi- 
ness when  the  California  gold  excitement  lured 
him  to  make  the  journey  across  the  plains  on 
horseback,  be  being  a  typical  "forty-niner."  Ite- 
turning  by  way  of  Cape  Horn,  a  .journey  that 
consumed  six  months  on  a  sailing  vessel,  he 
went  to  Halifax.  Xova  Scotia,  and  there  re- 
joined his  family,  and  they  almost  immediately 
returned  to  Morris.  In  1SG1  Mr.  Starr's  busi- 
ness was  destroyed  by  tire,  and  his  capital 
almost  completely  wiped  out,  but  in  that  year 
he  enlisted  in  the  Kilty-third  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry  for  three  years'  service  during  the 
Civil  War.  His  health  failed  and  in  ISC,:;  he 
was  sent  home,  where  be  remained  until  1SG9, 
in  which  year  he  again  went  to  California,  and 
there  died  in  1S70.  since  which  time  his  widow 
lias  lived  at  Morris.  Five  children  were  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Starr:  Charles,  who  is  of 
.Toliet ;  Edgar  Leroy;  Eugene,  who  is  of  Clay 
Center.  Kas. ;  Fred,  who  is  of  California  ;  and 
Viola,  who  married  William  Sparr.  of  Morris. 

Edgar  Leroy  Starr  received  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  Morris  and  remained  on  the 
home  place  with  his  mother  until  Janauary  1. 
1S71,  when  he  was  married  to  Belle  Nichols. 
who  was  born  at  Dayton.  O..  in  l.S">2.  After 
his  marriage  he  removed  to  Kankakee  County, 
111.,  and  there  farmed  from  February  to  July  of 
each  year,  and  did  teaming,  butchering  and 
operated  a  corn-sheller  during  the  remainder  of 
the  year.  For  some  years  he  has  been  located 
at  Morris,  and  is  now  engaged  in  trading  in 
property.  Mr.  Starr  is  justly  considered  one  of 
his  city's  representative  business  men.  his  enter- 
prise being  extensive  and  his  reputation  high. 
He  is  a  Republican,  but  no  politician,  having 
never  cared  for  public  office.  He  belongs  to  the 
Masons  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America, 
in  both  of  which  he  has  many  friends.  Mr. 
Starr's  first  wife  passed  away  December  29,  1s*.>o. 
having  been  the  mother  of  two  children:  Jose- 
phine, who  died  at  the  age  of  four  months; 
ami  Mary  Margaretta.  born  November  22,  1S75, 
who  married  Frank  Martin,  has  two  children  : 
Rosamond  and  Louisa.  In  February.  1S97,  Mr. 
Starr  was  married  to  Mrs.  Bessie  Osman,  of 
Kendall  County,  111.,  and  they  have  had  one 
daughter,  Edna  Emma,  who  is  attending 
school. 

STECHER,  Gottfried  C— The  German  element 
is  strong  in  many  communities  in  the  United 
States  and  those  forming  it  are  universally  re- 
spected for  they  have  the  characteristics  which 
make  for  success  and  eminent  respectability. 
One  of  the  highly  esteemed  German  born  resi- 
dents of  Grundy  County  in  Gottfried  C.  Steelier 
of  Morris,  who  was  born  in  Wurttembcrg,  Ger- 
many, October  18,  1SG6,  where  his  parents  lived 
and  died. 

In  the  fall  of  1SSS,  Mr.  Steelier  arrived  at 
El^'in,  111.,  having  emigrated  from  his  native 
land,  and  found  employment  among  the  farmers 


904 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


in  the  vicinity,  and  for  four  years  was  thus 
employed,  and  then,  for  some  years,  he  worked 
in  a  laundry  at  Elgin,  following  which  he  was 
employed  at  Palatine,  in  Cook  County,  111.,  for 
a  year,  when  he  came  to  .Morris.  He  bought 
the  only  laundry  in  this  city  that  was  conducted 
by  a  white  man,  and  is  still  engaged  in  oper- 
ating it.  Employment  is  given  seven  people,  and 
the  equipment  is  thoroughly  modern  and  well 
fitted  to  turn  out  the  host  class  of  work.  .Mr. 
Stecher's  success  is  all  the  more  remarkable  lor 
while  he  was  well  educated  in  his  native  land, 
his  only  schooling  in  this  country  was  given 
him  during  the  three  months  he  attended  the 
academy  at  Elgin. 

On  June  9,  1897,  Mr.  Steelier  was  married  at 
Elgin,  to  Lydia  Oilman,  born  at  Milwaukee, 
Wis.,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Caroline 
(Runke)  Oilman,  natives  of  Prussia,  Germany, 
both  of  whom  are  now  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Steelier  became  the  parents  of  two  children  : 
Esther  and  Raymond.  Mi-.  Steelier  is  a  stew- 
ard in  the  Methodist  Church,  of  which  he  is 
a  consistent,  member.  Fraternally,  he  belongs 
to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  of  Morris, 
and  the  Court  of  Honor  of  Elgin.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Republican,  but  he  has  never  aspired  to 
office.  He  has  shown  much  enterprise,  and 
steadily  forged  ahead  until  he  became  a  pros- 
perous business  man. 

STEPHEN,  William  (deceased),  formerly  an 
agriculturalist  of  Kendal]  and  Grundy  counties. 
and  later  a  retired  farmer  of  Morris,  was  born 
in  Scotland.  May  2G,  1817,  and  died  in  the  latter 
city,  May  IS,  1SS9.  On  February  27,  1S-UJ.  he 
married  Margaret  Waterman,  anil  they  had  the 
following  children:  William  I..  Amelia  A., 
Hester  E.,  Mcrritt  J..  Ella  P..  Charles  M..  Ada 
H..  Helen  I..  Hettie  .T..  and  Fred  P.  Mr.  Stephen 
served  as  a  Justice  of  the  Peace.  School  Director, 
and  Alderman.  In  1854  he  .joined  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  died  in  its  faith.  His 
widow  survived  him  until  February,  1900,  when 
she,  too,  passed  away. 

STOCKER,  Eli.— For  more  than  thirty-six 
years  Eli  Stocker  has  been  identified  with  the 
business  life  of  Coal  City,  111.,  as  the  proprietor 
of  a  baking  establishment,  the  first  to  be  located 
in  (his  community,  which  at  the  time  of  his  ar- 
rival here  was  hut  a  little  hamlet.  He  has  wit- 
nessed the  growth  and  development  of  this  place, 
and  has  contributed  in  no  small  degree  to  its 
advancement.  Mr.  Stocker  is  a  native  of  Eng- 
land, born  in  Wilmington,  June  HO,  1850,  and  is 
a  son  of  James  and  Ann  Stocker.  His  father, 
a  laborer,  died  in  his  native  England  in  1^74, 
while  the  mother  passed  away  there  two  years 
later. 

Eli  Stocker  securer]  his  educational  advan- 
tages in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  place, 
completing  his  studies  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years. 
when  he  became  an  apprentice  to  the  baker's 
trade.  He  served  almost  three  years  in  (his 
capacity,  and  in  1S74  came  to  the  United  States. 
the   following   year   finding   him    a    resident    of 


Morris.  111.  He  spent  two  years  in  that  city 
and  three  years  at  Verona.  111.,  and  in  1880 
came  to  Coal  City,  where  he  opened  the  first 
bakery  in  town.  During  the  years  that  have 
followed  his  business  has  developed  with  the 
place,  and  he  is  now  in  the  enjoyment  of  an 
excellent  trade,  attracted  from  all  over  this  part 
of  Grundy  County.  He  handles  a  full  line  of 
bakery  goods  and  confectionery,  using  only  the 
best  of  materials.  As  a  citizen  Mr.  Stocker  is 
known  to  he  reliable  and  public-spirited,  and 
may  be  counted  upon  to  support  all  good  move- 
ments. 

While  a  resident  of  Morris.  111.,  in  1s7b\  Mr. 
Stocker  was  married  to  Miss  Rebecca  While,  a 
native  of  England,  and  to  this  union  then.'  have 
been  born  seven  children:  Fred,  who  married 
Minnie  Scott,  has  had  three  children:  Albert, 
Warren,  and  lioyton,  who  is  deceased;  Albert, 
whd  married  Alice  Howard,  has  three  children: 
Mar.jorie,  John  and  Velnia;  Herbert,  who  mar- 
ried Mary  Castle;  Maud;  Mrs.  Mabel  Richmond, 
who  is  a  resident  of  Jolicl.  111.,  has  two  chil- 
dren; and  two  children,  Bertha  and  Edward. 
who  are  deceased.  Mr.  Stocker  belongs  to  the 
Church  of  England,  as  do  his  wife  and  children. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America,  has  gone  through  all  the  chairs  in 
the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  is  at  present  treas- 
urer of  the  Foresters  of  America.  His  long 
residence  in  Coa!  City  has  given  him  a  large 
acquaintance,  in  which  he  numbers  a  wide  cir- 
cle of  friends.  lie  was  elected  Supervisor  and 
served  continuously  as  such  for  eight  years, 
and  was  President  of  the  Village  Board  for  four 
years.  Upon  two  occasions  he  was  the  can- 
didate of  the  Democratic  party  for   Sheriff. 

STONEBACK,  John  M.— A  citizen  who  has 
borne  an  Important  part  in  the  activities  which 
have  contributed  t* »  the  growth  and  development 
of  Morris,  111.,  and  the  surrounding  country  iu 
Grundy  County  during  the  past  several  decades, 
by  reason  of  his  connection  with  the  contract- 
ing and  building  business,  John  M.  Stoneback 
is  still  prosecuting  his  operations  with  industry 
and  efficiency  although  he  has  reached  an  age 
when  most  men  feel  it  their  privilege  to  retire 
from  active  labor.  Mr.  Stoneback  is  a  veteran 
of  the  Civil  War,  in  which  hi'  fought  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  famous  Irish  Brigade,  under  the  gal- 
lant Mulligan,  and  whether  in  war  or  peace 
has  ever  shown  himself  ready  and  willing  in 
the  performance  of  the  duties  entrusted  to  him. 
He  was  born  October  4,  1S43,  at  South  Salem. 
Ross  County,  O.,  and  is  a  son  of  Jacob  and 
Elizabeth  (Snyder)  Stoneback.  The  parents 
of  Mr.  Stoneback  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania, 
where  they  were  married,  subsequently  moving 
to  Ohio.  Prior  to  this,  Jacob  Stoneback.  who 
was  a  mason  by  trade,  had  worked  in  the  con- 
struction of  Girard  College,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
In  1S52,  wifli  a  company  of  fifteen  other  fam- 
ilies, all.  with  their  earthly  goods  loaded  info 
wagons,  Mr.  Stoneback  came  to  Morris,  111., 
shortly  thereafter  buying  a  farm  in  Waui ton- 
see    Township,    on    which    he    lived    for    three 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


005 


years.  Ho  subsequently  bought  another  farm 
from  the  Government,  two  miles  to  the  south, 
and  there  resided  until  his  death  in  1S'.>2,  the 
mother  following  him  to  the  grave  eight  years 
later. 

John  M.  Stoneback  attended  the  district 
schools  in  his  youth  and  was  reared  to  agricul- 
tural pursuit-;.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil 
War  lie  was  a  lad  of  but  seventeen  years,  but 
on  May  20  1SC1,  enlisted  in  Company  E,  Twenty- 
third  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was 
assigned  to  service  in  Missouri,  where,  in  Sep- 
tember of  the  same  year,  he  was  taken  prisoner. 
Throe  days  later  he  was  paroled,  and  then 
rejoined  his  regiment  and  came  to  Quincy,  111., 
later  going  to  St.  Louis.  Mo.  For  about  three 
months  the  regiment  was  at  home,  and  then 
became  the  fust  soldiers  at  Camp  Douglas,  which 
this  regiment  erected,  and  the  command  was 
then  sent  to  Virginia  under  the  famous  Col. 
James  A.  Mulligan.  Mr.  Stoneback  participated 
in  all  the  engagements  which  marked  the  serv- 
ice of  the  Irish  Brigade,  and  on  June  19,  ISG'4, 
at  New  Crook.  Va.,  received  his  honorable  dis- 
charge with  an  excellent  record  for  gallantry 
and  devotion  to  duty.  On  his  return  to  Morris. 
he  devoted  himself  to  carpenter  work,  ami 
gradually  developed  into  one  of  the  leading  con- 
tractors of  Grundy  County,  where  he  has  erected 
Some  of  the  leading  buildings.  His  reputation 
in  business  circles  is  that  of  a  man  of  integrity, 
whose  word  is  as  good  as  a  bond,  and  who 
has  never  been  known  to  take  an  unfair  advan- 
tage. In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  although 
he  has  not  boon  prominent  in  public  affairs. 
With  his  family,  he  attends  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  A  valued  member  of  Darveau  Post 
No.  320.  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  in  Decem- 
ber, 1911,  he  was  elected  commander  and  held 
that  post  for  two  years. 

On  December  23,  1S74,  Mr.  Stoneback  was 
married  to  Miss  Mary  McKinley,  who  was 
related  to  President  McKinley.  She  was  born 
in  La  Salle  County,  111.,  a  daughter  of  Chillian 
and  Martha  (Gibson)  McKinley.  natives  of 
Pennsylvania,  who  moved  from  that  state  to 
Kentucky,  later  to  Ohio,  and  then  to  Illinois. 
Mrs.  Stoneback  died  August  20,  1911,  having 
been  the  mother  of  two  sons:  John  W. ;  and 
Charles  Milo,  who  died  at  the  age  of  nineteen 
years. 

STOUGH,  Hon.  Samuel  A.,  Judge  of  the  Cir- 
cuit Court  of  Grundy  County,  and  a  man  of 
exceptional  ability  and  sterling  qualities,  is  one 
of  the  honored  residents  of  Morris.  He  was 
born  in  Williams  Countv.  Ohio,  September  2, 
1852,  a  son  of  Dr.  J.  S.  Stough.  Judge  Stough 
is  a  graduate  of  the  law  department  of  the 
University  of  Michigan.  Class  of  1877.  Coming 
to  Illinois  he  entered  upon  a  general  practice, 
his  professional  career  being  centered  at  Morris. 
For  three  terms,  from  1  vs.s  to  1S9G,  ho  served 
as  State's  Attorney,  and  in  1S97  he  was  elected 
Judge  of  the  Circuit  Court  on  the  Republican 
ticket.     Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Knights  of 

IB 


Pythias.  In  1892  he  married  Jennie  Garrett 
and  they  became  the  parents  of  three  children. 
STURTEVANT,  Myron  Curtis,  M.D.-GrunJy 
County  has  been  the  home  of  some  of  the  most 
efficient  and  learned  of  the  medical  profession 
from  its  earliest  history.  The  health  of  this 
locality  has  been,  and  still  is,  carefully  looked 
after  by  men  of  ability  and  high  standing  in 
their  profession,  and  one  who  is  remembered 
with  kindly  affection  by  those  to  whom  he 
ministered  for  many  years,  although  he  has  now 
retired  from  active  practice,  is  Dr.  Myron  Cur- 
tis Sturtevant,  of  Morris.  He  was  born  at 
Lowell,  Mass.,  January  12,  1S35,  a  son  of  Cyrus 
and  Rhoda  (Harvey)  Sturtevant.  The  father 
was  born  in  Maine  and  his  wife  in  Vermont 
The  paternal  grandfather  was  Jairus  Sturte- 
vant and  the  maternal  grandfather  was  John 
Harvey,  the  former  a  native  of  New  Hampshire, 
and  the  latter  of  Vermont.  The  parents  mar- 
ried in  Vermont,  where  the  father  followed  the 
trade  of  a  carpenter  and  he  was  engaged  in 
this  line  after  his  removal  to  Lowell,  Mass. 
early  in  his  married  life.  In  the  fall  'of  1837 
ho  came  as  far  west  as  Cleveland.  Ohio,  where 
he  became  a  builder  and  contractor.  His  busi- 
ness grew  to  such  proportions  that  with  his  two 
brothers  he  organized  the  Sturtevant  Lumber 
Company  in  1851.  Later  the  family  moved  to 
Wheaton,  111.,  where  he  continued  as  a  con- 
tractor and  builder.  Desiring  a  change  of  occu- 
pation, Cyrus  .Sturtevant  then  moved  to  a  farm 
In  Ogle  County,  but  a  few  veal's  later  went  to 
VMsconsin  and  still  later  to  Crete.  Xeb.,  where 
he  died.  His  widow  lived  with  a  daughter 
and   died  at  Raleigh,  X.  C. 

Myron  Curtis  Sturtevant  attended  the  Cleve- 
land High  School.  Granger  Academv  and  Ober- 
hn  College,  and  took  his  medical"  course  at 
Cleveland.  In  1S73  he  located  at  Morris  and 
entered  upon  a  general  practice,  which  he  con- 
tinued with  marked  success  until  ]000.  when 
he  retired.  In  October,  1S59,  Dr.  Sturtevant 
was  married  to  Pearly  E.  P.oynnton,  horn  in 
Vermont,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Eliza 
(Stevens)  Eoynnton,  natives  of  Vermont  and 
New  York  respectively.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Sturte- 
vant became  the  parents  of  one  son,  Wilbur  C 
who  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-four  years.  Dr.' 
Sturtevant  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational 
Church  and  has  held  all  the  church  offices  and 
has  been  senior  deacon  since  1S82.  Politically 
he  is  a  Republican,  but  has  never  cared  for  pub- 
lic oflice.  He  is  a  man  of  the  highest  standing 
and  is  recognized  as  a  representative  of  the 
best  class  of  Grundy  County  citizens. 

TABLER,  David  C.  (deceased).— The  record  of 
a  good  man's  life  shows  what  he  accomplished 
and  continues  to  exert  a  beneficent  influence 
over  the  actions  of  his  follow  creatures  Ion" 
after  all  that  is  mortal  of  him  returns  to  the 
dust  from  which  it  was  raised.  The  late  David 
C.  1  abler  has  boon  dead  for  many  vears  but 
his  memory  is  tenderly  cherished,  and  the  influ- 
ence of  his  action  remains  to  aid  others  In  their 
life  struggle.    Mr.  Tabler  was  born  in  Delaware 


90G 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


County,  O.,  July  12,  1S33,  a  son  of  Nathaniel 
and  Mary  Ann  (Cryder)  Tabler,  natives  of  Ohio. 
The  parents  came  to  Aux  Sable  Township  in  the 
early  thirties,  entering  land  from  the  govern- 
ment- The  Cryder  family  is  also  numbered 
among  the  pioneer  ones  of  Grundy  County. 
David  C.  Tabler  grew  to  manhood  in  Aux  Sable 
Township,  and  remained  with  his  father  until 
his  marriage,  which  occurred  June  ."..  1854, 
when  he  was  united  with  Gulia  E.  MeCloud, 
born  in  Oneida  County,  X.  Y.,  October  2S,  1S34, 
daughter  of  John  and  l'aulina  (Riehetson)  Me- 
Cloud, natives  of  Vermont  and  New  York,  who 
came  to  Kendall  County.  111.,  in  1835,  driving 
across  country  with  horses  and  wagons,  the  jour- 
ney consuming  six  weeks. 

After  his  marriage,  David  C.  Tabler  spent 
two  years  in  Saratoga  Township,  and  returning 
to  Aux  Sable  Township,  rented  land  until  1860. 
In  that  year  he  and  his  brother  Nathaniel  bought 
120  acres  in  Aux  Sable  Township,  operating  it 
iir  partnership  for  ten  years.  At  that  time  they 
divided  the  property,  to  which  they  had  added. 
and  David  C.  Tabler  received  12H  acres  as  bis 
share.  On  it  he  carried  on  general  farming  and 
stock  raising  until  bis  death  by  accident  on 
April  20.  1SS9.  Since  this  sad  event,  his  widow- 
has  resided  on  the  place  with  her  family.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Tabler  were  the  parents  of  the  follow- 
ing children:  Mary  Eliza,  who  was  born  De- 
cember 29,  1S57,  died  September  28.  1SG3;  Frank 
Henry,  who  was  burn  March  13.  1803,  died  July 
18,  18S2;  Lillian  Elma.  who  was  born  January 
18,  1S0S,  died  September  20.  1N77;  Irvin  J.,  who 
was  born  July  13.  1ST4.  'lied  June  11.  1S7C ;  and 
Minnie,  who  was  born  December  o.  18TS,  married 
on  December  23,  100S.  William  S.  Lntzow.  Mr. 
Lntzow  was  born  in  Seward  Township,  Kendall 
County,  Tib.  a  son  of  George  and  Johanna  (Ol- 
son) Lntzow,  natives  of  Germany  and  Sweden. 
respectively.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lutzow  rent  the 
farm  from  Mrs.  Tabler.  Mrs.  Lutzow  being  the 
only  living  child  of  her  parents.  The  family  all 
belong  to  the  Methodist  Church  and  are  very 
prominent  in  their  neighborhood. 

TABLER,  Henry  R.— The  agriculturalists  of 
Grundy  County  are  an  intelligent  class  who 
appreciate  the  value  of  scientific  operation  of 
their  land  and  sensibly  adopt  those  methods 
which  they  believe  will  aid  them  in  bringing 
about  the  best  results.  One  of  these  progressive 
farmers  is  Henry  R.  Tabler  of  Aux  Sable  Town- 
ship. Mr.  Tabler  was  born  in  this  township 
December  15,  1S72.  a  son  of  Ezra  and  Helen 
(Randall)  Tabler,  both  natives  of  Aux  Sable 
Township.  The  paternal  grandfather.  Nathaniel 
Tabler,  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Grundy 
County. 

Henry  R.  Tabler  lived  at  home,  on  the  farm, 
and  attended  the  local  public  schools  until  his 
marriage,  following  which  he  was  with  his 
father-in-law,  in  Will  County,  but  after  a  year 
moved  on  a  portion  of  his  father's  homestead. 
The  property  is  well  improved  and  the  build- 
ings are  large  and  were  erected  with  the  view 
of  complying  with  the  best  sanitary  regulations. 


Mr.  Tabler  has  sixty-five  acres  under  cultiva- 
tion, and  thirty  acres  in  pasturage,  specializing 
on  grain  farming  and  stock  raising. 

On  July  1,  1S96,  Mr.  Tabler  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Emma  Johnson,  born  in  Sh.m- 
nahan,  Will  County,  111.,  daughter  of  Robert 
and  Julia  (Douglas)  Johnson,  natives  of  Joliet, 
111.  The  paternal  grandparents,  Adam  and 
Mary  Johnson,  came  from  the  north  of  Ire- 
land, while  the  maternal  grandparents,  William 
and  Jerusha  Douglas,  were  born  in  New  York 
State.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tabler  have  the  follow- 
ing children:  Hazel  A.,  Raymond  Robert,  and 
Eugene  Howard.  Mr.  Tabler  is  interested  in 
getting  good  men  in  office  and  is  independent 
in  his  political  views.  For  nine  years  he  served 
as  school  director  of  his  district,  and  was  as 
efficient  as  an  official  as  he  is  in  everyday   life. 

TAPPEN,  Andrew  D.— To  succeed  along  agri- 
cultural lines,  a  man  must  have  a  practical 
working  knowledge  of  farming  in  all  its  details 
and  be  able  to  put  it  into  immediate  use.  Some 
of  the  most  progressive  men  of  Grundy  County 
have  devoted  themselves  to  this  line  of  work, 
and  one  of  them  is  Andrew  Davis  Tappen.  of 
Morris.  He  was  born  at  Oyster  Pay,  L.  I..  March 
27.  1S70,  a  son  of  John  I.  and  Mary  Elizabeth 
(Davis)  Tappen,  natives  of  Greenvale,  L.  I.,  and 
Brookville,  L.  I.,  respectively.  The  father  died 
at  Oyster  Bay  in  1S7G,  and  the  mother  came  to 
Joliet.  III.,  in  1S93,  but  in  1S9G  she  moved  to 
Morris  and  still  resides  there,  living  among  her 
children. 

After  attending  the  public  schools  of  bis  na- 
tive place,  Andrew  D.  Tappen  began  learning 
the  carpenter  and  millwright  trades,  and  also 
worked  in  a  livery  stable  until  is:r>,  when  he 
came  to  Morris  and  was  with  the  Coleman 
Hardware  Company  as  a  moulder.  He  was  also 
in  the  nickelplate  works  in  North  Chicago.  He 
was  driving  a  bakery  wagon  for  Fred  Martin 
when  he  became  interested  in  conducting  a  milk 
delivery  business,  and  developed  two  routes.  In 
1910  he  sold  the  routes,  but  continued  to  own 
cows  and  rents  100  acres  of  land,  which  he 
farms  with  gratifying  success,  and  on  November 
1,  1912,  again  went  into  the  milk  business,  and 
now  has  a  herd  of  twenty-nine  dairy  tows. 

On  July  7.  1904,  Mr.  Tappen  was  married  to 
Clara  R.  Wilson,  born  at  Morris,  a  daughter  of 
Alexander  and  Margaret  (Minich)  Wilson,  na- 
tives of  Pennsylvania,  who  came  to  Morris  about 
1854.  Their  children  were:  William  P...  who 
is  deceased  ;J  George  Alexander,  who  is  of  Chi- 
cago; Henry  Nixon,  who  is  deceased;  and  Mrs. 
Tappen.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tappen  have  no  issue. 
He  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Church,  and  sup- 
ports it  liberally.  The  Republican  party  has  had 
his  vote  since  he  has  attained  his  majority. 
Fraternally  he  is  an  Odd  Fellow  and  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America,  belonging  to  Morris  lodges 
of  both  orders.  A  live,  dependable  man,  he  bad 
many  experiences  in  business  lines  before  he 
found  one  Suited  to  his  ability,  and  since  then 
has  made  considerable  progress  towards  bis 
desired  end. 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


907 


TERRANDO,  Joseph  Steven,  M.D.— The  medical 
profession  of  Grundy  County,  111.,  is  represented 
by  some  of  the  most  skilled  and  learned  men 
of  this  calling  to  be  found  in  the  state.  They 
have  devoted  themselves,  their  time  and  their 
energies,  to  the  preservation  of  public  health 
and  the  alleviation  of  the  ills  of  mankind.  One 
of  the  representative  men.  whose  abilities,  sym- 
pathies and  devotion  to  his  vocation  have  made 
■  him  respected  among  his  confreres  and  beloved 
by  a  wide  circle  of  patients,  is  Dr.  Joseph  Steven 
Terrando,  of  South  Wilmington.  lie  is  a  native 
of  Pertusio,  Torino,  Italy,  born  November  17, 
1872,  a  son  of  Anton  and  Madaleua  (Car- 
etti)  Terrando,  wealthy  farming  people  of  Italy, 
who  passed  their  entire  lives  in  that  country, 
where  the  father  died  February  1G,  1904,  and 
the  mother  September  15,  190S.  There  were 
seven  children  in  the  family:  Mathew,  a  resi- 
dent of  Staunton.  111.;  Joseph  Steven;  Victoria, 
who  married  Math  Riva,  of  Taft,  111.;  Ter- 
esa, who  married  Barney  Terrando,  of  Spring 
Valley,  111.;  Xatale,  living  in  Italy;  .Mary,  who 
married  F.  Michela,  of  Toluca,  111.:  and  Steven, 
living   in   Italy. 

The  preliminary  studies  of  Doctor  Terrando 
were  prosecuted  in  the  public  schools  and  when 
he  was  eight  years  of  age  he  entered  the  Epis- 
copal College,  at  Bra,  Italy,  two  years  later 
becoming  a  student  at  Cavour  Lyceum,  Torino, 
and  later  studying  three  years  in  a  preparatory 
school.  lie  then  went  to  the  University  of 
Torino  for  three  years,  and  finally  passed  a 
like  period  in  the  University  of  Parma,  and 
after  securing  his  diploma,  at  the  age  of  thirty- 
one  years,  began  practice  with  his  uncle,  who 
was  a  professor  in  the  university  there.  In 
1901  Doctor  Terrando  came  to  the  United  States 
and  joined  his  brother  and  sister  at  Toluca, 
111.,  and  soon  thereafter  went  to  Chicago,  where 
he  passed  the  examination  required  by  the  State 
Board  of  Medical  Examiners,  at  the  Coliseum, 
July  15,  1004.  On  October  17,  1004,  he  came  to 
South  "Wilmington,  where  he  has  since  con- 
tinued in  active  and  successful  practice.  He 
enjoys  a  large  and  lucrative  professional  busi- 
ness, and  is  known  as  one  of  the  best  read 
and  most  skillful  physicians  and  surgeons  of 
the  locality.  A  Republican  in  politics,  he  has 
not  sought  public  office,  but  at  this  time  is 
serving  as  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Health  of 
East  Brooklyn.  With  his  family,  he  attends 
the  Catholic  Chnrch. 

Doctor  Terrando  was  married  July  17,  1005, 
to  Miss  Katie  Bottino,  daughter  of  Frank  and 
Mary  (Campo)  Bottino,  and  four  children  have 
been  born  to  this  union:  Madelina  Inez,  born 
April  9,  1000,  who  died  July  23,  1000;  Dolores 
Mary,  born  July  20.  1007;  Inez  May.  born  Feb- 
ruary 5,  1009;  and  Lillian  Pearl,  horn  April  4. 
1912. 

TESTA,  Anthony  Joseph.— The  advent  of  the 
successful  flying  machine  has  created  a  pro- 
fession altogether  unknown  a  decade  or  so  ago. 
Its  members  have  learned  their  vocation  not  in 
schools,  or  from  books,  hut  in  the  workshop  and 


held,  in  daily  contact   with  the  work  they  have 
had    to   do.      They   have   had    no   precedents    to 
guide   them,   hut    have   been   compelled   to   work 
out    the  problems   which   their  employment  has 
brought  them  in  the  school  of  experience.    Prom- 
inent  among   the    men    who    have    adopted    this 
calling     may     he     mentioned     Anthony     Joseph 
Testa,  secretary  of  the  Illinois  Aero  Construction 
Company,   of  Coal   City,   since  the  organization 
<>f  this  concern  in  1911.     He  was  horn  at  Braid- 
wood,  Will  county,  HI.,  in  1SS3,  and  is  a  son  of 
Joseph  and  Louisa  Antonnia  Testa.    The  parents 
of   Mr.    Testa    were    both    horn    in    Italy,    where 
the  father  learned  and  followed  the  trade  of  a 
baker.     Like  many  other  honorable  men  of  his 
country,  lie  saw  no  future  ahead  of  him  there, 
and.  accordingly,  in  isx^  emigrated  to  the  United 
States,    and    located    at    Braidwood,     111.        He 
almost  immediately  secured  employment  in  the 
mines,    and    for    seventeen    years    followed    the 
occupation    of    miner    at    Braidwood    and    Coal 
City,  at  which  latter  place  he  opened  a  bakery 
establishment  in   1S99.     At  the  present  time  he 
is  the  proprietor  of  a  bakery  at  South  Wilming- 
ton, 111.,  where  his  wife  also  lives.     They  have 
been   the   parents   of    the   following   sons:      An- 
thony Joseph.  William,  Defendent  and  Charles. 
Anthony    Joseph    Testa    attended    the    public 
schools   of   Coal    City,    to    which    place   he   was 
brought   as   a    small    lad.    and    upon    completing 
his  education  secured  employment  in  the  mines. 
An    alert,    intelligent    and    ambitions    youth,    he 
soon  gained  promotion  to  the  position  of  clerk 
in  the  company  store,  and  was  thus  engaged  in 
1000,  when  he  became  candidate  for  the  office 
of    City    Clerk.      lie    was    subsequently    elected 
thereto  in  that   year,   and    for  two  years  faith- 
fully and  efficiently  served  his  fellow-townsmen 
in  that  capacity,  and  upon  the  expiration  of  his 
term,  in  1011.   became  secretary  of  the   Illinois 
Aero  Construction  Company,  an  office  which  he 
still  holds.     Among  his  business  associates  Mr. 
Testa    is   known  as   a   young   man   of   thorough 
reliability    and    good    judgment,    whose    counsel 
is  valued  and  appreciated  and  whose  foresight 
is  respected.    He  is  a  Republican  in  his  political 
views  and   has  always   heartily   supported   that 
party's  candidates  and  principles.     His  religious 
connection    is    with    the    Catholic    Church,    and 
fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias.    In  1000  Mr.  Testa  was  married  to  Miss 
Mary    Albright,    and    to   them    there   have    been 
born  two  children  :     Gilbert  and  Marie. 

TESTA,  Joseph.— It  is  a  notable  fact  that 
Italians  are.  very  clannish,  preferring  to  deal 
with  one  of  their  own  nationality  to  going  to 
stores  conducted  by  those  who  do  not  speak 
their  language  and  understand  their  tastes. 
Because  of  this  every  community  in  which  Ital- 
ians form  a  considerable  portion  of  the  popu- 
lation there  are  to  be  found  establishments  con- 
ducted by  prosperous  sons  of  that  country,  and 
these  men  not  only  win  and  retain  a*  large 
patronage  from  Italians,  but  from  others  who 
appreciate  the  excellence  of  their  goods  and 
the  fairness  of  their  methods.     One  of  the  men 


908 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


who  belong  to  this  class  is  Joseph  Testa,  the 
leading  baker  of  South  Wilmington,  111.  He 
is  a  native  of  Northern  Italy,  l>orii  there  in  1855, 
a  son  of  Antoii  and  Theressa  (Talette)  Testa. 
Anton  Testa  was  a  baker  in  his  native  land, 
where  he  died  twenty  years  ago,  his  wife  hav- 
ing died  three  years  before. 

Joseph  Testa  attended  school  in  his  native 
land  until  lie  was  twelve  years  old,  when  he 
began  learning  to  be  a  baker,  with  his  father. 
In  1882  he  came  to  the  United  States  with  his 
wife,  proceeding  direct  to  Braidwood,  111.,  where 
he  entered  the  mines.  In  1SS3,  however,  he 
came  to  Coal  City,  and  continued  work  in  tne 
mines  for  twenty  years.  Seeing  then  an  oppor- 
tunity, lie  opened  a  bakery  at  Coal  City,  and 
operated  it  until  1911,  when  he  removed  to 
South  Wilmington,  and  opened  up  what  is  the 
leading  establishment  of  its  kind  in  the  place. 
Joseph  Testa  married  Louise  Isaboll  Antonia 
and  they  have  the  following  children:  Tony; 
William,  who  is  working  with  his  father,  mar- 
ried Mary  Greean ;  Defendant,  who  is  at  home; 
Catherine  and  Charles,  both  of  whom  are  de- 
ceased; and  Charles  (II),  who  is  With  his 
father  in  business.  Mr.  Testa  is  a  Catholic.  He 
votes  with  the  Republican  party  and  he  be- 
longs to  an  Italian  lodge  of  Coal  City.  Earnest, 
bard  working  and  honest.  Mi1.  Testa  has  won 
respect  and  confidence  and  deserves  the  pros- 
perity which  has  come  to  him. 

THOM,  Alexander,  Jr. — Among  the  thoroughly 
reliable  and  substantial  business  men  of  Coal 
City,  111.,  one  who  is  advancing  the  commercial 
interests  of  his  adopted  city  through  his  activ- 
ities as  directing  head  of  the  Thoui  Hardware 
Company,  is  Alexander  Thorn,  Jr.  Although  a 
native  of  Scotland,  he  has  resided  in  this  city 
since  childhood,  and  his  entire  business  period 
has  been  spent  here.  He  was  born  May  12, 
1S72,  and  is  a  son  of  Alexander  and  Eliz- 
abeth   (Douglas)   Thorn. 

Alexander  Thorn.  Sr.,  was  born  at  New  Muek- 
land,  Scotland,  in  1S4G,  and  is  a  son  of  George 
and  Ann  (Angus)  Thorn.  His  father  was  a 
butcher  in  Scotland,  whor->  he  died  in  1003, 
and  his  mother  in  1S<"'>7.  They  had  nine  chil- 
dren :  Jessie,  Ellie,  George,  John,  Alexander, 
and  four  who  died.  Alexander  Thorn,  Sr., 
entered  the  mines  of  his  native  land  when  ten 
years  of  age,  and  has  been  identified  with  min- 
ing all  of  his  life.  He  first  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1868,  but  returned  to  Scotland  in  the 
following  year,  and  again  came  to  this  country 
in  1879.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  Coal  City 
since  that  year,  has  filled  every  position  at  the 
mines  here,  and  is  now  county  mine  inspector 
of  Grundy  County.  He  was  married  in  1S6S 
to  Miss  Elizabeth  Douglas,  of  Scotland,  who 
died  in  1903,  having  been  the  mother  of  nine 
children,  namely :  George,  who  is  deceased ; 
John,  a  resident  of  Coal  City ;  Alexander,  Jr. ; 
Jennie,  who  died  young;  Anna,  who  is  the  wife 
of  George  Bates ;  Maggie,  who  is  deceased ; 
Jean,  who  is  the  wife  of  John  Boal ;  Robert,  a 


resident  of  Coal  City,  111.;  and  Jeunie,  who  is 
the  wife  of  Max  Hauswaldt. 

Alexander  Thorn,  Jr.,  was  but  seven  years  of. 
age  when  he  was  brought  to  the  United  States 
by  his  parents,  and  his  education  was  secured 
in  the  public  schools  of  Coal  City,  which  he 
attended  until  his  thirteenth  year.  At  that  time 
he  entered  the  coal  mines  here,  but  after  four 
years  gave  up  that  occupation  to  learn  the 
trade  of  butcher,  an  occupation  which  he  fol- 
lowed for  twenty-one  years.  In  1909  Mr.  Thoin 
embarked  in  the  hardware  business  in  partner- 
ship with  B.  O.  Mill,  an  association  which 
has  continued  to  the  present  time  with  mutual 
satisfaction  and  success.  The  Thorn  Hardware 
Company,  us  the  business  is  known,  handles  a 
complete  stock  of  furniture,  hardware  and  farm- 
ing implements  of  every  description,  and  at- 
tracts its  trade  from  all  over  Coal  City  and 
the  surrounding  country.  Mr.  Thorn  is  a  good 
business  man.  and  in  the  management  of  his 
establishment  has  shown  himself  thoroughly 
conversant  with  the  needs  of  his  trade.  His 
integrity  and  honesty  have  never  been  ques- 
tioned, nor  has  his  public  spirit.  He  is  a  Repub- 
lican, but  has  never  sought  office,  but  is  at  all 
times  willing  to  enlist  himself  with  those  who 
are  seeking  to  promote  the  community's  wel- 
fare, lie  fraternizes  with  Scottish  clans,  and 
his  religious  faith  is  that  of  the  I'resbvteriau 
Church. 

On  April  23,  1902,  Mr.  Thorn  was  married  to 
Miss  Keziah  Smith,  who  was  born  at  Braee- 
ville,  HI.,  and  to  this  union  there  have  been 
born  three  children:  Elizabeth,  Arabella  and 
Edward. 

THOM,  Alexander,  Sr. — The  career  of  Alexander 
Thom,  Sr.,  county  mine  inspector  of  Grundy 
County,  111.,  has  been  one  of  constant  industry 
from  early  youth.  A  resident  of  Coal  City 
since  1879,  he  is  one  of  his  community's  best 
known  citizens,  and  his  long  and  varied  expe- 
rience in  mining  operations  makes  him  one  of 
the  most  valued  men  of  his  calling  in  the  state. 
Mr.  Thom  is  a  native  of  New  Muckland,  Scot- 
land, born  March  17,  1S4G,  and  is  a  son  of 
George  and  Ann  (Angus)  Thom.  His  father 
was  a  butcher  in  Scotland,  where  he  passed  his 
entire  life  and  died  in  1903,  while  Mrs.  Thom 
passed  away  in  1807.  They  were  the  parents  of 
nine  children:  Jessie  and  Allie,  who  still  live 
in  Scotland :  George ;  John,  a  resident  of  Coal 
City,  111. :  Alexander,  of  this  review ;  and  four 
who  are  deceased. 

Alexander  Thom  received  only  limited  educa- 
ional  advantages,  as  when  he  was  but  ten  years 
of  age  he  began  to  be  partly  self-supporting 
by  entering  the  mines  of  his  native  locality. 
His  first  employment  was  at  putting  checks  on 
cars,  for  which  he  received  twelve  cents  per 
day.  but  his  faithfulness,  industry  and  enter- 
prise gained  him  promotion,  and  for  one  year 
he  was  assistant  to  the  government  man.  Sub- 
sequently he  returned  to  the  mine  as  a  coal 
pusher,  and  for  a  time  following  was  engaged 
in  prospecting,  but  in   186S  decided  to   try  his 


• 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


909 


fortunes  in  the  United  States,  and  accordingly 
came  here  and  located  in  the  mining  country 
of  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Thorn  remained  there 
hut  one  year,  however,  then  going  back  to  Scot- 
land, where  he  continued  ten  years.  He  came 
to  the  United  States  a  second  time  in  1SSS, 
this  time  as  a  permanent  resident,  and  almost 
immediately  settled  in  Coal  City.  III.  Here  his 
advancement  has  been  steady  and  continuous, 
and  he  has  held  every  position  in  the  mines  of 
this  city.  In  100S  lie  was  made  county  mine 
inspector,  a  position  which  he  still  holds.  Dur- 
ing the  thirty-five  years  in  which  he  has  lived 
at  Coal  City  he  has  become  widely  acquainted, 
and  everywhere  is  known  as  an  expert  in  his 
vocation,  a  public-spirited  citizen,  and  a  loyal 
friend. 

In  1S6S  Mr.  Thoin  was  married  to  Miss  Eliz- 
abeth Douglas,  of  Scotland,  who  died  in  100.°., 
in  Coal  City,  having  been  the  mother  of  nine 
childreie:  George,  who  is  deceased;  John,  a 
resident  of  Coal  City;  Alexander,  one  of  the 
proprietors  of  the  Thorn  Hardware  Company, 
of  Coal  City;  Jennie,  who  is  deceased;  Anna, 
the  wife  of  George  Pates;  Maggie,  who  is  de- 
ceased; Jean,  the  wife  of  John  Boa]  ;  Rohert, 
of  Coal  City,  111.;  and  Jennie,  the  wife  of  Max 
Hanswaldt.  who  has  .me  child.  Otto.  Mr.  Thorn 
is  a  member  of  the  Preshyterian  church,  and 
belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  in  which  he 
has  passed  through  the  chairs.  He  takes  a 
good  citizen's  interest  in  public  matters  and  sup- 
ports Republican  candidates  and  principles. 

THOMAS,  Judge  Samuel  Barber  (deceased), 
who  for  many  years  was  one  of  the  most  honored 
residents  of  Morris  and  one  of  the  county's 
efficient  officials,  was  horn  in  Pennsylvania,  a 
son  of  William  Thomas.  In  1S55  Mr.  Thomas 
located  at  Morris  and  in  ISoS  was  elected  a 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  four  years  later  was 
elected  County  Clerk  of  Grundy  County,  hold- 
ing that  office  from  ISfll  to  1S7N.  In  November 
of  that  year  he  was  elected  County  Judge,  and 
was  holding  that  office  when  death  claimed 
him,  September  12.  1SS2.  Judge  Thomas  mar- 
ried Amanda  Ferguson,  but  they  had  no  chil- 
dren. He  was  a  Mason  and  served  his  lodge 
as  Worshipful  Master. 

THOMPSON,  Christ,  an  enterprising  and  suc- 
cessful farmer  of  Grundy  County,  owner  of 
100  acres  of  land  in  Greenfield  Township,  was 
born  in  Norway.  May  0.  1S53,  a  son  of  Thor- 
bjorn  and  Martha  T.ysnes  Thompson,  natives  of 
Norway,  both  of  whom  are  deceased  and  buried 
in  their  native  land.  They  were  the  parents  of 
eight  children,  six  of  whom  survive:  Abraham, 
Carrie  and  Stenvor,  residing  in  Norway;  Christ; 
Thorbjorn,  a  schoolteacher  in  Norway ;  and  Joe, 
who  is  in  America. 

Christ  Thompson  was  employed  on  his  fa- 
thers farm  until  1SS0.  when  he  came  to  the 
United  States,  locating  in  Saratoga  Township, 
Grundy  County,  where  he  again  took  up  the 
occupation  of  farming.  From  there  he  re- 
moved to  Kendall   County,  securing  a   position 


on  a  farm  where  he  was  paid  by  the  month. 
In  1SS6  he  rented  some  land  in  Garfield  Town- 
ship, remaining  until  1S92,  when  he  purchased 
forty  acres  in  Greenfield  Township.  Here  he 
remained  until  1903,  when  he  bought  110  acres 
in  Maine  Township,  which  he  sold  in  1013  and 
purchased  li:0  acres  in  Greenfield  Township, 
upon  which  general  farming  is  carried  on  under 
the  management  of  his  sons. 

In  1SS9  Mr.  Thompson  married  Augusta  Paul- 
son, a  widow  and  a  native  of  Norway,  who  had 
one  daughter,  Carrie  McGee,  by  her  first  hus- 
band. She  now  resides  at  Streator,  III.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Thompson  are  the  parents  of  three 
children:  Martha,  who  lives  at  home;  and 
Thomas  and  Hans,  twins,  who  reside  with  their 
parents  and  operate  the  farm.  Mr.  Thompson 
is  a  member  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  Church. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  pleasant, 
upright  man  of  high  character,  is  honest  in  his 
dealings  with  his  fellowrnen,  and  commands  the 
respect  of  all  who  know  him. 

THOMPSON,  Leslie  Eugene.— Grundy  County 
seems  to  have  more  than  its  share  of  fertile 
farms  conducted  and  owned  by  enterprising 
agriculturists  who  understand  their  -business 
and  know  how  to  make  their  acres  yield  banner 
crops.  These  men  are  not  only  interested  in 
making  money,  but  lake  a  pride  in  keeping  up 
their  equipment  so  that  their  properties  reflect 
the  general  prosperity  of  this  region.  One  of 
the  men  who  is  thus  aiding  in  advancing  the 
conditions  of  his  community  is  Leslie  Eugene 
Thompson,  owner  of  14-"i  acres  of  fine  land  in 
Good  Farm  Township,  known  as  the  John 
Crocker  place,  on  which  he  carries  on  general 
farming  and  the  raisin-  of  Holstein  cattle.  It 
is  his  intention  to  develop  his  property  into  a 
stock  farm,  for  it  is  admirably  adapted  for 
grazing. 

Leslie  E.  Thompson  was  bom  in  Highland 
Township,  this  county.  November  12,  1SS1,  a 
son  of  Rhonello  and  Alice  M.  (Waite)  Thomp- 
son, the  former  of  whom  was  horn  in  the  State 
of  Maine,  coming  to  Grundy  County,  111.,  when 
he  was  but  sixteen  years  old.  He  and  his  wife 
are  now  living  retired  at  Dwight.  111.  Leslie 
Eugene  Thompson  spent  his  boyhood  on  his 
present  farm  and  attended  the  local  schools, 
as  well  as  the  high  school  at  Dwight,  111.,  and 
a  Chicago  high  school.  Following  this  he  learned 
the  machinist  trade  at  Aurora.  111.,  and  lived  in 
that  city  for  seven  years,  after  which  he  re- 
turned to  Grundy  County  to  resume  his  agri- 
cultural life. 

On  December  31,  1910,  Mr.  Thompson  was 
married  at  Aurora,  111.,  by  Rev.  Norman  Carr, 
of  Aurora,  to  Mabel  Keck,  who  was  born  May 
3,  1888,  a  daughter  of  Walter  and  Sarah 
(Elliotts  Keck,  natives  of  Katie  County,  where 
they  reside.  He  belongs  to  the  Baptist  Church, 
while  the  Republican  party  has  his  support, 
A  good  farmer  and  excellent  business  man,  Mr. 
Thompson  has  made  rapid  progress  and  is  justly 
numbered  among  the  live  men  of  his  locality. 


910 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


THOMPSON,  Nels.— Not  only  does  Grundy 
County  land  afford  a  good  living  to  those  who 
work  it,  hut  it  makes  the  owners  of  it  wealthy 
men.  Many  of  these  farms  are  exceedingly 
valuable.  For  every  dollar  of  improvement  put 
on  them  this  land  makes  ample  return,  and  the 
modern  farmers  who  recognize  this  fact  do  not 
hesitate  to  spend  large  amounts  in  developing 
their  properties.  One  of  the  men  who  has 
made  a  success  of  his  endeavors  along  this  line 
is  Xels  Thompson,  of  Saratoga  Township.  lie 
was  horn  in  Skonevig,  Norway,  June  2.~>,  is  J.". 
son  of  Thorkel  and  Julia  (Nelson)  Thompson. 
The  father  came  to  Morris,  111.,  in  1SG7,  and 
died  in  1873,  having  been  afflicted  with  loss  of 
sight.     The  mother  survived  him  until  1SS2. 

After  arriving  in  Grundy  County.  Xels  Thomp- 
son worked  for  farmers  in  the  vicinity  of  Mor- 
ris until  1S80,  when  he  moved  to  Chicago  and 
for  a  time  was  a  coachman,  ami  later  was  a 
motorman  on  electric  railroads  in  that  city,  and 
also  worked  as  janitor  of  a  large  apartment 
building.  In  1910  he  moved  to  Kendall  County, 
111.,  where  he  bought  eighty  acres  of  land,  which 
he  now  rents  to  a  tenant.  In  101]  he  nought 
eighty  acres  in  Saratoga  Township,  Grundy 
County,  which  farm  is  now  operated  by  his 
son,  Mensell,  both  properties  being  very  val- 
uable. 

In  September.  Iss2,  Mr.  Thompson  was  mar- 
ried to  Mary  Smith,  born  in  Denmark,  who 
died  October  8,  1SSS,  having  been  a  devoted  wife 
and  mother.  They  had  two  children  :  Anna  E., 
who  is  deceased;  and  Mensell.  who  is  a  farmer. 
Mr.  Thompson  is  a  member  of  the  Norwegian 
Lutheran  Church.  Politically,  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican, but  has  never  sought  office.  An  earnest. 
hardworking  man.  his  efforts  have  been  crowned 
with  success  and  he  deserves  his  prosperity. 

THORSON,  John,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War, 
aud  a  man  of  large  interests,  is  one  who  has 
borne  an  important  part  in  the  development  of 
Morris  and  the  increase  in  realty  values  in  this 
locality,  and  is  a  good  representative  of  the 
Grundy  County  citizen  of  worth.  He  was  born 
at  Boyd,  Norway,  Septembei  13,  1S43.  son  of 
Tathorson  and  Bertha  Thorson.  In  1S47  the 
family  came  to  America,  with  Morris  as  their 
objective  point.  A  year  after  their  arrival  in 
this  city  the  good  mother  died  of  cholera.  Strug- 
gling along  alone,  the  father  did  work  by  the 
day  until  he  had  saved  a  .sufficient  amount  to 
buy  eighty  acres  in  Saratoga  Township,  on 
which  he  began  farming.  In  1 855  he  sold  this 
farm  and  bought  eighty  acres  in  Kendall  County, 
and  later  entered  eighty  acres  more  from  the 
Government.  This  farm  continued  to  be  his 
home  until  lsOo.  when  he  rented  it  and  went  to 
Story  City,  Iowa,  where  he  died  in  1900.  He 
had  married  (second)  Anna  Larson,  a  widow 
with  no  children,  and  she  survived  him  for 
two  years. 

John  Thorson  was  but  a  child  when  the  fam- 
ily arrived  at  Morris,  and  grew  up  in  Grundy 
and  Kendall  counties,  attending  the  Norwegian 
school   of   Morris.     When   his   adopted   country 


had  need  of  him,  Mr.  Thorson  responded  to  its 
call,  enlisting  for  service  during  the  Civil  War, 
in  August,  1S62,  in  Company  E,  Ninety-first  Illi- 
nois Volunteer  Infantry,  but  had  the  misfortune 
to  be  disabled  and  was  taken  prisoner  in  De- 
cember, ]Nbo,  at  Elizabethtown,  Ky.  He  was 
sent  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  where  he  was  paroled, 
and  was  discharged  in  May,  ImM,  at  Chicago. 
Returning  home,  he  remained  with  his  father 
until  his  marriage  in  the  next  year.  For  the 
following  twenty  years  Mr.  Thorson  was  an 
agriculturalist  of  Kendall  County,  then  moved 
to  Morris  in  order  to  devote  all  of  his  time  to 
Ha'  handling  of  realty  and  to  auctioneering, 
having  established  himself  in  these  two  lines 
of  business  in  1SG5.  He  handles  real  estate 
on  an  extensive  scale,  and  has  made  a  decided 
success  of  all  bis  operations. 

On  February  23,  1SG5,  Mr.  Thorson  was  mar- 
ried (first)  to  Margaret  Johnson,  born  in  Nor- 
way. She  bore  him  these  children:  Lewis,  who 
lives  in  Ford  County.  111.:  Bertha.  Mrs.  Ollie 
1'eterson,  who  lives  in  Nettle  Creek  Township: 
Mamie,  Mrs.  William  Stott,  who  lives  at  Mor- 
ris; Eddie,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-three 
years;  Anna,  Mrs.  George  Conklin,  who  lives 
at  Morris;  and  George,  who  lives  at  Clear 
Lake,  Iowa.  Mrs.  Thorson  died  in  November, 
1S!)0.  On  December  2:;.  1S93,  Mr.  Thorson  was 
married  (second)  to  Martha  Olson,  born  in  Fox 
Township.  Kendall  County,  daughter  of  Elias 
and  Julia  (Johnson)  Olson,  born  in  Norway. 
Lillian  P.,  now  a  young  lady,  has  lived  with  them 
as  a  daughter  since  she  was  eight  years  of 
age.  Mr.  Thorson  belongs  to  the  Norwegian 
Lutheran  Church,  of  which  he  is'  a  generous 
supporter.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican.  Since 
the  organization  of  the  local  G.  A.  P.  Post, 
Mr.  Thorson  has  been  an  enthusiastic  member, 
and  has  held  all  the  offices  in  it.  He  is  a  man 
widely  and  favorably  known,  and  is  esteemed 
for  his  many  excellent  qualities  of  heart  and 
mind. 

T0MASTICK,  John.— Examples  arc  numerous 
of  men  who  have  come  to  the  United  States 
without  means  or  friends  ami  have  risen  to 
places  of  importance  in  agricultural  life,  and 
no  better  instance  in  point  may  be  found  than 
John  Tomastiek,  farmer  and  stoekraiser,  aud 
owner  of  233  acres  of  some  of  tiie  best  land 
in  Grundy  County,  111.  Coming  to  this  coun- 
try a  poor  Austrian  emigrant  lad,  with  no  cap- 
ital save  a  strong  heart,  willing  hands  and  a 
firm  determination  to  win  success,  he  has  made 
the  most  of  his  opportunities,  and  stands  to- 
day in  an  enviable  position  among  his  fellow 
citizens,  a  man  eminently  worthy  of  being 
classed  with  those  whose  prominence  and  posi- 
tion have  come  through  well-directed  individual 
effort.  Mr.  Tomastiek  was  born  in  1S62,  in 
Austria-Hungary,  and  is  a  son  of  George  and 
Anna  (Digone)  Tomastiek;  the  father  having 
been  a  farmer  and  carpenter  in  (he  old  coun- 
try, where  he  and  his  wife  still  make  their 
home.  They  had  eleven  children  :  Mrs.  Mary 
Harcarik,   living   in   Austria  ;   John  ;   Anna,   who 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


911 


is  deceased ;  Mrs.  Helen  Anderson ;  George,  of 
Chicago.  111.;  Andrew  and  Joe,  both  of  Ilills- 
boro,  111.;  Michael,  of  Minneapolis,  Minn.; 
Michelus,  deceased;  Mrs.  Susan  Palko,  living 
at  Streator,  111.,  ami  Alice,  l'esiding  in  Austria. 

John  Tomastick  was  given  ordinary  educa- 
tional advantages  in  the  schools  of  his  native 
land,  and  worked  with  his  father  until  1SS1, 
when  he  decided  to  try  his  fortunes  in  the 
United  States.  Accordingly,  he  made  his  v.  ay 
to  this  country  and  located  in  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  found  work  with  a  railroad  company. 
He  was  thus  engaged  for  four  years,  and.  being 
thrifty  and  industrious  during  this  time,  man- 
aged to  save  enough  money  to  return  to  hi-; 
native  land  and  marry  Susan  Tkach.  They 
almost  immediately  returned  to  America,  again 
locating  in  Pennsylvania,  where  Mr.  Tonuis- 
tick  dug  coal  in  the  mines  until  1SS7.  At  that 
time  he  came  to  Braceville,  111.,  ami  dug  coal 
until  December,  1905,  when  he  purchased  the 
farm  which  he  now  owns,  at  that  time  a  stretch 
of  timber,  underbrush  and  prairie  devoid  of 
improvements  of  any  kind,  lie  at  once  settled 
down  to  work,  and  through  hard  and  indus- 
trious labor  has  converted  tbis  into  one  of 
the  most  desirable  and  valuable  tracts  in 
Braceville  Township.  He  has  a  comfortable 
residence  and  commodious  barns,  both  of  sub- 
stantial character  and  handsome  architecture, 
and  his  other  improvements  are  of  the  most 
modern  structure.  General  farming  has  received 
the  greater  part  of  his  attention,  but  he  has 
also  met  with  a  great  deal  of  success  in  rais- 
ing Belgian  horses,  and  a  high  grade  of  cattle 
and  hogs.  Everywhere  he  is  known  as  ,\  man 
of  the  strictest  integrity,  and  his  friendships 
are  numerous. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tomastick  have  had  "ight  chil- 
dren; Myron,  a  stenographic  teacher  and  now 
a  graduate  of  the  Valparaiso  (Ind.)  Univer- 
sity law  department  and  educational  depart- 
ment ;  Mrs.  Mary  Irene  Kakare,  a  resident  of 
Joliet.  HI.:  John  Andrew,  farming  at  home: 
Martha  Ida.  a  music  teacher:  Anna,  deceased: 
Anna  Clara,  a  public  school  music  teacher;  Ver- 
onica May  and  Carl  Edward.  Mr.  Tomastick 
is  a  consistent  member  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church.  Ilis  fraternal  connections  are  with  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America  Camp  at  Brace- 
ville, and  Ancient  Order  of  Gleaners  at  Gard- 
ner.  111. 

TOWSLEY,  George  E.— There  is  no  more  pro- 
ductive fanning  property  in  Grundy  County 
than  that  found  in  Nettle  Creek  Township,  and 
the  agriculturalists  of  this  region  have  demon- 
strated their  local  pride  by  doing  all  within 
their  power  to  bring  their  farms  to  a  standard 
of  excellence  seldom  to  be  found,  hut  always 
desirable.  One  of  the  men  who  has  contributed 
towards  this  state  of  affairs  is  Georcre  K.  Tows- 
ley,  owner  of  ICO  acres  on  section  27.  Nettle 
Creek  Township.  lie  was  born  in  Hamilton 
County,  X.  Y..  March  0.  1.S03.  a  son  of  George 
and  Sophia  (McCarthy)  Towsley,  natives  of 
Fulton  County,  X.  Y.,  where  both  passed  away. 


George  E.  Towsley  was  brought  up  on  his 
father's  homestead,  attending  the  local  schools, 
and  learning  how  to  farm.  In  issi  he  came 
to  Grundy  County  ami  lor  a  time  worked  for 
the  farmers  in  this  ueighhorhood.  In  1S97  he 
bought  his  present  farm,  then  partly  improved, 
and  has  developed  it  into  a  model  grain  pro- 
ducing property,  his  success  being  directly  due 
to  his  thoroughness  and  expert  knowledge  of 
his  work.  On  August  13,  1S00,  Mr  Towsley 
was  married  by  Rev.  Magner.  of  Morris,  to 
Olive  May  Hoge,  born  in  Nettle  Creek  Town- 
ship. February  14,  ls<:.>.  a  daughter  of  Hendley 
and  Sarah  (La  Salle)  Hoge,  natives  of  Grundy 
County.  III.,  and  Louisiana,  respectively.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Towsley  have  had  the  following  fam- 
ily. Lena,  who  was  born  May  10,  1S01,  of 
Morris.  111.;  George  Hendley,  born  April  if), 
1S93.  who  is  at  home:  Gertrude  Alberta,  bom 
September  11.  1S9G ;  Iva,  born  April  17,  IS99 ; 
Blanche,  born  June  23.  1900;  and  Lay,  bom 
August  20,  1001.  Cue  died  in  infancy.  Buela 
P..  born  January  15.  1S9S,  died  September  2:], 
1S9S.  The  Methodist  Church  holds  Mr.  Tows- 
ley's  membership,  and  he  contributes  generously 
towards  its  support.  In  political  matters  he  has 
always  been  a  Republican.  No  man  stands 
higher  in  public  esteem  than  he.  and  he  de- 
serves the  confidence  reposed  in  him,  for  he  is 
a   man  of  high  principles. 

TROTTER,  Benjamin  Robert.— Carbon  Hill  is 
the  home  of  some  of  the  most  reliable  business 
men  in  the  State,  who  have  gradually  developed 
numerous  experiences  which  have  taught  them 
self-reliance  and  economic  habits,  'these  men 
would  be  successful  in  almost  any  line  of  work, 
for  they  have  the  proper  business  sense.  ;,nd 
are  willing  to  devote  themselves  to  the  mat- 
ter in  hand  untiringly  and  devotedly.  One  of 
these  men  of  whom  Carbon  Hill  is  justly  proud 
is  Benjamin  Robert  Trotter,  born  in  BrakLvood, 
III..  April  1l'.  1*77.  lie  received  instruction 
in  the  public  school  at  Coal  City,  111.,  and  later 
attended  school  in  Evanston,  111.,  for  two  years. 
subsequently  entering  the  mercantile  business 
with  his  father,  Robert  Trotter,  at  Coal  City. 
In  1007  he  left  Coal  City  for  Carbon  Hill. 
where  he  is  now  proprietor  of  the  largest  store 
in  the  place,  carrying  a  general  line  of  mer- 
chandise. He  has  other  interests,  owning  210 
acres  in  Goose  Lake  Township.  On  September 
19.  1901,  Mr.  Trotter  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Llelen  Fleming  of  Carbon  Hill,  born  Febru- 
ary 20,  1S79,  and  to  this  union  have  been  born 
three  children:  Robert.  Kenneth  and  Warren. 
Mr.  Trotter  is  an  active  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Church.  He  is  a  Republican  and  is  a 
director  of  the  high  school  of  the  Coal  City 
District.  He  belon-s  to  the  Modern  Woodmen 
of  America  and  the  Masonic  Lodge  at  Braid- 
wood,  111.  No  man  stands  higher  in  the  com- 
munity than  he  as  an  intelligent  and  success- 
ful  merchant   and   loyal   citizen. 

TROTTER,  George  Alexander,  is  one  of  the 
best   representatives  of   the   agricultural    inter- 


912 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


ests  of  Grundy  County,  although  now  living 
retired  at  Morris,  because  tor  many  years  be 
was  actively  engaged  in  farming,  and  owns 
some  very  valuable  rural  properties  in  addition 
to  city  realty.  Mr.  Trotter  was  born  at  Wil- 
mington, 111.,  May  13,  1850,  son  of  Alexander 
and  Jane  (Bogue)  Trotter.  The  parents  were 
natives  of  Scotland,  where  they  married,  com- 
ing to  this  country  in  the  spring  of  LS50.  Their 
objective  puint  was  Manitowok,  Wis.,  but  as  the 
father  was  not  able  to  secure  work  to  which 
he  was  accustomed,  having  been  a  shepherd  in 
his  native  land,  he  went  to  Chicago  after  a 
year.  In  the  latter  city  he  obtained  employ- 
ment in  one  of  the  packing  houses,  but  not  lik- 
ing it,  went  to  Willmingtoii,  111.,  within  a  year, 
and  spent  three  years  as  teamster  in  that 
place.  Hearing  of  agricultural  opportunity 
offered  in  Grundy  County,  he  came  here  and 
bought  a  farm  in  Felix  Township.  This  con- 
tinued to  be  his  home  until  his  death  in  1903, 
lie  surviving  his  wife  many  years,  as  she  died 
in  1S9G. 

George  Alexander  Trotter  remained  with  his 
parents  until  his  marriage  in  1879,  having  been 
brought  up  in  the  manner  customary  in  those 
days.  He  was  sent  to  the  local  schools  in  the 
winter  months,  and  during  the  summer,  worked 
on  the  farm.  In  1S79  he  began  farming  for 
his  father,  thus  continuing  for  two  years,  when 
he  purchased  a  farm  in  Felix  Township.  This 
he  operated  a  year,  when  he  moved  to  Coal 
City,  where  he  went  in  the  butcher  business. 
For  sixteen  years  he  was  thus  engaged,  then 
sold  his  interest  and  went  to  Morris.  Two 
years  later,  he  again  conducted  a  flourishing 
business  for  two  years,  when  he  traded  it  for 
a  farm  in  Goose  Lake  Township  so  that  he 
now  owns  400  acres  of  farming  property,  all 
in  the  same  township.  This  acreage  he  rents, 
and  he  also  owns  his  fine  residence  on  Vine 
street  that  he  built  himself,  in  which  he  lives 
retired  from  active  pursuits. 

On  December  8,  1879,  when  twenty-six  years 
of  age,  Mr.  Trotter  was  married  to  Clystia  A. 
Miller,  born  at  St.  Charles,  Kane  County,  111., 
daughter  of  Norman  and  Harriett  (Parker) 
Miller.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Trotter  are  the  parents 
of  two  daughters:  Sadie  J.,  who  is  at  home; 
and  Jessie,  who  has  charge  of  the  Conservatory 
of  Music  at  Eureka,  Greenwood  County,  Kan. 
Mr.  Trotter  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Church  and  takes  a  prominent  part  in  religious 
work,  being  president  of  the  board  of  trustees. 
A  prominent  Republican,  he  served  as  township 
collector  of  Felix  Township  for  two  years;  one 
year  as  township  clerk  ;  as  supervisor  of  I'.race- 
ville  Township  for  two  years ;  for  twelve  years 
was  a  member  of  the  school  board,  during  eight 
years  being  its  president;  two  years  as  school 
treasurer,  and  has  been  on  the  Board  of  Review 
for  one  year.  His  fraternal  affiliations  are  with 
the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  A  man  of 
good  judgment,  he  knew  how  to  grasp  bis 
opportunities,  and  bis  success  in  life  has  been 
earned  by  the  application  of  keen  intellect,  com- 
bined with  hard  work  and  thrifty  habits. 


TROTTER,  John. — There  are  many  examples 
of  the  self-made  man  to  be  found  in  Grundy 
County;  men  who,  starling  out  entirely  on  their 
own  resources,  have  worked  their  way  steadily 
to  the  front  in  some  chosen  line  and  achieved 
success  in  spite  of  all  obstacles.  Few,  how- 
ever, have  given  their  attention  to  many  and 
varied  occupations  and  proved  successful  in 
whatever  they  have  undertaken,  and  it  is  in 
this  way  that  John  'Trotter,  vice  president  of 
the  First  National  Bank  of  Coal  City,  is  an 
unusual  example,  lie  was  born  in  Braceville 
Township  in  1S5S,  son  of  Alexander  and  Jane 
(Bogue)  Trotter,  natives  of  Scotland.  In  1S51 
they  embarked  for  America,  settling  in  Will 
County,  111.,  where  Alexander  Trotter  engaged 
in  farming.  Here  he  remained  until  1856, 
when  he  removed  to  Felix  Township,  and  car- 
ried on  farming  until  ten  years  prior  to  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  1904,  his  wife  having 
passed  away  in  1S93.  'They  were  the  parents 
of  seven  children:  Robert,  deceased;  Thomas; 
George,  of  Morris,  111.;  John;  Mrs.  Jennie  Mil- 
ler; Mrs.  Catherine  I'enii  ;  and  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Rothlisberger. 

John  'Trotter  attended  the  district  schools 
in  his  neighborhood  and  remained  with  Lis 
parents  until  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age. 
In  1S82  he  embarked  in  the  meat  business  in 
Coal  City,  and  now  owns  two  markets.  In 
addition,  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  farming, 
timber  and  stock-raising  industries,  and  in  1886 
became  a  dealer  in  ponies,  having  shipped  same 
all  ever  the  United  Slates.  In  1S85  he  mar- 
ried Mary  Suffern.  and  they  are  the  parents 
of  six  children:  Samuel  A.,  William  J..  <'eorge 
E..  Ellen,  deceased,  Robert  and  May  Bell.  He 
was  first  wedded  to  Mattie  Suffern.  sister  of 
his  present  wife,  who  died  shortly  after  their 
marriage.  Mr.  Trotter  is  an  influential  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he 
has  been  a  trustee  since  its  organization.  He 
is  affiliated  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican.  He 
was  school  treasurer  of  Felix  Township  for 
sixteen  years,  and  also  road  commissioner.  He 
is  a  prominent  member  of  Grundy  County 
Farmers*  Association,  and  is  the  director  of 
the  First  National  Bank  of  Coal  City  and  vice 
president.  He  owns  900  acres  of  land  in  Felix 
Township,  145  in  Goose  Lake  Township  and 
80  acres  in  Braceville  Township.  He  has  the 
nicest  residence  in  Felix  Township  and  the 
finest  barn  in  Grundy  County.  Mr.  Trotter  has 
always  been  identified  with  the  best  interests 
of  the  community,  and  has  won  the'  respect 
and  esteem  of  all  with  whom  he  is  associated. 

TROTTER,  Robert.— There  are  no  more  public- 
spirited  men  in  Grundy  County  than  those  who 
spent  their  boyhood  on  farms,  for  they  thus 
obtained  a  knowledge  of  the  requirements  of 
the  rural  districts  which  have  developed  them 
into  good  citizens.  One  of  the  prosperous  busi- 
ness men  of  Coal  City,  who  was  brought  up 
in  a  farming  district  is  Robert  Trotter,  pro- 
prietor of  the  Racket  store  of  Coal   City,  and 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


913 


dealer  in  general  merchandise,  shoes,  wall  paper 

and  notions.  He  was  born  in  Scotland.  April 
12,  1845,  a  son  of  Robert  and  Catherine  (Mac- 
Dugal)  Trotter.  The  father  was  a  farm  serv- 
ant in  Scotland,  later  developing  into  a  buyer 
of  eggs  and  butter,  continuing  in  this  line  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1S37,  never  hav- 
ing left  his  native  land.  His  widow  survived 
him  until  1S92.  Both  are  buried  in  Scotland. 
They  had  ten  children,  of  whom  Robert  is  the 
only  survivor. 

Robert  Trotter  attended  school  in  his  home 
district  at  Restou,  Berwickshire,  Scotland,  and 
worked  on  farms  until  February  23,  1S04,  and 
was  a  fireman  on  the  North  British  Railroad 
for  two  years,  when  he  left  Scotland  for  the 
United  States.  Upon  his  arrival  in  this  coun- 
try in  lst'iU  lie  came  direct  to  Grundy  County 
and  was  a  stationary  engineer  until  locating  at 
Braidwood,  111.,  where  lie  worked  two  years 
as  fireman,  when  he  was  made  a  locomotive 
engineer  and  continued  as  such  for  twelve 
years.  In  1NJ>2  he  came  to  Coal  City  to  open 
up  his  present  store,  and  has  continued  it 
successfully  ever  since.  In  addition  to  his 
'Other  interests,  Mr.  Trotter  owns  1S40  acres  of 
land  in  Kansas,  mi  aires  in  Grundy  County  and 
ICO  acres  in  North  Dakota. 

In  ISO'S  Mr.  Trotter  married  Magdeline  Pax- 
ton,  who  was  bum  in  Scotland,  and  died  Octo- 
ber 10,  1S72.  They  had  two  children,  both  of 
whom  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Trotter  married 
(second).  May  2D,  ]s7.->t  Agues  Paxtou,  born 
January  20,  1S49,  and  they  have  eight  chil- 
dren: Benjamin,  born  April  12,  ISTti ;  Lizzie 
M.  Campbell,  born  May  2,  1^77:  .lessie  C.  Ander- 
son, born  October  25,  1S79;  Matilda  J.,  born 
February  1.".,  Ivmi;  Rose  B.  Cluskey.  born 
August  2S,  1SS1  :  Esther  1'..  born  August  10, 
1SSC;  Victoria  Louise  Davis,  born  October  20, 
ISSN;  and  Agnes,  born  October  23,  1SS4,  who 
died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Trotter  has  a  number  of 
grandchildren,  His  daughter,  Mrs.  Lizzie  M. 
Campbell,  lias  four  children:  Donald.  Blanche, 
Gilbert  and  Louise;  Mrs.  Jessie  Anderson  has 
two  children,  Audrey  and  Ronmore ;  Benjamin 
has  three  sons,  Robert,  Kenneth  and  Warren. 
Mrs.  Trotter's  parents  both  died  in  Scotland. 
They  had  one  son  and  four  daughters,  Mrs. 
Trotter  being  the  only  one  that  came  to 
America. 

The  Methodist  Church  holds  Mr.  Trotter's 
membership,  and  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic 
fraternity.  A  Republican,  he  has  been  school 
trustee  for  one  term,  and  for  sixteen  years 
has  served  as  treasurer  of  the  Fire  Department 
of  Coal  City,  and  is  a  man  widely  and  favor- 
ably  known. 

TROTTER,  Samuel  Alexander,  a  representative 
and  successful  business  man  of  Coal  City,  has 
spent  his  entire  life  in  that  village,  where  he 
was  born  February  2"p.  LSS7,  a  son  of  John  and 
Mary  (Suffern)  Trotter.  His  education  was 
acquired  in  the  public  schools,  and  he  had  the 
advantage  of  three  years  at  the  Morris  High 
School.    Later  on  for  some  time  he  was  enjm^ed 


in  the  meat  business  with  his  father,  and  also 
assisted  with  the  work  on  the  farm.  In  1012 
the  linn  of  John  Trotter  &  Suns,  dealers  in  hay 
and  grain,  with  elevator  at  Coal  City,  was 
established,  the  partners  being  John  Trotter 
and  his  sons,  William  J.  and  Samuel  A.,  the 
latter  being  secretary  of  the  Commercial  Club 
of  Coal  City,  and  an  enterprising  and  highly 
respected  citizen,  always  ready  to  promote  the 
public  welfare  and  prosperity  of  the  community. 
On  June  15,  1910,  Mr.  Trotter  married  Jennie 
Berta,  born  July  30,  1SS5,  of  Braidwood,  111., 
and  t"  this  union  was  born  one  child.  Dorothy 
Ellen,  born  January  4.  1912.  Mr.  'blotter  is 
affiliated  with  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  Amer- 
ica and  the  Masonic  order.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Republican. 

VALERI0,  Charles. — It  is  remarkable  how  many 
sons  of  Italy  have  come  to  the  United  States, 
and  arriving  here,  have  developed  into  such 
excellent  and  desirable  citizens.  They  know 
how  to  work  and  save,  and  many  of  them  be- 
come prominent  officials  in  the  towns  in  which 
they  locate.  One  of  the  men  who  belongs  to 
this  class  is  Charles  Valerie,  of  Coal  City, 
HI.,  born  in  Italy.  August  20.  1S72.  a  son  of 
William  and  Catherine  Lnrietto  Valerio.  The 
father  was  an  agriculturist  of  Italy,  who 
brought  his  family,  then  consisting  of  Ids  wife 
and  three  of  his  children,  George,  Mary  and 
August,  to  America  in  1SS0.  After  coming  here 
the  parents  had  two  other  children.  Frank,  who 
is  living  at  Marseilles,  111.,  and  August,  who  died 
in  infancy.  They  located  at  Braidwood,  111., 
where  the  father  worked  in  the  mines  until 
1SS3,  !<nt  then  moved  to  Diamond,  where  he 
continued  mining  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1002.  He  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Braid- 
wood.    The  mother  died  in  1905. 

Charles  Valerio  remained  in  Italy  until  1SS7, 
during  that  period  attending  college  at  Turin 
for  seven  years,  but  in  1SS7  came  to  Diamond, 
111.,  where  he  entered  the  public  schools  in  order 
to  learn  English.  In  D-OL!  he  began  working  as 
a  clerk  in  a  store  at  Coal  City,  and  by  ls05 
was  able  to  open  a  store  of  his  own  at  Diamond 
where  he  remained  until  1007.  In  that  year 
he  became  wholesale  airent  for  the  1'abst  Brew- 
ing Company  of  Milwaukee.  Wis.  Mr.  Valerio 
also  acts  as  agent  for  five  different  steamboat 
lines  and  is  very  prominent  among  his  own 
countrymen  who  depend  upon  him  and  his 
judgment.  He  is  also  consular  correspondent 
to  the  Italian  consulate  at  Chicago. 

Interested  in  fraternal  matters,  Mr.  Valerio 
has  associated  himself  with  the  Foresters,  pass- 
ing all  the  chairs,  having  been  one  of  the  char- 
ter members  of  his  lodge,  and  he  has  been 
deputy  grand  for  four  years.  Politically  he 
is  a  Republican,  and  served  as  city  cleric  for 
eleven  terms,  beginning  in  ls;>."j  when  the  village 
was  organized.  For  eight  years  he  served  as 
postmaster  of  Diamond,  holding  that  office  until 
1007.    At  present  he  is  a  Notary  Public  and  has 


914 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


been  since  1894.    The  Catholic  Church  holds  his 
membership. 

VERONDA,  Anton. — When  a  citizen  lias  passed 
more  than  sixteen  consecutive  years  as  the 
incumbent  of  a  public  office,  the  fact  is  liable 
to  be  rather  firmly  established  that  he  possesses 
qualities  which  recommend  him  to  the  public 
at  large.  This  is  the  record  of  Anton  Veronda, 
postmaster  at  Carbon  Hill,  III.,  since  July,  1S97, 
who  has  also  served  in  various  other  offices 
and  in  every  case  has  shown  himself  worthy  of 
the  respect  and  esteem  which  have  been  granted 
him.  Mr.  Veronda  was  horu  in  Northern  Italy, 
in  1S05,  and  is  a  son  of  Maurice  and  Catharine 
Veronda.  His  father  was  an  engineer  in  the 
cotton  mills  of  Italy,  an  occupation  which  he 
followed  for  fifty  years  until  his  retirement. 
He  died  in  his  native  country  in  ls77.  and  his 
wife  has  also  passed  away.  They  were  the 
parents  of  fifteen  children. 

Anton  Veronda  secured  his  educational  train- 
ing in  the  public  schools  of  Ilaly.  but  at  the 
age  of  fifteen  years  emigrated  to  the  United 
States,  and  at  once  secured  employment  as  a 
coal  digger  in  the  Coal  City  mines.  In  addition 
to  the  five  years  which  he  had  spent  in  the 
common  schools  of  Italy.  Mr.  Veronda  attended 
night  school  in  Coal  City  while  working  in 
the  mines,  and  thus  secured  a  good  education. 
After  attaining  his  majority,  he  went  to  .Mich- 
igan and  worked  in  the  copper  mines  there  until 
1890.  During  this  time  he  had  worked  faith- 
fully and  industriously,  and  found  in  that  year 
that  he  had  saved  enough  money  to  return  to 
Italy  to  claim  the  young  lady  who  had  con- 
sented to  he  his  wife.  Mary  Configliaeeo,  whom 
he  bad  left  there  and  who  had  patiently  awaited 
his  return.  Immediately  after  their  marriage 
they  returned  to  Coal  City,  and  Mr.  Veronda 
again  entered  the  mines.  In  1S91,  when  the 
village  of  Carbon  Hill  was  established,  he  moved 
to  this  point,  where  he  has  since  resided  with 
bis  family.  He  was  chosen  as  Carbon  Hill's 
second  postmaster  in  1S97,  and  has  acted  in  this 
capacity  to  the  present  time,  has  served  one 
term  as  assessor  of  Felix  Township,  has  been 
supervisor  six  years,  has  been  a  member  of 
the  board  of  trustees  of  Carbon  Hill,  ami  at 
the  present  time  is  county  agent  for  Grundy 
County.  He  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  charter 
member  of  the  Odd  Fellows,  the  White  Tie 
and  the  Christopher  Columbus  lodges,  in  all 
of  which  he  is  very  popular.  He  has  had  some 
misfortune,  however.  On  .Tune  12.  1913.  while 
he  was  in  Wisconsin  to  get  his  brother,  his 
business  place  and  the  postoftice  were  burned, 
causing  a  heavy  loss.     Mr.  ATeronda  had  one  of 

.  the  most  beautiful  homes  of  the  city. 

Mrs.  Veronda  died  in  February,  1912.  in   the 

/  faith  of  the  Catholic  Church,  and  was  laid 
to  rest  in  the  Cemetery  at  Braidwood,  111.  She 
had  been  the  mother  of  seven  children:  Mau- 
rice; Frances;  Louis,  who  died  at.  the  age  of 
two  years;  William;  Edward;  Elsie;  and  Eva, 
who  died  in  infancy. 


VERONDA,  Louis  (deceased).— Among  the  men 
who  have  won  their  way  to  the  front  in  Grundy 
County  through  the  medium  of  their  own  efforts, 
Louis  Veronda  holds  a  deservedly  hL'li  place. 
In  the  capacity  of  city  treasurer  of  Coal  City, 
111.,  he  is  showing  himself  possessed  of  exec- 
utive ability  as  well  as  high  ideals  in  regard  to 
the  duties  of  citizenship,  while  in  business  cir- 
cles here  he  has  been  known  for  ten  years  as  an 
agent  for  all  the  leading  steamship  companies. 
Mr.  Veronda  was  born  in  Italy,  January  21, 
1S71,  and  died  June  12,  1913. 

Like  many  others  of  his  countrymen,  who 
could  in  their  own  land  see  but  years  of  toil 
ahead  of  them,  with  but  little  opportunity  for 
gaining  more  than  a  modest  livelihood,  Mr. 
Veronda  decided  to  try  his  fortunes  in  the 
United  States,  and  accordingly  emigrated  to 
this  country  in  1S93.  In  his  native  land  he 
had  attended  the  public  schools  and  had  been 
a  miner,  and  this  vocation  he  adopted  in  his 
new  surroundings,  at  once  securing  employ- 
ment in  the  mines  of  Carbon  Hill.  111.  By 
the  year  1901  he  had  accumulated  enough  cap- 
ital to  establish  himself  in  the  saloon  busi- 
ness, and  subsequently  he  was  identified  also 
with  the  ice  ami  sawdust  business,  and  finally 
became  an  agent  for  the  leading  steamboat 
lines,  being  thus  engaged  at  the  time  of  death. 
He  made  a  success  of  Ids  ventures  ami  invested 
his  means  in  real  estate  and  owned  ICO  acres 
of  good  farming  land  in  Horton  County.  North 
Dakota,  as  well  as  some  valuable  city  lots  in 
Gary.  Ind.  For  ten  years  he  acted  in  the 
capacity  of  notary  public  and  participated 
actively  in  all  movements  of  his  fellow  citi- 
zens. A  Republican  in  his  political  views  on 
national  affairs,  in  city  and  county  matters  he 
was  liberal.  In  1913  he  was  appointed  city 
treasurer  of  Coal  City,  and  this  position  he 
continued  to  occupy  for  one  year,  giving  gen- 
eral  satisfaction  to  all  concerned.  lie  was  a 
stockholder  and  director  in  the  Illinois  Aero 
Construction  Company.  Fraternally  he  was 
connected  with  the  Foresters  of  America,  in 
which  he  was  chief  ranger,  the  Italian  Society 
of  the  White  Tie,  the  Christopher  Columbus 
Society,  in  which  he  was  a  leader,  and  the 
Alpina,  of  which  he  was  an  honorary  member. 

In  1S9S  Mr.  Veronda  was  married  to  Miss 
Eva  Querio.  who  was  born  at  Braidwood, 
Grundy  County,  111..  August  21,  1S82,  and  to 
this  union  there  were  born  three  children : 
Andrew,  horn  August  1.  1909;  Louis,  born  June 
21,  1901;  and  Katie,  born  January  .13,  1905. 

VILT,  John  K.— The  substitution  of  the  auto- 
mobile for  horse  drawn  vehicles  has  given  rise 
to  many  new  and  varied  branches  of  business, 
anions  them  being  the  caring  for  these  costly 
cars  and  supplying  the  owners  as  well  with 
supplies  of  different  kinds.  In  a  section  like 
Grundy  County,  where  the  roads  are  admi- 
rably adapted  for  automobile  traveling,  there  is 
a  constantly  increasing  demand  for  first  class 
repairing  of  this  class.  This  being  the  case,  a 
man   of  the  enterprise  and   mechanical   ability 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


915 


of  John  K.  Vilt  of  Coal  City,  111.,  finds  plenty 
of  opportunity  to  conduct  a  flourishing  business 
in  auto  repairing,  vulcanizing  and  handling 
notions  and  supplies,  while  at  the  same  time 
he  acts  us  agent  for  the  Indian  motorcycle  and 
automobiles. 

John  K.  Vilt  was  born  in  Bohemia,  March 
10,  1SS5,  and  the  following  year  was  brought 
to  Coal  City,  111.,  by  his  parents.  The  father 
found  employment  in  the  mines  at  this  point, 
hut  being  crippled  in  his  work,  he  died  in  1911. 
His  wife  passed  away  in  1S92,  and  both  are 
buried  at  Coal  City.  They  had  the  following 
children:  Joseph,  who  is  deceased;  Mary; 
Anna;  John  K..  and  one  who  died  unnamed  in 
infancy.  Growing  up  in  Coal  City,  Mr.  Vilt 
attended  the  locai  schools,  and  at  an  early  age 
began  working  in  the  mines  as  a  digger.  Care- 
fully saving  his  money,  in  190S  he  was  able 
to  start  in  business  for  himself.  In  order  to 
fit  himself  for  his  work,  he  took  a  course  in 
automobile  repairing  at  Chicago,  and  so  is  pre- 
pared to  attend  to  any  kind  of  work  that  comes 
his  way.  His  handsome  new  garage  is  the  finest 
in  this  locality,  and  his  patrons  appreciate 
the  advantages  it  offers.  In  1906  Mr.  Vilt 
married  Antonia  Kal'ton,  who  was  horn  at 
Braidwood,  111.,  November  4,  1SS5.  Four  chil- 
dren have  resulted  from  this  union  :  Edward, 
Barbara,  Josie  and  John.  Mr.  Vill  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Catholic  Church,  while  in  fraternal 
matters  he  belongs  to  the  Bohemian  lodge  and 
the  Foresters.  He  is  very  liberal  in  his  polit- 
ical  views  and  is  one  of  the  leading  young 
business  men  of  Coal  City  who  certainly  de- 
serves tile  prosperity   which   has  attended  him. 

WALKER,  Albert  D.,  a  prosperous  retired 
farmer  of  Morris,  is  a  representative  agricultur- 
alist of  Grundy  County,  who,  throughout  his 
life,  has  believed  in  hard  work  and  thrifty  sav- 
ing. Mr.  Walker  was  born  at  Sandgate,  Vt., 
May  9.  1851,  son  of  Daniel  P.  and  Flora  S.  (Ran- 
dall) Walker,  natives  of  Vermont.  In  1S71  the 
family  came  to  Lisbon,  II!..  and  spent  the  winter. 
In  the  spring  of  1N72  removal  was  made  to  a 
farm  which  the  father  had  purchased  in  Sara- 
toga Township.  This  property  he  farmed  until 
1SS7,  when  lie  moved  to  Morris,  where  he  lived 
retired  until  his  death,  in  February.  1001,  just 
a  year  after  the  demise  of  his  wife. 

Albert  D.  Walker  attended  the  public  schools 
of  his  neighborhood  and  the  seminary  at  Man- 
chester, Vt.,  and  remained  with  his  parents 
until  his  marriage,  following  which  he  oper- 
ated his  father's  farm  for  three  years.  He 
then  spent  two  years  in  Ford  County,  III.,  but 
returning,  took  jvossossion  of  his  father's  estate, 
of  which  he  eventually  received  1S2  acres,  which 
he  still  owns,  although  he  retired  from  the  farm 
in  1007  and  now  resides  at  Morris,  renting  his 
property. 

On  April  2.",,  1SS2,  Mr.  Walker  was  married 
to  Cora  L.  Gifford,  born  in  Felix  Township, 
daughter  of  II.  C.  and  Sarah  J.  (Gibson)  Gif- 
ford, natives  of  New  Jersey  and  Huron  County, 
Ohio,  and  died  January  31,  1013.     Mr.  and  Mrs. 


Gifford  were  married  in  the  latter  locality,  but 
in  1850  went  to  California.  He  was  a  shoe- 
maker by  trade,  but  when  lie  came  back  from 
California  and  as  far  east  as  Morris,  he  worked 
on  the  canal  for  several  years.  Following  this 
he  conducted  a  grocery  store  for  a  time,  then 
sold  and  retired,  dying  at  Morris,  February  17, 
10(i7.  his  wife  having  passed  away  in  18SG. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walker  are  the  parents  of  two 
children:  Addie  May,  now  Mrs.  Charles  L. 
Sanderson  of  Morris  and  have  one  child,  Mar- 
jorie.  born  February  21.  1909;  and  Mabel,  who 
married  Arthur  Sanderson,  also  of  Morris,  and 
they  have  one  son.  born  in  March,  101-1,  whom 
they  have  named  Edward  Dwight.  Mr.  Walker 
is  a  Republican  and  has  served  as  road  commis- 
sioner of  Saratoga  Township.  He  belongs  to 
the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  of  Morris 
and  to  the  Lincoln  Club,  while  his  religious  aflil- 
iations  are  with  the  Methodist  Church.  A  man 
of  strong  convictions  and  willing  to  live  up  to 
them,  Mr.  Walker  is  respected  for  his  opinions 
and  his  strictly  upright  life. 

WALKER,  Eddie  Webster.— Experience  has 
taught  some  of  the  most  progressive  of  the 
Grundy  County  agriculturalists  that  the  best 
results  are  attained  through  specializing  along 
certain  lines.  One  of  the  men  who  has  devoted 
himself  to  raising  tine  cattle  and  horses  is  Eddie 
Webster  Walker,  owner  of  2^0  acres  of  good 
land  in  Mazon  Township.  His  family  history  is 
given  at  length  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  Mr. 
Walker  has  three  stallions,  one  a  rercheron 
and  the  other  two  Belgian,  and  their  product 
is  famed  all  over  the  country.  He  exhibits  not 
only  at  the  Grundy  County  fairs,  but  at  the 
International  Stock  Shows.  In  addition  to  his 
noted  horses,  he  breeds  and  raises  Shorthorn 
cattle,  and  has  a  fine  bull.  His  property,  is 
known  as  the  Recherche  Stock  Farm.  In  addi- 
tion to  the  land  he  owns,  Mr.  Walker  rents  addi- 
tional land,  operating  in  all  S00  acres. 

In  18S5  Mr.  Walker  married  Miss  Myrtle  II. 
Keepers,  born  in  Ohio,  who.  at  one  year  of  age 
came  with  her  parents  to  make  their  home  in 
Grundy  County.  111.  Mr.  and  Mis.  Walker 
have  had  five  children,  of  whom  three  sons 
have  grown  to  young  manhood.  They  are: 
Floyde  Eddie  Walker,  who  married  Miss  Myrtle 
E.  Svmons.  daughter  of  S.  I'..  Svnions  of  Mazon, 
111.:  Myr  J.  Walker;  and  Ollie  L.  Walker.  The 
married  son.  Floyde  E.,  has  his  own  home  on 
the  farm,  and  Myr  J.  and  Ollie  L.  are  with 
their  father  and  all  together  they  comprise  the 
firm  of  E.  W.  Walker  &  Sons,  proprietors  of 
Recherche  Stock  Farm,  Mazon,  111. 

Mr.  Walker  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Church 
and  gives  it  a  liberal  support.  Fraternally  he 
belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America, 
lie  has  served  on  the  Tloanl  of  Education,  and 
has  been  instrumental  in  securing  good  schools 
for  his  district.  Recent  public  events  have 
made  him  a  Progressive  in  politics,  and  he  is 
an  ardent  supporter  of  the  principles  involved 
in  that  movement.  A  man  of  advanced  ideas, 
Mr.  Walker  lias  taken  advantage  of  every  oppor- 


9.16 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


tmiity  to  aid  him  In  his  operations,  and  has  the 
best  equipped  farm  in  Ma/.on  Township.  As 
is  but  natural,  his  authority  upon  stock  breed- 
ing matters  is  unquestioned,  and  his  example 
is  followed  by   many  less  enterprising  than  lie. 

WALKER,  Isaac  Benson.- — The  farms  of 
Grundy  County  show  evidences  of  careful  cul- 
tivation and  modern  improvements  and  this 
accounts  in  part  for  the  banner  crops  raised 
in  this  locality.  One  of  the  men  who  has  been 
more  than  ordinarily  successful  along  agricul- 
tural lines  is  Isaac  Benson  Walker,  owner  of 
2G0  acres  of  fertile  land  in  Good  Farm  Town- 
ship, on  which  he  carries  on  general  farming 
and  the  raising  of  cattle  and  horses.  He  was 
born  in  Monroe  County.  Ohio.  January  K>,  lSoo, 
a  son  of  Lazendy  and  Ann  (Clithero)  Walker. 
both  natives  of  Monroe  County,  Ohio,  where 
the  father  was  a  farmer  until  coming  to  Grundy 
County,  111.,  in  1S5S.  Here  he  bought  eighty 
acres  of  land  in  Mazon  Township,  and  culti- 
vated it  until  his  enlistment  at  Morris.  111.,  for 
service  during  the  Civil  War.  He  died  in 
service  in  1SG3  and  is  buried  at  Brownsville, 
Tex.,  in  the  Soldiers"  cemetery  at  that  point. 
His  widow  died  at  Ma/.on.  111.,  in  1904.  These 
parents  had  six  children:  William  D. ;  Janie, 
who  died  in  infancy;  and  Isaac,  Thomas  \Y.. 
Edward    W„   and    Oliver. 

Isaac  Benson  Walker  was  roared  on  the  farm 
and  received  but  little  educational  advantages. 
When  he  was  fifteen  years  old  his  mother 
bought  a  team  of  horses  and  lie  began  operating 
her  eighty  acres.  When  he  was  twenty-seven 
years  old,  having  been  assisting  her  all  this 
while,  he  began  working  for  himself,  and  in 
1S91  was  able  to  buy  his  present  farm.  Since 
coming  into  possession  of  it  he  has  tiled  it. 
built  a  beautiful  brick  residence  and  other 
buildings,  the  estate  now  looking  like  a  small 
village,  and  being  one  of  the  finest  places  in 
the  county. 

On  November  2,  1SS1,  Mr.  Walker  married 
Ilattie  Williams,  of  Morris,  111.,  and  they  have 
four  children:  Morris  W.,  Anna  Preston,  Rus- 
sell and  Louise.  Mr.  Walker  belongs  to  the 
Methodist  Church.  His  fraternal  connections 
are  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America, 
while  in  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  served 
as  school  director  for  twenty  years.  He  is  one 
of  the  most  advanced  of  the  agriculturalists  in 
his  township  and  his  success  has  been  attained 
through  intelligent  work  and  wise  investments. 

WALKER,  Thomas  Wilbur.— The  agricultural 
possibilities  of  Grundy  County  are  not  to  be 
overlooked,  for  here  are  offered  unusual  oppor- 
tunities to  the  progressive  farmer  if  he  under- 
stands how  to  take  advantage  of  them.  One 
of  the  men  who  has  done  this  is  Thomas  Wil- 
bur Walker,  who  is  operating  21.">  acres  of 
land  in  Ma/.on  Township.  lie  was  born  in  this 
county  in  lS.r>9,  and  alter  attending  the  local 
schools,  began  farming  for  himself,  and  now 
raises  corn  and  oats  and  feeds  and  ships  stock 
to  the  market. 


In  1S7!>  Mr.  Walker  was  married  to  Martha 
Preston,  and  they  hail  a  daughter,  Maud  Ely. 
Mis.  Walker  died  eleven  months  after  mar- 
riage. In  I8S7  Mr.  Walker  married  (second) 
Florence  Beckworth,  born  in  Will  County,  111. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walker  became  the  parents  of  two 
children:  Albert  G.  and  Helen,  both  of  whom 
are  at  home.  Politically  Mr.  Walker  is  a  Re- 
publican, and  has  been  School  Treasurer  of 
Mazon  Township  for  four  years,  and  a  School 
Director  for  the  same  length  of  time.  The 
Congregational  Church  holds  his  membership. 
His  fraternal  relations  are  with  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America  and  the  Royal  Neighbors. 
A  man  who  faithfully  endeavors  to  conscien- 
tiously perform  the  duties  which  lie  nearest  to 
hand,  he  has  made  a  position  for  himself  in  his 
community  ami  holds  the  universal  respect  of 
those  with   whom  he   is  associated. 

WALLIN,  Fritz. — The  modern  farmer  is  a  man 
of  many  plans  and  enterprising  methods  or 
else  he  would  not  succeed  in  this  day  of  strong 
competition  and  struggle  for  survival  of  the 
fittest.  In  the  conduct  of  his  farm  the  Grundy 
County  agriculturalist  in  particular  strives  to 
use  the  same  systematic  rules  which  apply  in 
any  other  line  of  business,  with  the  result  that 
he  ranks  high  among  those  of  his  class  in  the 
country.  One  of  these  enterprising  and  emi- 
nently successful  farmers  of  Grundy  County 
is  v  Fritz  Wallin.  owner  of  1G0  acres  of  fertile 
land  in  Maine  Township,  on  which  he  is  carry- 
ing on  general  farming. 

Frit/.  Wallin  was  born  in  Sweden  in  1SG1,  a 
son  of  Andrew  and  Oustava  Wallin.  farming 
people  of  Sweden  who  never  left  their  native 
land,  where  the  mother  died  in  1906  and  the 
father  in  190S.  They  had  the  following  chil- 
dren: Edwin,  who  died  at  Rockford,  111.; 
Alfred,  who  was  accidentally  killed  by  a  street 
car  in  Chicago.  October  11,  1913;  Fritz,  Fred 
and  Axel.  Growing  up  in  Sweden  Fritz  Wallin 
attended  the  local  schools  and  learned  farming. 
In  1SS0,  deciding  that  there  were  not  enough 
opportunities  offered  at  home,  he  left  Sweden 
for  the  United  States  and  first  located  at  Brace- 
ville,  111.,  Grundy  County,  where  he  was  em- 
ployed in  the  coal  mines,  but  as  he  desired  to 
become  a  farmer  in  ISM"  he  rented  land  in 
Maine  Township,  and  in  1008  was  able  to  buy 
bis  present  farm  which  he  has  since  operated. 

In  1S90  Mr.  Wallin  married  Christine  Olseu, 
and  they  have  eight  children  :  Ethel,  who  died 
in  infancy;  Ida  Burns,  Arthur,  Esther,  Ruth, 
Fred,  Elsie  and  William.  Mr.  Wallin  belongs 
to  the  Methodist  Church.  Politically  he  is  a 
Republican,  while  in  fraternal  matters  he  affil- 
iates with  the  Knights  of  Pythias  at  Brace- 
ville. 

WALSH,  Maurice  Patrick,  manager  of  what  is 
known  as  the  old  Dr.  Palmer  farm,  in  Mazon 
Township,  is -doing  a  tine  business  as  an  agricul- 
turalist for  he  thoroughly  understands  his  work 
and  how  to  get  the  best  results  from  his  land. 
He    was   born    in    Highland    Township,    Grundy 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


<>r 


County,  in  issi;,  a  sou  of  Nick  and  Hello 
(Ilinch)  Walsh.  Nick  Walsh  was  born  in 
Grundy  County  and  for  years  was  an  agricul- 
turalist of  this  region,  but  is  now  living  retired 
at  Morris,  111.  These  parents  had  seven  chil- 
dren :  Philip.  Maurice  Patrick,  Roy,  Amies,  Joe, 
Robert  and  George. 

Maurice  Patrick  Walsh  grew  up  amid  health- 
ful rural  surroundings  on  his  lather's  home- 
stead and  attended  the  local  schools,  and  also 
a  business  college  for  a  few  months.  After 
leaving  school  he  worked  for  the  Telephone 
Company  of  Chicago  for  a  year,  and  for  another 
year  was  with  a  threshing  outfit  that  worked 
throughout  Grundy  County.  In  March  It'll',  ho 
took  charge  of  his  present  farm,  which  became 
the  property  of  Mrs.  Walsh  on  the  death  of  Dr. 
Palmer,  in' June,  1012.  Mr.  Walsh  feeds  and 
ships  cattle  and  raises  horses  and  hogs,  and 
does  a   large  business. 

In  1910  Mr.  Walsh  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Louise  Palmer,  of  Morris.  111.,  daughter  of 
A.  E.  Palmer.  Mr.  Walsh  is  liberal  in  politics, 
experience  having  convinced  him  that  it  is  bet- 
ter to  vote  for  the  best  man  than  to  be  tied 
down  by  party  lines.  A  man  of  enterprise,  in- 
dustrious and  thrifty,  Mr.  Walsh  has  succeeded 
in  everything  he  has  attempted,  and  stands 
high  in  the  estimation  of  his  neighbors  and 
business   associates. 

WALSH,  Thomas  A. — From  our  friendly  and 
peaceable  neighbors  to  the  north,  the  Cana- 
dians, the  United  States  is  indebted  for  some 
of  its  best  citizens,  for  it  is  rare,  indeed,  that 
the  individual  born  on  Canadian  soil  fails  to 
prove  a  thrifty  and  valuable  addition  to  the 
community  in  which  he  locates  on  coming  to  this 
country.  In  this  class  is  Thomas  A.  Walsh,  a 
retired  citizen  of  Grundy  County,  111.,  who  for 
more  than  a  half  a  century  has  been  a  resi- 
dent of  Vienna  Township.  Mr.  Walsh  was  horn 
in  Lower  Canada,  November  12,  1S35,  and  is  a 
son  of  Robert  T.  and  Elizabeth  (McKeown) 
Walsh.  His  parents,  natives  of  Ireland,  were 
married  there,  and  shortly  thereafter  emigrated 
to  Canada,  where  the  father  was  first  a  book- 
keeper and  later  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits. 

Thomas  A.  Walsh  received  ordinary  educa- 
tional advantages  and  was  reared  to  agricul- 
tural pursuits,  remaining  with  Ids  parents  until 
reaching  the  age  of  twenty-three  years.  At 
that  time  he  came  to  Kendall  County.  111.,  and 
commenced  working  as  a  farm  hand,  but  in 
ISfiO  moved  to  Mazon,  111.,  and  with  his  cousin. 
John  Hamilton,  engaged  in  operations  on  his 
own  account.  In  ls<;2  Mr.  Walsh  purchased 
320  acres  in  Vienna  Township,  with  a  partner, 
whose  interests  he  bought  one  year  later,  and 
also  added  sixty  acres  to  the  original  purchase. 
During  the  years  that  followed  he  became  an 
extensive  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  and  was 
known  throughout  this  section  as  a  sub- 
stantial and  energetic  citizen.  A  severe  attack 
of  asthma,  however,  in  1Ss2,  caused  his  retire- 
ment, and  since  that  time  the  operations  on  the 


home  place  have  been  carried  on  by  his  sons. 
Mr.  Walsh  is  possessed  of  an  enviable  reputa- 
tion for  integrity  and  fair  dealing,  for  public 
spirit  and   for   generosity. 

On  March  30,  1SGS,  Mr.  Walsh  was  married 
to  Miss  Priscilla  Ward,  who  was  born  January 
11,  1S45,  in  Oneida  County,  N.  Y..  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Harriet  (Fellingham)  Ward, 
natives  of  County  Suffolk,  England.  They  came 
to  Kendall  County,  111.,  in  1847,  and  to  Mazon 
Township.  Grundy  County,  in  1852,  and  here 
passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  The  chil- 
dren born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walsh  were  as  fol- 
lows: Elizabeth,  who  became  the  wife  of  Fred 
F>ix,  of  Vienna  Township;  William,  a  resident 
of  Verona.  111.,  married  Daisy  Foster;  Mar- 
garet, who  married  George  Beal,  of  Verona.  111.; 
Jessie,  who  married  Frank  Ransley,  of  Vienna 
Township;  Hugh,  of  Alberta,  Canada;  Edmund 
C,  residing  with  his  parents,  who  was  married 
in  June,  1912,  by  Rev.  II.  E.  Ketchum,  to  Iva 
Finch,  and  they  have  one  daughter,  Mary  E. ; 
Mary  E.,  who  died  January  14.  1S7S  ;*  and 
George,  who  died  September  11,  1891. 

WALSH,  William  E.,  M.D.,  was  horn  near 
Montreal.  Canada,  in  September,  1SG7,  a  son 
of  George  and  Janet  (Bryson)  Walsh,  of  Irish 
and  Scotch  descent,  respectively.  His  father 
was  a  farmer  who  died  when  William  E.  was 
about  eight  years  old.  His  mother  still  resides 
at  Ormstown.  Quebec. 

The  early  training  of  Dr.  Walsh  was  secured 
in  the  Canadian  common  schools  and  an  acad- 
emy. When  fourteen  years  of  acre  he  helped 
to  take  charge  of  a  general  store  and  saw- 
mill, where  he  worked  for  three  years.  After 
this  he  attended  McGill  University,"  in  Montreal. 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1SD2.  when  he 
came  to  Morris  and  entered  into  a  general  prac- 
tice, since  then  becoming  one  of  the  leading 
physicians  in   Grundy   County. 

In  1S94  Dr.  Walsh  was  married  to  Mrs.  Edith 
(Cryder)  Wilson,  widow  of  Charles  Wilson. 
After  her  death  Dr.  Walsh  was  married.  June 
1,  1898,  to  Emeline  Nelson,  daughter  of  John 
and  Mary  ("Campbell)  Nelson,  natives  of  Ohio. 
Dr.  Walsh  has  three  children:  Mariorie.  Anita 
and  Edmund,  in  his  church  connection  Dr. 
Walsh  is  a  Presbyterian;  in  politics  he  is  inde- 
pendent. He  is  a  Knight  Templar,  a  Knight  of 
Pythias  and  a  Modern  Woodman.  In  1913  Dr. 
Walsh  was  elected  mayor  of  the  city  of  Mor- 
ris on  the  Citizens'  ticket  with  the  law  and 
order  platform.  He  is  deeply  interested  in  all 
public  movements  and  is  one  of  the  closest 
scientific  students  in  Morris.  He  made  a  care- 
ful study  of  the  disease  known  as  milk  sickness 
and  discovered  a  remedy,  which  so  far  has 
proven  a  cure  in  all  cases  of  this  once  deadly 
disease.  His  patented  window  tent,  a  device 
for  use  in  sleepimr  in  the  fresh  air  during  cold 
weather,  is  now  shipped  to  and  used  in  all  parts 
of  the  world. 

WARD,  Samuel.— If  Grundy  County  had  no 
other  interests  save  those  connected  with  agri- 


918 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


culture,  it  would  still  lie  a  prosperous  locality, 
for  it  is  so  preeminently  fitted  for  farming 
and  stock  raising:  that  the  majority  of  its  pros- 
perous men  arc  interested  along  those  lines  in 
one  way  or  another.  One  of  those  who  has 
made  a  success  of  his  work'  as  an  agriculturalist 
is  Samuel  Ward,  of  Vienna  Township.  He  was 
born  in  Suffolk,  England,  January  1,  1SG3,  a 
son  of  John  and  Hannah  (Elwood)  Ward  of 
the  same  place.  The  mother  died  in  1909,  and 
the  father  in  1011. 

Samuel  Ward  was  somewhat  hampered  in  the 
beginning  of  his  business  career  by  the  fact  that 
he  had  not  been  given  a  fair  amount  of  school- 
ing, but  as  time  went  on  he  remedied  this  by 
observation  and  experience.  Chi  October  3, 
1883,  he  landed  in  New  York  City,  from  whence 
he  came  to  Verona,  111.,  and  for  five  years 
worked  out  by  the  month,  in  Vienna  Township. 
By  this  time  he  had  saved  sufficient  money  to 
justify  him  in  renting  the  farm  he  now  occu- 
pies, and  in  Juno,  1906,  he  bought  it.  This 
property  comprises  14-~>  acres  mi  which  lie  has 
eroded  the  greater  part  of  the  buildings  and 
made  many  other  necessary  improvements.  Mr. 
Ward  carries  on  grain  farming  and  raises  cat- 
tle and  hogs,  experience  having  proven  that  his 
land  is  best  adapted  to  these  products. 

On  March  15,  1SSS,  Mr.  Ward  married  Louisa 
Finch,  horn  in  Vienna  Township,  August  30, 
1802,  a  daughter  of  George  and  Martha  (Rum- 
ney)  Finch,  natives  of  England.  Mr.  Finch  is 
deceased,  but  his  widow,  surviving,  resides  at 
Verona.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ward  are  the  parents  of 
the  following  children:  George,  horn  Decem- 
ber 24,  1SS9,  married,  December  10,  1913,  Mary 
B.  Fleming;  Laura,  born  January  10.  l.Mi2:  Until 
I.,  born  August  1G.  1SS5,  died  April  4,  1911,  and 
is  buried  in  the  Ward  cemetery  near  Verona  : 
and  Lawrence,  born  September  12,  1SSS,  lives 
at  home. 

WARNING,  Chris. — Experience  has  taught  some 
of  the  modern  agriculturalists  of  Grundy  County 
that  it  pays  to  specialize  on  stock  raising.  The 
conditions  in  this  locality  are  particularly  good 
for  this  class  of  work,  and  results  are  such  as 
to  encourage  others  to  embark  in  the  same  line. 
One  of  the  men  who  is  achieving  more  than  or- 
dinary success  in  raising  Jersey  cattle  and 
Belgiati  horses  is  Chris  Warning,  of  Norman 
Township.  lie  was  born  in  Green  Garden  Town- 
ship, Will  County.  111.,  March  22,  1877,  a  son  of 
Henry  and  Sophia  (Burmeister)  Warning,  na- 
tives of  Germany.  Henry  Warning  came  to 
Will  County  when  he  was  twenty-one  years  old, 
and  Miss  Burmeister  a  year  later,  and  they 
were  married  and  settled  in  Will  County.  Until 
1880  the  father  rented  land  there,  in  that  year 
coming  to  Norman  Township,  Grundy  County, 
where  he  bought  100  acres  of  land  on  which  he 
carried  on  general  farming  until  1899,  when  he 
retired  and  moved  to  Morris.  This  continued 
to  be  bis  home  until  1910,  when  he  went  to 
Ottawa,  where  he  still  resides.  Henry  Warning 
lost  his  wife  on  June  19,  1000,  and  in  1011  he 
married  a   Mrs.  Frost.     By  his  first  marriage, 


Mr.    Warning    had    two    children:    Henry,    who 
lives  in  Chicago,  and  Chris. 

As  he  grew  up  on  his  father's  farm,  Chris 
Warning  was  sent  to  the  local  schools,  a  Ger- 
man school  at  Frankford,  and  was  taught  farm- 
ing on  the  homestead.  He  remained  at  home 
until  his  marriage,  in  1000.  At  that  time  he 
began  working  in  the  Morris  sawmill,  hut  after 
six  months,  went  to  Ottawa,  where,  for  four 
years  he  had  charge  of  some  high  grade  horses. 
In  1905,  .Mr.  Warning  moved  on  his  father's 
homestead  where  he  has  since  resided,  carrying 
on  general  farming  and  specializing  on  the  rais- 
ing of  registered  Jersey  cattle  "and  Belgian 
horses. 

On  June  12,  1900,  Mr.  Warning  was  married 
to  Marion  Keeler,  horn  in  Grand  Island  County, 
Vt„  April  2,  1S7S,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Sarah 
(Martin)  Keeler.  natives  of  Connecticut  and 
Grand  Island  County,  Vt,  respectively.  The 
paternal  grandparents.  Clark  and  Harriet 
(Beers)  Keeler.  were  born  in  Connecticut,  while 
the  maternal  grandparents,  Lyman  and  Fannie 
(Ames)  Martin,  were  horn  in  Grand  Island 
County,  Vt.,  and  Colchester.  X.  II.,  respectively. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Warning  have  had  the  following 
children:  Clara,  horn  October  24,  1002;  and 
Harry  Edgar,  horn  August  10,  lOOo.  Mr.  Warn- 
ing is  a  member  of  the  German  Lutheran  Church, 
and  Mrs.  Warning  of  the  Baptist.  He  is  in- 
dependent in  his  political  views.  Fraternallv, 
he  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias  No.  3.~>7  of 
Morris,  111.,  and  to  Shabbona  Lodge  of  the 
Gleaners  of  Wanponsee.  The  family  is  well 
and  favorably  known  throughout  Grundy 
County. 

WASHBURN,  Frank  M.— Any  branch  of  indus- 
trial endeavor  that  has  for  its  object  the  pro- 
viding of  food-stuffs  for  the  masses,  is  sure  to 
he  profitable,  provided  it  be  conducted  eco- 
nomically and  sensibly.  The  market  for  eggs 
and  dressed  poultry  is  always  active,  and  high 
prices  are  paid  for  first-class  articles.  One  of 
the  men  who  has  become  a  well  known  figure 
in  business  along  this  line  in  Grundy  County,  is 
Frank  M.  Washburn  of  Morris.  He  was  born 
at  Morris,  111..  September  30,  1801.  a  son  of 
Charles  F.  and  Martha  (Lyons)  Washburn,  both 
natives  of  the  Empire  State.  They  married 
there  and  about  1850  came  to  Morris,  111.,  where, 
for  some  time  Charles  F.  Washburn  was  inter- 
ested in  farming,  but  later  became  a  dealer  and 
shipper  of  poultry,  and  in  conjunction  with  his 
poultry  business,  he  operated  a  grocery  during 
the  sixties.  He  also  owned  a  boat  that  he  oper- 
ated on  the  canal  for  many  years,  and  for 
twenty  years,  alternated  working  on  the  canal 
in  the  summers  and  conducting  his  poultry  busi- 
ness in  the  winters.  His  first  wife  died  in 
1SS7,  and  he  married  again,  and  survived  his 
second  wife.  In  1000,  his  useful  life  came  to 
an  end.  and  Morris  lost  one  of  its  worthy  citi- 
zens. He  was  the  father  of  three  sons:  George 
and  Frank  M.,  both  of  Morris,  and  Adelbert 
of  Lisbon,  111. 

As    Frank    M.    Washburn    worked    with    his 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


919 


practical  father  during  boyhood  ami  youth  he 
learned  the  poultry  business  thoroughly,  so  that 
when  he  assumed  full  control,  he  knew  how  to 
continue  it  profitably.  He  buys  poultry  and 
eggs  and  ships  dressed  poultry  to  eastern  mar- 
kets. On  December  3,  ISSa,  Mr.  Washburn 
married  Violet  Washburn,  whose  death  occurred 
April  7,  190S,  her  burial  being  in  Evergreen 
cemetery.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Charles  and 
Jane  (Reasley)  Washburn,  natives  of  Illinois. 
Mrs.  Washburn  was  hern  in  Morris,  and  both 
she  and  her  husband  attended  the  public 
schools.  They  had  the  following  children:  Earl, 
Russell,  Zella,  Mrs.  Noble  Sampson,  Franklin 
and  Vera.  The  family  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Church  and  Mr.  Washburn  is  active 
in  church  work,  Politically  he  is  a  Republican, 
and  fraternally  belongs  to  the  Knights  of 
Pythias  and  the  Mystic  Workers.  A  man  of 
energy,  thoroughly  competent  and  reliable,  Mr. 
Washburn  has  steadily  forged  ahead,  and  the 
position  he  now  occupies  has  been  honorably 
earned. 

WEITZ,  George  H.,  whose  large  and  important 
agricultural  interests  make  him  a  representa- 
tive business  man  of  Grundy  County,  owns  4i0 
acres  of  land  in  Eriennn  Township,  on  which 
general  farming  is  earned  on.  and  is  also  the 
lessee  of  numerous  feeding  stations  for  stock. 
George  II.  Weitz  was  bum  in  Henry  County,  111.. 
September  17.  1SC5,  and  i-  a  son  of  Conrad 
and  Mary  (Horchler)  Weitz.  The  parents  were 
natives  of  Germany,  he  of  the  province  of  Sax- 
ony and  she  of  Hesse  Darmstadt.  In  1>.j2 
they  came  to  the  United  States,  living  for  a 
short  period  at  St.  Louis.  Mo.,  and  later,  for 
one  year,  at  Ottawa.  11!..  in  the  latter  part  of 
1S54  settling  permanently  at  Geneseo,  111.,  where 
the  father  became  engaged  in  business  as  a 
contractor  and  builder.  There  Conno.1  Weitz 
died.  April  9.  1S0G.  at  the  age  of  seventy  years. 
his  widow  surviving  until  September,  1906. 
They  had  the  following  children:  Hannah,  who 
is  Mrs.  John  Young,  of  Wabash  County.  Ind. ; 
Louis,  who  is  a  resident  of  Carbon  Cliff.  111.: 
Emma,  who  is  Mrs.  William  Kinney,  of  Chicago, 
111.:  William,  who  is  a  resident  of  Itock  Island. 
111.;  George  II.:  and  Edward,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  seventeen  years. 

George  II.  Weitz  was  reared  at  Geneseo.  Ill- 
attended  the  public  schools  and  took  a  course 
in  bookkeeping  in  a  commercial  college,  and 
afterward  was  connected  with  the  firm  of  J. 
Galligan  &  Co..  the  junior  partner  being  W.  A. 
Remington,  both  members  of  this  firm  now  being 
deceased.  On  July  12.  l's'K).  Mr.  Weitz  became 
interested  in  Stockdale.  as  a  grazing  station 
for  stock,  and  in  the  fall  of  1S92  large  feeding 
barns  for  sheep  were  erected  here.  In  the  same 
year  the  Floral  Fertilizer  Company  was  or- 
ganized, which  was  subsequently  taken  over 
by  the  Stockdale  Fertilizer  Company,  now  do- 
ing business,  which  is  the  fattening  of  sheep 
and  the  feeding  of  them  in  transit.  In  1005 
Mr.  Weitz  became  the  lessee  of  eight  feeding 
stations  on  the  Rock  Island  Railroad.    All  kinds 


of  stoek  are  fed  and  fattened,  but  the  Stock- 
dale  station  is  devoted  exclusively  to  sheep. 
Stockdale  is  located  four  miles  west  of  Morris 
on  the  Rock  Island  Railroad  and  to  carry  on 
the  work  here  a  large  number  of  men  are  em- 
ployed. .Mr.  Weitz  has  made  Morris  his  home 
since  January,  1007. 

On  June  6,  1SS9,  Mr.  Weitz  was  married  to 
Miss  Mary  Hauschild,  who  was  born  in  Hol- 
stein.  Germany,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Mar- 
garet (Brandt)  Hauschild.  The  mother  of  Mrs. 
Weitz  still  lives  in  Germany,  where  the  father 
died  in  March.  1909.  Twin  children  were  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Weitz.  on  October  2--.  1S91, 
Henry  and  Mae.  Mr.  Weitz  and  the  family  at- 
tend the  Congregational  Church.  He  has  always 
been  identified  politically  with  the  Republican 
party.  In  Masonry  Mr.  Weitz  is  prominent,  at 
present  being  Eminent  Commander  of  Flamy 
Commandery,    Knights   Templar. 

WHEELER,  George  E.,  one  of  the  representative 
men  of  Grundy  County  now  living  retired  at 
Mazon,  has  exerted  a  powerful  influence  upon 
the  history  of  his  locality  in  many  ways.  Be- 
fore his  retirement  he  was  one  of  the  leading 
farmers  of  the  county.  The  Wheeler  family, 
of  which  he  is  a  representative,  comes  of  the 
old  Puritan  New  England  stock.  The  rei 
founders  of  the  family  in  America  came  from 
England  in  the  days  of  Puritan  emigration  from 
that  country.  The  following  account  of  the 
genealogy  of  the  family  is  taken  from  a  memo- 
randum left  by  the  late  Henry  H.  Wheeler, 
father  of  George  F.  Wheeler. 

Thomas  Wheeler,  the  great-greatgrandfather 
of  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch,  was 
the  first  of  the  name  of  whom  we  have  any 
record.  He  died  while  returning  from  the 
French  and  Indian  war  at  Fife  Miller  tavern, 
near  Pine  Plains.  Columbia  County,  N.  Y..  Sep- 
tember 1.  1757.  He  is  believed  to  have  had  a 
brother  Solomon  and  they  are  thought  to  have 
lived  at  Woodbury.  Conn.,  until  1740.  Seth 
Wheeler,  a  son  of  Thomas  and  great-grand- 
father of  George  E.  Wheeler,  was  born  Febru- 
ary 22.  1740.  and  was  a  captain  in  the  patriot 
service  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  He  married 
Mary  Treadwell.  born  November  23.  1751,  and 
they  had  children,  as  follows:  Thomas,  born 
September  1.  1770:  Ashbell,  born  August  17. 
1772;  Seth.  Jr..  born  September  3.  177(1;  Mary, 
born  September  2">.  177s.  who  married  S.  Trues- 
dale:  Thomas,  born  January  31.  17S1;  Sarah, 
born  June  10.  17v3.  who  married  John  Trues- 
dale:  Lucy,  born  February  13.  17SG,  who  mar- 
ried John  Gilbert :  Stephen,  born  June  0.  17S9, 
died  May  0.  1S61,  aged  seventy-one  years,  eleven 
months  and  three  days;  Solomon,  born  July  25. 
1703.  died  May  7.  1S52.  Myron  Wheeler,  a  son 
of  Seth.  Jr..  married  Catherine  Roe  and  was 
killed  in  the  battle  of  P.uena  Vista  in  the  Mex- 
ican War.  Stephen,  a  son  of  Seth  Wheeler, 
born  June  6,  17v0.  was  married  March  ■"•".  1*1S. 
to  Maria  Powe'rs,  born  October  20,  17'.'o.  and 
their  children  were  as  follows:  Henry  Harrison, 
born   January   28,   1S20 ;   Mary,    horn    March    x. 


920 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


1822;  Frederick  Powers,  born  Juno  4,  1824; 
Richard  Nelson,  born  February  21,  1S2G ;  John, 
horn   March  25,   1S2S;   Frances,   born    April   10, 

1830,  who  died  February  IS,  1S32 ;  Caroline  F., 
born  February  1,  1S32,  and  died  January  2s, 
1SS9;  Sarah  J.,  born  September  2S,  is:!4,"  who 
died  March  14,  1835;  Franklin,  born  February 
20,  1S30,  who  died  November  24,  1S63 ;  Sarah  J., 
born  July  10,  1S40 ;  Helen  D.  (twin  of  Sarah 
J.),  who  married  Edward  C.  Moody,  November 
20,  1S62,  and  died  June  24,  INTO.  Stephen  died 
May  9,  1S61  :  Maria,  his  wife,  January  4,  1875. 
Henry  Harrison  Wheeler  (a  son  of  Stephen 
and  Maria  (Powers)  Wheeler  and  Amanda  If. 
Simmons  were  married  October  1G,  1s4!t;  Rich- 
ard N.  Wheeler  and  Lucy  J.  Wilson  were  mar- 
ried March  30,  185]  :  Sarah  J.  Wheeler  and 
George  W.  Mersereau  were  married  November 
10,  1S61. 

Maria  Powers,  who  married  Stephen  Wheeler, 
was  the  daughter  of  Frederick  Powers,  who  was 
born    March   31,   17G5,   and    died   December   21, 

1831.  He  married  Ruth  Pennoyer,  who  was 
born  February  2.",.  1707,  and  died  July  10,  1S53. 
The  children  of  Frederick  and  Ruth  (Pennoyer) 
Powers  were  as  follows:  Lucy,  born  October 
4,  1770,  who  died  October  2,  1S03;  David,  born 
May  30,  17;>1.  who  died  August  24.  1S49 ;  Tal- 
bot, born  August  28,  1703.  who  died  November 
28,  1S74;  Maria,  born  October  20.  1790,  who  died 
June  1,  jSTo;  Julia  A.,  born  May  IS,  1707.  who 
died  June  G,  1875;  George,  born  December  27, 
179S,  who  died  September  21,  3803;  Caroline 
F.,  born  March  3.  1801,  xvlio  died  November  9. 
1888;  Lydia,  born  September  10.  1S02,  who  died 
June  19,  1SS3;  William,  born  August  27,  1S04, 
who  died  September  30.  1S05;  Frances  W.,  born 
December  22,  1806;  Charlotte  J.,  horn  Decem- 
ber 22.  1S10. 

Stephen  Wheeler,  grandfather  of  George  E. 
Wheeler,  became  a  farmer,  but  in  early  life  was 
a  carpenter,  lie  owned  a  farm  of  200  acres  in 
Broome  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  died.  Henry  II. 
Wheeler,  a  son  of  Stephen  and  Maria  (Powers) 
Wheeler,  was  born  in  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y., 
January  2S,  1820.  He  received  a  j;ood  educa- 
tion for  the  time,  primarily  in  the  common 
schools,  and  finishing  his  studies  at  Amenia 
seminary,  located  on  his  father's  farm,  in  which 
his  father  was  a  stockholder.  Mr.  Wheeler 
was  throughout  his  life  a  wide  reader  of  good 
books  and  kept  well  up  with  the  times.  He  mar- 
ried, in  Broome  County,  N.  Y.,  October  10, 
1849,  Amanda  Simmons,  who  was  born  Octo- 
ber G,  1S22,  in  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y.,  a 
daughter  of  William  and  Clarissa  (Roe)  Sim- 
mons. William  Simmons  was  born  August  7, 
1785,  in  Dutchess  County.  N.  Y.  He  was  the 
son  of  Nicholas  Simmons,  of  sturdy  Holland- 
Dutch  stock,  and  the  grandson  of  Peter  Sim- 
mons, who  came  from  Holland  in  the  eigh- 
teenth century  anil  settled  in  the  northern 
part  of  Dutchess  County,  or  possibly  in  the  ad- 
joining County  of  Columbia,  New  York.  Nicho- 
las Simmons  married  Katrina  Snyder,  also  of 
Holland-Dutch  stock  and  born  on  the  farm  ad- 
joining  his  father's.     They   had   ten   children : 


Katrina,  William,  Henry,  Anna.  John.  Charity 
Hannah,  Betsy,  Polly  and  Anthony.  Nicholas 
Simmons  lived  to  be  nearly  eighty  years  old 
and  died  in  Broome  County,  New  York.  in 
politics  he  was  a  Democrat.  William  Simmons 
the  father  of  Mrs.  Henry  11.  Wheeler,  was  a 
soldier  in  the  United  States  Army  in  the  War  of 
1812,  and  came  near  death  from  yellow  fever 
while  in  the  service.  He  was  a  prosperous 
farmer,  entirely  a  self-made  man,  of  upright 
character  ami  a  remarkable  physical  constitu- 
tion. He  was  twice  married,  the  first  time  to 
Clarissa  Roe,  in  1S13,  in  the  town  of  North 
Fast,  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y.,  where  she  was 
born  March  7,  171)4,  a  daughter  of  Silas  and 
Mercy  (Harvey)  Roe.  They  settled  on  the 
Roe  farm  in  Dutchess  County,  and  lived  there 
about  ten  years,  and  there  she  died  September 
13,  1S27.  For  his  second  wife,  he  married 
Wealthy  Roe,  her  cousin,  who  bore  him  two 
daughters:  Clarissa,  December  8,  1832;  and 
Laura.  December  31,  1S33.  By  the  first  wife 
(Clarissa  Rue)  there  were  born  five  children. 
The  eldest  of  these,  Harvey  R.,  born  September 
29,  1814,  married  Almira  Marsh,  who  died  Jan- 
uary 2,  1S89.  They  had  two  children  who  lived  : 
Eugene  W..  bom  in  1S40;  and  Rollin,  born  in 
1S4G.  Edward,  the  second  son  of  William  and 
Clarissa  (Roe)  Simmons,  was  born  April  11. 
1S1G,  and  was  twice  married,  first  to  Harriet 
Winehell.  His  second  wife  was  Sarah  (Mead) 
Trowbridge.  There  were  two  children  by  the 
first  marriage:  Alfred,  who  lived  to  be  twenty- 
two  years  of  age;  and  James,  who  died  when 
two  years  old. 

Of  Edward  Simmons  more  than  a  passim; 
notice  should  be  given.  He  lived  at  Millerton, 
Dutchess  County,  N.  Y.,  near  where  he  was 
born,  and  was  one  of  the  oldest  lawyers  in  (hat 
part  of  the  State,  having  reached  the  venerable 
age  of  nkiety  years  when  he  died  in  1905.  He 
was  distinguished  for  his  prominence  at  the 
bar,  his  educational  work  and  for  loner  activ- 
ity in  public  affairs.  In  the  winter  of  1S32-3,  he 
began  teaching  school  in  Lime  Rock,  Conn.,  and 
from  that  time  until  1S4S,  he  followed  that  occu- 
pation with  marked  success.  In  1838-9  he 
taught  a  school  of  a  high  grade  at  Greene. 
Chenango  County.  N.  Y.,  and  from  there  went 
to  Great  Barrington,  Mass.,  teaching  Latin  and 
Greek  and  the  higher  English  branches.  In 
184.3  he  returned  to  Millerton  and  with  Alex- 
ander Winehell,  afterward  prominent  as  a 
geologist  and  long  a  conspicuous  member  of 
the  faculty  of  the  University  of  Michigan, 
opened  a  private  school.  Mr."  Simmons  built 
the  store  in  Millerton  now  occupied  by  James 
Finch,  and  engaged  in  a  general  merchandise 
business  there,  which  he  conducted  twenty-five 
years  and  then  transferred  to  Mr.  Finch,  who 
had  been  his  clerk  for  fifteen  years.  In  1SG7, 
Mr.  Simmons  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  He  has 
been  a  successful  lawyer  and  was  a  member  of 
the  New  York  State  liar  Association  and  ever 
gave  some'  attention  to  legal  matters.  He  was 
the  financial  secretary  of  the  New  York  State 
Constitutional    convention    in    1807,    of    which 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


921 


\Villiftiu  A.  Wheeler  was  the  President  and 
Samuel  .1.  Tilden,  Horace  Greeley  and  other 
well  known  men  of  the  time  were  members.  He 
filled  the  office  of  Supervisor  for  five  terms, 
and  was  the  chairman  of  the  board  for  one 
term,  and  he  was  also  a  member  of  the  com- 
mittee which  appeared  before  the  state  Board 
of  Assessors  and  secured  a  reduction  in  the 
assessment  of  Dutchess  County,  which  in  three 
years  saved  the  taxpayers  $200,000.  lie  was 
an  advocate  of  good  schools  and  favored  every 
local  improvement.  Politically  he  was  a  free- 
soil  Democrat  in  early  years,  but  voted  for  Fre- 
mont in  1850,  and  since  that  time  had  been  a 
Republican.  lie  had  been  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  Church  for  sixty-tour  years,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  (The  above 
sketch  of  Edward  W.  Simmons  was  taken  from 
a    Dutchess    County    [New    York]    newspaper.) 

Julia  A.,  a  daughter  or'  William  and  Clarissa 
(Roe)  Simmons,  was  born  February  5,  1810, 
married  Lewis  W.  Barnes  and  died  in  Sep- 
tember, 1831,  leaving  a  daughter,  Eva  Julia, 
born  August  -1.  184(5.  Amanda,  another  of  their 
daughters,  who  married  Henry  H.  Wheeler. 
will  be  noticed  more  at  length  further  on. 
James  Barlow  Simmons,  the  fifth  and  last  in 
the  family,  was  born  April  IT.  1827,  and  mar- 
ried Mary  Stephens,  and  they  were  the  par- 
ents of  Dr.  Robert  Stephens  Simmons.  William 
Simmons,  the  father  of  the  above  mentioned 
children,  died  in  Dutchess  County.  July  14, 
1808.  Silas  Roe,  the  father  of  Clarissa  (Roe) 
Simmons,  was  an  Englishman  and  a  man  of 
means,  who  owned  a  farm  at  North  East, 
Dutchess  County,  which  contained  300  acres 
valued  at  8100  an  acre.  He  died  on  the  place, 
at  a  venerable  age.  His  children  were  Uzziel, 
Annie.  Jeduthun,  I. aura,  Julia,  Caroline,  Amos, 
Clarissa.  Lyman,  Harvey,  Harmon.  Julia,  Alvah 
and  Amanda. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  II.  Wheeler,  parents  of 
George  E.  Wheeler,  moved  to  Illinois,  in  May, 
1850,  not  long  after  their  marriage.  They  came 
to  Chicago  by  way  of  the  lakes,  and  theme 
penetrated  the  state  as  far  as  Morris.  They 
settled  on  the  farm,  where  the  immediate  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  lived  until  bis  retirement, 
then  consisting  of  ICO  acres,  on  which  had  been 
built  a  double  log  house.  A  small  crop  had  been 
put  in.  Mr.  Wheeler  paid  8300  for  the  place 
and  improved  it  and  made  it  a  good  home  farm. 
In  political  opinion  lie  was  a  stanch  Repub- 
lican, and  one  of  the  original  members  of  the 
party,  having  voted  for  John  C.  Fremont.  As 
a  citizen  he  was  honored,  respected  and  influ- 
ential in  the  township.  A  friend  of  good  schools. 
he  was  for  many  years  a  member  of  the  Board 
of  Education;  and  he  also  held  the  office  of 
assessor  in  his  township,  in  early  life  he  was 
inclined  to  military  affairs  and  held  the  office 
of  lieutenant  in  a  militia  company  in  New- 
York.  He  was  one  of  the  respected  pioneers 
of  Grundy  County  because  of  his  strong,  fear- 
less, outspoken  character  and  his  upright  and 
straightforward  treatment  of  every  one.  An 
old  neighbor  said  of  him :  "He  was  always  hon- 

20 


est  and  fair.  He  was  independent  in  thought 
and  always  frank  in  his  expression  of  his 
views.''  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  H.  Wheeler  were 
the  parents  of  three  children:  George  E.,  born 
February  20,  1831;  Elmer  E.,  born  September 
Is.  isGO,  who  died  March  13,  L;SG2 ;  and  Clara 
May,  born  January  20,  1803.  Mr.  Wheeler  died 
January  117.  1897J  at  his  residence  in  Morris, 
where  he  had  lived  since  May,  1ST."..  Mrs. 
Wheeler  died  October  27,  1907,  eighty-five  years 
of  age.  She  was  a  lady  of  excellent  memory 
and  much  beloved  for  her  high  character.  Their 
daughter.  Clara  May.  married  Abraham  J. 
Neff,  January  21,  1S01.  and  has  three  children: 
Mae  A.  born  in  1801;  Paul  A.,  born  in  1892; 
and  I  »orothy,  born  in  1899. 

George  E.  Wheeler  is  one  of  the  oldest  con- 
tinuous residents  of  Grundy  County.  He  was 
born  on  the  Wheeler  homestead  in  Mazon  Town- 
ship, where  he  lived  until  retired,  when  he 
moved  to  Mazon,  111.  lie  was  brought  up  to 
farming  among  the  pioneers  and  can  well  re- 
member many  of  them.  His  education  was 
obtained  in  the  common  schools  of  the  county. 
In  the  fall  of  Inc.).  he  was  given  a  certificate 
as  a  schoolteacher,  by  the  late  Hiram  C.  Goold, 
then  county  superintendent  of  schools.  He 
taught  school  four  winters,  working  the  re- 
mainder of  the  year  on  the  farm.  Having  re- 
ceived his  education  and  taught  in  the  schools 
of  his  neighborhood  he  fully  realizes  the  neces- 
sity of  better  schools,  so  that  the  youth  who 
has  to  acquire  an  education  in  this  manner 
may  have  every  opportunity.  He  is  in  favor 
of  paying  liberal  wages  to  teachers — enough  to 
secure  the  highest  ability,  so  that  all  the  prepar- 
atory branches  and  even  some  of  the  higher 
courses  might  be  taught  in  the  home  schools. 
He  has  been  a  school  trustee  for  ten  years. 
He  married.  October  11,  1871,  in  Good  Farm 
Township,  Grundy  County.  111..  Mary  J.  Keep- 
ers, who  was  born  March  I1',,  1854,  in  Guernsey 
County,  Ohio,  a  daughter  of  Israel  J.  and  Mary 
(Kimble)  Keepers.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wheeler  set- 
tled on  the  Wheeler  homestead  and  by  steady 
thrift  and  industry,  have  prospered  and  are  tic 
owners  of  two  fine  fertile  farms,  one  consist- 
ing of  200  acres,  the  location  of  the  old  home- 
stead, and  the  other  120  acres.  Mr.  Wheeler 
lias  served  his  fellow  townsmen  as  Supervisor 
well  and  faithfully. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  Morris 
Herald  :  "He  (Mr.  Wheeler)  was  first  elected 
in  1885,  serving  two  terms.'  He  was  again 
elected  in  the  spring  of  1889,  and  he  served 
continuously  until  1S99,  succeeding  himself. 
He  has  been  chairman  of  the  Board  during  five 
years  of  this  long  service.  In  politics  he  is 
always  a  Republican." 

When  Mr.  Wheeler  first  became  a  member  of 
the  Board  of  Supervisors,  a  levy  of  $40,000 
was  required  to  pay  running  expenses  and  in- 
debtedness. He  has  seen  a  business  policy 
developed,  and  has  helped  to  develop  it,  until 
this  has  been  materially  reduced.  At  one 
time  county  officers  were  allowed  to  retain  all 
the  fees  of  their  offices,  and  in  one  case  this 


922 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


amounted  to  $3,750  per  annum,  which  is  in 
excess  of  the  maximum  limit  fixed  by  the  consti- 
tution of  the  State  of  Illinois  to  the  amount  of 
$750.  Mr.  Wheeler  was  an  advocate  and  aided 
in  the  adoption  of  such  legislation  by  the 
board  as  to  allow  officers  a  reasonable  salary 
for  services,  am]  providing  for  an  accounting 
of  fees  earned  to  the  county.  IK'  occupies  an 
enviable  place  in  the  esteem  of  t lie  people  of 
Grundy  County,  owing  to  his  services  in  se- 
curing favorable  action  toward  the  care  of 
the  poor  of  the  county  by  one  person.  It  was 
Mr.  Wheeler  who  wrote  and  presented  the  reso- 
lution to  the  hoard,  which  was  adopted,  pro- 
viding for  the  appointment  of  a  county  agent 
for  the  poor.  He  has  long  been  of  the  opinion. 
from  his  actual  knowledge  of  the  work,  that 
better  relief  could  he  afforded  in  this  matter, 
and  more  economically,  under  the  supervision 
of  one  person,  and  the  people  at  large  better 
protected.  There  seems  little  question  now  of 
the  wisdom  of  Mr.  Wheeler's  foresight.  It  has 
created  a  reform  which  has  saved  the  people 
thousands  of  dollars  a  year,  and  yet  has  taken 
care  of  every  needy  case  of  want  or  suffering 
in  the  county,  weeding  out  impostors  and  others 
who  preferred  to  accept  a  public  charity  rather 
than  work.  In  matters  of  reform  Mr.  Wheeler 
is  sometimes  termed  radical,  yet  his  years  of 
experience  have  proven  of  great  value  to  the 
people  at  large,  and  the  measures  ho  has  advo- 
cated, as  a  rule,  have  resulted  satisfactorily. 

Mr.  Wheeler  was  the  president  of  the  Vienna 
Township  Mutual  Insurance  Company,  which  is 
chartered  to  do  business  in  the  townships  of 
Vienna,  Highland.  Norman,  Good  Farm,  Mazon 
and  Wauponsee.  since  then  merged  into  the 
Mazoh  Mutual  County  Fire  Insurance  Company. 
The  company  had  over  ?2,330,CJjS.OO  on  Decem- 
ber 31,  1913,  in  policies  in  force  and  be  has  been 
one  of  its  nine  directors  for  many  years.  He 
also  is  an  earnest  advocate  of  good  roads  and 
believes  in  the  policy  of  beginning  at  once  to 
improve  the  roads  and  doing  as  much  as  is  con- 
sistent with  the  means  at  hand  and  in  a  prac- 
tical and  economical  manner.  No  man  is  more 
favorably  regarded  in  Grundy  County  than 
George  E.  Wheeler,  and  he  has  fairly  won  the 
high  esteem  in  which  he  is  held  by  his  honest 
efforts  in  behalf  of  the  people. 

The  children  of  George  E.  and  Mary  J. 
(Keepers)  Wheeler  are:  Effle  Pearl,  born  March 
11,  1S77,  and  Vernon,  born  July  23,  1SSG.  The 
former  married  on  January  29,  1902,  James 
Williams,  a  son  of  Evan  and  Sarah  (Shannon) 
Williams.  Evan  Williams  was  born  in  the 
North  of  Ireland,  while  his  wife  was  born  at 
Llanarmour,  Wales.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Wil- 
liams have  had  the  following  children:  Loyal 
Arlan,  who  was  born  July  27,  1903:  Azel 
Wheeler,  who  was  born  August  13.  1905;  and 
Edward  Evan  who  was  born  September  22, 
1913.  Vernon  Wheeler  was  married  July  14. 
1910,  to  Margaret  Jennie  Winterhottom,  horn 
July  3,  18S9,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Mary 
(William)  Winterhottom,  the  former  of  whom 
was  born  in  England,  and  the  latter  in  Wales. 


The  children  born  of  this  union  have  been  as 
follows:  Itussel  Edwin,  who  was  l>orn  April 
27,  19111;  and  Kenneth,  who  was  born  July 
\  1912.  .Mrs.  Wheeler  and  her  daughter  are 
members  of  the   Baptist  Church. 

William  Keepers,  a  great-grandfather  of  Mrs. 
George  E.  Wheeler,  of  the  old  colonial  stock, 
was  the  owner  of  a  good  farm  in  Chester 
County,  Pa.,  where  he  lived  and  died.  lie 
married  Ann  Hayes,  of  Pennsylvania,  and  had 
children  as  follows:  John,  Joseph  II.,  Kate, 
Elizabeth  and  Jane.  After  his  death  his  wife 
(Ann)  married  again  and  had  one  daughter, 
Ann.  Joseph  II.  Keepers,  a  son  of  William  and 
grandfather  of  Mrs.  George  E.  Wheeler,  was 
horn  in  Chester  County.  He  married  in  that 
county,  Hannah  P.  Jordan  and  they  moved  to 
western  Pennsylvania  and  settled  in  Beaver 
County.  About  1S35,  they  moved  to  Guernsey 
County,  Ohio,  with  teams.  There  he  was  a 
pioneer  and  became  a  substantial  farmer.  A 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  he  was  a 
straightforward,  honorable  man  of  the  highest 
Christian  character.  His  children  were:  Phoebe 
A..  William,  Sarah  J.,  Israel  J.,  Joseph,  Mary 
E.,  Hannah  M..  Philena  and  Henrietta.  Mrs. 
Joseph  II.  Keepers  died  April  2S,  ls73,  aged 
sixty-eight,  at  the  home  of  her  daughter,  Mrs. 
Hannah  M.  Warnock,  in  Iroquois  County,  111. 
Mr.  Keepers  died  in  Guernsey  County,  'Ohio, 
December  0,  1*42,  scarcely  past  middle'  age. 

Israel  Jordan  Keepers,  the  father  of  Mrs. 
Wheeler,  went  with  his  parents  to  Guernsey 
County.  Ohio,  in  1S3D,  when  he  was  about  seven 
years  old.  There  he  received  a  good  common 
school  education  and  married,  in  Jefferson 
Township,  August  22,  1S50,  Mary  Kimble,  a 
daughter  of  Adam  and  Ann  Marie  (Huffman) 
Kimble.  Adam  was  the  son  of  Nathan  and 
Betsy  (Davis)  Kimble.  Nathan  Kimble  was 
born  in  Germany.  He  came  to  America,  set- 
tled in  New  Jersey  and  served  his  adopted 
country  seven  years  and  six  months  in  the 
Revolutionary  War.  He  afterward  located  in 
Washington  County,  Pa.  From  there  he  came 
to  Guernsey,  Ohio,  as  a  pioneer  in  1S10,  and 
took  up  and  improved  government  land.  He 
died  in  1*24,  and  is  buried  in  Jefferson  Town- 
ship, Guernsey  County.  He  was  elected  a 
justice  of  the  peace  in  1810  and  was  the  first 
to  hold  that  office  in  Guernsey  County.  In 
1S17  he  was  the  chairman  of  the  meeting  to 
organize  Jefferson  Township.  Nathan  Kimble's 
children  were:  Adam,  William.  Washington. 
Robert,  Jane  and  Mary.  His  first  wife,  Betsy 
Davis,  died  in  Guernsey  County,  Ohio,  and  he 
married  Rebecca  Crawford,  and  their  children 
were:  Nathan  George.  Cyrus.  Matilda,  and  Sarah 
A.  Nathan  Kimble's  farm  was  known  as  Con- 
gress Field  and  was  a  fine  property.  In  the 
early  Indian  troubles  the  family  frequently 
took  refuge  in  a  rude  blockhouse  which  stood 
close  by  their  cabin.  Mr.  Kimble  had  a  claim 
to  land  near  Winchester,  Ohio,  by  virtue  of  a 
soldier's  warrant  for  his  services  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary War. 

Adam   Kimble,  Nathan   Kimble's  oldest  child, 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


923 


was  born  in  New  Jersey,  in  IT'.M.  ami  married 
Ann  Marie  Huffman,  who  was  born  October  l.">, 
1S00,  and  died  in  IMS.  She  was  of  sturdy  Penn- 
sylvania-Dutch stock,  a  daughter  of  John  and 
Betsy  (McClellan)  Huffman,  natives  of  that 
state.  John  Huffman  was  a  pioneer  in  Guernsey 
County.  Ohio,  before  1KXJ,  from  '-The  Glades"  of 
Washington  County,  I'a.  The  Iluffmans  were 
originally  from  Germany.  John  Huffman 
cleared  his  forest  farm  and  became  a  well-to-do 
and  substantial  fanner.  He  lived  to  be  about 
seventy  years  old  and  died  in  Ohio,  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  John  and  Elizabeth 
(McClellan )  Huffman  were  the  parents  of  chil- 
dren named  :  George,  Joseph.  Abraham,  Ben- 
jamin, John,  Elizabeth  and  Mary.  Adam  Kim- 
ble was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  LS12.  After  his 
marriage  t,>  Ann  Marie  Huffman,  be  settled  in 
Jefferson  Township,  Guernsey  County.  Ohio,  and 
owned  in  time  the  line  property  called  Congress 
Field,  besides  much  other  land,  and  was  con- 
sidered well  off.  His  children  were:  Elizabeth, 
Rebecca,  Delilah,  Davis.  Huffman,  William, 
Jane,  Mary,  Sallie.  Eliza,  Nancy,  George,  Nathan 
and  Robert.  The  latter  died  in  infancy.  All 
the  others  lived  to  arrow  Up.  Nancy  died,  aged 
twenty-two  years.  The  others,  eight  of  whom 
are  living,  all    reared    families.     Adam   Kimble 


died  January  4.  1SC2,  as  tl 
previous  New  Year's  eve. 
seventy-eight   years   old. 
of  the  Baptist  Churc 


ult  of  a  fall  the 

His  wife  lived  to  be 

They   were   members 

srael   J.    Keepers   set- 


tled in  Guernsey  County,  Ohio,  on  the  old  Keep- 
ers homo  property,  which  consisted  of  223  acres 
of  land  and  a  sawmill,  which  he  owned  in  part- 
nership with  his  brother  . Joseph.  In  September, 
1SG4,  he  enlisted  in  Company  I.  One  Hundred 
and  Seventy-sixth  Begiiuenf  Ohio  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, for  three  years  or  during  the  war.  and 
was  honorably  discharged  at  the  close  of  the 
struggle.  His  regiment  was  stationed  at  Nash- 
ville. Teiin.  lie  came  to  Grundy  County,  111., 
and  settled  in  Good  Farm  Township,  in  1SGG, 
and  Itought  12:1  acres  of  land.  This  farm  was 
well  improved  and  he  lived  on  it  until  1SS3.  At 
that  time  he  bought  another  farm  in  the  same 
township,  but  never  occupied  it  as  a  residence. 
He  retired  in  LSS4,  and  for  some  years  lived  at 
Gardner.  111.,  but  died  at  the  home  of  his  daugh- 
ter, Mrs.  Carrie  Taylor,  at  Mazon,  111.,  October 
3,  1S92,  aged  about  sixty-three  years.  lie  was 
a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  in  which  he 
was  for  many  years  an  elder,  and  his  official 
place  in  the  church  was  filled  by  his  son.  William 
I.  Politically  he  was  a  stanch  Republican.  A 
friend  of  education,  he  was  long  a  school. direc- 
tor, and  he  was  a  much  trusted  man  of  fine  busi- 
ness capacity,  and  was  the  administrator  of 
several  estates  and  executor  of  a  number  of 
wills.  His  children  are:  William  I.,  Mary  J., 
Joseph  IT.,  Caroline.  Hannah  .Myrtle  and  Olive 
W.  Mrs.  Keepers,  his  widow,  who  was  born 
June  17.  1S31,  is  a  lady  of  intelligence  and 
greatly  beloved  by  all  for  her  many  good  qual- 
ities of  head  and  heart.  It  is  said  of  her  that 
"she  is  a  mother  to  all."    This  is  true  especially 


in  times  of  sickness  and  trouble.     Her  home  is 
now  with  her  children. 

WHEELER,  Vernon,  a  farmer  of  Mazon  Town- 
ship, was  born  July  23.  1SSG,  a  son  of  George 
Wheeler  of  the  same  township.  He  is  engaged 
in  farming  200  acres  of  valuable  land  in  Mazon 
Township,  which  he  devotes,  in  large  part,  to 
corn  and  oats,  and  he  feeds  and  sells  cattle 
and  hogs,  and  specializes  on  Belgian  horses. 
Having  received  more  than  ordinary  educational 
advantages,  as  he  not  only  attended  the  local 
schools,  ami  a  high  school  course,  but  went  to 
the  University  of  Illinois  for  a  year  to  study 
agriculture,  he  is  well  fitted  for  his  work.  Mr. 
Wheeler  married  Margaret  Jennie  Winter,  born 
in  Goose  Lake  Township,  and  they  have  had 
two  children:  Russell  E,  and  Kenneth.  Mrs. 
Wheeler  belongs  to  the  Baptist  Church.  In 
politics  Mr,  Wheeler  is  a  Republican,  while 
fraternally  he  is  afiiliated  with  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America  at  Mazon.  His  family 
is  one  of  the  oldest  in  Grundy  County,  and  his 
father  has  been  associated  with  the  development 
of  Mazon  Township,  while  his  mother  is  noted 
for  her  intellectual  attainments  and  delightful 
personality.  The  old  Wheeler  Cemetery  was 
opened  for  the  use  of  the  Wheeler  family,  and 
the  name  is  otherwise  associated  with  the  his- 
tory of  this  part  of  Grundy  County. 

WHITE,  Samuel  H—  The  poet  touched  a  tender 
chord  when  he  asked — "Lives  there  a  man  with 
soul  so  dead  that  never  to  himself  hath  said, 
this  is  my  own.  my  native  land,"  for  in  everyone 
there  is  born  a  love  of  birthplace  that  can  never 
be  effaced.  So  strong  is  this  love  that  men 
usually  strive  to  own  the  farms  upon  which  they 
were  horn,  and  devote  their  lives  to  improving 
the  property  handed  down  to  them  by  their 
fathers.  One  of  those  fortunate  enough  to  now- 
own  his  birthplace  fa  tin  is  Samuel  II.  White, 
of  Goose  Fake  Township.  lie  was  born  on 
April  7.  1S09,  a  son  of  .lames  F.  and  Ruth  (Ben- 
son) White  of  New  York  State.  They  were  mar- 
ried in  Morris,  but  later  bought  a  farm  in  Goose 
Fake  Township  on  which  the  father  carried  on 
farming  extensively.  He  died  on  this  property, 
May  27,  L0OG,  his  wife  passing  away  in  1SS7. 
Samuel  II.  White  grew  up  on  the  homestead, 
and  from  boyhood  assisted  in  operating  it,  while 
attending  the  local  schools.  When  he  lost  his 
father,  he  inherited  the  homestead  of  1G0  acres 
of  land,  and  on  it  he  has  spent  his  entire  life. 

.In  March,  1S9S,  Mr.  White  married  Kate  Win- 
cenburg,  who  was  born  at  Sedalia.  Mo.,  Novem- 
ber 22.  1S4.~>.  a  daughter  of  Andrew  P.  and  Mar- 
garet (Staub)  Wincenburg,  natives  of  Germany. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  White  became  the  parents  of  the 
following  children  :  Samuel,  born  June  24.  1004, 
and  Allies,  born  February  10.  1900:  one  died  in 
infancy.  Mrs.  White  died  November  14,  100s;, 
having  been  a  kind  and  loving  wife  and  mother 
and  a  good  neighbor.  She  was  buried  in  Mor- 
ris cemetery.  Politically  Mr.  White  is  a  Re- 
publican, but  as  his  time  lias  been  fully  occu- 
pied  with  his  private  affairs  he  has  given   no 


924 


niSTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY 


attention  to  public  matters.  An  excellent 
fanner  and  good  business  man,  Mr.  White  is  one 
of  the  leading  men  of  his  township  ami  is 
respected  accordingly. 

WHITMAN,  Roscoe,  M.D.— The  modem  physi- 
cian gains  experience,  as  well  as  training,  he- 
fore  beginning  a  practice  which  places  in  his 
hands  the  lives  of  his  patients.  Formerly  this 
valuable  knowledge  had  to  be  acquired  after 
the  doctor  had  left  behind  him  his  college  days; 
now  his  hospital  training  is  a  part  of  his  course. 
For  this  reason,  the  physician  of  today,  no 
matter  how  short  a  period  he  may  have  been  iu 
practice,  is  better  fitted  in  every  way  to  render 
efficient  service,  than  his  predecessor  was  after 
years  of  experience.  One  of  the  highly  trained 
and  capable  physicians  of  .Morris,  who  has 
proven  his  real  worth  and  the  value  of  his  skill 
is  Dr.  Roscoe  Williams,  lie  was  horn  at  Dodge- 
ville.  AYis..  June  fi.  1SS1,  son  of  Joel  and  Anna 
Belle  (McClure)  Whitman,  the  former  horn  in 
Hamilton  County.  X.  Y..  and  the  latter,  in  Prince 
Edward  Island.  Canada.  Her  parents  went  to 
Blue  Mounds.  Wis.,  when  she  was  a  child,  and 
in  1S55,  .loci  Whitman  also  located  there,  and 
the  two  met  and  married.  He  was  a  man  of 
prominence,  serving  in  the  State  Assembly  two 
terms,  as  well  as  held  the  offices  of  postmaster, 
clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court,  and  county  clerk, 
dying  in  1900,  aged  eighty-three  years.  His 
widow  survives,  making  her  home  at  Dodgeville. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Joel  Whitman  had  the  following 
family ;  George  R..  who  died  at  the  age  of  thirty- 
one  years;  Piatt,  of  Highland.  Wis.;  and  Ros- 
coe. who  was  the  youngest. 

When  lie  was  nineteen  years  old.  Roscoe  Whit- 
man entered  the  general  science  department  of 
the  University  of  Wisconsin,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  V.h<\.  securing  his  degree  of  A.  P.. 
He  then  entered  Rush  Medical  College  of  Chi- 
cago, from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1007.  with 
the  degree  of  M.  D.  Following  this  he  was  in- 
terne tit  the  Cook  County  institutions  for  three 
months,  and  for  sixteen  months  following  this. 
he  was  interne  at  the  Presbyterian  Hospital  of 
Chicago.  Then  feeling  well  equipped  for  his 
great  work,  he  located  at  Morris,  in  January, 
1000.  since  which  time  be  has  built  up  a  large 
and  lucrative  practice.  In  political  faith,  be  is 
independent.  Fraternally.  Dr.  Whitman  is  a 
Mason.  A  scholarly  man  be  keeps  abreast  of 
the  progress  in  his  profession,  and  ranks  high 
among  the  medical  men  of  Grnndy  County.  He 
was  married  December  14.  1012.  to  Jessie  .F. 
Collins,  daughter  of  Joshua  and  Emma  (Cryder) 
Collins,  natives  of  Grundy  County. 

WHITMORE,  Benjamin  Franklin.— Among  the 
citizens  of  Grundy  County  whose  careers  are 
worthy  of  more  than  ordinary  mention  because 
of  the  success  they  have  attained,  is  Benjamin 
Franklin  Whitmore,  now  living  retired  at  Gard- 
ner, Ilk.  who  for  more  than  a  half  century  was 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  here.  During 
this  time  he  secured  financial  independence, 
reared  a  family  that  did  credit  to  him  and  his 


community,  and  at  all  times  has  Conducted  him- 
self according  to  the  highest  ideals  of  citizen- 
ship. Mr.  Whitmore  was  born  at  Hagerstown, 
Md.,  September  1"_\  l ^  II .  and  is  ;i  son  of  Daniel 
and  Nancy  (Lehmen)  Whitmore,  natives  of 
Maryland,  who  removed  to  Ohio  in  1S43.  There 
were  twelve  children  in  the  family,  namely: 
John,  deceased,  who  was  a  resident  of  Ohio; 
Abraham,  who  is  deceased;  Isaac.  Jacob  and 
Daniel,  all  of  whom  died  in  infancy;  Samuel. 
deceased;  David,  a  retired  farmer  living  near 
l'oungstown,  Ohio;  Joseph,  deceased;  Renjamin 
Franklin:  Xoah.  deceased;  and  Elizabeth  and 
Ann.  twins,  both  of  whom  are  deceased. 

Renjamin  Franklin  Whitmore  was  but  an  in- 
fant when  taken  by  his  parents  to  Ohio,  and 
there  Ik-  received  a  liberal  public  school  educa- 
tion, in  the  meantime  assisting  his  father  in  the 
work  of  the  home  farm.  He  was  twenty-one 
years  of  age  when  lie  came  to  Illinois,  locating 
in  Greenfield  Township,  where  he  hired  out  on  a 
farm.  In  the  following  spring  he  rented  a  farm. 
which  he  conducted  for  two  years,  and  then  pur- 
chased ICO  acres  of  good  land.  This  he  brought 
to  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  but  after  ten  years 
sold  it  ami  bought  120  acres  in  Muzmi  Township, 
which  he  still  owns.  He  retired  in  LS01,  al- 
though be  still  resided  on  the  farm  until  1S99, 
when  he  bought  property  in  the  village  of  Gard- 
ner, erected  a  modern  home  and  moved  his  fam- 
ily here.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Church  of 
God.  In  political  affairs  he  is  a  stalwart  Repub- 
lican, although  he  has  taken  only  a  good  citi- 
zen's interest  in  public  matters.  During  his  long 
residence  in  Grundy  County,  he  has  formed  a 
wide  acquaintance,  in  which  he  numbers  many 
friends,  who  have  been  drawn  to  him  by  his 
many  admirable  qualities  of  mind  and  heart. 

On  November  20,  Inch,  Mr.  Whitmore  was 
married  to  Matilda  Shelby,  a  native  of  Penn- 
sylvania, who  came  West  with  her  parents.  Milki 
and  I.avina  Shelby,  to  Livingston  county.  Ilk, 
in  1S55.  To  this  union  there  were  born  two 
sous  and  one  daughter  :  Nathaniel,  who  died  May 
15.  1012;  William  Wallace,  an  attorney  of 
Bloomington,  Ilk;  and  Iva,  deceased,  who  passed 
away  in  infancy  ai  d  was  buried  at  Round 
Grove  cemetery,  Livingston  County.  Dr.  Na- 
thaniel Whitmore  was  born  September  2.1,  ls07, 
and  was  given  his  preliminary  educational  train- 
ing in  the  public  schools  of  Mazon  Township. 
At  the  age  of  seventeen  years  he  commenced  his 
veterinary  studies  under  the  preceptor  ship  of 
Dr.  J.  Y.  Lehman,  his  father's  cousin,  at  Ster- 
ling. 111.,  and  after  one  year  of  preparation  en- 
tered the  Chicago  Veterinary  College,  where  he 
was  graduated  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years. 
He  then  returned  to  Gardner  and  entered  upon 
the  practice  of  his  chosen  vocation,  in  which  he 
gained  widespread  reputation.  Tn  June.  190S, 
he  built  a  veterinary  hospital  in  Gardner,  which 
is  second  to  none  iu  the  State.  Here  he  had  bis 
laboratory,  operating  room,  office,  sleeping  apart- 
ments, and  'full  equipment  for  the  successful 
practice  of  his  calling,  the  barn  being  fitted  with 
electric  lights  in  order  that  he  might  work  at 
nights  to  save  the  life  of  a  stricken  animal.     He 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


925 


became  known  as  one  of  the 
siirgeons  in  the  State  and  a 
times  honored  his  professii 
in  Wheeler  cemetery,  Ma? 
Whitmore  is  survived  by 
children. 


foremost  veterinary 

s  a  man  who  at  all 
u.  He  was  buried 
mi  Township.  Dr. 
lis    widow    and    ten 


WICKS,  Lewis  K. — It  is  given  to  some  men  to 
come  into  possession  of  proportj  owned  by  their 
parents,  and  such  take  great  pride  in  further 
developing  the  land  to  which  they  are  connected 
by  so  many  pleasant  ties.  Lewis  K.  Wicks  of 
Nettle  Creek  Township  owns  and  operates  the 
homestead  of  his  parents,  although  he  was  born 
in  Big  Grove  Township.  Kendall  County.  Octo- 
ber 1.  1SG5,  a  son  of  Knnte  K.  and  Emily  (Lar- 
son) Wicks,  natives  of  Norway,  who.  after  their 
marriage,  left  the  land  of  their  birth  and  came 
to  Morris,  111.,  about  1*57.  Soon  thereafter,  they 
moved  to  Kendall  County  ami  remained  there 
uiiti-1  1**7.  In  the  latter  year  they  came  to 
Nettle  Creek  Township,  buying  a  farm  of  eighty 
acres  to  which  they  added  until  they  owned  ICO 
acres.  The  father  died  upon  this  property  in 
1*82.  and  his  widow  in  31100.  Their  children 
were:  Emily,  who  married  John  Olson,  died  in 
the  spring  of  1VV7:  Krone,  who  died  in  Novem- 
ber, 1S93 ;  Lewis  K. ;  Ella,  who  married  John 
Wilker  of  Morris:  Thor,  who  died  in  .Tune,  1*04  : 
Martin,  who  lives  in  Aux  Sable  Township;  and 
Edward,  who  resides  in  Lrienna  Township,  this 
same  county. 

Lewis  K.  Wicks  has  spent  his  life  upon  the 
home  farm,  alternating  assisting  his  father  dur- 
ing his  boyhood  days,  with  attendance  in  the 
district  schools.  In  the  fall  of  IMC!  he  purchased 
the  property  and  since  has  been  engaged  in  grain 
farming  and  raising  horses,  cattle  and  hogs.  On 
June  10.  1S93.  he  married  Mary  Osman,  born 
February  G,  1870.  in  Kendall  County,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Soran  and  Margaret  (Anderson)  Osman, 
natives  of  Norway.  The  ceremony  was  per- 
formed by  the  Lev.  O.  Anderson  of  Newark.  111. 
Mi-,  and  Mrs.  Wicks  have  had  the  following 
children:  Newt  li..  born  July  20,  1*04.  died  Au- 
gust 15.  1*04;  Lelioy.  born  November  22.  1S95; 
Esther,  born  December  6,  1*07;  Russell,  born 
July  8.  lOnr,,  and  Fern,  born  August  2.",.  10n7. 
all  of  whom  are  at  home.  Mr.  Wicks  belongs  to 
the  Lisbon  Lutheran  Church.  Politically  he  is 
a  Republican  and  has  held  the  office  of  school 
director  since  1903.  An  earnest  and  hard-work- 
ing man.  he  has  forged  ahead  and  has  honor- 
ably earned  his  present  standing  In  his 
community. 

WILKINSON,  Blanche  William,  is  a  prosperous 
farmer  cultivating  2GG  acres  of  land  in  Mazon 
Township,  and  his  successful  efforts  point  out  a 
way  for  a  man  to  gain  substantial  rewards  by 
tilling  the  soil,  lie  was  born  in  Benton  County. 
Ind.,  in  1SGG,  and  came  to  Grundy  ("•.unity  with 
his  parents  when  three  years  old.  lie  attended 
the  district  schools  of  Mazon  Township  and  at 
the  age  of  seventeen  years  began  fanning  for 
himself.  For  one  year  lie  fanned  in  Minnesota, 
then   returned   to   Grundy   County   and   in   1010 


located  on  what  is  known  as  the  Harriet  Meyers 
farm,  on  section  21,  Mazon  Township.  Here  he 
-rows  corn  and  oats,  raises  Belgian  horses  and 
feeds  cattle  for  the  market. 

In  10U7  Mr.  Wilkinson  married  Ethel  Scurrah, 
of  l'.raceville,  111.,  a  daughter  of  Alfred  and 
Ethel  (Edmunds)  Scurrah,  the  latter  deceased. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilkinson  have  three  children: 
Earl  B..  Burl  W.  and  Mabel  V.  The  Methodist 
Church  holds  his  membership.  A  Democrat  in 
politics,  he  was  his  party's  candidate  in  1912 
lor  collector,  and  was  defeated  by  only  thirty 
votes.  Mr.  Wilkinson  is  capable  of  entertaining 
independent  views  on  public  questions,  takes 
much  interest  in  local  matters  and  personally  is 
well  liked  by  his  neighbors. 

WILKINSON,  Samuel  Henry.-  The  interests 
of  Mazon  are  ably  ami  worthily  represented 
by  Samuel  Henry  Wilkinson,  proprietor  of  the 
City  Meat  Market,  who  has  not  alone  taken  a 
prominent  part  in  business  matters,  but  has 
aided  in  the  progress  and  development  of  the 
community  as  a  member  of  the  Town  Board  of 
Trustees.  Like  many  of  his  successful  towns- 
men, he  is  a  product  of  the  farm,  having  been 
bom  on  his  father's  homestead  in  Benton 
County,  Ind.,  in  1*75.  a  son  of  William  and  Mob 
vina  (Mulen  Wilkinson.  Mr.  Wilkinson's  father 
was  born  in  Canada,  and  as  a  young  man  went 
to  Michigan,  where  he  was  married,  subse- 
quently going  to  Benton  County,  Ind.  lie  later 
came  to  Grundy  County,  Ilk.  and  here  passed 
the  remainder  of  his  life  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits, dyiii-  in  1904.  the  mother  having  passed 
away  during  the  previous  year.  They  were  the 
parents  of  the  following  children:  Samuel 
Henry;  George,  who  is  deceased ;  Blanche;  Verl : 
Forrest  and  John,  who  are  deceased:  Mrs.  Cora 
Strauss:  and  Grace,  who  is  deceased. 

Samuel  II.  Wilkinson  received  his  early  edu- 
cational training  in  the  public  schools  of  Ben- 
ton County.  Ind.,  and  later  went  t<>  the  Grundy 
County  schools  while  assisting  his  father  in 
working  the  home  farm.  Beared  to  agricul- 
tural pursuits,  it  was  but  natural  that  he  should 
adopt  the  tilling  of  the  soil  as  his  field  of  en- 
deavor, but  in  loin,  tii-iii-  of  farm  life,  he  came 
to  Mazon  and  entered  commercial  pursuits,  pur- 
chasing the  business  of  which  he  is  now  the 
owner.  lie  carries  a  full  line  of  fresh  and  salt 
meals,  with  game  in  season,  and  enjoys  a  liberal 
trade,  his  business  having  been  built  up  by  hon- 
orable and  straightforward  dealing. 

In  1*03  Mr.  Wilkinson  was  married  to  Miss 
Villa  Keepers,  who  was  born  in  Grundy  County. 
111.,  and  the  following  children  have  been  born 
to  this  union  :  Bernice.  Beatrice.  Bessie.  Joe. 
George,  Ruby  and  Harold,  of  whom  Bessie  and 
George  are  deceased.  Mr.  Wilkinson  is  popular 
fraternally  as  a  member  of  the  Modern  Wood- 
men of  America,  the  Fraternal  Reserves,  the 
Home  Forum  and  the  Masons,  in  all  of  which 
he  has  numerous  friends.  A  Democrat  in  poli- 
tics, he  has  shown  his  executive  ability  as  a 
member  of  the  Town  Board,  where  his  fellow- 
nieinhers    have    relied    upon    his    judgment    ami 


92G 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


foresight   in   mutters  of  Importance.     With   his 
family   lie  attends  the  Congregational  Church. 

WILSON,  Joseph  A. — The  importance  of  any 
community  is  measured  by  the  public  spirit  of 
its  leading  citizens,  and  judged  by  this  standard. 
Morris  ranks  among  the  foremost  cities  of  its 
size  in  the  State.  Among  those  who  have  aided 
materially  in  the  advancement  of  the  county 
seat  in  every  line  is  Joseph  A.  Wilson,  financier, 
business  man  and  former  mayor,  and  the  pres- 
ent supervisor  of  Morris  Township.  Mr.  Wilson 
was  born  in  Putnam  County,  111.,  February  20, 
1650,  sun  of  Jonathan  and  Klma  C.  (Hoyle)  Wil- 
son, natives  of  Union  County,  Ky..  and  Belmont 
County,  Ohio.  Jonathan  Wilson  went  to  Putnam 
County.  111.,  with  his  parents  in  1^2"-.  while  the 
lady  who  afterwards  became  his  wife  arrived 
there  in  1S33,  and  there  they  married  and  began 
housekeeping.  In  1S50  they  came  to  Grundy 
County,  settling  on  a  farm  in  Vienna  Township. 
In  time,  Jonathan  Wilson  became  a  man  of  large 
means,  raising  cattle  on  an  extensive  scale, 
and  lie  also  bought  and  sold  stock  and  was  a 
veterinary  practitioner  of  some  note.  His  death 
occurred  in  1SS7,  following  which  his  widow 
moved  to  Morris  where  she  died  in  lv'.*s.  Xine 
children  were  born  to  them,  six  sons  and  three 
daughters,  three  of  whom  survive,  all  residents 
of  Morris:  Edith  E.,  Joseph  A.,  and  Orville  T., 
the  last  named  being  manager  of  the  Morris 
Grain  Company. 

Joseph  A.  Wilson  crew  up  on  his  father's 
homestead  learning  how  to  conduct  the  farm, 
and  attending  tbe  local  schools.  He  remained 
with  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty-five  years 
old,  when  he  began  working  land  for  himself 
and  buying  and  selling  cattle.  In  those  days 
there  was  plenty  of  open  prairie  on  which  to 
herd  his  cattle,  so  that  the  profits  were  greater, 
although  the  prices  he  received  were  lower.  The 
first  farm  owned  by  Mr.  Wilson  was  in  Pulaski 
County,  Ind.,  but  he  sold  it  four  years  after 
he  bought  it.  and  then  purchased  land  in  Sara- 
toga, Atix  Sable  and  Wauponsee  Townships. 
Grundy  County,  as  well  in  other  parts  of  the 
State,  owning  some  1,300  acres  in  Grundy 
County  alone,  and  also  400  acres  in  Jasper 
County,  Iowa.  All  of  this  he  rents,  with  the 
exception  of  S00  acres  which  he  utilizes  for 
pasturage  purposes,  also  700  acres  in  Newton 
County,  Ind.  His  cattle  business  is  a  large  one 
for  lie  handles  from  500  to  fiOO  head  of  cattle 
annually.  Mrs.  Wilson  owns  1,300  acres  of  land 
in  Grundy  County.  In  1SS1  Mr.  Wilson  moved 
to  Morris  from  the  farm,  and  in  1S93  built  a 
fine  frame  house  containing  all  modern  im- 
provements on  the  corner  of  Nettle  and  Main 
streets.  In  addition  to  his  other  interests.  Mr. 
Wilson  is  a  director  of  tbe  Grundy  County  Na- 
tional Bank  and  of  tbe  Morris  Grain  Company. 

On  March  5,  Is79,  Mr.  Wilson  was  married 
to  Harriet  E.  Collins,  born  in  Saratoga  Town- 
ship, daughter  of  Joshua  and  Harriet  fCryder) 
Collins,  natives  of  Queens,  N.  Y..  and  Chill icothe. 
Ohio.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilson  became  the  parents 
of  the  following  children :  Mary  ]•:.,  who  is  now 


Mrs.  H.  Philip  Southcomb  of  Morris;  an  un- 
named babe  who  died  in  infancy;  Jay  Collins, 
who  is  at  home;  and  Henry  J.,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  seven  and  one-half  months.  Mr.  Wilson 
is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church.  A 
strong  Republican,  he  has  been  called  upon  to 
represent  his  ward  in  the  city  council  and  in 
1900-02  was  elected  mayor  of  Morris.  While 
occupying  the  executive  chair,  he  gave  the  city 
a  clean,  honest,  business-like  administration  and 
is  regarded  as  one  of  the  best  mayors  tbe  city 
ever  bad.  A  man  of  keen  business  sense,  he 
has  succeeded  in  whatever  he  has  undertaken, 
and  the  city  has  benefited  by  his  operations. 

WINS0R,  Clarence  Ray. — If  every  farming  sec- 
tion of  the  country  showed  as  good  conditions 
as  Grundy  County,  the  cost  of  living  would  be 
materially  reduced.  This  locality  is  producing 
a  large  amount  of  food  stuffs  owing  to  the  pro- 
gressive spirit  of  its  agriculturalists,  and  among 
them  one  worthy  of  special  note  is  Clarence  Bay 
Winsor  of  Norman  Township.  Mr.  Winsor  was 
born  in  Norman  Township,  November  19,  18S5, 
son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Putt)  Winsor,  and 
grandson  of  Thomas  and  Martha  Winsor  and 
John  Putt,  the  grandparents  on  both  sides  com- 
ing from  England,  while  the  parents  were  na- 
tives of  Saratoga  Township,  Grundy  County,  111. 
John  Putt  located  first  at  Lisbon.  Kendall 
County,  111.,  but  later  came  to  Saratoga  Town- 
ship, Grundy  County.  III.,  where  he  established 
himself  as  a  brick  and  tile  manufacturer,  but 
later  bought  land  in  Norman  Township,  and 
operated  it  until  his  retirement  to  Morris,  where 
bis  death  occurred. 

John  Winsor  and  Sarah  Putt  were  married 
in  Kendall  County,  but  commenced  their  mar- 
ried life  on  a  farm  in  Norman  Township,  where 
Mr.  Winsor  owned  200  acres.  He  erected  the 
buildings  now  standing,  and  further  improved 
the  farm,  living  upon  it  until  his  death  January 
9,  1907.  His  widow  only  survived  him  until 
February  3d,  of  the  same  year.  The  children 
of  this  excellent  couple  were:  Wilbur,  who  lives 
at  Peabody,  Kas. ;  Guy.  who  died  at  the  age  of 
one  year  and  three  months;  Leda.  who  is  Mrs. 
E.  B.  Beeves,  of  Norman  Township:  Clarence 
Bay:  and  Otto  T.  and  Chester  P.,  who  are  on 
the  home  place. 

Clarence  Bay  Winsor  grew  up  on  the  farm 
owned  by  his  father,  and  alternated  attending 
the  rural*  school  with  agricultural  work.  When 
his  father  died,  the  farm  was  left  to  the  five 
living  children,  and  the  three  younger  sons 
rented  it  for  two  years,  and  then  bought  it,  and 
are  now  conducting  it  in  partnership,  and  are 
specializing  on  Percheron  registered  horses, 
Poland-China  hogs  and  Shorthorn  cattle.  Their 
farm  is  one  of  the  best  known  in  the  township, 
and  they  are  justly  numbered  among  the  sub- 
stantial agriculturalists  of  Grundy  County. 

On  June  21,  1007.  Clarence  B.  Winsor  was 
married  to  Georgia  Aker,  born  in  Vienna  Town- 
ship, this  county,  daughter  of  James  and  Cora 
(Passage)  Aker,  natives  of  Vienna  Township 
and    Wisconsin,    respectively.       Mr.    and    Mrs. 


HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


927 


Winsor  have  ono  son,  Gordou  Aker,  horn  April 
21,  190S,  and  one  daughter,  Alice  11.  .Mr.  Winsor 
belongs  to  the  Zion  Methodist  Church,  of  which 
he  has  been  trustee  since  1909.  A  Republican, 
he  has  served  as  school  trustee  since  1909.  Mrs. 
Winsor  was  graduated  from  the  Morris  High 
school  and  taught  school  Cor  three  years  in 
Vienna  Township  prior  lo  her  marriage. 

Otto  T.  Winsor.  who  was  boni  November  17, 
1SS6,  was  married  February  9,  1909,  to  Mabel 
H.  Aker.  born  in  Vienna  Township,  a  sister  of 
Mrs.  C.  R.  Winsor.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  O.  T.  Winsor 
have  a  daughter,  Dorothy  E.,  bom  September 
10,  1910.  Chester  P.  Winsor.  the  youngest  of  the 
three  Winsor  brothers,  was  born  July  IT,  1S93. 

WINSOR,  William  Henry  (deceased).— While 
Grundy  County  boasts  some  of  the  best  citizens 
to  be  found  in  the  State,  a  number  who  helped 
to  bring  about  the  present  prosperous  conditions 
here- have  passed  from  this  earthly  sphere,  but 
their  memories  are  still  cherished,  and  their 
deeds  are  not  forgotten.  One  of  these  men  who 
was  a  good  representative  of  the  best  class  of 
agriculturalists  of  tins  section,  was  the  late 
Henry  William  Winsor.  lie  was  born  on  the 
Isle  of  Man,  March  27.  ls.V.i.  a  son  of  Thomas 
and  Martha  (Mann)  Winsor,  who  came  to 
Grundy  County  in  June,  ISOO,  after  an  ocean 
voyage  of  twelve  weeks.  From  New  York  City 
they  made  their  way  on  the  canal  and  Croat 
Lakes  to  Chicago.  The  father  was  a  farmer  and 
coal  miner,  as  well  as  brick  and  file  maker, 
and  worked  hard  at  whatever  came  to  his  hand. 
Roth  he  and  his  wife  passed  away  at  Morris, 
having  seen  the  first  train  of  cars  run  through 
that  city.  He  also  made  the  brick  for  many  of 
the  early  buildings  of  Morris,  including  the  pres- 
ent Commercial  Hotel. 

When  he  was  twenty-one  years  old,  having  in 
the  meanwhile  acquired  a  common  school  edu- 
cation, Mr.  Winsor  began  farming  with  his 
brother,  John,  and  thus  continued  until  his  mar- 
riage, when  he  bought  240  acres  of  land  in 
Vienna  Township.  He  tiled  and  otherwise  im- 
proved the  place,  and  operated  it  until  1007, 
when,  on  account  of  ill-health,  he  was  forced  to 
leave  the  farm,  and  then  bought  a  residence  in 
Morris. 

On  February  6,  1S79,  Mr.  Winsor  was  married 
to  Frances  A.  Vanderpool,  born  in  Morris,  No- 
vember 20.  1S5S,  daughter  of  John  and  Maria 
(Rockwood)  Vanderpool,  natives  of  New  York 
and  Vermont,  respectively.  They  came  to 
Grundy  County  when  the  Indians  were  still  here, 
and  settled  in  Norman  Township,  where  they 
died,  after  years  of  hard  work  on  the  farm. 
Mrs.  Vanderpool  entertained  the  celebrated  In- 
dian Shabbona  at  an  early  date.  Mr.  Vander- 
pool was  also  blacksmith  and  was  a  great  tem- 
perance worker.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Winsor  became 
the  parents  of  two  children  :  Elsie  May.  wife  of 
A.  M.  Wallace,  living  on  the  home  farm,  and 
they  have  one  child,  Everett  Winsor,  born  No- 
vember 15,  100,1:  and  Vera  Marie,  born  April  25, 
1S8S,  who  died  October  23,  190S. 

On  March  2,  1000,  Mr.  Winsor  passed  away, 


rounding  out  a  blameless,  useful  life,  and  is 
tenderly  remembered  by  his  widow  and  daughter. 
Mrs.  Winsor  has  lived  alone  in  her  home  at 
Morris  since  the  death  of  her  husband.  Mr. 
Winsor  was  for  many  years  very  active  in  the 
work  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  served  in  the 
office  of  steward.  A  Republican,  he  was  a  school 
director  for  fifteen  years,  and  always  took  inter- 
est in  educational  matters.  A  man  of  strict 
integrity,  he  gave  to  others  what  he  demanded 
for  himself,  a  square  deal,  and  won  and  held  a 
high  position  among  his  fellow  citizens. 

WINSOR,  James  P.— Modern  methods  of  farm- 
ing have  revolutionized  agricultural  work,  and 
placed  under  cultivation  much  land  that  would 
.otherwise  be  unproductive.  Grundy  County  has 
benefited  largely  by  the  work  of  these  progres- 
sive farmers  who  have  eagerly  embraced  the  new 
ideas,  and  among  those  who  have  done  their 
part  in  bringing  about  existing  prosperous  con- 
ditions is  James  P.  Winsor  of  Norman  Town- 
ship. He  was  born  in  Lisbon  Township.  Kendall 
County,  111.,  July  23,  1S53,  a  son  of  Thomas 
and  Martha  (Thomas)  Winsor,  natives  of  Eng- 
land. They  were  married  in  their  native  land, 
but  in  1S4S  came  to  Kendall  County,  whore 
Thomas  Winsor  worked  for  farmers  during  the 
first  four  years.  Later,  he  bought  some  land 
just  north  of  Morris,  and  finding  coal,  mined  it, 
and  also  manufactured  brick.  In  1S64,  he  con- 
centrated his  efforts  on  farming,  going  to  Wau- 
ponsee  Township,  and  later  he  bought  a  farm  in 
Norman  Township,  where  he  lived  until  his  re- 
tirement, when  he  moved  to  Morris,  and  there 
died  July  14,  1002.  his  wife  passing  away  in 
February,  1900.  Their  children  were:  Dorcas, 
who  died  in  1911;  Thomas  II.,  who  died  in  in- 
fancy before  the  family  left  England;  Samuel 
G.,  who  lives  in  Richland,  Mo. ;  Henry  W.,  who 
died  in  March,  1909;  John  P.,  who  died  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1007 ;  Mary  Jane,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  nineteen  years;  James  1'.;  Richard  J.,  who 
lives  at  Morris,  111. ;  George  T.,  who  lives  at 
Chicago;  Esther  E.,  who  died  in  May,  1001; 
and  Sarah  E.,  who  lives  at  Morris. 

James  P.  Winsor  attended  the  neighborhood 
schools,  and  growing  up  on  the  homestead,  de- 
veloped into  an  excellent  farmer.  He  remained 
with  his  parents  until  he  was  of  age,  when 
he  began  farming  for  himself  in  Norman  Town- 
ship, continuing  ten  years,  then  bought  eighty 
acres  on  section  22  of  the  same  township,  and 
has  developed  his  property  to  a  considerable 
degree,  erecting  new  modern  buildings  and  put- 
ting in  tiling  wherever  needed,  until  he  now  has 
one  of  the  finest  farms  in  this  part  of  the  county. 
On  February  21,  1878,  Mr.  Winsor  married 
Louisa  Putt,  born  in  Saratoga  Township,  daugh- 
ter of  Richard  and  Ann  Putt,  natives  of  Eng- 
land, early  settlers  of  Saratoga  Township.  The 
Putt  family  lived  there  until  Mrs.  Winsor  was 
seven  years  old,  and  then  moved  to  Goodland, 
Newton  County,  Ind.,  where  her  marriage  took 
place.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Winsor  have  had  four 
children :  Cline  G.,  Ritta  Z.  and  Thelma  M„  all 
of  whom  are  at  home,  and  one  who  died,  Inez  M. 


928 


HISTORY  OP  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


Mr.  Winsor  belongs  to  tho  Zion  Methodist 
Church.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican  and  his 
fraternal  affiliations  are  with  the  Wauponsee 
Lodge  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  In 
all  of  his  work.  Mr.  Winsor  has  been  guided  by 
good  sense  and  an  appreciation  of  its  importance, 
and  his  success  has  been  fairly  won,  as  has  his 
standing    in    bis    community. 

WIX,  Martin  K. — The  story  of  the  success  of 
Martin  K.  Wix,  agriculturist  and  business  man 
of  Aux  Sable  Township,  Grundy  County,  is  short 
and  simple,  containing  in  it  no  exciting  chapters, 
but  in  it  lies  one  of  the  valuable  secrets  of  the 
groat  prosperity  which  it  records,  and  his  private 
and  business  life  are  pregnant  with  interest  and 
incentive,  no  matter  how  lacking  in  dramatic 
action — tho  record  of  an  honorable  life,  consist- 
ent with  itself  and  its  possibilities  in  every  par- 
ticular. Mr.  Wix  has  the  distinction  of  being 
a  native  son  of  Grundy  County,  111.,  having  been 
born  on  a  farm  in  Nettle  Creek  Township.  De- 
cember 0,  1s7],  j)  sun  of  Knute  ami  Emily 
(Larson)  Wix.  natives  of  Norway,  lie  was  the 
third  of  seven  children,  the  others  being:  Lewis ; 
Ella,  who  married  John  Welker,  of  Morris.  111.; 
and  Edward,  also  of  Grundy  County;  Knute, 
Emily  and  Thor,  deceased. 

Martin  K.  Wix  grew  up  on  the  home  farm 
and  received  bis  education  in  the  country 
schools,  where  he  proved  an  earnest,  intelligent 
and  ambitious  student.  Upon  the  completion  of 
his  schooling  he  assisted  his  mother  in  the  work 
of  the  home  place  until  he  was  married,  and  then 
rented  land  in  Erienna  Township,  but  one  year 
later  moved  to  his  present  property,  a  tract  of 
446  acres  in  Aux  Sable  Township,  with  eigbty 
acres  in  timber  and  the  balance  in  pasture  and 
grain.  About  the  year  1S04  he  bought  IT.",  acres 
in  Kendall  County,  a  fine  grain  farm  which  he 
now  has  rented,  in  addition  to  which  he  rents 
out  his  210  acres  in  Goodwin  Township.  Roberts 
County,  N.  D.  He  has  interested  himself  in 
various  business  enterprises,  being  a  director 
in  the  Minooka  Bank  and  a  stockholder  in  the 
Farmers  Co-operative  Grain  Elevator  at  Mi- 
nooka :  also  the  Yorkville  elevator.  Mr.  Wix's 
farm  is  one  of  the  attractive  places  of  Aux 
Sable  Township,  and  i<  supplied  with  all  modern 
accessories  and  conveniences,  which  give  it  an 
air  of  thrift,  comfort  and  prosperity.  It  is  a 
hospitable  home,  a  favorite  resort  with  many 
friends,  and  the  best  homes  in  the  community 
are  thrown  open  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wix.  They 
are  consistent  members  of  the  Lutheran  Nor- 
wegian Church  at  Morris.  Mr.  Wix  is  a  stal- 
wart Republican,  and  has  served  his  fellow- 
citi/.ens  in  the  capacity  of  school  director  since 

loor.. 

On  March  7.  1S94.  Mr.  Wix  was  married  to 
Miss  Enger  Olson,  who  was  born  in  Big  Grove 
Township.  Kendall  County.  111.,  daughter  of 
Theodore  and  Bertha  fThordon)  Olson,  of  Nor- 
way. To  this  union  there  have  been  born  the 
following  children:  Clara,  born  December  10, 
1894,  who  died  February  24.  IsOs-.  Tilman.  born 
October  11,  1S96;  Clara  til),  born  October  29, 
189S;  Irvin,  born  September  3,  1901;  Rianchard, 


born  October  10,  1903;  Gladys,  born  December 
S,  1905;  Evelyn,  bom  June  7,  190S;  and  Arlott, 
bom  September  s,  1911. 

WOELFEL,  George  (deceased),  who  was  the 
founder  of  the  largest  manufacturing  industry 
of  Grundy  County,  the  products  of  which  are 
sold  all  over  the  world,  was  born  in  Bavaria, 
Germany,  March  25,  lsMl.  but  came  to  the  United 
States  in  IS.-..",,  and  to  Morris  ten  years  later. 
Immediately  thereafter  he  established  the  Mor- 
ris tannery,  and  later  conducted  a  boot  and 
shoe  store  as  a  side  line.  Although  the  tannery 
was  destroyed  b.\  fire,  be  rebuilt  it.  ami  in  time 
Ins  sons  became  his  partners.  Out  of  bis  initial 
phuil  has  grown  the  Woelfel  Leather  Company, 
which  gives  employment  to  a  large  force  of 
men  and  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading 
leather  producing  concerns  of  the  country. 
Mr.  Woelfel  married  November  29,  18G1,  Mar- 
garet Fleck,  and  they  bad  the  following  chil- 
dren to  grow  to  maturity:  Edgar  II.,  George  L., 
Annie  I...  Albert  and  Ernest. 

Z1EBUL,  Gustav.— It  is  not  so  remarkable  that 
a  child  who  is  given  every  advantage  oftentimes 
succeeds  in  life,  but  it  is  worthy  of  considera- 
tion when  one  who  has  been  forced  to  struggle 
for  all  he  possesses  achieves  prosperity.  The 
history  of  this  country  shows  that  some  of 
the  most  representative  of  its  men  came  from 
an  orphan  asylum,  and  without  family  or  influ- 
ence rose  to  positions  of  responsibility.  A  well 
known  example  of  sucfi  a  man  is  Gustav  Ziebul, 
owner  of  200  acres  of  fertile  land  in  Good  Farm 
Township.  Grundy  County.  lie  was  born  at 
Chicago.  June  7,  1S70,  and  as  he  lost  his  parents 
in  infancy,  was  consigned  to  Rose  Hill  Orphan 
Asylum.  Chicago,  where  be  remained  until  he 
was  thirteen  years  old.  At  that  tender  age  the 
bright  lad  came  to  Good  Farm  Township  and 
began  working  among  the  farmers,  receiving 
913  per  month  for  his  services.  From  this  be- 
ginning, he  has  worked  up  to  his  present  con- 
dition. This  advancement  did  not  come  without 
persistent  effort  and  unceasing  work',  but  the 
rewards  have  been  worth  the  struggle  according 
to  Mr.  Ziebul's  idea. 

On  February  25.  1002.  Mr.  Ziebul  was  united 
in  marriage  by  Judge  White  of  Pontiac  with 
Miss  Mary  Zingrebe  of  Good  Farm  Township, 
who  was  horn  December  8,  1S72,  a  daughter  of 
George  and  Hannah  (AllsesseiM  Zingrebe,  whose 
homestead  Mr.  Ziebul  now  occupies.  The  father 
died  February  25.  1002.  and  the  mother  died 
August  17.  1SS3.  They  were  buried  in  Good 
Farm  Cemetery.  Politically  Mr.  Ziebul  is  a 
Republican,  hut  aside  from  casting  his  vote  for 
the  candidates  of  his  party,  he  has  not  been 
active,  as  all  of  bis  time  and  attention  have 
been  required  in  bis  business.  He  is  an  excel- 
lent farmer,  and  his  property  is  one  of  the  best, 
cultivated  in  his  township,  for.  having  worked 
so  hard  for'  it.  he  appreciates  its  worth  and 
takes  a  pride  in  its  condition.  Needless  to  say 
he  is  a  good  business  man  and  excellent  man- 
ager, for  his  rise  in  the  world  proves  this  beyond 
any  question. 


HISTORY  OF  GRUNDY  COUNTY. 


029 


MORAN,  James  (deceased). — In  his  humble 
cabin  which  he  had  buiU  a  half  century  ago. 
ou  the  banks  of  Waupecan  creek,  in  Grundy 
County,  James  Moran,  [icrhaps  the  oldest  man 
in  the  United  States,  passed  away  in  November, 
1914.  lie  was  horn  in  Inland  in  1S03,  and  what 
an  epoch  of  history  his  life  covered.  For  many 
years,  however,  the  doings  of  the  great  outside 
world  have  concerned  him  little,  although,  until 
recent  years  he  kept  informed  as  to  local  mat- 
ters and  enjoyed  social  companionship,  lie  came 
to  Morris  over  sixty  years  ago  and  long  was  a 
familiar  figure  in  this  vicinity.  He  helped  to 
build  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal  and  the 
Rock  Island  Railroad,  bin  afterward  his  brother 
Michael,  who  was  accidentally  drowned  in  1869, 
gave  him  a  life  lease  of  four  acres  of  land, 
located   three  miles  from   Morris,  and  there,   in 


comparative  seclusion  and  according  to  his  own 
method  of  living,  Mr.  Moran  passed  the  rest  of 
his  life,  for  a  number  of  years  preferring  to 
live  alone.  When  age  fell  too  heavily  upon 
him  his  (laughter  Ann,  who  became  motherless 
at  the  age  of  three  years,  insisted  on  coming  to 
care  for  her  aged  father  and  his  last  years 
were  made  comfortable  through  her  care,  llis 
two  other  daughters  are:  Mrs.  Marshall,  of 
Blue  Island,  and  Mrs.  Dora  'Webber,  of  Waupou- 
see,  111.  His  burial  was  from  the  Catholic 
church,  Rev.  Father  Dairy  officiating. 

As  one  of  the  old  landmarks,  as  it  were. 
.lames  M«>ran  will  be  missed.  The  older  resi- 
dents remember  well  his  sturdy  virtues  and  his 
independent  ideas,  and  many  of  them  cherished 
the  kindest  of  feelings  toward  their  venerable 
neighbor. 


706